Chapter Seventeen

Love Thine Enemy

The half-moon peeked through holes in scattering storm clouds. I sprinted south, away from the wasteland of garbage and towards civilization. I scrambled over piles of trash. My foot caught on a tossed tire. I tumbled head-over-heels, and my back slammed into a pile of discarded appliances.

I huffed a shaky sigh and didn't bother getting up. Tears plinked against the metal buried beneath me. Another person clambered through the garbage piles. They sat upon a console resting on a pile above me.

I whimpered, "Please just leave me alone."

"Oh, um, sorry, Rain."

"Luna?" I muttered. She sat on her folded legs, and her hands grasped her white shorts. The light from her forearm left me awash in crimson. "What're you doing here?"

"We were around here to watch Yusei's duel. I was on my way back with Leo and Jack when my mark started acting up. The Crimson Dragon showed me what happened. It's, um, kind of amazing. Maybe it's not my place to say and I'm sorry. The way Kalin talked about you during the duel, though, made it sound like there was no way you'd turn him down. Seeing you stand up to him was awesome. You're a total hero."

"He… talked about me? You saw everything?"

"Mhmmm. It's weird. During the duel, he was always angry and yelling – especially when Yusei brought you up. When he talked to you, he was like a whole different person."

I covered my face with my crossed arms and sobbed. Luna mumbled, "Should I not have said that? 'M sorry."

"What are you doing?" bellowed Jack's voice from behind her. "We don't have time to-"

He gasped at the sight of me. Luna said, "I found Rain. She saw Kalin."

"You saw…" His expression fell neutral. Jack reached towards me. "Let me help. We're getting you out of here."

The sight of a second outstretched hand left me grimacing. I had to make it back, though. I had to make sure Yusei was okay. I took heart in the crimson glow, clasped his arm, and stood with his support. Jack helped me out of the trash heap and towards the street.

Moonlight guided our way back to Martha's. The Satellite streets were eerily quiet. Luna and Leo followed us without a word. After a shaky exhale, I squeaked, "Jack?"

"Hm?"

"Why did he do that to us?"

"You should know more than anyone. Here's the situation. Yusei suffered a horrid crash, so Crow drove him back on his runner. Akiza followed behind with Yusei's broken duel runner. I was left with the twins and now you."

Luna hurried ahead to match my pace. She grasped my hand. "Lucky I found you."

She was still trying to keep the Crimson Dragon a secret. Leo said, "Pfft. I don't get why everyone was so worried. Rain's obviously not gonna become a bad guy because-"

Luna smacked Leo on the arm. He whined and rubbed the afflicted area. I mumbled, "Will Yusei be okay?"

"Dunno!" Leo said. "That Kalin dude's strong as he is crazy! Yusei woulda been toast if the Crimson Dragon didn't show up. Hey, Rain. Everybody was saying you and the crazy dude are in love, but I said nooo way. Because he's, y'know, and you're… You get it, right? There's no way."

My weeping worsened. I bit on my knuckle to try to stop. "I'm s-sorry. It's my fault this happened. It's my fault Yusei-"

"Don't even start," Jack cut in. "You can't blame yourself. There's nothing you could have done, so lay off. This was all his doing."

He leaned closer and whispered, "If it makes you feel any better, I'm going through something similar. You heard about how I made a complete ass of myself in the City. Carly showed me that, but she also showed me I could be something greater. That was… until the Dark Signers sacrificed her. She's the only reason I'm here."

Not only did he know Carly, but he already knew of her fate. The defeated look upon his face was not the Jack I knew. I had to do something about it. "You like her?"

"She was tolerable."

I could've laughed if I was able. "You guys seem cute together."

He stutter-stepped. "Why must you be so damned honest and admit every last thought you think?"

"I don't have to say them out loud," I whispered. "It had a chance of bugging you, so I had to."

His brows lifted. He smiled a little. I did, too. I was still crying and my world was still ending but- my teammate made me smile, and I did the same for him. We slipped past trees onto Martha's estate. A lantern swung out front, casting its warm light onto the holder.

"Oi, Martha!" Jack called. "What's the news?"

"I awoke the doctor," she explained. "He arrived and has been staying with us since a few months after your departure. He operated on Yusei and spoke on how lucky the boy was. I imagine it will be some hours before he awakens, but he'll be fine."

Relief calmed me. I sniffled and swiped away a tear. Yusei was okay. Everything was upside-down but, but my teammate would be okay. Martha asked, "Rain? You're back?"

She shoved the lantern into Jack's hands and pulled me into her embrace. "Oh, hon, I'm so sorry for what's happened to you. I can't imagine what you must be going through. When I think of the way he acted around you, though, when I think of how he let go of his pride on your behalf and entered my kitchen anyway, I know for certain. If anyone can get through to him, you can."

I sobbed and hugged onto her. She held me and rubbed between my shoulder blades. Jack barked at the twins to give us privacy. Leo hollered back about how Jack was watching, too, but left with him anyway.

"If you want anything at all, let me know," she said.

"I think I need some time alone."

Her nod was grim. "We're here for you."

The darkness masked her exit. I sat beneath the same tree by which I'd spoken to Luna earlier in the night. The leaves blocked whatever moonlight managed to break through the black clouds. The flowers' scents seemed poisonous now. I spoke in thought: You knew, didn't you?

The Crimson Dragon was silent for a time. Yes.

Why didn't you warn me? Or hinted, or-

Because I knew of the outcome. I did not want us to suffer.

What happened to 'pain makes you stronger?

I apologize. I was not aware of the wide array of emotions and the difficulty of bearing them. I am not as affected. The journey through your memories taught me about the human position, but I clearly have much to learn.

I sighed through my nostrils. My eyelids weighed tons. Please, Dragon, I'm begging you. Isn't there any possible way to save him? Any of them?

Cicadas buzzed. A breeze carried the scent of rot. The Crimson Dragon said, Withholding information from you was my first mistake. There is a way, but you will face unearthly consequences if you choose it.

He explained what I would need to do and warned me of the possibilities arising from the "consequence." A very important fact to keep in mind is that you must be the one to defeat him in place of a Signer.

Defeat him? Like in a Shadow Duel? B-but he was my leader, and my partner!

Was, the Dragon said, and the word stung my soul. In the aftermath of a Shadow Duel, the loser normally perishes. You can perform the swap while he is on the verge of death and only then.

Fighting means I'll have to hurt him, and, if I lose… I'll die. I gulped. Are you sure this is the only way?

I am certain. Remember what I said. The danger involved in taking one on is incredible.

My memories drifted back to a rainy night that felt like years past. I had let my cowardice take over, and I ran away from my partner's side when he needed me the most. The overwhelming sense of failure it had left me with…

Was not something I would know again. I'll stand up to him. I'll win, and I'll save him. I know who he really is, and it's not a Dark Signer! My Kalin is worth that risk! No matter how much it hurts, that he… left me alone.

The blaze of your conviction burns beyond tragedy once more. You prove yourself admirable and heroic once again.

"What are you talking about," I murmured. The golden fingers of dawn reached from the east. I watched the slithering light. With no Satellites to work the factories, no smog would stain the sky. Never thought I'd want the pollution back. "Look at me. Sitting and crying for hours. I'm pathetic."

Heroism defines your actions, he said. You turn your back on your desires for the sake of what is right.

I clutched my temples. Maybe I didn't do it. I still wanted to. Cascading tears glittered with morning dew. I wanted to run to my partner and feel his embrace and never let him go.

As bravery is acting despite fear, heroism is acting despite opposing wants.

It's not bad to want that in the first place? I mean, I feel awful for even thinking about it.

Young dragon, he said, if I have learned anything from you thus far, it is that emotions are not always tamable. Do not punish yourself for raw feelings.

Th-thanks… I think.

Boots crunched against leaves and pine straw. Their steps were hobbled. I lifted my head. Yusei Fudo rested a hand on my shoulder and knelt beside me. "How're you holding up?"

"What do you mean me? You-" I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Yusei, I'm so grateful you're okay. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Rain, you have nothing to apologize for."

"I told you I would save him," I uttered. "I was the only one who could, and I…"

My stare dropped, and I sniffled. Yusei said, "Don't be. It's my fault. He blames me for everything. He said- he was my friend, and he said he lost his will to live because of me. I can't even imagine what you two suffered, and all on my fault."

His eyes watered. I shouted, "What are you talking about? You did nothing! It was all him! All of this is- is his-"

I wept. Not just me, but Yusei – the friend who had my back no matter what – both of our worlds stopped because of my partner. Yusei said, "You don't understand. I'm terrified of Kalin. He wants to kill me for good reason. Everything he said was true. Maybe he should. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have-"

"Stop it!" I shouted. "If you really believe that, he isn't the only delusional one! He's the one who chose to die! No one made that decision for him."

Yusei swallowed hard. "Is there any way you could explain exactly what happened? There are some pieces we'd like to try to put in place, and you were there for it all."

Through his pleading eyes, I could see he was barely holding himself together. I knew that struggle well. "What lost you?"

"Can you tell me your whole story from start to finish? That should clear things up for everyone."

I set my jaw, wondering if I could suffer through it one more time.

My friends needed me, so I would.

"I'll start with the Facility I guess." Before I could, Yusei approached the cottage and gestured for me to follow. He offered a seat at the head of the dining table. The Signers, Crow, Leo, and Martha were waiting. I gulped. "Um…"

Martha sat beside me. "Child, your friends have something to tell you."

I lowered my head. "What is it?"

"Kalin said you're a huge part of the reason he came back," Crow said. His gray eyes were cold as gravestone. "So what was it, Rain? What'd you do to make him a Dark Signer?"

I shoved to my feet so quickly my chair fell back. "What in all the stars are you talking about? I didn't tell him to be a Dark Signer! I- I held him as he died, Crow! His heart wasn't beating. I th-thought he was gone forever."

"You must be oh-so-happy he's back," Crow spat, "even though Yusei came this close to dying because of him!"

Jack pushed Crow against the wall. "Rain is not our enemy. Take your grief out on someone else."

Crow shoved him off. "That's real rich coming from you, Jack."

"Stop it, all of you!" Martha's command ushered silence into the room. "Crow, use your eyes. All it takes is one look to tell she's not happy about this, either. What else did Kalin say?"

Yusei's expression was blank. "He said you were in the Facility together and were brutally attacked by Securities every day. The worst part to him was watching you in pain and not being able to do anything because of me. When the dark god offered to make him a Dark Signer, he thought they would leave you alone because their grudge was with him."

I scowled. "He couldn't have been more wrong. They tortured me because they thought he escaped. All of that and- and right after he died, I…"

"Then maybe you should've told him what Yusei was trying to do!" Crow shouted. "We could've avoided all of this!"

"Of course I told him." Again the emptiness dragged me down. "He wouldn't listen. He convinced himself. When I saw him yesterday, he tried to tell me again. I told him he was better off dead."

Crow's brows shot up. "You said that to him?"

"Yes. After all, we're-" My breath escaped me. The word struggled and struggled to escape: "Enemies."

Silence followed. Jack broke it by clearing his throat. "Was what Kalin said about the Facility true? They took his deck away, and you were attacked every day?"

"All true. The night he died, I got his deck back. I never had the chance to give it back to him." I pulled it out, and while it rested in my palm, it was so heavy. This deck was my anchor.

"Weeeeeell, I totally knew Rain wouldn't go with the crazy guy!" Leo said.

My fingers curled tighter around the deck in my hands. "He's not… crazy."

"You'd believe me if you saw him! He had this creepy laugh, and you should've seen how mad he was when he talked about how we all forgot about you-" Leo slapped his hands over his mouth. Everyone in the room became noticeably more anxious.

"What's going on?" I asked. "What are you not telling me?"

Crow stepped forward. Jack held him back and said, "Know we're very happy you didn't become a Dark Signer with him."

My head tilted. "Why would I? He's the one who messed up."

"We all messed up," Aki murmured. She wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Holy shit, he didn't tell her what we did!" Crow exclaimed.

"What're you talking about?"

Luna ran forward and embraced me. Her voice shook as though she battled tears. "Please, please know we love you!"

"I know," I said, patting her head. "Why are you so sad?"

"Rain." Yusei's expression was somber. He muttered, "We failed both you and Kalin. It's just like back in the Satellite. I've screwed up all over again. I really am a traitor."

"You aren't a traitor! Kalin's the real traitor. We tried to do anything we could for him, and he threw it in our faces! He left me behind, and you…"

My vision drifted to where bandages peeked out beneath his black shirt. Yusei said, "You don't understand. After what happened in the Satellite-"

"I was there, too!"

"You don't know the whole story."

The table bumped as I backed away. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Yusei's gaze fell to the floorboards. "Forget it. I'd like to hear your story. What happened to the infamous fugitive of New Domino City?"

They're all trying to hide something from me, aren't they? Can you see what it is, Dragon?

I can tell you they all harbor some sort of intense guilt related to you, and it is tied with the duel between Yusei Fudo and Kalin Kessler. Yusei and Jack, however, hold a double dose of this remorse. Yusei's is tied to your time in the Satellite. Jack's is some time before the Fortune Cup.

Guilt? Well, whatever it is, I don't want them to suffer. Maybe they'll feel better if they keep it to themselves. I said, "Mkay. I'll start from the beginning."

I recounted every moment since being at the Facility while leaving out the Crimson Dragon. The end was at the hospital, where Leo fought off the Shadow Drone. "Then we all met up at Godwin's mansion, and here we are."

Crow grasped his own arm. "Jesus, Rain. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean any of that. I'm glad you're on our side."

"Sayer lured you? Could it really be true?" Aki whispered.

Yusei scratched his head. "No wonder he hates me."

"Rain, do you remember anything about before Kalin found you?" Jack leaned in and continued, "That's what confuses me the most. How does someone wake up in the middle of the Satellite with no memory of who they are and never get an inkling back?"

Leo asked, "Er, did I space out for that part of the story?"

"That's how I started out. I woke up without knowing who or where I was. It was a struggle just to remember my name. I haven't remembered anything from before that."

Jack said, "Is there a chance you're the fifth Signer Godwin referred to? That could be why the Shadow Drone targeted you."

I held up my arms. "Do you see any red here?"

Jack harrumphed. Leo said, "Raaain, you never really answered me last night! Kalin was totally lying about you liking him, right? 'Cause he was, like, calling you 'my Rain,' and it was suuuper creepy. Besides, he's a bad guy, and you're a good guy, so that's not allowed."

"Yes, that's right," Aki murmured. "Because of him, Yusei almost- After what he did, it must be impossible for you to still be attached to him, Rain."

"Plus there's what you told me yesterday," Crow said. "Louie, Annie, and everyone in the Satellite- Kalin wanted this."

When I glanced around the room, their hostile stares pinned me with chills. I felt so alienated, like they believed I would turn my back on them at any moment. Even Aki glared at me despite our conversation about how she couldn't change her mind about Sayer.

Truly a sinner among saints.

Martha shot to her feet and marched toward me. "You children have no idea what it means to lose someone you love. The passing of my husband years ago still affects me every day. Rain has had her grieving period ripped away from her, and you expect her to have perfect control of her feelings? I understand we are all emotional. Employ your empathy, children."

"Th-thank you," I whispered. "I think I'll go back to taking my alone time, if I'm no longer needed."

"We do need you!" Luna instantly urged. "We do, okay?"

Because of the Crimson Dragon. I shook my head. Luna cared about me more than that. I needed to get my head on straight. I gave her a two-fingered salute and left Martha's cottage.

Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I trudged away from the cottage, out of the sparse forest, and deeper into the Satellite. The streets used to be bustling with duel activity. When my former partner had led me through the area, children had cheered as one player emerged victorious. Kalin had said, "We'll make it so they all have somewhere they belong."

Now, the Satellite was empty. Its silence aligned with the void in my mind. The Satellites had been consumed by the Dark Signers, and my partner was one of them.

The concrete beneath my feet was broken, and the buildings around me were crumbling. Dirt and dust stained every visible surface. This district had been abandoned for years, so silence was its suitor.

A large, domed building awaited me. I crossed the threshold, where double doors used to stand. Daylight spilled through the roof. The center of the dome had caved in. The concert hall held two rows of worn seats, one in the front and one in the back. I hauled myself up to the wooden stage they faced.

My old home was as I left it. Dust had collected on the grand piano. I blew off the keys and played a string of high notes. They had become my favorite medley because they were reminiscent of the wingflaps of butterflies. The mental image carried a brief instance of peace I hadn't known for months.

A cloak covered my runner. I wondered who had covered it. Yusei, I guessed, since he knew the location of my stage. I pulled off the canvas. The dull gold of my runner's frame glinted in the light. The matching helmet was on the seat. I fastened it onto my head, straddled the runner, and started the engine.

The wheels squealed off the stage and out the door. Wind tore at my long, white hair, khaki cargo pants, and black one-armed shirt. The blue gem on my bracelet sparkled when I drove through rays of sunlight. My ebony, fingerless glove bore a set of three symbols in an unknown language.

Nothing changed since the last time I rode these streets; nothing but my criminal mark, a scar of a bond to my enemy.

The Crimson Dragon grunted. Far more has changed, young dragon.

I'd like to think so, but maybe I haven't changed at all. Maybe-

My runner's engine shut off. I floored the brakes, which catapulted me off. I landed flat on my back.

Great. Juuust great. I pushed to my feet. Picking up my runner, I noticed the display showed two symbols similar to the ones on my duel disk. A zone on the runner's attached disk was flashing. Wasn't that the Field Spell zone? I thought Speed World was automatically placed there in every turbo duel.

A card popped out of the deck on my wrist. I pulled The Seal of Orichalcos out and placed it on the flashing card zone. Green circuits erupted throughout the disk, causing the engine to start up again.

Curious. The Seal of Orichalcos was heavier than my other cards. When the light hit it, dark green flashed along the Seal's star. The card had stone inlaid in it. That's right. Yusei said once that the runner used some mysterious source of energy, which must have belonged to the stone.

The sight of the nearby cluster of apartments bubbled up memories. Twisting alleys between the structures led to a cliff looking out upon the western ocean. Once upon a constellation, my life revolved around the decrepit building perched on the cliff's edge: Team Satisfaction's hideout.

I guessed I'd stay a while. I didn't want to face the Signers again just yet.

The stairs up to the second floor still held the nasty banister, which had been further chewed apart by termites. The second floor held a table in the middle and a box in the corner.

The colored-in map of the Satellite rolled out on the table in my mind's eye. I imagined it ancient. Crumbling. Ripped apart. I took the old deck out of my back pocket and tossed it on the top. The loss of the burden felt like casting off thousands of pounds.

The box in the corner of the room had gathered dust. My partner never would have allowed that. A peer inside uncovered a relic: a pair of cuffs used to attach opposing gangs and explode their disks. Mine had been confiscated at the Facility. After a split second, I snatched the last one and stuffed it into my pocket. I strode to the room's end and looked beyond the dilapidated wall.

The afternoon sunlight on the crashing waves was beautiful as ever. My knees hit the cold stone, and I crossed my arms on the broken wall. I rested my head on my forearms. The sun's warmth was a gentle caress. The exhaustion of my interrupted sleep coerced me into closing my eyes. Sleep washed over me like the ebbing waves, their tide a lullaby.

"What's this?"

The voice stirred me. I picked my head up and sat back on my calves. The sun's disk was halfway beneath the horizon. Blood orange danced on royal blue waters. I held the crumbled wall and struggled to my feet.

My heart lodged in my throat. Kalin held his deck that I had left on the table. His eyes weren't black outside the iris, and his criminal mark was its usual yellow. This had to be some sort of dream. He still wore his Dark Signer cloak, though, and his dark mark was a bleak purple on his arm like a tattoo.

When he noticed me, a corner of his mouth lifted. My pulse accelerated, and my grip on the wall tightened. The deck. If he figured out what it was, if he realized I'd held onto it…

I dashed towards him and attempted to snatch back my anchor. He saw me coming, though, and pushed my head just far back enough so I couldn't reach it. I kept trying, shouting, "Give that back!"

He laughed and responded, "Nah."

The initial lunge was all I could manage. My legs had fallen asleep during my nap, so my shaky legs crumpled. Kalin caught me by the elbows. The wrapped deck pressed into my skin. I slipped my arm out of his grasp, skimming down to get my fingers on the deck.

He jerked his arm away from me and dropped the deck in his back pocket. I found my footing, backed towards the table, and leaned on the sturdy wood. Kalin said, "Close one, but it looks to me like you still need a hand."

He nodded towards my shaking arm supporting me. It wasn't because I was weak or in pain, though. It was because I was this close to him. He laughed a little and caught his forehead in his hand.

"Rain. I know you and you know me. So." He strode forward and placed his hand over mine. Our bodies flushed, and heat rushed to my face. Kalin leaned over me and whispered in my ear. "I doubt you're afraid because of anything you think I'll do."

I exhaled a breath I must've been holding for an eternity. His cheek brushed mine as he moved away from my ear, and it was as though electricity sparked from the point of contact. I tried to duck my chin. My forehead pressed against his.

Nothing was visible except for his knowing smile. I couldn't think beyond his heartbeat pounding against my chest. I lifted my head, my mouth open. My free hand moved up, and my fingers wove into his soft hair. I caught Kalin's mouth with my own. He grasped my cheek. My lips slowly shut with his. Tears built and streamed down my face. They were of mixed joy and sorrow because he was here, I could feel his heartbeat, he was alive, and that-

That made me so happy when it shouldn't. My tears ran over his fingers, and he broke away. His hand lingered on my cheek. He swiped away tears and they quivered on his fingertip, sparkling in the setting sun. "Rain. I never meant for you to be a part of this. I love you no matter what. You get that, right?"

"I…" I shut my eyes hard and rested my head on his chest. He held me tight. For a precious moment I could forget every gnawing doubt. "I love you, too."

The slightest of sighs escaped him, and tension loosened from his muscles. My sobbing filled the silence. He whispered, "Hey. It's okay. You don't have to cry."

"No, it's not! You have no idea what I've been through, and I thought I was alone, and you-" I could only bawl. He stroked my hair, and I despised how comforting it was. A part of me wished to break away and believe, yes, I hated him.

I couldn't even lie to myself.

"You're right. I don't know. Can I tell you something, though? This right here is what I missed the most." His hold on me tightened. "I feel the same way as you, partner. I can't get over you."

"I-I don't feel that way!"

The rumble of his laughter rocked me. The warm breath of his whisper crawled down my neck. "It's adorable how hard you're trying not to want me."

I untangled myself from him and scrutinized his smug smile. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He threw up his hands. "Why do you think I'm here?"

"Um. Because you… wanted to see me?"

"Hey, yeah, no. I'm not some stalker or whatever you think 'villains' do in their spare time. Goddamn. I thought you really hated me. Why would I want to see you? So you could break my black little heart again?"

He laughed at my shock. "I'm not ashamed to admit you had me there for a while. See, it just so happens my boss thinks you have connections to a certain big, red dragon."

My palm instinctively covered my heart. "That creep Godwin said the same thing. He checked me and got nothing! So, uh, you can leave now. Please?"

"Oh, we both know that's not what you want. Here's the thing. I didn't need to ask you anything to get my answer."

Kalin stepped closer, and I didn't back away. He interlaced his fingers with mine. The gesture was so natural. Our hands together reminded me of the way he had led me everywhere, and I would let him. "Because no one really siding with that Dragon would look at me the way you do."

This was the part where I walked away, because I was with-

His fingers ran through my hair and he cradled the back of my head. A tender touch brushed back my bangs, and soft lips pressed to my forehead. My hand still held tight to his other one. Kalin grinned at my harsh blush. "Oh yeah, that's the one."

I tried to speak but a bout of nervous laughter came out instead. The sheer joy in my former partner's smile made me so painfully happy. He said, "Oops. I broke her."

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, and concern removed his smile. I sputtered, "I d-don't hate you, and I don't wish you were d-dead, and y-you're taller, and your sh-shirt is too small."

"Yeah, well, I never was much for fashion." His voice was low, and its gentleness made my heart ache. "You're still short."

"It's not fair."

"Ah, I'm sure you'll-"

"Not that! I mean anything. Everything. I don't know what to do, and I can't remember the last time anything I've had to go through has been easy!"

He wiped away my tears. "It's fine, okay? You can trust me, and I'll take care of everything."

It'd go back to being so simple. I used to follow orders and didn't have to think beyond them.

I thought back to my first meeting with the Crimson Dragon, when I swore to never follow orders again. I remembered the Dragon wishing I'd keep being myself, and I remembered my real partner urging me to make my own decisions.

Looking to my pale arms, I had to imagine the complex pattern of the Crimson Dragon's marks there – maroon to my enemy's dark violet. My stream of tears dried. "I don't trust you. My friends never threw me away like you did."

"I know you believe that, but those Signers are less 'friends' to you than you think. Take my word for it."

The Dragon mentioned their guilt, and Crow had said: "He didn't tell her what we did!"

"Oh, and I would never throw you away. There's so much you don't know."

My fingers escaped his as I said, "I know you tried to kill my friend, and I know you want the world to end. Once upon a constellation, my leader told me a couple tips: first, that we don't kill people, and second, that I'd be a hero. I think…"

I beamed, tilted my head, and poked my cheek. "That was really good advice, don't you?"

"Tch. Going back to them would be a huge mistake. I didn't just almost kill Yusei. I beat him. You get that, right? If you do this, you're picking the losing side. You're choosing to die."

My hand went to my mouth in fake shock. "Oh. Oh, you still think you're dueling Yusei. Maybe you really are crazy like they told me if you've forgotten. You're mine."

His expression was trapped between shock and anger, and one of his eyes twitched with the differing emotions. His formerly outstretched hand clenched into a fist. "You don't want to make an enemy of me."

I murmured, "My partner? No. I never, ever would want that."

"Partner." He spoke the word as though it weighed down his tongue. "You're mine, too. We belong on the same side."

"There's something we can agree on! All you have to do is follow me-"

"You're wrong to stand up for them. I know you feel it, too. Your only home is with me. So come on. Let me take you home."

The truth within those words stung me. I observed the hand he held out to me in the dark. Further up his forearm was his dark sign, the mark of the Giant. Who was he, really? The leader who gave his damnedest to save the Satellite, or the Dark Signer who begged me to help him destroy it?

I said, "I have one last question."

"Go ahead."

"Does this make you happy?"

"No," he answered immediately. "No, not until I know you're going to make it."

Which meant…

"As long as you're with me, we'll win this," he started. His finger bounced down his hand as though counting off the contents of a list. I took a step towards him. He didn't look up and automatically took a step back.

"It's impossible for us to lose on the same side," he said next. I stepped forward again. The brush of my knee on his shin had him moving backward. His finger swept down his palm.

"So we'll both come out alive-"

My last step left his back pinned against the wall. He finally glanced up from his hand, which dropped. My chest pushed his against the concrete. My fingers skimmed his waist. The pink dusting his cheeks darkened. My hand crept into his back pocket. My gaze never left his. I whispered, "Meetcha on the battlefield."

I stole back the deck, peeled off of my partner, and left him frozen stiff. My feet carried me down the staircase. There was no lie I could tell myself to deny that I wanted nothing more than to go back to where it was warm in his embrace.

On the way to my runner, I tossed the deck in the air and caught it again. A smirk played at my lips.

He really had taught me too well.

End of Chapter Seventeen

A/N: BGM - You're On (feat. Kyan) by Madeon

I FINALLY HAVE SPACE FOR AN AUTHOR'S NOTE. Now I can use some of those jokes I've been saving up for after the reunion happens! *clears throat* Rain got ghosted-

Hey guys! Sorry, but under threat of my beta, this A/N has been cut short! Thanks again for reading and especially for leaving comments - you guys are always making my day ;; World's getting crazy out there. Stay healthy & safe, fam. c: