Over The Rainbow

8

A/N For anyone who is reading/has read "Spirit Caller"

YES. This story is canon to Connar's story!

"Over The Rainbow" is a side story that takes place about 3 years BEFORE she started Duel Academy. It places itself during the summers and time she spent at Duel Prep School. As such: IT CONTAINS SPOILERS.

So. Spoiler Warning. Enjoy^^

"Sorry we couldn't make it back." Mokuba said to Connar through the Video Monitor .

"Hey, it's okay Uncle Mokey." Connar said softly,"You said You'd try that's not a guarantee, besides I know how busy you are."

"Believe me, Kiddo, we'd much rather be home with you. But it's really important we see this deal through." he sighed,"Still, your friend came back for a visit right?" he chuckled,"So you shouldn't be lonely."

"Speaking of which..." Her father's voice came from just beside Mokuba and she watched as the brunette made his way onto the monitor video feed,"I trust he got there all right?"

"Oh yeah!" She giggled,"Though he did take a dive off a moving boat...guess it wasn't moving fast enough..." she joked.

"And his hotel room is to his liking?"

"Indeed." she chuckled,"His room looks great, he passed right out on that bed." she laughed,"But you really didn't have to go that far out of your way, papa."

"I don't believe in low quality anything, Connar." he said with a gruff,"You know that."

Connar and Mokuba let out sheepish chuckles.

"We left an emergency credit card for you to use in case something comes up." Mokuba said softly,"You should be fine but you know how your dad worries."

"I understand." Connar said softly with a half hearted smile,"See you soon Uncle Mokey."

CLICK.

Connar sighed as she listened to the constant beeping dial tone of a disconnected phone call before finally hanging the phone back onto the receiver. Feeling the weight of emptiness constrict within her chest, she could feel the darkness hover over her once again.

"...Lonely?"

NO!

Shaking her head to shut out the whisper in the back of her mind, she glanced outside at the setting sun, smiling at the thought of what the summer would bring.

XXXXX

The next day Connar went to meet Jesse back at his hotel.

"Comin'!" Jesse's cheery southern twang brought a smile to Connar' face, happy to hear that he sounded better. When he swung open the door to greet her a blue blur leapt into her arms knocking her a few feet back as she giggled.

"Happy to see you too, Ruby!" she giggled and gave the beloved duel spirit a warm squeeze.

"Thank goodness, I hoped that would work!" Jesse said as he hid nervously behind the wall with a sheepish smile,"I'm real sorry about passin' out on you like that Connie-Girl!" he said,"Hope you'll forgive me."

"Pff..." Connar chuckled,"You cheater using Ruby against me like that!" she teased,"But I forgive you...I can only imagine how hard it was to swim against the ocean like that." he smirked.

"Hardy har har." Jesse rolled his eyes as he tossed a pillow at her, shooing Ruby out of the way. He chuckled and rushed her into a playful embrace,"Sue me for being excited to hold my lady again." he teased.

"R-Right...your lady." she blushed,"About that-"

"And I know just the way to make it up!" he stated cheerfully.

"B-But-" before she could get a word in, she was met with cold meat blinking up at him in confusion.

"Barbecue~" he grinned.

They rented a small grill for the beach where they watched the sun set over the water. The people were few and far between, it almost felt empty. Just the two of them, and Ruby splashing in the sea. Connar took in a deep breath of salty air as she stood in the wake, the fusion of sea salt and smokey barbecue twisting together somehow made her hungry.

"Soup's on~" Jesse called, but as she turned to acknowledge him she found herself swooped up into his playful arms letting out a squeal while he laughed as he kidnapped her away.

"You sure you didn't burn it." Connar asked as she held her nose to the smell of charcoal.

"You doubting my cookin' skills little lady!?" Jesse teased,"I assure you darlin, if there's one thing I know-it's barbecue" He huffed and forked a piece of meat between her lips.

"Mm!" She blinked, feeling impressed by this new taste unique to her brought up pallet.

"Mmhm!" Jesse smirked feeling proud of himself.

Connar giggled.

"It's so tender...I didn't expect that." They chuckled together, simply enjoying each other's company while taking in the rays.

They laid together on a disheveled beach towel, wrapped in each other as they watched the colors in the sky change.

Connar's head rested on his chest, ear to his heart beat while her hand lay across his stomach, interlocked with his as his other arm wrapped around behind her and held her close. They exchanged sweet nothings and got into deep conversations.

"So...it's getting more intense?"

"Yeah..." she said softly as he ran his fingers slowly through her hair,"And I don't know what to do about it." she sighed as she nuzzled her face into him. He sighed as he watched her and shifted his position so that they could face each other.

"Listen to me Connie Girl." he said softly,"What you have is a gift...you shouldn't be afraid of it." he said gently cupping her cheek,"You should embrace it."

"Easier said than done..." She said softly placing her hand over his as she sighed,"It doesn't feel like a gift..." she blinked,"More like a heavy burden...one that I've struggled with carrying my whole life."

Jesse sighed as he pulled her in close against him.

"Well you don't have to struggle..." he said softly,"Because I'm here...and I can help you carry it."

"You'd be willing to do that?" she blinked and he returned a gentle smile as he nodded.

"You're my girl, right? Of course I'd be willing to do whatever I can if it helps you..."

"Your girl, huh?" Connar gave a sly smirk as he blushed.

"O-Oh right...haha I suppose I had better ask first before assuming-" he chuckled with a sheepish smile,"What I mean is...I would...like you to be?" he blinked,"That is...if you'd...like to be?"

She blinked, the shade of red on her cheeks getting deeper as she watched him struggle with the right words. She couldn't help but giggle as this time, for the firt time she ever would have even thought, she took the initiative. Pulling the first move she cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips to his. His eyes went wide with surprise and he blinked a few times before chuckling and sinking in. He placed his hands on her love handles and squeezed making her giggle so that they rolled together, pulling her on top of him before breaking the kiss and taking in a few heated breaths.

"Well Howdy~" he chuckled as he tucked some loose hair behind her ear,"Judging by that action, I take Yes to be your answer?"

She blushed heavily, when she came to realize the position they were in and she avoided his gaze shyly.

"H-How can you know everything I'm saying when I'm not actually saying anything?"

He blinked and raised a brow with a smirk.

"It's easier than you think actually." he teased,"Allow me to show you~" he gave a cheeky grin as he rolled her beneath him, as he leaned in closer a sudden blue cripper hopped between them full of cuddles and playful licks against her cheeks while she giggled.

"Awww~" She giggled and wrapped her arms around the affectionate Ruby that purred happily in their snuggles.

"Awe, come on, Ruby, Really!?" Jesse huffed and gave a pout,"Got me jealous over here...Ruby's gettin' more kisses than I am!" he joked.

"Hey~ Don't be mad at Ruby because she's brave enough to take them~" Connar teased as she gave the playful Duel Spirit a gentle squeeze.

"Woah, say what!?" Jesse rebutted while Connar snickered, taking this chance to escape, scooping the spirit into her arms and running off,"I'm gonna take her home with me~!"

"The hell you are~!" Jesse laughed as he gave chase,"You best come back here little lady, I'll show you bravery~!"

The playful squeals could be heard over the crashing waves fused with provocative laughter. A peaceful scene of "catch me if you can '' in a temporary bliss that washed away all the darkness in her mind, as she viewed the world in rainbow color once again.

To Be Continued