Over The Rainbow

13

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^^

Connar waited by the pier, facing the ocean as she watched the ships come and leave. Her hair feathered and fluttered in the sea breeze and a warm embrace wrapped around her waist from behind. The familiar scented cologne tickled her nose while the brush of soft lips tickled the skin on her neck, peppering their way to her lips. Deep, and sensual, longing...and distant. It was as if he knew too, that this was their final farewell. It was their last summer. Connar's life at Duel Academy would begin, and Jesse wouldn't be with her there. They talked many times about the situation, their relationship, where it could go and if it could go there. So it wasn't a lack of communication...if nothing else, it was nothing more than circumstantial. Still...that didn't make it hurt any less.

He held her tightly from behind and squeezed, turning her so that their kisses melted together before breaking it once again in an exchange of heated breaths.

"I missed you Connie-Girl..." He whispered.

"I missed you too..." she said back softly,"But Jesse...it's time."

"I know, darlin." he sighed softly lacing his fingers with hers,"Let's talk."

XXXXX

They walked together in slow strides through the wake on the shoreline. Just like they did the first time. A long silence between them each knowing what the other was thinking but neither one wanting to start...until finally, with a shaky breath...she did.

"Jesse..." she said with a quiver,"It's time we said what's on our minds..." she said softly,"These feelings between us...though feel right, seem wrong lately..." she sighed,"Real life has been getting in the way...and though, I known that try, but it just seems...not to go our way." she bit her lip trying not to let it show how much she wanted to cry. Though he could feel it without her saying anything, keeping a tight lip as he gently squeezed her hand in his.

"It hurt me to say...but that's probably what's best I think...we'll be okay." she sighed,"I think now's the time we learn who we are..." she blinked," We might not belong now..."

"But...we sure made it pretty far~ huh?" he chuckled softly.

"Heh...yeah..." she smiled sadly,"We sure did." she sighed,"And maybe our path in life will cross again..." she blinked,"But...for now...until then..." she sighed,"I think we need to find our own ways."

It pained him to hear her say it. He knew it was true. He felt it too. And frankly he respected the hell out of her for being the brave one to say it first. Lord knows he didn't want to. And even with practice...he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I don't want to leave it all like this..." she whispered softly,"But keeping our hopes up is like a rise and fall...it's hit or miss." she closed her eyes, as a tear beaded down her cheek, while she watched the faded memories play behind them,"All of your colors are turning grey..." she whispered out with a cracked voice as she held her head down, letting her tears leave a trail in the sand that washed away in the wake,"And I'll admit I feel honestly afraid that it will all just- fade away and-"

He stopped and silenced her with a finger to her lips, that startled her into a gentle gasp.

"I can only imagine how hard this is for you to say..." he spoke gently, but even his voice wavered,"And it hurts me to agree...but you're right." he said softly,"That's probably what's best...we will be okay." he chuckled awkwardly,"After all we're still friends, right?" He smiled at her softly.

"The closest..." she whispered back.

"And...we'll always have the summers."

She sniffled and nodded.

"Summer will always be ours..." she whispered softly chuckling as she now fully understood the meaning behind that message,"Not a summer will pass me by that I don't think of you, Jesse."

"Me too, darlin..." he said softly pulling her into a tight embrace against his chest. His breaths were shaky, his voice quivered and cracked, thought he quickly choked it back and forced that cheery smile she had fallen in love with in the first place as he softly stated,"And...this summer isn't over yet..." he whispered.

Her eyes widened as she blushed and she put on a broken smile, nodding as she graciously accepted his kiss, and the next one, and the one after. Over and over. That entire day was theirs, well into the night where Connar stayed and shared his room, rolling between the sheets with him, and never left his bed until their summer's end.

XXXXX

It was a glorious ceremony. As expected from such a high class school. The graduating class laughed, smiled, cried and celebrated together. Connar however spent hers alone. Her father and Uncle made it to the ceremony. They remained hidden though, watching from the corridor, as soon as it was over however, they had to leave for another board meeting that had to be pushed back so that Kaiba could be in time to watch his daughter's graduation. Not by choice however, they had to leave soon after.

The cherry blossoms fell like rain all around her as she walked in a gentle pace toward an empty park. Jesse left. He had to for his own ceremony. And after that, she knew there wasn't much chance of seeing him again. It was better for them this way...even if it hurt a lot more. They still kept in touch when they could. Simple "Hello" and "How are yous" was all their conversations consisted of these days. Still it was nice to have a chat. She sat herself upon a swing and gently rocked on it.

Thwack.

"Ow!" she let out a cry and rubbed her head which had just been bopped with a playful smack of someone else's diploma.

"Congratulations on graduating, Connar."

"Princeton!?" She gasped and turned to find her familiar classmate standing by her with a cheeky smirk on his lips as he waved around his diploma and she couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Yes..." she smiled,"Congratulations on graduating, Princeton."

"Heh. Of course I did." he chuckled and leaned against the swing set in comfortable silence.

"So...It's finally happening huh?"

"Come fall..." she sighed.

"So mind telling me why you look so sad on a day you should be feeling pride?"

"I am proud." she smiled,"Just...lost in thought."

"I can see that..." he sighed and watched her a while. He felt guilty for thinking so...but he couldn't help but be drawn to the beauty of the scene. Even with her saddened expression while she rocked in a gentle sway, her long pink hair feathered and danced with the cherry blossom rain. He blushed for thinking she looked beautiful in that moment...and he also felt stung, for thinking that even her sadness was beautiful. He sighed.

Time to play the friend role he had assigned himself through the years.

"...There are plenty of other fish in the sea." he said softly,"It's okay to be sad, but don't linger on it, when you still have a whole ocean left to swim in.

She blinked in confusion glancing up at him from below.

Is he...trying to console me?
He was being awkward about it...but she appreciated the gesture and smiled.

"...Thanks, Princeton."

"...Sure."

He blinked awkwardly, unsure of what to say next so quickly made for a cover of it by giving her a gentle push on the swing. She gasped when she felt a slightly stronger force putting her in motion and looked up at him as he glanced back, with rose tinted cheeks. She blushed deeply and stifled a chuckle exchanging a smile with him which he returned, continuing the gentle motion.

XXXXX

"Alexis where are you going?" Mindy asked.

"For real girl, there's a party and we're missing it."

"Hold on, guys." said Alexis,"Connar looked sad through the whole ceremony...I thought maybe we could invite her too..." she stopped short when she came across a scene ahead and gave a soft chuckle.

"On second thought..." She said softly,"I think maybe she'll be just fine on her own after all." she smiled as she could hear the pink haired girl's cries and squeals of laughter joined with Chazz's own teasing snickers with his playful pushing, which was soon synced up with her sway when he joined in on the swing next to her.

THE END

~Special Thanks~

Thank you for for reading "Over the Rainbow" and staying with it to its bittersweet end. A small taste of Connar's past and past relationships /v/

Jesse and Connar is a favorite pairing of mine -but before I get any hopes up, just in case there are any hopes to get up, they are not "end game", don't worry.- This is a side story that takes place in Connar's PAST. Which means it already happened. Her journey-from here- continues at Duel Academy in "Spirit Caller" Where new friends and relationships await. As to where her story will go from here, I hope you join her "Spirit Caller" journey and find out ;) But despite the outcome I still hope you enjoyed this journey too and will continue to enjoy watching her grow along the way. ^^

Thank You!

With Love,

Akarii Rose