Disclaimer: Owning the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise would be a ton of responsibility :(

The pages snap shut, making a low thudding noise between my hands. The book falls into my lap and I stare at it, half-wishing half-annoyed.

Why did I think it'd be quiet here? It wasn't quiet at Martha's. Even when I'm up in my room I can here the kids' shouting come through the thin floorboards or the roaring of the TV being turned up too loud.

So why did I think an apartment that's always filled with people (two of which who never stop bickering) would be a nice place to read a book?

I sigh and lean back into the couch.

"How's your book?" Ruka asks.

I suppress the tension in my shoulders, not quite prepared for a conversation after a reading session. "It's okay."

She looks forward. "Oh."

"It was a bit slow at first," I urge the conversation on. Her head lifts back to me. "But everything's picking up now."

Quickly, as her mouth opens to form another string of words, another beats her to it. "I can't believe it."

I'd been trying hard to ignore the dueling pair at the table before us. They were the reason my book and I needed to part ways. Every now and then I'd catch myself peeking over the cover, picking up what I could from either of the two, Yusei or Rua.

"I almost thought," Rua mutters again, placing his cards on the table. "I thought I would win."

It's slight, like most of his expressions, but I watch as Yusei's focus wilts into a frown. "I'm sorry," he goes to pat Rua's head, "You did good this time."

I feel like I'm intruding. Especially when Yusei's gold-marked face turns to us and his eyes fall on me. I take a deep breath to try to make the blush go away.

"If one of you needs me," he sighs, making a swift glance back to Rua, "I'll be downstairs."

When he's gone, Ruka stands on her feet and puts a hand on her brother's shoulder. "You just need more practice is all. Do you want me to help?"

He sniffles, "No. I think I'll just head over to Tenpei's. I promised him I'd be there after this."

"Woah."

That reaction is an understatement, of course. The twins' flat just puts me at a loss for words. But maybe there isn't any to explain why the floors are so glossy or why the view from the living room overlooks most of the city or why the television is bigger than Martha's house itself.

Well, maybe there is one word: money.

"You've been standing for a while," Ruka says, taking my attention away from the stone countertops in the kitchen. Her eyes widen with worry, "I'm not keeping you from anything am I?"

"No," I smile as she calms, then chuckle, "your house is just really amazing."

She smiles in return and offers me a seat across from her. The couch is soft like cotton as my back leans against it. "Anyway," I remind myself, "you said you needed a favor?"

"Only if you don't mind," she adds speedily.

"Of course not."

Her expression is hesitant, like she's not sure if she should say what she wants. Whatever it is she called me here for must be really bothering her.

"Ruka," I call softly, driving a wedge between her thoughts and our meeting, "what is it?" Still she looks wary so I add, "I won't laugh, promise."

"He's been a bit upset the last few days." She hugs her legs to her chest and says, "It usually doesn't last this long."

My brow furrows in confusion. "Who's he? Rua?" She nods. "Why? Did something happen between you two?"

Her green pigtails shake. "Not between us. You were there, though." She takes notice of my bewilderment and corrects herself. "When Rua dueled Yusei."

"Oh." For a second I understand but then it's lost as quickly as it appeared. "But it's understandable," I say. "Hasn't Yusei had more experience dueling?"

"Sometimes," she sighs, "Rua's hopes sky rocket off the charts."

"But this isn't why you called me here," I state as the thoughts finally form. "You don't just want to talk, do you?"

She sits perfectly straight now, legs on the floor and hands in her lap. "I was wondering about something," she says timidly.

"Go on."

"Do you think you could duel Rua?"

Of all the things I know I can do, dueling isn't one of them.

"I would be happy to." Her smile brings my heart to pieces. "But I can't."

"Oh," her head tips down and I can almost hear the frown coming to her face, "You're probably busy. Sorry, I didn't really take that into—"

And I have to laugh. Throw my head back, close my eyes, and let it burst from my throat. "Me?" I gasp in between, "Busy?"

Obviously lost and wide-eyed with concern, she says, "I don't understand."

My grin's small and apologetic as I go to sit next to her. "I didn't mean I don't want to," I chuckle still, "I meant I don't know how."

—

"And you're sure you've never dueled before?" Ruka asks from behind her hand of cards. When I nod she says, "Because you're doing pretty well."

"Really?" I say after placing a face-down on the mat. "I did think it was going to be harder than this."

"We can take a break if you want," she states as she watches my hand rub an eye. "Dueling isn't hard but it can take a lot out of you after a while."

"You got that right," I agree. "Especially after seven duels in a row."

I fall back on the floor and watch her go into the kitchen. You've got to be kidding me, I think. Even laying on the rug is like sitting in a bed of silk. Why didn't I grow up like this?

Ruka's head peeks from behind the fridge door, "Are you staying for dinner?"

"What?" I look at a plaque up on a wall, its digital numbers reading half past seven. Outside the patio door, the sun has already set and the white of the high-rising moon hangs in the sky. "Oh."

"The phone's right there," she points, "if you need to call home."

My head follows her finger to a metal square with numbered buttons and a screen on it. "That's a phone?" my voice tumbles out stupidly.

She questions, smiling lightly, "What did you think it was?"

I try to hide the humiliation under my wavy, brown mop of hair: "A television?"

"Why would there be two TVs?"

I will myself to make eye contact and, immediately, the laughter pours from both of us. Still giggling, I pick myself up from the floor and go to the wall where the phone is.

"Okay," I say as I touch random buttons, "I don't really know what I'm doing so—"

There's a loud beeping noise and I shriek, slightly afraid I've somehow set off a bomb.

"It's just the voicemail," comes Ruka's voice through the sound of clinking silverware.

Just as she finishes the message chimes: "Hey sis! I was just calling to let you know I'm spending the night at Tenpei's.

My gaze shifts from the phone back to Ruka. There's a pause in her action as she sets the table. Three spots, three glasses, three plates, and three napkins. I can't see her face with her back turned to me but I don't really need to.

The disappointment lies in her pause. In her lowered head as she sighs. Even as she shuffles back into the kitchen with the dining utensils between her arms, leaving two sets back at the table, I can spot disappointment trailing along with her.

The message goes on: "He's helping me strategize my deck before I get a rematch with Yusei. Don't eat all the ice cream while I'm gone, okay? Night!"

The phone beeps again to end the message. My hand doesn't go back to the keypad right away. Not when a certain thought is drilling its way through my mind.

Walking to the dining table, I watch as the pigtailed-girl pulls some things from the fridge. And I hate to ask the question but I need to be sure. "Ruka," she turns when I call, "where are your parents?"

She sits a bowl of pasta on the table, "Uh. On a business trip, I think."

I look back at the phone. Looks like I'm staying for more than just dinner.

We stand outside the Poppo Time clock. Today is the day.

"My first duel," I sigh. I grin toward Ruka, but seeing her apprehensive look causes me to ask, "Something the matter?"

Her eyes roam from the door to me. "I haven't been completely honest with you," she admits meekly.

I bend down to her eye level this time, smirking slightly, and ask, "Do you want to know a secret?" She looks unsure so I continue, "I already know."

With arched brows she says, "You know that—"

"That you want me to duel Rua and lose? Yes, I figured."

"How?"

I stand and reach for the doorknob, shrugging, "Women's intuition?"

—

Even in his sleep, the winning smirk is still present on his cheeky face. I glance back and forth between the two siblings and note the similarities of their content expressions.

Sighing, I shut off the television. Then I turn to the table and try to organize the placemats and decks that were left in a mess from the previous duel.

"You put up a good fight," I hear from behind me; it's Rua muttering in his sleep. He turns over, smashing himself further into the couch and muffling his words: "But you can't beat me. I'm the best."

I giggle and continue putting cards together in a stack.

"You can just leave those there," Yusei says as he comes up the stairs and into the den area.

"Oh," I respond, avoiding his eyes by staring at the blankets in his hands. "Alright."

He unfolds a sheet and lays it across Ruka. I step out of his way as he does the same for Rua.

Not much is going on in the apartment. It's quiet and dark with a few lamps lit here and there; the smell of coffee lifts from downstairs.

"Were you planning on staying?" Yusei asks suddenly, still tucking Rua in. He pauses and turns his head to look at me over his shoulder.

I didn't know that was an option. I blush from the thought. "No," I mumble quickly, "I think I'll just go home."

He pauses like he's thinking it over, letting the answer tumble around in his head, but soon finishes the action and walks around the table. My name is mumbled and I turn to the side of the couch with Ruka on it.

"Yes?" I question softly.

She rubs an eye, "Thank you."

I shake my head, "It was no problem at all." I go to leave but then remember: "If you're ever alone again, just call Martha's. I'll come over, okay?"

Her head snuggles into the couch arm and she yawns, "Okay."

Yusei waits by the stairs and I pass him to head for the door. Maybe I should say goodbye? No, maybe not. Open the door, walk out and—

The door doesn't close. Instead, a certain raven-haired man comes out soon after and shuts it behind him, locking the door with a key.

"Uh," I say, startled slightly, "what are you doing?"

A brow raises barely and he tilts his head toward the moon. "It's late."

"I know the way." I point to the street I always take from Martha's. "It's that way."

"The streets aren't always safe at night," he explains. "I should walk you."

My lips purse in disagreement, but it's too late; he's already started walking. "Fine," I mutter.

The way from the apartment to Martha's house isn't very long, I know that. Yet it feels like forever to get there. I guess silence does that to time.

What can I look at to make this go quicker? The sky is blank so no stars. All the stores are closed so no window shopping. My gaze hits an unintentional subject.

The gold streaks in his hair. How the ends of his jacket ripple from the breeze. The worn, brown leather of his boots stepping on the concrete pavement. This boy, this man beside me is—

"Is something wrong?" he asks, cutting through my train of thought. He sounds concerned despite the lack of emotion in his face.

"Yes!" flies from my mouth. My head lowers, hopefully hiding the blush with my bangs.

"What is it?"

"Um," I frown, puzzled by the question, "what do you mean?"

I can't tell if he's more worried than before or if he's just equally as confused as I am.

"You said something was wrong?"

"I…" Excuse! I need an excuse! "I'm… cold."

For a second it looks like he doesn't believe me but then I follow where his eyes have landed—on my bare arms. Thank goodness for tank tops.

The blue riding jacket is placed on my shoulders in one immediate movement, so quick I barely have time to register it happening. "Is that better?"

I know he's just trying to be kind but the softness of his smile only makes my cheeks redder. It takes a chunk of my courage just to say, "Much."

And the moment is over. I can still blush and internally squeal but he keeps moving like nothing has happened. In a way, I guess, nothing really has.

Now I feel like I should make conversation. As a friend (of a friend) and a decent human being, I shall try to engage in small talk. What do I say, though: "I like your jacket?" or "I hear you're really good at dueling?" or "I'm sure it takes a long time to get your hair like that?"

"Uh," I stutter, grabbing his attention, "The last time we met you told me you lived with Martha, right?" He nods. "Did you like it?"

Why? I cringe on the inside, You couldn't have come up with anything better?

Again, Yusei's oblivious to my discomfort. He gives a small hum of thought then says, "Martha's done a lot for not only me, but Crow and Jack too. We were lucky to have someone like her look after us."

"That's very thoughtful of you."

My head leans forward automatically, but when I hear him let out a chuckle, I peek to the side. Two (small) smiles in one night; I must be on a roll.

"Do you like it?" he asks abruptly. "Living with Martha?"

"She's been great and I'm very glad she let me stay," I sigh. "I don't think I'll ever be able to repay her."

The silence is revived shortly after. Although I'd like to ask him more, it dawns on me that we're coming up to Martha's front yard. Yusei stays in the grass as I step up onto the porch.

I thank him hurriedly and continue to walk to the door. "Maria," he calls after me.

Coming back out to the porch's edge puts me at a height advantage just above his head. The light from a nearby light shines on his steely eyes and, though I thought I finally choked it down, the red in my cheeks flourishes yet again. "Yes?"

He eyes my arms, looking faintly amused: "Can I have my jacket back?"

I laugh down the embarrassment, "Of course."

He shrugs it on along with his gloves. "I should get going."

"Probably," I utter with my gaze on a bush seated next to the porch beams.

"Goodnight then."

"Goodnight."

The presence of his stare lingers, but then I hear him turn, crunching through grass and padding down the sidewalk.

Before opening the front door, I push my palms against my cheeks in hopes of forcing the heat back into my body. My boots slip off and fall on the floor by the door.

Up to my room it is, where I sit for hours still trying figure out a way to get this stupid blush off my face and a certain blue-eyed duelist off my mind.

I know Yusei was in there for only a little snippet at the end but he's going to become so much more important in later chapters. Which is why I all I can give you now is Maria's budding crush/fangirling over his fine bootay ;)

Stay tuned for more yo~

TTFN