...Hello, um, yeah, I'm super late. So sorry! I really have no excuse this time. I just had a really hard time writing my ideas down. I would write and rewrite them so many times I even made a word document of about 13 pages long with all the stuff I kept deleting. Well, almost, since the first few times I did completely delete all. After that I wonder how long all those idea would become if I kept deleting.

Well, I just want to thank everyone who has followed this fic for so long and reviewed. Thank you very much, those review really do help though I felt so lonely I didn't get as many with the last chapter but then again I guess it's my fault for taking so long to update. Anyway, thanks again to those who reviewed. Also there was someone who left me a review but since it was an anonymous I couldn't reply and ask. This person wrote:

Valencia: I really like ur fic XD so far the story has gotten very interesting. I'm even thinking of making it into a book 3

Um, what do you mean making it a book? I wanted to ask for so long. Then, yesterday I found a fic with a similar title to this one and on the first chapter it was a lot alike to my story. So I was thinking maybe that person wrote this review. Anyway, I just hope that person decides to write different than my fic, that's all I'm gonna say.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I tried my best to make a good job, which is why I didn't rush. If you find any mistakes, please let me know!

Chapter 23: Awakening

Misaki, who was behind the counter as he was finishing making breakfast for everyone and he the closest to the kitchen door saw Yori standing by. "Yori!" Misaki greeted happily but only the corrected himself. "I mean, Sayori-oujosama!"

"Good morning, everyone," she greeted as she entered the kitchen. Somehow she felt a little awkward coming in last. She was wearing her school uniform and unlike other days where her skirt would reach just above her knees; today it was a few inches higher. Another thing that was different was her hair, which she was cascading down.

"G'morning, Yori" Greeted Crow.

"So, you're finally up," said Jack.

"Is it true, Sayori-oujosama?" asked Misaki. "Yusei-san told us you said you recovered your memories."

"Unh," she nodded. "It's true. Um, Misaki-nii, drop the formalities, please. I'm still… 'Yori,'" she smiled.

Misaki closed his eyes for a brief moment as the words sank in, he smiled. "Welcome back, kiddo."

"I'm not a kid," she pouted as she walked up to him and punched him lightly on the arm.

He laughed. "I know, but I'm really glad you're back to your childish self."

She made a soft snorting noise. "…Weirdo."

"And cheeky too, apparently." He added shaking his head.

"But you still love me regardless, don't you?" she asked as she got closer to him and looked at him with a playful grin. "Don't you, Misaki-nii?"

He pinched both of her cheeks and let out a chuckled.

"Hey!" she protested. "Ow! That hurt!"

"Now, go sit and eat breakfast you only have twenty minutes." Misaki ordered.

"'Kay!" she sat on the opposite side of Yusei, so she was facing him. The three sits next to her which would have been filled by Aki, Ruka and Rua were empty. She wasn't going to ask since she already had an idea of where they might be. Still, she hoped her gut was wrong.

She wasn't sure what the right approach should be: tell them that she already knew or wait for them to break the 'news' to her. It was pretty obvious to her they were a little hesitant to do it themselves. Yet, she wasn't sure how to address the matter herself or how to behave.

It really was a delicate situation. After all, when it came to delicate situations she, Cindy, knew to always keep her mouth shut because she was too blunt. She used to be able to blurt her thoughts out like Sayori but as she grew she realize people often thought of her as inconsiderate and insensitive. Sayori, on the other hand, always said whatever she thought to the point of not being able to keep her thoughts to herself. In a way, Cindy kind of envied that honesty which she had lost.

In this situation, however, since Sayori's personality would sometimes over take her own persona, she was afraid she might blurt out something. Even though she thought it, she didn't want to seem like she didn't care. Nevertheless, they really were her true feelings and thoughts: 'what's the point of worry about things you can't do anything about?' Yet, it made her feel just a little of guilt for thinking like that.

No one was talking. The faint sounds of the vacuum cleaner at the distance along with the sounds of the forks hitting the plate were what kept the kitchen from being completely silent.

Yori sighed as she was half-finished with her breakfast. So much for them telling her, there was no choice.

"Updates?" she asked keeping her tone lively and innocent and despite being a question it was also an order.

She looked at Misaki as he was the employee thus she was allow to order him. She tried keeping a bland expression. She rested her chin on her left hand and sighed again as she looked away beginning to get vexed.

"You-" despite looking at Misaki as she talked, she was addressing everyone in the room which included Yusei, Jack and Crow. "- look like you have been trying to tell me something since I walked in," she commented as she looked over at the empty seats next to her.

"Eh? Wh-what? We're not hiding anything from you" Misaki said nervously and turned around trying to busy himself with something. "Wh-why w-would you even think that?" He faked a laugh.

"One: I never said you were," Yori pointed out. "Two: All I said was that you looked like you wanted to tell me something." She emphasized the word and stretched it a little. "And three: it's written all over your face."

"Uh, um, that is…" Misaki was struggling with the words, and the other three guys apparently did not want to talk either.

"Your parents called," said Misato as she entered the kitchen with the vacuum cleaner on hand.

Yori looked at Misato surprised. "They did? Where we they? You said they had been missing and-" Yori stopped herself; she was talking too fast and eager. "I-it's not like I was worried or anything." She added quickly and huffed as she looked away.

"They're fine. They were in Slovakia." Misaki informed while sweat-dropping.

"Slovakia?" Yori repeated dumbfounded. "How did they…?" She shook her head still shocked.

"Apparently your dad bought a jet," Misato informed.

"I would have understand if they had gotten lost at the next country like Poland, Czech Republic, a country that borders with Germany but…" she shook her head once more "in Slovakia?" She sighed.

"Your dad has a really bad sense of direction, doesn't he?" commented Crow, finally speaking.

"Yup," Yori confirmed. She continued shaking her head. "So, what did they say?"

"They know," Misaki told her with a serious expression.

"Eh?" Yori gulped. "How did they find out? I made sure not to leave any evidence!" she said. "I bet they're angry but I really had no idea there was gonna be a physics test that day. I hate physics! Of course, I'd fail if I don't check my notes before. Then again, a C without studying it's not so bad and it is a passing grade, right?" Yori's having resurfaced again.

Yusei smiled ruefully, Jack raised an eyebrow and Crow sweat-dropped and Misato gritted her teeth in irritation.

"N-No, Yori, I'm not talking about exams," Misaki said as sweat-dropped. This girl could be dense at times. He sighed.

Yori sighed in relief. "Jeez, don't scare me like that."

"They know about you running away because someone attacked you!" Misato spitted out.

"Oh." Yori put down the spoon since she had finished her cereal. "Thanks for the meal," she said putting her hands together as she had often seen in anime.

"'Oh'?" repeated Misato, "is that all you're gonna say?" she asked incredulous.

Yori stood up from the table and looked at Misato. "Aw, c'mon, don't look at me like that," Yori said trying not to giggle. "You do know that there are security cameras outside the house, right?"

Misato realized. "…Right." She had forgotten they check them.

"So, what's the verdict?" asked Yori her face expressionless. It really was hard to know what she was thinking sometimes.

Misato pulled out her phone and turned it out from there a small hologram appeared. It was a recording from the video call.

"-We have deposited money into your account so you may do whatever you please." Akio, Sayori's father said. "I'm just-" he paused and corrected himself. "-We are disappointed that you wouldn't trust us."

"Dear," Sayori's mother put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Yori, what your father is trying to say it's that we know you prefer to take matters into your own hands. However, we feel a little sad that you wouldn't tell us when you have been injured." Mizuki said.

"We trust you and so we won't do anything. As I said before, use the money as you wish; hire bodyguards, or anything." Akio said worriedly. "However, you should keep in mind something: don't let them get their hands on it. We believe that's the reason why they are after you."

"Yori-chan," a man who resembled her father said from behind her parents. He was older but his handsome features still present and so it was easy to recognize him. "Protect the key and don't let it fall into anyone's hands." Her uncle, Yako Tenma, said.

Yori didn't even seem surprise to hear him say those words or see him with her parents. Yusei, Jack and Crow were since she had told them she was suspicious of him and they had not seen this video before.

"Yako-oniisan," Akio addressed him. "There's no need to concern yourself with that," a slight grin formed in his father. "My daughter knows her duty quite well and her name isn't Yori for nothing, brother."(1) Akio said proudly.

Yori blushed at that statement, Sayori's feelings taking over. She looked away, embarrassed. She felt a strong trust being deposited in her. It was the first time for Sayori and it made her extremely glad.

"I thought her name was Sayori," replied Yako.

"Eh? Well, yes, but that was because we couldn't decide-" Misato closed the video; there was no need to continue it.

"What does that mean?" asked Jack. "I thought you said it was your uncle who was behind the attacks." He was rather perplexed.

"I thought so," she replied her back facing them. She made a small pause as she recovered from her embarrassment. "Back when I didn't have my memories," she concluded.

"Does that mean he wasn't the culprit?" inquired Yusei, from what had been said he didn't think so but he wanted to hear it from her.

Yori nodded and turned towards them. "That's right, he's not."

"When your dad said you knew your duty well, what did he mean? What is it that those men are after?" asked Yusei.

Yori opened her coat, which revealed a belt which held a small pouch with her deck. She opened it and drew a single card and threw it towards Jack who was standing in the middle. It was so the three of them got a clear view of it.

"Ancient Sacred Wyvern?" asked Jack.

"Your synchro?" continued Crow. "Why would they want it?" he asked confused. "Not that it's not a good card or anything." He quickly added.

Yori raised her hand as a signal to get it back. Jack threw it back her way and she caught it. "It's not just an ordinary card," she said. "It's a key."

"Huh?" The three boys looked at her confused.

"Long story short, that card opens a special room which stores some even more special cards which I have been collecting all over the world." She explained.

"They want your collection?" Crow asked skeptically.

"It is not mine," corrected Yori "but yes, they do. Those cards are very dangerous as they dealt real damage during duels."

Again, the guys were surprised. "Is that even possible?" asked Jack.

"Look, I don't know the details since they did that even before I was born. All I know is that I have to retrieve the cards. Both my dad and onii-chan were doing it at first but I took the task once I decided to become the next head." She continued with her explanation. "My mission is to trace and acquired all the cards back and protect them from falling into the wrong hands."

"If those cards are so powerful as you say then a lot of people must want them." Yusei said.

Yori nodded. "They tried to keep the information from leaking but," she made a snorting like sound. "Of course, it was impossible. Not many do know, however."

"That means it was one of many that attacked you," Jack stated.

Yori nodded. "Yes."

"Darn it!" Crow punched the table. "Then we don't have any leads to find Aki and the twins." He was restless.

Yori looked up to him, surprised for a moment but then she looked down at her feet.

"So, they really were kidnapped. I was hoping…" Yori's voice almost broke as tears appeared on her eyes. She blinked them again. "This is-!" she shut her mouth and bit her lip. She had been about to say 'this is my fault!' but there was no point saying that or blaming herself for that matter. She knew that and so she stopped herself.

"Yori," Yusei started knowing what she almost said.

"I better go," she cut him off. "I'm going to be late," she observed. She only had about seven minutes to get to school.

"You're going?" asked Crow surprised that she could go to school in this kind of crisis.

"I am a student, after all." She replied disregarding his surprised, well not only his, but everyone else's.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" asked Jack angry that Yori was acting almost like she didn't care much about the situation, or her friends for that matter.

"What can I do?" she replied almost coldly. "I am but an ordinary girl, what you know is what I know. We don't know where they are, do we? There's nothing we can do but contact security and let them handle it for now." She said dismissingly as she was heading towards the door which let to the main entrance. "I assumed you already did that though."

Jack nodded. "They're completely useless." Jacked gritted his teeth.

"They said that they can't do anything till forty eight hours have passed." Yusei said clenching his fists.

"Don't worry, guys" she said to them and gave them a reassuring look. "Everything will be alright," she gave them a small smile hoping it would reassure them even a little.

Jack huffed. Crow wasn't so sure and looked away. Yusei, as he had heard her plan was a little worried. Misato and Misaki didn't say anything and just carried on with their duties. In this situation they both knew they were pretty useless.

"I know who can help," Yori said as she once again gave them her back. "And so I must go."

"I'm going with you," Yusei said as he got up and walked up to her.

Yori looked at Yusei and from his eyes she knew he was not going to accept a 'no' for an answer. "Let's go."

They were walking to school, not too fast but not slow either. Neither one of them was saying anything. Yet, Yori had a feeling Yusei had tagged along because there was something he wanted to say to her.

She stopped and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Yusei, whatever you wanted to tell me spit it out."

Yusei had stopped when she did and was standing in front of her. He was little surprised by her attitude, so straightforward. He liked that.

"What exactly are you planning?" he asked yet again, like he had earlier. "What does 'playing his game' mean?"

"It means just that," Yori replied dismissingly. "I'll play whatever he wants."

"I have a feeling that 'game' is more than that." He put both of his hands on her shoulders. "When you say 'play' it means something more, doesn't it?" he asked seriously, his gaze almost piercing.

She looked away. "I don't know what you mean, Yusei." She replied.

She was playing dumb, he knew. "He likes you," he affirmed.

She sniggered. "You're wrong. He likes Sayori, not me." She confirmed.

"You're planning on using that, aren't you?" he asked a little angry she would use another person's feelings to her advantage. He released her.

"I told you: a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do." She replied sadly. It was fine if he disliked her now as long as she could save Aki and the twins, it didn't matter. She didn't look at him, she was afraid.

He observed her. "…You think he is the culprit, don't you?"

She looked up to him surprised. She truly was amazed he figured out that much even what she was thinking. "That's right. I'm positive he's the one." Yori reassured him.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked as he touched her cheek and wiped a tear off. She hadn't realized she had tears on her eyes.

"I don't have any proof," she replied sheepishly. "Only my gut."

"I hope you're right," he said and smiled a little.

"I know I am. It has never failed me." She said while looking away trying to hide her blush. "That's also how I know who I can trust…" she added and started walking again towards school.

"I still don't think you should carry out your plan," Yusei said as he followed. "Not like you want."

"You mean, I shouldn't try and seduce him?" she asked him with grinned.

"Exactly," he replied.

"That would be the easiest way to find out where he has them." Yori said, remembering not to mention Aki's name or any of their names since they were only a block away now and some students were passing by them and they could over hear their conversation.

"You might be right about that but then you would in be in danger." He tried to reason.

"What do you mean?" she asked clueless, stopping at the entrance.

"Eh?" Yusei was taken aback. "Well, what I-"

"Good morning, Yori-chan!" greeted Aoi as he walked towards them from the school building.

Yusei looked at the guy approaching. His timing was awful as he wasn't sure if he had managed to talk Yori out of her plan. He glared at the boy for that.

Aoi ignored Yusei completely as he hugged Yori, perplexing the girl as he did that.

Yori smiled sweetly almost angelic, pretty much like the time at Burger World when she threatened her brother. It was the same smile.

"How do you, Aoi-kun." She said in a softer tone of voice than usual.

Yusei was a little surprised but realized this girl standing next to him was Sayori Tenma, not Yori. The first bell rang and the other students started hurrying.

"We better hurry, Yori-chan" Aoi said with a smile plastered on his face.

"I will see you later, Yusei," she said to him and started walking away from him.

Yusei saw how Aoi was about to put his arm around her shoulders.

"Yori!" Yusei called on impulse. He didn't want that guy to touch her. He didn't want to see her flirting with that guy. He just couldn't bare see her sacrificing herself and doing something she didn't want to do.

Yori turned around to see what Yusei wanted and before she knew it he had pulled her by her arm and planted a kiss on her lips. It was just lips touching, his lips moving above hers. It didn't last long either but to her it was an eternity.

Just as he started it he also broke it. "I'll see you later," he said with a grin on his face. He looked towards Aoi and glared. Aoi looked unfazed, however.

Yori was completely dumbfounded and shocked. As Yusei retreated she saw in his eyes a trace of remorse. He regretted it, she knew. "Later…" she said unenthusiastically and followed Aoi to class.

The elevator was empty and only Aoi and Yori remained after reaching the fourth floor. Aoi started chuckling once every left. Yori looked over at him confused.

"It seems your boyfriend thought something was up and got jealous." He said as he tried to stop laughing.

Yori blushed. "He is not my boyfriend." She corrected. 'I wish though.'

"Oh?" Aoi smirked. "I thought he was since he kissed you." He pointed out.

Yori shook her head. "No," she denied. "I do not know why he did that!" She said it angrily. She wasn't really angry but it was true and she was completely confused by that.

"He probably likes you," Aoi stated to which Yori blushed and looked down at her feet. "If you don't like him I'd suggest you tell him straight or-" he made a small pause. "-Get a boyfriend." He smirked.

"Eh? A boyfriend?" she played innocent.

"I volunteer for that," he said smoothly as he took her hand and she look away pretending to hide her blushing face.

"I-I would like that," she said meekly.

"I'll treat you well," he kissed her hand in front of the classroom door. He opened it and they both entered, surprising the whole class as it had already started.

Author's Note:

1. Yori means reliable, trustworthy in Japanese. The Yori in Sayori is written as reliable. The Sa on her name means sand.

Well, that's it! I hope it was good! Please let me know what you thought of it. Or if you have any questions (that does not affect the future plot) I would be glad to answer. Please review, I don't bite!