Together as Family
1 Month Ealier
The young dueling couple days continue to progress. With Blair's pregnancy coming close to an end. During this time, Red Hat continued to head to tournaments and major matches, while doing his best to stay by Blair's side. There were times, Red Hat would increasingly get worried over Blair's health. There were days, Blair would be unable to do much of the house work with the added weight the unborn twins gave her. Red Hat would help her clean the house on various intervals, while Blair would clean much simpler places. She was unable to crouch, without added strain. When ever she felt tired or fatigue, she would rest on the couch for a while until she was able to move again.
"Feeling well, Blair?" Red Hat asked as he finished some of the house chores and sat down with her.
"I'm okay..." Blair rubs her swollen stomach.
Red Hat messages her shoulders. "You're feeling tense. I think you should take a break."
"I appreciate it..." Blair relaxed at the message he was giving him. "It's almost time..."
"I know..." He replied as he continued his message. "I'm worried when the time comes. I won't be able to help you."
"There's not much you can do. I'll be lying if I said I wasn't terrified."
Red Hat over the past couple months has been dueling in tournaments and in the pro leagues more and more. While he made sure not to stress himself while dueling. He was doing all of this to support his upcoming family. He even took additional battles and sold more and more prize cards for high prices. He even sold many of his older decks, with the exception of a few cards. He had to make as much income as possible. Since he refused to take any sort of sponsor. He had to obtain income from the Pro Leagues and tournaments he participated in. Didn't help that some matches we're held outside the city so he had to travel far when that happens.
"This may seem out of the blue, but I wanted to take you somewhere." said Red Hat.
Blair gave him a confused look. "Where do you intend on taking me?"
Red Hat thought about for a moment before he replied. "I want to take you to the Satellite District. Where my old man lives."
"Eh? To your father's home? Why though?" Blair questioned.
"I want you to meet him." Red Hat soon ends his message. "Even if it's just this one time."
"But my parents wouldn't approve our marrige. It's why I never returned to them and we held our marrige in secret from everyone. So how will your father be much different?" Blair asked as she turned to face him.
Red Hat closed his eyes. "It's true, your parents never did approve of me. Granted that was more my fault with the way I used to act back then. While the old man and I may not agree on many things, he isn't very harsh on such matters like this." He then gently rubbed Blair's swollen stomach as he glanced at her. "We don't have to go if you don't want to. It's pretty far to get to Satellite District."
Blair gently took hold of his hand. "No, the sooner the better." Blair slowly stood up. "Besides, who said we were heading on foot?"
"I clearly didn't." He chuckled. "It would be silly to walk that far in your state."
"Oh you, don't try and pull a fast one on me, Mister." Blair said with a pout.
"Alright, no need to make that face. We'll take public transport to head to the Satellite District." He replied as they got their things ready.
The young couple would soon get their things ready and walk to one of the us stops at Domino City. Red Hat held Blair close with an arm to support her. Blair smiled at the jesture. While she wanted to walk with him without much help, she be lying if she said, she was in proper condition to walk in her state. As they took a seat to wait for the bus, they remained silent for the remainder of their travel. Blair didn't mind the silence. She knew Red Hat long enough to know, he would be silent for a while unless he had something on his mind or if it was to comfort her.
Once the bus arrived and they got on. Blair sat down in the front seat, while Red Hat was standing next her. While Blair insisted he sat down with her. Red Hat told her she can have the seat to herself. He would only sit down with her if it was to comfort her or if she needed help. As they rode the bus in silence. Blair decided to take a look at her surroundings and the sight of the city.
The city was slowly changing and 'evolving' into a much different place. While she didn't live in Domin City for very long. The little time she did spent back then. to her, it was an already impressive city. The fact the city was growing and changing at a fast pace truly astounded her. She wondered how much the city will change in the upcoming years. She hopes that someday, her family can prosper in this city without issues.
As the bus arrived as far as it could to the Satellite District. Red Hat and Blair would exit the bus, with Red Hat helping her out. As the bus leaves the place, the young couple begin walking down the path where Red Hat used to live. Red Hat held Blair close to him and kept a sharp eye around the district. It's been a long time since he last been to the Satellite District. While this part of the city looked better then the last time he was here. He still didn't trust most of the people in this district.
"How much longer until we get there?" Blair asked as she held Red Hat close.
Red Hat had his arm around Blair's waist. "Very soon. I don't like this district very much."
Blair took a look at her surroundings and noticed a tall building among all others. "I just noticed, but doesn't that building looks out of place compare to the rest of the city?"
"I seen that building among my travels a few times. First time I saw it, was a few years back and was under construction." Red Hat glared at the mysterious building. "That building screams bad news, so let's stay as far away from it as possible."
Blair nodded. "If you say so..."
As they continued their walk, with Red Hat supporting Blair along the way. They were able to make it to Red Hat's old home. Although when they actually got there. They noticed may boxes all well packed outside. This could only mean one thing.
"Boxes? Is the old man moving away?"
"What gave it away? The fact the windows are completely bare and the boxes being well stacked?" Blair replied sarcastically.
"Never mind that. I want to see how that old man is doing." He replied as they got closer.
As they approached the nearly abandon house. They noticed a middle aged man cleaning the inside of the house, preparing it for the next person who wants to own the house. The middle aged man had brown hair with a few white strands, wore glasses, wore a white bottonless long shirt, brown pants and black boots. From just comparing him and Red Hat, they don't look related at all. Considering their mannerisms annd apperences are much different.
The middle aged man noticed he had visitors, but only one of them he recognized. "Son... So you decided to visit for once? Better late then never I suppose." He said as he adjusted his glasses.
Red Hat nodded. "Indeed... I wanted to come by today and meet up with you. Looks like I made the right choice in coming today, old man."
"Come inside and we'll talk there." The three of them entered the nearly empty home as Red Hat's father pulled out three chairs for them to sit down. He made sure to get a comfortable chair for Blair to sit on. Considering he knew Blair's current state.
"Oh, where are my manners. My name is Blair Flannigan. I'm your son's wife." Blair spoke up and gave him a light bow.
"So my son has married a woman like you?" He couldn't help but chuckle. "You show a lot more respect. Unlike him, he could learn a thing or two from you."
Red Hat didn't hide his scowl when he heard that. "I'm not the same rebellious teenager. I've changed my ways since back then, old man."
"You are still very stubborn like usual. I know we don't along very well since I'm almost always working, but you got married and didn't even bother to tell me?"
"Please understand sir, Red Hat here wanted to have our marriage as private as possible." Blair explained. "We had no one to actually come at the time. My parents would not have approved of him. So, we made sure this was a secret as possible." She admited.
"I'll never uderstand why you two went out of your way to make an event as private as possible. Why keep such important matters a secret to everyone and your family?"
Blair blushed. "Um... I rather not talk about it."
Red Hat remained quiet. He knew why he had to keep it secret. By the time he and Blair got married, Blair had yet to come of age. Because of that, Red Hat had to pull a few strings just to be able to marry Blair properly without anyone knowing. While he hated having to keep such secrets, it was either stay secret or cause a scandle that he'll be unable to recover from. Now that Blair was having his children, he had to be careful to not accidently expose some of his affairs. While he never actaully planned to be this secretive with his family life, let alone once Blair moved in with him. In hindsight, that was the best desicion he made in his lifetime.
"We never did make many friends. The ones we did made is a very small group and they all went their seperate ways or out of the country. I never did have any admirers. Granted, that's my fault for my old attitute back then." Red Hat explained.
Blair wanted to retort, but she remained quiet. 'That's not entirely true. There's some people that are fans of you. Some I even befriended with...' She thought.
"You never were found of huge groups, but that doesn't mean you can't keep contact. It still doesn't explain why you keep your marriage a secret."
Red Hat sighed. "I rather not talk about it. It's a private affair."
His father raised an eye brow and sighed. "That aside, I see you're startng a family already? Isn't it too early for you to start one already?"
The young couple blushed at his comment. Red Hat lowered his hat to hide his embarrassment. "I didn't intend to start this early. After doing 'that' one night. After a couple weeks, Blair found out, and here we are now."
"Not only did he had to scramble for more income. After many appointments, I later found out I'm carrying twins." Blair explained.
"Quite the predicament you placed yourself in. Do you have any your affairs taken care of, son? If I remember correctly, your career is the duel monsters pro leauges. I remember long ago you wanted to be 'The Next King of Games'."
Red Hat glanced at Blair. She nodded, telling him to conintue. "That was a thing I wanted long ago. Back then, I had a lot more time to show I was more then capable of becoming the top at the Pros or even champion. However, ever since I made a promise to Blair, and then finding out I'd be a father. I gave up on that dream. It was then until I realized, while I'll always be a duelist. Instead of being well known champion by everyone. I rather be left alone, my family too. Blair is more imporant to me then anything else."
"I see... So ever since you met your woman, you changed your priorities." His father couldn't help but chuckle. "I remember way back, you wouldn't fall in love and it would just get in your way of what you wanted. She found a way to make you fall to her kness."
Red Hat lowered his hat again to hide his blush. "H-Hey now. I spent a lot of time with Blair, and we got to know each other a lot over the years."
Blair smirked pulled off his hat. "Oh really mister? Is that the only reason. Cause I remember you would put up with me, even when I was being selfish, until I further realized my mistakes. You made a lot of mistakes yourself. So much I know you tend to do a complete one eighty when I'm with you or if you knew you made a mistake."
"Hey!" Red Hat gets up from his seat and attempts to take back his hat. Only for Blair to keep it away from him. "I would always be by your side and help you out. Back then I was willing to help you no matter what."
"Oh, so you admit you where were in love with me even back then. You just so hapened to put up with everything I did, but not with everyone else."
"Hey now, unlike everyone else, you were much different and the exception." Said Red Hat as he hept trying to reclaim his hat.
"And what made me the exception, but not everyone else? Care to explain? I'm listening." Blair teased as she put his hat back on, but incorrectly.
"H-Hey, that's enough already." Red Hat protested as he correctly put his hat back on.
"I never seen my son get so riled up like that, especially over someone like you. I'd say, you two make a perfect match. He could use some excitment in his life from time to time." His father chuckled.
"Just what is that supposed to mean, old man?" Red Hat questioned with a glare.
"You tend to act indifferent, but she riles you so easily, it's a comical sight. Meanwhile, your woman can be polite and calm, but when she's with you. She's quite wild and hot tempered when she's around you. It's like two sides only come out when you're together. Quite normal actually, both parties arguing from time to time. Even if something so ridiculous." His father explained.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Red Hat regained his composure and sat back down on his seat. "Old man, so you're leaving the city?"
"To put it bluntly yes." His father said. "I've been hearing rumors going on that a paticular project is going on around in this city that was not approved by Kaibacorp. So I gave my work place a two weeks notice ahaead of time and I'm leaving the city."
"If the rumors of this project is true, why would they continue if it was rejected by one of the most powerful corporations?" Red Hat asked.
"I have no idea, but I rather not stick around and find out. By tomorrow I'll be leaving this city for good. It may be too soon, but I may retire sometime in the future soon."
"I see... I wish you luck, old man." replied Red Hat.
"Not to sound rude, but what about Red Hat's mother?" Blair asked with curiosity.
Red Hat immediately scowled. "I rather not hear about it. You can listen in, I don't want to hear it." Red Hat gets up from his seat and bagan to help out his father with cleaning and orginizing.
Blair blinked a few time to understabnd what happened. "What's up with him? I never see him snap like that. He seemd angry, but remaned calmed."
"He dispises his mother. He rather not remember her."
"Why is that? What did she do, and why I never see her or even heard mention of her?" Blair asked with curiosity.
"His mother was an abusive woman. After the stories I was told by him at the time. She would bad mouth and lash out at him. Would force him to do things he didn't want to do. Often she would do all of that, out of frustration. Eventually I found out and tried to reason with her, but no avail."
"Eh?" Blair eyes widen in shock. "That's why he doesn't like to talk about her?"
Red Hat ignored the conversation at hand, but listen in anyway. Blair needed to hear this.
"Eventually I had enough and made sure to divorse her. While she found out, she tried her best to get custody of him and try to make lies about me and him. In the end she ended up failing. Granted it was not easy for me to win."
"I..I..I had no idea all of this happened between all of you..." Blair stuttered, shocked at the story she heard.
"Even though I won and my son stayed with me. His mentality shortly twisted as time went on. He began to lose trust in people, to the point he started to act very rash and hostile to others around him. So much, I had to pull him out of school for a short while until he calmed down. When he got into dueling, he wanted to be the best there is. He went out of his way to try and get as many cards as possible and join competitions as frequently as possible. It cost him money, and he didn't care if he had to live off instant ramen."
"May I ask..." Blair spoke up. "How was he back then and how did he grew up once the both of you lived alone?"
"He became very competetive. So competetive, he set his expecations too high. He would be disappointed, even if he wouldn't out right say it. Eventually he bought himself an oversized hat at the time. The same one he wears to this day."
"Is that why he calls himself that, instead of his real name?" Blair asked.
"If I may interrupt, I'm not telling you my real name!" Red Hat snapped.
"What's wrong with saying your real name that you had to use a fake identity?" Blair questioned with curiosity.
"You're still hung up on that?" His father questioned with an annoyed look. He decided to get up and write down something on a small sheet of paper. Once he finished, he sat on his seat and gave the sheet of paper to Blair. "Have this."
"Don't you dare!" Red Hat snapped at his father.
Blair took the sheet of paper and began to read what was written. She immediately couldn't help but start giggling at what was written. "Is that your real name, Red Hat. Or should I say, Konami-kun." Blair teased.
Red Hat didn't hide his distain. "I can't stand that name. It's ridiculous."
His father closed his eyes and waited paitently until they finished their little quaral. When they calmed down and Red Hat continued to clea the place up again, he began to speak again. "All that aside... Another detail that made him despise his mother more and why he doesn't trust women or girls growing up. We eventually found out, his mother remarried to some other rich guy. It was clear we would never see her again and never interact with us. This caused him to not trust any girl and always stays away from them. He believed girls would just use him, betray him, or abuse him. It's why he began to act very cold and harsh to anyone he doesn't like or doesn't care about. Hence his difficult education and trust issues."
Blair remained silent and processed what she just heard. Red Hat's mother abandoned them and attempted to use him for her own personal gains. It's no wonder why Red Hat has so little trust in women like herself. He believed they would only use him or betray him. Now she understood why he acted so harsh to anyone unless he was personally okay with. One thing was for certain. She was the exception. At the time she didn't understand why he was nice to her. At first, she thought it was because he was paying a dept and doing her a favor. It wasn't until much later she learned that Red Hat actually cared about her, but was afraid his efforts would be wasted.
"I..I never knew... I understand why he tries so hard. He's afraid I'll leave him and use my own kids against him." Blair sighed and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "He should know me by now, I wouldn't dare do such a thing. If it means a lot. I'll prove it to him. I won't become like his mother. I'll support my new family with my life."
Red Hat remained silent through out the whole ordeal, but chouldn't help but smile. There was aother reason why he was always there for Blair, even if it would bite him in the ass in the long run back in the Academy. Blair would have the guts many others wouldn't have. She had a firey personality, while also having a hot temper on certain matters. What actually got him to be so close to her, was cause she wasn't like any other girl he met, nor was she like his mother. Blair was nice and was willing give up so much just to stay with him. At the time, he wondered why she would stay by his side. That's where he realized... it was pure devotion.
His father couldn't help but smile. "You are quite the woman my son has ever met. It's almost like you are an angel that helped him out when he most needed you."
Blair blushed at the compliment. "Um.. thank you, but I'm really nothing special."
"You mentioned earlier, kids. Are you havinng twins by any chance?"
Blair nodded. "Yes, I'm having twins soon. I'm already eight months in."
"I see... You're in quite the predicament starting off with twins."
"Don't remind me." Red Hat replied. "I've been doing my best to obtain as much income as possible. Over the past couple of years I was able to obtain my own home far away from the city. We live in the far north of the city. Away from the actual city. It's a decent sized home."
His father crossed his arms, but kept his smile. "So you were able to get a home this early? Call me impressed. If I had to guess, it was also cause you know you'd marry your woman."
"You can say that. Not only did I want to have a home, but I knew one day I'd have Blair live with me someday." Red Hat then glanced at Blair and smiled. "What I didn't expect is she would move in with me the same day she graduated and left Duel Academy."
"Early start huh? Young love is both a blessing and a curse. I wish the former for you."
"Thank you, old man." Red Hat finsihed up and sat back down for a small break.
"I'm more amazed you actually decided to come here, despite the fact I'll leaving soon."
"We just wanted to see you ad have a little chat. We didn't know you're about to leave the city for good." replied Red Hat.
"I appricate for the both of you to visit me. Even if it's my last day here in the city." His father place his hand on Red Hat's shoulder. "I wish you the best of luck. We may not always see each other eye to eye, but I will say this. You have changed a lot, my son. I'm proud of you."
Red Hat gave him a warm smile. "Thank you, old man. If there is a way to contact you in anyway. I'll send you photos of the twins when we get the chance."
"That can be arranged. Someday, I may even stop by to your home. Can't be too hard to find, since you just stated it's a lone house in the far north of the city."
"Let's hope we can see each other again... father." Red Hat said while lowering his hat. "I don't say this often. I appreciate everything you've done."
His father chuckled before giving him a stern look. "It's time you take your woman back home. It's nice I got to meet her, but you shouldn't have brought her here in her state. It's almost winter. Don't want you two to suffer cold weather."
Red Hat sighed. "Granted that's more my fault, since I convinced her to come and meet you. It's time we head back."
"Take care you two. You never know when she'll have complications. Be careful out there."
"Thanks for all your help, sir." Blair thanks as she got up and lightly bowed.
"We'll meet again someday.. father." Red Hat and Blair said their goodbyes as they left the home. Red Hat's father would continue to clean the place up to get ready for his departure.
As Red Hat and Blair use the bus, once again to head back to the far north of the city. Blair still had some unanwsered questions she wanted to get from Red Hat. While she finally understood why he was so cautious when he's around her... unless said problems he brings on himself. She still hasn't gotten any answers on why he would put up with her. Why would he go out of his way to help her out? Why did he put up with her selfishness back at the academy? Why did he act so differently around her back then? These are questions she had in her head, but didn't want to bring up just yet.
As the young couple got off the bus. Red Hat made sure to carefully walk her back home. While he was glad to know everything has been turning out as well as it did. He knew it wasn't always going to be like this. There is a lot of work he has to do still. Blair was close to giving birth and he had to be careful and keep an eye on her. Blair meant so much to him. He doesn't want anything to happen to her. She gave him purpose and reason to live. It's hard to believe that he would be a father and live with the same girl he took care of many years back. If anything, he was very grateful he met that same disguised Blair all those years ago. If someone would have told him, he would fall in love with that same girl. He wouldn't have believed it.
As they made their way back home. It was getting close to the evening. Blair sat down on their couch to get a little bit of rest due to her state. Red Hat decided to cook up some dinner for the both of them. As he cooked them food, which was this time soft soup. He knew Blair can't handle certain types of food in her state. So he settled on soft soup for the both of them. As he sets the up the table and places both bowls of soup. Blair would get up from the couch and sat down at the table next to her husband.
"Say... when we're done with dinner. I want to ask you some questions." Blair spoke up while she lightly slurped her soup.
"I don't see why not, but why now?" Red Hat questioned.
"I just want to know a little more. You'll see soon." Blair replied as she continued eating.
As the two of then finsished up their dinner. Red Hat was the one to clean up the table and wash the dishes. Blair would walk back to their couch and sat back down. As Red Hat finsihed up. He sat down next to Blair.
"So what did you want to ask?" Red Hat questioned a she placed his arm around Blair and held her close.
Blair smiled, but then gave him a stern look. "Why did you put up with me back when I was being selfish in your first year? What compelled you to help me out, even when I came back to the academy?"
Red Hat remained silet for a while before answering. "You were much different then most others I have ever met. You we had a lot of guts to do many of things many others wouldn't do." Red Hat lightly rubbed her stomach. "The fact you were able to not only seak onto the island, break into Zane's room, told off a professor, and when you came back to the Academy, you even snuck into the girls dorm disguised as an Obelisk Blue before you were premoted. I always found that amusing with what you can do. We done a lot of things together most people wouldn't dare do. You reminded me of myself back when I acted very irrational and very rebelious."
Blair tilts her head. "That's not the only reason, right?"
Red Hat closed his eyes. "You were much different then any other girl I met." He chuckled. "You're a beauty beyond compare."
Blair blushed at the compliment. "T-Thank you..." She then took and held his hand. "I never would have thought you had that much hatred for your own mother. To the point you would have trust issues wth people. Now I understand why you were so scared. You still have that doubt, I would become like your mother, abandon you for someone else, or abuse my children. Darling, after hearing this from your father. I won't become like your mother. I'll always stay by your side. I'll treat my children with love. What I said back then is true. I want to stay with you... forever."
"That's all I wanted to hear... my love." Red Hat leaned and gave Blair a kiss. Blair eyes widen, but closed her eyes and deepened the kiss. As they savored the taste of their kiss. They then broke apart panting, needing air.
"There's something I want to do." Blair said with a smile.
"What may that be?" Red Hat questioned.
Blair get's up and stood in front of one of the living room windows as she stared off into the night sky. "I want to do this. May get things off my mind for now..." As she stared off into the night sky... she began to sing.
'Sekai o kaetai to omotteru minna omotteru.'
I want to change the world, everyone wants to change the world.
'Erabu no wa jibun ga hontoni nozonderu koto.'
What I should choose is what I am really wishing for
'Nayaminnagara kyo mo kyo toiuhi o tanoshindara.'
While am struggling, still enjoy today
'Shinawase to fuko wa uraomote chigauki ga shite.'
People say happiness and unhappiness are two sides of one coin, but I feel like it's not
'Zutto yasashi jikan dake o oyoideitai'
I only want to swim in the gentle time
'Yurari yurariyurari to.'
Float, float float
'Mo nani mo kamo o yurushite shimae.'
Forgive everything
'Muri kana muridana dodaro.'
Possible Impossible? I wonder
Red Hat listened to Blair's song. It's as if something was clicking to him. Like this song isn't only about him, but herself as well. Both of them were completely oblivious to the few spirits listening in on Blair's song too.
'Itsuka motto jiyuna kokoro.'
Someday I want my heart to be free
'Aitai hito ni ai ni yuko.'
I want to see who I want to see
'Donna hoshi ni negaeba zenbu kanau no kana.'
What kind of star should I wish upon. To make all my dreams come true?
'Yume de sakai o kaeta toki wa.'
When I change the word
'Aitai hito ni ai ni yuko.'
Let's go see the person I want to see
'Demo mada nemurenaikara a akubi hitotsu.'
But I can't fall sleep yet, ah, I yawn once.
Blair soon ended her song with a deep breath. She never attempted to sing such a song before. Soon the young couple would hear the sound of clapping. They both turned around and saw their audience. Blair was more shocked to see to have such an audioence. A bunch of duel monster spirits. Were there always spirits here? She knew one of them was Red Hat's long time partner, but she didn't expect to see more spirits. What shocked her more, was the fact she was able to see spirits herself. Was she always able to see spirits? Or was this some kind of hidden ability she never knew she had.
One of Red Hat's spirit partner's Aussa noticed her confusion and decided to speak up on the matter. The other spirits most of them being the spirit charmers couldn't help but giggle at her expense, except for one of them. 'You're very confused right now. You're wondering how can you see and hear us?'
Blair rubbed her eyes and sat back down on the couch, thinking she was imagining things. She couldn't believe what she was seeing with her own two eyes. After blinking a few times, the spirits were still there. "I'm so confused... Spirits... That's something I didn't think I'd ever see since... that time long ago..."
'You mean the desert world of the spirit realm? That was because of an incident. There's many realms of the spirit world. I'm not going to tell you everything at once. We don't want to overwhelm you.' Aussa explained, adjusting her glasses.
Blair remained silent for a while, trying to process everything she is currently experiencing. "How can she now see spirits now? I couldn't see spirits until I met you. Even then, I was only able to see you for the longest time." Red Hat pointed out.
One of charmers Lyna spoke up. 'Don't you know? While it's true most people that can see spirits because they were born with such ability. Sometimes, spirits can choose who can actually see them. That's how Aussa was able to contact you in your first encounter.'
"That still doesn't answer my question. How can Blair see spirits? It's one thing to reveal yourselves to someone, but it appears that one of you had any intention of showing yourselves to her." He shot back.
One who remained silent for a while, Dharc the Dark Charmer spoke up. 'You still haven't figured it out? Why would one of the people you hate so much was able to see spirits where he couldn't before? Even if it was the insufferable Ojamas. Unlike him, both you and your woman have not only gain the trust in the spirits. You both have slowly gain such an ability after realizing what you both mean to each other. You both protect each other. It's why you are able to control those dragons.'
"These three?" Red Hat takes out the three synchro dragons from his deck and shows them to the spirits. They all nodded and confirmed his questioned.
Wynn decided to speak up. 'You two have proven you are more then capable of weilding those monsters. Your hearts are no longer tainted by darkness and doubt.'
'It's not every day we can be seen by the likes of humans. Let alone let ourselves be seen by you. Shows how much we trust you.' The red haired chamrer, Hiita spoke up with a huff.
"I never really knew... This is a bit much..." Blair said in a low voice.
Lyna the Light Charmer walked up to Blair and place a hand on her shoulder, which she was unable to feel. 'You may want to look down.' She said as she pointed.
Blair gave her a confused look and looked down to where she was pointing. Her eyes wide in shock at what she was seeing now. She saw a pure white dog dog next to her. It wore some white armor on it's back and some parts of its legs with gold markings. She knew who this dog was. It was Ryko the Lightsworn Hunter. Blair instinctive tried to pet the dog, only for her hand to pass through him. Being a spirit and all. Ryko merely wlfed and wagged it's tail as Blair was able to notice. Blair couldn't help but smile at the dog.
"Ryko... is tht really you?"
'Did I mention, he has been watching you for a while now?' Lyna said more as a statement then a question.
"Is that true Ryko? Have you been watching me?" Blair asked the dog. Ryko wolfed in approval as it wagged it's tail.
"If I didn't know any better. I'd say, Ryko has been watching over you, Blair." Red Hat spoke up.
"Really? He's been watching me the entire time, and only now I can see him?" Blair questioned.
'The most loyal spirits stay with their partners. Even after such a drastic change. In much rarer cases, they can even become part of said family.' Aussa explained, readjusted her glasses. 'To put it bluntly, we are part of this family now. Even with we never intended to be part of this.'
Lyna jumped with joy. 'Hear that Dharc, we get to be part of this family!'
Dharc sweat dropped at her antic. 'If you say so...'
'Smooth move, airhead.' Hiita teased Lyna. Lyna stuck her tongue out in retaliation.
'Now now, let's not get carried you guys. We're just visiting them.' warned Wynn.
Blair cough slightly to gain their attention. "While I'm glad I got to meet all of you wonderful spirits. I have one question." She continued and faced Aussa. "Can spirits materialize into this world? I ask cause, when we were in the other world a very long time ago. We were able to physically interact."
Aussa lightly chuckled at her question. 'While yes, we spirits can materialize into your world. It takes a lot of duel energy unless we feed off from other beings to supply us with duel energy. While there are specific days where can physically manifest into this world. They don't come up too often.'
Blair had a solemn look on her face. "Oh I see. It's not always easy for you spirits."
"Don't look so down, Blair. We'll always be able to see them. Sometimes we can even call them, and they'll show up." Red Hat assured her.
Blair perked up. "Really? So... the spirits will always be with us? This is all too new, but somewhat exciting."
'Guess you can say, we're now part of this family.' Aussa stated.
'I like this place. It's great place to hang around from time to time. It's nice and quiet and far away from that city.' Wynn observed.
"Well then. I think it's time we get some sleep. It's been a long day and it's almost the winter season." Red Hat pointed out. "It was nice seeing all of you again."
'It was no trouble. We'll see you again you two. Stay strong together.' Aussa said with a smile. Soon all of the spirit charmers and Ryko faded back into the spirit realm, leaving the young couple alone.
As they made there way back to their bed room and layed down on their bed. Blair began having some thoughts. If now she was capable of seeing spirits because of her love's connection. Does this mean her children will also be able to see spirits? Or will they have to learn how to see them as they grow up? She had more questions and was unable to aswer them.
"Something on your mind, Blair?" Red Hat asked as he shifted to glance at her.
"Darling... Do you think our children will be able to see spirits like we can?" She questioned. "Granted I only now was able to see them, and I got to see my guard dog Ryko." Blair giggled at the thought that Ryko was watching over her.
"Who really knows, my dearest. I would hope it would be the case. Since our new family is just us and a bunch of duel spirits I come to know over the years." He replied with uncertainty.
"In any case... I'm proud of our new family. It's like we're bound together... forever. Just like I always dreamed." She assured with a smile.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, my dearest." He said as he cupped her cheek.
"Good night, my darling Konami-kun." Blair giggled that last part.
"Don't think you'll rattle me that easily. Callig me by my old real name." He chuckled.
"It was worth a try. Night night."
"Good night to you too." He replied as the young couple would soon drift to sleep.
What Red Hat didn't know, it was only a matter of time before Blair's complications would occur.
4 Weeks Later
It was late in the evening, close to the night time. As the young couple began to finish up for the evening. Blair then felt a sharp pain in her stomach.
"My darling!" Blair whinned.
"Blair?!" He asked kneeling next to her. "Are you okay?"
"It's time..." She said as she took a few deep heavy breaths.
"It's late... I'll call an ambulance!" Red Hat placed Blair comfortably on the couch as he made call. "Come on, come on." He muttered impaitently. 'I knew I should have invested on a small car or something... I'm sorry...' He thought solemnly.
After finsihing his phone call and telling their adress and direction. He hurried back to be by Blair's side as she was breathing heavily. "Don't panic, my dear. Take deep breaths slowly."
"It hurts, my dear." Blair sobbed.
"I know... It's okay... Just calm down for a little bit." He said softly.
Red Hat collected all the necessary things he needed and mostly placed them all in his backpack. While he collected their things, he also took both deck boxes. One that's his and Blair's deck box, which has remained sealed for quite a while now. Despite already being, he kept checking outside in hopes the ambulance would arrive in time. He would check up on Blair from time to time.
'Please hurry. Where are they?!' He thought with impatience.
It will only take a while longer, with Red Hat hlding Blair's hand as she tightly gripped it. The ambulance would soon arrive on the sot outside. Red Hat with all his strength, carried Blair while the oderlies helped them out. Red Hat closed the doors and made sure everything was locked down for now. They slowly place Blair on a stretcher. Red Hat sat by, watching her closely as the ambulance doors closed. Soon the amulance would race away to the hospital. Red Hat did his best to not get close as to not interfere with the current opperation.
It wouldn't take long as the Ambulance arrived at the designated hospital. They pulled the stretcher and took Blair into the back. Red Hat followed them, hoping to seehow Blair would be doing. They got Blair to the maternity ward and into a room. They got her hooked up to a monitor and then waited for Blair's doctor. However Red Hat's stay wouldn't last very long.
"Excuse me sir, I want to kindly ask you to wait at the lobby." One of the doctors said.
"Can't I stay with her?" Red Ht asked with distain.
"I'm very sorry sir, but this is a serious procedure. Please wait the lobby. We'll call you when it's time." The doctor assured him.
Red Hat wasn't very convinced, but he ew better then to fight a strict order. "Okay..." He took off in the oposite direction.
Despite telling himself she would be okay. Red Hat was utterly terrified. He would pace back and forth, unable to sit still. Even occasionally griping his head out of anxiety. This was just the beginning. What will happen in the ext few hours? That's something he didn't know. He hoped Blair would make it properly.
'Be safe, my dearest Blair...'
A/N: Didn't think it would take this long, but oh well. Anyway, this was just to give some background about Red Hat and Blair. May not be everyone's cup of tea, but oh well, what can you do.
The song which is only a small portion. While not a fully correct trannslation. Sounds close enough depending how you look at it. I also think it's fitting. Where is the song from? You figure it out XD
Blair being able to see spirits, may come out of nowhere, but since duel spirit lore is not consistent in both anime and manga. I decided this would be the best route to go on the concept of duel spirits.
Well then, until next time everyone.