Nighttime always seemed magical to him somehow. Perhaps it was the way his namesake was ever changing, unlike the Sun, who never wavered. It reminded him how very different they were. Sighing, the blue-haired teen folded his arms across his chest and shifted against the wall he was leaning against.

It was Tsukikage's turn to keep watch in case of an attack, however unlikely that was, but you could never be sure. That was what Akaba Reiji had told him when he gave him his own mission. 'Protect Reira and Serena at all costs.'

Snorting, he became very aware of the footsteps coming up the stairs. It wasn't time to switch yet and right now, he didn't exactly feel like entertaining anyone.

"Ninja." He didn't have to turn his head to know it was Serena calling him. Not once had she ever referred to him by his name.

"Tsukikage." He reminded her again. For a moment, Tsukikage wondered if it would do any good. She was so keen on easily forgetting. "Serena-sama, you shouldn't be out here. Please go back inside, you need your rest."

She ignored this and sat down next to him to watch the city below them. So far, the Lancers hadn't had any luck in finding potential Duelist to help their cause. "Who can sleep with all of them snoring so loudly?"

That surprised him. The Lancers tended to sleep in their own little corners of their given rooms, and she had been given one of her own. "I do not understand what you mean."

Hugging her knees to her chest, she stared at him with those green eyes of hers. "You wouldn't." Her words sounded a little bitter.

From what little info Akaba Reiji had given him, Tsukikage knew that Serena had spent most of her life living in a gilded cage at Academia. Most likely, she didn't have any close friends.

"Hikage said that the night is a magical time."

"Your brother?"

He nodded. "The stars are your friends, the moon is your light..." he paused and muttered, "and I am your shadow."

"Hm?" she wasn't paying attention. Good. He had no idea why he had said that last part. It didn't suit him at all.

"Think nothing of it, Serena-sama. Allow me to escort you back to your room." He bowed to her and extended a hand to help her up. She scoffed at it and stood on her own. "Sere-?"

"I can manage on my own, Ninja. I trust that you can keep us safe." And then she disappeared behind the door, leaving him alone again.