Disclaimer: We don't own Yugioh GX… but you should already know that o.O

Please enjoy!

PS. Edo is adorable.

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purpleeyednekoyoukai - Thank you! Bwaha, actually the tongue lashing will come later on... but it'll be good xD! Azami is a Japanese name, since we're not going to use their American names (although I like the sound of Aster!) It means a flower with thorns, or represents defiance.

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Nothing More

01: The Fall of Fate

Wow, for falling for the second time today and causing my shoulder to slam down on the concrete… that didn't hurt much at all! Maybe I'm much more pain resistant than I thought I was and –

Oh wait. Never mind. Ow. Ow!

Wincing, I rubbed my arm and felt the beginnings of a bruise forming there. But as I recovered, I started to grow more aware of the fact that a couple cameras immediately swiveled toward us the second after we made our… dramatic entrance… and suddenly, my shoulder didn't seem so bad anymore.

The people who were close enough to know what had happened were murmuring and glaring pointedly in our direction. Obviously, they had misinterpreted our fall as a purposeful tactic to get close to a certain oh-sparkly-blue-eyes someone.

The certain someone who was bending over me now, shooting me a winning smile that caused my brows to furrow.

"Are you okay?" Edo asked me.

He sounded pleasant, kind even… but I suspected that had more to do with the presence of the media than anything else. It was all I could do not to retort. No, I was clearly not okay. This was last position on earth that I wanted to be in right now – namely here with him.

Exactly how had I gotten into this situation anyway? I wanted to slam my head on the ground where I lay, but that would only prompt him to pester me even more, so I refrained myself.

Seriously, no one smiles like that at a complete stranger unless they were either astonishingly confident or astonishingly arrogant. I just glanced at him briefly before turning around to look for my brother… he was so small, he could've gone flying…

To my relief, Sumaru was only a few feet away sprawled on the ground like me, getting lectured by an angry old man for 'causing such a big ruckus'. Still, I could tell that he had noticed Edo nearby and was trying to get over to us as quickly as possible. Aw man, I had to get us both out of here before he did. Sumaru practically hero-worshipped him.

I wouldn't put it past him to completely pounce on the poor guy before he could blink.

Normally I would have found this funny, but not on camera. To be broadcasted everywhere. Possibly to the Academy.

" –hurt?"

I blinked. "Sorry, what?" Had he been saying something this whole time?

For a moment, I thought I saw his eyes narrow slightly before a flash from a camera blinded me. But by the time I looked again, they were wide and full of concern so I couldn't be sure. He repeated, "Are you hurt?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Thank you," I said shortly, and heaved up to my feet just as Edo extended a hand to help me up. I stood up fully and brushed myself off, giving him an odd look. "Um, too late?" Geez he had slow timing; although his reflexes were just fast enough to get out of the way when I came barreling out of the crowd.

Hmm, figures this guy would only react right away when it was beneficial to himself.

He continued to smile as I brushed bits of gravel from my clothes, like he was waiting for me to say something. And with reluctance, I lifted my chin to look him in the eye.

I was determined to treat him exactly the same as I would any other person – even though I was tempted to turn around and stomp off without saying anything. Edo Phoenix had been long too spoiled by his fans and the public. I would neither grovel nor be intentionally rude. And I definitely didn't want to bestow any form of special treatment just because he was a celebrity.

"I'm… sorry," I muttered (not really). "I didn't mean to interrupt your speech." (You were babbling up there long enough anyway). "So you can just, um, continue with what you were doing." I started to back away as I spoke, slowly edging out of the view of the cameras.

Ugh, I should've turned around the moment I heard Edo's name. Well actually, I tried, but I should've tried harder. Hell, I should've run away the moment I heard his name. Run away and not look back.

I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to… some other fangirl could take my place in front of the crowd if they wanted.

As if hearing my thoughts, just before I was able to sink safely back into the crowd, a girl suddenly screeched and threw herself to the ground between us in a manner too exaggerated to be real.

"Oh no! My leg!" she cried out dramatically. "I've hurt myself!"

After realizing that it was a false alarm, I rolled my eyes. Could that idiot be any more obvious?

Well, I guess I wasn't exactly complaining. She was distracting Edo, who had gone over to see whether she was alright, and she was holding onto his hand a little longer than necessary. With an increasingly strained smile, he tried to pull away without coming off as a jerk in front of the cameras. But the girl clung to him tightly, with no apparent intention of letting go.

"Could you support me up? I don't think I can walk," she said, fluttering her lashes. Edo visibly tried to search for a way to refuse – and could not. He hid his grimace well though, as the girl slung her arms around his neck and leaned heavily on him.

"Aw, don't they look cute together," I snickered.

I spoke without thinking; I didn't even think they could hear me over the noise of the crowd. But then Edo cast me an irritated glance and the girl scowled at me. Hah, I hope they caught that on camera.

Another girl came flying out to land near his feet. Her friends followed suit, all trying to get his attention at once.

This time, I couldn't quite hide my glee. I burst into laughter at the sight of them sprawled on the ground, and his expression as Edo regarded them coolly before his gaze traveled throughout the crowd and met mine. 'This is your fault', his narrowed eyes seemed to be saying.

Similar chuckles rippled through the watching crowd, and I didn't miss the slight flash of anger across Edo's features as I slipped away from view completely.

Okay, okay, so maybe I shouldn't come by here anymore. I may not like the guy, but I didn't want a celebrity for an enemy. It'd be stupid to pick a fight with him, and that was fine with me, considering I'd had enough of Edo Phoenix for one day.

Frankly, I'd be happier if I never saw his face again…

Finally, I managed to squirm out of the crowd and onto the patch of grass where I'd started out. I stretched my arms toward the sky, feeling immensely better without the mass of people suffocating me.

Ahaha, I'm free!

A voice carried over the heads of people, causing them to hush a little with his bold words. I paused and listened as well.

"Hey! If you're so willing to try out this stadium, why don't you duel me?" someone was saying loudly. The media loved it; I could see them snapping pictures like crazy even from a distance.

The crowd on the other hand, either 'ooo'ed or scoffed at the speaker – me among them.

They were brave to challenge him, but the outcome of the duel was clear before Edo gave his answer. Everyone knew that. Even Mr. Arrogant over there.

I'm not sure why Edo agreed to the person. Perhaps because the event was being broadcasted live, and he thought it'd be good publicity. Perhaps because he wanted to get away from the fangirls and retreat to where they couldn't disturb him. But after a moment, I heard him say, "Sure. Why not?" And the whole crowd moved to follow Edo and his opponent into the dueling area.

Well, I was glad that's over. Now I could go home and pretend none of this ever happened. Erase the pleasant memory of my encounter with Edo Phoenix from my mind.

As I turned to leave, I saw a man in a long trench coat approach me. "Hey, dude. D'you know where that new stadium is?" He grinned. "I heard it was the grand opening today and I wanted to check it out!"

I blinked once, twice. Was he serious?

Slowly, I lifted my arm to the flashing sign directly beside me that read: Dark Magician Dueling Arena, sponsored by Edo Phoenix.

The man did a double-take, staring at the sign like he'd never seen it before. Which, I guess he hadn't. It was… kinda hard to miss though. Being bright blue on the sides and flickering with lights and shifting colors.

"Oh…" he said awkwardly. "Well then. Thanks for your help!" With a wave, he disappeared between the two metal doors, leaving me to stare incredulously after him. I shook my head, and started to make my escape before someone else could come bother me.

Then, it dawned on me that I had forgotten something very important. I stopped in my tracks, thinking.

The obliviousness of that man had reminded me of someone – it was on the tip of my tongue – except I couldn't place my finger on it. I scratched my head, trying to remember. The park was deserted now, since everyone had followed Edo inside. I was alone.

I was alone. Crap!!

"ACK! SUMARU!"

My mother was going to kill me! During the middle of getting away from Edo, it seemed as though I'd misplaced my little brother. He must have followed Edo inside with the rest of them, and I… and I hadn't noticed.

Swearing under my breath, I immediately whirled around and wrenched the doors open to follow.

It was ironic how that a few moments ago, I'd thought I would never have to see Edo's face again. Now, it seemed like I would, whether I wanted to or not.