Jesse woke with a start. The last thing he remembered was a blinding light and a shadow that reminded him, eerily of a dragon. Rubbing his head, Jesse went to push himself up only to collapse back onto the bed. "Bi bi?" Ruby asked, appearing at his side.

"I don't know Ruby." Jesse replied. The place was unfamiliar, so unlike the forest he was in when he lost consciousness. And he couldn't understand why he felt so weak. "Are you alright?" Jesse asked, suddenly remembering what those shadow creatures had done to Ruby and the other Crystal beasts.

"Bi bi." Ruby cuddled herself up to Jesse's side, making the bluenette smile. At least someone was. The sound of footsteps outside made Jesse jump. Weakly, he grabbed for where he usually kept his deck but it wasn't there. Ruby was on her feet and Jesse could admire the smallest of his crystal beasts for trying to protect him but he knew that Ruby would only get hurt doing so.

"It's alright Ruby. I don't want you getting hurt." Ruby looked at him as if to refuse but instead she disappeared, leaving Jesse alone in the room. "Who's there?" Jesse shouted as the footsteps stopped outside the door. He'd managed to push himself upwards but was having to lean against the wall behind the bed to stop himself from falling down again.

The door opened and a brunette walked in with a big grin on his face. "Hey, you're awake."

"Who are you?" Jesse asked, frowning at the boy stood in front of him. He didn't look threatening; in fact Jesse thought he looked like any normal person might. "Where am I?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm Jaden Yuki and you're in my…well I suppose it's my home." Jesse frowned, not understanding why he was here. In fact everything from the point when he'd been about to lose consciousness to now was a complete blank to Jesse. He couldn't understand what was going on. "We found you out in the woods with these cards around you." Jaden handed Jesse the cards he was holding and Jesse couldn't help the sigh of relief as he held the cards his family lived inside in his hands again. "Can I ask what your name is?"

"It's Jesse. Jesse Anderson." Jesse replied, hesitantly looking at Jaden. "Why did you help me? Y'all don't even know me." Jaden frowned then, unsure how to answer but at that moment the door opened again and a small blue haired boy walked in.

"Hey Jay, Dorothy has dinner ready…" Here the boy trailed off as he saw Jesse sitting up on the bed.

"Oh, Sy this is Jesse and Jesse this is my best bud Syrus." Jaden said, jumping off the bed. "You hungry." Jesse nodded, slowly. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten and at the mention of food his stomach growled. Jaden must have heard it because he started to laugh. "Well, you have been out of it for a few days. I'll get Dorothy to bring some up." Jesse went to protest and started to get out of the bed only to have his vision turn black as he moved to stand up. Jaden and Syrus stopped him from falling onto the floor, something Jesse was immediately grateful for because he didn't think his aching body could take any more falls.

"I think that might be best." Jesse replied, blushing a little in embarrassment.

"I'll be right back." Jaden promised and with that the two left the room.

"I don't like him." Amethyst said, appearing on the other side of Jesse with her head on his lap.

"He saved our lives." Jesse replied, scratching her ears in the way he knew she liked. "Anyway, it's not like we can stay too long here." That last part saddened him. He hadn't had a home since he was 10, 7 years ago. Not since his family had been killed by those shadow beasts. He'd tried to settle other places but every time he did those creatures found him and killed everyone near him. No, it was best if he stayed away from anyone and everything. He couldn't have anyone else die because of him. "As soon as I'm better, we're leaving."

..

Jaden was just about to re-enter the room where Jesse was in when he heard the bluenette say he was leaving. Without a seconds thought he pushed the door open and said, "You can't leave." Jesse looked up at Jaden, obviously shocked that the brunette had overheard him. "Erm… I mean." Jaden started before a pink cat jumped at him.

"He looks tasty Jesse."

"Easy girl." Jesse said and to Jaden's surprise the cat backed down.

"Kri kri." Winged Kuriboh appeared at Jaden's shoulder, glaring at the duel spirit that was standing in front of Jesse.

"I'll be fine Amethyst. Tell the others' there's nothing to worry about." Then the duel monster disappeared. "Sorry about Amethyst, she's a little protective." Jesse apologised, probably expecting the worst from Jaden's reaction. Instead Jaden just started grinning.

"You're monsters protect you, that's so rad." Jesse hesitantly smiled back at Jaden. Before either could say any more, though, Winged Kuriboh and another duel sprit, this one small with a red jewel on its tail, fell on to the floor.

"Ruby."

"Winged Kuriboh."

They both said this at the same time, causing them both to look up at each other and burst into laughter. Ruby and Winged Kuriboh stopped their scuffle to give the two boys a strange look. "You can't leave." Jaden stated once both boys stopped laughing. He didn't know why but on meting Jesse he wanted to help him, even though he barely knew him.

"I have to." Jesse replied but Jaden got the feeling that Jesse didn't really want to.

"Why?" When Jesse didn't answer, Jaden continued. "Is it about those monsters out in the woods because we can handle ourselves?"

"People who come near me get killed." Jesse's voice was quiet when he said this.

"Rubi bi." Ruby jumped onto Jesse's lap then, looking up at him as the bluenette smiled slightly and stroked her head.

"Your cards are real?" Jaden asked, switching the conversation again. He wanted to know why those monsters had been after Jesse, because why else would the bluenette want to leave, but he knew pushing Jesse wouldn't help in this instant. And it wasn't like Jesse was going anywhere any time soon. At least not in his current state.

"All cards are real." Jesse laughed, though Jaden could sense an edge to his voice.

"No, I mean like…" Here Jaden trailed off, unsure how to describe the relationship he had with his monsters and Jesse apparently had with his own.

"A bond."

"Yeah." Jaden answered.

"The crystal beasts are my family." Jesse replied. "What about you?"

"I've never really thought about it like that before but I guess my monsters are sort of like my family to." Before either could say anymore, though, Hasslebury walked into the room.

"Hey, Jay. We need you."

"Sorry Jess, gotta jet. We'll talk some more later."

"Okay Jay." Jesse said and Jaden was almost positive the bluenette smiled at him.

Jesse silently cursed himself as he watched Jaden leave the room. He'd known the other boy for a few hours. and he already felt like he'd known Jaden all his life. For whatever reason, Jaden had managed to get past Jesse's defences and that wasn't something Jesse could allow to happen.

"You're not well enough." Sapphire Pegasus chastised as Jesse pulled himself to his feet and grabbed his stuff.

"We can't stay here." Jesse replied, not mentioning the fact that the longer he stayed here the less he wanted to leave. It may have only been a few hours he'd been here conscious but already he felt like he'd found a home. Somewhere he might be able to stay. But that wasn't something he could have. Not after what had happened the last time.

Logically he knew the crystal beasts were right about him staying a little longer but Jesse couldn't do that. No, better to leave now rather than stay and cause those creatures to come searching here. And they would, that's what Jesse had come to expect. No matter where he went those creatures always found him. Choice made, Jesse opened the window of the room he'd been staying in. It was 3 stories from the ground but that didn't scare Jesse off as he started to climb down the side of the building. He just hoped he'd manage to get far enough away before Jaden realised he'd gone because he had the strangest feeling Jaden might try to follow him.