Me: Hey, everyone! Here's a new story I came up with!

Yusei: I'm pretty excited for what you have in store.

Akiza: Me too!

M: I'm so happy to hear it! It took me a while to finalize, but I'm overall please with how it turned out! :)

Crow: Can we get started now?

Jack: She doesn't own any rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds.

M: Please read and review!

The Trial of Roses

Chapter 1

"Come on! The guards are right behind us!" I shouted over my shoulder at my friends. "Just let the bag go!"

"No way! We haven't eaten yet today and I'm starving!" the smaller one with spiked orange hair crowed.

I skid to a halt as one guard caught him by his shirt collar, dangling him in the air. "Crow!"

"Let him go right now before I make you regret it!" Jack, my other friend, shouted, his violet eyes narrowing. He was the taller than most boys our age and had upturned blonde hair.

"Shut your trap, blondie, or we will throw you in a cell as well." The guard towered over us, his lips twisted in a smirk that said 'I dare you to try and stop me' as he tore the sack from Crow's hands.

"No! Give it back! It's ours!" Crow cried, fighting to break the guard's hold on him.

"That's it!"

"Jack, no! Don't do it!" Before I could stop him, he had climbed the guard's back like a little squirrel and bit his shoulder. I face palmed. "Jeeze, Jack, I swear you are going to be the death of us."

"Don't just stand there! Help me out!" Jack yelled, snatching the sack from the guard's hand.

Still shaking my head, I jumped onto his arm and pinched his hand until he released Crow, dropping him like a rag doll. "Come on!" Grabbing both their hands, I turned and sprinted down the alley with the guard's yells following.

I don't know how long we ran, but by the time we collapsed from running, the sun was starting to set. We leaned against a nearby tree trunk, panting and sweating like dogs. "Are...you two...alright?" I gasped, slowly starting to regain my breath.

"Yea..."

"I...think...so..." Crow huffed, grabbing the sack from Jack and opening it. "Good...it's all...still...here." He pulled out three loaves of wheat bread, handing one to each of us.

As we hungrily devoured our small meal for the day, I began to notice our surroundings. The greenery was vibrant and lush, much different than the pale green of the thirsting meadows around town. The flowers were in various shades of colors; pinks, reds, yellows, even purples! There was a tiled path that lead farther into the greenery, almost inviting us to venture further.

A soft sound came from within the foliage, barely above a whisper. It sounded like someone was singing... Standing, I began to to follow the tiles, gently brushing away the plants that snagged on my torn and worn clothing. At the end of the trail was a marble fountain of a giant dragon. The wings were ginormous and they had a faint red tinge to them.

"Who do you think that is?" Crow whispered, tilting me to the left.

Standing before the mighty dragon was a cloaked figure about our height. The hood was brushed back by a breeze that swept through and revealed a girl with dark magenta colored hair that fell to her shoulders.

"Wow," I whispered.

"She's quite pretty, isn't she?" Jack whispered and we nodded.

"What are you three doing here?" We stiffened as she ran up to us, shoving us into the bushes, her hands covering Jack and Crow's mouths as a gruff voice called from nearby.

"Hello?"

"What are you-" the words died on my lips as she stared me in the eye; her eyes were a caramel color, sparkling brightly in the sinking sun's last rays.

She released the other two once the guard had disappeared into the coming night. "What are you doing here? Don't you know that this garden is forbidden to those from outside the castle?"

"Wait, then that means-"

"You are in the Garden of Eden." she finished, nodding.

"Oh..."

"Shit..."

"We are so dead," I grimaced, looking at my friends.

The Garden of Eden was a place reserved for holding judgement as well as reward. Criminals were often taken to the Garden for judgement of their crimes. Many were never heard or seen again...

"Everyone knows that the punishment for trespassing into the Garden is death." she stated, folding her arms over her chest. "So mind explaining why you are here?"

"Us? What about you, huh?" Jack demanded, glaring. "What are you doing in the Garden?"

"She doesn't need to tell us anything." I cut in, pointing out the slim silver band around her head. "Only one family wears those, and that's the royal family. Isn't that right, Princess Akiza?"

Pink bloomed softly in her cheeks, accenting her high cheekbones, but her gaze unwavered from Jack's shocked gaze. "What of it?"

Jack suddenly knelt and took her hand in his. "Beloved princess of the land, it is truly an honor to meet you." His showcase of mannerism seemed to lessen the hardness in her eyes, making them softer and more pretty than before.

"We apologize for our rudeness, Princess." I said, bowing my head and ducking the other two's. "We are prepared for the punishment."

"As long as it's you giving us the punishment, I don't mind it at all," Crow lifted his face slightly and I saw him flash his signature smile.

"You might as well save the flattery," she snapped. "It won't get you anywhere."

We hung our heads. Looked like tonight was going to be our last...

"However..."

I blinked in surprise as she walked over to a large bush full of yellow roses. The law stated than only criminals and their victims were allowed to pick the roses from the Garden! I reached out a hand to stop her, but my hand fell in shock as she picked three small yellow buds and walked back to stand before us. Her hands were unscathed! She had been able to pick the roses without being harmed by the poison filled thorns!

"If you three accept these roses, you will be allowed to live,"

"But doesn't the yellow rose represent-"

Her hand suddenly lashed out and and flicked Crow's nose. "Interrupt me again and I will have you thrown in the dungeon."

He rubbed his nose, glaring up at her. "Why would you give us the rose that means honesty, trust, and openness? Why would you trust us of all people?"

I heard her whisper about something about there being other meanings behind each color. What was she talking about? Did she know something about the Garden's secrets that not even the High Priest knows?

"Anyway, accept these roses, and you will live past tonight." she continued, holding out the buds to us.

Slowly, after glancing sideways at Jack and Crow, I reached out and took a bud from her open palms. A shock shot up my arm as my fingers brushed her skin, causing goosebumps to cover my body. Crow and Jack seemed to feel the same thing as well when they took the other buds, judging from the little jump they tried to shake off.

"But there's a catch."

"I thought so..." I heard Jack mumble under his breath, and nudged him with my elbow to shush him.

"You will have to join the castle staff as my personal servants."

"WHAT?!" Our jaws dropped as we looked from her to the little buds we held in our hands. "SERVANTS?!"

"Why would we do that?!" Jack shouted angrily, all manners forgotten as he grabbed the front of her cloak.

Her eyes suddenly flashed brightly and I gasped as Jack was nearly thrown backward by a powerful gust of wind. What was happening? Where did this wind come from?

He gritted his teeth, but was able to withstand the wind's push, his hand clenching her clothing tightly as it became stronger. Princess Akiza's cloak seemed to lash out and whip Jack as he struggled to stay standing. "How are you doing this? Are you some sort of monster or witch?!"

"Let go of me at once!" she yelled over the now screaming wind.

"Let her go, Jack!" Crow grabbed his shirt, tugging him back until he finally released her and they both tumbled to the ground. "It's better to be alive as servants than to be dead!"

Jack glowered at him, his hands clenched into fists, and crossed his arms over his chest. I turned back to the Princess and blinked in surprise. She was crying. Big crystallin tears were trickling down her cheeks and soaking her clothing. Reaching out my hand, I slowly began taking small steps toward her.

"...Stay back..."

The wind returned, pushing me back a few inches, but I never stopped my advance. I didn't know why, but the fearful look in her eyes made my protective instincts kick in. What was she so afraid of?

"Please, I don't want to hurt you!" she sobbed, backing away as my hand brushed her cheek. "I don't know how to control my power! Please, stay away!"

"I'm not afraid of you." I said, stepping forward and pulling her into my arms.

Her tears soaked my shirt as she continued to cry, her small body shaking with each sob. It took me a second to notice that she was making words; something about no one understanding her or treating her differently because of the strange power we just witnessed...

"Is she okay?" I felt her stiffen and pull away as Crow came up beside me. "Jack really didn't mean what he said, honest!"

"Right, Jack?" I turned and gave him my sideways look that said 'fix what you started'.

He huffed, stood, and walked to stand before the Princess. "I'm...um...sorry about what I said."

She turned away from us, her shoulders slumped and head hanging. "Don't worry about it...forget what you saw and just leave..."

"I actually kinda like it here." I said, walking up to the fountain and trailed my fingers in the cool water. "It's quiet and peaceful."

"And it's much nicer than the alley campout we made!" Crow came up and splashed me.

"Does the offer still stand?" I asked, turning back to give the Princess my best smile. "We would be more than happy to accept."

Shock and disbelief spread across her features as she registered our words. "You WANT to stay?!"

"It wouldn't be all bad," Jack came up and stood on my other side. "At least we will have beds. We won't have to share, right?"

"Aww, come on, Jack, you love to share your cot with me!" Crow teased, slinging an arm over his shoulders, earning him a an annoyed huff.

She closed her eyes, sighing. Was she going to revoke her offer? I felt a surge of relief as she smiled. "If you really want, you may come and live in the castle as my servants."

I held out my hand, wanting to seal the deal.

"I want to know the names of my new servants before we make it official." she said, keeping her hand out of my reach.

"I'm Crow! Nice to meet you!" he said, giving her another of his bright smiles.

"Crow..." she said, walking to stand in front of him. "You're eyes are as gray as marble. What an unusual color!"

"Well, yea, I guess you could say that." He scratched the back of his head, a light pink tinging his cheeks as she leaned forward to get a better look at them.

"How pretty!" she clapped her hands, smiling widely.

"Jack's my name, and don't you forget it."

"As if I would forget yours," she scoffed, turning her attention to my blonde friend. "You sure have a smart mouth and an attitude."

"One of his best features..." Crow mumbled.

"You would really be a challenge for my suitors and tutors."

"Wait, what?" Jack's mouth opened and closed like a fish. I had to admit, it was nice seeing him speechless for once.

"And what about you?" she asked, turning to give me her attention. "Silent, always in control and easily adaptable to every situation presented. Do you have a name?"

I smiled. "Yusei."

"Yusei..." she whispered softly, studying me up and down. "Is your hair naturally like that?"

"Yea, it's sort of a genetic thing," I said, shrugging sheepishly. "I got it from my dad's side." I froze as she reached up and began running her fingers through my wild hair.

Her eyes softened as her fingers gently combed through my hair, sending shivers down my spine. "It's so soft..." I heard her whisper. "Almost like silk!"

I felt my face warm slightly. There wasn't really anything special about its color. It was a normal black, like charcoal, and lots of people had that color hair. Why would she be so fascinated with my wild hair?

"As you all know, I am Princess Akiza," she said, stepping away from me and bowing before the three of us. "And I welcome you to the castle."

M: Well? What do you guys think? Sorry, Jack, but I couldn't resist putting your little princess routine from the anime in here!

Jack: YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

Crow: Hey, it might be kinda fun!

Akiza*seen off to the side, trying to hide a smile*: I could have so much fun with this...

Yusei: See you next time!