Good morning! I don't want to go to school, but on the other side, who does?

Pairing: KaixMisaki (As promised)

Time: Legion Mate

Kai was feeling weak, he felt useless as Olivier Gaillard beat him and burned him with his Judgment. He was always the one who threatened his opponents with his eternal flame and thunderbolt. Dragonic Overlord and Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion were the dragons, who would give flames as a punishment, but that was no more. His Royal Paladins are now his clan and he was sure to break through the blue flames and reach out for Aichi.

"Aichi, whenever you are, I and my mates will find you," he whispered as he stared at Blaster Blade Seeker and Sing Saver Dragon. This was his Legion and he was sure to let the Quatre Knights know that he's not that easily defeated.

"Kai, you care to have a fight?" asked Misaki Tokura, concerned about her friend. Kai looked up and nodded in agreement. He needed practice if he wanted to win against Gaillard. The fear of the flames was still in his heart, but that just motivated him more to get stronger and reach out for Aichi.

"Stand up…"

"…the…" said Kai by himself.

"…Vanguard!" they finished their sentence and rode their starting Grade 0 Vanguards. Kai still was trying to get a grip on using Royal Paladins again. It had been such a long time he had used this clan, as his personality changed, his deck changed also. The battle ended with Kai's victory, though Misaki already got a Legion unit.

"Nice match, Tokura. You're improving more and more."

Kai felt strange praising somebody who wasn't Aichi Sendou. But he had always mixed feelings towards the female member of Q4. She was weak at first. He even looked down on her a little, since she was losing all her matches. At the Asia Circuit she was most certainly the weak link, but since then she had grown and turned into a worthy fighter.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it when it's coming from you," replied Misaki with something which could be called a smile. Kai was so obsessed with Aichi that he didn't really pay any attention to other people around him. He and Misaki were never that close friends, but they were mates and even though he carves to find Aichi, this event brought him closer to Naoki, Misaki and even the little Kamui.

"So what about another match?" suggested Kai, feeling the urge to train some more. They continued like this for the next hours. At their final match Misaki drew two Critical triggers and won. Kai was always convinced that the strength was all that mattered, but luck was also a part of Vanguard.

"You want to get something to drink? There's a machine outside Card Capital. My treat," said Misaki as she collected her deck and put it down her belt. Kai felt a tad thirsty so he followed her outside. She sat down on a bench and gave Kai a can of coffee after she returned.

"You seem more upset than usual," said Misaki, drinking her green tea. Kai was actually surprised that she knew he wanted a coffee and not tea. He shrugged it off and just sat there not answering Misaki's question. Since his defeat he was more upset, it was just so frustrating.

"Kai, we also are upset, but if you need anyone to talk to, me, Miwa, Naoki and Kamui are here for you. Naoki comes to me on a regular basis to complain about how stressful it is."

"I see," said Kai. He really did bottle up all his feelings inside. The last time he cried was when his parents died, since then he had always a wall, blocking everyone out. Crying was showing how weak a person was and he didn't want to be weak, he wanted to be strong. But maybe he shouldn't decline Misaki's offer. It was so depressing, because he didn't know why, but he felt that it was his fault that Aichi got kidnapped. He clenched his fist and he felt a strange liquid fill his eyes. Was the Toshiki Kai actually about to cry?

"Kai…" said Misaki, putting a hand to his shoulder. Kai opened his eyes in shock and embraced Misaki. He needed support. He couldn't handle this in his own anymore. He wasn't strong enough to hold in his feelings back anymore. Kai was surprised that their bodies fit in into each other so nicely, like two pieces of a puzzle.

"Tokura, thank you."

Kai realized that he didn't just need Aichi, he now needed all of his friends from Q4 and elsewhere. And maybe he finally figured his feelings for Misaki Tokura out. He never noticed what he had in her for a great friend and their personalities were in many ways very similar.

"Kai, it's Misaki. Call me Misaki from now on," she said, giving him a small peck on the lips. It was just a second, but the heat filled his whole body immediately. Misaki felt about him this way? He was really shocked, but perhaps this was right. Maybe he could give it a try and go out from his shell. Misaki could be the one he looked for his whole life.

"Okay… Misaki."

REVIEW

A/N I know, Kai is a little OOC, but it's really hard to write him in character when you want me to pair him up with Misaki. Also I please the RenxMisaki requester to be patient, because I haven't thought of any possibilities for this pairing yet.