This fic is the same as the previous posting minus the complicated explanations. I'm also reloading all the chapters with some improvements; Chapter 3 will have a major change.

Path of Memories: Polished Cobalt

Flashback One: A Sealed Fate Unaccepted

New Domino City: The Communal Japanese Mansion Grounds: Oceanside N.D.C suburban district on the Island of Ryuhoshi (Dragon Star) formerly called the Satellite---November 10th, 2030 7:48 pm--Past Dusk

The Signer's War was long over. The Satellite was flourishing as the newly renamed isle of Ryuhoshi, Dragonstar.

The now nineteen year old Dueling King of New Domino City, Yusei Fudo, only had to worry about duels and his friends, keeping Goodwin honest. But he didn't care about his title and he was relieved that the War was behind them. But that wasn't what he was dwelling on.

He, Martha, Jack, Crow, his other Satellite friends and the orphaned children had paid their respects to her just a few days ago. The accident barely four years ago had been so devastating it was highly doubted that even she survived. Yusei still refused to believe it. Some inner entity told him that it wasn't true; she could survive the impossible. She knew how to and she had great luck.

Yusei Fudo was locked in the bathroom, fresh out of the shower, a long ankle length light-blue robe wrapped around his body, steam fogging the mirror. He leaned over the white porcelain sink, looking down into the water, his eyes dry but haunted looking. He looked like to be the equivalent of a drowned rat, his gold streaked raven-black hair, lying flat against his skull and falling to his shoulders in an unusual style. Today was the day. The anniversary. The day she vanished. His bare hands clenched the clean white porcelain of the sink, veins standing out on his skin like thick rods of blue. His teeth ground together.

Why today?

Why ever?

Did the universe think that this act would make him stronger?

More determined to complete the huge task given to him?

The task of defeating the Dark Signers…did they think— the gods of the universe— that he'd finish the war in order to get the chance to search for answers into her vanishing?

His gaze sank into the clear basin water before him, it was so clear and pure…no reflection stared back at him. He blinked once and then ducked his head into the water as if trying to drown himself.

She loved water, loved to swim and did so every chance she got. She'd even gone so far as to find the perfect spot to filter in clean water for a large pool. It was thriving now and they'd named it after her. If only she could've been there during the war. At the very least, they'd still be together.

~Yuzuki…what happened to you? And why? Why? Where are you? Yuzu…Yuzuki …where are you?~

He nearly choked as a pounding on the door startled him. How long had he'd been holding his breath? His lungs nearly exploded as he jumped back from the sink, pulling his head from the water, gasping and choking, trying to breathe.

"Um…Yusei-kun?" Akiza Izinski's voice filtered through the cracks on the door. "- Daijoubu desu ka?"(Are you okay?) You've been in there awhile,"

Not surprising, since he'd been trying to wash away his pain by near drowning. This was really shameful behavior, but he only let full reign of his emotional pain once a year. What harm could it do?

The wooden door creaked as if she was leaning against it. "It sounded like you were drowning."

The former witch had excellent hearing. Yusei coughed again, rubbing the water from his eyes with the wide sleeves of his robe. "Chitta, Aki-chan, daijoubu desu," (No, Aki-chan, I'm okay)

"Are you sure?" Akiza asked, her voice concerned. Yusei did not call her Aki-chan often…only when he was upset or off-balance.

"Yeah, I'm just—I'm just thinking, that's all. I'm fine Aki," He tried to force a little cheer into his voice. "Don't worry."

"You've been acting off lately," Akiza pressed, genuinely concerned. The mission bequeathed to them as Signers may have been finished but they were still teammates, friends.

"Yeah, I am a little off balance," the lead Signer admitted a little reluctantly, leaning against the yellow tiled wall and rubbing his eyes. "Just too much going on, I guess, with the holiday season coming up, you know?"

"Wakarimasu… ( I understand) Well, the kids want you to give them some pointers. Leo just won a duel against Alex and he's all over the walls about it," She chuckled softly but sensed that Yusei was not all right and he was hiding something. "Are you coming down soon?"

"Soon as I can," he promised the rear claw Signer. "I'll be there."

Akiza sighed, pulling away from the locked door. "Okay, if you insist," she said sounding reluctant. "Ja ne." (see you later).

Yusei heard the sound of Akiza's socked feet receded into the distance.

He sighed and fell back against the wall again, eyes closed to the light, placing face in hand. To be honest he didn't really feel like being around the others today, who would try to devise ridiculous ways to cheer him up. Sometimes, he just needed misery, time to be miserable so he could just let it all go, until next year.

Turning back to the wide vanity mirror, he swiped away some of the steam from the glass and stared into his eyes. The eyes were to gateway to the soul and his case, memory. His eyes turned to cobalt again but with thick rings of aquamarine. He saw her face, staring back at him.

People would think that Yusei was serious, calm and controlled, taciturn and stoic. And he was. Unless he was with the children...or thinking about that day. When you lose something truly dear, it tears you apart, Yusei especially. He'd been terrified that the same thing would happen to all of Satellite, to his friends, the twins, Martha….Akiza.

Today was the day. The Vanishing Day of Yuzu.

9: 11pm--The Gardens of The Dragon Haven Estate

"Yusei-nii-sama still hasn't come out," Leo complained, glancing up at the second floor balcony of the traditional Japanese Castle as if doing so would summon the missing King of Games. The Castle was tucked within the forest on one of the highest points created by the island's slam into an undersea volcano during the Signer's War, sheltered within the tall trees of the new forest that flourished under Akiza's power.

The gardens were lit by countless paper lanterns and the residents of the estate were enjoying the peace of night, enclosed in the glass gazebo as the children under Martha's care ran around willy-nilly chased by a laughing Crow and Yanagi and an incredibly unhappy looking Jack and Ushio. Martha was shouting warnings at them.

Luna, Rally, Dexter, Akiza, Carly, Mikage and her two brothers Drake and Alex were also sprawled out in or around the shielded gazebo under the lanterns, dressed in traditional Japanese clothes. Luna, Rally, Leo, Dexter, the black haired pale skinned Lyelsa and the pink haired Dula wore yukatas, Akiza, Mikage and Carly wore kimonos and Alex, Crow and Jack wore Keiko-gi and Hakamas. Drake had thick brown hair, fair skin and brown eyes; he looked nothing like his siblings because he wasn't actually related to them.

"Now's that's strange," Rally agreed, looking thoughtful as he joined Leo and Lyelsa on the steps, handing Lyelsa a glass of lemonade but appearing to forget Leo. The teal haired boy huffed and accepted the lemonade Dula gave him. "I wonder what's wrong."

"He said he'd come down soon," Akiza sighed in agreement, collapsing on one the padded chairs beside Mikage.

"I give up!" they heard Jack shout as the ex-Duel King stormed over to the gazebo and collapsed beside Carly on a thick blanket by the steps, looking outraged. She cringed momentarily before handing him a glass of lemonade.

"Come on, Jack, they're just playing," Crow protested as he skipped up to them, beaming just to annoy him, his own Crimson Mark revealed on his arm. His smile had the desired effect and he received a menacing amethyst glare. Crow just grinned. "Hey, Rally, can I get some of that lemonade?"

"Sure," Rally asked for the pitcher from Mikage and glass and when he received it, poured some for the thief.

"Hey, Jack, what day is it?" Crow asked, sitting on the soft green carpet, oblivious to grass stains.

"How do should I know?" the blonde snapped.

"I don't think biting his head off is really necessary," Carly objected. "He just asked for the--"

"It's the tenth," Mikage called, cutting her off. Carly huffed, throwing a glare in the ex-assistant's direction.

"...." Crow, Rally and Jack fell into an awkward silence, exchanging glances.

"What is it? Did I say something?" Mikage asked nervously.

"...Oh, that explains it," Jack mumbled, not appearing to have heard.

"Today's the anniversary," Rally murmured in agreement. "I get it now,"

"Get what!?" Leo sputtered throwing his hands in the air. "What are you talking about!?"

"Anniversary of what?" Luna asked, sitting down by her twin.

"Yeah, and what does it explain?" Dexter chimed in.

"Tetsu-san, YOU HURT THOSE KIDS AND I'LL HURT YOU!" Martha thundered at the officer from her place on the castle porch.

Everyone sweat dropped.

"...Well, Crow?" said Rally. "You're the storyteller,"

Crow sighed, scratching his thick crop of orange hair, turning his gray eyes to the star-studded sky, unobstructed by the far distant city lights. "It's not something we enjoy talking about...not even as a story. To be honest....it's not a pleasant memory,"

Jack stared into his glass. "Hmph. Unpleasant doesn't begin to describe that day,"

"What are you talking about?!" Carly demanded. "Stop dancing around it and making us curious! Either you're gonna talk about or not! Are ya gonna tell us or what!?"

"It's obviously a sensitive subject so maybe we shouldn't ask for details!" Mikage snapped at the younger girl, striding from the gazebo, water glass in hand.

The two women glared at each other. "Stop that!" Jack ordered, standing with a well-meaning look. "Well, Crow, they might as well understand, at the very least,"

"I brought snacks!" Yanagi piped up, seeming to pop out of the darkness followed by Tanner, Saiga and Alex, steering a cart of bowls and drinks.

Jack let out a disgusted groan. "Shut up, will you!"

"Geez, Atlas, what's with you?" Tanner retorted snippily, wearing his usual clothes. Alex wore a white sleeveless shirt and gym shorts, Saiga was in a white tee and sweat pants and Yanagi wore his usual clothes.

"They're trying to explain why Yusei's been acting so weirdly!" Leo retorted. "Just sit!"

The newcomers obeyed as the group gathered around Crow.

"Whatcha doin'?"

Jack glared murderously at the latest arrivals, Nervin, Blitz and Taka dressed in sleepwear. "Just shut up,"

"Crow's explaining why Yusei-nii-san's acting strange." Rally explained to the cringing Nervin, patting a spot beside himself, Luna, Dexter, Dula, Lyelsa and Leo.

Elsewhere, Martha has successfully goaded Ushio into helping her put the kids to bed. Akiza, Drake and Dexter joined the others on the grass and gazebo steps, laying out blankets, cushions and chairs. Once the paper lanterns were replenished and everyone was comfortable with snacks and drinks, the storyteller, Crow, cleared his throat.

"Okay, folks. In order for you to fully understand, we must begin this story many years ago, before the events that have earned this anniversary," The group fell silent, such was the power of Crow's skills.

"As we all know," he continued with his eyes closed to focus. "Yusei was brought to Satellite after the tragic Zero Reverse Accident, the supposed tsunami and earthquake that marked the beginning of an age old conflict." The image of the light generated from Old Momentum flashed briefly in everyone's minds. "But he wasn't a newborn, he wasn't a baby. He was barely four and more importantly...he didn't--come--alone," He paused noting all the intently focused expressions of his audience. "No, he didn't come alone. This companion...is the reason why Yusei is who he is,"

End Chap. 2,016 words

Ooo. Cliffhanger!

yukatas--informal kimono

kimono--Japanese dresses held by an thick sash called an obi.

Keiko-gi-- the shirt of martial artists trainee's uniform.

Hakamas--traditional Japanese pants that fall to the ankles, tied around the waist.