GLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! I do not own Yu-gi-oh, Yu-gi-oh GX, or Princess Tutu.

Chapter 5: Stranger In the Rain

It has been 24 hours. I need to know. This is the very thought that haunts me.

Did Jasmine's plan work?

It probably did not. No, I have to believe that Jasmine's plan will work. The plan will work, the plan will work, the plan will work, the plan will… This is hopeless. I most likely won't see Jasmine until the end of the day, or at least the end of this chapter.

I was in the realm of the cards waiting for Mana to come for her daily lessons. The realm of the cards was sort of like an average day suburb. Besides for the fact that we had shops that sold weapons and magic potions, monsters walking around all over the place, and it had that medieval sort of setting it was pretty normal. I was sitting under the over head of the school of magic. We were the second top school for the magic arts. There was another school that came first. I am not sure I remember the name though. It started with an h I am certain.

I realized that Mana was about 15 minutes late. This is very rare that Mana would be late. I wonder what could be her reason. It may have to do with the really heavy rain. We don't usually get rain storms this heavy. There was a clash of lightning in the background. The street lamps were on but, they only gave a very faint glow.

Just then I heard something rustle in the bushes. I quickly turned around. There was nothing there. I knew I did not imagine this sound. I heard it again. This time I saw something blue flash quickly to the next set of bushes.

"Who is there?" I called out in the thing's direction.

I saw it again speed into the next set of bushes. The thing was moving towards me. I gripped my scepter ready to attack. It was quiet for a few moments. Suddenly when there was another bolt of lightning the blue figure leaped out of the bushes and started attacking me.

"Dark Magic Attack!"

I fired many of my attacks but the creature was to fast for the attacks to hit it. The figure was still attacking me with powerful blows of his sword. This was no doubt a warrior card. I wondered how I could possibly beat it. I thought of something just then.

"Magical Hats!"

A hat fell over me and divided into four. The hats surrounded the warrior. I peeked out of the hat behind him. I saw that the warrior had long blue hair going down to his waist. He held a sword that looked like it was made of ice. In the other hand was a shield that also looked like it was made of ice. Which warrior was he?

While he was attacking the hat in front of him I snuck up to him.

"Dark Magic Attack!"

The green light hit the warrior right in the back. He fell to the floor. I put one foot on top of his back to make sure he did not move. He flipped over but I pointed my scepter right at him. Then I realized the he was a she.

She had light blue armor with a red undergarment underneath.

"Get off me you pointy headed freak and take me like a man."

I lifted my scepter up and just stared at her.

"Well what are you waiting for an invitation? Fight me already!"

"Wait a minute who are you?"

I took my foot off her and she quickly stood right back up.

"If you must know I am The Artic Swords Girl* but, you may call me Melanie."

"If I may I ask. Why did you just attack me?"

"I am trying to train so I could be a better monster to serve my Pharaoh. I also want to be better then the Black Luster Solider."

"You mean Gallant."

"That's his name? I thought it would be something tough."

"What is your reason for fighting Gallant?"

"When I first came to this world I wanted to be one of the very best warrior cards. I decided to ask Black Lu… I mean Gallant for help. He simply brushed me off saying that I can never be like him."

"Well Gallant is the type of person that gives double meanings."

"I don't care! I will cream Gallant one way or another!"

I swear I have never seen this monster before.

"Are you a new card created by Pegasus?"

"I am a card that was used way back in ancient Egypt by the princess Ameris. She had most of the female monsters. Since I was one of her favorites she decided not to show me to anyone unless really needed."

"This still gives you the right to attack me?"

"I need the practice."

Suddenly Melanie jerked her head as if she heard or saw something very close.

"I have to go."

She then ran back through the bushes and was gone. I went back to waiting for Mana to come. Where was she? The rain just got heavier. Maybe I should go look for her. I was soaked in less then five minutes. If I just try to sense out her presence then I should find her soon and get out of this rain.

I closed my eyes and focused my power into locating Mana. I felt the presence. It was very faint but I could still feel it. I opened my eyes trying to see through the thick rain. She was in the forest of monsters.

I ran or flew as fast as fast as I could. The presence was getting stronger. I came into a clearing. The rain continued to fall. I could see there was no sign of Mana. Still something was telling me she was here.

Suddenly a big blue and pink object ran into me and slammed me into the ground. Why do I seem like I am getting run into or hit today? Mana was on top me. I starred at for a few seconds until she got off me and ran behind the nearest tree. I saw the Harpy Sisters Sakura, Ray, and Azul come from the opposite side. Only Sakura was carrying a rose whip. The rest how ever had their talons ready for attacking. When the harpies saw me they stopped looking so vicious and started batting their eyelashes. Sakura was the first to speak since she was the leader.

"Mahad, what a pleasant surprise!"

Ray spoke next. "You are soaking wet, why did you come out in such terrible weather?"

"I could ask the same to you."

Azul was last. "We were just looking for Mana. We were just going to borrow something of hers. Do you know were we can find her?"

I looked over at the tree Mana was hiding behind. She was shaking her head wildly with pleading eyes. I gave into Mana's eyes.

"I am sorry I have not seen her today."

Sakura spoke again. "Well that is such a shame. We will keep looking for her then. See you later Mahad."

She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Sakura and the rest of the harpies left as quickly as they came. I nodded to Mana signaling that she can come out now.

"Thanks a lot."

Mana slowly crept from behind the tree. Now that I was not in shock and the rain seemed to lighten up a little bit I could see her more clearly. Her hat was on crookedly, the middle piece of her magician outfit was ripped, her skirt in the back was tattered, her shoes were covered with mud, she had bruises and deep cuts all across her arms and legs, and there was a long bloody slash against her right cheek.

"Mana what happened to you?"

She was stumbling towards me with her wand in her hand.

"I am sorry I am late Mahad. I was going to be on time but, Sakura and the rest of the harpies took my wand while I was walking over to the school. When I got it back they tried to take it away from me again, this time with force."

"Why did you not run away? You could have always gotten a new wand."

"I could have but, that wand is my most cherished position."

"What does it mean to you?"

"Mahad you gave me this wand. I know it may not mean something to you but it does to me."

I looked at her with shock. She was really willing to get hurt for just a simple position that I got her. Did she really care that much?

"Mana you are very hurt. You are lucky that it is raining."

Just then Mana collapsed to the ground. I flew to her and examined her. She probably fainted from blood loss. When I put my hand on her forehead it felt like it was on fire. I put Mana in my arms and immediately flew to her house.

This is the first time I have ever been to Mana's house. Where was her bedroom? At last I found it. I put her down on her bed and took off her hat and shoes. There had to be a blanket somewhere. I found one in her closet. Hoping that the blanket would bring down the shivering I put the blanket on top of her. That was when I looked around the room and realized. Everything in the entire room was pink.

There was some light blue here and there but at least 99.9% of everything in her room had some sort of shade of pink. A pink TV, pink ipod, pink curtains, pink bed, pink cell phone, pink lamp, pink carpet, pink nightstand, pink door, pink dresser, pink walls, pink beanbag chairs, even a pink lava lamps. This was just like being inside a giant bottle of peptic medicine or something of that sort.

"Stop thinking about the pink."

I had to bring down the fever and cover up her cuts. Maybe the bathroom had some bandages. I found some and a cup of water. Going back into the room I bandaged and cleaned her cuts. Mana still needs the ice bag though.

I went to open her closet but found nothing. Maybe there is something on the top. I totally forgot the fact that I was still wearing my big pointy hat. It banged on the ceiling which caused everything to be knocked off the shelf. All I could think of was brace for impact. Everything landed on top of me.

To my surprise it did not hurt. In fact it felt rather soft. Sticking my head I found out that I was being buried by a bunch of Hello Kitty plush toys. I threw off my hat in anger. I hate that Hello Kitty. Hell Kitty would be more accurate to describe this plush toy.

I put them all the plush toys back on the shelf. Mana suddenly groaned in the background. I went over to fluff her pillows. Then I saw most of the pillows were in fact more Hello Kitty plush toys.

I went into the kitchen to continue looking for an ice bag. There was one in the cabinets. I filled it with ice and went back up stairs. The ice bag seemed to be working. I turned around to find the floating fury demon right behind me.

"You…"

I was staring face to face with Kuriboh.

"Kawee, Kawee. (What are you doing here you violet headed freak.)"

I knew Kuriboh was probably insulting me right now even though I could not understand him.

"Listen I don't have time to argue with you I have to take care of Mana."

"Kawee, Kawee. (Right, that's what all the guys say when they come over.)"

"Just go away you freaky fuzz ball before I blast you with my magic."

"Kawee (Eat your heart out Bozo)"

"That is right and don't you forget that."

I swear I could see the little vermin rolling its eyes at me. Mana was still breathing heavily. She needs some medicine. Luckily I had some healing potions that I made with me at the moment. I helped her drink it and she seemed fine after that.

She started breathing normally. Looking around the room for a bit I saw that Mana had a couple of CD's from this band called Big Bang. I also saw that she had lots of manga. Especially the ones like Special B, Fruit Cup, Death Letter, and Full Metal Sorcerer manga. She also had some anime like Shugo Egg, Mermaid Harmony, Alison Academy, Tokyo Woof Woof, and Full Star*.

I decided to stay there for the rest of the night. I watched Mana sleep. She was very beautiful even through she seemed lifeless. I wonder if this was how the prince felt in when he saw the beautiful Aurora sleeping lifelessly on her own bed.

I could not help myself.

I leaned down next to her. I slowly pressed my lips against hers.

It felt wonderful.

I took my mouth off quickly when I thought she was going to awake. She did not. In away I was hoping she would wake up.

"Kawee, kawee, kawee (What do you think you're doing you pervert! Get away from my master.)

I backed away from Mana hoping that Kuriboh would be quiet so she would not wake up. Kuriboh eventually went away. I stood against the wall for another half hour. My eyes started feeling heavy. I tried not to let them close.

To my dismay they did and everything went black.

*1- The Arctic swords girl is not a real duel monsters card.

*2-The real names of the manga/anime in order are Special A, Fruits Basket, Death Note, Full Metal Alchemist, Shugo Chara, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch or pichi pichi pure, Alice Academy, Tokyo Mew Mew, and Full Moon.

The longest chapter I think I wrote so far. Kuriboh is not as innocent as you thought huh? That is not the last time you are going to be seeing Kuriboh for your information. By the way I still need a couple of names of duel monster cards from Yu-gi-oh, Yu-gi-oh GX, and Yu-gi-oh 5D. I don't want too many on Yu-gi-oh 5D though. Keep on commenting.