This particular theme chapter is a dedication to a good friend of mine , because that person really has been a truer friend than I would have hoped.

"You understand the problem now , right Aki?"

Aki smiled at Yusei.

"Yeah , I get it now , thanks ." , and she turned her head to the exercise book in front of her , picked up a pencil and started writing.

It was an extremely slow day for Team 5Ds. The twins had gone swimming with some school friends , Yusei was helping Aki with her physics homework inside the garage at Poppo time , Crow was playing outside with the kids he took care of , Bruno was doing something complicated on the computers as usual and Jack was…well , no one actually knew what Jack was doing.

Yusei got up, and went upstairs momentarily. When he came down, he had a bemused look on his face. Going to the door , he yelled out

"You won't believe this!"

Having finished, Aki turned to observe quietly as Crow, followed by 3 little kids came to the door.

"What?"

"Jack, is actually reading a book, and drinking juice."

"YIKES!Now that's even weirder."

Aki giggled softly at the thought of Jack reading and actually being quiet and settled.

"Weirder than what?" She asked.

Yusei looked at her.

"Barbecued fish."

At that, Aki's giggles turned to laughter. Uncontrollable laughter. Yusei shook his head in amazement.

"I have no idea why that is funny." But nevertheless, he started to laugh as well. Occasionally they would pause, and catch each other's eyes, and then fall into even more hysterical laughter. Crow rolled his eyes.

"Well, if you guys can actually stop laughing, then come outside. The kids want to play with you too."

At that, Aki stopped laughing.

Want me? They want me? Or perhaps he meant just Yusei?

"You coming or what?" Yusei asked, breaking Aki's train of thought. He went outside, and soon laughter fileted into the room.

Aki got up, and went to the door, pausing and observing Yusei and Crow playing with the kids.

Crow was giving a piggyback ride to the tiny girl with brown hair, and one of the boys and the older girl were cheering him on, trying to make him go faster.

The other 2 boys, one wearing an orange fleece , the other with a bandana around his head were chatting with Yusei , showing off some cards , and Yusei was looking at them , giving each of them advice on how best to play them in a duel.

Watching them, so free and natural, Aki realised something.

They are already so damn successful. So popular. And they are right where they need to be.

Jack came out all of a sudden.

"I need coffee!See ya later!"

"Hey Jack! What happened to you saving money?"

"Coffee trumps all!"

"JACK!"

They are already a team. Without me. What am I? The insecure, vulnerable one. I destroy things with this cursed power –yet I am needy. They don't need me.

Jack walked off, ignoring Crow's annoyance.

Crow shook his head and sighed. He let the little girl down and asked

"Right, which one of you is next?"

The orange fleeced boy that had been with Yusei looked to Crow and grinned.

"Me, me!" the boy ran to Crow, and literally jumped on to him. The tiny girl blinked, and then looked at Aki.

"Hey, Onee-chan, come play with us! Come play!"

Me? Why?

"Yusei-nii-Chan says you're fun!" The girl widened her big grey eyes into a wounded puppy look.

"Onegai?"

Yusei looked at her.

"nani wo shiteru? Standing there all lonely like that?Come join in."

Aki grinned at the little girl.

"Ok, Kokoro-Chan, what do you want me to play?"

"YAY!Over here, Onee-chan!" Kokoro smiled.

Unsure, Aki looked towards Yusei.

He nodded. She smiled. And went off to play.

You guys. You don't really need someone like me as a friend, not with my weaknesses, not with your skills and popularity . you have known each other for so long , by all rights I am an invader of your group

Yet you still seem to want me here.

Why?

I can tell you aren't trying to use me, like Divine did, but still-I don't understand.

But I guess it doesn't matter. The truth is, I need you .And although it makes no sense to me…..

…..you need me.

I really hope this chapter wasn't too mushy!The other thing this idea was inspired by was episode 130 when Aki said that Yusei could have got that far all by himself if he had wanted to.

Enjoy, and please review!