A/N: Ok, super quick update. Love kicks ass, Haruto is cute, Shark and Kaito are being moody and loud and together sort of. And Arclights. Always love Arclights. And Rio's back for a bit. Anyway, thank you for all those reviews and enjoy ok, guys?


"Let's duel!"

Love 4000 – 4000 Fury

"Akina," Haruto called. "Be careful."

Love smiled and tilted her head. "Don't worry. Do you really think I'd lose when you're in danger?"

"Do you really think she can win?" Kaito breathed. Ryoga nodded weakly. "Why?"

"Because I trust her," Ryoga replied. "Tell you what, to prove how much I trust her, if she wins…" He paused and frowned before lifting his head. "I'll come back to yours and… every turn that passes I'll answer your questions."

"And if she loses?"

"We'll spend all day saving Haruto, won't we?"

Kaito frowned slightly. That was a lot of faith to put in a child. Perhaps this was his chance to get the answers he needed from Ryoga, to figure out exactly why was happening in his mind and how to deal with whatever these feelings were. He nodded slightly and Ryoga leant on his chest, watching the duel. He hoped Akina was as good as Ryoga seemed to believe.

"I'll take the first turn," Love called, whipping out a card. "I place one face down and end my turn."

Fury laughed and Kaito frowned. Just one face down? That was practically open field. How could Ryoga have so much faith in such a weak play? But Love seemed confident and Ryoga was smiling.

"She did this in her first duel with Yuma," Ryoga muttered.

"Just one card?" Fury laughed. "Get ready to burn, girl. I draw." He smirked but Love just smiled back. "I summon Flamvell Archer." A large man appeared and with a bow and arrow and Love giggled. 3/1000/200. "Next, I activate Flamvell Baby's effect. By discarding it, my archer gains 400 ATK." It's bow grew but Love still didn't seem scared. "So, Archer. Direct attack!"

A flaming arrow shot at Love and she smirked, whipping a card from her hand. "My Ghostrick Lantern's effect activates. When you attack me directly, I can special summon him from my hand in face down defence and negate the attack. Cool, huh?"

Fury growled, clenching his fists as Ryoga laughed weakly. "I told you to calm down."

"I set two cards and end my turn."

"My move then!" Love cheered. "I draw!" She drew her card and her smile widened. "Watch this, Haruto! This is going to be so cool. I flip Ghostrick Lantern back into attack position!" The ghostly figure appeared, eyes glowing inside its pumpkin head. 1/800/0. She giggled and clapped her hands. "Next I summon Witch of Ghostrick!"

A pretty young witch in a hat and cape appeared, swinging her broom absently. 2/1200/200. Fury laughed and shook his head. Kaito couldn't say he blamed him for being so confident. Her monsters were weak and of different levels.

"Ghostricks work by flipping," Ryoga murmured. Kaito smiled. Of course, Ryoga was practically a fountain of knowledge when it came to cards. He'd obviously seen her duel before so would already have all the information on the monsters he'd seen, her strategies and counter strategies. "They rely on a field spell to inflict damage and defend against it and can be difficult to pin down."

"You think this will go on much longer?" Kaito said, glancing down at him.

He was actually rather surprised Ryoga was still in his arms, still leaning against him. And glad. He reached up slowly and brushed Ryoga's hair from his face absently. What was even more surprising was that Ryoga reached up absently and slid his fingers between Kaito's, leaning into his touch. No matter how Ryoga acted, no matter how tough he was and how aloof he acted, he was fragile inside. And this mess with Ken and Honour had torn at the soft, childish soul inside him. Ken had brought down Ryoga's barriers and just destroyed him.

"No. Not long."

"Your monsters aren't going to do much, girl," Fury laughed.

"She's going to win!" Haruto yelled. "You watch!"

"He's right!" Love cheered. "So I activate Double Summon! This allows me to summon Ghostrick Stien." The large stitched together monster appeared with a groan. 3/1600/0. "Isn't he cute?"

"Is she doing what I think she is?" Kaito breathed.

Ryoga nodded slightly and Love giggled. "Now, I activate Ghostrick House! This means that face downs can't be targeted for attack and battle damage is halved."

The house grew up around them and Kaito glanced around the dusty, creaky house. The stairs above them groaned and the cobwebs blew in a breeze but Love seemed to enjoy the strangeness of the place.

"That's not going to be enough, girl-"

"My witch's effect activates and we put your Archer face down!" Love cried. "Let's go!" The witch bounced forwards and smacked the archer with her broom, flipping it face down. "Now Ghostrick House comes in play. When there are only face down monsters on your field and I attack directly."

"What?!"

"But next turn he'll destroy her monsters," Kaito said.

"There won't be a next turn," Ryoga replied.

"She's not strong enough to finish this off in one turn even if her monsters had the ability to inflict full damage."

"They do," Love called back. "Ghostrick House doesn't half the damage inflicted by Ghostrick monsters. Now, Ghostrick Lantern, attack directly!"

The ghostly monster giggled and disappeared into the ground, vanishing for a moment before reappearing and burning Fury. He screamed and stumbled back slightly as Love giggled.

Love 4000 – 3200 Fury

"We're not done!" Love cheered. "So now, Witch of Ghostrick!"

The witch jumped forwards, twirling her broom before smacking Fury in the chest with her broom, knocking him back to the ground with a groan. The witch huffed and landed neatly at Love's side.

Love 4000 – 2000 Fury

"Now, Ghostrick Stien!"

"He's not strong enough," Fury snarled.

"He's right," Kaito hissed.

"Love!" Haruto cried.

"I activate the trap Rush Recklessly!" Love declared as the trap swung open. "With this, Stien gains 700 extra attack points!"

"No!" Fury yelled.

Love laughed as Stien swung his fist, slamming into Fury and he went flying back. "Now you can stay in my house forever."

Love 4000 – 0 Fury

The barrier between them and the children dropped and Kaito instant released Ryoga, sweeping Haruto up into his arms and holding him close. Ryoga fell to his knees but Haruto came first. Haruto held onto him tightly, trembling slightly for a moment before he climbed down and squirmed loose. He ran over to Love and wrapped his arms around her. And Love looked stunned.

"Haruto…" Love whispered.

"You have to spare him," Haruto said. "I don't want you to be sad taking souls too."

"But-"

"Leave him, Akina," Ryoga hissed, struggling to his feet. Love nodded, stepping back from Haruto, returning to normal in a flash of sparkles. She smiled and hugged Haruto tightly before running over to Ryoga. "And you, Fury. You tell your bosses to leave my friends alone. I've done what he wanted. I'm hunting for him but I won't let anyone hurt my friends!"

"Or I'll take them down!" Akina said, grabbing Ryoga's hand.

Fury scrambled to his feet, glancing around for Honour, but he was already half way out of sight. Kaito frowned and turned his attention to Ryoga. He looked so weak. Ryoga smiled sadly and took Akina's hand, guiding her away. Haruto tugged on Kaito's hand and pulled him along after them, joining them as they walked.

"You did a good job, Akina," Kaito muttered. "Thank you for protecting Haruto."

"It's ok," Akina said with a bright smile. "It's what friends do, right? That's what Miki and Ken always say."

Kaito frowned and Ryoga glanced away. At least now, he had two questions he could ask with a guaranteed serious and, hopefully, calm answer. He just needed to figure out how not to waste them. How to keep him from getting too worked up… it was a tough problem.

When they arrived back at the tower, Akina and Haruto ran off to his room and Kaito set Orbital to work finding Rio or the hunters' base again. And Kaito took Ryoga's arm and pulled him through to the sitting room, forcing him down on the settee.

"You think I'd back out of a deal?" Ryoga snapped.

"I just want to keep an eye on you," Kaito replied, sitting next to him. "I'm worried about you."

"I don't need you watching over me all the time," he argued. "I'm not a child."

"But you are," he said. Ryoga scowled and Kaito sighed. Was there any way to deal with this without getting Ryoga worked up? "Alright…so she got two turns. I get two questions, right?"

"Sure."

Kaito nodded, thinking it over carefully. There was silence for a moment. He had to figure something out. He was tempted to ask about Ryoga's feelings for him, whether he cared about him or if Ken could steal him back the second he snapped his fingers but there were far more important thing to question him one really.

"Tell me everything you know about the hunters?" Kaito said.

"That's not a question," Ryoga snapped.

"I can ask in a more questioning tone."

He sighed and tilted his head back, glaring at the ceiling for a moment. "Fine. Mother Grace and Pride were the first hunters, and Miki and her sibling's parents. Akina said… after I changed, Akina told me a story, how Glory died when she was young. I don't know if it's true, stranger things have happened to us, but I think it has something to do with that."

"And when you changed?"

"In Mother Grace's room," he muttered. "There was a wall covered in shelves and loads of boxes. I had to pick one that drew me. I opened it and next things I know I'm facing a human Shark Drake and a dark version of me."

"And when it takes control of you?"

"It doesn't."

"You threw me down the street without even touching me," Kaito argued. "I had to hold you still on the ground and force you to stay still and make you quiet and you fought me. You weren't yourself."

"I won't let that thing take control of me!"

"But it did!"

There was silence for a moment and Ryoga lowered his head, glaring at his hands. After a while of silence, Ryoga leant against the back of the couch, glaring at the door. Kaito frowned and gently touched his arm, drawing his attention back.

"They want you to suffer," Kaito murmured. He frowned slightly and slid his hand up to Ryoga's cheek, brushing his hair away as he had earlier. "And by giving into this-"

"I did it to protect you lot!"

It was that moment it hit Kaito. He'd been shying away from Ryoga's anger, trying to keep him calm, but Ryoga's passion was the key. If he wanted answers, honest answers, he had to play to Ryoga's anger and keep him trapped. Ryoga was always at his most honest when he was furious.

"Am I really nothing more than a pain killer to you?" he said quietly. "Are you just going to go running back to Ken on Monday?"

"He's done nothing but use me," Ryoga muttered. "He's used me and altered my feelings and I don't know anything anymore. I don't know what's real or manipulated anymore."

"My feelings for you are real and I don't want to be second best."

Ryoga clicked his tongue in annoyance, turning away. "Then maybe you shouldn't fall for a child."

"Believe me, I would much rather my feelings for you didn't exist," Kaito replied, shrugging slightly. "If I thought I had any chance with my ex, I would return to him."

Ryoga's eyes flashed and he went to get up but Kaito caught his arm and forced him back down. He couldn't let him walk away and calm down. He had to be kept corner to get the honest truth out of him. Ryoga struggled to push him off but Kaito pinned him down on his back.

"Get the hell off me!" Ryoga yelled.

"No, not until I have answers," Kaito replied, glaring down at him. "Do you still want him? If he wasn't Honour and wanted you back, would you return to him?"

"What do you care?"

"Answer me."

"I gave you your answers. Get off!"

"Do you still want Ken?"

"Stop asking stupid questions."

"Ryoga! Has he really messed you up so badly you don't even know your own mind?"

"I don't know!" Ryoga yelled, twisting violently. "I don't know! I don't want to care about him but I don't want it all to be fake! I've never felt that way about someone before… I don't want it to be a lie…" The anger was being replaced by self pity again and Kaito couldn't let that happen. "Get off me, Kaito."

"You know, I only began to find you attractive when Rio began to take an interest, when I noticed how fiery you were when you defended her," Kaito said, leaning down slightly. "Before that you were nothing more than a stupid little punk who duelled well and was Yuma's friend." He had to fight back. Kaito had to make him fight again. "You can't even protect Rio really. It's unsightly."

"I'm going to save her!" he cried. "And I'm going to destroy everyone involved, even Ken if needs be!"

"But you love him."

"If he's weak enough to let you put him off he doesn't deserve me. I won't be second best to Miki either!"

Kaito smirked. That was it. Ryoga felt second best. He leant down and connected their lips roughly, purposefully squeezing his wrists when he twisted to get loose. During his discussions with Chris, Thomas had said one or two interesting things, but one stuck in his mind in this situation. 'Why is passion about romance and gentleness? I'd prefer something rough and unrestrained any time.'

Rough and unrestrained? Ryoga was stoic most of the time, always so detached and aloof but when he got angry there was such fire and passion there. If Kaito pushed him, perhaps that was where he'd find the passion in Ryoga. Once they got this part and understood each other, perhaps then they could work on maturity and calmness.

There was a growl and what sounded like a muffled curse as Ryoga twisted and squirmed, tugging his wrists and trying desperately to get loose. Kaito wasn't having it though. As long as Ryoga had the fire to fight him, Kaito would hold him at bay.

And it was the moment Ryoga stopped fighting, and rather than drawing back away from the kiss pushed back into it, that Kaito broke away and released him. He didn't go far. He remained within reach and close enough that he could control the situation but he put enough space between them that Ryoga could escape if he wanted to. It was all down to him now. If Ryoga wanted more, he could take it, if not he could leave.

For a few long moment, Ryoga laid there silently, panting heavily and obviously trying to regain his wits. But after a while, Kaito realised Ryoga wasn't going to make his own decision. He just turned his head away and folded his arms, lying there silently. That was not at all what he wanted. So he continued the way he'd begun. He stood from the settee, glaring down at him.

"I honestly hope I wasn't as pathetic as you at fourteen."

"Pathetic?!" Ryoga yelled as Kaito walked away.

He purposefully left the doors open behind him, leaving Ryoga to decide if he wanted to follow or not. "Prove me wrong then."

And there were quickly footsteps following behind him.


"They've stopped yelling," Akina whispered.

Haruto nodded and got up from the bed slowly. Shark and Kaito had stopped shouting at each other. Everything had gone silent. He stepped out and Akina followed him quickly as they went down to the sitting room. There was no sign of Kaito or Shark anywhere. That wasn't right. Kaito would never leave without saying goodbye unless Haruto was sleeping, and even then he left a message or Orbital. And his and Shark's duelling stuff was on the side so they couldn't have left. Neither would go anywhere without being able to duel.

Suddenly there was a call on the main screen and Haruto smiled as the ID came up. Chris. He glanced at Akina before accepting the call. Maybe Chris would have some idea what to do about Shark and Kaito.

"Haruto," Chris said with a smile. "Good morning."

"Hi Chris," Haruto called, sitting on the settee. He glanced at Akina again before pulling her over to sit with him. Akina blushed slightly and Haruto frowned. Why was she embarrassed by Chris? "This is Akina. She's my friend. She saved me this morning."

Chris frowned. "You got into trouble?"

"Yeah, this hunter tried to take me from Katio while he was trying to make Ryoga happy again," he replied, sighed slightly. "But Akina was awesome, she dealt with him in one turn. One turn kill and everything."

"Really?" Thomas said, appearing over his shoulder. He was wearing that fake charming smile he put on for his fans. "I'm impressed. That must be a lot of skill for a young lady. Especially if those hunters are as strong as the ones that beat the Kamishiros."

Akina turned red and Haruto just grew more confused. Lots of girls blushed around Kaito and squealed and even fainted, and he'd noticed the same around Shark and Thomas too but Akina? She gazed down at her feet and Haruto frowned.

"Th-thanks," Akian stammered, wringing the hem of her skirt. "I- I just had to protect him. He's my friend. He's the only friend I've ever had my own age."

"That's a good thing to do, Akina," Chris said with a soft smile. "It's always best to protect the people you love." Haruto's smile returned as Chris ruffled Thomas' hair affectionately, and for a moment Thomas' fake smile was replaced with a natural one before he shoved Chris away. "You look after her too, Haruto."

"I will," Haruto said, nodding.

"Yeah, you've got to protect your girlfriend, Haruto," Thomas teased. "Especially one as dedicated as that."

Akina squeaked and Haruto glanced at her. What was wrong? "She's not my girlfriend, Thomas."

"Like Rio's not Thomas' girlfriend?" came Michael's quiet voice off screen.

Chris sighed as Thomas vanished, yelling something about Michael being a big mouthed brat and there was barking and Michael laughed and squealed, various footsteps moving away.

"I'm sorry, Haruto," Chris said with a small smile. "I'm glad you're both alright. Where is your brother? Kaito hasn't left on another adventure with Yuma and Ryoga, has he?"

"I don't know," Haruto replied. "He hasn't left me a note, so I don't think so. He and Shark were arguing and yelling just five minutes ago then they were gone and everything was quiet. I don't know what to do about them."

"Is there a problem with them?" he asked.

Haruto frowned, wondering how to explain it to Chris. He knew them well. He knew Haruto and Kaito, he'd almost been an extra big brother for a while and they'd been his little brothers. He'd have an answer, right?

"Shark and Kaito like each other."

"They like each other?"

"Yeah."

"And that's a problem?"

Haruto huffed and folded his arms. Apparently Chris didn't get it either. He was about to try again when Akina lifted her head again.

"Ken dumped Shark and Shark is hurting and he and Kaito are kind of trying to get together but they keep arguing."

"Oh," Chris said. "I see." Haruto smiled. So it was that simple. Grownups were so hard to explain things to sometimes. "Well, sometimes arguing is how people show they care."

"Huh?"

"Well, Haruto," he said softly. "Kaito and Ryoga are both very strong willed boys. Can you imagine either one with someone who just gave them their own way?" Haruto shook his head. "Exactly. If they didn't argue, they wouldn't be able to enjoy each other. They both enjoy being the best, they both love competitiveness."

"So, they're just enjoying the competition?" Haruto said. Chris nodded. "But when are they going to stop playing games?"

"They won't. They'll just move onto a different level."

"Huh?"

"Right now, they're probably testing each other out, seeing where they stand and how they're going to play this. Then, once they're done with figuring each other out, they'll move onto being a couple."

"So, they'll figure it out themselves?"

"Yes."

"How can I speed it up?"

"Lock them in a cupboard together until they-"

"Thomas!" Chris snapped.

Thomas laughed, wandering passed. "Until they work it out, Chris. That was all I was going to say."

"Of course it was." He glared at him for a moment before his eyes widened. "Where is Michael?"

"He's a little tied up right now."

"I'm going to have to go, Haruto," Chris said as Thomas grinned. "Say hello to Kaito for me. And don't worry about them. Just encourage them to spend time together and things will work out."

"Bye Chris."

"Bye."

The line went dead and Akina squealed like she'd been holding it in, grabbing his hands and squeezing. She was really starting to worry him now. Why was she acting like this?

"You know IV!" she cried. "That's so cool!" Oh. She was a fan. Well, she seemed a fan of everyone but it seemed Thomas was her favourite. "And he was impressed with my duelling!" She threw her arms around him and squealed again. "You've made my dream come true!"

"Ah… you're welcome?"

"Just leave me alone!" Shark yelled from upstairs.

"Stop being such child!" Kaito shouted back.

"If I'm such a child why not go back to V?!"

"Ryoga!"

"Let me out!"

"Why? So you can run back to your perfect fake relationship?!"

"Well, at least that's back to normal," Akina murmured.

"Yeah, because you're so much better? What happened to this whole 'you're fourteen, Ryoga, it's inappropriate' crap you were giving it earlier?"

"I guess so," Haruto said with a small smile.

And then there was silence again apart from a few soft thuds. Haruto sighed. Whatever happened between Kaito and Shark, he hoped they'd be ok. He didn't want to see Kaito hurting like he had when Chris left ever again.


"Good morning, princess." Rio opened her eyes as the door opened. She'd been locked in the princess room all night. It was terrifying. She didn't know what to do right now except wait for Ryoga to save her. She had to wait for a moment to come up with a better plan. "Did you sleep well?"

She frowned and sat up slightly, dropping the Athena doll she'd apparently caught in her sleep. Fate was there, with a woman in black at his side. Of course, it was Pride's home. She shouldn't have been surprised. This was the hunter's base, wasn't it?

"How does she help us with Wrath?" the woman muttered.

"She's his twin," Fate replied.

"We change her two? Like the brats?" she said.

"Don't talk about Glory like that."

"What have you done with Ryoga?" Rio snapped, scrambling to her feet. "Where is he?"

"With that Tenjo boy," the woman replied. "They seemed rather friendly. Love's got stronger. It's your own fault for sending Fury to do something so important. You know what he's like. No delicacy."

"The moron's lucky he survived," Fate muttered. He smiled and set down a tray on the desk. "Breakfast, Rio." He smiled and turned away. "I'll see you later."

"Hiro!" Rio called after him. He laughed and turned. "Why? Why would you do this?"

"Because I'd do anything for my family, wouldn't you?" he replied. "My sister died and my parents were destroyed. This was the only way to save them."


In the Next Chapter: Rio finds out about the Tsukikage family and Yuma puts himself between Shark and Kaito's bickering only to discover their secret.

A Glorious Fairytale