Hooray! Back again with another chapter, and it's still probably going to be late again! Guys, I think I have a serious procrastination problem, but then again, who doesn't? Mmm... I'm horrible. At least there's cute semi domestic fluff in this one?

Enjoy, lovelies.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal

"God, is she like never gonna wake up?" A voice groaned in my ear.

"Not if you aren't doing anything to wake her up, she's not." Another voice hissed at the other. Why was everything so loud? I'm trying to sleep here.

I groaned and buried my face into my pillow. Too early to deal with these things. Need more sleep... I wrapped my arms around my pillow and tried to melt into the warmth of my blankets.

"Rio, what is she doing? We're gonna be late..."

"I have to do everything myself don't I?" C'mon, Yuki. Time to rise and face the day."

A hand grasped my shoulder and gently tried to shake me awake as I twisted away. Why was my pillow so damn hard?

I stifled a groan and brought my arm down on my pillow a couple times trying to fluff it out. Seriously, when did this thing get so hard? It wasn't like that when I was sleeping last night. Wait, when did pillows groan? Hell, when did pillows verbally abuse my ear?

"I swear to god Shiragane, if you don't get off me in like 10 seconds, I will punch you in the face…"

Oh you have to be kidding me...

I jerked awake and slammed my body forward. I groaned and clutched my head as it collided with another hard object. This is why I hate mornings.

I stared wide eyed as I managed to get ahold of my surroundings. Okay, Yuki. Pull yourself together. This is not your bed and this is definitely, not your house.

"I hope," IV's familiar voice hisses at me, rubbing his chin. "You had a nice nap."

His violet eyes glare at me as I try to force down my blush. I slowly edge myself off his lap and scramble behind Rio. Not the best course of action I could've taken, but hell, I don't even remember how we got in this mess in the first place.

Rio sighs and gives me a pitiful pat on the head. "Sorry, my bad. Guess I forgot to tell you."

IV raises a eyebrow and sits up straighter.

Rio runs a hand through her colorful bangs and answers the blond. "Yuki has a tendency to latch onto things when she sleeps. Basically, she's a huge cuddle bug."

I slump forward against Rio and wish the ground would just open up and swallow me whole already. Great going Rio. Now he'll never let me live this down.

Might as well kill me now.

"Oh really now? That's great to know." He says with a sly grin.

I groan again and throw my hands up in the air, fed up with how immature he could be. I make my way to the connecting bathroom and lock the door with a click.

I rub my eyes sleepily and stretch out my tired limbs. Really. Whose idea was it to have school start so early anyways? My eyes glance over to the porcelain tub reflected in the huge mirror. I could kill for a hot bath right now, but Rio would give me an earful if I took any longer.

I turn on the faucet and let the cool water run over my hand before splashing the liquid on my face. I shiver at the cold as it hits my face, waking me up. I reach for the toothbrush IV lent me the night prior and quickly brush my teeth and give my face another splash.

I wince as I rub my face with a towel. My face scrunches up in pain as I massage my weak shoulder. It's been several months since I hurt my shoulder, but it never really healed properly. I guess I should have Cloud take a look at it, but really. All he would do is make a big fuss about it. Not to mention, give me a full blown checkup with x rays and everything. Now that would be bad.

Best to keep my mouth shut for now, I think with a shrug. He's already so worried and has enough to deal with, work and all. Better not to cause him any more trouble than I already have.

I unlock the door and turn off the lights before lazily striding over to my friends. Who happen to enjoy screaming at each other so early in the morning.

I tap Rio on the shoulder. "What are you guys arguing about? We literally just woke up." I sign. Can't they at least wait until I have my coffee first?

Rio rolls her and waves her hand dismissively at my questions. "Thomas thinks hot cakes are better than waffles. Hotcakes. Better than waffles!" Rio exclaims passionately, stomping her foot on the ground.

I raise my eyebrow curiously. So? I like hotcakes and waffles as much as the next person, but seriously? Food is food. And all food is delicious in my opinion. With the exception of any seafood, excluding shrimp, as it makes my insides want to stab themselves to death until I regurgitate them into a toilet bowl.

"Yuki," Rio says seriously, placing her hands on my shoulders, my body tenses at the action. Can people stop touching me? Rio knows about how I like my personal bubble. She ignores my light glare and continues. "Hot cakes or waffles? Choose."

I give her a tired look, but silently bend down to where I put my sketchpad and pencil last night, inwardly cursing her for giving me a headache so early in the morning. "Sadly, I have to agree with the idiot blond." I jerk my thumb towards said blond. IV fist pumps the air and gives me a high five, before gloating his accomplishment to Rio, who curses at him through his entire rant.

I pinch the bridge of my nose before giving them another exasperated look before heading down stairs.

Breakfast has almost always a quick affair at my house, even before the divorce, so it's a refreshing sight to see how lively it is in the Arclight home. Welcoming and warm, it's nothing like my own. I find myself yearning for familial warmth and comfort, but I know that's practically impossible.

I give a sad smile to myself as Byron-san eases me into a chair. IV and Rio join us moments, clambering down the stairs after Chris serves the miso soup and rice (finally, some actual Japanese food). IV gives Rio a playful shove before grabbing the tamagoyaki* from the pan and placing it on the dining table with the rest of food.

Rio slides in the chair next to me and slumps against my shoulder. The pink eyed girl groans about something being too bright. I shake my head, she was so awake earlier and now she wants to go to bed. Figures, this is Rio.

"Hey dad, is Mihael not home still?" the blond inquiries, snatching a small bit of the omelet with his chopsticks and pushing it between his lips.

"No," the older man says with a chuckle as Chris slaps the younger with a swat of his hand and pointed glare. "Mihael said that he would be going with Yuma."

"In this weather?" Chris asks, glancing out the window. The sky is downcast and it looks like it's about to start pouring any second by now. I wrap the button down IV gave me last night a little closer to me. Nothing ever good comes when it rains. I frown as I stroke Rio's hair as she leans against me.

Byron-san gives a shrug and the other two males sit down. IV sits across from me and Chris from Rio. Byron-san takes a sip from his steaming cup of tea.

"Ah, also." the ash blond man begins. "Your brother brought your uniform and lunch earlier this morning, Yuki-chan."

I raise an eyebrow skeptically. I didn't actually think he would have time, with work and all. I look down at the clothes I wore from last night. Yeah, no way the security guard would even let me past the gate. I probably wouldn't even go out in these clothes. I'd freeze to death first with this weather.

I nod my head in acknowledgement as I bring my bowl of soup up to my lips to drink from it, taking in the subtle flavor of the miso. Chatter fills the room, booming with laughter and playful arguments, unusual for so early in the morning. After ten minutes of trying to talk to me, Chris finally deduces that I need a cup of coffee after all my answers seem to be incoherent noises and I finally feel awake when the caffeine enters me, waking me up.

Rio leaves just after finishing her breakfast, but not before I give her back her sunglasses, and she speeds off into the distance with Ryouga on his motorbike.

"We should probably get going too." IV says, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

I give a nod and I take my iron pressed uniform from IV's father, running upstairs to put it on, not wanting to be late for school. I peel off my makeshift pajamas from last night, shivering from the cold of the morning before putting my skirt and tucking in my dress shirt. I wind my tie around my neck and push my arms through the sleeves of my blazer, savoring the warmth.

I grab my own backpack and put my lunch for today in one of the pockets. I walk downstairs to meet IV at the doorway watching him as he fails horribly at riding my skateboard, practically toppling over and eating carpet. I shake my head in amusement and tip my chin towards the older Arclight's before pushing IV out the door.

I take my board from him and push it forward, towards the pavement and jump on it, feeling the crunch of the leaves beneath me. IV walks in front of me with his hands behind his head, a pensive look on his face.

"You think it's gonna rain?" he eyes the gloomy sky with dubious eyes. He turns around and looks at me, waiting for my answer.

I shrug. Maybe, but maybe not. It sure is cold though, but that's to be expected with January weather. A chilling gust of wind passes us, making my teeth chatter.

"Can I come over to your place later?" IV asks, picking up his pace. I shake my head rapidly before grabbing him by his collar and drag his ass towards the large gates of our impending destination. I grab my board from under me and tuck it under my arm carefully, shoving IV through the automatic doors and stumbling into the shoe lockers.

His back hits the metal frame of the lockers and he lets out a small 'oof' before glaring at me. "Why do you gotta be so rough with me? I'm delicate ya know." IV pouts and turns around to change into his school shoes.

I roll my eyes at him, but go to my own locker and do the same. Oh it must hurt so much, poor baby I think to myself sarcastically. I grab my bookbag off the floor and give him a nod. He waves me away and I walk to homeroom without him.

I stretch my arms over my head and heave a sigh. Finally, classes are over for today. Today just seemed to drag on for the longest of times. Not to mention it was freezing outside, so IV and I couldn't even go out to the roof and had to sit in the cafeteria like everyone else…

Ugh… Just no.

There were way too many people in there for my liking. Call me anti-social or whatever, but it just sets me off, especially when they get all chatty and loud. It just makes my ears ring. I don't know how I can handle IV sometimes with how loud he can get.

Everyone heads out of the classroom to finish off last minute school chores* or handle their club activities. I, with my predicament, am not subjected to such. I sigh as I pack up my bag, savoring the quietness of the empty room.

I hum a small tune to myself as I pass some of the staff on my way out. I wonder if Idiot left yet, though he probably has. He almost always leaves early, either with his groupie or his brother.

I'm so ready for my afternoon nap, I mean, if you don't sleep a lot then you won't grow right? Though my brother says otherwise. Says I'm practically so short that there's no helping me or something along those lines. Um, if I was done growing, I'm pretty sure those five millimeters were just my imagination then.

That dick...

I shove my hands into my blazer pockets and keep my head down, ignoring the streams of laughter and pointless conversations that fill my ears. I plug in my headphones to get rid of the white noise and bob my head in time with the rhythm of the music.

I wonder what time Cloud will be back tonight. My mind is a bit more at ease without the looming threat of my stepfather hanging over me. Not like he'll be in jail forever, but last time I checked, drunk driving was a pretty serious crime.

I heave another sigh. God, I hope I don't have to deal with anymore shit for a very long time. I wave at a few of my classmates and give them a tight lipped smile while changing into my boots. Not to mention-

Not to fucking mention it's fucking raining outside. It isn't even raining lightly, it's pouring outside. My mood drops drastically with the sound of liquid falling onto asphalt. Can this get any worse? I think to myself bitterly. Lightning dances across the darkened skies and mocks me.

"Guess you got caught in the rain too?" IV says as he hangs the umbrella over our heads.

I nodded and fiddle with my sleeve for a couple seconds, unsure of what to say. He beats me to it though, saving me before I can even think of anything. "My dad- he says your brother called and said that he couldn't make tonight, so I guess I'm taking you home?"

I give another nod and a familiar mop of pink hair enters my vision. Mihael waves at me and makes his way over to us. "Did you tell Yuki-chan that we're taking her and Hana-chan home yet Nii-san?" the pinkette asks. He looks around us quizzically. "Actually, where is Hana-chan?"

The three of us exchanged worried glances between each other. I gave another sigh and all I wanted to do in that moment was face palm so hard. I couldn't believe I actually almost forgot about my own sister for a second there. I scowl and drag IV by the collar earning a startled yelp from the taller boy. I absentmindedly hear IV yell at Mihael to 'shut up and wait there!' and twists himself out of my grip while still sheltering the two of us with his umbrella.

"Sheesh, any tighter woman?" He grumbles and rubs his neck. "Well, the shrimp shouldn't be too worried. I mean, you're only ten minutes late."

I nod. Ten minutes isn't that bad, I just really hope Hana isn't standing outside waiting for me to pick her up like she usually does. It's way too cold out here in this kind of weather. I shiver and lean into IV a bit. I'll take any kind of heat at this point.

IV blinks and stops suddenly, stripping off his blazer jacket and handing it to me. "It must be pretty cold with you wearing a skirt, so, uh, here." He looks away from me, his sun kissed skin dusted with pink.

I feel my own face heat up and I quickly put on his blazer. The thing is all too big for me, swallowing my smaller form and the sleeves flop around so much that I have to roll them up. It feels a lot warmer though and I'm incredibly touched by the sweet gesture.

I sign the word 'cold' and point at IV which he denies with a shake of his head. He hums a small tune and we walk closer and closer to elementary school section of the campus.

Hana waits outside with a raincoat and a umbrella much to my relief and doesn't seem too peeved about having to wait for us to come and pick her up. She rushes towards us, splashing us with muddy water making her giggle.

"Hey Shrimp," IV greets with a ruffle of her hair. "Sorry we're late, we kinda had a change of plans and I'm taking you guy's home when my dad gets here."

Hana nods and takes my hand. "It's okay, I don't mind. Besides, guess what?" She asks excitedly.

"Hm?" I ask, half listening and half not. My eyes scan the rain pouring from the skies and I tug her along while she tells IV about her day. She skips along the wet concrete and twirls around like a ballerina, sticking out her tongue to catch the droplets of rain.

"...And then I kicked him in the stomach and then he started crying for his mom!" Hana says brightly. I cough and narrow my eyes at her. I take my eyes off that one for a few moments and she's already wreaking havoc on people.

Hana gives a wide grin and high-fives IV. "Great! I finally got your attention with what may or may not have been the truth!" She giggles and twirls a brown lock of hair with her finger. "And now that I have your attention, we can do this."

IV and Hana look at me with mischievous eyes that make me take a step back. Oh hell no, they better not do what I think they're about to do...They lift up their feet and splash me with the water from the puddles. I let out a silent shriek and run away from the two devils with them hot on my heels. The two of them throw away their umbrellas and chase me through the rain shrieking with laughter.

We somehow end up chasing each other through the rain that leaves us all drenched from head to toe by the time we get back over to Mihael. Of course, the four of us are scolded by their father moments later as he drives up the curb.

Hana is still shaking with laughter by the time we get back to the house. We say our goodbyes and the Arclights are off on their way soon enough. I usher Hana inside and I can't help but think rainy days can be nice sometimes too.

Tamagoyaki- is a type of Japanese omelette, which is made by rolling together several layers of cooked egg

After school chores- Many Japanese students are expected to do after and before school, I.e. cleaning restrooms, cleaning the chalkboard, cleaning the school pool.

At this point, I feel like I should stop expecting things from myself like actually meeting deadlines, but hey, made it before New Year's again. Hope you guys had a happy holidays and new year, even if you didn't do anything special. Fun fact, my computer decided to be a dick and broke down right after finals, but at least it's working now, I swear this story has more fluff than actual plot. Oh well, plot is gonna be next chapter.

Don't forget to hit that review/follow button on your way out if you liked it! Later, guys.