Yes, I know I just told someone that I was free last friday. Only to find out in the latter while I was on Facebook that we have homework due on Monday. =.=

Which of course I tried to do because the day after frieday I was once again booked for another bunch of engagements. At least I dont have to go to a wedding then rush to a party, then go to the hospital right after like last time =.= (and I was actually happy enough that we don't have to go to the hospital. I mean, seriously I probably have bigger eye bags, because the day after I was out once again. Take note, I got home on both days at 12 am. =.=)

Yes, I'm kind of complaining. Well, I am an introvert. I'd rather rest up at home after a week of stressful days and nights working my ass off to fulfill all homeworks, which all lasts until whatever a.m. (set aside that was left to me to do during the weekends)

But, I'll admit sometimes its fun to go out :) I'm not that much of a kill joy that's just lame =.=

Anyways, like the usual I would like to thank all those who reviewed:

DinosaursgoRawr101

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian967

1supergirl4

Anemos

Karezuzusan

Cheese lovin' bear

And the rest to those who read, faved and subscribed! You guys truly made my day. When I received the reviews It totally made me happy.

Well, regarding what Anemos stated, I can't believe that it actually happened. O.O (I would just like to share this all to you guys) I never thought that there will come a day that the Heart Birthmark would really become part of the series XD (if you wanna know either watch or read the 143 episode summary)

Moving on, I just looked at the poll just recently. There wasn't much respondents, but I don't mind. Its just funny how they're just a handful XD I mean, since it wasn't much I somehow can imagine who the people are XD

Yes, seriously.

But, what surprised me most are those who says that they wanted another sequel for THOCD o.o I have nothing against that, (I mean why would I even ask right?) its just I was just surprised that some would still want it when here I am thinking that you're getting sick of it XD

Anyways, as you can see I am trying to fulfill all of the choices as I am reposting Searching, planning the Something from Scratch fic ( I have a title for it already and something from scratch is definitely not the title =.=, yet I'm not telling because it's a surprise XD), and the sequel? Hmmm, we'll see you'll know with the way the story ends :)

For now, I'll be concentrating on this though. With the busy schedule that I have, I don't think I can risk anymore sleeping hours. =.= (I don't wanna go to school like a freaking zombie I mean seriously, just now I was so not like me =.=)

But, I'll take my word for it. So, yes this is a contract between me and all of you XD If I won't be posting anything(which includes any chapter until the last of Autumn Tryst, Searching, and the story I made from scratch) beyond 2011 then our contract shall be breached; you all can sue me and file a case for payment of damages and specific perfomance.

(that's what I get for studying my law subjects too muc =.= Well, most of my subjects are all about laws -.- lols though hmy course is semi-law and is pre-law, I'LL DEFINITELY NOT BE A LAWYER...)

So, anyway please do enjoy the next chapter : )

The Heart Of The Crimson Dragon: Autumn Tryst

No time to think, my turn to go

And you can see my heart beating
You can see it through my chest
And I'm terrified but I'm not leaving
Know that I must must pass this test
So just pull the trigger

Russian Roullette

By: Rihanna

-Chapter 14-

A burgundy haired girl stood in front of Poppo time, with her eyes filled with determination and her duel disk open— ready to duel. Her heart beating a bit nervously at the same time filled with a bit of excitement.

Though the previous events that just transpired yesterday was something that she didn't expect nor she deemed to experience; she has made her choice and firmed her resolve.

Truly, this was contrary to what she should be doing as a girl in love, still could she really risk her friendship with her?

Could she just be someone who forces herself into someone's heart where she has no space to fit in?

How did she come to make this decision anyway?

She closed her eyes; thinking if this is even right.

*Aki stood on her balcony, with her caramel eyes tranfixed on the star-filled velvet skies. Her heart filled with: surprise, trouble, confusion, and pain.

She just couldn't forget it.

Nor she could just let it pass.

As much as she misses her dear friend, she can't help but feel sad at the same time for she was her rival in love, plus the way she stared at her and just ran away from her withour a single word, making her feel that feeling that she used to feel—unwanted.

She cringed at the thought as her hands formed into balled fists.

But, she could just let it be like this?

Should she just run away from her?

She sighed.

Is friendship more important than love? Or is love more important friendship?

But, a memory quickly flashed into her mind as realization struck her:

**"Yeah, enlighten me too." She stated, as Yusei and Jack eyed at her in a surprised manner."I guess it was wrong of me to think that I was the only one suffering, when I should have given the benefit of the doubt for her. So, please tell us."

"I suppose that you guys do have the right to at least know about it seeing that you are connected to her. But, if she's still here she wouldn't want you guys to know about it. Especially, you," Jack stated as he pointed at Yusei. "She cares for you too much, that she doesn't want you to be burdened; plus, the fact that she wants you to give focus to Aki instead."

"I see why would she want Yusei to focus on me?" Aki uttered in a skeptic tone.

"It's because she thinks that the both of you like each other and she knows that you need Yusei more than her." With that Aki blushed, she can't believe that despite their separation, Hikari can still tell how she feels for someone, thus making her feel more guilty for pushing her away. 'I guess she was really concerned for me after all this time.'**

She gasped, whilst tears started to form in her eyes.

How could she forget?

"How could I? How could I forget that?" She sobbed, "Despite that she was dying at that time, despite that I hated her, she chose to be selfless. For me," She tried to wipe the tears away from her eyes, as her lips finally formed a smile. "She was even ready to let go of Yusei for me at that time. I shouldn't be like this. I shouldn't be selfish. She's my friend, my only best friend; how that could be more important that anything?"*

'Yes, there's no turning back. Through a duel, I shall show her my feelings.' She thought as she quickly knocked at the apartment door.

"Oh, Aki it's you!" Crow greeted a bit surprised, but without hesitation:

"Is Hikari and Clyde here?" Crow was even more taken aback, the rest in the garage specifically Jack, Yusei, Hikari and Clyde, who were there to witness her grand entrada also were stunned.

Hikari quickly eyed Yusei, thinking, 'Omg, she's here!'

He stared back at her with the thought of, 'Hikari, I know you can do this.' Though no words were said, the two could definitely understand each other as if they both have telepathy.

Then their eyes went back to the devil herself.

Truly, Hikari was surprise, but like Aki she has also made her resolve. She's definitely not running away.

Aki's eyes quickly made its way to the blond lass, as it stared straight at her sapphire ones.

"Hikari," Her voice serious, as she took a step inside further. "I know that before I did to you was bad, and I know that you're aware of what I feel right now. I know as well, that the word sorry may not be enough, so please, allow me to convey my feelings through a duel."

"Aki," Hikari uttered in a surprised tone, as her lips formed in a smile. She was just happy to find out that Aki had the same feelings as her, and even went far to doing it through a duel. "To be honest, we don't need to duel. I already forgave you. But, if you really want to, then I wouldn't mind. I accept, as I also will convey my feeling to you." Then without further ado, they all went outside as Aki and Hikari ready themselves for a duel.

"So, LET'S DUEL"

"Wow, I know that duels usually solve things, but I never thought that you could use this to 'convey your feelings'." Crow stated as he gave emphasis to his last three words.

"Well, in a duel though you may be strangers, but you can understand a person right away with the way he duels. Right now, prior to their conveyment of their feelings, this is a duel to determine who has the strongest emotion for the other, and it can be more than that." Jack replied, with his arms folded in front of his chest.

"Hmmm, that is true." Crow uttered in amazement as he came to a point of realization himself. "Then this is a duel that's a must-see."

"I'll draw first if you don't mind!" Hikari exclaimed as she drew her first hand, "I activate A Legendary Ocean from my hand!" With that, the surroundings quickly filled up with water, as old, historic-like building started to emerge from the ground, as if they were all in an undersea ruins. "Due to A Legendary Ocean's effect, all water monsters level is decreased by one so I can normal summon Cyber Shark[level 5-4; Atk:2100-2300 Def: 2000-2200] from my hand, then I set two cards faced down then I end my turn. Aki, I am also sorry, because I ran away from you. I'm sorry, because I became selfish. But, regardless, you're my best friend and that doesn't change, and through this duel I'll show you how you are also very important to me and that I'll no longer run away from you." Aki's lips quickly formed a smile, she's just happy right now, as well as elated. She didn't expect things to turn out this way, as another memory entered her mind—the memory of how they became friends.

"Though I was at fault and yet you're acting as if you're the one at fault. It's always has been you who has been selfless. You've never changed, Hikari. But, this time please allow me to redeem myself. Draw!" Aki uttered as she draw a card. "I summon Lonefire blossom [atk:500 def:1400] in attack position. Then I activate it's effect as I tribute it to special summon, Gigaplan [atk: 2400 Def: 1200] from my deck, and use it to attack your Cyber Shark!"

"You're wrong, Aki. I'm not selfless, but rather selfish, because I want to keep all the people that make me happy beside me always. So, I activate my quick-play spell card, Enemy Controller to change the position of your Gigaplan to defense position!."

"I set a card faced down then I end my turn."

"Draw, I summon Codarus [level 4-3; atk: 1400-1600 def: 1200-1400] in attack position! Then I activate it's effect I can send "Umi" from the field to remove cards from the field to the graveyard, since A Legendary Ocean is treated as Umi, so I send it to the graveyard to remove your Gigaplant and your faced down card! Then I activate another A Legendary Ocean, then order Cyber Shark and Codarus to attack you directly!" Hikari stated, though she kept a smile herself, her face suddenly turned serious as her lips lost its smile. "I end my turn. I'm really sorry Aki, for taking him away from you." Aki just stared at her, though there wasn't much elaboration to that, she get what she meant by it.

[Aki: 4000-100]

"I guess, you've proven me wrong. You're right you are selfish. However, you're my friend, and as I said allow me to redeem myself, because I am the one at fault here. It's only right for you be like that, because I myself used to be selfish. But, I"m not like that anymore. I've changed, and through this duel, for one last time, allow me to prove that. Draw! I set a monster faced down then I activate Super Solar Nutrient! This card allows me to tribute a level two or lower plant-type monster to special summon one plant monster whose level is equal to or lower than the tributed monster's level plus three from my hand or deck. So, I special summon Botanical Lion [atk:1600-1900 def:2000] then I order it to attack your Codarus!" With that Hikari's lifepoints dropped to 3700.

"Then I set a card faced down then I end my turn. It's true that I do like him, too. However, how could I continue to love a man who's eyes had never dared look at me? Plus, I know that your family is gone, while I have mine. I could never take away that important person from you. No, I wouldn't allow you to give up that important person for me again, and instead allow me to be one of those to remove your loneliness. I knew it from the time we started became friends. You were always lonely, and now that your parents are gone, I know that you're even more lonely than you used to. You may haven't mentioned it to me, but I've felt it. And, you know what, though it is ironic, I think loneliness is the thing that has brought us together at that time; it is the thing that brought you to me." Hikari just stared at her. She never thought that she would hear those words from her, the words of her own confession of love to the man that she loves whom her friend is ready to give up. Prior to that, she can't believe that Aki was able to sense it: her hidden emotions.

It was all true, during her days in the Duel Academy she has always be lonely. She was isolated, though she would want to happily mingle with all her schoolmates, and especially her classmates, but she decided against it for many important reasons. It was only Clyde that kept her company, or rather was allowed to keep her company, until she met this girl right before her. Truly, loneliness is what that had brought them together. It was loneliness that drew her in to her, because they both share the same thing, which is loneliness, and she was ready to break all the reals that makes her bound to be isolated.

"I honestly didn't think that you knew, since you seemed to not take notice of anything before. But, you know what, it's true. I was lonely. But, that has changed; I'm no longer feeling lonely, because I have all of you guys right now with me, and with this I shall show you how grateful I am for that. Draw! I summon Deep Sea Diva [level 2-1] in attack position, due to it's effect, I can special summon Spined Gillman [level 3-2] from my deck then tune my Cyber Shark and Spined Gillman to my Deep Sea Diva! Like the light that shines through the depths of a dark sea be the light that shines through the depths of a dark heart with full splendor! Synchro Summon! Rise from the seas, Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier [Level 7-6; Atk:2500-2700 Def: 1700-1900] In attack position! Then I activate it's effect by discarding two cards from my hand I destroy your Botanical Lion and your faced down card!"

"Then I activate my faced down card! Star Siphon! This can be activated when a Synchro Monster is summoned, and by selecting it. With that, it allows me to special summon one Siphon Token, as its level becomes the same as the selected monster while the selected monster is level one"

"I wouldn't allow that! I activate my Trap Card, Solemn Judgement! By paying half of my life points [Hikari: 3700-1850] I can negate the activation of any card and destroy it. Now that your field is clear, allow me to convey my thanks. So, Gungnir attack!"

'Thanks, Aki. You truly are a great friend, and I'm really am happy to have you as my best friend.'

And that is it for now.

Sorry if it was short!

To be honest, the chapter turned out differently when I first wrote it. Last Friday, I was able to get a head start, but I didn't like the feeling it brought. So, I changed it and came up with this. Actually, this was also part of that, but what happened before this is just not good, and I just don't know how to connect that not so good part with this one. So, I just went for this. Prior to that was writer's block. =.=

So, to compensate I shall present a better chapter next time, and I might try to post the prologue/1st Chapter of the 'fic from scratch' on Friday (unless you'd rather have the next chapter for this though tell me this or the fic from scratch instead?). So, do look forward to that!

And for those, who's curious about Searching, I posted it already up to the fourth chapter. ;p

Just a share of thought again, if I have to be honest, I was surprised to post in the middle of the week. Yes, I am busy but I can't lag the story for a long time or I might forget about it. So, desite the busy-ness, I gave time for it.

To be honest, I was sick just yesterday XD And since I slept hard last night due to sickness, I suddenly had enough energy to stay up late o.o (okay, that sounded so wrong)

By the way just wondering, did the chapter felt awkward?o.O Just curious.

Anyway enough about that, Thanks for reading!

Please, do review!

TC

Anonymous Review Reply Section:

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the last chapter! I hope that despite that this short and seemingly awkward(for me that is) chapter, I hope that it was still okay XD

Know what when I was writing Yusei and Hikari's part last time I didn't imagine it to end up being like that XD However, as I wrote I realize what you realize for Hikari's part I mean that she's been running away. XD (prior to that, I ended up smiling while writing up to the last words of the chapter XD for some reason, it's just that instead of Yusei being the usual serious guy he is, I made him not serious there. I mean he's serious but with the way he talked he wasn't then suddenly he became serious oh nevermind XD I can't explain it well right now XD I'm not my usual self. Sickness still affecting =.= to be honest, the whole day I felt different, and I'm not acting as my usual self =.= and it manifests even now =.= So, do forgive me for that...)

However, I do wanna know what you meant by "Yusei's words, as usual, rival that of the anime". Is it contradictory? O.O (sorry, though I'm not much of an idiot I can sometimes be an idiot XD)

And regarding the "having an adult like you" part, yeah, I know. It suddenly pop up. However, in my part it is foreshadowing (okay that was a spoiler XD) Though, I'll not further elaborate on that.

Yes, actually I am thinking of finishing this first before continuing Searching, and go full throttle on the new fic. But, I'll just give the introductions then stop from there. Like I've said, I could never handle school, outside of school life, and all my committments in FFN.

Btw, regarding the heart thing, I like the analogy o.o I never viewed it like that (with the rib cage acting out as a barrier and etc). Cool ^.^

Yes, it is truly a risk, and right now though my friends are pushing me to open myself up to having relationships or at least like someone. I couldn't find myself to do that. Or rather, I can't risk my heart going through that right now, as it is a risk.

Also, regarding what you have said about the episode 142, I didn't watch it since I never had the time, but I read the summary and was surprised to see it O.O ( as I have said at my AN before I started the chapter). Like I've said, I never expected it to really happen in the ORIGINAL series o.o I mean, for me its just logical to also have the heart mark, but it doesn't mean that it was real XD har har.

Though, I honestly thought that Leo doesn't suite it. I'd rather have him the Tail Mark, and another girl(possible Yusei love partner or whatever) or at least Aki should rather have the heart mark. I mean if you look at it this way, though the heart and the mind are often contradictory to each other, yet the other couldn't live without the other whether physically or figuratively. Figuratively the other balances the other. Physically the mind wouldn't function without the heart XD

Though I would want to further elaborate on the thought, with me being so unlike me is preventing that, sorry. Maybe next time, or hopefully you'd get what I mean XD

Anyway, TC and thanks for the awesome review!

-Jory014