Rhia POV.

It's been really busy lately, I mean, we just arrived here yesterday and next thing you know there's a tournament the next day... Great. And we need costumes. Even Better. A faint knock sounded at my door...

'Come in,'

'Morning, Rhia'

'Morning, Zane. What can I do for you?'

'Well today's the Duel Spirit Day tournament, right?' I nodded

'Well, I packed a costume for you just in case'

Zane handed me a neatly wrapped box with a black ribbon sealing it, I thanked him and un-wrapped it. Inside was a long, emerald green dress with white tusk-like shoulder pieces. I looked up at Zane in confusion when he handed me the matching masquerade mask.

'I hear this year's going to be interesting with the costume choices, so I thought that this would be a great opportunity to see you as the mystical elf' he gave me a ridiculing smile as he backed away to the door.

'Now, get changed. I'll be outside helping the others prepare, If you need anything just call'

'I know the drill'

With that Zane left, it was good to see him healthy and well again. The state I saw him in was heart breaking; he was a childhood friend of mine and I clearly remember the days when Chancellor Shepherd taught us the basics of duelling, back at the monastery where I always used to play the wrong monster and Zane would just 'accidentally' let me win.

Underneath the stubbornness is a heart of gold. When I heard that he was rushed to the hospital I had to visit him; before that I played at tournaments to earn money, and instead of using it to go to Duel Academy...I paid for Zane's operation bills. In return he took me to Duel academy to see Jaden with no payment whatsoever.

I smiled at the memory and began to change into the elven costume, the mask fitted quite well. Trust Zane to get you a costume without telling him your size.

The sun was luminous and the heat was balmy; I locked the boat door and set off for the school building, duels were already in progress on the grass beside the entrance and many students were in duel monster costumes. I felt a presence beside me, it was Blackwing Percival, my small black panther-like guardian.

His notable black wings were relaxed on his back as he walked, Percival was my duel spirit guardian who always watched over me.

I opened the entrance door to the building as Percival walked in first; we made our way to The Arena where an Elemental hero Avian greeted us. Typical Jaden.

'Hey, Rhia'

'Hey Ja-wait, how did you know it was me?'

'Your wearing mother's necklace'

'Oh,' I realised and reached to unclasp it when Jaden stopped me

'Keep it on, it looks good on you'

'Thanks, Jay'

He showed me around the arena; where each dorm sat, where the exits were... It was a big arena, I must say. Suddenly, a figure carrying large boxed bumped into me and fell backwards.

'I am so sorry-... Jesse?'

'It's alright, great costumes' he smiled as we helped him get up,

'Who are you?

I opened my mouth to speak but- 'I mean who are you not the duel monster your dressed up as'

I laughed, 'It's Rhia' I took off my mask.

Our eyes locked for a moment, Ruby appeared on his shoulder but I chose not to say anything. I awkwardly looked away, 'You look great,'

'Thanks,' I answered

'Jess, where's your costume?' Jaden asked

'We had to wear costumes?' He rubbed the back of his head as we nodded.

'Well I guess I'm going as me'

'I don't think that counts, Jesse' I taunted

'Eh,'

'Well I'll help you help you find a costume after we help you bring these boxes to...' I look at the contents of the box. Duel cards. Filled to the brim.

'...Ms Dorothy's table, I'm guessing' Jesse nodded

'They're quite heavy though, Rhia'

'I love how much you underestimate me'

I lifted up the box with no hesitation, it wasn't quite as heavy as it looked. Jaden huffed as he lifted the box and gave a slight 'I hate you' smile, Jesse had gently laughed

'I'll take it back then,' he stated as we left towards Ms Dorothy, who was dressed up as dark magician girl. (yet again...-Jaden)

'Oh, Thank you very much!' She exclaimed as she claimed the boxes.

An hour passed-it was 7 am- and most of the refreshments were ready and stalls were up, I placed a hand on Jaden's shoulder as I walked out

'I'm just going to get some fresh air'

He flashed a thumbs up at me and smiled as he always did, I left the arena and found a ladder to the roof. I saw Percival flap his black wings and started flying up as if he wanted to have a race, Oh it's on!

I started to climb up as fast as I could only to be greeted by Percival smiling at me triumphantly

'That's so unfair, Percival, you have wings and I'm human'

'You can see Duel Spirits too, I guess' said a familiar voice, I turned to see a blue haired figure who sat at the edge of the roof.

'Jesse,'

'Rhia' he joked

'Sorry if I disturbed you' I moved to climb down

'No no, you can stay here if you want. I think watching the sun from the roof is better with a friend to talk to'

I blushed lightly, we were friends? Big step. I seated myself beside him, legs dangling over the edge;Ruby Carbuncle rubbed her head against my arm and I stroked her gently, her spirit form slowly turning real.

'Hey, Ruby'

'How long have you been seein' duel spirits?'

'I don't know, Percival's been there for me ever since I was a baby. We practically grew up together' The black-winged leopard snuggled itself onto my lap and soft growl played at his throat, I caressed his wings and flattened out any ridges or bumps in his feathers. Jesse watched with Ruby jumping in place, there was a slight breeze as Percival's eyes flicked open.

'What about you? When did start seeing Ruby?'

'Well, actually-' he started as his hand scratched the back of his head. Six gems appears behind him; Emerald Turtle, Amethyst Cat, Topaz Tiger, Amber Mammoth, Cobalt Eagle and Sapphire Pegasus had shown themselves behind Jesse and Ruby, 'I can see all of my monsters'

'I can see that,' I giggled slightly in shock.

'They're my family and I don't know what I'd do without them' a passionate smile spread across his face, pride in his eyes. He was so...so... different, I can't even find a word to describe him. That's what I like about him. Wait, what?! I didn't just think that, I didn't just think that, I didn't just think that

'Earth to Rhia? Are you there?' he clicked his fingers to bring me back to reality, heat rushed to my cheeks as I realised that I was staring at him all this time. Talk about awkward. I've never really cared about what people think about me before, why am I starting now?

'Sorry, I was jus- sorry'

'You don't need to apologise,'

'Sorry-um,' We looked at each other and laughed.

Percival POV.

I lay on my owners lap, silently proud that she's opening herself up to Jesse without hesitation.

Flashback~

'Hey Rhia, why don't you come with us to the party?'

'Yeah, it'll be fun!'

I appeared beside Rhia as soon as two girls approached her unexpectedly, her fists were clenched and her knees slightly shook, and even before she had said anything I could already hear what she was about to say...

'um, I-I can't sorry, I'm b-busy that day'

'Doing what?'

'uh, I-inventory'

'Inventory?'

'Yeah, I've got to go...'

She turned and ran towards the library, and as usual, I followed. It was the same everyday, she'd run away from someone who simply said hi to her; I watched as her long hair billowed behind her as she ran, a few fresh teardrops trailing behind her. The library doors flung back slowly behind her as I entered and a faint weeping sound echoed from an abandoned corner, I approached the curled figure- knees to her chest and head buried between her knees. She looked up at me with her tear stained eyes.

'I know what you're thinking, Percival and I'm sorry. You know I just can't just go up to someone and...you know, talk.' she whispered, a fresh tear rolled down her cheek. I looked up at her with sadness at the fact that she couldn't break through her shell. She was always so quiet and she never spoke to anyone unless spoken to, she once told me that she was afraid...afraid of herself. She would always use excuses to run away from people, stay in quiet places to prevent people from finding her...

I nudged her arm with my head and her hand stroked my fur,

'Don't worry about me'

But that's when I worry the most.

~End of Flashback~

I glanced up at Ruby and the other Crystal Beasts who shared the same look and thought as I was, we all retreated back to our cards to leave the two in peace.

Jesse POV.

'So to be able to win against the world's top duelists for the legendary Crystal Beast deck... you must be reallygood... I'm suddenly nervous' she admitted

'You shouldn't be. If anyone's nervous it should be me, you're Jaden Yuki's sister'

Her smile faded all of a sudden, she looked out onto the school's path below us. Her eyes filled with disappointment and hurt, did I say something to make her look this way? There was a strange change of pace in my chest that slightly hurt...

'A-are you alright?' I stuttered, she closed her eyes and nodded solemnly.

'Y-yeah... It's- I-I just hate being compared to my brother, it's always 'why can't you duel as good as Jaden?' or 'Why can't you be as confident as your brother'' her eyes opened, 'I'm proud of him and all, but it's just that I can't find it in myself to be... myself'

A quick crescendo filled the air for a while, until Rhia broke out a slight giggle...

'Sorry-'

'Again...don't apologise' I repeated as our eyes met again, her calm brown eyes seemed to heal all the feeling in my chest; but also added another feeling in the process. There were small explosions from the field below from the duels and had alerted our attention almost immediately, determined faces planted on the duelists' faces. Hopefully our duel will go well...

'Our duel!' I yelled, startling Rhia.

'What?'

'Our duel's startin' in a few minutes, we'd better skedaddle' she nodded as we both paced to the Arena.

...