Hey my little dumplings,

First off...I know I've been awful at punctuality for writing but I thought that maybe, you know, we could nickname each other? Yeah?

(Rhia: No.)

*Throws a dumpling at Rhia* ...ANYWAY, secondly, I am SO SUPER EXTREMELY SORRY that it's been a while since Chapter 4 Part DEUX but if your currently in FULL-ON TEST MODE!(which most of you are) then you'll know why. Exams, Tests, ARGH! I've finished the tests *fingers crossed* but I've got a busy schedule up ahead. Next week I have a concert to prepare for... The week after I'm going on a field trip then the day after I have to go to Birmingham for a competition...then go to Paris the next day. Oh Joy.

Speaking of Joy, I watched the House of Anubis Movie and the finale of Season 3 and have had critical mental issues because of Jeroy (Jerome and Joy)3...Therefore, after I've actually uploaded these chapters, A House of Anubis Fanfic will be up in due time... So I'll try to write whilst I'm at rehearsals, Birmingham, Paris etc. So again I apologise for the lateness and the Mid-long intro but I've got an endless Amaranthe, Evanescence, Nickelback, Paramore, Sleeping with Sirens etc... playlist on constant repeat...so I hope you enjoy this chapter!

-Rin

Rhia POV.

The duel ended in smoke that slowly cleared, showing a stunned and ecstatic Jesse on the opposite side of the field. His usual calm, collected smile plastered onto his face. He flashed a thumbs up just as the clouded atmosphere had disappeared before us, I felt my face grow hot as Jesse unexpectedly yelled...

'Good Game!' I nodded in return

And at that an eruption of cheers sounded, echoing throughout the arena... I bet even the sea bed of Atlantis heard the clapping from Duel Academy.

(Jaden: No one knows where Atlantis is)

(Rin: Exactly)

Chazz and Syrus stepped on the stage as they signalled us to bow, Jesse held out a hand.

'You really got me then, Mystical Elf...' we shook hands as our eyes met, I noticed a slightly green tone in his eyes. I didn't know what to do. His eyes drew me in.

'Let's give it up to Jesse Anderson and The Mystical Elf!' Syrus interrupted

I looked down trying to hide my flushed cheeks once again, I felt a hand on my back. It was Chazz, he pointed to the entrance tunnel; I smiled as a reply but even before my body could move a muscle I felt something warm clasp my hand, enveloping and entwining my fingers, I looked down at it as I began to walk absentmindedly and realised that it was Jesse's hand.

'Hey?! Did you see that? Jesse held her hand...!'

'Who is that girl?!'

Everyone else noticed it too. Constant mutters filled the crescendo that was left by the cheering earlier on, I didn't know what to feel... when we reached the shadowed tunnel, Jesse released my hand. A tingling feeling remained from his touch, he chuckled.

'What?'

'You really got me in that last turn, Rhia' we exchanged smiles

'Well, I'm full of surprises. And according to Jaden... I'm also the joker,' I responded quietly as I removed my Mystical Elf mask and wig, we began to walk towards the exit.

'Nah, if anything your Elektra. May appear harmless but can knock ya down' he laughed as he caught up to me

'Heh, thanks. It's kind of rare to have someone compare me to a superhero, I'm always the villain' To this Jesse shook his head.

'I don't think so...Even if I did you'd be the best villain alive'

There was a short silence as we reached the exit, Jesse reached for the handle and at the same time, so did I. Our hands almost met but I was able to move it away before they touched again. The brightness of the beautiful sun met our faces as we stepped onto the grass. Jesse and I were confronted by a sudden group of Ra yellow students; A small, red-haired girl clung onto Jesse as the guys tried to look cool by leaning on the wall or smirking.

'You guys were great!' squealed a girl who clung onto Jesse

'Thanks,' Jesse laughed awkwardly, looking at me

I giggled silently at his reaction, he was like a dog who was forced against his will to have a shower. Aw. Just then; a tall, spikey-haired student began to play with my hair...

'You're cute, want to go hang out at the festival with us?' he cooed, leaning in towards me. I looked at Jesse.

As if he responded to my eye contact, he slipped out of the girls' grip and grabbed my arm.

'Sorry guys, she's off limits...' Jesse stated, making an unknown sensation well within my chest... 'Under Jaden's rules' then it faded.

'Jaden? Yuki?'

'Is there another?' he asked, sarcastically

'Why would Jaden limit you off?' asked the girl, still leaning close to Jesse.

'She's his-'

'cousin...' I cut in before Jesse could say sister... They exchanged glances and with that we fled the scene. I thanked Jesse as we reached the festival. I received endless confused glances from Jesse, but I chose not to say anything about it.

'So did Jaden really rule me off? Or did you just use make it up as a hasty escape route?'

'A little bit of both'

'What do you mean?'

'He told me to watch over you, so I am'

Jaden POV.

Zane and I had exited the duel arena to congratulate Jesse and Rhia, that was one intense duel. She really is my sister, I thought as Zane nudged me...

'What is it, Zane?'

'Alexis'

'Hey guys' Alexis greeted as she walked over to us, 'Going to look for Jesse and Rhia?'

We both nodded, 'Mind if I go with you guys? I have something to give Rhia'

'Sure' I responded

'Let's ask' said Zane as we reached Ms. Dorothy's stall.

'Excuse me, Ms Dorothy?'

'Oh, Zane! Welcome back to Duel Academy!'

'It's good to be back' Zane laughed, a hand in his dark blue hair

'What can I do for you?'

'We were wondering if you saw Jesse and a girl around?'

'Oh that Mystical Elf girl? She and Jesse look really good together. She had her mask off...' Dorothy looked directly at me, 'She looked quite like you, Jaden...'

'Ye-'

'Oh! They're over there!' Dorothy yelled, pointing to a small crowd that had formed at the centre of the field. Blue hair spiking up over the heads of the gathered students. Alexis, Zane and I all exchanged glances as we thanked Dorothy.

'Thanks, Ms Dorothy' Alexis replied as we made our way to the crowd.

'Congratulations! It was a great duel!'

'Yeah! It was so cool! And how you made it end in draw! It was a crazy move but it was...Awesome!'The students stated gladly, smiled on both Jesse and Rhia's faces.

'Your pretty popular,' Zane chuckled loudly, the students laughed before leaving to visit the stalls, leaving them on their own. Jaden and Jesse high fived.

'Oh, Rhia... Alexis has something for you'

'Me?'

'Yeah,' My eyes met Alexis' as she pulled out the necklace that was neatly wrapped in a handkerchief, 'You dropped it on the way out of the Arena'

Rhia looked at me before returning to looks at Alexis

'It looked really precious so I wrapped it in a cloth for safe keeping'

'Thanks, Alexis... God, If I lost this I would've been in so much trouble'

'It's that important?' she asked, inquisitively.

'It belonged to our mother,' she explained, solemnly

The wind blew harshly then settled in the silence, I caught Jesse's attention by staring him down. I signalled my eyes to the river. Jesse understood. He knew exactly what to do...

'Hey, Rhia?'

'Yeah?'

'I want to show you something'

'Oo, he wants to show you something...That's not good' remarked a voice, Atticus.

Alexis punched him as she gestured to the river with her head, the others laughed as Rhia and Jesse walked towards the river.

Jesse POV.

I walked beside Rhia away from the gang, Atticus' words replayed in my mind, it made me kind of uncomfortable but was the type that made me blush. And this time, Rhia noticed.

'Hey, what's wrong? Your all red,'

'It's just...h-hot' I stuttered, I mentally slapped my self in my mind.

'Suuure' she nodded, maliciously

We reached the borderline of the river, the sunshine glittering in the water. It was warm outside and swans occupied the river, as did ducks, and some moved as we sat close by the edge.

I peered at Rhia's face to observe her reaction; her facial features soft and so reserved, lips played a smile and her delicately beautiful eyes showed tranquillity but encased a concealed mystery.

'So? What do you think?'

'It's a beautiful view, its so...so...peaceful' Her voice soothed all the pains I felt in my chest, it was a warm feeling.

'Rhia?'

'Mmm?' Her eyes still glued to the river,

'I've realised something,' I looked out into the shimmering river, 'You're much more confident in a duel than you normally are, why is that?'

'I think...Maybe, it's because I just feel freer...and I know I won't make any regrets'

She reached into the river, drawing figure of 8's around slowly, soaking her fingers to her wrist

'I never liked the idea of winning or losing. Because no matter what title I earn from that duel, the winner or the loser, it won't mean anything to me'

She looked up at me and smiled, casually but alluringly, she raised her eyebrow.

'Jesse, you can talk, you know. You can interrupt... I'm use to it'

'Why would I interrupt? I can hear you voice more-' I paused, our eyes met.

I realised and thought about what I had just said, looking away as I felt heat rush to my cheeks in embarrassment. I risked a glance at Rhia who stared at her feet...

'Why would you want to?' she whispered

'I like hearing your voice,'

She ducked her head down, allowing strands of hair to fall past her face. Her cheeks were stained pink. She smiled and her breathing carried a small giggle.

'It reminds me of my sister's'

'You have a sister?' Her chocolate brown eyes looked up at me, intrigued.

'Yeah, she's at the North Academy'

'What's her name?'

'She's known differently at the North Academy, people call her Lina Johnson'

'Lina?! Rank 1 Fairy duelist, Lina?!'

'Yeah...do you two know each other?'

'Um...I think we're more rivals than enemies but she and I don't go we'll together'

'What do you mean?'

'W-We have a history... but she knows more about me than I do...'