Cat: Yes, it is late! I am sorry!

Rena: So, once again, Yuzu didn't appear in the episode (well, she did but once again, i didn't use that scene because it was boring)

Cat: So here is a little thing from my mind!

Rena: It's crappy.

Cat: Well, i'm sorry. I was trying to go with the 'Universe of Knowledge' thing, which is what the episode is called!

Rena: This story is in Yuzu's POV. Please give me some artistic licence. If i put some stuff that isn't in the anime in here, don't flame. There would be no point in reading, if it was just the anime in words.

Chapter 19- The Universe of Knowledge

In the end, I didn't sleep. How could I? Flying to the moon and back would be easier. I just sat on my bed, watching trash TV until the sun came up. It wasn't like I was actually watching it, I just liked the light and the noise to fill the silent darkness that was my bedroom.

I stared blankly as a kid won countless upon countless quiz shows. Then, when I could see the dim light of dawn splintering the dark room with light through the cracks of my curtains, I switched the machine off and lay down on my bed, in a rubbish attempt to get a few hours of sleep.

I ran out the door the second I thought it was appropriate. I didn't want to run out into empty streets that were still lit by street lamps as the sun rose higher. There would be nothing to do and, slightly more importantly, not safe. But I didn't want to be around to have another shouting match with my dad over different things.

I was angry because he wouldn't let me lock the bracelet up. He was angry because he thought I didn't like his teaching.

However, the sky was blue and the sun shining, even though it was just past seven in the morning. People were beginning the commute to work and some were out walking dogs. I debated calling on Yuya but I realised that he would still probably sleeping. He needed his energy for his duel today. Even he wasn't stupid enough to watch quiz shows on TV all-night, like me.

I bit my lip as I passed Yuya's house on my way into the centre of town. I felt guilty missing his duel. The second duel. I hadn't even heard about the first one yet. I knew he'd won though because he had forgotten to call me. If he had lost, he would have remembered and called (and cried down the line to me, no doubt).

But I had faith in him. He would do well and get into the tournament. He had to. He had Pendulum summoning! And I had… Nothing, yet.

"Well, someone's up early," a voice chuckled from behind. I blinked, turning to see a blonde figure holding many leashes, attached to many animals running about her feet.

"Oh, good morning," I smiled at Yuya's mum, as I leaned down to pet some of the dogs, only to find a lot of cat's wanting attention too. "Err… Is it normal to take cats out on walks?"

"Oh yes, totally," the mother smiled at me. "These babies are new ones I found a few days ago. They need to learn where the house is and stuff. It's to make sure they come back."

"Ok…" I walked beside her as we began making our way slowly towards the shopping district. "And they also need to know where the shops are?"

"They need to know the surrounding area," she shrugged, as we earned quite a few looks from other passers-by, some even taking their chances on the road, instead of being overwhelmed by the wave of animals trotting down the street, taking up the whole pavement.

It was quite a bizarre sight, no matter how used you were to it.

"You seem a bit down," Yuya's mum looked at me as we crossed the road. "Is something wrong?"

I sighed. "I got into a fight with my dad…"

Yoko nodded. "I see. Well, it happens."

I was glad that she didn't press the matter any further, unlike any other adult. They would want to know every stupid detail and probably purse their lips and frown and say that an adult is always right. Or worse, that the argument was my fault. But Yoko just continued walking her cats.

"How's Yuya?" I asked as she tied the leads to a pole outside a massive department store. "How was his duel?"

"He's fine. He won well. I believe his opponent is now a better person," she smiled as we stopped by the automatic doors for them to sense us and let us into the huge building, full of useful and useless products. "He was starving hungry, though. I had to toss him his bento and he ate it there right on the field!"

I rolled my eyes. And that's what you get for missing breakfast, stupid!

"Was anyone else there to support him?" I queried, still feeling terrible that I had missed the duel. From the sounds of things, it sounded like I could have used my fan a lot if I had been there. It could have relieved some of my stress.

"Oh yeah, the three kiddies!" Yoko grinned, as we passed past kitchen products, from microwaves, to fridges, to food.

"That's good. At least he wasn't alone," I sighed, feeling a bit better. "By the way, Yoko-san, what are you looking for here?"

"I have a voucher for the book section of the store!" Yoko announced, sounding rather pleased with herself. "And I was planning on buying another cook book!"

I tittered and followed her to the back of the store. No matter what was happening to me, Yoko was always there, in a weird way. She probably didn't even know herself. But I suddenly felt calm, after so many days of painful thoughts.

"It's like a universe of paper," she smiled, looking at bookshelf upon bookshelf of hardback and paperback books. I didn't even realise this store had a book section and I felt pretty stupid to have missed it. It was huge! "A universe of stories! A universe of knowledge!"

I pulled out a few books and inspected them from their covers. I pulled out some manga that I flipped through quickly and some novels that looked a bit childish and some adult books that made no sense. I glanced over my shoulder to see Yuya's mother inspecting a large pink book, flicking through the pages with a look of hard concentration, wondering if she already had certain recipes and how long they would take and if they would actually look like the photo that accompanied the instructions.

I wandered through many isles, picking up more books but replacing them soon after, not interested. Nothing was catching my eye.

Crash.

I winced, turning to see a shop assistant lying on the floor, books scattered around her and a ladder lying abandoned beside her. I ran up to her and helped her onto her feet, asking if she was hurt.

"No, no, I'm fine. Sorry about that!" she apologised, quickly grabbing the fallen books into her arms. "I'm just stocking the higher shelves and because I'm so small I have to use a ladder. But, y'see, I'm really scared of heights and my knees started shaking and then I just fell."

"I see…" I said, passing some books to her. "Well, would you like me to stand on the ladder and put them away? You can pass them up to me and stay on the floor."

"Really? Oh, thank you! I'll promise it'll be quick!" she chirped. "My name is Sheska, by the way!"

"I'm Yuzu," I gasped as I pulled the metal ladder up again and leaned it against the gigantic shelf. "I'll stand here and you just tell me where to put them."

"Ok," she called, passing me three brightly coloured books, called 'The Rules of Duelling, Volume Six'. "These go on the forth shelf, you'll see similar copies by the same author."

I nodded, slotting the books into their place. Leaning down, I grabbed more books and placed them on the shelf above them, as she instructed. I always read the title before I placed them in their spots.

'Why Synchro Summon?'

'The Truth of XYZs'

'Super Synchro Summoning!'

'Fantastic Fusion!'

'Advanced Summoning for Beginners!'

'XYZ for Dummies'

The process repeated itself until there were no books left and the bookshelf was completely full. Finally, Sheska handed me one last book. I looked around desperately, trying to find a place to slot it in but it couldn't be done. The shelves were too full. I glanced down at the thin book.

'Fusion Facts'

Everything anyone needs to know about the form of summoning- Fusion! Whether they are beginners or Fusion geniuses alike, these facts are bound to make you a fusion pro!

Normally, I wasn't fooled by such books. They were all the same. But I stared down at it anyway. I wanted to become a fusion pro. So… Why not?

"Hey, Sheska?" I slid down the ladder, clutching the book. "Can I buy this?" I handed it to her.

She peered at it through her square glasses. "Ummm… Yeah, sure. That would help me out too, seeing as it won't fit in the case…"

"Thanks! How much is it?"

She shook her head, smiling. "If you don't tell my boss, I'll let you have it for free, as a thanks for helping me out-"

"Seriously!?" I gawped at her.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I'm guessing you're a duellist? Is it your dream? To use fusion?"

"Y-Yeah…"

"Well, my dream is to read every book in this store!" she gestured violently to all of the cases, stacked full of books. "And you've helped me by not getting me fired for messing up!"

I laughed slightly. "Well, good luck with that Sheska…"

"Thanks! Good luck with your fusion summoning!" she grinned as she folded down the ladder. "Bye Yuzu! Thanks for the help!"

"You're welcome!" I waved slightly as she vanished behind some shelves, back to the staff room to put away the ladder, I presumed.

Feeling a tapping on my shoulder, I saw Yoko standing behind me, brandishing a big bag full of new cook books. "Well, I'm heading home. I need to get Yuya's breakfast ready… I really need to teach him myself…"

"Oh, yes. Tell him I wish him luck!" I glanced at the clock. "I should get going. I said I'd meet Sora outside the duel venue at ten."

"Sora will probably still be eating my food at ten. And besides, you have tons of time left," she stared at the clock herself. "You have two hours to kill! Sure you don't want to have breakfast with the boys?"

"No, no, I'm fine, thank you. I'm planning on taking the long way there, through town. I would like to just take a walk and… Clear my head a bit…"

"Well, don't let me stop you," she said. "I'll see you later Yuzu."

"Yeah, you too! Bye!" Then, I turned and walked out the store and out into the street, now bustling with people.

I need to go back there sometime, I thought. Yoko may class it as the 'Universe' but for a universe of knowledge, it is quite a calming place…

Cat: Please review!

Rena: So, a question... Once again not Yugioh related but you might want to answer it...? I don't know, up to you.

So, i was thinking of starting a kind of 'Dear Diary' thing at the end of every chapter. Just like a paragraph or two with Yuzu starting and writing a diary...

Is that a good idea or way too corny?

P.S (Referring to chapter 18) I should ask about shipping more often, i've never had so many reviews! ;)

But i am still standing that i will be neutral! I won't tell you which i am leaning towards but i will try to be as neutral as possible! YuzuXYuya or YuzuXDark Duellist both shall feature where appropriate!