SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 41 out, this is Chapter 42 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairing: Kai/Ami

Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and Cardfight! Vanguard belong to Takeuchi-sensei and Akira Itō-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the pairing and the fic idea.

Chapter 42: Fighting for the Top Spot

Later that evening...

"Do you regret it?" Ami asked quietly, having found Kai by the river bank, skipping pebbles.

"You knew how it would turn out, didn't you?" Kai flung another pebble across the water surface.

"Maybe, maybe not." Ami answered.

"You could've stopped me, you know." Kai tossed another stone into the water. "By exerting 'Queen's Will'."

"Would you have listened?" Ami questioned softly. "I've... decided. Regardless what happens tomorrow, I'm returning to Cray."

"Return..." Kai snapped his head at her and stood up abruptly. "Why?"

"Void." Ami let Harmonia manifest. "I can sense it's presence infringing on Cray. Everyone... they need me. That's why, I need to know where you stand."

"Don't..." Kai pulled her into a loose hug from behind. "Ever underestimate my feelings for you. Whatever you decide, I'll always stand by you, then and now. Khrysaor had been too honor-bound to follow through with his feelings for Isis; but not I, not in this lifetime."

"I'm glad." Ami leaned into his embrace. "Tomorrow, it'll decide everything. I guess we'll just leave Ren-san to Aichi, then. I just thought of something." she blinked. "If you've used Lizard Soldier, Conroe's skill to find Wyvern Guard, Barri, you could've won that fight."

"You're... right." Kai conceded her point. "That was a misjudgment on my part."

"Hindsight is twenty-twenty, I suppose." Ami shrugged.

The next day...

"When it comes to the final round of the national tournament, I get all nervous." Izaki let out a mouthful of air.

"It's not like we're fighting." Miwa joked. "Let's just take it easy and cheer them on."

"You've got a point." Izaki agreed. "Even though we're really early, look at all these people."

"So, where did Loser-umi go?" Miwa looked around.

"Morikawa is..." Izaki trailed.

"Never mind." Miwa assured. "I've got a pretty good idea."

"I brought them!" Morikawa declared. "Look at all the loot I got!" he showed off the Kourin merchandise he bought. "All this Kourin merchandise is only being sold today, at the final match. They were all sold out five minutes after opening. But I was lined up from the start, so the early bird gets the worms."

"Okay." Izaki twitched. "Good for you."

"I figured as much." Miwa agreed.

"My national tournament is over." Morikawa announced dramatically.

"It's not over for us!" Izaki protested. "The most important part hasn't even started yet."

"There she is." Miwa spotted Emi with Renji and Eiji.

"Miwa, Izaki, Loser-umi." Emi greeted. "Hello. It's good to see you again today."

"Yeah, me too." Morikawa swallowed back his anger.

Elsewhere...

"It's finally time." Ami greeted Kai at the deck steps.

"Yeah." Kai nodded, taking in the jewel-neckline dress his partner was wearing.

"Shall we, my Crimson Knight?" Ami offered her hand.

"It's been a while since I've heard that." Kai snorted and took the offered hand.

"It's Kamui's first appearance?" Emi was surprised when she heard MC Mya declare that it was Kamui's first national tournament appearance.

"Remember how he had a fight with Kai last time round and ran out on the team?" Miwa reminded.

"Now that you mention it..." Emi blinked.

"It sounds like the people think I should be out there instead." Morikawa remarked, overhearing the depreciating comments made by the audience.

"You think so?" Izaki blinked.

"Cut it out, Loser-umi!" Renji defended. "Just you being here is enough of a joke!"

"EJ, yo!" Eiji agreed.

"It's Katsumi!" Morikawa snapped.

"Morikawa, pay attention." Izaki chuckled. "Not just your name, he dissed your entire existence."

"Kamui-san..." Renji hissed. "Intends to make up for causing the team problems at the last tournament by doing his best here in the final round." he wept.

"SFU!" Eiji spat. "He's seriously fired up! So don't make fun of him!"

"All right." Morikawa was taken aback by the glared the two elementary school boys were sending at him. "I'm gonna cheer him on."

"This is a surprise." Tetsu remarked, recalling how he had met Kamui outside the toilets. "You being my opponent, boy."

"I'm Katsuragi Kamui from Team Q4." Kamui declared.

"I'll decide whether you're a fighter worthy of being called by name." Tetsu stated.

"Stand up, Vanguard!" the match started.

"I go first." Kamui took his turn. "Draw. I ride Blaupanzer. Blaujunger's skill; when you ride Panzer, you get to add one Blaukluger to your hand. Also, Blaupanzer gains +2000 power. That's the end of my turn."

"Here I go." Tetsu took his turn. "I rider Prisoner Beast. Vermilion Gatekeeper's skill; Soulcharge. Prisoner Beast attacks."

"No guard." Kamui declared.

"Drive check." Tetsu drew a card.

"Damage check." Kamui drew a card.

"My turn's over." Tetsu ended his turn.

"I stand and draw." Kamui took his turn. "I ride Blaukluger. Blaupanzer is in the Soul, so Blaukluger gets +1000 power. I call Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout and Scream Bouncer. I activate Street Bouncer's skill; I rest these two units and draw one card. I call Death Army Lady and Death Army Guy. With a boost from Death Army Guy, Death Army Lady attacks. Blaukluger attacks."

"No guard." Tetsu declared.

"Drive check." Kamui drew a card.

"Check." Tetsu drew a card.

"He took 2 damage." Morikawa whooped.

"That's unusual." Miwa noted.

"Yeah." Izaki agreed. "Normally, his play style is to launch a swift attack, even with Grade 0 cards."

"I see." Tetsu noted. "It seems you're not the reckless type."

"Kamui..." Ami realized why Kamui had been playing it safe. "He still remembers what happened the last time with Soul Saver Dragon."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.