I respect all characters in this Show. Asuka, Rei, O'Brien, etc. I use the characters wisely, so, O'Brien WILL be useful in this chapter.

X-X-X-X
Juudai's PoV

Seeing as Johan is taking his time, I waited outside in his garden. I turned to Yubel, who appeared next to me. I smiled, "Have you found the Gem Beasts yet?"

"Not yet, my prince." Whispered Yubel. "He sealed them good."

I chuckled lightly as she crossed her arms, "Well, we'll keep looking when we get back. I talked Johan into going out!"

"Like on a date, my prince?" Teased Yubel.

I chuckled lightly, "Maybe." I rubbed the back of my head, "We agreed to go out, like for Fried Shrimp. Or a movie."

"Sounds like a date to me, my prince." Said Yubel, smirking at me.

I softly smiled, "I guess so then."

I paused for a moment when I heard ringing. Yubel faded away, and I took out my phone to see who's calling. Seeing the Caller ID, it was my partner, O'Brien. I frowned, knowing this would be serious.

"This is Juudai." I said, picking up the phone.

"Juudai!" Said O'Brien through the phone, "I was able to track "Darkness" in Europe. Are you gonna be there?"

"I'm already here." I answered, "Johan Andersen found me. Is the Darkness in Norway? Or someplace else?"

"Norway." Answered O'Brien, "And I'm surprised. Have you heard what happened to Johan Andersen?"

I paused for a moment... It hurts to hear the news, especially from Johan himself. It caused me to remain silent.

"Juudai?" Asked O'Brien.

I snapped out of my thoughts, "Huh? Oh. I'm here. Yeah. I heard what happened to Johan. However, I'm gonna try and get him back into Pro-Dueling. The society doesn't believe in Spirits."

"Huh! Wait, didn't Yuugi Mouto or Pegasus-San confirm that Spirits are real? Can't Yubel prove that?" Asked O'Brien, surprised.

"I ain't a tool to use for other people's entertainment. I only do whatever Juudai pleases." Hissed Yubel in my mind.

I rubbed the back of my head, "Yubel's... Picky. Anyways, I'm in Norway. I'm about to take Johan out for Fried Shrimp."

"Good luck, Juudai." Said O'Brien, and hung up.

I sighed, and closed my cellphone myself. What's taking Johan so long? Normally it wouldn't take THIS Long to get ready.

Kuri, Kuri~!

I turned to see my aibou, Hane Kuriboh, appear. I softly smiled, "Hey, aibou."

It squeaked happilly.

Kuri, Kuri~!

I chuckled lightly. Hane Kuriboh sure knows how to warm up my heart. Hane Kuriboh sure knows what to say, and do, depending on what the current situation is.

An Idea struck me.

"Hane Kuriboh." I said. It turned to me, knowing it's serious, "Maybe YOU Can find the Gem Beasts!"

Kuri Kuri?

I nodded, "That's right. Find any trace. You'll be able to play with Ruby Carbuncle again if you do."

Hane Kuriboh nodded, and it faded away to find the Gem Beasts. Then, as soon as we get home, we'll look for them... It'll be plan two if talking doesn't work.

I waited a few more minutes before looking up to Johan's window only to see Johan there. I grinned, and waved to him. It looked like he'd been there for a while.

He glaredat me.

I winced. Yeah, right. This wouldn't be a date after all. I turned away and sighed.

Silence.

I looked up again to see him still there. I smiled again, and held up my arm, and pointed at the duel disk on it. Hoping maybe he still has his.

Instead, he rolled his eyes, and continued to glareat me.

I sighed, still smiling. Still, I'd wish to duel Johan again. He's a great duelist.

He froze.

I blinked. Okay, I just wondered if somethings up. Johan just stood there, staring at me, like he'd figure out something new about me.

I rubbed the back of my head when he turned around, and headed out.

Okay, maybe he's NOW getting ready to go.

I hope this plan works.

X-X-X-X

Leaning against the chair, we started our... Umm... "Date", as Yubel put it, and get the plan started. Johan ordered his food, while I ordered mine. I love Fried Shrimp. It's my most favorite food in the whole world! Ahh, it always has been! I'm just GLAD To have food again! Especially if I'm practically BROKE.

I rubbed the back of my head as Johan looked more pissed then usual. I laughed akwardly, knowing the reason WHY He's pissed now.

"Look, I know I said it was on me, but I totally forgot I was broke." I said, mentally facepalming myself for the stupid mistake.

Johan sighed, "And that's why I brought my own money, Juudai."

We waited for our order of food to come, I smiled, "Well, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks." He answered.

I leaned on the table, "Tell me, can you remember the good times? Back at Duel Academia, I mean."

"Well... Yeah." He softly said, giving a distant look, "I remember... How I met you, and all that time we... Spent together."

I smirked. Perfect. It's working so far, "I see."

Silence.

I sighed, "That familiar touch."

"That over powering moment." Whispered Johan.

I looked up, "You were..."

"With Ruby." Said Johan.

Silence.

Johan looked up at the sky, "Nice day out, hmm?"

"Yeah." I answered.

"... Is it always... This silent with you and Johan?" Yubel asked in my mind.

I shook my head and looked down to the table. 'No. Normally we talk non-stop about Dueling. Now that Johan doesn't duel anymore, there's... Nothing else to talk about.'

"I see..." Answered Yubel.

Silence.

"How's... Everyone?" I asked, hoping maybe HE Keeps track of my friend. Obviously I don't, because I only know if I see them directly.

Johan sighed, "I don't know about Manjoume, Shou, or Edo, but Asuka's doing pretty good with being a proffessor of Duel Academia."

I smiled softly, remembering Asuka. Ahh, one of my closest friend. "What about her older brother, Fubuki?"

"Fubuki has a singing career. He has his newest album out in Japan." Johan answered.

I chuckled lightly, "Ahh, that Fubuki."

Johan nodded, "Yeah. I think the others are duelists now. Manjoume taking my place as 5th best in the world."

I frowned, "I thought... You didn't keep track of that kind of stuff."

"I don't." He replied, "I just know Manjoume took my place as 5th best in the world."

I sighed. I liked the idea of dating the 5th best in the world. Not "Plain old Johan". I'd love for him to duel again, and make his way to the top again. I don't want "Killjoy Johan". I want the "Duelist Johan" I knew and loved. The "Kind and warm Johan"... Not the "Cold Johan". He always use to be a warm Gem. A warm Gem as warm as it is on a warm sunny way.

Now, he's an Ice Cold Gem.

It pained me.

Silence.

That's why I'm not givin' up. Johan's the one I love deeply, and dearly. Seeing him right here, and right now, It just... Hurts me now. I'm so determined to bring back the Johan I knew and loved, and I know he'll be back. I know he will.

Right then and there, here comes our food. I grinned as I stared right down to it.

I love Fried Shrimp!

"Ahh, thank you, Johan! I'll find a way to pay you back somehow!" I said, starting to eat the food.

"No need." Johan said.

Damn, I can tell... This is gonna be an akward day.

X-X-X-X

I paused for a moment, taking a walk to the closest park they have. Ahh, Johan's Gem Beasts are hidden. I sense that Hane Kuriboh found them. Now that I got Johan's heart set to the past at the moment, I can make him try and remember his duels.

Johan looked up at the sky, "Do you remember... That day where we spent all day, playing in the Duel Acadamia forest?"

I grinned, remembering that day. It was a day before Johan left to go back to North Academy. So, yeah. I remember. "Hai."

Silence.

"Ahh, what about the day we dueled in front of the Osiris Dorms?" I asked.

Johan looked up, pausing for a moment. Sure he must've remembered. It was a day he beat me. The Rainbow Dragon was summoned, and all I had out was my Air Neos. Those were days he came close to beating me because of his strongest, the Rainbow Dragon.

"No." He replied sighing, and adverting his gaze.

I frowned, "Look me in the eyes, and say that."

"No." He said sternly, glaring at me. "Look, I know what you're doing, and like I said: It isn't gonna work. So just give up already!"

He walked ahead, heading back to where he lived. I sighed. I guess we better try another plan then.

I followed him back.

X-X-X-X
Johan's PoV

Annoying.

He's... He's just as annoying as ever!

I cannot stand the fact that he's so optimistic, and talkitive!

I cannot stand him!

I stopped for a moment, only to hear he's following me. Well, ain't THAT Great? He's following me home.

Like the lost puphe really is!

Such an annoying lil pup.

Always barks.

Always small minded.

Always... Cute!

Especially since that pup has an eternal lover. He has a Love for THIS Life, along with the next. He's covered for eternety. It's what it is.

Yubel, you are annoying too.

I paused for a moment.

Rubii~! Rubiiiii~!

Shit. Looks like Hane Kuriboh's been lookin' for Ruby.

I hate that.

I thought I sealed the Gem Beasts for good.

I sealed Ruby, Amber, Topaz, Emerald, Sapphire...

Everyone.

Especially Amethyst, whom I know holds a grudge against anyone that's against her.

I sighed.

I don't care now.

I don't wanna face them again, especially since I ignored their protests.

I lost Family.

I lost Friends.

I lost Dueling.

So, I'm gonna avoid any problems that comes to mind.

...

Of course I remember that day. It was a day I beat Juudai.

Of course, I couldn't tell Juudai that.

It shows weakness.

Letting him get what he wants.

So, I really don't want him to win me over.

It's the worse possible thing to happen.

I looked at Juudai and glared, obviously pissed, "What!"

He blinked, snapping out of it. Tch, typical. He spaced out.

I waved it off, "Never mind. We're almost home. Don't try anythin' funny."

"Oh... Alright." He answered, giving his usual smile.

I sighed, rolling my eyes.

Damn. It IS Gonna be hard.

X-X-X-X

I walked into my room and leaned against the window, growling in annoyance. Damn, Juudai's so predictable. I can see him in the garden again, speaking with Yubel.

However...

Hane Kuriboh appeared, and it flew off, with Juudai following him.

I growled in anger.

Damn it, Juudai! You're as nosy as ever!

X-X-X-X

I walked down to the basement to see the Gem Beasts all over. They were playing, and enjoying themselves. Hane Kuriboh playing with Ruby Carbuncle. The Elemental Heros talking with the Gem Beasts. Juudai was currently talking with Amethyst Cat. Yubel was talking with Topaz Tiger while petting Amber's nose.

I seethed with anger.

"Get out!" I yelled, everyone stopped.

"Get out! That's strike two Juudai! One more, and you're out!" I yelled.

Every spirit faded away, especially Hane Kuriboh and Yubel. Juudai looked at me, looking more... Hurt then usual, "Johan?"

"Get outta here, Juudai! I sealed the Gem Beasts for a reason!" I yelled, and walked up to a box.

This wooden box held my Gem Beast deck. I picked up the cards, and placed them back into their box. Juudai still never left. Annoyed, I placed the Gem Beasts back into the safe they were in.

"What?" I asked, annoyed with the fact that Juudai never left.

Juudai placed his hands on his hips, "Are you okay?"

Silence.

"I'm fine. I'm just annoyed, that's all." I answered honestly, "You're as nosy as ever, Juudai."

I sealed the Gem Beasts... Again, and grabbed Juudai's hand, and pulled him out of here.

Damn it.

Juudai.

...

You're still soft.

X-X-X-X
To be Continued...