Chapter Text
"Good-night, Mommy and Daddy." Says a drowsy Yashiro Nene, as her parents kiss her goodnight.
The young girl snuggled between her pink blanket and piles upon piles of plush toys, slowly closing her eyes.
Hence a new beginning...
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Within this world, special individuals were assigned to have what one may refer to as "soulmates".
Select few will do anything and everything to meet with their designated other, whilst some may ignore this until early adulthood
Though she was just a mere toddler barely younger than the ages of 5, Yashiro Nene was no exception herself and to the ones before her.
The rules of that within the soulmates were simple yet intricate. Every night you shall meet them within a dream, this dream can be anything and everything, ranging from France to a Medieval castle.
In Yashiro's case, this was various adventure missions.
The twist within this is that everything said is forgotten in the real world but returned once re-entering the fake dream-like world. In this process their subconscious minds revert.
Same as to the real world, once the dream-world is entered all memories and information from that universe is forgotten.
Individuals from the real-world will be put into these worlds and be ranked by how one of the parties views them to be.
The only way to know you have found your significant other is when the second you touch, all memories made within that world collide with the real...
A loud sound could be heard across the fields and mountainous regions of the lands as a small, confused little girl appeared to be placed onto the highest point of a peppermint gumdrop tree.
She let out a small screech as she latched onto the closest item of support, which happened to be that of a branch attached to the tree stated prior.
"W-where am I-I," Stuttered the girl, as her ruby orbs scanned over her surroundings. The land was only describable as "chaos", as for dragons flew within the pale pastel skies, fires ablaze around towers, candy-based creatures roamed around as if this is that of a daily norm, chocolate raining down from an unknown cloud source; and many, many more.
"Looks like you've got yourself into a bit of a pickle." Snickers a boyish voice, Nene immediately directs her eyes to the base of the tree to now overlook a scruffy raven-haired boy around her age.
"W-Who are you," questions Nene, peering down at the boy to await an answer.
"I might ask you the same thing," He chuckles, turning around and walking away from her in a teasing-manner.
"Hey, are you gonna help me at least!" The small girl yelled to him, tightening her grip on the branch she held.
"Nah," Answers the ravenette smugly, sticking his tongue out at the girl.
"P-p-please I'll do anything" Nene pleaded, hoping to catch the unknown boy's attention.
"Anything, you say~" He answers back intrigued with the offer.
"A-Anything"
"So, what was that you wanted again?" Nene asked the boy.
"Oh, doughnuts... they are my favourite," He said gleefully, a dopy smile prominent on his face.
"Hmm, well do you know where to find them?" Nene says, tilting her head to an angle.
"Well, this place is pretty big, wanna explore it with me?" The amber-eyed boy says, reaching out his arm as to in some way make an agreement.
Nene reached out her own, linking palms with him in a handshake-like gesture.
"I'm Yashiro Nene, age 4"
"I'm Yugi Amane, age 5..."
Every day would repeat as the same, time and time again. Yashiro would go to school with her best friend Aoi, she would learn, eat recess, have lunch, go to gardening club, return home, play with Black Canyon, have dinner, get ready for bed.
This was the weekday schedule she lived by all her life.
But what awaited in her dreams was far from ordinary, in fact, a new adventure awaited her every night. But alas she would be destined to forget all, until the faithful day she is to meet with the boy in her dreams...
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"Nene-chan!"
"Ah! sorry, Aoi-chan I blanked out for a second,"
The two childhood friends laughed as they planted seedlings for the new season, within Kamome Academy's plant garden.
"It's okay Nene-chan. I'm hoping that these plants will grow big and strong," Aoi giggled looking up to Nene.
"Yep!" Nene replied to the violet haired girl, as the sun slowly began to lower behind the far trees.
"It's getting a little late, Bye-bye Nene-chan," Aoi said, hoisting herself up from dark coloured grass, dusting off her garden attire.
"Hm, I should get going also, see you tomorrow Aoi-chan."
Thus, the two friends parted separate ways.
The female referred to as Yashiro Nene had reached 15; the prime year of her teenage life. It had been over a decade of her meeting the mysterious male whom she only meets in her dreams.
Or "dreams" is what she calls them to be...
She is unable to remember much of the time she spends with him, all she knows is that he is there and exists within this world she calls to be her home.
When she is within her dream-like lands, she and he embark on wondrous adventures, ranging from saving princesses from towers to that of helping the civilians of the land.
As time went on, she soon grew somewhat fond of these times she spent with him and was saddened to leave and forget until returning the coming night.
According to her Amane was the teasing type, of which this means to him continuously searching to receive a reaction from her. He has done this many, many times by referring to her as "adorable", "loveable" and so on and so forth. He further would do strange acts such as, clinging onto her form at inconspicuous times or adorning her hair with various ribbons and charms, and once again more.
Such as now, as Nene turns off the lights within her patented room, slowly letting the darkness consume her whole...
"Took you long enough," was all she heard, as she slowly pried open her eyes, as they adjusted to the bright lighting.
"Hey, it wasn't my fault!" She argued back, playfully hitting the amber-eyed male in front of her.
"Wasn't your fault for what, hmm" Amane began, stepping closer to her form as he positioned his fingers onto her cheeks, tugging them delicately.
"Wasn't your fault for staying up till 2-am?" He suggested, continuing to tease her cheeks.
"I-" She recoiled, averting her gaze from the male.
"I just... I don't want my future wife to be tired, that's all..." Amane then moved his fingers upwards to circle the bottom of the girl's eyes...
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Very quickly, Amane was knocked onto the grass of which he once stood, soothing his scalp as he continued to whine.
"Ow, why did you do that Yashiro!"
"Cause~," She snapped back.
"CAUSE OF WHAT!"
"Just cause~," She giggled.
"This is the place... I guess?"
"Maybe..."
The two adventurers made their way to a large arched gateway. This specific gateway marked the entrance to a fairly-large kingdom of which stood a castle overlooking it all. The kingdom had a fragrance of various baked treats which was soon made a clear fact, when three children ran past the two adolescents, towards a small local bakery.
"Um-" Was all that Yashiro Nene was able to muster, as she fiddled with the hem of her sleeved blouse, looking around the unfamiliar town.
"What's wrong, Yashiro?" Amane grabbed onto her arm to successfully stop her nervous movements.
"N-Nothing..." Nene answered back, still averting her gaze from the boy.
"Oh, really now~" Amane then suddenly looped his arms around the girl, pressing his cheek against her own in a teasing manner.
"C'mon tell me," Begged the male as he hugged her form tighter.
"Never~" giggled Nene due to Amane's childish acts, attempting to push away the clingy boy.
During the current event, two elderly women just so happened to pass by...
"Oh Beatrix, remember the old days of being deep in love,"
"You bet your walking stick I do, Betty,"
"Those two will make some fine ass parents one day."
"I do hope their children don't cause them too much trouble."
The two ladies then became Inaudible as giggles were the last things that was heard.
Nene and Amane stood silent with their mouths agape trying to process what the women had said.
"P-parents..." Amane whispered, untangling himself from the cream haired female.
"Ch-children... a-as in m-mu-multiple?!" Nene stuttered as she watched the two women disappear from her vision.
Seconds passed with silence as the two teenagers unmoving, their hair being tasselled gently by the soft breeze.
Abruptly Amane pulled on Nene so that she fell into his arms, gazing up at those infamous amber orbs.
"Well, I don't mind as long as yo-"
"NO WAY PERVERT!" Nene shouted, her face ablaze, her mind filled with thoughts that she should not be able to comprehend.
Amane then leaned towards her ear, "I'll have you begging for it soon, just you wait~" he hummed huskily, placing the girl back onto her feet.
"I- um, NOPE!" Nene screeched, headbutting the boy, straight into his stomach.
"Hmph" Amane whined, rubbing his now aching stomach.
"This is what you get for thinking of such unholy things" Nene spat, looking down at the whining choppy haired boy.
"Well, if this is what I get for just thinking it then... I would have been dead 2 years ago" He laughed, gripping onto his stomach to ease the pain.
"I- I'LL MAKE SURE YOUR DEAD THEN!" Nene then stomped her foot onto the ground, protesting her words.
"Good!" Amane replied, shocking Nene, "Well, don't just stand there, we have a mission to do" Amane tugged onto the girl's arm, dragging her forward.
"But I don't wanna!" Nene whined, attempting to free herself from the clutches of the male.
"Well~ I have some other ideas, that are sure to be much more fun~" Amane teased, tightening his grip on her arm suggestively.
"OKAY OKAY, I'LL DO THE MISSION, and shut up with your dumb pervy persuasion tactics" Nene mumbled her last words, scrunching her nose annoyed.
"Mhm that's good to hear, and who said those were persuasion tactics~" The male hummed, loosening his grip on her arm.
"Nope, not today Satan" Nene joked, as she ran towards the large castle.
"Hey! Wait up!" Amane yelled, chasing after the flowing cream and teal-tipped locks.
Yashiro stopped at the gates of the superb castle, admiring the exquisite architecture, from the polished marble floors to the engraved quartz pillars.
"ID!" A guard spoke firmly, shocking Yashiro from her admiration of the castle, as she pulled out a small card from her jacket.
"Hm, Yashiro Nene, eh" The guard hummed, matching the identity picture to the girl. "Says here, that you have a partner," The guard continued...
"Yugi Amane, reporting for business, Sir." Spoke a voice from behind, causing Nene to turn, to find a smirking raven head.
"Long time no see, girly" Amane joked, walking up to the pink-haired guard.
"And I wish that was longer, crazy-sword," Mitsuba sighed, glaring at the raven hair.
"Eh, that thing was by accident," Amane reasoned, as Nene remained baffled as to what was happening.
"Oh really! Because of you, I have to wear my hair like this!" Mitsuba whined, pointing to strands of pink hair that coved his right eye.
"That was years ag-"
"Um, can someone explain what the hell is happening?" Nene finally spoke, eyeing the two boys impatiently.
"Oh, Yashiro this is Mitsuba, one of my friends from the first towns we visited, around 5 years ago," Amane explained as Mitsuba nodded to confirm.
"And I suppose you two are dat-" The pink-haired male began but was intently cut off.
"Friends! We are just friends," Nene quickly stated.
"Actually..." Amane tried to clarify but was once again stopped by a soft hand attempting to squeeze his wrist, he then looked to the side to see whom it was.
"Yashiro, you do know I'm way stronger than you" Amane chuckled, wrapping his index finger around cream coloured hair, as Yashiro remained quiet and fuming.
"Welp, what brings you two here?" Mitsuba questioned, leaning back and forth from a grey pillar.
"We were given a quest, by the king" Nene stated, pulling a scroll out from her pale pink jacket.
"The King, eh" Mitsuba hummed, opening the scroll.
"Dear adventurers,
You are needed at the palace of Greendale, for a mission regarding the disappearance of the youngest heir to the throne of Greendale.
The princess had vanished from the castle undetected whilst we (the King and Queen) are currently on leave.
Our son the eldest shall help you get sorted with this task, as it is to the utmost importance our only daughter is found.
~King Albus Minamoto of Greendale~"
"Well, that is the King's signature" Mitsuba spoke, closing the scroll.
"Sr. Yokoo, hoist thy gates!"
The palace gates lifted on command, allowing admission into the prestigious castle. Mitsuba quickly pushed the two adventurers through the large gateway.
"There is no time to waste dusk is near" Mitsuba hummed.
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Once they arrived at the palace entrance, Mitsuba turned away from the two.
"This is where I leave you two, I do wish you luck on your quest." The pink said, walking to the back to his post.
"Why Hello," Spoke a male's voice, the two adolescents turned to see the owner to be a blonde-haired hair boy not so older than themselves, perhaps to be the ages of 17. He had light azure eyes and a tall figure.
"I- um, greetings your f-future m-majesty" Nene stuttered, her heart giddy, her stomach filled with butterflies. Amane didn't like this one bit and quickly despised the heir.
"I am Minamoto Teru, soon to be king of Greendale once my father has his passing" He bowed.
Nene stood with her mouth agape unable to say anything as she was in a deep daze.
"Salutation, your future majesty, we have come to look into the disappearance of Princess Tiara," Amane explained
"Ah yes, the second heir and I are deeply saddened to lose our little princess. The latest piece of evidence for her disappearance was this fur sample" Teru explained, as he held out a small container with a pink furry substance.
"At first we thought it to be Mitsuba, the palace gateway guard, but after further footage of the castle security, that fact was soon ruled out."
"Did the princess possess any pink-like furred animals or toys?" Amane further questioned to the blonde.
"Yes, she did, in fact, have a pink rabbit, she loves and adores so," Teru stated. "But we really should continue this chatter, at sunrise," Teru then pointed out of one of the many arch-shaped windows of the palace, to reveal that of darkness only lit by small glimmering suns.
"Shall I show you two to the guest quarters." Teru then turned to grab a small torch from one of the many displayed and decorated on the walls of the castle.
"Thank you, your highness" Amane bowed, as he nugged Nene to do the same.
"Ah! Thank you, your majesty, I-I mean soon to be! I mean... Yeah!" Nene stumbled over her words being pushed out of her daze, as the prince and her fellow adventurer laughed at her antics.
The two followed the prince throughout the interior of the castle. They soon arrived in a large room decorated in a cosy-like cottage atmosphere, with two wooden engraved single beds along with a single bedside table. The room further included a large dresser and a likewise as large window out looking to the palace garden.
"Goodnight travellers," Teru spoke, closing the door.
Nene and Amane remained standing silent, as for the only sounds were that of the soft breeze echoing from outside but that of which only lasted mere seconds.
"So, another quest aye," Nene said, walking towards the bed situated on the right, furthest from the window, as she sat herself upon it.
"I guess so," Amane replied, walking towards the unoccupied bed.
"Well, we do have some leads," Nene hummed, gazing across the room towards the blue-lit window.
"Yea-"
"Well, goodnight." Nene ended, as she snuggled between a soft mink blanket.
"Night."
Rules vary further within the soulmates, when night approaches in one world, morning arises in the other. These worlds work parallel to each other and are only entered in the same; when a subconscious mind is at rest.
Amane peered across the room.
'I guess she is in the other world' He thought to himself, as he hoisted himself up from his bed.
"Yashiro~" He whispered.
"Y-yeah" She answered back half-conscious.
No matter what world we happen to be in, we connect back to our previous, that was only available through our dreams... Times like these are described as sleepy dazes, such as blanking out into our own thoughts but once we are back, we are unable to remember about what exactly we happened to think upon to cause that...
"I can't sleep..." Amane said, placing himself on the end side of her bed.
"W-Why?"
"Hm, don't really know... I tried closing the curtains and more, but I just can't" Amane said but didn't obtain any answer except for a deep sigh.
"Can I do something?" Amane asked, to which Nene nodded.
Amane then softly lifted the blanket that was once wrapped around the female, as he tenderly wrapped his arms around her frail delicate form, cradling her close.
"Shh~" He whispered, slowly caressing her soft hair.
"One day this will be us... truly... but until then, I promise to never let anything harm you... ever again..."
'Bzz'
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'Bzzz'
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'Bzzzz'
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A hand stretched out from underneath soft quilted covers, pressing a small telescope shaped alarm. Messy tassels of choppy raven hair arise to place themselves upright, leaning against a curved wooden bedhead.
Yugi Amane, looked around his side of the bedroom to find everything in order, his telescope was tucked in its designated bag and leaning against his closet door, the stars on his roof were somewhat luminescent signalising it was still also somewhat dark out.
He then peered off to Tsukasa's side of the room, only to find his twin... absent?
Amane arose from his wooden bed and nonchalantly walked over to the chaotic twin's bed.
"Tsukasa?" Amane asked, moving his bedsheets around to in some way find a note... or anything for that matter.
He bent down to be able to see under Tsukasa's bed only to find... Nothing but old papers from school and 'missing' homework.
Without a warning, a cold hand snaked itself onto the shoulder of the unaware boy. Tapping itself onto his skin, leaving his pink fleshy skin a pure dead white, causing the boy to turn around fast with a rising heartbeat only to see his younger twin spilling a face-splitting grin at him.
"Good morning Amane!" He squealed, looping his arms around his older brother. But oddly this time his arms didn't feel cold... In fact, they were warm...
Then what was that cold feeling?
Even with reaching the age of 16, Tsukasa somehow chose to stick with his childish demeanour around his brother but even then, he does act mature when needed of him.
"Hey Tsu, can you get off me I need to get ready for school," Amane whined, pushing away the younger raven-haired male.
"Okay, well I'll be in the kitchen getting breakfast ready."
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Amane quickly lastly tightened the end of his tie, pulling it upwards adjusting it onto himself, and then finally leaving the twins shared room.
"Hey Amane, I hope you like chocolate-coated pancakes, because I made them" Tsukasa chucked, sitting down onto their Kotatsu.
Winter wasn't really Amane's preferred season, but he will be lying if he said, he didn't love all the warm baked treats him and Tsukasa baked during the colder weathers.
"Of course, you did Tsu, of course, you did," Amane repeats, sitting down opposite from Tsukasa, as he took a bite of his chocolate-covered breakfast.
Being 16 didn't come with many perks according to Amane, sure he could legally drive now but that was pretty much it, to be frank.
Tsukasa did in fact by some miracle pass his driving tests and possesses a driver's license, but even then, he prefers to keep his brother company.
Amane and Tsukasa have always been an inseparable pair, as any pair of twins are known to be. Funnily enough, until they turned 6 their parents always dressed them to be mirror images of each other. The Yugi twins have been through hell and back together, from the highs to the lows in life so far, they always helped each other... as for they only had each other.
For them, each other are the only ones they themselves consider to be family, in a sense. Once the twins reached their early teens their parents became cold, with each passing day more and more hope was taken away from them, as for more neglect and pain wrenched nights alone... afraid, were added.
They don't see their so-called parents anymore... They never will... They like it like that...
The twins arrived at the gate of their school, as expected Tsukasa went of with the members of the broadcasting club, leaving Amane to walk to class alone, like usual.
"Good morning, Yugi." says a boyish voice, walking up to the boy in question.
"Morning, Akane."
Aoi Akane has always been a good friend of Amane, with their friendship dating back to early childhood. Akane just so happens to have met his soulmate early in life, due to a name mix-up during a tournament with the neighbouring schools.
Akane had been placed with the incorrect school causing a short delay which soon resulted in him meeting Akane Aoi.
Akane is known to buzz on for hours about the violet haired female. Amane has unfortunately never gotten to have the opportunity to meet her, due to Tsukasa constantly prying for his attention.
Akane further, rarely refers to another female, said to be named Yashiro Nene, whom is the childhood friend of Aoi. Amane can't quite put his finger on why that name sounds familiar but at the same time does not...
"Did your bro ditch you again?" Akane laughed, patting the boy's shoulder.
"Yeah," Amane sighed, walking towards his classroom.
"Well, how was your morning?" Akane asked, sitting down in his designated seat.
"Uh- Tsukasa tried to make me have a heart attack... so the usual," Amane explained, leaning onto his own desk.
"How about you?"
"I walked Ao-chan to her school, while Yashiro-san also tagged along," Akane began, opening his bag to retrieve his stationary. "Yashiro-san was a bit sluggish so we both question her as to why, and she said that she was awake till 2, reading shojo manga," Akane explained.
"Tell her she should really sleep early." Amane laughed, placing himself onto his seat.
"We tried but she is too stubborn to listen." Akane sighed.
"Well then, I'll force her to. When are you guys meeting up next time?"
"In like two days, at the city park."
"Okay, I'll tag along."
The two continued to talk until the first bell rang, signalling that class had commenced.
The day went by like a breeze, as it was soon to be lunch.
Amane peered at his watch as it struck 1-pm, allowing him to leave the classroom with Akane trailing behind.
The two friends made their way onto the roof, slowly unhinging the metal door.
The roof is a place students are not permitted to be, as it is only used by the astronomy club on Wednesdays after school. Plus, the fact it is always kept locked, the only ones to possess a key are the school facility... and the astronomy club president, who just so happens to be a familiar amber-eyed male.
They quickly found out they were not the only ones present on the roof as soft muffled cries could be heard. The two by reflex opted to discover the source as they searched to rooftop to soon find a...
Sobbing pile of pink?
They both hesitantly walked over to the seemingly 'pink object', further realising it to that of the first year named Mitsuba Sousuke.
"What's wrong?" Amane asked as he walked towards the boy, sitting himself onto the roof.
"As if I would tell you two" Mitsuba whined, sticking out his tongue.
"Y'know we can't help you if we don't know," Akane stated.
To this, Mitsuba decided to not answer as his gaze avoided them both.
"Well then, we'll just leave," Amane said, as he hoisted himself upwards from the ground, continuing to then turn back to the metal door of the roof.
"Okay, I'll tell you!"
"Finally." Akane huffed.
Mitsuba soon explained that he arrived at school during the early hours of the morning, to study for an upcoming test. When he was unable to find a place to sit within the library, he resorted to checking around the school until he saw that the door to the roof was open. Once he walked through the door it closed as all he could hear were laughs.
After Mitsuba's explanation, Amane and Akane decided to spend the rest of their lunch with the boy, as for it seemed to them, he didn't really possess any friends that cared for him.
School had soon concluded and Amane and Tsukasa returned to their home.
Nothing worth accounting for had occurred that afternoon nor evening, it was the same as always quiet, peaceful and calm.
But the real adventure does not occur until one shall close their eyes...