"Yugo..."

Rin gently shook him by shoulder.

His nose crinkled, he shook his head groaning. "Five more minutes."

She sighed; she lightly taps his face with the back of her hand.

His face crinkled again and he brushed Rin's hand away. He slowly opened his eyes, revealing electric blue iris. They sparkled when he saw her. A large smile overtook his face.

He gasped, "Rin!"

He reached his arms for her. Rin flicked Yugo's forehead, making him withdraw his action.

"Ow! What was that for?" the boy whined. He rubbed his head; looking at her with the sappiest pout she had ever seen.

"I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to blame you for it." she simply answered.

"I won't deny, this might be partly my fault. What with the whole reincarnation thing."

Rin lend him her hand. He accepted it; she pulled him up to a sitting position.

"It's fine; no one could ever predict what was going to happen."

His expression softened. "But I'm sorry..." he murmured.

She tilted her head, "What are you apologising for?"

"For everything," he glimpsed down at his lap. "You were kidnapped and taken to a mysterious place. You were held captive for reasons unknown to you; you must've been so frightened."

"You didn't have to worry about me Yugo. I'm a tough cookie." the girl flexed her muscles, winking.

He gave a small smile, "I know you are, but you've never really been in a situation like this before."

"I see where you're getting at, but I live in a segregated society so I kind of understand what it's like to be in a hostile environment."

The lower and higher division had finally come together after the friendship cup. She had a nice surprise waiting for her when she got back.

"Still, something traumatising happened to you and I..." his tone lowered to a whisper. "I did nothing to stop it."

"Yugo, that's not your fault." Rin placed a firm hand on his shoulder. The boy just shook his head.

"No, I am to blame for this." he glanced up at her. "You're my friend, and I let you down. You can tell me that I shouldn't guilt myself, but I'll never get over what happened to you and I probably won't ever get over how I failed to keep someone so important to me safe."

"No, you can say whatever you like but I would never hold you responsible. So please..." she gripped both Yugo's shoulders so he would directly look at her. "Don't talk that way."

She'll never forget what it was like in that tube.

She'd claw at the glass, desperately grasping for freedom. She'd reach out but she'd feel nothing but the mineral isolating her in her tomb. She aggressively banged on the glass, imagining it to leave a small crack. Anything to prove she could still escape with her life. Of course her efforts were utterly useless. Rin knew it that, but she couldn't stand by and let the life slowly be sucked out of her.

As much as she prayed to be saved from that fate, she was almost certain that death would come soon to greet her.

Rin might never tell her friend that, not now at least. Not when the wound was still fresh, Yugo would just pick at himself even more, perhaps in the distant future when things patch up.

"Y'know, I imagined you breaking into my chamber and then we'd escape together. That was what drove me to stay strong and to not give in so easily because if I hold on long enough something good might come of it."

When Yugo broke into her cell she never felt more relived in her entire life. She was a little annoyed he took so long, but she still welcomed him with open arms. She didn't remember what happened afterwards, she wish she had longer to enjoy that instant but unfortunately that'll never happen. At least she was still here to relish better moments. It could've ended much differently.

"No matter what happened, the thought of you had been what given me a slimmer of hope. You can blame yourself if you want, however you'll always be my inspiration to continue on, don't you dare forget that." 

"Rin..." Yugo whispered.

"So, are we okay no-"

He threw his arms around her, pulling her closer. The unexpected action made Rin jump. She slowly brought up her hands to place on Yugo's back. She rubbed his shoulder blades with her thumbs.

"If it really is as you say it is, then I trust your words." Yugo spoke softly; he was right next to her ear so she could hear him.

Rin entangled her fingers in his blue locks. "Thank you Yugo."

"There's no need to thank me. I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did." she pulled away to put both hands on either side of his face, making him look into her eyes. A red hue spread across the boy's face, she didn't take notice. "You jumped through dimensions just to find me. You'd have to be really dedicated to something like that."

"Well...anything for you." Yugo said slowly. His face got hotter by the second.

The green haired girl brought her friend closer to tightly embrace him. He returned the form of affection.

The two sat there on the ground, huddled close together. They remained there long after the sun had set.

"Thank you Yugo, for all that you have done."