Back with another story I guess. Hope y'all enjoy. This is set a few months after the events of season 4.

XX

"Nice one" Judai cheered, stumbling slightly stepping out from the shadows of the trees. His bag with Pharaoh's head poking out secured firmly on his back. He took in the view, it was a crisp summer night, he shuddered with the slight chill in the air. The sky was clear and the stars shone beautifully up above, clear as day despite the city lights.

"See and you said I'd mess it up again" he smirked to Yubel who was hovering beside him.

"Well it does seem you're starting to get the hang of this whole teleporting thing," Yubel admitted. "At least we didn't end up in a lake or something this time."

"I swear" Judai replied with an eye-roll, "I teleport us into a lake one time and I never hear the end of it! I was still learning then, I've gotten the hang of it now.. kind of."

"Sure whatever you say" Yubel retorted with an eye roll. "So where are we now?"

"Norway I hope" he replied plopping himself down and rummaging through his bag. Pharaoh had taken this as an invitation to explore their new surroundings. They had materialised a top of a grassy hill overlooking a city, an enclosure of trees shading the background and the moon illuminating their little spot.

"Bergen to be precise," he said smoothening out a crumpled letter that had somehow found its way into his bag before he left at graduation. He knows me too well, Judai thought fondly to himself.

"Well makes a nice change from the place we were yesterday" Yubel nodded.

"Yeah it's peaceful isn't it" Judai smiled. He didn't know exactly what time it was, he could feel the dampness seep into his pants from sitting on the wet grass, but chose to ignore it. He should get moving, go find the real reason he came here after all but for now, he just wanted to be in the moment.

Life had gotten pretty hectic lately, always someone needing to be saved. Not that Judai minded that much, after all this was his duty, the path chosen for him.. but sometimes it became too much and he just needed to step back and take a break. Hoping the world could manage to stay out of trouble for a week that was.

Yubel was always lecturing him to take care of himself and visit his friends. It's not that he doesn't want too but they have their own lives now and he has his. Judai misses his friends and he knows they miss him, his sudden disappearance after graduation hurting them more than he realised. But he still tried to visit them as often as he could when he had time to shrug off his responsibilities. Unfortunately, his responsibilities were pretty hard to shrug off.

"You're doing it again" Yubel interjected, one of the annoying things about sharing a soul was Yubel always knew what he was thinking. "Get some rest" Yubel mothered. "And tomorrow we can look around and try to find the address he left you."

Judai considered the idea. He did feel like resting up a bit and the clearing he'd teleported them to seemed safe enough of a spot to settle down and rest for the night. "Hey get back here" he called to Pharaoh before he wandered off too far.

"Yeah, you're right just a quick nap 'til morning and then we can get moving again" he agreed. "What do you think buddy?" he asked as Hane Kuriboh appeared. Chirping happily in agreement as the little group began to set up camp for the night.

All was going well until suddenly a blue-and-red blur dashed out from between the trees heading straight for Kuriboh knocking the little spirit clean out of the air.

"Hey what the-" Judai stared as Kuriboh was caught in an intense scuffle with another duel spirit. Judai recognised the small spirit immediately.

"Ruby Carbuncle" he gasped springing to his feet, "but if you're here then that means…" he began looking around for any trace of the little spirit's master, if she was here he must be nearby.

It only took a few moments before Judai heard a very familiar voice yelling. "Ruby! Hello Ruby? I told you not to run off it's too late for games!"

Judai grinned as he saw the familiar form of Johan Anderson emerge from between the trees. Johan stopped the moment he saw Judai, his expression going from surprise to pure happiness in less than a second. He looked like a child on Christmas morning.

"Judai! Is that really you?" he yelled running towards them, giving Yubel a nod in acknowledgment when he saw her. She gave a curt nod in response.

Judai smiled at the sight of his best friend who quickly pulled him into a tight hug. Johan hadn't changed in the few months since Judai had seen him last. Sure his hair had grown longer but other than that he was still very much the same person he'd seen just before he left at graduation. His emerald eyes still shone with the same happiness and joy they always did and his smile was still as bright and infectious as Judai remembered. He wore a plain black t-shirt and grey joggers instead of his usual outfit.

"Yeah it's me" he laughed once they had broken apart.

"Why are you here? We didn't hear much from you after graduation!" Johan asked.

"Yeah sorry about that I've been busy.." Judai replied feeling guilty at the fact he had clearly worried his friends with his abrupt departure. "But why am I here, to see you stupid! You did give me this after all" he winked holding up Johan's letter between his two fingers. The tealettes address was written in flawless handwriting visible on the folded sheet.

"Well you took your sweet time using it didn't you" Johan teased tossing his arm over Judai's shoulder. "You're going to stay for a little bit right," he asked his tone changing from joking to serious in a second. "You've got to tell me what you've been up to! You must have some amazing stories."

"Yes don't worry I'm going to stay awhile" Judai responded chuckling at his friend's persistence and enthusiasm.

"Great so you want to come back to my place?" Johan asked.

"Yeah, just let me grab Pharaoh," Judai said walking over to a nearby tree and scooping the cat up. Johan attempted to break up the duel spirits scuffle which took a while considering they hadn't seen each other in so long. After a while they finally split them up, Kuriboh floating next to Judai while Ruby returned to her usual perch on Johan's shoulder.

"So wait why are you out and about at this hour," Judai asked as they headed off. He didn't know what time it was but he knew it was well into the early hours of the morning.

"Ruby" he replied simply. "She made a big fuss about going outside and then ran off," he said giving the little spirit a dirty look. She just chirped happily in reply. "Well we now know why she ran off don't we" he grinned at Judai scratching Ruby behind her ears.

Johan moved to make his way back in between the trees, Judai following closely behind. He expertly weaved his way in and out of the trees clearly familiar with the route. They went up a few smalls hills and through some more trees.

XX

It didn't take them long until they reached Johan's house. It was a small two-story house, out in the countryside with a big garden surrounded by trees. Judai decided immediately it suited Johan and he liked it. It had a homely appeal about it.

Johan opened the front door and stepped inside motioning for Judai to follow. Judai entered taking in the simple yet tasteful interior design.

"Hey guys I'm home" Johan called down the hall as they walked into the living room. Judai immediately noticed the rest of the gem beasts dotted in various places around the house.

"Look who I brought home" Johan exclaimed with glee motioning to Judai.

Amethyst Cat stretched getting up from her spot on the couch walking over to them. "Yes we can see him" she retorted rolling her eyes. "Hello Judai it's good to see you again," she said acknowledging the brunet. Judai greeted her while the other gem beast made their way over to greet him.

Once that was over with Johan just yawned and stretched himself out on his sofa leaving enough space for Judai on the other end though. Judai joined him placing both his bag and Pharaoh down on the ground. The pair sat there in comfortable silence until Johan spoke.

"You must be tired, was it a long flight?"

"Oh, I didn't take one" Judai answered. "Yubel and I figured out I could teleport places. It's pretty useful actually."

"Nice. So where were you beforehand then?" Johan asked rubbing his eyes.

"America- wait, you're not surprised about the whole teleporting thing?" Judai mused.

"With you? No absolutely not" Johan replied. "Honestly not even a little bit shocked. I've seen you do stranger things" he shrugged.

He's got a point, Yubel chuckled in Judai's head.

"What about you? Done anything interesting since graduation?" Judai asked leaning his head back on the couch.

"Well nothing of your caliber" Johan admitted leaning tilting his head thinking. "I entered a few tournaments but other than that all's been quiet. There's been a lack of power-hungry maniacs and world-dominating entities since I came home" he winked at Judai.

"However did you cope" Judai feigned. "It must be so boring now" he laughed.

"I do miss the excitement a little bit, not gonna lie" Johan chuckled. "It's nearly 3am maybe we should get some sleep. I don't know about you but I'm exhausted" he yawned.

Considering Judai had also had a long day and the teleporting really took it out of him he decided he too should rest. He followed Johan upstairs and into his bedroom.

"I've got a spare bedroom" Johan started "But it's kind of filled with random junk at the moment. I would've cleaned it out but you didn't really give me much notice so… you'll have to share with me tonight. I'm too tired to try to start clearing it now."

"That's ok I'm pretty sure we'll both fit" Judai replied looking at the double bed that took up most of the room.

"Do you need anything to sleep in?" Johan asked rummaging around in a drawer for his own sleeping attire.

Judai looked down at the outfit he was wearing. Honestly, he usually slept in his clothes providing he managed to sleep at all. So he didn't really have any pajamas with him.

"You wouldn't mind if I borrowed some of yours would you?" Judai stammered a little bit embarrassed.

"No of course not. You can have a pair of mine here" he replied handing Judai a t-shirt and some sleeping bottoms before leaving the room so he could get changed.

Johan came back a few minutes later also ready for bed. He sat on his side of the bed and drew up his covers. "I don't know about you but I can barely keep my eyes open any longer, so I'm going to sleep now."

Judai nodded in agreement feeling the fatigue from his travels weigh down on his tired body as he too slipped under the covers. Johan reached towards the bedside lamp turning off the lights.

Judai turned around to bid his friend goodnight but Johan already had his eyes closed and was snuggling down in the sheets.

Wow, he really must've been tired, Judai thought. "Night Johan" he whispered.

"Goodnight Judai" Johan breathed back half asleep already.