"I know that, but you have proved youself well. So your reward is to battle beside Yusei in the final battle. Then you will choose if you want to return here or stay in the other world" it replied.

---

Aki flunged her body over Yusei's body and cried.
"I can't believe that you are now gone" she said as Ruby took off the cloth.

Rikuo's eyes went wide. "Really?" He asked. "Then count me in for this!"

---

"I know this isn't really my place, but..." Sora said as she paused in front of the door. "If he does come back...I don't think he'll like being strangled." Then scurried off as she heard another bang. "Judai! Johan!!!"

"Well, get going. Yusei, two more things. First, bring a bucket with you when you go to the Motou's place. Secondly, you have to kiss Ashleigh to wake her up" it said, "I have to return now. The portal is above you. Rikuo, it's time to say goodbye." And with that, Ashleigh's ka disappeared.

---

"You got that right" Ruby yelled outside the door.
"Aki, you got about 5 minutes left" she said to Aki.

Yusei stared, slackjawed, at the spot Soul was until she left. "I have to WHAT?!?"

"Kiss a woman to wake her up, just like Prince Charming in Sleeping Beauty." Rikuo said, smirking. "She your girlfriend?"

"What? No! Ashleigh's already married!" Yusei yelped.

Rikuo raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. I didn't know you worked that quickly....."

"NOT TO ME!!!!" Yusei protested. "She's married to Yugi!"

"Whoa...wait? Did I just hear you right? She's married to Yugi, as in Yugi Mutou?" Rikuo asked. "Aw, man! You really are a lucky sonofabitch."

"Not when Aki hears about this...." Yusei muttered.

Rikuo looked up to see the portal starting to close. "You might want to get going, bro." He said. "And before you complain, keep Lightning Warrior. Trust me."

Yusei nodded. "I'll be seeing you then." He said. "Give me a leg up?"

Rikuo nodded and gave Yusei a high-five. He linked his hands in front of him to make a step. Yusei stepped on it and Rikuo launched him up. "Oi! And don't go emo!" He shouted as Yusei was swallowed by the portal.

---

Back in the world of life, the corpse took a weak, almost strained breath. A pulse returned as the young man's soul returned to his body.

But what Rikuo didn't realise that a blast of light surrounded him and ended up in the same room as Yusei, Aki and Ruby, which caught her attention.
"So, you finally decided to join us" she said. During all of this, Aki felt her head going up and down and hearing a heartbeat. She jerked her head up just as Yusei fluttered his eyes.

Rikuo looked down at himself. "I'm still a spirit though," he said. He noticed something glowing in Yusei's deck. "Heh...looks like I'm rather...attached to Lightning Warrior."

Yusei groaned as he opened his eyes. "Ow...the lights....." he groaned. "...Aki?"

"Just wait a few minutes and I turn you human. I need to deal with Yusei first" Ruby replied.

"Yusei? YUSEI!" Aki cried and again flunged herself over Yusei's body.

"Whu---GAH! Aki! Take it easy!" Yusei exclaimed. Pain shot through his stomach. "That wound hasn't healed yet!"

"Sorry" Aki said, standing up, "is it really you?"

Yusei held up his arm, showing his Signer mark. "I think this answers that question."

Rikuo shifted uneasily at Ruby's suggestion. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea...." he said.

"Oh? so you rather observe for a couple of days? If you stay like that, you won't try anything a human can enjoy" Ruby replied.

Aki's eyes filled with tears, then she kissed Yusei.
"I missed you" she whispered.

Rikuo shrugged. "I'm not super worried about it anymore...besides, technically I'm already human." He tapped his chest, where his heart was. "What's in here is what makes you human."

Yusei cupped Aki's face with his hands and wiped away the tears. "Same here," he said. "Hey, don't cry. I'm back."

"I know that. But what I mean was flesh and bone" Ruby said.

"Sorry" Aki said, "I'm so happy that you're back."

Rikuo looked away. "Honestly...now, I'm not so sure." He replied.

Yusei smiled. "I can tell." He replied. "So, want to get the others down here so they can see the surprise?" He heard a crash and a scream. "What the heck...?"

"I have no idea and I don't know want to know" Aki said, "I go and get the others." And with that, she ran out of the room.

"It's up to you Rikuo" Ruby said.

"Then I'm...going to stay a spirit." Rikuo replied.

"It's your choice, but let me know when you want a body of your own" Ruby said.

---

Aki ran as fast as she could, not looking where she was going and bumped into Jack.
"Sorry, but I got great news to tell everyone" she said. Jack noticed that Aki wasn't moping around.

"Why?" Yusei asked. "I thought you wanted to be alive."

Rikuo shrugged awkwardly. "Let's just say...that I'm starting to rethink things."

---

"What's got you so happy?" Jack asked.

"But you always wanted to be here" Ruby said, "And we can't send you back until the final stand is completed.

---

"It's Yusei. He's back!" Aki exclamed.

Jack's eyes went wide. "You're kidding!" he said happily.

---

"Yeah, I did..." Rikuo looked down and off to the side. "But still..."

"Just give it a go" Ruby said.

---

"I'm not. Tell the others! Quick!" Aki said.

Rikuo shifted uneasily. "You guys are going up against this Kaimiri guy, right?"

---

Jack smiled. "On it!" He said, and ran off to find Crow and Kiryu.

"That's correct. In two weeks time in fact" Ruby replied.

---

Aki headed in the direction of where Aoi and the twins were.
"Guys! I got great news!" she exclamed.

"Crow! Kiryu!" Jack called. "Aki just gave me some news!"

"What is it?" Kiryu asked.

"Yusei's back."

---

Rikuo's jaw dropped. "Seriously?! That soon?!"

---

"Big sis Aki?" Ruka asked. "What is it?"

"Yes, that soon. If you do choose to go back, you will have to escort someone with you" Ruby said.

---

"Yeah, tell us!" Rua agreed.
"Yusei has returned. He's come back" Aki said.