//------------------------------//
// Episode 13: Not so lonely anymore 
// Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! EQG: Duelist Rangers Final Season 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

	Fang sighed as he began his first day of CHS. "Well, might as well give this place a shot. But first..." Fang pulled his hood over his head and hid his tail. "Wouldn't want to get dissected in the science lab." Fang then made his way inside, and got a feel for the place. He then noticed a girl of interest. Huh. She looks so upset. Might as well see if I can fix that... Fang walked over to Aria. "Something up?"

Aria snapped her attention to Fang and her eyes widened. "No."

"You're lonely, aren't you?", Fang asked with a blink.

Aria was stunned. True. She was quite lonely since Adagio and Sonata had boyfriends to occupy their time. But her? She had nobody. "Well..." Aria sighed. "Look. My sisters have boyfriends. It's pretty easy to see why since Sonata is cute and lovable and Adagio is gorgeous. Me? Half the guys at this school are afraid to even ask me out because they think I'll beat the snot out of them!" Aria then took a moment to catch her breath. "So yeah. I'm kinda lonely."

"Maybe I can fix that?"

"Pfft! Really? How?"

"Don't say I didn't warn you..." Fang whipped out the puppy dog eyes. Aria's heart melted. "Wow. Record time to. I knew I'd get you to smile!"

"Okay. You win.", Aria said with a smirk. "So what're you called anyway?"

"Fang!", Fang said happily.

Aria chuckled as she scratched one of Fang's ears that was under his hoodie. "Good boy. I'm Aria. Aria Blaze.", Aria said with a smile.

"Fitting. You do have a fiery look in your eyes.", Fang beamed.

Aria blushed. "Oh. Um...thanks! So, are you new here? A lot of the students are colorful in the literal sense, but I've never seen anyone like you before."

"It's my first day. Care to help me find my way around?"

"Wouldn't want you going around like a lost puppy.", Aria said with a chuckle.

You have NO idea how on-the-mark that was., Fang thought with a smile. "I'm not lost if I've got you guiding me."

Aria couldn't help but smile. "Anymore out of you, and my heart's gonna melt." The day went on, and lunch period soon arrived. Aria was sitting at her sisters' usual table. But today, she had an unexpected visitor.

"Hi!", Fang greeted.

"Oh. Hey Fang. Here to keep me company again?", Aria asked with a small smile.

"Uh huh!", Fang said happily as he dug into the plate of ribs he'd gotten for lunch. Aria giggled at the sight. "Something funny?"

"Sorry. It's just...you act like a wolf cub.", Aria said sweetly. "Kinda makes sense that's how you were able to make thos puppy-dog eyes."

"My parents always did say I was adorable.", Fang said with a small smile. "Plus, I like to make people smile."

"You're pretty good.", Aria said with a smile. "I can't remember the last time I smiled." Aria was then surprised when Fang hugged her.

"Well. Now you can remember a time. This moment. Even if it is only once. But, hey. At least you can look back on ONE happy moment."

"Huh. That's pretty deep.", Aria stated. "Maybe this world's not so bad after all."

"This world?", Fang asked.

"Let's just say that my family and I didn't have the nicest start here. But, I guess things are getting better.", Aria said with a shrug. "We've got more friends now, and I've still got my sisters."

Fang smiled. "As long as you've got family, that's all that really matters. Right?" Fang then thought of when his parents adopted Narico. "You've only got one in the whole world. With them, you're never alone."

Aria smiled as she pulled Fang into a tight hug. "...Thanks Fang. You're a good boy."

Fang smiled. "No problem Aria. No problem at all." The two then parted from their embrace. "Just think of me if you need to smile."

"I'll...keep that in mind.", Aria said with a slight blush. As the school day soon came to an end, Aria smiled on her way home. Heh. Fang was right. I should smile more. It feels a lot easier than scowling so much...