Yugioh: The Hope of Six

Chapter 63: Demon Arc - Part 1

"So, be honest... did you guys have a good time?" Akari asked her new friends.

"Yes. That camping trip was the best experience I've had in a long time." Yuto told her.

"Absolutely. I haven't enjoyed myself that much since before the Invasion." Ruri added.

"I must admit, after all the pain and hardship, these past few days have been... quite relaxing." Shun admitted.

Luna hesitated before she gave her reply with a sigh. "I have lost all my friends, my whole reality. Everything. After all that, I honestly didn't think I would ever find joy in my life ever again. But the time I spent with you all at that camp site... it was truly a treasured experience. I am grateful to have been a part of it."

"Glad to hear it." Akari said with a warm smile.

"Those camping trips are always a blast!" Yuma exclaimed.

The others agreed wholeheartedly. Despite the recent intense and life threatening events, everyone got to enjoy their time on the camp site the past weekend. Even Luna, who had it worst of all, managed to find some enjoyment. Between swimming in the lake, playing volleyball, nature hikes, and making s'mores around a campfire, it was definitely a fun time.

But all too soon, it was time to head back to Heartland. Within a few hours, Yuma, Akari, Yuto, Ruri, Shun, and the whole gang arrived back at the Tsukumo household. Upon returning home, Yuma and Akari got a surprise waiting for them.

Out on the front porch with their grandmother, Haru, stood two other adults they both knew very well. One was a dark skinned man with brown eyes and black spiky hair. The other was a lighter skinned woman with long light orange hair with violet eyes. Both of them wore clothes made for long journeys in the wilderness.

"Mom?! Dad?!" The Tsukumo siblings shouted in unison when they saw their parents.

"Hey kids! Miss us?" Said their father, Kazuma, with a welcoming grin on his face.

"We have certainly missed you both." Mirai replied before she and her husband giving their children a warm hug.

"I can't believe you two are home already!" Yuma replied, excited to see his mom and dad after so long.

"Me neither! I thought you guys would be hiking along the Himalayas by now?" Akari inquired.

"We were, but there was a slight change in plans so we had to cut our trip short." Mirai said.

"We'll discuss that in a bit. First, how was the camping trip? Had a good time with your friends?" Kazuma asked, eyeing the group behind his children. That was when he noticed four certain people he didn't recall meeting before. "Unless I'm mistaken, I see some unfamiliar faces here. Care for some introductions?"

"Sure thing!" Yuma exclaimed as he stood next to the Xyz trio. "Mom, Dad, this is Luna, Yuto, his girlfriend Ruri, and..."

"And this guy is Ruri's older brother, Shun!" Akari interjected as she wrapped an arm around Shun with a big grin on her face (annoying her little brother in the process by butting in like that). Shun seemed a little flustered by Akari's act, but didn't say anything. Akari went on. "Yuto, Ruri, Shun, Luna, this is me and Yuma's dad, Kazuma and our mom, Mirai. They spend a lot of time exploring and adventuring across the world, though they do drop back home when they can."

"It's an honor to meet you two." Yuto said as he and his group bowed to the elder Tsukumo couple. Kazuma and Mirai chuckled.

"Please kids, no need to be so formal with us." Mirai said kindly.

"We are always happy to meet friends of Yuma and Akari." Kazuma added. It was then that he narrowed his eyes on Luna. "Luna is your name, is that right?" He asked.