A short oneshot about Astral and his point of view about life, and the little things that mattered.

I don't own Zexal obviously, if I did then Astral would have turned human like the Barians.

Enjoy! :)

Ever since Astral was sent to Earth, he had one mission and one mission only: To destroy the Barians and collect all the Numbers.

At least that's what he thought from the beginning.

Instead he met a man named Kazuma Tsukumo, he told him to protect his son and he was locked away in the Emperor's Key. When Astral met Yuma, he really thought he was an liability with inexperience of dueling. He thought the human was better off quiting and not get in the way, instead Yuma kept dueling dispite everyone who judged him and laugh at him.

Ever since he interact the boy, there a lot of things he never take a second thought to think about, as he always have observations to keep him in check.

Why do humans get angry? Why do humans eat? Why do they sleep? Why do they cry? Why do humans lie to each other? Why do humans love each other?

Why?

That was probably the question Astral had from the start of his journey.

One night, Yuma and the Astral being watched the stars on top of the roof of Yuma's house. The stars are beautiful like shining diamonds, and the moon is glowing bright.

"Yuma, can I ask you something?" Astral asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"What is death?"

Yuma was stunned, he didn't how to process on that question.

"Well... I don't know Astral. All we know is that death exist in this world." Yuma said.

"Why does it exist?"

"Because it does, why are you asking me about this?"

"I don't know, I thought you might know something Yuma." Astral said.

Yuma looked at his friend, should he really tell him?

"Alright, I'll tell you. Death is... a part of life. Once you die, you can't come back. That's just the way it is."

Astral didn't know what to say, so that was the definition of death. You live, you die. That's all there is to it.

"But, it doesn't have to be that way. It can be scary because we don't know when we'll die, but we have to understand it."

"Understand it?"

"Yes, I don't know how much time I had left. I want to become the best duelist in the world before my time is up. Until that day comes, I want everyone to remember me." Yuma smiled sadly.

Astral had never seen Yuma made that expression before, it made him realize how serious it is.

Even so, the bond they had would never be taken away.

"I'll remember you Yuma, no matter how many years have past, I'll always remember the memories we had. They matter to me, you matter to me." Astral said, smiling.

Yuma's lips twitched upwards.

"Thank you, Astral."

Astral still smiled. "I know."

As they looked at the stars again, the Emperor's Key glowed a little brighter.

Happy International Women's Day! And Happy Birth day to my little brother too! :)