A/N: Hello everyone!! My plan for this story is for it to be a fluff-filled little two-shot; I'm hoping for minimum drama, and probably (I'm sorry if this disappoints you), no citrus…but that doesn't mean it'll be bad! I'm hoping it'll be nice and sweet! So if that sounds good to you, please read on!!
Pairing(s): Yusei x Aki
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing related to YGO 5D's. If I did, the dub wouldn't have gone to 4Kids….
Something to Celebrate
Chapter 1: The Invitation
Aki Izayoi stared at the harmless piece of paper in her hand. It was an invitation to her school's annual dance.
She'd barely had time to wrap her mind around the fact that they'd actually invited her, when she read the invitation and realized that she wouldn't be able to go.
"What do you have there?" Senator Hideo Izayoi called curiously as he approached his daughter.
Aki blinked and looked up; she'd forgotten already that he'd stopped by her apartment for a short visit. "Oh, it's…nothing," she finally said.
"Are you sure?" he asked, casually snatching the paper from her loose hold and reading it quickly. A smile twinkled in his eyes and he looked back at his daughter. "Aki, this isn't nothing, it's great! The school's acknowledged your dueling excellence, and they're going to reward you at the Celebratory Ball." He paused when she sighed and looked away silently. "What's wrong? Why aren't you excited about this?"
"I'm flattered," Aki said honestly, "it's nice to know they're not ignoring me. But what's the point in getting all excited? I can't go."
Her father frowned in confusion and read the paper again, slightly slower. At length, he said, "I don't see the problem, sweetheart. Are you busy that night?"
"No," Aki replied.
"Then what is it?"
Aki sighed and looked at the paper pointedly. "They're requiring us to bring someone."
"Of course; that way everyone has someone to dance with," her father replied calmly. "That's what people do at a dance."
"I know that," Aki said, turning and walking towards her couch as she talked. "But I don't have a date to bring. So I can't go."
The Senator followed his daughter into the living room of her apartment, pursing his lips together thoughtfully. "But, Aki…can't you ask Yusei to go? You are allowed to bring someone who's not currently enrolled in the school."
Aki's face flushed at her father's obvious suggestion and she refused to meet his gaze. "I know that, Papa, but I can't ask him. He's busy."
Smiling now, Hideo settled lightly beside her on the sofa and dropped a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure he's not busy at eight o'clock at night. Not with anything he can't put off until morning."
"He's still working on plans for the new D-Wheels for the Grand Prix," Aki replied quickly. "When he's not defending his title, that's what he's doing. I can't ask him to take time away from that for a party."
"No one works all the time, Aki," Hideo argued easily. "Maybe he'd enjoy the change of routine."
"When he wants a break, he usually goes to visit Martha, or the twins," Aki said. "I don't think dancing is on his list of things to do."
"Well, you never know unless you ask," Hideo pointed out, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "What have you got to lose by asking?"
"Why are you pushing this so much?" Aki asked, ignoring his question. When she looked up, into her father's steady gaze, he smiled warmly.
"Because I know you like him," he replied calmly. "And this is your perfect opportunity to go for it. He's a good man; he'd treat you right, I'm sure."
Her face flamed again as her eyes went wide. "Dad!" she cried before she could stop herself. Then, more calmly, she added, "It doesn't matter whether or not I like him. We're friends, and that's how we're staying. I couldn't possibly spend three hours dancing with him without blurting out something stupid. That's why I won't ask him."
"What makes you so sure he doesn't like you, too?"
Aki looked away and whispered, "I can't take that risk." Besides, he's smarter than that. "He won't see me as more than a friend, and that's fine. That's more than I could ever ask anyway. Can we change the subject please?"
Holding his hands up defensively, Hideo said, "Ok, ok, if that's what you want. Still, I'm sure you could find someone to go with."
"I don't want to go with someone else," Aki replied, snatching the paper out of his hand. "How's Mom?"
"So, what'd he want?" Crow asked curiously when Yusei hung up the phone.
Yusei half-smirked, amused at his friend's predictable nosiness, and said, "Apparently the school's having their annual Celebratory Ball in a couple of weeks, and they want me to make a guest appearance."
"And what, exactly, are they celebrating?"
"They're honoring their best students," Yusei replied with a slight shrug, reaching again for his tools.
He could hear the smirk in Crow's voice when Crow said, "So then Aki will be there."
Pausing mid-reach, Yusei replied, "Yeah, I'd imagine she will."
"And if it's a ball, then I imagine there's dancing involved; and it's probably fancy, am I right?" Crow pushed with an ever-growing grin.
"Probably there will be dancing," Yusei said, keeping his voice even. "And yeah, it's fancy. I'm gonna have to get a suit."
"So you're definitely going, then?" Crow asked with faux-curiosity.
"Why not?" Yusei replied. "It's not like I'll be particularly busy that night, and I could use the break from staring at the plans all day."
"And it helps that Aki'll be there, all dressed up and everything," Crow teased.
"You know, not every decision I make is based on where Aki is going to be, or what she'll be wearing," Yusei pointed out.
"Oh, sure," Crow allowed easily, "but some are." When Yusei lifted a challenging eyebrow, he continued. "Like two weeks ago, Carly was putting together that beach party, and you said you didn't really care for the beach. Then Aki made noise about being there, and you magically decide to give it a try."
Yusei stubbornly fought down the heat that surged to his face, and he put his back to his friend to kneel beside his D-Wheel. "I'd already been reconsidering going," Yusei argued valiantly. They both knew it was a total lie, but he'd never admit it aloud.
Crow rolled his eyes. "Right, of course; how could I forget that part?" Calmly, he walked around to the opposite side of Yusei's D-Wheel, and leaned casually against it so that he could see his friend's face. "So then you're telling me that the fact that Aki will be at this ball, probably in a pretty dress and needing someone to dance with, has nothing to do with your decision to go? I mean, you did catch the part where they said you'll probably have to dance, right?"
"I did catch that part," Yusei replied. "And it won't kill me."
"Nah, 'course not," Crow agreed. Smirking, he said, "But it might kill you to think about her dancing with, say, some hotshot jock, right?"
Yusei felt his jaw tense and, without looking up, he said, "Knock it off, Crow."
Crow gave a bark of laughter and stood upright fluidly. "Thought so. Alright, well, I've got things to do today; have fun, Twinkle Toes." And with that, Crow vanished into the apartment, before Yusei could throw anything at him.
What the hell am I doing again? Yusei thought as he killed the engine and looked up at Aki's apartment two days later. He took a deep breath and lifted the helmet off of his head. He knew she was home; it was entirely possible that she'd at least heard him pull up. With that in mind, he flipped his leg over the side of the D-Wheel and set down the helmet as he stood. It's too late to back out now. With a final mental curse at his so-called friends, he approached the door and lifted his fist to knock.
Aki pulled the door open and smiled when she saw him. Despite himself, the smile warmed him to the soul, and he smiled back.
"Hey, do you have a minute?" he asked easily.
"Of course," Aki replied, stepping aside so that he could enter. He walked in silently and she shut the door before leading him down the short hall to the living room as she asked, "So what's up? Is everything ok?"
Yusei inclined his head slightly. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you about something."
Her curiosity piqued, Aki half-turned and lifted an eyebrow as she claimed a seat on the couch. "Oh?"
Yusei calmly settled himself into the armchair that he usually claimed when he visited, which was angled to face the couch, and said, "Are you planning on going to the Celebratory Ball?"
Aki's eyes went wide at the unexpected question, and despite herself, her cheeks burned softly. "Um, well…I'm not really sure. Did the twins tell you about it?"
"Actually, no; I've been invited as a guest," Yusei replied. Frowning slightly, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as he asked, "Why wouldn't you go? You're at the top of the school, aren't you?"
"I am," Aki admitted. She was unable to hold his gaze as she added, "But they're requiring everyone to go with someone; I just don't have anyone to go with."
"Sure you do," Yusei replied easily. "That's actually why I came over. I was thinking maybe we could go together…see, they want me to bring someone, too." Aki's head snapped up, her eyes wide as she stared at him, silently processing his words. Before she could comment, Yusei's lips curved up in a gentle smile and he added, "And…I'd like to go with you."
"You…would?"
The surprise and disbelief in her soft statement tore through him, and instead of replying with words, or a nod of his head, Yusei found himself rising from the chair and crossing the small living room until he'd reached her. Then he dropped down to one knee beside her and reached out, wrapping both of his gloved hands around her left.
She was watching him in silence, a myriad of emotions flickering around in her amber eyes as she tried to read him.
Holding her gaze, and her hand, firmly, Yusei said, "Aki, will you be my date to the Celebratory Ball?"
Aki felt the liquid burning sensation build up behind her eyes, but she fought it down, reminding herself that it was just one dance; just one step. But she allowed herself to smile, and nodded, saying, "I would be honored."
Yusei saw the tears gather in her amber eyes for a long moment, before she blinked them away, and though her response brought a smile back to his face, he knew he wasn't done. So he gave her hand a squeeze, indicating that there was more to come, and he said, "Now that we've got that out of the way, I have one more question."
Curiosity rose to join the gathered emotions in her eyes, and Aki asked, "And what's that?"
He paused long enough to make sure his voice would be stable, taking in a breath before answering her. "Can I take you to dinner?"
"Of course you-" Aki cut herself off as her eyes once again went wide for a second, the true meaning of his question clearly sinking in. Her voice was soft when she spoke again. "You…you mean like a date?"
Inclining his head deliberately, Yusei replied, "Mhm."
The tears returned in force, and this time one slipped past her restraint, as she smiled, nodded, and breathed, "Yes…of course."
Yusei stood in one fluid motion, still holding her hand firmly in his, and pulled Aki easily to her feet. Another gentle tug and he released her hand to properly wrap his arms around her waist and hold her close.
Aki fell willingly into the embrace, bringing her arms around his torso and resting her head on his strong shoulder. She let her eyes drift shut and inhaled deeply, hoping that the memory of that moment would stay with her, in every vivid detail.
Neither spoke for several long seconds as they held each other. Yusei leaned his head forward slightly, letting his eyes drift shut as well, and rested his cheek against her temple gently.
The moment was interrupted when something in Yusei's inside jacket pocket began buzzing, startling them both. Aki took a single step backwards, loosening her hold on him as he loosened his on her and reached into his jacket with one hand. He murmured an apology as he extracted his cell phone and flipped it open. He kept his other hand resting lightly on her hip.
When he put the phone to his ear, Aki pursed her lips for a second in thought, before stepping back up to him and resting her head once more on his shoulder silently while he talked. He reflexively cast a glance down at her as he listened to the person on the other end, and then he re-secured his free arm around her.
She looked up at him when the call was over, and he dropped the phone into the nearest pocket before wrapping her in a quick, tight hug.
"You have things to do?" she asked rhetorically as he released her, and she let her arms fall back to her sides.
He nodded. "Yeah, I have a duel," he said.
A teasing smile curved Aki's lips and she said, "Did you lose track of time, Mr. Fudo?"
Yusei smirked. "As a matter of fact, I did." He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers as he whispered, "And I wouldn't change a second of it."
Aki blushed but didn't look away as she reached up and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, dancing her fingers through his hair. "It's my turn to ask you a question," she began as his hands landed on her hips once again.
"Ask away," he replied easily.
"Would you mind if I came?"
Yusei lifted a curious eyebrow. "You want to watch my duel?"
"I like watching you duel," Aki replied honestly.
The smirk curved his lips again and Yusei said, "I would never dream of stopping you."
"V.I.P. treatment, huh?" Aki joked as she and Yusei arrived in the Director's tower high above the Kaiba Dome.
"Of course," Yusei replied as Jeager looked over at them and smiled.
"Good afternoon," he called in greeting. Lifting an eyebrow at Yusei, he added, "Shouldn't you be downstairs preparing?"
"I'll be fine," Yusei promised.
"But you should be getting ready," Aki reminded, "I think I can make it to the couch from here."
Yusei nodded, acknowledging their point. "Alright, then; I'll see you when I'm done."
"Good luck, Yusei," Jeager said sincerely, "I hear your opponent's fairly good."
Yusei grinned. "I'm not too worried."
"Still, just in case," Aki began, quickly leaning up and pressing her lips to his cheek. She wasn't yet brave enough to assume more than that. When she pulled back, she added, "Good luck."
Yusei stared at her for a long second, having been caught off-guard by the kiss, but then his grin returned and he nodded. "I won't be losing this one." Then he turned and let himself out of the room.
"Why do I get the feeling like I missed something?" Jeager asked as soon as Aki had settled herself on the couch that overlooked the Kaiba Dome.
Aki felt her cheeks flush again, and she said, "We've talked."
"And?" he pushed.
"And he's taking me to dinner tomorrow night," Aki replied. "And we're going to the Celebratory Ball together, too."
Jeager smirked, crossed his arms behind his back, turned to face the track below as the D-Wheels were moving into position, and said, "Good. It's about time."
"Thanks for dinner," Aki said softly as she and Yusei ascended the steps leading to her front door.
"Thank you for the company," Yusei replied, capturing her right hand in his left and giving it a gentle squeeze, even as he looked into her eyes.
Aki smiled, not sure what she should say, so she kept silent.
Yusei paused, and then silently released her hand to pull the glove from his right hand. Tucking the glove into a pocket with his left hand, he reached up with his now-ungloved hand and gently brushed his knuckles across her cheek.
Aki sucked in a breath at the contact, her skin feeling as though it were on fire beneath his touch. Slowly he curled his fingers around her cheek, cupping the side of her face tenderly.
And then he leaned in carefully, his other hand landing on her hip. But Aki barely registered the gesture as his lips descended over hers. Fire ignited within her, and she felt her knees begin to buckle as she returned the kiss. Her arms reached up, her fingers dancing over his shoulders to bury themselves in his thick, dark hair.
His hand brushed through her hair lightly, trailing down her back until both of his arms were wrapped strongly around her, holding her tight as he deepened the kiss.
She moaned softly against his lips as he sucked on her lower lip lightly. Her lips parted immediately and their tongues were soon dancing together, before moving on to explore the new territory before them.
They parted when their lungs began burning, reminding them of their need for oxygen. Both breathing heavily, Yusei smiled at her as he held her for another long second.
When they'd both recovered their breath, Aki reluctantly pulled back, and smiled up at him. "I should really go inside; I have school in the morning."
Yusei nodded in understanding, and said, "I know. I guess I'll see you Thursday, then."
Aki sighed. "Yeah; Thursday. Good night, Yusei."
Giving her a soft smile and brushing the tips of his fingers across her jaw briefly, Yusei replied, "Good night, Aki; sleep well."
To Be Concluded…
A/N: Ok, so, that's the first half of this fluff-filled little Faithshipping story! And, before I forget, I want to mention, in regards to Jeager's little scene: I have not been able to keep up with the Japanese version, and the dub version is progressing…well, let's say very slowly. Because of this, I don't know who the new Director is, so I just figured Jeager made at least a little sense, and I rolled with it. Please forgive me if this bothered you!! That said, I hope you've enjoyed it so far, and please review! And, of course, don't forget to read the second half!!