It was a beautiful night. The moon was high and full, nearly drowning out the stars sprinkled on the black sky around it. On the darkened city below, lit only by the moon and occasional street-light, two duel runners roared down the streets.
Pulling up in front of a mansion, the one on the red duel runner pulled off his helmet, revealing spiky black hair with yellow streaks. The other, riding a white duel runner, did the same to reveal blonde hair.
"Are they still up?" the raven-haired teen, Yusei Fudo, wondered aloud, looking up at the light shining from a few of the windows.
Suddenly the front door opened and a short, turquoise-haired figure ran out. "I thought I saw you guys coming!" Rua yelled, stopping in front of them.
"Are you all right, Rua?" Yusei asked, immediately noticing that the boy was swaying slightly and his face was slightly red.
"I'm fine! But come on, you gotta join us!" He grabbed Yusei's and Jack's hands and dragged them into the mansion, up the stairs, and down a hall to a door from which they could hear loud laughter and what sounded like something breaking.
Yusei and Jack shared a glance at the strange sounds as Rua opened the door. Yusei's eyes widened at what was inside.
Yanagi and Tanner were laughing like crazy with large bottles in their hands, a broken lamp on the floor nearby and random objects in their hands. Ruka, Rua's twin sister, was sitting on a couch hiccupping with a large glass of something in her hands, her face red.
"What is going on?" Jack asked, stepping into the room behind Yusei. The raven-haired teen walked forward and picked up a bottle standing on a table, sniffing it. "Alcohol!?" he exclaimed.
He glanced at Ruka and Rua, who had gone over and was shaking his sister, yelling something about Jack and Yusei arriving and perhaps a duel.
"Oi, Yanagi, Tanner, what's going on? Have you been giving Rua and Ruka alcohol?" Yusei asked angrily, turning to the two older men.
They looked up, apparently just noticing him and Jack. "Hey, Yus, how's it goin'?" Yanagi called, his voice slightly slurred. "And what's wrong with a little bit o' beer?"
"You can't give minors alcohol, Yanagi," Yusei said firmly.
"Aw, c'mon, Yusei, lighten up," Tanner said, giving a booming laugh. "Even Aki's had a little."
Yusei looked around and, indeed, saw Aki Izayoi sipping beer from a large glass similar to Ruka's in a corner.
"I've always wanted to try alcohol," Jack said thoughtfully from behind Yusei, who turned to give him an icy look.
"I'm taking Ruka and Rua up to bed. Try and get Tanner and Yanagi sober or at least quieter. And don't drink any alcohol," Yusei said, going over and picking up Ruka, who had fallen asleep. He walked out with Rua following and Jack grinning mischievously behind his back.
Yusei returned to near chaos. Yanagi was now dancing on a table, with Tanner laughing and clapping, while Jack was drinking beer and yelling random attacks as if in a duel. Aki was still quietly leaning against a wall.
"Oi, Jack, didn't I say no alcohol?" Yusei said, pulling the bottle from the blonde's hand.
"C'mon, Yusei, you're so boring. You need to relax more, have some fun," Jack said, pouting, his voice slurring heavily.
"You need to sober up," retorted Yusei, beginning to clean up the mess created by the "party".
Jack watched Yusei for a minute before scooting over to Tanner and whispering in his ear. Both of them grinned evilly and Tanner stood up while Jack reached for another beer.
Yusei looked up as he felt someone come up behind him and let out a yell as Tanner grabbed him, pinning his arms to his sides.
"Oi, let go of me, what are-" Yusei began, but was cut off as Jack shoved a glass of beer against Yusei's lips, refusing to remove it before the captured teen had drained the cup.
"Loosen up, mate!" Jack yelled, grinning like a maniac.
Yusei's face was totally red and he staggered when Tanner released him. He hiccupped and stumbled backwards, bumping into someone. Darkness swam at the edges of the raven-haired teen's vision as hands moved up to steady him. Then blue eyes closed and Yusei slumped against the person he had bumped into.
Aki looked down at Yusei as his head flopped against her shoulder, his eyes closed and body limp in unconsciousness. He was heavy, so she lowered herself and Yusei until she was sitting on the floor with Yusei still leaning against her chest. Both teens' faces were red from alcohol.
Above them, Jack flopped into a seat. "'Note to self: Yusei has absolutely zero tolerance for alcohol.' Even as a drunk, he's boring." He picked up a camera that for some reason was on the table and fiddled with it after taking another swig of beer.
On the floor, Aki hiccupped ever so slightly. Then she slid a hand under Yusei's cheek, turning it up to face her own. She stared at his sleeping face. It looked so peaceful and relaxed. Not like when he was awake, at least from what she had seen. Usually it seemed impassive and emotionless. Unless his friend's were involved; then it became determined and almost frightening, but somehow remained cool and composed.
During the short time that she had known him, Yusei had managed to change Aki more than anyone else. Although she still had a long way to go, she had somewhat broken free from her cycle of hate and pain, both given and self-inflicted.
Slowly, Aki lowered her head, leaning over the boy in her arms. She pressed her lips softly against Yusei's, her eyes fluttering closed. She didn't notice the small click and flash before the moment was over. She stroked the still unconscious teen's cheek gently, then leaned back and was asleep in seconds.
Jack stared at the picture in the little display screen on the camera. Even under the influence of alcohol, he could hardly believe it. But he grinned all the same. This would be great for embarrassing a couple teens who were now fast asleep, one still leaning on the other.