I don't own Yu-gi-oh! 5Ds. Really.

So… from Of Few Words/Rise of the Dragons Five comes another story soon, still untitled. But for now, I give you this.


Bonds


-First Meetings: Kyosuke Kiryu-


Even now he remembered it fondly.

The run-in occurred when Yusei Fudo was dueling down an alley, alone and unprotected. He'd had an argument with Jack Atlas earlier that day and stormed off, the better to prevent the fight from becoming physical. They were fourteen, and as evenly matched with punches as they were with Duel Monsters.

He Synchro Summoned his ace monster, Stardust Dragon, and felt the thrill that preceded victory - only to see his dragon fall, its flight cut short, and feel the pain of a win being snatched away.

Yusei fell to his knees. As he did, the stranger who'd defeated him walked forward, and knelt in an oddly humble way.

"Thank you. That was a great duel - it made my pulse race. I haven't felt that in a long time..."

Yusei looked up sharply, stunned. Blue eyes met pale, pale green. He had never been thanked for a duel before - nor treated so kindly after losing a duel. Not in Satellite.

"Who... are you?" he asked, his eyes wide with wonder and admiration.

The stranger smiled.

"Kiryu Kyosuke," he said softly, as if the name were a weight on his shoulders.

Yusei didn't introduce himself then - but he smiled, too, and took the hand Kiryu offered him to stand.

It was the beginning of a whirlwind, rollercoaster friendship.