Ai: Well, this is a first. I finally FINISHED a story that wasn't a RP response or whatever.
Shark: Sure...the first...You've written a lot of drabbles and short stories, it's just chapter stories that you suck at.
Ai: Yeah, hey, Shark...Shut the fuck up.
IV: Ryoga's right, though. You procrastinate with your chapter stories, and then you forget about them. You still owe me that story about me and Rio.
Ai: EVERYONE! SHUT UP! JUST READ THE FUCKING STORY!
Ryoga Kamishiro. That name struck a chord in IV. Ryoga was more than just a rival to him; he was one of the few people he had managed to open up to. It was years ago, but he used to trust him. Used to consider him a friend. Who knew where their future could've gone? But this was definitely not how IV had wanted it to play out. Who knew that just one action could've caused everything to fall apart?
As IV reminisced, a familiar voice was heard in the back of his mind. "So...do you like her?" Those words were echoing over and over, and he could still remember his answer, word for word. "Honestly...I think it's more than just liking her." The image of a boy with purple hair and blue eyes was now flashing in IV's mind. Ryoga...
"I look forward to our upcoming duel, IV," a younger version of Ryoga said, a bright smile across his face. "Same here," a younger IV replied, smiling back. This was so long ago. Just a few days before their duel. As much as IV would like to be Ryoga's friend again, he knew that what happened between them would never heal.
–
It was the day of the finals for the National Duel Circuit, and IV was feeling unnerved from something that had happened the day before. He just couldn't keep his mind off of it. A fire was etched into his mind. No matter what he did, he saw fire flying and surrounding him. The sound of a scream was playing over and over in his ear, even though no one was screaming. He couldn't pay attention to what was going on.
He had done what he was asked to do, but that would only lead to worse consequences, he was sure of it. But what was done was done...Now...he waits.
And it happened. The sound of a buzzer rang over the scream echoing in his ear, and he knew that his opponent was disqualified. His opponent, his only remaining friend, disqualified for something that he didn't do. Disqualified for something IV had set him up for. When all his opponent wanted to do was to help his sister...
"Ryoga...," IV uttered softly, seeing the pained and disappointed expression of his opponent. Ryoga looked back at him sadly as he was being dragged away. As much as IV wanted to admit to the truth, he didn't, and Ryoga could sense that IV was able to help him. Ryoga was hurt, and he mouthed to IV, a word: "Why?"
Why? Now it was this word that echoed in IV's mind, and slowly, the voice changed from Ryoga's to Rio's. "Why?" the girl said, her hand dropping onto the hospital gurny. She was rushed off for medical attention, but that word stuck to IV.
IV shook himself back to reality, to see that Ryoga was now gone, and to see his picture flashing across the stadium, crowning him the Champion. He didn't feel like a champion. At all. IV ran out of the stadium, and found himself in an alley way. He looked to the opening, and saw Ryoga, who was looking back. Ryoga kept walking, but that glance they shared, IV couldn't get his mind off how cold his eyes were.
Their friendship was short-lived. But it was one that IV would never forget. That was the last time they ever saw each other...Or...so they both thought...