Author's Note: So, I'm restarting cuz i didn't like the way i did this earlier. So I'm actually gonna start off with a little Yusei/Akiza cuz I think they're cute and I want to start by putting their relationship together and stuff for this first chapter. Sooooooo...yeah.
Chapter one:
Meant to Be
Yusei felt the wrench as Crow placed it in his outstretched hand. His head was under his Duel Runner. He clasped his fingers around the wrench and brought it under the Runner. He placed the wrench around a bolt and tightened it, making sure it would hold during a Turbo Duel.
It had been several months since he had saved the world for the second time during the WRGP. He felt like, for once in his life, he didn't have to look out for anybody except himself and those close to him. He smiled at the thought. Those close to him...He thought about all his friends: Crow, Jack, Luna, Leo, Trudge, Mina...Akiza.
Akiza. Yusei warmed at the thought of her. His friends, even his sudo-parent Martha, had teased him about his relationship with Akiza. He always insisted they were just friends, but even he had to admit there was something special there. He would never admit it to anyone though. Honestly, he was embarrassed about it. He had never taken an interest in girls or dating or relationships. Hell, he'd never been kissed.
But when Akiza was around he just wanted to melt into her arms. But he knew he couldn't play his hand yet. If he revealed his feelings and Akiza didn't return them...he would be devastated.
Their relationship had grown over the past few months. Akiza had turned eighteen yesterday, and the celebration had been incredible. Her parents had stayed up all night the night before and decorated the entire house for her. They'd even called Yusei and Luna to come over while she was sleeping to help.
They'd set up a banner for her that read 'Happy Eighteenth Akiza!' Yusei had even tried to help bake her cake, but the group had eventually decided that that was an inherently bad idea. But the four of them together had managed to make all the preparations that night and get Yusei and Luna out of the house before Akiza woke up. Yusei had taken Luna home on his Duel Runner and gotten back to the flat he shared with Jack and Crow before they awoke either.
Then, at 9:00 sharp, Yusei showed back up. He had managed to get to the mall that morning before he left for her house, and had gotten her something he'd seen her eyeing on their last...well...not-a-date-that-was-actually-a-date-but-neither-of-them-would-admit-it, at the mall. It was an intricate necklace with a charm in the shape of a rose, the flower that had come to be her icon. He had had to borrow money from Jack to get it, and had no idea how he was going to pay him back, but he knew it was worth it to get Akiza something she'd really like.
When he arrived at her house, he found that the festivities had already started. Jack and Crow were already there, as were Leo, and Luna. The six Signers had become really close. The fact that they were the only ones present was testament to that.
Yusei hurried into the house, not wanting to be late. When he entered, everybody stopped chatting and looked at him. He scanned them and after a moment said, "What the hell are you all looking at me for? It's Akiza's birthday! Come on people! Let's make her feel like a queen!" And with that he'd joined the festivities.
Yusei shook off the memory. He needed to focus. He needed to fix his bike. But her eyes when she'd opened the box with the necklace in it...she'd looked so happy. She'd flung her arms around him and told him that she loved it. He loved it when he made her smile. He couldn't help but cherish that moment.
"Yus, you okay under there?" Crow called.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking 'bout something," Yusei called back.
Crow leaned down so he could see Yusei. "You feelin' alright man? You never get caught daydreamin' when you're workin' on your bike," he said.
"Yeah, it's important...," Yusei said.
"Oh?" Jack's call came from across the room. "It wouldn't be about a certain female Signer would it?"
"Give it a rest, guys," Yusei said, exasperated. "Akiza and I are just friends."
"Yeah, cuz her asking you to stay over late alone after her birthday constitutes 'just friends,'" Jack said, packing the words with as much sarcasm as possible.
"Yeah, just like your coffee dates with Carly, Jack? I take it those constitute 'just friends' too," Crow said, doing his very best to keep a straight face.
"That's different!" Jack shot back defensively.
Yusei had stopped paying attention to their bickering after Jack had mentioned that Akiza had asked him to stay after everyone else had left her birthday party.
"Well, we better get going," Crow said.
"Yeah. We gotta get our Runners back in top form," Jack said.
"I guess you guys are right...," Yusei said, not wanting to leave yet. The three headed for the door, Jack exiting first, followed by Crow. Before Yusei could go though, Akiza called out.
"Do you really have to go yet, Yusei? I'd love it if you could stay just a few more minutes...," Akiza trailed off.
Yusei checked his watch. 9:23. He looked out to Jack and Crow, who were looking back toward him curiously. Then he looked back at Akiza, sitting on the couch in the main room. He turned back to his friends outside, "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up in a few minutes." He turned away from the door and walked back over to Akiza. Akiza smiled again, which made Yusei's heart light up.
"I'm really happy I met you, Yusei," Akiza said.
"Yeah, me too," Yusei said genuinely.
"You're such a great friend to me," Akiza said. Yusei's heart dimmed back down. There was that word again. Friend. Couldn't they ever be anything more? He wanted to tell her how he felt at that moment, but he just didn't know how. He'd never dealt with girls before. He hadn't ever even had a crush. Until Akiza. She just...lit up his day. There was no other way to put it.
"You, too," Yusei said, masking his despair. He looked up at her smiling face, and decided everything would be alright.
Yusei again shook his head clear. Jack and Crow had calmed down and were now sitting in the living area of their small flat. Yusei, realizing he wasn't going to get anything done today, slid out from under his Runner and walked up the stairs into the main room.
"Get it fixed, Yusei?" Jack asked.
"No. I can't concentrate," Yusei replied.
"Man, are you okay? You're not actin' like yourself," Crow said worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just got stuff on my mind," Yusei replied.
"Well, it must be important if you can't even concentrate on your Runner," Crow replied.
"Yeah. What's up, Yusei? What's on your mind?" Jack said. Even he sounded concerned, which was really saying something.
Yusei remained silent for a while. "It's...," he started. "It's just that...," he trailed off again. Then, mustering his willpower and his courage, he simply said, "Akiza."
"Jeez, Yusei. Never thought you'd have a girl distract you from your Runner," Crow teased.
"Me either. Sounds like someone's got quite an infatuation," Jack followed up.
"Oh, come on guys. You of all people should have realized by now that I really like her," Yusei said.
"Indeed we have," Jack said.
"Yeah, it's no big secret Yusei. I mean, the way you get around her...," Crow said, supporting Jack.
Yusei sighed. "Is it really that obvious?" he asked.
"Yes, Yusei, it really is. Everyone knows. Except for Akiza, that is. How she doesn't is a mystery to the rest of us," Jack said as if he was talking to a five-year-old. Yusei slumped into a chair.
"I just don't know what to say to her," Yusei said.
"Hey man, just so you know, I've been training with Akiza lately, and she's always talkin' about you," Crow said.
Yusei perked up. "Really?"
"Yeah. She always wants to know how you're doing and how everything's going and yata yata yata," Crow replied.
"I don't know...What if she really does just think of me as a friend?" Yusei said, falling back into his self-doubt. Crow turned to Jack, a worried look on his face. Yusei had never doubted himself. He'd always been confident things would go his way, but this situation with Akiza was totally killing his confidence.
Jack stood up and walked over to Yusei. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Yusei by the jacket and yanked him up from the chair. "You listen here, Yusei. You're going to go right over to Akiza's house right now and tell her exactly how you feel," Jack said. He then proceeded to throw a sucker punch into Yusei's stomach. Yusei nearly vomited and slumped back down in the chair.
"Okay," he strained to say.
"Good," Jack said. He pulled Yusei up from the chair for a second time, but this time he walked him over to the door to the garage and shoved him out the door.
"But Jack, my Runner is barely holding up!" Yusei protested.
"It made it over there last night didn't it?" Jack replied over his shoulder.
"Hmmmmm...," Yusei said, unable to deny his point. But even so, he grabbed the wrench he'd discarded and slid back under his Runner and again tried to tighten the loose bolt that had been frustrating him for the last week. He came to no avail, however, and and decided to just live with it and get over to Akiza's before Jack murdered him and scrapped his Runner.
He hopped on his Runner and sped off toward Akiza's house in the downtown area. He took surface streets the whole way, trying to prolong his preparation time. As much as he was nervous about the whole ordeal and almost turned back several times, he knew Jack was right. The longer he bottled up these feelings, the more difficult it would be.
Finally, after an hour of navigating the roads, he arrived at her front door. He still had no idea what he was going to say. But despite all that, he mustered his confidence and knocked. Akiza's mother answered the door.
"Oh, hello Yusei. How are you?" she asked.
"I'm good," he said, with a well-feigned smile, "how are you?"
"I'm well," she replied.
"Could I talk to Akiza?" Yusei asked politely.
"Of course," she said with a smile. "Let me go get her." Yusei nodded and waited after she closed the door. He heard her call to Akiza and a few moments later Akiza and her mother appeared at the door.
"I'll leave you two alone," Mrs. Izinski said with a wink. Yusei had to hold back a sigh. Even Akiza's mother knew. Great.
"Hey there, Yusei," Akiza said.
"Hey, Akiza," Yusei responded. He suddenly got an idea. "Would you like to come for a ride with me?" he asked.
"Of course," she said happily. "Let me go get my Runner..."
"Actually, I was thinking...maybe you could just ride with me...," Yusei said, trying to keep the nervousness out of his voice.
"Oh...okay," she looked puzzled, but shrugged it off. Yusei took her hand and led her down to his Runner. He slid into the seat and had Akiza get on behind him. He waved his hand over a sensor and two helmets slid out. He took his own and passed the other to Akiza. She put it on and they were off.
Yusei knew the perfect place. It was a twenty minute drive to where he wanted to go. He hit the freeway and picked up speed. Akiza held his waist tighter, pressing her body against his back. He pulled off the freeway ten minutes later. He had been into this area of town before, and knew it would be the perfect place.
He came to a stop outside a garden. He kicked his leg over the bike to dismount, then helped Akiza off. She smiled at him. He led her deep into the garden searching for the perfect spot. He finally found it, near the center. He turned around, facing her.
"What's up, Yusei?" Akiza asked. "Why the romantic walk in the garden?"
"So you picked up on that?" he asked with a slightly disappointed smile.
"Yes," she said, laughing nervously.
"Look Akiza. The reason for the romantic walk is because...it's because I...it's because I love you, Akiza," Yusei confessed.
Akiza looked shocked. Then surprised. Then sad. Then shocked again. Then...happy.
"Yusei...I...I...I love you, too," she said. Yusei's smile went from ear to ear. Akiza shuffled her feet. Yusei stepped slightly closer to her. She looked up at him and smiled. She went slightly up on her toes. Yusei let his forehead come forward slightly and touch Akiza's. Then they both moved together. Their lips met, and didn't part for a long moment. When they finally did, every ounce of nervousness was gone. Akiza smiled again.
"I love it when you smile," Yusei said quietly. Akiza didn't bother to respond. She just kissed him again. Yusei had one hand on her waist. His other hand ran slowly through her hair. Akiza laced her fingers behind Yusei's neck. Yusei slid his second hand down to her waist, where he laced his own fingers.
Yusei began to open his mouth slightly, and Akiza followed suit. Before either of them knew it, their kiss had turned into a full-on make out session. They stayed there, completely in love, in that picture perfect scene, for what felt like hours. In truth, it was about five or six minutes of solid liplock.
When they finally did separate, they both had to take a few deep breaths. Akiza stared deep into his eyes, searching them. Yusei returned her deep stare. He moved toward her lips again, and she obliged him. It wasn't as passionate as their previous embrace, but neither of them had any complaints. They again came apart and again fell back into each other. They repeated this process multiple times that night.
Finally, Akiza pulled away and said, "If I don't get home soon, my parents are gonna get suspicious..." Yusei gave a sad smile but knew she was right.
"Alright," he said. He led her back out of the garden and back to where his Runner was parked. He helped her on and then kicked his leg over and handed Akiza a helmet. And with that, they sped off toward her house.
Yusei again elected to take only surface streets, this time to prolong his time with Akiza. As she held tight to his waist, he couldn't help but notice how her breasts pressed into his back. He began to imagine how soft they would be...he shook his head and concentrated on the road. No good in crashing.
Half an hour later, they arrived back at Akiza's house. Yusei walked her to the door, where he kissed her goodnight and allowed her to go back inside.
Akiza could barely sleep that night. All she could think about was how amazing it had felt to finally kiss Yusei. She'd dreamed about it before, but had never thought that the hardened duelist would ever feel the same about her. When they kissed, it had felt like everything was right. And now all she could do was think about how beautiful that moment had been. Finally, replaying the moment over and over, she drifted off.
Yusei pulled back into his garage after his long night out. He quietly slipped into the flat doing his absolute best not to wake either of his friends. To his dismay, they were both still awake. When he slipped into the darkened room. The lights were immediately flipped on and he was thrown onto the couch.
"So, Yusei? I certainly hope you weren't out crying on your Duel Runner all that time," Jack said.
Yusei, hardly able to hold in the excitement still coursing through him, recapped for them what happened. However, he left out the face-sucking that had occurred in the garden. His friends listened intently to his recap silently.
After Yusei finished, Crow piped up, "Yus, I have to admit, I have a hard time believing that you and Akiza just chilled in that garden after your 'romantic walk' and after you popped the question. You sure there wasn't something more...intimate going on between you two? Hmmm?"
Yusei laughed. "Fine Crow, if you must know, we, uhh, made out. So to speak," Yusei said awkwardly.
"Ho ho ho. Looks like Yusei put on his big boy pants," Crow said.
"Indeed," Jack said, looking impressed with his friend.
"Shut up," Yusei said, though he wasn't really mad.
"No need to get angry, Yus. We're just impressed that you're finally thinking about something other than your Runner," Crow said.
"Yeah. I never thought you'd even have a girlfriend. I thought you'd already married that thing," Jack teased. The two continued to make fun of their friend throughout the night. Yusei took it well, just happy that he and Akiza were finally together.
3 Years Later
Yusei and Akiza sat on a small peddle boat dock on the edge of New Domino, feet dangling in the water. It was dark outside, and the sky was clear that night. Yusei wore cargo shorts and a black sleeveless shirt. Akiza wore a black tube-like mini-skirt and pink tee-shirt.
Yusei reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, and Akiza leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. Yusei slipped his hand into his pocket wrapping his hand around the small box he had stored away. He withdrew his hand from his pocket and zipped it shut.
Akiza flipped around so she was straddling him on her knees. She leaned down and kissed him. Yusei closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. Then, without warning, he threw his weight forward and launched them both into the water. Akiza squealed as she felt herself go over the edge, still in Yusei's arms.
They plunged feet-first into the water. A few seconds later, they both surfaced with huge smiles on their faces. Yusei took her hand and they swam to the beach, where they flopped out on the sand. Akiza took Yusei's hand, and turned her head toward him. Yusei continued to stare into the sky, looking at the stars and tracing constellations.
He pointed up into the sky. "See that?" he said. "That constellation is Stardust Dragon," he continued, tracing the stars with his finger. Akiza followed his finger and smiled.
"And that there," he said, moving his finger slightly to the left. "That's Black Rose Dragon." He turned his head to face Akiza. "I think there's a reason they're next to each other in the sky." Akiza's smile went ear to ear, and she kissed him so forcefully that Yusei almost jerked his head back out of surprise.
Yusei rolled onto his side and wrapped his arms around Akiza's waist. He rolled onto his back with Akiza in tow, so she was laying on top of him. It reminded Yusei of their first kiss, back in the gardens. He opened his eyes slightly. It was time.
He rolled so that Akiza was back on the soft sand of the beach. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a sitting position. She frowned at him.
"What's up?" she asked, puzzled. Yusei reached into his pocket. He had planned this moment for the last month. He mustered his nerve, and slid the box out. It was black felt, so Akiza couldn't see it in the night. He closed his eyes and took one last breath to steady himself.
He turned to her. "Akiza Izinski," he started. He pulled the box up into view and flipped it open, revealing a gorgeous diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"
Akiza stared at the ring, completely dumbfounded. "I...I...Yusei, I...," she stumbled. Yusei bit his lip. Had he made his move too early? Akiza took a breath to steady herself. She closed her eyes for a long moment. Then she opened them again.
"Yes."
Yusei didn't bother trying to hold back the tears. He launched himself forward into her arms. They just sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, for a long time. Yusei had tears running down his cheeks.
"I love you, Akiza," he said.
"I love you, too, Yusei," she said. Yusei could tell she was sobbing, too. It was so perfect. Yusei shifted his hands on her back, pulling her in closer. Akiza pulled back, a small smile on her face, and tear streaks on her face.
"Akiza Fudo...," she said.
"I like the way that sounds," Yusei said, staring into her eyes.
"Me too." She laughed. Then she let him pull her back into his arms. So perfect.
Crow, Jack, and Yusei all sat in the huge, catered balcony area in the stands of the 6th WRGP. The spot was reserved for VIP's, such as the winners of the first WRGP. They sat at a bar table on the edge, looking down on the track. A waiter scurried up and they ordered drinks, which arrived moments later.
"So what's the deal, Yus?" Crow asked. "Why'd you ask us to come to this? We've never shown up before."
"Yeah. What's the deal, Yusei?" Jack continued.
"I mean, we're enjoying it and all, but it never seemed like you would go and watch a Turbo Duel," Crow said.
"Honestly guys, I've got a bunch of stuff going on, and I thought this would be a good way to relax," Yusei answered, absently stirring his drink.
"You alright, Yusei?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, man. You seem a bit down," Crow continued.
Yusei sighed, and offered a sad half-smile. "It's...it's Akiza," Yusei said.
"Oh no," Crow said, his own expression falling. "What happened, man?"
Yusei stared at the table. "Well...it's just...," Yusei started. Then he looked up at his two friends, an enormous smile spreading on his face. "It's just that Akiza and I are getting married." He beamed at the two, dropping his sad facade.
Crow gaped, but then the corners of his mouth turned up and he smiled wide. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two!" he said, jumping out of his chair.
"Congratulations, Yusei," Jack said, sounding genuinely happy for his friend. Yusei laughed and smiled wide.
"You guys are the best!" he yelled.
10 months later
Yusei was dressed in a suit for the first time in his life. He stood with his hands clasped, looking around. Then the music started. He heard the cheesy piano music play. But all thoughts of how bad the music was flew away when he saw the one thing he cared most about in the world: Akiza Izinski. She was dressed in a beautiful white dress that fell to the floor. She stepped in time with the music, slowly making her way towards him.
She arrived at the altar and the proceedings began with many "so long as you both shall live"s and "I do"s. It seemed to fly by as Yusei stared into Akiza's eyes.
"You may now kiss the bride," the minister said. Yusei leaned down and their lips met. The applause rolled as they melted into each other. Yusei was no longer paying attention to what the minister said. He was too focused on the women in front of him, that he loved more than anything in the world.
The rest of the wedding flew by. There was dancing and eating and all the wedding stuff, but the day hadn't even begun until the private party at Akiza's house began.
Yusei, with Akiza off the ground in his arms, crossed into her house. She had moved out, with all the inheritance she'd gotten at 18, at 20. Now she had a huge house that they would live in.
Behind them came Jack, Crow, Carly, Luna, Leo, and Mr. and Mrs. Izinski. The Izinski's had brought wine and other drinks, including non-alcoholic for the twins. Akiza and Yusei went into the kitchen and brought out a huge amount of food.
"LET'S PARTY!" Crow yelled. Yusei laughed, grabbed Akiza around the waist, lifted her off the ground, and swung her in a full circle before setting her back down. The Izinski's laughed at the all the 20 year olds and how much they still acted like the teenagers who had saved the world. Jack popped the cap off a beer bottle and raised it in the air.
"To Yusei and Akiza, two of the best friends I've ever had and now a happily married couple," he said.
"Amen to that," Yusei called out before spinning Akiza toward him and kissing her. Their friends piped up with cheers again. When they parted, Akiza smiled wide and broke down in a laughing fit.
"This is amazing!" she said. Then somebody got the idea to turn the boombox on. Music blared loudly throughout the house. Crow popped open another beer, jumped on one the living room couches and kicked his feet up on the coffee table.
"Come on Yusei, Akiza! Or really, I guess I can just call you 'the Fudo's' now!" Crow called. "The Fudo's" laughed hysterically, and dropped onto another couch. Yusei kicked up his feet and popped open a beer. Akiza turned on her side and pressed up against her new husband.
The Izinski's each poured themselves a glass of wine, then handed one to their daughter. Each of the twins opened up a can of Coke and laughed. All Time Low played on the boombox.
"Cheers!" Yusei yelled, shoving his bottle in the air. Everyone in the room followed. Yusei turned his head to Akiza, clinked his bottle against her wine glass, and kissed her for the millionth time that day. Laughs spread around the room as the party went on.
Crow disappeared into the kitchen in search of a "large box full of cold things" to chill the drinks in. Akiza pointed him to the cooler in one of the cupboards. Jack followed him in "to help him carry stuff." Yusei, too wrapped up in his new wife to care let him go.
Then, as a slow song came on, he pulled her up and onto the carpeted floor. Somebody flipped the lights off and put a mini disco ball on the coffee table in the center of the room, which sent light beams all over the room, making a perfect environment for the romantic moment. Yusei took Akiza by the hips and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
They moved in synch with the music, just staring at one another. Finally, as the song came to end, Yusei leaned in and kissed her, just in time for Crow and Jack to come in with a cooler filled to the brim with icy-cold water and dump it all over the newly-weds.
Akiza gasped as the water drenched her and her white dress. She was lucky she was wearing undergarments and that her parents had already left because Akiza's father was "so drunk he'd kiss a pig."
Jack and Crow spun around as Akiza's perfect body was revealed through the wet cotton. She looked down at herself, then up at Yusei, then back down at her drenched dress, then up at Yusei again. Then she kissed him. She didn't care about how exposed she was. Not only was she a bit tipsy, here was the man she loved, and he wasn't being too subtle about how much he enjoyed staring at her practically nude form.
Yusei, however, was a bit more sober, and led her up to their bedroom, where he got her out of the dress and into a strapless black dress that hugged her form all the way to where it ended above her knees. Yusei also changed, stripping off his suit and putting on a sports jacket that went to his wrists and a pair of jeans.
They went back down together, and the celebration continued.
1 year later
Akiza and Yusei sat together on the couch, staring down at their new-born baby boy. "What're we gonna name 'im?" Yusei asked.
"You're the father. You've gotta choose your son's name," Akiza said, nudging him with her shoulder.
Yusei thought for a moment. "Alex. Alex Jack Fudo."