Unbreakable

Chapter 1

Kiss the Cook

Disclaimer: I do not in any shape or form own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or any of the other characters or references related to the franchise. All rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's belong to Kazuki Takahashi, 4K Media Inc., or to those who created it. I do not in any shape or form own 'The Vow'. All rights belong to Kim & Krickitt Carpenter and Sony Pictures, or to those who created it.

Author's Note: This story will be rated T for teen. This a FaithShipping story with slight ScoopShipping involved. This story will also be loosely based on 'The Vow'. It will take place after the events of Team 5D's. Some of the story will relate to the CANON version and probably be mixed around, but it will most likely be AU. Also, I do realize that Akiza became a Turbo Duelist later on in the series. That however, will be changed in this story. Most of this story will be worked from Yusei's POV.

The characters' ages are as follows:

Yusei: 23

Akiza: 21

Jack: 24

Carly: 22 (Since it wasn't really specified.)

Crow: 22

Luna: 16

Leo: 16

Bruno: 22 (Instead of him being an android, he will be human.)

Sherry: 21 (Since it wasn't really specified.)

0.0.0

Yusei's POV

Hmm… My fingers lightly skimmed over the keys of the computer as I tried to reconfigure the design for the Planetary Gear Concept. I shifted slightly in my seat as I tried to maintain my focus on the neon green, outline image, of four small-toothed cylinders as they rotated around the much larger central gear. However, I found it difficult to concentrate on the schematics as my fellow roommates — or I should say, 'foster brothers', Jack and Crow, were at it again in all-out bickering war as usual…

"So, what's the occasion? Are you trying to impress a certain girl that you like?" Crow asked mischievously as he sat lazily stretched atop a barstool, cup ramen in hand as he watched the blonde Duelist busily at work in the kitchen at what he himself would call a gourmet meal.

"None of your business." Jack replied shortly as he preheated the oven to 500°F. He then turned to the small bowl of bread crumbs and added fennel seeds as he muttered to himself, "A tablespoon of oil, a pinch of zest," Jack glanced to the recipe to his left then replied, "Check. Now a ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper and stir them all together."

I momentarily glanced away from the image on the computer screen as it rotated to a side view of the Planetary Particle Design and gave a small chuckle as I observed the two. It was a rare sight indeed, to see the tall, surly blonde, at work in the kitchen wearing a 'Kiss the Cook' apron, no less.

I shifted my gaze back towards the computer screen knowingly. Of course it was no secret that Jack would rather drop dead than to ever admit that he had feelings for the raven-haired reporter…

Crow snickered as he watched Jack stir the ingredients together with a wooden spoon and asked, "Do you even know what you're doing Jack?"

I swiftly reentered a couple of codes on the program, hoping that I managed to tweak it right this time. Here's hoping that he doesn't manage to burn down the house…

The blonde, who was wearing a sleek, white apron, over his likewise signature white outfit, narrowed his violet-colored eyes at the redhead as he removed the steaks packaging and replied haughtily, "Of course I do! I Jack Atlas — am a Master Chef, unlike you Carrot Top—"

Crow nearly choked on a noodle that he'd just sucked off his chopsticks as he doubled over in laughter as he clutched at his belly, "Hah! That's a laugh! More like, Master of Disaster!"

"Yeah, yeah laugh it up. We'll just see about that." Jack countered icily. "Leave it to you, to rather stuff your face with cup ramen," replied Jack as he pat the steaks dry then added ½ a teaspoon of salt over it. Jack failed to glance back at the recipe, which called for ¼ a teaspoon of pepper, and instead he absentmindedly used the same ½ teaspoon again to measure it out and sprinkled it over the steaks. He wrinkled his nose at the sudden sharp and spicy kick of the powdery substance. "Blimey, I think that was a bit much." Nonetheless, Jack merely shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly then bent down and opened the lower cupboard drawer and grabbed a large ovenproof skillet. "Oh, well."

"Heh." Crow smirked at his friend's antics as he dug his chopsticks into the red and yellow cup ramen cup. "Well, I've never heard you complaining about it, until now," he replied as he slurped up a few noodles that were now dangling off the wooden utensils. He pointed the chopsticks at Jack, as he flashed a big, toothy grin at him and added flamboyantly, "In fact, if I recall correctly, you L-O-V-E, cup ramen."

The tall, lean male's back was turned towards Crow as he held the bottle of olive oil over the skillet and muttered, "It shouldn't take a rocket-scientist to figure this out. A little dab will do it," he said as he poured a generous amount of oil into the pan and then flicked the black circular dial on the stove to 'high heat'.

Before the skillet was properly heated, he then placed the steaks in the pan and turned his back to the stove and took a few steps away from it. Within a few minutes the oil began to crackle and pop loudly.

Crow set the now empty cup ramen container on the counter then leisurely reclined backwards as he kicked back and propped both feet up on a nearby stool, then crossed one boot atop the other. His brows furrowed as he replied calculatingly, "I don't know. I just don't think that you have the guts to admit that you're trying to impress—" Within moments Crow found he had a shiny, silver spatula shoved under his nose. "Errrr… What are you doing with that?!"

"Now listen here, you." Jack spat menacingly as he leaned in over the counter bridging the gap between them. The blonde leaning in towards Crow's silvery wide-eyed stare, the gleaming spatula shoved firmly in between them. "You just mind your own bloody well business–"

"Heh, fine." Crow put his cutoff gloved hands up in mock surrender as he sat up straight. "I'm just joshing you man." Crow turned his head and cracked a sidelong grin at him before adding, "Did I mention that frilly apron of yours is a nice touch?"

"Why you!" spat Jack as he grabbed Crow by the collar of his sleeveless brown cargo vest, causing him to emit a shrill squeak as he was about to throttle the redhead. "Come here you!"

Just then, Jack froze, one hand wrapped firmly around Crow's throat as he caught the whiff of charcoaled meat and muttered, "Something's burning." Crow smirked, one brow arched mischievously, a lopsided grin plastered on his face as his gloved hands loosened Jack's death grip. "You'd better check that Filet Mignon. It's starting to smell rather… singed." Jack immediately released Crow, causing the redhead to nearly fall headfirst to the floor as he spun around to face the stove as a dark, hazy smoke started to fill the air.

Crow quickly sprang back up onto his feet as Jack flicked the narrow dial on the fan above the stove. The dull 'whir' sound of the fan kicking in as Jack shouted, "Bloody blazes!"

Crow skeptically watched Jack as he hastily flipped the charred steaks. "Uh," Crow's mouth hung open for a second then he asked, "Is that stuff even going to be edible when you're through with it?"

I looked up from the computer screen, hearing a dull and steady whirring noise coming from the kitchen and I felt a slight tickle in the back of my throat as I coughed into the palm of my hand. Is… something burning…? I bolted upright and I looked towards the kitchen as a haze of dark cloudy smoke began to fill the room. I then hastily made my way to each of the doors and windows and opened them up one by one, to air out our apartment.

We've already about blown this place up a time or two.

Hopefully, our landlady, Zora, doesn't get wind of this… That would be the last thing that we need right now…

Jack swiftly removed the pan from the burner and spread the crumb mixture over the charred steaks then grabbed a potholder as he transferred the skillet to the preheated oven. Jack turned and adjusted his apron, then grabbed a clean cloth and wiped at a fresh fleck of grime on it. Crow coughed into the palm of his hand as he skeptically watched Jack inspect his apron then asked, "Now what are you doing?"

Jack's body stiffened at the remark as he finished dusting himself off. Jack stood straight then crossed his arms firmly across his chest, his eyes narrowing into thin slits as he jutted his chin out and pompously replied, "I'm going to finish cooking this Filet Mignons, that's what."

Crow held his gloved hand to his mouth as he coughed again, the scratchiness in his throat getting to him as he muttered, "Ugh, like I said, Master of Disaster."

I sighed wearily as I leaned against the doorframe, one foot propped against the wall, finding myself a bit irritated. My dark brows furrowed together as I watched the two from across the second floor of the apartment as the smoke slowly started to fade away. I scowled as I crossed my arms across my chest then glanced away. At least they haven't managed to kill each other yet, or anyone else for that matter…

I straightened up, then pivoted on the heel of my brown, leather boot as I was about to make my way back towards the computer, but it was then that I heard a tentative knock upon the outside of the open door and I stopped and glanced back over my shoulder at it. I turned around and headed back to the open doorframe to greet our visitor.

I found myself looking at a pair of red, high-heeled pumps as I slowly looked up and found myself gazing into the bright brown eyes of the slender redheaded girl before me as I asked in surprise, "Akiza? What brings you here?"

"Hey, Yusei," replied Akiza as a soft smile graced her lips, her Physics textbook tucked in front of her, under her gloved folded arms. I quickly glanced away from her and she tilted her head seemingly perplexed as she noticed my sudden awkwardness. Her voice became serious, yet it held a tinge of guilt as she asked, "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Sort of," I found that I was both elated and irritated. My voice didn't falter as I scowled and suddenly turned away from Akiza yet again as I glanced towards the kitchen — the source of my annoyance. Much to my disdain, Jack and Crow were at it again and could be heard quarreling in the kitchen… I quickly glanced back towards Akiza, my expression softened as I shrugged my shoulders slightly as a faint smile traced my lips, "Jack just about managed to burn our apartment down, but you're welcome to stay if you can put up with their bickering." I nodded my head in their direction as I said the last part.

We both glanced towards the quarreling duo and we found ourselves intently watching as Jack shoved a plate of burnt steak in front of Crow and shouted vehemently, "I said taste it!"

"Nuh-uh!" Crow retorted defiantly as he folded his arms firmly across his chest and turned his nose up at the plate that was shoved in front of him. "Are you kidding? There's no way that I'm going to taste that. I bet the sole of my rubber boot tastes better than that thing!"

Akiza laughed at both my initial response and the scene that was playing out before us. She giggled as she glanced my way and she found herself gazing into my eyes as I made a thumbing motion, encouraging her to follow me as she skipped along and merrily replied, "Looks like Jack is trying to impress a certain someone."

I glanced over my shoulder listing to the beautiful sound of her singsong voice. I vaguely noted the Physics textbook tucked within her arms as she followed me along and asked, "Hey, Yusei. I was going to ask you if you could help me out with my Physics homework again."

It was then that it dawned on me that I'd nearly forgotten my task at hand. I suddenly stopped and turned slightly towards her. I ran my fingers through my dark, spiky-hair anxiously, purposely avoiding eye contact with her as I tentatively replied, "Normally, I wouldn't mind helping you with your homework Akiza, but my hands are tied at the moment. I've got to finish working on the engine design for the WRGP and I'm probably going to be really busy for the next couple of days."

I looked up to see that she was crestfallen and her voice trailed off as she replied, "Oh yeah, the WRGP is coming up pretty soon, isn't it? That new engine design is going to be really crucial for this."

A wave of guilt washed over me knowing that I had let her down. But that engine design was either going to make it or break it for us.

I quickly interjected by saying, "Look Akiza, I really am sorry. I promise that I'll make it up to you at a later time, okay?"

As I stood there, I couldn't help feeling this odd piercing sensation dead center on my back — like I was being watched.

Akiza smiled dejectedly as she walked away from me and replied, "Okay. I'll be sure to take you up on that rain check."

"Count on it." I said reassuringly to her as I nodded.

Akiza smiled faintly as she nodded in response then she watched as I walked away.

Akiza was still gazing in my direction as Crow bolted in-between our paths as he shouted cheerily, "Hey, Akiza!" He paused for a moment seemingly oblivious then asked, "What's up?"

Akiza's gaze quickly darted towards the young man standing in front of her. A lackluster smile pursed her lips as she turned away from Crow and replied, "Oh, I was just leaving."

"Well that doesn't make any sense. You just got here and then you want to leave right away and ohhh~" Crow suddenly stopped short as he noticed her Physics textbook tucked tightly within her fingerless, velvet gloved hands. "Huh. Well that explains it." He stopped for a moment feeling stupid as he momentarily glanced at me seated in front of my computer. Crow then asked, "Let me guess, you couldn't peel Yusei over there off his computer, right?" He said as he nodded in my direction.

Akiza nodded as she stood silently before the short, spiky-haired male.

"Figures. He's our Master Mechanic." Crow muttered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "WRGP this, WRGP that. I swear we ought to call this the 'Yusei Project' or something."

Akiza bit her lower lip as she glanced away then replied, "I'm just going to head out now."

"Hmm, are you sure? You know, you're welcome to stay if you want." Crow paused for a moment then replied, "Heck, I'll even fix you up a bowl of strawberries with whipped cream if you like."

"I didn't know that you guys liked strawberries." Akiza smiled softly, a hint of amusement in her voice as she asked, "Which one of you guys likes them?"

Crow laughed as he shrugged his shoulders then added, "Eh, I don't really like them and I know that Jack doesn't like them either. Yusei might. Normally we just buy microwaveable kinds of food like cup ramen and stuff."

Akiza giggled in response as she watched Crow as he continued to ramble on.

Crow paused for a moment then replied, "I know that Yusei insists on keeping strawberries stocked because he knows that they're your favorite."

Akiza pursed her lips thoughtfully, her voice barely above a whisper, "Oh." It was very thoughtful that Yusei would go out of his way to do that for her.

Crow just shrugged absentmindedly then asked, "So, do you want to stay for awhile?"

Just then the sound of Jack's voice rang throughout the small apartment as he shouted, "Crow!"

"Yeah, you bellowed?!" Crow shouted in response.

The sound of Jack's voice reverberated from across the room as he hollered, "I need a hand in the kitchen. I'm going to be heading out in a few minutes and I need your help cleaning up."

"Eh. Great." Crow paused as he glanced in Jack's direction as the blonde untied his apron then hung it up and went up the stairs to his room. "Which means — I get stuck cleaning up his mess."

Crow paused for a moment as he rested his chin in his gloved hand then thoughtfully asked, "Hmm, which come to think of it, why didn't the smoke alarm go off?" He paused for a moment then added, "Usually, anytime that Jack gets near the stove he sets it off. He's like a smoke alarm magnet. Well, that sounds like another project for Yusei."

Akiza held one velvet gloved hand over her mouth as she giggled then replied, "Perhaps I'll take you up on a rain check for those strawberries."

Crow turned back towards the redheaded girl, still slightly annoyed by Jack's antics. "Just a word of advice, if Jack ever asks you to taste his cooking — don't do it." Crow stuck his tongue out as he made a face and wiped at the icky aftertaste. "It tastes like rubber."

Akiza laughed as she turned to leave. "Mhm, I'll catch you guys later."

"See you later!" Crow shouted cheerily as he waved goodbye.

Moments later, Jack strode into the room wearing his white, form-fitting motorcycle suit. His helmet tucked tightly under one arm as held it to the side. He walked up to Crow from behind and then thrust a yellow piece of clothing at him and muttered, "Here."

Crow arched one brow skeptically as he held the crumpled up garment in his gloved hand and asked, "What's this?"

Jack swatted at Crow's clenched hand that was firmly wrapped around the garment as he shouted, "Don't do that! I just ironed that for you!"

"You what?!" Crow shouted incredulously as he unfolded the yellow, sleeveless T-shirt and held it out in front of himself to inspect what Jack had done to it.

Jack stared at Crow insolently then spat, "I just did you a bloody favor — you should be grateful for it!"

Crow's bottom lip quivered as he held the shirt up and looked through the iron shaped hole that was singed all around the edges and muttered, "My favorite shirt…" He turned on Jack then snapped, "Favor my butt! Maybe you should learn how to actually use an iron first."

Jack interrupted as he huffed then turned his back on the redhead and replied, "It was practice really."

"Great." Crow's eye twitched as he asked, "You use my clothes for your ironing practice?"

"Why not?" Jack asked indifferently. "Its not like they're that stylish anyways."

"Whatever." Crow scowled as he pointed at the blonde then added, "You owe me a brand new shirt!"

"Fine." Jack snorted as he held his purple and white helmet under his arm then walked away as he replied, "But if you ask me, I think it's an improvement."

Jack stopped as he was about to walk past me seated at my computer. He glared down at me coldly as he reprimanded, "And Yusei, the next time the girl asks you for help with her homework — help her."

"I… Uh…" My voice trailed off as I looked up at Jack then I quickly glanced away as my eyes met his hardened stare.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat then looked up at him as I firmly replied, "It's not like that."

Jack paused for moment as he stared at me incredulously then slipped his helmet on over his spiky-blonde hair as he muttered under his breath, "Idiot."

He mounted the sleek, white Duel Runner then leaned back into the seat within the metal arch of the monowheel. He turned his head towards me. The shiny translucent gleam of his visor shielding his amethyst colored eyes as he replied, "Next time, I hope she throws one of her stilettos at you and I hope that she doesn't bloody well miss — if you get my drift Yusei."

My eyes widened in disbelief as I tried focused on the computer screen. Wait, what?!

I shot Jack a dark look then opened my mouth to say something but then I stopped short as I clenched my jaw shut as I pondered what he'd just said.

Akiza doesn't wear stilettos. They're more like a type of sandals. I found myself flustered as I tried to focus on the neon green diagram then shook my head. Wait — why is it that I'm thinking about her shoes this much anyways?

Jack revved the engine as the Phoenix Whirlwind roared to life. He took off on the D-Wheel then shouted above the deafening roar of the engine, "Later losers!"

"Good riddance." Crow watched as the Phoenix Whirlwind took off down the ramp then accelerated as it disappeared from view in a shiny, white blur. "Well, it looks like it's time to play Crow the housewife."

Crow turned around towards the kitchen and surveyed the mess that Jack had left behind for him. As to be expected, there were spatulas, bowls, pots and pans, spread out all over the counter in a haphazard mess. A few of the soiled dishes had actually made it into the sink. Spices and other various ingredients were left out amongst the gooey clumps and splatter stained countertop. Crow's shoulders slumped as he sighed then asked in disbelief, "Really?"

"Crud." Crow muttered irritably as he took one step forward. The sole of his brown boot slid forward as it made contact with the slippery oil that had splattered on the floor. He flailed around for a moment then quickly regained his balance and replied, "And of course he didn't use a splatter screen."

"Let's do this!" Crow reached for a nearby mop then replied cheekily, "This time, minus the breakdancing."

To be continued