Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or any of its characters.

Chapter I

"Aki…"

It was 2AM. It was dark. The only light that was present came from a row of dim light, alternately lit on the ceiling.

"…Please don't leave me…"

It was cold. Even though all of his friends were just right behind him trying to cheer him up, it felt to him as if he was alone.

"Yusei…"

He would do anything to touch her, to hold her hand and say everything would be okay. But all he could do was gaze through the glass window that separates the ICU room and the hospital corridor from where he and his friends were standing. He leaned his hands desperately against the glass with his fiery, determined eyes as if making his thoughts mentally delivered to her even though she was unconscious. He always believed that she would always hear him, no matter what the circumstances were. He could only hope. He could only pray. He could only wish that she would be alright.

Yes, that was all he could do and he hated himself for it. Yusei Fudo would always do whatever it takes to protect the ones who were close to him. But being the human that he is, he couldn't just always find himself jumping into any unsuspected events in order to save the day. He only thought of what's best of his loved ones so seeing one of them in a desperate situation such as lying on a cold hospital bed holding for his or her life could make him break inside; and to think, that someone was the one who had been closest to his heart.

He kept on gritting his teeth as he remained his position, fixing his eyes on the unconscious Aki as if he was waiting eagerly for her to open her eyes. To his regret, nothing happened. She remained lifeless, lying in a hospital bed surrounded by different life-supporting apparatuses and needles and tubes attached to her. The sight of her could make one capitulate into tears but not him. He remained strong and steady—but the question was: how long…

"Yusei…"

From time to time, Ruka would approach and ask him to take a rest but he would just smile at her and say:

"Don't mind me. I'll be fine. You and the others could go if you want. The hospital corridor isn't a very comfortable place to rest. I'll just stay here and accompany Aki for now."

It was amazing how he could compose himself not to show his despair but even though Yusei won't say it, Ruka knew what he actually felt—after all, they have been together for so long; not to mention, to be literally connected to one another. He was like a big brother to her and Rua. At that point, she didn't know what she felt—was it pity? Sympathy? Worry? She didn't know. She could already feel her tears struggling to come out but she contained herself. She he knew she must be strong right now for Yusei.

"A-alright," her voice was shaking but she continued, "Call us if you need anything, okay? Me and Rua will drop by tomorrow after school, okay?"

Again, he just smiled a neutral smile and nodded. Ruka couldn't hold back her emotions anymore and decided to walk away as she dragged her twin brother with her. Crow followed without saying anything to Yusei but it was evident in his face that he sympathizes to the inconsolable duelist and to their injured comrade. Jack, being the last to left, began to pace carrying his usual smug expression on his face. Yusei didn't mind it. He was used to Jack being like that and he didn't think of him as insensitive that way. He just remained his stand and his eyes to Aki. But before Jack could go past him, he paused; gave a light punch on Yusei's shoulder and left off. That punch said it all.

Left alone in an empty corridor, Yusei remained unmoved from where he stood. He hadn't noticed that hours had already passed since the others left. His eyes felt heavy yet he couldn't submit himself to sleep. He wanted to remain there. He wanted to keep an eye on her but his physical limitations are starting to take over him.

A nurse who apparently in charge of checking on Aki that time came. She noticed how Yusei started to felt dizzy so she approached him, hopefully to offer him some help.

"Um, sir? Are you alright?"

There was a delay in Yusei's part. It seemed as if his comprehension speed dropped but he managed to understand the question.

"U-um, yes. I'm alright," he answered back without taking his attention to the reason of his staying. The way he expressed his eyes, it was as if he was in a trance—the one he hoped that could possible take away the feeling of his physical body.

"Hmm… Why don't you go sleep for now? Don't worry. We won't let anything bad happen to her."

"No!" he exclaimed unknowingly making him and the nurse to their own shock. He then cleared his throat and explained calmly.

"I mean, no. I want to stay here… with her."

It was then the nurse figured out what was going on with him. She decided to give Yusei permission to enter the room. She said she would just explain to the doctor the situation but she specifically warned him that it was for that time only. Yusei lightened up as if his senses jolted back at him. After the nurse had done her checks, Yusei thanked her and finally entered the room.

It was quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the beeping noises that the machines were producing. Yusei slowly approached her and the moment he saw her inches away from him without glasses to come between them, he suddenly broke down and kneeled beside her bed. There she was, in her devastating state, unaware of everything, sleeping soundly. He never thought it was that terrible. Even though the oxygen mask covered most of the lower parts of her face, he could see the wounds and bruises she got from the horrible accident. A lot were visible in her arms as well. It looked excruciating. It was though as if they were carved down in her pale, sensitive skin. Severe wounds were bandaged; especially the one wrapping her head but the blood stain clearly stated how extreme they were. The feeling of helplessness rise upon him as he bit his lip and clenched the bed cover on the side where he leaned. He fought the tears back but failed with a weak attempt and they just suddenly poured out. As much as he wanted to hold her hand and lock it with his, the sight that seemed to be a fragile glass made him not to do so. The pain he felt made him numb all over. Tears won't stop falling, thoughts won't stop scrolling in his mind, and words won't just come out from his mouth.

But in that situation, what could be said…?

He cried silently—hard but silent. After all those times he had been strong, learning to tame raging emotions, he didn't foresaw that a time that he would bury himself into deep misery would actually come. He buried his face against the bed covers in order for him not to make anymore sound, but if one would listen carefully, he could be heard saying as he cried: "…I'm sorry, Aki… I'm really sorry…."

. . .

Scha: This story had been in my mind for a while now. x_x I just had to write it. Please read and review. ^_^