~A medium-length rant, I mean, note, from the author, Bunny:
Welcome back one and a- oh…my readers probably fell asleep waiting for this new chapter… Well, that's what I get for taking so long. *glares at the writers of Arc-V* You just had to cut his screentime, didn't you? -_- Now that that hurdle is out of the way, and Yuugo has again proven that he's more than just a potted plant, I've been able to write the newest chapter of TT2AM. This one takes place in Episode 72, shortly before Yuugo and Sawatari's duel. I definitely wanted to do something special this time around, so I hope you all enjoy! *slips away and leaves a tray of biscuits*

"…and the King himself, Jack Atlas, is even here! His dueling really is just as amazing as we dreamed it was…" a soft, passionate smile showed in the dim light, "So, as you now know, it's been a crazy time since that night. Sorry it took a while to get you caught up on it all… I'm thinking of you, Rin."

Yuugo leaned further over his motorcycle, texting with both hands in the cool recesses beneath the stadium. The D-Wheeler beneath him was already started up and purring. Now all that was left was to wait and get called for his duel. And since there would be some time before that happened…

He continued to stare through the blue glass in his helmet at the words that marched across his phone.

"I'm sorry I can't go searching for you again just yet. I've always got an eye and an ear out for you here…but…let's just say my phone doesn't think you're in the dimension anymore." He blinked forlornly at the pile of unsent messages. Nothing would go through, even when he was home, "So I guess I'm stuck here until Clearwing decides to throw me for a loop again. That guy sure can be stubborn sometimes. But that other guy who looks like me might have a way back out of this dimension. It's just a hunch, but anything's worth a try, right?"

He tapped "send," staring after the greyed-out words. That one didn't go through, either. With a sigh, he sat up straight and nearly went to comb through his hair before he remembered he was wearing his helmet.

"Ah…right…" he settled for fingering the loose strand of blue that hung below his chin, and as he did, he went over in his mind all that he'd told to Rin. He'd talked about Crow and the kids, assuring her that they were doing alright. Crow was even in the Friendship Cup with him, and he'd laughed that he wouldn't care to face his senior in battle. He'd briefly mentioned his search for her in other dimensions, and later included details such as how their motorcycle was faring, and how much he wished to see her again…

His heart felt heavy with melancholy as he scrolled back through his messages. What would she say if she could read these…?

Though his face had slipped into a frown, it gently turned to a saddened smile. He'd thought about texting Crow, just so he could have some communication between them, but he was sure that if the contestants were being secluded from one another like they were, then any attempts at conversation would be blocked. Besides…what his heart needed at the moment wasn't a friend… He could confide in Crow, for sure…but telling Crow how he felt about Rin wouldn't let Rin know…and he felt she deserved to know…

It didn't hurt to talk to her. Not the same way it had to think of her before. Right now…his heart only panged because of one thing…one thing he hadn't told Rin… Yuugo let out a deep breath, and slowly, calmly, began to type…

"Rin…when Clearwing was taking me to different worlds…I met another girl… She's just like you, Rin… Or, I thought she was. She looks identical to you, except for the hair of course. No one would have hair as weird and green as yours." He smiled, pausing for a moment as the words tried to send. He remembered his and Rin's childhood, when he'd tease her for that impossibly green hair of hers. Deep down, the child in him expected a tease back for his own hair looking like bananas. But there was no reply, and he didn't hesitate to continue any longer:

"She acts like you too, you know. She sure pouts at me enough, and worries over me whenever I'm being an idiot. And sometimes when I'm not." Rin's playful voice echoed in his memories, "You're always an idiot," and he smiled once more, "You don't need to worry about me, because she looks out for me. Even though we can't be together for the Friendship Cup, I get to see her amazing dueling, and I know…I know it'll all be alright."

Another deep breath filled the quiet. Yuugo took off his helmet, setting it aside while his own eyes softly read his next words.

"I love her, Rin. You deserve to know that. And I'm sorry that I do, because I feel like I've wronged you. You never wanted to be taken away, and in your absence, she stepped into my heart to fill that place. But…she can't…and she won't. I can't ever love her as much as I love you, Rin. I thought you two were the same, and when she came into my life, I was scared she'd replace you. I loved her because she was you, right? But…that's not right at all. She may have your eyes, and she may have your mannerisms, but the one thing she doesn't have is my memories with you. And those can never be replaced…"

A pause settled between the messages, then without a sound, Yuugo carried on, his heart speaking for him now.

"Do you remember how we grew up on the streets together? We went hungry so many nights, and we never had anything to smile about, but at least we had each other. We made it through so much just knowing that. And do you remember when I got sick stealing that food for us in the cold rain, and you took care of me for days…even when I kept getting worse and worse… Crow found us then, and helped us because you asked him to. I'd never forget that. And I'd never forget the long months we spent gathering parts for the D-Wheeler, or the long nights we spent putting it together one screw at a time…and whenever I fell asleep at it, I'd wake up and find out you'd done most of the work, and left me with your jacket. I'm sure you remember our first ride out into the city, and how the lights of the Tops seemed so close and dazzling, like the stars had touched those skyscrapers in the sky…

"All of those…and so much more, really…are memories I hold very dear…they're all memories of you, Rin… I don't have memories like that with Yuzu. And that's why. Everything you are is something that I love…but I don't love you just because you're pretty…or because of your soft eyes, or your sweet laugh. It's not just for your compassion, or how much you mother me… It's because we've been through it all together: good times and bad, joy and heartbreak, amazement and discovery, understanding and trust… It's because I've loved you for so long, and for so many reasons…and because you're so much more than her…that Yuzu will never fill the space for you in my heart. She's not complete, and she never will be…because she isn't you…and the one I love, and have loved all my life, is Rin."

The words scrolled on in passionate confidence, backed my one young man's true feelings.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you that night, Rin. I'm sorry I've never been able to do much of anything for you. You've always been the caretaker, and I've only caused trouble for both of us. And for that, I don't think I can ever apologize enough. So instead of trying to make amends, I'm going to try and find you. Every moment without you is memories we'll never have together… For now, I'll hold onto the moments we've had. And I promise you, Rin, no matter what it takes, I will find you."

Send.

Yuugo quietly put away his phone, and took his helmet once more…but as he stared into the glass visor at his own image, he couldn't help but smile a little wider. There were no tears.

Blue hair flattened once more beneath the smooth helmet. A voice shouted to him that his match was going to start. The announcer lady began the duelists' introductions. He paid them little attention.

'Besides…' he reflected softly, 'Yuzu will be alright. She has him.' The girl's passionate speech in her duel came to Yuugo's mind, and he laughed at how content he was, knowing who her words were for, 'She'll be happy…'

His and Rin's D-Wheeler revved up its engine, and he let his heart race now. So much was off his shoulders and his mind…thinking of Rin…hoping to find her…Yuzu's found love… Everything felt so right this way.

For one who had felt so much turmoil, and been broken so badly, Yuugo could finally be at peace, and he could finally do Rin's beloved motorcycle a little justice with a clear mind.

"Alright alright alright alright!" he grinned, "The moment I've been waiting for is finally here! Watch this, Rin. I'll definitely win, and do you proud!"

The light at the end of the tunnel brightened. The audience roared in delight. The engine of one lovingly made machine spurred into high gear. A duel began, and not one tear was left behind.

Aaaand scene ^_^ *quietly clacks two planks of wood together to show that the scene ended* I've gotta say it: I'm happy with this chapter. Quite happy. I could pick at the wording all day to try and improve quality, but I'm very happy with the content. I've wanted to have Yuugo texting Rin for some time now, and now that he feels like he's cheated on her with Yuzu, it seemed like the perfect occasion. Unfortunately, this means one thing… *salutes steadily sinking ship* Farewell, my Triggershipping beauty. Tis' a sad day when I must jump off of you. Of course, knowing me, I'll likely be a hopeful fool and leap into the vicious ocean after it. But all that later.

For now, I give a heartfelt thanks to anyone who still follows this story, and those who've followed it so far. Your support is my reason for writing *bows in a Yuya sort of way* Arigato! ^_^ It would further please me to no end if you guys could drop a review in the little box down there. If you want chapters to update faster, to be longer, or to contain more of this that or the other, then that review box would be an excellent place to say so!

For now, we're back on hiatus until the anime improves, but you know I've got time on my hands and tricks up my sleeve. I'll be looking forward to the next installment with you guys!

~Peace out! Bunny