Hoshistar: Well it wasn't quite the end of November, but the very start December will do.
Yusei: We're all glad you were patient with this update.
Hoshistar: So, here's the final chapter of the Vacation arc, and this is where you'll be in the major spotlight.
Yusei: No kidding. *sweatdrop* Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's doesn't belong to Hoshistar17, this fanfic is done for fun, not for profit.
Team 5D's' vacation had been one all seven of the group had enjoyed. Spending some of it on the beach, going out from the area to have a look around, and do some souvenir shopping, and sometimes they would also have a break and just stay in the villa.
Now that their vacation was drawing to a close, the group were preparing for one final evening out in the village; their vacation was timed so the group could take part in a local festival that's held every year. This meant that both the guys and the girls had to spend most of the first half of the day to get ready, which for Carly meant trying to convince Jack to wear a yukata for the festival.
"I don't have to wear one, you know," he protested for the umpteenth time.
"But Jack, the rest of us are going to be wearing one. Even Crow, and I didn't think he was the type to do so," said Carly as she continued to argue her point.
"Look Carly, it just isn't my style," he said turning on his heel.
He was about to walk off, when Carly said; "You realize that you will stand out more if you don't wear one. You never know, we may run into a news reporter."
Jack froze at this comment, "Make sure it's white then," he said, continuing on his way.
Carly had to chuckle.
Crow was in the living area, watching the TV, when Jack walked in, looking rather put out.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
Jack huffed, "Carly demanded that I wear a yukata for the festival this evening."
Crow tried not laugh at that, "You put up a fuss over that? Come on, I know they're not your style, heck they're not really my style, but it definitely helps to get you in the right frame of mind for a traditional festival like this."
"If you say so," Jack said, still not entirely convinced.
Rua and Ruka were preparing their yukata for the evening, and were excited about going to this festival again.
"I remember we really enjoyed when we came here last time all those years ago. I wonder if they'll still allow people into that cave," said Ruka.
"I hope so. I think everyone will enjoy hearing that story, since we've gotten really steeped in mystical lore, due to our pasts as Signers," replied Rua.
There was a knock on their door, Ruka got up to answer it. On the other side was Yusei.
"Hi Yusei, is there something you want?" said Ruka.
"Do you think I could step in for a bit?"
"Sure."
Yusei stepped into the room, Rua paused what he was doing and straightened up.
"I'd just like to thank you guys for doing all of this," said Yusei.
The twins exchanged glances before Rua spoke, "No problem, that's what friends are for."
"But Yusei," said Ruka, "is there a reason you wanted no one to know that this was your idea?"
Yusei didn't reply straight away, "Yes, there is. But you won't find out until we get back."
"Why's that?" said Rua.
"Let's just say, it's something I've had to think long and hard on, but now I'm sure that I've made the right decision."
With that Yusei bowed and left the room.
"So, he does have a reason," said Ruka.
"And I'm sure it has something to do with his girl," Rua said, with a sly grin.
Ruka chuckled.
Yusei entered the room he and his girlfriend shared. Aki was in front of the mirror, holding her floral yukata against herself, seeing how she looked, when she noticed Yusei had entered.
"You don't need to do that. You'll look great in it Aki," he said walking over to her.
"I think," she said, putting the yukata on the bed, "that you need to realize that a woman can be concerned about her looks."
She walked up to Yusei and leaned up to him, placing a kiss upon his lips, the sudden action leaving him a little dazed. Aki giggled, before hugging him. Yusei returned it, running his fingers through her long burgundy locks.
"How've you been lately?" he asked gently.
Aki waited a little before responding, "I've been sleeping much better than I have been recently. Yusei, are you getting impatient with me?"
"No Aki, I said I would wait till you were ready, and I intend to stand by that," he said letting go of her, so he could look her straight in the eye, "Take your time, I can wait."
Aki smiled sweetly at him, "Thank you," she whispered.
After Aki put her yukata away and headed out of the room, Yusei took the opportunity to make sure his little box was still where he left it. After confirming that it was, he got his kinchaku and placed the small box inside.
Doing this now means I don't have to worry about her seeing it, Yusei inhaled slightly, tonight was the night and so far all was well, After tonight, my life with Aki will never be the same.
That Evening
The group were getting ready to head out to the festival, all of them were in their yukata, Jack still not looking like he's happy about wearing one.
"Will you get a grip, you've only got to wear it tonight," said Carly.
Jack, still not looking best pleased nonetheless replied, "Fine. How long will this take?"
"A while, three hours at most. That's normally how long it takes when we'll get there to when the fireworks are set off," said Ruka.
Jack decided to relent, complaining wouldn't do him any good.
"Where are those three?" he was referring to Crow, Yusei and Aki.
"I assume Yusei and Aki are just spending some time together, as for Crow I have absolutely no idea," said Rua.
Presently they heard someone coming down the stairs, "So, it looks like we're just waiting for Yusei and Aki then."
Jack was the first one to turn to Crow, "Hm, it's been a while since I've seen you with your hair like that."
As the other three turned to see Crow, they were amazed at how different he looked; his hair had been let down, coming down to just above his shoulders looking very similar to how Aki used to style hers when she was younger. From the top right a pair of cowlicks came down to the left side just in front of his bangs, the points coming over his nose.
"We've known each other for how long, and this is the first time we've seen you with your hair down?" said Ruka.
"You look so different," said Carly.
"Well," said Crow, looking a tad flustered, "I much prefer wearing a headband, but I thought it would look odd with a yukata."
"Yeah it would look weird, that's for sure," Rua said, before Ruka slapped his arm and told him not to be rude.
The group didn't have to wait long before the last two members of the group appeared, as Yusei and Aki came into the room.
"Sorry for the wait, I needed help tying the obi," Yusei admitted, before noticing Crow, "Wow, sure haven't seen you like that for ages."
"Doesn't really suit him though," Aki said rather flatly.
Crow sweat dropped as he tried not to lose his composure.
"And you call me rude," Rua whispered to his twin.
"Well," said Carly, "Since we're all here, shall we go?"
Everyone agreed and left the house, heading for the festival.
The Festival
The festival setup was just like any other, rows of booths selling souvenirs and food. There were also some which offered some games to play. Hanging between the booths were rows of paper lamps that were blue and red, placed in an alternating sequence.
After arriving, Rua said he'd check and see if a certain area was open to the public. He and Ruka agreed to stay in touch, so he could find his way back to the group. After he left, the rest of the group started to really take in their surroundings.
"Blue lamps? That's a little unusual isn't it?" said Carly.
"There is a very big significance behind them," said Ruka, "It relates to a local legend in this area, which is the centre focus of the festival. There is a cave that details the legend, which was open to the public when we came here last."
"That sounds interesting. Is it still open?" asked Yusei.
"That's what Rua has gone to check out."
The group spent a little time walking about, seeing what was available, when Rua came back.
"Good news; the cave is still open to the public."
"Oh that's good to know," said Ruka. "Let's head there now. After that we're all free to do what we want."
Everyone agreed to this idea and headed for the cave.
Team 5D's arrived at the cave, it looked like it had been here for a great deal of time. On either side of the entrance were small statues depicting rather unique looking figures; they were humanoid, but they wore very outstanding clothing, which looked almost mythical, and very prominent pendants. The thing that most of the group took interest in was the fact that their faces lacked a visible nose or mouth.
"Are they wearing masks or something?" said Crow.
"No, that's how those beings actually look," said Ruka.
The rest of them, except her brother, turned to her with a questioning look.
"Well, you'll see when we're inside," she said.
They entered the cave, it was illuminated by a number of lights, so people could 1: see where they were walking and 2: more importantly, they could see the elaborate carvings on the cave walls.
They were all astounded by what they saw; a series of carvings on the wall depicting what looked like a war between beings who only slightly resembled humans.
"Is this what the festival is held for?" asked Aki, her voice filled with wonder.
"Yeah, when we visited this place the last time, before meeting all of you, we fell in love with the legend detailed here," said Rua, "It goes back to around just the onset of the Tokugawa dynasty; that's when this legend was written here."
"What's it about?" asked Jack.
"It's called: 'Fable of the Clashing Stars'," the twins said together.
Fable of the Clashing Stars
Long ago, there existed a world completely unlike ours. It was a world that shone bright crimson, the land was covered with strange crystals, the sea was poisonous and the sky was illuminated by an Indigo sun.
The beings who lived on this world were masters of controlling a multitude of energies, which were spread out across the world's surface. One being, the most powerful of his kind, sought to control the greatest power in existence.
This great power had been split into 100 pieces, due to the wide belief that it was beyond any one beings control & a war broke out between those who wanted this power to remain sealed and the Great One who wanted to control it.
As the war raged on, a young denizen of this world, who had been spending his time travelling and learning more about the powers that existed on his world, began to question the reasons for waging a war for a forbidden power while endangering innocent lives.
Believing that his world should work towards a bright future, united as one, he gathered a group of young but strong individuals whose mastery of their powers were similar to his own. The group of seven took over command of the forces who were protecting the Ultimate power and began to fight back.
As the war continued, the seven young warriors were blessed by seven divine beings, who saw their endeavour as a truly noble and heroic effort; a Demon lord, a Saint, a Swordsman, a Guardian of the Abyss, a Huntress, and finally; two mighty Dragons born from the stars. Blessed by these almighty beings, the seven warriors were able to turn the tide against their enemy.
The war raged on, each side racing to acquire the 100 fragments of the Ultimate power, until, after the war had raged on for a one full year, each side had acquired 50 pieces each.
During the height of the final decisive battle, the young warrior came face to face with the Great One who sought the Ultimate power, and they engaged in a final fight to decide the fate of their world.
The young warrior came to realize the extent of his opponent's power when he summoned a wicked dragon which harnessed an energy on par with the Ultimate power: Chaos, a power many had attempted to harness, but had never succeeded. This was due, in part, to the fact that Chaos was what kept the Universe in balance; who could hope to harness a power with so great an influence?
This was not enough to deter the young warrior, for he too had found a mighty ally during his travels: declaring he would not lose to one who desired power for selfish reasons, he summoned a dragon of his own; it was large, majestic, awe-inspiring, and shone with a light that inspired hope in all who gazed upon it.
With their dragons alongside them and their weapons in hand, the two warriors exchanged blows while their dragons did the same. Their fight was so ferocious that the combatants could be seen clearly in the sky above our world. As a storm raged, a blue star; the young warrior, and a red star; the Great one, flew across the sky so brightly only a blind person wouldn't have been able to see.
The blazing stars clashed time and again, both warriors trying with all their might to defeat the other, until the young warrior received power from his six comrades, which empowered him and his dragon, and in a mighty burst of energy, the fight was over.
The Great one and his dragon of Chaos were defeated, the young warrior sealed his adversary's power in a casket and placed it beneath the inhospitable sea, so he would never again harm innocent lives for the sake of his own ambition. Having acquired all 100 pieces of the Ultimate power, he scattered its pieces throughout the Cosmos, so no one would be able to use it.
With the war finally over, the group of seven young warriors were hailed as the noblest and bravest of their race, and were elevated to the throne of their world. Afterwards the seven of them, now known to their kind as the Seven Emperors, began their new endeavour to turn their world into a utopia, which would shine throughout the Cosmos, and inspire many to a bright future.
And so we, on our world, celebrate our journey to our future by recalling that spectacular clash of a blue and red star.
After the twins had finished, the group left the cave and made their way back to the main festival, so they could enjoy the rest of their evening.
"That was a really interesting legend," said Carly.
"So, what, were those guys aliens or something?" asked Crow.
Ruka shrugged, "No one really knows. Looking at how some things are stated in that legend that would appear to be the case."
"But the thing is," said Rua, "if that were true, they must have been really close to Earth if they could be seen in the sky."
"Well if that was written around the beginning of the 17th century, there wouldn't have been anyone who could've known," said Jack.
"To celebrate our journey to our future, huh?" Yusei said to himself.
"Did you say something?" asked Aki.
Yusei started a little, "Uh, just talking to myself."
Aki dismissed this and they continued on their way with the others.
Funny, that journeying to ones future is the driving point of the story, considering tonight, I might be taking the biggest step towards my future, Yusei thought to himself, And not just me, for someone else as well, he thought looking at Aki.
Returning to the festival site the group decided to start the proper fun, first they got some food and drinks while they walked around seeing all the various booths that had been set up, some sold masks, others had games like cork gun, and goldfish scooping.
"Do they do the Bon-odori?" asked Carly.
"Well, it's not that specific dance, but they do have a local dance before they do the fireworks," said Ruka.
Jack caught wind of this, "You want a dance, don't you?"
"Yep," Carly said smiling.
"I won't complain. It might be…interesting."
Carly glommed onto his arm, giggling happily.
Crow smiled seeing his adopted brother getting on so well with a girl; back when they were kids he never would've thought that was possible.
"What are you smiling about?" asked Rua.
"A long time ago, I thought Jack would be the last guy on earth to get himself a girlfriend," he replied.
"You ever think about getting into a relationship?"
"Me? Nah, I don't think it's for me. I just want to keep flying free like I already am."
Rua nodded, "Makes sense."
"How about you?" Crow asked, genuinely curious, "I noticed you and Ruka are wearing matching rings."
Rua smiled, "These represent our promise to each other, that if we do find a person whom we want to spend the rest of our lives with, the two of us will still remain together."
"Yeah, I suppose you would think like that," Crow said, placing a hand on his friends shoulder.
Crow watched as the others danced around the bonfire, Yusei with Aki, Jack with Carly, and the twins were together. He noticed that, while not outright awful, Jack and Yusei clearly looked like their steps needed a bit of work.
Then again I'd probably be just as good, if not worse, he thought to himself.
Rua stepped in perfect time with his sister, remembering when they did this years ago, Ruka being genuinely impressed at how much he remembered.
"Dancing must be like riding a bike, seeing as how you remember this after all this time," she said.
"Please, give me some credit sis," he said.
"That was credit you numbskull," she said looking at rather questioningly.
"Sorry."
After the bonfire had burned out the dance concluded. The group met back up together, and were preparing to see the fireworks, when Yusei came over to Rua and asked quietly; "Where's the best place to see the fireworks while getting a bit of privacy?"
Rua was intrigued, but had a good guess what it was about and who it involved, but didn't want to pry, "You can get a good view on that little bridge over the river," he said pointing said bridge out to Yusei.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Yusei asked Aki to come with him, which confused her slightly, but decided to go along with it. After they left, Rua and Ruka exchanged knowing looks, which intrigued the other three.
"What are those looks for?" asked Jack.
"Little trade secret," said Ruka, "Yusei was the one who thought this vacation up, not us."
The three of them were confused, "Why did you guys say it was your idea, then?" said Crow.
"That was Yusei. He didn't say, but we feel it has something to do with Aki," said Rua, "That's what we think."
Carly thought for a moment, "He couldn't be…could he?"
"What?" said Jack.
"You don't think he's going to…"
Yusei and Aki had arrived at the small bridge, there were a few passer-by's, but otherwise, the couple had the privacy they wanted.
"Why did you suggest we come here Yusei? The fireworks are about to start," she said.
"I know, but we'll still get a good view from here nonetheless. That and I wanted to spend some time, just being with you," he said smiling at Aki, which caused a faint blush to appear on her face.
They spent a few moments in silence, before Yusei spoke up again, "Do you remember when we first met?"
Aki glanced at him before answering, "That depends, are you referring to when I was on a rampage and nearly flattened you with 'Black Rose Dragon', or are you talking about when we met in the hall, before our duel in the Fortune Cup?"
Yusei thought for a moment, "The latter."
Aki smiled as she wrapped her arm around his, "It's so strange, back then I thought you were a scary, horrible person. But then I realized that you were giving me more kindness than any other person in my life, and before I realized it, I had fallen in love."
Now it was Yusei's turn to blush, he was glad that Aki felt so strongly about her feelings, despite the scars Divine had left on her heart and soul.
His thoughts were interrupted by a whistling sound followed by a loud bang. The pair of them looked up and saw that the fireworks had started; the main colours being blue and red, in order to keep in theme with the legend.
The legend. Yusei remembered the main point of journeying to one's future, and decided now was as good a time as any.
He turned to Aki with a serious look in his eyes, which surprised her a bit. Keeping their gazes locked, he steeled himself for what he was about to say and do.
"Aki, you know that I love you."
Aki wasn't expecting him to say that, "Of course I know that. Is there a problem?"
"No, there isn't. It's just after you and the others left eight years ago, I had to try and make sense of my feelings for you, and that continued even after you came back."
"Yusei I'm not liking the sound of this," Aki said, sounding distressed.
"I'm sorry," Yusei said rather quickly, "that wasn't my intention," Yusei cursed himself for beating around the bush like he was, Just say it you moron!
"Ok," he said as he pulled out a small box, which fitted into the palm of his hand nicely, from his kinchaku, "Aki, I love you with all my heart, and after carefully considering this, I've decided that," Yusei had to take in a deep breath, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he said as he opened the box: Inside was a silver ring with a ruby jewel on top of it.
Aki was stunned; a ring, a declaration of love. Was Yusei asking her the question she thought he was asking? No sooner had she finished the thought, when Yusei took the ring, lifted her left hand, placed the ring on her ring finger and said: "Izayoi Aki, will you marry me?"
Aki felt as though a floodgate of emotions had opened inside her. She couldn't help it as tears of utter joy and happiness ran down her cheeks as she threw her arms around Yusei and embraced him, while giving him her reply: "Yes!"
Not caring if anyone saw them, the happy couple kissed. They poured so much emotion into it, and for a brief moment, the world only consisted of the two of them.
Meanwhile
As the fireworks continued, the rest of Team 5D's pondered on whether Carly's suspicion of Yusei proposing to Aki could be true.
It certainly would explain why Yusei had thought the vacation up. If that was indeed what he was doing now, then the group definitely had a promising future ahead of them.
"There's one thing I don't get though," said Rua.
"What's that?" asked Ruka.
"If all he wanted was to propose to her in a nice little location like this, why did he bring the rest of us along?"
"Do you really have to ask?" said Jack looking rather put out, "Even if he loves her so much that he wants to remain with her for the rest of his life, he won't ever forget us."
"The same goes for Aki," said Carly, "After all, the thing Team 5D's values above all else, is the bonds they share."
"I couldn't agree more," said Crow, "Friendship is irreplaceable and love is everlasting it would seem."
"Yes," said Ruka, "Our future is looking brighter than ever."
The rest agreed as they continued to watch the fireworks that marked the beginning to a new future, one that would greet Team 5D's when they returned to their Neo Domino City.
Next Chapter Preview: Yusei has proposed to Aki! And Aki has agreed to Marry him! The rest of Team 5D's, as well as their family and friends, prepare for the happy event. But is Seer planning to gatecrash the party?
Hoshistar: And there you have it. Next couple of chapters will involve Yusei and Aki as they tie the knot.
Yusei: I'm sure there are plenty of readers who are looking forward to that.
Hoshistar: Thanks for reading, and being patient with me. See you all in the next one.
