Disclaimer: We don't own Yugioh GX.

WARNING: OOC, but the character in question calls herself out on it. Also sexual assault.

Ai's POV

Well, Judai's already pointed out one of the most awkward and embarrassing things I've ever done, so I'll just sum it up quickly. We ran across that beach for about an hour, him trying to get away and me... Yes, we'll just move on, then! Either way, an hour was long enough to wear me down, so I gave up. He, however, kept going until he was out of sight. At least the beach was empty so nobody else had seen my humiliating idiocy. Granted, they're reading about it now... Oh, wipe that smirk off your face!

As Judai took off, I just stood there, catching my breath. It wasn't right! He'd said yes, then changed his mind!? This was not okay! He was going to be mine even if it killed me! Seeing as I was still holding his shirt and jacket, he'd have to come to me eventually if he wanted his clothes back. As to what I was going to do to make him mine...I hadn't figured that part out just yet.

Asuka's POV

Oh, my! This had to be the worst thing I'd ever run into! And, just my luck, it was at the worst time ever!

I had just finished my conversation with Jim and was looking for Judai. The whole walk through town was unnerving enough as it was. I'd spend the entire thing trying to figure out what I was going to say to him, fearing that nothing I said would come out right again and, in the long run, we'd just end up fighting, and who knew where that would end?

But I didn't have time to worry about that for long. When I reached the edge of the parking lot, there were stairs down to the beach, and I saw Ai standing there, completely naked, holding Judai's shirt and jacket! Fortunately I didn't see Judai there, but come on! What in the world did Ai think she was doing!?

My eyes widened, and I covered my mouth with both hands, gasping at the sight of her, for obvious reasons. Now I really needed to find Judai! If not to have another argument—I mean, talk with him—I at least had to make sure he was okay! I mean, Ai running around in the nude and holding his things couldn't possibly be a good thing!

Ai's POV

When I heard a gasp behind me, I whirled around. Much to my embarrassment, there was Asuka Tenjoin, staring straight at me. "Uh, Asuka... Hi?" I said, sweating.

Suddenly I was regretting my decision to leave my clothes behind. After all, this was still a public beach.

Asuka backed up slightly, looking like a deer caught in headlights. Then she ran off in the direction I was facing, looking worried.

I know this looked bad, and even a friend would have second thoughts about you after finding you like this. I mean, it would have been one thing if it was just me in my birthday suit on the public (not-nudist) beach, but I had to take it a step farther and happen to be holding half of a man's clothes. I took a moment to wonder how much trouble I was in now, then decided I would never be running around naked on a public beach again. That is, unless it was a clothing optional beach.

Regardless, I sweat again and headed back toward the cliff where I'd abandoned my clothing.

Judai's POV

She was completely and utterly insane! After running from her for an hour, I finally lost that lunatic! I'm pretty sure adrenaline was all that was keeping me going up to that point, but, when I noticed she wasn't behind me anymore, I stopped running, collapsing to the ground as I tried to catch my breath.

I had put as much distance between myself and her as possible, meaning I was as close to the resort as I could get. I could hear the president's party—the music, mostly, and I saw the lights, even some decorations on the building. Nice time for a party.

Given what had just happened, I was on hyper alert, all my senses tuned into any signs of Ai. That's why, when I heard footsteps that sounded like someone running my way, I jumped up and turned, in spite of my exhaustion.

Way better than that crazy red-head, I saw a blond—Asuka was running toward me, signaling me to wait. "It's okay, Judai!" she said, worry in her eyes. "It's just me!" She slowed to a walk, lowering her hand as she got closer. "I'm not going to hurt you. It's just me."

I relaxed slightly, glad it wasn't who I'd been expecting. "Asuka..." I breathed.

She relaxed, too, and walked right up to me, saying, "Boy, you're a mess. What happened, anyway?"

She looked concerned, and I couldn't blame her. I mean, I was shirtless on the beach and completely out of breath. Probably my face was red from the exertion, and I'd just jumped up as if I'd start running again. Of course she'd be concerned. Still, that didn't mean I wanted to talk about it, so I gave her the short version.

Breathing more heavily than usual as I tried to catch my breath, I wheezed out, "Uh...I think Ai asked...and I guess I said yes...because I didn't hear her."

Yep, that's the short version. Don't like it? Tough. I didn't feel like elaborating.

Asuka's eyes widened into a very puzzled and blank stare, but I could have sworn she looked a bit disturbed, too. This was the kind of look I usually got right before somebody called me out on being an idiot, like when I didn't know Avian and Burstinatrix could fuse into Phoenix Enforcer, or when I'd asked what a fiance was. "What?" she asked.

Sorry, Asuka, that was all the more you'd be getting out of me at that moment. "She's been...chasing me...for an hour..." I breathed.

Asuka took a step closer and put her hands on my shoulders, looking sympathetic. Good, she understood enough of it that I didn't need to explain anymore. "Oh, Judai. I'm sorry. You gonna be okay?"

Was I gonna be okay? Sure, I was only trapped on an island—a beach, even—with a crazy woman with power who wasn't afraid of doing whatever she needed to do to get what she wanted. I was only stranded here with a maniac who loved stripping me and assaulting me. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle. WHERE THE FUCK HAD YUBEL BEEN DURING ALL THAT!?

"Yeah...yeah, I'll be fine," I said to Asuka, hiding my thoughts.

Asuka rubbed my shoulders a bit, smiling gently. It was the sort of comforting look a nurse would give a little kid who was afraid of getting a shot, and I wasn't sure if I liked having that look sent my way. "That's good. 'Cause, judging by the look of you two, you were insanely close to—"

"Oh, you saw Ai?" I cut her off.

Calm enough question—if I hadn't cut her off to ask it. What I wanted to ask was more like "where is she, is she coming this way, have her horns finally grown in?" Hey, she'd just ripped my clothes straight off my body and chased me for a freaking hour! I think I had a right to want her far away from me!

"Yes," Asuka answered. "She's about 30 feet away. Why?" She kept rubbing my shoulders, but she was frowning now. If I hadn't been so worked up, I might have worried about the fact that I was worrying her.

As it was, I thought about the small distance between us and Ai. After a moment, I asked, "She's not coming, is she?"

Asuka stopped massaging me and looked down, her hands just resting on my shoulders. "...I don't know. She looked pretty tired out, but—"

I paled, not at all reassured by this hesitant answer.

Asuka gripped my shoulders firmly, looking at me with a reassuring expression as she said, "It's okay, Judai. I'm here now, so don't worry. I won't let her hurt you."

Nothing makes you feel pathetic like somebody saying they won't let a girl who should be weaker than you and easier to handle hurt you. "W-who said I was worried?" I said, trying to cover it up. Even as the words left my mouth, I knew I was failing there.

Truth was, I was worried. Hell, I was actually afraid for once. Ai had just tried—and almost succeeded—in raping me. Manjoume had said earlier that I'd end up in bed with her and it was just a matter of time. How right had he really been? Ai seemed, in that moment, worse than Manjoume had said. She was completely out of control, and being a princess meant there wasn't anything I could actually do to stop her! She wouldn't be bothered by police, even if I could get to any; she'd have me arrested if I attacked her, and then I'd be even more at her mercy than I already was; and I already knew my friends could end up in the same boat. How could I get rid of her!?

It was starting to look like I'd have some use for that business card Manjoume had given me—and it definitely looked like that psychiatrist was good. After all, with how bad Ai was, Manjoume glaring at her and hitting her was amazing, considering he claimed she'd gotten even farther with him than she had with me. I hadn't even been the whole way with her yet, and I was feeling jumpy and nervous and just wanted people to keep their hands off—well, some people...namely, Ai. It was getting to the point where I wasn't sure how much more I could take before I snapped. How was Manjoume okay if that psychiatrist of his wasn't amazing at his job? I figured I'd be calling the guy before this mess was over and begging him to make a house call...or, rather, a beach call.

Asuka suddenly dropped her head and her arms. Her right hand fell to her side, her left rested against my chest. She looked a little guilty and sad all of a sudden. "...Judai, there's something I need to tell you." She turned away slightly.

"Yeah? What is it?" I asked, grateful for the distraction.

Naive idiot. That's the only phrase that fits me.

Asuka sighed, still looking down. Her eyes were closed now. "Look. I'm sorry I was yelling at you earlier. I don't know what came over me." She turned to the side, crossing her arms and looking at the moon reflecting off the ocean waves. "I guess I was...a bit surprised to see you with Rei, that's all..." She shrugged, closing her eyes again and using a neutral tone as she said, "Can't say why, though." Then she turned back to me, looking ashamed and guilty again. "Point is, it was wrong, and I'm sorry, Judai. Can you ever forgive me?"

She was feeling guilty for yelling at me earlier? Aw, come on, Asuka! That was a small thing. I mean, sure, it happened a lot more than it should these days, but it wasn't something I was going to hold against you!

"Yeah, no problem," I answered easily.

Asuka's eyes snapped shut as she violently shoot her head, a fist held to her chin. "I-it's just that—" She opened her eyes slightly, giving the ocean a nervous or uncertain look out of the corner of her eye. "Well...lately I've been thinking, and—" Quickly she turned her head to the other side and looked down at the sand now. Her words were getting faster, and she was looking more unsure with each word. "But, then, I'm not sure if—"

Was this my fault? I mean, it wasn't like most of her issues weren't my fault, so this one probably was, too.

"Asuka," I cut her off gently. "Whatever it is, just say it."

She was acting like she had something life-changing to say, but she was too afraid to. Could it be...?

Asuka froze, her eyes widening as she blushed. "I...I-I mean, I—"

She cut herself off and slowly reached for my shoulders. Hesitantly she moved closer, leaning in so our faces were getting closer together. The look in her eyes made me wonder if she was even sure what it was she was doing just then. I was pretty sure she was about to kiss me, and I knew better than to stop her from doing that. After all, I didn't care if she had a stupid boyfriend, and she wasn't Ai.

"I..." she started, closing her eyes and putting her hands on my shoulders to pull me closer.

Our lips were maybe an inch apart when she stopped, hesitating again. I'd never seen her this unsure of herself. It was like she was afraid to even try this, and I was getting the feeling she wouldn't if I didn't do something. It was looking to me like she was testing me, wanting to see what would happen before she made any decisions one way or another.

She didn't test the waters—not the Asuka I knew. This wasn't right. But I was—this was my fault. She was unsure because I'd run off six years ago, so it was up to me to fix this. Asuka still cared about me, and not just the way friends care about each other, but she was afraid that I'd take off again and leave her.

As I expected, she pulled back and lowered her head before anything happened. I was about to kiss her myself, but we were interrupted.

By who? Take a wild guess.

Ai's POV

As I was heading back to the resort, I stopped. What I saw was the reason for this—Judai and Asuka, holding each other and, apparently, sharing a passionate moment. There were two reasons this wasn't okay.

The first, Judai was mine. The second, Asuka already had a boyfriend! What was she doing, cheating on Kyle while simultaneously stealing my Judai!? This wasn't going to stand. No, I was putting an end to this nonsense right now!

"Hey! What's going on here!?" I demanded, storming over to the two of them.

As Asuka's friend, I thought it was my duty to keep her from doing something she'd regret. Since she looked guilty, she knew it was wrong, and she didn't need to commit to this little atrocity of hers. My taking Judai away from her right now would be good for her.

Judai's POV

My eyes widened at that voice, and on reflex, I pulled Asuka closer. Yeah, I was definitely going to find use for Manjoume's little gift before this was over. The only good news was my living nightmare was fully clothed now.

Asuka's eyes snapped open, her head whipping toward Ai in surprise. "A-Ai!?" She lowered her arms from my shoulders, wrapping them around my chest instead, looking nervous. Great, I had to be the strong one when I was barely containing my own nerves right then.

"What exactly is going on here!? I thought you had a boyfriend, Asuka!?" Ai demanded, hands on her hips.

Asuka looked at her with wide eyes, like she'd been caught in some horrible act. "I—I do!" she answered.

"Then what are you doing with my Judai!?"

Yours? No way in hell, woman. There was about as much of a chance of me being yours as there was that you and Ojin were actually related by blood. No, she had to be adopted.

Asuka looked down then, looking upset and unsure. Ugh, still my fault, and I couldn't fix it with Ai getting in the way! "I..." She loosened her grip on me.

Man, had I messed up! Somebody bringing up all of this crap made her waver, even though a second ago she'd been testing me, seeing what I'd do. She was as distracted and off-guard as Johan had been when—Oh, shoot...

I looked at her, feeling a bit nervous as I thought about the last time one of my friends had gotten this distracted around Ai. He'd been in disguise ever since, and I'd almost wound up in serious trouble. I didn't plan on letting that one happen this time, but... There wasn't anything I could do if Ai decided she really wanted me. I could keep Asuka safe if I just left, or if Ai's words were so distracting that she didn't notice anything Ai did to me, but there was no hope for me right then. I didn't know how Manjoume got away with hitting her all the time, but I was confident that she'd have me arrested for attacking her. It would be the simplest way to deal with her problems...namely, the fact that I wasn't going to give her what she wanted.

Sure enough, Ai came over and grabbed my arm, pushing Asuka aside so that she stumbled a bit, eyes wide with surprise. "He's mine, Asuka! So just let go and get back to your boyfriend!"

Asuka regained her balance and attempted a glare at Ai, but she still looked too surprised and nervous for it to have any effect. She looked like she'd been caught red-handed cheating, which, I guess, she was...

Weak glare or not, Asuka demanded, "W-what do you mean yours? He doesn't like you!"

"Why do you care!? You hate him, anyway!" Ai reminded her, wrapping her arms around me.

I sweat while internally I was freaking out. I wanted her off, and I wanted her off now. But I couldn't make her get off because that would be the same as just telling her to go ahead and do whatever she wanted, I was sure of it! "A-Ai..."

Asuka regained her composure and managed a fierce glare for Ai, fists clenched at her sides. "I do not! He's my friend, Ai!"

Well, that was more like the Asuka I knew. She sounded mad and insulted. The problem was she was still just standing there, letting Ai have her way. Not that I really wanted her to try to stop this lunatic—but it would be nice if she could call Manjoume or something. For some reason, he could get away with anything, too. I could sure use somebody like that right about now.

"Oh? But he ran out on you! He abandoned and betrayed you! Why would you consider him a friend with that in mind?"

Damn it, Ai, that was a good question! Like I didn't ask myself that one enough? Even worse, the way Asuka looked, it was like she was terrified to take any chances in her life that could lead to more heartache...and, unfortunately, I'd been one of those choices. Man, I really messed up back then. Why did I run off without saying goodbye again?

Just how good of a question Ai had posed was made clear by Asuka's reaction—she started, lowering her head and stammered, "W-well..."

"Asuka?" I asked, hoping she wasn't seriously going to consider how lousy a friend I was at this exact moment. I mean, I could use a hand here! Didn't she just promise that she wouldn't let Ai hurt me? Not that I needed her protection, but I could use a little help with this crazy person that I couldn't touch if I wanted to avoid becoming a slave husband.

My efforts were rewarded when Asuka started shaking with rage, fists clenched, and growled. Her head snapped up as she glared at Ai, teeth clenched. "Because he thought we hated him!" she snapped, moving forward a bit. She was glaring daggers at Ai as she continued, "That's why! He thought we wouldn't care if he left unnoticed! He thought he was doing us a favor by disappearing!" Asuka's eyes narrowed. "And you know why, Ai!? Because we're the lousy friends!" she said, waving an arm through the air to emphasize her point. "We're the ones that abandoned him! We're the ones who ignored his feelings, and we're the ones who let him think we hated him because we never took any of it back! But now I know that was wrong, and I've apologized to him! He's my friend, Ai, and I love him!"

In that context, it sounded like she meant as a friend, but her anger implied otherwise. I really hoped that wasn't just my imagination...and that somebody would get Ai the hell away from me!

"Asuka..." I said, touched. I didn't deserve the friends I had, really, especially with everything I'd done. Yet they stood by me anyway, even when I made their lives difficult.

"Hmph! Well, tough luck," Ai said. "You've got a boyfriend, so he's fair game."

And then my nightmare got worse—she started dragging me off. Asuka started, eyes widening in shock, but she didn't do anything else.

Well, clearly, there was no way out of this without me doing something. "Hey!" I protested, pulling against Ai's grip, but she just tightened her hold on me. If I pulled hard enough, I knew I could get free of her grip. But that could hurt her, and then she might have me arrested... Was there any way to win this?

Asuka moved forward again, fists clenched in front of her and glaring once more. "Hey! Let him go, Ai! He doesn't belong to you!" Then, to my mingled relief and worry, she charged toward Ai.

"Well, he's not yours, either!" Ai pointed out.

Asuka stopped, eyes widening in shock. She looked nervous again as she said, "Yeah, but—"

Oh, man, not right now! She sounded a bit guilty, and I just knew she was thinking of that stupid Kyle. Why couldn't Ai take a liking to him already!? He was a damn saint, and he was clearly everything any woman would want!

Ai smiled triumphantly while I was busy thinking about how she should hook up with Kyle. "But nothing!"

Asuka lowered her head and stomped a foot, growling. I was starting to think I would be better off just shouting at the top of my lungs and praying somebody heard me when her head snapped up and she glared at Ai again, teeth clenched. "Okay! Yeah! So he's not technically mine!" She frowned, lowering her head and putting her hands on her hips. "I mean, you're right, I've got a boyfriend, so..."

So that made this okay!? Come on, do something! Call Manjoume, call Ojin, find some way to orchestrate some sort of accident that would end Ai, just GET HER OFF OF ME!

While Asuka was talking, she shuffled a foot and sounded unsatisfied, an odd thing for me to notice in the middle of this whole mess. I guess she wasn't the only one getting distracted.

Getting myself back on track (you know, since I was clearly the only one I could count on right now), I got ready to risk sacrificing my freedom. "Ai, let go!" I said, and I was about two seconds away from attacking her to get her to listen for a damn change.

Apparently she could tell I was done being passive because she said, "Oh, hush, Judai," with a sweet look on her face. Then, before I could react, she shifted, and something hit me in the back of the head, hard.

She'd hit me. I only had a split second to realize that before my vision started going black. The last thing I saw was Asuka's eyes widening. After that, I don't remember anything.

Asuka's POV

Oh, wow! That had to be the sickest thing I'd seen Ai do to Judai so far! Forget the fact that she'd trapped him on my family's island and beach, ignore her clear attempt at kidnapping me to use against Judai as some sort of bait trap. Why, not even her clear desire to run around butt naked attempting rape could compare to this! Now she was willing to kidnap and rape a guy, all while he was unconscious and vulnerable! For crying out loud! Who does something like that!?

No doubt about it. She wasn't getting away with that one, even if I did have a boyfriend. Judai was still my friend, and I wasn't about to let that happen to him!

Steeling my resolve and forcing Ai's stupid arguments about me and my dumb boyfriend aside for now, I started toward Ai, glaring viciously at the little whore who'd even dared treat my friend like that! "But that doesn't mean I'm gonna let you treat him that way! He's still my friend, Ai! Now let him go, or else!" I snapped, doing my best to sound intimidating and commanding. I even shook my fist in the air for effect, but apparently Ai didn't catch any of that—or she just wasn't worried.

She just laughed at me, shifting Judai's unconscious body so that she was holding him under the arms. Clearly she was planning on just dragging him away to do whatever she pleased with him! "Yeah, sure. He agreed to this, Asuka. He's just playing hard to get!" She started dragging him off, his feet leaving a trail in the sand. That bitch was stronger than I'd given her credit for.

Hard to get, my ass! Of course that would be why he clung to his friends in terror! And that totally explained his constant running and hiding from the devil at every waking moment! I'd bet he was even running from her in his dreams by that point! If that's her idea of hard to get, she clearly needs a new dictionary!

I was getting furious now, my fists shaking at my sides and my teeth clenched hard enough that my jaw was starting to hurt. I fixed Ai with the nastiest glare I'd ever given anyone. As you can tell, I was getting more and more out of control as I watched this. In fact, I got so out of it, my next words even surprised me!

"No, he's not! 'Cause he's already got a girlfriend!" I said.

What compelled me to say that, anyway? In reality, everybody knew that wasn't true. Even as the words left my mouth, I knew I couldn't lie my way out of this one. I mean, clearly he wasn't dating Rei yet since that barrier was still up, and it couldn't be me since I had a steady boyfriend... Urgh, how I hated that fact right then!

As you probably already saw coming, Ai stopped, turning to me, and called me out on this. "Yeah? Well, that's where you're wrong. The barrier's still up, and it wouldn't be if he had a girlfriend!"

Ooh, I just hated the look in her eyes, that smug little know-it-all!

For reasons I can't comprehend, I kept running at the mouth. What was wrong with me, anyway? Ai's response hardened my resolve even more, and I gave her the same attitude she'd just given me, except mine was meaner and included a death glare. It was also entirely based on lies...

"That's not true!" I lied. "Because he does have one!"

"Oh, really?" Ai asked, looking at me with that same smug smile. "Then who is it?"

That's about the time my brain caught up with my mouth and I realized I'd been writing checks I couldn't cash. Ai was right on all points—Judai didn't have a girlfriend. The barrier was still there. And I couldn't even pretend he was mine because everyone knew that wasn't true. I had Kyle, after all, so how was I supposed to answer that?

I started, my eyes widening with surprise at myself as I scrambled for some way to cover it up. "I-I—" I took a step back, getting nervous. I'd been caught in a lie, and there was no way out of this one!

"Yes?" Ai taunted, looking more smug than ever.

You remember earlier, when Judai mentioned something he didn't want to discuss? Well, here's mine. I was so out of character, I didn't even recognize myself!

I stood there for what felt like an eternity. Everything was crashing down around me. One of my closest friends—and a potential lover—from my high school years was in front of me in serious trouble, and I couldn't find anything to defend him with! I'd just told the lie of my life and had no good response when called out on it. Ai had me walled in completely with her words, and the worst part about it was I was busy wasting time as I tried to figure out why!

Why wasn't I the one with Judai? Why hadn't I spoken up all those years ago!? Why had I just let him run off instead of running out and finding him before it was too late!? Why had I let things get this far in the first place!? And, for heaven's sake, why had I stayed with Kyle when I found out how Judai had felt about us!? Seriously! If I'd have done just one thing right, none of this would even be happening, and we wouldn't be here right now!

I was getting more and more emotional as I thought of the possibility of losing Judai again, this time probably for life, and I couldn't stand the sting of it all. Not only would he never be mine, but he'd most likely wind up miserable forever as Ai's slave husband! Then neither of us would be happy ever again!

No... No, no, no, no! The very thought was way too unbearable to handle! He's mine, Ai, so give him back to me!

I teared up about then, knowing full well who I really wanted, and I wanted him back now!

So, after what seemed like years of awkward silence (probably more like seconds, considering Ai was still standing there), tears burst from my eyes as I screamed at the top of my lungs, "IT'S ME!"

With that desperate outburst, I ran straight toward Ai and shoved that awful thief away from my Judai with all my might. She looked surprised as she was knocked face-down into the sand, and Judai's unconscious form fell to the ground as well. Immediately I dropped to the ground and scooped him up in my arms, clinging tightly to him and crying so hard I made a newly widowed woman look joyful. Ugh, what got into me that night, anyway?

Well, I know what got out that night, at least—all my doubts about my feelings for Judai Yuki. Ai—and my big mouth—had forced me to face them head-on. And the conclusion was crystal clear now.

I glared over my shoulder, tears streaming down my face, at the daughter of Hermes (Greek god of thieves, in case you don't get it) who'd been trying to steal everything from me! "It's me, Ai! He's the one I really love! I've just been too stubborn and stupid to see that! But now, seeing him like this, I know for sure! I love him, Ai, and will never let you change that! Now get lost, and leave us alone!"

I was shouting at the top of my lungs and looking about as corny as one of those fairy tale princesses crying over her "dead" lover. But, at that moment, I didn't care. All that mattered was that I get Ai away from us and that she never, ever come back.

See what I mean by I was out of character now?

Ai must have noticed it, at least. I'd stunned her into total silence!

Anyway, as Ai was sitting there in the sand, trying to figure out what was going on, I kept crying over my unconscious love, feeling horribly guilty about ever letting Ai hurt him in the first place. No, not just for simply standing there while Ai knocked him out. I felt guilty for everything I'd done to him, even causing him to meet Ai in the first place!

Still in tears over him, I leaned my head on his chest, apologizing for everything I'd done wrong, my voice sweet, gentle, and loving through my tears. "Judai, I'm so sorry. I've been so cruel to you and even broke my promise to you." I lifted my head, smiling through my tears and started stroking his hair with one hand, still holding onto him with the other. With Ai so close at hand, I wasn't letting him go any time soon. "But it's okay. I've got you now, and I won't let anything change that. Not Kyle, not Rei, and especially not that little bitch of a princess, Ai."

My tone was such at that time that I kind of wished he'd been conscious to hear it. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever said to him, and, to this day, I doubt I'll ever be able to top it.

Anyway, about then, I wrapped my arms even tighter around him, pulling him closer to me and rested my head on his strong chest. It felt so good to hold him like that. "I'll protect you, even if it costs me my life..." I whispered, closing my eyes and taking in the moment, knowing my Judai was safe and sound, even with Ai right there. Nothing could separate us now. Nothing at all.

Ai's POV

As Asuka kept crying on Judai's chest, holding him in her arms, I saw my barrier start fizzling, like a hologram about to vanish due to technical difficulties. But it didn't disappear, just kept fizzling like it might soon.

I knew why, too. Sure, Asuka was calling herself his girlfriend, but this spell wouldn't break unless both parties agreed to it. There was still one thing missing to bring it down, but I knew that wouldn't last for long. As soon as Judai came around, that barrier would come down. Asuka's love, however, was so strong that it did weaken my barrier. I was worried, even, that it might bring the barrier down on its own! This wasn't good—how was I supposed to make Judai mine if she got her hands on him!?

I scowled, feeling personally wronged by all of the events of this night. "No... No! You can't do this!" I moved forward, intent on taking Judai from her now, but her actions stopped me.

Her head snapped up, a very fierce glare in her eyes. She held Judai tighter, even more tightly than Sho had ever held him, I'm sure. "BACK off, Ai!" she snapped, intense venom in her voice. "I will fight you for him if you DON'T!"

She looked about as dangerous as Sho was earlier. If looks could kill, Asuka's death glare would do it. That look was so full of determination, so protective, that messing with her would be like wrestling with a grizzly bear. I was starting to understand why everyone said she was mean and scary—it wasn't an exaggeration. How Judai had never noticed was beyond me.

I backed off—Judai wasn't worth the fight I'd get into, especially since I knew I'd lose. I growled, frustrated that she was keeping me from my goal. I had been so close! "Fine! Whatever! Keep him!" I snapped before storming off.

She was in my way. I had to figure out something before they could leave this place! Wasting time in recovery after fighting Asuka wasn't the best use of my energy.

Asuka's POV

Wow. And here I'd been expecting more of a fight from her than that. I mean, what she'd done with Sho and his condition and all... Anyway, I knew better than to let my guard down around that pompous princess, so I didn't stop glaring after her until she was completely out of sight. I even watched her closely as she entered the resort. With a sigh of relief, I turned back to my Judai, laying him down on the beach and stroking his hair in a soothing manner, smiling warmly at him.

I'd done it. I'd won back my love, and there was no way I'd lose him now. It felt so good to have him there, safe and sound in my arms. Right where he belonged.

As I stroked him, I whispered sweet, loving words to him, hoping he'd somehow hear them even though he was still unconscious. Kayoed or not, he sure is cute when he's sleeping. "It's okay now, Judai. You won't have to worry about Ai anymore. She's gone now, and you're free. Just as soon as you wake up..." I paused there, leaning my head on his chest again and resting both arms under my head. It felt so wonderful to have him this close to me—safe, sound, and with me and no one else. Just the two of us, the ocean, the stars, and the moon. It was so peaceful and relaxing, words could never describe it.

As I snuggled into him, I finished, "We can leave this place together..."

After another moment of just lying there, I sat up, smiling, and stroked his hair again, speaking sweetly to his unconscious form beside me in the sand, "Rest up, my love..."

And here's yet another somewhat embarrassing thing I did—I started taking off my shirt. No, not to do the exact same thing Ai had just tried. I'm way more decent than that!

Anyway, as I was doing that, I whispered one last thing to my Judai—and why do I keep calling him my Judai, anyway? "You deserve it."

So, anyway, here's what I did with my shirt! Judai was lying unconscious on a beach at night, completely shirtless, thanks to that stupid bitch stealing his clothes again, and there was no way I was leaving his side with that in mind. So I took off my shirt and placed it over his chest so he wouldn't get any sicker than he already was. His cold had gotten better in recent days and was barely noticeable now, and I saw no reason to make it worse. Sure, that left me exposed to the elements—and the eyes of peeping Toms and perverts—but Judai needed my shirt more than I did. I, at least was wearing a bra that covered some of that, not to mention the Mexican president was still celebrating with everybody long into the night, so not too many people saw me that way, anyway.

For obvious reasons, I stayed up all night, lying down beside Judai with my arms around him. Wasn't sharing body heat a thing? That way, chilly night or not, neither of us would be getting cold. I also figured there was no safer place for him than wrapped in my arms should Ai change her mind and come back. Hey, better safe than sorry.

I glanced at Judai's face, and I could have sworn he was smiling, as if he somehow knew he was safe at last. Maybe my words had reached him after all. Or maybe he just felt safe with me there. Or it could have just been my imagination since he was still unconscious. But, regardless, it felt good. It was finally over. Ai was gone for good, and, in the morning, I could tell him what I told her. Of course, I'd have to tell him the cold, hard truth, but I knew he was strong enough to handle it.

I closed my eyes, still smiling, and just listened to the sounds of the ocean as I waited for Judai to wake up. I love you, Judai. I always have, and I always will.