Act 24

9:30 found Aki driving up the mountain. The clouds overhead were thick and becoming darker by the second, practically sucking up any residual light. Only Alex was behind her, as the rest of the team had headed into town to search for any additions they might want on their cars. Half way up the pass the first rain drops began to fall.

Reaching the peak, Aki noticed a large gathering of cars. //So the Emperors are here. Guess I should challenge them now,// she thought as she strolled over to the team.

"Sudo Kyouichi," Aki said when Kyouichi ignored her approach.

He glanced up. "Sorry, I'm not interested in giving you an autograph."

Aki's eyes narrowed before she regained in control of her temper. "Conceited aren't we? And I thought only Seiji was like that."

Seiji growled and was about to retaliate when Kyouichi stopped him.

"Then what do you want?" asked Kyouichi.

"A race on Irohazka (A/N I hope I spelled this right) against you next Saturday."

Kyouichi smirked. "Why should I race against a woman?"

Ryosuke, who had been listening to the exchange from a distance, quickly looked at Aki. Her entire body had become tense and he could see the barely controlled fury behind her smile. However, everyone else seemed oblivious to her sudden change in mood.

"And why won't you race a woman?" Aki asked sweetly.

"Because they don't have the skill or the endurance to race against us in a real race," Seiji said snobbishly.

Aki focused an icy glare at Seiji. "I never knew you were a chicken, Kyouichi. Why not race me now? Unless you're scared of course."

"Fine, if you're so eager to lose, I'm sure Seiji will be happy to race you. But until you prove yourself against one of us, I'm not going to race with you."

"Sending a lackey to do your challenges. How pathetic," Aki sneered. "Your team is going to be embarrassed tonight, Kyouichi, make no mistake." With that parting remark Aki stalked off towards her car before she could slug him for his sexist attitude.

After she left Ryosuke sidled up beside Kyouichi.

"A word of advice. You won't win," Ryosuke stated as he watched Seiji move his car into position. "She is better than you can ever imagine."

By now the rain was coming down in sheets yet no one was leaving the mountain. Ryosuke watched as someone counted them off. They both started at the same time yet Aki's more powerful engine left Seiji behind in a matter of moments. By the time they reached the first corner Aki held a big lead.

"Aki doesn't ever race like that," Alex said nervously to Keisuke. "They must really have pissed her off. This isn't a race anymore, it's a slaughter."

******

As soon as the race started Aki let go of her anger. She wouldn't stoop so low as to hit an arrogant bastard like Kyouichi, but she had been sorely tempted. Instead she chose to take out her anger on the road. With a lack of concern for oncoming cars, Aki pushed her FC faster and faster down the slippery pass. By the time she had reached the bottom, her anger was down to more manageable levels. She got out of her car and sat on the hood, not worrying about getting wet. A few minutes later Seiji showed up. Aki gave him a condescending look and got back in her car. She drove back to the peak and stopped in front of Kyouichi.

"If he was your second best, I really pity the rest of your group," Aki said without getting out of her car. "I'll see you next Saturday. Don't be late." With that Aki drove away.

"What was that about? I've never seen Aki act like that before," Keisuke said.

"She doesn't like it when people think they are superior to everyone else," Alex answered. "But I have never seen her react this much before."

//That's because she hates him,// thought Ryosuke. //And she might never get over that feeling.//