Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1…

To ffgirl-07: Thank for your review. The pairing didn't really cross my mind. I am more focused on the story about competing in underground streets races and how to live with it. I guess but I can't be sure though.

Chapter 3: Performance check

The yellow Tiburon drove to Fort Union to the tight corners of the place. He has passed through the big fountains, going to a straight road. The Fort Union's vast urban landscape, with its European look, gave such wonderful view for the evening.

Soon, Takashi arrived to their place with minutes to spare. As he got out of his car, he saw Syaoron looking at the hood of his Civic. He wondered what could be the problem. Syaoron popped up the hood and examined his engine

"What's the matter?" Takashi asked, walking toward him.

Upon hearing Takashi, Syaoron glanced behind.

"Oh-hey," Syaoron said, smiling at his friend.

"Problem?" Takashi asked.

Syaoron nodded. "We should go to the Performance Shop."

"Okay…?" Lead the way," Takashi replied.

Syaoron quickly put down the rod and lowered down the hood, while Takashi went back to his car. Syaoron hopped in his car and turned the engine on. The engine roared back to life. The car roared louder as the throttle got pushed. The brown haired man drove his car past Takashi. As for Takashi, he followed Syaoron.

X0X

Minutes later, they have to the Performance Shop Eriol been talking about. The Honda Civic and the Hyundai Tiburon entered to the open space of the shop. Syaoron and Takashi moved their cars in front of the shop, facing it. Syaoron blew the horn.

The garage door opened slowly upwards. The cars moved inside the garage. The inside was huge; all the things that a race car enthusiasts ever dreamed to have were all the here. At the middle of the garage were four risers; used to raise cars up in the air for better view to the mechanics. Every side of the place were filled with racks of race tires, rims, suspension shocks all the parts that racer would need to beef up his car. Surely Takashi and Syaoron were impressed by the looks of it and the parts lying around.

They parked their car a few meter away from the garage door before the door closes it self. As the garage door scrolled down, they walked out of their cars to gaze at the design of the shop. They were impressed by the parts all arranged neatly and looked nice to see. Way across the garage, were several tables arranged to columns. Probably used for putting car parts with.

"This a nice place," Takashi commented.

Syaoron smirked. "This will be a good place to customize our car."

"Here there!" a voice said from behind.

Startled, Takashi and Syaoron turned. They saw a young man, wearing what it looked like a light blue mechanic's uniform with a matching cap on his head. His eyes looked serious and grim on his face.

"You must be the guys Eriol mentioned coming here," he said.

Takashi and Syaoron glanced at each other.

"Yeah," Syaoron replied.

The man smiled slightly. He said, "Welcome to the shop—the place to beef up your car and do some tweaks with it to improve your car. Look around, or tell what you need."

Syaoron laughed nervously. "Sure."

"Yeah I guess I need some changes for my car," said Syaoron.

"…And your name is?" Takashi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh—sorry. I haven't introduced my self. The name's Touya—Touya Kinomoto," the mechanic replied.

Syaoron extended his arm. "Li, Syaoron. Nice to meet you."

"Takashi Yamazaki," Takashi said.

Touya shook Syaoron's hand and smiled at them.

"Pleasure to meet you both," he said.

Touya turned and glanced at Takashi and Syaoron's car.

"You have nice cars," he said.

"Thanks," Takashi replied. "I've been heard a lot."

"Same here," Syaoron chimed in. "But I'm looking for a better though."

Touya placed his hands on his waist and sighed. "So you settled with a Civic."

Li nodded. "The front-wheel is good though," he replied.

Touya sighed. "So, what's the gig?"

Syaoron approached his car, touching the smooth surface of his hood.

"I need to beef up my ride," Syaoron said.

Takashi grinned when Syaoron said the word "beef up"

"The word I've been waiting for," he said, chuckling.

"Okay…?" Takashi muttered.

"Come. Follow me," Touya said, walking to the far end of the garage.

Syaoron walked with Touya while Takashi tailed behind them.

X0X

There were several car parts on each table; all looked brand new and shiny. Parts of all shapes, sizes and power were on those tables ready to be installed on the person who bought it. The candidates were Takashi and Syaoron.

"Nice parts you got here," Syaoron commented.

Syaoron was about to hold one of the parts until Takashi stopped him.

"Ah-ah-ah, don't touch that," Touya said, removing Syaoron's hand from the car part.

"Why not?" asked Syaoron.

"I just polished that," Touyo replied. "I don't want my shiny parts to get smudge by somebody else dead skins and oil. That will cramp the quality of it."

"Wha?" Syaoron looked confused.

"He means he doesn't want anyone touch these parts," Takashi said.

"I know," Syaoron said to Takashi. "But do you have to say it so straight?"

"It's my style," Touya replied.

"Oh that's harsh," muttered Syaoron.

Touya laughed. "Oh well, let's get started. Let me see you car."

X0X

Syaoron popped up the hood for Touya to see the engine of his Honda Civic. Takashi lowered his down and examined the engine. He took out his little flashlight and lit it up. His arm, holding the flashlight, moved left and right to see if there any problem to the engine; even thought it was brand new.

"This is brand new," Takashi declared. "But you going to need some work on this so it give out its best on the track."

Let me see…

"The engine is quiet good but need some upgrades to make it faster," Touya said.

Syaoron nodded, understanding every word Touya was uttering. He too agrees that it needs some. That's he came here in the first place.

"You got to order some of the parts to beef this up but I have some spare part here to get some boost," Touya said.

"I see," Syaoron said.

"Okay I'll buy your parts, and get back to the road and earn some money," Takashi said.

Touya nodded. "I agree. To buy parts from companies, you must have a great amount of money to buy those hotrod parts. Simply put, you must be rich."

Syaoron grinned. "Well I guess, I have to agree too."

"Then let's get started," Touya said.

X0X

They all pitched in to get their cars slightly modified. Syaoron moved his car to the riser while Touya went to the controls of the riser. Takashi watched as Syaoron moved his Civic into position. He went to the front of the car and popped up the hood. Touya approached Takashi. He gave him the Fuel Filter component to install in the car.

Syaoron got out of the car to have a look on the progress Takashi and Touya were doing. Touya was below Syaoron's Civic, inserting the component to the engine region.

"Did you get it?" Syaoron asked.

"Uh, Takashi? Help me out here," Touya asked.

Takashi leaned over the engine and helped Touya install it.

"I got, I got!" Touya said as he wrenched the component in place.

"Nice job," Syaoron said to Takashi

Takashi smirked and broke out in a laugh.

"You do it. It's your car," Takashi said.

Syaoron laughed, knowing that Takashi was right. He should be helping Touya, not Takashi.

"Alright alright!" Syaoron replied.

Takashi laughed as Syaoron approached him to replace him.

"Yo, Syaoron," Touya called. "Hold the fuel filter steadily."

"Alright," replied Syaoron.

Takashi grinned as he watched Syaoron help Touya do the finishing touches on the car.

Syaoron closed the hood of his Honda Civic and sighed.

"Nice job," Takashi commented.

Touya rolled out under the car and looked at the both of them.

"One down, one to go," he said, showing his teeth as he smiled.

Takashi chuckled.

Takashi approached his Tiburon to get it prepped for the customization. He got inside his car, started the engine and revved it. He place to shift stick to first gear and slowly pushing the gas; at the same releasing the clutch. The car slowly moved to the riser with Takashi revving the engine as he put it to a stop. Syaoron moved toward when Takashi turned off the engine. Takashi exited his car.

"What's the modification?" eagerly asked Syaoron.

Takashi smiled when Syaoron asked that question. Yamazaki was sure what he doing, plus he had good amount money to put to reality tonight. He had planned this out after the Drag race he participated an hour ago.

"For now, remove the top speed limiter, do something about the ECU and make some adjustments on the transmission," Takashi straightly replied.

"That's a lot of work," Touya said.

Takashi looked at Touya. "I know you could do it."

Touya shrugged, looking annoyed. "Well, let's get started."

In seconds, Touya went to his supply house at the far corner of the shop and got the parts that Takashi asked of him. Takashi has popped up the hood when Touya arrived with the parts inside a big carton box. Touya took them out and place it on the table behind him.

Touya, with trusty board on wheels, went under the car to install the parts. Takashi helped him while Syaoron watched them. He went to his car, opened the glove compartment and took a CD out of it. At the middle of his car's dashboard was a CD player. He inserted CD in to it and play a track named "I do" by Chingy.

Cause I do don't make it chingy

Cause I do don't make it all on me

Cause ma mama said de…I won't! I won't

Cause missing two inches cause I don't don't…

The song continued on and on as Takashi and Touya installed the parts on Takashi's car. The song helped them get to the beat, making the work more enjoyable than before.

"Nice soundtrack you got, Syaoron," Touya commented.

"Thanks. I got this for free!" Syaoron replied and laughed.

Takashi and Touya laughed with him.

X0X

Hours later, the installation of the new parts has finished. The garage door opened upwards as the car of Takashi and Syaoron got out of the shop's garage door. The engine of the two cars roared louder than before. It seemed that the parts they've installed were effective.

Touya went between them, looking at the both of them.

"Thanks, dog," Takashi said, smiling. "The parts were a great help."

Touya smiled. "You're welcome. Drive by if you need some upgrading.

"Oh we will," Syaoron assured.

Syaoron revved up the engine.

"Ha-ha-ah!" Takashi shouted, "This thing rocks!"

Takashi pushed the throttle, revving the engine. "Let's try these babies out! Wuu-hoo!"

Takashi punched the gas. The tires skidded on the tarmac, giving off white smoke. Both cars, the Civic and the Tiburon dashed off the shop to the streets. The engines screamed as the tires screeched along the road.

I hope you like the first three chapters. I party is starting; this is only an appetizer on what's about to happen along their way. Stay tuned and drive well.