Thanks for the people around the world who read my fanfic. I appreciate all your dedication in reading this. In favor of me—for, please do write some comments about my story so I can see your vision about this fanfic. I'll be looking forward in reading your reviews. R and R, guys :)

Chapter 5: Syaoron versus his cousin

Syaoron glared at the girl with long, flowing, blue hair beside her short brown haired friend; a few meters away from where they were standing. His light brown face molded an angry frown at the sight of the girl. Takashi glanced at him, looking curious at his reaction.

"Uh, Syaoron?" he called.

Syaoron's amber pupils moved to the corner of his eyes and looked at Takashi.

"What's you damage, breh.," Takashi said.

He looked back at the girl. "Nothing," he said.

Takashi raised an eyebrow, bewildered by Syaoron's behavior. The brown haired girl, with her blue partner that Syaoron was staring at, walked towards them. The brown haired girl, slim bodied and cute, wearing the same outfit that Takashi from his last opponent, pouted at the sight of him.

"You again!" the girl said angrily.

"Me?" Takashi pointed his index finger at his face, pretending not to know anything about her.

"Yeah you," she replied. "You're the one who beat an hour ago."

Takashi let out a proud smirk, knowing that she, his opponent, remembered biting his dust. "Oh really?" he said, his voice sounded annoying. "I don't remember kicking your ass in an Outrun."

The girl growled angrily. "Why you—"

"Syaoron," the long blue haired girl said with a happy smirk. "It's nice to see you again."

Syaoron glared at her but did not answer. "Meilin," he said, "I never thought to see you face again."

Takashi glanced at Syaoron, wondering what's going on.

"It's been five months since you left Tokyo, my cousin." Meilin smiled.

Syaoron did not say a word but kept on staring at her.

"Your cousin?" Takashi said to Syaoron, but Syaoron didn't reply.

"Oh c'mon, Syaoron, answer me," Meilin pleaded.

"Three words, Meilin," he finally replied. "I'll beat you." Then he walked away.

Takashi watched him go to a vending machine. He looked at Meilin. "What's his problem?"

Meilin sighed and put her right on the back of her head. "Nothing much… Jealousy, I guess."

Takashi glanced at Syaoron atonce, drinking a soda.

"Oh, my name is Meilin," the blue haired girl said to Takashi.

"And I'm Sakura," the brown haired girl said, smiling.

Takashi stood up straight and replied, "Takashi. Nice to meet you."

"I'm sorry if my cou—your buddy their got angry with me," she apologized. "It's a bit of a long story."

"A long story…" Takashi repeated. "I'll talk to him."

Meilin smiled. "I dunno if that's going to help."

"Oh well. Got to try," Takashi replied.

Takashi walked towards Syaoron, sitting on the hood of his Honda Civic and looking down on his feet.

"Hey, Syaoron, what's bothering ya," he asked.

Syaoron paused for a moment and sighed. "It's nothing…that bad," he replied.

Takashi raised an eyebrow. "Oh really…?"

"You've met my, cousin, right?" Syaoron looked at Takashi with a smile.

Takashi looked in front and smiled. "Yeah," he replied. "She's not a bad person."

"She's not," Syaoron confirmed.

Takashi turned his head at Syaoron. "And why are you getting mad at her?"

"It's a looong story, bro.," Syaoron replied and smiled. He stood up and drank all his soda.

"Meilin…"—he paused for a moment—"Before I went to the mountain roads of Akina and joined you and your buds, I was a rookie driver in Tokyo; the highway roads of Tokyo," he explained. "I was going well, until she came along. From China roads—she flew from there to Japan and, went here. She was a good driver than me. Meilin showed it all in Tokyo. She took it all from me by defeating me in my turf. Damn, I can't forget it." Syaoron grabbed another can of soda, popped it open and drank some of it and continued, "Then months have past on that fateful night, she defeated me on after another. That car you saw their, was the very car who defeated me; the same car that defeated me on that race in Japan."

"Then what happened?" Takashi asked.

Syaoron sighed and finished, "The next thing that happened is, because of too many losses from of her, I left Tokyo and went somewhere else. Then I landed in Akina, met you and your buddies. The rest is history. Then we went here in Bayview and here we are, and I met her again."

Takashi laughed and smacked his left hand on Syaoron's back. "You have a weird life. You can't even endure so many losses like that?" he said in an annoyed tone. "Tell you what. Me? I always lose on some of the races in Akina—especially with D guys. Did I quit? Hell No! I kept on going until a honed my skills and became the driver I am now."

"Then until my friend called up and brought us here," he added.

Syaoron laughed softly. He felt quite better when his friend shared his story of loss. His face began to brighten up and smiled. "Thanks, bro."

Takashi smirked. "No problem. Now, let's get this damn race started."

"Alright."

X00X00X

Takashi and Syaoron drove their cars to the starting lane behind the Focus and Miata MX-5. Syaoron got out of the car—as Takashi did—they met up with their female competitors for a formal introduction. They faced each other eye-to-eye. They smiled at each other, giving each other a confident look—except for Syaoron who was looking too serious than before.

"May the best…drivers wins," Meilin said cocky.

Takashi clucked out a laugh. "Sure."

"This time, sis, I'll beat you." Syaoron glared at his cousin.

Meilin made a cocky grin and replied, "You'll never beat me. You'll never."

Takashi glanced at Syaoron. "Let's get this going."

They all entered their cars and ignited their engines. The engines roared to life and hummed rather violently. The crowd cheered at the racer, ready to chant, shout and howl. Meilin turned on her car's speakers, making a big booming entrance to the crowd. She played a rap song—the closing theme song of 2Fast 2Furious. And the crowd went wild.

Takashi smiled at Meilin's MX-5 tuning up the crowd, though Syaoron wasn't much impressed by it. Joining the fun, Takashi pushed the gas pedal and made such beautiful engine hum rhythms, trying to match the beat of the song. The crowd went even wilder when they heard Takashi's "drumming".

Syaoron smiled and laughed. "That's it, bro.! That's it!" he shouted happily.

Meilin looked back at Takashi and smiled. "He can really please the crowd," she complimented.

Soon enough, the female race conductor went in front of them, holding sparks one on each hand. She turned and faced the raced, standing between them.

Takashi gripped on the round steering wheel. He concentrated at the conductor's hands as he pumped his engine up. His rmp dial rose, then fell in every step of the throttle. He prepared himself.

Syaoron, as well, concentrated at the woman. He moved his shift stick to first gear and pulled the e-brake up waiting for the conductor's arms to drop down. This will be the turning point, he said to himself, I will be the one to beat you, Meilin. And I reclaim my pride as a good street racer. Just you watch. You'll gonna eat my dust. He pushed on the throttle more, and his Civic's engine roared loudly, swallowing the music.

The race conductor raised her slim arms up as the sparks flew to the air. "Three! Two! One!" she shouted. "GO!" Her arm dropped down to the ground.

The race has begun. The cars dragged off, leaving white smoke and tire marks on the road for everyone to see.

Takashi shifted up, and shifted up one more time to third. He steered his Tiburon and tailed his opponents in front of him. He stomped the throttle, crawling nearer to the rear bumper of the pink Ford Focus.

Syaoron shifted up and tailed behind his cousin's MX-5. His amber eyes narrowed, trying not to let his sight out of his opponent. He steered right and attempted to overtake his cousin. Meilin spotted the attempt of Syaoron. She jerked the steering wheel to the right, intercepting his overtake. Syaoron sneered contemptfuly that he failed to take the advantage. So he backed down.

"Damn he saw it!" Syaoron said. He put the gas down and continued tailing Meilin.

Meilin turned her head around to look at Syaoron. "Not good enough, Syaoron." Then she laughed.

Syaoron gritted his teeth and shifted down to fourth gear.

The wheels spun into a blur and the engine increased its roar. The cars were about to enter a high speed corner. The cars braked before they entered the corner. They exited the corner with not much of a problem.

Syaoron shifted down to third gear. His face made a grimace of annoyance. Not being able to overtake his cousin was becoming such a drag for him.

Takashi glanced at his buddy beside. C'mon, Syaoron, keep it up, he thought to Syaoron. You can do this, man. He shifted up to fourth gear and pushed the throttle further.

Another corner was coming. Syaoron concentrated on taking out his cousin to place farther than her. He was determined to outrace his relative.

Meilin and Sakura weren't driving shabby either. They looked as if they owned the track. Meilin quickly shifted down to third gear and floored on the throttle.

The rear wheels came off its grip from the road and skidded down concrete. Meilin's car drifted along the corner pretty well. Sakura's Focus rode along pretty well behind Meilin. Takashi and Syaoron were still on their tail.

Syaoron shifted down once and steered his car right to the second, yet sharp corner. And to another sharp corner, he steered his Civic hard left to the apex of that corner. He quickly counter-steered the wheels to gain traction from the road.

Syaoron's sleek, green Civic made a good powerslide as he pushed the throttle to its fullest and turned the wheel for the other corner. He slowly applied on the throttle for more control over his Civic. He gritted his teeth tighter as he struggled from the G-Force of the turn.

"I'm gonna get ya, Meilin," he said.

Meilin glanced at her rear view mirror and smiled to see Syaoron catching up. "Is that what you got?" Meilin shouted. Her car went through the corner as well as the others.

Syaoron began to lose it until Takashi called him.

"Hey Syaoron," Takashi called.

"WHAT is it?" asked Syaoron.

"Keep it cool in there," Takashi replied. "This is only the first lap, Syaoron. Don't lose it."

Syaoron turned back at his driving. He sighed deeply and replied, "Thanks. I'll do my best."

Takashi grinned upon hearing Syaoron's reply. "Let's make them regret that they raced against us," he said confidently with a grin.

Syaoron's Civic chased the two opponents as they were about to go to the checkered lane. The Focus and the MX-5 went past the lane and Syaoron and Takashi as well.

Last two laps, Syaoron thought, I must get her. He gripped his steering wheel tight, making his knuckles turn white. "Meilin, I'll get you for sure."

Minutes later, he made his move. Syaoron pushed down the throttle and went past Takashi. He was focused on getting behind Meilin. His car's engine roared loud. Syaoron shifted up to fourth gear when the rpm rose to its power peak.

Takashi tailed behind Syaoron, waiting for his chance to overtake. He looked pretty calm than Syaoron was now. Pushing the clutch, he shifted up to fourth gear and pushed on the throttle. He steered the wheel as he entered the curb. He quickly shifted down and tapped on the gas pedal as he exited the sharp curb, crawling nearer and nearer to Syaoron.

At the S-curve, Syaoron was beside Sakura and going farther to Meilin. He shifted up to third gear and went past Sakura's Focus and got behind Meilin.

"Yeah! That's the ticket," Takashi shouted smiled proudly.

Meilin looked behind and saw Syaoron closing in on her. She sneered, seeing Syaoron getting close to her, yet smiled after her quick contempt. She aligned her car in front of Syaoron to prevent him from overtaking her easily.

Syaoron gritted his teeth in all his focus. He turned the Civic to a 80-degree angle, drifting it behind Meilin's rear bumper. He tapped on the brakes. The wheels flew off its grips as he counter-steered—his front bumper still close to Meilin's rear bumper.

Meilin glanced at her rear view mirror. Her face plastered a frown of contempt. "I can't shake him off," she said.

"I'm almost their," Syaoron said to himself. He glanced at his rpm meter slowly rising to the peak, his speed o' meter increases in every second, going to 150 kilometers per hour. "Here I come!"

Syaoron weaved left in an attempt to overtake Meilin's Miata MX-5. But Meilin saw it coming and intercepted him. Syaoron didn't let up. He attempted one more time, but still Meilin intercepted him one more time.

At the straight road, now was the chance for Syaoron to speed up. He shifted up to third gear and gassed the engine. His front bumper closed in behind Meilin's MX-5, drafting behind her.

At the end of the straight road, there was a 90-degree corner to the finish line. Syaoron prepared himself for the curve and relaxed his grip on the steering wheel. He pushed on the throttle for more speed and weaved his car to the right lane.

They were fifteen meters away from the "L" corner. There was also traffic in that curve. Meilin quickly braked for it and turned the wheel to the corner, avoiding the traffic.

Syaoron released the throttle to slowdown. He jerked the sidebrakes, slipping the rear wheels from its grip. The green Civic made a very fast powerslide as it entered and also avoiding any traffic accident.

Syaoron smiled, pretty proud of him self for his fast drift technique. "That was insane!" he shouted happily.

Then suddenly, Takashi moved beside Syaoron before they got past the checkered lane. Syaoron glanced at his friend and smiled. Takashi smiled back, praising Syaoron with a thumbs up.

"You did great," Takashi mouthed at Syaoron.

Syaoron smiled and gave back the thumbs up. He shifted up to fourth gear then steered a hard right to the corner; consecutively shifted down to a gear short and exited the corner.

It was the last lap of the race. This was now the apex of the circuit race. Now, all the racers put all they got for this. Everything could happen. They were serious than the past to laps.

Syaoron attacked again to Meilin before entering the S-turns. He almost succeeded, until Meilin turned for the corner and intercepted Syaoron. He backed down for a while and waited for his chance.

"I won't let get past me," Meilin said. "You can't get me that easily."

Almost there, I can do this, Syaoron thought. He shifted to second gear for more torque on the wheels. More torque, means more acceleration and more grip on the road for the weight to shift to the back. He was really doing a good job driving his Civic those corners.

Syaoron's Civic crawled behind Meilin Miata MX-5. The two engines roared at each other like raging tigers out for each other's throats. The green Civic broke left and dashed beside Meilin. Still, Meilin blocked him, not giving it a chance to beside her.

"You got to do better than that!" Meilin shouted. She weaved the car into a corner, shifted down gear and punched the gas pedal.

Her car drifted along the corner with style; a good 70-degree powerslide she made on the curb. The MX-5 drifted with such elegance that the driver must a good at it.

Syaoron didn't give up. He still tailed his cousin to the easy part of the track. Now that strip of road was his chance to over take. He made his move as he and Meilin entered the corner. His car crawled inch by inch as it overtakes Meilin; the chance Syaoron successfully grabbed.

Meilin didn't saw it coming. Her cousin's Civic successfully overtook her Miata. She was shocked to see Syaoron right beside her car and crawling further away from her.

The determination in Syaoron's eyes was so great, that he managed to defeat his cousin, Meilin. In slow-motion, his hand reached for the shift stick and shifted down gear; the rear wheels slid on the rough road, screeching as it drifted, and the rpm slowly increased when his Civic exited.

The Civic got past the Miata MX-5. Its headlights blind the scene. More over, the engine hummed loudly and gloriously.

Syaoron turned the wheel into an 80-degree angle. Then he counter-steered it to get more balance as his Civic powerslided out to that sharp corner and into the slightly curved road ahead.

Meilin's face changed its expression from a confident and cocky smirk, to a shocked and angered frown. A smile went on her face to see Syaoron had gone so far.

Well done, Syaoron. You finally overtook me, she thought.

Syaoron smiled with pride. Yes! I finally did! He shouted in his mind.

"…In your face, Meilin!" Syaoron shouted and laughed aloud. He shifted up the gear to third and blasted away to victory.

Meilin, now, chased behind Syaoron.

Takashi smirked, seeing that Syaoron finally did beat his cousin in a fair fight. But the lap was not finished yet. Takashi shifted down to fourth gear and floored on the throttle, leaving Sakura behind him and catching up on Meilin. Out of nowhere, Takashi passed by Meilin's Miata and to Syaoron's Civic. As soon as Syaoron was several meter away from the checkered lane, Takashi's Tiburon went behind Syaoron's Civic.

A call came to Syaoron's laptop. He answered, "Yeah?"

"You did a good job, Syaoron," Takashi praised.

Syaoron smiled, while his eyes were glued on the road. "Thanks, bro." he said.

"This is not over yet," Takashi noted.

Syaoron grinned, knowing what Takashi meant.

"You did a good job in defeating her," Takashi added. "Let's see if you can keep up." He floored on the gas more and dashed right beside Syaoron.

Syaoron grinned, happy to take on Takashi's challenge. "You got it!" he said.

They hang up and began the race. Syaoron and Takashi blasted off after they passed by the checkered lane. They were head to head with each other. Takashi weaved right in an attempt of overtake his buddy, Syaoron.

Takashi pushed on the throttle, increasing the speed of his Tiburon. At the sharp corner, Syaoron braked right and entered the corner. Takashi, Meilin and Sakura were right behind him.

Meilin gritted her teeth, upset that Syaoron successful disked her. She shifted down and steered a hard right. Her car drifted along the corner. Her rear wheels slid on the road, screeching loudly as it drifted. Her hands twisted the steering wheel, counter-steering the car to the corner.

Sakura smirked as she jerked the side brakes and turned the steering to the corner. "Waahhuuuu!" she shouted, feeling the G-Force the powerslide was giving to her. Her car swayed to and fro as it exited the corner.

Takashi pushed the clutch, shifted up to third gear and pressed the throttle lightly. He chuckled for a moment as his dark blue eyes stared at the road and at Syaoron's rear bumper.

Syaoron glanced at his back and smiled. To see Takashi catching up with him was very invigorating for him. His smile turned to a sly grin, feeling good about this. He almost forgot when was his last time he had this much fun driving like this. He turned the steering and powerslided to the S-turn of the street course.

His green Civic drifted along with great skill. The car swerved left and right as Syaoron turned the steering wheel, avoiding the traffic that was coming. He shifted the gear to second and turned the wheel left for the last curb of the S-turn. Then he steered his Civic for another corner up ahead. Tapping the throttle, he maintained his traction on the course with some braking.

Takashi was right behind him. Happy to see Syaoron drive, he smiled, determined to catch up with him. Shifting down to second gear and swerved his Tiburon right, Takashi's left side skirt was adjacent with Syaoron's. His engine growled loudly as it slowly gained advantage over Syaoron.

Syaoron glanced at his right; his eyes grew wide, seeing Takashi moving closer and closer. His lower jaw dropped, but it didn't stop him from not letting Takashi get past him. At the corner's exit, he made a bold move of blocking Takashi's passage of overtaking.

Takashi braked for it and avoided a collision between his Tiburon and Syaoron's Civic. He grinned with impressed, watching his buddy doing that insane stunt. "Wow! He did an insane move," he began. He might be as confident as I thought, he finished to himself. He shifted the gear to third. His Tiburon tailed beside Syaoron's Civic as it exited the corner. Its engine growled with high volume.

Another sharp corner was nearing. Syaoron was in full control of the race. He was becoming more confident of him self that he finally made a good race. More confident than ever, Syaoron shifted down the gear and swerved his car right, entering the 90-degree turn ahead. He quickly jolted the brakes to brisk halt. The wheels went to a stop, until he pushed the throttle, drifting the car sideways and avoiding some of the traffic. A pretty incredible move he made. The turn he just made was dangerously fast. Even Takashi was shocked to watch Syaoron doing it.

"Man, he's becoming cocky," he said.

Meilin gripped on her steering wheel. Her teeth gritted tight in her tender mouth; angered by being left out in the game.. Only Takashi and Syaoron were competing at each other. Then her sneer turned to an impressed smile. "I know that you improved quite a lot, Syaoron," Meilin began, "but that the reason to left me out!" Her right foot floored on the gas.

Her small, blood red-black Miata dashed and overtook Takashi.

Takashi was surprised. "What the…"

Meilin shifted down and accelerated rapidly. Her Miata got past Takashi's Tiburon and chased Syaoron's Civic.

Syaoron glanced at his rear view mirror and saw Meilin tailing him, instead of Takashi. "Wha—what the…"

"I'll get you, Syaoron!" Meilin shouted.

Syaoron grinned. "Not this time." He swerved his Civic to the right, blocking Meilin attempt to overtake.

Meilin didn't give up yet. She tried one more time, but Syaoron saw it coming and intercepted her again.

"Wuhu!" Takashi laughed. "This is going to be a drag race to the finish." He grinned slyly as he waited for his advantage.

At the easy stretch of road, Syaoron was still at the lead. Meilin was at second, Takashi at third and Sakura at the end. Meilin and Syaoron looked as if they were at each other's throats, going neck-and-neck to the sharp corner ahead. They evaded the cars that were coming to them. Syaoron made a swift swerved left, while Meilin made a strafed right, avoiding an unsuspecting driver.

Syaoron shifted up to fourth gear and stomped on the throttle. His face was full of confidence and determination in finishing, and winning the race.

Meilin was pleased too, seeing that Syaoron was in the lead. Takashi, as well, was impressed by Syaoron's performance tonight. But this didn't change the fact that he won't this race. He was determined to win this race for everyone to see.

"I won't lose to you. Not now, not ever," Meilin said. She floored on the gas and quickly caught with Syaoron.

Syaoron's concentration broke when he saw his cousin crawling further close to his side. His eyes grew larger, watching Meilin getting advantage over him.

To another straight road, Syaoron and Meilin were neck-and-neck once more. Their engines roared louder than ever. Their speed o' meter dial rose and still increasing as they sped fast for the corner several meters away from them.

Syaoron glanced at his right side to see his cousin. Meilin glanced and gave him a good smile. He smiled back and went back on the road. Their cars were particularly even at that moment. Each time the other made to the lead, the other one stole. It continued before they entered the corner. Their cars' tires screeched at a very pitched as they entered the sharp, 90-degree corner.

Syaron shifted down gear and swerved his car to enter the corner. The rear wheels lots its traction and began to swerve wildly on the road. He maintained control over the car by counter-steering.

Meilin shifted up to third gear when she exited the corned, but still on Syaoron's tail. Now she felt more determined to get Syaoron.

At the last stretch of road, it's only a matter of time to declare the victor. Syaoron still held on his lead. Meilin was still chasing him. Takashi was at third place, while Sakura was at the last.

Syaoron shifted down to fourth gear and floored on the gas. The rpm was slowly rising at the same his speed increased. He was pretty sure that he would win this.

Then suddenly, it all changed. Meilin dashed beside Syaoron, slowly gaining advantage over Syaoron. He couldn't believe his eyes to see Meilin all of a sudden. He felt that his candy was taken away from him by an unknown force. The chances of him winning this became uncertain.

"I won't let you," Syaoron said angrily.

"I'll win this!" Meilin shouted.

Their engines roared furiously. They were neck-and-neck once more to the checkered lane. The nose of their cars went back and forth as Syaoron and Meilin fought for the lead and avoiding traffic at the same time.

Syaoron shifted up to fourth gear and steered his Civic. He swerved his car to and fro, avoiding to cars coming toward him.

Meilin did the same thing as Syaoron. She shifted up gear and attempted to overtake Syaoron one more time.

Syaoron saw it and intercepted her. But as turned his back to his driving, he saw a white car closing in on him. In instinct, he swerved quickly back to the right lane. He growled, angry that why didn't he see it coming.

Out of nowhere, Meilin went in front of Syaoron, stealing the lead that Syaoron had.

Shock was the only expression shown his face, but this didn't stop him. He swerved his car left and crawled to the lead.

Meilin can't do anything but keep on driving until the last few meters of road. Syaoron's green Civic slowly gained a few centimeters in every moment. Meilin kept her cool and concentrated on keeping her lead. Syaoron gained momentum and slowly crawled for the lead.

"I'll beat you!"

"I'll won't let you!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrggggh!"