Hello, everyone! Welcome to another chapter! I'm so glad to hear that some of you are really liking it! The last chapter featured Crow, my third favorite character and a part of my second favorite pairing, so there will be a few chapters with him. This chapter will shift its focus back to Yusei and Akiza. As you all know, this is a gift to Jade546, and I'm so glad to hear that you enjoy it! Thank you to everyone who follows/faves/reviews my fics, I love hearing back from the readers!

Jade546: Don't worry, there will be plenty of cute scenes!

K2-Black-Panther: Lots of sugar on the way!

Let's get back to the story! Thanks to everyone who is taking the time to read this! I don't own rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds, but I do own this fanfiction! Happy reading!

At the Crossroads:

Proceed With Caution

"How did you sleep?" Akiza asked as Yusei helped her put the dishes in the dishwasher, tilting her head up at the cat that was settled atop of his head. "I hope Star didn't keep you up."

He shook his head slightly so as not to dislodge the sleeping cat. "Not at all. I slept like a rock and wasn't aware of his presence, to be honest. Where did you find him and Bullet, or did they find you?"

She hummed softly as she thought back to the day that she moved in. "I guess you could say that they came with the house. The previous owners hadn't seen them before so it was a mystery to why they showed up during the tour. They acted as though they themselves owned the place and acted as though I was an esteemed guest. For the first few weeks, they stuck to my sides like glue and followed me wherever I went in the house."

"I see." Yusei nodded, reaching up and stroking Star's head.

"Those two really helped when the homesickness kicked into gear," she sighed, a small smile forming on her lips as Bullet rubbed against her legs. "Star would hop into my lap and give me kisses whenever I was feeling down while Bullet here would tell me he loved me and attempt to make me smile." When Yusei's eyebrow rose, she tsked. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"I have yet to hear a cat talk," he admitted, studying the tabby skeptically. "Maybe he'll do it sometime while we're here."

"Let's make a bet then." She leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. The tabby seemed to smirk up at Yusei, earning a questioning glance. "If he doesn't tell me he loves me for the next two hours, then you can spend all day in my garage. I know that you are curious about my runner and want to tune it up, I saw it in your eyes when I pulled up last night."

Yusei's eyes rose to meet hers, his interest peeked. It was true that he was wanting to tune it but he had been too occupied with taking in her appearance at that time to even think about the runner. "And what happens if he does?" he asked, glancing down at Bullet whose smirk hadn't waivered. "What's in it for me-us?"

"I'll leave that to you. If you want to stay longer or duel for old times sake, it doesn't matter to me." she shrugged. "Since you and are the only one here, the bet will be just between us."

"Aki, since when did you become such a daredevil?" he teased, his own lips lifting into a smile. "I accept your challenge." She swooped down and collected the tabby into her arms in one smooth motion, her smirk matching Bullet's as they looked to the confident duelist. His jaw dropped as the air became filled with the strangest sound that he could only describe as bizarre as she began to nuzzle Bullet. He couldn't believe that the cat in front of him was actually "talking" and filling the air with "I love you". He had lost! Then again, maybe not, he thought, carefully thinking back to how she had worded the bet.

"You didn't know that cats have about 100 vocalizations, which they mix and match to talk to us because we can't read their exquisitely expressive body language?" she feigned innocence, attempting to hide her knowing smile as he nearly scowled. Her playfulness dissipated as his expression became emotionless and stoic. "What?"

"You never specified who would be saying that." He waved on his way towards the living room. "For all I know, you were betting on making Jack say it and I can tell you that it will never happen. As far as I'm concerned, I've already won." She nearly dropped Bullet as her own words rang in her head. It was true, she hadn't specified who "he" was! Noticing her crestfallen expression, Yusei paused on the threshold. "If you can get everyone in the house to say it, then you would win. I'll even give you the whole day, how does that sound?"

With a huff, she turned her back to him. "You just watch, I'll have even this house confessing to me."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he moved to stand behind her. "Just make sure you don't resort to extreme measures…" he whispered into her ear and smiled as she shivered. He flinched slightly as she spun around, her eyes blazing, and quickly slid Star into her arms as he made a beeline for the living room and leaving a flustered Akiza to simmer.

…

Yusei's twist on the bet was unexpected, but if he wanted to play with fire then who was she to deny? "Just you watch," she murmured while slipping into her favorite outfit. The black top had a sweetheart neckline and kimono-styled sleeves that accentuated her chest but it wasn't the attention grabber, the crimson rose pendant hanging from a matching red lace choker around her neck was where the eye went first. Her skirt, a high-low cut made of two cream colored petal shaped chiffon pieces, brushed the ground when she was standing still. On her feet were a pair of strappy black sandals that she had sewn a pair of white flower earrings onto the straps around her ankles, giving them a small feminine flair. "Those three won't know what hit them." She smirked at her reflection as she placed the finishing touches on: a pair of light turquoise droplet earrings, her favorite mascara, light teal eyeshadow paired with the thinnest line of black on her upper lid while white was on the bottom lid.

Picking up her phone, she texted asking them all to meet in the driveway and quickly slipped down the stairs. She was just placing her helmet on and zipping up her turbo suit when they came out. "I hope you guys don't have any plans today," she smiled, waving them over. "I have a little surprise that you guys might like to see."

Yusei was curious about what Akiza was planning, so he decided to play along. "Is it a duel runner outlet?"

"Is it a restaurant?" Crow asked, his eyes wide and almost hopeful.

Jack's face held boredom. "If it doesn't include Blue Eyes Coffee, I want no part of it."

"What if I told you it was all the above?" she winked, revving her engine before she sped off. "You three coming or what?"

…

"Akiza, I love you!" Crow engulfed her in a hug as they stepped inside a giant dome to find an indoor dueling track lined by more restaurants and bars than they could count. "This place is heaven on earth!"

She glanced towards Yusei, unable to hide her smirk. "One down," she mouthed and earned an incredulous expression from the usually calm and collective scientist. "I'm so glad you like it! I've been wanting to tell you about it, but words don't do it justice."

"I'll say," Yusei shook off the initial shock and turned his attention toward the track. "If the Kaiba Dome looked like this, maybe we would be tempted to get back into dueling."

"Speak for yourself," Jack glanced around the restaurants. "Are there any that serve-"

"Now hold on. We have to check-in." she poked his chest as they stepped up to the entrance booth.

The man standing there dressed in a tux gasped as she removed her helmet and her hair cascaded down in waves. "Miss Akiza! Do my eyes deceive me?!" The three raised their eyebrows as she disappeared into a crowd that literally came from nowhere and when they finally dispersed, the three gaped. Gone was her turbo suit and hello to a rose goddess! Yusei couldn't believe his eyes! Was that really Akiza?! "We are so glad that you came back to us! When you didn't come back-"

"I didn't mean to worry you all," she giggled, smiling and gesturing to the still flabbergasted trio. "I've been a little busy with these three. Allow me to introduce: Yusei Fudo, Crow Hogan, and Jack Atlas!" The four were swept up in unknown arms and found themselves on a clear glass elevator. Crow and Yusei turned their attention to Akiza while Jack stared coldly through the glass, each wearing a look of amazement. "What?"

Yusei's mouth opened, but closed it again as Crow began asking her questions about the place. He had never expected that Crow would say what he did and the second the words were said he felt his face burn. The thought of someone else saying those words to her- His thought process froze. How many people have said those words to her in the past four years?! He shook his head, she was his friend and he should be happy that she had found someone to share her life with. The elevator stopped and they stepped out, Akiza leading the way.

"If I haven't told you this yet, I love you." The scientist balked as Jack stepped towards Akiza who was waiting in front of a café, missing a step and nearly colliding with someone. Wait, what?! He released a sigh as he saw Jack's line of sight: a beverage holder containing four cups of fresh Blue Eyes Coffee. Seeing his reaction, she sent him a questioning glance before holding up two fingers. He realized that she was right and that he was the last one. "What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a bloody devil."

"I'm fine," Yusei accepted the coffee offered by Akiza. His alit with surprise as the liquid slipped over his tongue. It was medium dark with a hint of white chocolate, not too overly sweet with caramel and it left a faint taste of vanilla on his lips. "What is this? I've never tasted anything like it!"

"It's the Caramelized Rose, the owner made for me." Akiza winked towards the young man who was hovering in the door with a light blush dusting his cheeks. "Let's just say that he's a big fan of mine."

"A fan?" Crow asked, beating Yusei to the punch.

She nodded. "I come here to brush up on my dueling every once in a while." A smile played on her lips as she saw Yusei relax slightly, as if a big weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Leading them on, she took them on a guided tour of the dome. The restaurant owners came to the doors as they approached, each welcoming Akiza and offering her a place to dine. To each she said "Thank you for the offer, but I'm looking for a more private place to dine today." She finally came to a stop in front of a crimson storefront, her caramel eyes sparkling. "Here we are."

It was similar to all the others, with large windows and an outside seating area, but there was a strangely familiar feel to it. Yusei glanced to her as they were welcomed and seated in a private area that had a remarkable view of the track. This place felt as if Akiza herself was surround them; it had light beige carpet with dark green floral patterns that reminded one of roots, the walls were a honey oak decorated with various paintings of garden-scapes and the furniture was dark stained that each had a silver vase filled with various colors of roses, filling the air with their soft fragrance. He could see why she liked it.

...

They ate while the duels went on until it was late in the night and they returned home with no intention of heading to bed. Akiza, though, insisted that they separate and retire to their quarters shortly after 11PM. She had just taken off her makeup and was slipping into her nightwear when a soft knock sounded. Hesitantly, she asked who it was and drooped slightly when Yusei's voice answered.

"Thank you for today," he smiled as she opened the door and allowed him in. "I had an amazing time."

"I'm glad to hear it." Star leapt up onto the bed as she sat and shifted into her lap, mewing and pawing her cheek. "I guess this means that I've lost the bet, huh? I wasn't able to get everyone to say those words, so I guess you win."

His heart's beat quickened as the air filled with Star's soft mews, which sounded like gently "love yous". That meant that he was the only one left. He shifted closer to her and cupped her chin, tilting it up so that she was looking up at him. He could see his own reflection in her eyes, just as he could that night that they refused to say good-bye and leaned forward to whisper into her ear: "It's not yet midnight…"

I will be fully honest with you, I was fangirling this whole chapter! I wanted her outfit to be perfect and I thought that Yusei's reaction to Jack's proclamation was spot on. XD Let me know what you think in the comments!