MERRY CHRISTMAS, LOVELY READERS!

A few chapters within a chapter, if you will. This is a gift to Jade546, so I hope you enjoy it! I don't own rights to YuGiOh! 5Ds but I do own this FanFiction. Hope you enjoy!

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL:

Part 3: Miracles

"Rose, it is time to wake up."

Her eyes instantly opened and her body stiffened as the room came into focus. The walls were covered in dark wine red curtains that were braided with metallic gold cords, the floor and furniture black, and the only light was coming from an exquisite chandelier that hung from the ceiling. She was wrapped in an incredibly soft velvet sheet that was the color of cherries, and the smallest amount of relief filled her as she found that her nightwear was still clothing her being. Her eyes narrowed as she searched her memory…the last thing she remembered was waiting on the stairs for Yusei to investigate who had broken in.

"Do not worry, daragáya, you are in no danger here." The hairs on her body rose as a figure stepped out from behind one of the curtains. Darwin's lips lifted into a smile as he approached the leather couch she was sitting on. "My love, you are as beautiful as ever."

"You stay away from me," she growled, shifting to the farthest end of the couch. "Haven't you destroyed my life enough?" It strained as he sat in her vacated spot and faced her fully. His hand reached out to her and brushed her cheek, causing her being to shiver in silent rage. "What more can you take from me?" A hushed gasp slipped from between her lips as his hand grasped her chin and brought her face forward. It was as he was leaning downward, bringing his face towards hers, that the tingling in her spine became an overpowering waterfall. Setting her jaw, she focused a fraction of the energy she had accumulated into pushing him away.

Darwin's movements came to an almost abrupt halt nearly four inches from making contact with her. Disappointment filled his features at the sudden resistance. "You make me sad, Rose, why must you resist me so?"

"That should be obvious," she spat, the force intensifying as she struggled to remove herself from his grasp. "I didn't want you then and I don't want you now. The only thing I do want from you is for you to get out of my life!"

"Come now, is that any way to speak to the one who was responsible for all the good that has happened to you?" Her movements stalled at his words, causing his lips to lift in a small smirk. "You've rekindled your friendship with those people once more, not to mention the newfound fatherly love that you have found in yours and mine," his voice lowered to just above a whisper. "how does it feel having not one but two fathers to fawn over you? It must feel like quite the blessing, seeing as your beau does not have one of his own."

The anger she was feeling was now mingling with confusion and loathe. Out of the many things she wanted to correct him on, one thing had to be made clear fist. "Yusei's father was a brilliant scientist that died tragically in an accident and though he misses him terribly, he couldn't be more proud of the accomplishments his father had made despite the mistakes and catastrophe."

"Ah yes, who could forget the Ener-D reactor incident." Darwin rolled his eyes. "That's what they get for trusting the Fudo name."

A snap could be heard as her expression was overcome with hate. One second Darwin was sitting on the couch and the next he was plastered against one of the walls, gasping for air. A thin black outline had formed around Akiza's being that rippled with every breath she took. Her eyes had darkened to a bronze-like color and the blanket that she had once held onto for warmth and decency was now billowing in an invisible wind that played with her mahogany tresses. "You know nothing of Yusei's struggles, you don't even know the first thing about him."

"And you do?" Darwin sneered, a challenging look crossing his features. "Has he told you anything about his mother, grandparents, other relatives?"

"It doesn't matter," she growled, moving to stand in front of the Russian playboy. "I trust that he will tell me when he is ready and I'm more than happy to wait. He is not responsible for the mistakes of his father but such mistakes have lead to beautiful things."

Darwin's chin rose. "Such as the pain you received once your mark revealed itself."

It felt as though time had frozen as his words echoed loudly around her, eyes glancing down at her arm briefly. Though it had disappeared years ago after the calamity had been resolved, she had caught herself unconsciously rubbing or hiding the spot where it once resided. Her figure began to tremble slightly as memories of the abuse she had endured began to flash before her eyes. "There was a lot of pain, there's no denying that, but that pain is what drew us all together."

The room echoed loudly with the laugh Darwin released. "Have you never once wondered what would have happened if Vrach Fudo had never been assigned to the Ener-D Project? How would your life have changed if that mark had never appeared?" Akiza's arms tightened around herself as the ouline around her figure dissipated and the power that had kept Darwin against the wall disappeared. The Russian slowly began taking steps towards her, his voice low. "Haven't you ever wondered how your father would have treated you differently? He would spent more time with you and treated you like a normal little girl…hugged you, kissed you, showered you with the affection you longed for."

Akiza shook her head, retreating as his hands came into contact with her shoulders. "He was a Senator, his job was important. I didn't understand it back then but I would have with time." Her caramel orbs fell to the floor as a strange feeling began to creep up inside her. It was cold, almost hollowing, and it intensified the more Darwin's poisonous words echoed within her. She steeled herself and locked him with a look that once frightened the people of New Domino when she was the Black Rose. "How do you know so much? I suggest you think carefully before answering."

"If we're going to be spending the rest of our lives together, I have to know everything about you," he flashed his perfect white teeth with a smile. "especially if you and I are going to overthrow my father." Darwin nodded as she gave him a disbelieving look. "It's a rule of our family; the next of kin may only assume the seat of power once he has found a dama."

"Do not involve me in your family matters. Nothing pisses me off more than people who want to use my power for their own selfish gain."

Darwin held up a finger. "Who better to help me in my power struggle and to bear me strong offspring, but we'll get back to that. Rose, you naughty girl, you just told a lie." Akiza's brows furrowed in confusion as he walked over to one of the side tables where a crimson red phone sat and picked up the receiver as it rang. "Yes, I have her right here." He held it out to her. "It's for you."

Suspicious, she cautiously stepped forward and grasped the receiver, bringing it to her ear. Her entire figure froze as a voice came through the speaker.

…

Snow clusters the size of quarters began to fall as a they approached an abandoned residence. It was a single story three bedroom one and a half bath with a partially completed basement. According to records, the house was abandoned close to thirty years ago and it was obvious from the the deteriorating condition of its siding and roof. Yusei glanced over to Crow who gestured for them to halt and nodded as his friend suggested that they double check their gear one last time. His sapphire orbs darted over the bullet vest he sported before zipping his coat up completely and rested his hand on the small pistol resting at his hip. Yusei hated using firearms, preferring hand-to-hand combat, but Crow had insisted he learned how to use and carry. They had tracked Akiza's cellphone to the mansion in front of them thanks to Yusei cooperating with the Security's best; to outer Eastern reaches of Siberian Taiga. Yusei nodded again as Crow gave the signal to enter the mansion and slipped through the front door as one of the special ops members threw it open.

The walls were draped in wine red curtains, making the darkness that they stepped into even more shocking. If they turned their flashlights on, it would give away their locations. A special ops soldier tapped his shoulder and placed a special visor over his sapphire orbs. Night vision, he thought, nodding in appreciation, perfect. They slowly made their way past the furniture that decorated the large space they stepped into. A small group separated from them and went to search the kitchen while the rest of them began to check the bedrooms. Nothing in the first two, meaning that all was left was the basement and master bed. Crow silently gestured for the rest of the group to depart for the lower level and then turned his attention to Yusei as he moved towards the closed door. They were about to enter when the door swung open, revealing a figure that they were surprised to see.

Viktor gestured for Crow to put away his weapon and ushered them inside, nodding in the direction of the other officers. The room was much larger than it appeared on the outside and had wine red walls with light gray furniture. A lone flashlight hung at his hip, it's beam pointed directly at the floor so as not to blind anyone or give his position away. "So glad you could make it. I was curious as to when you would show up." They instantly understood his hushed whispers and glanced upwards as he pointed up to the ceiling. "There's a secret room in the attic that can only be accessed through this room. The drawstring for it, which is usually hidden near the window, is gone. That son of mine must have pulled it back up the second he had poor Rose where he wanted her to be."

"How do you know so much about this place?" Crow threw out the question as one would throw parmesan on a pizza.

"We used to take vacations here before the government decided to get antsy about foreigners in their country." Viktor's eyes searched the window sill, his hands darting around the wooden frame, and his movements stalled as footsteps were heard overhead.

They each retreated to the hallway as a portion of the ceiling shifted and a small staircase descended. Yusei glanced in Crow's direction, who nodded, and they slowly began making their way towards it. There was a soft sound, almost a whisper, and the two would have tackled the figure that had appeared at the top if it weren't for Yusei's quick pull on their arms. He slowly made his way up the stairs, his sapphires finding caramel. "Akiza?"

Akiza blinked rapidly, attempting to clear the fog that was covering her mind and vision. What was this place? This wasn't her room, in her parent's place or Yusei's home. A velvet blanket was sliding off her shoulder, revealing the familiar gray crop top that he had last seen her wear before she disappeared. The spinning of the room seemed to ease to a stop as a voice called out to her. "Yusei?" That was all it took. Her caramel orbs spilled with tears as he took the stairs three as a time and threw herself at him as he reached the top, her cries becoming muffled as he collected her in his arms.

Yusei gently eased her to the couch that he spotted not too far from them and calmed the frantic beating of his heart as she clung to him. "I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered, kissing the top of her head as the trembling of her figure began to wane. "We were all so worried."

"It is a miracle that we managed to find you so quickly." Her head rose as Viktor and Crow approached, blinking as one of the shone a light in her eyes. The Russian's brows furrowed as his fingers gently examined her neck. His eyes met Yusei's from over the top of her head. "It's gone."

Yusei's own fingers ghosted the back of her neck. The skin there was smooth, no ridges or bevels to be found. "Akiza, I know you've been through a lot all ready, but I need you to do something for me. One little thing and then we can go home." She nodded in silent agreement as her eyes met his. Her caramel orbs rested briefly on one of the curtains, which rippled as if it was made of water, then slid shut as her head fell onto his shoulder. Yusei smoothly stood, keeping a gentle hold on her as Viktor secured the blanket firmly around her figure, and he followed Crow out of the mansion.

…

The sound of crunching snow woke Akiza. Relief flooded her as she found that she was still within Yusei's arms, the only place where she knew peace. Her eyes remained closed as Crow's voice came from somewhere. "What do you think happened?"

"Not sure," Yusei's voice came from above her, along with a soft vibration from near her ear that sent waves of warmth through her body. "but she's safe and the chip is gone. That's all that matters." Her brows furrowed. When had that happened? She pushed the thought away as they continued. "Thank you for helping find her so quickly."

"You know I'd do anything for my friends," Crow's voice began to drift away as Yusei's body began to move. "I'll see you later."

It wasn't until she heard the door close behind them and they entered the living room that she began to notice the slight tremors. They weren't coming from her though. Her heart clenched painfully as he sat on the couch and something wet fell into her hair. "Please don't tear yourself apart, Yusei," she whispered, one of her arms emerging from the depths of the blanket to wrap around his neck as he buried his face in her shoulder. "neither of us saw it coming, so there's no reason for you to hold yourself responsible." Yusei shook his head, his hold tightening slightly. No words were needed between the two former Signers as they simply held onto one another. It wasn't until the grandmother clock in one of the upstairs rooms began to chime that she gently removed herself from him, one of her hands reaching to the back of her neck. Her caramel orbs widened when she found that there was no sign of the chip that once caused her misery. "It really is gone." He nodded, a look of relief crossing his features before one of worry took its place. She instantly knew why and began to test her limbs. The risk of having it removed without the necessary doctors and equipment had been frighteningly high with probability that she would lose function in her limbs. With slow and careful movements, she began making her way around the room; moving her arms, head, shoulders, hips, everything. The grandmother clock's twelf chime rand out as she came to a stop in front of Yusei, who stood and wrapped his arms around her. "It's a miracle…"

"A Christmas miracle," he whispered, showering her with kisses. His motions stalled as her lips met his, causing their hearts to warm in unison. They separated after many seconds, their foreheads resting against one another as they silently shed tears of relief and their eyes reflected each other's love for the other. "Merry Christmas, Akzia."

Akiza's lips lifted into a true smile. "Merry Christmas, Yusei."

That is the third part! Thank you all for your patience with this final installment of the Christmas Special! Can't wait to see you next time!