At the Crossroads

Traction Control

The ebony haired man's gaze had never wandered away from Akiza's as she spoke, even though it had taken several hours and the sun had set a while ago that left them in the cold electrical light above the back door, he didn't deter or voice the questions that had risen within his mind. It was only when her head hung lowly that the air rang with silence. His arm rose from the bent knee it had been resting on to wrap around her shoulders and bring her flush against his being, his azure eyes closing as the soft skin of her forehead met his lips. There were words he could say, as many others might in this situation, but he held them back as she trembled against him.

Her unease gave way to suspenseful agitation the longer he remained silent. Surely he had something to say after all that she had confessed? It was times like this that she hated yet adored how calm he could be in stressful situations, like when they were facing an enemy, but his silence was starting to kill her. "Please say something." His hold around her tightened for a moment then he pulled away slightly so that their gazes could meet once more. She expected to see disappointment, sadness, anger even, but she only found calm acceptance and genuine relief. "Yusei?"

"Thank you."

Toffee hued eyes blinked in shock. "What?"

"I said 'thank you'." His lips lifted into a soft smile, one of his hands rising to brush its knuckles gently underneath her left eye as a tear threatened to fall from her lashes when she blinked. "You didn't have to tell me those things and I wasn't going to ask you about them, but I'm glad you did. It shows me just how much you trust me, Akiza, so thank you."

More tears followed as she speechlessly looked up at the champion turned renowned scientist for several seconds. "I just confessed to you that Sayer-" The rest of her sentence was lost as she was collected into a tight embrace against his chest, his arms cradling her as she began to shake.

"What he did to you was nothing short of brainwashing but I do not blame you for developing feelings for him that may never fully go away. At the time, you thought they were genuine and acted upon them." His chin rested atop of her head as he took a deep breath. Yusei internally hoped that she couldn't hear the pounding of his heart that was result of his anger towards the man who had laid his hands upon the young woman. "You have been through more than your fair share of pain and suffering, Akiza, yet you have come out so beautiful and strong that not even the moon itself can hope to outshine you."

She pulled away with a scoff, hands resting against his chest. "I was a broken person then and I'm still laying on the ground in hundreds of thousands of pieces. Nothing has changed."

"I beg to differ." His hands fell to rest upon hers, eyes darkening a hue as he grew serious. "Do you know of kintsugi?"

"Chinese pottery? What does that have to do with this?"

"It's the process of repairing broken pottery with gold or some other form of material that enhances the beauty and originality of the piece. Every crack that he shattered or caused helped you to grow in some way shape or form. Those pieces have been put back together with rose gold, making you even more beautiful than you already were. Even the shards of you that were the Black Rose shine brightly because they are the parts that create you as a whole."

Her eyes widened as his tone softened, his palms rising to cup her face between his palms as she made to turn away. "So, what, I'm a rejected pottery piece that is worthless?"

"You are more valuable because of those flaws, more beautiful because of your imperfections, because you have struggled to put yourself back together and it resulted in you becoming a work of art that is priceless. Only you could have gone through what you did and come out as you have. You alone had the strength to survive and overcome those trials, Akiza, you should be proud of that fact not ashamed." He leaned forward until their foreheads touched, the fight within her gaze lingering for a second longer then dissipating.

Those sapphires that she adored so much were shinning like twin stars as her lips quivered. "Say that I believe you," she whispered. "What am I supposed to do now? I don't exactly have a time machine that can allow me to go back and stop it from happening so that I could give myself to you instead."

"The future is where your sights should be, not behind. Pitying the version of yourself who was left behind will only confuse and make you lose sight of what's coming. What happened can't be changed but learning from it while not getting stuck is the challenge. Self care would be a good place to start for most people. We can start there," He rose to stand, taking her with him as he opened the door. "In the morning." She slipped inside, casting a hesitant glance his way then proceeded inwards when he assured her that he would be along shortly. The door closed behind her with a click and it acted as ignition for the fuse that was attached to his pent up emotions that swirled within his chest. Yusei was not one who lost his calm exterior easily but even he had been struggling during her confessions. A chill passed down his spine as his forearm that had once bore the head of the Crimson Dragon throbbed painfully, though no red mark could be found upon his skin, he knew he was being watched.

There, within the depths of the pool where the underwater lights couldn't reach, was a figure whose head bobbed like that of a snake.

"I see you, coward." Yusei growled, darkened eyes scanning over every single shadow that was before him. His eyes narrowed as the smoke-like being hissed lowly then disappeared. A sneeze came from inside, causing his gaze to flicker towards the house behind him, then took one last careful examination of the back yard before slipping inside. There was a lot of work to be done.

. . . .

"Oh, wow!" Wide glittering toffee eyes meeting amused sapphire as she came to a stop at the entrance to wait their turn. He had been so secretive on where they were going that no matter how hard she pressed or questioned Yusei only responded with "you'll see" or "I don't want to spoil it". The young woman was left speechless as he took her by the hand and led her within the botanical maze. "I'd heard rumors that New Domino now had the biggest greenhouse exhibit in the world but I never thought it would be this beautiful!"

He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze as they shed their coats and checked them in at the front desk. Though it was still chilly outside, they had relished in the warmth that greeted them the second the doors had opened. The man who accepted them and issued both of their passes smiled as she literally bounced in place while her eyes darted in every direction. With a nod, Yusei accepted the passes and led her inside with a chuckle. That spark of life that had just begun to return was now a blazing ember as she took turns examining and admiring each plant in turn as they walked but it was when they turned a corner that the true reason he'd brought her to this place was made known.

"Is that a maze?"

With a wink, he released her fingers and took the first step within its twisting passageway. "Let's go. Together."

She blinked, picking up on the hidden meaning behind his words, and took a deep breath as she followed. He fell into step beside her as they began walking, her fingers absentmindedly trailing across the polished banister that was the protective banister to keep young children from wandering through the plants. Akiza glanced at him from over her shoulder, noting the nostalgic outfit he was wearing as his signature go-to once upon a time, and felt her cheeks warm as he shed the outer royal blue jacket to reveal the fitted black tank underneath as well as his toned arms as he slung it over one of his shoulders. At first it seemed odd that he hadn't worn his gloves today, she was glad he didn't as his warm digits found her own when she hesitated before a fork in the road. It was easy for one to not notice how calloused his fingers were yet they spoke volumes of his passion as a duelist, a man who adored and took pleasure in working down in the dirt or grime when others shied away, and spoke of his sharp intelligence that often came in handy on odd jobs or requests.

Yusei Fudo was truly a man of many talents and quirks. It still saddened her that a few of the strangers they passed regarded him with caution the second they saw the mark on his face but he didn't seem the least bit bothered as he waited for her to make a decision. Though he spoke little and expressed himself rarely, the sole heir of the scientist who created the Ener-D reactor was one of a kind. Growing up without parents while playing the game of survival in Satellite had honed him like the blade of a sword until he was fine and precise like a surgical blade, meeting everything head on no matter what it was and ended up coming out victorious. Nothing visibly seemed to faze or get under his skin.

"Has anyone ever told you you're too amazing?"

Sapphire blinked in surprise at her words as she took the left fork. "How so?"

The young woman's lips rose into a small smile as they continued. "Forget I said anything."

Toffee blinked as they came to a dead end.

"Looks like we'll have to go back a few steps." he said softly, giving her fingers a brief squeeze. "It's not nothing if you said it. What's on your mind?"

Her shoulders rose and fell in a sigh as they returned the fork, taking the right path this time. Strange relief filling her as it stretched out before her with no end in sight. "I just can't help but think you are much stronger than I am and how am I supposed to get there?"

"Strength is not defined by physical or mental capabilities, Akiza, and it is not fair to yourself to compare your own with that of another." Yusei paused mid-step as she took a moment to admire a rare Bat Flower (or a Tacca chantieri as she proudly displayed her knowledge of its official name without glancing at the plaque of information). "Each person is different in their own way shaped by the events and choices that they make. I made the choice of pursuing Jack instead of staying within Satellite and risk being caught then persecuted as a criminal." A light chuckle rose up his throat as her head snapped in his direction. "Maybe you're not the only psychic one here." He flashed her a teasing smile, earning a light smack to his arm as she straightened and began walking again.

She didn't go very far, coming to a stop in front of a towering display of impressive sunflowers. "Have you ever wondered what you would be like if you hadn't gone through what you did?"

He gave her fingers a comforting squeeze at the hidden weight within her voice. "If you're asking if I regret what I had to go through or wish that it had been someone else, then my answer is no." Azure eyes closed for a moment as he searched for the right words when she asked for clarification. "I feel as though I needed to go through those dark times to better understand myself and discover my limits. The more I struggled, the more I grew to develop my own self identity. For too long I had looked at Jack and even Crow with the thought that I would never be on their levels but before I'd even realized it I had created my own platform where I could freely express or act without caring what the world thought." Yusei's gaze met hers as they came to a halt in front of another fork. "With the influence of your power and Sayer's guidance, you developed the Black Rose persona. You felt the need to protect yourself because of the backlash you received from your psychic abilities." His hand rose to brush a few tresses of her hair from falling into her face. "Though you ended up scaring yourself and those around you, you grew to understand the danger of not being capable of controlling your powers as well as the need of having someone who accepted them. The pain and loneliness that he took advantage of, the emotions that you felt towards him in gratitude for becoming that person who welcomed you with open arms as well as a sanctuary, was not your mistake but his. Sayer's selfish reasons of keeping you close to his side and training only fueled your inner strength, you just weren't aware of it yourself until he was forced out of the picture."

"So my dependency on him," she said slowly, her footsteps as light as her voice that was barely above a whisper, "helped to build the foundation I needed for myself even if he was the wrong person for me to share feelings for?"

"Heartbreak is never easy but it's a necessary evil that forces us to examine those who we surround ourselves with and identify if its for personal growth or if the other party was solely using our beings for a private agenda. It may hurt to remove one's self from that kind of companionship but even it serves to remind ourselves that we are human beings who deserve the respect and honesty of others."

The pair came upon another fork in the road but Akiza didn't falter as she took the left passageway.

"When you put it like that, I guess it kind of makes sense. It would explain how you're so kind to others." Her lips lifted into a soft smile as he blinked. "Yusei, you're probably the kindest person I know. Even if someone is a stranger you always find yourself helping them even if the matter doesn't concern you. You didn't have to help Leo with his duel disk during your amnesia but you still did when you saw how much he was struggling, it was as if you had a natural response that drove you to help him even though you had no memories of who were were." A pink tongue appeared between her lips as he questioned how she'd known about that. "Need I remind you that I'm their adopted sister? They both tell me lots of stories."

Yusei's eyes rose to the domed ceiling of the greenhouse. "I can only imagine what they must tell you."

"They adore you, you know. Everyone does." She nearly laughed at the expression of shock that crossed his features, her fingers subconsciously squeezing his own.

Another fork appeared ahead, this time she steered them to the right.

His eyes traveled across her being as their hands shifted from him holding hers offering support she was now holding onto his with vigor. Not only that but Akiza's footsteps and body language were less labored, graceful even. Inwardly, he smiled as their gazes met briefly from over her shoulder, finding her toffee eyes clear of the hesitation and confusion that had been clouding them. Slowly but surely she was coming back to him. "I guess I never noticed."

"That is hard to believe," she giggled, gasping as they came across a clearing with a fountain.

The walls of green were filled with crawling blossoms that had yet to bloom but it was as if they were specifically waiting for her to step off the brick passageway onto the wooden path that led towards the glittering cascading water, each of the onlookers who had also chosen to visit during this time raising words and sounds of exclamation as the buds opened when she passed. His fingers slid from hers as he came to a stop from shock at the display and felt his breath catch as she passed through one of the archways in time for a shower of multicolored petals to shower her. Akiza was not a pushover, her strong will and steadfast personality often left those around her unsure of how to handle them but not him. Yusei was stunned as she spun on her heel when she discovered that he wasn't beside her, her cat-like eyes and fair features rendering him breathless as the aura around her changed from recovering victim of traumatic events to battle ready woman. People had once called her the Black Rose Witch out of fear for her powers when they should have been calling her the Black Rose Queen.

"Earth to Yusei!"

He blinked, startling slightly when he found her to be staring up at him with her arms crossed, one of her brows risen in question, and quickly donned a smirk. "Ground Control: Go."

"What had you so engrossed that you didn't notice the sudden gathering of fans?"

Yusei blinked, finding her words to be true as people began pointing to him and making all too familiar heart-shapes with their eyes. "That's our cue to go." He took her hand, making a show of pressing her knuckles to his lips as he drew her against him with a tug, causing their beings to collide, and then pecked her lips with his own that earned a resounding "Aww" from their audience.

Cheeks burning brightly, she ducked her head and allowed him to take the lead as they continued along the twisting passageways. The farther they sprinted the more her lips lifted into a smile as they took turns with alternating leader position passing between the two that was easier for them than breathing itself. Exhibits and other small areas for the visitors to rest in passed by in a flash but they were having far too much fun to pay them any mind. It wasn't for several moments that uncertainty filled her as those who were above them in the watch tower started to cheer that she attempted to slow their pace by digging in her heels slightly.

"Don't stop now, Akiza!"

"Why?"

The biggest and brightest smile she'd ever seen on him filled her vision as he encouraged her with a nod. "It's just ahead, waiting for you!"

"What is?"

"A bright future where you are smiling!"

Her eyes widened as the exit appeared ahead of them and they stepped through the final archway that was decorated with bright red roses that were in full bloom. As if on cue, they too opened themselves wider as she passed by, causing their heavenly scent to waft over the pair as she clung to him when she stumbled from stepping off the brick and onto concrete once more.

Hey, everyone! Suntory Angel here! I know, long time no see! I won't bore you with the details but I will be visiting my older fanfictions in hope that I can get myself out of this emotional rut that I've found myself in. This chapter was written for those who are struggling during the trying times of separation with COVID and other emotional or mental instability. There is a brighter future awaiting you at the end of the tunnel, you just need hope and a special someone to show you the way when you get lost.