Chapter 2 - Heartbeats

Aki was in bed. The sunlight shining from the window had awoken her. She glanced at the clock. Eight o'clock AM. A yawn escaped her as she remembered the events from last night. 'Crow...' It all felt like a dream now. She changed into a casual red dress and tried to figure out what she was going to do today. 'That's weird..' Her heart seemed to beat faster when she thought of Crow. Aki placed a hand on her left breast. She was longing for him. She wanted him. The feeling was so strong. She had never felt like this before..

In an attempt to get her mind off of Crow, Aki headed to a local card shop. She decided she would revive her old hobby of dueling. It had been months since she last picked up her deck. She walked around the small store, browsing the shelves, which were varied with different packs for all sorts of duelists. Aki used plant-types since she loved roses and other flowers. "Ah, this seems like a good pack." She said to herself as she picked one up. "Hey, Ronny! I'm here with your weekly shipment of cards!" Aki's eyes became wide open as she recognized the voice. She turned to see who was speaking to the shop owner. As she had expected, the spiky orange haired boy was standing there, wearing his delivery jacket. He was laughing and making small-talk with the owner who seemed to enjoy Crow's company. 'Who wouldn't enjoy talking to him?' Aki thought. Her heart felt as if it would jump right out of her chest. Just seeing him there made Aki blush madly. Crow didn't seem to notice her as he walked to the door waving at the shop owner. "Crow!" Aki hurried over to him. She wanted to talk to him. She wanted him to make her feel happy. She wanted to bask in his aura again.

"Aki, hey!" Crow's eyes locked with hers. One look into those gray eyes and her day was made.

"Hi, Crow." Aki blushed and smiled.

"How's it feel being nineteen now?" He grinned.

"Heh, the same as any other age." She lied. 'Being nineteen is amazing because I'm with you.' Her mind was going crazy. 'One night with this guy and I feel like the happiest girl on the planet.'

"Well, I'll see you around. Got a few places to stop at before I'm done for the day." Crow winked and headed out.

Aki's heart sank. She wanted to be with him again. She wanted to hear him laugh like he did last night. She followed him outside. He leaned on his D-Wheel and stared at her, confused. "What's wrong, Aki?"

"Oh, nothing.." Her heart started beating faster and faster.

"You sure?" Crow was concerned. He knew Aki and it wasn't like her to follow someone around. She was independent. 'Hell.. The only guy she ever got clingy with was Yusei but that was only because she had a crush on him. Wait- She.. has a crush on me?' Crow was extremely puzzled now. His eyes traveled up and down Aki, trying to figure out what she was feeling. With a flushed face, Aki responded, "Yes, I'm sure."

Crow's eyes stopped at her breasts. Her beautiful breasts.. He felt lust building up in his lower body. An intense feeling swept over him. He wanted to touch Aki.. He wanted to feel her pressed against him.

"I'm sorry to bother you." Aki caught him staring at her and broke his gaze.

"Oh- No, no. You're not bothering me. It's totally fine." Crow plopped on his D-Wheel and pulled his helmet on. "How's you mom doing, by the way?" He asked, trying to seem a bit relaxed since his body was tensing up.

"I'm actually going to visit her in a little bit." Aki remembered and decided to go now.

"Sounds good. Take care." Crow said nervously. He started the engine and drove off.

Aki arrived at the hospital and entered her mother's room. "Hey, Mom.." She walked in quietly. Her mother smiled when she saw her daughter. "Aki, I'm glad you stopped by again today. It's not like you to visit me before noon."

Aki nodded and sat down beside the bed her mother was resting on. "I know, but I just wanted to talk."

"Oh? About what, dear?"

"Well..." Aki blushed as she remembered Crow's smile. She wanted to tell her mother everything. About last night, about Crow, and the way he makes her feel.

"What is it?" Aki's mother sat up on the bed carefully.

"I.. I like this guy."

"Yusei? He's back?"

"No, no. Not Yusei Fudo. The guy I like is a friend of Yusei's.."

"Ah, I see. What's he like?"

"Amazing. Everything about him makes my heart race. He drives me crazy. He's so.. wonderful. He understands me, Mom." She fell into a dream-like state just thinking about him.

"Haha, oh, Aki. You're reminding me of how I was with your father." Her mother chuckled but fell silent soon after remembering her husband.

Aki felt tears come to her eyes. "I miss Daddy."

"I miss him too, dear."

Aki looked down and took her mother's hand.

"Don't let go of him. If you love him, go for it." Her mother said.

"Love him? What? No! I just had my first conversation with him last night." Aki realized that she barely knew Crow. Of course they used to duel together but things were much different now. Yusei was the link holding all of the signers together. He was gone now. Everyone had fallen apart. It seemed selfish of Yusei and Jack to abandon their friends, but they wanted a break from everything.

"Aki. I just want you to know that I support you. Your father would've also. Believe in yourself. You're not alone." Aki's mother squeezed her daughter's hand and smiled.

"Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me." Aki let a tear stream down her cheek. 'He makes my heart beat.'