Staring right after finishing sounds like a good come back to me. Wasting no time Guys let's move!
I was used to my weekdays being busy and full of excitement, but since Akiza had admitted how much she wanted to get her turbo dueling licenses, our house had become a mad house. The boys and I were down stairs in the garage working on the finishing touches to Akiza's practice runner.
"You think she will like it?" Yusei asked sounding skeptical yet proud of now his third working and running duel runner he had put together with his own bear hands.
"I think she isn't going to know what to say," I laughed lightly handing Yusei the last piece.
"That worked perfectly guy's thanks for tracking it down," Yusei thanked Jack and Crow as he slid to his feet. The two of them had been hunting all night for a cooling system that would work.
"Tracking what down," came the sweet voice of Akiza. She stood on the stairs, red helmet in hand, full face, with a full on red and black racing suit that screamed Akiza.
"Nice," I commented leaning on the stairwell.
"You almost look like a real turbo duelist," Jack complemented. She smiled shyly and looked over to the runner.
"We built this for you from parts that we could find, now it's no ZX2200 but she will do you just fine," Yusei smiled as Akiza walked up next to him.
"Trust me if Yusei built it, you're better off," I laughed grabbing Akiza's shoulder lightly.
"I don't know what to say," Akiza breathed out exasperated. She was in complete awe that we had all pulled together to build this for her.
"How about nothing can stop me from getting my license," Yusei encouraged as gave her a thumbs up. Akiza smiled at him.
"Come on, your class is going to start soon, Yusei will get your runner down there if you want to hop on back with me," I offered her sweetly.
"Thanks Kai," She said genuine gratitude coming from her.
"I will meet you two down there," Yusei promised waving us on as I speed out of the garage.
"You excited," I asked her driving down the freeway heading over to the Academy.
"Well, I am slightly nervous, this is the first time I have tried anything like this. I afraid I won't be able to do it," She sighed looking down towards the road.
"Hay you're not in this alone Akiza, the twins are going to be there on the side lines routing you on. Yusei and I won't be far either. If there is anything you need help with we are going to be there to teach you. It may not be an easy task to accomplish but you are a great dullest and you will make a wonderful turbo dullest. We will get you through this," I promised her as we pulled into the back of the Academy. The two of us took our helmets off as she went and sat on a bench next to the twins. I stood next to them with a smile as the three school friends began to chat. This was the first time I had really ever bothered to do anything with Akiza. The two of us had very little in common as far as I could tell. I was more head strong and wild. Akiza had become a very tame and sweet person. It's not that I did not like her, because when she was in danger I protected her no less than anyone else in the group.
"Uh excuse me are you sure you're in the right class," three males, short, not very muscle based, nothing to sniff at if you asked me. Then again when you hang around with Yusei, Jack and Crow all day, no one was.
"Shouldn't you be at home playing with dolls or watching boy bands or something," asked the one who looked to be the leader of the group.
"Akiza is a senior and in the top of her class," Luna defended her.
"This isn't just any game, turbo dueling is something for real men, and only real men can even dream of getting a runner,"
"Guess that makes Akiza and me real men huh," I asked growing sick of their child like antics.
"And who are you?" They asked sneering at me.
"None of your concern, but I am a turbo duelist and I more of a real man than either of you three. So why don't you beat it, because she is more than capable of handling a duel runner," I defended her, there it was. The uncanny need to protect her, I knew she was capable of telling these guys off, but I felt the need to do it for her.
"Hay you four enough dawdling the tracks not walking to you!" commanded the teacher.
"That's your que Akiza, go on you got this," I encouraged her. She stood to her feet and gave me a confident nod.
"Come on you too lets head over to the bleachers," I said pushing off the stone wall and heading in that direction. Luna and Leo were at my heals. Just as the four mounted the runners Yusei joined us in the bleachers.
"What did I miss?" He asked sitting next to me.
"Nothing yet," I chuckled lightly thinking about how he probably would have disapproved of me cussing out the other three. We watched as the first boy took off on his runner and became way to cocky way to quickly and crashed wonderfully into the boxes. I couldn't stop myself from chuckling lightly. Served him fright for picking on Akiza. The second went way to slow, Leo and Luna could have passed him on scooters. Next up was Akiza.
"Come on Akiza, You can do this," I cheered her on. She started out really well right speed, on the right track and then she got a little cocky heading around the corner.
"Akiza Slow down you won't be able…" Yusei warning was cut off and we all cringed knowing how it felt to take your first fall off a duel runner. It wasn't ever a pleasant experience, but your fist was always your worst. She got right back up and gave us a smile and a thumbs up. Yusei and I gave out a sigh of relive.
"I guess we are going to have to work with her on that," Yusei commented a smirk on his face.
"Sounds like a plan Professor," I played along. Yusei just laughed at me.
The next few days Yusei and I would take her out, show her how we moved with our bikes. Showed her how mine was different from Yusei's and how each runner had to become one with its rider. She was getting better and better each day, only if she could get that turn.
"She isn't getting it," I stated plainly.
"She is trying Kai, do you remember trying to learn how to ride your runner. I know my first experience wasn't great." Yusei tried to reason with me. Truth was I did remember my first ride on my runner, the multiple crashes. For me though there were some of the happiest memories I had. That's when it came to me. I hopped on my runner and rode up next to Akiza.
"Listen to me I'm going to take this turn with you," I told her.
"What, but what if I crash? Won't you be in danger?" Akiza asked a bit of panic in her voice.
"Don't think like that Akiza, I am an experienced rider, I know what I am doing. I know how to get out of obstacles way, I know what am getting me into. What I want you to do is trust yourself and trust me, Can you do that?" I asked a serious tone in my voice. The blue tinted shield did little to mask my emotions and I could tell Akiza under stood how serious I was being. She stood her runner up and went back to the beginning of the track. I followed her over and we took the same stance.
"Alright Akiza, on the count of three we are going to take off at the same time, what I want you to do is try and stay as even as possible with me, hear me," I instructed her as clearly as possible.
"Loud and clear Kai," Akiza replied nodding.
"Good, one…two...Three!" I said and pulled on my accelerator, Akiza did well mimicking my movements in complete unison. When the turn came into view just like everything else she started to mimic my movement until I pulled back. Akiza did not even see me do it because she was too busy trusting herself, and her runner to notice I had stopped. When she came to a stop up by Yusei she was in complete awe.
"I did it," She said almost breathlessly.
"That you did, now I want you to do the full rout, without me, think you can do it?" I asked pulling up next to her removing my helmet.
"Sure can," she responded with confidence getting back on her runner and blowing through the cores with ease.
"How did you know that would work?" Yusei asked coming up beside me, he seemed slightly perplexed at what I had just accomplished in a few minutes.
"I had nearly forgotten, I didn't learn to ride on my own, Nick taught me," I simply responded. Yusei knew enough about my past not to ask any further questions.
We went home after Akiza did the turn a few times on her own. Yusei and I pushed the runner into the garage and started working on a few tune ups and repairs it could use. Akiza had gotten permission to stay the night with us, and watched as the two of us worked. She asked a question here and there and I would try my best to explain. Yusei was no good at it, he was way too technical.
When she went to take her test, she more than qualified.
"Great work Kai," Yusei responded to me.
"You have been helping too," I scoffed crossing my arms.
"Yeah well, now it's time for something new," Yusei smirked.
"You thinking what I am thinking," I asked knowing there were a few tricks a turbo dullest really needed to know.
Later that day Yusei and I went to the track with runners. Yusei sat steadily there as I stood next to Akiza.
"You did great today, now all you have to do is pas your test, but there a few things that every turbo duelist should know how to do. One of them is this," Yusei explained. He sped off quickly the turned around only to drift back into the same passion.
"In other words, you need to learn how to drift backwards," I explained in the simplest of terms.
"I am guessing it's harder than it looks," Akiza said watching Yusei stop.
"It is at first, but once you know what you're doing, noting can get in your way," Yusei replied giving her confidence. Akiza nodded getting on her runner and gaining speed but the minute she flipped she lost control. Yusei and I cringed as she crashed. I looked up at his face and it was running ramped with thoughts.
"Any bright ideas?" I asked knowing this one was going to be harder to teach than a simple turn.
"Just one," Yusei responded a light going off in his head and he smiled down at me.
The next day the five of us ended up at the skating rink. However only two of us were wearing skates. Leo, Luna and I watched from the chairs as Yusei tried to teach Akiza how to drift by skating. From what I could gather, she had never skated in her life. Yusei grabbed her freely around the waist and dragged her about trying to show her the simple steps. It killed me to sit here and watch it. I knew all he was trying to do was get the concept into Akiza's head, but the way he held her so gently by her hands, by her waste. It made my heart scream with jealousy and rage. Leo and Luna were not helping by commenting on how this was a date and we were the third wheels. It was making it so much harder on me to watch as Akiza started to improve. I eventually just couldn't take it anymore.
"I need to use the lady's room, don't move you too," I told Leo and Luna feeling hot tears already start to fall from my face.
"Okay, are you alright Kai," Luna asked, she must have seen some of my tears.
"Yeah, I just need a few minutes, I will be right back," I responded heading to the back of the Skating hall to the lady's room. I was glad it was a one room stall. I just locked the door and aloud my jealous thoughts to plague my mind and aloud my tears of lost hope fall. So many things made me think that Akiza was a better girl for Yusei, and he probably liked her more anyway. She was beautiful and had the figure to show off. She was rich what more could a boy want? I was nether and all I brought with me was trouble.
I allowed this to continue for about ten minutes until I knew it had to stop. Weather of not Yusei loved me, both he and Akiza would still worry if I was gone too long. I whipped the dried tears from my face and looked into the mirror. I scoffed at the girl who stared back and noticed another thing Akiza didn't have, a past with the law, and the mark to prove it. I cleaned my face and made sure it looked like nothing had happened. By the time I had returned Yusei and Akiza were returning there skates.
"There you are Kai, we were starting to worry," Luna replied grabbing at my jacket.
"Sorry I didn't mean to worry you. Are they done?" I asked moving away from the subject.
"Yeah, they just finished, I think Akiza is going to ace this final," Leo announced punching the air.
"As do I," I responded. It was a shame I had to work during her test.
That night I helped Yusei and Crow finish up the runner and by dawn I was gone and waiting on drunks at the bar. The day was quiet but I still had my regulars. My mind was so focused on the other day I didn't hear half of the people hitting on me. Or at least that was until I heard one familiar voice.
"Hay, Kai,"
"Akiza?" I asked turning to see her behind me sitting in the far left bar stool
"Sure is," She replied smiling and giving me a wink. She was dressed in her racing gear and I could see all the stares she was getting for every male in the bar room.
"One hand on her and you all will be hurting in the morning," I warned them pouring Akiza a glass of ice water. She laughed lightly.
"Now I see why you work here, you can keep it under control," Akiza replied to my comment. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a complement but I took it as one.
"I have been in one to many bar fights for them not to take me seriously, but what are you doing here anyway. Isn't your test starting?" I asked turning to clean a dish.
"Already went and did it, thoughts three boys who were picking on me the first day tried to sabotage my duel but I managed to win due to Yusei teaching me how to drift." She explained a smile placed on her face. My heart ached when she had mentioned that but I bit my tongue in response to toughs' feelings.
"Congratulations, I am sorry I couldn't have been there to see it, I would have loved to seen the shock on their faces," I smirked slightly knowing they had already been humiliated once.
"Well, I couldn't have done it without your support Kai. If you hadn't been there every step of the way, or taught me how make that turn, I would have had to wait another six months for my licenses," She thanked me. I was not shocked but I was touched. I envied many things about Akiza and here she was thanking me, the nobody girl who spends her day washing dishes and entertaining in a bar.
"It was no big deal, I enjoyed teaching you," I told her turning to put a dish away. I placed the towel in my black apron and sat on the counter and looked down at her.
"Just do me a favor?" I said sadness taking control of my face. She really was a beautiful woman, her mahogany hair and her brow puppy eyes.
"Anything," Akiza responded she must have seen the sad look I held because she suddenly looked worried.
"Don't ever let anyone touch that runner outside of Yusei or I, I was serious when I said your better off with it being built by him," I nodded firmly. She gave me a confident knowing smile. She knew I wanted to say something more. Something hurtful, something that will never pass my lips.
"I sure am," She agreed standing to her feet, she must have sensed my discomfort
"Get home you, I am sure your parents want to celebrate," I shooed her hopping down from the counter pouring another beer for a raging customer.
"They are, but Kai, really I do appreciate what you did, and somehow I will repay you," Akiza promised and without another word she was out the door. So now Akiza and I we had a bond, a bond of friendship and I had a reason to protect her. Yes I envied her and I felt like we were competing at Yusei now, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to protect her. She was my friend now but also my enemy.
So there we have it, Akiza and Kai, so in the show AkizaXYusei is pretty cannon, and this was one of the episodes that proved that. Since we all can see that Kai really cares for Yusei, this is a bit of a problem in Kai's eyes. I did not want to make Kai hate Akiza, just because she already isn't really fond of Jack. So they have a bit of an odd strained relationship. This is vital for later on in the story you will see how I solve this in just a few chapters. The ZX2200 is a brand that Yusei mentions in the episode just in case someone was curious. Until next time guys!
~Kaifudo…aka the author~