Contemplations

Author's Note: (Thank you to all who left reviews! I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story. Here's the second chapter. I'll try and see if I can write the third one soon! If you like this chapter, let me know!)

Yusei Fudo. Legendary Duelist. Hope of the people. Satellite's Shooting Star. Hero of Legend. How had he been living these past few years? He had saved the world numerous times in his youth with his friends. Fitting the description of the silent hero, he never cared much about the accolades and fame. He just wanted to make sure everyone was safe. Truly a selfless individual.

When the time came for his friends to leave New Domino City, he was at a standstill.

It was bittersweet.

He loved his friends to death. They were his lifeline. Although it seemed like they always depended on Yusei, in reality he was the one who needed them. If it were up to him, he would have told them to stay forever. But he couldn't. Especially knowing that moving forwards was his motto. How could he possibly expect them to stay when they had their own futures to conquer?

Because of the fear that he'd be alone and he wouldn't know how to handle it.

But the time came and they left. Jack, Crow, Akiza, Leo, and Luna all moved on. And so did Yusei. Or, at least he thought he did. He said goodbye to everyone after his final duel with Jack. Although there was one person who he had a special goodbye with.

Akiza Izinski.

Akiza came to see Yusei at his garage. She said that she couldn't bear him seeing her face at that time. It must have been hard for her as well. Saying goodbye. She had been through much as a person. Akiza was the strongest woman Yusei had known aside from Martha. Yusei's heart skipped a beat when he saw her there. She always had that effect on him. Ever since he first encountered her, Yusei knew she was special.

He entrusted her with Stardust Dragon and taught her how to use a Duel Runner. Akiza told Yusei that she loved knowing him. Yusei was shocked at her confession, but told her the same. Yusei realized this was the last time he would get to be with Akiza intimately for a while, if ever again.

He didn't hold back.

Yusei told Akiza she had the most beautiful smile in the world.

That caused her to smile.

She told him that he was the one to put it on her face. He smiled. They held hands and looked passionately into each other's eyes. The moment was short, but intense, with many unspoken feelings. Akiza departed shortly after. Yusei hadn't forgotten about that moment to this day. The next day Team 5D's had their 'final run,' leaving shortly after towards their own futures. Going back home, he didn't realize how tough it would be until he woke up the next day and realized that he wasn't going to be with Team 5D's.

He had to make it on his own.

Yusei dove into his work as a scientist to keep his mind off reminiscing about his past. He wanted to push forward and make the future a better place. Yusei pushed himself incredibly hard. Almost to the point of complete exhaustion. He led multiple scientific projects. He quickly rose as a leader in his field and in a few short years was the leading expert on Momentum and Dueling Technology.

Yusei still heard from Jack, Crow, Leo, and Luna regularly. Although, due to his busy schedule he couldn't respond so fast. Unfortunately, since Akiza had left, Yusei had not heard from her. Maybe she was busy as well. He wondered why it bothered him so much that he didn't hear from her. Yusei couldn't seem to get their final moment together out of his head. He found himself constantly thinking about it on his downtime.

Yusei wasn't sure what to do. He knew that Akiza was special, and he understood that the way he felt for her wasn't the way he felt for everyone else. She had a unique place in his heart, whether he was ready to admit it or not.

During one of his breaks, Yusei made his way to his office. He sat down and sifted through his mail. He found new messages from Crow and Leo, telling him of their respective adventures. Crow had told Yusei that he wanted to challenge Jack again. Their last duel ended in a tie. Yusei had been fortunate enough to get a day off during their duel, so he watched it from home. It was an intense clash of passion with neither duelist relenting. Crow had clearly improved significantly during the time he had been training. He matched Jack's every play and had him cornered.

Jack, being a "Power Dueler" was not one to get cornered easily, so when he found himself in a bind he pulled out all the stops. The duel ended with Black Feather Dragon and Red Dragon Archfiend clashing. When the smoke had cleared, Crow and Jack both activated their reverse cards, which reduced each other's life points to zero. Yusei was proud of both Crow and Jack for giving their all and constantly pushing their potential.

As for Leo, he started entering Riding Duels as well. He had gotten to be quite the expert duelist. Constantly placing well in the tournaments he had entered in, Leo was searching for bigger and better rivals. He eventually made his way to a tournament where Jack was the special final challenger. Leo easily rose through the ranks and got the opportunity to face Jack. Although Leo wasn't able to beat Jack, he gave him quite the run. Leo told Yusei that he couldn't wait to challenge Jack again and one day challenge him as well!

After it was all over, Jack congratulated Leo on his improvement in duel skills and hoped to see him at another tournament. Yusei felt proud of all his friends' accomplishments. He, however, didn't spend much time dueling anymore.

His future was heading in a different direction.

Yusei was still able to duel and hold his own, but, he felt that dueling was part of his past. He wanted to move on and he couldn't do that if he was focused on his past. One thing that Yusei had a hard time with was dealing with his past. While Team 5D's was still together, whenever trouble crossed the team's path, he was reminded that his father was partially to blame for New Domino City's struggles. Yusei felt for others and as a result he blamed himself for the situations others had to go through.

He thought that if things had been different, maybe everyone wouldn't have suffered the way they did. Jack and Crow could have had families to go home to. Sherry would have had her parents in her life and her childhood wouldn't have been so dangerous.

Maybe he's correct.

But, one can only move forward, not backwards, right?

Looking at an old picture in his office, it contained the three legendary duelists striking poses. Yusei Fudo, Jaden Yuki, and Yugi Muto. Yusei had saved the world from Paradox with these three by time travelling back into the past. Before he left to his own era, he had a chance to talk with Yugi and Jaden for a bit. They chatted about duel decks, crazy duels and surprisingly their romantic feelings. Jaden had told Yusei about a woman named Alexis Rhodes.

Jaden had briefly described her as a bold duelist with a big heart. He told Yusei that he had met up with her years after they had graduated from a Duel Academy they went too. She had told him that she had feelings for him and while he was surprised at this revelation, he reciprocated those feelings. They had been together ever since. Jaden advised Yusei to follow his heart, and if a woman ever came along who could make a strong impression on his heart, he shouldn't let her go.

Pondering Jaden's words, Yusei came to an epiphany:

Yusei missed Akiza.

He missed seeing her smile.

He missed her supportive words.

He missed her passion for others and dueling.

He missed her love.

Yusei, without any prompting, made his way to the internet. He was on a mission. After a few searches, he found Akiza's phone number on the contact page of the hospital she worked at. Without thinking twice, he found himself dialing the number, hoping she would pick up. With his new found knowledge, Yusei hoped that he would be able to explain himself and his feelings to Akiza.

Hopefully it wasn't too late.

The ringing stopped and Yusei heard someone on the other end. Unable to wait for confirmation if it was Akiza or not, Yusei began to speak into the phone.

"Akiza. It's Yusei. We need to talk."

"Yusei…"

He heard her breath hitch, but he continued on with the conversation, hoping his contemplations would allow his revelations to be fully acknowledged.

-Fin.