Chapter 3 – The most wonderful time of the year – Merry Christmas!
The Signers had been having an eventful few days round Ruka and Rua's; at least they said nothing was dull. Still as the days to Christmas shortened, everyone had been still looking for presents for one another. The six of them had gone out shopping and split up into three separate groups. Yusei had gone with Rua, Jack with Crow and Aki with Ruka. It all seemed basic enough, after all Aki would soon let Ruka go when she needed to by her present.
The girls of the group had been fairly successful with their presents, for Rua Ruka had gotten him a new pair of sneakers, claiming that Rua's ones were wearing out then again he wore them every day so that was hardly a surprise.
Aki had a more difficult choice, but in the end she had given him a Power Tool Dragon deck holder. She knew that Rua valued his deck over everything minus his sister, plus which better way for it to be held but in the hands of Power Tool Dragon. His ace monster!
They continued to walk around numerous shops, now trying to buy for Jack, Crow and still much to Aki's worry Yusei. As they looked over some poker cards, having heard Crow used to play it when he was in Team Satisfaction. Aki seemed at times completely distracted.
"Aki-san are you feeling ok? You seem to be spacing out an awful lot." Ruka asked her eventually as she looked back at the older Signer.
Aki shook her head out of her daze, and looked back down at the green haired girl. "Oh Ruka, sorry I'm just thinking on what to get Yusei. He is such a hard person to buy for, but I don't want to make it seem like I don't care. After all look what he has done for me."
The young girl smiled back warmly, "I know you care and you are also right with Yusei, he is a difficult person to buy for. Still I'm pretty sure whatever you get for him Aki-san he will be happy with, after all it is from you."
Aki seemed puzzled by Ruka's last comment, but she soon dismissed it and smiled. "Thank you Ruka, I'm feeling better now by the way have you got everyone's gift now?" She asked as she had just gotten Crow and Jack's gifts.
"All but yours and Yusei's, do you think we should split up for a while and meet back at the main square with the others later?" Ruka asked already looking at her phone.
Nodding the red head agreed, and waved back to Ruka as she left. Now she knew exactly where she was going to that toy store Yusei had mentioned, she had been past it numerous times and seen the present Yusei had mentioned to her. It was now the perfect chance to get it; still she was still in the dark on what to get Yusei himself.
As she entered the store, she looked around the place, many stuffed creatures hang from the shelves, and there were many big ones and small ones. In the centre of the store was a train set carrying many Christmas characters, like the typical Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman etc. Continuing go around and round in circles making small whistle blows, many young children had gathered around it with their parents amazed by it.
"The innocence of youth, how I wish I had that when I was their age." The woman thought to herself, but still managing to keep a smile despite small tears in her heart. Suddenly she felt someone grab her shoulder as she had been looking down, Aki jumped and quickly turned around. Only to be greeted by Rua and Yusei.
"Yusei, Rua?" She spoke completely stunned at being greeted by them both. "Shopping for Ruka as well huh?"
Yusei shook his head. "Not quite we already finished shopping for her, we just saw you enter so we thought we would come and say hi."
The young boy next to Yusei looked excited to see her, especially since she had shopping bags. "Hi Aki-neechan, have you got my present in these bags, can I see? Can I, Can I?" Rua pestered on in his usual manner.
Aki's eyes looked at the young boy disapproving. "Rua you know I can't let you see your present, otherwise it will give off the surprise on the day. Besides I'm not stupid to fall for that one."
Rua looked back disappointed, but before he could speak Yusei spoke. "Rua why don't you show Aki, your present for Ruka then maybe she will have a clearer idea what to get her."
Rua buried his hand into his bag, and pulled out a Beret. Aki had to admit it would look very cute on Ruka, though she wondered how Ruka would wear it with her ponytails. "That is a beautiful present Rua, thanks for showing."
The young boy placed the beret back in his bag, "I'll go on ahead and look for Yusei's present see you later." Then before the other two could speak he speed out of the shop, like his head was on fire.
"He sure is full of energy...as always." Aki laughed, and then turned to Yusei. "So Yusei have you done all your shopping?"
Yusei to her surprised nodded. "Yes everyone is bought for, including you Aki. Though naturally you will have to wait for the day yet. Oh yes this is what I got Ruka." He pulled out a small cuddly Regulus toy, he then later spoke about Crow's present which was an add on carrier for the Black Bird, so Crow could get bigger deliveries. Jack's was a golden card protector whilst Rua got this model set which he could build a load of deformer monsters and Power Tool Dragon.
Aki was amazed. "Wow you thought of all of this in such a short time, you really are amazing Yusei. Anyway I just need to get Ruka's big Kuribon toy and then well I still haven't gotten you a gift yet." She replied shyly almost embarrassed that Yusei had gotten her a present already.
"That is ok Aki, you don't need to give me anything, besides it is getting late we better prepare to head back home." The raven haired man spoke his azure blue eyes, scanning the face of the young lady.
"Y...yeah." Aki replied simply, and after getting and paying for Ruka's gift she left with Yusei to meet the others. She would simply have to come back later.
Christmas Day had finally come to the city of Neo Domino, and instantly four of the six residents in Ruka and Rua's home were woken up by the two kids being overly excited, especially Rua. Jack had been woken by a pillow being wacked on his head over and over again by the young boy. "Jack, Jack wake up it's Christmas we have to go downstairs and see what Santa got us come on, come on!"
Jack grunted "Why does it have to be Christmas with you lot, if I knew I would get a headache awakening I would have stayed in the cold garage. At least I would have slept better." He grumbled and got out of bed, before slowing walking down the stairs to the main living area.
The living room had been fully decorated with golden tinsel all around the room, with a huge Christmas tree, covered in many glass decorations and bulbuls underneath it were many well decorated gifts. Those being everyone's gifts, Aki, Ruka, Yusei and Crow had already made it down, and were waiting patiently for Jack and Rua to join in.
Rua had dived head first into his pile of gifts, and was eager to start unwrapping. Ruka walked over to her pile pretty excited as well, as the others reached their lot as well. "Might as well start right?" Yusei spoke, the others nodded in agreement and then the sound of ripping paper could be heard.
Ruka was amazed at the size of Aki's one, she felt it being really soft. Though not sure what it was she was excited about it. She slowly tore the wrapping off and soon saw a big emerald eye popping out of it. She tore a bit more quickly revealing a giant Kuribon; she looked back with glossy eyes. She loved it so much even the spirit one looked amazed and squeaked happily at the sight of it.
"Wow thank you Aki-san." She spoke happily running over and hugging the red head, who hugged back, and laughed before both were tackled by Rua. He clearly unwrapped his present as well.
The night had soon fallen everyone had been impressed with their presents. Though Crow hadn't been impressed with Jack's present, everyone else had been thoughtful. Aki's poker cards were good for him, the carrier from Yusei was helpful, Ruka's present of a Duel Calculator could also be useful since he didn't have the best math skills and Rua's present of the Black Feather emblem for the Black Bird was nice. However, Jack had gotten him nothing but toilet paper. This only led to arguments involving Jack being a cheapskate and a bum, to numerous insults from Jack back.
The kids had been tucked into bed, Ruka was sleeping snuggling with her two new stuffed toys, her new beret was by her bedside table with her Ancient Fairy ring and new jewellery box also joined it. Rua had all his present around his bed as he wore his new nightcap which was a tiny bit big; then again Jack was never good with measurements.
Aki was the only one up; she was sitting at the kitchen table, with a small box like gift in front of her. She couldn't have gotten the courage to open it; it was from him so how could she? After all she hadn't been successful in giving Yusei a present, which was bad since everyone else had. She felt undeserving of his gift now; a small tear fell from her hazel eyes. She felt hopeless and upset how the one person she trusted the most could, be left untreated by her especially after everything he had done for her?
She was close to breaking down when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs, as quickly as she could she hid the gift not wanting to be seen with it. As she waited to see who it was, she soon discovered it to be Yusei who had entered the kitchen and noticed her.
"Aki what on earth are you doing still up at this hour?" Yusei spoke in his usual mannerism; he had a point though it was about two in the morning now.
"I...I just couldn't sleep." She tried to lie, but Yusei could read her a lot easier then that weak lie. She burst down into tears, completely upset via the situation she was in.
"Aki." Yusei spoke softly clearly surprised by her reaction. "What's the matter? Please don't cry, tell me what is wrong?"
Aki was still sobbing, but she still spoke. "Yusei...I'm sorry but I can't accept your gift, I've not got you anything and I just feel guilty. I can't give you anything to receive, and I'm not worthy of this especially since I can't do anything in return."
The raven haired young man sat down opposite her, and put her hand on hers. "Aki open my gift, as I said I don't mind besides you need to know something. So open it." He spoke softly and smiled kindly at her, his eyes showing a gentle kindness that only he was capable of.
Aki looked back at him, her hazel eyes looked back into his azure ones. Then slowly wiped them and brought the little box present up, and carefully unwrapped it. What she saw was a beautiful grafted Jewellery box, she was wondering what was inside, but a part of her still wrapped up in guilt this gift must have cost Yusei a small fortune. She slowly picked it up in her hands, which shook slightly as she opened the lid. She gasped in surprise at what was concealed inside.
It was a rose, a glass rose attached to a chain. She picked it out of the box and examined it, the rose was beautifully crafted not a side out of place. Its glass was nice and solid, smooth and delicate just like the real rose. She noticed a little clip on the side which she pressed which opened the rose up. So it was a pendent, there was a picture of her and Yusei in it. From the time at the roller rink, they both were smiling and generally looked happier in each other's presence.
Yusei saw the smile creep on Aki's face at the present, "Ruka and Rua took the picture and showed it to me." He spoke with a small laugh, "Close it and look at the side."
Aki did as she was told, and looked at the side. It was engraved with a message, Aki was stunned engravings were more, how did he afford this? Along the side she carefully read the message.
"Aki! Even a rose pales in comparison to your beauty; never forget I will be there so you can continue to bloom."
Aki's face had gone bright red at the message; she had never expected something so moving from Yusei. She looked back at the man who was sitting opposite her, the heat in her face increased. "Y...Yusei." Was all she managed to croak out.
"Aki do you see why I didn't mind? I didn't need you to give me anything, all I want this Christmas is being her with you. I've always wanted you to be happy, and so this is my feeling for this present." He spoke back to her entwining his fingers within her. "When I saw the picture in your pendent, I realised how I felt. Many times on the Arc Cradle, and on various occasions all I could think of was you and your safety. I guess what I'm trying to say is..."
Aki put her finger on his lips, and shushed him softly. "I know what you are trying to say Yusei, and I think I finally thought of something for you." She reached closer towards him, her other hand cupped his marked cheek and she pulled her face closer to his. To them both everything slowed down the background simply faded, it was just the two of them nothing else mattered in the world now.
She then took the step, and placed her lips on his. It was then the passion in both of them flourished, the softest of one another's lips the feel of their tongues colliding together. Love, devotion, feeling, passion all the greatest feelings of love overlapped each other in this soft, but very passionate kiss. It seemed like months, years, decades until they pulled away. Though the truth was it lasted a minute, they both breathed heavily but part of them still wanted more.
"Merry Christmas Yusei, I love you!" Aki spoke after the two of them finally got their breath back.
"I love you too Aki, Merry Christmas." Yusei replied back before leaning in for another kiss, this was by far the best gift for Christmas if not for the full year. Aki was always well worth the wait.
A/N: That is it I'm done, ah I do love a happy ending. This is dedicated to my friend Artsy Sakura aka Aki a dear friend of mine. This is your special Christmas present, as well as some other friends on this site and others. Thank you all and Merry Christmas, and have a promising and full hoping new year. YamiZelgadis signing off see you later!