Chapter 6 A Night at Martha's.
As Akiza was thinking to herself Yusei went to the door and knocked.
"Hey Martha! Anyone Home?" The door opened to reveal a older woman with braided dark hair and a red type cloak dress combo. Her face lit up in pure joy and happiness to see who she saw at her doorstep.
"Yusei! It's been a long time! I'm so happy to see u!" She ran up hugged him hard. While Yusei was happy seeing Martha again and in such a happy mood he wasn't enjoying being crushed like a grape in her arms.
"Ok Martha! Your crushing me!" Yusei gasped for air.
"Oh sorry!" She said letting him go while Akiza gave a slight chuckle in the back which at that point Martha noticed her behind Yusei.
"Oh I didn't notice you brought a girl with you. It's a pleasure to meet you my dear. My name is Martha." She introduced herself bowing in respect.
"Oh uh h-hello, my name is Akiza. The p-pleasure is all mine." She stuttered bowing back with a blush.
"So Yusei, where did you find a pretty girl like this?" She asked with a shrewd voice.
"Martha… I already had to tell Jack not to jump to any weird conclusions." Yusei brought up annoyed. He slightly cringed at the pain from is duel and held his ribs.
"Sounds like Jack alright. What's wrong? You look sore. " She noticed him rubbing his ribs. Akiza looked at Yusei as guilt ran through her. She knew that those wounds were from the duel and she was worried about what he was going to say.
"Oh yeah. I was riding my runner and this guy cut the corner too short. So when I turning to avoid him I lost control and slid into a corner landing on my ribs. Jack was riding by and saw me crash and rushed over to help me out."
'Yusei…Thank you so much.' Akiza thought.
"Well you should also be more careful with other people on the road. I know how good you are but not everyone is as good behind a wheel as you are. I worry about you sometimes too you know." She lectured.
"I know. I'm sorry Martha. He apologized. But you know that I could never give up turbo duelling for any reason. It's been a part of my life since I can remember and it will always be too big a part of my life to just quit. Plus Jack and Crow would kill me if I did." He chuckled at his last comment.
"That's true." Martha agreed and laughed back. Akiza was watching Martha and Yusei talk and couldn't help but feel some jealously as well as happiness from her heart. They were having a normal and happy conversation which Akiza had never had with anyone before. All she knew was anger and sadness even with most people at the Movement. She would never have had such a conversation with them even if she tried.
"Well let's not stand out here all night. Come on in and let's get settled." Martha mentioned inviting Yusei and Akiza inside. When Akiza got inside she saw a nice house wit a wooden finish on the walls wit a nice fireplace and big kitchen on the far side of the house and stairs leading up to the bath and bedrooms. 'Wow this is quite beautiful.' Akiza thought looking around. Yusei noticed Akiza's stunned look and couldn't help but smile as he tapped her on the shoulder causing her to break from her trance.
"Shall we sit down?' He asked offering her a spot on the couch.
"Thanks Yusei." She sat down and laid along the couch with Yusei right beside her sighing in happiness at being able to stretch out and just relax. It felt great to just not worry or think about anything for a while. Martha came from the kitchen with glasses of water for everyone and sat in the recliner opposite from Yusei and Akiza.
"Now then Yusei, you still haven't answered my question about your new friend. I don't mean to sound anxious or pushy but I wouldn't mind knowing." Martha pointed out.
"I-I will tell you actually." Akiza spoke up slightly shaky. Akiza wanted to try and speak for herself and have a real talk for once. She knew that this was the first step to becoming the better person that she wanted be.
"Akiza?" Yusei turned to look at her.
"Yusei. Please let me explain for myself." She pleaded nicely. Yusei smiled and nodded gently and gave Akiza the floor. Akiza then sighed and looked directly at Martha and began to explain everything.
"I was living at the Arcadia Movement up until now. I was born with a great amount of psychic power and the people there noticed this and asked me to live with them. I lived with them for a few years up until what happened earlier today."
"Well I would like to know what happened earlier today. But I would also like to know something else first. How did you and Yusei meet?" Martha asked kindly smiling.
"I was walking downtown when I was being bugged by some guys on the street. That's when Yusei showed up and tried to help me get away from them. After we ran away and got away from them Yusei and I talked for a while and then I left."
"When did this happen?" Martha was now confused.
"It happened yesterday and then it was the accident that happened today that allowed us to meet again today. The Movement building collapsed and I was inside when it was happening."
"Oh my!" Martha said covering her mouth with her hand.
"Yusei and Jack were riding by and saw what was happening and rushed over to help me. They came inside and tried to help me out of there. I am just hoping everyone else got out too." She worried sadly.
"You and Jack went into a collapsed building?" Martha screamed at Yusei in horror.
"I know that it does sound crazy but we felt that we had to go inside and make sure that people weren't hurt. If we hadn't have helped who knows what might have happened to Akiza." Yusei explained trying to keep his voice calm. Martha looked at them both with a stern look knowing that there was much more than what they were saying. She could always sense a lie no matter how convincing it sounded.
"Yusei. Martha sighed. I am relieved that you are just ok and I'm happy that you are trying to help others like Akiza here, but answer me this honestly. Did you hurt yourself saving her, our was it really a duel runner accident? I think there is more than what you both have said." Yusei and Akiza looked at Martha knowing they weren't getting out of this one. They knew now that they couldn't lie about what happened anymore. Yusei was just hoping that this would end peacefully without Akiza going through anymore pain.
"Your right Martha, there is much more than what I said. I'm sorry I lied to you, but I just didn't know how you would react." He stated with a guilty face.
"I'm not angry Yusei. I'm just curious about something."
"What's that?"
"Why are you hiding the truth from me?" She asked directly. Yusei and Akiza both froze stiff at her question. They weren't sure how she was going to take this but it was now or never. Akiza though broke down from the pressure and started to cry out.
"I'm sorry! This is all my fault!" Akiza cried out breaking down on the couch with her hands over her face.
"Akiza.." Yusei sighed turning to her.
"The truth is Yusei came because he had heard some bad rumours about the Movement which turned out to be true. He came because some of his friends were being held there and he was trying to save them." Martha just sat there speechless as Akiza continued her story. "When he got there he tried to help me and his friends but I was so angry that I wouldn't listen to him and so we began to duel."
"Duel? Like that Duel monsters game?" Martha asked to confirm what Akiza meant.
"Yes. While we were duelling Jack showed up and helped the twins who were Yusei's friends out of the building as we continued. I was the one who hurt Yusei and the one who brought the building down!"
"But how? How could you do that much?" Martha asked still in shock.
"Because of my psychic powers. I have the power to bring my monsters to life and cause real damage to people. I was so angry and confused that I released to much of it and it is what caused all the trouble." Akiza was now fully crying while Martha was looking right at her with sad and sorry eyes. She now fully understood why she was trying so hard to hide it. Martha was now feeling even more sorry for the poor woman. Yusei then put his arm around her as she raised her head and looked right at him.
"Akiza. I'm not going to blame you for what happened. You don't have to worry about what happened to me because I am fine with it. I am happy to be your friend regardless if you have powers or not." He smiled honestly. Akiza looked back at Yusei and couldn't help but still feel guilty. She knew that he wasn't lying but the fact that he wasn't was something she wasn't used to in life which made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. She though gathered her courage to give him a honest response.
"Thank you. I don't know what to say." She sobbed.
"Your welcome. Yusei then turned to Martha. The rest that happened was I was able to get her to calm down and then Jack took the twins home and I brought Akiza here to rest. But neither of us are badly hurt or anything.
"Well that's good to hear." Martha sighed in relief.
" I'm still sorry for all I did. I truly don't want to harm anyone anymore with my powers. I just want to get a fresh start and try and move on from my past."
"Well I sure don't mind helping you. If you are truly sorry then that's all that matters." She smiled at Akiza.
"Thanks Martha." Akiza finally cracked a smile back.
"Now that that's taken care of shall we have something to eat? I have enough for everyone."
"Thanks for all this Martha." Yusei thanked her smiling happily that everything worked out.
"Alright then, Yusei come help me in the kitchen. I'll need help preparing dinner then since there are a few more people here than I thought."
"Ok." He got up and headed for the kitchen.
"I can help too." Akiza offered getting up when Martha held her hand out to signal Akiza to stop.
"No that's ok. You just sit and relax Akiza. Yusei and I got this." She smiled.
"But-"
"But nothing. Yusei jumped in. You just rest and leave this to Martha and me." Akiza sighed and sat back down while Yusei headed for the kitchen with Martha. While Yusei got some pork chops out of the fridge Martha grabbed some potatoes and began to peel them. As she peeled them she knew that this was a good time to tease Yusei a bit
"Sooo? You always going to be bringing girls here now or just this one? Martha asked laughing
"Martha!"
"Awww, but Yusei. I just noticed that you and her look nice together." Hearing this made Yusei blush slightly. He couldn't help but agree that Akiza was a cute girl when she smiled and he had noticed that he was sometimes nervous when he got too close to her but never thought anything of it. A flash of her pressing against of him when he was bringing her to the house flew through his mind which made the blush deepen. Martha noticed this and got in Yusei's face snapping him out of his fantasy.
"Well Yusei, It seems I struck a chord." She giggled.
"Martha. Akiza is just a friend that I wanted to help. There isn't anything else between us." He explained bluntly while oiling the pan for pork chops.
"Oh Yusei my boy, you have much to learn." She sighed shaking her head while she finished peeling the potatoes.
"I just want to help her get her life back in order so she can be happy about herself. I believe that she would be a great person to be friends with and I must admit, she has a pretty smile." He slowly let out the last part of that sentence.
"So you DO have some feelings for her, and don't say you don't cause I can tell." She laughed softly. This is exactly what Yusei didn't want to happen with Jack and know it was happening with Martha. He also knew that she wasn't going to let up on the subject anytime soon.
"Martha, you know sometimes your even worse than Jack is." He sighed as Martha kept smiling.
"I'm just pointing out the obvious Yusei. Jack and Crow would do the same if they were here too you know. I have a feeling that you are happy that they aren't here hearing me saying this anyway." She pointed out again frying up the pork chops with Yusei grabbing some carrots fro the fridge.
"Yeah, you got me there. If it was them I was saying all this to then it would go on all night."
"SO, do you or do you not like her Yusei? Do you not feel anything at all for her besides what you have told me?" Yusei wasn't sure himself on that question. He knew that Akiza was a good person deep down and she was quite pretty and honest when she wanted to be as well. He just didn't know if he could see himself as anything more than a friend to her.
"I honestly don't know Martha. Not right now anyway. I think what she really needs right now is just a friend who wants to help her get her life back together."
"Well I won't argue with you on that one Yusei. But I believe that you and Akiza could become more than that if you gave her the chance." Martha explained at as she began plating dinner.
"Once everything has calmed down I might do just that. I don't want to jeopardize what we have right now."
"That's very wise and kind of you Yusei. I'm happy I raised such a kind and understanding young man." Yusei blushed lightly at the last comment and turned around quickly to hide it.
"Thanks Martha. You're the reason I became this way." He smiled back at her. They then finished plating dinner and walked back out into the living room where Akiza had slightly fallen asleep from waiting. Martha elbowed Yusei gently as a sign to wake her up.
"Why me?" He whispered so she wouldn't hear.
"Because you're the one she trusts." She winked.
"OH boy." He sighed. Yusei then gently shook Akiza up which caused a slight jump from her.
"Oh sorry, I must have dozed off for a minute." She apologized sleepily while rubbing her eyes.
"That's ok. We don't blame you for being tired at all considering what happened today." Martha assured her that they weren't upset.
"Why do I smell meat?" Akiza asked sniffing the air.
"That's dinner. SO you hungry?" Yusei asked kindly. Akiza turned away as if to say no but her growling stomach which caused a great blush on her suggested otherwise.
"It sounds like your stomach and you don't agree with each other." Yusei teased with a chuckle. Akiza then gave him a strong pout which made him slightly flinch.
"Well sorry for being a glutton when I smell a good home cooked meal." She spat at him. Martha saw this and just laughed hard causing Akiza and Yusei too stare at her.
"That's the first time I have seen you put on a strong side Akiza. Way to go!" Martha applauded. Yusei chuckled and did the same.
"Well he DID ask for it." Akiza admitted.
"I guess I did. Sorry about that. Yusei apologized. So shall we all go and eat now?" He questioned the ladies pointing to the dining room. Akiza nodded and followed them both into the dining room where she sat down and began to eat her portion.
"This is great. It's been a long time since I have had a great meal like this."
"I know what you mean. Martha's cooking is always first class." Yusei smiled after swallowing some potato.
"You both are spoiling this old lady with those comments" Martha mentioned with a slight blush across her face now. Yusei and Akiza looked back at each other and couldn't help but feel happy eating together with Martha like a family. Akiza hadn't felt this happiness in years and she didn't want to let it go. 'I'm starting to see why you are such a nice person Yusei. You grew up with such a great woman and you also had your friends beside you. You might not have had the best life but at least you had people with you through it all.' Akiza thought to herself slowly chewing her pork chops.
"So Yusei, How is Jack doing nowadays? I haven't seen him in what feels like forever." Martha asked out of the blue.
"He's doing just fine. He was one of the major reasons that I was able to help Akiza and the twins Luna and Leo today. He always does come around when you give him the chance." Yusei explained finishing up his dinner.
"That definitely is Jack all right. I'm glad that the fame hasn't completely changed him from the way he was before."
"But how did Jack get so big in the duelling world and get all that he has?" Akiza asked also finishing up.
"It would be better to ask him that directly. He would want to tell you himself how he 'reached the top of the world' As he puts it." Yusei imitated that last part making everyone laugh. Martha soon finished as well and took everyone's plates to the kitchen.
"Anyone want tea?" She called from the kitchen.
"Sounds good." Yusei called back. Marta then began making the tea which left Yusei and Akiza alone at the table. Akiza for some reason was nervous about being this close to Yusei. Even though she knew they weren't technically alone she still felt awkward about it. She tried to work up the courage to speak while she fidgeted with her hands under the table so Yusei would not notice. Unfortunately Yusei noticed the look of worry on her face and decided to break the silence.
"Are you feeling any better now Akiza? I hope that we have been of some help to you." Hearing those words from Yusei caused Akiza to break down with her head falling closely to her knees.
"Yusei…I'm so sorry!" She said crying.
"For what?" He asked looking at her bewildered.
"For all the pain I gave you during that duel. You were just trying to help me and I wouldn't listen! You even made up that lie just so I wouldn't feel bad, or so Martha would accept me. And now you both have given me such a great and happy night for someone like me who has only caused pain and trouble for everyone around her!" She said crying with her hands covering her face. Yusei felt her pain filled emotions and got up from his chair and went over to where she was sitting.
"Akiza. I don't blame you for any of that. You were angry and hurt and devastated. I can't put in all on u and I don't plan on it either. As for that lie, I was just trying to take some of the stress of you that's all. You're my friend Akiza, and I promise I'll be here if you ever need to talk." He assured her while he put his arm around her.
"Yusei." She turned to him and without warning gave him a big hug which forced a blush out of him.
"Umm Akiza?" He asked confused. Realizing what she did she quickly jumped back with a cherry red face.
"I-I'm sorry! I just reacted!" She spoke out quickly turning away blushing redder than ever.
"It's ok. It's just you're the first girl that's ever hugged me so I wasn't prepared for it. Sorry about that." He replied with a slight blush of his own.
"It's ok. I'm the one who shouldn't have done that." She said fidgeting with her hands.
"Shouldn't have done what?" Asked Martha slyly coming into the living room with a pot of tea and a platter with tea cups on it.
"How long have you been listening?" asked Yusei with a serious tone.
"Long enough to know you two really are cute together." She said with a chuckle. Yusei and Akiza couldn't help but blush at the comment. Then Akiza looked up at a wall clock and saw how late it had gotten.
"I didn't realize it was so late." She said looking up which made Yusei look at the clock as well.
"It is getting pretty dark outside. Yusei noticed looking outside. We should try and get some sleep soon. Akiza aw that her time with them was up. There was no way she could ask them to let her stay after the great night they had already given her.
"Well thank you for giving me a great night Yusei. And thanks to you too Martha." She said getting up.
"Well what do you mean by that? You aren't planning on leaving are u?" Asked Martha taking the tea away noticing that no one was going to have any.
"Well I don't want to be a burden to any of you anymore than I have already. You have both done so much for me today already and I can't thank you both enough for it all. I'll just stay at a cheap hotel or something for the night."
"That is out of the question! You are certainly no burden to me or Yusei. I haven't had a night like this in years and I for one enjoy your company. You are staying here tonight with me. In fact you can live here with me until you get your own place." Akiza's heart jumped hearing this. She couldn't believe that Martha would even suggest something like that. Deep down she didn't want to leave but she didn't want this if it would cause them trouble in any way.
"What? I can't do that! I've been blessed enough tonight by you guys!" She panicked.
"Why not? There is plenty of room here. I don't have any other kids or anyone else living here right now so it's big enough and pretty quiet." Akiza looked and saw Martha giving her a please like puppy dog look and knew she wasn't going to get out of this.
"Alright. I'll stay for a while until I find my own place. Thank you for this." She thanked Yusei and Martha bowing to them both.
"Your very welcome. Yusei, are you going to stay the night or are you leaving?" Martha asked him heading back into the kitchen.
"I don't have anything to do tonight so yeah I can stay the night. I'll just sleep in one of the spare bedrooms."
"Thank you both for staying tonight. I'm one happy lady tonight. But this lady is also not as young as she used to be so I'm heading to bed. You two get some rest too. Oh and try to not get too loud." She teased them.
"Ma-Martha!" Yusei stammered. Akiza just flushed red unable to say anything.
"Gotcha! Martha laughed. Good night you two." She stated before heading upstairs to the bedroom. Akiza tried to shake off what Martha said by starting a conversation
"You were right Yusei. Martha truly is a very nice lady and I'm happy that she is the one who raised you."
"I know. She raised me since I was a baby so I knew she would help u. I didn't know that she was going to let you stay here but I guess that's a added bonus." He smiled. She smiled back and slowly felt her worries and concerns fade away as she sat right beside Yusei with no stutter or worry in her voice.
"Yusei, Did you ever know your real parents?"
"No they died years ago when I was a baby. That's why Martha has been taking care of me. I don't know any family." Akiza heard this and saw a sad expression stream across Yusei's face.
'So that's why friends and family are so important to you. You never had a true bond with one growing up.' She thought to herself sadly.
"What about your parents Akiza?"
"They didn't want me. After they found out about my powers they treated me like an outcast or a monster. After a while I finally just ran away and then I met Sawyer who gave me a home. I know now it was just cause of these powers but I am still grateful to him."
"That's not a bad thing. If he truly gave you all that then it is worth thanking." He assured her.
"Thanks Yusei." She smiled back.
"No problem. But we should get some sleep now. It's getting late."
"Yeah it is." She replied getting up.
"I'll show you to your room and then I'll got to my old one and sleep there."
"Alright." After walking upstairs he showed her to a room with a double bed and a white dresser with a small lamp on it and a desk in the corner with clock on it.
"Wow this is quite nice."
"Yeah Martha wanted the kids who stayed here to feel comfortable."
"I see that." She said sitting on her new bed.
"Well I'm off to bed myself. Good night Akiza."
"Night Yusei." As he closed the door behind him she fell onto the bed thinking about everything that happened today, She didn't know if she was lucky or just pitiful. She lost one home but gained another. She had no friends and now had some.
'I'm happy I found a new home and friends. Yusei really is a nice guy. But could he really be happy with someone like me?' She thought as she drifted to sleep. Two rooms down Yusei was also thinking about the days events and Akiza
'I'm glad Akiza seems to be happy again. She really is a nice girl when you give her a chance. But am I the type she would be happy with?' He thought to himself as he went to sleep.
A/n: Well the Arcadia Movement arc of the story is over. Now it focuses on Yusei and Akiza's relationship together. I will try and keep the chapters long and also I will bring in more duels as well since they are fun to write.