Chapter 12 King vs. Queen.
Akiza had walked in after saying goodbye to Yusei too see Martha sitting on the couch watching a comedy show on T.V. Martha then turned and saw Akiza who was waving to the older woman.
"Hello Akiza. Welcome home. Shall I fix us up some dinner?" Martha asked the young lady.
"Yes thank you. I am actually pretty hungry to be honest." Akiza admitted rubbing her stomach. Martha smiled at Akiza's action then headed for the kitchen and pulled a frozen pizza from the freezer and plopped it in the oven. She then headed back to the living room where Akiza was stretching out along the couch looking tired. Martha decided to ask Akiza about what she had saw and make it funny to boot.
"You look quite exhausted right now. You tired Akiza?" She asked.
"I'm just tired from all the duelling I did today I guess. The twins came over unexpectedly to visit Yusei and we ended up duelled with them for a while. After that was over they left me and Yusei alone. So we talked for a while about some past stuff and then he dropped me off at home." Akiza explained with a little yawn.
"So you are tired because you were having fun with Yusei all alone?" Martha smirked stretching her words.
"Just what are you implying Martha?" Akiza asked bluntly with her one eye focused on Martha.
"It just seems that you got tired rather quickly just from duelling the two children and talking. You know I too was once young as well as active when I was your age and when your alone with a guy you like-" She was stopped by Akiza cutting her off.
"No! No! I'm just tired that's all! Yusei and I didn't do anything like that at his place!" Akiza flipped tried to defend herself.
"Oh, really? That kiss I saw you give him just now outside says another story." Martha winked back knowing that that said something else. Akiza flushed deep red hearing that. She had no idea that Martha saw all that outside. She didn't know what to say to change the subject and decided not to even try.
"Ok. I admit that we kissed each other. I really do like him a lot and we decided last night to go out with each other as a couple." She blushed as Martha eyes went wide.
"Akiza! I'm so happy for u!" She stood up and hugged Akiza. Akiza smiled and hugged Martha back. Tears started to build in Akiza's eyes. Even Martha treated her like a real family member. She truly treated Akiza like a real mother should treat her daughter. She was right after all that she truly was home right here.
"Thank you Martha." She cried.
"Akiza, I'm happy that your Yusei's girlfriend. I know you both will be happy with each other since you both seem to understand each other so well. Just remember to take things slow and be yourself. Yusei and I know that you will be truly happy with the life you will continue to live here with us and just be yourself." She smiled.
"Martha, saying all those things like that is embarrassing." Akiza blushed and giggled.
"I'm just telling you the truth dear. I know that you two love each other and deeply care about one another. I know that we will always be around when you need help with anything."
"Thank you Martha." They sat and watched T.V. until the pizza was ready. They ate it quickly and both found themselves tired when night time came.
"Well Akiza, its time for this lady to crash for the night. You coming to bed as well?" Martha asked standing up.
"Yeah in a bit. I just want to do something first."
"Ok then. Good night Akiza." She waved going upstairs. Akiza waited for a few minutes and then looked up shops and malls on the laptop to try and find somewhere that would give her a new wardrobe. She knew that Martha asked before and decided to do so. After a few minutes she became blurry eyed in front of the screen and could see that she was more tired than she thought. She then turned off the laptop and headed upstairs and got into bed.
The next morning
Akiza woke up and stretched in her bed happily thinking about Yusei and how much fun she had with the twins the previous day. She then quickly got out of bed and jumped into the shower and cleaned herself good as she couldn't stop thinking about the feel of Yusei's lips against hers. She soon started to feel hot all over and it wasn't from the water. 'Why do I feel this way all of a sudden? Akiza panted to herself. I feel like I should-' She began to move her hand slowly between her legs and spread them wide. The vision of Yusei and what she did last night made her want more and she was physically determined to get it. She was about to enter her own body when Martha's voice snapped her out of her fantasy.
"Akiza! Breakfast is ready for you!" She called. Akiza flushed cherry red realizing what she was about to do and decided to end the shower quickly.
"Thanks Martha! Be right down!" She called. She then got out and dried herself off cussing herself for what she had done. 'What the HELL was I thinking about?! What have I DONE?! If anyone saw me doing this…' She shook herself free of her thought and dried her hair. She then got dressed in some tight blue jeans that Martha had from a long time ago as well as a green tank top which nicely showed off her curves. She then headed downstairs to find French toast waiting for her on the table.
"Good morning Akiza." Martha greeted her with a smile as always.
"Morning Martha. This looks great." Akiza noted as she sat down and began eating.
"You look great yourself Akiza. You got a date with Yusei today or something?" Martha asked walking back to the kitchen to pour herself some coffee.
"I actually don't know to be honest. I realized last night that I forgot to get his cell phone number so I have no way of calling him." She sighed sadly as she continued eating.
"Oh. If that's all you need then I got it here with me somewhere. You go and finish your breakfast and I'll find that number for you alright?" Martha smiled heading to get her purse.
"Ok, thanks Martha." Akiza then happily finished eating her French toast and put her dishes away and went into the living room to see Martha looking through her purse.
"Is it in there Martha?" Akiza asked noticing that Martha had a annoying look running across her face.
"Well I thought I put it in my purse when he also gave it to me so I would always have it on me, but I can't seem to find it in here." She grunted still digging through her purse.
"It's ok Martha. I'll just ask the next time he comes over." Akiza sighed as she was really hoping to talk to him.
"Won't have to do that. Martha smiled. Because I just found it." She then pulled out a small piece of paper with Yusei's name and number on it.
"Really?! Thank you so much Martha!" Akiza exclaimed as she was happy now that she could talk to Yusei whenever she wanted.
"Here u go Akiza, just don't be acting to lovey-doveyaround others while your on the phone with him." Martha smirked.
"I won't. Thanks." Akiza then grabbed the phone and called up Yusei.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Yusei? It's Akiza."
"Oh! Hey! Did I give you my number?" He asked confused trying to remember if he did or not.
"No, Martha gave it to me. I guess we kept forgetting to ask each other." She laughed lightly as she scratched her head.
"I'm sorry about that. He apologized scratching his head as well. So how are you both doing?"
"We are doing just fine Yusei, thanks for asking. How about u? Did your job go well last night?"
"Not as well as I was hoping." He sighed.
"What happened?" She asked slightly concerned.
"Nothing too bad. It just when I got there it seems that people just aren't to see someone as young as me fixing things for other people. So pretty much the whole time I was working I heard them whispering and joking about me and my mark and it was just like SHUT UP." He groaned shaking his head. Akiza frowned knowing exactly what Yusei was going through as she also went through at a much younger age.
"I know what you mean. I'm sorry that you had such a troublesome time." She consoled him.
"It's ok, I just did my job and then came back so I won't have to hear anymore. So anyway, what's with the morning call?" He asked getting back on topic.
"Well the truth is I was actually calling you to see if you had any plans tonight or not."
"Yeah, actually I do to be honest. I got a call from Jack just a few minutes ago before you called and he wants to have a duel with me so I'm going to his place later today."
"Oh I see." She answered back disappointed. Yusei could feel and hear her disappointment and decided that it might be fun to have her with him when he went since Jack already knew her.
"If you want, I could bring you along with me Though I warn you, Jack isn't the nicest guy to be around at first." He warned her.
"I would like that Yusei. I want to get to know you better by knowing your friends too." She smiled at her end.
"Alright then. I'll pick u up in an hour at Martha's and then we can head out. Sound good?"
"Ok Yusei. I love u." She whispered so Martha wouldn't hear. He smiled and lightly laughed at her whisper.
"I love you too. Later." He hung up. About an hour later Yusei showed up at Martha's front door and let himself in after knocking.
"Knock Knock! Anybody home?!" He called before walking in and closing the door.
"Hey Yusei! You here too pick me up?" Akiza called walking into the living room from the kitchen.
"Yes ma'am I am. Jack is definitely not the type to wait so I thought I had better come get you quickly and head over there as I promised."
"Alright then Yusei. Let's get going. I wouldn't want you to be chewed out by Jack because of me." She spoke as if Yusei wouldn't be chewed out but he knew he was going to be regardless. The two then hopped on the runner and headed for Jack's. As they drove over there Akiza was wondering how Jack would react if they told him about their relationship. She didn't know much about Jack other than the fact that he was a champion duellist. She knew though that the only way to become closer to Yusei was to be closer to his friends. They soon arrived at Jack's house which was a major big bungalow with white walls and a balcony that went all around the house.
"Wow! He sure lives the good life." Akiza looked stunned.
"Yeah, it's not my style but he likes it and the color, so I guess it works for him." Yusei said walking up to the door and knocked.
"Still you have to admit it's a little over the top. At least it is for me." Akiza muttered softly so that Jack wouldn't hear in case he was close by.
"I agree with you. He doesn't care what others say about him which I have to admit is a good quality to have." He sighed knowing that he couldn't be like Jack even if he tried. Jack then opened the door to see Akiza behind Yusei and smiled.
"Come in you two and don't mind the smell cause I ain't doing anything about it."
"Good morning to you too Jack." Yusei sighed knowing that Jack was obviously already in one of his moods. He let them in to show a very clean and open living room with white couch and loveseat and white end tables. The walls were also all white and the Kitchen was almost as big as Yusei's whole place. The whole place also reeked of strong coffee.
"What's that smell, Jack? Is that your coffee addiction?" Yusei asked whiffing the air.
"That a problem? This is my house, so I can do what I want in it." Jack snapped back.
"I didn't mean it like that! I just meant that it was strong to those who aren't used to it." Yusei explained.
"Whatever. So you brought that girl from the Arcadia Movement?" He asked bluntly looking at Akiza.
"Yes. I'm Akiza and I'm-"
"You're the Black Rose Witch." Jack interrupted harshly. Akiza gasped at the harsh words of Jack.
"Jack! That was uncalled for!" Yusei screamed.
"The truth is the truth Yusei. Now all things aside let's have that duel." Jack turned to grab his duel disk off an end table. As Yusei was about to grab his Akiza stopped him and pulled hers out. Jack and Yusei both froze and turned to see her sudden movement.
"Akiza?" Yusei asked worried.
"You think you can call people whatever you want and get away with because of who you are?!" She demanded an answer pointing at Jack. Jack sneered realizing that he might have gotten an even better challenge out of another legend of duelling.
"And what if I do? What do you plan to do about it? What I speak is only the truth and if you don't like it… TOO bad." He sneered. What was happening now was exactly Yusei was worried about. He had hoped that Jack would have been nice to her first time around since she was a woman…big mistake.
"Then I will duel with you instead of Yusei! I'll show you that the truth isn't always meant to be the truth!" She declared. Yusei turned to her all stunned with Jack barely flinching at her words.
"Akiza? You sure about this? I don't want you to go to far or get hurt at all." Yusei asked nervously. He knew that she was angry enough already to release her powers and knew that she still wasn't efficient at controlling them with anger adding fuel to the fire.
"I want to duel him Yusei. I want to show him that I am no longer the witch and that I can duel just as well as anyone. I promise that I will control my powers just to prove my point." Akiza promised standing in front of Yusei and activating her disk.
"Very well. But I warn u, I show no mercy to any opponent. Regardless of age, gender, or race." Jack warned her getting his deck ready.
"That's fine. Nor do I. After all I used to be one of the most dangerous duellists around." She smirked.
"DUEL!" They shouted together.
"Ladies first." Jack said extending his hand.
"Aren't you the nice guy now." Akiza replied sarcastically. "I draw! I summon: Botanical Lion in attack mode! Lv 4 1600att 2000def. This monster gains 300 att points for every plant monster on the field including itself. 1600-1900att. I set two cards face down and end my turn."
"Now the King draws! I special summon: Vice Dragon! Lv 5 2000att 2400def. When this monster is summoned this way it's att and def are halved. 2000-1000att, 2400-1200def. And I tribute it to summon: Strong Wind Dragon! Lv 6 2400att 2000 def. When this monster is summoned through sacrificing a dragon type monster it gains the att points of the monster. 2400-3400att. Now I attack!"
"I play the trap Wall of Thorns! Now all your att position monsters are destroyed!" The dragon was skewered by thorns and destroyed. Jack hardly flinched at the move.
"I play two cards face down and end my turn."
"You sure are calm, your highness. My Draw! I play Twilight Rose Knight! Lv3 1000att 1000def. And now it's effect allows me to summon Lord Poison! Lv4 1500att 1000def. Now I tune my Lv 3 Twilight Knight with Botanical Lion to Synchro summon: Black Rose Dragon! Lv7 2400att 2000def. Now I will attack your life points directly!"
"I activate: Battle Fader in my hand. Now I summon this monster to the field and end the battle phase of the turn. Lv1 0att 0def. Next I play my trap: Call of the Haunted. I bring back my Vice Dragon. Lv5 2000att 2400def." Akiza grunted realizing that he had her right where he wanted her.
"I play one card face down and end my turn." Akiza sighed with a slight smile trying to hide her disappointment as she turned to Yusei. Yusei was quite impressed at how evenly matched they looked right now. But Yusei knew that Jack was no slouch to duelling.
"Ì draw. I play the spell: Cold Wave. Now neither of us can play or set cards until my next turn. Now I summon: Dark Resonator. Lv3 1300att 300def. Now I tune my Vice Dragon and Dark Resonator to synchro summon: Red Dragon Archfiend! Lv8 3000att 2000 def.`` As both dragons roared the marks began to glow a bright red which made Yusei, Akiza, and Jack all grab their arms.
"Why is this mark glowing like this again? Akiza asked holding her arm. I don't feel any pain but rather.. Strength. I can feel Jack and Yusei's strength flowing through this mark. What is going on?" She talked aloud.
"You don't know? It's because it feels your emotions through this duel. The marks are feeding on your spirit as a duelist." Jack said directly.
"Jack…"
"This mark isn't the sign of a curse my dear rose. It is a sign that you have the soul of a true duelist deep down inside!" Yusei and Akiza were in shock at hearing Jack's words. Yusei had never heard Jack speak like this before and was amazed at how Jack felt about Akiza and this duel. Akiza herself was starting to figure out why he didn't object to duelling her. He wanted to see her resolve for himself and see if she was telling the truth.
"Now I attack with my dragon!" Black Rose dragon was blow to bits by Red dragon's Powerforce.
Akiza: 4000-3400LPs
"Akiza!" Yusei screamed from the sidelines.
"I'm fine Yusei. I won't be pushed around by a man who thinks he's everything." Akiza stated standing her ground.
"Fine with me young lady. I end my turn" red dragon's effect destroys battle fader.
"I draw! Since I can't activate any cards I'll play Wall of Ivy in defence mode! Lv2 800att 1200def. Then I switch Lord Poison to defence mode and end my turn."
"Very well, my draw. I play my Medium Piece Golem. Lv4 1600att 1000def. Now I attack with my dragon. The dragon charged in and destroyed her ivy wall. And now my dragon's effect will destroy all your defence monsters as well. Flames from the attack consumed Lord Poison and destroyed it. I will continue with a direct attack with Medium Piece Golem."
"I play my own Call of the Haunted. Now I bring back my Black Rose Dragon!" Lv 7 2400att 2000def.
"I end the battle and my turn as well." He smiled realizing that this was being more fun that he thought.
"I draw! I summon: Lone Fire Blossom in att mode. Lv 3 500att 500def. Now I play it's effect. I tribute it to summon any plant monster in my deck and I choose: Rose Tentacles!. Lv 6 2200 att 1800 def. Now I activate Black Rose's effect! I remove Botanical Lion from play to reduce you Red dragon's att to zero!
3000-0 This finally got a reaction from Jack and caused the marks to glow again. 'This burning. She's gotten stronger through this duel.' He thought.
'I can feel it. I feel Jack's spirit. It's so strong and direct. This is the spirit of a true duelist. This is a feeling I have never felt before!' Akiza thought holding her arm and looking at Jack.
"Akiza, do you feel my passion for duelling? My burning soul for battle? That is the truth that is Jack Atlas!" He proclaimed putting his hand to his heart.
"Jack." Akiza said softly. Yusei who was watching bowed quickly and smiled. This was the Jack he grew up with and the man he called his best friend for all these years.
"Now, give me EVERYTHING u got!" Jack screamed with passion.
"Ok! I use my Rose Tentacles and attack the golem on your field!" The rose let out it's vine and smashed the golem apart.
Jack:4000-3400
"Impressive." Said Jack with a smug grin.
"Why thank you, and now I attack your Red Dragon with Black Rose!
"I play the trap Shadow Chain! Now your monster can't attack or change position. It will also lose 700 att points."
2400-1700
"Fine then, I set a card and end my turn." At the end phase red dragon's attack went back to normal
"I draw. I play Blizzard Dragon. Lv 4 1800att 100def. Once per turn I can choose a monster on you side of the field and it can't attack or change battle modes until my next turn. I choose your Black Rose Dragon, and now I attack with my Red Dragon!"
"I play Negate Attack to end the battle phase!"
"Not bad. I end my turn." Red dragon's effect destroyed Blizzard dragon. Yusei was amazed at how evenly matched these two were. They still had their best monster out and almost all their life points. He knew that this was a duel he was happy to see.
"Jack. I won't deny that I have made mistakes in my life. But I want to change all that by becoming a true person who can love herself and everyone around her. I don't care if u don't respect me or even hate me. I will never run from anything ever again!" She announced proudly.
"Akiza." Yusei said quietly.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Now that is a TRUE duellist!" Jack said smiling with pride at Akiza.
"Thank u and now it's my turn! I play Card of Demise. I draw till I have five cards and in five turns my hand goes away. Now I play Heavy Storm to destroy all the spell and traps on the field! Then I activate my Black Rose's effect! By removing Lone Fire Blossom I reduce you monster's attack to zero again. And now I attack!" In a blaze Red dragon was destroyed and Jack was standing tall.
Jack: 3400-1000
"Very good. Now do what you must!"
"I play the spell Hinotama to deal 500 points of Damage!"
Jack:1000-500
"Finally I play the spell Piercing thorn! When my monster destroys one of yours in battle this turn 500 points of damage is dealt to u!"
Jack 500-0
The duel ended and Jack walked up to Akiza holding out his hand to ask her to shake it. Akiza smiled and shook his hand with Yusei smiling as his best friend and his girlfriend had become friends as well through the best way they knew possible… duelling.
"So, Jack you still want our duel?" Yusei asking walking up to the two.
"Unfortunately I have other plans. I have to be going out to the arena now for some meeting about another opponent. But I will hold you to that duel Yusei!" Jack called grabbing his coat and helmet.
"Then we shall leave as well." Yusei said looking at Akiza who nodded at the statement.
"Alright. But I will want that duel soon Yusei." He smiled.
"Count on it Jack." Yusei smiled back. They bumped fists as Jack rode off to the city.
"Well then, shall we go back to Martha's? I don't think Jack would appreciate us hanging around his place when he's not around." Yusei asked holding out his hand to Akiza.
"Yes my prince." She said accepting it. As they left Jack's place Yusei couldn't help but think of how much of Akiza he saw during that duel He saw a whole different person brimming with strength and confidence. He was happy that she was able to overcome her fear and her powers. He knew though that he would love her no matter what.
"Akiza?"
"Yes, Yusei?"
"What do you think about Jack now that you have duelled him?" He asked at a red light.
"He seems like a man who puts on a strong front to keep up appearances, but deep down he is a really good guy." She admitted as she could tell through the mark.
"Yeah. He has always been that way with everyone he meets. I was just hoping he would have been a little different with you." He said moving on with a green light.
"Well I knew that he wouldn't be a friend of yours if he was all bad."
"Oh and why is that?" He stopped and turned to her at another red light.
"It's simple. You could never be friends with someone who only thinks of himself and cares about no one else but themselves." She smiled. He smiled and moved in closer to kiss her when she backed up.
"What's wrong?" He asked calmly.
"I'm just a little nervous about kissing in public." She blushed.
"Oh sorry. I didn't think about that. I'm sorry Akiza."
"It's ok Yusei. I was just caught off guard." She reassured him with her hand on his cheek.
"Alright. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable with anything." He smiled as the light changed again.
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too, Akiza." He started moving again with Akiza resting her head on his back. She could feel the broadness of his back through his shirt and jacket. 'Yusei. I want to be braver and stronger for u. I promise I will be for u.' They made it back to Martha's only to find a letter on the door explaining that she had gone out for a while and too enjoy themselves if they made it back before she did.
"Well I guess we get the place to ourselves for a little while." Yusei noticed as he read the note off the door.
"It seems so. It was nice of her to leave us this note telling us that at least." Akiza noted before she walked inside noticing that Martha left the door unlocked. They got inside and decided to relax on the couch with Akiza deciding to put on a movie to break the silence in the house. They sat together watching it for a about half an hour when Akiza started feeling a bit lonely and snuggled closer to Yusei. Yusei looked at her as she moved herself slightly on top of him wit her head on his chest. He smiled and proceeded to wave his hand through her hair at the back as her hair brace was still in the front. She let out a light happy sigh at the feeling of Yusei's hand running through her hair. She felt safe and comfortable in his arms which is a feeling she always wanted.
"Say Akiza?" Yusei asked looked at his girlfriend only to see her passed out and fast asleep. He smiled and decided to let her rest after what he had seen of her today. As the movie finished on T.V. Martha came in from grocery shopping which woke up Akiza. Much to Yusei's dismay since he was enjoying the moment.
"So you guys have fun with Jack?" She asked taking the bags into the kitchen.
"Yeah it was actually. Although it was Akiza who duelled him not me." Yusei brought up letting Akiza sit up straight on the couch.
"Really? SO who won then?"
"I did. He truly is a great duelist as well as a good friend so I admit I was happy to visit him." Akiza smiled as she tried to look awake.
"Well that's good to hear. She smiled putting groceries away. I was hoping that I would be back before you two but I had to gather some extra stuff which took me a while longer than I thought." She lightly apologized.
"It's ok. We were just relaxing together while watching a movie. Though it seems I fell asleep." Akiza yawned.
"Yeah but it's ok. If your tired, then your tired." Yusei pointed out so she wouldn't be sad.
"That's true. Thanks for that Yusei."
"No problem. But I'm going to head back home now since I have some work to do later today and I need to grab my tools before I go." He said sitting up off the couch.
"Alright. Can I walk you to the door?" Akiza practically begged.
"Sure." He smiled.
"Later Yusei!" Martha called from the kitchen.
"Yep. I'll see you later Martha!." He called back before heading outside with Akiza. The two headed outside with Akiza holding Yusei's hand until they made it too his runner.
"So, are you going to be busy now that your friend is back in town?" Akiza asked leaning on his runner.
"Yes I will be to tell you the truth. It seems that he might have a bunch of random jobs that will keep me busy for weeks and I can't cancel them." He groaned softly.
"Well I wish that we could spend more time together. I will miss not having you around as often." Akiza said sadly dropping her head.
"I know. We can try and work around the jobs somehow." He smiled to reassure her that he truly wanted to be close to her.
"Alright. I trust that you will be able too Yusei." Akiza smiled and hugged him before he got on his runner and left for his new job.
A/n: It seems that Akiza has truly earned the respect of Jack Atlas as well as gained some for herself. Next chapter Akiza finds out something that changes the movement of her relationship with Yusei. To know what it is… R&R.