So firstly, I'd like to thank those who reviewed:

DinosaursgoRawr101

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967

1supergirl4

and those who have read, faved, and subscribed!

Aww, it feels sad that less are reviewing...:( Nonetheless, that doesn't mean I'll stop, since I also feel lucky that I have already received 100+ reviews from you guys :) and of course the fact that you guys are still reading it.

However, I'd highly appreciate it if you guys would share your thoughts regarding the fic, so I could make it even better for you guys. :)

Anyways, just another note, this might be my last update for now, because next week I'll be going back to school, and my schedule is different than it used to be. (To be specific it'll be more hectic)

But, I'm still not sure seeing that it is just the start; we'll just have to see. If a lot would want a fast update, then I'll try to make a fast update XD

So, for now, here's another installment of Autumn Tryst.

[Disclaimer: Cloud Strife doesn't belong to me, since he belongs to the creator of FFVII]

The Heart of the Crimson Dragon: Autumn Tryst

-Chapter 12-

"So, that's what happened?" Clyde stated as he took a sip of tea from the small cup. His hazel eyes just eyed the blond girl sitting in front of him, who's clad in jeans and a plain white T-shirt, fitting her small frame very well.

"Yeah, I honestly can't believe that they're really that desperate though. I really wanted to feel sorry for her, but I just find her irritating." Hikari uttered, as her brows now formed a scowl.

"But, are you sure about joining the WTGP? You know that you can't expose yourself into the public. What about your company?" Clyde asked in a worried tone. True that he is supportive of Hikari, but still, he just can't let her go through an obvious trap. "What can I do when something happens to you? What about the people working for you?" But, she just sighed, as she just drank from her cup herself.

"I know, but I guess, it's better than running away and doing nothing."

"*sigh*, as if I can do anything about it, huh? Well, if that's your choice then I'm fine with it, I'll just be here for you. If you think that it will help you and your company's situation. However," He paused as he sipped the last drop from his cup. "I wouldn't worry just about that." He stated, causing the blond to raise a skeptic brow on him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know that you don't want to see her right now. But, I just think that you should just be prepared."

"What? Did you do something again? What did you do Clyde?" She stared at him in a serious manner, her voice a bit low to show her seriousness, regarding the matter. Even if there weren't names mentioned, she just knows well enough what he meant. "I may have forgiven you for that 'Meet-Yusei-plan' of yours since it did turn out good, but you know that I am not ready to see her. I don't even know if I should even allow her to know that I am still existing. After what sh-"

"No, I didn't, and calm down." He quickly cut her off. "It's just I heard from Crow that they always come to visit Yusei a lot. It just happens that they haven't been coming for now. But, if you see her what will you do?"

"Other than the fact that I hate her right now, as a friend I just can't show my face to her after taking the man she loves away from her."

A girl in a maroon uniform sat at her desk, with the lecture going on her caramel eyes just wandered towards the empty seat in front of her. She sighed, as she tried to focus on the lecture. Surely enough that this doesn't happen oftenly, but she just can't help it, as she would just find her thoughts trailing off towards a certain brunette, and especially towards a certain blond girl.

She had to admit that her hatred was nothing but vain. Rather, a mere delusion that everyone has turned against her when in truth that people has been there for her all this time, and they actually cared.

However, despite her grand mistake, she's glad that everyone has forgiven her and accepted her back to them. But, there is definitely a certain person's forgiveness that she would want to receive, and that would be from a certain blond.

As a friend, she totally misses her, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel happy that she's gone.

'Just what kind of a friend am I?' She thought to herself as guilt crept on to her chest. 'Why am I so happy that she's gone?' Then a certain raven lad's face quickly entered her mind, as she saw his sad azure eyes staring intently at her. 'Right, that's definitely why.' She smiled ironically as she made her palms slide on her face towards her hair.

Admittedly, she could never just give him up despite the fact that she knows that Yusei has still longed for her friend, Hikari. She just can't. Yusei was the one who helped her escape the darkness, and she believes that only Yusei can be the light of her life. Ever since Hikari disappeared she did try her best as she would often visit Yusei, hoping that he would forget the blond eventually. As she would always try to make him talk with her or make him busy by making him tutor her especially in the areas of Physics.

But, it was all plainly futile, as she would find herself just getting hurt to the point that she would even resent her old friend. Even if Hikari disappeared, Yusei has never stopped thinking about her, and surely with the way he hold on to the memory of her last moments; he doesn't seem to have plans on stopping to believe that he would still see her.

However, she wondered. If ever Hikari did come back, will she be able to let him go? Will she move on, and forget about him?

Would she rather challenge her in the likes of love, or fix their broken bridge?

But why should she even bother? Because, one thing's for sure, she'll never succeed to win Yusei's heart.

It was obvious, he never really looked at her, nor did he even tried to look at her. But, even if it was already evident, why won't she just give it up? Clearly, she is aware of her beauty that she could use to easily woo other men. But, she just can't.

She just sighed.

'Why do I even have to fall for a man that my best friend loves?'

Clyde just laughed at Hikari regarding her statement.

"What the hell is so funny!" She quickly exclaimed, whilst she puffed her cheeks in great annoyance.

"You're the one's that funny! You hate her and you don't want to see her, and yet you don't want to see her because you're her friend! Know what, get real you still care. You don't hate her." He chuckled as he nudged him playfully on the shoulders, somehow touching Hikari's pride, thus annoying her.

"Alright already! Yeah, I care!" She admittedly exclaimed. "But, what does that have to do between me and her. Plus, I do remember so well that before I left she still hates me."

"But, what if she doesn't? And you happen to see her today?" He grinned at her, as it caused Hikari to just smack him on the face playfully.

"Whatever, we still have homework to deal with. So, let's go." She sighed, as she dragged the brunette back towards Poppo time. It wasn't really a long walk seeing that the café where Jack is hanging out isn't really that far.

However, the moment they arrive Hikari heard familiar voices as it caused her sapphire eyes to open wider, and stop on her tracks.

"Hey, what's wrong? You forgot something?"

"No, Clyde. You mind if you look through the window before we go in?" Hikari uttered, as she tried to swallow the big lump that has formed on her throat. In all honesty, Clyde definitely doesn't get what's up, but nonetheless, he abides as he tried to squint through the window. But, the moment his hazel eyes got a complete view of the garage, his eyes stared wider.

"Aki? Aki's here!"

"I know! What should I do!" Hikari panicked knowing what to do. "Maybe we should go out for a little longer, and come back tomorrow morning!" But, Clyde just smacked her on the head lightly.

"Idiot, do you want these guys to worry? Not only that, you might not want to do that, because I don't know what they'll do to me if you end up going home at that time with me." Clyde stated, feeling a bit horrified, whilst it caused him to shiver a bit as appalling thoughts quickly filled his head. Surely, the three guys are all nice, but they can all be a bit territorial.

"Then what do you want me to do!" With that for some reason, a sudden idea came into his mind as it made Clyde grin playfully.

"I think I know what just to do. But, you make sure you do exactly as I say."

"Wow, Yusei we just left you for two weeks, and now you have a child clinging on to you." Rua uttered as he eyed the little Ares curiously, who has done nothing but clung shyly on Yusei's leg.

"Not to mention that the little thing is calling Yusei Daddy." Ruka added as she also eyed the little lad.

"But, where did you find him?" Aki asked, as she tried to approach Ares, as she knelt beside Yusei to get a closer look. But, Yusei didn't answer as he just remained silent. He knows that he's just not the guy to tell the reason as to why little Ares is here.

Crow and Jack did the same as they just stayed silent themselves.

"Know what, he's cute. He looks just exactly like you." Aki uttered, as she beamed at the kid. But, before they can talk further the front door quickly opened as it revealed a brunette, with his hair formed in a spiky manner, as he made sure his back is facing the wall with his face plastered with it's usual grin, whilst his eyes were covered by pink specs.

The three guys were definitely surprised to see Clyde wearing a different hairstyle for they're used to see him having his hair neatly combed. Not to mention that he's wearing Hikari's pink specs. With the way he just looked right now, Crow and Jack doesn't know what to do if they should laugh or try to stifle away the laughter that's starting to build up on their throats, whilst Yusei on the hand just stared at him— dumbfounded.

But to Aki it was different all right.

"Clyde?" She finally broke the awkward silence.

"Clyde who?" Clyde stated as he raised a brow on him. "You must have gotten the wrong guy, the name's Cloud, Cloud Strife. Remember that beautiful." He winked, as he widened his grin. However, was later hampered as it caused him to wince suddenly as he felt something pinch on the sides of his stomach. "Anyways, I gotta go!" He stated as he awkwardly walked sideways towards the rooms. However, Ares who has been looking at him noticed something, as he saw another leg at the back of his leg, as it imitated the way he slid each of his legs. Even if it was just the leg, he got the feeling that he knows the person hiding behind Clyde as it caused his eyes to lit up and made his small legs rushed towards the brunette.

"Mommy!" He called gleefully, causing Crow and Jack to burst into laughters. They just couldn't hold it anymore. Ares then hugged on to Clyde and the hidden person's leg as it caused Clyde to stumble falling face first on the ground.

"Ouch, that was like crap Ares! Why do you have to do that!" He exclaimed, as he winced in pain, whilst all of them now stared at them with their eyes wide. Seeing that they saw a small figure behind him, as it had her half body hidden beneath Clyde's shirt.

"Clyde, what the hell are you doing! There's no use lying." Aki stated definitely irritated as she finally walked towards him with her hands placed on the sides of her waist. "I know it's you, and you better stop whatever you're doing to the person behind you."

"Crawl!" Hikari quickly exclaimed in a whispering manner, which Clyde did. However, before they could go any further Aki quickly held on to one of Clyde's legs, making it harder for him to crawl.

"I don't know what's wrong with you Clyde. You suddenly disappearing! I can't believe you, and now that you're acting as if you don't want to see me. I miss you too you know." Aki uttered in a sad tone, as it caused Hikari, who's been hiding to finally crawled out from Clyde's shirt, causing the twins and especially Aki to stare at them wide totally taken aback.

"Hikari?" Aki tried to say, as her caramel eyes now started to stare at her sadly. She was just surprised. She definitely didn't expect this. Hikari, here right now in front of her. She just doesn't know what to feel right now as various emotions started filling her heart: confusion, surprise, happiness, and even sadness.

Hikari definitely couldn't look back at her. She was true to her word, she just can't face Aki right now. She doesn't even know what to say to her. Clyde who has now stood from the ground went to Hikari's side, as he eyed her with the tinge of worry for he doesn't know what is about to transpire before the three of them.

"I'm going. I hate you, Clyde." Hikari uttered in a dark and low tone, as she quickly ran away towards the door. Aki was just frozen on the spot, as she herself didn't know what to do.

Right now, one thing's for sure, and she can't believe it herself: 'Hikari's alive.'

Wahahaha, once again I had a hard time constructing this chapter =.=

I had a hard time, because many things could happen and with those possible happenings each can lead into a different ending, and if I'd make the wrong choice I might regret it. So, I was really thinking hard, just now.

However, I was able to overcome that and came up with this ^, and had fun along the way XD

Anyways, like I said I don't know when I'll be able to update again, even if tomorrow is Saturday seeing that I have my schedule already fully booked. But, I'll try since I would also want to write the next events that has started to transpire before us ;p

HOWEVER, (yes bold and in all caps because this is highly important) I would like to ask you guys,

what would you guys prefer to happen after this?

a. Hikari to run away and end up somewhere then would have Yusei pick her up and talk with her regarding the problem (of course a lot happens after this...I just don't have to elaborate that much for now)

b. Aki to be able to catch her before Hikari even gets to live Yusei and Co.'s apartment

c. Aki and Hikari having a chase, before Aki's able to catch her with Clyde following right behind them

d. Aki and Hikari having a chase, before Aki's able to catch her with Clyde along w/ the rest following right behind them

personally, I feel like doing A XD However, I would definitely like to hear from you guys first ^^,

So, you can tell me either by review, pm or even email. Like I said, your thoughts are highly appreciated. :)

Anyways, just a share of thought, one thing that I'm amazed in regards to writing is sometimes you really won't end up writing what you have initially planned, because once you write, ideas just flow endlessly from your mind as you just suddenly come up with random ideas that actually fit the situation well.

Yes, random however fitting on the situation, or even better something unexpectedly good enough than what you've planned.

So, I'll end it here for now, so I hope that you guys would look forward for that next update :p

Please, don't forget to answer my question!

TC