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

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967

DinosaursgoRawr101

Anemos

1supergirl4

and those who have read, faved, and subscribed!

Okay, so yeah. Less are reviewing. Who cares, but me. =.= But, I'm not affected or anything. Truly, I may have been receiving few nowadays but these few are actually worthwhile to read. In all honesty, they made me smile har har.

Yes, they did.

However, the numbers just makes me feel that I have done something wrong. I know I was wrong in the sense that it was my fault in the beginning the I have to put this story down into bits then reconstruct, but then it is better this way then before or I might have ended up getting into a terrible writer's block and might not dare update.

Anyways moving on, I can say that the new term is Hard as I have expected it would be. It is hard to the point that I am really not sure if I can put my mind into writing anymore. Okay, maybe not hard, because I find it fun, maybe the appropriate word is the new term just needs a little more focus and committment. However, I have made my committments to this and writing is something that I love doing, thus I am writing, right now.

I mean seriously, I actually planned to post a chapter for Autumn Tryst, repost chapters for Searching (yes, Searching. The ever so lost Searching. I don't care if people close to me are against me posting AU, I'll once again love the genre that I admittedly Forte at.), and a new story that an idea that has been suggested to me by my friend, Sister Of The Pharoah. Yes, all of it.

Now, I don't even know if I can do it. Chapters takes hours to compose(the least is 3-4 hours), and tomorrow even if it is Saturday I have an engagement to attend to, sadly.

But, since I have done my homework. (which I have been doing since last night for the sole reason that I can write) I might be able to still write another chapter for this, and maybe the new story that I am planning. However, I am still reluctant because a new story means another committment, and I don't know if I can handle three committments at the same time. But, we'll see what I can do, because I really wanted to do it before it is lost.

Anyways, I may be tired and sleep deprived(definitely, not ranting, because I am not complaining), but I really wanted to do this, and I hope that you'd appreciate my efforts. So, do enjoy a new chapter of Autumn Tryst.

(note: the results of the poll regarding my question for this chapter will be answered by the chapter per se, and the answer for anonymous reviews will be replied at the end of the chapter like usual.)

The Heart of the Crimson Dragon: Autumn Tryst

-Chapter 13-

"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.

The moment the blond saw her dear friend, she froze. Not knowing what to do as her emotions went haywire. She doesn't even know what to feel right now, she she feel happy? Angry? She's just confused.

"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. Not at this state that her mind is already jumbled up with the mess she's in. She's just not ready to take on another problem. 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 on impulse 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.

Truly, she would want to reconcile, but the fact that they're both after the same guy makes her reluctant. However, is it enough to make her completely against their reconcilation?

"Aki, I'm sorry. It's not like that. I didn't mean to do that." Clyde uttered in the most sorry manner that he can, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Aki still remained her shocked expression as she slowly turned to face Clyde face to face. She just doesn't get it all. Truly, in her part that she is reluctant to face Hikari due to the matters of love, but the fact that Hikari herself doesn't seem to want to see her was different. She couldn't even dare take a look at her, as if she was something horrible—a monster.

"Why? Why did she run away? Does she hate me that much? Is it because of what I feel for the man she loves? Is it because of the way I treated her before?" She stated, as her eyes stared at Clyde directly on his hazel eyes, as you can see the sadness and confusion in them. "How about you, Clyde? Do you hate me, too? You just disappeared. I really don't understand if anything is happening between you and Hikari—"

"I'm sorry." Clyde quickly cut him off as he know held on to both of her shoulders to make sure that they're maintaining eye contact. "I can't really tell you anything. Especially, right now. However, one thing is for sure, Aki. She doesn't hate you. Truly, she was irritated with the way you treated her last time, but she doesn't hate you, nor is she against to the feelings that you're holding on to right now." He stated in the most calm manner.

As Aki heard his words, she just couldn't believe it herself. Was that true? However, she just couldn't say anything prior to that as she just slowly shoved his hands of her shoulders and quietly left. The rest just stared in awe as they themselves were taken aback at what just transpired before them—comey-dramatic event.

Prior to Aki's leave, the twins did likewise, as they both excused themselves.

"Hey, anyways it's good to see you guys, but it's getting late so maybe we'll be back tomorrow instead!" Rua exclaimed, in an uncomfortable manner as he along with his sister finally leaving the scene.

Clyde just stood there, with his eyes transfixed at the open door, as he heaved a sigh. Right now, he himself doesn't know what to do himself. The fact that Hikari hates him seriously and sort of disappointing Aki at the same time just took its toll into him.

"Hey, man you okay there?" Crow asked concerned as he tried to walk near Clyde, with Yusei, Jack and Ares following right behind him. Clyde didn't waver on his gaze, as he just sighed once more. "Hey, I know that you're sad, but this is getting irritating. You should at least speak up."

"I'm sorry." He sighed once more. "I know I should have went for Hikari, and didn't let Aki go just like that, but I just can't face any of them at the moment." He stated as he went towards the garage and sat on one of the plastic chairs that's sitting near their dining table. "As much as I want to relay Aki the whole truth, still despite Hikari's slight hatred to her, as a friend she still cares. She wouldn't want her to know anything about what Hikari and I are going through." Clyde said, as he laid his head miserable on his palms.

"We can't really say anything about the situation you're in right now, but I guess we can understand the part why you're protecting Aki from that secret that you guys have been keeping. However, I still think that it is right to settle the problems that you had with her." Jack stated with his usual low tone.

"Yeah. Anyway, Yusei." Clyde called out. "I hope you don't mind, but since you are her boyfriend you mind picking her up for me?" He asked, in a desperate manner. "I-I'm just not ready at all right now. I'm sorry." But, Yusei just shook his head.

"No, it's okay I don't mind. I understand."

"By the way, if ever you don't find her nearby, you could always find her at the bar."

Hikari just sat on the bar, with her hands clasping one of vodka bottle in front of her. Despite the loud music coming out from the speakers, her mind was just trapped into her own world. Truly, she has stopped drinking ever since she been together under the same roof as Yusei. But, she just couldn't help it as her stress level has finally reached it's peak.

She simply just couldn't handle it anymore. To be honest, with the management of the business and the WTGP to boot, she is already afraid as is. Afraid if she can keep up. Keep up: in making sound decisions and in preparing herself to face an enemy that could be her last.

Clyde's words were totally stuck onto her mind: "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?"

She cares for the company alright, especially the people working under her. It is true that as a business man she is after the money, but she also has a heart for the people in it, because the company including the people are her parents dreams and life. She just couldn't allow anything to just happen to it.

Now, with the sudden problem that has transpired, her mind just went haywire. Like any other people, alcohol is just something that helps her calm down, something that could send herself away to oblivion. Even if it was just for a moment, and has a hangover for a penalty. She would prefer it then allow herself to be up all night in a plight.

'I can't belive I just did that, and I even blamed Clyde for all of it.' She thought, as she chugged on the bottle. 'How can I even be an adult if I can handle petty things like that.' As she finished the bottle to the lost drop, she went for another one, but before her hands could grab another vodka, a brown, gloved hand quickly took it away before she could. Her eyes quickly formed a scowl, as she turned ready to protest for the sudden action but the moment her sapphire orbs saw the owner of it her face quickly calmed down as it returned to its former sad expression.

"Yusei?" She called out in surprise; it was just perfectly unexpected.

"Clyde really knows you pretty well after all." He stated as he took a sip himself from the bottle. "This is actually good." He stated, with his usual nonchalance, but you can see that he was a bit amazed with the way his azure eyes widen a bit for it was his first time that he actually tried drinking alcohol specifically: vodka.

Hikari just doesn't know what to do right now as she went back into her thoughts and grabbed another bottle instead.

"Know what you'll have a hangover in the morning."

"I know."

"Are you just going to drown yourself there? That wouldn't really solve anything." But, Hikari just sighed as she gave up and let go of the bottle.

"As a cowardly kid that I really am. I just wanted to run away for a moment. I may have been happy ever since we've been together, Yusei. But, let's face it. I still have these problems, and now that she's here, it actually made me remember that I couldn't be completely happy after all. I mean, I couldn't even talk to her, or tell her anything. Seeing her reminded me that it's still not okay." She sobbed as she miserably laid her head on her folded arms that rested on the table. "And I hate it, I hate it all! I hate it that I've been running away! I just wanted it to be normal again! Other than that, I can't even tell her that we're already together. I mean, as a friend I wouldn't want to hurt her." But, Yusei just laid an arm around her shoulders, as he brought her body close to hers.

"It's true that you have been running away, but you're not a coward."

"How can you say so? I mean look at me!" She blurted as she quickly face him. "I'm a miserable low life who's drowning herself into alcohol the moment a problem arose! How anything else can be more cowardly and pathetic than that!" she bit her lip, regretting that she has suddenly yelled at him, as she just went back into staring at the bottles before her. Yusei didn't take any offense for her actions, for he completely understands, as he retained his usual, calm composure.

"Like I said, you're just running away. It doesn't mean that you're a coward. There are times that you have to run away. You don't always have to face problems, especially when you're not ready. It's the same with dueling, sometimes you don't have to be the one who's attacking always. You have to defend sometimes as you build up your strategy for the win, and that's what you're doing right now. True, that you have run away from my presence once, but did you run away when I was already in front of you?"

Hikari quickly turned her head towards him, only to see him staring back at her. She wasn't stupid, even in her drunken state of course she was able to comprehend.

"No, I didn't."

"See? If you were a coward then you could have run away from me, and from the rest of us. You may have been running away, but if you were a coward you wouldn't be able to face us and admit what was happening."

"But, what about Aki? What makes Aki different? She was there and yet I ran away, wasn't that being a coward?"

"However, if you do face her again, would you run away?"

"I'm not sure. I guess, not, since I might be more prepared." Yusei just formed a small smile at her, as he patted her head. Realization quickly hit her, as she formed a smile back. "You're right. I guess, I just need time to be prepared. Thanks." She uttered as she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Now, I feel a bit pathetic. I guess, no matter how hard I try I am still a kid after all. But, I guess having an adult like you with me covers that flaw up."

I think I'll cut it short. So, I'll end it here. I need sleep lols XD So, forgive me for the grammatical errors. I don't have enough strength to screen the chapter.

Once again, I have created something that was once again unexpected. I seriously didn't plan the content. The happening yes, but the content no. It was different to how I imagined it.

Well, anyways, despite the drama, I hope that it was still ok.

So, anyways please do review guys!

Because, your opinions and thoughts are highly appreciated.

TTFN and TC

Searching and the new fic that I'll make will come soon! Also, please do look forward for that!

(for new readers of my fic. I can say that Searching is definitely a read, because I can assure you that it's also great XD)

Anonymous Reply Section:

Anemos:

-It's okay! Sometimes people get busy with the happenings in the real world so I highly understand. (because I myself is caught into them)

However, true writing can be a bit tedious when your schedule is full. But, I don't mind. I love writing as much as I love the subjects that I am taking up right now. Both are tedious in terms that I have to write long papers for both of them, but I love them yes. Well, my homework just now took me one night and 12 hourse of day time to be accomplished. So, tedious, yes. Boring, no. Love it, yes just like writing.

Regarding the side story I have fully decided that I wouldn't make it seeing that it is against my standards but instead I'll remake Searching, and post a new fic which might happen either right now or right after I finish the fic. It depends if I can actually keep with reality and writing at the same time.

In regards to Aki. Yes, surprising isn't it? But, as a person who has fell in love once in a mutual but no relationship has transpired type of experience (for I never admitted, nor stated my feelings, which I didn't regret), I can say that even if your friends with a certain someone that you know is a threat to your relationship with the person you love. You can be selfish. I mean, I as a person who cares deeply for her friends before became selfish too(due to an event between me and the guy) and just wanted him for myself, even if they were my friends. I get jealous, and I would try ways to actually make him stick with me and only me, which is a desperate, pathetic, wrong act I know, and I have realized my fault now. But, as I am saying, even if your friends if you love someone sometimes you could forget the friendship for the sake of love. I mean, if you apply reality. However, there are people could forget the love for the sake of friendships still. (note: that was me before. Plus, I was a kid XD and it was my first time falling XD I have to admit it was a painful experience, I mean I have to restraint myself from fallingg har har. Like I said, never regretted anything. I am actually relieved, because falling in love with the wrong person was a great mistake XD)

Moving on, I would like to thank you for the time that you have given for this fic, because it is highly appreciated ^^,

Anyways, hoping that you would look forward for the next chapter!

TC

-jory014