On My Own

chapter 20

Author Notes: Whoop whoop! I'm tired but wired, ready to continue the series. Time to see how the duel with Yusei went. Ladies and gents I do not own Yugioh.

3rd P.O.V

"You should consider yourself quite lucky with the scrapes you have." Yusei sighed heavily, wincing as the nurse went about patching him up. "I am aware, thank you Miss." The woman-Jessica gave a click of her tongue as she went about bandaging his head.

Considering the circumstance Jessica was absolutely right in her claim. A few bruises, some cuts here and there, and a bump to the head in what could've been a life threatening duel crash? He was counting his blessings, before he felt warm hands settle on his arm.

His attention turned to the attending nurse, watching as she gives him a coy smirk. Her eyes linger on him for a moment. "If you really wanna thank me how about treating me to dinner?" Yusei immediately narrows his eyes.

"I'd rather not thank you. If we're done here..." The strawberry blonde pouts as he rises from his seat. Not appreciating his lack of interest. "Come on-I haven't finished...examining you yet." Oh no, he was NOT letting that happen.

He could see quite clearly what she wanted. "I have no desire to enter a relationship so frivolous. And in any case there are limits one should take when on the job. If you don't mind-save your lust filled wishes on those interested. Have a good day."

There was no time for the lady to try and play 'doctor' with him. No matter what he needed to leave. "Ohhh but-but!" His fingers twitched as she reached, grabbing him from behind. As if this were a romantic drama, not realizing she was only aggravating him more by being so clingy.

"Please...let me take care of you." Did she actually believe she could seduce him? Honestly...maybe if she had tried that on him when he was sixteen, there would've been a chance he'd have fallen for her charms.

But he wasn't stupid. Either she wanted the reputation of dating him along(at least as far as his persona was concerned) the riches he had as a pro duelist-or she wanted a one night stand. Either way, she wasn't his type. "I'll have to decline. Excuse me." Besides, he had a job to do.

He easily slipped from her hold, a feeling of disgust forming in the pit of his stomach as he at last managed to leave the infirmary. Because right there waiting for him was the Blackrose. Still wearing her mask, with her arms crossed as she tapped her foot rhythmically on the floor.

"Miss. Rose?" Right now his mind was drawing a blank as he stared at her. Due to the incident that occurred he had expected Crow, Trudge, Leo-hell even Blister if he arrived to be waiting for him...not her. "It's about time! I was getting sick of waiting for you." Dust blinked, surprised as she huffed.

Grabbing his arm to pull him away. Though her face was still in the direction of the nurse's office. A dark malicious aura forming around her despite her mask hiding her expression. Jessica coward behind the door.

Knowing that a hate filled glare was being sent her way. "Thank you for coming to escort me. If I'll be honest I couldn't leave fast enough." Another huff escaped her as they quickly turned the corner. Immediately she released him, as if the very touch revolted her.

Even though that was not the case at all. If anything it was the opposite. "I heard. I wasn't joking when I said I was waiting for you. How bad are your injuries?" It was difficult for Yusei to tell just what Akiza was thinking.

In general she was hard to read just because of her mask. The last time they had met, she had come to his defense when Sayer tried picking a fight, only for her to say they weren't friends and that the next time they met she'd destroy him.

Well...helping him from being sexually assaulted by a nurse wasn't exactly destroying him. Unless of course she planned on telling Carly about this, but he highly doubted that was what she meant. "Nothing serious. A simple bump to my head and a few minor lacerations."

All he got was silence as they continued walking along the halls. Bringing a slight tension as neither were really sure what to say. Akiza because she was still fuming over that tramp of a nurse, and Yusei simply because he was exhausted...the last few days not been kind to him at all.

"And it looks like our winner in today's duel issssss...Dust! There you have it folks, our Steampunk Sweetheart has taken the final slot in the top ten~" Cheers were ringing all about as Dust had to make his victory lap around the track.

It was a close call, as the cards Krest had on him were no laughing matter. Despite his strange voice pitches and erratic behavior, Krest was a strong duelist that knew what he was doing. It honestly could've been anyone's match as it was a constant back and forth counter game between the two.

If Yusei had at all lost his focus with how tired and stressed out he was...it easily could've been his opponent taking the easy going lap. "Nooooo! You-You'll pay and die!" No one was expecting the cloaked man to hit the gas on his duel runner.

But everyone saw as he smashed right into Dust, forcing the two of them to crash into the ground. It took only a few minutes for security to arrive along with the paramedics. But the damage was done as both had passed out from the impact.

"-ey! Hey are you alright?!" Yusei blinked, forcing himself to take slow, deliberate breaths as thin fingers crushed his arms. "Y-yes. My apologies." Gently he untangles her from him, before pressing his back to the wall.

Allowing it to catch him as he slides to the floor. "If you wish...you can go on ahead Miss. Rose. I fear I'll be a few moments." There was a slight sense of deja vu as the two of them held their positions. Just like with the earthquake that happened not too long ago she was standing there, hesitant.

While he was in pain on the ground, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "Why are you doing this?" His brows furrow in confusion. "I'm not sure what you mean. If you're referring to my injuries note that I don't ask for them. My luck is just terrible."

His smile feels more genuine hearing her snort, but his confusion grows more as she kneels down beside him. "I'm talking about you telling me to leave you behind while you're in pain. Why worry about me? We're rivals, we're strangers." She couldn't bring herself to say enemies-even though they were.

Or were they? Sayer certainly told her so, but watching him rest a hand over his heart while he takes a deep sigh made her think otherwise. "I believe I told you before...I don't need a reason to worry about someone." With a slight wince he sits up, trying to force his dizzy spell to go away.

"Where I come from...it's hard to find kindness or compassion. Every single day people are struggling to survive, working their asses off for the sake of themselves and their family. It's easy to shrug off someone else's problems. To ignore a cry for help when things are wrong...I refuse to do that."

If he could make things a little easier, a bit better for another, he'd do it without issue. Even if it means sacrificing his happiness or desires. His aunt was the same exact way. Was it any wonder that he would follow in her footsteps after watching her all his life?

He's seen despair and tragedy on the streets. Knows what its like to feel sad and angry at the unfairness of the world. And looking at Blackrose he can see a kindred spirit. He doesn't know her backstory. At this point it's only a hunch that this girl was Mr. and Mrs. Izayoi's missing daughter...

However, none of that mattered, because even with her hiding her face, he can tell she's gone through something painful. She lashes out, putting up as much of a physical barrier to protect herself with her powers just how she wears a mask to hide her expression. How can you be hurt if no one sees the real you?

"I...you're right. We're strangers and opposing duelists. But, I'm not one to turn my back away from someone when there's something I can do to help. You could despise me to the moon and back and I would still reach a hand out." A harsh hiss escapes him.

The pain forcing him to shut his eyes as his hand grips his hair. A harsh throbbing from the supposed 'bump' on his head echoing throughout his whole body. "If that's the case-then why target me and the Arcadia Movement?"

His face scrunched up in confusion again. "What are you talking about?" He could feel a shift in the air as she clenches her hands on her knees. Anger boiling over the surface, taking over all sense of rationality. She glares harshly at him.

"I knew there was something different about you from the moment we met, but Sayer told me everything. He said you're trying to take us down-capture and experiment on us!" Suddenly a purple aura surrounded her being and a blinding light brought forth one of the monsters from her deck.

Blue Rose Dragon, one of her favorites and one that had no qualms wrapping its thorny tail around Dust's neck. His body stiffened as the thorns penetrated flesh, and liquid seeped out. It wasn't tight...but that could easily change on his answer.

And one he would give as he scowled, showing no fear as he looked straight through her. "I don't know what is going on with you, Sayer and the Arcadia Movement. But I will tell you I would never do such a thing. I hadn't even known about your group until after I had met you."

There was a fierceness in his voice never heard before. A harshness that made her and her monster spirit flinch back. Still she wasn't convinced in his innocence. She couldn't back down, the vine noose tightened.

"Then what are you here for!? I over heard you and your friend after the earthquake that you were agents sent here!" Yusei couldn't stop himself from groaning, cursing the man all over again. "How the hell that man worked in Security i'll never know." At any point his life could end.

If not from being strangled then from bleeding out. Yet he still showed no signs of fear as he rubbed his tired, oily face. Looking years older. "Still waiting!" She was desperate for answers out of him, something apparently everyone wanted.

And it was growing old. "Look...like I said I had never heard of any of you before. Hell up until this competition I was living the life as a mechanic in the slums. But I was...offered a chance to discover some dangerous secrets going on behind the scenes of this tournament."

Akiza pursed her lips, taking note of the anger in his eyes. Able to read in between the lines. It wasn't so much as offered as it was 'enforced.' Once again he surprised her, she wasn't at all expecting these answers.

Nor did she anticipate him to continue. His gaze pleading as the noose began to interrupt his breathing. Making it harder for him to breath. As if bleeding slowly to death from the thorn pricks wasn't enough.

"Listen to me. I don't know what you and your friends are doing in the underground-but before you lose your lives drop out. Duelists are either going missing or dead and you're a top target."

It was...cute how concerned he sounded. "Do you really think it's me you should be worrying about? You're the one all wrapped up." But she could make her monster cards come to life. She had powers that made most civilians cry and tremble in terror.

What could anyone do to her? "I've found secret rooms stashed away here, full of cages and documents listing missing duelists. Them being treated like lab rats. Some of these victims being as young as ten. Some mentioned to have powers just like you." She couldn't stop sucking in a sharp breath.

This...this was exactly what Sayer had told her. The only difference being Yusei being involved with these horrors. Practically the same damn statements. She had come here at Sayer's request to win the tournament and expose it for the evil it was hiding.

Doing this would bring the Arcadia Movement out from the shadows, giving them a good foot forward when addressing the public. On top of that, people like her would never have to suffer such atrocities. It's what she had been fighting for this whole time.

"I...I don't believe you." Her sentence wavered, showing her doubt and fear. Throughout this entire conversation the man before her was sincere, not showing any sort of hesitation or sign of deceit. If anything he asked for clarification before responding with honesty.

He's been kind and helpful towards her since they first met. She wants to trust him, but he had secrets, and could be an endangerment to her home alongside those she held dear. It was why she decided to confront him in the first place.

For a moment he coughed and sputtered, unable to respond. He was running out of time. "If...don't believe me. My room. Has ev-dence." He could see spots in his vision, could feel the blood trickling down his neck and onto his clothes. "What room?"

He wasn't sure if he had managed to tell her, but he heard her shout, panic ringing through as he finally collapsed. His body going limp against the wall as his head slacks forward. One thing was for sure even as his mind fell to darkness...he wasn't cut out for this spy shit.

to be continued.

Author Notes: Yusei just lives in the danger. It's a good thing the man is also a danger lol. Bad joke? Perhaps, but we're rolling with it. We'll see next time if he dies or if Blackrose throws his corpse into one of the earthquake sink holes from earlier in the story.

We'll see how it goes. In any case that is it for today. Everyone thank you all so much for reading. If you like the story so far, please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. See you next time, tchao for now.