The rain pelted the trio relentlessly as they trekked through the open field, the sky a dull grey with thick clouds hanging low. Each drop was cold, heavy, and unyielding, soaking their clothes and making the path ahead muddy and slippery. The scent of wet earth filled the air, and the distant sound of thunder rumbled ominously.
Tsukiya had grown used to this routine—the long, grueling hours of walking, the cold meals eaten hastily by campfires, and the silence that often hung between the three of them. Ryuga led the way as always, his posture unflinching against the storm, while Kenta stayed close by Tsukiya's side, his ever-curious nature never wavering.
But today, something was different.
As they crossed over a small ridge, the landscape opened up before them, revealing a massive mountain looming in the distance. The rocky slopes were shrouded in mist, and the downpour made the entire scene look even more foreboding. Streams of water rushed down the sides of the mountain, creating treacherous conditions as loose rocks shifted and tumbled.
It was a mountain that Tsukiya recognized instantly—not by name, but by the overwhelming sense of dread it filled her with. Her breath hitched, and she froze in place, her wide ice-blue eyes fixed on the mountain's towering peaks. The rain poured over her, but she barely noticed it. All she could feel was the pounding of her heart, the rising panic bubbling up inside her chest.
« Oof ! » Kenta bumped into her from behind, rubbing his nose as he stumbled backward. « Tsukiya-chan ? » His voice was filled with concern, and he quickly moved in front of her, trying to catch her gaze. « What's wrong ? »
But Tsukiya didn't respond right away. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the mountain. It was as if she was back there—back in that terrible moment when her grandmother had been lost, buried beneath the rubble of a mountain just like this. The fear gripped her, tightening around her chest until she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"I-I… I can't go that way," she finally stammered, her voice trembling. Her hands, usually so steady, were clammy, and her heart pounded like a drum in her chest.
Kenta frowned, glancing between her and the mountain. "Why not ?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with concern. He was trying to understand, trying to help.
But Tsukiya couldn't bring herself to explain. She couldn't admit her fear—especially not with Ryuga nearby. She stole a glance at the Dragon Emperor, who had stopped walking and was now looking back at them, his golden eyes gleaming with a mixture of impatience and annoyance.
"Are you quitting ?" Ryuga asked mockingly, his voice cold and sharp as the rain continued to fall. "If you're too scared, go ahead and turn back. No one's stopping you."
Tsukiya's stomach twisted at his words, and her fists clenched at her sides. Quitting wasn't an option. She wouldn't let Ryuga see her as weak. Not now. Not ever.
But the thought of crossing that mountain—the loose rocks, the sheer cliffs, the rain that could send rubble crashing down at any moment—it terrified her to her core.
Kenta, sensing her hesitation, quickly offered a suggestion. "Maybe… maybe we can go around the mountain ?" His voice was hopeful, as if he genuinely believed there was a way to avoid the danger.
But Ryuga's response was swift and unforgiving. "Forget it," he growled. "We can't waste any more time. I'm going through." He turned his back to them, already continuing down the path that led straight to the base of the mountain. His figure, dark and commanding, seemed completely unbothered by the storm.
Tsukiya's heart raced. She watched Ryuga walking away, the tension in her body growing with each step he took. She wanted to call out to him, to argue, to beg him to reconsider. But her pride held her back. She had promised herself she would prove her strength to him, and backing down now would destroy everything she had fought for.
Kenta looked at her, his expression full of concern. "It'll be okay, Tsukiya-chan," he said softly. "We've made it this far, right ? We'll be careful. I'll stay by your side."
Tsukiya bit her lip, the anxiety gnawing at her. She couldn't tell Kenta the real reason she was so afraid, not with Ryuga so close. Her eyes flickered back to the Dragon Emperor's retreating figure, his posture rigid and unyielding. He didn't care about her fears. He probably didn't care about anything other than his goal.
But she wasn't going to let him see her weakness.
"Fine," she muttered under her breath, her voice low and strained. "Let's go."
The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but she forced herself to move. Her legs felt like lead as she followed Kenta, and soon enough, the three of them were headed straight for the base of the mountain.
The climb was every bit as treacherous as Tsukiya had feared. The rain hadn't let up, and the rocky path was slick with mud and water. Every step felt dangerous, and the sound of falling rocks echoed ominously in the distance. The higher they climbed, the more Tsukiya's fear intensified.
She kept her eyes focused on the ground, refusing to look up or down. The memories of her grandmother's accident played on repeat in her mind—the sound of the rocks collapsing, the helplessness she had felt as a child.
She tried to distract herself by talking to Kenta. She asked him questions, random ones, about their journey, about his Bey, about anything that came to mind. But even as they talked, her voice was strained, and Kenta could tell something was wrong.
"Are you sure you're okay, Tsukiya-chan ?" he asked quietly as they carefully navigated a particularly narrow section of the path.
"I'm fine," she lied, her hands trembling as she clutched a nearby rock for balance.
Ryuga was ahead of them, walking with a calm that infuriated her. How could he be so unaffected by this ? The rain, the danger, the height—it all seemed like nothing to him. She envied his fearlessness, even if his arrogance annoyed her.
They had been climbing for hours, the rain showing no signs of stopping. Tsukiya's muscles ached, and her heart felt like it might burst from her chest. But she didn't complain. She couldn't let Ryuga see how much she was struggling.
Suddenly, the sound of rocks shifting above them caught her attention. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively reached out, grabbing Kenta's arm.
"Watch out !" she cried.
A few loose stones tumbled down the slope, narrowly missing them. Ryuga didn't even flinch as the rocks fell, his focus completely on the path ahead. Tsukiya swallowed hard, her pulse racing.
"This is insane," she muttered to herself. But despite the fear, despite the danger, she pressed on.
She had come this far. She wasn't going to quit now.
The rain began to intensify, turning from a steady drizzle to a torrential downpour. The trio pressed onward, each step a struggle as the muddy path became more treacherous. The sky darkened further, the grey clouds heavy with the weight of the storm.
The mountain, which had already tested Tsukiya's courage, now felt even more menacing. Her heart raced as she glanced nervously at the slopes above, knowing how unstable they were in these conditions. But she remained silent, her pride keeping her fear locked inside, despite the overwhelming sense of dread that gnawed at her.
Suddenly, a loud, ominous rumble echoed through the mountainside.
Kenta's eyes widened in alarm. "What's that ?"
Before anyone could respond, the earth trembled beneath their feet. The rainwater, now mixed with mud, sent a cascade of rocks hurtling down the mountainside. The air filled with the deafening sound of crashing rocks and shifting earth.
In an instant, Ryuga ripped L-Drago from his gauntlet and launched it into the air. The Beyblade roared to life, glowing with an intense energy as it shot forward, meeting the falling rocks head-on. One by one, the rocks shattered under L-Drago's relentless strikes, each impact sending shards of stone flying in all directions.
But the rocks kept coming.
Tsukiya's body froze in place, her mind overwhelmed by the sight of the rocks crashing down like an unstoppable force. She couldn't move—she couldn't even breathe. The memory of her grandmother's death came flooding back, paralyzing her with fear. The world around her seemed to fade into the background, and all she could hear was the pounding of her heart.
Kenta, seeing her frozen, panicked. He clenched his fists, his determination shining through his fear. He wasn't going to stand by and do nothing.
"I've got this !" Kenta shouted, summoning every ounce of bravery he had as he launched Sagittario into the fray. His Beyblade spun forward, trying to mimic the power and precision of L-Drago. For a few moments, Sagittario managed to strike some of the smaller rocks, but the force of the larger ones overwhelmed it.
A massive boulder crashed down, slamming into Sagittario and sending it flying. The Beyblade skidded to a stop, its spinning ceased. Kenta's heart sank.
"Kenta !" Tsukiya's voice snapped out of her paralysis as she saw Sagittario fall, and without hesitation, she grabbed Artemis from her belt.
Her mind became clear. She wasn't fighting for herself—she was fighting for Kenta. She pulled her launcher back, her grip steady despite the rain, and with a powerful motion, she let Artemis fly.
"Go, Artemis !" she shouted, her voice filled with newfound resolve.
Artemis spun into the air, cutting through the rain with incredible speed. Its silver and blue hues shone brightly against the grey storm, and with each strike, it shattered the rocks that threatened Kenta's safety. The Bey's movement was swift and precise, each hit guided by Tsukiya's unwavering focus.
Ryuga, who had been focused on his own battle with the mountain, glanced back for a moment. His golden eyes caught sight of Artemis tearing through the debris, its movements fluid and graceful, much like its wielder. For the first time, Ryuga's gaze lingered on Tsukiya—not with his usual disdain, but with a quiet recognition. She wasn't just some weakling tagging along.
She was good.
But as Tsukiya moved backward, trying to adjust her position to gain a better angle, the ground beneath her gave way. A sickening crack filled the air as the rock she stood on crumbled under her feet, and in an instant, she felt herself falling.
Everything slowed.
One second, Tsukiya felt the terrifying pull of gravity as her body tipped backward. The abyss below opened its jaws, ready to swallow her whole. The rain disappeared from her senses, and all she felt was the cold, terrifying void beneath her. Her arms flailed out instinctively, but she didn't scream. She was too shocked, too consumed by the inevitability of what was happening.
But then, everything changed.
She felt something warm, something strong, close around her left wrist. The sensation was firm, unyielding, and it stopped her fall in an instant. For a second, she couldn't comprehend what was happening. She looked up, her breath catching in her throat.
A large, tanned hand was gripping her wrist tightly. Her eyes traveled up the muscular arm encased in a golden gauntlet, her mind still processing what was happening. And then, she met those piercing golden eyes.
Ryuga.
His face was a mask of perfect control, not a single emotion betraying the effort it took to save her. The rain poured down on both of them, but Ryuga didn't seem to notice. His gaze was focused, sharp, as if this was just another obstacle he was effortlessly overcoming. Without a word, he pulled her up in one swift motion, setting her back onto solid ground as if she weighed nothing.
The entire moment felt surreal to Tsukiya. She had been seconds away from certain death, and now, here she was, standing upright, saved by the very person she least expected.
Her mind raced, but her lips refused to form words. What did you say to someone who had just saved your life ? Especially someone like Ryuga, who didn't even seem fazed by it ?
Before she could speak, Kenta rushed over, his face filled with relief and gratitude. "Tsukiya-chan !" he exclaimed, grabbing her hand and practically bouncing in place. "Thank you ! You saved me back there ! I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't stepped in !"
He handed her Artemis, which had stopped spinning when she lost control over it and lay safely in his hands. Tsukiya took it, still in shock, her fingers closing around the familiar weight of her Beyblade.
Kenta's words were a blur to her, but she nodded, trying to focus. "I-I'm glad you're okay," she managed to say, her voice shaky.
Ryuga, however, had already turned his back on them, his expression as unreadable as ever. Without a word, he continued down the path, unfazed by the near-disaster. Tsukiya watched him for a moment, her thoughts still spinning.
As they continued their journey, the rain began to lighten, but the weight of what had just happened hung in the air. Tsukiya walked in silence, her mind still processing everything. She had faced her fear and survived, but something had shifted.
Ryuga had saved her. He hadn't needed to—he could have let her fall. But he didn't.
After they had finally crossed the mountain and the rain had eased, the tension in the air seemed to thicken with every step they took. Tsukiya had remained quiet during the descent, but now, as they walked through the sparse trees, her anger boiled over. The more she replayed the situation in her mind, the more furious she became. She felt the weight of Ryuga's indifference, not just toward her but toward Kenta as well. And that was something she couldn't ignore.
She stopped in her tracks, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. « Hey » she called out, her voice sharp. « We need to talk. Now »
Ryuga didn't stop walking, nor did he turn to look at her, but his pace slowed ever so slightly. He barely spared her a side look, dismissing her entirely.
But Tsukiya wasn't about to be brushed off. She rushed forward, standing in front of him, her breath quickening in frustration. « You almost got us killed back there ! You endangered all of us, and for what ? Because you're too stubborn to think of anyone but yourself ? »
Ryuga's lips curled into a mocking smirk, his golden eyes gleaming with icy amusement. « You're the one who insisted on tagging along. No one forced you to come. If you can't handle it, that's your problem, not mine. »
His words stung, but Tsukiya refused to back down. Her voice rose, filled with equal parts anger and desperation. « That's not the point ! You're supposed to be the leader here, whether you like it or not. You have people following you—Kenta and I—and that means taking responsibility for their safety ! »
Ryuga finally stopped, facing her fully, his tall, imposing frame casting a shadow over her. He crossed his arms, his expression cold and indifferent. « I never asked for followers. » His voice was calm, almost too calm, and each word was like a slap. « I don't care what happens to either of you. If you can't keep up, then stay behind. I'm not here to babysit. »
Tsukiya's fists tightened at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. « You act like nothing matters to you ! Do you really not care if the people around you live or die ? »
Ryuga scoffed, his tone full of cold indifference. « Caring doesn't get you anywhere in this world. You either survive or you don't. It's as simple as that. »
Tsukiya took a step forward, her eyes blazing with a mixture of defiance and frustration. « That's not how it works ! You may not care, but Kenta does. And I do ! You think this makes strength, but you're wrong. You're not a lone wolf anymore, Dragon emperor. »
Kenta, caught in the middle of the brewing storm, finally tried to step in, his voice soft and full of worry. « Please, Tsukiya, Ryuga, we can just—«
« No, » Tsukiya cut him off, her gaze never leaving Ryuga's. « This isn't just about what happened here Kenta kun. It's about showing some basic human decency. »
Ryuga's eyes narrowed, and his expression hardened, the mocking smirk disappearing. « The only one who almost died was you, » he said coldly. « And that's because you couldn't handle the situation. »
Tsukiya's jaw clenched, her heart pounding in her chest. « We were in danger because of your recklessness ! »
Kenta's eyes widened as he watched the argument escalate. « H-Hey, guys, calm down, we made it all, that's what matters most» he tried to interject, but neither of them acknowledged him.
Ryuga scoffed, turning his back on her, clearly done with the conversation. « Strength is all that matters, » he said, his tone dismissive. « The weak don't survive. »
He crossed her and resumed walking, ignoring his travel companions completely. As much as he's concerned, he made his point.
Tsukiya's anger flared hotter, and before she could stop herself, the words came tumbling out, her voice trembling with frustration. « Is that what being the Dragon Emperor means to you ? Stepping on everything and everyone in your way ? Using people as tools and discarding them when they're no longer useful ? Is that what strength is to you ?! »
Ryuga stopped in his tracks, his back still turned to her. The rain dripped from the ends of his white hair, the silence between them thick and heavy. For a moment, he said nothing. Tsukiya could feel her heart racing, waiting for a response, wondering if she had finally struck a nerve.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost dangerous. « You don't understand anything about strength, » he said. « weak people cling to others, thinking it makes them stronger, but all it does is make them vulnerable. I don't step on anyone—I simply don't let weakness drag me down. »
Tsukiya stepped forward again, refusing to back down. « So that's it ? You think you're strong because you push people away ? Because you're willing to watch others fall as long as it means you can keep climbing ? That's not strength. That's loneliness. And that's really frightening . »
Ryuga's body stiffened at her words, but he didn't turn around. His golden eyes, sharp and unforgiving, stared out into the distance. « You wouldn't understand. »
« Maybe not, » Tsukiya admitted, her voice softening just slightly. « But I know one thing : no one survives alone. Not forever. Not even you. »
For the first time, Ryuga's shoulders seemed to tense, and a silence stretched between them, heavy with unsaid things.
Kenta shifted nervously behind them, clearly unsure of what to do or say. Somehow, Tsukiya's ideology reminded him of Gingka's. And he suddenly missed his friend.
She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down. « Dragon Emperor… » Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the emotions she had been holding back since the mountain. Her heart was still hammering in her chest from the near-death experience, and the adrenaline had yet to leave her system. She clenched her fists again, trying to regain control over her emotions.
Ryuga raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting more anger. But what came next caught him off guard.
« Thank you, » she whispered, her voice so soft that for a moment, it was almost drowned out by the distant sound of the wind. She swallowed the lump in her throat, the words she had been reluctant to say now hanging in the air between them.
Ryuga blinked, a flicker of confusion passing over his sharp features. He stared at her as though he hadn't heard her correctly.
Tsukiya's voice grew stronger as she forced herself to meet his eyes, her tone sincere. « Thank you. »
Ryuga stopped walking again, turning just enough to glance over his shoulder at her. "Huh ?"
For the first time since she had met him, Ryuga seemed genuinely caught off guard. His cold mask of indifference cracked, if only for a split second, and his golden eyes searched hers, as if trying to understand if she was serious. Tsukiya realized then that he wasn't just surprised—he was uncertain. He probably had never been thanked for anything in his life. Everything he had ever done, every action he had taken, had been for himself, for his own goals.
"Thank you," she said, looking him directly in the eyes. "For saving my life. I really am grateful "
Ryuga's expression shifted, though only slightly. For a moment, it almost looked like he didn't know what to say. He held her gaze, his brows furrowing as if he were trying to understand her. But after a second, his usual cold mask returned, and he turned away again with a scoff. "Whatever," he muttered, walking forward once more.
Tsukiya blinked, taken aback by the response. Did he think she was lying ? Or maybe he just didn't care. But no—there had been a moment, just a moment, where he had looked genuinely confused by her words. It was as if no one had ever thanked him before.
And maybe no one had.
She watched him walk ahead, her mind swirling with questions she hadn't asked before. Who was Ryuga, really ? Why was he like this ? She didn't know the full extent of his past, but something told her it wasn't as simple as just being cold and uncaring.
Kenta, who had been standing nearby, finally relaxed as the tension eased. He sighed in relief, glancing between the two of them before offering Tsukiya a tentative smile. "You okay ?"
Tsukiya nodded slowly, still deep in thought. "Yeah," she murmured, her eyes still on Ryuga's retreating form. "I'm fine."
But as she followed after him, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ryuga than what he showed the world. And maybe—just maybe—there was a reason he acted the way he did.
And for the first time, she found herself wanting to understand him.
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The rain had finally settled into a soft drizzle by the time they found the cave. It was tucked beneath the rocky ledges of a steep cliff, providing much-needed shelter from the elements. The trio trudged inside, their clothes soaked through from the long walk, their boots squelching against the damp earth.
Tsukiya and Kenta scanned the area for any dry wood, but every twig and branch they found was drenched from the relentless downpour. Tsukiya sighed in mild frustration, her breath visible in the cold, misty air. "No luck," she muttered as she tossed another wet branch aside.
"We'll have to use this," she said, pulling out a small tin of charcoal from her camping kit, her fingers fumbling slightly from the chill. The black chunks gleamed in the dim light of the cave, and Kenta gave her a small nod of approval, though he seemed hesitant.
Tsukiya and Kenta sat near the fire while Ryuga, as usual, had taken the farthest corner, his back resting against the cool stone as he watched them with that same detached gaze.
Tsukiya was crouched by the fire, carefully tending to it with charcoal from her camping kit. Luckily, her bag was waterproof. Ryuga, without saying a word, had ignited the flames with a quick burst from L-Drago, the spark catching instantly.
The trio ate in silence. Tsukiya handed out small tins of food she had packed, passing one to Kenta and leaving one for Ryuga near the fire, though he made no move to take it immediately. Kenta, seated across from her, looked utterly drained, his eyes heavy with exhaustion but still trying to keep the mood light.
"Man, this weather really sucks, huh ?" Kenta muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he picked at his food. He glanced toward the entrance of the cave where the rain continued to fall in steady sheets.
Tsukiya nodded absently, her mind elsewhere. Her gaze drifted toward Ryuga, who had remained almost motionless the entire time. He had been quiet—quieter than usual, even for him. The firelight danced across his face, casting deep shadows under his eyes and emphasizing the sharp angles of his features. His eyes were distant, unreadable.
Eventually, Kenta gave in to his exhaustion and lay down, drifting to sleep quickly with soft, even breaths. Tsukiya, on the other hand, was restless. She sat cross-legged by the fire, staring into the flames as thoughts swirled in her mind.
Her gaze flickered to Ryuga again, still in his corner, his golden eyes now half-closed but alert. She wondered what was going through his mind. Did he ever feel anything beyond this cold detachment ? What was it that made him so fiercely independent, so unwilling to care for others ?
The more she thought about him, the more she began to understand. There had to be something in his past—something that made him think that power was the only thing that mattered, that without it, he was doomed. Tsukiya knew what it was like to fear weakness, to want to prove yourself to the world. But Ryuga was different. He didn't just fear weakness ; he loathed it. He seemed to believe that only by being on top of the world, by controlling everything around him, could he avoid whatever pain or betrayal had marked him so deeply.
Her chest tightened as she thought about his loneliness. It was something she could feel radiating off him, even though he would never admit it. Loneliness wasn't just an emotion ; it was a state of being, and Ryuga lived in that state constantly. He didn't trust anyone because, in his eyes, trust was just another weakness. Someone had hurt him—someone had used him once, probably long ago—and since then, he had refused to let anyone close. That's why he kept people at arm's length, why he needed to be in control.
Tsukiya pitied him. She wasn't sure when the feeling had crept in, but it was there, undeniably. She pitied his inability to trust, his isolation. Loneliness was a terrifying feeling. She had felt it herself, but she at least had a family . But Ryuga had no one. He didn't let anyone close enough to be more than a tool or a pawn in his grand plan for power.
She glanced at him again, this time softer, her expression unreadable. He's not happy, she realized. Not in the way people were supposed to be. Even if Ryuga had all the power in the world, he didn't have the one thing that truly mattered—someone who cared for him, not because of his strength, but because of who he was.
If it weren't for L-Drago, Tsukiya mused, the only thing he seems to love… would he have anything at all ?
That thought was unsettling, and it sparked something inside her. Maybe, just maybe, she could be the one to help him see beyond power, beyond Beyblade. Maybe she could help him see the beauty in the world, to live life beyond just training and battling like a machine. Her determination solidified then and there. She would show him—there was more to life than power, and she would help him see that. Even if it took time, even if he resisted, she would show him that he didn't have to be alone.
Tsukiya lay on her side, staring into the dying embers of the fire, her mind wandered deeper into the enigma that was Ryuga. Her thoughts twisted and turned, trying to untangle the mystery of why he had chosen this path—why he had refused to help the Legendary Bladers, why he always seemed so indifferent to the fate of the world. She had never understood it before. To her, the responsibility to protect the world, to fight for something greater, had always seemed like an obvious choice.
But now… she was starting to see things from his perspective. It wasn't that he couldn't help—it was that he wouldn't. Not because he didn't have the power to, but because he didn't see the point.
The more she thought about it, the more sense it made to her, though it didn't make it right. Ryuga didn't owe the world anything. What had the world ever done for him ? It hadn't protected him from betrayal or from whatever had scarred him so deeply. The world had taken advantage of him, used him, and in return, offered him nothing but loneliness. Power had become his only ally, his only means of control over his own destiny.
Tsukiya let out a soft sigh, her breath visible in the cold cave air. Even she and Kenta had followed him for their own reasons, hadn't they ? She realized now that they, too, had come seeking something from him.
Ryuga had no reason to care about the fate of the world because the world had given him nothing to care about in return. He didn't owe anyone his loyalty or his help. Even though Tsukiya believed the world was worth fighting for, she could understand why Ryuga didn't feel the same.
But still… she couldn't shake the thought that it didn't have to be this way. Yes, the world had been cruel to him, but that didn't mean he couldn't find something worth protecting. Someone to care about. She knew it wasn't as simple as that, though. Ryuga's worldview had been shaped by pain, betrayal, and isolation. He believed in power because, to him, power was the only thing that couldn't betray him.
Tsukiya's heart ached for him. It was strange to feel that way for someone as fierce and unyielding as Ryuga, but she couldn't help it.
Meanwhile, across the cave, Ryuga sat in the darkness, his mind also restless. He watched the fire crackle and pop, his eyes focused on the flickering flames.
Strength. Power. Those were the things that had always defined him. That had been enough, hadn't it ?
But Tsukiya's words from earlier lingered in his mind like an itch he couldn't scratch.
"Thank you… for saving my life."
No one had ever said those words to him before. In his life, Ryuga had been called many things—powerful, monstrous, evil. But gratitude ? That was new. And he didn't know how to feel about it.
Saving her had been instinctual. He hadn't needed to use L-Drago or any of his 'dragon powers' as Tsukiya called them. Just his own raw strength had been enough to pull her back from the edge. It had felt… strange. Not because it was difficult, but because it wasn't something he typically cared to do. He didn't save people. He dominated. He fought. He destroyed.
But today, he saved.
Ryuga closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but they wouldn't leave him alone. Had he been cruel ? Unfair ? Maybe. But did he care ? Not really. He didn't need to. Strength was what mattered. Power was what earned respect and fear. That's all he had ever known, and it had served him well. Ryuga had built his life on it—his entire existence was based on being the best, the strongest.
But tonight, power wasn't the answer. His strength, not L-Drago's, had been enough to save someone.
Ryuga grunted softly, shaking his head. It didn't matter. He wasn't about to change just because of a few soft words. He had his path, and he would walk it alone.
But as he opened his eyes and glanced toward Tsukiya and Kenta, something shifted in him—a flicker of uncertainty, of confusion. Tsukiya had thanked him. Not for his strength, not for his power. For him. And that, more than anything, unnerved him.
As the rain outside softened to a drizzle and the fire burned low, Ryuga leaned back against the cave wall, arms crossed over his chest. He would sleep soon, but not yet. His thoughts were too loud, too conflicting. Maybe tomorrow, the world would return to normal. Maybe tomorrow, he could forget about this strange feeling, this moment of connection that he didn't ask for.
But for now, in the quiet of the night, Ryuga let his mind wander in a way it rarely did. And Tsukiya, from across the cave, was thinking of him too—two solitary souls, bound by a fleeting moment of understanding.