Author's Note:
Here is Chapter 14 of "The Kingdom [be]Comes"!
This chapter is, thankfully, not as long as the previous one although still not too short. It's also a bit of a filler chapter and I apologize for that but I wanted to write more Aki x Yusei stuff. But I still set up some stuff that could give you a taste of where the plot will be going next, so this is not a completely filler chapter.
Also, there is more sexuality in this chapter so be careful if you're under 18 or are offended by sensual situations.
Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews, for favouring this story or me as an author, or putting this story on your alerts. It's so sweet that you guys do that and I'm so incredibly grateful. You guys are the best readers any author could hope for!
So I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you for reading!
UPDATE 3/12/2017: this chapter has undergone minor writing revisions because after some years, I realized I freaking hated it. I fixed a little dialogue and actions but the plot progression is the same. Sorry, I know I'm crazy (and potentially related to George Lucas).
NineInchNailed.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
Virgil.
A cool breeze caressed Aki's exposed shoulders and she shivered, half asleep. Without opening her eyes, she moved to the comforting heat of the body she'd snuggled against all night. But when her hands touched the empty space next to her eyes slowly opened.
An unfamiliar room…the sunny rays through the window…a hollow side of the bed, with an imprint of a body… In post-sleep haze, she wondered if everything that happened last night was just a dream. Yusei…where was he?
Aki groggily sat up on the bed and modestly clutched the bed covers to her chest, looking around. "Yusei?" she called uncertainly.
"Hmm?" hummed Yusei's voice as he peaked out of the bathroom. He had shaving cream on his face and he looked freshly showered based on him wearing nothing but a towel wrapped dangerously low around his hips.
"Nothing," Aki relaxed, giving him a shy smile as she ogled him in his morning attire.
Yusei returned a smile and retreated into the bathroom.
Aki glanced down and as she noticed the rumpled bed sheets - with half of them scattered off the bed – blood rushed to her face as vivid memories of last night swam into her conscious mind. "Oh my god," she whispered, unable to believe that it happened, that it actually and finally happened, and that it happened with Yusei. And never did she think that her most hopeless and desirable scenario would come true and that it would turn out so, so much better than she had ever imagined it to.
The recollection brought with it a pain between her legs, as if her body was further reminding her of what had happened. Aki cringed in discomfort and then worriedly looked about herself, hoping that she had not ended up bleeding on his bed. Thankfully, she wasn't able to find anything, although she was certain to be somewhat sore for the rest of the day.
As Aki got up from the bed she was surprised to find her garments folded neatly on a night table instead of scattered all over the floor where she'd last remembered "leaving" them. Yusei…did this? A smile lit up her face.
She picked up the clothes and began dressing. She had finished putting all the garments on but had only managed to lace up the top half of her corset when Yusei came out of the bathroom, looking energized, clean, wearing just pants and thus, all in all, looking incredibly delicious. Aki instantly became self conscious of her own dishevelled state of appearance and quickly (and, she hoped, gracefully and casually) wiped at her eyes for any trace of sleep and brushed her hair with her fingers.
"Morning," Yusei greeted her with a smile and picked out a clean t-shirt from a dresser, putting it on. He then suddenly became transfixed by the loose corset hanging off her. So insecurely laced, it was a miracle how it managed to keep her breasts from falling out.
"Morning," Aki recalled, blushing, as she now hurried to do up the rest of her corset. Sure they did it last night but in the clear light of day it was quietly mortifying to be like this in front of him. Yusei, after gaping at her for a few seconds, realized her struggle and found it amusing.
"Here," he said as he neared her and his hands replaced hers on the laces.
"Thank you," Aki lowered her eyes. She felt awkward especially in the contrast to his calm demeanour. And it was silly for her to be acting like this, having seen him naked already for god's sake, but she didn't know the proper conduct for times like this. Was she supposed to have woken up with him? Was she supposed to comment on last night or compliment him on it? Was it appropriate for her to go and make him breakfast or something? Or was she supposed to give him some space now and leave to her own room?
She was also having some hard time deciding because his hands near her breasts were kind of distracting.
Yusei finished dressing her and just as Aki was desperately thinking of what to say and what to do, he did the simplest and the best thing: he hugged her.
She melted into the tender and abrupt affection and embraced him tight in response. This gesture tied everything that happened, warmly and absolutely. He smelled fresh and exquisite and a little like mint also. She felt bad for not greeting him with similar aesthetics, not recognizing that he so obviously didn't care.
After holding her for awhile, Yusei was the one to pull back. "How are you feeling, Aki?" he asked with concern.
"Great…" Aki smiled brightly. It was true. Self-conscious but nonetheless she was floating on the clouds and had butterflies in her stomach.
"Are you in any pain? Do you want some medicine?"
"Oh, no, no. I'm fine," she flushed, feeling embarrassed. "What time is it?" she tried to quickly change the topic.
"Quarter past noon."
"Oh my god," Aki exhaled, "I have to go! I need to get into my room before Rua and Ruka wake up! And I need to take a shower!"
Yusei wondered if he should just inform her that she could shower here… In fact, she could just stay here. But instead he said: "Come down when you're ready. I'll make us breakfast." Then he gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and exited the room leaving Aki standing there, mute and dumbfounded. He was going to make them breakfast? He? She shook her head in disbelief, unable to wrap her mind around the wonder that turned out to be Yusei Fudo.
Wrapping her long magenta coat over her shoulders, Aki hurried across the hall to the room that she shared with the twins. As she entered, she saw Ruka only beginning to steer awake while Rua still snored peacefully.
"Ohayou, Aki-san," Ruka yawned as she rubbed her eyes and sleepily sat up on her bed. She then reached over and shook Rua's shoulder, attempting to wake him up.
"Morning," Aki responded and quickly sneaked into the bathroom before she could get questioned about her disappearance during the night.
Meanwhile, Yusei made his way to the kitchen and when he got there he saw that Carly, Jack and Bruno were already awake. Bruno sat at the dinner table and was attentively reading the newspaper while Carly was busy preparing multiple portions of scrambled eggs and sausages. Jack, in the meantime, stood behind Carly and was murmuring something into her ear while lovingly running his hands up and down pretty much all of her.
"Oh, Jack!" Carly giggled and almost dropped one of the egg shells on the floor, "Cut it out…we're not alone…"
"I don't care and neither does Bruno. Don't you, Bruno?" Jack retorted briskly.
"Did you guys hear? The stock for IBM went down yet another percent!" Bruno exclaimed without even lifting his head from the newspaper, absorbed in his own world.
Jack smirked and then suddenly noticed Yusei standing at the door way. Yusei smiled as he took a seat at the table. "How is everyone?" he asked.
Jack took a step back from Carly and leaned against the counter, looking up at the ceiling and whistling like nothing's happened, while Carly stuttered, "Yusei! Good afternoon…it's a lovely day, isn't it?"
"It is," Yusei nodded.
"Good, good," Carly responded, blushing, and hurried to finish up the first batch of eggs. "Guhhhhh, there is no time! Everybody's coming in five minutes! Jack, could you help out by making some bacon?" she requested with a sweet pout.
Jack scowled at her and then rolled his eyes. "Fine," he muttered.
Aki slowly wiped the fogged up bathroom mirror and stared at her reflection. She tried to see if anything about her looked different but no, she looked the same. But perhaps she only looked the same. After what happened last night, it felt like she'd stepped into a different stage of life. Going from never having done something like that to where it would be a common thing? Like, it had changed her and she wondered if anyone else would notice that. Wouldn't it be obvious? From the smile that might now be permanent to her face, to how she'd look at Yusei? She stretched lazily and then ran her hands over her wet skin, smiling contentedly at her reflection. She had never before felt so confident, so complete and so beautiful.
By the time Aki exited the bathroom all showered, dressed up and wearing light make-up, Rua and Ruka made their beds and got ready to go down for breakfast.
"Aki-neechan! How late did you come in last night?" Rua asked casually.
"Around twelve or so," Aki lied. "I woke up early today too, couldn't really sleep." Actually she got pretty much the best night's sleep…afterwards.
"That's too bad, I slept like I was dead!" Rua shared.
"Breakfast!" Ruka exclaimed, ignoring their conversation, "It smells really nice from downstairs!"
The three of them got to the kitchen and Aki was disappointed to find the room loud and full of people versus just Yusei as she had wished for. In addition to all the residents of Poppo Time, excluding only Crow, Mikage and Ushio had also decided to join in on the early lunch, for some reason.
Aki found herself squeezed between Ushio and Yusei after Yusei had fought off a place for her to sit next to him. It was totally fine though because having so little space meant closer proximity with him. She shifted to Yusei's side to give some room between her and Ushio, and with her leg now fully pressed up against his, if she'd just shifted a little more she could've been sitting on his lap.
"Hi…" Aki whispered.
Yusei smiled at her in a trance. Gazing at her, everyone's voices suddenly became muffled and there was only her and him and the experience they'd shared last night. He had to fight himself from pulling her to him and kissing her right then and there in front of everyone. Would it really be that bad if he did? Would it even matter to anyone?
"Yusei!" Carly called and he awoke from his daze and turned to accept a plate full of food. He passed it on to Aki and waited for another one.
A few minutes of casual talking and eating for everyone until Carly pointed out, "By the way, where is Crow?"
"Hungover, probably," Jack snorted.
"He's still sleeping," Bruno explained.
At that same moment the kitchen door creaked open and Crow stumbled in. "My head!" he groaned as he took a seat at the table, and buried his face in his crossed arms.
Everybody laughed and Crow grimaced, grabbing a cold compress out of Carly's compassionate hands and pressing it against his forehead. "Oh shut up," he muttered, painfully.
"There, there Crow," Aki patted his shoulder as she leaned over the table, not realizing that she was flashing a nice view of her cleavage to him, "Eat something, it'll make you feel better."
Crow nodded dumbly, inconspicuously staring at her chest from the hidden angle of his folded arms.
"You just had to drink that much, didn't you?" Jack chuckled.
"Hey, shut up!" Crow snapped, "It wasn't only the whiskey, okay! I also couldn't sleep half the night because SOMEBODY JUST WOULDN'T STOP MAKING ALL THAT NOISE! You know what KIND I'm talking about. And I could hear it all the way in the basement!"
The most awkward silence of all time fell upon everybody. The sounds of cutlery seized. Aki's face turned deep red and so did Carly's and, to a certain extent, Jack's. Rua, Ruka and Bruno were perplexed, Ushio and Mikage uncomfortable. Only Yusei was completely unfazed by that outburst and just resumed eating like he'd heard nothing.
Aki was staring down at her lap, feeling like falling through the ground. Does everyone suspect now? Does everyone know what had happened? She didn't even try keeping her noise level down last night! Unbeknownst to her, Carly was going through the same miserable thought process at her side of the table while Jack's angry purple eyes were shooting daggers at Crow. But Crow, instead, was staring suspiciously at the Team 5D's captain.
Yusei sensed Crow's eyes on him and calmly looked up to meet them. To be honest, he actually felt kind of entertained. After all, why should he feel embarrassed over what had happened? It's not like he had any regrets about it. Sure, the attention brought to it was unnecessary but whatever helped Crow sleep better at night…or, rather, not sleep, apparently.
It was a silent staring contest between Crow, Jack and Yusei for a few more seconds until Mikage cleared her throat. "So…I think Ushio and I should fill you guys in on recent investigations going on around the city," she said, hoping to focus the group onto business.
"Oh, yes!" Ushio said, eagerly joining in on the reasonable conversation, "So everything is nice and peachy…mostly: no more Set's duels happening and hospitals finally caught a break and have released a lot of people."
At that time, Yusei decided to place his hand on Aki's thigh. He didn't know whether it was because he put his hand up too high or if she was that lost in thought and he had only wanted to touch her, but this sent her flying. Aki jumped, completely startled, and her knees smacked the table, knocking over some glasses.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry," mortified Aki hurried to apologize and to fix knocked-over china. "I thought I saw a spider."
Ruka and Mikage began squealing in discomfort, "What, a spider? Where? Where?" while Carly watched Aki with wide eyes. A ghost of realization crossed her features.
Yusei was just staring up at her, both in disbelief and in amusement. Amazing…just amazing, he thought.
"Continue, Ushio," Jack pressed. "Why is everything only mostly alright?"
Aki, meanwhile, sat back down, and was awkwardly wiping some of her own spilled tea with her sleeve, when Yusei's hand persistently sneaked on top of her knee and he leaned over to her. "Am I really that scary?" he whispered.
Aki couldn't stop herself from laughing. Now oblivious to everything and to whoever was watching, she moved her lips to his ear and whispered, "No, it's just me. I'm still getting used to…everything. It might take some time."
Yusei leaned so he could whisper into her ear also. "Then let's take our time."
"How much time would we need?"
"All the time in the world," he ventured a hopeful guess.
Aki bit on her bottom lip to constrain a wide smile. "I definitely wouldn't want to rush, then."
"Definitely not. But for starters – do you want to spend the day together after this? Just you and I."
Aki was about to reply something like, "Oh my god, yes, yes, yes!" when at the corner of her eyes she noticed Crow and Carly watching them attentively. What did this look like to the outsiders, why were they so close and cozy with each other, murmuring just for themselves to hear? As if only then realizing that they weren't alone but a middle of an important conversation regarding city's problems, Aki quickly zoned back to the group discussion just as Ushio began revealing more information.
"…And so that was expected," Ushio sighed, unaware and uncaring of the private exchange that had just happened next to him, "People do not like this duelling ban. And I can't say I blame them…although I should. As a result, there have been reports of illegal duelling rings and organizations forming. There is a word of one big one, in particular. Supposedly, it's started to attract all the best duellists to it."
"That sounds amazing…" Crow mumbled and glanced at Jack across the table. Jack nodded approval, both of them thinking the same thing. Surely whoever had thought of this was a genius and all of them needed to join in on this duelling fun right away.
Ushio scrutinized Crow with narrowed eyes as he strictly and sarcastically responded, "Very amazing because where there is crime it usually attracts other crime…gambling, cheating, drugs. So such spots need to be found and closed down right away and as soon as possible. It's not a game."
"Drugs? Come on, Ushio. It's card games…come on," Crow laughed hard, giving the first semi-useful input of the day.
"You'd think so, wouldn't you, Crow?" Mikage answered instead, jumping to back-up her partner. "But studies and prevalence rates overwhelmingly show significant correlation rates between one type of crime and the other."
"You guys really know how to kill the buzz," Crow said with a weary sigh as he turned the cold compress over to the other side.
"Have you heard anything about Mahdi? Have any traces of him been found?" Yusei asked abruptly, bringing up an old but yet important subject matter. The illegal duel organizations didn't bother him: after all, didn't all of them just last night decide to break the law as well? Additionally, why should they investigate these duel organizations: people no longer suffered or died in Sutekh Sacrifico seals, and all they were trying to do was to resume duelling as before.
"Nothing, Yusei-san," Mikage responded, "But he's been placed on Missing Persons list. We'll inform you if anything comes up but so far it seems unlikely."
Yusei looked away, thinking. None of what was happening right now made sense. Their only connection to Set was Mahdi and now that he had disappeared they had no leads. And now that there were no more sacrificial duels happening and no more victims Yusei didn't know what exactly they were supposed to do. How could they investigate anything if there was nothing happening? Was Set only an idea rather than a real enemy? Was all of this some kind of a nuisance on their way rather than a real problem? But it couldn't be…too many strange things happened and too many people have suffered in order for this to be just nothing.
"Ushio, Mikage," Yusei spoke up, having finally decided. "I think we could all help you out with the illegal duel rings investigation. Anything we could do to help. Better than waiting."
"Thank you, Yusei-san," Mikage smiled, and Ushio nodded, adding, "We'll have to go separately: The Investigation Bureau will conduct its own investigation and you guys do your own thing and we will exchange information and cross paths if we find something."
"Sounds like a plan," Crow mumbled as he finally pulled a plate full of bacon towards himself.
"Alright, keep in touch," Ushio concluded and, after thanking them for lunch, he and Mikage departed.
The second the front door closed behind them, Jack jumped up to his feet and slammed his fist on the table. "This is great!" he shouted excitedly, "We need to find one of these duelling rings and join IMMEDIATELY! Riding Duels…challenges…and, finally, duelling people other than all of you!"
"Yes!" Rua exclaimed, joining in, "Duels will never be suppressed! They can't make us stop duelling!" And Ruka laughed, agreeing with her brother.
"Let's go now!" Bruno joined in, also getting up to leave.
"How about in five minutes? I'd like to finish breakfast," Carly requested.
"Fine…" Jack sighed and sat back down, folding his arms and loudly tapping his foot in impatience. Carly rolled her eyes and hurried to finish her meal. Bruno engaged in a conversation with Rua and Ruka. Crow was staring at the food in front of him with some fascination.
Five minutes? But Aki did not want to leave with everyone and look for these illegal duels. It had all suddenly become so unimportant. She wanted to spend at least a couple of hours alone with Yusei first. Especially if that meant…something could happen again. Wasn't that how things could be now? Her heart rate spiked at the thought. She gathered all her courage and turned to her lover, hand locating his under the table, hidden from everyone to see. "Yusei…not yet," she whispered urgently, intertwining their fingers.
The cobalt gaze pierced into her with such intensity that Aki had gasped. "Do you want to stay? With me?" Yusei asked quietly and squeezed her hand.
With her eyes not leaving his, Aki nodded.
"Then follow me," Yusei breathed. His hand slipped out of hers as he stood up on his feet. "Be right back," he announced to the whole group and then nonchalantly left the room.
Aki watched him leave and began fidgeting in her seat. I can't believe he took an easy way out! And how am I supposed to do this now? Should she wait another minute? Five minutes? How long is he going to wait for her? Should she say that she needs to use the bathroom? Not say anything at all? Or should she just say that she's (maybe) leaving to have sex with Yusei and thus take advantage of everyone's horror?
Thankfully, it all became a bit easier when Crow let out a groan after he tried taking a bite out of a strip of bacon, and failed. "Okay, seriously?" he complained, now attempting to cut the stone-hard piece with a knife, "WHO BURNT THIS BACON?"
Jack puffed angrily and jumped up to his feet. "It's not burnt it's just well done!" he shouted defensively.
"Bacon is not steak! There is no medium rare or well done! Burnt bacon cannot be forgiven!" Crow screamed as he also rose to his feet.
"Not again," Bruno mumbled dejectedly to the usual unnecessary conflict between the two friends.
"These are always so fun…" Rua whispered to his sister as he watched the unfolding scene with entertainment.
"Last time Atlas-sama ever does anything for you, you ungrateful dick!" Jack continued screaming.
"Jack, watch your language!" Carly gasped as she ogled at the twins at the corner of her eyes.
"Oh, so it's fine for Crow to swear and say whatever he wants but not for me?" Jack snapped.
"No, it's not fine for him either but he's not going to listen!" Carly retorted, now butting into the argument as well.
"Guys, Ruka and I don't care – you should hear the kinds of words we picked up from simply listening to Ushio when he's stressed out," Rua joined in, attempting to ease the tension.
"Rua, Ruka!" Carly gasped.
"Just because we don't say them doesn't mean we don't know them…" Ruka added, shyly.
"Okay, what's with the sudden censoring? See, Rua and Ruka don't care – they're almost fourteen for god's sake! I say that if we want to be pirates and swear every other word then we should be able to do whatever we want!" Crow remarked.
"It's sailors, you idiot, not pirates," Jack corrected and snickered.
"Shut up!" Crow shouted.
Aki finally stood up and began inconspicuously making her way out of the kitchen. "I need to get something from my room," she announced an explanation but nobody had heard with all this new commotion. It all worked out well.
She closed the door behind her and turned towards the stairs leading up to all their rooms, wondering where Yusei ran off to and if she should just go up, when a hand grabbed hers and pulled her around the corner.
"Hey," whispered a familiar soothing voice as she came face to face with its handsome owner.
"Hey…" Aki smiled, staring up at him in a dreamy daze, and reached up to touch his face, "I thought you left…"
"No, I was waiting for you. Took you long enough," Yusei mused and Aki pouted, faking sadness.
"Oh, well, if that's the case then you wouldn't mind waiting a bit longer," she teased, surprised at her constantly increasing confidence around him, and turned to walk away with a casual shrug.
Yusei couldn't help a grin at her words. His stretched out arm playfully blocked her way. A hand also found hers, holding her back. "You know, I'm not so sure I can anymore."
She looked at him with a self-satisfied look on her face. "Oh? What was all that earlier then? All that patience, talk of time? Where did it go?" She was winning this round.
Yusei stepped in close and Aki felt a wall behind her back. She met his gaze, her eyes a glistening, stunning amber. "Earlier when?" he said quietly, bringing his lips dangerously close to hers, both arms resting on either side of her. "Yesterday? At night?"
Oh god. "What…? No…" she managed, somewhat meekly. She fought herself from enclosing the miniature distance between them with a kiss. There was a crazy physical pull towards him, it was like trying to defy gravity. "Like…you know. Just like…just a minute ago…"
"Mmm…" he hummed and then leaned in, brushing his lips against hers but quickly pulling back when she held her breath and parted her lips. "No, I don't recall."
Aki breathed out, eyes wide. How dare he be so cocky with her? "Yusei! You can't do that!" she hissed, deeply frustrated.
"I won't, then," he decided nonchalantly and stepped back so he could walk away, winning the round after all.
"No…don't," she submitted breathlessly and latched onto his neck, tired of playing these games. "I… Just kiss me."
He complied instantly and engulfed her lips in an impatient kiss.
Inside the kitchen, Crow sighed defeat. "Actually, now that I've eaten all of it, this bacon doesn't taste half bad," he commented as he now ogled his empty plate, "It actually tastes like it was purposefully smoked."
Jack was staring at him across the table, jaw clenched. If looks could kill this was one of them.
"Thank god for silence," Carly mumbled with relief, removing her glasses to rub her eyes.
"I actually thought it was pretty funny," Bruno admitted but instantly went silent when Jack transferred a murderous gaze onto him.
"Okay, now this is done, can we please go searching for illegal duelling rings?" Rua begged.
"Yes, seriously," Jack said coldly. "It's time we got out and did something."
"Alright, let's go," Carly agreed, standing up, and only then realizing that the group was missing two of its members. "Wait...Yusei isn't back yet? And where did Aki go, for that matter?"
"Yusei said that he needs to go get something, and Aki-san...hmm, I don't even remember when and where she left," Ruka attempted to answer.
"Oh, well. I guess we could go looking for them," Rua suggested and got up, "I need to get my duel disk from my room anyway!"
Crow cleared his throat and mumbled, "Yeah...I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Rua asked innocently.
Jack glanced at Crow with annoyance...and then in a moment his face obtained comprehension. He also cleared his throat, "Ahem... Right. Yusei mentioned working on a new D-Wheel engine yesterday. He won't want to be bothered."
"Why? And where is Aki-neechan, then?" Rua inquired, still naive even in his teens.
Ruka, on the other hand, looked not only embarrassed but also upset. She wasn't like her brother in this regard. She suddenly realized all too well what may have been happening between two of their older friends and her fragile adolescent heart – and her one-sided and hopeless love – have just been mercilessly crushed. But she wouldn't say anything about it and she never would.
"Weren't we supposed to help Yusei with the new engine? Wouldn't he appreciate our help?" Bruno joined in on the cluelessness.
Crow slammed his palm against his forehead while Carly hurried to join in on the excuses, "I think that we should get a head-start on this, and then Yusei, Mikage-san, Ushio-san and Aki could join us later. Let's not wait anymore time! Do you agree Jack, Crow?
The two Signers stared at Carly, in unison realizing their common ally.
"Yes, great idea," Crow agreed and quickly bolted out of the kitchen, taking the lead in this matter and ending all discussion.
"Well, whatever," Rua shrugged and followed. Ruka silently tagged along with her brother and Jack, Carly and Bruno closed the formation.
Yusei and Aki heard the doors opening and froze. They waited silently, staying just behind the corner, eavesdropping as all their friends headed to the garage. During that time, there was no kissing. He held her in this half embrace while they listened. Aki tried to calm her breathing. They heard the engines starting, departing, doors closing. They were now all alone.
Aki found his eyes. They were calm but she could distinguish the passion from before, only held back beneath the thin surface. "Yusei, what are we doing…?" she managed quietly.
"I don't know," he answered, studying her features, beginning to lean in close, drawn to her. Rather, I don't care.
"Our friends," she said, her breathing quickening. "The task we promised to Mikage and Ushio. We just let them go. What's happened to us?"
That seemed to bring out a little sense in him. He took a small step back. He looked apologetic, confused and even guilty. "I really don't know, Aki." At that point he had to look away from her. It was simple, wasn't it? It had to be. They didn't deserve this, not at a time like this. They couldn't let themselves be so selfish. Who knew what was hiding below? Set's duels weren't over. This mission wasn't over. They had to stop, didn't they? Or, at least, prioritize what was important?
"Is it...is it bad to say that I…don't care?" Aki confessed. "I do of course. But…just not now. Can't we just have some time? Just for you and I?"
"I…don't think we should be allowed to," he whispered, pushing back a loose lock of her hair, all unrestrained by the Arcadia pin.
"I don't regret it," she whispered. "Do you?"
"No. Never," he nodded. "I feel…"
"Happy," she finished passionately, cheeks flushed.
"Yes," he nodded. And more alive than ever before. Every cell, every neuron on fire.
"I can't help it," she whispered and leaned into him, pressing herself against the body that moved over her at night, the body that gave her such intense pleasure and the body that she never wanted to stop touching.
His one arm curled around her waist pulling her hips towards him, one hand in the small of her back. Lips millimeters away, still holding back. "Tell me…" she whispered, arching her back against the wall but plastering her hips against his.
"You know I can't help it." Please let me be selfish, please let me, this one and only thing, please. I've never asked for anything else. Please just let me be selfish for this one thing, for her, only her. "You are all I want. All I've ever wanted," he murmured softly and closed the distance.
Aki latched onto him, responding to his hesitation with sweltering passion and nothing else and no one else existed anymore. She simply needed no one and nothing else. He returned the force immediately and his hands roamed over her, clutching everywhere - her breasts, her waist, her butt - pulling her closer, as if trying to consume her all on their own.
Aki moaned into the hungry kiss when his tongue began discovering her mouth, and unsuspectingly caused him to begin trembling in excitement. A single quiet noise or breath from her affected him in ways he'd never thought possible or previously experienced in intensity.
Her hand moved between them and with newfound courage and curiosity she tugged on his belt and then moved it lower, grazing over it. He was ready for her, large and hard and hot to touch, even through the jeans. He winced and momentarily she worried if she'd hurt him but then he moved even closer and she knew that wasn't it at all.
He stepped back almost violently then and she stared at him bewildered and ready to leap like a cat. He was panting, eyes dark as he studied her. "Come with me," he held out his hand.
She reached for it and he pulled her upstairs with him.
There he closed the door and barely had a chance to turn around when Aki leapt on him and they've covered each other in kisses again.
She was back, pressed up against the door, the reminiscence of last night but with the light of day making everything warmer, more potent, all hesitation evaporated.
And then he'd stopped kissing her and his lips were on her neck and she closed her eyes, turning her head exposing more to him, and she thought she may have moaned. Her arms settled over his shoulders for support as suddenly she was weak in the knees and perhaps if he didn't have his hands on her she'd collapse.
His one hand slid down and it was under her skirt and in the next second his fingers touched her and she jerked from the shock. She almost didn't want him to touch her there, he would feel the wetness and it was so embarrassing but he didn't seem to mind at all. And with one hand resting on a wall by her shoulder, his fingers slipped underneath the thin fabric and touched her directly, applying some pressure just on that spot that ached the most and she thought she whimpered helplessly, pressing more of herself into him. Right there, right there, right there, thoughts raised in her head and her head rolled back and she thought he was going to bring her there just now, so quickly, just a little more, just like that but he had looked up and she met his intense eyes and she wanted to feel him, all of him, over her, inside her, and she pushed him back urging him to step back towards the bed. His hands were already lifting up the small white t-shirt she was wearing and she followed suit but with significantly less patience, pulling his shirt with enough effort to nearly rip it. Immediately she'd begun speedily tugging at his pants.
Somewhere in the back of his head Yusei had begun telling himself, Slow down, slow down, but her enthusiasm was becoming way more than he could resist. As his lips found hers again, he began backing her towards the bed, his hands already doing away with her bra, when Aki pleaded, "Hurry…hurry…" into the kiss and her arms wrapped so tightly around his neck and she'd started dragging him down.
Before Yusei knew it, they were making out on the carpeted floor, with him on top of her, and they were still half-clothed but it didn't matter. He hurriedly rolled up her skirt (thank god for skirts) and pulled down her panties while Aki pushed down his pants along with his boxers.
And then, stilling for this moment. He eased into her, gentle and very slow, watching her with concern and Aki cringed, unable to prevent a light groan escaping her lips.
"Aki, am I still hurting you?" he asked, voice strained.
It was a bit uncomfortable and it would need some getting used to but it could not even compare to how amazing it felt at the very same time. "No," Aki panted, looking up at him, and Yusei saw her amber eyes reflecting his own drowning desire, "No, I'm okay." He nodded and kissed her, deep and slow, resting on his elbows and beginning to move. Still unhurriedly, a stark contrast to how they brought themselves upstairs, and Aki wrapped one leg around him and began moving her hips quicker, throwing him off rhythm; urging him on. Faster, she thought, catching a surprised look on his face and her own breath in a momentarily broken kiss. He was still hesitating, holding back. Faster, she yanked him back to her, kissing him ardently. She needed this to be stronger, hastier, she knew now of the feeling she was chasing, to quench that deep ache, and she needed it now.
"Yusei, please," she whimpered, still attempting to coordinate a faster rhythm instead of his deliberate, tense pace. "I'm okay. Don't...don't hold back."
And at that, hearing that, reassured that it was okay – his mind clouded over. He moved his head to the side of her neck, one hand propping on the carpeted floor for support and the other moving down to pull her raised leg closer, higher; and without another second of hesitation began moving at a hard and urgent pace.
Aki muffled a sharp moan into his shoulder, dug her fingernails into his skin, and then moan-screamed again. And again. And again. It was impossible to have any semblance of control over them. Each thrust was a shock of unspeakable pleasure. It was so intense now and it felt so, so good, and it was all already becoming too much...almost too much to take...
The world had stood still and waited as they consumed one another. All limbs, and gasps, and sounds, and jolts, and scratches on skin, and hungry kisses, and tense muscles. Nothing else mattered and nothing else existed and there was no thought, no reason, no air.
Aki squirmed under him, borderline drowning in all the sensations, whispering something and not understanding her own words...
Yusei gave up trying to kiss her, his own rapid breathing hindering him more than Aki's muffled moans and gasps ever could. His next kiss was on her neck and became a bite.
The pleasure swelled and clung to her stomach. She had raised her hips higher to meet his, and somehow the affect was rapid. She had frozen in near-helplessness and cried out, nails leaving red trails along his back. This time, the ecstasy was brief and rapid and startling, almost as if a flash of lightning, and just as blinding. Then as it released her and her head fell back, Yusei was unable to hold back any longer and let go, becoming engulfed in his own draining pleasure. And feeling him tense and hearing his sudden gasp and a quiet moan was more gratifying to her than anything in her own existence.
Yusei slowed down to a complete stop and relaxed, completely out of breath after what was a total black out of his senses. "Oh my god..." he mumbled against her cheek as he desperately tried to even out his breathing, "I'm...sorry, Aki. I think I went mad."
She couldn't help a small laugh, shivering lightly from adrenaline rush. "No, me too. Definitely mad." She placed a hand over her forehead, feeling lightheaded and ridiculously ecstatic. "Oh god, that was…" Unbelievable.
Yusei placed a soft kiss on her cheek, beginning to trail kisses to her lips.
Everything was as it needed to be.
Everything was as it had never happened before.
Aki smiled brightly when he kissed her and when he pulled away he looked sideways at the bed. "We were only two steps away," he remarked. They had also somehow ended-up moving up from the spot where they originally lay.
"Yeah...aren't we lucky you've got such a comfortable carpet?"
Yusei lay down next to her again and gathered her into his arms, breathing out and feeling remarkably clearheaded.
In that comfortable silence Aki absently trailed her fingers over his forearm, lingering over the Signer birthmark. After awhile, she spoke up timidly, asking something that she's had on her mind since last night: "Yusei, were you surprised that I wasn't...um…you know...experienced. At this?"
"No," he answered plainly.
"You never wondered, not even if…because of Divine?"
There was a pause. Then: "It didn't matter to me."
She smiled lightly. Avoided looking at him. "That's good. I always thought that…everyone would assume that something had happened between us. I can't say I blame them for thinking that."
"Aki."
"Because nothing happened," she continued, a little sharply. "He had… he had only kissed me once. I knew right from the beginning that he would do that someday. And I always knew that he would eventually go further. I guess…it's a good thing it was all over for him after that."
Yusei reached over and rested a hand on her cheek, beckoning her to look at him. "Aki. It's alright to think of him. He was a big part of your life."
"He was and I'm ashamed of that life," she said in a small voice, struggling to meet his eyes. "Even when he kissed me… I hated it. I knew what he was trying to do. Even then he was trying to verify his power over me. It happened right after our first duel, Yusei. When you've told me you would take on my sorrows, that I needed to think for myself? He hated that. I think he saw that he was going to lose."
Yusei silently pulled her closer into his arms and embraced her tight, trying to soothe her, but she needed to get this off her chest. "Anytime I think of him now, I hate him. It disgusts me. I've become so much like him, Yusei. I would have happily continued doing anything he told me. And if you hadn't come along, if you didn't save me…" she trailed off and had to take a deep breath. "I had never been more thankful to anyone as much as you. And I will never stop being thankful, I-"
"No, Aki, no," he shushed her and pecked her on the lips. "You did it. I couldn't have done anything if you didn't fight for it yourself. You fought for your own freedom, for your happiness. I was only there to help. You're the strongest person I know."
"What? No," she laughed.
"Yes," he whispered, seriously, and kissed her again. Slowly, savouring. Eventually her hands reached up and tangled in his hair, bringing him closer. When he'd stopped she was breathing heavily, eyes dazed and dark. "You have more power and kindness than anyone," he murmured and pulled up. "Now if only you've believed it yourself more often."
"I can," she whispered. "If I'm with you."
He got up to his feet and lifted her up from the floor in his arms. "So now you always can." When he lay her on the bed she had already begun doing away with their remaining clothing.
Narrow alleys or spacious highways, Crow's D-Wheel sent water splashing as he raced through the puddles left behind by yesterday's storm. Glancing around, Crow contacted Jack over the headset for a hundredth time.
"Nothing. You?" Crow asked, turning the corner into yet another alley.
"Nothing," confirmed Jack and then paged in Bruno. Bruno had the same neutral update.
"Alright, guys, keep looking," Crow decided, "The city's half dead without duelling. These people must have gone somewhere. So these duelling rings can't be that secretive."
Aki sighed and opened her eyes, looking at him in comfortable and happy silence. Her finger was absently playing, like a paintbrush, on the corded muscles of his stomach.
Some time passed before Yusei stirred, tiredly, and met her gaze.
"Hi…" Aki said.
"Hi," he echoed.
"Oh god, I've no more energy," she whispered and stretched lazily against him.
Yusei suppressed a smile. Third time was a charm: he'd been more clearheaded, more relaxed, more intuitive, all in all better balanced, and she showed her approval. She'd even climbed on top of him half-way through, pushed him down, told him to stay still and rode him vigorously at the pace she needed to get her pleasure; until she'd collapsed tiredly on top of him and he'd only needed a few more moments after that. He'd never been happier - she could use him like that any day; every day. It was spectacular - she was spectacular. "Alright, then I'll give you five more minutes," he gave a cocky response and swiftly caught her hand when she attempted to poke him in the ribs.
"You're crazy," she buried her face in his chest. "And I'm a little sore. Also I don't think we have the time anymore. We should go do illegal duel hunting with others. They're probably wondering where we are."
"I'm okay with them waiting longer," he replied, running his fingers mischievously along her side, "We should have one day. Just you and I." God, what is she doing to me? he thought in wonderment, studying her, fingers memorizing the curves of her body. I never thought it could be like this. I just can't help myself around her.
"We'll have many more, I'm sure," she smiled.
"I want today."
"Oh my…" Aki laughed. "Just what has happened to the collected, responsible, and considerate Fudo Yusei?" She slipped out of the bed and began to get dressed.
"Are you saying that I'm usually boring?" Yusei joked and laughed when he saw the look of remorse that suddenly overtook her. He began getting dressed as well and, since his outfit was a bit less intricate today, was finished quickly.
"Yusei…no, no, no, that's not what I meant!" Aki hurried to explain, looking at him apologetically, "I was just saying that-"
"You're too cute," Yusei smiled and Aki couldn't remember what she was trying to say in that sentence anymore. She stared at him with endearment, almost melting, until he humorously ruffled her hair into a mess and casually walked out of the room. Aki groaned, quickly fussing to fix her hair and to finish getting dressed, and then hurried after him.
They made it to the garage and to their respective D-Wheels. After the eventful afternoon Yusei was pumped up with adrenaline and ready to take on the world while Aki was rather wobbly.
"I'm not planning on duelling…so can I go with you instead of driving?" Aki requested, putting on her helmet.
"Sure," Yusei agreed, mounting his D-Wheel, and bidding her to sit behind him.
"Oh wow…this is the second time I get to sit on the same seat as you instead of on top of your D-Wheel! What an honour!" Aki laughed as she hopped on and draped her arms around his waist.
"At this point you could sit on my lap if you really wanted to," Yusei commented, basically giving her a permission to do whatever her heart desired. Finally, he fastened his helmet, started the engine, and in seconds they were speeding out into the night.
The more they drove the more Yusei realized just how much this duel prohibition affected everything: duelling had become such an integral part of their lifestyles that, without it, everything seemed abandoned and gloomy. The parks and malls no longer resounded with laughter now that children could no longer duel, the Duel Academy had been put on quarantine, the stadiums were closed down for an indeterminate amount of time, and the designated Riding Duel lanes were empty and ghost-like, watchfully patrolled by the police and the Investigation Bureau.
"This is depressing," Aki murmured into Yusei's ear and held onto him tighter as they drove by yet another police squad stationed on the side of the road. The police watched them carefully as if to make sure that they weren't attempting to use highways for duelling. They dismissed them without stopping, however, because duelling with an extra passenger was a very unlikely case. Yusei couldn't help but wonder just how many times unlucky Jack and Crow were stopped and interrogated about their business and why they were driving the fully equipped and ready-for-duelling D-Wheels. Seeing somebody driving a bike became a rare occurrence nowadays and it showed when, after two hours, Yusei and Aki didn't stumble on a single other rider.
Yusei's plan was simple: he wanted to find a D-Wheeler and then follow him or her in hopes that the person would potentially lead them to one of those duelling rings. And after two hours of driving around luck was finally on his side.
As Yusei crossed the bridge to the Satellite island and turned his D-Wheel onto a narrow side street, he and Aki noticed three young men standing at the distance and conversing excitedly next to their D-Wheels. It seemed like they were about to leave somewhere and were deciding on a final plan. They jumped in apprehension when they saw Yusei's approaching D-Wheel and almost made a run for it, probably assuming that he was from police, but Yusei accelerated and stopped next to them before they had a chance to leave.
"Hey there, guys, could you help us out with some directions?" Yusei requested.
The men continued staring at him with distrust but visibly relaxed when Aki peaked out from behind Yusei and added, "Please," to their request. It was as if realizing that Yusei had a girl with him made everything safe and trustworthy.
"Sure," spoke up the shortest of the three guys and smiled at them. He had slicked back brown hair, a small criminal marker on his right cheek and looked like he was in his late teens.
"Would you happen to know anything about duelling rings forming around the city? It's been ages since we've Riding Duelled and we were hoping to find some place," Yusei asked politely.
The short guy looked back at his friends and the three of them looked perplexed. "Didn't you guys get an invitation?" the brunette asked as he turned back to face Yusei.
"What invitation?" Aki asked.
"The invitation to FDA? The "Free Duellists' Association"? It was sent out to every commendable duellist in the city. It's an invitation to join an underground duelling union while this stupid prohibition is in order," the guy replied.
"We probably didn't get that invitation because we've been recently relocated," Aki guessed the possible reason.
"If you know where this FDA place is then could you take us there?" Yusei asked.
The brunette looked uncomfortable at the request. "Yeah, I don't know," he said, "They've got this list with all the duellists' names and I don't know how you could get through if you weren't invited after all. I also don't know if we're supposed to share the information on whereabouts or not: they're trying to keep this a secret from cops and whatnot."
That seemed reasonable enough but Yusei wasn't going to back off now. "How about a duel?" he suggested, "If I win then you will take us there and then we'll figure out how to get in by ourselves."
"Okay, but what do I get out of it?" the brunette questioned. And then all of a sudden, he stared at Aki and smiled. Before Yusei had a chance to make an offer, the brown-haired guy pointed at Aki and said, "How about, if I win, I get a kiss from your pretty girl?"
Aki stared at the guy in bewilderment. What? she thought, He wants to duel for a kiss? What is this, grade 9? At the same time, although she really didn't want to kiss this guy she wasn't worried – there was no way Yusei was going to lose and so this seemed like a reasonable and agreeable stake.
"No," Yusei refused. There was no way.
"Yusei!" Aki exclaimed and pulling his chin to her so he could meet her eyes, "What are you doing? It's fine, you won't lose!"
"No, Aki, I won't compromise you," Yusei said, looking at her, and Aki stared at him, wide-eyed. He won't...compromise me? Why? It's not like I'd have to fulfill his end of the deal, Yusei never loses.
"...Yusei?" the brown-haired short guy mumbled, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "As in...Fudo Yusei?"
"Yes," Yusei nodded, turning to face his possible opponent, "That's who I am."
"I did think you looked familiar...well, this is great!" the brunette grinned, "If that's your answer then I propose another bargain – we all know you have your ace monster, Stardust Dragon. How about, if you lose, I get your Stardust Dragon? What do you think about this deal?"
No way, Aki thought, There was no way Yusei would agree to this. Stardust is his pride and soul, it's a part of him. There must be another way.
"Deal," Yusei said and Aki's next breath was a sharp intake. So he was willing to compromise his favourite monster but not her? How could he? What did this mean?
"Yusei, no..." Aki whispered, her hands clasped over her mouth.
"Trust me, Aki," Yusei flashed her a quick but confident smile but Aki just couldn't shake off a feeling of shock to his negotiation.
"Awesome, let's do this then," the brown-haired guy exclaimed and mounted his own D-Wheel, "We'll duel on this street – narrow as it is it stretches for many miles and is usually empty of patrols. The first one to reach that Stop sign takes the first turn."
"Alright," Yusei agreed and revved up his engine. Aki's hands quickly found their place back around his waist as she prepared to hold on for her life.
"My name is Higuchi Sho, by the way," the guy decided to introduce himself and put on his helmet, starting his D-Wheel. He placed the Speed World magic card into play and Yusei did the same.
"Speed World 2 set on!" both Yusei and Sho announced, and then the moment the magic card expanded the duel zone around them both of their D-Wheels took off.
Awww, Yusei and Aki are so in love...I wonder if they'll ever tell each other that. Also, Yusei is an animal, rawr.
So basically for the next chapters we'll see what these illegal duelling organizations are like and why they're not as simple as our characters would like to think. Also, don't really worry about this Sho Higuchi character – I just gave him a name so that I wouldn't have to call him "brown-haired guy" for another chapter. I don't think that he'll be important to anything.
Also, I'll finally get to write my first Riding Duel!
So what else could happen in Chapter 15: Will Yusei win the Riding Duel? Will Yusei and Aki get into the illegal duelling ring? Will Crow, Jack and others find their way there too? Will they find something strange in that illegal duelling organization? And will Yusei and Aki do it again (and again, and again), lol?
Stay tuned and you (might) find out!