Chapter 1!

A/N: I'm back from my hiatus and here's my new story. It's a post-series fic about what happens to Yusei and Akiza. There will be other characters appearing, but I'm going to try and focus on them as much as I can.

I also want to note basically what I have in my description. There's sexual suggestions and the rating may go up. However, I will not write any lemons! So, I just want to be clear that that is not why it could change. It's just due to the fact that they are all adults now and talk about more adult topics. So, I might change it, but it's just to be safe and to not get into trouble.

As always, I hope you enjoy and review when you can. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or it's characters.

The story start out as Yusei comes back home, the day before they all leave.

It was nighttime. A partly clouded sky couldn't keep the moon from showing bright onto the city of New Domino City. A young man, with black and yellow hair, was walking home. When he got there, he went up to the garage, bended down, and lifted up the door. It was then that he spotted someone inside.

She was about his height, but only an inch shorter than him. She had red hair and was facing away from him. Her hands were behind her back, with her left hand gripping her right wrist.

"Akiza?" he called to her. He then went for a light switch, so that way both of them could see better.

"Leave the lights off," she replied quickly, without even turning back to him. Yusei stopped himself just before he reached the switch. He was a bit confused as to why she didn't want the lights on. He turned to face her and put his outstretch arm down as she spoke.

"I've just been waiting here, thinking of all kinds of things," Akiza continued, "I can't show you my face my face right now."

Now Yusei was really confused.

What was she talking about? Why couldn't she show him her face? Was something wrong? Yusei didn't know, but he was definitely concerned about her. The bright full moon gave him enough light to walk towards her. Akiza still didn't move as she then asked him a question.

"So, you're the only one who will be here now Yusei?"

Yusei made his way up to her, with his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, so what's wrong?" he asked. Akiza turned to him, while facing down, towards to the ground. "I was just thinking of how I should say a proper goodbye to you," Akiza replied.

Yusei's concerned face turned into a smile. Now he understood. Akiza wanted to say goodbye to him. She was going to fly overseas to Germany and was going to become a doctor. It would take 8 long years of hard work and determination to do it, but Akiza knew it was what she wanted to do. Of course, she wasn't the only person that was leaving. Jack and Crow were going to go off and become professional Turbo Duelists, while Leo and Luna were going to be reunited with their parents in London. Yusei had already said goodbye to all of them and now the last one was Akiza. "I see," Yusei replied gently.

Akiza's grip on right wrist tightened. She was nervous, but she knew that she had to do it. Her voice immediately filled with nervousness, worry, and fear. "Yusei..." she started and could feel herself shaking. A blush was red on her face, but it went away as she looked him in the eyes and swung her hand in front of her ginormous chest.

"I have always lov..."

Akiza's eyes grew wide as she gasped and stopped herself. No! This wasn't right! She had told him that she wanted to give him a proper goodbye. Saying that she loved him was not proper. If he said he felt the same way, then Akiza would want to stay here, with him. She would have to give up a chance to study abroad and get an education from a fantastic school. If he said that he didn't feel the same, then Akiza would leave heartbroken. Not to mention, it would be awkward the next time she would see him and it would make her regret confessing to him.

Akiza retracted her arm and shook her head. No! She had to find another way! One that would still tell him about her feelings for him, but one that wasn't so direct. Without saying those three little words. After a brief moment, she looked up, with a smile on her face. Her hands went back behind her back and she looked him in the eyes. Now she knew what to say.

"I love that I met you."

Yusei was stunned. It was clear as day that Akiza was going to say that she had always loved him. But why did she stop? Why did she refrain from continuing her statement? It was then that he realized why she had stopped. She said that she wanted to give him a proper goodbye and that is what she was doing. It would be too hard on her if she had kept going and, no matter what his response was, it would not benefit her in any way. After Akiza had finished correcting her statement, Yusei continued looking stunned for a moment, before his raised eyebrows went down and his face beamed with confidence. It was the sort of expression he would give if he was about to win a Turbo Duel. He knew exactly what he had to do.

"So do I, Akiza," he replied as he too looked her in the eyes.

Akiza continued smiling at him and started to feel a little bit of excitement. 'Did he understand? Did he realize how I felt about him?' Akiza wondered. She wasn't sure. Despite his stunned to confident expression, she was still incredibly nervous and couldn't stand facing him. Akiza turned to her right, so that he could only see her from the side.

"When I first met you Yusei, I was honestly thinking that you were a scary person," Akiza said, as she recalled the day when they both realized the other had a Signer mark.

Yusei couldn't believe it! Akiza was afraid of him and he had been afraid of her! Yusei tried to hold back from laughing at the fact, but he couldn't stop himself. He leaned forward and laughed. It was a real, genuine laugh. Akiza couldn't help, but feel overjoyed in hearing him. She couldn't recall the last time she had heard Yusei laugh, let alone one that was so relaxed and real. She also couldn't help, but feel as though this was a little bit of Yusei that he had kept hidden and he had refrained from showing this side of him. He was always so serious and firm, but now he was laughing and smiling. She really enjoyed it and was proud that she was the one who was making him laugh and smile.

Once Yusei stopped laughing, he leaned back and explained to Akiza why he was laughing.

"The same applies for me," Yusei replied, "When I first laid eyes on you Akiza, you were really scary. I was pretty nervous of what would happen to the team, if we lost to you."

Now, Akiza was upset. Akiza's goal was to win the Fortune Cup, just like everybody else. So, if she would have won, it would have been her fault that the Signers didn't get together? It would have been her fault that the world would have ended? All the blame would have been put on her? Akiza didn't like that and made a fist. Akiza knew that there was no way she would ever have been violent with Yusei, especially after everything that he had done for her. Still, she was upset and countered his assumption.

"Huh?" she gasped, "You really thought that?"

Yusei knew that Akiza was a strong, independent woman that could take care of herself and stand up for her own opinions. He also knew that this wasn't exactly the greatest time to do what he was about to do, but he didn't care. He didn't know how much longer Akiza would be here and he knew that he had to make his move. Akiza wanted him to speak, but it wasn't going to be about the question she had asked. Instead, Yusei was going to completely change the subject. It wasn't even related to what they were talking about, but he hoped that Akiza would understand.

Just like before, their eyes met. Yusei was nervous, just like when Akiza had started confessing her feelings for him. He could feel his armpits start to sweat and his facial expression hinted at his nervousness. He took a few steps forward as he spoke.

"Akiza, don't forget to smile," Yusei started as he came to a full stop, a very short distance from her. Akiza gasped and her fist loosened it's grip, as she lower her hand slightly. Akiza's face, just like Yusei's was a minute ago, was full of shock.

What did he mean? Why did he change the subject? What did her smile have to do with anything? It was then that their relationship rose to a whole new level.

Yusei and Akiza kept their eyes locked in on each others. Even though Yusei, was very nervous, he had managed to keep his voice calm, yet firm. He spotted Akiza's now loosened fist and grabbed it with, not one, but both of his hands. His left was first, followed by handiness right hand. As Yusei did this, he said something that Akiza never expected him to say to her.

"There's no one in the world with a smile better than yours."

Just like with Yusei, Akiza stood for a moment stunned. Akiza couldn't believe it! Was Yusei really confessing to her, just like she had done to him earlier? Was this a sign that Yusei really felt the same way? For the first time since they had started talking, Akiza confidently believed that this was it and that he really felt the same way.

It was simple. Yusei had followed her lead. Instead of saying those three magical words, Yusei had said something that confessed his love, but was not so direct. Akiza's confused face turned into a confident smile, as she tightened her right hand, which was also her dominate one. She then put her left hand on top of her's and Yusei's. In case Yusei didn't get the message the first time, Akiza knew what she would say, just to be safe.

"You're the one, who put that smile on my face, Yusei."

Akiza knew what she had said was perfect. It was as if she was saying, "That smile that you love so much? The one that's the best in the world? It is all thanks to you Yusei and giving me that smile is why I love you." It was clear as day that her feelings were out in the open and Yusei understood. However, just like Akiza, he wanted to be sure that his feelings were out in the open too. Although it was risky, considering everything that they had said and did since he had arrived, it felt like the perfect and right thing to do.

Yusei was now smiling at Akiza and he started to lean forward, with their hands still intertwined. As Yusei started to lean very slightly downward, Akiza leaned very slightly upwards. Her face showed excitement and anticipation. Were they really going to do it? Just like Yusei, Akiza knew it was the perfect and right thing to do. It was now clear as day to her that Yusei felt the same way as she did.

As their faces got even closer, their facial expressions changed. Their faces also reflected into the others eyes. Akiza's face had quickly turned from excitement and anticipation to nervousness and worry. The smile from Yusei's face was gone and he too looked nervous and worried as well. Neither one had ever had their first kiss, so it was obvious that both of them were nervous. Akiza decided on a way that would, hopefully, take off all their nervousness of having a first kiss. She slowly closed her eyes, letting Yusei know that it was all right and that she understood his feelings. Yusei then followed her lead, just like before, and closed his eyes as well. They then closed the final distance and their lips met the other's.

Their first kiss.

Yusei's dry lips melted into Akiza's moist ones. The setting couldn't be more perfect. The dark room, with just enough light from the moon, and no one around to see or bother them. They had both held their feelings inside for a long time and now they finally knew how the other felt about them. They weren't sure how long they stood their, with their lips pressed against the other's. Although their hands were still intertwined, it didn't matter, since they could still feel each other's happiness. No, it wasn't like in the movies, where their lips would move passionately against the other's. No, that was for another time. This time, they just wanted to take in all the love, happiness, and joy that they were feeling.

After what felt like forever, Yusei then Akiza slowly leaned back. They each had blushes across their faces, along with big bright smiles. "Yusei," Akiza said softly. "Akiza," Yusei responded just as softly. They smiled at one another, now knowing how they felt. Despite the good mood, Akiza still had one last question for Yusei.

"Yusei...I know that I'll be away at school," she started slowly. Her face looked a little sad and Yusei gasped, trying to figure out what she was talking about. Akiza looked down at their still holding hands. "And...I know I'll be several hours ahead of you, but...do you think..." She looked shyly up at him. "There's a way we could stay in contact?"

Yusei's gasp turned into a confident smile, as he had some good news for her.

"Akiza, of course we can stay in contact. We have e-mail, video chats, our phones, and so many other ways to connect to one another. It doesn't matter if you're several hours ahead of me, I'll still try to stay in touch with you as much as possible." Akiza gasped and a smile returned back to her face, as Yusei continued. "You can always contact me, 24/7 Akiza. My door is always open for you Akiza and don't ever feel guilty to get in touch with me." Akiza smiled. "Thank you Yusei." He nodded, but he still had something else he wanted to say. Akiza watched as, just like before, Yusei's face looked a little sad. He took looked down at her hands.

"Akiza, I know we'll be able to say in contact, but..." He looked up at her and Akiza gasped. "I really enjoy spending time with you and I was wondering..." He paused for a moment. "When I'll get to see you again?"

Just like before, Akiza smiled confidently and had some good news for him, that would cheer him right up.

"Yusei, I like spending time with you too," Akiza started as she tightened her grip on their hands, "In case you forgot, I do have summer and winter breaks every year and..." Yusei gasped and started to look curiously at her. "My parents would like to spend more time with me, since we haven't been able to do that very often..." Yusei's face leaned forward just a tiny bit, still looking curiously at her as she spoke. "So they have said that during every one of my breaks, I'll be able to fly back home to New Domino City."

A smile grew on Yusei's face. He was so happy that he would get to see Akiza so soon. "So...that means that I'll see you...in a few months? Right?" he asked. Akiza closed her eyes and nodded. She then looked at Yusei who looked like a kid in a candy store. "I can't wait," he replied with a hint of excitement in his voice. Akiza smiled at him. "Me neither," she replied a little more calmly, "I thought about letting it be a surprise for you, but after what has happened tonight, I thought it would be a good time to tell you." Yusei nodded and his face suddenly looked a little more serious. He tightened his grip on her hands.

"Now Akiza, even if we can't stay in contact and if, for some reason you can't fly home, I want you to know that I believe in you." Akiza was a bit confused, but Yusei quickly clarified it for her. "You are so smart Akiza and I know that you work hard at school. I know you have the potential to become an excellent doctor someday. Don't give up on your dream, because I know you can do it." Akiza blushed. "Thanks Yusei," she replied. Yusei nodded, but had more to say. "But at the same time, don't pressure yourself into getting a perfect GPA or all A's. Just go out there and do your best." Akiza and Yusei were now smiling and blushing at each other.

"Thanks. I will," Akiza replied and they stood there for a long moment.

However, they knew that they had to move on. Their hands hadn't left the other's since they Yusei had grabbed a hold of Akiza's. They watched as they released their hands slowly and in-synch with one another. They finally let go, even though they truly didn't want to. However, they both remembered that they would see and hear from each other very soon.

Akiza made a fist again with her right hand again. However, this fist wasn't full or anger or upset. This once was full of confidence, thanks to Yusei's belief in her and telling her to do her best. Yusei smiled as he saw the woman he found so beautiful looking so confidently. After a brief moment, Akiza let go of her fist and folded her arms.

"Well, I'm off," Akiza finally noted. Yusei put his hands into his pockets. "Okay, get on out of her," Yusei replied.

He watched as Akiza ran up the steps to the garage and closed the door. As she did, he watched with a smile on his face. Once he made sure she had made it inside, he turned around and walked out of the garage.

It was true that they never said those three little words. It was true that it wasn't exactly an award winning way of confessing their love. However, before they had met that night, neither one knew how the other one felt about them. Now, it was clear as day that what they had hoped and prayed for was true.

They both loved each other.

A/N: In case you're wondering, yes, this is my canon for that scene.

Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed it and please review, to tell me how I did.

Next Chapter: How will Yusei and Akiza react from what has just happened?