Sparring

Aki's POV

My eyes were firmly locked onto Yusei, carefully watching his every move. I did not dare take my eyes off of him, knowing that if I did I would pay for it dearly. Our bodies were set in a battle stance as we stared each other down. Neither of us moved a muscle as we waited to see which one would make the first strike. After a few seconds of waiting in complete tense silence, I decided to make the first move.

I quickly closed the distance between us and attempted to make a punch at his face only to have Yusei swiftly stop it by grabbing my incoming fist. He then used his free hand to try and make a hit to my stomach, yet I used my own free hand to block his fist before it could reach me. However when I saw a light smirk cross his lips I knew he was up to something, but before I could even try to figure it out, the hand that held mine quickly grabbed my arm instead and his other hand got out of the grip I had it in and took hold of my other arm as well. He then pulled me in closer to him and instantly used his right leg to knee me in my stomach. I kept my mouth closed as tightly as I could to keep the painful cry that wanted to come out. I would refuse to show any pain, especially when I knew he was watching us.

It was time that I pay Yusei back for that hit so I used my left leg to sweep under his causing him to lose his footing. Yet I had forgotten that he still had my arms captive so when he started falling backward I went along with him. This had ended up with me right on top of him with our faces only a few centimeters away from the other. My body became rigid realizing what kind of position we were in and the fact that I was sure that if the impact of the fall was just a little bit more our mouths would have made contact. And looking at the small blush on Yusei's face he most likely realized the same thing. Yet the moment didn't last long as the expression on his face became serious once more.

"I think that's enough training for now," he causally announced while looking at me expectedly, letting me know he wanted me to get off of him now.

I of course did so and made my way to stand back on my two feet. When I offered my hand to help him back up, I quickly noticed his hesitation and was worried he was going to decline my offer. Yet to my relief he eventually grabbed my hand and I helped lift him back up.

"Thanks," he replied nonchalantly as he immediately let go of my hand once he was up.

I watched him wipe the sweat off his forehead with his arm before grabbing his gloves and jacket from off the nearby table. As I saw him silently put back on his jacket and gloves, a frown reached my lips at the fact that he seemed to be ignoring me all of a sudden. This made me wonder if I had messed up somehow during our training and that he was disappointed in my performance.

"Did I do something wrong?" I couldn't help but ask wanting to know what I could have done to upset him.

I was a bit surprised when he turned to me with a baffled look on his face.

"Why do you think you did something wrong?" he asked back with clear confusion in his voice, which in turn confused me as well.

"You were avoiding me as soon as we stopped so I thought you weren't pleased with my training," I answered honestly not even trying to look him in the eye anymore.

When I didn't hear any response I figured that my assumption was right after all. I should've known that I wasn't doing well. I've never fought before in my life, being the Senator's daughter and I could hardly understand all the fighting terms and moves he taught me let alone successfully do them. I must have looked so pathetic trying to learn how to fight.

What if he regrets saving me after seeing how useless I am in battler?

I felt the tears threatening to come from my eyes but I instantly blinked them away. Crying would only prove further to him that I was indeed weak. The feeling of having two masculine arms wrap tightly around me completely shocked me out of my depressing thoughts.

"You were great during training Aki; in fact I was impressed with how quickly you caught on for your first time fighting," complimented Yusei making me look at him to see a warm smile on his face.

"Really?" I asked with hopeful eyes which actually made a small laugh come from his mouth.

"Yes really."

"Then why were you avoiding me a moment ago?" I questioned causing him to suddenly let go of me as he turned his back to me.

"Yusei, what is it?" I asked in concern as I placed my hand on his shoulder, wondering what was bothering him then if it wasn't me.

He slowly turned back towards me though his face was lowered to avoid looking at me and to my surprise a heavy blush was on his face.

"I'm not used to this," he mumbled quietly though I had still heard him.

"Not used to what?" I replied to which another mumble came from his mouth yet this time it was so low that I couldn't hear anything he said at all.

"Come again?" I coaxed hoping he would be louder before he finally sighed in defeat.

"I'm not used to being around the opposite sex like this," he finally answered as his fingers combed through his hair in anxiousness.

"Oh," was all I could say immediately knowing exactly what he meant.

"Honestly, I'm not either," I admitted while fumbling with my fingers as redness appeared on my own cheeks as well.

"You aren't?" he asked surprised, finally looking at me again.

However it was me that lowered my head as memories of how my family and classmates wanted nothing to do with me.

"No one wants to be around a monster," I stated solemnly.

It was then that my face was lifted up by Yusei's hand on my chin as our eyes locked onto one another.

"They're the monsters remember? Besides, you're more beautiful than any of them," proclaimed Yusei causing a huge smile to spread across my face.

No one has ever said anything so wonderful to me before and actually mean it. It was then that I decided to show my appreciation for those kind words by giving him a grateful kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks Yusei. You're beautiful too," I declared sincerely with a large grin.

For a moment I saw the taken aback look on his face when I said that, but it only took a second after that for a smile equal to the size of mine to form on his own lips.

"I think we'll get used to each other just fine," happily stated Yusei and I agreed with him one hundred percent on that.

A/N: Hope you liked this one. Just to let you know, this one-shot takes place around the first few weeks after Aki's 'rebirth' (those reading Choices you know what I'm talking about). Also for those reading Choices you now know that Aki can fight so expect her to throw a few punches here and there in the story. Now I'll work on the next chapter for Choices so that should be the next upcoming update.