Soul of the Dragon

Chapter 52: Monkey Business Part 1

"Wait, so Yusei kissed you and told you it didn't matter?" Akiza's raised an eyebrow when Lise finished. "That was stupid."

"I know!" Lise threw up her hands exasperatedly. "Who the fuck kisses someone and then denies its importance?! Who the fuck kisses someone as a friend?! Call me old-fashioned, but I actually wanted my first kiss to be meaningful." She rubbed her red and slightly puffy eyes. "Now I just feel broken and really, really stupid."

"And it's not like you can avoid him and eat ice cream on the couch for the day. The Crimson Dragon made him promise to stay with you."

"Don't remind me," Lise groaned.

Akiza thought for a minute. "How about when this is all over, and if we somehow manage to save the world, we go over to my place, eat ice cream, and watch movies?"

"Really?"

Akiza winked. "I'll even let you cry until your eyes fall out."

Lise smiled weakly. "I'd like that."

"And Lise, just because it hurts now doesn't mean you're weak. You're one of the strongest, most stubborn people I know."

"Thanks."

"And after some time away from him, maybe you can move on, but we've got a job to do tonight."

Lise took a deep calming breath and wiped away the last of her tears. "Nothing quite like nearly getting killed and saving the world in a day, right?" She stood up, sighed, and cracked her back.

"You're not going back down there in those clothes," Akiza stated firmly. She grabbed Lise's hand and led her down the stairs.

"What's wrong with my-" Lise looked down at her tattered shirt and jeans that were stained with blood. "Oh, okay, you have a point," she admitted.

Akiza smirked and pulled Lise into the girl's bedroom. "Fish told me you kept spare clothes in here for when you visit Martha."

"Yeah, but I'm not gonna wear a dress."

"You don't have to wear a dress to look drop dead gorgeous," Akiza grinned widely. She pushed clean clothes into Lise's arms.

Lise quickly changed and immediately felt better. "Thanks, Akiza. You're the best."

"And I'm not even finished," she showed Lise a small metallic cylinder that she quickly fastened to Lise's left arm. "Not quite a bracelet, but probably the sickest arm band ever. Don't lose it, or I won't be 'the best' anymore." Akiza quickly dragged her fingers through Lise's hair to remove the more prominent snarls too, but left the headband in place. She put a hand to her chin and stepped back.

"So, whattaya think?" Lise reached for her hair nervously. "Do I look like I nearly died and had my heart smashed to pieces?"

Akiza took a moment to answer. "I think Yusei's going to be a sorely disappointed little motherfucker."

She smiled when her comment garnered the appropriate response. Lise laughed so hard she snorted.

Mitch, John and Taka's sobs could be heard through the door. Doctor Schmitt stared blankly at the tearful boys as Yusei walked in stiffly.

The moment the door had shut behind Yusei, Akiza and Lise stepped in quietly, the latter rather anxiously. Yusei's entire face turned vermillion and he opened and closed his mouth like he hadn't quite got a hang on what he wanted to say. His hopes were dashed as he realized Lise breezing by him without so much as a glance.

Akiza stood by Fish and Crow, smirking at her handiwork. Lise joined them, one arm across her body protectively.

Fish raised an eyebrow and shrugged in Yusei's direction. This was better than she'd hoped for. She exchanged a high five with Akiza to Yusei's frustration.