"When the Psychic Duelist and so called 'Black Rose Witch' first laid eyes on Yusei Fudo she knew he was nothing like her.

Unlike her, he was surrounded with people who seemed to care that the damned mark on his arm was hurting him. Unlike her, he didn't seem to have powers that left him an outcast (although the mark on his face branded him as one). And, unlike her, he didn't have to 'wear' a mask to hide his face.

She felt something then. Not letting herself think too much about it, as those thoughts would soon turn painful just as Divine said they would, she read the feeling as hate. And perhaps she did hate him-just a bit for being all that she so wished she could be. But as she grew to know him she knew it was hate. No, not really, it was more like...

Envy.

Envy that he had the same mark she blamed for her cursed powers, yet didn't fear it, fear himself, like she did. Perhaps this was why his words during their duel got to her as they did that fateful day...

"... you must love yourself!"

She hadn't wanted to try then. Hadn't wanted to forgive her past and those in it. Fate however thought otherwise. And after the supposed death of Divine and being reunited with her family, Aki Izayoi started to see something else inside of her so called thorny heart.

And it was then, with the caring words and kind friendship of the one she thought was her total and complete 'Opposite'- Yusei, the true Black Rose started to bloom..."

Okay, I confess. Despite being a bit of a yaoi fan, I'm quite a Faithshipper in the 5D's verse (it's not my only ship though... ).

Although, when it comes to taking pictures like this its very akward between Malindachan and I, she's my roomie and might as well be my sister for goodness sakes! So needless to say when we decided that we'd do a few Aki-and-Yusei-ish pictures it was a rather strange feeling. In fact within the first few moments the both of us started laughing like maniacs and had to restrain ourselves for the rest of the little shoot we had.

But I thought this shot was rather cute so it was worth it despite the giggles and the akward-ness.

as Yusei Fudo
and Moi as Aki Izayoi/Akiza Izinski
Pic taken by the amazing and "Future Ruler of the Universe" at A-kon 20

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's is (c) by Kazuki Takahashi