The Dragon Empress

Chapter 17: Coffee Shop

Madeline's POV

Three months later...

Battle bladers was beginning, and Ryuga had been training so hard. He wanted to beat Gingka very badly, and he worked a little too hard, I did not see him too much, and when I did, he was always tired, and so angry. He looked different and acted different, but mostly kind to me. 

"Hey Ryuga!" I said when I saw him walking back to his room 

"Hey Madeline." He said tiredly, 

"I haven't seen you much, and I miss you..." I told sadly. He took a deep breath and calmed down, it was clear that he was still angry from his training. I don't know why his training makes him angry. 

He came and have me a hug, "I'm sorry, I just have been really busy. How about I take you out tomorrow? We can go get some food, or something." He told me. 

"Are you going to be up for that? You have been working hard, and maybe too hard." I said with a concerned look. He sighed, 

"I will try, I really want to spend some time with you, I have not seen you much." He said, giving me a kiss on my head, I wanted to be with him, I remembered the time when he took me to the carnival before I had got whipped, I missed the time we were on the boat, and where he kissed me on the ferris wheel, I missed that Ryuga, but this one was almost always mad and upset. 

"Ryuga, I would love to out with you tomorrow," I said, 

"Good, I will make time for you, I promise." He said before giving me another hug and walking into his room. I sighed, I missed him so much.

I decided to call Madoka, see what she was up to today. 

"Hello?" She picked up 

"Hey Madoka, I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out today, maybe go and get some coffee?" 

"Hey Madeline! Yea I would love to, wait, whats wrong? Did Ryuga do something to you?" She asked, I smiled 

"No, he is just busy, and I need to see a friend, I'm just kinda lonely..." 

"Oh ok, wanna meet me at Starbucks?" 

"Yea, see you there!" 

"OK!"

I knocked on Ryuga's door, "What do you want!?" I heard him yell, "Come in!" I opened the door, to find him lying face down on his bed, 

"Hey Ryuga, I was just letting you know I am going to get some coffee with Madoka." I said shyly, 

"Hmm, ok, do you want me to drive you? No actually I will drive you. Just let me-" 

"N-No! It's ok, you are tired, please rest." I begged him 

"No, I want to drive you." He argued, 

"Ryuga, you need rest!" I fought back, he sat up, I had not realised that he was only wearing sweatpants, I saw his chest, it was quite beat up. 

"Ryuga... what has happened to you?" I asked.

"Its nothing, Madi. I want to drive you. I don't care if I need rest, you are alone and told Madoka that you would meet her to get some coffee." He could see that I was concerned. "I'll be fine Madi, besides you don't have a car." He got up, 

"Are you sure? You need the rest, you have been working very hard." I worriedly asked him, he walked over to me and rested a hand on my cheek, "I'm sure Madeline." He picked up his tank off of the floor and put it on.

"Ryuga, the day after tomorrow, is the start of Battle Bladers. Are you ready?" I asked when we got in the car, 

"Yes, as you know I have been working hard. I know you have been working hard also in your training, correct?" He asked in response, 

"Yes, I have, I want to become strong and I am a lot stronger since I have had my first lesson." He nodded. 

We arrived at starbucks, "Can I get you anything Ryuga?" I asked, he looked like he needed coffee. "

Just some black, caffeinated coffee. Thanks." He told me 

"Wow, really complicated, ill try to remember all of that." I said with a smirk. 

"Whatever, when do you want me to pick you up?" He smiled. 

"I'll have Madoka drive me back." I told him 

"Madi why don't you want me to pick you up?" 

"Because you need rest." He rolled his eyes, 

"Look, you're getting me coffee, so I will be fine. I am coming to pick you up, at 3:30." He told me sternly, 

"Why Ryuga, I want you to get some rest, battle bladers is in two days and you need to have as much strength as you can." He looked at me, 

"I will rest while you are gone, ok?" I sighed, 

"Fine..." 

"I will be fine." He said.

"Hey Madi!" Makoka said when I walked in, she was in line, 

"Hey!" I said giving her a hug, 

"I saw Ryuga drop you off, I thought you said he was busy." 

"I did, he insisted on driving me, I begged him not to, but he is so stubborn, he has been working too hard and looks exhausted." I sighed. 

"Wow, that is unfortunate, Gingka has also been working hard in training, he wants to beat Ryuga so badly." She responded 

"I think they want so badly to beat each other," I said with a roll of my eyes." We both laughed, 

"So," I asked when we sat down 

"Have you started dating Gingka yet?" I asked with a laugh. 

She rolled her eyes, "Yes, but he is really busy and we haven't been on a actual date since the carnival," She responded, then smirked, "How is it with the Dragon Emperor?" 

"Eh, like Gingka he is really busy, and I don't see him too much, I really miss him." I replied sadly, 

"I'm sure." I took a sip of my coffee, I was glad I had a good friend like Madoka, I could tell her anything and she would not judge, even if she was not Ryuga's biggest fan. 

EDITED