Just a quick note: I've decided to set the technology level for this story at the Yu-Gi-Oh! level, which means it's more advanced than what is seen in Ghost Hunt, but less advanced than present day real life. So basically, there are laptops and cell phones, but not smart phones. And everybody is gonna have a cell phone. Because I said so.

Features copious amounts of Kaiba brothers fluff, and extremely light Yuugi/Atem shipping.

Cornerstone

This story takes place after the Cursed House case in Ghost Hunt; however, since I had only the anime in mind when I began, the events that happened on their way home from that case have not yet happened. In this continuity, I would intend for readers to assume those events would take place sometime after this case instead.

For the Yu-Gi-Oh! timeline, this story takes place immediately after the end of Battle City, however; rather than flying straight to America after the final duel, Kaiba returns with the others to Domino to ensure that his loss in the tournament will be handled correctly, with plans to leave for America shortly thereafter.

September

Thursday

Mai set the last of the cups on the coffee table and hugged the serving tray to her body with a sigh. One cup was steaming gently in front of an empty seat while everyone else picked theirs up and sipped from them appreciatively.

"I don't see why we have to wait for him," Ayako said as she set her cup down again and crossed her legs, leaning back against the couch. "Can't we just fill him in once he gets here?"

"I don't want to go over this more than once," Naru said, as unruffled as ever. He took another sip of his tea and Mai resigned herself to waiting, taking the empty chair next to John's and wondering if Takigawa's tea would go cold before he showed up. Then the door was thrown open and Takigawa hurried into the office, his guitar case and a duffle bag barely hanging off of one shoulder.

"Hey," he said, a little breathless. "Sorry I'm late; some fans stopped me after the show and–"

"Let's get right to business," Naru said, more ignoring him than interrupting.

As usual; right to the point, Takigawa and Mai both thought, identical looks of exasperation on their faces. Takigawa took the empty seat and smiled at the sight of the cup already placed there, picking it up and taking a drink as Naru continued.

"It's a big case and the details are vague, so I've called you all in to cover our bases," he explained.

"Vague?" Ayako said. "What does that mean?"

"Yeah, Naru, it's not like you to take a case without knowing what it's about," Takigawa put in.

"It's a haunted city," Naru said.

Mai looked over at him. "What?"

"A whole city?" John asked in disbelief.

"That's ridiculous. How can a whole city be haunted?" Ayako said, leaning forward again to look past Masako at Naru.

"Our client isn't the only one who's noticed it. It seems that many people in the city have experienced some of the phenomena. There are several mentions of it in various forums and posts online, but it seems like, as of yet, most people view them as isolated incidents. If anyone realized just how many of them were happening all over the city, it could cause a panic."

"Hold on a second. This is starting to sound pretty serious. Are you sure we can handle something like this? It almost sounds like something the authorities should be taking care of," Ayako said, her contrary attitude giving way to legitimate concern.

"The local authorities might be better equipped to handle the resulting riot, but not its cause. We are the professionals when it comes to ghost hunting, but if you think it's too much for you, you're welcome to leave."

"Geez, Naru," Mai said. "You can't blame her for being unsure while you're talking about people rioting in a city full of spirits! Do we even know what we're walking into?" she demanded.

"If you look at all of the reports of strange activity together, they start to form a pattern," Naru said, his unshaken calm only aggravating Mai further. "It seems to have something to do with a particular game."

"Not more school kids Ouija boarding," Takigawa groaned. "I don't know if I can take it."

"It's a card game," Naru clarified.

"Like tarot cards?" John asked.

Naru reached into his pocket and held up a single card for them to see. "Trading cards," he said.

Five blank faces stared back at him, waiting for him to go on. At the desk on the other side of the room, Lin continued to type, mostly ignoring the conversation.

"I don't get it," Takigawa said.

"How could trading cards have anything to do with spirits?" Mai asked. "Are they cursed or something?"

"I don't know," Naru said calmly. "That's what we have to find out."

"Hang on a second," Ayako demanded. "Why the whole city? This sounds like it should be more focused on schools, like Monk said."

"Normally, you might have been correct, but the company that makes the game just put on a city-wide tournament. Needless to say, the problem has spread."

"What types of activity are being reported?" Masako asked.

Naru began the long list casually. "Property damage, unexplained comas, people reportedly going mad, possessions… It's even been said that there are gods walking the streets."

"Gods?" Takigawa said seriously.

Mai felt herself go cold, unable to suppress the memory of the seashore cave where she had provoked Naru into using his powers against a god. She shuddered slightly as images of Lin fighting to restart Naru's heart rose up even as she tried to force them away.

"So where is this city?" Ayako was saying when Mai finally brought her attention back to the conversation. "With that much going on, you'd think we would have heard about it before now."

"Like I said before, most people haven't figured out that all of these events are connected, so none of it would have made the news outside of the city itself. It's a place called Domino City, near the coast, just a few hours' drive from here. I'd like to leave tomorrow morning."