Pairing:Seto/Joey; hints of YY, MM, BR, and Tristan/Duke
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Amazing, isn't it?
A/N:Sooo, this is my first fanfic. I cannot guarantee its quality, considering I have not written for 'fun' in some time. Anywho, I hope you enjoy and I greatly appreciate reviews.
And as a little note, I know some prefer the Japanese names over the dubbed. However, I grew up with the dubbed (even though 4kids screwed it up) and I'm more familiar with them. Oh well.
Enjoy!
Business was slow at the Kame Game Shop. Yugi had expected as much, considering that today marked the day 'Spring Break' started. Most families had already left Domino City to pursue their vacation spots. And it seemed that the gang began planning as well.
Four of them huddled around the counter. Yugi took his place behind the register. Joey had taken the pleasure of sitting on the counter itself. Teá and Tristan chose the more polite option of standing.
Téa rolled her plan off her tongue at such a speed, it left one particular member lost.
"So, what're we doin' again?" Joey asked as his pinky finger dug in his ear.
She frowned before curtly replying, "Were you even listening?!"
The blond returned the glare. "I was, but ya lost me. Right around 'Hey, guys! I have an idea'" He mocked the last part in a falsetto tone.
Before the girl would lose it, Tristan cut in and translated her babble, "Queen's Winterland Resort at the Checkered Mountains for the break."
The other nodded with an exaggerated 'oooh'.
The brunette sighed in defeat. "Why do I even bother?"
Yugi laughed at his friends' antics. Deciding to give to the conversation at hand, "So, who else is going?"
Instantly perking up, she responded, "Well, besides us four, there are Ryou and Malik. Duke's a sure thing also. I think Serenity is. And the Yamis are invited, of course."
"That seems a lot of people in one cabin," Tristan commented.
"Well, there are six bedrooms, two family rooms, three bathrooms, and-"
"And just how much is this going to cost us?" Joey interrupted. The question was not intended to come across as rude. However, money mattered in his world; especially when it came to necessities versus nonessentials.
The girl smirked. "Not a dime out of your pockets!" Noting the confused looks, she explained, "My family owns a cabin out there and relatives take turns using it. It just so happens that it's our turn. And my parents gave me full permission to the use of it solely this time."
"So, it's cool with your folks that they're letting a bunch of rambunctious teens run free in an overpriced log cabin?" Tristan's voice held mild sarcasm.
An eyebrow rose. "Rambunctious? Please. The only ones I have to worry about are Bakura, Marik, and Joey." She earned a small protest from the said-teen.
"By the way, what exactly are the getting-there arrangements?" Yugi asked.
Téa paused as she recalled. "Well, Malik and Marik will arrive later by bus." She paused again. "My dad's van can only hold five comfortably."
"I could go with Duke in his car. And Joey and Serenity could take mine," Tristan added.
The tri-colored haired teen nodded. "So, the rest of us will take the van."
"So, how's this road trip goin' to work?" Joey asked.
"Oh?" Téa clapped her hands. "Well, it is a long drive. We'll have to stay overnight at a motel."
"I think it'll be better if we meet up a diner or something now and again," Yugi added. "Like checkpoints so we know everyone's okay."
The brunette hummed in agreement. "That's a good idea, Yugi. We should meet here at 7:30 tomorrow morning before we head out. Sounds good?"
Everyone nodded.
The brunette clapped her hands again. "That settles it. Plan Winterland is into play!"
Then, the door's bell rang: signaling a potential customer.
The three non-employees dispersed. Each pretended to be preoccupied with the merchandise. They eyed the door until a mop of black was completely exposed.
"False alarm!" Joey yelled. "It's just Mokuba!"
A pout formed on the smaller teen's face. "Gee thanks, Joey. It's nice to see you too," he replied almost-starkly. However, content still edged his voice.
The blond grinned and ruffled Mokuba's hair. "Just kiddin', sport. We're always happy to see ya." A smile was returned.
The four returned to the counter and to their previous spots with an added Mokuba on the counter.
"So, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" Yugi started.
The kid's shoulders sagged and he shook his head. "Boredom brought me. Even though school let out, Seto plans on working during the entire break." Softly, he mumbled under his breath, "And he promised we'd go do something this time."
Catching the last bit, Joey's eyes narrowed. "That sure sounds like him," he said with venom.
"It's not his fault," Mokuba retorted almost mechanically. "He has a lot of work to do." He always has a lot of work to do, he thought.
There an awkward silence, before the black-haired teen felt nature's calls. "Hey, Yugi. Mind if I use your bathroom?" He asked sheepishly.
"No, not at all," he answered with small smile.
"Thanks," Mokuba chirped. He bounced off the counter and marched down the hall.
Once, he left hearing range, Joey turned towards the others.
"Guys, I think we should invite him with us," he suggested.
Téa looked thoughtful. "We have enough room…"
"Yeah but," Tristan attempted to reason, "What about Kaiba?"
Joey scrunched his nose at the name. "What about him?"
"If he lets Mokuba go, there's a high chance that he'll tag along too."
Before anyone could respond, padding of feet caught their attention. "So, what did I miss?" Mokuba asked. He bounded over to the counter and took his spot back.
"Well, we were just exchanging our deepest darkest secrets. Too bad you decided peeing was more important," Joey teased.
"Oh? You told them about your stuffed dog Mr. Chippers?" The younger stuck his tongue out and gave a raspberry.
A wide grin graced the blond's face. "Why you little-!" He grabbed the boy in a headlock and proceeded to give him a noogie.
Laughter erupted from the two, which in turn caused the others to laugh as well. If anyone had not known better, the two could be read as brothers.
After calming down a bit, Mokuba managed to inquire, "So, what are you guys doing for the break?"
The group exchanged knowing looks.
"Well," Joey began. "We're headin' out to that resort up on the Chess Mountains or somethin'. Maybe you've heard of it?"
"You mean the Queen's resort?!" Mokuba eyes lit up. "Who hasn't heard about it?" He twittered, "You have to tell me about it when you guys get back."
"No," the blond said sternly.
The boy's face faltered. "What?"
The other had a hard time suppressing a smile. "Why should I have to tell you about it when you can experience it firsthand?"
"You mean?"
Joey hopped off the counter and bowed overdramatically. "I, Joseph Wheeler, hereby cordially invite you to join us on our endeavor to the Crags of Checkers."
…
"Do you even know what half of those words mean?"
"Shut it, Tristan!"
The play-fight was stopped abruptly when Mokuba tackled the blond.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He chanted. "It'll be so much fun!"
He hopped off the counter and bounced in place; running his mouth faster than a squirrel knocked up on caffeine. No one was quite sure on what was being said.
The others smiled at the younger Kaiba's cheerfulness. However, the smiles wavered when the boy suddenly stopped.
He looked down at his feet and shifted. "Joey?" He gave the other a nervous glance. "Do you mind if Seto comes too?"
Suddenly, it felt as if the temperature dropped. Pairs of eyes looked hesitantly at the blond.
A blind man could see that the two did not get along. Anytime they were within ten feet of each other, it ended up with them arguing or occasionally throwing punches. It was clear that the two simply were doomed to be inhospitable to one another. However…
After mulling it over, Joey made his choice. "I'm fine with it as long as he stays out of my way."
"You won't regret it!" Mokuba bear-hugged him and pranced to the door.
"I'll come by around seven tomorrow morning!" Joey called after him.
The boy waved over his shoulder and slammed the door open.
Tristan waited till the door shut before asking, "Regret it yet?"
A sigh escaped. "The moment I said it."
"Then why'd you say it?" Yugi inquired. He would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in why Joey would okay Seto's invite.
Joey pondered for a moment; figuring a way to explain it. "Well, I figured it'd make Mokuba happy. And when ya live with a crab like Kaiba, ya need a break once and awhile."
"Is Joey going all sentimental on us?" Téa teased.
"Shut it, table dancer."
…
"Are you actually going to ride all the way with Kaiba?" Tristan seemed incredulous.
Joey cocked an eyebrow. "Who said I was going to take him?"
Téa shook her head. "You did." Seeing that the blond was still skeptical, she clarified. "If you're taking Mokuba, you can count on taking Kaiba as well."
"Aw shit! I forgot about that." He scowled, and then turned thoughtful. "Maybe no one will mind if I stick him in the trunk."
"Joey, you're not putting him in trunk," Yugi said flatly.
"Yeah, yeah." Joey moved away from the counter. "Tris, mind if I borrow your car for the night?"
The brunet raised an eyebrow and dug in his pocket. He managed to pull out an assortment of keys. He slid one off and handed it. "Sure, I guess. Why do you need it now?"
The other shrugged. "Got some errands to run. Don't worry, though. I'll park her out of my neighborhood."
"Fine. Just don't wreck my car again."
"Can't promise anything." He grinned widely as he sauntered to the door. "Hey, Yug. I'll see ya first thing tomorrow morning."
"Just go already," Téa shooed.
As he opened the door and walked through, he poked his head back in. There was a dramatic pause…and then, "See you too, working-girl." He retracted from the door as the brunette growled.
He grinned again as he heard laughter.
However, that did not assuage his anxiety.
Mokuba jumped out of the limo before it made to a complete stop. He ran up the front stairs of the Kaiba Mansion.
Before he made it to the door, a maid obediently (and quickly) opened the door for him. He brushed past with a rush "Thank you" and only paused to take off his shoes.
He made a dash to the main stairwell. He noticed one of the butlers nearby.
"Where's Seto?"
The man made a jolt and gave the boy his full attention. "Master Kaiba had returned to his study not too long ago."
Well, that's a good sign, Mokuba thought. If Kaiba left the study in the first place, that meant the elder was in a good mood; or at least less bad than usual.
The boy took a deep breath before climbing the stairs.
He made a beeline to the study's door. He stopped and listened in. Very few keystrokes were made, which only meant that Seto was stuck on something. That worked in Mokuba's favor.
He stood there for moment to gather on what he would say. He knew very well that begging was out of this question. He could almost hear Seto's voice going, 'Kaiba's don't and will never beg.'
The puppy-eyes tactic would not work in this circumstance. It involved Seto and his least favorite people cooped up in a cabin for a week.
He groaned in frustration. If only Joey made it sound like a challenge. Then Seto would have no other choice but-. An almost sinister smile graced Mokuba's face. It wouldn't hurt for him to tell a little lie; especially since it was for the better, right?
With this idea in mind, he rapped softly against the wood.
"Come in," was the command.
Mokuba opened and peeked his head in. "Hey Seto."
Seto looked up and nodded. "I see you've returned, Mokuba. Mind telling me where you ran off to?"
The younger grimaced. The scale tilted. "I got bored, so I went over to the Game Shop."
The brunet frowned at the mention. Nevertheless, he would let Mokuba's transgression slide this time. "So? What are those losers up to?"
"They're planning on going on vacation for break. And, uh…"
The frown deepened. Anyone with a tad of intelligence could see where this was going.
Taking in courage, the boy continued, "I was invited."
The unasked question hung in the air. Mokuba knew that he did not have much of chance, but he was willing to risk it.
"No," Seto tried to finalize. Mokuba opened his mouth to retort, but the brunet cut him off. "I don't feel comfortable having you run around unsupervised."
"But Seto, you were invited too!"
The CEO smirked. Of course he was. The geeks always had some speech about friendship and such. He reached out to his cup of coffee. "By Yugi, I presume?" He was in mid-sip when Mokuba replied.
"Nope. By Joey."
Seto nearly choked. He turned his head away from Mokuba and coughed to the side.
With his sights off, he was unable to catch the knowing smirk on the boy's face.
Of course that would surprise the brunet. He and the mutt weren't exactly amiable by any means.
"He also said that he bets that you'd chicken out," Mokuba added. He recognized very well that he won. Seto never backed down from a challenge, providing that it had no chance of ruining his reputation.
Seto's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Did he now?" His tone was low. "Well, I think we should disappoint him." He smirked to himself.
The younger internally cheered. This was way too easy.
"So, what time will we be leaving?"
Mokuba barely restrained a flinch. It occurred to him that the celebration was premature. The fight was only halfway over.
"Ah, well," He shuffled his feet. "Joey said he would be here around seven tomorrow morning."
"Oh? We will be riding with the mutt?" He thought it over.
The disadvantages would be stuck with the mongrel for the duration of the car ride. However, he would be able to tease and taunt the blond during the entire trip.
As Seto escaped his thoughts, it dawned on him that Mokuba had been speaking.
"-and he's not a bad driver. Not that I've driven with him before, but I've seen him and he only ran over the curb-" He bumbled
"It's fine, Mokuba."
"There wasn't much of scratch and…what?" Did he just heard Seto right?
The CEO held a ghost of a smile. "I said it's fine. As long as he stays out of my way," He added in the last part.
Mokuba broke out to a smile, but for multiple reasons. He didn't think he would hear the same words come out from the other's mouth.
He ran up to his brother and hugged him. "Thank you! You won't regret it!" He scrambled to the door. "I'll go pack my bag."
"Pack warmly!" Seto called out.
After closing the door behind, Mokuba practically jumped for joy. Not only was he going to hang out with his friends, it was obvious that Seto will not be able to do any work; not with Joey around anyway.
Another smirk made way on his face. Maybe, just maybe, he could use this trip to his benefit.
He dreamt about his brother and Joey at least tolerating each other. And now, he could use this vacation to do so.
Plan Seto-and-Joey: Best Friends Forever is a go!
Though satisfied with his plan, he knew that he couldn't do it alone. With that in mind, he went off to make a few phone calls.
A/N: That was the end of chapter of one. Love it? Hate it? Let me know.