Finally, I'm getting back to this story. Sorry about the hold-up but I'm jugging four stories at the moment and it looks like it is about to become five.
Alliance: So what you are saying is you can't help yourself.
Excuse me! You were the one who bugged me to start more stories! So this one is your fault!
Alliance: (sticks out tongue) Not my fault if you can't say no.
Do that again…
Alliance: What? This? (sticks out tongue again, which Angel grabs) MMMGGGHHH!
Ahh…that's better. I'll let you go if you promise to do the Disclaimer and then shut up, deal?
Alliance: (Nods and gets tongue back) Bleh…Fine, Negative Angel does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Beyblade. She also does not own any of their affiliated characters as much as she would want to. Good thing too otherwise you would never hear anything of Kai Hiwatari or Seto Kaiba ever again.
(growls) So much for shutting up after doing the Disclaimer (pulls out gun)
Alliance: YIKES! (runs away)
(sighs) Now that the distractions are dealt with, let's get on with it.
Chapter 1: Arrival in Domino
"Hey Yuge, how does it feel knowing that we'll never have to save from the world from another demented loony?" asked Joey happily.
"Great! And better yet, Yami finally has his memories back and he chose to stay with us! Things couldn't be better!" chirped back Yugi.
"Well, they could if certain asshole of a CEO would stop bugging Yami for a rematch every three days. After four years you would have thought he would have taken the hint that he isn't gonna beat Yami as long as he lives!"
Yugi sighed. "Well Kaiba is determined; I think we should be more worried if that ever changes into obsession like it did before."
"Yuge, the guy IS obsessed already!"
Yugi shook his head slowly. "It's just Kaiba's character. Yami doesn't seem to mind that much: I think he enjoys the challenge as much as Kaiba does."
"Hmph. Still, I wish Kaiba would just back off. What is his problem anyway? Why is he so cold all the time? What did we do wrong apart from existing?"
Yugi chuckled. "Well I suppose he didn't earn the nickname of 'Ice Prince' for nothing."
Joey laughed. "Too true. I guess you can't have everything your own way. How long do we have to kill before meeting the others at the Arcade?"
Yugi had to shift his Duel Disk to get a good look at his watch. "We've got another half an hour or so. Remind me why you wanted to meet early again?"
"Come on Yuge, we haven't had any time just chatting between the two of us since, let me think, before we went to Egypt to unlock the pharaoh's memories!"
"God you're right, and that was two months ago!"
"So, tell me, how is it having Yami as a 'brother'?"
Yugi couldn't help but giggle. Since their last adventure they had been helping Yami settle into modern society fully by passing him off as Yugi's long lost brother. Yugi's grandfather had been more than happy with the idea. He had been jumping around like a kid at Christmas when the idea had originally been brought up. Any Egyptologist would have been thinking their dreams had come true when a former Egyptian pharaoh had asked if they could stay with them. After that, Yami had settled in nicely. He and Yugi were running the Game Shop, which allowed Yugi's grandfather to have one last world tour with old friend Arthur Hawkins. They were currently somewhere in South America. Yugi and Yami had found a letter waiting for them three days ago with a rather amusing photo inside: a six foot long snake sitting quite happily along both of the adventurers' shoulders while the men had massive grins spread across their faces. It was clear to see that they were enjoying every second of their adventure.
"It's great. Having him as a real person rather than a spirit inside the Puzzle is very different, but I like it."
"It's amazing how well he's fitted in with the gang, but then again, he kinda has been part of it since we realised who he is."
Yugi nodded but then had to stop in his tracks when a tin can flew out and missed his nose by centimetres. Joey jumped at the projectile and peered down the alleyway it had appeared from, only to see a scuffle between four thugs quite a way down. The blonde scoffed and started walking away with Yugi slowly following, but the tri-haired froze moments later.
Terrified screams caught Yugi's attention before they ended seconds later. Yugi looked to Joey and it was clear that the blonde had heard it too for he was running back to meet his friend. The pair cautiously looked down the alley and their mouths hit their throats when they saw that the thugs were gone, but one person was lying on their side in their place.
Yugi ran towards them with Joey close behind. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the person came into sight, and their appearance was certainly unusual. From the build it was clear it was a male. He was dressed in a black vest top while a ruby pendant hung beautifully around his neck. Camouflage combat trousers were slashed on one leg and were held up by a white belt with an ornate silver buckle. Black boots and black fingerless gloves tipped his splayed limbs. The most striking feature about the individual was his dual-tone hair: smoky azure with a deep midnight blue accompaniment. Blue and black triangles adorned his face and it was unclear whether they were painted on or tattooed.
Yugi knelt on one knee and shook him gently. "Hey, are you all right?"
He groaned but it was clear he was having trouble regaining consciousness. Joey joined Yugi in a crouch. "Hey buddy, wake up."
Amaranth orbs slowly revealed themselves to the concerned pair. "What…?" The deep voice startled the pair. Looking at him, they realised he could be no older than they were. "What happened?" He brought a gloved face up to rub his throbbing temples.
"Well, we were kind of hoping you could tell us what happened to you. We just found you like this," answered Yugi gently. "What's your name?"
"Kai…Kai Hiwatari."
"I'm Yugi, Yugi Mutou and this is my best friend, Joey Wheeler." Kai looked over groggily to Joey who gave him a small wave. Kai's eyes met with Joey's duel disk and he then realised that he was not where he should be.
Kai snapped out of his daze in a flash and rolled away into a crouching position. Yugi and Joey both jumped at the sudden movement and they finally got a good look at Kai. His physique was the envy of many: he had a perfectly toned chest and strong arms while it did not look over the top. His ash blue hair fell over his eyes in places while amethyst eyes sparkled in the dim lighting of the alleyway. Both Yugi and Joey were stunned at the man they had just found: he was devastatingly handsome. Kai's breathing had quickened slightly. "Where am I?" he asked steadily.
Yugi and Joey both looked at each other in confusion before answering. "Domino City, Japan."
Kai's mind spun with the new information. I am definitely not in the past… "What year is it?"
Yugi did not know why the question was being asked, but he answered it anyway. "2010."
Kai's mouth hung open as realisation hit. I'm not in the future either…I'm in the exact same year, but in a city I've never heard of and these guys are wearing things that I have never seen anything remotely similar to. Could it be…I'm in a different world?
"Kai, what's wrong?" Kai faced the smaller teen and saw genuine concern in his eyes. Kai found it unsettling and when his eyes flitted over to meet Joey's he was met with the exact same thing.
He sharply stood and took two steps back. This is wrong…this shouldn't be happening. Where are the others? What happened to them? I need to find them before they get into danger. I knew I should have insisted they stayed behind. If anything has happened, someone is going to have hell to pay for. Without a backwards glance at the pair that had helped him, Kai fled.
"Hey! Wait!" Joey shouted and took off after him. Yugi too gave chase but within a couple of seconds, they had lost sight of him. "He's damn fast!"
"Joey, come on, I don't think he's from around here. He may need our help." The two picked up their pace and raced to the end of the alley. "I can't get any sort of peace…"
Kai slowed as the end of the alley came into sight. He paced himself gently as he strode down the pavement, taking in his new surroundings. It had been so long since Kai had been in a thriving, living city that he had almost forgotten what it felt like to be part of it.
He had forgotten what it was like to live an everyday life.
Kai's memories flooded his thoughts as he remembered his life before that fateful day: the day he saved the world, but also destroyed it. We had only been free of BEGA for three months when the Crusaders ruined everything. If only they hadn't found that poor girl. If only they hadn't killed her.
If only…they hadn't found the World Soul. Maybe then we would have had peaceful lives. Had I not been at the abbey that day and found out about it, then our world would be at the mercy of the Crusaders. But by the same token, had I paid more attention to his warning and protected her, I could have stopped the 4 billion deaths that resulted from Exposure. I just hope I get the chance to atone for my mistake.
And I hope I haven't made another by letting Tyson, Max and Ray come with me. I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to them and I could have prevented it.
Kai was so absorbed in his thoughts of his former life that he started slipping into his previous mind-set. He was returning to the man he was when he earned his nickname 'Ice Prince': cold, unfeeling, majestic and alone. His eyes were turning icy and he was walking with more aggression in every step he took, but that was not the worst trait which was returning. His confidence was being replaced by arrogance and it was that arrogance which was about to get him into serious trouble.
He turned his gaze to the buildings which surrounded him, pointedly ignoring the people passing by on the streets. He stepped back in silent admiration and couldn't help but collide with another passer-by. Kai bounced off the individual and hissed in pain sharply. He started to walk away, thinking that this person was not worth his time, but he could not have been more wrong. Kai snarled when he felt a strong hand grip his arm aggressively and rounded to confront the individual. Though his outward appearance may not show it, he was shocked at the frosty glare he was receiving.
"You might want to watch where you are going, punk," sneered a deep voice.
"Really? Well you let me know when I find someone worth more than a split second of my time," Kai snapped back, resenting the stranger for his tone and actions.
"Keep that up, and you won't be seeing other people for much longer."
"And who is going to see to that? You? I'd like to see you try." Kai quickly summed up the aggressor. He was a good half a foot taller than Kai, wore a black shirt and trousers with a white trench coat. Short brown hair tumbled down over his eyes and partially concealed the piercing sapphires beneath. His appearance would have intimidated many, but then again, Kai's appearance would send many running in fear. The two shared a furious glare and refused to back down.
Joey and Yugi finally emerged from the alley and scanned the area for Kai. Joey's eyes found the dual-haired teen, but he gulped when he also saw a very familiar CEO glaring at him. Joey nudged Yugi and the tri-haired teen spun to the scene. Yugi gasped silently.
Kai 'Ice Prince' Hiwatari just had to cross paths with Seto 'Ice Prince' Kaiba.
Yugi and Joey sped over, but they winced when they heard the argument that was unfolding. "Don't push me. I could make you disappear very easily," spat Kaiba with a venom that even Joey had not heard before.
"But the question is do they disappear out of fear rather than due to your own actions? I highly suspect it is due to the first rather than you seeing as I doubt you would have the balls to back up your words," hissed Kai with as much venom. Yugi and Joey both flinched. They had never expected anyone to be able to match Kaiba's ferocity.
"You are rapidly leaving a foul taste in my mouth."
"The feeling's mutual, but I doubt much else is."
Yugi decided to end the argument before it became any more heated. "Kai!" he called out.
The blue haired teen tore his gaze away from Kaiba and met the eyes of Yugi and Joey. "You two…"
"So your name is Kai?" inquired Kaiba icily.
Kai rounded back on the CEO. "Yeah, but don't expect me to ask to ask for yours."
"I wouldn't have let street trash like you speak my name anyway."
"Why did you take off, Kai?" Yugi's question was a desperate attempt to split the two glaring teens before something more serious took place.
"What do you care?" asked Kai coldly. He tried to pull away but Kaiba's grip held him in place. The hold was beginning to leave angry red marks.
"Well, we just found you in an alleyway unconscious and then you suddenly leg it? You never said what happened," answered Joey calmly. He had seen that if he set Kai off it would rapidly spiral into an argument similar to the ones he shared with Kaiba.
"It doesn't concern you."
"Kai, we just want to help, nothing more."
Kai turned to face Yugi and saw in his amaranth eyes that he was genuinely concerned. Kai sighed deeply and tried to rid himself of all his aggression but his attention was grabbed by a flash of light in the alleyway next to foursome. All turned to follow the flash and were stunned when they heard someone spluttering. Kai's eyes widened, which was not missed by Kaiba.
"Maxie?" whispered Kai so quietly that only Kaiba just heard him. Kai ripped his arm free of the CEO's grip and sped into the darkness.
"Kai! Jesus, that guy is just too fast!" Joey ran after him with Yugi in tow. Kaiba simply watched them for a couple of seconds before he ambled behind them, his curiosity piqued as to who their new acquaintance was.
Kai ran towards the coughing and was immeasurable relieved to see a familiar mass of blonde hair, which belonged to the individual splayed across the cold alley floor. "Maxie!"
"K-Kai?" Max spluttered out. Kai skidded to a halt and knelt next to Max. He helped the blonde sit up and rubbed his arms. Max was freezing cold. The blonde rubbed his head while trying to regain his senses. "Ugh…I feel like I've just been hit by a bus."
"If it is anything like I was, I think it will feel more like you've just had a building collapse on you," joked Kai.
Max spluttered out a laugh through all of his coughing. Kai cracked a small smile but swiftly hid it when he heard Yugi and Joey approaching. "There you are, Kai. Oh, is this a friend of yours?"
Max looked between Kai and then the new members of the conversation. "Kai, do you know these two?" he asked uneasily.
Kai kept an arm wrapped around Max's shoulders protectively. Over the two years of the war, Max and Kai had developed a close friendship and Kai thought of Max like a little brother; just as Max looked to Kai as an older brother. "No, they found me unconscious about ten minutes ago."
"Kai, what happened? Where are we?" continued the blonde. Only Kai saw Kaiba lean against a wall about ten feet away, but he pointedly ignored the CEO.
"Something went wrong, Max," he answered gently.
Max turned to him with tear filled eyes. "You mean…?"
"I have no idea what happened, nor do I know where we are."
Panic flooded Max's azure eyes. "What about Tyson and Ray? What happened to them?"
"I don't know, but we'll find them."
"Are they your friends?" intruded Joey. Kai and Max both turned to him where Joey breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Kai's eyes held no more ice but it was replaced with concern.
"Yeah, have you seen them? Tyson is about as tall as I am, has longish dark blue hair and looks just generally scruffy." Kai chuckled at Max's description of their friend. "Ray was wearing a white shirt, dark blue combats and has very long black hair tied back in a ponytail. You could say he looks like a cat."
Yugi and Joey shook their heads sadly. "Sorry, but we haven't seen anyone fitting that description."
"Where are they?" hissed Kai, angry at himself more than anything.
"Well, you could come stay with us you look for them. We could even get our friends to help in the search if you like," suggested Yugi. Both Kai and Max looked at him with a mix of shock and slight uneasiness.
"Are you sure about that?" asked Max. He noticed that Kai was suspiciously silent and caught his friend glaring at Kaiba. Max's nerves kicked into overdrive when he saw that Kai was wielding the look which had earned him his nickname of 'Ice Prince' but what truly alarmed him was that Kaiba was glaring back with as much ferocity.
"Yeah, I'll just call the others and tell them to keep their eyes open," assured Joey. Max felt slightly better and was at ease with Yugi and Joey, but Kai's reaction to Kaiba was worrying him. It had been a long time since he had seen Kai react so much to anyone. "By the way, I'm Joey, and this is Yugi." Joey gestured over to Yugi who smiled.
"I'm Max, who is that behind you?"
Joey spun round and nearly growled. "Kaiba, what the hell do you want?"
"I'm free to go where I like, unlike you, Mutt. Why are you not on a leash?" replied Kaiba in his haughty voice.
"Zip it, rich-boy!"
Kaiba chuckled cruelly which earned him a furious glare from Joey, but it was not him that was the problem. Kaiba's sapphire eyes darted back to Kai and he could not pin what it was about the dual-haired teen, but something rubbed him the wrong way. No-one had ever antagonised him with just their appearance before; then again there is a first time for everything.
Joey ignored Kaiba and then resumed his call to the others. He called Tea first and she answered. "Tea? Are Yami and Tristan with you? We've come across something rather unusual…"
So what did you think?
PLEASE REVIEW!
Alliance: Or she will set a pack of hyenas after you!
…Hyenas? Was that really the best you could come up with?
Alliance: Would you rather I sent some giraffes?
…Giraffes? Where did that come from…?
