Disclaimer: I don't own any of the distinguished characters displayed in this work of fiction. Is that easy enough for you to understand?? WELL!? IS IT!?!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters - Birthday Battle
Chapter 4 - They Stumble That Run Fast
The next seven days (or so) went by quickly for Yugi. It was something of a blur. He spent the week going to school, helping with chores around the house, and numerous other (similar) things, as well. But such tasks didn't concern the teen one bit. The one and only subject he focused on more than anything else was Téa's birthday party. Téa didn't want a traditional celebration consisting of cake, games, and entertainment. She WAS a bit old for that, anyway. The only remaining trait of a party that she left unscathed was the (universal) "entertainment" bit. Yugi remembered that she scheduled her party on the same day as the grand opening of the new "Millennium Arcade" place.
Solomon Moto, his grandfather, always paid Yugi a little money whenever he worked in the family Game Shop Sometimes he did so of his own will, or because Grandpa needed help. Yugi made it a point to put in a few extra hours for that week, to earn some extra spending money. Earlier, he remembered that he had given Joey that check worth three million dollars, which was the prize money that Yugi had won for him at Pegasus's "Duelist Kingdom" Duel Monsters competition. Supposedly, he could've asked Joey to lend him some of that prize money to help pay for the birthday present he was going to give to Téa. Joey probably would have no problem in doing so, but Yugi ultimately decided that it would be better if he accquired the money to pay for the whole gift himself; on his own merits.
On the day before Téa's birthday (and her birthday party), some of her friends at school gave her some small trinkets as early presents, and others at the very least wished her a happy birthday. Téa didn't mind either way. The concept that her birthday was practically here, combined with the knowledge that she was going to spend it with her closest friends warmed her heart. This resulted in a strong grin that was virtually carved onto her face and there was very little chance that it would vanish.
That night, Téa's friends called her up (or vice versa) to confirm how and when the festivities would commence. Téa was slightly concerned when she received calls from everyone but Yugi, so after five minutes of thinking, she decided to take the initiative and call the Moto family herself.
It was a little before dinnertime at Yugi's house when Téa called. Solomon Moto picked up the phone promptly and answered.
"This is the Moto residence."
"Hi, Mr. Moto. It's me, Téa!"
"Oh...evening, Téa."
"Is...uh, Yugi there?"
"I'm afraid not," Solomon stated, scratching his head. "He went out to run some errands."
"Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure he knew when we were all heading out tomorrow," Téa replied.
"I'm sure that he knows when, but I'll have him call you all the same...once he gets home."
"Thanks, Mr. Moto."
"You quite welcome, Téa. And...Happy Birthday."
"Thanks again...see ya," Téa said, giggling a bit before hanging up.
About two minutes after the phone conversation ended, the front door swung open to reveal his grandson. Mr. Moto jumped about a foot and a half away, partly from surprise, and partly because he was standing close to the door when it opened.
"Aah! Watch that door, Yugi! I realize that you teenagers have the exuberance of youth coursing through your veins, but I have frail nerves running through mine!" Solomon gently scolded.
"Aw...c'mon, Grandpa! You're not THAT old! Aside from that back of yours, you're just fine!" Yugi calmly replied, yet putting on a nervous smile.
"So where were you? You were out for about half an hour! And by the way, Téa called a moment ago."
"She did? Well, I'll be sure to call her back. Anyway, I was out getting Téa's present ready. See?"
Yugi revealed to his grandfather a small box that he had tucked under his arm and opened it for Solomon to see.
"Ah! Very nice, Yugi! But why isn't it wrapped?"
"Well, I almost forgot to pick it up today, and by the time I got to the store...it was about closing time for them. They let me take it back, but there was no time for anything else."
"Hmm..." Solomon said, beginning to think. He stroked his chin with his thumb.
"What is it, Grandpa?"
"Why don't you give me Téa's present after dinner, my boy? I'm sure that I still have plently of wrapping paper leftover in the Game Shop."
"Really? Okay, thanks!"
When Yugi awoke the next morning, he saw his gift for Téa on his desk, neatly wrapped, compliments from his grandfather. He quickly got dressed (in his school outfit, no less), and then took a good look at the small box with Téa's present inside. The wrapping paper was white with little golden (eye-like) Millennium symbols all over it. And to complete the picture, a red ribbon was attached around the box, elegantly tied into a bow at the top.
Nice job of wrapping, Grandpa, Yugi thought. I owe you one for this.
The short teenager picked up the box and took it downstairs with him. After a quick breakfast, Yugi passed the time by doing his household chores and finishing up some homework. Yugi would be leaving the house around two o'clock, but it seemed to take forever for that time to arrive! The boy was excited, especially now that he had finally accquired a great present for Téa. He couldn't wait to give it to her! He soon decided that it would be a good idea to take a short nap in order to be well rested for Téa's party later on.
Yugi's small digital clock read 1:52 pm once he woke up (for the second time that day) from his slumber. Everyone was supposed to meet at Téa's place around two. Yugi wasn't too concerned, since he could easily walk there. Nevertheless, it would be best not to dawdle and to leave sooner than later. The spiky-haired teen put on his blue school jacket and his black and white sneakers, grabbed Téa's present that he had left near the front door, and hollered "goodbye" to his grandfather. And with that, Yugi left and (half) ran to Téa's house.
But little did he know at that moment...he was being followed...
Over at the Gardner residence, Téa was trying on a new (and fashionable) jean jacket that her parents had bought her. The shorthaired girl looked at herself in a large mirror and smiled, sincerely admiring her new article of clothing. She looked towards the clock in her room, which read 2:03 pm. Like Yugi, she was totally psyched that her party was to commence soon. Her friends were scheduled to arrive very soon, and then they would all head out for a late lunch at a nice restaurant. Then it was onto the grand opening at 3:30 (in the afternoon) of the "Millennium Arcade" where they would lose themselves in endless hours of games and enjoyment. All in all, this equation would hopefully lead to an afternoon of fun.
Yugi quickened his pace even more as he got closer to Téa's house. He wasn't sure if his other friends were already on their way too, but all the same, Yugi hoped that he would arrive a Téa's house first. Even if it meant being alone with Téa for a few minutes, it would definately be enough time to offer his gift to her. Yugi couldn't wait to see the expression on her face when she saw it. She would look at it and say-
"OOF!!"
That was what exited Yugi's mouth as he tripped and fell. He was so lost in thought that he didn't see the tree root he stumbled over. Upon closer observation, that root looked an awful lot like someone's leg. And as Yugi's eyes moved upward, the "tree" connected to it looked very much like Brutus Malone from school. Yugi's emotions became a blended drink; an uneven mix of negative flavors including confusion, minor pain, alarm, and...fear. Brutus's eyes were stone cold, yet they also resembled silent ticking time bombs that could easily go off and explode with one wrong move.
Bakura hummed to himself, as he walked down the street with Téa's wrapped present in hand. Unfortunately, the street light turned red before he could cross the street. And the light had a "delayed green", due to the fact that this street was usually so busy with many cars zooming by at seemingly lightning speed.
"Oh, dear," Bakura said to himself, glancing right and left. "This street is usually so crammed with traffic. I wonder if I can find a quicker way to cross."
But just then, a faint gold glow once again appeared under his shirt…
"This is foolish…" the evil sprit of Bakura's Millennium Ring growled. "I feel utterly disgusted to partake in these ridiculous activities, while the other Millennium Items are out there, ripe to be taken! That idiotic Bakura! I should've taken control of another host body when I had the chance!"
The light hovering over the intersection finally changed, and "Dark Bakura" crossed the street with unexpected acceleration. And his usual malicious thoughts roamed throughout his brain and exited out his mouth.
"That despicable Yugi had better not interfere the next time our paths cross! I should be-"
"Yo, Bakura!" yelled a familiar voice.
"Rrr?" Dark Bakura grunted, realizing that someone was calling him.
From not too far behind, Joey and Tristan were walking together. Had they been looking more closely, they'd have seen that their friend's fists were tightly clenched.
But as Joey and Tristan came closer and closer, the fists slowly loosened.
"Hey, guys!" Bakura said, turning his head and displaying a cheerful look on his face. "Looks like I'm not the only one anxious to get to Téa's party!"
"Yeah, Bakura! We saw ya across the street and we dashed by the traffic just ta keep up with ya!" Joey almost complained.
"You walk faster than you think, man!" Tristan agreed.
"Ya training t'be a Olympic walker or somethin'?" asked Joey.
"Sorry, Joey," Bakura replied, scratching the back of his head and lightly chuckling. "I guess I just don't know my own speed!"
Bakura had been walking fast, but unconsciously. He truly DIDN'T know it.
"Well, well, well," Brutus said firmly, in a semi-smooth voice. "What do we have here? I do believe I've caught a geeky looking fly!"
Most girls at Domino High were pathetic enough to swoon for his tone of voice. Except for a select few like Téa, of course.
"Whaddya want, Brutus?" Yugi said, quickly scrambling to get up.
"Stay down, wimp!" Brutus hissed, grabbing Yugi by the back of his blue school jacket, and slamming him back down onto the ground.
The big bully would've advanced himself on Yugi again, but his eye quickly caught the wrapped present that had been dropped about a foot away from where the two boys were. Brutus turned his head more to get a better look at what could prove to be an added bonus, all tied up in a bow, quite literally.
"And what's this?" he said, leaving Yugi alone, and picking up the present from off the sidewalk.
"Hey, get your hands off that! It's for Téa!" Yugi yelled.
"Like I care! As far as I'm concerned, this is the perfect revenge for what you did to me!"
"Huh?"
"Thanks to you and your friends, the principal cut me from a good number of the athletic teams I was on! He smashed my chances of leading them to glory, and especially victory!"
"What's your point?"
"It means that in return, I'll smash THIS thing!"
"NO!!" Yugi yelled in desperation.
"NO!?" Brutus echoed.
The taller boy rudely chuckled at Yugi before talking again.
"Then what's it worth to you? Tell you what...since you're a nice kid, I'll give you a choice. Either I smash this present...or I smash YOU!"
TO BE CONTINUED...
Hello yet again, my excellent readers! Glad you all could join us to read this fourth chapter and I apologize for the delays! Once more I've found myself swamped with work, be it either in the house or at school! In any event, I finally got this chapter finished and posted, which is all that really matters! I was hoping to insert some dueling action into this segment, but as I'm sure you can see, things don't always go as planned! But so what?! That only means that there's all the more room for it in the NEXT bit! Yes, you heard right, fans! Break out the cards, and warm up those holographic dueling arenas, 'cuz in Chapter 5...IT'S TIME TO DUEL!!!
Special Advice of the Day: That's right, there's no advice this time! Besides, no one ever chooses to follow it! My curiosity has been piqued when it comes to learning about you reviewers, so I feel like asking a question this time, so here goes! I'm an avid comic book reader, so tell...who's your favorite superhero? That's all, just a simple question for you to think about! So while you all ponder, I'll write the next chapter! 'Til next time!
