Hi Everyone, sorry it's been a while since I updated but in my defense it was finals week! Hopefully, since school is done for the summer, my updates will be more frequent.

I hope you all think this is worth the wait! Read and Review; Please and Thank you!

-B

Chapter 4: New Experiences

^^Zella Muto^^

Artemis took on the tedious task of teaching us all the ins and outs of Duel Monsters. With her dad's tournament next month, we had to know what we were doing. As the weeks went on, we all became good friends and learned all we could about the game. Artemis even said we were getting good at it all. I think it's a lie because Sage and Leroy just plain suck. Gwen and I, however, seem to be getting the hang of the different cards and strategies possible for our decks.

Our weekday routine was set in stone most of the time. We would go to school, then go to someone's house to spend the afternoon working on homework together then practicing dueling. It was fun and we were growing closer with each day that passed. I became closer to Artemis and Gwen while Leroy and Sage seemed to be getting along great too. We were becoming quite the bunch; the five of us were inseparable.

One day we were dueling and hanging out at Kaiba Manor and her doorbell rang, but we were all there. No one from our group was missing.

"Artemis, who could that be?" I wondered. Her father was at work and her mother was in her library reading.

"I have a huge surprise for you guys," she said as she disappeared to answer the door. When she returned, a boy who had blonde hair and bright green eyes stood in the doorway behind her. He was not short, but he wasn't tall either. I recognized his face, but couldn't place it. I'm horrible at recognizing people.

"Everyone, I'd like you all to meet a former Junior Regional Champion, Liam Masters," Artemis introduced.

"Hi, I'm Gwen!" Gwen said being her normal flirty self.

"I'm Sage."

"Leroy."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Zella," I said standing up and shaking his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you all. So Artemis here tells me you guys like Duel Monsters," Liam mentioned.

"Like yes, good at, that's a different story," Sage said being sarcastic.

"I'm sure you guys are good for your time in the game," Liam responded.

"Zella's pretty good. She got her dad's genes," Leroy spoke up.

"Leroy!" I snapped. I hated when people judged me on who my father was.

"Who's your dad?" he asked, obviously curious.

"Yugi Muto," I muttered.

"Wow, I cannot believe I'm in the presence of the daughter of the famous Yugi Muto!" Liam looked like a little kid in a candy store.

"And son!" Sage added, aggravated because he was always overlooked since we were paternal twins.

"Either way, your father is my idol! The way he dueled in the videos I've seen!" Suddenly it wasn't about Sage and me.

"Liam, sorry to burst your bubble, but their father never taught them Duel Monsters. We've only been dueling a few weeks," Gwen said. His expression changed only slightly as he realized we weren't dueling geniuses like our father. This is why I hate people knowing who my father is. They expect something that I can't give them. His joyful appearance only shortly faulted before a smile returned.

"No difference. It's nice to meet all of you. So what's the plan Artemis?" he asked.

"Well, my dad just finished a prototype for his newest duel disk system and wants us to try it out." Artemis said it so nonchalant; but, when Kaiba Corp. released something new it was a big deal in Domino City.

"Really? I am honored," Liam said gracefully.

"Let's go, follow me," she said, leading us down a series of hallways and one set of stairs.

I thought this building looked big; it even has levels underground. The walls went from fully adorned to suddenly dull and bare. We reached a set of double doors that were white against the pitch-black walls with only a large KC logo. There was a keypad and Artemis quickly typed in a code. Then a voice came over a speaker.

"Artemis, is that you?" It was a male voice, but it wasn't Seto Kaiba's.

"Uncle Moka, I have the willing testers for the new duel disk with me."

"Okay, come on in. I'll call your father." The door unlatched and opened.

We went into what looked like a control room of some sort with all kinds of monitors and computer screens. A man who had long black hair and a baby face looked towards us. He didn't look like a KC businessman. He looked too much like Artemis in the face.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my Uncle Mokuba. He's a partial partner with my father."

"Seto does all the inventing I just help make everything and test it," he said laughing. "I also try to be the fun uncle to the twins. Zero always tries to steel my thunder," he continued. Twins? Artemis never mentioned a sibling, let alone a twin.

I let it slip my mind as Mr. Kaiba entered the room from an elevator opposite us. He had such seriousness about him, so much that he kind of scared me a little. He was in a simple black suit, creases pressed crisply. I have only seen the causal Mr. Kaiba in jeans and a button down, so this was intimidating on many levels.

"Mokuba, let's get this moving. I don't have all day," he barked.

"Sure thing Seto. I have all the equipment ready for simulation."

"And these are our volunteers?" he said looking at us.

"Yes, I was going to pair them off. We could do multiple tests today," Mokuba replied.

"Mm." He stared ahead at the computer screen once again. Artemis had his determination and his features in almost every aspect of her appearance, but how could he be so cold when she is so welcoming and outgoing?

"Artemis, pick your partner. I don't want to waste any more time," Mr. Kaiba said sharply.

"Come on Zella, follow me and bring your deck," Artemis said, walking Mokuba's path.

We stepped into a very bare room. There were several squares lining the floor and an observation window. She pushed a button on the wall, and a table rose room the floor with two duel disks on it. She quickly placed a device on her forearm and I mimicked her motion.

The duel disk was much smaller than the ones I have seen. It was just big enough to hold 5 monster cards on top and 4 magic or trap cards under them. There was a slot for our decks, and a small compartment for our graveyard. I was still examining it when Artemis said, "Let's duel!"

We drew our five cards and she started. I managed to get her life points down to 500 but she still beat me with her Black Luster Swordsman and Red Eyes Black Dragon Combination.

Mr. Kaiba came out and looked at my duel disk. He asked if I felt anything during the duel and continued his examination of the device and its projector elements that release out of the disks. Then he examined Artemis' disk. He walked over determined but he seemed gentle with her. I thought I almost saw a smile hint at the corner of his lips. He asked her the same questions he did but as he turned her arm over he was softer, more precise in his movements around her. I could tell Artemis was his soft spot. As he left the room, he put a finger under her chin and whispered "Thanks Artemis." I stood in awe of the cute moment I had just witnessed. I guess I never really pictured Mr. Kaiba as a father.

"They are functional and the holograms are more accurate and more lifelike than the previous model. There's still a few more things to correct, but overall a good simulation. Thank you girls," he said, heading back to the control room. "And Zella, your dueling style is uncannily similar to your father's. You will be a decent duelist one day." With that, he disappeared into the elevator.

"Mokuba, I want a total report within the hour," he said as the doors closed.

"Artemis, you know the rules if you guys just want to duel for a little while. I need to finish the report for your father and I'll be in my office. Just don't break or touch anything you shouldn't."

"I know Uncle," she said smiling.

The rest of the day was a blast. The new duel disk was amazing. We dueled for hours between all of us. As everyone left, Artemis stopped me from calling my mother.

"You could spend the night if you want. It could be a lot of fun," she offered smiling.

"That would be great."

We sat in her kitchen while Natalie made us smoothies. My head was still spinning from everything.

"Wow, that was just so much fun. I really am getting the handle on dueling. And for your dad to compliment me!" I exclaimed.

"The Duel Disk isn't that different from the last model, it's nothing to get all antsy about," she snapped. She looked agitated about something. Her muscles were tense and her face was steady.

"Artemis, what's wrong?" She hesitated.

"You guys are just so easily impressed by the things in my life. Liam has been a rival for years, but you guys love him and it's like you kicked me to the curb like an old toy." Natalie paused, knowing she shouldn't eavesdrop. She placed our smoothies down and left.

"Artemis, there will always be something new in life. But you must realize that, you are my best friend, and even though Liam and the duel disk were the stars of the afternoon, I'm still here right now," I said hugging her. Artemis was not one for hugs, but she returned my hug and smiled.

"You're right. Besides, just because I'm used to KC stuff doesn't mean my friends are." Her mom came in and looked happy, smiling as she always was around me.

"Girls, no staying up late tonight, you have school tomorrow. Artemis you better have studied for that Chemistry Exam." The Kaiba's seemed like laid-back parents, but her mother was still a mom, worried about her child's grades.

"I did and we promise not stay up too late," Artemis said. We sat and talked some more while we enjoyed our smoothies. We giggled and laughed like normal girls. When we went upstairs, I noticed frames I didn't before. They were opposite all of her parents pictures. There were two family portraits, each having a boy in the picture next to Artemis. He looked like her mother, blonde hair and darker eyes, but I could see Mr. Kaiba as well in his expression.

"Artemis, who is this boy?"