Everyone else: *Watches silently*
Kara: Dee Dee-!
Destiny: Finish that sentence and I WILL strangle you, and for the last time. Don't. Call. Me. That.
Seth: Denial's an ugly thing.
Destiny: Not you, too... And I'm NOT in denial.
Xenia: See what we mean? That's denial.
Destiny: You guys can be a real pain in the ass, you know that?
C.C.: BREAK IT UP ALREADY! Seth, Kara, Xenia, stop antagonizing her. It doesn't matter how much she denies this issue.
Destiny: You're supposed to be on my side!
C.C.: Destiny, I don't pay you for such a thing, I pay you to write and prioritize. So quit acting so childish right now and drop it, will ya?
Destiny: You don't pay us at all.
C.C.: I'm glad we've reached an agreement. Now, Yusei we're ready for the chapter to be typed up. Leo, will you get the disclaimer before Jack blows a gasket over there?
Jack: I really don't like you.
Leo: Yeah! Cool Cat 2000 doesn't own Yugioh 5D's, but Ayame belongs to her!
C.C.: Ah. Ah. I should've been doing this a LONG time ago, but thank you: mcdinh, Shimmering-Sky, RaisingHeartExelion, and the random citizen for reviewing last chapter! And in response to that guest review I got... Uh, no I have no idea why people do such a thing to Leo. But if you 100% believe that's going to be the case throughout this entire thing, you are totally in for a rude awakening. *Cackles* But thanks for the review!
Ayame: *Facepalm* When you put it that way, it usually involves a death or two... Hold it... So I am gonna die!?
Leo: I'm still getting a mark, too!? Yahoo!
C.C.: Enjoy!
By the time we got back to Blister's hideout, it was morning. I've regained my legs again and some of my strength. It was enough to walk on my own, though. Right now, Yusei was walking next to me in the long hallway toward the room we were all staying in.
Everything that just happened keeps replaying in my head over. And over. It won't leave my mind's eye. "I know what you're thinking," Yusei says, "Everything's gonna be okay."
"Um, yeah…."
"I mean it," He says.
"How can you be so sure? We still don't know what that crystal thing was," I reply.
"The Shadow Drone said it was a 'Dark Gem'."
"I clearly remember that. And I remember you being able to destroy it when it I couldn't. It was….weakening me. Yusei, that drone back there said I was 'a lightweight against my own abilities'. How can I weaken myself?"
We stop at the door to our quarters. "I'm not sure," He says before turning to face me. "You okay?"
I look up into his eyes for a moment. I'm debating if I should tell him what I saw in Yugi's puzzle right now. Or…maybe even what I heard in that vision during his Duel. 'Never. I don't want him worrying about that,' Then there it is again. That small spark I saw in his eyes during the Fortune Cup. It looks a little stronger this time. Every time I see it, it makes me feel weird. But the feeling only lasts about a second or so. I look away at the door.
"No…" I truthfully answer. My hand goes on the doorknob, "But….it's nothing. Maybe later," I say. My hand turns the knob, but Yusei stops me by taking my other in his.
"Now's the perfect time," He tells me. I turn back to him, but I don't look up at him. He brings his free hand up to my cheek so he can turn my face and make me look at him. 'Not now.' I tell myself when I start to feel my marker burn. Like it's trying to fight some unknown force or something.
Forgetting I still had my hand on the door, I sort of lean my weight on it. This manages to open it completely and put a foot or two in between me and Yusei. Although, his hand is still in mine.
"Hey," A voice says. I look over to it to see that it's Tanner using the laptop, "Where'd you lovebirds run off to last night? I was getting worried."
I pull Yusei into the room when I answer his question, "I got kidnapped."
"I saw the guy who had her and followed him," Yusei adds. Tanner stands up alarmingly from his chair.
"Did you two Duel or what?" Tanner inquires.
"Yeah, they Dueled," I answer, "But the guy was being controlled by someone called the Dark Signers. He even had a mark like ours. It glowed and everything only in the shape of a spider." No way is he finding out about that other mumbo-jumbo as to how I got kidnapped.
Yusei walks in front of Tanner and points at the computer. "Can I use that? Maybe I can find something about the spider symbol we saw."
Tanner nods and walks toward the door. "I'll go get us a couple of drinks. The old man should be back with the twins soon." Then he left. Yusei sits down in the chair and starts typing away. I walk over to the window and just watch all the cars and people walk by while listening to the sound of the keyboard.
"Yusei, can you see if you can dig up any info about-"
"I already am," He says, "So far, I'm not finding anything. It's strange. All it has are myths and folklores about everything that drone said about you. Each one of them are different in some way."
"Do I want to know now?" I ask looking back at him. His eyes remain on the screen. Then, they even go wide for only a split second before returning back to normal.
"…Not really," He finally replies. I just go back to looking out at the window. I'm sure I can ask him later about it and have him tell me. A quiet sigh escapes my mouth when I feel my arm start to tingle. It's weird. It feels the exact same way when I was watching that Duel between Yugi and that woman.
I bring my right arm up to look at the golden bracelet I forgot I'm wearing. The little lone charm on it weakly flashes in the light. It was pink and the exact shape of my marker, except it was a three-dimensional version of it. I really want to know why I couldn't trigger it so my powers could kick in back there. Then it feels like my mind's being walked in on or something.
"Are y—right?!"
I blink while bringing my arm down. There's only one person who can annoyingly enter my mind like this. "Yugi?" I think back.
"Twy- Ayame, where are you? Are you alright?" He asks. I feel my nose scrunch a little. My first name sounds so… unnatural on his tongue. He's never called me by it in a long time.
"I think I should be the one asking you that. We're at Blister's hideout."
"'We'? And who is Blister?" He asks. Is that so surprising?
"Yusei and I. The twins should be back soon." I think while glancing back to Yusei. "And Blister's a friend of Yusei's. Calm down. I can take care of myself, you know."
"Tell me. Did something happen last night? I've been trying to contact you ever since I've woken up. All I could feel was pain coming from you. And then nothing. Now I sense fear and confusion from you at the moment."
I feel my eyes narrow. "That's…! None of your business," I think back to him. I hate it when he tells me exactly what I'm feeling. It makes it even worse when hearing it from him of all people. I feel a mental sigh coming from him.
"Very well. Until we meet again, I'd like to have a word with you."
"No." I answer soon after his last word. I know Yusei wants me to talk to him, but I can't. Not now. "Where are you anyway?" I ask before he can argue with me.
"I'm still at the hospital. So is Jack, but he hasn't come to yet. They refuse to release me."
"While you're answering questions, answer this. Who was that woman you were Dueling inside of your puzzle?"
I feel nothing but pure shock from him. "Now do you understand why I need a word with you?" I blink at that thought. Is that what he wanted to talk about? No… I doubt it. That probably just adds on to the list of whatever he needs to say. "However, I'd like for you to at least consider it. Please be careful, Ayame."
"Don't call me that." I tell him. We may not be on good terms right now, but I really do prefer it to where he either calls me: Twi, Twyla, or Twilight.
"You had re-"
"Yeah, well things change," I cut him off, "You should know that better than anyone, Yugi."
"Please forgive me, and allow me to explain."
"No. Good-bye, Yugi." I think to him before cutting off our link completely. Another sigh is released from my mouth. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I despise this mind-link we had. And I think I always will.
XXXXX
"How's it going?" Tanner asks while placing a cup on the desk Yusei hasn't moved from. Tanner has already given me my cup of water, but I gulped it down. I walk up to Yusei's other side and place my cup down. I reach over for the one that was meant for Yusei and start drinking out of it, slowly.
"Not good. My searches on spider symbols aren't turning up any solid leads," He replies.
"I know you'll find a way to save the Satellite, Yusei," Stardust adds from the desk she's on by the laptop.
"Count on it, Stardust," Yusei says while standing up. "But first I need some answers. I need to find Goodwin."
Nearly choking on the water, I bring the cup away from my mouth and look at Yusei. "You need to rain check that idea." I tell him.
"Isn't he the man who sent you to the Facility that gave you such a painful-looking mark on your face?" Stardust asks as she hops onto his shoulder. Yusei nods as her answer and then looks at me.
"And he's the only one with answers," Yusei says. He then looks at the cup in my hand that was supposed to be his. "Thirsty?"
I look at the remaining water in it. There was only about two swallows left. What can I say? A fairy's got to drink a lot of water. I guess it ties in with the extremely fast heartbeat we have. "Sorry…."
"It's fine. You need it more than I do," Yusei tells me.
"You're leaving?" Everyone looks at the door to see Luna and Leo, and Yanagi standing behind them. Looks like they're back. Luna was the one who asked, "But it's not safe for you out there."
"Please don't go," Leo adds.
"I have to. The people in the Satellite need my help," Yusei remarks. I place the cup down quietly. Was he seriously thinking about doing this alone?
"Stay here!" Leo retorts, "It's way safer here in the city. What if some spider really is going to destroy the city?"
"He's right," Luna says, "Don't leave. What if you get stuck and can't get back here again?"
Oh…. We've gone to the 'What if's phase already. Yusei walks up to the twins and kneels down in front of them. He places a hand on each of their shoulders. I walk up behind him while he's talking to them. "Don't worry. In fact I already made arrangements for some backup," I hear him say.
"Besides," I add. Before I continue, I slip my arms over Yusei's shoulder and rest my chin on the shoulder Stardust isn't on, "I'll be there every step of the way with him."
The sound of Sector Security vehicles reach my ears. "I hope that's a good thing," Leonidas comments from my own shoulder. I stand up completely, so Yusei can get back on his feet. He runs over to the window and opens it by the time I come up next to him. When I look down to see who it is, I can't believe it.
"Looks like my ride's here," Yusei comments.
"Alright, Yusei, I got your message. Now get your Deck and get down here!" Trudge shouts through a bull horn, "I'm not going to wait here all day just cause we're teaming up temporarily! You understand me?!"
"You're kidding me, right?" I ask.
"Trudge is your protection?" Tanner asks.
"He's more," Yusei answers, "If he gets me to Goodwin safely, we just might have to call Trudge one of the good guys." He then looks at me directly, "Yami, I want you to stay here in the city."
"Wha-!? Yusei, I just said that-!"
"I know. But it's safer here, and Yugi needs you way more than I do right now."
What. The. Heck. I can't believe him right now. I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. I shut it with a growl of defeat and look away from him and the window.
"While I'm gone, I want you to do something for me," Yusei adds.
"What's that?" I snort still looking away from him. I feel his hand come up to my cheek, and he gently tilts my face to directly face his.
"I want you to visit Yugi for me. Talk to him while he's grounded right now."
"You already know my answer to that," I tell him. When I'm staring into his eyes, I see that spark again. It was slightly stronger than the previous one from earlier today. And then that same, defiant, feeling courses through my body… Wait, why did I say 'no' to Yusei, again?
"I know. That's why I asked Trudge to get you an escort," he says.
"You had this entire thing planned out from the start didn't you, Yusei?" Leonidas asks. He nods and we both look back down to Trudge when he shouts at us again.
"I don't have all day to wait for you to kiss your girlfriend good-bye, Satellite scum!"
"Still as annoying as ever," I comment while Yusei lets his hand fall back down to his side.
"Has he always held such a resentment toward you, Yusei?" Stardust wonders.
"For as long as I can remember," Yusei answers while walking to the door. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I follow him. He won't let the Yugi thing go until I at least say one word to him. I just want to know why he wants me to do this so badly. Yusei and I walk to where our runners are, and I push mine out after he opens the door. Trudge and his posse are still out waiting.
"Yusei," I say loud enough only for him to hear me, "We need to talk the next time we meet up again."
"You're right," He says. I look over to him in surprise. His eyes remain on Trudge in front of us, "But before that can happen, I want you to settle things out with Yugi first."
I roll my eyes while climbing on to my runner. Yusei walks up in front of Trudge and shouts. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's roll out." I smirk while I place my helmet over my head.
"You've got a lot of nerve asking for my help, you Satellite reject," Trudge responds while walking up to Yusei. Trudge reaches out a hand toward Yusei to grab the collar of his shirt. Yusei just grabs his wrist a certain way while closing his eyes. I guess it was a pressure point or something because Trudge seems to regret doing what he did.
"Good to see you, too, Officer Trudge," Yusei says before releasing his grip. He silently walks over to the car that has the door wide open.
"If you and your girlfriend want my protection, I suggest you start showing some respect for my authority," Trudge tells him. Yusei doesn't say anything, but simply gets in before the door shuts. "Hey! Did you hear what I said? If you keep ignoring me, Yusei, the deal's off. Got it?"
"Let's get going," Yusei tells him. I hold in a laugh while I lower my visors.
"Miss Muto," An officer asks me, "We are ready to proceed to the hospital when you are."
I nod while revving my runner's engine to life. He runs inside of his car and drives off. Yusei and I share one more look before we go our separate ways. It wasn't very difficult to catch up to my 'escort', so I wasn't worried if I lost him or anything. Just as I'm driving, my mind is racing with thoughts right now.
Yusei said he'd wanted a word with me. But the thing that caught me off guard was that he said I had to talk to Yugi first. I wonder what that's all about. My confusion doesn't even end there. I want to know why the heck his eyes keep technically shining over, or something, almost every freaking time I look into them. I think it's getting worse, because that last time I couldn't even think straight.
I just wanted to tell him what I saw inside of Yugi's puzzle. Speaking of which…. I pull up to the hospital after a crowd of reporters are forced out of our way.
Here, I decide to get off my runner and just walk it. I keep my helmet on though, because I don't exactly want direct attention and a million cameras directly in my face at the moment all at the same time. It's bad enough that they're already shouting my name because they recognize my Duel Runner.
I sigh when we finally make it to the hospital's entrance. I park my runner where I think it should be safe until I get back. Before I dismount my runner, I connect my Duel Disk to my arm just in case. You never know when you need it around these parts nowadays.
The officer leaves without a word, and I walk through the automatic doors. People give me strange looks. I guess I don't blame them, because it's not every day you see someone walking in the hospital with a helmet and a Duel Disk on. When I stop at the front desk, the clerk doesn't even look up at me from her computer.
"I'm here to see Yugi Muto," I say sternly.
"I'm sorry miss," She says with a lot of attitude, "But Yugi isn't expecting any visitors today."
I take my helmet off and glare at the woman. She notices my movement, and her eyes go deer-in-the-headlights mode. "Y- You're-"
"His sister," I say, "And unless you want me to call him myself, I suggest you let me through."
"Y-Yes o- of course. You'll find him in Room 318, Miss Muto."
I nod, and say, my thanks and go to the aforementioned room. Now that was interesting. All people are either: afraid of Yugi, me and Yugi, or just the Muto family period. I sigh when I'm almost to the room. I still can't believe Yusei half-assed talked me into doing this. Or was it the fact that I literally 'got lost in his eyes'? I roll mine at that thought.
"I think the term you humans use is 'falling in love'. Or at least, that's the path you're following up until this point in time," Leonidas suddenly comments. 'Was he picking through my mind?' No. He never does that. I guess my thoughts were that loud or something. Yes…. He can hear my thoughts, too. Can be annoying at times.
"No," I say, "If you've forgotten already, we haven't known each other very long."
"That doesn't make a difference. You both love tinkering with Duel Runners. The both of you created your own Duel Runners from scratch, for example. Your Dueling strategies are strikingly similar in my opinion. He even gambled his most precious card on that Duel between you and Jack. Much more but to keep it brief, you're now thinking, and even admitting, that every time the two of you make eye contact you don't have a clue on what's going on for at least a second. Didn't you get some warm feeling a few times?"
How the…? 'Since when are you some love expert-? Hold it….' I look at him curiously. "You're saying all this because of Stardust Dragon, aren't you?" That's got to be it. Leonidas and Yusei's ace dragon are in love. Nothing else in my mind can compare at how much they care for the other.
"Half and half.
"Oh? And wha-?" A quick sneeze interrupts me. Not exactly sure why since I have zilch allergies.
"I'm not allowed to say. That would interfere with your decisions in the future, of course. Besides, that sneeze should be enough for you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" I say while rubbing my nose.
"I'm just going to tell you that legend has it; whenever you would irrelevantly sneeze in such a way, it means someone close to you is talking about you."
I roll my eyes again. But….I'm a little worried now. Every 'legend' that Leonidas told me about has turned out to be true every time. Wait…. 'Someone close…' My mind then decides to click on something. "Yugi's eyes are nowhere close to sparking up like Yusei's does," I remark.
"Maybe that's because you no longer love him for what he's done," Leonidas says so... directly and straight forwardly.
"I…" I…. can't answer or respond to that, "I'm not human, Leo. And I never will be," I say instead. I don't even know what to think about that. I mean…. I don't know. Whereas, Yusei hasn't mentioned one thing about his parents to me. So…. 'What if Yugi is all I have left…?' No. I can't even go there after what he's done. I still have Gramps, right? I wonder how he's doing… After a few more turns here and there, I stop at the door to his room. Well. Here I am.
I bring my hand up so I can knock, but I sort of freeze in place. I still have a chance to high tail it and just tell Yusei we really did talk. But…. Yusei would be able to tell that I'd be lying to him. My thoughts are cut off when the door suddenly opens. Bringing my arm down, I take a half step back when Yugi halts in his tracks.
He looks just as surprised as I feel right now. We sort of just stare at each other for a moment. Here, I notice that he isn't wearing his blue jacket. Just like in the vision I saw. Oh, and I can never leave out the fact that Naga's resting on his right shoulder, too. He still has on his wristbands, chains, and stuff, including his puzzle on its chain around his neck, but…..
The Duel we had must've cut him up pretty badly. A few bruises are still noticeable on his skin. For instance, his arms and his face. Heck, he even has some type of bandage, cast thing on his right forearm, and I can see where they probably wrapped somewhere around or on his left shoulder under his shirt. The bandages on his arm are hiding his Signer mark perfectly. He even has his Duel Disk on his left arm. I wonder why though…..
Yugi is the first to break our awkward silence. "Twilight."
C.C.: And we're ending it here.
Ayame: You forced me to go talk to him?
C.C.: I didn't. Yusei did.
Kara: You can learn a thing or two from Leonidas, Dee Dee.
Destiny: UGHH! *Walks out room*
Yusei: Should we be worried? She's not her best when angry like that.
C.C.: Uh, well. We'll see. But, Ayame and Yugi should be worried. Heheheh.
Ayame: Lovely... Is it those characters Seth mentioned?
C.C.: I dunno...Seriously, haven't even started the next chapter. Hm...If I think of something, you may be getting a completely new Deck. Speaking of people, I just added another one for your future.
Ayame: I'm gonna quit this job.
C.C.: Sorry. Can't. OC's aren't allowed to quit. Anywho, review and tell me how this was! Ask questions, and MAYBE I'll answer them. Jack will flame this for you if you'd like.
Jack: Hmph.
