A/N: Well, here's the next chapter guys. I'm officially on fire! I'm thinking this one is bound to be my best chapter yet! Special thanks to all of my reviewers for sticking with this story despite my long absence.

Disclaimer: Here goes. I do not own Yugioh, Sailor Moon, or Code Geass, which is the world Mina and Joey are about to enter into as of now. Are you all ready? Let's get on with it!

Chapter 7

Bittersweet Reunion Part 1

In Domino City

8:59 p.m.

The wind blew fiercely as Yugi crossed the busy street that late winter evening. As he passed by swarms of people coming from the mall, he glanced around frantically for any signs of his best friend. So far, he had checked the arcade, the donut shop, the movie theater, and the central park of Domino where Joey went when he wanted to be by himself. Unfortunately, Yugi hadn't been able to find the blonde in any of those locations.

"Yami, I'm really starting to worry now," Yugi thought, mentally speaking to the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle. "Tristan said there had been blood stains in the apartment. What if Joey's been seriously hurt?"

Yami's spirit form came out from the puzzle, following Yugi as he continued his anxious pace. "I wouldn't be so quick to jump to the worst case scenario Yugi. Joey can take care of himself. I'm sure he's fine."

Yugi nodded. "I guess you're right. I shouldn't worry, but still…"

The thought trailed off as Yugi ran straight into someone. The force of the smack sent him and a taller boy with snow white hair and brown eyes tumbling to the sidewalk.

"Ouch, that was bloody unfortunate…" the boy with white hair blinked his brown eyes in confusion. "Yugi Muto?"

Yugi lifted himself from off the ground a bit before staring toward the guy next to him. "Oh, Bakura! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you like that. Are you alright?"

Bakura nodded and quickly rose to his feet. "I'm fine. No permanent damage done." He extended his hand out to Yugi. "Need a hand?"

"Yeah, thanks," he replied, taking Bakura's outstretched hand. With a tug, Bakura got Yugi back onto his feet.

"What was all the rush about?" the white haired teen asked, placing his hands in his jean pockets. "It's a bit late to be out on a cold night like this. Most everyone is headed home."

Yugi hung his head slightly. "Well, you see…Joey has gone missing."

"Missing?" Bakura questioned, his gaze reflecting his confusion. "How so?"

"I'm not really sure how to put it," Yugi began, his eyes darting around as he quickly scanned the streets around them, "but Tristan found blood stains in Joey's apartment. We're all worried that something really bad happened to him. I've been looking around town for forty-five minutes now, but there's no trace of him anywhere."

Bakura narrowed his gaze. "That sounds awful. I hope Joey is alright."

"Yeah, me too…" Yugi trailed off when his cell phone suddenly started ringing in the pocket of his jacket. With swift fingers he quickly withdrew the device and pressed the phone to his ear after pressing the talk button. "Hey Tea, did you find out anything?"

The air was still around Yugi and Bakura as Tea spoke on the other end of the phone. Scores of people passed by the two of them without a second thought, gallabandin' and spreading holiday cheer through the chilled city.

Unfortunately, Yugi was about to lose his sanity in front of most of those people. Yes, for once he would look like a psychopath without the help of the ancient nameless pharaoh.

"HE'S WHERE!? AND WITH WHO!?"

"Yeah, I said the same thing when Joey told me."

"TEA! HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MINA AND JOEY TO RANDOMLY GO TO JAPAN!?"

"How should I know?" Tea questioned. "Joey didn't explain anything. He just said that he was in Japan with Mina. That's it."

"THAT'S NOT IT! THAT'S NOT THE END OF IT AND YOU KNOW THAT FOR A FACT!"

Bakura blinked in astonishment. "Oh, my…Yugi…" He trailed off as he noted the scores of people staring at Yugi's unusual psychotic display of anger. "People are staring."

Yugi could care less about people staring at him at that moment. There were far more important things to worry about than rumors about the infamous King of Games going crazy. The fact that Joey and Mina were alone in a foreign country was definitely the main issue here. I mean, how did that happen?

Well, I know how it happened because I wrote the story, but Yugi couldn't begin to guess how all of this had gone down. Tea, who was on the other end of town, couldn't really begin to guess how it all came to be either, but one thing was for sure as far as they were concerned.

The two teens with golden blonde hair had run away together for Christmas. Whether this had been a romantic move or not was yet to be seen, but Yugi and Tea couldn't see it as anything else.

"Wow…I just…I can't believe this," Yugi breathed. "Those two ran away together."

Bakura tapped Yugi's shoulder. "Hello…am I missing something here Yugi?"

Yugi shook his head. "Tea, I'm gonna go home now. I'll leave it to you to tell Tristan." Without another word he hung up on her and turned toward Bakura. "Joey and Mina have gone to Japan together for Christmas. I'm not sure why or how and at this point I really don't care. I'm just mad that Joey made us all worry like that. For about two seconds I was certain that he'd gotten killed by his dad."

"His dad?" Bakura questioned. "Why would his father want to do something as horrible as that?"

"Oh, no! I've gone and done it now. Me and my big mouth…"

"Just what did you do Yugi? Bakura asked a simple question. Why don't you just answer?"

Yugi sighed. "Yami, Joey doesn't like anyone to know about the abuse he receives from his dad. I'm not supposed to talk to anyone about it except for Tea and Tristan. We promised Joey that a long time ago. You should remember since you were there."

"Yes, but at the time my only concern had been to keep you safe," Yami mentally replied. "Up until Duelist Kingdom the others didn't really matter to me."

"Well, at least you're honest about it."

Bakura narrowed his gaze further. "Yugi, you aren't answering my question."

Yugi had to say something to appease him, but he couldn't tell Bakura the truth. He had promised Joey that he would never tell anyone about it.

"Well…you see…sometimes Joey and his dad get into these major fights," Yugi started, trying in vain to come up with a believable story. "Sometimes they get really bad and the way Tristan was talking earlier…well we all got a little carried away."

"Yeah, but…"

"Anyway," Yugi cut in, taking a few steps away from the albino teen, "I've got to go home now. I'll see you later okay. Bye Bakura!"

That pint sized kid ran faster than a mama cheetah trying to catch food for her cubs. Under normal circumstances, Bakura would have been offended.

However, instead of a concerned frown appearing on his features, a sadistic looking smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Seconds later, low chuckles of laughter spilled from his lips. Warm brown eyes glazed over into ice cold orbs that revealed nothing about the soul within.

"So, Sailor Venus dragged Joseph Wheeler to Japan with her," he stated, turning in the opposite direction Yugi had gone in. "Why I must say, this is a new twist to E.E.'s game. She must be planning something especially devious this time."

The evil spirit of the ring took long strides toward the subway station that was a few feet ahead. "It'll be interesting to see what happens. Perhaps I should visit Japan as well to make sure E.E. fulfills her end of the bargain." Cold laughter escaped his lips again as he descended underground. "But, before I wreak havoc there I need to send some innocent souls to the Shadow Realm to increase my strength for the long journey ahead of me."


Back in Japan

8:00 a.m.

Ashford Private Academy

Mina P.O.V.

"Well, we're definitely going to be late."

"Shut up Artemis," I muttered, "do you want Bruce and Samuel to hear you?"

Artemis nodded his head toward the glass that separated us from the two men that sat that the front of the stretch limo. "Mina, this part of the limo is soundproof. They can't hear us and if they could, I'm pretty sure they would have started freaking out about a talking cat long before now."

I couldn't argue on that point. Besides that though, I didn't want to spend the morning fighting with him. After all, outside of the tinted window I could see the gate that surrounded the expansive perimeter of the campus. We were almost at the gate and people had started crowding in.

"We definitely could have managed to make it a bit earlier," Joey stated, noting the mass of people. "Still, I've got a feeling that today is going to be awesome."

I nodded in agreement as the limo slowed to a stop outside the gate. "I definitely have the same feeling. This is going to be a fantastic day!"

Seconds later Samuel opened the door on my side. "Here we are Miss Mina and Mr. Wheeler." He pointed towards the elaborately decorated campus that stood beyond the crowded gate. "Welcome to the prestigious Ashford Private Academy where the annual Winter Festival is held."

I stepped out of the limo first, my eyes immediately locking onto the front building that was beyond the tall iron gates that were just being opened for the public. It was decorated in reefs and lights that had been turned off for the daylight hours. The front building was tall and opposing, but somehow staring at it made me feel like I was coming home for the very first time.

"Wow, that's a really nice lookin' school," Joey stated, carrying Artemis with him as he got out of the car. "It probably costs a fortune just to attend."

"Most likely," I replied, smiling as two guards began to open the gate. "Come on, let's check it out and find my friends."

As we approached the opening gate, a voice sounded over an intercom system.

"WELCOME ONE AND ALL TO ASHFORD ACADEMY'S ANNUAL WINTER FESTIVAL! I, MILLY ASHFORD, PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL, WILL BE YOUR HOST FOR THIS GLORIOUS EVENT ALONG WITH MY SERVANTS…UH…I MEAN ALONG WITH MY FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THE FESTIVITIES WILL START AT THE SOUND OF THE CAT'S MEOW!"

"The cat's meow?" Joey questioned, staring down at Artemis. "How is that going to work?"

I shrugged and kept my gaze ahead. The crowds of people hadn't dispersed enough for Joey and me to get through, but through a small gap I could see the front courtyard of the campus. Behind the water fountain that stood in the center, a giant Christmas tree stood, but the tree wasn't what caught my attention.

"Joey!" I exclaimed, tugging at the sleeve of his jacket. "Take a peek through here." I pointed through the gap towards the tree. "See those two girls. That's Haruka and Michiru."

Joey bent down a bit more so he could see. "Wow, I didn't think we'd find your friends this quickly. We must have hit a stroke of good luck…either that or the authoress got lazy and threw in a ridiculous plot hole."

"Well, plot hole or not at least we found them," I groaned, idly wondering if I should smack Joey in the back of the head. After all, this story isn't exactly meant to be a parody and we're supposed to be pretending that we don't know we have a crazy lady running our lives. If we keep this nonsense up we can kiss all those reviews goodbye…

"MEOW!"

As the sound of fireworks filled the air the crowd quickly rushed through the gate. Joey and I followed the pace with Artemis in tow, but neither one of us were sure of where Bruce and Samuel went. Guess you could call that another plot hole.

"You know, that meow sounded like it came from a person rather than a cat," Joey stated as we stepped through the gate. "Did the voice sound familiar to you?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. Besides, we don't have time to think over tedious things like that." With a smile I turned around to face Joey. "You're about to meet two of the outer senshi. These two are a bit on the serious side so feel free to do something silly. They could use a good laugh on almost any occasion."

Joey's expression deadpanned. "I guess I can do that…"

"Great!" I cut in, dragging Joey closer to the center of the courtyard. "This is going to be great!"

"Are you sure they'll be okay with me being around ya?" Joey asked, "I mean, I know your secret…"

"You should be fine as long as you don't tell them that," I answered, interrupting him again.

Joey sighed. "Artemis, she's not listening to me."

"And you think she'd listen to me?"

With ease I ignored the ramblings of the two knuckleheads and continued forward. Up ahead, Michiru and Haruka stood. They couldn't see us because their backs were turned to us and their gazes up toward the tree. Even though I couldn't see their faces, the two of them looked the same as ever. Michiru's teal locks swayed in the wind along with the pretty lavender trench she liked to wear during the winter. Uncharacteristically she was wearing jeans instead of a skirt, but nonetheless, she looked like her usual self. Haruka was standing next to her with the stance that reflected dominance and strength. She was wearing a brown jacket and matching trousers.

My smile widened and I couldn't hold back my excitement anymore.

"MICHIRU-SAN! HARUKA-SAN!"

Michiru and Haruka turned around so quickly that I'm surprised that they didn't suffer from a whiplash attack on the spot. Their eyes widened as I rushed toward them, screaming cries of joy, but for some reason they didn't look all that happy to see me.

"You guys I…"

Michiru grabbed one of my arms and Haruka grabbed the other, then both of them slapped their hands over my mouth.

"Minako-chan," Haruka whispered, her dark gaze glowering. "You can't call us by those names here. And using those honorifics? Are you insane?"

Michiru sighed. "Sorry Mina, I'm sure this wasn't the kind of reception you had hoped to receive upon your return."

"It sure isn't," I thought as I tried wriggling out of their combined grip. Yeah, that was about as pointless as trying not to laugh at Kaiba after Mokuba 'accidently' put green dye in his shampoo. Ah, that had definitely been a great week at work.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Joey loudly questioned before pointing an accusatory index finger at my two friends who still wouldn't move their hands from my mouth.

"I'm sorry," Michiru amended, removing herself from the scene. She took a few steps forward and extended her hand out to Joey. "Hi there. Haruka and I have been expecting you two for a few days now."

Joey narrowed his gaze. "Did Kaiba tell ya we'd be coming?"

Michiru blinked in confusion. "Who's that?"

"Nevermind." He glanced at Haruka. "Um…are you gonna let go of her anytime soon? I think she's turning purple from the lack of oxygen."

"Huh?" Haruka looked down at me and finally figured out that I was dying. When she let go I practically collapsed onto the pavement.

"We're really sorry about that," Michiru stated again, a blush rising on her face.

"Sorry is right," I panted, sucking in as much precious air as I possibly could. "What the heck was all that about?"

Michiru's blush deepened. "I'll let Haruka explain." She turned toward Joey. "In the meantime, would you and Artemis like some hot chocolate and a donut? My treat."

Joey glanced over at me. "Will you be alright on your own Mina?"

I groaned, glancing back at Haruka as I did. Of course he would leave me for hot chocolate and donuts. "I'll be fine. Haruka has a great deal of explaining to do…hey!"

Joey, Artemis, and Michiru were already well on their way to toward the booth where hot chocolate, coffee, and donuts were being served. I should have known that three eggs would only hold that walking stomach for a short time. Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

"So what's the story on the new boyfriend?"

And it just got worse.

"Joey is not my boyfriend," I muttered, finally rising to my feet, "and you better have an explanation for randomly attacking me like that. I mean, we haven't seen each other in nearly a year…"

"You've only been gone for a little over three months," Haruka blurted.

Heat rose on my cheeks. "It's the same difference. You were supposed to welcome me with open arms."

Haruka shrugged. "Michiru and I couldn't really do that with you almost blowing our cover. Your exclamations of "Haruka-san and Michiru-san" were pretty incriminating. We had to put a stop to it."

"But why?" I growled, clenching my fists in annoyance.

"A lot has changed since you left," she explained, her gaze suddenly distant. "Japan is not what it was long ago. Our home and our lives from before are no more."

My eyebrow twitched slightly. "Have you been hanging out with the Paradox brothers or something because you just did a lot of rhyming."

"Paradox what?"

I shook my head. "Forget it. Let's just say a whole lot has changed on my end as well."

Haruka smirked. "I can see that. After all, you brought your boyfriend along."

"He's not my boyfriend!"

She laughed and patted the top of my head. "Oh, Mina. You're so naïve and innocent."

My gaze fell towards the ground. "I wish that statement was the truth, but…"

"In any case, I'm sure you want to see Serena and the others right?" Haruka asked, cutting off my train of thought. Nodding my head was the only answer I could give after her question.

"Serena and the others are probably in the student council room over there." Haruka pointed toward a building off to the right of the campus. "The festivities have only just started, so you'll have some time before things get crazy around here. Just do me a favor and don't tell them that Michiru and I came."

That's confusing. "Why wouldn't you want them to know that? Aren't you and Michiru attending this school?"

"No," she replied. "Truth be told I'd rather not be here, but Michiru insisted that we come and enjoy the festival. Plus, she knew that you were coming."

"Her magic mirror predicted my arrival?" I asked. "But why?"

Haruka lifted her gaze from mine. "Looks like Michiru and your boyfriend are coming back now…"

"How many times am I going to have to say he's not my boyfriend!?"

"You can say it as many times as you want to, but it won't make a difference." She smiled. "The way he stepped forward in an attempt to defend you is proof that there's more between the two of you than just mere friendship."

A small gasp fell from my lips as Haruka walked past me. I turned and watched as Michiru returned with Joey on her heels. She smiled, laughing a little as Joey took a huge bite out of a white powdered donut. Haruka smiled too, lightly patting Joey's shoulder as she introduced herself. Joey introduced himself before feeding a little bit of his donut to Artemis, who looked almost ravenous with hunger.

Cold wind blew past us, but all I could feel was the warmth of the smiles that were being displayed before me. In the short minutes that followed, Haruka and Michiru said their goodbyes and continued onward to enjoy the rest of the festival on their own.

"Are you ready Mina?" Joey questioned while putting Artemis on the ground so he could walk about on his own. "Haruka…or Amara rather, said that your friends are probably still inside the clubhouse."

I nodded, smiling for him. "You bet, let's go."

Joey reached for my hand. If he had done that a few minutes ago I would have pulled away, but after what Haruka said…

With slight hesitation I placed my hand in Joey's and followed as he led me to the student council clubhouse.

From the way Haruka had spoken earlier, it was clear that many things had changed. Of course, words weren't needed for me to understand, not anymore.

The second Haruka and Michiru grabbed me the past from their point of view was revealed. Immediately I saw the devastation that had hit the Juban district, my home.

But I had seen more than that.

In a matter of seconds I had relived the events of the Black Rebellion through the eyes of my comrades. I saw the phantoms that had disguised themselves as Britannian soldiers attacking the patients of Juban hospital including Haruka, Ami, and Lita, who had all been injured by one of E.E.'s subordinates.

That night, there had been endless amounts of bloodshed in that hospital and outside the hospital as well. The cries of many had wailed throughout the night, cries of anguish and terror that fill me with dread.

My home…the place where I grew up…it's nothing more than a shell of what it used to be. After seeing that and after Haruka let me go, it took everything I had not to burst into tears then.

For the first time in a long while, I pretended. I acted as if nothing had transpired in those seconds.

When Haruka said that Joey's willingness to defend me proved that there was more between us, I only gasped because that moment when he stepped forward had been overshadowed by something he couldn't protect me from…something no one could protect me from.

Her words forced me to look at Joey with new eyes. I had brought him into an entirely new world where death and destruction were more prevalent than they could have ever been in Domino City.

Without realizing it, I had made a crucial mistake…a mistake that could very well cost Joey his life.

The thought caused me to hold Joey's hand tighter as we walked. He glanced back at me, grinning goofily as always. What if someone puts an end to that smile? What if...

No, that won't happen. As long as Joey and I are here together, I'll do whatever it takes to protect him from the danger that awaits me. I'm certain now that finding my mother and convincing her to sign my father's paperwork will be a far more arduous task than I was originally prepared for. Even so, here I have the Sailor Scouts to help me get through it and they'll help me protect Joey too.

"Here's the clubhouse," Joey stated, his hand slipping from my grip. Immediately I grab a hold of his hand again. He stares down at me, but I can't bring myself to look at him when he asks, "Are you nervous all of a sudden?"

I gave a small nod. "A bit. If you don't mind Joey…please don't let go of my hand yet."

"Huh? You sure?"

"Yes, I wouldn't be asking if I weren't sure," I answered, holding his hand tighter. "Come on, I said the stupid magic word and everything."

Joey chuckled. "That you did. Okay, I'll hold on until you tell me to let go."

With that affirmation, I allowed myself to smile for real. "Thank you Joey."


Joey P.O.V.

Artemis scampered ahead of us as the automated doors opened.

"Artemis…"

Mina tightened her already tight grip on my hand. "You promised you wouldn't let go until I told you to."

Yeah, I did, but if she keeps tightening her grip the doctors are going to have to cut my hand off. "Don't worry, I'm not letting go. I just don't want Artemis to get lost in here."

"Oh, there's no need to worry about that Joey," Mina replied, smiling broadly as we walked down the hall. "Artemis can handle himself and I'm pretty sure the only reason he ran off is because Luna is nearby."

I blinked in confusion. "Luna? Who's that?"

"She's the other talking cat I told you about…"

"You're kidding! There are more talking cats!?"

Mina's eye twitched a bit. "Were you listening at all when I told you about all my friends in the last story?"

"I'm pretty sure I would remember you mentioning another talking cat," I replied, "And would you mind loosening your grip on my hand a bit. You're hurting me."

"Oh, sorry." Her grip loosened…barely.

I lowered my gaze toward her crystal blue eyes. "Tell me, why are you so nervous about this now? Twenty minutes ago you were the queen of enthusiasm."

Mina's pace slowed. "Well…it's because…I saw some things when Michiru and Haruka grabbed me earlier."

"Like what?" I asked.

She shook her head. "If you don't mind Joey, I'd rather not talk about it right now. Maybe when we get back home."

Mina's choice of words forced me to stop in my tracks. In the same second she stopped and stared up at me. "What's wrong?"

I couldn't answer for a moment, my mind had taken me back to the other night when my father nearly killed me. That apartment is where I grew up, where my sister and I were born…it was supposed to be my home…all of our homes and yet…

"Joey, you're shaking," Mina stated, her voice pulling me from my memories. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," I choked out, trying to force a smile. "It's just that you said home and…it made me think of where I would be right now if you hadn't invited me to come with you. I was thinking that the apartment where I live should feel like home to me, but it doesn't and I don't think it ever did."

Mina sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Believe me, you have nothing to be sorry for," I told her, smiling for real now. "Truth is, I feel more at home in Japan than I ever did in that apartment in Domino. Sure, I miss Yugi and the others, but Michi…I mean Michelle was really nice and Amara seemed really nice too. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that your home feels like what mine should be, you know?"

"Yes, I understand."

I narrowed my gaze toward the floor. "I'm still a little nervous about meeting your closest friends. I know Amara and Michelle like me, but what if your closest friends end up hating me…"

"That couldn't happen."

My gaze snapped up to meet hers. There was a glint of seriousness to her eyes. "That couldn't happen, Joey because you are a great guy. They're going to love you, especially now that you're in decent looking pants."

I couldn't help but laugh at that last statement. Bruce had been able to lend me some normal dark wash denim jeans that were a whole lot easier to move in.

"And they're going to love you because I do."

Cue brain freeze. "I'm sorry what was that you just said Mina?"

A pout was fixated in her expression as she spoke. "Pay attention for once. I said my friends are going to love you because I do. Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'Su amiga es su amiga?' You know, my friend is your friend and vice versa."

"Um…I think the phrase is 'Su casa es mi casa'."

Mina groaned. "What does that even mean?"

For once I understood what it felt like to talk to a dumb blonde. "My house is your house. But, anyway that's not the point of what I was saying anyhow…"

"MINA!"

The loud shouts caused me to almost yelp in terror, but I still kept my grip on Mina's hand as four girls rushed toward us. Mina finally nodded for me to let go of her hand, but it was too late by the time her friends reached us. They tackled both of us and sent us hurdling backward onto the carpeted floor.

"CRASH!"

The giggles of five girls and the exclamations of "I missed you" and "how have things been" and "how come you didn't keep in touch with us" all circulated through the hall. All the while, all five of them were practically on top of me while all the incessant girl chatter was going on.

I have to admit, a guy could get used to this.


A/N: And that ends this somewhat short chapter. I kind of expected it to be longer, but I decided to wait until the next chapter for formal introductions of the inner senshi and the characters from Code Geass. Man, I just can't wait for it. Stay tuned! Epicness will ensue.

P.S. Recently I have stumbled upon Yugioh: The Abridged Series. So, some of the jokes in this chapter…regarding the crazy authoress and all that…were somewhat inspired by it. I didn't think I would like it when I first stumbled on it, but needless to say…I'm officially hooked. While a bit crude for my tastes, I find some of the milder humor hilarious. If you want to watch it, go to youtube where all the episodes can be found…also the best way to get into the series is to start watching a random episode in season two or three. The audio is better on those and some of the jokes too, but overall the whole thing is funny.