Ayumu: So much drama! I typed the last chapter in an hour just as I was trying to fall asleep.
Kikico: So you basically wrote chapter 7 in your sleep? Wow…that's reassuring.
Ayumu: Hey! I was far from asleep! I was in my room on orders from above! I'm more active at night as it is!
Kikico: Yeah, that's believable. How about you tell them about your pet unicorn?!
Ayumu: *looks at her confused* But it's Charlie's bed time. He gets cranky if he doesn't get his beauty sleep you know.
Kikico: *dead-pans* What am I going to do with you?
Mai: Since Ayumu and Kikico are arguing about 'Charlie' I'll do the disclaimer. Ayumu does NOT own any of the YuGiOh! characters NOR does she own Kikico.
Chapter 8: Head Start
(Mai's POV)
'I sent Malik out to get me a messenger but a hawk? Really?' I let out a sigh and began to talk to the bird. [[I need you to go scope out this area.]] I gave the bird a description of the area we were in.
It took off and I turned to look down the hall Yugi went down with Kaiba. "When is Yugi going to be back?" Everyone shrugged in answer.
A few minutes later the hawk was back. I held up my arm and she landed. Malik had returned a long time ago so I waited for the bird to talk.
{{As instructed I have searched over the specified area. I'm here to report that three male figures where spotted entering then exiting the building.}}
As the bird spoke I began to pale. Then I heard a noise and turned to see Yugi and Kaiba had returned.
I sent a message to Ryou and I heard the gasps as he informed the gang of what the hawk had observed.
"The lab sent someone after us and they're an hour behind us." I watched as the blood drained from Yugi's face before I released the hawk out the window.
I turned back to Yugi and said, "What are we going to do? We need to leave now before they get a lead on out whereabouts. Your call."
Yugi looked back at Seto and said, "Thank you for the book. How do I use it?" The tall man reached down and swiped a hand over the book. It opened and Yugi let out a gasp.
Seto closed the book then said, "It will only open for an hour at a time. That way you won't overflow your psyche and also so it doesn't become an instinct. Powers that become second nature to use can corrupt even the most innocent of children."
Yugi shivered and said, "What if it's for less than an hour?" Seto shook his head and said, "No harm there. It will just take longer to finish."
Yugi opened his mouth but Seto cut him off, "And if you skip a day it's the same. It will just take more time. Also, you don't want to fall asleep listening to it. Then you will miss that section.
I let out a soft cough. When I had their full attention I said, "We need to get ready to go and I think we all should have a change in wardrobe."
(20 minutes later…)
We all were standing in Kaiba's living room in our new threads. I had gone to collect them with Miho and Tristan was our pack mule.
I found out later in the limo that they were married. It was so cute how Tristan blushed when Miho kissed his cheek. Anyway, back to the clothes.
For Yugi, I bought him a pair of black and white converse sneakers, black leather jeans, a leather tank-top, a leather collar- like choker and some chains that wrapped around his waist as a belt.
For Ryou, I got him a pair of green and white converse, ripped blue jeans, a lime green dress shirt and a dark green army backpack for our 'special' supplies.
For Malik, I bought him a pair of gold and white sneakers, black leather pants, a light purple tank top and a gold arm cuffs for around his biceps.
For Joey, I got him a pair of blue sneakers, worn blue jeans, a white tank top with a green jacket and a pair of black, fingerless leather gloves.
For Serenity, I picked out a cute frilly, white sundress, a pair of spandex knee length shorts, a pair of brown sandals and a little side satchel to hold our files.
For Kikico, I picked out black combat boots, skinny jeans with silver highlights, an orange tank top with a black mid-drift tee with 'TROUBLEMAKER' written on it in silver, and silver cuffs for her wrists. She also had a black belt that held a slot in the back for an extendable pole.
For me, I chose dark purple flats, a dark purple skirt, black panty-hose, a white shirt and a dark purple jacket to top it all off. I wore the jacket partially opened and had a small shoulder purse to finish off that held out cash.
When I was satisfied with our looks I turned to Kaiba and said, "Where should we go that it would be the safest?"
He smirked and led us to another room in a very long hallway. He opened a door and motioned us through.
It was very hi-tech and we all gasped at the bright lights. Ryou walked up to inspect a machine while Malik began to press random buttons.
Kaiba had to knock Malik out before he fixed the problem the buttons caused. He turned to us and said, "I have a lot of spare time so I made a transporter. It works but I can only use it to move people a hundred miles north."
We all clapped at this and he said, "I can't make it go any farther and any more tweaking would make the whole thing stop working all together."
I turned to him and said, "How does this help us, hun?"
He looked at me and said, "I can instantly transport you to a mountain range one hundred miles north of here. It's great for hiding in and a lot of herds are migrating right now."
We all huddled and I said, "Should we go? It's go and hide or stay and get caught."
Yugi looked at us and said, "I didn't risk all that time and effort just to get locked back up! I'm going no matter what."
Kaiba had already booted up the machine so we all watched as Yugi walked through the swirling vortex.
Malik, Joey and Kikico ran through next all giddy and laughing. That left me, Serenity and Ryou.
We all shared a look and a sigh before we raced in after everyone else. I paused at the vortex and turned to Kaiba before I said, "Thanks."
(Hunters end…)
Yami let out a sigh of relief when the hotel owner finally believed him. He had sent in Bakura and Marik first but that had back fired miserably.
He had then entered the building and asked the lady if a group of seven people had purchased a room. The woman had refused to say until he came up with his story.
He told her that the group consisted of runaway kids and that his brother was one of them. She seemed to have bought it because she gave him an address where he could find them.
When he exited the building he was caught by Bakura who said, "You got the lead we needed?" Yami nodded and held up the address.
Marik grabbed the paper before Bakura could and he read off, "Kaiba Mansion."
The thief and assassin both fought over what the words meant until a groan caught their attention.
Both turned to find Yami crouched down on the ground with his face in his hands. 'Of course it would have to be Seto.' Yami thought.
(Yami's POV)
I took Bakura's offered hand and stood up. "I know where we have to go. Let's get this over with."
Chapter 9: What Head Start?
Ayumu: Mai would be pleased to say the least. All that talking tuckered her out so she's sleeping right now. *goes to check on her*
Seto: Why was I so helpful? I don't know any of those freaks but the Mutt.
Mokuba: But you know them now Nii-san! That's what counts right?
Seto: *looks away* …
Joey: Ya got somethin' against my friends? Das it Kaiba! I'm gonna-
Serenity: *taps Joeys shoulder* What are you going to do Nii-sama?
Joey: *gulps* Nothin'. Anyway! Please review and tell us what you think so far!
