A/N: Whew, sorry for the long await for the update. School is just...blergh.
AlexistheEliatrope:
Who knows what the future holds at this point…?
ShadowClanWarrior:
Okay, thanks for pointing that out! I probably should fix that…
Gozekuu:
It's understandable about the test you needed to take. I'ma have to take the finals in a month… *shudders* I'm glad you're noticing the effort I'm putting into the relationship between Brooke and Ryou! It's something I greatly failed at in my old fics, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job in stocking up in the romance department! Oh, I don't think I'm going to do an 100 chapter fanfic XD that's wayyy too much. I might combine this fic with the Duelist Kingdom and Battle City arc, then separate it into the Orichalchos arc into a story of its own, than the Millennium World. (I'll say that this story will go up to 40 chapters - hopefully, if I write each chapter right.) Thanks for reviewing once again!
Aeris Mae:
Thanks for reading this fic like I asked! I'm glad that you readers are able to understand all of this sci-fi babble (I sorta have a hard time understanding it myself, even though I kinda made up the concept). I'm trying to make the OCs convincing as possible for a 'fangirl falls into their favorite TV show/book/movie' or whatever. Haha, you're right about Brooke and Dena accidently ending up with their matched canon characters. I think each works equally well with them (and probably not the other way around like you said, lol)
As for the POV shift changes, I try my best to match the canon's voice/personality, which kinda messes up my abilty to write and describe the settings, and other times hard to write their emotions. But I'm getting there, and I'm having sooo much fun with it! (you can see me enjoying myself waayyy too much when I'm writing in Yami B's POV in the last chapters)
Dark Angel Bakura:
Thank you for reading like I asked! As for Dena's reaction, given somebody who has no knowledge of Yugioh and falling into the anime itself, she's pretty laid back about it, I agree. XD But that's just Dena.
~Chapter Eleven~
Why am I so lazy? Dena groans internally to herself, thrusting her face into the soft, cushion-like pillows to block the bright sun shining through a nearby window. The warm side of the pillow suffocating her, Dena flips the pillow over to its cool side, burying her face deeper into the pillow. Much better. Peeking out of the pillow, Dena looks over to the digital clock on the bedside table. 12:03 already. Aargh. Managing to roll onto her back, Dena takes the time to stare blankly off at the ceiling.
Rubbing her sticky eyes, Dena yawns, and tries to sit up, only to plop back down. "Blargh...my head is hurting like crazy…" She moans, rubbing her temples. Taking a moment to close her eyes, Dena calculates the amount of sleep she was able to get. rest for her. Realizing this, Dena groans loudly, tugging at her hair.
After reading the letter, she stayed up until eight in the morning, hardly able to catch some sleep. She was finally able to sleep around 10:00...so that meant only around two hours of That letter...Dena rolls her head to her other side, seeing the damned letter placed upon the other bedside table. If I never read that… Feverishly, she runs her sweaty hands over her face. What in the world am I gonna tell Brooke?
All of these mixed and unsensible thoughts, finally comes to a stop when a loud rumble from the stomach interrupts her process of thinking. I might as well get ready or whatever...I gotta see Brooke. Grunting, Dena rolls to her left side. Which only results in her completely rolling off the bed, and landing facedown.
"Ouch…"
Dena was finally able to drag herself out of bed, after carelessly gargling some water, washing her face, and throwing on a new change of underwear and some baggy clothes. Sluggishly, she walks her way down the seemingly endless hallways of the Kaiba Mansion. Kitchen, kitchen, kitchen...damn it all, where's the kitchen?! Dena hollers in her mind grouchily, dragging her feet aimlessly on the floor. The thought struck her of the very fact after residing in the Kaiba Mansion for a few days, she had no idea where the kitchen was. Probably cuz the butlers serving me the food in my room...speaking of butlers, where are they?
Walking through these long hallways, strange enough, Dena does not see handfuls of butlers and maid bustling about through the mansion. From the past couple of days she's been here, Dena would estimate that there are about sixty maids and butlers in all personally working for Kaiba. They would walk back and forth in these hallways busily with armfuls of laundry, trays of coffee, or messages especially for Kaiba during these days. But from what Dena noticed so far, she only saw a total of nine butlers and maids walking around.
Walking closer to what Dena now realized is Kaiba's bedroom where the now catatonic CEO is residing in, she can only guess that Mokuba is in there as well. Maybe I should check on Mokuba-kid again, and say a good morning. That, and also asking where the kitchen is. Opening the door, across the room sits Kaiba in a wheelchair, staring off mindlessly with that same dazed, frozen expression. Shuddering, Dena looks over to the small, bushy haired figure sitting in an arm chair a couple of feet away from Kaiba.
Feeling a smile on her face, Dena greets, "Good morning Mokuba."
The younger Kaiba sibling looks up from some papers sitting in his lap. The first thing that strikes Dena as odd, was the dark bags under Mokuba's eyes, giving the young boy a look of an old, grim man on his face. The grimness placed on Mokuba's face disappears temporarliy, when his face goes round and young again from the smile that he gives Dena.
"Actually, it's a around the afternoon. Hey, Dena." Mokuba greets her back, as she cautiously enters the room.
Shoving her hands deep into the huge pockets of her sweatshirt, Dena keeps her eyes trained on Mokuba, preferring not to look at the not present Kaiba. "So how goes the day, Mokuba-kid? I say, you look kinda tired…"
"I'd say the same for you," Mokuba smiles, but it quickly falls back into a grimace, as he looks back to the papers in his lap.
"Watcha got there…?"
"Numbers," Mokuba mumbles, jotting something down on the paper. "I'm calculating the numbers of money and stocks that KaibaCorp is making right now...and how much it's losing…"
"Eh? Whaddya mean, losing?" Dena questions, a small frown forming on her face.
Mokuba gives a scowl at the papers in front of him, before looking back to Dena. "It's been a long time since I did some math. Ouch, my head." Mokuba shoves the papers off to the side, with a joking smile, but his eyes tell Dena otherwise. The ever present grimness and seriousness that she sees hidden under his expression, sent alarms through her.
"Is, uhm, everything okay, Mokuba…? I mean, I figure with your bother, uhm, outta commission and all, there'd be other people that'll run the company for him, right?" Worriedly, Dena scans Mokuba, his face now hidden by his long bangs. "Right…?"
Abruptly, Mokuba starts ripping up the papers, his face now revealing steady trickles of tears running down his face. Flabbergasted, Dena watches Mokuba as he shreds the papers bit by bit, the remains fluttering to the ground like leaves. Breathing heavily, Mokuba wipes his face once he was done. He chokes out, his expression clenched and betrayed, "It's funny how people's true colors surface after shit goes down."
Staring at him, Dena approaches him, placing a hand on his head. "Mokuba…"
"It's all wrong, Dena!" Mokuba cries out, slamming his fists down to his knees. "It's going all wrong! Everything's falling apart, now that Seto is gone! KaibaCorp is steadily losing its dealerships with other companies...my brother's company is losing its reputation at alarming rates after Seto lost that game with Yugi...stockholders are vanishing or leaving KaibaCorp without a word...and the money that my brother made is disappearing slowly but surely!" Mokuba is panting after pouring out this torrent of worry to Dena. He looks up to her, his face red and puffy from the frustrated tears.
"A-at the rate Dena...Seto and I will be left on the streets. The money that he has saved and made will only last us for a couple of months...then that's it! KaibaCorp will fall apart, and everyone will forget about us, the Kaiba brothers!" Wiping his nose furiously, Mokuba covers his face, ashamed. "A lot of the maids and butlers quit, because they all are sure as hell that they won't be getting their paychecks...soon this mansion will be left empty, and who'll take care of my brother? Who's going to save KaibaCorp? Not me! I'm just a kid! I...I just don't know what to do."
Dena grips his shoulders during his whole spiel of grief.
The sobs settle into quiet, muffled crying from Mokuba, his shoulders shaking every few seconds. "...I'm really scared. He's going to come back...right? He...He has to."
Both of them stood there, the only present sounds coming from Mokuba's quiet sobs.
"Hey. Let's get outta here."
"W-what?" Incredulously, Mokuba raises his head, looking straight at Dena to see if she's serious.
The expression on her face is somber, yet her eyes are filled with a lively spark that sort of made Mokuba feel invigorated. "I know that there's all the matters of the company and whatnot, and I don't really know so much bout the matters of the business world, but a kid your age shouldn't be stressed over this stuff. You've been here in this room way too long for my liking with your brother, not like it's a bad thing - but you really need to get outta here or something before your thoughts are gonna drive you crazy. I know the feeling." Dena talks rapidly to Mokuba, yet he was able to catch on every word she said perfectly.
Outstretching her hand, a broad smile takes over Dena's face, lighting it up. "Let's just go somewhere. Let's do something freaking fun."
Mokuba stares at her outstretched hand. He takes it, and grins back at her. "Okay. Let's go!"
"Atta boy, Mokuba-kid!"
Dena grips the small hand of Mokuba, as they walk out of Kaiba Mansion together. Where to go, where to go…? A rumble of her stomach answers Dena, giving her the first idea. Pointing excitedly to a nearby restaurant, Dena says, "I'm starved, let's eat!" And pulls Mokuba over there. Once inside and taking a table, Dena barely glances at the menu, and calls over the waiter immediately, much to Mokuba's confusion.
Smiling at the waiter, Dena exclaims, "One of everything on the lunch menu, if you please!"
Recieving a strange look, the waiter nods, and quickly backs away, figuring that Dena must be some sort of rich person to have walked into the restaurant.
Mokuba looks at Dena with wide eyes. "How are you going to pay for all of that?"
"Simple, credit card." She grins at Mokuba, waving the plastic card in the air. "The magic of the plastic thing is strong. I hardly used this thing back home - but I always carried it around. I think it's gonna work here."
Blinking, Mokuba laughs back. "You're crazy. Think of how much debt you'll be in."
She shrugs, smiling eagerly at the plates of clam chowder soup being placed in front of both of them. "Right now I'm just thinking about the delicious food awaiting us! Relax Mokuba-kid, this is all on me! Sometimes, you gotta think for yourself instead of others all the time. Just sit back and eat!" She says, and sets to work digging into her soup.
Mokuba pauses, Dena's words echoing in his mind.. Then, he takes a spoon and starts digging in as well.
"Hey, is that the brother of Seto Kaiba?"
"Yeah, yeah, look how short he is!"
"What's his name again?"
"I dunno, how should I know? Who cares anyway, he's just the little brother of Kaiba."
Mokuba grinds his teeth hearing onlookers whisper this to each other, not so subtly. Dena as well, as a frown on her face, as she listens to the bystanders. Pulling his hand, Dena picks up her pace. "Where to next, Mokuba-kid?" She calls out, smiling down at her. He couldn't help but smile back, given that Dena's neverending energy is contagious. Mokuba is still in wonder of how Dena was able to finish half of the dozens of food she ordered - it was like she was starving. Happily she carries the leftovers in a plastic bag in the other hand.
"I dunno really, maybe the beach?"
"Beach it is!"
Ignoring the stares that both are receiving from dozens of people, both walk on, Dena fearless. Soon, Mokuba found himself not caring about the others oogling at him. I just gotta relax. I just gotta have fun. He tells himself. This is going to be a fun time with Dena, and I can't let anybody else ruin that. Nothing can go -
"Hey you, kid!" Somebody hollers.
Mokuba glances up, snapped out of his thoughts. A young man jogs towards him and Dena, wearing a snazzy looking suit and an out dated fedora. In his hand is a notepad, and around his neck is a camera. Seeing all of the signs, Mokuba groans. I should've figured waltzing out in public would draw some reporters.
"Mokuba, right? That's your name? You're the little brother of Seto Kaiba, CEO of KaibaCorps! Excellent!" The reporter rambles on fast, not allowing a chance for either Dena or Mokuba to answer. "Tell me, Mr. Kaiba, the matters of your older brother! What is he doing right now? Why are KaibaCorp stocks dropping at a drastic rate! What are you going to do about the ruined reputation of your older brother who lost at his favorite game, Duel Monsters, with Yugi Mutou?"
Mokuba's head buzzes with both the building irritation and the endless questions that the reporter is asking him.
"Hey Chatty," Dena interrupts, clutching Mokuba's clammy hand. "If you don't see here, some people happen to value their privacy."
The journalist looks over to Dena, a fire lighting up in his eyes. Once again, Mokuba groans. Who knows how much extravagant stories full of lies that this journalist is going to stir up? As all three are speed walking, onlookers begin to pay attention more and more to the three, given how loud the journalist's voice is. Pointing his pencil to Dena's direction, the journalist excitedly asks, "And who might you be? Why are you with Mokuba Kaiba? Are you a babysitter? Or a mistress of Seto Kaiba?"
Clearly this breaches Dena's breaking point. Shoving the reporter, Dena yells at him, "How about you screw off?! And really, you honestly think that Kaiba has freaking mistresses?! And that I'm one of them? That's low, man." To Mokuba's alarm, he notices bystanders slowly building a ring surrounding him, Dena, and the journalist. It doesn't help that he sees the car of Domino City LiveNews nearby, with the cameramen and famous smiling reporter that Mokuba would see in the news every morning on TV.
Tugging at Dena's hand, Mokuba whispers desperately, "Dena, I think we have to run."
Snapped out of her ongoing rant to the journalist, Dena looks back to Mokuba. "Why's that kid?"
Out of the corner of his eyes, Mokuba is struck with panic, seeing the permanently smiling reporter, noticing the fuss that Dena and the journalist have created, are looking straight at their direction now. "LET'S GO!" Mokuba booms out, dragging Dena behind him, and breaking through the ring of people surrounding them.
"Come back here! I'm not done asking questions!" The journalist hollers.
"Hey we should follow them!"
"Yeah, maybe we're going to be on TV if we get that Kaiba kid!"
"Well, isn't this fan-fucking-tastic!" Dena shouts in disbelief, running with Mokuba, away from the crazed crowd of reporters, fans, and everyday people.
Not answering, Mokuba drags Dena down the sidewalk, swerving right down an alley. Huffing, Mokuba is on survival mode. There's no way in hell I'll get caught by the paparazzi! He thought with a hardened resolve, and shuddering at the thought of being caught by one of his older brother's "fangirls," or Mokuba would like to call them, psychotic stalkers. Turning another sharp left, Mokuba pummels through crowds of people on the sidewalk, Dena right behind him.
"Let's go in there!" He hears Dena exclaim, before being dragged inside a store. Furtively, Dena pulls Mokuba through the store, receiving some strange looks from onlooking shoppers at the abrupt appearance of Mokuba and Dena. Briskly grabbing some clothes off the racks, Dena pushes Mokuba into a dressing room, shutting it close behind them. Breathing heavily, Dena sinks to the ground, practically wheezing.
"Is your asthma acting up?" Mokuba questions worriedly, recalling her last attack at Death-T4.
"I...I don't...think so…" Dena huffs, wiping sweat off her forehead. She gives a grin to Mokuba, to reassure him. "Kid...I don't think I've ever been on a paparrzi chase...we should totally do it again!"
"Dena!"
"Haha, kidding, kidding. Man, celebrities have it tough." Rising to her feet, Dena stretches. Shoving the armful of clothes in Mokuba's face, she says, "We should change our clothes so nobody would recognize us!"
"Oh! Good idea!"
"We should totally crossdress too!"
"Wait, what?!"
Mokuba watches Dena in disbelief as she lays out the clothes, and even more in disbelief seeing the seriousness etched in her face, as she looks at the outfits. "I can't believe it...you're actually serious." He does a face palm, shaking his head.
"Hell right I am. Okay, I guess you can dress up in this school girl outfit - it's a good thing you have such long, lucious hair!" Dena teases mercilessly, waving a cute school girl outfit in Mokuba's face. He shudders at the shortness of the pleated skirt, protectively clutching his favorite yellow vest.
"Hell no, Dena! I'm not that desperate."
"Blergh. You're no fun." She pouts, disappointed, and throws the outfit to the side.
After much arguing and teasing, Mokuba was able to convince Dena to not dress him up in a girl outfit. Instead, he went with choosing huge sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a poncho to disguise him. But that didn't stop Dena from crossdressing herself. She went full out on a motor bike gang cosplay outfit. "Bad to the bone!" Dena smiles proudly at her reflection, posing sillily in her leather jacket.
He rolls his eyes off to the side, but couldn't help but laugh with Dena. "I may have said this before, but you're crazy."
"I'm not crazy. I'm just mentally enhanced."
"Har-dee-har-har." However, Mokuba smiles genuinely at her.
Once paying for their new outfits/disguises, the two were able to walk in the public freely once again without any notice from nosy journalists or crazed Kaiba fangirls. The two are now at the beach, happily taking off their shoes, and running across the sand. For an autumn day, it was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, and just the amount of wind present in the air. The best part is, there is hardly anyone present at the beach, given that most are either at school or work. So there was no need for either Mokuba or Dena to wear their disguises, and soon enough threw it carelessly to the side with their shoes.
"A shame we didn't get bathing suits," Dena ponders aloud, staring out at the shimmering waters.
"That's okay. Being here's enough." Mokuba grins, plopping down on the sand, right near the tide is pulling in. The current rises to his bare feet - and surprisingly an icy cold. "Brr!" Mokuba comments, drawing back his bare feet, and giggling shortly after. Dena joins Mokuba, sitting right besides him. Carefree, she stretches her legs, letting the ocean water cover them.
"Clearly you haven't been to the beach enough." She laughs, hardly dazed at the cringe worthy cold water.
"You're pretty much right about that," He admits, hesitantly dipping a toe in the water rising up to them.
"Wow, really? How so?"
"The last time I remember ever going to the beach was when I was six years old. When Seto and I were at the orphanage. The orphan workers - when Ms. Miyako was the head of the orphanage - took us out to a trip to the beach. It was the best day of our lives for Seto and I, because kids at the orphanage hardly go to any fun places." Mokuba stares out at the dark blue water, shielding his eyes from the glare of the reflection from the sun above. "We had so much fun! We were at the beach for the whole day, playing in the water and building sand castles! Funny enough, Seto was kinda scared to go into the water at first. He hated how cold it was. But in the end, he ended up going there, and he was practically swimming there for half of the day." The boy smiles fondly at this memory, fresh in his mind as if he remembered like it just happened yesterday.
"The orphan workers were put in a good mood as well - they even bought all of us orphans ice cream, a really rare treat! It was a great day. It was the best day of our lives at the orphanage. It was the last day where Seto and I had any fun before we were adopted." He goes quiet, the nostalgia overpowering. Mokuba does not meet Dena's eyes, only staring out at the shimmering, limitless sea. "After that, well, Seto and I never went to the beach again." Finally, he looks back to Dena, who is looking at him with wide eyes. "Oh...uhm, did I weird you out or anything?"
"What? No, no, no! That's contrary!" Dena gives a small smile, patting Mokuba's shoulder. "It's just...the look on your face when you're describing all that...you really do love your big brother, don't you? Even after all he's done to you…" She trails off, the smile disappearing, Mokuba guessing that she's certainly thinking back to the bad memories Kaiba created for her.
"Well...yeah." Mokuba answers, feeling that fact to be obvious. He digs his heels into the cold, wet, packed sand. The tide closes in, water rushing into the holes created by his feet. Mokuba splashes them, childish instincts taking over him. "I mean, he's family. He's my only family. Even if he did some horrible stuff. I can't help but forgive him." Mokuba splashes the water once again. "You must think that's stupid, right Dena?"
Looking back to her, Mokuba is surprised to see deep thought in her face. "No...no, I don't think it's stupid. Just confusing." Dena answers him truthfully. "Then again, Kaiba isn't my family or anything, so what do I know? It's what you think Mokuba-kid. Don't doubt that."
He smiles, relieved. "Yeah. Thanks. It's weird really. I never actually told anyone else about my brother."
"If that's the case, I'm pretty glad you told me Mokuba-kid."
"Yeah. Me too."
"Go, go, go!" Cheers Dena behind him, as he carefully directs the crane over to his chosen prize. A box that has two lockets in the shape of Duel Monster Cards. Seeing that inside the prize box at the arcade, Mokuba knew that's something he needed to get. Something he needed to earn. Sticking his tongue out, Mokuba presses the button to lower the crane. Both he and Dena hold their breath, as the metal crane slowly, but surely closes in on the prize.
"C'mon, c'mon," Mokuba breathes, pressing his face against the cool surface of the glass box.
Finally, the metal crane makes it grip - much to Mokuba's leaping joy, around the box of the lockets. "Yes!" He jumps up and down, as the crane slowly carries his prize over to the drop box, dropping it. Excitedly, Mokuba, shoves his hand into the box, pulling out his well earned prized.
Dena claps proudly, her smile reaching ear to ear. "That's the way to do it Mokuba-kid! Three times the charm like they say!"
"Thanks! You're cheerleading helped me alot too!" Mokuba jokes, and gently lifts the lockets out of the box. They were both heavy, given that they were both made of silver. They shine in the dull, colorful lights of the arcade. Mokuba clicks one of the buttons on the side of the Duel Monster card shaped locket, and gasps with delight seeing that it swings open. He smiles excitedly, seeing the empty space inside the locket. This is perfect! The perfect place to put that picture! The little boy feels his shoulders quiver with excitement at the very thought. Smiling widely, Mokuba looks at Dena, who is staring at the prizes inside the prize box. He follows the direction of her gaze to a box sitting in the center of the prize shelf. Cushioned in a velvet box, is a necklace of the symbols Yin and Yang. Squinting closer, Mokuba realizes that is one separates the combined symbols, it becomes two necklaces.
"Eyeing the prize?"
"Eh? Oh yeah. I was looking at that. I was just thinking how my older sis loves symbolism and all that."
"Really? Well, here you go." Mokuba places some yen into Dena's hand, and closes it. "Earn it."
She smiles down at him. "Thanks Mokuba-kid."
"No prob! Now I'm going to cheer for you!"
Mokuba and Dena arrive back at the Kaiba Mansion around late two o'clock, prizes in their hands from the arcade. Both skip inside, completely carefree. Dena following Mokuba, he goes to his room, and takes out his prized possession. He can practically feel his eyes pricking, when viewing the old, fraying edge photo of him and his older brother, when they were younger. Both are smiling happily straight at the camera, playing a game of chess, surrounded by onlooking orphans interested in their game. Mokuba strokes the surface of the photo, his thumb near his older brother.
"This is the only photo I ever have of Seto smiling." Mokuba says aloud to Dena. He traces his finger down the photo. Then, he rips it in half. A loud gasp is heard from Dena.
"Uhm, whoa! Mokuba?"
"I'm fine." He smiles in reassurance. He waves the halves in the air. "These are perfect." He takes out the lockets from his pockets, opening them. He smiles so hard to the point where his cheeks hurt, from the fact that the ripped halves of his treasured photo fit snuggly and perfectly inside the lockets as if they were purposely made for them.
"Oh." Dena laughs behind him, clapping her hands. "For a second there, I was caught off guard. That's pretty sweet Mokuba-kid." She glances down to her watch. "Aw gee, it's almost three. I have to take my leave Mokuba-kid, to meet up with my sister."
"Okay!" Mokuba replies, happily putting his new locket around his neck. He looks back to Dena, and without saying anything else, hugs her. He buries his face into her neck, given that's how tall he is. Of course, this is not anticipated by Dena. Eventually, and awkwardly, Dena slowly encloses her arms around Mokuba's shoulders, squeezing them slightly. He squeezes back, shutting his eyes.
"Thanks a lot Dena. For everything you've done."
"No problem Mokuba. Hey...you're a good kid. And a good little brother as well. When Kaiba comes back, he's gonna see and realize that fact. Don't ever doubt him for a second."
Mokuba's face burns up from the tears building behind his eyes. "I won't Dena."
She wipes her eyes from the last of the tears that squeezed out from them, as she walks briskly down the sidewalk. That kid...man. I just love him. She thought, with a goofy smile, straightening her glasses. In one of her big pockets, is the present she has for Brooke. Dena couldn't help but notice and remember from the last time she saw her, that her locket was gone. And she knew fully well why. Dena's heart swells up from the memory, nearly feeling suffocated from remembering it.
I wonder if Brooke really meant what she said. Dena wonders, patting her pocket. Just as she's walking, up ahead she recognizes a familiar bright yellow ribbon, caught up in long lavender hair. Her pink and blue school uniform sends more recognition through Dena's head. Is that… "Uhm, hey." Dena greets Miho, tapping her shoulder.
She spins around, looking scared for a moment. Then, the other girl breathes out, giggling when she recognizes Dena as well. "Oh! It's just you. Whew, I thought it was some weirdo. Not like you are one."
"Done with school?"
"Uhm, yes!"
"Where are you heading?"
"Uhmmmmm…" Guilt is written all over Miho's face, as she nervously twirls a strandful of hair. "Just, uhm, planning to head over to Blue House Cafe."
Dena casts Miho a strange look, from the nervousness that she's expressing. "Whaddya know, I was heading there myself. Wanna go there together?"
"S-sure!'
"O-kay then…" Dena says slowly, still weirded out by Miho's shady behavior.
"Want me to get you anything else, Brooke?" Anzu asks her, giving a friendly smile at her.
The other girls shakes her head, giving a grateful smile. "No, I think that's all Anzu. Thanks a lot though."
"Hey, no prob! Call me if you need anything!" Anzu's head snaps up when hearing the jingle of the bells near the door. "Oh, that might be a new customer. Better check it out!"
Brooke smiles at the strutting figure of Anzu, as she walks towards the entrance. It's so admirable how she keeps on working despite the dangers of her school rules. And how she keeps on working at each crazy job after another. Brooke thought in admiration, sipping her cup of peppermint tea. Dena should be here anytime soon… She is pulled out of thought, when hearing loud stomping coming to her direction. Brooke looks up, seeing Anzu back with Dena, and Miho much to her surprise.
She is a bit alarmed to see Anzu's left eye twitching with agitation, her mouth set in a tight smile. "Please. Take your seats." She says through gritted teeth, particularly eyeing with Miho with such a venom that it made her squeal with fright. Stiffly, Miho and Dena take their places at the table, freaked out by Anzu's sudden hostile behavior.
"H-hey sis," Dena greet Brooke, looking bewildered. "Uhm...is there something wrong with Anzu today?"
Unsure, Brooke looks back to Anzu, who is stomping back with a tray of food in her hands. "I have no idea…"
Their short conversation is interrupted, when a platter of food is slammed on their table. Shocked, Brooke looks back to Anzu, who is still staring at Miho with a venomous glare, as she squeezes some ketchup upon fries they never ordered. "Now, now, you must try these French fries my dear Miho-chan." Anzu growls dangerously, shoving it to Miho's direction.
Shakingly, Miho speaks up nervously, "B-But, I didn't o-o-order any food yet, A-Anzu…"
"Well you can say this is on the house."
Both Brooke and Dena look over to Miho's food, both gasping in shock seeing a bloody looking message, "KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT OR DIE." Miho squeaks once finished reading this message.
"I hate to ask this, but, what gives?" Dena asks, flustered.
Brooke smiles to herself, fully knowing the reason why. Miho must have not found out about Anzu's secret when Jonouchi and Yugi did. That figures. Anzu sighs, placing a hand on her head.
"Sorry, sorry. I might've overreacted. Gosh, this is the same reaction I had when Yugi and Jonouchi found out. You see Dena, Miho, Brooke, I'm working so that I can start saving money to travel to America when I grow up, so that I can study dance! But the thing is Dena, my school doesn't allow students to have jobs. So if Miho here," Anzu quickly gives Miho a death glare. "Blabs this out, I can possibly get suspended…"
"Oh. Woah. That's so cool Anzu," Dena stutters, looking red at the cheeks. Brooke is now starting to notice that Dena acted awkwardly strange when in the presence of Anzu. "But seriously though, what kind of school doesn't let the students work? I mean, highschoolers need to work to save up for stuff, like you." Dena points out.
Anzu sighs, flipping her hair. "Tell that to the principal."
"It's alright Anzu!" Miho finally speaks up. "I definitely and totally won't tell anyone! Miho crosses her heart and hopes to die!"
Anzu laughs, relieved, crossing her heart. "Good. Now, do you want to actually order something you want?"
Miho glances over to Dena's watch, and pales for some reason, fear striking her expression. "S-so sorry! I have to go - !" In a blink of an eye, Miho hustles out of the café, looking genuinely freaked out. Now I'm starting to wish to know more about Miho's past. I never particularly watched the Toei anime version…Brooke thought, weirded out by Miho's panic.
"Actually, can you give us that special cream cake that the café serves here? I definitely want my sister here to try it."
Anzu nods, her charming smile back on. "Got it." And sashays away.
Once gone, Brooke looks back to Dena, smiling. "Blammo!" Dena exclaims with melodramatic flair, presenting a velvet box. "Uhm, I know that you don't have a locket anymore, after, uhm, our fight…so, I got us some new ones!" Dena quickly says, and opens the box. Brooke leans in, gasping slightly to see two necklaces of the symbols Yin and Yang inside the box.
In disbelief, Brooke looks at Dena. "Are you sure you're the same younger sister?"
"No duh," Dena laughs. "Which sign represents what? Cuz I ain't an expert on symbolism like you, Brooke."
"Well, I see myself representing the Yin half." Brooke states, taking the dark symbol.
"Kay then. I guess I have the Yang."
Anzu appears at the table once more, placing the slices of cake in front of the sisters. "Here you go, and enjoy! Oh yeah, cute necklaces too!"
"Haha, thanks." Dena smiles, looking bashful.
Once Anzu walks away from the table, Dena looks back to Brooke, looking serious once again. "Okay. So. Gonna spill the beans?"
The happiness settled in Brooke's head, crumbles into realization, knowing what she has to tell Dena. There's still so many stuff up ahead. With saving Ryou from suicide, and all the dangers in store for us up ahead, I have to prepare my sister. "I think I have a clue as to why I'm here. But as for you Dena, the letter never mentions you…"
Frowning in puzzlement, Dena cocks her head. "…A letter?"
"Yes, a letter. And supposedly it comes 10 years from the future. And supposedly it says that the older me that has wrote that letter, has been in the Yu-Gi-Oh world in the past, which is now." Dena's eyes are wide, as she leans in. She shakes her head back and forth, looking the picture of disbelief. "Yeah, it's hard to believe, I know. But so far, it's able to predict the events taking place here. And there's some things that the letter asks of me…and that's to save Ryou Bakura from suicide."
CRASH!
Brooke's and Dena's head snap up from their private conversation, seeing Anzu nearby, with dropped plates of food in front of her. Her expression is shocked and wide-eyed.
"Are you okay there, Anzu?" Dena calls out worriedly, rushing to help her.
Anzu snaps out of it. "Y-Yeah…I think I tripped or something…"
Brooke rushes to help them. Shortly after cleaning up the mess, Dena and Brooke both go back to their seats. "I'm worried, Dena. I'm worried, I'm scared actually, that I'm going to screw this up."
"Why would ya think that? Well, whatever happens, I'll be here. And I'm gonna try to help."
Brooke smiles. "What has gotten into you, Dena?"
"A lot. Being in this crazy world taught me a thing or two. Say Brooke, did the letter mention me?"
She bites her bottom lip. "Yeah." She lies.
Ryou looked like an excited little boy when Brooke pulled out the finished batch of sugar and almond cookies out of the oven, and put the last touches to the lime jello. "Who would've think!" He exclaims, grinning, leaning excitedly over the cookies. "I never thought of giving jello to grandma. That's some quick thinking right there, Brooke!"
"Thank you. You helped out too, Bakura."
"Really? All I did was beat the eggs and watched you do the rest."
"Well, I hoped that you actually learned something from seeing me cook," Brooke laughs lightly, carefully putting the jello into a container.
"I think so. Enough for me to not burn down the house." Quickly, Ryou stuffs a cookie into his mouth.
"I saw that!" Brooke spins around, laughing at his silliness.
"What? The smell was too good." He says through a stuffed mouth. "Here, let me help you pack up." Ryou rummages through the cupboards to find another container.
"Did you finish all of your homework?"
"Almost, I only have a couple left."
Once the two efficiently packed the food up and other belongings, they exit the house, going to the bus stop. "So you said that your grandma was in a home at the outskirts of Domino City?" Brooke asks Ryou, clutching the jello to her chest.
"Yes, the ride's is going to take around two hours." Ryou smiles almost apologetically at Brooke. "You really don't need to come, you know, if you don't want to."
Brooke feels herself stutter, turning red at the nose from the gentle look Ryou gave her. "N-no! I really do insist! I'd love to meet your family!" She covers her mouth, even more heat burning up at her face, realizing how awkward it sounded to say such a statement outloud. I made it sound like as if we're a couple or something! She thought morbidly, tightening her scarf.
He smiles back. "I'm also sure they would be glad to meet you as well, Brooke."
Feeling warm at the face, Brooke turns away, a smile curving the edges of her mouth.
Brooke has a letter as well. Dena's mind traces back to the letter she has received as well. My older self did mention that older Brooke died by trying to travel back to the Yu-Gi-Oh world...it must be the case that the letter was able to travel to it, on its own. She straightens her glasses, stretching out, and stares up at the ceiling. Should I tell Brooke about my own letter? That would be for the best...But the things that my older self did… The hairs on the back of Dena's neck raise. And she asked of me not to tell Brooke...gahhhh, I dunno what to do! Kicking her legs up, Dena comfies herself on the couch. Furthermore, just how long Brooke and I are going to be staying in this world? Are we ever gonna go back home? Images of Dena's parents and her little brother, Cargan, flash through her mind. Emptiness fills her.
Is this how Brooke felt when she first came here? Alone? Lonely? Did she miss me? Dena stares aimlessly at the ceiling. I'd fancy that thought. But she probably would've still been mad. After that stupid fight that caused this situation in the first place.
"Hey, Dena!"
She sits up, hearing her name called. Mokuba walks into the room, a package in his hand. He waves it around. "I got this weird tape in the mail. Wanna watch it?"
Dena shrugs in answer. "Be careful," She says jokingly, as Mokuba inserts the tape into the VCR. "It could be one of those nasty cursed tapes where a ghost girl says, 'Seven Days!' Wooooooo!" Dena says in a ghostly voice.
"Hahaha, I am so scared." Mokuba rolls his eyes, smiling. He turns on the TV, static taking it up first. Mokuba jumps back, probably a bit scared at the potential of the tape being "cursed." However, shortly, a face appears on the TV screen. A young man, probably in his late 20's, with shining and long silver hair, strangely most of it covering his left eye, smiles directly at the direction of Dena and Mokuba, as if really seeing them.
"Why, helloooo Mokuba!"
"Pegasus?" Mokuba repeats, in disbelief. Dena's ears perk up when hearing this name. Her thoughts recalled to the text messages between her and Brooke. Alarm creeps through her. This is Pegasus! The creator of Duel Monsters! Dena bites down at her lip, staring suspiciously at the video of Pegasus. Okay, okay, I probably shouldn't worry. This is a video tape. A simple video tape.
"So glad to see you! How have you been? How is your dear older brother? Oh yes, I forgot, he's in some sort of coma, hmm?"
Mokuba's shoulders stiffen. Dena scowls at the TV. "What the heck does he want?" She hears Mokuba whispers to himself.
"Oh, you want to know what I want?" Pegasus suddenly says, as if he really heard what Mokuba said, creeping Dena out by a million. "Simple Mokuba-boy. I want what's left of KaibaCorps."
The little boy jumps to his feet. "Never! KaibaCorps isn't dead yet, Pegasus!"
"Ah, I knew you'd make this difficult," Pegasus shakes his head, melodramatically putting a hand to his head.
Dena edges close to Mokuba, alarm rising in every state of her being. "Mokuba-kid, there's something wrong here…"
"Looks like I have to resort to drastic measures." Says Pegasus through the TV.
Suddenly, all the lights in the living room go out, only the TV screen still on. Dena grips Mokuba, seeing his faint outline in the darkness. "What? What is this?!"
Pegasus flips his hair, a confident smirk on his face. "Let's just say Mokuba, you have some unexpected company. Try not to fight back, will you little boy? They will play rough if they have to. And I believe you know who they are."
Jumping up, Mokuba rushes over to the desk in the living room, crashing through the drawers. "Mokuba? Kid, what's happening?" Dena asks, getting highly freaked out.
"Got it!" Mokuba goes back to her.
"Hey brat. Where are you?" A sleazy voice echoes out through the halls of the mansion. Dena feels herself hold her breath.
"Mokuba! We gotta run!"
"Oh, that'll be useless," Pegasus chortles in the TV screen, as the two run blindly out of the room.
Rushing through the hallways, it was absolutely pitch black. Dena couldn't see a thing. Heavy footsteps are running after her and Mokuba. Running as fast as she can upstairs, she drags Mokuba behind, and goes inside what she think is her room. Scanning the completely dark room, Dena sees an outline of a hamper. "Mokuba kid, you gotta hide!" She whispers, panicking to hear the footsteps thumping upstairs. Without hearing any arguement from Mokuba, she stuffs him inside the hamper.
I gotta distract them! Or at least run outside to get help! Dena thought in frenzy panic, flinging open the door, and running out. She runs the opposite direction of her room yelling at the top of her lungs, "Hey bozos, come and get me!" Blindly, she runs through the darkness, often tripping over her feet. The thumping, heavy footsteps are getting closer. Suddenly, a huge hand grabs her arm.
"Aagh!" Dena screams, but another hand, a bony thin one, slips over her mouth. "Mmphh!" She struggles, kicking and thrashing about as hard as she could.
"Stupid girl." A gruff, scratchy voice says to her right.
"Hold her down, will you Lector?"
"Where is the key?"
"Wait, that other Kaiba brat isn't with her…?"
The grip of what seems to be five strangers around her, tightens on her arms, twisting it. Dena grunts in pain, squirming. "How about you tell us where he is little girlie, and we won't hurt you," A deep voice barks at her from her left. Finally uncovering her mouth, Dena takes a huge breath, relieved to not smell or taste such a clammy, huge hand.
"How about fuck you." She spits out with stubbornness, struggling under their grip.
"This little - !"
"Now wait a minute Gangsley! There's no need to hurt her just yet! We'll take her to Pegasus, and he'll be able to find out where that stupid little boy is!"
Feeling someone lift her, Dena kicks and punches more, but their strength was too strong. So she is completely under the submission of the men who broke into the Kaiba Mansion and cut off the power and work for Pegasus who is the next crazy psycho bonkers villain that Yugi and the others have to deal with. Yeah, outlook not so good. Completely helpless, Dena is brought back into the room where the tape is still running.
Pegasus smiles triumphantly to himself, when hearing the Big Five walk back into the living room, fully expecting to have Mokuba in their grasp. However, squinting closer through the TV in front of him, disappointment deflates his temporary ecstaticness, seeing through the illuminated lighting that the Big Five only brought back that blonde haired teenaged girl. He frowns at all of them, as they shuffle into the room. "Now may I ask, where is little Mokie-boy?" Pegasus asks in a dripping voice, yet annoyance is rising in him.
"Sorry Master Pegasus - this girl hid him somewhere," Nezbitt speaks up, kicking the girl forward.
"Hmm, well I certainly have no patience for a little game of hide and seek," Pegasus says dryily, looking closer at the girl. "Your name, hmm?"
She raises her head, anger flashing behind her red rimmed glasses. "What's it to you?" She spits out bitterly, full of contempt.
Pegasus sucks his teeth, wagging a finger. "Now, now, don't be difficult here. This wouldn't have happened in Mokie-boy quietly surrendered what's left of KaibaCorps to me. And I believe he was something very important that is essential to my means of taking it over. You happen to be in my way, little girl." In his left eye, he feels the once cold metal artifact of the Millennium Eye, heat up from his sheer will of exerting power into it. It glows, bright yellow beams shining out of it through his long hair.
Surprise forms on the girl's face, as she witnesses this use of Shadow Magic.
He smiles, if not a bit nastily. "MIND SCAN!" He booms out, and imagines a huge ghostly hand gripping the girl's head.
"Aah!" She gives out a short scream, freezing up from the intense magic coming from the Millennium Eye.
All at once, memories sear through Pegasus's mind, hitting him like a violent crashing of waves. Thankfully, the billionaire is already used to this uncomfortable if not painful sensation, coming from the price of being able to read someone's mind. The memory of the girl, which Pegasus now learns who is Adena Kemp, hiding Mokuba flashes through his mind. He smiles to himself, in triumph. He would have stopped there, but other memories that passes through Pegasus stuck out to him.
Falling off a ledge.
Winning trophies at science fairs, spelling bees, and quizzing contests.
Getting high marks for grades, straight A's.
A sister, an older sister named Brooke. Brooke, who had an obssession with… 'Yu-Gi-Oh?'
An image of a book with a Yugi Mutou on the front pops out on Pegasus.
Intrigued by the contents of Adena's mind, Pegasus digs deeper, the Millennium Eye burning in his left eye from the use of magic. Pouring through the contents of her mind, Pegasus grows both more excited and frightened, learning the forbidden knowledge that he should've never known. His world, that he resides in, simply a manga and an anime, if you will? Preposturous! However, alarm strikes him, when Pegasus reads the information of Duelist Kingdom in Adena's mind. No one should know of that already. And this all comes from her older sister, Brooke.
Frustrating! Her mind holds no more useful information of this revelation he found out. Finally, Pegasus severs the connection he created with the girl's mind, ordering the Eye to stop. It does so immediately, the glowing and intense burning disappearing all in a snap. Adena falls over to the ground, panting heavily. Sympathy pangs in Pegasus's chest for a moment, seeing the girl in a state like this. Afterall, this is her first time experiencing the effects of Shadow Magic. He thought emphatically.
However, it vanishes once remembering the new found information he learned from her. "Mokuba is in a room on the second floor, two doors to the left. I trust that any of you can't miss it." Hearing this, two of them rush out of the room, excited to retrieve Mokuba. "As for the other three of you, scour this whole mansion. Find anything of what you think is of use." Another two exit the room, only one staying behind.
Pegasus eyes Adena, who is still on the floor clutching her head. "So, you are not of this world, I assume."
"W-what?" She sits up shakily, looking bewildered. "You know…?" She squints at him. "It's because of that Millennium Item you have, don't you?" He laughs in answer. Fear takes over Adena's face, realizing what she just said.
"Well yes, it is because of a Millennium Item." Pegasus replies pleasantly. "But not any ordinary teenager like you should know this information. So why not tell me the truth? Where do you come from?"
"I sure as heck don't belong here in this world," Adena answers snappishly.
Coolly, Pegasus looks over her. This girl is of no more use to him anymore - however, revealed some very interesting information from the contents of her head. It seems that her sister, Brooke Kemp, holds all of the answers to his questions. Deciding not to ask any more questions, Pegasus no longer pays attention to Adena, only awaiting for the rest of the Big Five to regroup. Looking back to Adena, Pegasus calculates. She may, or may not be of use to me. However...if I were to lure her to my island, I may be able to draw Brooke Kemp near as well. Hmmm…
Finally, the rest of the Big Five returns. They shove Mokuba in front of the TV screen, looking a bit bruised up. "What the hell did you do to him?!" Dena yells at all of them, enraged, throwing her arms protectively around the boy.
Annoyance flares up in Pegasus's head at the Big Five for taking such violent measures. He certainly wouldn't prefer to use that on a child Mokuba's age. However, not betraying a look of displeasure, Pegasus looks over at the Big Five. "Well? Were you able to get the designs? The papers?"
They all look nervously at each other.
Pegasus narrows his one eye. "Well?"
"Joke's on you!" Mokuba interrupts, grinning madly. "I hid the key somewhere secret!"
"The little bastard swallowed it!" One of the Big Five shouts.
"Inconvenient. No matter. Take him to my island."
"Very well, Master Pegasus." Hearing those orders, two of the Big Five carry off Mokuba.
"Dena! Dena!" Mokuba shouts, before exiting the room.
"Mokuba!" She calls out. She snaps back to Pegasus's direction, wide-eyed with right. "What are you going to do with him?"
"I won't hurt him." Pegasus replies calmly. "I will give you a chance to save him."
Adena pauses, hearing this offer.
"I uncordially and unofficially invite you to Duelist Kingdom! Jonothan? Get the briefcase invitation."
"Yes, Master Pegasus." And with that, he exits the room.
Pegasus smiles demurely at Adena. "You can save Mokuba. Enter Duelist Kingdom, collect ten star chips, and you get the enter my castle and duel me to get back Mokuba."
"Wait, seriously? I have to play a children's card game with you to get him back? I can just call the damn police!" Adena interrupts.
He wags a finger, pursing his lips. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I have many eyes in Domino City already. And they can easily apprehend you Adena-girl, and quickly silence your calls of distress to authorities. And money can do many wonders to convince others to get them what you want to do." He smirks, tapping a finger on his gold watch. Fury is frozen on Adena's face.
"You son of a - !"
"Now, now, now, there's no need to curse me out."
Jonothan enters the room, giving the briefcase invitation to Adena. Pegasus nods at it.
"That is your qualification to Duelist Kingdom. The ship to my island will be leaving shortly around eight o' clock p.m. I trust that you won't be late."
Adena stares blankly at the briefcase.
"Well, it doesn't really matter if you accept or not. But think of this, Adena-girl. Who's going to save Mokuba?" Adena looks up to him, hearing this. Pegasus smiles, knowing she has taken the bait. "It's up to you. But that boat is leaving tomorrow at that time, and there won't be any other chances. I'll see you soon!" Pegasus waves cheerfully, and shuts off the screen. His cheery smile disappears from his face, as he swirls his chair around.
He grabs the phone, quickly dialling a number.
"Yes, Master Kaiba?"
"Ah yes, Leichter. Go to 1727 Takano Avenue, to apartment 27. I want you to pay someone a visit." Pegasus explains, the thoughts of Brooke Kemp in his mind. She could be my definite chance to get her back. Once finished talking to the Big Five, Pegasus sits back in his chair. Two days time. Two days time until he will be able to get her back. Two days time that will bring me closer to you. He thought, as he silently gazes at a huge portrait a beautiful and serene looking blonde haired woman.
"This is quite unexpected on the part of Pegasus's plans."
"This is a last minute addition he added on. We might as well follow it, if it brings us one step closer for him to take over KaibaCorp."
"Make it quick then!"
A door creaks open. Apartment is dark and empty. No signs of life. No one there.
"Damnit!"
"What do you know, they're not there."
"Idiot, don't forget the backup Pegasus told us to do if they're not here!"
"Right, right!"
A note is placed on the counter.
The door shuts, leaving the apartment dark and empty once again, however disturbed with the addition of the note the four strangers left.
"Your grandma was very sweet." Brooke casually and carefully brings her up, both of them sitting in the bus. Outside is already dark, only a few other people on the bus. Ryou is looking the other direction, clearly uncomfortable with the matters about his grandma.
"Thank you."
Silence takes up between them. Defeated, Brooke sits back, recalling her experience meeting Ryou's grandma.
"Ah! What a pretty girl!"
"Thank you, Miss Hayashi."
"Are you Ryou's girlfriend?"
"No, Miss Hayashi."
"What a shame. You two make such a lovely couple. Tell me, how is his little sister, Amane doing?"
"I do not know, Miss Hayashi."
"I haven't heard from her in awhile! So strange! Oh, Brooke? May I ask you of something?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Please always watch over Ryou. He's cooped up all alone in such a huge city. They won't let me live with him. I wonder why. Ever since his mother took her life…"
"Wait...what do you mean?"
"No, no, no, not my little Chieko! Chieko! Oh, why did my little girl have to die?!"
"Brooke?"
She is jolted out of her thoughts, turning to Ryou. He is looking at her closely. "...I'm sorry."
"Huh? For what?" She questions, confused.
Ryou looks away, looking ashamed. "I should've told you. My grandma has dementia. So she must've told you strange things. I just didn't know how to bring it up…"
"No, no, it's alright! She really does care for you, you know that? And she really seem to like that jello we made her!"
He smiles at her, looking unsure still. "Well, you mostly made it."
Brooke laughs lightly. So many questions run through her mind, begging to be answered. Curiosity is killing Brooke on the inside, but she holds her tongue back. He'll tell her whatever about his family, when he's ready for it. "I'm glad that I'm getting to know more about you, Bakura." Brooke says to him, giving a small smile. He smiles back.
"Thank you."
Smiling and looking away, Brooke leans against the cold window, gazing at the blurry scenery of nighttime and trees melting with each other, making an unintelligible scene. Eventually, the soft rocking of the bus, ushers Brooke into sleep. Half asleep, and half awake, but not really having a grasp of reality, Brooke slowly leans over to Ryou's side. Warm, so warm. She thought mindlessly, snuggling against whatever she's happening to lean on. The person brushes hair out of her eyes, and leans back on her as well. Brooke smiles, feeling awfully happily for some reason, before completely drifting off to sleep.
A/N: WHEW, yet another long chapter done and over witH! Reviews are appreciated please!