A/N: Drum roll please! (insert drum roll). Okay this is the chapter where we all find out who saved Mina from her death. You'll be surprised. Also there will be a lot of point of view skips in this chapter so be ready for them.

Disclaimer: Yugioh and Sailor Moon do not belong to me.

Chapter 12

The Journey To Duelist Kingdom Part 2

Mina P.O.V.

Who would've guessed that my hero would turn out to be none other than…Seto Kaiba.

I mean, he really doesn't seem like the type who'd come to a girl's rescue, but here he was holding me in his arms after I had recklessly jumped off a balcony.

"Kaiba," I asked a hint of weariness in my voice that was uncharacteristic for me. That and my arm was hurting.

"What the heck were you thinking ribbon girl," he said setting me down on the ground. His eyes grew wide a second later and I was confused. I wanted scream, "Quit staring at me", but I resisted the urge to do so because of what he was staring at.

My arm was bleeding, and it was clear that it had been caused by a bullet. My mother had shot me, but at least she hadn't gotten me anywhere serious.

"What happened to you," he asked.

"It's none of your business," I muttered as I stood and looked up from where I had just fallen. My mother was staring down, the gun no longer in her hand. She looked…relieved.

No, she wasn't relieved, she was happy that I hadn't killed myself. After all, she wanted to do that and if I went back to that place she would.

Thing is…I'm not coming back.

I picked up my duffel bag from the ground and was about to leave when Kaiba grabbed my hand.

"Let go of me…," I shouted, and I would've said more but the second I looked into his eyes I noticed something different about him. He didn't have that cruel vibe to him anymore. He almost looked compassionate, worried even. No way, I must be out of my mind if I'm thinking that Kaiba has changed.

"You need to go to a hospital," he said after a moment. "You did just jump from a balcony and you were shot."

"I told you Kaiba, it's none of your business," I whispered snatching my hand away.

"You owe me for saving you."

Now that sounded more like the jerk that I've come to know. Presently, I don't see a reason why I shouldn't tell him my problems. Maybe if I asked him he could pay for my father's operation out of pity for me and…

No that wouldn't work. I've already made a deal with the devil known as Pegasus and because of that I have to go ahead and go to Duelist Kingdom. I definitely don't want Pegasus showing up and taking my soul or my father's soul away.

So instead of telling Kaiba what he obviously wanted to know I asked him a question.

"What are you doing here?"

He stopped and an angry expression filled his face. "I was just passing by," he answered. I had a feeling that he was lying, but I didn't really care about it. Besides, Kaiba was right about one thing.

I need to get to a hospital and get this stupid bullet out of my arm.

"I've got to get going," I told him turning away from him once again.

"Just don't forget that you owe me ribbon girl," he said. I didn't stop or turn around, but I knew that he was smirking. Still he wasn't going to get away with calling me by my nickname. He doesn't have the right to.

"My friends call me Mina, but since we aren't friends…just call me Minako," I explained as I walked off. "Oh, and thanks for saving me."

After that I made my way towards the hospital. People turned and stared at me as I walked passed, after all my arm had a bullet in it and it was bleeding like crazy, but I no longer cared about it or my mother.


Later

Kaiba P.O.V.

"Ungrateful little…it doesn't matter."

I was on my way to a secluded cottage by the mountains. I couldn't stand to be in the city anymore because everything reminded me of my loss to Yugi.

Including that girl…Minako.

That was her name, though she prefers to be called Mina by her friends, but since we aren't friends she wants me to call her by her full name. Whatever, it's not like I care anyway. She should be grateful though, I saved her life.

"It doesn't matter," I thought to myself irritably as I sat inside of my private jet, waiting to get to my sanctuary that was that small cottage. I had an office there so I could still work on my latest projects for Kaiba Corp., but I had a hard time focusing these days. After my loss to Yugi…

I mentally cursed myself for letting my mind take me back to the night. I'd love to be able to forget it and I would love to walk around pretending that I was still the greatest duelist in the world, but I can't and all because of that runt Yugi and his "heart of the cards". Ever since that day I can't seem to figure out who I am anymore. It's like I lost a piece of my soul that day.

It's because of Yugi that I've had to leave Kaiba Corp behind for a while. It's because of Yugi that I had to leave my own brother behind. He had wanted to come with me, but I wouldn't let him. I had to face this on my own. I had to figure out who I was again and the only way to do that was to devote myself to my new virtual technology that I was perfecting. At least with that I can distract myself from those memories.

And I can hope that soon, I'll have an opportunity to take Yugi down.


So now everything is set in motion as the tournament approaches. What will change when the tournament starts? What secrets will be found out? Who will ultimately loose their life because of one woman's decision? Who will pay the price for the actions of a wicked man?

Only fate and destiny can decide the outcome of the events that will follow.

And very few will survive through the changes that will become the story of…

Minako Aino


Sunday night

9:30 p.m.

Joey P.O.V.

Hehehehe, there's no way I'll get caught. This plan if full proof. They'll never suspect a thing.

"HEY YOU, GET AWAY FROM BACK THERE!!!!!!"

Uh oh, I've gotten caught! Now what do I do?

"Get out of here, only official duelists are allowed here," the guys in the suits shouted.

"How do you know I'm not official," I replied, trying to find a way out of this mess. Man these two goons practically have a death grip on me.

"Because the official duelists aren't trying to sneak in through the lower hatchets," one of them replied.

"Now stop struggling, we're going to have to through you out," the other said, tightening his grip on me as I tried to pull away.

"No way," I told him angrily shoving him as much as I could. It was useless, but that didn't stop me from trying. "I came here to duel and I'm gonna duel."

"Leave him alone."

I looked up to see Yugi standing right in front of me. Well, this is embarrassing.

"Hey Yugi."

"Joey, what are you doing here," Yugi asked.

"Did you really think I'd let you do this on your own," I asked. "Come on and help me out."

Yugi nodded and then looked at the guards who were still holding on to me. "He's with me, you've got to let him go."

"Only duelists with a star chip can board the ship, there are no exceptions," one guard stated.

"But Joey has a star chip. Didn't he tell you?"

"I do," I asked completely confused.

"Yeah," Yugi replied as he put something in my hand. It was a star chip.

"Yugi, what's this," I asked already knowing the answer, but confused on why Yugi would give me one of his star chips.

"According to this card, a star chip proves that one is a duelist," Yugi stated as he held up the card.

"That may be, but all participants are given two star chips," one guard said as he released his grip on me. "You'll be at a disadvantage."

"Maybe, but I'd rather take that risk then be without my friend," Yugi replied. It almost made me want to cry…but guys don't cry. No mater what, we don't…aw man I'm tearing up over here!!

I'd gotten so caught up in my own rant over here that I didn't realize that the guards had decided to let me go on board.

"Hey, are you in there Joey," Yugi asked.

"Huh, yeah, yeah," I told him. "Thanks man, I really owe you for this."

"I'm just glad you're here," Yugi said. "Come on we better get on board."

I nodded and followed him toward the boat. This tournament won't be easy, but I think I've got a shot at winning this thing…well I might Yugi's help…again.


Around the same time

Mina P.O.V.

"Yes, Miss Minako, you're one of Master Pegasus's special guests. You've got the Imperial Captain's suite."

"Imperial Captain's suite?"

"It's normally reserved for the Britannian emperor when he comes to visit America," the old man in front of me said. "He does a lot of research here."

Like I care about the Britannian emperor and his affairs.

(a/n: Easy for her to say now, but she'll soon know better…in another story that I plan on writing.)

But for now…

"You must be pretty important if he's letting you have that suite," the man said as he handed me the key. "The suite is on the upper deck, the last door on the left."

"Thank you," I said as I walked away from him. The upper deck wasn't too far from here from where I could tell, but I'd better hurry up and find it before I run into Joey and Yugi.

Ugh, that reminds me of a certain person that I saw earlier tonight.

(Flashback)

I had just gotten on the boat and had seen Joey and Yugi standing about a yard away, both of them were talking and staring out into the ocean. They had no clue I was here.

"I'm glad they let you on the boat Joey," Yugi was saying.

"They only did it because you gave up one of your star chips," Joey said.

Well, that sounds like a decent piece of information. That means that Yugi only has one star chip left, which will make it that much easier for me to tear him apart once we get to the island.

Still, I may want to lay low for a little bit. Yugi had Exodia in his deck, which made him unbeatable. How am I supposed to eliminate him if he has that card in his deck?

Guess I'll just have to find a way to beat it before I duel him. This isn't going to as easy as I'd hoped.

"Excuse me ribbon girl," said an obnoxious and stuck up voice. It wasn't Megan, but this woman definitely reminded me of her. This woman had long blond hair and violet eyes; clearly that same color was her favorite since she was wearing a lot of purple. Purple jacket, purple skirt, purple boots…need I go on? The only thing on her that wasn't purple was the shirt that she was wearing under the jacket which was white, but wearing that white shirt was equivalent to not wearing a top at all since she was practically showing her whole chest.

"Well, look what we have here," she said as she approached Joey and Yugi. She narrowed her eyes at them as the two boys turned to see where the voice had came from. I hid around a corner, but I could still see and hear everything. Yugi was blushing, his mouth agape and Joey was practically drooling. Why that low down mangy mutt!!!!!

(a/n: Whoa there sista, sounds to me that someone's a bit jealous.)

"Who does that woman think she is," I thought as I gritted my teeth. Watching her made me sick. Watching Joey drool over her made me feel equally horrible.

(a/n: Yep, that's jealousy all right.)

I soon left because I simply couldn't take it anymore. I didn't have time to be worried about Joey and his womanizing. I need to be preparing for the tournament ahead.

(End Flashback)

So now I head for the upper deck, hoping that I don't get caught by the two boys who pretty much pissed me off without realizing it.

"Well, aren't you a lovely sight," said a voice suddenly. I turn around and soon realize that I have to look down in order to see who called out to me. In front of me stood a young boy with a bad haircut and yellow glasses that covered his weird twitchy blue eyes. He wore a green coat and jeans with tennis shoes, the smile of his face wide as he showed off his green teeth. Seriously…ewwwwwwww!!!!!!!!

"Can I help you," I asked sweetly, slowing my pace…but not stopping.

"I am Weevil Underwood," he said as he followed me. I picked up my pace.

"Yes, go on," I replied.

"I am the Regional champion," he continued. "And I know the secret for destroying Exodia…"

I turned around before he could utter another word. I startled him, but he soon recovered as I asked him how.

"Easy," Weevil replied. "Just take them from the duelist who has them and throw them off the boat."

"Really, and how do you know this," I asked, actually hoping that I appeared like a dumb blond to him so that he'd answer my questions without a second thought.

"From experience."

"What kind?"

"Let me spend the night with you and I'll answer any question you want to ask."

Oh, no. That's just not going to work. You couldn't pay me…no you couldn't convince me if my life depended on it!

But mine didn't depend on it.

My father's did…but was he even worth spending the night with….him!!!

The things you'll do for love. :(

So I accepted and I led him to my Imperial Captain's suite.

"Come in," I said cheerfully, while making sure that I was standing right next to the door.

"Thank you," Weevil replied. He made himself comfortable on the couch as I stood by the door, trying to figure a way out of this.

"Come, my sweet ladybug," he called. Is this boy serious? Oh, God, why would you ever let such torture be bestowed on me?

I hesitantly sat next to him on the couch and quickly examined the room. It was big and immaculate, but I had no time to look at the beautiful scenery around me. I had to hurry up and get this leech to tell me what I want to know so that I can get out of here.

"So, will you tell me now Weevil," I asked in my most innocent voice.

"Only if you give me a kiss," he replied instantly.

It was at that point that everything turned red. My pent up anger and frustration had reached it's height. This little bug is going to tell me what I want to know right now.

So in that moment I pulled out the razor blade from my denim capri pants and held it under his neck. His eyes widened and his breathing turned shallow. Good, he was terrified.

"Tell me what I want to know, or you'll pay the price bug boy," I growled darkly while putting every bit of anger I could muster into my stare.

"Fine, fine," he shouted.

"Shut up," I screamed back while holding the razor tighter. After a moment I asked him to calmly tell me when he'd done this."

"I…took the cards from Yugi and threw them off the boat," Weevil said.

Ugh, I'm so stupid. I could've figured that out myself!

I ended up knocking the boy out. He now lay on the couch unconscious.

After a moment, I left the room quietly and shut the door behind me. I didn't lock it because there would be no point to do so. I'd knocked Weevil in the head so hard that tomorrow he wouldn't remember a thing.

So with my duffel bag in tow I headed back down the steps toward the lower deck. I could crash just about anywhere at this point. I was cold though and I wished I'd brought a blanket or at least a thicker jacket than red one that I was wearing now.

"Thanks a lot you guys."

"Oh, not now," I thought as I climbed midway back up the steps. That had been Yugi's voice. I looked over the railing and saw that Yugi and Joey were both sitting on the deck. Tea and Tristan were here now too. This is just fantastic.

"I'm sorry Yug, I only got two of your cards," Joey was saying. He was holding two of the…Exodia cards.

So Weevil really did do throw them off the boat, and Joey had dived into the ocean to get them back.

"It's okay," Yugi replied.

"No it's not okay," Joey cut in. His face was contorted in a frown that I'd never seen on his face before. He looked sad and angry. He looked the way I felt.

"It's always this way with me," Joey continued. "I'm never able to help anybody. Not even my own sister Serenity."

"He has a sister," I thought as I watched them. The others seemed surprised as well, except for Tristan who seemed to already know this.

"She lives far away," Joey told them. "With my mother." His scowl deepened and in that moment I could really relate to Joey. I wasn't exactly in favor with my mother either.

"Serenity has always had bad eyes since she was born and eventually she'll go blind," Joey explained.

"I'm sorry," Yugi said.

"Thanks Yug, she sent me a message…the doctors said that the time has come and that her eyes will soon be impossible to repair even with surgery," Joey continued a few tears beginning to fall from his eyes. "There are specialists who can perform the operation now before it's too late and they could save her eyesight, but there's no way I could pay for the operation. I have to win for her."

His story struck a cord so deep with me that I nearly fell down the stairs. Our goals were identical. He was going to fight for his sister and I was going to fight for my father. We both wanted to save the people we loved. Joey wants to save Serenity from blindness and I want to save my father from dying…but we can't both win this competition. Besides, he forgets that Yugi is fighting to win too so that he can get his grandfather back.

I soon sat down on the steps, unable to do anything else since it seemed to me that Joey and the others weren't going to be moving from their spot down there.

They're good people and I wish that I didn't have to betray them. If circumstances were different…

I wouldn't even be here. I'd be in Japan where I belong and not in a place where weird items steal people's souls out of no where. My dad wouldn't be dying and my mom wouldn't have gone insane.

I soon felt my own tears on my cheeks. After a moment, I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my head on them. I wish that I'd brought Artemis with me, but I'd decided that this was too dangerous and I'd left him in Miss Cathy's care. I knew that she would take care of him. She loves cats.

Still, I regret not bringing him with me now. He could have helped me cope with this, no matter how little he helped, it would have been better for me to have a little bit of support.

But it was too late for that now. I was already on my way toward my destiny, whatever it may be.

Joey and the others probably don't realize that fact. They probably have no clue of the real danger that awaits them at Duelist Kingdom.

Well, they'll find out soon enough.


A/N: That's the end of the chapter. If you voted on the poll and won, send me a message to gain your prize.

Also I want to thank Black Cat Angel. I couldn't have finished this chapter without your help. :)

And one more thing...Artemis isn't out of this story yet. He'll be back.