Chapter 13

"Hi, it's me again," Namiko said into her pink cell phone. The room was empty now. She was the only customer. She was sitting in the sushi bar in the far corner finishing up her warm sake. With her back to the corner and her eyes on the door, she could see everything. She took a sip out of the tiny cup.

"I knew you were waiting for my call. My apologies for taking so long. Yes, we just finished with lunch." She peeked inside of the sake bottle to see if there was anymore. There wasn't and she put it back down.

"Kaiba-sama called a "lunch meeting" and we all brainstormed on the ways we're possibly being watched. No. No. He's completely in the dark. I still can't believe that he fell for that "I'm a freelance photographer" line, too. No. Hasn't a clue. I see… I paid Itou and Sasaki this morning. They're low level Yakuza, and dress like it, too. Ugly suits in those pictures that I took. Their main complaint is that they're bored. I gave them some dice and told them to just deal with it. I told their boss that they were getting half their pay today, too. So, they won't keep all of it; I guarantee you."

Namiko tried to stifle a bored yawn and put a strand of black hair behind her ear. Checking in so often was dull, but the customer's always right and she had to sound the part.

"Well, that's Yakuza for you. Someone in my line of business doesn't usually work with them. I wasn't telling a lie when I said I "freelanced." But working alone is usually my style. And Yakuza hate women. But, if they cause me problems…" Her tone suddenly sounded threatening. "Okay, okay… I'll be good… for now." She inspected her newly polished fingernails. "Yes, I've seen the card, too. I know who has it. Well, every single time I've seen it," and she felt a slight blush on her cheeks, "I haven't been in a position to get it. Your orders were to be discrete, if possible, because Kaiba-sama is a high profile person. But I've got an idea, and I'm sure it will work. I'll check back in with you later. Bye."

Namiko got up and walked out of the restaurant. She ducked into the restroom when she heard Mokuba's voice coming toward her.

"You've got to see this place!" Mokuba said enthusiastically. "The game room up there has a ton of games and everything. It's really great!"

Mokuba, Anzu, and Yugi passed by the restroom door. Namiko opened it a crack just in time to see Anzu's figure pass by. Leaning her head out slightly, she could see Anzu reaching over, casually, and lacing her fingers loosely with Yugi as they walked. He smiled at her and playfully nudged her with his shoulder.

"Oh, Anzu," Namiko said to herself sarcastically, "you won't be holding onto Yugi much longer. Enjoy him while you can."

Namiko walked down the next corridor toward Yugi and Jounouchi's room. If she was lucky, she'd avoid Seto. He spent most of his day with business calls anyway since they had some downtime. Nope. There was no sign of Jounouchi in the room or the corridors leading to it.

"Where could he be?" she mumbled to herself. "Let's see… that leaves Namco Land, the theatre, and…"

Walking out of the golden arches was Jounouchi. "Well, as the Japanese say, 'Ma…ku…do…na…ru…do…su'." She laughed to herself. "I forgot that there was a McDonald's in the hotel. Of course, he'd be here." The sign on the large window read in Japanese, with the same message printed in English below it, "Try our delicious new Shrimp Burger for 270 yen ($2.40)."

Jounouchi threw his trash away at the door and was surprised to see Namiko walking toward him. I suppose she wants a Duel Monsters lesson today. Well, I have time, but it would be great if Kaiba was around to see it. I just really want to annoy him today. I guess I'm still mad from last night. Maybe we can practice in the lobby. He's sure to see us there when he gets away from his business calls. This will annoy the hell out of him.

"Hi," Jounouchi said to her.

"Kaysuya-san," Namiko said politely. "Um… Can I talk to you? Alone, I mean," she said, looking around her carefully.

Jou glanced around, too, but didn't see anyone except some of the hotel staff walking to and fro in their dark blue uniforms.

"Um…okay," Jou said and, before he knew it, Namiko linked arms with him. She led him out two metallic utility doors and into a back alley where the hotel had food deliveries dropped off. There were two recycle bins to Jounouchi's right and a white delivery van to the left. Namiko let go of him and looked around suspiciously.

"I guess I really wanted to talk to you out here because…well…I'm scared."

Jou blinked back. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him. He leaned in the hotel doorway and returned to her.

"What makes you say…?"

"What if those guys come back?" she interrupted. "This has been bothering me for awhile… I mean…What if, even now, I'm overheard just talking to you about it?"

Namiko nibbled lightly on a long, pink fingernail, casting glances around her. She eyed the white delivery van parked not far from them.

"Don't be paranoid. It's okay. Besides, we're the ones they want, not you," Jounouchi tried to reassure her. He put his hands in his green coat pockets and tried to act casually. If he felt relaxed, then she might, too.

"Still…"

The blond looked at her and sighed to himself. "If you're that worried, go tell Kaiba. I'm sure he can get some sort of security guard for you."

"It's not just that. I'm worried about all of you." She took a step closer to Jou looking desperate. Her eyes were shining with tears.

Jounouchi suddenly felt Namiko wrap her arms gently around his waist. He was shocked at her grabbing him, but quickly noticed that it was more like a child's embrace than a woman's. "What if something happens?" she worried, looking up into his face earnestly. "Besides, if I tell Kaiba-sama, he'll only tell me that I'm weak and that I can't handle things on my own. He's not that attached to me anyway. I'm no idiot."

That sounds like the Kaiba I know, too, he thought.

She rested her head against Jounouchi's chest. She could hear his heart.

"I'm sorry for being a burden. All I ever do is cause problems no matter how hard I try to please people." She looked up into his face again, eyes brimming with tears. She held him a little tighter.

"You're lucky, you know, Katsuya-san."

"How is that?" he asked gently.

"You don't know what it's like to be alone—to be with a group of people and to feel that you can't talk to them about anything that really matters. They seem so far away even when they're right next to you. You start to talk to them, but then stop yourself." She pressed her head against his chest again. " I envy you."

Jounouchi smiled back sadly. "I think I understand you better than you think."

"No, you don't. But thank you for saying that anyway."

A thin tear streaked down her cheek.

"Oh, don't do that." He touched her face. Namiko placed her palms on Jou's chest, tilted her chin up, and found his mouth with hers. Her hands moved down to his waist. She sobbed a little and held him tighter. Jounouchi stared back in surprise. His whole body went rigid---arms and leg muscles tight. She was kissing him tenderly, softly, but he felt like he didn't know how to respond. Then, he sighed inwardly.

Her body's not the same as Mai's, but it's the same, in a way. Mai would treat me just like this. She'd start to kiss me. I guess I didn't want to be alone, just like Namiko. So, I'd go ahead and let Mai. Kissing her was a comfort, but that's all it ever was. If koi was what she wanted, I'd give it to her. And, if Namiko needs someone to hold her, then I'll accept her feelings—in Kaiba's place. She can kiss me as long as she needs to. Just like with Mai, I'll go along with it…if it makes you feel safe, feel wanted, feel needed… Maybe it's pity that makes me hold them. Jounouchi placed his arms around her waist loosely. Just, don't ask me to love you. There's no part of me that can. That's one of the reasons Mai left me…but I left her, too.

Namiko pressed her lips against Jounouchi again. Using her tongue, she parted his lips. Jounouchi forced his body to relax, just as he always did with Mai, and allowed her to kiss him deeply. She sobbed a little more and Jou held her against him. He could accept her affection if it made things better for her.

Namiko looked up into the face with blond hair. She smiled at him. "Thank you," she said, resting her head against his chest. "I know most Japanese don't like affection in public. It bothers them."

"We're not really in public, and you're not Japanese. I kind of guessed. Your accent sounds a little off," Jounouchi said and stroked her back.

"Let's just say, I'm from all over."

Namiko looked up at him.

Is she going to kiss me again? Jou thought vaguely.

"There's something else you need to know," she said. Then, her eyes darkened and her smile became cruel.

An hour later, Namiko was entering the hotel again through the lobby. She was busy dusting herself off. She hadn't noticed how filthy her top had gotten and it was a problem now.

"Maybe I can go back and change," she murmured to herself.

"Namiko?" Seto said.

She suddenly looked up in surprise. "Oh, hi!"

"What's the matter with you?" he asked, but cast a casual look for Jounouchi. The blond was no where in sight. So, talking to Namiko seemed okay. Besides, after the kind of "non-argument" that he had with Jou last night, he suddenly wanted to see Namiko again more than ever. Jou only made him feel frustrated, and Namiko stroked his ego.

"I fell down outside. I'm clumsy," she frowned and dusted herself again.

"Are you okay?" Seto said with a note of concern.

"I will be…if you promise to…see me again." She winked.

"I could arrange that," Seto said and leaned in whispering, "maybe tonight?"

"If you do what I want," she flirted back, "you might suffer a little. Can you handle it?"

"I don't think there's anything you can do that can sway me."

"We'll see," she grinned playfully.

"On another subject entirely, though," Namiko said and sounded more businesslike, "I got a phone call from one of my contacts. He saw the short man in the dark suit heading for the temple a little while ago."

"Temple?" Seto said.

"Yes, but my contact only left a voicemail. And I can't reach him again. So, I'm not sure which temple he's referring to."

Seto looked slightly confused.

"You see, there's two temples on the property. The first is large and has a lot of artifacts. The only time it's really popular is when the weather's too warm. Most people come to see the steam rising and expect some humidity. The second is older, smaller, and farther away. It's a little run down. I hear that it's mostly used for storage these days. And I hear that one of the curators lives there."

Namiko's face showed frustration. "I'm not sure that this is really a lead. But, we could try back there."

"We'll do that," Seto said and checked his Rolex. "Let's try again before dinner. We'll bring everyone back one last time."

"Right!" Namiko said, looking hopeful.

Long shadows stretched and moved randomly. The group of them entered the gates leading to the Golden Dragon hotspring.

It feels strange being here again without Jounouchi, Mokuba thought with his head down. But we searched and searched.

"I still wish Jounouchi was with us," Yugi grumbled. "We should have stayed at the hotel and looked for him again." He was worried and his dream about the pharaoh bothered him more than ever. He was to watch over Jou and, to a lesser extent, himself. But, he'd been so wrapped up in being with Anzu that he'd forgotten. I've neglected him. All I've thought about was myself. And I don't know where he is right now.

"I know and I agree with you," Anzu said and Yugi gave her an appreciative smile. "Let's not stay here long. I want to go back to the hotel and look for Jounouchi. Something just feels wrong."

"I agree," Namiko said, leading the way to the temples. "But, this jigoku closes in forty-five minutes. So, we'll just take a quick look around." She stopped and blinked back at the rest of them. They followed glumly. "Or, we could come back tomorrow. But, since we're already here…" She started walking off again. Mokuba hastened to keep up with Namiko. Seto dropped back and walked next to Yugi.

"You think something's happened to him, right?" he mumbled without looking.

"At lunch, you said that one or more of us might disappear suddenly." Yugi, feeling angry with himself, stepped up his pace. "I knew you were right, but, on the other hand, I thought it was all just hype or paranoia or something. I'm really scared for him now. He's been gone too long."

"Don't worry, Mutt will show up."

Yugi looked over at Kaiba with irritation. Then, he forced himself to look forward, walking on. No, he was going to say something this time.

Out of the corner of his eye, the CEO felt like he was walking next to Atem for a brief second and it rattled him. The features slowly went back to being Yugi. "You know, Kaiba, he's my best friend, not yours. I care about him. You don't. I think you've made that painfully clear over the years."

Yugi stopped in his tracks, head down.

"Why do you hate him so much?"

Seto imagined Yugi sleeping against Jounouchi's shoulder again and felt angry. "I don't answer to you," Seto said and walked on after the group.

"I know that you two argue all the time, but…" Seto stopped in his tracks at Yugi's words, not looking back. "Kaiba, he really doesn't hate you…deep down." Seto started walking again. I can't deal with this, he thought.

They paused before a break in the railing. A dirt and stone path wandered away from the sidewalk. On the railing, there was sign that said "Temple" with an arrow pointing the way the sidewalk curved.

"Okay, that way is where the new temple is. And, I think, this path leads to the old one. If you see one of the men in the photo, just follow him. If we can see where they're staying, we can call the police. Sound good?" Namiko said.

Kaiba nodded. "I think we should break up into groups," Kaiba said. "We can cover more ground that way."

The others shook their heads in agreement.

"Yugi, Anzu, and Mokuba go to the new temple. Got a problem with that?" Seto said.

No, Yugi thought back, I'd prefer not to be around you right now. Plus, it's no accident that you've broken us up into couples.

"This path looks kind of bad… and the old temple is probably locked. But, maybe, we can peek in somehow," she said, looking worried again.

"Let's go," Seto said. Seto took charge, walking up the dirt and stone path. He could hear Namiko behind him--the heels of her shoes making a light click with each step. This time, she was wearing an olive green top with black jeans and a wide red belt fitted tight at the waist. Seto had guessed correctly that she was going to change her clothes since her fall earlier.

Mokuba walked behind Anzu and Yugi for a few paces. He leaned back and watched the couple go up the stone steps. You know, I think I'll ruin some of Nii-sama's fun. The temple's not the only thing he intends to check out.

"Tired?" Seto said to Namiko without turning his head.

"No," She said. "I can keep up with you."

Namiko reached forward and touched Seto's arm briefly. "I understand you, Kaiba-sama. You're smart, motivated, driven to succeed… Nothing will stop you from getting what you want."

"Too bad they don't understand that," Seto said and motioned his head to the right, where the others went.

"They're weak in some ways," Namiko said with an edge in her voice. "They haven't worked for what they wanted…like we have."

Seto raised an eyebrow, but kept walking.

Namiko reached in front of her and took Seto's hand. She was gentle, and holding her hand made him feel good all over again.

The old temple was was everything that Seto expected. It was a small, rectangular two story building with the roof edges curling up like a pagoda. There was a narrow deck-like walkway that stretched around the outside of it. Two doors were located in the front. The paint had chipped and faded away. The grass was too tall.

Namiko held back for a second. "Do you think there are…ummm…snakes?"

Seto, still holding her hand, was leading her up the steps to the temple. "I'm the biggest snake of them all, so Mokuba tells me. They wouldn't dare bother you."

She nodded and followed him in.

She whispered to Seto, "Should I say 'excuse us?' or something?"

"Only if you want to let that guy know we're here."

"Good point," she said nervously.

The first floor was absolutely filthy. There were cobwebs and boxes upon boxes of old festival decorations stacked up. Some objects were covered in blue tarps and others had cloth coverings on them.

"And not a broom in sight," Namiko complained and avoided a particularly nasty looking cobweb full of dust hanging near her head.

"Over there. Stairs," Seto said, pointing.

On the second floor, the room looked much better. It smelled old, but seemed a bit cleaner than the down stairs-- with lanterns, an altar, and dark wood floors. There was a blue tarp in the far corner on the room.

The lantern lights flickered against the walls and the altar---casting awkward shadows that moved when no one was looking. "Someone had to light these," Namiko pointed out. Seto nodded. The walls were heavy with the smell of old furniture. The pieces were pushed back, showing thin layers of dust, and what smelled like body odor.

"No sign of anyone, though," Namiko said.

"Another dead end. I suppose we should check on the others," Seto grumbled.

He was turning to go when Namiko leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Maybe, in a minute," she purred into his ear. "We have time, don't we?"

Seto thought about it and smiled back at her. "I could spare a minute, I guess…"

Namiko traced his lower lip with a finger—feeling the skin slide against her fingertip. She spread open the blue coat that he was wearing and tugged at his dress shirt---pulling it up and out. She placed her hands under the shirt's material, touching the bare skin on his stomach and running her hands up. Seto took a quick breath and placed his hands on her waist. He kissed her softly and stepped away. Namiko, her hands now at her sides, reached up and pulled the blue coat half way off Seto's shoulders, tugged his body against her, and trapped his lower arms in the sleeves.

"I think you'll do whatever I want now," she said and kissed him behind his ear.

"I could get out of this if I wanted to." Seto began to bite her neck. One nip was a bit too hard and she inhaled slightly. "That's payback for the mark you left on me earlier."

"Revenge?" she purred.

"A reminder," Seto said, feeling the length of her body, "of who's in charge."

"My guess is that 'control' is everything to you." His arms broke free of the material and he had Namiko in his arms, forcing himself against her in waves. She kissed him sweetly twice and then, putting her hands up Seto's shirt, clawed her nails down his back. She knew she was leaving light red marks. "I won't surrender," she whispered.

Seto kissed her hard, forcing her mouth open. She complied and watched him kissing her with amusement. His heart was beating fast and Seto was pressed so tightly against her that she could feel the smooth surface of the card in his pocket. One hand was at her waist. The other was in the middle of her back, his thumb toying with her bra hooks through the material. She leaned her head back as he sunk his teeth into her neck.

"So, this is what you're up to, Nii-sama," Mokuba sneered, leaning against the doorframe. "Hi, Namiko."