Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto or Yu-Gi-Oh! Shame, guess I'll settle for fanfiction and pretend that I do.

Chapter 14

(Park, near the docks)

Tea laughed as Naruto and Joey continued to win booth games. "You know Serenity if the boys keep this up we're going to have to donate all these stuffed animals to a hospital or something."

Serenity Wheeler looked on as the boys were playing a ring toss game. Joey's yells and Naruto's laughter told anyone passing who was doing well.

"Yo, that's unnatural!" Joey yelled as Naruto got his thirtieth ring around the bottle.

"Nah. Just skill." Naruto shot back. He was buying more rings. He planned on getting fifty so he could get the large stuffed Kyuubi.

"Doesn't Tea have enough fox dolls?" Joey asked as he missed again.

"This one is for me." Naruto said with a grin and wink at Tea. "Aw, but Naruto, what if I wanted this one?" Tea asked with a mock pout.

"I'll give you visitation rights." Naruto said as six more rings found bottles. He bought another group of ten. The guy running the booth was looking nervous as this was the last ten the blond needed and he'd win the big stuffed animal.

Joey gave up and watched as each ring was thrown with an ease that just wasn't normal.

"How the hell are you doing this?" as Naruto had only two rings left.

"Talent, skill." The blond said and tossed the rings rapid fire like and they landed, the last one actually hoped around the top of a bottle spinning and looking like it was going to fly off, but it hulued its way down.

"Winner." The carnival worker said and handed Naruto the big nine tailed fox. Naruto offered it to Tea.

"What? You want me to carry that? Its almost as big as me!" Tea said.

"Shared custody?" Naruto offered with a grin. Tea leaned in. "Convince me?"

Joey rolled his eyes as the blond kissed her. "Not again."

Joey got an elbow in his ribs from his sister. "Its cute. They are so natural together."

"Natural, right." Joey said as he rubbed his bruised ribs. "Okay you two break it up."

The pair separated, Naruto gave Tea a grin. "Hungry?"

"I could eat." Joey said. Tea rolled her eyes and whispered lowly for only Naruto. "Not for food."

He grinned at that.

Joey coughed seeing the pair becoming lost in whatever little world they were whispering about.

"Come on. I saw a pizza place up the boardwalk."

Serenity shook her head. "And he wonders why Mai keeps dumping him."

Naruto and Tea walked hand in hand, the large stuffed animal under Naruto's free arm. "Are you having fun?" Naruto asked.

"Yes. I do like watching you play. Serenity and I have tried some of the easier games." Tea gave his hand a squeeze.

"You and Joey stomped Weevil and Rex earlier."

"They have no honor. The cards…they…" Naruto shrugged as he looked at her. "You have a natural link to the heart of the cards. Yugi had the same thing, he had a bond with his monsters that bordered on them feeling alive." Tea said her eyes looking at Naruto.

"Yeah, and I've go a fox in my gut." Naruto said. Tea chuckled.

They heard Joey calling for them to hurry up.

The pair laughed and jogged after the Wheeler siblings, not seeing the shadows following them.

XX

Naruto leaned against the wall while looking back to where Serenity and Tea had a booth while he and Joey were waiting for he pizza and soda's.

"Naruto Uzumkai."

Naruto turned around, as did Joey. A young man with sea green hair and dark eyes stood there wearing a Hawaiian print shirt and cargo pants.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked.

"My name is Shado. I challenge you to a duel."

Naruto sighed. "After dinner. I'm…"

"Now." Shado said.

"Hey, he said after…"

"Not talking to the sidekick." Shado said.

Joey pushed away from the wall. "What did you call me?"

Shado didn't even spare Joey a second glance. Naruto shook his head. "I said after dinner."

"Coward." Shado taunted.

Naruto clenched his hand. "Go ahead. I'll wait for the food. It shouldn't take you long." Joey said.

Naruto looked to where Tea was and saw she was talking with Serenity. "Keep me a slice."

Naruto followed Shado away from the sidewalk pizzeria, sliding his duel disk onto his arm.

"Where are we going?"

The strange teen stopped at the end of a pier. "Here's good." After he walked a bit, not once looking behind him.

Naruto looked and saw that he couldn't see the pizzeria from here and the lights indicated that dusk was approaching.

Naruto took a breath, the smell of the nearby ocean carried on the breeze. He could see the docks nearby and recognized the steamship. (Wonder if anyone from Konoha is here?) then he shook his head figuring the people were too set in their way to leave the safety of their small world.

Clicking on his disk on the counter lit up with 8000. Naruto shuffled his deck and slipped it into the holder. "How do you want to do this?" Naruto asked.

Shado was activating his own disk which was a aqua blue with seaweed green markings.

"Rock, paper, scissors." He said not really caring.

Naruto nodded and they pumped their fists. Twice they both had the same with rock and then scissors. Shado for his third time went with rock while Naruto went with scissors.

"I'll go second." Shado said.

Naruto drew his five cards and nodded. "Time to duel." He whispered.

Be careful here kit. There's something off about this guy. Kyuubi said in the back of his mind.

Naruto drew his sixth card and looked at his hand. He put a card in the backfield facedown and then a monster card facedown as well. He ended his turn, his blue eyes studying his opponent as he drew his card and entered turn.

"I summon Amazon of the Sea (4/1300/1400) in attack mode. And I activate the magic field card Umi (magic/field) which adds 200 points to my monsters attack and defense." Shado said with a superior look on his face as the water field became ankle deep. The Amazon of the Sea's attack went to ATK/1500.

"Amazon, destroy his monster." Shado instructed.

The blue haired mermaid shot across the field and attacked the facedown card. Naruto shook his head and flipped the card he had in the backfield. Negate Attack (trap/counter)

The mermaid gave Naruto a flat look and returned across the field.

"Hm." Shado said and put two cards in the backfield then ended his turn.

Naruto's LP: 8000

Shado's LP: 8000

Naruto's Monsters: 1 facedown

Shado's Monsters: Amazon of the Sea ATK/1500

Naruto's Spell/Traps: 0 cards

Shado's Spell/Traps: Umi (magic/field) (+200 ATK/DEF), 2 cards facedown

XX

(Pizzeria)

"Where's Naruto?" Tea asked as Joey carried the trays to the table, the girls took the tray of drinks and then the pizza from Joey who shrugged. "Got challenged to a duel by some butthead who wouldn't leave him alone until he accepted."

"And you just let him go off alone?" Tea said standing.

"He's fine." Joey said. "He stomped Underwood and Rex, I doubt that anyone here will cause Naruto trouble."

Tea frowned. "You remember the Ghouls? The Rare Card Hunters?" Tea said.

"Sit down. If he's not back in ten minutes I'll go look for him." Joey said taking a slice of pizza and taking a large bite.

Serenity shrugged. "He is a skilled duelist."

Tea frowned but sat back down. "I don't like this."

"Come on Tea. He's a big boy. He doesn't need you to hold his hand when he duels." Joey said swallowing his pizza and sipping his soda.

Tea didn't eat, her eyes were scanning the horizon, but there were hedges in the way blocking her view.

(Where are you Naruto?) she thought, not wanting to eat without him there.

XX

(Pier)

Naruto had drawn his card and looked at what he had. (Hm, lets see what I can do with this.) he thought adjusting the cards in his hand. "So, Shado from what I see you're a water type player."

"Obviously."

Naruto sighed. "Not real friendly are you?"

Silence was his answer. Naruto shrugged and put another monster card facedown and a card in the backfield, ending his turn.

Shado cocked his head to the side. "You're playing differently…cautiously." He drew his card, leaving him with three cards in his hand. He studied Naruto. "You don't have anything."

Naruto shrugged. "Attack and find out."

Shado narrowed his eyes. He placed a White Dolphin (2/500/400) with the added bonus became (2/700/600) "Let's see what you have." Shado said and sent the dolphin in for an attack.

The monster attacked flipped over revealing one of Naruto's newer cards. Z-Fox (3/700/900)

Shado took two hundred point hit to his life points due to the difference. "You need to discard three cards from your hand to removed card pile, since you don't have three in your hand you take from your deck." Naruto said as Shado realized that Naruto had effect monsters in his deck.

He placed the two cards in his hand and one from the top of his deck in the removed from play slot.

"I miscalculated. I thought you only had battle style monsters and fusion monsters." Shado said as he looked at the other facedown monster.

"You know you want to try it." Naruto said with a grin. Shado studied him and placed the Amazon of the Sea in defense mode ending his turn.

Naruto's LP: 8000

Shado's LP: 7800

Naruto's Monsters: 1 facedown, Z-Fox DEF/900,

Shado's Monsters: Amazon of the Sea DEF/1600, White Dolphin ATK/700

Naruto's Spell/Traps: 1 facedown

Shado's Spell/Traps: Umi (magic/field) (+200 ATK/DEF), 2 cards facedown

Naruto drew his card and smiled. "I hope you didn't judge my fighting style by that tag duel I had earlier."

Shado looked at him. "I've seen three of your duels."

Naruto shrugged. "Let's see how this goes." He said and placed down Elemental Portal (magic/summon) he saw Shado shake his head and flipped over one of his cards in the backfield. Magic Jammer (trap/counter).

Naruto laughed. "One thing, you don't have the price to use it."

Shado blinked and swore at the mistake he made. "I use the portal and bring Elemental Fire Fox Ifrite (3/1300/1000) and Elemental Wind Fox Kaze (3/1000/1000) to the field."

Naruto put a card in the backfield down. "And with the spell card Polymerization (magic) and fuse Kaze and Ifrite together to form Elemental Winged Ifrite (6/2100/1200)!"

Winged Ifrite let out a roar as it landed, the long black nails looking very menacing. Naruto saw that his monster's attack/defense went down by 200 (6/1900/1000).

But shrugged as the winged monster still had enough power to deal with the monsters Shado had on the field.

Naruto sent his monster to deal with the Dolphin first since it was still in attack mode.

Shado however flipped over his other backfield card to reveal Negate Attack (trap/counter).

Naruto nodded and ended his turn.

Shado drew a card and frowned. He ended his turn rather quickly after switching the dolphin into defense mode as well

Naruto's LP: 8000

Shado's LP: 7800

Naruto's Monsters: 1 facedown, Z-Fox DEF/900, Elemental Winged Ifrite ATK/1900

Shado's Monsters: Amazon of the Sea DEF/1600, White Dolphin DEF/600

Naruto's Spell/Traps: 1 facedown

Shado's Spell/Traps: Umi (magic/field) (+200 ATK/DEF),

Naruto drew his card and looked at what he had, his grin was becoming feral.

XX

(Pizzeria)

"Okay, its been ten minutes." Tea said standing up.

"You haven't even eaten." Joey said in protest.

"Guard the table then." Tea said and hurried away. Her eyes scanning the darkening area, streetlights were coming on. (Naruto, where are you?)

Tea felt something, a pull and she headed towards the water.

At the sidewalk booth Joey wiped his jaw. "I'll go and get her." he said.

"Sit down Joey Wheeler." Serenity said.

"But…"

"Tea will be fine and find Naruto. You go order another pizza, I'm sure they'll be hungry when they get back and you were a pig and ate nearly the first one by yourself."

Joey thought about arguing, but his sister knew where he lived and had access to where he slept. He sighed and went to place a fresh order.

XX

(Pier)

Naruto put his field card down. "Sorry, but I'm tired of playing in the water." He told Shado when he put Elemental Fox Den (magic/field) down. Stats were readjusted and Ifrite's attack went first back to 2100 then its attack and defense went up 500 more points.

"I also put Elemental Lightening Fox Raijin (4/1600/1400) (4/2100/1900) in attack mode."

Shado looked very nervous and realized that Naruto's deck was deceptively designed.

"Raijin and Winged Ifrite…attack his monsters!" Naruto ordered and both the Dolphin and Amazon were wiped out.

"I end my turn." Naruto said.

Shado drew another card and smiled. "I use the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon (spell) and destroy your Elemental Fox Den."

The field and the monsters stats returned to normal and then Shado put down a card. "Monster Reborn (magic) and bring forth a monster I had to discard ealier…"

Naruto saw the blue border and winced. (Well that's a way around the sacrifice and ritual card.)

"I bring forth Fortress Whale (7/2350/2150)" here Shado was grinning very feral like now. "Fortress Whale, destroy his Winged Ifirte first."

Naruto sighed as he flipped the card he had in the backfield over. Magic Cylinder (trap) and Shado cursed as his life points took the hit.

He ended his turn with a dark look.

Naruto's LP: 8000

Shado's LP: 5450

Naruto's Monsters: 1 facedown, Z-Fox DEF/900, Elemental Winged Ifrite ATK/2100, Elemental Lightening Fox Raijin ATK/1600

Shado's Monsters: Fortress Whale ATK/2350

Naruto's Spell/Traps: 0 cards

Shado's Spell/Traps: 0 cards

XX

(Boardwalk)

"Naruto!" Tea called out. She passed several duels taking place. She thought she'd found him, but it was a couple of young kids who had gotten some of the standard fox monsters.

"Naruto!" she called continuing to walk.

"Excuse me."

Tea turned seeing a woman that held a hint of something feral about her. she had strange marks on her cheeks. Behind her was a feminine looking young man that looked to be a year or two older than Tea.

"Yes?" Tea asked.

"Are you yelling for…for Naruto Uzumaki?"

Tea got guarded. "Listen, if you want to duel, you'll need to ask him yourself." Tea turned to continue her search.

"Wait."

Tea looked at the woman.

"Please. I'm a friend of his parents. I'm trying to find him."

This seemed to be the wrong thing to say as Tea's face hardened. "You're from Konoha." She said. "Well you can just turn around and swim back to where you came from, because Naruto is happy here."

Tea turned and walked back the way she came, her stride showing anger.

"That did not go well." Haku said.

Rin nodded and sighed. "We'll follow her. I got her scent and the smell of fox. That can only be Naruto."

Haku had learned from Rin that while she didn't have her families ability with dogs, she did have her clan marks, enhanced senses and some other skills.

"From her reaction, and what you told me on the ship, it seems Naruto has told someone about where he's from." Haku said shouldering his bag.

Rin nodded. Truthfully it made her hopeful. (It means that he isn't isolating himself.) Rin thought as she looked at the gem. The blood was gesturing towards the direction the girl was going in now. (Is she Naruto's girlfriend? No, he's too young…sixteen…) Rin closed her eyes not wanting to think about that right now. (Find Naruto, worry about everything else after.)

"Come on Haku."

The two ninja trained fresh off the boat travelers followed Tea at a safe distance, keeping her in sight.

XX

(Pier)

Naruto licked his lips as he looked at the ritual monster that had been slipped into the field. He drew a card and then at the monster card he still held. (Well, never thought I'd be happy to see this card. But my needs dictate it.) the whisker marked blond thought.

"Not so smug now are you Uzumaki?" Shado said proud of the cheap way he'd gotten the whale onto the field.

Naruto shrugged. "They say pride goes before a fall. You might be the one to beat me, but you're going to have to earn it."

He put the magic card on the backfield. Nine Tails of Devastation (magic) and Shado watched as Whale was destroyed. So was the winged Ifrite. Raijin, Z-Fox and the facedown monster were left alone.

"What the hell is that?" Shado watched the destruction take place. "It wipes out all traps and magic cards on the field and any monster cards with 1900 attack or more on the field." Naruto said and made the 200 life point sacrifice to reshuffle it back into his deck. Shado looked sick at what had just happened.

"I sacrifice my facedown monster and summon Black Skull Kitsune (6/2500/1200) to the field in attack mode."

Shado blinked at this and realized he was going to get his ass kicked as Naruto turned Z-Fox to attack mode and sent all three monsters at him. he screamed at the shock he got.

Naruto ended his turn with a raised eyebrow.

"I…I…I won't lose." Shado said as he drew a card. He sneered. "Not done yet." He placed the Pot of Greed (magic) allowing him to draw two cards. He looked at them and smirked. "First I use Change of Heart (spell) and he took over Black Skull Kitsune. Naruto waited as Shado had it destroy his Z-Fox and Naruto winced as his life points took the 1600 point hit difference.

"I then use Dark Hole (magic)" destroying Black Skull Kitsune and Raijin. Shado ended his turn and Naruto saw how bare the field was.

He nodded.

Naruto's LP: 6000

Shado's LP: 600

Naruto's Monsters: 0 cards

Shado's Monsters: 0 cards

Naruto's Spell/Traps: 0 cards

Shado's Spell/Traps: 0 cards

Naruto had to admit it was a sound move. But it was his turn and he drew a card. "Nice, but you left yourself wide open."

Shado nodded. He knew this was it, but he at least got in some good hits and knew that the next time they fought he'd be better prepared.

Naruto put his monster on the field. Shado laughed at this. "Such a simple monster."

Naruto nodded. It was one of his first cards. Vulpix (3/1200/700) (Hello little friend.) Naruto thought to the card as he had it in attack mode and wiped out the last 600 points Shado had.

Shado nodded, wincing in pain at the shock. "Well played Uzumaki. Next time it will be a different outcome."

Before Naruto could respond, Shado dove into the water and didn't surface.

Naruto blinked at that. He looked over the edge of the pier. "Strange."

"NARUTO!"

He turned and smiled, the duel already forgotten. "Tea-chan." He said and was engulfed in a bone crushing hug and she kissed him.

She smiled. "Don't wander off without telling me." She said and he nodded. "Sorry. This guy was pretty insistent." Naruto looked over his shoulder.

"What guy?"

"He jumped in the water after the duel."

Tea frowned. "Did he have blue spiky hair and named Mako?"

Naruto shook his head. "He called himself Shado."

Tea shook her head. "Oh, before I forget, there was a woman looking for you. She has marks on her face, said she was a friend of your parents."

Naruto looked over Tea's shoulder. "I see that."

Tea turned and frowned. The woman stood at the beginning of the pier. She was looking at Naruto.

"Sweet Kami, you look almost like him." Rin said seeing Naruto. The pictures that the Hokage gave her still didn't prepare her for seeing him in real life.

She dropped her packs. "Hello Naruto. I'm your godmother…Rin."

AN: TA-DA!!!! Next chapter will be mostly getting to know one another and talking. There might be a duel as Aurora is around. You ever have a duel over in a couple of turns? I've only had one duel go through all the cards in the deck. We had to play again as we both had 1400 life points left. I got my butt kicked in five rounds after that as my opponent seemed to get all the cards he needed and I got nothing but spell, equip and level six monsters. (sigh) I say this again. There will be NO AKATSUKI in here. NONE! Stop asking/suggesting. The bad guys are made up people. Not even Yugi's usual rogues gallery. And yes, Yugi will appear, AFTER THE DUEL TRAIN ARC! There, I revealed it stop asking, please. No the Sannin won't be here and No Pegasus won't be making relevant cards. He'll make a few cards for Rin and those are already planned out. Haku might get one or two cards. The one's getting cards are Naruto and Tea. This will become relevant later in the story. Not gonna tell you why, so please don't ask.

Card Note (shout out)
9 Tails of Devastation was created by naruhina-otaku. Its been waiting for a chance to clear the field and it finally got drawn.