Chapter 21

'It's not going to stop existing if you don't look at it for five minutes you know,' Tristan leant against the door frame and folded his arms.

'I know,' Kaiba flicked a glance in his direction, 'I'm just... impatient. I want to be there the second we know for sure everything has worked the way it's supposed to. Nothing like this has ever been created before.'

'Well that's not strictly true,' Tristan crossed the room towards him. 'Things like it have been made before, just not to this level or power. And I'll admit it's exciting, but we have other things to worry about right now.'

'Things like what?' Kaiba turned towards him and met his gaze properly this time.

'You're brother is acting strange,' Tristan's tensed, 'not like himself.'

'In what way?'

'In the way which makes me think something's controlling him.'

'Something like what?' There was genuine concern in Kaiba's voice now.

'I'm not sure, but... some of the things he said made me think the kid might have something to do with this.'

'He'll regret it if he does,' Kaiba gritted his teeth.

'It's just a shame we don't know how to contact him,' Tristan tilted his head to one side, 'I'd rather know what's going on now then be shocked by the fallout later.'

'You think there's going to be fallout?'

'I think whatever's gotten into your brother isn't about to play nice,' he half turned away. 'There was a definite darkness there, the kind you don't need powers to be able to sense.'

'Well whoever or whatever it is, they're going to regret messing with my family,' Kaiba's voice was as serious as it was unforgiving.

'They always do, don't they?' Tristan smirked. 'I mean, you are Seto freaking Kaiba after all. No one messes with you and gets away with it.'

There were a few long moments of silence. Then Tristan gave a heavy sigh and made towards the door.

'Tristan...' Kaiba hesitated.

'What?' Tristan stopped and glanced towards him.

'I...' the word was almost stuttered and followed by another hesitation.

'You what?' Tristan frowned.

Kaiba made a few noises which sounded almost like attempts at sentences, then shook his head and turned his gaze back towards their creation.

'Seto, what is it?' Tristan took a few steps back towards him.

'Nothing.'

'Are you sure? Because it sounded like... like you wanted to say something.'

'I don't. It's nothing.'

'Seto...'

'I said its nothing Tristan,' Kaiba cut him off sharply, 'now just drop it would you?'

'Fine,' Tristan's voice was just as sharp and agitated as Kaiba's had been, 'I'll leave you alone now, since that's ultimately what you want, isn't it?'

'Tristan...'

'One of these days Seto, I...' Tristan cut himself off with a noise halfway between disgust and anger. 'You know what, it doesn't matter, because it's not like you care.'

Considering how little she knew about the guy, Téa still found herself more than a little shocked to see CL stood on her doorstep when she opened the door. The look on his face was more than a little bit creepy, which didn't help Téa feel any less perplexed by the situation.

'Hi,' she half frowned, half smiled at him.

'Hi, can I come in?' CL's voice was cheerfully calm.

'Err… sure,' she stepped back and allowed him to enter.

'So how did the talk with Tristan go?'

'Um… he's still moving out.'

'Didn't I tell you he was pretty stubborn?' CL laughed. 'Mann that guy just doesn't change.'

'Uh-huh,' even Téa could hear the tone in her voice. 'So why are you here?'

'Well that's a little complicated,' he tilted his head to one side, 'or really straight forward depending on how you look at it.'

'What do you mean?'

'Do you remember the girl in the news yesterday, the one who got attack on what would have been your shortcut home had me and Yugi not accompanied you? Well you've no idea how easily that girl could have been you.' There was something menacing about the look in his eyes. 'And even though the fact it wasn't is a good thing, it still leaves me with a problem. A couple of problems actually. You see my first problem is that I now have too many people running around. People who will just make an already complicated situation even more complicated than it needs to be. The second is that I need Yugi to stay away from Sil for as long as possible. In fact I'd be more than happy if he doesn't go there at all; too many factors to consider and all that.'

'I don't...'

'I don't regret changing things. You really are a good person Téa, annoying as hell maybe, but you are a good person. Saving you in the way I did will ultimately prove worthwhile. But having you in the hospital is probably the best way to keep you out of the way,' CL flicked an energy ball into his hand.

'What... what are you doing?' Téa backed away from him, her heart pounding hard in her chest.

'Trust me Téa, this is going to be a lot less painful than what could have happened to you. I saved you from a fate which would have ruined your life no matter how you try and look at it. Where as this,' he indicated towards the energy ball, 'this will just knock you out for a few days. I'm not saying it's not going to hurt, but you'll still be able to see at least afterwards.'

'Why…?' She continued backing away. 'Why...?

'Because I'm trying to stop a death and the only way I can do that is by keeping the numbers to a controllable level. I've already taken care of SK and Jay,' he smirked, 'after you it'll be Covo and Korin. Not sure yet how many of the others will get to hang around, but I've still got a little time to figure it all out.'

'I… I don't understand.'

'Of course you don't; you've no idea the hell I've come from. You've no idea just what kind of world I'm trying to prevent from coming into existence. You can't even comprehend what's really at stake here. But you can do me a favour by going to sleep for a few days,' he prepared to throw the energy ball he was holding. 'It's strange, no matter how many times I do this I never get bored of it,' a cruel smile pulled across his face. 'Catch.'

Mai gave a heavy sigh and stared down at the tray of food Korin had brought her. It wasn't that it didn't look appetising, she just wasn't hungry. In fact at that moment in time she wasn't sure if she'd ever be hungry again.

'It's not poison, I promise,' Korin gave a nervous little laugh, 'I wouldn't gain anything from that.'

'I know,' Mai shot her a weak smile, 'I'm just not very hungry.'

'I understand, but you really should eat.'

Crovell gurgled in Duke's arms and for a moment all three of them turned their attention towards the baby.

'He's such a little cutie,' Korin cooed.

'Yeah, but he's starting to get a little hungry now I think,' Duke smiled down at the baby, 'where's Ahna?'

'She's with Macar and the others trying to figure out what's wrong with the wolves,' Korin flicked her gaze up towards him. 'I was helping but a lot of what they were saying was just going right over my head, so I figured I could do with a break from it.'

'Have they managed to figure anything out yet?' Mai and Duke exchanged glances.

'Well yes and no,' Korin pulled a face. 'So far there are more theories floating around than anything we can really sink our teeth into; at least that's how I feel about it. Still, it's nothing for you to worry about right now.'

'Anything which concerns Joey concerns me,' Mai shook her head. 'I should be helping.'

'I know that's how you feel Mai, but there's really not a whole lot you can do.' Korin's face filled with a sympathetic look. 'You're a Standing so you don't have the power or the knowledge we do and even though I do have it, it's still going over my head. I know it's hard for you to just sit here doing nothing, but I honestly think trying to help us out will cause you more pain, not less.'

'But Mai's...' Duke went to protest, but Mai held a hand up to silence him.

'You're probably right,' Mai sighed, 'and I doubt I'd have the concentration for it right now anyway. I just want Joey back...'

'I understand,' Korin nodded, 'I should get back to the others now anyway. If you think you can manage some food, please do, I'd hate to think of you making yourself ill over this. I'll see you later,' with that she left the room.

'Crovell really is getting hungry,' Duke's almost flat voice broke the silence, 'I should get him back to Ahna now. Are you sure you don't want me to mention anything to them?'

'I have to do this on my own,' Mai shook her head. 'I'm not just Joey's partner, I'm also the First's Win, remember? I need to do this.'

'I understand, but that doesn't mean I approve Mai. This is a dangerous situation you're putting yourself in here...'

'I know.'

'I know I can't stop you, but please promise me you'll be careful.'

'I promise,' she lowered her head, 'you should get him back to his mother now.'

'Alright,' he made his way towards the door, but hesitated before exiting the room. 'Good luck Mai,' he glanced back towards her, 'I just hope you don't need it.'