V.E.: 100 reviews! To be honest, in the early days I wasn't sure whether I would make it to this. And to be honest, I'm not necessarily looking forward to this chapter as its next chapter when Kisara makes her appearance. I'm just glad to know that I am not the only one who is anxious for our beautiful dragon girl's appearance.
Although, I do admit I like working on Ishizu and Mahad's relationship. While do I look forward to writing about Kisara and Seto with glee (and a maniacal grin tinged with insanity), these are two are the main focus of this story. And Yugi and Marik need to have a serious talk soon.
Quote for the day: "Egypt, the Egypt of antiquity, at a later time, exercised a mysterious fascination over me. I recognized a picture of it immediately, without hesitation and astonishment, in an illustrated magazine."-Pierre Loti
"So you're sure you'll be here tomorrow, at Gate 12 exactly?"
A soft and exasperated laugh came from the other side of the conversation as he held his cell phone to his ear.
"For the tenth time, yes. As long as there is no delays, we will be there. Geez Mahad, you worry too much."
Mahad simply shook his head as he was filling out more paper wok then handing it off to one of the people next to him, a little bit in the middle of the chaos of setting things up.
"Well excuse me, for being ecstatic at seeing my younger cousin/sister again after all this time. After all the craziness that has been going on over on my side, it really will be good to see you. So how is Mika doing?"
"Aunt Mika is just as impatient to get going as I am. To be honest, she's glad that she doesn't have to worry about me when she'll be meeting with her business contacts over here. So, do you have anything planned for us to do?"
Mahad shook his head as he examined the sarcophagus being gently settled in behind the glass case with a fine eye.
"Well, this is Domino City Kisara. It's not like Tokyo or Kyoto where you probably would have mapped out what you wanted to do before I even start looking for something. Aside from Kaibaland and the new duel tournament, there is not much happening in town."
That prompted a pause on his cousin's end of the line. He knew what was going on through her mind and his tone became sharp.
"No, absolutely not."
"But…!"
"Kisara, we've talked about this. Your aunt has been worried about you."
He could practically see her eyes roll, not softening her bitter tone.
"Of course, you have. I'm not stupid, you know."
Mahad sighed before he ducked his head away and took a stroll over to a less deserted part of the exhibition rooms, which had been designated for the visiting artifacts.
"This has nothing to do with your intelligence, Kisara. This is about your emotions clouding your judgment. I know what you want and that is the last thing that should happen on this trip."
"I don't see what you have anything to say about that!"
Mahad felt his eyes narrow as he was walking through the bustle to the outside the exhibit and down the otherwise deserted halls.
"We're practically siblings, of course it's my business! Kisara, you can't keep on living in that past. Would your father really want you to live the rest of your life hating someone who doesn't even deserve the time of day?"
The bitterness was tangible and cutting in her reply.
"Well, I'll never know what my father would have wanted for me. Will I?"
Mahad took a deep breath as he came to end of the hall, pushing the button for the elevator.
"And I'll never know what my parents would say of me now. We're in the same boat, in case you've forgotten. And I haven't forgotten how you used to be back then."
The doors dinged as the elevator was open for the brunet authenticator to step in and get on for the ride. As he stood there, he heard the gentler reply of his cousin.
"Sorry Mahad, it's just…..I feel like…."
"Nothing can go on until you get this out of the way."
"Yeah. Can you blame for that?"
Maahd sighed as the doors opened him back into the first floor, him quickly walking out past a bellhop that was ready to get on.
"No, I don't. But you and 'He Who Must Not Be Named' should never see each other. I would prefer to not have to try and bail you out for attempted murder."
"Wouldn't I be doing the world a great service if I got rid of our Lord Voldemort?"
A tinge of a smile quirked at his lip, but he kept it passive as he stood in the middle of the grand first floor. He seemed to be pacing, waiting for something.
"Your aunt didn't like the reference when I made it. Seriously though, if you two do meet and I doubt you would be able to contain yourself, the news would be everywhere. Not to mention Kaiba will probably try and save his own skin. The media is anything but incorruptible."
"Very well, but…wait, you used the name."
Mahad rolled his eyes, ready to get this reaction out of the way.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I've seen the Dark Lord himself. Actually ran into him the other day on my way out to lunch with the Hawkins."
He cringed from the outrage on the other side of the phone.
"WHAT!?"
The man in his twenties held the phone at a safe distance, a blessing to his ears as the pale haired girl on the other side descended into a rant.
At that time, it seemed like the group that he was expecting had come through the doors. The three Ishtar siblings were already there, along with Yugi and his grandfather, the blonde with the yo-yo that knocked him out that day in the shop, and Rebecca and Professor Hawkins.
Mahad caught Marik's eyes and nodded, the rest of them stared and wondered why he was holding his phone away from himself.
"Listen Kisara, I'm meeting up with some people right now. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
The suspicion in her voice was evident until the sly tone at the end.
"Meeting up with someone? That sounds like you're meeting some…OH."
He did not like the tone of her voice.
"Oh? Oh what?"
"You actually have a date!"
His face reddened especially as Ishizu was in his sight (even if she couldn't hear what was being said), his face twisting with the mortification.
"What? No!"
The disappointment was evident as she replied.
"You mean you're not? Damn."
Mahad groaned heavily.
"We'll talk about this later, YOUNG LADY. Don't think you're off the hook."
"Yes, FATHER. See you tomorrow."
With that end of the conversation, Mahad pressed the off button firmly and sighed with a shake of the head.
"Sisters."
Marik and the other blond man responded in unison with knowing looks.
"Tell me about it."
To which the Egyptian boy was once more treated with the customary 'Older Sister Slap to the Head.' Which left Marik to once again nurse his injured head.
"Ishizu, I thought we agreed, no more physical abuse in public!"
His sister leveled him with a calm blue eyed glare.
"I never said I agreed to that."
The older men simply admired the ornate luxury of what the Mizuno group had built. Solomon was the first to response.
"Well, this is much grander than back when I was in one of these hotels. I miss those days…"
Arthur shared a conspirator grin at that.
"Yes, well I think it's been awhile since our golden days. Still doesn't mean we can't appreciate what's been built now."
Mahad shook his head as he tried to start over and extended a hand towards the blonde Japanese duelist.
"My apologies about that, we weren't introduced the other day. I'm…"
The teenage boy shook his hand.
"Mahad Shen, Yugi filled me in. I'm Joey Wheeler, sorry about that day in the shop."
Mahad held up his hand to wave it off.
"No problem, I've gotten used to being knocked out quite frequently. Rebecca mentioned you a couple of times, in her emails to me."
Joey smirked at that.
"Yeah, that's me."
Mahad settled positively pleasant expression as he mixed in a little fun with it.
"Although, you don't really look like an incredibly weak duelist with no strategy or finesse that is partial to wearing a doggy costume."
Joey turned on the blonde glasses wearing genius at that.
"Rebecca!"
Marik perked up in interest, potential blackmail material brewing.
"Doggy costume?"
Joey moderately related what happened before turning on Rebecca.
"I lost a bet….wait, how do you even know about that anyway?"
Rebecca shrugged with a hint of a smile.
"Duke told me some of how he met you guys met a while ago, including his matches with you and Ya….Yugi."
Despite a little bit confused why Rebecca stumbled over her 'crush's name', he decided a change in subject was necessary.
"Sorry, shouldn't have brought that up. SO have you all qualified for the Finals being held at the new Kaiba Dome?"
All of the four participating duelists nodded, with Rebecca confirming vocally.
"Yep, along with Mai, Mako, Leon, and those three rookies from earlier I mentioned. Too bad Vivian knocked out early (she didn't sound too sorry). Speaking of which…"
Rebecca shifted through her pockets and pulled out two bleu small strips of paper.
"Two tickets for the main Tournament that starts two days from now, delivered as requested!"
Mahad made a move to take the tickets. Despite what he said to Kisara, he knew she would have loved to see the duels. besides, what were the chances Seto Kaiba would see the two of them out of the hundreds of fans that would be congregating in the stadium? (AN: I love foreshadowing irony, don't you?"
"Thanks Rebecca."
Rebecca jerked the tickets away before her older friend could take them, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Just remember, you still have to introduce me to her!"
Mahad shot the blonde genius a dry look as he took the tickets.
"I would have introduced you two anyway."
The blonde college student shot Yugi and the rest of them a sly smile.
"He has a really big sister complex."
Mahad wasn't backing down to that, knowing that one must never stand down to Rebecca if you wanted to earn some respect.
"Says the girl who hacked the FBI database on a bet! Weren't they parked outside your college campus for two weeks after that little stunt?"
She simply chuckled uneasily while the Ishtars stared at the almost teenager with surprise. The others didn't look surprise as they were familiar with Rebecca's genius, though her grandfather did not look all that pleased.
Luckily enough for the blonde genius, Bianca showed up then dressed her formal attire and clacking high heel to head out Before that, she stopped by Mahad.
"Mahad, what's going on?"
Mahad gestured to the group.
"Marik Ishtar called me up for a tour. The Ishtars would like to see how their artifacts are being displayed to the best of their potential and some friends were included, I invited Professor Hawkins and Rebecca. Where you headed off to?"
Bianca shifted in her heels, not feeling all that comfortable constantly being in the footwear.
"Out for another meeting with Seto Kaiba. He was apparently very impressed with my proposal and has called of a follow up. Speaking of which, what was that the other day?"
Mahad inwardly cringed in remembrance of the event along with the fact Bianca saw it, outwardly he gave no such feeling away.
"It was nothing, Bianca."
The young business woman did not look ready to drop it, matter of fact it only made her more interested.
"Nothing? For a person you just ran into, both of you looked ready to strangle each other. And by my guess, it would have slowly and painfully. Do you two know each other or…?"
Mahad shook his head curtly, his answer rather forceful.
"NO."
Bianca's eyes widened at her otherwise pretty passive friend's out of character answer, which had also caught the notice of the audience, Marik having a gleaming look of pre-knowledge.
After she had stood there frozen for several moments, Mahad reminded her of what she was doing.
"Don't you have a meeting to rush off to?"
Bianca found herself then as she straightened herself out.
"Of course, see you later, Mahad."
He and the group watched the blonde woman hurry out the door in well enough rush. Yugi commented as she was no longer side.
"You met Kaiba the other day?"
Mahad waved it off with his hands, not trying to think of it as important though his mind said otherwise.
"I ran into the CEO the other day when I was heading out for lunch with Professor Hawkins and Rebecca the other day. I would almost pity him since Bianca is trying to get him as a new client. Almost."
Joey perked up at the undertones in the words.
"Not fond of Rich Boy?"
Mahad grimaced at that.
"Let's just say, I have little desire to see or converse with Seto Kaiba in such close proximity again. Though, I couldn't really call that so much a conversation as glaring each other down while spitting out one word sentences."
Joey perked up with a goofy, but still genuine, grin.
"I knew I was going to like you."
Mahad smiled in response.
"Thanks, I suppose. But I guess we better getting on with the tour."
Solomon Muto perked up in interest, on a subject he had great interest.
"What exactly is in the exhibit?"
He answered the older gentlemen after thinking for only a couple of milliseconds (his memory on all he objects he had personally checked and catalogued for the display incredibly quick).
"Most of the items range from the Late Middle Kingdom to the Early New Kingdom. There aren't any royal mummies, but there are several artifacts form some noble tombs."
Joey shuddered with a chill.
"Just as they don't get up and walk in front of us, I don't care where they come from."
Mahad had to repress an eye roll at that, simply setting for a small groan. A thought came to him as he turned his attention to Ishizu Ishtar.
"Uh, I hate those stupid Mummy movies. Honestly, there was never a spell to raise the dead back to life literally. Speaking of artifacts, have you found those artifacts that were missing?"
The young Egyptian woman shook her head.
"Nothing, none of our contacts seem to have found it."
He nodded his head to that before turning around, beckoning them to follow.
"Too bad. Just so you know, we're still setting things up. The ballroom for the gala is off limits, but a couple of the exhibit areas are okay as long as you mind the foot traffic of people setting things up."
The group followed Mahad forward, but he turned around quickly as he noticed Marik and Yugi lingering behind.
"What's wrong?"
Yugi seem a little bit sheepish and nervous.
"Umm, I…"
Mahad cut on pretty quick.
"Restroom? Go down the longer hall by the aquarium, it's the third door on the left. We're on the twelfth level, the signs should point out the rest."
Marik waved his new friend off.
"We'll catch up then!"
Mahad shook his head at Marik's cheerfulness, completely engrossed in leading them all to the elevator. Not even noticing the two really hurrying to the designated direction.
As soon as their group was out of sight, the two turned towards each other. Seriousness was etched on their faces as Marik began the discussion.
"You're sure?"
Yugi shook his head as he let out a sigh.
"Sorry Marik, but I really can't tell you all that much about the Memroy World. I honestly didn't see most of what happened and what I do know is what learned from the Pharaoh afterwords."
Marik slipped into a pensive look at this.
"Still…."
Yugi aksed his own question then.
"Do you really think that Mahad was involved with Atem and Egypt?"
Marik shook his head slightly.
"I don't have any proof, but my hunches are usually right and it does sound like Mahad does have at least a very strong bond to Egypt. I think Ishizu is thinking along the same lines and you said once that the former wielder of the Millennium Necklace Priestess Isis looked like Ishizu."
The spiky tricolor chaired duelist nodded in affirmation.
"Yami commented on it when he was telling me about it. If he is from the Pharoah's court, it would make sense she recognize him."
Marik's eyes glinted as he brought pieces together.
"Not to mention, it seems like Kaiba has taken a disliking to him. He may not acknowledge his past life, but Ishizu said he is impacted by it whether he realizes it or not."
Yugi's amethyst eyes gleamed in concern.
"In light of all these events, it does make we worry."
The blonde Egyptian nodded before listing all of it off.
"Yeah, first Mahad shows up, then the Tablet of the Pharaoh's Memories along with several documents relating to Royal Court supposedly go missing, and now a Duel Monsters Tournament with all of here. And in case I've forgotten all your experiences with tournaments, whether I was there or not, something bad always happens."
The usually positive world champion duelist had to concede to that.
"I know, better than anything I know. But what do you think is going to happen, Atem has moved on to the afterlife, it was supposed to be over when he left. What else is there to drag up now?"
Marik shook his head, a grave look of steel in his light purple eyes.
"I have no idea Yugi, but for some reason I just can't shake the feeling something is going to go really wrong here."
V.E.: Over and done, thank goodness for that.
Please kind ladies (I'm assuming most of you are girls, as most men don't read romance), do review!