Author's Info: Hey guys! Another update! Next chapter is the start of Yumi's first day! (That is also why this chapter is shorter than usual, and I do apologize for that.) Sando no Jigoku is quickly approaching 5000 views, which is really exciting, so let's keep this up, okay? Also, I know not everyone is big on vamps, but if you would please check out Runaway and give me some feedback, I would be very grateful. It is based on my personal story, and I want to know what you think of the idea! Now I'd really like to thank those of you who read/commented/messaged me, especially TsuKaza, Azura Soul Reaver, Shiningheart of ThunderClan, DaAmazingMeepers, Jade the Grey, Saquya, AbbyCullen1586, and Snowe Minasu. Detailed comments after as always!
The "what"s: Listening to Cascada's Perfect Day album. Thinking how it's been forever since I listened to dance music, and happy now that my life has shifted to normalcy once again. I'm also enjoying my Valentine's Day greatly. Hope you guys are too! I'm also enjoying being somewhere other than my room this afternoon, even if it's just the student center here on campus.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, unfortunately. I just own the twins, their father, and a few other characters (some of whom will be coming sooner than you think!) as well as the current plot. Please enjoy!
Extra note: I am now a beta reader! If you like Saint Seiya/Knights of the Zodiac, I highly suggest reading KawaiiKaia's story! She is very talented!
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kaiba stood up when he had finished. He was ready to get back to his company and get away from that girl who would now be his personal assistant. He barely held back from smirking at the thought of how well their chat had ended up in his favor. Now if she was even going to stand a chance in their little game she would have t do whatever he told her to. Instead of only telling her what to do for a month, he would get months of ordering her about as he please. He would enjoy making her squirm. Tonight was merely a small taste of what was to come.
Yumi stood to accompany him to the door. It wasn't that she wanted more time alone with the man, but her duties as hostess did not permit her such rudeness as not walking him to the door. Much as she disliked Kaiba, her obligation and her sense of duty would not allow her. She sighed and followed him out of the room, ignoring what he stared at her at the door.
"Thank you for joining us," she said, looking for a way to make this sincere. "It really made my father happy, and anything that makes him happy is good in my eyes. Don't worry; I'll be on time on my first day. Tsuki knows I don't like to dawdle when I have to be somewhere."
"You better be on time, or you can kiss your job goodbye," Kaiba said, smirking at the thought of just how much power he held at the moment.
"Careful Kaiba, one of these days your threats may actually get you in trouble," she said, eyes dancing at the unspoken challenge he presented her. "I've been known to bite back." She leaned against the doorpost, a smirk on her lips. Much as Kaiba wanted to believe he held power over her, he was wrong. She would not give in, especially not to a man with an ego the size of Russia. She looked at her watch and said, "You really should get going, though. I'm sure Mokuba is wondering where you are. I don't want to worry him. Besides, you have all of tomorrow to prepare for my arrival, and I have work of my own to do."
"And what would that be?" Kaiba asked, amused by the way she was attempting to shove him out the door. "Don't tell me you're worried about that pathetic excuse of a homework assignment?" She scoffed, looking thoroughly insulted at the implication that she was an idiot. His smirk grew, making her even more agitated.
"I hardly consider that homework assignment a challenge. What I really want to do is start on that game room. It is painfully empty at the moment, and I want to get a much done as possible before starting work. Surely you can't blame me for wishing to tie up loose ends?" She smirked when she saw he could not respond. "I thought not. Now, if you will excuse me, I'd very much like to start. Goodnight, Mr.Kaiba," she said, her tone somewhat mocking. Kaiba scowled.
She smiled innocently in response and watched as her turned wordlessly to enter the limo that had jus arrived. She smiled and reentered the house to see Yugi, Tsuki, and her father exit the kitchen. She stopped and smiled before saying, "So you had questions about Egypt you wanted to ask?" She looked from Yugi to her father and smiled. "Perhaps you and my father could talk about it. His knowledge is rather extensive."
"Actually," Yugi admitted sheepishly and nervously, "I have some questions about the Millennium Items, and the Great Pharaoh." He looked apologetically at their father before saying, "I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I had been told Yumi was the expert on that matter, considering the extensive amounts of research she's done on it."
Shinji laughed, showing he clearly took no offense. "It's true," he admitted. "Yumi is certainly our resident expert on all things pertaining to that particular era of Egyptian history. As Tsuki no doubt told her, it's her favorite pastime besides her games. I'm sure she would be happy to answer any questions you have in my place."
Yumi flushed in embarrassment at her father's easy deflection. She looked at Yugi and said, "Very well, although it is probably better if we conduct this elsewhere. Follow me." With that, she turned and made her way back to her bedroom, thinking that in retrospect it was probably a bad idea she had passed up the idea of having a personal office after all.
Yugi followed her into the room, noticing some of the very same things Kaiba had, namely the colors, simple furniture, and, most importantly, the division between what was clearly office space and her bedroom. He was as she sat in one of the comfortable chairs and motioned for him to sit down in the other.
"So what exactly is it you want to ask of me, Yugi?" she asked. She knew this was important to Yugi, no doubt because he was hoping she could help him find out more about the Great Pharaoh, or Yami as he now called himself.
"I was wondering if there was anything you could tell me about the Millennium Items. Tsuki said you had spent weeks doing further research after your last expedition to Egypt, and I was wondering if you could tell me more. I don't know much about them at all. I only know what Yami, Pegasus, and Bakura have told me," he admitted.
"Bakura knows about the Millennium Items?" Yumi asked, both curious and alarmed. He hadn't seemed like one who would know anything about their existence, let alone their true nature. When she saw Yugi's panicked expression about revealing that bit of info, she smiled reassuringly. "Never mind, okay? It's of no consequence. If this is all true, then you surely know there are seven Millennium Items: the Millennium Rod, Millennium Ring, Millennium Scales, Millennium Necklace, Millennium Key, Millennium Eye, and, of course, Millennium Puzzle. They were created roughly five thousand years ago, although no one is exactly sure of anything else. The exact date, place of origin, method of creation, even the nature and composition of these Items are a complete mystery to us. Still, I have reason to believe these Items were created shortly before the reign of the Great Pharaoh, and that they likely played some fort of role in the Shadow Games, precursor to Duel Monsters. Everything else is entirely speculation on my part. I'm sorry, but I don't know what else I can really tell you. If you want, I would be happy to show you my research one of these days, but there is little else I can do at this point."
"No, that's okay," Yugi said, smiling reassuringly. "You really helped me put together information the others had only given me small glimpses of. Keep me updated though, okay? Every little bit of information you can collect will be a really big help for me and Yami, and I know it means a lot to him that you're willing to help us out."
"Of course," she said, smiling gently. "I want to help the Pharaoh as much as I possibly can as well. I will be sure to tell you more as I continue my research. As for you, please know you can tell me anything you want me to know. It's entirely possible that in your adventures you've picked up information that I would find useful. Together we can fill in the missing pieces of my research and solve the riddle of Yami's past. I'd love to help you, so please believe in me."
Yugi smiled. He knew Yumi was completely heartfelt and honest in her promise to him. She was someone he and Yami would be able to trust. As a result, he found himself wanting to tell her about everything that had happened at Duelist Kingdom. Yami warned that now would not be the right time for that, however. He has noticed she was still reserved about some of the knowledge she had, and she was still unwilling to disclose how she had come to discover the information she had acquired thus far. He felt it would be better to wait until she was willing to trust him with this information before they divulged information that could put her in situations they could avoid.
She smiled, sensing the conflict between them, and said, "While I am aware of some of the events that took place during Duelist Kingdom, now is not the time to fill me in on the other occurrences. That is a story better told after I've proven my loyalty. You have a good heart, Yugi; I would hate to see it broken because you opened it to someone carelessly and were hurt. Sadly, that seems to be the way most learn the value of discretion, including me." Her eyes became full of sadness, and she knew Yugi could tell. She sighed and looked at the clock before standing. "It is late; your grandfather is probably wondering what is keeping you. You should probably go home now. I will leave you with this promise, however: I promise I will do everything in my power when the time should come that you have need of me. Then and only then will I reveal everything that is within my power to you."
Yugi looked at her serious expression in surprise, and he could sense the same surprise coming from Yami. Even though neither had expected such a serious and desperate plea from Yumi, they were both incredibly relieved she wanted to earn their trust. She did not believe herself to have earned their trust as yet, and she did not just wish to pry into their lives. It made them realize they truly could trust her.
Yugi looked at the clock and realized just how late it had truly become. He stood and apologized for his rushed departure, but she merely smiled and waved goodbye, as though telling him it was nothing and he should leave.
Once Yugi had rushed out of the room, Yumi took one final glance at her room before disappearing into the game room. She had a great deal of work to complete before the night was over, and she was not going to stop until it was finished. Pushing aside her rivalries and thoughts about the Great Pharaoh, she looked at her machines and prepared herself to set up and update all of her gaming systems. Everything else could wait for another time. All that mattered now was abandoning herself to her work, Tsuki's opinion on the matter be damned. It was her life, and she would live it as she pleased. Anything to forget and move on. Anything to be the person she would never be.
Responses to my commentators:
TsuKaza: Glad you thought the staring contest was well done! I really think you'll enjoy the next few chapters!
Azura Soul Reaver: Glad you liked it! Hope you liked this one too!
DaAmazingMeepers: Better luck next time! Glad you liked the stare down! I admit it was fun to write.
Jade the Grey: Haha, I'm glad you can live through Yumi. I'm glad it made you curious, and I must say you are quite perceptive! You'll find out more soon, I promise!
Saquya: Glad you liked it! Hope you like this one too!
Snowe Minasu: I never really thought about that, but now I will definitely consider a Tsuki/Tea duel! I had been considering a Tsuki/Yugi one, but first I have to figure out what sort of deck would fit Tsuki's character! Would you prefer the Tsuki/Tea duel to come before or after another duel with Yumi (this time with a member of the circuit!) Please let me know everyone!!!!!
