Chapter 13- The Cogs of Fate...
She doesn't want to be there.
She despises being in this situation with all of her heart. She has no words for the humiliation and shame and disgust with herself that she's feeling.
But it's necessary. She needs to do this. And these people have proven trustworthy.
She is seated in the Taylor kitchen with Solomon Mutou, the Taylors and the Gardners, looking stiffly into a mug of tea as she tells them everything. From her teenage pregnancy (her worst mistake) to Jared's abuse and addiction to her own failure as a parent and so on and so forth. The list is long.
At least they were already aware of what a terrible mother she is. It doesn't make her feel any less like scum. She supposes that's a good thing though, at least she actually feels, and feels awful about all she's done.
In the end, the other people don't say much. Adam is nodding and muttering under his breath about the paperwork and Anzu is holding her hand. Suzuki is frowning and Todd is pacing. Solomon just sits there with a blank expression on his face.
Solomon is the one to break the silence.
"So from what I'm understanding… you wish to go to university, now? Get the education you wanted in the first place?"
Sally nods her confirmation.
"What of young Joey and Serenity, then? You cannot keep up a full time study and job at the same time and still care for them adequately".
Here she feels a surge of guilt and shame again. She keeps her eyes locked onto the steaming cup of tea in her hands, unable to look at any of them. "I….that's another reason why I'm here with you all….I-..."
Solomon just nods calmly, silently urging her to go on. She takes a deep breath.
"I know I'm a terrible mother and that I'm not ready to be one yet. I want to be a good mother but….I can't be. Not right now…."
Selfish… she feels so selfish.
Children are a gift. Little miracles.
Why, oh why, can't that just be enough to her?
Why did it take her so long to realize it? She has acted like her parents. Treated her children how she was. She can vividly recall the day she screamed at her parents, telling them that she would never be like them. That she would treat her children how she wished she had been.
How could she ever see him in her little Joey? Brave, righteous, stubborn, little Joey? How could she leave him behind with such ease, all those years ago?
She pauses, swallowing back tears. She can see the concern and confusion flitting across their faces. She looks to Solomon again who nods at her in encouragement. She takes a deep breath and strengthens her resolve. This is for them as much as it is her.
"I….I want you to adopt them Solomon. You are so wonderful with the kids and they adore you. All of you would be there for them and would be able to give them what they need. Give them more than that, even…"
Their reactions are instantaneous. She can see the shock, anger, sadness, and understanding even. She raises her hands, stalling anyone from speaking.
"I know you all would take care of them. Would raise and love them well. Better than I can….I know that-..."
She stops, unable to speak her mind clearly.
Sally looks around the room at everyone, trying to gauge their reactions and feelings. She feels a pang of sadness at the empty places where Marie and Yume would, should be sitting. She can imagine just what their reactions would be still. Yume would be tearful and comforting while Marie would be worked up in a frenzy. Torn between anger at her and rage at her situation and Jared.
She bows her head.
"I don't intend to be gone forever," she says quietly. "I still want to be in their lives. Visit, send presents, write letters. But I can't care for them. Not like they deserve. I can't be the parent they are entitled to".
Maybe one day, but not now.
"Please… help me see them grow up happy and healthy. You've all been more parents to them than I have, Joey most of all. I'm too bitter and resentful. Too hurt to love and care for them. I need to heal first."
If only things had been different… if only she had been able to stand up for herself… if… if… if…
"I….I know that this is selfish of me to do and it's for me that I'm doing it. But….it's for them that I'm doing this too."
She finishes her defense and awaits judgment.
She hopes they'll agree.
Please. Please. Please.
In his work as a psychologist, he never expected to be personally involved with so many of his clients and so many cases related to them. Especially not children.
Truthfully, he's not even a certified children's psychologist, but damn it all, these kids trust him more than they ever would any other therapist. That's why the board of health is letting him get away with taking them on as patients, after he's explained the situations.
Because gods be damned do these kids need it.
Youko and Hinata… death of one parent followed by the abandonment of the other. Joey… a life of neglect and abuse, though through no lack of trying to parent from the mother's side… at least since young Serenity's birth.
It's a mess.
Sometimes, he lays awake at night. Lost in his head, thinking of these fractured but brave and strong children. Thinks of all the "what if's" and "why cant's" until he falls asleep.
He's not a religious man. But sometimes he wonders at whether there is some deity or fate that is messing with his family. That is causing all of this sorrow and heartache. (He wants there to be some nights, because then he can one day give them a piece of his mind). (He's not a violent man, either, but he'd also like them to greet his fist now and then).
Youko copes by throwing herself into her music, caring for Yugi and working on that puzzle Solomon gave her. She's doing so well, he's so proud of her. Solomon was wise to give her something to work on, something to take her mind off of what's been going on in her life. Sure, she's a little odd at times, but that's not anything psychological, he believes, just her personality.
Hinata copes by baking and skating as she cares for Ryouichi. Two things her mother and sister both loved to do. By themselves and all together as a family. It's perhaps not the best, but she's not like most children and seems to be handling it all very well.
Joey…. Joey's always known that what happened in his home was wrong, especially compared to the life he saw his friends led. He's not coping, so much as he's quick to adapt.
When Todd first saw Joey, he could instantly tell how guarded and lonely the boy was. How untrusting and resigned he was. He thinks that Youko was and is a gift from the heavens for Joey. Her friendship helped ground him, helped him to open up and trust others. How to tell what's right and wrong. And through Youko, Joey gained friends and a family with the others.
They're all cracked and bruised. They've all been hurt and abandoned.
But they are not weak or broken.
They continue to grow and bond with each passing day.
And like the art of kintsugi*, these broken pots will be repaired with gold and come out all the more beautiful and strong for it.
Hopefully it will give them something a little special. Something stronger, something magical. And when it happens, well…
Todd doesn't know what it is, but they will change the world one day.
In an amazing turn of events, Joey's life doesn't get destroyed as completely in this world as it did in canon.
Which is amazing, Hinata thinks, because it's done a mighty fine job of screwing them over several times already.
Sally is a much better person in this world compared to her canon counterpart. Granted, she's still not the best, but she's miles ahead of canon Sally.
And while Youko may be angry with her and her decision… Hinata takes on a much more neutral role. She makes the choice to accept the decision as the one that, ultimately, has resulted in the most people being happy.
It doesn't mean she has to like it… but she can accept it. (She is surprised that Youko accepts it too, to a point. She's still very angry though. Another stark reminder at how similar yet opposite she and Youko are.)
Hinata does know that Youko, and everyone in their family for that matter, are happy that Jared was finally arrested.
Mr. Gardner was more than happy to help Sally file her divorce papers and fight to have Jared deported. It might have been tactless, but they even threw a little party once it was over and he was out of the country with a ban on returning.
Now they are all waiting for the divorce papers to finalize and Sally is waiting to hear back from the university she applied to. The adults have all helped her find an apartment, job, and studying for her tests.
Hinata pauses in her walk home.
A lot has happened and a lot more will. She just doesn't know how prepared they will be for everything. She frowns before shaking her head and continuing on home.
It's best not to think about that now. She should be more focused on that she's heading home from her last skating classes for the season. It's still cold and windy out, but that's the way it goes.
Spring is on its way, and with a small spring in her step, she heads towards the train station, humming under her breath. She is in no danger of being snatched up and stolen - Mana is right behind her, like the loyal guardian she is, humming a harmony to her aimless melody.
She's a block away from the station when she hears it, when she feels it.
Hinata freezes, not moving an inch as her eyes widen.
"Mana….what's that?" She asks softly. Not sure if she should be afraid or not. She doesn't wait for a response, because she feels whatever she felt again. Something in her says it's safe, so she scrambles off to the side into the alley.
She hears Mana cry out in shock before following after her.
She finds it huddled up near a vent spewing out hot air.
A snake.
A tiny, white snake, no longer than the length of her forearm, from the tips of her fingers to her elbow.
The poor thing is dirty and limp, almost lifeless as it stares at her with dark eyes, little tongue peeking out every so often.
"Oh…." she breaths. Because it's not a breed of snake you see anywhere in Japan, especially not in cities. She knows for sure that it's a desert snake.
"Could it have possibly escaped from a pet store?" She thinks in confusion, carefully reaching a gloved hand towards it.
"Little Moon, I don't think you should touch it…" Mana murmurs from behind her.
"It's okay Mana." She answers distractedly, "it feels….safe. The snake is lonely and cold. It feels….familiar. Like….it feels like how Youko described the feeling she gets from Panther Lily."
The snake raises its head and slowly moves to wrap around her fingers, then up her sleeve to settle against her wrist like a bizarre bracelet.
She moves her arm carefully and holds it to her chest protectively. She slowly rises and turns to Mana, giving a sheepish grin that is more Youko than herself. "So….who do you think will freak out more? Grandpa or Mahad?" She asks the wary spirit.
"You have to asks Little Moon?" Mana asks in incredulous amusement. "We both know the answer to that."
"Let's just hope he doesn't pop a blood vessel." Hinata thinks as the two make their way back to the station.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Pleeeeeaaaaseee?"
"No, not in three millennia. More than that".
"...his name is Diabound."
"No".
"Look at his cute little emoji face! He looks like he's doing the kitty-face!"
":3"
"Oh my god he does! He's such a cute boy! Whose a smart little Diabound? Lily make that face too!"
"..."
"Okay that's mean. Don't ignore me, I give you scratches and treats Mister."
"Don't name him, you'll get attached. You're NOT keeping him- it! Not keeping IT!"
"He's cracking!"
"No I'm not!"
"Now he's yelling! Keep it up little sun and moon!"
"Mana do not encourage them!"
"C'mon Mahad! It's not fair that I get Lily but she doesn't get her own pet familiar!"
Mahad is glaring at the animal curled up under Hinata's desk lamp on a hot water bottle. It's drinking water out of a little bowl and generally being adorable beyond belief.
All three woman know he knows it.
"It could be diseased," he says, glaring at it.
Hinata gasps dramatically. "Mahad, how could you say such a thing!? My Diabound is not diseased!"
"Besides," Youko adds in with a smug grin. "You said that about Lily, too, and he was just fine after we took him to the vet for a check-up".
A loud hiss is heard from said cat who has rolled over to glare at Mahad from his sprawled out position on Youko's lap.
"One animal is bad enough, but his spirit animal is unacceptable. I know exactly what it is. NO."
Hinata quirks an eyebrow up. "In case you hadn't noticed, Dark Magician, we're working hard to try to fix that particular issue. And what better starting point than his spirit animal?"
"It could be poisonous!" The mage argues vehemently.
"Then he'll bite and poison our enemies!"
"Mistress, please…"
"Besides. Diabound seems to like me and came to me. There's a reason for it."
"And we don't-!"
"I think, young man, that you're fighting a losing battle." Grandpa's amused voice cuts in from the doorway. "And you know it. Our girls have you wrapped around their fingers. Why don't you admit defeat with some dignity still remaining."
"Ouch, that's harsh Grandpa."
"I call it like I see it my Sunshine."
That gets barks of laughter from the two girls.
"So…..can I keep him then?" Hinata asks when she's able to catch her breath.
Mahad just sighs in defeat as Grandpa nods his head.
"We will go and buy him a terrarium tomorrow. Get him a nice heating lamp and a few rocks to lounge on".
"Oh! We can ask Aunt Anzu and Aunt Suzuki if they can help sew some special pockets in our clothes for him to curl up in too!"
"Yes, that too. But right now I think you both have schoolwork to do."
They introduce Diabound one day after school a few days later.
Their friends love him and shower him in a lot of attention and love. The little guy eats it up and preens at every bit of praise. Of course it's a little disgusting to feed him mice and the like, but in that way Lily and he form a solid partnership in keeping all mice away from their entire street: Lily catches them, Diabound eats them.
(If Youko and Hinata both awaken, sometimes, when the night is at its darkest, to the sound of hissing and spitting and strange, warbled squeaks of pain and fury… they don't speak of it. They just lie perfectly still, only going back to sleep once Youko feels the soft weight of Lily curling up against her head and hears his purrs, and Hinata feels the cold touch of a snake settling around her neck).
Mana and Mahad can't always be there. They do have other responsibilities to attend to and other things in the world to keep an eye on. So it's a great comfort, especially on those darker nights, to have Lily and Diabound.
If there is anything Youko wouldn't have expected, though, it would be for Lily and Diabound (affectionately abbreviated to Dia once they discover the light diamond pattern on his back) to be such good friends. When not in his terrarium (which he, somehow, always manages to escape constantly), Dia can be found hanging out with and on Lily, doing various things such as napping, bothering Mahad (much to the mages annoyance) and generally being more cute than should be legal.
The two also tend to curl up and cuddle with little Ryouichi and Yugi more often than not. You can even sometimes find them on Grandpa as he does work around the house and store. (Nothing is more amusing watching him go about his business with a cat on his shoulders and a snake peeking out from one of his shirt pockets.)
All in all, Diabound is a welcomed addition to the family.
Not too long after Diabound moves in, they decide to come clean to Grandpa about a lot of things. What they know, what they can tell, and very little about how they know it. (They try to push it off on dreams and Mahad and Mana, but Mutou Solomon is a clever man with a mind to be feared - they can tell he doesn't quite believe their story, but actively decides to go along with it anyways).
The more surprising, or maybe it should be unsurprising, is that he believes them. And not only does he believe them, he takes them seriously.
Within days of telling Grandpa, he's contacted old colleagues and acquaintances to look into magic from all over the world. Even some of Osamu's old colleagues at the university, who agree within seconds of learning who is interested in the information. (Now, if only they would just hand it over without adding on a ton of empty apologies that only serve to make themselves feel better… at least all the candy and toys they send with it is nice).
Soon, they have a small library of books and tomes filled with spells, history, and theories on magic. Many are old and in old languages, with Mana and Mahad's help, they are able to translate them.
They gain a valuable teacher, comrade, and confidant in Grandpa. It's a weight lifted from their already heavy burden to have him help them prepare for the dark and dangerous future that is coming.
The months pass by slowly, yet also so incredibly quickly. Before long, the Wheeler family has been through its own collapse and is well on its way to be re-made into something fundamentally different, but ultimately better and stronger.
Thanks to the situation, the divorce papers are finalized rather quickly and soon after that the papers that declare Joey and Serenity the foster, and a few months later adopted, children of Grandpa.
After that, Sally leaves them in April to start-over her life and do some growing up of her own.
And thus the Muoto family grows again. (And once the adoptions are finalized, Joey and Serenity take on the name Muoto-Wheeler, like Hinata and Ryou took on Muoto-Bakura.)
It actually ends up being somewhat of a media spectacle. The local newspapers eat up the dirty divorce case, pulling in local politicians to talk about immigration and how to avoid cases like the one of Sally and Jared. And then, when they discover that the kids stuck in the case go to the same man who took in the remaining children of the woman who died in that horrible accident… when they also realize that he's been raising his own grandchildren alone since the death of his daughter-in-law and his own son abandoning his children, well…
They somehow become media darlings overnight.
The girls aren't too sure if it's a good thing or not, but they do their best to act well in front of the media for Grandpa. They encourage and help the others do the same. (Unfortunately with so many eyes on them, Mahad and Mana are unable to be around as much during the day. But they do help them by placing protective spells around the house and family so they can't be stalked or anything by crazy media vultures.)
Their classmates don't really react all that much. Some try to endear themselves to them, so they can share in the attention, some try to bully them for having the attention at all. Neither of these groups keep it up for long.
The rest of the kids really don't care at all. There are a few words of sympathy and questions to how they feel, but other than that things are the same.
It stays like this for several months before dying down. They're all recognizable and random people will greet them, but they're mostly left alone.
Through the months of chaos and change, they all grow closer together.
It's a challenge though. Because of so many kids in the house to care for, money becomes tight. Grandpa does his best to meet all of their needs, and he does, though it's just barely enough now and then. The three older ones take to helping where they can. Taking on more chores, helping more with the little siblings, etc. The Taylor's and Gardner's also help out with things, helping to ease the burden on Grandpa.
Interestingly enough, because of the media and becoming the hero, and the darlings of the media, they get help from strangers too.
Business picks up from people coming to see their odd family and end up buying games after being charged by them all. Anonymous people donate money to them all for groceries and the like. Any specific money sent to a specific child is put into a bank account for college and emergencies.
It's not a lot of money to last them a long time, but it's enough to help during the tough times.
One of the biggest events to ever happen that year comes on November 21st, when they all pitch in with their allowances and buy two Gameboy Advanced and a copy of Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire.
Youko cries tears of joy when she puts the cartridge into the machine and the opening sequence plays.
Mahad and Mana are confused by the excitement for the game until Youko and Hinata tell them about it and recall things from their first childhoods.
Youko fondly tells them of playing her baby cousins Ruby version when she was young. How she had no idea what she was doing and stumbled along the game but loved it.
Hinata shares her own misadventures in playing and figuring out Pokémon, her first version having been Leaf Green.
They both tell of the games that would come out, the features they loved (like customizing your character and being able to play and interact with your Pokémon). They share of the show and their own thoughts and ideas for what they would have loved to happen. Favorite characters are talked about and teasing is given. They lastly tell, with tear filled eyes, the pure happiness and joy when Pokémon Go came out. How it brought people together and how for that short time after it was released, the world was a bit happier of a place.
From this, the two mages gain a better understanding of the girls and, in turn, Mahad and Mana tell them of stories from their own childhoods in Egypt. It's a good night and they all become even closer. (On some nights, they take to playing the game with each guardian to show them how amazing it is.)
It's a nice way for them to relax and unwind. To allow themselves to be the children they're supposed to be, not future champions of the gods.
And through all the heartache, loss, chaos, and destruction, they rebuild their lives. Come out stronger and better. They fall into a new sense of normalcy and routine rather quickly, taking each day as it comes. Maybe they don't have much… so what? They've got warmth and security, and Youko and Hinata agree to focus on the present while they're in it. They still prepare for the future, but ultimately live in the now.
They're ordinary for now. And that's really all they want.
.
.
.
.
Of course, that all changes one otherwise peaceful morning two years after the last family crisis while Youko is watching the news and eating breakfast.
Youko actually manages to keep herself from doing a spit take with her cereal when two very familiar faces appear on the morning news.
Especially because of the resemblance they bear to her mother.
It can't be… could it really…?
She is out of her chair and rushing towards the stairs leading down to the shop, for once not caring about how much noise she makes, yelling: "Graaaaandpaaaaa! Hurry, we need to call Uncle Adam, now!"
Back on the little TV in the kitchen, the morning news replays the short clip of Gozaburo Kaiba leaving an orphanage with two little boys in tow.
Seto and Mokuba.
Well… shit.
*Kintsugi or kintsukuroi is the art of mending broken pottery with lacquer that has either been dusted or mixed with gold, silver or platinum.
A/N: Well… from one shit hitting the fan to another, I guess.
Dear readers, welcome back to not just another chapter of Caught in the Game, but to a new mini-arc in the series: the Rebuild Arc. I say mini-arc, because with the past Collapse Arc, these following chapters make up the Collapse and Rebuild Arc in which families are broken and mend themselves together again.
So! Like in canon, Sally divorces her husband and leaves Domino City, but this time it's without separating her children and ensuring that they both get a happy childhood. She will still be around from time to time, but it will mostly be brief mentions when she sends letters or, on occasion, visits. So she's not exactly out of the story, but she's more of a minor character than ever. Fun fact: in our initial planning, Sally was actually going to take Serenity with her and hand over custody of Joey to Grandpa, only for Grandpa to fight Sally in court over that decision. We like this development much better, though.
Also, sudden jump-cut 2 years ahead and voila! Introducing the Kaiba brothers for real :3c. A quick reminder that we headcanon those two as being cousins of the Mutous. By this point, the kids are at the following ages: The Gang - 9 years old, the future Domino Quartet (Yuugi, Ryou, Serenity and Mokuba) are 5 years old and Seto is 10. So canon ages.
Introducing Diabound, too. He may be a tiny snake now, but he'll grow into a great and powerful monster in due time. It was fun creating the dialogue between Mahad and the girls and thinking up a personality for both him and Panther Lily. (We might do pet-POV later on).
Pokémon enters the kids' lives, too. What, you think we're only nerds for a manga about a card game? Puh-lease, we're massive nerds in general, especially for pokémon. (Just ask a certain co-writer who has the most RIDICULOUS luck over Wonder Trade).
On an unrelated note, you may recall last AN that I was rejoicing over finishing my Bachelor-project for university. I have since then gotten a response to it, and I am proud to announce that it ended with a B ^_^ (In the Danish system, that's the second-highest you can get - a 10. We don't have minuses and pluses to add to our grade). So happy I literally screamed.
Also a quick reminder that we've got a new collection of side stories up, too, now! Go check out Beyond the Game if you haven't already! We've got one story up so far, but we may just do a little something special for Christmas one of these days :)
On a final note, we're also very happy to announce that our new SI-fanfiction for the manga/anime "The Seven Deadly Sins" is soon ready for publication - just need our Beta, Moirei, to look over it. You don't need to know the series to understand it… okay, you might for some things, but know that we intend to take a sledgehammer to canon there, too, like we do here.
With that said, I hope you guys have a very happy and safe holiday season and can go into the new year without any major injuries.
Till next year!
-NordicTwin
A/N:
Hello, hello Ducklings. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah with your families.
Welcome back to Caught in the Game!
After so many things happening with the adults, we decided to redeem one and change the anime stereotype about parents. So Sally gets help and is much better here than in canon. She's still not the best but she is still growing and changing like everyone does throughout their lives.
We also decided it was time to give another pov of things. Thus, we give you Todd Taylor's pov. It shows more of the girls from what they don't see if themselves. We want the remaining parents to be involved as much as possible with things. It makes no sense that in practically every anime/manga series, the parents are never seen or involved.
Also introducing Diabound! Nordic and I had the best time writing the exchange between Mahad and the girls. (He is so far into denial about how much power the girls actually have over him.) Diabound and Lilly will get along like a house on fire. The best of friends and protectors to the girls and family.
Grandpa has been brought in on what's going on. He's old and well learned and seen much in his life. He will be a great help to the girls. (You also see where Youko gets some of her being a little shit from)
The media and reporters are vultures. The families get to deal with them for a while. But this will serve a good purpose later on.
And bam! Pokémon! (Nordic and my other friends hate my amazing luck with wonder trade. And when I say amazing, I mean "how in gods name" good luck.) Woo! Nordic and I are total nerds. Be prepared to get a shit ton of references for many things from our own childhoods. ;)
And here is also a time skip. It was needed. We've been dragging this out a bit much. So we're trying to get to canon as quick as possible without missing important things. So two years have passed. The gang are now 9 and 5 years old at the end. (With Seto being 10)
Enter the Kaiba brothers! (As Nordic said, we both headcanon that Seto and Mokuba are cousins to Yugi.) So get ready for this next bundle of a mess they get to go through.
Shoutout to all of the people who viewed and all of our current followers and faves and our new followers and favorites (CherryDrug, Melody Smiles, Loki Sloth, GlaresThatKill, Ayame Tendou, ApolloGeek27, and Anutanuta) And thanks to everyone who left Kudos!
And EXTRA thank yous and love to Flaremage, Waves, Lightsbane1905, The Otaku Lady Priya, usagi-no-usotsuki, and GlaresThatKill for the reviews/comments!
Please, PLEASE leave us comments and reviews, especially if you have any questions or are confused! We love them so very much! We get so motivated to write when we get reviews!
Thanks again to the amazingly talented and lovely Moirei for Beta-ing for us, as always :)
Also! We have our side story, Beyond the Game, up for CitG! So any missing scenes or the like will be posted there! And don't forget to check out the CitG tumblr blog as well, we post links to the chapters and if we remember, we post chapter progress. We will also post other little things now and then when we can.
One final things is our joyous announcement for another fic we just posted! It's for the manga/anime series "The Seven Deadly Sins/Nanatsu no Taizai". It'll be a SI-fic as well. You'll probably need some knowledge of the series to understand anything. But be warned, we're gonna DESTROY canon and fix it. Cause it needs it seriously. The series has such potential and it's all wasted sadly. (I'll stop here so I don't go off on a rant)
ANYWAYS, please go check out our new fic called "Judgement of Our Sins"! It is posted on my account.
Again, I hope and pray that you are all well and happy and have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Years.
See you all next year!
-C. S. Star
Edited/Beta by Moirei
Finished & Published December 26, 2017