By Aiko Hotaru

Chapter 4: Two fights…One boy's fate…

I don't own the series of Yu-Gi-Oh! Or Sailor Moon. However I do own the Cards from the Duel Monsters Game that I create. NAH!!!!

Hotaru hissed against the cold water as she washed away some sleep from her purple eyes. As she looked into the river she was confronted with the sight of Maat. 'You know gal…that Yugi's a real cutie.' The other self winked at her. 'Don't say or think such things Maat…it's not proper and we have a job to do here…' Hotaru glared at the laughing image. 'Whatever, Taru! Now, how about we go find us another chicken to face!' Maat cheered. Hotaru grimaced at the louder voice in her head and shook it. 'How about a rest…I got 6 star chips already…I need a break…sides…some nice meditation would go lovely with the surroundings…' 'NOT THAT AGAIN!' Maat was definitely impatient. So impatient in fact it was beginning to drive Hotaru nuts. 'Then how about lunch?' Hotaru sighed as Maat talked about her favorite Egyptian foods. Hotaru walked toward the shade of the tree where she had set up a dark blue tent. The use of subspace pockets was an amazement that Maat had commanded she'd have to use. Hotaru had packed enough food supplies in her subspace pocket to last at least 1 week. Then she had enough space for the tent and black sleeping bag. Removing a tiny towel she began to dry her raven color hair. Smiling and humming to herself, she'd wait till the next opponent came her way.

Zipping up the tent, Hotaru sighed and began to think about what was going on. Maat was in the tiny silver bowl near her bed talking about how boring waiting was. Completely ignoring the clearly older female, Hotaru shifted to her side, she kept thinking about what Yugi had said. "I know when the time comes Hotaru…that you and I facing each other is not going to be easy…" 'Yugi…I know already…so why can't the thought leave me?' She stared into the blank space with a look of nothingness written on her face. "Why so glum, Taru?" She heard Maat next to her. "None of you're business…Ma- " Hotaru was forced to stop midsentence as a resounding cry echoed in the area. Racing from her tent, Hotaru turned to see a little kid being held captive by another of those Pegasus suit guys. In an instant Maat kicked the man's heals, tripping him and releasing the younger boy. The dark haired boy almost fell face forward if it hadn't been for Hotaru's Senshi instincts kicking in and her catching him by the back of his white T-shirt. Both hit the ground with a resounding thud and slowly got up. "Are you okay kid?" She questioned him. The boy looked at her with large dark blue eyes. His long black hair traced widely down his shoulders and he inspected her with little curiosity. "Yeah. I'm fine…thanks…" He sighed, hearing someone call his name in the distance. "Gr.…you are going to get it missy!" Came a hiss from behind the small boy and Hotaru. Turning, Hotaru and Maat were surprised to see the man rise up and show a dagger. Hotaru quickly allowed her instincts to take over and shoved the boy behind her. "You want to mess with me, eh bud? Well come on, bring it on!" She glared at him and lifted up her fists. The man charged her with a resounding screech. Hotaru ducked the upper cut he preformed with his knife and found herself evading every blow with ease. The Maat inside of her was grinning from ear to ear. 'Go Taru!' She cheered on the valiant senshi. "Enough of this!" Hotaru hissed a grumble to herself. In a second she sent a hard punch into the man's abdomen.

Yugi, Tristan, Joey and Tea raced up the hill and through the forest rough path as soon as a screech was heard. Once the four friends reached the peak of the hill they came across a little stream. Another rather loud war cry was sounded and the friends needed only to give each other nods to move foreword again.

Yugi and Joey were the first to enter the clearing to find the man whom had just captured Mokabu come in contact with a tree right next to him. Mokabu was on the ground, gawking at a shadowed figure, and the man rose slowly. "What? Want some more already?" A clearly female voice spoke. The man screamed and ran away as swiftly as possible. "Damn Jerk…" Came a hiss as he left. The female shadow looked to see Yugi and Joey. She also heard Tea and Tristan's voices coming from behind the trees. "Hello guys…been a while huh?" She smiled softly, dropping her defensive position. Joey's jaw was dropped down to the ground as Mokabu rose. "Miss Hotaru!" Yugi grinned happily.

Hotaru looked up at Yugi and his companions and gave a little wave. Mokabu raced over and hid behind Yugi. "She's scary…" He whispered to the taller boy. Yugi, Joey and Tristan broke out laughing. "Nope. I'm Tomoe. Hotaru Tomoe. Thank you very much!" Hotaru crossed her arms and grinned slightly. Maat, laughed too and vanished deep inside of her as soon as she felt a force from Yugi probing into her friend. Gotta be more careful round him! Maat told herself. "And you are who, little man?" Hotaru smiled at the smaller boy. He glared at her as she giggled. "Name's Mokabu Kaiba…SCARY!" He used the new nickname he gave her. Hotaru just laughed some more. "So Hotaru, what are you doing out here?" Hotaru lifted up her glove to reveal her 6 star chips. "I wanted to take a break from this game so I decided to camp out for a few nights in my tent over there." She pointed at the well-hidden tiny place under the shade of the big green and brown oak tree. "The river water's a little chilly, but tastes great, sides…all these duels can't always be good for the soul." She shrugged. A loud growl was heard from Joey and Tristan. Everyone blinked and Hotaru sweatdropped. "Hungry again…" She moaned as the boys nodded.

"Well…Well…I finally find the Kaiba kid…and look who else I see…The one Pegasus calls Saturn. My day is just getting better and better!" A shadowy figure from the tree tops grinned. "According to Pegasus…that girl's suppose to have amazing powers, not only as a senshi but as a sort of judge to shadow games…I must get her power for lord Pegasus." It hissed, lifting the telescope to get a better look at Hotaru's face. "My…Oh my…what a little pretty girl…" White teeth grinned as the figure continued to watch the girl laugh alongside a blonde and red headed boy. "And what do we have here? Yu-Gi-Oh as well. What a wonderful day indeed." The man faded into the shadows of the trees to prepare his attacks…

Hotaru glanced quickly at Mokabu. "So Seta Kaiba is your older brother huh?" She questioned him as she watched Tea, Tristan and Joey play with Yugi in the chilled waters of the tiny stream like river. "Yes. And because he lost to Yugi, he disappeared." Mokabu sighed. "That's why I'm fighting Duel Monsters. To get my families honor back and to get my brother back." Hotaru looked at Yugi as he pushed Joey into the stream's stomach high water. "I see…" She smiled at the younger boy shyly. A soft look coming over her eyes as she leaned back against the warm grass. Her dark hair was creating a black cloud around her. "Why are you fighting?" Hotaru blinked and looked at Mokabu. "I fight for my friends….and myself…" She finished her sentence and glanced at the clouds. "And for the future…" She spoke so low, Mokabu didn't hear her. Her senses kicked in at a sudden moment and she turned to face the shadows. "Mokabu-kun. Get to Joey and his friends now!" She hissed at the boy, standing up in a defensive maneuver. "Nani?" The smaller boy questioned. "Just do it!" She glared at the trees. Lifting up a large stick she positioned it in front of her like a weapon. "Come out now!" She hissed. "My…aren't your skills sharp…" Came a creepy voice. A man with brown hair and dark blue eyes stepped from the shadows. His eyes were so dark and frightening, Hotaru felt herself beg for Maat's assistance. "Seta!" Mokabu cried out alarmed. Hotaru shocked looked at the small boy and then at the evil appearing one. 'This is not good!' Hissed Maat from inside of her.

TBC…

Next Chapter: Two separate paths, One collision….