Ancient Magics
By Silverdust
Chap 6. The Bonds of Friendship
***
3 weeks later…
"And thank you for shopping at the Dungeon Game Shop!" Sekhmet said, her trained perky voice hurting her throat. (A/N: I don't know what Otogi's game shop is called so just bear with me 'kay?)
She sighed as another happy customer walked out of the shop. Man, this job was a cinch, learn to work the cash register and blow out your vocal cords is three-hundred bucks a week in the bag.
"Yep, you're a great cashier and good advertisement," said a familiar voice. "More customers than we've had in a while."
Raven-haired Otogi walked up, leaning casually on the counter. Sekhmet smiled at him teasingly. "Does that mean I get a raise?"
"Not on your life."
They laughed. Sekhmet glanced at the clock. "Well, my shift's over. Thanks again for the job Otogi-san."
"Can't you work overtime."
"Not on YOUR life. I'm going to the park, I heard they got some free duels goin' on and I want to improve my skill."
"Okay, whatever. I'll see you next time."
"Bye!"
She ran out the door.
***
Sekhmet had been dueling for over two hours now. She had won almost every one, except for the one where she had ended in a draw because the kid kept on whining. She was at the moment finishing up another. "Red Eyes Metal, attack the life points."
The opposing duelist sighed in defeat then shook her hand before walking off. She started to pack up her cards.
"Impressive."
She turned to see the owner of the voice, to see a familiar white-haired boy, accompanied by the oh-so-mysterious Malik Ishtar. She furrowed her eyes. This wasn't Ryou, must be the spirit. Well, act dumb.
"Hi Ryou, Malik," she said, smiling. "How are you?"
"Fine, just taking a walk."
"Oh really," she said. "Sure you weren't up for any duels."
"With these pathetic weaklings?" said Ryou's spirit. "No."
Definitely the spirit. There was no way Ryou could ever be this cocky and temperamental.
"I told Malik you were from Egypt. He's from there to."
"Oh. I didn't know."
"Malik doesn't exactly talk that much."
"I noticed."
There was that awkward silence again. Sekhmet finally decided to break it. "So. What are you going to do now?"
"Going to…make this town a little more interesting," answered the spirit, smiling devilishly. "Wanna' come?"
"Hell, bring it on."
The two boys smiled. Obviously, they had found a kindred soul. The spirit grabbed her along and pulled her toward the parking lot. There were two motorcycles there, one black and one red. Sekhmet had seen these contraptions, mostly on high speed chases. The thrill of actually breaking the rules started to swell within her. The spirit straddled the black one, while Malik took the red. "Which one?"
She decided to ride the red. She locked her arms around the Egyptian's slim waist as the machine roared to life under her. Then everything became a blur as they roared down the highway.
"OH YEAH!!!!!"
***
The heavy, steady pounding of the music seemed to beat in rhythm with her heart as Sekhmet watched the spirit beat yet another burly man at arm wrestling. Oddly enough, she found herself liking him better than Ryou. He was wild, untamed. Exciting.
Malik sat silently beside her, downing a third bottle of dark beer. So far he showed no sign of intoxication, just shouted for another. "How many can you drink?"
"With or without getting drunk?"
"Without."
"Nine, give or take."
"Okay, with."
"I never remember."
He smiled at her wryly. She grinned back. Malik had shown his true colors, and she found that he was much more than she had expected. Not to mention he owned a sweet ride.
"Do they ever notice you're under-aged?"
"They don't care, long as I pay. Duck."
She did, and a man flew over her head landing with a crash among several glasses. The bartender glanced over, then went back to shining the remaining china. Sekhmet turned to see the cause of the disruption. The spirit was standing inside a ring of heavily drunken men, taking them on one by one. She turned back to Malik.
"Does he do this often?"
"Barfights? Every time we come."
He got up. "I'm gonna' join."
She sighed then shouted to both of them. "Be careful."
She turned away again. Boys will be boys!
***
Sekhmet arrived at home at about 12 a.m. She waved as Malik and the spirit drove off, leaving a cloud of roiling dust behind them. Sighing she turned and walked into the house.
"Hey, I'm home," she called softly into the darkened hallway. It was doubtful anyone heard, but it was just one of those triggers. She took of her coat, hanging it on the rack. She was about to go up to her room when she spotted a light shining from the living room.
She walked in, quietly. Through the dim light, she could make out Kaiba, passed out from exhaustion, sleeping on the sofa. A bunch of unfinished papers and homework from school, plus unfilled e-mails on the laptop, littered the coffee table. She smiled softly. "Seto, you work too hard."
She took the blanket from on top of the sofa and covered his sleeping form. Then she turned to the work. "Hm, I'll finish this. But just this once."
She sat down to more work.
***
Seto yawned and opened his eyes. Shit! His work!
He sat bolt up right, the blanket falling from his shoulders. Blanket? He didn't remember…
He looked toward the table. There was Sekhmet, head on the table, sound asleep. Beside her, there was the finished homework and paperwork. His computer screen blinked clear. He looked at it in wonder, then at the girl's sleeping form. He smiled slightly, getting up. He picked up her slumbering form easily, and carried her back to the guest room. He lay her on the bed and covered her up, careful not to wake her up. His hand brushed up against something furry at the head of the bed. He looked up in alarm and saw nothing. He blinked and then shook his head. He looked at the girl a little longer than intended. He had gotten used to her around the house. She kept Mokuba busy, and he had noticed the boy had grown to love her like a sister. Besides, she was a great cook and a polite house guest. But he had noticed her saving up money and looking at the advertising section of the newspaper, and it pained him when he saw it. She would be leaving soon, it seemed. He kept telling himself it was stupid to feel like this, but he couldn't help it. He sighed and walked out of the room. A whispered 'Arigatou' faded into the night.
***
Sekhmet yawned and stretched. Funny, she didn't remember coming to bed. Oh well.
She got up and did her morning ritual. In the shower, she wondered how she would tell Mokuba that she had finally found a place of her own. The boy would be crushed, his brother on the other hand…she imagined he would throw a party. She sighed as she got out, dried, and dressed. Then she went downstairs.
She met Kaiba halfway. "Oh, good-morning."
"Good-morning."
"Um, look. I found a place that's really affordable and near the school, so I'm going to move out by next Friday, just so you know. I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me."
The look that crossed his face could almost pass as sadness. She was shocked, but then thought it might be an act. Still, it did look genuine…
The boy sighed. Averting his eyes he started to speak. "Look. Mokuba really likes you, and I don't want my bro to be emotionally crushed by this. And you've been a good house guest, plus I really don't want you to g-go, so…"
She blinked as the broken message reached her brain. A smile slowly spread over her face as the joy inside her heart was unleashed. She threw her arms around the shocked CEO's neck and hugged him. "Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!!!!!! Oh, this is wonderful!!!!! I won't have to leave Mokuba behind!!!!!!!! Thank you Kaiba, this is the nicest thing anyone's ever done to me!!!!!!!!!"
Kaiba brain finally registered that his joints could move, and he unsurely hugged her back, then pushed her away rather quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Oh, and call me Seto."
"Okay Seto. And thank you again."
***
Kiiraa paced the room anxiously. The bad feelings were shooting up and down the back of her spine. She knew now why Ra had chosen this time to send Sekhmet to earth, because now was where she was needed most. Another unpleasant feeling shot down the spirit's spine. The bonds that held the Shadow Realm apart from earth were slowly breaking. She could feel a malicious power beginning to rise anew.
Oh Sekhmet start getting serious!
***
SilverD: Oooo, cliffhanger. I'm evil. Oh brother, I'm getting way too sappy. Did you see those scenes? God, I need a therapist. Well, I'm getting plenty of nice reviews, thank you all, I luvs ya'!!!!! The next chapter will be more action packed, I swear. If Yami B. and Malik weren't enough. I gave Yami B. a motorbike, poor Ryou. Riding with Malik on the highway, arms around his waist…mrow! Every fangirl's dream. Put any ideas in the review section. If you want, you can vote on who I can pair her up with to!!!! New chappie soon!!!