Jaid: I got reviews!!! Yay! Doesn't take much to make me happy! ^__^ Here's the next chappy. I have responses at the end of the story.
BTW: Scales is the spirit of the Millennium Scale, which is owned by Shadi (for all us dubbers, the dude in the turban that showed up during the last eppy of the Duelist Kingdom arc). He (scales, not Shadi), is the property of Indigo Tantarian and is co-star in her excellent fic "Three in One Combo". Go read it!
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Satoshi rummaged through the books in the Kaiba library. He'd come here to escape the fireworks that were probably taking place in the living room now.
He knew his mother loved her brother, and knew his father wasn't too impressed with him. Satoshi himself actually liked Uncle Malik…some of the time. There were times when the blonde man was…well, for the lack of a better term, weird. Satoshi chuckled to himself. Excellent schooling, high IQ and all he could come up with was 'weird'.
'Hmm, what's this?' Satoshi pulled out an old notebook and carefully opened it. He smiled; it looked like a journal/photo album. It held pictures of his Dad and Uncle Mokuba. Satoshi turned the pages, stopping now and again to read what was written. He paused. There was a picture with Hitomi's father, Yugi. It was a newspaper clip about the 'King of Games'. Satoshi silently read it and smiled grimly. Seto probably had not been too happy to be ousted. Satoshi knew that his and Hitomi's father had a sort of rivalry, but it had seemed slightly friendly for as long as he could remember.
Satoshi continued to page through it and other people he recognized popped up, along with Mokuba's comments, including something about his mother. Satoshi smiled as he read eight year old Mokuba's comments on her, which included 'weird' and 'strange, but nice'.
"Satoshi?"
The boy turned to see his mother in the doorway. "Yes?"
"The phone." Isis said. Satoshi closed the notebook and put it back on the shelf.
"What were you reading?" she asked.
"Nothing." Satoshi said. "Just an old journal." He walked down the hall. Isis' eyes followed him, then looking back at the library, she sighed and closed the door.
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"Oooh! What'd ya get!" Hitomi greeted her sister excitedly. Miya pushed past her and dumped various bags on the floor of her own room, then closed the door before Hitomi could come in. Hitomi blinked, feeling snubbed. The door opened a little and Miya stuck her pretty head out.
"Sorry, sis. Gifts." She smiled apologetically, then closed the door again. Hitomi sighed and jumped down the stairs.
"Bored, bored, bored!" she said each time she hit a step. On the last one, she jumped to the floor. The door opened in the hallway connected with the garage and she heard Yugi call "I'm home!"
"Dad!!! I beat the boss!" Kysen shouted from the living room.
"Great." Yugi said, kissing Tea on the cheek and walking through the living towards the staircase.
"Hey, princess." He said, giving Hitomi a hug. "How do you feel?"
"Fine."
"Good. Then you can enjoy vacation." Yugi's smile was warm as he squeezed his daughter's shoulder and ascended the stairs. Hitomi went into the front room and began to play the piano. The phone rang and Hitomi heard her mother answer.
"Hitomi, it's Tyler!" she called from the kitchen. Hitomi ran over and grabbed the phone.
"Hi." She said, walking through the living room and up the stair case.
"How ya feeling?" Tyler asked.
"Much better. I think I'll be well enough to go out tomorrow." Hitomi said as she shut the door to her attic room.
"Great. Ter and Remi want to go the arcade at the mall, but I figured you, me and Morgan could hang out. Look at stuff."
"Okay. I need to start with Christmas gifts anyway."
"Morgan's making hers." Tyler said.
"Morgy's only got one sibling." Hitomi reminded her. Tyler laughed out loud.
"Satoshi was at the mall today." She said.
"So?" Hitomi fiddled with a piece of paper, folding it into various shapes.
"Just thought you'd like to know."
"Tyler." Hitomi groaned. The blonde girl laughed.
"You are hopeless girl." She said. "Come on Hitomi, the guy likes you. Try being nice for a change."
"Yeah, look who's talking." Hitomi reminded her. "At least I talk to him."
"That's low."
Hitomi smirked. "It was meant to be." She sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm bored."
"Do something."
"I can't. Morgan is the creative one, not me."
Tyler laughed. "Yeah right. Give me a break!"
Hitomi blew a raspberry into the phone.
"Ewww." Tyler said. "You got spit in my ear."
"Tyler!"
The blonde laughed again. "So, see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah sure."
"Great."
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"The arcade?" Satoshi asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Remi said. "It's a reason to get out of the house. Besides, we need to start plans for the snowball war."
"Who is against who this year?" Satoshi asked.
"Kids against adults." Remi said. Satoshi could hear his grin. He smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Speaking of which, I need to remind Mom to talk to all the parents."
"Whatever." Satoshi said. "I don't know if I'll come tomorrow."
"Why?"
"I've got work to do. I'm trying to get some bugs out of this system Dad and I were writing-"
Remi blew a frustrated sigh into the phone. "You and computers!"
Satoshi chuckled. "Okay, I'll be there. But only for an hour, okay?"
"Great. See you then."
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"Why are we hiding behind this bush?" Monique asked Kasumi the next day.
"Shh." The redhead admonished. "We're waiting for Kysen."
"But why?" Monique said.
"Shh!"
"Kasumi?"
The two girls turned as Kasumi's mother, Miho, stood there.
"What are you two girls doing?"
"Shh, mom! I'm waiting for Kysen."
Miho sighed. "No, Kasumi."
"But mom-"
"No!" Miho frowned. "Does that snowball have a rock in it?"
"No." Kasumi lied. Miho gave her a stern glance and herded the girls towards the house.
"Hey, Sumi!' Kysen called from the sidewalk. Kasumi turned towards him. The boy had a self-congratulating, smug look on his face.
"Guess who beat the boss?" he smirked. Kasumi blinked, then gave a screech.
"No!!!"
"Told ya I'd beat him first!" Kysen shouted, running towards his own house. Miho sighed, pushing her daughter inside. She'd have to talk to Tea about Kysen…
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The arcade was rather dark, Satoshi noted. He'd only been here once before and the noise level wasn't something he liked.
"Terry and the girls are going to meet us up here." Remi said, standing next to the exit. Morgan had spent the night with Tairyn Kaiba. Mark was with his cousin and the white haired Remi. He looked towards the Ben and Jerry's across the way.
"I'll be right back." He told them.
The two older boys nodded.
At that time, Terry and four girls entered from the movie theater.
"All right." Terry said, grinning. "Party time."
Hitomi and Tyler rolled their eyes at each other.
"About time you got here." Remi commented. "Satoshi and I were wondering when you would."
"Cut it out, Remi." Tyler sighed.
"Ms. Mouto." Satoshi nodded to Hitomi. "I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Thanks." Hitomi answered, then turned to her friends. Feeling slightly miffed, Satoshi caught up with the boys heading for the arcade.
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"Snowball fight?" Mai sounded dubious. Serenity sighed.
"Yeah, it's now a tradition."
"Can't they just fight against each other?" Mai asked. Serenity shrugged, then remembered Mai couldn't see her.
"They're tired of girls against guys, this family against this…they want something new." She said, putting the broom away. "At least, that's what Remi said."
Mai sighed. "What do you and the others say?"
"Tea didn't sound all that thrilled but she's game if you and I are. Miho was about to flat out object, but Tristan's talked her round. I'm not too excited myself, but who knows, it could be fun. Isis…" she grimaced. "I haven't talked to her yet."
There was a pause.
"But you are going to." Mai said.
"I was hoping you'd volunteer."
"Coward."
"I can't help it. She kinda freaks me out." Serenity admitted.
"Serenity, you're over thirty now. You've known Isis for over a decade. How can she still freak you out?"
"I don't know." The redhead sighed. "Maybe I'll just talk to Seto."
"Oh, Joey'll love that." Mai drawled. Serenity frowned.
"He'll live. For God's sakes, you'd think he was still sixteen sometimes!"
Mai laughed. Serenity smiled, then chuckled.
"I take it you agree with me."
"More than you know." Mai still had some laughter in her voice. "I gotta go, hon."
"Right, so you're coming."
Mai blew out a breath. "Do I really have a choice?"
Serenity laughed. "No, I guess not."
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Mai's tone was dry. "See ya later."
"Bye."
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Scales stormed around the small rented house he shared with Shadi and Ankh. He hated Japan! Shadi brought them here at least once a year and sometimes, Scales was sure it was just to irritate him. And why'd they have to come in the winter! It was damn freezing out there-
The doorbell ran. Scales ignored it. He was the only one home and he wasn't going answer the damn door…then again, it could be another sales person. Scales grinned to himself. He was just slightly bored. Walking over to the door, he jerked it open. SPLAT!
Scales stumbled backwards, swearing fluently (and loudly) in Ancient Egyptian, trying to wipe the now flattened snowball off of his face. Through his distress, he heard the loud, hysterical giggling of a young child. Flinging the rest of it off, he glared at the person rolling in laughter on the front walk.
Kysen Mouto caught the look Scales was giving him and stopped laughing for a minute. Scales stepped forward, and Kysen gulped.
"I, um, thought you were Mr. Shadi?" the boy meekly tried. With a cry, Scales lunged for the pointy haired boy. Kysen shrieked and ran, Scales hot on his heels.
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Isis had been out for a walk and was going to stop by Shadi's house to drop off some historical texts he had expressed interest in. A shriek split the air, and several yards away, Kysen Mouto came running towards her, an angry Scales right behind him. Kysen ran up to her and hid behind the Egyptian woman's back. Isis looked at him, then looked up, just as Scales slipped on a bit of icy walk and fell. Kysen burst into giggles again. Isis sighed heavily.
"Kysen, stop. Haven't your parents taught you that it's not nice to laugh at someone like that?"
Kysen stopped laughing and looked gloomy. "Yeah." He admitted.
"Go help him up." Isis prodded him out.
"I don't need his help." Scales hissed, standing, rather shakily. He glared daggers at the little boy, then turned and limped back to the house. Isis heard a door slam a few minutes later. She turned to stare at Kysen. He gave her an innocent smile and for an instant looked exactly like his father.
"Don't do it again." Isis warned sternly.
"Yes ma'am!" Kysen called as he ran off. Isis shook her head as she began to walk again. That boy was so much trouble sometimes.
Isis raised her hand to knock on the door before she noticed two little hands gripping the top of the fence that separated the houses. A few minutes later, huffing and puffing, Kasumi fell over onto the snowy yard. She looked up at the woman and grinned.
"Is Uncle Akhair at home?" she asked. Isis hid a smile. The girl never could get Egyptian names right.
"I don't think he is. You can knock and try."
Dusting off her bottom, Kasumi walked up and knocked on the door. Scales jerked it open, took one look at who was standing there and promptly closed the door. Isis knew what he was going to do however, and jammed a booted foot in.
"I have some things for Shadi." She said, putting her weight against the door. "Let me in."
Scales withdrew and Isis grabbed the frame to keep herself from falling over.
"Thank you." She said rather dryly, noting the melted snow on the floor. Scales snorted and walked away. Isis sighed, then placed a folder on the table.
"I guess he's not here." Kasumi's sad voice said.
"No, but Ankhkare will probably be back soon." Isis turned to her. "Maybe you should come back later."
The little red head nodded and Isis followed her out of the house.
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Kysen sat on the steps in front of his house and frowned at the ground. He just knew that Aunt Isis would tell Mom what had happened. And not to mention the fact he was still in trouble over the little slushball incident.
"I'm probably going to be grounded." The boy muttered, then looked at the thick snow on the ground. "Well, might as well enjoy my freedom while it lasts!" he chirped, happily beginning a snowman.
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Hitomi sank on a bench in the mall. She had gotten gifts for her family (and a new dress for herself), but she had forgotten how much shopping took out of her.
"You okay?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I'm just going to sit for a minute." Hitomi said. "What time is it?"
Tyler checked her watch. "Almost time to meet the guys."
"Can we go look at that jewelry cart?" Tairyn asked.
"I'll meet you guys by the arcade." Hitomi commented.
"Sure?" Tyler asked. Hitomi nodded. The blonde shrugged and headed off with Morgan and Tairyn. The dark haired girl sighed and then stood, feeling slightly dizzy. Shaking her head to get rid of it, she walked towards the arcade.
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Satoshi quickly walked towards the exit for the arcade. He'd meant to stay for just an hour, but well, time had gotten away from him.
"Where you going?" Mark asked behind him. Satoshi whirled around.
"I have to get back." He said.
"Oh." Mark shrugged. "Okay."
Satoshi nodded and was about to walk away again, but was stopped by Mark's hand on his arm.
"Uncle Malik's staying with you guys, right?" the boy asked. Satoshi nodded an affirmative.
"Oh."
"He came for Christmas."
Mark nodded, looking vaguely nervous. "Well, see you later."
"Bye."
"And Satoshi?"
The older boy stopped and turned again. "Yeah?"
"Good luck." Mark commented wryly. "You're going to need it."
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Hitomi leaned against the wall, dizziness having gotten stronger. 'I need more exercise or something.' She thought, closing her eyes.
"Ms. Mouto?" a voice asked.
'Oh god, not him.' Hitomi inwardly groaned.
"What?" she said aloud, not opening her eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"Just a little tired, thanks." Hitomi muttered, wishing the dizzy feeling would go away.
Satoshi frowned, as Hitomi tried to grip the wall, as if it would keep her from falling. "Do you need to sit down?"
"Sit down?" she answered vaguely. "Yes, sitting down would be good."
Satoshi grabbed her arm in one hand and placed his free arm around her back. "There's chairs over here. You're not going to black out, are you?"
"The world's going in circles." Hitomi blinked as Satoshi carefully deposited her in a chair. "My stuff-"
"Just a minute." Satoshi said. Hitomi put her face down on the table. She didn't feel quite so dizzy now, but it was getting hard to breathe.
Satoshi dumped Hitomi's purse and bags next to her. "How do you feel?"
Hitomi looked up at him. "Okay. I want to go home."
Satoshi nodded, looking at her pale face. She sounded like she was hyperventilating. "When did you last eat?"
"Uh…" Hitomi thought for a minute. Had she had breakfast? The thought of food suddenly made her feel sick. "I dunno."
"You want me to get you something?"
Hitomi shook her head. "I want to go home." She repeated, sounding strained. Satoshi listened to her labored breathing for minute.
"I think you need an emergency room more." He commented. Hitomi shot him a weak glare.
"Hitomi!"
Satoshi looked up to see Tyler Wheeler and the other girls walking up.
"Is she okay?" the blonde asked.
"I don't think so." Satoshi said. "Can you get her stuff? I'm going to take her to the hospital."
"I don't want a hospital." Hitomi grumbled. Tairyn and Satoshi shared looks, then the girl grabbed Hitomi's things.
"I'll get the driver to pull the limo around." She said. "You help her out." Tairyn set off towards the exit, walking quickly.
"Tyler, would you call Hitomi's parents?" Satoshi asked, handing her his cell. Tyler nodded, while Satoshi helped Hitomi stand. The world whirled around her and she grabbed him tightly to keep from falling over.
"Just lean on me." Satoshi said quietly, half-supporting, half carrying her through the movie theater lobby. Hitomi stumbled quite a bit, but they managed to get outside.
"I can't breathe." Hitomi whispered, sounding vaguely frantic. "Satoshi, I can't breathe."
The boy felt stirrings of panic, but helped her into the car. "Nearest ER." He told the driver. Tairyn closed the door and watched them drive off.
"I hope she's okay." She commented softly.
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Tea and Yugi were enjoying a rare, peaceful walk. They had been walking around the block, admiring the decorations people had put up and the various snowmen they had in some front yards. One even had a little snow family built.
"How cute." Tea said smiling. Yugi agreed, then sighed.
"You can always tell when you get to our house." He commented wryly. In the Mouto's front yard was a two-headed snowman looking like it was shrieking. Kysen looked up from the third head he was making and grinned at his parents.
"Pretty cool, huh?"**
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Jaid: ^__^ There you go! Now for responses:
LuckyLadybug: Yeah, I know! But I'm glad you thought it was cute. ^__^
Blue eyes: Thanx for reviewing! You're very loyal, ya know that? Lol, I really appreciate it (and dun worry, Chapter 8 of ATS is almost ready!)
Indigo: You reviewed! OMG, I'm so honored! Thanks, I hope you enjoy the rather short Scale scene in here (did I do him right?)
** Yet another Calvin inspired scene.