~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DISCLAIMER: NO OWN YU-GI-OH!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//....// Yami
/..../ Yugi
^.....^ open thoughts
..... closed thoughts
The Value of a Card
Chapter Three
It had grown late as Tristen, Téa, and Joey wondered along the busy streets of the city. "How many more Bishoun's do we have to go through before we find the right one?" Joey asked, exhausted.
Téa looked at their list of people with the last name Bishoun. They had already gone through seven
families carring that name, but none of them knew Gary. "Nine."
"NINE!" Joey called out in alarm, whinning. "We'll be out here all night! Why did Gary hafta have such a popular name?!?"
"Because he's popular?" Tristen remarked sarcastically.
Glancing over, Joey glared at Tristen. "Shudup!"
"Okay you two knock it off. Let's go through three more families then call it a night. We can pick up where we left off tomorrow after school." Téa replied checking the address on the mailbox and on the paper to make sure it matched. "Okay Bishoun family number eight! Alright you guys. You ready?"
"Lets get this over with." Tristen remarked with a yawn.
"Here's to hoping." Joey remarked crossing his fingers. The three friends slowly made there way up the sidewalk to the front porch of the old victorian style house. As they were about to ring the doorbell, they heard a commotion from inside.
"He's a good for nothing punk!" A man yelled angrily. "All he does is cause trouble! I don't know how you can put up with his crap day in and day out. I told you we should of sent him away! But NO! Not HIM! Good for nothing bastard! And look what's happened now! He's run away from home!"
A shrill voice of a frightened woman who was obviously crying, yelled back to the man. "He's gone because of YOU! Your always drunk half the time! You don't give a damn! You never did! For god sake Paul! He is your son! Gary is your son! How many times do I have to tell you! I didn't cheat on you Paul! I love you! I LOVE YOU!!"
There was sudden silence in the house and on the porch. The only thing that could be heard was the woman inside crying. After a few akward seconds, the silence was broken by the sound of the doorbell chiming. Téa and Joey looked over at Tristen in shock. "Tristen!" Téa hissed to her friend.
Tristen, confused, double blinked. "Wha?!? OH! Yeah! Guess it wasn't smart to ring the doorbell huh?"
"Maybe we should leave," suggested Joey.
Just as they were about to leave the front porch, the screen door slowly creeks open. A tall, scrawny old man stood in the door frame. He wore a pair of overalls with a few patches in the legs and a harley davis t-shirt. He had no hair except for a long redish goatee. He looked down at the three and snarled. "We ain't buying none so beat it you worthless punks!"
As he was closing the door, Téa boldly stepped up to him. "Excuse me sir. We aren't here to sell anything. My friends and I are looking for a classmate from school. Gary Bishoun. Is he your son?"
At the sound of hearing her son's name, the frantic woman came bursting out of the house. "You've seen my son! Where is he? Is he alright?"
Mr. Bishoun roughly grabed ahold of his wife and snarled in her face. "Get back inside Bernice!" He then turned back to the others, glaring. "I ain't got no son. And if you do find that worthless bastard you give him a message for me. Tell him if he ever comes by over here, he'll have a hole in his head!" Mr. Bishoun smiled deviously at the shocked faces as he and his wife disappeared back into the house.
After a few akward moments of silence, Tristen, Téa and Joey left the old victorian house and headed back towards Grandpa's shop. "I kind of feel bad for Gary," Tristen replied.
"Yeah I know whats ya mean Tristen," Joey answered frowning.
"We should report this to the guidance councelor at school tomorrow," Téa suggested.
"Do you think Gary will be in school tomorrow?" "I don't know Tristen. It seems unlikely that he'd be there, but we can always hope." Téa replied.
"I'm almost hoping that he won't be there. This makes it harder to get Yugi his Dark Magician back for him." Joey replied sulking.
"But we have to Joey," replied Tristen.
Joey slowly nodded unhappily dreading having to face Gary and Yugi tomorrow at school. After the three friends arrived at Grandpa's Shop, they told Solomon what they had found out then agreed to pick up tomorrow after school if Gary was not in school. They left trying to keep their hopes up but knowing things looked bleak. Before they left, Joey, Tristen, and Téa wanted Yugi to come down and say goodbye to them. Yugi refused telling them he'd rather be alone for awhile and that he'd see them in school tomorrow. A little bit more depressed then before, the three friends left and went their seperate ways home.
The next morning, Joey arrived at school earlier then the others. He stood by Gary's locker looking around nervously. ^Come on!^ he thought glancing at his watch. ^Be here!^ Joey reached into his bookbag and took out his deck. He sighed half-heartily looking through his cards for the hundreth time since he had arrived at school. He had planned on convincing Gary to give back the Dark Magician in exchange for his ENTIRE deck. Joey had put his heart and soul into his deck and felt part of him dying off. He shrugged it off. He didn't care if he had to loose his entire deck. Heck, he didn't care if he had to stoop to the level of having to obey Gary for as long as he wanted. He just wanted to get Yugi his Dark Magician back for him. ^I can't believe how stupid I was!^ Joey though angrily. ^I lost one of my best friend's most valuable card! But I swear I'll do what ever it takes to get it back to him. Even if it means never being able to pick up another card.^
Deep in thought, Joey didn't notice Téa and Tristen sneaking up on him until Tristen takled him. "Hey there buddy!" Tristen replied, jumping on Joey's back, ruffling his hair. "Where have you been? Téa and I have been waiting by the bike rack for you."
Startled, Joey stepped backwards, snapping out of his daze. "Tristen! You moron!" He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I got here early so I could talk to Gary.
Téa looked down and noticed Joey clutching his deck. "Joey, what were you planning on doing?"
"Well if I had to, I'd give Gary my entire deck. Even my Red Eyes Black Dragon."
Téa gasped in shock. "Joey! You can't do that! That deck has your heart and soul in it! You can't just give it up."
"I can and I will if it means getting Yug his Dark Magician back to him!"
"Don't be so hasty Joey. We'll think of a way to Yugi his card back to him." Tristen replied laying a hand on Joey's shoulder.
Joey roughly shook off Tristen's hand. "I don't care WHAT it takes! I'm gonna get Yugi his card back!" Looking past his friends, Joey spotted Gary turning down one of the corridors. "Now if ya'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to!" At that, he roughly squeezed by Tristen and Téa and made his way quickly after Gary.
Tristen and Téa watched on as Joey hurried away from him. "We can't let Joey give up his deck." Tristen replied turning to Téa. Téa nodded in agreement. "Doesn't he realize it'll only make Yugi feel worse?"
"Speaking of Yugi, where is he? He's going to be late AGAIN!"
"I don't know. I stopped by the shop before coming to school but his Grandpa said he wasn't sure if Yugi was coming today or not."
"Oh." Tristen replied sadly. "I kind of hope he does stay home."
"I know what you mean Tristen," Téa replied sighing. "Well let's put our things in our locker and head to class." Téa and Tristen walked off both thinking of ways to cheer up Yugi.
At the Turtle Shop, Yami had been trying to convince Yugi to go to school since 6:30 that morning.
//Aibou! It is important for you to go to school!//
Yugi sighed knowing that Yami was right but how could he face his friends? How could he face Joey? He knew Joey never meant to loose his Dark Magician. And that he didn't know why until last night why it was Yugi's favorite card. Still, Yugi felt swelled up with emotions and wasn't quite sure how he would react in front of his friends.
^I might do something I'll regret.^
He thought outloud. Yami, of course linked with Yugi read his thoughts.
//Aibou. Don't worry. Everything will be fine.//
Yugi sniffled looking up from underneath the covers where he had been hiding.
/Promise?/
Yami smiled Yugi
. //Have I ever steered you wrong before?//
Yugi sighed, smiling shaking his head. Sitting up in his bed, he looked up at Yami.
/Thank you Yami./ Yugi replied. /Uh, what time is it?/ He asked mostly to himself. Glancing at the clock, he let out a startle yelp. "Oh my gosh! It's already 7:50!" Jumping up from his bed, Yugi began to hurridly put his books into his bookbag. "Oh boy! I am going to be in SOOOO much trouble! If I'm tardy one more time, Mr. Jaddy said he'll give me detention and if that happens, then Grandpa will ground me for a month! Yugi groaned unhappily as he made his way to his closet, opening the door. Suddenly there was an avalanche of clothes and toys that engulfed the boy, pushing him to the floor. Yugi slowly crawled out of the mess. "This just isn't my day!"
/Oh hey Yami?/
Yami looked down at Yugi smirking. Yugi had put on a shirt with his head through the right arm his left arm throught the right arm sleeve and his left arm through the neck of the shirt. He choked back a laugh as he looked at Yugi. //Yes. What is it?//
/Do me a favor. Remind me to clean my room when we get home. That way I won/t risk the chance of getting knocked out cold from the avalance of stuff!/
Yami chuckled nodding. //I will remind you. Now put your shirt on correctly so you can get to school.// Yugi gasped embarrased, noticing how ridiculous he looked in the shirt.
Five minutes later, Yugi with his shirt on correctly, ran out of the Turtle Card Shop and down the street towards school. Obsorving from his soul room, Yami chuckled to himself, shaking his head. /How you survived this long is beyond me!/
//Guess its just one of those life mysteries that can never be solved.//
/Who'd want to?/
Yugi chuckled to himself as he reached the front steps of the Domino High School. "PHEW! I don't think I'm too late!" Just as Yugi had entered the school building, a hand shot out from behind and grabbed his shoulder.
Letting out a startled cry, Yugi spun around to come face to face with Mr. Jaddy. "Mr. Motou! I believe you are tardy this morning. Would you please follow me to my office?" Shoulder slumped, Yugi followed Mr. Jaddy to his office.
/Not my day!/
As they reached the office, Yugi couldn't help but notice Joey lingering in the halls, hiding behind the soda pop machines. ^Hmmmm....I wonder what Joey is doing out here? Shouldn't he be in class?^
"MR. MOTOU!"
Yugi jumped startled nearly forgetting where he was. Turning towards Mr. Jaddy, he bowed respectively, replying. "Umm....I'm sorry sir! VERY sorry!"
Mr. Jaddy smiled sympathetically. "Thats alright Mr. Motou. Why don't you please have a seat." When Yugi had taken a seat in front of Mr. Jaddy's red oak finnished desk, Mr. Jaddy continued. "How have things been for you Yugi?"
"Oh things have been good." "That's good to hear.
Any problems at home?"
"Uh, no." "You live with your grandfather don't you?"
"Yes thats right Mr. Jaddy." "And your grandfather owns the card shop here in town correct?"
"Thats right."
"It must be hard for him to manage a shop and care for a teenager as well as himself."
Not liking where this was going, Yugi began to feel uncomfortable. "We.....we get by.....we're doing good. Mr. Jaddy. I'm real sorry that I'm late for school."
Mr. Jaddy, smiled nodding his head. "Alright Mr. Motou. Go to your next class."
Surprised, Yugi blurted out. "You mean I'm not in trouble? No detention?!?" Mr. Jaddy smiled shaking his head. "Get to class alright Mr. Motou. And enjoy the rest of your day." Yugi jumped up and hurried out the door beaming.
/Maybe today won/t be as bad as I thought!/ He told Yami, closing the door behind him.
//That's good to hear. Aibou! Where are you going? Your next class is in the opposite direction.//
/I know but I saw Joey in this direction. I HAVE to talk to him./
Yami nodded understanding. //Alright. Just hope you don't get caught. You were lucky once today.//
/I know I know!/
Yugi quickly hurried down the hallway towards the soda pop machines. There he saw Joey hunched over near the wall. "Hey Joey!" Yugi replied quickening his pace. As Joey turned around, Yugi let out a startled gasp. Joey's left eye was swollen shut. He had cuts on his forehead and lips. And his nose was bleeding heavily. "JOEY!" Yugi replied rushing over to his friend. "Joey! What happened! Who did this Joey?!?!?"
Joey looked over at Yugi embarrased. "I'm sorry Yug! I tried to get your Dark Magician back for ya!" Yugi frowned as he began to feel his anger rise. "Did Gary do this to you?"
Joey nodded, sighing. "Yeah he and his goons. I came to school early today hoping I could catch Gary and convince him to give me your card back. Well...I founds him and all but de only way he'd give it to me was in a re-match. So I agreed! Oh man Yug! You should of seen it! I cleaned da floors with dat guy! But when I asked for the card, his goons jumped me from behind. He told me...."Verbal Contracts Not Bidding!" And walked off as his goons did this!" Joey turned to Yugi, Téars swelling up in his eyes. "Yug! I can't tell you how sorry I am man! I goofed up BIG time! I should have never....It was stupid of me to think.....I am such an IDIOT!"
Reaching up, Yugi placed a hand on Joey's arm. "It's alright Joey. Let's go get you cleaned off." Joey and Yugi stood there smiling at each other feeling relieved that they still had a friendship.
"Okay buddy. You leads da way!" With his help, Yugi guided Joey to the nurses office. Once there, Yugi left Joey promising him that he'd seem him at lunch if not sooner. Walking down the hall towards his class, Yugi was s Téaming mad.
/How could Gary do this to Joey! ERRRRRRRRR! He is such a creep!/
Yami sighed replying. //Yes I know.// Silently he muttered to himself, closing the link for a few seconds. And he'll pay for it too!
At lunch, as promised, Yugi met up with Joey in the cafeteria. They smiled warmly to each other making there way to the table that they and some of their other friends sat at. Tristen and Téa looked up at Joey started, rising up from their seats. "JOEY!" Téa gasped gingerly touching his face. "What happened to you?!?"
Joey proceed in telling them about the re-match and Gary's goons beating the hell out of him. Tristen bunched up his fist angrily. "Want me to beat the living hell out of him?"
Joey shook his head sighing. "No....Not dat I don't appreciate it Tristen but it might cause more problems. And not for me but for Yug here. No, I'll think of another way to get Yug his card back for him."
"Joey," Yugi replied interupting. "You really don't have to. I don't want you to get hurt because of my card."
"Yeah but Yug," Joey replied. "that's the card your parents gave to ya before.....well....you know."
"I know Joey but I....."
"No buts Yug! I promised to get you that card back and I will!"
Yugi sighed half heartily smiling. "Your a great friend Joey!"
Joey smiled beaming. "Ya! I know I am! Who da man!?!"
Tristen, Téa and Yugi laughed as Joey possed idiotically. The four friends ate lunch together Téasing each other and occassionaly throwing food at one another. By the time the lunch was over, everyone was in high spirits.
"Well I'll see you guys after school okay." Yugi asked taking his books from his locker.
"Sure thing Yugi!" Téa replied smiling warmly as Joey and Tristen playfully punched each other walking to their next class. Wordlessly they each gave Yugi the thumbs up signal. Yugi laughed to himself as he headed to his next class.
//It's good to see you in such high spirits again.// Yami replied smiling.
Yugi nodded smiling. /Yeah. They're great friends aren't they?/
//Yes they are.//
For the remaining of the day, Yugi was in his usual cheerful mood. After school, he met Joey, Tristen and Téa by the flagpole as they had agreed to do everyday after school. "Let's head to your grandpa's shop Yugi." Tristen suggested shifing the weight of his backpack. "I need his help on an assignment."
"That sounds good." Téa replied. Everyone else agreeing, Yugi and his friends walked towards the Turtle Card Shop. As they reached the shop, the four friends noticed a dark blue sedan parked out in the middle of the shop. "Huh..." Yugi replied. "Wonder what's going on?"
"Well let's find out!" Tristen suggest as the the four quickly headed to the shop. Yugi burst through the door calling out. "Grandpa! I'm home!" Three men in dark suits turned around from the counter to face Yugi. Imediatly, Yugi didn't like the feeling he was getting from these men. Cautiously he stepped back.
One of the men stepped foward smiling. "Are you Yugi Motou?"
Yugi wordlessly nodded.
"Thats good. You need to come with us son." Yugi frowned confused. "Why?"
"Because it's for your best interest."
"My best interest?!?!?"
"Yu...yu...yugi....." Surgokou stammered in a broken voice. "You.....you need to go with these nice gentlemen."
Yugi looked past the men to his grandfather and noticed that he was crying. "GRANDPA!" Yugi replied shocked. "What have these men done to you!"
"Nothing my dear boy." Surgokou replied trying to manage a smile.
"Just do as your told and go with these men."
"But.....I don't want to....."
"I know you don't Yugi, but do as your told."
Yugi looked down at his feet. Not knowing why, but he felt a Téar trinkly down his cheek. "Alright Grandpa." Yugi and the three men walked out of the shop. Placing Yugi in the back seat, in the middle, the three men and Yugi drove off. Yugi looked around frightened.
Closing his eyes, he pretend to fall asleep as he traveled to his subconscience mind. "Yami! What's going on?" Yugi asked his darker self as fear began to arise in him.
Yami looked down at his ligher self not sure what to tell Yugi because he wasn't sure himself. "I don't know aibou. I don't know."
Again Yugi felt the tears swell up in his eyes. "I'm scared!"
"It's alright aibou! I'm here to protect you. We'll find out what's going on."
Yugi sniffled looking up at Yami, half smiling. "Thanks." Yami nodded and told Yugi to remain calm and not to worry.
When Yugi had returned to the conscience world, Yami returned to his soul room to think deeply. What IS going on?
Meanwhile back at the Turtle Card Shop, Tristen, Joey and Téa were trying to help calm down Surgokou. "Sir," Téa replied handing him a tissue. "Why were those men here?"
"And why did they take Yugi?" Tristen asked.
"That was the state. They believe.......they think Yugi would be better off in a orphanage!" Surgokou managed to blurt out, choking back a sob. "How can they take my grandson!?!" Shocked and in a loss for words, Tristen, Téa and Joey stood there watching as the old man buried his face into his hands and cried.
DISCLAIMER: NO OWN YU-GI-OH!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//....// Yami
/..../ Yugi
^.....^ open thoughts
..... closed thoughts
The Value of a Card
Chapter Three
It had grown late as Tristen, Téa, and Joey wondered along the busy streets of the city. "How many more Bishoun's do we have to go through before we find the right one?" Joey asked, exhausted.
Téa looked at their list of people with the last name Bishoun. They had already gone through seven
families carring that name, but none of them knew Gary. "Nine."
"NINE!" Joey called out in alarm, whinning. "We'll be out here all night! Why did Gary hafta have such a popular name?!?"
"Because he's popular?" Tristen remarked sarcastically.
Glancing over, Joey glared at Tristen. "Shudup!"
"Okay you two knock it off. Let's go through three more families then call it a night. We can pick up where we left off tomorrow after school." Téa replied checking the address on the mailbox and on the paper to make sure it matched. "Okay Bishoun family number eight! Alright you guys. You ready?"
"Lets get this over with." Tristen remarked with a yawn.
"Here's to hoping." Joey remarked crossing his fingers. The three friends slowly made there way up the sidewalk to the front porch of the old victorian style house. As they were about to ring the doorbell, they heard a commotion from inside.
"He's a good for nothing punk!" A man yelled angrily. "All he does is cause trouble! I don't know how you can put up with his crap day in and day out. I told you we should of sent him away! But NO! Not HIM! Good for nothing bastard! And look what's happened now! He's run away from home!"
A shrill voice of a frightened woman who was obviously crying, yelled back to the man. "He's gone because of YOU! Your always drunk half the time! You don't give a damn! You never did! For god sake Paul! He is your son! Gary is your son! How many times do I have to tell you! I didn't cheat on you Paul! I love you! I LOVE YOU!!"
There was sudden silence in the house and on the porch. The only thing that could be heard was the woman inside crying. After a few akward seconds, the silence was broken by the sound of the doorbell chiming. Téa and Joey looked over at Tristen in shock. "Tristen!" Téa hissed to her friend.
Tristen, confused, double blinked. "Wha?!? OH! Yeah! Guess it wasn't smart to ring the doorbell huh?"
"Maybe we should leave," suggested Joey.
Just as they were about to leave the front porch, the screen door slowly creeks open. A tall, scrawny old man stood in the door frame. He wore a pair of overalls with a few patches in the legs and a harley davis t-shirt. He had no hair except for a long redish goatee. He looked down at the three and snarled. "We ain't buying none so beat it you worthless punks!"
As he was closing the door, Téa boldly stepped up to him. "Excuse me sir. We aren't here to sell anything. My friends and I are looking for a classmate from school. Gary Bishoun. Is he your son?"
At the sound of hearing her son's name, the frantic woman came bursting out of the house. "You've seen my son! Where is he? Is he alright?"
Mr. Bishoun roughly grabed ahold of his wife and snarled in her face. "Get back inside Bernice!" He then turned back to the others, glaring. "I ain't got no son. And if you do find that worthless bastard you give him a message for me. Tell him if he ever comes by over here, he'll have a hole in his head!" Mr. Bishoun smiled deviously at the shocked faces as he and his wife disappeared back into the house.
After a few akward moments of silence, Tristen, Téa and Joey left the old victorian house and headed back towards Grandpa's shop. "I kind of feel bad for Gary," Tristen replied.
"Yeah I know whats ya mean Tristen," Joey answered frowning.
"We should report this to the guidance councelor at school tomorrow," Téa suggested.
"Do you think Gary will be in school tomorrow?" "I don't know Tristen. It seems unlikely that he'd be there, but we can always hope." Téa replied.
"I'm almost hoping that he won't be there. This makes it harder to get Yugi his Dark Magician back for him." Joey replied sulking.
"But we have to Joey," replied Tristen.
Joey slowly nodded unhappily dreading having to face Gary and Yugi tomorrow at school. After the three friends arrived at Grandpa's Shop, they told Solomon what they had found out then agreed to pick up tomorrow after school if Gary was not in school. They left trying to keep their hopes up but knowing things looked bleak. Before they left, Joey, Tristen, and Téa wanted Yugi to come down and say goodbye to them. Yugi refused telling them he'd rather be alone for awhile and that he'd see them in school tomorrow. A little bit more depressed then before, the three friends left and went their seperate ways home.
The next morning, Joey arrived at school earlier then the others. He stood by Gary's locker looking around nervously. ^Come on!^ he thought glancing at his watch. ^Be here!^ Joey reached into his bookbag and took out his deck. He sighed half-heartily looking through his cards for the hundreth time since he had arrived at school. He had planned on convincing Gary to give back the Dark Magician in exchange for his ENTIRE deck. Joey had put his heart and soul into his deck and felt part of him dying off. He shrugged it off. He didn't care if he had to loose his entire deck. Heck, he didn't care if he had to stoop to the level of having to obey Gary for as long as he wanted. He just wanted to get Yugi his Dark Magician back for him. ^I can't believe how stupid I was!^ Joey though angrily. ^I lost one of my best friend's most valuable card! But I swear I'll do what ever it takes to get it back to him. Even if it means never being able to pick up another card.^
Deep in thought, Joey didn't notice Téa and Tristen sneaking up on him until Tristen takled him. "Hey there buddy!" Tristen replied, jumping on Joey's back, ruffling his hair. "Where have you been? Téa and I have been waiting by the bike rack for you."
Startled, Joey stepped backwards, snapping out of his daze. "Tristen! You moron!" He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I got here early so I could talk to Gary.
Téa looked down and noticed Joey clutching his deck. "Joey, what were you planning on doing?"
"Well if I had to, I'd give Gary my entire deck. Even my Red Eyes Black Dragon."
Téa gasped in shock. "Joey! You can't do that! That deck has your heart and soul in it! You can't just give it up."
"I can and I will if it means getting Yug his Dark Magician back to him!"
"Don't be so hasty Joey. We'll think of a way to Yugi his card back to him." Tristen replied laying a hand on Joey's shoulder.
Joey roughly shook off Tristen's hand. "I don't care WHAT it takes! I'm gonna get Yugi his card back!" Looking past his friends, Joey spotted Gary turning down one of the corridors. "Now if ya'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to!" At that, he roughly squeezed by Tristen and Téa and made his way quickly after Gary.
Tristen and Téa watched on as Joey hurried away from him. "We can't let Joey give up his deck." Tristen replied turning to Téa. Téa nodded in agreement. "Doesn't he realize it'll only make Yugi feel worse?"
"Speaking of Yugi, where is he? He's going to be late AGAIN!"
"I don't know. I stopped by the shop before coming to school but his Grandpa said he wasn't sure if Yugi was coming today or not."
"Oh." Tristen replied sadly. "I kind of hope he does stay home."
"I know what you mean Tristen," Téa replied sighing. "Well let's put our things in our locker and head to class." Téa and Tristen walked off both thinking of ways to cheer up Yugi.
At the Turtle Shop, Yami had been trying to convince Yugi to go to school since 6:30 that morning.
//Aibou! It is important for you to go to school!//
Yugi sighed knowing that Yami was right but how could he face his friends? How could he face Joey? He knew Joey never meant to loose his Dark Magician. And that he didn't know why until last night why it was Yugi's favorite card. Still, Yugi felt swelled up with emotions and wasn't quite sure how he would react in front of his friends.
^I might do something I'll regret.^
He thought outloud. Yami, of course linked with Yugi read his thoughts.
//Aibou. Don't worry. Everything will be fine.//
Yugi sniffled looking up from underneath the covers where he had been hiding.
/Promise?/
Yami smiled Yugi
. //Have I ever steered you wrong before?//
Yugi sighed, smiling shaking his head. Sitting up in his bed, he looked up at Yami.
/Thank you Yami./ Yugi replied. /Uh, what time is it?/ He asked mostly to himself. Glancing at the clock, he let out a startle yelp. "Oh my gosh! It's already 7:50!" Jumping up from his bed, Yugi began to hurridly put his books into his bookbag. "Oh boy! I am going to be in SOOOO much trouble! If I'm tardy one more time, Mr. Jaddy said he'll give me detention and if that happens, then Grandpa will ground me for a month! Yugi groaned unhappily as he made his way to his closet, opening the door. Suddenly there was an avalanche of clothes and toys that engulfed the boy, pushing him to the floor. Yugi slowly crawled out of the mess. "This just isn't my day!"
/Oh hey Yami?/
Yami looked down at Yugi smirking. Yugi had put on a shirt with his head through the right arm his left arm throught the right arm sleeve and his left arm through the neck of the shirt. He choked back a laugh as he looked at Yugi. //Yes. What is it?//
/Do me a favor. Remind me to clean my room when we get home. That way I won/t risk the chance of getting knocked out cold from the avalance of stuff!/
Yami chuckled nodding. //I will remind you. Now put your shirt on correctly so you can get to school.// Yugi gasped embarrased, noticing how ridiculous he looked in the shirt.
Five minutes later, Yugi with his shirt on correctly, ran out of the Turtle Card Shop and down the street towards school. Obsorving from his soul room, Yami chuckled to himself, shaking his head. /How you survived this long is beyond me!/
//Guess its just one of those life mysteries that can never be solved.//
/Who'd want to?/
Yugi chuckled to himself as he reached the front steps of the Domino High School. "PHEW! I don't think I'm too late!" Just as Yugi had entered the school building, a hand shot out from behind and grabbed his shoulder.
Letting out a startled cry, Yugi spun around to come face to face with Mr. Jaddy. "Mr. Motou! I believe you are tardy this morning. Would you please follow me to my office?" Shoulder slumped, Yugi followed Mr. Jaddy to his office.
/Not my day!/
As they reached the office, Yugi couldn't help but notice Joey lingering in the halls, hiding behind the soda pop machines. ^Hmmmm....I wonder what Joey is doing out here? Shouldn't he be in class?^
"MR. MOTOU!"
Yugi jumped startled nearly forgetting where he was. Turning towards Mr. Jaddy, he bowed respectively, replying. "Umm....I'm sorry sir! VERY sorry!"
Mr. Jaddy smiled sympathetically. "Thats alright Mr. Motou. Why don't you please have a seat." When Yugi had taken a seat in front of Mr. Jaddy's red oak finnished desk, Mr. Jaddy continued. "How have things been for you Yugi?"
"Oh things have been good." "That's good to hear.
Any problems at home?"
"Uh, no." "You live with your grandfather don't you?"
"Yes thats right Mr. Jaddy." "And your grandfather owns the card shop here in town correct?"
"Thats right."
"It must be hard for him to manage a shop and care for a teenager as well as himself."
Not liking where this was going, Yugi began to feel uncomfortable. "We.....we get by.....we're doing good. Mr. Jaddy. I'm real sorry that I'm late for school."
Mr. Jaddy, smiled nodding his head. "Alright Mr. Motou. Go to your next class."
Surprised, Yugi blurted out. "You mean I'm not in trouble? No detention?!?" Mr. Jaddy smiled shaking his head. "Get to class alright Mr. Motou. And enjoy the rest of your day." Yugi jumped up and hurried out the door beaming.
/Maybe today won/t be as bad as I thought!/ He told Yami, closing the door behind him.
//That's good to hear. Aibou! Where are you going? Your next class is in the opposite direction.//
/I know but I saw Joey in this direction. I HAVE to talk to him./
Yami nodded understanding. //Alright. Just hope you don't get caught. You were lucky once today.//
/I know I know!/
Yugi quickly hurried down the hallway towards the soda pop machines. There he saw Joey hunched over near the wall. "Hey Joey!" Yugi replied quickening his pace. As Joey turned around, Yugi let out a startled gasp. Joey's left eye was swollen shut. He had cuts on his forehead and lips. And his nose was bleeding heavily. "JOEY!" Yugi replied rushing over to his friend. "Joey! What happened! Who did this Joey?!?!?"
Joey looked over at Yugi embarrased. "I'm sorry Yug! I tried to get your Dark Magician back for ya!" Yugi frowned as he began to feel his anger rise. "Did Gary do this to you?"
Joey nodded, sighing. "Yeah he and his goons. I came to school early today hoping I could catch Gary and convince him to give me your card back. Well...I founds him and all but de only way he'd give it to me was in a re-match. So I agreed! Oh man Yug! You should of seen it! I cleaned da floors with dat guy! But when I asked for the card, his goons jumped me from behind. He told me...."Verbal Contracts Not Bidding!" And walked off as his goons did this!" Joey turned to Yugi, Téars swelling up in his eyes. "Yug! I can't tell you how sorry I am man! I goofed up BIG time! I should have never....It was stupid of me to think.....I am such an IDIOT!"
Reaching up, Yugi placed a hand on Joey's arm. "It's alright Joey. Let's go get you cleaned off." Joey and Yugi stood there smiling at each other feeling relieved that they still had a friendship.
"Okay buddy. You leads da way!" With his help, Yugi guided Joey to the nurses office. Once there, Yugi left Joey promising him that he'd seem him at lunch if not sooner. Walking down the hall towards his class, Yugi was s Téaming mad.
/How could Gary do this to Joey! ERRRRRRRRR! He is such a creep!/
Yami sighed replying. //Yes I know.// Silently he muttered to himself, closing the link for a few seconds. And he'll pay for it too!
At lunch, as promised, Yugi met up with Joey in the cafeteria. They smiled warmly to each other making there way to the table that they and some of their other friends sat at. Tristen and Téa looked up at Joey started, rising up from their seats. "JOEY!" Téa gasped gingerly touching his face. "What happened to you?!?"
Joey proceed in telling them about the re-match and Gary's goons beating the hell out of him. Tristen bunched up his fist angrily. "Want me to beat the living hell out of him?"
Joey shook his head sighing. "No....Not dat I don't appreciate it Tristen but it might cause more problems. And not for me but for Yug here. No, I'll think of another way to get Yug his card back for him."
"Joey," Yugi replied interupting. "You really don't have to. I don't want you to get hurt because of my card."
"Yeah but Yug," Joey replied. "that's the card your parents gave to ya before.....well....you know."
"I know Joey but I....."
"No buts Yug! I promised to get you that card back and I will!"
Yugi sighed half heartily smiling. "Your a great friend Joey!"
Joey smiled beaming. "Ya! I know I am! Who da man!?!"
Tristen, Téa and Yugi laughed as Joey possed idiotically. The four friends ate lunch together Téasing each other and occassionaly throwing food at one another. By the time the lunch was over, everyone was in high spirits.
"Well I'll see you guys after school okay." Yugi asked taking his books from his locker.
"Sure thing Yugi!" Téa replied smiling warmly as Joey and Tristen playfully punched each other walking to their next class. Wordlessly they each gave Yugi the thumbs up signal. Yugi laughed to himself as he headed to his next class.
//It's good to see you in such high spirits again.// Yami replied smiling.
Yugi nodded smiling. /Yeah. They're great friends aren't they?/
//Yes they are.//
For the remaining of the day, Yugi was in his usual cheerful mood. After school, he met Joey, Tristen and Téa by the flagpole as they had agreed to do everyday after school. "Let's head to your grandpa's shop Yugi." Tristen suggested shifing the weight of his backpack. "I need his help on an assignment."
"That sounds good." Téa replied. Everyone else agreeing, Yugi and his friends walked towards the Turtle Card Shop. As they reached the shop, the four friends noticed a dark blue sedan parked out in the middle of the shop. "Huh..." Yugi replied. "Wonder what's going on?"
"Well let's find out!" Tristen suggest as the the four quickly headed to the shop. Yugi burst through the door calling out. "Grandpa! I'm home!" Three men in dark suits turned around from the counter to face Yugi. Imediatly, Yugi didn't like the feeling he was getting from these men. Cautiously he stepped back.
One of the men stepped foward smiling. "Are you Yugi Motou?"
Yugi wordlessly nodded.
"Thats good. You need to come with us son." Yugi frowned confused. "Why?"
"Because it's for your best interest."
"My best interest?!?!?"
"Yu...yu...yugi....." Surgokou stammered in a broken voice. "You.....you need to go with these nice gentlemen."
Yugi looked past the men to his grandfather and noticed that he was crying. "GRANDPA!" Yugi replied shocked. "What have these men done to you!"
"Nothing my dear boy." Surgokou replied trying to manage a smile.
"Just do as your told and go with these men."
"But.....I don't want to....."
"I know you don't Yugi, but do as your told."
Yugi looked down at his feet. Not knowing why, but he felt a Téar trinkly down his cheek. "Alright Grandpa." Yugi and the three men walked out of the shop. Placing Yugi in the back seat, in the middle, the three men and Yugi drove off. Yugi looked around frightened.
Closing his eyes, he pretend to fall asleep as he traveled to his subconscience mind. "Yami! What's going on?" Yugi asked his darker self as fear began to arise in him.
Yami looked down at his ligher self not sure what to tell Yugi because he wasn't sure himself. "I don't know aibou. I don't know."
Again Yugi felt the tears swell up in his eyes. "I'm scared!"
"It's alright aibou! I'm here to protect you. We'll find out what's going on."
Yugi sniffled looking up at Yami, half smiling. "Thanks." Yami nodded and told Yugi to remain calm and not to worry.
When Yugi had returned to the conscience world, Yami returned to his soul room to think deeply. What IS going on?
Meanwhile back at the Turtle Card Shop, Tristen, Joey and Téa were trying to help calm down Surgokou. "Sir," Téa replied handing him a tissue. "Why were those men here?"
"And why did they take Yugi?" Tristen asked.
"That was the state. They believe.......they think Yugi would be better off in a orphanage!" Surgokou managed to blurt out, choking back a sob. "How can they take my grandson!?!" Shocked and in a loss for words, Tristen, Téa and Joey stood there watching as the old man buried his face into his hands and cried.
