YGO cast: *dead on the floor*

Shinimegami: *flies in* I'm back people! *sees the YGO crew dead* ACK! Ehehehe, guess I waited a little long to update... Oh well, they'll be better once we start. Okay, I guess we'll just start! Enjoy the chapter! ^.^

Disclaimers: Uhhh...nope, Yu-Gi-Oh sure isn't mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin, Shi, and the others ran as quickly as they could back to Kevin's house. They reached they're destination, and Kevin burst through the door, desperate to find clues that would lead to the person who had harmed his father.

"Dude, calm down, Kevin," said Shi, coming into the house after him. "We'll find whoever did this, don't you worry. We're not about to give up, are we guys?" She turned to Yugi and the others.

"Of course not," Yugi said. The rest of his friends agreed with him. Kevin lowered his head.

"Thanks, guys," he said quietly. Shi gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder, and then they went to work.

"You two go look in the kitchen," Shi said to Tristan and Téa. "Yugi, you and Joey can look in the rooms in the hallway. Bakura, you can look with me and Kevin in the living room."

"Right," said Tristan. "Let's go, Téa." Téa nodded and they went into the kitchen. Yugi and Joey went to the hallway, while Bakura, Shi, and Kevin stayed in the living room.

It wasn't long before Téa came running to get Kevin.

"Hey, Kevin!" she called. Kevin looked up from searching near the sofa.

"What is it, Téa?" he asked hopefully. "Did you find anything?"

"I think we did," Téa said. She held up a video tape in her hand. "Tristan found this near the phone. I don't know if it's yours or not, though." Shi walked over.

"Hmm, I guess I didn't notice that when I called the hospital before," she said, scratching the back of her head. "Guess I was too caught up with helping Kevin's dad." She looked at Kevin. "Do you recognize that tape?"

"I don't think so," Kevin shook his head.

"You think it belongs to whoever did this?" asked Téa.

"Might be," considered Kevin. "But why would they leave it here? You think it was deliberate? Like they want us to see it?"

"If that's the case, let's just watch it and see what it tells us," said Shi, taking the tape from Téa. "Help me work the VCR, Kevin."

"I'll go get the guys," said Bakura, who had been silent for the past minutes. He left the living room while Kevin helped put the video in the VCR. Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Téa came back in just as the video began to play.

There was some static at first, but then the picture cleared up. The picture showed a dark figure with a dark background behind them. The person sat on a large-looking chair and was facing the camera. No one could make out his features.

"Hello, Kevin Hunter," spoke the figure in a raspy voice. Everyone could tell that it was a male speaking. "And I assume that Yugi Muto is with you as well. Well, now, let's get down to business, shall we?"

"Business. Heh, yeah right..." muttered Joey.

"Shh!" Tristan hissed at him, and turned his attention back to the video.

"Well, Kevin, I suppose you're wondering what exactly happened to your father, am I right?" spoke the figure with amusement. "You can stop worrying, now, he's in a place where nothing can reach him. And that includes you." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a card, showing it to the camera. There was just enough light to make out Kevin's father's picture on the card.

"...Dad?" Kevin said weakly. Téa clamped her hands over her mouth; everyone seemed in shock.

"Man, this is just like what happened to your grandpa, Yugi," said Tristan, looking down at his friend. Yugi just nodded. Shi seemed to silently glare at the figure on the television.

"And now I suppose you're wondering just how you can get him back," chuckled the figure. "After all, it would probably be a horrible life living with a soul-less father." Kevin clenched his hands into fists. Shi calmly put a hand on his shoulder.

"Fear not, young Kevin, you'll get your father's soul back," the figure calmly said, lowering the soul card. "That is, if you can win my tournament."

"Tournament...?" questioned Kevin quietly.

"I am hosting a Duel Monsters tournament next week in Cairo, Egypt," said the figure. "Whomever shall win the tournament shall receive one request from me. If you wish to rescue your father, then I suggest you enter and win my tournament. Although, I have my doubts. After all, I have invited some of the most powerful Duelists in the world. I won't be surprised if Yugi Muto ends up coming along with you." The figure chuckled once more before saying one last thing. "I bid you good luck, Kevin Hunter. You'll need it." The picture suddenly cut out.

"I can't believe this..." Kevin muttered.

"This sounds like something Pegasus would do," Tristan spoke up.

"I agree wit ya, man, but dat sure wasn't Pegasus on da tape," Joey said.

"Well, it coulda been someone who works for Pegasus, though," proposed Tristan again.

"It doesn't matter who's behind it," Shi said, stepping forward. "What matters right now is getting Kevin's father back."

"The only way to free him is to win that tournament in Egypt," Kevin said, turning to the others. "I have no choice but to enter."

"You're not going by yourself, buddy," Shi said. "I'm entering the tournament, too."

"Me, too!" Yugi chimed in.

"Don't forget me!" exclaimed Joey. Kevin seemed to smile.

"Thanks, you guys," he said. "You don't know how much this means to me..."

"Don't worry about it, Kevin," assured Shi. "If all four of us enter, then we have four chances at winning. And we'll each have the same request: to get your father's soul back."

"And don't forget about us!" said Bakura, standing next to Téa and Tristan. "You're not leaving us behind!"

"Of course not!" said Shi.

"We'll be behind you guys all the way!" said Téa.

"Group hug!" cried Tristan. Everyone laughed at Tristan's enthusiasm and came together in one big group hug. Kevin couldn't help but smile at that moment.

"Don't worry, Kevin," said Shi when the hug broke. "We'll get your father back, no matter what."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin walked into the dark hospital room that his father was in. He didn't bother to turn on the lights as he went to sit next to his father's bed. He quickly brushed away any tears trying to come out of his eyes.

He couldn't believe all the things that had happened. He had come to Japan for that champion tournament Domino City was holding, and then transferred to Domino High with Shi. Everything was supposed to be just fine. Then Seto Kaiba decided to have some thing against him, and now some freak had taken his father's soul. And then that tournament...

"Kevin?" a voice asked from the doorway. Kevin looked up and saw Téa.

"Oh, hey," Kevin said. He looked back down at his father. Téa walked over and sat down next to him.

"Is everything okay?" she asked gently.

"Oh yeah, sure, everything's fine," Kevin said sarcastically. "I'm just dealing with the fact that my father's gone and I have to all the way to Egypt for some stupid tournament to save him." Téa seemed taken aback.

"I'm sorry," Téa said in a small voice. "If you want me to leave, I will." She stood up and started to walk out.

"No, wait!" said Kevin, grabbing Téa's hand. "Please, stay. I want...I need someone to talk to." Téa looked at him and nodded, and sat back down.

"Sorry, Téa, I'm just really frustrated right now," Kevin said. "I just can't believe anything anymore. I mean, one minute everything's fine, and then all of a sudden, my dad..." He broke off there.

"I know..." said Téa. "Just remember that the others and I will always be by your side, no matter what. We won't give up until your father's home safe." Kevin looked up at her and smiled.

"Thanks," he said.

"No problem."

Kevin continued to look at Téa. Ever since he had first laid eyes on her, and not to mention practically embarrassing himself in front of her, he had...these feelings for her. Feelings that just wouldn't leave him alone after that...

"Something wrong, Kevin?"

"Huh?" He realized that he had been staring at Téa open-mouthed for the past minute. "Oh! Sorry." That was it. He couldn't hold them in anymore. Well, now it was the moment of truth.

"Téa, there's something I want to tell you," Kevin said.

"Sure, Kevin," said Téa. "What is it?" Kevin took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Téa, ever since I first met you," Kevin began, looking down, "I've had these... Well, what I mean is that I think that I... Um, what I mean to say is..." Téa slowly smiled and took Kevin's hand into hers.

"I think I know what you're trying to say," she said. Kevin looked up.

"You do?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Téa answered. "And...I feel the exact same way as you." Kevin's face seemed to brighten.

"Y-you mean it?" he stammered. "Really?"

"Really," Téa nodded. They both smiled again and looked into the other's eyes. Slowly, they leaned closer to each other. Within seconds, their faces were inches apart. Both of them closed their eyes, and their lips met in a sweet, passionate kiss. Téa raised her arms and placed them around Kevin's shoulders. Suddenly, the lights came on.

"Oh... am I, um, interrupting something?"

Kevin and Téa broke the kiss and looked up to see Shi standing in the doorway. Both of them blushed with embarrassment.

"I just KNEW you had a crush on her, Kevin!" said Shi, laughing. Kevin blushed a little bit more. "Anyway, sorry about that. I was just checking to see if you guys were in here or not. Kevin, someone was looking for you." She stepped aside a bit, revealing Rebecca behind her, holding her brown teddy bear in her arms.

"Oh, hi, Rebecca," said Kevin with a smile. Rebecca gave a smile back.

"Um, Shi, where are the other guys?" asked Téa.

"Eh, I lost them somewhere in this hospital," said Shi, rubbing the back of her head. "I think the last thing I heard them say was something about vending machines."

"Oooh, Joey probably talked them into it!" said Téa, both playful and irritated. "C'mon, let's go look for them." She got up from where she was sitting and walked over to Shi.

"Okay," agreed Shi. She looked at Kevin. "I'll just leave you alone with Rebecca. I'll meet you two near the entrance. Okay?"

"Sure thing," said Kevin, and the two girls left. Rebecca walked over to Kevin.

"You and Téa really like each other, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah," Kevin replied. "And we both just realized it, too." Rebecca climbed up onto the bed next to Kevin. She seemed a little sad. Kevin noticed.

"Rebecca, what's wrong?" he asked, touching her shoulder.

"I heard what happened to your father," Rebecca said, hugging her bear. "I'm sad because you're sad." Kevin smiled at her.

"Please, I don't want you to be sad, too," he said, taking her hand. "Just be happy, like you always are. I like it when you're happy." Rebecca looked up at Kevin.

"Okay," she said, hugging him around his middle. "Oh, I almost forgot! Guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm gonna come with you to the tournament!"

"Oh! Really?"

"Yep! And I'm gonna compete in it, too!"

"I never knew you were a Duelist!"

"I am. And I'll help you get your father back!"

"Awww, man, you really are sweet." Kevin hugged Rebecca again.

"You're welcome, Kevin," said Rebecca. "Hey, wanna go look for the others?"

"Alright," said Kevin. Rebecca jumped off the bed and Kevin followed her. "I only hope Joey hasn't been mauled by Téa..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Uh...okay, guys, I think now would be a good time to mention that I don't like heights."

"What? Well, Tristan, you coulda told us dat before!"

"Besides, you asked for the window seat."

"Yeah, well, I didn't know we'd be going this high..."

"Hello?! This is an airplane, Tristan, duh!"

"Look, just close your window, or something."

"Ehehe, okay."

Tristan closed the window next to his seat and sighed in relief. Joey was seated next to him, and Yugi sat across the isle from them. Rebecca sat next to him, looking through her Deck. Behind them, Kevin and Téa sat together, both of them asleep, with Téa curled up next to Kevin. Across from them, Shi and Bakura talked together about the tournament.

They were the only people on the small plane. It turned out that whoever planned the tournament had prepared a private jet for them as well. That was the only thing they appreciated.

Joey suddenly yawned out of boredom. He turned in his seat to talk to Kevin, and saw him asleep with Téa leaning against him. He covered his mouth with his hands as he burst into a fit of giggles.

"What is it, Joey?" asked Yugi. Joey pointed to Kevin and Téa, and Yugi could see what he was laughing about. Joey quietly reached into his bag near his feet and took out a camera. Shi looked over.

"You brought a camera?" she asked.

"What? It's just since we're goin' ta Egypt an' all, I wanted ta get a few photos of da place," Joey said. "An' now, dis is another good reason ta have it!" He leaned over his seat and lifted the camera up to his face. He made sure the flash was off before he snapped a few pictures.

"Man, I can't wait 'till deese babies develop!" said Joey with a wide smile. "I'm talkin' blackmail whenever Téa gets mad at me!"

"Joey, you're something else..." Bakura laughed. Joey put his camera back and took out his deck to look it through.

After a few hours, the plane reached Cairo. The gang left their transport and instantly saw the registration stand for the tournament. When they approached it, they suddenly saw some familiar faces.

"Mai?!" questioned Yugi, surprised. "Is that you?" Mai turned around and saw Yugi and the others coming towards her.

"Yugi? Joey? Hey, it really is you guys!" Mai said happily. "I had a feeling I'd see you two here, as well as your friends." She looked back farther and saw Kevin. "Hey, who's the cute guy?" Téa suddenly looked like she was about to explode.

"Oh, sorry, Téa, is he yours?" Mai asked with amusement, after seeing this. Téa suddenly blushed a deep, crimson red.

"Uh, I'm Kevin Hunter," Kevin said, a little uneasily.

"Kevin Hunter?" questioned Mai. "As in the Kevin Hunter from that tournament in Domino City?"

"Yeah, that's me," said Kevin. Mai extended her hand.

"I'm Mai Valentine," she said. Kevin took her hand and shook it. Shi spoke up.

"Hey, aren't you that girl from the Duelist Kingdom tournament?" she asked. "And didn't you enter Battle City as well?" Mai looked at her.

"Yep," Mai answered, looking Shi up and down. "Who are you?"

"The name's Shi Silverlight," she said proudly.

"Oh, you were the winner of that tournament a while ago!" exclaimed Mai.

"Got that right!" said Shi. She extended her hand and Mai took it. It was right about then that Yugi noticed Seto standing behind Mai.

"Oh, hey, Kaiba," he said. "You're entering the tournament, too?" Joey and Tristan noticed Seto as well, and didn't seem that happy to see him.

"Yes, I am," said Seto. "I'm not surprised to see that you've decided to enter as well, Yugi."

"You're Seto Kaiba?" asked Rebecca, pushing her way to the front. "Ooh, I've heard all about you!" Seto looked down at the girl.

"Who's the small fry?" Seto asked coldly.

"Hey! I'm not a small fry!!" shouted Rebecca. Seto smirked.

"You look like one to me," he said. Rebecca stayed silent then, and looked down. Kevin suddenly stepped forward.

"That's just cold, Kaiba!" he shot. "What gives you the right to insult an 8-year-old? I thought you'd know better, considering the fact you have a little brother!" Seto narrowed his eyes.

"Hmph, I'm surprised an amateur like you thinks he has the right to tell me what to do," he spoke coldly.

"Amateur?" exclaimed Shi. "Kevin's one of the best Duelists I've encountered!" Seto smirked.

"Compared to me, he's an amateur," said Seto calmly. Kevin couldn't take it anymore.

"Now just shut up!" he shouted, running forward. Seto didn't back down one bit, and gave a swift punch to Kevin's stomach. Kevin hunched over in pain.

"Kevin!" cried Téa, rushing over to his side.

"Geez, Kaiba, what's yer stinkin' problem?!" asked Joey angrily. Seto paid no attention and walked off, smirking to himself. His trench coat flowed behind him.

"Yeah, that's right, just keep walking, you freak!" yelled Shi behind him. Kevin managed to stand up with Téa's help, and he glared at Seto's retreating back.

"Man, that guy has definitely got some issues to work out," he said quietly. There was a bit of silence before a flash suddenly went off. All eyes turned to Joey, who innocently held his camera up.

"Ehehehe, sorry, guys, but I couldn't just let a good opportunity go ta waste, ya know?" he said nervously. Kevin and Téa looked at each other and noticed that Kevin's arm was still around Téa's shoulder, and her arm was still around his waist.

"Joey, give me that camera!" Kevin shouted suddenly. Joey "eeped" and ran off, and Kevin tore after him.

"Please, don't hurt me, Kevin!"

"Those pictures will never see the light of day!"

Kevin suddenly tackled Joey and the two wrestled for control of the camera.

"Kevin, don't! I've got perfect blackmail against Téa in 'ere!"

"WHAT?! Okay, now you're really gonna get it, mister!"

"Uhhh, we'll just sign you guys in for you!" called Yugi as he, Rebecca and Shi signed the registration form. Soon, Tristan and Bakura managed to break up the struggle between Kevin and Joey. Joey still obtained the camera, to Kevin's disappointment.

"You better sleep with one eye open tonight, Wheeler, I'm gonna get that camera!"

"Ooooh, I'm sooooo scared."

"C'mon, you two, let's just go see what our competition is."

And with that, the group walked to the Dueling arena, ready to see what awaited them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shinimegami: So! Was that good? I think it was.

Kevin: Where's Kaiba?! *sees Seto sneaking away in the background* HEY! Get back here you sissy!! *pulls out a megaton mallet*

Seto: O.O *runs for his life*

Kevin: You can run, but you can't hide! *chases after him*

Joey: ^____________________________________________________________^

Tristan: Uh...what's he so happy about?

Shinimegami: He still has those pictures.

Tristan: Oh.

Shinimegami: Yep. Okay, anyway, I'll see you all later! Remember to R&R! Ja Ne! ^.~