School sux, didja know that? I was talking to Akei and a we were bored so we started asking dumb questions. One really good one is how did Yugi, Seto, Joey, Tea, Bakura, Tristen, and all those other kids get off school to go to Duelist Kingdom? I wish I could use that excuse...but then of course there's the little problem with my parents.
*smack!*
huh? what was that, i'd better go check it out.
*umph!*
Oh ra... better hurry
*crash*
STOP FIGHTING! Yami--that corner--now! Yaku--this corner--now! No one talks or moves till I say so.
*Yami*: I'm getting sent to a corner...
*Yaku*: what the heck?
Kirsta: NOW!
*Yaku*: oh ra!
Kirsta: Don't push me...
*Yami and Yaku pout*
Disclaimer: *Caleia*: she's making me do this... Kirsta doesn't own YuGiOh but unfortunatly she does own me, Keeper of the Cards, and Yaku's name. Fortunately for him he has a variety of names so she doesn't own him. I'm only doing this for her because she said she'd let me go shopping if i did.
Oh and just a note: Caleia thinks to herself quite a lot in this chappie so you might need to check to see it she's talking out loud or to herself..."abcd" is talking out loud and... 'abcd' is thinking to herself.
for mental talking...
/Yugi to Yami/
//Yami to Yugi//
[Bakura to Yaku]
{Yaku to Bakura}
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Chapter 9
The long awaited dismissal bell rang welcomely and the class slammed their books shut, anxious to get out of the school. Yugi, who had to get home early to help out Grandpa, who was a bit under the weather, said a quick goodbye and hurried home. Joey also left quickly as he was going to visit his mom and sister today. Bakura and Tea waited for Caleia. They were going to walk together, as they lived only 7 or 8 blocks away from one another.
A hand grabbed Caleia arm as she walked out the door. She instinctively tensed for a moment before she realized it was only Seto and relaxed.
"May I have a word with you?" he asked, then added, "I'll walk you home if you want." Caleia glanced at Tea and Bakura to see if they minded, but they didn't, Yaku even taking over Bakura's body for a second to wink at her.
'Remind me to hit him later.' "Yeah sure, that be fine," Caleia told Seto, then said to the other two, "Bye guys, see ya later."
"Bye," echoed Bakura and Tea. Caleia waited for Seto to finish packing up, he seemed to be purposely taking a long time to do so. When the last student walked out of the classroom, Seto finally closed his case and clasped it shut. Caleia, by this time, was sitting on his desk waiting for him, having gotten tired of standing.
"Ready to go?" she asked as Seto got up.
"Yeah." Caleia got off the desk and walked with Seto out the door. "Caleia, do you have a dress for the party yet?" Seto asked her.
"Uhhh, no, I haven't gotten any time to go shopping for anything yet," she responded. "And I don't really know how dressy I need to get."
Seto grinned just a little. "Well, this is a big event at my company, and it probably borderlines a ball, so I'd say you would need to get fairly decent. You know what? Since you don't have anything yet, maybe you could take Mokuba shopping with you. He's been to this event in previous years and he'll know what is grand enough. I for one am choosing not to come--I'd like to be surprised to see what you wear." Caleia blushed a little.
"Is that a compliment?" Now it was Seto's turn to flush.
"I guess it was. So are you busy this afternoon?"
"No, not really."
"Great, I'll tell Mokuba to pick you up after he gets home from school, he's been bugging me to ask you if he could come with you to go shopping." Caleia laughed a little.
"That'd be great," she said. They turned the corner and there was a little cafe up ahead. "Hey wanna grab something to eat?" she asked. Seto took quite a long time to answer, having an inward argument with himself to figure if he should show any emotion towards Caleia.
Fortunately his conscience won out as he replied with a just slightly less friendly, "Sure, why not?" and opened the door to the cafe. "After you," he said.
Caleia smiled as she said, "Thank you." and walked in. They walked up to the counter where a waitress stood to seat people. The waitress took no note of Caleia as she saw Seto.
"Hello, Mr. Kaiba, the usual table?" she asked as she pulled a menu out.
"No, not today. A table for two please," Seto corrected. The waitress said a falsely cheerful 'oh, sorry,' and finally saw Caleia there. She pulled out another menu and motioned for them to follow.
They sat down at a little booth in the back of the cafe. Seto ordered his usual drink, a latte, and Caleia ordered a frappe.
"So how are you liking Domino High?" Seto prompted to ask after he took a sip at his latte. "You seem to be very relaxed with the work, especially in history."
Caleia smiled. "No, its just that I know so much about ancient Egypt already that most of it is just review," she answered truthfully. "And math has always just come to me naturally. But science has always bothered me. That, I have to study for. You?"
"Well, though I don't know too much about ancient Egypt, I do like the topic. Well--you hang out with Yugi and them, so you might know-- do you know about yamis?" Seto asked. Caleia was just a bit surprised that Seto knew about the yamis.
"Oh, you mean about Yami and Yaku? Yeah sure I know about them."
"Yaku?"
"Bakura's yami. We named him."
"Oh, well anyway, they're spirits from ancient Egypt. Yami was a pharaoh and -- Yaku -- was a tomb robber. And as it turns out, I am the reincarnation of a high priest from their time." Caleia nodded, putting on the expression of surprise. But now it raised the question, 'how much did he know?'
"A priest?" Caleia questioned in a surprised voice.
"Yeah, a priest. Me, can you believe it?"
"Not really." 'Well actually, yeah, but that's beside the point.'
"Me neither, but like I said, that's what they told me, so after that I just kind of developed more of an interest in ancient Egypt, find out a little about how my previous life might have been like. It's more of a fascination, really."
"I can only imagine." Caleia said. 'But then of course I remember my life back then, so I'm not exactly fascinated by finding out about it.' "Must be really freaky to find out you had another life. Who knows what you might have done--who you knew, who you loved, what you've seen."
"Well, I was a priest, so I doubt that I fell in love--" Caleia bit back her tongue "--but it does get you thinking. I mean, I obviously knew Yami and Yaku to an extent, but its just different. I can't imagine life without Mokuba, without school, and all that stuff. And who knows, maybe I've met you before."
"Yeah, that would be weird," Caleia simply said, knowing the tones of her voice had changed, but she couldn't help it. She reminded herself that he didn't know, but it tore at her to hear him say those words. Seto didn't know why her expression and tone changed, but was smart enough to put two and two together and figured that she wanted to change the subject.
"So enough about that. Where did you live before you moved here?" he asked.
'Thank you.' "My parents and I lived just outside Tokyo. School there was a hazard, there were too many people, and not enough hall space," Caleia said humorously, all too glad to change the subject. "But besides that, I've visited a lot of unusual places." 'e.g. the shadow realm, obviously.'
"Ever visited the Shadow Realm?" Seto suddenly prompted.
"The WHAT!?" Caleia half shouted, too surprised to think of keeping her calm. Seto glanced at his watch, obviously looking for a way to change the subject.
"Oh my god, look at the time. Mokuba's probably home by now. He'll be worried if I don't call. I'll tell him to come pick you up here, that okay?" he asked in an unnaturally fast voice, changing the subject once again. Caleia let him off, recovered her calm, and told him that-- that would be fine. Seto nodded and took out his cell.
*hello? Kaiba residence.* (Mokuba)
"Mokuba? Its Seto. Home already?"
*Seto? where are you? I've been home for almost a half and hour*
"And you didn't even think to call me--"
*I'm sorry, big brother.*
"Apology accepted. Hey, kid, remember you said you wanted to tag along with Caleia to go shopping for the party?"
*Yeah, of course.*
"Well I just asked her, and she said she'd be glad to take you along."
*Really?! You're not kidding?*
"If you don't believe me--
*No, I--*
"Just ask her yourself." Seto handed the phone over to Caleia.
~Hello? Mokuba? It's Caleia~
*Hi Caleia, how ya doing?*
~I'm good.~
*So you really said I could go with you?*
~Of course. I'd be glad to, could be fun!~
*You bet! I'm gonna take you to the arcade, and we can eat ice cream--"
Caleia giggled. ~Sounds like fun! You don't mind if--~ She put her hand over the phone. "Does he know about Yami and Yaku?" she asked Seto, who nodded. ~You don't mind if Yami and Yaku come too, do you?~
*No, as long as they don't start a big fight like last time.*
~I'll be sure to tell them that.~
*Ok, so I'll come pick you up right?*
~Yeah. You're brother wants to talk~ she handed the phone back to Seto
"Mokuba, we're at the Spot Cafe, you know where that is?"
*Yeah, of course, you take me there all the time.*
"Well, why don't you swing by here and pick her up?
*Okay*
"Alright, see you later."
*Bye big brother*
"Bye kid." Seto pocketed his phone. "He's coming," he told Caleia. She nodded, but had already taken her own phone out and was waiting for someone to pick up.
^Hello, turtle game shop.^ It was Yugi's voice.
"Yugi? It's Caleia, is Yami there?"
^Yeah, just a sec.^ /Yami, you awake?/ the hikari asked his Yami, who had gone into his soul room to take a nap.
//What is it, aibou?// a somewhat sleepy voice answered.
/Caleia's on the phone./
//Oh// He took control of Yugi's body, being too lazy right now to materialize his own, and answered the phone.
"Caleia? I'm here."
"Hey, sup?" she asked cheerily.
"Huh? oh, nothing."
"You doing anything right now?"
"No."
"Have anything to do later?" Yami thought for a moment, then consulted Yugi, who said no.
"No, not really."
"They you wanna go to the mall with me to look for stuff for the party?"
"The Kaiba party?"
"Yeah."
"Uhhh, sure, why not? Who else is going?"
"Mokuba is, and I still have to call Yaku."
"Oh Ra, not him."
"Huh?"
"You really have no idea how much I despise him."
"Well, not really, but anyway, Mokuba said you have to promise us that you and Yaku won't get in a big fight at the mall if you want to go."
"Fine, fine, but if he hits first--"
"He won't."
"Wouldn't count on that. If he hits first, I'm telling you now that I will hit back."
"That's a big if--and he won't. I might have to think twice about hitting you, because--" she glanced at Seto, "--you know."
"What, that I'm stronger than you."
"Wouldn't bet on that. But anyway, no, because--"
"I'm you're father?"
"Yep, but that doesn't mean that I won't. I said I'd have to think about it first, not that I wouldn't. Now Yaku, on the other hand, has had enough experience with me to know that if I'm serious and he agrees, but still does it anyway, I will hit him. In fact, I think I do it anytime when he gets annoying."
"I think I should adopt your way of doing things." Caleia laughed.
"Well, you're gonna come, right?"
"Of course, with only Yaku and Mokuba there you're gonna need some fashion advice."
"I'm not going to comment. But anyway, you know where the Spot Cafe is?"
"Yeah."
"Well you'll have to come down here cuz Mokuba's picking me up here."
"Fine."
"See ya later! Bye." She closed the connection.
"Call--Bakura," she spoke into the phone. It had voice activated dial. Ryou picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Ryou? Yaku there?"
"Caleia? Yeah, just a--" the phone was yanked out of his hand.
"Caleia, hello," Yaku greeted. Ryou slumped back into his room where he was taking a nap.
"Yaku? Hey. Listen, I'm going to the mall to buy stuff to wear to Seto's party, wanna come?"
"Uhhh, yes, who else is going?"
"Just Mokuba and Yami."
"Oh Ra. The little Kaiba brat--and him?!"
"Hey, they my buddies," Caleia said in a playful voice.
"Oh no, not the kiddie voice. You know I can't stand arguing with you when you do that."
"Uh-huh. I know. So will you come?"
"Of course. With Yami for advice, you'll need someone with some actual fashion advice." Caleia laughed.
"Well, I'll meet you in front of the Spot Cafe ASAP. Mokuba's coming to pick us up."
"You think a toddler bike will carry us all?"
"Yaku!"
"Just kidding. See you soon."
"Like I said to Yami, I'm not commenting. Oh yeah, you have to promise that you don't start a big fight at the mall--Mokuba's request, and I'd have to agree with him."
"Ok fine, that's only if he doesn't hit first."
"He won't."
"Sure...yeah."
"I'm making sure, I've already threatened him, and I extend that to you." Yaku was silent for a moment.
"You know I hate it when you do that."
"Yeah, I know, and you know I carry out threats if necessary."
"All too well."
"Good, so that's clear. I'll see you in a bit, right?"
"Yeah. See ya."
"Bye." Caleia now pocketed her own phone, then looked at Seto, who has a slightly amused expression on his face.
"Threats?" he questioned. Caleia only giggled. "I'm not going to ask."
Seto and Caleia sat outside on the bench to wait for the three to get there. It was near winter now and getting chilly, and Caleia, with her school uniform skirt and blouse on, was getting cold. She hadn't expected it to not warm up much during the day, so she didn't take a jacket or anything. A shiver ran up her spine and goosebumps appeared on her skin. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, trying to conserve heat.
"What's wrong?" Seto asked gently. Caleia looked at him, his normally expressionless eyes soft, concerned, and impossibly deep blue.
"Oh, nothing, I'm just a little cold," she replied softly. Before she knew what was happening, she felt a heavy, warm material over her shoulders--Seto's coat. "I can't--you'll be cold," she retorted shyly.
"I'm okay, really. You're the one that's in that skirt." Caleia smiled and laughed softly. She pulled the material closer to her body, her shivers chased away and skin smoothed again.
"Thanks," she said softly, feeling much better now. They sat there in silence, not really able to think of anything to say.
Something, or someone, caught her attention across the street. She had felt a strange sensation of darkness, obviously cloaked, barely perceivable, but she had felt it, and her head snapped up. There was someone in the alley across the street, hidden in the shadows, watching intently. Whoever that was must have realized that he had been discovered, as the figure took a step back and disappeared into the shadows completely. What scared Caleia the most was that as he disappeared, she felt him open a portal to the shadow realm and step in. She probed her connection to the realm, the same feelings coursed to her. Nothing had changed from the last time she probed, but now, she was starting to think that whoever it was, and she was almost sure whoever was radiating the energy in the Shadow Realm was the one who was spying on her, whoever that was, he wasn't going to leave them alone like they hoped.
"What's wrong?" Seto inquired. Caleia looked at him.
"Oh nothing," she said, trying to quickly come up with some excuse. "I was thinking about something and I realized something." 'Okay, that was lame.' Caleia hoped he wouldn't inquire more.
Luckily for her, Yami turned the corner and she saw him. "Yami, over here!" she yelled, waving her hand. Yami saw her and walked over.
"I brought you something," he said as he took something from his pocket. That something had a beautifully carved bronze and silver hilt, studded with small yellow crystals that formed a sun with a star inside--the Keeper's sign--the Sunstar. It didn't take long for Caleia to realize it was a knife.
She undid the buckle and slid it out of its sheath, the silver blade delicately etched in a magnificent design that seemed to not have a beginning or end. "Its beautiful," Caleia whispered as she studied it. She slid her index finger up the blade, accidentally cutting herself on the tip. "Ow!" she exclaimed. "Sharp." She sucked on her finger.
"You like it?" Yami asked.
"Of course," Caleia answered. She aimed across the street at a little wood crate the size of a shoe.
'Yeah right,' Seto thought as he realized what she was doing. Caleia flicked her wrist.
*thud!* the knife flew across the empty street and hit the crate head on. "Whoa," Seto couldn't help but say. He went over and retrieved the crate, the knife still embedded in it. "It's dead center, how did you do that?" he asked.
"Years upon years of practice," Caleia simply said, and that was no lie. With a tug, she pulled the knife out of the crate. Someone clapped behind her.
"Impressive." It was Yaku, who had snuck up unnoticed behind them. "I'd give it a 9.5 on a scale of 1-10-- just a few millimeters to the left."
"Damn you for being so picky," Caleia said back.
"I know, I've always thrown a little more left," Caleia said nonchalantly as she sheathed the knife, clasped it shut, and tucked it into her bag with her books.
Just then, Mokuba pulled up in his limo. "Hey guys, ready to go?" he asked. Seto handed him something the others couldn't see.
"Yeah," Caleia answered cheerily. "You want us to drop you off, Seto?"
"No, I'm fine, you four have fun, and don't get into trouble, Mokuba."
"I won't." Caleia took off Seto's coat and handed it back to him.
"Thanks," she said. Yami and Yaku had already gotten in and all three boys were waiting for her.
She gave a surprised Seto a quick peck on the cheek and got in the limo, closing the door after herself. The car pulled away.
Seto just stood there, his mouth slightly open, dumbfounded and lost for thought.
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How was that? I'm starting to get a mild case of severe writers block (oxymoron)--that... and school block. If anyone whos reading this is watching the Colombus Day NYC parade you'll get to see me. I'll give you two hints and two hints only...I'm playing the clarinet, and I'm second to the end on (my) left of my line. (great help, eh?)
*Caleia*: hey you said you'd let me go shopping...
Kirsta: that's next chapter, honest. I'm gonna have fun with that-- and with Yami and Yaku there, who knows what might happen.
*Yaku*: or how much leather stuff we'll have to end up buying for her to shut the pharaoh up.
*Yami*: I resent that--but then, or course, how much striped stuff we'll we end up getting to shut you up?
*Yaku*: Hey! that's not my fault, its Ryou's wardrobe.
*Yami*: ever heard of shopping for youself?
*Yaku*: well there's a couple decent shirts in there.
*Annya*: and if worst comes to worst--or best, you can just leave the shirt off.
Kirsta: Hey where'd you come from? Oh well, everyone knows you and your sister exist by now.
Akei: I agree with Annya.
Kirsta: Huh? Akei? Where the heck did you come from? And oh yeah do you have the bio homework? I didn't get number 4 on the analysis questions.
Akei: yeah, sure thing.
*a tiny toddler about a foot tall, with long white hair and big brown eyes, walks it, dragging a millennium ring almost half as big as he was behind him.*
*Annya and Serashi* Awwwwwwwww!
Kirsta: Chibi Ryou, what are you doing here?
*Chibi Ryou*: I wan wy bedtwime staawaie pweeeeeese!
Kirsta: *scoops up Chibi Ryou into her arms.* Okay. What do you want to hear about tonight?
*Chibi Ryou*: I wan hear one 'bou toom 'robbin.
*Yaku*: Kid has good tastes.
Kirsta: *dumbfounded look* Why don't Uncle Yaku tell you the story, he knows about tomb robbing more than I do. *Chibi Ryou looks at him excitedly*
*Yaku*: Oh no! you're not getting me into telling a da--rrrn, darn bedtime story!
*Chibi Ryou*: Pueeeeeeese wncle waku! *looks at him with big chibi eyes*
*Yaku*: 'don't look at the eyes--'don't look at the-- i looked-- too cute...' Okay, okay, I'll tell you a bedtime story. *kirsta hands over chibi ryou to Yaku* okay. *walks to Chibi Ryou's room* once upon a time in ancient egypt...
Review pleeeeease. Ideas needed badly---shopping hazards/events for next chappie especially.
*smack!*
huh? what was that, i'd better go check it out.
*umph!*
Oh ra... better hurry
*crash*
STOP FIGHTING! Yami--that corner--now! Yaku--this corner--now! No one talks or moves till I say so.
*Yami*: I'm getting sent to a corner...
*Yaku*: what the heck?
Kirsta: NOW!
*Yaku*: oh ra!
Kirsta: Don't push me...
*Yami and Yaku pout*
Disclaimer: *Caleia*: she's making me do this... Kirsta doesn't own YuGiOh but unfortunatly she does own me, Keeper of the Cards, and Yaku's name. Fortunately for him he has a variety of names so she doesn't own him. I'm only doing this for her because she said she'd let me go shopping if i did.
Oh and just a note: Caleia thinks to herself quite a lot in this chappie so you might need to check to see it she's talking out loud or to herself..."abcd" is talking out loud and... 'abcd' is thinking to herself.
for mental talking...
/Yugi to Yami/
//Yami to Yugi//
[Bakura to Yaku]
{Yaku to Bakura}
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Chapter 9
The long awaited dismissal bell rang welcomely and the class slammed their books shut, anxious to get out of the school. Yugi, who had to get home early to help out Grandpa, who was a bit under the weather, said a quick goodbye and hurried home. Joey also left quickly as he was going to visit his mom and sister today. Bakura and Tea waited for Caleia. They were going to walk together, as they lived only 7 or 8 blocks away from one another.
A hand grabbed Caleia arm as she walked out the door. She instinctively tensed for a moment before she realized it was only Seto and relaxed.
"May I have a word with you?" he asked, then added, "I'll walk you home if you want." Caleia glanced at Tea and Bakura to see if they minded, but they didn't, Yaku even taking over Bakura's body for a second to wink at her.
'Remind me to hit him later.' "Yeah sure, that be fine," Caleia told Seto, then said to the other two, "Bye guys, see ya later."
"Bye," echoed Bakura and Tea. Caleia waited for Seto to finish packing up, he seemed to be purposely taking a long time to do so. When the last student walked out of the classroom, Seto finally closed his case and clasped it shut. Caleia, by this time, was sitting on his desk waiting for him, having gotten tired of standing.
"Ready to go?" she asked as Seto got up.
"Yeah." Caleia got off the desk and walked with Seto out the door. "Caleia, do you have a dress for the party yet?" Seto asked her.
"Uhhh, no, I haven't gotten any time to go shopping for anything yet," she responded. "And I don't really know how dressy I need to get."
Seto grinned just a little. "Well, this is a big event at my company, and it probably borderlines a ball, so I'd say you would need to get fairly decent. You know what? Since you don't have anything yet, maybe you could take Mokuba shopping with you. He's been to this event in previous years and he'll know what is grand enough. I for one am choosing not to come--I'd like to be surprised to see what you wear." Caleia blushed a little.
"Is that a compliment?" Now it was Seto's turn to flush.
"I guess it was. So are you busy this afternoon?"
"No, not really."
"Great, I'll tell Mokuba to pick you up after he gets home from school, he's been bugging me to ask you if he could come with you to go shopping." Caleia laughed a little.
"That'd be great," she said. They turned the corner and there was a little cafe up ahead. "Hey wanna grab something to eat?" she asked. Seto took quite a long time to answer, having an inward argument with himself to figure if he should show any emotion towards Caleia.
Fortunately his conscience won out as he replied with a just slightly less friendly, "Sure, why not?" and opened the door to the cafe. "After you," he said.
Caleia smiled as she said, "Thank you." and walked in. They walked up to the counter where a waitress stood to seat people. The waitress took no note of Caleia as she saw Seto.
"Hello, Mr. Kaiba, the usual table?" she asked as she pulled a menu out.
"No, not today. A table for two please," Seto corrected. The waitress said a falsely cheerful 'oh, sorry,' and finally saw Caleia there. She pulled out another menu and motioned for them to follow.
They sat down at a little booth in the back of the cafe. Seto ordered his usual drink, a latte, and Caleia ordered a frappe.
"So how are you liking Domino High?" Seto prompted to ask after he took a sip at his latte. "You seem to be very relaxed with the work, especially in history."
Caleia smiled. "No, its just that I know so much about ancient Egypt already that most of it is just review," she answered truthfully. "And math has always just come to me naturally. But science has always bothered me. That, I have to study for. You?"
"Well, though I don't know too much about ancient Egypt, I do like the topic. Well--you hang out with Yugi and them, so you might know-- do you know about yamis?" Seto asked. Caleia was just a bit surprised that Seto knew about the yamis.
"Oh, you mean about Yami and Yaku? Yeah sure I know about them."
"Yaku?"
"Bakura's yami. We named him."
"Oh, well anyway, they're spirits from ancient Egypt. Yami was a pharaoh and -- Yaku -- was a tomb robber. And as it turns out, I am the reincarnation of a high priest from their time." Caleia nodded, putting on the expression of surprise. But now it raised the question, 'how much did he know?'
"A priest?" Caleia questioned in a surprised voice.
"Yeah, a priest. Me, can you believe it?"
"Not really." 'Well actually, yeah, but that's beside the point.'
"Me neither, but like I said, that's what they told me, so after that I just kind of developed more of an interest in ancient Egypt, find out a little about how my previous life might have been like. It's more of a fascination, really."
"I can only imagine." Caleia said. 'But then of course I remember my life back then, so I'm not exactly fascinated by finding out about it.' "Must be really freaky to find out you had another life. Who knows what you might have done--who you knew, who you loved, what you've seen."
"Well, I was a priest, so I doubt that I fell in love--" Caleia bit back her tongue "--but it does get you thinking. I mean, I obviously knew Yami and Yaku to an extent, but its just different. I can't imagine life without Mokuba, without school, and all that stuff. And who knows, maybe I've met you before."
"Yeah, that would be weird," Caleia simply said, knowing the tones of her voice had changed, but she couldn't help it. She reminded herself that he didn't know, but it tore at her to hear him say those words. Seto didn't know why her expression and tone changed, but was smart enough to put two and two together and figured that she wanted to change the subject.
"So enough about that. Where did you live before you moved here?" he asked.
'Thank you.' "My parents and I lived just outside Tokyo. School there was a hazard, there were too many people, and not enough hall space," Caleia said humorously, all too glad to change the subject. "But besides that, I've visited a lot of unusual places." 'e.g. the shadow realm, obviously.'
"Ever visited the Shadow Realm?" Seto suddenly prompted.
"The WHAT!?" Caleia half shouted, too surprised to think of keeping her calm. Seto glanced at his watch, obviously looking for a way to change the subject.
"Oh my god, look at the time. Mokuba's probably home by now. He'll be worried if I don't call. I'll tell him to come pick you up here, that okay?" he asked in an unnaturally fast voice, changing the subject once again. Caleia let him off, recovered her calm, and told him that-- that would be fine. Seto nodded and took out his cell.
*hello? Kaiba residence.* (Mokuba)
"Mokuba? Its Seto. Home already?"
*Seto? where are you? I've been home for almost a half and hour*
"And you didn't even think to call me--"
*I'm sorry, big brother.*
"Apology accepted. Hey, kid, remember you said you wanted to tag along with Caleia to go shopping for the party?"
*Yeah, of course.*
"Well I just asked her, and she said she'd be glad to take you along."
*Really?! You're not kidding?*
"If you don't believe me--
*No, I--*
"Just ask her yourself." Seto handed the phone over to Caleia.
~Hello? Mokuba? It's Caleia~
*Hi Caleia, how ya doing?*
~I'm good.~
*So you really said I could go with you?*
~Of course. I'd be glad to, could be fun!~
*You bet! I'm gonna take you to the arcade, and we can eat ice cream--"
Caleia giggled. ~Sounds like fun! You don't mind if--~ She put her hand over the phone. "Does he know about Yami and Yaku?" she asked Seto, who nodded. ~You don't mind if Yami and Yaku come too, do you?~
*No, as long as they don't start a big fight like last time.*
~I'll be sure to tell them that.~
*Ok, so I'll come pick you up right?*
~Yeah. You're brother wants to talk~ she handed the phone back to Seto
"Mokuba, we're at the Spot Cafe, you know where that is?"
*Yeah, of course, you take me there all the time.*
"Well, why don't you swing by here and pick her up?
*Okay*
"Alright, see you later."
*Bye big brother*
"Bye kid." Seto pocketed his phone. "He's coming," he told Caleia. She nodded, but had already taken her own phone out and was waiting for someone to pick up.
^Hello, turtle game shop.^ It was Yugi's voice.
"Yugi? It's Caleia, is Yami there?"
^Yeah, just a sec.^ /Yami, you awake?/ the hikari asked his Yami, who had gone into his soul room to take a nap.
//What is it, aibou?// a somewhat sleepy voice answered.
/Caleia's on the phone./
//Oh// He took control of Yugi's body, being too lazy right now to materialize his own, and answered the phone.
"Caleia? I'm here."
"Hey, sup?" she asked cheerily.
"Huh? oh, nothing."
"You doing anything right now?"
"No."
"Have anything to do later?" Yami thought for a moment, then consulted Yugi, who said no.
"No, not really."
"They you wanna go to the mall with me to look for stuff for the party?"
"The Kaiba party?"
"Yeah."
"Uhhh, sure, why not? Who else is going?"
"Mokuba is, and I still have to call Yaku."
"Oh Ra, not him."
"Huh?"
"You really have no idea how much I despise him."
"Well, not really, but anyway, Mokuba said you have to promise us that you and Yaku won't get in a big fight at the mall if you want to go."
"Fine, fine, but if he hits first--"
"He won't."
"Wouldn't count on that. If he hits first, I'm telling you now that I will hit back."
"That's a big if--and he won't. I might have to think twice about hitting you, because--" she glanced at Seto, "--you know."
"What, that I'm stronger than you."
"Wouldn't bet on that. But anyway, no, because--"
"I'm you're father?"
"Yep, but that doesn't mean that I won't. I said I'd have to think about it first, not that I wouldn't. Now Yaku, on the other hand, has had enough experience with me to know that if I'm serious and he agrees, but still does it anyway, I will hit him. In fact, I think I do it anytime when he gets annoying."
"I think I should adopt your way of doing things." Caleia laughed.
"Well, you're gonna come, right?"
"Of course, with only Yaku and Mokuba there you're gonna need some fashion advice."
"I'm not going to comment. But anyway, you know where the Spot Cafe is?"
"Yeah."
"Well you'll have to come down here cuz Mokuba's picking me up here."
"Fine."
"See ya later! Bye." She closed the connection.
"Call--Bakura," she spoke into the phone. It had voice activated dial. Ryou picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Ryou? Yaku there?"
"Caleia? Yeah, just a--" the phone was yanked out of his hand.
"Caleia, hello," Yaku greeted. Ryou slumped back into his room where he was taking a nap.
"Yaku? Hey. Listen, I'm going to the mall to buy stuff to wear to Seto's party, wanna come?"
"Uhhh, yes, who else is going?"
"Just Mokuba and Yami."
"Oh Ra. The little Kaiba brat--and him?!"
"Hey, they my buddies," Caleia said in a playful voice.
"Oh no, not the kiddie voice. You know I can't stand arguing with you when you do that."
"Uh-huh. I know. So will you come?"
"Of course. With Yami for advice, you'll need someone with some actual fashion advice." Caleia laughed.
"Well, I'll meet you in front of the Spot Cafe ASAP. Mokuba's coming to pick us up."
"You think a toddler bike will carry us all?"
"Yaku!"
"Just kidding. See you soon."
"Like I said to Yami, I'm not commenting. Oh yeah, you have to promise that you don't start a big fight at the mall--Mokuba's request, and I'd have to agree with him."
"Ok fine, that's only if he doesn't hit first."
"He won't."
"Sure...yeah."
"I'm making sure, I've already threatened him, and I extend that to you." Yaku was silent for a moment.
"You know I hate it when you do that."
"Yeah, I know, and you know I carry out threats if necessary."
"All too well."
"Good, so that's clear. I'll see you in a bit, right?"
"Yeah. See ya."
"Bye." Caleia now pocketed her own phone, then looked at Seto, who has a slightly amused expression on his face.
"Threats?" he questioned. Caleia only giggled. "I'm not going to ask."
Seto and Caleia sat outside on the bench to wait for the three to get there. It was near winter now and getting chilly, and Caleia, with her school uniform skirt and blouse on, was getting cold. She hadn't expected it to not warm up much during the day, so she didn't take a jacket or anything. A shiver ran up her spine and goosebumps appeared on her skin. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, trying to conserve heat.
"What's wrong?" Seto asked gently. Caleia looked at him, his normally expressionless eyes soft, concerned, and impossibly deep blue.
"Oh, nothing, I'm just a little cold," she replied softly. Before she knew what was happening, she felt a heavy, warm material over her shoulders--Seto's coat. "I can't--you'll be cold," she retorted shyly.
"I'm okay, really. You're the one that's in that skirt." Caleia smiled and laughed softly. She pulled the material closer to her body, her shivers chased away and skin smoothed again.
"Thanks," she said softly, feeling much better now. They sat there in silence, not really able to think of anything to say.
Something, or someone, caught her attention across the street. She had felt a strange sensation of darkness, obviously cloaked, barely perceivable, but she had felt it, and her head snapped up. There was someone in the alley across the street, hidden in the shadows, watching intently. Whoever that was must have realized that he had been discovered, as the figure took a step back and disappeared into the shadows completely. What scared Caleia the most was that as he disappeared, she felt him open a portal to the shadow realm and step in. She probed her connection to the realm, the same feelings coursed to her. Nothing had changed from the last time she probed, but now, she was starting to think that whoever it was, and she was almost sure whoever was radiating the energy in the Shadow Realm was the one who was spying on her, whoever that was, he wasn't going to leave them alone like they hoped.
"What's wrong?" Seto inquired. Caleia looked at him.
"Oh nothing," she said, trying to quickly come up with some excuse. "I was thinking about something and I realized something." 'Okay, that was lame.' Caleia hoped he wouldn't inquire more.
Luckily for her, Yami turned the corner and she saw him. "Yami, over here!" she yelled, waving her hand. Yami saw her and walked over.
"I brought you something," he said as he took something from his pocket. That something had a beautifully carved bronze and silver hilt, studded with small yellow crystals that formed a sun with a star inside--the Keeper's sign--the Sunstar. It didn't take long for Caleia to realize it was a knife.
She undid the buckle and slid it out of its sheath, the silver blade delicately etched in a magnificent design that seemed to not have a beginning or end. "Its beautiful," Caleia whispered as she studied it. She slid her index finger up the blade, accidentally cutting herself on the tip. "Ow!" she exclaimed. "Sharp." She sucked on her finger.
"You like it?" Yami asked.
"Of course," Caleia answered. She aimed across the street at a little wood crate the size of a shoe.
'Yeah right,' Seto thought as he realized what she was doing. Caleia flicked her wrist.
*thud!* the knife flew across the empty street and hit the crate head on. "Whoa," Seto couldn't help but say. He went over and retrieved the crate, the knife still embedded in it. "It's dead center, how did you do that?" he asked.
"Years upon years of practice," Caleia simply said, and that was no lie. With a tug, she pulled the knife out of the crate. Someone clapped behind her.
"Impressive." It was Yaku, who had snuck up unnoticed behind them. "I'd give it a 9.5 on a scale of 1-10-- just a few millimeters to the left."
"Damn you for being so picky," Caleia said back.
"I know, I've always thrown a little more left," Caleia said nonchalantly as she sheathed the knife, clasped it shut, and tucked it into her bag with her books.
Just then, Mokuba pulled up in his limo. "Hey guys, ready to go?" he asked. Seto handed him something the others couldn't see.
"Yeah," Caleia answered cheerily. "You want us to drop you off, Seto?"
"No, I'm fine, you four have fun, and don't get into trouble, Mokuba."
"I won't." Caleia took off Seto's coat and handed it back to him.
"Thanks," she said. Yami and Yaku had already gotten in and all three boys were waiting for her.
She gave a surprised Seto a quick peck on the cheek and got in the limo, closing the door after herself. The car pulled away.
Seto just stood there, his mouth slightly open, dumbfounded and lost for thought.
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How was that? I'm starting to get a mild case of severe writers block (oxymoron)--that... and school block. If anyone whos reading this is watching the Colombus Day NYC parade you'll get to see me. I'll give you two hints and two hints only...I'm playing the clarinet, and I'm second to the end on (my) left of my line. (great help, eh?)
*Caleia*: hey you said you'd let me go shopping...
Kirsta: that's next chapter, honest. I'm gonna have fun with that-- and with Yami and Yaku there, who knows what might happen.
*Yaku*: or how much leather stuff we'll have to end up buying for her to shut the pharaoh up.
*Yami*: I resent that--but then, or course, how much striped stuff we'll we end up getting to shut you up?
*Yaku*: Hey! that's not my fault, its Ryou's wardrobe.
*Yami*: ever heard of shopping for youself?
*Yaku*: well there's a couple decent shirts in there.
*Annya*: and if worst comes to worst--or best, you can just leave the shirt off.
Kirsta: Hey where'd you come from? Oh well, everyone knows you and your sister exist by now.
Akei: I agree with Annya.
Kirsta: Huh? Akei? Where the heck did you come from? And oh yeah do you have the bio homework? I didn't get number 4 on the analysis questions.
Akei: yeah, sure thing.
*a tiny toddler about a foot tall, with long white hair and big brown eyes, walks it, dragging a millennium ring almost half as big as he was behind him.*
*Annya and Serashi* Awwwwwwwww!
Kirsta: Chibi Ryou, what are you doing here?
*Chibi Ryou*: I wan wy bedtwime staawaie pweeeeeese!
Kirsta: *scoops up Chibi Ryou into her arms.* Okay. What do you want to hear about tonight?
*Chibi Ryou*: I wan hear one 'bou toom 'robbin.
*Yaku*: Kid has good tastes.
Kirsta: *dumbfounded look* Why don't Uncle Yaku tell you the story, he knows about tomb robbing more than I do. *Chibi Ryou looks at him excitedly*
*Yaku*: Oh no! you're not getting me into telling a da--rrrn, darn bedtime story!
*Chibi Ryou*: Pueeeeeeese wncle waku! *looks at him with big chibi eyes*
*Yaku*: 'don't look at the eyes--'don't look at the-- i looked-- too cute...' Okay, okay, I'll tell you a bedtime story. *kirsta hands over chibi ryou to Yaku* okay. *walks to Chibi Ryou's room* once upon a time in ancient egypt...
Review pleeeeease. Ideas needed badly---shopping hazards/events for next chappie especially.
