Crawford's Angels
Author's notes: Argh, sorry about the bad grammar. I was just reading over my last chapter and man, ugh. So I'm going to try to make it cleaner this time around. By the way; thank you all for the reviews. I really appreciate them. And for those waiting for Katsuya…well give me this one chapter and he's going to pop up in the next. Promise. ^_^ E.J. Note I screwed up the chaptering in the previous chapters it should be
1: The Boss
2: First Angel
3: Second Angel
4: Princely Occupation
Ahead there is a section that is computer talk, so to know who's who: * - =Mou Hitori no Yuugi
- =Yuugi Mutou
* = Elizabeth Spencer
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, or Charlie's Angels. It is the property of Konomi entertainment, Viz Communications, 4Kids Entertainment, Created and Copyrighted by Kazuki Takahashi, and also Copyrighted by Toei animation Studios. Charlie's Angels is owned by Spelling Entertainment, and Warner Brother's Pictures. Okay enough with the drivel, on with the show…
Chapter 5: And the computer went…PING
"Well I hope that you didn't offend the girl," Sugoroku Mutou said to his daughter after dinner. He didn't want to loose customers, after all with the new game shops opening up in the area competition was fierce and every sale made that much difference for the shop.
"Pop, I told you –she came in trying to get Yuugi to join some sort of…club," Mrs. Mutou explained as she washed the dishes. A look of distaste was on her face as she thought of the girl in the suit from that afternoon. "We don't need girls like her coming around to see Yuugi."
"But, are you sure that's what she wanted?" Her father asked her gently. Mrs. Mutou shot him a look asking 'Are you serious?' He smiled gently and added, "After all Yuugi is an attractive young man now, and maybe she was too shy to honestly ask him out on a date."
"Dad, that's absurd. Girls like her are never too shy!"
"But dear, are you certain that she wanted…" he let off glancing over towards Yuugi's room. The door was open just a crack, and he figured that his grandson was there listening in on the conversation. Sugoroku loved his daughter, but at times he felt she was stifling Yuugi just a bit. After all, when he was the boy's age, he was already going out to see the world. He saw the energy in his young grandson's violet eyes, and knew that, like him, Yuugi wanted to have adventure –even though he always acted like a shy boy who didn't think much of the world outside the game shop.
"Of course that's what she wanted," Mrs. Mutou huffed and put away a large pot. She couldn't see how her father couldn't see this fact. "What else is there? Why else would a girl like that come sauntering in here handing Yuugi a business card?"
"It's become a rather hip thing to do now," Sugoroku explained to his daughter calmly. "I've seen lots of teenagers do that. Exchanging business cards so that the person they want to talk to doesn't forget their name, or number. Especially for the teens that go to Namikin Private Academy; I'm sure she's seen her father give out the cards before. And dear, is it such a hard thing to fathom that maybe a pretty young woman might have a crush on your son?"
Mrs. Mutou clucked her tongue and looked at her father, "No, but she was a foreigner too…"
"So?"
"So, it seems a bit odd that a girl who's going to a private academy, and whose not Japanese, and who probably has a pick of any boys at her school, would want to go out with my son," Mrs. Mutou said and her father looked troubled by her comment.
"So you don't think your son could get a girl like that?"
"What?" She gasped realizing what her father meant, "No, I do think girls like him, really Pop, I do. I just don't believe that this girl was being honest about her intention, that's all. Yuugi is a bright boy, and I know someday a girl will come and make him happy, but I don't think it is going to be that girl. Why do these kids keep trying to bother my Yuugi? Is it because he's smaller, or what?"
In his bedroom Yuugi let out a small sigh and closed the door. He flopped down on the bed and grumbled. Why did his mother insist on treating him like a little kid, it wasn't fair! The girl, Ms. Spencer, seemed rather nice to him. She didn't act like any of the girls that went to Namikin; they were all pretentious fops, wearing lots of glittery jewelry, and heavy make-up. Resident Kogals as high fashion girls in Tokyo were known, who shopped and acted very –flirty most of the time. Yuugi didn't see that at all in Spencer, in fact she'd been the exact opposite. Very polite, very honest, and pretty, but she certainly wasn't going to Namikin, that was for sure. So why did his mother have to be such a jerk to her in the first place. Yuugi frowned; he hated it when his mom acted so over protective of him.
Yuugi rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. What was puzzling him was what she, Elizabeth, had said before she left.
"Yuugi, I came her to offer you a chance to find some answers to questions that you've been pondering for a while. I know you're hiding a secret, and we can help you find the key to solve that riddle."
Something bothering you, Aibou? Yuugi's Mou Hitori No boku was back. He looked just like Yuugi, except that he seemed much older, more dignified, and there was something dark about his violet eyes. Yuugi sat up and let out a little sigh, making his Hitiori cock his head a bit in concern. Something is bothering you then, isn't it? Tell me, what's wrong? Why such sad eyes in someone so naturally at ease?
"I don't really want to talk about it," Yuugi told him, and sat on the edge of his bed looking at his feet. Hitori sat down beside him and tried to smile.
Really, you not talking? Are you sure you are not ill? Something to do with the food, although I must say that you're mother's cooking is…what was that term that that one actor used on television last night…uh…da bomb.
Yuugi had to chuckle at the way he said this, and smiled. Yuugi always found it a bit funny when his Hitori used a term that he wasn't to use to. Usually it would up sounding like very awkward in his native tongue. For the past year or so the Namonaki Pharaoh had learned Japanese by invading Yuugi's body and slowly taking in everything that he said. Now he could speak it fluently, but slang terms were just weird coming out of his mouth. Hitori smiled again at his Aibou, but Yuugi's slightly soured mood returned and he asked.
"Can I ask you a question?" Yuugi's Hitori looked at him puzzled, "Did you ever feel that someone was acting a certain way just because they didn't want you to grow up?"
You mean your mother, I am right aren't I?
"Yeah, my mom," Yuugi felt tears well up in his eyes. "I don't get it, why must she treat me like I'm still a baby wearing diapers. It's not fair; she made that nice girl go away for no reason at all. She wasn't trying to do anything to me."
I take it you mean Ms. Spencer then.
Yuugi nodded quickly wiping his eyes.
I think…I think that the reason you're mother acted the way she did was because she was worried about you. She cares about you, Aibou.
"You could have fooled me. Did she see how Elizabeth-jo acted when she accused her? It was embarrassing. Why must my mom do things like that?" Yuugi plopped down onto his pillow, while his Hitori crossed his legs and stared out the window.
Why do birds attack children when they try to help pick up a baby that has fallen from the nest?
"Because they don't want the baby to be hurt," Yuugi's muffled reply came and his Hitori nodded.
Exactly. Your mother is simple acting like a mother bird; she wishes to keep you safe from harm.
"Well I wish she would stop acting like that all the time. Does she think everyone's out to get me? Is that it?" He looked up at his Hitori. "Do you think I'm that weak that I can't help myself?"
No I think you are very strong, but you're still young Aibou, and people are not always as they seem. He closed his eyes for a moment then added; I don't believe your mother thinks that people are all out to get you. What I do suspect is that she loves you very much, and is just worried that somehow this Ms. Spencer, will wind up hurting you. She fears that you are changing –and you are –into someone she doesn't know."
"But I'm still the same," Yuugi insisted and looked at the two images in the mirror on his dresser. "Aren't I?"
Hitori laughed, Yes and no, Aibou. Everyone grows and changes. Over time you will change, both physically and mentally. Think do you still play with the toys you did when you were an infant? No, you choose more sophisticated games now, and have a deeper understanding of how games are played. Yuugi looked confused and his Hitori gave him a slight grin, See it this way Aibou. A year ago you dressed properly, or what she saw a properly, to go to school. Shirt tucked in, and such. Now you're starting to wear belts around you're neck, black tank tops under your shirt, leather pants, and black jeans. All things that you never wore before…
"But that's all you, not me!" Yuugi stated and stood up on the bed, "I haven't changed one bit!"
Hitori boku raised his eyebrow and smirked, Oh really –tell me then, Aibou, one year ago would you have looked at Ms. Spencer the way you did today? Would you have saved that business card of hers? The one that smells of, what is it, lavender perfume?
Yuugi blushed and then frowned at his Hitori –what was it his business if he saved the business card. After all the only reason he did was because she said she could answer his questions and help solve the riddle.
Well?
"Well what?"
Would you have saved it, yes or no?
"I suppose not," Yuugi reluctantly admitted slumping down on the bed.
See you have changed, Mou Hitori No Yuugi said, and gave his partner a gentle nudge. Aibou, to her all the things I do are you doing them. So –in essence –I am you, to her at least. Do you understand?
"Yeah, I guess so." Yuugi reached under his pillow and pulled out the scrap of card. Hitori no Yuugi watched him slightly puzzled as to why he would have put it there. "Hey, what do you think she meant when she said she could help us find the key. Do you really think she knows about you? I mean she did indicate that she knew about you."
Yes, and that has me worried.
"Why?"
Well, don't you think it's odd that she knows about me? Or at least knows that you're hiding something. Yuugi nodded, he didn't think about that fact. Why did Spencer say that to him, and how could she possible know about his Mou hitori no boku? After all, he'd told no one. Not his grandfather, not his mother. No one! What I'd like to know is how she found you in the first place. She did say there was a way to contact her, didn't she.
"Yeah, with this website," Yuugi explained to him. "I think maybe it's time I went and checked it out. We need answers and she seemed willing to give them to us."
Hitori Yuugi nodded and the two sat in silence until they were sure that everyone had gone to sleep. Yuugi's mother came in once to check in on him, but he snuggled under the covers as deeply as possible, and she gently brushed his head.
"Sleep well, my little Prince," she whispered before kissing him on the forehead and tucking him in with the simple blue cover. When Yuugi heard the door to her room click shut, he sat up and waited for a few minutes. Then, quiet as a mouse he slipped down stairs to the game shop, and into the back room. Here his grandfather kept a computer; it was a rather old model that took a while to boot up. Yuugi clicked onto the internet and waited –the computer was rather slow in performing this function so he had time to mull over the fact that he was breaking three rules. One was that he wasn't supposed to be up so late on a school night, even though tomorrow was Friday. Two, he knew he shouldn't be using the computer without his grandfather permission; and three, the fact that he was going to talk to Spencer and his mother had basically forbade him from doing so put him in a rather inopportune situation if he were to be caught.
Luckily he wasn't. Yuugi had to know why Liz had found him, and he wanted to know what the full offer was about. She had been so mysterious about it, and seemed quite serious too. There was something both wonderful and sad about her all at the same time, and it made Yuugi wonder just what type of person she really was. There was a ping from the computer, and he woke from his thoughts. The home page to the Kame Game shop popped up and Yuugi typed in the web address that was on the card. When he entered it a simple white page with a silver angel appeared on screen. The entry page looked very much like a big version of the business card. Yuugi clicked on the angel and up popped a very simple website, whose introduction read, "Here there be Angels."
Yuugi would have laughed if he hadn't felt so stupid. He clicked around for a bit hoping to see if there was any indication of anything other then Heavenly winged beings on the site. But after a half hour, or so, of searching page after page of nonsense about: "How to dress like an Angel." "You know you're obsessed with Angels when." and pictures, he had had enough and was going to click off. His mom had been right all along, it was all some bad joke.
"Urshio probably paid her to come here and give me that card," Yuugi thought hopelessly. "And she seemed so nice too."
Aibou, wait. Did you click on the last page?
"No, why?" Yuugi muttered, "There's no point in…"
Don't believe everything you see here on this site. There's something…different about it. As if it's wearing a mask to hide it's true content from prying eyes. Maybe those who really need to find hope just have to look at the right spot to find it. There's something important hidden here, I'm sure.
"Positive?"
The cards tell me so, and I trust them.
Yuugi glanced at his Hitori then back at the screen and clicked on the last page. Like the other's it seemed very plain, except that way in the corner was a small gold angel that twirled in its spot. Yuugi clicked on it and, to his delight, up popped a login prompt for a chat room. The login prompted him to put in the number at the bottom of the card in the code box. Yuugi did as was told, and a whole new page popped up.
"Greeting Yuugi Mutou. Welcome to the Angels' Network. You are now being forwarded to your Task Master's computer. Please wait while we transfer you."
"My what?" Yuugi yelped and tried to disconnect the program, but it was far too late. A chat room like screen appeared next with Yuugi's name emblazoned in gold on the white back drop. A small message box asked him to type in a message.
-Um Hello? Is anyone there?
***
In the back seat of her car Spencer woke to the high pitched screeching of her laptop computer. She hat figured it would be a lot simpler to spend the night in the car as: a) it was warm for this time of year in Japan, b) she had forgotten her credit cards back at the safe house and c) she didn't want to see Seto Kaiba at all that night.
WACK! Her head cracked hard on the roof of the Camero, sending ripples of pain through her head and down her spine.
"Ow, ow, ow, Shit, damn it, ow! That hurt!" she cursed and rubbed her head, knowing full well that there would be a lump in the morning. She viciously flipped open the laptop and saw the prompt for the chat room had opened. "Huh, so he decided to contact me then."
She typed in her code and was brought into the same room as Yuugi. Spencer appeared on screen in silver, below Yuugi's.
* I'm here. Hello Yuugi. So you decided to contact me then.
-Yeah, I guess I did.
*I'm glad. I'm sorry I upset your mother. I didn't realize that my school had a reputation like that.
-It's okay.
*So I take it you have some questions…several I assume.
-Uh, well Yeah.
*Ask away then.
-Okay, well –who are you really. I mean I know your name is Elizabeth Spencer and all, but you don't go to Namikin Private Acadamy.
*Well, I might not go to Namikin, but I am the same age as you are. I have been privately tutored since I was nine.
-Well what do you want me for?
*I want you to come work for us, Yuugi. We know you have some great skills, and are quite amazing. That is why we want you and your other half to come work for us.
Yuugi yelped and jumped back. How was it that she knew about his Hitori? He nervously looked at the screen as she added.
*Hello? Yuugi, please answer.
-I'm still here. You just spooked me. How do you know about my Hitori no boku? And exactly who do you work for, and what do you mean by 'We can help you find the key.'?
Now it was Liz's turn to panic. Charles had not mentioned how he knew about the Egyptian spirit, he only told her that he was a Namonaki Pharaoh, a nameless king, and that he was a mystery even to him. She swallowed her nerves and plunged in hoping to give Yuugi what he wanted.
*We know a lot about you, Yuugi Mutou. That your grandfather discovered the pendent that you wear in Egypt while he was visiting over there, and that it was once a puzzle. That it took you a very long time to solve it, that the being inside is a king, and that he takes over when you are dueling at the tournaments. That your favorite card is the Black Magician, that your deck is mostly a spell master deck. That you like Hamburgers over any other food, and that you dressed up as a pixie for a school play…that you wear cotton boxer…
-Okay! Okay, you know about me, but what do you want with me? Why did you go to such lengths to find me? Why do you want me to work for you? And you still haven't answered my question about the key thing either!
*I work for an organization that specializes in dealing with cases that no one else can. When the police fail, and there is no government agency or group that can help a person, that's where we step in. Our group helps others that are sometimes in danger and are being victimized by something. We help those who can't be helped by the normal means.
-Huh?
*Let's put it this way. The organization that I work for handles cases that the cops, can't or won't touch. The cases that the person in trouble doesn't feel the government, or anyone else for that matter, can assist them. We help in solving rather –shall we say –delicate problems. Think of the A-Team only if it was mixed with Mission Impossible. The thing is my boss is organizing a special strike team, and he believes you have the skills to be one of the members. The first and last line of defense for the person.
-So why me? This isn't the SDF?
*No, we have nothing to do with the SDF, Mr. Mutou. We have no link to any government at all. Consider us a self sufficient agency. Although we have worked with them in the past and have helped them with some situations.
Yuugi swallowed hard, this seemed more complicated then he first thought.
*As for the key. As you and I know your guardian spirit has no idea who he is, or why he's in the puzzle. While I don't know exactly what my boss does about him, or if he knows anything at all, our organization is willing to allow you use of our finest expects interpret and translate the hieroglyphs on that puzzle of yours. All you would have to do is work for us.
-So why me then?
*You have a talent that others will try to exploit.
-Others? What others?
*Others that are watching our every move and intend on using their power to create trouble on a global scale.
-How do I know you won't exploit us yourself?
*You don't. But let me assure you that we wouldn't do that to you or your partner. I wouldn't let them!
-Oh
*May I speak with your partner for a moment, please?
Yuugi looked over at his Hitori who was staring at the screen. He was fascinated by how quickly the words appeared. There was still a number of thing, computers for example, that Yuugi's Hitori didn't quite grasp yet.
"She wants to talk to you."
Me? But why?
Yuugi shrugged, "I guess she want to ask you something."
Hitori Yuugi nodded and switched over with Yuugi. He stared at the computer and at the keyboard, narrowed his brow and said, "How do I work this contraption again, Aibou?"
Yuugi chuckled, He pointed to the keypad and the screen as he spoke, "Use the keys on the board in front of you to write a message. She'll read it when it appears on the screen, and then she'll write back to you. You tap the key's with your fingers. Okay?"
Hitori Yuugi nodded and typed one key at a time –very slowly –to write out his message.
*-im here wat do u hav 2 say 2 me?
Liz looked at the child like type. "This is the great other half?"
*I wanted to ask you if you could talk your younger half into working for us. We want both of you so I'm here to offer you a deal.
*-a deal? wot tipe of deal?
*One that would be mutually beneficial for all of us.
*-yuugi 2?
*Yuugi as well.
*-im listening.
*My boss believes that there may be a connection between you and Yuugi, as well as between you and my boss. As far as we know, neither you, nor Yuugi knows exactly what you are. All that we know, and all that you know, is that you may have been a Pharaoh in Egypt at one time. There is no record of your name on the book of the Dead, and that is a riddle in and of it self.
*-true how does that consern u?
*My boss has something similar to the pendent that you and Yuugi wear. He thinks that there may be a connection between these items and your appearance during this era. You know that both you and Yuugi want answers to all your questions. We can help you find them if you work with us.
*-and y wood I want 2 do that?
*Because it would also help Yuugi.
*-how?
*By allowing both of you a chance that you will never get in this life time again. He needs adventure, you need answers, we need both of you for your skills. Are you really going to tell me you don't want to give him this option to better himself, and soar like he should? I could see the glint of potential in those eyes of his. You and I know he's something special. Will you help me show the world that special nature of his? Please.
Hitori Yuugi looked at his Aibou, who seemed unsure. He turned back to the screen and typed,
*-well think about it.
He severed the connection then and Spencer swore, "Damnit, lost him again." She had only one more chance to get him to join, and she had to make it count. There was something in her boss's voice that night that sent a chill down her spine.
"I'm certain they've sent someone out to watch him, and if they get to him before we can recruit him…"
"They wouldn't try and…" She looked horrified when he nodded his head.
"I wouldn't put it past them. To gain what they want they will do whatever they can…even murder."
She shuddered in the black car, wondering just who they would send after him. Her dreams became nightmares and Liz fell into a restless sleep.
* * *
Back in his room Yuugi lay awake in his bed and thought feverishly about the conversation he had just had with Ms. Spencer. Adventure, the word kept dancing around in his mind. But was he ready for the risks that would be ahead.
Aibou?
Yes?
He was mulling over things in his head. These people could help him, and maybe even find out Mou Hitori no Boku's real name. If they could find the answers, then maybe he'd have a better understanding of his other half. And the idea that there was someone else out there with a item that had a connection, that might also have a spirit living inside it, made him both scared and excited.
I must ask you, are you considering this?
Why? Do you think it's a bad idea? If you can find out more about you then…
Yes, but is it safe? I worry that something dark and evil is brewing, and the closer that I get to finding the answers the more dangerous it will become. For both of us, Aibou, and I do not want you hurt because of me.
Yuugi licked his lips, Liz –for some reason he now felt better thinking of her as that –had said that there were other out there that would try to get at him to exploit his talents. That they were dangerous and would cause trouble on a global scale, but would that only happen if they got to his Hitori? Or did it have to deal with getting to him?
I don't know, honestly. I know you worry about me, but don't. I'll be okay. Really. I just wonder what she meant by others coming after me…I have no idea what that means…
Rest now. Things should look much clearer in the moring…
Yuugi nodded; after all he had a tournament on the weekend to worry about first. So he knew he had to be ready for that. However his sleep was restless, and all through his dreams a silver angel kept flying around.
* * *
Outside, crouching on a limb of a tree branch, a boy with white hair watched Yuugi's house. His eyes glowed with a demonic fire as he smirked, thinking. "So, he's creating a new team. How very sweet that he should put Liz in charge of it. After all, she was always very good at making others do what she wanted them to. Ah well we didn't get the first one, but I'll be damned if we don't get the second one. Sleep tight, little Yuugi. Pretty soon you won't be doing much sleeping at all."
* * *
Ah fun time Notes ahoy!
Kogals –in Japan there's a high fashion district. Right now I can't remember the name of it, but I'll up date this when I have the real name. This district is known as a hip and trendy area for teen girls that have money to burn and fashion styles to keep up with. Code named Kogals, these teens are very much large cliques that are into style over everything else.
SDF –Japan's Self Defense Force. Since they can't have a military presence, although this looks to be changing, the SDF was created to deal with military like emergencies. There are several of these groups. Ground SDF, Air SDF, Naval SDF, and I think two others.
Of another note, Yuugi does have a mother; she is feature in the Manga and the Anime. Although 4 kids cut out her most prominent scene, when Yuugi was talking to Yami in his bedroom in the episode where he went out with Tea on a date, she was listening in the hallway. You can spot her quickly two times. First is when Solomon (Sugoroku) wakes up after Yuugi defeats Pegasus in Duelist Kingdom and he releases the souls. She's sitting on a chair in the room in a pink skirt and sweater. And secondly when Yuugi comes to the hospital and runs to his grandfather. She's standing right next to Solomon. ^_^ So I am not at all making her up.