Crawford's Angels
Disclaimer: Sorry I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or Charlie's Angels –Thank you very much Mr. Arron Spelling sir, and Mr. Kazuki Takahashi. *Sigh* ^_^ Ah well…
Author's notes: Just for the record, the pinky action that Yuugi made at Haga (Weevil) is an actual gesture in Japan used by young men to indicate some…er…action between them and their girlfriend. Usually it's used when they say, "Dude, I have my girl over here…know what I mean." So that's why Haga got so pissed at Yuugi. Secondly I'm making this a shorter chapter so I can get into Jou's story. Been too long, and I can't wait to write it. ^_^ By the way thank you all for the lovely reviews.
Okay then, on with the show.
Chapter 8: The Third Angel
"Ow," Yuugi yelped the following morning as Kaiba swabbed a large cut on his brow with some disinfectant. Seto frowned and snorted.
"Well, if you stopped wiggling it wouldn't hurt so much," he slapped a Band-aid on Yuugi and then picked up the first aid kit. "At least that's taken care of, now to make sure Spencer didn't rip off hers…And get something to eat. Or do I need to make breakfast for you too?"
Yuugi watched as the tall boy left the front room and headed up the staircase for the bedrooms. He really didn't remember much from the previous night, only what Seto had told him. He remembered Ushio showing up with his goons, and that he and Seto were supposed to duel. That Ushio's crew had surrounded them and that –somehow –the two of them, Seto and himself, had managed to keep from getting killed. Then something strange happened. Ushio had come down and was beating him up, and all Yuugi could remember next was a bunch of screaming and then darkness. Utter, desolate, and freezing cold, darkness. Kaiba said that he, Yuugi, had told Ushio he wanted to play a game –whatever that meant –and that some weird black fog had engulfed the entire arena. Ushio, according to Kaiba, had gone crazy and had attacked Yuugi, and then Yuugi had said something to him, like 'Mind Crush', and that Ushio had fallen to the ground twitching.
Sighing, Yuugi slumped back on the couch and brushed his bangs out of his eyes. He remembered waking up that morning to find Kaiba sleeping in a chair in his bedroom; to say the least he was shocked to see this. He thought Kaiba didn't like him at all. Apparently this wasn't the case. Yuugi had slipped out of bed and poked the tall teenager to see if he was still asleep. When he did so Kaiba made a noise that was a cross between a snort and a sniffle, and Yuugi chuckled. He figured that Seto was still sleeping and slowly opened the door. What he wanted to do was call his mom and grandpa and let them know he was okay.
They're probably worried sick, he thought as he pulled open the door, it made a small click as he turned the handle.
"And where do you think you're going?" Yuugi looked back to see Kaiba, wide awake, with his lids lowered and scowling. "You're supposed to stay in bed. Spencer's orders and I'm not going to get my ass reamed out because you decided to slip off."
"Huh?" Yuugi was slightly confused and Seto rolled his eyes.
"Spencer, the girl with the brown hair, the one that gave you the card, remember."
Yuugi shook his head, rattling his brain. It was hard to think on an empty stomach, and feeling like you were used as someone's punching bag. Seto scowled again, and Yuugi gulped, he wasn't helping anything by not remembering.
"Liz-chan," Seto finally said and it clicked in Yuugi's mind.
"Oh," he smiled and chuckled. "Sorry, must have slipped my mind for a minute there. Um, how is she. I kinda remember hearing you say something about her hands bleeding? She is alright, isn't she?"
Seto huffed, her own damn fault she cut her fists up, not mine. But he nodded just the same and Yuugi's grin widened. He was glad that Ushio had not hurt her. Seto stood up, stretched, he'd been sleeping in the room since five that morning, and the previous night he'd dumped Yuugi in bed. Walking over to the window he drew back the dark curtains and let some light in the room, then glanced over Yuugi. His scowl disappeared and his brow furrowed slightly at what he saw. Yuugi had several cuts on his face, most were small and had scabbed over, but a large one on the forehead looked rather bad, and was turning red.
Infected, Seto thought and Yuugi looked at him puzzled.
"What's the matter Kaiba-kun?"
Seto sighed, and grabbed Yuugi by the arm, pulled him out of the bedroom and down the stairs into the front room.
"Wait here," he told Yuugi, and slipped out into the kitchen, only to return a moment later with a small white box with a red cross on the top.
"A first aid kit," Yuugi asked, and looked up at Kaiba. "What for?"
"For that cut on you're forehead," Kaiba had said and had proceeded to fix it. He'd done it several times with Mokuba, when his little brother had hurt himself. And, like Yuugi, he was a wiggler when it came to putting on stuff that stung. When he felt a bit better, Yuugi got up and wandered into the kitchen. The house that he was in was quite big, not huge like a mansion, but bigger then any house he'd ever been inside before. The floors were all hardwood, and the furniture was all custom- made with leather, or some rich velvety material, and looked really expensive. All the walls were painted with fancy decorations and small gold flowers as borders. The kitchen was just as impressive, with the latest stove and refrigerator, all shiny and new. Yuugi pulled out a container of orange juice and found a glass in the cabinets, and sat down to drink.
BEEEEEEEPPPPPP DEEEEPPPP BEEEEEEPPPP DEEEEEEPPPPP, the sound rang out all over the room and Yuugi covered his ears.
Aibou, what is that horrid noise?!
I don't know, Hitori No boku! But it's gotta be coming from somewhere nearby.
Well please hurry and find it, because it's starting to hurt my head.
Yuugi swiftly searched the room and discovered a laptop computer hiding under several books. He pulled it out and opened it, the noise stopped and a black screen with a strange line showed up. The line kept changing colors: red, green, pink, blue, yellow, purple, white, and back to red again. Yuugi watched it for a moment or two, unsure of what to make of it, when a voice suddenly came out and made the line vibrate.
"Ah, Yuugi, just the boy I wanted to speak with," said the strange computer enhanced voice. "I'm glad you're up. Spencer told me about you –um –late night activities. I was worried that you were seriously hurt. You are alright, aren't you?"
"Um, yes," Yuugi replied, staring at the vibrating line. "Uh…pardon me, I don't mean to sound rude, or anything, but…um, exactly who are you?"
The voice laughed, it was a strange sort of warm chuckle, but it gave Yuugi a slight chill. He wondered if the laugh would really sound creepy if the voice was not happy. "Forgive me for not introducing myself right away. I was going to greet you last night, but after the events…well you needed your rest. I'm Charles, the head of the Angels organization."
Yuugi's eyes widened, "You're the guy in charge of all this?"
"That's right, and I'm very happy to have you on board," Charles told him warmly. "I was hoping to speak with your other half for a moment or two; I have something I want to say to him. But first, how do you like your surroundings? We have a pool, and a tennis court, all sorts of videogames, and the best internet connection money can buy."
"That's nice and all," Yuugi said politely, he was very nervous and wondered, Gee this guy is strange, "but I'm not use to having a pool and so many things. I mean, it's like a hotel, I'm afraid I might wreck something."
Charles laughed again; Yuugi was a breath of fresh air compared to many others's he had to work with. The boy was so innocent it was amusing to Charles; he just hoped that young Yuugi would stay that way in the trials ahead. "Yuugi, my good boy, I want you to know that this house is your home. You have free reign to do whatever you want. Go wild, jump on the bed, if you want to, go skinny dipping for all I care. It's your home now."
"Really?" Yuugi asked, then blushed, there was no way he was going to go skinny dipping. Not a chance. "Thank you very much."
"Now," said Charles, "Would you mind if I spoke to your other half please."
"I guess so, but let me see if he wants to talk to you."
"Very well, I'll wait."
Hitori?
Yes Aibou? I'm here. What is it?
Um, this man named Charles, he…he wants to talk to you.
About what? The spirit was confused, why did this Charles want to talk with him?
I don't know, but he really seems to want to talk to you. I think it might be important.
Very well, but only for a short amount of time; I feel rather worn out.
I know what you mean. Yuugi shifted with his Hitori no Yuugi and the second version of Yuugi stared at the screen and crossed his arms.
"So you wanted to talk to me," he said in his deeper voice. From where he was sitting Charles saw the change and smiled. The boy had mastered that part, that was a good thing, and this spirit seemed kinder –though still cold like the one Charles had first met only a few years before. He smiled, hoping that his voice would sound warm, he had a feeling that this Yuugi would be a bit harder to handle.
"Yes that I did. You'll have to excuse the blunt nature of this conversation, as I have a limited time due to an appointment that I have in fifteen."
"Very well, say your piece then." Yuugi waited and looked at the screen with no expression to his face. Charles scowled a little; it was going to be a hard sell.
"I wanted to talk to you about the game you played last night, do you remember it?"
"Some what, yes."
"Good, because I want you to know, I know what that game is, and what it does."
"Do you," smirked the Spirit, "then you'll have no problem with me telling you that I'm not surprised that you know. So who are you really?"
"As I told your better half; my name is Charles and I'm the head of this organization."
"If that's the way you want it," the Spirit rolled his eyes and Charles frowned. He did not particularly dislike this spirit, but he felt that this was a wall that the ghost put up to keep other's from prying too deep. Well two could play at that game.
"You doubt me?"
"No, I don't doubt that that is who you want to be known as, but that is not who you really are."
"Then tell me, who am I really, if you honestly know." Charles challenged him. Once more the Spirit smiled, he liked egging on this man, yet he knew by the tone of voice the man wasn't trying to do him any harm.
"In due time, now tell me what you know of the game that I played."
"Simply," Charles said slowly, "that it is a game of shadows, and that it creation came about three thousand years ago during the high rule era of Egyptian Royalty, King Amonhotep the III and such. The game that you played is a game of shadows that taps into a dark realm on a different plane. Some call it hell, I prefer the term Shadow Realm, since it's not technically hell after all. I've termed it Yami no Games, or Games of Darkness. This is what I know of the actual games themselves: that in the years of their existence several people controlled creatures with their own life force, or Kaa. Naturally if the creatures were hurt, the person suffered the pain. However most of the information about these games has been lost."
"And you want me to tell you what I know of them, since you seem to think I have a connection to them, correct?" Hitori no Yuugi said, and scowled, "Quite frankly I don't think I want to tell you anything at all. How do I know I can trust you?"
"Well, in the first place, I know that you are the spirit of an Egyptian Pharaoh," Charles said smoothly with a smile to his face. Yuugi's scowl deepened, he didn't like the fact that this man knew that about him and so much about the games. He, himself, knew very little about his past, only that he was once Royalty and that had taken a full year to discover. And, only a scant few months ago he had learned of some power that was growing stronger within him. So it made him nervous that this stranger knew more to the past then he did.
"And how do you know this?"
Charles smirked, "Let's say we have a common connection Yuugi. One that I think will interest you. But for now let me tell you what I know of the item that you wear. It's called the Sennen Puzzle."
"This I already know," shouted Yuugi who was becoming agitated by Charles. He did not need to be told what he had already learned from Yuugi's grandfather.
"Wait, let me finish before you send those rocket like spike of yours into orbit," Charles said calmly. "You see I know what it is because I have a small scroll here that talks about some Sennen items, and your puzzle is listed here. The problem for me is this, apparently there are seven of these, but the scroll does not list them. I know of four in existence: a ring, a rod, your puzzle and an eye; all of which are connected to a very dark past that deals with you, my dear young Prince. I have been studying this scroll since I first acquired it from a dear friend of mine, lost to me for several years now, in the hopes that I could understand the reasons of its larger significance."
"So why tell me all this," asked Yuugi who lowered his eyes.
"Because I believe that with your help I can finally solve this riddle and unlock whatever it is that these items do," Charles explained to him. Yuugi's scowl deepened and he shook his head.
"You should not temper with items when you have no idea what they are capable of doing, Charles," He leaned back in his chair. "A story that I read, thanks to my Aibou points this out to me. It's called Pandora's box, and a woman who was too eager to see what was inside a beautiful box unleashed thousands of plagues upon the world. Even though she knew she shouldn't look, she did so, and wound up being a bringer of destruction."
"I know of the legend, Yuugi," said Charles calmly. "I also know that at the end she locked up hope, for the fact is, so long as hope is locked up there is still hope in the world. Yuugi, understand something, I do not wish to use these items for my own gain. I have seen what happens to people who do that, and lord knows that they have cost me much even in my young life. However, there are other's who seek out these items, and wish to use them for their own gain. That is why I want your help. In return I promise I will do all that I can to find your past and give you a full understanding of your life."
"And what are you appealing to me with," asked Yuugi, his scowl was replaced by a look of curiosity.
"Your sense of justice," Charles said and Yuugi shook his head. "Then your honor. I wish to make these items a use to all humanity, not just me, or a small contingent of people. And, if they truly are evil, then I wish to eliminate them so that none can use them against those that I love and care for. I'm sure you can understand this honor that I speak of."
Yuugi nodded, "Yes, I believe I can. But this is Yuugi's choice and not mine."
"He's already said yes, I wish I had your approval as well," Charles said. "After all, there are two of you. Two separate minds, and hearts, only one body, and I'd rather know I've got both of you on my side, rather then have you reluctantly dragged along."
"Then allow me a moment to confer with my partner." Yuugi said and closed his eyes.
Aibou, have you been listening?
Yeah, I have.
And, is this something you really want to do? Do you truly trust this man?
I trust that he really believes in what he is doing, and that he's trying to do it for a good reason and not for his own gain; if that's what you mean.
Then this is what you really want to do?
Very much so, yes.
Alright then.
Yuugi opened his eyes again, and nodded, "I'll accept your offer as well, Charles, but only if you agree to make sure that my partner is safe. Is that clear?"
"Of course," Charles said pleased as punch. "He'll be going through training to strengthen his mind and body. Did you really think I would let him out with no training whatsoever?" –Charles glanced at his clock and quickly said –"Whoops, time's up. Thank you again for agreeing to work with me Yuugi and Hitori no Yuugi. I assure you that we will both benefit from this deal."
As the computer and the vibrating line vanished little Yuugi took back over his body and the spirit wondered, exactly who will benefit the most though?
* * *
Seto stalked up stairs, and shook his head. He was still sleepy from the night before, and knew he should take a nap. But that wasn't his style; no his body was just going to have to deal with feeling sleepy because his mind refused to rest. He paused outside Spencer's bedroom. The night before when they had gotten out to the convertible he had slipped Yuugi into the back seat, and Spencer was about to follow when he'd grabbed her by the wrists.
"What's your problem," she yelped, and he held up her hands to the light from the parking lot lights. They were bruised and bleeding in several places. And, if he was not mistaken, there was scaring from where similar wounds had occurred. Seto frowned at her.
"My problem is that you worried me sick," she looked surprised at this comment, and he added, "and no it's not because I like you, it's because if you baled on me, I might not ever get a chance to find my little brother."
"I see," she said sarcastically. "No, thank you for getting those jerks off your back, back there?"
"I don't see a reason for it," Seto retorted and reached into his pocket. "Had you been down there helping us in the first place, I wouldn't have been dog piled like that."
"Oh sure, blame me," she spat.
"I do," he replied and pulled out a handkerchief and ripped it in two.
"What are you doing?" she asked and he quickly wrapped her hands in the two torn halves.
"Make shift bandages," he explained as he made a knot on top. "I had to do this more then once with Mokuba. He had a habit, like you, of getting scraped up."
She said nothing, and got into the car. The drive back was fast; Seto was going over the speed limit, but Spencer said nothing about that. Instead she was dabbing Yuugi's brow and Seto watched her face. It seemed very sad and far off. Finally, annoyed with the silence he asked, "How did you get those cuts anyway?"
"Three of Ushio's goons were in the sound booth," she explained looking out the window. "I think they were planning on messing with the system and making your ears bleed."
"Huh," Seto replied and they went back to being quiet, until, "How's he doing back there?"
"Sleeping," she said looking down at Yuugi. "And I'm glad. That fight…"
"Funny thing, what with the fog suddenly rolling in," Seto said calmly as if it was normal for purple fog to go rolling into areas on a daily occurrence. "Was that you?"
"No," she said, and tried to change the subject, but Seto was curious.
"You think it was," he motioned with his eyes to Yuugi who was still sleeping. She said nothing and it made him frown. Spencer was covering for something, he could feel it. "So any idea what it was?"
"No," she said and looked out the window again. "Don't worry about it; it was a fluke, that's all."
"Bull, that wasn't any fluke."
"Fine have it your way, but I have no idea what it could have been, so just drop it." Her voice was sharp when she spoke so Seto decided now was not the time to press it. He'd get his answers soon enough. In the mean time he went on to the other matter that was bothering him.
"The song…what was it, something to do with Green Sleeves," he inquired and watched her body stiffen slightly at the mention of it. "You know what that's about?"
"It's a song written by King Henry of England to one of his lovers," Spencer explained. "It's been remade into a Christmas choral. Why do you want to know?"
"Because I thought it was weird that you acted like you were under a spell when you heard it," Seto said and watched as she looked to Yuugi as if trying to disguise her own emotions, it didn't work.
"A friend taught me that song. We were close, he's gone now."
"I see, so some one knows about that song. Any idea who was whistling it?"
"Maybe," she was looking out the window again, and then shook her head. "Listen, its better that you not get involved it this matter okay. Just…just worry about the here and now, and not the past."
"Sounds more like you were just trying to remind yourself," Seto commented, as he pulled the car into the underground garage. Inside she ignored him, and he put Yuugi into the room that Spencer told him to. Then he went, and wrapped her hands up in regular bandages. What Seto was worried about was the fact that last night she had been very reluctant to bandage her hands, and he had to force her into doing it by threatening to drop her lap top into the pool. That had pissed her off enough to throw three eggs at his head; in return he wondered if she had ripped the wrappings off that morning. Kaiba knocked once at the door to her bedroom and went in when she didn't reply. And promptly walked back out shouting, "Spencer, Jeeze, you could have warned me…"
She had been sitting on her bed in a robe, with wet hair indicating she had just showered, and had the laptop propped on her legs. His face was red, when he peeked in again. She did not look up, but nodded when he spoke. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Took a shower, and then I started working." She said and scowled at him seeing he was holding the first aid kit. "And if you think I'm going to wrap my hands up again, you've got fewer brains in that thick head of yours then I first thought."
"And you're a comedic genius," Seto rolled his eyes, and pulled the laptop off her legs.
"Hey," she shouted and he tossed it onto her dresser, "watch it that's sensitive equipment."
"Turn them over," she looked at him puzzled and let out an exasperated sigh. With Yuugi squirming and her selective understanding he felt like a mother hen, "Your hands, Spencer. Turn them over so I can see how well they healed."
She reluctantly did so, and he smirked, "Well they look better."
"Oh joy, clean bill of health from the illustrious Dr. Kaiba," Spencer said dryly. "Now if you're done; I have work to do."
Seto shook his head, and gave her back her laptop, "Do you ever stop?"
"Only when I'm ready to pass out from hunger pain, thanks for asking though, really appreciate that you give a damn." She retorted and he slammed the door.
What is with that…girl, anyway? He thought as he went back downstairs.
* * *
"Hello Kaiba-kun," he held up the cereal box that he had pulled down. "Want some?"
"No," Seto said grabbing a banana, poured a cup of coffee and sat down to read the paper. He glanced up at Yuugi who was looking at him expectantly. "What?"
"Um, well I just…"
"Yeah? You just…what?"
Yuugi felt his face turning red under the intense gaze of Kaiba, "I just wanted to say…well thank you…for helping me last night and this morning."
"Oh," Seto said going back to the paper, "is that all. Whatever, not like I really had a choice, you were getting the crap beat out of you anyway."
Yuugi sighed, why did Kaiba dislike him so much? They ate in silence, and for Yuugi it was awful. At his house his mom and grandfather were always talking. Sometimes so much so that he wished they could be quiet for a change of pace. But now, it wasn't all that much fun. He hated it and wished that Kaiba would at least talk to him, even a little. Finally, tired of the stillness Yuugi said, "Kaiba-kun?"
"What?" he was still looking at the paper; his stocks were not as high as he would have liked them to be.
"Um I was wondering," Yuugi said and Kaiba looked up from behind the newsprint. Yuugi quickly looked down into his bowl of cereal, that same intense, cold look was back and it made Yuugi feel very small and useless.
"Yeah, what now? And if you're going to say, you want me to kiss your forehead; you've got the wrong person…"
"No, nothing like that," Yuugi quickly shook his hands. "I just wanted to know why you quit playing in the tournaments, that's all."
"So that lame amateurs wouldn't get on my nerves," Kaiba said and went back to his reading. He glanced back, and saw that there was some hurt in the shorter boy's eyes. Damn, he looks just like Mokuba when he gets upset. He added quickly, "Not that you're an amateur; I have to say I was impressed on how you handled yourself yesterday against Haga. Although I did beat him in less turns then you did, but still."
"You're bragging," Yuugi said smiling.
"I have a right to, I still am World Champion," Seto said with a smirk.
"I know, I watched the Championship on TV," Yuugi exclaimed. "I thought it was really cool how you managed to beat Keith Howard with the virus attack."
Seto looked up; he was taken aback by this. He didn't expect someone like Yuugi to remember that, but apparently it made an impression on him. "Really, that was what impressed you? Not the Ultimate Dragon?"
Yuugi nodded, "Yeah, that was what really impressed me. Not the Ultimate Dragon. See, the way I see it, it shouldn't matter if you have really weak monsters or really strong ones. You can have all the strong monsters that you want and still loose because your cards don't work together. But if you mix the right magic and trap cards with them…"
"Your deck becomes highly competitive and you're sure to win just about any match…where did you learn that, "Seto insisted and now it was Yuugi's turn to be surprised. He moved back from Kaiba who looked like he was ready to jump on him and shove him into a wall, his eyes bright with expectations.
"Um, well my grandfather taught me that," Yuugi explained. "You see he taught me just about everything I know."
"What's his name," Kaiba insisted, his eyes wide and Yuugi grinned nervously.
"Well, it's Sugoroku Mutou, but some people know him as Solomon…"
"What!" Seto was on his feet and Yuugi scooted back from the table. "You mean to tell me that your grandfather is the Solomon the Great? One of the best non tournament players ever to play Duel Monsters! Is that what you're telling me?"
"Yes," Yuugi squeaked and Seto sat down and let out a laugh. Yuugi slid back slowly as the taller boy shook his head and gave him a sideways smile.
"I should have known, what with your last name," Seto said to Yuugi, who looked genuinely staggered by Seto's comment. Realizing the look that Yuugi was giving him Seto added, "I've always admired your grandfather, Yuugi. It's actually a bit of a pleasure to meet someone who knows Solomon the Great. Why didn't you tell me this when you first saw me at school?"
"I didn't think that it was that important," Yuugi said, shrugging. "Besides, I wanted to make friends with you on my own, and have you like me for just me, not because I happen to have a famous Grandpa."
Seto tilted his head, "Why not? If I had him as a Grandfather, I'd brag about it to anyone who was in shouting distance."
"Maybe that's what's different about us Kaiba-kun," Yuugi said softly, "I don't like to brag and you do. I mean your rich and can have everything you want."
"Ha, if that were true I wouldn't be here," Seto waved his hand around. "You wanted to know why I quit dueling." –He pulled a card shaped locket from under his shirt and opened it to show Yuugi the picture of his little brother inside –"This is why. My brother Mokuba was kidnapped and I want to find him. That's why I quit so I could deal with that. I don't care about a game when my brother's life is on the line. That's what I'm doing here, that's why I vanished."
"Oh," it made perfect sense now to Yuugi and he looked at Kaiba saying, "Kaiba-kun, I want to help you."
"You what?"
"I said, I'd like to help you find your brother."
Seto snorted, "And exactly how is someone like you going to help me?"
"Well, I don't know yet," Yuugi admitted, "But I'll give it my best, that's what friends do for each other, they help each other out no matter how tough it seems. So I'm going to help you out because, because I want to be your friend, if I can Kaiba-kun."
Seto looked at him, and smirked, "You are one strange little guy Yuugi Mutou. But if you want to help, then alright, you can, I guess."
Yuugi gave him a happy grin, and for the first time in a long time Seto Kaiba returned a genuine smile, then talked Duel Monsters with his very first friend, Yuugi Mutou.
* * *
Upstairs in her room Spencer was getting dressed when the computer screen blinked on to show Charles face. He cleared his throat, and she slipped back into her robe rather quickly in her bathroom. "Yes boss?"
"I see you're cheerful this morning," he glanced onto her hands. "What happened?"
"Bunch of low rent thugs decided they could take one small girl in a sound booth. I think I welded one guy's glasses to his face."
Charles shook his head laughing, Typical, he thought. Spencer was always going just a bit overboard when it came to attackers. He thought that she had calmed down over time, but apparently she was going back into the darker mode of fighting, something he hoped becoming the Task Master, of this little group would force her to stop doing. He smiled and said warmly to her, "So now you've gone and cut up your hands again. My poor little dear, always receiving the worse end of the stick, aren't you."
She smirked, "Not always. I broke one guy's nose and I think I cracked his jaw."
"That's not what I meant," he said looking deadpan at her, she chuckled.
"I know," her dememer became more business like, "And the reason you called is…"
"Firstly I'll have you know that I talked to Yuugi and his Hitori no Yuugi. So that's settled," Charles told her. "I expect you to give him his pin as soon as possible. I honestly hope that Yuugi and Seto will be able to work together."
Spencer sniffed, "I doubt it. Kaiba's cold, he's hard to get fix on emotionally; and Yuugi, well, it's over flowing. I don't think that kid has it in him to hate anyone."
"Don't be so quick to judge, my dear," Charles told her. "I remember you telling me that at one time about a certain someone."
Spencer's look suddenly turned dark, "Please do not go there today, Boss. I don't want to hear it."
He frowned, "Something happen?"
"Sort of," she looked away then glanced back looking so sad Charles wished he was there to hold her, like he did when she was younger. "I heard the song again. And it wasn't just my imagination either. He's still around, he's back, and Kaiba heard it too."
"Liz," Charles said softly, "Please don't…"
"I know, I know, don't go thinking that he'll come back. But what if he has, what if I can bring him back. I have to at least try and find out. I have to know if he's okay. I'm not going to be able to just …forget. I'm not like you…I can't do that sort of thing, Charles," her eyes were wet and she blinked hard to stop the tears from flowing. She did not want to let him see her cry; she wouldn't put a guilt trip on him for what he had to do. But that did not mean that she didn't feel that he was somewhat at fault for all of it. Still, she would give her life for him, as she knew he would do the same for her. Charles looked at Spencer; he wished he could take all that pain away. He really wished she could understand that even now, his wife dead some nine years already, and he still had not gotten over her. He let out a light sigh, and cleared his throat before he spoke.
"You have a job to do, Spencer. I can't have you traipsing off on your own mission when these boys need to be fully trained. Once I'm satisfied that they can handle themselves, I'll allow you to go on your own mission. But, until that time, you have to stay focused. My question is this, did you physically see him there?"
"In the rafters," she shook her head. "No, but I'm sure that it was him. He's the only one that knew…"
"Several people know that song Spencer," Charles replied. "It doesn't mean that it was him. I know, dear one, that you wish it was, and so do I…you don't think I feel guilty for what happened. That if I could I would take it all back and stop it from occurring, but it did and he's gone, and we have a job to do, and you know this."
She nodded reluctantly, and Charles brought up a file for her to read, "Katsuya Jonouchi."
Spencer raised her eyebrow, "He looks like a street, a thug, a punk. Why do you want him?"
"Look at the file," He insisted and she read it quickly and then looked up puzzled.
"It says that he has a rap sheet, nearly was expelled at least twice from his Junior high-school, and apparently was once part of a local gang. Why the hell would you want that type of person on the team?"
"Didn't you ask something like that about Kaiba and Yuugi?"
"Yes, well," she back tracked with a huff. "I now understand Kaiba, and I get the reason for Yuugi…"
"Do you? Really," Charles mused, "or maybe you see why I wanted his other half. I have a reason for wanting Yuugi Mutou as well, Spencer." –He smiled when she gave him a pouting look –"Do you're self a favor and take Yuugi with you when you go to see Jonouchi today. I'm sure he will be most helpful."
"Um, why would that be?" she asked and Charles chuckled. You have yet to see what that boy's true skills are Elizabeth.
"Just trust me on this one, he has talked with Katsuya, and I think it would be a good idea," Charles added ruefully to her and Liz slumped back on her bed. "That's all. Good luck."
He disappered from screen and Liz curled up on her bed, pushed the laptop to one side, and pulled out one drawer on her nightstand. Inside she found a gold ring on a chain, and took it into her fist, closed her eyes and took a nap, dreaming of the whistler and a happier time in her life.
* * *
By late afternoon Liz finally showed her fact to Seto and Yuugi, who were busy playing a stacking game.
"Damn," yelled Kaiba with a laugh, "how is it you keep winning?"
"I really don't know," Yuugi chuckled.
"Okay, two out of three, and this time, no trying to help me," Seto insisted. Liz came into the room with a queer look to her face. This was not expected, in fact a heard of wild dodo birds would have made more sense to her at the moment, then seeing Seto Kaiba and Yuugi Mutou playing a game like they had been best friends all their lives. Seto looked up and his face went back to its normal aloof look. "Oh, look who finally dragged herself down to be with her servants."
"Shut up," Spencer mumbled, and Yuugi smiled at her with a bright –"Good afternoon Liz-chan."
"Right," Liz replied. She was dressed in jeans and a black tank-top, and sneakers. Seto looked her over rather quickly, for a change she looked like a normal seventeen year old. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door calling over to Yuugi. "Hey, you want to get some food, I'm starving."
"Um, sure," Yuugi said. "Come on Kaiba-kun."
"Not hungry," Seto said coldly and glared at Liz who returned the gaze. Yuugi felt the tension and said hastily.
"Oh, well, um, then maybe we should stay home."
"No, go, I'll be fine," Seto commented clearing the game from the table. "I have some things to go over."
"Are you sure," Yuugi asked his new friend. He didn't want to leave Seto out of the fun, and he thought it would be a good idea to get him out of the house. But Seto shook his head and told him to go with Spencer. Yuugi noticed that, other then that one time that morning, Seto never called Liz by her first name, or used any polite suffixes when referring to her. In fact, at times, he seemed down right cold to her. In turn, Liz did not look at all happy, or the girl that had come into the Kame Game shop last Thursday. Yuugi wondered what was wrong with her.
"Ready to go," she asked, and he nodded. As they walked to the underground, and got into a new black Firebird, Yuugi said, "Liz-chan, where are we going?"
"Burger World, why?"
"Well, can we please pick up Kaiba-kun some food; I think he would enjoy it."
For the first time that day, Yuugi saw Liz smile and she nodded, "Sure" –then paused and reached into her purse. –"Oh and one more thing, this is for you. It's your official pin."
Yuugi looked down at the small angel in the palm of his hand, and smiled. He felt like one of the luckiest guy's in the world. He had made a great new friend, and was about to go out and get hamburgers with a very nice, and pretty, young woman.