"Geez Cloey, where the hell are you?" she muttered to herself as she walked to her car. As per usual, she gave the soft top a once over to make sure it was firmly in place before she unlocked the door and got in. Another leak check was done and once satisfied it was waterproof, she started the engine. "I'm running out of places to look. That girl could be anywhere and if she gets wet and catches cold I'll never hear the end of it," Mai sighed as she pulled out.
Cloey's leg swung lazily off the edge of the crate she was sitting on. The top was covered in a plastic tarp so she didn't worry about getting splinters. This wasn't a storage lot, but an indoor dock. She had been craning her neck for a while trying to see the boat on the other side but had no luck. The sound of the rain on the tin roof was surprisingly soothing, it mixed well with the sound of the waves as well as the rain on them. The building creaked and groaned at times, it was mainly due to it being built over the water and it's supports that rest on the ocean floor had to contend with shifting tides. There were voices from the boat, that had been what perked her curiosity. She couldn't make anything out, just laughter every now and then. They were either play a game or telling stores she thought. She would have loved company at the moment, when not walking or shopping being along really did bite.
"I bet Mai's feeling really rotten for earlier. Even if Anzu had been the one to make the rude comment," she snorted. "Never did like that prissy thing. Don't see how Mai can stand her." Cloey shuddered slightly at the thought of having to put up with her any longer than she did at lunch. The blonde perked up when she realized she still had the bag, she had brought one of her larger purses just in case and that had been where she stashed the rest of her lunch. Her soda was gone but at the moment she was more hungry than anything else. Eagerly she dug it out and opened it. She hadn't been out long and didn't have anything that would readily spoil so she deemed it safe to eat. She took an experimental bite at first before eating happily.
Rae gave a quick nod and wave to the other servants as she walked down the wooden plank to the dock. Malik was out somewhere, maybe celebrating his entry to the finals. Where ever it was, she didn't care. She was just glad he was gone. She frowned slightly when she looked back to the boat, the other monster was on board and hiding in a corner somewhere. The bee-like boy was just that, a child. It did pain Rae to see him so upset, but he didn't want anyone near him at the moment so she gave him his space. She wondered if he had been taken from his parents, if that was the case they should have found him by now. She was the only one he spoke to, again it pained Rae to think of what would happen if ever he lost that one bit of trust. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. If she let it get to her again, she'd be unsociable and knew Malik asked her to do too much for her to get in that mood.
The thought of running away had occurred to Rae, but she knew better. Malik had acquired a collar for her with a tracking device and a shock system if she tried to remove it. Though she hated the concept, at least it was fashioned to match her outfit. So unless she told someone what it was, they would never know. The rain was beginning to slack off, she wanted to take a short walk even if she couldn't go too far beyond the boat. Movement behind the tarp covered crate off to the side caught her attention and she decided to check it out. Blonde hair alerted her to the other's position before she carefully approached.
"Hello?" Rae said softly.
The other figure jumped and turned wide eyes on her. "This a costume party?" she asked upon noticing the one who spoke was a cat.
"Um, no..." Rae said. "Look, you really shouldn't be here. It's dangerous."
"This isn't some freaky live action role playing deal is it?"
Rae paused for a moment. "Yes, and some of the others aren't too pleased when people just wander in. You should go before someone thinks you're a part. If you mess up their story they tend to get really mad."
"You people are so weird," she snorted. "I bet that purple bird thing is a part too," she murmured. "Ok, well the rain's gone anyway. So Yeah, I'm leaving."
"Thank you," Rae sighed. She really didn't want the other around when Malik returned, things may have gotten ugly. The feline watched the girl leave, she thought she had seen him before but didn't dwell on it.
Rae pulled the decorative hem of her dress up slightly in order to prevent the tassel-like extensions from getting wet. The air smelled of soaked wood on top of the usual sea scents, it was quite pleasant to her. The sun was peaking through the clouds slightly and cast bold rays of light in areas. It was one of those awe-inspiring images Rae thought, the kind seen on a cheer-up or get well card and whatnot. Rae had left her hat back on the boat and almost wished she had brought it, it would have gave her a bit of cover from the sun's sharp contrast in the area. She smiled and stretched, just enjoying the feel of the air after rain. She inhaled again and closed her eyes. Somewhere a few gulls called to one another, judging by the splashes she heard they were feeding on fish that had come to the surface after the rain. Her smile turned to a frown as she thought of the freedom they had, freedom she now lacked. A rustle behind her caused the feline to jump.
"Sorry," came the sheepish apology.
"It's ok, Cricket," Rae replied. That wasn't the boy's real name, it was just what he wanted to be called. Not even Rae knew what he had been named by his parents.
The pale green bee boy sighed a bit as he leaned on one of the pier's support poles. He absently picked on the worn surface while looking out to the city beyond the wharves.
"Is it true what Malik says, that they don't like us there?"
"I really don't know. I haven't been out there to see myself..." Rae answered as she crouched next to him. "Back home, others got along with me fine."
"Where you from again? My home was in Kauai..."
"New Zealand. Was very pretty where I was. Was you're home pretty?"
"Lots of flowers," Cricket sighed. "So many colors. I had human friends too, lots. Why humans here so mean?"
"I honestly can't say," Rae frowned. "I know you hate most of Malik's other servants. I do too."
"Mean," Cricket muttered as he rest his chin on his hands. "Rae?"
"Hmm?"
"I look lots like a human, right? If I wore a hat to cover the antenna you think they would like me?"
Indeed he did look much like a human, but his face was a bit rounder than normal and his eyes slightly larger and still multi-faceted. His body was human-like, yet he still retained the abdomen of a bee including the stinger tail.
"I like you without a hat," Rae smiled. "And I don't know if they would or not."
"Humans are weird," he sighed. "Think Malik is out there getting others like us?"
"I hope not," Rae sighed as she stood up from her crouch. "I don't wish anyone else to share our fate."
"Me neither... but I want friends," he pouted.
"And you'll have lots and lots one day. But for now, lets go in. I'll fix you something to eat, everyone else should be out of the kitchen by now. Be thankful we don't have to get groceries, as fast as everyone goes through them. We'd be out in the city constantly."
"And I too small to carry those big bags!" he said with wide eyes. He was right though, the boy only stood three feet tall at the most.
"Right you are," Rae chuckled as she began to walk back into the covered area. Cricket took her hand and walked close to her as she did.
"Worthless," Bakura growled as he tossed the locators to the side. "Dueling for the final card got old after the third duel full of duplicates. If I keep them all, I think I have three full sets now. Full but for the last card," he huffed. The Spirit of the Ring scowled and kicked the huddled figure again. "Go," he said simply. "You have nothing I want. Just get out of my sight."
The teen scrambled off on his hands and knees the first ten feet before he stood and bolted.
Bakura watched him go then frowned, the fool had left his cards even though he had allowed to keep them. He shrugged and picked them up before going through again. He turned to Seraph and handed her five. "If we split up, you can use these to help determine if you get a keeper from someone."
The demoness turned the plastic items over in her hands before she slipped them into her robe and right into her cleavage. Bakura gave her a blank stare. "I lack pockets," she said simply.
"One day I'll get you into a tailor," he replied with the shake of his head.
"Do we split up or do you wish to remain together? I am not doing much besides staying out of sight. I would not mind taking leave to help."
"We can cover more ground if apart, I'm just worried that should you be found alone that bastard Seto will try something."
"I assure you, he will not," she said with a bow.
"Be wary of Seijuu as well should you run into him."
"I fear him not. And if he is as wise as he likes to think he is, he will not do a thing."
So far the ruse was working. The person Seijuu was now talking to thought he was a girl. It wasn't hard seeing as how Seijuu was stuck in a female vessel. But he hadn't tried to act lady like before, they weren't too different from a guy he supposed. Just needed to look a bit more innocent.
"Really, you'd let me try it on?" the red head said, her eyes shone brightly while she studied the duel disk.
"Sure, why not. I've no use for it," the duelist sighed. He undid the clasp and handed it over once his deck was removed. "Keep it for all I care. I could never find a duel when I wanted to. With the finals tomorrow I don't have enough time to get any more cards. I really should have just stopped when I had them all..."
"You're a finalist?" the red head asked. The disk was still being turned every which way as she spoke.
"Was, but I got tired of waiting for Kaiba to set a date for them. So I dueled in hopes of keeping myself sharp and ready. Big mistake, went up against someone who pulled Exodia out on my ass and lost the rarest locator I had along with playing card. In an effort to get it back, I lost the second rarest locator to another duelist with amazingly strong cards. Everyone I found from then on was in the same boat, hunting for those last two. I had one, but turned around and lost it again. So, what's the point?"
"The experience?" Naki replied.
"Heh, I'm competitive. So I wanted more, ended up losing it all. Anyway, as I said. Keep the disk. No one I normally play with outside the tournament entered so I have no use for it."
"You sure?" the girl questioned as she turned it over in her heads.
"Positive. They're neat and all, but I seriously doubt once the tournament is over if we'd be able to use them just anywhere. And if everyone has them, places you can duel freely in will be packed. I'm not one for the novelty effect. I have all these extra damn locator cards for that. Take a few," he muttered before giving her one of each that he had. "See if you have better luck, or just keep it for show. Whatever. Yours now."
"Wow, hey thanks..." she paused.
"Ricardo," he replied when he got what she was hinting at.
"Thanks, Ricardo," she smiled. "I'll treat it well."
"Treat it however you want," he shrugged. "Well I'm gone, and if you are going to try then good luck," he said with a wave before he walked off.
Seijuu watched the retreating form and sighed. He slid the disk on and clicked it comfortably around his wrist. During his ruse he had fumbled with it on purpose, to see if the other would even bother telling how to wear it.
"Too wrapped up in getting his ass handed to him," Seijuu mumbled. "Oh well, I managed to snag one more needed card. I find the final two and I'm set." He snorted then shook his head. "And I won't be too lazy to look around for someone to get them from."
"Yes Mai, I'll let you know if I see her. No, once again I'm sure she hasn't been in the store. I've asked Mr. Mutou and he hasn't seen her. Ok. Yes, if I see her I'll be sure to tell her. Alright, talk to you later."
"Still hasn't found her sister?" Jounouchi asked when Anzu had hung up.
"Yeah, she's just really worried. Cloey seems to have developed this... thing for Kaiba. And I said something to upset her."
"Well don' go beatin' yourself up over that," Jou snorted. "He's had it coming for a long time. And how anyone can see anything in him... I'll never understand." Jou pushed himself off the wall of the Game shop and looked back inside. Yuugi was still in there talking to his grandfather. They had made plans to meet Honda for an early dinner. Everyone was going to go with Yuugi the following day to the finals, this meeting served as a way for them to talk about possible dangers and for anyone to decide if they wanted to back out or not. Of course, Jounouchi knew that the likelihood of that happening was slim to none.
"I hope Mai finds her sister," Yugo said suddenly. He had been quiet for the longest time it was easy to forget he was there.
"She will, Cloey never stays gone long," Anzu replied.
"That's good," Yugo nodded as the door opened.
"Ok," Yuugi said as he emerged. "Gramps is letting me do this. He said he has faith in me and feels I'll be safe with all of you near. For some reason, he doesn't think we're in any danger. He's normally right about these things too..."
"So then, off we go to meet Honda and think of all the horrible outcomes we can to see if our resolve is strong enough," Jou announced before he began to walk off.
"He's confident because Tyldak will be there. Tyl could eat Kaiba and end it all," Yugo shrugged.
"I'm worried he may actually do it," Yuugi muttered in reply.
Ok, like next chapter things should begin to come together and fall into place. Getting closer to a lot of the stuff I can't wait to get to. Just hope I can write it how I see it in my head...