Seven
# CW: Mwahahaha! I'm on a high but deathly tired at the same time. Bad combo! I just wanna say, I've read ALL the Yu-Gi-Oh fics of everyone who's reviewed so far and they are all AWESOME! (Don't believe me, read the fics by DayDreamerz, Ten-kih Ho-shih, alwaysforever and any others I've forgotten but are on my reviews list!) #
'Mokuba! Mokuba clam down and tell me the problem!' Yugi was virtually shouting to get the teenager to explain.
'I'm sorry! It's my fault! She's got Joey!' panted the young man. He had obviously run quite some way. This must be serious.
'Who? Mokuba, who got Joey?' Yugi tried to keep his cool, but he was beginning to get desperate.
'I dunno her name. Weird woman. Kinda Ishizu-like, if you get what I mean.'
Ok, no help on that count. Yugi tried a different tack. 'Where are they, Mokuba? Do you know?'
'Last time I saw her, she was heading for Joey's apartment with her glowy belt-thingy.'
Yugi didn't stop to ask about the 'glowy belt-thingy', he just hurried out from behind the counter of the Game Shop, slapped the sign on the door around so it read 'closed' and sprinted off up the street to Joey's place. Mokuba followed breathlessly behind, and after him came Sandra, her long blonde hair billowing behind her.
~
Seto Kaiba felt dazed.
The end of the woman's cape flicked out the window, and she was gone. She had left no resonance to even prove she had been there in the first place.
Who was she? Why did she call me brother? My destiny? I thought all this crap had ended years ago. Why was she setting me on Yugi again?
To be honest, he didn't care about being numero uno anymore. He just wanted a peaceful life with Hazel and the baby that was on the way (he'd have to tell Mokuba about that sometime. He wouldn't be pleased).
But what that woman had said was so intriguing - so tantalizing - Sanumun, she had said her name was. Maybe she was right. She seemed so familiar –
There was a buzz, and a small, crackly voice called: 'Hey, Kaiba!'
Kaiba snapped out of his trance, brushed the chestnut hair out of his eyes and checked the little screen next to his computer that was linked to the communicating device at the front gate.
A tall, blonde man stood there, his slightly unshaven face close to the camera.
Kaiba sighed. That guy was turning out to be all right now, but he couldn't stand him butting in when he needed to think.
He pushed the little silver button to reply.
'What, Wheeler?' he snapped.
'You Ok?' Joey didn't seem to notice that Kaiba wasn't in the best of moods.
'Yeah, on top of the weather.' Grunted Kaiba.
'Well, that's Ok then.' Joey hadn't noticed Kaiba's sarcasm. 'It's just, well, there's this weird woman – uh – 'flying' around, and she seemed to be after you. Just watch your back, Ok man?'
'Wheeler, when an acquaintance of mine tells me they've seen flying women, I tend to tell them to quit, as it is ruining their health and only feels good until they realize it's addictive.'
'Kaiba, I'm not stoned, it's the truth!' snapped Joey.
'Tell that to the brain surgeon.' Sniffed Kaiba, and switched off the monitor.
He sat back in his swivel chair and hummed to himself. How could he do this? How could he win back his destiny, as it were?
~How did you do it last time?~ whispered a little voice in the back of his mind.
At this, a single phrase came into his head.
The title for a flyer, or a poster, or a leaflet or some such thing.
~
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT.
Kaiba stared up at the billboard he had had put up.
It was five weeks after he had had the original idea for this, and it was all but prepared.
All he needed was the duellists.
~
'Ok Seska. Where next?'
'Wanna drive to the pier? I hear it'll be a clear night. We could watch the sunset.'
Joey leant over from behind the steering wheel of his battered old van and kissed Seska on the cheek.
'Watch the road, knucklehead!' Seska ruffled his hair and he sat back up straight, blushing.
Suddenly, he screeched to a halt.
'Joe? What is it, did we hit something?' Seska looked at him worriedly.
Joey was staring ahead.
Seska followed his gaze, and her eyes met and ordinary looking billboard. She looked a little closer.
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT.
Underneath the letters stood four figures. The pictures they were formed from had been taken about eight years ago. At the back towered the figure of Seto Kaiba, the CEO of KaibaCorp, about three times as big as those in the foreground. Before him stood the small, spiky-haired figure of Seska's friend's fiancé, Yugi Motou, holding up his duel-disk and smiling. Leaning against his scrawny shoulder, a wide goofy grin on his face, was Joey himself. But the true surprise was who was on Joey's other side, standing oh so close to him (A/N and yet so far! *sob*). The slender form of Domino Dame's's favourite cover-girl, Miss Mai Valentine.
'God.' Breathed Seska. 'You really DID know her.'
'Yeah, well we weren't an 'item', if that's what you think.' replied Joey. 'Wahoo!' he suddenly hollered, causing Seska to jump out of her skin. 'I'm on a billboard! I'm famous!'
'So, are you up for it?' Seska punched her boyfriend playfully.
'Uh?'
'Are you gonna duel in this thing?'
'Am I?! Boy, would I pass up a chance like that to oil my rusty bolts and finally get a duel-disk back on my arm? No way!' Joey hugged Seska tightly. 'Here I stand, the next Duel Monsters champion!'
Inside Joey's head, however, a completely different line of thinking was unwinding. It went something like: ~Mai! Mai's gonna be here. That is, if she accepts the invitation. I'll be a dead man if she finds out I'm dating Seska or Seska finds out I'm only dating her for Mai, but I can't give Seska up just yet. I gotta find out if Mai really will come, and if she's single, and if she'll love me...~
~
Mai stared at the flyer.
No way. No how.
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT?
Over my dead body.
She turned the sheet over. Then she dropped it.
She gulped, bent down and picked it up again.
Above the consent form, only about four inches square, was a picture.
Kaiba – no surprises there. Yugi – even less surprises.
Me.
Sure, Mai was more than photogenic, but now was not the time to see a picture of herself.
Joey –
Mai ran her fingers over the forms of the smiling blonde and herself.
This was the only picture of Joey she owned now. She had all but forgotten what he had looked like. She had planned on keeping just his essence locked away in the back of her mind forever, but seeing him again changed it all.
Now she felt again what had scared her back then. That feeling.
She hated it. She hated to feel like she so desperately needed someone other than herself to get by. When she had realised that he felt the same way, it was so overwhelming that she left there and then.
Who was he now?
Was he still the knuckleheaded monkey-boy that had made her feel mad, then confused, then lost, then found, then wanted, then loved?
Or was he now a loving husband and father, an owner or an employee of a successful business, his life completely figured out?
Did he remember her?
Her curiosity was too much. She had to find out. She had to see him again. She had to go to the tournament.
~
'See you, sweetheart.' Yugi kissed Téa goodbye and hurried for the door.
'You're off early.' Téa followed him a couple of steps. 'This wouldn't have to do with a certain tournament hosted by Mr Kaiba, would it?'
'Téa-' Yugi looked up at her, making as dramatic puppy-dog eyes as he could get away with at his age. 'You know how much I-'
'Yugi, I'm off work because of Vicky.' Groaned Téa. 'You can't close the shop for ages because of a tournament! How would we get money?'
'KaibaCorp has promised to financially make it up to last time's finalists.' Shrugged Yugi.
'Oh sure. Yugi, I like Kaiba and all, but sometimes his 'promises' seem to be kinda swept under the rug and abandoned.' Said Téa.
'Well, I believe him.' Said Yugi firmly.
'Ok.' Téa touched her brow wearily, not wanted to start an argument. 'But any sign of ANY problem and you're back behind that counter, or I'll get Joey to phone you and sing a Justin Timberlake song, Ok?'
'Ok! Ok! Anything but that, please!' Yugi giggled, and Téa gave him a little nudge.
'See you, Champ.' She grinned.
Yugi kissed her again and scurried out of the door.
~
Joey couldn't believe his eyes. He burst out laughing there and then, right in the middle of the throng of people waiting for the tournament's opening announcement.
'Hey, Joey!' Yugi called to him, pushing his way through the crowd to get to his friend. 'What's up?'
'Look!' chuckled Joey, pointing right ahead.
Yugi looked.
Standing a few yards ahead of them, his pearly hair combed back for once, his darting tawny eyes betraying a slight dislike of crowds, stood Ryou Bakura.
'Joey, why are you laughing at Ryou?' Yugi looked at him harshly.
'I dunno.' Said Joey, calming down. 'He just looks so awkward that's all. And he hasn't changed a bit.'
'He's got taller.' Said Yugi.
'Which is more than can be said abut you, huh buddy?' Joey teased.
Yugi gave him a friendly punch, then hurried over to his old school friend.
'Ryou!' he called.
Ryou looked around and his huge dark eyes sparkled with delight.
'Yugi!' he replied.
'Ryou!' called Joey, overtaking Yugi.
'Joey!' laughed Ryou.
Joey got to him first and pulled him into a tight one-arm hug, ruffling his newly combed hair. 'Long time no see, buddy!' he laughed. 'And what have you been doing all this time?'
Ryou smiled shyly. 'Well, I decided to go to a university in Oxford, England to study physics, literature and philosophy. I stayed there for a few years, got married and all that, but then I came back just a few weeks ago to look at a house on the outskirts. Lucky coincidence, eh?'
'You're married, Ryou?' Yugi grinned.
'Well – yes.' Ryou replied.
'Congratulations, buddy!' Yugi grabbed Ryou's hand and pumped it up and down.
'Thanks.' Said Ryou awkwardly.
'Yugi's gonna get married too.' Joey hissed in Ryou's ear.
'Really?' Ryou's eyes widened. 'Who to?'
'Téa.' Whispered Joey.
Bakura raised his eyebrows. 'Well I never!' he laughed. 'You and Téa? That's fantastic!'
'You should come over and meet the baby some time.' Said Yugi. 'She's called Vicky and she's two months old in a week.'
'Oh, it would be my pleasure!' smiled Ryou.
Joey felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
'Huh?' he turned, to see a face he hadn't seen in a few weeks now. 'Tristan?'
'Look, Joey. I wanna apologise for what I said that day. I've been true to my word and kept away from Serenity. I hope you're feeling a little better today.' He said, and turned to wander off.
Joey stopped him.
'All forgiven and forgotten, man.' He smiled. 'You're welcome to do whatever you want with Serenity now, as long as she agrees with you about it!'
'Really? You sure about this?' Tristan turned and looked into his buddy's face.
'Positive.' Said Joey. 'You here to watch the games?'
'Sure am!' grinned Tristan.
Their conversation was broken off when a car horn sounded, long and loud, from behind them. It continued to beep, and the purr of an engine could also begin to be heard.
The crowd was parting for the vehicle, and Yugi, Bakura and Tristan all hurried to one side to avoid it.
Joey, however, suddenly felt he didn't want to move. He didn't know why, he just didn't want to.
The car, an electric blue Porsche convertible, came to a halt right behind him. Joey didn't look round.
He heard the car window roll down.
'Get outta my way, moron!'
Joey recognised the voice instantly. He'd been waiting to hear it for the past eight years.
# CW: Dun dun DUN! We all know who that is! Okey dokey, more updates soon! #
# CW: Mwahahaha! I'm on a high but deathly tired at the same time. Bad combo! I just wanna say, I've read ALL the Yu-Gi-Oh fics of everyone who's reviewed so far and they are all AWESOME! (Don't believe me, read the fics by DayDreamerz, Ten-kih Ho-shih, alwaysforever and any others I've forgotten but are on my reviews list!) #
'Mokuba! Mokuba clam down and tell me the problem!' Yugi was virtually shouting to get the teenager to explain.
'I'm sorry! It's my fault! She's got Joey!' panted the young man. He had obviously run quite some way. This must be serious.
'Who? Mokuba, who got Joey?' Yugi tried to keep his cool, but he was beginning to get desperate.
'I dunno her name. Weird woman. Kinda Ishizu-like, if you get what I mean.'
Ok, no help on that count. Yugi tried a different tack. 'Where are they, Mokuba? Do you know?'
'Last time I saw her, she was heading for Joey's apartment with her glowy belt-thingy.'
Yugi didn't stop to ask about the 'glowy belt-thingy', he just hurried out from behind the counter of the Game Shop, slapped the sign on the door around so it read 'closed' and sprinted off up the street to Joey's place. Mokuba followed breathlessly behind, and after him came Sandra, her long blonde hair billowing behind her.
~
Seto Kaiba felt dazed.
The end of the woman's cape flicked out the window, and she was gone. She had left no resonance to even prove she had been there in the first place.
Who was she? Why did she call me brother? My destiny? I thought all this crap had ended years ago. Why was she setting me on Yugi again?
To be honest, he didn't care about being numero uno anymore. He just wanted a peaceful life with Hazel and the baby that was on the way (he'd have to tell Mokuba about that sometime. He wouldn't be pleased).
But what that woman had said was so intriguing - so tantalizing - Sanumun, she had said her name was. Maybe she was right. She seemed so familiar –
There was a buzz, and a small, crackly voice called: 'Hey, Kaiba!'
Kaiba snapped out of his trance, brushed the chestnut hair out of his eyes and checked the little screen next to his computer that was linked to the communicating device at the front gate.
A tall, blonde man stood there, his slightly unshaven face close to the camera.
Kaiba sighed. That guy was turning out to be all right now, but he couldn't stand him butting in when he needed to think.
He pushed the little silver button to reply.
'What, Wheeler?' he snapped.
'You Ok?' Joey didn't seem to notice that Kaiba wasn't in the best of moods.
'Yeah, on top of the weather.' Grunted Kaiba.
'Well, that's Ok then.' Joey hadn't noticed Kaiba's sarcasm. 'It's just, well, there's this weird woman – uh – 'flying' around, and she seemed to be after you. Just watch your back, Ok man?'
'Wheeler, when an acquaintance of mine tells me they've seen flying women, I tend to tell them to quit, as it is ruining their health and only feels good until they realize it's addictive.'
'Kaiba, I'm not stoned, it's the truth!' snapped Joey.
'Tell that to the brain surgeon.' Sniffed Kaiba, and switched off the monitor.
He sat back in his swivel chair and hummed to himself. How could he do this? How could he win back his destiny, as it were?
~How did you do it last time?~ whispered a little voice in the back of his mind.
At this, a single phrase came into his head.
The title for a flyer, or a poster, or a leaflet or some such thing.
~
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT.
Kaiba stared up at the billboard he had had put up.
It was five weeks after he had had the original idea for this, and it was all but prepared.
All he needed was the duellists.
~
'Ok Seska. Where next?'
'Wanna drive to the pier? I hear it'll be a clear night. We could watch the sunset.'
Joey leant over from behind the steering wheel of his battered old van and kissed Seska on the cheek.
'Watch the road, knucklehead!' Seska ruffled his hair and he sat back up straight, blushing.
Suddenly, he screeched to a halt.
'Joe? What is it, did we hit something?' Seska looked at him worriedly.
Joey was staring ahead.
Seska followed his gaze, and her eyes met and ordinary looking billboard. She looked a little closer.
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT.
Underneath the letters stood four figures. The pictures they were formed from had been taken about eight years ago. At the back towered the figure of Seto Kaiba, the CEO of KaibaCorp, about three times as big as those in the foreground. Before him stood the small, spiky-haired figure of Seska's friend's fiancé, Yugi Motou, holding up his duel-disk and smiling. Leaning against his scrawny shoulder, a wide goofy grin on his face, was Joey himself. But the true surprise was who was on Joey's other side, standing oh so close to him (A/N and yet so far! *sob*). The slender form of Domino Dame's's favourite cover-girl, Miss Mai Valentine.
'God.' Breathed Seska. 'You really DID know her.'
'Yeah, well we weren't an 'item', if that's what you think.' replied Joey. 'Wahoo!' he suddenly hollered, causing Seska to jump out of her skin. 'I'm on a billboard! I'm famous!'
'So, are you up for it?' Seska punched her boyfriend playfully.
'Uh?'
'Are you gonna duel in this thing?'
'Am I?! Boy, would I pass up a chance like that to oil my rusty bolts and finally get a duel-disk back on my arm? No way!' Joey hugged Seska tightly. 'Here I stand, the next Duel Monsters champion!'
Inside Joey's head, however, a completely different line of thinking was unwinding. It went something like: ~Mai! Mai's gonna be here. That is, if she accepts the invitation. I'll be a dead man if she finds out I'm dating Seska or Seska finds out I'm only dating her for Mai, but I can't give Seska up just yet. I gotta find out if Mai really will come, and if she's single, and if she'll love me...~
~
Mai stared at the flyer.
No way. No how.
BATTLE CITY REUNION TOURNAMENT?
Over my dead body.
She turned the sheet over. Then she dropped it.
She gulped, bent down and picked it up again.
Above the consent form, only about four inches square, was a picture.
Kaiba – no surprises there. Yugi – even less surprises.
Me.
Sure, Mai was more than photogenic, but now was not the time to see a picture of herself.
Joey –
Mai ran her fingers over the forms of the smiling blonde and herself.
This was the only picture of Joey she owned now. She had all but forgotten what he had looked like. She had planned on keeping just his essence locked away in the back of her mind forever, but seeing him again changed it all.
Now she felt again what had scared her back then. That feeling.
She hated it. She hated to feel like she so desperately needed someone other than herself to get by. When she had realised that he felt the same way, it was so overwhelming that she left there and then.
Who was he now?
Was he still the knuckleheaded monkey-boy that had made her feel mad, then confused, then lost, then found, then wanted, then loved?
Or was he now a loving husband and father, an owner or an employee of a successful business, his life completely figured out?
Did he remember her?
Her curiosity was too much. She had to find out. She had to see him again. She had to go to the tournament.
~
'See you, sweetheart.' Yugi kissed Téa goodbye and hurried for the door.
'You're off early.' Téa followed him a couple of steps. 'This wouldn't have to do with a certain tournament hosted by Mr Kaiba, would it?'
'Téa-' Yugi looked up at her, making as dramatic puppy-dog eyes as he could get away with at his age. 'You know how much I-'
'Yugi, I'm off work because of Vicky.' Groaned Téa. 'You can't close the shop for ages because of a tournament! How would we get money?'
'KaibaCorp has promised to financially make it up to last time's finalists.' Shrugged Yugi.
'Oh sure. Yugi, I like Kaiba and all, but sometimes his 'promises' seem to be kinda swept under the rug and abandoned.' Said Téa.
'Well, I believe him.' Said Yugi firmly.
'Ok.' Téa touched her brow wearily, not wanted to start an argument. 'But any sign of ANY problem and you're back behind that counter, or I'll get Joey to phone you and sing a Justin Timberlake song, Ok?'
'Ok! Ok! Anything but that, please!' Yugi giggled, and Téa gave him a little nudge.
'See you, Champ.' She grinned.
Yugi kissed her again and scurried out of the door.
~
Joey couldn't believe his eyes. He burst out laughing there and then, right in the middle of the throng of people waiting for the tournament's opening announcement.
'Hey, Joey!' Yugi called to him, pushing his way through the crowd to get to his friend. 'What's up?'
'Look!' chuckled Joey, pointing right ahead.
Yugi looked.
Standing a few yards ahead of them, his pearly hair combed back for once, his darting tawny eyes betraying a slight dislike of crowds, stood Ryou Bakura.
'Joey, why are you laughing at Ryou?' Yugi looked at him harshly.
'I dunno.' Said Joey, calming down. 'He just looks so awkward that's all. And he hasn't changed a bit.'
'He's got taller.' Said Yugi.
'Which is more than can be said abut you, huh buddy?' Joey teased.
Yugi gave him a friendly punch, then hurried over to his old school friend.
'Ryou!' he called.
Ryou looked around and his huge dark eyes sparkled with delight.
'Yugi!' he replied.
'Ryou!' called Joey, overtaking Yugi.
'Joey!' laughed Ryou.
Joey got to him first and pulled him into a tight one-arm hug, ruffling his newly combed hair. 'Long time no see, buddy!' he laughed. 'And what have you been doing all this time?'
Ryou smiled shyly. 'Well, I decided to go to a university in Oxford, England to study physics, literature and philosophy. I stayed there for a few years, got married and all that, but then I came back just a few weeks ago to look at a house on the outskirts. Lucky coincidence, eh?'
'You're married, Ryou?' Yugi grinned.
'Well – yes.' Ryou replied.
'Congratulations, buddy!' Yugi grabbed Ryou's hand and pumped it up and down.
'Thanks.' Said Ryou awkwardly.
'Yugi's gonna get married too.' Joey hissed in Ryou's ear.
'Really?' Ryou's eyes widened. 'Who to?'
'Téa.' Whispered Joey.
Bakura raised his eyebrows. 'Well I never!' he laughed. 'You and Téa? That's fantastic!'
'You should come over and meet the baby some time.' Said Yugi. 'She's called Vicky and she's two months old in a week.'
'Oh, it would be my pleasure!' smiled Ryou.
Joey felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
'Huh?' he turned, to see a face he hadn't seen in a few weeks now. 'Tristan?'
'Look, Joey. I wanna apologise for what I said that day. I've been true to my word and kept away from Serenity. I hope you're feeling a little better today.' He said, and turned to wander off.
Joey stopped him.
'All forgiven and forgotten, man.' He smiled. 'You're welcome to do whatever you want with Serenity now, as long as she agrees with you about it!'
'Really? You sure about this?' Tristan turned and looked into his buddy's face.
'Positive.' Said Joey. 'You here to watch the games?'
'Sure am!' grinned Tristan.
Their conversation was broken off when a car horn sounded, long and loud, from behind them. It continued to beep, and the purr of an engine could also begin to be heard.
The crowd was parting for the vehicle, and Yugi, Bakura and Tristan all hurried to one side to avoid it.
Joey, however, suddenly felt he didn't want to move. He didn't know why, he just didn't want to.
The car, an electric blue Porsche convertible, came to a halt right behind him. Joey didn't look round.
He heard the car window roll down.
'Get outta my way, moron!'
Joey recognised the voice instantly. He'd been waiting to hear it for the past eight years.
# CW: Dun dun DUN! We all know who that is! Okey dokey, more updates soon! #
