Smile
Part Two
by Lethe
Chapter Twenty-Two: For Now That You've Smiled
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I don't know whether they still serve peanuts on flights, but hey…
And I'm basing the plane on my own on my own experiences, the memories of which are limited, so you'll have to forgive me if I mess up anywhere. (Well, you don't *have* to… ::sniffs::)
This fic is now… 80 PAGES LONG! W00T!! ^_^
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Mnem tells me that in school, this happened:
They had to write down what they wished for the world, on a paper hand.
The hands were displayed in the cafeteria.
One of the hands said: No hungry people
The one next to it said: No homeless people
So one of her friends suggested that they feed the homeless people to the hungry people…
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"Yes, sir?" said the attendant politely.
"I'd like some more nuts, thanks!"
"Yes, sir." She whisked away.
"You'd 'like some more nuts'?" quoted Honda, in such a way that made Jonouchi and Seto blush dark crimson and Mokuba and Shizuka – who were in the seats behind Jou and Seto – yell, "Ew! Gross!"
The other passengers shushed the children indignantly.
I would like to take this time to explain the situation.
The last day of their vacation had come and gone, and Yugi's merry crew was headed home. By plane.
Now, most of them – excluding Kaiba and Mokuba – had never been on a plane in their lives, let alone out of the country.
That would explain Anzu's current predicament, which involved a paper bag and Yugi's failing attempts to aid her.
"Breathe deeply, Anzu! Just breathe in and out! Breathe into the bag!"
"I know! I know! I – urk –"
"Ack! Don't aim this way, Anzu!"
Now I shall explain their seating arrangements.
They were all seated more or less to the right of the plane, in the business class ("Cool little personal TVs!" Jou had exclaimed for the better part of an hour). Honda was sitting in an aisle seat to the left of Jou and Seto, who were sitting next to each other. Jou had taken the window seat.
Behind Jou and Seto, as previously stated, were Mokuba and Shizuka. Behind those two were Yugi and Anzu. The others had strategically arranged this, reasoning that the further Yugi was from Seto during the trip, the better.
"I'm sorry, Yugi…"
"It's okay! I, uh, have another shirt underneath the sweater…" said Yugi.
"Okay… great! I'll… go to the bathroom now…"
Yugi regarded his sweater sadly before removing it. That sweater had survived some tough times with him, and he would remember it fondly.
Like just a few hours ago in the airport...
***
A Few Hours Previous
In the Airport
"Now, please remove everything from your pockets and place them in this container," intoned the security guard blandly. "Please place your bag here and step through." Anzu complied, retrieving her bag from the other side of the x-ray machine.
"Thank you. Next." Yugi stepped forward, and the security guard continued. "Please remove everything from your pockets and place them in this container."
Yugi did so, taking out a few 100 yen pieces, unused gum, and a die.
"Now please step through the metal detector."
He stepped through. The machine gave a loud series of wails, and Yugi jumped back in fear.
The guard motioned him back through to the other side.
"Please remove any articles that contain metal and place them in this container," he said without expression.
Yugi gulped, taking off a buckle from his neck, two from his wrists, the chain – and Millennium Puzzle – from his neck, his watch, and the four ankh symbols that Yami had decided to strap onto his black sweater and pants. The guard gaped.
"…Please step through again."
Yugi did.
The guard handed back the container, and Yugi took the next few minutes putting everything back on carefully.
"Thank you. Next."
Meanwhile, Yugi could hear Jou and Honda laughing hysterically…
***
Yeah, tough times. Maybe he wouldn't miss the sweater after all…
Yugi wondered what Yami was doing. In a panic the last night, Yugi had shut himself off from Yami, and now Yami wasn't communicating with him. Fine, Yami! Be that way! He would just try again later and hope the spirit was feeling better.
He sighed and flipped the little TV attached to his chair arm up. What did it have?
Disney… Aladdin… some grownup movie… Chip 'n' Dale… Aha! A video of a duel tournament a few years back!
He leaned forward, enthralled.
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The lights dimmed.
"Seto? What's goin' on?"
"It's nighttime now," said Seto dryly. "It's time to go to sleep."
"…Oh."
"Check in front of your seat… they probably provided a pillow."
Jou rummaged around. "Yeah, you're right. And a blanket, too…" He reached to the side of his chair and pulled a lever, leaning backward. "Ah…"
"Glad you're comfortable."
"Not quite," murmured Jou thoughtfully. "You know what?"
"What?"
"I don't need a pillow."
"Is that so?"
Jou snapped off his seatbelt – yes, the 'Seatbelt' light was off – and rested his head on Seto's shoulder. "Much better."
Seto smiled and closed his eyes, resting his own head against Jonouchi's. "Good night, Katsuya."
"'Night, Seto."
---
"Isn't that cute?" whispered Shizuka. Mokuba giggled.
The two were peeking over Jou's and Seto's chairs and whispering to each other.
"Yeah. Hey, look! Seto's saying something in his sleep again!"
"…giant donuts…don't exist, Jou…"
They clamped their hands onto each other's mouths to keep from laughing.
Mokuba yawned widely. "You tired yet, Shi'?"
"…A bit, I guess," said Shizuka with a small shrug. "You?"
"Yeah… sugar's finally wearing out…"
"Ah." Shizuka smiled. "Okay! It's time to sleep, then!"
---
Honda glanced around the airplane to make sure all his friends were still alright, and grinned when something caught his eye. Isn't that cute?
All of them were asleep on each other's laps.