Chapter 1: SIGNS
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, or do I...
Copyrights Man: *Clears throat and runs index finger across his neck*
Erika: Oh, yah...
Seto Kaiba sighed as he stepped off the plane. Two whole years in America, and not a single friend made.
It didn't matter. Today was the day he returned the friends he'd always had. They may have been obnoxious and annoying, but they were his friends none the less.
Joey...
He was the most important piece to this puzzle.
Today was the day Seto was going to confess his love for the little mutt. He'd always had something for him, but had never gotten the guts to tell him. Instead, like a miserable teenie-bopper, he'd teased him.
Two whole years.
Everyone would be, what? Sixteen? Seventeen?
Yugi had emailed him when Seto informed him he was returning to Domino City.
"That's greay, Seto," Yugi had typed, "Just meet me at my place. The whole gang will be waiting for you!"
The 'gang'.
Seto looked at the plane once more before he turned to the japanese streets. The japanese roads. The japanese home.
Yugi's game shop was exactly the same. A big colorful dump.
Seto grimaced.
It reminded him of the God awful American "Nick Jr."
He was just about to knock on the door, when Yugi stepped out.
He smiled from ear to ear.
"Seto!"
Leaning into the door he called, "Guys, Seto's back!"
Cheers and sounds of clapping were heard.
Seto couldn't help but give a small smile. He even blushed a bit.
Soon, Tea, Tristan, and Yami followed.
Tea was taller, with a nose ring and dyed purple hair.
Seto's eyes bulged. She certainly wasn't the geek he left two years ago.
"Hi, Seto," she said throwing her arms around him, "We've missed you!"
The older boy laughed nervously and patted her on the back.
Tristan wasn't taller, but he had a small gottee.
"How're you doing?" He asked, shyly.
Seto waved lightly, hoping Tea would let go soon. His air was running ever so short.
Yami looked exactly the same, only he wore a decent white collar shirt and khaki pants. He, surprisingly enough, was only wearing one belt.
Yugi, still very short, was a bit taller, and Seto could see he was finally growing masculine wise as well.
Joey was nowhere to be found.
"So, was America really good enough to keep you away for two years?" Tea asked, laughing playfully.
Seto nodded.
"You know it, goodness I hate to be back."
Tea laughed again and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You missed a lot."
Tristan nodded.
"A whole lot."
Seto, still looking around for the obnoxious dog, glanced at Yugi.
"Where's what's-his-face at?"
"Joey?"
"Yah, "Seto replied, "That guy."
Tea's smile faded. She slowly stood her distance from Seto.
"Joey," she said uneasily, "He's inside."
Seto cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh."
Why did all of them look so forlorn? Was Joey dead? Were they referring to his spirit? His ashes?
Yugi took the older boy's hand.
"Let's go in and see him." He said quietly, forcing a smile.
They walked into the den of Yugi's living room, a separate part of the shop. Joey was sitting on the couch, his legs crossed and a bottle of lemonade in his lap. The television was playing quietly.
Tea walked in front it and turned it off. Joey stuck his tongue out at her.
"Here he is." Yugi said.
Everyone must have grown! Aside from Yugi, Joey appeared to be the smallest. He hadn't grown an inch!
Seto scoffed at him.
"Hello, Mutt."
Joey awkwardly looked at Tea.
To Seto's complete horror, the purple haired girl's hands began to move rapidly. Joey's did too.
Seto had studied it for nearly three years.
They were speaking in sign language.
Seto's finally back from America, and you want to watch cartoons? Tea signed, a frown planted on her face.
I like cartoons. They don't call me dogs. I'll bet that's what he just said Joey replied with his hands.
Seto looked at Yugi, Yami, and Tristan for an explanation.
Yugi looked at his feet and mumbled something.
"What was that?" Seto asked, very curious and worried.
"Joey's deaf, Seto," Yugi said louder, "he can't hear."
The older boy's mouth dropped as he slowly stared at the younger boy.
Joey smiled at him awkwardly.
Tea signed rapidly at Joey.
C'mon, Joey, get up. Seto's here and we promised to take him out to lunch and stuff. You like going out to eat, don't you?
Joey nodded.
"He can't speak?" Seto asked, turning his attention from Tea and Joey to Yugi.
"He, well, his therapist said he could if he tried, but Joey refuses." Yugi replied, staring at his friend.
Tea turned around.
"We haven't heard his voice in two years, he learned to sign, and so did we..." she thumped Joey on the nose, "for his sake."