(A/N: I only own Arilana Nodoka and Mira! Enjoy!)
Chapter 5 Beginning of a New
Nodoka and Tristan sat at a sushi restaurant and talked. "You know what, Tristan?"
"What?"
"Did you know there are places where you can eat sushi off of a naked person?" Nodoka said taking a drink.
"Wha...?" Tristan looked at Nodoka.
Nodoka looked back. "Sorry, just remembered that." Tristan brought up the subject that he had never done that. Nodoka had been kidding and made that known. After they ate they walked down the street and talked. They stopped in the park and looked up at the stars. "It's been so long."
"What has, Nodoka?"
"Since I saw the stars. They're so bright here. Unlike in America where the smog and pollution from the city cover them up," Nodoka said. She sighed and looked at Tristan who was looking at her. "What?" she asked him
"Oh, sorry, nothing," Tristan looked up into the sky. Nodoka started laughing. Tristan looked back at her. "You got into the saké didn't you?" Tristan asked her. Nodoka nodded. She was drunk. "I think it's time to get you home." Nodoka continued to laugh, smile, and giggle like a four-year- old girl. They were on their way when Nodoka accidentally ran into Seto.
"Oh, hello," she said.
"You're drunk," Seto said.
"No shit Sherlock." Nodoka said and stumbled around.
Seto looked to Tristan. "You got her drunk?"
"Of course not, she drank of her own free will," Tristan said.
Seto walked over and grabbed Tristan by his shirt collar. "You lie!"
Tristan tried to tug himself free. "I'm telling the truth, Kaiba!"
Nodoka gently grabbed Seto's wrist. "Kaiba let him go," she said softly. Seto released his grip. "Go home to your fiancé. I expect she's waiting for you."
"Wha. Nodoka." Seto began to say.
"Oh, and, my condolences to you," Nodoka said walking away.
"I thought you were drunk?" Tristan asked Nodoka.
"Alcohol has little affect on me anymore," Nodoka shouted behind her. "Catch ya later!"
Nodoka left and Seto grabbed Tristan's shirt collar again. "I swear if you harm her, I'll skin you alive!" Seto growled.
"Back off, Kaiba!" Tristan growled back.
"Leave him alone, Kaiba!" came a voice. Mira and Joey ran up to them, Yugi wasn't far behind.
Seto shoved Tristan to the ground and walked away. "Heed my warning." Seto said looking back at Tristan and glaring. He then turned and continued on his way.
The next day Tristan knocked on the door of Nodoka's home. She barely opened the door and poked her head out. "Tristan, it's. 6:00 P.M.? Damn it!" She left the door open and went upstairs. Thirty minutes later she came back down, clean and dressed. "Okay, now, what's up?"
"Come with me," Tristan said grabbing her hand.
"Whoa! Wait. I gotta get my shoes on," she said. Tristan released her hand. She put on her shoes, grabbed her house keys, and locked her door. Tristan then grabbed her hand again and they went to a large building that had multicolored lights streaming out of it. They walked through the doors to see many people dancing. In the back were Mira and Joey. Neither of them had any rhythm, but they were moderately good compared to the rest of the people around them that were making complete asses of themselves.
"Let's dance," Tristan said.
"What? I can't dance, even if it would save my life," she said over the music.
"And you think any other people here can?" Tristan said. He had a point. Nodoka shrugged and they went and danced in a group with Mira and Joey.
After the dance, the four of them stood in the front of the building for a while. The rain started to come down again. Mira and Joey said good-bye and the two of them held Joey's famous green jacket over their heads as they left. It was an hour later when Tristan and Nodoka left. Tristan walked in the rain while Nodoka wore his trench coat. "Are you sure you don't want to share like Joey and Mira?" Nodoka asked. She felt a little guilty for him being soaked.
"Aw, nah, I'm fine, I like the rain. It purifies the soul," Tristan said.
"Are you saying I should have a dirty soul?" she stopped and asked him.
"What, no! I'm just. why are you laughing?" Tristan looked at her funny.
"I do have a dirty soul!" she laughed evilly. She brought the jacket over her head and started chasing Tristan.
"Hey! You're scaring me!" Tristan laughed. Nodoka lowered the jacket back on her shoulders and continued walking. As they walked past a dark building Tristan stopped. "Nodoka, what's that?" he asked pointing to a little figure in the shadows.
"I don't know." she walked over to it and knelt down. She reached out to touch its face but it smacked her hand away. She placed her hands on the wet ground and leaned forward. "Mokuba!" she gasped. He stayed curled up in a little ball. "Mokuba, it's me, Nodoka," she said. He looked up, his eyes became wide and he hugged her. She responded and hugged him back. They released eachother and Mokuba curled back on the ground in the fetal position, he quickly went to sleep. Nodoka thought for a second. She took Tristan's jacket and put it over Mokuba. "Tristan, can you carry him?" Nodoka asked Tristan.
"Yeah," Tristan walked over and picked Mokuba up. "He's as light as a feather," Tristan said.
Nodoka stood up. "Don't let the rain hit him in the face," she said. Tristan shifted Mokuba in his arms. They walked for a couple of blocks before Nodoka stopped. She looked to Tristan. "We're being followed," she said. "Make a break for my place," she said quietly. Tristan nodded. They broke off in a run. When they got to the house, Nodoka had a hard time getting her house key. Tristan was holding Mokuba. People silently moved in the shadows.
"Nodoka, I can see them," Tristan said glancing around.
She unlocked the door, when she opened it; she shoved Tristan in and then walked in herself. "I do not like the feeling that I am being watched. It scares me," Nodoka said sitting on the floor and leaning against the door. A loud banging came at the door. Nodoka stood and motioned for Tristan to take Mokuba upstairs. "Tristan," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Get my sword from the shelf above my bed," she said to him. He nodded and went upstairs. She opened the door a little. Seto stood there. She opened it the rest of the way. "What?" she asked.
"You aren't going to invite me in?" Seto asked.
"Hell no," she said. "What do you want?"
"I want to speak to Mokuba," Seto said.
"He ain't here, I haven't seen him since he shot me," she said.
Mokuba walked out of the room. "Seto," he said quietly.
"Mokuba, come here," Seto said.
"No! You won't listen to me."
"Mokuba, come here, now!" Seto shouted. Nodoka's sword flew from her room; she caught the handle, spun it around and held it at Seto's throat.
"My advice to you is that you leave my property," Nodoka said. She was nowhere close to joking. "I will take care of Mokuba, but you need to leave." Seto turned around and walked away. Nodoka lowered the sword, closed the door and locked it. Tristan came down the stairs, she tossed him the sword and he set it on a small table by the bottom of the stairs. She then walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch. Mokuba and Tristan slowly approached. "The nerve of that bastard!" she shouted standing up. "No offense, Mokuba."
"None taken," Mokuba responded.
Tristan walked over and eased her back onto the couch. "Relax," Tristan said.
Nodoka leaned forward. "Can someone explain to me what I missed while I was in America?" she said.
Mokuba sat down heavily on the floor. Seeing that Mokuba wasn't going to say anything, Tristan began to talk. "A week after you left, Nodoka, Seto had a run in with Mai. It started as hatred and then I guess erupted into whatever the hell they have now. They then wouldn't separate, Mokuba doesn't like Mai." Tristan didn't get to finish his sentence before Mokuba interrupted.
"Damn right I don't like her!" Mokuba shouted getting to his feet. "She's obnoxious, a fricking liar! And she only wants Seto because we have money!" Mokuba shouted. Nodoka walked over to Mokuba. Mokuba hugged her and began crying. "Nodoka, I'm sorry I shot you! Don't leave me again!" he cried.
Nodoka hugged him back. "Mokuba, don't cry." She began sniffling. "If you cry, I'm gonna cry and then we'll both be crying, then I won't stop until I'm all cried out!" She cried. Mokuba stopped crying and looked up at Nodoka whose eyes were watery. After the waterworks Nodoka went to the kitchen and made a bowl of popcorn and grabbed the first-aid kit. She walked back and cleaned Mokuba up and then sent him over to the T.V. with the popcorn so that her and Tristan could talk. Tristan sat down on the couch and Nodoka sat next to him.
"Anyway," Tristan said, beginning the story again. "I heard that Kaiba told Mokuba about his plans to marry Mai and then Mokuba tried to talk some sense into him. And then Mai convinced Kaiba to, well."
"Well what?" Nodoka asked.
"Kill Mokuba," Tristan said.
"Damned Seto," Nodoka said. "No offense 'Kuba."
"None taken!" Mokuba responded.
"Did you just call him 'Kuba?" Tristan asked.
"I guess so." That night, Nodoka, Tristan, and Mokuba played board games until Mokuba fell asleep during his turn. They made Mokuba a place on the couch and tucked him in, then Tristan left and Nodoka went to bed. Nodoka was sleeping peacefully when there was a scream from downstairs. She bolted out of bed, tripped on the rug and fell down the stairs. "Mokuba! What's wrong?" She asked staggering to her feet and running into the living room. She looked on the couch. He was still asleep. "Poor little guy," she said.
"I'm thirteen, Nodoka, don't call me little."
"What?"
"I'm awake," Mokuba said. "I had the T.V. on and there was this monster movie marathon and this lady screamed, sorry I had it up so loud."
"You should've told me. Go ahead and watch your marathon, Mokuba. hehe. Welcome to Mokuba's Monster Movie Marathon!" she laughed. "Try saying that three times fast."
Mokuba laughed. "So it's okay if I watch it?" he asked.
"Go ahead, but don't have it up so loud, I'm thinking of going to school tomorrow," she said.
"Thinking?" Mokuba questioned her.
"Debating." she said walking upstairs. "Good night, or morning or whatever, see ya later, 'Kuba." Nodoka walked into her room and went back to bed. At 6:00 in the morning the phone rang. "Hello?" Nodoka asked.
"Is there a Mr. Nodoka home?"
"No sorry, not at this time," Nodoka said.
"How about a Mrs.?"
Nodoka faked sobbing. "She died."
"Oh I'm so sorry," said the caller.
Nodoka stopped. "No worries, I helped."
"Oh my god!"
"Boss man, you really gotta stop calling me at 6:00 A.M. It gives me a headache."
"Nodoka?" the man asked.
"Yea boss?"
"God, you had me scared."
"You shouldn't call so early. Maybe I would have a better attitude about it all," Nodoka growled.
"Well, how are you coming along on that 'Kaiba Marriage' story?" Nodoka's boss asked.
"Lookie here, get off my ass with this damn story!" Nodoka slammed the phone back on the hook. "Controlling bastard." She curled up into bed and went back to sleep. At 7:00 she woke and began getting ready for school. When she was done, she told Mokuba where the food was and that she would be back later. She went to school and had the worst day ever.
"We heard you were gone for so long because Kaiba knocked you up," said this one girl.
"What?" Nodoka was angry.
"Yeah, he said it was you're idea to do it. You sound like a real slut," the girl said.
"Son of a bitch!" Nodoka looked around.
"You seem angry, Nodoka."
"Damn, shit, hell!" Nodoka saw Seto. She walked over to him and shoved him into the lockers. "Little bastard!" she shouted at him.
"Fight!" came the crowds' voices. "Fight!"
"Nodoka? Why are you here?" Seto asked.
"Because maybe I thought school would be a change from my everyday boring life. I guess I was right," she said sarcastically.
"You heard the rumors?" Seto asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready to defend my honor, and I'll kick your ass for what you said," Nodoka growled.
"Nodoka, hold on a minute," said Tristan stepping infront of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You don't wanna fight him, he'll get rid of you faster than you can say, 'Oh shit.' So let's just go," Tristan said.
"I guess you're right, Tristan. Kaiba's nothing but a low down, no good, ass-kissing, two-timing, chicken-assed, son of a bitch," Nodoka chided.
"What did you call me?" Seto growled.
Nodoka lightly pushed Tristan out of the way. "You heard me you conniving, vile, wrongful excuse of a man!"
Seto backhanded Nodoka in the face. "Don't you ever say that to me."
Nodoka rubbed her cheek. "You think that just because you're rich, that it makes you better than the rest of us? Huh? Well do you?" Seto was quiet. "We work so hard to get ahead and make a better life for ourselves. Oh no, but not for Mr. Seto Kaiba. He gets to sit on his ass all day, ignore his little brother and marry a stupid slut at an early age! Get your priorities straight, Kaiba! No one here fears you! No one here is going to wait on you hand and foot. And especially, no one is going to respect you if you act how you do." Nodoka paused; she had had that bottled up for two years. "Don't treat others as if they are dirt and are only meant to be walked upon. Because some day, the tides will turn, and the winds of change will be upon you, and you will be treated just how you treat us."
"That's." Seto began to say.
"And don't say that's not going to happen. Because believe me, it's already started." With those end words Nodoka walked to her class. Mira and the rest of the gang ran up to her.
"Nodoka! That was so cool!" Mira said.
"Two years of stress really pays off sometimes when you have something to say," Nodoka smiled and laughed a little. Tristan didn't even look her in the eyes. Nodoka looked to Tristan. "What's wrong?"
"You didn't listen to what I told you and you got hurt," he said.
"Oh come on, Tristan, that didn't hurt one bit, I've been shot before!" she said.
"It doesn't matter," Tristan said looking away.
"Tristan, she had to get that out," Yugi said.
"I think it was a splendid show," Bakura added in.
Nodoka laughed. "You shoulda called him a beaten down dog!" Joey laughed.
"Oh, um been there, done that," she said.
Mira looked at Nodoka shocked. "You did?"
"Kinda, I had him embarrassing the hell out of himself infront of Mai. He was on his hands and knees saying, 'I am a little defeated puppy.'" Nodoka said.
"Really?" Joey asked enthusiastically
Nodoka looked down and shuffled her feet. "Yeah."
"So cool!" Joey ran off to go rub it in Kaiba's face.
Mira smiled at Nodoka, then looked at Joey who was on his way over to Seto. "Joey! Get back here!" Mira took off after him.
"Tristan," Nodoka said.
"What?"
Nodoka looked at him. "Too often we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes forty-two muscles in your face to frown, but, it only takes four muscles to extend your arm and bitch-slap that motherfucker upside the head." They all looked at Nodoka shocked at what she said. Tristan started laughing. Nodoka sighed. She didn't want him to be mad at her. It had worked.
When Nodoka got home that day she was exhausted. "Hey, Nodoka!" Mokuba called from the couch.
Nodoka walked into the living room to see it still spotless, like she left it. "Low Maintenance Mokuba?" she asked.
"Are you still doing those double M things?" Mokuba asked shifting onto his back and looking at the T.V. while upside down.
"When I can fit them in 'Kuba," she said. She lie down next to him on the floor and watched T.V. "What's on?"
"Just some tournament, info on Seto's engagement, and animals doing what animals do," Mokuba said.
"What ever you want to watch, I'm with ya," she said yawning. Soon after she got there she fell asleep on the floor. Mokuba went up to her room and brought down her blanket and pillow. He covered her up and put her head on the pillow. He then walked over and went to bed on the couch.
"Night, Nodoka-chan," Mokuba said rolling over and going to sleep. "See ya in the morning."
Chapter 5 Beginning of a New
Nodoka and Tristan sat at a sushi restaurant and talked. "You know what, Tristan?"
"What?"
"Did you know there are places where you can eat sushi off of a naked person?" Nodoka said taking a drink.
"Wha...?" Tristan looked at Nodoka.
Nodoka looked back. "Sorry, just remembered that." Tristan brought up the subject that he had never done that. Nodoka had been kidding and made that known. After they ate they walked down the street and talked. They stopped in the park and looked up at the stars. "It's been so long."
"What has, Nodoka?"
"Since I saw the stars. They're so bright here. Unlike in America where the smog and pollution from the city cover them up," Nodoka said. She sighed and looked at Tristan who was looking at her. "What?" she asked him
"Oh, sorry, nothing," Tristan looked up into the sky. Nodoka started laughing. Tristan looked back at her. "You got into the saké didn't you?" Tristan asked her. Nodoka nodded. She was drunk. "I think it's time to get you home." Nodoka continued to laugh, smile, and giggle like a four-year- old girl. They were on their way when Nodoka accidentally ran into Seto.
"Oh, hello," she said.
"You're drunk," Seto said.
"No shit Sherlock." Nodoka said and stumbled around.
Seto looked to Tristan. "You got her drunk?"
"Of course not, she drank of her own free will," Tristan said.
Seto walked over and grabbed Tristan by his shirt collar. "You lie!"
Tristan tried to tug himself free. "I'm telling the truth, Kaiba!"
Nodoka gently grabbed Seto's wrist. "Kaiba let him go," she said softly. Seto released his grip. "Go home to your fiancé. I expect she's waiting for you."
"Wha. Nodoka." Seto began to say.
"Oh, and, my condolences to you," Nodoka said walking away.
"I thought you were drunk?" Tristan asked Nodoka.
"Alcohol has little affect on me anymore," Nodoka shouted behind her. "Catch ya later!"
Nodoka left and Seto grabbed Tristan's shirt collar again. "I swear if you harm her, I'll skin you alive!" Seto growled.
"Back off, Kaiba!" Tristan growled back.
"Leave him alone, Kaiba!" came a voice. Mira and Joey ran up to them, Yugi wasn't far behind.
Seto shoved Tristan to the ground and walked away. "Heed my warning." Seto said looking back at Tristan and glaring. He then turned and continued on his way.
The next day Tristan knocked on the door of Nodoka's home. She barely opened the door and poked her head out. "Tristan, it's. 6:00 P.M.? Damn it!" She left the door open and went upstairs. Thirty minutes later she came back down, clean and dressed. "Okay, now, what's up?"
"Come with me," Tristan said grabbing her hand.
"Whoa! Wait. I gotta get my shoes on," she said. Tristan released her hand. She put on her shoes, grabbed her house keys, and locked her door. Tristan then grabbed her hand again and they went to a large building that had multicolored lights streaming out of it. They walked through the doors to see many people dancing. In the back were Mira and Joey. Neither of them had any rhythm, but they were moderately good compared to the rest of the people around them that were making complete asses of themselves.
"Let's dance," Tristan said.
"What? I can't dance, even if it would save my life," she said over the music.
"And you think any other people here can?" Tristan said. He had a point. Nodoka shrugged and they went and danced in a group with Mira and Joey.
After the dance, the four of them stood in the front of the building for a while. The rain started to come down again. Mira and Joey said good-bye and the two of them held Joey's famous green jacket over their heads as they left. It was an hour later when Tristan and Nodoka left. Tristan walked in the rain while Nodoka wore his trench coat. "Are you sure you don't want to share like Joey and Mira?" Nodoka asked. She felt a little guilty for him being soaked.
"Aw, nah, I'm fine, I like the rain. It purifies the soul," Tristan said.
"Are you saying I should have a dirty soul?" she stopped and asked him.
"What, no! I'm just. why are you laughing?" Tristan looked at her funny.
"I do have a dirty soul!" she laughed evilly. She brought the jacket over her head and started chasing Tristan.
"Hey! You're scaring me!" Tristan laughed. Nodoka lowered the jacket back on her shoulders and continued walking. As they walked past a dark building Tristan stopped. "Nodoka, what's that?" he asked pointing to a little figure in the shadows.
"I don't know." she walked over to it and knelt down. She reached out to touch its face but it smacked her hand away. She placed her hands on the wet ground and leaned forward. "Mokuba!" she gasped. He stayed curled up in a little ball. "Mokuba, it's me, Nodoka," she said. He looked up, his eyes became wide and he hugged her. She responded and hugged him back. They released eachother and Mokuba curled back on the ground in the fetal position, he quickly went to sleep. Nodoka thought for a second. She took Tristan's jacket and put it over Mokuba. "Tristan, can you carry him?" Nodoka asked Tristan.
"Yeah," Tristan walked over and picked Mokuba up. "He's as light as a feather," Tristan said.
Nodoka stood up. "Don't let the rain hit him in the face," she said. Tristan shifted Mokuba in his arms. They walked for a couple of blocks before Nodoka stopped. She looked to Tristan. "We're being followed," she said. "Make a break for my place," she said quietly. Tristan nodded. They broke off in a run. When they got to the house, Nodoka had a hard time getting her house key. Tristan was holding Mokuba. People silently moved in the shadows.
"Nodoka, I can see them," Tristan said glancing around.
She unlocked the door, when she opened it; she shoved Tristan in and then walked in herself. "I do not like the feeling that I am being watched. It scares me," Nodoka said sitting on the floor and leaning against the door. A loud banging came at the door. Nodoka stood and motioned for Tristan to take Mokuba upstairs. "Tristan," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Get my sword from the shelf above my bed," she said to him. He nodded and went upstairs. She opened the door a little. Seto stood there. She opened it the rest of the way. "What?" she asked.
"You aren't going to invite me in?" Seto asked.
"Hell no," she said. "What do you want?"
"I want to speak to Mokuba," Seto said.
"He ain't here, I haven't seen him since he shot me," she said.
Mokuba walked out of the room. "Seto," he said quietly.
"Mokuba, come here," Seto said.
"No! You won't listen to me."
"Mokuba, come here, now!" Seto shouted. Nodoka's sword flew from her room; she caught the handle, spun it around and held it at Seto's throat.
"My advice to you is that you leave my property," Nodoka said. She was nowhere close to joking. "I will take care of Mokuba, but you need to leave." Seto turned around and walked away. Nodoka lowered the sword, closed the door and locked it. Tristan came down the stairs, she tossed him the sword and he set it on a small table by the bottom of the stairs. She then walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch. Mokuba and Tristan slowly approached. "The nerve of that bastard!" she shouted standing up. "No offense, Mokuba."
"None taken," Mokuba responded.
Tristan walked over and eased her back onto the couch. "Relax," Tristan said.
Nodoka leaned forward. "Can someone explain to me what I missed while I was in America?" she said.
Mokuba sat down heavily on the floor. Seeing that Mokuba wasn't going to say anything, Tristan began to talk. "A week after you left, Nodoka, Seto had a run in with Mai. It started as hatred and then I guess erupted into whatever the hell they have now. They then wouldn't separate, Mokuba doesn't like Mai." Tristan didn't get to finish his sentence before Mokuba interrupted.
"Damn right I don't like her!" Mokuba shouted getting to his feet. "She's obnoxious, a fricking liar! And she only wants Seto because we have money!" Mokuba shouted. Nodoka walked over to Mokuba. Mokuba hugged her and began crying. "Nodoka, I'm sorry I shot you! Don't leave me again!" he cried.
Nodoka hugged him back. "Mokuba, don't cry." She began sniffling. "If you cry, I'm gonna cry and then we'll both be crying, then I won't stop until I'm all cried out!" She cried. Mokuba stopped crying and looked up at Nodoka whose eyes were watery. After the waterworks Nodoka went to the kitchen and made a bowl of popcorn and grabbed the first-aid kit. She walked back and cleaned Mokuba up and then sent him over to the T.V. with the popcorn so that her and Tristan could talk. Tristan sat down on the couch and Nodoka sat next to him.
"Anyway," Tristan said, beginning the story again. "I heard that Kaiba told Mokuba about his plans to marry Mai and then Mokuba tried to talk some sense into him. And then Mai convinced Kaiba to, well."
"Well what?" Nodoka asked.
"Kill Mokuba," Tristan said.
"Damned Seto," Nodoka said. "No offense 'Kuba."
"None taken!" Mokuba responded.
"Did you just call him 'Kuba?" Tristan asked.
"I guess so." That night, Nodoka, Tristan, and Mokuba played board games until Mokuba fell asleep during his turn. They made Mokuba a place on the couch and tucked him in, then Tristan left and Nodoka went to bed. Nodoka was sleeping peacefully when there was a scream from downstairs. She bolted out of bed, tripped on the rug and fell down the stairs. "Mokuba! What's wrong?" She asked staggering to her feet and running into the living room. She looked on the couch. He was still asleep. "Poor little guy," she said.
"I'm thirteen, Nodoka, don't call me little."
"What?"
"I'm awake," Mokuba said. "I had the T.V. on and there was this monster movie marathon and this lady screamed, sorry I had it up so loud."
"You should've told me. Go ahead and watch your marathon, Mokuba. hehe. Welcome to Mokuba's Monster Movie Marathon!" she laughed. "Try saying that three times fast."
Mokuba laughed. "So it's okay if I watch it?" he asked.
"Go ahead, but don't have it up so loud, I'm thinking of going to school tomorrow," she said.
"Thinking?" Mokuba questioned her.
"Debating." she said walking upstairs. "Good night, or morning or whatever, see ya later, 'Kuba." Nodoka walked into her room and went back to bed. At 6:00 in the morning the phone rang. "Hello?" Nodoka asked.
"Is there a Mr. Nodoka home?"
"No sorry, not at this time," Nodoka said.
"How about a Mrs.?"
Nodoka faked sobbing. "She died."
"Oh I'm so sorry," said the caller.
Nodoka stopped. "No worries, I helped."
"Oh my god!"
"Boss man, you really gotta stop calling me at 6:00 A.M. It gives me a headache."
"Nodoka?" the man asked.
"Yea boss?"
"God, you had me scared."
"You shouldn't call so early. Maybe I would have a better attitude about it all," Nodoka growled.
"Well, how are you coming along on that 'Kaiba Marriage' story?" Nodoka's boss asked.
"Lookie here, get off my ass with this damn story!" Nodoka slammed the phone back on the hook. "Controlling bastard." She curled up into bed and went back to sleep. At 7:00 she woke and began getting ready for school. When she was done, she told Mokuba where the food was and that she would be back later. She went to school and had the worst day ever.
"We heard you were gone for so long because Kaiba knocked you up," said this one girl.
"What?" Nodoka was angry.
"Yeah, he said it was you're idea to do it. You sound like a real slut," the girl said.
"Son of a bitch!" Nodoka looked around.
"You seem angry, Nodoka."
"Damn, shit, hell!" Nodoka saw Seto. She walked over to him and shoved him into the lockers. "Little bastard!" she shouted at him.
"Fight!" came the crowds' voices. "Fight!"
"Nodoka? Why are you here?" Seto asked.
"Because maybe I thought school would be a change from my everyday boring life. I guess I was right," she said sarcastically.
"You heard the rumors?" Seto asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready to defend my honor, and I'll kick your ass for what you said," Nodoka growled.
"Nodoka, hold on a minute," said Tristan stepping infront of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You don't wanna fight him, he'll get rid of you faster than you can say, 'Oh shit.' So let's just go," Tristan said.
"I guess you're right, Tristan. Kaiba's nothing but a low down, no good, ass-kissing, two-timing, chicken-assed, son of a bitch," Nodoka chided.
"What did you call me?" Seto growled.
Nodoka lightly pushed Tristan out of the way. "You heard me you conniving, vile, wrongful excuse of a man!"
Seto backhanded Nodoka in the face. "Don't you ever say that to me."
Nodoka rubbed her cheek. "You think that just because you're rich, that it makes you better than the rest of us? Huh? Well do you?" Seto was quiet. "We work so hard to get ahead and make a better life for ourselves. Oh no, but not for Mr. Seto Kaiba. He gets to sit on his ass all day, ignore his little brother and marry a stupid slut at an early age! Get your priorities straight, Kaiba! No one here fears you! No one here is going to wait on you hand and foot. And especially, no one is going to respect you if you act how you do." Nodoka paused; she had had that bottled up for two years. "Don't treat others as if they are dirt and are only meant to be walked upon. Because some day, the tides will turn, and the winds of change will be upon you, and you will be treated just how you treat us."
"That's." Seto began to say.
"And don't say that's not going to happen. Because believe me, it's already started." With those end words Nodoka walked to her class. Mira and the rest of the gang ran up to her.
"Nodoka! That was so cool!" Mira said.
"Two years of stress really pays off sometimes when you have something to say," Nodoka smiled and laughed a little. Tristan didn't even look her in the eyes. Nodoka looked to Tristan. "What's wrong?"
"You didn't listen to what I told you and you got hurt," he said.
"Oh come on, Tristan, that didn't hurt one bit, I've been shot before!" she said.
"It doesn't matter," Tristan said looking away.
"Tristan, she had to get that out," Yugi said.
"I think it was a splendid show," Bakura added in.
Nodoka laughed. "You shoulda called him a beaten down dog!" Joey laughed.
"Oh, um been there, done that," she said.
Mira looked at Nodoka shocked. "You did?"
"Kinda, I had him embarrassing the hell out of himself infront of Mai. He was on his hands and knees saying, 'I am a little defeated puppy.'" Nodoka said.
"Really?" Joey asked enthusiastically
Nodoka looked down and shuffled her feet. "Yeah."
"So cool!" Joey ran off to go rub it in Kaiba's face.
Mira smiled at Nodoka, then looked at Joey who was on his way over to Seto. "Joey! Get back here!" Mira took off after him.
"Tristan," Nodoka said.
"What?"
Nodoka looked at him. "Too often we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes forty-two muscles in your face to frown, but, it only takes four muscles to extend your arm and bitch-slap that motherfucker upside the head." They all looked at Nodoka shocked at what she said. Tristan started laughing. Nodoka sighed. She didn't want him to be mad at her. It had worked.
When Nodoka got home that day she was exhausted. "Hey, Nodoka!" Mokuba called from the couch.
Nodoka walked into the living room to see it still spotless, like she left it. "Low Maintenance Mokuba?" she asked.
"Are you still doing those double M things?" Mokuba asked shifting onto his back and looking at the T.V. while upside down.
"When I can fit them in 'Kuba," she said. She lie down next to him on the floor and watched T.V. "What's on?"
"Just some tournament, info on Seto's engagement, and animals doing what animals do," Mokuba said.
"What ever you want to watch, I'm with ya," she said yawning. Soon after she got there she fell asleep on the floor. Mokuba went up to her room and brought down her blanket and pillow. He covered her up and put her head on the pillow. He then walked over and went to bed on the couch.
"Night, Nodoka-chan," Mokuba said rolling over and going to sleep. "See ya in the morning."