I just want to say my thanks to an author, I can't remember their name, but
their story inspired me to write
this one, I kind of copied some ideas to say the least and am very sorry I
did not mention this sooner. Sorry.
Chapter 5
The phone rang, one of the servants moved to pick it up.
***
"Master Kaiba. A boy on the phone wishes to speak with you." The man said quietly. Mokubah looked up from his book.
"Thanks." He said quietly and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mokubah?" A voice called out across the phone.
"Huh? Oh, hey Yu-Gi. What's up?"
"Not too much. Listen, when is Hikari supposed to come over?" Silence. Mokubah stood on his feet looking creeped out.
"She already left an hour ago." He replied shocked.
"What?!"
"She left an hour ago, I asked her to deliver some papers to Seto, because he forgot them, and then she was supposed to go to your place." The youth was now very confused. What the heck was going on?!
"Oh, okay. Just checking."
"Okay Yu-Gi. Maybe she went to do something first." Mokubah suggested.
"Yeah . . . . . yeah you're probably right." Mokubah hung up the phone.
***
Yu-Gi set down the phone, his face was stern and in worry. The eyebrow furrowed. Joey stared at him.
"So where is she?" He asked. Yu-Gi stared at them scared.
"According to Mokubah, she left an hour ago."
***
"We'll meet back here in one hour okay?" Yami said quietly. The others nodded and split up. Joey and Tristan ran towards Kaiba corp. Joey stopped outside the building door for a second, hate running through his head.
~ Flashback ~
Kari picked up the napkin and wiped the side of his face.
"Done Joey?" She laughed gently. Her eyes stared at him with ease and friendliness, they were full of trust.
~ End ~
Joey had a flashback for a minute, then shook his head and ran in. Friends were more important then some stupid rivalry.
***
"They're looking for you." Nirvana whispered to Kari, who looked at him blankly.
"Who?"
" . . . . . . . . . . . . someone who wants to hurt you." He said darkly. She stiffened a bit. "I won't let them hurt you." He said quietly. "I promise."
~ Flashback ~
Yu-Gi held his arms around Hikari's shoulders. It was raining and she shivered a bit. He still hadn't recovered from her outburst. Right as they reached the game shop he hugged her a bit.
"I'll protect you. I promise."
I promise. . . . .
~ End ~
***
Joey and Tristan burst through the door as Seto put a file into one of the many piles on his desk. He glared at them.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded calmly. Joey gasped.
"Have you ever heard of ELEVATORS?!" The blond demanded. Tristan stepped up next to his friend and gasped slightly.
"Never mind. Listen Kaiba, when was the last time you saw Hikari?" Seto stiffened at Kari's name.
"About 45 minutes ago. Why?" He asked curious. Tristan took a deep breath and stared at him, his mouth was stern but his eyes showed fear.
"She's missing. She was supposed to show up at Yu-Gi's house half an hour ago. She never did." Seto jumped up scattering papers everywhere.
"WHAT?!" He scowled and grabbed a jacket from his coat rack. He pressed the switch on his monitor and barked out
"I'm going. If I have any meetings tell them 'screw you'!" That done, Seto pulled the jacket on and pulled out a cell phone.
"Mokubah? Get my helicopter ready. We have a search to do."
"About Hikari? Sure thing. I already sent a satellite search throughout the whole city. I'll let you know if I find her." Mokubah replied.
"How do you know?" Seto asked surprised.
"Yu-Gi called earlier and said she wasn't there. I figured out she was probably gone. I'll keep you informed."
"Thanks." He said crisply and hung up. Turning to Joey and Tristan he scowled.
"I don't like the idea of traveling with you, but we'll cover more ground this way. Come on." He hissed out and spun around, marching out the door he left Joey and Tristan standing there perplexed
"Did we miss something?!" Joey mumbled.
***
Yu-Gi ran along the area. Searching for any sign of Hikari. She would've been near the game shop wouldn't she? He ran around the corner and . . .
WHAM!!
Ran smack dab into someone. Looking up he blanched.
"Y-you?!"
***
"Kari! Hey Kari!" Taia yelled out fearfully as she ran down the street walk. What had happened to her friend? She suddenly thought of the house Kari was supposed to stay at. She might be there! Taia quickly signaled a taxi. Jumping in as the car slowed to a stop she slammed the door and said quickly;
"I need to go to this address." She said fishing out the crumpled paper in her pocket. Kari had just left it on the floor of her new house. Taia had picked it up just in case she forgot where she was supposed to go. Now the information served a new purpose. It took 5 minutes to get there, each second that trickled by was like an hour to Taia. When she got there Taia jumped out of the taxi while thrusting a few bills at him. That done she ran up the porch steps and knocked on the door rapidly. Nothing. She knocked again. Still nothing. Taia sighed and was about to walk away when someone stopped her. A man in a black cloak was peering at her, or at least she THOUGHT he was peering at her beneath the hood of his black cloak. The figure walked towards Taia. The girl took a few steps back panicking.
"Who are you?!" She demanded. The figure stopped beside her and whispered into her ear.
"Bakura." Then he vanished. Taia stared. Then blinked, she looked around, nothing. Seeing the cab ahead of her she ran towards him.
"I want you to take me to 56 avenue. Quickly." She said naming Bakura's house street. Slamming the door she watched the passing houses as the cab drove off thinking;
'I hope to god she's okay.'
~!~
Nothing. Absolutely frickin nothing. We'd been at this for almost an hour now and still no sign of Hikari. What was happening?!
***
Bakura stood before the bench, eyes fixated on the two youths. The boy was grinning slightly, pale blue eyes were calm and smug.
"You don't give up do you?" He asked quietly. Bakura scowled.
"Who are you?" He demanded. The youth smiled once more.
"What would a tomb robber want to know about an *anima*?" Nirvana asked lightly. Bakura scowled.
"Stop playing games. I want to know why you're protecting her. If I don't receive any answers, I will hurt you both. I promise."
I promise. . . .
Those words brought a small flashback to Hikari's mind. She snapped into wakefulness. Sitting up with a
start, she nearly tumbled off the bench.
~!~
I was sitting in the passenger seat of the cockpit. My eyes were scanning over a map when something slammed into my mind.
"Settle down near Brisros park!" I called out suddenly. Joey and Tristan looked at me oddly.
"Why there?" Tristan wanted to know. I shook my head, the pilot nodded and veered the plane away.
***
Taia paid the cab driver once more and jumped out. She ran up the steps and rang the doorbell. A few
seconds passed, then the door opened to reveal a blonde haired girl.
"Can I help you?"
"Is Bakura around?" She asked quietly. The girl shook her head.
"He said he was heading to Brisros Park to meet someone. That way." The girl said and pointed south. Taia nodded.
"Thanks!" She called out and ran down the steps. She got into the cab once more.
"Brisros park."
"A lot of errands to run huh?" The driver asked quietly.
***
Yu-Gi was running along a park pathway. He suddenly stopped as a figure stood before him, it was draped in a long black cloak.
"Who are you?" The youth asked it. The figure stared at him intently. It carefully glided up to him. Then said.
"Bakura. He has found her. That way." He said slowly pointing farther down the path. Then he vanished. Yu-Gi stared, then shook his head. He ran on. His friend, if you could call him that, was following closely.
~~~
I stared wildly around. Where the hell was I?! Looking at two boys I swore mentally at one, then stared at the second. Do I really have to tell you who I swore at? Bakura looked at me smiling grimly.
"Now was that really a nice thing to think?" He asked quietly. I growled.
"Stay out of my f*cking mind!" I yelled at him angrily. He smirked. Nirvana stood up staring at Bakura calmly, his eyes filled with hate.
"I'm warning you spirit. Leave her alone." He said calmly. Bakura scowled. Then looked back at Hikari.
"I'll see you when you don't have that overprotective rat hanging on your every word slut." He spat. Then
vanished. Nirvana shook his head sighing. He turned to me, and needless to say I was still sitting on the
ground. When he looked at me I scuttled away using my feet to move. He walked up to me calmly, I tried
getting up to run, but he was by my side in a second, his hand forcing me down. "Calm down Hikari." He said calmly. I glared.
"Who the hell are you?!" I demanded. He smiled lightly.
"You've known me since you were five." He said calmly. I stared at him, then slowly nodded.
"I guess I have." I declared standing up. He stared, eyes full of humor.
"So willing to believe?" He asked quietly. I raised a delicate eyebrow at him.
"Whatever, I know that you're the one whose been with me for a while. You protected me in the alleyway. You also helped me win against Taia at that challenge. You gave me courage when I should have been scared out of my wits." I shrugged. He laughed.
"I suppose. What an ironic way of looking at things." He commented. Yami scared the crap out of me when he placed his hand on my shoulder. I jumped and spun around, my hand contracting into a fist, it went flying and without knowing I socked Yami in the nose. I stared stupidly as the spirit swore viciously and clutched a hand to his bleeding nose. I stared, then started.
"In the name of Tarn! Good lord Yami, I'm so sorry!" I said quickly running up to him, my eyes were staring him over. He pushed me away gently with one hand.
"S'okay." He said, voice muffled by his hands. A voice laughed.
"Pharaoh I hate to say it. But you've gotten slightly pathetic." The youth said calmly. I stared. Shitezer.
***
Seto ran around the corner of the park pathway, Joey and Tristan behind him. As he rounded the corner he was met with the oddest sight. Yami had placed his hand on Hikari's shoulder, and she had just spun around and punched him. Seto was smiling, trying to not burst out into laughter. Joey ran up.
"YUG! You okay?!" He asked quickly. Tristan was gaping. He shut his mouth calmly and said
"She has one hell of a right hook" Seto stared one more step behind Yu-Gi and gaped.
"Y-you?!" Hikari croaked out. Marick grinned.
"Yes me." He said quietly, eyes full of grim humor. "Come, come now. It's rude not to give proper introductions." He said laughing. Hikari sighed.
"Great. The threat to the world has a sense of humor, well we are all screwed now." She said sighing. Marick laughed even louder. Seto walked up to Hikari.
"You okay?" He asked, his voice slightly raspier then usual. (A/N: Don't look at me, I don't know what made me write that!) Hikari stared at him.
"Yeah. Thanks for asking."
~~~
Marick surveyed us in interest.
"Well, well. It seems as if you have made a new love High Priest." Marick said calmly. I gaped.
"High Priest?! He was a High Priest in EGYPT?!" Seto scowled.
"I told you before that I don't believe in that magic shit." He growled out. Marick shrugged.
"Believe what you want. It's not like I can force you." He said calmly. "Though I am rather interested into that figure we met." He said thoughtfully. I shook my head.
"You're insane." I muttered. "So let me review the facts, I just punched a Pharaoh." I shot an apologetic look at Yami who nodded, but was still wiping his nose with a napkin. "I've got a. . . . .a something protecting me." I stared at that white haired youth who nodded. "I've kissed a high priest." Seto blushed and Joey squawked.
"WHAT?!" I ignored him.
"I have an insane maniac beside me." With that I glanced at you know who, who grinned and pulled out a dagger, and began to play with it. Not helping. I sighed.
"We are all screwed!" I said with an air of happiness. Everyone stared at me like I had lost it. I don't doubt that at the moment. Seto sighed.
"So who did it?" He asked calmly. The youth looked at him grimly.
"I took her away. My name is Nirvana." Everyone stared.
"You did what?!" Yami demanded grabbing the cuff of Nirvana's shirt and glaring the *anima* in the eye. The man smiled.
"Stop it Yami." I said calmly. "He saved me from Bakura." Everyone turned their look from Nirvana to me. Yami gaped as he let go of the youth.
"Bakura again?! Hell and damnation doesn't he ever give up?" (*wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* remember this line?) Tristan sighed.
"I give up on that guy. He's more persistent then some of the girls that chase me!" Everyone turned to Tristan now, who in turn blushed. Hikari snorted.
"Uh huh. Sure Tristan." The youth turned red faced with anger.
"It's TRUE!!" Seto smiled grimly.
"Whatever." Turning to me his smug grin changed to a frown of . . . . . . .worry? That didn't look right for him. Seto stalked up to me, his face contorted into anger. He grabbed my arms roughly. Tristan and Joey went into fighting stances, Yami was glaring. Nirvana however was looking around at the scenery smiling. Seto looked me in the eye for a second, then I was crushed in a hug.
"God! You scared the crap out of me Kari." He said softly. Joey gaped. Even Yami was speechless. Marick was reduced to a gaping idiot while Tristan looked like an awe struck fool. I smiled softly.
"Sorry?" It was more of a question, I didn't know what to say. I awkwardly returned the hug. He swiftly bent down a kissed me on the cheek, then let go. I gingerly touched the spot with my hand and blushed brightly. Joey snickered.
"The perfect couple, both of you are more stubborn the mules." The blonde said smiling.
"Shut it." Me and Seto said at the same time. Joey guffawed. I hadn't noticed Taia's arrival. It was however made clear when she placed her hand on my shoulder and scared the crap out of me. I jumped. Spinning around I glared.
"TAIA!! Don't do that! You scared the hell out of me!" I ordered. She flinched.
"Sorry. Are you okay?" She said worriedly. I sighed, now I had a guilt trip. Snapping at her when she was worried about me.
"Yeah. Sorry 'bout that, I mean snapping and all." I blushed slightly. Taia smiled.
"It's okay." She giggled. I would have done the same, sadly, I've lost the ability to giggle along with my ability to gag. Whatever. I instead smiled and turned to the others. Everyone looked at me. I felt, kinda weird . . . . Was this what others saw in friends? This feeling of affection? Good lord I sound like a movie character with crappy lines! Well, something was good in friendship, that much at least was clear. I'm seriously doubting my sanity, that and my crappy lines for this stupid thing. Who wrote the damn script anyway?! I didn't realize I had zoned out until someone tapped me on the shoulder and yelled in my ear
"HIKARI!!" I jumped and glared at my assailant. Yami snickered.
"You zoned out, that's not too polite is it?" I sighed.
"Yami, I'm beginning to think you're a little brother!" I insulted. Yami looked puzzled.
"Little brother? Is that a bad thing?" I smiled with a touch of mischief.
"Very bad thing. Little siblings live to annoy their elders." She said smiling. Yami sighed and cuffed me slightly on the head. I rubbed the sore spot and growled.
"As I said, just like a little brother." Nirvana chuckled. Then turned to look at me.
"Bakura may be a pain, but he's just a shadow to the danger that wants you Miss Hikari." I stared.
"What the heck could want me? I have sucky school grades, I've never had a boyfriend, I suck at gym class, so physical power is something that's not good, my knowledge is limited. WHAT the heck does this guy want?!" I yelled. Nirvana shook his head.
"That's something that even I don't know." He remarked calmly. I sighed.
"Greeeaaaattttt." I muttered sarcastically. Nirvana stared at me in the eye.
"I don't know what's chasing you, but I give you one promise. The one I made earlier. I won't let anyone hurt you. I will protect you. I promise." Yami smiled.
"That goes for me too. Just like I said, I promise to protect you." I smiled at him.
"Same goes for me!" Joey chorused in. Tristan nodded.
"I'm in."
"Don't count me out!" Taia said. I stared. Marick laughed.
"I'll come along, this is interesting. I'd love to see how you fight." I stared.
"Fight? I don't fight!" He laughed.
"Well you have a fighter's eyes. If you're not one yet, you will be soon." I sighed.
"And pray tell, who'll teach me?" I asked sarcastically not expecting an answer. (A/N: You must see what's coming up.)
"I dibs the weapon lessons." Nirvana said looking at the others.
"I cover martial arts." Seto commented smiling evilly.
"I have physical training. I'll whip her into shape." Tristan said, Joey leaned on his shoulder.
"I'll help Tristan."
"Me and Yu-Gi will help in magic lessons." Yami said. Taia smiled.
"I'll have to get you a change of clothes, being a warrior in those clothes doesn't work."
"I'll help Yami in magic. Also she needs mind training, basic meditation should do the trick. I could do that." Marick offered. I looked around and sighed.
"Why me?"
~~~
We all sat at Yu-Gi's house. Watching the TV I was smiling as I watched Yu- Gi and Joey have a friendly duel. Yu-Gi as usual was winning. Much to the surprise of everyone Seto decided to come in as well, though I don't think Mr. Motou was happy to see Kaiba. Well, after what happened last time, who could blame him? The serious guy now sat on the couch next to me, watching me from the corner of his eye.
"You know, I don't think it would be a bad idea to teach Hikari about duel monsters." Joey said calmly. Yu-Gi nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea." He looked at me, I sweatdropped. Oh shitezer.
"What do you say?" He asked me. I growled.
"No way. I have enough on my plate as it is!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi looked at me sorrowfully, purple eyes wide and somber. I stared, this must be the famous puppy eye look. Oh shit, it was working. I growled.
"ALRIGHT!! Just shut off the LOOK!!" Seto chuckled, I shot him a dark glare.
"Shut it Karate trainer." I muttered. He grinned.
"Let's set up the schedule." Tristan nodded.
"We'll have her at 6:00am. She'll train for an hour and a half." At this I groaned.
"Then I'll take her at 7:30. We have about an hour before school starts. That means she'll be practicing with me till 8:15. She needs time for breakfast and a shower."
"Then after school you'll do homework with us, then we'll fit you up in costume. By then it should be about 5:30. That's for the first day, the others will be about eating. Just a snack." Taia said smirking.
"No PINK!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi smiled.
"We have you after that. You'll be working on magic. 6:30pm"
"6:30 to 7:00 is dinner." Nirvana suggested. "Then I get you after for weapons till 8:00pm." he said grinning.
"I thought you were on my side." I growled at him.
"And around 8:00 to 9:00 I'll have you for an hour of meditation. No crappy Yoga stuff, just focusing your mind and making it organized instead of all scrambly." Marick said and leaned back. I sighed.
"And at 9 you'll learn Duel Monsters and then by 9:30 you go to bed." Yu- Gi pitched in.
"You're all out to get me aren't you?"
~~~
Next morning, the guys were true to their word. Joey and Tristan shook me awake, though with some satisfaction I manage to hit someone with a paper cup that was by my bed. Once out of bed, they had me jogging through the park, 5 laps. Then I was forced to do sit ups and push ups. I growled.
"When I finish, I will dunk you both in the pond for getting me up at this ungodly hour." I threatened. Both laughed, and said in unison
"Back to work!" I growled, and resolved to put something VERY squishy in their beds.
~~~
Right about 7:30, A limo drove up to us. Three guesses on who it was, you'll probably only need one. Seto stepped out. He was dressed for school. I sighed. We began, I swear to god, I got at least fifty bruises. First up was shadow boxing, and dear lord, if I ever land a kick, it'll be where it hurts the most on Seto. Mean thoughts, I know. But try to understand, I feel shitty. When 8:15 came up, I showered quickly, and pulled on the, you guessed it, the horrible pink outfit. Buttoning up the jacket I stepped out.
"If I die, I will murder the person who came up with this outfit, by starting with the evil fingers that drew it." I growled. Tristan grinned.
"But you look so nice!" He said snickering. I have one thought right now. He is dead! I jumped at him and tackled him mid waist.
"YOU DIE!!" I yelled playfully. Mr. Motou walked past.
"Do I have to get a baby-sitter for you two?" I glared.
"Watch it!" I said snickering. In this moment of distraction, Yu-Gi tackled me.
"ACK!!" I yelled. "NO TICKLING!!" Yu-Gi smiled. I laughed hysterically. Tristan sensed a world war coming and slipped away. "MERCY!! MERCY!!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi smiled.
"NEVER!!" Yu-Gi said. I growled and picked him up and dumped him on the bed.
"Hah! You're height is a disadvantage Yu-Gi."
"Oh really?" Asked a deeper voice.
"EEP!" I yelled and scrambled away from Yami who stood up and leaped at me. He had me on my back and tickling me mercilessly. I pushed him off and jabbed him in the ribs. He was still. I waved a hand in front of his face. Nothing. I stood up and scratched my head.
"Er . . . . Yami?" Nothing. I poked him again.
"Er . . . . you make a nice statue." Nothing again. I walked away perplexed when there was a sound of scuffling. I spun around, all too late. Yami tackled me and held me to the ground on my stomach.
"HEY!! Now that was cheating!" I yelled out laughing. He wrapped his arms around my neck.
"I have a sudden urge to yell, piggy back." He said laughing, Yu-Gi must be influencing Yami's brain, because I think the former Pharaoh would have never said something like that.
"You kid." I said, my voice muffled by the carpet. Seto walked in.
"I don't want to know." He said and walked away. I was laughing. Yami was too, in this moment of off defense I flipped around and began tickling his foot. The ultimate torture. He yelped and clambered off.
"CHEATER!!" He yelled. I grinned.
"Take it as it comes Mr. Millennium." I said smiling grimly. He laughed and was about to retort, when someone jumped on the BOTH of us.
"JOEY!!" We both yelled. The teen sat up, head propped on elbows.
"Can I join?" He asked. I smiled. Sat up, then tickled his neck. He screeched and ducked then hid behind Yami. Nirvana walked by as well.
"Um, Kari?" He said timidly. I turned to him.
"Yes?"
"You're skirt's up." I shrieked and pulled it down.
"NIRVANA!!" I yelled. He grinned maniacally and vanished. I sighed. Yami chose this moment, to attack me with a pillow. Joey smiled and crept up behind Yami, he leapt forward, in an attempt to tackle the pharaoh. Yami however, moved, and Joey landed on me. To say the least, his face came level to mine, and if you can guess, we kissed. I stared shocked, he stared back at me. He jumped off.
"Oh shit! Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!!" He said dancing on the spot. I growled. Then sighed.
"Joey." I said calmly, walking up to him. He backed away slightly.
"Are you going to hurt me?"
"In some ways yes. Sometimes I will."
"Is this one of those times?" He asked quietly. I grinned evilly.
"No." I said and kissed him on the cheek. He stared dazed.
"By the way." I said walking out. "You have frosting on your lips." I replied grinning and stepped out. Yami smiled.
"So um, how's kissing Kari feel?" Joey looked at him and smiled.
"You ever hear of heaven?"
~~~
I stepped out into the hallway and grinned, wiping off some of the frosting Joey had gotten on me.
"that was fun." I said calmly and walked down towards the front door. Checking my watch, I saw we had ten minutes. I sighed. What to do now? Seto walked out in front of me. Shitezer.
"Uh . . . . . HI SETO!!" I said cheerfully. Seto grinned, then for some unknown reason, blushed. Do I really want to know? Probably not. He walked up to me and said timidly, at which I stared. Since when was Kaiba timid?
"Um, do you . . . . . . ." He trailed off. I sighed.
"Just spit it out Kaiba!" I ordered. He sighed.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, I only own Hikari Usagi, Nirvana, Damen, Crystal, and that weird little hooded figure. Whoever the hell he is.
Hooded Figure: I am a plot twist Okay?!
Disclaimer: Whatever.
Chapter 5
The phone rang, one of the servants moved to pick it up.
***
"Master Kaiba. A boy on the phone wishes to speak with you." The man said quietly. Mokubah looked up from his book.
"Thanks." He said quietly and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mokubah?" A voice called out across the phone.
"Huh? Oh, hey Yu-Gi. What's up?"
"Not too much. Listen, when is Hikari supposed to come over?" Silence. Mokubah stood on his feet looking creeped out.
"She already left an hour ago." He replied shocked.
"What?!"
"She left an hour ago, I asked her to deliver some papers to Seto, because he forgot them, and then she was supposed to go to your place." The youth was now very confused. What the heck was going on?!
"Oh, okay. Just checking."
"Okay Yu-Gi. Maybe she went to do something first." Mokubah suggested.
"Yeah . . . . . yeah you're probably right." Mokubah hung up the phone.
***
Yu-Gi set down the phone, his face was stern and in worry. The eyebrow furrowed. Joey stared at him.
"So where is she?" He asked. Yu-Gi stared at them scared.
"According to Mokubah, she left an hour ago."
***
"We'll meet back here in one hour okay?" Yami said quietly. The others nodded and split up. Joey and Tristan ran towards Kaiba corp. Joey stopped outside the building door for a second, hate running through his head.
~ Flashback ~
Kari picked up the napkin and wiped the side of his face.
"Done Joey?" She laughed gently. Her eyes stared at him with ease and friendliness, they were full of trust.
~ End ~
Joey had a flashback for a minute, then shook his head and ran in. Friends were more important then some stupid rivalry.
***
"They're looking for you." Nirvana whispered to Kari, who looked at him blankly.
"Who?"
" . . . . . . . . . . . . someone who wants to hurt you." He said darkly. She stiffened a bit. "I won't let them hurt you." He said quietly. "I promise."
~ Flashback ~
Yu-Gi held his arms around Hikari's shoulders. It was raining and she shivered a bit. He still hadn't recovered from her outburst. Right as they reached the game shop he hugged her a bit.
"I'll protect you. I promise."
I promise. . . . .
~ End ~
***
Joey and Tristan burst through the door as Seto put a file into one of the many piles on his desk. He glared at them.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded calmly. Joey gasped.
"Have you ever heard of ELEVATORS?!" The blond demanded. Tristan stepped up next to his friend and gasped slightly.
"Never mind. Listen Kaiba, when was the last time you saw Hikari?" Seto stiffened at Kari's name.
"About 45 minutes ago. Why?" He asked curious. Tristan took a deep breath and stared at him, his mouth was stern but his eyes showed fear.
"She's missing. She was supposed to show up at Yu-Gi's house half an hour ago. She never did." Seto jumped up scattering papers everywhere.
"WHAT?!" He scowled and grabbed a jacket from his coat rack. He pressed the switch on his monitor and barked out
"I'm going. If I have any meetings tell them 'screw you'!" That done, Seto pulled the jacket on and pulled out a cell phone.
"Mokubah? Get my helicopter ready. We have a search to do."
"About Hikari? Sure thing. I already sent a satellite search throughout the whole city. I'll let you know if I find her." Mokubah replied.
"How do you know?" Seto asked surprised.
"Yu-Gi called earlier and said she wasn't there. I figured out she was probably gone. I'll keep you informed."
"Thanks." He said crisply and hung up. Turning to Joey and Tristan he scowled.
"I don't like the idea of traveling with you, but we'll cover more ground this way. Come on." He hissed out and spun around, marching out the door he left Joey and Tristan standing there perplexed
"Did we miss something?!" Joey mumbled.
***
Yu-Gi ran along the area. Searching for any sign of Hikari. She would've been near the game shop wouldn't she? He ran around the corner and . . .
WHAM!!
Ran smack dab into someone. Looking up he blanched.
"Y-you?!"
***
"Kari! Hey Kari!" Taia yelled out fearfully as she ran down the street walk. What had happened to her friend? She suddenly thought of the house Kari was supposed to stay at. She might be there! Taia quickly signaled a taxi. Jumping in as the car slowed to a stop she slammed the door and said quickly;
"I need to go to this address." She said fishing out the crumpled paper in her pocket. Kari had just left it on the floor of her new house. Taia had picked it up just in case she forgot where she was supposed to go. Now the information served a new purpose. It took 5 minutes to get there, each second that trickled by was like an hour to Taia. When she got there Taia jumped out of the taxi while thrusting a few bills at him. That done she ran up the porch steps and knocked on the door rapidly. Nothing. She knocked again. Still nothing. Taia sighed and was about to walk away when someone stopped her. A man in a black cloak was peering at her, or at least she THOUGHT he was peering at her beneath the hood of his black cloak. The figure walked towards Taia. The girl took a few steps back panicking.
"Who are you?!" She demanded. The figure stopped beside her and whispered into her ear.
"Bakura." Then he vanished. Taia stared. Then blinked, she looked around, nothing. Seeing the cab ahead of her she ran towards him.
"I want you to take me to 56 avenue. Quickly." She said naming Bakura's house street. Slamming the door she watched the passing houses as the cab drove off thinking;
'I hope to god she's okay.'
~!~
Nothing. Absolutely frickin nothing. We'd been at this for almost an hour now and still no sign of Hikari. What was happening?!
***
Bakura stood before the bench, eyes fixated on the two youths. The boy was grinning slightly, pale blue eyes were calm and smug.
"You don't give up do you?" He asked quietly. Bakura scowled.
"Who are you?" He demanded. The youth smiled once more.
"What would a tomb robber want to know about an *anima*?" Nirvana asked lightly. Bakura scowled.
"Stop playing games. I want to know why you're protecting her. If I don't receive any answers, I will hurt you both. I promise."
I promise. . . .
Those words brought a small flashback to Hikari's mind. She snapped into wakefulness. Sitting up with a
start, she nearly tumbled off the bench.
~!~
I was sitting in the passenger seat of the cockpit. My eyes were scanning over a map when something slammed into my mind.
"Settle down near Brisros park!" I called out suddenly. Joey and Tristan looked at me oddly.
"Why there?" Tristan wanted to know. I shook my head, the pilot nodded and veered the plane away.
***
Taia paid the cab driver once more and jumped out. She ran up the steps and rang the doorbell. A few
seconds passed, then the door opened to reveal a blonde haired girl.
"Can I help you?"
"Is Bakura around?" She asked quietly. The girl shook her head.
"He said he was heading to Brisros Park to meet someone. That way." The girl said and pointed south. Taia nodded.
"Thanks!" She called out and ran down the steps. She got into the cab once more.
"Brisros park."
"A lot of errands to run huh?" The driver asked quietly.
***
Yu-Gi was running along a park pathway. He suddenly stopped as a figure stood before him, it was draped in a long black cloak.
"Who are you?" The youth asked it. The figure stared at him intently. It carefully glided up to him. Then said.
"Bakura. He has found her. That way." He said slowly pointing farther down the path. Then he vanished. Yu-Gi stared, then shook his head. He ran on. His friend, if you could call him that, was following closely.
~~~
I stared wildly around. Where the hell was I?! Looking at two boys I swore mentally at one, then stared at the second. Do I really have to tell you who I swore at? Bakura looked at me smiling grimly.
"Now was that really a nice thing to think?" He asked quietly. I growled.
"Stay out of my f*cking mind!" I yelled at him angrily. He smirked. Nirvana stood up staring at Bakura calmly, his eyes filled with hate.
"I'm warning you spirit. Leave her alone." He said calmly. Bakura scowled. Then looked back at Hikari.
"I'll see you when you don't have that overprotective rat hanging on your every word slut." He spat. Then
vanished. Nirvana shook his head sighing. He turned to me, and needless to say I was still sitting on the
ground. When he looked at me I scuttled away using my feet to move. He walked up to me calmly, I tried
getting up to run, but he was by my side in a second, his hand forcing me down. "Calm down Hikari." He said calmly. I glared.
"Who the hell are you?!" I demanded. He smiled lightly.
"You've known me since you were five." He said calmly. I stared at him, then slowly nodded.
"I guess I have." I declared standing up. He stared, eyes full of humor.
"So willing to believe?" He asked quietly. I raised a delicate eyebrow at him.
"Whatever, I know that you're the one whose been with me for a while. You protected me in the alleyway. You also helped me win against Taia at that challenge. You gave me courage when I should have been scared out of my wits." I shrugged. He laughed.
"I suppose. What an ironic way of looking at things." He commented. Yami scared the crap out of me when he placed his hand on my shoulder. I jumped and spun around, my hand contracting into a fist, it went flying and without knowing I socked Yami in the nose. I stared stupidly as the spirit swore viciously and clutched a hand to his bleeding nose. I stared, then started.
"In the name of Tarn! Good lord Yami, I'm so sorry!" I said quickly running up to him, my eyes were staring him over. He pushed me away gently with one hand.
"S'okay." He said, voice muffled by his hands. A voice laughed.
"Pharaoh I hate to say it. But you've gotten slightly pathetic." The youth said calmly. I stared. Shitezer.
***
Seto ran around the corner of the park pathway, Joey and Tristan behind him. As he rounded the corner he was met with the oddest sight. Yami had placed his hand on Hikari's shoulder, and she had just spun around and punched him. Seto was smiling, trying to not burst out into laughter. Joey ran up.
"YUG! You okay?!" He asked quickly. Tristan was gaping. He shut his mouth calmly and said
"She has one hell of a right hook" Seto stared one more step behind Yu-Gi and gaped.
"Y-you?!" Hikari croaked out. Marick grinned.
"Yes me." He said quietly, eyes full of grim humor. "Come, come now. It's rude not to give proper introductions." He said laughing. Hikari sighed.
"Great. The threat to the world has a sense of humor, well we are all screwed now." She said sighing. Marick laughed even louder. Seto walked up to Hikari.
"You okay?" He asked, his voice slightly raspier then usual. (A/N: Don't look at me, I don't know what made me write that!) Hikari stared at him.
"Yeah. Thanks for asking."
~~~
Marick surveyed us in interest.
"Well, well. It seems as if you have made a new love High Priest." Marick said calmly. I gaped.
"High Priest?! He was a High Priest in EGYPT?!" Seto scowled.
"I told you before that I don't believe in that magic shit." He growled out. Marick shrugged.
"Believe what you want. It's not like I can force you." He said calmly. "Though I am rather interested into that figure we met." He said thoughtfully. I shook my head.
"You're insane." I muttered. "So let me review the facts, I just punched a Pharaoh." I shot an apologetic look at Yami who nodded, but was still wiping his nose with a napkin. "I've got a. . . . .a something protecting me." I stared at that white haired youth who nodded. "I've kissed a high priest." Seto blushed and Joey squawked.
"WHAT?!" I ignored him.
"I have an insane maniac beside me." With that I glanced at you know who, who grinned and pulled out a dagger, and began to play with it. Not helping. I sighed.
"We are all screwed!" I said with an air of happiness. Everyone stared at me like I had lost it. I don't doubt that at the moment. Seto sighed.
"So who did it?" He asked calmly. The youth looked at him grimly.
"I took her away. My name is Nirvana." Everyone stared.
"You did what?!" Yami demanded grabbing the cuff of Nirvana's shirt and glaring the *anima* in the eye. The man smiled.
"Stop it Yami." I said calmly. "He saved me from Bakura." Everyone turned their look from Nirvana to me. Yami gaped as he let go of the youth.
"Bakura again?! Hell and damnation doesn't he ever give up?" (*wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* remember this line?) Tristan sighed.
"I give up on that guy. He's more persistent then some of the girls that chase me!" Everyone turned to Tristan now, who in turn blushed. Hikari snorted.
"Uh huh. Sure Tristan." The youth turned red faced with anger.
"It's TRUE!!" Seto smiled grimly.
"Whatever." Turning to me his smug grin changed to a frown of . . . . . . .worry? That didn't look right for him. Seto stalked up to me, his face contorted into anger. He grabbed my arms roughly. Tristan and Joey went into fighting stances, Yami was glaring. Nirvana however was looking around at the scenery smiling. Seto looked me in the eye for a second, then I was crushed in a hug.
"God! You scared the crap out of me Kari." He said softly. Joey gaped. Even Yami was speechless. Marick was reduced to a gaping idiot while Tristan looked like an awe struck fool. I smiled softly.
"Sorry?" It was more of a question, I didn't know what to say. I awkwardly returned the hug. He swiftly bent down a kissed me on the cheek, then let go. I gingerly touched the spot with my hand and blushed brightly. Joey snickered.
"The perfect couple, both of you are more stubborn the mules." The blonde said smiling.
"Shut it." Me and Seto said at the same time. Joey guffawed. I hadn't noticed Taia's arrival. It was however made clear when she placed her hand on my shoulder and scared the crap out of me. I jumped. Spinning around I glared.
"TAIA!! Don't do that! You scared the hell out of me!" I ordered. She flinched.
"Sorry. Are you okay?" She said worriedly. I sighed, now I had a guilt trip. Snapping at her when she was worried about me.
"Yeah. Sorry 'bout that, I mean snapping and all." I blushed slightly. Taia smiled.
"It's okay." She giggled. I would have done the same, sadly, I've lost the ability to giggle along with my ability to gag. Whatever. I instead smiled and turned to the others. Everyone looked at me. I felt, kinda weird . . . . Was this what others saw in friends? This feeling of affection? Good lord I sound like a movie character with crappy lines! Well, something was good in friendship, that much at least was clear. I'm seriously doubting my sanity, that and my crappy lines for this stupid thing. Who wrote the damn script anyway?! I didn't realize I had zoned out until someone tapped me on the shoulder and yelled in my ear
"HIKARI!!" I jumped and glared at my assailant. Yami snickered.
"You zoned out, that's not too polite is it?" I sighed.
"Yami, I'm beginning to think you're a little brother!" I insulted. Yami looked puzzled.
"Little brother? Is that a bad thing?" I smiled with a touch of mischief.
"Very bad thing. Little siblings live to annoy their elders." She said smiling. Yami sighed and cuffed me slightly on the head. I rubbed the sore spot and growled.
"As I said, just like a little brother." Nirvana chuckled. Then turned to look at me.
"Bakura may be a pain, but he's just a shadow to the danger that wants you Miss Hikari." I stared.
"What the heck could want me? I have sucky school grades, I've never had a boyfriend, I suck at gym class, so physical power is something that's not good, my knowledge is limited. WHAT the heck does this guy want?!" I yelled. Nirvana shook his head.
"That's something that even I don't know." He remarked calmly. I sighed.
"Greeeaaaattttt." I muttered sarcastically. Nirvana stared at me in the eye.
"I don't know what's chasing you, but I give you one promise. The one I made earlier. I won't let anyone hurt you. I will protect you. I promise." Yami smiled.
"That goes for me too. Just like I said, I promise to protect you." I smiled at him.
"Same goes for me!" Joey chorused in. Tristan nodded.
"I'm in."
"Don't count me out!" Taia said. I stared. Marick laughed.
"I'll come along, this is interesting. I'd love to see how you fight." I stared.
"Fight? I don't fight!" He laughed.
"Well you have a fighter's eyes. If you're not one yet, you will be soon." I sighed.
"And pray tell, who'll teach me?" I asked sarcastically not expecting an answer. (A/N: You must see what's coming up.)
"I dibs the weapon lessons." Nirvana said looking at the others.
"I cover martial arts." Seto commented smiling evilly.
"I have physical training. I'll whip her into shape." Tristan said, Joey leaned on his shoulder.
"I'll help Tristan."
"Me and Yu-Gi will help in magic lessons." Yami said. Taia smiled.
"I'll have to get you a change of clothes, being a warrior in those clothes doesn't work."
"I'll help Yami in magic. Also she needs mind training, basic meditation should do the trick. I could do that." Marick offered. I looked around and sighed.
"Why me?"
~~~
We all sat at Yu-Gi's house. Watching the TV I was smiling as I watched Yu- Gi and Joey have a friendly duel. Yu-Gi as usual was winning. Much to the surprise of everyone Seto decided to come in as well, though I don't think Mr. Motou was happy to see Kaiba. Well, after what happened last time, who could blame him? The serious guy now sat on the couch next to me, watching me from the corner of his eye.
"You know, I don't think it would be a bad idea to teach Hikari about duel monsters." Joey said calmly. Yu-Gi nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea." He looked at me, I sweatdropped. Oh shitezer.
"What do you say?" He asked me. I growled.
"No way. I have enough on my plate as it is!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi looked at me sorrowfully, purple eyes wide and somber. I stared, this must be the famous puppy eye look. Oh shit, it was working. I growled.
"ALRIGHT!! Just shut off the LOOK!!" Seto chuckled, I shot him a dark glare.
"Shut it Karate trainer." I muttered. He grinned.
"Let's set up the schedule." Tristan nodded.
"We'll have her at 6:00am. She'll train for an hour and a half." At this I groaned.
"Then I'll take her at 7:30. We have about an hour before school starts. That means she'll be practicing with me till 8:15. She needs time for breakfast and a shower."
"Then after school you'll do homework with us, then we'll fit you up in costume. By then it should be about 5:30. That's for the first day, the others will be about eating. Just a snack." Taia said smirking.
"No PINK!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi smiled.
"We have you after that. You'll be working on magic. 6:30pm"
"6:30 to 7:00 is dinner." Nirvana suggested. "Then I get you after for weapons till 8:00pm." he said grinning.
"I thought you were on my side." I growled at him.
"And around 8:00 to 9:00 I'll have you for an hour of meditation. No crappy Yoga stuff, just focusing your mind and making it organized instead of all scrambly." Marick said and leaned back. I sighed.
"And at 9 you'll learn Duel Monsters and then by 9:30 you go to bed." Yu- Gi pitched in.
"You're all out to get me aren't you?"
~~~
Next morning, the guys were true to their word. Joey and Tristan shook me awake, though with some satisfaction I manage to hit someone with a paper cup that was by my bed. Once out of bed, they had me jogging through the park, 5 laps. Then I was forced to do sit ups and push ups. I growled.
"When I finish, I will dunk you both in the pond for getting me up at this ungodly hour." I threatened. Both laughed, and said in unison
"Back to work!" I growled, and resolved to put something VERY squishy in their beds.
~~~
Right about 7:30, A limo drove up to us. Three guesses on who it was, you'll probably only need one. Seto stepped out. He was dressed for school. I sighed. We began, I swear to god, I got at least fifty bruises. First up was shadow boxing, and dear lord, if I ever land a kick, it'll be where it hurts the most on Seto. Mean thoughts, I know. But try to understand, I feel shitty. When 8:15 came up, I showered quickly, and pulled on the, you guessed it, the horrible pink outfit. Buttoning up the jacket I stepped out.
"If I die, I will murder the person who came up with this outfit, by starting with the evil fingers that drew it." I growled. Tristan grinned.
"But you look so nice!" He said snickering. I have one thought right now. He is dead! I jumped at him and tackled him mid waist.
"YOU DIE!!" I yelled playfully. Mr. Motou walked past.
"Do I have to get a baby-sitter for you two?" I glared.
"Watch it!" I said snickering. In this moment of distraction, Yu-Gi tackled me.
"ACK!!" I yelled. "NO TICKLING!!" Yu-Gi smiled. I laughed hysterically. Tristan sensed a world war coming and slipped away. "MERCY!! MERCY!!" I yelled out. Yu-Gi smiled.
"NEVER!!" Yu-Gi said. I growled and picked him up and dumped him on the bed.
"Hah! You're height is a disadvantage Yu-Gi."
"Oh really?" Asked a deeper voice.
"EEP!" I yelled and scrambled away from Yami who stood up and leaped at me. He had me on my back and tickling me mercilessly. I pushed him off and jabbed him in the ribs. He was still. I waved a hand in front of his face. Nothing. I stood up and scratched my head.
"Er . . . . Yami?" Nothing. I poked him again.
"Er . . . . you make a nice statue." Nothing again. I walked away perplexed when there was a sound of scuffling. I spun around, all too late. Yami tackled me and held me to the ground on my stomach.
"HEY!! Now that was cheating!" I yelled out laughing. He wrapped his arms around my neck.
"I have a sudden urge to yell, piggy back." He said laughing, Yu-Gi must be influencing Yami's brain, because I think the former Pharaoh would have never said something like that.
"You kid." I said, my voice muffled by the carpet. Seto walked in.
"I don't want to know." He said and walked away. I was laughing. Yami was too, in this moment of off defense I flipped around and began tickling his foot. The ultimate torture. He yelped and clambered off.
"CHEATER!!" He yelled. I grinned.
"Take it as it comes Mr. Millennium." I said smiling grimly. He laughed and was about to retort, when someone jumped on the BOTH of us.
"JOEY!!" We both yelled. The teen sat up, head propped on elbows.
"Can I join?" He asked. I smiled. Sat up, then tickled his neck. He screeched and ducked then hid behind Yami. Nirvana walked by as well.
"Um, Kari?" He said timidly. I turned to him.
"Yes?"
"You're skirt's up." I shrieked and pulled it down.
"NIRVANA!!" I yelled. He grinned maniacally and vanished. I sighed. Yami chose this moment, to attack me with a pillow. Joey smiled and crept up behind Yami, he leapt forward, in an attempt to tackle the pharaoh. Yami however, moved, and Joey landed on me. To say the least, his face came level to mine, and if you can guess, we kissed. I stared shocked, he stared back at me. He jumped off.
"Oh shit! Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!!" He said dancing on the spot. I growled. Then sighed.
"Joey." I said calmly, walking up to him. He backed away slightly.
"Are you going to hurt me?"
"In some ways yes. Sometimes I will."
"Is this one of those times?" He asked quietly. I grinned evilly.
"No." I said and kissed him on the cheek. He stared dazed.
"By the way." I said walking out. "You have frosting on your lips." I replied grinning and stepped out. Yami smiled.
"So um, how's kissing Kari feel?" Joey looked at him and smiled.
"You ever hear of heaven?"
~~~
I stepped out into the hallway and grinned, wiping off some of the frosting Joey had gotten on me.
"that was fun." I said calmly and walked down towards the front door. Checking my watch, I saw we had ten minutes. I sighed. What to do now? Seto walked out in front of me. Shitezer.
"Uh . . . . . HI SETO!!" I said cheerfully. Seto grinned, then for some unknown reason, blushed. Do I really want to know? Probably not. He walked up to me and said timidly, at which I stared. Since when was Kaiba timid?
"Um, do you . . . . . . ." He trailed off. I sighed.
"Just spit it out Kaiba!" I ordered. He sighed.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, I only own Hikari Usagi, Nirvana, Damen, Crystal, and that weird little hooded figure. Whoever the hell he is.
Hooded Figure: I am a plot twist Okay?!
Disclaimer: Whatever.