AN: Here's chapter 2! And thanks to Mikogirl and Neonicole for the reviews!
Chapter 2
Holding On To The Dream
Inu-yasha came crawling in through Kagome's window late that night while she lay sleeping in her bed and just sat there in her room looking at her for a while. He wanted her, he needed her, and he was not going to let anyone take her away from him. He went over to her bed, leaned over Kagome, and kissed her softly. She stirred, looking at him as if in the midst of a dream.
"Inu-yasha?" She asked sleepily.
"Hey." He said leaning over her.
"Come here." She told him, still groggy, lifting up the covers. She was wearing her flannel pajamas and she looked so pretty. He crawled into bed with her. They snuggled up close to one another and laid there for a moment.
"I was so worried about you." Kagome said, half asleep.
"I know." He said and they went to sleep there together. When morning came. Kagome awoke to find Inu-yasha gone and she wondered if it had all been a dream.
Inu-yasha returned to Kaiba's corporate headquarters where he continued his training. He trained for days upon days using Kaiba's virtual reality games until finally he was able beat the preprogrammed machines he was pitted against. When that day finally came Kaiba took him aside and said to him with pride. "Today you are a Duelist."
"Thanks." Inu-yasha replied holding his new deck. Kaiba had helped him pick every card and he felt very confident about them all. They were his cards, his very own, and they were just what he needed to defeat Joey Wheeler and win back Kagome's heart for good. He had some of the best cards in the game, including the mighty Buster Blader, which Yugi prized so greatly. Yes, his Earth-Warrior Deck would guarantee him the victory at the Tournament.
"This is it," Shippo said as he climbed out of the well. "This is Kagome's time."
"I would have a better look if ye would help me out of the well, young Shippo," Keade's voce said from the bottom of the well.
"Oops," Shippo said, "Sorry. I forgot. I'm used to coming with Inu-yasha and Kagome."
"It matters not," Keade said, "But please find something to get me out of here." Shippo popped into a ladder, and the old priestess climbed out. When she was standing outside, Shippo followed her, and looked around the Shrine.
"Could this be the old forest?" the old woman said, amazed at the modern world before her. "Here is Inu-yasha's tree, and that was indeed the Bone Eater's well. This truly is a different world than the one we came from."
Shippo sniffed the air. "I can't smell that Kagome's been here recently. I'll go asked her grandpa where she is."
"Her grandfather?" Keade asked.
"Yeah, he's a funny old man, but he doesn't mind when we come here." the kitsune said as he dashed over to the house. He went to the door, and knocked.
"Why, Little Shippo," Kagome's grandpa said when he opened the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Keade wanted to give Kagome an important message, so I brought her with me. Do you know where Kagome is?" Shippo asked.
"Keade?" the old man said. He looked over to the old woman in front of the mini shrine. He passed by Shippo, and made a bow to the old woman. "Welcome, young lady, to The Sunset Shrine. If I can be of any service, don't hesitate-"
"Young lady?" Keade said, puzzled. "Are ye blind or merely senile?"
"Senile?!" old Gramps cried. "I'll have you know tha-"
"Enough of pleasantries," Keade said, passing by him. "Where is Kagome? I wish to speak with her."
"She's with her friends right now," Gramps siad, trying to be charming again, "But maybe you would like to come inside and wait?"
"No thank you," she said, sitting on the ground in front of the tree. "I would prefer to wait out here than go inside and be bothered by a halfwit old fool."
"Half wit! Old Fool!! Why-"
"Excitable, aren't ye?" she said as she got a pear from her pocket. "Mayhap ye need more ruffage in your diet. Come, sit and eat," she said, producing two more pears from her pocket. She gave one to Shippo, and held the other up for Gramps.
"You are a very strange woman," he said, taking the pear and sitting down.
"And ye speak before your mind can catch up with ye," she said back.
Kagome waved goodbye to her friends and went up the stairs to her house. As she reached the top, her eyes beheld an incredible sight. Her grandpa was sitting under the tree with old Keade, having lunch and joking like they were old friends! This just keeps getting weirder, she thought as she got closer.
Shippo popped out from nowhere, and landed on her shoulder. "Kagome!" he said happily. "I'm so glad you're home! I missed you."
"Shippo, what's Keade doing here?" she asked him as Keade got up from the shade.
"We have a message," he said. "We found Jewel shards,and lots of them!"
"Miroku has found out about a warlord who has obtained shards," Keade said, "We need Inu-yasha to face him."
"He's not here," Kagome said. "He's been gone for a while."
"This is strange, even for Inu-yasha," Keade said, "With the Jewel so nearly completed, one would think that he would be more intent on finding them."
"I know, that's what's got me worried," Kagome said. "I thought he came back a few day ago, but I guess I dreamed it."
"Then have no fear," Keade said, "He may yet return. Until then, mayhap ye would show me more of this world?"
"What about the warlord?" Kagome asked.
"They will keep," the old woman said, going to the stairs, "His men are terrified of Kirara and I believe that Miroku and Songo are adequate enough for the task."
"Wait," Kagome said, catching hold of Keade's arm. "You can't use a bow for a walking stick here," she told her, leading her to the house. "We'll get you one of grandma's old canes."
"Thank ye, child," Keade said as she went in with Kagome, her grandpa, and Shippo.
The day of the Tournament came at last. Joey, Kagome, Yugi and the others gathered together in Tokyo for the opening ceremonies. Not since the day of the Greek Olympics had such a great host of competitors been assembled. Duelists from all over the world had come.
"I wonder if Mai's here?" Yugi mused aloud, looking at all the different competitors.
"I think she sat this one out, Yuge." Joey said.
"What makes you think so?"
"She sent me a post card from Honolulu yesterday." he replied. "It came by express mail."
Yugi took the card from Joey. It was the famous Hawaiian sea shore, and on the back said, 'Dear Joey, Having lots of fun, glad you're not here eating all the poi. Good luck with the Tournament. Lots of Love, Mai', a small Peace sign drawn on the lower right hand corner.
Inu-yasha sat in Kaiba's limo and watched Kagome walk inside the stadium with Joey and the others. He almost wished he was with them instead of in here…Then he remembered his purpose. He was gonna win this Tournament.
"Here we go," he said, slipping the black cowl over his head.
"Remember," Kaiba said, "You must destroy Wheeler."
"Don't worry," the han-you said, covering his mouth, "For Kagome I would do anything."
"Ladies and Gentleman!" the announcer said from the ring below, "Duelists of all ages! Welcome to the first round of preliminaries of the Mid-summer Duelists Tournament!" The crowd cheered loudly. It was deafening. "We will begin with a most experienced Duelist. He is a master of the element of Water…He rules the seas like Neptune! Welcome, Meiko Tsunami!"
Meiko entered the ring, his duel disk on his arm, waving to the crowd. From his seat, Joey whistled and cheered for his old friend.
"And in this corner," the announcer continued, "An'Unknown' in the dueling world, who will not even speak for fear of revealing his Identity. Welcome The Masked Duelist!" A man dressed in black, like a Ninja, came into the ring, then, His whole face was covered so that only his eerie golden eyes were visible. He too had a duel disk, but in his belt, was also tucked an old Samurai sword.
"Who is this guy?" Meiko said as he looked at his opponent, trying to size him up. Just then, the Masked Duelist beckoned the announcer closer. He whispered into the announcer's ear for a second, then, the announcer turned to the crowd and said, "The Masked Duelist would like to dedicate his first duel to Kagome Higurashi!"
Kagome and the others were stunned. Who would duel for her? '
"Oh, that's so romantic!" Tea exclaimed. "I wonder who he is?"
"I could be that Hojo guy that kept asking Kagome out for a while," Shippo said from inside the purse he was hiding in.
"Whoever he is," Joey said angrily, "He's treadin on my territory!"
"Hey!" Kagome objected, "I'm no one's territory!"
"I didn't mean it like that!" Joey said
"Go mysterious Masked Duelist!" Kagome cheered, making Joey moan with despair. But then, The Duelist looked up at her and waved. Did just wink? Kagome thought to herself.
"The Masked Duelist has won the coin toss," the announcer said, "So he is responsible for the first move!" The duelists went to their corners. "The Masked Duelist lays down one card face down on the field!"
This guy's an amateur, Meiko thought, he didn't even lay down a monster to protect his Life Points! "I summon the Giant Red Seasnake!" Meiko said, his monster appearing in the ring. "Attack his Life Points!"
"The Masked Duelist reveals his face down card!" The announcer said. "Gravity Bind!"
"What!?!" Meiko exclaimed as his monster sopped it's attack, and was bound by a green mesh net.
The Masked man drew a card, and then, the announcer said, "The Masked Duelist summons Hayabusa Knight, equipped with Fusion Sword Mursame Blade, the Horn of The Unicorn, and Lightening Blade! And he attacks Meiko's Seasnake!" But Hayabusa Knight not only charged forward and obliterated the sea snake, but then it went and attacked Meiko as well!
Meiko screamed from the pain, and yelled, "How is this possible!"
"Hayabusa Knight's special effect is the ability to attack twice in one turn!" The announcer explained.
"I have nothing to counter this," Meiko said, "In a another to turn I'll be finished! I forfeit!" he cried, laying his hand on his deck.
The crowd gasped. Then, broke out in half cheers for the Masked Duelist, and half jeers for him.
"Meiko quit!?!" Joey said, flabbergasted. "he never quits! This ain't right!"
"The winner of round one, and in accordance with this Tournament's rules, recipient of Meiko's Red Seasnake: The Masked Duelist!" the announcer said, lifting the Masked man's hand high in the air. Even his hands were gloved.
Then, the Masked man turned to the announcer, and whispered to him again. "The Masked Duelist asks that Miss Kagome Higurashi take this card as his gift for being his inspiration to duel."
Kagome was so flattered. She didn't know what to do. So she ran down to the ring, and reached up her and to take the card. The Masked Duelist bowed to her from the ring, took her hand in his, and placed the card in her palm. She looked up, wanting to at least see his eyes, but he quickly looked away from her, as if he were ashamed of something. Then, he let go of her hand, stood back up, and exited the other side of he ring. She couldn't go after him, because the next match was about to begin. She returned to her seat and watched the next five rounds, until it was Joey's turn to duel.
"Alright, Fire Deck," Joey said to himself, "Time to show me what you're made of." Joey had a rocky start at first, but once he got his Flame Swordsman on the field, equipped with Slamandra, he pretty much aced it. But then again, his opponent was something of a rookie. Four turns later, The Masked Duelist appeared again. He also had a somewhat rough start to his second duel, which was against Rex Raptor, but he won out in the end, and once again presented his trophy card, the Tyrant Dragon, to Kagome.
As Joey watched from the stands again, he started burning with rage. How could this amateur be this good? And how did he get hold of such powerful and rare cards?
AN: Who was that Masked Man? please review!!
Chapter 2
Holding On To The Dream
Inu-yasha came crawling in through Kagome's window late that night while she lay sleeping in her bed and just sat there in her room looking at her for a while. He wanted her, he needed her, and he was not going to let anyone take her away from him. He went over to her bed, leaned over Kagome, and kissed her softly. She stirred, looking at him as if in the midst of a dream.
"Inu-yasha?" She asked sleepily.
"Hey." He said leaning over her.
"Come here." She told him, still groggy, lifting up the covers. She was wearing her flannel pajamas and she looked so pretty. He crawled into bed with her. They snuggled up close to one another and laid there for a moment.
"I was so worried about you." Kagome said, half asleep.
"I know." He said and they went to sleep there together. When morning came. Kagome awoke to find Inu-yasha gone and she wondered if it had all been a dream.
Inu-yasha returned to Kaiba's corporate headquarters where he continued his training. He trained for days upon days using Kaiba's virtual reality games until finally he was able beat the preprogrammed machines he was pitted against. When that day finally came Kaiba took him aside and said to him with pride. "Today you are a Duelist."
"Thanks." Inu-yasha replied holding his new deck. Kaiba had helped him pick every card and he felt very confident about them all. They were his cards, his very own, and they were just what he needed to defeat Joey Wheeler and win back Kagome's heart for good. He had some of the best cards in the game, including the mighty Buster Blader, which Yugi prized so greatly. Yes, his Earth-Warrior Deck would guarantee him the victory at the Tournament.
"This is it," Shippo said as he climbed out of the well. "This is Kagome's time."
"I would have a better look if ye would help me out of the well, young Shippo," Keade's voce said from the bottom of the well.
"Oops," Shippo said, "Sorry. I forgot. I'm used to coming with Inu-yasha and Kagome."
"It matters not," Keade said, "But please find something to get me out of here." Shippo popped into a ladder, and the old priestess climbed out. When she was standing outside, Shippo followed her, and looked around the Shrine.
"Could this be the old forest?" the old woman said, amazed at the modern world before her. "Here is Inu-yasha's tree, and that was indeed the Bone Eater's well. This truly is a different world than the one we came from."
Shippo sniffed the air. "I can't smell that Kagome's been here recently. I'll go asked her grandpa where she is."
"Her grandfather?" Keade asked.
"Yeah, he's a funny old man, but he doesn't mind when we come here." the kitsune said as he dashed over to the house. He went to the door, and knocked.
"Why, Little Shippo," Kagome's grandpa said when he opened the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Keade wanted to give Kagome an important message, so I brought her with me. Do you know where Kagome is?" Shippo asked.
"Keade?" the old man said. He looked over to the old woman in front of the mini shrine. He passed by Shippo, and made a bow to the old woman. "Welcome, young lady, to The Sunset Shrine. If I can be of any service, don't hesitate-"
"Young lady?" Keade said, puzzled. "Are ye blind or merely senile?"
"Senile?!" old Gramps cried. "I'll have you know tha-"
"Enough of pleasantries," Keade said, passing by him. "Where is Kagome? I wish to speak with her."
"She's with her friends right now," Gramps siad, trying to be charming again, "But maybe you would like to come inside and wait?"
"No thank you," she said, sitting on the ground in front of the tree. "I would prefer to wait out here than go inside and be bothered by a halfwit old fool."
"Half wit! Old Fool!! Why-"
"Excitable, aren't ye?" she said as she got a pear from her pocket. "Mayhap ye need more ruffage in your diet. Come, sit and eat," she said, producing two more pears from her pocket. She gave one to Shippo, and held the other up for Gramps.
"You are a very strange woman," he said, taking the pear and sitting down.
"And ye speak before your mind can catch up with ye," she said back.
Kagome waved goodbye to her friends and went up the stairs to her house. As she reached the top, her eyes beheld an incredible sight. Her grandpa was sitting under the tree with old Keade, having lunch and joking like they were old friends! This just keeps getting weirder, she thought as she got closer.
Shippo popped out from nowhere, and landed on her shoulder. "Kagome!" he said happily. "I'm so glad you're home! I missed you."
"Shippo, what's Keade doing here?" she asked him as Keade got up from the shade.
"We have a message," he said. "We found Jewel shards,and lots of them!"
"Miroku has found out about a warlord who has obtained shards," Keade said, "We need Inu-yasha to face him."
"He's not here," Kagome said. "He's been gone for a while."
"This is strange, even for Inu-yasha," Keade said, "With the Jewel so nearly completed, one would think that he would be more intent on finding them."
"I know, that's what's got me worried," Kagome said. "I thought he came back a few day ago, but I guess I dreamed it."
"Then have no fear," Keade said, "He may yet return. Until then, mayhap ye would show me more of this world?"
"What about the warlord?" Kagome asked.
"They will keep," the old woman said, going to the stairs, "His men are terrified of Kirara and I believe that Miroku and Songo are adequate enough for the task."
"Wait," Kagome said, catching hold of Keade's arm. "You can't use a bow for a walking stick here," she told her, leading her to the house. "We'll get you one of grandma's old canes."
"Thank ye, child," Keade said as she went in with Kagome, her grandpa, and Shippo.
The day of the Tournament came at last. Joey, Kagome, Yugi and the others gathered together in Tokyo for the opening ceremonies. Not since the day of the Greek Olympics had such a great host of competitors been assembled. Duelists from all over the world had come.
"I wonder if Mai's here?" Yugi mused aloud, looking at all the different competitors.
"I think she sat this one out, Yuge." Joey said.
"What makes you think so?"
"She sent me a post card from Honolulu yesterday." he replied. "It came by express mail."
Yugi took the card from Joey. It was the famous Hawaiian sea shore, and on the back said, 'Dear Joey, Having lots of fun, glad you're not here eating all the poi. Good luck with the Tournament. Lots of Love, Mai', a small Peace sign drawn on the lower right hand corner.
Inu-yasha sat in Kaiba's limo and watched Kagome walk inside the stadium with Joey and the others. He almost wished he was with them instead of in here…Then he remembered his purpose. He was gonna win this Tournament.
"Here we go," he said, slipping the black cowl over his head.
"Remember," Kaiba said, "You must destroy Wheeler."
"Don't worry," the han-you said, covering his mouth, "For Kagome I would do anything."
"Ladies and Gentleman!" the announcer said from the ring below, "Duelists of all ages! Welcome to the first round of preliminaries of the Mid-summer Duelists Tournament!" The crowd cheered loudly. It was deafening. "We will begin with a most experienced Duelist. He is a master of the element of Water…He rules the seas like Neptune! Welcome, Meiko Tsunami!"
Meiko entered the ring, his duel disk on his arm, waving to the crowd. From his seat, Joey whistled and cheered for his old friend.
"And in this corner," the announcer continued, "An'Unknown' in the dueling world, who will not even speak for fear of revealing his Identity. Welcome The Masked Duelist!" A man dressed in black, like a Ninja, came into the ring, then, His whole face was covered so that only his eerie golden eyes were visible. He too had a duel disk, but in his belt, was also tucked an old Samurai sword.
"Who is this guy?" Meiko said as he looked at his opponent, trying to size him up. Just then, the Masked Duelist beckoned the announcer closer. He whispered into the announcer's ear for a second, then, the announcer turned to the crowd and said, "The Masked Duelist would like to dedicate his first duel to Kagome Higurashi!"
Kagome and the others were stunned. Who would duel for her? '
"Oh, that's so romantic!" Tea exclaimed. "I wonder who he is?"
"I could be that Hojo guy that kept asking Kagome out for a while," Shippo said from inside the purse he was hiding in.
"Whoever he is," Joey said angrily, "He's treadin on my territory!"
"Hey!" Kagome objected, "I'm no one's territory!"
"I didn't mean it like that!" Joey said
"Go mysterious Masked Duelist!" Kagome cheered, making Joey moan with despair. But then, The Duelist looked up at her and waved. Did just wink? Kagome thought to herself.
"The Masked Duelist has won the coin toss," the announcer said, "So he is responsible for the first move!" The duelists went to their corners. "The Masked Duelist lays down one card face down on the field!"
This guy's an amateur, Meiko thought, he didn't even lay down a monster to protect his Life Points! "I summon the Giant Red Seasnake!" Meiko said, his monster appearing in the ring. "Attack his Life Points!"
"The Masked Duelist reveals his face down card!" The announcer said. "Gravity Bind!"
"What!?!" Meiko exclaimed as his monster sopped it's attack, and was bound by a green mesh net.
The Masked man drew a card, and then, the announcer said, "The Masked Duelist summons Hayabusa Knight, equipped with Fusion Sword Mursame Blade, the Horn of The Unicorn, and Lightening Blade! And he attacks Meiko's Seasnake!" But Hayabusa Knight not only charged forward and obliterated the sea snake, but then it went and attacked Meiko as well!
Meiko screamed from the pain, and yelled, "How is this possible!"
"Hayabusa Knight's special effect is the ability to attack twice in one turn!" The announcer explained.
"I have nothing to counter this," Meiko said, "In a another to turn I'll be finished! I forfeit!" he cried, laying his hand on his deck.
The crowd gasped. Then, broke out in half cheers for the Masked Duelist, and half jeers for him.
"Meiko quit!?!" Joey said, flabbergasted. "he never quits! This ain't right!"
"The winner of round one, and in accordance with this Tournament's rules, recipient of Meiko's Red Seasnake: The Masked Duelist!" the announcer said, lifting the Masked man's hand high in the air. Even his hands were gloved.
Then, the Masked man turned to the announcer, and whispered to him again. "The Masked Duelist asks that Miss Kagome Higurashi take this card as his gift for being his inspiration to duel."
Kagome was so flattered. She didn't know what to do. So she ran down to the ring, and reached up her and to take the card. The Masked Duelist bowed to her from the ring, took her hand in his, and placed the card in her palm. She looked up, wanting to at least see his eyes, but he quickly looked away from her, as if he were ashamed of something. Then, he let go of her hand, stood back up, and exited the other side of he ring. She couldn't go after him, because the next match was about to begin. She returned to her seat and watched the next five rounds, until it was Joey's turn to duel.
"Alright, Fire Deck," Joey said to himself, "Time to show me what you're made of." Joey had a rocky start at first, but once he got his Flame Swordsman on the field, equipped with Slamandra, he pretty much aced it. But then again, his opponent was something of a rookie. Four turns later, The Masked Duelist appeared again. He also had a somewhat rough start to his second duel, which was against Rex Raptor, but he won out in the end, and once again presented his trophy card, the Tyrant Dragon, to Kagome.
As Joey watched from the stands again, he started burning with rage. How could this amateur be this good? And how did he get hold of such powerful and rare cards?
AN: Who was that Masked Man? please review!!