AN: Here's Chapter 3! Enjoy! Review!
Chapter 3
The Semi-finals: Masked Duelist Identified!
The preliminaries lasted for two whole days, and by the third day, the semi finals had begun. People in the stands were wearing Masked Duelist t-shirts, waving flags and posters. He was now considered the heavy favorite in the Tournament.
As Kagome and the others took their seats, Kagome heard a familiar little voce cheering, "Yay! Go Masked Duelist!"
"Shippo?" Kagome said, spinning around in her seat. "Keade? Whata re you-? How did you-?"
"I told her the Tournament," Shippo siad, proudly displaying his Masked Duelist t-shirt. "She wanted to come."
:I'm told he's heavily favored in this contest." The old priestess said, waving a flag.
"But how did you get here?" Kagome inquired.
:"The large horse-less carriage called a bus. Tell me, child, what does 'exact change' mean?"
"Great," Kagome said, slumping in her seat. But she perked once she saw the Masked Duelist coming out with the rest of the semi finalist, which included Joey and Weevel Underwood. Kagome recognized him from Kaiba's Duelist Ball. What was that little sleaze doing here?
Then, the announcer stepped into the ring, and started his speech. "Of these eight contestants, only two will go into the finals!" he said, the crowd cheering for their favorite. Only Yugi, Tristan, and Tea really cheered for Joey now. Kagome was confused about who she wanted to win. The Mysterious Masked Duelist, who's showed such chivalry and admiration, or Joey who just went on and on about beating every guy he was put up against. On top of it all, she was still concerned about Inu-yasha, who had been missing for nearly three weeks. Where was he during all this? Watching over her like a guardian angle, or was he off being his usual half demon self? But her thoughts were interrupted by the announcer.
"Before we begin,. We will assign numbers to our semi finalists! Computer, make the matches!" and a huge screen showed who was up against who first.
"Now remember," Kaiba said, "I want Inuyasha and Weevel matched against each other for the first round. And Weevel had better at least try to win."
The Masked Duelist was faced against Weevel Underwood. The little pest had the upper hand for a lot of turns with his's Arsenal Bug. It was a three star monster with 2000 attack and defense points, and no matter what the Masked Duelist did, he couldn't get rid of the extra four star monsters that were on the field. But then, the Masked man played Swords of Revealing Light, and three turns later he was able to summon Buster Blader with the help of Soul Exchange magic card. He beat Weevel, and took the Arsenal Bug. Again, he gave the spoils of war to Kagome. This time when she went to claim her prize, she grabbed his hand before he could turn away. This caused him to look directly at her, and for the first time in three days, she saw his eyes.
"Inu-yasha?" she whispered in shock. But he closed his eyes, yanked his hand away, and ran from the ring. This time, though, she chased after him, not caring what anyone thought. She had to find out if it was really Inu-yasha or not! She ran all the way to Kaiba's private box, where Kaiba's hired goons forced her away from the door.
"But I know who he is!" she yelled at the muscle men.
"He is an unknown in the Dueling world, and none but Master Kaiba knows his origins," the biggest thug said. "You aren't authorized to be here, so leave or we will escort back you to your seat."
Kagome stared up that the body guard, then turned smartly and went back to her seat. It had to be Inu-yasha. She was sure if it…She guessed.
Joey stepped into the ring, and looked around. He was ready for whoever they threw at him. Just then, someone came running up to the ring. It was a kid.
"Hey Mr Wheeler," the little boy said to him. "A pretty lady in the stands asked me to give you this." He held up a card, called Dust Tornado. Joey looked up into the stands where the kid had pointed, hoping to see Kagome. But then he saw…could it be? Mai? Mai Valentine!? She was here? As he looked up at her, she winked at him, and held up her hand in a V for victory sign. She was behind.
Joey slipped the card into his deck, and turned to face his opponent. One Bandit Keith. They had faced each other during Duelist Kingdom, and Joey knew he would beat the lousy cheater just like last time.
"Well runt, looks like it's you and me again," Keith said.
"What are you duelin for this time, Bandit Keith? The money? Or are you tryin to reclaim your title?"
"Neither, runt. I just wanna give that Masked Guy a swift punch in the mouth after I beat him!"
"Sorry, but you won't get the chance. I'm winnin this duel today."
"We'll see, Wheeler." the thug said as he shuffled his deck.
"Bandit Keith has won the toss up, so let the Duel Begin!" the announcer said, getting out of the ring.
"First, I play the Field Magic Card, Array of Revealing Light!" Bandit Keith called out, the field glowing with dozens of lights. "And I declare that Pyro Types can't attack during the turn they're summoned. Next I play Battle Ox in attack mode, and end my turn."
"Alright," Joey said, drawing a card. "I'm about to blow your strategy, Keith," Joey said, "Cause I summon Masaki The Legendary Swordsman in attack mode!"
"Ha! You think that puny little thing is gonna stop me?"
"It will now, cause I equip Masaki with Scroll of Bewitchment! That changes him from a Earth Monster to a Fire Monster. And now I equip him with Salamandra, giving him 1800 points! That's more than you're Battle Ox, so you can't attack me. Now I'm gonna lay a card face down and end my turn."
"You're dead meat, Wheeler," Bandit Keith said, drawing a card.
Suddenly, Joey called, "Reveal face down card: Lightforce Sword! The card you just drew goes out of play for four turns."
"D&%# you Wheeler!"
"My turn now. Masaki, attack his Ox!" and the Samurai warrior charged and destroyed the Ox with his flaming sword.
Inu-yasha watched Joey's duel from Kaiba's private box. "You sure went through a lot of trouble to make sure Joey fought these know-nothing opponents."
"Bandit Keith used to be one of the best Duelists in the world until Wheeler beat him in Duelist Kingdom. He's the most experienced player Wheeler's faced the entire Tournament. But he still won't be ready to face you." Kaiba said as Inu-yasha started covering his face again.
"I don't want to go back out there," Inu-yasha said. "Kagome knows it's me. She saw my eyes."
"So what?"
"I'm the only one here with yellow eyes you idiot!!!" Inu-yasha shouted. "Who else would it be?!?!"
"Get over it. If you really want her, then it wouldn't matter. For the past three days now, she's been falling in love with the Masked Duelist. And that's you. Now that she knows it is you, she'll love you even more. Right?"
"I guess, but-"
"But Nothing! Once the semi-finals are over, it'll just be you and Wheeler. And with my help and guidance, this will be the last duel Wheeler ever plays."
"I can't believe him!" Kagome said, furious. "He's been gone for three weeks, making me worry, and the whole time he's been playing Duel Monsters! How could he do this to me?!"
"I think it's sweet that he would do this," Tea said. "He's given you every card he's won. Shouldn't that mean something?"
"Only that he's an idiot," Kagome said. "He's probably only doing this so he can play against Joey. I can't stand his jealousy!"
"It is Inu-yasha's way," Keade said behind her.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked the old woman.
"When I was a girl, my sister entertained many different suitors who wanted to court her. She only entertained them out of courtesy, since they traveled such long ways to see her. One such suitor was a young nobleman. who refused to leave unless she agreed to become his bride. In response, Inu-yasha challenged him, and they fought for two days and two nights. When sun dawned the third day, Inu-yasha returned to the village, battered, bruised, but the victor."
"Wasn't Kikyo mad?" Shippo asked.
"Only because she was afraid for Inu-yasha. She feared for him, more than she feared herself." ( Keade then had a memory of her sister, hitting Inu-yasha many times over the head with her bow, shouting 'You idiot! You could have been killed!' while Inu-yasha screamed, 'OW! OW! What did I do?! OW!!') "When Inu-yash loves someone," Keade continued, "He fights for them. And he loves you, Kagome, with all his heart."
Kagome was shocked. He loved her? Really loved her? When the looked back again, Joey's duel with Bandit Keith was over, thanks to the card Mai had given him; Dust Tornado. He'd played Dust Tornado, destroying Array of Revealing Light, then Hinotoma, which took 500 points out of Keith's life points, and then attacking with Blazing Inpachi.
When it was over, the announcer called out The Masked Duelist. Then, he announced, "Tomorrow's finalists are Joey Wheeler and The Masked Duelist! They will compete for the 5 Million Yen prize," But then, Inu-yasha whispered into the announcer's ear again, and the announcer added, "And The Masked Duelist wishes to Duel Joey Wheeler for Kagome Higurashi's love?!" As the audience gasped and cheered and shouted, Kagome thought again about what Keade had told her. He had fought against a nobleman, a trained warrior, for two days, with just his two hands, just for Kikyo. Now he was fighting in a Duel Monsters Tournament for four days just for her. What did it all mean? Did he really love her that much?
Chapter 3
The Semi-finals: Masked Duelist Identified!
The preliminaries lasted for two whole days, and by the third day, the semi finals had begun. People in the stands were wearing Masked Duelist t-shirts, waving flags and posters. He was now considered the heavy favorite in the Tournament.
As Kagome and the others took their seats, Kagome heard a familiar little voce cheering, "Yay! Go Masked Duelist!"
"Shippo?" Kagome said, spinning around in her seat. "Keade? Whata re you-? How did you-?"
"I told her the Tournament," Shippo siad, proudly displaying his Masked Duelist t-shirt. "She wanted to come."
:I'm told he's heavily favored in this contest." The old priestess said, waving a flag.
"But how did you get here?" Kagome inquired.
:"The large horse-less carriage called a bus. Tell me, child, what does 'exact change' mean?"
"Great," Kagome said, slumping in her seat. But she perked once she saw the Masked Duelist coming out with the rest of the semi finalist, which included Joey and Weevel Underwood. Kagome recognized him from Kaiba's Duelist Ball. What was that little sleaze doing here?
Then, the announcer stepped into the ring, and started his speech. "Of these eight contestants, only two will go into the finals!" he said, the crowd cheering for their favorite. Only Yugi, Tristan, and Tea really cheered for Joey now. Kagome was confused about who she wanted to win. The Mysterious Masked Duelist, who's showed such chivalry and admiration, or Joey who just went on and on about beating every guy he was put up against. On top of it all, she was still concerned about Inu-yasha, who had been missing for nearly three weeks. Where was he during all this? Watching over her like a guardian angle, or was he off being his usual half demon self? But her thoughts were interrupted by the announcer.
"Before we begin,. We will assign numbers to our semi finalists! Computer, make the matches!" and a huge screen showed who was up against who first.
"Now remember," Kaiba said, "I want Inuyasha and Weevel matched against each other for the first round. And Weevel had better at least try to win."
The Masked Duelist was faced against Weevel Underwood. The little pest had the upper hand for a lot of turns with his's Arsenal Bug. It was a three star monster with 2000 attack and defense points, and no matter what the Masked Duelist did, he couldn't get rid of the extra four star monsters that were on the field. But then, the Masked man played Swords of Revealing Light, and three turns later he was able to summon Buster Blader with the help of Soul Exchange magic card. He beat Weevel, and took the Arsenal Bug. Again, he gave the spoils of war to Kagome. This time when she went to claim her prize, she grabbed his hand before he could turn away. This caused him to look directly at her, and for the first time in three days, she saw his eyes.
"Inu-yasha?" she whispered in shock. But he closed his eyes, yanked his hand away, and ran from the ring. This time, though, she chased after him, not caring what anyone thought. She had to find out if it was really Inu-yasha or not! She ran all the way to Kaiba's private box, where Kaiba's hired goons forced her away from the door.
"But I know who he is!" she yelled at the muscle men.
"He is an unknown in the Dueling world, and none but Master Kaiba knows his origins," the biggest thug said. "You aren't authorized to be here, so leave or we will escort back you to your seat."
Kagome stared up that the body guard, then turned smartly and went back to her seat. It had to be Inu-yasha. She was sure if it…She guessed.
Joey stepped into the ring, and looked around. He was ready for whoever they threw at him. Just then, someone came running up to the ring. It was a kid.
"Hey Mr Wheeler," the little boy said to him. "A pretty lady in the stands asked me to give you this." He held up a card, called Dust Tornado. Joey looked up into the stands where the kid had pointed, hoping to see Kagome. But then he saw…could it be? Mai? Mai Valentine!? She was here? As he looked up at her, she winked at him, and held up her hand in a V for victory sign. She was behind.
Joey slipped the card into his deck, and turned to face his opponent. One Bandit Keith. They had faced each other during Duelist Kingdom, and Joey knew he would beat the lousy cheater just like last time.
"Well runt, looks like it's you and me again," Keith said.
"What are you duelin for this time, Bandit Keith? The money? Or are you tryin to reclaim your title?"
"Neither, runt. I just wanna give that Masked Guy a swift punch in the mouth after I beat him!"
"Sorry, but you won't get the chance. I'm winnin this duel today."
"We'll see, Wheeler." the thug said as he shuffled his deck.
"Bandit Keith has won the toss up, so let the Duel Begin!" the announcer said, getting out of the ring.
"First, I play the Field Magic Card, Array of Revealing Light!" Bandit Keith called out, the field glowing with dozens of lights. "And I declare that Pyro Types can't attack during the turn they're summoned. Next I play Battle Ox in attack mode, and end my turn."
"Alright," Joey said, drawing a card. "I'm about to blow your strategy, Keith," Joey said, "Cause I summon Masaki The Legendary Swordsman in attack mode!"
"Ha! You think that puny little thing is gonna stop me?"
"It will now, cause I equip Masaki with Scroll of Bewitchment! That changes him from a Earth Monster to a Fire Monster. And now I equip him with Salamandra, giving him 1800 points! That's more than you're Battle Ox, so you can't attack me. Now I'm gonna lay a card face down and end my turn."
"You're dead meat, Wheeler," Bandit Keith said, drawing a card.
Suddenly, Joey called, "Reveal face down card: Lightforce Sword! The card you just drew goes out of play for four turns."
"D&%# you Wheeler!"
"My turn now. Masaki, attack his Ox!" and the Samurai warrior charged and destroyed the Ox with his flaming sword.
Inu-yasha watched Joey's duel from Kaiba's private box. "You sure went through a lot of trouble to make sure Joey fought these know-nothing opponents."
"Bandit Keith used to be one of the best Duelists in the world until Wheeler beat him in Duelist Kingdom. He's the most experienced player Wheeler's faced the entire Tournament. But he still won't be ready to face you." Kaiba said as Inu-yasha started covering his face again.
"I don't want to go back out there," Inu-yasha said. "Kagome knows it's me. She saw my eyes."
"So what?"
"I'm the only one here with yellow eyes you idiot!!!" Inu-yasha shouted. "Who else would it be?!?!"
"Get over it. If you really want her, then it wouldn't matter. For the past three days now, she's been falling in love with the Masked Duelist. And that's you. Now that she knows it is you, she'll love you even more. Right?"
"I guess, but-"
"But Nothing! Once the semi-finals are over, it'll just be you and Wheeler. And with my help and guidance, this will be the last duel Wheeler ever plays."
"I can't believe him!" Kagome said, furious. "He's been gone for three weeks, making me worry, and the whole time he's been playing Duel Monsters! How could he do this to me?!"
"I think it's sweet that he would do this," Tea said. "He's given you every card he's won. Shouldn't that mean something?"
"Only that he's an idiot," Kagome said. "He's probably only doing this so he can play against Joey. I can't stand his jealousy!"
"It is Inu-yasha's way," Keade said behind her.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked the old woman.
"When I was a girl, my sister entertained many different suitors who wanted to court her. She only entertained them out of courtesy, since they traveled such long ways to see her. One such suitor was a young nobleman. who refused to leave unless she agreed to become his bride. In response, Inu-yasha challenged him, and they fought for two days and two nights. When sun dawned the third day, Inu-yasha returned to the village, battered, bruised, but the victor."
"Wasn't Kikyo mad?" Shippo asked.
"Only because she was afraid for Inu-yasha. She feared for him, more than she feared herself." ( Keade then had a memory of her sister, hitting Inu-yasha many times over the head with her bow, shouting 'You idiot! You could have been killed!' while Inu-yasha screamed, 'OW! OW! What did I do?! OW!!') "When Inu-yash loves someone," Keade continued, "He fights for them. And he loves you, Kagome, with all his heart."
Kagome was shocked. He loved her? Really loved her? When the looked back again, Joey's duel with Bandit Keith was over, thanks to the card Mai had given him; Dust Tornado. He'd played Dust Tornado, destroying Array of Revealing Light, then Hinotoma, which took 500 points out of Keith's life points, and then attacking with Blazing Inpachi.
When it was over, the announcer called out The Masked Duelist. Then, he announced, "Tomorrow's finalists are Joey Wheeler and The Masked Duelist! They will compete for the 5 Million Yen prize," But then, Inu-yasha whispered into the announcer's ear again, and the announcer added, "And The Masked Duelist wishes to Duel Joey Wheeler for Kagome Higurashi's love?!" As the audience gasped and cheered and shouted, Kagome thought again about what Keade had told her. He had fought against a nobleman, a trained warrior, for two days, with just his two hands, just for Kikyo. Now he was fighting in a Duel Monsters Tournament for four days just for her. What did it all mean? Did he really love her that much?