Light Dragon and Dark Magic
Chapter 2 –Enter the Dragon
"And in other news, the market took an unexpected up turn this morning with Kaiba Corporation once again in the lead with a fifty percent gain," the radio announced over the speakers in the back seat of the black limo and 15 year old Seiko Kaiba tapped her foot.
"Only fifty percent gain," she muttered and crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. School had once again been drudgery, and she wanted to relax and get out of her uniform. The foolish pink jacket, she had removed it, and tore off the blue bow, unbuttoning her blouse so that it reveled a cord that hung around her neck attached to a card shaped locket, and some of her cleavage. She snapped open her sapphire blue eyes and stared out the tinted window, pulling out the braid that she methodically had put in early that morning during her daily ritual of dressing for school. She could have gone to a high ranking private school; her exam scores were that good. But going to Domino allowed her the chance to have ten minutes of free time before having to pick up Mokuba from his school. And she liked having the time to herself; she wouldn't have to deal with the little brat.
She glanced out as they stopped by a light and noticed several teenagers coming out of a shop with a red awning and "Kame" perched above it in bright yellow letters. They, these teens, seemed rather pleased with their purchase.
"Pull over," Seiko ordered and the driver did so, and then let her out. She stepped out of the limo, carrying her silver, titanium briefcase. Standing at six foot two inches tall, Seiko had the elegant appearance of a high fashion model. Her long hair reached down to the small of her back, if she left it down, which was never. And her shape was very befitting of her height; well shaped torso that she knew the boys at school looked at, after all what guy could ignore a set of good looking breasts. Her legs were long, and her face quite pretty to look at, it was her eyes that drew the men that she dealt with in. She walked quickly into the shop. Her first impression as she came in was, as she smirked, What a dump, but seems like they know their games.
She heard the door chimes chingled as she glanced around and saw three teenagers standing before the counter. She recognized them at once from her class and smirked quietly at them. The tall blonde she knew as Katsuya Jounouchi –a reformed bully as some air head idiots called him when she over heard them talking in the girls bathroom. Her eyes shifted to a girl with bobbed dark brown hair, and eyes as blue as hers. Anzu Mazaki was a bit of a tomboy, and known for being some what of a cheerleader. The boy in the center was who she was surprised by. His tri color star shaped hair was so easy to recognize it would be hard to miss him, even if he was only five feet in height, Yugi Mutou.
Seiko remember the day she transferred into their class two weeks after school had started. Back then she had not gotten her uniform, so she was wearing a white jacket and matching pants with gold leaflets on the collar and down the front boarder. Her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, and she noticed that a girl with purple hair and a yellow hair ribbon was wearing it the same way. She decided to not wear her hair up so high anymore at school if it meant that she would look like overly peppy lavender haired girl.
"Class," Ms Chono had announced for homeroom, "I'd like you all to welcome your new class mate Seiko Kaiba."
"Hello," she had replied politely and glanced over the room thinking, Losers, the whole lot of them. Just be polite and don't make eye contact.
"Ms. Kaiba," Chono said politely –but the smile on her lips did not meet her eyes. Seiko knew at once she didn't trust the woman. "You can sit across from Ms. Nosaka over there."
The girl with purple hair raised her hand and waved at Seiko, and she made her way over to where Nosaka was sitting, then sat down next to her never once meeting Nosaka's smile. During break the girl, Miho as Seiko learned her name was, had chirped up.
"I love your uniform. What school is if from?"
Seiko glanced up from the essay book that she was reading, it was by a rather famous Russian author. Miho's good natured smile faltered when Seiko smirked. "It's not from a school; I was taught at home; this uniform was designed just for me. It's one of a kind, and I doubt anyone like you would be able to afford it. Besides…I'm sure that cheap dye you use on your hair would just stain up the silk."
Seiko had just glimpsed back to her book, and began to read again when she heard a chipper voice chirp, "But Jounouchi, gag manga is awesome…you shouldn't put it down so fast like that."
"Yeah, Yeah, you keep tellin' me that, and I still don't get it Hanasaki." An informal voice with a street edge said back and a youthful laugh followed.
"Jounouchi, there's nothing to get. It's just meant to be funny."
"Whatever," said the second voice, "So Yug, you got any new games in that back pack of yours?"
Seiko's ears had perked up at the mention of games, and she peeked over at the group. There were three boys, one sitting two standing around a desk. The boy sitting was the one addressed as Yugi, his hair had caught her attention as the yellow bangs clashed with the black spiked hair and the magenta borderline. The other two were Katsuya and the boy called Hanasaki, who was as tall as Yugi, but with light brown hair and glasses. Seiko watched as Yugi brought out a set of stackable blocks and they began to play.
"You always bring the coolest games," laughed Hanasaki, and Yugi smiled.
"Well he gets first dibs because his family owns a game shop," laughed Jounouchi as he stacked another block. They were laughing and joking and she remembered how easy it was for Yugi to smile.
Now he stood before the counter and she called out to him, "Yugi?"
He glanced over his shoulder, and she walked over.
"What are you doing here? Huh, is this your family's game shop?"
Yugi turned around and smiled as the old man behind the counter said, "Welcome, come right in young lady."
"Kaiba. Nice to see you. " Yugi said and Seiko nodded.
"Hello."
"Huh?" said Jounouchi looking at her and Yugi nudged him in the ribs.
"Seiko Kaiba, from our class Jounouchi. Remember she sits next to Miho."
"Oh, yah, right. Nice to see you," Jounouchi said, and she nodded to him, then noticed the cards in his hands.
"So you play Duel monsters too?" her question was at Yugi, and he smiled as she added, "So not just into board games huh."
"Yes, actually. You play too?" She nodded and Yugi smiled brightly along with Jounouchi. "That's great. We we're going to play tomorrow at school after lunch. Want to join our group?"
She paused, looked at him a moment then to Jounouchi, then scoffed and started to laugh out loud, "Excuse me, did I hear you right?"
"Oh, sorry," Yugi's smile seemed to loose some of the peppy nature. "I just asked if you wanted to…"
"Join your group, I heard." Seiko chuckled, Is he serious? She smirked and looked at him with her head tilted and set down her case, raising her eyebrows.
"Yugi…." He looked at her with a shy smile. "Give me a break! Really! Neither of you are in my league. Why would I want to…"
Jounouchi cocked an eyebrow, "Hey whaddaya mean by that?"
She smirked and lowered her eyelids, "I mean…I've been playing the game longer then either of you have, and I've gotten pretty good at it. Even better then some of the pros who are much older then me."
She walked over and looked down at the cards in Jounouchi's hand, "Let me see them."
"Huh?"
"You're cards, let me see them. If they're good I'll think about joining your little group."
Jounouchi, a bit reluctantly, handed over his new deck and she looked over the cards one by one, carefully –like a jeweler would a group of diamonds. Seiko made mental notes on how many stars, tributes, attack and defense points, effect and any other significant information on the card. She laughed and then threw the cards back at him.
"Ha! Please! These are beginner's cards –stage one –a damn starter's deck. All useless, unless you're trying to beat a toddler."
"Hey! My cards! What are you doin'?" Jounouchi shouted catching the flying cards, and Yugi picked up the ones that landed on the floor.
"You're not planning to play with a toddler, are you? I mean," she looked at him and grinned in a sarcastic way, "I could see a small fry like you trying to beat a toddler, but seeing these cards –I would even bet an infant could beat you. Come back when you've collected at least ten thousand cards. Then we'll talk."
"Grrrr…" Jounouchi growled at her and spat, "And what makes you so special?!"
Seiko smirked putting a hand on her hip, a sharp look in her eyes, "You couldn't compete with me. I'm on an international level. Let me tell you, it would be utterly pointless for you to try and duel me –you'd only wind up humiliating yourself. My deck would wipe the floor with you."
"Oh ya you…"Jounouchi shot daggers at her and she laughed as he said, "She really pisses me off!"
"Jounouchi, calm down –I'll play with you." Yugi said trying to calm his friend down. Seiko smirked again, catching Jounouchi's eye and he glared at her fiercely. She let out a chortle and walked over to the counter, passing Mazaki and ignored the scowl that was on the other girl's face.
"Don't worry, Jounouchi. She doesn't know what she's talking about." Seiko heard Anzu say and looked over her shoulder, and held up a card in her finger.
"Oh, don't I." She turned to face them, still holding up the card. "This –is the ONLY –decent card in his deck. The flame swords man; Not much –but decent."
Seiko threw it back at Jounouchi and smirked, "Better watch it, Small fry –you could get burned if you don't play it right."
She turned quickly to face the old man at the counter and smiled at the old man, her eyes taking in her form. Pervert, she thought and leaned away some.
"You do have some good cards here? I might consider making a purchase…"
"Yes, yes, of course," said the old man and smiled enthusiastically at her.
Excellent, thought Seiko and shifted her eyes over to a card lying on the counter. The air caught in her throat and her eyes widen, "What? No way!"
It's the Blue Eyes! The legendary Blue Eyes White Dragon. What's it doing in a dump like this anyway?! This is incredi… Her hand had reached out to touch the small card with the fierce looking dragon, and it was snapped away shattering her thoughts. The old man was now holding the card, protectively in his hands, as if it were made of the finest gold. Seiko's eyes flashed.
"Wait, old man! Is that the Blue Eyes White Dragon? Let me see it!"
"Oh I'm not…" her eyes bore into him and he lessened his defiance. "Well maybe a look."
He gently placed the card into her hand and Seiko felt her heart beat against her chest as she stared at the card. A level eight, attack at three thousand, not that the defense was cheap, but such a powerful attack. Yes it would need two tributes but who cared about two weak monsters. She'd never seen this card outside of the catalog. Heard stories of it, but to touch it –so rare, so powerful. I'd be undefeatable! No one would beat me. No one…ever!
"Ah –That's enough, Please don't drool on the merchandise, "the old man said to her and she hear a chuckle as he took the card quickly out of her hands. Seiko glanced back to see Jounouchi trying to cover a snigger.
"Nice one Gramps," he said and Seiko looked over at the old man.
Gramps? She took a hard look at him then glanced over at Yugi. Ah –so this is Yugi's grandfather. Hmmmm –Well this is…useful.
"Now, is there something I can do for you?" said Mr. Mutou and Seiko gave him a dull look for a moment; then threw her briefcase upon the counter with a bang, making Sugoroku jump. Her blue eyes narrowed as she opened the case –exposing hundreds of Duel Monster cards. Some very rare –all very powerful. She snarled, "All right, I'm a woman of business. I can take a hint. I'll trade you all these cards for that Blue Eyes White Dragon!"
She heard the gasps behind her, Mazaki, "Oh my Gosh!"
"Holy –A brief case worth a cards!" Jounouchi exclaimed.
"Wow!" Yugi gasped, Seiko glanced back at the trio who watched and she smirked.
You wish you had these don't you.
"Well, "she barked at Suguroku, who sifted through the cards and smiled.
"My –my. Quite a lot of cards you've colleted my dear."
"Yes."
"But I'm sorry. I can't trade it."
Seiko's face fell as she heard the comments behind her.
"Yug. Your grandpa turned her down!"
"Oh wow!"
"Geeze," Yugi was the last person to speak and Seiko closed her eyes snorting.
Next they'll be spouting Golly Gee. Give me a break! She looked over at Mr. Mutou and licked her lower lip. Huh –So the old man doesn't want to sell. He must know how much it's worth. I do –more then what it's worth to him. That card is worth so much more to me then to him. I wouldn't trade it for anything either if it was mine.
"So you're not trading? No matter what I offer?" Seiko said coolly. He nodded.
"I'm sorry my dear, but yes," Sugoroku said gently and looked at her in a kind manner. "Ms. Kaiba was it?" –Seiko nodded and he smiled –"I understand why you want this card so badly…"
Do you really, she thought darkly and frown some, crossing her arms.
"You see I have a special reason for keeping this card," he continued and the others watched him. "It's not because it's such a strong card, but because I treasure it. It was given to me by a friend from America –a gamer like myself. I would feel the same way about it if it was a common card. If you truly treasure –care for -a card respect it, then it will take on a life of it's own. A heart. That is the key –take care of your cards and they will prove to be your greatest ally. It's their hear and it beats with yours…"
He smile at Seiko and put back several cards into her case, "So take care of all of these cards Ms. Kaiba. And they will take care of you."
She looked at him a minute then slammed the lid down, turned and headed out of the store, "Fine. Whatever. Got it, Later…"
Seiko climbed into the limo and crossed her arms. She scowled as the drove towards the elementary school and thought, I will have that card.
Out side the school she spotted her little brother talking to his cohorts of fans. Being a Capsule Monster champion had given Mokuba the same edge that his older sister had, and all the other students admired him, pushing his vanity and ego upwards. But he never seemed to please Seiko…she always wanted him to get better, make it so that no one could ever beat him in a game. When she saw him, Seiko felt her scowl deepen. She didn't like the brats he hung out with –they gave him a bigger ego then she liked him to have. An ego bigger then hers.
"Mokuba!" she called out and he hurried over to the car as the driver let him in.
"You look pissed," her little brother commented. "Someone insult you or something, Neesama?"
She smirked at him, "You wish. Actually I found a very rare card. But the owner refused to sell it."
"You're going to try and get it?" Mokuba asked and Seiko just smirked. "How?"
"Just wait. You'll see."