Ieyre: Hey all! How were the holidays?
Yami Ieyre: *grumbles something unintelligible*
Ieyre:...Right. Well, You can imagine my extreme pleasure upon getting REVIEWS when in Birmingham! It was a truly JOYOUS occasion!
Yami Ieyre: -_- You were complaining about not getting more...
Ieyre: ^_^;; Quiet, you. Now, to the reviewers!
Ranma Higurashi: Yes, quite sad, wasn't it? This chapter is much better, I'm afraid...lots of...anger O_O.
Tuulikki: I'm glad you didn't skip my story, too! I've never seen a story with this kind of examination, either, so I'm quite proud of it ^_^.
Spiderfan: This, well written? Doomo Arigato (the REAL spelling!).
Gohan Hugger: Thanx! I hope this update was soon enough ^_~.
Lone Wolf55: Well, here's your update! It's not as long, unfortunately...
kikoken: ...Um, wow. I had no idea my work was so...emotional. Or 'magnificent'.
Seto-Kaiba's-fan: I'm glad you like this. I like your pen name ^_^.
Angel-Belle: SO MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT!!! But I surprised ya'll, didn't I ^_~?
Lady of the Thread: I'm plausible ^_^! Anyways, thanks for the name, I've only gotten two so far...Gracie and Boom Boom ^_~.
Katsuki: You wanna know what happens next? TOO BAD! You have to wait and read the chapters to find out!!!
Brood Mayran: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY! Thanks for reading my chappy, glad to know my writing's getting better ^_^. And thanks for the name...I've got 2 choices so far. I tried out for my school's musical, too...and didn't get in. Hey, do you know how hard it is to get in when you're a girl, freshman and your school is one of the top ten for drama in the COUNTRY???? Do you????? *shakes fist* DAMN YOU 42ND STREET!!!!!! ...Okay. I'm done.
Yami Ieyre: I can't believe the number of foolish mortal girls who review this piece of sh-
Ieyre: *clocks her*
Yami Ieyre: x_x *falls down*
Ieyre: And now, the chappy!
********************************
"Where are they?"
"Mrs. Oda, I don't think-"
"WHERE!? You know, you know HIM, you said you go to school with him!"
"Yes, well...I do. We do."
"Then why is this so hard??"
"It's just-"
"What?"
"Mrs. Oda...he doesn't know we're here."
Silence.
"He doesn't even know...we know about you."
"......"
"I watched him...throw away your tape, Oda-san...gomensai." Joey was serious, he had that determined look on his face that took a real situation for him to acquire.
She sat down, more calmly then she'd been the whole meeting. No shock, for the most part her facial features stayed the same.
"I suppose I should have expected it from the beginning...after all I'd done..."
Suddenly, Mariko snapped out of her daze, remembering the book she was holding under her arm. She pulled it out, revealing that it was deep blue and bound with a slightly tattered cloth covering. There was also gold writing on the spin, but she was holding it at such an angle that none of them could read it.
"This used to be Seto's. My sis-...Keiko...gave it to him when he was a very small boy. He loved it very much...the last time he was at this house he left it here, and...well, it was several years later, under a stack of newspapers in the basement, that I found it.
"I imagine Seto must miss it. He told me he liked to have it around...that it reminded him of his mother. How she read to him from it, when he was bored or scared...I wanted to return it to him."
She held the book out to Yugi.
"I don't suppose...that you would return it to him for me? You don't have to...to actually GIVE it to Seto, just maybe...mail it to him? He'll...he'll never know you were here that way..." Her voice was low and grave.
"Sure, Mrs. Oda." Yugi took the book gently.
"Thank you."
"...We should probably go, Mrs. Oda."
She nodded, a half smile on her lips.
"Take a few of these photographs, would you? As miserable as it was, Seto should have at least SOMETHING of his early childhood."
Tea took the pictures, already in a small brown sack.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Oda."
Four of the teens turned to leave.
"You guys go ahead. I want to talk to Mrs. Oda."
Joey was still sitting at the couch, facing Mariko, who looked slightly surprised.
"Joey-"
"Just go! I'll be outside in a few minutes. I want to speak with Mrs. Oda...alone."
Yugi stared at his friend for a moment. What could Joey have to say to her?
"All right, then." He nodded, then turned wordlessly toward the door again. The others followed, a bit confused.
When the door shut behind them, Joey turned his attention. He entwined his fingers, placed his elbows on the coffee table, and stared intently into her eyes. Ironically, this was a stance he had seen performed by-you guessed it-Seto Kaiba.
"Well, Joseph? What did you want to say to me?"
Still staring at her, Joey answered.
"Mrs. Oda, in regards to Yugi, there are some things you need to know. Yugi cannot hold a grudge. Yugi does not hate anyone, Yugi does not seek revenge, he always forgives, and he is CONSTANTLY trying to become friends with people.
"I'll be honest with you. Yugi can mince words. Yugi DID mince words. Today.
"You'll notice that Yugi was very vague on the nature of our relationship with your nephew. That is because it is not a good one."
Mariko was staring back intently.
"Your nephew, to put it bluntly, does not like us."
Mariko's eyes widened, but she waved her hand for him to continue. He did.
"Tristan annoys him. Tea he finds boring, Tea's love of people and friendship BORE him! He has no feelings at all for Bakura...
"He at least respects Yugi, but he does not like him. And me..."
His piercing look could have burned holes in the walls.
"For every two minutes of civil conversation between us, there's an hour of fighting. We've NEVER got along. I always assumed it was because of our conflicting personalities, that he was a stuck-up, selfish, jerk.
"My opinion of him was altered when I met Mokuba. He really does care for the kid, almost like a son, and I understand that because I have a little sis, one I care for more than anything else. Your nephew would risk his life for Mokuba..."
Mariko smiled proudly.
"...But to me, he's an enigma. Again, I thought I had him figured, but then...you showed up. And I have a feeling mores about to happen..."
"It's funny...but as you speak now, you sound just as I remember him."
Joey's head snapped up.
"NANI??"
"The boy you describe sounds nothing like the boy I once knew. But what you just said...from your heart...does sound like that child.
"Seto was an extremely honest boy."
"Now he's an honest man...I'm going to go." He stood up and started to the door.
"...Wait, Joey!"
Mariko scribbled something on a scrap of paper, then folded it into fourths.
"Take this...you'll find it useful, trust me."
Joey took the paper, stared at it for a few moments, then looked up.
"I have something for you, too."
Joey pulled out a crumpled magazine from his jacket. It's title read "TECH GADGET". He threw it to Mariko, who caught it, surprised.
"Turn to page 17."
She did as instructed, stared at the page a few moments, then turned white.
"You're looking at the face of Kaiba...Seto Kaiba. Acclaimed technological genius, older brother...and student at my own Domino High."
She gaped like a fish.
"Billionaire."
Her face turned from sheet white to porridge gray in a matter of seconds. He was almost at the door.
"You will see him soon. I promise."
She looked up again, shock turning to happiness. And for a split second, Joey swore he saw a woman on her wedding day.
"It's a deal."
He grinned and walked out the door.
*********************
The group of four teens was waiting outside, about ten yards away from the house.
"Hey, guys, Mrs. Oda just gave me-!"
Joey shut his mouth in surprise as he jogged up to them.
"What're you-?"
He then realized they were crowded around the book Mariko had said was Seto's favorite as a child.
"...Joey, you're not going to believe this..."
"What do you-?"
Yugi turned the book on its side, spin clearly facing Joey.
"...No way..."
Mantra, Mythology and Magic of Ancient Egypt.
"Way."
*****************
Ieyre: Okay, who saw THAT coming???? Huh??? Huh???
Yami Ieyre: -_-. The most pathetic piece of pulpy plot diversion ever placed on paper.
Ieyre:...Lots of 'P's in that sentence, dearest Yami!!
Yami Ieyre: -_-;;;
Ieyre: ^_^ So, sorry about the shortness of this chapter, I just got done with Finals as it were (They sucked!!!). So there wasn't much time to update. I really HATE typing.
Yami Ieyre: LAME excuse.
Ieyre: *cough* So, I've been seriously thinking of using Japanese names in this fic, but the prospect of typing 'Jonouchi' kills that idea. What do you guys think? I would also love to hear what you think is gonna happen next. Later, peace out homies!
Yami Ieyre: Bye, scum of the earth...*is knocked unconscious*
Yami Ieyre: *grumbles something unintelligible*
Ieyre:...Right. Well, You can imagine my extreme pleasure upon getting REVIEWS when in Birmingham! It was a truly JOYOUS occasion!
Yami Ieyre: -_- You were complaining about not getting more...
Ieyre: ^_^;; Quiet, you. Now, to the reviewers!
Ranma Higurashi: Yes, quite sad, wasn't it? This chapter is much better, I'm afraid...lots of...anger O_O.
Tuulikki: I'm glad you didn't skip my story, too! I've never seen a story with this kind of examination, either, so I'm quite proud of it ^_^.
Spiderfan: This, well written? Doomo Arigato (the REAL spelling!).
Gohan Hugger: Thanx! I hope this update was soon enough ^_~.
Lone Wolf55: Well, here's your update! It's not as long, unfortunately...
kikoken: ...Um, wow. I had no idea my work was so...emotional. Or 'magnificent'.
Seto-Kaiba's-fan: I'm glad you like this. I like your pen name ^_^.
Angel-Belle: SO MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT!!! But I surprised ya'll, didn't I ^_~?
Lady of the Thread: I'm plausible ^_^! Anyways, thanks for the name, I've only gotten two so far...Gracie and Boom Boom ^_~.
Katsuki: You wanna know what happens next? TOO BAD! You have to wait and read the chapters to find out!!!
Brood Mayran: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY! Thanks for reading my chappy, glad to know my writing's getting better ^_^. And thanks for the name...I've got 2 choices so far. I tried out for my school's musical, too...and didn't get in. Hey, do you know how hard it is to get in when you're a girl, freshman and your school is one of the top ten for drama in the COUNTRY???? Do you????? *shakes fist* DAMN YOU 42ND STREET!!!!!! ...Okay. I'm done.
Yami Ieyre: I can't believe the number of foolish mortal girls who review this piece of sh-
Ieyre: *clocks her*
Yami Ieyre: x_x *falls down*
Ieyre: And now, the chappy!
********************************
"Where are they?"
"Mrs. Oda, I don't think-"
"WHERE!? You know, you know HIM, you said you go to school with him!"
"Yes, well...I do. We do."
"Then why is this so hard??"
"It's just-"
"What?"
"Mrs. Oda...he doesn't know we're here."
Silence.
"He doesn't even know...we know about you."
"......"
"I watched him...throw away your tape, Oda-san...gomensai." Joey was serious, he had that determined look on his face that took a real situation for him to acquire.
She sat down, more calmly then she'd been the whole meeting. No shock, for the most part her facial features stayed the same.
"I suppose I should have expected it from the beginning...after all I'd done..."
Suddenly, Mariko snapped out of her daze, remembering the book she was holding under her arm. She pulled it out, revealing that it was deep blue and bound with a slightly tattered cloth covering. There was also gold writing on the spin, but she was holding it at such an angle that none of them could read it.
"This used to be Seto's. My sis-...Keiko...gave it to him when he was a very small boy. He loved it very much...the last time he was at this house he left it here, and...well, it was several years later, under a stack of newspapers in the basement, that I found it.
"I imagine Seto must miss it. He told me he liked to have it around...that it reminded him of his mother. How she read to him from it, when he was bored or scared...I wanted to return it to him."
She held the book out to Yugi.
"I don't suppose...that you would return it to him for me? You don't have to...to actually GIVE it to Seto, just maybe...mail it to him? He'll...he'll never know you were here that way..." Her voice was low and grave.
"Sure, Mrs. Oda." Yugi took the book gently.
"Thank you."
"...We should probably go, Mrs. Oda."
She nodded, a half smile on her lips.
"Take a few of these photographs, would you? As miserable as it was, Seto should have at least SOMETHING of his early childhood."
Tea took the pictures, already in a small brown sack.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Oda."
Four of the teens turned to leave.
"You guys go ahead. I want to talk to Mrs. Oda."
Joey was still sitting at the couch, facing Mariko, who looked slightly surprised.
"Joey-"
"Just go! I'll be outside in a few minutes. I want to speak with Mrs. Oda...alone."
Yugi stared at his friend for a moment. What could Joey have to say to her?
"All right, then." He nodded, then turned wordlessly toward the door again. The others followed, a bit confused.
When the door shut behind them, Joey turned his attention. He entwined his fingers, placed his elbows on the coffee table, and stared intently into her eyes. Ironically, this was a stance he had seen performed by-you guessed it-Seto Kaiba.
"Well, Joseph? What did you want to say to me?"
Still staring at her, Joey answered.
"Mrs. Oda, in regards to Yugi, there are some things you need to know. Yugi cannot hold a grudge. Yugi does not hate anyone, Yugi does not seek revenge, he always forgives, and he is CONSTANTLY trying to become friends with people.
"I'll be honest with you. Yugi can mince words. Yugi DID mince words. Today.
"You'll notice that Yugi was very vague on the nature of our relationship with your nephew. That is because it is not a good one."
Mariko was staring back intently.
"Your nephew, to put it bluntly, does not like us."
Mariko's eyes widened, but she waved her hand for him to continue. He did.
"Tristan annoys him. Tea he finds boring, Tea's love of people and friendship BORE him! He has no feelings at all for Bakura...
"He at least respects Yugi, but he does not like him. And me..."
His piercing look could have burned holes in the walls.
"For every two minutes of civil conversation between us, there's an hour of fighting. We've NEVER got along. I always assumed it was because of our conflicting personalities, that he was a stuck-up, selfish, jerk.
"My opinion of him was altered when I met Mokuba. He really does care for the kid, almost like a son, and I understand that because I have a little sis, one I care for more than anything else. Your nephew would risk his life for Mokuba..."
Mariko smiled proudly.
"...But to me, he's an enigma. Again, I thought I had him figured, but then...you showed up. And I have a feeling mores about to happen..."
"It's funny...but as you speak now, you sound just as I remember him."
Joey's head snapped up.
"NANI??"
"The boy you describe sounds nothing like the boy I once knew. But what you just said...from your heart...does sound like that child.
"Seto was an extremely honest boy."
"Now he's an honest man...I'm going to go." He stood up and started to the door.
"...Wait, Joey!"
Mariko scribbled something on a scrap of paper, then folded it into fourths.
"Take this...you'll find it useful, trust me."
Joey took the paper, stared at it for a few moments, then looked up.
"I have something for you, too."
Joey pulled out a crumpled magazine from his jacket. It's title read "TECH GADGET". He threw it to Mariko, who caught it, surprised.
"Turn to page 17."
She did as instructed, stared at the page a few moments, then turned white.
"You're looking at the face of Kaiba...Seto Kaiba. Acclaimed technological genius, older brother...and student at my own Domino High."
She gaped like a fish.
"Billionaire."
Her face turned from sheet white to porridge gray in a matter of seconds. He was almost at the door.
"You will see him soon. I promise."
She looked up again, shock turning to happiness. And for a split second, Joey swore he saw a woman on her wedding day.
"It's a deal."
He grinned and walked out the door.
*********************
The group of four teens was waiting outside, about ten yards away from the house.
"Hey, guys, Mrs. Oda just gave me-!"
Joey shut his mouth in surprise as he jogged up to them.
"What're you-?"
He then realized they were crowded around the book Mariko had said was Seto's favorite as a child.
"...Joey, you're not going to believe this..."
"What do you-?"
Yugi turned the book on its side, spin clearly facing Joey.
"...No way..."
Mantra, Mythology and Magic of Ancient Egypt.
"Way."
*****************
Ieyre: Okay, who saw THAT coming???? Huh??? Huh???
Yami Ieyre: -_-. The most pathetic piece of pulpy plot diversion ever placed on paper.
Ieyre:...Lots of 'P's in that sentence, dearest Yami!!
Yami Ieyre: -_-;;;
Ieyre: ^_^ So, sorry about the shortness of this chapter, I just got done with Finals as it were (They sucked!!!). So there wasn't much time to update. I really HATE typing.
Yami Ieyre: LAME excuse.
Ieyre: *cough* So, I've been seriously thinking of using Japanese names in this fic, but the prospect of typing 'Jonouchi' kills that idea. What do you guys think? I would also love to hear what you think is gonna happen next. Later, peace out homies!
Yami Ieyre: Bye, scum of the earth...*is knocked unconscious*