Ieyre: (sneaks onto 'set', looking guilty)
Readers: (spot her) THERE SHE IS! (start throwing random objects)
Ieyre: (covers self with arms) Ow! I'm-ow! Sorry about not updating!
Yami Ieyre: (grins)
Ieyre: (glowers) Quiet, you. Even though you're technically not doing anything.
Yami Ieyre: ...Right.
Ieyre: No time for reviewers today! And sorry about the long wait for this cruddy chapter. Enjoy, if you don't puke first. Oh, and I changed the names to the Japanese ones for no discernible reason. Have a Sirius Black plushie (hands all readers a complimentary 'Sirius Black plushie'). And now, on with the plotless fic!
Yugi carefully opened the giant tome.
"This is incredible..."
Ryou, staring at the book intently, unconsciously clenched the gold ring around his neck. In response, its center glowed brightly for a moment. Only Yugi noticed this, from the corner of his eye.
"It's just...I mean, what Oda-san told us was weird enough...but the fact that THIS book was Kaiba's favorite as a child..."
"Yes, well, the priest's incarnate is a strange one, though, granted, no stranger than the first. His role 3,000 years ago seems to be resurfacing..."
Honda, Jonouchi, and Anzu all jumped as Ryou Bakura-or rather, his altar ego-snatched the book and began flipping through it absently.
"Hmmm...well, I see the brat centered in on the important things...Pharaoh, why don't you come out here and show your ugly face? This MIGHT interest you."
The Millennium Puzzle glowed, and Yugi's large purple eyes flashed crimson.
"What are you suggesting, thief?"
"Take a look."
Yami Yugi snatched the book from Yami Bakura, and closely examined the page he had marked with his hand.
"...By Ra..."
"Apparently the Kaiba we know wasn't ALWAYS in denial about his past...see for yourself."
The spirit handed a bewildered Anzu the book.
"Wow...that's what he was, wasn't it?"
Jonouchi snatched it from her as well.
"Lemme' see!"
The page was ornate with an illustration of beautiful royal garb.
High Priest garb, historians assumed.
Scribbled in the margins of the pages were little informative and inquiring notes.
"I have observed the large amount of jewelry the royals were supposed to have worn. My question: How would a young prince and priest get around and have fun with so much ornamentation? I have no idea why I assume that princes and priests even associated with each-other, let alone, 'got around and had fun', only that it seems like something they would do. Doesn't it?"
Bakura read Seto's little 'notes to himself' in a singsong voice, but even he was impressed by the child's insight and prevalent past influences.
"Wait a minute...you're the OTHER Ryou, aren't you?"
Everyone but Jonouchi fell down.
"What??? I was just asking!"
Yami flipped to the back of the book, finding an index and note section, where Seto had filled most of the lines and margins.
"'I have noticed in my studies of Ancient Egypt and most peculiar phenomena over-looked by every famous Egyptologist I have researched. There is a gap, two generations in human standards, about 50 years, with no recordings of any Pharaoh, dynasty, or anything at all. Hieroglyphs widely recognized by the archaeological community do not document this "mystery age" at all. Yet I have yet to find a single piece of literature that examines the possible reasons for these "forgotten years". Nothing. I even asked ojiisan and he said he would talk to a friend of his in archeology about it. I feel, somehow, akin to this era of mystery. I wonder why?'"
"Hn...that sniveling twerp of a reincarnate priest is onto something here...his 'forgotten years' are yours and mine, Pharaoh."
"Are they?"
Bakura the thief smirked.
"Didn't you know?" He disappeared back into his ring, and the Pharaoh did the same, slightly miffed. Regular Ryou and Yugi stood in their places.
"Very sorry about that..." Ryou blushed. "He tends to pop up with out invitation."
"Bakura was right, though. Kaiba's notes and interest in Egypt altogether prove that he was in tune with destiny at a young age." Yugi pointed out.
"Wonder what happened..."
There was a long silence.
"OH! I almost forgot!"
Jonouchi pulled out the folded piece of paper.
"Oda-san gave this to me...she said I'd need it."
Carefully he opened the scrap and read it.
"It's an address!"
Everyone started.
"Really, Jonouchi? Let me see." He handed Anzu the paper.
Sure enough, "1245 Nobunaga St. and 40th, Kyoto, Japan. Fukawari Kono."
"Fukawari...that name sounds familiar." said Yugi, half to himself.
"So, are we supposed to go to this address? Should we go back and ask her?"
Jonouchi shook his head.
"No, Honda. We should give that woman a rest. She's been through a lot."
Yugi probably wouldn't like it that I told her about Kaiba, either.
"All right then, guys...we should go."
The neighborhood they had found was completely different from Mariko's- middle class, and by the looks of it, family-oriented. A few boys were playing in the street.
"It should be around here...hey, kid!"
Jonouchi called to the closest one.
"Nani, mister?"
"You know where someone by the name of Fukawari Kono lives?"
"Fukawari...uh, yeah. That's his house at the end of the block."
They smiled at their good fortune.
"Hey, Isamu, what are these guys asking you about?" The kid's ball friends walked over to them.
"They just wanted to know where Fukawari-san lives." He replied nonchalantly.
"Really?" said a dark-haired boy chewing bubble-gum. He turned to the teens. "What are you guys, friends of Yuki's?"
"Yuki? Oh, no, you must be confusing us with someone else." said Yugi, puzzled.
"Oh...well, bye then!" And they ran off to continue their game without another word.
Yugi-tachi sweatdropped.
"Weird kids..." Honda voiced.
"Ditto." replied Jonouchi.
They walked down the block to their destination, Anzu admiring the vicious dog-free gardens, everyone else just sort of staring.
They got to the front of the house. It had none of the splendor of Mariko's estate, but every bit more charm. Small and clean-cut looking, with white shingles and blue paint, the home was quaint and looked as if someone actually cared about it.
"Shall we go?"
"Déjà vu..." Anzu muttered as they walked up the front stoop.
Jonouchi rapped on the door a few times to signal their arrival.
They had been waiting for about half a minute when the door opened and a pair of be-speckled eyes looked out at them. Deeming them worthy for an opened door, the eyes' owner did just that.
Before them stood an elderly gentlemen. He was of average height, with an intelligent and curious look on his face. In his right hand was an ornate cane.
The two parties stared at each other for a second, almost a moment of understanding. But as soon as it had come, it passed, and Bakura (the cute one) cleared his throat.
"Is this the home of Fukawari Kono?"
"I am he." Fukawari Kono smiled, almost knowingly. Much to Yugi-tachi's s surprise, he stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture with his hand. "Please, do come in." He turned into the house and started walking, door still open. Perplexed, Jonouchi followed, and soon the rest of the group did as well.
The inside of the house, like the outside, was homey and cozy. The old man led them to a study, where they sat down in a high-backed chair. He gestured at a couch, inviting them to sit down.
When they were all comfortably seated, he spoke.
"Yugi Mouto...what can I do for you?"
"Well, sir, I-" Yugi stopped dead. "...Wait...how do you know my NAME?"
Mr. Fukawari smirked slightly.
"Well...you're quite a famous young man, aren't you?"
"...Only among people involved in games, particularly Duel Monsters..." Yugi said slowly.
"That would cause you to believe something about me, wouldn't it, Yugi Mouto?"
"...That you're involved in games...?" Jonouchi answered for Yugi, stupidly.
"Correct! Mr. Jonouchi, you've done it!"
The five teens sweat-dropped at the crazy old dude.
"Yugi, tell me...how is your grandfather? It's been a long time since I last saw him, you know." continued Mr. Fukawari, off-handedly.
"Nani?? You know my grandpa, too?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Yugi fell over in surprise.
"How do you Gramps?" Jonouchi asked, bewildered.
"Sugoroku Mouto and I used to be on the game circuit together...back in the day..."
"Back in the day?" Anzu asked.
"Back in the day...when I still had hair, young lady." Mr. Fukawari beamed. "I used to own a game shop and play games professionally.
"Really?" Yugi was very surprised, to say the least.
Either this is the biggest coincidence in the history of the world, or...
"I imagine that it wasn't for your grandfather you came...its been years since I've heard from him..." He trailed off. "SO, what CAN I help you with?"
There was an awkward pause.
"Mariko Oda gave use this address." Anzu said, finally.
"I suspected as much."
Everyone fell over AGAIN.
"Wow, Mr. Fukawari...you seem to know a lot of things even WE don't." said Jonouchi, sweat-dropping.
He smiled.
"Not really...it's been years since I've spoken to Mariko as well. She always struck me as being a bit, er, high-strung, when I knew her, so...well, I suppose she was pleasant enough with me..."
"She was awfully broken when we visited her." Anzu sighed softly. She didn't like to see anyone unhappy.
"About Seto, I'm sure."
Everyone started.
"What...? Than you knew-"
"Of course, of course. I'm amazed Mariko herself hasn't noticed her nephew on the cover of countless magazines and newspapers...I wonder if she gets the newspaper..." He finished, half to himself. "I keep track of him, you see. I like to know what he and his brother are up-to."
Yugi-tachi was astonished.
"Wait..." said Jonouchi, finally. "How do you know Kaiba?"
"...'Kaiba'...? Ah, yes. Him. Well, I don't."
"You...don't...but you just said-"
"Ahh, here's the thing. I said I knew SETO. I've never met 'Kaiba'."
"Fine." said Jonouchi. How do you know SETO, then?"
"And my grandpa!" Yugi added.
Fukawari thought for a moment.
"Hm...which question to answer first? I might as well go in order, in any case."
He gestured to Yugi.
"I met your grandfather many years ago at a Go tournament." He began. "Neither of us were participating, as it was a championship in Nagoya, and we were both young and inexperienced. Go is something that truly improves with age..." he trailed off dreamily, "...To any extent, we were both spectators. We were watching the semi-finals, one of them anyway, and I unwittingly made an, er-comment-about the players' strategies."
"You mean?"
"Hai. Kibitzing. At least that's what THEY called it. Making any sort of comment, at that level of play, warranted being kicked out of the hall for the remainder of the tournament.
"They were about to do just that-kick me out-when your grandfather cut it. He vouched for me. Claimed that we were friends, and that he knew one of the players in the game, and that my punishment was too harsh. He said he would accompany me outside while the game of go was finished.
"I couldn't believe they fell for it..."
"Well, you're home free. We can just go back inside when they're done."
"Why...why did you defend me...back there? We've never even met!"
"Yes...well, I've been watching you since the start of this tournament. Am I right in thinking you've been watching me as well?"
"...Fair enough. You intrigue me. What is your name?"
"Mouto, Sugoroku Mouto. You?"
"Fukawari Kono. Tell me, Mouto...why were you watching me?"
"You seemed nice. Why were you watching me?"
"I think it was because you were watching me first."
"We just laughed. We were very alike...very different as well. A dangerous combination...we became both close friends and fierce rivals."
"Rivals? In what?" Yugi was temporarily distracted from Kaiba by the story.
"In many different things...games, mostly. We both loved games. We used to play each other...oh, in just about everything. Young, hotheaded men are prone to a sort of...rivalry, as well you know." He nodded his head in Yugi's direction.
"Oh, I see. So, you knew my grandpa HOW well?"
"Quite well. I used to own a game shop here in Kyoto, before retiring."
"Wow! So you and Mouto-san were also rivals in that area, too?"
"Of course not, dear...different cities."
Anzu blushed.
"Oh, I forgot..."
There was a moment of uneasy quiet.
"...Fukawari-san?"
"Hm?" He drew his attention from Jonouchi, whom he had been studying, to Yugi.
"I was wondering...how did you know Oda-san sent us here?"
The old man sighed wearily.
"Ah. Your question, Mr. Jonouchi, is about to be answered."
Jonouchi raised an eyebrow.
"This house..." The old man got up from his chair and walked over to the window overlooking the street. The children were still playing ball, laughing and running around.
He stared in silence.
"I have lived here for almost 13 years, now. But it seems just yesterday that I first set foot in this building. Most of the people in the neighborhood were young families, I felt out of place from the start. I was walking down the street over there," He pointed out the window, "With a ridiculous number of bags and no one helping me carry them. Several neighborhood children came to, er, watch me. They found my predicament so amusing that they took it upon themselves to shout out...words of encouragement."
"So basically you're saying they made fun of you."
"Quite. Until another boy stepped in."
They all knew what was coming next.
"It was a slight boy, only three years old. He told off the other children, then recruited his parents to help me." He smiled reminiscently. "His parents were very kind, and we remained close friends for...the rest of their lives. And as for Seto, the boy-" he grinned, "-he enjoyed his time in this house immeasurably. So much, in fact, that I began to think of him as...a surrogate grandson, I suppose." His face was suddenly very grave.
"Naturally, we did many different things...but one favorite of mine was to pass on my expertise." He looked exceptionally pleased. "I never dreamed it would serve him so well."
"Wait...you're saying you taught the Seto Kaiba how to play?" Anzu gaped.
"Yes, well, you don't see him giving credit where credit is due, do you?"
Fukawari-san was still smiling.
"I've wanted to visit him for some time you see, but I knew he could have easily contacted me if he wanted to...and so obviously I didn't."
He sighed heavily.
"I don't want to trouble him-I know he's made a new life for himself. I've seen who he's become."
He smiled again.
"But when he was small-oh, the times we had! I've never met a cleverer child, more willing to learn. Even back in those days I was no spring chicken-I was often bedridden. And he would stick by me. He used to sit by my bed and peel apples for me to eat. And I taught him...an exceptional boy."
There was a long silence.
"And I wasn't the only one who enjoyed his company..."
Suddenly, the door banged open, and they could hear footsteps.
"Ojiisan! Ojiisan! I'm here!"
A girl, about their age, ran haphazardly into the room, knocking something over in the process. Her long, black hair was tied in a high ponytail, and it hung around her shoulders, framing her face. She was smiling at first, but at the sight of them she frowned. Her looks darkened even more after seeing Jonouchi and Honda.
"What're you lot doing here? Don't you know this is a private residence?"
Ieyre: Well, that was crap. A crappy birthday present to myself.
Yami Ieyre: (to readers) It was her birthday yesterday.
Ieyre: And this chapter is really (expletive deleted).
Yami Ieyre:......Woah, you have issues today. I think we should just finish up...
Ieyre: Yeah, whatever. Oh, and by the way, Fukawari-san is based on a real character from the first Yu-Gi-Oh! series, that thing with teaching Seto games and the apple thing is loosely based on one of the 'Death-T' characters from the original TV series. Except he was dead in that, and Seto brought back his brain Oo...yeah, my baby's a little disturbed. And obsessed with 'putting the past behind him' (He should hang out with Simba). But I love him anyway.
Yami Ieyre:............
Ieyre: R&R!