KK: I got my reviews. Thank you! It meant a lot. And no one flamed me!
I reposted the first chapter, now EDITED.
DISCLAIMER & WARNINGS still apply.
I EDITED this chapter as well. A few minor differences and everything should be good.
YAMIS AND HIKARIS ANONYMOUS
Chapter Two: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward
Domino City Hall, Basement, 8:00 P. M., Wednesday
Mokuba had stacked away the chairs. He had mats on the basement's floor. Today, they were going to do Trust Exercises to build up Communication and Cooperation skills before working on Jeopardy.
Against one wall, there was a small table. Mokuba had supplied a chocolate cake, cookies, chips, and vegetables, as well as dips for the potato chips and veggies.
Mokuba was wearing his nametag. He had also decided to wear a very comfy outfit. He had on faded jeans, worn sneakers and a t-shirt that said 'My Brother Is Seto Kaiba; Don't Mess with Me' that he made himself.
He also had a box full of stuff for the Trust Exercises. Blindfolds, stuff that could be used for a mini obstacle course likes hoops and cones, and a first aid kit in case Bakura or Marik went psycho.
Mokuba had reviewed the tape of the last meeting. They had made progress and then Yugi jumped on Mopsy. No sugar for Yugi EVER.
Mokuba was ready. Especially when Mopsy came in leading Bakura and Ryou. Ryou walked in SMILING. Bakura didn't even wear a harness. PROGRESS!
"Mokuba, I must say, you have talent. You could really help a lot of people." Ryou gushed, giving Mokuba a hug.
"I'll start with Domino and go from there." Mokuba stated.
Mopsy pawed at Mokuba's chest.
"The carrots, right?" Mokuba guessed.
"RAAWWWWWRRR!" Mopsy roared gently.
Mokuba reached into the box and produced TWO bags of carrots.
"RAAAWWWR?" Mopsy tilted his head.
"You made a lot of progress." Mokuba explained.
"He had the least problems." Ryou added.
"Are you mocking Mopsy's progress, you—you hikari!" Bakura yelled.
"You love Mopsy more than me!" Ryou wailed. "Do you realize how jealous I am of Mopsy?"
Ryou ran over to the other side of the room crying, and snacking on veggies and dip.
"Bakura, why don't I watch Mopsy and you go talk to Ryou. He obviously cares a lot about you and feels that you don't return his feelings." Mokuba said.
"But, I don't wanna." Bakura whined.
"And why not?" Mokuba asked, patient as ever.
"Because . . . I . . . IlovehimandIdon'twanttoberejected!" Bakura hissed.
"Oh, Bakura. That's so sweet. Okay, here's the plan. I'll go talk to Ryou, and you tell people to partner up, same partners, and stand in a line." Mokuba said. "Mopsy, unfortunately, you're partnered with me, so you're gonna have to help me be in charge. Make sure Bakura does what I've asked."
"RAAAAAAAAWWWWWR!" Mopsy agreed.
Mokuba walked over to Ryou. He looked at the vegetable platter. All the cucumbers were gone. Ryou likes cucumbers, Mokuba thought.
"Ryou, are you okay?" Mokuba asked.
Ryou looked at him, tears in his eyes. Mokuba gave him a hug.
"Cheer up. Bakura doesn't love Mopsy more than you." Mokuba said.
"Then, why isn't he over here?" Ryou demanded, reaching for a cucumber. "The cucumbers are gone!"
"Calm down." Mokuba said, gentle as always. "Bakura's afraid of rejection. Your anger towards his slight mental issues pushes him farther away from you. You need to embrace Bakura, mental issues and all."
"I guess you're right." Ryou sniffled, grabbing a piece of celery.
"Ryou, put down the vegetable," Mokuba ordered. "Comfort foods are bad for you."
"I don't see how," Ryou sniffed.
"Trust me." Mokuba said, steering him over to where the rest of the group was. Bakura and Mopsy were waiting in front of the line. Yugi and Yami were behind him. Seto and Jou, pointedly ignoring each other, stood behind them. Next were Otogi and Honda who were chatting nicely. Mopsy walked over to Mokuba and stood by him.
"All right," said Mokuba, clapping his hands. "We're almost ready. Where's the Ishtars?"
"We're here!" cried Malik as he bounded in holding Marik's hand.
No birds, exclaimed Mokuba's mind. Nor ferrets.
The two stood behind Otogi and Honda holding hands still.
"All right. We've made some good progress for just one meeting." Mokuba announced. "But some of us haven't."
That point was illustrated with a pointed glare at Seto and Jou.
"Now, form a circle, staying next to your partners." Mokuba ordered. "Around me and Mopsy, circle."
They formed a circle with Seto and Jou creating a wide gap.
"Smaller." Ordered Mokuba. Sure enough, Jou stepped over to within a foot of Seto. "All right. Let's go around and talk about the progress we've made. Ryou, Bakura, how's it going between you two?"
"Well, we talk more." Admitted Ryou.
Gentle applause. First Mokuba, then the rest of the group.
"I even helped clean up the mess when the toaster blew up." Bakura announced.
Applause sounded.
"Yami, Yugi, how have you guys been doing?" asked Mokuba facing the two.
"I've been sugar free for 47 hours and twelve minutes." Yugi announced.
Loud applause.
"And I played Scrabble with Yugi and didn't gloat that I won!" Yami confessed.
Mild applause.
"Seto, have you worked on your people skills?" asked Mokuba.
"I laid off eight employees instead of firing them." Seto said.
Mokuba applauded.
"Jou, how do you feel about your species?" Mokuba inquired.
"Well, I have told off three different people for calling me a dog by informing them that I am indeed human. As such, I deserve the same respect as others. And I also added that they ought to talk to someone about their need to put down other people by labeling them in manners that make them appear superior." Jou informed him.
Loud applause from those who followed Jou's speech.
"Hiroto, do you feel that you are needed more as a friend than a sidekick?" Mokuba asked.
"Yeah. Ryuji and I are getting along pretty well. He's teaching me to play DDM." Honda said.
Applause.
"Ryuji, how are you doing?" Mokuba questioned.
"Good. I befriended Hiroto. I also hired two new employees without bragging about the benefits working in my store offers."
Applause, loudest from Honda.
"Marik, Malik, what's going on between you two?" Mokuba's question was said in a very suggestive manner.
"Well, I was upset with Marik because he broke Ishizu's favorite jar, and she threw a hissy fit at me. So I blamed him. And then he apologized. Later on, he said that he loved me, and we went out to dinner together. So we're officially going out."
"AAAAAAAWWWWWWW!" Mokuba, Ryuji, Hiroto, Jou, and the hikaris said.
"RAAAAAAA!" Mopsy sighed.
"I'm gonna hurl," Bakura moaned. Malik blushed; Marik smirked.
"Okay. That's wonderful. Now, just to make sure we're not just thinking of what we did right; let's see what we've done wrong." Mokuba announced.
"Hey, did you work on your problems?" asked Yami.
"Yes, I held a second meeting. Believe me, it was a close call too." Mokuba confessed. "Now, I'll start on what I did wrong. I unplugged the phone, the answering machine, turned off the computer, and changed my email address so I could relax all Tuesday."
Loud boos came from around the circle.
"Come on guys, by the time I had cleaned up from the animals yesterday, it was nearly midnight. I was up until three A.M. listening to messages. I needed the day off." Mokuba informed them.
"Raaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr," Mopsy said, supporting Mokuba.
"Thanks Mopsy. All right. Katsuya, you start. Seto's next and so on." Mokuba instructed.
"Well, I was walking through the park and I really had to go . . . and the tree was there . . ." Katsuya stuttered. "Well, I could finish my walk if I went and I did."
Seto laughed for a few minutes before regaining control of his emotions and coughed.
"I fired three secretaries on Tuesday," Seto said. "I yelled so loud the building shook."
"Seto!" Mokuba scolded like a mother hen.
"I accidentally chucked the lead pipe from Clue at Yugi when I won." Yami admitted.
"Accidentally?" Yugi questioned. "You practiced that silly victory dance three times, pipe included, before we played."
Bakura and Marik laughed. Ryou and Malik elbowed them. The rest sympathized with Yugi except Honda; why should he feel bad for the person who stole his best friend?
"I—I—well, I ate . . . I had sugar on my cornflakes this morning." Yugi wailed. "I'm a TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE person!"
"Because you stole my best friend," muttered Hiroto under his breath.
"Is that true?" asked Mokuba, being the only one to hear him.
"Is what true?" asked Yugi.
"Did you steal Hiroto's best friend?" Mokuba asked.
"Jou was my best friend; Yugi comes along, and he goes off to duel with Yugi. How could you?" Hiroto hissed.
"Yugi's not my best friend," Jou exclaimed. "You are, Hiroto. Yugi's best friend is Yami, the guy who throws pipes at Yugi's heads."
"It was an accident!" yelled Yami. "It slipped I swear!"
"Liar," Bakura hissed, hoping the fight would get out of hand leading to bloodshed, preferably Yami's.
"I'm not your best friend!" shouted Yugi tears in his eyes.
Mokuba put two fingers in his mouth and whistled.
"All right, let's calm down." Mokuba said, in a calm and gentle tone. "Yugi, Katsuya's best friend is Hiroto because they have a much longer history. You're his good friend. And you do have a best friend in Yami. Hiroto, Jou is your best friend; he just wanted to save his sister and flirt with Mai. And Yami, don't throw any more lead pipes."
Silence presided.
"All right. Now hug and make up." Mokuba instructed.
Yugi threw his arms around Jou and Honda. Yami came over and wrapped his arms around them.
"It's . . . so beautiful," Ryou sobbed.
"I'm gonna hurl," Bakura repeated.
"I'm glad we're not pansies like them," Malik whispered to Marik.
"I know. It's disgusting!"
The four broke apart.
"Much better. Bakura?" Mokuba continued.
"Well, Ryou, you know the gum on the bottom of your sneakers that I told you that Marik put there?" Bakura said.
"Took me an hour to scrape it all off." Ryou replied.
"I did it." Bakura said.
Loud gasps could be heard.
"That's okay. Remember the Oreo's you said tasted funny? That the cream was off?" Ryou said, a devilish smile on his face.
"Yeah. It did taste weird. But you said they wouldn't kill me." Bakura answered.
"Well, that's because it wasn't Oreo cream. It was shaving cream." Ryou told him.
More gasping. Bakura blinked twice before embracing his hikari.
"I'm so proud of you. Except that I replaced your shaving cream with whipped cream again." Bakura said.
"That's why I used your shaving cream."
"How did you outsmart me?"
"Easily."
"Moving on." Mokuba stated. "You two?"
"I tripped Malik when we were out dancing." Marik declared.
"Hey! That was an insult!" Bakura said, rethinking Ryou's earlier response to his outsmart question.
Everyone else sweat dropped.
"In retaliation, I threw out all the beer." Malik continued.
"You said that was Ishizu!" Marik hissed.
"You said tripping me was an accident." Malik growled.
Mokuba began reciting the steps used in CPR in his head as the two glared at each other.
"Oh, I love you anyway," they said simultaneously. Malik threw his arms about his yami.
"All right, Ryuji?" Mokuba prompted.
"I disbanded my cheerleaders." Ryuji said. "And I was mean about it too."
"Well, they are annoying," agreed the rest of the circle.
"Hiroto?" Mokuba dared.
"I . . . well . . . I didn't help Ryuji carry a box he needed with help." Hiroto asserted.
"You told me you pulled a muscle in your shoulder from the last box." Ryuji said.
"I did. Mom took me to the hospital. She won't even let me lift a fork." Honda commented.
"All right. Now," Mokuba said. "We can communicate well, but today we're working on Cooperation."
Bakura groaned. "I'm starting to get the hang of Communication."
"This just means you can be good at something else," Ryou said sweetly, patting Bakura's shoulder.
"Exactly. Let's start with defining our personal spaces. Bakura, Marik, Yami, Honda, and Seto on one side. Partners face them on the other side of the room." Mokuba explained. Everyone got ready.
"All right. When I say so, I want Ryou's side to walk forward slowly. When you get too close to the other person, they'll say stop. Mopsy? Will you help me demonstrate?" Mokuba asked, wondering just how crazy he was to trust a lion.
"RAAAAAWWWWWWWW!" Mopsy agreed, standing by Bakura.
Mokuba lined up next to Ryou. He slowly took small steps towards the lion. A foot away, Mopsy roared the signal.
"Does every one get it?" Mokuba asked.
"Do we have to roar?" Marik asked.
"NO." Mokuba said. "And go."
They slowly advanced. Seto said stop after the first step. Honda was next when Otogi was nearly two feet away. Yami stopped Yugi a good foot and a half away. Bakura stopped Ryou at a half foot. Marik and Malik were holding each other before Mokuba ended that half of the exercise.
"All right, same positions as before. Bakura's side walks." Mokuba said. "And go."
Jou stopped Seto at three feet away. Much more trusting, Mokuba noted. Yugi stopped Yami at two and half feet away. Ryuji let Honda a half foot closer then Honda had. Ryou stopped Bakura only a few inches away. Marik and Malik were holding each other again.
"Good and switch partners. Actually, to avoid a disaster I'll pair you guys up. Yami is with Seto. Ryuji and Ryou. Honda and Malik. Marik and Jou. Yugi and Bakura." Mokuba instructed.
"If this weren't a PG fic Mokuba Kaiba I'd kick your—"Bakura threatened.
"I'd lay off my brother," Seto threatened right back.
"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!" Mopsy defended Mokuba.
Everyone paired off. Bakura's side walked first. Yugi stopped him before he started. Ryuji was five and a half feet from Ryou. Malik let Honda four feet close to him before he stopped. Yami zoned out and didn't realize that Seto was already three and a half feet away. Jou was only a foot from Marik.
"Note the differences. Sometimes a person feels more comfortable with one person than another. Some are really comfortable with people like Marik is. For every exercise he has let his partner closer than any other group." Mokuba pointed out. "We'll continue with Trust Falls. I'm sure you've all done them before but let's do some anyway. Original partners."
Everyone went to his first partner. Mokuba made them re-line up. Bakura was next to Honda. Honda had Jou on his other side. Marik was grinning crazily next to them. Yami was a bit farther from Marik than was really necessary.
"All right, Ryou. The floor is padded, and I brought a first aid kit. Ready? Fall." Mokuba told him.
Ryou took a deep breath and fell backwards. Bakura caught him and swept him into his arms.
"You didn't let me fall!" exclaimed Ryou.
"Of course not! I l—lo—I'd feel b—bad." Bakura lied, setting Ryou on his two feet.
"Okay. Ryuji, you're up next." Mokuba informed him. "And fall back."
Ryuji fell, graceful as the cat he resembled. Honda caught his arms and gently pushed him back on his feet.
"Very nice. Okay, Jou. I feel it's fair to warn you that if you let Seto fall, I can't protect you once you leave and that you have to do it again." Mokuba smiled at the frown on Jou's face. "And fall, big brother."
Seto fell very reluctantly. Jou . . . caught his arms. And stumbled for a few steps. He regained his balance and pushed Seto away.
"Geeze, Seto, you need to go easier on the sweets." Jou hinted.
"You need to go easier on the trees." Seto hissed.
"Break it up. All right, Marik?"
Malik fell gracefully into his boyfriend's arms. Marik caught him, picked him up and gave him a kiss and set Malik on his feet.
"Beautiful performance. Yugi, don't let your hair spear Yami. And go."
Yugi fell clumsily. Yami stumbled and accidentally shoved Yugi away. Yugi fell into Mokuba.
"I'm so sorry, Yugi! We didn't do that in Ancient Egypt!" Yami apologized.
O.o
"I'm fine." Yugi reassured him.
"All right. Now, five minute break. It's already quarter of nine. We'll do obstacle courses next. And then we'll play Jeopardy if there's time."
Mokuba grabbed the box. He placed six hoops (three by three) on the ground. Then, he laid out thirty smaller cones and placed them in a mess leading towards the other end of the basement. Then, he set out rubber dog toys in a straggly line towards forty larger cones. He marked the beginning and end with jump ropes.
"Okay guys. Looks easy, huh?" asked Mokuba.
They agreed.
"Wrong. Marik, Malik, you guys are doing well. We'll use you as an example. Malik, wear this blindfold." Mokuba handed him the blindfold. "Marik, stand by the other jump rope."
Marik hopped over to the far end of the basement.
"All right. Marik, you have to tell Malik how to get across the obstacle course. He has to step through each hoop. Then, he has to avoid all the small cones. Next, he has to step on each squeaky toy. Then, he has to avoid the bigger cones. And you have to tell him everything. If he makes a mistake, you go back to the beginning? Ready, set, go." Mokuba yelled.
"All right. Um, take a step." Marik said.
Malik stepped on a hoop.
"Okay, end of the line guys. He has to step in the hoop. Good try though." Mokuba lied.
Yami and Yugi were next. Malik gave them the blindfold, so Yami put it on. Yugi bounded to the other end of the basement.
"Yami, take a large step slightly to the right." Touch down in dead center of hoop one. "Okay, move your foot to the left by about two feet." Touch down, dead center, hoop two.
Yami and Yugi got successfully through the hoops. But Yami accidentally crushed a cone when he mixed up right and left.
Seto and Jou were up next. Jou took the blindfold. Seto made him inch his feet into each hoop without stepping on them. He inched him around the smaller cones. But he couldn't resist and purposely made Jou step on a squeaky toy.
"Seto Kaiba!" Mokuba roared. "You did that on purpose! With you, it's always one step forward and two steps back."
Everyone stood in shock. Mokuba had just violated all three C's of a Healthy Relationship. Even Mopsy was shocked.
"You apologize to Katsuya right now. In fact, I'm going to teach you two a lesson in Cooperation." Mokuba stated. He reached in the box for some rope. He dragged Katsuya bodily around the course over to Seto. He took the left arm of Jou and tied to him to Seto's right arm. "Now, get along. Oh, and sorry Katsuya. Sorry guys. Heh, heh, you can only stand your brother for so long. Hiroto, Ryuji, there's another blindfold in the box let's go."
So, the groups kept going. Some got farther (Seto and Jou) than others (Marik and Malik.) But everyone was having a great time. Mokuba was crunching some chips. Suddenly, there was a loud knock.
"Come in. Guys, hold up." Mokuba ordered. Poor Ryou had his foot in mid-air over a cone.
The door opened to reveal—Mai.
"Um, hi there." Mokuba said.
"Hey, it's 9:30. Listen, the girls and me have booked this place for our weekly Poker Night. You need to clear out and fast." Mai explained.
"Okay, guys. Listen, I guess we got carried away." Mokuba replied.
"Guess so. Hey, we need a fifth for poker. Wanna join?" asked Mai.
"Sorry, I'm not allowed." Mokuba answered.
"I was talking to the lion." Mai huffed.
"RAAAAAR!" Mopsy said.
"Sounds good. Listen, leave the goodies, we'll just set up over here while you guys clean up that—that—well, over there." Mai ordered.
Mai led Shizuka, Ishizu and Anzu in. Ishizu and Anzu had a card table. Shizuka had the chips. Mai was carrying the cards.
"You heard the woman, everything goes back in the box. Ryou, you can put your foot down." Mokuba said.
Everyone got busy. Ten minutes later, the poker game was in its second round; the basement floor was clean, and Mokuba, the Ishtars, the Mutous, Honda, and Otogi were ready to go.
"Hey, Mokuba, wanna to untie us know?" asked Jou.
"Nope. It's summer. You can sleep over." Mokuba said evilly.
"If you weren't my brother . . ." Seto threatened.
"Oh, but I am. You girls gonna be all right?" asked Mokuba.
"Yeah, but why are those two still here?" Mai wondered.
"I can't leave my Mopsy." Bakura sniffled.
"Listen, I'll bring him home. I know where you guys live." Ishizu said, in her quiet yet commanding voice.
"He'll be fine. Come on Bakura. I'll make you hot chocolate at home." Ryou offered.
"Yeah. Can we play Mario Kart 64?" asked Bakura.
"Sure. But I'm Bowser!" Ryou called.
"You're on." Bakura said, racing up the stairs.
The other guys left.
Then, the girls groaned as Mopsy won his third hand.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Kitsune Kitten: All right, here's the deal. I request seven reviews. I got six last chapter. I'd like one more than last time. The more reviews, the longer the chapter. And the better the chapter. And the more time I have to create it so we have some great new material!
Mario Kart 64 is property of Nintendo. All characters (including Bowser) therefore are not mine.
I reposted the first chapter, now EDITED.
DISCLAIMER & WARNINGS still apply.
I EDITED this chapter as well. A few minor differences and everything should be good.
YAMIS AND HIKARIS ANONYMOUS
Chapter Two: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward
Domino City Hall, Basement, 8:00 P. M., Wednesday
Mokuba had stacked away the chairs. He had mats on the basement's floor. Today, they were going to do Trust Exercises to build up Communication and Cooperation skills before working on Jeopardy.
Against one wall, there was a small table. Mokuba had supplied a chocolate cake, cookies, chips, and vegetables, as well as dips for the potato chips and veggies.
Mokuba was wearing his nametag. He had also decided to wear a very comfy outfit. He had on faded jeans, worn sneakers and a t-shirt that said 'My Brother Is Seto Kaiba; Don't Mess with Me' that he made himself.
He also had a box full of stuff for the Trust Exercises. Blindfolds, stuff that could be used for a mini obstacle course likes hoops and cones, and a first aid kit in case Bakura or Marik went psycho.
Mokuba had reviewed the tape of the last meeting. They had made progress and then Yugi jumped on Mopsy. No sugar for Yugi EVER.
Mokuba was ready. Especially when Mopsy came in leading Bakura and Ryou. Ryou walked in SMILING. Bakura didn't even wear a harness. PROGRESS!
"Mokuba, I must say, you have talent. You could really help a lot of people." Ryou gushed, giving Mokuba a hug.
"I'll start with Domino and go from there." Mokuba stated.
Mopsy pawed at Mokuba's chest.
"The carrots, right?" Mokuba guessed.
"RAAWWWWWRRR!" Mopsy roared gently.
Mokuba reached into the box and produced TWO bags of carrots.
"RAAAWWWR?" Mopsy tilted his head.
"You made a lot of progress." Mokuba explained.
"He had the least problems." Ryou added.
"Are you mocking Mopsy's progress, you—you hikari!" Bakura yelled.
"You love Mopsy more than me!" Ryou wailed. "Do you realize how jealous I am of Mopsy?"
Ryou ran over to the other side of the room crying, and snacking on veggies and dip.
"Bakura, why don't I watch Mopsy and you go talk to Ryou. He obviously cares a lot about you and feels that you don't return his feelings." Mokuba said.
"But, I don't wanna." Bakura whined.
"And why not?" Mokuba asked, patient as ever.
"Because . . . I . . . IlovehimandIdon'twanttoberejected!" Bakura hissed.
"Oh, Bakura. That's so sweet. Okay, here's the plan. I'll go talk to Ryou, and you tell people to partner up, same partners, and stand in a line." Mokuba said. "Mopsy, unfortunately, you're partnered with me, so you're gonna have to help me be in charge. Make sure Bakura does what I've asked."
"RAAAAAAAAWWWWWR!" Mopsy agreed.
Mokuba walked over to Ryou. He looked at the vegetable platter. All the cucumbers were gone. Ryou likes cucumbers, Mokuba thought.
"Ryou, are you okay?" Mokuba asked.
Ryou looked at him, tears in his eyes. Mokuba gave him a hug.
"Cheer up. Bakura doesn't love Mopsy more than you." Mokuba said.
"Then, why isn't he over here?" Ryou demanded, reaching for a cucumber. "The cucumbers are gone!"
"Calm down." Mokuba said, gentle as always. "Bakura's afraid of rejection. Your anger towards his slight mental issues pushes him farther away from you. You need to embrace Bakura, mental issues and all."
"I guess you're right." Ryou sniffled, grabbing a piece of celery.
"Ryou, put down the vegetable," Mokuba ordered. "Comfort foods are bad for you."
"I don't see how," Ryou sniffed.
"Trust me." Mokuba said, steering him over to where the rest of the group was. Bakura and Mopsy were waiting in front of the line. Yugi and Yami were behind him. Seto and Jou, pointedly ignoring each other, stood behind them. Next were Otogi and Honda who were chatting nicely. Mopsy walked over to Mokuba and stood by him.
"All right," said Mokuba, clapping his hands. "We're almost ready. Where's the Ishtars?"
"We're here!" cried Malik as he bounded in holding Marik's hand.
No birds, exclaimed Mokuba's mind. Nor ferrets.
The two stood behind Otogi and Honda holding hands still.
"All right. We've made some good progress for just one meeting." Mokuba announced. "But some of us haven't."
That point was illustrated with a pointed glare at Seto and Jou.
"Now, form a circle, staying next to your partners." Mokuba ordered. "Around me and Mopsy, circle."
They formed a circle with Seto and Jou creating a wide gap.
"Smaller." Ordered Mokuba. Sure enough, Jou stepped over to within a foot of Seto. "All right. Let's go around and talk about the progress we've made. Ryou, Bakura, how's it going between you two?"
"Well, we talk more." Admitted Ryou.
Gentle applause. First Mokuba, then the rest of the group.
"I even helped clean up the mess when the toaster blew up." Bakura announced.
Applause sounded.
"Yami, Yugi, how have you guys been doing?" asked Mokuba facing the two.
"I've been sugar free for 47 hours and twelve minutes." Yugi announced.
Loud applause.
"And I played Scrabble with Yugi and didn't gloat that I won!" Yami confessed.
Mild applause.
"Seto, have you worked on your people skills?" asked Mokuba.
"I laid off eight employees instead of firing them." Seto said.
Mokuba applauded.
"Jou, how do you feel about your species?" Mokuba inquired.
"Well, I have told off three different people for calling me a dog by informing them that I am indeed human. As such, I deserve the same respect as others. And I also added that they ought to talk to someone about their need to put down other people by labeling them in manners that make them appear superior." Jou informed him.
Loud applause from those who followed Jou's speech.
"Hiroto, do you feel that you are needed more as a friend than a sidekick?" Mokuba asked.
"Yeah. Ryuji and I are getting along pretty well. He's teaching me to play DDM." Honda said.
Applause.
"Ryuji, how are you doing?" Mokuba questioned.
"Good. I befriended Hiroto. I also hired two new employees without bragging about the benefits working in my store offers."
Applause, loudest from Honda.
"Marik, Malik, what's going on between you two?" Mokuba's question was said in a very suggestive manner.
"Well, I was upset with Marik because he broke Ishizu's favorite jar, and she threw a hissy fit at me. So I blamed him. And then he apologized. Later on, he said that he loved me, and we went out to dinner together. So we're officially going out."
"AAAAAAAWWWWWWW!" Mokuba, Ryuji, Hiroto, Jou, and the hikaris said.
"RAAAAAAA!" Mopsy sighed.
"I'm gonna hurl," Bakura moaned. Malik blushed; Marik smirked.
"Okay. That's wonderful. Now, just to make sure we're not just thinking of what we did right; let's see what we've done wrong." Mokuba announced.
"Hey, did you work on your problems?" asked Yami.
"Yes, I held a second meeting. Believe me, it was a close call too." Mokuba confessed. "Now, I'll start on what I did wrong. I unplugged the phone, the answering machine, turned off the computer, and changed my email address so I could relax all Tuesday."
Loud boos came from around the circle.
"Come on guys, by the time I had cleaned up from the animals yesterday, it was nearly midnight. I was up until three A.M. listening to messages. I needed the day off." Mokuba informed them.
"Raaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr," Mopsy said, supporting Mokuba.
"Thanks Mopsy. All right. Katsuya, you start. Seto's next and so on." Mokuba instructed.
"Well, I was walking through the park and I really had to go . . . and the tree was there . . ." Katsuya stuttered. "Well, I could finish my walk if I went and I did."
Seto laughed for a few minutes before regaining control of his emotions and coughed.
"I fired three secretaries on Tuesday," Seto said. "I yelled so loud the building shook."
"Seto!" Mokuba scolded like a mother hen.
"I accidentally chucked the lead pipe from Clue at Yugi when I won." Yami admitted.
"Accidentally?" Yugi questioned. "You practiced that silly victory dance three times, pipe included, before we played."
Bakura and Marik laughed. Ryou and Malik elbowed them. The rest sympathized with Yugi except Honda; why should he feel bad for the person who stole his best friend?
"I—I—well, I ate . . . I had sugar on my cornflakes this morning." Yugi wailed. "I'm a TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE person!"
"Because you stole my best friend," muttered Hiroto under his breath.
"Is that true?" asked Mokuba, being the only one to hear him.
"Is what true?" asked Yugi.
"Did you steal Hiroto's best friend?" Mokuba asked.
"Jou was my best friend; Yugi comes along, and he goes off to duel with Yugi. How could you?" Hiroto hissed.
"Yugi's not my best friend," Jou exclaimed. "You are, Hiroto. Yugi's best friend is Yami, the guy who throws pipes at Yugi's heads."
"It was an accident!" yelled Yami. "It slipped I swear!"
"Liar," Bakura hissed, hoping the fight would get out of hand leading to bloodshed, preferably Yami's.
"I'm not your best friend!" shouted Yugi tears in his eyes.
Mokuba put two fingers in his mouth and whistled.
"All right, let's calm down." Mokuba said, in a calm and gentle tone. "Yugi, Katsuya's best friend is Hiroto because they have a much longer history. You're his good friend. And you do have a best friend in Yami. Hiroto, Jou is your best friend; he just wanted to save his sister and flirt with Mai. And Yami, don't throw any more lead pipes."
Silence presided.
"All right. Now hug and make up." Mokuba instructed.
Yugi threw his arms around Jou and Honda. Yami came over and wrapped his arms around them.
"It's . . . so beautiful," Ryou sobbed.
"I'm gonna hurl," Bakura repeated.
"I'm glad we're not pansies like them," Malik whispered to Marik.
"I know. It's disgusting!"
The four broke apart.
"Much better. Bakura?" Mokuba continued.
"Well, Ryou, you know the gum on the bottom of your sneakers that I told you that Marik put there?" Bakura said.
"Took me an hour to scrape it all off." Ryou replied.
"I did it." Bakura said.
Loud gasps could be heard.
"That's okay. Remember the Oreo's you said tasted funny? That the cream was off?" Ryou said, a devilish smile on his face.
"Yeah. It did taste weird. But you said they wouldn't kill me." Bakura answered.
"Well, that's because it wasn't Oreo cream. It was shaving cream." Ryou told him.
More gasping. Bakura blinked twice before embracing his hikari.
"I'm so proud of you. Except that I replaced your shaving cream with whipped cream again." Bakura said.
"That's why I used your shaving cream."
"How did you outsmart me?"
"Easily."
"Moving on." Mokuba stated. "You two?"
"I tripped Malik when we were out dancing." Marik declared.
"Hey! That was an insult!" Bakura said, rethinking Ryou's earlier response to his outsmart question.
Everyone else sweat dropped.
"In retaliation, I threw out all the beer." Malik continued.
"You said that was Ishizu!" Marik hissed.
"You said tripping me was an accident." Malik growled.
Mokuba began reciting the steps used in CPR in his head as the two glared at each other.
"Oh, I love you anyway," they said simultaneously. Malik threw his arms about his yami.
"All right, Ryuji?" Mokuba prompted.
"I disbanded my cheerleaders." Ryuji said. "And I was mean about it too."
"Well, they are annoying," agreed the rest of the circle.
"Hiroto?" Mokuba dared.
"I . . . well . . . I didn't help Ryuji carry a box he needed with help." Hiroto asserted.
"You told me you pulled a muscle in your shoulder from the last box." Ryuji said.
"I did. Mom took me to the hospital. She won't even let me lift a fork." Honda commented.
"All right. Now," Mokuba said. "We can communicate well, but today we're working on Cooperation."
Bakura groaned. "I'm starting to get the hang of Communication."
"This just means you can be good at something else," Ryou said sweetly, patting Bakura's shoulder.
"Exactly. Let's start with defining our personal spaces. Bakura, Marik, Yami, Honda, and Seto on one side. Partners face them on the other side of the room." Mokuba explained. Everyone got ready.
"All right. When I say so, I want Ryou's side to walk forward slowly. When you get too close to the other person, they'll say stop. Mopsy? Will you help me demonstrate?" Mokuba asked, wondering just how crazy he was to trust a lion.
"RAAAAAWWWWWWWW!" Mopsy agreed, standing by Bakura.
Mokuba lined up next to Ryou. He slowly took small steps towards the lion. A foot away, Mopsy roared the signal.
"Does every one get it?" Mokuba asked.
"Do we have to roar?" Marik asked.
"NO." Mokuba said. "And go."
They slowly advanced. Seto said stop after the first step. Honda was next when Otogi was nearly two feet away. Yami stopped Yugi a good foot and a half away. Bakura stopped Ryou at a half foot. Marik and Malik were holding each other before Mokuba ended that half of the exercise.
"All right, same positions as before. Bakura's side walks." Mokuba said. "And go."
Jou stopped Seto at three feet away. Much more trusting, Mokuba noted. Yugi stopped Yami at two and half feet away. Ryuji let Honda a half foot closer then Honda had. Ryou stopped Bakura only a few inches away. Marik and Malik were holding each other again.
"Good and switch partners. Actually, to avoid a disaster I'll pair you guys up. Yami is with Seto. Ryuji and Ryou. Honda and Malik. Marik and Jou. Yugi and Bakura." Mokuba instructed.
"If this weren't a PG fic Mokuba Kaiba I'd kick your—"Bakura threatened.
"I'd lay off my brother," Seto threatened right back.
"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!" Mopsy defended Mokuba.
Everyone paired off. Bakura's side walked first. Yugi stopped him before he started. Ryuji was five and a half feet from Ryou. Malik let Honda four feet close to him before he stopped. Yami zoned out and didn't realize that Seto was already three and a half feet away. Jou was only a foot from Marik.
"Note the differences. Sometimes a person feels more comfortable with one person than another. Some are really comfortable with people like Marik is. For every exercise he has let his partner closer than any other group." Mokuba pointed out. "We'll continue with Trust Falls. I'm sure you've all done them before but let's do some anyway. Original partners."
Everyone went to his first partner. Mokuba made them re-line up. Bakura was next to Honda. Honda had Jou on his other side. Marik was grinning crazily next to them. Yami was a bit farther from Marik than was really necessary.
"All right, Ryou. The floor is padded, and I brought a first aid kit. Ready? Fall." Mokuba told him.
Ryou took a deep breath and fell backwards. Bakura caught him and swept him into his arms.
"You didn't let me fall!" exclaimed Ryou.
"Of course not! I l—lo—I'd feel b—bad." Bakura lied, setting Ryou on his two feet.
"Okay. Ryuji, you're up next." Mokuba informed him. "And fall back."
Ryuji fell, graceful as the cat he resembled. Honda caught his arms and gently pushed him back on his feet.
"Very nice. Okay, Jou. I feel it's fair to warn you that if you let Seto fall, I can't protect you once you leave and that you have to do it again." Mokuba smiled at the frown on Jou's face. "And fall, big brother."
Seto fell very reluctantly. Jou . . . caught his arms. And stumbled for a few steps. He regained his balance and pushed Seto away.
"Geeze, Seto, you need to go easier on the sweets." Jou hinted.
"You need to go easier on the trees." Seto hissed.
"Break it up. All right, Marik?"
Malik fell gracefully into his boyfriend's arms. Marik caught him, picked him up and gave him a kiss and set Malik on his feet.
"Beautiful performance. Yugi, don't let your hair spear Yami. And go."
Yugi fell clumsily. Yami stumbled and accidentally shoved Yugi away. Yugi fell into Mokuba.
"I'm so sorry, Yugi! We didn't do that in Ancient Egypt!" Yami apologized.
O.o
"I'm fine." Yugi reassured him.
"All right. Now, five minute break. It's already quarter of nine. We'll do obstacle courses next. And then we'll play Jeopardy if there's time."
Mokuba grabbed the box. He placed six hoops (three by three) on the ground. Then, he laid out thirty smaller cones and placed them in a mess leading towards the other end of the basement. Then, he set out rubber dog toys in a straggly line towards forty larger cones. He marked the beginning and end with jump ropes.
"Okay guys. Looks easy, huh?" asked Mokuba.
They agreed.
"Wrong. Marik, Malik, you guys are doing well. We'll use you as an example. Malik, wear this blindfold." Mokuba handed him the blindfold. "Marik, stand by the other jump rope."
Marik hopped over to the far end of the basement.
"All right. Marik, you have to tell Malik how to get across the obstacle course. He has to step through each hoop. Then, he has to avoid all the small cones. Next, he has to step on each squeaky toy. Then, he has to avoid the bigger cones. And you have to tell him everything. If he makes a mistake, you go back to the beginning? Ready, set, go." Mokuba yelled.
"All right. Um, take a step." Marik said.
Malik stepped on a hoop.
"Okay, end of the line guys. He has to step in the hoop. Good try though." Mokuba lied.
Yami and Yugi were next. Malik gave them the blindfold, so Yami put it on. Yugi bounded to the other end of the basement.
"Yami, take a large step slightly to the right." Touch down in dead center of hoop one. "Okay, move your foot to the left by about two feet." Touch down, dead center, hoop two.
Yami and Yugi got successfully through the hoops. But Yami accidentally crushed a cone when he mixed up right and left.
Seto and Jou were up next. Jou took the blindfold. Seto made him inch his feet into each hoop without stepping on them. He inched him around the smaller cones. But he couldn't resist and purposely made Jou step on a squeaky toy.
"Seto Kaiba!" Mokuba roared. "You did that on purpose! With you, it's always one step forward and two steps back."
Everyone stood in shock. Mokuba had just violated all three C's of a Healthy Relationship. Even Mopsy was shocked.
"You apologize to Katsuya right now. In fact, I'm going to teach you two a lesson in Cooperation." Mokuba stated. He reached in the box for some rope. He dragged Katsuya bodily around the course over to Seto. He took the left arm of Jou and tied to him to Seto's right arm. "Now, get along. Oh, and sorry Katsuya. Sorry guys. Heh, heh, you can only stand your brother for so long. Hiroto, Ryuji, there's another blindfold in the box let's go."
So, the groups kept going. Some got farther (Seto and Jou) than others (Marik and Malik.) But everyone was having a great time. Mokuba was crunching some chips. Suddenly, there was a loud knock.
"Come in. Guys, hold up." Mokuba ordered. Poor Ryou had his foot in mid-air over a cone.
The door opened to reveal—Mai.
"Um, hi there." Mokuba said.
"Hey, it's 9:30. Listen, the girls and me have booked this place for our weekly Poker Night. You need to clear out and fast." Mai explained.
"Okay, guys. Listen, I guess we got carried away." Mokuba replied.
"Guess so. Hey, we need a fifth for poker. Wanna join?" asked Mai.
"Sorry, I'm not allowed." Mokuba answered.
"I was talking to the lion." Mai huffed.
"RAAAAAR!" Mopsy said.
"Sounds good. Listen, leave the goodies, we'll just set up over here while you guys clean up that—that—well, over there." Mai ordered.
Mai led Shizuka, Ishizu and Anzu in. Ishizu and Anzu had a card table. Shizuka had the chips. Mai was carrying the cards.
"You heard the woman, everything goes back in the box. Ryou, you can put your foot down." Mokuba said.
Everyone got busy. Ten minutes later, the poker game was in its second round; the basement floor was clean, and Mokuba, the Ishtars, the Mutous, Honda, and Otogi were ready to go.
"Hey, Mokuba, wanna to untie us know?" asked Jou.
"Nope. It's summer. You can sleep over." Mokuba said evilly.
"If you weren't my brother . . ." Seto threatened.
"Oh, but I am. You girls gonna be all right?" asked Mokuba.
"Yeah, but why are those two still here?" Mai wondered.
"I can't leave my Mopsy." Bakura sniffled.
"Listen, I'll bring him home. I know where you guys live." Ishizu said, in her quiet yet commanding voice.
"He'll be fine. Come on Bakura. I'll make you hot chocolate at home." Ryou offered.
"Yeah. Can we play Mario Kart 64?" asked Bakura.
"Sure. But I'm Bowser!" Ryou called.
"You're on." Bakura said, racing up the stairs.
The other guys left.
Then, the girls groaned as Mopsy won his third hand.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Kitsune Kitten: All right, here's the deal. I request seven reviews. I got six last chapter. I'd like one more than last time. The more reviews, the longer the chapter. And the better the chapter. And the more time I have to create it so we have some great new material!
Mario Kart 64 is property of Nintendo. All characters (including Bowser) therefore are not mine.