Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, so don't sue.. All I own is my characters in this fic, okay?
Warnings: Shounen-ai, original character, out of charatcer-ness (for da fic's sake), fluff, and Anzu/Tea bashing
Pairings: future Seto/Jou, present Yami/Yugi, and slight mentionings of Bakura/Ryou and Marik/Malik
Key: "talking", 'thinking', /Yugi to Yami/, //Yami to Yugi//
*~*~*
Street Angel
Chapter 1
Blue-Eyed Angel
*~*~*
"But ya can't go Leader!"
"Yeah! Woo cwan't gwo."
"C'mon Leader, stay here at the orphanage with us. It's dangerous out on the streets!"
"Gang, I ain't gonna stay in this place no more! If I'm not back in four months, choose a new leader. Hopefully see ya on da flip side!"
********
Jounouchi walked the streets of Domino, going home to his apartment from a job interview.
"At least Otogi gave me the job as his store manager. Heh, I'm surprise he'd do that fer me." he said to himself proudly. his pace slowed when he spotted a little girl sitting on the edge of the sidewalk. Her golden blonde hair looked much like his, but much messier, as if it was unkept for weeks. Her tattered clothes showed a lot of wear, and she was covered in dirt from head to toe. "Hey," Jounouchi bent down to her level, her face hidden in her knees, "Where are ya parents? You lost?" She shook her head from side to side, still hiding her face.
"No, I ain't got no parents. I'ma orphan, a street rat, a urchin." she said, Jounouchi removed his denim jacket and placed it across her shoulders.
'Poor kid, doesn't look any older than five or six!' he thought, 'And her hair's da same as mine! I wonder...'
"Hey, you wanna come home with me? I can getcha cleaned up, getcha some more clothes, and feed ya." The girl looked up at the blonde duelist.
'Oh my gawd. She has da same eye color as Kaiba! This is starting to freak me out man...'
"Really? A mutt like you help a rat like me?" Jounouchi nodded, the young girl stood up, and smiled at him, "Alright then!" He picked her up, and smiled. They headed home, silence had fallen over both of them until they were half way there.
"So, what's yer name?" the girl asked, Jounouchi glanced at her.
"Jounouchi Katsuya, you know yours, kid?"
"Nope, but my orphan gang buddies always called me Leader. That's cos I was da leader of our little group. They all had names, except me. Uncanny, ne?" she answered with a yawn. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Well, I better think of a name then, huh?" Jounouchi glanced at the girl after she didn't answer for a few seconds. She was fast asleep. "Heh, cute kid. But she has Kaiba's eyes, and my hair. Strange combination."
****at Jounouchi's apartment****
Jounouchi was currently digging through his closet, trying in vain to find a box with some of his little sister's old clothes in. (Why in da name of Ra would he have that?)
"Where are those.... Ah hah! Found em!" he exclaimed, pulling out the box. Digging through it quickly, he found a white and blue shirt with a star on the chest, a pair of jeans, and tennis shoes that looked like they would fit the small girl. He walked back in the living room and found a certain Egyptian sitting in the floor in front of the couch watching the orphan intently. "Malik, what are you doing?" Malik looked back at Jounouchi, and shrugged.
"I wanted to see whatcha brought in with you, so I..."
"So you waltzed in and decided to see for yourself. Correct?" Malik nodded, and turned his attention back to the girl.
"You left the door open, that's why. Where'd ya find her?" Jounouchi layed the clothes down on a chair and stood over the Egyptian and the girl.
"On the street, she looked pitiful, so I had ta bring her home." he answered, Malik sighed.
"Okay then, what's her name?"
"I dunno. She says that her other orphan friends called her Leader, but I think I'll name her Joanna." Malik shook his head and looked at the blonde.
"Uh no."
"Well I want it to start with a 'J'." Malik thought for a moment.
"Joey?" Jounouchi glared at him.
"That's a guy name, ya idiot. I know! How about Jo Lee?" Malik nodded, smiling, "Jo Lee it is then, now we wait till she wakes up." As if on cue, little Jo Lee's eyes fluttered open, to focus first on the Egyptian teen.
"Who are you?" she asked, Malik smiled at her.
"I'm Malik, you're Jo Lee," Jo Lee sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily, "Guess you can call me your big brother."
"Big brother? So da mutt's my dad now, eh? Fine by me," she looked back at Jounouchi, "Doggiedaddy." He winced at the mutt comments and his new nickname. Malik fell backwards, busting a gut laughing.
"Doggiedaddy!!! That's hillarious!" Jo Lee glared at Malik, which resembled one of Seto's glares to the mark.
"Shut up, or I'll knock you into next Tuesday." she threatened, Malik laughed harder.
"I'd like to see you try." he said, Jo Lee launched herself onto Malik, and pinned his wrists above his head, her weight all on his chest.
"Listen here, big bro. I ain't no pushover, I know all sortsa street fighting styles, and I know how to kill a person with anything, even wire. So watch it, and dun make me mad. Got it?" Malik nodded, Jo Lee pushed harder on his wrists till she heard a pop, "Good." The blonde girl got of Malik, and walked up to Jounouchi, who's eyes were still wide with fear. "Doggiedaddy." Jounouchi looked down at her, eyes still wide.
"Yeah, Jo Lee?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky. Jo Lee held her arms up, an innosent look in her blue eyes.
"Pick me up, please?" she asked, Jounouchi smiled, fear gone, and picked her up.
"Okay then, why don't we give you a bath and see if your new clothes fit, 'kay?" Jo Lee threw her arms up in the air.
"Yay! Okay, Doggiedaddy! Mush!" she said, pointing in a random direction, which was opposite of the way they needed to go. Jo Lee pouted cutely when he went the other direction. Malik still lay in the floor, eyes wide as saucers.
"Oh holy Ra, I think the kid just broke my wrists," Malik looked at his wrists, and rubbed them, "She's strong, and moody. AND SHE LOOKS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN JOU AND KAIBA!"
****next day, after school****
Jo Lee stood at the entrace of Domino High School, leaning against a tree. She looked at the watch her "dad" had given her yesterday. She wore around her neck a dogtag, like Jounouchi's, that read on it.
Jo Lee Katsuya
aka Leader
Blue Eyed Angel
A shrill ringing was heard and Jo Lee's ears twitched, but she didn't look up from the apple she was munching on. Her sensitive ears tuned in on a certain group of teenagers. Blue eyes looked up at them.
"I can't believe Jou got detention, again!" a burnette girl exclaimed, Jo Lee snorted.
'Prep. Class A prep.' She smiled evil and snickered.
"Prep! Preppy preppy prep!" she yelled at the girl, who turned to look at her.
"What?!" she squeaked, Jo Lee crossed her arms.
"You heard me, I called ya a prep, Prep." she said proudly, now playing with one of her small ponytails that were tied close to her ears, though out of sight a bit.
"Anzu, please. She's only a little kid." A smaller teenage boy said, Jo Lee rolled her eyes.
"If she wants ta fight, let her. I'll beat her to a pulp in a minute flat!" she yelled, Anzu glared at the blonde.
"Yugi! She's doing it again!" Yugi turned to look at Jo Lee, and his eyes widened in surprise. He walked over to her, and looked down at her.
"You look just like two people I know." he said, Jo Lee smirked.
"Jounouchi Katsuya and Seto Kaiba, I know. Jounouchi's my daddy, or should I say Doggiedaddy." Everyone's eyes widened.
"Jou's your dad?!" Honda exclaimed, Jo Lee nodded.
"Well, theoredically he is. He found me on da street yesterday and took me in. So I call him my daddy, and Malik's my bro cos he said I could call him that," At that moment, Malik walked up behind Jo Lee and grabbed her, "AHHH! MALIK ISHTAR I AM SO GONNA KILL YOU!" Malik sat Jo Lee on his shoulder, and smiled up at her.
"You wouldn't do that to your big brother, now would you Jo Lee?" he fake pouted, which made Jo Lee giggle.
"If you make me mad like ya did last night, then yeah. Remember, I almost broke your wrists, and I can do it if I wanna." Everyone looked at Malik questioningly.
"You mean she almost broke your wrists? But she's one-fourth your size!" Honda exclaimed, Jo Lee jumped down from Malik's shoulder and looked up at Honda. She jumped up and grabbed the collar of his shirt and yanked him down to her level.
"Listen here, I'm stronger than I look. And as da saying goes, big things come in small packages." she spat, then kicked him hard in the crotch, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. She let go and turned around to face everyone else. "Anyone else wanna piece of Jo Lee Katsuya while I'm riled up?" Everyone shook their heads no, "Good, now. Whatcha's names?"
"I'm Yugi," Yugi said, Yami appeared behind him, and hugged the smaller boy, "And this is my darker half, Yami." Yami nodded.
"It's nice to meet you, Jo Lee." he said, Jo Lee smiled and winked at the two.
"I see how ya two are. It's fine by me." Ryou smiled and held out his hand to Jo Lee.
"My name's Ryou Bakura, you are a very lovely girl, Jo Lee," Jo Lee look at his hand and shook it, "The one you kicked between the legs is Honda Hiroto, and the girl you were yelling 'prep' at is Anzu Mazaki." Jo Lee glared at Anzu, who looked at the blonde with a hurt look.
"Get, prep. 'Fore I rearrange that ugly face of ya's." Anzu ran off in tears, Ryou shook his head.
"That wasn't nice, Jo Lee." he said, Malik chuckled to himself.
"C'mon Ryou, I know that you're happy she's gone. Besides, the kid's only speaking her mind." Jo Lee bent back so she could see Malik.
"Actually, I don't think you wanna know what I think about her. I've heard more cuss words than you'll eva hear while livin' on da streets." she said, Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Why don't you come to the gameshop with us, Jo Lee? Jou had detention for being late again today." Yugi said, Jo Lee looked at him, and nodded.
"Okay! I told Doggiedaddy to set his alarm, and to not his da snooze button when it went off. But what does he do? He hits da darned thing! Uncle Ryou, will you pick me up?" Everyone laughed at the sudden change of subject. The albino picked her up and smiled.
"That good?" he asked, Jo Lee nodded.
"Yup! Thank you, Uncle Ryou." she said, planting a kiss on his cheek, causing him to blush. Meanwhile, a pair of crystaline blue eyes watched the Yugi-tachi as they left the school grounds.
"That girl could be the key to my ultimate dream of catching that mutt," he muttered, then rolled up the darkened windows, "Take me home, now."
***Kame Game Shop, an hour later***
"I can sit here all day, Jo Lee. You gotta blink sometime."
"I'm da master at staring contests, Uncle Yami. I'll beat da King of Games if it kills me." Honda, Ryou, Malik, and Yugi watched as the two were caught in an intent staring contest. The phone started ringing, and Yami blinked.
"Gah! No!" he exclaimed, Jo Lee pumped one fist up into the air.
"Oh yeah! Da great pharoah beat by a mortal kid! Dude, I so RULE!" Yami pouted, Yugi picked up the phone and rolled his eyes at the two.
"Hello, Mutou residence, Yugi speaking." he said politely, a familiar voice came over the earpiece.
"Hey Yug! It's me Jou! I was wondering if ya saw a little kid outside of school today. Ya know, leaning against a tree or somethin'?" he asked, Yugi looked at Jo Lee, who was sitting on top of Yami trying to find his ticklish spot.
"Jo Lee? Yeah we found her, she's at the game shop with us now. She scared off Anzu, and kinda hurt Honda, bad." Jounouchi laughed, and shook his head.
"That's my Jo Lee for ya. I'll be right over ta get her, and Yug..."
"Yeah Jou?"
"Dun make her mad, she'll kill ya." That said, Jounouchi hung up. Yugi put the phone down and looked at the others.
"Who was it, Uncle Yugi?" Jo Lee asked, still sitting on Yami's hips.
"It was Jou, he was wondering where you were." Jo Lee nodded and went back to trying to find Yami's ticklish spot. Yugi walked over and bent down to whisper in her ear. "He's very ticklish on his sides, Jo Lee, it never fails." Jo Lee smiled evily and began to do as Yugi told her to. Sure enough, Yami began to laugh.
"Thanks Uncle Yugi!" she chirpped, then turned to Yami to keep tickling him.
"Who would of thought the pharoah was ticklish." Malik said, Jo Lee stopped and looked up at Malik.
"Wanna say that 'gain Egyptian boy?" she asked, Malik whistled innocently, "Okay then..." Jo Lee got off the ancient spirit and tackled Malik to the ground.
"Hey! What was that for, Jo Lee?!" he exclaimed, Jo Lee grinned.
"Easily answered, I want you ta take me somewhere the first day of summa vacation. Cos I know Doggiedaddy's gotta go ta work, and I got a feeling you'll be taking care of me." she answered, everyone sweatdropped. Jounouchi happened to walk in when she said that, and smiled.
"Hey kiddo." he said, Jo Lee turned to look at him, and a wide smile swept across her face.
"Doggiedaddy!" she exclaimed, jumping up off Malik and ran up to the blonde and hugged him. Jounouchi bent down, smiling, and hugged her back.
"Woah, down girl. Hey guys, thanks for watchin' here while I was in detention. Hope she wasn't any trouble." Yugi shook his head, and smiled.
"Of course she wasn't, though I gotta say, Grandpa was really surprised when she told him she was your daughter." he answered, Yami nodded.
"I would say he was." Jo Lee gave Yami a sly smile and tackled him to the ground again.
"Uncle Yamiiiiiiii!!!" she squealed, "Teach me da duel! I know you're da King of Games, and I wanna be able ta beatcha at it!" Yami sweatdropped, and everyone else anime fell.
"Jo Lee, you're a bit young, don't you think?" Yugi asked, big blue eyes looked at him in a sad manner.
"Uncle Yugi..... Pweeze let Uncle Yami teach me." Yugi was having a hard time trying not to say 'yes', untill Ryou piped in.
"Why don't we all teach you? We can take turns, and help you learn and build a deck." he said, everyone looked at each other, then at the blonde-haired orphan, finally at Jounouchi.
"Fine by me, but I'm helping her da most. 'Kay?" everyone nodded in agreement, "Okay then. C'mon Jo Lee, let's head home."
"Okedaisy!" she bounced over to Jounouchi, and jumped up in his arms.
"Later guys, and Ryou," Ryou looked at Jounouchi, "Do you mind watching her tomorrow, since it's Saturday and all, and I gotta work." Ryou smiled, and nodded.
"Okay, I wouldn't mind watching little Jo Lee for the day." he answered, Jounouchi smiled.
"Thanks man, I dunno how ta repay ya." Jo Lee grinned, and blew a kiss at everyone.
"It's okay, nothing is needed in return," he walked over and kissed Jo Lee on the forehead, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Okeday Uncle Ryou. Bye everyone!" she chirpped, they said their goodbyes to the two blondes as they left.
***The next day, Ryou's house***
"And a direct attack from my Flame Cerebrus does ya in Uncle Ryou. I'm sorry."
"It's quite alright, Jo Lee. That's just a stage in Duel Monsters. You're a pretty good duelist already, how did you already know?"
"I was on da streets when Battle City was goin' on. Ya don't think I haven't watched any duels?" Ryou laughed, and gathered up his cards.
"True," he said, then ruffled the blonde's hair a little, "But you really need something else in your deck, let's see." Ryou looked through his deck, and stopped midway, smiling.
"What is it Uncle Ryou?" she asked curiosely, cocking her head to the side cutely. Ryou handed her a card, and smiled.
"It's the Change of Heart, my favorite card. I have two of them, so I think you should have it." Jo Lee jumped up, and hugged the albino boy.
"Oh thank you!" she yelled, a loud thud was heard upstairs. Ryou tensed up, grabbed Jo Lee, and pushed her gently under a table. "Uncle Ryou," she started, but he put a finger to his lips, thelling her to quieten down, "What's goin' on?"
"Bakura." was all he said, grabbed her deck, and handed it to her. He stood back up and tried to act casual. Jo Lee watched as Bakura came storming downstairs, a deadly glare in his eyes.
"Who's in here with you?" he snapped, Ryou took a step backwards.
"N-n-no one, 'Kura." he studdered, Bakura slaped Ryou's face, causing him to fall to the ground.
"You're lying, and what have I told you about calling me 'Kura'?!" Jo Lee watched in fear as Bakura kicked Ryou multiple times. She couldn't stand it anymore, no one hurt her new family.
"Leave Uncle Ryou alone you kisama!" she screamed, comming out from under the table.
"J-Jo L-Lee, d-d-don't do i-it." Ryou begged the small girl, Jo Lee looked up at Bakura. If looks could kill, Bakura would be dead.
"Who's this little thing?" he asked, Jo Lee snorted.
"Da name's Jo Lee, and you're Bakura, ancient tomb robber from the Millenium Ring. And da bigest kisama I've eva seen!" Bakura looked at her, and raised his hand up.
"No one calls me that without punishment." he snapped, he brought his hand down, but hit nothing. Jo Lee had dissappeared.
"Did I mention I learned how ta kill?" she asked, standing behind him. She pulled two ball berings from her pocket and threw them at his forehead. Bakura fell to the ground in pain, Jo Lee kicked him in the same places that he kicked Ryou. "Never hurt Uncle Ryou again, or I'll kill ya." She walked over to Ryou and helped him up on the couch. Bakura stood up and grabbed Jo Lee by the arms and hoisted her up in the air.
"Listen here, kid. I won't take orders from the likes of you." he spat in her face, Jo Lee closed her eyes, readying herself for a hard blow somewhere on her petit body.
'Someone, please, help me. Azalia, Hikari, Sekmet, Gensou.... I'm sorry I won't be able to see you again.' she thought, then one thing hit her like a ton of bricks, and it wasn't Bakura's fists.
~flashback~
"Leader, remember, if you're ever in danger of your life, use this petal from my golden rose. It will grant you a little of my Shadow magic. Use it wisely, and only when you're in dire need of its help."
"Thanks Azalia."
~end of flashback~
'That's it!' Jo Lee reached in her pocket and pulled out a small gold rose petal. She held it to her chest and closed her eyes. Bakura watched in curiosity.
"Whatever that is, it won't save you." he said, rearing back for a hard punch. Jo Lee held a hand up in the tomb robber's face, the Eye of Horus glowing on her forehead.
"Put me down, Bakura, or suffer the fate of the Shadows." she said in a low voice. Bakura put her down, and steped back.
'This kid, she emitting a strong aura of Shadow Magic. But, but how? That petal, that gold petal she pulled out.'
"Fine, you're free. Only because you have a Millenium Item." he said Jo Lee put the rose petal back in her pocket.
"It's only a part of one. Now, get out of my sight before I send you to the Shadow Realm." she demanded, Bakura dissappeared, as did the Eye of Horus on her forehead.
"Jo Lee, that was really brave of you. Thanks." Ryou said, Jo Lee smiled, and looked at his injuries.
"You're welcome, Uncle Ryou. But you really should thank my friend Azalia for giving me the golden rose petal," she smiled, "I'll go get a First Aid kit to fix up them cuts." Ryou sat there, and closed his eyes.
"Azalia, sounds like a pretty name for a girl. I wonder..." he said to himself, Jo Lee walked in on that last part.
"Wonder what, Uncle Ryou?" she asked, setting the small white box down on the coffee table, opening it.
"Do you know if your friend Azalia's been adopted yet?" he asked, and winced when Jo Lee dabbed a cotton ball, with alcohol on it, to a scrape.
"I've lived on the streets for about a month and two weeks, so I really don't know. We could go and see if she's there sometime." she answered, beginning to wrap the wounds on Ryou's legs.
"Oh, what does she look like?"
"Unruly white hair that resembles Bakura's, very pale skin from when she was sick as a baby, soft brown eyes like yours are, and she's about a foot or so taller than me. She's da second oldest next to Gensou. Azal-chan also has this wierd gold rose that she carries around with her everywhere." Jo Lee finished and closed the First Aid box.
"Does it have powers, like my Millenium Ring?" he asked, pulling his knees to his chest, Jo Lee sat on the couch next to him.
"Kinda. It lets her see things other's can't. Like ghosts and stuff like that, plus she can see intot he past and future. It's really cool. Before I left the orphanage, she gave me a petal from it, saying it would let me use some of its magic, but to only use it when in a life-or-death situation. Example, Bakura about to beat me to a pulp. Yet, there's a downside to her rose." Jo Lee pulled out the petal again and looked at it.
"An evil spirit." Ryou was worried now, Jo Lee nodded.
"Like Bakura, Yuku(1) usually beats her up for kicks. She's evil, Uncle Ryou, so when Yuku comes out.... Azalia goes into a straight jacket and in a solitary room. But since we met Gensou, she hasn't been out that I know of." Bakura walked in and stood above the two. Ryou looked at him and winced, Jo Lee glared at the tomb robber from the corner of her eye.
"Wonder who that sounds like." he said sarcastically.
"Oh shut up, Bakura, I'm not affraid ta use da rose 'gain!" she yelled, Bakura sighed and looked up.
"When is that mutt gonna show up and get this demon child out of here?" he asked, Jo Lee reached back and tried to hit him. As if on cue, the doorbell rang. "Thank Ra." Ryou got up, limped to the door, and answered it.
"Heya Ryou!" a cheery voice said, Jo Lee jumped up and ran over, hugging the visitor's legs.
"Doggiedaddy! Yay!" she yelled, Bakura walked over and gave her a glare.
"Hello Jou-kun, what brings you here?" Ryou asked, Jounouchi picked Jo Lee up and smiled.
"Shift's up, so I thought I'd come by and pick her up. Seems I came just in time too." He looked at the newly foremed bruises on Bakura's forehead.
"That demon hit me with metal balls and then tried to send me to the Shadow Realm!" he yelled, pointing to the small blonde girl. Jo Lee stuck her tounge out, then looked at the blonde boy.
"He was hurting Uncle Ryou, so I had ta hurt him! No one hurts my new family!" she exclaimed, Bakura glared at her even harder.
"I think it would do Bakura some good," Ryou dissappeared for a moment and came back with her deck, "Here Jo Lee. I'll see you later, okay?" Jo Lee nodded and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Bye Uncle Ryou! Bye Bakura-baka!" she exclaimed, as Jounouchi walked off. Bakura's eye started twitching.
"One of these days, that kid will be dead." he snapped, Ryou elbowed his yami playfully.
"Oh hush you, she's a good kid. A bit fiesty, but a good kid."
*~*~*
Awwww, that's so cute! ^_^ Anyways, please review, but no flames please! ^_^
1) Yuku is japanese for 'To Die', and I thought it would fit an evil spirit.
Warnings: Shounen-ai, original character, out of charatcer-ness (for da fic's sake), fluff, and Anzu/Tea bashing
Pairings: future Seto/Jou, present Yami/Yugi, and slight mentionings of Bakura/Ryou and Marik/Malik
Key: "talking", 'thinking', /Yugi to Yami/, //Yami to Yugi//
*~*~*
Street Angel
Chapter 1
Blue-Eyed Angel
*~*~*
"But ya can't go Leader!"
"Yeah! Woo cwan't gwo."
"C'mon Leader, stay here at the orphanage with us. It's dangerous out on the streets!"
"Gang, I ain't gonna stay in this place no more! If I'm not back in four months, choose a new leader. Hopefully see ya on da flip side!"
********
Jounouchi walked the streets of Domino, going home to his apartment from a job interview.
"At least Otogi gave me the job as his store manager. Heh, I'm surprise he'd do that fer me." he said to himself proudly. his pace slowed when he spotted a little girl sitting on the edge of the sidewalk. Her golden blonde hair looked much like his, but much messier, as if it was unkept for weeks. Her tattered clothes showed a lot of wear, and she was covered in dirt from head to toe. "Hey," Jounouchi bent down to her level, her face hidden in her knees, "Where are ya parents? You lost?" She shook her head from side to side, still hiding her face.
"No, I ain't got no parents. I'ma orphan, a street rat, a urchin." she said, Jounouchi removed his denim jacket and placed it across her shoulders.
'Poor kid, doesn't look any older than five or six!' he thought, 'And her hair's da same as mine! I wonder...'
"Hey, you wanna come home with me? I can getcha cleaned up, getcha some more clothes, and feed ya." The girl looked up at the blonde duelist.
'Oh my gawd. She has da same eye color as Kaiba! This is starting to freak me out man...'
"Really? A mutt like you help a rat like me?" Jounouchi nodded, the young girl stood up, and smiled at him, "Alright then!" He picked her up, and smiled. They headed home, silence had fallen over both of them until they were half way there.
"So, what's yer name?" the girl asked, Jounouchi glanced at her.
"Jounouchi Katsuya, you know yours, kid?"
"Nope, but my orphan gang buddies always called me Leader. That's cos I was da leader of our little group. They all had names, except me. Uncanny, ne?" she answered with a yawn. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Well, I better think of a name then, huh?" Jounouchi glanced at the girl after she didn't answer for a few seconds. She was fast asleep. "Heh, cute kid. But she has Kaiba's eyes, and my hair. Strange combination."
****at Jounouchi's apartment****
Jounouchi was currently digging through his closet, trying in vain to find a box with some of his little sister's old clothes in. (Why in da name of Ra would he have that?)
"Where are those.... Ah hah! Found em!" he exclaimed, pulling out the box. Digging through it quickly, he found a white and blue shirt with a star on the chest, a pair of jeans, and tennis shoes that looked like they would fit the small girl. He walked back in the living room and found a certain Egyptian sitting in the floor in front of the couch watching the orphan intently. "Malik, what are you doing?" Malik looked back at Jounouchi, and shrugged.
"I wanted to see whatcha brought in with you, so I..."
"So you waltzed in and decided to see for yourself. Correct?" Malik nodded, and turned his attention back to the girl.
"You left the door open, that's why. Where'd ya find her?" Jounouchi layed the clothes down on a chair and stood over the Egyptian and the girl.
"On the street, she looked pitiful, so I had ta bring her home." he answered, Malik sighed.
"Okay then, what's her name?"
"I dunno. She says that her other orphan friends called her Leader, but I think I'll name her Joanna." Malik shook his head and looked at the blonde.
"Uh no."
"Well I want it to start with a 'J'." Malik thought for a moment.
"Joey?" Jounouchi glared at him.
"That's a guy name, ya idiot. I know! How about Jo Lee?" Malik nodded, smiling, "Jo Lee it is then, now we wait till she wakes up." As if on cue, little Jo Lee's eyes fluttered open, to focus first on the Egyptian teen.
"Who are you?" she asked, Malik smiled at her.
"I'm Malik, you're Jo Lee," Jo Lee sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily, "Guess you can call me your big brother."
"Big brother? So da mutt's my dad now, eh? Fine by me," she looked back at Jounouchi, "Doggiedaddy." He winced at the mutt comments and his new nickname. Malik fell backwards, busting a gut laughing.
"Doggiedaddy!!! That's hillarious!" Jo Lee glared at Malik, which resembled one of Seto's glares to the mark.
"Shut up, or I'll knock you into next Tuesday." she threatened, Malik laughed harder.
"I'd like to see you try." he said, Jo Lee launched herself onto Malik, and pinned his wrists above his head, her weight all on his chest.
"Listen here, big bro. I ain't no pushover, I know all sortsa street fighting styles, and I know how to kill a person with anything, even wire. So watch it, and dun make me mad. Got it?" Malik nodded, Jo Lee pushed harder on his wrists till she heard a pop, "Good." The blonde girl got of Malik, and walked up to Jounouchi, who's eyes were still wide with fear. "Doggiedaddy." Jounouchi looked down at her, eyes still wide.
"Yeah, Jo Lee?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky. Jo Lee held her arms up, an innosent look in her blue eyes.
"Pick me up, please?" she asked, Jounouchi smiled, fear gone, and picked her up.
"Okay then, why don't we give you a bath and see if your new clothes fit, 'kay?" Jo Lee threw her arms up in the air.
"Yay! Okay, Doggiedaddy! Mush!" she said, pointing in a random direction, which was opposite of the way they needed to go. Jo Lee pouted cutely when he went the other direction. Malik still lay in the floor, eyes wide as saucers.
"Oh holy Ra, I think the kid just broke my wrists," Malik looked at his wrists, and rubbed them, "She's strong, and moody. AND SHE LOOKS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN JOU AND KAIBA!"
****next day, after school****
Jo Lee stood at the entrace of Domino High School, leaning against a tree. She looked at the watch her "dad" had given her yesterday. She wore around her neck a dogtag, like Jounouchi's, that read on it.
Jo Lee Katsuya
aka Leader
Blue Eyed Angel
A shrill ringing was heard and Jo Lee's ears twitched, but she didn't look up from the apple she was munching on. Her sensitive ears tuned in on a certain group of teenagers. Blue eyes looked up at them.
"I can't believe Jou got detention, again!" a burnette girl exclaimed, Jo Lee snorted.
'Prep. Class A prep.' She smiled evil and snickered.
"Prep! Preppy preppy prep!" she yelled at the girl, who turned to look at her.
"What?!" she squeaked, Jo Lee crossed her arms.
"You heard me, I called ya a prep, Prep." she said proudly, now playing with one of her small ponytails that were tied close to her ears, though out of sight a bit.
"Anzu, please. She's only a little kid." A smaller teenage boy said, Jo Lee rolled her eyes.
"If she wants ta fight, let her. I'll beat her to a pulp in a minute flat!" she yelled, Anzu glared at the blonde.
"Yugi! She's doing it again!" Yugi turned to look at Jo Lee, and his eyes widened in surprise. He walked over to her, and looked down at her.
"You look just like two people I know." he said, Jo Lee smirked.
"Jounouchi Katsuya and Seto Kaiba, I know. Jounouchi's my daddy, or should I say Doggiedaddy." Everyone's eyes widened.
"Jou's your dad?!" Honda exclaimed, Jo Lee nodded.
"Well, theoredically he is. He found me on da street yesterday and took me in. So I call him my daddy, and Malik's my bro cos he said I could call him that," At that moment, Malik walked up behind Jo Lee and grabbed her, "AHHH! MALIK ISHTAR I AM SO GONNA KILL YOU!" Malik sat Jo Lee on his shoulder, and smiled up at her.
"You wouldn't do that to your big brother, now would you Jo Lee?" he fake pouted, which made Jo Lee giggle.
"If you make me mad like ya did last night, then yeah. Remember, I almost broke your wrists, and I can do it if I wanna." Everyone looked at Malik questioningly.
"You mean she almost broke your wrists? But she's one-fourth your size!" Honda exclaimed, Jo Lee jumped down from Malik's shoulder and looked up at Honda. She jumped up and grabbed the collar of his shirt and yanked him down to her level.
"Listen here, I'm stronger than I look. And as da saying goes, big things come in small packages." she spat, then kicked him hard in the crotch, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. She let go and turned around to face everyone else. "Anyone else wanna piece of Jo Lee Katsuya while I'm riled up?" Everyone shook their heads no, "Good, now. Whatcha's names?"
"I'm Yugi," Yugi said, Yami appeared behind him, and hugged the smaller boy, "And this is my darker half, Yami." Yami nodded.
"It's nice to meet you, Jo Lee." he said, Jo Lee smiled and winked at the two.
"I see how ya two are. It's fine by me." Ryou smiled and held out his hand to Jo Lee.
"My name's Ryou Bakura, you are a very lovely girl, Jo Lee," Jo Lee look at his hand and shook it, "The one you kicked between the legs is Honda Hiroto, and the girl you were yelling 'prep' at is Anzu Mazaki." Jo Lee glared at Anzu, who looked at the blonde with a hurt look.
"Get, prep. 'Fore I rearrange that ugly face of ya's." Anzu ran off in tears, Ryou shook his head.
"That wasn't nice, Jo Lee." he said, Malik chuckled to himself.
"C'mon Ryou, I know that you're happy she's gone. Besides, the kid's only speaking her mind." Jo Lee bent back so she could see Malik.
"Actually, I don't think you wanna know what I think about her. I've heard more cuss words than you'll eva hear while livin' on da streets." she said, Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Why don't you come to the gameshop with us, Jo Lee? Jou had detention for being late again today." Yugi said, Jo Lee looked at him, and nodded.
"Okay! I told Doggiedaddy to set his alarm, and to not his da snooze button when it went off. But what does he do? He hits da darned thing! Uncle Ryou, will you pick me up?" Everyone laughed at the sudden change of subject. The albino picked her up and smiled.
"That good?" he asked, Jo Lee nodded.
"Yup! Thank you, Uncle Ryou." she said, planting a kiss on his cheek, causing him to blush. Meanwhile, a pair of crystaline blue eyes watched the Yugi-tachi as they left the school grounds.
"That girl could be the key to my ultimate dream of catching that mutt," he muttered, then rolled up the darkened windows, "Take me home, now."
***Kame Game Shop, an hour later***
"I can sit here all day, Jo Lee. You gotta blink sometime."
"I'm da master at staring contests, Uncle Yami. I'll beat da King of Games if it kills me." Honda, Ryou, Malik, and Yugi watched as the two were caught in an intent staring contest. The phone started ringing, and Yami blinked.
"Gah! No!" he exclaimed, Jo Lee pumped one fist up into the air.
"Oh yeah! Da great pharoah beat by a mortal kid! Dude, I so RULE!" Yami pouted, Yugi picked up the phone and rolled his eyes at the two.
"Hello, Mutou residence, Yugi speaking." he said politely, a familiar voice came over the earpiece.
"Hey Yug! It's me Jou! I was wondering if ya saw a little kid outside of school today. Ya know, leaning against a tree or somethin'?" he asked, Yugi looked at Jo Lee, who was sitting on top of Yami trying to find his ticklish spot.
"Jo Lee? Yeah we found her, she's at the game shop with us now. She scared off Anzu, and kinda hurt Honda, bad." Jounouchi laughed, and shook his head.
"That's my Jo Lee for ya. I'll be right over ta get her, and Yug..."
"Yeah Jou?"
"Dun make her mad, she'll kill ya." That said, Jounouchi hung up. Yugi put the phone down and looked at the others.
"Who was it, Uncle Yugi?" Jo Lee asked, still sitting on Yami's hips.
"It was Jou, he was wondering where you were." Jo Lee nodded and went back to trying to find Yami's ticklish spot. Yugi walked over and bent down to whisper in her ear. "He's very ticklish on his sides, Jo Lee, it never fails." Jo Lee smiled evily and began to do as Yugi told her to. Sure enough, Yami began to laugh.
"Thanks Uncle Yugi!" she chirpped, then turned to Yami to keep tickling him.
"Who would of thought the pharoah was ticklish." Malik said, Jo Lee stopped and looked up at Malik.
"Wanna say that 'gain Egyptian boy?" she asked, Malik whistled innocently, "Okay then..." Jo Lee got off the ancient spirit and tackled Malik to the ground.
"Hey! What was that for, Jo Lee?!" he exclaimed, Jo Lee grinned.
"Easily answered, I want you ta take me somewhere the first day of summa vacation. Cos I know Doggiedaddy's gotta go ta work, and I got a feeling you'll be taking care of me." she answered, everyone sweatdropped. Jounouchi happened to walk in when she said that, and smiled.
"Hey kiddo." he said, Jo Lee turned to look at him, and a wide smile swept across her face.
"Doggiedaddy!" she exclaimed, jumping up off Malik and ran up to the blonde and hugged him. Jounouchi bent down, smiling, and hugged her back.
"Woah, down girl. Hey guys, thanks for watchin' here while I was in detention. Hope she wasn't any trouble." Yugi shook his head, and smiled.
"Of course she wasn't, though I gotta say, Grandpa was really surprised when she told him she was your daughter." he answered, Yami nodded.
"I would say he was." Jo Lee gave Yami a sly smile and tackled him to the ground again.
"Uncle Yamiiiiiiii!!!" she squealed, "Teach me da duel! I know you're da King of Games, and I wanna be able ta beatcha at it!" Yami sweatdropped, and everyone else anime fell.
"Jo Lee, you're a bit young, don't you think?" Yugi asked, big blue eyes looked at him in a sad manner.
"Uncle Yugi..... Pweeze let Uncle Yami teach me." Yugi was having a hard time trying not to say 'yes', untill Ryou piped in.
"Why don't we all teach you? We can take turns, and help you learn and build a deck." he said, everyone looked at each other, then at the blonde-haired orphan, finally at Jounouchi.
"Fine by me, but I'm helping her da most. 'Kay?" everyone nodded in agreement, "Okay then. C'mon Jo Lee, let's head home."
"Okedaisy!" she bounced over to Jounouchi, and jumped up in his arms.
"Later guys, and Ryou," Ryou looked at Jounouchi, "Do you mind watching her tomorrow, since it's Saturday and all, and I gotta work." Ryou smiled, and nodded.
"Okay, I wouldn't mind watching little Jo Lee for the day." he answered, Jounouchi smiled.
"Thanks man, I dunno how ta repay ya." Jo Lee grinned, and blew a kiss at everyone.
"It's okay, nothing is needed in return," he walked over and kissed Jo Lee on the forehead, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Okeday Uncle Ryou. Bye everyone!" she chirpped, they said their goodbyes to the two blondes as they left.
***The next day, Ryou's house***
"And a direct attack from my Flame Cerebrus does ya in Uncle Ryou. I'm sorry."
"It's quite alright, Jo Lee. That's just a stage in Duel Monsters. You're a pretty good duelist already, how did you already know?"
"I was on da streets when Battle City was goin' on. Ya don't think I haven't watched any duels?" Ryou laughed, and gathered up his cards.
"True," he said, then ruffled the blonde's hair a little, "But you really need something else in your deck, let's see." Ryou looked through his deck, and stopped midway, smiling.
"What is it Uncle Ryou?" she asked curiosely, cocking her head to the side cutely. Ryou handed her a card, and smiled.
"It's the Change of Heart, my favorite card. I have two of them, so I think you should have it." Jo Lee jumped up, and hugged the albino boy.
"Oh thank you!" she yelled, a loud thud was heard upstairs. Ryou tensed up, grabbed Jo Lee, and pushed her gently under a table. "Uncle Ryou," she started, but he put a finger to his lips, thelling her to quieten down, "What's goin' on?"
"Bakura." was all he said, grabbed her deck, and handed it to her. He stood back up and tried to act casual. Jo Lee watched as Bakura came storming downstairs, a deadly glare in his eyes.
"Who's in here with you?" he snapped, Ryou took a step backwards.
"N-n-no one, 'Kura." he studdered, Bakura slaped Ryou's face, causing him to fall to the ground.
"You're lying, and what have I told you about calling me 'Kura'?!" Jo Lee watched in fear as Bakura kicked Ryou multiple times. She couldn't stand it anymore, no one hurt her new family.
"Leave Uncle Ryou alone you kisama!" she screamed, comming out from under the table.
"J-Jo L-Lee, d-d-don't do i-it." Ryou begged the small girl, Jo Lee looked up at Bakura. If looks could kill, Bakura would be dead.
"Who's this little thing?" he asked, Jo Lee snorted.
"Da name's Jo Lee, and you're Bakura, ancient tomb robber from the Millenium Ring. And da bigest kisama I've eva seen!" Bakura looked at her, and raised his hand up.
"No one calls me that without punishment." he snapped, he brought his hand down, but hit nothing. Jo Lee had dissappeared.
"Did I mention I learned how ta kill?" she asked, standing behind him. She pulled two ball berings from her pocket and threw them at his forehead. Bakura fell to the ground in pain, Jo Lee kicked him in the same places that he kicked Ryou. "Never hurt Uncle Ryou again, or I'll kill ya." She walked over to Ryou and helped him up on the couch. Bakura stood up and grabbed Jo Lee by the arms and hoisted her up in the air.
"Listen here, kid. I won't take orders from the likes of you." he spat in her face, Jo Lee closed her eyes, readying herself for a hard blow somewhere on her petit body.
'Someone, please, help me. Azalia, Hikari, Sekmet, Gensou.... I'm sorry I won't be able to see you again.' she thought, then one thing hit her like a ton of bricks, and it wasn't Bakura's fists.
~flashback~
"Leader, remember, if you're ever in danger of your life, use this petal from my golden rose. It will grant you a little of my Shadow magic. Use it wisely, and only when you're in dire need of its help."
"Thanks Azalia."
~end of flashback~
'That's it!' Jo Lee reached in her pocket and pulled out a small gold rose petal. She held it to her chest and closed her eyes. Bakura watched in curiosity.
"Whatever that is, it won't save you." he said, rearing back for a hard punch. Jo Lee held a hand up in the tomb robber's face, the Eye of Horus glowing on her forehead.
"Put me down, Bakura, or suffer the fate of the Shadows." she said in a low voice. Bakura put her down, and steped back.
'This kid, she emitting a strong aura of Shadow Magic. But, but how? That petal, that gold petal she pulled out.'
"Fine, you're free. Only because you have a Millenium Item." he said Jo Lee put the rose petal back in her pocket.
"It's only a part of one. Now, get out of my sight before I send you to the Shadow Realm." she demanded, Bakura dissappeared, as did the Eye of Horus on her forehead.
"Jo Lee, that was really brave of you. Thanks." Ryou said, Jo Lee smiled, and looked at his injuries.
"You're welcome, Uncle Ryou. But you really should thank my friend Azalia for giving me the golden rose petal," she smiled, "I'll go get a First Aid kit to fix up them cuts." Ryou sat there, and closed his eyes.
"Azalia, sounds like a pretty name for a girl. I wonder..." he said to himself, Jo Lee walked in on that last part.
"Wonder what, Uncle Ryou?" she asked, setting the small white box down on the coffee table, opening it.
"Do you know if your friend Azalia's been adopted yet?" he asked, and winced when Jo Lee dabbed a cotton ball, with alcohol on it, to a scrape.
"I've lived on the streets for about a month and two weeks, so I really don't know. We could go and see if she's there sometime." she answered, beginning to wrap the wounds on Ryou's legs.
"Oh, what does she look like?"
"Unruly white hair that resembles Bakura's, very pale skin from when she was sick as a baby, soft brown eyes like yours are, and she's about a foot or so taller than me. She's da second oldest next to Gensou. Azal-chan also has this wierd gold rose that she carries around with her everywhere." Jo Lee finished and closed the First Aid box.
"Does it have powers, like my Millenium Ring?" he asked, pulling his knees to his chest, Jo Lee sat on the couch next to him.
"Kinda. It lets her see things other's can't. Like ghosts and stuff like that, plus she can see intot he past and future. It's really cool. Before I left the orphanage, she gave me a petal from it, saying it would let me use some of its magic, but to only use it when in a life-or-death situation. Example, Bakura about to beat me to a pulp. Yet, there's a downside to her rose." Jo Lee pulled out the petal again and looked at it.
"An evil spirit." Ryou was worried now, Jo Lee nodded.
"Like Bakura, Yuku(1) usually beats her up for kicks. She's evil, Uncle Ryou, so when Yuku comes out.... Azalia goes into a straight jacket and in a solitary room. But since we met Gensou, she hasn't been out that I know of." Bakura walked in and stood above the two. Ryou looked at him and winced, Jo Lee glared at the tomb robber from the corner of her eye.
"Wonder who that sounds like." he said sarcastically.
"Oh shut up, Bakura, I'm not affraid ta use da rose 'gain!" she yelled, Bakura sighed and looked up.
"When is that mutt gonna show up and get this demon child out of here?" he asked, Jo Lee reached back and tried to hit him. As if on cue, the doorbell rang. "Thank Ra." Ryou got up, limped to the door, and answered it.
"Heya Ryou!" a cheery voice said, Jo Lee jumped up and ran over, hugging the visitor's legs.
"Doggiedaddy! Yay!" she yelled, Bakura walked over and gave her a glare.
"Hello Jou-kun, what brings you here?" Ryou asked, Jounouchi picked Jo Lee up and smiled.
"Shift's up, so I thought I'd come by and pick her up. Seems I came just in time too." He looked at the newly foremed bruises on Bakura's forehead.
"That demon hit me with metal balls and then tried to send me to the Shadow Realm!" he yelled, pointing to the small blonde girl. Jo Lee stuck her tounge out, then looked at the blonde boy.
"He was hurting Uncle Ryou, so I had ta hurt him! No one hurts my new family!" she exclaimed, Bakura glared at her even harder.
"I think it would do Bakura some good," Ryou dissappeared for a moment and came back with her deck, "Here Jo Lee. I'll see you later, okay?" Jo Lee nodded and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Bye Uncle Ryou! Bye Bakura-baka!" she exclaimed, as Jounouchi walked off. Bakura's eye started twitching.
"One of these days, that kid will be dead." he snapped, Ryou elbowed his yami playfully.
"Oh hush you, she's a good kid. A bit fiesty, but a good kid."
*~*~*
Awwww, that's so cute! ^_^ Anyways, please review, but no flames please! ^_^
1) Yuku is japanese for 'To Die', and I thought it would fit an evil spirit.