A Legacy Unfinished
Disclaimer: needless to say, if YGO belonged to me, this wouldn't be called a fanfic and I wouldn't be posting this on
Summary: Sequel to 'Identity'. The legacy carries on in a new timeline – modern Domino. Ryou and Seto face new problems the legacy holds in store for them. Semi-AU Duellist Kingdom and Battle City S/R YY/R
Chapter Title: The Journey to Duellist Kingdom
Warnings: yaoi, OOC, semi-AU, weirdness of character and DK, BC plot changing! If you don't like, DON'T READ! No one's holding a gun to your head and FORCING you to read this! And all flames will go to burning Anzu/Tea, and assisting Baku and Marik in their evil schemes.
Author's Notes: Hey, hey! I'm back! Can you believe that this fic isn't dead yet? I was half-expecting it to be discontinued forever! Anyway, so this fic isn't dead and it's going to continue on until I say it is!
When I say 'Alternate Universe', I mean that the yamis are in separate bodies from their hikaris. Yami is Yugi's older brother, Bakura is Ryou's and Marik is Malik's . . . like inside 'Identity'. The yamis are the Duellists, but they're all there, okay? I know the gang calls Ryou by either 'Bakura' or 'Bakura-kun', but in this he's still going to be Ryou and Y.B. will be called Bakura. Duellist Kingdom and Battle City plots will remain largely the same, but changes will be made to encompass the extra character participation.
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Chapter Five: The Journey to Duellist Kingdom
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The ship, though huge, was crowded with duellists and their one-friend entourage. The living quarters were large rooms for up to thirty duellists each, but special players had their own small quarters. Yami and Yugi were in one of those special quarters, while Kaiba and Mokuba were the same.
"No fair," Jounouchi complained. "How come you guys get rooms?"
"Because you're not an acknowledged duellist," Kaiba sneered. "Come on, Mokuba, let's go."
They disappeared down the corridor, leaving Jounouchi and the others at the doorway of one of the common dorms. Bakura and Ryou were already inside, near the door, the elder of them marking their 'territory' with death glares at anyone who dared come within three feet of them. Ryou brought out a packet of chips, tugging on Bakura's sleeve, getting him to eat them.
"You'll be hungry soon, ne, niisan?" he coaxed. "Come on, just eat it."
Bakura grumbled, but he took the packet and polished it off. Ryou smiled at him, shaking his head. He took out Bakura's duelling deck and looked through the cards in interest.
"Do you think you'd be trading with anyone for some new cards?" he asked.
"Hn, I've perfected my deck," Bakura growled. "Why should I give these slackers my cards?"
"Niisan . . ." Ryou placed the cards in a black metal case, laced with images of a metallic blue fire. "Here, I bought this for your deck, so your cards won't be damaged. Keep it in your pocket and don't lose it."
The other albino looked at the metal case, eyeing it over as if he were inspecting it. Then, as if it had passed some sort of test, he took it from Ryou and weighed it in his hand with a grin. Ruffling Ryou's hair – making him squeak in indignation – he pocketed it.
"Arigatou, Ryou."
"Anytime." Ryou smiled.
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Jounouchi, meanwhile, was flitting around between groups of duellists, introducing himself and asking to trade cards. Yugi and Yami trailed behind him, having let him and Honda stay in their room. The younger grinned and looked at his best friend in exasperation.
"He's very eager about this tournament," he commented to Yami.
"Aa," Yami agreed. "We all are."
"I'm Jounouchi Katsuya! Nice to meet you! Do you want to trade cards?"
Honda was taking full advantage of having living quarters away from the other duellists and was sleeping his heart out. Neither Kaiba, nor Mokuba, had been seen as yet. Ryou and Bakura were in the next dorm. Yami clapped his younger brother on the shoulder and looked pointedly at the doorway to the next dorm.
"Go ahead," Yugi assured him with a grin. "Spend some time with Ryou-kun."
Yami picked his way through the groups of duellists, declining offers to trade cards as he made his way to the door. He knew that Ryou and Bakura were near the door as he walked down the corridor. The room came into view and he heard very familiar voices talking.
"Look, I'm not saying that you can't be with who you want to . . ."
"Niisan, you said I could choose and I did."
"But why him? If you ask me, Kaiba's got a much better deal."
"I'm not looking for money, power or skills, niisan. I really think that Yami is the right choice for me. If you don't like it, gomen, but I'm sticking by my decision. Onegai . . ." Ryou's voice was pleading. "Niisan, onegai."
Bakura sighed. Yami inched closer, trying to listen in. He thought that maybe he shouldn't, since it seemed to be a private conversation, but it involved his and Ryou's relationship.
"Tousan told me to watch out for you when he went to Egypt," Bakura said. "He and I both know you swing that way . . . he's just scared that you'll be taken advantage of. If Yami does anything to make you cry, I'll murder him."
"Arigatou niisan!"
Ryou laughed and hugged his brother, knocking them both flat. Bakura growled something incoherently, shoving Ryou away, curling up next to his bag and falling asleep. Yami poked his head around the doorframe just in time to see Ryou pick himself up off the floor, placing a small blanket over his brother.
"Is the coast clear?" Yami asked in a stage whisper.
"Yami-kun!" Ryou exclaimed, a smile spreading across his features. "Niisan's just fallen asleep."
"Good." Yami reached out and grabbed his hand. "Let's go up onto deck."
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"It's so beautiful!"
Ryou leaned over the railing to look at the water, smiling at how the lights from the cabins danced over the waves. Yami stood next to him, admiring the view, which was, in his eyes, the albino boy next to him. He reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind Ryou's ear, causing the younger boy to flush.
"Gomen, did you want to talk to me or something?"
"Iie," Yami murmured. "I think I'll just stand here and admire you."
He smirked as Ryou flushed even deeper, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. Then he moved closer and hugged him.
"I – I was talking to niisan just then," Ryou said, leaning against Yami's chest. "He's okay with our relationship."
Yami didn't tell him that he had overheard the conversation already, or, at least, the last part. Instead, he nodded and ran fingers through Ryou's hair. The younger boy buried his face against his shoulder and they stayed like that for a while, before a loud splash was heard.
"JOUNOUCHI-KUN!" they heard Yugi yell.
"Jounouchi-kun?" Ryou said, pulling away from Yami.
"Something's happened," Yami said, grabbing Ryou's hand. "Let's go!"
They ran towards the large crowd gathered near the bow. Yugi was in the centre of the crowd, leaning over the railing, yelling at someone in the water. Ryou glanced over and gasped. Jounouchi was there, struggling through the water and trying to grab something.
"Jounouchi-kun!" Yugi yelled.
"Yugi, what happened?" Yami demanded.
"We were talking to different duellists after you left and we met the Japanese regional champion, Insector Haga, and he was saying how he wanted to see the five Exodia Cards." Yugi looked down guiltily. "I figured that it wouldn't be too bad, since he only wanted to look at them, but he – niichan, he threw the cards into the water!"
"NANI?" Yami ran to the railings. "And Jounouchi-kun jumped down to get them? Is he insane? The impact could have killed him!"
And Jounouchi had stopped swimming around, trying to gather the five cards. He didn't even look like he was treading water. Ryou realised what was happening and turned to Yami.
"He's got a cramp!" he said, startled. "He'll drown if we don't help him!"
Without another word, Ryou kicked off his shoes and dived into the water. Yami watched him worriedly, seeing him swim towards Jounouchi and realised that the two of them wouldn't be able to get back up. He grabbed the red and white buoy (A/N: you know those lifesaver things ... I don't know the name for it) from its rack and threw it down to Ryou, who grabbed it and looped it around the blonde's body.
"Hold on, Ryou!" Yami yelled. "I'll pull you guys up!"
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Jounouchi came through with a cramp in his calf muscle and three of the five Exodia Cards. The other two, he said, were so soaked, they were torn apart by the waves against the boat. Yugi and Yami both assured him that he didn't have to apologise about not getting the other two.
"You shouldn't have gone down there in the first place," Yugi chided. "Neither of us want a friend to risk their life because of a card."
Ryou, however, was a different story. He was a skilled swimmer, but he was also born with poor health. Coming out of the water, he was numb and his lips had turned blue with cold (A/N: I'm the same, actually). He wouldn't stop shaking and his teeth were chattering so badly, he couldn't speak.
"Let's get you warmed up," Yami said gently. "Come on."
He took of his jacket and wrapped it around Ryou's trembling shoulders. Then, when Yugi had made a pathway through the crowd, he carried the boy bride-style down into the cabins. Yugi followed them, helping Jounouchi, who was leaning heavily on him after the cramp had mostly passed away.
Bakura was right there, inside, looking sleepy and ready to bitch at them. He snatched Ryou away from Yami's arms immediately, glaring at his arch rival, then stormed off in the direction of the dorms, muttering about careless, tri-colour haired teens. Yami looked sorely tempted to follow, but he decided against it, seeing as Bakura already looked as if he wanted to murder him.
"Daijoubu, niichan," Yugi said reassuringly. "Bakura-kun will take care of Ryou-kun. You're all wet, you have to change out of that shirt before you catch a cold of your own. Come on, Jounouchi-kun, you too."
Jounouchi sneezed, sniffed and followed Yugi back to the room.
"Come on, Yami!" Jounouchi called back over his shoulder.
"Coming, coming."
Yami sighed. He really wanted to see how Ryou was, but it wasn't a good time now. He trudged off after Yugi and Jounouchi.
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Bakura set Ryou down in their part of the dorm room, taking off Yami's jacket and tossing it aside. He reached into a bag and pulled out a towel and began to dry Ryou's hair thoroughly, messing it up in the process. Ryou remained chattering, huddled in his wet clothes.
"Do I have to change you as well?" Bakura demanded.
When there was no reply, Bakura sighed. He opened Ryou's bag and brought out a cream-coloured sweater, a green button-up shirt and faded jeans. He looked at his brother's feet and noted that he would have to get his sneakers back later. He lifted the T-shirt off Ryou's body and put it aside, patting him dry with the towel. He then pulled the shirt on and buttoned it up. The chattering in Ryou's teeth was stopping.
"Can you move?"
"E-Ee," Ryou replied shakily. He took the jeans from Bakura. "Arigatou."
The elder stood guard while he pulled on the jeans. Everyone was busy with their own thing and didn't pay any attention to them. When he had finished changing, Ryou tapped Bakura on the shoulder.
"Arigatou, niisan."
"You shouldn't have gone down, you know," Bakura told him. "If you had drowned, what am I going to tell tousan?"
"I had to save Jounouchi-kun," Ryou replied. "And besides, I knew Yami-kun would save me."
Bakura sniffed and looked at his younger brother through the corner of his eye. His expression told Ryou that he did not trust the other one bit. Pulling on the sweater over his shirt, Ryou stood up. And sneezed.
"You've caught a cold, baka," Bakura said, rolling his eyes. "Good. At least I'll know if Yami tries anything funny. Infect him with it too, baka otouto."
"Niisan . . ."
"Go to sleep," Bakura ordered. "Otherwise, take a shower. That salty water can't be good for your skin, or your hair. I suggest you take a shower though. It'll warm you up more and you don't have to stink like the ocean."
"I think the ocean is beautiful."
"Yeah well, I don't."
Shaking his head in amusement, Ryou gathered his things and left for the showers. Bakura huffed and sat down between their bags, folding his arms and resumed glaring at anyone who dare tried to approach him.
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Sighing blissfully, Ryou came out from the showers, only to pass Mokuba as he ran by in nothing but a towel. The albino blinked as, moments later, he ran by again, this time fully clothed. Maybe he was just seeing things and the child hadn't run past the first time. Shaking his head in confusion, Ryou continued down the corridor to the dorm he and Bakura were staying in.
"I heard about how you saved the make inu," a deep voice said behind him.
Kaiba stood there, immaculate as ever, a towel folded over one arm. Ryou flushed, slowly pulling down the towel from his head, not meeting the CEO's eyes. The other smirked and approached him, motioning for him to walk alongside.
"You could have just thrown him the buoy."
"Nani?"
"I said, you could have just thrown him the buoy," Kaiba repeated, not looking at him. "It would be more common sense."
"I – I hadn't thought of that," Ryou confessed. "I just did the first thing that came to my head at the time. But you're right, it would have saved me from catching a cold."
The CEO reached into his jacket pocket and brought out a small, rectangular box. He held it out to him with one arm, still not looking back. Ryou took the box, wondering what on earth he was trying to do. He glanced down at the box and saw that it was cold and flu tablets.
"A-Arigatou," he stammered. "Demo . . . naze?"
"I always come prepared with things like this," Kaiba said shortly. "Especially if I bring Mokuba."
They continued to walk in silence until the end of the corridor. Kaiba and Mokuba's rooms were on the left and Ryou's dorm was on the right. Nodding curtly to him, Kaiba turned to leave. Remembering something, Ryou called out before he could stop himself.
"A-Anou, Kaiba-kun!" Kaiba turned around to look at him. "That time, in the classroom . . . gomen. I didn't mean to bother you with my problems."
"Hn, whatever."
"Demo . . . arigatou." Ryou smiled. "It really helped."
He bowed hastily and left, hurrying down the corridor to his dorm. Kaiba stood there, watching his retreating form. He had thanked him for letting him cry? His eyes told the CEO that he had meant it too. No one had ever thanked him genuinely, or bothered with manners unless it were necessary. There was no malice whatsoever in the albino boy and he didn't hold the hatred his friends had for him, which was an amazing feat in itself.
You intrigue me, Bakura Ryou, he thought silently. First those visions and now . . . are you always this open to people?
"Niisama! Hurry up!" Mokuba was back, hands resting on his hips as he came out from their room. "You take so long to get here!"
"I'm coming, Mokuba."
With one last glance in Ryou's direction, Kaiba followed Mokuba back into the room.
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The ship docked onto Duellist Kingdom the next morning. The island was isolated from the mainland and was covered from top to bottom with thick forest, except for the castle at the top of the tallest hill. They were led towards the foot of the hill, at the bottom of the long flight of stairs that led to the main doors.
"This is it, Yugi," Yami said, looking up at the castle. "Duellist Kingdom."
"I'm nervous, niichan."
"Yeah, me too," Yami agreed, grinning.
"Ganbatte niichan, Jounouchi-kun, Bakura-kun!"
I'm going to win this tournament, Yami vowed, glancing over at Kaiba. I'm going to prove to that egotistical jerk that he won't ever win Ryou from me.
Ryou hugged him around the waist, smiling brightly.
"Ganbatte ne, Yami-kun!" he whispered happily, before going back to Bakura.
"ALL RIGHT!" Jounouchi yelled, punching the air. "LET'S WIN THIS!"
"Don't get too confident, zako," Kaiba sneered. "With your skills, you'd probably be kicked out after your first duel."
"Kaiba-teme," Jounouchi growled. He was ready to attack, when Yami stepped in between them. "Yami! Let me teach this guy a lesson!"
"Calm down, Jounouchi-kun," Yami said firmly.
You're not going to beat me, Mutou, Kaiba said silently. I'm already the world champion. The title of Duellist Kingdom champion is something very small. But I'm not going to let you take that title, because I'll be the one who beats Pegasus.
The surrounding chatter died down as a red-clad figure came into view, on top of the battlements of the castle. Everyone looked up at Pegasus, who smiled at them all and raised his arms.
"Welcome, all of you, to Duellist Kingdom!" he shouted. "I'm glad you could all make it. I trust the duellists have all brought their duelling gloves, decks and the two qualifying star chips with them. The tournament will last for two days and at the end of the second day, whoever has ten star chips will be allowed inside the castle for the finals. Remember, there's only room for four duellists!
"You will be duelling with state-of-the-art arenas located around the island. During these two days you can go anywhere you like, except the castle, of course. The qualifying four duellists and their companions will enter the castle and the rest will return home.
"And now, the moment you have all been waiting for!" Pegasus paused dramatically and did a flourishing bow. "When fireworks light up the sky, Duellist Kingdom tournament shall begin!"
He left the battlements and went back into the castle. A final round of well-wishing started up, everyone shaking each other's hands and clapping each other on the back. Mokuba hugged Ryou around the middle, waved to Bakura and wished everyone good luck.
"Ganbatte, Kaiba-kun," Ryou said, smiling at the CEO.
"Hn." Kaiba nodded. "I'll see you all at the finals – if they're lucky."
"I'm sure you'll all be," the albino replied.
With a final nod, they parted ways as the fireworks lit up the sky.
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End Chapter Five
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Author's Notes:
Another chapter finished! This took a surprisingly short two days (I only started yesterday), compared to 'Tenshi no Kokoro', which took me four.
I have a problem. Since Bakura was never a finalist in Duellist Kingdom, how am I supposed to fit him in there? And Seto too, come to think of it. Maybe I should just not have Keith or Mai and let Seto and Bakura replace them? Then there won't be any not-Yugi-tachi to beat!
See my fix?
REVIEW!
Relinquished