Flower Petals: Hya peoples! I just wanted to say, sorry I was so depressed in the last chapter. Thank you all for cheering me up! It really helped. ^^ I'll try and be happier.....
Well, this is the second part of Unexpected Consequences, so read and *hopefully* enjoy. It's kinda Kaiba-angsty with some humor I guess. Oh!!!! And before you read, I guess I sorta have to warn you, there MAY be a lot of spelling mistakes because stupidly, I was watching Yu Yu Hakusho at the same time I was going back over and correcting this chapter, so I wanna apologize in-head of time!
For FluffyLittleDragon: Your pen name is soooo kawaii!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad you think my story is great so far. ^^
For Kobre Lair: Nah, don't apologize for a late review. It means more to me that you're still taking the time to read, anyway. And I'm sorry you're having so many problems with your Online Duel story! I had similar trouble with one of mine. But I'm really looking forward to reading some chapters! It'll be great, for sure! ^-^
For Maiden of the Moonlight: You're right, putting yourself down never really helps anyone. Thank you for your kind words, and for reviewin'! It's always so wonderful hearing from you.^^
For Mamono: Huh??? Welcome to Weirdo Anonymous? You just keeping getting weirder! Nah, just kidding.....^-^ Thank you for reviewin', and if it helps, weirdness is sooooo much better then boring normality!
For TAB: Well, I don't know what to say for you because I see you like every hour of every day, so.....I guess, thank you for reviewing all my stories and for supporting me with everything (even the crazy things) I chose to do in life!
For Sakurelle: Yeah, I know how it is saying things you don't really mean. It's just that sometimes (well all the time with me because things just come out of my mouth faster then I can realize what I'm saying!) it just happens, and you have to deal with it. I mean, I've done the ol' accidental "congratulations" to a woman who wasn't pregnant and everything. But I always say, and I guess I should actually start paying attention to it, "If you say it, you own it." But anygohoobles, sorry about that!!! I guess in a way I'm a lot like poor Crimson.....Thank you for reviewing!
For Nari: Yay! I'm glad reading this story put you in a better mood! Actually, I find it VERY difficult to picture you grumpy. A grumpy Nari? No tartersauce way!!!! Thanks tons of millions!!! ^^
For Peace Writer: Bwahahahahahahahahaha! I LUV drama! It's actually kinda sad, because I have these like cute fluffy little stories, but at least ONE chapter in them is sorta dramatic, because I just can't stay away from it! I mean, I have this cute story written up that actually ends sad because the fluffy main character dies, because I couldn't help myself! Now, why do I do that????? Ah, well......Thanks SO much for reviewing!
For Mina: Alright, I FINALLY remember the name of your yami, so here it goes: Thank you Mina AND Kaiya for reviewing! Oh, and don't worry about the whole laziness thing. Lazy, is the only way to go! ^^
For Misura: I LUV writing Kaiba angst. I don't know, maybe I just think it's fun writing about difficult characters who have TONS of problems. Don't you???? Or am I just being weird and creepy again??? Thank you gazillions for your support and for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, because if I did, I wouldn't be sitting around writing fan fictions about something I created, and I'd be eating yummy Burger King whoppers in the back seat of my expensive limo!!!!
Flower Petals
Unexpected Consequences Part 2
How many days has it been for you, Seto Kaiba? Every moment of every day in your entire sorry life? You're a selfish, self-centered, self-righteous monster! All you care about is yourself. You shut everybody out because you're afraid to care for them, lest they be lost. You're a selfish, self-centered, self-righteous monster! A monster. . .monster. . .
Well, maybe he was. But what could he do about it? It wasn't his fault everybody he had ever felt something for was gone. Or, maybe it was. He had suspected that Pegasus might try something. He could have protected Kiddo. Instead, he had saved his own neck without even trying to guard his little brother against those bastards. He had saved himself.
Suddenly, he remembered when he had jumped out of his bedroom window and narrowly escaped death. And how he had pictured his funeral and discovered that no one would attend it. He had been in a state of shock back then, but he had come across a very true fact-no one would care if he was gone. Except his brother, Kiddo.
He had learned long ago what fate had in store for him. He was chosen to live a lonely life. Never to love. Never to have friends or close relationships. Never to have a family. Never to be cared about. It was his path. But according to Taleah's words, it sounded like she thought he could change his destiny. It was asinine, but for some reason, what she had said made sense to him. He had always believed that you couldn't change what was meant to happen to you. Taleah thought otherwise. She thought. . .she thought. . .
You're a monster. A selfish, self-centered, self-righteous monster. Go ahead and live a lonely, miserable life. That's what you want isn't it? For everybody to leave you alone. You're a monster. Those words stung him. He had never guessed that they'd have such a powerful effect on him. They hurt. Because they were true.
You've spent so much time with your machines, you've forgotten what being human is about! Even Tea's words stung like thousands of spiny needles. But his father's, were the worst of them all.
He shook with anger and a bitter hatred as he pictured his father's face. Now that man, was a monster. He had lived and thrived off of making people miserable. Tearing away at their spirits, sucking the life out of them. Making them feel inferior and not worth anyone's time. Which is how he had made Kaiba feel.
You'll never be Noah. No one ever will. Noah was perfect. Noah was beyond any descriptive words. You'll never replace him. You are nothing. A nonentity. You will never be important. You will live a life spent with yourself. Because that is what you deserve. You do not deserve love, or kindness or remorse. You deserve to be lonely.
Lonely. All the anger left, and Kaiba felt weak. He fell to his knees and buried his face in his hands. His so called father was a hideous, terrible man. For it was not only the man's words that hurt Kaiba. Oh no, Gozubaru did much worse then that. But it was his words that hurt the most. And the knowledge that Kaiba had spent every day trying to be Noah. He had spend almost all of his life trying to be someone he was not. Never being good enough. Never meeting his father's expectations. Never being perfect Noah. Gozubaru. Monster.
Was Kaiba any different from him? He didn't enjoy making people hurt, but he did so anyway. Did that not put him in the same boat as his father? No, not his father. Never his father. He would not become that man. He had spent so many years vowing just that. Now, he realized it had been vows ill spent. He had become like Gozubaru. Driven by fear, sorrow, and anguish. He was his father's son.
No! Kaiba violently shook his head from side to side, tearing at the joints in his neck. Not my father. I will not be like him. Never. Never again. No matter what it takes, I will not become the man Gozubaru turned into. I have wasted so many years of my life being someone I could never be, living by someone else's rules, and living under that spiteful man's roof. Not anymore. He's dead. And so is his precious Noah. I'm still here though. And I'm going to make the best out of what time I have left.
Could he change his life around? It might be too late. Better late then never, Kiddo had always said. Kiddo... He may not be able to change his life around, but he was sure going to try. And he was going to start by rescuing Mokuba.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taleah didn't see Kaiba again until the following morning. He ignored her, pretending she didn't exist. He wouldn't talk to her either. She had tried to apologize about the other night, but Kaiba had just turned his back to her and finished breakfast. After their meal, they had continued their journey. In silence. Taleah didn't think that he was still made at her. Rather, thinking too hard about something and not even noticing that she existed.
It had been a rough night for her. First, she hadn't been able to find a pleasant place to sleep. And then, when she had finally found a place that looked decent enough, she had found out there was an ant's nest near her feet, in a most unpleasant way. After that, it had been the trees for her. In the end, she had gotten no sleep, was very irritable, and had insect bites in the most embarrassing of places. She wasn't too thrilled, but this time, she wasn't going to take it out on Kaiba.
But as the hours went by and Kaiba still wasn't talking, she decided she couldn't take it anymore. "Why are you mad at me?"
Kaiba's face was impassive. "I'm not mad at you. I have been engaged in my own thoughts. I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"Stop sounding like a computer," Taleah snapped.
They approached a wide river. Water rushed by at a startling pace as it picked up and hurtled anything in its path, downstream. On the opposite shore, the trail continued.
"The level of the water must have increased due to the rainfalls we've had this year," Kaiba explained. "If you look over to the left a bit, you can see a makeshift bridge. It's too dangerous to cross for us. We'll have to take the stones."
"What stones?"
"I could carry you."
"No. I'll cross myself." She walked right past him, took a breath, and leapt onto one of the partially submerged stones. It was slippery, and her foot slid a little, but she maintained her balance. What has my stubborn streak gotten me into this time? she wondered as she leapt onto another wet stone. A few more left. She jumped. Half way there. Going to make it. The next rock looked like a bad one, with abundant moss growth long its surface. It didn't stop whoever placed these here, so it's not going to stop me.
As it turned out, the next stone was the problem. Her foot skidded and went out from under her. She felt herself falling. Falling into the river's icy grasp.
Kaiba was on the scene in an instant. He threw himself into the water, and caught Taleah just before she hit the river. He gathered her in his arms and carried her across to the opposite bank. When he got there, he set her down and continued on the trail.
Taleah gasped for air. The whole event had made her quite dizzy and numb. And her heart was beating fast against her chest. "Thank. . .you. You didn't. . .have to-"
"Don't ever do that again."
"Not planning. . .on it; I don't l-like getting wet."
"Don't be that way."
'Well, aren't you full of 'don't's today?"
"Don't say that."
Taleah rolled her eyes. She knew what she had done was foolish, but she didn't need Kaiba scolding her as if she was an infant. Although, she was kind of touched that he had seemed worried about her. He had never appeared to care about her before. Once, when she and Mo teamed up against him in a tennis match, Taleah had accidently gotten hit square in the head by an out-of-control tennis ball. It had managed to land in the court however, so Kaiba had gotten the point and continued on serving. Where was his worrying then? She sighed. Kaiba was definitely a riddle.
A few feet in front of them was a gigantic pile of stones and boulders. The trail lead right up to the heap then stopped. Taleah figured there had been a rockslide some time ago for the rocks appeared to have been there for quite some time. There was no way around, and Taleah wasn't looking forward to climbing the mound. The rocks in the river weren't placed there by people, she realized. They must have broken away from the other stones and plummeted into the river. At least these stones look solid and not slippery. Though I have no idea how to get over.
Kaiba had his own plans. Much to Taleah's surprise, he took her hand in his and lead her over the first boulders. She was about to ask what he thought he was doing when he climbed over the first rock, turned around and lifted her up. He was helping her get over the rocks. She was glad he was, because it was hard going, and she knew that she couldn't have done it by herself. When they reached the top, he was still holding her hand.
"The top of the mountain," he said.
Taleah lifted a questioning brow.
"I may have misconceived the direction of the trail," Kaiba admitted. "It goes directly over the mountain and back down, versus going around."
"That's okay. You were still right about it taking two days. Going down should be much easier." I hope, she added silently to herself.
It was a fantastic view from where they stood. Everything looked so small and unimportant. Dueling arenas and duelists, looked like toys. Pegasus's castle appeared like a white doll house in the distance. All of Taleah's cares seemed fo far below. So far away. . .
"Taleah?"
"Come out wherever ya are!"
"She's not playing hide 'n seek, you nincompoop."
"Are you up there?"
"I'm not climbing that hill!"
It was her friends, Taleah realized. Looking closely, she could make out five small figures in a single file line climbing up the other side of the trail. They were coming for her. She smiled as she watched them laugh and argue with each other. She had missed them so much. Being without them was like missing a piece of herself. They care for me. She suddenly felt uneasy. What if I'm putting them in danger? Pegasus is an unpredictable man, and if it wasn't for me, they'd be far away from him.
"Taleah, I need to talk to you," Kaiba said as he watched the approachers.
I'm putting them at risk. It would be my fault if they got hurt.
"Taleah? I know you're in there."
I couldn't live with myself if something happened to any one of them.
"I am serious. I really need to talk to you."
Then again, I didn't force them to come. They came here on their own free will. Because they really care about me.
"Attention Deficit Disorder? Or selective hearing?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was in a daze. Um, what were you saying? What did you want to talk to me about? You have my full, undivided attention."
Kaiba cast her a sideways glance. "Until the next time you space out. Anyway, I just wanted to apologize for all that I have put you and your friends through. There was some truth in what you said last night. But I don't believe that you could ever understand what I've been through. You act as if it was a walk in the park; over and done with.
"I still believe that everybody I care about is in danger. And so are the people I care about now."
Taleah was hurt and desperate to get her point across. "I know that you've had a bad childhood. People abused you and treated you cruely. But that's no reason-no excuse- to be this way and treat people the way you do. You've built a fortress around your feelings, and you hurt the people who try to climb that wall.
"You don't know how many times I've wished I could just lock myself in my room and never care about anybody or anyone again. I've wished that so many times. But I know I couldn't, it's not right.
"No matter how hard you try not to be, you are human. Complete with human emotions, human problems, human issues, human mistakes. . .You are human. Titles and badges don't make you who you are. The people around you do. Wealth and riches don't make life worth living. It's the people in your life that do.
"So you can't just turn your back on the world! You know why? Because the world will never-never-turn its back on you. No matter how high you put up your defenses, there is always going to be someone trying to bring them down. Trying to make themselves important to you. Trying to matter." It was no use-she could see it in his eyes that he wasn't truly listening. I'm wasting my time. My friends are almost here; I should probably go and meet them.
Kaiba quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her in near, so she was looking right into his deep, blue eyes. "I don't want you to ever think that you don't matter to me," he said as he caressed her cheek. Then he frowned a little, wrinkling his brow, leaned in, and kissed her gently.
Taleah was taken back by surprise. She hadn't thought he liked her in that way. She hadn't thought he liked her at all! Thought after thought raced through her head. But as he placed a hand around her neck, bringing her in even closer, she forgot everything in that sweet embrace.
"Taleah?" Tea called from somewhere down on the trail. "Are you up there?"
"I'm tired!" They could all hear Joey say. "I'm not goin' da climb any more. Carry me."
Then came a noise that sounded like someone had hit Joey over the head.
Taleah drew away and managed a sort of smile. "I think they're almost to the top of the trail."
Kaiba swore under his breath. "They sure climb damn fast."
"Maybe you kiss too damn slow.'
There was the faintest curve at the corners of Kaiba's mouth. It was almost as if he was attempting to smile for the first time in many, many years. He tucked a lock of her hair behind one of her ears. "Could turn out to be a problem."
Taleah's friends had reached the top of the mountain and came bounding over to her with arms outstretched. She met them half way and hugged them all. They were so glad to see her, they didn't want to let go. Joey even came back for a second hug.
When Taleah finally managed to escape her friends' arms, she asked, "What are you guys doing here? You really climbed the mountain?'
Tea hugged her friend again. "Yeah. These lazies were just sitting around and doing nothing-"
"Hey! I got ten starchips!" Joey cried indignantly.
"Whatever." Tea continued. "We were worried about you. And Kaiba was taking way too long, so we went to see what was up. When we saw the rock slide, we figured that something was wrong, so we came up the other side of the trail. Can you believe that I actually got these woosies to hike up a mountain?'
"Yup," Yugi said, "she sure whipped us into shape."
"I could have brought her back myself," Kaiba snapped. "We would have met up with you in the morning. It was not necessary for you to come all this way."
"Sure it was," Joey disagreed. "I got my exercise for da next few months."
Taleah chuckled. "Well, not exactly. We still have to go down the mountain. Which reminds me. You said you have ten starchips, Joey? I'm so proud. But now that we all have the required amount, shall we head over to Pegasus's castle?"
"More travel?" Joey whined.
"We mustn't set up camp," Yugi decided, growing serious. "We've had way too many delays. Now is the time to confront Pegasus. Who knows how many Millennium Items he has now."
Kaiba tilted his head, questioningly.
"It's a long story," Kury replied. "Too long for right now."
"So we all agree on heading to the castle?" Taleah asked.
"Yeah!"
"Sure!"
"Sounds good to me!"
"Okay."
"More travel?"
"If it is necessary."
"Are you coming with us Kaiba?" Yugi asked.
Kaiba cast his sapphire colored gaze in Taleah's direction. "If that would be okay with all of you. I am headed there anyway."
"We should all go together," Taleah stated.
"Yeah!"
"Sure!"
"Sounds good to me."
"Okay."
"More travel?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took over three hours for the seven of them to reach the bottom of the mountain. There, they took a brief respite and then continued on their quest. They laughed and joked around to lighten the mood a bit. Although reluctant, even Kaiba joined in. But underneath the facade, they were all scared and growing increasingly anxious. Everything they had worked so hard for during the last many weeks, let up to that moment. Now finally, they would get some answers.
It was early morning of the next day when they reached the half way mark to the castle. Everything had been going well. Until they ran into, it.
It, was a mean looking creature who gave a low growl when it spotted them. Its coat glistened in the rays of the oncoming sun and it eyed them hungrily. It was a mountain lion.
Tristen hid behind Kaiba. "Alright Tea, what do we do? You're the one who always takes all of those survival classes. What do you do with a mountain lion? Feed it?"
Tea thought a bit. "No. When you encounter a cougar, you're supposed to use safety tactics. You're not supposed to show fear. You. . must. . .Oh, screw this! Just scare it off somehow. I don't know. Yell at it or something."
"Have Joey tell it a few of his jokes," Kaiba suggested. "That ought to put it to sleep."
"Why you!" Joey snarled.
The mountain lion hissed and raised a lethal paw.
Yugi backed away. "Now is not the time to fight guys."
"Don't reach down for anything," Taleah warned. "That might show weakness. If I remember any of what my father taught me, you're supposed to act big; intimidating. Bending down would make you seem smaller or submissive. So stand tall and start yelling."
"Get outa here!" Joey shouted, waving his arms frenetically.
"Go!" Kury moved his arms in a sweeping motion.
Yugi stomped his feet. "Shoo! Scat!"
Tea started singing one of her favorite songs. Only, she purposely sang way out of key. The pitch of her notes kept getting higher and higher until everybody stopped what they were doing (including the mountain lion) and stared at her. "Oops. Sorry."
The cougar stood its ground.
Soon, even Kaiba was shouting at the creature, making empty threats. They kicked up dirt and gesticulated wildly.
The cougar, finally seeing it was outnumbered, hissed at them one last time and stalked away. As they watched it leave, they couldn't help but feel satisfied and proud of themselves.
"Tristen, you can stop using me as a human shield."
"Oh yeah. Sorry Kaiba."
The next task was a little more difficult. They had passed through the forests and woods, next came the marshlands and swamps. One such swamp was blocking their path. Which left them no choice but to proceed into its murky depths.
Tea hid behind Tristen. "There's no way I'm wading through that!"
"Guys carry girls?" Joey proposed.
Tea looked like she could have kissed him. "My hero."
Yugi cleared his throat. "Now, lets not get carried away."
"Don't' worry Yugi, I like you too."
Yugi blushed. "I like you also. . .Tea."
"Enough!" Kaiba declared. "You two love birds make me sick. I'll carry Taleah over if she'll let me. Bakura can take the camping gear, Joey can carry Tea, and Tristen. ..you can take Yugi across." Then noticing Yugi's embarrassed expression, he added, "We do not know how deep it is, it could be-"
"Over my height," Yugi finished. "I know. Looks like it's you and me, Tris."
"Personally, I'd like to be carried," Kury tried to make his friend feel better. "You should feel blessed. None of us really want to tread through that swamp."
Joey hoisted Tea onto his back. "All aboard. Welcome da Joey Express. Please keep yar arms an' legs close at all times. Not responsible for any lost or missin' items. Enjoy yar ride. Next stop, clear solid ground!" With that, he plunged into the swamp.
"Joey wait!" Taleah cautioned a bit too late. "We don't know how deep it is."
Joey stayed completely still and sank. And sank. He was now up to his knees in the muck. And still sinking. Yugi was about to jump in after him, when Joey at last stopped. The dark, slimy pool came up to his hips, but no further.
Kaiba swept Taleah into his arms, and descended slowly into the swamp. Then, with a fiery determination, he trudged through the marsh. Step by step. He wasn't going to take the chance of coming across a sink hole.
Protesting the entire time, Tristen slipped in next. Followed by Bakura who held their camping equipment high above his head so it wouldn't get soiled. When all were in, they plodded side by side through the swamp. It was a tedious effort, but they made it across.
Without any further interference, they made their way to the castle. There were no jokes or laughing then. Their faces were grim. Their thoughts, focused on what lay ahead. For in a few minutes, their long journey would come to an end. What was waiting for them inside the massive castle, none could anticipate. They just prayed they'd get their answers and bring down the sorry man who had caused them so much pain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Croquet straightened his tie and smoothed down his grey hair. There would be new orders for him. The last job had been difficult enough. It had gotten out of hand. . .But he would make sure there were so such errors this time. His job depended on it, and although he absolutely despised his job, it paid good money. And that was all that he had.
He could barely remember the times when he was so poor that buying a loaf of bread had seemed impossible. What a rotten time that had been back then.
When his wife had gotten pregnant again, he had thought it was all over. There was no away he could afford another mouth to feed. Not that he hadn't wanted the child; it was just the fact that children were too expensive. But his wife hadn't understood him. By the end of the month she had convinced herself that he would have nothing to do with her or her children, and she divorced him. She had full custody of their children. He had lost everything; his lovely wife, his kids, his job. . .his life. There had been nothing left for him.
He had found solace in alcohol. Then one day, after having one drink too many in a bar, he had met a man who said he could change it all around for him. And so he had. Maximilian Pegasus not only gave him a job, car, his very own mansion, and a suit, he gave Croquet his life back. No, a new life. A new job, a new career, a new home, meant a new life. But no new family. He didn't want a new family; he wanted his own one back. Unfortunately, it was the only thing Pegasus couldn't give him.
Croquet turned the corner and walked into the Celebration Room. Pegasus was sitting down reading his favorite comic book series. Just like a kid. But Pegasus was no child.
He glanced up. "Ah! Please do come in Croquet. Ready for your new orders?"
"Yes, sir."
Pegasus took a sip of his wine. "Please tell Kemo that only one of they who approach us may enter the castle."
"Yes, sir. And who might that be, may I ask?"
"Seto Kaiba. I must speak with him privately. Tell Kemo that only Seto Kaiba is allowed admittance."
"Yes, sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They had reached the five hundred white, luminous steps leading up the castle by around noon. There, they rested and finished the remains of the leftovers from the cafe. Then, they began their ascent. The stairs were steep and spaced far apart, making for a difficult climb with respites every fifty steps.
Joey wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Ya'd think somebody as rich as Pegasus would put din an elevator or somethin'."
"What's the matter, Joey?" Kaiba challenged. "Too much for you?"
"No way, Kaiba. I'd race ya to da top if I had da."
"You wouldn't win."
"Wanna bet?"
Taleah stepped in-between them. "If you two don't stop it, I'm going to have to slap both of you. You know, like Tea did. Look, we're almost there so stop fighting like you're five year olds."
At the top of the stairs, were two large doors. They were black, intimidating, and virtually impenetrable. Off to the right side was a silver door handle and above it, was a lock with ten star shaped holes embedded in its surface. The doors marked the entry to their enemy's headquarters.
Kemo was stationed by them, standing guard. As usual, he was wearing his dark suit and tie, as well as black sunglasses and the meanest, hardest, look imaginable. When he saw Joey, his look grew meaner.
"Hi Shades."
Kemo straightened his already straight back. "Starchips please."
Yugi and Taleah were about to hand theirs to him, when Joey blocked their way. He crossed his arms and glared at Kemo. "How do we know ya're not just goin' da throw dem off dis cliff as soon as we hand dem to ya?"
"Because I'd lose my job," Kemo replied. "Hand them over, you annoying brat."
"He does tend to grade of people's nerves," Kaiba said.
"Stop it." Taleah handed her starchips to Kemo.
"Good." Kemo accepted her starchips and put them in the star shaped holes. "Ten starchips admits you into the castle. I would suggest that you stand away from the doors as they open; they do tend to have a wide swing."
But the doors didn't have a chance to open inwards, for right then, someone bolted out and closed them behind her. With a sigh of relief, she sank against the doors and put a hand over her heart, trying to calm herself down. It was Mai.
Kemo laughed. "What's the matter? Didn't like our hospitality?"
Mai was in no joking mood. She looked tired and stressed. And extremely frightened. "I-I just barely managed to escape. It was so scary, I-I didn't w-what was happening."
"What was it Mai?" Taleah asked, concerned.
"I don't know. Here's the story: I got to the castle last night. Right away I knew that something was wrong for when I entered, there seemed to be a fight going on. A bad one. I heard. . .voices. Angry voices. But I couldn't quite decipher where they were coming from or of whom they belonged to. Kemo showed me to my room where I took a shower and freshened up.
"Before I could go to sleep, I heard the voices again. Only this time, I could distinctly make out that one was coming from an old woman. She was having a fit like some beloved piece of jewelry was being taken away from her or something. It sounded like she was in the room a door down from mine. I had put a pillow over my head to block out the noise. I thought that the pillow had been working quite well, until I found that there was no longer any sounds to block out. Complete silence. Knowing that lady's personality and how feisty she sounded, she would never have quieted down unless someone had made her. Then I just took my bags and ran out as quickly as possible fearing for my life. It took me awhile, but I finally found the exit. And here I am."
Yugi nodded, engrossed in Mai's words. "That old lady that you heard must be the owner of the antique shop Bakura called." He turned to his friends. "Pegasus has the Millennium Bowl."
Kury's head hung low. "Which means our time runs short."
"Wait a second!" Tristen cried. "Kemo, didn't you get a set of new orders the day you let us borrow your laptop? Could you tell us what they were?"
Kemo's lips tightened. "I am not required to tell anybody. It is private business and strictly between Pegasus and me. I could not tell you."
"Let me guess, ya'd lose yar job," Joey said, crossly.
"Please!" begged Tea. "We need to know. It is important."
"Orders are orders."
"Why, ya!"
"Joey, don't beat him up! That's not going to get us anywhere."
"Er, sorry."
"Let the little punk try," Kemo derided, jeeringly. "I'm not going to tell."
"This is no game," Yugi said. "Your orders could help us out. They could be an essential part in helping us solve a riddle we've been working on."
"I don't feel like helping anybody."
Mai, seeing their desperation, decided to aid them. "Not even for me?" She walked up to him and stood close, drawing back a few hairs that had fallen over her forehead. "Could you maybe. . .do it for me?" She winked at him.
Kemo turned red, but remained stubborn. "No. Not even for you."
"Are you sure? It would make me so. . .happy. . ."
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt."
"Ya're lucky ya're so sexy," Joey whispered to Mai.
"Not now Joeseph," she whispered back. "He's talking."
Kemo cleared his throat. "My instructions were very strange. I was to prepare a very special dinner for a guest that had, 'come from a long way aways.' Then I was supposed to organize a certain room and find a box lined with velvet. When the helicopter arrived, I was sent away and stationed here to do guard duty. I never saw a woman."
"So he definitely has her Millennium Item," Taleah said, positively. "Which means that he has Two. We have to figure out the rest of the riddle before it's too late. There are only two left."
"Lets enter the castle then," Tea murmured. "Before it's too late."
Just then, a buzzing sound came from the microphone Kemo wore around his head. A man's voice could barely be made out. He was giving Kemo orders. When the man was done speaking, Kemo said, "Understood," and turned to face the crowd at the top of the stairs. "No one is going in. That is, except for Seto Kaiba. Pegasus feels that it is important to speak with you."
"I don't thin' so Shades," Joey protested. "We've come da long way. And besides, ya were about to let us din. What could have happened between den an' now dat ya're refusin' our entry because of?"
"Orders are orders."
Kaiba faced the guard. "Why can't they come in as well, Kemo?"
"Can't tell. But you better go in. Wouldn't want to see Pegasus's bad side."
Yugi was about to object when Kaiba put up a dismissive hand. "I'll go. After, may they come in?"
"If there's anything left of Pegasus when you get through with him, then yes."
Kaiba turned to Taleah. "I'll be back. Wait here." Then he whipped around, his cape billowing about him as he entered the castle, and left them behind
~
Flower Petals: Well thanks for reading! And once again, I apologize for the mistakes. Tartersauce, why did they change the time of Yu Yu Hakusho? Sorry, addicted fan girl.....
Well, as I always demand, EVERYONE WHO READ, REVIEW! IT WOULD MAKE ME SOOOO MUCH HAPPIER! HAPPIER THEN BEING IN THE BACK OF A LIMO EATING WHOPPERS!!!
Oh, and I completely forgot about this, but I wanted you guys to know ahead of time..............the next chapter is 55 pages long!!!!! And I've decided to keep it all 55 pages! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Just kidding......^^
Are you even allowed to have a 55 page chapter at ff.net? Hmm, I wonder. . . . . . .