Wow! 20 reviews in just three chapters? How amazing is that! I'm so happy! Thanks everyone!
stephanie - I am! Don't worry, I am! Did you review twice?
kokujohgril - Sorry! I can't do that! I already promised Saiyuki with Toru! Sorry! And someone wants KokujohxOC... I think.
The Terminator - How much info have you given me? Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it!
SxT - Thanks! Wow... You sort-of like ShobuxMimi now because of my story? I feel so special!
Deathliger - Thanks for the offer! Please do tell! I will try and pair up Kokujo with someone. Do you have any ideas who? Someone asked me to pair Saiyuki with Kokujo but Saiyuki's taken so I think it's your wish I'll be granting. If you don't have any ideas, I might pair him up with one of my OC.
l33t k1w1 - Thanks for that positive review! I was worried that you guys might not like my OCs so I have been biting my nails and crossing my fingers. It's really a relief that you like my OCs! I decided to put Mimi's feelings in that chapter for the sake of the ShobuxMimi pairing and so that there's a bit of drama in the story as well.
Now my problem is bringing out Hakuoh's personality... He sort-of has two personalities, a serious one and a happy-go-lucky one. Examples of the serious one are the times when he was under Master. Examples of the happy-go-lucky and kind one are the times when he met the white soldiers and the Temple Guardians. But he was also a bit serious when he was disguised as that Jimmy Three-horns guy (or something like that)... So I'm confused. So I'm warning people that Hakuoh might suddenly become a bit out of character.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Duel Masters.
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Duel Guard
The Exhibition Match
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Knight's eyes widened as he read the paper. He immediately grabbed his car keys and drove off.
What the...? Hakuoh should know about this!
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"Knight... What a surprise," Hakuoh said though he really didn't look surprised. He looked calm in fact.
"Hakuoh, have you read the papers?" Knight asked urgently. Hakuoh shook his head.
"Not yet. Why? Anything I should know about?"
Knight took his newspaper out and held it out to him. He pointed at a page.
Hakuoh's eyes widened as he looked at the page.
"'The world-known Temple presents its new Champion today for an exhibition match against Joe Walker of America.'" Hakuoh looked stunned as he looked up at Knight. "They're showing us the new Champion?"
Knight nodded. "So much for not telling Shobu. He will know."
The former Temple Champion looked thoughtful. "I want to watch."
"I knew you'd say something like that," Knight said with a sigh.
Hakuoh looked serious. "I want to know who replaced me. I want to see how good he is."
Knight nodded. "Let's go then."
"OH WOW! An exhibition match!" Shobu said excitedly. He then paused. "But wait... 'Temple presents its new Champion'?! Master already replaced Hakuoh?!"
Mimi looked guilty. "Well... Yes Shobu."
"But I thought Master wanted Shobu," Saiyuki said thoughtfully.
"Well... That's why we're confused," Mimi said.
"'We'?" Shobu asked, incredulous. "Who 'we'?!"
"Me, Knight and Hakuoh?" Mimi said sheepishly. She then started to panic. "Shobu! We didn't want to hide it from you! We just wanted to keep you safe!"
"By keeping me ignorant?" Shobu asked testily. He then shrugged and smiled softly at Mimi. "That's nice Mimi but I can take care of myself. You, Knight and Hakuoh should know that. I appreciate the fact that your worried but you don't need to keep me ignorant of matters like these."
"Wow! Good speech Shobu!" Rakudah cheered. Shobu grinned at him.
"Thanks."
Mimi nodded. "Okay Shobu. I'm sorry."
"It's all right Mimi," Shobu said, smiling down at her. Mimi stared at his eyes, blushing. But the spell broke when Norihiro came out from nowhere.
"SHOBU! RAKUDAH! SAIYUKI! MIMI!" Norihiro yelled, waving at them. Girls his age looked at his direction and swooned. As Norihiro got to them, he flicked his hair back and brushed his bangs from his face, making the fan girls behind him scream and swoon more. The four sweat dropped. They all had the same thoughts.
Norihiro is such a charmer...
"Hey! I read in the paper that there's an exhibition match today! It looks interesting! Let's watch!" he said excitedly.
"That's what we were planning!" Shobu exclaimed with equal enthusiasm. Shobu and Norihiro started cheering. The three watched, sweat dropping.
"Let's go if you don't want to be late," Rakudah said warily.
"Okay! Let's go!" Shobu yelled, jumping in the air.
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The four entered the stadium. There were many people in the audience today.
"Hey Shobu!"
Shobu looked up and saw Toru, Jimirah and Kintaro. It was Kintaro who called him.
"Hey Kintaro! Toru! Jimirah!" Shobu called back. The four went over to the three boys.
"Who would've thought that Master already replaced Hakuoh?" Jimirah said. Rakudah nodded.
"We were surprised when we found out as well."
"Mimi, that means you were replaced as well," Kintaro said thoughtfully. Mimi shot him a deadly look and he sweat dropped nervously. "Not that you're really replaceable."
"You should watch what you say Kintaro," Mimi threatened and Kintaro nodded vigorously.
"Welcome everyone!" the announcer exclaimed and the crowd roared. "The exhibition match between Joe Walker and the new Temple Champion is about to begin!"
"There are a lot of known players of Duel Masters here today!" commentator 1 (A/N: Forgot their names.) announced. In fact, I can see Toru Kamiya, Mimi Tasogare, former Second Guardian of the Temple, and Shobu Kirifuda!"
"That's not all!" commentator 2 said. "If you look over there, Knight and the former Temple Champion Hakuoh are also watching!"
The spotlight turned to the said people and again, the crowd roared. The girls in the stadium swooned.
"HAKUOH!!! KNIGHT!!!"
Shobu sighed. "Those two are just the ladies' men."
"I agree," Rakudah said tearfully.
"I wish I was as handsome as them," Kintaro said mournfully.
Hakuoh and Knight went towards Shobu and the others.
"Hey Knight, Hakuoh!" Shobu greeted cheerfully.
"Hello Shobu," Knight said.
"It's good to see you again," Hakuoh added.
"How do you feel about all this Hakuoh?" Toru asked curiously.
"I just want to know how good the one who replaced me is," Hakuoh said calmly.
Oh she's good, Norihiro thought with pride. She's the best.
"Who's he?" Knight asked, pointing at Norihiro. Norihiro smiled.
"My name is Norihiro Shungen. I'm new at Duel Masters."
"New at Duel Masters?" Knight said. "What civilization do you favor?"
"Fire," Norihiro answered automatically. He then smiled at Shobu. "I've seen Shobu play and I really think that he is good."
"So your choice of civilization has been inspired by Shobu?" Toru asked. Norihiro nodded happily.
"Are you gay?" Kintaro asked suspiciously. Everyone (except Hakuoh) blanched. Norihiro looked stunned. He then smiled.
"No. Of course not. Do you think Shobu's a good duelist?"
"Of course," Kintaro answered.
"Do you like his style?"
"Yeah..."
"Do you think his deck is cool?"
"I suppose..."
"Do you think Shobu is a great friend?"
"Of course!"
"But are you gay?"
Kintaro was silent. Saiyuki, Mimi and Rakudah cheered.
"Go Norihiro!" Norihiro bowed low like a gentleman as the girls cheered.
"This kid is a charmer," Knight muttered. Toru and Jimirah nodded in agreement.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer said. "We are now starting the exhibition match!"
The crowd roared. Shobu and his friends sobered up. All of them were wondering how the new Temple Champion was like.
"From America, the wonderful and awesome Joe Walker!"
The spotlight focused on a blonde American wearing a cowboy outfit. He was carrying a whip which he cracked and did tricks with. The crowd roared as the American made his way to the table.
Everyone suddenly became silent. It was time to announce the new Temple Champion.
"And now, presenting the prestigious Temple's new Champion!" the announcer yelled.
"No name?" Toru said, puzzled. Shobu and Hakuoh heard him and looked at the Champion's side.
The whole stadium suddenly darkened. It was pitch black actually and no one could see anything. Everyone started murmuring.
"What's happening?" Saiyuki asked, clutching someone's arm.
"I don't know," Shobu said.
"It's so dark!" Rakudah cried.
"I can't see anything," Mimi said, a pout in her voice.
Norihiro, however, felt apprehensive.
Will she be okay in this first public match?
Small glitters suddenly came out of nowhere. A small spotlight suddenly appeared, revealing a figure sitting on a trapeze. She was swinging to and fro, her clothes and the glitters making a beautiful sight. Without warning, she suddenly stood up and did a flip while the whole stadium was still dark. The audience gasped.
"How is she going to land without seeing where the floor is?!" Knight exclaimed.
The stadium suddenly burst with light and everyone saw that the girl had landed on the floor safely. The whole audience roared its loudest so far. Shobu noticed that the girl was wearing a mysterious black mask.
"She's wearing a mask," Shobu said. When he look at the side, he saw that everyone (except Hakuoh) had their mouths slightly open. She definitely had everyone amazed.
"She is wearing a mask," Hakuoh agreed. "I guess Master still doesn't want anyone to know her identity. I want to see how good she is."
"The match will now start!" the announcer yelled and the crowd went slightly silent.
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Yui smiled mentally. She knows that Shobu is watching. She heard the announcer say it though she didn't really see him.
"That was a grand entrance," Joe Walker said with a grin. "But I will win this duel." Yui just kept silent. She didn't need to answer this man.
"Activate shields," Yui said softly.
"Fine. Let's start your defeat," the American said arrogantly. "Shields up!"
"They have raised their shields!" the announcer exclaimed. "The duel has just officially started!"
Watch carefully Shobu. I'll give you a show you'll never forget.
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"They're starting," Shobu said, watching closely.
The challenger made the first move. The duel progressed on. (A/N: Suck at description. Forgiveness please.) Each move the new Champion made the audience stare in awe.
"She's amazing!" Shobu exclaimed, watching closely.
"She uses light civilization cards like you Hakuoh," Knight commented. Hakuoh nodded.
"Yes she does."
Joe suddenly made a shocking but really good move.
"The Champion's suddenly in a tight spot," commentator 1 said.
"I know," commentator 2 replied. "How is she going to get out of this?"
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Good move, Yui thought with a smile. But not good enough!
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Everyone watched as the Champion's hand started glowing. The glow was black with gold lining and edges. The shield that Joe just broke turned out to be a darkness civilization shield trigger.
"Darkness? I thought she was using light!" Kintaro exclaimed.
The next card the Champion drew with her glowing hand was also a darkness civilization card.
"Darkness! And we thought this girl was using a light civilization deck!"
Things aren't always what they seem to be at first, Norihiro thought with a smirk. When you think you face the light, you suddenly collide with darkness. Yui is a wonderful strategist and duelist.
"Wow! How unexpected was that?" Shobu asked excitedly.
"It was," Hakuoh murmured. So she wasn't exactly like him. This girl apparently like surprises.
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"Wonderful," Yui said with a smile at her opponent. "Todome da."
The opponent got thrown off unceremoniously. Yui won. She looked at her deck.
I hope you were watching Shobu.
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"The Temple Champion is the winner!" The whole audience cheered and yelled.
As Saiyuki cheered, she suddenly noticed she was still clutching an arm. She looked up at the owner of the arm and saw that the owner was none other than Toru! She blushed hotly as she let his arm go.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry," she kept on muttering, blushing to the roots of her hair.
"Don't sweat it Saiyuki," Toru said with a grin. "You were just scared."
Saiyuki noticed Mimi giving her the thumbs-up sign. Saiyuki blushed harder if it were possible.
The Champion turned to leave. Shobu quickly jumped from the audience, doing what he did before with Hakuoh. The white soldiers immediately grabbed him.
"Let go!" Shobu yelled.
"There he goes again," Saiyuki said exasperatedly.
"Let go of him," a soft voice said. Shobu felt himself drop to the ground. He looked up and saw the Champion standing right in front of him. She held her arms out, as if gesturing him to come into her arms.
"Stand up," she said softly, almost kindly. "Are you all right? They can be a bit harsh."
Shobu took her hand and pulled himself up. He looked up at her.
"You're pretty nice."
"What's your name?"
"Shobu. Shobu Kirifuda."
Yui's eyes widened in a split-second. She was able to hide it though because of her eye mask.
"Do you like dueling?"
"Very much!"
"Then good luck Shobu."
She turned to leave.
"Hey new Champion! I want to duel you someday!" Shobu said, almost like a challenge. Yui's eyes softened though Shobu didn't see it.
"Perhaps," she said before walking off.
Yes... Someday.
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"I can't believe she talked to you! And in a civil manner at that!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Are you saying I wasn't civil when I talked to Shobu the first time I met him?" Hakuoh asked, expression blank though everyone around him shivered.
"In a manner of speaking... Yes," Mimi said, eyes twinkling.
"I suppose," Hakuoh said with a small smile. "What did she tell you Shobu?"
"She actually seemed nice," Shobu said cheerfully. "She helped me get up and she told these white soldiers to get their hands off me. Not the exact words but close to that. She also wished me luck and that we might duel someday."
"Knowing Master, you will duel someday," Hakuoh said gravely.
"Probably," Shobu said with a shrug. A look of determination then crossed his features. "But I will look forward to that day! She looks like she's a really good duelist! At first I thought she would be exactly like Hakuoh but then that sudden change of civilization! Thanks goodness she wasn't another Hakuoh!"
"I resent that statement," Hakuoh said with a slight frown.
"Oh Hakuoh," Mimi said comfortingly. "Shobu has a high regard of you. He just means that he doesn't want to duel a person who has the exact same cards and tactics as you since he won't learn much that way."
"Yeah! What Mimi said!" Shobu agreed.
Hakuoh nodded and smiled. "I know."
"And besides," Shobu added with a bright smile. "The Temple already made it's move of testing me."
Everyone looked sharply at him except for Norihiro and Rakudah.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked.
"Shobu was challenged to a duel by one of the white soldiers of the temple" Rakudah explained. "He said he was sent by the Temple to challenge Shobu."
Knight, Hakuoh and Mimi all furrowed their eyebrows, knowing that the next few duels Shobu receives may be difficult ones.
And so it starts... Hakuoh thought grimly.
Shobu looked up at the sky.
I'm going to duel you one day mystery Champion! And when I do, I'm gonna win!
Norihiro stared at Shobu, a small grin on his features.
That was nothing Shobu. Wait 'till you see Yui give her best.
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