Hmm... I really didn't expect people to like that chapter that much... But every time I think that, it's actually the opposite! Thanks everyone!
Review Replies:
Lady Sapphira - Oh! Good luck on your exams! I know how you feel about studying... I hate it... I always cram!
The Red Butterfly - I'm glad you liked it! I'm sorry Mimi lost as well but at least she lost to a kaijudo master, not just someone. And yes, Tenkai is the freaky guy from the 9th chapter. He's vital to this story... Oops, blabbing.
Ryujinn-God of Dragons - I'm glad you liked that last chapter! Thank you for reading!
The Terminator - Thanks for the info and the corrections. But about 'todome da'... I found this book about Duel Masters in the bookstore and it is the official Duel Masters guide book and it's from Cartoon Network. It says that it is spelled as 'todome da' with a space. But I'll check that website out. About your suggestion... I'll think about it, how's that? One of them yelling "I loved you but now I hate you, get out of my life!" is sort-of harsh don't you think? Do you really like drama? But I'll think about it...
Kausi - Ah... My very first reviewer! I'm glad you liked that chapter! Yui and Hakuoh will meet soon enough... (mysterious look... hehe)
l33t k1w1 - I'm glad you liked it! That chapter was originally boring so I tried putting stuff in a bit on random times.
Deathliger - Thanks for the compliment and all the info! I'm glad you liked that chapter since I had doubts!
SxT - I'm SO glad you liked that chapter! Like I said many times before, I had my doubts with the last chapter. I'm really glad you liked it. You really can't believe this is my first fanfic huh? That's a very nice thing to say! Thanks! At the moment, I'm not making any new fanfics since I want to finish this. I might think of something new when I finish this one.
Barbara - Another new reviewer! YAY! I'm glad you think YuixHakuoh is a good pairing. However, Hakuoh isn't the 'mysterious guy'. Sorry! But it will be a YuixHakuoh pairing.
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Duel Guard
Boy George vs. Kokujo!
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"Reiko, where are you going?" Norihiro asked sleepily. Reiko gave him a smile and tucked his blanket around him. Norihiro gave a sleepy pout. "I'm not a small child! Stop babying me..." He fell asleep instantly. Reiko gave him a soft smile.
"You're the youngest in this group Norihiro... We cannot help it," Reiko whispered softly. She quietly left the room.
Reiko walked through the dark corridors that all looked alike. She paused in front of a steel gray door. She gave a deep sigh and then knocked.
A calm "come in" came from inside.
She slowly opened the door and slipped inside, closing it behind her. What met her sight was beautiful. The room was full of mirrors, some of them spinning. There wasn't a part in the room where you didn't see mirrors.
The room was actually a mirror maze.
The spinning mirrors were only about five feet from the door. In between the door and the spinning mirror was just an empty space. Reiko gave a mock pout.
"Akio! You know how hard it is to get through these mirrors! I'll be going around in circles for at least an hour!"
Akio's image suddenly appeared on the mirrors. He slowly and deliberately emerged from one of the spinning mirrors. He had a smirk on his face.
"Actually, it's at least two hours... That was the fastest time you've gone through these mirrors."
"It's easy to get lost!" Reiko argued stubbornly. "Why did you make your realm this way anyway?"
Akio raised an eyebrow. "I thought that would be obvious... Or do I need to spell it out for you?"
Reiko pretended to think for a moment. "Ah yes! Water is related to reflection! Or then again, maybe you like looking at your handsome face."
Akio shook his head at her. Reiko smiled. She knew that Akio wasn't vain about his appearance even though he has the right to be. Akio is one of the most good-looking guys that Reiko knows. But she's not interested in him in THAT way in even just one tiny bit.
"What did you want from me?" Akio asked, getting to the point.
Reiko's hands flew to her chest, in mock astonishment. "Why Akio! How could you think that I want something from you?"
"I don't think it, I know it," Akio retorted. "You never visit me of your own free will unless you need something."
"Darn! I never thought you noticed!" Reiko said in mock annoyance. Akio's mouth twitched upwards. He shook his head again, but this time, with a smile.
"Even Norihiro is more mature than you and you're the oldest," Akio pointed out.
"Oh shush," Reiko said, waving her hand at him in dismissal. "Anyway, I'm leaving for a while so you need to watch over our little Norihiro. He's still pretty much sick. I hope he gets well soon... So you need to baby sit."
The young man scowled. "I am certainly NOT baby sitting anyone."
"But he's still sick!" Reiko protested.
"He can take care of himself."
"Do you really want to leave Yui's cousin alone in illness?"
Akio was silent for a moment. "Fine! I'll watch over Norihiro!"
Just to make sure, Reiko followed Akio to Norihiro's room. When Akio saw Norihiro, he slowly bent over the boy and touched his forehead. Akio's face remained expressionless but Reiko saw the concern in his eyes.
Figures... I knew Akio was a softie inside.
Reiko left the two with a genuine smile.
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Omi was grinning. He was enjoying this!
He had been stalking Boy George for a couple of hours now. At first, the man seemed weird to him, wearing a pink baby's outfit. But as he slowly watched Boy George's duels, he knew that this person was a great duelist.
"Todome da."
Another defeated opponent... I see why he won against Mimi Tasogare... This guy is a kaijudo master.
Omi stood up from his seat and left. He should take his break now.
As he went around the corner, he saw Yui walking with a spiky-haired kid and two girls and two short guys. Omi then saw a long-haired man go towards them.
Ah... Knight... He mustn't see me here.
With that, he left with information to give to Yui later.
XDXDXD
"Shobu, can I talk with you?" Knight asked. "Alone."
Shobu shrugged and followed Knight to another corridor.
"What's that all about?" Saiyuki asked.
"I don't know," Mimi said with a shrug.
"Maybe Knight needs to tell him some news," Rakudah suggested.
"But couldn't he say it with us present?" Kintaro said, frowning.
Yui looked thoughtfully at the direction where Knight and Shobu went. She turned to the others.
"I'm going to the toilet, okay?"
"Do you want us to go with you?" Saiyuki asked.
"Don't worry," Yui replied with a smile. "Besides, I have to go to my duel soon. I'll see you all later after my duel."
"So does Shobu, he has to go as soon as Knight finishes talking with him," Mimi said thoughtfully.
"You always have the same time," Saiyuki said with a deep frown. "I can't help but feel bad that we can't watch your duels."
"I'm really all right with it," Yui reassured her. "Don't worry! Well, I'll see you later! Bye!"
"Bye!"
As soon as Yui turned around the corner, she quickly ran towards the direction where she saw Knight take Shobu.
"I was told by a reliable resource that you have been troubled lately." That was Knight.
"Really Knight, I'm fine. There's no need to worry."
Shobu's been troubled lately? Yui thought in shock. She leaned closer against the wall, trying hard to hear every single word.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been around lately. But Shobu, you need to tell me what's wrong! I can read you and I know you were lying just then!"
There was a pause. Then-
"Knight, I've been having dreams..."
"Go on."
"I've been having dreams about the new Temple Champion and the new Temple Guardians. They're all cloaked and faceless in my dreams... Every time I have the dream, the Champion and the Guardians always have this shadow behind them. I know that this shadow behind them is Master."
"I see... These dreams would freak you out."
"But that's not what's freaking me out Knight! There were only four people in front of Master's shadow and one of them was the Temple Champion!"
Yui could almost hear the confusion and then the realization in Knight.
"So three cloaked figures representing the Guardians... But there's supposed to be four!"
"Knight... In my dream, my friends were also there: Mimi, Saiyuki and Rakudah. And behind them..."
"Behind them what?"
"Behind them was the missing cloaked figure... one of the Guardians."
Yui heard Knight suck in a deep breath and then exhale slowly.
"What could this mean?" Knight said slowly.
"I don't know Knight but I've been having these dreams every single night! I-I sometimes loose focus because of it. Without my friends, I would've spaced out in more than one duel."
Yui leaned against the wall. Shobu's dreams... They were so accurate!
That cloaked figure behind Mimi, Saiyuki and Rakudah represents Norihiro... If Shobu's been having these dreams, we need to speed up our pace and go quickly into our plans before he realizes who Norihiro and I really are.
The Temple Champion ran off, making sure that she wasn't heard. As she turned around the corner, she slammed straight into someone.
"Sorry!" she gasped, fixing her glasses. Looking up, she saw it was Reiko! "Reiko?!"
"You're in a hurry," Reiko said calmly. "I'm here to watch some dueling."
"Mine?"
"No! Why would you presume that?" Yui sweat dropped.
"I don't know... Maybe because I'm your Champion... If not me then who?"
Reiko leaned closer to the younger girl. She grinned mischievously.
"I'm watching Kokujo duel. I want to see if he still remembers me."
Yui's eyes widened in shock. "Y-you LIKE him!" she sputtered.
Reiko's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Why do you say that?"
The younger girl smiled mischievously. "What happened to the Ms. Men-are-the-biggest-pigs-there-are-and-the-most-inferior-race-in-the-whole-planet-and-should-never-be-bothered-with?"
"I was never like that!" Reiko huffed. "Well... What would you do if your five-year boyfriend tells you that he's been going out with you since he was really trying to make your best friend jealous and then dumps you when he finally gets her to love him?"
"I think I would be defensive as well and place a shield around my heart but..." Yui looked thoughtful. "Reiko, I really think that not all men are like that. Besides, I'm sure there is someone out there who wouldn't use you so harshly. You're beautiful and kind and wonderful. You'll find someone. Maybe he's just around the corner..."
At that exact same moment, Koshiro Kokujo came from around the corner. Yui, however, didn't see since her back was facing him. Reiko saw and her eyes widened in shock.
I-it's a mere coincidence, r-right?
Reiko suddenly grabbed Yui and threw her inside the toilet, which was right next to them.
"H-hey!"
Reiko quickly slammed the door shut. She placed her hand above Yui's mouth. Yui kept silent but her eyes revealed confusion. After a moment, Reiko let go.
"What was that all about? Reiko... That hurt a bit!"
"N-nothing," Reiko said, laughing nervously. "I have to go Yui! See you later!" With that, she left. Yui looked more confused than ever.
"What's up with her?"
XDXDXD
This was not happening! This was NOT happening!
Reiko cursed under her breath as she followed Kokujo to a dueling room. She felt like a stalker. Well, she is stalking him. But that wasn't the point.
I'm following him since Yui told me to before! Yeah, that's it! I'm not following him because he's interesting! Yep, that's right!
Who am I kidding?
Kokujo entered the dueling room. Reiko took her sunglasses out and put them on, hoping he won't recognize her.
As she went inside, someone suddenly grabbed her arm. She almost screamed until she saw it was only Omi.
"Omi! Don't give me a heart attack! Stop sneaking up on people like that!"
"What are you doing here?" Omi said dryly. His eyes then brightened. "Does Yui need me?"
"Erm... No," Reiko said. "I'm stalk- following Kokujo."
Omi raised an eyebrow, sorely reminding her of Akio and Norihiro. "Why?"
"Remember what Yui said before?"
"That you're supposed to follow him to see if he's good? Yeah."
"Well that's it. I'm checking if he has gotten any better."
Omi smiled brightly. "You're lying," he sang.
Reiko turned visibly red. "How did you know?!"
"I didn't. It was a guess and you fell for it!" Reiko growled, resisting the urge to wring the cute boy's neck.
But looking at Omi, she realized something. He was an inch taller than before and his facial features were sharper. Her eyes widened in realization and shock.
"You're growing up!"
"I think I've been doing that since I was born," Omi said dryly again. "I don't think I ever shrank even just once."
"No!" Reiko said, shaking her head. "You're starting to look more mature. You are having a growth spurt, aren't you? How come I've ever noticed it before?"
"No one's noticed since they're too busy," there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Even Yui didn't notice."
Looking at him, Reiko could tell that he would become a dashing young man.
"She will and she'll be happy," Reiko said comfortingly. "You know how much she adores you."
Omi gave her a genuine smile. Reiko was a bit taken aback but she returned the gesture. The duel then began.
"Oh, why are you here again Omi?"
"The one competing against Kokujo is Boy George."
Reiko looked at Kokujo's opponent. She was shocked. "Him?! But he looks like an overgrown baby!"
"I know."
"Kind-of reminds me of you."
Omi pouted. "I resent that statement!"
They then watched.
"What deck does Boy George use?"
"Water civilization."
"Kokujo uses dark."
"This will be interesting."
So far, it was Boy George who had the advantage. Reiko watched on in apprehension.
"Reiko? You look nervous," Omi noted blankly. "Why?"
Reiko stood up from the seat, to Omi's huge surprise.
"Hey Kokujo!"
Kokujo looked up and his eyes widened in shock at seeing her. Reiko ignored the bewildered stares of the other spectators.
"I thought you were going to be good! I see I'm very wrong!"
Kokujo's eyes narrowed. He gave a growl.
"I'll show you woman! I am going to beat this guy!" He then looked back at Boy George, a fire in his eyes.
Reiko sat down with a smug look on her face. Omi still looked bewildered.
"What was that about?"
The woman, however, didn't answer. She was deep in thought.
We'll see...
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Hmm... Bit weird the ending? I just noticed that the chappie was a bit Reiko-centric. I'll fix that in the next chappie.
Okay, voting! Who do you want to win?
a) Boy George and Reiko is a bit disappointed but still likes Kokujo; or
b) Kokujo wins, Reiko's happy and Boy George gets kicked out of the game... Boy George getting kicked out is a bit sad... But I'll get over it!
Chisakami Saiyuki