Joy: Okay! As I said at the beginning of the story, I melted two options in to one. The next chapter begins the options where Joy loses her memory and everyone tries to help her. But for now, let us find out who Joy chose - Marik or Kaiba?
All It Takes is Your Love
"I take it you called us here for a reason," Seto said. To be honest, he was concerned. Joy looked sad, even depressed, and was quiet since letting them in. He had never seen her look like this before. He wanted to ask her abou it, but he didn't want to seem weak in front of her. Not now when she was already upset.
"Yeah. I told you guys I would have to decide between the two of you." Joy took a deep breath. "The truth is, I can't decide. I can't choose between the two of you. So I have chosen not to go out with either of you. I would rather have our friendships remain intact and stay single than hurt two of the most important people in my life. I know you are both surprised and stuff. I just hope we can remain good friends."
"Joy...I..." Seto began.
"Don't worry about me, Kaiba. I just hope you don't think less of me." Because I don't think I could take it if you did.
"Of course I don't."
"And I'm sure Kaiba agrees that we should all put this behind us and stay close, no matter what," Marik added, trying to reassure her.
Joy gave them a weak smile as Kaiba agreed. I guess things between them will be a lot better now.
Joy was quiet the rest of the evening after the conversation and Kaiba left. Katilli tried to talk to her, but to no avail. Joy spent the rest of the night in her room, not saying anything to anyone, and only giving Katilli a slight nod when she said goodnight. Marik had spent a bit of the night on the computer in Joy's office, talking to Kumi online. He had told her about Joy's decision and went so far as to blame himself for it.
"If I had just kept my big mouth shut and my nose out of this, she would be better off, and happy, Starlight. You should have seen her face. Ra, I wish there was something I could do."
'Hmm...maybe I could help. All I need is Kaiba's email address...'
...The Next Day...
Kaiba was talking to Sorcerer Seto in his room. "It's all my fault..." he said with a sad sigh.
"At least you two are still friends."
"But that's not enough!" Not for me...and not for her. And I am the person who is responsible. Why? Because I'm - "
"Self-centered?" Sorcerer volunteered.
"Shut up, Sorcerer." Kaiba turned on his laptop to find he had a new message from an unfamiliar sender. His first instinct was to delete it in case it was a virus, but something told him to open it. He clicked on it.
To: Seto Kaiba
You don't know me, but I am a friend of Joy Houyoku and Marik Istaar and have been speaking with them both for quite a while. I know about the problems going on between the three of you. Joy seems very upset about the decision she made and both Marik and myself agree it is because she truly wants to be with you. We want Joy to be happy and know that you are the person that makes that happen. So, I sent this to you to tell you: Go get her, Romeo!"
It wasn't signed with anyone's name, but Kaiba had a feeling that the person was telling the truth. He closed his laptop and stood, determination in his face.
...Meanwhile...
"All right, Anita. Go ahead and send those memos out to upper management. And move that conference call to next Monday instead of Friday."
"Yes, Miss Houyoku. Oh, and you have a visitor that just arrived. Should I send him in?"
"Go ahead, Anita. I have a few moments before lunch." Seto came in a moment later. "Oh, Kaiba. Did you want to have lunch? I'm a bit surprised, but okay. Just let me finish this one thing up and we can go, okay?"
"Joy...I need to say something. It's important."
"Oh, okay. Go on." Joy looked up at him, giving him her attention.
"Okay. I know I'm not the best guy to have as a boyfriend. I know I never really explained what happened in my office, but I am going to now. My secretary came onto me and when I told her to fuck off she grabbed me and kissed me. I know that sounds stupid, but that's what happened."
Just then Anita came onto the intercome. "Miss Houyoku, call on line two."
Joy picked it up. "Moshi moshi." She paused, then blinked. "Marik, I - " There was another pause as she listened for a few moments. "All right, Marik. Thank you very much for telling me that. See you later at the house." She hung up and looked back at Kaiba, nodding for him to continue."
"Now, I know that I have been self-centered and kind of cold toward you the last few weeks, and I really don't have an explanation or reason for that. But I do know one thing - I can't deal with us not being together. I am not good at change or at being a conversationalist, but I intend to do what it takes to get you back. Just name it."
Joy thought for a moment. Then she stood up and went over to him. and wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting their lips in a passionate kiss. For a moment, Kaiba was too shocked to speak when they broke the touch. "I...I love you, Joy Houyoku."
Joy smiled. "Then that's good enough for me."
Joy: And that is the end of part 1!
Seto: Wait a minute!
Joy: What? Seto, what the hell are you doing here?
Seto: That was the lamest ending ever! You can't end it like that? What the hell did Marik tell Joy?
Joy: (sigh) That is supposed to be a secret!
Seto: In other words, you have no fucking clue! That was such a cop out!
Joy: No it wasn't! I know exactly what he said! It was not a cop out!
Seto: Hmph. Yeah, right. And this chapter was too damn long!
Joy: Okay, I agree with you there...what should we do to make it longer?
Seto: We? You're the authoress! You think of something! (leaves grumbling)
Joy: Hmph! Well be that way! Okay, I'll give you all an intermission before Part two!
Intermission - Mini-Story - The Game
"Okay, everyone! Here it is!" Joy came out of her kitchen carrying an empty glass bottle.
"That's not a wine bottle, is it Joy?" Yugi asked skeptically.
"Of course not! Now, everyone make a circle and we'll play."
The spirits came out. "What game are we playing?" Yami asked, raising an eyebrow.
"This is my favorite game! Spin the bottle Truth or Dare!"
"How is this game played?" Sorcerer asked.
"It's easy! I'll go first." Joy spun the bottle. It landed on Ryou. "Okay, Ryou. Truth or Dare?"
"Um...I don' know..."
Bakura rolled his eyes. "Oh for Ra's sake! Pick one, host!"
"Dare!" Ryou said a bit hastily and panicky.
"Cool. Okay...let me see...Ryou, I dare you to jump up and down for the rest of the game."
"Huh?" Ryou said.
"Go ahead, Ryou. That's not too bad..." Yugi said, reassuring the boy.
"Oh...okay." Ryou got up and started jumping up and down.
"Spin the bottle, Ryou, it's your turn to ask someone," Joy said.
"Uh..O-kay," Ryou said in between jumps. He spun the bottle and it landed on...Yami.
"Truth - or - Dare - Yami?" He had to pause between jumps to ask.
Yami paused. "Dare."
"Um..." Bakura got up and whispered something in Ryou's ear (AN: Not easy when the kid is still jumping). "O-kay. Yami - I - dare - you - to - kiss - Bakura's - feet!"
"NANI! No way!"
"Come one, Yami. You can always get him back later," Joy assured him.
Yami gave Bakura a death glare. Bakura smirked and took off his shoe. "Come on, pharaoh! Do it! I swear you will not be utterly humiliated. That is, unless you are a complete coward."
Yami scowled, but reluctantly - very reluctantly - bent over and kissed Bakura's foot. "I will get you back, Bakura. And it will not be pleasant for you."
"Okay, Yami, spin the bottle." Yami spun and it landed on...Kaiba!
"Shit."
"Truth or Dare, Kaiba?"
"Truth."
"Do you sleep with Blue Eyes White Dragon stuffed animals?"
"What?" Kaiba asked incredulously. His face turned a deep shade of red. "Um..."
"You have to tell the truth, Kaiba," Yugi pointed out.
"I know, Yugi." He sighed, then mumbled something.
"What was that?" Yami asked with a smirk.
"Yes, I do! There! Are you happy!"
Everyone fought to hide their snickers. Joy leaned over and kissed Kaiba on the cheek. "I think that is so sweet, Kaiba." Kaiba, still blushing, spun the bottle. It landed on...Yugi.
"Truth or dare?"
"Dare," Yugi said, a bit nervous.
"I dare you to give me the Dark Magician Card."
"What! No way!" both Yami and Yugi said.
"How about if he just lent it to you till the end of the game?" Joy suggested.
"All right. I'll agree to that." Kaiba held his hand out. "Just till the end of the game."
"O-Okay." He took the card from his deck and handed it reluctantly to Kaiba, then took his turn at spinning the bottle. It landed on Bakura.
Yami's face suddenly housed the biggest smirk of all time, and Bakura glared over at them.
"Get it over with. Dare. Bring me your worst!"
Do you want me to help you? Yami asked through the link. Yugi shook his head.
I already have a good one. "Bakura, I dare you to perform the "You are mightier than me" curse!"
"The "You are mightier than me" curse? What's that?" Bakura asked.
"Everytime someone says your name, you have to respond by saying "You are mightier than me."
"ACK! You have to be kidding!"
Yugi smiled. "Nope!"
Good one, Yugi! "That was a good dare, do you not think so, Bakura?" Yami asked, deliberately saying the thief's name.
Bakura scowled. "You would think so...You are mightier than me." He mumbled the last part.
Joy: Okay, that's it for this chapter! If you like the intermission, let me know and I'll add to it at the end of the story. If not, I'll leave it like this. This story isn't over, it's just one part that is over. Chapter six is coming up soon! Till then, review!
