Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or TBAA. If I did, I'd be very happy.
Author's Notes:. Hello everyone!
To Yamigirl (and all): No, Kaiba doesn't go to school in my fanfics. I kind of see Kaiba as someone a little older than the rest of the gang…18, maybe 19…He mostly works…I don't know how old he is in the anime…I know in the magna he's supposed to be in school with them and all…but I don't know, he just seems older to me. Maybe because he's a genius. I don't know..the guy takes care of Mokuba, and he runs his own company…I mean, some 18 year olds couldn't do that! (Heck some 30 year olds probably couldn't, either, but I digress…) Even in the anime, I think the only time they showed him in anything that looked like school that I remember was the first episode…the one where he overhears them talking about the "rare card" which turns out to be the Blue Eyes…they're always showing him working or something…Anyway, that's kind of the way I've written it in these two stories…I don't know if it's accurate, but it's my version of things…you can think of it as AU if you like…does that make sense?
To High Crystal Guardian: Joey doesn't even find about that yet….just wait till he does….I think that's gonna be either in the next chappie or chapter 5…I've got it written out, but I'm not sure how I'm going to break up the chapters yet.
Thank you to all who reviewed so far. A special thank you goes to my beta-reader, Hyatt Insomnia!
Warnings: Mild violence and language, so far.
To Steal, Kill, and Destroy
Chapter Three: Friendships Destroyed
"Hi Grandpa!" Yugi called cheerfully as he walked through the door of the game shop with Tristan and Joey.
"Well, hello there! Are we all ready to watch the Duel Monsters Tournament on TV tonight?"
"You bet, Gramps!" Joey replied cheerfully. "I can't wait!"
"Good! I've got lots of popcorn ready for you boys."
"Thank you, Mr. Motou." Tristan offered politely.
"Yeah, thanks, Gramps! That's awesome!" Joey chimed in.
"It's my pleasure," the elder Motou winked, "Just try to save some for the other two boys, Joey."
"Hey!" Joey said indignantly.
Tristan snickered. "He's got a point there."
Joey side glanced at his pal. "Watch it!"
"C'mon let's go upstairs and get ready!" Yugi waved to his friends. The three boys raced upstairs and turned on the TV. They were already giving commentaries on the upcoming tournament. They started making the popcorn and plopped themselves down in front of the TV. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Ya expectin' someone else, Yug?" Joey asked.
"No, not really. Tea said that she was busy with a family thing tonight…but maybe it got cancelled." To his surprise, when he opened the door none other than Seto Kaiba was standing there. Yugi's eyes widened. "Kaiba?"
"Hey, Kaiba, didja come ta watch the tournament with us?" Joey and the tall brunette had recently ended their fighting, and had actually started becoming friends. Unfortunately, that truce was about to come to an abrupt end.
"Don't be ridiculous," the CEO hissed as he rudely pushed his way past Yugi. "I went to your house, and your mother told me you were here." He grabbed Joey roughly by the arm, yanked him to his feet, and started dragging him towards the door.
"Eh, Kaiba, what's yer problem!?"
"You are. Outside. Now," Kaiba replied coldly.
Tristan got up and blocked Kaiba's way. "You can't just come bustin' in other people's houses doing anything you feel like! Maybe Joey doesn't want to talk to you."
"This doesn't concern you. Now get out of my way, or I'll toss you out the window."
Tristan narrowed his eyes. "I'd like to see you try."
"Don't tempt me."
Joey jumped in, fearing that Kaiba might actually carry out his threat. "Hey, Tristan, it's cool. I'll talk ta 'im."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, don't sweat it. I'll be back in a sec." Joey grinned. Kaiba yanked on his arm again and dragged him outside. "Hey, take it easy! Ya don't gotta break my arm, ya know!"
"Don't give me any ideas."
"What the hell's wrong with ya today, anyway? Did Kaiba Corp.'s stock go down or somethin'?"
Once they were outside, Kaiba pushed Joey up against the wall on the side of the Game Shop. "Who did you tell?? I want names! NOW!"
Joey stared back at him blankly. "Huh? Whaddya talkin' 'bout?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Wheeler! I want names and I want them NOW!"
"What the hell are ya talkin' 'bout? What names?"
Kaiba narrowed his ice blue eyes. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."
"Kaiba,I swear ta ya, I got no idea what you're jabberin' on about!" Joey cried in frustration. "Ya ever think about seein' a shrink?"
"You think this is funny!? You think this some sort of game!? Well, you'd better think again!" Kaiba grabbed Joey by the collar.
"So who's laughin'?" Joey asked. "But seriously, Kaiba, I got no idea what yer talkin' about. So ya mind cluin' me in?"
"Who. Did. You. Tell. About. My. Foster. Father," Kaiba spat out through gritted teeth.
Joey's eyes widened. Now he understood. Kaiba had told Joey the truth about what had happened to his foster father shortly after his own father had died. "I-I didn't tell nobody, Kaiba! Honest!"
"Don't lie to me! Who did you tell??"
"No one! I swear it!"
"I'm warning you…."
"Kaiba, I swear ta ya, I didn't tell nobody! I wouldn't do that ta ya!"
"You've got one last chance, mutt. Now, who did you tell?"
"I told ya, I didn't tell nobody!"
Kaiba released his grip Joey and crossed his arms. "So, you want to play games with me, then? That's just fine. I've totally creamed you already at Duel Monsters. One would have thought you would have learned from that experience not to get in over your head. Guess some mutts just have to be disciplined more than others before they finally learn their lesson."
"Whateva. I didn't tell nobody. Ya don't wanna believe me, there ain't nothing I can do about it."
"All right, mutt. We'll play your game. As usual, you've chosen to play with someone who is way out your league," he smirked, "I guess it's true what they say…you can't teach an old dog new tricks."
The blonde teen was starting to become annoyed. "Yeah, whateva. I still think ya oughta go see a shrink. Maybe they can help you with your paranoia."
Kaiba glared back at him. "Just remember one thing, mutt. You may know my weaknesses…but I also know yours as well." He turned and walked to his limo, which was parked out front. He opened the door, then turned around to face Joey. "Oh, by the way…how are your mother and sister doing? Good health is so hard to recover once it's lost…don't you agree?"
Joey gave a little gasp and his eyes widened. "Wha…what the heck is that supposed ta mean!?"
Kaiba smirked and got into the limo.
"Hey! Hey, you get back here! What the hell did ya mean by that, Kaiba!?"
The limo pulled away and Joey ran after it, yelling at the top of his lungs. "You leave my mother and sister outta this, ya sleazy slimeball!! Who the hell do ya think ya are, anyway!? Ya better not touch them, ya hear me, Kaiba?? Ya come near 'em and I'll kick yer ass, Moneybags!!"
Tristan, Yugi, and Solomon came running out of the Game Shop. Tristan reached Joey first. "Hey, Joey, what's the matter? They probably could hear you on the next block!"
Joey shoved his hands in his pockets, sulking. "Nothin'"
"Well, it sure didn't sound like nothing to me. What did Kaiba say to you?"
"Nothin', man, he's jus' bein' a creep, as usual."
Tristan narrowed his eyes. "I thought you said Kaiba wasn't all that bad."
"Yeah, well, I was wrong, okay!? So sue me!"
The brunette put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "Hey, take it easy, pal! I'm just tryin' to help ya."
Yugi looked concerned as well. "What happened, Joey? What did Kaiba do to make you so upset?"
"Ah, nothin'….he's jus' being a jerk, that's all." Joey forced himself to smile. "Don't worry about it, Yug. I c'n take 'im." He winked and gave him the thumbs up sign.
"But what happened? What did Kaiba want?"
"Jus' ta bug the hell outta me, as usual….uh, listen, Yug…I totally forgot, I tol' my ma I'd help 'er out around the house tonight…so's if I don't get home, she'll be real pissed off at me, ya know? So…I guess we'll jus' haveta take a raincheck on tonight…." Before anyone could protest, the blonde teenager took off in the direction of his home.
Tristan watched as his friend quickly fled down the block. "I don't know about the two of you…but I didn't buy that for one second."
"I agree with you," the elder Motou commented. "He's definitely upset about something."
Yugi was worried for his friend. He'd been uneasy since he had received the warning from Shaddi a couple of days ago. This event certainly didn't make him feel any better. "Maybe we should check up on him later on."
"Good idea, Yugi," Tristan agreed.
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I apologize to all the Seto/Joey lovers out there…but it's part of the story!! Where would a story be without angst!? We must have the angst!! Don't kill me…kill Monique…it's her fault…
Reviews are very much appreciated! Arigato!!