Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or TBAA. Would be nice if I did, but I don't.
Author's Notes:. Hello everyone! 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 Four: Mind Games
Joey practically ran all the way home. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, as he grew closer to his block. Parked across the street from his house was a white limousine. No way, the blonde thought to himself, "That can't be Kaiba's limo! It just can't be!" He took off as fast as his legs could go down the block. " I swear to God, if that rich arrogant pig has done anythin' to 'em, I'm gonna kill 'im!!"
He finally reached the doorway. "Damn…. now where are my stupid keys…" He fumbled around looking for his keys in his pocket, while glaring at the limo across the street. He finally found them, and ended up dropping them on the ground. "Damn it!" He grabbed the keys and shoved them into the lock. After battling with this new obstacle for a few moments, he finally was able to open the door. He ran in, slamming it behind him.
Across the street, the CEO of Kaiba Corporation was watching the teenager's antics with great amusement. Stupid puppy. So predictable.
"We can go now," he ordered the driver.
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Joey burst into the house, the door slamming loudly behind him. "MOM! SERENITY!" No one was in the living room, so he ran to the kitchen. "MOM!! SERENITY! WHERE ARE YA??"
Panic began to rise up in the young boy. He raced up the stairs, taking them two at a time. "MOM!! SERENI…" He literally ran into one of the women he was looking for, sending her sprawling to the floor.
"Oh, sorry 'bout that, sis. You okay?" Joey reached out a hand to help her up.
"I'm fine, no thanks to you," she replied, taking his outstretched hand and lifting herself off the floor.
"Hey, I said I was sorry! I didn't see ya there."
Serenity chuckled in response. "Well, you might have if you hadn't been going 90 miles an hour!"
Just then, the other female member of the family he had been looking for walked down the hallway and approached the two teens. "What on earth is all the commotion about?"
"Nothin', Ma."
"Well, it certainly didn't sound like nothing," she replied, "I thought you were going over to Yugi's to watch the tournament."
"Um…yeah, I was…but, uh…Yug had ta help with Grandpa out wit' somethin' for the store. So I figured I might as well come home ta make sure everythin's okay over here."
"Everything's fine, Joseph. Is there a reason it wouldn't be?"
Joey laughed nervously and put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "No, no, of course not! It's just…ya know…yer two females alone in the house, an' stuff…"
His sister rolled her eyes. "Oh, yeah, we're just two helpless little females, and you're the big, strong man."
"Hey! Ya outta be glad that someone's watchin' yer back!"
"Yeah, but who's gonna watch yours?" she giggled.
"I don't need nobody ta watch me," he closed his eyes, and pointed to himself with his thumb, "Joey Wheeler c'n take care of himself!"
"Well, that's good to hear," his mother said as she grabbed a basket of laundry from the bathroom and handed it to him, "Since Joey Wheeler can take care of himself, that means he's certainly capable of doing his own laundry."
"Huh?" Joey facefaulted.
Serenity gave him a playful shove on the back. "Go get that laundry, you big, strong man!" Joey growled in response.
Later on, Joey and Serenity were sitting in front of the TV, watching the Duel Monsters Tournament. Joey was explaining the game to her as they watched. The ringing of the doorbell interrupted them. Mrs. Wheeler answered it. "Who is it?"
"Yugi and Tristan, Mrs. Wheeler," Came a familiar cheerful voice on the other end of the door. She opened the door for them. "Oh, hello boys. Joey's in the living room watching the Tournament with Serenity."
"Thanks, Mrs. Wheeler." The two boys entered the house and saw Joey and Serenity sitting on the couch in the living room. Joey's eyes widened when he saw them. What are they doin' here now??
"So, Yugi, I take it you finished up helping out your Grandfather, then?" Mrs. Wheeler commented.
Yugi turned around. "Hm?"
Tristan, who had more experience with these sorts of situations than Yugi did, spoke up quickly. "Oh, yeah, he did. He called me when he was done, and we decided that we'd both come over here and keep Joey company for the Tournament."
"Well, that was sweet of you boys! Wasn't it, Joey?"
"Oh, yeah, real sweet," Joey replied somewhat sarcastically. Tristan immediately jumped next to Serenity on the couch, and Yugi sat next to Joey.
"Do you guys want some lemonade? My mom and I just made some," the auburn-haired girl offered.
"Sure, that'd be great! Thanks, Serenity!" Yugi smiled.
She smiled in response. "Okay, then, I'll be right back."
The minute she left the room, Tristan turned to Joey. "Okay, spill. What's goin' on with you?"
The blonde boy glared at him. "Nothin', man! I tol' ya that before."
"Yeah. And you told your mom that Yugi had to help his Grandpa out tonight."
Joey blushed slightly. "I dunno…she must've of thought I tol' her it was tonight…Yugi's always helpin' Gramps out, ya know…"
His long-time friend frowned at him. "Hey, don't try to con a con artist, man. I've heard it all before."
"Back off, Tristan!"
"Then tell me what's wrong with you. What did Kaiba do to get you this riled up?"
"Hey, man, Kaiba ain't the one rilin' me up right now! You happen to be doin' a great job of that yerself without any help from Moneybags!"
"We're just trying to help you, Joey," Yugi chimed in, "We're worried about you."
"Yeah, well, I don't need ya ta worry 'bout me. I c'n take care 'o myself."
"Why you always have to be so damn stubborn?" Tristan was starting to get annoyed himself.
"Okay, here's some lemonades coming right up!" Serenity called from the kitchen.
"Shut up, my sis is comin' back!" Joey whispered. "I don't wantcha worryin' her too!"
"Well, then, you had better tell me what's up with you," the brunette warned, "or I'll ask her what's up with you."
"Shaddup!" Joey hissed.
"Here's your lemonade." Serenity set down the tray on the coffee table as she handed the drinks to the boys.
"Thanks, Serenity!" Yugi said as he took his glass.
"Wow, this is great lemonade, Serenity! I bet you're a great cook!" Tristan scooted slightly closed to her while Joey glared at him.
She giggled. "Well, I don't know about that. It's just lemonade."
"But it's the best lemonade I've ever tasted!"
Joey leaned over to Yugi and whispered in his ear. "Ya know, Yug, I'm about this close ta killin' the guy!" The spiky haired teen just grinned nervously in response, hoping Joey wouldn't actually carry out his threat.
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Next up…The Wheelers get an unexpected and unwelcome visitor!
Please read and review! Arigato!