The rest of the night passed uneventfully. The night was clear, and
the group spread themselves out under the stars to rest.
Duke was awake longer than the rest of them. He had set himself up a little way away from the others.
Serenity rolled over in her sleep, hitting her head on a pebble under her blanket. She woke unwillingly, rubbing her head. Looking around, she noticed Duke sitting up, just staring at the sky. Serenity draped her blanket around her shoulders and walked quietly to where he sat.
"Is something wrong, Duke?"
Duke turned around to face her. "Oh, hi Serenity. Nothing's wrong...just thinking."
"About what?"
"About you, actually." Duke stretched his arms over his head.
"What about me?" Serenity asked, sitting next to him.
"You remember what happened. You shook me out of my trance."
"Me?" Serenity blinked. "But...I didn't do anything."
"Well...I guess it's hard to explain..." Duke turned his head and spoke to the sliver of a moon in the sky. "It...it wasn't really me doing any of that stuff. I was just sitting back and watching. I couldn't do anything. That magic Korimo had...it was just too strong. I tried to stop it, I didn't want to hurt Yugi or Bakura, or even Tristan or Joey. But I guess I didn't want to help them enough. I couldn't stop myself. But when I tried to hurt you...I just couldn't do it. I really like you, Serenity," he added, still not looking at her. She blushed. "I know you probably don't like me the same way, but I wouldn't let anything hurt you. That's what gave me the strength to stop."
"Duke..."
"Don't mind me Serenity, just go back to sleep." He looked at her again and smiled.
"Only if you get some sleep too."
"Okay. Good night."
"Night." Serenity went back to her spot next to Joey on the forest ground, and fell asleep.
"They're not keeping lookout at all?"
"No Milady, when you sent be back to check, I saw all of them asleep."
"I know that fool, I was watching. I was merely thinking aloud." Korimo moved to kick her servant, who flew as a crow to a high shelf before he could be hurt. Korimo looked out the window, at the thin crescent of a moon. "Still, I thought them smarter than that. Perhaps this won't be much of a challenge after all."
"Milady, aren't we going to go after them tonight? Is it not a good time, since they are unprepared?"
Korimo sank into a chair, pulling out her ponytail and letting her hair cascade down her back. "You think well, but you forget. The sun will be up in a few hours. It's hardly worth it. I'll simply take care of them all tomorrow night."
"But Milady-"
"But what? I'm the master here, I make the decisions. You dare to question my authority?"
"Not at all, Lady Korimo, but..." Fukamito stopped, unsure if he was allowed to continue.
"But what?" Korimo smiled dangerously. "Tell me, what have I overlooked?" Fukamito didn't respond. "Tell me!" she repeated, louder.
"Milady, the new moon comes in only three nights. You...if we do not act tonight, we will only have tomorrow and the night after."
"Do you doubt my ability, Fukamito?"
"Milady?" he asked, afraid to answer that it may be the wrong response.
"Do you doubt that it is in my power to dispose of them before the new moon?"
"No, Milady, of course not. I just thought-"
"You just thought to give me an advantage I don't need. How sweet," she added dryly.
"Milady, I-"
"Spare me your pathetic apology and go check on the prisoner. At least you can still be useful to me, else I'd have to get rid of you."
"Yes, Milady," said Fukamito, and he left.
Korimo chuckled to herself. "Poor soul, too weak to fend for himself and too stupid to serve a good master well." She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She had to focus carefully to bring Fukamito's sight into her own eyes, but once she had her spell in control, it was easy to keep. He was some sort of a bird, that much was evident from the high vantage point she was given. He landed a few feet from the cell door.
Tea sat in her cell, huddled under the thin blanket she had been given to keep warm. She appeared to be asleep; she was not still, but tossed slightly and moaned in her dreams. But then, Korimo wasn't convinced. It wasn't hard to imitate sleep.
Satisfied, Korimo reverted to her normal eyesight. She stood and walked to her window.
"Soon Yugi, soon you and I will face eachother. Soon, I will defeat you, King of Games. Soon, I will prove myself to everyone I've ever known."
The sun rose over the wood quietly, bringing welcome light and warmth to Yugi-tachi after the cold autumn night. Bakura was the first to wake, and began to set out a small breakfast of water and Serenity's rice cakes. One by one, the other members of the group woke up and went about various activities. Serenity helped Tristan neatly bandage his wound, which hadn't been properly cared for the night before. Everyone else relaxed somewhat, talking, joking, just hanging out.
"Yugi, are we just gonna sit here all day?" Joey asked his friend, sitting next to him on a fallen tree trunk.
"Of course not, we'll devise a plan of action and set out as soon as we've rested," Yami responded. "In fact, we should probably start thinking of a plan soon."
Any other conversation between the two boys or anyone else was cut short but a rustling in the bushes a few yards away. Yami and Joey jumped up, adopting brave stances, while everyone else sat stock still.
"Who's there?" Yami called out.
"Yugi Moto, my master sends you her compliments." Fukamito's smooth, deep voice rang through the trees. Once again in crow form, he flew up from the bushes and perched on a high branch. "You have shown skills worthy of her challenge."
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked angrily, trying to stand up while Serenity tried to keep him down.
"Are you saying this was some sort of test?" Yami inquired.
"Absolutely. Lady Korimo needed to be sure that you had the abilities she has heard you had."
"That punk's no lady, she's a witch!" Joey yelled.
The insult bounced right off of Fukamito, and expression did not change. "I have been sent to give you the information you require. The next battles will be fought in the mansion slightly west of this spot. You will each be assigned one specific task to perform individually. Should you fail your task, you will be taken captive along with your friend Tea." He paused for effect, taking his demonic pleasure at the pain and sadness induced by the mention of Tea's capture. "Lady Korimo also insists that under no circumstance are you to enter the mansion before sunset tonight. She has graciously given you the entire day to prepare. I strongly suggest you take it." With that, Fukamito flew into the morning sky.
Everything was quiet for a few minutes after he left.
"Yo Tristan," Joey broke the silence, "Anything in that Great Outdoors Survival Guide about dealing with freaky demon pets of evil nutcases?"
"Hang on, I'll look," Tristan said helpfully, and Serenity, Duke and Ryou began to laugh. Even straight-faced Yami couldn't hold back a smirk. It took Tristan a moment to realize he was being made fun of. As soon as he figured it out, he retaliated by throwing the book into Joey's widely open and laughing mouth. This only caused everyone else to laugh harder.
"You know what we need to do once we get in there?" Duke asked suddenly. Everyone turned to him. "We need to get rid of that thing. Betcha Korimo won't be so cocky without her little pet."
"You mean kill it?!" Serenity asked, horrified.
"We may have to-"Duke was cut off when Joey put a hand over his mouth.
"Don't worry about it Serenity, we couldn't kill im, no matter how strange and annoying he is." Joey rubbed his neck with his free hand, keeping the other firmly on Duke's mouth. Duke made indignant noises and shoved Joey's hand away from him. He didn't say anything else.
"That's actually a good idea," Yami said thoughtfully. "We may even be able to barter with her, the demon for Tea."
"I wouldn't count on it," Bakura warned. "We shouldn't expect someone like Korimo to care for her lackey."
"But still, it's a plan. Tonight at sunset, we'll go and see exactly what it is she wants from us," Yami said.
And with the plan formed, the six friends awaited nightfall, and their next tasks.
Duke was awake longer than the rest of them. He had set himself up a little way away from the others.
Serenity rolled over in her sleep, hitting her head on a pebble under her blanket. She woke unwillingly, rubbing her head. Looking around, she noticed Duke sitting up, just staring at the sky. Serenity draped her blanket around her shoulders and walked quietly to where he sat.
"Is something wrong, Duke?"
Duke turned around to face her. "Oh, hi Serenity. Nothing's wrong...just thinking."
"About what?"
"About you, actually." Duke stretched his arms over his head.
"What about me?" Serenity asked, sitting next to him.
"You remember what happened. You shook me out of my trance."
"Me?" Serenity blinked. "But...I didn't do anything."
"Well...I guess it's hard to explain..." Duke turned his head and spoke to the sliver of a moon in the sky. "It...it wasn't really me doing any of that stuff. I was just sitting back and watching. I couldn't do anything. That magic Korimo had...it was just too strong. I tried to stop it, I didn't want to hurt Yugi or Bakura, or even Tristan or Joey. But I guess I didn't want to help them enough. I couldn't stop myself. But when I tried to hurt you...I just couldn't do it. I really like you, Serenity," he added, still not looking at her. She blushed. "I know you probably don't like me the same way, but I wouldn't let anything hurt you. That's what gave me the strength to stop."
"Duke..."
"Don't mind me Serenity, just go back to sleep." He looked at her again and smiled.
"Only if you get some sleep too."
"Okay. Good night."
"Night." Serenity went back to her spot next to Joey on the forest ground, and fell asleep.
"They're not keeping lookout at all?"
"No Milady, when you sent be back to check, I saw all of them asleep."
"I know that fool, I was watching. I was merely thinking aloud." Korimo moved to kick her servant, who flew as a crow to a high shelf before he could be hurt. Korimo looked out the window, at the thin crescent of a moon. "Still, I thought them smarter than that. Perhaps this won't be much of a challenge after all."
"Milady, aren't we going to go after them tonight? Is it not a good time, since they are unprepared?"
Korimo sank into a chair, pulling out her ponytail and letting her hair cascade down her back. "You think well, but you forget. The sun will be up in a few hours. It's hardly worth it. I'll simply take care of them all tomorrow night."
"But Milady-"
"But what? I'm the master here, I make the decisions. You dare to question my authority?"
"Not at all, Lady Korimo, but..." Fukamito stopped, unsure if he was allowed to continue.
"But what?" Korimo smiled dangerously. "Tell me, what have I overlooked?" Fukamito didn't respond. "Tell me!" she repeated, louder.
"Milady, the new moon comes in only three nights. You...if we do not act tonight, we will only have tomorrow and the night after."
"Do you doubt my ability, Fukamito?"
"Milady?" he asked, afraid to answer that it may be the wrong response.
"Do you doubt that it is in my power to dispose of them before the new moon?"
"No, Milady, of course not. I just thought-"
"You just thought to give me an advantage I don't need. How sweet," she added dryly.
"Milady, I-"
"Spare me your pathetic apology and go check on the prisoner. At least you can still be useful to me, else I'd have to get rid of you."
"Yes, Milady," said Fukamito, and he left.
Korimo chuckled to herself. "Poor soul, too weak to fend for himself and too stupid to serve a good master well." She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She had to focus carefully to bring Fukamito's sight into her own eyes, but once she had her spell in control, it was easy to keep. He was some sort of a bird, that much was evident from the high vantage point she was given. He landed a few feet from the cell door.
Tea sat in her cell, huddled under the thin blanket she had been given to keep warm. She appeared to be asleep; she was not still, but tossed slightly and moaned in her dreams. But then, Korimo wasn't convinced. It wasn't hard to imitate sleep.
Satisfied, Korimo reverted to her normal eyesight. She stood and walked to her window.
"Soon Yugi, soon you and I will face eachother. Soon, I will defeat you, King of Games. Soon, I will prove myself to everyone I've ever known."
The sun rose over the wood quietly, bringing welcome light and warmth to Yugi-tachi after the cold autumn night. Bakura was the first to wake, and began to set out a small breakfast of water and Serenity's rice cakes. One by one, the other members of the group woke up and went about various activities. Serenity helped Tristan neatly bandage his wound, which hadn't been properly cared for the night before. Everyone else relaxed somewhat, talking, joking, just hanging out.
"Yugi, are we just gonna sit here all day?" Joey asked his friend, sitting next to him on a fallen tree trunk.
"Of course not, we'll devise a plan of action and set out as soon as we've rested," Yami responded. "In fact, we should probably start thinking of a plan soon."
Any other conversation between the two boys or anyone else was cut short but a rustling in the bushes a few yards away. Yami and Joey jumped up, adopting brave stances, while everyone else sat stock still.
"Who's there?" Yami called out.
"Yugi Moto, my master sends you her compliments." Fukamito's smooth, deep voice rang through the trees. Once again in crow form, he flew up from the bushes and perched on a high branch. "You have shown skills worthy of her challenge."
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked angrily, trying to stand up while Serenity tried to keep him down.
"Are you saying this was some sort of test?" Yami inquired.
"Absolutely. Lady Korimo needed to be sure that you had the abilities she has heard you had."
"That punk's no lady, she's a witch!" Joey yelled.
The insult bounced right off of Fukamito, and expression did not change. "I have been sent to give you the information you require. The next battles will be fought in the mansion slightly west of this spot. You will each be assigned one specific task to perform individually. Should you fail your task, you will be taken captive along with your friend Tea." He paused for effect, taking his demonic pleasure at the pain and sadness induced by the mention of Tea's capture. "Lady Korimo also insists that under no circumstance are you to enter the mansion before sunset tonight. She has graciously given you the entire day to prepare. I strongly suggest you take it." With that, Fukamito flew into the morning sky.
Everything was quiet for a few minutes after he left.
"Yo Tristan," Joey broke the silence, "Anything in that Great Outdoors Survival Guide about dealing with freaky demon pets of evil nutcases?"
"Hang on, I'll look," Tristan said helpfully, and Serenity, Duke and Ryou began to laugh. Even straight-faced Yami couldn't hold back a smirk. It took Tristan a moment to realize he was being made fun of. As soon as he figured it out, he retaliated by throwing the book into Joey's widely open and laughing mouth. This only caused everyone else to laugh harder.
"You know what we need to do once we get in there?" Duke asked suddenly. Everyone turned to him. "We need to get rid of that thing. Betcha Korimo won't be so cocky without her little pet."
"You mean kill it?!" Serenity asked, horrified.
"We may have to-"Duke was cut off when Joey put a hand over his mouth.
"Don't worry about it Serenity, we couldn't kill im, no matter how strange and annoying he is." Joey rubbed his neck with his free hand, keeping the other firmly on Duke's mouth. Duke made indignant noises and shoved Joey's hand away from him. He didn't say anything else.
"That's actually a good idea," Yami said thoughtfully. "We may even be able to barter with her, the demon for Tea."
"I wouldn't count on it," Bakura warned. "We shouldn't expect someone like Korimo to care for her lackey."
"But still, it's a plan. Tonight at sunset, we'll go and see exactly what it is she wants from us," Yami said.
And with the plan formed, the six friends awaited nightfall, and their next tasks.
