Disclaimer: Why! Why? Why would I own it? Well, ok.
Chapter Two: All's Fair in Love and War
"So, your brother's getting married. When?"
" Well, as soon as he asks her……well, of course she'll say yes! Seto…." Serenity sandwiched the plastic cordless phone between her ear and shoulder, and she stirred the pot on the burner at the Wheeler home. It was about two in the afternoon. I hope he's not going to have a sarcastic attitude! "….Yeah, I told him…..but he refuses any help to pay for the wedding bills……But he said I could help him, as long as it doesn't come from you." Well, at least: he's thrilled! That's something.....
"So what are you going to do? Since he won't take money from me." Of course…. Always takes the hard way.....that Joey.....
"Get a job and help him, of course," she said simply.
"Oh, really." She could just HEAR him smiling. "Just. Like. That!"
"What, you don't believe I can find one?"
"No, no." He played the Card of Innocence.
"You lie." Serenity felt somewhat disappointed. Disappointed and determined to prove him wrong. Them both wrong. "You sound just like my brother."
"Cough, cough---excuse me?!"
"Stop; I'm serious."
"I'm not." He put down his coffee cup. "I told you a million times before, Serenity, don't just blurt things like that without some kind of warning!"
Now you really do sound like him, she thought, adding salt to her stew. Joey said the same things about him. "I wish you'd do as I suggested….."
"What's that?" he said absently, typing away on the mainframe in his main house.
".....Remember? That you'd at least give him a compliment, at least ONCE a week….." There was silence as an immediate answer, since this was retreaded ground, over and over. ".....I know he would go to his grave before saying this, Seto, but deep down, he really does admire you. As a duelist, I mean, you know...?"
"I did give him a compliment, remember, last week or so?" The flicker from the screen drew his attention. "That he put on a clean shirt."
"But then, you said what a nice change that was! You just insulted him again!" she said with an exaggerated sigh while he laughed a mock evil laugh, she knew he was teasing. "Anyway…… about my job. I was thinking about doing something with music---"
"Serenity? Help me with the packages, dear." Mrs. W came in the back door with an armful. "Who are you talking to, dear?" she asked absently, as Serenity kept talking, putting the groceries away and adding salt to the dinner with an automatic hand. "Oh! Is it---?!" Mrs. W looked at from her mail of bills, interested. "Let me talk to him!" she practically pleaded.
"Mom…..!" Serenity said, cupping her hand over the mouthpiece. At first, her mother had blown up at the thought of her sweet, young daughter dating, then she found out who it was. Plus, her mother's advertising firm was working for Kaiba Corp, so in truth, her boyfriend was her mother's boss. But as much as Serenity loved her mother, Mrs. W would always bring up embarrassing things that should be kept to locked away. "All right, but don't say anything embarrassing, please, Mom!"
Mrs. W took the phone and went into the hall, letting her daughter stack away the packages. "So, Mr. Kaiba……..yes, oh really? My son's getting married? Oh. That's nice."
Serenity stood stock still, holding her breath until she was flinching. Please no…..
"…and do YOU have any marriage plans with my daughter, Mr. Kaiba?" her mother suggested. Her tone was sickeningly obvious.
"MOM!" Serenity groaned, banging her head softly against the refrigerator, knowing it was useless to take the phone from her mother; the woman had all of her brother's fighting skills. Beside her the back door opened away.
"Not dis lifetime! Hey, sis," Joey said cheerfully, as he came in and put his things on the kitchen table next to the groceries. "Ya busy?"
"Well, you're looking very happy!" Serenity quickly got over her earlier embarrassment at her brother's glowing face. "And to answer your question, I have to finish dinner, put away the grocery stuff, and clean my room. So yes, I am very busy."
"Oh. Well, I was going to invite you to the mall to help me pick out a ring, but….." He stepped casually around the table, slowly, knowing she would take the bait.
She did: hook, line, and sinker. "A ring!?!?! As in, an engagement ring?!" He nodded, grinning. "Oh, that means….you got the loan! Oh, that's so wonderful!!!" She hugged him quickly as the pot started to froth over.
"Yep, I got $1500. Dat should be more dan enough for a down payment.....Anyway, me an' da guys are going to the mall now. And I thought you oughta come and help me, since you're a girl an' all an' ya can give me some suggestions…..an' all......"
"Sure! Of course!" she said enthusiastically, setting the gas on low and quickly putting the groceries; with his help, it was done in no time. "Let's go!"
"Wait….where are you two going?" Mrs. W said, coming downstairs and putting the phone back on the wall.
"Mall. Mom, can you finish up my stew?"
"All right, Serenity, but don't forget to watch out for strangers, and listen to your brother, and keep your eyes away from men at all times!" The door slammed shut, cutting off her tirade.
"What are ya supposed ta look at den?" Joey quipped as they piled in the car with the others. "Da floor?"
"Oh, you know Mom. Going through a mid life crisis, wanting to act young again. Hey guys," Serenity said to the others, putting on her seatbelt, though it was only Duke and Yugi in the back seat of Joey's Jeep. After graduation, Tristan, their other friend, had moved back to America to take university courses there, while Tea Gardener went to New York, as was her dream to be a ballet dancer. And of course, Mai was away over seas visiting relatives in America, also.
And I plan on proposin' da minute she gets back, Joey thought as he drove over potholes determinedly. As soon as I possibly can!
"Hey, drive more carefully, man," Duke complained, putting his arms over the seat while Yugi stared out the window next to him, looking like he'd rather be at home. "Or you'll pop the question in a pancake!"
"Pancake…..hmmmm……" Joey muttered, deep in thought.
"Hey, don't even think about it! we're not stopping for pancakes!" Duke adjusted his expensive looking gold wristwatch as they parked at the Domino Mall's huge parking lot.
"No…..I was thinkin' of how to propose. I still haven't decided on dat part yet….." They hopped out of the car, except for Yugi, who shuffled more sluggishly. "I jus' can't decide!"
"Hmmm…." Serenity thought all the way down the entrance of the shopping center. "Well…….how about in a sky thing? Like a hot air balloon?"
"No!" Yugi spoke suddenly, startling them all a bit. "It's too dangerous! 567 deaths every year!" he said with wide, panicked eyes, frightened and scared out of his wits-looking. Ever since his grandfather's death and Yami passing on to the After World, he had been seeing death everywhere, was constantly worried that everyone would leave him all alone. A far cry from the usually cheerful boy he had been, and everyone was undoubtedly worried about him. Joey had to drag him outside to everywhere he went, so Yugi didn't spend all day moping in bed.
"Calm down, Yuge….I dunno how to drive a hot air balloon anyway…..Oh, jeez, lookit dat. It's closed." Joey pounded a fist on the metal grate dejectedly. Mr. Motou's death hadn't just affected Yuge, it reminded me of how precious life is, and how fleeting…….. "What a bummer. Well, I guess we got go to da other one den….."
"Maybe you should've….called first?" Duke said obnoxiously, twirling his hair.
"Doan worry.. da other one's in this mall….but all da way on da other side." They started walking again. "I hope dat one's open……anyway, let's continue solvin' my problem. What am I gonna do?!"
"Well, what happened to your…." Duke waved his arms in emphasis, jangling his bracelets. " ' Sand, water, and moon' strategy? You know, playing up Mr. Romantic?"
"Yeah, big brother, that was a great plan!"
"Yeah, but da thing is, how am I supposeda get all o' those things together in one place?" They reached the other jewelry store. "All right! It's open! Whoo!"
Duke rolled and his eyes as they walked inside and went up to the glass encased counter. "You'd think she had said yes already, the way he's acting," he whispered to Serenity.
Serenity merely nodded, absently, and looked away at the sparkling jewels that seemed to catch the fluorescent light over head and turn it into something beautiful. Since yesterday, she had learned not to be alone with Duke Devlin, it's was fine as long as there were other people there. She had been so embarrassed when that thing had gone off like that in the middle of the quad, and Kaiba had wanted to punch Duke's lights out after she had failed to escape him. But ol' Duke, sly and clever as a fox, knew that he very well couldn't beat Kaiba in a fistfight; the CEO had gotten even bigger than two years before. He probably could kick my ass fifty yards away with those long legs, Duke remembered thinking to himself. And that rules out outrunning him….one leap, and I'm through. But Duke knew Kaiba's only weakness…..
%%% Flashback %%%%
"What are you going to do, Devilin?" Kaiba sneered at him, eyes narrowing hatefully, cornering him to the wall. after sending Serenity away safely. "Throw dice at me....again? How pathetic."
"Wrong!" 'Cause I know how to attack! Duke thought with more confidence than he felt. "Go, get 'im, girls!"
%%%%% end flashback %%%%%%
It hadn't been pretty sight….. Duke admitted, seeming to admire an exquisite ruby necklace, but really admiring his own reflection in the glass, ……but effective, and all's fair in love and war. The old stuffy crank can't stand to be touched by a girl, save for Serenity, which rules out the gay rumor that I spread, sadly, especially when each of my girls threatened sexual harassment lawsuits, even though THEY were the ones who threw themselves at him. But now, I have to think of a new plan!
"Um, m-may I help you?" an old man with eyeglasses and a well kept suit said, eyeing them nervously, like he expected them to rob him.
"Yes, are all o' dese engagement rings?" Joey said, pointing to the case right in front of him.
"Yes! They are! What else would you like?"
"Psst," Duke elbowed Joey in a whisper, "He might reduce the price, if we threaten him!"
"Very funny. Hilarious.Sorry, I'm not you." Joey said, as the man wiped his brow with a linen handkerchief. "So, sis, which one do ya like?"
Serenity gazed down, then bent to have closer look at the sparkling, glittering rings. Some were silver, some were gold. All had big, fat diamonds on them; all looked expensive. Serenity knew that that meant big fat price tags, so she said, "I like that one. A lot!"
The old man hurriedly brought it out in it's case. Duke took a look at it and laughed. "Ha ha! Mai's going to laugh her head off! The diamond is so tiny!"
Ignoring him, Joey asked while studying it, "How much da down payment?"
"$1200." The old man stammered.
"Hmm, da diamond is really tiny……almost like a pin point, really….." he muttered, turning it this way and that, trying for it to catch the light. But it was so small, it was impossible to! And Duke found his efforts highly amusing.
"I think she'll love it," Serenity said earnestly. "Right, Yugi?"
The old man shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot as Yugi came over slowly to have a look. This teenager looks depressed! Great a head case!
" ……It is a bit tiny," Yugi said finally after a long silence. "The diamond, I mean," he added quickly, paranoid, even though everyone knew what he was talking about already.
"Yeah, guess you're right," Joey concluded. "D' ya got anything else?!"
"Well, how much do you have?" the old man questioned.
Joey looked him over in judgement. There was something shifty in the nervous, rapidly blinking, watery eyes that he didn't like, but he had no choice. "…$1500."
"Well….." the man hesitated. "There is one more thing, except for that."
"Well, show it ta me awready!"
"All right." The man reached down and unlocked the case, took a box, and straightened up. Then he handed the box over. "This one."
Everyone leaned over Joey's shoulder's to have a look.
"Gah! The diamond's even tinier!"
"Haha! You can't even see it!" That was from Duke, as he pulled away, clutching his abdomen.
"There's no diamond on dis ding! And it's silver! I dun want silver!" Joey exclaimed.
"Yes, there is a diamond." The old man handed him a magnifying glass. "You see, sir, this comes with it! Would you have a look, sir? Then you can see it."
"Haha!" Duke laughed harder, making the cases shake, drawing stares from the other passerbyers in the mall. "Mai's definitely gonna need it! Haw haw!"
Serenity could sense her brother's irritation, and place a hand on his arm to calm him down. Even Yugi looked over. "Big brother, how about you pick the next expensive one? Maybe you can bargain."
Yes, but now that the old man knows…..Joey eyed him. "I don't want dis one! Show me…." he looked them over, "….dat one! How much is it?"
"Ah…" the man took it out with care, "This one is a rare peach diamond." The ring seemed to sparkle with it's own light, sending amber colors on his hand. "$2800."
This is it! Joey thought. The perfect ring! He held it up, admiring how the light beamed in every which way, seeming to wink encouragingly at him, giving him strength. It was so brilliant. "I'll take it!" he said without thinking.
"Um, man, one problem……you don't have enough," Duke pointed out. Joey's smile faded.
"Yes he does!" Serenity said, pushing an envelope at the man. The man began to open it and count it. It was stuffed with money. "And it's exactly $2800! You were made to have it, brother."
"Sis!" He stared at her wide eyed. There was a stunned silence. Then, first, he lectured her. "Ya shouldn't be carrying all dan dough around!"
"You can pay me back later, if you want. I don't want you to, because you deserve to be happy." She said firmly, holding his eyes determinedly. "I want you to marry Mai, Joey."
"But sis! I tol' ya, I'm not acceptin'--" he said stubbornly.
"I don't care! Look, you've done so much for me. do me one more thing, and let me repay you. Please," she said earnestly, using the soft tone, complied by glittering eyes that captured a CEO's heart and Joey couldn't resist it either. "Please!"
".......Serenity Faith Wheeler, ya know I hate it when ya use dose----" he sputtered, "EYES on me! You know I can't stand it! And plus That Speech! Ya know it kills me!"
"Yes, I know," she said, trying to smother a grin, still using ' those eyes' at him.
"….Awright, AWRIGHT!" he said while she cheered. "But----well, we'll talk about it later. But I'll accept it this time, okay? Does that make you happy?"
"Very happy!" she squealed, giving his grousing self a quick hug. The old man smiled and finally looked up.
"I'll go get your form to fill out, and then congratulations, to the two of you," said the old man to them, and before they could correct his mistake, he was gone.
"Weird old man," Duke muttered. "Well, dude, now that that's done, all you have to worry about now is paying for the wedding---and she'll probably want an all out bash, knowing her extravagant tastes---"
"Naw, she c'n take care of all dat," Joey waved his hand dismissively in the air, closing the box carefully and stuffing it into his pocket. "I'd rather elope, if I could, but if she wants ta throw some big fancy wedding, it's fine, I guess."
"Oh, big brother! Don't say that; you have to have a big wedding!" Serenity exclaimed while he finishing signing the forms and handed it back to the man, who nodded goodbye and turned on the metal detector in front of the store's entrance. "I'll help her plan!"
"Sure, if she agrees…… Why not?" They walked down the hallway of the mall. "I gotta remember I gotta pick her up at the airport tomorrow at four in da afternoon," he paused, committing it to memory.
"I dunno why you want to get yourself tied down," Duke muttered. "College is supposed to be a time for girls, partytime and more girls. Not to be tied down." At that, Yugi turned and stared at the ebony haired guy as if he'd never seen him before.
"Yeah, dis is from a guy with five girlfriends, an' counting," Joey muttered aloud, only half teasing. "Wait till dey find out about each otha! Den, will you be in Tra-bull!"
"They already do know," Duke said coolly. "Anyway," he said quickly, " I've been thinking. How about, you propose where you fell in love?"
There was silence as that new suggestion was thought over. "Hmmm…that might not be sucha bad idea…."
"Well, where was it?"
"On a beach…..in Spain."
"Well, that seems pretty far away," Serenity commented. "But, you could use the beach idea, big brother. Then you'd have your 'water, moon, and sand' idea!"
"Hey! Dat's right! You're pretty smart, sis. Still, I think dere's somethin' missing. I mean, it's special, but not special enough. I want somethin' unique."
"How about this: you bring her to the beach after a nice long romantic walk---" Duke started.
"--and then you take her into the water, and propose to her there!" Serenity finished. "I don't think anyone's ever been proposed to in the water. And with the moon shining on it, it'll be so romantic!"
"Hm. Yeah it would, wouldn't it be?" Joey said, picturing it in dreamland.
"Yeah," Duke agreed, "And then---a shark comes and makes off with her!" Y
Yugi looked alarmed. "Shark?!" He grabbed Joey by the collar and shook him. "Joey……I heard that 1598 people die of shark attacks! 1598!!" Even though Joey still could easily outwrestle him, Yugi still gave him a good, terrified shaking.
Jeoy shot Duke a dirty look as Duke hummed the theme to Jaws and pretended to lunge at them. "And them the shark would mash her up, and….wow, Serenity, you look nice."
They all sweat dropped. Duke is the only guy I know who can frighten one minute my best bud, then hit on my sister the next, Joey thought, prying Yugi's fingers off him. Still, he didn't do anything to Duke for doing so, Joey only got mad when the brash guy made fun of him in front of Mai, and that was about it. Although he still despised Serenity's boyfriend, he knew he could protect her well from other suitors, though Joey was still waiting for that fateful day when she would give him the boot……Though, now he was sort of okay with it. Now that he was in love himself.
"Okay, Okay, Yuge, I won't set foot da wata, okay?" Yugi seemed a bit calmer after hearing that and resumed with his usual nostalgic, subdued expression.
%%%%%
The next day, Joey had to drag out Yugi again this time to eat breakfast with him, while Serenity went to her early morning exercise class. She was still peeved about how both the guys that were the closest to her would she say was dependent and couldn't do anything on her own. Mai would give them both a good talking to for saying those things to her. She is the most independent girl I know, but of course she'll say yes to my brother. They're in love! Serenity took a shower, then set about finding a job in the classifieds. And no, I'm not going to be your maid, Seto! She told the newspaper, disgruntled. That had been his only suggestion. Some suggestion.
Men. Only think women should become nurses or maids, eh? I need to start my career, anyway. I'm smart enough. I can do it. Though only seventeen, Serenity had graduated high school early to go to college with her brother, something she always had wanted to do, to purse a degree in music. Now, she was ready to start her lifelong passion, music as a career. Maybe I can be a radio deejay, she thought. I can earn some money, and listen to music all day……she sighed, picturing it. Or maybe I should aim higher…..but what?
Flipping on the TV set for a clue, she stopped at the MTV music channel, and looked enviously at the singers. She was looking so intently that she almost missed her first class. Classes, school, family….busy, busy, thought Serenity, going out the door. And plus my doctor appointment…….I wonder….. what should I do? I just don't know….
Outside, she walked across campus, the day was bright and blue, conflicting with her thoughts. Geez I feel just as stressed out as Joey! She thought, spotting him at the dorm hall, with Yugi and a blond haired, green eyed girl she recognized as brainaic Rebecca Hawkins. The girl was younger than her, but a real branaic and taking archeology classes at DCU. She was also had a major crush on Ygui, and wasn't afraid to show it. Serenity could see Yugi trying to politely dissuade her. Remind me of Duke and me, she thought, sweatdropping.
Joey was dressed up in dress slacks and a blazer, so either he was going to a job interview or…… Serenity paused, her heart beating. Was he going to do it today?
"No, sis," he said when she interrograted him, "I gotta pick up Mai up at the airport today at four. She said……she got a surprise." He looked stressed out and very thin. "I'm so nervous, thought, that I couldn't eat anythin' since yesterday."
"Hm? What's going on?" Rebecca pushed her glasses up her nose, twitching with curiosity. "I can tell the way your dressed up you're going to meet your girlfriend." She said to Joey. " And I can tell that bulge in your pocket is jewelry, a jewelry box, correct? Ooh! Are you going to propose? Already? How exciting!" she clapped her hands together in delight, while everyone stared at her, dumbfounded by her perceptive nature. Well, almost everyone, Yugi just stared out in middle of nothingness like usual.
"Geez, wat are ya, a detective or somethin'! You'd better not tell! Here sis, you betta keepit for me," Joey said, handing her the ring box. Serenity started to protest, saying seeing couldn't possibly be trusted, but he waved it off. "I dun want Mai finding out before I'm ready, and I know ya'll keep it safe," he said. Finally, she agreed and he headed off to class.
Poor Yugi, Serenity thought, watching after them as she called, "I'm going too!" Her brother nodded and kept walking, while his friend stumbled around Rebecca's incessant chatter. I promised Tea before she left that I'd look out for him for her, Serenity thought. Though…..I don't know if anything would reach him….
%%%%%%%% Domino Airport %%%%%%%%%
Mai's flight was late in arrival, and Joey was pacing around the crowded airport like an expectant father. He was driving Duke nuts, who always tagged along everywhere where the others went, complaining all the while. Rebecca was chattering away as usual to Yugi, who wasn't looking like he was paying attention, even though he was, watching the planes take off with bated breath, hoping they wouldn't catch fire and take off safely. So far…..so good.
Serenity quietly was wringing her hands, cleverly staying far away from Duke as possible, and hoping everything would go well with the wedding. We'll have to invite everyone from high school, she thought, ticking off names in her mind. Ryou Bakura, he's in…England, I think right now…..that's pretty far away, but maybe he'll be able to make it. Tristan Taylor, he's visiting relatives in America, I'm sure he'll be part of the wedding. Plus all of our relatives, aunts and uncles, cousins…..it was a lot of hard work ahead, but it was so exciting! She adjusted her purse strap and went over by the window. I still have to find a job to pay for my brother's bills, I just don't want him working anymore! I'd rather he study…..he's gone so far already.
Secretly, she had always been worried that Joey would turn out a 'bad seed', rebelling around the town, doing criminal activities. He had a rough life, and deserved a break.
"So, guys, did ya think of any otha ideas?" he said, finally quitting pacing and coming over. interuppting her thoughts. "Any more ideas 'bout the proposal….?"
They were all silent. Then Rebecca spoke up, and everyone turned in surprise, having forgot she was there. "How about we help you out? Like in the movies when the friends of the groom hold up cards saying, 'will you marry me.' That way, you'll have support of your friends; we all can take part."
"Hm, that's not sucha bad idea…." He thought, considering it very thoroughly. "I like it!" I could use all da support I c'n get…..I'll be too nervous when da time comes! "I dunno about da cards, though…..maybe somethin' else." But Duke's definitely gonna take no part in this! I'd keep waiting for 'im ta snicker, he thought, looking at the guy's pseudo innocent look, the one that said, Whaaat? What did little old me do? Joey shook his head ruefully and turned to his best friend, who was still staring into space, dressed in black; he was still in mourning. "Yuge? Whatcha lookin' at, bud?"
"Time……" he whispered in an angst-ridden voice, continuing, "Time, and how it passes on without me, leaving me behind, just a blur in my consciousness……so fleeting…..so short and I have to do something, meaningful and poignant, because you can die in a moment!" He slammed one fist with a loud smack at the last word. Everyone sweat-dropped, save for Joey.
"Oh, a clock. I get it."
Yugi's head smacked down in an attempt at anime falling. But he couldn't quite manage it…..
Wow, he's trying to impress me with that speech? Rebecca thought speculatively.
"……I think the word we're all looking for is, " '….Anyway….' " Duke said sarcastically, speaking for the whole group as usual.
"Joey, there's an arcade over there," Yugi said suddenly, looking up. "Wanna go?"
"Naw, I gotta wait here……" he looked at the gate. Yugi looked disappointed.
"Here, I'll go with you, Yugi," said Serenity, and the guy finally nodded okay, and Rebecca and Duke went along, just to have something to do than wait.
He looks so sad, Serenity thought as they headed over, the others tagging along. "I haven't played anything in a long while," she said for conversation, while the guy just merely nodded. He was sorry that Joey had refused, it would've been just like old times. But those times are long gone……I swore not to play anymore…..it brings back to many painful memories……. Serenity looked over the choices in the dark arcade, which wasn't much, than said, "The only one I know is the DDR machine." She shrugged apologetically, determined to cheer him up somehow. "You wanna….?"
"I guess.." he sighed heavily while the others watched. They played for a few, then….
"Don't you think you should have let him win?" Duke didn't bother to lower his voice. "The guy's practically about to kill himself!"
"W-well, I didn't know I was that good!" Serenity bit her lip. Yugi was only playing halfheartedly, not really paying attention. Or, it only seemed like it. I can't believe I can't even beat this stupid machine, he thought. He felt a sudden rush of anger at himself, as well as sorrow. I can't do anything. What's wrong with me? I just don't have the will anymore. It just packed off and went. My get-up-and-go…….The machine kept shouting, "Boo" and "You call that dancing!" It bussed around his head as he stared on listlessly. …….got up and went. A toddler came over and said, "Ha-ha," before Serenity quickly shooed him away. Maybe it's just hopeless. I'll never be the same again….. because I'm not.
"Here, Yugi," a familiar, gentle voice said, "let me."
He was so zoned out in his pity well of sorrow, that he didn't notice anyone was talking to him until a hand pushed him gently out of the way. Automatically, he looked over, expecting some kid to challenge Serenity.
"Tea!" he gasped.
Serenity saw the first spark of life come back into his eyes. Tea had come over quietly, after greeting them first, nudged Yugi over and challenged Serenity with a smile. What? She's supposed to be in America, dancing he thought, trying to make sense of it. She beat Serenity easily, and the two girls were laughing. She was prettier than he remembered; allowed her hair to grow past her elbows. It was then he realized how much he had missed her. Still, it was such a shock to see her again. Then she turned to him.
"Fitting that the King of Games had to be helped out by a girl," Duke said from his corner.
. "Hey, Devilin," Tea said sarcastically. "You haven't changed a bit, I see."
"Tea. I see you still carry that torch for me," Duke said with a sardonic smile. They always took cheap shots at each other, though it was all in fun. Obviously, he hadn't been paying attention.
She ignored him. "Serenity, it so good to see you," she said as the two girls hugged. "You, too, Yugi," she added, turning to him. "Don't I get a hug?"
He just stood there. Finally, she had to go and give him one. Rebecca, who watching in the wings, saw Yugi's reaction and narrowed her eyes into slits, Serenity saw with some amusement. "Okay, let's all go and see Mai!" she said, before some kind of cat fight ensued. They all herded out to see her.
TBC!
Ah! So Yami's gone. Or is he? You must know now, I love twisties! (evil laughter) & poor Yugi's a hypochrondriac......: I really think he'd be that way, since he don't got no living family no more :(. Next: J/M's reunion!!!…….i dun want it too sappy, but……romantic-sappy; I'll haveta play it by ear, I guess. I probably wont send them back to spain to save you from my spanglish.--;;;; (sweatdrop) R&R