Crawford's Angels
AN: No owning Yugioh. Man I hope people find this one again I think I'm gonna delete the one in my other account. grins Anyway, I hope that people will read all nine chapters and give me a chance. By the way, if any of you noticed that some of the places have Liz rather then Lysia or Elysia, please just pretend that they read the later two. There's a reason for that name, but I can't say right now. For you Jounouchi and Ryuuji fans. laughs. Enjoy. Again sorry about the foul up with the chapters they should read:
The boss First Angel Second Angel A princely occupation Computer went Ping Strange boy in white Duel of Kings part 1 Duel of Kings Part 2 Third AngelAlso of note, in the third chapter the paragraph got cut off. I'm going to fix it and repost the chapter. So sorry about that.
Okay on with the show.
Chapter 10: Questions and Leads
Yuugi sat back in the black firebird as it cruised down the highway back into town. His hand clenched tightly around the pin that Elysia had given to him only moments before. He glanced over at her and noticed that the distant look to her face had come back. There was something troubled about the way she looked. Always so serious, as if she even dared to relax her guard would be put down.
I wonder what sort of life she had to have had that made her like this. Elysia blinked suddenly and glanced over at him, Yuugi blushed and looked away. She smiled at him gently, "Got something on your mind?"
"Huh? Um…no," he lied and she nodded.
"You're still holding your pin."
Yuugi grinned and nodded, then opened his hand. The strange looking duel card with wings glinted back at him. He'd never seen anything like it before, and he ran his fingers over the gilded surface. "It's really pretty. Does Kaiba-kun have one?"
Elysia nodded, "Yes. He does. But don't put it on just yet okay?"
Yuugi stopped from putting the pin on his jacket, "Huh? Why?"
"They won't work," she simply said as they turned a corner to cross the Hanashi Bridge. Yuugi stared at her puzzled.
Won't work? What does she mean by that? Elysia smiled at him seeing his look as she pulled up to a light and calmly said.
"It's because it acts like a communicator. Think of a miniature walkie-talkie. But all three of them have to be in place. If not they won't work properly. They get imprinted with your voice signatures, and then only you can activate or use them."
Yuugi's eyes went big and he thought to his Hitori no Boku, Wow this is just like a spy drama.
Hitori no Yuugi nodded, but didn't feel happy about that.
Aibou, don't get carried away. This isn't a game that we should take lightly.
I promise I won't. Yuugi nodded to Spencer and put the pin in his pocket. He reached over and fiddled with the radio until he found a station he liked. Elysia's eyebrows perked up and he blushed.
"S-sorry, I just thought it would be nice to hear some music," Yuugi explained and rubbed his neck some. Elysia grinned and turned it up, nodding her head lightly to the beat. He watched her for a while, as she bopped her head and hummed along to the tune.
"Flying faster and farther, never looking at the ground. Break the barrier, burst through sound. I'm reaching for heaven, but I only seem to find hell. Breaking through the sound, I come crashing down. Drowning in the noise, I'm going blind, can't see up, and can't see down. I want to scream, but my voice has gone dead. River of tears rush by, bursting my heart like a damn, flooding me with emotions I've never known. Bring me from this hell, my angel of faith; take me back to the heaven that lays in wait." Sang the singer, and Elysia mouthed the words slowly. Her hands gripped the wheel as visions blurred past her eyes. Running for what seemed like an eternity, to only land up in a place full of carnage. Smoke from a burnt building filling her nostrils, and a boy with white hair cradling the body of a dead girl soaked in blood.
"Lysia-chan?" Yuugi touched her wrist and she twisted away fast turning off the radio. Yuugi flushed seeing her face white and drawn. She pulled into the parking lot of a convenient store and put her forehead on the steering wheel. Breathing slowly Elysia willed the memories to suppress themselves. She didn't have time to remember, she had a job to do. Stop it, she thought and clenched her eyes shut, stop it. You're gone, you can't come back. So please stop haunting me. Stop!
Aibou? What's wrong with her? Yuugi touched Elysia's shoulder and bit his lip.
I don't know. She was fine till that song came on.
What song? The one that was just playing?
Yeah…Yuugi gave Elysia a gentle shake, but she didn't budge. Worried he turned the car off and pushed her back from the steering wheel. Then reached over by her legs and pulled out her purse.
Aibou what are you doing?
Yuugi rooted around until he found a wet napkin and ripped it open.
I'm wiping her face off. She's having some sort of attack.
Pressing the cloth to Elysia's face he pouted, "Elysia-chan, its okay. You're just in the car. Remember."
She nodded her head slowly and soon the color came back into her face, and she opened her eyes. Paled, Elysia sat up and rubbed her head. The damn song was just to close to her thoughts. Lysia looked at Yuugi and gave him a grateful smile, he didn't return it. Still worried about her he kept patting her face until she laughed.
"Yuugi, you can stop, I'm okay now."
He blushed, "But you weren't. You scared me Lysia-chan. What happened?"
She shrugged, "Song brought back some bad memories."
"Why?" He balled up the wet napkin and put it in a small trash bag that she had on the side. Elysia didn't look at him for a moment. Gathering her thoughts she said.
"Just…it just reminded me of something that happened to a friend of mine, that's all."
Yuugi blinked and said softly, "You know…you know all about us. Or at least a lot about us –Kaiba-kun and me I mean. But we don't know anything about you."
Elysia started the car, "Well I suppose I could answer some questions. But, you're really not supposed to know a lot about me."
Yuugi tilted his head, "Why not?"
"Wouldn't be safe," she told him softly as they drove out of the convince store.
"Safe?"
Elysia sighed. She should have kept her mouth shut, but just looking at him. That innocent face, the way his eyes seemed to ooze with bright curiosity. It was the kindness and understanding in those eyes that made her want to open up and spill her guts to him. Tell him all about the fears that she had lived with, and the happy times too. Anything he wanted to know, in that moment, he could have learned. She blinked, and it dawned on her; this is why Charles wanted him. If he could get me to feel this way he could probably get anyone to talk; couldn't he. She drew in a breath and smiled to him.
"There are things that are going on around me, that if you or Seto, got to close to me you would be in more danger. And I would never let that happen. So the less you know about my past the better. But…I guess I could tell you some things about me."
Yuugi nodded. Questions revolved around in his head like whirling twisters. The most prominent was the idea that Elysia was in some sort of danger. There was something that she was hiding from them, and for whatever reason, she most definitely did not want to discuss. He could tell by the way she looked at him when she said that the less he knew the better. But still it made him shiver. What could have happened that would make her feel that she was a threat to them. He was still wondering this when his Hitori's voice nudged him.
Aibou, you're awfully quiet.
Just thinking.
Hitori no Yuugi nodded. Aibou, she'll tell you when she's ready. Whatever it is, Elysia feels that you having this knowledge could be troubling to you. Right now we have no choice but to trust her. She clearly knows that she feels she's right in protecting us. And that is what I want, for you to stay safe. Until you're really ready to know whatever she's hiding, don't press.
But what if I can help her?
If you can, she will realize it, and let you know about it. Yuugi slowly nodded his head, but his heart felt numb. He wanted her to trust him, to be friends with him. Yuugi could tell beyond her stern serious look Elysia was someone that he could make friends with. He just didn't know how to get past her defenses.
Aibou?
Humm? Yes?
I wish to speak with Elysia. It's in regard to what this, Charles said to me.
You mean about the shadow games he mentioned. I know that's been puzzling me.
Yes that, and what he knows about me. I think she knows what happened at the arena, and I want to know how it is that she knows about it.
Are you sure? I mean, what if it makes her react the same way she did hearing the song?
Yuugi's darker half smiled at him, Aibou I swear to you, I will not pry into her past. I just want to know what she knows about it. Since she said she knows only what Charles tells her, I figure that she might be willing to explain more then he was about certain things.
Yuugi reluctantly nodded and switched. At first Elysia didn't notice anything until Yuugi spoke, "Elysia, I have to ask you something."
She nodded her head, "Oh?" This must be the other Yuugi. His voice sounds deeper. He nodded his head as she pulled into Burger world. "But can it wait a moment or two? We're here and I think it would be good to get something to eat."
"I suppose, but I'd rather talk to you in private for a moment or so." Yuugi's eyes met hers and she shivered. The depth of shadows that lingered in his violet eyes now seemed to have no end. Elysia turned off the car and sat seriously. He had presents, much like the other one had had. But there was a difference; this spirit had no malice growing in his heart. Even so, the power was there, and she knew that he wasn't going to fool around. When he wanted answers, this Yuugi, got them. She could still remember the power from the shadow game he played with Urshio. Did he realize that if he didn't get control over it, it could kill both him and Yuugi?
"Elysia, your boss Charles was talking to me this afternoon. There are questions that I need to have answered and I believe that you can answer them for me." Yuugi said and Elysia met his eyes, steeling herself and setting her lips in a thin line.
"I'll answer what I can, but you must understand there are things that I can't tell you about. Either I don't know, or I was asked not to say. I will not betray Charles."
"Even if it means costing you my co-operation," Hitori no Yuugi asked, and Elysia nodded. He smiled; she had deep loyalty to those she trusted. That he liked about her, it was unusual, even in his time, to find people who were loyal even when threatened at loosing something. She was waiting and he cleared his throat.
"Very well, I'll honor your answers. But in time you will tell me what I need to know. If it concerns the safety of my Aibou."
"I would never hide things from you or Yuugi if it meant your safety," she started to say and he raised an eyebrow.
"But you told my Aibou that you can't tell him certain things because you feared he would be in danger."
Elysia stared at him, Twisting my words. Smart shit. She calmly explained that situations she was referring to regard her own personal past. Those she would not disclose. "However," Elysia added pulling up her purse. "I'll tell you anything in regards to your past if we come across them. All I ask is that you don't press me about mine. Fair?"
"Yes," he said bluntly and she smiled. He gave her a small grin.
"What did you want to know?" she asked pleasantly. He thought a moment, trying to find the right words for the question. There were many things he needed answered, but it seemed wise to just stay with a few that he thought she would be able to answer.
"For one thing, your boss…"
"Charles," she corrected him. "He's your boss now as well."
Yuugi gave her a sharp look and smirked, "That will remain to be seen."
She didn't like that, he was playing games with her, but she simply nodded, "In time, we'll see. What about him?"
"He told me he knew the game I played. The Yami no game, a game that I don't quiet understand yet and one that my Aibou feels the after affect of it seems. I have only played it a few times, and only in extreme circumstances." He told her and smiled, "I'm afraid I can't explain to you in detail about them until you're willing to open up about this danger that you were telling my Aibou about. So I'll leave it at that," –she nodded but scowled some as he went on.
"The more important fact is that, Charles knew about it. He seemed to know quiet a lot. How is that Elysia? If the games have not been played in three thousand years? Also he knows something about my past, about the fact that I was, in the past, a Pharaoh in Egypt. I have no knowledge of what I did back then, and I want to understand that. He spoke of a connection too. Do you know anything about this?"
Elysia frowned some; the questions were approaching dangerous territory. She could picture Charles's Eye staring into hers, and shivered. He would know if she told this spirit too much. He would know the moment it happened. But she also knew that this Yuugi wouldn't just back down. Lysia sat back and started to talk slowly.
"I can't tell you how he knows. That's something only he can disclose to you. As for how he knows about your past, did he show you anything or tell you about anything in particular when he spoke to you?"
Yuugi gave a quick nod. "He did. He mentioned my puzzle," –as he said this he touched the pyramid, resting it in his palm. "He called it a Sennen Puzzle, and he mentioned other items along with a scroll. There are four of these items that he knows of, or so he has led me to believe."
"So you want to know where he got the scroll?" she asked and he nodded. Elysia's eyes grew distant for a moment then sucked in some air before talking, steadying her nerves. "He gained the scroll from my father, Gil Spencer. Charles and my father were friends. He first heard stories of these items while he was visiting Egypt after the death of his wife. My father discovered the scroll and gave it to Charles for safe keeping. We believe that there's some sort of hidden connection between the history of Egypt and these items. There are seven in total, each that seem to possess a power. The fact is that we've only seen four. Two reside in our possession, and two which we want to acquire."
"Why?" Yuugi scowled, he did not like the sound of it and Spencer cleared her throat.
"Because, the people that now have them, can, and do, cause serious harm."
He gave her a funny look, "Such as?"
She gripped the gear shift of the car so hard that he knuckles went white. She shivered. Flashes of seeing Ryuuji covering his eye with his hand, and Charles seriously injured trying to protect them from someone she had thought dear plagued her as she spoke, "These people are trying to locate the items as well. They are the same group that I fear would exploit you and the others if they found you. They are not beyond committing murder to gain the items. We don't know yet what they want with them."
"And what about you?" he stared at her hard and she looked down.
"What about me?"
"How is it that you knew what I was going to do? Kaiba told Aibou that when the fog rolled in you didn't react. Instead you just waited it out and watched. It's clear you know something about the powers that you keep talking about. So how is it that you know?"
Elysia blinked hard. He was really pushing it and Hitori no Yuugi could feel her willingness to talk dwindling even as she sat there. There was something dark she was keeping locked inside her, and he knew the longer it remained the more she would close herself off to everyone. She finally answered in a dull voice, "I have seen it before. But the events that lead to that I can't tell you about. What I can say is that I am afraid of it, and I'm scared that if you can't gain control over it, that darkness will engulf you as it did someone else that I knew. Now, on the chance of sounding rude, may I speak with Yuugi? Please?"
After dealing with this other version of him, she wanted the kind Yuugi back. The one that made her feel at ease, rather then like some ghastly power was sucking dry her soul. He nodded and closed his eyes preparing to switch when she said, "Wait…I need to know what to call you."
He blinked, "Pardon? Most just call me Yuugi."
She nodded, "I know, but you're not Yuugi. I mean, you are, but you aren't his soul. You're a spirit. So you have to have a name."
He nodded, "Then what do you wish to call me?"
"Does Yami sound fair?"
"Shadow?"
She nodded, "Shadow of Yuugi, since that's what you are."
He smiled, "Very well I will be Yami." Then he switched and Yuugi blinked back with violet eyes. Elysia smiled again and he blushed.
"I hope he wasn't too hard on you. He can be really serious some times, and harsh."
She grinned, "Nothing worse then what Charles is like from time to time. Now come on. We have food to get." And they got out of the car heading into Burger World.
Back at the safe house Kaiba had just finished the paper and checking over his company stock. He scowled. Since his departure the man he had left as the Vice President, had done nothing to keep prices from falling. Not only that but he noticed that several other companies were in the same downward trend. There was something funny going on, but he couldn't put his finger on it. So it's not just my company. But why only these; and why not Industrial Illusions?
He got up and went over to the laptop, opening up a link to Kaibacorps' main website and started to go over stats in sales and records. He linked into his computer at home, after making sure that he couldn't be traced, and worked over the files he had from his home computer. There had to be something that would give him an idea of what this Last Exodus wanted. If it was the boards doing then who was pulling their strings? They were strong, but not strong enough to just do this on their own.
Seto was so engrossed in his digging that he didn't see Ryuuji come over and lean over his shoulder, "Hey sweetheart, you find our honeymoon destination yet?"
Seto turned with a start. Ryuuji moved back fast so that the taller boy couldn't land a punch, which it looked like Seto wanted to do. Ryuuji grinned and waved, "Hey again. Remember me?"
Seto blinked and glared, "Vaguely. You were the one who met us by the bridge. And I want my car back."
Ryuuji grinned, "Well at least you remember." –He stuck out his hand –"Ryuuji Otogi. I'm Elysia's partner."
Seto didn't shake his hand. Instead he sat down and started to work again. Ryuuji scowled. Elysia was right, he was a cold jerk. But that wasn't something that would stop Ryuuji from getting information. He had been trained since he was fifteen in dealing with people like Kaiba, and when it came to digging up dirt from someone, he was the best there was.
Ryuuji took off his black leather jacket and tossed on an easy chair. For a change of pace he had put on a green long sleeved shirt and black jeans. He sat down next to Kaiba and stared at the screen, "So what are you up to?"
"None of your business," Seto snapped and shut the laptop, moving over away from Ryuuji. The older boy sighed.
"Jeeze, you don't have to be so rude. I mean I just came here to check up on you."
"So you did your job, I'm fine. Now leave." Seto shot back and got his coffee. Ryuuji shook his head and laughed.
"Man of little words."
"Yes." Seto said and ignored him. Ryuuji smirked. Just like me when I started. Closed mouthed and closed minded. He got up and went over to some pictures on the mantel by the fire place and pulled one down. Grinning he said, "Hey have you seen these?"
"Seen what?" Seto asked and turned some. Not that he really cared; he just didn't know what to do with Ryuuji in the house. He knew that he was part of this organization. But he didn't know quiet what role he played. Spencer had been the one to do most of the explanations, and this Ryuuji was never around. Seto didn't know if he could trust him. Ryuuji held up the picture.
"A picture, come over here and see."
"No Thanks." Seto shrugged, turning back to heat up the drink. An instant later he found the photograph blocking his line of sight. The image was of a boy with white hair and brown eyes; next to him was a girl with brown hair and brown eyes. This girl was taller then the boy and was leaning on his shoulder, beside her was Spencer looking more like her age in a sun dress, and next to her, making bunny ears over her head, was Ryuuji.
"This was taken when I was sixteen," Ryuuji said and Seto glared at him. Like he cared, there were more important things to him then looking at someone else pictures. "Yup we were one good team."
"Team?" Seto slipped away from Ryuuji who followed back to the couch nodding with a grin.
"Yup team," he sighed, and chuckled, "Ah…those were the days. So how's the search coming?"
"Search?" Seto glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes. Ryuuji nodded again.
"Yeah, the search for your brother; Elysia told me about it. By the way you might want to read this," he flipped Seto a small CD. Seto caught it and looked at the disk in his hand. The sliver backing reflected his face like a mirror and he scowled seeing the fact that, even now away from the office, he was keeping on a completely professional appearance. He turned his blue eyes to Ryuuji.
"What's on it?"
Ryuuji grinned, "Witness reports."
"What?" Seto blinked and Ryuuji walked back to put the photo back.
"Witness reports," he repeated and stuck his hand in his pocket. "You know from Mokuba's school."
Seto sniffed, "The police…"
"Get jack from people," Ryuuji spat disgustedly and Seto paused. The look in Ryuuji's eyes seemed to change, it was no longer laughing. "You can have ten people see someone killed right before they're eyes, but they become too scared to talk. Or don't care. 'Not my family, not my problem.'"
Seto stared at the older boy who fixed his tail as he talked, "Anyway, I went back to the school. The kids tend to like to talk to someone who comes off as someone who won't make them come down to a station with their parents. Or testify in court. Most of them might not be that great, but there were a few that were worth looking at, at least they're some good leads."
"And you got this because?" Seto asked putting the disk in and calling up the word file.
"Because I'm the one who you're going to work with to find Mokuba," Ryuuji explained and smiled, "It's my specialty."
"Oh really?" Seto sniffed but when silent as he read the accounts.
Yeah really, Ryuuji thought as he looked at the photo again. His eyes lingered on the tall brown haired girl in the photo. Ayame…
He could remember the last time they were together, before any of the hell that had broken out had happened. He could still remember her laughing when she and Elysia went on the rollercoaster. She had planned a day out for them to have fun. 'All work and no fun makes for a bunch of sore wings don't you think?' she joked. Even staring at the picture brought a pang back, but he'd moved on. He had to, for his friend's sake. Her giggles could turn his smiles even brighter. What would she think if she knew what had happened. Would she have blamed Charles? Or worse blamed him because he found out first? Would she have thought that if he had said something, talked to Ryou, the whole mess would have been avoided? But she had to have known, she couldn't have not realized it. Maybe, if he had told her how he felt, she wouldn't have raced off like that. But no, she was in love with Charles. From the moment he saw the two of them. And he knew Charles cared about her in return. But he never said how deeply, and Ryuuji wouldn't ask. He didn't want to know.
"Hey?" Seto's voice brought him back to the present and he turned.
"Yeah?"
Seto pointed to a quote from a girl called Yumiko Taranada, "Here. Read this…"
Ryuuji peered over his shoulder and read aloud, "I saw him run into the bushes to get the ball. Taku was shouting about him hurrying up. When Mokuba didn't come back I kept thinking about the man with the blonde hair that kept coming over to ask about Mokuba. Taku said that Mokuba liked to play right field, and would run into the woods after the ball. I didn't think about it at the time, because we thought Mokuba had just been fooling with us and had slipped back into the school. But I think that maybe the man might have been waiting for him. I saw the car that morning too. It was a black ford car. American model."
Ryuuji looked at Seto, "You want me to follow this?"
Seto nodded, "If you can."
Ryuuji chuckled, "Sure thing. Schools out now, but I'll see her tomorrow." He grabbed his jacket. Seto glanced at him.
"Where are you going now?"
"To pick up some things from Yuugi's house," Ryuuji said with a grin. "Do yourself a favor. Go get some rest. You look like hell."
Seto rolled his eyes as Ryuuji stepped out. He stared at the page and smiled. For a talkative weirdo, Ryuuji did come through. Don't worry Mokuba. I'll find you yet.
"Hey Jounouchi! We got two more orders!" Yoshi the cashier was shouting. Katsuya Jounouchi rolled his eyes. Just when he was going to take a short break another rush came in. Kazuma, his one friend at this jerk-off job, shouted back to Yoshi.
"Give the guy a break. I can handle it!"
"Fine, just get going!" said Yoshi who scowled at Jounouchi. The tall blonde gave him a nasty look, and Yoshi turned back to the line. Kazuma gave his friend thumbs up and Jounouchi slipped into the back. He sat down near the fridge and took off the silly stripped hat he had to wear. Kazuma was in college and using the job to pay for his degree, and Jounouchi respected him for it. He wished he had that easy a life. Yeah the idea of working his way through college wasn't exceptionally sweet, but it was better then working to pay for a crappy apartment to keep away from his father.
Katsuya reached into the pocket of his warn out jeans and pulled a baby picture out. It was of a little girl who, the last time he had seen her, was howling as his mother had fled into a taxi with her new boyfriend.
"Sis…I'll find ya," he whispered to her. Katsuya closed his eyes and sighed. School had been rough this week. He would be expelled for sure if he didn't show up on time Monday. But it wasn't his fault that Kanapa, the big manager, sucked at making schedule. Things in his life seemed to get worse each year he got older. His father had turned to drink after his mother had left. To escape the pain of watching as his father, a contractor had slipped so far Jounouchi had joined a gang.
Hirutani had seemed like the only one who could understand the pain he had been going to. For Jounouchi it had felt like a family. Then things turned ugly. Hirutani had always wanted to be bigger, to rival gangs in Tokyo. He had gotten the younger guys into running drugs, and carrying guns. It was one thing to go beat up some punks who stepped onto their turf; it was something totally different to blow their brains out. The night he left was the night that Hirutani had asked him to kill a boy that had told him he wouldn't pay to be left alone. Jounouchi couldn't do it and was beaten so badly he nearly died. The only thing he could remember was that someone had found him and brought him to the hospital. When he got out he found out that someone had gotten him out. They paid for his freedom, and he was going to pay that guy back.
Only thing was that Jounouchi never found out who paid off Hirutani to leave him alone. In the years that followed, he got this crappy job and a paper route. Saving up his money he finally was able to rent a small one bedroom apartment and move out of his dad's house. His old man had not been happy, but he didn't stop Katsuya. Now that he was on his own, life was still hard. But at least he was free. Before he left his dad had told Katsuya that his mother had moved to Europe, and Jounouchi had started a fund. His plan was to make enough money to pay a detective to find his sister and reunite with her.
Shizuka? He wondered, Do ya even remember me? His worst fear wasn't that she didn't remember him; it was that she did and wouldn't want to see him.
"Hey Jounouchi," Yoshi's voice made him get up.
"Yeah?"
The glasses wearing snot nosed cashier came over. He was the assistant manager, and Jounouchi hated him with a passion. If he didn't need this job he would have mashed in the punks face a long time ago. Yoshi sneered at him and threw a pad at him. "Here, go get some orders. Lines down."
Piss off, that's what Katsuya wanted to say, but bit his lip and got up stiffly. "Fine."
"And remember to smile," Yoshi yelled at him. Jounouchi gripped the pad tightly. Yeah I'll smile; I'll really smile when I get to tell you to go fuck off.
Walking past Kazuma, he stopped when the older boy whispered to him, "Don't let him get to you. Just remember what you're doing this for."
Katsuya nodded and gave him a smile, "Yeah I will." My sister. This is for you Shizuka.
Going out into the restaurant he found it pretty quiet. Two other waitresses had the three other tables that had occupants. So Jounouchi turned his head to the table that had just been occupied. He stopped seeing Yuugi and Spencer, and blinked. The runts here? And with a babe? Okay what's going on?
Yuugi and Elysia had walked in quickly and settled into a booth. He felt nervous. The last time he had been here it was with Mayumi, and he knew that people would think this was a date. After all he only ever came to this place with his best friend and her brother. He nervously fidgeted with the menu. A chuckle rose out of Elysia's lips and he glanced up at her to see her grin at him.
"Nervous?"
"Huh…uh…well yeah."
"Why?" she laughed. "Is it that weird for friends to come to a place to eat?"
"Well no," he told her but was surprised that she didn't realize it could be seen as a date. Then again, Yuugi figured, Lysia might not have ever had the whole high school experience. After all she had been tutored privately, and that brought to mind the fact that he had a lot of questions to ask her. After her talk with his Hitori, Yuugi figured it would be better to just stick to things that wouldn't make her nervous.
"So what do you want to get?" she asked and he grinned.
"The same thing I always do…"
"Hamburger," they said in unison, and Yuugi laughed. Elysia smiled. She was having fun, and relaxing. Maybe Charles was right, she needed to cool down some, and stop acting like every moment was life or death.
"What about you?" he asked and she scanned the menu.
"Chicken nuggets I think and extra fries."
He nodded as she set down the menu. Again he felt nervous and noticed her looking around. Maybe she's bored being here?
I think she's just trying to get a good view of this place, Aibou. Maybe she's never seen a restaurant like this before?
You think?
His Hitori shrugged. It is a possibility.
Elysia blinked when he tapped her wrist, "Humm?"
"Are you okay? You seem quiet."
She smiled softly, "No I'm fine." –She looked around –"So this is where normal High school kids hang out huh?"
"You mean you've never been to a fast food restaurant, Lysia-chan?" Yuugi asked a bit surprised and she shook her head. It made him giggle. For someone who seemed so worldly Elysia certainly didn't know much about how teenagers should be.
"Yeah this is where normal high school kids hang out," Yuugi told her, then asked, "Lysia-chan, can I ask you what your life was like?"
"Huh?" she stared at him and smiled. "My life?"
"Yeah like, who were your parents and stuff." He blushed, "It's okay if you don't want to say. I mean I'll understand."
She shook her head; this was something she could talk about. She'd just keep certain things from slipping. "No it's fine. Let me see. Well, I grew up in California. My mom was Maria Spencer, and my dad was Gil Spencer." She grinned, "My dad and Charles went to school together. That's where he met my mom."
"Really?" Yuugi smiled, "Did she look like you?"
Elysia chuckled, "Kinda. My mom had my hair, and she was a bit shorter then that girl over there," she motioned to a waitress who was serving some food. "I don't really know what my dad looked like. Well I do, but I didn't know him that well. He…" she paused and blinked some. "He died before I was born. My mom was going to have me when there was some sort of accident. So she went to live with Charles."
Yuugi nodded, so she grew up with him then? Elysia grew quiet for a moment or two before going on.
"He's really been like a dad to me. Technically he is because he adopted me after my mom died when I was nine. She got sick. But Charles has been the best to me. He really cares about what happens. Made sure I had a lot of schooling. He was always there for me." She smiled at Yuugi brightly in a way that made him blush. "You can say he really loves me like I was his own daughter."
So that's her connection to him. Both Yuugi's thought. Yuugi nodded.
"So what about school? Did you have friends?"
Elysia shrugged, "Yeah. Kids that lived near Charles, but when they got older we went our separate ways. When I got older I made three really close friends though. One of them is Ryuuji Otogi…oh you'll meet him soon enough. He works for Charles too. Anyway basically I just lived around the mansion. And honestly I never really went out to malls and stuff. Although I did go to an amusement park a year ago."
"Which one?" he asked and she mentioned a name that he was familiar with. "Hey I've been there! I went there on a class trip!"
"You did? Schools do that?" She looked at him as he nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, we raise funds to do it. Did you ride on the Typhoon rollercoaster?"
Elysia grinned, that was her favorite ride the whole day. She laughed as he told her all about his day there with Mayumi. Her tension slipped from her and soon enough she was telling him about the day, carefully side stepping questions that he asked about the boy and girl she wouldn't name. Ryuuji quickly became very vivid to Yuugi. A bit of a playboy that Elysia admitted when she first met him, had disliked. But she had grown to enjoy his teasing, and they were like siblings now. He even called her sister from time to time. "If he's in a sappy mood, but don't tell him I said that."
Yuugi giggled and nodded, then talked about his family. His father Renju who was a business man that traveled a lot. His mother and grandfather who took care of him at home, and about Mayumi and her brother, who he thought of as family. Yuugi blushed when she asked if he liked her, and refused to say. Elysia was just starting to ask him about books that he read when Yuugi felt a pair of eyes on him, and looked behind to see Jounouchi standing near by with the pad for their orders.
Instantly Elysia turned back into her serious self as the tall boy approached, "Welcome to Burger world. I'm your server, Katsuya Jounouchi. What can I get for you?"
He gave Yuugi a quick glance that said, 'Say a word to anyone about me working here, and your dead kid.' Yuugi shrank back some but quickly said.
"I'll have a hamburger please, and a coke. My friend's having the chicken nuggets with extra fries. Oh, and one plain burger to go, please." Yuugi hopped that Kaiba would be okay without having a topping. He figured that since Seto never said what he wanted, he couldn't rightly order something that Kaiba might not like.
"Sure," Jounouchi said writing it down fast and was turning to go when Elysia said.
"So how long have you been working here?"
"Huh?" Jounouchi stopped. What business of that was hers? Yuugi watched him, but Jounouchi shrugged.
"A while, I'll get your drinks."
As he walked away Yuugi saw Elysia breathed out slowly, and scowl, "He's going to be as hard as Kaiba."
"Um…what do you mean Lysia-chan?" Yuugi asked and she waved her hand after Jounouchi.
"He's got a wall up and that means I'm going to have to dig into him to get him to take up the offer."
"Offer, I thought we were just coming here for food." Yuugi said as Elysia flushed some. She sat up and tapped her nails on the table top.
"Sort of…sort of not. I was told to come here and give him an offer. Like I did to you and Seto."
"You mean…"Yuugi looked back at Jounouchi as he turned the corner to the kitchen. "He's…you want him in with us?"
She nodded, "Charles does. Something about each of you he saw. He's been watching the three of you for a while now. He thinks that Jounouchi could benefit from us."
Yuugi slowly nodded. Benefit from what? If he's been watching us for a while does that mean he was watching Kaiba-kun too?
Most likely. What I wonder is what offer she gave him.
I bet anything it had to do with his brother Mokuba.
Pardon Aibou? What do you mean?
Kaiba-kun's little brother was kidnapped and he's looking for him. That's why he dropped out of dueling. He wanted to spend the time finding him.
I see. So that means that Elysia's going to have to give something to Jounouchi as well.
Yuugi nodded, and stared at Elysia. "Lysia-chan? Did you tell Kaiba-kun you would help him find his brother?"
Elysia's eyes went wide. How did he find that out! Yuugi stared back at her, "This morning Kaiba-kun told me about his brother. And you just said that you had an offer for Jounouchi. I just figured that you would have had one for Kaiba-kun too."
She nodded, "Yes…it was about helping find his brother. You're quiet clever Yuugi Mutou." She grinned but he did not smile back.
"Is that why you brought me along? To help you with this?"
She shook her head, "Charles just told me to take you. Honestly I wanted to get to know you better. Kaiba hasn't really been friendly to me."
He blinked, "Why don't you two like each other?"
"Because, he doesn't get the idea of a team, but he will soon enough." She looked up seeing Jounouchi come over with their drinks. He set them down.
"Here ya go, two cokes right?"
Yuugi nodded and took a sip from his. Elysia smiled up at Jounouchi and tilted her head.
"What?" Jounouchi asked and she thought a moment then said.
"Just curious why a guy like you would be working at a place like this? That's all, must be really trying."
Jounouchi scratched his head. What was she getting at? Why did she care? But they were customers so he figured he'd just humor her. "Eh, well better then other jobs I guess. You're food will be up in a while."
"You two know each other?" Elysia pressed, and Yuugi nearly gagged on the coke. Jounouchi gave her a smirking grin that was tight. Okay this chick's getting nosy.
"Sorta we go to the same school. What's it to you?"
Elysia smirked back and pulled out her card, "Let's just say that it's sometimes, good things come in sets of three from the same place. My name's Elysia Spencer and I have an offer for you Katsuya."
He took the card and stared at the white snow like card with the little silver angel and website and numbers. Yuugi recognized the card and watched with interest. "An offer huh? You gonna pay me?"
She blinked, "Well no."
"Then for get it," he turned and left them again to get their food. She huffed. Elysia didn't want to play his sister, but that was the only thing that would probably work. Much like Kaiba, he was being a bastard. He didn't want help, or at least he didn't think he needed it. She'd have to make him see other wise. This time when he came back she stood up at once and smiled as brightly as she could.
"We can do something better then pay you though."
"Whose we?" Jounouchi asked setting down the food. Yuugi glanced over at Jounouchi and he in turn looked at Elysia adding, "Is he with you?"
"Yes."
"So it's a club for kids then?" Yuugi turned red at the insult and spat back.
"I'm as old as you are, Jounouchi-kun."
Jounouchi chuckled, "Yeah I know. Just giving you a hard time. Look, Yuugi. Could you tell your friend here that I'm not interested in her offer?"
Elysia clucked her tongue, "I can hear you just fine. But I think you would reconsider if I told you that we could help you locate your sister Shizuka."
CRASH! The tray fell to the floor and Jounouchi stood up slowly, uncoiling like a serpent. His voice was cold and the glare from his eyes made Yuugi stiffen. He didn't want to get into a fight, but he didn't want Jounouchi hurting Elysia either.
Aibou?
Just be ready, okay?
Hitori no Yuugi nodded, but Yuugi realized that Jounouchi wasn't going to move. He just stared at Elysia with some shock to his face, which had tightened into a scowl. Elysia returned a calm, but serious look. Yuugi recognized it; it was the same one that she had given Seto just before they left. He held his breath and waited.
"What do you know about my sister?"
"I know that she left when you were just three. She was taken by your mother to live away from Japan. I know that your father used to work for a well established construction company until he lost his job due to drinking. You also joined a gang when you were in middle school to avoid dealing with a lot of issues. You were beaten at one point but someone helped you and you want to repay them. You're saving up now, after you moved out of your father's house to hire a detective to find your sister. Shall I go on?" Elysia said and stared back at him keeping her eyes level with Jounouchi's. He took steps towards her, trying to seem imposing. Elysia didn't budge.
Who is this girl, Jounouchi thought and scowled, Bet she's some sort of stalker. Well I'll fix her wagon.
"Listen. I don't want your offer! I don't need someone following me around, got it. I'll get your food; you pay for it and leave. Understand. And never…NEVER mention my sister's name again. You got that. I don't know what you want from me, but the answers No! I don't need your help. So just leave me the hell alone. You and your friend here!" he turned on Yuugi then adding, "And you can tell your girlfriend at school, that I'm not interested in dating her. Got it. Now get lost!"
Jounouchi stormed back into the kitchen and got a bag, stuffing it with the food which he re cooked. He shoved it hard into Yuugi's chest when Yuugi got up to talk to him. "Here! Take it and get out!"
Yuugi blinked. This wasn't fair. Elysia had been just trying to help him. He lowered his head and squeezed his eyes shut. How could Jounouchi act like that? He took the food in his hand and handed it to Elysia. Then Yuugi scooped up the rest of the mess saying softly, "We'll leave Jounouchi-kun. But don't take this out on Mayumi. She really just wants to get to know you. That's all."
Jounouchi looked down and saw tears in the smaller boy's eyes. He looked away. Aww come on now man. Don't cry like that. I don't need a guilt trip. He huffed, "Fine. Would you just get out now?"
Yuugi watched sadly as the taller boy went into the kitchen behind a swinging door. He sighed and looked at Elysia. She turned on her heels and Yuugi followed after throwing out the trash. Walking to the car he heard her mutter. "Just like Kaiba. But I don't give up that easily. There will be three angels…I just know there will."