Alaskantiger: Glad you like my work, and thanks for reading…enjoy!
Pyromaniacgrl: Like I said last chapter, everything's cool between you and me, no hard feelings. Someone said they'd send their family after you? Ok, some people have taken this flame thing TOO far. Thanks for reading.
Bayleef: Yeah, this story is pretty confusing isn't it? Thanks for reading.
Lathayan: Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the review, and enjoy this chapter!
Anime-Ruthless: Thanks for reading. Like I said last chapter, this fic is getting almost too complicated to write. Ah, what the hell? I'll press on anyway.
The Broken Bow: You think the web's tangled up now, wait until later on! Thanks for reading.
Well, that's all for the mailbox. On with the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh…so on and so forth.
Test of Friendship
Chapter Three
Tea anxiously picked up her cell phone and answered her friend's call.
"Hello, Tea."
"Hey, Joey."
"I just called ta say thanks for helpin' me get home last night. Mai's party was pretty wild…"
"Yeah…sure was."
There was a long pause between them, which Tea reluctantly broke.
"Joey…can you meet me at the Café downtown in about an hour?"
"Yeah, sure. Is somethin' wrong, Tea?"
"Yes, Joey."
After their conversation ended, Tea scrambled to find something to wear so that she could meet him. She hated what she had to do, but knew that she couldn't let this weigh on her conscience.
Meanwhile… Yugi's Room
Yugi sat around in his room, doodling on a piece of paper. He wasn't really listening to the radio program that was droning on until he heard a familiar name…
Respected duelists Seto Kaiba, the former number one duelist in the world, and Mason Knight, the reigning United States champion, made their historic duel in Millennium Stadium official this afternoon. The two duelists held a press conference early on this afternoon…
Seto Kaiba, when we meet in two weeks time, I'll show you why I am the undisputed United States champion. I'll show you why you aren't the number one duelist in the world anymore. And, most importantly, I'll show you why I'm the best there is, the best there was, and the best there will ever be! (1)
Strong words from a strong duelist…Despite the growing rivalry between these two, this is nothing more than a charity duel to benefit those who have been affected by natural disasters around the globe, such as that horrific earthquake recently in Indonesia. Both duelists have agreed to donate their earnings entirely to charity. Unbelievable…
Yugi smiled slightly; surprised that Seto Kaiba would actually do ANYTHING for charity.
Meanwhile….
Kaiba Mansion…
Seto sat down in his office, fatigued from the day's activities.
The nerve of that loudmouthed, third-rate windbag! I'll crush him in front of all his precious little fans, maybe that will show people that I'm still the best…
Despite his growing anger, Seto managed to shift his focus elsewhere. Kaiba pulled out his cell phone, then looked to see if Mokuba was anywhere around. When there was no sign of his younger brother, Kaiba dialed a number as quickly as he could.
Rrrring!
Answer the phone, dammit.
Rrrring!
Rrrring!
Rrrring!
Hello, you've gotten in touch with me, but obviously I can't take your call right now. Leave a message, and I'll get back with you.
Kaiba mumbled some obscenities to himself, and proceeded to leave a message.
This is Kaiba…call me back when you get a chance.
With that brief message, the CEO closed his cell phone.
Meanwhile… The Café…
Joey took a seat by a window, nervous as to what was wrong with Tea. He had seen no signs of anything being wrong, and didn't know what could be the matter.
"Hey Joey…."
Joey looked up, slightly startled. "Hey, Tea…what's wrong?"
Tea nervously sat down, her eyes not daring to look into the blonde's.
"It's about last night…"
Meanwhile… Mai's motorcycle…
Mai ignored the ringing of her cell phone as she parked her motorcycle. The café that she frequented appeared to be empty, except for two all-too-familiar faces…
That little whore…how dare she show her face in public! And Joseph! That no good, conniving bastard!
Mai quickly barged into the café, her anger growing.
"I didn't know they let scum in like you, Tea."
Tea looked around to see a very angry Mai Valentine, arms folded across her chest.
"Oh, God…Mai."
"So, you two are some sort of a couple now?"
Joey looked at the two girls, obviously perplexed. "Couple? What the hell? Mai, what are you babbling about?"
"Save it Joseph! What kind of excuse do you have, she fell, tripped, and landed on your prick?"
"It's not his fault Mai! I swear to God this was an accident! He doesn't even remember what happened!"
Joey looked at the brunette again. "Tea, what's goin on here?"
Tea blushed instantly.
"You pig! You know that you were fucking that slut Tea every way under the sun last night! I saw you two leaving my house together!" Mai butted in before Tea could reply.
Joey nearly laughed out loud. "What is dis, some kinda perverted April Fools joke? Dere's no way me and Tea would ever…"
"It's true, Joey."
Joey whipped his head back around to Tea, her face flushed with crimson.
"This morning…I found you…and me, in the same bed. Naked."
Joey stood up, not believing what he was hearing.
"Ok…dis joke isn't funny anymore…"
Joey found himself on the receiving end of a vicious backhand from Tea.
"This isn't a fucking joke, Joey! This is serious…dead serious."
Mai, glaring hard at her now former boyfriend spoke in a low, almost subdued tone.
"You had me fooled, Wheeler. You had me thinking that someone actually cared about me, thinking that someone actually wanted to be my friend. You put on your little cute innocent dork act, and I bought it. Now I see it clearly, Kaiba told the truth when he called you a mutt! I'm out of here, you two lovebirds can go to hell!"
With that, Mai stormed out of the café, leaving Joey stunned and Tea crying a puddle of tears.
Later that night...
Mai sat alone in her apartment, ridding herself of everything that reminded her of one Joseph Wheeler. She couldn't bear the thought of anything reminding her of him being around her, especially since he had hurt her so deeply.
Rrring!
She picked up her cell phone, almost as if she was expecting the call.
"Hey, Seto."
Well, business definitely picked up in this chapter, wouldn't you agree? Anyway, apologies for the shortness of the chapter and the rather graphic language in the chapter (It's rated M for a reason, people!). That's it, that's all for now…
(1) Shameless rip-off of former pro wrestler Bret "the Hitman" Hart's favorite catchphrase. Yeah, I watch pro wrestling! Got a problem with it?
Biglos…hold it! I changed my name….
BDB…out