A/N: Hello everyone, back with yet another chapter. You people deserve a longer chapter this time, eh? Thanks to:
Linkin-Phoenix: Thanks for the review and the quote about terrorism. I try not to worry too much about it, but a lot of people in my hometown (including my older twin sisters) joined the military in recent years. Everytime I hear something like this happening, I get a little worried that somebody I know could have been caught up in the nastiness of it all for no reason. Sorry if I feel too strongly about it or anything.
Lady Phoenix: Glad you liked the little rhyme...anyway, I wish your husband well in the Air Force. I have several friends who joined up in the Air Force and Army after graduation, and a slew of relatives who have done likewise (Aunt, Army. Sisters, Army National Guard. Dad, served in Navy. Future Brother-in-Law, Served in Enduring Freedom) Thanks for reading.
Anime-Ruthless: Thanks for the comments about terrorism...anyway, back to non-important matters. A lot of interesting things will go down this chapter, so enjoy!
Cherry-star-Aus: I will continue...enjoy and thanks for reading.
Spacey Chic 468: Maybe this chapter will satisfy your need for longer chappies...thanks for reading!
Silent Monk Girl: Thanks for reading. What was that name of the Bakura fic you were talking about when you reviewed one of my fics? I'll check it out when I get some time.
Depressed Pixie: It will only rise some more before it's all over. Thanks for reading.
Temptress: Glad you enjoy it...thanks for checking it out.
Shy: By the time you read this, I should have sent you an email...thanks for reading!
Malik's Yami: Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for reading.
GoldenSunsheba: Loved the whole little joke with the beans. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the update.
Demented Insane Spirit: What can I say? I'm probably one of my own worst critics when it comes to my fics. I just don't think they measure up to the people (the Kikokens, Princess Chaoses, Setines, and DJ Rodriguez es of the world) I respect for some reason. I try though, and thanks for the kind words and your review.
Enjoy the chapter, alright?
Test of Friendship
Chapter 14
Malik had no idea what to do as Tea and Yugi approached his door, holding each others hands as they made their way down the side walk.
I can do this. I can keep this party from turning into a street fight! But how?...I think I have a plan...
"Ishizu?"
Malik's older sister turned to look at her younger brother. "Yes?"
"Can you watch the door for a few minutes?"
The raven-haired woman eyed her brother suspiciously. "What's going on?"
"Nothing! I just, um, needed to go get some more dip from out back!"
Ishizu couldn't put a finger on it, but knew something was up. She figured to play along until she figured it all out. "Fine, just get back as quickly as you can."
Malik gave his sister a quick peck on the cheek and ran as fast as he could. He pushed and squeezed his way through the crowd until he foundthe person he had been searching for.
"Joey...you, me, kitchen. Now."
"Huh? Whaddya want with me?"
Joey grumbed in protest as he was dragged through the kitchen door.
Ishizu answered the knock to the door and was pleasantly surprised. "Yugi, Tea, it's good to see you both again."
The two girls shared a warm, happy embrace. "How long has it been, a year?"
Tea smiled. "Yeah. How has everything been for you, Miss Ishizu?"
"Great, the new museum I helped build is doing very well. I'm just a little worried about my brother right now."
Yugi's brow furrowed in worry. "Why so?"
"I'm not sure, he seems a little worried right now about something...and I think it has something to do with the two of you."
"Huh?" Tea and Yugi looked at each other in mutual confusion as another loud bang was heard at the door.
"I'll get it..." Yugi said as he made his way over to the door. He opened it and was a little surprised by who was standing in the doorway.
"Um...hello, Mai."
Seto Kaiba had his younger brother pinned up against the wall, holding him up by the arms.
"Owwww, LET ME DOWN, SETO! THAT HURTS!"
"Not until you tell me where you were trying to go at one in the morning."
"Um, I was just going out for a walk outside! Yeah, that's all!"
"Yeah, and I'm the Crown Prince of Japan. WHERE WERE YOU GOING?" Kaiba shook his brother furiously, his cold blue eyes a mix of anger and frustration.
Mokuba had begun to cry by this point, hiding his face as best he could from his brother's glare. "Seto, I know."
"What?" Kaiba was a little more than worried now. Mai Valentine and Mokuba Kaiba were two different affairs when it came to knowing his plot. For starters, Yugi and his posse would probably believe Mokuba.
"I know everything about what you did. Why? Why did you go and do those things to Yugi and his friends? They've done nothing but try and be nice to us ever since we've met them. Well...maybe not Joey..." Mokuba managed a weak smile for a moment, but his face once again grew serious. "...but that doesn't give you the right to play God in people's lives!"
"Shut up! You know more than anybody else what I went through at that orphanage, day after God-forsaken day! By know I think I've earned the right to whatever I please!"
Mokuba looked up at his brother, fearing his anger but knowing he had to take a stand. "This isn't about what Gozaburo did to us! This isn't even about the oprhanage. It's about her! You think that just because she-"
Mokuba didn't see the blow from his brother's hand comming. He didn't even feel it until hit the floor. Then, the little boy cried openly. He felt not only the physical pain of his brother's abuse, but something else. Something in his heart had just died.
Kaiba, on the other hand, looked at his own hands in disbelief. Had he just struck down his own flesh and blood, the same flesh and blood he had risked his life to save on more than on occasion? The same flesh and blood he had promised to take care of no matter what? The same flesh and bloodwho had helped him become the man he was today?Had his anger truly made him that cold?
"Seto...I...I HATE YOU!"
Joey shouted several curse words as Malik practically dragged him into the kitchen. "What da hell is dis about?"
"It's about what I saw outside."
"And what does dat have ta do with me?" Joey glared harshly at the Egyptian, who returned the stare with equal intensity.
"Yugi and Tea are here. Stay away from them...I don't want a fight at my house, understood?"
Joey looked at the boy perplexed. "Why would dere be a fight? Ididn't come here to fight!"
"Don't be so naive! You know what you've done to little Yugi! I'm not sure if the poor guy is still sane! We don't know what he could-"
Marik barely had enough time to move out of the way as a heavy-breathing Tristan barged into the room.
"Tristan, what the hell do you want? I told you there's no extra food back here!"
"DAMMIT, MAN! I'M NOT ALWAYS HUNGRY!"
Malik sighed. Even though he had become friends with the group after the terrible events of Battle City, he still had trouble comprehending Tristan and Joey.
"Whatever. What is it, then?"
"Mai...she's here?"
Malik and Joey looked at each other for a moment, knowing what the other was thinking.
"We're screwed."
"WE ARE SO SCREWED!"
"Hello, Miss Mai, or should I say Miss Kaiba? Come to fraternize with the low-lifes?" Tea's tone was harsh as she "greeted" her one-time friend.
"Tea, it's not like that at all."
Ishizu looked at the two young women even more baffled than before. "Is there something I missed? I thought we were all friends here!"
"We were friends, until this blonde gold digger started dating SETO KAIBA!"
By now, a crowd was watching the altercation between the young women. Among the onlookers was a rather nervous red-head. If she mentiones my name, my life will be ruined!
"HOLD ON A MINUTE! WEREN'T YOU THE ONE SLEEPING WITH MY BOYFRIEND?"
"SO! THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE WHAT YOU DID TO POOR JOEY!" Tea stepped forward, her fists clenched.
"WHAT I DID? Clean out your yard before you talk about your neighbor's, sweetie. LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO LITTLE YUGI!"
Yugi stepped back at the mention of his name, trying to stay out of the confrontation.
Mai sighed. She didn't come here to fight. She had to do what she came here to do for all their sakes. "I didn't come here to fight, Tea."
"Oh, so what did you come here to do? Find another multi-millionaire to seduce? I'm sorry but not a lot of 17 and 18-year-olds have that kind of cash."
It took all of poor Mai's self-control to restrain herself. "I know what happened the night you and Joey were together. I know who spiked your drinks, who gave you the ride, who arranged it. Everything."
"You're joking right? Someone arranged for Joey and I to end up like we did? That was an accident."
"Yes. If you don't believe me...ask Serenity."
All eyes in the room turned to a now-flustered Serenity Wheeler. "Huh, me?"
"Yes..you. Tell them who set this up."
Serenity smiled ackwardly as she stepped back. "I..I don't know what you're talking about!"
"TELL THEM WHO PAID WEEVIL AND REX TO SPIKE THE PUNCH AT MY PARTY! TELL THEM WHO BRIBED YOU INTO TAKING YOUR OWN BROTHER HOME TO CHEAT ON ME!"
Serenity felt a hundred pair of eyes focusing on her, and not all of them felt friendly. She backed away from Mai until she bumped into a lean figure who was blocking her path.
"Oh, excuse me Joey. Mai's gone crazy! She says someone paid me into making you sleep with Tea! As if...Joey, is there something wrong?"
Serenity looked up into her brother's brown eyes. The usual warmth was gone.
"Why don't you tell me?"
Serenity backed away from him, startled. "Joey, nothing's wrong. Why would I do something like that?"
"Because Kaiba's got you on his payroll, hon." Mai interjected sadly as she looked over at her, then to her brother. "Hello Joseph..."
"WHAT DA HELL'S GOIN' ON IN HERE! DERE'S NO WAY MY SISTA WOULD WORK FOR THAT ARROGANT PIECE OF SH-"
"IT'S TRUE! EVERY WORD OF IT, I SWEAR!"
Joey and Mai just stood there, glaring at one another. One in confusion, the other in the silent hope that she would be believed.
Ryou put a hand on her shoulder. "Is it true?" His brown eyes appeared heartbroken already, as if he already suspected the truth.
"Yes...it is." She couldn't face him. She knew how he felt about her, she understood his pain. Having someone you love not return it is one of the most painful emotional experiences anyone could go through.
Tristan and Duke nearly fainted. Malik mumbled some Egyptian curse under his breath. Tea simply looked on in absolute shock. One voice spoke for all of them.
"Why?" It was Yugi's voice, the voice that Serenity least wanted to hear in such a sad, defeated tone.
"Because...he promised me...that he would show me how to get what I want...you, Yugi."
Yugi looked on, his expression blank.
"He told me that I had to do things HIS way..."
"Serenity..." Joey was without any other words. He couldn't tell if he wanted to kill Kaiba or his own sister at this point. "How could you?"
"And why are you sharing all of this right now in the middle of my sister's party?" Malik tapped his foot impatiently, glaring at Mai.
"Because...when I found out, I knew that was probably the only way I could make amends to all of you for what I did. UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE, I regret my actions."
Mai shot an angry look over at Tea, who returned the favor. "Don't go there..."
"Why not?"
"Can we just stop this for a second? This is too much information for my brain to process!" Duke yelled. "Let me make sure I have this right: Kaiba drugs Tea, Kaiba drugs Joey, Tea sleeps with Joey, Kaiba pays Serenity, Mai dumps Joey, Mai dates Kaiba, Mai dumps Kaiba, Mai finds out that Kaiba is a fraud and comes to tell us. Am I the only one a little cynical of this whole scenario?"
Ishizu stood to the side, speechless. Well, they've had enough drama here to turn into a soap opera, maybe a low-budget B movie.
"Serenity...your stuff will be waiting outside when ya get back. I'll buy ya a ticket so you can go back to America. And Mai...I don't wanna see your face eva again. As of now, ya both are dead ta me."
Joey shrugged himself loose of Tristan's grip as he walked out of the door. He turned his head back for a moment before he walked on. "I'm sorry, Yug. I really am."
Then he was gone.
Mai ran after him as Serenity sat down in silence, tears running down her face.
Seto...I hate you!
Kaiba sat in his bed, those four words that his little brother told him ringing in his ears. After making sure Security was informed not to let Mokuba leave the mansion unless he was with him, he tried to work. Even he had his breaking point though. He thought he had reached that point a long time ago, with Gozaburo. He muttered a curse underneath his breath as he tried to let sleep actually come to him for once.
"Ishizu...where the hell are you?"
"Joey!"
Mai ran as hard as she could, trying to catch up with him.
"Joey!"
He only kept up his pace, trying to outrun the sound of her voice.
"JOSEPH LAMAR WHEELER! STOP THIS INSTANT!"
Joey finally stopped, and turned around to face her. "Whaddya want?"
"Joey...do you want to know why I came to tell you all of these things? Do you know why I swallowed my pride and have chased you down to beg for forgivness? It's because I love you! As may faults as you may have, I love your good points twofold."
She walked closer to him, grabbing him by the arm. "You've been such a good part of me ever since we met on that boat...I don't want to let you go..."
Her violet eyes were shedding tears now. "Please...just-"
"Just what?"
She was surprised by his tone. "Joey..."
"You humiliate me in front of my entire school, ya sleep with my most hated enemy, then ya come back crawlin' beggin' for me to love ya again? Blondes are dumb if dat's da case!"
Had this not been a serious moment, Mai would have laughed at his little remark."Joey, let's not forget that you slept with someone out of our relationship too."
"TEA? IF WHAT YA SAY IS TRUE, THEN DAT ISNT MY FAULT ANYWAY!"
"Joey, please don't yell at me..."
"Listen, I'm gonna say this only once...stay da hell away from me. If you eva talk to me again...I'll kill ya."
Mai was left standing there, in complete shock. Joey had never threatened her that way before...hell, she had never heard him threaten ANYONE that way, not even Kaiba.
"This is bad..."
Serenity had come into the bathroom, leaving everyone outside to contemplate what had just occured. She had been exposed for what she had become...a woman hell-bent on getting what she wanted, at any cost. Wait a second! This was Serenity Wheeler here! The sweet, beautiful, innocent, caring Serenity Wheeler! She wouldn't hurt a fly! She pulled out her brother's pocket knife, making sure the blade was sharp.
Time to show I'm not some little girl anymore. I'm sorry Yugi...but if I can't have you, there's no way in hell that I'm going to let her have you! You were meant to be mine, and that's how it will be! Either in this life...or the next.
Seto Kaiba was awakned by his head of security. He had warned them severely not to wake him unless it was a top level emergency.
"This better be good, Roland."
"Sir...I regret to inform you that Mokuba...well, he's escaped Sir."
Kaiba had nearly jumped out of his bed, grabbing his Chief of Security. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S ESCAPED! I GIVE YOU TOP-NOTCH SECURITY, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN DEMONSTRATE ENOUGH MENTAL CAPACITY TO WATCH A LITTLE KID? GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR PATHETIC FACE AGAIN UNTIL MOKUBA'S BESIDE IT, UNDERSTAND?"
"Yyyes, sir!"
Wow...a good bit went down that chapter. Well, anyway, the aftermath of the night's incident plays out in the early daylight hours. What will happen next? Only I know! HAHAHAHAHA! Ok for an update, let's try to get to 120 reviews. I may update again regardless, but the amount of reviews will have a direct impact on how I write. I have other stories on the brain (Plus NCAA FOOTBALL 2006 and work to occupy my time), so it may be a week or two before I update again anyway. Hope you enjoyed it, and feedback is always welcome! Lata!
BDB...out