A/N: There are very few things I love more than anime and writing crappy fan-fics. College football is one of those things. Five things that I have foreseen (thanks to Ishizu's Millenium Necklace)and know will happen this year in the world of American Collegiate Football:
Florida Gators will be the biggest flop of the year.
Rutgers will be the biggest surprise of the year.
Army over Navy will be the biggest upset.
Reggie Bush of USC will win the Heisman (most "outstanding" player)
Southern California will complete the three-peat, by beating Iowa
If I confused anyone, I apologize. Now, to thank those of you who reviewed:
Cherry-Star-Aus: A real Kaiba fan-girl, eh? Hey, whatever works for you (trust me, I know plenty)…thanks for reading.
Fallen Ryu: I don't think I've gotten more reviews from one person in one day. Glad you like the story.
General Shinzo: Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it.
Alaskan Tiger: Was this fast enough? (thanks for reading)
Kitty-Inuyasha: Enjoy the next chapter.
Leigh-C: Thanks…tell the shy one I said hello!
Lady Phoenix: Yes, Ryou is constantly being beaten down by Bakura. That would have been a little too easy in my view, so I decided to go in another, less physical direction with Bakura's abuse…am I giving something away or what? (thanks for reading)
Linkin-Phoenix: Scroll down to the end…I have a special message for you. Hehe. And yeah, I did read Domino City Love…did you ever complete it?
Anime Ruthless: Yeah…although last year I took a team from the Sun Belt to the national title game. The BCS is terrible. The NCAA has pissed me off in a major, MAJOR may (more on that at another time). They are one of the most incompetent, useless governing bodies of anything I've ever seen, and that's sad because I live in one of the most corrupt states in America! Sorry…had to get that out. Thanks for reading.
Goldensunsheba: Wasn't necessarily intending to be funny, but hey, if you liked it that way :shrugs: that's fine by me. Enjoy the chappy (are there two of you? Just checking)
SpaceyChic468: Thanks for reading. I hope you like what's coming up….
Well, that's everybody. Enjoy the update.
Test of Frienship
Chapter 16
Mokuba had now joined Joey, staring down at the pond. They were both sliently watching the waters settle, their minds far away from the park or any of its various diversions. When Joey first made out who it was, he had actually wanted to hurt him. Not that it was the little Kaiba's fault, but anything that reminded him of that sick bastard could have set him off. But with two words Mokuba reminded Joey who his real enemy was.
"I'm sorry." Mokuba said, glancing over in Joey's direction for a nanosecond.
"I'm sorry. For all the mean stuff my brother's done..." Mokuba picked up a rock and threw it into the pond.
Joey looked over at him with a blank stare of indifference. "Why are ya sorry? You did nothin'."
Mokuba shrugged, refusing to look his brother's hated enemy in the eye. "Well, it's just that he's been acting all weird and such, especially after Miss Ishizu left a ye-" Mokuba covered his mouth, realizing he had just let out something he wasn't supposed to.
Joey eyed him suspiciously. "Whaddya mean?"
Mokuba coiled a little bit, as if he were a turtle retreating into his shell. "I don't know if I should tell you..."
"Mokuba, what da hell's goin on?"
Mokuba stood quickly, his eyes full of fear. "I can't tell...he'll never want anything to do with me again if I do. He told me NEVER tell anybody about it! EVER!"
With that, Mokuba sped into the darkness, leaving a rather confused Joey a great puzzle to ponder.
Weevil and his friend/rival Rex were walking the street together, returning to their respective homes after qualifying for the next Duel Monsters regional tournament.
"YES! My insect deck is virtually unstoppable!" Weevil said as he held the invite in his hand with an almost sickening joy.
"Whatever...you said that before Yugi kicked your ass...then before Joey kicked your ass, then before-"
"Watch your mouth dino-boy! Remember who kicked YOUR ass in the National Championship!"
That little remark didn't necessarily win the affection of the "Dinosaur Duelist". "What? I'll beat you to a pulp with my dinosaur monsters right here, right now!"
"WHAT? YOU THINK THAT A FEW FOSSILS CAN STAND UP TO MY ULTIMATE GREAT MOTH! HOW DARE YOU INSULT ME!"
Before the two were about to come to blows, they heard a stirring somewhere around them.
"What's that?" Weevil said, his aided eyes looking around nervously.
"Probably some cat running around...anyway, I CHALLENGE Y-"
"Shhhh..." Weevil heard something else...then felt a strange presence behind him.
"We meet again, Weevil Underwood." Weevil was shaking. Rex was as well. They both knew that all-too familiar voice.
"It...it's you!" Weevil didn't have a chance to run before he was thrown to the ground. Rex, paralyzed with fear tried to make a run for it, but found himself pinned up against a dumpster in moments. The man's crimson eyes were furious, and Rex noticed something shining on his head.
"W..w..what do you want with us?"
"I want answers...and I highly suggest that they are answers to my liking." The eyes were cold, surprisingly cold to Rex. He would have taken on Seto Kaiba himself in a stare-down contest before this man.
"Ok, pal...just what do you want?"
"Were you and your flea of a friend the one's responsible for the drinks at Mai's party being drugged?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, man..."
"LIAR!" Yami's voice was like thunder, his eyes like fire. Rex felt a small but strong hand grasp him by the throat. "Have you ever played a penalty game, mortal?"
Rex shook his head violently. "What the fuck is that?"
Yami smiled sadistically. "If you answer wrong again, I'll show you?"
Weevil was trying to sneak away, when he heard another voice.
"Going somewhere, bug boy?"
Weevil turned around and bumped into a much taller female. "W..who are you?"
"THE ONE'S LIFE YOU ALMOST DESTROYED!" Weevil barely had a chance to cover up before being struck with a fist to his jaw. He was unconcious before he hit the pavement.
"Well done, Tea." Yami looked over at his hikari's girlfriend with a bit of a smile.
"I do what I can...I'll give that little creep credit, at least his jaw wasn't made of glass." Tea rubbed her now-sore knuckles, surprised she had become so angry.
Rex felt the coldness, the fear, return when the former ruler of Egypt glared at him once again. "Now...answer me...did you do it?"
Rex was shaking, his fear consuming him. "y..yes. It was me and Weevil."
Yami's grip got even tighter. "YOU SCUM! WHO PAID YOU?"
"S..Seto...Kaiba. Please...just let me go..."
Yami relented a little at the sight of Rex's eyes filled with horror, but his face contorted into a frown of disgust when he smelled the scent of fresh urine. "You're pathetic..."
He let the smaller boy down, who immediately ran to see about his injured partner. That's when Rex heard him speak again.
"Rex...I spare you and your friend's life...for now. But know this...IF I FIND OUT YOU ARE LYING IN THE LEAST, YOU'LL SUFFER MORE PAINFULLY IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SHADOW REALM THAN ANYTHING YOU COULD HAVE EVER POSSIBLY IMAGINED! Now run away, before I change my mind and send you to your grave."
Rex was able to awaken his partner in crime, and was able to run away, with only a sore throat and a pair of soiled pants as punishment.
Ryou was trying to fall asleep, but couldn't. He had left the party (and Serenity) after their run-in, and was trying to clear his mind. However, a certain spirit saw to it that he had no peace of mind.
"Hehe...I didn't think you had it in you, boy. I'm impressed." Bakura walked over to his hikari, applauding his exploits mockingly.
"What do you want?"
Ryou didn't turn to face him. He looked away, just hoping that he would just leave him alone.
"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that you are the most pathetic, worthless, weak, dim-witted shell of a man that I've ever met in my long existance." Bakura sneered at him as he sat next to him. "Well, did I miss anything?"
"Please, just go away...for once." Ryou refused to make eye contact.
"Take it from a former thief...you're being played, boy."
Ryou shifted uncomfortably. "What are you talking about?"
"The mutt's sister, she's playing you for a fool. The sad thing is, I think you know it too."
"Leave me alone..." This time, Ryou's voice wasn't calm. Quiet, but by no means calm.
"You need to learn this and learn it quickly: women will use anything that they see as weaknessin a manto their advantage. ESPECIALLY sex. That hasn't changed in the ages since I had my own body, and I don't think it ever will."
"Serenity's not like that." Ryou's voice was cracking.
Bakura knew he had hit his mark. "Really? I have seen things to the contrary, as you have. She conspired with Kaiba to split up your little brat pack. Heh, she slept with YOU, of all people. Can't you see that she's just buying time until she finally gets into the Pharoah's pants?"
"You're lying."
"Am I, boy? I'll tell you now, before the end of the month she'll be on her knees for the Pharoah and leave you behind to crawl back to this hell hole and cry."
"BE GONE!"
Bakura was a bit surprised by the intensity in his light's voice. Any fear he may have had was covered up by a sinister smile as he stood up. "Fine. I'll leave you here to wallow in your own self-pity. Heh...you're starting to become more and more like me everyday."
That would be Ryou's worst nightmare come true.
Ishizu banged on the Kaiba Mansion front gate witha vengance.
"OPEN UP!"
Excuse me miss, but if you don't stop, I'll be forced to call security.
"Damn your sercurity! Call Seto Kaiba, I need to speak with him. NOW!"
I..I'm sorry, Miss. Mr. Kaiba left a few minutes ago.
"Where did he go?"
That's none of your concern. Now please leave.
Ishizu smiled to herself as she reached into her purse. "No...I think I'll just wait for him here. And if you send your security out, they'll be in for a most unfortunate fate."
In her hand she held a 9mm handgun.
Mai wandered along the outskirts of the park, her emotions running wild. Was it really possible to love and hate at the same time? If so, that's the only way she could describe her feelings toward Joey right now. She loved him enough to forgive him for what he had said earlier, but hated his stubborn nature. While she pondered on various things to do to Joey once he forgave her (if he ever did) she noticed a long, all-too-familiar limo pull up along side her. The KC logo was on the hood ornament.
Mai stopped, a mix of anger and fear sending adrenaline through her body. She saw the window in the back roll down, and clearly recognized the occupant.
"I didn't know they let whores roam the streets at night around here." Kaiba glared at her, his face almost emotionless.
"I didn't know they let self-worshipping psychopaths ride in limosuines at night, either." Mai glared back, her violet eyes matching his in intensity.
"Spare me the bullshit, Valentine. Have you seen Mokuba?"
Mai looked at him slightly puzzled. "Mokuba? No...Is he missing?"
"OF COURSE HE'S MISSING YOU EXCUSE FOR A WOMAN! WHY ELSE WOULD I BE OUT AT THREE IN THE MORNING SEARCHING FOR HIM?"
Slowly, the fear in my was losing out to her anger. When she spoke, her voice was a cold whisper.
"You're a devil from hell, Kaiba. You pushed me away. You pushed my friends away. And now, you've pushed Mokuba away. I hope you've enjoyed the little game you're playing; you should have known there wasn't a reset button."
Kaiba just stared at her as she began to continue her stroll.
"Wherever he is, it's certainly better than being with you. Good night."
Hmmm...that's a good place to stop I guess. And now to quick message to Linkin-Phoenix:
We've been arguing your point about Tea being the best-looking of the Yu-gi-oh female cast. Though I think you're as wrong as the day is long, reasonable minds can disagree. Ishizu is my personal choice, but Tea is high in the running.BUT YOU'RE STILL WRONG DAMMIT! LOL Sorry...and update your story soon, please?
Now, back to everyone else, let's try 160 reviews this time. This story has surpassed "Heart of the Hoops" (WHICH I WILL UPDATE THIS WEEK IF IT KILLS ME) and I'm pleased that you all have taken time to read and review. I'll update sometime soon, regardless, so keep your eyes open. Later...
Forever LSU
BDB...out