Chapter Six: Taking Its Toll
A/N: Hey! What's up people? Sorry for the long wait but I've been trying to update the rest of my stories. But thanks to all my loyal reviewers for being patient with me! You guys don't know how much you inspire me!
Outside the hotel, everyone, that is, Tea, Joey, Ryou, Mai, Serenity, and Kisara were standing by the limo waiting for Seto and Yugi. When the two teens finally came out, Joey was the first to speak up.
"What took ya so long, Yug? Ya didn't do anything ta him, did ya Kaiba?" Joey accused.
"No Wheeler, I killed him and his ghost is standing beside me," Seto replied sarcastically.
"Don't get cocky Kaiba! I jus' asked a question!"
"Yeah, and a stupid one at that. If I did something to him, would he really be standing here?" Seto sneered.
"Shut up!" Joey yelled back.
"Stop it you guys! This is no time for fighting! Remember, this is a vacation!" Tea interrupted, her voice slowly beginning to rise.
"Whateva!" Joey grunted, turning his back to Seto who did the same thing.
"Boys...they're more trouble than their worth..." Tea sighed as everyone piled into the limo.
"So, where are we headed?" Serenity piped up.
"I dunno. Ask rich boy ova dere!" Joey huffed.
"Um...Kaiba...?" Serenity's voice became like that of a mouse.
"Hm?" was Kaiba's response.
"Where are we going to eat?" Serenity asked.
"We're going to the Japanese Buffet House," Seto replied.
"Where's that?" Serenity questioned.
"You sure ask a lot of questions, don't you?" Seto said, showing signs of a faint smile, yet when he turned to Joey, he gave an arrogant smirk.
"Don't even think about it Kaiba! My sista is off limits to ya!"
"Who said anything about us getting together?" Kaiba stated mockingly.
"Don't try me!" By now, Joey was fuming with anger.
"You think I wouldn't?" Kaiba's taunts were not only taking their toll on Joey, but by now, he was ready to pounce on the young, CEO.
"DAT'S IT!" Joey sprung from his seat and landed on Kaiba, who did not look the least bit
thrilled. Seto grabbed Joey by collar, and threw him back on his seat.
"Nice try Wheeler, but it's not that easy to take me down." He then began working on his laptop as if nothing happened.
"I'll beat you yet Kaiba!" Joey grumbled under his breath. He then turned to Yugi beside him who was entranced in his own thoughts yet again.
"Yug...Yug...YUG!" Yugi didn't even hear him.
Yugi. I can tell that this dream is really taking its toll on you and I can't bare to see you depressed any longer. Please...tell me...
"I...I can't Y-Yami...if I do...I don't know what will happen..." Yugi replied closing his eyes, tears flowing down his cheeks.
Something is bound to happen if you don't tell me! Yami protested.
"I'm sorry Yami. I just don't want to lose any more friends. Ever since I put the Sennen Puzzle together, danger has followed me wherever I go and my friends always seem to pay the price. I can't let that happen again!" Yugi's anger rose.
I'm really sorry Yugi. I never meant to put your friends in danger. If I could take all of it back, I would. Unfortunately, that is not possible. But, you have to confront your fears and find out what the dream means. You can't just go through life dwelling on the past.
"I know...but..."
"Yug! Wake up buddy!" Joey's voice snapped him out of his trance-like state.
"Huh? Oh...hey Joey..." Yugi responded in an undertone.
"What's wrong Yugi? Is something troubling you?" Tea asked.
"No...I'm fine...really..."
"If something's wrong, you can tell us. We are your friends after all," Tea protested.
"I'm fine Tea..." Yugi's voice began to slowly drift away.
"We're here," Seto spoke, motioning for everyone to get out. The only one who didn't even budge was Yugi. "Motou! Didn't you here me? I said get out!" Seto repeated, this time more fiercely. No response.
"Dat's it! I can't take much more of dis!" Joey growled as he picked Yugi up by the collar.
"Yugi! You have gotta snap out of it! When someone talks to you, answer! You're freakin' me out!"
The only words that left Yugi's mouth were, "I'm...sorry..."
"Joey! Can you put Yugi down now?" Tea demanded as Joey put his friend back on the ground.
"Are you geeks coming or not? Not that I care..." Seto spoke up, keeping the arrogance in his voice.
"Kaiba! You can at least be a little nicer! Afta all, Yug's goin' through a rough time as it is! He doesn't need your snide comments bringin' 'im down!"
"Whatever..." Kaiba said before turning and walking into the restaurant.
"Dat Kaiba! He'll get what's comin' to him!" Joey mumbled, holding up a clenched fist.
"Joey, just calm down. You know that Kaiba isn't worth getting all worked up over. Besides, we have more important things to worry about, like Yugi for one," Tea explained looking down at the small, multi-colour haired teen.
"Yer right Tea. But for now, let's go eat! I'm starved!" Joey exclaimed as Tea just hung her head and sighed.
"He'll never change..." she moaned following the group.
As soon as everyone got inside, all Seto had to do was say his name and the waiter immediately led them to a reserved table at the back of the restaurant. (A/N: Geez...even in Hong Kong ppl know who Seto Kaiba is!) After about five minutes or so, a young waitress, who looked to be about the age of 18 came to take group's orders.
"What can I get you today?" she asked.
"We're all going to get the buffet special," Seto predicted.
"Wait jus' a minute Kaiba! How do you know dat's what we're all gettin'?"
"Okay then Wheeler, what are you getting?" Seto asked in a mocking tone.
"Uh...I um...the buffet..." Joey responded as he hung his head defeatedly.
"How did I know that was coming?" Seto questioned himself aloud, not expecting an answer in return.
"Okay. Whenever you're ready you can go up and help yourself," the waitress concluded and walked away.
"Aw right! Let's go eat!" Joey exclaimed, rushing to the buffet table followed by the others who just walked at their normal pace.
Tea turned to Serenity and asked, "Is Joey always like this in public?"
Hesitantly, Serenity replied, "Unfortunately yes."
Interrupting their conversation, Kaiba spoke up and said, "It's amazing how you two are related."
"Kaiba! Why would you say such a thing!" Serenity replied angrily.
"Well...let me put it this way. Joey is one of those people who have no manners and no respect for those higher than himself. You on the other hand are perfect in every way."
"I appreciate the kind comment about myself but not the one about Joey," Serenity said, relaxing her tone of voice. "C'mon Tea. Let's go and get away from this jerk." With that, both girls sped ahead.
Suddenly, to his surprise, Kisara approached Seto from behind.
"Hello Seto," she greeted placing her hand on his shoulder.
"AH!" he screeched, whisking his body around to face the young, Egyptian teen. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," she apologized.
"That's all right. So, are you enjoying your visit to Hong Kong?" Seto asked in an unusually pleasant voice. As we all know, that is something not heard very often coming from the young and rather arrogant CEO.
"Very well, thanks." Seto then wrapped his arm around Kisara and continued toward the buffet table.
As soon as everyone got back to the table, they all dug into their food. Joey had about five plates in front of him while the rest only had one or two. Yugi had barely touched his meal as he was too worried about the dream.
"Yugi? Are you okay?" Tea asked, nudging his arm, snapping him back to reality.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to zoom out of reality like that," Yugi quickly apologized.
"That's okay. Just don't scare me like that again!" Tea replied, breathing a sigh of relief as Yugi just gave a curt nod and took a few bites of his meal.
Yugi? Are you sure you don't want to talk about the dream?
"I'm sure Yami. Just...leave me alone! Please!" Yugi then broke into tears.
Well, if you won't talk to me than at least talk to Kisara. She should know what's going on.
"No! I can't talk to her! I just can't!"
Why not? She knows an awfully lot about what's troubling you. Why can't you talk to her?
"I just can't! Please! Don't ask me any more questions! Especially about her!" Yugi pleaded, holding his head in frustration.
I'm sorry Yugi... Yami's voice then began to fade away.
"Yugi! Wake up! Please! Yugi!" It was Tea and she was trying to shake him awake.
"Huh...?"
"Oh thank the heavens! You're okay! I was so worried! You've been zooming in and out of reality all day and I'm really concerned! Maybe you should go back to the hotel and get some rest," Tea suggested.
"No...really I'm... ..." Before Yugi could finish his statement, he collapsed into Tea's arms.
"YUGI!" was the last word he heard before falling into the darkness.
Later on that day, or more specifically, night, Tea and the others, including Kaiba, brought Yugi back to the hotel to get some rest. When they took him upstairs and into his room, Tea placed him on the bed and covered him from head to toe in blankets. Before exiting, she took one last glance at her boyfriend and thought to herself, "Please get better Yugi. I don't want to lose you." With that, she turned off the light and walked out. However, Kisara stayed for a moment, watching the young boy sleep peacefully. She slowly moved over to the bed and placed her hand on his chest. Her Sennen Charm began to glow brightly as she began chanting a mystical Egyptian spell. She needed to protect Yugi at all costs. In her past life, she was the Pharaoh's guardian and anything that happened to him, was forced back on her at twice the power. Since Yugi was the Pharaoh's reincarnation, Kisara needed to keep a protective eye on him.
"Please take care my Pharaoh..." Kisara said before turning around and walking slowly out of the room, closing the door behind her.
END OF CHAPTER SIX
A/N: Finally! Done chapter six! I'm so happy! Please review! Luv ya! Ja ne!