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Chapter 5: Misunderstanding
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Honda's impressed whistle echoed off the stratospheric ceilings. "Man, this place must have its own zip code!"The walls were red, with gold molding. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the floors were marble.
Anzu bit her lip. Blech, how tacky.
Ryou leaned towards Bakura and whispered, "Don't steal anything."
Bakura scowled. "Give me some credit. This place looks like shit."
Jouno looked at the paintings on the walls. Almost every single painting in the place was of some goofy cartoon bunny.
What, is that some bizarro Duel Monster I've never seen before?
His gaze happened upon one painting that was different. It was of a beautiful woman with long, blonde hair.
She looks like a kind person. I wonder who she is.
"Ah, welcome, my friends." Pegasus J. Crawford appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing the same red suit.
Yami's face dropped. Yugi wondered aloud, "Is that his only outfit?"
"You're one to speak," said Anzu.
Bakura took a half step in front of Ryou and glared Pegsy down as he descended and crossed the entrance hall to meet them.
He smiled and gave a brief bow. "I can't tell you what a thrill it is to meet you all. Shall we?" He proceeded to lead them through the house, to the dining hall, where an elegant table was set out.
Yugi, Ryou, and Anzu broke out into big smiles. "Wow, it's so beautiful!"
Honda dead eyed. Guess I'm gonna have to use utensils.
Jouno took notice of another painting, of the same beautiful woman.
Pegasus regarded the group. "Oh? It seems there's an extra member to your party."
"This is Yami. He's my... older brother."
Pegasus approached Yami. "Yes, I can see the resemblance." His gaze shifted to Ryou and Bakura for a moment, then he moved his face closer to Yami's. The two stared unflinchingly at each other for a few long seconds.
Finally, Pegasus said, "Well, this is fortuitous. You make lucky 7. You are interested in the challenge, aren't you?"
"Yes, but I have to wonder what you get out of this, Crawford."
"Why, nothing, of course. Nothing except the thrill of suspense, and the joy in knowing I've made a difference in seven young lives." He abruptly turned away and walked over to the table, asking his servants to set out another placing.
"Man," whispered Anzu, "I thought he was going to kiss you or something."
"Well," announced Honda, "I've lost my apetite."
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"Ready?"
"Yeah."
"Feeding frenzy!" Jou and Honda dove happily into their food, packing it away as if they were starving. Everyone else sweat dropped.
Bakura snorted, "How disgusting." He impaled his steak upon a fork, devoured it in one mouthful, then daintily cleaned his lips with a napkin. "I'm done."
Yugi and Anzu's eyes bugged out. Guess we're the only normal people at this table.
Jouno was smiling happily as the servants cleared the course. "Man, that was good! You're alright, Pegsy!"
Pegasus smiled, but a tiny vein popped out on his forehead.
The servants brought out plates with domed silver lids and set them before the guests.
Jouno licked his lips. "Oh, yeah, time for dessert!"
They lifted the lids, and Anzu exclaimed, "Oh, yargh! My dessert is looking at me!"
It was a large, sumptuous hunk of chocolate cake, topped with a golden fascimile of the Millennium Eye.
Yami twitched, then scrutinized the glint shining through the silvery hair covering half of Pegasus's face.
Bakura took the eye off of his cake, studied it for a moment, then opened it and found a small piece of paper inside.
Everyone followed his lead. "Oh, I get it, like a fortune cookie."
Anzu blinky-blinked. "'Monday'. Not much of a fortune."
They all looked at Pegasus, who laughed, "You will begin the challenge at midnight, and it will last a week. After that, I will have a celebratory brunch with the survivors, and present them with their just rewards."
Yugi looked ready to cry. "Survivors?"
Yami placed an arm around his aibou. "I'll be there to protect you."
"Yeah," said Anzu, "it'll be great, all of us hanging out. We can make s'mores, and tell scary stories..."
Yugi relaxed, and Pegasus's laughter cut in.
"Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you misunderstand. You won't be spending a week in the Saeki house. You will each spend one night there... alone."
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misunderstanding
finish
Kimyo: Next chapter, the merciless, gut wrenching horror officially begins! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! Thank you Dimitri Aidan and Flame Swordswoman for reviewing! See ya!
