a/n FINALLY. it took me so long to work with this i'm just posting it before i try messing with it again. Now that i am now working with the episodes i really hope i don't blow it.
PLEASE COMMENT! Thank you EB for your reviews, they make me happy :) other readers please respond, i want to know how I am doing.
Chapter 3
The day after Joey returned the puzzle piece, Yugi announced that he had finally finished the Millennium Puzzle. Eight years of work had finally paid off and the upside down pyramid was now complete.
With the puzzles completion came the fulfillment of Yugi's wish. It was amazing how quickly things could change. Joey came over to see Yugi every day while they were both suspended. He was very wary of Airi for the first few hours, but she knew how to fix that. Living with two males had taught her that the quickest way to a man's heart was the stomach. She had taken on the title of head cook at a young age, once she had decided that Grandpa's array of odd foods from his travels was getting old. She surprised the boys with her best cookies. Luckily Gramps was out seeing a vendor about some new cards and she didn't have to argue with him about how many he could have. Airi would have felt guilty about making cookies without him, but once Yugi confessed that Grandpa had candy hidden in the game shop counter, after he promised to cut down on the sweets, she didn't feel so bad. The cookies did the trick. After several bites Joey wasn't no longer scared Airi was going to kill him. Soon after that Tristan started to accompany Joey. He was also wary at first, fully aware of how much he had been a jerk, but Yugi's warm welcome and Airi's inviting the boys to stay for dinner soon eased his fears.
Once the boys were allowed back in school Airi didn't see that much of the threesome. They often would spend time playing games in the school halls or find other places to go. Airi missed having Yugi home, but was happy that he came back with wider smiles than she had seen in months. When the boys did hang out at the Muto house, the building was often rocked with the sounds of friendly squabbles, strange songs Joey and Tristan had come up with and cheers of victory when someone won a game they were playing. When they were in the living room Airi would come in to watch. More often then not she was laughing so hard at their craziness she had to hold on to the back of a chair. Yugi was the happiest about this, it had been a long time since she had really laughed.
Téa joined the group a few months after the puzzles completion. Joey and Yugi had mentioned the name Téa Gardner once after they had tried out a restaurant downtown. Airi hadn't thought that much about it. Téa was a girl, but she didn't think Yugi's courage was high enough yet to talk to girls, even to just be friends. That's why when Yugi showed up one afternoon with Téa almost in shock after a near mugging, Airi was completely taken a back. After all of the crash courses in medical training because of Yugi, treating Téa for shock was easy. After a few cups of mint tea Airi was able to get the whole story out of both of them. Some creep at school had pretended to be Yugi in a note to get Téa to go to some deserted places. Yugi had found out, being small could be an advantage, and had hurried to the rescue. According to them both Yugi had hurled himself at creep but had been thrown off pretty easily. Téa had tried to help but had been knocked out. Next thing she knew Yugi was kneeling over her and the creep was in a unconscious heap. The game shop had been close so Yugi had decided to take Téa there for help.
The story was reasonable enough, but Airi wasn't satisfied. In the story it sounded like Yugi had beaten that guy up. But he only had one bruise and couldn't remember actually doing it. There had to be something more. She tried to get Yugi to talk about it when Téa left the room to call her parents, but Joey and Tristan showed up demanding to know why Yugi had run off without an explanation. Airi sat back and enjoyed watching someone else tell Yugi off. Things had turned out good, so she didn't push the matter. After that the four teens calmed down enough to play games, Téa being persuaded by Yugi to stay for a while. All stayed for dinner, Grandpa pretended to be upset that he had to share his food with so many, but he didn't keep the act up very long. Yugi offered to walk Téa home, and Joey and Tristan both insisted they come along for protection. Airi watched from the door way as they all started down the street, threatening to disturb the peace with all the noise they were making.
'Quite a group.' Airi though, smiling.
So there it was, Yugi's luck had completely turned around. Airi was glad she had one less thing to worry about. Her life was changing as well. She graduated with her associates degree that spring and started a correspondence bachelor program in archeology. Grandpa suggested that she go away for school, but she respectfully declined. She knew funds would be needed to help Yugi when his turn came for college and the game shop was not known for bringing in the most money.
This was why a year after the puzzle was completed Airi was still shelving cards at Kame Games. Grandpa was manning the counter and looking at the stats for the next Duel Monsters Regional Championship match.
"Where are those kids?" Grandpa said, looking at the clock. School had gotten out over an hour ago.
"Probably just lost track of time." Airi put the last card pack in place. "They'll be here." As soon as she said it the shop door tinkled announcing the arrival of Yugi and friends.
"Look who finally showed up." Grandpa said.
"Sorry, lost track of time dueling." Yugi said. He had introduced his friends to Duel Monsters a few weeks ago and only now were they starting to get the hang of it.
"Yeah, Joey wouldn't get the message that he sucks at this game." Tristan said, nudging Joey.
"Shut up Tristan." Joey never liked to feel inferior. "I never remember you challenging Yugi."
"Calm down you two." Téa rolled her eyes. "They've been at it all day."
"So is there anything I can help you kids?" Grandpa asked.
"Gramps could you show my friends your awesome super rare card?"
"My special card?" Grandpa pretended to consider this very carefully.
"Please, Please, Please." Yugi said, hands clasped in front as he pleaded.
"Pretty please." Joey tried using his charming smile.
"Well I guess I could show you." Grandpa said pleasantly, he really did like showing his card off. He opened a small cabinet behind the counter and brought out a small box. "You kids are in for a treat, I don't take this out very often." the high schoolers crowded around the counter. Airi went into the back to get more packs of cards. She had seen the card several times. It was quite a sight, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon was one of the rarest cards in the game. Grandpa had told her that the card had been given him by an old friend of his so he kept it safe and only took it out if requested or if he was in a important duel. As far as she could remember it had only come out four times since she and Yugi had been living with Grandpa.
She paused and started counting on her fingers. The first time; she had started to learn the game; second, Yugi had learned to play; third, right now; fourth. . . Airi felt herself go cold. The fourth had been when she had brought a friend home after school when she was 10. She had pleaded with Grandpa to show the card, he relenting to his granddaughter pitiful look. Both kids had stared and gasped in amazement by how powerful the card was. That was when Seto Kaiba had decided one day he was going have a Blue-Eye White Dragon in his deck. Airi loosened her hand, not realizing that she had balled it into a fist. Grandpa still didn't know that the little brown haired Seto his granddaughter had played with had become Seto Kaiba the man who had driven Airi so hard to be a champion she had nearly become unrecognizable.
The shop the door tinkled as it opened.
"May I help you?" grandpa's voice asked pleasantly.
"If you can't, it won't surprise me." Seto Kaiba's voice made Airi freeze where she stood.
"Seto Kaiba." Yugi's voice sounded shocked. Even though Airi had never brought him home Yugi knew Kaiba from all the publicity of his being the best duelist in the country. The Spirit in the puzzle wasn't so sure about this Kaiba person. He had gathered he wasn't well liked. He better not cause trouble.
"Don't you have some big company to run or something?" Tristan said. None of Yugi's friends saw Grandpa and Yugi glance towards the back room.
"None of your business but I'm looking for a rare card. If my memory hasn't failed me then it is here."
Airi had hoped he hadn't remember being shown the card, but then she should have guessed he would. His memory was in excellent condition. Airi prayed grandpa had already put the card away. Once Seto saw it, things would get ugly.
In the main shop Seto's eyes widened as he saw the Blue-Eye's.
"A Blue-Eye's White Dragon in a dump like this! Then I did remember correctly."
"What are you calling a dump." Joey's demanded.
"Well I think that is enough looking for one day." Grandpa closed the Blue-Eyes box
"Listen old man, I'll give you all these rare card for your Blue-Eye's." there was a bang as a case was slammed down on the counter. Kaiba opened the case showing rows upon rows of rare cards.
"Your offer may be tempting, but no thank you." Grandpa was doing his best to act pleasant.
Joey, Tristan and Tea looked at him shocked. All those cards would make big money for the game shop. Yugi smiled proudly. Good for Gramps for standing up to Kaiba.
"Fine, maybe you'll sell it." Kaiba shut the case with a snap. "I can pay anything you ask."
Yugi frowned at Kaiba. Hadn't he heard grandpa say that he wasn't going to give the card up?
"Again I will have to decline your offer. This card is precious to me, not because of its points, but because it was given to me by a dear friend. Parting with it is out of the question."
"Let me guess, your heart of the cards thing." Seto scoffed.
Yugi bristled; how dare he talk to his Grandpa like that. The Spirit felt Yugi's rising dislike and was all ready to take over and teach that stuck up jerk a thing or two.
He was distracted, however, by Airi coming out from the back. Everyone turned in surprise. Even Kaiba's face twitch a little. Face set, Airi walked right in front of the counter, putting herself between Seto and Grandpa's card. She look right up into Seto's face; violet eyes meeting cold blue.
"You heard my Grandpa; the card isn't going anywhere, especially not with you."
"Airi, what a surprise to see you. I would have thought you would do everything in your power to run away."
"If you're afraid your face would offend me, don't worry. You haven't started to look like Weevil yet."
Yugi barely managed to keep a snort of laughter from coming out. Joey and Tristan didn't bother. Even Téa had to cover her mouth to hide her smile.
"Instead of being a wash up duelist you're now a comedian." Seto said, dryly. "If memory hasn't failed you then you know what that card means to me."
"Your hearing is what seems to be failing. This is one card you can't have. My Grandpa told you this card is bonded to him by friendship. It has a piece of his heart in it."
"You're one to talk about heart. You dropped out of the biggest tournament of your life just because you didn't have your priorities straight. Who knows, maybe you would have been National Champion instead of me, not likely though."
Silence. Both stood there motionless. Yugi glanced from Airi to Kaiba, waiting for someone to move. Airi's face was more void of emotion then Yugi had ever seen it. Kaiba's face had the slightest hint of smugness.
"You know why I left, Seto." she whispered. Airi's voice was so cold it could have been broken in two.
Kaiba's gaze turned to Yugi. His eyes looked the younger boy over. Yugi got the feeling that Kaiba was sizing him up, like he was comparing the worth of some goods at a market. His expression clearly stated that he didn't think Yugi was a good specimen.
"At least I have my reputation. Looks like you came up short." he put emphasis on the last word.
The Spirit had heard enough, and Kaiba might have been history if Grandpa's voice hadn't cut in.
"That's enough. If you are finished looking, sir, I suggest you leave."
Kaiba turned on his heal and headed out of shop without another word. Joey, Téa and Tristan hurried to the glass door to make sure he was really leaving.
"I'm telling ya. If that creep comes back I'll show him a thing about heart." Joey said, cracking his knuckles.
"You said it man." Tristan said, "I don't know what that was about, but Kaiba has no right to be were he's not welcome."
"Hey where's Yugi?" Téa said looking around. The others turned. Yugi and Airi had disappeared.
"Yugi went to help Airi with something." Grandpa smiled insistently at them. "They will back soon. Is there something else I can help you kids with?"
"Yeah are there some cards you can suggest to Joey so he wont lose." Tristan said.
Joey's reaction was to try and relocate Tristan's nose to another part of his face. While both boys role around on the floor, Tea turned to Grandpa.
"Is Airi going to be alright? She was pretty worked up."
"she will. She just needs to give herself a break."
"What happened to her?"
Grandpa smiled sadly. "Airi has two loves; her family and dueling. When she had to choose between the two, it was a win loose situation. Because she dropped out of a championship tournament she's been labeled as a wash out."
"But that's not fair." Tea said.
"The dueling world is mostly made of people who only care about the power winning gives them. If they think someone is weak, that person gets taken out. She's lucky that wasn't the case." Grandpa said. "Will you two boys stop fighting, you're going to scuff up my floor. I just finished washing it this morning."
Upstairs Airi and Yugi were sitting on the living room couch. Airi was holding her face in her hands, emotions letting loose in a flurry of tears. Yugi had seen her shaking in the shop and had quietly taken her upstairs. The confrontation with Seto had made him realize somethings he felt stupid for not seeing before.
"I was the reason you stopped competitions wasn't I?" Yugi said softly.
Airi made herself sit up. Even if was going to hurt, Yugi deserved to know the part of the story. The other wasn't for her to tell, but she wouldn't let Kaiba's actions tell her brother he was worthless.
"Yes."
Yugi looked at the floor. "Sorry."
"Don't be, I chose to leave. And I really have you to thank."
Yugi stared at her. How could being a wash out be a good thing?
"Yugi, the competitive world is full of people who want power. If someone duels for the wrong reasons, those reasons start to become their reality." she looked down at her hands. "at 16 and 15, Seto and I were the youngest duelists in the regional and international championships. We felt like the world was ours. We both pushed ourselves to be the best, together. To be the best it takes time, skill, and heart. Seto had skill, but he also had power. He had the company which made the arenas and everyone gave him the respect he deserved. Because we were a couple I did my best to be like him to deserve that respect. Soon I was spending more and more time with Seto and Championships then I was at home."
"We understood." Yugi cut in. "Dueling was important to you and Gramps and I were behind you all the way."
"Yes I know." Airi smiled sadly. "But you guys couldn't be there all the time; there was the shop and school. Soon I started to focus only on getting to the top. I lost the fun of competing and just focused on not letting Seto down. He put so much into putting me through the first semesters of college and giving me rare cards I couldn't disappoint him." her face clouded, and her fists clenched. "I didn't see at that time the only reason he wanted me to stay in his league was so he knew he had a worthy opponent when he finally got the final championship match."
Yugi was confused.
"Why?"
"So when he beat me it would be a true victory."
"Why would that matter?"
Airi gave a half smile. "Because he has never beaten me in a duel."
Yugi's eyes widened. Seto Kaiba unable to beat his sister.
"But if you were so good why leave?"
"Grandpa called me after the second round International Championships semifinals. I had just finished squishing Weevil Underwood and feeling good about my chances. Then I got the call that you were in the hospital with a exploded appendix and was in intensive care. Just the word hospital put me in panic." she started trembling.
Yugi put an arm around her. He knew what she meant. Ever since the night there parents died hospitals had always been associated with hurting and no returns. It was getting better, but the fear was still there.
Airi took another deep breath and made herself keep talking. As she talked about the fight between her and Seto she could almost see herself standing in front of him in the wings of the arena, looking up into his sharp calculating eyes.
"I have to go Seto, my brother needs me."
"He has your grandfather to look after him. You need to keep your mind on the duel."
"Forget the duel. If it was Mokuba you wouldn't be standing here talking about duels."
"Don't use my family to illustrate your problems. You agreed you would complete this Tournament."
"What is wrong with you?" It was like Airi was looking at a complete stranger. "Why is it so important to you I finish this tournament?"
Seto didn't answer.
Airi's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"I see. You want to make sure we face each other in the finals. That way you can prove to yourself in front of everyone that you are the best duelist."
"Don't think your the better person." Seto snapped. "You knew your brother was hurting before you came and yet you continued on."
Airi felt sick. She had know something was wrong with Yugi, but hadn't taken notice. Suddenly it was like she was seeing things as they were. She saw the majority of the professional dueling world as it was; a bunch of power seeking, strategy obsessive creeps. Was she becoming one of them?
"You say a lot about that heart of the cards, but your own heart is starting to get corroded. I know dueling is about the power and I plan to be the most powerful duelist in the world. And even with that, nothing is going to get between and my brother." Seto sounded smug. "I can't say the same about you."
Airi had been looking at the floor, but when she looked up there was a spark in her eyes Seto had never seen before.
"You want to be top duelist? then I'll make it easier. With me gone you wont have to worry about defeating me. We're trough Seto. Good bye." she turn and started to walk away.
"You can't do that. If you leave then you give up everything we worked for." Seto was seeing his plans walking out of his control.
"You want to win, go ahead. that's all you care about."
"I care about much more." Seto said angrily "did you hear me? I have a company and my brother."
Airi paused.
"I have a brother, too."was all she said.
Yugi was silent as she finished. He remembered waking up in the hospital with Airi's asleep with her head resting on the mattress near his pillow, hand holding on to his. All she had told him was she had decided was that dueling professionally wasn't for her. Kaiba beat everyone and became the undefeated International Champion. Airi's name was pretty much forgotten; why care about a drop out when there was youngest international national champion.
Airi suddenly sat up, remembering Yugi's friends.
"I'm ok Yugi. Really. You better go back down. Your friends will wonder where you are."
"You're not ok." Yugi said, stubbornly. With his arm around her he could feel she was still trembling. "Grandpa can distract Joey with cards and Tristan and Tea will be occupied teasing Joey so they won't miss me for a while."
"Thank you Yugi but you really don't have to do this." Airi said weakly.
Yugi gave her a sly smile. "Just call it little brothers job security."
Airi rested her head on his shoulder, smiling gratefully. Sometimes it was nice not having to act the oldest.
The Spirit, from the back of Yugi's mind watched the tears slide down Airi's cheek, remembering the one that had landed on his half finished puzzle. That Kaiba better pray he didn't get any further on The Spirit's bad side.
The Spirit could sense the strong bond between the two siblings. From his year quietly sharing Yugi's mind he knew the boy, though shy and timid, had a good heart and would do anything for his family and friends. Another tear slid down, staining Airi's cheek. Even though Yugi wasn't fully aware of him yet, The Spirit silently promised he would do anything to help him if need should arise.
Anything, that was a promise.
a/n WOW that was long trip down memory lane. hope you liked it. another favor to ask. If there is something funny you think could be worked into the story to help make it lighter please tell me, writing fluff is less depressing and thinking over certen parts of this show i need some funny parts. any ideas would be apreshiated.
Anyway thanks for reading and hope to hear from you. next part will hopefully be soon.
