ok i need to clear somethings up. first this isn't the Bandit Keith part, there is still the duel with Duke before that happens. also this is a two parter, mostly because i couldn't fit everything into one chapter, call me getting inspired and unable to stop typing. so this and the next chapter, still under construction, are the Duke Devlin incounter. don't worry after that will be Battle City and i can't wait either.

thanks to EB for her suggestions and for everyone who reviewd my last chapter. I'm sad that i'm not hearing from all of you. if you don't review its ok, but i really would like to know what you think of my work.

anyway here it is. I don't own Yugioh or anything in this but my ideas and Airi. so if it changes too much for you i'm sorry, but this is my story. i hope you continue to like it.

Chapter 14

Several months after the whole virtual world incident nothing eventful had happened, not that anyone was really complaining. Thursday morning found Yugi standing on the counter as he rummaged through the cabinets trying to find the peanut-butter. He had to stand on the counter because of his high, and he had refused Yami's help. He didn't want help for something he could do himself.

"I don't think any one would put food all the way up there." Yami said, leaning against the fridge.

"You never know where Airi will put things." Yugi said, voice slightly muffled since he was trying to see into the very back of a shelf.

"Yugi!" both boys turned to see Airi standing in the door way, glaring at him. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to find the peanut-butter for my toast." Yugi said.

"So your standing on my clean counter in your shoes." Airi was really picky about the condition of her work space. "You could have at least taken off your shoes before you climbed up."

"I don't know why my socks are better then my shoes, they're both on my feet."

"I know where you socks have been; in your shoes. I don't what to think about what you're shoes have been in."

"Well there was that puddle yesterday, and the cafeteria." Yami started, checking off places on his fingers, giving Yugi a sideways glance.

"Oh yeah, some one spilled their tray on the floor that day. " Yugi grinned back. "Then there was the mud during PE . . ."

"Knock it off you two." Airi said, rolling her eyes.

"I need the peanut-butter." Yugi said. "Where did you hide it this time?"

"In the trash because we are out." Airi said. "Gramps has been having more night snacks."

"That doesn't happen unless something is wrong." Yugi said, accepting the hand Airi offered as he jumped down. "Where is he anyway?"

"Outside sweeping probably." Airi said. "Do you have any idea what is up with him?"

"Nope. He only mutters about something ruining him."

"Well hurry and eat something, Tea will be here soon."

Yugi hurried to the toaster. While he ate Airi pulled out a piece of paper, writing something on it.

"Ok so I also need to get peanut butter at the store. Anything else you want for tomorrow night?" Yugi's birthday was that Saturday and his friends were going to have a sleep over tomorrow night to celebrate. It had been his friends idea and they had talked him into it, though Yugi wasn't much for big parties, especially when he was the guest of honor.

"I wish you wouldn't go to too much trouble." Yugi said, after swallowing a large bite.

"I have to go to the store anyway, how is that going to much trouble? Besides it's not everyday you turn 16."

"ok." Yugi said, giving in, picking up his bag. "Hey, what do you want to do for Yami?"

"No, you don't have to." Yami looked slightly panicked. "I don't want anything, its your day Yugi."

"But it wont be that much fun if you don't have some part in it." Yugi said. He know the spirit would never allow taking over in the middle of Yugi's party. "How about you pick what kind of cake we have."

"What do I have to do for that?" Yami said.

"Just pick vanilla or chocolate." Yugi said.

"I don't know anything about either."

"Yugi your going to be late!" Airi had just glanced at the clock.

"I'm not." Yugi said, shaking his head. "Tea and I have to planned so we get a whole extra 15 minuets to get to school."

"Well get out there before I smack you for keep a girl waiting." Airi said, casing Yugi down the steps. Yami followed, smiling at how crazy both of them could be.

Grandpa was standing outside the shop, sweeping and muttering. Both younger Mutos almost crashed into him as they charged out of the front door. Yugi managed to stop in time to avoid knocking the old man down, but Airi wasn't so lucky. Both fell in a heap, laughing.

"Can't an old man worry in peace?" grandpa demanded, before going back to his sweeping. Yugi, Yami, and Airi looked at each other. Gramps wasn't one to get upset over little things. Sure he would put on a big show about his age and dueling skills, but you could tell that was all in fun. What had just happened had been a real 'grandpa isn't in a good mood' snap.

"What are you doing?" Tea had arrived. Yugi beamed up at her.

"Just enjoying the sun." he said, as she helped him up.

"Right." Tea said, grinning at his as Yugi helped his sister up. She then tuned to Gramps. "good morning Mr. Muto." she said.

Grandpa only humphed a greeting and didn't stop sweeping.

"What's up with him?" Tea asked, voice lowered.

"No idea." Yugi whispered back. "but he's been like this for a while now."

"Fine! I'll tell you." all jumped as Grandpa turned around. "I've endured more then this, they can't get rid of me that easy." he was saying, pulling a paper out of his overalls pockets and trusting it paper under the teens' noses. It was announcing the opening of a new game shop that morning a couple block up the road.

"They think that they can force me out of business with their flashy new games and crummy trends." grandpa ranted. "They have no respect for the game traditions or the classics. I'll show them. I've survived tombs collapsing and scorpion stings, I will not give up that easy."

"Wow a new game store, maybe I should go check out the competition." Yugi said.

Airi winced. Yugi realized his slip a little to late.

"Don't you even think about it Yugi Solomon Muto!" Gramps yelled, almost causing Yugi to topple over. Luckily Yami was standing behind him and he managed to steady him."If I so much as hear that you were anywhere near that place, you'll be grounded for a month!" with that Gramps stomped into the shop, slamming the door behind him.

"Nice going genius." Airi said, looking after grandpa.

"He must be really worried about business." Yugi said, picking up the flier that Gramps had dropped. "He hasn't called me by my full name since I was five when I opened all the new packs he ordered because I wanted to look at the cards."

"He was mad enough to kill." Airi giggled. "Lucky you mastered the puppy eyes defense."

Yugi went pink, aware that Tea was still there when she pointed out that they had to get to school.

"Ok, lets go." Yugi grabbed her hand the two of them headed off down the street. Airi and Yami looked after them.

"I though school was in the other direction." Yami said.

"It is." Airi said, smiling. "But apparently the long rout to school goes past the new game shop."

Both older teens looked at each other.

"Lets just hope Gramps doesn't find out." Airi said, then looked at her watch. "things might get ugly, you better go catch up."

"What can happen? Tea's with him."

"That's what I'm worried about. If going that way get Tea a detention for being late. . ." she didn't finish, but Yami didn't have to hear the end of her statement.

"I'll make sure she doesn't get too angry with him." he promises, laughing slightly, before he disappeared.


The rest of Airi's morning was hectic. The first part was spent getting several assignments in on time. Next she had to get the laundry done. She avoided the shop as much as possible, not wanting to be to close to Gramps when he was in that bad a mood. When the laundry was done it was almost time for Yugi to be home from school. She still hadn't gone to the store yet and she knew she wouldn't that day if she didn't go now.

She was half way to the store she became aware of a large crowd standing outside what looked like a newly opened business. When she walked closer, she realized that it was the new game shop. Her curiosity got the better of her and she walked inside. She promised herself that she wasn't going to buy anything, she was just going to look, Gramps couldn't get mad at her for that. She knew he would, but it wasn't like she was supporting this business. She just, well, 'checking out the competition' as Yugi had put it.

The shop was impressive. It was nearly three times the size of Kame Games and was filled with all sorts of games, though she noticed that it was mostly geared towards a new game she had never heard of, something about dice. She walked over to one of the shelves for a better look. The game looked like duel monsters, only with dice. It looked pretty complicated.

"Well hello, may I help you?" said a voice right next to her.

Airi whipped around to see a high school boy standing behind her. His black hair was all crazy, pulled back in a pony tail. He had what looked like a dice on a chain hanging out of one of his ears. He was taking great care to look cool, like it was supposed to impress her or something.

"I'm just looking." she said.

"Then may suggest that you could look at something more interesting." the boy stepped a little closer.

"Really, do you have a reading room or something? A book sounds nice." Airi said, taking a step back, putting on her unreadable expression.

"Forgive my bluntness." the boy said, giving what could only be described as a sultry look, and a bad one at that. "But it is always better to admire such beauty up close instead from across the room."

"You better go back before your over exposed.." Airi said while she was thinking 'Or before I break your face if you get any closer.'

"You're quite right." the boy stepped back slightly, which Airi was grateful. He still kept his flirty look, which she didn't like. "I haven't introduced myself. My name is Duke Devlin."

"Nice to meet you." Airi said, holding out her hand, not wanting to be rude, even if he was annoying her.

Devlin took her hand, but instead of shaking it he bowed over it like she was a princess.

"May I inquire your name?" he said, not letting go of her hand.

"I don't give that information out to strangers." Airi couldn't understand why this was bothering her so much. Shouldn't she be flattered or something?

"You don't seem to know who I am." Devlin tried another tactic to impress her. "I happen to be the owner of this game shop, the creator of Dungeon Dice monsters, and possible business partners with Industrial Illusions."

"That's nice." Airi said, not impressed.

"Doesn't that impress you?" Devlin seemed shocked that she wasn't responding like the girls at his new high school.

"Look kid." Airi said, removing her hand from his limp grasp. "My ex-boyfriend is the youngest CEO in the world and owns a company that could fit this shop in it's basement. And with all that, I dumped him. You're going to have to do better then that."

Devlin seemed to be ready to try something else, but luckily his attention was diverted by the appearance of several girls his age. His turning to see who was yelling his name gave Airi enough time to get out of that shop.

She didn't allow herself to stop walking until she was several blocks away. When she was sure that she was far enough away form the shop, she finally stopped to catch her breath. She didn't know why she was so panicked. He was probably just some kid wanting to look cool by flirting with an older girl. But the fact that a guys was interested in her was foreign to her. Okay, she guessed Seto had been interested in her once, but that seem like forever ago. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. She really needed a life or something if she got this worked up over that.

"Airi are you ok?"

Her eyes snapped open.

"Yami, what are you doing here?" The spirit was standing in front of her looking concerned. Airi looked around. "Where is Yugi?"

"We both felt a increase of excitement from you and he asked that I make sure everything was okay." Yugi had been told about the strange fact that Yami could move away from the puzzle for long distances as long as Airi was in the same direction. The three of them had tested it out during the last few months and had found that as long as they were in certain range of a few miles then Yami could travel between the two of them. It could be rather helpful, especially when they got separated in crowds.

"Sorry I worried you." Airi said, making herself stand up.

Yami continued to study.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Sure."

"No your not."

"Yes I am."

"Airi, your shaking and your face is flushed. What happened?"

"It's nothing and it's over anyway. I have to go shopping." Airi started down the street. She became aware that Yami was walking next to her. "Um, you can go now." Airi said.

"I told Yugi I would make sure you were ok, and your not."

"Yes I . . ."

Yami cut her protest off short.

"From what I can see you're worked up about something, thus you are not alright. I'm going to stay with you until I'm satisfied that you are ok."

"I guess there is no way to get you to change your mind."

"I'm an old spirit, I'm rather set in my ways."

"Fine, you win." Airi couldn't help laughing slightly, though still annoyed. Yami smiled; he thought that would work.

They started to walk on more busy streets so their conversation was cut off. They continued on a little longer in silence. Yami didn't push the subject. If she wanted to tell him she would in her own time.

"Ok, do you want to hear what happened?" Airi couldn't stand the silence any longer.

"If you want to tell me."

"I went to the new game shop."

Yami raised his eye brow.

"I was just looking, besides I didn't recognize any of the games. Anyway, while I was in the shop . . . well . . . a boy tried to hit on me."

Yami just looked at her.

"You don't know what that means do you?"

He shook his head, smiling apolitically.

"Well to put it simply, a boy thought I was cute and tried to get me interested in him. However, I wasn't interested and for some reason I really was uncomfortable about the whole business. I guess that was the increase of excitement you and Yugi felt."

By this time they were in the supermarket. Airi looking over her list and had started to fill a shopping cart.

"I may just be new to all this, but isn't a guy thinking your attractive a good thing?" Yami said.

"In most circumstances, yes. But I don't really enjoy having a high school kid flirting with me, even if he is the owner of the game shop."

"Wait, Duke Devlin was flirting with you?" Yami said sharply.

"Is something wrong with that? Despite the fact that I didn't really like it, he wasn't really doing anything."

"He was at school today. He has quite the group of female admirers."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"He also seems very arrogant."

"Again, not surprising. Wait that's it!" Airi slammed some rice into cart with a little to much force.

"What is it?"

"I thought he reminded me of Seto. Though thank heavens Seto didn't try to flirt. Trust me he would have been horrible."

Both got a good laugh out of that.

"Since you've seen him, what did you think?" Airi said, checking her list again as they continued down the isle.

"Yugi doesn't like thinking bad things about others, but what I've seen of this Devlin, I don't like him." Yami said.

"Hey, look on the bright side. Even if he's in the same school with you it doesn't mean that you have to deal with him."

"To late for that. Joey challenged Devlin to a duel tomorrow after school."

"What for?"

"I think Devlin hurt Joey's pride."

"Joey would let some one rile him up. Stupid of him. I'm not saying he doesn't have a chance, but only idiots go running into a fight provoked, which I guess is what happened?"

Yami nodded.

By this time they were in the backing goods.

"oh, I almost forgot, you didn't say what kind of cake you wanted."

"I'm not the one who should choose."

"Yugi said he wants you to pick and your not going to get out of it."

"I don't know anything about birthdays, not even about my own." Yami stopped, seeing the look on her face. "I apologize, I didn't mean to go off like that."

"Don't worry about it." Airi smiled, but inside she felt sorry for her friend. He didn't say it but she knew what he was really upset about; he had no memories besides waking up in his puzzle. She looked at the cake mix boxes. "How about this. I'll get both. That way you can try them."

"But it's not my party."

"Do you really think Yugi is going to let you pick with out letting you try it?"

"Ok, Thank you." Yami bowed slightly in gratitude. "again I'm sorry I went off like that."

Airi put a hand on his shoulder.

"Just make sure you have fun this weekend. For Yugi's sake at least."

He nodded, smiling slightly.

As they approached the check out Airi was deep in thought. A idea was starting to form. If only she could think of a way for it to work.


"Ok, now I just have to get all this home." Airi said, lifting bags from the cart outside of the store. Yami wanted to help, but figured bags floating by themselves would attract to much attention.

"Excuse me." a white haired boy with a British accent had stopped in front of Airi. "It looks like you could uses some assistance."

"I do, but you don't have to go our of your way."

"It's no trouble really." the boy said, smiling. "I would be happy to help. My name is Ryou Bakura by the way." he held out his hand.

"Oh, your Bakura." Airi smiled at him, shaking it, though inwardly felt a slight jolt. From the distrusting look on Yami's face, she could tell that he wasn't so sure about this kid either. Tristan had said that he had got ride of the Millennium Ring so the evil spirit was gone, but still from what she had heard about the shadow game at Duelist Kingdom Airi couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. Luckily she was expert at hiding her feelings. Also this boy looked nice enough.

"Have we met before?" Bakura looked confused.

"I'm Airi, Yugi Muto's older sister." she clarified, as they both picked up bags and started down the street. "I'm surprised that you haven't come over to hang out, Yugi's friends are almost always over but I haven't met you until now."

"I don't really have time after school." Bakura said, smiling, but inwardly praying that his evil spirit would stay put. Airi seemed pleasant and he didn't want anything he couldn't control happening.

"Well I guess that would be a problem." Airi admitted.

"I've heard form Yugi you're studying to be a archaeologist." Bakura said.

"Yep, though no one told me it was so much work, and I haven't even started in the field yet."

"That's really cool. My father is often on digs, so I don't get to see him that often. But I do think that work is fascinating."

Both kept talking about Archeology. Yami was walking along behind, keeping an eye on Bakura. He could tell the kid was alright, but still something was slightly off.

By this time they had reached the game shop. Yugi came running out to help with bringing in the shopping bags.

"Hey, Bakura." he said. "Good to see you. Do you have time to come in for a moment?"

Bakura would have liked to, but he felt his other half starting to take interest in what was going on. The spirit of the millennium ring was in the back of his mind, staring at Airi.

'It can't be, this is just to much of coincidence. What is she doing here?' the evil spirit thought. Bakura took advantage of his other half's distracted state to suppress him.

"No thank you Yugi." he said, hand the bags over to the shorter boy. "I have some things I have to take care of."

"Oh ok." Yugi was a little disappointed. "I'm having a sleep over tomorrow for my birthday, would you like to come?"

"I would, but my father will be home that night and I don't really want to miss this opportunity to be with him." Bakura said, lying again. No way was he going to risk it. There was not telling what his other half would do.

"Well then you have a good enough excuse." Airi said, telling from his face that he was lying. She didn't push it, that was his business not hers. "Have a good day, and thank you for helping me with the bags."

"No problem. It was a pleasure to meet you." Bakura said, turning to leave. "I'll see you at school tomorrow then Yugi."

"See you later." Yugi watched with the other boy hurry away, frowning slightly.

In the kitchen the rest of the group were arguing, as usual. Tristan and Tea seemed to be giving Joey a hard time about something.

"Just ya wait until tomorrow." Joey was saying as Airi and Yugi came in with the groceries. "I'm going to beat the Duke so bad that he'll be grateful to close his shop to save what will be left of his dignity."

"I still don't like this Joey." Tea said, getting up from her chair to help the Muto's with putting things away.

"Yeah, if you lose you have to do what ever Duke wants for a whole week." Tristan said.

"Which is why I'm not gonna lose." Joey said.

"What conditions did you agree to?" Airi didn't like what she was hearing.

"Me and that little punk who owns the game shop down the road got us a little wager on a duel." Joey explained, sounding proud. "If I win, then Duke the puke has to clear out of town."

"And if you lose he gets to control your life for a week?" Airi finished.

"Pretty much it." Yugi said.

"Joey, this is stupid. I've meet this guy and those terms sound fishy."

"When did you meet him?" all but Yami looked shocked.

"He was hitting on me earlier today." she said, shrugging.

"What!" the high school kids were outraged.

"That sleaze!" Joey ranted. "No punk messes with my friends sister's feelings."

"He didn't do anything bad." Airi said, amused by Joey's reaction.

"He's a playboy." Tristan said. "He has a million girls following him around."

"Then it's a good thing I wasn't impressed." Airi said.

"Just you wait to tomorrow." Joey said, standing up, punching the air for emphasis. "This town is going to be better with that slime ball gone."

"You have to beat him first, Mr Confident." Tea pointed out.

"Don't you worry, that cheep con artist wont know what hit him." Joey said, confidently, sitting down again.

Yugi and Airi glanced at each other. With a attitude like that, Joey was going to get a very rude awakening tomorrow.


Friday afternoon found the Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Tea, and Airi standing outside of the new game shop. They had all taken time to change out of their uniforms and into casual clothes. This was mostly done on the Muto's part to convince Grandpa that they were going someplace fun before the actives that evening. Gramps still wanted them to have nothing with the new game shop so anything that would divert suspicion would help. Yugi told Airi she didn't have to come, but she insisted. Even if running into Devlin wouldn't be the most pleasant, she wasn't about to miss out on watching a duel.

"Lets go kick some butt." Joey said, walking up to the doors.

"Does this remind you of anything?" Tea asked, watching Joey swagger up the steps a little ahead of them.

"Thick heads fall hard?" Tristan suggested.

The game shop wasn't as crowded as it was the day before but there were still a fair amount of people around. The group looked around, obviously impressed.

"To bad Devl-creep will have to close all this down once I beat him." Joey said.

A man came up to them, smiling with a slimy like charm which made Airi shiver.

"Ah, you must be the guest that Mr Devlin is expecting." the man said, bowing to them. "I'm Mr. Devlins manager. Follow me please."

They were lead into a separate room off the main shop. Duke was sitting at a large conference table, playing with his hair.

"Glad to see you made it." he said, finally looking at them.

"Hope ya ready to lose rich boy." Joey said.

Duke wasn't listening. He had caught sight of Airi. In a moment he was on his feet.

"Well, I'm delighted to see you again." he said, his voice changing from indifference to absolute charm.

"Duke, this is my older sister Airi." Yugi introduced. He still sounded pleasant, but Airi could tell her brother didn't like the look Duke was giving her.

"We've had the pleasure of meeting yesterday." Duke said, taking Airi's hand and bowing over it again. "But I must say, it is better to be properly introduce. It is a pleasure, Airi."

Airi smiled, but inwardly she shuddered at how freely he was acting. He wasn't doing anything bad, but he was getting on her nerves. Yami was by her in a moment, hand on her shoulder.

"I'm alright Yami. It's ok, really."

The spirit nodded, removing his hand, but he didn't go back to his puzzle. He had felt how tense she was. He was looking at the hand Duke was still holding, eyes narrowing. Yugi saw the look in Yami's eye, but didn't know how to tell Duke to let go.

"Ya better not be making any plans, fancy hair." Joey snapped. "Because once I beat you senseless you'll have to leave."

"Joey, drop it." Airi hissed. She hated being in the middle of all this.

Duke turned from her, thankfully letting go of her hand in doing so.

"Oh, yes. I'm really anxious to see what the second best duelist can do."

"Ya better be."

"The conditions are the same." Duke said calmly. "We both had to create a deck from these new cards." He indicated the box on the table. "Choose you packs carefully."

"Alright, come ta poppa." Joey said, selecting pacts. He didn't hide his expressions of delight when he selected certain cards.

"Aren't you going to select you cards?" Airi said to Duke.

"I've already selected my new cards." Duke said, indicating the trash can near by which contained several empty packs. He gave her a flirtatious look, which almost made her choke.

"I don't believe him. He's probably is using his own deck." she said to Yami.

"He may have planted the pack wrappers, but there is no proof that he did so." Yami said.

Once Joey was done making his deck the group was lead down to the privet dueling arena in the basement of the game shop. In the elevator Duke stood next to Airi, making comments about his business, which frankly bored her. When they finally arrived on the lower level they were greeted by the sound of what looked like a privet cheer team. Three high school girls were jumping up and down, waving pompoms and yelling out how much they loved Duke.

"Some of my fans." Duke told Airi. "I just can't get rid of of them."

"Hmm" Airi said.

"Alright, Wheeler, lets see some of those great moves." Duke said.

"Ya wont know what hit ya." Joey was ready over to his platform. Duke calmly walked over to his platform.

"You can do this Joey." Yugi called. "You just need to stay focused."

"Relax Yuge. I've got more skill then this punk." Joey said, leering at Duke, who still looked calm.

The duel started. Joey did hold himself well, which shocked anyone, especially Duke. The fan girls were having the craziest mood swings, bursting into tears when it looked like Duke was losing then going right back to cheering when he made a move. As the match continued,Tristan and Tea started to think that Joey might actually have a chance. Yugi wanted to believe it, but something was still bothering him. Airi never took her eyes off Duke.

"He's planned this whole duel well. He knows this game better then he's letting on."

"How can you tell?" Yugi said.

"Just look at him. That is the worse poker face I've ever seen. He is practically telling us that he's had Joey were he wants him the whole game. This guy could be a copy cat of Seto's craftiness, except with out the looks."

Both Yami and Yugi looked at her. Airi went bright red.

"What? I didn't break up with Seto because he was ugly." she turned her attention back to the match. Yugi and Yami gave each other a look, but didn't say anything.

"Uh oh." Airi said.

"What?" Yugi snapped back to the moment at hand.

"I think Joey's losing focus. He can't let himself let his guard down. Devlin isn't a amateur like he claims." Airi said, glaring as Duke calmly placed a few more face downs.

Yugi looked at the field. With a sinking feeling he could tell that this duel might be over sooner then he thought. And Joey didn't seem to see it.

"Joey don't let your guard down!" Yugi shouted to his friend. Joey didn't hear him, he was day dreaming about his victory. Yugi smacked his forehead with his hand, covering his eyes.

"I can't watch." Yugi moaned.

The other two looked at them in confusion. What was wrong? They found out soon enough.

"With this spell card, I can attack you life points directly!" Duke said, striking to kill.

"No!" Joey yelped as the attack went right over his monsters and wiped out the rest of his life points. It was a much humbler Joey which came slouching over to the group.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up, man." Tristan said.

"When I was dueling at duelist kingdom I never made mistakes like this."

"You just needed to stay focused Joey." Tea said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Other then that you did pretty well. You've come a long way."

"You have skill, Joey, it just wasn't your day today." Yugi said. Airi nodded in agreement.

"Now, according to our deal you have to do what ever want for a whole week." Duke said, swaggering over. He motioned to one of his fan girls. She came over with what looked like a dog costume.

"Put this on." she snapped, trusting it into Joey's arms.

"Your going to be my dog for the week." Duke announced.

"Joey you can't seriously be going through with this." Tristan was appalled at the dog suit.

"A promise is a promise." Joey said, not liking them anymore then the others. Seeing all his friends glum faces, he grinned. "And what kind of duelist would I be if I backed down from keeping my word. Ow!" Joey clutched his forehead. A square die bounced away across the floor.

"Dogs don't talk unless their masters command." Duke informed him. "now get that on and show me how you can beg."

Joey glared daggers as he pulled the costume on. If Airi hadn't been so sorry for him she would have thought it was funny.

"Now beg."

Joey game him a dirty look as he got down on his knees. The fan girls were getting a kick out of this. Their giggles only added to the outrage of Joeys friends.

"Now bark."

"Ya got to be kidding. Ow!" another dice hit him in the face.

"Bark dog!" Duke ordered again.

"Ruff, ruff." Joey said, keeping his head down so he didn't have to look at his friends faces.

Yugi had had enough. Deal or no deal, Joey didn't deserve to be treated like this. Looking at Yami he knew his friend was thinking the same thing. He step forward, but Airi spoke first.

"This is wrong Devlin and you know it. I don't care about some deal you guys made, this is not how winners act. Let Joey out of the deal. You won, why do you want to do this?"

"Are you offering a better alternative?" Duke stepped closer to her. "Are you saying that you will do anything to get him out of this? All you'd have to do is go out with me."

"Airi, don't get involved!" Joey said.

"Silence mutt!" Duke shot another dice at him. Joey held up a paw to block it, but the dice never reached him. Yami, now joined with Yugi, had caught it before it reached his friend. He dropped the dice on the ground and kicked it away. His narrow eyes were like burning like coals.

"That's enough." Yami said, his voice dangerous. Yugi was standing next to him in spirit form, also glaring at Duke, though he wasn't as scary looking as Yami. Airi glanced from them to Duke. This wasn't going to be good.

"What?" Duke said, not showing how 'Yugi's' gaze was making him uneasy.

"I believe in keeping one's word. But I believe more in respecting you opponent and being honorable. You are being neither of these. I will not stand here and let you treat my friends in this way or take advantage of them through twisted deals." by this time, Yami had gotten between Airi and Duke, only a foot away from the other boys face. "If you mess with them, you mess with me. I challenge you to a duel."

Dukes face spit into a grin. Airi felt like her insides had gone cold. Was this what he had planned from the beginning?

"Yugi you can't do this." Joey said, hating that his friend had to go to all this trouble. He flinched after speaking, waiting for another dies to be thrown at him. Duke however was no longer interested in his week long slave.

"Fine I accept, as long as we play a game of my own choosing; Dungeon Dice Monsters. I'm sure the 'King of Games' would have no trouble." he spat the title as if it was a bad taste in his mouth.

"That's not fair, Yugi's never played that before." Tea was outraged.

Yami glanced to the side at Yugi. His friend nodded.

"Agreed." Yami told to Duke. "as long as you promises that if I win then you will release Joey from this humiliating agreement."

"Hmm, reasonable enough. I agree to your terms as long as you agree to mine."

"Which are?"

"Only two. First that if I win and take your title as the king of games, you will never play duel monsters ever again."

"What!" everyone started at him. Yugi glanced at Yami. Duel Monsters was what both of them were good at. Yami's face was unreadable.

"What is the second condition?"

"When I win, Airi has to go out with me."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"You don't know when to quit do you." Airi's soft voice was deceivingly calm.

"What do we do?" Yugi said.

"We've already challenged him and he will still have advantage of our friends if we back down." Yami's face was still unreadable, but Yugi could hear the anger in his thoughts.

"Yugi." Airi said. "You two better beat him, or I may do something drastic." Even with her face blank, Yugi could tell she was very near her breaking point. She had only reached this point when he had been having his bully trouble. If he was Duke he wouldn't be looking that pleased with himself; he would be running for cover as fast as possible.

"Well?" Duke said, impatiently

"You can't go through with this Yugi." Tea said

"I got myself into this, I'll be ok Yuge." Joey said.

"Yeah man, he's not worth it." Tristan said.

"Yugi, It's up to you." Yami told him. He wouldn't accept unless his other half was said so. Still, if Duke tried to force Airi to go out with him, he would have to get through him.

Yugi looked from Joey to Airi to Duke. The conditions were extreme, but he wasn't going to let Joey be treated like a dog. He also knew that if he didn't accept Airi, though hating it, would agree to go out with Duke to free Joey. The idea of his sister giving into to such a demand was more then he could stand, and judging from the look on his friends face, Yami wouldn't stand for it either. Also he guessed Airi would probably do something drastic and the world might be short a Duke Devlin. Besides, when he and Yami worked as a team, they could over come anything.

Yugi nodded. It was time to duel.


A/N: so there is part one. the duel with Duke is next. hopefully it wont take too long to write. it this doesn't make sence, remember this is a two parter. and the thing with Bakura will be explained, just be pacient. for those who like Duke i'm sorry, but he was a jerk for the first part, he will get better.

PLEASE REVIEW! and have a great day.