Hello everyone, really sorry it took a long time but figuring out decks and opponents is hard. speaking of which a bige THANKS goes to my Beta Noel. she is a life saver and a great person to write with. I'm glad she is my friend on here.
Also a big THANK YOU ALL YOU ARE AMAZING! shout to all of you who reviewed my last chapter and are still here to read the next one. Thanks. :') (tear of gratetude)
ok, disclamers. I don't own Yugioh and if any of the people in charge of creating that show are reading this you are awasome! I don't own Charlotte, but i own the ideas and the other OCs.
ok so here it is. sorry if Kaiba is acting too evil for you, but remember he got mind crushed so there is still hope for him, i think.
Chapter 19
"This can't be happening! Ya mean to tell me rich boy is throwing his own exclusive duel-monsters tournament!" Joey demanded. It was Sunday, the day after the announcement of Battle City Tournament. Yugi's friends were gathered in the Muto's living room, the news of the strange happenings travailing fast. Joey was pretty ticked, pacing up and down in front of the the others.
"That's what I told you, apparently you were to asleep to notice." Charlotte said, sighing. She was standing next to Tristan while Tea and the Muto's sitting on the couch.
"Starting less then a week." Tea added, looking slightly amused by Joey's tantrum.
"Why didn't Money-Bags invite me? I was runner up at Dullest Kingdom. Where's the respect?" Joey ranted.
"News flash to Joey, Kaiba doesn't like you." Tristan said, getting a little fed up with the over reacting.
"Feeling's mutual. How come a wash-" catching the glare Yugi gave him Joey quickly rephrased his comment . "I mean Kaiba doesn't like Airi either, and Charlotte isn't even technically from here."
"I couldn't care less Joey." Charlotte said, going slightly pink at the mention of Kaiba, but still appeared uninterested. "I'm just dueling for fun."
"What about you Airi?" Joey said. "ya're not going to let Kaiba-Creep humiliate you are ya?"
"thanks for the confidence in my skills." Airi smiled humorlessly. "besides all the crazy things which have been going on, I can't let myself be intimidated." she had her best game face on so no one could tell she wasn't as sure as she sounded. "Besides it will be fun to see what the dueling world looks like these days."
"I still can't believe he didn't invite me. Doesn't like me, huh? I'll give him something not to like."
"Have you considered this is exactly how he wants you react?" Tristan said.
Joey paused in his ranting for a spit second, to which everyone was grateful.
"Ya got a point there Tristan. I don't have to be in his stupid tournament." Joey turned to Yugi. "what about you, Yuge? Are you going to enter Kaiba's tournament?"
Yugi nodded.
"I have to Joey. I just found out entering this tournament is the only way I can fulfill my destiny."
"What are you talking about?" Joey said, taken back by the smaller boys determined look. "What destiny?"
Yugi exchanged glances with Airi and Tea. None of them had said anything to the others about Ishizu or that Yami had been a Pharaoh or that the world as they knew it might be destroyed. They weren't sure how to saying it anyway.
"It's kinda of a long story." Yugi said, not sure what parts would be ok to share. He trusted them all so secrecy wasn't the issue. It was more of what their reactions might be. The way Joey was now, he might go through the roof if he heard everything at once.
"None of us are going anywhere." Joey said.
Yugi glanced at Airi, who nodded.
"Alright, to put it simply some evil force is coming back from the past and I'm destined to join this tournament so that Yami and I can try to stop it from destroying the world." Yugi said. It sounded simple in word form.
"Then it is my destiny to enter that tournament and help you!" Joey said punching the air. "your not going to do this alone, Yugi."
"What does that make me and Airi, old toasters?" Charlotte said indignantly. Airi was trying not to laugh at Joey's exclamation. She had to admit Joey had guts. He didn't even know half of what was going on and yet he was still willing to help. She was nervous of dueling professionally again, but she was going to give this tournament all she had. For Yami, and Yugi, and all of them.
"I'll be there to help you, and I have just the card for the job." Joey continued, pulling his red-eyes out of his pocket. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
"So you've changed your mind again and are going to enter the tournament." Tristan said, looking exasperated.
"Ya got that right. Yugi inspired me. And with this card in my deck I can't lose." Joey kissed his card. "Isn't that right my little red-eyes, who's gonna help me kick some major Kaiba butt." he cooed. Seeing the verity of amused and shocked faces of those around him. "What the matta, ya never see a guy kiss a card before?"
"Not sober." Charlotte said. Tristan and Airi lost control and started laughing. Even Tea and Yugi were having problems keeping their composer.
"Ha ha, very funny Char." Joey said. "But believe me when I say I've got enough card power to rock Rich-boy's tournament."
"Yeah, your cockiness sure got you through battling Duke and Kaiba." Tristan said.
"He has a point. If you're going to enter this tournament you can't be distracted." Airi said, becoming serious. "Seto wont like it if you're in this tournament so you'll have to duel your best, better in fact. Cards are only a piece of the puzzle, you have to have heart and skill to get anywhere. And from what we saw, quite the selection of duelists were invited."
"You've got a point. I didn't do so good the last time against Kaiba."
"You have a week to prepare." Yugi said. "You can do it Joey, you just need to get ready. First you better get used to his new version of the duel disk."
"The old ones were too advanced for me."
"Good thing you have a week then." Tea said.
"So what are we waiting for?" Joey said. "Lets go see if I can go registrar for this thing." he was already half way out the door.
"I guess we get no choice in the matter." Airi said, as they all followed after.
The shop where the duel disks were was only a few blocks from the city center. For being the place they sold the duel-disks it wasn't a very impressive shop.
"Make this quick Joey." Charlotte said. "Remember you promised Serenity you would be at the hospital tonight." Serenity's operation was tomorrow and she had asked Joey to stay with her the night before.
"Calm down Char, I know. Lets get me into this tournament first."
"If you can." Tristan said.
Yugi and Tea were talking to each other and weren't paying much attention to the others. Airi eavesdropped, but they were only talking about the tournament. She sighed. She guessed it was to much to hope for.
"It will take some time." Yami said, appearing next to her. "Lets get through this before we take on any other challenges."
"Your right. Getting Yugi to go out with any girl, especially Tea, is going to be as difficult as saving the world. Though that's not my job, so I can't say."
"Saving the world is only one my concerns. Judging by the attempts of my puzzle I'm more of the direct target. I'm afraid they will try to use all of you against me."
"Well you look after Yugi, since you're in the best position. I have my diadem." she indicated the gold band she was wearing like a hairband. "I have some protection. Besides the others aren't stupid, its going to take a lot to get them."
"I fear this will be a bigger challenge then any of us have faced. If anything should happen to any of you I would be responsible."
"What do you think we are, old toasters." Airi repeated Charlotte's expression. "Listen to me, Yami. I don't know what happened 5,000 years ago, but I'm sure those who helped you beat the darkness back then must have been strong and determined. Whatever providence lead you to Yugi made sure you had such a strong group here in this time." Airi paused, looking serious. "I'm sure all of us now the risks. What happens happens."
"I have no experience with toasters, but I know what you're saying is true."
By this time they had reached the doors of the shop. The others were already inside. Airi was about to fallow when she heard someone calling her name.
"Oh, hey Bakura."
Ryou Bakura came hurrying towards her.
"I didn't expect to see you. What are you doing?" he said.
"There's a duel-monsters tournament and I'm going to register."
"A tournament, that sounds exciting. I do wish you best of luck."
"Thanks, why don't you try registering?"
"Oh, no not for me, I'm afraid my dueling skills are not up to you and Yugi's." His eyes traveled up to her top of her head. "That's a really pretty hair band you got there, is it new?"
"Picked up up a few days ago." Airi said, sounding casual. She wasn't sure if his sudden interest in her band was something to worry about. Yami seemed to think it was.
"Airi, we should join the others." he said firmly.
"Well I better get going." Airi said. "Was good to see you again."
"Same hear. Good luck."
"Thanks." Airi quickly entered the shop. "you felt it too?"
"Yes."
"But he doesn't have the ring anymore."
"We don't know that. Even if he doesn't there could have been other powers around we may not have seen. We need to be careful with everyone we meet."
Out side of the game shop Bakura walked away, an unnaturally evil smile spreading across his face. His narrow eyes glinting with malice.
'So she has the band as well. Now that is interesting. She isn't a exact incarnation, but then that midget of a host does act more like her meddling brother then the pharaoh. But if she has the band then this one must be as important to him as she was.' he laughed evilly. 'Fool. When will he learn not to let anyone in his heart, it gets broken more easily that way.'
In the shop Yugi has already reserved his duel disk. When Airi and Yami entered, the man at the counter was arguing with Joey about letting him register.
"I'm sorry sir but those with one star can not enter."
"One star! That sneaking sleazeball, he's gonna pay."
"Calm down Joey, there has to be some sort of mistake." Yugi said.
"You bet there's been a mistake." Joey said. "Kaiba's going to regret the day he crossed Joey Wheeler!"
Airi saw the man at the counter fiddle with the computer.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Wheeler, my computer seems to have froze for a second. As it turns out you have four stars."
"Now that is what I'm talking 'bout." Joey seemed to skip up to the counter to receive the long box. "Come ta papa."
"Any one else?" the man asked. "there aren't that many left."
"'bout time." Charlotte pushed passed Joey to stand in front of the counter. "Charlotte Langspur." she told the man.
"Here you are, Miss Langspur. Your ranking is four stars and your rarest card seems to be Pitch Dark Dragon."
"Sounds right." Charlotte took the box and almost dropped it. "It's as heavy as a card table."
"Come on Char, lets go try these out before I have to get going." Joey said. Saying good bye over their shoulders they left.
"Anyone else?" the man behind the counter said. Hoping her indifferent mast was working, Airi approached the counter.
"Airi Muto." she said.
The man raised his eye brow, but started to type. Airi wanted to groan; did everyone see her as a washout?
"oh, yes here you are. Airi Muto. Level four and a half stars. Rarest card Phantom Dragon."
Airi's expression was surprise when she heard the card, then looked amused.
"Four and a half?" Yugi was indignant. He was sure his sister deserved a better rating, he should know, being her younger brother and all. "she should be at five."
"Calm down Yugi. I'm in aren't I?" Airi accepted the box the man handed her. "We are both in so it doesn't matter. Besides it might look funny if I had the same ranking of the King of Games."
After they had left the shop the man at the counter picked up a phone and dialed a number.
"I have some new updates. I found a Red-Eyes."
Airi was fast asleep the next morning when the phone started to ring. She glared at the desk clock. 7:00 Am; Who could be calling this early? Muttering something about people who should be shot, she got out of bed. She made her way down the hall, almost colliding with a sleepy Yugi at the foot of the attic steps. Fortunately Yami was there to keep the smaller boy from falling over. Though they were both sluggish Airi got the phone first.
"Hello?" she said sleepily.
"Airi, that you?" came a frantic female voice from the other end.
"Who else would be at my house at 7 in the morning." Airi said dryly. "Who is this?"
"It's Charlotte. Do you know where Joey is?"
"Joey? Why would he be here?" the mention of Joey's name made Yami and Yugi perk up.
"He didn't make it to the hospital last night. He left last night heading for there, but his mom called only a few moments ago saying he never showed up."
"Joey never made it to the hospital." Airi said, restating for the others benefit. That made Yugi wake up. In a flash he was dashing back up to his room. Yami's face smoothed into a serious glare. Airi continued. "Does anyone have any idea of where he is?"
"Na da. I've called Tristan already and he's out on his bike looking for him. I've go to go, Mrs. Wheeler said something about Serenity freaking out. I'm going to see if I can do anything, her operation is in less then a hour."
"Ok, keep us posted."
Airi hung up the phone.
"You don't think this has something to do with everything else that's been happening do you?" she said, picking up the phone again and dialing.
"I wouldn't be surprised." Yami said grimly. "it would have to be something very serious to keep Joey away from his sister. Who are you calling?"
"Tea, I don't think Charlotte told her."
Yugi came skidding back into the room fully dressed.
"Tell her to meet me at the storage centers." Yugi said, pausing for a spit second as he pulled on his jacket before disappearing out the door. Yami caught Airi's eye. She raised her eye brow and pointed after her brother. Getting the message, Yami quickly faded.
The search for Joey to most of the morning. Finally he was located and was able to get to the hospital in the nick of time. Serenity had been to scared to go forward with the operation. Even with her mother and Charlotte there she refused to leave her room. But when Joey arrived, looking like he had spent the evening in a ally, which he had, she finally was able to go through with it.
When Joey had called to tell them the operation had started, he explained he had been attacked by some people called Rare Hunters. What got everyone attention was they had been wearing the same kind of robes as Bandit Keith when he had tried to still the puzzle. Worse of all they had taken his Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
Around midday Yami found Airi in her room. Her cards were lined up in rows on the floor as she put strategies together. He watched from the doorway, not looking at the cards. It was amazing how the highlights in her hair seemed to glow in the sunlight coming through the windows. He stood there until Airi finally looked up.
"Well hello there phantom, keeping in practice?" she teased.
Yami shrugged.
"Everything ok?" she asked, as the spirit sat next to her on the floor.
"Just came to see how you were. Yugi and Tea are in his room. She wanted to see his deck."
"Always about duel-monsters." Airi shook her head. "I haven't had to prepare a deck in a long time, and that was a very different deck."
"Would you like me to leave?"
"No, you're fine. I can do this later." she winked at him. "Can't have you looking at my deck. We might be facing each other in the tournament."
"It was surprisingly nice of Kaiba to give you such a high level."
"He's still living in the past. He doesn't even have my updated deck on record." Seeing Yami's confused look she smiled. "Phantom Dragon . . . the one that was put down as my rarest card, I don't have it anymore." she paused, looking blankly at one of her walls. "I guess Seto thinks I'm still that girl."
"I don't understand." Yami said.
"Heart of the Cards isn't just a power to be tapped into. A persons deck is often a mirror to there hearts, that's one reason they can tap into the power." she laughed suddenly, shaking her head. "What am I saying, you know all that." Then she went serious. "I wasn't a very good person back then; horrid in fact."
"I didn't know you back then so I can't say." Yami said calmly. "You will have to enlighten me, but I can't believe you were a horrible person."
"Ruthless is close enough." Airi said flatly. "I'm kinda glad you didn't know me back then, you wouldn't have wanted anything to do with me."
"I doubt that."
"Good for you." Airi leaned back against her bed. "Phantom Dragon sort of become my icon during the pros; when people saw that card they knew I was a few moments away from crushing them into oblivion. Trust me, I got good at it. Winning was everything to Seto, I couldn't afford to lose."
"You two must have been very close." Yami said.
"Seto and I were good friends then a couple so I guess that's a true enough statement. I even think he was in love with me at one time, I know I was. But now he hates me. Amazing isn't it?"
"It has been years since you dropped out, and you had a good reason to do so." Yami said coldly. "Not to mention he was a bad influence."
"I think he hates me because I'm broke up with him." Airi smiled at the ceiling. "Must have been a big blow to his ego to have the girl who you can never beat at duel monsters dump you."
"If Kaiba is half the pro he said he is he should have respected your abilities, not crush you."
Airi turned her head to look at Yami, her eyes a mixture of pain and amusement.
"He's not you Yami. You duel to help people or some other selfless reason. Seto has always been ambitious, even when we were kids. As we got older he seemed to think power was vital to his existence, and when if some one had more power then him, it was only a matter of either keeping them close, or completely taking them out of the picture. Whatever he did was to make sure of his own survival. Why did you think he kept me in tournaments and pushed me to win? He wanted the best, so he made sure I was, second to him of course. I think he started out with some notion of loyalty, our being a couple and all, but then he found out I was a good investment. I cleared the way of all other duelists. Then the field would be clear it would be just the two of us; after he beat me he would become unbeatable."
Seeing the darkening expression in Yami's eye, Airi sighted. "you need to understand that Seto has this need to be on top. He's as powerful as he is today by making sure he always was. Being the young love sick idiot I was I did what he wanted . . . I became what he wanted." Airi's fists clenched. "He wanted someone to crush opponents so that's what I did. Gramps said watching me duel on TV was like watching a dragon devouring knights. Phantom Dragon was the card I often used, my final brutal strike. When I finally snapped out of it I had to change my deck. I didn't want to be tempted with that person again."
"That isn't you Airi." Yami said firmly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Tears slid down her face.
"I'm scared Yami. The last time I became that person I hurt my family. You should have seen the pain in Yugi's eyes before I went to that last tournament. What if I go back to that person?"
Yami gently turned her face towards him.
"Believe me Airi, you are nothing like you described. The Airi I know is caring and determined. If you duel with this heart, the heart you have now, then you will be alright. I know you can do this Airi, I believe you can." he lightly brushed a tear away with his thumb. "You have purged yourself, as you say washed it out. How you decide to be in this tournament shows who you really are."
Airi smiled, wiping the rest of her tears away.
"Thanks Yami. I really needed that." she started to gather up her cards. "Well on the bright side even though Seto is still a big jerk, I think he's getting better. Ok not better, but he hasn't gotten any worse."
Yami smiled, a glint in his eyes.
"What's so funny?"
"I think I can explain why." Yami told her about the mind crush he gave Kaiba during his a Yugi's first duel and about defeating Kaiba's dark side during Duelist Kingdom. When he finished Airi couldn't help grinning.
"Maybe there is some hope after all, least who ever ends up wont have that side of him to deal with." she said.
"If you don't have Phantom Dragon anymore then what will be your rarest card?"
"Well I have some powerful ones to chose from, but she's a good fit." Airi held up her Mystical Elf. Seeing Yami's raised eyebrow she shook her head. "I guess you don't see it either. Everyone seems to think the rarest cards has to be powerful. That's some what true, but not all power comes from attacks. A fight is pointless without a reason. If I'm going to be dueling so I don't lose my rarest card, then I want the one I will fight my hardest to keep."
"This card must mean a lot to you." Yami said, acknowledging the gentle way she looked at the card.
"It does." Airi smiled down at it sadly. "My parents gave it to me, the Christmas before they passed away."
It was Christmas Eve. Dad was out getting something for dinner. Mom was propped up with pillows on the couch, being pronounced well enough to be released from the hospital for a 'wait and see' period. She watched her two children playing a memory game on the floor. Yugi flipped over the two tiles, giving a slight squeal of delight as he found a yet another match.
"Stop beating me, Yugi." Airi said, glaring at his taller pile of matches.
Yugi only giggled and got another match, winning the game. Airi shook her head; why did she have to have a smart little brother? All the other kids at school said their little siblings just sat around watching cartoons, but she had to get the one who could beat her at puzzle games.
"I'm getting board of this." Airi said. They had been playing this since her dad had gone to get take out, after burning dinner. Both she and Yugi had seen that coming. Ever since the 'lets make dinner for mommy's parents' incident, they knew dad wasn't the best at making fancy dinners.
"When will daddy be home?" Yugi asked his mom.
"He will be here soon."
"Can we open our early present now?" he said. Every Christmas each kid got to open up one present on Christmas Eve. "Please!" Yugi tried to win mom over with his best puppy dog eyes with pooched out lip look.
"Not yet." Airi told him firmly. "We all have to be here."
Yugi glared at her for ruining his moment. She smiled sweetly back; payback for beating her.
"Just be patient, Honey." Izumi said, intervening before her kids got out of hand. "Why don't you two clean up your game while you wait."
"Wait for what?" Jiro Muto appeared in the door way of the living room, carrying some bags of take out.
"DADDY!" screeched both kids nearly knocking him over.
"Wow, watch it. Give the poor adventurer some space."
"Hard time getting dinner?" Izumi said, smiling at the sight of her husband becoming a climbing pole.
"I should get a prize for endurance. I swear that line almost crossed the ocean." Jiro said, directing Yugi and Airi to take the bags into the kitchen.
"Other husbands who burned dinner?" Izumi said slyly.
"Oh nice. I try to make something nice for the love of my life and she puts me in the category of hopeless cook." Jiro sighed, coming and sitting on the couch, taking her hand.
"I love you, dear, more and more every day, but your cooking skills are not the reason I married you." Izumi said.
"Then why did you, if not for many skills?" he said playfully, leaning in closer to brush a little strand of red-gold hair behind her ear.
"If I told you then you would stop trying to figure it out. Keeping you guessing is too much fun." Izumi said, giving him light kiss on the nose."Besides you're cute when you're perplexed."
"It's so good to have you home." he said softly.
"Daddy!" Yugi was back again, jumping on his fathers back, wrapping his arms around his neck to hold on. "Daddy, can we open our present now?"
"Oof, careful there, champ."
"Can we, PLEASE? Can we? Can we? Can We?"
"Don't you want to eat first?"
"Presents, then food." Airi said from the doorway, as if she had the final word on the matter
"ok, princess, you call the shots." Jiro pulled out two small boxes from the pockets of his coat. "Be careful with these." he advised, handing one to each of the eager kids.
Yugi and Airi quickly pulled the wrappings off them and opened the lids.
"Wow." Airi breathed. Inside was a card with a picture of an elf with blue skin and a green dress, long brown hair flowed down her back and she looked like she was praying. It wasn't her first duel-monsters card. Grandpa Solomon had given her a few cards to start her 'deck' as he called it, but none of them were like this. This card was beautiful.
"Cool!" Yugi said, pulling out a card of his box as well. His monster was dressed in purple and had a really odd pointed hat on. This was his first card so he held it carefully, almost reverently. His sister might have a deck, but this one was all his.
"So what does she do?" Airi asked, looking up at her father. She could read, but she didn't want to try so many words in small print.
"Well princess, your Mystical Elf has the power to help out other cards on the field, and she is good to hold the fort while your trying to figure out your strategy."
"She's not strong." Yugi said looking at her card.
"She is too." Airi snapped.
"Look." Yugi pointed to the point counter. "Grandpa says that is the power points." he pointed at the attack points. "and that is the not power points." he pointed at the defense. "Her power is small."
Airi looked up at her dad, looking worried. Yugi was right, her card wasn't powerful.
"Come here you two." Jiro said. Yugi climbed onto his fathers lap. Airi sat next to him, still frowning at her seemingly weak card. Izumi ran her fingers through her daughters hair as her husband as he started talking.
"Do you two know what gives cards their power?"
Yugi pointed at the at the Attack points on his card, thinking his father hadn't been paying attention.
"That's only one side of it Yugi. What truly gives a card its power is in the heart of the one who plays them. Your magician is really powerful, but if you don't take care of your card and respect it, all you have is a piece of thick paper. Your Dark Magician will only help you out in a duel if you duel honorably with all your heart."
Yugi looked down at his card in wonder. Suddenly he held it to his heart, smiling up at his dad. Jiro laughed. "That's it champ. Keep it close and he'll never let you down."
"What about my card Daddy?" Airi said, still looking at her card uncertainly.
"Well princess, you're card is something special. She is a defensive monster, so she looks after the others in the deck. She holds the fort so there is still a chance for the others to come save the day. And her abilities are to give strength to the others."
"A lot like you dear." Izumi said. "You've been such a big help while I've been gone."
Airi shrugged, going a little red.
"Indeed. Both of you are downright amazing." Jiro said. "And amazing people have dinner." He put Yugi down and turned to his wife. "Would you like your food served to you on a silver platter?" he teased.
"Don't you even start. I've spent the last few months eating off trays." Izumi started to sit up but she still was rather weak to sit up on her own. Airi snapped to attention. Mom's condition was a strange one with weak heart and not much energy which the doctors were still not sure how to cure.
"Well we can't have you missing the luxury of family at dinner. Kids put your cards away." Yugi and Airi hurriedly got out of the way as Jiro gently lifted Izumi up into a princess carry.
"Jiro, are you crazy?" she said, putting her arms around his neck.
"What, you haven't gained weight have you?" Jiro teased. His wife had always been small but her time at the hospital made her seem even smaller. Even with his shortish build the Muto men seemed to be cursed with he was able to carry her easily.
"What if the doctors found out?" she scolded, not very firmly as she was carried off the the kitchen.
"We just don't tell them."
Yugi and Airi giggled.
"Daddy's silly." Yugi said, as his sister took his card from him.
"No, he's just happy." Airi said, putting both cards on the end table for safe keeping
"Airi." Yugi said, coming up and giving her a hug. "I'm sorry I called your card weak. She's just as cool as my Maggichin."
"Magician." Airi corrected, hugging him back.
"Hey kids, do I have to eat all this by myself?" their father called from the kitchen.
"Race you." Yugi said, getting a head start.
"Hey!" Airi shouted dashing after him. Even if mom wasn't completely better yet it was good to have things some what back to normal.
Airi smiled down at her card.
"Are you sure you want to risk losing it?" Yami said, seeing the look in her eyes.
"If it will make me duel my very best, then yes." Airi placed the card on top of her deck.
"Then I hope you don't have to surrender it." Yami said.
Right then the phone rang. Airi sprang to her feet and dashed from the room. She almost collided with Yugi at the foot of the attic steps. They heard Grandpa answering the phone. Yugi was first into the kitchen, Airi and Tea close behind. Yami watched from a safe distance, smiling at how crazy they were acting.
"Yugi, its for you." Grandpa held out the receiver, looking at the panting group of teens with amusement.
"Hello." Yugi panted into the instrument. "Yeah Joey. What? It was successful! That's great news." Airi and Tea cheered. "Yep we're all happy to hear it Joey. Give Serenity our congratulations."
"I say this calls for some kind of celebration." Grandpa said, as Yugi hung up the phone.
"Agreed, but I'm cooking." Airi said.
"Is that the thanks I get for cooking for the past few weeks." Gramps huffed.
"She just wants to give you a break." Yugi quickly said. The truth was grandpa only had a few recipes which he used over and over, which meant the kids were getting rather tired of them.
"Oh lets just skip over all this and just eat out." Gramps said.
"But I don't have any money." Tea said.
"I'll pay for all of you." Gramps said heading for his room to get his wallet.
"But . . ."
"Tea if Gramps is offering to pay, take advantage of it." Airi said.
They were all about to go out the door when Airi remembered she forgot her watch. She found it on her dresser and quickly slipped it on. She glanced over at her deck sitting where she had left it by the bed. She picked it up and placed it on the dresser, smiling as she thought over her and Yami's talk. He was really easy to talk to and she always felt better after one of their conversations. She knew this tournament was going to be ruff, but after talking to Yami she felt more ready to face what ever was thrown at her.
Realizing she was taking a long time the left the room before Gramps changed his mind. The others were waiting in the kitchen, talking animatedly about something. Yami was standing in the hall ways when she exited her room. Airi paused in front of him, giving him a hug.
"Thanks Yami." she said. "I'm so glad your here for us."
"My pleasure." he said softly.
"Come one Airi, we're burning daylight." Gramps said.
Yami disappeared into his puzzle. He looked at the stone stares and plain wood doors around him. For the first time he wished he was alive, that he could be with Airi and the others celebrating instead of just being on the sidelines. He shook himself; He couldn't let himself get distracted. He headed off towards the room with the spirits tablets in it. At least he could used this time to freshen up his skills. If rare hunters were going after Joey this early it would only be a matter of time before they came after the others.
A/N: so there it is. just to warn you the next chapter might take a while because me and Noel are still trying to put together decks. if you have any suggestion in writing duel i would love to hear them. thank you all who sugested cards last time, that helped. one thing if anyone is wandering Airi isn't Mana in the past so she will not have Dark Magician Girl in her deck.
ok so PLEASE REVIEW! i will try and get the chapter out as fast as possible. but keep in mind the note above and i am also working on some original pieces so i have a lot of work to do. if you want to make sure i have the modivation to finish this story, please keep reviewing.
Thank you again. Have a great day!
