I LIVE! sorry i've been taking so long to update. Most of this got deleted so i hope this is ok.
House keeping, Airi mine, others not. Thanks to battousaisgirl16 for proofreading.
Enjoy :)
Chapter 57
"Where the heck is that idiot?" Tristan paced angrily outside the Jungle Exhibit. The duels were supposed to start soon and Joey was no where to be seen. Screens showing the locations posted at certain attractions showed Leon already with his opponent, but Mask the Rock was at his stage alone.
"If he doesn't get here soon he'll get disqualified." Tea stated the obvious, again.
"There he is." Yugi pointed to a familiar blond coming towards them, with the remains of a hot dog in his hand.
"Joey, you've got to get to the stage."
"They were selling hot dogs two for one."
"You've got a duel less than five minutes."
"What are we waiting for?" Joey took off towards the jungle. Airi grabbed the back of Yugi's jacket and held him back as the others followed.
"What's that for?" He demanded.
"Wait a moment." Airi turned to Mokuba. "Is there a underground passage way to there?"
"Yeah, but they aren't going that way."
"Why would you ask that?" Yugi asked.
"Experience." Airi motioned towards the jungle exhibit. The map outside showed a lot of twists and turns on the way to the dueling platform on the other side. "And going through there in a hurry is not practical."
Yugi eyed the map with apprehension. "Will they be alright?"
"They should be." Mokuba said. "No one's died yet."
"Get us there. We need to speak to this Mask the Rock."
Mokuba's way was much faster and jungle free.
Mask the Rock had his back to them, checking his watch and muttering something about he didn't come all this way for a forfeit. The Muto siblings shared a look and approached the elderly man.
"Excuse us, but is this the right place for the duel?"
He jumped in surprise, but composed himself. "It's an open duel. I have right to be here."
"Calm down grandpa. We didn't say anything."
"That's go- what! How did you know it was me?" he pulled down his bandanna to show his face.
"It's pretty obvious. Short guy wearing overalls and bandannas. And Mask the Rock?"
"You don't have to rub it in. I was invited to this tournament."
"Then why not your own name." Yugi said. "You were a respected duelist back in the day."
"Back in the day. With all these young people no one is going to respect my abilities after all these years, or have heard of me."
"Kaiba must still think you have something." Airi pointed out. "Or you wouldn't be here."
"Well, be that as it may be, I don't want Joey to know who I am."
"Huh?"
"I get it." Yugi said. "the teacher and the student face off against each other."
"Sounds like a lot of trouble for that, but ok." Airi said.
"So don't tell them anything."
"Heads up," Mokuba said "I think they're here."
Grandpa slipped his mask back on and a the siblings stepped off the platform to stand with Mokuba to greet the adventures.
Joey was the first to appear, looking disheveled and scuffed up from the jungle, the others were soon to follow.
"Five seconds to spar." Mokuba anounced.
"Wait, how did you get here before us?" Joey demanded.
"I tried to tell you there was a faster way. But you didn't listen."
"Really, I we could have avoided all the snakes and dirty water." Tea said, pulling leaves out of her hair.
"Get up here and face your teacher." Grandpa said, then remembered he was still incognito and changed his voice to Mask the Rock's tone. "Get up here and get ready to lose."
"Not today, old man." Joey said
The rest of them gathered along the side of the platform.
"Has anyone noticed that guys voice sounds familiar?" Tristan said to Tea.
Yugi and Airi exchanged looks.
"Should we say something?" Yugi whispered.
Airi shrugged. "Let's see how long it takes."
Seto was regretting not establishing voice recording equipment around the field. Then again it was a relieve not listening to the dweebs talking about heart and other stupid things. Still he still wanted to know what Airi thought about Wheeler's chances, or lack of.
The nice thing about having his own office was he could watch the events without having to deal with the people.
One of his staffers came into his office and handed him a print out. Snatching it away he looked it over eyes narrowing after each word. No activities from the hacker. This wasn't reassuring. Kaiba was sure the hacker wasn't finished. Yet no activity.
Wait, could he already be inside. He glanced back up at the screen. No, none of them were capable of any of this. Yet, one of the other contestants might.
The grid chart on his monitor set off the duel alarm, and then a second one. Both duels going off at the same time. Convenient.
Pulling up the tab Kaiba studied the results. That little prodigy Leon Wilson had beaten the crazy surgeon. Not surprising. The kid was talented and that doctor wasn't really as good as he used to be.
The other duel showed Joey Wheeler. Kaiba stared at the name. This had to be wrong. No, it wasn't. It was hisprogram, and not a hacked one. Wheeler was moving on the next level. Fair and there was always next round.
Airi followed the others out of the jungle area.
"You owe me a stake." Tristan reminded Tea.
"Fine, but not until we get home." Tea said. "I'm not buying anything in this park at these prices."
Next to Airi, Mokuba checked his communicator. "Let's see, Joey won, and it looks like Leon Wilson also won. First two duels finished and the next two duels will begin in a few minutes." a sound came from the device. "Here are the results now."
"Who is Rebecca dueling?" Yugi asked.
"Vivian Wong."
"Oh, that's going to be fun." Tristan said. "Those two didn't like each other last night at the reception."
"Will we be able to watch?" Yugi asked Mokuba.
"There's enough time to get across the park if we start walking now."
"No secret passages this time?" Joey teased.
"No hidden passages between attractions."
"To the duels!" Grandpa cheered.
As they made their way around the park many people pointed to Yugi and taking pictures. Yugi kept walking, waving at a few and agreeing to pose for a few people for pictures. Airi was proud how well he handled the attention.
Airi also became aware of the looks. Most were polite, with only subtle glances. Others put heads together, looking at her as they spoke. Reading their lips she caught "Washout" and "Brother's Fame."
Airi should have expected this. Having some duelists accept her wouldn't mean everyone would. She ignored them best she could. After all, they couldn't keep her from going where she wanted. They were only some shallow people's thoughts for a few days. She just needed to stay professional like Yugi. Despite her personal pep talk the tight twisted feeling in her stomach didn't leave.
Rebecca's duel took place by a train station. Mokuba lead the way to a look out point over the tracks. It was easy to see the duel. Pro. Hawkins was already there, watching from a seat near the railing.
"Yugi!" Rebecca waved.
Vivian also looked up and began gushing all kinds of cuteness. Airi tried to keep her disgust off her face. Had she acted like that when she was with Seto? She really hoped not. Plus it was her little brother they were gawking at. Yugi was blushing something fierce while the other boys joked at all the attention he was getting.
Glancing over, Airi realized her grandfather was also part of the fangirl club. He was staring at Vivian with the look she'd seen Joey and Tristan look at food.
"What are you doing?" Airi asked.
"Wow, she's hotter in person than she is on TV." Grandpa kept staring at Vivian.
"You know that's creepy right?" Airi said.
"Just looking." Grandpa said.
"Right." Airi said. "Keep your voice down."
Grandpa moved over to stand with Pro. Hawkins, probably to have some one to his age to talk to during the duel.
Airi caught Tea's eye and they shared a look of agreement. They really needed to take a girl's day out after all this; Soon.
At last the duel started. Vivian's Chinese themed cards facing Rebecca's female warriors deck seemed evenly matched.
Airi hadn't seen the 10 year old duel since Rebecca's duel with Yugi to avenge her grandfather's honor, but Airi had to admit the kid had improved. She'd earned her way into this tournament, despite her continuing to state she was super smart.
Someone touched Airi's arm interrupting her view. Looking down, she found Mokuba next to her.
Mokuba motioned to the stairs. "I need to talk to you."
They walked a few distance away from the cheering group.
"What's the matter?" Airi asked.
"KaibaCorp has a problem." Mokuba glanced around to make sure no one was too close. "There is a hacker inside the competition."
"A hacker. The one from yesterday at the KaibaDome?" Airi could sense Yami standing behind her.
"Yep." Mokuba said. "Have you seen anything odd while you've been here?"
"It's a dueling competition. There is craziness everywhere."
"I know, but if we don't get this settled out it could ruin KaibaCorp's reputation and no one will want to come to the park if our security is down."
Airi closed her eyes in frustration. Another threat to deal with. Couldn't they go a day without this? Opening her eyes she found Mokuba looking up at her giving her a pleading look. She looked back towards her brother. Yugi look carefree, watching the duel with excitement like a normal game observer instead of a life or death situation.
"Alright, but only talk to me about this. Not a word to Yugi or the others."
Mokuba nodded. "Deal, are you sure there isn't anything odd you've noticed?"
She was about to nod when she suddenly remembered. "Check out that Siegfried Lloyd fellow. He's familiar. He and Seto have had dealings before. I don't know his last name, but Lloyd isn't it.."
"We're running back ground checks on everyone."
"There's something about him, I don't know what. If Seto still values my opinion, tell him to put extra radar out on that guy."
Mokuba nodded. "He does." he turned away and started talking into his device.
Airi stood there stunned for a moment. "What does that mean?" she muttered.
"I think you know." Yami said.
"That was rhetorical." Airi snapped. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes.
"You alright?" Yami asked.
"I will be. I'm just sick of people turning to us for everything."
She felt his hand slip into hers and she gripped it tight. They stood there in silence until a cheer from the duel brought them back from their thoughts. Airi took a deep breath and went back to watch the duel from the back of the group. It was hard with so many thoughts running through her head. It wasn't until she brushed some hair out of her eyes she realized Yami was still holding her hand. Glancing to make sure Yugi was too busy watching the duel, she kept holding hands until the duel was over.
Airi did enjoy watching Vivian fume at losing to Rebecca, thou Rebecca hugging Yugi in front of her didn't help. So many girls going after her brother. It was so weird to think about. Creepier was Grandpa continuing to give Viviangoogoo eyes as they walked back to the hotel.
Crazy romance and secret plots. Airi would not miss this kind of attention.
The semi finals would be held the next day. Going back to the room to freshen up took a while thanks to the jungle adventures. There had been some difficulties regarding Grandpa's room when they found out he wasn't actually Mask the Rock but Mokuba was able to pull some strings so he was able to keep his room. The Muto siblings were happy about this because they'd forgotten earplugs.
They all decided to go down to dinner together. Airi waited outside the room where Joey and Tristan were staying. Yugi and his friends were inside but she didn't feel like being with them just now. Leaning against the wall she closed her eyes in an attempt to catch some rest after a eventful day. So much craziness was already showing it's self. Rex and Weevil had crashed the duel and were thrown out by a duel with Siegfried. If he was the hacker he was proving to be someone not to mess with. Watching two duels shouldn't take that much out of her. Then there was the looks and another threat looming again. No wonder she was tired.
"You really are as serious as your media photos look."
Surprised, she looked down and found Leon standing next to her.
"Oh, sorry. I have a lot of different stuff on my mind."
"Anything I can help you with?"
She smiled at him. "It's mostly keeping up with family issues."
"I know that feeling. Mind if I join you?"
"Go ahead."
Both leaned against the wall.
"You're really close with your brother aren't you." Leon asked.
Airi nodded. "Yes, we are very close."
"That's cool. I wish I had that."
Airi wanted to ask what he meant, but guessed it was a sensitive subject.
"Can I ask you a question?" Leon said looking at the floor.
"Sure."
"Do you regret leaving professional dueling?"
"Nope." Airi didn't hesitate.
"Not even a little?" Leon was shocked.
She nodded. "I'd do anything for my family, as long as I'm able."
Leon nodded. "I hope I can do that for my brother."
"I'm sure you will."
Down in the hotel dining room only contestants and a few select people were allowed to attend the dinner provided. Kaiba only stayed for a few moments to welcome them there and give some statements about powerful duelists before excusing himself and Mokuba to eat privately elsewhere.
It was a full out buffet which, thank goodness because of the appetites of members of the group. The group took up the largest table in the middle of the room. Grandpa and Professor Hawkins talked about duels present and past. Joey and Tristan were engaged in an eating contest while Tea and Yugi were on stand by in case someone started choking. Rebecca was describing her duel for the hundreth time, despite everyone was only half listening, not to mention most of them were there. Leon, invited to join them sat next to Airi, tried to act polite during Rebecca's chatter.
"Excuse me, miss." a porter appeared at the table. He held a thin box towards Airi. "This just arrived for you."
"Oh, uh thank you." Airi took it. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched as she opened the lid and revealed a pink rose embedded in tissue paper. Confused, Airi picked up the card on top of the flower.
"To a charming and beautiful duelist." she read.
"Wow." Tea said. "Who's it from?"
"I don't know." Airi looked on both sides but found no name on the card.
"Who would send you flowers here?" Joey had the edge in his voice he used when Serenity was threatened.
"Well the flower is very nice." Yugi tried to sound positive but also didn't seem very happy about anonymous gifts.
Grandpa and Professor Hawkins both commented on how old fashioned a gesture it was.
Airi placed it on the table and everyone went back to the their food, but the conversation had now turned to speculations on who could have sent the flower. Airi casually looked around the room studying each guest carefully. None of them seemed the type. After she located all the seated contestants she suddenly realized pink haired Siegfried wasn't there. Then again neither was Seto. Seto didn't seem the type. Even during their dating years he didn't do gifts which weren't dueling related. The idea of Seto doing it was odd. The idea of possible hacker Siegfried doing it was chilling.
She excused herself from the table. Yugi gave her a worried look but didn't stop her. Waiting outside the elevator she tried to figure out what was going on.
"Are you ok?" Yami asked.
"Fine." she snapped.
"Heads up." Yami warned. "Kaiba."
Airi looked around to find Seto standing next to her.
"Who sent you that flower?" he demanded.
"That's not any of your business."
"Strange packages showing up in my hotel is my business."
"I'm not bothered." Airi mumbled, not looking at him.
Seto narrowed his eyes. "Airi."
She glanced at him. He hadn't used a tone like that in a long time.
"Airi." he continued. "Strange things are going on around here and the fact is that no one, not even my staff, knows where it came from. I need to ask. Do you know who gave it to you?"
Airi shook her head. "I have no idea, Seto."
He nodded. "I'll look into this. Thank you." in a moment he was gone.
The elevator doors opened and Airi stepped inside. Pressing the floor button she leaned up against the wall as it began to ascend. The elevator music was more annoying than usual. Well, she could rule Seto out as the flower giver, but that left creepy pink hair guy left on her suspect list.
Finally reaching the room she dropped the box onto the coffee table and sank down on the couch and tried to think. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Yami perch on the arm of the sofa.
"It wasn't you right?"
He raised an eyebrow. "No."
"Of course not." Airi ran her fingers through her hair. "How is this creepier than facing soul sucking crazy people? Hackers and another dueling threat."
Yami slid onto the seat next to her and put his arm around her. She leaned into his shoulder.
"Too bad I'm not in the tournament." She said. "I could beat his butt so bad."
Yami chuckled. "You can duel me if it would make you feel better.
She smiled closing her eyes. "Nah, you'd win."
"I'd cheat to lose."
"You don't cheat." Airi fingered her bracelet. "Besides, I prefer you gifts."
A knock on the door forced the two apart. Yugi opened the door, followed by Grandpa.
"Hey, um, is it safe to come in?" Yugi asked.
"Of course." Airi tapped the seat next to her and her brother sat next to her.
"Are you going to stay Grandpa?"
"No, you kids get some sleep, I'm going for a drink with Arthur."
"Night," the siblings called after him as he closed the door.
Yugi leaned back closing his eyes. "That was quite the day."
"Full day for a pro-duelist." Airi yawned. "I forgot how nuts it can be."
Yami sat on the table across from them. "It's good to see Joey and Rebecca succeed to the next round."
Airi nodded. "Joey's progressed a lot since Grandpa showed him how to fix his deck. I have to admit, that was a good student vs teacher duel."
Yami shrugged. "True, but you vs Kaiba was much more impressive."
"What!" Yugi sat up. "you dueled Kaiba and I didn't get to see!"
"Yeah," Airi said. "It was out in the desert while before we found Dartz."
"You beat Seto Kaiba and you didn't tell me!"
"I guess it didn't seem as important as getting home and getting you back."
Yugi frowned, folding his arm. "I guess, but still wish I could have seen it."
"I might be able to find some images in my soul room." Yami said.
Yugi's face lit up."I can see it?"
"Maybe." Yami disappeared.
Yugi leaned back and closed his eyes, clearly going into his spirit room.
Airi smiled, getting up and retreating to her bed. Laying down she let the exhaustion take over.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading. Take care and God bless.
