((Thank you to those who have, and are starting to show interest in this Fic! Enjoy! Please Read and Review. I've put a lot of work and thought into this chapter. The third year is going to be fewer chapters than the second year. I expect probably 2 or 3 chapters. I hope this chapter meets or exceeds your expectations. I had fun with this chapter. Just as much fun as I've had with the rest of this Fic! Please excuse update delays I am currently on vacation.
I don't dislike Anzu. However, to me it is easier to make her bad rather than good. Also I needed her to be in America for later on purposes, so excuse her in this chapter.
I also don't write out duels, sorry. And to clear up confusion before it starts International Tournaments lasts three months. I set it up this way because it went along with the American system I created where they have three levels each lasting three months. Japan's structure system is different in the fact that Seto or another gaming company just sets up the tournaments and go with it that way.))
Yuugi had convinced Samantha to accompany him to the International Tournament being held in Japan. She was a fit of nerves because she didn't think she was good enough to participate in the tournaments. "Yuugi, sure I may be number two in Texas but I only just placed at National Tournaments."
Yuugi replied. "In my opinion the American system is overly complicated. I can assure you many times over that you are good enough." He paused and then added. "Besides if you never try how will you know."
Samantha's voice was surprisingly steadily as her second wave of nerves showed through. "I've never been out of the country."
"I was born in Japan. I'll be sure to be there for you. Kaiba always makes sure that there isn't any language barriers." Yuugi paused and sighed. "I, myself, wasn't looking forward to such a quick return." His voice was tense.
"It won't be for long Yuugi. Just a few months." Samantha giggled at how fickle Yuugi's emotions were being. "Since you're going to be there for me, and support me through International Tournaments, and going to a new country. I'll be there as much for you. We'll just be careful not to take your old steps when possible." She paused. "We'll get through this together!"
They both shared a nod of the head, and a smirk. He was thankful for her, just as she was thankful for him. It was reassuring to him that he had her, since he at the moment couldn't have Yami.
Yuugi couldn't place it, but he felt just as connected to her, as he did to Yami. He'd thought of trying to form a mind link with her, but for better judgment he decided not to. If the mind link did work then a hen would have laid a new nest of eggs for him to solve. Not to mention scare the shit out of her. Then again he shouldn't under estimate her, she did after all believe in Yami; no second-guesses either...
It was a private jet that contained only duelist. The first hour was spent registering for the tournament, and arranging hotel accommodations. The rest of the plane trip was talk amongst groups, tiffs between rivals, and dinner with a movie.
"How could this of happened?" Yuugi growled and threw down his carry on. "We specifically told them a two bed room suit, not a one bedroom with two beds. Fuck those idiots!" He marched himself over to the phone. "I'll call Kaiba!"
Samantha sighed as she set her carry on bag on the bed. "Yuugi, no big deal. This is the same set up as when we were at the third round at Regional Tournaments. Your not scared of my girl parts, I'm not scared of your boy parts. We function the same remember." She walked over to Yuugi and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Yuugi turned around, taking a deep breath. She was right after all; this was just like at Regional Tournaments big exception though they had a choice in the mater where when with the academy they didn't. "Alright then, no big deal. If you find you a hottie we'll just do like we did last time." He smirked.
"I was lucky to find one out of state, and I'll be luckier still to find one here out of the country." Samantha laughed with a slight hint of her eyes rolling.
"There are plenty of other American's, and even plenty of other nationalities here who can speak English." Yuugi smiled, and stretched out his features. "I'll make you a wager." He paused. "Not one of money, but something equally as valuable."
"Alright then." Samantha smiled. "What's the wager?" She knew this was dangerous, and that she'd loose. After all he was the King of Games.
"I'll bet that you place in the top 10 by the time we are through with International Tournaments." Yuugi's eyes danced with delight. "Place 6-10 and I'll visit my Grandfather. Place 1-5 and I'll visit my friends." There wasn't any way she was going to loose, and he knew it. She was much to like him. She could be queen if the cards were dealt right. "If you don't place at all, then simply put I visit no one."
Samantha puffed out her lip, batted her eyes, and pouted just a tad. "Confident aren't you." She whimpered. "Guess I've got no choice but to win. However, I insist that if I place in 1-5 you meet your Grandfather and your friends." She crossed her arms, if they weren't all for same gender relationships she'd of looked sexy holding up her chest in such a fashion.
Yuugi smirked, and crossed his arms at his chest. "Place second and you get your wish of me meeting both my Grandfather and my friends." This was an under-handed way of him building her confidence.
Samantha gave a mock sigh. "Deal." They shook on it.
December, one week till Christmas. Internationals were over.
Seto sat at his desk, Jou across from him. He held the invitation to their wedding in his fingertips. "I cannot promise you Jou that he'll show."
Jou leaned back and sighed. "I know. He owes you a thank you though that you arranged this set of tournaments in such a fashion that he wasn't around us." It stung, he had at least hoped for a glimpse of his friends, but his love had seen to it that Yuugi remained hidden.
Seto was straight faced as a sigh graced his lips. "He doesn't know Jou. He will not know unless someone of the group goes out of their way to try and find them." He flashed a dangerous look. "If they do, I'll sue them." For what he didn't know, but he'd find a way if anyone brought Yuugi discomfort. "I did get a good look at Samantha, and even her dueling style."
Jou gave a curious expression as thoughts of suing someone was put aside quickly before they could be brought up further as Seto ventured about Samantha. "Oh..."
"Something isn't right about her. She'd placed second, and almost too easily. Especially for a first time Internationalist. It shouldn't have been easy as the computer always puts you against someone of or greater strength. She has as much belief in her deck as Yuugi and Yami. No mater what, she rose to the challenge. She; however, couldn't beat Yuugi." He paused. "To me it looked more as if she wouldn't, rather than couldn't."
"She didn't cheat did she?" Jou's eyes lingered directly at Seto's until he shook his head. "Perhaps, you should tell Isis. She can get a look for herself at next years International Tournament."
"I'll do that, but for now I'm going to the hotel to have this letter delivered." Seto stood up, and in stride walked to the door. "Don't follow me. I'd hate to have to sue my own lover." He shut the door behind him leaving Jou with a dumb found expression.
Yuugi and Samantha were returning from dinner. Upon opening the door they found a letter in their mail slot. "Marik shouldn't be sending me a letter." Yuugi paused a moment. "We already had the discussion that would warrant a letter." He inspected the envelope. It was white; the only color was the Silver of his name on the front. "Also far to fancy." He was rambling.
"Aren't you going to open it?" Samantha poked him as he turned on the lamp of the suite.
Yuugi opened it. "It is an invitation." Before she could say whom, he replied as if reading her mind. "From Kaiba." Before she could ask what to, he again replied as if reading her mind. "To a wedding." He smiled. "He finally got together with Jou. Took those two dragons took long enough." He chuckled.
Samantha put both hands on her hips. "You have to go you know. You even have to make sure your seen!"
Yuugi smirked. "Of course, you won after all. You'll be my guest." He paused, and checked the date. There was a P.S: at the end. "January 8th. He's already checked with our Academy. Says we are excused. We already qualify for spots 1 and 2 since we placed high at National Tournaments." He laughed. "Boy thinks of everything."
Samantha laughed. "When you own a billion dollar business you have to. I've got nothing to wear but leather." She sighed.
"I've got nothing but leather myself." Yuugi mused for a moment. "I expect they will expect me in a leather. I cannot remember a time I didn't wear I didn't wear it."
"Me either." A fit of laughter over took them.
Christmas day arrived with a firm knock on the mansions doors. Seto and Jou answered the door together to find Anzu holding a three-month-old baby. She had a hard stubborn look on her face. She held out the baby, Jou on a mix of impulse and instinct took the little one from her. "I'm leaving for America in two days. Have Kaiba draw the papers, I'm giving you full custody." She placed a hand on her hip, how she had gotten her figure to form back so quickly was beside the two, or why she would do such a thing. "I haven't got means to handle a child as a single parent in America." She answered it for them before they could ask. "If you don't except her, then I'll take her to the orphanage."
Jou looked over to Seto, both as equally as confused. "Regardless if this child was conceived under evil intentions it is still mine." He paused; he didn't need to consult Seto to know the answer. "No child of mine is going to be raised in an orphanage."
Seto was only a little startled at Jou's actions. "Carriage before the Horse." He chuckled, and pulled out his cell phone. "I'd expect no less of you Jou." He stared at Anzu. "I did expect more of you, but non the less." He paused. "When I draw up the papers you loose all rights to this child. You do understand that right. However, we will never deny you a visit." Anzu nodded as Seto flipped open the cell phone calling his lawyer.
Jou smiled happily baby still in arm, and motioned for her to come in. "What is her name?"
"Holly Fall Kaiba." Anzu sighed. "Her first name is because she was conceived at Christmas, and the second name because she born in the fall. I purposely despite the hospitals wishes had her given his last name because I knew you'd have her and that you two were to be married." She pursed her lips.
"Interesting choice of names." Jou smiled, and unwrapped the little one. Seto had paused his phone call to have a look. She had been dressed for Christmas. The little girl had her father's untidy hair with the color of brown, and she had large unsettling blue eyes.
"She'll need a comb." Seto teased. "She's got your hair." They both laughed.
Mokoba had come over to Seto and Jou, he only graced a half smile upon seeing Anzu. But a fuller smile appeared when he saw the little one.
"Holly will be living with us from now on." Jou smiled, and Seto had returned to the phone call. Nodding towards his brother.
"And, what about Anzu?" Mokoka crossed his arms.
"She's going to America, and doesn't have means to care for a baby as a single parent." Jou slightly shrugged his shoulders. "While we wait for the lawyer, I'll go fix some us all some tea."
"Can I hold her?" Mokoba smiled, Jou nodded his head, and handed him the baby.
"Mind her head." Anzu rolled her eyes. She was wondering if leaving a baby in the care of three men was a good thing after all. She was going to miss Holly, but she knew in heart that this was for the better.
Yuugi and Samantha arrived at the Game Shop where the top level used to be his home. Taking a deep breath Yuugi dug the key out of his pocket. "Makes me wish I had left on better terms."
"You left on the best of terms you felt you could." Samantha urged him through the door. They locked it behind them.
The Game Shop itself was closed, there was no sign it was even Christmas. They could see a light on up stairs. He held her hand, led her through the shop, and up the stairs. Grandpa was sitting in a rocking facing the TV. He was unaware that two occupants had entered the unit.
Yuugi took the approach of saying nothing, and together him and Samantha sat on the sofa. It took Sugoroku a few moments before he realized the shifting of sofa material wasn't on the TV. He looked over, a mix of emotions flood his face.
"Merry Christmas Grandpa." Yuugi smiled. Sugoroku took in the view of Yuugi; he was no longer lanky in appearance. A decent weight for his height, he'd filled out with muscles. His skin was lightly tanned, and his face held a somewhat cheerful expression. "This is Samatha."
Samantha held the same cheerful expression as she waved to Sugoroku. Sugoroku's eyes shifted from Yuugi to Samantha. She was leather clad, just like his own grandchild. Noticeable differences were the lack of collar, belts, and the halter-top that barely contained her chest. She was about his height, with hair and eyes that looked like fire itself. The length of the hair itself was extraordinary, and it was in a braid. "Hello Mr. Sugoroku. Merry Christmas." She spoke in English, the only language she knew.
Sugoroku smiled, and understand her as he spoke English. He was just at fluent at Yuugi. "Hello Samantha. Merry Christmas." He returned it in English. Then shifted to Yuugi. "I didn't expect company."
Yuugi got up about the same time Sugoroku did, and they were quickly wrapped in a hug. "I'm sorry grandpa at how I left in such a hurry. I'm also sorry but I'll only be around till January 10th. We are staying for Seto and Jou's wedding."
"You're a young man, and did what you had to do. I know you made the right decision by your appearance." They broke apart and Sugoroku smiled. "And, I'll except the apology as long as you promise to write when you go back to America."
"I'll make sure he does." Samantha smiled. She was pleased they were speaking in English.
The rest of Christmas day was filled with laughter amongst the three.