Author's note: Yeah! Chapter 5 is up! Everybody party.

Disclaimer: Ditto as the other chapters...

Blood Legacy:

Still Living in the past?

June 6, 1990

Three years had passed since Joey's rescue mission in the Mouto residence. "Lillian had never forgotten it, inviting Joey over for dinner, trips to the parks, and even entrusted him to baby-sit for them. Celebrating Yugi's birthday, she threw a small party earlier in the day, but then had a night of cards with a little smaller crowed, Duke, Joey, and two late teen brothers Alex and Matt.

Duke turned down the stereo behind him a notch or two, when Lillian came back from tucking Yugi in to bed. Joey laughed as the two brothers were mocking him as he dealt the cards. Matt pretended to hold a radar gun, "I've got him clocked at two miles per hour. Alex looked down at the two face down cards in front of him waiting for the other two. "Come on Joey I have a dead grandmother who deals faster than you." Duke was munching down on the pretzels next to him, starting to look at his hand. "Score! Rummy!" Thomas laughed as everyone else looked confused. "Duke for the last time, we're playing golf." Duke piled his cards together and handed them back to Joey. "New deck." He took the cards and gave Duke four new cards. Lillian sat back down next to Thomas, setting her glass of Diet Coke and began to look at two of her face down cards in front of her.

Everyone went around the table taking a card from the deck or the pile, hoping that with each switch made gave them a lower score. Alex drew from the deck picking up a two of clubs. Switching it with the top left he pulled out the King of diamonds. "Ah. Merry Christmas." He threw the card at his brother. Matt picked up the card. "Thank you." Switching it with his lower right, pulled out the king of spades. "Dang it!" Lillian gladly took the card, discarding a queen to the discard pile. Laughing she knocked on the table. Letting them know they had one round to try and beat her score. The mixed voices of laughing and shrieks revealed non of them had much of a chance. Lillian exposed two kings on the left side, about ready to flip the other two. "Hold on." Matt turned over his top left and bottom right exposing his two kings as well. Lillian flipped the top right giving away her ace of clubs. Matt revealed his ace of hearts. Lillian still smiled through it as he flipped over her second ace. "Two points Matt, think you can beat it?" Matt held his breath slightly as he tapped his finger on the last down faced card. "Maybe, I never got a chance to change it." The room tensed as he started to flip it. "Two of diamonds, three points. Lilly looks like luck was with you this time." Duke took everyone's score as they piled the cards to give to Matt so he could deal.

Yugi was in bed starring up at the white painted ceiling, listening to everyone laughing from the other room. Getting curious as to what was going on, he pushed the blankets off of him and got out of bed. Grabbing his teddy bear he headed for the door. His eyes stung as the bright light hit his eyes. Forcefully he looked away and began to moan. Hopping to the other side of the hall, Yugi crawled along on the floor, trying not to be noticed as he poked his head out from the floor.

Duke looked over Lillian's shoulder seeing the small, spiky haired child. "Duke you alright?" Yugi sunk down lower putting his finger to his lips not wanting Duke to say anything. "Yeah, I'm fine my neck just started to stiff up on me. Joey noticed Yugi and Duke playing together, Joey quickly pointed at him then over with each word he mouthed. "You. Bed." Yugi stuck his tongue out at him and shook his head no, making his wide amethyst eyes even brighter. Duke took a drink of his cola trying to not blow Yugi's cover with his laughter. Seeing his mother move, he snuck away trying to find a safer spot. The card game was already underway when he reached the opening in the hallway. Joey reached under the table signaling for Yugi to move back a little bit more. The laughter picked up again as his mother knocked on the table, his brows creased as the mixed emotions filled the air again. He saw his mother nudge Thomas's arm. "Sorry Thomas I guess lady luck just isn't with you tonight." Out of nowhere he struck his mother.

Her eyes swelled with tears from the pain and shock. Joey stood up, but Duke was faster. Grabbing Thomas's shirt, he pulled him in closer to him so his blue eyes met Thomas's dark brown. "Do that again in my presence again or not and I swear to you now that you will not see the daylight again." Seeing the fear swell in Thomas's eyes Duke shoved him back down in his chair. Scrambling from his chair he left the room.

"Lillian, you ok?"

Yugi didn't wait for his mother's answer for Duke as he took off running through the kitchen and in to his room. Diving under his covers he spent the night with his head buried under the covers.

"Yes, I'm fine..."Matt and Alex hugged her and thanked her for the evening before making their way out the door, not really sure what else they could have done if they stayed. "I-I'm sorry you had to see that." Joey comforted her as Duke got her a glass of water. Noticing Yugi's bear on the floor, he slide it under the counter a little bit more so she didn't see it.

"Thank you, thanks for everything." Duke handed her the glass. "He was just lucky I beat Joey to the punch, he really would have picked himself up off the floor." Lillian took a drink of the crisp liquid, then smiled slightly. "Wouldn't be the first time." Joey's honey colored eyes still filled with concern. "Are you going to be alright?" Lillian lowered her head then came back smiling brightly at him. "I'll just sleep with a broomstick in Yugi's room tonight." Joey hugged her. "Sounds good to me." He let go and waited for Duke to give her a hug as well, as both exited the apartment together.

"That was interesting..." Joey reached for the key in his pocket. "I knew I didn't like him for a reason."

"Are you going to be alright?" Joey lowered his head on the brown door, resting his hand on the handle. "I don't know." Joey opened the door and walked in to the small apartment. "Should have known your manners wouldn't change much." Joey looked back to still see Duke in the doorway. "Would you like to come in?" Duke nodded and stepped through the doorway. Joey kicked off his shoes and tried to relax a little bit. "I didn't think I had to, your pretty much entitled to do anything you want." Duke made his way through the kitchen, searching the cabinets. That were bare for the most part. "Not entirely, I still have rules to follow." Joey could hear the water faucet running. "Wish you'd send the rule book to Kaiba, he's changing the rules as he goes." Duke stood in the kitchen putting sugar in to two different glasses. "That's not surprising." He put the pot of water on the stove and added two tea bags to it. "Let me put this way, there are no boundaries anymore. What took Yami twenty years to build, he destroyed in a year." Duke leaned on the doorway. "I'm surprised it took him that long." Joey sighed as looked at Yami's note posted on his wall above his computer. "His brother Mokuba is to thank for that."

Duke sat on the couch beside him handing him a cup of white colored tea. Joey took it and took a drink, "What is that?" Duke smiled, "insomniac tea. I put to much sugar in there didn't I?" Joey shook his head. "No it's good, I just wasn't expecting that." Duke took a drink. "Ryou, taught it to me. When I was cramming for my college exams." Joey stopped him. "Ryou Bakura? Small, British, nosferatu?"

Duke smiled, "and looks like a girl in the right light, that's the one. We were at Notre Dame University together. I was there for game design and computer programming. He was there for some off the wall class. I was starting to go nuts cramming and he taught me how to make it." Joey nodded slightly, "I can see how that helped."

"Unfortunately, I had to much and was accused of being on speed. 4.0 GPA with academic probation."

"That's all that matters." Joey clicked on the internet and accessed his e-mail address. "Nice... twenty items and only two matter." Duke got up and started wondering around the room. Noting a hilted sword mounted on the wall tied in a note where the leather strap had broke. "May I?" Joey looked over to see him glancing at the sword. "Go ahead." Joey spun back around as Duke took down the sword with both hands. Grabbing the handle he listened to the clean scrape of the metal, examining the blade it was dull and chipped. "This sword's seen better days." Joey smirked as he read the letter from Honda. "She's been with me since the Crusades..." Duke sheathed the sword again, "as in the Holy Crusades?" Joey spun back around to see him. "Take it from me, there was nothing Holy about it... we barely escaped with our lives." Duke became intrigued as he went back to the couch leaning his head over the arm rest, wanting to be entertained by a good story.

"It had already been thirteen months of hell, the last thing we wanted and needed was another fight. Bakura and Malik had kidnapped Kisara, a toreador and Kiaba's love on top of it." Duke interrupted. "Why Kisara?" Joey sighed. "Yami was the chosen one at the time and was destined to be with her. If they killed one, the alignment would be broken and they'd have to start all over. If you've done your research..."

"Only happens every five thousand years."

"Exactly. Anyway, the three of us left our company that night to "scout" ahead. Only somehow the malkavians knew about it and cut us off at the pass, just before dawn they attacked. We were out numbered, a hundred to one and we were a day and a half ahead of the rest of the army. All of us took out our share as fast as we could, Yami just about killed himself five hours in, I was keeping up with Kiaba just to irritate him. In the beginning as they circled us, we agreed not to use our powers to make it an even fight. Sword and shield that was it." Joey took a drink of his tea before continuing on. "Well, truly getting on his nerves Kiaba gave up and used his powers anyway. I was yelling at him and he did his usual to me and took off running, which left me to pick-up Yami off the ground."

"Wait a minute... Yami? Mister I can go without sleep for three days and still have energy to spare?" Joey stopped and looked at Duke. "Yeah, I told you he just about killed himself. And to tell you how badly he was out of it I had looked down and had to pull out an arrow out of his thigh... Yami was covered in blood at this point... I bet if he wasn't so tired I think he would have enjoyed it. We ended up hearing this explosion go off, I assumed it was Kiaba showing off again, but Yami thought different. I followed his scent to a open meadow, the smoke was starting to fill in to the woods blinding Yami he almost combusting as he ran through it. Pulling him back I transformed and took off in to the meadow."

"Did you find him?"

"I found him passed out under a tree, bleeding to death. I treated him and saved him, but I don't think he knows I did. He ends up waking up under me, Yami starts cracking up laughing as Kiaba's royally confused, I'm busting up laughing because Yami gathered a bunch oh branches together and is using them like an umbrella. Anyway, we stopped to take a short cat nap and recuperate. Heading off to the castle again Kiaba comes up with brilliant plan to enter through the third story balcony. If it wasn't for his suffering already I was going to kill him right then and there. I ended up attempting the jump from hell literally thanks to Yami. Missed the balcony and he sunk all ten nails in to my arm...

Mind you I was against this from the beginning, Kiaba was underestimating these guys, Yami was just there physically half the time, which left me to try and figure out their true power. I found it alright. After Yami had us split up, I probably wondered that whole place for an hour before finding any sign of life."

Walking down the torch lit hallway, only the crimson runner and stone walls were seen looking up the ceiling wasn't visible, but you knew it was there. Relying on his hearing, only the sound of the breeze seeping through the window slits. Several hallways appeared, but none of them seemed to feel right.

A bright, golden light flashed as it turned down the left hallway at the end of the hall.

"At first I thought it was Kaiba, but when I reached it, it just disappeared. I felt an arm reach from behind me, arching my back backwards I saw the dagger come straight for my neck."

Taking the attackers arm pushing it away with his own. Going for an elbow strike with his free hand, his attacker caught it pulling it up his back, putting pressure on his shoulder.

"So, I did what any normal street fighter would do... drove my heel straight up. And listened to his voice go a little higher."

The grips loosened, Spinning around he pinned Malik's arm behind him rendering it useless. Sweeping his leg out Jonouchi forced Malik to the floor. Malik scissor kicked upward locking Jonouchi's neck between his legs rolling him over to the floor as well. Jonouchi saw the dagger in his sights as well as Malik as the fight for it was starting. Malik still held the advantage putting pressure on Jonouchi's neck or twisting his body until it would snap, Jonouchi wasn't about to give in that easily twisting his body with Malik, easing the pain he put his long legs to use. Wrapping his leg around Malik allowing himself to start kicking him in the solar plexus and ribs. Jonouchi squirmed his way free, leaning over Malik, Jonouchi picked him up by the back of his hair, elbow striking the side of his face, knocking Malik out cold. Inhaling deep and quick Jonouchi got up and started down the hallway again. Now becoming more cautious to the slightest detail.

Tilting his head as he continued to look on at a wooden door, cautiously he pushed the heavy door open. Stepping in to the vast room. The aura of pain and death consumed his body causing him to go dizzy. Kneeling on the ground he placed his hand on the object next to him, to help him back up. Pulling his hand back he noticed two puncture in his palm.

"You found the torture chamber... not a fun place to be with those guys..." Joey laughed. "To bad we were really in the Great Hall. Torches lit around the wall, climbing up, I feared of what I would find, becoming even more scared at the thought of what else might be lurking in there with me. Taking a torch back down, I threw it on the center pile of wood, watching the light reflect off the various means of torture. Frantically, I started to look for a way out catching a glimpse of a green light starting to glow from underneath a door. I wanted to go back, but that meant running in to Malik again. Sighing I walked to the far door, hoping to at least catch them by surprise. The door shook a couple times before it busted out. I sought my opportunity and reached in. Grasping the material I pulled, yanking the figure in the room. Flipping him over my arm, landing on his back. I leaned over looking in to the piercing blue eyes of the brunet."

"Well, that explains why he hates you, its starting to make sense..."

"Yeah, yeah...instinctively I got up and extended my hand, only to have Seto slap it away. I watched him as Seto made his way around the room looking for a way out. "There are only two doors Seto, yours and mine. That's it." I heard the sighing, huffy, sound that he makes when he's irritated. This strange noise started to echo in my ears. "What is that?" Seto Looked back. " What?" "The scream got louder. "AH!" We both looked up, and there's Yami falling. Seto's arms stretched out in front of him."

"He's actually going to do something nice for a change?"

"Eh, sort of... just before Yami landed on him, Seto moved to the left, watching Yami fall where he was.

Yami got up after rolling three times a cross the floor. "Seto you bastard, what the hell did you do that for?"

"I already met the floor twice, I wasn't doing it again." Yami looked confused at me, as I put my hands to my ears, trying to drown out the high pitched scream. Looking over to see what it was, Seto had fire blasted something on the ground. "Remind me to kill you if we make it out alive." Yami never answered him, trying his own spells that were barely working due to his power level diminishing. I picked up a long stick from the fire pit and fended off the scarab beetles behind them."

"How did those get in there?" Duke questioned.

"I don't know and I don't want to know. But I found out that Yami and myself weren't the only ones who had our share of troubles. Seto ended up having a run-in with an assamite. We continued to fight for our lives in there. Yami had somehow received a bottle of wine, and was now bouncing along the walls torching everything in our path out. We took Seto's way to get out there, he acted as if he knew where he was going for the most part then stopped. A voice told me to go right, going down another set of steps. Through the tunnel, finding a three way cross section. I knew Yami wanted to split up, but I wouldn't have it, if he did suggest it. The voice returned, and told me to go left. Seto questioned my directions, but I think shrugged it off to the "dog's" sixth sense. We ended at an iron barred gate. Seto melted the lock part way then kicked it in."

Duke leaned in on the arm of the chair.

"This is what I meant by there was "nothing Holy about this war..." Entering the chamber, Kisara was near death, They had her chained by her wrists hanging above an open well. Her tattered clothes made us realize what all they did to her. Seto let his emotions gain control as he threatened Malik, pulling his sword out to his throat, he made his demands. Only they backfired and Malik kicked the handle dropping Kisara. Bakura was sneaking around the room readying himself for the attack while we where fixated on the fight of the century, between Malik and Seto. Yami flipped his sword at him just as he was about to strike. "Joseph, finish it." Forming in to the wolf, I tackled him biting down on his jugular. By then Seto had gone in to the well to help save Kisara. I looked up seeing Malik pull out the dagger from a rod. Letting go of Bakura I turned back human for my fight with Malik. Striking at me with the dagger we circled trying the upper hand. Taking my sword out that was my only defense between life and death. At that point I had my sword pinning the one hand and forcing the dagger back at him. Tripping over Bakura I rammed as he hit the wall driving the knife in to his chest. We finished as Seto came out of the well, carrying Kisara's lifeless body in a firemen's carry."

Duke remained quiet as Joey stopped talking and waited before he thought it was safe. "What happened to the assamite?" Joey shrugged. "Last I heard she was in Domino. Trying to get some business deal together with the Tories." Duke slowly got up from the couch taking both glasses back to the kitchen. "I've never heard you say Seto's name before, it's always Kaiba..." Joey sat back looking up at the note from Yami. "That story is the only time I do, our lives changed that day. Kaiba lost his girl, Yami lost his place as the chosen one."

"If you're not careful Yugi's going to end up the same way."

"Now, you understand the promise I made to him."

Duke sat back down holding two glasses of blood wine. "Don't mind cheating tonight do you?" Joey smiled, "not at all." Duke took a drink from the wineglass as he handed Joey the other. "With Yami gone, who are you reporting to? Kaiba?" Joey laughed. "He wishes. He doesn't even know I'm here. Sorry that's confidential." Duke nodded, "that's alright. What's he do?"

"Game store owner." Duke rolled his eyes. "There's a specific group, you know how many there are in Japan?" Joey looked up to the ceiling, "nine thousand nine hundred and fifty-two."

"Seriously?" Joey laughed, "I don't know it just seemed like a good number." Looking at the computer screen, Lillian and Yugi were sleeping soundly, and like she promised a broomstick was next to her. "Man, its five o'clock already. Duke, you're Prince of the city, my home is welcome to you, since there's no way in telling if you'll make it up to your apartment without combusting."

"If you don't mind I need a catnap." Joey shut off his computer and went to the back room. "There's an ironic statement for ya." Joey laughed as he came back in to the living room tossing a pillow and a blanket at Duke.

Duke took the blanket off his head and made a small bed on the couch, kicking off his shoes he laid back staring at the popcorn painted ceiling, watching as the Dawn's colors where starting to dance on it.

Joey was on his bed starring at the colored ceiling, unable to take it anymore changed in to his blond colored wolf, walking around the apartment. Duke could hear the nails tapping the tile floors as Joey walked on the kitchen. "What's the matter boy?" Duke heard a low annoyed growl behind him. Joey gave up and laid down in front of the door, curling up in a ball.

Joey was awoken by the sound of a door slamming. He looked at the clock as it was going on nine o'clock. Joey kicked himself for sleeping in. Going to the back of the apartment he changed his form back and hunted for a shirt and jeans, slipping on his tan sandals as he walked out the front door. Duke woke up in time to see the door shut behind him.

"Joey." Lillian stood outside her door, her dark hair was pulled behind her wearing a cream colored sundress, looking as young as him. "Lillian how are you this morning?" She smiled brightly. "Better than last night." Joey smiled, "that's good." Lillian looked back and noticed Yugi still playing in a cardboard box. "Someone's up early this morning."

Joey smiled, "Oh me.. yeah, I'm meeting a friend today."

"That's good."

"What are all the boxes for?" Lillian held her breath for a moment. "I'm going back to Domino... I thought this move would help us, but I was wrong."

"When are you leaving?"

"On the last flight out tonight so I can be there tomorrow afternoon. Before the rush hour traffic."

Joey smirked. "It's Domino, its always rush hour." Lillian smiled. Joey tilted as head as the box was now on top of Yugi only revealing his little feet swishing back and forth. Joey crept slowly in to the living room. "Where'd Yugi go?" Yugi stopped swishing his feet. "Where'd Yugi go?" A small giggle escaped him. Joey pulled up the box, seeing a very bright eyed Yugi laughing as he tried pulling the box down again. Joey sat down next to him, doing a slight double take as Yugi crawled away from him still under the box. Joey picked up the box completely looking at Yugi, blinking in confusion, Yugi pounced on Joey's chest. Joey rocked back beginning to tickle Yugi like crazy until he made Yugi laugh so hard he'd start crying.

"You Yugi, take care of your mom." Yugi smiled back. "Kay." Joey tried getting him to look at him. "Remember everything I taught you." Yugi looked at him. "Kay." Joey sat him upright on his lap, "rule one?" Yugi looked up then back at him. "Be nice to girls." Joey nodded, "rule two?" Yugi wiggled around till he answered. "No kissing till high school." Lillian started snickering as she watched the two play together. "Rule three?" Yugi smiled, "Don't hit, even if they hit you first." Joey hugged him. "That a boy. They ya go, you're set for life Yug. Just remember those three things and you'll be fine."

"Nice, Joey." Joey smiled, "I didn't get a chance to teach him the rest, I think I raised a wuss."

"You didn't, he already knows more than Thomas, thank you."

"You're welcome. What flight did you say you were taking?"

"TWA, flight 745 at seven tonight." Joey nodded and hugged her good-bye. "You be careful alright."

"I will."

"If you need help packing Duke isn't doing anything, I'll be back later to help." Joey left and went down the stairs. Lillian went back inside and started to close the door.

Honda went online to check his e-mail, spotting a message from Jonouchi:

I'm coming back. May not get the same flight as the kid, guard the airport, I don't care who you have to get to help.

TWA, 745, leaving Chicago at 7pm ETA. in Domino 3pm Thursday

Honda went continued his search for the flight pattern of TWA 745: Chicago, LA, Domino.

"Joey you've been in Chicago with Duke... how the hell did you pull that off?"

Joey walked back in his apartment, Duke was watching the screens for him. "Joey where have you been? They're packing?"

"I know that, every flight is booked solid, there's no way I can watch over him..."

"Sure about that?" Duke tossed him an envelope. "What's this?" Duke waited to see Joey's eyes widen. "You're ticket home, puppy-poo." Joey looked at him with daggers. "You have got to be kidding?"

"Nope." Duke smiled, kicking the crate towards him. "Hope you have enough room, I was guessing on the size. You better transform quick, you have a vets appointment in an hour."

June 8, 1990

The plane landed safely in to Domino International. Lillian held Yugi as they were walking down the hallway of the airport going to get there luggage claimed. Lillian spotted an elderly gentleman wearing denim overalls, over a red t-shirt. "Sugoroku!" He smiled as Lillian got to him and hugged him tightly. "This can't be Yugi can it?" Lillian smiled as she handed him gently to him. Sugoroku, held him adjusting to his weight. "Ho, Ho Yugi you've gotten big on me." Lillian readjusted her backpack on her shoulder. "Thank you for helping me back." She bowed to him slightly. "You're family, that's what we're here for." Sugoroku held Yugi as she gathered the rest of their bags, Yugi rested his head on his shoulder and slowly fell a sleep.

A large crate was wheeled out, on the dolly transported by the airline attendants. "Mr. Kaiba, your prize winning dog has arrived safely. They handed a clip board to him. The brunet bent down looking at the sleeping wolf. "It's mine, but I wouldn't say prize winning though..." Mokuba stuck his hand in and patted the soft fur. "Watch it, you might lose a hand." Mokuba smiled. "No, he's not around food. Speaking of which, when's dinner big brother? I'm starved."

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Pizza, no ice cream. Yeah, a triple chocolate sundae with a big chocolate cookie."

"Sounds like a recipe for a heart-attack..."

"Hey, you only live once or twice..."

Joey woke up, looking at a soft designer rug, taking a look around he noticed a warm fire place to his back, beautiful, original painted artwork hanging on the walls, Kaiba sitting a chair in front of him, a four post bed in the distance. Joey turned his head back to Kaiba. "It's about time you woke up, I guess those puppy downers really work." Joey sat up, wondering if he was dreaming. "Although the dog look does look good on you, you can change back if you feel like it." Joey didn't change back, still sitting on the floor. "No, thanks, its not like I'm wearing anything under this fur. How did I get here?" Seto still remained in the chair looking down at him. "Mokuba's idea. Duke said he needed someone to pick up a "prized" procession from the airport for him. I assumed he asked me, because we both know you wouldn't have come to see me on you're own." Joey smirked, "smart man."

Kiaba leaned down to meet his eyes in his own. "Listen Katsuya, I'm Prince of this city now, you're on my property and as long as you stay here you treat me with respect." Joey looked him over then glanced in his eyes again. "You have to earn it first."

"Suicidal are we?" Joey smirked, "only in the mornings. There we met, if you don't mind I have some business I have to tend to." Kaiba snorted at his comment. "I still have a promise to keep, to the real prince of this city."

"Mutt, do yourself a favor, don't live in the past."

Author's note: Yeah, chapter 5 is done whoohoo! Chapter 6 should be up shortly, I'm not sure when... hang in their guys. As always... PLEASE REVIEW! whistles

possessed Korebo sits at her feet ready to attack