So I'm back with chapter 8. Some of you might have possibly noticed that the titled had said 'discontinued' up until recently, this is because at the time I had been extremely busy and had lost my desire to write for the Yu-Gi-Oh fandom.

However, recently I have been making corrections to other stories and decided to give this another look. I've also begun work on a Yu-Gi-Oh one-shot (still got a ways to go, since it's gonna be ass long lol) and decided to revisit this and actually complete it while I have my muse back.

I came to the decision that while I would be continuing this again, I will only be completing season 0 and nothing more. This is because I don't feel like my muse will last that long.

About three more chapters until Death-T & completion of this story. I might do follow up chapter all about Lailat and her character afterwards and what I wanted to happen during the entire series.

New summary too :)

~§~

I'VE REWRITTEN EVERY PREVIOUS CHAPTER!

I've made bit improvements and by the time this chapter is up, all the previous have also been changed, so please go back and read them.

~§~

Chapter 8: Digital Pet Riot

~§~

Lailat sighed as she flipped the closed sign of the game shop. She'd spent the evening helping Yugi in his Grandpa's game shop as the older man was in the back, counting stock or something. Honestly, Lailat didn't mind helping Yugi. Since he was quite shy when talking to people, which wasn't the best when working in a shop.

Lailat sighed with a deadpan expression. "If I have to experience one more guy eyeing me." She rumbled quietly. "I think I'm going to flip a table."

It got a chuckle from Yugi, knowing she wasn't serious. It was nice to see Lailat loosen up around him, she didn't spend as must time around the others as she did him. It made him feel a little special, even if it also made him a little guilty as well.

Either way, watching as Lailat's eyes seemed to gain a little warmth then the usual cold apathetic ones that she seemed to always inhabit was warm in on its self. It showed she was comfortable enough around him to let herself loosen up, even if she didn't realise she was doing it. It seemed to really start after the visit to the museum a few weeks back, he didn't know what changed but maybe it was for the better?

"Well now the shops closed, we can get on with our homework." Yugi commented, since it was nearing half five, they'd only have an hour at max before Lailat was picked up.

Lailat hummed in agreement. The duo making there back into the conjoining house and sat at the table. They heard Yugi's Grandpa in the kitchen, no doubt beginning to start dinner.

Yugi and Lailat had worked out a system of some sorts where Lailat would join Yugi working out in the shop some evening on days that Yugi had homework he'd need help on. Homework on such topics as English and Maths. Since he struggled on those two the most and as Lailat was an expert in English and smarter in Maths, it just seemed to work.

Yugi felt a little guilty at first since he wasn't helping her with anything but Lailat just waved him off. Saying that although she might not need any help, she liked being in his cheerful presences. He'd blushed at her words.

There was something behind it, Yugi was sure, but he didn't press for reasoning.

Once the pair were finished with their homework, a thought popped into Lailat's head. "The last customer brought that digital pet game you were talking about today at school, yes?"

It was a sudden topic change but she was genuinely curious about it. The game had bloomed in popularity in the last week. Lailat even considered getting one to stop her from being bored. It wouldn't hurt anyone.

Yugi nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh! Everyone seems to be really interested at the moment."

Lailat hummed in acknowledgement, but when Yugi stood and exclaimed. "That reminds me!" Lailat raised a slick brow at him.

Yugi grinned. "I have something for you. Just give me a moment!"

He ran around the table and out of the doorway into the living room. Lailat felt her lips twitch. Within a few moments, Yugi returned clutching something in his hands.

"Put your hand out." he instructed.

Lailat raised a brow again but did as he asked. Yugi dropped a small white rectangular shaped keychain into her hand. A digital pet. Lailat found herself staring.

"I…Thank you Yugi." Lailat managed to get out.

Yugi beamed. "No problem. I just thought since you looked interested in them, that I could give you one."

Yugi then started showing Lailat the basics of the game since Watari would be showing up at any moment. As if their thoughts summoned him, Lailat's phone buzzed with a message saying her guardian was waiting outside.

Lailat again thanked Yugi for the game and without his knowledge, slipped some money to his Grandpa with a brief explanation; leaving before the older man could argue, which he was going to with the humorous look that danced onto his face.

When Lailat arrived home that evening, she spent most of it fiddling with her little pet. The next morning, Lailat made sure to attach her little pet onto her bag so that she wouldn't forget it. The little egg hatched into a cute little feline of some sorts with little-detached chibi wings. It also had a little hat that reminded Lailat of Mana, especially with the hyperactive personality it had.

So Lailat decided to call the little furball Mana.

Thinking about the Priestess made her chest tighten.

~§~

The young brunette let out a happy squeal as she was introduced to the ravenette. Said ravenette blinked twice as she was bombarded with questions.

"How old are you? Where did you live before coming here? Do you ever smile?"

Rania exhaled as she stared at the girl. The young Princes beside her laughed at the last question.

~§~

Lailat rolled her eyes as she heard Honda quietly complain about why Miho wasn't in. It was likely she was ill – was that a hard idea to think of? Lailat exhaled and jotted down some more notes while also fiddling about with Mana.

Lailat absentmindedly listened to the Teacher drone on about Japan's economy. The ravenette blinked when a beeping noise fills the quiet room and she looks to her right and a row in front to Jounouchi. Who was trying to hide his blue device by ducking under his desk.

Talk about incognito, she mused.

The Teacher marched over to his desk and cleared his throat loudly to get Jounouchi's attention. Lailat watched as the blonde got whacked over the head.

"I'm telling you not to do it in class!" He yelled.

"Silly, why didn't you switch it off?" Anzu questioned.

"Or mute it." Lailat added, seeing that was what she did.

"It doesn't grow when it's off and I don't know when it needs something when muted!" Jounouchi argued. "I want it to hurry and grow."

"Well it takes time, it can't be helped." Lailat commented. It was a waiting game, meaning there was no need to have to rush it.

Anzu shrugged as she pulled her own out. "Well, I suppose that's its cute point."

Lailat wasn't sure how cute waiting was as she personality preferred more fast pace games made for strategy.

"If you properly care for it you'll get a good outcome." Yugi advised. "It's like your child."

"Yeah! Right now, I'm devoting half of my day to him!" Jounouchi grinned.

The door to the class was slammed open (Lailat mused: when was the door closed?) and Honda yelled out, "What a waste!" You could practically see the wall of flames behind him. "To waste time on that… truly a waste of youth! Useless! Depravity!"

"You didn't have to say all that!" Anzu glared at Honda for the annoying and unnecessary speech.

"No need to say something about a little game. Where's the harm in a little fun?" Lailat deadpanned.

"No, I have no interest." Honda scoffed.

"You mean you couldn't get one, right?" Jounouchi teased, smirking. "It's sold out everywhere."

Lailat took the chance to glance around the class and everyone apart from Honda had similar machines in a range of colours. Well except one kid who just stared at his desk.

Lailat ignored him and began to fiddle with Mana again. Then Miho walked in, waving a greeting with a yawn. "Good morning!"

Honda flushed at the sight of the girl. "Miho-chan! G-Good morning…"

"What do you mean 'good morning'? Second period is already over." Anzu raised a brow in a playfully scolding manner.

It was odd that Miho was late since was she always on time. Miho just giggled taking a pink pet from her pocket. "Well… it's hard to take care of her. She also slept late last night."

Ah, so Miho-chan is into it as well? Lailat mused.

Yugi smiled in excitement. "So you're playing it too, Miho-chan?"

The purple haired girl nodded. "I definitely want to go to Australia."

"Australia?" Anzu questioned.

Miho spun around in excitement, holding up a poster about a tournament. "You didn't know? It's this Sunday. A pet competition and the prize is an Australia trip!"

Lailat half-heartedly continued to listen, more focused on Mana. She heard something about Jounouchi and him entering, then Honda taking on the care of Miho's pet. The ravenette sighed with a roll of her eyes, said eyes trailed Yugi as he approached a shorted black haired boy, the one that Lailat had seen at his desk alone beforehand.

Lailat frowned as a large in size student appeared at the door, calling over the kid. Yugi followed a few moments later, no doubt worried. Lailat hoped off her desk and trailed after Yugi, watching as he leant against the wall outside the bathroom and opened the door just enough to peek inside. Whatever he saw made him nervous as he panicked and backed away.

"Yugi." Lailat called lowly. Said boy glanced over to see Lailat make a quick 'come here' gesture before her eyes flickered back to the door. Yugi was about to do as she asked when the door opened and the large student exited first, a smirk on his lips.

The other boy followed and Yugi confronted him.

"Don't tell anyone!" The boy panicked. "Don't! Don't!"

Yugi frowned. "But…"

"I don't want anyone to know."

Yugi continued to frown, not liking that the boy wanted him to keep quiet about it but nodded anyway.

"Thank you."

Lailat approached Yugi as he called after him. "If you ever want to talk, you can come to me any time. We're classmates after all."

"Thank you. You sure are nice, Yugi-kun." The boy smiled.

Lailat watched as Yugi gave Haiyama, that was the boy's name, one of the Digital Pets he was carrying around for some strange reason. Lailat chose not the question it, but either way Haiyama gave her weird vibes.

~§~

As everyone arrived at the third period, Lailat noticed immediately that Honda wasn't here. She rubbed the inner corners of her eyes, already having a suspicion about where he was. The suspicion was confirmed when one of the front students handed the teacher a note by Honda himself.

"Taking the day off to raise a child?" The teacher looked confused for a moment. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

~§~

It was Wednesday after school and Honda hadn't come in the entire day. At first, Lailat had found it amusing but then it lost its humour quickly.

The group (minus Honda) were walking down the street as they group all lived in a similar direction. As they got closer to a game shop, there was a large crowd consisting of kids outside of it, staring at the shop window in awe and excitement.

Yugi, being curious, asked: "What could it be?"

The group of five approached the group of younger children all crowding around outside a shop. Their eyes landed on the golden coloured Digital Pet device.

"A Gold Pet!" Yugi exclaimed in shock.

"What is it?" Anzu questioned.

"Oh. A limited edition Digital Pet, only a hundred were sold. They say you can raise an amazing pet!" Yugi gushed in excitement.

"So you're saying with that there's no way you can lose the contest?!" Jounouchi asked, eyes wide with awe.

Miho swooned at the idea.

Lailat frowned, true that the Gold might help raise a better pet but they all still needed the same care and devotion as the common ones. She didn't really see the point in it. She sighed. The device cost 50,000 yen, which was overpriced even for a limited edition Digital Pet, it was kind of mind-blowing that they'd charge that much for a tiny thing.

Lailat only started paying attention again when the large student, Kujirada she learned, appeared and bulldozed through the crowd of young kids, broke the window and stole the Digital Pet.

The manager came running out, scolding him but Kujirada just smirked, throwing cash at the man and left.

"Bastard." Lailat muttered.

"He didn't have money for lunch before, just rice money." Jounouchi scowled.

"Before he used to be a good kid but suddenly went wild, he was forced to change schools." Anzu added, a frown creasing at her brows.

"I wonder what happened." Miho questioned quietly.

~§~

Three days.

Honda had been absent for three days.

Honesty, Lailat was getting fed up with Honda's puppy love for the girl. She knew he liked Miho, but she seriously found this ridiculous. She couldn't help but worry that Miho was taking his infatuation with her for granted.

Lailat blinked, looking up as Miho squealed. She and Anzu were looking at Yugi's Digital Pet. She managed to snag a look and saw that it had taken after Yugi with his hair. She found it quite cute. Lailat didn't doubt that the creature was a kind one since it had Yugi raising it.

"Looks like his owner." She stated and Yugi blushed, chuckling.

"I called him Yu-2." Yugi explained.

Anzu pulled her red device out to show them a cute plum looking creature with a ribbon at the top of its head.

"Her name is Sumono." Anzu explained as Miho gushed over her pet too.

That was when Jounouchi arrived, showing off his pet named Joe.

Lailat saw the creature and deadpan. "It looks like a radish with a question mark hanging over its head."

Jounouchi glared at her and challenged: "What about yours then?"

Lailat sighed but pulled out her white device, she held it up to show Mana. She'd grown more, looking more Lynx-like- which Lailat found ironic because Mana now looked like Cath. She even had the wings. The hat from before hung over Mana's eyes and hid them. She was quite mischievous and loved to play games.

"Her name's Mana." She revealed.

Jounouchi cursed under his breath, no doubt finding her cute (which she was, thank you very much) and Miho swooned once again at the sight of Mana.

"She looks quite adorable." Anzu smiled.

Lailat blinked, tilting her head as her lips quirked. "You think so?"

Anzu nodded.

Jounouchi then mentioned a data exchange between them. Lailat agreed, wanting to see how they would interact with each other.

Jounouchi and Yugi went first and Joe walked in on Yu-2 then processed to start bullying him. Which was ironic, it got a concealed snicker from Lailat, considering that Jounouchi used to bully Yugi.

Joe and Mana went next and Mana pulled a prank on the radish shaped pet. She flickered her tail into his 'nose' from above, making him sneeze. Jounouchi complained and Lailat shrugged.

"Can't control their actions."

Then Yu-2 and Mana met. Mana seemed to giggle and leapt around Yu-2 in a playful manner, who seemed to laugh in excitement. It was obvious that the two liked games.

"Alright! Australia is mine!" Jounouchi proclaimed.

"He's taking it?" A new voice asked mockingly. The group turned to the entrance of the classroom to see Kujirada stood there, smiling creepily. "The contest winner is going to be me." He added as if it was a fact.

"Kujirada, don't get a big head just cause you got a Gold Pet!" Jounouchi scoffed. "There's no way someone like you could raise one!"

"Oh, really?" he grinned. "This is my ultimate pet! He's DevilMaster!"

He looked like a bug of some sort with a black star on its stomach. Lailat deadpanned, none of them were impressed by the sight of the ugly thing.

"He looks like he has a lousy personality." Anzu stated.

"No way, that's yours?!"

Kujirada chuckled. "If you pay money you can learn plenty of secrets."

Jounouchi kissed his teeth. "Money again?!"

Suddenly Kujirada moved and before Anzu could stop him, stole her device. "His strength ain't just for show! Go, DevilMaster!" They all watched as he connected them and DevilMaster entered Sumono's screen and processed to eat her.

"My Sumono-chan!" Anzu cried.

"DevilMaster grows by eating other Digital Pets." Kujirada snickered.

"You bastard!" Jounouchi scowled.

"Shall he eat yours too?"

"Works for me! Try it if you can!" Jounouchi declared but ultimately, Joe met the same fate as Sumono did.

"The Australia trip is mine. Don't worry about it." Kujirada laughed.

"How cruel!" Yugi exclaimed.

"Yeah! How can you use pets that others raised to go to Austraila?!" Miho shouted angrily.

Lailat blinked, shooting the purplette a deadpan look and Anzu voiced what she was thinking. "Isn't that what you're doing?"

"Kujirada." Yugi continued. "Everyone raised their Digital Pets with care. It's wrong to eat them!"

Kujirada glared down at Yugi. His face contorting in anger. "Shut up! In the world, those who have money win! I'll eat yours too!" He reached down to take Yu-2 but Lailat stepped in front of Yugi, eyes narrowed into a glare.

"Don't even think about it." her voice was cold.

"I'm sorry?" He asked mockingly. "You want DevilMaster to eat yours first?"

"Fight my pet all you'd like." She stated, pulling Mana from her pocket.

"Lailat! If he ate mine and Anzu's then there's no way he won't eat yours! Just walk away!" Jounouchi pleaded.

"He's right, Lailat!" Anzu agreed but the ravenette ignored them and they stuck the devices together.

It was Mana that entered DevilMaster's screen. The bug-shaped created chased her around- if anything the cat creature seemed to find the chasing fun. But ultimately, DevilMaster cornered her with Mana hissing at it.

"I told you!" Jounouchi pointed out.

Suddenly Lailat's device beeped, it was a different chime from when it needed feeding or cleaning.

Lailat's lips quirked upwards, right on time. "If I'm not mistaken, that's the sound of an evolving pet."

"Evolving?!" Everyone shouted in confusion.

Lailat watched as Mana grew in size, become more Lynx-like. Her teeth and claw became deadly sharp as her wings grew to match her new size. Her hat too, gotta keep the hat.

She roared at the bug-creature, its eyes widened as Mana leapt at it and scratched it up before fleeing from its screen.

Lailat disconnected immediately.

"No way! He wasn't able to eat her!" Kujirada shouted.

"We knew you could do it!" Miho cheered and Lailat deadpanned at them, not even finding them worthy of a reply.

Kujirada snarled, shoving Lailat out the way and reached towards Yugi. "It might be able to eat yours, but it will be able to eat his!"

"Stop!" Everyone paused and turned to the door to see a sleepy looking Honda walking towards them.

"Honda?!"

Honda opened his eyes, he did not look good sleep deprived. "I have raised the ultimate pet!" He explained.

"Ultimate pet?" Kujirada questioned.

"Three days without sleep or rest…" Lailat cringed, even she didn't go that long. "This is the ultimate creation! Digital Super Ichigo!"

He showed the screen. It looked like a creature with a bag over its head and it held a broom in its right hands.

It was raised by Honda alright, Lailat sighed. The others all laughed.

"Did you think I, a Beautification Member, didn't know?!" Honda accused. "This device will teach you!"

Kujirada laughed mockingly. "What can that pet do?! I will turn him into DevilMaster's food!"

Honda smirked and they connected. DevilMaster wandered onto Super Ichigo's screen. The bug went to attack but… Ichigo started cleaning it?

Lailat blinked several times owlishly at the screen in confusion. What on earth-?

Her eyes widened in fascination as DevilMaster began to disappear from the screen.

"He… He did it!" Jounouchi exclaimed in awe.

"Super Ichigo does not allow trash to exist! When he finds trash, he completely destroys it. He's truly the Beautification Member of the Digital World!" Honda declared.

Ah, now Lailat understood the sweeping.

Kujirada threw the now useless Golden device onto the desk before storming out. "Damnit!"

"What's what you get!" Jounouchi taunted.

"Honda-kun, you're amazing!" Yugi congratulated.

"Good job!" Miho praised.

"That truly is just like Honda." Anzu sighed.

"I second that." Lailat added. The two girls shared a glance.

The sound of metal hitting the ground behind them made them turn to see Haiyama was sat by himself again.

"Haiyama, what's wrong?" Honda questioned.

He stared down at his desk. "N… nothing."

~§~

School finally ended and once again Yugi and Lailat started their journey home. As they walked, Lailat took notice of the extremely quiet Yugi. She frowned. "Worried about Haiyama?"

She didn't understand why Yugi was worried, the boy seemed fine how he was. A little weird but if he'd not told a teacher about his problem then there was no real point worrying about it unless it got serious, right?

Yugi looked up at her surprised. "Yeah, a little."

However, Lailat's attention had been taken from Yugi to the figure running with something over their shoulder. She frowned, trying to make out who- "Is that Kujirada?"

Yugi gasped and the pair immediately raced after him.

It took them some time before they finally found where it was that Kujirada had run to. They ran inside just as Haiyama admitted to being the reason Kujirada changed so much.

Having heard enough, Yugi yelled: "Stop it!"

Honda turned around, surprised and his eyes widened as he saw them. "Yugi! Lailat! Why are you here?"

Yugi explained how they'd seen Kujirada carrying someone while running and got worried.

"Haiyama-kun, this is wrong!" Yugi exclaimed.

"You saw me during feeding time, didn't you?" Haiyama instead stated. He hummed, reaching into his pocket. "Right, that reminds me." He chucked the Digital Pet that Yugi had given him to the ground. "This childish game, let me return it."

Yugi ran towards Haiyama, Lailat reached out to grab him to stop the boy but just missed.

Suddenly Haiyama pulled out a whip, yelling: "You shouldn't have been looking around!" The boy swiped the whip at Yugi, sending him flying back into a pile of cardboard boxes.

"Yugi!" Both Lailat and Honda shouted in shock.

Haiyama scoffed. "What a fool. Completely worthless as a pet."

That's when Honda raced forwards, managing to dodge a few whiplashes, however, the three days of no sleep finally caught up with a vengeance as he fell to the ground, much to Haiyama's dismay.

"Honda-kun, you know I was actually getting board of Kujirada. Won't you be my pet?" Haiyama offered.

"What was that?" Honda questioned in disbelief.

Lailat huffed quietly, suddenly everything made sense to her. His interactions and odd actions, her lips tugged, wanting to form a scowl but she denied them.

"You get used to it, the lifestyle of a pet. As for your feed…" Haiyama trailed off, using the whip to knock the bow off Miho's uniform.

Lailat growled. "You bastard."

Honda managed to, somehow, push himself to his feet and glared at Haiyama but was shoved back by another lash of the whip. Haiyama turned his gaze to Lailat, his eyes gleamed with interest.

"You know, Lailat-chan, you'd make a great pet too." He grinned.

Lailat glared. "I would rather be eaten by Ammit."

He smirked. "Raising a defiant pet is a fun one to break."

To Lailat's left, she spotted a golden light shimmer and when it receded, Yami was stood there, a glare on his face.

"Yugi!" Haiyama called out, noticing the difference no doubt.

"Now… it's game time." Yami stated.

"What?" Haiyama asked, blinking in confusion.

"Haiyama. Why don't you have your pet fight my pet?" Yami offered as he stepped forward and swiped the white device that had been discarded onto the ground minutes' prier. Yami linked them up and Yu-2 stood behind Yami while a large ugly worm-like creature stood behind Haiyama.

Haiyama smiled. "Sounds interesting! I love this kind of thing." He raised his arm, pointing at Yu-2 and ordered: "Go! Eat that loser!"

"Loser?!" Yami questioned, offended, glaring at Haiyama.

Lailat made a mental note to never call Yami a loser in the future- she didn't have any plans to but had she, they'd be squashed by that reaction alone. She blinked twice at the thought and shook her head of them.

Lailat watched as Yu-2 dodged a few punches before landing his own.

Haiyama laughed and taunted, "Such a weak loser is no match!"

Lailat blinked at the word again and finally moved, stepping up to stand beside Yami. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye but ultimately kept his focus on the game.

"It's okay…" Yami started, lips quirking upwards into a smirk but Lailat could see the annoyance in his eyes. "This 'weak loser' can beat you."

He cast a glance at Yu-2, who seemed to get the message as he charged right into battle. However, Haiyama's creature grabbed Yu-2 by his hair tightly.

"The outcome is the same no matter how many times you try!" Haiyama argued, grinning sadistically.

But Yu-2's on the device suddenly flashed and gave a familiar beep. "The effects of the data exchange has appeared. That was the sound of a Digital Pet evolving." Yami said ominously.

"What? Evolving?" Haiyama questioned.

Suddenly Yu-2 was enveloped by an aura of fire and when it died down, Yu-2 had become red and a lot more badass looking with a certain fire in its eyes. With one punch, Yu-2 defeated Haiyama's pet.

Lailat found it a little bit anticlimactic truthfully.

"What? Get up!" Haiyama ordered as he whipped the pet to try and get it to wake up.

"That match is over." Lailat drawled, eyes become half-lidded.

"Not yet!" Haiyama snapped, whipping the beast awake this time, only to turns its fangs on its own master.

Yami pointed, declaring as Haiyama was eaten: "The Doors of Darkness has opened."

Haiyama screamed.

It was a bit morbid and Lailat grimaced, she could have gone without seeing that but what's done is done.

"Pets are free to choose who they point their fangs at. You forgot that, so you lose." Yami explained.

Lailat moved forward to Haiyama, who looked like he was having a nightmare and not so kindly kicked his arm. She hummed as she turned back to Yami, who raised a brow in amusement and confusion.

"Now I don't have to become a pet."

"I doubt you would have needed my help with that." Yami pointed out.

Lailat snickered, turning to look at Honda and Miho. The later of the two muttering about going Australia with her mother. She sighed.

"Why the sigh?" Yami questioned, stepping up next to her to look down at the pair too.

"Miho basically used Honda's infatuation with her to get him to look after her pet." She explained, her brows scrunching up in… annoyance? Yeah, annoyance. "I want her to stop doing it. I need more fingers then I have to count the times she manipulated him into doing something."

Yami hummed. "I've noticed that too."

"I need to sleep, I'm tired as fuck."

Yami snorted at the out of character expression, smirking as Lailat turned and began walking towards the warehouse door. She glanced over her shoulder. "Coming?"

"Of cause, Dove."