Wooo! Sorry for the long lapse in updates everyone! Thank you once again to my awesome beta, Skippyscat. Hope you all like this chapter!
Tempest's Wake 11
"And after the news report, Tammy, our correspondent in Hawaii will bring us the latest news from the Duelist Isle tournament!" The overtly perky news anchor's voice chirped from the kitchen television at the back of the young man standing in front of the stove.
No one should be this cheerful at such an ungodly hour. The figure groused as he stood dumbly attempting to figure out how to work the stove. Why was it he could work the damned machine when others were around, but when he was alone and by himself before his roommates were up his brain refused to perform?
He swore inwardly, cursing his brain for not being awake. Screw the stove, someone else could make breakfast and the figure went in search of something more important than food at the moment: Coffee.
The young man bustled about the kitchen looking for the canister. Where on earth had his roommates put it this time? After minutes of searching he found it sitting next to the backdoor that led to the shop.
"What are you doing there?" The man said both shocked and with a sigh of relief. He lifted the silver canister almost reverently, saying prayers that he had found it safe and unharmed. But then he noticed something…
It was light. Too light.
Fear quaked through him and he numbly fumbled to unlatch the catch of the canister's lid. The canister flipped open, liberating a hiss of coffee-scented air. The man looked in the canister, violet eyes widening in shock and anger as it beheld the note at the bottom of the can:
Remember to buy more coffee –YuM
With an irritated growl, the figure flopped to the floor. Yes, he was being childish. Yes, perhaps he had become addicted to coffee since regaining a corporeal form….
A door opened and closed from upstairs and someone else was now making their way downstairs.
Yes, he had managed to wake up one of his housemates.
Another figure entered the kitchen, yawning and rubbing violet eyes that matched the man's on the floor.
The newcomer looked at the man who was grimacing on the floor and then to the empty coffee canister,
"Come back to bed." The smaller teen yawned.
"Not yet. I want to see what is happening at the tournament."
"It hasn't begun yet, its still too early. Now come back to bed…I'm cold."
Before the figure on the floor could reply to his lover, the TV piped up again,
"In a surprising upset last evening, Mako Tsunami has advanced to the finals to face off against Rex Raptor. People are eagerly waiting to see who will be the winner of this exciting tournament!"
The figures stood still listening to the report until it ended. The reporter was right, this was definitely shaping up to be a surprising tournament. The taller figure turned to his lover,
"Well," He said with a sly grin, "This looks to be interesting…don't you think, Yugi?"
Mako fumbled with the knot in his bandanna; loosing it so he could re-tie the material around his forehead.
"That time looked good. Why'd you go and untie it again?" Ronan called over his shoulder as he watched the crowds below their private box file into the stadium's seats.
"I wanna make sure I look alright. This thing's going to be televised…unlike the rest of the matches…" The ocean duelist mumbled as he pulled the material taut, slackened it and then pulled it taut twice more. The Ocean Duelist refused to notice that his palms were getting sweaty. No, he wasn't nervous.
The blue material was plucked from his hands, "You're going to rip it, brother," Ronan sighed as took the material and laid it across Mako's forehead and tying it snuggly around his brother's head, "You nervous?"
"A little," Mako admitted sheepishly.
"It'll be fine, Mako. You're a good duelist,"Ronan said soothingly.
"And if I loose?"
Ronan smirked at his chance, "No way, big brother. You're the best there is!"
Mako smiled at his younger brother; he'd never seen Ronan get so fired up over dueling. It was kinda cute in a way. It almost made him forget about the duel and that Ronan was 18-ish. Sometimes, he had to admit when Ronan was amazed or overly happy, Mako felt that Ronan acted akin to a ten year old.
"Am I now," he smiled, "And what if I do loose…just on the off chance."
Ronan's face darkened, and a broad smirk flashed across his face. He tossed his head in a show of arrogance, "Not a chance. You're a Tsunami! You'll crush that looser, Raptor!" And then, he clutched at the material in the center of his shirt, Mako noted that Ronan usually did this when he was nervous, unsure or contemplative. Like there was something that should have been there.
Mako laughed nervously, unsure if he should be happy that his brother was being overly supportive for Mako's confidence, or if he should be nervous of the dark glee that had taken over his brother. He had never seen Ronan with such a look of hunger on his features, and yet, somewhere he was sure he had seen a similar expression…and he didn't like it on his brother's normally gentle features.
"Wow," he said, hoping to calm his brother down a bit, "I've never seen you this excited before, Ro, maybe you should go out there and duel for me."
Ronan's face softened at his brother's statement, "Huh? Oh no, I couldn't! I am in no way as experienced as you are….I mean I can come up with strategies but…those are just in theory…"
Mako laughed, "Okay," he said putting a hand on Ronan's shoulder, "Enough with the modesty, I'm the duelist, you're the strategist." As he watched Ronan's face soften with a smile he added, "And grand-high mascot."
"Brother…"
The door opened to the sky box, and a tournament attendant entered.
"Mr. Tsunami. We have thirty minutes until the duel. The officials would like you and your opponent to come down for rule briefing and to make sure the duel rings are functioning properly."
"I'll be down in a sec. Just gotta do my good luck thing. Tradition,y'know."
The attendant nodded, "I'll escort your brother to his seat once you're ready, sir."
Once alone again Ronan looked at his brother. "Good-luck thing?"
Mako grinned, "I only do this right before a big match."
He went to a window that had the best view of the ocean. "Normally, I do this closer to the ocean or closest body of water, but since we've been sequestered here since morning I didn't get a chance." The ocean duelist knelt down in front of the window and bowed his head.
"Dad, I know you are up there watching over me. I just want to say thanks for guiding me…"
Ronan watched silently as Mako spoke in the most revered tone he had ever heard. He had never seen Mako do something like this; had never heard Mako so openly address the father he had lost. He fought the sick twinge in his stomach that surfaced whenever he was reminded that his and Mako's brotherhood was only bound by agreement…nothing more. A fantasy that could easily be undone if Mako found disgust with him.
"If there was something that everyone hated you for, would I what...?"
Ronan ducked his head, a flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks.
"Would you..."Ronan began, "Wouldyouhatemetoo?"
Mako snorted, "Oh come on, Ronan. What do you think I would say?"
Mako hadn't answered his question. Or at least, to Ronan, didn't want to answer his question. What would happen if-
"Thank you for giving me strength…and for sending Ronan to me."
Ronan looked at Mako's prostrate form. Mako was thanking his father for Ronan…he was too shocked to think.
"He's been a big help in my life…and in dueling too. I know that you probably sent him to keep an eye on me…he's really smart," Mako turned his head to wink at Ronan, before continuing, "he can fix the radio faster then you ever could and he doesn't put mending the nets off until morning…I know you'd like him if you were here…actually I know you like him, that's why you sent him…but anyway, I just wanna say thanks for giving me a brother finally.."
Ronan dropped down next to Mako, "Thank you for sending me to Mako," He said softly, timid that he was encroaching upon something too personal to Mako, but with a gentle nod from his brother he continued, "Thank you. I promise to be a good brother and help Mako achieve his goals," and with a sly wink to Mako, "and keep him out of trouble of course…you know how he is."
Mako prodded him good naturedly in the ribs. Ronan smiled and continued, "Please let nii-san do well today in the tournament. He's worked hard for this. And even though, you and I know he's going to win, he just needs to see it for himself. So please let this duel go well."
Satisfied with Ronan's input, Mako continued, "Anyway, dad, thanks being beside us all the way. Well, I gotta go and win this tournament! Keep cheering for me and Ro-ro!"
The Ocean duelist stood and stretched for a good measure, "Well, Ro, lets get this show of the road!."
Ronan followed suit, walking behind his brother towards the door. He couldn't exactly describe how he was feeling. It was somewhere between honored and secure. Honored that Mako included him in this ritual and secure because now he felt more like Mako's brother than he had ever felt before.
He crossed in front of Mako and opened the door for his brother. "Let's win this Nii-san!"
3850 miles away from the duel, trouble was already brewing. In the form of a scheduling mix-up.
"Shit." The teen said as he flipped between his personal calendar and the work schedule for his shop, "Shit. Shit and double shit."
"Hey! Yug! Better watch the language, Yami'll kill me for further corrupting his 'sweet innocent partner'," a voice called from the kitchen.
Yugi glared in the voice's direction, "Tell Yami, that I was corrupted the moment he put his dick in me."
The voice laughed, "Want me to yell that message upstairs?"
Yugi threw the pen in the kitchen's direction. The pen bounced off the door jamb and flew neatly into the kitchen.
"Ow! What the hell?!" The voice cried.
Yugi smiled. Practice really did make perfect considering that Joey provided enough opportunity for Yugi to hone his skills. Mission "hit-Joey-with-a-pen-from-Yugi's-blind-spot" accomplished. Now if he could just figure out this damn scheduling issue the day could go better.
Yami entered the office with a look of confusion on his face. "I just spoke with Joey…what's this about you possibly being on your period?"
Yugi sighed, "Nothing. Ignore Joey. He's just teasing me for my coarse language."
The former spirit wrapped his arms around his lover, he didn't have to bend much to reach the seated figure, after all Yugi had gone through a growth spurt in the last three years. Although growth spurt to Yugi meant that he wasn't AS short. He was still petite, but he at least had gotten a few inches on him and now Yugi and Yami were roughly the same height. His lighter side had also filled out a little bit more. His face had narrowed and his violent eyes weren't as wide-eyed as they'd used to be.
Yami kissed Yuugi on the neck.
"Hmm…I like it when you speak dirty though…"
"Hey! Hey! Keep that in the bedroom please, you two."
The pair turned to see their friend Joey standing in the door frame. Joey had also grown up in these last few years. While he hadn't gotten much taller he had definitely filled out and become more muscular. His features were more cut and his smile had become impossibly brighter. His clothing was no longer was baggy on him, although this could be due to his moving in with the Mutou's, and using his earnings from working at the shop and tournament winnings to afford better-fitting new clothes
Yugi stuck his tongue out at his friend. "My house, I can do whatever I please."
Joey snorted, "You mean your grandpa's house. Just because he ain't here at the moment doesn't mean that you two can hump like rabbits in every part of the house."
Yami ruffled Yugi's hair affectionately. "You going to tell on us to Grandpa, once he gets back from his lecture tours?"
"Maaaaaybeee…he did after ask me to watch out for you two." The blonde said proudly.
Yugi snorted, "Actually, I believe he told housemate number three to watch over all of us…especially your food intake."
Joey pretended to look wounded, "Aww…c'mon Yug, a growing boy's gotta eat."
"You're done growing, you bottomless pit." Yami laughed.
Joey laughed a little before turning his sights to Yugi. "So, what's going on that's got your panties in a knot?"
"First of all I wear boxers, Joey," Yugi said before showing Joey the calendar. "Yami has to be down at the T.V. station to be a pundit for the outcome of the Duelist Island tournament, which starts in three hours, when the shop opens. According to the schedule here, you're scheduled to appear at Duke's place for his big dueling promotion that is taking place during the tournament, which leaves the shop totally unmanned. Even though we agreed that Duke could have this tournament to hold a Duel Monsters event at his place, I know that we are still going to be busy here. and I don't think it would be good business to close the shop down in the middle of the tournament."
Joey scratched his head, "Wait…if me and Yami are going to be elsewhere, where will you be?"
Yugi chewed on his pen, "I was supposed to be here, but Grandpa called me and told me that he's misplaced a folder of his notes. So I have to head down to the museum, get the backup file off the computer, print the notes and then ship them via courier."
"Do you have to do it today?"
Yugi nodded, "Yup. He's got a lecture in two days, and he's leery of someone other than family going through his research. I mean he's already upset that his notes are potentially in someone else's hands."
Yami pondered, "So…that means the shop is potentially going to be closed."
"Looks like it." Yugi sighed, "The potential revenue from the tournament today would have really helped the shop."
Yami flashed a look at Joey before leaning over to hug Yugi, "Don't worry, aibou, I am sure we'll figure out something…"
Footsteps at the office door alerted the trio that someone else was there watching them.
Yugi turned and smiled at the newcomer, "Good morning, Mokuba."
The crowd around him was roaring at the duel that was currently in session…and he was screaming right along with them. Ronan was jumping up and down in his seat; he had lost his composure long ago. Now his excitement and nervousness was bursting from every fiber of his being, and during some of the most extreme points, Ronan had to remind him self to continuously breathe.
Mako and Rex's duel had been an exciting one, as both duelist had been neck and neck for the entire duration of the duel. First Mako had knocked out 200 of Rex's lifepoints, then Rex had taken 150 of Mako's. Rex would get ahead by a small marigin, then Mako would tie the game and then knock off some more of Rex's life points. The pattern seemed to repeat, each duelist taking turns: get a hit, tie, take down some more of the opponent's life points.
Currently the game was tied at 500 life points a piece. Both Rex and Mako had strong monsters summoned to the field that could easily finish the game if they were able to get a good attack in.
Ronan watched on the large screen as Mako prepared to draw his card. He clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, afraid to see what was going to happen. For all he knew this could be the deciding card. Please…let him win this…
Pain.
A sharp searing pain seemed to rake through his head. Ronan clutched at his forehead in a futile attempt to ward off the splitting headache.
He looked up at the screen and watched at Mako's lifepoint counter lost another one hundred points. His brother was getting closer to zero.
He head throbbed. "No…he can't….he can't.."
Another stabbing pain.
Ronan gasped. His vision began to blur.
"I can't loose…."
"I feel bad for what's happened."
"I don't need your pity. You won, now get out of my quarters and beat that psychopath with that other freak millennium item. The brunette snarled at the other boy.
The temptation to scream back at Kaiba was evident in the smaller teen's face. He took a few moments to compose himself before speaking, "Kaiba. I had to beat you in order to get to Marik. There are more important things on the line in this competition than your damn pride.
"Oh really?" Seto snarled, "Did it ever occur to you that, I too, might have something important on the line?
"Kaiba, your title…"
"I am not talking about the damned title." Seto barked. Yugi actually jumped.
The taller teen walked away from his rival to stare out at the window. His anger faded from his face and Yugi could see the sadness in his rival's eyes, "After what we just went through in that virtual world with Noa and my damned stepfather, I thought you all realized that winning is not what's important to me."
Yugi watched the proud duelist visibly deflate in front of him. He had never seen Kaiba so vulnerable.
The Dragon Duelist stood there watching the night sky, his mind continuing to search out a solution to his current problem. When his mind once more came up with nothing, it took all his control to not crush his locket in frustration. Seto let his head drop against the cold metal of the window in defeat; his hand idly playing with the locket dangling from his neck.
Yugi's hand came to rest on his arm, "Kaiba. Please let me help you."
Seto sighed, "You can't help with this, Yugi, it's something for Kaiba Corp." He turned his head to look down into the sincere violet eyes. Yugi looked worried.
"What is it?" The boy asked in a concerned tone, "Please Kaiba. Please tell me."
"Training."
"Hey mister!"
Ronan sat up with a jerk. He looked at the young boy who was roughly shaking his arm.
"You okay, sir?"
Ronan numbly pressed his hand against his head, "What happened?"
"You started screaming about a headache and then you fell over in your seat," The boy explained, "I kept shaking you and you just woke up; you okay now?"
Ronan looked to the screen to see that the match hadn't progressed any further. The game wasn't over. Mako could still win this.
"Mister?"
Ronan didn't turn to face to boy, he kept his eyes glued to the match, "Yeah," he said distractedly, "Everything's still fine."
Down on the field Mako could feel the sweat running down his back. His hands had been so sweaty that his cards were now sticking to his fingers.
"Your move, Tsunami!" Rex called with a smug expression plastered across his face. The Ocean Duelist glared at his opponent; he lacked the concentration to fire a snappy comeback at Rex.
He reached for his card, hoping that his deck would yield a card that could help him. Mako's calloused fingers picked the top most card and drew.
His eyes had been closed; afraid to see what he had drawn. Please let this be something.
He opened his eyes and stared in disbelief.
A wide grin spread across his features as he looked at his new card and the ones currently in his hand.
"What's so funny, Tsunami?" Rex called.
"Oh, you'll see…" Mako said cryptically as he placed a card in defense and ended his turn. Hopefully, Rex would fall into his trap and it would be too late for him to counter against Mako's move.
Rex pulled a card, glanced at it, played the card in defense and switched his most powerful monsters into attack mode, "Say your prayers Tsunami! You are and you fish are about to get pounded back into the Stone Age!"
Mako grinned. Rex had taken the bait.
Ronan, you are a genius.
Yugi fumbled as he attempted to pull on his jacket and brief Mokuba who was standing behind the counter,
"Okay, its going to get really crazy in here I am sure. I am going to try my best to get back here, ASAP and Joey said that once his promo at Duke's is over he'll get back here to help you out. Just greet the customers, let them look at the cards…but don't take out too many cards at a time, you might loose track of one and it'll be easy for someone to just walk off-"
"I'll be fine, Yugi. I've watched the shop before." The boy said quietly.
Yugi smiled, "I know, I know. But I just feel bad leaving you all alone on a busy day, especially since I know you wanted to go to Duke's."
"Don't worry, it's the least I can do. I'll hold down the fort until you, Yami or Joey get back."
Yugi took one final look at himself in the mirror as he hurriedly patted himself down making he had his house keys in his pockets, "You sure you're okay?"
Mokuba nodded.
"Okay," Yugi said as he opened the door, "Keep a phone by you and if you need help just call the cells."
"Be careful out there." The boy called after him.
"Don't worry, I'll see you later kiddo."
Violet eyes were wide in shock at what he was witnessing on the screen. While Mako had always dueled with an intense passion, Yami had never seen the Ocean Duelist play like he had in order to cinch the match.
The ending strategy was flawless; perfectly orchestrated. However it could have gone wrong. The only way for Rex to have saved himself was to have kept his defenses strong and not risen to take Mako's bait.
While Rex had strong monsters on the field, his final move had allowed Mako to call forth more powerful monsters and activate a defense that would also further crush Rex. Mako hadn't really needed that defense, but Yami supposed it was either for extra insurance; as well as an adding of salt to the preverbal wound.
Rex hadn't been defeated. No, Rex had been annihilated.
Mako's final attack devastated Rex in an elaborate powerful overkill.
Yami wiped the sweat from his brow as he watched the instant replays for a third time.
Why do I feel like I am seeing a ghost? He wondered.
"Mr. Mutoh? Can I have your comments?"
Yami's attention was brought back to the announcer seated next to him.
"Oh sorry," He said politely, "I guess I am still a bit surprised at the outcome of this match."
The announcer made an overly animated grin and looked back to the camera, "How do you like that folks? Even the King Of Games was surprised about the outcome of this duel! Tell me, Mr. Mutoh, have you ever seen a strategy like this?"
Yami gave a neutral smile to the camera that was now invading his personal bubble, "No, I've never seen a strategy like this from Mako." But I have, he though darkly, from Kaiba.
"Nii-san…I can't breathe" Ronan gasped. While he was elated for his brother, he really didn't want to have the life squeezed out of him.
"I won!!" Mako crowed happily as he jumped up and down with Ronan in his grasp "I WON! I WON!!! I WON!! I WON!!"
Ronan smiled, relenting a little and allowed himself to be dragged along with Mako's excitement. Seeing Mako this happy, perhaps death-by-bear-hug wouldn't be such a bad way to go.
Suddenly Mako let go of Ronan, allowingRonan a few blessed gasps of air before he found himself being violently shaken by his over-excited brother,
"RONAN! WE WON!! WE WON!! I'M THE DUELIST ISLE'S CHAMPION!" Mako cried before giving Ronan another shake and shouting, "ME!!!"
Ronan smiled and hugged his brother" I am so proud of you Nii-san!"
The attendant from earlier entered their room"Mr. Tsunami, your post-tournament news conference will start in ten minutes."
Mako smiled at the attendant" Can my brother come too?"
The attendant shook his head, "Sorry, sir. Duelist's only."
Before Mako could protest, Ronan spoke, "It's okay Nii-san. You go, you won the tournament, you get to go on T.V. I don't want to be on camera."
Mako opened his mouth to counter Ronan, but Ronan pushed Mako towards the door "Go on. Get out there and gloat to the dueling world, champ!"
Mako smiled, "I'll see you in a few, okay?" and then left with the attendant.
Ronan couldn't stop himself from smiling. He was so happy. Not only did he watch his brother be victorious in a tournament that Mako had trained and worked so hard for, but all his fears about whether or not Mako truly loved him as a brother had been put to rest. In his mind he was officially a Tsunami and nothing could break him and Mako apart.
"Mr. Tsunami?"
Ronan turned to see a female attendant enter the room"If you are looking for my brother he left a minute ago for a press conference."
The attendant studied Ronan for a second, "You're his brother?"
"Yes." Ronan said proudly.
"Well then, I suppose you can take this call."
"Call? Who'd be calling brother?"
The attendant smiled and handed Ronan the phone."It's coming all the way from Domino, Japan. I believe it's the 2nd place Duel Monsters World Champion, Joey Wheeler."
Muahahahaha…another cliffie (like you all are sooooo surprised at this point, right?) Don't worry guys next chapter I promise we find out more about Mokuba, plus we'll be getting to the flesh of the story soon! So keep reading :)
In case anyone is interested, I posted a side story at my lj. This was a drabble request made by Skippyscat for more Tempest stuff :) So if you want something to tide you over between chapters go here: http://maria-chan. you to all that are reading this, I hope you all enjoy and I promise to stop having such big gaps between chapters! Thanks again! Please let me know what you all think!