WOW! I sit on my butt and did nothing for months and months, and then submit two chapters at once! I'm so proud of myself...sniff

All you faithful readers deserve a gold medal and permission to slap me for my laziness. XD

The last chapter, by the way, was inspired after watching the "Will It Blend?" videos at a geek camp. I actually finished this chapter before the other one, but didn't have the motivation to upload. Heh-heh...

Enjoy!

Phone conversation between Yamada Ari and Sanders Marie:

Ari: OK, I have now officially called you, Marie. What is so important that you have to leave 20 messages on my answering machine?

Marie: Um, Ari, you must understand-

Ari: Oh no. No you don't. I refuse.

Marie: Ari, Ari, Ari. I haven't even asked the question yet.

Ari: Nee-san, don't try that with me. As your younger sister, I've long since recognized your "I-have-a-favor-that-I-need-you-to-do-even-though-I-know-you'll-say-no" tone.

Marie: I've been found out.

Ari: You bet your kid you have. How's the runt doing, anyway?

Marie: Mmm. So-so. She's the reason I called, actually. You see, because she's not doing well in her new school-

Ari: Since when does she ever? You and Dan move around too much. Sasha can't properly adjust before you're packing again.

Marie: That's completely out of our control, and you know it. Anyway, I thought because she likes technology and because you mentioned getting a raise and some more time off, then-

Ari: No.

Marie: But-but-but-she's always wanted to see Japan! She loves dueling! You can plop her into that public school with all the duelists in it for most of the time you're working! Ari, I'm getting desperate. I think she's getting into stuff she shouldn't, so I think she needs to be around a responsible adult, and I remembered you while poking around.

Ari: How nice that you gave up looking for a responsible adult to call me.

Marie: That isn't what I meant!

Ari: Marie…You've lectured me on grades, dating, marriage, and everything in-between.

Marie: Ari. This is serious.

Ari: So am I. Find someone in the States to baby-sit her.

Marie: …I can't.

Ari: Marie.

Marie: …I was so sure you'd say yes…

Ari: Marie.

Marie: Oh dear. This could get ugly.

Ari: Marie, stop it. What did you do?

Marie: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Ari: MARIE! WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Marie: …Be at the Domino Airport at 19:30.

Ari: …You didn't.

Marie: I did. She has everything that she needs.

Ari: I swear I'm going to…Wait.

Marie: …Yes, oh dear sister of mine?

Ari: What time did you say her plane was arriving?

Marie: 19:30 your time, why? You've got an hour and 15 minutes.

Ari: AGHHHH! YOU SCREWED UP SO MUCH!

Marie: …Wrong time zone?

Ari: Goddamnit, yes! It's 19:15! I'll never make it…

Crashing is heard, followed by a string of curses.

Ari: Marie…

Marie: …Yes?

Ari: …Do this again and I'll hurt you. A lot. I'll even take time off of work to fly to L.A. and strangle you.

Marie: Alright.

Ari: I mean it.

Marie: I love you, too. Goodnight.

Click.

19:31 Domino City Airport

Ari flew out of her car as soon as she slammed into Park. She blasted into the airport, slowed down long enough to check the Arrival board for and international flight from L.A., and hit high gear again to blaze down to Gate 13's Baggage Claim.

It should be noted that she did an amazing hurdle jump over 1 meter tall luggage cart, hurdling being one of the things she could never do in high school. She also never made it in American Football (which was required to be at every school she went to), even though she did a spinning dodge between two tottering old ladies that would've made any quarterback proud.

Ari skidded into Gate 13's Baggage Claim at 19:34, ignoring the many stares she received from children (and the resulting clichéd distraction by the parents pulling their children away from the strange woman in the white lab coat). Scanning the arrivals, she desperately looked for a familiar blond head amongst the throng.

"Looking for me? Mom pulled a dirty trick, I know." The familiar lilting Japanese behind Ari caused her to spin around on her right foot (once again to the delight of the remaining youth spectators, amazed at the athleticism of the asylum-escapee) in amazement.

Lounging against the far wall, Sasha blended into its blue underwater seascape with her black dress pants and dark blue T-Shirt. She got up from her casual position to pull her rather large wheeled suitcase towards Ari. "Getting a lot of attention with that coat of yours."

Ari looked at her own outfit in surprise. "Well," she attempted to say in a dignified tone, "it was the first coat I could grab on such short notice. I can't help it that I have a lab coat. I do work in a holographic imaging lab."

Sasha gave her a sly grin. "Oh, you are so telling me alllllll about that. Later."

Ari gave her a sly grin in return. "Of course. Just as soon as we talk about your schooling while you're staying with me."

Sasha gave Ari an annoyed look. Ari smiled innocently.

She couldn't get Marie for doing this, no, not yet. But she would make sure that Sasha felt a small part of her wrath.