There's more to life than Duel Monsters Chapter 3: Saturday, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

There's more to life than Duel Monsters.

Ch3: Saturday.

I decided that Anzu really ought to have a life. Enjoy!

The Dream of Ryou Bakura

The rain was falling, hard. The small girl in his arms was still crying, as she clung onto him. He was running, but what from, he didn't know. All he was sure of was that this was the French revolution and Malik was dead.

Yes, he had finally put a name to the face he saw consistently in his dreams. The situations changed but the face was the same. The blonde hair, tanned skin and sky-blue eyes.

There was the feeling of guilt deep in his stomach. He didn't know why. Suddenly he reached a dead end.

He stopped running. The rain was still falling, but the little girl was quiet now. He was panting heavily. His arms set the girl down on the ground, and she looked up at him with blue eyes that brought him pain.

"What about you?" She asked quietly, poised to run as determination and fear fought each other in her voice.

"I doubt you'll see me again." He said, in a voice that was not his own. "Your cousin wanted you safe, gave his life." He faltered. "So stay safe." He looked into her eyes, angrily.

Fear won, and she raced away, towards a nearby house with little red flowers (common scarlet pimpernels) unobtrusively displayed in its second storey window. He smirked as a couple opened the door, and the wife took the girl away. The husband studied him through the rain.

"Malik is smiling in his grave." The man said quietly, in his own way, thanking and comforting someone who had not been a friend. Receiving a scowl in reply, the man closed the door.

The rain fell as he retraced his steps out of the alley and back through the city. When he had gone far enough, he took out an ornate pistol, and knelt in front of a puddle.

"I'm coming" a voice that wasn't his own whispered. He felt cold and numb, as fear coursed through his veins. He looked into the pool, and his breath caught as he saw red eyes looking back at him.

He tried to stop his hand as it put the pistol to his head, but to no avail. The pistol went off and everything went black.

The Dream of Ryou Bakura

Yugi Moto awoke to an unusually quiet bedroom. After a few confused seconds, he smiled.

Of course. It's Saturday.

The dawning light lazily filtered through his window to fall on his desk, where his homework lay neatly. It was finished. Yugi smiled at that. He'd been up late last night so he could have the weekend free for the tournament.

The lemon coloured walls were almost completely covered with Duel Monsters posters, player statistics and finished strategy ideas. The soft violet carpet was as always, clothes-free. Yugi was not neat on purpose; he just didn't own that many clothes. His ancient wooden wardrobe housed his uniform and leather. Yugi was sure he did indeed own a pair of jeans – he was equally sure that they would be almost impossible to find.

He yawned and stretched.

What was that dream? I was falling off a cliff. Kaiba was there. Yes, he was standing at the top and laughing.

Yugi shrugged.

Must be just nerves.

Yugi quickly got out of bed, and went to the shower. He could already smell pancakes cooking downstairs.

When he came down, he saw that he was too late. Jounochi was already wolfing down Yugi's breakfast.

Yugi smiled and made himself some toast, careful to stay out of Jounochi's reach.

"Hi Yugi" said Jounochi around a mouthful of pancake.

"Slow down Jounochi, the food isn't going to run away."

Jounochi swallowed and waved a hand. "No time. Going. Meet. Others. Park."

Yugi nodded, "Grandpa gave me the weekend off to practice for the tournament."

Jounochi finished his meal, and smiling, grabbed Yugi's shoulder before dashing off, Yugi in tow. "We'd better hurry."

When they got to the park, they saw that Honda had not arrived yet. They also saw that Anzu was talking to a tall, blonde attractive young woman.

Well, Anzu was talking, the woman was yelling.

"Calm down Mai, we just went out for coffee." Anzu was saying.

"Yes, but come on, Weevil Underwood! That twerp! He's almost as bad as Rex Raptor!"

"Well, actually…"

Mai interrupted, enraged, "WHAT?"

"A romantic dinner."

Mai smirked, calming down. "What was it, stake for two?"

Anzu shook her head. "Mai, you know I'm vegetarian. We had lobster."

"Yeah right, next thing you'll say Maco Tsunami took you fishing!"

Anzu blushed. Mai exploded. "That's IT! Come Sunday, I am going to beat those three to a PULP, and I don't mean just Duel Monsters!"

Hmm, Rex Raptor, Weevil Underwood and Maco Tsunami are all here for the Sunday tournament. Maybe they heard Kaiba was going to duel. He doesn't make many appearances. Yugi suddenly felt nervous. This tournament is going to be tough.

Just then, Anzu noticed Yugi. She waved. "Hi Yugi! Hi Jounochi! Hi Honda!" Yugi turned to see that Honda had arrived while Anzu and Mai had been talking.

Mai's eyes bore into the three boys. "Who are they?"

Anzu smiled. "Mai, these are my friends from school. Yugi, Jounochi, Honda, this is Mai. She's going to compete in the tournament too."

Yugi smiled. "Hello Mai, would you like to duel? I need the practice."

Mai, "You don't look like much of a duellist to me."

Anzu turned puppy dog eyes to Mai. "Please Mai, for me?"

"Oh all right, just this once."

Seto Kaiba awoke with a shock. Literally.

Damn, the dew must've seeped through.

He was referring to the duel disk on his hand, which he had been testing on the roof of the Kaiba Corp. skyscraper and which had just electrocuted him. His eyes focused on his watch.

It's ten now. Eight hours' sleep, not bad. Mental note, make duel disk waterproof.

Seto slowly got up and went down the stairs to his office. It consisted of a workroom, a tiny kitchen, a bathroom with a walk in wardrobe, a large office complete with lounge, movie collection and TV with cable (At Mokuba's insistence) and a primary control room, identical to the one in his lair at home.

Passing nobody on his way, he smiled. He had commandeered the entire top floor for his office, the only way up here was by private elevator that responded to state of the art retinal, DNA, fingerprint and special card scans. The only other person allowed here without an appointment was Mokuba. His secretary had her own office on the first floor, in front of the afore mentioned elevator.

Seto put down the duelling disk in his work room, adding a few notes to the computers as he went. Older prototypes of the duelling disk took up a corner of the room, as Seto wanted his work to remain secret. He saved the work and went to the control room.

There, Seto backed up his work through the satellite connection to the computer at his house. It took him half an hour to do his homework.

The theme from Pokemon found Seto in the kitchen littered with boxes of Chinese takeout.

"Kaiba here."

"Big brother!" Mokuba's overjoyed voice exclaimed. "I was worried. You didn't come home last night."

"I was working."

"You sound tired. Did you fall asleep on the roof again?"

Kaiba groaned. "Something on your mind Mokuba?"

"I just wanted to remind you about the soccer match. It's at three."

"I may be late."

"No Seto, you promised you'd be there on time."

Seto shrugged. "Then I will."

"OkSetoI'mgoingoutonadatebye!"

Seto snapped his phone shut. Wait. Did he say on a date!

He shook his head. His brother was growing up quickly.

Seto took some Chinese food from the fridge. He had two and a half hours before Pegasus arrived.

Plenty of time to eat, shower, change and get the necessary paperwork to the conference room.

Ryou Bakura opened his sleepy eyes. It was still dark. He sighed in frustration and turned over.

Sleep, however, once lost could not be regained. Slowly, but surely, as Ryou tossed and turned, the room got lighter.

Ryou go up and grumpily padded over to the en-suite bathroom. His soft white hair was dishevelled, as were his green silk pyjamas.

I am having sugar withdrawal and I'm freezing.

He looked into the mirror to asses the night's damage. Ryou grimaced. I shouldn't have done that.

He brushed his teeth, sprayed on deodorant and brushed his hair. Slightly more presentable, he walked through his bedroom and the lounge room to the balcony lit by the first of the sun's rays.

Ah, Saturday, and not a cloud in the sky. I can do what I want, when I want. Ryou smiled wryly. Pity there's nothing to do…

… Bakura smirked.

I can think of a couple of things.

As his first act of the day, he turned up the central heating.

Bakura walked into the bathroom and took a shower, tossing his pyjamas onto the bed as he went.

Washed, he proceeded to put the pyjamas neatly onto the pile behind the couch, adding Ryou's clothes from near the answering machine as well. All the while, smiling at Ryou's effort at neatness.

He turned on the stereo and hummed along to Afro man's 'Because I got high' as he tidied the apartment, lost in pleasant memories.

"…

I was gonna go to class, before I got high,

I could'a cheated and I could'a passed, but I got high,

I'm takin' it next semester, and I know why,

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high,

…"

When he was satisfied, Bakura chucked the towel onto the laundry and went over to Ryou's wardrobe.

He pulled out a pair of snug jeans, and a white shirt. Bakura made himself a cup of coffee, turned off the stereo and picked up the phone. Marik's number was on speed dial 1.

Ryou has his uses.

Bakura smirked, as he thought back to the latest fridge note now gracing the trashcan. Amidst the threats, it told Ryou in no uncertain terms that he was to program the phone to Marik's number.

I really should learn how to do that. Bakura frowned.

The tone dial rand, then a sleepy voice answered, cursing freely.

"… and throw you into the Nile to play with the crocodiles!" it concluded.

Bakura smiled. "Good morning, sunshine." He said maliciously.

"For Ra's sake, thief, do you know what time it is?" Marik sounded exasperated.

"The sun is up." Commented Bakura.

"Well I'm not." Retorted Marik "And I don't intend to be until the sun is at its zenith. Then, I intend to have a long shower. After and only after will I be able to think straight."

Bakura chuckled. "Not used to working hours yet eh? Now you see my need for coffee. Well, I won't keep you from your dreams long. I just called to give you my address and ask when you can pop over." Feeling that he just assumed too much, Bakura added. "If you're not too busy." This was said lightly, but Bakura's stomach contracted nervously.

"No not too busy." Marik yawned. "Let me just find a pen."

Addresses were exchanged; Bakura gave his number as well, and asked about Marik's mode of transport.

"I have a motorbike. So it shouldn't take long to get there. Let's see, allowing for a shower, I can be over at two. And I'll bring that card."

"And I have some clothes for you. I went shopping yesterday…" Here, he was eagerly interrupted.

"So that's what all the shopping bags were for."

Bakura smirked. Marik hasn't changed at all. "Yeah." He said lightly. "I have a surplus of money at the moment."

"I'll pay you back." Marik promised, and hung up.

Bakura was smiling as he put the phone down. He had some spare time; it was still early.

He walked over to lie on the couch, sipping his coffee. Bakura proceeded to pick up the discarded book on ancient Egypt, and started pursuing it avidly.

Marik Ishtar put the phone down, smirking. I didn't say how I was going to pay you back Bakura.

With that, he turned over on his bed and enveloped himself in the warmth of the covers once more – he had cooled considerably while he was talking on the phone.

The necessity of sleeping in late was offset by the practicality of said action in Marik's mind. At least, until the only clothes he owned dried after last night's general wash.

Marik had taken to sleeping – an activity he usually left to Malik - ever since he started working at the arcade as he judged it prudent that Malik should not be exposed to some of the dreams he had been having.

Marik chuckled evilly. The boy would probably take them to be nightmares.

With that, he shut his eyes to the darkness in his room and sleepily turned his thoughts once more to his dreams.

Yes, I am definitely going to need that shower. He thought before drifting off.

Yugi smiled. Mai's life points hit zero. The duel was over.

"I underestimated you Yugi. You're good, and I know what I'm talking about."

Yugi smiled. "Thankyou Mai, you were pretty tough yourself."

Jounochi grinned, slapping Yugi on the back. "Of course he's good. Our Yugi breathes Duel Monsters."

"So Yugi," said Mai, ignoring Jounochi, "Where did you learn how to play?"

"My grandpa owns a games shop, he was a master duellist, and he taught me." Just then Yugi's stomach growled.

Anzu looked concerned. "Didn't you eat breakfast Yugi?"

"Well," Yugi blushed. "I had a piece of toast."

Mai looked surprised. "No wonder you're hungry."

Anzu was frowning. "Jounochi?" Jounochi was hiding behind Honda. Looking at Mai, Anzu clarified. "Jounochi has a habit of eating breakfast at Yugi's."

"Most of the time he just eats Yugi's breakfast." Honda added.

Yugi's mind drifted away as Anzu started shouting at Jounochi who cowered behind Honda. Mai was watching with interest. I wonder who else is going to be at the tournament. "Mai, do you know if any other high ranking duellists will be participating?"

She shrugged, thoughtful. "I know Kaiba's gonna be there. That's really why everyone's coming. Um, I suppose Bandit Keith'll show up. He really needs the points, if he plans to continue duelling."

"Why did Pegasus do it, do you think?" Yugi asked while watching his fiends.

"Have you ever met Pegasus? I'd say he did it for fun." Mai smiled. "Do you know, I'm hungry." She raised her voice to be heard above Anzu. "Hey Anzu, you hungry?"

Anzu stopped shouting and smiled at Mai. "Sure, I haven't eaten anything since that fishing trip with Maco." Seeing Mai frown, she laughed. "Don't beat him too badly Mai." Then she added teasingly. "You know, you shouldn't frown so much Mai. You'll get wrinkles."

And the group moved on from the park, Honda and Jounochi arguing about who can eat the most burgers in the shortest amount of time, Mai and Anzu deep in discussion about the latest wrinkle creams. Yugi followed, oblivious to his growling stomach.

Hmm, to defend from a Blue Eyes. Kareebo and Multiply perhaps?

Seto sat in the conference room, tapping his fingers on the wooden table. He looked at his watch. Pegasus was ten minutes late. Seto stood to leave.

Just then, the door opened with a resounding "Kaiba boy!"

Seto shivered. Facing him was Maxemillion Pegasus as always impeccable. "You're late." Seto pointed out, gesturing for the guests to sit while attentively studying the boy who walked in behind Pegasus. This must be Otogi. The boy had black hair, tied back with a headband, and looked reasonably at ease. But then, Seto judged, this boy was born looking at ease.

"I would have been here earlier, but arriving on time is arriving so unfashionably early. Oh, and this is Otogi, the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters." Pegasus said lightly as he was sitting.

Seto turned to Pegasus after appraising Otogi. "Remind me why you came to me."

"Otogi has created the software; Kaiba Corp. has the required hardware. Added to this your marketing expertise and famous name make you the obvious choice." Pegasus gestured magnanimously for Otogi to continue.

"The adjustments to fit the hardware should be no problem." Otogi said lightly.

Seto nodded. "I assume you brought the game." When Otogi nodded Seto stood. "Lab three is ready for testing."

The three left the conference room at roughly ten past one. They returned at two.

Pegasus was beaming. "Now for the paperwork, eh?"

Seto nodded, sliding some paperwork over to Otogi. "The game will be field tested first. Kaiba Corp. will fund your purchase of the arcade. After you make enough revenue to pay back the loan, Kaiba Corp. will automatically have a contract with you. Should you fail within a year, that contract is void."

While Otogi, was filling out the paperwork, Pegasus turned to Kaiba. "So I hear you condescended to play in the local park tournament. Are you really that bored?"

Seto smirked. Pegasus noted this and nodded sagely. "I see."

They watched in silence as Otogi finished the paperwork.

When it was done, the necessary suits filed it away, leaving a copy with Otogi.

Pegasus turned to Seto again. "There are still a couple of things we need to discuss." Seto looked at his watch. It was two thirty.

"It can wait."

"What's the hurry Kaiba boy?" Pegasus asked, interested.

"Mokuba's soccer match."

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Pegasus. "I love soccer. We can take my helicopter, and iron out the small details tonight."

Pressed for time, Seto nodded and led the way to the guest helicopter pad. This is a promise I am going to keep.

At half time, Seto could be seen standing on the sidelines, shouting at Pegasus. "That is NOT what I call a small detail!"

A worried Mokuba walked over to Seto. "What's wrong Seto?"

Pegasus smiled. "Ah, you must be Mokuba. I am Maxemillion Pegasus, and this is Otogi. He'll be living with you for a while."

Seto stared at Pegasus coldly. "That was not part of our agreement."

Pegasus waved the comment away. "Come now, Kaiba boy, Otogi has nowhere else to go. He has to be here to run the arcade; as he is still going to school he therefore needs a permanent residence."

Seto shook his head. "That is not my problem."

As the silence descended between them, they noticed that Otogi was talking to Mokuba.

"…and her name is Rebecca."

Otogi was nodding. "You could give her flowers. Or chocolate; they always like chocolate."

Mokuba noticed that Seto was watching him, and blushed. Pegasus came to the rescue. "Look, they're getting along so well."

"Can Otogi stay with us big brother, please?" Mokuba turned his big blue eyes to Seto. "There's plenty of room, and you're always at work so you won't even notice the difference."

Seto looked at his brother, then at Otogi. He nodded.

Suddenly, the whistle blew for the second half of the game. Mokuba ran off onto the field shouting. "Thankyou Seto!"

Seto sighed inwardly as he watched his brother play. I am going to regret this.

Bakura heard a knock on the door, his red eyes glimmering in anticipation. He had closed all the curtains, throwing the flat into darkness, then turned on the lights to give the illusion of evening.

I hope for their sake, it isn't a salesman.

He surveyed himself in a full-length mirror in Ryou's bedroom, and then went to answer the door, satisfied.

Marik was dressed in a cotton sleeveless top and jeans. He wore golden earrings, a gold choker and gold bracelets. Bakura stepped aside to let him walk through, smirking.

"I had forgotten how much you like gold."

Marik laughed, sounding a little unbalanced, as always. "I seem to recall, you had a fondness for it during World War One. If my memory serves me correctly, you tried to rob me."

"Oh come on," Bakura waved the accusation away; "I thought you were dead. You were lying on a battlefield you know."

Marik smirked. "Ever the thief, eh Bakura?"

"Touché Marik. What about that card?"

"Here." Marik smiled, taking a Duel Monsters card out of his back pocket. "I thought this'd go well with your deck."

Bakura examined the Black Hole card. "What does it do?"

"Discards all monsters from a field." Seeing Bakura's grin, Marik added. "I knew you'd like it."

Bakura took the card and went to slot it into his deck, on the table in the bedroom. Marik's voice echoed from the lounge.

"Are these the clothes? The ones in the bags?"

"Yeah." Bakura yelled back. "There's wine in the cupboard." He added as an afterthought.

Bakura sorted through his deck, satisfied with the new addition. He took a post-it from the top drawer, and quickly jotted down a note for Ryou. On his way out, he chucked maliciously, his heart rate increasing. If everything goes well, Ryou is going to get a surprise in the morning.

He gracefully stalked out of the room, to find Marik lying on the couch, sipping wine from a glass, another left full for Bakura. Marik was reading the book on Ancient Egypt, chuckling occasionally.

Bakura stalked closer, and smirking, knelt beside the absorbed Marik. "I see you approve of my tastes." He whispered into Marik's ear, feeling the other boy shiver.

Bakura then took up his wine glass and walked over to put the post-it on the fridge.

Marik put the book down on the table gently. He then put down the wine, and watched Bakura walk over to put a note on the fridge. That one still has the grace of a cat. He thought with admiration. I can't dally here however. Malik's work leaves little time to attend to…other matters.

Marik sat up. Bakura walked back to the couch, sipping his wine. When he got there, he carefully placed his wine on the table, and leaned over Marik. I really do have to go. The thought sounded more like an excuse than a solid reason.

His heart beat faster as Bakura leaned in for a soft kiss. Marik laughed into Bakura's mouth as the kiss deepened. Oh well, later it is. He felt high, and a sip of wine could not be held accountable for this.

Bakura smelt of chocolate, his hair was as soft as feathers. As Marik lay back on the couch he felt Bakura's weight move on top of him, and that was the end of rational thought.

Some time later, Marik opened his eyes. He turned to see Bakura standing at the sink, sipping his wine, watching him. Marik smirked and in fluid movements born of familiarity, moved towards Bakura as the latter put down his wine.

Marik walked until there was a sliver of air between them. As soon as Bakura's eyes flashed with impatience, he remedied the situation.

Later it was the shower, then the bed.

Though the times had changed and the scenery was different, and the air smelled faintly of coffee, not spices, or flowers, or perfume, or a hundred other things. Though the names whispered and screamed had been a hundred different things in a hundred different languages. Though the world kept outside had changed time and time again.

Red eyes still looked into deep blue, blonde hair still merged with white, tanned skin still touched pale. Everything was familiar, everything was all right, and everything was home.