There's more to life than Duel Monsters Chapter 6: Thunder and Lightning, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

There's more to life than Duel Monsters.

Ch6: Thunder and Lightning.

Keith's POV

Friday Night

Ryou Bakura's Apartment

Well, it wasn't here. He must be either wearing it or hiding it real well. Keith smirked as he slammed the last drawer shut. Ransacking the apartment had left it in a mess but it hardly mattered anymore.

Keith walked into the kitchen and opened his bottle of bourbon. He couldn't stay another night in the little twerp's bed anyway. The one thing that cheered him up was the thought that he now knew for sure he wasn't a faggot.

Keith shivered in disgust and remedied it with a long draught of bourbon.

That shiny necklace had better be worth all this trouble.

He always knew an opportunity when he saw it and at the tournament when the twerp wore the necklace, he won every duel.

Keith had decided that that was exactly the sort of thing he needed to get back into the elite of the duelling world. He'd have to see the extent of its power, but thoughts of crushing Pegasus and becoming the next Seto Kaiba were never far from his mind.

Keith had had no set plan when he followed the twerp from the competition, and he had almost given it up when he saw the creepy cloaked dudes, but then it got real windy and the next thing he knew when he opened his eyes – shut because of the dust flying around, of course, not because he was scared or anything – they were gone.

It all kinda fell into place after the kid thought Keith rescued him.

Keith suspected the necklace.

He hadn't even needed to lie, and once he got the twerp's trust he just had to play to the emotions clearly written all over the twerp's face.

The hardest part had been to be nice when all he wanted to do was beat the necklace's location out of the kid.

He now felt sick at the worm's touch and smell.

It was a pleasant surprise when he'd lost his temper and the kid didn't kick him out. Since then, he'd let it loose whenever he felt like it. It only seemed to make the kid like him more and try to please him.

The little worm.

Keith took a swig of bourbon. Well it has been a week and enough is enough. There were the regionals to consider, besides if he stayed any longer, he though he might really lose it and kill the twerp.

The last thing he needed was a criminal record.

Keith put down the bourbon and growled in disgust – the little worm was really late today. He hoped it had been something important because if not, he didn't have the time to wait upon the twerp's pleasure.

Keith shivered, then smirked. Either way it gave him a stellar excuse and the out he'd been waiting for.

He decided he'd confront the kid, display disbelief and jealousy at his reply, demand the necklace, take it, maybe beat up on the kid for old times sake, then leave him in the dark and cold.

Hmm, it would be good – it was a good plan and he'd enjoy it.

Keith took a swig of bourbon. Right, he'd enjoy it more if he didn't feel sick at the scent of the kid – he used berry scanted shampoos recently, and usually smelt of chocolate.

Keith hummed tunelessly as he turned off the lights and opened all the windows and doors for good ventilation. If he reminded him, the worm would be quiet – he was so pathetically polite. Pity Keith was put off chocolate for life but it would be worth it.

He smirked, still humming a song he'd heard at a club.

"…

Don't ask me why I smoke.

But I drink to get drunk,

Don't ask me why I smoke, I don't know,

But I drink to get drunk,

…"

Keith's POV

Yugi Moto was watching the store this Saturday. He stood behind the counter in his usual leather, sorting through the newest cards. There was nothing there to catch his interest.

Yugi smiled vaguely at the cards.

How good would it be to get into the regionals!

Unfortunately, all he could do was dream about it; his ranking was not nearly high enough to be invited to take part. Beating Seto Kaiba might have boosted his fame to dizzying heights, but the scoring system was arranged so that he needed more than one tournament win to reach the level that distinguished amateur duellists from the professional ones.

It was nice to wish to be in the regionals this year though. Yugi was confident he had a good chance of finishing in the top ten, maybe even as high as first or second place.

The doorbell brought Yugi out of his reverie.

The sun was shining outside, so it was with some surprise that Yugi regarded the little boy, drenched to the bone, dripping puddles as he entered the store, shivering in his t-shirt and cargo pants. It may have been sunny, but it was cool.

The boy seemed familiar to Yugi.

The boy glanced around the store, his eyes focusing on Yugi. The door closed, chiming.

"Are you Yugi Moto?" He asked, pompously.

Yugi, still bemused, nodded.

The tension built as the two continued to look at each other.

"You beat Seto Kaiba?"

Yugi nodded.

"Then I challenge you to a Duel. If you win, you can take my place in the regionals. If I win, I'll be the first to beat the boy who beat Seto Kaiba. Oh, and I'll get Exodia the Forbidden One."

The tension of the silence that followed seeped into Yugi, as he considered his position.

I could duel, but I cannot lose, I don't have Exodia anymore.

If I win, I can be in the regionals.

Yugi wasn't sure if he could win, and he didn't want to disappoint the boy by not being able to give him Exodia. His hand went into his pocket, to the deck.

Heart of the cards, don't fail me now. What should I do?...

...Yami smirked. "I accept."

The boy sneezed.

It was a bit of an anticlimax, really...

...Yugi smiled. "I'll get you a towel, you should dry off or you'll catch a cold."

The boy returned the smile. "Thanks. I'm Tommy by the way."

A couple of minutes later, the boy was still moist but no longer shivering, drinking hot chocolate in the kitchen, the shop was closed.

Yugi smiled as he sat down, cocking his head to the side.

He was trying to remember.

Pegasus, something to do with... Oh! He was the boy that beat Bandit Keith!

"I remember your TV appearance, Tommy." Said Yugi, smiling.

Tommy smiled back. "Yeah, it kinda launched my career. I don't really like Duel Monsters."

He hung his head, then almost angrily clarifying. "Don't take it the wrong way, I'm good."

He shrugged. "It's just not for me, you know?"

Yugi nodded, although he had never felt anything of the sort. Duel Monsters was his life. "What would you like to be?" Yugi asked, intrigued.

Tommy's eyes lit up. "A marine biologist! On the way here, I saw the perfect specimen of algae in the river, but I overreached myself." He finished, laughing.

Yugi smiled. "Did the algae get away?"

Tommy grinned back. "Yeah, but there's always next time."

"Finished?" Yugi nodded at Tommy's cup.

"Yeah, thanks. So how's about we duel? Here's fine."

Yugi took the cups, rinsed them and put them by the sink, then sat opposite Tommy, taking out his deck...

..."You go first."

Just as they finished shuffling each other's decks, Jounochi burst in through the back door.

"Yugi, I have to talk to you." He said, catching his breath. He was still in school uniform, which was being too forgetful, even for Jounochi.

Yami passed the deck back to Tommy, who passed back Yugi's deck, put his down, and then glanced at Jounochi before taking six cards.

Yami did not even glance, he was too busy looking at the cards and planning strategies.

"Can it wait Jounochi?" He asked, glancing at Tommy, who was even now deep in thought about strategies.

This is giving him an advantage.

Yugi felt the thought, but it was not his own. He tried to turn his head to the obviously upset Jounochi, but he couldn't move.

"This is important, Yugi." Said the blonde, openly down cast at the cold reception and quizzically raising an eyebrow at Tommy.

"So is this duel." Said Yami coldly, then added kindly. "I am not the only friend you have, Jounochi."

If this keeps up, he will seriously damage my chances of winning.

"What's up with you, Yugi?" Asked Jounochi, his voice concerned, but the urgency of his communication seemed to outweigh his friend's weirdness.

Jounochi shrugged. "Whatever. Do you know where they are?"

Yami nodded, still looking at the cards. "Anzu and Mai I have no idea about, but Honda said there was a motorcycle show in the city. Malik and he are bound to be there, if they could get off work."

"Thanks," said Jounochi and ran out, slamming the door in a rush.

Yugi wanted to rush out after him, but he also wanted a place in the regionals.

Sorry Jounochi, he thought.

Yami smiled at Tommy. "Thankyou for waiting so patiently."

Tommy smirked, his eyes shining mischievously. "Anytime."

Seto Kaiba was still wearing the blue trench coat he wore to the tournament.

He was outwardly composed as he presented the Duelling Disk to the Big 5 executives who were irreplaceable in running Kaiba Corp.

If they had been replaceable, Seto would have kicked them into the street long ago.

He was seething inwardly.

These men reminded him of his foster father Gozaburo and as such were revolting to him. Power hungry, ambitious, inventive in planning and bold in execution, they, along with Gozaburo Kaiba had put Kaiba Corp. on the proverbial map.

Seto had more than doubled the millions, but they had made them from scratch. These people were not irrelevant or weak, though they were obsequious when they talked to him.

Behind his back, they plotted to take over Kaiba Corp.

Seto concentrated on his presentation.

I don't know why they despise me. He smirked inwardly. I guess I'm not a people person.

He finished as usual, by stating what he wanted done. "I want this manufactured well, so no short-cuts. I don't expect it will be ready before the regionals," he went on as he saw one trying to object, "and I intend to feature them in a local tournament after Pegasus' Duellist Kingdom."

One of the five spoke up. "Pegasus is hosting a tournament? I expect we will be providing the hardware, so why had it not been brought to the board's attention?"

Another nodded. "We would be better able to deal with these things if you would let us know beforehand, Seto."

Seto Kaiba remained calm through an immense force of will

If it's not one thing, it's another. Will they ever cease lecturing me! I know what I am doing, I am not a child.

At least they know nothing of the prototype game.

He reflected, coldly dissecting the criticism. If I were to start warning them, they would have time to think, and I would have them thinking as little as possible.

Automatically, he clarified. "Maxemillion Pegasus is hosting a tournament on his island, Duellists' Kingdom. We installed all that hardware privately for him, months after it had completed testing satisfactorily. There is nothing to bring before the board. His tournament, his equipment, ready to go."

He paused "Anything else? No? Good. Meeting Adjourned."

Seto smirked as the doors closed behind him. They would have their hands full for a while with production and final testing. The key to the disk was destroyed, and all loose ends neatly tied up in that quarter.

Seto left the building to go home for the first time that week.

They were always trying to find out his secrets, let them work out the existence of Otogi before next month's board meeting

This leaves my hands unusually free to work on my world. I think I will make Mokuba the princess, it's the obvious choice.

Seto smirked at the thought of his little brother in a dress. Ah, the little pleasures of life. Well he may be upset, but he will be in the greatest reality game of all time.

Seto sighed contentedly when he was sure nobody could see or hear him. The job had been demanding, at times even exhausting but its completion was immensely satisfying.

He didn't even mind the car tailing him home.

Due to his well trained and well paid staff, Seto managed to get into his house without being bothered by the mob of reporters outside who wanted to know whether he was going to play in the world championship to defend his title, what were his thoughts on cancer research – the latest charity he had donated to for tax purposes – and what his favourite colour was.

At home, he was met by screams coming from up the hallway.

Soon a dishevelled Mokuba appeared in a cape and with a sword, chased by some girls dressed as cheerleaders, followed by a clam Otogi in the bottom half of a dragon costume.

"Save me Seto!" Mokuba screamed, hiding behind his brother. "The damsels are attacking me because I was going to slay their dragon!"

Seto looked at Otogi, raising an eyebrow.

Otogi shrugged. "They're my cheerleaders. They follow me everywhere." He said helpfully, pointing to the now quiet and blushing girls.

Seto could see he would not get any work done here. Otogi already felt like a thorn in his side.

Quickly deciding, Seto patted Mokuba absently on the head, sent a rough "send them home," to Otogi, and proceeded through the house.

He could work best in the lab, naturally, but then the tail became a problem. The only other way out of the house was through the secondary control room in his lair, via the secret passage, through the garden, over the cliff into the waiting boat (Seto was always prepared for a quick exit) and quietly back to town.

Seto slammed the door on his way out. Damn. It's going to rain.

Ryou Bakura was depressed.

He was really depressed.

It wasn't the normal kind of depression you get when your girlfriend leaves you.

He was also bleeding but the pain was a welcome distraction from the jumble of thoughts in his head.

It did however stain the school uniform he was still wearing.

Ryou was automatically cleaning up the mess around him. The windows were still wide open from Friday night. Ryou had closed the door into the hall.

Daylight and the sound of rain whitewashed the apartment. It seemed to Ryou like he was walking in a dream.

Ryou flinched as he passed mirrors. The one thing he was thankful for was that the entire thing had passed without notice.

After a while, his wounds stopped bleeding and he got used to the pain.

Even later, the apartment was cleaner than it had been in years and as clean as it could get.

Ryou stopped, and stood staring into space. He couldn't feel anything except emptiness now, that and warm swellings here and there. The apartment was empty, he was a walking shell, there was nothing, and it was as if nothing had happened.

Ryou went on methodically to clean himself up, soaking the uniform in cold water to get rid of the blood, patching up wounds using the first aid kit he kept under the sink and getting changed into his usual loose jeans, green shirt and white jumper – comfort clothes.

There is no Senn Ring anymore, no pressure. The next thought made him sad. Nobody will leave me notes on the fridge anymore.

Ryou knew it wasn't just Keith who was gone.

Living with Keith was like living in a daydream. He hadn't been surprised at the outcome.

Why does everybody always leave?

There must be something wrong with me. He concluded.

Ryou had nothing left to do after patching himself up. He decided to leave the coffee and such around in the hope... Well, hope springs eternal.

Ryou smirked, but it felt strange, so he stopped. He felt like running around and laughing at his freedom, but he could also lie in the foetal position and cry all day.

Ryou did nothing instead.

Some time passed, Ryou shook his head. This is not very healthy. He berated himself. I need something to wake me up.

Ryou walked up to the kitchen table and took out a knife.

Just a light cut, he thought. Only enough to concentrate my thoughts, not near veins, on the back of my wrist.

Ryou shut his eyes, bit his lip and quickly slashed. Nothing.

It took some time to find a knife sharp enough to cut human skin. There was only a little pain, a little blood and then sweet clarity in the fog of lost loneliness hat had enveloped him.

Ryou decided to keep that knife in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. After all, it was a kind of medicine.

Malik Ishtar massaged his temples; he had a headache the size of Lower Egypt. Domino city was very busy during the day, and the motorbike show even more so. Added to that, it was also very noisy. The smell of petrol didn't really bother him, but he had dressed too lightly – a light blue sleeveless cotton t-shirt, the usual jewellery, which didn't look out of place here and dark grey cargo pants.

Malik beamed at the upgrade parts in his hands, then stuffed them into a bag. Some of the bikes here were in really good shape and gave him a couple of upgrade ideas.

It had been worth the trip.

As he straightened up, Malik glanced around looking for Honda. He spotted the tall brunette a couple of rows along in torn jeans and a "you can take my life, but you'll never get my motorbike," t-shirt, looking avidly at tyres.

Malik smirked and looked at the sky. It was fast becoming cloudy but from a glimpse of the sun, he could tell it was near midday.

The show closed at ten, but Honda said he had to be home before dinner, which was at seven, so they'd have to leave soon after five. That meant five hours of tailing Honda not to get lost...

... Whoop dee fucking doo.

Marik smirked; he liked that expression and could see Jounochi coming up behind him in the rear view mirror display.

Perhaps the plebeian could provide a distraction...

...Malik felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to face Jounochi, a surprised smile on his face.

He was in fact, surprised that he had not been surprised to see Jounochi here.

"Hey Malik. Glad I've found ya. This place's full of freaks."

Malik laughed. "I wouldn't say that in front of Honda if I were you."

He pointed out the brunette, now chatting to a bikie decked out in leather, standing next to a black motorbike. As if that wasn't enough, the motorbike had flames and skulls painted on it.

Jounochi frowned. "I know better than to bother Honda when he's obsessin' about bikes." His face was grim.

"What's wrong, Jounochi?" Malik asked cheerfully.

"Ah, nothing. I just need three million dollars by next week." Jounochi slumped onto a nearby bench.

Malik sat nearby and smiled. "Spare tyre?"

Jounochi was startled. "Huh?"

Malik smiled encouragingly. "Do you want a spare tyre?"

Jounochi was really confused. "Uh. What'd I do with a spare tyre?"

Malik shrugged, leaned back on the bench, resting his head on his hands and smirked at the darkening sky. "All I have to give is a spare tyre and until you tell me why you need three million dollars, I'm afraid I can't really be of greater assistance."

Jounochi slouched. "Point taken. Well, you know my sister Shizuka went to see an optometrist?"

Malik nodded. "A doctor, yes. She was going blind."

Jounochi winced. "Well, she'd gonna go blind soon forever, unless she can get an eye operation. The only time that's available is next week and guess what? It costs three million. I'm not Seto Kaiba, I can't just pull three million dollars outta my ass. So, do you know of any way for me to get it by next week?"...

...Marik smirked. "Sucks to be you."

He pretended to think for a bit, carefully watched by Jounochi. He grinned. "Well, I can think of one way. But I need to know how badly you want this."

Jounochi smirked. "Yeah right."

He then shrugged. "I'd die for my sis, if you must know."

Marik nodded. "Good, so you can keep this quiet. Nobody'd believe you anyway but I won't take any chances. How would you like to be a Rare Hunter?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you see, I'm not really Malik. My name is uh... not important, but you can call me Namu."

Jounochi looked sceptically at Marik.

"I run a secret organization employing such people as yourself who need something only I can provide. In your case, three million dollars by next week. I use..."

Here Marik displayed the Millenium Rod.

"I am destined for this magic Millenium Rod, one of seven Senn Items. It can control people's minds and send them to the Shadow Realm – a very nasty place. I use the organization of my Rare Hunters for whatever ends I choose.

"Once you are a rare Hunter, There is no going back unless I release you, and believe me, I won't.

"I am, in fact an age old reincarnated soul, and Malik doesn't know about me. I am very powerful, and I have a job that's up for grabs.

"I need the mind of a very rich man who can fund my operations. He is a motorbike fan and will visit the show tomorrow. All you have to do is set up a successful ambush, mind you, he has security and you do not.

"Since he will give me billions, I can spare three million for you. However, you will be in my service until I release you – so, for ever."

Jounochi, who had looked sceptical at first, had been stunned by the appearance of the Millennium Rod and the fact that the end of Marik's speech had occurred in his head.

He swallowed. "Uh, Namu? You couldn't give me a friend's discount?"

Marik grinned maniacally. "Oh I am. You call me Namu. The other Rare Hunters have to call me Master Marik. And as I'm feeling generous, I will give you two people to assist you in all tasks.

"They'll serve me, but they'll follow your orders. ANY orders. Mind you keep them alive. It was hard enough to replace the batch I lost last week."

Jounochi thought, but Marik could see there was nothing to think about; this was Jounochi's only choice.

He nodded, decided. "I'll do it."

Marik grinned as the rain started to fall and lightning lit up the sky. "Good." The Senn Rod started to glow. Jounochi swallowed.

Yugi frowned worriedly. Something strange was happening to him this weekend. Yesterday, he had brushed off Jounochi for the sake of winning a duel. Is duelling really that important to me? Jounochi had seemed really agitated, the duel could have waited, at least long enough for him to tell me what was wrong.

Perhaps I should find him, Yugi thought, taking his jacket and walking out into the rain.

But Jounochi was nowhere to be found. Yugi had looked everywhere; school – in case of a Sunday detention, their favourite lunch spots, and the arcade, where he bumped into Seto Kaiba.

Kaiba was sitting on the couch in front of the duelling screen and everybody kept a discreet distance away from him. He lazily looked over his shoulder at the dripping and obviously worried Yugi. He smirked.

"Trouble in paradise?"

The comment didn't register in Yugi's head, he was getting desperate, and right now, Kaiba was the only one that could help. "Have you seen Jounochi?"

Kaiba raised his eyebrow. "Lost your pet? Why don't you whistle, offer a treat, he might come back. You shouldn't let him off his leash like that, who knows what garden he is digging up right now."

Yugi frowned. "Please, Seto, it's really important."

Kaiba winced. "Kaiba."

"Sorry, Kaiba. But it's really important."

Kaiba looked thoughtfully at Yugi, who felt like he was being carefully assessed. "He came in here yesterday morning. He looked really upset, not to mention agitated." Kaiba smirked. "Sort of like you do now. He said he was looking for his friends who worked here – probably part of your retinue."

Yugi was listening attentively. "And?"

"They weren't here. Then he asked the manager to loan him three million dollars. He looked desperate. I'm not sure how he expected his friends to help him. Somehow it seemed to make sense in that vacant head of his."

Yugi was stunned, and looked disbelievingly at Kaiba.

Yugi started smiling weakly; he was confused. Seto Kaiba was not known for his sense of humour, and he looked perfectly serious, if bored.

Still, three million dollars! For what? Why didn't he tell me? Then it hit.

"Oh." Yugi managed worriedly.

Kaiba continued as if oblivious. "I wonder he didn't come running to you, tail between his legs."

"He did." Yugi replied automatically.

Kaiba smirked. "And you sent him on his way? I'd agree with that treatment, but then that is just me. I wonder if he doesn't think fame's gone to your head."

"He wouldn't think that." Yugi replied, wide-eyed.

"Yes, he is pretty thick, so perhaps it hasn't sunk in but the way you're going, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Speaking of time, you're wasting mine."

"Oh." Yugi shook himself. "Thanks for your help." But Kaiba was no longer paying attention. Yugi wandered off aimlessly, eventually finding himself in the park.

Yugi collapsed onto a bench with a splash. He was soaked and exhausted, not to mention very upset. There was a slight chance that Jounochi was with the others somewhere – the motorbike show was supposed to be on all weekend or maybe Mai made him carry shopping bags for her and Anzu.

Knowing Jounochi if he was that upset, he'd say something, unless he was REALLY upset, in which case...

Yugi remembered back to when he'd had no friends and Jounochi and Honda bullied him, even taking his Senn Puzzle once. He stood up for Jounochi later and they had become friends. He had also once defended Anzu from a purse-snatcher.

Now that he thought about it, he didn't remember how he'd done it. Weird. This sort of stuff never happened before I pieced together the Senn Puzzle.

It had been hard to make friends, and Yugi held the puzzle partly responsible for his good luck. But recently, it was as though the puzzle had focused its luck on Duel Monsters, to the detriment of everything else.

He had to do something. Otherwise, it was going to lose him all the friends he had come to cherish. If the puzzle was at fault, it meant there was only one thing that he could do.

Yugi frowned at his puzzle worriedly. Maybe I should throw it away. Duelling meant a lot to him; it was his life, but his friends meant more.

He took off the puzzle as if in a daze, and carried it to the nearby bridge, pausing to stare at the river below.

What about grandpa? He gave me the puzzle to keep, flashed in Yugi's mind.

Yugi shook his head and smiled at the mental picture of his grandfather. He'd understand.

Yugi held the puzzle over the rushing water, sped up by the rain ... and ... let ... go.

It fell in with a splash and Yugi suddenly felt hollow, like he'd lost part of himself.

Walking away, he pondered something that Anzu had said.

"There's more to life than Duel Monsters." Yugi smiled sadly; he still couldn't see it. Duel Monsters was life to him. But he found he valued his friends more than life.

He just hoped he wasn't too late.

Seto's eyes were glazed over as he stared into space, tallying all the things that could go wrong in his life at the present moment, which he had not provided for.

It was a long list and didn't make him feel any happier. Though, naturally it was a vital activity; to be able to deal with these events smoothly if indeed they occurred.

This, a rare event in Seto's life – he had nothing to do. To be precise, he had run out of things to do and was now doing a mental housekeeping.

The tally didn't take very long, and ran all the way from the disturbing 90 percent chance that Otogi would make school uncomfortable to be in on Monday, through the 50 percent chance of the investigation into Gozaburo Kaiba's death being reopened, to the miniscule chance that the Big 5 would all resign today.

Seto smirked inwardly at the last. Wishful thinking.

He was still feeling the satisfaction of his petty revenge on Yugi. Although it had meant plummeting to the level of his so called peers, Seto wasn't in the mood to care; in his eyes, this made them even. Now he had one less plan in the works.

He was still sitting on the couch in front of the duelling screen. Seto had done all the work he could on his world, and after falling asleep in the simulator, found that he had today completely free. Since it was raining, he went to the nearest place he wouldn't be bothered at.

Seto knew Ludo from way back, they had met through Pegasus back when Gozaburo Kaiba had still run Kaiba Corp. Since his untimely death, most merchandise that Kaiba Corp. had wanted to test had gone to Ludo first.

For the next year, at most, the arcade officially belonged to Otogi. It had been done before when Pegasus had launched Duel Monsters. Needless to say Ludo was Pegasus' choice for manager. It was the only thing Seto hadn't changed after Kaiba Corp. got the arcade back from Pegasus. Needless to say, the two had different ideas about what an arcade should look like.

In the purchase agreement, Ludo came with the arcade. Ludo, in turn made sure Seto wasn't pestered by the kids and had all the coffee he wanted.

Seto usually didn't trust people unless he absolutely had to; the Big 5, his staff and sometimes Pegasus. Mokuba and Ludo were the only exceptions, and he couldn't trust Mokuba not to get hurt or tricked.

Nobody could hurt Ludo and nobody had ever tried to trick him.

Seto considered Ludo to be smart. In a very animal sense of course, but he seemed a good judge of character. Sort of like dogs had a great sense of smell and keen hearing.

Seto felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Ludo, handing him an ancient mobile phone – Ludo's. "Boss's callin', boss." Ludo called both Pegasus and Seto 'boss'. Seto wondered briefly what he'd call Otogi and whether it could get confusing.

"Kaiba here."

"Kaiba boy!" No matter how many times he heard it, that greeting and that voice made him shudder. He waited for the punch. "I hear you lost spectacularly to none other than little Yugi Moto! Tsk, tsk, bad form for the great Seto Kaiba to lose. People might start to think you're human." It was below the belt and it stung, but Seto was never one to lose his cool.

In arctic tones, he replied. "Your point?"

"Actually, funny you should say that," Pegasus sounded thoughtful which was a bad sign. "I've had a breach in my security. That's why I called; you can be here in two hours. I've sent my helicopter with a suit to pick you up."

Seto considered leaving Pegasus in the lurch but since he had designed the security system himself, it was a matter of pride. "Fine." He turned off the phone.

I don't know why I thought he might have understood.

Seto smirked inwardly at the following thought. Perhaps he does. Pegasus is as slippery as they come.

He handed the phone to Ludo. He had a little time, since there was a helipad on the roof of the shopping centre. Seto asked for his sixth cup of coffee. Ludo wasn't fazed – he'd seen Seto on worse days than this.

"Sure thing, boss. I recon' you'll soon build up an immunity."

Bakura grinned. This is too easy, and you were worried.

Bandit Keith didn't answer. He must have wandered off.

Bakura slipped off the tree, with catlike grace. Keith's body protested but he paid it no heed. This situation was only temporary, and damn all of Marik's insinuations, Bakura objected to the treatment of Ryou. It was his body too.

He walked quietly through the forest, periodically glancing at the Senn Ring. Keith's memory had yielded the location of the Senn Eye – Maxemillion Pegasus, currently on his private island, Duellist Kingdom.

It had taken a while but he now knew all the patrol routes and times. He could hear Keith mumbling in his head; he was back, and kept going on about revenge on Pegasus.

Bakura ignore it, it was just prattle, it didn't matter.

Keith – through threatening to destroy the Senn Ring and thereby, Bakura – had found out that the ring could summon creatures from the shadow realm but he had been unable to use it properly.

Bakura was quite pleased with the result.

He looked up at the castle wall. This was where the forest met the base of the castle. Too high and exposed to climb, besides, he doubted Keith's body could be made to hold it'd own weight. The man was built like a tank.

Bakura felt a slight pang. He missed his true form – the agility and reflexes that he'd worked on after awakening from the Senn Ring. He also missed Ryou. It was tiring having to remain in control the whole time; he wondered how he'd done it back in Egypt. Ryou was good at housekeeping, usually. Bakura was a little worried the boy may react badly to losing the ring and being dumped.

He shook his head. This wasn't helping. The issue could wait. Bakura could trust Marik to keep his word...

He shook his head again. I want to trust him and I WILL. Otherwise there is no point in continuing with this.

He wouldn't admit it even to himself, but Bakura knew he didn't want to end up alone. He'd always taken for granted that he and Marik were meant to be, – even now he missed the opportunity of the boy's presence; when it was just a phone call away – he wasn't about to start second guessing himself now.

Besides, my instincts have never steered me wrong. India was just bad luck.

He felt Keith struggling for control. It was easy to push him back. The man was on the brink of madness.

Bakura smirked and looked around. There should be a door... there! He walked up and looked at the coded keypad. Every castle has a back door. He hotwired it, as he couldn't be stuffed waiting for a guard.

Damn! He sensed he'd set off the silent alarm, but at least the door was open. Hats off to whoever designed this system, it was the best he'd ever come across, and he had dealt with plenty.

Bakura slipped inside and started running, silently. He pushed the pain of the protesting body aside, he had to find the stairs. Bakura followed the directions of the ring.

Eventually, he climbed up into the main castle. It was a pity he'd forgotten his deck, but Keith's would do. He let the man take over from here...

...Bakura smirked as he watched Keith go where the ring pointed. Bakura considered the strategies possible with Keith's deck, found one he liked and sat back to admire the view. There were paintings on the walls, mainly of a girl and a man in a turban Bakura vaguely remembered. He laid these conundrums aside for later.

Keith had found Pegasus in the highest room of the tallest tower. He was impeccably dressed, as if expecting visitors.

"Well, well, well, somehow I didn't think you had the brains to get in here Bandit Keith." Pegasus smiled.

"Rematch" Keith panted.

Pegasus nodded calmly. "I see you have acquired the Millennium ring. Did Shadi give it to you I wonder."

Bakura noted the name and attached it to the man in the portrait. Only the man with the turban could have such a name and he must have presented Pegasus with the Millennium Eye, which would explain his presumption and the existence of the portrait.

"Who the hell! Duel Me!"

"Temper, temper. Then I guess you stole it. That will never do. I'll duel you but you will put up your item as the prize."...

... Bakura nodded, keeping his thoughts as Keith like as possible. "You too." The voice was a little harder, but the sunnies he wore masked what used to be baby blue eyes beautifully.

"But naturally." Pegasus shrugged elegantly. "I trust you know how to use that thing, for we'll be duelling in the Shadow Realm."

Bakura growled in imitation of Keith. "Enough talk."

Pegasus smiled as the room darkened. "Your move."

Malik sighed as he finished work on the bike. He had managed to avoid getting his jeans and black hooded sleeveless top covered in oil with the aid of an apron.

Jounochi had agreed to accompany Honda to the bike show – it was the last day and they promised fireworks. Malik wasn't entirely comfortable in big crowds, he felt like he wasn't supposed to be there, so out in the open.

He wasn't one for reminiscing about his traumatic childhood but he supposed it had something to do with having to live in what was basically a tomb and not being allowed to associate with people His sister, Ishizu had let him sneak out once with her.

It was all still a mess in Malik's mind but he remembered that his father had found out, that Malik had grabbed the Senn Rod and the rest was a blank.

He remembered waking up in a house in town and Rashid and Ishizu telling him their father had died. Rashid...

Malik wondered where Rashid was now. Back then, Ishizu had taken the Senn Necklace for her own – she'd been destined for it anyway – and they had carried on the tomb keepers' duty while living in town.

Rashid had gotten a job and gave what little money was left over from bills, to Malik.

Ishizu had bumped into the keeper of the Senn Items in town – Shadi – and he had visited them often.

If it wasn't for the fact that Shadi didn't really know anybody else and didn't really do anything in his time off work except check the balance of power in the universe wasn't slipping, Malik would say that Shadi had a crush on Ishizu...

...Marik looked at the bike happily and wondered where Rashid was now. He was the only one, apart from Bakura and Marik suspected Ishizu that knew of his residence in Malik's body.

As tomb keeper, he was charged with the safety of the Egyptian God Cards.

Marik had gotten his hands on two – The Winged Dragon of Ra and Slyther the Sky Dragon before he left. Ishizu had managed to foresee the attempt and taken Obelisk the Tormentor for herself.

She was pretty good with the Senn Necklace, though she could not control when the visions would come. Malik hadn't asked, but he had a feeling the sprit of the necklace had not awakened yet.

Well, this was all well and good, the Rare Hunters would watch for Obelisk to surface in some player's deck. After all, Ishizu didn't duel and she would have to give the card away so that person could duel Malik for the other god cards.

Marik grinned. She was also, it seemed, convinced that a good thrashing in a duel would get Malik back to his senses – in effect evict Marik for good.

Marik doubted it would work for one, and for the other, he doubted he would lose; he knew the full extent of the powers of all the god cards, and consequently, how to beat them.

It was good of Shadi not to interfere, but then he was keeper of the Millennium Items, not the cards. He was only supposed to prevent any imbalance caused by someone having too many items. The items themselves had a habit of finding those who were destined to wield them.

Marik wondered if he should tell Bakura and felt a pang of worry.

He shrugged it off. Tomorrow would tell if the thief had really gone and Marik had to baby-sit Ryou. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough.

As for the Senn Items, Marik and Bakura didn't talk about their respective schemes for world domination. Marik wanted all the god cards and thereby the power of the pharaoh.

He knew that Bakura was collecting the Senn Items for ultimate power or some such, but he had never asked the details. He'd rather not know if he was foiling Bakura's plans with his own.

Marik shook his head, his golden jewellery jangling. This isn't helping. He stood, left the garage, locked it, and went up to his apartment. The Millennium Rod appeared in his hands as soon as he had shut the door. He locked it, and fell onto the couch.

Marik sent out a probe and found what he wanted: the three Rare Hunters that he had ordered near the bike show. He possessed one, and found himself in the body of a girl. He smirked at the weird sensation and ordered the other two "You will find Jounochi (attached mental picture) at the motorbike show and do as he says from now on."

He heard the staple "Yes Master Marik" and addressed the girl whose mind was preoccupied – she was shopping. He could see her vision layered over his.

"I would have gone with the other dress. When you have time, I have work for you."

He heard a whispered "How long?" And guessed she was shopping with friends.

"From today and for at least a week." She was one of his best rare Hunters and Marik wanted to keep an eye on Jounochi for a while.

He could feel her nod. "I'll need some time to finish my business here."

"Take as long as you want, "Marik shrugged, "just mind you're at the motorbike show today at seven."

Marik broke the link after she nodded. He found Jounochi and waited for him to be alone.

"Hello Jounochi, time for work."

The boy jumped. "Geez, Namu, scare a guy to death why don't ya!" He whispered.

Marik smirked as he layered the boy's vision over his. "You need some time?"

"No, I'm ready." Jounochi sounded determined.

"All right. I'm sending over two boys from your class."

"Wow. They're Rare Hunters?"

Marik nodded. "They want to be great duellists like Seto Kaiba and Yugi Moto, and I had a couple of positions to fill. They're nobody you know very well."

Jounochi nodded. "Right. And I haveta tell 'em what to do, and they'll do all I tell 'em."

Marik smirked. "Very good, Jounochi, you're doing well. You, with their help have to get me this man (attached mental picture). He will be at the main hall today and he'll stay for the fireworks. I need you to follow him quietly, then during the fireworks, grab him and bring him to me."

Jounochi frowned. "What about security?"

Marik shrugged. "Two guards. Knock them on the head or something – they'll be watching the fireworks or if they're competent, the fireworks are enough of an excuse for one of you to bump into them, providing a distraction, or you could wait till one has to go to the bathroom. I don't care, just get him to me. Once I have him, he'll be on out side, a rare Hunter of sorts, just like you."

He felt Jounochi nod. "Right boss. We'll grab him, but how d'we get him to ya?"

Marik smirked. "I'll have an associate standing by. I'll use her to get to him. All I need is proximity or direct contact. A kiss on the cheek would do." He felt Jounochi think back to the picture of the man ingrained in his memory.

"Eeew, I don't envy her job. The money..."

"Will be in the form of a cheque to the doctor. I'll have him sign one for you."

"Won't they freak out at the bank?"

Marik smiled. "They probably will, the police too, but if the man says he paid for your sister's operation in return for testing his security measures, who'll argue?"

He felt Jounochi nod, then broke contact.

Marik then requested short reports from the others. He'd have to wait for the money before starting up his base of operations again.

All this would have been easier with Rashid but the only person Marik wanted to see was Bakura.

What had Malik called Ryou? A ghost? Yes, the thief must be a ghost because he haunts my mind in his absence.