Chapter Four
Arrow of Love, sometimes it hurts
There was a small part of Irysh that wanted to wrap her arms around the man. His eyes seemed to draw her in. The idea that he could be in on the plan gave her butterflies. She wouldn't lie to herself and tell herself he was trustworthy. He was so dangerously close, all it would take is a lean forward, her lip could touch his cheek. "What do you know we have an audience." Rai spoke up quickly.
"I think we have something in common." His answer seemed to get both the girls full attention. The sound of a chair being pulled up beside Irysh as she continue to stare at Rai. Her heart seemed to feel like it was going to jump out of her chest. The idea of him sitting so close would surely set her off, but she couldn't get words to form. "I don't know know why you have this plan. Though I have an option for you. I will keep this a secret." Rai eyes stared in question towards Chazz. Her mind boggled, there obviously was a catch. Before Rai could even ask, Irysh seemed to stumble out.
"Why?" Her eyes stayed away from Chazz. He took it as a sign of disrespect. Reaching over he grabbed her chin and pulled it over to him. Making Irysh stare at him, he snapped.
"I would like it if you looked at me when you speak to me." Her eyes couldn't help to close tightly as her face felt like it was on fire. The reaction was strange to Chazz as she smacked his hand away.
"Fine, I am looking now answer." Irysh muttered, thinking that her face was giving away everything. She never felt so embarrassed. Rai kind of liked watching Irysh squirm around. If anyone else had done something like that. They would have surely lost a finger.
"Its pretty simple, I could careless about Jaden. What your plan truly is for him, or anything else. I want nothing more then to see him leave this school. Though everyone knows that. Here is what I am placing on you. I want you guys to win, I want it to seem like you have crushed both of them. In fact I want you to make them hate each other. Then I come, and fight for Alexis honor. You both have to loose the game." Rai continued to stare giving no attention to Irysh. The plan was pretty simple, but it looked like Chazz had another lady in his mind. Irysh turned away from Chazz staring at the table. It felt like someone just stab her in the chest. Pushing herself up out of her seat she snapped.
"Fine, but you keep you trap shut." with that she made her exit quickly. Rai watched her rush out with a sigh. There was no way she could do anything for her right now. Chazz smiled brightly like he had won a huge trophy.
"You better be there to save your princess or we are both going to tear her apart." Rai spoke removing herself from the table. The search for Irysh would have to start now. They didn't have much time to set up a plan of action. Not to mention, find the scoop on what type of decks they were up against.
"This stupid, I don't even know him." A tear streams down Irysh's face as she stares up at the leaves in the tree. There was no sense in it. The wind started to play through her hair as her mind seemed to silence. If she just didn't think about it, then it couldn't hurt her. "It wasn't like he even knows me right. Why would he like me over her. I am being childish." She spoke pulling herself to her feet.
"Being childish is fun sometimes." Irysh turned as Jaden placed a hand on her head with a smile. Rai turned the corner watching Irysh stare in to Jaden's eyes.
"Why are you being so nice to me." Irysh stood in shock, Rai watched from a distance. She wanted to say something but kept her mouth shut. Jaden poked her cheek with a kind smile.
"Because we are friends, that is what friends do." His words so nice how could she ever be mad at Jaden. Rai knew he was to kind to targeted, but there was no choice in the matter. Irysh playfully punched Jaden in the tummy.
"Shouldn't you be preparing for our duel?" Jaden scratched his head with a tired sigh.
"Yeah, now that you say something probably. I am just so lazy." Irysh gave a soft laugh then started to walk away from him.
"Just cause your not, doesn't mean I am not." She wasn't heading in the direction of Rai, but she didn't know that Rai was even watching. He was so gentle and sweet to her. Rai couldn't help being a little compelled to reach out and hug the man. When the sign was completely clear, Rai moved in.
"Thank you." Jaden didn't even have to look to know who's voice it was. He continued to look forward.
"That's what friends are for. You should probably head out. She is going to be looking for you." Just as Rai nodded and started to run off in the direction. Jaden grabbed her wrist, stopping her for just one more minute. "I just wanted to know, even if I lose I do think your beautiful." with that he gave a goofy look. "Cause I don't ever plan on loosing, you better get your game on." Rai blushed slightly pulling away she snapped.
"Neither do we." Then rushed off into Irysh's direction once more. She knew that Irysh's heart was broken. Secretly, she wanted nothing more then to win this duel for her prize. Even if it was for just minutes. Rai felt a connection to Jaden, even if it was a small crush. She could get just a couple days to play like she was against him.
Irysh dashed around the halls trying to find a glimpse of Rai. If the day hadn't already been bad, it just got worse. An arm pulled Irysh into a class room. The face wasn't so kind either, Crowler was very upset. "What exactly do you two think you guys are doing?" The question showed that he had doubt in them. "If you two try anything funny, I will personally make sure to strip not only of you of your jacket but Rai of hers. Then you both can be Slifer Slackers together. I have eyes and ears all around this campus. You do not want to cross me, it will be your last mistake." Without another word he left the room.
"This can't get any worse." Irysh punched her hand against the wall. Rai had seen Crowler step out of the room. She knew who he was talking too. Slipping in trying not to be seen She spoke.
"What was that all about?" Irysh turned to Rai, she needed to know. There was a piece in side of her that worried if she did know. Would she still stand beside her.
"Crowler doesn't trust us." Irysh felt that was the best thing to say. If she gave way to much details maybe it would also stress Rai out.
"Well he will see we are very strong to our word." Rai hugged her friend. "Because we never crumble at a challenge." That alone was the best thing for Irysh's ears.
"Well then let us go, we have lot to do before we crush the both of them." Both girls pretend that neither of them ran into Jaden.
It was time to face the two at the gym. The girls where coming a little bit late, but they figured it was better to make gesture of how much they didn't care for this duel. Being late would show that one for sure. Stepping through the doors they saw everyone sitting quietly as if they where about to watch a movie. The idea that this cause this big of a stir was a joke. Then again the idea that they came to watch Alexis lose was a win for them. Every spot in the stands where taken, even the teachers seemed to come by. It could be for the reason they where going to stop the duel or maybe they wanted them to duel just under watchful eye. Their was rules preventing this from happened if the teachers did want to intervene. Alexis gave a smirk as she pointed towards them. "For a minute I thought you guys ducked out. Though I don't blame you, it might have been smart for you not to show up." Irysh didn't seem the same sassy rocker girl. Leaving Rai up to make up the witty comment.
"I am sure it wont take to long, we figured we would let me see you smile for a little bit longer." Just as each one of the girls took their spots Crowler spoke up.
"As everyone here knows this is only allowed if approved by a teacher. Now I do not like random dueling for none sense reasons. Though it seems that our Oblisk girls have some confutation with one another. As their respectable teacher I will approve of this under one condition. That this be settled now and never brought up again." The idea of Crowler caring either way was a joke. He did seem to put a show on for the others. "As they say settle it with cards and not fists." Irysh turned her eyes towards the crowed as a voice exclaimed.
"Yeah, beat those losers up Alexis." It was just another stranger, but he sat near Chazz. Just close enough for Irysh's eyes to dart over to him. He gave a cocky smirk it was less likely for her. Rai eyes stayed on Jaden and Alexis, if they where going to win this. She didn't need Irysh head some where else. There was nothing nice that could be done. Everything was planned, the idea of everything going smoothly wasn't happening.
"Oh yeah, that will be easy." Alexis smiled turning to Jaden with a poke to the chest she replied. "You better get your game on." Jaden gave a quick fist pump.
"Oh yeah Alexis." Rai pinched Irysh as she held her deck up to the air. It was like she was frozen in time. She gritted her teeth watching Irysh closely, praying that there was something to come next. Though her face was so emotionless holding the deck above her head. The sound of Chazz saying her name flashed in Irysh's head. In seconds a look of anger swept over her loosing her lips to speak.
"Do you wish to go first? The reason I ask is this, if you do go first. I promise that you will have one fighting chance to beat us. Now, if you do not choose to go first then I promise your little safety net Jaden, will not get a turn." The stadium filled with cheers. Rai couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. It was a welcoming sign of the duel going better.
"If you think your so confident in each other then why not put it where your mouth is. Rai you can go first." Each duelist activated their duel disc. Just as the life points would appear cheers from the crow filled their ears. The duel would start as each one held their first hand. This wasn't the best hand she had. Though attention finally was caught on Rai's deck. "What happened to your deck, you have a lot less then last time." It was a matter of time someone would have noticed.
"I took the cards out that I wouldn't need, its perfectly legal. The only one who could be hurt by this is me. Of course, everyone know what happens to someone who can draw a card." The rules of Dueling, if you can't draw a card then you lose the duel. Its pretty risky to try such a jump, but the girls also said they would beat them in each one of their turns. This is also hard to believe being that each one had their own life points. "I place three cards face down. Then I will place Dark Elf in attack mode." It was hard to believe that there wasn't a Dragon in the mix.
"You almost make this to easy, is that the end." Alexis retorted drawing her card to start her turn. "I place two face down, and summon Command Knight in attack position." Everyone seemed to be on the edge of their seats how on earth where they suppose to pull this off. Neither player had taken any damage at all.
"I am sorry, but this is where you stop! I activate my trap card. Solemn Judgment. I am sure you know how this goes." As the Command Knight disappears in a cloud of dust. Rai continues to hold a grin on her face.
"I am quiet aware of how it works, I also know the cards back lash your life points get cut in half." It was true the sound of Rai's life points had taken a large hit. No one could understand why someone would use such a card. Rai now only had 4,000 life points while everyone else stood high with 8,000. Alexis gave a little laugh then just as she activated one of her face downs Rai snapped.
"Don't bother telling us what it will do, because its not happening. I activate my face down Solemn Warning. Yes I take 2,000 live points but you my dear. Lose your wonderful face down." Alexis flinched as her face down exploded in front of her. It was like she was being lead into a trap. Why on earth would Rai want her points so low.
"This leave poor Rai with only 2,000 life points what on earth will she do now." Alexis joked but pulled her next face down. It was pretty simple magic card. "I activate Service Ace. Its time to play a little game. I pick on card from my hand. You have to tell me if its magic, trap or monster. If your right your saved, but if your wrong you take 1500 attack point hit." She places a card out in front of her. The back to Rai with a laugh. "Go ahead, what is it?" Rai gritted her teeth. The idea was to take some life damage but getting to far down was to dangerous.
"Monster?" Alexis snickered placing the card back into her hand.
"Wrong!" The sound of life points dropping echoed through Irysh's ears. This wasn't going completely as planned at all. Irysh gritted her teeth.
"Are you done." If Irysh didn't get this right, this duel was going to go south very fast. Alexis turned to Irysh in a cool manner.
"Oh what's wrong, you seemed so sure of yourself." Her voice was like nails on a chalk board. Painful to hear but aggravating at the same time. "Yeah, I am done for now." Irysh pulled her next card with a sigh.
"Okay fine, I activate Mausolem of the Emperor. Just so you know this mean I can pay life points and summon any Dino I want from my hand. Sure I might have to pay some life points but what can you do right?" Gritting her teeth she placed a face down just in case. Then summoned Super conductor Tyranno. "This gives me time to say yes I might be lower then you in life points but guess what, this game is over." She head her thumb down. Everyone was confused as Jaden replied.
"But that means I do get a turn right?" Irysh gave a small laugh as Jaden started his turn Rai snapped.
"I activate my last face down. This card can only be activated when I have 1000 life points or lower. What do you know, Last turn!" Everyone feel into silence as Rai continued "Last turn is basically what it says we pick a monster on our side of the field and you pick a monster from your deck. Though you can only pick one. Who's ever monster is left beaten then they lose I am pretty sure you get the concept." Jaden glanced over at Alexis, even Alexis knew that her main card "Cyber Blader' only had 2,100 attack points. With out the ability to add points to her or anything else it was left up to Jaden. His face wasn't to happy either, most of his high levels where Fusions. They could only be summoned by fusing, a special summon wouldn't help at all. The game was done, no matter what they threw out now would not take down the Conductor Tyranno.
"I am sorry, I summon Elemental Hero Spark man." Watching his hero get destroyed wasn't to bad. Crowlers eyes seemed to twitch in excitement.
"Either they cut it so close and are lucky, or they are dueling genius." Crowler thought to himself as he held his hand up. He was ready to speak to the crowd and announce the winner. "I am sure we can all see the winners here, each one take your prizes." Before he could finish his speech the headmaster to slifer red mr. Hibiki spoke up.
"It was truly an amazing duel, now another reason we let this continue is to have all the students in once place to announce the big Halloween Celebration we are having. We find it time to have a little bit of more student friendliness. So put a smile on, everyone who goes must wear a costume. We want this to be a good time had by all." Rai couldn't focus on what the teacher was saying. How could she when she was 500 life points away from dying. If Alexis would have had a trap card or magic card for anything higher then 1500. Rai and Irysh would have been done in one swoop. Jaden had stumbled over to Rai, grabbing her hand seemed to pull her out of her muck. He scratched the back of his head with a laugh.
"Well, I can't say I completely lost." He kissed the top of her hand then spoke once more. "But I don't know if I will make a good boyfriend so you might have made the loosing bet here." Rai was to entranced by his actions. What a knight like thing to do. Crowler eyes gazed down at the two as if he was going to strike them with a lazer beam. The idea of them together wasn't apart of his plan at all. Then again he wasn't really brief on what they had planned either. Alexis was more then just mad, she was furious.
"You got lucky, playing like that, your all luck and no skill." Moving away from the center of the stadium. Chazz seemed to cut her off. How badly Irysh wanted to be in Alexis spot. Her mind day dreams of him standing in front of her.
"Chazz we did it! Did you see?" Irysh stood in front of him as if she had just won a trophy. She placed her arms around Chazz's neck. Her fingers intertwining with each other. As if to lock him in her arms forever. His eyes gazing deeply into hers, and hers alone like no one else on the face of the earth even mattered. His hand dragging softly across her cheek as he spoke.
"You where amazing I would expect no less from my girl." His other arm slipping around her waist line. The soft touch of her lips kissing his neck as he pulled her in closely. "I love you." The words seemed to make Irysh legs weak when the sound "Get your game on." slipped in. The beautiful form of Chazz turned to Jaden. Irysh hand swung with out even thinking.
"Nuh!" She screamed as she hit Jaden across the face. Knocking the poor boy to the ground. Rai laughed for a moment getting the idea of what happened. Then snapped
"Hey that is my boyfriend don't be hitting him." Jaden blushed as Irysh gave a quirky smile.
"Then maybe you can go as his nurse to the Halloween party. Take care of all his wounds." Rai raised her hand to hit Irysh. Before she could do much damage Jaden laughter filled the air. There was nothing better then smiles all around. Irysh turned back to the direction of Chazz and Alexis, a feeling of sadness fell upon her. Both where gone, with no idea of what had happened or where they had gone to. Rai started to help Jaden to his feet.
"You know, I am not going to be your nurse. I kind of already have a Halloween costume picked out." Jaden shook his head quickly as if he was embarrassed.
"No no, I understand completely understand. I am going as the dark magician." The idea of that brought a huge smile to Rai's face.
"Oh, well your going to love my costume." Jaden blushed slightly he was kind of excited.
Days had gone by, all the students seemed to be bubbling on what would happen at the party. Each one quiet to what they would be. The sound of giggles spread through out the girl dorms. "I am the dark magician girl." Irysh strutted around in her costume give a fake kiss to the mirror. It was hard to recognize her with the wig and everything so well placed. Rai just laughed then stumbled out of the bathroom.
"Someone call for a Hero?" Rai costume was that of the Elemental Hero Heat Lady. She couldn't help but blush thinking of what Jaden would think. Irysh threw her staff into the air cheering
"I love Halloween." Though there wasn't as much hype back at the other dorms.
"Lexi your going to be a harpie's lady again this year?" One of Alexis friends whined as she followed behind her in a Harpies costume as well.
"This is good though we all match is a good costume." Alexis chimed trying to show that their concern for her costume choice didn't really matter to her at all.
"But you said you where going to be Dark Magican girl this year?" the friend questioned again. Alexis gritted her teeth then turned back to the girl.
"Didn't you hear, someone else beat me to the punch none the less I will look great."
"This can't be happening!" Jaden yelled throwing clothes all around the dorm room. He moved from stack to stack researching over and over.
"Whats wrong Jay?" Syrus questioned as his friend continued to freak out.
"My costume its gone." Jaden turned to Sryus with a worried look. Without a costume there was no way he was getting into the party. "What am I going to do?" Syrus turned to his friend with a shrug.
"Why not just get a new costume Jay?" This was not in the plan. There was time for him to run and get one. Jaden jumped to his feet with a smile.
"Good Idea Sy I will meet you at the party."
"This is going to work better then I hoped." Chazz smiled holding up the Dark magician costume in his hands. "Alexis will think I am Jaden and come to me first." He snickered "Happy Halloween Jaden."