Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! The song "Battlefield" belongs to Jordin Sparks!
For anyone who read the last chapter, I edited it because I realized I'd made a couple mistakes. Watched too much anime, I suppose!
Now we go on to the next chapter, where things are revealed and get much more complicated!
Chapter 7: Destined Meetings and Dark Clubs
Mitsuko paid for another capsule in the vending machine and grinned a she got another monster she hadn't gotten before. Yes! I'm able to expand my collection once more! I love collecting games almost as much as playing them!
"Hey girlie! Would you hurry up already?!" a kid's voice behind her shouted. "If you don't, I'll flip your skirt—"
Mitsuko caught the boy's hand and shot a glare at him. "You would dare to flip a teenage girl's skirt?! It's just a game, you moron! A snot-nosed brat like you has no right to touch a skirt I bought with my own money! And don't call me girlie like I'm some child your age! I'm sixteen, FYI! Now shut up and wait your turn, brat!"
She inserted another one hundred yen and twisted the knob, only to get nothing. She kicked the wall and turned away. "Piece of junk."
"Hey you!"
She looked up with a cool look that could freeze fire at a kid who was grinning at her. "I don't care who you are, if you're like that pervert back there, I'm not into kids, okay?"
The kid, who had black hair down to his shoulder blades and narrow gray eyes, hands in his jean pockets, snickered at her words. "Nah, I don't like older girls. From Nii-sama's description, you must be Mutou Mitsuko."
She raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips. "Who's your brother?"
"Of course you know him! Kaiba Seto!"
"Ah, now I see. He hasn't mentioned you when we've talked, then again, he hasn't talked about himself much."
He gritted his teeth and stabbed a finger at her. "Stay away from him!"
"Why?"
"Why?! Nii-sama's obsessed about you almost as much as your boyfriend, Damiri Atem!"
Mitsuko snorted, almost starting to laugh. "Wow, you're sure behind the times. Atem's not my boyfriend, we've gone on a single date and that ended up in a complete fallout. We haven't spoken in two months."
That threw the kid for a loop. "R-really? Is that why you became friends with Nii-sama? You're on the rebound?"
"You sound like I was madly in love with Atem and I'm using Kaiba-kun to pick up the pieces!" She laughed and shook her head, an honest smile coming to her face. "I like Kaiba-kun as a friend, and the feeling's mutual. Most of my friends I had at first don't get how I'm acting anymore...so right now, Kaiba-kun is the only true friend I have."
This made Kaiba's younger brother shift in discomfort. "From how he spoke of you, I thought you..." He shook it off. "Nevermind! I'm Kaiba Mokuba, it's nice to meet you despite our misunderstanding!"
They bowed to each other and he waved to her to walk with him. He looked her up and down, then smirked. "Wow, you sure have a fetish for black mixed with bright colors! And spikes, lots of spikes!"
Mitsuko's current outfit was a sleeveless neon pink top with "Lesbian Clown Cartel" written in dripping black and a pair of skulls where her breasts were, black arm warmers with neon blue horizontal stripes, a black pleated skirt which went down to her just above knees, black knee socks with yellow, red and green stars which were stopped by black leather ankle boots. Her hair was in two small high ponytails, the rest spilling down her back to the bottom of her shoulder blades, sparkly black and pink bows holding them up. Her gold bangs hung in her face, almost hiding the bright blue hoop earrings which had spikes hanging from them. And the rest of the spikes: on her leather collar, bracelets, and straps which held up her socks. She also wore a set of matching skull rings with ruby eyes. Over all of it, the Millennium Puzzle hung from a braided black leather chord (Of course, under her shirt was the chain with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards).
Her face was clean of any makeup, which didn't mess up the look at all.
"Thanks, Mokuba-san. You seem like a nice kid, once you stopped the 'mean kid' act."
"I'm protective of Nii-sama, what can I say? He's been frenzied at home and at work since he recovered from that Shadow Game Damiri put him in. If it weren't for..." He trailed off and shook his head. "It's nothing. You wouldn't know where a Blue-Eyes White Dragon card is, would you?"
"Besides the one Jii-chan had...nope, I can't say I've come across one. Why? Is Kaiba-kun looking for them?"
"Well, Nii-sama's been looking for the other three, and he's gotten two so far, but no leads on where the third is. He wants to have a rematch with Damiri, and needs all three to utterly devastate him."
I don't care what happens with that rematch, but I promised Jii-chan I'd protect these cards. One's mine, the other will always be a precious gift from Jii-chan's friend. I don't care if Jii-chan said both are mine, I'll keep both of them safe as if they're still his. Jii-chan, they'll always be safe with me, I'll never duel with them for as long as I live. "Hmmm, why does it have to be three? Isn't one overwhelming enough?"
"He wants to show Damiri the same fear he had when the dragon turned against him in their last duel, except three times over. Plus, with three of them in the deck, he could have so many other strategies by combining them!"
"You mean fusion? I can see what you mean. I wonder what fusing three Blue-Eyes White Dragons would make..."
"I don't know, just that it's incredibly powerful, off the charts when it comes to attack power." Mokuba looked thoughtful for a moment, before he had an idea. "Hey, do you want to come over to my house? It's full of all sorts of games we could try together!"
I guess we've become friends by talking like this. I wonder what kind of house Kaiba-kun and his little brother live in. "Okay, since I don't have anything to do, it being a Sunday."
A limo pulled up and Mokuba opened it for her. She slid in and buckled in, although Mokuba just laid back, his arms behind his head.
"I haven't had a real friend come over to my house in so long. Since you're in Nii-sama's class, you're sixteen, right?"
"Yeah, you're one of the first to come to that conclusion. I almost pounded the kid standing behind me when I was getting some Capsule Monsters pieces. I have fun collecting more than playing sometimes, although there are so many types, I couldn't possibly get them all just by going to that single machine! That's why trading's fun, too!"
"I hear you, although I just buy mine without having to go to the machine. I'm actually a Capsule Monsters champion!"
"Really? That's pretty cool."
"Nii-sama will be out for the remainder of the day at work, so we'll be able to play all night!"
He's a good kid, but something seems fishy. If Kaiba-kun knew I was at his house, he'd at least drop in to say hello. As long as Yu-nii and Jii-chan don't get hurt in the process, I'm okay with whatever he does. Well, if Atem Shadow Game's his butt, I'm going to be very...angry... He already makes me miserable enough, but if he takes my friend, the only one I have, I'll have to kick his butt.
"Oh, we're here!"
She looked up to see them parked in front of an enormous mansion. This is amazing...how could they afford... Oh yeah, they inherited it from their stepfather. Plus KaibaCorp is doing so well, why wouldn't they be rolling in money?
When she stepped into the foyer, she couldn't help but stare. This is...okay, I'm gonna stop there. I know, with how rich they are, I shouldn't be surprised by anything they own. This place has to have dozens of rooms, if not close to a hundred. And what's contained in those rooms...
"Welcome home, Mokuba-sama."
Servants to boot! They're set for life, aren't they?
One servant came up to Mokuba and whispered something she couldn't catch into his ear. He nodded and called, "Come on, we're going to have tons of fun! Just you wait!"
Several hours passed of them playing games, Mitsuko winning most of them. She'd just won a long round of Monopoly when Mokuba's stomach growled. He held it and blushed.
"Sorry, we've been at it for a long time, so do you want dinner?"
"Sure."
As they walked out of the game room, she glanced behind her, spotting a figure in shadow just beyond another doorway. Who's that? I'm sure they were watching us the whole time. A servant, or a bodyguard? Maybe they have another sibling? Sometimes I wish I could talk to Atem, but then that would mean I'd have to tell him where I was, and the Kaiba Mansion is enemy territory.
She ate quietly with Mokuba, feeling the person watching them again. They must be interested in me, it couldn't be anything else. Why don't they come in? Does Mokuba-san know about them?
Mokuba stretched and yawned. "After such a good meal, I just want to turn in! What about you?"
"I'm staying here?"
"Of course! You can't walk home from here this late, and the driver for the limo went home! Come on, I'll show you to your room!"
She followed him upstairs and he snickered as he opened the door to one room. "Here we are, I hope you sleep well, because we both have school tomorrow!"
He closed the door behind her and she looked around. There are many knickknacks in here that couldn't be here just for décor... Does that mean I'm in...Kaiba-kun's room?!
A glint of gold on the nightstand made her pause in her freak out. She walked to it and her eyes were painfully wide as she noticed it was a rod with a sharp end and what looked like a ball on top with a pair of wings on either side of the ball. But what shocked her most was the eye on it: just like the one on the Millennium Puzzle. Why does Kaiba-kun have a Millennium Item?! I have to tell Atem right away! Enough with the silence between us, this is important!
She was about to open her mental link with the pharaoh when she felt the presence again, this time a pair of hands seizing her around the waist and one around her neck, a hand firmly over her mouth.
"Don't struggle," a breathy yet deep voice ordered. "I won't harm you if you don't turn around when I let you go."
Surprised by the strength of the person, she nodded. Why is this guy so secretive he doesn't want me to see him?
He let her go and she stayed where she was, murmuring, "Is this your room?"
"No, but I'm allowed everywhere in the mansion."
"You've been watching me."
"You noticed almost the same time I started from my observations."
"Who are you?"
"I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. Kaiba family secret."
"You're part of the Kaiba family?"
"No."
"From how easily you grabbed me, you have to be rather tall. My feet left the ground."
"My apologies, but that's something you shouldn't be touching."
"I wasn't going to touch it. I was just looking."
"Are you sure you weren't going to take it? It's pure gold and a precious artifact from ancient times."
So he knows it could be valuable in the wrong hands. "I have no need for such a thing, plus I'm not a thief." She paused and looked at how well-polished the Millennium Rod was. "It must be taken care of, being so shiny. Is it Kaiba-kun's?"
The stranger chuckled. "Yes. He inherited it, but doesn't like to use it. He prefers more modern items and technology."
"I noticed that when I saw he had the latest cell phone and a customized laptop in his huge metal briefcase. With a company like KaibaCorp, he's expected to have top-notch technology."
"It's how he is. He's very practical and level-headed."
He seems to know a lot about Kaiba-kun. Maybe a cousin or friend from their time before they were adopted, which is why he doesn't have the same family name? "What about you? Are you indebted to Kaiba-kun or are you a friend?"
"You could say he gave me a second chance at life and accepted me into his home. He and I have somewhat of a rocky friendship, or you could say partnership. He believes in a straightforward, open approach to everything, while I use my head to think of more subtle ways to do things. Sometimes a little more aggressive than he likes. Usually he takes my way when it's important, like now."
"What's going on?"
"That, my dear, is something you'll find out in the morning."
She raised her eyebrows at what he called her. "My dear"? What kind of talk is that? Whoever he is, he likes to tease. "Oh? Is that so? Whatever shall we do until then, darling?"
He was silent for a moment before he snickered, getting out, "I see Seto wasn't exaggerating when he said you like to tease. I think we'll like each other very much by the time the night is over."
She eventually got to sleep, after a couple more hours of talk with Kaiba's partner/friend. When he left the room, she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep for a few moments. She opened her mental link with Atem and called out, /Atem? Are you there?\
/Finally talking to me after all this time?\\
/Stop with the sarcasm and let me talk. It's serious, which is why I'm temporarily breaking the silence. Kaiba-kun is the wielder of the Millennium Rod!\
/Where did you find this out?\\
/That's not important right now!\
/Yes, it is! Kaiba has myself and the rest of our friends locked in a deadly game called "Death-T", which he forced us into, telling me that he had you held hostage!\\
/Moron! You know that Kaiba-kun and I are friends! Why'd you believe his obvious bluff?!\
/I couldn't take that chance that he did have you hostage!\\
/Fine, fine, whatever. I'm not getting into a mental shouting match at one in the morning. I'm in the Kaiba Mansion right now, about to go to sleep. I found the Millennium Rod on Kaiba-kun's nightstand and he has a friend who won't let me see his face that sounds awfully like him living in his house. Please tell me I'm not going crazy in thinking that perhaps one of your priests has been awakened as well?\
/I had a hunch, but nothing solid, but your discovery has proved it. My most loyal high priest and cousin has been awakened just as I have.\\
/What's his name?\
/Set.\\
/What does he look like?\
/Kaiba, save he's Egyptian.\\
/Okay, so Kaiba-kun must be his reincarnation, just like Yu-nii and I are yours. And, I'm assuming, he was the previous wielder of the Millennium Rod.\
/Yes. Mitsuko, I want you to be careful while you're there. Although you're amongst friends, Kaiba has sinister intentions and isn't the flawless friend you think he is.\\
/No one's perfect, Atem. I knew he had plans for a rematch with you, and you should be thankful Jii-chan gave me the Blue-Eyes White Dragons for safekeeping.\
/He planned on using them against me?\\
/Yeah, and if he'd gotten just one more, he would've had three in his deck and would've virtually been unstoppable.\
/Why are you telling me this?\\
/I don't need you surprised when you duel him.\
/I see. You know where your loyalties are, even after all the time you've shunned all of us.\\
/Maybe if you stopped pushing me around, I'd be a little more receptive to you courting me. All we do is argue and you don't try to stop it. You let me rile you up.\
/Perhaps, but if you didn't try to anger me, I wouldn't become mad in the first place.\\
/As I said, you have to lighten up or you'll have anger problems all your life. Good night, I'm going to sleep now.\
/Hopefully things will be better in the morning when you wake.\\
She shrugged and drifted off.
The next morning she woke up bright and early, fixing her hair and putting in her contacts. She came down for breakfast and Mokuba skipped in. "It's just about time for Nii-sama's duel with Damiri. Come on, we have to go watch!"
"I heard that I was being 'held hostage', Mokuba-san. Is that true?"
Mokuba laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Oh come on, you really think I'd do that to you on Nii-sama's orders?"
"Well, it's not like you tied me down, took off my shoes and tickled my feet with feathers, but it's the concept of bringing me over and not suggesting I call home to inform Jii-chan of my whereabouts is suspicious."
Just then, a guy around Kaiba's build and height entered the room, wearing a bandanna over his hair, a face mask over his mouth, sunglasses, a turtleneck shirt, gloves, slacks and slip-on shoes, the Millennium Rod tucked through a belt loop. "Ready, Mokuba?"
Mokuba covered his mouth to try and stifle his laughter. "You don't have to wear that every time you want to go out, you know. And all black? You'll look suspicious to our security."
Mitsuko tried to imagine what he looked like without most of his face covered (some tan skin was peeking out here and there). Kaiba-kun with tan skin…I'm gonna have to work on that while I observe him. He does carry himself like Kaiba-kun, though, but with a little less stiffness.
"They know it's me because I wear this every time we go out," Set replied, ruffling the boy's hair.
Mokuba had a sad look on his face as the action was being done, but he smiled again when he turned to Mitsuko. "Come on, we don't want to miss any of the action!"
Mitsuko nodded and followed them out. He even walks the same… How could anyone miss the similarities? They truly are the same person, only Set-san walks with the overwhelming confidence Atem does, being of royal blood. Do I want to join that family? I'm just a normal teenage girl, yet with the soul of a queen. She shook her head and twisted her hands together. I DON'T KNOW! THIS IS ALL SO CONFUSING! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
She looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She gasped and looked up to see Set gazing down at her.
"I can feel the emotional turmoil you're going through. Don't think with your mind anymore, feel with your heart. It'll tell you what's right for you."
"Thank you," she said with a shaky smile. He's sure wise for someone who can't be older than sixteen. That makes me wonder… When did he awaken and when did Kaiba-kun "inherit" the Millennium Rod? I doubt he'd tell me anything unless I give up information on when I completed the Millennium Puzzle and when Atem awoke. If I knew I could trust him as an ally, maybe we could exchange what we both want to know.
Mokuba patted her arm and chirped, "You can always trust Set-nii-sama to say something that'll make you feel better!"
"Mokuba!" Set snapped, which made Mokuba cover his mouth at his mistake.
Mitsuko pretended to be surprised and raised her eyebrows. "Set? That sounds awfully like Kaiba-kun's first name. Are you sure you aren't related? This could be quite the juicy bit of news I could spread around school, or maybe even the press!"
Set crossed his arms and she could feel the glare through his sunglasses. "You're fishing for blackmail," he snarled in his normal voice.
"Oh? You sound just like Kaiba-kun, too! Maybe you're brothers from different parents? This gets more interesting with every word I'm hearing."
Set drew out the Millennium Rod, only for Mokuba to grab onto his wrist with both hands.
"Set-nii-sama, don't! You know Nii-sama doesn't like it when you use it on people!"
"She's threatening our family's livelihood! How couldn't I not use it to protect you both?!"
"Please! If you hurt her, her family and Damiri won't take it sitting down!"
I think I've let them squirm enough. Mitsuko waved her hands and soothed, "Easy, you two. I wouldn't blackmail you, since I'm mostly in on your secret already."
Set sighed and put the Millennium Item back in its place on his belt. He then pulled down his face mask and took off his glasses, a glare on his face. "How long have you known?"
"Since last night, after you left. I asked Atem about you and the Millennium Rod."
"Why would he tell you? Seto said you haven't spoken in two months."
"Just because we haven't talked in so long doesn't mean he doesn't know that when I do talk to him, it's serious and needs to be heard. He's not so stubborn that he'd snub me. So I know you're formerly high priest of Pharaoh Atem, his cousin and most loyal out of all his subjects. You were the former wielder of the Millennium Rod, and Kaiba-kun's your reincarnation, just Yugi and I are Atem's."
"So he knows I'm around now. Atem…I haven't seen him since he sealed his soul into the Millennium Puzzle three thousand years ago. It's a miracle he knows I'm his cousin, we look nothing alike."
"If you've been around for such a long time, why haven't you approached him earlier?"
"I prefer to be in the shadows and let Seto get all the attention. I would've had that job if Atem had stayed pharaoh."
Mokuba, who'd gotten lost in the middle, asked, "What're you two talking about? Does Mitsuko-san have a psychic connection like you do with Nii-sama?"
Mitsuko grinned and rubbed her hands together. "So you can talk to Kaiba-kun just like I can to Atem? Is it because of the Millennium Rod? Or that you two share the same soul?"
"We have a connection through the Millennium Rod, although Seto doesn't believe it, even when I listen to his thoughts and answer them. He doesn't know how to make them private, so I hear every internal monologue he has. I think he imagines that I'm his conscience."
She giggled and Mokuba scowled. "Do you play tricks on him, Set-nii-sama? If you are, I'll tell Nii-sama about it!"
"No, no, I can't help that I can hear him all the time. I could close off our connection, but I've helped him several times on tough decisions, such as when he did that hostile takeover earlier this year."
"You helped him with that? Well, I did see him thinking a lot before he decided on the day we were going to take over KaibaCorp. I thought you were sick that week! You were concentrating on planning with him?!"
"Yes, Mokuba-ototo. I needed all my wits to convince Seto. He's more stubborn than a mule at the best of times, you know that."
"Thanks, Set-nii-sama!"
Mokuba hugged him and Mitsuko smiled. They really are a family if these two can interact like this and Set-san cares so much for Kaiba-kun enough to help him with his internal problems. How much does he know about me and does he really "talk" to Kaiba-kun, or does he just listen in on his thoughts all the time? Kaiba-kun, when you get a girlfriend, you'll have to learn how to block your thoughts or Set-san's going to be listening to everything, including your emotions, since I know Atem can do that to me.
Set's eyes narrowed as she got lost in thought and he asked, "What're you thinking about? You'd better not be telling Atem I'm coming to watch his match with Seto."
She gave him a slanted look. "Why would I do that? It's not important for me to tell him."
"You're quite the mean girl when you're mad at someone, aren't you?"
"Of course. He's being stubborn about how I can run my life. He doesn't understand how girls are this day and age."
"Do you try to understand his point of view? That marriage and having children is the reason he's here?"
She pressed her lips together and crossed her legs as she folded her arms defiantly.
"I see. You've spoken about this much with him, or rather, you've argued about it. You're two of a kind, the same soul, yet man and woman raised three thousand years apart and from two very different parts of the world. You will have your differences, but my cousin doesn't fight you time after time because he doesn't care, he in fact cares too much, which is why he tries so hard to have you see his goals."
I guess it would be that way, if everyone seems to take his side, but Set-san's his cousin, so he'd know Atem better than his other priests would. His advice is sound and I'm sure I've broken Atem's heart every time I refuse him.
He pulled his disguise back on as the car stopped. He opened the door and Mokuba hopped out, Mitsuko after him. They went to an elevator which brought them to the top floor, watching as Kaiba began the duel with Atem. She smirked as she sensed Atem reaching victory as he drew Exodia, the Forbidden One.
"Atem's victory is certain."
"How can you tell?" Set asked.
"Watch."
"I summon Exodia, the Forbidden One!" Atem announced.
"Told you."
The two Blue-Eyes White Dragons exploded and Kaiba's lifepoints dropped to zero. Mitsuko was about to walk over when she saw the udjat on Atem's forehead as he gave Kaiba a Penalty Game. She winced as Kaiba fell back in his chair and asked Atem mentally, /Did you kill him?\
/No, I shattered his heart and he'll have to put it back together. He'll be alright soon enough.\\
"It seems you'll have to deal with a comatose Millennium Item wielder this time, Set-san," Mitsuko stated in Ancient Egyptian, which made Set's eyes widen as she walked over to Atem, who took her hand as she stepped into the hologram box. She smiled and let him lead her to the other side, where their friends waited.
While everyone was celebrating at the Kame Game Shop, Atem and Mitsuko slipped away, onto the dark streets.
"I can't believe Kaiba took me for a fool, saying he had you hostage!" Atem exclaimed. "I didn't even call for you to see if you were alright!"
She grinned and tossed her head, her bows glittering in the moonlight. "That's what cellphones are for, at least for normal people."
He nodded and put an arm around her waist. She looked at him in surprise, but he smirked. She blushed and leaned into him as they walked. Since we apologized and made up, he's been really familiar with touching me. He's only kissed me once, so where is this coming from?
They walked for a while in comfortable silence until they entered a building which had flashing lights and throbbing music. Her eyes darted around and knew they had to be in some sort of club. A song came on and she began dancing, singing along.
(Insert Jordin Sparks - Battlefield)
In the middle, since the tempo wasn't as upbeat as some songs, Mitsuko had pulled Atem into a slow dance position, which made him confused.
"You dance to this music?"
"Yeah," she answered with a snort.
"It's unlike any I've heard before."
/You're from Ancient Egypt, music's evolved and changed since then, Pharaoh Atem.\
/I'll agree to that, since even the style of dancing is unfamiliar.\\
She leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Well then, let me teach you."
He shivered and nodded eagerly.
An hour passed, then another, and they were dancing to a really upbeat song, sweat running down their bodies, which were in closer proximity than at first. Suddenly, he threw his arms around her and drew her to him so they were flush together, his lips finding hers the next second. Her eyes closed and her arms wrapped around his neck, her inexperience showing as she didn't do much else.
He scooped her up and soon enough, they were lying on a bed. Adrenaline and passion flowed through them both, that all inhibitions faded to the background as she lost sight of herself altogether.
The next morning she found herself lying atop her bed, fully dressed and such, but feeling like a wreck. Ugh, what happened to me?
She rubbed her head and got out of bed, biting back a cry of pain as fire lanced through her lower regions. She looked at the calendar and nodded. Her monthly time was the next day, so pain was natural. She walked to the bathroom and took some pills for the pain, then returned to her room to change for school.
I must've danced too much, because my feet hurt. I'm never going to dance that much again, even if Atem asks me. Speaking of Atem, isn't he getting up for school? /Atem? Are you awake yet? We're gonna be late for school.\
When he didn't answer, she knocked on his door, then Yugi's. "You guys better get up soon or you're gonna get a tardy!"
She went down and grabbed a piece of toast, Sugoroku looking up at her appearance.
"Oh, Mi! I didn't think you'd be going to school today!"
That made her confused. "Why?"
"When Atem-kun came home carrying you, saying you wouldn't be feeling good, I agreed you shouldn't go to school and didn't remind him to set your alarm."
"But we have a big test today! I have to go!"
"Alright, but rest as much as possible."
Her eyes narrowed as she jogged to school, getting there just on time. She sat down and then demanded of her brother and boyfriend, "What's going on that you convinced Jii-chan to let me stay home today?"
Yugi glanced at Atem, who replied, "I thought you'd be sore from all that dancing and exhausted from staying up so late two nights in a row, so I told Jii-chan and he agreed to have you stay home. It's quite obvious your tenacity is stronger than your common sense sometimes."
"It's a good thing if I take some aspirin to get rid of the pain and just keep going. I can't skip school when I already skipped Monday. I'm trying to have a good attendance record, thank you very much."
It was then that the teacher came in and started roll call. It was when he got to "Kaiba Seto" and a voice answered, "Here!" that her eyes snapped to who was sitting in his seat. What's Set-san doing here?!
"Did you go tanning, Kaiba?"
"Yes sir, maybe a little too much if you noticed."
The class murmured amongst themselves at "Kaiba's" new skin tone, which was a one-eighty from his fair skin.
/I see Set has finally shown himself, but why is he sitting in on Kaiba's classes?\\
/He probably doesn't want Kaiba-kun's grade point average to fall by his continued absence, considering we don't know how long it'll take him to put his heart back together.\
/I'll have to talk to him during lunch.\\
/Okay, but I'll have to come with you, just to keep up the charade he's doing.\
At lunch, the pair approached the former high priest and his eyes locked on Atem as soon as he was within sight. He bowed his head and a slight smile came to his face. He waved them over and Atem did without further prompt, his face full of emotion.
"I can't believe it's you, after all these months..."
"I missed you too, Atem."
Mitsuko coughed and they both turned to her. "Need I remind you that you two are supposed to be rivals, and people are watching?"
Their expressions changed like a light switch and they glared at each other, yet their words remained friendly.
"When did you awaken?"
"When Seto was only twelve, so we're rather close and I know his story almost as well as Mokuba-ototo. It was lucky I wasn't roped into the same thing, since by the time things really got rough, I knew everything he did. Gozaburo just didn't want an heir with dark skin."
"Lucky for you. I've been only been around for the past seven months."
"Seven months? It's amazing that your relationship with Mitsuko-san is still in the fledgling stages."
Atem averted his eyes and mumbled, "It's none of your business, cousin."
Set crossed his arms and grinned. "Oh? Did something happen last night that brought you closer together? You're blushing like a girl!"
Atem's head snapped back into Set's direction. "You're just as bad as Mitsuko sometimes!"
"Maybe that's why we became friends over the course of a day-and-a-half. So you like to tease Atem, too?"
Mitsuko grinned. "Of course, he's too easy."
"Then you should hear of some of the pranks I played on him while he was pharaoh. He fell for each one, hook, line and sinker."
"Really? Do tell."
When Set opened his mouth to begin the first story, Atem was furious they were double teaming him. He shouted, "Don't you dare tell her anything!"
Mitsuko laughed, a devious note to it. "Does poor Atem have an embarrassing past? Now I really want to know."
Set's grin turned evil as he chuckled. "Oh the stories I can tell about my exploits against him. You'll love every second of it."
Atem glared at them so intensely both of them should've died on the spot.
I think I've pushed his buttons just enough today. If he exploded, he might be difficult to live with for the rest of the day. She then placed a hand on Set's arm and playfully scolded, "Now, now, I think that's enough for now. What would we do if he were to spontaneously combust in front of us? Then who would save the world from darkness yet again?"
Set sighed and nodded. "Of course, we wouldn't want to pick up the pieces and explain to the teachers why one of the students exploded."
"One day I'm going to have my revenge on you both for this humiliation," Atem growled, shaking from head to toe in suppressed fury.
He took Mitsuko by the arm and pulled her away. She waved to Set and the two shared a conspiratorial grin.
They now knew how to tease the pharaoh until he lost all composure, and they were going to abuse this knowledge maliciously.
This is going to be sooooo fun.
For the rest of the day she "rested", not giving her all in gym, which made the teacher give her a funny look, but when she saw the limp in the younger girl's step, she relented. Set joined in on the game of basketball and found out why the boys kept passing to the girls to shoot. Atem was incensed by his cousin's behavior, covering Mitsuko's rear whenever she leapt for the basket.
When Mitsuko figured out why Atem was always behind her, she blushed and yelled at the boys for being perverts, chasing them around the gym until they all fled into their locker room.
She huffed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Geez, boys. Sensei, can we please wear shorts like the boys do so they don't keep peeking at our panties?" I can't believe every boy in our class now knows that I wear a black lace and silk thong! I'll kill them! Even Atem saw, although he wasn't doing it intentionally! I'll never, ever, ever play basketball again unless the uniform's changed!
"I'll have to talk to the principal about it, Mutou-chan."
"If the principal doesn't do something about it, then he's a pervert too!"
What could possibly have happened between Atem and Mitsuko? *winkwink nudgenudge*
If everyone couldn't tell, Mitsuko teases Atem because he has a slow temper and seeing him lose all composure is fun for her. It's supposed to be for humor purposes, thus why I had Set join in. We also see that the couple has made up their differences, but for how long?
*looks away* I'm not giving away anything!
I like how she became friends with Mokuba instead of getting into a high-stakes game. I also combined the time Mokuba first appeared with the Death-T chapters, so there you go!
How does everyone like my version of Set? I made him playful...well...later chapters ought to answer that!
Please review!