Chapter 11

He couldn't have been in the shower for more than ten minutes, but when he came back there was a small, flat box waiting for him on his bed. For a few long moments he just found himself staring at it in confusion, before cautiously making his way towards the bed. He picked the box up and examined it; although all that really did was confirm both lid and base were a matted black and that the lid would just slid off when he pulled it.

Curious now, he opened the box to reveal a key strung up like a pendent on a chain. Frowning he lifted it out and spotted a neatly folded piece of paper lining the bottom of the box. He placed the box down in order to lift the paper out and open it to reveal a note.

'Because I know I can't keep you locked up forever...'

For a few seconds he felt confused, then he remembered his last couple of arguments with Kaiba and laughed.

'You've sure got a warped sense of humour Seto,' he smirked as he placed the chain around his neck.

'That's strange, because I wasn't trying to be funny.'

The sound of his voice made Tristan jump. Instantly he whirled round to see Kaiba leant against the doorframe watching him.

'Doors are there for a reason you know,' he felt his face flame red as he did his best to press his exposed arms against his chest, 'I've just had a shower, I could have been completely naked for all you knew.'

'Whatever,' he rolled his eyes and averted his gaze, 'it's not as though you've got anything I haven't seen before.'

'That's not the point,' Tristan grabbed the nearest clean top, not caring whether or not it matched the trousers he already had on. 'Just because I have memory problems doesn't mean you don't have to respect my privacy.'

Kaiba looked as though he was about to say something, then hesitated and shrugged.

'So if you weren't trying to be funny, then what's all this about?' Tristan pulled at the key now hung around his neck.

'You were the one who wanted some sign that I trusted you,' Kaiba kept his gaze averted, 'and since you're so insistent on getting yourself lost on a high speed vehicle I figured you should do it on the best.'

'Wait, what?'

'I... I got you a new bike,' there was something very careful about the way Kaiba worded the sentence, as though he was doubting his own decision.

'You're kidding, right?' Tristan laughed. 'Why...? I mean, not that I'm not grateful, but... If you wanted me to know I had your trust you could have just given me the keys to my old bike back.'

'I know,' his voice was mute, 'but this one has a GPS system installed into it, so if you do get lost...'

'I guess I should have expected that,' he rolled his eyes, 'but... thank you.'

'Whatever,' he rolled his eyes, 'just do me a favour and don't get yourself killed.'

I promise nothing,' Tristan laughed as he excitedly darted past him and half jumped his way down the stairs.

Just as he reached the door a blue envelope on the hall table caught his attention. It was address to him. Cautiously he opened it and pulled out what was inside; a birthday card from his parents. A numb kind of shock filled his body as he dropped the card. He didn't know how to feel or what to think or... anything.

'This... this was what I'd forgotten?' Tristan forced his gaze towards Kaiba as he made his way down the stairs.

'After our conversation yesterday I wasn't sure whether I should hide the card or not,' Kaiba's voice was mute, 'sometimes it's hard to tell how upset you'll get about things like this. But I figured you'd resent me more if I didn't find some way of telling you.'

'And this was the method you went with?' Tristan wasn't sure if he was angry or not.

'I wanted to tell you just now, but...' Kaiba's expression was unreadable as his words trailed into nothing.

'You figured this would be the best way for me to find out,' Tristan shook his head. 'How the hell can you be the smartest person I know and a complete idiot at the same time?'

'Tristan...' Kaiba hesitantly reached a hand towards him, 'it's... it's okay, we both knew something like this would happen eventually, you've just got to calm down.'

'Stop telling me how to feel,' Tristan battered his hand away, before storming back in the direction of his room, 'just leave me alone.'

'Hey Ahna, have you seen Joey?'

'No, why?'

'He wasn't there when I woke up this morning.'

'Maybe he had some work to get on with, I wouldn't worry.'

'But he never leaves before I'm awake.'

'Look, he's probably in the garden, or something,' Ahna frowned, 'I wouldn't worry too much about it.'

'Yeah, maybe,' Mai chewed her lower lip nervously.

'Look Mai I'm sure he's fine,' Ahna forced a weak smile onto her face, 'I know trouble has a tendency to follow all of us around, a lot, but... things have been pretty calm lately.'

'Too calm,' Mai averted her gaze, 'and maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm just waiting for something bad to happen and I'm jumping on every little thing because of it.'

'The lack of sleep probably doesn't help either,' she found herself studying Mai for a moment. 'You look exhausted.'

'I feel exhausted,' she sighed, 'I feel like I've been awake all night even though I know that's not true.'

'So Nayta's meditation technique didn't work then?'

'I guess not,' Mai yawned, 'but it was still worth a shot.'

'Da da da da da,' Crovell suddenly chirped. 'Da da da da da.'

'I can't believe he's already starting to speak,' Mai laughed, 'I mean, knowing what this little one's capable of I know it shouldn't surprise me, but... it feels like he's too little.'

'You're telling me,' Ahna felt a small swirl of pride move through her.

'I bet you anything he knows where his Daddy is too and this is his way of trying to tell us.'

'I wouldn't put it past him,' she glanced down at her child. 'Is that right, little one?' She cooed. 'Do you know where your da da is?'

'Da da da da da,' Crovell grinned madly, clearly loving the attention.

'Well, when you get a little better at this whole language thing, maybe you'd like to tell us.'

'Da da da da da.'

'I wonder if Jo will be just as cute when she's born,' Mai began wistfully stroking her stomach.

'Well we know she's getting her looks from you, so I don't see how she could be anything but,' Ahna smiled.

'You think?'

'I don't think, I know; the girl we met was in every way your daughter.'

'Hey Ahna, can I ask you a question?' Mai stared thoughtfully at her as she continued to rub her bump.

'Sure, what do you want to know?'

'Did pregnancy make you fell this fat?'

'You know SK, you present more of a challenge when you actually try to play,' Jay rolled his eyes. 'That's like three games in a row now, winning just isn't fun anymore.'

'I'm sorry, I guess I'm just a little distracted today,' SK's tongue skated across his lips.

'You've been a little distracted all week, is something bothering you?'

'I don't know,' he pulled a face, 'I'm still a little worried about the Wen.'

'The Wen aren't going to do anything,' there was an overly condescending tone in Jay's voice, 'they've admitted their defeat and have even started to come round to the idea of a new little brother... or uncle in the case of Ni.'

'Yeah, that's what worries me. Don't you think they've come round to the idea of his existence a little too easily considering just how badly they wanted him dead?' SK licked his lips again. 'I'm worried they're up to something.'

'Well as long as they don't try to distract us with alcohol again, I'm sure it'll be fine.'

'Jay I'm being serious here.'

'So am I,' Jay pulled a face. 'Look, the Wen missed out on their opportunity, they know that and even if they are planning something it wouldn't be anything new and it will probably boil down to nothing. The Wen are like that, it's why the Mistresses could never fully relinquish their control to them.'

'Because all their plans are half baked?' SK cocked an eyebrow at him.

'Exactly,' Jay grinned, 'they're too indecisive and irrational to ever really pull anything off. Although, in all honesty, if they are planning something I would welcome it at this point. I'm so frigging bored I could actually get enjoyment out of watching paint dry. I want... no I need something to happen.'

'That sounds like you might be planning something yourself,' SK licked his lips again as he playfully narrowed his gaze, 'when the time comes remind me to put you at the top of my suspects list.'

'Number one suspect already hey, I am doing well.'

'I'd love to say it was your sinister looks, but it's the fact you act like a child despite the fact you're forty which really tips me off.'

'Forty?' Jay gawked at him. 'I'll have you know I'm only just thirty-eight. And besides I'm a kid in spirit, literally. I can't grow up and start acting my age because these damn teenage hormones of mine just won't let me. So you might as well stick a feather in my cap and call me Peter Pan.'

'You know something Jay; sometimes your jokes just don't make any sense.'

'You know something SK; your jokes never make any sense.'

'Of all the people to be stuck in the afterlife with,' SK smirked as his tongue glanced over his lips.

'Aw come on, I'm not that bad, am I?'

'No, you're right; normally you're a lot worse.'

'Why thank you,' Jay made an overly theatrical bow. 'So do you want another game?'

'Sure, I guess, it's not like there's much else going on at the moment.'

'Great,' Jay started setting up the board, 'just promise me one thing this time SK.'

'What?'

'You'll actually concentrate on the game; I'm getting really sick of winning all the time. And you know how much I love winning, so that's saying a lot.'