Chapter Three: Flight & Arrival

The plane is fairly quiet. Most people having gone to sleep like the man in the seat next to Yuugi's, or keeping themselves silently occupied one way or another. Yuugi had kept himself busy for the past four hours by reading a book he had packed in his carry-on bag. But three-fourths of the way through it, Yuugi could feel his butt going numb and his legs cramping. He was never one to stay still for long periods of time and his body was aching to move. The short walk to the front lavatory did nothing to soothe this ache. He settles for stretching in his seat, glad for the fact that his body is small enough to do so comfortably.

He reaches for his bag underneath his seat for something else to hold his attention. He thinks about solving one of the wooden puzzles he brought, but quickly denies the thought; it wouldn't keep him busy long enough for any real time to pass. He pulls out his laptop instead to watch a movie. Zipping open the top front pocket of his backpack, he finds his earbuds. He places his bag back under his seat and lets down the tray attached to the back of the seat in front of him.

As Yuugi is setting up his laptop, someone taps his arm. Jaida leans down, tucking a black tendril behind her ear, "Going to watch a movie, Yuugi?"

"Yes," he answers. He types in his password.

"What movie?"

Yuugi shrugs, "I'm not sure yet. I don't quite remember what I have on here."

"Ah. Well, would you care for a beverage? Or a snack, perhaps?"

He asks for a bottle of water, which she brings back in less than a minute. She asks if there's anything else he wants, but he declines any offer of snacks. Jaida leaves with a promise to check on him again later.

Yuugi is abruptly shaken awake by the man sitting next to him. He watches with bleary eyes as the man's mouth moves, but only muffled sounds make it to his ears. Yuugi scrunches his eyebrows, "Huh?"

The man points to his ear. Yuugi touches his ear and realizes he still has his earbuds in.

"Oh." Yuugi pulls the earbuds out, "I'm sorry."

The man shakes his head, "No, I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you, but I really need to use the lavatory. And, uh…" He gestures to Yuugi's laptop that's blocking him from getting out.

"Oh," Yuugi yawns, "Just a sec…" He sets his laptop on his lap and locks the tray in its upright position.

"Thank you," the man says, shuffling into the aisle. Yuugi watches as the he walks to the front and disappears into the plane's bathroom. Then he looks at his computer screen. The movie had finished a little over twenty minutes ago, but he only remembers watching up to the beginning of the middle of it. He must have been more tired than he thought after finishing the first movie.

He powers the device down and returns it to its spot in his backpack. He rolls his neck to work out the stiff kinks he acquired while asleep.

The man comes back and slips into his seat. He once again gives his apologies for having disturbed Yuugi's sleep.

Yuugi waves his hand, "It's alright. It's very comfortable to sleep on a plane anyway. Although, it seems not to bother you, sir."

The man chuckles, "I'm used to it since I travel so often."

"Is traveling a requirement of your job?"

"Yes, it is. You see, I work as a representative for the CEO of a major company. That means I travel all over the world to attend meetings and conferences held by other companies in his place."

"If he's the CEO, shouldn't he be the one attending those meetings? That's part of running a company, isn't it?"

"There's several reasons he doesn't. If you asked him, he'd probably say something along the lines of: It's too bothersome. That's what I hired you for."

The voice impression is lost on Yuugi. But the man continues with a grin.

"But if you ask me, it's because he doesn't want to leave his little brother all alone. He's brilliant and successful and could be the most powerful man in the business world, but it's all for naught if his brother isn't happy. That's just my opinion, though." He finishes with a shrug.

The two continue talking for the rest of the flight about the man's work and how much he respects his employer, Yuugi's reason or flying, and their interests and hobbies.

"Thank you for choosing our airline. We hope you've enjoyed your flight." The flight attendants smile as they see the passengers off. Jaida locks eyes with Yuugi as he makes his way up the aisle, backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Did you enjoy the flight, Yuugi?" She asks when he makes it to the front.

"Yes, Jaida, I did. Thank you for taking care of me," he says.

Jaida smiles brightly, "It was my pleasure. Oh, and your belongings should be ready down at the baggage claim by the time you get there."

"Thanks again. See you," he waves farewell remembering what she had told him hours before when they first met. She giggles, "See you again sometime, Yuugi."

Yuugi follows the people ahead of him down the path leading from the plane to the airport building; the man he had slightly gotten to know a few steps behind him.

The man stops Yuugi from walking off when they exit the tunnel by grabbing onto his shoulder. Yuugi turns to face the man wondering what he wants. Coughing, the man produces a business card from his pocket and extends it towards Yuugi.

"If you ever need help, you can contact me at this location."

Yuugi blinks, glancing from the man to the card and back again. He takes it. "Thank you, but why?"

"Well, you seem like a good kid and I enjoyed talking to you. Plus, it's not bad to have a friend with connections in a new place," he winks. "Don't hesitate to call upon me if you ever need anything."

With that, the young man bids Yuugi adieu walking away with his briefcase in hand.

Yuugi watches the man's retreating back for a second, before reading over the small white card.

Kaiba Corporation

Tae Adler

Company Representative

xxx-xxx-xxxx

He tucks the card in his back pocket, readjusts his backpack, then follows the signs directing him to where he can find his awaiting grandpa.

Solomon Muto, an elderly gentleman who held more energy than seemed possible for someone of his age, stands with eager eyes watching the glass doors leading to the arrivals section of the airport. His bright plum colored eyes dart over the flow of people behind the clear walls, searching for a familiar head of hair. He chuckles to himself, it is much easier to spot his grandson in a crowd of people by the shape and color of his hair than by any other means, especially since Yuugi is much shorter than most people.

A flash of spiky black hair with lilac tips has Solomon hustling closer to the doors, but not so close as to be in anyone's way. Heart tingling and blood rushing, he fears he may overwork his aging heart. It has been over a year since he has seen his grandson in person. The arrangement made prior that year for Yuugi to permanently come live with him dictated that there was no need for Solomon to fly out for a visit.

As the group of people coming through the doors disperses in the larger space, Solomon finally sees his grandson's full person. Clothes a bit wrinkled from the long flight, weariness framing the edges of his eyes, but mouth upturned in an eager smile.

When grandfather and grandson lock eyes, the young boy's smile blows up into a wide-open grin.

"Grandpa!"

Yuugi rushes to where Solomon stands with open arms. The velocity of Yuugi's speed nearly knocks both of them to the ground, but Solomon has had years of practice accepting his grandson's enthusiastic hugs. (His first time visiting, however, he had to deal with a sore back the entire week due to little Yuugi literally soaring through the air into his arms.)

Solomon laughs heartily, "I've missed you too, m'boy!"