This part gets kinda cheesy.

Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh. I'm not making any money. Nuff said.

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HIKARI STRONG

Chapter Nine

Joey woke up to her alarm blaring, sweaty and breathless. The dream she had last night had been intense. Had it been just a dream, or was it really one of Juno's memories? Either way, Joey cursed her female hormones again. That dream had been so hot, not to mention how gentle Set had been made her heart break a bit. She could never imagine Seto being like that. Also Juno's confidence was so radiant. She had been cool and fiery, and for the most part, in control. Not to mention how sexually comfortable she was. Joey sighed. She'd never be like that. She was still getting used to being a girl, period.

Joey pulled herself out of bed, walking over to the closet, staring between her old boys' uniform and the new girls' one. She knew Tea had been right. If she showed up to school in her old uniform, they would just make her change or send her home, and she knew Kaiba would not help her out with a ride then. Joey sighed, grabbing the pink blazer and blue skirt half-heartedly.

After she was showered and dressed, she stared at her hair. It wasn't much different from the hair she had as a boy, just longer, and the volume it had before now seemed to actually have a place. Joey ran her finger through it curiously before using the hair dryer that had been bought for her. She then pulled her hair back into a spunky ponytail. Finally, Joey made her way downstairs, finding Mokuba putting on his shoes.

"Morning Joey!" Mokuba greeted with a huge smile. He giggled. "You know, it's almost like you were meant to be a girl."

"Watch it, squirt," Joey said playfully, ruffling the boy's raven hair. "Where's yer brotha'?"

"Waiting on you,"Seto said from behind Joey, causing the blonde to jump.

"Don't do dat, ya sneaky bastard!" Joey yelled. Seto just stared as Mokuba laughed.

"Come on," Seto said, signalling Joey and Mokuba to follow him. He smirked at the blonde as they entered the limo. "Ready for your first day of school as a girl, Pup?"

"Not anotha' word, Moneybags, or I'll turn you inta a girl," Joey threatened.

Seto chuckled, and Joey narrowed her eyes. So this was how it was going to be? He was going to act like nothing happened? Like he hadn't kissed her recklessly the night before? Joey sighed quietly. She supposed she should have expected that.

They dropped of Mokuba first, who bid Seto and Joey goodbye and took off excitedly from the limo. The remaining two sat in silence for a moment, avoiding each others gazes. Joey couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Once they arrived at the school, Joey made her escape from the limo and ran to meet her friends. Many students stared and whispered. A couple of boys cat-called at her, and she gave them lethal glares. Most of them turned away and minded their own business, thankfully.

"Joey!" Tea greeted the blonde excitedly. Joey was able to smile a bit, but Tristan saw through it.

"You alright, Jo?" He asked, elbowing a staring Duke in the gut. Duke winced, narrowing his eyes at the pointy-haired brunet.

Tea gave Tristan a look that said 'don't go there.' She then hooked her arm with Joey's and smiled again. "Okay, so the school's been informed and we even got your schedule changed so you're in gym with me," the blue-eyed girl explained. "Don't worry. We're all here for you."

"Yeah, Joey," Yugi said beaming. "We're right behind you the whole way."

Joey's heart could have burst. "Thanks, guys."

"Well, I'm about to pummel some of these punks that keep checking you out," Tristan growled, popping his knuckles. "She's not a piece of meat, you jackasses!"

"I can take care of myself, Tristan," Joey told him in a low voice. She didn't like his protective attitude toward her just because she was now a girl.

The school day proceeded normally, Joey doing a fine job at avoiding Seto for the most part. There was the occasional derogatory comment. Joey noticed that when she retaliated many of the teachers turned a blind eye.

During gym, Joey couldn't shake how awkward she felt. Not only had she never undressed in front of girls, besides Tea, but she still had a certain attraction to some of them. It was weird and confusing. But the memory if a certain heated dream wiped all those thoughts clean away.

Damn Kaiba, Joey thought, quickly changing into her gym clothes. Damn Juno's memories. Damn...everything!

The class played a game of volleyball, and Joey was happy that Tea was on her team. Even as a girl, Joey was strong and agile, and her team made her their spiker, with Tea as the setter.

"That was awesome!" Tea cheered as she and Joey shared a high-five. "You were amazing, Joey!"

"I'll say," said a short girl named Lacy. "It's hard to believe you pulled off being a guy so well. You seem so comfortable as a girl."

If only that were true, Joey thought remembering how beautifully confidant Juno had been in her dream. She didn't like that she was stuck as girl, but she figured she should try to become more comfortable with it. Who knew if she'd ever be a guy again?

Once classes were over, the gang met up to make their way to the hospital to visit Ryou. Yugi said their white-haired friend would be released today, so they could pick him up and head to Burger World to celebrate. Joey began frantically checking her bag. She been sorting through some of her new cards and recently found one she wanted to give Ryou. She sighed, realizing she had left it in her locker, where she had put it for safe keeping.

"Go ahead, guys, I'll catch up," Joey said, running back into the building.

"Everything okay, Joey?" Yugi called after her.

"Just forgot somethin'," the blonde yelled over her shoulder. "I'll be right there, promise."

She jogged down the abandoned hall before finding her locker. Panting, Joey put in her combination and opened it, pulling out the very card she would give to Ryou. She let a relieved breath and put it in a pocket of her bag where it wouldn't get bent or torn.

As she shut her locker, a crushing force shoved her against it. Her elbow shot out of instinct as hard as it could. She made her temporary escape from the assailant, only to have him grab her gain. Joey looked in horror. It was a guy she had teased as a guy, long ago before she and Yugi became friends. She'd notice him lingering before, but thought nothing of it.

"Not as much fun being on the other end is it, Wheeler?" the boy said, his voice dripping with malice. Joey struggled as the boy's hand reached up her skirt.

"Stop!" Joey yelled. "I never did anything like dis to ya!"

"Shut up!" A hand struck Joey hard across the face. Her knee shot up and connected with his groin. As the boy doubled over, Joey grabbed her bag and took of running. A foot came out and tripped her to the ground, tasting blood as she bit the inside of her cheek. "You stupid, no good bitch!"

He's too strong, Joey thought helplessly. If I were still a guy I'd have him crawlin'. He'd be a bloody pulp. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to get the boy off her, praying that someone would help her.

Her answer came with a silver briefcase flying through the air, connecting squarely with the boy's face. He fell across the floor, away from Joey with a grunt. He looked up. "Why you son of a bitch!"

His insult was answered by Joey's savior grabbing him from the floor and throwing him into the lockers, using his forearm to hold him in place.

"If you ever come near her again," Seto Kaiba threatened as the boy choked and gagged, "if you so much as look at her the wrong way, I will make certain no one ever finds your body. In fact, I will wipe your existence from the face of the earth. Are we clear?" The boy choked again, but managed to nod. "Good," Seto said, tossing the boy across the hall. "Now get out my sight, you low life scum."

The boy scrambled a bit before taking off running. Seto growled, vowing to have the asshole thrown out of school and fed to rabid dogs. He turned to the crumpled blonde on the floor, kneeling in front of her. "Wheeler?"

Joey was in a daze, staring out into nothing, tears streaming down her face. "Wheeler?" Seto tried again. When the girl continued in her catatonic state, he grew impatient. "Dammit, Joey, look at me!"

That snapped her out of it. Joey looked up to find Seto staring at her, his expression unreadable. She stared into blue eyes for a long time, still feeling terrified. Finally it sank in that this was Seto. Seto had save her. Seto was safe.

Had Joey been in her right state of mind, she never would have done what she did next. She buried her face into Seto's chest and began sobbing. Seto stared for a moment, unsure of what to do. He had never been in this kind of situation with Joey, and definitely never thought he ever would be. He did the only thing that came to mind, thinking of the times he had to comfort Mokuba. He wrapped his arms around the blonde protectively.

"I hate being a girl!" Joey cried in Seto's chest, clutching his uniform with a death grip. "I can' fight for myself, I can' keep my friends out of trouble. I was neva' good at a lot of things, but at least I could fight! At least I was good for somethin'!" She sobbed incoherently, forgetting that she was divulging these things to Seto Kaiba, someone who would more than likely just use it against her. "Now I'm worthless and weak!"

At that Seto grabbed Joey's face in his hands, looking her dead in the eye. "You are not weak or worthless, Joey," Seto said sternly. He swallowed, figuring he might as well keep going. "You're brave and strong, In fact you're the strongest person I know - boy or girl." He smirked a bit, using his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Who else, after coming back from the brink of death, would challenge me to a duel? Who else could break away from Marik like you did? Who else, after just getting their soul restored, would jump right back up to help their best friend and guy they can't stand face off against some Atlantean psycho?"

Joey's heart was pounding. Seto had never spoken to her like this, not even in her dreams. She'd only heard this soft tone given to Mokuba. She bit her lip and diverted her gaze elsewhere, praying that this wasn't a trick of some kind. When Seto entangled his hand in her messy locks and drew her close again, Joey swore her heart would explode. The brunet buried his face in her hair, whispering. "I say a lot of things, Joey, but listen when I tell you. You are not weak or worthless. You mean a great deal to many people."

Joey swallowed, closing her eyes as she dared to speak. "Do I mean somethin' to you?" She knew the answer. She didn't want it. She was just setting herself up for heartbreak.

"Unfortunately," Seto said, sending Joey's stomach plummeting, "you mean more to me than I care to admit."

Joey's head shot up, her mouth agape. This had to be dream. It couldn't be real. "You called me Joey," she blurted.

Seto chuckled, brushing Joey's bangs out of her eyes. "Three times, in fact," he replied.

Joey stared before she narrowed her eyes. "So all the dog jokes and the teasing really were you just tryin' to flirt wit' me?!"

Seto shrugged. "It got your attention, didn't it?"

Joey growled. "There are other ways ta get my attention ya dumb bastard! Tea was right!" She grabbed the front of his shirt. "For a genius yer really are a moron!"

Seto suddenly smiled, and Joey was sure he was going to melt. "Shut up and kiss me, Pup," he ordered brushing his lips against hers.

"Bastard," Joey retorted before finishing the act. The kiss was gentle at first, but apparently it wasn't enough for either of them. Visions of her dream shot sparks of desire through Joey as she made to get closer to Seto. The brunet didn't hesitate, his hand grasping blonde hair, his tongue fighting with Joey's for control.

It was when the blonde made to climb of top of Seto, straddling his lap, that Seto broke the kiss, coming to his senses. "Not here, Pup," he told her.

"Huh?" Joey asked in a dazed stated. She remembered then that they were in the hallway of their high school, and that she was supposed to be finding her friends to go meet Ryou at the hospital. "Oh," she said, face blazing.

Seto smirked, placing a quick kiss to Joey's forehead. He put his arm around Joey's waist and pulled them both up from the floor. "Want me that bad, huh, Pup?"

Joey glared. "I got...caught up in da moment," she told him, bending over to pick up her bag. When she turned back around she squeaked as Seto's lips captured her once more.

"Don't worry," he said huskily, "I want you just as badly. Just...not here. I don't want anyone else to see what's mine."

"Yours, huh?" Joey said, folding her arms. "Why don'cha try askin' me what I want, Moneybags?"

Seto sighed. "If you really want I could take you out to dinner," he said caressing Joey's face with his hand. She had a bruise forming and it only made him more murderous. "How's Friday? I unfortunately have a lot of work to do this week."

"Yer serious?" Joey said raising a brow. "I'm the Mutt, rememba'? I'm a girl, but I'm still Joey Wheela', third-rate duelist, total losa'. What else have ya called me?"

Seto scowled, lifting Joey's chin so she would face him. "I'm very serious," he said looking right into her amber eyes. "I meant what I said just now. I've come to admire your strength and many other things about you. You do mean a lot to me. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove it."

Joey sighed. "Fine, Rich-Boy, give it ya best shot."

Seto smirked before pecking Joey on the lips. "Trust me. I will."

"Well, what happened here?" Duke asked as he and Tristan entered the hall. Joey immediately turned twelve shades of red and Seto glared, his mask back in place. Duke was smirking a bit and Tristan just looked confused.

"What the hell are you doin', Kaiba?!" Tristan shouted, stepping forward. Joey glared.

"Tristan stop," she warned.

"Yeah, Tris, calm down," Duke made to hold Tristan back. The other boy threw him off.

"What did you do to her?!" Tristan demanded, pointing to Joey's disheveled and bruised state. Before Seto could put the irrationally angry teen in his place, Joey stepped forward, her fist colliding as hard as she could muster against Tristan's face. Tristan held his face, shocked. "What the hell, Joey?!"

Duke's green eyes were wide while Seto couldn't help the smug expression on his face. The glare Joey shot Tristan was down right deadly. The blonde grabbed the pointy-haired boy by the collar of his shirt, bringing him to his feet.

"I'm sick of ya thinkin' that just 'cause I'm a girl now ya have ta come ta my rescue!" Joey yelled at her oldest friend. "It's still me! I'm still Joey! Don'cha dare forget who I am, Tris! Don'cha dare forget what I'm capable of!" She let Tristan go, who was still staring. Duke mentally noted to never piss off Joey like that.

Seto looked at his watch. "Well, as much as I would love to hang around you geeks all day, I have a company to run." He picked up his breifcase before stopping to whisper in Joey's ear. "Friday. Don't forget." He then stalked off, leaving Joey to recover from the heart-attack in her chest.

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The man with blue hair and dark eyes took a giant drag of his cigar as three women entered his office. The bowed their head. "Mr. Valdis," they said in unison.

Valdis leaned back in his seat. "Well?" he asked.

A woman with long orange hair stepped forward. "Mr. Valdis," she said, sounding a bit frightened. "It appears that Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler have...taking a liking to each other."

Valdis growled. "I should have done away with that rich brat first," he complained. He knew leaving Set's reincarnation alive had been risky, but he had never seemed to have any interest in the blonde. Apparently, Valdis had been wrong. He cursed the powerful connection between the man who had stolen Juno away and the flighty fiancee herself. Of course it would follow them into their next lives. "No matter. We will deal with him regardless." He took another puff of his cigar. "Thank you, Chrysanthemum." The girl looked relieved as she stepped back. Valdis eyes the girl to his left, the one with an emerald braid that ran down her back. "Willow?"

The girl's breathing hitched at the sound of her name. "Yes, sir?"

"The boy," Valdis reminded her.

"Oh, yes sir. He's...stronger than we thought. As you know he must be willing for the ritual to extract that demon from him. He...will not let up" She bit her lip nervously.

"He will break soon enough," Valdis answered. "It's that very demon that gives him such resolve." The very demon I need. I could do this without her, but it would require using my contingency plan. "You may step back, Willow." Willow bowed her head, falling back in line. Valdis' gaze fell on the woman with the purple bob. "Step forward, Hydrangea." The woman did so. If she was nervous at all, she hid it well. "Hydrangea," Valdis began in a dark voice, "explain to me why I do not have the three powerful hikaris, the very ones that could stop me, in my possession? Including the reincarnation of the one that eluded me five thousand years ago?"

Hydrangea bowed her head. "My apologies, Mr. Valdis. It will not happen again."

"Of course it won't," Valdis replied coldly, puffing his cigar. "You know how I hate failure." He then snapped his fingers. The room was filled with Hydrangea's screamed as the girl burst into flames. She flailed and writhed, her flesh melting, her hair incinerating. Willow and Chrysanthemum averted their eyes, gagging at the scent of burning flesh. After the fire finally dissipated, the woman was no more than a pile of ash.

Valdis stood up, turning his back to the remaining to woman. "I have waited too long to tolerate failure." He turned back around. "You know what to do, Chrysanthemum."

Chrysanthemum nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir."

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OMG. Once again that escalated quickly.