Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu-Yu Hakusho, Hikaru no Go, Star Wars…yes of course Star Wars! I worship at the Church of George Lucas! How do you expect me not to include him in my fiction! It's just not done people!
Chapter 4: "Always in motion is the future…" – Master Yoda (Empire Strikes Back)
"So what happened next?" Seto asked interested in getting back to the story. Aoshi nodded; he was glad he had not lost ground with Seto even if he was losing the game…
"We all took turns telling Misao about the fight…" Aoshi began as he took up where he left off…
(flashback)
"By the time the police arrived only four had been able to run away," Kurama explained.
"Only the ones that Tak wasn't fighting!" Aoshi added proudly and Misao smiled at Tak.
"I guess it's like Vicky-sensei says: Size Matters Not!" she commented cheerfully.
"Who's Vicky-sensei?" Aoshi asked changing the subject and trying to ignore the possessive feelings that kept popping up in his mind about Misao but failing miserably.
"Obviously a Star Wars fan," Hiei growled he was the only one in the group who hated the movies and disliked rabidly obsessive fans. His father was obsessed with Star Wars and he didn't get along at all with his father so he made it a point to hate everything his father liked. Aoshi explained as much to Misao as he shot Hiei an icy glare which Hiei ignored.
"Well, I'm a Star Wars fan too! It's not fair that you judge us all in the same light! Anyway Vicky-sensei, she is the best! She helped me through my rehabilitation and she's taught me all sorts of things!" she ranted on switching from annoyed to chipper in the blink of an eye! She went on and on about how the woman had taught her to sing, read and write music, dance, play the piano and even martial arts!
"Mostly for self defense though but a little bit of a lot of different styles! She calls me Little Ninja Princess because my Gramps and my uncles call me princess and because I'm really good at throwing daggers and stars! I can shoot anything in fact and never miss my mark!" she explained proudly in what appeared to be a single breath. Aoshi just stared in amazement then laughed he was glad that hadn't changed and he felt better that if required Misao would be able to defend herself.
"I think I remember her…Is she that American woman that can sing 'It's a small world' in fifty-two languages?" Aoshi asked unable to completely hide the pride he felt at how well she was doing.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Misao excitedly affirmed bouncing happily and explained that she was currently in California checking up on all her businesses but that she would be back soon. Again she launched into a winded explanation about how this woman and her grandfather had been friends since the late 60's when she helped him save the original Aoiya from bankruptcy which she proudly explained was a historical landmark built before the Bakumatsu.
"Oh! I almost forgot! You guys are all invited to attend the Grand Opening next month! Please come!" she cheerfully pleaded. Tak smiled.
"I doubt there's any way my wife would let us miss it!" he explained cheerfully.
"You better believe it! The hardest part will be getting a babysitter since my sitter pool will be attending the gala!" Kiki added. Misao smiled triumphantly for she had the perfect solution.
"Oh it's not a problem just bring Yugi! Anzu will be there too! The Aoiya is a family restaurant after all! So you're all coming right?" she asked hopeful. Hiei opened his mouth to decline but was promptly elbowed in the stomach by Shuura.
"Sure we are! Even Hiei's coming!" Shuura smiled putting Hiei in a headlock to keep him from protesting.
"Yes I expect all of you there!" Tak intoned seriously then instructed Shuura to release Hiei which she promptly did and Tak gave him a meaningful glare. Hiei just shrugged and reluctantly agreed. The happy chatter of the now crowded game shop continued and Misao seemed to be really interested in Duel Monsters so Tak and Kurama played a demo game for her while Aoshi continued taking customers and restocking the merchandise with a little help from Kenshin, Kaoru and Keiko. The phone rang and Kiki answered it in the back then poked her head out…
"Tak, Mrs. Hasegawa is on the phone… She wants to know if you might let a couple of strong young men go over there to help her out!" she explained with an amused smile. Mrs. Hasegawa was a very old lady who owned the gift shop across the street and occasionally Aoshi would go over to her shop to help her put up her merchandise when her unreliable granddaughter didn't show for work.
Usually Aoshi didn't mind but today he wanted to stay with Misao not help a slightly deaf old lady whose useless granddaughter always stared at him like he was a piece chocolate! Reluctantly though he told Tak he would go. Much to his surprise Yusuke agreed to come along and help him get done faster. Kenshin joined him too. He promised Misao he'd be right back and all three boys left the shop.
They came back about an hour later carrying little white bags with the gift shop's logo on them. Misao noticed Aoshi's bag was much bigger than the ones carried by the other two boys. Yusuke presented his bag to Keiko declaring it a peace offering. Keiko reluctantly took the proffered peace offering and stopped glaring at Yusuke. Kenshin went to give his to Kaoru but he yelped in surprise and jumped back as Shuura's wrist came within an inch of his face. Kaoru shrieked at her sister for being a pest and Shuura just laughed.
"WHAAAT! I just wanted him to see the new bracelet Hiei and Kurama gave me!" she explained cheerfully. "Bracelet" wasn't exactly the word Aoshi would've used! It was an inch-wide black leather band with silver spikes on it. Misao told him that Shuura had been thrusting that thing happily into people's faces since she got it just now. Aoshi just shook his head and gave his bag to Misao.
"This is for you…" he said simply wondering why in the world he felt so nervous all of a sudden! His face felt warm and he hoped fervently that he wasn't blushing!
"For me! Thank You Lord Aoshi!" she piped up happily and opened the bag. She squealed in delight as she pulled out a twelve-inch tall dark blue bear with a picture of a rain cloud on its white belly. Aoshi let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding as she hugged the little bear…
"It's Grumpy Bear! He's my favorite! I can't believe you remembered!" she told him in a soft dreamy tone. Aoshi just shrugged embarrassedly.
"There's more…" he replied softly wondering why the shop was so quiet all of a sudden! Her head snapped up and excitedly she reached for the bag again without letting go of the bear! She pulled out a small white box with silver tinsel tied around it. She almost tore it open and her smile was so bright it could've lit up all of Domino! A delicate silver bracelet with a little bear charm hanging from it.
"Oh wow…" she whispered softly "I love it…" she added in awe. Clumsily Aoshi helped her put it on and she twisted and turned her wrist to admire the delicate bracelet then turned to show it to the other girls. Shuura made a face and declared it to be way too girly and Aoshi should demand a refund. The other girls just groaned as they each showed off the bracelets they'd gotten. Both Kaoru and Keiko got charm bracelets too! Tak smiled gleefully at Aoshi and Aoshi knew he would not escape the teasing later tonight!
Sometime later a man walked into the shop looking for Misao…
"Hey Misao!" he greeted with a smile.
"Hi Uncle Shiro!" Misao greeted cheerfully and introduced the man to her friends and to Tak and his wife!
"Welcome to the Kame Game shop!" Tak greeted enthusiastically as he stepped out from behind the counter. But just as he and Kiki were inviting the man upstairs so the three adults could sit and talk over a cup of tea (and so Shiro could be put up to date on the day's events!) a beautiful and elegant foreign woman swept gracefully into the shop.
"Good Afternoon!" she said in a soft melodious foreign accent.
"Vicky-sensei!" Misao called out joy bursting out of every single pore of her body as she ran to embrace the old woman…
Aoshi watched as the two greeted each other. The woman looked to be in her early sixties her light brown hair was flecked with white strands and was swept up in an artfully messy bun with a few strands arranged carefully around her face. She wore a perfectly tailored dark blue business suit and didn't seem to be wearing much make-up or jewelry. She lovingly stroked Misao's cheek who was happily surprised to see her back from America so soon.
Despite her obviously being old Aoshi was surprised by her exotic beauty. Her eyes were a strange mix of hazel and green and her skin had a light golden brown tone. Every movement she made was soft and graceful she positively oozed elegance and beauty! But there was something else…there was a subtle aura of power to her and he felt a strange urge to bow to her as she approached.
"Well, I do recall most of you! Though we did not meet under the best of circumstances I am pleased to see you all doing well! And my, how you all have grown!" She remarked softly but her eyes had settled squarely on Aoshi. Back when he first met her he had felt deeply impressed with how she had told Misao's third grade teacher where she could go stick herself.
Misao's father had beaten ten-year-old Misao to within an inch of her death and she had lain in a comma for weeks afterwards. When she finally awoke her teacher had come to visit her only to tell her something stupid about how Misao needed to learn to like herself before she could get others to like her and how she expected Misao to try harder next year. The woman had elegantly swept into Misao's room then and told the teacher in her elegant and poised manner to stick herself and her unwanted advice where the sun did not shine! That teacher along with half the faculty at Domino Elementary had lost their jobs soon afterwards!
He had thought it was just his twelve-year old mind that had made her more impressive than she really was but he was wrong. Looking at her now he realized he was just as impressed as he had been then. He straightened feeling as he had then that he wanted to make a good impression. He began to bow to her but she caught his chin in her hand and pulled him back up. She looked deeply into his eyes then she smiled at him and somehow he knew he had succeeded in making a good impression.
Misao excitedly introduced her to her new friends and to Tak and his wife who to Aoshi's surprise were frozen in utter shock. As he looked around the room so were most of his friends! He wondered why? Misao introduced her as Victoria Stillwater. …
"You're…you're…" Tak stammered but was unusually tongue-tied and unable to continue. Kiki found her voice at last…
"You're THE Victoria! As in the Victoria of Victoria's Secret!" Kiki almost shrieked. The woman modestly bowed her head and smiled. Aoshi stared even he knew who Victoria Stillwater was! She was a famous model from the late sixties and early seventies who had launched a revolutionary line of lingerie that was renowned the world over. Every woman in the world coveted undergarments made by "Victoria's Secret"; every man in the world coveted her very famous catalogue!
Aoshi watched with amazement as Kiki and Tak almost tripped over them selves to greet her and invite her into their home. She graciously accepted their invitation to tea but before she went up to the main house she made a point to greet each teenager. The usually smart mouthed Yusuke was unbelievably silent and awestruck as was Keiko. Out of all the teenagers present it seemed only Kurama was able to keep his wits about him and greet her in an elegant and mature fashion. She bent down to give Anzu and Yugi a kiss.
"Tak! She just kissed our son!" Kiki whispered awestruck. Aoshi heard Tak utter something that sounded like an "uh-huh" and then all four adults climbed up the stairs to the main house but not before "Vicky-sensei" gave Misao one more hug.
"Whoa!" Yusuke uttered softly. Keiko just nodded and an explosion of chatter suddenly erupted in the shop as his old friends apologized for not believing her when she had told them she knew her and his newer friends demanded to know what other famous people Misao knew! Aoshi just shook his head in disbelief. When he had met the woman at the hospital he had been unaware of who she really was (he was only twelve after all!) yet he had gotten the distinct impression that she was very important. Now that he was old enough to know what "Victoria's Secret" was all about he was intrigued by her.
Sooner than he would've expected the adults came back down to the shop. Kiki brought down her camera along with the tripod. She set the timer and gathered everyone around for a group picture by the counter. Then it was time for Misao to leave…
"Misao, we must go now…" the woman informed her softly. Reluctantly Misao agreed and turned to say goodbye to all her friends. Her Uncle Shiro invited everyone over to his house the next day for a small get-together and Tak assured him everyone would be there and informed them he would close the shop early tomorrow just for the occasion. Misao went to the counter to take her bear and gently put him back in the white paper bag and picked up her bag with her puzzle. Victoria noticed the bracelet then…
"Care Bears and jewelry…a rather powerful combination! Who gave you such lovely tokens my Little Ninja Princess?" she asked but she shot Aoshi a knowing glance before Misao excitedly exclaimed that Aoshi had given it to her. The woman's smile broadened then but before she could comment all the teenagers gathered around her to say goodbye and she graciously accepted and thanked them for all of their attention. She took a moment to kiss and hug the little ones and Shuura bounced with pleasure as the woman complimented her on her leather spike band.
"I have two you know! One for each wrist and a matching choker!" the old woman informed her. Shuura's jaw dropped and she stared at the woman in awe. Victoria just smiled and promised to show them to her some time adding that if she was really good she would show Shuura her leather jackets and her swords too. Shuura stared at her with a confused look on her face as every one wanted to know about the swords.
Aoshi watched Shuura look at her leather wristband and step back. She seemed to be struggling with some internal debate. She reached up to touch her short boyish hair and frowned. Her frown deepened as she took in her customary boy-like attire. Some change was suddenly occurring in Shuura that Aoshi couldn't understand. He realized he wouldn't try; he would let her handle it. If she needed help she knew where to find it…
"I'll walk you guys out," Aoshi offered as they finally made their way out of the shop. Victoria smiled and exchanged a mysterious glance with the other adults. Misao bounced happily and chattered cheerfully as they made their way out the door. Victoria had parked her car near the entrance of the shop but Shiro had parked a ways down the street. He promised to meet the women later at the restaurant then turned to Aoshi put his hand on the teenager's shoulder and gave him a proud and grateful smile that confused Aoshi. He turned to leave promising to see him tonight as he walked away…
"Tonight?" Aoshi wondered out loud.
"Yes! Lord Hannya invited us to dinner tonight!" Misao perkily answered.
"My father did what!" he countered incredulous 'and why is she calling him that!' he thought. Misao just smiled and nodded.
"Yeah! Last night when I called he invited us! Lord Hannya is so sweet! He always visits me when he's in Kyoto and brings me presents!" she cheerfully added. Aoshi just stared at her as if she'd suddenly grown another head!
"No, that's not possible, I think you're mistaking him for someone else," he intoned gravely. Suddenly Victoria laughed!
"A Shinomori through and through!" she remarked taking Misao's little bear bag and the bag with her puzzle. She told Misao she'd wait in the car.
"No, I am not mistaking him with anyone! At any rate you'll see tonight!" she defended perkily. Aoshi shrugged and let it go. She was right after all he would see tonight. Still, he was relieved to know that if his father picked one person in the world to be nice to that the person was Misao. In at least that they agreed! They walked to the car door and Aoshi automatically opened it for her and she smiled shyly and for some reason she was blushing.
"Ok so I'll see you tonight!" Misao said sounding a little awkward. Aoshi smiled slightly and did something he never did. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her pulling her tight against his chest. At first she was so surprised she didn't react but as her arms wrapped around his waist he felt his heart begin to race!
"Misao, I'm so glad you're ok. I'm so glad you're safe," he breathed softly into her hair and knew he would never forget the sweet flowery scent of it. Reluctantly he released her and she looked up at him with a dreamy smile on her face.
"Thank you…" she said softly as Aoshi helped her into the car.
"Oh! Lord Aoshi I'm glad you didn't cut your hair!" she cheerfully told him and he blushed as he unconsciously reached up to touch the long ponytail his long black hair was strapped in to.
"Um… Misao can I ask you a favor?" he asked hesitantly trying not to think about the effect that simple hug was having on him.
"Anything Lord Aoshi!" she replied dreamily as she settled into her seat and absently reached for her seat belt.
"Just call me Aoshi please, no more Lord," he said reaching the seat belt before her hand did and strapping it for her. Misao blushed fiercely now!
"Uh…ok…" she replied in a barely audible whisper as he pulled himself out of the car "wa…was that it?" she stammered shyly. He nodded and smiled slightly then closed her door for her. She waved goodbye as the car pulled away and Aoshi just stood there watching it disappear into the light Saturday afternoon traffic. He stood there a little longer trying to get his heart to stop racing then walked back into the shop.
"So did you kiss her goodbye!" Yusuke teased. Aoshi just gave him a blank stare then ignored him as he headed back to the counter. Tak beamed!
"All right kids it's time for us to get ready to close so why don't you all start heading on home before it gets dark!" Tak announced. Everyone whined and complained especially Anzu who wanted to stay and play with Yugi some more. Sano promised to bring her back tomorrow which seemed to pacify her somewhat. She hugged Yugi tightly then jumped onto her brother's back and everyone began filing out as they called their goodbyes to Tak and Kiki. Shuura hung back and asked Tak if she could stay and help out.
"Sure! Why don't you start in the RPG books while Aoshi does the puzzles," Tak instructed as he pulled out the cash drawer and handed it to his wife so she could prepare the night deposit.
"You know for someone who sells women's underwear she doesn't seem very girly," Shuura commented absently as she helped out with the closing duties. Victoria had made a strong impression on Shuura the tomboy and she seemed to not be able to stop thinking about the old woman.
"Things aren't always what they seem," Tak replied thoughtfully and exchanged a knowing glance with his wife who walked back out with the night deposit ready for drop off.
"Shuura, why don't you and I take a ride to the bank? I have to stop at the grocery store on the way back, do you mind?" Kiki invited instinctively knowing Shuura wanted talk to someone. Shuura was never willing to talk to her sister or her mother because she considered them both too girly to understand her. For the most part she was right besides lately the only thing on Kaoru's mind was Kenshin and it was causing further strain between the sisters. Shuura's secret crush on said redhead boy just made things worse. Kiki was the only female Shuura felt comfortable talking to.
"Ok," Shuura accepted with a shrug. Aoshi took over the books section. Kiki asked Yugi if he wanted to come but the little boy was intent on finishing a puzzle he and Anzu started and refused to leave. Aoshi offered to watch him. Shuura and Aoshi turned away embarrassed as Tak and Kiki kissed; then the two girls walked through the back room to the garage and in almost no time Aoshi heard the Mutou family car roar out of the driveway.
"She's an incredible girl," Tak said softly breaking the silence that had settled in the shop. Aoshi nodded not looking up from his task waiting for the inevitable teasing that he knew would follow.
"Relax, I'm not gonna tease you!" Tak informed him, his tone solemn. Aoshi just gave him a suspicious look.
"Well at least not today!" he added mischievously and laughed merrily. Aoshi just rolled his eyes…
"I can't believe she's the one you told me about…" Tak walked over to Aoshi and stood next to him watching the boy closely. He was surprised by the seriousness in Tak's tone.
"Me too…and I saw it with my own eyes. I held her hand every day…" Aoshi replied softly but stopped the memory of Misao's shattered little body on that big white bed was too much for him. Guilt still weighed heavily on Aoshi's heart he had always blamed himself for not doing something to stop the abuse she lived in.
"Aoshi you can't continue to blame yourself for something you couldn't prevent. Do you think that someone mean and spiteful enough to beat a half-starved little girl nearly to death wouldn't have been able to do the same to her twelve-year old defender? Do you think he would have cared whose son you were?" Tak asked his tone grave. Aoshi stopped what he was doing and thought about it…
"No," he answered reluctantly. He realized that nobody would've believed him even if he'd said something and that he wouldn't have been able to defend Misao even if he'd been there instead they would've both ended up in the hospital or worse. Tak put a firm reassuring hand on Aoshi's shoulder.
"I can't imagine what it must've been like to watch her suffer but Aoshi she's already punished her father in the best way imaginable!" Tak affirmed.
"What do you mean?" Aoshi looked up in confusion.
"You see her father wanted to take out all his rage on her and destroy her innocent life but instead not only did she survive that vicious and unjust assault but she triumphed over it!" Tak turned Aoshi so the boy could face him his eyes alight with excitement.
"She defeated him and his hate by becoming the beautiful and vibrant young woman that bounced into my shop today filling it with her joy and laughter. She is charming, attractive and loved by all who know her and that utterly crushes every evil intention that man ever had towards her!" Tak paused for a moment to catch his breath.
"And I know you're thinking that all you could do was watch from the sidelines as she battled alone and you would be wrong! It was because of the faith and love of her friends, especially you, that gave her the strength to push on! And I say especially you because as I heard it, it was your friendship that motivated her to fully recover! Did you know that?" he asked and smiled happily as Aoshi shook his head.
"She was an abandoned little girl whom nobody cared for until you came along! You cared enough to beat up bullies, share your lunch and punish mediocre teachers! No one else had done that before! You changed her life and who knows you may have even saved it but that I can't tell for sure, well at least not yet. My point is you gave her hope when she needed it most and hope is a very powerful gift to give," Tak concluded smiling proudly giving Aoshi a pat on the shoulder before he returned to the counter to give Aoshi a few moments to assimilate this new information. He had never thought about it like that and it was suddenly a lot to take in.
"Now going back to Yusuke's question," Tak said in his trademark mischievous tone. Aoshi flinched realizing he should've known Tak wouldn't have left it alone. He opened his mouth for the automatic denial that sprung onto his tongue but Tak read his mind as usual.
"Relax! I know you well enough to know you wouldn't have tried anything at least not without a proper first date!" Tak pointed out mischievously as he handed Aoshi a feather duster so he could start on the shelves. Aoshi accepted it trying to hide the blush on his cheeks behind his long bangs as he turned and stalked to the other end of the shop stopping to check Yugi's progress on his puzzle.
"But you did do something you don't normally do so spill it!" Tak demanded eagerly.
"What! All I did was hug her! Told her I was glad she was ok! Nothing the others hadn't done! No big deal," he finally replied trying to sound non-chalant.
"Oh! Ho! Ho! Yes it is a big deal for Aoshi Shinomori who despises physical displays of affection!" Tak teased then threw his head back and laughed even Yugi stopped for a moment to giggle! Aoshi grumbled embarrassed at being teased but let it slide. Had it been anyone else teasing him that poor soul would've been promptly silenced by either his fist or an icy glare or both but he always made exception for Tak.
"But there's more isn't there…" Tak said tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"Let's see: you probably opened the car door, helped her in the car and closed the door behind her… What am I missing?" he asked pensively.
"I asked her not to call me Lord Aoshi…" he said softly not paying much attention to what he was dusting.
"And…" Tak prompted watching with amusement his unusually distracted apprentice dust the same shelf over and over again.
"And nothing! She said ok and I helped her strap on her seat belt and closed the door after her. That's all!" he responded distractedly moving on to another shelf.
"Why did you do that? Couldn't she strap her belt on her own?" Tak asked him slyly. Aoshi paused and looked at him in confusion. He wasn't quite sure why he'd done it. It was just an impulse he didn't even think about it! He frowned he rarely did anything without thinking and when he did it usually got him into loads of trouble.
"Tak, I don't know why I did it…Do you think I insulted her somehow? Do you think I should apologize?" he asked thoroughly concerned that he might have crossed some line that he wasn't aware of. Tak just laughed…
"Relax! I'm sure that if you had insulted her she would've let you know right there and then! No I'm sure she was just as thrilled about it as you were!" Tak laughed again. Aoshi opened his mouth to argue but clamped it shut again. He realized with a shock that he had gotten a thrill out of it! His heart raced again as he recalled her slender arms around his waist and how close his face had been to hers as he strapped on her seat belt. He always wondered how Tak was so good at extracting the truth out of him! Again he opened his mouth to defend himself…
"Aoshi, never lie to yourself about how you feel about something or someone… You can deny it with your mouth all you want; but never lie to yourself! It's the worst thing you could do to both yourself and the things and people you care about," Tak advised and his tone was soft and fatherly. Again Aoshi wished his father was more like Tak! Aoshi just gave him a small grateful smirk and thanked his lucky stars for bringing him a friend like Tak.
"Besides she is rather cute! So I can't say that I blame you for trying to get a little closer!" Tak interjected cheerfully and the sly wink he threw him effectively killed the solemn moment. Tak laughed as Aoshi's face turned an interesting shade of red. He was saved from further embarrassment as Yugi jumped up.
"I'm finished!" he yelled and Aoshi stopped his half-hearted attempt to dust the shelves to look at Yugi's work. He smiled at the little boy who proudly smiled back.
"Well done!" Aoshi said impressed. The recommended age for the puzzle was 12 and above and Yugi had completed it pretty much on his own since Anzu and the others had left almost as soon as they had started it. Yugi was unusually adept at puzzles! He ruffled little Yugi's hair and started back towards the neglected shelves. Tak instructed Aoshi to hurry so he could get to home with enough time to change before his dinner party.
"Gotta make sure you make a good impression on the family!" Tak teased and laughed as Aoshi blushed once again. He most definitely was enjoying the way Misao had affected his pupil! Aoshi was finally starting to act like a normal teenager and it made Tak very happy. At that moment the door bell chimed again and three men rushed into the shop. The last one in locked the door behind him, flipped over the Open/Closed sign to the"Closed" position and pulled down the shade. He stood watch at the door…
"Everyone keep still and no one gets hurt!" one man said. He was wearing sunglasses, a black beanie cap and a scarf that covered part of his face. The second one wore sunglasses and a black beanietoo but he had a weird creepy smile that made him think of Batman's nemesis: the Joker. The third he couldn't see his face because his back was turned away from him but he had spiky blond hair that was held up straight with a black head band. They all wore large green camouflage jackets too…
'No! This can't be happening!' his mind reeled as the two men pulled out their guns. Aoshi froze at first but the man with the crazy smile was standing right in front of Yugi and stared at him in a weird demented way. He just couldn't leave the little one to the mercies of those men! He tried to inch slowly towards Yugi but the second man leveled his gun at Aoshi's head. He stopped…
"Don't move Aoshi!" Tak commanded his voice filled with fear. It was disturbing to hear it…Tak was never afraid of anything! He cast a glance at Yugi but the little boy was standing very still and very quiet. He tried rather unsuccessfully to convince himself that these thieves wouldn't hurt a little five year old boy. He kept casting worried glances at Yugi as Tak told the thugs that he would cooperate but as long as they didn't hurt anyone. Tak quickly opened the small safe under the register and was instructed to step out from behind the counter. The man with the creepy smile was told to watch the shop owner while the other one hurried towards the safe.
"Never killed any kids before…wonder what that's like?" he said in a deep chilling tone definitely not like the Joker! He laughed in a deep creepy tone as Tak blanched! Aoshi knew right then and there that he most certainly was not going to allow this psycho to kill Yugi! He would do whatever it took!
"No…" Tak whispered fearfully but the psycho just laughed…
Uhu-Hu-Hu-Hu…
He leveled his gun at the little boy's chest. The first shot rang out like a canon blast but Aoshi was already in motion! With more power and speed than he ever imagined he possessed Aoshi dove towards Yugi. His arms wrapped around the small child and his forward momentum carried them both almost all the way out of the bullet's path. He winced in pain as the bullet meant for Yugi's chest ripped through his leg and he grunted as a second one ripped through his other leg and he landed painfully on his shoulder.
He held on tight to Yugi and turned to use his body as a shield to protect little Yugi. Pain coursed through his body and the world quickly began spinning but he held on tight to his little charge. He gently shushed little Yugi who had begun to whimper fearfully and the child responded immediately to Aoshi's reassurance. There was some shouting and one more shot rang out and Aoshi braced himself for more pain but sighed in relief when it didn't come. He heard a heavy thud on the floor and the door chimed again as the three thieves scrambled to get away from the shop before the police arrived. Tak had activated the silent alarm when he opened the safe!
"Tak…" Aoshi called out softly. He tried to lift his head but didn't get very far. The pain made the world spin around him threatening to send him to the oblivion of unconsciousness but valiantly he fought against it. The only thing that mattered to him was to make sure Tak and Yugi were safe; that they had made it through this ordeal. Little Yugi called for his father in a soft fearful whisper but no response came from either his or Aoshi's calls. Yugi wiggled out of Aoshi's hold.
"Daddy wake up! The bad men are gone now," little Yugi said softly. Gritting his teeth against the pain Aoshi dragged himself towards where Tak lay and where Yugi had curled up next to him. Tak's eyes were open and stared lifelessly at the ceiling. There was a small hole on his forehead from which a slim red line of blood flowed down his face. Blood pooled rapidly behind Tak's head and already Yugi's face and hair were covered in it. He sank back to the ground and sobbed quietly. His friend was gone; he had failed. That's all he could think of as he heard a car roar into the driveway and the phone began to ring. He allowed darkness to claim him.
Silence reigned among the three men sitting around the Go board. On the other side of the ballroom the party was still in full swing but for Hiei and Aoshi there was a moment of silence for the dear friend and mentor they'd lost in that senseless act of violence. Seto shook his head solemnly…
"I didn't know," Seto said softly. His security director had handed him a brief report about his rival when he was preparing the Death-T. There was a one liner in it that said Yugi's father had died during a robbery when Yugi was five years old but he had never actually stopped to think what that meant for his rival or how life-altering an incident it had been. As far as Seto knew Takeshi Mutou was just another crime statistic. He didn't know…
But slowly it all clicked now for him as Aoshi made his next move. Seto had always wondered why Yugi's grandfather was so important to him. He had always wondered why Yugi was so against confrontation and why people just threw them selves around him to protect him. Why the pharaoh was willing to kill to protect Yugi made perfect sense to him now. He looked up as the familiar (and most irritating) voice of the head cheerleader approached. He tensed (as he usually did!) when he saw his rival walking towards them. He motioned for Aoshi to look up. The man did and his eyes widened in surprise…
"Hey Aoshi!" Yugi called out cheerfully. Aoshi stood and smiled so did Hiei and both men approached him. Seto followed suit and solemnly greeted Yugi as was his custom. Yugi returned Seto's tense greeting with a cheerful "Hi Seto!" and Hiei and Aoshi exchanged amused glances. Tak had been just like that! Whether someone liked him or not he would greet them cheerfully. That little quirk had worn down both Hiei's and Aoshi's defensive walls. It seemed Yugi had inherited not only his father's looks but his personality quirks too. Anzu wordlessly understanding the importance of this reunion gave Yugi a quick kiss in the cheek and excused herself.
"Hello Yugi," Aoshi greeted wistfully and before he realized what he was doing his hand reached out to ruffle the teenager's hair. Yugi laughed…
"You're just as big as I remember you!" Yugi pointed out cheerfully.
"You're not as short as I remember you!" Aoshi rejoined. Yugi laughed cheerfully as Hiei imitated Aoshi's gesture and ruffled his hair too.
"You guys haven't changed at all!" he laughed but both men merely responded with a sad little smile.
"Sure we have," Aoshi replied softly with a touch of regret in his voice. Yugi looked up at him seriously and in his young eyes Aoshi saw a maturity and understanding that was beyond his years. But what surprised Aoshi was the unspoken gratitude in the young man's eyes!
"So what are you guys up to!" Yugi asked smiling again and looking toward the table all three were sitting around just a minute ago. His eyes lit up!
"Anzu said you were playing Go…but I thought you didn't play anymore!" Yugi exclaimed as he cheerfully made his way to the board. He noted that black was in trouble…
"No kidding…" Aoshi replied ruefully as he made his way back to his seat. He was down by four points and though he was holding off Seto's advance it still wasn't enough to either gain him any ground on the board or much less pull off a win. He explained as much to Yugi…
"Still, not bad since you haven't played in ten years! Hey Seto…I didn't know you played Go! I thought you only played modern games!" he asked as he turned a puzzled look on Seto. Seto rolled his eyes…
"Of course I play Go! You can't be a game master and not be able to play all the classical games as well as the modern ones! Besides I passed the "Pro" Test when I was thirteen!" he retorted annoyed and rolled his eyes again as he retook his seat and studied the board once more. Hiei and Aoshi exchanged amused glances as they watched the two teenagers interact.
"Wow! Really Seto! I didn't know that! I've never taken any of the tests even though Grandpa says I play at 3 Dan level…" Yugi rambled on how his Grandfather was constantly trying to get him into the Go circuit but that he refused because he liked to play for fun and Go seemed too serious! It was just the sort of thing his father would've said because according to Tak games were just fun ways of getting to know someone! It seemed Yugi lived by that simple mantra and obviously it irked Seto to no end!
To Aoshi Seto's irritation made perfect sense after all Seto made a living off of his status as a Game Master and the reputation of his company sometimes depended on that. Being defeated twice by Yugi at his favorite game had to sting even worse was the fact that Yugi spouted things like 'Games are for having fun and making friends'! Seto was just as ambitious and ruthless as he had been and it probably made him angry that Yugi had such an easy going outlook on life and always managed to win! But he did notice that Seto was holding back rather than unleash the challenge that Aoshi knew was on the tip of his tongue he instead concentrated on their game. This was indeed a very good sign…
'I better change the subject,' Aoshi thought but Hiei had also come to a similar conclusion as Aoshi and beat him to it by asking Yugi about his hair!
"You know it's funny but it grows like that!" Yugi replied with a smile reaching up to touch his spiky tri-colored hair "ever since that day…" he trailed off a pained look on his young face. On the day his father died Yugi's hair had been soaked with his father's blood his mother had tried to wash it off but it would not come out. Panicked by the blood red color of his bangs that no amount of shampoo would take out she had bleached them but that however didn't seem to work all that well! In the end she had cut off all his hair but when it grew back it grew in Yugi's trademark red-tipped spikes and blonde bangs. It was quite the mystery…
"You know we were just telling Seto about our days at the shop," Aoshi stated changing the subject again slightly. Yugi's eyes lit again and he smiled…
"I don't remember much but I do recall being spun in the air a lot!" he laughed. Aoshi just smiled and nodded. From the corner of his eye he could see Seto looking up from the board and listening intently again.
"Hey thanks for all the presents and letters! My mom always looks forward to hearing from you! And Grandpa just loves it when Vicky-sensei stops by!" Yugi informed him and again Aoshi marveled at how much like Tak he was!
"I know you're really busy and all but if you ever get a chance you know you're welcome at the Game Shop any time you want to stop by!" Yugi invited seriously and told him how all the others stopped by every now and then even Shuura who was always on the go seemed to have time to occasionally stop and say hi and according to Yugi she was one of Grandpa Mutou's favorite visitors.
"I was thinking of stopping by the shop this weekend," Aoshi intoned seriously.
"Mom will be so happy! She was really happy to see Sano and Kenshin today too they helped get me off work so I could come to the party! It would be so great if you could stop by!" Yugi cheered and Aoshi knew that there was nothing that would keep him away form the game shop tomorrow.
"I'll talk to Misao but we should be able to come by tomorrow afternoon," Aoshi added seriously. Yugi's eyes lit up with joy but before he could say anything he was pulled into a playful headlock by Sano as he came up behind him.
"What are you doing over here with the anti-socials!" Sano asked Yugi as he fiercely ruffled his hair. Yugi just laughed…
"Came to say hi to them!" he happily explained as Sano released him. Kenshin laughed as he joined them and he too ruffled Yugi's hair…
"Sensei would probably advise you to return to the regular partygoers at once, that she would!" he added. Aoshi narrowed his eyes and exchanged a suspicious glance with Hiei.
"Yeah, 'cause that Broody Boy Disease is contagious you know! Stick around them too long and you'll catch it!" Sano teased. Aoshi just rolled his eyes his friends would never stop teasing him about how serious he is.
"Yes! And there are three with this disease at this corner, that there are!" Kenshin added playing along. Sano suddenly shivered…
"Is it me or did the room just get colder?" Sano asked suddenly.
"Naw! It's just them glaring at us!" Yugi replied jumping into the banter by pointing a thumb at Aoshi, Seto and Hiei who were indeed glaring in annoyance at the three. Kenshin, Sano and Yugi laughed…
"All right go on back to the party! Anzu's driving me nuts already! Oh and by the way make sure you keep you're hands where I can seem 'em mister!" Sano warned sternly. Aoshi didn't bother ask what that was about! It was very likely that Yugi was the teenager involved in the "teenage romance angst" that Sano had mentioned earlier. He and Kenshin must've cleared things up for the little couple and now Yugi and Anzu are an item. Yugi just smiled up at him…
"Yes sir!" he replied cheerfully with a jaunty salute.
"So I'll catch you guys later ok!" Yugi added cheerfully as Hiei and Aoshi merely nodded their response. Yugi cheerfully skipped away to join the main party…
Ok let me clarify that at the point when Tak is shot Aoshi has not yet received any formal martial arts training! Thus a couple of gunshots aren't something he's strong enough to deal with! So that's why he seems a bit weaker than we all know Aoshi is! Don't worry the worst is yet to come! Wait…did I say worst? Yeah I meant worst! Ok bye now!
Thank you for reading and reviewing!