With the new year comes new inspiration, and slowly but surely I'm managing to get back into the groove of this project. I have a number of things on my plate right now, seeing as how it's my final semester as an undergraduate student; come May, I'll have a Bachelor's Degree in English.
Aside from a new blog created for one of my classes (it's called "Nostalgia Glasses: A Trip Through Gaming History," for those who may be interested in my take on various topics relating to videogames and their rather colorful history), and a rather frightening number of textbooks, I can't guarantee much of anything, but I'm pretty sure I'll not only be back to updating once a week, but I should be able to post two, maybe even three. We'll see how it goes.
For now, it's back to the game shop, where Yami's little scheme has been laid bare. Wonder how Mokuba's going to take meeting his parents.
Let's find out.
"…I feel like we missed something," Tristan said, looking from the Yagamis to Mokuba and back again. The kid looked about ready to bolt from the building; he'd only ever seen Mokuba Kaiba looking scared like this once before…and he preferred not to think of that. He wasn't the most sentimental guy on the planet, but he had a heart; enough was enough.
The look on Yami's face told Tristan that the ancient king didn't give a shit. Actually, he seemed to drink in the younger Kaiba brother's reaction like a fine wine; he looked seconds away from laughing.
Joey was obviously taken with Yuki. Tristan had to admit that she made quite the…impression, but right now something was playing havoc with his head to such a degree that a hangover sounded like a vacation. All he wanted to do right now was go home, crawl into bed, and forget the world.
Kohaku, who looked ten years older than he probably was, ran his hands through his dark brown hair in a way that Tristan found absurdly familiar. The man was scrutinizing Yami as if trying to figure out if he was human or not, and Tristan had to wonder if the question wasn't valid.
Yuki seemed to be the diplomat of the family. She stepped forward and knelt down in front of Mokuba, blissfully ignoring the shock and…horror on the black-haired boy's face. "Thank you, Mokuba," she said. "You may have just saved my family. I can't tell you how grateful I am."
Mokuba stumbled back a step, clearly frightened out of his mind. He babbled incoherently for a moment before biting his lower lip and forcing himself into silence. He bowed hurriedly and made a bee-line for the exit.
Yuki blinked, surprised, and turned to Yami for an explanation. "What's this about? What, exactly, did he have to do for us to come here?"
She sounded accusatory. Almost predatory.
Yami raised an eyebrow, cool as the storied cucumber. "Nothing he will fully remember come dawn. Worry not, Yuki-sama. I would not allow serious harm to come to the poor boy. He is…special."
Yuki looked like she didn't believe him.
"Hey, uh…you guys want somethin' to drink or…somethin'?" Joey asked after the silence had gone on just a bit too long. "Think we got tea and soda…might have juice. Ma'am? Sir? How 'bout you, Chief? Wanna Pepsi 'r somethin'?"
The boy blinked, apparently not realizing for a moment that "Chief" meant him. He frowned at the blond as if unsure what to make of him, before saying, "No, thank you. I'm fine."
"Thank you, but I'll pass," said Yuki, not looking at Joey.
"Rain check," Kohaku added.
"What…kind of protection do they need?" Téa asked. "What can we do to help?"
"Nothing," Yami said. "Your part is done. The true test of my…diplomacy comes now. We must convince dear Mokuba to listen to us."
Yuki's violet eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Yami shrugged. "Because without his backing, we will never convince his brother to help, and he is the key to this plan's success. I have watched him, gauged him, these past few days. I believe he will perform admirably, once he is convinced."
"What's Kaiba gotta do with this?" Joey asked, and the world ceased to move.
The silence that followed was palpable, almost solid.
The boy went stiff and pale; Kohaku gritted his teeth, and Yuki's pretty face sank into a frown. She positively glared at the spirit now, and Tristan was shocked at how effective it was. The woman was fucking scary.
"…You expect us to accept help from a Kaiba?" she asked in a hiss.
Yami's face split into a manic grin. "Oh, I do. And you will see why soon enough. Trust me, Yuki-sama. I do not disappoint. You came to me for help, and I intend to deliver it. If this plan doesn't work out, well…there are other avenues."
"Let's try one of those," Yuki said waspishly.
"Now, now. It's quite unbecoming for a lady of your standing to be so judgmental. Do you think me so stupid that I would deliver you into the protection of an enemy?" Yami looked legitimately offended. "I would appreciate a touch more credit than that. I have risked my own existence, as well as those of my closest friends, to help you. I have a debt to repay, and I intend to pay it. But if you will not cooperate, then I will be forced to use…less than pleasant methods."
The little boy's cobalt eyes turned cold. "Don't speak to her like that," he said, in a sharp tone of command that was unmistakable.
Yami blinked.
Tristan drew in a sharp breath.
Joey stared. "…Holy crap, that sounds familiar."
Yami stepped back, away from Yuki, and bowed with a flourish. "My apologies, young one. I have allowed my temper to get the better of me." He stood straight. "Everyone? It is, of course, unnecessary—I would not ask you to be nearly as impassioned as little Mokuba in the defense of our…friend—but perhaps you could convince our guests to give Kaiba a chance?"
"Fat chance of that," Kohaku said in a slow rumble.
"No, I…think you might wanna reconsider," Joey said, eyeing the little boy suspiciously. Kohaku frowned at him. "I dunno what's goin' on, who you need protectin' from or why Yami broughtcha here, but…lemme ask somethin'. What's 'is name?"
"…Whose name?"
"Head honcho Kaiba. Big man on campus. What's 'is name? His first name."
Yuki raised an eyebrow.
The boy spoke up: "…Gozaburo."
"Thought so."
"Isn't that Kaiba's father?" Téa asked.
"And he's the problem here," Joey guessed.
"Indeed," Yami said. "You see, Yuki-sama, the Kaiba to whom I intend to introduce you is Gozaburo's adopted successor. Here, in this…world, Gozaburo is dead. This does not affect your present danger…not particularly. However, it will certainly simplify matters for a while."
"Forgive me if I'm not exactly thrilled," Yuki said dryly.
"I'm not interested in trusting anyone in that family," Kohaku said.
"Oi. Yami." Joey glanced over. "Is this what we used to sound like?"
"More than likely." Yami turned away and headed for one of the shop's shelves of merchandise. "I understand the concept. Do not misread me. But you are placing the father's sins upon the son. My people may have been ignorant enough for such a practice, but surely you are enlightened enough to see otherwise?" Yami glanced pointedly at Seto. "Bloodline does not determine destiny, or else…well. Consider the legacy your father left behind. Is your beloved boy destined to be nothing more than an abusive alcoholic?" The spirit's eyes hardened. "Or do you, like my friends did in the past, extend such beliefs only to people you don't like?"
There was a collective, guilty flinch throughout the room.
"…Of course not. Forgive us." Yuki inclined her head.
Yami's grin returned. "Good! Now, then…"
He took a magazine from a rack near the stairs leading up to the residential area of the building, glanced at it. Kaiba's picture was on the glossy, flashy cover. Yami chuckled, and tossed the publication to Yuki.
"Meet your savior," he said.
