Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

10-10-2-Do-You Too

Chapter 1

Low Bandwidth


The backstage dressing room of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino was alive with the rumble of enthusiastic conversations. The friends and family of the many talented burlesque dancers made up much of the crowd.

"You are a STAR!" Lemon pulled Kisara into a bear hug.

Apple nodded in agreement with her girlfriend, still running off the high of the performances. "You were made for the stage."

Isis extended a large bouquet of two dozen white and pink roses they'd all pitched in to get for the explosive closing night performance. "You truly were incredible, Kisara."

Kisara's face was still covered in stage make up; her final costume covered by a black robe with the hotel's logo on the back. "These are beautiful." She took the flowers, smelling the sweet petals. "You all didn't have to go through the trouble."

Isis assured her with a sincere smile. "Not trouble at all. We didn't want to come empty handed for your final show."

"Speaking of not coming empty handed!" Lemon poked Apple who revealed a gift bag from behind her back. "Open it!"

Kisara gently set her flowers on the large backstage vanity. She pulled out the tissue paper to reveal a pearl white satin robe. On the back of the robe, Kisara's name was stitched in rose gold.

"We wanted to get you something special to wear on your tour," Apple sweetly explained.

Kisara was at a loss for words. She pulled all three of them in for a short but effective group hug.

"Tell me again, what time is your flight tomorrow?" Lemon asked with a pout.

"It's...tonight..." Kisara gave an apologetic smile to the surprised faces, "They changed our flight and told us right before the show. I'm sorry we can't get dinner together like we planned."

Lemon's pout deepened.

"Dinner on me when the tour is over," Kisara promised.

Soon the staff was shooing the visitors out so their dancers could get ready for their red eye flight. The girls helped carry Kisara's things to her car and gave their final hugs and goodbyes. Lemon and Apple made their way back to their car, while Isis finished helping Kisara pack her trunk.

Kisara closed the trunk, "After your finals, are you leaving?"

The very mention of her finals had Isis stressed out. "It's all contingent on my grades." The grades that should be posted by now.

"Things OK between you two?"

"They're OK." Just OK.

"Do you miss him?"

"How can I not?" The reply came so fast and easy.

Kisara gave Isis another hug for good measure. "School is almost behind you, it's time for your next dream."

Isis squeezed Kisara back. "Safe travels."

Isis returned to her purple Mini Cooper, watching Kisara drive away, sparing a wave in her direction. She started her car and 'Clair de lune' by Claude Debussy picked up where it left off.

'How can I not?'

Five months passed since she'd seen Kaiba—well, not quite. It was more appropriate to say since they were together in the same country. Five months since they waltzed in the High Roller Ferris wheel. Five months since their duel. Five long months of emotional highs and lows. Isis breathed in through her nose and gripped her steering wheel, slowly exhaling.

"Seto…? I can't wait to come see you."

"…Don't keep me waiting long…"

"I won't…"

So much for not keeping him waiting. She put the car in drive and headed home.

Isis never knew what it felt like to long for someone like this. She'd longed for freedom from her past life. She'd longed for reconnection with her brother after he was banished. But never had she experienced an ache in her chest whenever she thought about just how damn far away Kaiba was.

And why did the ache move from her heart to her stomach, twisting it hard, when she imagined herself boarding a plane to Japan? Why wasn't there relief at the idea of that almost twelve-hour flight?

She pulled her car into the garage and wondered how the boys were doing. Malik and Marik were in Reno this week. Marik's pole dance team made it to the amateur semi-finals. Duke and Keith tagged along as 'moral support.' Isis did get invited, but she already planned to see Kisara's final performance. Her finals were also last week, and a quiet house was the perfect way to unwind from the rollercoaster of emotions from the past few months.

Being stressed was an understatement but the time had come. She needed to log on and check her grades. She needed to know not just as a student…but as someone's girlfriend who lived very far away from their boyfriend. The chest ache returned and theirsong continuing to play wasn't helping. She finally got out and went inside.

After her shower, Isis put her Mudora hoodie on for good luck and grabbed her laptop. She sat on her bed cross-legged with her heart hammering in her chest as she logged in with her student ID. There were three messages waiting for her.

One was a memo from IT of scheduled maintenance. Another was an automated alert saying grades were posted. The last one Isis wasn't sure about as it lacked a subject line. She deleted the maintenance alert and still didn't have the heart to see her grades. So, she decided to investigate the unnamed message:

'Dear Isis Ishtar,

On behalf of Pennsylvania State University, we would like to congratulate you on the completion of your interdepartmental 'Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Linguistics' through our online World Campus...

Due to your outstanding show of academia, you will graduate with honors: Summa cum laude…

Isis couldn't hold in her sob. The cry was full of utter relief. All her hard work, all her doubts; all the time she felt like she couldn't do it. At the end of it all, she not only completed her degree just shy of three years, but she was graduating with honors. It was three in the morning and Isis couldn't stop crying tears of joy. The pride she felt in her accomplishment was overwhelming.

If the boys were home, she would've abused her position as the eldest and harassed the younger ones out of their sleep to celebrate. Isis blew her nose before grabbing her phone. A video-call was the second-best option.

Malik immediately answered. He was lying in a bed sandwiched between a visibly drunk Duke eating a burger and fries, while Marik was on the other side in tight red short-shorts, wearing a medal around his neck.

"Okhti! (Sister) Everyone look, Isis called!" And it seemed Malik was drunk too.

Duke leaned more into the shot to wave with a mouth full of fries. Marik laid across both showing off his medal.

"Third place in the men's division." Marik gave a menacing smile, "My core grows stronger every day." He showed this off by doing a few crunches.

Isis knew it was best to ignore the last part. "Congratulations Marik."

"I recorded his performance." Malik shoved Marik out of the way. "I'll send it to you."

"I can't wait to see."

"How was Kisara's show?" Duke asked as he allowed Marik to steal French fries from his plate.

"Amazing. She was mesmerizing."

"Easy Isis," Duke gave her a cheeky smile, "You have a boyfriend." Malik made kissing noises while Marik lewdly waggled his tongue.

"How old are you three again?" Isis rolled her eyes. "Where's Keith?"

"In the hotel room of the fifth-place winner of the women's division." Malik narrowed his eyes and leaned in. "Have you been crying?" Marik and Duke squeezed in closer to Malik to see what he was seeing. "Your eyes look swollen."

"Yes, I've been crying."

"What did Kaiba do now?" Malik sternly asked.

"Did he say something stupid?" Duke asked.

"Did he finally crush your hopes and dreams?" Everyone turned to Marik – it wasn't a stretch to ask.

"No, these tears were not for Kaiba." Isis took a deep breath, the excitement bubbling up. "I am now a Penn State graduate."

The audio distorted with the cheers from the three men. Malik dropped the phone as he, Duke, and Marik loudly whooped and jumped on the bed. Isis could now confirm everyone was drunk.

Marik took this opportunity to tackle Duke in a not so appropriate way, leaving Malik to wrestle him off his friend and boss. Isis' stomach started hurting with how hard she was laughing at the scuffle and celebrations.

Malik somehow launched Marik off the bed, landing somewhere out of frame. "Marik, baTTal da!" (stop it)

Duke was posed like a helpless princess on the bed: his hands were above his head, creating a perfect circle with his arms. A slight blush was across his cheeks as he had the nerve to flutter his eyelashes.

"I didn't know Marik was so strong. It must be his core."

"You baTTal da too, Duke!"

Malik shoved more food into Duke's mouth. Duke was the biggest flirt after a few drinks. The three rearranged themselves back on the bed, Malik putting a pillow between him and Marik for extra measures.

"When did you find out Okhti?"

"Just now." Isis still had the letter up.

"When we get back, let's plan a graduation party," Malik offered. "Duke, we'll have it at your house."

"Thanks for asking," Duke rolled his eyes good naturedly.

"You can't say no to me." Malik planted a wet kiss on Duke's cheek, causing the man to recoil. "Or Isis."

"My turn!" Marik jumped over the pillow barrier and attempted to kiss Duke on the mouth.

Another scuffle broke out with Duke not fighting back, and Malik using all his strength to again launch Marik off the bed. But Marik came back, grabbing Malik and pulling him out of frame. Duke picked up Malik's smart-phone. He drowsily smiled into the camera, while Marik and Malik battled it out on what Isis could see was another king bed.

"How does it feel?" Duke settled against a mountain of pillows, Malik and Marik no longer in the shot. "This is huge – you've been working, like, sooo hard."

"I'm still in awe..." Isis looked over the letter again. "I'm very excited to celebrate with you all. We don't have to do it at your house."

"I would be offended if Malik didn't volunteer my house—ooo!" Duke's eyes got wide with excitement, "I'm going to call one my favorite photographers to do your graduation pictures!"

"You think I should take photos?"

"Of course, you should! We need to get you a graduation dress. Wait, don't they have a formal graduation for online students?" This question halted all the commotion in the background and Malik was back in frame.

"Yes, they did mention that in my completion letter..." Isis looked at the bottom of the letter listing the date of the ceremony and form to fill out to have her cap and gown ready. "But I had no intentions of going."

"Min faDlak?" (Excuse me) Malik took his phone back from Duke. "And why not?"

Isis set out to get a degree, not involve herself in the pomp of graduation activities. "I hadn't given it much thought."

"We're going Okhit." Malik's smile was so infectious, "The last thing we're going to do is miss out on you walking across the stage."

Isis found her mouth pulling into a sweet smile, "I can't wait."

Duke laid his head on Malik's shoulder, his smart-phone now in hand. "When is the ceremony, Isis? I'll get our plane tickets right now." Before Isis could rebut Duke quickly added, "Consider this an early graduation gift."

After Isis gave Duke the date, and he tried to bully her into flying first class - "It's a five-hour flight Duke..." - they agreed everyone would fly business class.

"Got us booked." Duke returned to his forgotten French fries, "Congratulations, again."

"Thank you, again." Isis couldn't believe she was going to walk across that stage and her family would be there to see it. "I need to request my cap and gown and get you all tickets. I'm sure seating is limited."

"You're getting five tickets?" Duke asked.

"Kisara has left for her tour, and I don't need a ticket as the graduate."

"Duh, I mean four tickets."

"I'm still not understanding."

"You're not inviting Kaiba?" Marik loudly asked.

Isis froze with her eyes wide. She didn't think about Kaiba. What was wrong with her?

"If you don't want to invite him, you don't have to," Malik quickly said, elbowing Marik hard. "He doesn't have to come."

"Yeah, totally," Duke awkwardly added. "He's probably can't come anyway...busy and what not." He gave a strained smile.

After the media frenzy of the video of Kaiba and Isis on their date, Duke, Malik, and anyone connected to the Black Crown Ink family had been harassed about who the woman was. The media and internet snoops were able to find out she was indeed Isis Ishtar, Malik Ishtar's sister and Duke Devlin's close friend. But that was it. After a few weeks, the interest died down and things were back to normal on their end.

Duke had a suspicion the machine behind Kaiba's public image had to do with that, but he only mentioned it to Malik, not wanting to spook Isis in the early stages of her relationship.

Duke understood how important a business reputation was. He was still playing the long game with Pegasus trying to smear him, and only hoped nothing happened to Isis. Maybe that was her reasoning for not inviting Kaiba: she didn't want to compromise his privacy again.

Isis rubbed her forehead, "Perhaps I'll get the four tickets and meditate on asking him?"

"Great idea," Duke too enthusiastically agreed.

Malik motioned for him to reel it in, not caring that Isis could see him. "That's a good plan Okhti. If Kaiba doesn't go, we can use that extra ticket for Bakura."

"Abadan!" (No way) Marik roared in the background.

Malik ignored the outburst.

"I wouldn't want the extra ticket to go to him, Akhi." (Brother) The last thing Isis needed was Marik and Bakura having a fist fight in the middle of her graduation ceremony. "I want the ceremony to go smoothly."

"I will spare you during the reckoning, Isis."

Duke and Malik's heads turned in tandem to Marik who was still off screen. What the hell did that mean?!

"Will I be spared?" Duke hesitantly asked.

"Only for breeding," Marik darkly answered.

Malik pinched Duke for feeding into Marik's delusions. He didn't mind that his sister didn't want Bakura attending, but he did mind that Marik still hated Bakura and vice versa.

"No Bakura at the ceremony. What about the party at Duke's?" Malik asked.

"Yes, he can attend if he'd like." Isis nodded.

"Though you will be spared during the reckoning, you will not be comfortable Isis," Marik hissed from off screen.

"Silence minion." Malik launched a pillow at Marik.

"Should we have the party before or after the ceremony?" Duke asked.

"After," Malik said catching the pillow that was flung back by Marik. "That way she'll have her cap and gown for those pictures."

Being taken care of was still a new concept for Isis, but she was learning more and more that it was OK for someone to celebrate her. "Thank you both for being so gracious."

"We're more than happy to do it," Duke assured her. "When are you going to tell Kaiba?"

Isis checked the time in Domino – now was a good time. "When I hang up with you all, I'll call him."

Malik suddenly jumped off the bed, wild eyed. "Isis, we have to go."

Isis was taken aback until she remembered no one in the room was sober. She'd have to double check that Duke booked things correctly. "Um, OK."

Duke was just as confused, looking at Malik like he grew a second head. "You good, dude?"

"We'll see you when we get home, bye!" Malik almost ended the call but quickly added, "Let us know if you invite Kaiba to the ceremony or party, OK, bye!"

Isis felt her intuition tingling but wanted to assume the best. Malik was plotting something around the celebrations, but she chose to trust her brother and not worry about it. Malik was her number one cheerleader during the whole process; he only had good intentions...most of the time.

Beijing, China

Kaiba hated these types of meetings. But it was a necessary evil when it came to planning a tournament. Locking in venues, creating merchandise, releasing a new pack ahead of ticket sales, etc. – all of that was the easy part, the interesting activities. But securing sponsors? The process had been grueling.

For the past six months, he and Yami traveled to a different country every few weeks speaking with potential investors. The in-person tactic was advised by the very committee charged with organizing the tournament. Due to the sizable gap of when they last hosted a competition, Kaiba and Yami going in person was the best way to ensure the funds.

"Hào chī. Hěn hào chī." (Delicious. Very delicious)

So here Kaiba sat in downtown Beijing, eating at a Michelin star restaurant, listening to Yami compliment all the food served, while a table full of executives got drunk off baijiu. Kaiba didn't join them in guzzling the popular clear Chinese liquor. Drinking wouldn't solve his problem, but a few sips were keeping him sane.

"Kaiba?"

He clued back into the conversation. One of those drunk executives was asking him how he liked the food.

"Hào chī. Hěn hào chī."

The table erupted in laughter at Kaiba parroting Yami with far less enthusiasm. It was safe to say the men were happily toasted if they found Kaiba's attitude entertaining.

Yami's fake laugh was obvious only to Kaiba. Those garnet eyes gave Kaiba a scathing look that said: Play nice.

Kaiba's return look spoke loud and clear: NO.

After dinner, the Chinese businessmen escorted Kaiba and Yami (with each party's respective security present) on a two-block trek to a very fancy karaoke lounge. They were given VIP treatment as soon as they walked in. Beautiful women in clubwear led the party to a large karaoke room on the second floor, where even more sexily clad women were present. The women started pouring them never ending glasses of alcohol and belting out songs with a very impressive vocal ability.

One of the women sporting a very short mini skirt, singing what was assumed a popular song (the businessmen were loudly singing along) about love and partying in Mandarin, twirled by Yami and Kaiba. Something about the way her long black hair defied physics, pissed Kaiba off.

"Yalla." (Let's go)

Yami did his best not to start an argument when he heard the Arabic. A few of the executives did speak Japanese and most of them knew English, so he was grateful Kaiba could at least be verbally discrete. Because his body language was giving everything away.

"La'a." (No)

Kaiba grumbled under his breath.

"Stop being selfish." Yami fiddled with his wedding band out of frustration. "We need to see this through. This is the final sponsor. Once they sign, the tournament will officially be a-go."

"Whose idea was it to secure 4Kids Entertainment?" Kaiba hated doing business with these people. He thought they were rid of the once American company when a Chinese conglomerate bought them out. "Whoever on the committee suggested them is fired."

"No, they are not. It wasn't a bad idea," Yami muttered back. "They have agreed to pay the production costs of the merchandise."

"But they want 10% of the profits."

"Which will repay their out-of-pocket generosity and provide them with a fine profit. We will still make most of the revenue." Yami politely smiled at a gentleman dancing between two women, belting out the latest Korean pop song to sweep through China. "This is a good deal, and you know it."

Yami was used to Kaiba being less than great company, but the past five months were almost unbearable. The bickering, the glaring matches, the intentional undermining – Kaiba was insufferable. He knew why but heaven forbid Yami bring it up.

He already got his head bit off three months ago in Toronto when he said the I word. Yami was the victim of another tongue lashing a few weeks later for saying the I word enroute to a meeting in Sydney. Yami erred on the side of caution now, but he could only be diplomatic for so long.

"After this trip, we'll be done traveling for the tournament."

"I know for a fact I will be..." Kaiba grouched.

Yami bit his tongue. Kaiba would have no qualms around an altercation in front of everyone. Instead Yami pulled out his smart-phone and looked at the lock-screen photo of Mana asleep in their bed. He imagined kissing her forehead as he ran his hand through her hair; Mana sleepily asking him if he had a good day.

Kaiba rolled his eyes at Yami's longing gaze and melodramatic sighs. The man's been married for almost ten years, and he acted like he never got to see his wife. What did Yami know about real longing?

Kaiba reached into his pocket for his own smart-phone, extremely unsatisfied with his lock-screen photo: a black background covered in a flurry of updates and tasks.

He unlocked the device and pulled up a once restricted profile. The last photo Isis posted of herself was a candid shot of her and Malik. They were embracing one another while laughing at something. Kaiba could almost hear her laughter. Fuck, it was too much.

"Seto…? I can't wait to come see you."

"…Don't keep me waiting long…"

"I won't…"

So much for not keeping him waiting. Kaiba didn't want to be bitter, but how could he not be? Work was an excellent distraction, but when there was nothing to hyperfocus on, his thoughts were unbearable. Kaiba continued to fight every instinct to confront Isis on the matter. But he learned in Las Vegas how bad of a tactic that was.

As if this theory needed to be tested, his phone buzzed with an unexpected update:

'Duelist of the Millenium: (1) New Message.'

Maleficent_Mudora: 'When will you be available for a chat?'

Kaiba immediately stood up and motioned to Isono to follow him. "I have a call to make."

Yami didn't even question it. Saved by the I word.

Kaiba made his way outside and turned into the alley by the building. It had a few cooks from the next-door restaurant on a smoke break, but at least it was secluded and somewhat quiet from the busy street. Isono took his post at the mouth of the alleyway, giving instructions in Japanese through his earpiece.

Kaiba wanted to video-chat with Isis, but it wasn't the time or place. Besides, those video-calls made his life way harder than just hearing her voice. He tapped the phone icon and waited.

"I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. How are things going, Seto?"

Hearing his name from Isis' lips washed away the Beijing backdrop. "Busy..." He continued, "What are the results, Isis?"

"Results?"

"Your grades."

Isis felt her tummy flutter. Little moments like these reminded her of how closely Kaiba paid attention to her even with their conversations being far and few between.

"How did you know?"

"I know you." Five months of long workdays and short moments with Isis had Kaiba hyper-focusing on every little thing she said or did.

Isis' stomach gave a conflicted flip. She remained silent.

"Isis."

"Sorry, I'm a graduate – I'm done."

Kiaba wished he could see her. Her smiles were conservative when giving good news, but her eyes would sparkle with utter delight. But even his HD technology didn't do the expression justice. He wished he could see it in person. Right. Now.

"Congratulations." Kaiba scanned the alley to find the smoke break was over for the cooks. He was alone.

"Thank you..." Isis gave a content sigh. "I'm...I'm so relieved Seto."

"Good."

"I...I finished Summa Cum Laude."

Kaiba felt his chest swell with pride. "When do you get your diploma?"

"It'll be mailed in the next few weeks."

"You should celebrate..." ...with a trip to Japan. Kaiba so badly wanted to say this, but he didn't trust himself to leave it there.

"...I want to celebrate..." ...together with you. Isis wanted so badly to express this, but she didn't want to create an expectation that could fall apart. "How is the tournament coming along?"

"We're finalizing the sponsors. I'm in Beijing."

"I hope you didn't step away from anything important."

"I didn't."

Sometimes Isis found Kaiba's petulance endearing. "Last time we spoke, you mentioned you and Yami were toying with the idea of dueling. Have you two given it anymore thought?"

"We're still deciding if it's necessary."

He and Yami retired from the circuit but were still viewed as pillars of the dueling community. If they did duel, it would be for show. The marketing team was still deciding if it was a good idea.

"And how is the game going?"

"On track for release." Kaiba did make a few more cuts from the project but was able to find some out of country coders to help get it finished.

"Have you picked a name for it yet?"

"I'm still not telling you." Kaiba could picture her mouth pulling into a displeased line, her brow furrowing in disappointment. "Like all the other nerds looking for spoilers, you'll have to keep waiting."

"You said I would benefit from your impatience."

It was out of Kaiba's mouth before he knew it, "When do I benefit from yours?"

Isis licked her lips in contemplation. There was an edge to his words. How should she respond?

Kaiba's shoulders tensed at her returned silence. He didn't push any further. "Are you there?"

"Are you OK?"

"No." He did his best to dam up the salty waters. "It has to do with work."

"We could talk about it." Isis felt stupid for even suggesting it.

"We don't have the time." Kaiba turned around to Isono pointing at his watch. "I need to go."

"We'll talk soon?" She did her best to sound level, but she just knew Kaiba heard otherwise.

"...Yeah..." Kaiba hung up the phone and did his best not to stomp on his walk back into the karaoke.

Yami didn't ask how the call went. He gave Kaiba space, moving to a new couch to further shmooze with the business personnel.

Kaiba sat alone, watching the lights of the colorful disco ball swirling the room in rainbow. It reminded him of the club in Sweden they attended with the investors. During his downtime alone in his hotel room, Isis called him:

"Are you busy?"

"Depends."

"You're working?"

When wasn't he? "Yes."

"...Can you sit on the phone with me?"

She never asked that before. "You don't want to talk...?"

"Is that OK?"

"What's the point of the call?"

A pause.

"Being together..."

Kaiba liked that answer...four months ago. The Kaiba today wasn't impressed. Something had to give and very soon.


PLEASE READ:

People I am back. Long time no see! I missed you all.

Here we are at the long-awaited sequel to 10-10-Do-Me. I hope I'll be forgiven for the title lacking imagination. Thank you so much for being patient and showing up this thing. Let's journey again into the chaos that is Isis and Kaiba. (If you are on AO3, I am also posting there under IndigoToken.)

Big News! A dear reader and now friend, has started the process of illustrating the first story '10-10-2-Do-Me'! I've seen the pages and I'm super-duper excited for y'all to check them out. She's also illustrated my one-shot 'Disorder.' Please see the link to her DeviantArt below!

emdrawsmanga/art/Cover-10-10-2-Do-Me-by-Indigo-Token-1029247732

Arabic Words:

Okhti – Sister

BaTTal da – Stop it!

Abadan – No way!

Akhi – Brother

Yallah – Let's go

La'a – No

Mandarin Words:

Hào chī. Hěn hào chī – Delicious. Very delicious.


See you soon!