Yugi stared at the box with some distaste. Ever since the pharaoh knocked some overdue sense into Kaiba's head, he had been expecting this.

"Aren't you going to watch the video?" asked Jounouchi.

"Maybe later. Besides, everyone knows Pegasus has been planning something big for months now."

"You sure?" said his grandfather.

"He probably heard the fact I took down the current top duelist and sent an invite to the tournament he mentioned," said Yugi dismissively. "Besides, there's a show that I've been wanting to record all week."

Yugi rather gleefully used the tape Pegasus sent to record it. What he didn't tell his friends was that he was already recording it in another room just in case.

His grandfather took him aside to get the real story.

"That tape has curse magic coming off of it," said Yugi flatly. "I'd rather not set that off in the house, at least not without taking precautions."

"So what's the show you wanted to watch?" asked Jounouchi.

Yugi felt dark satisfaction feeling the cursed energy weaken the longer he recorded over the tape. He fully planned to dump that thing in the trash anyway.

Bakura about laughed himself sick when he found out what Yugi had done.

"So you recorded over his attempts to trick you into a shadow game?"

"I still have no idea how the hell he imprinted himself on that tape," said Yugi. "But I remember what happened last time, and damn if I'm going to fall for that shit twice."

The medical bills alone had been a pain in the ass, never mind the hit to his reputation he took because he was off dueling instead of caring for his grandfather.

Bakura was still snickering.

"You're still going, right?" said Bakura.

" We are going," said Yugi. He handed Bakura a glove, star chips and the required cards. "Paid some kids who got an invite, but couldn't afford to actually go for their entry tickets."

He had even paid express for the items to be delivered, and had made damn sure Anzu and Honda would be staying behind. While he felt some minor guilt giving them what looked like a minor stomach bug with his signature spell, he vividly remembered what a pain in the ass Duelist Kingdom had been.

Jounouchi looked at Yugi like he was crazy.

"Where did you get this?"

"You didn't think all the people invited are actually going, do you?" said Yugi amused. "It took me all of an hour to find some people who were more interested in selling their invites than dueling."

"Why me though?"

"One, you're actually pretty good at dueling," said Yugi. "And two, the prize money would be more than enough to pay for your sister's surgery."

Jounouchi had an odd look on his face.
"Yugi...how did you know my sister needed surgery?" he asked slowly.

Yugi gave him a flat look.

"Jounouchi, did you really think I couldn't tell when someone was faking it?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Jounouchi froze.

"Wait...you too?" he asked.

"You were way too comfortable taking over that spare room when I suggested it, you picked up dueling in less than a month, and you were half-heartedly harassing me. Of course I noticed," said Yugi.

"Oh thank Kami," said Jounouchi with relief. "I was startin' to worry because you didn't used to be so into fashion...or guys. And I had no idea you even knew that Jack guy."

Yugi chuckled.

"Jounouchi, when this is over I'll explain everything. Either way I'm paying for her surgery. It's not like I can't afford it even if I did somehow lose."

"This have anything to do with that Vil guy?"

"It has everything to do with Vil."

"And Bakura?"

"We reached an arrangement," said Yugi dryly.

Jounouchi happily accepted the new cards Yugi gave him, since some of his deck hadn't been released yet. He was just happy to have his Red Eyes Black Dragon back.

"By the way, any idea what happened to Anzu and Honda?"

"I gave them food poisoning. Remember the hassle it was back at Duelist Kingdom the first time?" said Yugi.

"Ah. Remind me to get some camping gear."

"Already done," said Yugi. "I just need to adjust your outfits first."

"Uh...why?"

"Have you seen how duelists dress?" said Yugi. "Besides, your old stuff is getting worn down and I know for a fact you don't have any outdoor gear."

Jounouchi made a face.

"Don't know if I can afford that sort of stuff."

"Who said you're paying for any of it?" said Yugi. "Come on, we need to go someplace with actual selection, not the cheap stuff they sell in Domino."

"Where we goin'?" he asked.

"To the Shaftlands," said Yugi.

Jounouchi's expression going through the mirror was priceless.

"Hang on. I have to get ready if we're going shopping."

"Sure," he said, looking around. It took him several seconds to register the photos.

There were a few with Yugi, but most of them were of the model that had shown up. A suspicion began to grow in him.

In all fairness, he only sputtered a bit upon seeing Vil walk out of the bathroom.

"You...how...Vil is like half a foot taller than you!" said Jounouchi.

"Heels, bitch," said Vil smugly. "That and that damn Puzzle is heavy."

"How heavy is that thing anyway?" asked Jounouchi.

"Around seventeen pounds," said Vil. "Do you have any idea how bad carrying around that much weight would be for your posture, especially with it pulling on the neck?"

Jounouchi winced.

"Now come on, we're going shopping. I've been meaning to properly revamp your wardrobe anyway," said Vil.

Jounouchi would regret this, even if he knew it was for his own good.

Vil was an absolute demon when it came to shopping, and was very strict about what he would be wearing. And the less said about the amount of products he dumped into his bags, the better. He didn't even know what half this crap did.

Vil's expression said that he would be learning in short order and that he had better get it right.

He crashed with exhaustion on the couch.

"That was exhausting," he said. He happily accepted the water Vil gave him.

Then he noticed the papers on the table. It took him a moment to realize it was some sort of script.

"This your dad's?" he asked.

Vil made a face when he saw it.

"It's mine. My agent left that for me and I haven't had a chance to review it yet. It's a proposal for some cheesy B-flick," said Vil absently.

The only reason he was even considering it was because he wasn't being type-cast as the villain for once. Niege had already turned it down.

"Like a stunt double?"

"No, as one of the heroes," said Vil absently.

Jounouchi stared at him.

"Wait. You act?"

Vil snorted.

"I act, I model, I create my own products. Only reason I'm even buying this stuff is because I don't have the time or resources," said Vil.

"So why did you buy this stuff for me anyway?"

"Have you see how the average duelist dresses? Kaiba's fashion sense is atrocious, Pegasus looks like someone colorblind made up his wardrobe, and Mai almost looks like a hooker. It's like if they don't have some sort of weird theme going on, they dress like an absolute slob," said Vil in disgust.

Jounouchi stared at him.

"Seriously?"

"Jounouchi, by the time I'm done no one would call you a 'mutt' to your face anymore," said Vil.

Jounouchi...almost looked terrified at the concept. If he powershopped like a demon, then kami only knew the hell Vil/Yugi would put him through to make him 'acceptable' by his standards.

~*~*~~*~*

Yugi remembered all too well the headaches Weevil Underwood gave him, which was why he had done sensible thing.

He locked the Exodia and other rare cards (except Time Wizard, which he gave to Jounouchi) in his safety deposit box. Kaiba was still pissed that he couldn't get his hands on the fourth Blue Eyes, but at least now he had a shinier target to go after.

Namely, the pharaoh.

"I swear, this jacket feels weird," said Jounouchi.

"That's because you're not used to fitted clothes," said Yugi absently. "And don't pull at it...you'll stretch out the fabric."

"Oh yeah, and what about you?" said Jounouchi. "Also, I'm surprised that Anzu and Honda aren't here."

"Food poisoning usually doesn't go away in a day or two," said Yugi dryly. "Besides, last I heard they were heading to the doctor to get some better medication for it."

"Still can't believe you did that."

"We really don't need the cheer squad," said Yugi dismissively. And it wasn't like he actually hurt them...it was just minor diarrhea. It would be over with by the time they were at the island.

Yugi made a face when he saw Weevil. He wanted nothing to do with the pest.

Jounouchi made a similar face when he saw Rex.

Then Yugi had an evil, but hilarious idea.

"Hey Bakura..."

Bakura turned to him.

"I know that tone anywhere," he said smirking. "Who do you want robbed?"

"How hilarious would it be for certain people to be disqualified from the tournament because their deck was short by a few cards?" said Yugi smirking.

Bakura blinked, before he cackled.

"What's that mean?" said Jounouchi.

"Regulations state that standard decks have to have at least forty cards minimum," said Yugi. "And this is a legitimate tournament."

Bakura was already grinning wickedly, because that was the sort of deviousness he liked to hear from people who paid him to rob others.

"Who are my targets?" he asked.

Yugi smirked.

"Weevil Underwood, Rex Raptor, as well as Bandit Keith and his cronies. Also if you get Rex's Red Eyes Black Dragon I'll pay you extra," said Yugi.

"Wasn't Bandit Keith the ass that locked us in that stupid cave?" said Bakura.

"Yes, and thank you for confirming you remember how all this went as well," said Yugi without missing a beat. "I have supplies and food if you want to stick with us later, rather than foraging."

Bakura looked openly relieved hearing that. He hated foraging for food and Pegasus' island was pretty damn barren unless you had fishing gear. At least it had fresh water in an accessible area.

Yugi sat back and watched the pro at work. It was an absolute delight seeing misfortune happen to someone else for once. Jounouchi was of a similar mindset and just relaxed.

"Is it bad I feel no sympathy for them?" Jounouchi asked.

"It could always be worse," said Yugi smirking. "Instead of a few easily replaceable cards, I could have shown off a few new tricks I learned while in college."

"Do I dare ask?"

"I went to an all boy's mage college, and I was in a dorm that specialized in cursing and potions. You do the math."

"There's mage colleges?" said Jounouchi, looking at him.

"There are a few, but they're not on this side of the world. The one I went to...and plan to attend again...is called Night Raven College," said Yugi.

Seeing the island come up, they finished their drinks. Bakura sauntered up to them, looking particularly pleased with himself.

"I didn't get all the targets, but I did make things difficult for three of them at least."

"Good. Be hilarious to see them thrown out over something minor at any rate," said Yugi.

"Why couldn't you have been this fun before?" complained Bakura.

"Because I was too busy being in his shadow, and...how did you put it last time?" he asked Jounouchi.

"He was practically pedo bait," said Jounouchi. Bakura snorted, as that was a pretty damn apt description.

Worse was that Yugi couldn't even deny that comment.

At least this time he was able to reach past five foot four before he even turned fifteen.