Random talk: I think this might be the last of what I consider "filler" chapters for awhile. I've just been setting up the history for those who are from the Gundam Wing universe. It's kinda annoying going through events of Yu-Gi-Oh, but kinda fun at the same time.

"speak" person A talking to person B (same people as past chapters)

"speak" person B talking to person A (same people as past chapters)

Chapter 6

The Dragon Warrior

It was times like these that Quatre wished he had brought his violin. He was furious with Duo and Heero for going to the café despite him telling them they couldn't go there. But that wasn't the reason why he wanted the instrument. Yes, it did help him to calm down, but it also helped him think things out. The blond really thought he knew his friends quite well. Yet, Heero suddenly became quite a mystery.

As he was scolding Duo and Heero, Duo claimed it was Heero who suggested going to that café. Even more surprising was that Heero confirmed this claim before leaving their hotel room without any explanation. Heero would never disobey an order like that without reason. In fact, Heero would be the one who would make sure Duo didn't do something like that.

A knock at the door brought Quatre out of his thoughts. He smiled softly at the sound of Trowa's knock. Yes, he had a key of his own, but it was an old habit that refused to die. Quatre gave confirmation for the tall brunet to enter.

"I'm surprised Duo hasn't dragged you down to the lobby," Trowa said when he walked in.

"Really?" Quatre asked in shock. Trowa would never volunteer information like that freely. "Why would you say that?"

"Someone was playing the piano," Trowa responded as he sat down next to the blond. "He's fairly skilled. There is a large crowd which included some of the staff that works here."

"That good? Oh, maybe I should go down and hear him."

"Too late. Just as we were waiting for the elevator, he stopped. Maybe you could ask him to play again some other time."

"I don't want to seem rude and walk up to a complete stranger to play for me. They might think I'm crazy or something!"

"Don't worry, little one. The main reason I was surprised you were up here was because it was Heero who was playing. Interesting that the song I heard was from an old Japanese cartoon, one that Duo watches often."

Quatre froze at that sentence. Heero gave no indication that he knew how to play any instrument, and he highly doubt Dr. J would take the time to teach it to his student. Then there was the fact that the song was from a cartoon, something that few would probably take the time to learn. One thing for sure, the mystery of Heero Yuy just grew.

Once everyone had their information ready, the six ex-pilots met in Trowa and Quatre's room. Duo was still sulking about what happened earlier, glaring at Heero every so often. Quatre would casually glance at Heero as if the answer of the mystery was right in front of him.

"Why not let the informant team go first," Quatre suggested. Wufei nodded in response before speaking.

"Our informant was actually Marik Ishtar. Yes, the same one who is the head of PR of Industrial Illusions. He claims that he is a descendant of the one who lead the original Rare Hunters centuries ago. Their goal back then was to find three cards said to be the most powerful and to collect seven 'magical' items called-"

"The Millennium Items," Heero interrupted. The group turned towards him, curious as to how he knew about them. The brunet had his head tilted down and eye semi-glossy, as if he wasn't there. "Seven items made out of gold, each with a different ability. One to see the past and future, one to read minds, one to located other items, one to judge people's hearts, one to allow the user to enter what they called a soul room, one to control minds, and one that unites."

"How do you know all this?" Duo asked as soon as Heero finished. Heero never replied, letting silence fill the room before Wufei picked up his report.

"Heero is right about the most part," Wufei said. "Ishtar did say that each item had a different use along with a few examples, but that's it. The remaining items might have functioned the way he described."

"What about the Neo Rare Hunters?" Duo asked.

"Nothing much," Zechs responded. "Their goals might be the same as the original Rare Hunters. I don't see how a game such as Duel Monsters is a threat to the world. Even if the chance that magic exist, it all seems so tedious."

"Wait," Duo said, holding up his hand so no one would speak. "You're saying that these guys want to take over the world with a card game? Anyone see something wrong with this picture?"

"Look, these are the facts," Wufei said. "Do you think we don't know how ridiculous it all sounds? Ishtar said that the group had information on us already. They have extensive files on us, in particular Yuy. Even if this all sounds unbelievable, they have data that could be dangerous in the future."

"Why Heero?" Quatre asked with concern.

"Evidently Kaiba Seto was a Yuy before he was adopted," Trowa answered.

"But Heero's name was a code name!" Duo exclaimed. "He might not even be related to the Yuy family let alone being a Kaiba!"

"We don't know everything," Zechs said. "Look, it's getting late and I highly doubt we will get any more work done with us debating about how the Neo Rare Hunters think. We have a flight to catch tomorrow. Let's pick this up when we have to present the information to Lady Une."

They all agreed to the idea since there were more questions as more facts were explained. All they could hope was that the employer for this mission would provide some answers. If not, Quatre knew he could always ask Heero. Lately, it seems that Heero has had answers to questions he shouldn't know. Answers someone like Jonouchi Katsuya would know.

Three days passed since that night. It was time to know exactly what their mission was to be for the tournament. They only knew the bare facts and roles with too many questions still unanswered.

"Gentlemen," Lady Une said to the six agents. "By now you have probably figured out that this mission is unlike any other. We felt it was important that you found out what we are up against. You still have the option to refuse after today, but I hope you will not. I will now turn this meeting over to employer of this mission."

"Come now, Une," a cheerful voice came from the back of the room. "You make it sound like I'm paying you guys to do this." All heads turned to see who was speaking. A blond man in his early twenties with warm brown eyes wearing a business suit stood in the doorway of the conference room.

"You did agree to pay the expenses," Une said. "Gentlemen, this is-"

"Hey, you're that guy from the café in Neo Domino!" Duo interrupted.

"Yup!" the blond man said as he walked up to the front. "I'm Katsuya Jonouchi, CEO of Industrial Illusions."

"I recognize that name," Duo said. "Wasn't that the name of the number three duelist way back then?"

"Hey, I was only third because I couldn't get Kaiba to duel me! He kept on saying I wasn't worth his time…"

Silence filled the room as everyone tried to understand what the blond was trying to say. Shock was evident on the faces of Duo, Wufei, and Zechs. Trowa eyes slightly widen, giving the only clue of his surprise. Heero, like always, showed no sign of reacting to the news. Quatre smiled along with Une at the reaction of the others.

"You are Katsuya Jonouchi from Domino City," Trowa answered for the group. Jonouchi just smiled and nodded in response.

"How the hell is that possible!" Duo shouted. "First off, cryogenics wasn't around until long after your time! There is no way you could be alive now!"

"They always did say Kaiba was ahead of his time," Jonouchi mused. "By the time I was frozen, Kaiba Corp had a few working prototypes. Lucky me got to be one of the first test subjects."

"Fine, but you were in your thirties when you went missing!" Duo continued. "Unless you age really well, there is no way you are 30 something!"

"I was also wondering that myself," Quatre added. "You look you are about the same age as Zechs."

"That's because I'm physically 23," Jonouchi said sadly. "You may not believe it, but due to the Shadow Realm I de-aged. It's one of those you-have-to-be-there-to-believe things. Then again, that bastard never believed it anyway even after all the shit that happened to him…"

"Mr. Jonouchi, I like to request that you watch your language," Une warned. "I get it enough with Mr. Maxwell."

"Sorry, sorry," Jonouchi laughed while rubbing the back of his head. "Back to business! I'm sure Mr. Winner informed you on the general mission. You six are going to be at the tournament to keep an eye out for the Neo Rare Hunters. Kaibaman confirmed his attendance this morning, so Mr. Yuy will be watching the monitors. The main reason is to make sure there is no cheating. He will also be in charge of keeping track of Hunters.

"The tournament is set up so that each duel is random, thus giving the duelist less time to prepare as it was in the past. We will set it up so that the five of you will be dueling any Hunters spotted. We cannot let them get the prize. You know by now that Kaiba's deck is up for grabs along with the cash. It's still not known what they have planed, but it can't be good."

"It still seems like a waste of resources," Wufei muttered.

"Maybe, but several people I know personally have requested the Preventers take action," Une said with her famous glare. "You all have entrance to the tournament along with hotel accommodations. You what needs to be done."

"Sure, sure, boss lady!" Duo said with a smile.

"I sometimes wonder why I decide to put up with all of you at the same time," Une sighed.

"Because they're the best?" Jonouchi offered. "Oh! I need to talk with Mr. Maxwell for a few minutes! It might be awhile, so the rest of you can go do whatever you need to do!"

"Duo's finally getting the training he needs."

"He's not as bad as you make him out to be."

"True… He isn't bad, but he's still nowhere near the skill level he can be."

"You want him to beat you?"

"Only one person is allowed to beat me, and I still don't like to admit that."

Quatre could hear music fill the house. It wasn't him as he was in his office, working. Trowa was away visiting Catherine who was in town, so it couldn't be him. Duo was off learning tricks from Jonouchi. Wufei and Zechs were at their home doing god knows what. That left only one person.

As he headed for the music room, Quatre thought about what he would say. He had put all the pieces together. Despite what logic would dictate, his new blond friend was proof otherwise. If everything he said was true, then there could only be one answer. Only one person now can prove if he was right, and he was behind the doors Quatre stood in front of.

There Heero was, playing Chopin on the piano. Quatre could feel the emotion pouring through the music even without his Space Heart. Curious about what Heero was feeling at the time, he used his Space Heart just to take a peak. What he felt gave him his answer to his question.

"You're not Heero," Quatre said.

"Very good," not-Heero said as he finished the song. He turned around to face the blond. A smirk was present on his face. "What took you so long?"

"You felt different from him," Quatre said with a smile. "I have a favor to ask."

"Ask."

"Teach me how to duel." Quatre's face turned serious as he spoke.

"And why should I?" the other asked as he chuckled.

"Don't I deserve to learn from the best? After all, I remind you of Yuugi Mouto. Am I correct?"

TBC

Random talk: We're getting close to the reveal! How exciting! Next chapter starts the tournament.

Until next time!

Rubi-chan, over and out!