Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Falling From Grace ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

YUGIOH

Falling From Grace

 

 

 

Chapter 10.

Yugi and most of the gang were together at the game shop. Joey was infact so worried about Tristan, he even brought Serenity over, in hopes that it would cheer Tristan up and snap him out of this state he was in.

 

But instead, all it seemed to be doing was freaking Serenity out, to think Tristan was attracted to some crotchety old man.

 

So Yugi approached them, saying, “You know what could help distract us from our problems? How about a good old game of Duel Monsters!”

 

“Hey, right on, Yugi!”, Joey said. “What do you say, Tristan? Maybe Yugi will even take it easy with you!”

 

“I'll......(sniff!)......try!”, Tristan said, looking miserable.

 

At that moment....the sound of a bell chimed, alerting the group that someone entered the shop. Yugi ran to the game shop room, crying out in delight, “Tea, you made it!”

 

But it wasn't Tea. As the others came in to see who it was, they almost had a heart attack. Kaiba had entered the store, brother in tow.

 

Yugi gasped in shock himself, blinking a couple of times to make sure he saw it right. Had Kaiba actually taken him up on one of his own invitations?? Then with a broad smile, Yugi exclaimed, “You showed up! That's great!”

 

Kaiba looked angry from Yugi's comment, but then glanced down at his smiling brother, muttering, “Mokuba wanted to come......”

 

Mokuba could all ready sense his brother's discomfort from this situation. So, as a normal distraction from their attention on his brother, Mokuba rushed forward to the others, saying, “It's been awhile since I had the chance to see you guys. When Seto mentioned that you've been asking us over, I thought it was a great idea to visit! I.....hope you guys don't mind.....”

 

“What? You kidding? Not at all.....”, Joey grinned at Mokuba, then glanced over at Kaiba who had been staring at him at the time. But as they met eye contact, Kaiba quickly glanced away, looking at other things around him......like the random cards from other various games hanging on the walls. Joey found it odd, but said nothing about it and turned his attention back towards Mokuba.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

The group had a blast playing together.....well, except for Tristan who was still crying.

 

Mokuba didn't quite know what to think about Tristan's attitude, especially after the explanation given about his condition. He simply tried to ignore Tristan, and stay as far away from him as possible.

 

As for Yugi, he found the addition of the Kaiba brothers into their group quite interesting. Mokuba had a way of drawing everyone's attention to him, which was quite the difference from him at Kaiba Corp where Mokuba usually seemed so invisible, in comparison......more like he was Kaiba's shadow.

 

Yugi found it very intriguing how the brothers reversed roles entirely in certain situations, like an automatic response. Kaiba was obviously uncomfortable in this kind of situation, and Mokuba drawing attention to himself perhaps somehow helped to protect his brother. Then where Kaiba was his strongest, he would seem to do exactly what Mokuba was doing, right now......becoming the center of attention, practically hiding Mokuba from view with his own dominance.

 

Speaking of Kaiba.....he seemed to have found comfort in the darkest corner of the room and stayed put, leaning against the wall, arms crossed with this `get away from me' aura surrounding him.

 

And Joey felt a little confused by Kaiba's presence here. Though Kaiba still gave off his usual repelling aura to those around him....Joey wasn't able to keep count how many times he caught Kaiba staring at him, even for the slightest moment, before looking away. It wasn't normal....especially for Kaiba. And to Joey, he found it almost as strange as Tristan's behavior.

 

And when Joey put an arm around Tristan to help comfort his bud, Joey found a new reaction from Kaiba that was even stranger. Kaiba became angry......he could see him tense up, like he was barely keeping himself from doing something irrational. `But why would that bother Kaiba? What would he care if I helped out a friend?'

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

It wasn't long before Joey's sister had to leave. She had a long bus ride ahead, and normally left early when she was here. Plus, Joey insisted that she leave early to avoid anything dangerous at night. They said their good-byes to her and she was gone.

 

Hours later, the evening came and Tristan was next to go. Joey said good-bye to him, but didn't join him for a change. Normally they would leave together....but since Tristan's new interest in the janitor, he'd been too depressed to hang out all hours of the night with Joey.

 

By this time, Kaiba was now watching just the three of them play from a distance. Yugi had tried multiple times to convince Kaiba to play their present game of Monopoly with them, but he refused. Now they were beginning to put a puzzle together, with Yugi trying again to reach Kaiba, who once more abruptly refused. And right afterwards, Mokuba began to talk again, which Yugi assumed was once again meant to be a distraction for his brother to be at peace.

 

But this time, Joey stopped Mokuba, saying, “Hold up a minute. Hey Kaiba, what's a matter.....did we find something you can't do?” Joey figured his chance of getting Kaiba over to join them was just as bad. But then again, he was the person Kaiba was staring at all night, so maybe....

 

Kaiba glared at Joey, and turned away, “Forget it, Mutt. Play your stupid game.”

 

“It aint a game, it's a puzzle.....you know? Maybe you're just worried I might find more pieces than you, huh?”, Joey asked.

 

“Don't push me, Wheeler”, Kaiba hissed.

 

Joey retorted, “Or what.....you wont join us? Come on, what are you afraid of? Me??”

 

Kaiba glared daggers at him, as if his words hit a chord....but Joey could see the hesitation. “It aint gonna bite ya, Kaiba. Stop being chicken shit.”

 

Kaiba glared more at Joey, finally glancing at Mokuba who looked at Kaiba with his pleading eyes, and then at Yugi looking hopeful, as usual. Kaiba then closed his eyes and sighed, causing Mokuba's eyes to widen in shock. The brother's understood each other's body language just about as much as the way they talked. And at the moment, Kaiba's actions were screaming volumes to his brother.

 

Finally after a long moment's pause, he pushed himself off the wall, muttering, “Whatever.....” and sat down right between both Mokuba and Joey. His face was hard like stone, eyes focused on the puzzle, and silently daring someone to say one thing to him.....ready to go off on them if they tried. Mokuba made a very light touch to his brother's shoulder, hoping to reassure him, as they began the puzzle together.

 

Later still, it was finally time for Joey to go home. To Mokuba's surprise, when Joey was ready to leave was finally the time Kaiba was ready to leave. Kaiba made sure to once again tell Yugi off.....giving him his usual speach about wanting nothing to do with friendship and to stay away from him, before strutting out to the limo. Yugi said his good-byes, as Joey headed down the street, and the Kaiba brothers got into the limo and drove away.

 

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Narr: Yep....Kaiba's back on the scene. He was the unexpected visitor....surprise! Kaiba's obviously having problems resisting the pull. Wont be much longer now before the walls finally crumble and collapse on him. But when that happens.....what will happen, and what will Joey do?

 

Next chapter: We return to Tea's dilemma. Finally, the definition of a Shadow Pact is told, and Tea makes a very important decision that could affect the future of many! But, Tea's not the only thing mentioned......you'll just have to read and see!