A new friend, and new enemies.(Mera1506 & m e i SYNDROME)

[Mera1506]

Marik was sitting in his chair in a hotel room. It was a shabby hotel, but it would do. Too many cameras at the good ones. The ones here were dummy cameras, which was perfect. Most if his rare hunters were already in Domino city, only a few stayed behind. The tournament would start tomorrow. This plan couldn't fail. It was too well thought out, or that's at least what this sadicstic sociopathic spikey haired blond thought. He took a bite form the now half cold pizza. First it had been late, well at least he'd gotten it for free, then he was busy and now it was half cold. That dind't do his mood much good. His millennium rod lying on the table, nearby.

So far he'd kept her with him. But he might need her to duel as well. She was good, very good and had been very useful for him and as long as she continued to be useful he'd keep her. But like Odion she stayed willingly. Well if she did try to run away he could still take control over her mind. He hoped he didn't have to make a slave of her though. It was more fun with her personality in tact. She challenged him, but knew also not to cross the line. She walked that thin line perfectly. A very pretty girl indeed. He'd been wondering on when to do her.

Like every teen he was plagued by hormones, wet dreams and a lot of horniness. He really did need a good lay pretty soon. Talking about getting late where was that little bitch?


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A young man walked into the gamestore. He looked to be around the age of twenty. He stood about 6ft tal and had a nice sculptured body, but not too much, he was still lean, he hadn't bulked up. Long straight ginger red hair hung to half way down his back, a few shorter bangs above his eyes. He had almond shaped, piercing blue eyes and he was dressed in dark blue jeans with a sort of tight fitting black t-shirt with a yin and yang symbol on it. He wore a couple of sneakers under it and two golden rings around his middle fingers and in his right ear a small golden earring.

He had an almost perfect posture and he looked down at the single cards. He was looking for something specific to finish his deck for the tournament. He'd heard of course that this tore was run by Yugi's grandfather, so it was the first for him to check. He had his hopes set on the title of course, but he knew everyone else in the tournament had also and fromt he look on Kaiba's face when he announced the tournament Kaiba was probably more determined then everyone else except maybe him.

 

[Mei]

• • • Rin had crept back into their adjoining rooms, making sure she closed her own door quietly as it had a tendency to slam loudly (at the very least, the blonde kept the door connecting their two rooms locked the most of the time, even though he held the key), determined to avoid the blonde for the rest of the night. She had no particular intention of talking to him tonight - however 'willing' she might be to stay with him, she still made a conscious effort to avoid him as much as possible. She had seen what that Rod of his could do - and had seen it used as a weapon with the dagger, and had no intention of being on the receiving end of that.
      
      She had lost most of her dignity when she had lost to him in a duel, and tried to keep as much of it that remained as intact as she could. The dark-haired girl had gone out with a few of her friends from the city for dinner - and while she herself wasn't old enough to drink - managed to convince Miku to buy her a beer, which left the barely-sixteen girl somewhat tipsy, face flushed from the alcohol.
      
      So now, the short (standing at barely five-one) girl made her way to her bed, and collapsed onto it, long legs splayed behind her as she gave a small sigh of comfort, not caring that her skirt rose up her thighs. Staying out nearly all night with one's friends could exhaust you, and now, all Rin wanted to do, really, was to sleep. As long as Marik would just leave her alone, she would happily (not really) stay with him, and keep out of his own business.
      
      And for all Rin cared about him being a typical hormonal teenager - he could go out and find a prostitute from the streets and get a disease from her. If anything, Rin would refuses a request such as that - she was a virgin, and, frankly, she planned on keeping it that way until this whole damn ordeal was over.
      
      --
      
      Yugi had been upstairs, shuffling through his own deck to make sure everything was as it should be, when he first heard the bell downstairs ring. Ah, so someone had come in - no doubt because of both of the reputation of the shop, and because of the new tournament Seto had announced. The teen had given a sigh when he heard about it - Seto definitely wanted to get some sort of revenge from him for beating him in a duel. Even if it was such a long time ago. . . Nevertheless, Yugi would join the tournament - as to whether he won or lost, he had no particular interest for that, at the moment.
      
      The teen quickly went down the stairs to help service the customer after placing his Millennium Puzzle around his neck (losing customers was always bad, no matter what), and saw a young man - taller than him, and with longer hair as well - was browsing the display of single cards in the counter display.
      
      Looked like he was going to be entering the tournament, as well. Practically every duelist in the city - amateur or otherwise - would be entering this contest. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Yugi asked finally.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]

 

[Mera1506]

Malik yawned and looked at the clock. It was already two am and the tournament would open in just seven hours. Even if he wasn't there he'd still be working through the eyes of his soul slaves. He got undressed and got in bed, grinning. Tomorrow was the beginning of that darn pharaoh's downfall.

Now once he had the pharaoh on his knees, what would he do with him, how could he humiliate yami the best way. Make him strip maybe, walk around all naked on a leash? That didn't sound too bad, the pharaoh following him like his little doggie. From the picture in his head he couldn't stop but laugh out loud. Yeah that sounded nice, the pharaoh as his personal pet. He laughed like an insane man before going to sleep.


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The young man looked up. He'd heard someone come down. He saw the most adorable boy he'd ever seen. He couldn't help but smile, somehow just the appearance of this boy made him want to smile, then he saw the puzzle. Yugi Motou in the flesh, lovely. The one to avoid until the finals. "Yes, I'm looking for six cards. Skilled dark Magician, Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke, Card of Sanctity, Marshmallon, Inaba White Rabbit and Wave Motion Cannon." He said. His voice was a low baritone, sounding really low. Well Yugi did look cute, what he hell was he thinking he was here to buy cards.

He was sure they would have those cards in one of the many game shops in Domino city, but he started with this one. This tournament would be his first big one. He had studied hours and hours on end on cards and their effects and had eventually made a very strong deck with a side deck. But it seemed according to the regulations that you could use more then one deck in this tournament, Kaiba onviously didn't care so now he was perfecting the deck he'd used as kid as well. With those six cards he'd have two almost unbeatable decks.

 

[Mei]

• • • Even in her half-drunk state, Rin could still hear him in the other room. No doubt he was still planning - she had no idea what he was actually planning for this tournament, besides wanting to steal rare cards from other duelists. She had no interest in helping him with that either - something that had earned her sneers and comments from the other supposed Hunters. After all, what use was a girl who stayed so close to Malik who didn't go out to take rare cards from other duelists?
      
      Ah, well. A slap to the faces of those that said those comments behind her back quickly made sure that the others would no longer spread those sorts of 'rumors' about her.
      
      The Japanese girl gave a small groan when she heard the mad laughter from the other room, and pulled the pillow out from under her to bring about her head to block out the laughter. It was rather unnecessary, really. . .And it was a wonder that none of the other guests in the seedy hotel bother to inquire about it. Or maybe they were used to it? Nevertheless, the girl managed to fall asleep soon, quickened by the alcohol in her system.
      
      --
      
      Yugi gave a small blink when the older man seemed to randomly smile - but then he saw that his eyes flickered down towards the Puzzle around his neck. Aah. But he gave a small nod when he listed off the cards he wanted - he was pretty sure that he had those in stock. . .The teen checked the counter, before pulling out Skilled Dark Magician, Marshmallon, and Card of Sanctity. "These are the three I know we have in stock," he said, laying them out in front of the man.
      
      "But I can check in back for the other three, just to make sure," he said. These were fairly powerful cards - so. . .well, this man obviously thought that he had some sort of powerful deck, and these would no doubt complete it. "Are you planning on entering the tournament?" He asked mildly.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]

 

[Mera1506]

He looked at the three cards. Perfect. "Please." He said. He wondered what this kid was thinking. He was a possible rival and with asking for these cards that prbably made that obvious. Why else would he ask if he was going to enter the tournament. "I got an invitation and I am curious how my skills would hold up against those of other duelists. This would be my first tournament." He said. Deffinately a very cute looking boy. But he was too young for him, he looked to be like fourteen or something. But it was well known that Yugi was a high school student when he went to duelist kingdom so that would make him seventeen or eighteen now. Puberty seemed to come late for Yugi.

So Yugi was about three years younger. He already kenw he was gay, but they were competitors. Right now he should focus on making his decks complete. The boy seemed to be on the shy side. He most certainly was interested, but approaching Yugi he'd have to be careful. Befriend him first probably and find out if Yugi was either bi-sexual or gay. If he was straight it would still be good to have a new friend, if Yugi was bi-sexual or gay he could get lucky. He'd barely spoken to this teen and already he liked him. Some charm this he had.

 

[Mei]

• • • The girl sat up, jerked up, really from her sleep, eyes wide and panting. She ran a shaky hand through her hair, and gave a loud moan. Some nights - she just couldn't stand it. She wondered how Odion could have stayed with him, all this time. It just. . .Seemed mad, that such a nice man could have stayed with someone who was this mad. Mad with what, she wasn't quite sure. Power? Revenge? Anger? It didn't particularly matter - Rin was only fearing for her own particular self now, and she flopped backwards onto her bed again, headboard banging against the wall.
      
      Night after night of dealing with him. . .A sneer curled her lip; he wanted power, he wanted control. Oh, that much was obvious. The way he demanded to know where she went, made sure that she was always back. . .And since she didn't let him know where she went this night, didn't bother to tell him that she was back - there would be some sort of repercussion for that, whenever Malik decided to wake up. There would be punishment later - most likely just some yelling. There was rarely any physical abuse inflicted upon here, but plenty of yelling that made her seethe inside.
      
      Rin lay there, silent and staring at the ceiling.
      
      Odion had spoken of Marik as a nice person - a sweet boy when he was younger, right? But then. . .how would that explain this? Rin supposed that Marik had the potential to be someone handsome, and charming. . .But with the way he was now? No. Now he was just a sadist on a major powertrip.
      
      --
      
      Yugi gave a small nod, and placed the three cards off to one side so the man couldn't make off with them - although he probably wouldn't, it was still good to be on the safe side. "I see, your first. Well then, good luck with you - I'll certainly be seeing you, then." He gave a small smile. "Maybe we'll even duel each other," he said, before turning around to head into the back room to find the remaining three cards.
      
      After finding the remaining three cards in the back room, Yugi came back out and rang up the six cards. "That'll be twenty-three hundred yen, please. What's your name?" He asked curiously. Ah, ever the friendly person - not in any sort of sexual way, but simply because he was a friendly person. . .He honestly had no clue what his own particular sexuality was, and didn't particularly care either. Love was love, and shouldn't be defined by oppressive terms.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]

 

[Mera1506]

Malik was angry the next morning. She knew she had to tell him where she was going. She should be glad he hadn't used the rod on her yet. But obviosuly yelling at her allone wouldn't do the trick. He should think of a punishment for her. Well he was getting dressed. After a quick shower in a small showerstall that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in at least a year he got dressed. He heard his tomach and decided breakfast was a good idea. He walked out and decided to take his bike for a spin and get himself some decent food.

He put on his helmet and kicked his Harley into life. A loud roaring sound blasted in the early morning of the sleezy hotel. He rode off fast in the still mstly empty streets. He was too excited to sleep much. Al he'd gotten was a lousy three hours. At 6am he was riding through the streets of New York. He'd have to catch a plane the day after tomorrow, Thanks to the rod he'd make it through customes.

He stopped at a small bakery at the other side of town. After racing through the streets, avoiding any stupid camera so he could speed without getting a ticket he'd ended up in this small bakery. An absolutely delicious smell came from it and it seemed they suved coffee too. He ordered a ham and cheese croissant, a grilled cheese sandwich and a big cup of coffee. He sat down in the back and decided to check on his rare unters until his order was done.


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"Maybe." He said, then waited while Yugi walked into the back room and looked around a bit more. He had every intention ont to duel Yugi before the finals though. He looked at other games such as dungeon Dice monsters, ordinary playing cards, board games such as capsule monsters chess, capsule monsters on itself. Those were the ones he glanced over until he heard Yugi re-enter the room.

He opened his wallet and handed Yugi twenty-three hundred yen. "My name?.... I'm Jarod, it's nice to meet you." He said. Why did this boy ask for his name, could he be interested? No he was probably just curious or being friendly or both. Oh Damn he could really fall for this beautiful boy. "I have one questionYugi, how do you do it?" He then asked. Referring to beating Pegasus for one and not to forget Kaiba. He was interested in knowing that. Of course he could understand if Yugi didn't want to share his secret.

 

[Mei]

• • • Rin had sat up all night, leaning against the headboard, staring. She wasn't quite asleep, but she wasn't quite awake either. She was tense when she heard Malik wake up in the next room, heard him shower - and oh, he left, she could hear his motorcycle roaring down the street. . . So, that's how it would be today. Punishment would come later. That's fine then, although the apprehension made her shoulders and neck tense. Climbing out of the bed, Rin pulled out a change of clothes, noting with distaste that she smelled of stale alcohol.
      
      A shower resolved that, and even with such a sleezy hotel, Rin was simply glad that the shower worked, as did the warm water. She stayed in the shower for quite some time, letting the water work away some of her stress and worries. Ah well, this shower was somewhat clean - it seemed like the management had simply given the pretty girl the better room. That thought brought a small smile to her face - while she wasn't vain, it was still something amusing and flattering. Once she was done, Rin dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt, and headed out of her room, making sure to lock the door behind her, before heading for a local bakery for some breakfast.
      
      She wasn't particularly fond of traveling with Malik - too unpredictable with him, although the only possible upshot of it all was that she hadn't had a problem with customs as she normally did.
      
      --
      
      "Ah, nice to meet you as well, Jarod." Probably a foreigner, with that name. And there was no doubt that he already knew who he was, but it was polite just to introduce himself nonetheless. "Yugi - but you already know that. . ." He gave a small laugh. He blinked when Jarod mentioned that he had a question.
      
      Ah. . .
      
      It figures that someone would try to ask what his 'secret' was to beating both Pegasus and Kaiba. His friends, and believing in the cards were really it. . .Not so much of a secret, now was it? "Well. . .Just having my friends support me and believing in the cards," he said brightly as he placed the money in the register. "That's it." Nothing spectacular - I'm sure that wasn't what you were expecting, was it? [/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]

 

[Mera1506]

Malik returned to the hotel with a decent lunch with him. Then he wouldn't have to go out again. He went back to his room and threw his helmet on the char and his leather jacket over it. His lila top was now visible. He was a handsome guy and some prostitutes used this place regularly. However although frustrated and wanting a good lay he dind't want to risk catching anything from a cheap street whore.

He sat back on the bed and leaned against the wall as he watched through the eyes of his rare hunters how things were progressing in Battle City. He knew she was out. He'd seen the key to her room at what passed for reception. He was going to have a nice little chat with her. It was time for her to get more involved, willingly or otherwise....


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"True." He said. He already knew it, so did the rest of the world. Well this kid he looked very innocent. He had his looks looking for him. With an innocent look like that his opponents would also be likely to underestimate Yugi. He wouldn't make that mistake. "That makes sense." Jarod said. If you make the best deck you can you can't start doubting yourself or your deck, that's when you start making mistakes he knew. Keep faith in yourself and that your deck can help you win and keep a cool head, that would give anyone a good advantage.

"Thank you it's been a pleasure. I'll see you around." Jarod said and walked out of the shop. It was his lucky day, all six cards. Now it was time to continue his study. He still had some homework. He studied psychology and had a big fascination with the human mind. At the same time he would use his knowledge to read his opponent's spot their weaknesses and get into their heads. Thanks Yugi, your advice I will follow. He thought. Somehow that keeping faith held more power then he ever could have guessed.

((Time Skip to get both storylines to the same day?))

 

[Mei]

• • • [[Sure~ And sorry I haven't replied to the DN one. ^^; My brain was on a bit of a block for that one, so I'm going to wrestle up a reply for that tonight.]]
      
      Rin sighed, and crossed her arms, trying to keep the disk on her wrist as inconspicuous as possible. She didn't particularly want to deal with someone trying to duel her today, and besides, she had already beaten two idiots and claimed their cards earlier today. With that thought in mind, the girl hurried back to the better hotel they were staying at. Cleaner, and nicer rooms with decent service, although Malik had still insisted on having connected rooms. Fine, she'd deal with that as well. Either, she still had her privacy, and the blonde hadn't made much of a move to talk to her. She refrained from touching her forearms, where there were still the faint remains of bruises from when he had gripped her, and yelled at her for not telling him where she had gone.
      
      And afterward, she had crept to Odion's room, and asked to stay with him for the night to avoid Malik, even though that angered him as well. But the older man had managed to calm him down, and Rin had managed to escape that particular punishment. With another deep sigh, Rin picked up her key at the reception, and headed towards her room, glaring at anyone who seemed like they would be wanting to challenge her. She simply wasn't in the mood right now, and she was more likely to punch someone than to duel with cards.
      
      Entering her room, Rin immediately tore off the device on her wrist, and was posed to throw it onto the ground. No. Malik would only be pissed if she did that, so the teen just scoffed and tossed it onto the armchair by the window. "Stupid." Rummaging through her coat pockets, she pulled out the cards she had won today, and tossed them onto the nightstand by her bed. She'd give them to Malik later, if he was going to bother her today. Speaking of which, were was he? Was he here at the hotel, in his room, or elsewhere?
      
      --
      
      Yugi twisted his wrist from side to side, examining the device attached to it. Leave it to Kaiba to come up with something like this, and as he looked around, many people were eying him, looking as if they were searching for a duel. But they all recognized him, and, in the end, decided to pass on that. After all - no one was stupid enough to challenge Yugi. He'd beaten both Pegasus and Kaiba before - they had no chance of beating him! Right?
      
      Searching the crowds, though, Yugi was half-expecting to see Jarod in the sea of people. After all, before he had left, he had said that the two of them would be seeing each other sometime during the tournament. The elder was a nice person, and he seemed to understand what Yugi had meant by trusting in the cards, but then again, who knew? Plus, it would be nice to make a new friend, even in such a competitive environment such as this. Aah, now if only Joey and Tea were here. . .The teen pressed his lips together, and stood off to the side, waiting and watching.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]

 

[Mera1506]

Malik knew she was frustrated, but it really was time she was kept on a shorter leash. And only two cards a day wasn't going to satisfy him. "I see you're back." Malik said and walked to the door to lock it. He then took the key that was still in it. It still wasn't a high class hotel, just not as sleezy at the last one. "There's something I forgot to tell you last night." He said with a grinn and moved closer.

He grabbed her shoulders and pressed her against the wall. "Disobey me again and I'll screw your brains out." He said and pressed against her. He had been rather sexually frustrated lately. Hell he was a teen too. He was hard and he knew she would feel that. "An then I'll let the other rare hunters havea go at you. After I'm done with you, you'll serve as their little whore you understand me. I couldn't care less if they literally fucked you to death. But, that would be something I'd like to watch... So from now on you do as I say or you'll be a sex slave to my rare hunters for your remaining days, of course after I've had a little fun with you and don't expect Odion to change my mind on this one either,... sweety." He said and breathed her scent in from cose to her neck. "Now get out there and get some more cards, unless you'd rather stay here and have some fun in the bedroom. And I expect to see at least six cards before you're going to bed." Malik said. He then pulled away. Right now he could use the fucking thing as a threat with her. So he'd have to wait. He went to his own room, time for some more business.


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Jarod saw Yugi from the shadows and passed by as everyone else. Good luck Yugi. Jarod thought and walked away a couple of blocks before challenging a girl this time. He hoped she was no lightweight, those were no fun. The two cards he'd won had been just too easy. This girl at least had a lot of self confidence and Amazoness Paladin was not a bad card at all. So this girl played with Amazoness. The black haired girl, rather young woman, he estimated was around his age. He opened with Breaker, the Magical Warrior, used its special effect to destroy her face down card, which turned out to be Amazon Archers. Then he played White Dragon Ritual and sacrificed Breaker to summon Paladin of White Dragon. He played Pot of Greed and drew two cards, Watapon and Ritual Weapon. Using Watapon's effect he summoned it. Yugi'd been right. He believed in his deck and drew the card he wanted. He added Ritual Weapon to Paladin of White Dragon, bringing its attack to 3400. He then attacked Amazoness Paladin, taking 1700 of her lifepoints. He ended with one face down card.

The girl gritted her teeth and then summoned Amazone'ss swordswoman in her next turn. He woudn't attack that one, he'd be the one taking the battle damage. She played Amazoness arena, its first effect caused both players to gain 600lp and placed a card face down. She eyed his face down card and didn't attack Watapon, instead gave him back his turn. Jarod grinned. Amazoness Arena was a nice card. But she'd probably have another Amazon Archer under there, or maybe Amazones Spellcaster or Dramatic Rescue. Either one would be a pain in the ass. And she'd thought this through, the effect of Amazoness Sword woman was bad for him too.

He drew his card. He summoned Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke to the field. He attacked her with his new monster. Its effect would cancel out that of Amazoness Swordwoman. Her face down card was Amazoness Spellcaster and she switched the attacks of her Amazone with that of Paladin, Smart girl, then used the effect of Amazoness arena to inflict 100 points of extra damage. He was now 1700 lp lighter, leaving him with 2300, only 100lp more then her. He'd just lost his new monster. He grinned at her. "Good, I finally found a chellenge." He told her. He placed one mroe card face down and ended his turn.