Honda's Ghost Part 10

Blanky was endlessly curious about our new acquisition, and the set up costs for habitation was quite high.

I don’t think his previous owner had cared much for our little scorpion.

I feed it some crickets and checked the heat mat and water.

It scurried about and for a few moments I watched it.

Mine.

What should I name him?

Somehow I don’t think Honda would approve if I named him Squee.

I gathered up our books, making sure Blanky didn’t have access to Honda’s room.

That dog was starting to get on my nerves.

I sighed, leaning against the door. Rest, I needed peace. No, I needed to no longer be in fear of my life.

I needed to talk to the Spirit.

Sooner, rather than later.

I slipped out, the cool morning air refreshing me, and like most mornings, Jonouchi was waiting for me.

I saluted, and Jonouchi fell into step beside me.

I could tell he wanted to talk, I was just surprised he hadn’t launched straight into whatever it was.

“So...” I floundered, trying to work out what could have him so excited.

“Yugi’s Gramps is pretty cool.” Jonouchi said, and my mind spiralled off in a dozen directions.

I tilted my head towards him, “I guess...?”

“Yeah. He had this awesome card. Magic and Wizards.” Jonouchi said.

“Huh.” I said, frowning. Well it was a game store, there must be dozens of card games contained within it.

“The Blue Eyes White Dragon.” I could hear the capitals. My heart almost stopped. The game. Duelist Kingdom, Battle city, the end of the world a dozen times over. “It’s a super rare card. And you wouldn’t believe who stopped by the shop wanting to buy that card.”

“Kaiba.” I breathed, I needed to breathe. Calm. Stay calm.

“Yeah, how did you guess?” Jonouchi asked.

“He’s the national champion of...” Duel Monsters, “Magic and Wizards.”

Jonouchi stared at me.

“Honda...?”

I jerked, glancing up. He hadn’t called me that since...

“I thought you knew.” I said quietly, “Wasn’t you the one hunting down the school’s star? Kaiba’s about as close as we get.”

Jonouchi threw an arm around my shoulders, “So me and Yugi are planning on playing a game at lunch. Should be fun. Picked up a few cards last night.”

“Right... should be... fun.” I replied, thinking I am never going to be able to sleep again.

--__--

Lunch was interesting, Jonouchi really had no idea what he was doing, Yugi flattened him a few times.

Honda watched without much interest. I tried to remember if he had ever played and flinched. The monkey. No. That wasn’t happening this time round.

Now how to get him interested in the game... it’s a shame I couldn’t get Dominion over here, that would be fun.

Why couldn’t I?

Shadow Games, none of the games I had seen so far, none of the indications were that the Spirit had even tried Duel Monsters... I mean Magic and Wizards.

The important part was the games. Planning ahead. Strategy. Tactics.

That could work.

I almost missed Kaiba asking to see the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

I almost face palmed. Yugi! What were you thinking? You don’t bring a super rare card, that holds that much sentimental value, to a high school!

I poked Honda. Pay attention. Kaiba was dangerous, ruthless.

Rage flickered as Kaiba slipped the card in his back pocket, but Honda glanced at Yugi before acting.

Sadness, but a flicker of determination that Honda was becoming familiar with.

What do you think? Honda asked, confront him now or...?

Yugi’s going to do it later.

Honda nodded, tapping his desk as Jonouchi distracted Yugi with another game.

We waited.

As the day ended, Honda nudged Yugi, Yugi glanced up, confusion replacing the look of determined hopelessness.

“Want backup while you talk to Kaiba?” Honda asked.

“Oh.” Yugi uttered, “You saw.”

“Yeah.” Honda tilted his head towards Kaiba, “Better hurry if you’re going to catch him.”

Yugi smiled shyly, “Honda... Thanks.” He rushed after Kaiba.

Honda slipped after him, staying far enough behind that we couldn’t hear the conversation, until Yugi started shouting.

Kaiba laughed.

A flicker of power.

Honda stepped back. Fuck.

And that is the Spirit of the Puzzle. I sent back.

I guessed. Honda replied.

He didn’t follow them. Leaning against the wall like it was the only thing supporting him.

You deal with them. He finally said, handing the reins over.

I ran a hand through my hair, this was going to be dangerous.