Three Winnings (Part 3)

DIMENSION: MANGA (The One That Saves the Day)

Bastet's tail wriggled. "Mortals. You see? This is why the legendary gods just transform into mighty beasts. It means they don't have to talk to you! Unless they want to, or have to. I'll try two winnings."

"I hope two will work." Jounouchi looked toward Satiah. "Thanks for trying." He looked toward Kaiba. "Thanks."

"Don't. Even." Kaiba's voice sounded deadly. "Thank your sister. Thank the fact she cares for you like no other on Earth."

///Yuugi: Whoah. Did Kaiba just say something nice about Shizuka, Atem?///

///Atem: Whatever she gave away, it was something big. All of these winnings are tremendous in size.///

Yeah. Satiah couldn't even give away part of her card. No spoilers though from Bastet. ///Yuugi: What do they gain? It can't just be separation if they win, that's not a win. That's neutral. Right? Unlike Mai, they are written as players. They have to have something more. Is it really the same as Bastet and Sekhmet?///

///Atem: Guaranteed to join together should be a loss. Not joining together would be neutral, they are already in that state. Then again, this is a whole new kind of game, Yuugi. Maybe the neutral is the same as winning. I was hoping over the night they would come to terms with it and speak of it to us.///

///Yuugi: You can't miss the hieroglyphics on their heads either. It's similar to the one on Jounouchi's neck.///

///Atem: Bastet is a protection goddess. Not just a warrior. She is offering them extra protection.///

Bastet came back, holding something that wasn't a sistrum or a weapon. A mirror. "Simple concept." She gave Jounouchi the mirror. "When she falls into labor, you may have her back, so that you can get to know your daughter. Horakhty is a softie sometimes. Before then, you may interact with her through this mirror."

" . . . that's it? Two full winnings and I have to wait months before I can get her back?" Jounouchi complained.

"Jounouchi. Accept the god's grace," Atem warned him. "There didn't have to be grace." Especially when they wanted three winnings and accepted two.

"Ah." Jounouchi looked toward Atem. He nodded. It was best to get what he could, or he could lose even that. Jounouchi held the mirror up. "Okay? You okay, Mai?" He called to her, holding up his thumb.

"I'm fine, Jounouchi." She smiled, trying to be brave. "We're good."

"It's the best I can do, but if you make anyone else mad that is a god, you could find your good fortune terminated. I suggest not cursing them out." She disappeared.

"Mai." His lips quirked in a weird direction as he came back toward them. "She's here."

Yuugi looked over into the mirror with the others. She waved. "She looks okay."

"I knew she was gonna be okay. She dreamed it." Jounouchi was starting to break. "Just about four months to wait. I can see her though and talk to her. That's good. Great for . . . the gods." He wouldn't risk it anymore.

"She looks like she's inside a warm place," Yuugi said as he smiled into the mirror. "They know they can't risk her health. I'm sure she'll eat well and be great. Bastet is watching her. She's the fertility goddess too, they won't mess with her."

"Yeah. I guess. But you two." Jounouchi pointed at Anzu and Satiah. "This whole secrecy thing, it's gonna end. You didn't get just measly winnings or you'd say what it was! Why didn't you help?"

"They would have given it, if they could." Mokuba spoke up. "I'm sure they really wanted to, Jounouchi."

///Yuugi: Mokuba? They told Mokuba already? And not us?///

///Atem: Yes, that is strange. Masika is fond of Mokuba. Maybe it involved him.///

"I don't care what they think or thought, the deal still stands. The dragon is mine. You had better have something decent in there to eat besides some god game box," Kaiba complained. "I was in the middle of the line to get it. Your lucky Mokuba was here, or there's no way I'd have come."

"We have fruit and some bread," Yuugi explained. "We'll be going to the store soon."

"I'll be splitting in a different direction. I have to get around to check on others," Bakura Ryou insisted.

"I'll come." Satiah went toward him.

Anzu grabbed her wrist. "You aren't going with him!" They were both looking angrily at each other.

"I want to talk to him," Satiah said firmly. "Let go."

"How do I know that's all?" Anzu questioned her.

"For one, I don't see Horakhty." Satiah glared at her.

Yuugi came over by Anzu with Atem and Jounouchi. "Now isn't the time to squabble."

"This isn't a squabble!" Anzu looked toward Satiah. "You can't do anything. I need to talk to Yuugi."

"Ladies?" Bakura gestured outward. "I have to go. This isn't the time for arguments."

"Oh, it's a little up there in importance, Bakura," Satiah answered as she tried to shuffle toward him.

"I recognize that nervous strut." Bakura came back toward her, clearly having changed to the Bandit King. "Whisper your deadly secret to my ear, Rider." Satiah whispered into his ear. "Ha!" He just laughed. "Oh by all means, yes."

"No!" Anzu shouted almost to the top of her lungs. "I'm not her anymore." She covered her head. "I'm not Masika."

"This has gone on far enough." Atem moved toward them. "Whatever this secret is, it is big, and I am betting bigger than you two want to let on." He looked toward Anzu. "The world is in peril, humanity is at the verge of possible extinction, secrets can't be condoned."

Anzu's eyes glistened, on the verge of tears. "I know. But."

"The whole of the human tear has a treasure within," Bandit King said. "If you don't state it, Anzu Mazaki, then I will gladly tell him."

"Yuugi, take Anzu inside." It was clear that whatever Anzu had to say, it was private with Yuugi. "Jounouchi, Masika and I will get provisions first." They could get groceries. At the very least if Yuugi and Anzu didn't get any groceries themselves, they could have extra. At the same time, having Masika come would make Anzu feel better, instead of her going with Bakura. "Come everyone, let's go."

Yuugi took Anzu's hand and led her back inside.