A/N Okay, the last part of the "You and I . . ." trilogy. I am soo happy that it is finally coming to an end, and I just hope this story will end off well. I really don't know how many chapters there will be, my guess . . . about ten. Now, I don't think many have been waiting for this, and if there are a few, then I'm sorry I took so long, I decided that once school was over I would get this story done. Anywho, the first chapter is not that great, so I hope no one will get bored and stop reading this story (you wouldn't do that to me would you ;-;). Anyway, there is one more thing to tell you, about the names:
Bakura Ryou: this is the nice half. I know his last name is Bakura, I was very slow and figured that out way too late. But anyway, his first name is Bakura and his last is Ryou, but in the story he will be called Ryou, cause it's easier for me.
Yami Bakura Ryou: this is how it goes, Yami is his first name, Bakura middle name, and Ryou is his last name. I don't know if I'll ever mention this, but he was given that name because Seto arranged it that way. He is Ryou's brother in the story, but of course not really. It's just so that people that they meet don't get confused, so they act as twin brothers. Anyway, in the story he will just be referred to as Bakura.
Malik and Marik Isthar: there case is the same as Bakura and Ryou's. Marik is the darker half, and he just chose to change his name.
Yami and Yugi Motou: same as the others. I know Yami's name is suppose to be Atem(u), but I'll just leave it like that, it's easier for me.
Tea Ryou: just in case no one realizes yet, she is married, so she took Bakura's last name...
Okay, that should be all. If you have question, just ask and I'll try to answer as best I can. So for now read and enjoy!
You and I . . . Eternally Forever
'She stared at him, her eyes filled with tears, yet had so much hope . . .'
'He tried to call out to her, but no words could form, how could he cope . . .'
'Everyone there was silent, no words uttered for what could they do . . .'
'He was pleased, for soon it was to come, he knew . . .'
"Was this how it was meant to be?"
"Together forever this you promised me"
"Have hope and you shall see . . ."
"You and I . . ."
"You and I . . ."
"Eternally."
"Forever."
Deep in the darkness, a lone figure sat as he repeated his plan in his mind. Everything would go smoothly. He had no doubt. He could almost taste the victory of his evil plot and when it came, nothing would stop him, not the pharaoh, the tomb robber and especially not her. Yes, everything would go as he planned. After waiting for so many years, he was going to make sure every one of his desires was complete. He would no longer wait any more years, no, only weeks. Only a few more weeks.
"Excuse me, master, you called?" the lone figure's servant had come into the room, bowing as he spoke.
"I just wanted to know if the preparations have been completed," he told him.
"Yes, sir, all that is left is to send them," the servant said.
"Good, then see to it, and make sure it all goes well," the dark master said, his voice holding a trace of warning.
"Of course, master," the servant once again bowed and as quickly as he came, he left.
"Good, everything will soon be ready. Soon all will be mine, especially you, Light!" the dark figure began to chuckle lightly, but soon the room was filled with echoes of his terrible laughter. It seemed as though nothing would stop him.
Chapter 1 - A Beginning in Reflecting
"Mom!" called out a young boy to his mother. The young woman turned around and smiled as her only son ran up to her and hugged her.
"It's nice to see you too, Yasuo," she said, hugging her son as well, "So how was school?"
"Okay, boring, but okay," he told her.
"I see, but you have to keep going no matter what," she told him.
"I know, I'm just glad that summer vacation starts next week," he said so joyfully. His mother's smile just grew bigger.
"Yeah, then you can help me do chores around the house," she teased as she began to walk, her son following.
"Aww, I don't want to do that! That would just waste my vacation," he pouted, making his mom giggle.
"Well, you won't be doing it every day, so don't worry," she told him, as he just nodded his head and stayed silent. The mother smiled again, it was what she did best, and it was because she had a lot to smile for, especially for how everything turned out for her.
She was married to a great person, had a wonderful son, and kind and caring friends . . . well, most of them were kind. She couldn't think of anything that she could possibly regret. Everything was just going great for Tea Ryou, and her only hope was that it would stay that way, but even she knew that some things could change. However, she was going to enjoy what was happening now, and whatever happens in the future, she would deal with it then.
She looked to her son, who was now walking ahead of her, and couldn't believe how time had gone by so quickly. Yasuo Bakura Ryou was seven years old with so much life and energy. His deep blue eyes were like his mother's as they showed many joyous emotions. Tea couldn't think of one time when his eyes ever turned dull. They were always filled with joy. He had a great personality and anyone who have met him just adored him. He had a fiery spirit, but a kind heart. She loved that about him, and really hoped that he would remain that way, but there was always a possibility for children to change, especially when they become teenagers.
Tea grinned at that, remembering how she was as a teenager. True that there were problems that she had, particularly that dream that she didn't want to remember anymore, but she was still capable of enjoying herself. She had to admit, though, some of the adventures she had back then, were fun . . . only when there wasn't someone trying to rule the world, that is, or trying to put you in the shadow realm. Anyway, she just hoped her son would never get into any dangerous adventures as he grows older. 'Well, at least everyone survived unharmed until the end,' she thought.
"Mom?" Yasuo spoke. Tea blinked a few times, before realizing that she had stopped walking and had been staring at him for a while.
"Sorry, Yasuo, I was just thinking," she told him. He raised one of his eyebrows, then simply nodded.
"Ok--ay, anyway, how was your checkup with the doctor?" he asked, hoping nothing was wrong. Tea thought for a moment and wondered if she should tell her son the news the doctor told her or save it until she got home. She decided on the latter.
"The doctor said I am healthy, and I only have the stomach flu. But it will be gone soon," she partially lied.
"That's good to hear," Yasuo said as they began to walk again. Tea had completely forgotten that she had gone to the doctors. She had only gone because Bakura had told to go. The first time he heard her in the washroom vomiting, he immediately told her to see the doctor, but she knew it wasn't anything serious, so she waited a week. So once a week had past, she was still sick, as a result, she had gone to the doctor, missing a day of work which she hadn't mind. It was nice to relax once in a while, and she liked the fact it was on this beautiful day. But that didn't mean she didn't like her job, oh no, she liked it, but once in while it was nice to get away from it. She was a teacher, a ballet dance teacher to be exact. It may not have been her dream job, but it was still good. Besides, having her own family made up for her lost dream, for it was one dream of hers.
'Honestly I'm happy as can be and just having my family and friends are enough for me. I just wish . . . that Yugi and the others were here too. But they had gone on with their lives, away from here,' Tea thought, looking at the sky. She hadn't told anyone about how much she missed her old friends. It has been a very long time since she last saw them, about . . . 'Nine years? Has it really been that long?' she thought carefully, counting the years in her head. At seventeen they all left her, well not purposely or at the same time. They all left a few months separate, Yami and Yugi being the first ones.
It was shocking to hear Yugi and Yami telling her and the others that they were leaving. Tea even tried to convince them to stay, but after awhile she realized she was acting selfish. She was just afraid that their group would fall apart . . . she really didn't want that. But she realized after that this was a good opportunity for the two. For it was Isis that invited them to go with her to Egypt, where she would teach and look after them. Also, it would give Yami a chance to figure out his past . . . even though Tea did not want him to know, she couldn't stop it. 'Hopefully he didn't figure out what he did,' Tea kept on thinking. Whatever happens, though, happens. She wasn't going to worry about it.
After Yugi and Yami left, Joey, Mai, and Serenity were the next set of friends that had gone away. There was some kind of duel tournament being held in America, and Joey and Mai were definitely not going to miss it. Since Serenity was going back with her mother anyway, she had gone with them. Tea got a letter about a month later from Joey, who wrote that he had won first prize while Mai won second. At the very end of the letter, Joey had written that he and Mai would be staying in America, and said that they would miss her. When Tea read that, she couldn't help but cry a little that day because she realized the gang was splitting apart.
All that remained were Tristan and Duke, who actually left at the end of high school, so they left at eighteen. They actually had gone without saying much, since Tea and the two males had somewhat separated long before they left. Tristan and Duke, however, became best friends and they would spend most of their time together, so it wasn't shocking when they said they were going to the same college after high school. They were the last to leave Tea behind.
At first, they would all send letters, most of the time once a month. That lasted for about two years, after that, she received fewer letters, and after five years, she lost contact. Tea didn't really know when the letters stopped coming, she was kind of too busy to have noticed, and that probably was the case for all her friends, they probably were too busy with their lives to worry about writing a letter to her . . . but still, she wouldn't mind knowing how they were. She would send them a letter herself, but she didn't know whether they were still residing at the same place or if they would even have time to read them, she was afraid that they may be too busy for her.
'I wonder if they would even recognize me if they came back?' she thought some more. Nine years could really change someone and Tea was no exception. Her brown hair had grown down to her waist, since she really didn't want to cut it. She was a bit taller and like Bakura, Malik, Marik, and even Seto and Ryou said, she had grown into all the right curves. She blushed madly the day they told her that, they in turn just laughed, but they were serious about that fact. Tea chuckled lightly at remembering that, she was surprised that Bakura hadn't said anything to the others, since he was overly protective of her and would lash out at anyone who looked at her in any way or said anything offensive or flattering. But anyway, Tea had matured, she was not a girl anymore; she was a woman.
However, her personality stayed the same, she still cared deeply for her friends and would always try to make them happy. She may have changed in appearance, but deep down she was still somewhat the same.
'I wonder if the others have changed?' she kept on thinking, 'well, no point in thinking about it. The only way I'll ever know is if I see them again, and that probably won't happen for a very long time.' She sighed at the thought. She really did miss them.
"Mother, are you all right?" Yasuo asked, thinking that something was wrong since she sighed. Tea looked down at him and simply shook her head lightly.
"I'm all right, don't worry," she told him and smiled. Yasuo wasn't convinced, but he knew there was no point to press on the matter further. His mother was quite stubborn.
"Whatever you say, mom," he merely told her.
"Well, let's keep walking, we'll never get home just standing here," she pointed out as she walked ahead of her son. Yasuo stood there for a while then followed her.
The two didn't walk much since they immediately stopped when they heard their names being called out. They both turned around and were greeted by one of Tea's best friends, Seto Kaiba.
"Seto!" Yasuo shouted, happy to see him. He quickly ran up to where Seto was now standing after he got out of the limo.
"Hey, squirt," Seto said as he patted the boy's wild hair, which was like his father's, the only difference was the brown hair in front. Yasuo just smiled at him, and soon Tea had joined them.
"Hi, Seto, haven't seen you in a week. Have you been busy?" she asked as she stood behind her son. Like her, Seto had changed as well, physically and mentally. He was a bit taller and his eyes no longer showed such coldness they once had. He was much more social now, well, only to his friends. Seto still acted mean and somewhat conceited, but that was him, she couldn't see any other way.
"Yeah, the company's been having major virus attacks. It took me this whole week to clear them all. It got really annoying, especially when one came right after I destroyed another, then I had to change so many softwares and make sure that no virus could attack again. I had to let most of the employees off early," he explained.
"That's really terrible, and no wonder Bakura has been getting home early this week," Tea said, as she remembered her dear husband coming home two to four hours early. She never bothered asking why, but it wasn't like Bakura complained, he would rather be home than working. Tea knew that, but he had to work, as it was how they agreed to do it. You see, Seto had done something for Tea and Bakura that Tea felt she needed to pay back. For starters, Seto had given them a wonderful wedding gift, a house, or rather, a mansion. Tea, being her kind self, could not accept it, thinking that it was just too much. But Seto, being him, had persuaded her to keep it, but not only that, he and Tea made an agreement. The agreement was that Bakura was to work for Seto and Seto would pay for all the necessities and other things that they may need. In other words, he was paying for everything, and Bakura worked for it. Bakura wasn't too happy especially since he didn't know how modern technology worked. But, after a few errors and some malfunctions, he eventually understood how to do his job, which was testing equipment and destroying whatever Kaiba thought to be failed experiments (he enjoyed that mostly).
"There was no point in staying since the computers would go crazy after a while. Besides, I thought you may enjoy spending more time with Bakura," he explained further. Tea just nodded, and smiled.
"Thanks, we really did have fun spending more time together," she joked as Seto simply smirked.
"Well, anyway, I really want to get home and relax. Want a ride?" he asked.
"Of course! I was wondering when you were going to ask," Yasuo said from inside the limo. He just smiled as his mother frowned at him.
"You know me too well, Yasuo," Seto smiled and moved aside to let Tea in. She quickly got in and Seto followed. Soon the vehicle was moving and the three headed home.
Tea let out a small sigh as she stirred the soup she was cooking. She had arrived home an hour ago and found her house empty since Bakura went out with Malik and Marik. Where? He wasn't specific, but she knew he would be coming home in time for dinner. Heck, if she knew him, he would be here as soon as she placed the food on the table. She smiled at the thought, but she soon realized that if Bakura was with the two Egyptian blondes, they would be joining them for dinner as well. She sighed again, and began looking in the fridge to see what else she could cook for the three males and the rest of the people in her house. Which, by the way, just came into the kitchen.
"Hey mom, is dinner almost ready?" Yasuo asked.
"Not yet, dear," Tea told him as she grabbed some vegetables and sausages. It may not be enough, but it would have to do. She sighed once more as she remembered that she had invited Seto over as well. So . . . that makes six people coming for dinner.
"Would you like some help, Tea?" make that seven.
"I thought you were going to be busy this evening, Ryou," Tea said as she turned to look at her husband's look a like.
"Was, but the museum had to be closed due to some mice infection," Ryou said. He was the manager of the Domino Museum since Isis had given him that job (she wouldn't have given it to Malik, but, truthfully, she didn't trust him with it and Malik didn't want it anyway). She used to send him letters on what to do, but after two years, she had given the museum completely to Ryou, which he was all too happy to accept. Somehow, he managed to make the museum into something that many people could enjoy. It was no longer boring going to this museum.
"You, too, have problems? Seto told me he had virus attacks all week, I guess you guys may have some bad luck," she joked, as she chopped and put the vegetables into a bowl, making a salad.
"Yeah, maybe, but once the mice clear out, I can get back to preparing the technology exhibit," he told her as he grabbed the sausages and placed them into a pan. He was always helpful around the house, he felt he should be since Tea and Bakura allowed him to live in their house, actually it was Tea who asked if he wanted to. She knew that the house was big enough, so why not ask him?
"I can't wait to see that!" Yasuo cried out.
"Only two more weeks and it should be finished. I know it'll be great," Ryou told him.
"I'm sure it will," Tea commented, "now Yasuo, go get ready for dinner."
"Right, mom," he simply said and ran off to the washroom.
As soon as he left, the room became quiet as Tea and Ryou prepared dinner. Tea took a few glances at Ryou, and noticed that he hasn't changed much, actually, he, Bakura, Malik and Marik haven't changed much in appearance. The only physical difference was that the four have grown taller. The major changes, however, would have to be their personalities.
Ryou was no longer the shy and pushover he once was, he was out going and took no crap from anyone, well . . . maybe except from Bakura, only a little though. Bakura, once proud and evil (in a way), was now a loving husband, a caring father, and well, he was a lot like he was back then, about five thousand or so years ago. The same can go for Marik, the past darkness of Malik, who actually turned into a good guy with a kind of bad attitude. Malik was simply sweet, but in way, like his darker half. But, Tea knew, that they were all great people, she loved them all dearly.
"And I just hope we will never separate . . ." she thought.
"Anzu, is something wrong?" Bakura asked his wife, which he calls Anzu as a nickname. The past was just hard to let go of, but Tea didn't mind. In away, she felt that name was better to be used by him.
"Nothing's wrong, Bakura," she informed heartily, taking another bite from her dinner. As she thought, Marik and Malik had come for dinner as well, but she didn't mind, it was nice to be together like this.
"Are you sure? You seem a little out of it," he commented.
"If she says she's all right, Bakura, why can't you just leave it at that?" Marik budded in, trying to start something.
"I'm worried, that's all," Bakura told him.
"Too much if you ask me," Seto joked.
"I wouldn't talk, you worry about her as much as he does," Malik now came into the conversation, smirking as he saw Seto raise a brow.
"As I realized a long time ago, so do you, light," Marik chuckled, while Malik just stared at him eyes half closed.
"So do you, Marik," Bakura came back to the chat.
"I think you all care too much," Ryou said as they all stared at him. Everyone had something to say for they knew it was the same for him as well. But Tea was getting irritated with this senseless bickering. She knew that they all cared about her as she did for them and she could have sworn that they were bickering for the hell of it.
"Enough! You guys are so immature sometimes and if you want to know the truth, you all worry way too much, not just for me, but for Yasuo as well, that includes everyone in here," she said looking at Ryou, as he smiled nervously at her glance. "Now, let's just finish eating dinner and get on with our lives, okay," she said, her voice had a hint of warning. Everyone just nodded their heads and began eating again, quiet this time. That was, until a certain someone broke it.
Everyone turned to look at the youngest one there, who was trying very hard to stop the fit of giggles that were trying to come out. Yasuo just looked at them all and had finally let out his laughter, saying to them, "Adults are too funny!" Everyone, at the same time, raised a brow, but then Tea had begun to do as he was doing. She burst out laughing, and soon everyone followed. No one really knew why they laughed, but it didn't matter. This was how they spend their time, enjoying themselves, laughing, and talking. And there were probably people who could never have imagined this to be possible, to have known them in the past, one would have thought that these people could never have been together. But they were wrong, and would most likely be surprised to see them now. Tea knew that, and if her friends, Yugi and the others, ever found out, she wondered what their reactions would be.
She had never told them about her friendship with Seto, Marik, and Malik, as well as her relationship with Bakura. When they were at school, she wouldn't talk to Bakura and the others, only if she needed to. After school, however, she would spend her time with them, and if Yugi asked if she wanted to go hang out with him, she would come up with excuses, but not all the time. She had to make sure that no one became suspicious, and it was successful. For the whole school years, no one had figured out her other friendships. But it wasn't like she didn't want to tell them, it was just that, Bakura, Malik, Marik, Seto, and herself felt that they wouldn't understand. Yugi, Joey and the others didn't quite trust them, and if Tea said something, they probably would have been upset. Though, Tea was sure they would understand now that they were older if they ever came back and found out. Well, that was what she hoped.
'But . . . will they ever come back?' she wondered, taking the last bite of her dinner. Bakura and the other males had finished their dinner right after her.
After dinner, the gang had gone to the living room and talked about anything that was interesting. After talking and joking for about three hours, the two Egyptians and the CEO had gone home. Yasuo and Ryou watched television after that, while Bakura and Tea went into the kitchen to drink some tea as they chatted.
At about eleven, everyone went to bed. Yasuo didn't want to, but he would always listen to his parents, especially since his father was Bakura. Bakura may have been a caring father, but he could still threaten. So, quickly, Yasuo said goodnight to everyone and went off to bed. Ryou went after him, and Bakura and Tea were the last to be in their beds. But before going to her room, Tea went to check on Yasuo to make sure that he was in bed.
When she entered the room, she found him where he was supposes to be. She smiled then spoke, "Goodnight, Yasuo."
"Goodnight, mother," he said as well. Tea smiled again and as she was about to leave the room, her son stopped her. "Hey, mom."
"Yeah?" she asked looking at him.
"I was wondering if we could go out on a picnic next Saturday, with Seto, and the others," he told her.
"That sounds like a good idea. I mean since you get out of school next Friday, you might as well start your summer vacation with a picnic. I'll make sure to talk to your father about it, I'm sure he'll like the idea," she said, seeing her son smile brightly.
"I hope so, I like to spend time together and it would be a great time for dad and me to bond, wouldn't you say?" he said.
"Yeah, you're right, anyhow, its time for you to sleep now, so sweet dreams, dear," she said as she left the room and walked to her own. When she arrived in her bedroom, her husband came out of the washroom. She smiled and walked up to him, gave him a kiss on the cheek and went into the washroom. Ten minutes later, Tea came out and got ready for bed, but before going to sleep, the couple had a small conversation.
"What's bothering you, Anzu?" Bakura asked as he began to undress, leaving on only his boxers. He knew that something was bothering Anzu ever since he came home. She was spacing out a lot and he just wondered what she could be thinking about.
"I already told you, nothing," she answered, getting into her nightgown.
"Anzu, I know when something is wrong, and I will eventually find out what it is," he told her.
Tea knew he wouldn't give up, so what was the harm in telling him. Letting out a sigh and getting into bed, Tea spoke, "All right, I'll tell you, but it's not a big deal." Bakura just looked at her, so Tea continued, "I miss my friends . . . It's been so long since I last saw all of them. I just wish I knew how they are, that's all."
"Why don't you ask Seto to help you then? If anyone can find out where someone is, he can," Bakura told her as he got into bed as well.
"I don't want to be a bother. I know Seto would do what he can for me, but I feel he has done enough. Besides, Yugi and the others probably are too busy to deal with me. That could, after all, be the reason why I haven't heard from them for so long. I don't want to be a bother to them," she honestly said. Bakura sighed, he knew this was going to be bothering her for a long time, but what could he do? Sometimes he wished she wasn't so complicated, but there was nothing he could do there.
"I don't know what to tell you, but you shouldn't think about it too much," he looked at her with sorry eyes since he couldn't do anything, then continued, "but you never know, they may come back someday.
"Yeah, maybe," she whispered, as she sighed. The two were silent for a while, and with this silence Bakura remembered something.
"So, how was your doc . . ." Bakura didn't finish his sentence seeing as Tea had fallen asleep. 'Oh well, I can ask her tomorrow,' he thought, as he kissed her lightly on the cheek and slowly got out of bed. He walked out to the balcony of their room and just looked out into the dark sky. Like Tea, he had something in mind as well. Something that kept bugging him, something he could never forget. The day when his wife and child passed on was coming. He remembered when it was since they had died the day that there was a full moon and during the warm season. He calculated about a year ago which day was the one where he lost them, and now it was coming. He wondered if everything would be all right because for some reason he couldn't shake away a horrible feeling.
"That day was the worst day of my life, and I just hope nothing will happen," he spoke to no one, he just looked at the moon. But then something caught his attention, and he quickly turned around. In his room, in the first drawer of the night table, there was a bright yellow glow, it was his Millennium Ring. 'But why? My Millennium Item hasn't been active for so many years!' he thought to himself. He kept on looking where the item was residing and when it stopped glowing Bakura looked back to the moon. 'Something is going to happen . . . I just wish I knew what . . .'
A/N . . . . . . sigh Okay, I tried to make this chapter interesting, but I realized that it couldn't be done since I had to write down everything that was important to know. This chapter was simply an informative chapter, telling you where the hell everyone is, and how so and so has changed in nine years. Also, if you want to know, they are all 26 years old. Anyway, I really hope that this first chapter didn't bore you all so much, I hope the next one will be much better. Also, the dinner part is there for a reason, I don't write things just for the hell of it, if you haven't noticed I write many things for many reasons.
Ok one more thing, I would like to ask one question, "Yugi and the others do return, but they have no clue about Tea's marriage and other things, so should there be a chapter showing video clips of Tea's wedding, birthday clips etc etc, showing pictures of the group, and talking about simple things, or should I just get right into the basic storyline?" I really don't think the stuff about the showing stuff is necessary, but it could be a chapter filled (maybe) with some humour, who knows. So tell me, kk. Okay, bye for now.
Bakura Ryou: this is the nice half. I know his last name is Bakura, I was very slow and figured that out way too late. But anyway, his first name is Bakura and his last is Ryou, but in the story he will be called Ryou, cause it's easier for me.
Yami Bakura Ryou: this is how it goes, Yami is his first name, Bakura middle name, and Ryou is his last name. I don't know if I'll ever mention this, but he was given that name because Seto arranged it that way. He is Ryou's brother in the story, but of course not really. It's just so that people that they meet don't get confused, so they act as twin brothers. Anyway, in the story he will just be referred to as Bakura.
Malik and Marik Isthar: there case is the same as Bakura and Ryou's. Marik is the darker half, and he just chose to change his name.
Yami and Yugi Motou: same as the others. I know Yami's name is suppose to be Atem(u), but I'll just leave it like that, it's easier for me.
Tea Ryou: just in case no one realizes yet, she is married, so she took Bakura's last name...
Okay, that should be all. If you have question, just ask and I'll try to answer as best I can. So for now read and enjoy!
You and I . . . Eternally Forever
'She stared at him, her eyes filled with tears, yet had so much hope . . .'
'He tried to call out to her, but no words could form, how could he cope . . .'
'Everyone there was silent, no words uttered for what could they do . . .'
'He was pleased, for soon it was to come, he knew . . .'
"Was this how it was meant to be?"
"Together forever this you promised me"
"Have hope and you shall see . . ."
"You and I . . ."
"You and I . . ."
"Eternally."
"Forever."
Deep in the darkness, a lone figure sat as he repeated his plan in his mind. Everything would go smoothly. He had no doubt. He could almost taste the victory of his evil plot and when it came, nothing would stop him, not the pharaoh, the tomb robber and especially not her. Yes, everything would go as he planned. After waiting for so many years, he was going to make sure every one of his desires was complete. He would no longer wait any more years, no, only weeks. Only a few more weeks.
"Excuse me, master, you called?" the lone figure's servant had come into the room, bowing as he spoke.
"I just wanted to know if the preparations have been completed," he told him.
"Yes, sir, all that is left is to send them," the servant said.
"Good, then see to it, and make sure it all goes well," the dark master said, his voice holding a trace of warning.
"Of course, master," the servant once again bowed and as quickly as he came, he left.
"Good, everything will soon be ready. Soon all will be mine, especially you, Light!" the dark figure began to chuckle lightly, but soon the room was filled with echoes of his terrible laughter. It seemed as though nothing would stop him.
Chapter 1 - A Beginning in Reflecting
"Mom!" called out a young boy to his mother. The young woman turned around and smiled as her only son ran up to her and hugged her.
"It's nice to see you too, Yasuo," she said, hugging her son as well, "So how was school?"
"Okay, boring, but okay," he told her.
"I see, but you have to keep going no matter what," she told him.
"I know, I'm just glad that summer vacation starts next week," he said so joyfully. His mother's smile just grew bigger.
"Yeah, then you can help me do chores around the house," she teased as she began to walk, her son following.
"Aww, I don't want to do that! That would just waste my vacation," he pouted, making his mom giggle.
"Well, you won't be doing it every day, so don't worry," she told him, as he just nodded his head and stayed silent. The mother smiled again, it was what she did best, and it was because she had a lot to smile for, especially for how everything turned out for her.
She was married to a great person, had a wonderful son, and kind and caring friends . . . well, most of them were kind. She couldn't think of anything that she could possibly regret. Everything was just going great for Tea Ryou, and her only hope was that it would stay that way, but even she knew that some things could change. However, she was going to enjoy what was happening now, and whatever happens in the future, she would deal with it then.
She looked to her son, who was now walking ahead of her, and couldn't believe how time had gone by so quickly. Yasuo Bakura Ryou was seven years old with so much life and energy. His deep blue eyes were like his mother's as they showed many joyous emotions. Tea couldn't think of one time when his eyes ever turned dull. They were always filled with joy. He had a great personality and anyone who have met him just adored him. He had a fiery spirit, but a kind heart. She loved that about him, and really hoped that he would remain that way, but there was always a possibility for children to change, especially when they become teenagers.
Tea grinned at that, remembering how she was as a teenager. True that there were problems that she had, particularly that dream that she didn't want to remember anymore, but she was still capable of enjoying herself. She had to admit, though, some of the adventures she had back then, were fun . . . only when there wasn't someone trying to rule the world, that is, or trying to put you in the shadow realm. Anyway, she just hoped her son would never get into any dangerous adventures as he grows older. 'Well, at least everyone survived unharmed until the end,' she thought.
"Mom?" Yasuo spoke. Tea blinked a few times, before realizing that she had stopped walking and had been staring at him for a while.
"Sorry, Yasuo, I was just thinking," she told him. He raised one of his eyebrows, then simply nodded.
"Ok--ay, anyway, how was your checkup with the doctor?" he asked, hoping nothing was wrong. Tea thought for a moment and wondered if she should tell her son the news the doctor told her or save it until she got home. She decided on the latter.
"The doctor said I am healthy, and I only have the stomach flu. But it will be gone soon," she partially lied.
"That's good to hear," Yasuo said as they began to walk again. Tea had completely forgotten that she had gone to the doctors. She had only gone because Bakura had told to go. The first time he heard her in the washroom vomiting, he immediately told her to see the doctor, but she knew it wasn't anything serious, so she waited a week. So once a week had past, she was still sick, as a result, she had gone to the doctor, missing a day of work which she hadn't mind. It was nice to relax once in a while, and she liked the fact it was on this beautiful day. But that didn't mean she didn't like her job, oh no, she liked it, but once in while it was nice to get away from it. She was a teacher, a ballet dance teacher to be exact. It may not have been her dream job, but it was still good. Besides, having her own family made up for her lost dream, for it was one dream of hers.
'Honestly I'm happy as can be and just having my family and friends are enough for me. I just wish . . . that Yugi and the others were here too. But they had gone on with their lives, away from here,' Tea thought, looking at the sky. She hadn't told anyone about how much she missed her old friends. It has been a very long time since she last saw them, about . . . 'Nine years? Has it really been that long?' she thought carefully, counting the years in her head. At seventeen they all left her, well not purposely or at the same time. They all left a few months separate, Yami and Yugi being the first ones.
It was shocking to hear Yugi and Yami telling her and the others that they were leaving. Tea even tried to convince them to stay, but after awhile she realized she was acting selfish. She was just afraid that their group would fall apart . . . she really didn't want that. But she realized after that this was a good opportunity for the two. For it was Isis that invited them to go with her to Egypt, where she would teach and look after them. Also, it would give Yami a chance to figure out his past . . . even though Tea did not want him to know, she couldn't stop it. 'Hopefully he didn't figure out what he did,' Tea kept on thinking. Whatever happens, though, happens. She wasn't going to worry about it.
After Yugi and Yami left, Joey, Mai, and Serenity were the next set of friends that had gone away. There was some kind of duel tournament being held in America, and Joey and Mai were definitely not going to miss it. Since Serenity was going back with her mother anyway, she had gone with them. Tea got a letter about a month later from Joey, who wrote that he had won first prize while Mai won second. At the very end of the letter, Joey had written that he and Mai would be staying in America, and said that they would miss her. When Tea read that, she couldn't help but cry a little that day because she realized the gang was splitting apart.
All that remained were Tristan and Duke, who actually left at the end of high school, so they left at eighteen. They actually had gone without saying much, since Tea and the two males had somewhat separated long before they left. Tristan and Duke, however, became best friends and they would spend most of their time together, so it wasn't shocking when they said they were going to the same college after high school. They were the last to leave Tea behind.
At first, they would all send letters, most of the time once a month. That lasted for about two years, after that, she received fewer letters, and after five years, she lost contact. Tea didn't really know when the letters stopped coming, she was kind of too busy to have noticed, and that probably was the case for all her friends, they probably were too busy with their lives to worry about writing a letter to her . . . but still, she wouldn't mind knowing how they were. She would send them a letter herself, but she didn't know whether they were still residing at the same place or if they would even have time to read them, she was afraid that they may be too busy for her.
'I wonder if they would even recognize me if they came back?' she thought some more. Nine years could really change someone and Tea was no exception. Her brown hair had grown down to her waist, since she really didn't want to cut it. She was a bit taller and like Bakura, Malik, Marik, and even Seto and Ryou said, she had grown into all the right curves. She blushed madly the day they told her that, they in turn just laughed, but they were serious about that fact. Tea chuckled lightly at remembering that, she was surprised that Bakura hadn't said anything to the others, since he was overly protective of her and would lash out at anyone who looked at her in any way or said anything offensive or flattering. But anyway, Tea had matured, she was not a girl anymore; she was a woman.
However, her personality stayed the same, she still cared deeply for her friends and would always try to make them happy. She may have changed in appearance, but deep down she was still somewhat the same.
'I wonder if the others have changed?' she kept on thinking, 'well, no point in thinking about it. The only way I'll ever know is if I see them again, and that probably won't happen for a very long time.' She sighed at the thought. She really did miss them.
"Mother, are you all right?" Yasuo asked, thinking that something was wrong since she sighed. Tea looked down at him and simply shook her head lightly.
"I'm all right, don't worry," she told him and smiled. Yasuo wasn't convinced, but he knew there was no point to press on the matter further. His mother was quite stubborn.
"Whatever you say, mom," he merely told her.
"Well, let's keep walking, we'll never get home just standing here," she pointed out as she walked ahead of her son. Yasuo stood there for a while then followed her.
The two didn't walk much since they immediately stopped when they heard their names being called out. They both turned around and were greeted by one of Tea's best friends, Seto Kaiba.
"Seto!" Yasuo shouted, happy to see him. He quickly ran up to where Seto was now standing after he got out of the limo.
"Hey, squirt," Seto said as he patted the boy's wild hair, which was like his father's, the only difference was the brown hair in front. Yasuo just smiled at him, and soon Tea had joined them.
"Hi, Seto, haven't seen you in a week. Have you been busy?" she asked as she stood behind her son. Like her, Seto had changed as well, physically and mentally. He was a bit taller and his eyes no longer showed such coldness they once had. He was much more social now, well, only to his friends. Seto still acted mean and somewhat conceited, but that was him, she couldn't see any other way.
"Yeah, the company's been having major virus attacks. It took me this whole week to clear them all. It got really annoying, especially when one came right after I destroyed another, then I had to change so many softwares and make sure that no virus could attack again. I had to let most of the employees off early," he explained.
"That's really terrible, and no wonder Bakura has been getting home early this week," Tea said, as she remembered her dear husband coming home two to four hours early. She never bothered asking why, but it wasn't like Bakura complained, he would rather be home than working. Tea knew that, but he had to work, as it was how they agreed to do it. You see, Seto had done something for Tea and Bakura that Tea felt she needed to pay back. For starters, Seto had given them a wonderful wedding gift, a house, or rather, a mansion. Tea, being her kind self, could not accept it, thinking that it was just too much. But Seto, being him, had persuaded her to keep it, but not only that, he and Tea made an agreement. The agreement was that Bakura was to work for Seto and Seto would pay for all the necessities and other things that they may need. In other words, he was paying for everything, and Bakura worked for it. Bakura wasn't too happy especially since he didn't know how modern technology worked. But, after a few errors and some malfunctions, he eventually understood how to do his job, which was testing equipment and destroying whatever Kaiba thought to be failed experiments (he enjoyed that mostly).
"There was no point in staying since the computers would go crazy after a while. Besides, I thought you may enjoy spending more time with Bakura," he explained further. Tea just nodded, and smiled.
"Thanks, we really did have fun spending more time together," she joked as Seto simply smirked.
"Well, anyway, I really want to get home and relax. Want a ride?" he asked.
"Of course! I was wondering when you were going to ask," Yasuo said from inside the limo. He just smiled as his mother frowned at him.
"You know me too well, Yasuo," Seto smiled and moved aside to let Tea in. She quickly got in and Seto followed. Soon the vehicle was moving and the three headed home.
Tea let out a small sigh as she stirred the soup she was cooking. She had arrived home an hour ago and found her house empty since Bakura went out with Malik and Marik. Where? He wasn't specific, but she knew he would be coming home in time for dinner. Heck, if she knew him, he would be here as soon as she placed the food on the table. She smiled at the thought, but she soon realized that if Bakura was with the two Egyptian blondes, they would be joining them for dinner as well. She sighed again, and began looking in the fridge to see what else she could cook for the three males and the rest of the people in her house. Which, by the way, just came into the kitchen.
"Hey mom, is dinner almost ready?" Yasuo asked.
"Not yet, dear," Tea told him as she grabbed some vegetables and sausages. It may not be enough, but it would have to do. She sighed once more as she remembered that she had invited Seto over as well. So . . . that makes six people coming for dinner.
"Would you like some help, Tea?" make that seven.
"I thought you were going to be busy this evening, Ryou," Tea said as she turned to look at her husband's look a like.
"Was, but the museum had to be closed due to some mice infection," Ryou said. He was the manager of the Domino Museum since Isis had given him that job (she wouldn't have given it to Malik, but, truthfully, she didn't trust him with it and Malik didn't want it anyway). She used to send him letters on what to do, but after two years, she had given the museum completely to Ryou, which he was all too happy to accept. Somehow, he managed to make the museum into something that many people could enjoy. It was no longer boring going to this museum.
"You, too, have problems? Seto told me he had virus attacks all week, I guess you guys may have some bad luck," she joked, as she chopped and put the vegetables into a bowl, making a salad.
"Yeah, maybe, but once the mice clear out, I can get back to preparing the technology exhibit," he told her as he grabbed the sausages and placed them into a pan. He was always helpful around the house, he felt he should be since Tea and Bakura allowed him to live in their house, actually it was Tea who asked if he wanted to. She knew that the house was big enough, so why not ask him?
"I can't wait to see that!" Yasuo cried out.
"Only two more weeks and it should be finished. I know it'll be great," Ryou told him.
"I'm sure it will," Tea commented, "now Yasuo, go get ready for dinner."
"Right, mom," he simply said and ran off to the washroom.
As soon as he left, the room became quiet as Tea and Ryou prepared dinner. Tea took a few glances at Ryou, and noticed that he hasn't changed much, actually, he, Bakura, Malik and Marik haven't changed much in appearance. The only physical difference was that the four have grown taller. The major changes, however, would have to be their personalities.
Ryou was no longer the shy and pushover he once was, he was out going and took no crap from anyone, well . . . maybe except from Bakura, only a little though. Bakura, once proud and evil (in a way), was now a loving husband, a caring father, and well, he was a lot like he was back then, about five thousand or so years ago. The same can go for Marik, the past darkness of Malik, who actually turned into a good guy with a kind of bad attitude. Malik was simply sweet, but in way, like his darker half. But, Tea knew, that they were all great people, she loved them all dearly.
"And I just hope we will never separate . . ." she thought.
"Anzu, is something wrong?" Bakura asked his wife, which he calls Anzu as a nickname. The past was just hard to let go of, but Tea didn't mind. In away, she felt that name was better to be used by him.
"Nothing's wrong, Bakura," she informed heartily, taking another bite from her dinner. As she thought, Marik and Malik had come for dinner as well, but she didn't mind, it was nice to be together like this.
"Are you sure? You seem a little out of it," he commented.
"If she says she's all right, Bakura, why can't you just leave it at that?" Marik budded in, trying to start something.
"I'm worried, that's all," Bakura told him.
"Too much if you ask me," Seto joked.
"I wouldn't talk, you worry about her as much as he does," Malik now came into the conversation, smirking as he saw Seto raise a brow.
"As I realized a long time ago, so do you, light," Marik chuckled, while Malik just stared at him eyes half closed.
"So do you, Marik," Bakura came back to the chat.
"I think you all care too much," Ryou said as they all stared at him. Everyone had something to say for they knew it was the same for him as well. But Tea was getting irritated with this senseless bickering. She knew that they all cared about her as she did for them and she could have sworn that they were bickering for the hell of it.
"Enough! You guys are so immature sometimes and if you want to know the truth, you all worry way too much, not just for me, but for Yasuo as well, that includes everyone in here," she said looking at Ryou, as he smiled nervously at her glance. "Now, let's just finish eating dinner and get on with our lives, okay," she said, her voice had a hint of warning. Everyone just nodded their heads and began eating again, quiet this time. That was, until a certain someone broke it.
Everyone turned to look at the youngest one there, who was trying very hard to stop the fit of giggles that were trying to come out. Yasuo just looked at them all and had finally let out his laughter, saying to them, "Adults are too funny!" Everyone, at the same time, raised a brow, but then Tea had begun to do as he was doing. She burst out laughing, and soon everyone followed. No one really knew why they laughed, but it didn't matter. This was how they spend their time, enjoying themselves, laughing, and talking. And there were probably people who could never have imagined this to be possible, to have known them in the past, one would have thought that these people could never have been together. But they were wrong, and would most likely be surprised to see them now. Tea knew that, and if her friends, Yugi and the others, ever found out, she wondered what their reactions would be.
She had never told them about her friendship with Seto, Marik, and Malik, as well as her relationship with Bakura. When they were at school, she wouldn't talk to Bakura and the others, only if she needed to. After school, however, she would spend her time with them, and if Yugi asked if she wanted to go hang out with him, she would come up with excuses, but not all the time. She had to make sure that no one became suspicious, and it was successful. For the whole school years, no one had figured out her other friendships. But it wasn't like she didn't want to tell them, it was just that, Bakura, Malik, Marik, Seto, and herself felt that they wouldn't understand. Yugi, Joey and the others didn't quite trust them, and if Tea said something, they probably would have been upset. Though, Tea was sure they would understand now that they were older if they ever came back and found out. Well, that was what she hoped.
'But . . . will they ever come back?' she wondered, taking the last bite of her dinner. Bakura and the other males had finished their dinner right after her.
After dinner, the gang had gone to the living room and talked about anything that was interesting. After talking and joking for about three hours, the two Egyptians and the CEO had gone home. Yasuo and Ryou watched television after that, while Bakura and Tea went into the kitchen to drink some tea as they chatted.
At about eleven, everyone went to bed. Yasuo didn't want to, but he would always listen to his parents, especially since his father was Bakura. Bakura may have been a caring father, but he could still threaten. So, quickly, Yasuo said goodnight to everyone and went off to bed. Ryou went after him, and Bakura and Tea were the last to be in their beds. But before going to her room, Tea went to check on Yasuo to make sure that he was in bed.
When she entered the room, she found him where he was supposes to be. She smiled then spoke, "Goodnight, Yasuo."
"Goodnight, mother," he said as well. Tea smiled again and as she was about to leave the room, her son stopped her. "Hey, mom."
"Yeah?" she asked looking at him.
"I was wondering if we could go out on a picnic next Saturday, with Seto, and the others," he told her.
"That sounds like a good idea. I mean since you get out of school next Friday, you might as well start your summer vacation with a picnic. I'll make sure to talk to your father about it, I'm sure he'll like the idea," she said, seeing her son smile brightly.
"I hope so, I like to spend time together and it would be a great time for dad and me to bond, wouldn't you say?" he said.
"Yeah, you're right, anyhow, its time for you to sleep now, so sweet dreams, dear," she said as she left the room and walked to her own. When she arrived in her bedroom, her husband came out of the washroom. She smiled and walked up to him, gave him a kiss on the cheek and went into the washroom. Ten minutes later, Tea came out and got ready for bed, but before going to sleep, the couple had a small conversation.
"What's bothering you, Anzu?" Bakura asked as he began to undress, leaving on only his boxers. He knew that something was bothering Anzu ever since he came home. She was spacing out a lot and he just wondered what she could be thinking about.
"I already told you, nothing," she answered, getting into her nightgown.
"Anzu, I know when something is wrong, and I will eventually find out what it is," he told her.
Tea knew he wouldn't give up, so what was the harm in telling him. Letting out a sigh and getting into bed, Tea spoke, "All right, I'll tell you, but it's not a big deal." Bakura just looked at her, so Tea continued, "I miss my friends . . . It's been so long since I last saw all of them. I just wish I knew how they are, that's all."
"Why don't you ask Seto to help you then? If anyone can find out where someone is, he can," Bakura told her as he got into bed as well.
"I don't want to be a bother. I know Seto would do what he can for me, but I feel he has done enough. Besides, Yugi and the others probably are too busy to deal with me. That could, after all, be the reason why I haven't heard from them for so long. I don't want to be a bother to them," she honestly said. Bakura sighed, he knew this was going to be bothering her for a long time, but what could he do? Sometimes he wished she wasn't so complicated, but there was nothing he could do there.
"I don't know what to tell you, but you shouldn't think about it too much," he looked at her with sorry eyes since he couldn't do anything, then continued, "but you never know, they may come back someday.
"Yeah, maybe," she whispered, as she sighed. The two were silent for a while, and with this silence Bakura remembered something.
"So, how was your doc . . ." Bakura didn't finish his sentence seeing as Tea had fallen asleep. 'Oh well, I can ask her tomorrow,' he thought, as he kissed her lightly on the cheek and slowly got out of bed. He walked out to the balcony of their room and just looked out into the dark sky. Like Tea, he had something in mind as well. Something that kept bugging him, something he could never forget. The day when his wife and child passed on was coming. He remembered when it was since they had died the day that there was a full moon and during the warm season. He calculated about a year ago which day was the one where he lost them, and now it was coming. He wondered if everything would be all right because for some reason he couldn't shake away a horrible feeling.
"That day was the worst day of my life, and I just hope nothing will happen," he spoke to no one, he just looked at the moon. But then something caught his attention, and he quickly turned around. In his room, in the first drawer of the night table, there was a bright yellow glow, it was his Millennium Ring. 'But why? My Millennium Item hasn't been active for so many years!' he thought to himself. He kept on looking where the item was residing and when it stopped glowing Bakura looked back to the moon. 'Something is going to happen . . . I just wish I knew what . . .'
A/N . . . . . . sigh Okay, I tried to make this chapter interesting, but I realized that it couldn't be done since I had to write down everything that was important to know. This chapter was simply an informative chapter, telling you where the hell everyone is, and how so and so has changed in nine years. Also, if you want to know, they are all 26 years old. Anyway, I really hope that this first chapter didn't bore you all so much, I hope the next one will be much better. Also, the dinner part is there for a reason, I don't write things just for the hell of it, if you haven't noticed I write many things for many reasons.
Ok one more thing, I would like to ask one question, "Yugi and the others do return, but they have no clue about Tea's marriage and other things, so should there be a chapter showing video clips of Tea's wedding, birthday clips etc etc, showing pictures of the group, and talking about simple things, or should I just get right into the basic storyline?" I really don't think the stuff about the showing stuff is necessary, but it could be a chapter filled (maybe) with some humour, who knows. So tell me, kk. Okay, bye for now.
