Thinking of you as left behind
Chapter 4
Tea woke up and felt ill again. She willed the sickness down and prayed for good news. She had an appointment with her doctor for next week. She got up and got her family ready for the day. Today was the day for the public viewing. Tea and Joey were going early to view the body, before the public came at 9 o'clock. Tea hoped she didn't break down.
At the funeral home, Tea saw what a transformation the make-up people did. In the morgue, Tea could barely look at Yugi disfigured face. Now he looked like he was sleeping. Because Yugi was a public figure, the government allowed viewing of the body. This way the public could vent their sorrow. Tomorrow will be the private funeral. Only people on the list would be admitted. Roland had the list and Joey was assigned to give it to the funeral director as well. The priest who officiated over their wedding and blessed the children's births would preside over the funeral tomorrow. Roland was organizing security. Tea turned to Joey:
"Joey, will you give me a moment?"
"Of course, Tea."
He said with an affectionate pat. Joey left the room and sought the director to finalize the plans. Tea began to cry. Seeing Yugi this way was too real. After a while she wiped the tears and got on her knees to pray. All too soon Joey came back to warn her that the public was at the gate. When they left, Tea was aware of being photographed. She was glad she wore a white dress that indicated her widowhood.
After arriving at the mansion, Tea quickly washed her face and joined the others in the living room. Joey was cuddled up to Seto. Seeing Yugi like that shook him. Seto stroked his back. Duke and Mai had just arrived shortly after them. Mai was eager to show off her engagement ring. They had gone out first thing to buy it. The diamond was huge; you could see it from space! Duke didn't have a chance to buy one until now. Duke, Mai, Mokuba and Rebecca all lived in the same town in California. Whenever there was an event related to Duel Monsters they met up. Otherwise they didn't interact. Mokuba passed the word about Yugi's death and they all flew to Domino together on the Kaiba jet. When they landed they went their separate ways and met up at the mansion later. It seems when the married couple fell asleep on the plane, Duke took that opportunity to ask Mai to marry him. Upon landing they wasted no time and went to Duke's parents for their blessing. They welcomed Mai as a daughter. For which she was grateful, since she had no family to rely on.
Everyone talked of the wedding. When there was a lull in the conversation, Joey suggested everyone tell funny stories about Yugi. This kept them happily occupied until lunch.
At lunch Tea formally asked her mother in law to live with them. Mrs. Muto accepted the offer. After lunch the dining room was taken over by the women who discussed various family issues. Kaien was taken by a maid to be put down for a nap. Joey, Mokuba, Rukia and Renji went of the playroom. Rebecca and Serenity went to the living room to talk. Duke and Mai disappeared somewhere and Tristan felt lost. He felt like a fifth wheel. Then he remembered the library. Joey always said he could borrow a book. Tristan started to wander around the library. He was half way through when he noticed Seto reading in one of the couches. Tristan wanted to tip toe out of the room and turned to leave…
"You don't have to leave Tristan."
"I didn't want to disturb you Kaiba."
"I make you nervous, don't I?"
"Nervous, nah…"
"Uncomfortable, then?"
"…"
"We are brothers in law, we should be better friends."
"You want to be friends? With me?"
Seto smiled:
"Yes"
"…"
"After the trouble four years ago, you and Mokie made up. And now the girls are very close. There is still a formality between us."
"Uh, Kaiba, we were never friends, you were friends with Yugi, then Joey's boyfriend, and you guys had Duel Monsters in common. I was the "cheerleader"; I was never that into Duel Monsters." Tristan shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued:
"Kaiba didn't you hate me for my part in the incident four years ago?"
"I was ticked at you at first, yes, but I was a lot madder at Mokuba. How he handled the situation was wrong from beginning to end. I was surprised Serenity forgave him so soon, but she never truly loved him, romantically. When she announced that she was pregnant and you vowed to marry her. You rose in my esteem, while Mokuba was still in trouble. The media found out and the maid who was responsible was fired. But I never hated you. If anything, you and the child helped to fix everything. And you are responsible for Serenity forgiving Rebecca."
"Kaiba I…didn't do anything much…"
"Nonsense, you always had power over Serenity. She trusted and loved you way before you got married."
"…"
"It's about time we got to know one another?"
Tristan with his mind at ease smiled at Kaiba. Kaiba led him to the couch and called to the maid to bring tea. Then he told Tristan a secret. He and Joey were going to adopt.
"Don't tell Serenity, I know Joey wants to tell her himself."
"I won't!"
Seto asked about raising three year old girls. The men happily chatted about parenthood; Tristan was thrilled to have knowledge Seto lacked. After the first topic was exhausted, Tristan asked many questions and discovered they shared a love of mystery novels. Seto let him borrow several books. Tristan suggested they get together with their spouses to go together to a murder mystery dinner in Tokyo. By dinner time Tristan was calling him "Seto" and felt they were finally brothers. Everyone noticed the change and was happy for them, especially their spouses. After dinner the evening was spent watching movies.
The next morning was the first bright and sunny morning they've had for weeks. Once again Tea felt sick. She was positive she was pregnant. She has been experiencing other symptoms consistent with her other pregnancies and while the nervous stomach could be attributed to other things, the physical changes could not.
"I wonder what this baby will be like."
Rukia was like her tall, long legged, and a natural dancer. She had little interest in dueling and games in general. Renji was a copy of Yugi, short, cute, with weird hair and Tea's effervescent personality. Kaien is a mixture of the two. Yugi's spiky hair with brown color, blue-violet eyes, Tea's nose, Yugi's chin, and so forth.
"I think Kaien is like Yugi from before the Puzzle. Sometimes we forget how shy and introspective Yugi was then."
Tea saw the time, she willed the sickness down and got up.
"Why does the worst day of my life have to also be the most beautiful?"
The sun was sparkling on the icy trees. The whole world was shining like diamonds.
"So beautiful." Tea sighed
Tea wore the white kimono of a widow and saw to her children. Everyone met for breakfast wearing the same clothes they wore for Grandpa's funeral. They ate some breakfast and kept themselves occupied until it was time to leave. They split up into two limos. As they entered the building, lights from the cameras flashed.
After the service Tea remarked how livid her Mother looked when she saw Mai's gigantic ring. Mai made a show of clinging to Duke and flashing her ring. Tea was highly amused. She, Mrs. Muto and her family received the visitors. Various family members of Tea's showed up, but all of Yugi's family was present, some of Yugi's associates in the gaming and archeological words came. Tea received a message that Ryou and his wife couldn't come now, but where planning to come to the anniversary party in the summer and will pay their respects then. No one except for Yugi was close to Ryou. After High school Ryou went home to England and stayed, eventually marrying his wife Mary.
When everyone returned to the mansion, Joey asked for more stories about Yugi. The afternoon and evening was passed away in this manner and everyone left the friends by themselves. Tea had a pounding headache and went to bed early.
In the morning Tea felt strangely clear headed and refreshed, like you do after a headache. She willed down the sickness and went downstairs somewhat cheerful. The finality of yesterday's events relieved her that Yugi is at peace now. Tea will be praying the rest of her life for the soul of her oldest friend, confidant, lover, and soul mate.
It is the weekend now, so the there is no need to hurry home. The friends vowed to stay together. Tea approached her friend:
"Seto, we can talk about the game shop this afternoon?"
"Of course, Mokuba and I will finish our work this morning. Gather to together your information and we will meet after lunch."
In the afternoon Seto led his friend to his home office. He normally would sit behind the desk but this was different. It was an informal chat to gauge her feelings in the matter. He gestured to a couch.
"Next week we will get together with the lawyers and any other persons who may be required. Right now I want to know your feelings about the shop and prepare you for people like Duke who will pester you to sell before you're ready. Today we begin the plans, so that when you are approached, you can state with confidence, that decisions have been made and refuse all offers."
"Thank you Seto."
She knew her friend had no ulterior motive. Duke's offer would be fair and sweep the problems away, but she didn't want that, some of the things had sentimental value. Seto checked her investments, mortgages, debt etc. and found everything in order. Selling the shop was essential. There was no one to run it but the income lost is worrisome. Five, perhaps six people will have to live on the income of two widow's pensions, Yugi's insurance, and the income from the dance studio. Seto reasoned that they would have just enough to live on, but nothing extra. No money for emergencies, college funds, travel, and all of the things that makes life worth living.
"Here is what I advice you. We can find a buyer for the shop; it will take time in this economy to find a good offer. Perhaps a fan will pay more. The furniture and stock will be sold or given away. I believe Yugi's deck should be sold. The children have designed their own decks as they should. Joey has often said that a deck can be stolen, but the person who steals it will never control the cards like the original owner. I have always said it's the person behind the cards that give them their power."
Tea chuckled and said:
"You believe in the Heart-of-the-Cards, now?"
"No, not heart, strength, a personal power within, look at Yugi, small and meek, the Pharaoh gave him courage and Yugi true power was unleashed. It was always true, that's what we all witnessed in that tomb. Yugi's real power emerged; he had counter strategies for every move the Pharaoh made. That is when I knew he was the true King of Games and worthy of my friendship."
Tea smiled with tears in her eyes and thought back to that fateful day. That was the day she got together with Yugi. She flung her arms around Seto's neck and said:
"Thank you that is the nicest thing you ever said about Yugi."
Embarrassed Seto patted her back and said:
"Well, yes, it's just the truth."
Tea chuckled and sat back. She said:
"Aw, you're sweet."
"Yes, well, don't spread it around. I'll lose my reputation."
They laughed together softly and Tea said:
"Back to business, I still have the God Cards. I'll gladly give them up. Yugi always said they were more trouble than they were worth."
"If we sell the entire deck, it could keep all of you on easy street and the children can all go to college."
"You're right about the kids, Renji is already building a strong deck based on the Nordic Gods and Rukia has one based on plants. Their styles and methods of play are unique to them; Yugi often said so, even if Rukia never took much interest… So if Renji used his father's deck, would he lose?"
"Yes."
"So the deck is only useful for Yugi."
"I believe so."
"It still hurts though…"
Seto clasp her hand.
"Then we won't sell it."
"Thank you, Seto."
"Don't worry now; we will talk again in the coming weeks."
Tea was relieved that she didn't have to decide now. The God Cards were worth a fortune, at auction, with a room full of fans…
Seto and Tea talked about random things until Tea felt like she could face the world again.
The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and talking. They didn't go outside for the media swarm. All too soon they had to face the real world again.
ceoceoceoceoceo
The above conversation was supposed to be a one shot. Tea becomes a widow and goes to Seto for financial help, from that first idea to this. It has been quite the journey. Only the epilogue left, tune in to find out how everything ended up.
Please review
