SOTP: Hey guys! Chapter 8 here for ya! And this one's gonna go out with a bang! I own nothing!


Joey had placed the last set of explosives in the downstairs hallway. He then went into each room before he went upstairs to check on Seto's end. He ran into Duke in the louge who was panting and had a scared look on his face.

"Joey! Have you seen Laura?"

"Lor? Dude, Yami tucked in bed just before we left. She safe and sound at da manor." Joey said puzzled look on his face.

"No she's not! I watched her run in just as we started to set the explosives!"

"She WHAT?"

"She must have followed us! We have to find her!" Duke said with a look of fear on his face.

"Yeah, otherwise she'll end up in peices with dis house! Let's go! " With that, Joey and Duke ran down the hallway. In search of the little girl who they had come to adore.

Mean while, Laura and Yami had just come back up from the basement. The vampire king was carrying Laura in his arms as he kicked the door open. Making his way down the hall. Just then Laura gasped softly and tugged at Yami's shirt. Making him look down at her.

"What's the matter, sweet one?" He asked as he set her down on the hard wood floor. Laura took Yami's hand, looked down at the floor and then gazed at his crismon colored eyes.

"Yami, can I take you somewhere? There's something I need to get here before we leave."

"Of course, my little one. Take the lead, and I will follow." Yami said with a smiled on his face.

Laura blushed slightly at Yami's comment before she squeezed his hand and lead him upstairs. The two went down the hallway towards the last room at the end. Laura reached for the handel and hesatently opened the door. Yami stood in shock when they entered the room. It was slightly pink, but the color had faded over the years.

Broken toys, crayons snapped in half, ripped up book pages and torn stuffed animals covered the room. The bed had springs coming out of the mattress and the window was broken, shattered glass around the ceil. It was easy for Yami to guess that this used to be Laura's room.

Yami walked in slowly and watched Laura as she ran towards the broken doll house. She reached inside and pulled out what appered to be a small sliver,gold and aqua blue jewel covered box. Her finger pushed a button and the box lid opened. A soft melody began to play as a princess dressed in white, danced acrossed a ballroom floor. Laura then began to sing along to the music sadly while the song played.

(Dancing bears, painted wings,
Things, I almost remember...
And a song, someone sings,
Once a upon, a december.)

Yami watched intently as Laura began to dance around the room while she continued to sing. The memory of her mother and the life the girl once had began to run through her mind as song played on.

Parties her Mother threw with laughter in the background. Her Mother's warmth from the gentle embraces she gave. Her Mother's smile whenever Laura walked in the room, and of course above of all, her Mother's love.

(Someone holds me safe and warm,
horses prance through a sliver storm,
figures dancing gracefully,
across my memory...)

Yami smiled softly as he leaned againist the door, watching the show. Noticing a peaceful, happy smile on Laura's face as she spun around with the music box. He was glad to see she had known some happiness in her life once before.

Sadly all too fast, each of the memories that were being replayed in Laura's mind, suddenly began to fade. Just as the music slowly winded down. A lonely smile came to her face as she finished the song.

(Far away, long ago.
Glowing dim, as an amber...
Things my heart, use to know,
Things, it yerns, to remember...)

(And a song, someone sings...
Once a upon,
a Decemeber...)

Laura fell to her knees when the music ended. Wrapping her arms protectivly around the box. As Yami began to walk to Laura ,he noticed a see through figure of a women in a white dress with long dark wavey hair. Her arms gently embraced Laura from behined as she looked at Yami with a sad smile on her face. The women faded away as Laura stood to walk towards Yami.

"My Mama gave me this last christmas. She said as long as I have this, she'll always be with me. Is it okay if I take this with me Yami?"

"Of course, sweet one. But know that your Mother dosen't just live in that music box. She lives in your heart, and in your memories. Even if this box breaks over time,you will always have your Mother. So long as you have her in your heart."

Laura nodded at Yami in understanding just as Duke and Joey ran into the room. The two panted in exaustion, relived that Laura and Yami were safe.

"Lor! Thank goodness your safe!" Joey said as the two vampires looked to see if she and Yami were alright.

"What were you thinking, following us?" Duke said in a scolding manor.

"I was afraid you guys would get hurt. Plus I'm the reason your doing all this, so I thought that I had to help. I'm sorry."

"It's alright Laura. You followed your heart. There is absoultly nothing wrong with that. Joey, is everything in place?" Yami asked as he scooped Laura into his arms. Joey gave his leader a thumbs up with a smirk on his face.

"Perfect! All we have to do is give Seto the signal. Then this place, and all the creeps in it will be blown sky high! Did you set up the bomb in the basement?"

"Yes, we're all set. It's time to go Laura. Are You ready?" Yami asked and Laura answered him with a nod.

Suddenly three of monster women from before entered the room and began to attack. Joey kicked two them across the room and punched the third one the face. As the monsters began to rise again, the vampire king decied that it was time for the group to take their leave.

"Duke, you and Joey take Laura and leave. I'll handle them and meet you outside shortly." Yami explained as he handed Laura to Duke.

"Yami..." Laura said in a worried voice.

"I'll be along sweet one. Duke, go!" Yami commaned.

Duke nodded as he and Joey flew through the window with Laura in Duke's arms. Yami easly slashed the three monster women and they ended up in peices on the ground. Just as Yami was about to himself, the ghostly women appered once more. Dropping a heart shaped neckless on to the floor. Yami picked up the neckless and noticed that it was a locket.

He opened it up and smiled soflty at the picture inside. He closing it again, placing the item in his pocket and turned to leave through the window. He looked back at the room once more and ghostly women spoke to him in a gentle voice.

"Take care of her..."

Yami nodded, swearing he would. The women disappered with a smile on her face as Yami jumped through the window and took flight. He landed near the entrance of the woods where everyone was for him. Laura jumped off of Duke and into Yami's arms. Which welcomed her warmly. Seto then hit the button that would activate the bombs to go off in five seconds.

"And in three, two, one-Huh?" Duke was surprized when they didn't hear anything go off. Seto and Duke then turned to Joey with questioning looks.

"Are you sure you setup those fuses, puppy?" (KA-BOOM!) Seto got his answer when a loud explodion set the old house on fire. Joey then turned to Seto and Duke with a smirk on his face.

"Hmmm, I can't rememba. Ya want me to go back and check?"

"He, ha, Yeah, you do that." Duke said as the five them laughed.

The group of vampires then took off into the night to head for home. With Laura fast asleep in Yami's arms.


Read, reveiw, repeat with other fics you read. Your Princess commands you!