J: Well, I give up on waiting for two more reviews :P I'm just so impatient to let you guys read more, so here is what I shall do. Starting now I will update any chapters I finish typing, but I will at least wait until there are THREE reviews up so I can actually thank someone. I feel so bad when I update but can't thank anyone for the review I usually get RIGHT after . Now, there is another thing I ask for in return for more updates at a faster pace. If any of you have mad drawing skills I would love to see if you could draw Anzu or anything else you can from this fanfiction. If you do send me a message or email letting me know as well as a link to the art work THEN I will do whatever I can to put you into the sequel...which has barely been worked on lately ahha. But I promise! Draw a picture, get in the sequel!
NOW ON TO THANK YOUZ! THANK YOU: L'archangel, Zulian Joubert (I look down upon those that misspell this most interesting name), the-writing-vampire (I look forward to your beseigement of questions), AND Anecdota (Yay you for the review!)
Disclaimer: Ahahaha, I don't think I disclaimed last time so you can only imagine the trouble I got in -" I DO NOT OWN YUGIOH PEOPLEZ! BUT I am going to introduce an idea that is all my own, if someone else takes it they shall be demolished!
P.S. Chapters remaining: 6
Chapter Nine – Darkness United
Tea had long since given up on escaping the chains that held her. She'd also stopped staring at the doorway of the Shadow Realm. Watching it get closer and closer very slowly just made her even more depressed than she already was. What made things even worse was the darkness surrounding her, there was nothing to entertain her, letting her thoughts get out of hand. Particularly the thoughts of what Anzu was doing with Bakura after being contained for almost half a century.
She was startled when a second stream of shadow chains shot out of the Shadow Realm and flew past her into the darkness. Once they had grabbed their target it retracted until its captive was on the same level with her. Upon seeing the new captive she knew that Bakura and Anzu were getting along quite well. Next to her now floated Ryou, his eyes were closed and he showed no sign of waking up. The next second after she felt the Shadow Chains significantly loosen enough so that she could pull her arms free. After that she made sure to keep her hands away from the chains, the less contact the better. 'But how did the chains even come loose? ...Oh! It must be because she used her energy to seal Ryou! If they came this loose after sealing him, then maybe, just maybe…' Tea's mind hopped into overdrive about what she could do and what she would do when the time came. In the mean time she needed to try and wake up Ryou.
-The Next Morning-
Bakura was up by the crack of dawn, and he was not pleased with the sleep he managed to get on the uncomfortable couch. Massaging his kinked neck he glared at the woman that still slept peacefully. He noticed, with much interest, that the shadow barrier that had been raised the night before was no longer there. 'Now might be a good time to learn more about her. She might be a headache if I can't get anything to control her with.' Approaching the woman quietly he whispered out loud," Millennium ring, connect my soul to Anzu's." The millennium ring came to life with its golden light that washed over his body and Anzu's.
Bakura's vision blurred, became dark then came back to focus. He now stood in a hallway that smelt of flowers, not strongly that it bothered him, but light and sweet in a way that enticed him. At the end of the hallway he saw a door that matched the one Anzu's card had been locked behind. Walking up to the door he found the same curse marking that had been on Tea's back. Probing with his magic he discovered that the door needed a significant amount of magic in order to unlock. 'I cannot spare that much if I am going to confront the pharaoh.' Looking to his left he found nothing, to his right a second hallway branched off to lead to a door with an intricate letter 'T.' Figuring this to be the door to Tea's memories he decided this trip wouldn't be a complete loss. Venturing forward he was aware of a soft little voice humming.
Reaching the door he heard the humming loud and clear as a familiar lullaby. Pushing open the door Bakura was startled to find Anzu, tall and gorgeous decked out in a stunning black gown, rocking back and forth in a rocking chair while holding a small child that was Tea's spitting image.
Upon hearing the door open Anzu stopped her humming and glared back over her shoulder at Bakura. Her golden eyes would usually be pure malice when glaring at him, only now they held non, only a small spark of anger. Crossing his arms Bakura demanded," What is all this nonsense now?"
"Keep your voice down, you'll wake the child! I will explain after I have put her to bed. Now be gone." Anzu's pupils narrowed into slits as a cat's might. A harsh but warm wind abruptly blew Bakura out of the room and out of her soul. Back in his own body Bakura glared at Anzu in irritation and confusion. It made no sense that Anzu wished for Tea to be eaten by the shadow realm, but she treated the small child form of Tea as if they were mother and daughter.
Anzu groaned then opened her eyes, stifling a yawn while rubbing her eyes she paid no attention to the lethal man standing one meter away from her. Getting up off the couch to stretch she mumbled," You're a rather impatient man if you couldn't wait a few more minutes for me to wake up."
Bakura let out a little 'hmph' to openly start grumbling," Think what you want. Now explain what you were doing with that child."
"No patience at all. Well, if you really must know, I was doing what my nature makes me. As you must already know Tea and myself are complete opposites. But because I was not placed within Tea until after she conceived her preferences were already set for her. Her preferences include dancing, reading and friendship. Thus setting my nature to be that of a loner that is very active and athletic. Though for the life of me I cannot dislike dancing." Anzu explained this all then went to the kitchen to find some fruit or vegetables to eat.
Bakura followed after her in order to point out what she had missed," I can understand all that perfectly. But I do not understand what it has to do with your treatment of that child."
Sighing from her own annoyance Anzu explained," Tea does not favour the idea of becoming a mother. Because of that decision I am forced to be the most doting mother man kind has ever known. Now if you don't mind I would like to enjoy a quiet breakfast. And don't expect me to cook for you, Tea was a good cook, making me horrible by default." Finding an apple she began to devour it and walk towards Tea's bedroom at the same time. Bakura figured she intended to change clothes so did not bother to follow after her. He wanted to process this new information anyways.
Going back to the couch he sat down and closed his eyes to think. Anzu claimed that Tea had decided all that she was. Meaning that whatever Tea liked, Anzu hated. 'So what do I know about Tea? She could cook, sew, dance, fight, forgive, and love. That means Anzu would make a terrible wife and lover, but still an extraordinary mother? I might be able to use that mothering nature as a tool of persuasion. But for it to work I will need a child.' "And I know of only one child I could use easily." Smirking at his own brilliance he located a small set up of paper and pens set next to the phone for message taking. Doing it only to confuse Anzu Bakura scribbled on the paper,' Will be back with a gift, stay here!' He then tacked it onto the bedroom door Anzu was changing behind with magic and made a hasty leave of the house.
Anzu came out of the room a minute after Bakura left and read over the note. Sticking her lower lip out in a pout she grumbled," And I got all pretty for the jerk too. Oh well, can't blame a girl for trying." Shrugging Anzu crumpled up the note she knew was phony and went about looking for the remote controller that would let her listen to some decent music. In her knee length black tights and black tube top she felt the need to dance. She would do her best to woe Bakura when he returned. 'If he returns.' Anzu added when she flipped on the stereo to a beautiful jazz number.
- At Kaiba's Mansion-
Seto Kaiba stared groggily at his computer screen. He had two possible company mergers and on top of that Mokuba's birthday needed to be taken care of. His little brother was turning 13 and Seto had promised him that he would not work that day. Remembering the second term of their birthday agreement Seto ground his teeth together. When asked who he planned on inviting to the party Mokuba had very cheerfully answered all the people Seto didn't like with a vengeance. Which was Yugi Moutto and all his little friends, the stupid Wheeler mutt included. Though Seto was honestly not surprised, last year Mokuba had tried to invite them but had been convinced to invite his fellow classmates instead. This year was different because Mokuba was far more mature than his classmates and he felt closer to Yugi's group than to anyone else in his school. When Seto had threatened to call off the party all together Mokuba had retaliated with the threat of telling the press Seto's most embarrassing moments that had happened while in the orphanage. None the less Mokuba had won without breaking a sweat. He'd sent out the invitations the day before yesterday so they would arrive that day. Seto had made sure to put Mokuba's cell phone number on the invites for correspondence.
Rubbing his temples to ease his growing migraine Seto turned away from the monitor to stare at his door for peaceful darkness. At the same moment he turned to the door he caught sight of a flash of white. Suspicious and alert Seto quickly got to his feet and followed in hot pursuit. The flash of white had gone in the direction of his brother's room. 'Why pay over 5,000 in security every month when they can't keep someone out of my house? I'll be firing someone if this gets ugly.' Stealthily moving down the halls he caught sight of the white headed intruder turning the corner to his brother's bedroom, where he should be sleeping still. What bothered him was that he recognized the white hair from his last tournament. If he remembered correctly it belonged to one of Yugi's friends and enemies Bakura. His face took on another level of fierce intensity at the thought of this freak show barging in then bothering his little brother, who he knew had stayed up WAY past his bed time regardless of it being summer break. Picking up speed he turned the corner right when Bakura started to turn the door knob to Mokuba's bedroom. Standing to full height Seto growled viciously," What do you think you're doing here?"
A chill went down Seto's spine when Bakura slowly turned to face Bakura with a very displeased smile. In a voice that under toned ill intentions Bakura replied rather leisurely," If it isn't big bad Kaiba. So nice to see you in your usual sour mood."
"Cut the crap and tell me why you're here so I have an idea as to why I'm going to call security at 6:30 in the morning." Seto advanced further towards Bakura, not noticing the growing smile at the corner of his mouth. He did notice that Bakura was entirely relaxed and sure of himself. This fed more fuel to Kaiba's fire of anger and irritation.
His voice no different than when he first addressed Seto Bakura answered," Well you see, I'm going to be borrowing your little brother for a while. If things work out not a single hair on his head will be harmed." Bakura made sure to emphasize on the 'if' factor in his sentence.
'That's it, Mokuba's not having any of those other dweebs over for his birthday.' The quickest flashes of the only female member, Tea Gardener, went through Seto's mind after his decision, ' Maybe her, but non of the others.' Out loud to Bakura Seto stated his mind very clearly," What makes you think I'll let you get anywhere near him, much less let you touch him?"
"How about the fact that you don't have anything to stop me?" Seto thought that this freak in particular must have some mental problem or other if he seriously just said he, Seto Kaiba, didn't have any power. A glint of gold drew his attention to the gaudy necklace around Bakura's neck, seeing the eye symbol made something stir in the pit of his stomach. That stirring was the smallest dabs of fear. Memories of Pegasus, Marik and his sister, and even Yugi went through his mind. All of them had items with that eye on them, and all of them had made him witness and deal with freaky things they called 'magic.'
Bakura let Seto wallow in his first taste of fear for a moment longer before he raised his hand and froze Seto Kaiba to the spot, a beautiful expression of shock plastered on his face, Crookedly smirking Bakura opened the door and walked into the younger Kaiba's bedroom. Seto could only watch the damned white haired man enter the room in one second and come out in the next with his brother under his arm. It didn't show it but at that point Seto was fighting the millennium ring, he was not going to let this freak show walk away with his brother.
Bakura felt Seto's struggle but brushed it off like a mosquito had just bitten him. With a little wave Bakura walked off into the shadows, leaving Seto to sway on the spot after being released from the millennium ring's hold. His face twisted in a snarl Seto pulled out his cell phone and hit the number seven speed dial. It rand once before a gruff voice picked up," Yes, Mr. Kaiba?"
"I need Mokuba's location, track him using his locator chip. If that doesn't work you're fired." Seto quickly hung up and rushed back to his office to grab his deck of cards. If there was one thing in common among all the freaks he's encountered over the past few years, it's that they all handle things through duel monsters.
His desk tucked away he moved to the safe built in the back of his office. The safe contained Mokuba's birth certificate, his emergency stash of cash, and his latest duel disk sketches and prototypes. This time he grabbed the duel disk magnum. It had the original look of the duel disk, but there was now a small square attached to the side. After the virtual reality duels against his twisted corporate members Kaiba had been inspired to make the duel disks more realistic for the duelists to feel. The visuals would all be the same, that was something that needed no improvement.
The duel dish packed in his special silver briefcase he grabbed his pointy white trench coat off the back of his chair and hit he button on his collar that gave his limo driver a heads up. He was in the elevator heading to the bottom floor when his cell phone rang, picking it up without checking the caller ID Seto demanded," Where?"
"We've located Master Mokuba at 468 McAlister street, sir. The resident's are registered under the names of a Lieutenant Harold Gardener, and your personal accountant Marcella Gardener, sir. They have recently left the country on a cruise to the Caribbean, but there was no registration of their daughter, Tea Gardener, leaving with them. Do you need anything else sir?"
"Yes, get me in contact with Yugi Moutto." After hearing all this information involving Yugi's head cheerleader he decided that the shrimp would know what the hell was going on. The only thing he knew was that Tea Gardener was off the guest list for Mokuba's party.
-At Domino City Airport-
"Egypt was nice, but nothing can beat home, don't you agree Yugi?" Grandpa Moutto smiled back over his shoulder at his grandson.
Yugi smiled back from his rather tanned face. The boy hadn't put sunscreen on their first day out in the Egyptian sun, causing his usually pale skin to burn quickly. After a few days the sun burn eased into a very noticeable tan, the really amusing part of it was the absence of a tan every where else. With two giant bags of luggage Yugi did his best to stay balanced when he replied," It was great grandpa! Tea, Joey, and Tristan are going to love their gifts." 'I believe Tea will be particularly pleased.' This was the voice of the millennium puzzle, and he was right.
Yugi had been stuck on what to get his only constant female friend a gift, especially when jewelry was taken out of the options. (He'd almost bought her a bracelet with the millennium eye on it, but Yami had reminded him about Ryou's necklace having been bought by his father.) On their last day there Yugi had found the perfect gift. It was a very intricately covered book that had the basic history and instruction for the dances performed in Egypt. Yami had full heartedly agreed on the gift choice, as did Joey and Tristan when Yugi had called them to double and triple check on his decision. Yami had noticed Yugi's anxious and frantic thoughts upon giving Tea the gift, it didn't take the ancient spirit long to figure out the reason, and he couldn't be happier for his little friend.
On the plane ride home Yugi had decided he would see Tea first, partially because Joey and Tristan would demand he stay over at their place for the night and catch up on all the video games they should have played already, and partially because he felt that Tea would be the best person to see first.
They were just leaving the airport when Yugi's cell phone rang. Confused as to who could be calling already he pulled out the phone and looked at the ID. Grandpa Moutto was surprised when he heard the luggage hit the ground. Turning around quickly to make sure Yugi was alright he found his grandson staring wide eyed in shock at his cellular phone. Moving back to see what had stopped his only family he was also startled into dropping his luggage," Yugi. Is you phone broken already? That can't actually be Seto Kaiba calling you."
"It can't be broken, I just bought it at the beginning of the summer." Taking a deep breathe Yugi flipped open the phone and asked cautiously," Yugi speaking?"
"You better know what the hell is going on Moutto. Your freak of a friend Ryou Bakura just barged into my house, kidnapped Mokuba and took him to Gardener's house. Now give me an explanation so your girlfriend doesn't get involved." Kaiba's voice started off supremely angry and ended on a more lethal note.
At the mention of Tea's house both Yami and Yugi skipped a heart beat. Yami voiced exactly what Yugi had been thinking, ' If this is taking place at Tea's, then there's no doubt that SHE has been involved. We need to get there right away. While you go I'll search the Shadow Realm.' ' Okay, be careful and don't get lost.' 'That should not be a problem in this case. You are the one that needs to be very cautious.' Their silent conference done Yugi told Kaiba," There's a long story behind it, I'm heading over to Tea's house now. I take it you'll be there as well Kaiba?"
"Like I would leave the safety of my brother in your hands. It's because of you that he's in this mess, and don't try to deny it either Moutto." Yugi couldn't help but slightly flinch at the abrupt ending of the phone connection.
Putting the cell phone away Yugi gave his grandpa pleading eyes," Something has happened, and Tea is involved. I wouldn't leave you to deal with all the luggage normally, but I really need to go grandpa. I'll pay for someone to help you."
Grandpa smiled at his beloved grandson, putting a hand on his shoulder he told Yugi," Don't worry about the luggage. You just get over to Tea's and set everything straight. But you can do all the unpacking, okay?"
"You're the best grandpa!" Rushing off to the waiting line of taxis Yugi quickly hopped in one and gave the driver Tea's address. Grandpa Moutto watched with a quiet prayer of safety written across his face. It worried him how much trouble his family had to endure the past few years, ever since he'd given the boy that millennium puzzle. Had he known the trouble it would bring he would have left it back in Egypt.
-In the Shadow Realms-
Yami felt them the second he entered the shadow realms. Two souls of light stood out among all the condemned souls of the realm. Out of the two one was more resilient than the other, in indication that it was added after the first one. Keeping his concentration on the two souls Yami hastily went in their general direction. As he got closer he could make a distortion in the realm that led to a different realm entirely. 'The distortion must be an entry way to the Shadow Realms. This has Anzu written all over it.'
Reaching the distortion Yami was worried to find chains of shadow slowly reeling in two bodies. Keeping his limbs away from the chains Yami bravely stuck his head through the distortion to see into the other realm. His eyes widened upon finding Tea struggling against the chains, and Ryou simply unconscious. Checking the surrounding area for any sign of Anzu or Bakura Yami called out," Tea! Ryou! Are you alright?"
At the sound of the Pharaoh's voice Tea did her best to look back over her shoulder," Pharaoh! Yes, we're fine. Caught in chains, but unharmed."
"Thank Ra, I'd feared the worst when Kaiba called saying trouble was brewing at your house. What happened Tea? How did Anzu get free?" Although Yami was concerned, he was also upset. He'd given Tea direct instructions that would ensure that Tea's evil alter ego would remain sealed in the duel monsters card 'Change of Heart.'
Feeling ashamed as a trained puppy might after breaking something, Tea hung her head and broke eye contact. In a pathetic whimper Tea feebly explained," I know you told me not to let anyone but you in my house, but… I just wanted to help Ryou. He was hurt and I didn't see the millennium ring at all when I took his shirt off!"
The last bit Tea said didn't go unnoticed. A twinge of worry for his other soul went through Yami's heart before he shook it off and turned his attention to the immediate problem. Softening his gaze Yami sighed," I understand, you were only doing the right thing. However, I cannot see what I can do to free you, or Ryou for that matter."
"I do! I know this asking a lot, but you need to let yourself or Yugi get captured by Anzu's shadow chains. When she grabbed Ryou and separated him from Bakura my chains became very loose. I'm not a hundred percent sure this will work, but if she uses her energy to seal one of you then my chains should weaken enough for me to break free." Tea's eyes shone with absolute faith in the plan she had thought if. It was that faith that convinced Yami that Tea was right.
Giving Tea the smallest of nods he told her," I will relay this plan to Yugi. When the time comes, act quickly, we won't get a second chance at this." Tea nodded and watched with slight sadness as Yami retreated from the opening between the two realms.
'Here's hoping that when I do get out, Pharaoh can do something about that damned Bakura and his curse of bonding. The last thing I need is to be magically married to the creep for the rest of my life.' Tea's frustrated thoughts made her turn to Ryou and glare angrily at him. Only for a moment, for she remembered he was in the exact same boat of trouble as she was. And it wasn't Ryou's fault he couldn't fight back against a cruel sadistic Egyptian spirit. Tea had gotten lucky in the draw for a second soul, hers being an emotional summoning more than a goal or game summoning such as the Pharaoh. Her sigh focused no where in particular Tea kept calm and waited for her next chance of escape.