I'm back, lovelies!
The updates for this story having been coming along so nicely. I have so much to work with and I'm surprised it's working out so well. I will not, however, look a gift horse in the mouth. It is a blessing that I know might end as fast as it began.
So, without further ado, Chapter Ten!
Enjoy!
~BlainexKurtxLovex
The next morning was rough on both Mana and Yugi. They both looked like death warmed over with bags under their eyes and bloodshot eyes. Not to mention it was eerily quiet without Solomon puttering around the Game Shop or in the kitchen. The two teenagers barely spoke two words to each other beyond "good morning" and "pass the salt."
Mana couldn't help but loathe the silence.
It also didn't help that Yami seemed to keep popping out of the puzzle to check on the both of them. She wasn't ready to face him after their discussion last night and her impromptu kiss with him. Mana still wasn't sure that it had been the best course of action and she regretted it even as Sekhmet praised her for sheer cheek.
"I told you to tell him, Daughter, not kiss him. It was thoroughly amusing, however. I'm quite proud of you."
The praise had done nothing, but make Mana feel worse. She was terrified that it could cause more problems. She hadn't given Yami much time to react before running out of the room and back to the physical world. She knew he would have tons of questions, but Mana was willing to put them off for as long as she could.
The walk to the high school was even worse. Yugi seemed so lost in his own thoughts that Mana had to keep him from running into oncoming traffic, other people, or lampposts. It wasn't until they reached the front gates that he steeled himself and plastered a smile on his face in an attempt to placate his friends. Mana followed his lead because she wasn't sure she could talk to them without breaking down again.
It was obvious to her that Téa, Joey, and Tristan were talking about them as they approached. Téa nudged Joey and Tristan turned to look at them with the same fake smiles. It didn't look like any of them had gotten any sleep either. Everyone was worried about Solomon, but also about Yugi himself. It was clear to all of them that he was kicking himself for being defeated by Pegasus in a pre-determined losing battle.
Surprisingly, it was Joey who approached Yugi first and rested a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder. Yugi looked up at him with a bright fake smile, but Joey just gave him a side hug and pulled him along through the gates. Tristan was on the other side and started up a conversation.
Mana watched them go with envy and sadness. All of her friends were long dead and it made her heart hurt thinking about all them. She wondered if they hated her for the choice she had made? If she and Yami did return to the past would they forgive her? Did they worry about her? Did they even miss her?
Time was nonlinear and a bit timey-wimey. Although her past was done the Gods could return both her and Yami to their original time. It was not exactly the most logical or plausible ending to their story seeing as both Mana and Yami had been considered long dead for 5,000 years, but the Gods could do whatever they pleased.
Mana was brought out of her musings by Téa. She asked Mana if she was ready to head inside with a small smile. Mana nodded and tried to return it, but she couldn't bring herself to. She knew she couldn't get too attached to any of these people. No matter how much she wanted companionship again. No one could replace those she had lost. It would only hurt more if Yami succeed in his destiny because then she would have to leave them all behind again.
"Mana," Téa called. Mana stopped to look at her and wait for her to continue. "We'll get Solomon back. All of us, together. You and Yugi don't have to do this alone."
Mana was taken aback by Téa's words. She hadn't even thought about involving the others in their attempt to save Solomon. Heck, Mana didn't even know if she would be going if Pegasus had anything to say about it. The man held power over Yugi's life at the moment and if he banned Mana from being there it would be a fight to the death to stay by the boy's side.
Mana was sure that Pegasus wouldn't exclude her, however. Something in the way he looked at her with that curious and fascinated gaze told her all she needed to know. Pegasus was enthralled by her. He wanted something from her, but what she didn't know.
"I'm sure Yugi will appreciate your loyalty, Téa," Mana replied.
"You don't get it." Mana raised an eyebrow at the girl in a silent question. "Of course we are going to stand by Yugi. We always have, but we will also stand by you too." The look of confusion must have shown on Mana's face because Téa continued. "What you told us last night was a little crazy and a bit unbelievable, but you want to protect Yugi just like we do. Not to mention, we want to be your friend. With all of us working together, we'll get Solomon back."
Mana sighed, "I appreciate that, Téa, more than you can understand."
"You don't sound too pleased with the idea."
"It's not that," Mana defended. "I really do appreciate it and if I have Pegasus figured out at all; Yugi and I are going to need all the help we can get. It's just a lot for me to have friends again after 5,000 years of isolation.
"When I was asleep, all that played were my memories. Memories of my friends…of my family…of my life…and now I'm in a different time and place with everyone I once loved gone."
A look of comprehension crossed Téa's face. She took a few steps forward and rested a hand on Mana's shoulder. "You don't want to make new friends because you're afraid of forgetting the ones you left behind."
Mana met Téa's eyes and nodded. That was the simplest explanation she could give. If she elaborated on anything else now it would just make her cry. Mana didn't want that to be how she started out the day when she still had so much to do.
"I don't think you'll forget them, Mana. Friends will always be in your heart no matter what and making new friends gives you a completely new support system. Maybe the reason you were chosen to protect Yugi was so that you could make new friends to make the transition easier."
Mana knew that wasn't the case. She had been chosen because she was Atem's wife. But she did wonder if becoming friends with Joey, Tristan, and Téa make it easier for her in the long run?
She knew that making friends at the palace before and after she was married was integral to her survival. They kept her grounded when she wanted to give up or run away. They reminded her why she loved Atem after every fight and convinced her that he need her just as much as she needed him. Mana never would have made it through the demands of being queen if it wasn't for all the friends she had made.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Mana agreed.
Téa smiled wide and wrapped her in a quick hug. Mana didn't immediately return the gesture, but after the initial shock wore off she wrapped her arms around the other girl. Téa squeezed her tightly before letting go and dragging her through the gates.
When school ended, Téa and Mana were in charge of cleaning the classroom. Yugi, Joey, and Tristan all offered to wait for them so that they could walk home together. The two girls agreed and set to work. They wiped every desk, picked up all the garbage from the day, smacked erasers together, dusted every nook and cranny, and swept the floors. It took a little longer due to an eraser fight that broke out between the two girls, but Mana felt a little more relaxed afterwards.
They threw the garbage away in a dumpster before joining the boys at the front gates. Yugi gave Mana a bright genuine smile and Mana couldn't help but return it. Whatever had changed the younger boy's mood was alright by Mana. All she wanted was for him to be happy.
The five of them walked home together before breaking off to go their separate ways. Téa gave Mana another hug which Mana happily returned before taking her leave. Yugi and Mana walked home in a comfortable silence. They talked about homework and what they were going to have for dinner before they remembered that Solomon wouldn't be there to greet them with his usual smile.
They approached the Game Shop with heavy hearts. As Yugi reached to unlock the door he noticed that there were two envelopes wedged between the door and the frame. Yugi removed them and noticed that one was addressed to him and the other was addressed to her.
Mana took the envelope with her name on it from Yugi's outstretched hand, but didn't open it. She was more worried about Yugi's envelope than her own. She watched as he opened it and several cards fell out. Yugi bent over to pick them up and Mana went to help him. She saw that some of the cards were specific instructions and guidelines for something.
"It's a formal invitation to Pegasus's Duelist Kingdom," Yugi stated. "He's giving me the opportunity to get Grandpa's soul back."
"That would seem to be the case. Pegasus wants to see how far you are willing to go and what you are willing to risk to save Solomon," Mana agreed.
"The boat leaves in two days. I have to go."
Mana nodded, "Yes, I think you might. I'm going with you no matter what it takes, you know that don't you?"
Yugi smiled and nodded, "I thought you'd say that. Joey said the same thing. We talked about what Pegasus would want me to do to get Grandpa's soul back. This was the only conclusion we could come up with and he vowed he help me any way he could."
"Téa said the same thing to me this morning."
"Now it's just a matter of figuring out how to get you all on the boat."
"We'll think of something, Yugi," Mana reassured. "Let's get inside, do our homework, and eat dinner."
Yugi nodded and unlocked the door. Mana quietly placed her own envelope in the jacket pocket of her uniform to read in private later. She wasn't sure what the letter would contain and Mana couldn't risk Yugi seeing whatever Pegasus had in mind for her before she could decide it was a threat to him.
After their homework was completed and dinner was eaten Mana suggested that Yugi head up for a shower or a bath to relax. Yugi just laughed at her. He stated that she was the one who was more likely in need for a bath considering she was still covered in chalk dust from her eraser fight with Téa, but agreed that a shower might be a good idea as long as she took one after him. Mana agreed and shooed him out. She waited until he was in the shower to take the envelope from Pegasus out of her jacket pocket.
She opened it carefully, like it would bite her whole hand off if she let it, and pulled out a slip of paper with a phone number written on it. Mana rolled her eyes at the dramatics of it all. Pegasus wanted her to call him. He wanted to speak to her as soon as possible. Mana really didn't feel like having any conversation with the silver-haired fiend, but she didn't think she had much of a choice.
Mana listened to see if the shower was running and if Yami was hanging around before going into the closed-up Game Shop to use the phone. Mana looked around again to see if Yami was hiding somewhere before she resigned herself to her task. She sighed and dialed the number before bringing the receiver to her ear.
It rang seven times before someone picked up. The voice she heard made her roll her eyes.
"Awe, is this the lovely girl that is staying with Yugi-boy?" Pegasus inquired.
"You know it is. You had your servant drop off Yugi's invitation and this phone number. What is it that you want?" Mana demanded. She wasn't going to play his game. Not when she didn't know when Yugi or Yami would appear.
"Tsk, tsk, kitten, you know who I am, but I don't have any idea who you are," Pegasus admonished.
"I think you understand exactly who I am, Pegasus," Mana stated. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have had me call you in the first place. So, let's move past this nonsense and get right to the point, shall we?"
"And what point would that be, kitten?"
Mana cringed at the self-imposed nickname. "It's 'Mana' not 'kitten.'"
"I understand."
Silence stretched between them and Mana wanted to tear her hair out. She didn't have time for his games. She wanted to know what he wanted with Yugi and his Puzzle.
"The point, Pegasus," Mana prodded.
"Yes, yes," Pegasus responded. "I would like for you to attend Duelist Kingdom as my special guest."
"Why would I do that?"
"We both know that you would like to attend the tournament to watch over Yugi-boy. I'm just giving you a valid reason to attend without you stowing away on my ship."
"What's the catch?" Mana questioned. She knew there had to be one. With a man like Pegasus, she had to be careful otherwise she would be watching from a locked room if he got his way. "Why would I take the risk of being your 'special guest' knowing that I could stow away on your ship without being caught."
"Because it would afford you the opportunity to spend time with little Yugi and keep a constant eye on him," Pegasus pointed out. "As the Guardian of the Millennium Puzzle I assume that is your goal."
"So, you do know who I am."
"I've been to the Pharaoh's Tomb and I have seen the walls that depict the Pharaoh's return and the return of his protector, his queen."
Mana knew that Pegasus had more info then he was letting on. It had all been in the way he had looked at her after the duel with Yugi. She had seen the light go off in his mind in the way his eye lit up.
"I assume, just like anyone else who holds a Millennium Item, you want the Millennium Puzzle for your own. That's why you took Solomon's soul so that you would have a chance to win it from Yugi," Mana specified.
"You would be correct, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you," Pegasus agreed. "I have something I need to do and I need the Millennium Items to do it."
"I won't let you get your hands on it. Yugi will beat you with the help of the Puzzle."
"We shall see, Your Majesty," Pegasus cooed.
"Enough!" Mana yelled. "I do not have patience for your games, Pegasus."
"You will if it keeps you with Yugi-boy," Pegasus responded. His voice was cold and Mana could only imagine that his eyes were hard as ice. "Either you take my offer to be my special guest or you wait at the Game Shop under special lock and key. You will be unable to protect your precious Yugi then."
"You know nothing about the abilities I wield, Pegasus. I don't need your permission to do anything."
"Nevertheless, you will accept my invitation if you want to protect Yugi-boy and save the boy's grandfather."
"You wouldn't dare harm Solomon because if you do I will rip you apart," Mana seethed.
"I make no promises, Mana," Pegasus threatened. "Either you accept my invitation and accompany Yugi-boy to Duelist Kingdom or Solomon's life is forfeit."
Mana growled deep in her throat at the threat. Pegasus was playing both her and Yugi like fiddles. He knew that she would do anything to save Solomon and protect Yugi. If she had to play his game she could, at the very least, make some demands. She needed to make Pegasus understand that she was not a lowly servant to be ordered around. Mana was a queen.
"Fine," Mana agreed. "However, I have a few things I want made clear."
"I'm listening."
"I do not leave Yugi's side. I am not forced or taken from Yugi at any point during the tournament. I stay with him until the end. No matter what."
"I will have to…"
"This is non-negotiable, Pegasus. Either I stay with Yugi or the deal is off."
"You drive a hard bargain, Mana. I accept your demand; however, I have one of my own."
"You have my attention."
"All I ask is that you don't interfere with my duel with Yugi should he make it to the final round. No ancient magic to protect him from my Millennium Eye."
Mana hissed at the demand. He knew that she could shield Yugi during their duel if given the chance. He also knew that she would do anything to keep Yugi from losing. Mana didn't know what to do, but deep down she knew she didn't have much of a choice.
"Understood. I don't like it, but I have a feeling it's…."
"Non-negotiable, yes," Pegasus interrupted. "I will make sure that my employees know that you will be accompanying Yugi-boy to Duelist Kingdom under my orders."
"I understand. Now I just have to explain to Yugi that I will have no problem attending Duelist Kingdom."
"I wish you the best, Mana. I can't wait to meet you in person. Have a good evening."
Mana didn't even end the call with a pleasantry. She hung up and all but slammed the phone back onto the receiver. Mana was seething and knew that her eyes were cat-like if the clarity in vision was anything to go by.
She had to take a few deep breaths before she went into the main part of the house. Mana didn't want Yugi to know about their conversation before she had a chance to process it herself. Honestly, she was glad to be going with Yugi without having to sneak onto the boat, but at the same time she was apprehensive about being unable to protect Yugi during his next duel with Pegasus. It was a dangerous deal she had made, but Mana wasn't stupid enough to think that Pegasus wouldn't keep his threat to lock her up at the Game Shop until Duelist Kingdom was over.
Mana made her way into the living room and fell onto the couch. She could feel the tense muscles in her shoulders and her lower back. The stress of the last twenty-four hours had really gotten to her and she knew it was only going to get worse when she arrived at Duelist Kingdom. Pegasus wasn't going to make her job easy and Yugi would be in constant danger. Mana just hoped she could keep him in the game long enough to get to the final duel.
"Mana?" Yugi called from the hallway. Mana acknowledged his summons with a loud 'hmmm.' Yugi came into the living room and sat next to her on the couch. "Everything okay?"
Mana nodded. "As much as it can be, I suppose.'
Yugi made a noise to acknowledge her. "I forgot to ask you, but what did your envelope have in it?"
"A phone number," Mana answered with a sigh. She looked at Yugi to see a confused look on his face. "A phone number with a direct line to Pegasus himself."
Yugi's eyes widened in shock. He grasped her arm and Mana forced her eyes to meet his. "What did he say about Grandpa? Is Grandpa okay?"
"I'm sure your Grandpa's soul is safe for now, Yugi. All he asked was for me to attend the tournament as his special guest."
"What did you say?"
"I told him I would only if he agreed to not separate me from you during the contest. He agreed," Mana explained. "However, he laid down the stipulation that if he agreed to my demand I had to agree to his."
"What was it?" Yugi questioned.
Mana sighed. "He demanded that I not interfere, if and when, you duel him."
"Why would that...oh…"
"I won't be able to keep your mind safe from his Millennium Eye."
Mana let that information sink in before resting a hand over Yugi's which was still gripping her arm tightly. She soothed her thumb over his clenched fingers until he relaxed his grip.
"Then how will…"
"The same way you did before I arrived. Either that, or you come up with another way to beat him." she squeezed his hand and gave him a warm smile. "You are a smart kid, Yugi. I have all the faith in the world in both you and your capabilities."
Yugi sighed, "At least one of us does."
"You have to believe it too, Yugi. If you don't it will affect how you duel."
Yugi nodded in agreement. He seemed to know she was right if the return squeeze on her arm was an indication. Mana smiled wider as the two sat in a comfortable silence. Mana knew that they had a lot to do and pack before they left for Duelist Kingdom, but one night of just 'being' was one thing she could allow. If not for her sake then for Yugi's and she would do anything to help him keep his mind from unraveling.
"Should we break out some ice cream?"
Yugi met her gaze and chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds good. But, you have to get in the shower once we're done eating."
"Deal."
Ice cream couldn't fix everything. It couldn't change the fact that Solomon's body was hooked up to monitors and tubes at the hospital until Pegasus returned his soul. It couldn't change the fact that Pegasus held all the cards and the odds were stacked against them. Ice cream couldn't fix those things, but it could make tonight a little better. For the both of them.
That's a wrap on this chapter, ladies and gents! The next chapter we have some lovely confrontations on the boat to Duelist Kingdom. You think Mana was pissed at Seto Kaiba…get ready for what she will do to Weevil Underwood…..hmmm no more spoilers.
There might also be a bit more of Yami and Mana interaction, but that has yet to be decided!
Review, Fav, and Follow if you haven't already done so!
I appreciate reviews since they let me know what you all think!
See you soon!
~BlainexKurtxLovex