Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh and the day I do, I'll sprout wings and fly
with trees in the sky in Antarctica
***(Dark's POV)
The next day just before sunset, I turned down another hall, wondering how I was ever going to tell Jou how I felt…one day. Always, for as long as I could remember, I have always hoped that once, just once, she would look my way and notice me. Then, maybe I could die happy. Or…better yet, if she looked at me and saw me as someone she could live with…although, she kind of does already…
But that's besides the point
I do, I do love Jounochi. But I know she likes Celtic. I think…
Oh, here comes Harpy Lady down the hall. "Hey Harpy Lady," I said. "Are you feeling all right?" Smiling evil, Harpy Lady nodded. "Just fine now that you're here…" she grinned. Then, as I tried to pass her, she quickly took me off guard and grabbed my arm, bring me close to her face. "H- Harpy! I stuttered. "Dark, Dark, Dark." Harpy Lady teased wrapping some of my long hair around her claw and pulling hard. "You should know by now that I, Harpy Lady do love strong monsters…like yourself." Jumping away, I stammered, "I…I have to go now…" and turned to leave. "So…g-good day…" but Harpy Lady reached out with one of her claws and grabbed me. "Mmm…not yet." She soothed. "I just wanted to see you…" Circling a finger on my armor, Harpy pulled herself even closer to me. "I really have to leave!" I practically yelled. Trying to find a way out, I didn't notice Harpy Lady bring her face close to mine until she was only centimeters away. Twisting my head around, I tried to run, but she slammed me back against a wall and pinned me. I was trapped.
"Harpy…" I gasped as her claws dug in my arm, drawing a little blood. "Get off me…I will use magic…" Sneering happily, Harpy snorted and said, "No you won't. I know your type. You can't hurt a girl, even if your life depended on it. Oh well…that's good news for me…" "What? What do you…" but I was cut off as Harpy pressed her cold hard mouth to mine. Muffling a scream, I tried to jerk away. But her claws cut into me deeper. Trying to pull her off, even though it did look bad, I managed to almost pry her off when I heard something crash. Harpy and I both stared up in surprise and I gasped. "Jou!" I cried. A vase on a table had been knocked over and was shattered. But her eyes…they were worse than the vase…wide with pain and hurt, and…oh Gods…
What have I done?
So Jou loved me after all…
"I…I'm sorry…" she stammered. "I…I…" Harpy glared at Jou and sad coldly, "Well, if you're sorry than get lost. Dark's mine now and he loves me, so beat it." I tried to call out to Jou, but as I stared at Jou, her eyes turning to the ground and tears welling up on them, I turned speechless. "J…Jou…" I finally managed to spit out. "I…I didn't mean…" But Jou shook her head and with a small sob, took off running in the other direction. Even from my distance, I could see the tears falling out her eyes. "No Jou, wait!" I called, but I knew she was gone. Harpy Lady just sneered and laughed. "Aww…poor little Jounochi. Don't worry about her Dark- kun. You have me now." As she laughed, I could feel anger rise up in me. "Get…OFF!" I yelled as I accidentally released a weak dark magic attack. Given it didn't kill her, it just got her off me and slammed her into the ground.
Served her right.
"Y-you little brat!" she stammered as she slowly picked herself up. "What do you see in that slut anyway, you idiot? You two were holding onto each other last night…do you have any idea how much I want you?" But I was not in the mood to be insulted, and was really not in the mood at any time of the day to hear Jou being called a slut. Especially when the person calling her that is the biggest one I've ever seen. Pointing my wand at her, I hissed, "Jou is the most wonderful thing to me here and you'll never be mine. Also, if you ever, ever come near Jou, I will make it my personal business to finish what I've just started, understand?" Harpy Lady glared and looked away. Then slowly, she nodded. "Good." I said. And then I took off after Jou. I can't feel sorry for Harpy. She hurt Jou. But Jou…What have I done? Oh gods…Jou…forgive me.
***(Yami's POV)
I always know everything about my cards. I know what they like, what they're like, and what they are capable of doing. But never in all my centuries of living would I expect a light and dark to fall in love! It's just not possible! Jounochi was the Hikari and therefore, has the purest heart I've ever seen. Dark, he's good too, but he's destroyed other monsters, so he's not pure. In fact, Jou's probably the only pure card in my deck. That's why I never used her on the field. And the only way for them to be together…Is for one of them to either turn their pure heart into trash or for the other to find his light inside himself and bring it out. But both ways are nearly impossible. For someone like Jou to destroy anyone…I can't see her doing it. She'll hurt someone…but never destroy him or her. And Dark… how does one find the light when one is the DARK Magician? Sighing, I turned this thought over and over in my mind. Because if they do fall in love, it could mean that if I ever get challenged in the shadow realm, they could end up destroying each other. I thought that if I sent one of them a nightmare of what would happen if they did admit their love would scare them out of it,
But instead it got worse!
Sighing again, I gave Yugi a mental thought during his mini duel with Joey.
/Hikari, I'm going to visit someone for a minute./
//Ok, Yami. I'll see you later.//
Nodding, I silently crossed my room, closed and locked the door, and pulled out the Dark Magician from my special deck which I only use to converse with my cards. "Dark Magician!" I called. "I want to talk…" As the card flashed in my hand, it materialized into the Dark Magician who now stood before me. "Yes master, you summoned me?" he asked as if he was tired from a heavy burden. Sighing, I looked away. "Dark, I really don't want to tell you this, I really don't. But…" Looking up to face him, I said quietly, "I cannot give you the consent to be with Jounochi Hikari. I'm sorry." Dark just stared ahead for a minute, not knowing what to say. "Master…I…" he stammered. "I love her already." Letting out another deep sigh, I waved my hand and two chairs appeared and we sat down. "Dark, you're the darkness. You've destroyed monsters, resulting in that your heart's not pure. And for two monsters to love each other, they must either be all dark or all light. Jou is all light. And you're all dark, not to mention that you've just her badly. " Quickly, Dark sat up in his chair. "Then…" he asked. "To be with Jou…what do I do? How do I become all light? How can I get her back?" Sadly, I shook my head. "The damage is done. You cannot go back. The only way to save yourself now is to admit you love her…but…" Then, shaking, Dark gripped the arm of the chair. "Then," I asked. "How do I love her?"
"You can't!"
"Liar!"
"…"
"Say something! Please…" he asked. "Please tell me. I know I've hurt her, but I can't stop loving her." I was silent for a long time. "The only way to be together is…for her to destroy a monster." Dark said nothing. Then, sitting up again, he asked, "So all Jou has to do is destroy a monster and then she can…" But I waved my hand to silence him. "Dark, remember when you destroyed your first monster?" Looking away again and nodding, he whispered, "Yes…I felt like I was going to be sick…" Looking down in dismay and nodding again, Dark looked at me sadly. "All right…I won't love Jou anymore master…I'm sorry for my outburst." Smiling, I waved my hand again, and I said, "Dark Magician, do not worry. I don't want you to be sad, so I will see what I can do. I will do my best." Smiling with reassurance, Dark closed his eyes and with a faint glow, turned back into a card.
I honestly don't know how I can get those to together. And this all seems quite silly for a little crush on someone. Silly and extensive. Now if it were real love…true love…that might be a different story. But it's not and I did promise Dark to look into it. Maybe, if I…
But that was as far as I got, because then, Yugi had summoned me for a duel with Pegasus.
In the shadow realm.
Crap.
***(Jou's POV)
"Jou!" I heard someone call. "Jou wait please!"
But I wasn't in the mood for talking.
Walking faster, I ignored the fact that I was for the first time walking away from Dark. "Leave me alone!" I cried as my walk turned into a sprint. "Go away please! Please leave me alone!" Almost sadly, I listened to the footsteps behind me slow and then come to a compete stop.
But I had to keep going.
Going faster and faster, the fresh nightmare of love still on top of me, I kept running until my vision was so blurred I couldn't see and my legs felt like they were lead. Finally when I was at my favorite rock overlooking the sea, out of breath and tired, I collapsed into the air, expecting to meet the hear ground underneath me, but instead, I fell into a pair of strong arms. "Jou!" the owner of the arms exclaimed surprised. "Jou, what's wrong? What happened?" Wiping a few of my tears away, I looked up to see a concerned Celtic looking back. Making short sobs and sinking to the floor dragging Celtic with me, I cried, "Celtic help me! Help me please! They…they…!" was all I could manage before I broke out into a fresh wave of sobs again.
Nervous, Celtic held me and shook me a little. "Jou! Jou, what's wrong?" Shaking, I slowly looked up at Celtic and brushed a few tears out of my eyes. "Dark and Harpy…" I whispered. "They…oh gods, Celtic, I feel like my heart has been ripped in two!" Breaking out in sobs again, I felt Celtic slowly wrap his arms around me in understanding and he stare into the falling sun which was quickly turning into night. I felt Celtic sigh and then,
"You…love him…don't you?"
I gasped as I felt Celtic hold me a bit tighter. I heard him forcing himself to say, "It…it's all right. I…I know you care for him." Looking up at Celtic and breaking away so I was sitting on my rock, the sea behind me, I glared and looked away. "What do I care?" I spat. "He loves Harpy now." Celtic sighed and turned away from me. "Not true. He…he really loves…" but then he trailed off. "Jou…tell me…who do you love?" Scoffing I said bitterly, "No one. I will never love anyone for as long as I live." Smiling at my determination, Celtic said sadly, "Jou…did you know…I loved you?" Shocked, I spun my head around. "You…you did?" I gasped. "Celtic…I…" But he shook his head and looked at me with a sad happiness. "Jou, I know Dark makes you happy, even if he can be a dork sometimes. And you love him; every one can see that. You should tell him." Shaking my head furiously, I cried, "No! He-…" But Celtic interrupted with, "loves you. Loves Jounochi Hikari. Face it Jou, that poor magician is crazy about you and you're in love with him; even now, and you two are both too afraid to say anything." Looking me in the eye, he finished with, "Tell him Jou."
I sighed. "But he…" Celtic shook his head and frowned. "But he nothing. Jou, you know he loves you and you love him. Ignore Harpy and tell him." Realizing what I had to do, I got up. "Celtic, thank you. I'm sure this was hard for you. Thank you for being there for me." Nodding, Celtic smiled. "Tell me when the wedding is all right?" he laughed. Blushing I hacked, "W-wedding? Gods Celtic!" I laughed. Celtic smiled and picked himself up. "C'mon." he said. "Let's go find Dark and then you can tell him." Nodding and feeling a lot better, I smiled. "Yeah." But we didn't have to look far, because then a small flash of light, and Dark appeared before us. "Dark!" I exclaimed. Opening his eyes in surprise, he gasped and exhaled making him choke. "*cough* Jou!" he hacked. As he stole a glance at Celtic, I didn't take my eyes off his surprised and sad face. If what Celtic said was true…then…would he agree to what I was going to say? There was only one way to find out. As I turned to Celtic, he coughed and said, "I just remembered I have ten more papers to complete…" and walked away. Turning my gaze to Dark, he stared back. The night had fallen upon us and we both just stared. "Jou…" Dark began, finally speaking. "I…I don't love Harpy…She kissed me…please believe me…I will die of heartbreak if you think otherwise." Turning my head from Dark, I sighed. "I…know it wasn't your fault." I whispered. Feeling myself blush, "I wanted to say…" I stammered. "I…I…"
I was so concentrated on trying to force out my feelings, I didn't notice Dark walking up to me until he embraced me in his gentle arms. "Jou…" he whispered. "I…" But then, the world grew dark around us, and don't ask me why, but I knew somehow that we were going to the shadow realm to duel.
***(in the shadow realm)
Slowly, I opened my eyes and gasped. I was still holding onto Dark, however, he was no longer holding me gently, but with fierce protection. Every where there were only shadows except for a man who I knew from talks with master Yami to be Pegasus, his monster, the Dark Rabbit, master Yami, and Dark and me. "Dark, where are we?" I asked him worriedly. Looking at me with a grim expression, Dark replied weakly, "The shadow realm." Looking up at master Yami, Dark called to him hurriedly, "Master Yami! Hurry, send her back to the card realm! It's not safe here! Please!" Master Yami looked at me with surprise and said, "Jou! How did you get here?" Blinking, I exclaimed, "Master Yami?! I don't know how I came here with Dark!" Yami growled and glared at Dark. "Dark Magician! How did Jounochi get here? What were you two doing anyway?" Dark blushed and exclaimed, "Nothing master! You don't think we were…?" Yami just glared. "Dark," he said sadly. "Now that she's out on the field, she's very open for attack! We could lose this duel, or worse yet, Jounochi could be killed! You've just performed an illegal move to put down two monsters in attack mode in one turn and who knows what Pegasus can do to punish me for it!"
Pegasus smiled and glared at me. "Dark…" I gasped. "What's going on? What's happening?" Dark quickly positioned himself in front of me, pushing me behind him. "Jou," he said weakly. "I'll protect you…stay back." Pegasus laughed evilly. "Oh, Yugi-boy," he taunted. "You just committed a illegal move. How SHALL I punish you for it?" Laughing again, Pegasus smiled and pretended to think. Then looking at Dark as the tense silence continued, he suddenly gasped. "Hm…your Dark Magician and Jounochi Hikari seem to have grown fond of each other…" he closed his eyes pausing as if to savor Master Yami's angry face. "Spit it out Pegasus!" Yami exclaimed. "What about Jounochi?" Looking at Dark, I whispered, "Dark…what's happening?" Dark didn't take his eyes off Pegasus and gripped his wand tightly, a bead of sweat drifting down his face. "Jou…I wanted to tell you…" he said weakly as if he knew something bad was coming for me. Pegasus smiled and continued, "Because it seems your Magician likes Jounochi so much…as your punishment, I think I'll take her from your hand and…destroy her." Yami gasped and reached for me. "No Pegasus, don't!" he pleaded. But then Pegasus's eye flashed and blinded me with it's light. "It's too late!" he laughed.
Suddenly, I felt like something was pulling my arm to the other side of the field. When I looked down, I nearly screamed. A black fog was coming out of Pegasus's eye and wrapping itself around me! "Dark!" I yelled. "Help me!" Dark quickly grabbed my hand. "No! Jounochi!" he cried dropping his wand. "Hang on!" Knowing master Yami could do nothing but watch, I held onto Dark's hand for dear life. "Dark! Dark, help me! I don't want to go! Please don't let me go!" Feeling him slip from my grasp, Dark cried out as tears fell down his face, "Jounochi! No, please hang on!" Turning to Master Yami, he pleaded, "Master! Please, please do something! Master Yami!" But Yami just looked away and shook his head. Feeling myself slip out of Dark's grasp, I looked at Dark fall to the ground to his knees, his eyes wide with pain and sorrow, tears gliding out my eyes and his. "Jounochi! No!" He cried reaching for me. I had to tell him…it was now or never. And if I chose never…now that I belonged to Pegasus…the only option was now.
"Dark!" I cried to him and he looked at me with those lovely sky-blue eyes of his…may I never forget those eyes…as I felt myself being slowly put under Pegasus's control, I brought up all my remaining free will and with one final cry, I called,
"I love you!"
***
***(Dark's POV)
The next day just before sunset, I turned down another hall, wondering how I was ever going to tell Jou how I felt…one day. Always, for as long as I could remember, I have always hoped that once, just once, she would look my way and notice me. Then, maybe I could die happy. Or…better yet, if she looked at me and saw me as someone she could live with…although, she kind of does already…
But that's besides the point
I do, I do love Jounochi. But I know she likes Celtic. I think…
Oh, here comes Harpy Lady down the hall. "Hey Harpy Lady," I said. "Are you feeling all right?" Smiling evil, Harpy Lady nodded. "Just fine now that you're here…" she grinned. Then, as I tried to pass her, she quickly took me off guard and grabbed my arm, bring me close to her face. "H- Harpy! I stuttered. "Dark, Dark, Dark." Harpy Lady teased wrapping some of my long hair around her claw and pulling hard. "You should know by now that I, Harpy Lady do love strong monsters…like yourself." Jumping away, I stammered, "I…I have to go now…" and turned to leave. "So…g-good day…" but Harpy Lady reached out with one of her claws and grabbed me. "Mmm…not yet." She soothed. "I just wanted to see you…" Circling a finger on my armor, Harpy pulled herself even closer to me. "I really have to leave!" I practically yelled. Trying to find a way out, I didn't notice Harpy Lady bring her face close to mine until she was only centimeters away. Twisting my head around, I tried to run, but she slammed me back against a wall and pinned me. I was trapped.
"Harpy…" I gasped as her claws dug in my arm, drawing a little blood. "Get off me…I will use magic…" Sneering happily, Harpy snorted and said, "No you won't. I know your type. You can't hurt a girl, even if your life depended on it. Oh well…that's good news for me…" "What? What do you…" but I was cut off as Harpy pressed her cold hard mouth to mine. Muffling a scream, I tried to jerk away. But her claws cut into me deeper. Trying to pull her off, even though it did look bad, I managed to almost pry her off when I heard something crash. Harpy and I both stared up in surprise and I gasped. "Jou!" I cried. A vase on a table had been knocked over and was shattered. But her eyes…they were worse than the vase…wide with pain and hurt, and…oh Gods…
What have I done?
So Jou loved me after all…
"I…I'm sorry…" she stammered. "I…I…" Harpy glared at Jou and sad coldly, "Well, if you're sorry than get lost. Dark's mine now and he loves me, so beat it." I tried to call out to Jou, but as I stared at Jou, her eyes turning to the ground and tears welling up on them, I turned speechless. "J…Jou…" I finally managed to spit out. "I…I didn't mean…" But Jou shook her head and with a small sob, took off running in the other direction. Even from my distance, I could see the tears falling out her eyes. "No Jou, wait!" I called, but I knew she was gone. Harpy Lady just sneered and laughed. "Aww…poor little Jounochi. Don't worry about her Dark- kun. You have me now." As she laughed, I could feel anger rise up in me. "Get…OFF!" I yelled as I accidentally released a weak dark magic attack. Given it didn't kill her, it just got her off me and slammed her into the ground.
Served her right.
"Y-you little brat!" she stammered as she slowly picked herself up. "What do you see in that slut anyway, you idiot? You two were holding onto each other last night…do you have any idea how much I want you?" But I was not in the mood to be insulted, and was really not in the mood at any time of the day to hear Jou being called a slut. Especially when the person calling her that is the biggest one I've ever seen. Pointing my wand at her, I hissed, "Jou is the most wonderful thing to me here and you'll never be mine. Also, if you ever, ever come near Jou, I will make it my personal business to finish what I've just started, understand?" Harpy Lady glared and looked away. Then slowly, she nodded. "Good." I said. And then I took off after Jou. I can't feel sorry for Harpy. She hurt Jou. But Jou…What have I done? Oh gods…Jou…forgive me.
***(Yami's POV)
I always know everything about my cards. I know what they like, what they're like, and what they are capable of doing. But never in all my centuries of living would I expect a light and dark to fall in love! It's just not possible! Jounochi was the Hikari and therefore, has the purest heart I've ever seen. Dark, he's good too, but he's destroyed other monsters, so he's not pure. In fact, Jou's probably the only pure card in my deck. That's why I never used her on the field. And the only way for them to be together…Is for one of them to either turn their pure heart into trash or for the other to find his light inside himself and bring it out. But both ways are nearly impossible. For someone like Jou to destroy anyone…I can't see her doing it. She'll hurt someone…but never destroy him or her. And Dark… how does one find the light when one is the DARK Magician? Sighing, I turned this thought over and over in my mind. Because if they do fall in love, it could mean that if I ever get challenged in the shadow realm, they could end up destroying each other. I thought that if I sent one of them a nightmare of what would happen if they did admit their love would scare them out of it,
But instead it got worse!
Sighing again, I gave Yugi a mental thought during his mini duel with Joey.
/Hikari, I'm going to visit someone for a minute./
//Ok, Yami. I'll see you later.//
Nodding, I silently crossed my room, closed and locked the door, and pulled out the Dark Magician from my special deck which I only use to converse with my cards. "Dark Magician!" I called. "I want to talk…" As the card flashed in my hand, it materialized into the Dark Magician who now stood before me. "Yes master, you summoned me?" he asked as if he was tired from a heavy burden. Sighing, I looked away. "Dark, I really don't want to tell you this, I really don't. But…" Looking up to face him, I said quietly, "I cannot give you the consent to be with Jounochi Hikari. I'm sorry." Dark just stared ahead for a minute, not knowing what to say. "Master…I…" he stammered. "I love her already." Letting out another deep sigh, I waved my hand and two chairs appeared and we sat down. "Dark, you're the darkness. You've destroyed monsters, resulting in that your heart's not pure. And for two monsters to love each other, they must either be all dark or all light. Jou is all light. And you're all dark, not to mention that you've just her badly. " Quickly, Dark sat up in his chair. "Then…" he asked. "To be with Jou…what do I do? How do I become all light? How can I get her back?" Sadly, I shook my head. "The damage is done. You cannot go back. The only way to save yourself now is to admit you love her…but…" Then, shaking, Dark gripped the arm of the chair. "Then," I asked. "How do I love her?"
"You can't!"
"Liar!"
"…"
"Say something! Please…" he asked. "Please tell me. I know I've hurt her, but I can't stop loving her." I was silent for a long time. "The only way to be together is…for her to destroy a monster." Dark said nothing. Then, sitting up again, he asked, "So all Jou has to do is destroy a monster and then she can…" But I waved my hand to silence him. "Dark, remember when you destroyed your first monster?" Looking away again and nodding, he whispered, "Yes…I felt like I was going to be sick…" Looking down in dismay and nodding again, Dark looked at me sadly. "All right…I won't love Jou anymore master…I'm sorry for my outburst." Smiling, I waved my hand again, and I said, "Dark Magician, do not worry. I don't want you to be sad, so I will see what I can do. I will do my best." Smiling with reassurance, Dark closed his eyes and with a faint glow, turned back into a card.
I honestly don't know how I can get those to together. And this all seems quite silly for a little crush on someone. Silly and extensive. Now if it were real love…true love…that might be a different story. But it's not and I did promise Dark to look into it. Maybe, if I…
But that was as far as I got, because then, Yugi had summoned me for a duel with Pegasus.
In the shadow realm.
Crap.
***(Jou's POV)
"Jou!" I heard someone call. "Jou wait please!"
But I wasn't in the mood for talking.
Walking faster, I ignored the fact that I was for the first time walking away from Dark. "Leave me alone!" I cried as my walk turned into a sprint. "Go away please! Please leave me alone!" Almost sadly, I listened to the footsteps behind me slow and then come to a compete stop.
But I had to keep going.
Going faster and faster, the fresh nightmare of love still on top of me, I kept running until my vision was so blurred I couldn't see and my legs felt like they were lead. Finally when I was at my favorite rock overlooking the sea, out of breath and tired, I collapsed into the air, expecting to meet the hear ground underneath me, but instead, I fell into a pair of strong arms. "Jou!" the owner of the arms exclaimed surprised. "Jou, what's wrong? What happened?" Wiping a few of my tears away, I looked up to see a concerned Celtic looking back. Making short sobs and sinking to the floor dragging Celtic with me, I cried, "Celtic help me! Help me please! They…they…!" was all I could manage before I broke out into a fresh wave of sobs again.
Nervous, Celtic held me and shook me a little. "Jou! Jou, what's wrong?" Shaking, I slowly looked up at Celtic and brushed a few tears out of my eyes. "Dark and Harpy…" I whispered. "They…oh gods, Celtic, I feel like my heart has been ripped in two!" Breaking out in sobs again, I felt Celtic slowly wrap his arms around me in understanding and he stare into the falling sun which was quickly turning into night. I felt Celtic sigh and then,
"You…love him…don't you?"
I gasped as I felt Celtic hold me a bit tighter. I heard him forcing himself to say, "It…it's all right. I…I know you care for him." Looking up at Celtic and breaking away so I was sitting on my rock, the sea behind me, I glared and looked away. "What do I care?" I spat. "He loves Harpy now." Celtic sighed and turned away from me. "Not true. He…he really loves…" but then he trailed off. "Jou…tell me…who do you love?" Scoffing I said bitterly, "No one. I will never love anyone for as long as I live." Smiling at my determination, Celtic said sadly, "Jou…did you know…I loved you?" Shocked, I spun my head around. "You…you did?" I gasped. "Celtic…I…" But he shook his head and looked at me with a sad happiness. "Jou, I know Dark makes you happy, even if he can be a dork sometimes. And you love him; every one can see that. You should tell him." Shaking my head furiously, I cried, "No! He-…" But Celtic interrupted with, "loves you. Loves Jounochi Hikari. Face it Jou, that poor magician is crazy about you and you're in love with him; even now, and you two are both too afraid to say anything." Looking me in the eye, he finished with, "Tell him Jou."
I sighed. "But he…" Celtic shook his head and frowned. "But he nothing. Jou, you know he loves you and you love him. Ignore Harpy and tell him." Realizing what I had to do, I got up. "Celtic, thank you. I'm sure this was hard for you. Thank you for being there for me." Nodding, Celtic smiled. "Tell me when the wedding is all right?" he laughed. Blushing I hacked, "W-wedding? Gods Celtic!" I laughed. Celtic smiled and picked himself up. "C'mon." he said. "Let's go find Dark and then you can tell him." Nodding and feeling a lot better, I smiled. "Yeah." But we didn't have to look far, because then a small flash of light, and Dark appeared before us. "Dark!" I exclaimed. Opening his eyes in surprise, he gasped and exhaled making him choke. "*cough* Jou!" he hacked. As he stole a glance at Celtic, I didn't take my eyes off his surprised and sad face. If what Celtic said was true…then…would he agree to what I was going to say? There was only one way to find out. As I turned to Celtic, he coughed and said, "I just remembered I have ten more papers to complete…" and walked away. Turning my gaze to Dark, he stared back. The night had fallen upon us and we both just stared. "Jou…" Dark began, finally speaking. "I…I don't love Harpy…She kissed me…please believe me…I will die of heartbreak if you think otherwise." Turning my head from Dark, I sighed. "I…know it wasn't your fault." I whispered. Feeling myself blush, "I wanted to say…" I stammered. "I…I…"
I was so concentrated on trying to force out my feelings, I didn't notice Dark walking up to me until he embraced me in his gentle arms. "Jou…" he whispered. "I…" But then, the world grew dark around us, and don't ask me why, but I knew somehow that we were going to the shadow realm to duel.
***(in the shadow realm)
Slowly, I opened my eyes and gasped. I was still holding onto Dark, however, he was no longer holding me gently, but with fierce protection. Every where there were only shadows except for a man who I knew from talks with master Yami to be Pegasus, his monster, the Dark Rabbit, master Yami, and Dark and me. "Dark, where are we?" I asked him worriedly. Looking at me with a grim expression, Dark replied weakly, "The shadow realm." Looking up at master Yami, Dark called to him hurriedly, "Master Yami! Hurry, send her back to the card realm! It's not safe here! Please!" Master Yami looked at me with surprise and said, "Jou! How did you get here?" Blinking, I exclaimed, "Master Yami?! I don't know how I came here with Dark!" Yami growled and glared at Dark. "Dark Magician! How did Jounochi get here? What were you two doing anyway?" Dark blushed and exclaimed, "Nothing master! You don't think we were…?" Yami just glared. "Dark," he said sadly. "Now that she's out on the field, she's very open for attack! We could lose this duel, or worse yet, Jounochi could be killed! You've just performed an illegal move to put down two monsters in attack mode in one turn and who knows what Pegasus can do to punish me for it!"
Pegasus smiled and glared at me. "Dark…" I gasped. "What's going on? What's happening?" Dark quickly positioned himself in front of me, pushing me behind him. "Jou," he said weakly. "I'll protect you…stay back." Pegasus laughed evilly. "Oh, Yugi-boy," he taunted. "You just committed a illegal move. How SHALL I punish you for it?" Laughing again, Pegasus smiled and pretended to think. Then looking at Dark as the tense silence continued, he suddenly gasped. "Hm…your Dark Magician and Jounochi Hikari seem to have grown fond of each other…" he closed his eyes pausing as if to savor Master Yami's angry face. "Spit it out Pegasus!" Yami exclaimed. "What about Jounochi?" Looking at Dark, I whispered, "Dark…what's happening?" Dark didn't take his eyes off Pegasus and gripped his wand tightly, a bead of sweat drifting down his face. "Jou…I wanted to tell you…" he said weakly as if he knew something bad was coming for me. Pegasus smiled and continued, "Because it seems your Magician likes Jounochi so much…as your punishment, I think I'll take her from your hand and…destroy her." Yami gasped and reached for me. "No Pegasus, don't!" he pleaded. But then Pegasus's eye flashed and blinded me with it's light. "It's too late!" he laughed.
Suddenly, I felt like something was pulling my arm to the other side of the field. When I looked down, I nearly screamed. A black fog was coming out of Pegasus's eye and wrapping itself around me! "Dark!" I yelled. "Help me!" Dark quickly grabbed my hand. "No! Jounochi!" he cried dropping his wand. "Hang on!" Knowing master Yami could do nothing but watch, I held onto Dark's hand for dear life. "Dark! Dark, help me! I don't want to go! Please don't let me go!" Feeling him slip from my grasp, Dark cried out as tears fell down his face, "Jounochi! No, please hang on!" Turning to Master Yami, he pleaded, "Master! Please, please do something! Master Yami!" But Yami just looked away and shook his head. Feeling myself slip out of Dark's grasp, I looked at Dark fall to the ground to his knees, his eyes wide with pain and sorrow, tears gliding out my eyes and his. "Jounochi! No!" He cried reaching for me. I had to tell him…it was now or never. And if I chose never…now that I belonged to Pegasus…the only option was now.
"Dark!" I cried to him and he looked at me with those lovely sky-blue eyes of his…may I never forget those eyes…as I felt myself being slowly put under Pegasus's control, I brought up all my remaining free will and with one final cry, I called,
"I love you!"
***