Yuki
By: Rogue Fox
Part Five. Face to Face
A/N: Okay, hi everybody! I regret to inform you that some of you might find the next two chapters a little boring. I promise things will heat up! I need these parts to get the story rolling. Just bear with me! Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and support!
I felt my eyes roll around under my closed eyelids as I struggled into semi- consciousness. With a start, my eyes flashed open and I tried to sit up. My efforts were rewarded by a hard knock on the head as I lost my balance and fell back to the floor I had sleeping on. I paused there, trying to remember something, anything that would help me figure out why I was not back home in the room Seto had given me. I remembered a bright flash of light, Isis, her death. and then it all came rushing back. Painful memories of figments from the past. I cast about mentally for Himeko, but she wasn't awake. I opened my eyes again and stared at the marble floor. Marble? The room I remembered was dark, and had a dirt floor. How had I gotten here? I vaguely remembered someone coming for me, right before I blacked out. Had that someone taken me here? Where was Seto, and Yugi, and the others? Where were the boys? My mind was racing in panic as I slowly sat up.
" Well, the sleeping beauty wakes." A pompous voice said. I blinked stupidly and searched for the source. " And none to gracefully." The voice added with a laugh. I blinked again to clear my vision and looked around. Sitting at a table with an elegant glass of wine was a man, in a suit with white hair. I blinked yet again, to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Nepano? I wondered. Yes, it was Nepano. Or at least, the very image of him.
" Wh.where am I? Who are you?" I asked. The man swirled his wine and smiled. I didn't like his smile. It reminded me of a crocodile who knows his dinner is walked right into his mouth.
" Oh, I am known by many names. Perhaps your friends will be able to tell you who I am. As for your location, you are on the floor of my dining room." The man told me. I cocked an eyebrow at the man. I definitely did not like him. He had a sneaky look about him, and I didn't like it. I also didn't like his evasive, tricky answers. Instead of wasting my breath on him, I turned to see Seto laying there behind me. I immediately scrambled to him on my hands and knees. I shook his shoulders. He groaned and tried to roll over, then realized he wasn't in his bed. He sat up suddenly and looked around, surprised and obviously trying to decide how to react.
" Wah?" he asked stupidly.
" Really bright, boy." The man laughed at him. Seto looked around, focusing his eyes in the direction of the voice. I crawled closer to him, seeking the comfort, warmth, and familiarity of his arms. I sensed his immediate tension as he tightened every muscle in his body. I looked at his face, searching for an answer in his familiar features. His lips were twisted in a snarl and his piercing eyes were narrowed dangerously. I knew that look. It was a look of true anger and hatred.
" I suppose I was a fool to assume that the world was finally rid of its lowest scum." Seto said finally. The white-haired man laughed.
" Come now, boy, you haven't introduced me to the lovely lady. Although if I know you, you've already staked your claim, haven't you?" he said. Seto's face colored, and I wondered why.
" You keep Yuki out of this. Whatever you want, you leave my family out of it. Agreed?" Seto barked.
" Actually, Kaiba, this concerns her more than it does you. Your friends are finally rousing themselves." The man informed us. I scooted away from Seto to help Anzu sit up and check on the rest. Yugi had a trickle of blood flowing from a cut on his forehead, Anzu's lip was swollen, and Honda was developing a large bump on the back of his head. Seto reported a bruised rib and I was noticing a bad headache developing, and the fact that I had a bloody nose. Everyone else appeared to be fine.
" It appears my servants were anything but careful when they carried you here. I will have a first aid kit brought so you may clean your wounds." The man said dismissively. The others noticed him for the first time. I decided that he wasn't the type of person they really liked from the startled yelp that escaped Mai's lips and Jounouchi suddenly leaping to his feet.
" What the hell are you doing here?" Jounouchi asked loudly. Yugi remained frozen in his spot, his eyes narrowed and calculating. The noise had roused Himeko, and she began to make a fuss that only worsened my headache. Something suddenly occurred to me through the haze of pain and confusion in my head.
" Did you kidnap my brothers?" I asked suddenly. Everything fell silent as the white-haired man swirled his wine and smiled.
" They look startlingly like you, you know. The same gold hair, same shape of the face. Brave too, especially the older one. Yoshi, I believe his name is. You would be proud of him. And young Kaiba, a good lad. Put up a brave fight when he realized where he was. But all in vain." The man said. I didn't recognize the low, threatening growl that came from my throat. How dare this monster speak of my brothers, who he kidnapped, like they were animals to be bought and sold? Seto caught my arm and held me back. " And you look so much like a girl I once knew. She was a brave girl, but she died a painful death in the end. You'll be glad to know that she fought hard for all her silly ideals and ethics to her bitter end." Now it was no longer me that growled. It was Himeko, from somewhere deep within me.
He's a monster. she told me. I agreed silently, but would not give him the pleasure of actually speaking.
" Alright, we're here, Pegasus. What do you want? Or maybe you'd rather I just sent you right back to the pit you crawled from, quick and simple." Yugi said, interrupting before Seto could say anything for me.
" Come on, little Yugi, you and I both know why you're here. I daresay that Miss Yuki has a suspicion as well. We have a score to settle." The man, Pegasus said. I felt Himeko pushing within me to take control, but I held her back. The flicker in Yugi's eyes told me he was fighting a similar battle.
" Let our friends go, and I'll be glad to let the one who truly deserves to fight do as he must." Yugi said quietly.
" Oh, but they deserve to be here. Am I not mistaken that the one you know too well took his own love's life because of me? I'm sure your friend there," Pegasus paused to nod to Anzu. " Would like to see your bigger self fight to avenge her death." Everything was coming together. Himeko's will was surging now, but I battled her down.
You've grown so strong so quickly. Himeko thought in shock.
" Let my brothers go, let my friends go, and I will not kill you." I said suddenly. I didn't recognize my own voice. Seto apparently didn't either, because he looked at me suddenly, to check and see if I was still in control of my body. I was.
" You? You, sweet, naïve, gentle, motherly Yuki, kill me? You may think me the villain here, but I'm not an idiot. Now, possibly Isis. I wouldn't doubt her ability to murder me in cold blood for a moment, but not you." Pegasus told me. That was when I first noticed the power. Power, coursing through my veins. I immediately turned my attention to Himeko.
I'm not doing anything. Himeko assured me. This is all you.
" I may be motherly, but the thing about motherly is this; you're willing to do whatever it takes to defend what you love. I love my brothers, I love my friends. And I will kill to protect them. Don't underestimate me." I informed him. My voice was silky and smooth, but it was low and threatening. I felt the changes begin, and I had started them myself. Himeko took control. She opened our eyes and looked at Pegasus.
" You speak of me as though I am no longer here." She said, smirking. I laughed in my head. I sensed the changes Yugi underwent as his own older self took control.
" The dream team is reunited." Pegasus said. " The King of Games and the Queen of Luck."
" You're just jealous." Himeko told Pegasus.
" You honestly think you stand a chance against me? I beat you once, and I will do it again." Pegasus said.
" We're not so young anymore." Yugi said, but it wasn't Yugi. I didn't know the name he used for his older self, so he was still, in a sense, Yugi.
" No. But are you willing to risk your catalysts and their loved ones?" Pegasus asked, grinning. " I am willing to risk mine. He's a pathetic man, and he's been broken for a long time. That's your mistake. You made your catalysts too much like you. Now you've actually grown fond of them. You see, if the body you live in now dies, you just go right back into your prison and await the rebirth of your catalyst. For the catalyst, it means actual death. Are you willing to risk their lives for your pride?" Himeko faltered.
This is my fight too. I reminded her. She instantly understood.
" Yuki is ready to face the consequences. She understands what's at stake and requests the removal of all her friends and proof that her brothers are safe and far enough away." Himeko said outloud.
" Yugi agrees." Himeko's brother stated.
" What?" Seto broke in. " Yuki wouldn't say that." He protested, grabbing our arm. Himeko gave me control of our throat and mouth.
" I just did, Seto. Please leave. This is my fight, and I will fight it." I said. Seto recognized my voice. " Please don't interfere. This is for me."
" You actually expect me to stand by and let you risk your life." Seto said incredulously. I simply looked at him, and he looked back.
" If you don't mind my interrupting, I have an offer to make." Pegasus said suddenly.
" And who says you get to make offers?" Yugi asked coldly.
" I do." Pegasus said tolerantly. Then he directed his attention to Himeko and I. " You always were a beautiful girl. If either one of you, Yuki or Isis, comes over to me, I'll let the little boys go and send your friends right home." He said. Himeko recoiled physically, then pause to sense my reaction.
I don't believe it. You're actually considering it! She cried mentally.
I already said I'll do whatever it takes. If this is it, well. I said. I tried to gain control of our mouth, but Himeko held me back.
I refuse! I won't let you! she cried.
This is my life, my body! I snapped. Give it back now!
What would your Seto say? Himeko snarled.
That doesn't matter! I protested.
But it does, doesn't it? It does matter to you. she said, almost amused.
Seto knows he can't stop me from doing anything I want to. And you'd think that you'd have learned by now too. I growled.
How about I ask him? Himeko asked cockily.
Don't you dare! I cried, slamming our mouth shut.
Then you have to promise you won't take that monster up on his offer! Himeko shouted in our head, struggling against my will.
Fine! I didn't even want to anyway! I cried, backing away from the bodily controls.
" Absolutely not." Himeko said out loud.
" I'm not letting anyone take me anywhere." Seto said stolidly.
" Yuki wants me to tell you to go before she makes you." Himeko said with a sigh.
" She won't make me do anything." Seto said coolly.
" Just letting you know, she's losing her temper." Himeko said. " And I'm getting sick of playing messenger." She added.
" We're all getting pretty annoyed." Jounouchi said crossly. " Can't you two keep your domestic disputes where they belong?"
" Apparently not." Himeko said, laughing shortly.
" Can we get to business?" Pegasus asked, clearly annoyed.
Traitor. I told Himeko. She just laughed.
" Sure. Why not? It's not like we're going anywhere." Mai said, making herself comfortable on the floor. Jounouchi shrugged and sat down beside her. Yugi and Himeko stayed standing, Seto with us. Anzu yawned and Honda stretched his legs out in front of him.
" Since the ladies refused my previous offer, I have another." Pegasus began.
This sounds like it'll be long-winded. I thought to Himeko, who chuckled.
" It's a simple request. I'm sure you've wondered, Miss Yuki, what has caused this change, this other person to live inside you." Himeko seemed to sense that Pegasus had struck a nerve in me. " I'll tell you, it's your little necklace there. You were born from a spell, a wish made by your other personality. She created you in her image, gave you the qualities about herself she liked best and some all your own. Little Yugi is the same. You are merely tools, reflections, copies of the real thing." Yugi flinched visibly at the words. I wondered what went on between the two Yugis in their shared head. " Those necklaces you have there are the last pieces to a great puzzle, and I need them to complete the puzzle. I want them."
" Suppose we don't want to give them to you?" Yugi asked coolly, smirking.
" Consider this. In return, I am willing to grant you what you desire most." Pegasus said. I noticed a strange feeling in our head, as though a third person was there, watching. " Whatever you want. Just imagine. I can give you a reality where there is no suffering, no terror." His words seeped into my skull, swirling around.
Yuki! Don't listen! Himeko cried mentally.
" What's going on?" Seto asked, probably reacting to the alarmed look on our face.
" Yuki listening to him. He's pulling some sort of mind spell on her." Himeko explained. I was unaware of any of this. All I could see was Mom and Dad and my brothers, smiling at me.
" Come home, sweetheart." Mom called, holding out her hands to me. I wanted to go home. How much I wanted it! All I had to do was touch her hand and all my pain would just go away.
*+*+*
I watched Yuki's face for a reaction to what Pegasus had said. Or maybe it wasn't Yuki, maybe it was Himeko. In any case, Himeko appeared to be trying to talk to Yuki.
" Argh! It's not working. She's totally focused on one image." Himeko cried angrily.
" That's it, Yuki. Touch her hand. Touch it. You want to come home so badly, you poor girl. And you should. You deserve it." Pegasus said, smiling patronizingly at Yuki.
" What's the image?" Yami asked quickly. There was no doubt Yami controlled the body he shared with Yugi now. The features were too cold and calculating to be Yugi's.
" I can't quite tell. She doesn't want me to see." Himeko said, closing her eyes and straining.
" Come home, Yuki. I can give you your deepest desire. I can make all the problems just go away. Isn't that what you want?" Pegasus intoned smoothly. Again, he was ignored by all except Yuki.
" It's her family." I said suddenly. " She's seeing her mother and father and brothers. She wants to go home." I said, the truth paining me terribly. I had taken her away from what she loved. I had been trying to save her, but had I, in the process, condemned her to eternal suffering? Was that why she was falling into Pegasus's trap? Did she want to escape? So badly that she'd even give in to Pegasus?
" That would make sense. Her brothers are the entire reason she's here." Honda said thoughtfully.
" Touch her hand, Yuki." Pegasus encouraged.
" Shut up, will you?!" Anzu yelled back at him.
" Don't touch her hand, Yuki!" I cried. I had no idea what I was talking about, but I figured anything Pegasus told her to do at this point was bad.
" She's hesitating. She hears you! Keep talking, I'm trying to put her to sleep." Himeko told me.
" Don't listen to him, Yuki. Touch your mother's hand." Pegasus said, annoyance seeping into his voice.
" Yuki, it's me. It's Seto." I said, suddenly faltering. What should I say? Should I tell her that I. No, that's stupid. " Yuki, whatever Pegasus is promising is a lie. All he can give you is illusions. His 'reality' is only one big lie. Do you really want to live a lie?" I asked. Himeko's features seemed to soften a little.
" I want." Yuki's voice! I almost jumped for joy. Then Himeko returned.
" She's falling back. Don't stop." She told me.
" Your real home is here, Yuki. With me, and Yoshi and Yukio and Mokuba, and all your friends." I told her. " This is where you belong."
" You've got her total attention. Keep talking." Himeko told me distantly.
" I don't know what else to tell you, Yuki." I confessed honestly.
" Yuki, you idiot girl! You could have whatever you want!" Pegasus cried.
" Give it up. Kaiba has her attention, and his promises are much better than yours because they're real. He can give her a true home, a place that's real with real people that really love her. You're as much of a phony as you ever were." Yami told Pegasus.
" So shut up already! I'm sick of listening to you." Mai added. Just then, Himeko's legs seemed to go out from under her. I caught her, but although my arms reached for Yuki, I know it was Himeko I caught, Himeko that gripped my arms for support, and Himeko that murmured her thanks. Suddenly, I wanted to see Yuki in her own body. I wanted to see her smile. I suddenly remembered when she had fallen asleep on my lap in the hotel. I longed for her to see me the way I had caught myself seeing her. I wanted to hear her voice, calling my name.
" Sorry. I think I used a little more than I thought I did trying to stop Yuki." Himeko muttered, supporting most of her weight on me. Yami patted her on the shoulder, telltale brotherly affection shining through years of cold isolation.
" You did what you had to do." He told her. Himeko frowned.
" She's angry now. She wants to know why she shouldn't have what Pegasus offered." She told us.
" Because that's just giving him what he wants." Anzu said crossly. That was when I noticed the men in suits advancing on us. Jounouchi noticed them too.
" Uh-oh." He said, glancing around. " We're surrounded!"
" Can you walk?" I asked Himeko.
" Forget walking! We're gonna need to run!" Mai cried.
" Walk, maybe. Run, no." Himeko said. " I blew most everything I had on saving Yuki's ungrateful butt, and yes, Yuki, I did just say that." I didn't waste any time, turning around and forcing Himeko on my back, piggyback style.
" Absolutely no remarks on this." I muttered through gritted teeth. The body that Yuki and Himeko shared was heavier than it looked.
" Wouldn't dream of it." Yami said, his smirk telling that he had every intention of not listening to a word I said.
" Um, now would be a good time for a brilliant plan." Honda said.
" Yeah. Any volunteers?" Jounouchi asked.
" Sure. Let's all grow wings and just fly away. While we're at it, we might want to pick up some magic fairy dust because I'm all out!" Anzu cracked.
" You transform into a comedian under pressure, don't you?" I asked.
" Can we please concentrate on the problem at hand?" Mai asked, gesturing wildly to the men, who had gotten closer as we spoke.
" Sure, it's not like I've got anything better to do." Himeko said. " Choice A, just sit here like dead weight. Choice B, listen to Yuki scream and yell like a kid having a tantrum. Choice C, figure a way out of this mess. I choose C." Himeko paused. " You know, those weapons on the wall can be put to more decorative use." She said after a moment.
" I like the way you think." Jounouchi said, turning and contemplating the decorative swords and shields.
" And Mr. Lazy over there," Himeko said, looking pointedly at Yami. " Can actually lift his hand and use some of his energy."
" I was waiting for the right moment." Yami protested angrily.
" Sure." Himeko said sarcastically, still perched on my back. " You always did like letting everyone else do the actual fighting for you."
" I have no idea what you're talking about." Yami said seriously, turning and glaring at a man who had gotten too close for comfort. "If you value your life, you'll just turn around and walk away." He told the guy. Th guy ignored him. Yami sighed and lifted his hand, every finger outstretched. The air around him seemed to billow and waver and the guy stopped in his tracks, then fell to the ground. " I've still got it." Yami told Himeko.
" Just be glad I don't have enough energy to give this room a nice zap." She told him. At that exact moment, Jounouchi leapt past two thugs and yanked a pair of crisscrossing swords off the wall.
" I don't have the tiniest idea what I'm doing, but that's okay." Jounouchi told us. The guys around him paused.
" Hey, share the wealth!" Honda called. Jounouchi yanked a few more swords off the wall and brought them back. Anzu, Honda, and Mai all took one. I was too busy carrying Himeko and Yuki, and Yami could defend himself just fine.
" Yuki's throwing a royal fit. She wants you to know that she's not going anywhere without her brothers." Himeko said suddenly.
" Sometimes it's better to run away and fight another day." I said.
" She doesn't want to hear it." Himeko told me.
" Too bad. I'm carrying you two right out of here." I said. " And no white- haired freak is gonna stop me!" I added loudly. Pegasus smirked.
" That's very funny, Kaiba. So funny my servants and I forgot to laugh. You know, it's not very smart to insult someone who holds your life in his hands. He might 'accidentally' drop it." Pegasus said. " Enough play. Time to get serious." He told his "servants." They looked more like goons or bodyguards to me. They took his cue and each pulled out a gun.
" It would appear that I've made a miscalculation." Himeko said, biting her lip. Jounouchi dropped his sword, and the others reluctantly followed his lead. Yami was forced to hold very still as his hands were tied behind him. The distant look on his face told me Yugi was not very happy with the situation and was letting Yami know about it. Suddenly, Himeko was trying to slide off my back. I tightened my grip on her bare legs and held her.
" Let me go, Seto." She whispered in my ear. Wait, I thought, that's Yuki!
" Yuki?" I asked incredulously, craning my neck to see her. She smiled softly.
" Put me down." She told me. I obliged. She was able to stand easily. It seemed that Yuki was running off of energy independent of Himeko, who was drained.
I don't know exactly what happened next. All I knew was panic as I flailed about in the blinding light, searching for something solid, anything at all. I found someone's hand, and opened my right eye ever so slightly to see who. The light was blinding, so I immediately closed my eyes again. I had caught a glimpse of red-violet eyes, but that could have been any one of four people, in two bodies. Something hit me in the gut and I lost my grip on the someone I had been holding onto. I vaguely hoped that it wasn't Yugi or Yami. That would be too embarrassing.
I knew when the light faded by the sudden dimness behind my eyelids. I rolled to my feet from the position I had fallen into and opened my eyes. For a second, I was blinded, then my eyes adjusted, a little painfully. No one looked happy. Yuki was laying on the ground beside me, unconscious, Jounouchi had fallen on top of Anzu, who was yelling at him to get off, and Honda was sitting on the ground, looking around in confusion. Every guy in a suit had fallen to the ground and was laying unnaturally still. Pegasus was yelling angrily for more of the goons.
" Run!" Yami, still in control of Yugi's body, barked at us. We were more than happy to obey. I swooped Yuki up into my arms.
" Wah?" Honda asked.
" Just run!" Anzu yelled, yanking her friend to his feet. I turned a complete circle looking for an exit. I found the door after turning nearly entirely around.
" This way!" I cried, taking off for the door. I glanced behind me to make sure they were following me. Sure enough, they were.
" Stop them!" Pegasus bellowed. I gripped Yuki to my chest and ran, almost blind to anything but terror.
*+*+*
Yami was exhausted. He had blown a lot, apparently, protecting the others from Yuki's explosion. Himeko was strong enough to control Yuki's body, but she was running on virtually empty. I had loaned a lot of my own energy to Yami to help, so I was no fresh daisy myself. Yami was sleeping deeply in my subconscious, and I was left to contemplate what had happened.
" She just blew." Himeko had explained, looking pained, exhausted, and unhappy. " She just rose up, took control, and blew. She unleashed an explosion that was powerful enough to kill all those men, and probably most of you as well."
" Fortunately, Yami managed to protect us." I broke in.
" Remind me to thank him." Anzu had told me.
" If Yami was protecting us, and the blast killed the goons, then what about Pegasus?" Kaiba asked.
" He's strong enough to defend himself. Yuki's still too young to know that she would have to concentrate the energy to make a truly effective blast. The reason your Yami's spent is because he was protecting so many people who were all spread out. Pegasus was looking out for number one only, so he had to use much less energy. A combo of Yuki's inexperience and his selfishness made it easy." Himeko had finished up. Now, I pondered the entire incident, resting comfortably in a chair while Yami napped, and Kaiba watched Yuki sleep nearby. Anzu walked by, tiptoeing. I watched her. She moved gracefully, like the dancer she wanted to be. I felt her hand graze my arm and looked up. She smiled softly.
" You okay?" she whispered. I nodded.
" Just tired." I told her softly. She cocked her head thoughtfully.
" You want to go outside and talk, or would that wake Yami up?" she asked.
" You could blow a foghorn in my ear and he wouldn't ever know. Might bust my eardrums though." I said, making her laugh softly. I've always loved her laughter, like water falling over smooth rocks. I stood and followed her out onto the balcony. Only when I stood did I realize how tired I really was, fatigue washing over me like a tidal wave and turning my legs to lead. Somehow, I managed to follow Anzu out to the balcony and lean against the metal bars that supported the rail. Anzu sat down cross-legged next to me. I suspected she did that so that she could talk to me eye to eye. I would have just as soon had her stand up and talk to me.
" This is some deep crap, isn't it?" Anzu asked finally.
" That's one way of putting it." I said.
" What do you make of all the stuff we saw, Yugi?" she asked, turning and studying me. I could feel her watching me as I paused, feeling Yami stir a little, and then sighed.
" The same thing you do, I think." I said, turning and looking her in the eye. She looked away after a moment and I felt a terrible sadness welling up in me.
" Then it really is Yami's past." She said slowly. And you really do still love him better than me, I thought ruefully, suddenly angry at Yami, who was totally oblivious to anything. Why did I have to compete with an ancient, braver, taller, stronger version of myself?
" Yeah, I guess. In a way, it's mine too." I told her.
" What about Mariah?" Anzu asked slowly. I know Anzu, and she had obviously been dying to ask.
" There's no way I can be sure right now, but I think." I let my voice trail off. Should I tell her?
" Think what?" Anzu pressed. I sighed again.
" Think that you are her reincarnation." I finished. Anzu stared at the ground as she thought about that.
" Yami really loved her, didn't he? He loved her too much to see her suffer." She said finally.
" He loved her enough to kill her, so she wouldn't suffer anymore." I said. What was I doing, helping Yami win Anzu?
" You never would guess, by just looking at him." Anzu said thoughtfully. I was tempted to ask her exactly how much looking she had done, but something held me back.
" You like him, don't you?" I said suddenly. I didn't mean to say it, it just sort of popped out of my mouth. It startled Anzu, because she looked at me sharply.
" What makes you say that?" she asked. I returned her gaze.
" I know you." I answered simply. Anzu didn't say anything for a long time.
" Does he know?" she asked finally, sullen.
" No." I lied. Yes, he knew. He knew all about her crush on him. It was hard for him not to know, when my tortured thoughts about it were all too easy to read. He had always promised me that he had no romantic interest in Anzu whatsoever, but now I wasn't so sure. Was he just saying that for my benefit?
" I'm sorry, Yugi." She said after a moment of companionable silence. Now it was my turn to look at her sharply. Did she know the way I felt about her?
" Sorry for what?" I asked.
" Dumping that on you. It's just another thing I know you'll worry about. You worry too much as it is." She replied. I almost sighed with relief.
" If I don't worry, who will?" I asked. Anzu laughed, and I fell in love all over again. My heart felt like it had come too close to breaking into a thousand little pieces. Anzu was utterly oblivious to the way I felt about her, and she liked Yami! Why did it have to be Yami?
" Are you okay? You look upset." Anzu said. I forced a laugh.
" I'm fine. Just fine." I said with a forced smile. Then, I stood up and walked away. I felt Anzu watching me, but she didn't call me back.
What's going on? Yami thought drowsily.
Nothing. I told him.
What's wrong with you? Yami asked me suspiciously, a little more awake.
Nothing. I repeated. Everything's peachy. Perfectly peachy. Go back to sleep. I told him. Yami considered pressing me, but then decided against it and drifted back to sleep, leaving me alone with the turmoil of my heart.
*+*+*
I felt like I was drowning. Like I was struggling to stay afloat in a twisting, churning sea with waves five feet high that kept crashing over my head and pushing me down. I kept crying for help, but no one answered. I kept fighting to keep my head above water, fighting for my survival, but the waves kept pushing me down. And I was so exhausted. I just wanted to stop kicking and sink into the beautiful blackness. I kicked my feet again. I was determined to live, but I was so tired. I kicked futilely as another wave bore down on me. Pushed me down, further and further. A bubble of air escaped my mouth. I tried to swim, but I couldn't move. Another bubble of precious air escaped my lips. I felt my life slipping away.
*+*+*
I felt Yuki's distress before she herself realized it. Panic swept over me as I reached for her soul, but she had sunken too far inside herself for me to reach but just feeling for her. I opened our eyes suddenly, searching about for something, anything familiar. I found the boy, Kaiba. He seemed to have been dozing, but now his eyes were trained on me.
" She's drifting. I think we're losing her." I muttered, diving back into the turmoil and fear that was Yuki.
" What?!" I faintly heard Kaiba ask frantically, but I didn't answer. Yuki had created a very realistic image of a churning sea in her soul. She was somewhere among the towering wave, drowning in her own exhaustion. I wasn't thinking about how if she died, I would go back to the darkness, or how there wouldn't be a chance of getting revenge without her. I only thought of saving the girl who had come to my defense when I was too weak to fight. My only thought was of saving the girl I had created after myself. I plunged blindly into the waves, searching, casting about in the murky darkness for her soul. Fatigue crept over me, but I ignored it. I pushed my head above the water.
" Yuki!" I cried. I wondered vaguely if anyone heard me, if my cry had been mental or physical. I dove down again, searching for her. There! A flash of golden hair. I swam with all my might, straining my arms to reach her. I caught her arm and hauled her up, desperate for breath and her life. I sucked in air and pulled Yuki's head out of the water.
" Damn it! Breathe, girl!" I screamed over the roar of the waves. I tried to pull her up, drag her soul away from the waves, but the very thing I was trying to get her away from pounded me back down. I could feel our body around us beginning to die.
" No!" I screamed. I shook Yuki, still trying to hold us both up. " Wake up, please! Wake up!" My soul was beginning to fade. " No! NO! Wake up, Yuki! You've got so much to live for! Wake up!" The darkness was calling to me. " I don't want to go! I want her to live!" I screamed. But my protests were unheard by the curse that bound me. I was losing my grip.
" Please, no." I begged pathetically, but my plea fell on deaf ears.
*+*+*
" What?!" I cried, frantic, but Himeko had fallen back onto the pillow, eyes closed.
" Whaza matter?" Jounouchi asked stupidly, my cry having awoken him. Yugi was halfway through the room, and an upset look on his face vanished as I cried out.
" What? What is it?" he asked, running over to me around the bed Yuki was laying on.
" Himeko. She just said something about Yuki. Something like, 'We're losing her.'" I said.
" Oh God." Yugi muttered, shoving me aside and pressing two fingers to Yuki's neck. He drew in a sharp breath and laid his hand over her mouth. I watched in silence while Jounouchi tried to figure out what was going on. Anzu walked in from the balcony and started when she saw Yugi lay his head on Yuki's chest. I would have laughed, had I not been terrified.
" She's not breathing, and I can't find her pulse." Yugi said finally. Anzu screamed and I pushed Yugi aside.
" Thank you, Mokuba." I muttered as I positioned my hands on her chest and began to perform CPR. Mokuba had, three years ago, talked me into taking a CPR training class with him. My eyes were trained on her face, watching for any sign of life.
" What happens to Himeko if Yuki." Anzu asked, her voice shaking.
" She goes back to her prison, according to Yami." Yugi said, sounding strangely calm. I tuned them out. Don't die, I begged silently, please don't die. I stopped pressing on her chest and closed her nose with my index finger and thumb. Then I pressed my lips to hers and blew air into her unbreathing lungs. Please don't take her from me, I pleaded, not now.
By: Rogue Fox
Part Five. Face to Face
A/N: Okay, hi everybody! I regret to inform you that some of you might find the next two chapters a little boring. I promise things will heat up! I need these parts to get the story rolling. Just bear with me! Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and support!
I felt my eyes roll around under my closed eyelids as I struggled into semi- consciousness. With a start, my eyes flashed open and I tried to sit up. My efforts were rewarded by a hard knock on the head as I lost my balance and fell back to the floor I had sleeping on. I paused there, trying to remember something, anything that would help me figure out why I was not back home in the room Seto had given me. I remembered a bright flash of light, Isis, her death. and then it all came rushing back. Painful memories of figments from the past. I cast about mentally for Himeko, but she wasn't awake. I opened my eyes again and stared at the marble floor. Marble? The room I remembered was dark, and had a dirt floor. How had I gotten here? I vaguely remembered someone coming for me, right before I blacked out. Had that someone taken me here? Where was Seto, and Yugi, and the others? Where were the boys? My mind was racing in panic as I slowly sat up.
" Well, the sleeping beauty wakes." A pompous voice said. I blinked stupidly and searched for the source. " And none to gracefully." The voice added with a laugh. I blinked again to clear my vision and looked around. Sitting at a table with an elegant glass of wine was a man, in a suit with white hair. I blinked yet again, to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Nepano? I wondered. Yes, it was Nepano. Or at least, the very image of him.
" Wh.where am I? Who are you?" I asked. The man swirled his wine and smiled. I didn't like his smile. It reminded me of a crocodile who knows his dinner is walked right into his mouth.
" Oh, I am known by many names. Perhaps your friends will be able to tell you who I am. As for your location, you are on the floor of my dining room." The man told me. I cocked an eyebrow at the man. I definitely did not like him. He had a sneaky look about him, and I didn't like it. I also didn't like his evasive, tricky answers. Instead of wasting my breath on him, I turned to see Seto laying there behind me. I immediately scrambled to him on my hands and knees. I shook his shoulders. He groaned and tried to roll over, then realized he wasn't in his bed. He sat up suddenly and looked around, surprised and obviously trying to decide how to react.
" Wah?" he asked stupidly.
" Really bright, boy." The man laughed at him. Seto looked around, focusing his eyes in the direction of the voice. I crawled closer to him, seeking the comfort, warmth, and familiarity of his arms. I sensed his immediate tension as he tightened every muscle in his body. I looked at his face, searching for an answer in his familiar features. His lips were twisted in a snarl and his piercing eyes were narrowed dangerously. I knew that look. It was a look of true anger and hatred.
" I suppose I was a fool to assume that the world was finally rid of its lowest scum." Seto said finally. The white-haired man laughed.
" Come now, boy, you haven't introduced me to the lovely lady. Although if I know you, you've already staked your claim, haven't you?" he said. Seto's face colored, and I wondered why.
" You keep Yuki out of this. Whatever you want, you leave my family out of it. Agreed?" Seto barked.
" Actually, Kaiba, this concerns her more than it does you. Your friends are finally rousing themselves." The man informed us. I scooted away from Seto to help Anzu sit up and check on the rest. Yugi had a trickle of blood flowing from a cut on his forehead, Anzu's lip was swollen, and Honda was developing a large bump on the back of his head. Seto reported a bruised rib and I was noticing a bad headache developing, and the fact that I had a bloody nose. Everyone else appeared to be fine.
" It appears my servants were anything but careful when they carried you here. I will have a first aid kit brought so you may clean your wounds." The man said dismissively. The others noticed him for the first time. I decided that he wasn't the type of person they really liked from the startled yelp that escaped Mai's lips and Jounouchi suddenly leaping to his feet.
" What the hell are you doing here?" Jounouchi asked loudly. Yugi remained frozen in his spot, his eyes narrowed and calculating. The noise had roused Himeko, and she began to make a fuss that only worsened my headache. Something suddenly occurred to me through the haze of pain and confusion in my head.
" Did you kidnap my brothers?" I asked suddenly. Everything fell silent as the white-haired man swirled his wine and smiled.
" They look startlingly like you, you know. The same gold hair, same shape of the face. Brave too, especially the older one. Yoshi, I believe his name is. You would be proud of him. And young Kaiba, a good lad. Put up a brave fight when he realized where he was. But all in vain." The man said. I didn't recognize the low, threatening growl that came from my throat. How dare this monster speak of my brothers, who he kidnapped, like they were animals to be bought and sold? Seto caught my arm and held me back. " And you look so much like a girl I once knew. She was a brave girl, but she died a painful death in the end. You'll be glad to know that she fought hard for all her silly ideals and ethics to her bitter end." Now it was no longer me that growled. It was Himeko, from somewhere deep within me.
He's a monster. she told me. I agreed silently, but would not give him the pleasure of actually speaking.
" Alright, we're here, Pegasus. What do you want? Or maybe you'd rather I just sent you right back to the pit you crawled from, quick and simple." Yugi said, interrupting before Seto could say anything for me.
" Come on, little Yugi, you and I both know why you're here. I daresay that Miss Yuki has a suspicion as well. We have a score to settle." The man, Pegasus said. I felt Himeko pushing within me to take control, but I held her back. The flicker in Yugi's eyes told me he was fighting a similar battle.
" Let our friends go, and I'll be glad to let the one who truly deserves to fight do as he must." Yugi said quietly.
" Oh, but they deserve to be here. Am I not mistaken that the one you know too well took his own love's life because of me? I'm sure your friend there," Pegasus paused to nod to Anzu. " Would like to see your bigger self fight to avenge her death." Everything was coming together. Himeko's will was surging now, but I battled her down.
You've grown so strong so quickly. Himeko thought in shock.
" Let my brothers go, let my friends go, and I will not kill you." I said suddenly. I didn't recognize my own voice. Seto apparently didn't either, because he looked at me suddenly, to check and see if I was still in control of my body. I was.
" You? You, sweet, naïve, gentle, motherly Yuki, kill me? You may think me the villain here, but I'm not an idiot. Now, possibly Isis. I wouldn't doubt her ability to murder me in cold blood for a moment, but not you." Pegasus told me. That was when I first noticed the power. Power, coursing through my veins. I immediately turned my attention to Himeko.
I'm not doing anything. Himeko assured me. This is all you.
" I may be motherly, but the thing about motherly is this; you're willing to do whatever it takes to defend what you love. I love my brothers, I love my friends. And I will kill to protect them. Don't underestimate me." I informed him. My voice was silky and smooth, but it was low and threatening. I felt the changes begin, and I had started them myself. Himeko took control. She opened our eyes and looked at Pegasus.
" You speak of me as though I am no longer here." She said, smirking. I laughed in my head. I sensed the changes Yugi underwent as his own older self took control.
" The dream team is reunited." Pegasus said. " The King of Games and the Queen of Luck."
" You're just jealous." Himeko told Pegasus.
" You honestly think you stand a chance against me? I beat you once, and I will do it again." Pegasus said.
" We're not so young anymore." Yugi said, but it wasn't Yugi. I didn't know the name he used for his older self, so he was still, in a sense, Yugi.
" No. But are you willing to risk your catalysts and their loved ones?" Pegasus asked, grinning. " I am willing to risk mine. He's a pathetic man, and he's been broken for a long time. That's your mistake. You made your catalysts too much like you. Now you've actually grown fond of them. You see, if the body you live in now dies, you just go right back into your prison and await the rebirth of your catalyst. For the catalyst, it means actual death. Are you willing to risk their lives for your pride?" Himeko faltered.
This is my fight too. I reminded her. She instantly understood.
" Yuki is ready to face the consequences. She understands what's at stake and requests the removal of all her friends and proof that her brothers are safe and far enough away." Himeko said outloud.
" Yugi agrees." Himeko's brother stated.
" What?" Seto broke in. " Yuki wouldn't say that." He protested, grabbing our arm. Himeko gave me control of our throat and mouth.
" I just did, Seto. Please leave. This is my fight, and I will fight it." I said. Seto recognized my voice. " Please don't interfere. This is for me."
" You actually expect me to stand by and let you risk your life." Seto said incredulously. I simply looked at him, and he looked back.
" If you don't mind my interrupting, I have an offer to make." Pegasus said suddenly.
" And who says you get to make offers?" Yugi asked coldly.
" I do." Pegasus said tolerantly. Then he directed his attention to Himeko and I. " You always were a beautiful girl. If either one of you, Yuki or Isis, comes over to me, I'll let the little boys go and send your friends right home." He said. Himeko recoiled physically, then pause to sense my reaction.
I don't believe it. You're actually considering it! She cried mentally.
I already said I'll do whatever it takes. If this is it, well. I said. I tried to gain control of our mouth, but Himeko held me back.
I refuse! I won't let you! she cried.
This is my life, my body! I snapped. Give it back now!
What would your Seto say? Himeko snarled.
That doesn't matter! I protested.
But it does, doesn't it? It does matter to you. she said, almost amused.
Seto knows he can't stop me from doing anything I want to. And you'd think that you'd have learned by now too. I growled.
How about I ask him? Himeko asked cockily.
Don't you dare! I cried, slamming our mouth shut.
Then you have to promise you won't take that monster up on his offer! Himeko shouted in our head, struggling against my will.
Fine! I didn't even want to anyway! I cried, backing away from the bodily controls.
" Absolutely not." Himeko said out loud.
" I'm not letting anyone take me anywhere." Seto said stolidly.
" Yuki wants me to tell you to go before she makes you." Himeko said with a sigh.
" She won't make me do anything." Seto said coolly.
" Just letting you know, she's losing her temper." Himeko said. " And I'm getting sick of playing messenger." She added.
" We're all getting pretty annoyed." Jounouchi said crossly. " Can't you two keep your domestic disputes where they belong?"
" Apparently not." Himeko said, laughing shortly.
" Can we get to business?" Pegasus asked, clearly annoyed.
Traitor. I told Himeko. She just laughed.
" Sure. Why not? It's not like we're going anywhere." Mai said, making herself comfortable on the floor. Jounouchi shrugged and sat down beside her. Yugi and Himeko stayed standing, Seto with us. Anzu yawned and Honda stretched his legs out in front of him.
" Since the ladies refused my previous offer, I have another." Pegasus began.
This sounds like it'll be long-winded. I thought to Himeko, who chuckled.
" It's a simple request. I'm sure you've wondered, Miss Yuki, what has caused this change, this other person to live inside you." Himeko seemed to sense that Pegasus had struck a nerve in me. " I'll tell you, it's your little necklace there. You were born from a spell, a wish made by your other personality. She created you in her image, gave you the qualities about herself she liked best and some all your own. Little Yugi is the same. You are merely tools, reflections, copies of the real thing." Yugi flinched visibly at the words. I wondered what went on between the two Yugis in their shared head. " Those necklaces you have there are the last pieces to a great puzzle, and I need them to complete the puzzle. I want them."
" Suppose we don't want to give them to you?" Yugi asked coolly, smirking.
" Consider this. In return, I am willing to grant you what you desire most." Pegasus said. I noticed a strange feeling in our head, as though a third person was there, watching. " Whatever you want. Just imagine. I can give you a reality where there is no suffering, no terror." His words seeped into my skull, swirling around.
Yuki! Don't listen! Himeko cried mentally.
" What's going on?" Seto asked, probably reacting to the alarmed look on our face.
" Yuki listening to him. He's pulling some sort of mind spell on her." Himeko explained. I was unaware of any of this. All I could see was Mom and Dad and my brothers, smiling at me.
" Come home, sweetheart." Mom called, holding out her hands to me. I wanted to go home. How much I wanted it! All I had to do was touch her hand and all my pain would just go away.
*+*+*
I watched Yuki's face for a reaction to what Pegasus had said. Or maybe it wasn't Yuki, maybe it was Himeko. In any case, Himeko appeared to be trying to talk to Yuki.
" Argh! It's not working. She's totally focused on one image." Himeko cried angrily.
" That's it, Yuki. Touch her hand. Touch it. You want to come home so badly, you poor girl. And you should. You deserve it." Pegasus said, smiling patronizingly at Yuki.
" What's the image?" Yami asked quickly. There was no doubt Yami controlled the body he shared with Yugi now. The features were too cold and calculating to be Yugi's.
" I can't quite tell. She doesn't want me to see." Himeko said, closing her eyes and straining.
" Come home, Yuki. I can give you your deepest desire. I can make all the problems just go away. Isn't that what you want?" Pegasus intoned smoothly. Again, he was ignored by all except Yuki.
" It's her family." I said suddenly. " She's seeing her mother and father and brothers. She wants to go home." I said, the truth paining me terribly. I had taken her away from what she loved. I had been trying to save her, but had I, in the process, condemned her to eternal suffering? Was that why she was falling into Pegasus's trap? Did she want to escape? So badly that she'd even give in to Pegasus?
" That would make sense. Her brothers are the entire reason she's here." Honda said thoughtfully.
" Touch her hand, Yuki." Pegasus encouraged.
" Shut up, will you?!" Anzu yelled back at him.
" Don't touch her hand, Yuki!" I cried. I had no idea what I was talking about, but I figured anything Pegasus told her to do at this point was bad.
" She's hesitating. She hears you! Keep talking, I'm trying to put her to sleep." Himeko told me.
" Don't listen to him, Yuki. Touch your mother's hand." Pegasus said, annoyance seeping into his voice.
" Yuki, it's me. It's Seto." I said, suddenly faltering. What should I say? Should I tell her that I. No, that's stupid. " Yuki, whatever Pegasus is promising is a lie. All he can give you is illusions. His 'reality' is only one big lie. Do you really want to live a lie?" I asked. Himeko's features seemed to soften a little.
" I want." Yuki's voice! I almost jumped for joy. Then Himeko returned.
" She's falling back. Don't stop." She told me.
" Your real home is here, Yuki. With me, and Yoshi and Yukio and Mokuba, and all your friends." I told her. " This is where you belong."
" You've got her total attention. Keep talking." Himeko told me distantly.
" I don't know what else to tell you, Yuki." I confessed honestly.
" Yuki, you idiot girl! You could have whatever you want!" Pegasus cried.
" Give it up. Kaiba has her attention, and his promises are much better than yours because they're real. He can give her a true home, a place that's real with real people that really love her. You're as much of a phony as you ever were." Yami told Pegasus.
" So shut up already! I'm sick of listening to you." Mai added. Just then, Himeko's legs seemed to go out from under her. I caught her, but although my arms reached for Yuki, I know it was Himeko I caught, Himeko that gripped my arms for support, and Himeko that murmured her thanks. Suddenly, I wanted to see Yuki in her own body. I wanted to see her smile. I suddenly remembered when she had fallen asleep on my lap in the hotel. I longed for her to see me the way I had caught myself seeing her. I wanted to hear her voice, calling my name.
" Sorry. I think I used a little more than I thought I did trying to stop Yuki." Himeko muttered, supporting most of her weight on me. Yami patted her on the shoulder, telltale brotherly affection shining through years of cold isolation.
" You did what you had to do." He told her. Himeko frowned.
" She's angry now. She wants to know why she shouldn't have what Pegasus offered." She told us.
" Because that's just giving him what he wants." Anzu said crossly. That was when I noticed the men in suits advancing on us. Jounouchi noticed them too.
" Uh-oh." He said, glancing around. " We're surrounded!"
" Can you walk?" I asked Himeko.
" Forget walking! We're gonna need to run!" Mai cried.
" Walk, maybe. Run, no." Himeko said. " I blew most everything I had on saving Yuki's ungrateful butt, and yes, Yuki, I did just say that." I didn't waste any time, turning around and forcing Himeko on my back, piggyback style.
" Absolutely no remarks on this." I muttered through gritted teeth. The body that Yuki and Himeko shared was heavier than it looked.
" Wouldn't dream of it." Yami said, his smirk telling that he had every intention of not listening to a word I said.
" Um, now would be a good time for a brilliant plan." Honda said.
" Yeah. Any volunteers?" Jounouchi asked.
" Sure. Let's all grow wings and just fly away. While we're at it, we might want to pick up some magic fairy dust because I'm all out!" Anzu cracked.
" You transform into a comedian under pressure, don't you?" I asked.
" Can we please concentrate on the problem at hand?" Mai asked, gesturing wildly to the men, who had gotten closer as we spoke.
" Sure, it's not like I've got anything better to do." Himeko said. " Choice A, just sit here like dead weight. Choice B, listen to Yuki scream and yell like a kid having a tantrum. Choice C, figure a way out of this mess. I choose C." Himeko paused. " You know, those weapons on the wall can be put to more decorative use." She said after a moment.
" I like the way you think." Jounouchi said, turning and contemplating the decorative swords and shields.
" And Mr. Lazy over there," Himeko said, looking pointedly at Yami. " Can actually lift his hand and use some of his energy."
" I was waiting for the right moment." Yami protested angrily.
" Sure." Himeko said sarcastically, still perched on my back. " You always did like letting everyone else do the actual fighting for you."
" I have no idea what you're talking about." Yami said seriously, turning and glaring at a man who had gotten too close for comfort. "If you value your life, you'll just turn around and walk away." He told the guy. Th guy ignored him. Yami sighed and lifted his hand, every finger outstretched. The air around him seemed to billow and waver and the guy stopped in his tracks, then fell to the ground. " I've still got it." Yami told Himeko.
" Just be glad I don't have enough energy to give this room a nice zap." She told him. At that exact moment, Jounouchi leapt past two thugs and yanked a pair of crisscrossing swords off the wall.
" I don't have the tiniest idea what I'm doing, but that's okay." Jounouchi told us. The guys around him paused.
" Hey, share the wealth!" Honda called. Jounouchi yanked a few more swords off the wall and brought them back. Anzu, Honda, and Mai all took one. I was too busy carrying Himeko and Yuki, and Yami could defend himself just fine.
" Yuki's throwing a royal fit. She wants you to know that she's not going anywhere without her brothers." Himeko said suddenly.
" Sometimes it's better to run away and fight another day." I said.
" She doesn't want to hear it." Himeko told me.
" Too bad. I'm carrying you two right out of here." I said. " And no white- haired freak is gonna stop me!" I added loudly. Pegasus smirked.
" That's very funny, Kaiba. So funny my servants and I forgot to laugh. You know, it's not very smart to insult someone who holds your life in his hands. He might 'accidentally' drop it." Pegasus said. " Enough play. Time to get serious." He told his "servants." They looked more like goons or bodyguards to me. They took his cue and each pulled out a gun.
" It would appear that I've made a miscalculation." Himeko said, biting her lip. Jounouchi dropped his sword, and the others reluctantly followed his lead. Yami was forced to hold very still as his hands were tied behind him. The distant look on his face told me Yugi was not very happy with the situation and was letting Yami know about it. Suddenly, Himeko was trying to slide off my back. I tightened my grip on her bare legs and held her.
" Let me go, Seto." She whispered in my ear. Wait, I thought, that's Yuki!
" Yuki?" I asked incredulously, craning my neck to see her. She smiled softly.
" Put me down." She told me. I obliged. She was able to stand easily. It seemed that Yuki was running off of energy independent of Himeko, who was drained.
I don't know exactly what happened next. All I knew was panic as I flailed about in the blinding light, searching for something solid, anything at all. I found someone's hand, and opened my right eye ever so slightly to see who. The light was blinding, so I immediately closed my eyes again. I had caught a glimpse of red-violet eyes, but that could have been any one of four people, in two bodies. Something hit me in the gut and I lost my grip on the someone I had been holding onto. I vaguely hoped that it wasn't Yugi or Yami. That would be too embarrassing.
I knew when the light faded by the sudden dimness behind my eyelids. I rolled to my feet from the position I had fallen into and opened my eyes. For a second, I was blinded, then my eyes adjusted, a little painfully. No one looked happy. Yuki was laying on the ground beside me, unconscious, Jounouchi had fallen on top of Anzu, who was yelling at him to get off, and Honda was sitting on the ground, looking around in confusion. Every guy in a suit had fallen to the ground and was laying unnaturally still. Pegasus was yelling angrily for more of the goons.
" Run!" Yami, still in control of Yugi's body, barked at us. We were more than happy to obey. I swooped Yuki up into my arms.
" Wah?" Honda asked.
" Just run!" Anzu yelled, yanking her friend to his feet. I turned a complete circle looking for an exit. I found the door after turning nearly entirely around.
" This way!" I cried, taking off for the door. I glanced behind me to make sure they were following me. Sure enough, they were.
" Stop them!" Pegasus bellowed. I gripped Yuki to my chest and ran, almost blind to anything but terror.
*+*+*
Yami was exhausted. He had blown a lot, apparently, protecting the others from Yuki's explosion. Himeko was strong enough to control Yuki's body, but she was running on virtually empty. I had loaned a lot of my own energy to Yami to help, so I was no fresh daisy myself. Yami was sleeping deeply in my subconscious, and I was left to contemplate what had happened.
" She just blew." Himeko had explained, looking pained, exhausted, and unhappy. " She just rose up, took control, and blew. She unleashed an explosion that was powerful enough to kill all those men, and probably most of you as well."
" Fortunately, Yami managed to protect us." I broke in.
" Remind me to thank him." Anzu had told me.
" If Yami was protecting us, and the blast killed the goons, then what about Pegasus?" Kaiba asked.
" He's strong enough to defend himself. Yuki's still too young to know that she would have to concentrate the energy to make a truly effective blast. The reason your Yami's spent is because he was protecting so many people who were all spread out. Pegasus was looking out for number one only, so he had to use much less energy. A combo of Yuki's inexperience and his selfishness made it easy." Himeko had finished up. Now, I pondered the entire incident, resting comfortably in a chair while Yami napped, and Kaiba watched Yuki sleep nearby. Anzu walked by, tiptoeing. I watched her. She moved gracefully, like the dancer she wanted to be. I felt her hand graze my arm and looked up. She smiled softly.
" You okay?" she whispered. I nodded.
" Just tired." I told her softly. She cocked her head thoughtfully.
" You want to go outside and talk, or would that wake Yami up?" she asked.
" You could blow a foghorn in my ear and he wouldn't ever know. Might bust my eardrums though." I said, making her laugh softly. I've always loved her laughter, like water falling over smooth rocks. I stood and followed her out onto the balcony. Only when I stood did I realize how tired I really was, fatigue washing over me like a tidal wave and turning my legs to lead. Somehow, I managed to follow Anzu out to the balcony and lean against the metal bars that supported the rail. Anzu sat down cross-legged next to me. I suspected she did that so that she could talk to me eye to eye. I would have just as soon had her stand up and talk to me.
" This is some deep crap, isn't it?" Anzu asked finally.
" That's one way of putting it." I said.
" What do you make of all the stuff we saw, Yugi?" she asked, turning and studying me. I could feel her watching me as I paused, feeling Yami stir a little, and then sighed.
" The same thing you do, I think." I said, turning and looking her in the eye. She looked away after a moment and I felt a terrible sadness welling up in me.
" Then it really is Yami's past." She said slowly. And you really do still love him better than me, I thought ruefully, suddenly angry at Yami, who was totally oblivious to anything. Why did I have to compete with an ancient, braver, taller, stronger version of myself?
" Yeah, I guess. In a way, it's mine too." I told her.
" What about Mariah?" Anzu asked slowly. I know Anzu, and she had obviously been dying to ask.
" There's no way I can be sure right now, but I think." I let my voice trail off. Should I tell her?
" Think what?" Anzu pressed. I sighed again.
" Think that you are her reincarnation." I finished. Anzu stared at the ground as she thought about that.
" Yami really loved her, didn't he? He loved her too much to see her suffer." She said finally.
" He loved her enough to kill her, so she wouldn't suffer anymore." I said. What was I doing, helping Yami win Anzu?
" You never would guess, by just looking at him." Anzu said thoughtfully. I was tempted to ask her exactly how much looking she had done, but something held me back.
" You like him, don't you?" I said suddenly. I didn't mean to say it, it just sort of popped out of my mouth. It startled Anzu, because she looked at me sharply.
" What makes you say that?" she asked. I returned her gaze.
" I know you." I answered simply. Anzu didn't say anything for a long time.
" Does he know?" she asked finally, sullen.
" No." I lied. Yes, he knew. He knew all about her crush on him. It was hard for him not to know, when my tortured thoughts about it were all too easy to read. He had always promised me that he had no romantic interest in Anzu whatsoever, but now I wasn't so sure. Was he just saying that for my benefit?
" I'm sorry, Yugi." She said after a moment of companionable silence. Now it was my turn to look at her sharply. Did she know the way I felt about her?
" Sorry for what?" I asked.
" Dumping that on you. It's just another thing I know you'll worry about. You worry too much as it is." She replied. I almost sighed with relief.
" If I don't worry, who will?" I asked. Anzu laughed, and I fell in love all over again. My heart felt like it had come too close to breaking into a thousand little pieces. Anzu was utterly oblivious to the way I felt about her, and she liked Yami! Why did it have to be Yami?
" Are you okay? You look upset." Anzu said. I forced a laugh.
" I'm fine. Just fine." I said with a forced smile. Then, I stood up and walked away. I felt Anzu watching me, but she didn't call me back.
What's going on? Yami thought drowsily.
Nothing. I told him.
What's wrong with you? Yami asked me suspiciously, a little more awake.
Nothing. I repeated. Everything's peachy. Perfectly peachy. Go back to sleep. I told him. Yami considered pressing me, but then decided against it and drifted back to sleep, leaving me alone with the turmoil of my heart.
*+*+*
I felt like I was drowning. Like I was struggling to stay afloat in a twisting, churning sea with waves five feet high that kept crashing over my head and pushing me down. I kept crying for help, but no one answered. I kept fighting to keep my head above water, fighting for my survival, but the waves kept pushing me down. And I was so exhausted. I just wanted to stop kicking and sink into the beautiful blackness. I kicked my feet again. I was determined to live, but I was so tired. I kicked futilely as another wave bore down on me. Pushed me down, further and further. A bubble of air escaped my mouth. I tried to swim, but I couldn't move. Another bubble of precious air escaped my lips. I felt my life slipping away.
*+*+*
I felt Yuki's distress before she herself realized it. Panic swept over me as I reached for her soul, but she had sunken too far inside herself for me to reach but just feeling for her. I opened our eyes suddenly, searching about for something, anything familiar. I found the boy, Kaiba. He seemed to have been dozing, but now his eyes were trained on me.
" She's drifting. I think we're losing her." I muttered, diving back into the turmoil and fear that was Yuki.
" What?!" I faintly heard Kaiba ask frantically, but I didn't answer. Yuki had created a very realistic image of a churning sea in her soul. She was somewhere among the towering wave, drowning in her own exhaustion. I wasn't thinking about how if she died, I would go back to the darkness, or how there wouldn't be a chance of getting revenge without her. I only thought of saving the girl who had come to my defense when I was too weak to fight. My only thought was of saving the girl I had created after myself. I plunged blindly into the waves, searching, casting about in the murky darkness for her soul. Fatigue crept over me, but I ignored it. I pushed my head above the water.
" Yuki!" I cried. I wondered vaguely if anyone heard me, if my cry had been mental or physical. I dove down again, searching for her. There! A flash of golden hair. I swam with all my might, straining my arms to reach her. I caught her arm and hauled her up, desperate for breath and her life. I sucked in air and pulled Yuki's head out of the water.
" Damn it! Breathe, girl!" I screamed over the roar of the waves. I tried to pull her up, drag her soul away from the waves, but the very thing I was trying to get her away from pounded me back down. I could feel our body around us beginning to die.
" No!" I screamed. I shook Yuki, still trying to hold us both up. " Wake up, please! Wake up!" My soul was beginning to fade. " No! NO! Wake up, Yuki! You've got so much to live for! Wake up!" The darkness was calling to me. " I don't want to go! I want her to live!" I screamed. But my protests were unheard by the curse that bound me. I was losing my grip.
" Please, no." I begged pathetically, but my plea fell on deaf ears.
*+*+*
" What?!" I cried, frantic, but Himeko had fallen back onto the pillow, eyes closed.
" Whaza matter?" Jounouchi asked stupidly, my cry having awoken him. Yugi was halfway through the room, and an upset look on his face vanished as I cried out.
" What? What is it?" he asked, running over to me around the bed Yuki was laying on.
" Himeko. She just said something about Yuki. Something like, 'We're losing her.'" I said.
" Oh God." Yugi muttered, shoving me aside and pressing two fingers to Yuki's neck. He drew in a sharp breath and laid his hand over her mouth. I watched in silence while Jounouchi tried to figure out what was going on. Anzu walked in from the balcony and started when she saw Yugi lay his head on Yuki's chest. I would have laughed, had I not been terrified.
" She's not breathing, and I can't find her pulse." Yugi said finally. Anzu screamed and I pushed Yugi aside.
" Thank you, Mokuba." I muttered as I positioned my hands on her chest and began to perform CPR. Mokuba had, three years ago, talked me into taking a CPR training class with him. My eyes were trained on her face, watching for any sign of life.
" What happens to Himeko if Yuki." Anzu asked, her voice shaking.
" She goes back to her prison, according to Yami." Yugi said, sounding strangely calm. I tuned them out. Don't die, I begged silently, please don't die. I stopped pressing on her chest and closed her nose with my index finger and thumb. Then I pressed my lips to hers and blew air into her unbreathing lungs. Please don't take her from me, I pleaded, not now.