Chapter 56: The Encounter
Akia heard footsteps getting closer to where she was. Was it Marik? Was she finally going to be able to talk with him?
As Marik got closer, it all felt surreal to him. Akia was right there, sitting in front of him, waiting for him. He knew that she went through a lot of trouble to be here. He wanted so badly to hate her since she was the sister of his arch nemesis' host, but all he could feel seeing her there was longing. Marik looked at Rishid and motioned for him to leave the room, which he reluctantly did, somewhat worried about what Marik could do to Akia. He hated seeing so many people get hurt, but he had vowed to always stay by Marik's side and obey him.
Because of her blindfold, Akia didn't really know what exactly was going on. The air around her was cold and slightly humid. There was a light smell of cologne and cinnamon in the air. It was not an unpleasant smell.
Now that they were alone, all Marik wanted was to reconnect with her. He knew he had to control his emotions. He could not put his plans at risk.
"Marik...?"
Akia whispered, almost inaudibly. She felt someone's intense gaze on her and it was starting to make her feel a bit uncomfortable.
Hearing her say her name made him jump slightly and his cheeks got warm. She looked so beautiful sitting there. Her long black hair looked like it would be so pleasant to touch. As he thought that, his hand moved to her hair and he lightly ran a few strands through his fingers.
That light touch made Akia's body shiver. When he saw her reaction, he immediately pulled his hand away, realizing what he had just done.
Marik: "Sorry... My body moved on its own."
Why was he apologizing to the enemy, he asked himself. Hearing his voice, she felt as though it was somewhat familiar. Her heart was beating so fast with longing at that point. She shook her head slowly.
" You don't need to apologize... It didn't feel bad..."
Then there was silence. There was so much they wanted to say to each other but everything went blank in their minds as they were in such close proximity. Akia then felt another very light touch on her left cheek. It was so careful and so gentle that it made her breathing shake.
Marik: "Maybe if we had met again earlier, things would've been different. It's too late now, Akia. My hatred is immense and my revenge will come before anything else."
Akia brought her free left hand up to his as he retracted it and held it in hers. The sudden touch made him jump this time. Her hand was so soft but so cold.
"Please don't leave. I need you in my life. These past few years I've always felt like there was a hole that could never be filled. Just having you close to me like this is making me feel like you're the only one who can complete me."
Tears were getting her blindfold soaked. Akia couldn't believe what she had just said. She would never be this honest about how she felt in front of anyone else, but she was so compelled to keep Marik with her that she would do anything. He took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth, leaving a kiss with his trembling lips. Even though it was just a simple kiss on her hand, this was one of the happiest moments in her life. And it was followed with one of the last things she would have wanted to hear.
Marik: "I can't abandon my revenge."
His voice was shaking.
"Marik..."
Marik: "Take her away from here."
"No wait! Marik don't do this!"
He retracted his hand from hers and left as she called out after him. Rishid put a hand on her shoulder and, as she got up, he led her outside of the boat house. On his way out, one of the Ghouls came running.
"Sir, there are people approaching this area. It's Yugi and the rest of them."
He said to Rishid.
Rishid: "They're probably looking for her. We have to hurry and leave her somewhere further away."
Akia was too heartbroken to resist at this point. It was as if her heart had shattered into a million pieces when Marik basically rejected her for his revenge. Rishid led her back into an alleyway.
Rishid: "I will leave you here. Forgive me for everything. Marik needs time. Please understand."
He then took off her blindfold and she saw his apologetic eyes. He then quickly left. Akia dried her eyes, knowing that her brother and her friends would be coming by soon. Sure enough, not long after, she heard her brother's voice.
Yugi: "Akia!"
Seeing her brother just made the waterworks flow once more.
Yugi: "Akia, are you hurt? What happened?"
He ran to his sister and hugged her. Everyone was worried about her. They had never seen her this distraught. When she finally calmed down, she looked around, realizing that everyone was safe, smiling in relief.
"Everyone is alright, thank goodness."
Jounouchi then went up to her and patted her head.
Jounouchi: "We were worried sick about you you idiot. How could you just go to the enemy like that?"
Mai: "Why did you do that, Akia? It's not like you to rush into things on a whim."
Akia sighed. She didn't want to think about Marik anymore at that point, but she owed them an explanation.
"I wanted to help in any way I could. I thought if I distracted him, then Jounouchi would be able to break free from his control."
Yugi: "He did break free."
Yugi recounted to Akia everything that had happened.
"Good thing that was sorted out..."
She then looked at Shizuka.
"Hello, Shizuka. It's the first time we meet, but your brother told me a lot about you. I'm Akia, Yugi's twin sister."
Shizuka smiled and nodded.
Shizuka: "Nice to meet you! Jounouchi also told me a lot about you. Thank you so much for taking good care of my brother."
She gave Akia a deep bow, making her giggle nervously.
"Oh I didn't do anything. Jounouchi is a handful sometimes but I'm very happy we're friends."
Akia teased.
Jounouchi: "You're the one who's a handful! But thank you for doing what you did. Who knows if I would have been able to break free if you hadn't distracted Marik. He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Akia shook her head.
"No. He was... very gentle."
Otogi: "That's odd, considering what he did to Yugi, Jounouchi, and even us."
"What did he do to you guys?"
Honda: "He sent his Ghouls after us. I think he was trying to capture us as well."
Anzu: "How did you even get away?"
Otogi: "I came to their rescue, of course."
Mai: "And then they ran into my car so I drove them out of there."
They all caught up with each other on what had been happening. Akia told them how that, when she saw Yugi and Kaiba duelling, she left got out of the taxi that was taking Bakura to the hospital and left him to her grandpa. Jounouchi and Anzu admitted that they had not been able to see what Marik looked like when they got captured.
Anzu: "Did you see what he looked like, Akia-chan?"
"No... He blindfolded me."
Otogi: "Kinky."
"Oh stop."
They all laughed at Otogi's comment which lifted up their mood.
Yugi: "So we all have the six puzzle cards then?"
"Yup. So you, Jounouchi, Mai, and me all qualify for the Battle City finals."
Putting all six puzzle cards together on her Duel Disk, Akia was able to display the location of the finals to her friends.
Jounouchi: "What are we waiting for then? Let's go!"
With an enthusiastic exclamation, they were all in high spirits as they headed for the finals. Being around the people who were the closest to her, made Akia forget momentarily about her heartbreak.
