AN - Sorry about that last chapter, the end was quite depressing really!
But I'm afraid that it had to be. You will soon see why. Keep reviewing
please!
(Note - at the end of the chapter there is some violence. It will probably be the only occasion when there is any so the rating has gone up. If you will be offended please do not read it!)
A few days later Yugi was working in the garden. He was planting some cuttings from a rose bush in Tea's garden, hoping that they would grow. He was preoccupied. He could hardly believe that it was just over a week since he and Yami had become separate bodies. It had seemed like so long ago. So much was happening now. Yugi and the others were to return to school in a week's time. Surprisingly Yami and Bakura would also be able to join them. Mai's parents, having a lot of influence with the headmaster, had been able to secure places for the two Egyptians, saying that they were relatives of Ryou and Yugi who had to come and live with them. A few extra lessons had brought the two boys up to speed with certain subjects. Yami had obviously been well educated in the palace, and Bakura was cunning and quick to catch on to things.
Yugi sat back to admire his handy work. He got up and made his way into the house. He washed his hands in the small sink in the back entrance before making his way into the shop, where Ryou was finishing serving a customer. The customer left and Yugi entered the shop, not wanting to interrupt Ryou's sale. Sales had been going well recently. Yugi's grandpa had phoned the previous day, saying that his friend was making a good recovery and, with any luck, he would be home by the end of the week. Grandpa still didn't know about Yami and Bakura, but Yugi thought that it would be best to tell him face to face.
All of Yugi's friends had pulled together to help to run the game shop. It had been a relief to Yugi, who found shop work and chores boring.
"Hey Ryou. Good sale?"
"Excellent!" Answered Ryou. "The man that just left was picking up a large order." Ryou passed a receipt copy to Yugi, who whistled as he saw the expensive cards that had been sold.
The receipt read;
Ice dragon - monster card Wind dragon - monster card Dragon's wings - magic card Fire breath - magic card Dragon's snare - trap card
"Wow, a dragon fan then!" Exclaimed Yugi. "Bet that Kaiba has some competition!"
"He should probably be worried! Oh, look. That guy left his shopping bag. And its got some medication in it. Hey, he might really need that!"
"You stay here, I'll go after him!" Said Yugi, picking up the bag and heading for the door. "Where are the others?"
"Bakura went for a walk with Tea, Tristan and Serenity about half an hour ago. I think Yami is at the library, reading up on his history."
"Will you be OK here for a few minutes?" Asked Yugi.
"Fine. You had better be quick though or you will never catch up with that guy. He was wearing an eye patch and a black jacket, if that helps!" Called Ryou as Yugi disappeared through the door.
Yugi ran down the street in the direction the man had taken. He came to the corner and saw a tall, thickset guy in a black jacket on the other side of the park. Panting slightly Yugi followed him.
Meanwhile, in the park, Bakura, Tea, Tristan and Serenity were on their way home. They stopped by some benches and sat down for a while. Finally Tea stood up.
"Sorry guys but I should go. I've got a dance practice later and I have to go and get changed."
"I'll come with you." Volunteered Bakura, surprised at himself. "I'll just walk you home."
Tea smiled and nodded and the two began to walk off, towards Tea's house.
"Bakura really seems to have settled in now." Commented Serenity. "He is so much nicer now. I think he really likes Tea you know!"
"Hmmm, I'm still not sure about him. I mean, a banana can't ever go straight!" Said Tristan.
Serenity laughed at this pathetic joke. "Don't you believe in second chances? Couldn't Bakura have just seen the error of his ways? Think about it. You and Joey changed your mind about Yugi after you got to know him."
"But that's different. We just changed our opinions; Bakura is changing his whole attitude, his personality. I don't think it is possible to do that."
"But things like that aren't set in stone. It is situations and experiences that shape us. Perhaps what is happening to Bakura is allowing his true self to finally be shown. Maybe his friendship with Tea has broken down his defensive barriers to expose the true Bakura."
"Maybe. But I'm still not sure. Anyway, didn't you want to go somewhere?"
"Yeah, I need to go to the store to pick up some groceries for Mum."
"Come on then. I'll give you a hand to carry them!"
"Thanks Tristan." Said Serenity as they walked off, hand in hand. They weren't officially a couple yet. But they both knew how the other felt. It was just finding the right time to tell Joey.
At that moment, Yugi was still chasing the man who had left his bag in the store. This man could walk very fast. He was already out of the park and heading towards the industrial estate. Yugi, his short legs pounding, could barely keep up with him.
"Hey! Excuse me sir!" Called Yugi, but the man didn't hear him. Yugi was about to give up when he saw the man go inside a warehouse. 'Finally,' thought Yugi. 'I can catch him in there!'
"Hello?" Called Yugi as he entered the dark storage house. "Sir, you left your bag. I." But he didn't finish his sentence. At that moment the door slammed behind him and the place was flooded with lights. Yugi whirled around to see the man standing in the shadows. "Oh, there you are! You left your bag in my grandpa's store. I've been chasing you to give it back."
"The bag is empty!" Said the man sinisterly. Yugi looked into the bag and opened the box of medication. He was right, there was nothing in it.
"I don't understand. But I should go now. I have things to do. Sorry to bother you."
"It's no bother at all." Said the man and Yugi sighed and stepped forward to leave. "But I'm afraid you will not be leaving yet."
"W-w-what?" Stammered Yugi, suddenly afraid.
"You will not go until I beat you in a duel. You beat me at the duellist convention, but now it's time to show you that Mark is not so easily crushed."
"Duellist convention? But I didn't compete! Yami, you must mean my spir...my brother."
"I don't care squirt. You or your brother, a win will return honour to my name and if I beat you, it's your brother's fault for beating me. We will play now!"
Yugi turned around to see a duellist arena behind him.
"Alright. If I win you let me go and you leave me and my brother alone."
"Very well, but if I win your brother gives me his deck!"
"No way, it's not mine to bet!"
"I'm not betting it. If I win, your ransom will be his deck. And how could he refuse? His own flesh and blood!"
Yugi stepped up to the platform, feeling suddenly alone. Normally his friends were there to cheer him on or he could rely on Yami to take over. Now it was up to him.
"Thanks for walking me home Bakura!" Said Tea as they stood in her hall.
"That's OK."
"You know, I used to think that you were really, well, evil. But now that I know you, you're really sweet. A great friend!"
"A friend? Is that all?"
"I don't understand Bakura."
"Well, I just thought. You are always around at the store. And you always talk to me and stuff. I thought that you could like me."
"Oh Bakura, I'm so sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. You are a great friend and everything but I was actually there to be with Ryou. I really like him and I thought that by making friends with you he would pay attention to me."
Bakura felt like he was boiling inside. So! She had been using him all along. Well, she would pay for this.
"Bakura." Said Tea. "Are you OK?" She laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Get off!" Shouted Bakura as he pushed Tea off him, causing her to fall backwards into a table.
"Oww, Bakura that hurt. You shouldn't."
"Don't tell me what a should and shouldn't do!" Roared Bakura. He picked Tea up roughly by the arms and brought her face to face with him. Shaking her violently he screamed. "You used me! You will pay dearly for that woman!"
He threw Tea against the stairs and she screamed in pain as she fell.
"Bakura stop! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" She cried. But Bakura was in a rage. Angrily he grabbed at her blouse and threw her back down the stairs, so she landed by the door. She grabbed at the handle to try to escape, but Bakura held the door closed. He struck her hard on her face, causing her to cry out again. Then he pushed her so that she slammed against the wall, hitting her head. She slid to the floor; sobbing and she huddled in a ball.
"There, I think you have paid for your using me! Just don't tell anyone about this, or next time you won't be able to!" With that he stormed out, leaving the wounded Tea huddled on the floor, crying silently.
AN - So, two cliffhangers. What will happen with Tea and Bakura? And will Yugi win his battle? More action is to come! Keep reviewing!
(Note - at the end of the chapter there is some violence. It will probably be the only occasion when there is any so the rating has gone up. If you will be offended please do not read it!)
A few days later Yugi was working in the garden. He was planting some cuttings from a rose bush in Tea's garden, hoping that they would grow. He was preoccupied. He could hardly believe that it was just over a week since he and Yami had become separate bodies. It had seemed like so long ago. So much was happening now. Yugi and the others were to return to school in a week's time. Surprisingly Yami and Bakura would also be able to join them. Mai's parents, having a lot of influence with the headmaster, had been able to secure places for the two Egyptians, saying that they were relatives of Ryou and Yugi who had to come and live with them. A few extra lessons had brought the two boys up to speed with certain subjects. Yami had obviously been well educated in the palace, and Bakura was cunning and quick to catch on to things.
Yugi sat back to admire his handy work. He got up and made his way into the house. He washed his hands in the small sink in the back entrance before making his way into the shop, where Ryou was finishing serving a customer. The customer left and Yugi entered the shop, not wanting to interrupt Ryou's sale. Sales had been going well recently. Yugi's grandpa had phoned the previous day, saying that his friend was making a good recovery and, with any luck, he would be home by the end of the week. Grandpa still didn't know about Yami and Bakura, but Yugi thought that it would be best to tell him face to face.
All of Yugi's friends had pulled together to help to run the game shop. It had been a relief to Yugi, who found shop work and chores boring.
"Hey Ryou. Good sale?"
"Excellent!" Answered Ryou. "The man that just left was picking up a large order." Ryou passed a receipt copy to Yugi, who whistled as he saw the expensive cards that had been sold.
The receipt read;
Ice dragon - monster card Wind dragon - monster card Dragon's wings - magic card Fire breath - magic card Dragon's snare - trap card
"Wow, a dragon fan then!" Exclaimed Yugi. "Bet that Kaiba has some competition!"
"He should probably be worried! Oh, look. That guy left his shopping bag. And its got some medication in it. Hey, he might really need that!"
"You stay here, I'll go after him!" Said Yugi, picking up the bag and heading for the door. "Where are the others?"
"Bakura went for a walk with Tea, Tristan and Serenity about half an hour ago. I think Yami is at the library, reading up on his history."
"Will you be OK here for a few minutes?" Asked Yugi.
"Fine. You had better be quick though or you will never catch up with that guy. He was wearing an eye patch and a black jacket, if that helps!" Called Ryou as Yugi disappeared through the door.
Yugi ran down the street in the direction the man had taken. He came to the corner and saw a tall, thickset guy in a black jacket on the other side of the park. Panting slightly Yugi followed him.
Meanwhile, in the park, Bakura, Tea, Tristan and Serenity were on their way home. They stopped by some benches and sat down for a while. Finally Tea stood up.
"Sorry guys but I should go. I've got a dance practice later and I have to go and get changed."
"I'll come with you." Volunteered Bakura, surprised at himself. "I'll just walk you home."
Tea smiled and nodded and the two began to walk off, towards Tea's house.
"Bakura really seems to have settled in now." Commented Serenity. "He is so much nicer now. I think he really likes Tea you know!"
"Hmmm, I'm still not sure about him. I mean, a banana can't ever go straight!" Said Tristan.
Serenity laughed at this pathetic joke. "Don't you believe in second chances? Couldn't Bakura have just seen the error of his ways? Think about it. You and Joey changed your mind about Yugi after you got to know him."
"But that's different. We just changed our opinions; Bakura is changing his whole attitude, his personality. I don't think it is possible to do that."
"But things like that aren't set in stone. It is situations and experiences that shape us. Perhaps what is happening to Bakura is allowing his true self to finally be shown. Maybe his friendship with Tea has broken down his defensive barriers to expose the true Bakura."
"Maybe. But I'm still not sure. Anyway, didn't you want to go somewhere?"
"Yeah, I need to go to the store to pick up some groceries for Mum."
"Come on then. I'll give you a hand to carry them!"
"Thanks Tristan." Said Serenity as they walked off, hand in hand. They weren't officially a couple yet. But they both knew how the other felt. It was just finding the right time to tell Joey.
At that moment, Yugi was still chasing the man who had left his bag in the store. This man could walk very fast. He was already out of the park and heading towards the industrial estate. Yugi, his short legs pounding, could barely keep up with him.
"Hey! Excuse me sir!" Called Yugi, but the man didn't hear him. Yugi was about to give up when he saw the man go inside a warehouse. 'Finally,' thought Yugi. 'I can catch him in there!'
"Hello?" Called Yugi as he entered the dark storage house. "Sir, you left your bag. I." But he didn't finish his sentence. At that moment the door slammed behind him and the place was flooded with lights. Yugi whirled around to see the man standing in the shadows. "Oh, there you are! You left your bag in my grandpa's store. I've been chasing you to give it back."
"The bag is empty!" Said the man sinisterly. Yugi looked into the bag and opened the box of medication. He was right, there was nothing in it.
"I don't understand. But I should go now. I have things to do. Sorry to bother you."
"It's no bother at all." Said the man and Yugi sighed and stepped forward to leave. "But I'm afraid you will not be leaving yet."
"W-w-what?" Stammered Yugi, suddenly afraid.
"You will not go until I beat you in a duel. You beat me at the duellist convention, but now it's time to show you that Mark is not so easily crushed."
"Duellist convention? But I didn't compete! Yami, you must mean my spir...my brother."
"I don't care squirt. You or your brother, a win will return honour to my name and if I beat you, it's your brother's fault for beating me. We will play now!"
Yugi turned around to see a duellist arena behind him.
"Alright. If I win you let me go and you leave me and my brother alone."
"Very well, but if I win your brother gives me his deck!"
"No way, it's not mine to bet!"
"I'm not betting it. If I win, your ransom will be his deck. And how could he refuse? His own flesh and blood!"
Yugi stepped up to the platform, feeling suddenly alone. Normally his friends were there to cheer him on or he could rely on Yami to take over. Now it was up to him.
"Thanks for walking me home Bakura!" Said Tea as they stood in her hall.
"That's OK."
"You know, I used to think that you were really, well, evil. But now that I know you, you're really sweet. A great friend!"
"A friend? Is that all?"
"I don't understand Bakura."
"Well, I just thought. You are always around at the store. And you always talk to me and stuff. I thought that you could like me."
"Oh Bakura, I'm so sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. You are a great friend and everything but I was actually there to be with Ryou. I really like him and I thought that by making friends with you he would pay attention to me."
Bakura felt like he was boiling inside. So! She had been using him all along. Well, she would pay for this.
"Bakura." Said Tea. "Are you OK?" She laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Get off!" Shouted Bakura as he pushed Tea off him, causing her to fall backwards into a table.
"Oww, Bakura that hurt. You shouldn't."
"Don't tell me what a should and shouldn't do!" Roared Bakura. He picked Tea up roughly by the arms and brought her face to face with him. Shaking her violently he screamed. "You used me! You will pay dearly for that woman!"
He threw Tea against the stairs and she screamed in pain as she fell.
"Bakura stop! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" She cried. But Bakura was in a rage. Angrily he grabbed at her blouse and threw her back down the stairs, so she landed by the door. She grabbed at the handle to try to escape, but Bakura held the door closed. He struck her hard on her face, causing her to cry out again. Then he pushed her so that she slammed against the wall, hitting her head. She slid to the floor; sobbing and she huddled in a ball.
"There, I think you have paid for your using me! Just don't tell anyone about this, or next time you won't be able to!" With that he stormed out, leaving the wounded Tea huddled on the floor, crying silently.
AN - So, two cliffhangers. What will happen with Tea and Bakura? And will Yugi win his battle? More action is to come! Keep reviewing!
