For the Love of Past and Present
Part Five: We Meet Again…
A partially cloudy day greeted Dina as she made her way out of the lobby and into the main halls of the college. The crowded hallway would've been a welcomed sight to anyone else trying not to draw individual attention but to Dina, who basically hated socialization of any sort, it was a conforming nightmare.
"Just perfect." she muttered to herself. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder she headed for her first class. An advanced history class which her charge was also enrolled in. Along with the possessor of the Millennium Puzzle and pharaoh's spirit---Yugi Mutou.
Lost in her thoughts Dina didn't even recognize the young man from that morning walking towards her (nose in a textbook) until they'd collided.
"Oops!" she murmured as the loose leaflets of various forms spilled out of the notebook she was carrying in her other hand. The person she'd bumped into quickly knelt down to help her pick up the mess.
"Oh, I beg your pardon miss, I-" the familiar brown eyes meet with her blue ones then sent a wave of recognition and shock washing over them both.
It was him! The same handsome stranger whom she'd shared more than just a friendly gesture with last night…"B-Bakura?"
I can't believe my luck! the Ring carrier was thinking, Of all the people to run into today I had to come across her. She must loath me for what happened last night. And for what the spirit nearly did this morning! "D-Dina."
A bright red blush spread across her cheeks as she fidgeted nervously in place. "I um, didn't realize you went to this school."
"Yes," Bakura nodded nervously, "I attend classes here four days out of the week or so. Just to brush up on my cultural skills. What about you?"
"Me? I--well--uh--" Just how much should I tell this guy about myself and why I'm really here? I mean, heck, if Felaine's right about the holder of the ring then letting him know too much might get the Queen of Games in trouble with that creep in the ring. "I'm just here to further my art skills. You know what they say about 'starving artists', gotta keep up to date on the latest techniques." That sounded so lame! Man I hope he bought it.
"I see." Bakura nodded politely. "Well I'd better get going before the bell rings. It was, um, nice seeing you again."
"Same here." she struggled to keep the hint of disappointment out of her voice. It was obvious that this guy didn't want to make her feel used by bringing up the whole ordeal of the previous night. It was probably true, the spirit had goaded him into it.
Turning to escape back into the crowd and find her classroom she quickened her pace. The pain in the depths of her heart now was a little too much to bare. Despite all she'd ever swore to herself that she wouldn't do she'd broken every rule for this mysterious stranger. And all she had to show for it now was a broken heart.
The two students took several steps apart from each other in separate directions before Bakura halted and turned on his heel. Racing back through the crowd he got within earshot of the redhead just as she arrived at the entrance to her first class. "Dina! Wait!"
Her spirits lifting just as suddenly as the voice had come she glanced back to see him pushing his way past a group of males who were mindlessly socializing in the middle of the hall.
Finally shoving through he approached her again panting slightly. "I-I just wanted to ask you if you might like to join me for lunch today?"
"Really?" Dina was surprised that he even wanted to dine in the same cafeteria with her after all the awkwardness their prior encounter had caused.
"I know that the cuisine here isn't exactly four star but all the same I'd---enjoy your company. Maybe we could get to know each other? Even become friends?" he offered kindly. "You did mention before that you were new in town. I know what that's like."
Unable to hold back a smile she felt her heart rate increase as she stared into his eyes, seeing Bakura and not the jerk from the ring this time. "I'd like that. Thanks for the offer."
"It's the least I can do. You were awfully kind to me last night." Bakura's cheeks reddened as he realized his words could have a double meaning. Noticing the same reaction on her face he decided it was time to make a temporary retreat. "I'll, um, let you get to your class now. Bye."
"Bye," Dina waved to the boy as he disappeared back into the bustling hoard of students, "see you at lunch."
Once he was clear from her line of sight Bakura darted into a deserted corner of the hall while the bell for class began to ring. The ring on the cord around his neck emanated a bright glow as a low, sinister laugh sounded from his sneer, "That's a date my sweet painter which I wouldn't miss for the world."
******
Ishsyzu stood just outside the entrance to the gallery where Dina had been putting the finishing touches on her exhibit the night of the storm. Inspecting the model works in the large glass window cases outside she observed the two main subject matters of the young artist. Ah, so the guardian of the pharaoh's queen is fascinated by celestial and desert views. This says a great deal for her personality…and her dueling style.
The curator stepped outside the entrance and smiled warmly at the Egyptian woman, "Oh so you've noticed these pieces done by the newest prospective painter in town have you? Aren't they stunning? You know I see some real potential in her work."
"Yes," Ishsyzu commented absently, "she does show great potential. Her paintings are quite…enlightening."
The curator looked pleased as she smoothed out a few wrinkles in her red skirt, "Well if you're truly a fan of her work I should tell you that Dina Finesse owns her own, smaller studio downtown. She has quite an impressive display up there now but I'm afraid she doesn't open it for the public to view very often. Being new and all I guess I can understand her apprehensiveness. Still, if you'd like I could call her later and put a good word in for you-"
"That won't be necessary, thank you." Ishsyzu held up a hand, "I'm quite certain that I can convince her to see me there myself. I have personal matters to discuss with her."
Nodding the curator walked to her car by the curb and went on with her errands.
"Ah Ishsyzu," an all too delighted voice came from behind the mysterious Egyptian, "how nice to see you out in the open again. It's been far too long since we've last spoken."
"Pegasus," Ishsyzu greeted without turning around, "I take it you've been well."
"As always, then again, you could always just use that necklace of yours to look into my past and see for yourself now couldn't you?" Pegasus answered with a hint of amused sarcasm.
"I trust you're no longer concerned with the Egyptian God Cards." she stated emotionlessly, "In fact, I'm certain that your visit here is based solely upon your interest in the new powers discovered in Domino."
"True," Pegasus admitted, "but contrary to any suspicions you might have I'm not here to acquire such powers for myself."
She finally turned to face him, "I'm listening."
With a half grin he explained. "Ah my dear Ishsyzu, while you are one of my most trusted and loyal confidants I can see why you'd be completely in the dark as to my motives for returning to this duelist ridden city. But you see, as with all my prior agendas my driving force now is none other than love. Not its restoration as before, but its preservation as it is in jeopardy now."
Ishsyzu studied him, becoming all the more curious as to his meaning.
"It would seem that poor little Yugi, while more mature and focused now, is quite infatuated with the Queen of Games." Pegasus continued.
"As is Yami," Ishsyzu added, "both the boy and the pharaoh are now strongly bonded to the young maiden."
"Precisely, and if the powers sensed here are possessed by the same holder as the possessor of the life bringing touch then I'm certain that their love is in great danger. After all, what better way to obtain a power than by destroying or controlling the owner of it?"
"Are you saying that you now wish to help your past enemies Pegasus?" Ishsyzu couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.
"Indeed," Pegasus nodded, "in the memory of my beloved Cecilia, it is the least I can do to make sure that those who would live for greed and not love do not destroy the bond between the Queen of Games and her soul mates as the bond between my soul mate and I was so tragically shattered."
"But Pegasus," Ishsyzu pointed out, "your bond wasn't broken by the wrongdoings of others but by the ill-fated and often cruel ways of nature."
"This I know," Pegasus sighed, "but as one who knows all too well the devastating pain of a broken heart I can't in good conscience (and knowing Cecilia would want otherwise) allow this tragedy to occur to someone else. No Ishsyzu, that is a fate I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy."
It is about time he put his heart in the rate place again. Ishsyzu smiled to herself. "Alright Pegasus, I'm convinced. But don't think you'll win Yugi, Yami, or Rebecca over so easily. There is still much resentment there."
"I know," Pegasus turned and walked with Ishsyzu back towards his limousine, "I have a lot to make up for. I nearly cost them everything. This is my chance to make amends. To make sure that when Cecilia and I finally do meet in the next world, she won't be ashamed of the life I've led after being left behind in this world."
Opening the door he offered his old friend a ride to her next place of investigation. "While I never had the pleasure of meeting this woman, she sounds for all the world like one of the gentlest, most caring creatures to ever walk the Earth." she stated upon accepting his offer.
"She was." Pegasus remarked as the limousine pulled away from the gallery.
"Then Pegasus," Ishsyzu pulled a picture of a young redheaded woman out of a pocket on her robe, "it is time you redeemed yourself, both in her eyes…and yours."
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*Here's another of my sporadic updates, lol. I think I've set some pretty interesting events into motion with this one. If you like what you've read (or if you have tips) please review and let me know. Thanks to everyone who's already reviewed for this story, I appreciate all your compliments and suggestions. ^_^ Til next chapter, see ya!*