For the Love of Past and Present

Chapter 12: Mystic Holds Two of a Kind

The city of Domino went about its usual business shortly after the Millennium Item incident. Kaiba Corp. was more than glad to take credit for the spectacular display. Their--uh--'new product' wouldn't be available to the public for several months yet.

Dina continued painting and displaying her artwork at her gallery and the main gallery not far down the street. Her two biggest distractions: the training with Felaine in how to effectively guard the Queen of Games, and her new boyfriend(s) Bakura (and his darker half).

Rebecca enjoyed a similar lovelife with Yugi and Yami. Dating a modern guy and his ancient spirit wasn't quite as complicated as one would expect. Like they were always explaining...to love an item holder was to love the spirit within that item. It was the same individual, just different 'versions'.

While life was back to its usual state for those involved in the Millennium saga the perils of being players in such a dangerous game were still looming overhead.

******

CRASH!

The loud noise resounded throughout the upper levels of the game shop. Outside things were peaceful and pleasant as the city enjoyed yet another beautiful day. But inside…

The thumping of sneakers could be heard going up and down the stairs. Yugi Motou was in hot pursuit of the little troublemaker who'd just knocked his lamp off the nightstand, shattering the base into about twenty million tiny pieces. Even someone like Yugi (who'd been able to single-handedly assemble the Millennium Puzzle multiple times) would never be able to piece the fragments back together.

"Sirius you little monster!" Yugi yelled as he chased the black kitten back up the stairs again.

Rebecca poked her head out of her bedroom door and saw her boyfriend in hot pursuit of her mischievous pet. "Sirius, what did you do now?"

She decided it was best to deal with the matter herself rather than leave it to a very peeved duelist. Sirius had a way of pushing Yugi to his boiling point and beyond. It was really quite comical, a spiky-haired man racing around and stooping down to grab a slender little feline who narrowly managed to slip through his grasp every time. Bending down she scooped up the kitten and held him protectively by her side (very similar to the fashion in which she guarded her treasured teddy bear, the last gift given to her by her late parents).

Yugi panted and pointed an accusing finger at Sirius, "That little fur ball's at it again Rebecca! Why couldn't you just keep a goldfish or something?"

"Sirius is just being curious Yugi, he didn't mean to break anything." Rebecca retorted. "Besides, Yami never seems to have any trouble with him and he stays in your room too."

"Yeah but he's usually in the Puzzle all day." Yugi reminded her while glaring at the cat tucked beneath her arm.

Yugi didn't really hate Sirius--contemplate sticking him in the bathroom for most of the day maybe--but there were times when he could be spotted with the kitten curled up in his lap as he lay snoozing on the sofa. Rebecca longed for such times but, for now, she was stuck playing referee between the two yet again.

"If you don't want Sirius roaming all over your room then just keep the door shut." the blonde sighed as the front door downstairs swung open.

"Hey Yugi!" a male's voice called, "You home?"

"It's us Yugi!" a female piped up, "Tristan and Tea!"

"And Joey and Mai!" another woman added.

"Hi guys," Yugi called back. He and Rebecca came down into the shop to greet their friends. With college, jobs, dueling, and training they really hadn't had much time to converse since the battle with Marik.

Joey spotted Rebecca with the kitten immediately, "Hehe…having trouble with the cat again Yuge?"

"You might say that," Yugi grumbled.

"Well I'm sure you'd rather deal with a kitten over a creep like Marik any day." Tea stated.

"Speakin' of Marik," Joey grinned, "just what happened with you and Tristan, Tea?"

"Get your mind out of the gutter Joey," Tristan groaned, "we got stuck in traffic since you guys bailed out of the car at the light."

"Sorry about that." Yugi chuckled.

"I told them not to do it." Mai folded her arms.

"Hey!" Joey exclaimed, "I got your car out of the impound didn't I?!"

"Aw c'mon guys," Yugi stepped between the two, "don't fight. That's all in the past now. Let's just head out to the new Kaiba Land site like we planned."

"I still can't believe that Kaiba's letting us help him plan the new layout for the place." Tristan exclaimed.

Joey sneered, "He wouldn't be lettin' us within ten miles of the place if he wasn't datin' my little sister."

"Oh get over it Joey," Mai scolded, "Seto Kaiba may have been a jerk before he started dating Serenity but those two coming together was one of the best things that's happened to this mushy little group. She may be your little sister but she's a big girl now too."

"It's no use Mai," Tea grinned, "Joey and Kaiba have been fighting since they met. It's like trying to get a dog to get along with a cat."

"DOG!" Joey 'barked'. "Are you callin' me a pathetic little puppy dog too Tea?!"

Sighing Rebecca placed Sirius down on the table and pulled Yugi towards the door. "Come on Yugi, Joey could gripe about this one all day."

"What did you say Squirt?" Joey was already on Rebecca's heels as the couple left the shop.

The three remaining friends exchanged weary glances, "Joey and Kaiba working together on a new dueling arcade." Mai moaned, "Remind me again guys, why'd we agree to get involved?"

******

Cool air swept around the room as the ceiling fan whirled around. Strands of red hair danced over the pale face of a dozing guardian.

Tiptoeing over to the couch Bakura leaned across the back cushions and peered down at his beloved girlfriend. Neither of them could've imagined the events that had ensued after their decision to pursue an intimate relationship. He had nearly lost Dina due to a blow delivered from Marik. And all of this happened because of Yami Bakura's obsession with obtaining all seven Millennium Items. But then again, if it weren't for his darker half's unselfish wish Dina would have most definitely lost her life.

Bakura was jolted from his complex thoughts when the redhead started to stir. Stretching out her arms she slowly blinked her blue eyes open. A faint smile played on her pink lips when she saw him, "Are you still watching me like a hawk? Sheesh, I'd have less supervision in a maximum security prison. I'm fine Bakura, stop worrying about me."

"I almost lost you." Bakura reminded her, "Why shouldn't I worry?"

"Because Yami Bakura saved my life and proved that deep down he's not that bad of a guy." Dina replied. And if he's hearing this he's probably fuming right now.

"That's the most perplexing thing of all." Bakura was baffled, "Usually the spirit of the Millennium Ring doesn't care about anyone but himself. The only instances where he's stood up for me happened because he needed my vessel to remain part of the physical world."

"Oh I dunno," Dina got to her feet and slipped into her boots, "maybe he was just using that as an excuse. I bet he really does care. He's just not good at showing it and stuff. Lots of 'tough guys' aren't."

I DIDN'T DO A THING FOR BAKURA THAT WOULDN'T DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BENEFIT ME!!! Yami Bakura screamed inside Bakura's mind.

Smiling slyly Bakura nodded, "You know Dina, I think maybe you're right."

WHAT?! Yami Bakura was seething now. How dare they presume to know his motives! This was what he got for being lenient with these two.

Catching a glimpse of the clock she noted the time, "Oh great, Bakura we were supposed to head out to the new Kaiba Land site a half hour ago!"

"I know but you were sleeping." Bakura grabbed his keys off the coffee table.

"Well you're supposed to wake me up loverboy." Dina faked anger and raced out the door. Bakura nearly tripped over the doormat as he rushed to catch up to her.

"Dina wait! I'm the one with the keys!!"

******

Ishsyzu stood before her mirror combing her long strands of raven hair with a golden pick. She had experienced her premonition again while she slept last night. The Millennium Necklace had revealed to her a repetition of the vision showing the not too distant future. The 'third' new power would be arriving in Domino soon, very soon.

Sighing heavily she placed the comb down on the dresser. A scented candle burned, filling the air with a sweet tropical fragrance. The blue from the candle's wax seemed to blend with the flame atop its wick. The heated dance continued before her eyes and the Egyptian woman became fascinated with the strange sight. Is this the Necklace's doing?

She recalled Felaine's words to her brother...'everyone has their weakness. And I just happen to know that yours will become evident very soon.' Did this 'weakness' that The Proclaimer spoke of have some connection with the new force she sensed coming?

The flame swirled around on top of the candle. Its bright reds, oranges, and yellows fading into various shades of blue.

There is the unsettling feeling of change in the air. Someone approaches the city who possesses the potential to alter the Millennium Game forever. And my brother and his evil counterpart lie directly in this soul's path. Oh Malik, what shall become of you? How will this new presence affect us all?

No sooner had Ishsyzu completed her thought than the small flame ignited into a raging blue inferno on her dresser. With a scream she fell backwards and stared up in amazement at the mystical blaze.

"Ms. Ishtar?" one of her attendants knocked at the door. "Are you alright?"

Before she could reply the roaring blaze receded back to its original size on the wick and flickered itself out of existence.

"Ms. Ishtar?"

Ishsyzu got to her feet and went to inspect the damage only...there was none. Everything was exactly as she'd left it. Nothing was burnt. Not even a trace of ashes.

By now her attendant had become agitated enough to forcefully enter the room. He saw Ishsyzu Ishtar running a finger across her dresser and then lifting the candle (carefully holding the wick end away from herself).

"Uh...Ms. Ishtar? Are you okay ma'am? I heard you scream and-" the attendant began.

"Yes I'm fine." Ishsyzu answered, "You may return to your duties now."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite."

Reluctantly the attendant left the room scratching his head. Once he was gone Ishsyzu turned back to the dresser and laid a hand over her Millennium Necklace. "It is exactly as I foresaw. The symbol of the 'third' power---ultramarine fire."

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*And that's the ending of "For the Love of Past and Present". Yeah I know, it took me long enough. Hope it was worth the wait. ^_^ I'm glad I got all the great reviews. Please let me know what you thought of this part and the story as a whole. There IS a sequel (mentioned in part nine) "Ultramarine Fire". There'll be new characters, lots of action, and of course some romance. ^_~ Thanks for reading and the sequel's coming soon!*