--- First off, I want to thank Lady Light for beating Mikari. Wow there is actually some one other then Mikari out there reading this. Yes, now Lady Light gets a drawing from me. Just send me your e- mail and tell me whom you want me to draw (please! Please! No Joey or Tea I really do not like them. (p.s. I am extremely good at Ryou and Bakura))

now on to the chapter! Before Mikari pokes me to death. ---


Chapter Twenty-Three

Laria Awakes

Later that night everyone had fallen asleep. Everyone but Yani. She had gotten up to get a glass of water but could not fall back asleep. She stood next to her hikaris bed. She felt so hopeless. Laria was laying there dieing and there was nothing she could do.

Yani noticed a lock of Laria's hair was in her face. Yani smiled slightly. It used to drive her Aibou crazy if she has hair in her face. Yani was the same way. That is why she pulled her hair back in a ponytail. Yani moved the hair out of Laria's face. She thought she felt something.

Yani ran her hand a crossed Laria's cheek. Yes, she was not feeling things. It actually felt warm. She heard a low moan and she saw Laria's eyes slowly opening. Yani let out an uncontrollable sequel of joy that woke everyone up.

"Yani?" Atemu groaned, "What is it?"

"It's Laria!" Yani said, she was so excited, "She's waking up!"

"Wha!" everyone got up and moved around Laria's bed. She was looking around very dazed and confused. Atemu felt her cheeks while Yani checked her pulse. Seto went down stairs and brought up a glass of water for Laria.

…Where am I?... Laria asked threw her mind link; she was too weak to talk aloud.

…You're in your bed hikari…

…Am I dead?...

…No you're not…

…Good, my library books over due…

Yani laughed though her mind link.

"She's going to be fine," Atemu said as he helped Laria drink some water.

"Yup," Yani smiled, "She's going to be alright."

The Next Day...

Laria was sitting up propped by pillows. A lot of her energy had come back but not all of it.

"How'd you do it?" she asked.

"With a spell," Atemu said.

"Yeah, Atemu found a cure. It involved a spell and four people."

"Who?"

"Three family members and the one you love," Yani said.

"How did you know who I liked!" Laria exclaimed.

"Uhh..." Yani looked around nervously

"Yani, were you reading my thoughts again!"

"Yes but I had to, and I didn't mean to find that out, but aren't you glad I did?"

"Yeah or else I wouldn't be here," Laria smiled but Malik frowned. Atemu saw this.

"I think we should leave them alone."

Yani nodded then shooed everyone out of the room. When they got into the hall, she noticed that Ryou was looking sad.

"Hey what's up," Yani asked, "You should be happy for them."

"I know," Ryou said quietly "but..."

"What?"

"I love her..."

In Laria's Room...

Laria blushed and looked over at Malik.

"That really wasn't how I wanted you to find out..."

"It's ok," Malik said, "I'm glad I found out that way. It gave me time to think"

"Really?"

"Yes, and I have to tell you..." Malik took a breath, "I don't love you that way, and I don't think I can."

Laria's eyes went wide. It felt like her heart had been ripped out...

"You're too much like a sister to me..."

... And thrown on the floor...

"Gomen"

... And stumped on...

There was a knock on the door and Yani stuck her head in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but Laria you should really eat something."

"Just hold on a second," Malik said, Yani closed the door and waited out side the room.

"Are you going to be ok?" Malik asked once Yani was gone. Laria nodded but didn't say anything Malik sighed and left, Yani come in.

"So how'd it..." Yani noticed the look on her hikaris face, "What's wrong?"

Laria did not say anything, just sank back into her pillows.

…Hikari?...

…Go away...

…Tell me what's wrong!.

…That's it I'm checking your thoughts…

Laria sighed and put up no resist. Yani checked her recent thoughts then gasped.

"Oh hikari!"

"I'll be fine, Yami" Laria said quietly.

"You sure?" Yani asked. Laria nodded a little. "I hope so, but in the mean time, have some soup. It'll help you feel better."

Yani handed Laria the bowl of soup, potato, her favorite. Laria smiled a little and began eating the soup while her yami was checking to see how she was doing. Laria was almost done with her soup when Seto came in. Laria looked up.

"Hey Kaiba, what brings you here?"

"Lar, I'm sorry," he said glancing down at the floor.

"For what?" Laria asked, handing Yani her bowl.

"Everything," Seto said, "For being so mean."

"Ok, is ok," Laria smiled, "You don't have to apologize, I just as cold hearted. Guess it runs in the family."

"But you almost died because of it!" Seto exclaimed.

"But I'm fine now," Laria said, "It's in the past now, don't worry about it."

"But I fell so badly about it, I need you to forgive me."

"If it means THAT much to you," Laria rolled her eyes, "I forgive you."

Yani snickered though there mind link.

…And what is so funny?...

…You, do you always have to people a hard time?...

…Psh...

"Lar?"

Laria blinked.

"Wha?"

"You were spacing out," Seto said.

"Was not," Laria told him, "I was just talking to Yani."

Yani grinned and Laria glared at her.

"Oh anyways, don't you ever get that close to dieing ever again," Seto said sternly.

"Ok, ok," Laria said. "I'll wait until after you kick the bucket."

---One chapter down! One chapter to go! All right, next chapter is the epilogue, and the end. Hey I am actually are going to finish this before Christmas! ---