Author's Notes: Well, here it is! The long awaited chapter 15, which starts to make things much more interesting! It will be cut into two parts. The part with the group on the ship and the part with the group at the corp. After about two chapters, it will merge into one again. I hope you like this chapter. Thanks again for the great reviews! Hmmm…I wonder if guys will be able to handle the mind blowing action and slight lemony romance starting in the next to chapters…well, we'll just have to wait and see! ^_~
Chapter 15:
Never Going To Let You Go
Kaiba's airship landed at what was left the arena. Yami and Marik slowly made their way up the steps. Debris was still falling from the explosion, which had occurred moments ago. Yami had his head hung and Marik was trying to avoid eye contact with everyone. The silence made Kaiba start to wonder. Once Yami and Marik were aboard, he began to ask them questions.
"What was that explosion all about?" Kaiba, asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
Yami sighed as his eyes drifted over to Marik.
Kaiba looked over at Marik.
Marik punched the wall and walked toward Kaiba. "Bakura…didn't make it."
Kaiba raised an eyebrow and then shook his head, frowning. "And your lesser half?"
Marik looked away and then down at his shoes. "I don't know. He was with Bakura when everything blew. It's my fault. I didn't pull out the right wire and then…" He looked back up at Kaiba. "Where's Téa? I…I need to tell her…"
Kaiba held his hand out and shook his head. "She's resting. Let her be for now. Once she's awake, you can break the news to her. She doesn't need to hear it right now." He walked back to the front of the ship.
Marik punched the wall once more and made his way to one of the spare rooms aboard the massive ship.
Ishizu watched as Kaiba stared out into the sky, barely blinking. "I'm sorry…" She said in a whisper.
Kaiba didn't move his head, but his eyes trailed toward her figure standing near him. "Don't be…there wasn't anything you could have done about it. I'm sure he's safe. I would know if something horrible had happened."
"I don't care! I should have tried at least!" Her raven hair swished violently as she shook her head and thrashed her arms about in anger and guilt. "It's my fault!" She cried out.
Kaiba gripped her shoulders tightly and peered deeply into her eyes. "I told you…" He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "It's not your fault…" He grew quiet and he just kept running his fingers through her silky black hair.
"Seto…?" She asked, her eyes feeling heavy suddenly.
Kaiba sighed and removed his hand from her face, placing it lightly on her bare shoulder. "I really don't know what's come over me…but almost losing you that day…has made me…realise how much a care about you. I know I wasn't the nicest person when we first met…but…" He stopped when he saw the girl leaning in closer, her arms slowly wrapping around his neck. "Ishizu…"
"Shhh…" She pulled him toward her, brining his lips closer to hers. After one more moment of staring into each other's eyes, she brought her lips on top of his in a gentle kiss.
***
Téa stirred and opened her eyes. She was in a small dark room. Panic coursed through her before she realised she was on Kaiba's ship. Soft knocks at the door made her turn her attention toward it. "Come in?"
Marik entered and rubbed the back of his head nervously. "How are you doing?" He asked in a forced pleasant tone.
Téa laughed. "Better…" She looked up at him curiously. "What's wrong?"
Marik sighed and kneeled down in front of her. "Téa …I…"
Would everyone please report to the main deck?
Marik cursed his luck and took Téa's hand gently in his. "Come on, I'll tell you after we see what's going on.
Téa nodded and allowed him to pull her out of the room.
***
Kaiba and Ishizu broke away from their kiss and looked up at the sound speaker.
Ishizu furrowed her brow. "What's going on?"
Kaiba shook his head. "I don't know. Come on!" He took her hand in his and they ran off toward the main deck where everyone else was standing around. Kaiba released Ishizu's hand and approached a man in a grey uniform. "What's the problem?" He asked in a slightly irritated voice.
The man bowed. "Forgive me, Kaiba sir. But we have company…and we don't know what to do with him."
Kaiba looked at the man oddly. "Him?"
"Follow me sir…"
Kaiba followed the man to where a group of guards were surrounding a body lying on the floor. "What? He survived?" He pushed through the crowed and looked down at the body before him.
The man was groaning in pain. His spiky blonde hair was splattered with blood. His skin had many burns and a few cuts. His clothing was torn up. He opened an eye. Yami Marik had survived.
Kaiba sighed. "Throw him off the ship!"
The man lifted up the battered dark Marik and began to haul him away.
Yami Marik struggled slightly, but was too injured to do much. He gave in a sadly slumped back against the man holding him.
Téa pushed out of Marik's grip and ran toward Kaiba. "Wait!"
Everyone stopped.
"Téa?" Kaiba asked, coldness in his tone. "What for?"
Téa eyed Yami Marik. "I know he did some very bad things… but as of this moment, he is just as human as the rest of us. It's inhuman to just toss him away! He needs his wounds tended! You can't just treat him like an animal!"
Kaiba clenched his hands into tight fists. "Why not? He treats us like that!"
Téa shook her head and closed her eyes. "But we aren't like him…are we?"
Kaiba didn't say anything.
"Kaiba! Please! I'll…I'll look after him! Ok? Just till he's healed…then…then he'll have to face his crimes…the proper way!"
Kaiba stared at the girl, unsure of how to reply. "You can't find good in everyone Téa …"
Téa ignored him as she approached dark Marik. "Maybe so…but I can try." She looked over at Marik and Ishizu. "He's a part of you too. Don't you think…even he deserves a second chance?"
Ishizu and Marik glanced at each other.
"Very well…" Kaiba sighed. "Take him to the hospital wing. For now…" He glared at Téa and walked off.
Téa smiled. "Thank you…Kaiba." She reached over and touched Yami Marik's arm. "Are you alright to walk?"
Yami Marik just nodded.
Ishizu and Marik approached Téa. "We'll help too." They said together.
Téa nodded. "Thanks. Wait a minute…"
Téa looked around her. Yugi was resting on a couch, Kaiba was off doing god knows what, Marik and Ishizu were with her…then that left…
"Where are Bakura, Joey, Tristan and Mai?" She asked.
Marik gulped. "Joey and Tristan are still duelling at the square. Mai was with them last I saw."
"And Bakura?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly.
"Bakura…I really don't know."
"What do you mean?" She cried, fear welling up inside her.
"Bakura…and my dark half were caught in an explosion…."
Téa gasped and covered her mouth. Tears began to well up in her eyes.
"I don't know if he made it…all we know is that Marik survived. He was less close to the blast anyways." He put his hand on Téa's shoulder. "I'm sorry…"
Téa felt her heart aching beyond belief. "No…no…no…" She kept repeating and shaking her head.
Ishizu placed her hand on her other shoulder. "Let it go Téa …it won't help you if you keep it inside."
Téa fell to her knees and began to cry. "NO! I can't believe it! Why HIM? He didn't deserve that! NOOO!!!" She kept pounding the floor repeatedly. "I loved him! Why? It's not fair!!!"
Ishizu reached out to her but Marik stopped her. "Let her be for now…"
"But…!"
"Sister…"
Ishizu nodded sadly and followed the men who were carrying Yami Marik to the hospital. Yugi left also, knowing that Marik was right. She needed time alone. Téa was left alone, sobbing and mourning the only man she would ever love, who she loved more then life itself. Now fate had ripped them apart and she was alone…again.
***
Mai panted as she made her way to the top of the stairs. "This is worse then that exercise course I signed up for!" She moaned and rubbed her throbbing legs. "Almost there…" She gasped. Footsteps were nearing her. She didn't have anywhere to hide. She paused, her hand on the doorknob. The sound grew loud and a feeling of anxiety well up in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and ducked inside. She sighed a turned around, leaning against the door. She froze. Six men were aiming their guns at her and smirking. "Damn…"
***
"So, tell me, how did you get past the guard?" A tall man in a black suit said.
Mai shook her head. "I don't know…they were too busy watching a duel."
"Weren't those duellists your friends?"
Mai narrowed her eyes. "No…they are not my friends! I don't know them!"
The man paced back and forth. "Hmmm…then tell me this, why are you here?"
"I wanted to use the bathroom."
The man became enraged and reached out to slap her. A hand quickly grabbed his arm and held it back. Mai flinched and closed her eyes, preparing for the blow. It never came.
Mai looked up and smiled. "Joey…"
"How are you doing Mai? Is this guy bothering you?" He tossed the guy to the side. "Let's get you out of here." He untied the ropes wrapped around the slender woman.
"How did you find me?" She asked, as he helped her up out of the chair.
"Well, with some help from our new friend, we were able to knock out the guards and follow you up the stairs."
Mai blushed. "So it was your footsteps I heard. Silly me…" She suddenly looked puzzled. "What new friend is that?"
Joey stepped aside as a tall slim figure walked out from under the shadows of the curtains. His shirt was torn and dirty and his silver hair was stained with blood and debris. He limped slightly, but he was smiling.
"Bakura…" Mai gaped. "I thought you were killed in that explosion?"
Yami Bakura laughed. "It'll take more then that to kill me…"
Mai hugged him tightly and laughed. "Oh Téa will be SO happy! She probably doesn't even know what happened! We must get back to the ship!" She released the spirit, who was wincing in pain from her crushing hugs. "Sorry…" she said sheepishly.
Yami Bakura lurched forward, grabbing his ribs. He waved his hand in front of her, telling her it was ok. "God…" He moaned.
Joey laughed. "Let's get out of here."
Mai nodded but then stopped. "Wait! We came here to get Mokuba! We can't just leave empty handed! He must be around her somewhere!"
***
Yami Marik opened his eyes when he felt a cool hand touching his forehead. Bright sapphire eyes, slightly reddened and puffy were looking down into his dark violet orbs. "What the hell did you think you were doing?" He breathed heavily.
Téa removed her hand and placed a damp cloth over his forehead instead. "Being kind." She said simply. As she reached over for some clean gauze, she sniffled and wiped away fresh tears that started to fall. "You heard me earlier, I don't have to explain myself again." She said in a warning tone.
Yami Marik chuckled. He pulled his arms out from underneath the blanket and tried to sit himself up. His arms may have been well toned and muscular, but he was still weak from the explosion. He slumped back and sighed angrily. "I feel so damn weak!"
Téa reached out for his arm and began to undo the blood stained gauze. "I wouldn't even be able to blink if I survived an explosion like that. I suggest you stay still until the doctor says it's all right to move."
"Why do you care?" He spat.
Téa wrapped the new and clean gauze around his burned and bleeding arm. "I don't really. I'm just not cruel and I think even you don't deserve to be treated like dirt when you are injured." She took a pair of scissors and cut the gauze off, tying the remaining pieces into a tight knot. She tossed the old gauze into the trash and placed the scissors back on the stand. "Get some rest so your wounds will heal faster."
"So you can get rid of me, huh?"
Téa blinked and then shook her head. "If I wanted you to leave, you wouldn't be here right now!" She huffed. "Don't make me do something drastic to your lovely hair with these!" She pointed to the scissors she had just been using.
Yami Marik narrowed his eyes dangerously at her. "Annoying girl…but I can see why that foolish spirit fell for you!"
Téa dropped the gauze she had been holding in her hand. Her body began to tremble slightly.
Yami Marik raised an eyebrow at her.
Téa sniffled and felt hot tears begin to stream down her cheeks. "D…. Don't mention…him…ever…again!" She threatened, anger rising up. "T…That jerk just left me! He just…just…he should be the one here…not you!"
Yami Marik wouldn't admit it, but her words actually hurt him. "THEN GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE SO YOU DON"T HAVE TO SEE ME YOU BITCH!!!"
Téa gasped and jumped off of the bed. She backed up, tears streaming down her cheeks more rapidly then ever. She glanced back at him one last time and ran off out of the room.
Yami Marik sunk deeper to the pillows, crossing his arms and glaring at the ceiling. "Stupid girl…"
***
Ishizu heard a knock at the door and put the book down that she was reading. "Come in!"
Kaiba walked through the door, a deadpan expression on his face.
"Seto, what is it?" She asked, a little curious as to why he was here.
"It's Saturday."
Ishizu cocked her head to the side. "I beg your pardon?"
Kaiba walked up to her and held out his hand. "It's Saturday and I owe you a dinner."
Ishizu blushed, remembering the date he made back at the courthouse. "I thought…"
"That I was just saying that? I never lie."
Ishizu smiled warmly and accepted his hand. "I would be honoured then. "She giggled as he led her out of the room. As they walked down a long corridor, she linked her arms with his and laid her head on his shoulder. "I know you miss him. And I know you're worried about him… but I assure you he'll be just fine. Mai would never let us down. Nor would Joey and Tristan."
Kaiba looked down at her. He tried so hard to hide his feelings, but this woman could read him so easily. "I know…"
Ishizu looked up at him. "Seto, everything will be alright. You'll see." She kissed him on the cheek, and laughed as he blushed. "I never would have thought I would see the cold and mean CEO of Kaiba corp., blush." She teased.
This caused him to blush even more. "Stop it…" He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
Ishizu giggled.
***
Mai opened the door slowly. The room was pitch dark. "Nothing here either…where could he be?"
Joey thought for a moment and signalled for them to follow him. "This way."
Mai and Yami Bakura followed unsurely.
Joey reached the room that Mai had been trapped in before. "They were guarding this room pretty heavily. I bet he's around here." He mused as he began feeling the walls. "Look for a switch or a button or…WHOA!!!"
Yami Bakura had pushed a small button located on the table near an ashtray. The wall Joey was leaning against flipped over, taking a surprised Joey with it. "I guess that's what he meant…"
Mai rolled her eyes and entered the hidden room. "Joey?" She asked, looking around her.
"Up here…" Came an un-amused reply.
Mai held back a laugh as she saw Joey pinned to the wall. His coat had caught on the wall and left him dangling upside down. "Are you alright?"
Joey crossed his arms. "Do you think I'm all right? All the blood is rushing to my head! Get me down from here!"
Yami Bakura flipped the wall over again, entering the room. Joey cried out as he fell right in front of Mai.
"Thanks…I think." He said, rubbing his head.
Yami Bakura ignore him.
"Is anyone there?" Came a tiny and muffled voice in front of them. "Joey? Is that you?
"Mokuba?" Joey asked as he stood up. "Where are you?"
"I'm in the closet! Those goons tied me up!"
Mai rushed over and tried to open the door. "It's locked! Does anyone have a key?"
Joey shrugged. "Maybe they left it on the desk?"
Mai sighed. "In the same room they trapped him? Wouldn't that make his rescue a bit too easy? Please Joseph, that's a bit too obvious!"
Joey blushed. "Well, it was worth a shot…"
Yami Bakura ignored the too arguing friends and approached the closet. He pulled out a pick and opened the lock. "This saves a lot of time and arguing." He stated as he swung the cupboard door open.
Joey and Mai sweat-dropped and laughed nervously.
"Uh, good thinking Bakura." Joey said; a bit embarrassed.
Yami Bakura reached in and pulled out the tied up Mokuba. He set him down gently and undid his ropes. "Why were they after you?' He asked softly.
Mokuba turned to face everyone. "They wanted me as bait so my brother would come. Seems they want his company out of the way or something. I'm not really sure to be honest."
Mai knelt down and smiled at the raven-haired boy. "You sure go through a lot of stuff, kid. Come on, let's get you back to your brother. It's not safe here." She stood up and began to walk out of the room. The boys followed her.
"Now the main questions is, how DO we get out of here?" Joey said as the door slammed behind them.
***
Téa rubbed her eyes. They were sore and swollen. Was he really worth it? She sighed and rolled over on the couch. She gasped when she saw to dark purple orbs looked down at her. "Yugi! What's up?"
Yugi sat down next to her. "Téa, I heard what happened. Are you ok?"
Téa shook her head. Not really…but I will be." She wiped away a new batch of tears that were forming.
Yugi put his arm around her and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Téa …I know it hurts, but I heard your conversation with that other Marik. You can't just give up on Bakura. We didn't even find a body. He might be alive still. He is an ancient spirit after all!"
Téa felt guilt begin to well up within her. "I know…I've been awful, haven't I?"
Yugi laughed. "No, you've just been through a lot."
Téa hugged Yugi. "Thanks Yugi. You're right. I never gave up on you or any of my other friends, so I won't give up on him either. I love him…"
Yugi smiled. "I know you do." He removed his arm and sat up. "Would you like to take a walk out on the deck?"
Téa smiled. "I'd love too."
A dark shadow floated above Tea. It eyed her curiously and then without anyone noticing, it flew down and merged with her body.
Téa gasped.
"Are you ok?" Yugi asked.
Téa nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just felt a little shiver." She rubbed her arms. "It's nothing. Let's go."
To be continued…
