Himeko: *bubble pops* Hey...what's going?
Yami Himeko: About time you woke up.
Himeko: I was sleeping? Oh...okay...
Yami Himeko: Looks like you're still asleep to me. Catch!
Himeko: What's this?
Yami Himeko: Caffeinated soda.
Himeko: Oh. *chugs it down*
Disclaimer: Jade does not control destiny. She will never own Yu-gi-oh!, but she does get two of the moodiest girls in the fanfic!
/Hikari to Yami/
//Yami to Hikari//
Calm After the Storm
*Himeko's POV*
My eyelids open slowly. It's been a long time since I had a peaceful, dreamless sleep. I rub my eyes a bit. I raise my arms above my head and let out a loud yawn. My eye catches a figure blocked by my golden bangs. I move them out of the way. Leaning out the window is my yami, transparent and ghost-like. "Yami-sama?" I whisper softly. Her head turns a little to look at me. Her face unreadable, as usual.
//Morning...hikari...// I hear her say through our link. It's strange, she sounds tired.
/Yami-sama, what's going on?/ She doesn't answer as she turns her head back to the window.
//Beautiful, isn't it?// I look beyond her back. The sun is starting to set. The sky painted a deep red. I nod mentally.
/It is.../ I nervously twirl my hair around my finger. /Yami-sama, are you feeling okay?/ I hear a light chuckle through our link.
//I'm a confusing person, ain't I?// I hear another light chuckle. //Try being screwed a hundred times over in your lifetime. Someone up there must hate me.// I feel the hate and bitterness starting to flow through our link.
"Y-Yami-sama?" I stammer outloud. She shakes her head and turns to me.
"There are a bunch of kids outside with the pharaoh," she motions for me to look out the window. I walk over, using my arms to boost my small frame, so I can lean out the window. Yugi, his yami, and three other people are standing outside the shop. A tall, brunette and a blond seem to be in a heated arguement. The only girl in the group is watching from the sidelines along with Yugi, and his yami. Her head moves and catches sight of me. She turns to Yugi. Yugi looks at me and smiles.
"Hey, Himeko-san! You feeling better?" he calls out. The rest of the group turns to me. I nod, forcing a smile.
"Yes, I'm feeling much better."
"That's great! Why don't you come down, so you can meet my friends?!" he calls with a wave. I glance at my yami, who nods unemotionally.
"Okay, I'm coming!" I throw on my purple vest as my yami fades back into my earring.
*Anzu's POV*
Whoa, this is just plain freaky. Is Himeko really just Yugi's cousin? She could be his sister. Heck, his twin if her hair was shorter with red highlights.
"Hello, minna. I'm Himeko Mutou," she bows, "I'm pleased to meet you."
"Hiroto Honda."
"Katsuya Jounouchi, but my friends call me Jou."
"And I'm Anzu Mazaki," I clasp my hands and smile, "What do you think about Domino?"
"Well...." she rubs her hands nervously. The metal buckles on her wrists making soft clangs as they rub each other. "It's a nice neighborhood." Her eyes staring at the ground. My smile widens. Time for one of my good old pep talks!
"Don't worry, Himeko. We're friends here. Feel free to..."
"Friends?" Himeko cuts me off with a wide-eyed stare.
"Yes, and as friends we will always..." I am cut off again when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
"Now's not the time, Anzu," Honda points out. Himeko is freakishly staring at me. Her whole body's shaking.
"Himeko-san?" Yugi asks in concern. Her gaze doesn't leave mine.
"Himeko," Yami's commanding, yet calm voice pierces the tensed atmosphere in the group. Himeko blinks and looks at Yami, "are you alright?"
"Y-Yes," Her eyes move to the side, "I'm fine." Silence fills the group. Himeko is still shaking. I couldn't help, but be reminded of a stray kitten lost in an alley way. I clasp my hands and smile.
"So, shall we be going?"
"Surprise! Welcome to Domino!" Screams fill the air as soon as the light switch is flipped on. There are a few balloons strewn around the area, with a big banner reading "Welcome!" hanging from the ceiling. Himeko's eyes widen in shock and confusion.
"Wow! All this for me?!" Her eyes sparkle. Yugi looks perplexed, while Yami still has his calm, cool stance.
"That's right. Anzu called us all last night to arrange a party for Yugi's cousin. You should have let us known sooner, hon. Then we really could have fixed this place up," Mai winks at Himeko.
"What do you mean by that? Isn't my place good enough as it is?" I huff. She smirks.
"Honestly, hon, I've seen street bums live in better homes." God, she's so arrogant!
"Anyway," I turn to Himeko, "this is Mai Kujaku, Ryuuji Otogi, Shizuka Jounouchi, Mokuba Kaiba, and Seto Kaiba is over there on the couch."
"Kaiba?!" Jou's voice raises in disgust, "what's he doing here?"
"Don't think I wanted to come, mutt. I'm only here, cause Mokuba wanted me to be."
"I'm not a mutt!"
"Don't mind them. They're always like that," Mokuba explains to Himeko, "I brought my Gamecube over. Wanna play?"
"Gamecube, ne? Got Melee?" her eyes brighten.
"Yup, anyone else wanna join?" he eyes Kaiba.
"No, Mokuba."
"Please, big brother?" He gives him trademark puppy dog eyes. I wonder whose eyes are stronger. Yugi's or Mokuba's? Kaiba sighs in defeat.
"Alright, I'll play."
"Great, anyone else wanna play?"
"How about you, Yami?" Kaiba smirks at Yami. Here we go again.
"Is that a challenge?"
"What else would it be?"
"You're on!" The four sit on the sofa with game controllers in their hand. Everyone else sat around them. Jounouchi and Honda were fighting over a bowl of popcorn. Kaiba chooses Ganondorf. Yami chooses Link. Mokuba chooses Young Link. Himeko chooses Zelda. (AN: Check it out. A Legend of Zelda battle. Oh, well. ^_^) The fight starts. Yami and Kaiba go straight after each other. Mokuba and Himeko fight each other, atleast until Kaiba and Yami's percentage get high. It's interesting how those two seem to have teamed up against Yami and Kaiba. Suddenly, I notice something's missing.
"Hey Shizuka, where's Bakura?" I whisper. She looks at me and blinks.
"Hey, you're right. He isn't here," she whispers back to me.
"It's weird. Why doesn't Bakura hang out with us anymore?"
*Bakura's POV*
I'm sitting on the park bench. The sun has set. The moon and stars are out. Anzu's house is only a few blocks away. I told them I would come, but it's too much a temptation for my yami. He returned from the Shadow Realm a few weeks ago. Yami Yugi's attack had severely weakend his power, so he was forced to recuperate in the Shadow Realm. Now, he's back, and at full power. I know he'll do anything to get Yugi's puzzle. I sigh softly. Looks like I've become a liar once more. A few raindrops splash on my forehead. It'll be a real downpour soon. I stand up, fix my jacket, and start walking home. I throw one more glance at Anzu's house. And I'm alone, too.
Himeko: Ooh! Gamecube! Gamecube! Me want Gamecube!
Jade: *eyes YH* What did you just give her?
Yami Himeko: *whistles casually*
Jade: Well?!
Yami Himeko: *smirks and pulls out a can* It's just a coke.
Jade: *snatches can and pulls off label* Hyper Juice? Only ingredients are caffeine, sugar, and water?
Himeko: Pixie sticks! *bounces up and down, dumping pixie sugar in her hair* Think happy thoughts! Fly to NeverNever Land! Be a kid forever!
Jade: Oh, dear. Please review!
Jap/Eng Guide:
Honda- Tristan (Jpn/Dub)
Shizuka- Serenity(Jpn/Dub)
Otogi- Duke(Jpn/Dub)
(I plan to cut down on Jpn language.)
