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Chapter #29: The Big Night--Special Dance

*~*~*Elaya's POV*~*~*

"Thank you! As Arnold once said, 'I'll be back'" I cried into the mike as the song ended and everyone clapped. I walked off the stage--once again, almost falling--and went to my friends as No Doubt started playing.

"Elaya! That was great!" Tristan said

"Yea, you got some voice there, kiddo" Mai complemented

Joey grinned. "Good job man!"

"Thank you, you are all too kind" I said taking a short bow. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find some water."

I walked towards the refreshment table only to stare at some red juice with pineapple pieces in the punch bowl. Then, I see Greg.......so short in that prissy little tux that mommy or daddy got him. He takes something out of his jacket........oh jeeze.

"HEY GREGGY-BOY! HOW ARE YOU?!" I shout extremely loud at him. He looks up, pales and tries to hid the bottle of booze he was about to pour in the punch.

I come within inches of his face. "Some people LIKE to stay sober. Don't ruin it for the rest of us, okay?"

"I.......I wasn't doing anything!" And he walked away, with his tail between his legs. I never knew that Greg could be such a party animal--- with alcohol in his system of course. I grab the punch handle and pour myself a glass.........then, I grab a piece of pineapple that was in the punch and put it in my drink. I then make my way over the loner corner to see a Mr. K.

*~*~*Seto's POV*~*~*

Wow. Elaya has a very nice voice.........well, still does anyways. I look back at my computer screen, but my attention drifts elsewhere. Sigh. Yugi and the gang look like idiots........well, they sure are dancing like it. I wonder why Mai or the mutt's sister are here. They should have got reported. Speaking of being reported, why is Greg looking around so suspiciously? I finally get it once I see the liquor that he takes out. I return to my screen and furiously type up my report on my advances for my VirtuPod System.........after all, Dieen totally corrupted it. And me.

"Hidey-ho!" A cheerful voice said in front of me. I barely had any time to look up when my laptop was snapped shut, once again, almost cutting my fingers off.

"What the fu--?! Oh, it's just you." I replied with bitterness. Although, part of me wanted her to come over to my table.

"Nice to see you too!" Elaya said as she sat down. "So, what's up?"

"My business' stocks." I muttered sarcastically

She laughed. "Good one. If you had to ask me that during examinations, I would have said, 'My stress levels' but that doesn't matter now. What were you working on?"

"You mean the document that you rudely shut?"

"Yeah, that's the one!"

I sighed. "A report on my VirtuPod System and how I can fix it after that whole........thing........." I couldn't place my words.

"I see........that must be extremely interesting. BUT look around, we're at prom, so put that laptop away and get your groove on." She says, as she starts moving her head to the music.

"How about I don't."

"How about you do!" She made a grab at my arm, but I dodged it. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Spill it. What's bugging you?"

"Nothing."

"Jeeze, Seto, I thought that your vocab was a lot more than that one word."

"Just......Nothing...okay? Nothing's wrong.........end of story." I was referring to our little kiss. She stared at me for the longest time. Her green eyes reflected the lights in the room, making her have a rainbow dance around in her iris. She looked back at her drink and stirred it with her finger.

"Out of all the unfortunate people in this world, Seto, for some reason, I find you to be one of the poorest. You have your whole life to be a work-a- holic, just take a couple of days off!" She then plucked the piece of pineapple that she had taken out of her drink. "Pineapple is a good fruit. It has lots of vitamins........and you need 'em." She put the red-tinged fruit on a plate and shoved it in my direction. "Lates Kaiba." She whirled around, making her dress twirl and walked back into the ever-crowding dance floor.

"Wait." I whispered softly, obviously knowing that she wouldn't hear me. I reopen my laptop, stare at the screen, then shut it again. She was right.......I can work when I get home, prom was one night........Elaya told me once at the orphanage, 'It's bad to regret something you did, and it's even worse to regret something you didn't do.' I drum my fingers on the table and watch them all dance.

I had everything in the world.........except people.

*~*~*Reader's POV*~*~*

[How could he not care?] Elaya thought as she walked away. [Why is he acting like such a.......a.......I can't even find a word to describe it!!]

\\ Like such a fool? \\ Justi interrupted

// Yeah, that's okay.... //

She returned to her friends and immediately began to dance beside them all, somewhat forgetting everything that has happened to them and her. She was just dancing for the day, knowing that it might be her last with her friends......or with anyone for that matter.

Song after song......Guns 'n Roses, Smash Mouth, The Rolling Stones--all being played from her own CD--vibrated off the room's walls. Téa and Yugi were dancing closer than they had before, Mai and Joey were showing no sign of taking a breather but Tristan and Serenity had gone to get some refreshments. They walked hand in hand together to where the bunch bowl was.

"So, Serenity, what have you been up to lately?" Tristan asked

"Nothing much. Just going to school, hanging out with friends, calling my big brother......and you?"

"Pretty much the same."

"So, graduation must be really exciting. Do you know what university you're going to Tristan?"

"Well, I've sent applications. So far one has turned me down." He looked down in shame.

"Don't give up Tristan! Its one thing you guys have taught me is to never give up! Okay?" She turned to face him, with a look of pure sincerity.

"Ah, don't worry about me Serenity. I'll be okay."

She smiled "That's the spirit!"

"Serenity! What a lovely surprise!" A voice said from behind them.

"Oh......hi Duke." He walked over--with his pack of love-sick girls--and took Serenity's hand.

"It's so nice to see you again."

[Why is he like this? Can't he see that I'm with Tristan?] Serenity thought. She took a deep breath. "Duke, I'm here with Tristan."

His face faltered. "Oh."

"Sorry Duke."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "That's okay. Uh, you two have a nice night, alright?" He was obviously disappointed, but he didn't let it show. If Serenity picked Tristan over him, it was her loss. And well, he guessed that he should have nothing to do with Serenity in the first place, he did-- after all--embarrass her brother in front of everyone. [Oh well.] He thought. [I guess that I can't have my cake and eat it too] Duke walked away to be comforted by his loyal and loving fans.

"Hey, uh, thanks Serenity."

"Your welcome. I'm glad that I came here for you." And she rested her head on his arm. Tristan blushed.

"Uh........" He started to say nervously, "About that punch!"

Back at the dance floor, Yugi and Téa were getting closer and closer and Elaya decided to take a breather. She plopped herself on one of the chairs from her table. Mai followed her.

"Elaya, something's not right. Tell me."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm fine." Mai took a seat next to her and looked her over.

"I know these things, hun. Is it a guy that won't be your date?" [Damn, she's good.] Elaya thought.

She sighed. "Yea" she whispered.

Mai's eyebrows lifted. "And who is it?"

Elaya looked down. "Promise you won't tell? Or get all 'Oh my God'?"

[He's that bad?] Mai thought. "Okay. You can trust me."

[JUST SAY IT!!!] Elaya's mind screamed. "Kaiba."

Mai animé fainted. "Kaiba? That thing?"

"I know that he may act like a jerk, but I can still see the Seto that I practically grew up with."

"Grew up with..........oh. I'm sorry about your parents."

"It's okay."

"Well, I don't know what to make of this situation. I'm really stuck. Kaiba needs to lighten up..........and I think that you can do it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm not one for matchmaking, but I think you two would look......good together. After all, were you two friends back then?"

"Yea..........But, I don't know. What if he doesn't change?"

"Kaiba? Change? That's funny."

"No, I mean 'change' as in change back. He was a lot nicer back then."

"That's hard to believe."

"Well, believe it."

Mai sighed. "Good luck. All that guy cares about is himself, his company, and anything else that has his name on it."

"Point taken." Elaya managed a smile...but it was a sad smile. [What if that guy never changes?]

"Hey, Mai! I got you a drink!" Joey called from the other end of the room- barely heard.

"Hun, try your best, but...well, remember one boy isn't something you should get worked up about. Okay?" Mai smiled and walked over to the punch bowl, thinking that that was where Joey's voice was heard.

[I thought that voice came from here....] Mai thought. She looked around to see Serenity and Tristan walk off together near the dance floor.

"GUYS?!" She yelled. But they didn't hear her. "Oh, screw this." She then picked up the punch handle and poured herself a drink sloppily. Letting out a frustrated sigh she drank the sweet juice. [This stuff is terrible.]

Just then, Greg appeared. "Ah Ha! I knew that you didn't come to this school!"

"What?"

"You're not even supposed to be here! It's strictly against--"

"Listen, I really don't have time for this. My date's waiting."

"--the rules. I should report you to the office!"

"Look you little dweeb," Mai started to say, remembering the lie Elaya and Téa told her to say if she got in this situation, "I just got transferred."

"Really?"

"Get a life you little....Listen, no one wants a snitch, okay? Why don't you stop being such a kiss ass and be normal for a change? HUH?! And how dare you try and ruin this night for me! I think that some people deserve second chances!" That's when Mai looked around to make sure no one was coming and threw her drink in Greg's face, and stormed off.

"Mai! There you are!" Joey said handed her, her drink.

"Thanks Joey"

"Where were you?"

"Living out my past. Come on, let's dance." [What in the world is she talking about?] Joey thought as she pulled him to the dance floor.

Just as AC/DC 'Highway to Hell' ended, Mandy Moore's 'Only Hope' began. The remaining dancers paired up with their dates.

"I'm not much of a slow dancer Mai.....I.......uh....." Joey tried to say, blushing.

"Oh, grow up!" Mai said, putting his hands on her waist and wrapping her hands around his neck. Joey almost died when he saw Tristan dancing with Serenity. "Joey? Don't worry about them, alright?"

"Alright. Fine." [He better not do any funny business!]

"So.........Yugi....uh....." Téa blushed.

"Yeah....um....so....." He tried to say. Elaya stood up and went towards them.

"Look, you wanna dance with her, and she wants to dance with you." She pushed them together. "So dance already! Sheesh!" Elaya then returned to the table to watch Yugi and Téa slowly begin to slow dance.

*~*

"There's a song that inside of my soul.

It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again."

*~*

Elaya began to feel out of place. She shut her eyes and just listened to the music--totally oblivious to who was coming up to her.

It coughed. "This is no time to rest."

Elaya looked up to see black. "Then what to you suggest I do?"

Kaiba stared at her and held out his hand. "We only live once, no?" She took his hand and they both walked towards the dance floor. Kaiba put his hands around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She placed her head--slowly--on his chest and smiled when he didn't respond.

*~*

"So I lay my head back down,

and I lift my hands and pray to be only yours

I pray to be only yours.

I know now you're my

only hope."

*~*

They both danced in tune with the music, both--surprisingly--not caring who was staring. Kaiba shut his eyes and put a hand through Elaya's awkward coloured hair.

"Hey, Seto, did you ever manage to finish, 'The Season of Passage'?"

"Yeah."

"Did you like it?"

"Yeah......too bad Lauren dies at the end."

*~*

"Sing to me the song of the stars.

Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again."

*~*

"Well, Jennifer tried to help her." Elaya put in.

"Lauren came back a monster. And no one could have helped her anyways."

"They were just too late. That's all. But remember," Elaya muttered in his chest, "that plot is going to repeat itself......for a third time.....in the very far away future. So, maybe next time, Jennifer will save Lauren."

Seto, mimicking an almost forgotten duellist, Ishizu [1] says, "But history is doomed to repeat itself."

"But that doesn't mean that the same outcome will occur."

*~*

"I give you my destiny.

I'm giving you all of me.

I want your symphony.

Singing in all that I am.

At the top of my lungs,

I'm giving it back."

*~*

"I guess that time wasn't on their side to save Lauren from the monster that she became." Seto considered.

"Well, I have all the time in the world to save you." Elaya said quietly and looked up at him.

Seto lips curled up to make a small smile. "All the time in the world.....Will that be enough?" He looked down at her and lifted her chin with his fingers.

"We'll see Seto.......we'll see......" Their lips brushed lightly together and they smiled.

*~*

"I pray to be only yours.

I know now you're my

only hope."

*~*

*~*

{OMG! That was beautiful!!!!!} I'd like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed to further my writing career and to the producer's of Yu-Gi-Oh! for without them, their would be no story. I LOVE YOU ALL! Comments are needed.

P.S. [1] I'm not sure if I spelled Ishizu's name right--don't sue. AND to any of you who had the pleasure of reading The Season of Passage, you'll understand the entire link between that and this story. For those who haven't, I tried to explain it without wrecking the entire novel for you! Pick up that book! It's a really good read!!!

Question to all my faithful reviewers: Should the story end here? Should an epilogue start? Or should a sequel begin? Thanks for all your written words of wisdom. *wipes away tear* I truly feel special!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!