A/N: Hey, everybody!! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end as this is the last chapter of Forbidden Memories of the Past. ^.^* I usually would post another chapter after this, naming out and thanking every single person that has reviewed. But at this time, I'm too tired to go through all the hundreds of reviews. But I do appreciate everyone, even if you've only reviewed once…or have never reviewed at all. Writing itself is a pleasure, but even better, is to watch people read your story and enjoying it. Anyway, after this, I'm going to be writing a Gundam Wing story about a girl named Destiny, disguising herself as a boy for revenge. I won't be posting it until I've totally completed the story. And of course, like I always do, there are going to be unexpected twists. But a warning beforehand, I've never seen/watched GW before, so some of the things I could get wrong. ^.^ Well, enjoy this last chapter. (Of course, as the last chapter should be, it's super cheesy and wacky. ~.^)
Six months later…
"Okay, I want the hors d'oeuvres on the table in the dining room. The crackers and vegetables with dip for the light eaters goes onto the lounge counter. The rest of the appetizers go to the buffet table out in the main hall." Kaiba strict tone was ordering as dozens of caterers scurried back and forth to attend and satisfy his bidding. "Make sure all five varieties—vegetarian, meat, hot, and cold—of appetizers had arrived. I ordered at least two dozen dishes of each so make certain that there are a hundred plus different varieties on each of the tables."
It was Christmas Eve and all through Kaiba Mansion, caterers were preparing meals, pinning decorations giving the mansion a festive scenery, and doing excess commands that Kaiba had. So far, the party he was hosting wasn't too out of control and like he promised himself after Daphne's party, he did hire professions this time.
"All the beverages will be served behind the bar, give everything to the drink server to tend to. While you're at it, the sweets go into the reception hall, not the buffet table, I want it moved immediately. Also, the centerpiece for the main dining table is lopsided and I would like one of your working to handle that. I hired you to work, not to mess up and fail." He regarded the man in front of him with narrowed, calculating eyes.
"Yes, sir." The supervisor of the catering crew said meekly, almost shrinking under Kaiba's icy cold midnight blue gaze. But his life as an icicle was spared as the midnight blue orbs caught sight of a wild head of jet-black hair trying to hang a small sprig of plant from the doorframe.
"Mokuba!" He hurried over to where the ladder his brother was wavering on swing dangerously back and forth. He scooped the little Kaiba up just as the ladder fell from under him. "What are you doing?" He scolded. "You know I have enough to do without having to worry about you falling. Leave all the Christmas decoration for the caterers, that's the reason why I hired them after all. What is that…thing you're holding? It's very unattractive." Kaiba wrinkled his nose.
Mokuba looked down at the sprig of mistletoe in his hands and discreetly gave a wicked smile. If his brother knew what he was really holding, he would never agree to it. So…that only leaves to…lying. Well, lying wasn't really lying in this case, the little Kaiba decided. This was simply improving the truth a little. To help his brother, let's just say, open up a bit. Be more sociable.
"Nothing, big brother." He said innocently, widening his eyes as he brother set him down on the floor. "It's only a sprig of mint. It smells good and will refresh the smell in the whole house if I can hang it up there."
Kaiba looked suspiciously dubious.
"I also heard it was good luck to hang a leaf of mint from the doorframe on Christmas Eve." He added helpfully. Now that he had started the lie, he had to finish it off with style and hopefully convince his brother. If his brother, the CEO of his own company, found out that even his little brother was lying to him, no telling what he would do.
"Well, we don't need—"
"Please, big brother!? Pretty please, pretty pretty please?? I wanna have a sprig of mint for good luck." Mokuba did his puppy eyes and pouted. He knew he had won the argument when he heard his brother sigh, for his brother had never denied him anything when he was faced with the puppy eyes.
"Alright, then," he said crankily. "Hand it over, I'll hang it up." He was tall enough to not have to use the ladder. But mint has a sweet, distinct fresh smelling smell, Mokuba noted with a start. And the mistletoe he was holding doesn't have a smell. If while Kaiba was hanging up the mistletoe and realizes the same thing…
"But…I wanna hang it up." Mokuba stuck out a lower lip. "So when Daphne comes downstairs, I can show her what I've done by myself."
"Well, the ladder is unsafe…" Kaiba frowned and tapped his foot on the floor.
"So you can pick me up and hold me high enough so I can hang it up!" Mokuba said brightly, taking the advantage of his brother's height. Kaiba gave him "the look," but obliged and did as he was told.
Mokuba got the thrill feeling in his stomach that he always get when his brother picks him up. Looking down, he realized that his brother really was really, really tall. His nimble fingers fastened the sprig quickly and he was propped back down on the floor.
"Your tie is crooked, Seto." He said helpfully once he brushed off his detestable black tuxedo. Now that his little scheme was over, Mokuba thought he should make it up to his brother for his lying and devilish planning.
"Is it?" Kaiba adjusted his own black bow tie and asked his little brother again. "Is it better?" He looked down, his eyes twinkling.
"Yes, it is." His brother answered solemnly. "You look handsome." Kaiba's finger paused at fixing his shirt collar as he looked down at the short ten-year-old.
"Thanks, so do you." He answered, apparently thinking that Mokuba was teasing him.
"I'm serious." The little Kaiba insisted just as the third of the Kaiba blood bounced into the room.
"You look handsome, Seto." Daphne commented as she looked around at the holiday scenery. "So do you, Mokuba."
"You don't look bad yourself." Kaiba's eyes swept up and down his cousin.
Daphne's dress was specially ordered, designed in midnight-blue velvet sheath. Her neck was trimmed with a choker-style collar of white pearls. The shoulders were bared, and the dress fell in one long, body-hugging fluidlike drape of soft velvet. A slit at the side allowed her to walk freely as she bounced from one place to another. The loose curls from her knot of hair bouncing as she went along.
"These holly wreathes look so pretty here! And look at all these buffet dishes, they look yummy! How many people did you invite, Seto? You didn't invite any of your business associates, did you?" Daphne's words were coming out so fast that Kaiba threw up a hand in mock surrender.
"Whoa! Slow down, and don't get too excited yet, I've only invited the few people. Only—" At that moment, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Mokuba and Daphne chimed at the same time. The only difference was that right after his last word, the youngest Kaiba charged for the door, while Daphne stood there, staring at the air that Mokuba had been breathing on only a second ago.
"Alright, Mokuba, I've learned your trick. Next time, two can play that game." She muttered.
"What game?" Joey's Brooklyn accent twanged in the air. "I want to play."
"What do you know?" Kaiba's smirk twitched on his lips. "The puppy actually looks like a gentlemen in that tux."
"Hey—"
"Yeah," Téa cutted in. "I couldn't believe it either. He surprised me more than Tristan did."
"Téa!" Joey said exasperatedly. "Ya were suppose to be on my side!"
"Joey isn't the one that looks surprisingly good." Tristan came up and jerked a thumb over to Yami, who was fidgeting with his sleeves.
"Stupid modern vestments!" He finally exclaimed before noticing all eyes on him. His face tinted a shade of pink as he walked self consciously over to Daphne and gave her a light kiss.
"So how are you?" He asked softly. He remembered how painful it was for the both of them to decide to return back instead of remaining back in ancient Egypt.
"Fine, getting use to it." She shrugged. "I still miss him though."
"So do I." Yami admitted. "Seto has his heart in the right place in the end."
"Maybe we should have stayed when he asked us to."
"No," Yami's voice was firm. "We don't belong there anymore. We belong here."
"Yes…Uncle Yami." Daphne lightened up and teased.
"Don't start with me…" Yami warned, narrowing his eyes. The bell rang again and Yugi answered the door.
"Hey, Ryou, Duke." He greeted. "You guys look nice. Actually more natural than the rest of us, minus Kaiba and Tristan. Those two were born to wear tuxes and suits."
"You look fine, Yugi," Ryou's voice was sincere and his eyes twinkled with excitement.
"How does the dog look in the tux?" Duke's usual lazy drawl asked as his eyes glinted mischievously. He forgot about "the dog" as soon as he laid his emerald green eyes on Daphne. His eyes lit up as he hurried over toward her. Yugi watched as they started a warm conversation. Then he turned back to Ryou.
"Anyway, where's your yami?"
"He said he'll be here later on. He told me to tell you guys that he had something to attend to."
"Wow!" They both heard Mai and Serenity exclaim in the main hall. "This is a lot of food, Kaiba?" Mai called
"What are you feeding? A whole army?" Serenity added jokingly.
"No, worse. With the dog here, I've got to order enough to feed him and the rest of you guys."
"I'm only humoring you because I've got the Christmas spirit." Joey bragged as he puffed up his chest.
"I see." The look Kaiba gave him was overflowing with arrogance and smugness.
"Hey, I think somebody's knocking on the door." Yami pulled on the tie around his neck.
"I'll get it!" Mokuba called but realized that Daphne didn't even bother competing with him but had already ran for the door.
"Bakura!" They saw Daphne throw her arms around the neck of the tomb robber, was looking extremely cool and calm in his tux. Yami doubted that Bakura was this cool on the inside. He half expected the spirit to rip apart the tie and the suit jacket any minute now. But Bakura didn't give him the satisfaction of doing that. Instead, he handed Daphne a single white rose tied with a white ribbon.
"Here."
"What is this for?" Daphne looked surprised.
"For innocent, honor, and respect."
"I see you've been doing your homework." Kaiba came up behind her. "But don't think you're the only one. Here, Daph," he handed her a pink rose.
"To friendship, affection, and the declaration of love." He gave a cocky smile.
"Geez, you guys don't have to—" Daphne managed to get out before Yami came over and handed her a single red rose.
"Ha," he grinned. "Top you both this time, for I have the permission and position to tell her I love her and she is my only."
"Nobody hand her a yellow one now." Joey muttered. "Since they've all been doing their homework, they'll know what it means and we would have gained a new death wish."
"What does it mean?" Yugi asked.
"Departure, broke up, or refused love. Love not returned." Ryou replied quietly. Joey looked like he was holding back a laugh.
"But I love yellow roses!" Daphne protested.
"Well, you won't catch me with one of those." Duke promised, nodding confidently.
"There is actually another analysis for yellow roses." Tristan nodded. "Some people say it means everlasting or friendship."
"Why don't we go into the dining room now?" Kaiba guided the way, not fancying the fact that his compliment was topped this time. Once again, the doorbell interrupted the bunch.
"You guys go first," Daphne suggested. "I'll go open the door." With that, she skipped to the door and pulled it open.
"Wait!" Kaiba called as he was forced to retreat to the dining room. But he broke free from the mob of hungry teens and bounded toward Daphne. "Daphne!" He scolded. "What have I told you about opening doors to strangers? Will you ever learn?!"
"Some things never change." Ryou whispered to the others. "Daphne not opening the door to a stranger one of those things."
"Hello, Kaiba. So we meet again." Kaiba looked up only to look straight into Ishizu's dark blue eyes.
"What are—" He started, confused.
"We received an invitation from the princess," she said, gesturing toward her little brother in the back. Marik scowled in his suit, but his gaze softened when he saw Daphne.
"Hello, Marik." Her smile was soft and her voice was sweet and warm. "Come in and join us. You look nice, Ishizu," she added.
"Thank you. You look wonderful yourself." Sensing Marik watching her, she turned toward him. "Go on, Marik, enjoy yourself, I'll be fine."
"Isn't she the sweetest?" Marik asked Daphne as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Yes, the best." She agreed enthusiastically.
"But she isn't the only one. There's one other girl that gave me the most precious gift for Christmas."
"Who?"
"You." Was his soft answer. "The reason I came here today wasn't only because Ishizu dragged me here, but because I never had a chance to thank you." At this time, Marik stopped walking and turned to Daphne, taking her hands into his. The smile on his face was sincere and warm.
"For what?"
"You gave me the most precious gift a person can give. Ishizu gave me unconditional love because she is my sister. But you…you gave me forgiveness. Being forgiven for the past is the most precious gift we can receive. I dare not say we could experience this pure love twice in one lifetime." They were in the kitchen when Mokuba all of a sudden shouted.
"Hey, everybody! Seto's under the mistletoe with Ishizu!!!" He took a closer look. "And Daphne's under there with…uh—" He looked bemused as all of a sudden bodies appeared under the doorframe. Soon everyone was so cluttered under the doorframe that no one could tell who was under the mistletoe.
"All right, all right!" Yami's voice boomed. "Let's clear out here!"
"Everyone, move back! Back, back, a little further." Bakura waved his arms around. The two quickly and efficiently got Daphne out of the "danger" as the both of them viewed it, but leaving Kaiba to his own troubles with the mob that had surrounded them.
"What?" Kaiba looked puzzled. Then, as if realizing something, his head flew to the ceiling above him. "Oh, he—" He looked back down and they could see his face had darkened to a slight pink.
"What does a mistletoe do?" He asked slowly, after realizing he did not know what the threatening plant could make him do. "Don't you have to like…hold hands or dance together or something?" Joey, delighted at Kaiba's ignorance, burst out laughing.
"A bit more intimate than that, moneybags." He guffawed. "You have to kiss her. Go ahead, Kaiba, kiss the girl. She waiting." By now, Ishizu was a pink as Kaiba was. Marik took a threatening step toward Kaiba, but Duke none-too-kindly held him back and reminded him that it was a tradition.
"Hell with the tradition." Marik growled and doubled his fists, shrugging off Duke's hand.
"Mokuba, I thought it was mint." Kaiba almost begged as he looked back down at Ishizu. "Isn't it mint…? By any chance at all?"
"Nope." Mokuba grinned.
"Aw, come on Kaiba, don't be such a Scrooge." Tristan grinned. Kaiba's jaws dropped and his eyes narrowed. If there was anything he couldn't take, it was insult from the rank below him.
"Fine!" He snapped. "Maybe I will kiss her, but have you morons thought about how she felt about this?"
"Ishizu, don't you dare back out!" Serenity squealed. "You've got the great Kaiba actually relenting to kiss you, don't let that chance fly!"
"Yeah, girl," Mai encouraged. "Don't let us think that even Kaiba's better at this than you are."
"Come on, Ishizu," Téa coaxed.
"I-I—" The young woman stuttered for the first time as high school teens urged on the embarrassing scene. Yami's sharp eyes didn't miss the sprinkle of blush that touched her cheeks becomingly.
"That's the permission, Kaiba." He nodded knowingly.
"You guys are the most undignified and pathetic group I've ever encountered." Kaiba sputtered indignantly.
"Aw…look, Tristan," Joey studied Kaiba with Ishizu next to him. "I think Mr. CEO is sweet on Miss Archaeologist."
"Wh-what?" Kaiba and Ishizu said simultaneously. Kaiba finally threw up a hand with disgust.
"You know what? Fine." He turned to Ishizu and before she knew what he was doing, gave her a light peck on her cheek. "There? Happy?" He spat before storming down the hall.
"That was suppose to be on the lips." Duke complained as he followed. "Such a cheap shot." But he was caught lounging under that certain doorframe all night, hoping to catch the girl that he wanted.
"Um, Duke?" Yugi wondered over once during the evening. "I hope you wouldn't be too disappointed if things don't work out your way." There was something in his voice that sounded like mirth.
"I won't." Duke said confidently.
"Alright, then, I wish you the best of luck." Before he wondered away and got engaged in a Duel Monsters game with Joey.
However, just like Yugi had predicted, things didn't work out his way.
"Duke?" At the sound of Daphne's soft footsteps, Duke turned around. "What's wrong? You've been staring out at the window for hours? Why won't you come and join us?"
Finally…he couldn't help but enjoy this moment that he had been waiting all night.
"Merry Christmas, Daphne." He said softly as he tilted her chin upwards. He closed his eyes and lowered his lips down, expecting her to return the same way. But poor Duke's one Christmas wish didn't come true, for his lips came in touch with rose petal skin instead of lips. He opened his green eyes, indignant and disappointed, to find himself kissing the palm of her hands.
"No, Duke." She said, her voice just as soft with a joshing tone to it. She pointed upward and smiled a smile with teasing innocence and sweetness. His face fell. "You see, no mistletoe."
"Aw, Daph," Duke protested. "Can't I kiss you anyway?"
"Nope," she placed a slender finger on his lips to shush his further protesting. "My father would never let me. He'll probably kill you. There is nothing we can hide from him."
"Well? Where's the mistletoe now then?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm positive Yami, Bakura, and especially Kaiba must have hid it somewhere, fearing a scene like this would happen."
"Somehow, I have a feeling you had a part in this." He eyed her suspiciously as she approached the large window.
The moon outside was luminous. It's shining pearly light shone through the window and spilled out on the carpeted living room. It was peaceful and quiet in the room, the party noises in the distance. Duke followed her and watched as she floated toward the window. Everything was in the shade of blue under the midnight sky and with her gauzy wrap flowing from the breeze along and moonlight shining through it, Duke thought she looked so ethereal and divine that she didn't look real.
When she reached up and undo her knot of glossy hair, he couldn't contain himself and caught hold of a silky strand as it blew back.
"Look at the moon tonight?" She said dreamily. "It's it beautiful?"
"Nothing compared to you." He replied.
"And nothing compared to how bloody you're going to look after I'm through with you." A voice behind them said. The duo turned and saw Marik leaning against the wall, lazily holding a champagne glass.
"Marik," she greeted amiably. "Come and join us. The moon is beautiful tonight."
"Wh—" Duke looked at her, horrified yet helpless. But Daphne missed the frantic "what-the-heck-are-you-doing" look that he gave her as she waved Marik over. The trio stood side by side politely, with the boys making unpleasant gestures every once in a while. Little did they notice the tiny spy that had been watching them. The little rebel grinned to himself as he ran to report what he had seen to his older brother.
"Seto," he whispered in his brother's ear as he leaned down.
"Good job, Mokuba," his brother nodded as information was given to him. "Fine, you may go downstairs and use my computer, but I'm warning you, she's a very fussy one! And there's no games on there!" He called after Mokuba. He looked around as he spotted his targets.
"Hey, ladies," he addressed as he sauntered over, one hand in his pocket while the other held a glass.
"Hey, Kaiba," Téa replied back. "Nice party, too bad, not too many partners are available for the dancing." She and Serenity watched as Mai and Tristan laughed while they danced.
"Yami?"
"Too busy teaching Yugi a better strategy to win a duel." Serenity shook her head and huffed.
"Joey?"
"Too busy eating." Téa pursed her lips.
"Ryou? Wonderful dancer."
"Too shy." Serenity sighed.
"Bakura?" Both girls shuddered.
"Too dangerous." They chimed together.
"I would agree." Kaiba nodded and smirked. "Too bad my little brother isn't anywhere to be seen. Too short for the two of you, I might add."
"Who cares? We're all just friends anyway." Téa countered. "Tristan doesn't really like Mai and vice versa."
"Hey, what about you? I bet you dance." Serenity's eyes gleamed with laughter.
"I can't dance right now, but I do know there are two boys in the living room, bored to their death." Their eyes lit up as they jumped up and immediately ran for the living room.
"Duke and Marik, your presence are required with the ladies in order for my plan to work." Kaiba thought to himself as the girls emerged later with a boy latched on each one's arm. He took this time and sneaked off into the living room, where Daphne was standing, still staring heavenly into the moon.
"Hey, Daphne." He said softly. "What are you thinking about? You look like you were deep in thought."
"I was just remembering," Daphne took a deep breath. "The moon back in Egypt were just like this. It was big and bright and had this soft, serene look to it. And the evening sky was always dark and clear. Sometimes, you could see millions of stars scattered all over. It was like diamonds on black velvet."
"Do you miss Egypt?" Kaiba's throaty voice was rough, yet concerning.
"Very much." Daphne leaned back, resting her head against her cousin's firm, broad chest. "Even now, I still wonder, what my future would have been like if I had stayed when High Priest Seto urged me to. But Yami told me that I didn't belong there, I belong here, with you and Mokuba. He also said that it wouldn't be fair if I stay back because then he would stay back with me, and that way I wouldn't be able to stay with you and Mokuba. He doesn't think he should conquer me all to himself…didn't you, Daddy?" She tilted her head and looked into the shadowy corner of the room.
Kaiba scowled as he turned and saw Yami push himself off the wall and headed toward them. His face reflected Kaiba's own image.
"What are you doing back there? Spying on me?" Kaiba demanded.
"You think I'd really leave you alone with Daphnia?" Yami scoffed. "Don't be stupid, Kaiba. I wouldn't trust you if you were my brother."
"Thank God I'm not!" Kaiba snapped back.
"Stop arguing," Daphne stepped in, trying to hide a smile. "You're making Bakura laugh."
"Bakura?" It was such a comical sight watching Yami and Kaiba's head snap around in unison that a deep, scratching laugh was heard.
"Don't let me interrupt you two. Continue, it was just getting interesting." Bakura crossed over to Daphne and draped an arm around her shoulders.
"Same with you, Bakura," Yami pointed an accusing finger at the ancient spirit. "Get your dirty arms off her."
Bakura pulled his arm off and examined it with an air of innocent and feigned hurt. "Why? I thought my tux was really clean."
"Don't give me that!" Kaiba spat. By now, all three of them were in a cluster by the window. "Don't mess with me, tomb robber, I'm warning you." His whisper was low.
"Oh really?" Bakura smirked. "What about that little enemy speech you gave with you faced Seto? Something about—'Anyone who's against Bakura is my enemy?'" Kaiba turned red.
"What about you?" He hissed back. "About you and your 'take down that pathetic excuse of a wannabe?'"
"That was a command." Bakura waved it off. "Command that you and Yami better now loose for us."
"I've never lost a game before!" Yami growled. "I'm not the one that's being chased by Rashid, who almost caught you by your hair."
"And no, as I recall, you were cheering for us." Kaiba arched an eyebrow. "What do you know? A tomb robber that knows all the rah-rah moves. Where did you learn them? From your camel?"
"Why you—" Bakura rasped as he stepped forward threateningly.
"Bring it on." Kaiba leaned forward as well.
"Why don't we take it outside?" Yami didn't back down either. The three were nose to nose with each other. Daphne stood behind them, trying to break the heated argument up.
"Why don't you guys be nice to each other?" She tried saying. "You know you guys have all accepted each other, especially when we were in Egypt. Admit it, you all like each other.
"Never!" Bakura raised his voice, eyes firing daggers.
"Over my dead body." Kaiba added, his eyes shooting out ice.
"Stay out of this, Daphnia." Yami ordered, fire flaming out of his eyes.
"You might just get your dead body wish, Kaiba." Bakura smiled malevolently.
"Will you guys stop it?!" Daphne threw up her hands exasperatedly.
"Hey everybody! Come quick!" Mokuba's voice rang out. He turned to the trio and Daphne. "You guys, don't move!" He ordered.
"What's with the racket?" Mai hurried over, followed by the rest of the girls.
"Is something wrong?" Duke laid a hand on Mokuba's shoulders as he led the guys over.
"Mokuba, what's wrong?" Kaiba asked, cocking his head. Mokuba gave a mysterious, mischievous smile that made Kaiba feel sick immediately. He didn't dare look up at the ceiling, but Mokuba confirmed his worst fear.
"Oh, nothing's really wrong, big brother," Mokuba said innocently. "Only that all four of you are under the mistletoe."
"Nooooo!!" Bakura howled. "I refuse!!!"
"Never!" Yami shook his head wildly, causing his gold bangs to fly back and forth. "Never! Never! Never! Never!!!!"
"Mokuba, what have I ever done to you?" Kaiba wailed. "Haven't I always been your best big brother?"
"You're my only brother." The devious child reminded. "That's why I love you so much."
"Why are you doing this to me then!?!"
"I'm not." Mokuba suppressed a giggle as he looked into his big brother's bewildered eyes. He pointed to the princess. "More like I'm doing this to Daphne." He gave his cousin a wink. All eyes now reverted to Daphne. She looked stunned as she stood under the wicked mistletoe.
Mai whistled and gave her a thumbs up sign, "You go, Hon!"
"I-I—" Daphne stuttered, her face flushing. But Kaiba paid no mind as he gave her a peck on her left cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Daph." He said softly, then added. "I'm really glad you moved in with us. Don't know what we would have done without you."
"Woohoo, go Kaiba!" Joey cheered.
"Happy New Year, Daphne," Bakura said as he gently planted his kiss on her right cheek. "Thank you," he looked into her eyes. "For everything."
"Who knows that Bakura had it in him?" Duke smirked as he leaned back against the wall. Unfortunately, Bakura heard him and threw a glare in his direction. But fortunately for Duke, it was Christmas Eve and with girls and a junior at the party, there was nothing he could do to silence the master game player.
"Hey, Daphnia." Yami was the last one.
"Hey, daddy," she said back.
"Now, where is a spot they've missed?" He gave her an affectionate smile and tapped her nose with his index finger. "Right here." As he gave her a light kiss at the tip of her nose. He then wrapped his arms around her so tightly as if he'd never let her go. "I love you, Daphnia. Very much," he said softly as he rocked them both back and forth.
"I love you, too, daddy." She answered back, snuggling deeper into the shirt of his tux. "With all of my heart."
"What about us, huh?" Duke interrupted, a bewildered and disappointing expression on his face. "What about me?"
"Don't worry about him," Marik pushed himself off the wall. "What about me?"
"And me?" Joey put in.
"And me?" Tristan echoed.
"And us?" The girls jumped up and down to get attention, not being as tall as the boys.
"And don't forget us." Yugi, Mokuba, and Ryou chimed.
"Hey, I didn't hear you say you love me when I kissed you." Kaiba and Bakura didn't look very happy as they crossed their arms. The pharaoh finally allowed Daphne to pull away from his embrace.
"Alright," she agreed. "I love you all. You guys are the best."
"Am I the best out of the best?" Marik pressured.
"No, me!" Duke argued as he shoved Marik. Marik, not use to being shoved around, obviously bounced right back up and shoved back. Soon, the boys decided to settle things in a different way and it erupted into a fist match.
"I'll have you known that I'm the heir of the Ishtar family!"
"Well, I'm the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters."
"I had three Egyptian God Cards."
"I had my own game shop."
"I have a sister!" The argument was getting desperate.
"I have a car!"
"I have a Millennium Rod."
"I have fans!"
"Hey, you guys want to know what Priest Seto gave me before we left Egypt?" Daphne broke up the match. She walked over to the tree and selected a small flat box.
"What is it?" Serenity leaned forward.
"Let me see, let me see!"
"Hey, I got here first!"
"Will you two boys get out of the lady's way?"
"Who's breathing on my neck?!"
"I'm too short, I can't see!"
"Joey! You're stepping on my dress!"
"Ouch, who the hell just stepped on me!?"
"That was you? Oops, it was suppose to be aimed at Bakura."
"Oh, so you want to take this outside, huh?"
"Will all of you just be quiet!?" A male voice finally yelled. The room silenced as Daphne turned to face the mob.
"He didn't tell me what it was." She smiled. "Actually, his last words were instructing me not to open this until Christmas. I've been waiting to see what it is."
"Well, let's get on with it already."
Daphne gingerly lifted the lid of the box. Everyone held their breath.
There, laying on a bed of silk, was a…
"Feather?" Kaiba frowned as Daphne picked the feather up and held it again the moonlight. The snowy soft feather shimmered a silver glow.
"This is no ordinary feather." Yami finally said after studying the plume. "This is the most priced of all components used by magicians and high priests. It was said to be the feather from the wing of a goddess and it's use leads to infinity."
"Look, Seto left us a note." Daphne picked up a thin sheet of paper that accompanied it. Everyone's eyes were glued to her as she fingered the paper and brought it up to sniff the scent. "Papyrus." She sighed longingly, passing the paper to Yami for closer inspection. He nodded with agreement.
"Read it out loud, Yami." Téa urged.
"Yeah, don't keep us in suspense."
So Yami read out loud. It was a piece of poetry. Short and sweet, straight to the point, as the Priest's literature goes:
"Love and Beauty,
Faith and Trust.
Emotion and Peace,
Passion and Lust.
Dreams and Wishes,
Warmth and Devotion.
Patience and Tranquil,
Friendship and Adoration.
Confidence and Belonging,
Desire and Inspiration.
Innocence and Adventure.
Music and Admiration.
Mortals need them,
Deep in our hearts.
Can't lack oxygen.
Wish upon a star."
"That's it?" Ryou asked once Yami stopped. He nodded mutely.
"Well, what do we do now?" Yugi wanted to know. Nobody had the answer, though however, the same idea popped into their head when Mokuba exclaimed.
"Hey, look! The first star of the night!" He pushed the large window open and the evening breeze breezed in.
"Everyone, make a wish!" They were hushed as each person made a silent wish to the stars. Two thirds of the group wished for peace, friendship, and goodness for the world. And of course, there were some that wished for a steady girlfriend, or to take back all three God Cards, or for more money/to be the best duelist of the world, or to take over the world. One even wished that his daughter will never marry so she could stay by his side forever.
As soon as she was certain everyone had made a wish, Daphne opened the palm of her hand and the feather gently flew out of her hand and into the air, up toward the clear sky. For a moment, as everyone watched, the feather seemed to linger at the certain spot, as if bidding a farewell. After that, to everybody's astonishment, the feather twinkled under the moonlight as it glowed like white gold. Then, in circular motion, it glided higher and higher, until it was just another star in the sky.
"Well, that was that." Kaiba closed the window as he noticed the girls begin to shiver.
"What did you wish for, Daphne?" Marik asked. She placed a finger over his lips.
"If we say, then it wouldn't come true." She grew silent afterward that Yami asked a minute later, when everybody went for more refreshments.
"What are you thinking about?" He put his hand over hers.
"Nothing serious." She replied as she placed her head on his shoulder. "I just wonder what Seto is doing…"
Thousands of miles away, millennias into the past, a lone figure stood by the shores of Nile. Priest Seto looked up at the sky and saw…a twinkling star. He smiled as he recognized it. He shoved his hands into his pocket as he watched it blink. Once. Twice. Three times. Until it reached eighteen. Then, it stopped and shimmered.
Seto's fingertips brushed the soft petals of a Delphinium and he paused, looking down at the deep violet flower laced with white. All of a sudden a desire overcame his senses as he debated between his choices. Dreams and wishes won over all logical sentiment and he leaned over and picked the tall graceful stalk.
It was silly. Why end the flower's existence?
But it was not a waste.
It was the ending of a perfect story of love and friendship.
The Nile, ever so graceful and loving, the rushing rapids refreshing Seto's very soul prepared him to do what's next. One by one, he threw the blossoming buds into the leaping winter waves. The rapids rushed passed him, taking with them his history with Delphinium, his love for Delphinium, and his memories of times spent with Delphinium. From every footprint on the land where he and the princess had walked together.
Good-bye, Delphinium, he said in his heart. Good-bye. Please love me anyway. I will always love you.
Then, he strode back into the palace and over to his, the high priests', desk and lay out a tablet. He was determined to leave a legacy. This touching piece of history shall not go unknown. The pharaoh and the princess's love for one another, the betrayal of loyalty from a best friend, the friendship and pureness of people's desired hearts, the trust and faith of human soul, the reunion after millennias caused by passion's destiny. None of this shall be forgotten as the high priest picked up a quill and began writing.
This story, about the pharaoh and his adopted daughter shall be passed down for generations to come. Years from now, the historic story could be reduced to a legend, nothing more than a man's dreams. But everywhere, people from around the world shall know of this story of love and friendship. It shall be passed down from generation…
…to generation…
…to generation…
Until this world is reduced to nothing. Until the sound of silence prevails. Until the sun no longer shine upon all creatures. Until the music have died. Until all anyone can see is everlasting horizon, where only a thin line of golden liquid sunshine could be seen with naked eye.
Until forever…
…and ever.
~The End