Ishizu and Ryou looked out the living room gazing out at the nearly empty village of Salem.
"You think we should let the master know?" Ryou looked out the window.
"I have already sensed it first hand." Ishizu took Ryou's hand, leading him up the stairs to Hotaru's room. They both peered through the doorway into the empty room in silence.
"Where do you think she could have gone to?" Ryou leaned against the wall.
"I can't seem to locate her very well." Closing her eyes for a moment, she too leaned against the wall. "Looks like death is marking its victims. It seems that I am one of them."
"What?" Ryou turned to her. "That can't be true! It just can't be!"
Ishizu nodded. "Others have been named and tragedy will strike. As predicted, destruction will come over. It will be days before death will finally embrace me."
"There's no stopping him. He was never the type to spare anyone. And even if he did, he'll come crawling back."
"It's a bit sad that I have not taught you much of the cards but just incase I will pass on…" suddenly, they heard a loud pounding on the door.
"What will you tell them?" Ryou looked at her with wonder.
"Everything they want." Ishizu glanced at the door. "What they want to know." And at that moment, the door busted open. Two men slowly stepped inside, looking around the house.
"Tristan," the blonde one faced him. "We got a problem."
"We should search up the stairs Joey." The two started to make their way up the stairs.
"There she is." Joey pointed to Ishizu. The two men made their way towards Ishizu, each grabbing an arm. "Ishizu, you are under arrest for the crime of witchcraft." Tristan held her arms behind her back as Joey read her rights. Tristan took out some rope, bounding her wrists with it. Ishizu stood still as they bound and dragged her down the steps.
Ryou just stood there, watching his friend being dragged down the steps and out of his sight. Minutes passed by as he heard some commotion outside. Pretty soon, the crack of the whip sounded off. He could hear Ishizu's cries of pain. Clenching his fists tightly, he knew he couldn't do anything about it. Slowly, he then made his way inside Hotaru's room, picking up the broom and swept the floor. He then heard the door slam and the reverend's cursing.
"Can't believe that bitch." Kaiba slowly made his way to Hotaru's room, looking up at Ryou. "Good to see you take up the…what in God's name?"
Ryou looked up at Kaiba, startled for the time being. "M'lord…Hotaru has run away."
"But…how…when…" no words could form out of Kaiba's mouth.
"Apparently, Shadi was the one who discovered it. He has set off in search for your daughter."
"Good. Whoever kidnapped her will have me to answer to."
"If I may speak m'lord, she was never kidnapped. Shadi came to check up on her to see if she was doing well. He left but when he returned, she was gone."
"Then I too will search for my sister." Kaiba left the room calling out Mokuba's name.
"I was just giving her medicine and left the room to put out the stove. However, by the time of my return, she was gone, the window opened. She used her bed sheet, I would assume, as a rope to climb out."
Yugi, Yami, Tea and Shadi sat on the floor in the living room.
"Why would she run away?" Tea looked up at Shadi. "I thought she was sick."
"Her fever has been broken." Shadi looked out the window before making his way towards it, shutting the curtains close. "I guess she had a reason why to do so."
"Why is that?" Yugi glanced up at Shadi.
"The circle has named two of its newest victims. One of them is Ishizu."
"Say what?" Yami dropped his teacup.
"Somehow, Chibi-Usa is finding a way to get back at you Yami."
"What the hell is she up to?" Yami's hands started to shake. "I already went out with her and did what she so desired."
"I'll look for Hotaru, Shadi." Yugi slowly got up from the floor. "You should be getting back to the reverend's home before he goes nuts." The two then left the house leaving Yami and Tea alone.
Tea looked up at Yami for the longest time. "I'm worried."
Yami gazed at the shattered pieces of the teacup before looking back at Tea. "Why?"
'If Chibi-Usa wants revenge on you…"
He slammed his fist on the armrest of the chair. "I did what she asked and this is how she repays me?"
"I fear she might be after your brother. It's perhaps a way to get to you. I'm not so sure what she wants with you but from what I see, she'd do anything to get to you." She looked over his knuckles noticing cuts making its mark.
"You have a point Tea. Quite wisdom-like. I admire you for that."
"I pray that things will turn right."
Yugi tied the reins of his horse to a tree. "Nelly, stay here. I trust you wouldn't run off." He then searched the nearby cave where he and Hotaru used to play at when they were kids. He stepped inside with a torch in hand.
"Wonder where could she be?" he walked deeper into the cave, noticing another fire building in the cave, seeing another person.
"Oh…I'm sorry." Yugi smiled nervously. "I didn't know someone lived here." He then turned to leave.
"Yugi, wait!" a familiar voice cried out.
"What the?" Yugi turned around seeing Hotaru running after him. "Hotaru? What? When?" he blew out the torch, figuring the small fire she created gave out enough light.
"I had to tell you," she ran into him, nearly tackling him to the ground. Her voice shaking with fear. "I have to tell you."
"Hotaru, get a hold of yourself." Yugi shook her. "Why'd you run away? You just recovered from your sickness. Your brother's looking for you." His voice calmed down as he continued. "I'll take you home." He then took her by the hand, slowly making his way out of the cave.
"No!"
Yugi was startled to hear her say that. "What do you mean no? What's wrong?"
Hotaru looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "The circle…the circle named you as a witch."
"Say what?" he nearly dropped her.
"I overheard it. They named Ishizu and you a witch. They are more likely to be after you and have you taken away before the night is over." She rested her head on his chest, sobbing softly.
Yugi looked down at her for what seems to be the longest time before wrapping one arm around her, pulling her close to him, his other hand massaging the back of her head. "So why do you cry so?"
Hotaru choked between sobs, burying her face in his chest. "Yugi…I…I…"
Yugi looked down at her, resting his head on hers. A bit surprised on what she was trying to say, he gently pulled her away from him, lifting her head up by her chin, softly whispering. "So do I." He then leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers.
Time stopped for them as he held the kiss there. Hotaru closed her eyes, drinking in the kiss, her arms wrapped around him.
Tea and Yami, in the meantime, sat in his bedroom, looking out the window. Tea was shuffling Yami's tarot cards before placing them in her bag, hopefully to conceal its view from other unexpected visitors.
"Hey Yami?" she slowly looked up at him.
Yami faced out the window before looking down at Tea. "Yeah?"
Tea cleared her throat, gazing down at the wooden floor. "Do you think we actually have a future together?"
Yami smiled, running his fingers through her brown hair. "Hmm…perhaps. It depends on how much one cares for another." He smiled, placing a kiss on her cheek. "What do you think?"
"Well, truth to tell," Tea blushed as she spoke. "I seem to grow quite fond of you ever since I got here." She smiled. "It's a bit hard to say but it's just…"
"It's love, is it not Tea?" Yami whispered darkly in her ear, his lips curling to a sinister smirk.
"Huh?" Tea looked up at him, startled. "Wait, it's just…"
But before she could answer, Yami leaned forward, giving her a soft kiss on the lips, pulling her close and onto his lap. A strange feeling overcame her as she felt his arms wrapped around her waist. Before long, he pulled her down with him on the bed, gazing into her eyes from the darkness. His lips parted, the next four words seemed to have shock both of them.
"I love you Tea."
Tea's eyes widened as he said that. Her eyes gazed up at him as she slowly leaned towards him, pressing her lips against his.
The kiss had yet to last long as the door downstairs pounded. The two sat up, startled. "Damn," he clenched his fist as the two made their way downstairs. "Who the hell is at my door at this hour?"
Maybe it's Shadi." Tea sat on the steps.
"I doubt it." Yami looked out the window seeing Kaiba, Tristan and Joey outside. "What could those bastards want?" he then opened the door allowing the three to step inside.
"Where is he?" Kaiba glared at the two, looking into the kitchen before making his way up the stairs.
"Who is this he that you speak of reverend?" Yami's hand gripped on the doorknob.
"Where is that puny twit brother of yours?"
"Shall you not be more worried of your sister Hotaru than my brother?" Yami tried to remain calm, his eyes kept on Kaiba.
"Well, that's the point! Why else would my sister turn up missing? She and your brother must've ran off somewhere."
"I have no idea where the two could be!" Yami snapped.
Kaiba smirked. "Don't worry Yami, we'll get the answer from you," he then took a glance up at Tea. "All you need is some inspiration."
~*Uh-Oh…what do you think will happen to Tea? Oh well, like how I say my three words so perfectly…to be continued*~