STORY ARC TWO: THE PARTING OF LOST SOULS

Chapter Two: The Arrival

Kaiba Seto's Point of View

Two months had passed since that day at the balcony.

Mokuba and I waited for Emrys' arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport's tarmac for private planes. Our two-month wait quickly passed.

Eventually, Emrys' plane landed. As soon as the plane's door opened, she emerged and descended the metal stairs. She was simple - far from the singer that graced the concert stage. She wore an ivory silk blouse, wool slacks, and two-and-a-half inch heeled penny-loafers. Her hair was down.

"She's here!" Mokuba exclaimed as he ran towards her.

Emrys smiled and waved as soon as she saw us. In spite of the two duffel bags she carried with her, she managed to squat and embrace Mokuba. She then patted his back and gazed into my brother's eyes, saying, "Long time, no see. How are you doing?

"We missed you," Mokuba responded as he held Emrys' hand and led her towards me.

"Kaiba, it's so nice to see you again!" Emrys said as she grinned and hugged me.

My eyes widened during the first few seconds of reciprocating her friendly embrace. I did not know what to think or make of it. Adjusting to the situation seconds later, I allowed that hug of ours to linger and then initiated the end of that mutual gesture.

The three of us walked towards the limousine and then took our seats. Once the porter and pilot secured all her luggage at the trunk, the chauffeur drove off.

Emrys situated herself on the leather seat behind the chauffeur, facing Mokuba and me. She leaned back as she crossed her legs and asked, "So, how's life treating you gentlemen?"

I responded, "Okay. Mokuba and I have narrowed down the location for the first Kaiba-Land in New York."

Emrys' eyes lit up. "That's good! I remembered that you were having trouble pinning down a spot. I'm glad that you had that matter all squared away."

"The best part is that we have more time to see the city," Mokuba interjected. "There are plenty of cool things to do here!"

"I bet," Emrys replied with a smile on her face.

"By the way, Mokuba and I made reservations for dinner at a Japanese restaurant. We'll have dinner there before we return to the loft."

After giving me a sheepish smile, Emrys said, "That sounds like a good idea. I'm famished."

"How long will you be in town?" Mokuba asked Emrys.

"Five days, the most."

My brother's face turned glum. I, on the other hand, masked my disappointment over Emrys' reply.

Trying to comfort Mokuba, Emrys said, "Please don't be sad. We'll always talk on the phone and write letters. We could also take turns visiting each other, whenever time permits."

With a pout, Mokuba remarked, "I'm bummed that you won't be staying in town that long."

Our limousine eventually made a slow stop at Park Avenue as we arrived at the posh Japanese restaurant.

The restaurant manager's eyes glowed in amiable recognition once we stepped inside. "Kaiba-sama, it's so good for you to visit us again."

After clearing my throat, I asked, "Do you have our usual spot reserved, Steven?"

"Of course, Kaiba-sama. Follow me, please." The restaurant manager - with three menus in tow - led the way towards the private rooms at the back end of the restaurant. Once we were comfortably seated around the Japanese-style dining table, he asked her, "Miss, are you Alexa?"

My eyes narrowed and my ears throbbed after hearing Steven's question. I was right. The idiot was ogling at her.

Emrys nodded for her response.

"It's such an honor for you to dine with us tonight!" Steven exclaimed.

Smiling, Emrys said, "It's an honor for me, as well."

While glowering at the restaurant manager, I flatly said, "Steven, keep her presence here just between you and me. I'd like for us to enjoy our meal in privacy. I know that's not too much to ask."

Steven's face turned red in embarrassment as he nodded and bowed before us without making eye contact. After writing down our selection, he left the menus and closed the sliding door behind him.

Emrys and Mokuba's eyes were glued on me.

Moments later, Emrys sighed and murmured, "Why were you rude towards him?"

As Emrys brushed her hair with her hand, I saw her wrist. She wore Yugi's wristband - the same one that he wore in Battle City.

My eyes met Emrys' eyes as the blood boiled up to my head and made my ears throb. Seeing red, I retorted through gritted teeth, "Rude? I just informed him that I want our privacy. Was that a crime?"

After Emrys shook her head in disbelief, she then replied, "I just asked you a straightforward question."

I spat, "You were the one who wanted anonymity, if I remembered correctly. I just did you a favor and this is what I get from you?"

With a crinkled forehead and narrowed eyes, Emrys whispered, "If your idea of doing me a favor is by yelling at people, then please don't go out of your way anymore."

I glowered at her. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Putting her hand up, Emrys sighed and said in an even tone, "All I'm saying is that you didn't need to be such a jerk with Steven. That's all."

A long moment of silence transpired. We stared at each other as if we were seeing who was going to initiate the surrender. As the seconds passed, I noticed that her hazel eyes misted.

Emrys quietly stood up. Tightlipped and teary-eyed, she mumbled to us, "Would you kindly excuse me?" Avoiding any eye contact and carrying her handbag with her, she then slid the door open and shut.

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Alexa Emrys' Point of View

I did not know how many minutes I have been inside the ladies' room. All this time, I leaned against against the wall closest to the door, shook in anger, and cried in frustration.

Why the hell did Kaiba have to be such a jerk? Just when I thought that everything would go back to normal once I arrive in New York...

"Emrys, are you okay?"

Looking up and wiping away some of my tears once I heard the familiar voice, I responded, "I'm fine, Mokuba. I'll be out in a minute."

"Are you crying?" Mokuba asked with concern laced in his voice.

Choosing not to directly reply to the question, I said, "I'll be out very soon. Please keep your brother company. I'll join you shortly."

"Okay." Immediately thereafter, I heard Mokuba run back to our dining room.

The tears that I fought back during my conversation with Mokuba streamed down my cheeks. Shaking my head and clenching my teeth in frustration, I muttered, "God, I asked for patience years ago from You, but does it always have to be this hard?"

I then closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Once I slightly calmed down, I walked towards the sink to wash my hands and face. As I washed my hands and face, someone - or something - brushed behind and walked pass me. The ladies' room suddenly became cold.

As I turned off the faucet, grabbed a paper towel, and pat it on my face, something brushed against my back for the second time. I abruptly looked behind and then intensely stared at the mirror in front of me.

I did not see anything, or anyone.

If I did not know any better, I could swear that the sensation felt like cold fingers passing through my back. Chills ran down my spine and goose bumps appeared on my arms as the room temperature further dropped.

The lights flickered for seconds and eventually turned off, leaving the ladies' room pitch dark. I then hear the faucet turn on, gushing water full force. The temperature dropped even further.

As my heart and mind frantically raced, I ran towards the door. I grabbed the door knob and realized that it was locked. All I could do was to lean behind the door.

Spooked out of my wits, I mumbled, "From Domino City to New York... Just when I thought that everything would go back to normal..."

"Emrys?"

Immediately, the lights turned on and the faucet turned off.

I scanned the room and confirmed that everything was as normal as it could be. Whatever it was, the knock and that familiar voice broke its spell.

The voice was more audible as its owner asked, "Emrys?"

After taking a deep breath, I opened the door.

Seconds after looking at me in silence, Kaiba then remarked, "You look as if you've seen a ghost."

Greatly relieved to see another human being, I sighed. "It has been a long day for me..."

Maintaining his nonchalant tone, Kaiba said, "The waiter just brought our food. So are you still joining us?"

"Yes, I am. I just needed a minute."

Kaiba leaned against the wall at the hallway. With a slight smirk on his face, he stared at me and murmured, "I'm disappointed. You've lost your spunk..."

My eyebrow rose due to his vague comment and it rested as soon as I understood its meaning. I flatly said, "You, on the other hand, have lost your mind."

Probing azure eyes kept its intense stare as their owner's arms were crossed in front of his chest. "Why did you back down so quickly?"

Meeting his gaze, I told him, "It was already bad enough that we argued in front of your brother the first time we all met. I don't want that incident to happen again."

Kaiba motioned me to come with him. As we walked back to our private dining room, he then quietly asked, "Is that why you walked away?"

I glanced sideways and nodded for my reply.

Kaiba then slid the door open for us.

We saw an impatient Mokuba, the boy complaining as we walked in the room, "Come on, guys. I'm hungry!"

After gazing into each other's eyes and making a silent agreement between us to forget about our argument, Kaiba and I joined his brother at the table. The remaining hours we had at the restaurant was marked with good food, light conversation, and wonderful company. I gladly set aside the upsetting incident and eerie encounter hours ago.

General Point of View

"Here's your room," Mokuba said to Emrys.

Kaiba nonchalantly explained, "Lofts are normally non-partitioned, but this one was like this when we leased it."

Glancing at the boy and then at the elder sibling, Emrys asked, "Are you sure that I'm not intruding your privacy by staying here?"

"You're not intruding," the younger Kaiba confirmed. "You'd be doing the same, if the tables were turned, won't you?"

"Of course," Emrys replied with a warm grin. "By the way, did you get the tickets that Yoshiko sent you?"

The boy nodded.

Kaiba then placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "We'll leave you alone to settle in. If you need anything, let us know."

Giving an appreciative smile, Emrys said, "I will."

After exchanging goodnights, the brothers left her room.

An hour-and-a-half later, Emrys reached for her cell phone and called Domino City. After having a lighthearted conversation with Yugi, the latter activated the Millennium Puzzle and allowed the young pharaoh to emerge.

"Hey, stranger," Emrys teased her significant other over the telephone as she smiled from ear to ear. The breeze from the balcony gently blew, providing a relaxing mood for their conversation.

"How's your trip? How's New York?" the other Yugi inquired as he leaned against the headboard of Yugi's bed.

"Well, the trip was long. New York's busy and lively. It's about eleven thirty in the evening right now. I'm staying with Kaiba and Mokuba for five days the most. After that, I'll be returning to England."

"Your concert's tomorrow night?"

"Yes. It will be my last one to complete this tour."

"You'll do well," the other Yugi remarked. He now had his knees in front of him as he sat on the bed.

"Always the handsome and gentlemanly charmer, aren't you?" Emrys teased with a sly smile as she looked at the moonlit sky. Throughout the conversation, her eyes misted.

Then, there was a momentary pause between them.

Breaking the ice, Emrys said, "I wish you were here. I miss you a lot." Her voice then drifted off as she closed her eyes.

After audibly sighing, the other Yugi quietly replied, "So do I."

Emrys deeply breathed and then kidded, "What we're truly missing is the kissing and hugging."

"Well, that too." The other Yugi then smirked as he remembered the comfort those intimate moments brought for them.

"Please send my regards to everyone, especially Jii-san."

"Thank Kaiba and Mokuba for me. I appreciate them for letting you stay there."

A tightlipped Emrys said, "I'll let them know. Take care of yourself. I love you very much..."

"Take care of yourself, too... I love you..."

The phone clicked.

As soon as the phone call ended, a shadow loomed behind Emrys. She then felt something brush against her back. Startled, she turned around and found out that there was nobody around her.

The glass door, which separated the balcony area and the bedroom, remained closed. The bedroom door remained open just the way it was left earlier.

With raised eyebrows and crinkled forehead, Emrys once again wondered about her odd feeling that someone was watching her. She slid the glass door open and came in the room, trying to dismiss the perplexed feeling.

Although he was not the cause of Emrys' bewilderment, Kaiba stood for minutes at her front door while she was on the telephone with the other Yugi. He simmered in jealousy and sadness as he retreated to his own room once her telephone call was over.

Author's Note

Although this story arc stands independently from The Encounter of Lost Souls and There Will Come Soft Rain, the three stories are inter-connected. This fact will also apply to subsequent Yu-Gi-Oh fan fiction that I will post in the future.

Normal Disclaimer

Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. This fan fiction, as well as the original characters, is the author's property.

Enjoy reading!

PJ Zatken