Tammi: Hi, I hope you guys are having a good day. Sorry about the lack of updates… No, this story isn't quite over yet. I've been trying to figure out to perfect way to end it… So, now, I hope you guys like this…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes
Chapter 16
Coming To A Close
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was gone. She didn't stay in their lives long, and who's to say if she would last a day back where she was born – but she was gone. And with her sudden leave, their lives would no longer be risked and two secretive spirits still safe. Ryou stayed and watched as her plane took off, just to be sure she was gone.
/You feel sad for her./
\Well, yeah. You erased her mind and all that… So now will you tell me why the hell you wanted her gone so badly?\
Bakura smirked, /Aren't I supposed to be the one cursing here?/
Ryou continued to walk through the crowd of people, \I'm not in the mood to be the nice Ryou, alright? Are you going to tell me, or are you just going to deny you know anything?\ There was no answer. Ryou sighed and walked out, hailing for a cab. He would leave the car there, and just let the airport handle it.
~
Silence reigned over the cabin as it seemed to grow very cold within the room. Marik shook his head and turned to face her, "I think this is where I am supposed to speak."
"Is it..?" She remained emotionlessly quiet.
Marik nodded, "Remember before, I told you I'm two people?"
"You mentioned having two personalities, yeah." Her voice still cold.
"Alright, well… That's true. It sounds quite strange I know but it's all thanks to something that I was given a long time ago. I can't tell you what it is because it would dishonor my family's name…" Marik went quiet and his eyes seemed to shadow.
_What the hell, are you doing? You're supposed to be gaining her friendship back – Not telling her about your life!_
-What's wrong with me telling her?-
_You just can't! It's very complicated alright? Don't tell her anything about Egypt Marik… Or I can promise you that you and her will never be friends again._ He warned. _Do you understand me?_ He nodded mentally and then was brought back to reality.
Anzu was staring at him with worry and confusion. "Marik are you ok?" She started to panic, and he gulped.
"I'm fine… Just kinda blanked out for a moment I suppose. Anyway, as I was saying… I want to be your friend and even though I'm a bit afraid of my other self, I think he may like you too. _May?_ Marik laughed a little. "Actually, I know he likes you."
She tilted her head to one side still a bit puzzled, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, really. After talking with this second being within me, along with Ishizu and Ryou, I have come to figure out that I do want to be with you. I mean if not romantically than at least as a friend…" His voice was flat out serious as he stared unnervingly into her beautiful sapphire eyes.
~
"Yami… What's wrong? You've been unusually quiet and distant ever since yesterday."
"It's nothing Yugi… Don't worry about it." Yami replied, staring blankly out the window. Yugi sighed and went down the stairs.
"Ya shouldn't lie to him you know."
"What makes you think I'm lying?" Yami asked turning to face the blonde.
"It's so obvious. You never act like this… Does it have something to do with that girl we met yesterday?" Joey asked sitting down on Yami's bed. Yami nodded once.
"I feel as if I've seen her before… I know that sounds crazy, after all… She's from Egypt and I'm from here in Japan. It just seems a bit strange." Yami said back to gazing out the window.
"You know we've had this conversation before…"
"Hmm..?"
Joey smiled weakly, "When we first met Marik, you told me you felt like you had seen him before. Don't you remember? You said the same thing about Ryou too." Yami thought back about those two times, and yes… He did recall saying the same thing he was saying now. How strange. Joey sighed, "Maybe… Maybe you are from Egypt. I mean, when Yugi found you, you couldn't remember who you were."
Yami nodded, "I didn't even remember my name. That's why Yugi came up with the name Yami…" Joey nodded. 'Do you really think I could be from Egypt?"
The blonde shrugged, "It's a possibility and we've had so many people come down from there, Ryou's father is there now, isn't he?" Yami nodded. Joey laughed, "Maybe it's 'destiny' or 'fate' that brought you all here." He and Yami both laughed at that.
"Fate?" Yami turned away from the window and smiled, "Well, I seriously doubt that, but thanks anyway." Joey shrugged it off and then his stomach growled. "You can't possibly be hungry…" Yami sighed and left the room-with Joey close behind.
"Hey, I have an idea…" Joey said as they walked down the stairs. Yami and him went down to the bottom level, where the Game Shop resided.
"So, about this idea of yours…"
"We should all have lunch together. And, heck, I'll buy the one to buy." Yugi who had been working the register almost fell to the floor, as did Yami. "What?"
"You? You are going to pay for everyone? You never pay for anything!" Yugi shouted as he gathered himself.
"Well, I'm feeling generous today." He replied, pretending to be hurt. "And since I've gotten a big raise I might as well spend it on my friends…" Yami motioned a nod and smirked.
"I'm not going to turn down such a gracious offer." He replied mordantly Joey perched his lips not liking the way Yugi and Yami were picking on him.
"Anyway, that sounds like a great idea, Joey. We should all get together tonight." Yugi agreed and waved to the customer. "Thanks come again." He called out.
"Yeah, I guess we better call up everyone and see if they can all make it first." Yami said.
~
"Hello?" Ryou asked, answering his cell-phone. "Oh, Hi Yugi. What's up?" He said in a happy tone. 'Finally a friendly voice…' /What's that supposed to mean?/ Ryou blushed slightly.
"Are you busy tonight?" The sweet voice asked over the phone. /Is that Yugi?/
\Would you but out, Bakura?\ "Uh, why Yugi?"
"A bunch of us are getting together for dinner. Can you make it?" Yugi asked cheerfully.
"What time?" /You aren't really going are you?/
\Shut up, Bakura! I'm trying to talk to him.\ "About six. Well, do you think you can make it?"
"Who's all going to be there?" Ryou asked having a hard time focusing on both voices.
"Oh, you know, Anzu, Joey, me, Marik and Yami… So, can you make it?"
/Tell him you can't/ "Actually Yugi… I will definitely be there. Where are we meeting?" /What did I just tell you?/
"Just be in front of my house at five-thirty, ok?"
"Ok, I'll be there. Bye."
"Bye." Yugi then hung up.
Ryou sighed and put his phone away. /I thought I told you NOT to go./
\Tell me why I shouldn't.\
/I can't./
\Well, then too bad because I'm going and you can't stop me… Besides, if I don't go, I'll look suspicious and isn't the last thing you want is to have the spot light on you and I?\
Bakura didn't say anything, but a deep heavy sigh was heard over the link. Ryou smiled at his little victory over his darker side. 'I hope what I did was the right thing to do…' He bit his lip and stared out the window.
~
"Well, guess what? This little get together is all being paid for by Joey." Marik said hanging up his phone. Anzu nodded, "I've never seen him pay for any of our outings… Is this a first?"
Anzu smiled, "Yeah, I think it is." He nodded. As he checked his watch a taxi stopped in front of the cabin. They both went over to the window and saw Ryou approaching. "Why did he come in a cab?" She asked.
'Well, I guess it's time to tell them she's gone… Ra, help me…' Ryou thought while taking a deep breath. "Here we go." And then he knocked on the door…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End Chapter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tammi: I know it's a bit short… Next chapter will be longer, along with being the last chapter of this story. Please review. I'm off to play Soul Calibur II with my friends.
Later.
