Lookee here, I'm starting Chapter 12 after more than a week of pondering
and stewing over all my tantalizing plot twists. But anyway, here Chapter
12 is, and I hope you enjoy it! (P.S. Lifehouse owns the song.)
Disclaimer: Idon'townYu-Gi-Oh!Sothere!Nya!
Sorry I said that really fast, it's just getting so tiring to say. . .I mean, by the twelfth chapter?
+~+~+~+~
Konton no Millennia
Chapter Twelve: Ryou's Prayer of Mercy
By, Rena Campbelle
They pulled up quickly and the second she stepped out, Yami, Yuugi, and Mokuba all tore up the door to greet her.
"Rena!" the older boys cried, while Mokuba ran up to his brother and threw his arms around him.
"You'd think we'd been gone for three years, and not three days," Seto told her, as he scooped up Mokuba and threw the younger boy over his shoulder.
Composing himself quickly, Yami asked, "Did you find the Rapier?"
Rena smiled at him mischievously and pulled a long burlap covered item out of the car, "I got you a little present, Yugiou."
He took it in awe, feeling its strength and slowly clutched it against his chest. He looked at her, emotions undeterminable, but undeniably there, welling in his eyes.
"Are you going to be okay?" Seto regarded him with worry.
"I. . .I am so. . .you have done me such a great service," Yugiou (Yami) said to them. Bowing, he slipped inside the Game shop, and disappeared.
"Well, you made somebody's day," Yuugi smiled good-naturedly.
"It's good to see you too, Yuugi," Rena smiled. The two walked inside, talking amiably, Seto and Mokuba tagging along behind them.
Mai, Jounochi, Honda, and Anzu all came up to greet them when they walked in the door with elated hello's and carefree hugs, exchanging stories as if they had been gone a lifetime.
"I missed you all," Rena laughed, giving Jounochi one final hug and turning to give Honda another, "It was so exciting in Egypt! I can't wait until everyone goes."
At that moment she turned to give Mai a hug, and smiled happily, "You're going to love Egypt, Mai!"
At this, Mai squealed excitedly and led Rena by the shoulders to the kitchen, pinning her against the fridge.
Rena was a little disoriented, and even more so when Mai whispered, "You had sex! I can't believe it! You have to tell me everything! Who it was, where it was, what position, everything!"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Rena cried incredulously, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy with me," Mai reprimanded. "I can tell these things."
"Not saying this is true, but how can you tell?" she cried.
"Oh, there are all sorts of ways," Mai said flip, "the cheery demeanor, Seto's wardrobe change, and your wardrobe change."
"How does wardrobe affect your sex life?" Rena wondered aloud.
"Wardrobe has everything to do with everything," Mai said matter-of-factly, "I mean, it's so obvious! Seto is dressed like a normal guy, despite his apparent taste for anything in leather and long coats. And you," she pointed at Rena's long, dark green skirt, white blouse, and neatly pinned hair, "You're dressing with an actual taste of femininity when you used to wear nothing but summer clothes and archaeologist's. . .stuff."
"Gee, thanks Mai," Rena said flatly.
"So," Mai squealed girlishly, "Give me all the details!"
"There are no details," Rena sighed, "We did NOT have sex, and would NOT have sex. If you MUST know, we did kiss."
"So, you got all happy and sunny and cheery because he just kissed you?" Mai asked, slamming a hand against the cabinet. "Really, Rena, you are just way too excitable!"
"And I suppose you've slept around enough you know what you're talking about?" Rena said, probably giving the statement a bit harsher reproach than intended.
"I'm a grown woman," Mai said, spite tainting her voice, "I can do what I want, I'm a big girl now."
"I guess so," Rena admitted, "I'm sorry, Mai. It's just not everyone. . ."
"Not everyone is as low as me," Mai said.
"No! Not at all!" Rena cried. "You're one of my best friends, and trust me, I totally envy your confidence!"
"Envy me?" Mai asked.
"Of course!" Rena smiled, "Your always so brave and confident, I mean, I think I'm sure of myself, but when I look at you, it's like the whole world will change itself to suit your purpose!"
"Am I that vain?" she asked Rena, brushing her long, blonde hair from her face. "Whenever I look in the mirror, all I see is a woman, a very, incredibly attractive woman of course, but nonetheless a woman who is so scared of just what people might think of her, or if she just might not be accepted into the group, that she will do just about anything to change herself." She opened up the fridge and took out a bottled water, opened it and took a long drink, then smiled at Rena, "But you. . .you Rena, you don't have to change a thing. You have an exotic beauty all to your own, you're smart, no, you're a genius. Whereas I barely passed my junior year, and you can speak all sorts of languages and you know a language that no one in the world knows, and you have a spirit so pure you can share it with a goddess and still be able to keep your sanity. I mean, no wonder Seto's crazy about you."
"What's this about being a genius? I can't do calculus to save my life, or physics. And Seto isn't crazy about me," Rena smiled.
Mai stared at her and set down the water bottle, "Right. But you're crazy about him."
"That may be true," she admitted.
"Don't cut corners with me, either you love him or you don't," Mai said.
"Before I answer your question, tell me this, Mai. Do you know love?" Rena asked.
"Yes, I do. And I'm very glad I do," she smirked.
"Who?"
"You know," she said, smiling patronizingly, "now you hold your end of the deal. Do you love Seto or not?"
"Yes, I do," she said, a blush staining her cheeks.
"I knew it," Mokuba gasped from the door.
"Mokuba!" the two cried simultaneously.
"I knew it!" he repeated, "I knew it all along, oniisan!"
"Mokuba," she said limply, "Please don't tell your brother. And please," she lifted a hand to her now throbbing temple, "don't call me oniisan."
"No!" Mokuba said, "If you love him, doesn't he deserve to know?"
The poor little boy, he was so wrong, she couldn't tell him anything, not now. Not after just having confessed to herself, neither of them could handle it!
"Mokuba, no. You're right. He should know, and I'll tell him, even if he doesn't return the feeling. But I can't just yet."
"Do you promise?" he asked her gravely.
"On the soul of the goddess," she winked. He looked at her warily, then grabbed a cookie from the plate on the countertop, turned, and walked outside.
"Well, you screwed up," Mai said merrily and walked out the door.
"Is the whole world against me right now?" she asked the kitchen.
"Always has been," said Seto.
She turned around, "What are you doing here?"
"And miss out on Shizuka's cookies? No way," he said, grabbing a cookie and stuffing it in his mouth.
"Oh, that's a good look for you," Rena smiled innocently, "And who's Shizuka?"
"Katsuya Jounochi's sister," he said between a mouthful of cookie.
"I didn't know he had a sister, what's she like?" Rena asked.
"Oh, um, she's nice," Seto stammered.
"Just nice?" Rena asked, curious at Seto's edginess.
"Yeah, she was a sweet girl, a friend of mine. We," he stopped.
"You?"
"We went out for a little while. It was kind of like a fling, a 'just for the summer thing.' She wrote a song, and sent it to me, and I, you know, liked it, so I started going out with her," he stammered.
"Are you expecting me to get jealous?" Rena looked at him, trying to hide her amusement.
"No!" Seto protested, "Well, okay, yeah."
"My goodness, Seto," Rena laughed, "Why are you falling apart at the seams here? I don't mind you had a girlfriend, why are making it like I do?"
"It's not that!" he protested.
"You make it seem like it is. Seto, we're good friends, or at least that's how I see it. I care about you, even enough to share a kiss with you, and stay the night in your bed. . ."
"Those seem like qualities that would brand us as a couple," Seto said.
She stopped and looked him; he was so impossible to read, with his hands jammed in his pockets and his face blank. Even his eyes were too confused to read.
"Seto," she said, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Rena, I don't know what I'm trying to say yet. And Shizuka, well, she isn't anything special for me anymore. You on the other hand, even if for now we're just friends, we're more than Shizuka and I ever were," he sighed into her hair, his arms snaking around her waist.
"Then stop talking, you confuse me," she said. He didn't answer though; instead, he laid his head against her neck, and kissed it softly.
The tender moment didn't last very long however, for Yami burst into the kitchen shouting Rena's name, "RENA!!!!! RENA WHERE ARE YOU?? RENA CAMPBELLE!!!"
"What?" she shouted back.
"The Rapier, look at it!" he said.
It had begun to glow a bright gold color, and Rena could see her reflection in the blade. But it wasn't the same, like the time she had looked into the moonstone the Professor had given her and saw the face that wasn't hers, but somehow was. She had the same dark, violet eyes, the same smile, but yet her complexion was darker, and her hair was black and golden with streaks of silver. And again, a small silver disc hung on a chain around her head. She took it from Yami's hand, and as she did, the glow softened, then faded.
"What happened?" Yami asked her.
"I don't know," she confessed, "It hasn't done that before."
"All the better reason to get back to Egypt. I think we can get out of here in two days," Seto said.
"Why just two days?" Yami asked.
"Now that we have the Rapier, the Daughter of Set is probably going to send everything she's got against us," Seto explained.
"And we want to fight in her home court?" Jounochi asked from the doorway.
"It's not just her home court, you know," Rena said. "It's Megami and Yugiou's too."
"Yeah, Jounochi," Honda said, pushing his friend out of the doorway, "Besides this isn't even your conversation!"
"Come on you two," Anzu sighed from behind them.
"No, stay here, in fact, get Mai, we do need to plan this little trip," Rena said.
+~+~+~+~
Five minutes later, everyone was assembled around the living room, in various places. Rena was leaning against Seto, her legs draped over Honda's lap, and Anzu had her feet under Honda's leg, and was laying on an oversized pillow, all on the floor. Jounochi sat on the couch, Mai's head in his lap. On the opposite side of the room, Yuugi sat next to the Rapier, and Yami stood leaning against the far wall. The circle ended with Mokuba, his head in his brother's lap.
Seto started, "I've been thinking that maybe it would be safer for all of you if just Yami, Rena, and I went." Mokuba looked up at him horror and treachery betraying his face.
Seto leaned to his ear, "I don't want them to know you're going." At this the younger boy relaxed and sunk back on his brother's lap. But the others still had their share to say.
"That isn't fair!" Anzu protested.
"Yeah, what do you think you're doing taking only three people up against an immortal?" Jounochi cried.
"I mean, you can't be serious right?" Honda asked, "We were all preparing ourselves for this, you can't just leave us here while you're out risking your lives!"
"We're going to Egypt, whether you like it or not," Mai snipped.
"I'm your ticket," Seto said stolidly, "And I say no."
"Seto," Rena said, "I thought we just decided that it would be best for everyone for all of us to be together. And what if the Dark Mistress attacks here, too? I wouldn't forgive myself if I lost another friend to that horrid creature!"
"Rena," Seto said, "They have a better chance of living if they stay here."
"I don't want to live by myself if my friends lose their lives," Anzu said, "I'd rather die with you!"
Yuugi had remained quiet while the argument was continuing, but when everyone began to shout, he yelled, "Everyone calm down!!"
The fight stopped, and just in time too. Jou was about to start a fistfight with Seto and Mai and Honda looked ready to back him up. But everything, every movement, every word, even time itself seemed to stop when little Yuugi spoke up.
"Yug, you okay?" Jounochi asked.
"I'm okay," Yuugi said.
Rena noticed he didn't look okay. She hadn't noticed until now just how heavy the bags under his eyes were, and how tired his face looked.
"Now everyone," Yuugi started, "I really think that all of us should go. First, there's safety in numbers. Second, we all want to go to help Rena and save Ryou. And third, who doesn't want to go to Egypt?"
Seto looked at him, and took the message, "All right. You all have two days to be on my doorstep, ready to leave. I can't believe I just said that."
A loud shout went up the group as they all cheered for Seto, and even Mai threw her arms around him, "Thank you!"
Rena stood up silently, and grinned at him, as Jou and Honda surged at him from both sides, and even Anzu joined the group hug.
Of course, Seto was mortified at the attention, being the most silent person she had ever met. He gave her a pleading look, but she dismissed it and grabbed the Rapier, walking out the back door into the chilly air. The warm spell had ended with their return from Egypt, and now a chill hung in the air. She twirled the sword in her hand, and parried slightly against an invisible foe. The Rapier was lighter than most swords she had wielded, but that just made it more maneuverable. It spun effortlessly, and when she slipped on a small puddle and the sword was pushed into a tree, it slid through it without much difficulty.
She pulled it out in awe, and spun it again, controlling it easily. They moved together, almost as one, bonded as close as she was to Megami. Which perhaps in a way was correct, this was the last little piece of Megami's essence. In a way, she and the sword were the same. Her body was insanely alive and she moved the best she could for her long skirt.
A twig cracked behind her, and she brought the sword up a hair's breadth away from Seto's head.
"Chikusho onna!" he cried. "Watch where you're pointing that thing!"
"Sorry," she blushed, wrapping the sword back in the burlap cloth.
"Anyway," Seto said, "we need to be heading back." She smiled at him and walked back to her new Mercedes that had replaced the old one that hadn't survived the Katsuya Jounochi overhaul. They had driven it there instead of the typical limo, to divert media attention. But now she climbed into the driver's seat, and Mokuba scrambled to the passenger seat, while Seto crashed in the back. The drive home was a smooth one, and to her relief there were no news vans or reporters waiting for them when they got there. She parked the car in the lower garage, and let Mokuba mess with waking his brother up.
"Come on Seto," Mokuba yanked on Seto's hand.
"Wha-? Are we home?" came a drowsy voice. Sleep still lingered in his tone, and it gave Rena a pretty good idea where he was going when he got inside.
But she was wrong, of course. He didn't even wait to get to his bedroom. Seto sleepwalked over to the couch and crashed, snoring vociferously.
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a breakfast bar, eating it on the way up to her room. She had originally intended to study for her end of semester exams that would be coming up in the next few weeks. She had still vouched for taking them, even while she was staying in Japan, and figured now that she was going to have at least two more days at least to live, why not study now? She really wasn't certain if she was coming back alive, even though she was positive that all of her friends would, she'd make sure of it.
But her soft looking bed and its sweet scent of lavender lulled her, compelling her onto the bed, and into a deep sleep.
+~+~+~+~
It was about eight the next morning when he had finally woke up, and Regius had come to him with the telephone. Of course, it was one of the executives he had left in charge, begging him to take up the job this morning.
So of course, he left for work irritable, and hoping that Kaiba Corporation would still be standing.
Rena came downstairs, still wearing her clothes from yesterday, just as he walked out the door, fully dressed in a long, dark blue over coat, and dark button-up shirt, with of course, black leather pants.
"Where are you going?" she yawned, grabbing her coat and her dog's leashes.
"Well, being the most powerful man in the world, I thought I'd make an appearance at my company. You know, the whole CEO stick," he smirked. "Well, maybe I won't leave in such a bad mood," he thought, "At least I get to make fun of Rena."
"Right," she smiled, clicking the leashes onto her dogs' collars, "I'm taking Amun and Seshat for a walk."
"I suppose I'll permit it," he said, "But just this once."
+~+~+~+~
He arrived at the office maybe fifteen minutes later, both his executives storming him with problems.
"Stocks are down," one complained.
"It's fixable," he said.
"Technology services have been cut all this week," the other fretted.
"Again, not to worry," Seto said.
"But sir, we're down almost a 100k," one said. The other flinched waiting for the barking command to remove himself from his employer's office. But the remark never came.
"I understand you're concern and was taking a few risks when I left you fools in charge," he said, almost good-naturedly, "And now I'm telling you to get of my office so I can fix it."
"Yes-yes, sir," the men bowed and left.
The two looked at each other in amazement, "Was he civil with us?" one asked.
"It would almost seem that way," the other commented, running a hand through his thinning hair.
"Wonder what got him in such good spirits," his friend said.
"Well, we'll probably never know."
They walked by a middle-aged woman whose shoulder-length black hair was pulled up with barrettes, who pushed open the door to Seto's office.
"Good morning, Kaiba-san," the woman said pleasantly, laying several folders on his desk. "These were given to me by one of our competitors, and they asked me that I give it to you in person."
"What is it?" he asked, his eyes never leaving his computer screen.
"I don't know, they asked me to keep out of it. It's very confidential," she said.
"Really?"
"Are we being bought out, Kaiba-san?" she immediately regretted the question.
He looked up at her, aggravation flashing on his face, "No, Kichi-san," he pointed to a large stack of folders, "Go through those, and make sure I get the ones back that propose problems."
"Knowing Nobu-san and Inoue-san, they probably all have errors," she said.
A ghost of a smiled flickered at the corners of his lips, "Just take them, Kichi-san, and maybe next time I'll leave you in charge."
"No, sir," she said, grabbing the pile, and walking out.
He turned from his computer and picked up one of the folders his secretary had just brought in. They were sealed with wax, an unusual detail, and his face paled when he read who it had come from. The label was unmistakably from Yume Shinkirou Industries. He pulled off the wax seal, and a small piece of paper rolled out.
Dear Seto Kaiba, I would like to express my most sincere apologies for the events of my last party. I have made sure myself that the men responsible have been brought to justice, and would also like to give my thanks to you and your lovely assistant who came to the aid of both myself and the guests present.
Also, I would like to explain the purpose of these packages. Please, examine their contents and send them to Miss Akhten when you are done. I'm sure she will be happy to see how well we've kept our guest in health. And do thank her for finding the Holy Rapier, it will only be a matter of days before I find it, and you, and all of your friends. And this time, I'm afraid there won't be any survivors.
Again, thank you for saving my life so I could take yours,
My best regards,
Tenshino Konton,
The Daughter of Set
His hands shook as he finished reading the letter. How did she know? How was it possible that she found out so quickly? He picked up the next folder and tore off the wax seal. Again, another note fluttered out.
Dear Seto Kaiba,
I hope you have read the letter from the first envelope before you continue with this one.
This is just evidence for both Miss Akhten and yourself so that you know I have kept the boy alive.
I hope you enjoy it.
A lump began to form at the base of Seto's throat as he thumbed through the pictures. They were all of Bakura Ryou, a friend of Yuugi and Rena's. They showed the boy being whipped by the sorceress they had fought earlier, chained to a stone wall, beaten and bloody, and finally of him tied to a crucifix. Seto couldn't look at any more after that. He set them down, anger and hatred rolling inside him. The Daughter of Set had gone too far, and now she was to pay.
With fury he opened the final envelope, and a videocassette fell out. On the label was another note.
Just in case. . .
He picked it all up and set it in his briefcase. Rena was going to either cry her eyes out or go on a rampage. Either way, it wasn't going to be pretty when he came home tonight.
Seto tried to finish his work; with all his mind he tried to push out the pictures of Ryou and the haunting words written on the letter.
"Kaiba-san?" Kichi's voice asked from the small intercom on his desk, breaking him from his thoughts.
He pressed the button, "Yes?"
"We received the data on the police report you filed."
"What do you mean?"
"Sir, you filed a report about a week ago about a threatening phone call that you wanted traced from your home. We got the results back," she said.
"So who was it?"
"Tomoe Katsuke and Tatsuya Seiji, but there's something strange here I thought you should know."
"What?"
"Both men have been missing since two days ago."
"Missing?"
"Yes, gone without a trace, as if they've disappeared from the face of the planet."
"How?"
"Both men were to board an airliner bound for New York, but they never showed up for their flight. In fact, they never even made it to their taxis."
Seto remembered something from the letter Tenshino Konton had sent him, "I made sure myself that the men responsible were brought to justice."
"Oh my God," Seto sighed, "Kichi-san, keep me posted on the case."
"Yes sir."
Seto whirled around in his chair. Set's Daughter was clearing the playing field for the final battle, and already had her strategy in play. And they were still choosing players.
+~+~+~+~
Rena found herself wandering around the house again, she certainly didn't have anything else to do. She was only in the way at the Game Shop, Yuugi and all his friends were polishing off schoolwork and getting ready to go, and she would only get in the way. That and she was tired of always supplying Jounochi and Honda with the answers to their assignments.
"Hey Rena-oniisan!" Mokuba called from down the hallway.
"Mokuba, I've asked you before, stop calling me oniisan! Seto and I aren't- "
"Yeah, I know," he interrupted, "But you are like my big sister anyway!"
"You're a good kid, Moku," she said, tousling his hair. "Hey is there anything cool in this house of yours?"
"Sure there is! Come on," Mokuba grabbed her arm and led her up a hallway and down a corridor. "This is one of my favorite rooms!"
Rena could easily see why. It was built as a recreational room complete with pool table, pinball machines, and lounge furniture scattered about.
"Check this out," Mokuba said, "It's a virtual reality Dueling game. It's an earlier model, my brother built it and put it in here." He pointed to a small circular stand from which a VR helmet, gloves, and deck-holder were strung up by wires. Before it was a large screen, depicting average video game things. High score (all of which were initialed K.S.), credits, instructions, and previews.
"Try it," Mokuba said.
"Okay," Rena stepped up onto the platform, and slipped on the helmet, gloves, and deck-holder.
The screen suddenly painted into a dense forest as she slipped her deck into the holder, and took a beginning stance. Mokuba took a seat as he watched the virtual Rena walking the forest. Suddenly, a monster jumped out at her. It was the Battle Steer, and its life points glowed 1800/1300 above its head. Rena drew a card from her deck, and from it came the Fire- Eyes Maiden, with an attack power of 2600. The virtual Rena said something and the Maiden swished her skirt around, the flames on it catching the Battle Steer, bursting it into fragments of light. She continued further, more Duel Monsters popping up along the way, and so they sat like that for maybe an hour, until the screen shut off, and Rena pulled off her gear and looked at Mokuba, "That stuff is tiring, how about we find something else to do for a while?"
"Oh, okay," Mokuba yawned, standing up and leading her out of the room.
They walked outside and Amun and Seshat greeted them noisily at the door.
"Can we go to Yuugi's?" Mokuba asked her.
"No, I think they're all busy getting ready for the trip. Speaking of which, are you ready?" she looked at him. The dogs ran inside behind her.
"Umm, no."
"Then, let's go back inside and get you packed," she smiled, grabbing her arms around herself, "And I think I'm going to get a sweater."
+~+~+~+~
Ayaroi appeared on black bat wings, dropping the two men before her throne. Both of them were very shaken, scared to the point of wetting their pants.
The Daughter of Set sneered down at them and murmured, "You are the men who ordered the attacks on Yume Shinkirou Industries?"
The words rang in the cigar smoking man's ears as if she had bellowed them, and he stammered, "No ma'am, no it wasn't!"
"You lie," she smiled.
The one with greasy hair stammered over his words, "No! We swear, please! We had nothing to do with it!"
"I tire of your mendacity," she smiled silkily, snapping her fingers. "Ayaroi, Fukushuu, punish them. And do not be merciful."
"I had no intention to be," Ayaroi said sardonically.
"And when you're done," the Dark Mistress added, "Take what's left of their ba for the use of our servant's recovery."
"Yes, Mistress," Ayaroi bowed, and turned to face the two men. "Well gentlemen," she tossed her long hair behind her shoulder, "Shall we have some fun?"
+~+~+~+~
"Rena, telephone!" Mokuba called.
"Get it, will you?" she called, "I'll be right down!"
Mokuba ran over to the phone and picked it up, and his brother's voice barked, "I'm on my way home, is everyone okay?"
"Yeah, why?" Mokuba asked, sensing the concern in his brother's tone.
"Ryou's in trouble, tell Rena to have the VCR on and ready when I get home, there's something we need to see."
"Seto, what's wrong?" Mokuba demanded.
"Ryou's been tortured by the Daughter of Set, and I think she's going to strike again. I can't say anymore, who knows if she's listening."
Seto seemed really taken aback, even to go so far as to believe his phones were bugged, and this troubled Mokuba twice as much. If Seto was scared, then that meant all too reasonably that he should be too. Rena came down the stairs, toweling off her wet hair, and took the phone from Mokuba.
"Who is it?" she mouthed, bringing the receiver to her ear.
"Seto," he whispered back.
"Seto?" she asked, and waited for a minute, "The VCR? What. . .what do you mean 'trouble?' Seto tell me what's going on!" There was a look of sick apprehension on her face as he watched her on the phone. Finally, Seto must have told her about Ryou. Her hands began to tremble and she reached for a chair with an unsteady grasp. "No, I don't understand.why?" she began to stammer over her words, and he heard Seto yelling on the other end of the line.
Finally, she seemed to recuperate, and whispered, "I know. I know, I really do. Everything will be set up. I'll call Yuugi and the others, and make sure everyone is safe. You'll be home in ten minutes? All right. It's only six o'clock, the others might not be home. They were going out." She stopped, then a look of irritation etched across her pale features, "Of course I'll still try, let me worry about that okay? You just get home!" She put the receiver down, then picked it back up and began to dial.
"Moshi moshi, Yuugi-san desuke wa?" she waited a while, then started, "Is everyone there okay?"
Mokuba watched as she relayed the whole story back to Yuugi, he walked up the phone and pressed the speakerphone button.
Yuugi's voice rang out of the machine, "We should leave even sooner. Ryou's in danger. What are you waiting for?"
"We still have to see the tape, Yuugi," Rena rationalized.
"I don't care. I don't want to hear more of it. What are we going to do?"
"Yuugi, calm down."
"I don't want to be calm! One of my friends may well be dead, or as good as dead, and I'm sitting here, ready to pack up for a trip that could be taken as lightly as a vacation."
"No one's going to take it that way, not with poor Ryou missing."
"I don't care! You know Mai will forget, then Jou, then Honda, then everyone else! Don't you realize-?"
"Yuugi I probably realize better than you do," she snapped.
Yuugi sucked in a breath on the other side of the phone, "Rena, you're right. I'm just so nervous. We've all been, and the pressure's just now at a boiling point."
"It's understandable. It's been hard for everybody to keep their sanity, especially me," she smiled.
"Are we still leaving day after tomorrow?" he asked.
"Well, it's lined up that Kaiba's jet is taking us, and that's kind of hard to reschedule. But then again, I'm not the CEO, that's his thing," she admitted.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow. I'll call Anzu and Honda, see if they can't spend the night here. Jou and Mai are over at my place. Yami's out, but he can take care of himself."
"I'm not taking any chances with any more lives, try a soul link with Yugiou, and have him come home early. If he gives you shit, come to me," she said definitely.
"Yes ma'am," Yuugi said. Mokuba could practically see him giving her a mock salute. When Rena was serious, she was serious, and you were serious, and the entire city was serious. She had that kind of air about her.
When she hung up the phone, she slumped down onto the couch, letting the impact slowly sink in. It was all her fault, she was responsible for everyone! Mokuba curled up next to her, worried about his friend.
"Rena, will you be okay?" he asked. Her features were sunken and tired, and she looked thinner. Her eyes had lost their glimmer and now looked faded and hollow.
"Oh Mokuba, it's all my fault," she began to cry, glad for the release. "It's all my fault you are all in danger. This curse on me, has brought itself on my loved ones, and I couldn't let any of you go. You're all dearer to me than my own life. And now, she's going to try everything in her power to destroy you."
"Rena," the little boy whispered.
"I feel so helpless!" she cried, "And yet, I'm supposed to be our savior! How can I do it?" She felt weaker every day, and the sadness, the pressure, the split mind was too much. She felt sick, but this was going to take more than a dose of aspirin. It was emotional pressure, but at least crying made her feel a little better. The tears were like little pieces of her torment, flowing away from her to make the contusion of hurt just a little less painful.
"Rena, you'll do it. I don't know how, and I bet you don't either for now. But trust me, you're going to do it, and you're going to send that witch right back to the hell where she came from."
"Watch your language!" she snapped.
"Sorry," he muttered, "I guess I hang out around Jou too much."
"Jou shouldn't use that kind of language around you either!" she said, appalled, "He should be more mature than that!"
"Are we talking about the same person?" Mokuba joked, glad to relieve her of the invisible pain it was obvious she was in.
"Never say that again," she reprimanded, drawing him into a hug, "people will think ill of you."
"Don't you use words like that, though?" Mokuba said.
"I'm not eleven, and I don't use such words around just anyone," she countered.
The little boy peered up at her through his curtain of black bangs, "Whatever you say, oniisan."
"You little imp!" she cried as he shot up from the couch and started to run away. She got up and chased after him, down one corridor and into the next, until finally she tackled him in the dining room. She lifted him up in the air, and threw him up over her shoulder, and dropped him onto the couch in the main living room.
"I win!" she cried triumphantly, and tickled his sides.
"All right, I give!" Mokuba cried, "Uncle!"
"Good," Rena sighed, flopping onto the couch, "And I needed that. Thanks kid."
"Let's get the VCR on and ready for when Seto gets home," he walked over to the TV, and pushed a button, and in less than a minute, the whole system was alive and buzzing.
"Not hard," Mokuba grinned.
"I see the strange connection between males and large appliances starts at an early age," she commended. He threw her a quizzical look, and was about to open his mouth when they heard the limo rolling up to the entrance.
Seto flew in, and immediately jammed the tape in the player. He pressed the PLAY button, and stood there in front of the screen.
"Hey, down in the front," Rena said coldly. Seto stepped back, taking a seat next to Mokuba on the couch.
The tape opened up to the Daughter of Set, lounging lazily on her throne. She looked at the camera and dripped her venomous smile, "Good evening Mr. Kaiba, and a special good evening to you, Miss Akhten. I must say this has been an exciting game. You've destroyed two of my monsters, and injured my sorceress. But don't fret, there are still plenty more that are ready and willing to fight you." Her smile broadened and she laughed sadistically, "But I'm sure that's not what you may wish to hear. You want to know of your sweet little friend."
"Damn right we do," Rena muttered, and looked away when Mokuba looked at her knowingly.
The camera spun to Ryou, who was chained to the wall by his wrists, ankles, and a thick chain was bound around his waist. A manacle was wrapped mercilessly around his neck, and he was cached in his own dried blood. It stained his shirt, thickened around his wrists, and he had scars across his face. He was dirty and his cheeks were tear-stained, as he looked up at the camera, "Please leave me alone. Rena, Yuugi, help me!" His eyes were scared and empty of nothing but fear. Again, he cried, "Rena, please save me! She's torturing me, I don't how much longer I'll last, please." The words were a desperate attempt for rescue, and they would leave a permanent taint on her soul forever. His face was gaunt, and paler than usual, he resembled in entirety a frightened rabbit, and his hair hung thinly over his forehead.
Again the camera flung back to the Daughter of Set, and she smiled, "Now, now, don't be such a camera hog! I still have more to say," she snapped her fingers and from off the scene she could hear Ryou cry out.
"Stop it! Stop it now!" Rena screamed, tugging at her body. Her hands were sweltering with concentrated energy, and the sensation was burning her, she felt like she would burst.
The Daughter of Set swung a small, gold trinket around her finger, "I see this little one had the Holy Ring, how very nice. I will need this power to resurrect my servant. Oh, I bet you want to know how my special devotee is, don't you? Well, I simply won't ruin the surprise, I mustn't! Otherwise, this game would be no fun."
The energy began to emanate around Rena's body, and her hands felt as though on fire, she felt she wouldn't be able to keep it in much longer.
Then the Black Mistress began to laugh. And Rena knew who she was laughing at. She was laughing at the two of them, Megami and herself, laughing at their helplessness as Ryou cried out again in anguish. The laugh was vicious, derisive, and aimed right at her. Rena began to cry as the burden became too much. She simply exploded.
Energy didn't just fall from her hands, it cascaded out of every pore of her body, and she could no longer rein it in until everything was out.
Seto had told her later, "You lit up on fire, as if you had spontaneously combusted, and then, right then, I was more afraid for you than ever, even in the battle against the Daughter of Set, I was never more frightened of your power than I was then."
But then, Seto grabbed Mokuba by the waist and ran upstairs, as Rena's cries grew louder. He was afraid she would die if she continued to let out this energy in such quantity. And what would be left of their house? He practically threw Mokuba in one of the rooms, shutting the door tight, and ran back downstairs, unsure of how he was going to keep her from killing herself.
+~+~+~+~
Yuugi's mind was buzzing with questions, and all of them had nothing to do with the homework he was supposed to be working on. Mai and Jounochi were sitting on the floor while Jounochi tried to explain his math homework to her, but to no avail. She just looked at him quizzically, and instead, returned to her sketchbook, where she was creating her own brand of designer clothing. It was her current career choice, for the moment, though they had been known to change. She had last wanted to be a model, before that a singer, before that an actress, and now, she was a fashion designer. But for now she just sat there, drawing contentedly in her book, while Jou wrestled with equations.
Anzu was sitting by him, reading a book on one of her favorite dancers from France. She had started to learn some French too, and loved to practice it wherever she went, even if she didn't know what she was saying. God help her if she ever made it to Paris.
Honda, like always, was neglecting his homework for the next day, and was lounging on the couch, flipping through TV channels.
And Yami sat by the window, staring out into the darkness. Yuugi knew he was in thought, and probably knew what he was thinking about. Rena, the goddess, the battle. It was pretty preoccupying; Yuugi knew it for a fact. And then, that's when he felt it, a jolt right into his heart, and he reeled back, stumbling onto the floor. He saw thousands of colors dancing inside his head, and felt like his heart had just been run through an egg slicer. And, judging by Yami's stunned face, he had felt it too. The others looked up slowly, unsure if they had even felt anything, but there was only signature that could have been on an energy blast that big.
"Rena," Yami said, getting up and throwing a jacket over his leather tanktop, and running out the door.
"Yami, wait!" Yuugi cried, pointing to the car, "We'll get there faster in this!"
Yami regarded it suspiciously, but nonetheless, hopped into the driver's seat. Yami was suspicious of all modern things though; it was something everyone had gotten used to.
"I hope you're right, aibou," he said darkly, as Yuugi handed him the keys. He flipped through them and randomly chose one and shoved it in the keyhole. It didn't fit, and neither did the next three.
"Oh, by the balls of Set, I don't have time for this!" he cried.
"It's this one," Yuugi said, picking the silver key out and handing it to him.
"Isis help me," Yami growled as he slammed the pedal to the metal and roared out of the driveway. Yuugi sat back, slightly relieved. Yami didn't technically know how to drive, even though Jounochi had already shown him how once or twice. And already, Jou was running out to his car, Honda, Mai, and Anzu in hot pursuit.
"Get off my side of the road!" Yami roared as he swerved off one section and onto the other.
"Yami, watch out! We're on the wrong side! This is a no passing zone!" the younger boy cried, gripping the seat, and praying to whoever was listening that he survive this trip. "Look out you missed the turn!"
"Dammit!" Yami cried, swerving the car around in a vicious U-turn, and back onto the right road. Car horns blared like crazy as Yami swept through the streets, driving like a madman.
"We're going to get arrested for sure," Yuugi groaned. But both to his surprise and great relief, they were out of town, and speeding down an off- road that they knew for sure would take them to the Kaiba Estate. They were there a minute or so later with Yami driving beyond any legal speed, and what they saw astounded them.
Light was pouring out of every window, and the two jumped out of the car and ran inside.
Seto was standing just on the perimeter of a gigantic energy mass, and Rena on her knees in the center, screaming and crying.
She was uncontrollably screaming, exerting every last bit of energy in one raw deposit, and Lord knew what she was going to do with it. If she kept it up much longer, it would engulf her as well, and the result would be her own death.
"Rena, stop it!" Seto cried, trying to get nearer. "You have to stop!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Yami shouted.
"I've got to stop her! She'll kill herself," Seto cried back.
"She has to stop it herself, there's nothing you can do!" Yami yelled.
"There has to be something! She can't control it anymore!" Seto screamed, and jumped into the energy ball.
Yuugi thought for sure the second he entered that Kaiba was just going to burn up and die, but instead, he walked through it, going to Rena.
Seto reached inside the energy nearer to Rena, and his whole body became electrified with something he couldn't even begin to describe. It was like fire, but it didn't burn, as it should have. He was like a bird perched on a telephone wire, the electricity was undoubtedly there, but it didn't effect him. It simply warmed him, filled him, but the more he remained in one spot, the more painful it became. He touched Rena's shoulder, but recoiled backwards grasping his hand. She was burning hot, but still he stretched out his arm to pull her against him, fire burning through his whole being. He never let go and finally, her piercing screams quieted, and she stood there among the smoldering floor, crying in his arms.
"I'm so sorry," she said, "I couldn't control it, not when he cried out. Not when she hurt him. I can't stand it. I want her to pay, in blood."
"I know, Rena. I do too," Seto said, shushing her.
"No, I hate her! She doesn't even deserve to exist!" she cried, her palms beginning to itch again.
"I know you do, I can feel it," Seto stroked her hair, pressing her still searing body against his, cradling her in his arms.
"Rena," Yuugi said, "I was so scared."
"Yuugi?" she looked up at him, and he smiled back weakly. But his face was pale with anxiousness.
Yami didn't look much healthier, "Oh thank the gods you didn't die," he sighed, "You had me worried."
"I had myself worried," she said thickly, "Oh god." She gazed around the room, which was a smoldering mess. There was a giant scorched spot on the nice hardwood floor, and the curtains were still burning slightly. The entertainment system was a big pile of melted plastic metal ooze, and the furniture was nothing but a pile of ashes on the floor.
"You certainly are expensive to care for," Seto laughed, standing up with her in his arms.
Just then, the others who had rode with Jounochi came in.
"Yami, Yuugi, what were you thinking?" Jounochi started, but fell silent, "What the hell happened here?" he asked.
"Weenie roast," Yuugi said, "Guess the bonfire got a little out of hand."
"Goodness Kaiba," Mai smiled brilliantly, "If you wanted to redecorate, you could have just sold the furniture. You certainly didn't have to burn it and the house to the ground."
Everyone looked at her, and slowly one by one, began to laugh.
"What?" she cried, "I was joking!"
This only made everyone laugh harder.
+~+~+~+~
An hour later found the group resting in one of rooms of the Kaiba Estate. It had definitely been out of use for a while, but it wasn't out of repair, the hired service did a good job, keeping to the room's antique delicacy. Crystal sat on any surface that would hold it, providing a tense air that even a breath out of place would shatter something indispensable.
Rena stroked a hand down one of the navy couches, idly turning a crystal lamp on and off. The prismatic light blinked around the room gathering everyone's apathetic attention. Aside from the soft clicks, the room was silent.
Yami found himself slightly unnerved by the silence of the room, despite the fact that everyone else seemed to enjoy it. But it also didn't help that he was in a state of silence for nearly three millennia, where the only company you had was darkness and isolation. (They were very close friends of his.) But now, now that he had been freed from Yuugi's body, he had learned to love life, noise, energy, and excitement, all in its entirety. Sure he would slip away now and then. All right, more like every night. But humans were creatures of habit, weren't they? Grow up with silence you would expect silence.
But now, it seemed like there should be lots of talk, lots of noise. They should be discussing things, preparing for the day after. Or maybe they were wrestling with their own thoughts like he was now?
"Well we'd best be going home," Yami stood up and stretched.
"Are you sure, Yugiou?" Rena asked.
Yami smiled at her, she was so funny, always insisting on using his proper name, "We'll be fine."
"You don't want to stay the night here? We'd be glad to have you," she pressed. Mokuba bobbed his head ferociously.
"No, we must return home to make sure everything is as it should be," he said.
"Yami's right, Rena. Besides we'll be safe," Yuugi added.
"Do you swear?" she looked at him gravely.
"By every whisker on the beard of Osiris," Yami smiled, grabbing his coat and heading downstairs. Anzu grabbed her sweater, and Jounochi and Mai each grabbed the other's coat, and handed them to each other.
"Uh, thanks Mai," Jou said, a blush staining his cheeks. Rena noticed they walked out awfully close to one another.
Honda gave them one last look before picking up his own jacket and said, "You guys take care."
"You too, Honda," she smiled faintly.
He nodded and shouted to Jounochi, "Hey you leave me here, and I'll kick your a-"
"Well," Rena said, shutting the door. "How friendly."
Seto smiled at her, "It's not as bad as it can be."
"Oh, and how would you know? You don't associate yourself with them remember? You're the big, bad, billionaire lone ranger."
"Shut up," he said, pulling her down on the couch beside him, "And you're the annoying always have to be right, book loving archaeologist."
"Books are very good things," she said, "I plan to write one."
"Oh, on what?" he asked.
"Olden hieroglyphics. In fact, when it's time to get my doctorate, I'm basing my thesis on their translation," she smiled, and laid her finger gently on his nose.
"You don't want to keep the secret all to yourself?" he asked.
"I'd tell anyone if it means sparing calls at three o'clock in the morning to go fly to some far off country to translate a piece of a fragment of a shard with a phrase as meaningless as 'go for a walk.'"
"I'm guessing that's happened before?" he asked.
"Yup, and I exaggerated it for perfect detail. Usually, they're really big pieces of rock with stories on them. They save the meaningless ones for when I'm awake."
"You baka onna," he grinned, "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere other than this room. I always feel like I'm going to break something. Come on Mokuba," he waved to his brother. They started off down the hallway, and before walking ten feet came to a door and opened it. "You know, I've lived here since I was eight, and there are still some rooms I've never been in."
"Like this one?"
"No, I've been here, I just think you're going to like this," he lit the room and she gasped.
"This is awesome," she squealed.
"I've heard you singing, and I guess this just kind of popped into mind," he said, mentally adding, "More like I've been planning this ever since I heard you sing. Because you're the closest thing I can get to loving someone."
"Hey, the Music Room," Mokuba said, popping his head in the door, "This place is cool."
Rena thought it seemed more autumn-ish, with hunter green walls and warm brown leather furniture, and steady gold Victorian lamps. As well in the very center of the room, was a great concert piano, and on the far wall, a case of rare violins and cellos, and a harp rested in a corner. As well were cases of woodwinds; clarinets, oboes, bassoons, even several saxophones placed around the room, each priceless by its maker. There was even a rack for guitars and bass guitars.
She dulled eyes brightened, as she gasped in shock, and sat at the piano, and began to play a soft tune. "It's Mozart," she explained, "And about the only piece I can remember on a piano."
"I didn't know you could play," he remarked.
"Well, my parents were big on the whole 'perfect-child' thing for a while, and had me taking extra lessons for extra stuff. Piano was one of them," she said.
"What were the others?"
"French, hieroglyphics, etiquette, things like that."
"Awesome!" Mokuba cried, "Teach me!"
"Well okay, come up here," she scooted over on the seat while Mokuba clambered up. She struck a key near the middle,
"This one's note is C, and you can go up like this, D, E, F, A, and so on. . ." she guided his hand along the span of keys, until they reached the last one. "And then you go the other way for lower notes," and took him back down the other way.
Seto watched them contently while Rena taught him short songs, simultaneously familiarizing herself with piano again. She wasn't perfect, no, there were a couple chords that came out faulty, but nonetheless she wasn't bad. And what he enjoyed most was the fact that they were so natural with each other. Mokuba would tell jokes, and then she'd laugh, sometimes they were funny enough that she threw back her head and would let out a long burst. It was surprising to him, but pleasantly so.
The only downside to this, if you could call it that, was the urge in the back of his head to send Mokuba to bed, and sit at the piano himself and have Rena teach him the notes. But it never took him long to shake those kinds of thoughts out of his head.
Mokuba stood up and stretched, "Hey brother, don't you want to have a seat? We've been playing for over an hour, and you haven't sat down once."
Seto smiled, "I'm fine." He felt kind of bad lying to his brother; his legs had fallen asleep and his back was so stiff he doubted his ability to ever sit down again.
Mokuba shrugged, "Whatever. I'm bushed, so I'm going to bed."
Rena looked at the clock, "It's only eight thirty Moku, are you sure you want to?"
He winked at her, "Yeah, like I said, I'm tired. I'll see y'all in the morning."
"Good night, Mokuba."
"Same to you, oniichan."
"Well," Rena said to Seto, "Are you sure you don't want to have a seat?" He walked over to her, and she noticed his step was a little bit stiffer than usual.
"I guess," he bent down onto the seat next her, wincing slightly.
"You probably should have sat down, instead of playing the macho egotist. No wait, that'd be like asking you to transplant your skin," she smiled sweetly at him.
"Spare some compassion for the paraplegic," he grimaced.
"Oh, struck a chord did I?" she asked, hitting a key on the piano. She began to play again, and he turned to her and watched her hands moving gently across the keyboard.
"Are you going to sing, too?" he asked sourly. God, he hoped she would.
"I think I might," she responded.
"Well, I can't stop you," he snapped. He could have kicked himself, but his heart was pounding in his ears as she began in a relaxed soprano.
"Catch your breath, hit the wall, scream out loud as you start to crawl back in your cage.
The only place where they will leave you alone,
Cause the weak will seek the weaker until they've broken them, could you get it back again?
Would it be the same fulfillment to their lack of strength?
At your expense, left you with no defense; they tore it down and I have felt the same as you.
I've felt the same as you; I've felt the same.
Locked inside the only place where you feel sheltered, where you feel safe.
You lost yourself in your search to find something else to hide behind.
The fearful always preyed upon your confidence.
Did they see the consequence when they pushed you around?
The arrogant build kingdoms made of the different ones, breaking them 'til they've become just another crown.
And I have felt the same, as you I've felt the same. As you, I've felt the same, as you I've felt the same.
Refuse to feel anything at all, refuse to slip, refuse to fall.
Can't be weak, can't stand still. You watch your back, cause no one will.
You don't know why they had to go this far.
Traded your worth for these scars, for your only company.
Don't believe the lies that they told to you, not one word was true.
You're all right, you're all right.
And I have felt the same, as you I've felt the same, as you, I've felt the same, as you I've felt the same. As you I've felt the same," she trailed off, her fingers still lingering at the keys, dotting the air with smooth notes.
"It's been a long time since I heard that song," she said finally.
"It is pretty good," Seto acknowledged. He leaned against her shoulder and ran his hand down his face.
"Something eating at your soul?" she asked.
"When you put it that way, why not? I know you aren't going to complain about going back to Egypt, but God, we just left, and now, we have to leave all the sooner, because of a damn sword," he felt a headache coming on.
"Then maybe you should stay here?" she asked. "Of all the rhetorical questions to ask," she silently amended herself.
"What do you mean by that? You'd all be dead if I wasn't there to take charge," he responded silkily.
"Oh really?" she murmured.
Seto looked up to see Megami's face smiling knowingly down at him.
"Well, Rena and I are going to bed. Enjoy work tomorrow," she smiled, and glided out of the room, leather coat trailing behind her.
Rena was laughing as Megami gave her back control, Did you see his face when he looked up at you?
It was all too amusing, Megami giggled, I'm going to sleep.
Well, I am too. Tomorrow's our last day in Japan. I'm going to miss it.
Megami curled up in the corner of their mind, slightly disturbed by Rena's last comment.
Oh you know I was joking, Megami. We'll pull out of it, Rena mused.
You're developing your powers; usually I can block my mind from yours.
Well I've had you in me for so long, what do you expect?
Good night, Akhten.
Same to you. Rena turned off her table lamp and curled up under the bed into a restless sleep filled with images of Ryou's sunken, suffering face.
+~+~+~+~
Seto sat there in the Music Room, as Mokuba had put it, haplessly confused. Finally, stretching, he stood up and went to bed, slightly unnerved by Megami's sudden appearance. Then finally it him, "Those two planned that!"
He lay there for a while, forgetting that his coat and work clothes were still on. He was so tired, but despite every nerve in his body yearned for sleep, it never came, and so he sat up on the edge of his bed, until morning.
+~+~+~+~
Yami tossed again in his sleep, as cheerful Ryou's face darted in and out of his dreams. Nightmares had begun to come more frequently, and still the one he had had for five weeks haunted him. "Something wicked this way has come!" He woke up rather violently when he fell onto the floor. He walked over the windows and shut them, grumbling in ancient Egyptian, "Though," he thought, "Weren't they closed before?" He stepped through the hallways quietly, in search of Ptah knows what.
He passed through the living room quietly, not wanting to disturb the others who lay asleep. Anzu was on the couch, curled up in blankets, and Honda was snoring on the loveseat, while Jou and Mai occupied the floor.
"Yami?" A voice whispered.
Yami jumped up and wheeled around on his light, Yuugi, standing there in a white t-shirt and plaid boxers, "What are you doing up?" he asked.
"Nothing, aibou, the windows were open, and I thought I would check on everyone," he replied wistfully, "And besides, why are you awake?"
"I couldn't sleep, I guess. Nightmares," he shrugged, "I'm used to them. And the windows? That was me. Sorry," he grinned.
"Well, you gave me a royal scare," he said, turning back to their shared room.
"Well just about everything you do is royal, isn't it?" Yuugi chided, hopping into his bed.
"Yuugi, I'm not fully acquainted with your modern language, but as far as I'm concerned, you can just shut up," he warned, hiding a grin as he climbed up the side of the bunk bed Sugoroku had made them, sitting himself on the edge.
"Hey, watch it!" Yuugi said, pushing Yami's dangling feet away. "That's gross!"
"Go to sleep, and you don't want me to have to say that again," Yami advised.
~Ryou no Inori no Jihi!~ ______________________________
Wow, things started to pick up there, thank God *my* light's returned, and I believe the worst of my writer's block is over. I'll still be fighting it back, but the battle's in my favor, hehehe. Well, I've got to start on Chapter 13, and I simply can't wait! Excellent ideas are buzzing in my mind!
Sayonara!
P.S. Demeter, I screwed up on the translation for Tsuyosa no Junai. It's Pure Love's Strength, not Judgment. Sorry!
Disclaimer: Idon'townYu-Gi-Oh!Sothere!Nya!
Sorry I said that really fast, it's just getting so tiring to say. . .I mean, by the twelfth chapter?
+~+~+~+~
Konton no Millennia
Chapter Twelve: Ryou's Prayer of Mercy
By, Rena Campbelle
They pulled up quickly and the second she stepped out, Yami, Yuugi, and Mokuba all tore up the door to greet her.
"Rena!" the older boys cried, while Mokuba ran up to his brother and threw his arms around him.
"You'd think we'd been gone for three years, and not three days," Seto told her, as he scooped up Mokuba and threw the younger boy over his shoulder.
Composing himself quickly, Yami asked, "Did you find the Rapier?"
Rena smiled at him mischievously and pulled a long burlap covered item out of the car, "I got you a little present, Yugiou."
He took it in awe, feeling its strength and slowly clutched it against his chest. He looked at her, emotions undeterminable, but undeniably there, welling in his eyes.
"Are you going to be okay?" Seto regarded him with worry.
"I. . .I am so. . .you have done me such a great service," Yugiou (Yami) said to them. Bowing, he slipped inside the Game shop, and disappeared.
"Well, you made somebody's day," Yuugi smiled good-naturedly.
"It's good to see you too, Yuugi," Rena smiled. The two walked inside, talking amiably, Seto and Mokuba tagging along behind them.
Mai, Jounochi, Honda, and Anzu all came up to greet them when they walked in the door with elated hello's and carefree hugs, exchanging stories as if they had been gone a lifetime.
"I missed you all," Rena laughed, giving Jounochi one final hug and turning to give Honda another, "It was so exciting in Egypt! I can't wait until everyone goes."
At that moment she turned to give Mai a hug, and smiled happily, "You're going to love Egypt, Mai!"
At this, Mai squealed excitedly and led Rena by the shoulders to the kitchen, pinning her against the fridge.
Rena was a little disoriented, and even more so when Mai whispered, "You had sex! I can't believe it! You have to tell me everything! Who it was, where it was, what position, everything!"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Rena cried incredulously, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy with me," Mai reprimanded. "I can tell these things."
"Not saying this is true, but how can you tell?" she cried.
"Oh, there are all sorts of ways," Mai said flip, "the cheery demeanor, Seto's wardrobe change, and your wardrobe change."
"How does wardrobe affect your sex life?" Rena wondered aloud.
"Wardrobe has everything to do with everything," Mai said matter-of-factly, "I mean, it's so obvious! Seto is dressed like a normal guy, despite his apparent taste for anything in leather and long coats. And you," she pointed at Rena's long, dark green skirt, white blouse, and neatly pinned hair, "You're dressing with an actual taste of femininity when you used to wear nothing but summer clothes and archaeologist's. . .stuff."
"Gee, thanks Mai," Rena said flatly.
"So," Mai squealed girlishly, "Give me all the details!"
"There are no details," Rena sighed, "We did NOT have sex, and would NOT have sex. If you MUST know, we did kiss."
"So, you got all happy and sunny and cheery because he just kissed you?" Mai asked, slamming a hand against the cabinet. "Really, Rena, you are just way too excitable!"
"And I suppose you've slept around enough you know what you're talking about?" Rena said, probably giving the statement a bit harsher reproach than intended.
"I'm a grown woman," Mai said, spite tainting her voice, "I can do what I want, I'm a big girl now."
"I guess so," Rena admitted, "I'm sorry, Mai. It's just not everyone. . ."
"Not everyone is as low as me," Mai said.
"No! Not at all!" Rena cried. "You're one of my best friends, and trust me, I totally envy your confidence!"
"Envy me?" Mai asked.
"Of course!" Rena smiled, "Your always so brave and confident, I mean, I think I'm sure of myself, but when I look at you, it's like the whole world will change itself to suit your purpose!"
"Am I that vain?" she asked Rena, brushing her long, blonde hair from her face. "Whenever I look in the mirror, all I see is a woman, a very, incredibly attractive woman of course, but nonetheless a woman who is so scared of just what people might think of her, or if she just might not be accepted into the group, that she will do just about anything to change herself." She opened up the fridge and took out a bottled water, opened it and took a long drink, then smiled at Rena, "But you. . .you Rena, you don't have to change a thing. You have an exotic beauty all to your own, you're smart, no, you're a genius. Whereas I barely passed my junior year, and you can speak all sorts of languages and you know a language that no one in the world knows, and you have a spirit so pure you can share it with a goddess and still be able to keep your sanity. I mean, no wonder Seto's crazy about you."
"What's this about being a genius? I can't do calculus to save my life, or physics. And Seto isn't crazy about me," Rena smiled.
Mai stared at her and set down the water bottle, "Right. But you're crazy about him."
"That may be true," she admitted.
"Don't cut corners with me, either you love him or you don't," Mai said.
"Before I answer your question, tell me this, Mai. Do you know love?" Rena asked.
"Yes, I do. And I'm very glad I do," she smirked.
"Who?"
"You know," she said, smiling patronizingly, "now you hold your end of the deal. Do you love Seto or not?"
"Yes, I do," she said, a blush staining her cheeks.
"I knew it," Mokuba gasped from the door.
"Mokuba!" the two cried simultaneously.
"I knew it!" he repeated, "I knew it all along, oniisan!"
"Mokuba," she said limply, "Please don't tell your brother. And please," she lifted a hand to her now throbbing temple, "don't call me oniisan."
"No!" Mokuba said, "If you love him, doesn't he deserve to know?"
The poor little boy, he was so wrong, she couldn't tell him anything, not now. Not after just having confessed to herself, neither of them could handle it!
"Mokuba, no. You're right. He should know, and I'll tell him, even if he doesn't return the feeling. But I can't just yet."
"Do you promise?" he asked her gravely.
"On the soul of the goddess," she winked. He looked at her warily, then grabbed a cookie from the plate on the countertop, turned, and walked outside.
"Well, you screwed up," Mai said merrily and walked out the door.
"Is the whole world against me right now?" she asked the kitchen.
"Always has been," said Seto.
She turned around, "What are you doing here?"
"And miss out on Shizuka's cookies? No way," he said, grabbing a cookie and stuffing it in his mouth.
"Oh, that's a good look for you," Rena smiled innocently, "And who's Shizuka?"
"Katsuya Jounochi's sister," he said between a mouthful of cookie.
"I didn't know he had a sister, what's she like?" Rena asked.
"Oh, um, she's nice," Seto stammered.
"Just nice?" Rena asked, curious at Seto's edginess.
"Yeah, she was a sweet girl, a friend of mine. We," he stopped.
"You?"
"We went out for a little while. It was kind of like a fling, a 'just for the summer thing.' She wrote a song, and sent it to me, and I, you know, liked it, so I started going out with her," he stammered.
"Are you expecting me to get jealous?" Rena looked at him, trying to hide her amusement.
"No!" Seto protested, "Well, okay, yeah."
"My goodness, Seto," Rena laughed, "Why are you falling apart at the seams here? I don't mind you had a girlfriend, why are making it like I do?"
"It's not that!" he protested.
"You make it seem like it is. Seto, we're good friends, or at least that's how I see it. I care about you, even enough to share a kiss with you, and stay the night in your bed. . ."
"Those seem like qualities that would brand us as a couple," Seto said.
She stopped and looked him; he was so impossible to read, with his hands jammed in his pockets and his face blank. Even his eyes were too confused to read.
"Seto," she said, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Rena, I don't know what I'm trying to say yet. And Shizuka, well, she isn't anything special for me anymore. You on the other hand, even if for now we're just friends, we're more than Shizuka and I ever were," he sighed into her hair, his arms snaking around her waist.
"Then stop talking, you confuse me," she said. He didn't answer though; instead, he laid his head against her neck, and kissed it softly.
The tender moment didn't last very long however, for Yami burst into the kitchen shouting Rena's name, "RENA!!!!! RENA WHERE ARE YOU?? RENA CAMPBELLE!!!"
"What?" she shouted back.
"The Rapier, look at it!" he said.
It had begun to glow a bright gold color, and Rena could see her reflection in the blade. But it wasn't the same, like the time she had looked into the moonstone the Professor had given her and saw the face that wasn't hers, but somehow was. She had the same dark, violet eyes, the same smile, but yet her complexion was darker, and her hair was black and golden with streaks of silver. And again, a small silver disc hung on a chain around her head. She took it from Yami's hand, and as she did, the glow softened, then faded.
"What happened?" Yami asked her.
"I don't know," she confessed, "It hasn't done that before."
"All the better reason to get back to Egypt. I think we can get out of here in two days," Seto said.
"Why just two days?" Yami asked.
"Now that we have the Rapier, the Daughter of Set is probably going to send everything she's got against us," Seto explained.
"And we want to fight in her home court?" Jounochi asked from the doorway.
"It's not just her home court, you know," Rena said. "It's Megami and Yugiou's too."
"Yeah, Jounochi," Honda said, pushing his friend out of the doorway, "Besides this isn't even your conversation!"
"Come on you two," Anzu sighed from behind them.
"No, stay here, in fact, get Mai, we do need to plan this little trip," Rena said.
+~+~+~+~
Five minutes later, everyone was assembled around the living room, in various places. Rena was leaning against Seto, her legs draped over Honda's lap, and Anzu had her feet under Honda's leg, and was laying on an oversized pillow, all on the floor. Jounochi sat on the couch, Mai's head in his lap. On the opposite side of the room, Yuugi sat next to the Rapier, and Yami stood leaning against the far wall. The circle ended with Mokuba, his head in his brother's lap.
Seto started, "I've been thinking that maybe it would be safer for all of you if just Yami, Rena, and I went." Mokuba looked up at him horror and treachery betraying his face.
Seto leaned to his ear, "I don't want them to know you're going." At this the younger boy relaxed and sunk back on his brother's lap. But the others still had their share to say.
"That isn't fair!" Anzu protested.
"Yeah, what do you think you're doing taking only three people up against an immortal?" Jounochi cried.
"I mean, you can't be serious right?" Honda asked, "We were all preparing ourselves for this, you can't just leave us here while you're out risking your lives!"
"We're going to Egypt, whether you like it or not," Mai snipped.
"I'm your ticket," Seto said stolidly, "And I say no."
"Seto," Rena said, "I thought we just decided that it would be best for everyone for all of us to be together. And what if the Dark Mistress attacks here, too? I wouldn't forgive myself if I lost another friend to that horrid creature!"
"Rena," Seto said, "They have a better chance of living if they stay here."
"I don't want to live by myself if my friends lose their lives," Anzu said, "I'd rather die with you!"
Yuugi had remained quiet while the argument was continuing, but when everyone began to shout, he yelled, "Everyone calm down!!"
The fight stopped, and just in time too. Jou was about to start a fistfight with Seto and Mai and Honda looked ready to back him up. But everything, every movement, every word, even time itself seemed to stop when little Yuugi spoke up.
"Yug, you okay?" Jounochi asked.
"I'm okay," Yuugi said.
Rena noticed he didn't look okay. She hadn't noticed until now just how heavy the bags under his eyes were, and how tired his face looked.
"Now everyone," Yuugi started, "I really think that all of us should go. First, there's safety in numbers. Second, we all want to go to help Rena and save Ryou. And third, who doesn't want to go to Egypt?"
Seto looked at him, and took the message, "All right. You all have two days to be on my doorstep, ready to leave. I can't believe I just said that."
A loud shout went up the group as they all cheered for Seto, and even Mai threw her arms around him, "Thank you!"
Rena stood up silently, and grinned at him, as Jou and Honda surged at him from both sides, and even Anzu joined the group hug.
Of course, Seto was mortified at the attention, being the most silent person she had ever met. He gave her a pleading look, but she dismissed it and grabbed the Rapier, walking out the back door into the chilly air. The warm spell had ended with their return from Egypt, and now a chill hung in the air. She twirled the sword in her hand, and parried slightly against an invisible foe. The Rapier was lighter than most swords she had wielded, but that just made it more maneuverable. It spun effortlessly, and when she slipped on a small puddle and the sword was pushed into a tree, it slid through it without much difficulty.
She pulled it out in awe, and spun it again, controlling it easily. They moved together, almost as one, bonded as close as she was to Megami. Which perhaps in a way was correct, this was the last little piece of Megami's essence. In a way, she and the sword were the same. Her body was insanely alive and she moved the best she could for her long skirt.
A twig cracked behind her, and she brought the sword up a hair's breadth away from Seto's head.
"Chikusho onna!" he cried. "Watch where you're pointing that thing!"
"Sorry," she blushed, wrapping the sword back in the burlap cloth.
"Anyway," Seto said, "we need to be heading back." She smiled at him and walked back to her new Mercedes that had replaced the old one that hadn't survived the Katsuya Jounochi overhaul. They had driven it there instead of the typical limo, to divert media attention. But now she climbed into the driver's seat, and Mokuba scrambled to the passenger seat, while Seto crashed in the back. The drive home was a smooth one, and to her relief there were no news vans or reporters waiting for them when they got there. She parked the car in the lower garage, and let Mokuba mess with waking his brother up.
"Come on Seto," Mokuba yanked on Seto's hand.
"Wha-? Are we home?" came a drowsy voice. Sleep still lingered in his tone, and it gave Rena a pretty good idea where he was going when he got inside.
But she was wrong, of course. He didn't even wait to get to his bedroom. Seto sleepwalked over to the couch and crashed, snoring vociferously.
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a breakfast bar, eating it on the way up to her room. She had originally intended to study for her end of semester exams that would be coming up in the next few weeks. She had still vouched for taking them, even while she was staying in Japan, and figured now that she was going to have at least two more days at least to live, why not study now? She really wasn't certain if she was coming back alive, even though she was positive that all of her friends would, she'd make sure of it.
But her soft looking bed and its sweet scent of lavender lulled her, compelling her onto the bed, and into a deep sleep.
+~+~+~+~
It was about eight the next morning when he had finally woke up, and Regius had come to him with the telephone. Of course, it was one of the executives he had left in charge, begging him to take up the job this morning.
So of course, he left for work irritable, and hoping that Kaiba Corporation would still be standing.
Rena came downstairs, still wearing her clothes from yesterday, just as he walked out the door, fully dressed in a long, dark blue over coat, and dark button-up shirt, with of course, black leather pants.
"Where are you going?" she yawned, grabbing her coat and her dog's leashes.
"Well, being the most powerful man in the world, I thought I'd make an appearance at my company. You know, the whole CEO stick," he smirked. "Well, maybe I won't leave in such a bad mood," he thought, "At least I get to make fun of Rena."
"Right," she smiled, clicking the leashes onto her dogs' collars, "I'm taking Amun and Seshat for a walk."
"I suppose I'll permit it," he said, "But just this once."
+~+~+~+~
He arrived at the office maybe fifteen minutes later, both his executives storming him with problems.
"Stocks are down," one complained.
"It's fixable," he said.
"Technology services have been cut all this week," the other fretted.
"Again, not to worry," Seto said.
"But sir, we're down almost a 100k," one said. The other flinched waiting for the barking command to remove himself from his employer's office. But the remark never came.
"I understand you're concern and was taking a few risks when I left you fools in charge," he said, almost good-naturedly, "And now I'm telling you to get of my office so I can fix it."
"Yes-yes, sir," the men bowed and left.
The two looked at each other in amazement, "Was he civil with us?" one asked.
"It would almost seem that way," the other commented, running a hand through his thinning hair.
"Wonder what got him in such good spirits," his friend said.
"Well, we'll probably never know."
They walked by a middle-aged woman whose shoulder-length black hair was pulled up with barrettes, who pushed open the door to Seto's office.
"Good morning, Kaiba-san," the woman said pleasantly, laying several folders on his desk. "These were given to me by one of our competitors, and they asked me that I give it to you in person."
"What is it?" he asked, his eyes never leaving his computer screen.
"I don't know, they asked me to keep out of it. It's very confidential," she said.
"Really?"
"Are we being bought out, Kaiba-san?" she immediately regretted the question.
He looked up at her, aggravation flashing on his face, "No, Kichi-san," he pointed to a large stack of folders, "Go through those, and make sure I get the ones back that propose problems."
"Knowing Nobu-san and Inoue-san, they probably all have errors," she said.
A ghost of a smiled flickered at the corners of his lips, "Just take them, Kichi-san, and maybe next time I'll leave you in charge."
"No, sir," she said, grabbing the pile, and walking out.
He turned from his computer and picked up one of the folders his secretary had just brought in. They were sealed with wax, an unusual detail, and his face paled when he read who it had come from. The label was unmistakably from Yume Shinkirou Industries. He pulled off the wax seal, and a small piece of paper rolled out.
Dear Seto Kaiba, I would like to express my most sincere apologies for the events of my last party. I have made sure myself that the men responsible have been brought to justice, and would also like to give my thanks to you and your lovely assistant who came to the aid of both myself and the guests present.
Also, I would like to explain the purpose of these packages. Please, examine their contents and send them to Miss Akhten when you are done. I'm sure she will be happy to see how well we've kept our guest in health. And do thank her for finding the Holy Rapier, it will only be a matter of days before I find it, and you, and all of your friends. And this time, I'm afraid there won't be any survivors.
Again, thank you for saving my life so I could take yours,
My best regards,
Tenshino Konton,
The Daughter of Set
His hands shook as he finished reading the letter. How did she know? How was it possible that she found out so quickly? He picked up the next folder and tore off the wax seal. Again, another note fluttered out.
Dear Seto Kaiba,
I hope you have read the letter from the first envelope before you continue with this one.
This is just evidence for both Miss Akhten and yourself so that you know I have kept the boy alive.
I hope you enjoy it.
A lump began to form at the base of Seto's throat as he thumbed through the pictures. They were all of Bakura Ryou, a friend of Yuugi and Rena's. They showed the boy being whipped by the sorceress they had fought earlier, chained to a stone wall, beaten and bloody, and finally of him tied to a crucifix. Seto couldn't look at any more after that. He set them down, anger and hatred rolling inside him. The Daughter of Set had gone too far, and now she was to pay.
With fury he opened the final envelope, and a videocassette fell out. On the label was another note.
Just in case. . .
He picked it all up and set it in his briefcase. Rena was going to either cry her eyes out or go on a rampage. Either way, it wasn't going to be pretty when he came home tonight.
Seto tried to finish his work; with all his mind he tried to push out the pictures of Ryou and the haunting words written on the letter.
"Kaiba-san?" Kichi's voice asked from the small intercom on his desk, breaking him from his thoughts.
He pressed the button, "Yes?"
"We received the data on the police report you filed."
"What do you mean?"
"Sir, you filed a report about a week ago about a threatening phone call that you wanted traced from your home. We got the results back," she said.
"So who was it?"
"Tomoe Katsuke and Tatsuya Seiji, but there's something strange here I thought you should know."
"What?"
"Both men have been missing since two days ago."
"Missing?"
"Yes, gone without a trace, as if they've disappeared from the face of the planet."
"How?"
"Both men were to board an airliner bound for New York, but they never showed up for their flight. In fact, they never even made it to their taxis."
Seto remembered something from the letter Tenshino Konton had sent him, "I made sure myself that the men responsible were brought to justice."
"Oh my God," Seto sighed, "Kichi-san, keep me posted on the case."
"Yes sir."
Seto whirled around in his chair. Set's Daughter was clearing the playing field for the final battle, and already had her strategy in play. And they were still choosing players.
+~+~+~+~
Rena found herself wandering around the house again, she certainly didn't have anything else to do. She was only in the way at the Game Shop, Yuugi and all his friends were polishing off schoolwork and getting ready to go, and she would only get in the way. That and she was tired of always supplying Jounochi and Honda with the answers to their assignments.
"Hey Rena-oniisan!" Mokuba called from down the hallway.
"Mokuba, I've asked you before, stop calling me oniisan! Seto and I aren't- "
"Yeah, I know," he interrupted, "But you are like my big sister anyway!"
"You're a good kid, Moku," she said, tousling his hair. "Hey is there anything cool in this house of yours?"
"Sure there is! Come on," Mokuba grabbed her arm and led her up a hallway and down a corridor. "This is one of my favorite rooms!"
Rena could easily see why. It was built as a recreational room complete with pool table, pinball machines, and lounge furniture scattered about.
"Check this out," Mokuba said, "It's a virtual reality Dueling game. It's an earlier model, my brother built it and put it in here." He pointed to a small circular stand from which a VR helmet, gloves, and deck-holder were strung up by wires. Before it was a large screen, depicting average video game things. High score (all of which were initialed K.S.), credits, instructions, and previews.
"Try it," Mokuba said.
"Okay," Rena stepped up onto the platform, and slipped on the helmet, gloves, and deck-holder.
The screen suddenly painted into a dense forest as she slipped her deck into the holder, and took a beginning stance. Mokuba took a seat as he watched the virtual Rena walking the forest. Suddenly, a monster jumped out at her. It was the Battle Steer, and its life points glowed 1800/1300 above its head. Rena drew a card from her deck, and from it came the Fire- Eyes Maiden, with an attack power of 2600. The virtual Rena said something and the Maiden swished her skirt around, the flames on it catching the Battle Steer, bursting it into fragments of light. She continued further, more Duel Monsters popping up along the way, and so they sat like that for maybe an hour, until the screen shut off, and Rena pulled off her gear and looked at Mokuba, "That stuff is tiring, how about we find something else to do for a while?"
"Oh, okay," Mokuba yawned, standing up and leading her out of the room.
They walked outside and Amun and Seshat greeted them noisily at the door.
"Can we go to Yuugi's?" Mokuba asked her.
"No, I think they're all busy getting ready for the trip. Speaking of which, are you ready?" she looked at him. The dogs ran inside behind her.
"Umm, no."
"Then, let's go back inside and get you packed," she smiled, grabbing her arms around herself, "And I think I'm going to get a sweater."
+~+~+~+~
Ayaroi appeared on black bat wings, dropping the two men before her throne. Both of them were very shaken, scared to the point of wetting their pants.
The Daughter of Set sneered down at them and murmured, "You are the men who ordered the attacks on Yume Shinkirou Industries?"
The words rang in the cigar smoking man's ears as if she had bellowed them, and he stammered, "No ma'am, no it wasn't!"
"You lie," she smiled.
The one with greasy hair stammered over his words, "No! We swear, please! We had nothing to do with it!"
"I tire of your mendacity," she smiled silkily, snapping her fingers. "Ayaroi, Fukushuu, punish them. And do not be merciful."
"I had no intention to be," Ayaroi said sardonically.
"And when you're done," the Dark Mistress added, "Take what's left of their ba for the use of our servant's recovery."
"Yes, Mistress," Ayaroi bowed, and turned to face the two men. "Well gentlemen," she tossed her long hair behind her shoulder, "Shall we have some fun?"
+~+~+~+~
"Rena, telephone!" Mokuba called.
"Get it, will you?" she called, "I'll be right down!"
Mokuba ran over to the phone and picked it up, and his brother's voice barked, "I'm on my way home, is everyone okay?"
"Yeah, why?" Mokuba asked, sensing the concern in his brother's tone.
"Ryou's in trouble, tell Rena to have the VCR on and ready when I get home, there's something we need to see."
"Seto, what's wrong?" Mokuba demanded.
"Ryou's been tortured by the Daughter of Set, and I think she's going to strike again. I can't say anymore, who knows if she's listening."
Seto seemed really taken aback, even to go so far as to believe his phones were bugged, and this troubled Mokuba twice as much. If Seto was scared, then that meant all too reasonably that he should be too. Rena came down the stairs, toweling off her wet hair, and took the phone from Mokuba.
"Who is it?" she mouthed, bringing the receiver to her ear.
"Seto," he whispered back.
"Seto?" she asked, and waited for a minute, "The VCR? What. . .what do you mean 'trouble?' Seto tell me what's going on!" There was a look of sick apprehension on her face as he watched her on the phone. Finally, Seto must have told her about Ryou. Her hands began to tremble and she reached for a chair with an unsteady grasp. "No, I don't understand.why?" she began to stammer over her words, and he heard Seto yelling on the other end of the line.
Finally, she seemed to recuperate, and whispered, "I know. I know, I really do. Everything will be set up. I'll call Yuugi and the others, and make sure everyone is safe. You'll be home in ten minutes? All right. It's only six o'clock, the others might not be home. They were going out." She stopped, then a look of irritation etched across her pale features, "Of course I'll still try, let me worry about that okay? You just get home!" She put the receiver down, then picked it back up and began to dial.
"Moshi moshi, Yuugi-san desuke wa?" she waited a while, then started, "Is everyone there okay?"
Mokuba watched as she relayed the whole story back to Yuugi, he walked up the phone and pressed the speakerphone button.
Yuugi's voice rang out of the machine, "We should leave even sooner. Ryou's in danger. What are you waiting for?"
"We still have to see the tape, Yuugi," Rena rationalized.
"I don't care. I don't want to hear more of it. What are we going to do?"
"Yuugi, calm down."
"I don't want to be calm! One of my friends may well be dead, or as good as dead, and I'm sitting here, ready to pack up for a trip that could be taken as lightly as a vacation."
"No one's going to take it that way, not with poor Ryou missing."
"I don't care! You know Mai will forget, then Jou, then Honda, then everyone else! Don't you realize-?"
"Yuugi I probably realize better than you do," she snapped.
Yuugi sucked in a breath on the other side of the phone, "Rena, you're right. I'm just so nervous. We've all been, and the pressure's just now at a boiling point."
"It's understandable. It's been hard for everybody to keep their sanity, especially me," she smiled.
"Are we still leaving day after tomorrow?" he asked.
"Well, it's lined up that Kaiba's jet is taking us, and that's kind of hard to reschedule. But then again, I'm not the CEO, that's his thing," she admitted.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow. I'll call Anzu and Honda, see if they can't spend the night here. Jou and Mai are over at my place. Yami's out, but he can take care of himself."
"I'm not taking any chances with any more lives, try a soul link with Yugiou, and have him come home early. If he gives you shit, come to me," she said definitely.
"Yes ma'am," Yuugi said. Mokuba could practically see him giving her a mock salute. When Rena was serious, she was serious, and you were serious, and the entire city was serious. She had that kind of air about her.
When she hung up the phone, she slumped down onto the couch, letting the impact slowly sink in. It was all her fault, she was responsible for everyone! Mokuba curled up next to her, worried about his friend.
"Rena, will you be okay?" he asked. Her features were sunken and tired, and she looked thinner. Her eyes had lost their glimmer and now looked faded and hollow.
"Oh Mokuba, it's all my fault," she began to cry, glad for the release. "It's all my fault you are all in danger. This curse on me, has brought itself on my loved ones, and I couldn't let any of you go. You're all dearer to me than my own life. And now, she's going to try everything in her power to destroy you."
"Rena," the little boy whispered.
"I feel so helpless!" she cried, "And yet, I'm supposed to be our savior! How can I do it?" She felt weaker every day, and the sadness, the pressure, the split mind was too much. She felt sick, but this was going to take more than a dose of aspirin. It was emotional pressure, but at least crying made her feel a little better. The tears were like little pieces of her torment, flowing away from her to make the contusion of hurt just a little less painful.
"Rena, you'll do it. I don't know how, and I bet you don't either for now. But trust me, you're going to do it, and you're going to send that witch right back to the hell where she came from."
"Watch your language!" she snapped.
"Sorry," he muttered, "I guess I hang out around Jou too much."
"Jou shouldn't use that kind of language around you either!" she said, appalled, "He should be more mature than that!"
"Are we talking about the same person?" Mokuba joked, glad to relieve her of the invisible pain it was obvious she was in.
"Never say that again," she reprimanded, drawing him into a hug, "people will think ill of you."
"Don't you use words like that, though?" Mokuba said.
"I'm not eleven, and I don't use such words around just anyone," she countered.
The little boy peered up at her through his curtain of black bangs, "Whatever you say, oniisan."
"You little imp!" she cried as he shot up from the couch and started to run away. She got up and chased after him, down one corridor and into the next, until finally she tackled him in the dining room. She lifted him up in the air, and threw him up over her shoulder, and dropped him onto the couch in the main living room.
"I win!" she cried triumphantly, and tickled his sides.
"All right, I give!" Mokuba cried, "Uncle!"
"Good," Rena sighed, flopping onto the couch, "And I needed that. Thanks kid."
"Let's get the VCR on and ready for when Seto gets home," he walked over to the TV, and pushed a button, and in less than a minute, the whole system was alive and buzzing.
"Not hard," Mokuba grinned.
"I see the strange connection between males and large appliances starts at an early age," she commended. He threw her a quizzical look, and was about to open his mouth when they heard the limo rolling up to the entrance.
Seto flew in, and immediately jammed the tape in the player. He pressed the PLAY button, and stood there in front of the screen.
"Hey, down in the front," Rena said coldly. Seto stepped back, taking a seat next to Mokuba on the couch.
The tape opened up to the Daughter of Set, lounging lazily on her throne. She looked at the camera and dripped her venomous smile, "Good evening Mr. Kaiba, and a special good evening to you, Miss Akhten. I must say this has been an exciting game. You've destroyed two of my monsters, and injured my sorceress. But don't fret, there are still plenty more that are ready and willing to fight you." Her smile broadened and she laughed sadistically, "But I'm sure that's not what you may wish to hear. You want to know of your sweet little friend."
"Damn right we do," Rena muttered, and looked away when Mokuba looked at her knowingly.
The camera spun to Ryou, who was chained to the wall by his wrists, ankles, and a thick chain was bound around his waist. A manacle was wrapped mercilessly around his neck, and he was cached in his own dried blood. It stained his shirt, thickened around his wrists, and he had scars across his face. He was dirty and his cheeks were tear-stained, as he looked up at the camera, "Please leave me alone. Rena, Yuugi, help me!" His eyes were scared and empty of nothing but fear. Again, he cried, "Rena, please save me! She's torturing me, I don't how much longer I'll last, please." The words were a desperate attempt for rescue, and they would leave a permanent taint on her soul forever. His face was gaunt, and paler than usual, he resembled in entirety a frightened rabbit, and his hair hung thinly over his forehead.
Again the camera flung back to the Daughter of Set, and she smiled, "Now, now, don't be such a camera hog! I still have more to say," she snapped her fingers and from off the scene she could hear Ryou cry out.
"Stop it! Stop it now!" Rena screamed, tugging at her body. Her hands were sweltering with concentrated energy, and the sensation was burning her, she felt like she would burst.
The Daughter of Set swung a small, gold trinket around her finger, "I see this little one had the Holy Ring, how very nice. I will need this power to resurrect my servant. Oh, I bet you want to know how my special devotee is, don't you? Well, I simply won't ruin the surprise, I mustn't! Otherwise, this game would be no fun."
The energy began to emanate around Rena's body, and her hands felt as though on fire, she felt she wouldn't be able to keep it in much longer.
Then the Black Mistress began to laugh. And Rena knew who she was laughing at. She was laughing at the two of them, Megami and herself, laughing at their helplessness as Ryou cried out again in anguish. The laugh was vicious, derisive, and aimed right at her. Rena began to cry as the burden became too much. She simply exploded.
Energy didn't just fall from her hands, it cascaded out of every pore of her body, and she could no longer rein it in until everything was out.
Seto had told her later, "You lit up on fire, as if you had spontaneously combusted, and then, right then, I was more afraid for you than ever, even in the battle against the Daughter of Set, I was never more frightened of your power than I was then."
But then, Seto grabbed Mokuba by the waist and ran upstairs, as Rena's cries grew louder. He was afraid she would die if she continued to let out this energy in such quantity. And what would be left of their house? He practically threw Mokuba in one of the rooms, shutting the door tight, and ran back downstairs, unsure of how he was going to keep her from killing herself.
+~+~+~+~
Yuugi's mind was buzzing with questions, and all of them had nothing to do with the homework he was supposed to be working on. Mai and Jounochi were sitting on the floor while Jounochi tried to explain his math homework to her, but to no avail. She just looked at him quizzically, and instead, returned to her sketchbook, where she was creating her own brand of designer clothing. It was her current career choice, for the moment, though they had been known to change. She had last wanted to be a model, before that a singer, before that an actress, and now, she was a fashion designer. But for now she just sat there, drawing contentedly in her book, while Jou wrestled with equations.
Anzu was sitting by him, reading a book on one of her favorite dancers from France. She had started to learn some French too, and loved to practice it wherever she went, even if she didn't know what she was saying. God help her if she ever made it to Paris.
Honda, like always, was neglecting his homework for the next day, and was lounging on the couch, flipping through TV channels.
And Yami sat by the window, staring out into the darkness. Yuugi knew he was in thought, and probably knew what he was thinking about. Rena, the goddess, the battle. It was pretty preoccupying; Yuugi knew it for a fact. And then, that's when he felt it, a jolt right into his heart, and he reeled back, stumbling onto the floor. He saw thousands of colors dancing inside his head, and felt like his heart had just been run through an egg slicer. And, judging by Yami's stunned face, he had felt it too. The others looked up slowly, unsure if they had even felt anything, but there was only signature that could have been on an energy blast that big.
"Rena," Yami said, getting up and throwing a jacket over his leather tanktop, and running out the door.
"Yami, wait!" Yuugi cried, pointing to the car, "We'll get there faster in this!"
Yami regarded it suspiciously, but nonetheless, hopped into the driver's seat. Yami was suspicious of all modern things though; it was something everyone had gotten used to.
"I hope you're right, aibou," he said darkly, as Yuugi handed him the keys. He flipped through them and randomly chose one and shoved it in the keyhole. It didn't fit, and neither did the next three.
"Oh, by the balls of Set, I don't have time for this!" he cried.
"It's this one," Yuugi said, picking the silver key out and handing it to him.
"Isis help me," Yami growled as he slammed the pedal to the metal and roared out of the driveway. Yuugi sat back, slightly relieved. Yami didn't technically know how to drive, even though Jounochi had already shown him how once or twice. And already, Jou was running out to his car, Honda, Mai, and Anzu in hot pursuit.
"Get off my side of the road!" Yami roared as he swerved off one section and onto the other.
"Yami, watch out! We're on the wrong side! This is a no passing zone!" the younger boy cried, gripping the seat, and praying to whoever was listening that he survive this trip. "Look out you missed the turn!"
"Dammit!" Yami cried, swerving the car around in a vicious U-turn, and back onto the right road. Car horns blared like crazy as Yami swept through the streets, driving like a madman.
"We're going to get arrested for sure," Yuugi groaned. But both to his surprise and great relief, they were out of town, and speeding down an off- road that they knew for sure would take them to the Kaiba Estate. They were there a minute or so later with Yami driving beyond any legal speed, and what they saw astounded them.
Light was pouring out of every window, and the two jumped out of the car and ran inside.
Seto was standing just on the perimeter of a gigantic energy mass, and Rena on her knees in the center, screaming and crying.
She was uncontrollably screaming, exerting every last bit of energy in one raw deposit, and Lord knew what she was going to do with it. If she kept it up much longer, it would engulf her as well, and the result would be her own death.
"Rena, stop it!" Seto cried, trying to get nearer. "You have to stop!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Yami shouted.
"I've got to stop her! She'll kill herself," Seto cried back.
"She has to stop it herself, there's nothing you can do!" Yami yelled.
"There has to be something! She can't control it anymore!" Seto screamed, and jumped into the energy ball.
Yuugi thought for sure the second he entered that Kaiba was just going to burn up and die, but instead, he walked through it, going to Rena.
Seto reached inside the energy nearer to Rena, and his whole body became electrified with something he couldn't even begin to describe. It was like fire, but it didn't burn, as it should have. He was like a bird perched on a telephone wire, the electricity was undoubtedly there, but it didn't effect him. It simply warmed him, filled him, but the more he remained in one spot, the more painful it became. He touched Rena's shoulder, but recoiled backwards grasping his hand. She was burning hot, but still he stretched out his arm to pull her against him, fire burning through his whole being. He never let go and finally, her piercing screams quieted, and she stood there among the smoldering floor, crying in his arms.
"I'm so sorry," she said, "I couldn't control it, not when he cried out. Not when she hurt him. I can't stand it. I want her to pay, in blood."
"I know, Rena. I do too," Seto said, shushing her.
"No, I hate her! She doesn't even deserve to exist!" she cried, her palms beginning to itch again.
"I know you do, I can feel it," Seto stroked her hair, pressing her still searing body against his, cradling her in his arms.
"Rena," Yuugi said, "I was so scared."
"Yuugi?" she looked up at him, and he smiled back weakly. But his face was pale with anxiousness.
Yami didn't look much healthier, "Oh thank the gods you didn't die," he sighed, "You had me worried."
"I had myself worried," she said thickly, "Oh god." She gazed around the room, which was a smoldering mess. There was a giant scorched spot on the nice hardwood floor, and the curtains were still burning slightly. The entertainment system was a big pile of melted plastic metal ooze, and the furniture was nothing but a pile of ashes on the floor.
"You certainly are expensive to care for," Seto laughed, standing up with her in his arms.
Just then, the others who had rode with Jounochi came in.
"Yami, Yuugi, what were you thinking?" Jounochi started, but fell silent, "What the hell happened here?" he asked.
"Weenie roast," Yuugi said, "Guess the bonfire got a little out of hand."
"Goodness Kaiba," Mai smiled brilliantly, "If you wanted to redecorate, you could have just sold the furniture. You certainly didn't have to burn it and the house to the ground."
Everyone looked at her, and slowly one by one, began to laugh.
"What?" she cried, "I was joking!"
This only made everyone laugh harder.
+~+~+~+~
An hour later found the group resting in one of rooms of the Kaiba Estate. It had definitely been out of use for a while, but it wasn't out of repair, the hired service did a good job, keeping to the room's antique delicacy. Crystal sat on any surface that would hold it, providing a tense air that even a breath out of place would shatter something indispensable.
Rena stroked a hand down one of the navy couches, idly turning a crystal lamp on and off. The prismatic light blinked around the room gathering everyone's apathetic attention. Aside from the soft clicks, the room was silent.
Yami found himself slightly unnerved by the silence of the room, despite the fact that everyone else seemed to enjoy it. But it also didn't help that he was in a state of silence for nearly three millennia, where the only company you had was darkness and isolation. (They were very close friends of his.) But now, now that he had been freed from Yuugi's body, he had learned to love life, noise, energy, and excitement, all in its entirety. Sure he would slip away now and then. All right, more like every night. But humans were creatures of habit, weren't they? Grow up with silence you would expect silence.
But now, it seemed like there should be lots of talk, lots of noise. They should be discussing things, preparing for the day after. Or maybe they were wrestling with their own thoughts like he was now?
"Well we'd best be going home," Yami stood up and stretched.
"Are you sure, Yugiou?" Rena asked.
Yami smiled at her, she was so funny, always insisting on using his proper name, "We'll be fine."
"You don't want to stay the night here? We'd be glad to have you," she pressed. Mokuba bobbed his head ferociously.
"No, we must return home to make sure everything is as it should be," he said.
"Yami's right, Rena. Besides we'll be safe," Yuugi added.
"Do you swear?" she looked at him gravely.
"By every whisker on the beard of Osiris," Yami smiled, grabbing his coat and heading downstairs. Anzu grabbed her sweater, and Jounochi and Mai each grabbed the other's coat, and handed them to each other.
"Uh, thanks Mai," Jou said, a blush staining his cheeks. Rena noticed they walked out awfully close to one another.
Honda gave them one last look before picking up his own jacket and said, "You guys take care."
"You too, Honda," she smiled faintly.
He nodded and shouted to Jounochi, "Hey you leave me here, and I'll kick your a-"
"Well," Rena said, shutting the door. "How friendly."
Seto smiled at her, "It's not as bad as it can be."
"Oh, and how would you know? You don't associate yourself with them remember? You're the big, bad, billionaire lone ranger."
"Shut up," he said, pulling her down on the couch beside him, "And you're the annoying always have to be right, book loving archaeologist."
"Books are very good things," she said, "I plan to write one."
"Oh, on what?" he asked.
"Olden hieroglyphics. In fact, when it's time to get my doctorate, I'm basing my thesis on their translation," she smiled, and laid her finger gently on his nose.
"You don't want to keep the secret all to yourself?" he asked.
"I'd tell anyone if it means sparing calls at three o'clock in the morning to go fly to some far off country to translate a piece of a fragment of a shard with a phrase as meaningless as 'go for a walk.'"
"I'm guessing that's happened before?" he asked.
"Yup, and I exaggerated it for perfect detail. Usually, they're really big pieces of rock with stories on them. They save the meaningless ones for when I'm awake."
"You baka onna," he grinned, "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere other than this room. I always feel like I'm going to break something. Come on Mokuba," he waved to his brother. They started off down the hallway, and before walking ten feet came to a door and opened it. "You know, I've lived here since I was eight, and there are still some rooms I've never been in."
"Like this one?"
"No, I've been here, I just think you're going to like this," he lit the room and she gasped.
"This is awesome," she squealed.
"I've heard you singing, and I guess this just kind of popped into mind," he said, mentally adding, "More like I've been planning this ever since I heard you sing. Because you're the closest thing I can get to loving someone."
"Hey, the Music Room," Mokuba said, popping his head in the door, "This place is cool."
Rena thought it seemed more autumn-ish, with hunter green walls and warm brown leather furniture, and steady gold Victorian lamps. As well in the very center of the room, was a great concert piano, and on the far wall, a case of rare violins and cellos, and a harp rested in a corner. As well were cases of woodwinds; clarinets, oboes, bassoons, even several saxophones placed around the room, each priceless by its maker. There was even a rack for guitars and bass guitars.
She dulled eyes brightened, as she gasped in shock, and sat at the piano, and began to play a soft tune. "It's Mozart," she explained, "And about the only piece I can remember on a piano."
"I didn't know you could play," he remarked.
"Well, my parents were big on the whole 'perfect-child' thing for a while, and had me taking extra lessons for extra stuff. Piano was one of them," she said.
"What were the others?"
"French, hieroglyphics, etiquette, things like that."
"Awesome!" Mokuba cried, "Teach me!"
"Well okay, come up here," she scooted over on the seat while Mokuba clambered up. She struck a key near the middle,
"This one's note is C, and you can go up like this, D, E, F, A, and so on. . ." she guided his hand along the span of keys, until they reached the last one. "And then you go the other way for lower notes," and took him back down the other way.
Seto watched them contently while Rena taught him short songs, simultaneously familiarizing herself with piano again. She wasn't perfect, no, there were a couple chords that came out faulty, but nonetheless she wasn't bad. And what he enjoyed most was the fact that they were so natural with each other. Mokuba would tell jokes, and then she'd laugh, sometimes they were funny enough that she threw back her head and would let out a long burst. It was surprising to him, but pleasantly so.
The only downside to this, if you could call it that, was the urge in the back of his head to send Mokuba to bed, and sit at the piano himself and have Rena teach him the notes. But it never took him long to shake those kinds of thoughts out of his head.
Mokuba stood up and stretched, "Hey brother, don't you want to have a seat? We've been playing for over an hour, and you haven't sat down once."
Seto smiled, "I'm fine." He felt kind of bad lying to his brother; his legs had fallen asleep and his back was so stiff he doubted his ability to ever sit down again.
Mokuba shrugged, "Whatever. I'm bushed, so I'm going to bed."
Rena looked at the clock, "It's only eight thirty Moku, are you sure you want to?"
He winked at her, "Yeah, like I said, I'm tired. I'll see y'all in the morning."
"Good night, Mokuba."
"Same to you, oniichan."
"Well," Rena said to Seto, "Are you sure you don't want to have a seat?" He walked over to her, and she noticed his step was a little bit stiffer than usual.
"I guess," he bent down onto the seat next her, wincing slightly.
"You probably should have sat down, instead of playing the macho egotist. No wait, that'd be like asking you to transplant your skin," she smiled sweetly at him.
"Spare some compassion for the paraplegic," he grimaced.
"Oh, struck a chord did I?" she asked, hitting a key on the piano. She began to play again, and he turned to her and watched her hands moving gently across the keyboard.
"Are you going to sing, too?" he asked sourly. God, he hoped she would.
"I think I might," she responded.
"Well, I can't stop you," he snapped. He could have kicked himself, but his heart was pounding in his ears as she began in a relaxed soprano.
"Catch your breath, hit the wall, scream out loud as you start to crawl back in your cage.
The only place where they will leave you alone,
Cause the weak will seek the weaker until they've broken them, could you get it back again?
Would it be the same fulfillment to their lack of strength?
At your expense, left you with no defense; they tore it down and I have felt the same as you.
I've felt the same as you; I've felt the same.
Locked inside the only place where you feel sheltered, where you feel safe.
You lost yourself in your search to find something else to hide behind.
The fearful always preyed upon your confidence.
Did they see the consequence when they pushed you around?
The arrogant build kingdoms made of the different ones, breaking them 'til they've become just another crown.
And I have felt the same, as you I've felt the same. As you, I've felt the same, as you I've felt the same.
Refuse to feel anything at all, refuse to slip, refuse to fall.
Can't be weak, can't stand still. You watch your back, cause no one will.
You don't know why they had to go this far.
Traded your worth for these scars, for your only company.
Don't believe the lies that they told to you, not one word was true.
You're all right, you're all right.
And I have felt the same, as you I've felt the same, as you, I've felt the same, as you I've felt the same. As you I've felt the same," she trailed off, her fingers still lingering at the keys, dotting the air with smooth notes.
"It's been a long time since I heard that song," she said finally.
"It is pretty good," Seto acknowledged. He leaned against her shoulder and ran his hand down his face.
"Something eating at your soul?" she asked.
"When you put it that way, why not? I know you aren't going to complain about going back to Egypt, but God, we just left, and now, we have to leave all the sooner, because of a damn sword," he felt a headache coming on.
"Then maybe you should stay here?" she asked. "Of all the rhetorical questions to ask," she silently amended herself.
"What do you mean by that? You'd all be dead if I wasn't there to take charge," he responded silkily.
"Oh really?" she murmured.
Seto looked up to see Megami's face smiling knowingly down at him.
"Well, Rena and I are going to bed. Enjoy work tomorrow," she smiled, and glided out of the room, leather coat trailing behind her.
Rena was laughing as Megami gave her back control, Did you see his face when he looked up at you?
It was all too amusing, Megami giggled, I'm going to sleep.
Well, I am too. Tomorrow's our last day in Japan. I'm going to miss it.
Megami curled up in the corner of their mind, slightly disturbed by Rena's last comment.
Oh you know I was joking, Megami. We'll pull out of it, Rena mused.
You're developing your powers; usually I can block my mind from yours.
Well I've had you in me for so long, what do you expect?
Good night, Akhten.
Same to you. Rena turned off her table lamp and curled up under the bed into a restless sleep filled with images of Ryou's sunken, suffering face.
+~+~+~+~
Seto sat there in the Music Room, as Mokuba had put it, haplessly confused. Finally, stretching, he stood up and went to bed, slightly unnerved by Megami's sudden appearance. Then finally it him, "Those two planned that!"
He lay there for a while, forgetting that his coat and work clothes were still on. He was so tired, but despite every nerve in his body yearned for sleep, it never came, and so he sat up on the edge of his bed, until morning.
+~+~+~+~
Yami tossed again in his sleep, as cheerful Ryou's face darted in and out of his dreams. Nightmares had begun to come more frequently, and still the one he had had for five weeks haunted him. "Something wicked this way has come!" He woke up rather violently when he fell onto the floor. He walked over the windows and shut them, grumbling in ancient Egyptian, "Though," he thought, "Weren't they closed before?" He stepped through the hallways quietly, in search of Ptah knows what.
He passed through the living room quietly, not wanting to disturb the others who lay asleep. Anzu was on the couch, curled up in blankets, and Honda was snoring on the loveseat, while Jou and Mai occupied the floor.
"Yami?" A voice whispered.
Yami jumped up and wheeled around on his light, Yuugi, standing there in a white t-shirt and plaid boxers, "What are you doing up?" he asked.
"Nothing, aibou, the windows were open, and I thought I would check on everyone," he replied wistfully, "And besides, why are you awake?"
"I couldn't sleep, I guess. Nightmares," he shrugged, "I'm used to them. And the windows? That was me. Sorry," he grinned.
"Well, you gave me a royal scare," he said, turning back to their shared room.
"Well just about everything you do is royal, isn't it?" Yuugi chided, hopping into his bed.
"Yuugi, I'm not fully acquainted with your modern language, but as far as I'm concerned, you can just shut up," he warned, hiding a grin as he climbed up the side of the bunk bed Sugoroku had made them, sitting himself on the edge.
"Hey, watch it!" Yuugi said, pushing Yami's dangling feet away. "That's gross!"
"Go to sleep, and you don't want me to have to say that again," Yami advised.
~Ryou no Inori no Jihi!~ ______________________________
Wow, things started to pick up there, thank God *my* light's returned, and I believe the worst of my writer's block is over. I'll still be fighting it back, but the battle's in my favor, hehehe. Well, I've got to start on Chapter 13, and I simply can't wait! Excellent ideas are buzzing in my mind!
Sayonara!
P.S. Demeter, I screwed up on the translation for Tsuyosa no Junai. It's Pure Love's Strength, not Judgment. Sorry!