Chapter 9
"Hey Yu-Gi!" Taia yelled, and waved to Yami who walked out of the house smiling. Joey by his side. Tristan ran up and . . . . .
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! I LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR FIVE HOURS AND YOU GET SHOT?!?!?!" Taia pushed him out of the way.
"I'm so glad you're okay Yu-Gi. What happened?" Joey sighed.
"You wouldn't believe the people we-"
"Ran into?" A light voice asked. Everyone turned.
"Mai?!" Mai waved lightly and winked.
"Hey Yu-Gi. What's up? Hey- who are they?" She asked. Taia and Tristan turned.
"Yeah, who're the new guys?" Tristan voiced out. Yami turned to find Crystal, Damen and Shade standing by the door. Shade had his hood back up, Crystal was grinning crazily and Damen waved his hand.
"Your friends I presume?" Damen asked, he was leaning on the door frame. Yami nodded. Mai walked up and held a hand out.
"My name's Mai. Nice to meet you." Damen grinned, standing straight he took the hand in a firm handshake.
"Damen." Mai turned to Crystal and Shade.
"And you are?"
"What? No handshake?" Crystal asked chuckling. Mai smiled and took her hand.
"Crystal." Mai turned and offered her hand to Shade.
". . . . . . . ." Her hand faltered. Yami snickered.
"Don't worry, he's always like that. His name is D-"
"Shade. My name is Shade." Kari's brother broke in and took her hand abruptly. Shaking it he dropped the hand like a rock and took a few steps back. Mai stared, then shrugged and turned to the others.
"So now what?"
"When did you show up?"
"Sunday I think. I can quite remember, all I do remember was meeting that Marick prick." Yami gaped.
"Marick? You met him?!"
"Yeah, stupid jerk." She said sourly.
~ Flashback ~
"Why you little slut!" Marick growled out. Mai scowled.
"No more a slut then you pretty boy!"
"WITCH!!"
"B*ASTARD!!" Both leaned in and were nose to nose, their faces were both wearing masks of fury.
"You little-!!"
"Fresh salmon!" Both sweatdropped and looked at the man who rode by on a bike waving a slimy fish in their faces. Both growled, little veins pulsing in their temple.
WHAMMO!!"
"Don't wave that crap in front of my face!!" Mai yelled. Marick sighed. Both relaxed their fist shaped hands.
"Japan is annoying, everyone is waving some sort of seafood in front of my *beep*in face." He growled out. He observed the salesman who went flying. He grinned.
"Nice right hook."
"You ain't too bad either." She said grinning. Marick smiled.
"Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Honey, I've had more creeps chase me then you can guess." Marick sweatdropped.
"Did you just call me honey?"
"I guess so."
"Don't ever call me honey, ever." Mai grinned.
"Okay. . . . . . . . . . .shnookie."
"WHAT?!?!?!" Mai laughed out loud, Marick growled, then smiled and laughed himself.
~ End ~
Mai smiled a bit at the memory and looked away, her face paled.
"MARICK?!" Marick himself drove up on his bike, he was covered in blood. A black and limp form was behind him. Marick got off his bike and pulled the limp form off his bike. Yami ran up.
"Marick! Are you okay?" Marick nodded.
"Not my blood." He grunted out. "I don't think all of it is even his!" The figure raised his head and grinned a bit.
"Well hey Yu-Gi, nice weather isn't it?' Yami gaped.
"Kaiba is . . . . . . . saying hello and asking about the weather?"
"I think he hit his head. . . . ." Joey said sweatdropping. Marick shook his head.
"Nope. He was shot." Tristan and Taia gaped.
"WHAT IS THIS?! GET SHOT WEEK?!" They demanded. Marick shrugged.
"He needs help, that's all I can say."
"Bring him in." Crystal said calmly while gesturing to the door behind her. Marick grunted a bit.
"A little help please? This guy weighs a ton." Yami moved up to take Kaiba's other arm. They both carried him inside.
***
"It's almost time my queen." Dire said to Hikari, she nodded, eyes were glazed. He began to run his hand over her head, like she was a cat. She rested her head on his lap as he sat in the chair. He smiled.
***
"There." Crystal said tying the knot. Kaiba looked much better now, most of the blood was cleaned up, his clothes were reasonably back to their original color, and his face was almost clean, the only thing that remained was a scratch on his cheek.
"What happened?" Yu-Gi asked. Seto stared at him and shook his head.
~ Flashback ~
The winged creature dove in for the kill, it managed to scratch his face before veering off course. Suddenly light flared. When it was gone Seto's head was hanging limply, blood splattered onto his face, he looked up and smiled lightly. It was five minutes before he got enough will power to get up and wincing, he walked out of the alley and nearly got run over by a bike . . . . .
~ End ~
"Let's just say I've had better days." He said standing up. Crystal held up a small clear plastic bag. Inside a silver bullet could be seen.
"An Amalgam bullet, the very same model of the one that hit Yami." Damen nodded.
"Meaning the one who want's to kill you is the same guy." Suddenly the doors burst open, the old woman followed the visitors.
"There are more visitors to this house in this one week then there have been in the whole century this house has been standing." She shrugged and walked out of the room. Seto stared.
"Mokubah? What are you-?"
"I called him. I think he had a right to know what happened to his brother." Joey said holding up his cell. Mokubah ran up to Seto, James following.
"Big brother! Are you alright?!" Mokubah asked.
"Mr. Kaiba, what happened?" Seto was about to reply.
***
"It's time."
***
Seto was cut off as suddenly he vanished, him along with Taia, Tristan, Yu- Gi, Marick, and basically everyone but Mokubah, James and the old woman.
"Mr. Kaiba? Seto?!"
***
"What the?!" Joey asked looking around wildly. He turned to find a figure sitting on a chair, a girl was resting her head on his lap. Seto stepped forward.
"Kari!" She didn't respond. Joey took one step towards them. Someone stopped him, the same cloaked figure that had kidnapped Kari.
"Not another step Wheeler." Said a cold and . . . . . . . familiar voice? Dire laughed. Yami gaped.
"Is that . . . . ?"
"That's right Yami. Surprised?" The figure pulled back his hood. Yami backed away. Marick gaped.
"B-Bakura?" The spirit's eyes were dull. Yami swore.
"Controlled. Just like the others." Dire said calmly holding up something. It was a millennium object, Marick gaped.
"The Millennium Libra?!" He whispered out. Dire smiled.
"Bakura said to Yuzara, that he was drawn to her for some reason, the reason was me. I used my influence to draw him to her. When he failed time after time, I grew impatient and took things into my own hands." He grinned savagely. Bakura smiled and backed off to the side while bowing.
"Liar!" Seto yelled out. "This magic shit is crap." Dire grinned.
"Hikari, show him." Hikari stood up and the cloak around her shoulders dropped to the floor. She walked towards them and stopped a few steps in front of them.
"Yami." She said nodding to him. "Kaiba." She said turning to him. Joey stepped forward.
"Kari-?" He stopped, suddenly Kari whipped out a sword and slashed the air in which he stood. He jumped back, the sword clipped his hair.
"What the-?!" Kari laughed.
"What's the matter mutt? Too fast for you?" She taunted. Joey gaped.
"Kari?!" She laughed and ran forward, sword raised. Joey stumbled back onto his butt and covered his face with his arms.
"KARI!!!" Yami yelled, slow motion ensued, slowly her eyes flashed with life, she stopped and backed off.
"Un . . . J-Joey?" She whispered out. Yami stared. Seto stepped forward.
"Kari?" She looked at him. Then her eyes went dull, she yelled out a battle cry and dove at him. His face only showed shock as the sword was plunged into him.
"KAIBA!!"
"Seto!!" Joey yelled out, no one took the time to realize that it was the first time Joey had called Seto by his first name. Silence passed, suddenly Yami gaped.
"There's no blood." Yami whispered out. In truth, there was none. The air in front of her rippled slightly.
"This is really annoying." A humorous voice said. Like something out of Harry Potter, a cloak like cloth dropped to the ground, the sword had pierced the hide of it. Nirvana grinned.
"Miss me?" He asked grinning. Dire stood up shocked.
"You!"
"Yes me. You were expecting Santa Claus? In that case, expect a lump of coal too. You're going to be very warm this X-mas."
"Nirvana . . . . . ." Damen whispered. Crystal broke into tears. She was laughing. Nirvana turned to Kari, who had stayed still the minute he had appeared.
" . . . . . . Nir . . . . . . vana . . . . . ?" Suddenly she dropped to her knees, Nirvana kneeled down next to her and took off the band and slowly drew his palm over it, and the symbol vanished. She fainted into his arms. (A/N: Don't look at me like that.) Nirvana caught her easily and looked at Dire.
"You're so sad Dire. Did you really think that the jade necklace controlled my existence? I'm not that stupid. Even thought are some debates . . ." Seto stared. Yami smiled, then turned to Dire.
"Who are you?!" He demanded. Dire smiled grimly.
"None of your business Pharaoh." He said, and like Nirvana, disappeared with no fancy show. Bakura was left standing there, looking at the ground dazedly. Nirvana walked up to him after passing Kari to Seto. Waving a hand over Bakura's forehead he snapped his fingers once. Bakura snapped his head up with a start, as if he had just woken up.
"What the?!" Nirvana nodded.
"You'll be alright spirit. I had hoped that Dire's control hadn't affected you, even thought you are an ass." Nirvana commented. Bakura growled.
"Where's that bastard Dire?!" He demanded.
"Gone." Yami said, Bakura turned to him.
"I hope you're right, for his sake."
~~~
I woke dimly, sitting up I stared around, Seto stared back at me. I stared silently, then felt tears well up in my eyes, I looked away, hoping to hide them.
"Kari?" Gentle fingers slowly turned my face toward his. He looked somewhat surprised by the tears.
"Sorry, you must think I'm a real weakling right now." I muttered and brushed them away, they kept falling despite my tries. He smiled gently, and wiped the tracks away with his finger.
"No, I don't. A weakling would've burst out crying long ago. This is the first time I've seen you cry through all of this." Arms enveloped me in an awkward hug.
"I've finally discovered what I feel. It's passion, pure an simple. Cheesy I know, but that's what it is, and I'm willing to accept it." He said holding me close. "I'd . . . . . . . . . . I'd like for us to be something." I smiled at him slightly.
"If you're willing . . . . . . . . then I guess I can try." He laughed.
"Lets tell the others you're not dead." He said taking my hands and leading me out the door. I leaned my head against his solid shoulder. Walking into the living room I saw Yu-Gi and friends, as well as three unknown people. Suddenly I let go of Seto's hands and ran forward.
"NIRVANA!!" I hugged him tightly.
"Can't breath . . . ." He croaked. I let go of him and backed away blushing.
"Sorry, but . . . . . . . you're okay!" He smiled and hugged me closely.
"I won't leave you. Don't worry." I nodded and drew back.
"Just glad to see you." I said wiping a tear. Joey sighed.
"Yeesh, cut with the dramatics." I glared at him. He grinned, I couldn't help but laugh. A boy rose to greet me.
"My name is Damen, your housemate. Let's just say that the last few days have been interesting." I smiled.
"Let me guess, you're with Nirvana in protecting me." Damen smiled.
"You were right, she's sharp as a sword." He said looking at the cloaked figure. The girl stood and offered a hand.
"Crystal, nice to meet you Hikari." I nodded, her hand shake was firm. Finally, the cloaked figure came up to me.
"My name is Shade." He offered me a hand, I shook it calmly. Then I stared, something about him was familiar. He let my hand drop and turned around. Yu-Gi sternly told him something, he was whispering in his ear.
***
"Tell her." He said calmly. Shade growled.
"I can't dammit! It'll kill her to lose me again."
"You have to!" She needs joy at the moment, you're the only one who can give her that besides Kaiba." Shade sighed.
~~~
Shade turned back around.
"Um, I have something to tell you." My eyes narrowed, staring at him suspiciously.
"Yes?" He looked at me and smiled. Pulling back his hood I backed away.
"I guess I haven't changed that much in 7 years." He commented blushing, running a hand through his hair. I stared, tears welled up again.
"Daniel? How-? But I thought-" He shook his head.
"Don't get excited, when this ordeal is over, I leave and you . . . . . ." He didn't finish, he didn't have to. I didn't care about anything at that moment. I walked forward and wrapped my arms around him.
"I don't care." He looked shocked for a moment, then smiled, and carefully wrapped his arms around me.
"It's nice to see you again, sister."
***
"So um . . . . . ." Damen began, he was alone with Crystal, and Nirvana. Nirvana stared at him coolly.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Crystal asked gently. Nirvana sighed.
"I didn't want to put you in danger. Truth be known, I could've died a thousand times for what I knew. I knew she wouldn't be safe in this world, so I took her to the human realm. That didn't work to well now did it? God." He sighed.
"What happened?"
"The shadow Realm connects all the worlds together, she accidentally found a rift into the shadow realm and got pulled into it." He turned.
"Now, going back to Dire, the whole ordeal was that he tried to kill me so that I wouldn't be able to save Kari, but he broke the necklace . . . . . . ." Crystal gaped.
"But, why did-?"
"Why did I disappear? To tell you the truth, my body was still technically in this world. I had to use an item to stay close to Hikari. I used the necklace because I knew she'd never take it off. Simply, it was only my spirit that was following her, when Bakura destroyed the necklace, my spirit was sent for a loop. I appeared right back at the sight . . . . . . . . of our home." Damen stiffened.
"I'm sorry . . . . . . . . I thought you had left us. Truth is, you stayed and did your job as told." He smiled weakly.
"Nirvana?"
"I know. I'm sorry too."
"Not your fault, it was mine."
"Don't go mushy on me okay?" Laughter, Crystal nodded, she went up to hug her brother.
"I'm glad to see you again."
~~~
We were all sitting in Yu-Gi's living room discussing what had happened. Seto was pissed off because of all the talk of magic, Yu-Gi was tolerating him, but barely. Joey was crushing a paper in his hands, while the others were sitting there, slightly pissed off. I knew how they felt, I too was beginning to get mad.
"I'm telling you, this magic shit isn't real." Kaiba said airily. I glared.
"Seto! You know as full well as I do, all these occurrences are real." Kaiba snorted.
"If you believe in that, then you're just as stupid." I glared, my temper taking over. Shade was eyeing me.
"SETO!" I yelled jumping up.
"Kari, it's okay . . . . ." Yami said softly.
"No, it's NOT okay Yami! He doesn't believe this, I can't believe this! You've had your brother's soul taken by Pegasus with his Millennium eye, you've also had your soul stolen by that same eye, not to mention you've had your mind read by it! You saw what happened to Joey with the Millennium rod, you won a battle against Ishizu that without magic you would've lost! You've seen the past, you know your future, not to mention that you saw Marick get taken over by an evil spirit! You can read ancient Egyptian while no one else can, and you saw what I nearly did to you on the influence of a millennium object!! What else does it take?!"
"More then that stupid idiot. I won't believe this crap! Those are all cheap tricks designed to fool you." Marick stared, completely shocked, Nirvana was looking dumbfounded. Shade was looking at the floor as if interested in the carpet, Crystal and Damen were trying to disappear behind a book. Taia and Tristan were trying to escape the battle scene, Joey was long gone. I glared at him, ignoring tears of rage.
"Kaiba! I believe in denial, but this is just plain stupidity!" I growled out at him. Seto stood up angrily.
"Stupidity?! Maybe I am, but you're just being a plain idiot who can't even hold onto the ones she loves! You nearly lost your brother and your friends, how stupid can you get?"
Silence. Yu-Gi gaped, Nirvana was staring at me like he was petrified, Damen and Crystal dropped their books and Taia and Tristan stopped sneaking out, they were looking at us. I glared at him.
"Maybe you're right." I croaked out. "Maybe I can't hold onto the ones I love. But neither as hell can YOU!" I yelled at him. My words were like a slap on the face to him. "I've had it . . . . you said you wanted us to be something. Well guess what? We are. As of this moment, I am ignorant of your existence. I will refuse to even acknowledge that you live. Call it childish, I don't care. But better to be immature . . . . . . . . . then have a broken heart." I hissed and stomped out of the room. I walked past a shocked Mr. Motou who ran after me.
"Hikari? Are you alright?"
"Leave me alone." I spat and walked out the door into the pouring sleet of rain. Walking down the street I found myself facing the same alley I had come from, I walked in.
"I want to go home." I whispered. I slumped down against the wall, I was completely soaked now. Leaning my head against the wall, I fell asleep, my tears mingled with the rain.
~~~
"Hikari? Hikari wake up!" Someone growled. I moaned and opened my eyes. Sitting upright I rubbed my eyes.
"Huh?" The man sighed.
"I must really be boring, I understand that it is the first day, but try to keep awake okay?" The teacher asked and walked off grinning. I looked around, a few people were staring at me oddly, snickering. It hit me, I was in school, back to first day of grade 10. I was back to my world.
Disclaimer: Not mine. I own plot and you know. Is this the end? MAYBE!
"Hey Yu-Gi!" Taia yelled, and waved to Yami who walked out of the house smiling. Joey by his side. Tristan ran up and . . . . .
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! I LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR FIVE HOURS AND YOU GET SHOT?!?!?!" Taia pushed him out of the way.
"I'm so glad you're okay Yu-Gi. What happened?" Joey sighed.
"You wouldn't believe the people we-"
"Ran into?" A light voice asked. Everyone turned.
"Mai?!" Mai waved lightly and winked.
"Hey Yu-Gi. What's up? Hey- who are they?" She asked. Taia and Tristan turned.
"Yeah, who're the new guys?" Tristan voiced out. Yami turned to find Crystal, Damen and Shade standing by the door. Shade had his hood back up, Crystal was grinning crazily and Damen waved his hand.
"Your friends I presume?" Damen asked, he was leaning on the door frame. Yami nodded. Mai walked up and held a hand out.
"My name's Mai. Nice to meet you." Damen grinned, standing straight he took the hand in a firm handshake.
"Damen." Mai turned to Crystal and Shade.
"And you are?"
"What? No handshake?" Crystal asked chuckling. Mai smiled and took her hand.
"Crystal." Mai turned and offered her hand to Shade.
". . . . . . . ." Her hand faltered. Yami snickered.
"Don't worry, he's always like that. His name is D-"
"Shade. My name is Shade." Kari's brother broke in and took her hand abruptly. Shaking it he dropped the hand like a rock and took a few steps back. Mai stared, then shrugged and turned to the others.
"So now what?"
"When did you show up?"
"Sunday I think. I can quite remember, all I do remember was meeting that Marick prick." Yami gaped.
"Marick? You met him?!"
"Yeah, stupid jerk." She said sourly.
~ Flashback ~
"Why you little slut!" Marick growled out. Mai scowled.
"No more a slut then you pretty boy!"
"WITCH!!"
"B*ASTARD!!" Both leaned in and were nose to nose, their faces were both wearing masks of fury.
"You little-!!"
"Fresh salmon!" Both sweatdropped and looked at the man who rode by on a bike waving a slimy fish in their faces. Both growled, little veins pulsing in their temple.
WHAMMO!!"
"Don't wave that crap in front of my face!!" Mai yelled. Marick sighed. Both relaxed their fist shaped hands.
"Japan is annoying, everyone is waving some sort of seafood in front of my *beep*in face." He growled out. He observed the salesman who went flying. He grinned.
"Nice right hook."
"You ain't too bad either." She said grinning. Marick smiled.
"Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Honey, I've had more creeps chase me then you can guess." Marick sweatdropped.
"Did you just call me honey?"
"I guess so."
"Don't ever call me honey, ever." Mai grinned.
"Okay. . . . . . . . . . .shnookie."
"WHAT?!?!?!" Mai laughed out loud, Marick growled, then smiled and laughed himself.
~ End ~
Mai smiled a bit at the memory and looked away, her face paled.
"MARICK?!" Marick himself drove up on his bike, he was covered in blood. A black and limp form was behind him. Marick got off his bike and pulled the limp form off his bike. Yami ran up.
"Marick! Are you okay?" Marick nodded.
"Not my blood." He grunted out. "I don't think all of it is even his!" The figure raised his head and grinned a bit.
"Well hey Yu-Gi, nice weather isn't it?' Yami gaped.
"Kaiba is . . . . . . . saying hello and asking about the weather?"
"I think he hit his head. . . . ." Joey said sweatdropping. Marick shook his head.
"Nope. He was shot." Tristan and Taia gaped.
"WHAT IS THIS?! GET SHOT WEEK?!" They demanded. Marick shrugged.
"He needs help, that's all I can say."
"Bring him in." Crystal said calmly while gesturing to the door behind her. Marick grunted a bit.
"A little help please? This guy weighs a ton." Yami moved up to take Kaiba's other arm. They both carried him inside.
***
"It's almost time my queen." Dire said to Hikari, she nodded, eyes were glazed. He began to run his hand over her head, like she was a cat. She rested her head on his lap as he sat in the chair. He smiled.
***
"There." Crystal said tying the knot. Kaiba looked much better now, most of the blood was cleaned up, his clothes were reasonably back to their original color, and his face was almost clean, the only thing that remained was a scratch on his cheek.
"What happened?" Yu-Gi asked. Seto stared at him and shook his head.
~ Flashback ~
The winged creature dove in for the kill, it managed to scratch his face before veering off course. Suddenly light flared. When it was gone Seto's head was hanging limply, blood splattered onto his face, he looked up and smiled lightly. It was five minutes before he got enough will power to get up and wincing, he walked out of the alley and nearly got run over by a bike . . . . .
~ End ~
"Let's just say I've had better days." He said standing up. Crystal held up a small clear plastic bag. Inside a silver bullet could be seen.
"An Amalgam bullet, the very same model of the one that hit Yami." Damen nodded.
"Meaning the one who want's to kill you is the same guy." Suddenly the doors burst open, the old woman followed the visitors.
"There are more visitors to this house in this one week then there have been in the whole century this house has been standing." She shrugged and walked out of the room. Seto stared.
"Mokubah? What are you-?"
"I called him. I think he had a right to know what happened to his brother." Joey said holding up his cell. Mokubah ran up to Seto, James following.
"Big brother! Are you alright?!" Mokubah asked.
"Mr. Kaiba, what happened?" Seto was about to reply.
***
"It's time."
***
Seto was cut off as suddenly he vanished, him along with Taia, Tristan, Yu- Gi, Marick, and basically everyone but Mokubah, James and the old woman.
"Mr. Kaiba? Seto?!"
***
"What the?!" Joey asked looking around wildly. He turned to find a figure sitting on a chair, a girl was resting her head on his lap. Seto stepped forward.
"Kari!" She didn't respond. Joey took one step towards them. Someone stopped him, the same cloaked figure that had kidnapped Kari.
"Not another step Wheeler." Said a cold and . . . . . . . familiar voice? Dire laughed. Yami gaped.
"Is that . . . . ?"
"That's right Yami. Surprised?" The figure pulled back his hood. Yami backed away. Marick gaped.
"B-Bakura?" The spirit's eyes were dull. Yami swore.
"Controlled. Just like the others." Dire said calmly holding up something. It was a millennium object, Marick gaped.
"The Millennium Libra?!" He whispered out. Dire smiled.
"Bakura said to Yuzara, that he was drawn to her for some reason, the reason was me. I used my influence to draw him to her. When he failed time after time, I grew impatient and took things into my own hands." He grinned savagely. Bakura smiled and backed off to the side while bowing.
"Liar!" Seto yelled out. "This magic shit is crap." Dire grinned.
"Hikari, show him." Hikari stood up and the cloak around her shoulders dropped to the floor. She walked towards them and stopped a few steps in front of them.
"Yami." She said nodding to him. "Kaiba." She said turning to him. Joey stepped forward.
"Kari-?" He stopped, suddenly Kari whipped out a sword and slashed the air in which he stood. He jumped back, the sword clipped his hair.
"What the-?!" Kari laughed.
"What's the matter mutt? Too fast for you?" She taunted. Joey gaped.
"Kari?!" She laughed and ran forward, sword raised. Joey stumbled back onto his butt and covered his face with his arms.
"KARI!!!" Yami yelled, slow motion ensued, slowly her eyes flashed with life, she stopped and backed off.
"Un . . . J-Joey?" She whispered out. Yami stared. Seto stepped forward.
"Kari?" She looked at him. Then her eyes went dull, she yelled out a battle cry and dove at him. His face only showed shock as the sword was plunged into him.
"KAIBA!!"
"Seto!!" Joey yelled out, no one took the time to realize that it was the first time Joey had called Seto by his first name. Silence passed, suddenly Yami gaped.
"There's no blood." Yami whispered out. In truth, there was none. The air in front of her rippled slightly.
"This is really annoying." A humorous voice said. Like something out of Harry Potter, a cloak like cloth dropped to the ground, the sword had pierced the hide of it. Nirvana grinned.
"Miss me?" He asked grinning. Dire stood up shocked.
"You!"
"Yes me. You were expecting Santa Claus? In that case, expect a lump of coal too. You're going to be very warm this X-mas."
"Nirvana . . . . . ." Damen whispered. Crystal broke into tears. She was laughing. Nirvana turned to Kari, who had stayed still the minute he had appeared.
" . . . . . . Nir . . . . . . vana . . . . . ?" Suddenly she dropped to her knees, Nirvana kneeled down next to her and took off the band and slowly drew his palm over it, and the symbol vanished. She fainted into his arms. (A/N: Don't look at me like that.) Nirvana caught her easily and looked at Dire.
"You're so sad Dire. Did you really think that the jade necklace controlled my existence? I'm not that stupid. Even thought are some debates . . ." Seto stared. Yami smiled, then turned to Dire.
"Who are you?!" He demanded. Dire smiled grimly.
"None of your business Pharaoh." He said, and like Nirvana, disappeared with no fancy show. Bakura was left standing there, looking at the ground dazedly. Nirvana walked up to him after passing Kari to Seto. Waving a hand over Bakura's forehead he snapped his fingers once. Bakura snapped his head up with a start, as if he had just woken up.
"What the?!" Nirvana nodded.
"You'll be alright spirit. I had hoped that Dire's control hadn't affected you, even thought you are an ass." Nirvana commented. Bakura growled.
"Where's that bastard Dire?!" He demanded.
"Gone." Yami said, Bakura turned to him.
"I hope you're right, for his sake."
~~~
I woke dimly, sitting up I stared around, Seto stared back at me. I stared silently, then felt tears well up in my eyes, I looked away, hoping to hide them.
"Kari?" Gentle fingers slowly turned my face toward his. He looked somewhat surprised by the tears.
"Sorry, you must think I'm a real weakling right now." I muttered and brushed them away, they kept falling despite my tries. He smiled gently, and wiped the tracks away with his finger.
"No, I don't. A weakling would've burst out crying long ago. This is the first time I've seen you cry through all of this." Arms enveloped me in an awkward hug.
"I've finally discovered what I feel. It's passion, pure an simple. Cheesy I know, but that's what it is, and I'm willing to accept it." He said holding me close. "I'd . . . . . . . . . . I'd like for us to be something." I smiled at him slightly.
"If you're willing . . . . . . . . then I guess I can try." He laughed.
"Lets tell the others you're not dead." He said taking my hands and leading me out the door. I leaned my head against his solid shoulder. Walking into the living room I saw Yu-Gi and friends, as well as three unknown people. Suddenly I let go of Seto's hands and ran forward.
"NIRVANA!!" I hugged him tightly.
"Can't breath . . . ." He croaked. I let go of him and backed away blushing.
"Sorry, but . . . . . . . you're okay!" He smiled and hugged me closely.
"I won't leave you. Don't worry." I nodded and drew back.
"Just glad to see you." I said wiping a tear. Joey sighed.
"Yeesh, cut with the dramatics." I glared at him. He grinned, I couldn't help but laugh. A boy rose to greet me.
"My name is Damen, your housemate. Let's just say that the last few days have been interesting." I smiled.
"Let me guess, you're with Nirvana in protecting me." Damen smiled.
"You were right, she's sharp as a sword." He said looking at the cloaked figure. The girl stood and offered a hand.
"Crystal, nice to meet you Hikari." I nodded, her hand shake was firm. Finally, the cloaked figure came up to me.
"My name is Shade." He offered me a hand, I shook it calmly. Then I stared, something about him was familiar. He let my hand drop and turned around. Yu-Gi sternly told him something, he was whispering in his ear.
***
"Tell her." He said calmly. Shade growled.
"I can't dammit! It'll kill her to lose me again."
"You have to!" She needs joy at the moment, you're the only one who can give her that besides Kaiba." Shade sighed.
~~~
Shade turned back around.
"Um, I have something to tell you." My eyes narrowed, staring at him suspiciously.
"Yes?" He looked at me and smiled. Pulling back his hood I backed away.
"I guess I haven't changed that much in 7 years." He commented blushing, running a hand through his hair. I stared, tears welled up again.
"Daniel? How-? But I thought-" He shook his head.
"Don't get excited, when this ordeal is over, I leave and you . . . . . ." He didn't finish, he didn't have to. I didn't care about anything at that moment. I walked forward and wrapped my arms around him.
"I don't care." He looked shocked for a moment, then smiled, and carefully wrapped his arms around me.
"It's nice to see you again, sister."
***
"So um . . . . . ." Damen began, he was alone with Crystal, and Nirvana. Nirvana stared at him coolly.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Crystal asked gently. Nirvana sighed.
"I didn't want to put you in danger. Truth be known, I could've died a thousand times for what I knew. I knew she wouldn't be safe in this world, so I took her to the human realm. That didn't work to well now did it? God." He sighed.
"What happened?"
"The shadow Realm connects all the worlds together, she accidentally found a rift into the shadow realm and got pulled into it." He turned.
"Now, going back to Dire, the whole ordeal was that he tried to kill me so that I wouldn't be able to save Kari, but he broke the necklace . . . . . . ." Crystal gaped.
"But, why did-?"
"Why did I disappear? To tell you the truth, my body was still technically in this world. I had to use an item to stay close to Hikari. I used the necklace because I knew she'd never take it off. Simply, it was only my spirit that was following her, when Bakura destroyed the necklace, my spirit was sent for a loop. I appeared right back at the sight . . . . . . . . of our home." Damen stiffened.
"I'm sorry . . . . . . . . I thought you had left us. Truth is, you stayed and did your job as told." He smiled weakly.
"Nirvana?"
"I know. I'm sorry too."
"Not your fault, it was mine."
"Don't go mushy on me okay?" Laughter, Crystal nodded, she went up to hug her brother.
"I'm glad to see you again."
~~~
We were all sitting in Yu-Gi's living room discussing what had happened. Seto was pissed off because of all the talk of magic, Yu-Gi was tolerating him, but barely. Joey was crushing a paper in his hands, while the others were sitting there, slightly pissed off. I knew how they felt, I too was beginning to get mad.
"I'm telling you, this magic shit isn't real." Kaiba said airily. I glared.
"Seto! You know as full well as I do, all these occurrences are real." Kaiba snorted.
"If you believe in that, then you're just as stupid." I glared, my temper taking over. Shade was eyeing me.
"SETO!" I yelled jumping up.
"Kari, it's okay . . . . ." Yami said softly.
"No, it's NOT okay Yami! He doesn't believe this, I can't believe this! You've had your brother's soul taken by Pegasus with his Millennium eye, you've also had your soul stolen by that same eye, not to mention you've had your mind read by it! You saw what happened to Joey with the Millennium rod, you won a battle against Ishizu that without magic you would've lost! You've seen the past, you know your future, not to mention that you saw Marick get taken over by an evil spirit! You can read ancient Egyptian while no one else can, and you saw what I nearly did to you on the influence of a millennium object!! What else does it take?!"
"More then that stupid idiot. I won't believe this crap! Those are all cheap tricks designed to fool you." Marick stared, completely shocked, Nirvana was looking dumbfounded. Shade was looking at the floor as if interested in the carpet, Crystal and Damen were trying to disappear behind a book. Taia and Tristan were trying to escape the battle scene, Joey was long gone. I glared at him, ignoring tears of rage.
"Kaiba! I believe in denial, but this is just plain stupidity!" I growled out at him. Seto stood up angrily.
"Stupidity?! Maybe I am, but you're just being a plain idiot who can't even hold onto the ones she loves! You nearly lost your brother and your friends, how stupid can you get?"
Silence. Yu-Gi gaped, Nirvana was staring at me like he was petrified, Damen and Crystal dropped their books and Taia and Tristan stopped sneaking out, they were looking at us. I glared at him.
"Maybe you're right." I croaked out. "Maybe I can't hold onto the ones I love. But neither as hell can YOU!" I yelled at him. My words were like a slap on the face to him. "I've had it . . . . you said you wanted us to be something. Well guess what? We are. As of this moment, I am ignorant of your existence. I will refuse to even acknowledge that you live. Call it childish, I don't care. But better to be immature . . . . . . . . . then have a broken heart." I hissed and stomped out of the room. I walked past a shocked Mr. Motou who ran after me.
"Hikari? Are you alright?"
"Leave me alone." I spat and walked out the door into the pouring sleet of rain. Walking down the street I found myself facing the same alley I had come from, I walked in.
"I want to go home." I whispered. I slumped down against the wall, I was completely soaked now. Leaning my head against the wall, I fell asleep, my tears mingled with the rain.
~~~
"Hikari? Hikari wake up!" Someone growled. I moaned and opened my eyes. Sitting upright I rubbed my eyes.
"Huh?" The man sighed.
"I must really be boring, I understand that it is the first day, but try to keep awake okay?" The teacher asked and walked off grinning. I looked around, a few people were staring at me oddly, snickering. It hit me, I was in school, back to first day of grade 10. I was back to my world.
Disclaimer: Not mine. I own plot and you know. Is this the end? MAYBE!