~*Chapter 12: Farewell to the Once loved*~

One year later…

"Hey check this out you guys." said Tea.

Joey, Tristan, Yugi, Tea, and Yami gathered around looking at the poster on the classroom wall.

"Hmm…" Joey read the kanji on the poster. "It says 4th year dance…uh…" he scratched his head trying to figure out the last kanji. "What's this last one?"

"Oh Joey you dumb nut." Tea looked at Joey, leaning against Yami. "Haven't you learned anything from Fujiwara-sensei's class?"

"Yeah," Tristan laughed. "That's probably why you flunked his last kanji exam."

"Oh jeez." Tea looked at the kanji character for a moment. "That's the kanji for yoru which means night."

"Ah, dance night." Joey grinned. "No wonder. That's what Yohko was talking about yesterday."

"Yohko?" Tristan looked at his best friend. "Is she the one with the twin sister Yuko?"

"Yep." said Joey. "She asked me and what could I say? I'm a ladies' man."

"Aw man." Tristan frowned. "Well, at least there's Yuko…"

"Forget it." Joey cut him off. "She's goin with someone."

"Crap!" Hey, I bet Serenity…"

"Serenity and Li are still together Tristan." Joey looked at Tristan strangely. "Got anymore brilliant suggestions Sherlock?"

"Well…" Tristan started to think. He looked down at Yugi before placing an elbow on his head. "I'm not alone. Me and Yugi don't have any dates for the dance."

"Um…Tristan?" Yugi started to say.

Joey started to laugh. "Heh, Tristan. No hard feelings but even little Yugi's got a date."

"Huh?" Tristan looked up. "With who?"

"Yuko." Yugi answered, smiling.

"Aw crap." said Tristan. His friends started to laugh.

The night of the dance had arrived. Every couple was there. There were snacks, drinks, and dancing all packed in the school gym. Lights were everywhere, the music blared from the speakers.

"Well," Yami looked around at the huge crowd. "It's like all of the 4th year students came to the dance."

"I know." said Tea looking at the crowd. "It's hard to tell where everyone else is." Suddenly, a slow melody came about the speakers. Most of the couples stepped to the side while the very few stayed on the dance floor.

"Care to dance? Yami looked down at Tea.

"Huh?" Tea slowly looked up at Yami for a moment. "Sure. Ok?" the two then made their way to the dance floor hand in hand. Tea wrapped her arms around Yami's neck while Yami pulled her close, adoring her white strapless dress that flowed down to her knees for a moment. Tea's eyes closed as she listened to the words, suddenly realizing that they seemed to be how Bakura felt about her.

If you're not the one,

Then why does my soul feel glad today?

If you're not the one,

Then why does my hand fit yours this way?

If you are not mine,

Then why does your heart return my call?

If you are not mine,

Would I have the strength to stand at all?

I never know what the future brings,

But I know you're here with me now.

We'll make it through,

And I hope you are the one I share my life with.

I don't want to run away.

But I can't take it, I don't understand.

If I'm not made for you then why

Does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay

In your arms?

If I don't need you,

Then why am I crying on my bed?

If I don't need you,

Then why does your name resound in my head?

If you're not for me,

Then why does this distance maim my life?

If you're not for me,

Then why do I dream of you as my wife?

I don't know why it's so far away,

But I know that this much is true:

We'll make it through,

And I hope you are the one I share my life with.

And I wish that you could be the one I die with.

And I pray that you're the one I build my home with.

I hope I love you all my life.

I don't want to run away.

But I can't take it, I don't understand.

If I'm not made for you then why

Does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay

In your arms?

Because I miss you.

Body and soul so strong

That it takes my breath away.

And I breathe you

Into my heart

And I pray for the strength to stand today.

Cuz I love you.

Whether it's wrong or right

And though I can't be with you tonight,

You know my heart is by your side.

I don't want to run away.

But I can't take it, I don't understand.

If I'm not made for you then why

Does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay

In your arms?

Yami looked down at Tea, noticing that she was unusually silent. "What's wrong?" The song had ended as they got off the dance floor. In seconds, a rave music blared from the speakers, as everyone got their freak on with their dates.

"Well…you know the song that they were playing. It kinda brought me back memories of Bakura. And after what you told me on what Bakura said…I felt a bit guilty for hurting him."

Yami nodded, unsure of what to say.

"Could we leave. I kinda have to talk to bakura. You wouldn't mind coming along would you?"

"Not at all." he replied. "Change into casual clothing though."

Tea nodded tossing him the keys before heading towards the bathroom. "Just meet me in the car."

Thirty minutes pass by as Yami sat in the passenger seat, patiently waiting for tea. Memories of that day one year ago came back to him. Not only he was almost killed but Bakura nearly killed Tea out of madness and jealousy. His own friend had been sent to the psychiatric ward, or the asylum, not too far off from town. He never came back to school and has never been seen since. Some thought he moved to another school. Not even the gang knew about it. He wondered how Bakura is now.

Tea finally emerged from the parking lot wearing jeans and a tan, sleeveless top. Getting into the driver's seat, she started the ignition driving off in silence. Ten minutes later, they finally arrived at the ward. Both of them got out of the car going inside the building.

"Should I…you know? Let you go?" asked Yami.

Tea nodded. "This is a bit personal. I just…well..you know."

"I understand." said Yami. "I'll be waiting in the lobby." he then sat on one of the chairs watching Tea making her way toward's the reception desk.

"Can I help you young lady?" the receptionist who seemed to be in her mid-twenties looked down at Tea.

"Yeah, I'm here to visit my brother Bakura." Tea replied, doubting they would let any friends visit the patients.

The receptionist took out a slip of paper, jotting something down before handing it to Tea. "Fifth floor, room 509."

Tea took the slip of paper, making her way to the elevator. Once she got in, she pushed the "5" button, watching the doors close. She was nervous. It had been a year to this date. She remembered what had happened as if it was yesterday. Finally, she reached the fifth floor, stepping out of the elevator and walking down the halls trying to find the room 509. Somehow, she managed to find it as she peeked inside the small window on the door, noticing the room was dark except for the small window high on the wall that casted some light from the moon. It was hard to tell whether or not he was sleeping.

"Could I help you little girl?" a voice called out. Turning around, she saw another doctor, this time much older.

"Yes, I'm just here to visit my brother."

"Well, you know visiting hours are over." said the doctor.

"But that lady downstairs didn't say that."

"What?" the doctor looked at her strangely. "She's just new. Damn woman, cant remember the visiting hours. I better have a talk with her." he then took out a set of keys from his pockets unlocking the door, switching on the light. "As for you, I'll let you off just this once. One hour, that's all I'm gonna give you."

"Okay, thanks." she smiled nervously, stepping inside the room. The doctor closed the door behind him, walking off. Placing her purse down, she slowly made her way to Bakura sitting in front of him. Lifting some of his hair off of his face, she was surprised to see him awake.

"What made you come here?" he looked up at Tea for a while, his eyes seem childlike, sitting there in a straight-jacket.

"Bakura, I've wanted to apologize for what I've done. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just…when you told me you've loved me, I didn't know what to do…or say. It's like trying to choose between you and Yami. I still love Yami, we've been going out for quite a while now. If I were to like you more as a friend, I don't think it would last long. C'mon Bakura, you've got to understand. I like you as a friend…"

"You don't have to feel guilty." he said softly. "You seem to have carried on that guilt for quite a long time." his face showed no emotion but his voice told all.

"But I can't help it. I told Yami about it but I couldn't express my feelings till now."

"I have felt everlasting guilt ever since that day. I have loved you so much, I would do anything just to get you…be with you. Even letting my dark side take over me. I have a guilt that I'll be carrying with me throughout life. But for you, the pain will go away. Yami will help you…take care of you."

"How long do they plan to keep you here?"

"I'm not so sure. I know for perhaps a year at most. So I guess I'll be missing graduation."

Tea's eyes slowly filled with tears. Bakura slowly got up, irritated by the light and made his way towards the light switch, using his chin to darken the room. He then came back to Tea noticing her tears. "What's wrong?"

"I know that once I leave, I'll never see you again." with a finger, she tried to wipe away her tears.

"You have Yami…" said Bakura.

"It's not that." said Tea.

"Then what is it?" he looked down at Tea seeing her tears becoming worse. Unable to take it anymore, Tea wrapped her arms around him, sobbing softly on his shoulder. He could feel her tears seep through his straight jacket. How he wished he could break free from his straight jacket just to hold her, comfort her, hoping as friend that he could take away the pain he caused her. But he knew he couldn't do it. Not even Tea's parents could as they had died in a plane crash when she was a child. The one person he knew that could take Tea's pain away was Yami himself. At that point, he decided to finally let go of his feelings for her after the night was over. Leaning against the padded wall, he looked down at Tea, whispering softly. "If only I could hold you…" And at then, Tea pulled her friend close, sitting him on her lap, sobbing uncontrollably, being luck it wasn't loud enough for the doctors to hear. His head rested on Tea's shoulder, feeling her arms still wrapped around his waist.

"Shhh…" he whispered in her ear, stretching his legs out. "It'll be all right. It's ok. You have Yugi, Tristan, Joey, Serenity, and even Yami. They'll get you through this. Everything will be okay."

"It just won't be the same anymore. You and Serenity were my closest friends since preschool."

"It's not gonna be forever. I'll be released someday, go live life, and all of us will be together again someday." he gazed at her tears, wanting to wipe them away but the straight jacket held him. An idea came about Bakura's mind as he leaned forward, licking away her tears. She looked up at him, as well as he, lost in each other's gaze for a moment, before Tea looked away, slowly sitting up on both of her knees. Closing her eyes, she then leaned towards Bakura, kissing him softly on his lips, pressing her lips gently against his.

Bakura, however, was quite surprised at first but he too kissed her back. A kiss of love? To seal off the past? Or perhaps just to say a sad goodbye? They held onto each other for a few minutes before the kiss finally ended. He then leaned towards her ear, whispering for the first and last time. "I love you Tea, never forget that."

Tea nodded. The door opened, the doctor peeking in. "Miss, time's up."

"Just a sec." said Tea. The doctor nodded leaving the two alone. She picked up her purse making her way to the door but stopped, looking backing at Bakura. "Goodbye Bakura." Tea called out softly, trying to hold back her tears.

Bakura nodded. "Bye Tea." he then watched her leave. "Until then…" he whispered to himself.

Pushing the down button, Tea waited for the elevator door to open. She was still wretched with sadness, the sweet kiss Bakura had given remained on her lips. The elevator door finally opened as she stepped inside, pressing the lobby button. Finally, as she reached the lobby floor, she saw Yami still sitting there, reading a magazine. Her head gazed at the ground unable to hold back her tears any more as she just stood there.

"Tea?" Yami looked up seeing Tea, his eyes widened as he saw her, distraught. He got up, making his way towards her, holding her in his arms. "It'll be okay Tea." he whispered, resting her head against hers. "It'll be all right. Let's go home."

~*To Be Continued. Yep, there's a continuation you better hope you'd read.*~