At about 4:30 that afternoon, Miyako stumbled out of the school building, her eyes swollen, and her face red. The sight of Michirei's body…her headless body…there was no way it could be erased from her mind now.
"Michirei…" she said to herself, taking a glance up at the sky. "I do forgive you. Even if you did start off that rumor of me being a witch," her fist clenched. "I know people will blame me for your death but…but…"
"I heard what happened Miyako." Ryou slowly approached her from behind, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Miyako leaned her back against Ryou. "I worry on what everyone would say tomorrow."
Ryou ran his fingers through her hair. "There isn't any school tomorrow. I guess with Michirei and all…"
Few tears streaked down Miyako's face. "Damn it, I forgave her! I didn't want revenge!"
"You mean to say you know who killed Michirei?" he looked down at her.
"Yes, I know who killed her," her head tilted towards the ground. "Because I saw how she died."
"C'mon," Ryou helped her up. "Let's go back to my apartment. You need some rest." Miyako draped one arm over his shoulder. Lifting her up, they both made their way towards her motorcycle. "I'll drive. I don't want you to be driving and in distress at the same time."
"Yes, I know." Miyako climbed in the back, nuzzling her head against Ryou's cold back.
"Just relax Miya-chan." Ryou kissed her on the forehead, starting up the engine. "Or at least try to."
Miyako wrapped her arms around Ryou's waist as they both rode off.
"First you say you detest Bakura," Yami circled around Tea. He, Tea, and Shadi were still in the classroom. "And now you tell me you're head over heels for him?"
"Yami just let me explain." Tea leaned against the wall.
"The first time you cheated on me, I kinda let you off easy. I even forgave you for carrying Bakura's seed and our child came out to be something more than we have expected. But this…"
"Yami I don't know what to do anymore!" Tea cried out. "I love both you and Bakura, no matter how insane he has become."
"You forget that he almost killed you." Yami slapped her once more.
Shadi watched the two in wonder. Why the hell did Ishizu beg me to bring these two back to life? They can't even get along. Hmph, is their relationship much more important than their own daughter? If the child continues sticking with where she is now, the power and influence of her inner demon will take over.
"You got no choice Tea!" Yami glared down at her. "You can't be in love with two people."
"I can't choose Yami!" Tea cried out.
Finally, after hearing enough, Shadi cleared his throat. "That's enough!" he roared.
All was now silent. Tea and Yami looked up at a very angry Shadi.
"Damn it, what kind of parents are you?!?" Shadi took out his scythe. "Is your problems with each other that important to you than your own daughter? Do you want me to reclaim your souls so soon?"
"No!" Tea fell to her knees. "Please death, I beg of you."
"At what I see between you two right now, I'm starting to regret bringing you two back. But enough of that, this is the beginning of destruction."
"How so?" Yami looked at Shadi with wonder.
"I have seen destruction befalling within this realm." Death spoke softly. "Bakura and Marik are up to their tricks once again, only this time, he will claim his daughter the day after a sweet 16. A child will fight against her own father to determine the fate of others. Of course, along the way, others well known to us will be perished or attacked."
"Who are these victims you speak of?" Tea demanded.
"I cannot say." Death replied. "It is all I can give for now." He then made his way towards the door, closing it softly behind him as he exited.
As soon as he left, Yami and Tea stood there. Tea sighed sadly, plopping down on the chair. "Death is right. The only reason he brought us to life was all because of Miyako. There is no way he would be willing to just spare the souls and bring back the dead."
"Perhaps we could spare our problems at another time. Miyako's birthday isn't for another nine months. Knowing Bakura and Marik well, they're planning to bring hell on earth." He then turned to Tea. "I guess death decided to bring us back to watch our daughter die."
Tea glared at him. "How dare you say our daughter will die in the hands of Bakura?"
"If you know well, death don't care about whose soul he takes." He pounded his fist on the wall. "I guess we have other things to deal with." He took out his car keys. "I'm going to drop you off to Joey's house. I'll be going to Ryou's apartment."
"I'll go with you." Tea stood up.
"No." Yami insisted. "I think you waltzed with Bakura enough for now."
"At least just let me wait for you in the car."
He thought this over a moment, hesitating, then nodded. "All right, I see no problem with that. Let's go."
"How is she?"
Ishizu and Bakura gathered around Miyako, who was sleeping soundly on the bed.
"Still a bit traumatized." Bakura brushed away a few locks of hair from his daughter's face.
"How long do you think she'll be like this?" Ishizu looked down at Miyako with concern.
"With all the hell Marik decided to put the child through, I'd say she'll be out for a while." He took a glance up at Marik.
"She may be weak now," Marik took a glance out the window. "But by the time of 16, she will be as powerful as you."
"You two think you will have a chance at controlling the mortal realm?" Ishizu looked at Marik and Bakura, skeptically.
The two men looked back up on Ishizu. By the looks of it, she could easily tell they were not happy with what she had asked.
"What makes you so doubtful?" Bakura forced a smile, his voice filled with such intense, such anger.
"I…well…" Ishizu backed up until her back bumped against the wall. "You see…it's just…"
Bakura slowly got up, making his way towards his slave. Taking her by the arms, he pinned her onto the wall. "You have been acting strange ever since you confessed of resurrecting Tea and Yami. Let me guess, you decided to side with those two?"
"No…" Ishizu stuttered. "No Bakura-sama. I'm not siding with them. I would never do such thing."
"Well," Bakura whispered. "Maybe I should put you through a test."
"A test?" Ishizu slowly feared what Bakura could have meant by that. To Bakura, a test could mean anything and each and every one dangerous than the next. Bakura took out the millennium scale, placing it on the coffee table.
"Oh god" Ishizu gasped at the sight of the golden scale. "Bakura-sama! No! Not the millennium scale!"
Bakura smirked. "If you were truthful as you say, you wouldn't be fearful of this childish toy, now would you?"
"Save the test for later." Marik looked out the window. "We got company."
"What?" Bakura whirled around, heading towards the window, pulling Ishizu by the arm. The two looked out the window, seeing a white Mitsubishi pulled over by the sidewalk.
"Aw fuck," Bakura recognized the vehicle immediately. "Damn Yami, he just doesn't know when to quit now does he?"
"It seems that he has brought along Miss Tea as well." Marik smirked.
"We'll just have to take care of her." Bakura's grip on Ishizu's arm began to tighten.
"You two take care of Yami. I'll deal with Tea." Marik reached inside his coat, pulling out a gun.
Bakura nodded. "You do that." He watched Marik disappear into the shadows. He then turned towards Ishizu. His eyes once again became demonic. "You listen to me," he hissed. "And you better listen damn well bitch! You say one thing to the child or those two clowns, I will guarantee that you will have a one way ticket to the shadow realm. Right now, do as I say and when Yami shows up, you say not one word. Do we have an understanding?" his eyes bored into hers.
Ishizu replied, her voice shaking. "Yes Bakura-sama."
"Good," he smiled. "I'm glad we finally see something clearly."
Tea and Yami sat in the car within the air of silence.
"Are you sure you're going to stay in the car like you said." Yami removed his seatbelt.
Tea nodded. "I'm sure."
"Good." He leaned forward, kissing Tea on the cheek. Opening the door, he slipped off the passenger's seat.
In the meantime, Tea turned on the radio, listening to some music. Everything was quiet, except for the humming of the speakers. She felt a cool, metal object pressing down her neck. At first, it was a figment of her imagination. Her eyes took a glance at the rearview mirror, shocked to see Marik sitting right behind her with a gun held to her neck.
"Marik?!?" she was horrified to see him in her car.
"It's been a while, has it not my dear?" he smirked.
"I am out of here." Tea removed her seatbelt. Marik's millennium rod glowed as all the doors locked into place. Tea pulled the handle as hard as she could but the door simply didn't budge.
Marik laughed softly. "There is no escape my dear. You are trapped here with me. And since I'm your passenger," his fingers were ready to pull the trigger. "Drive."
With shaking hands, she took they keys from the dashboard, sticking it into the ignition, starting it up. "Where do you want me to take you?" she asked as she slowly pulled off the sidewalk.
"I'll do the thinking of you." He released his hand from his gun. Picking up his millennium rod, he pointed it to Tea.
"What the hell does that supposed to mean?" Tea was getting on her defensive side. Suddenly, a powerful surge went through her body. Her eyes became lifeless, her lips curled into a cruel smirk as she placed her hands on the steering wheel, driving off.
Yami got on the elevator pushing the number "7" button. Perhaps this could be a perfect time to finally see his daughter once more. Finally, after a few minutes, he finally landed on the 7th floor. He made his way out of the elevator and down the halls.
"Hmm…Tea said it was room 741." Looking left to right, he continued striding down the halls until he finally found the room he was looking for. "Ah, here we are." He whispered to himself. "741." Balling up his fist, he knocked on the door.
Meanwhile, Bakura and Ishizu looked up. Muttering softly, he changed into her schoolgirl disguise. Her eyes gazed at the floor, not wanting to look up at her master, who was still gripping his fingers over his wrist. Another knock sounded off.
"What are you waiting for Shizuka?" Bakura shoved her to the door. "Answer the door." He then turned around, going back inside his bedroom.
Swallowing her saliva, Shizuka made her way towards the door. Her hand trembled as she twisted the doorknob, seeing Yami on the other side.
Yami looked over Shizuka before stepping in. "I'm sorry to interrupt but does a Ryou Mizuno live here?"
Shizuka's eyes gazed behind her, before turning back to Yami, nodding. A glitch of fear could be noted through her eye as she locked her gaze on to Yami, watching him making his way to Bakura's room. When he wasn't looking, she slid the chain and bolt silently into place.
Ryou laid Miyako on his bed, feeling her forehead. His eyes glanced up at Yami, who was watching him. "Well," he smiled. "Detective, what brings you here?"
Yami's gaze continued to follow Ryou. "I believe you know the answer to that."
"Come with me detective." Ryou stood up. "We shouldn't bother the young girl while she is asleep." He led Yami out of the room and into the living room.
"You can stop pretending Bakura." Yami's gaze had yet to worn down. "I know what you and Marik are up to."
A soft demonic laugh escaped the lips of Bakura. "Oh, is that so? Forgive me for being impolite," he pointed at Shizuka standing not more than four feet behind Yami. "Meet my little assistant Ishizu."
Yami whirled his head around, his eyes widened with surprise, recognizing her. "You, you were the one who resurrected us."
"She was also responsible for resurrecting yours truly."
"What is the matter? Why does she not speak?"
"She is deaf. I can assure you that."
"You lie. She does speak."
"She is taking orders from me. She is, after all, bound to me as a slave."
"She did not seem that way when we first met." Yami kept his eyes on Ishizu. Ishizu gave Yami a blank stare, the rod of Anubis in her hand.
"That's because she does not know her place too well," he shook his head. "A young maiden born to an angel and a demon. Pity that her parents were sealed in the darkness courtesy of Death." He then looked over Ishizu for a moment. "Kill him."
Yami glared at Bakura. "I'm already dead you fool.
"I still can destroy you. Unlike you, we four know the dark arts."
"Who are these four you speak of?"
"Of course, there's me. Then there's my lovely assistant Ishizu and there's Marik."
"Marik's back?"
Bakura nodded. "Oh yes he is. He simply just could not stay in the darkness forever."
"Where is he?"
"Oh," Bakura held a sly grin. "He's dealing with Tea."
"Say what?" Yami raced towards the window, looking outside, seeing the car gone. "Shit! Where did he take her?"
"How should I know?" Bakura shrugged. "It isn't any of my business on what he will do to her."
"For your information, it is my business on what happens to her."
"Look Yami, I have no time for this." He glared at Ishizu. "Kill him!"
Wordlessly, Ishizu took out her rod. Her eyes glazed at Bakura, then at Yami before she spoke. "Yami, get out of here, now!"
"BITCH!!" Bakura glared at Ishizu. "What does that mean?"
"What are you trying to say?" Yami looked up at Ishizu strangely.
"Just go! Quickly! Your child is not here! I sent Death to take her out of here for now. She is not dead but…oh hell, just go!" her rod glowed, creating a portal. Yami went through the portal before it closed up.
"Why you fucking tramp!" Bakura cracked his knuckles. "You just went too far."
"I brought you back to life," her fingers gripped onto her rod. "And I can send you to your death once more." The rod of Anubis glowed once more as she pointed it to him.
"So it is tenacity after all. You did side with them." Holding out his hand, a dark sphere formed within the palm of his hand. "Perhaps we should settle this once and for all, no?"
At what seemed like hours, Tea finally pulled over Joey's house. She stepped out of the car, opening Marik's door. He too stepped out of the car. He handed Tea his gun, pressing her hand on top of it. Leaning forward, he released a dark whisper.
"Time to have a little fun, my mind slave."
Tea took a step back from Marik. She hid the gun behind her. With her free hand, she pounded on the door. Seconds later, the sound of foot stomping emerged before the door finally swung open. Joey's hair was wet, wearing nothing more but a towel wrapped around his waist. "Got Tea, you know I have my usual showers at 6:00." He sighed. "But since you're here…" he took a step back. "Come in."
Tea took a step inside, gazing at Joey blankly. She felt the ice-cold metal pressing onto her back.
"Okay Tea," Joey smiled. "Just do what you want while I'm in the shower."
As soon as the words slipped from his lips, Tea whipped out the gun Marik had given to her. Joey's eyes widened as he caught sight of the weapon. "Tea, what' s going on?" his voice shook as he watched tea pointing the gun to him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Her lifeless gaze bored into Joey's as her fingers worked on the trigger before finally pulling it. A loud shot rang through the house. Unable to dodge it in time, the single bullet pierced through his chest. She had missed his heart by an inch.
Joey's eyes opened wide as the pain ran through his veins. A pain so exquisite, it was beyond torture. Feeling light-headed, his world started to spin out of control. He fell onto his back, lying in a pool of his own blood.
A cold smirk played Tea's lips as she gazed down at his body. She then turned on her heel and left the home where Marik awaited by the car.
Shadi sat on a bench that served as a waiting area for the bus. Miyako was still sleeping on his lap. His eyes watched the sun set from them mountains. A cranky one today for he had not drank down at least one soul.
Suddenly, Miyako slowly stirred from her long sleep. "Huh?" he rubbed her eyes. "Were am I?"
"You've been asleep for quite some time child. Ryou thought it was best that I take you out of the apartment for some fresh air."
Miyako took a glance up at Shadi into his eyes. Her eyes became fearful as she uttered only one word. "Death?"
"Ah, so you can see right through me." He fixed his turban. "Not bad, child."
"I suppose you are to steal my soul.
"I would not mind doing such." He smiled. "However, I will deal with that later."
"Hey Miyako!" Serenity passed by on her bicycle, stepping on her breaks the moment she saw her.
"I…" Miyako started to say, turning to her left where Shadi was sitting, noticing he was gone, as if he vanished within thin air. "I was not really talking to anyone."
Serenity quirked one eyebrow, looking at Miyako strantgely. "Oh?" she then on got off her bike, making her way towards the bench." It's been a while. "How's Joey?"
Miyako's eyes gazed down at the cracks of the sidewalk. "I no longer stay with him."
"What do you mean? " Serenity looked over her.
"I…I no longer live with him."
"What? Why?" Serenity was taken back.
"We had a very huge argument and I just simply stepped out."
"So…if you're not living with Joey, then who are you staying with?"
"Well, I'm staying with Ryou. He's a good a friend of mine."
"Hmm…well, I won't be pressing for details on why you ran off on my brother but I insist that you would at least return to his house so you guys can talk and hopefully work things out. And maybe…just maybe, you can move back in with him. I know he misses you deeply and I'm sure you miss him as well."
"I do miss him actually." Miyako said quietly. "But I'm not sure if he would forgive me for what I have done."
"Listen, I know my brother all too well," she smiled softly. "I'm sure he already forgave you."
"Yo Serenity!" Tristan called out. Looking up, she saw a Cadillac pull over. The windows rolled down as there revealed Tristan and Duke Devlin. "C'mon, you can put your bike in the trunk. We're going to Joey's house."
"Coming," Serenity smiled. "C'mon Miyako, this will be a perfect time for you and Joey to make up."
"Oh all right." Miyako stood up as the two made their way to the car while Tristan helped placing the bike. Serenity slipped into the backseat with Duke while Miyako hopped in the front seat, looking at the two curiously.
"Serenity, what happened to the Korean guy?"
"Huh?" Serenity looked up at Miyako. "Oh, you mean Li? Well, in a good way, we broke up last month." She sighed. "I'm dating someone else and so is he. He's back in Korea. By the way, this is Duke." She turned to Duke. "Duke, this is Tea and Yami's daughter Miyako."
"Damn," Duke grinned. "If only I was fifteen once more, I would go out with you."
Miyako blushed. Duke looked into her eyes for a moment. "Yep, she looks just like her parents. But her eyes…I've never seen that shade of blue before."
"Well…" Miyako started to say.
"You don't have to say it Miyako." Serenity smiled.
Tristan finally slid into the driver's seat. "Hey Miyako, we're going to Joey's house."
"Yes, I know." Miyako nodded. Tristan started up the engine as they made the fifteen-minute drive. In no time, they arrived at his house.
"I can't wait to see him!" Serenity squealed with excitement, jumping out of the car. "I have been in China for nearly two months and didn't have any contact with him." She rushed to the front door.
"Hey Serenity," Duke undid his seatbelt, getting out of the car. "Wait up. It's not as if Joey's not home. We called him earlier and he said he didn't have anything planned for tonight."
Excitedly, Serenity knocked on the door. "Joey." She then opened the door. "Joey, it's me Serenity. I'm back from China."
Tristan and Miyako slowly got out of the car, watching Serenity and Duke going inside the house.
"Do you think we should follow them?" Miyako looked up at Tristan.
"We should." But before the two could even take a step, a loud, piercing scream pierced into the air.
"Serenity!" Miyako's eyes widened as she raced towards the entrance of the house.
"Miyako, wait up!" Tristan followed her. The two reached the house, seeing Serenity kneeling on the floor, screaming Joey's name over and over. Her shirt soaked with blood, holding Joey's body in her lap.
"Oh God, Joey!" Tristan ran towards the two. Duke knelt next to Serenity, wrapping his arms around her, trying to calm her down.
Miyako covered her mouth, horrified at what she was seeing. There lied an unconscious, bleeding Joey. "Uncle Joey!" her eyes gazed at the wall, noticing a message written in kanji plastered on the wall with blood. "Miyako…" she read to herself soft enough to not let the others hear. "There will be others soon, and there will be you."
"Somebody make the bleeding stop!" Serenity shrieked. "Somebody make it stop! Make it fucking stop!!"
"Serenity calm down." Duke released his hold on her, running to the bathroom.
"I'll call the ambulance." Tristan made his way towards the phone dialing 911. "Hello? Somebody, my friend…he's been shot. Bleeding…he's not waking up. I swear! Send a fucking ambulance now!"
"Sir calm down," the operator replied. "We'll send an ambulance immediately." Tristan slammed the receiver down. Duke came back with towels, pressing it on the wound.
"Joey!" Serenity shook her brother, trembling, tears streaking down her eyes. "Joey, damn it wake up!" Wake up! Why aren't you waking up?!?"
Miyako stood still at the doorway, unable to move.
"I did not take Joey's soul, child." Shadi's voice whispered in her ear.
"Then what is going on?" Miyako whispered back.
"His soul is within the darkest corners of his mind. A mind is a maze that the right path must be chosen in order to escape the dark and enter the light." He then turned around and disappeared within the air.
Moments later, an ambulance pulled over by the sidewalk. Paramedics came out with a stretcher, rushing inside the house, looking over Joey.
"Is he going to be okay?" Serenity cried out. "Is he? Is he?"
"Ma'am, calm down." One of the paramedics replied. "We are not sure." They placed Joey on the stretcher, taking him to the ambulance.
"I'll ride along with the paramedics." Tristan followed them. "Duke, take Serenity out of here. Take her back to your house."
"What about Miyako?" Duke took off his shirt, handing it to Serenity. Serenity went inside the kitchen to change.
"I'll be fine." Miyako's voice traveled. "I'll sleep over at a friend's house." She then turned and left.
~*To Be Continued*~