Chapter 9. Heartless
She did not expect to die. She did not expect to live again. And she certainly didn't expect to get choked three seconds into life.
Gakk! I can't breathe! Neko croaked around the arms around every reachable part of her body. Even Téa hugged her. She needed to feel the warmth in her skin and see that her hour of death was over, and that somehow ancient magic had conquered it. But there where some who just stood, apart from the group; some whose horror was more complete than their joy.
My god, Whispered Bakura, How could he? He broke the rules of this world... the dead stay dead... Neko opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Yugi let go to see if he was choking her and that was the problem. She still made no noise. Without turning her head or blinking, she asked, Where is the comb? Who won the tournament?
What- it's here, Neko, Replied a very confused Yugi, as the item was passed from Joey to Yugi to Neko. Neko did not look at the item once it was in her hands, but sat still for a minute and put it into her hair.
Excuse me. She said softly and without emotion. She stiffly stood up and walked towards the door behind the dueling arena.
Where's she going? Asked a confused Téa.
Yugi murmured with intrigue. He stood and quietly followed her. She didn't seem to notice him.
In a way, Muttered Mau, I am grateful to Pegasus for helping me find Yami, but he also needs to be punished. We must find something which is both a punishment and a blessing.
I don't like the sound of this. Replied Neko without any emotion.
Is something wrong? Usually you scream when I even make a vague allusion to killing someone.
I want to scream. I know I should. I know. That's all I seem to be able to do. Something has apparently gone wrong with the resurrection. Mau took control. She followed the sound of a man crying up a long flight of stairs. There where windows every four feet on the stairs, but no fixtures, casting her in light, then darkness, then light again. As she walked in and out of the shadows the windows created, her face switched back to Neko in the light.
I want to scream.
Do it. Do it and let them find what you are doing.
You say that as if it's shameful.
It is. But it is also necessary. Mau opened the door to Pegasus' private room. He was crying before a painting of his wife.
Maxilmillion Pegasus. She said softly, just loud enough to be heard over his tears.
What do you want? He snapped. He added bitterly, as if to prove that he knew his spell was broken.
I came here for two reasons, Pegasus.
Which are? He sniffed.
First, to assure you- She purred, stroking a long golden lock of hair, -that the death of Neko Mikiko was none of your doing.
I know.
Well, I thought you might like to be assured before I helped you.
Helped me? Do what?
You helped me find my husband, however inadvertently. So I will help you with your quest. I will reunite you and your wife. He turned quickly.
What? Are there powers in the comb that can do that?
So to speak. She replied softly, turning the eye on the back of the comb.
I swear, Breathed Joey, If I ever see another body again, I'll puke. Suddenly they heard Neko's piercing scream from up the stairs.
Cried Yugi.
Aw, man, you first, Yug. Moaned Joey.
Don't kid about things like that! Snapped Bakura.
Maxilmillion Pegasus exhaled. He felt... free. But cold. He kept his eyes closed and listened to the wind. Suddenly a voice came upon it which forced them open.
He opened his eyes and saw the most beautiful, most wonderful thing imaginable. His eyes, both of them, the Eye was gone but he didn't need it anymore, could not see anything past what was coming towards him. In the pink dress she died in, with her eyes full, so full that he realized again what a mockery that thing he created was, her smile so clear. Her beauty had fuzzed in his mind, like a photograph worn through hundreds of dreams. She was in his arms, she was real, she was real, he kissed her, she was soft and warm and perfect.
How did you come here?
A woman told me she knew how to find you.. and what was next I don't know, there was shock, then pain, then you. That's all that matters, oh my love, you're... oh... He cried with happiness as he embraced her.
I do hate to break up a good love-fest, Interrupted Anubis, But she'll have your heart for eternity, I only need it for a few minutes. And when you go, remember to take it with you. I don't need this clutter... He indicated a stylized heart sitting on his table beating rapidly, Last one left hers here.
The midget patrol dashed up the stairs madly, dark then light then dark, Yugi leading. He opened the door to Pegasus' chamber without any thought. Neko was crying. No, just shaking. Holding her head between her knees and shaking, covering her face. But Pegasus was, surely. He had fallen to the ground in despair, and now layed on his side with his coat spread around him, crying. No. He wasn't crying. He wasn't moving. His coat didn't go down that far. The red spread around him was-
Oh, my god. Yugi gasped. Joey fell to his knees outside and bittered the carpet like he had promised. Yami slowly closed his eyes out of respect.
Neko? Did you find him like this? Did he kill himself? Asked Téa.
...no... I told you not to trust her, Yugi... te he... said she did bad things... sent him to Anubis... sent his wife down before him to greet him... te he... She giggled gently.
...te he... she likes them in pairs... te he... father than mother, misses than mister... te he... but she'll get them all eventually... don't trust her Yugi... she wants to get you, too...
What happened? Was there an accident?
...no... it's never an accident... there is no such thing as an accident... She took her face out of her hands. Yugi recoiled. Two small red hand prints covered Neko's face. The knife was at her feet and her hands were covered in blood. Yugi suddenly understood what she had said to him in their first duel. .... the things this body's done... her quest must continue... but she must not win... not to do the same to you... Her lifted her scarlet palms to the sky...
...you killed him... He whispered softly.
Mau did... and my parents... and his wife... and a random duelist.. and probably others in other bodies... She replied with a giggle.
Neko...? Are you... alright? Are you... laughing? She threw back her head and laughed wildly in response. As her head fell back to eye level, her laughter slowed, but did not stop. The pupils of her eyes where tiny and alot of her hair had fallen from the comb.
I left it there... she sent him to find it.. how nice of her... She stood up, slowly, and began to walk around the room. I'd ask him to bring it back but he's so happy there... I'll just have to find it myself... better than here.... anything's better than here... She opened a large window. It was taller that her and wider than from her fingertip to fingertip. She decided to test this measurement.
Neko, get down from there! Screamed Bakura.
Because! Because, oh please, Neko, don't!
Pleaded Yugi, Please don't go... you just got back, Neko, don't go... please... Neko stepped up unto the windowsill and laughed. She faced them, still laughing.
Get down, Yugi whimpered as he fell to his knees, tears in the corners of his eyes,
Bye bye Yugi. She replied in an almost singsong voice. Neko cried, leaning back, further, further- Yugi was on his feet, her feet left the sill, he was at the window, with a too-wide smile, she waved as she fell, down, down- he couldn't watch the impact.
Damn you. He whispered, the tears finally loose, Damn you! All we do to try and give you life and you throw it away? Damn you! He screamed, falling to his knees and sobbing.
Said Joey softly. Forget she came back. It's easier that way. C'mon, let's go. This tournament sucks. He put an arm around his friend and helped him stand up. As the group proceeded back down the stairs, they made an unexpected acquaintance.
Kaiba! Where have you been?
Mokuba got sick. Did I miss the finals?
He growled, sulking off to brood. The group continued silently from there, the only exception being a brief episode while they packed.
I can't find half of my things! Snapped Joey in frustration. Who moved them?
Gaia's fairies. Muttered Tristan, taking his stuff out to the car. They gave Angelie a ride home, but played no music. She had the first stop.
Hey, Angelie. Said Yugi softly.
She asked, because it was the first thing she heard since seat belts'.
Thank you. You were helpful, even if.. He trailed off.
She replied. You're welcome. I hope our next meeting isn't so eventful.
The body at the foot of the pyramid was not found for three hours. The one in the private room for five, and only then because the place was being searched for some sign of what threw this young woman out the window. The owner of the Giza was trying desperately to keep his business afloat and would spout a continuous stream of high-speed double talk to anyone who came within five feet of him.
Well, this is a horror beyond belief and we will be cooperating with the police in every way possible and let me personally apologize for this tragedy; The young woman is still unidentified but we have someone searching the contestant database and we will never have another tournament here again how ever did a simple card game become so dangerous? The flickering lights danced over the body's pale face and the comb in her hair, and suddenly an EMT screamed. She's still alive! The body laughed.