Well, here we go! Chapter 12! But first, to those who reviewed last time:
-Cheetah Goddess - I'm trying, I'm trying! I'm just so uninspired about that story, I kinda lost interest! And now with 's stupid rule, I don't think I'll be able to update!
-Serpent's-Embrace -Yeah, I know it was short compared to chapter 10, but there probably won't be a really long one for a while. You see, because I'm making this up as I go, I get stuck. A lot. -.-
-roses in bloom - Thanks! I'm really glad you like it! : )
-Fuschicho Hime -blushes- You really think so? Thank you! : ) Oh, and don't worry, Yami will get his revenge this chapter! : D BWAHAHA!
-Sylvia Viridian -What's Battousai? I really am curious! I don't get to watch much anime... 1. My parents think it's crap. 2. I don't have very many channels with anime on them. 3. All the anime I CAN watch is usually at what my parents have deemed the 'ungodly hours'. (They barely let me watch Inuyasha, for crying out loud!! It's at 11:00 on a Saturday, I don't see the big deal!!) Sorry, I'm just ranting aren't I? : ) Thanks for the review!
-Tinyflyer02 -Thank YOU for the review! ; )
-norestar-angel - If you liked chapter 11, wait until you read this one! It's Yami/Tea galore! : )
Thanx to all of you! Now, the disclaimer: Dragon Queen16 does not own Yu-gi-oh....Are you happy now? Oooo. Come on, tell it to my face, or have I been erased? Are you happy now? Oooo. Are you happy now?...
'Great, you made her break into song. Nice going.'
"It's not my fault! I needed to eat!"
'You don't need to eat! You're not even real!'
"-gasp- DIE!!!" -attacks Spitfire-
I'm going to save Spitfire the humiliation of lots of people seeing his defeat. Here's chapter 12- A Demon's Retribution!
.....
Tea stared around the cold stone chamber, terrified. She was in a chair, her arms and legs chained and locked. It would have been easy to escape using her angel powers, but for some reason they just wouldn't work. As if reading her thoughts, Uverdon sneered at her and said, "We know about your little magic tricks, wench. That's why we brought you here, to this magic-proof chamber. Quite clever of us, don't you think?"
Tea glared at her captor, sure she had never felt such antipathy for a single being. She spat at him, her voice acrid, "You? Clever? Ha! You couldn't make a more humorous statement if you tried."
Uverdon sneered and slapped her across the face. "Watch your tongue, wench, or I might just kill you, slowly and painfully." To add effect to his statement, Uverdon drew a dagger from underneath his cloak, the tip glowing sickly green. He pressed the dagger to her throat, the blade nearly pricking her skin. "One more smart-ass remark like that," He said, his dark eyes gleaming cruelly, "and my hand might just slip. Clear?"
"You won't kill me, you need me." Tea said defiantly.
"Aye, true. But this poison won't kill you. At least, not right away. No, instead, it sends white hot pain coursing through every inch of your body within seconds. Pain so great that you wish the poison had killed you. Then, if not treated, the pain gets worse as the poison slowly deteriorates your body from the inside out. Ah, but here's the beauty of it. The pain keeps your heart beating, so you don't die until the poison reaches your head. And that usually takes a month or two. Marvelous stuff, if I do say so myself." Uverdon grinned cruelly at her, slowly withdrawing the blade, and turned around, only to stare into cold, dark red eyes.
"Really?" Yami said, his voice now raspy and deeper, "I'd like to see that for myself." He grabbed the dagger out of the dumbfounded Uverdon's hand and plunged it deep into the minotaur's stomach. Uverdon screamed as the poison took effect and fell to the floor, writhing in pain. He hardly seemed to notice that his pain-induced thrashings on the rocky floor were only wounding him more. Agonizing screams poured out of him as abundantly as his blood. With a shaking hand, he reached under his cloak and drew out his sword. He wasted no time in plunging the sword straight through his own heart, effectively killing himself.
Yami chuckled coldly as he stared at Uverdon's corpse, twisted in agony. "How disappointing." Then he turned his gaze to Tea, who shuddered inwardly. This was not the Yami she knew. Had she not known better, she would have thought this was his Truedemon form. His skin was a vivid red, with the odd spike sticking out. His hands ended into claws, claws she noticed were drenched in blood. His eyes were even darker, almost black, as they stared into hers. Tea felt the intense cold of fear drop into the pit of her stomach as she stared at the monster before her. Was...was this what the Nameless One had warned her about? Had Yami fallen into evil and fully become the Crimson Darkness? For a moment she feared he had, until she noticed that, as repulsive as he was, there were no wings, nor a tail. She sighed in relief and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, Yami stood there, only he was back to normal. He bent down to the now dead Uverdon and searched through his pockets. With a triumphant cry, Yami stood up, a rusted key in his hand. He walked swiftly over to Tea and unlocked the chains before helping her to her feet. Her hands and feet, however, were numb from the brutally-tight chains cutting off the circulation. With a cry, her unstable feet gave way and she fell, right into Yami's arms.
"Are you all right, Tea?" Yami asked, his deep voice causing her to shiver.
"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine," She said, the feeling beginning to come back into her feet and hands. She felt safe in Yami's arms, despite the fact he was a demon. He wasn't like other demons, or even other demon-turned mortals. No, he was...different. Good. And she planned to keep him that way.
A great wave of pain interrupted her musings. Gasping, she looked down at her side, where blood was rapidly seeping through the material of her shirt. She barely had strength enough to pull the bloodstained throwing knife out of her before she collapsed in Yami's arms, unconscious
A cold chuckle reverberated through the stone chamber. "Well, well, Yami. You finally showed up," the figure said, moving out of the shadows. Yami immediately recognized the blonde, red-eyed demon as Zernogh. "Sorry about that little knife trick, but I knew you wouldn't cooperate otherwise." Zernogh threw another dagger, the sharp blade burrowing into the solid rock of the chamber floor. A paper was pinned underneath it.
Yami carefully and gently laid Tea on the ground before moving to where the dagger had struck. He picked up the paper from under the dagger cautiously, never removing his eyes from Zernogh. He stood up, with what he recognized as a blood oath in his hands, and faced Zernogh. "And what makes you think," He said as calmly as he could, "that I will agree to this? Tea's wound is not fatal."
"True, Yami. The wound itself isn't fatal, but the poison now running through her veins is another matter entirely. And I," He said, holding up a small vial, "am the only one who has the antidote." He grinned maliciously at the hatred on Yami's face. "So," he gestured to the blood oath, "what'll it be? Your powers? Or your precious angel?"
Reluctantly, Yami picked the dagger up from the floor and slitted his arm, one drop of blood managing to drop onto the paper before the wound closed up. He walked over to Zernogh and thrust the paper in his hands. "There," he said acidly, "Now I believe you said I could get Tea somewhere safe. Does that still stand?"
"It does," said a smirking Zernogh, taking the paper, "but hurry back. The poison takes full effect within two hours."
With a final spiteful glare at Zernogh, Yami walked over to Tea and picked her up. Her face had gone so pale, he wondered if she could last two hours. Yami lifted his gaze from her face as he walked down the bare stone corridor. If he remembered this place correctly, there was a bedroom just a few doors down where he could put Tea, for now. On his way, he saw the contorted corpse of Derrdra, his neck twisted in a disgustingly unnatural position. Yami shuddered at what he had briefly become, the evil that had taken over his body. If it hadn't been for the sight of Tea, unscathed, who knows what he might've done. He might have even hurt her in the unleashed power of the Crimson Darkness. Yami flinched at that thought. He had to keep a closer check on his emotions from now on. He might not be able to stop himself next time. Yami shook his head, as if trying to clear such thoughts from his mind. Ah, he thought, there's the room."
.....
Tea groaned and opened her eyes slowly. Where... where was she? And where was Yami? Then the events of the last hour came back full force in her mind. She gasped in realization. Yami was going to give up his powers and allow Zernogh to kill him! Startled, Tea sprung from the bed, only to come crashing down again, doubled up in pain. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she get up? Tears came to Tea's eyes, her body experiencing two different kinds of pain at once. Why would he agree to something like this? Didn't Yami know how much she needed him? How much she lo-- Tea stopped, her subconscious mind revealing a truth she hadn't seen until this moment. She...loved him? Then, through the tears and pain a smile appeared on her face. Yeah, she thought, I guess I do...
She fell into unconsciousness, a smile still upon her face. .....
Yami entered the chamber again, walking boldly up to Zernogh. "All right, Zernogh. She's getting worse. Hand over the potion."
"How will I know you won't just leave after you give it to her?
"I thought that was the reason for the blood oath?" Yami said, raising up an eyebrow in question. "And besides, Zernogh, I'm a man of my honor!" He said, throwing both arms wide. "One of the 'good guys'. Surely you can trust me if no one else?" Yami smirked mockingly as he draped one arm over the demon's shoulders.
"Fine. But you've only got five minutes," Zernogh yielded, handing Yami the small black vial.
"Understood," Yami said, taking the vial from Zernogh's hand and walking briskly out of the chamber. He walked as quickly as he could down the corridor, careful to avoid Derrdra's mangled body. Upon reaching the right door, he quickly flung it open and walked inside, almost afraid of what he might see. Instead, a smile of relief crossed his face. She was lying on the bed, curled up, a smile on her face. He tried to wake her up, but she seemed to be in a comatose state. Must be an effect of the poison, he thought. Gently, he pinched her nose to make her mouth open so he give her the antidote. That done, he propped her up into a sitting position and poured the potion down her throat. He set her gently down on the bed, smiling at her angelic form. He sighed, "If only you knew, Tea..." His voice trailing off as he walked out of the room.
.....
Yami walked, once again, into the stone chamber, resolution written all over his features. His eyes scanned the harsh stone room in search of Zernogh, only to be met with the ever-present dark and dreary atmosphere. His body tensed as he heard a slight noise from behind him. He cautiously turned around, seeing two points of red out of the corner of his eyes. As the cold glint of the athame was raised, Yami casually stepped sideways, causing Zernogh to stumble to the dull stone floor. Yami deftly placed his foot on the fallen demon's back, preventing Zernogh from escaping.
A surprised Zernogh spoke, "What are you doing, you fool? You have signed a blood oath, there is nothing you can do!"
"Oh? You mean, this blood oath?" Yami said, holding up the tattered piece of paper that quickly erupted into flames.
"B..but how...it, it was in my pocket..and.," Zernogh stammered.
"Stop your chattering, you demented idiot. I swiped it from you when you gave me the vial," Yami smirked at his helpless adversary, who was, at the moment, completely and utterly stupefied. "Now," He said, kicking Zernogh, "get on your feet. I'm not a cold-blooded killer like you."
Snarling, Zernogh lunged to his feet and brandished a sword, which he quickly plunged into Yami's chest. "Die!"
Yami laughed mockingly, "Die? Zernogh, I'm the Crimson Darkness! Or have you forgotten that little detail in that puny brain of yours?" He sneered, pulling the sword out of his body, the wound healing within a matter of seconds. He backed Zernogh into a corner, the demon desperately trying to find a way out.
Finally, Zernogh spoke to Yami, words that would soon be his last, "You...you conniving scum! Have you no honor left to abide by a simple oath?"
"Oh, but I am, Zernogh," Yami said, his eyes glinting dangerously, "because I swore to myself three years from today that I would slay you and rid the world of your pathetic existence. I think that promise holds more than your pitiful blood oath ever could." With that, Yami thrust the sword deep into the demon's belly, relishing the screams and the pain that he had no doubt caused others. With a final sigh, Zernogh fell to the floor, as lifeless as his partners Derrdra and Uverdon.
Yami threw Zernogh's sword to the ground, feeling it fitting that the blade that had taken so many innocent lives now took the one of its wielder. It clattered on the stone floor, next to the wide-eyed Zernogh. Yami curled his lip in disgust and turned away towards the exit. Without so much as a glance back, he left the chamber, leaving the memory of Zernogh of the Thirteen behind.
.....
As Yami entered the room, he was embraced by a sobbing Tea. Confused, he led her heaving body to the bed, where he set her down. "Tea, what's wrong?"
After controlling her tears, she spoke, relief evident in her voice. "I...I was just...just so scared, Yami...I thought...I thought Zernogh had killed you..." Then she stiffened, remembering that Zernogh was a shapeshifter. She looked at Yami suspiciously, "You are Yami, aren't you?"
He laughed at her wariness, and replied, "Of course I am, though I don't blame you. Watch." He pulled a dagger out of his pocket and slit his arm, the wound closing up almost as soon as it was cut.
She smiled in relief, closing her eyes briefly before meeting his. She averted her gaze and bit her lip, suddenly very interested in the carpet covering the floor. "Yami..." She began hesitantly, "this whole...situation has thrown things into perspective for me. And, I want you to know, before anything else happens..." She sighed, irritated at herself, and just blurted it out. "Xenorith help me, Yami, but I...I think I'm in love with you." Tea closed her eyes, expecting the worst. Instead she was met with Yami's relieved laugh. Timidly, she met his eyes, eyes that sparkled in joy.
"Tea, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that!" Seeing her slightly confused expression, he added, "The thing is, Tea, I think I'm in love with you too." And with that, he pulled her into a passionate kiss, one she gladly returned.
.....
Awww! Well, you've had to wait 12 chapters, but wasn't it worth it?
'No, because this chapter was a piece of crap.'
Do the world a favor, Spitfire. Shut up.
'Will do!'
-sigh- -.- Okay, nuf of that. See ya next chapter! Don't forget to review on your way out!
-Cheetah Goddess - I'm trying, I'm trying! I'm just so uninspired about that story, I kinda lost interest! And now with 's stupid rule, I don't think I'll be able to update!
-Serpent's-Embrace -Yeah, I know it was short compared to chapter 10, but there probably won't be a really long one for a while. You see, because I'm making this up as I go, I get stuck. A lot. -.-
-roses in bloom - Thanks! I'm really glad you like it! : )
-Fuschicho Hime -blushes- You really think so? Thank you! : ) Oh, and don't worry, Yami will get his revenge this chapter! : D BWAHAHA!
-Sylvia Viridian -What's Battousai? I really am curious! I don't get to watch much anime... 1. My parents think it's crap. 2. I don't have very many channels with anime on them. 3. All the anime I CAN watch is usually at what my parents have deemed the 'ungodly hours'. (They barely let me watch Inuyasha, for crying out loud!! It's at 11:00 on a Saturday, I don't see the big deal!!) Sorry, I'm just ranting aren't I? : ) Thanks for the review!
-Tinyflyer02 -Thank YOU for the review! ; )
-norestar-angel - If you liked chapter 11, wait until you read this one! It's Yami/Tea galore! : )
Thanx to all of you! Now, the disclaimer: Dragon Queen16 does not own Yu-gi-oh....Are you happy now? Oooo. Come on, tell it to my face, or have I been erased? Are you happy now? Oooo. Are you happy now?...
'Great, you made her break into song. Nice going.'
"It's not my fault! I needed to eat!"
'You don't need to eat! You're not even real!'
"-gasp- DIE!!!" -attacks Spitfire-
I'm going to save Spitfire the humiliation of lots of people seeing his defeat. Here's chapter 12- A Demon's Retribution!
.....
Tea stared around the cold stone chamber, terrified. She was in a chair, her arms and legs chained and locked. It would have been easy to escape using her angel powers, but for some reason they just wouldn't work. As if reading her thoughts, Uverdon sneered at her and said, "We know about your little magic tricks, wench. That's why we brought you here, to this magic-proof chamber. Quite clever of us, don't you think?"
Tea glared at her captor, sure she had never felt such antipathy for a single being. She spat at him, her voice acrid, "You? Clever? Ha! You couldn't make a more humorous statement if you tried."
Uverdon sneered and slapped her across the face. "Watch your tongue, wench, or I might just kill you, slowly and painfully." To add effect to his statement, Uverdon drew a dagger from underneath his cloak, the tip glowing sickly green. He pressed the dagger to her throat, the blade nearly pricking her skin. "One more smart-ass remark like that," He said, his dark eyes gleaming cruelly, "and my hand might just slip. Clear?"
"You won't kill me, you need me." Tea said defiantly.
"Aye, true. But this poison won't kill you. At least, not right away. No, instead, it sends white hot pain coursing through every inch of your body within seconds. Pain so great that you wish the poison had killed you. Then, if not treated, the pain gets worse as the poison slowly deteriorates your body from the inside out. Ah, but here's the beauty of it. The pain keeps your heart beating, so you don't die until the poison reaches your head. And that usually takes a month or two. Marvelous stuff, if I do say so myself." Uverdon grinned cruelly at her, slowly withdrawing the blade, and turned around, only to stare into cold, dark red eyes.
"Really?" Yami said, his voice now raspy and deeper, "I'd like to see that for myself." He grabbed the dagger out of the dumbfounded Uverdon's hand and plunged it deep into the minotaur's stomach. Uverdon screamed as the poison took effect and fell to the floor, writhing in pain. He hardly seemed to notice that his pain-induced thrashings on the rocky floor were only wounding him more. Agonizing screams poured out of him as abundantly as his blood. With a shaking hand, he reached under his cloak and drew out his sword. He wasted no time in plunging the sword straight through his own heart, effectively killing himself.
Yami chuckled coldly as he stared at Uverdon's corpse, twisted in agony. "How disappointing." Then he turned his gaze to Tea, who shuddered inwardly. This was not the Yami she knew. Had she not known better, she would have thought this was his Truedemon form. His skin was a vivid red, with the odd spike sticking out. His hands ended into claws, claws she noticed were drenched in blood. His eyes were even darker, almost black, as they stared into hers. Tea felt the intense cold of fear drop into the pit of her stomach as she stared at the monster before her. Was...was this what the Nameless One had warned her about? Had Yami fallen into evil and fully become the Crimson Darkness? For a moment she feared he had, until she noticed that, as repulsive as he was, there were no wings, nor a tail. She sighed in relief and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, Yami stood there, only he was back to normal. He bent down to the now dead Uverdon and searched through his pockets. With a triumphant cry, Yami stood up, a rusted key in his hand. He walked swiftly over to Tea and unlocked the chains before helping her to her feet. Her hands and feet, however, were numb from the brutally-tight chains cutting off the circulation. With a cry, her unstable feet gave way and she fell, right into Yami's arms.
"Are you all right, Tea?" Yami asked, his deep voice causing her to shiver.
"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine," She said, the feeling beginning to come back into her feet and hands. She felt safe in Yami's arms, despite the fact he was a demon. He wasn't like other demons, or even other demon-turned mortals. No, he was...different. Good. And she planned to keep him that way.
A great wave of pain interrupted her musings. Gasping, she looked down at her side, where blood was rapidly seeping through the material of her shirt. She barely had strength enough to pull the bloodstained throwing knife out of her before she collapsed in Yami's arms, unconscious
A cold chuckle reverberated through the stone chamber. "Well, well, Yami. You finally showed up," the figure said, moving out of the shadows. Yami immediately recognized the blonde, red-eyed demon as Zernogh. "Sorry about that little knife trick, but I knew you wouldn't cooperate otherwise." Zernogh threw another dagger, the sharp blade burrowing into the solid rock of the chamber floor. A paper was pinned underneath it.
Yami carefully and gently laid Tea on the ground before moving to where the dagger had struck. He picked up the paper from under the dagger cautiously, never removing his eyes from Zernogh. He stood up, with what he recognized as a blood oath in his hands, and faced Zernogh. "And what makes you think," He said as calmly as he could, "that I will agree to this? Tea's wound is not fatal."
"True, Yami. The wound itself isn't fatal, but the poison now running through her veins is another matter entirely. And I," He said, holding up a small vial, "am the only one who has the antidote." He grinned maliciously at the hatred on Yami's face. "So," he gestured to the blood oath, "what'll it be? Your powers? Or your precious angel?"
Reluctantly, Yami picked the dagger up from the floor and slitted his arm, one drop of blood managing to drop onto the paper before the wound closed up. He walked over to Zernogh and thrust the paper in his hands. "There," he said acidly, "Now I believe you said I could get Tea somewhere safe. Does that still stand?"
"It does," said a smirking Zernogh, taking the paper, "but hurry back. The poison takes full effect within two hours."
With a final spiteful glare at Zernogh, Yami walked over to Tea and picked her up. Her face had gone so pale, he wondered if she could last two hours. Yami lifted his gaze from her face as he walked down the bare stone corridor. If he remembered this place correctly, there was a bedroom just a few doors down where he could put Tea, for now. On his way, he saw the contorted corpse of Derrdra, his neck twisted in a disgustingly unnatural position. Yami shuddered at what he had briefly become, the evil that had taken over his body. If it hadn't been for the sight of Tea, unscathed, who knows what he might've done. He might have even hurt her in the unleashed power of the Crimson Darkness. Yami flinched at that thought. He had to keep a closer check on his emotions from now on. He might not be able to stop himself next time. Yami shook his head, as if trying to clear such thoughts from his mind. Ah, he thought, there's the room."
.....
Tea groaned and opened her eyes slowly. Where... where was she? And where was Yami? Then the events of the last hour came back full force in her mind. She gasped in realization. Yami was going to give up his powers and allow Zernogh to kill him! Startled, Tea sprung from the bed, only to come crashing down again, doubled up in pain. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she get up? Tears came to Tea's eyes, her body experiencing two different kinds of pain at once. Why would he agree to something like this? Didn't Yami know how much she needed him? How much she lo-- Tea stopped, her subconscious mind revealing a truth she hadn't seen until this moment. She...loved him? Then, through the tears and pain a smile appeared on her face. Yeah, she thought, I guess I do...
She fell into unconsciousness, a smile still upon her face. .....
Yami entered the chamber again, walking boldly up to Zernogh. "All right, Zernogh. She's getting worse. Hand over the potion."
"How will I know you won't just leave after you give it to her?
"I thought that was the reason for the blood oath?" Yami said, raising up an eyebrow in question. "And besides, Zernogh, I'm a man of my honor!" He said, throwing both arms wide. "One of the 'good guys'. Surely you can trust me if no one else?" Yami smirked mockingly as he draped one arm over the demon's shoulders.
"Fine. But you've only got five minutes," Zernogh yielded, handing Yami the small black vial.
"Understood," Yami said, taking the vial from Zernogh's hand and walking briskly out of the chamber. He walked as quickly as he could down the corridor, careful to avoid Derrdra's mangled body. Upon reaching the right door, he quickly flung it open and walked inside, almost afraid of what he might see. Instead, a smile of relief crossed his face. She was lying on the bed, curled up, a smile on her face. He tried to wake her up, but she seemed to be in a comatose state. Must be an effect of the poison, he thought. Gently, he pinched her nose to make her mouth open so he give her the antidote. That done, he propped her up into a sitting position and poured the potion down her throat. He set her gently down on the bed, smiling at her angelic form. He sighed, "If only you knew, Tea..." His voice trailing off as he walked out of the room.
.....
Yami walked, once again, into the stone chamber, resolution written all over his features. His eyes scanned the harsh stone room in search of Zernogh, only to be met with the ever-present dark and dreary atmosphere. His body tensed as he heard a slight noise from behind him. He cautiously turned around, seeing two points of red out of the corner of his eyes. As the cold glint of the athame was raised, Yami casually stepped sideways, causing Zernogh to stumble to the dull stone floor. Yami deftly placed his foot on the fallen demon's back, preventing Zernogh from escaping.
A surprised Zernogh spoke, "What are you doing, you fool? You have signed a blood oath, there is nothing you can do!"
"Oh? You mean, this blood oath?" Yami said, holding up the tattered piece of paper that quickly erupted into flames.
"B..but how...it, it was in my pocket..and.," Zernogh stammered.
"Stop your chattering, you demented idiot. I swiped it from you when you gave me the vial," Yami smirked at his helpless adversary, who was, at the moment, completely and utterly stupefied. "Now," He said, kicking Zernogh, "get on your feet. I'm not a cold-blooded killer like you."
Snarling, Zernogh lunged to his feet and brandished a sword, which he quickly plunged into Yami's chest. "Die!"
Yami laughed mockingly, "Die? Zernogh, I'm the Crimson Darkness! Or have you forgotten that little detail in that puny brain of yours?" He sneered, pulling the sword out of his body, the wound healing within a matter of seconds. He backed Zernogh into a corner, the demon desperately trying to find a way out.
Finally, Zernogh spoke to Yami, words that would soon be his last, "You...you conniving scum! Have you no honor left to abide by a simple oath?"
"Oh, but I am, Zernogh," Yami said, his eyes glinting dangerously, "because I swore to myself three years from today that I would slay you and rid the world of your pathetic existence. I think that promise holds more than your pitiful blood oath ever could." With that, Yami thrust the sword deep into the demon's belly, relishing the screams and the pain that he had no doubt caused others. With a final sigh, Zernogh fell to the floor, as lifeless as his partners Derrdra and Uverdon.
Yami threw Zernogh's sword to the ground, feeling it fitting that the blade that had taken so many innocent lives now took the one of its wielder. It clattered on the stone floor, next to the wide-eyed Zernogh. Yami curled his lip in disgust and turned away towards the exit. Without so much as a glance back, he left the chamber, leaving the memory of Zernogh of the Thirteen behind.
.....
As Yami entered the room, he was embraced by a sobbing Tea. Confused, he led her heaving body to the bed, where he set her down. "Tea, what's wrong?"
After controlling her tears, she spoke, relief evident in her voice. "I...I was just...just so scared, Yami...I thought...I thought Zernogh had killed you..." Then she stiffened, remembering that Zernogh was a shapeshifter. She looked at Yami suspiciously, "You are Yami, aren't you?"
He laughed at her wariness, and replied, "Of course I am, though I don't blame you. Watch." He pulled a dagger out of his pocket and slit his arm, the wound closing up almost as soon as it was cut.
She smiled in relief, closing her eyes briefly before meeting his. She averted her gaze and bit her lip, suddenly very interested in the carpet covering the floor. "Yami..." She began hesitantly, "this whole...situation has thrown things into perspective for me. And, I want you to know, before anything else happens..." She sighed, irritated at herself, and just blurted it out. "Xenorith help me, Yami, but I...I think I'm in love with you." Tea closed her eyes, expecting the worst. Instead she was met with Yami's relieved laugh. Timidly, she met his eyes, eyes that sparkled in joy.
"Tea, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that!" Seeing her slightly confused expression, he added, "The thing is, Tea, I think I'm in love with you too." And with that, he pulled her into a passionate kiss, one she gladly returned.
.....
Awww! Well, you've had to wait 12 chapters, but wasn't it worth it?
'No, because this chapter was a piece of crap.'
Do the world a favor, Spitfire. Shut up.
'Will do!'
-sigh- -.- Okay, nuf of that. See ya next chapter! Don't forget to review on your way out!