Flower Petals: Sorry about the late update. Being so close to Christmas, I've been very busy so sorry about the wait! Well, if anybody was waiting. . .

Anyhoo, hya peoples! This is the second half of one of the longest chapters. Read, and hopefully enjoy! As it is a long chapter, I don't have room to chat, but I will answer some questions.

For Nari: Kaiba does, in fact, team up with the gang later on!!! And it is a disaster. But something happens, and two people get separated, and then they find each other, only to have one of their group turn on them in the ultimate betrayal. Answer your question??? As for your other one, I will follow Duelist Kingdom for the most part. Remember, I wrote this before the second season ever began, so I didn't watch the finals until after this was completed. The duels are original, for the most part, with more original characters, an original plot, and an original, surprising twist! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! And thank you soooo much for putting me on your favorite list and for reviewing my story!

For Sakurelle: I'm so sorry your hand was numb when you were finished reading my last chapter. My fingers fell numb a lot while I was writing it. I'm surprised they haven't all just fallen off yet! Anyway, thank you for your reviews, and your story rocks!!! ^_^

For Misura: Thank you so much for your unwavering support on all my stories. There are no words that exist that can tell you how grateful I am. And if there were, then this chapter would be even longer then all the previous combined! So thank you.

For Maiden of the Moonlight: I'm going to take your advice about the "making some sort of sign to let readers know about scene changes". I would have had that in this chapter, but unfortunately, the scene never changed! So thanx for the awesome wisdom. And thank you for reviewing.

For TAB: Thank you Taleah! Hope you think I did your character justice. . .

Sorry if I forgot anybody!

WARNING: I had to make a slight change to Bakura's character, because of things I had already implied in the first chapter. Taleah's favorite card is the Change of Heart, so I had to substitute, Bakura's favorite as Dark Hole. Hope you all don't mind!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any characters from that show. But Taleah is mine. All mine!!! (evil laughter)


Flower Petals

Reunions and Revelations Part 2


Taleah didn't know how to feel. She was upset and disappointed, and angry at Kaiba for being so blunt. She could not believe that Mo had been kidnaped. He was such a sweet little boy. He did not deserve what was happening to him. Taleah's heart ached when she pictured him being locked away in a prison of some sort, all dirty and sitting with his head hung down. She quickly erased that image from her head. Must think positive, she reminded herself.

Her friends were waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. They all looked like they felt a little better. The brief respite seemed to have revived them. They greeted Taleah with hugs, and big smiles on their faces, just like she had requested.

"I'm goin' da look for some people da duel against," Joey announced. "Look out all ya weak duelists! Here I come!" He skipped off onto the path, whistling to himself.

"There's something wrong with him," Tae said. "I just can't put a finger on it."

Tristen shrugged. "He takes after me, what can I say?"

"Two peas in a pod," Yugi agreed. "Really though, we should head after him before he gets himself into any more trouble. Taleah, you should have been here earlier when he mistook a sleeping woman for a log and laid on her. It was quite the sight."

"I can imagine."

For the rest of the day, they sought out people to battle against. They didn't find anybody-it appeared that all the other duelists were on the other side of the island where it was more urban. Which was frustrating for Taleah and company, because they were still determined to win ten starchips each. And they weren't coming along any further by not being able to find anybody to compete against.

The sky had begun darkening. The sun had already set and clouds began to combine together in an effort to cover up the whole sky. They were dark, eerie, foreboding looking clouds. The long cycle of beautiful weather had come to an end.

The friends decided to call it quits and found a suitable forest to camp in. They set up the tent in a small clearing and started a fire. Yugi went to get some more firewood, Tristen and Tae got fresh water from a spring nearby, Taleah sat on a log feeling miserable, and Joey started heating up their dinner. When they were all finished with their separate chores, they sat around the camp fire and ate.

"This is delicious, Joey," Yugi told his friend.

Joey turned red. "It dis kind of good, ain't it?"

Tae looked up from her bowl. "What exactly is it? I mean, I know that it came from the café, but it tastes different. There's just so many flavors going on, it's hard to make out all the ingredients."

"A secret recipe," Joey answered mysteriously. "It has been din my family for many generations. My uncle taught me."

Tristen almost spat out his food. "You mean the same uncle that's also a spy?"

"No. Dat's my father's brother. All da good cooks come from my mother's side."

"So you take after your mother, then?" Taleah asked.

Tae, Tristen, and Yugi burst out laughing. Joey didn't find it so funny-he set down his bowl, crossed his arms, and glared at Taleah. He was such a silly sight to behold, that Taleah found herself laughing too. It felt good-she had had such a dreadful, sorrowful day. Laughing was good medicine and she instantly felt better. That was, until Tae suddenly jumped up claiming to have heard a noise from behind her.

Joey and Yugi were on the scene in an instant. They ran out in front of her and challenged whoever it was to come out. Tristen was a little less brave, and hid behind Taleah. All five waited for their future guest. But none were prepared to see their friend, Bakura, step out of the bushes.

He wore blue jeans and a white sweater which strangely seemed to have a bit of a bulge near the stomach area. His extremely light colored hair was slightly unruly and a few twigs stuck out here and there as if he had been rummaging through shrubs and brush for a long time.

Taleah was so happy to see him, that she walked right up to him and gave him a long hug. In return, he wrapped his arms around her and patted her gently on the back.

"Nice to see you too, Taleah."

"What are you doing here, Bakura?" Yugi asked. "I thought you were waiting for your parents to get back." Then he noticed something that disturbed him. "Hey, how did you get here? You're not wearing a dueling glove."

Bakura's eyes grew dark. "Oh, I have my ways." He went on to explain that his parents had been delayed even longer then expected. So he had decided to come and visit his friends rather then remain lonely, staying home. Nobody questioned him any further as to how he had gotten to the island.

"Told you I saw him," Tae said, beaming proudly.

Joey put up a hand. "Tae, ya see a lot dof things."

"Oh, you're dead."

"Make me."

Tristen cocked his head. "What kind of comeback is that? That was lame."

"Yeah," Tae agreed. "I already said that you were dead. So I can't make you anymore dead. There's no such word as 'deader'. You should go back to school."

"Make me."

Tae playfully threw her bowl at Joey. It hit him square in the head and bounced to the ground with an angry clatter. Joey retaliated by throwing a large portion of his dinner at her. She caught it with her hands, and pitched it back at him. Soon, it was an all out food war. Bowls and food were hurtled everywhere. Nothing was sacred. By the time they ran out of things to throw, they were all messy and covered with various foods.

"You see buddy," Tristen told Joey, "we just loved your food so much, that we felt the need to hurtle it at other people."

Bakura brushed a mound of vegetables off from the top of his head. "Where did you get all this food anyway?"

"It's all leftovers from a café that we go to almost every day," Yugi explained. "Knowing Joey and his stomach, we wouldn't dare go anywhere without something to snack on."

"Ah, I see."

They spoke for many minutes about various things. Bakura filled them in on what had been going on back at Domino Town. Yugi, Taleah, and Joey enthusiastically gave him details on all their battles. And Tae and Tristen expressed their shock that they had gone unnoticed for so long. Nobody had even realized that they weren't wearing dueling gloves.

"Yeah," continued Tristen, "it's been pretty easy. It's like we're invisible." He looked over at Joey. "Hey there pal, you've been staring at that Duel Monster card for hours. Favorite or something?"

"Yeah. It may not be da strongest card I have anymore, but dit's still pretty cool. Da Flame Swordsman kicks everybody's butt."

"Not mine," Tae disagreed. "My favorite card is the Magician of Faith. You'd have a tough time beating her."

"What's your favorite card, Tristen?" Yugi asked.

"The Cyber Commander." Tristen brought it out. "I like this one the best. What about you Taleah?"

Taleah dug out her dueling deck from her pants pocket. She leaved through it for awhile before she found it. The Change of Heart card. Oh, just looking at it makes me mad. Kaiba makes me mad. Anything of his, makes me mad. "I don't have a favorite."

Bakura turned to Yugi. "And you, Yugi?"

"Dark Magician, hands down."

"You guys," Tae started, "don't you think it's kind of weird having a favorite? I mean, there's so many. Don't you think it's a little strange?"

"Maybe a little," Yugi confessed. "But it's like Grandpa says, it's not about the playing cards. It's about putting a little bit of your heart into something you care about, you know?"

Taleah bowed her head. Yugi was right. He was always so logical, he could make sense out of anything. So what if Kaiba had given her, her favorite card? It was still her favorite no matter what she thought of him. "I changed my mind. Change of Heart. I like that card."

Bakura brought out his dueling deck. "My turn I guess. I like this one above all others. It is a magic card called Dark Hole. It contains the magical properties of turning the tables on any duel. The Dark Hole has brought me out of many tough spots. Now, I'd like to share a little something with you all. Especially you, Yugi. And you Taleah."

"What's that?"

Bakura closed his eyes and brought his hands up to his stomach. His fingers were outstretched and spread far apart. Then, he began to hum a dark tune that would make one instantly shutter with fear and uncertainty. It made the hairs rise on the back of everybody's neck. Even after he had stopped humming, the music haunted their ears.

All of a sudden, an object appeared in the space between Bakura's hands. An object that pulsated with power and magic. It was shaped like an enormous ring with small golden arrows, positioned at every mark on the compass, and a dazzling centerpiece carved in the shape of an eye. There was no doubt in anyone's mind-it was a Millennium Item.

Tae, Tristen, and Joey fell over as if they had fainted. They faces grew cold and all color was sucked away from them. They were like empty shells with hollow interiors. For some reason, Yugi and Taleah were fine.

Light blared from Yugi's Millennium Item. It surrounded him, confining him to its brilliance. A familiar presence wound up inside of him as he quickly transformed into Yu-Gi-Oh. "Our Millennium Items have protected us, Taleah. Unfortunately, our friends have no such thing."

Taleah trembled with fear and anger. "Where are they?"

Bakura didn't look like himself. His features had grown dark and wicked. He looked evil. "I shall show you." Three cards magically appeared in his hands. "I have trapped your friends' souls within their favorite cards. As you see, Millennium Items' magic can be deadly."

He flashed the cards at Taleah and Yugi. They gasped. The cards each showed a picture of a different friend. Joey had become the Flame Swordsman. He wore the outfit and appeared just like the card originally had. The middle card of the three was the Tristen Commander, in place of the Cyber Commander. Tae's was the last card. She was the Magician of Faith.

"Bakura, what have you done?" Yu-Gi-Oh cried.

Kury, or the thing that had once been Kury laughed. "Bakura! Bakura is no longer here."

Taleah was taken back. "If you're not Bakura, then who are you?"

"I am a thief and a stealer of souls. I have done many terrible things in my quest to posses the Millennium Items. You do know the legends don't you? Whoever so wields all seven Millennium Items will receive power unimaginable. And by the time I'm done with you, your Millennium Puzzle and your Bracelet, will be mine."

Yu-Gi-Oh took a step back. He gripped his Puzzle protectively. "That's not going to happen whoever you are."

The imposter snorted. "I expected as much."

"Kury, it's us. It's me, Taleah. I don't care who you have become. You were my friend. And you still are." Taleah clenched her fists. "Fight it, Kury, whatever it is. Fight what's controlling you. Fight it."

"You simple minded fool. I have explained already. And I will once more, but not again. Bakura is no longer here. He is gone. I am in control now."

"You are not!" Taleah protested. "Kury is still somewhere in there. He can fight you. I know he can! You will not get whatever it is that you want. What you're doing is wrong. Now, free my friends and return to wherever you came from."

A vicious chuckle cut through the air. "You've got spunk. I admire that. But now is not the time for such things. Now, hand over your Millennium Items or else I shall see to it that your friends stay trapped forever. You do not want that, do you?"

"Let us have a duel," Yu-Gi-Oh offered. "If I win, I get my friends back. If I lose, you can have your precious Items."

"I do not think so. Do not take me for a fool. I know of your prodigious talents, Yugi. I am wiser, and older then you can ever imagine. Now, hand over those Items, or you'll lose what you hold dearest."

"I still do not believe you," Yu-Gi-Oh persisted. "Those cards are precious bargaining tokens. You would not destroy them."

A mischievous and evil smile swept over the fraud's face. "You really think so? Then watch this." It only took a second for him to rip Tristen's card in half. The two pieces fluttered slowly to the ground, empty. "Do you believe me now?"

Taleah sank to her knees. She felt numb all over. Her vision began to fade and then became blurry with oncoming tears. "Tristen. . .he's gone. . ."

"Yes, and it's all because of him." The imposter pointed a finger at Yu-Gi-Oh. "Now, will you hand over your Items, or risk losing another friend?"

Taleah couldn't talk. She felt herself incapable of speech. The only thing that escaped her mouth were sobs. He's gone, she kept repeating to herself. He's gone.

"No answer? No angry protests? This surprises me. Better remind you of the consequences. . ." He held up Tae's card now, and positioned it just right between his fingers.

Yu-Gi-Oh had had enough. He pounced on the fraud and tried prying Tae's soul card out of his grasp. He had caught his foe unawares, and for a while, it appeared that Yu-Gi-Oh had the upper hand. But his enemy was quick, and reacted fast. They rolled over many times in a rough struggle. Yu-Gi-Oh was at a disadvantage being short, but he made up for it with nimbleness and alacrity.

The sudden movement caused Taleah to snap out of her daze. She momentarily forgot her sorrow and concentrated on finding a way to help Yu-Gi-Oh. She didn't dare lose any more friends. Think Taleah, she begged herself. How can I aid him? There must be some way. Lets see, Bakura used the power of his Millennium Item to convert my friends into cards. He used the power of his Item. The power. The magic. Did he not say that the magic from Millennium Items can be dangerous? Can it also be used for good? Does every Millennium Item have a different power? It's worth a shot.

"Yugi, use the magic of your Puzzle! It may be our only chance!"

Yu-Gi-Oh responded immediately and stepped away from the imposter. He closed his eyes and held on tightly to his Millennium Puzzle. If he felt any doubt towards what he was doing, he did not express it. In fact, it seemed that he had absolute faith in his puzzle and the magic that it was supposed to contain.

The evil spirit that had taken over Bakura screamed. He clawed at the air as if fighting some invisible enemy. He went frantic and desperately tried to get away from whatever was opposing him.

"You can not do this!" he cried. "I have waited far too long. So many centuries. I can not allow you to do this!" For a scary, brief moment, he regained partial control. Tae's card was poised and ready to be ripped into pieces.

"No!" Yu-Gi-Oh shouted. Only, it wasn't just him-Yugi cried out too. The power of them both, made the spoken sound more then any word or demand. Much more. For it was infused with magic and deep passion. Their strength, bound the souls stealer to their will. "Return evil spirit from whence you came."

The imposter had no choice but to obey. A cold, darkness seeped through the object he wore around his neck and encircled him like a black veil. It pulled him away and back into the Item he had been kept prisoner in for so long.

Kury returned to his own body. He opened his sweet brown eyes and blinked a few times. As his gaze swept over the scene, his expression became worried and twisted with pain. "What have I done?"

Yu-Gi-Oh stalked over to him and picked up an item that had appeared on the ground. It was a Duel Monster card. The Dark Hole. Only this card did not show the picture of a lonely eye peering out into an infinity of nothingness. It bore a portrait of the evil Bakura. For it held the soul stealer in the eye's place. Yu-Gi-Oh ripped it. When he was done, he ripped it again. In the end, there were too many pieces to be accounted for. Not tape nor glue nor bandages would ever bring back that card.

Tears continued to flow from Taleah's yes. She was filled with a deep sadness. One, that she knew would stay with her for a long time. Her heart felt broken, shattered. There was a pain in her chest that throbbed with grief and agony. Tristen is gone. I'll never see him again. He'll never get to smile, laugh, play, have fun, or even cry ever. Ever again . We'll never get to go see another movie or laugh together after listening to a funny joke. He won't get another chance to see his parents. He's gone. . .

Kury put his head in his hands. "I'm so sorry. So sorry. What have I done?"

Yu-Gi-Oh put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It was not your fault. One of the spirits from your Millennium Item took over you. My guess, is that when the people's souls were taken to be put in the Items, not all were willing. Some people may have been forced or even tricked into giving up their souls. And now, they're thirsty for revenge. I am not sure, but that is my theory." He averted his gaze to Taleah. "I am sorry. Our hearts will ache in sadness for quite some time over this sudden loss. But. . .wait. . .maybe it's not too late. Bakura's Millennium Item gives him the power to take souls away. Mine, enables me to restore and aid them. Do you know what yours does?"

Taleah shook her head. The truth was, she had no idea. True, it comforted her in times of distress, but was that all? It was reliable and dependable. It had always come through for her. So maybe it will again.

For the first time, she took off her Bracelet. Surprisingly, it came off easily. Her wrist felt bare, defenseless, and naked without it. She felt as if she needed it, and once almost put it back on. But she would not succumb to her desire. A life was counting on it. She pressed her bracelet tightly against her chest, clearing her mind and channeling her thoughts.

All she wanted right then was to bring her friends back. Her friends meant the world to her. Without them, she would have no place. Her life would be empty and devoid of happiness. If they weren't there, she would have no one to share her life with. My friends are my life. They are my everything.

She felt Tae and Joey return. She felt them regain consciousness and she felt their astonishment as they pieced together what had happened. She was glad they were back, but they were not who she was most worried about.

Taleah concentrated hard on Tristen, her Millennium Item warm against her skin. She thought about him, and how although he lacked courage, he was a loving and devoted friend. One who could always be trusted and counted on. It was a fact that he would never stand up to anyone, or fight for a noble cause. But that didn't make him any less of a person. Sure, he wasn't brave or courageous, but was kind and soft spoken. He was fiercely loyal to his friends and expressed his great love for them through thoughtful acts of kindness. I remember the time when he had come over to my house to visit me and found me on the ground in my bedroom, weeping. It had been a long day for me, and I was frustrated and angry. He stayed with me. Cracked a few jokes, cheered me up. Wouldn't leave until I had stopped crying. That's devotion. There was another time when everything that had gone on that day had turned out to be a complete disaster. Tristen had bought me flowers and a big balloon that had busted two seconds later. That's thoughtful. He has always been there to support me. That's loving. With her last remaining strength, she willed him back.

Color returned to Tristen's body. His chest began to rise and fall in a steady pattern. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes. Tristen was back.

"Tristen!" Joey and Tae shouted. They rushed over to their friend and pounded him with questions.

Taleah didn't know what had happened. One minute he was gone, the next ,he had returned. Was it somehow her doing? Had her Millennium Bracelet helped her? She gazed down at It. It appeared so normal looking for something that was supposed to hold immense power. Suddenly, her wrist felt cold so she slipped her bracelet back on. It immediately warmed her up.

The presence dissipated back into Yugi's Puzzle. "You keep those you love safe," he explained to Taleah.

Kury was still apologizing. "I'm so sorry. I never intended for any of this to happen. Tristen, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"It wasn't your fault."

"Don't blame yourself."

"How did you get your Millennium Item?"

"My father picked it up on one of his trips." Bakura looked down at it. "He was shopping amongst many merchants when the Millennium Ring caught his eye. The guy who sold it to him said that it had something to do with Duel Monsters. Which never made any sense to me because the card game is new and the Ring, clearly ancient. When my father returned, he gave it to me. He said he felt I was destined to have it. Although, now I wish that he had never given it to me."

"Don't say that," Taleah warned. "I believe in destiny. In fate. What happens is meant to happen. There is nos such thing as chance or coincidence. You were meant to have it. Just as I was meant to have mine, and Yugi, his. Maybe It still has some role to play in the future for good or bad."

"That's interesting," Tae admitted. "Isn't that one of the dialogues from Love Ties?"

"Er. Yes, I miss watching it every morning."

"What are we going to do with this circumstance?" Joey asked. Everybody looked at him. "Bakura, he has to stay here doesn't he? I mean, you'll get in trouble if you're found. And your parents aren't back yet."

"I would not want to intrude on your vacation," Bakura stated. "Besides, after what just happened, you probably won't be wanting me around."

"Nonsense," Tristen said. "Stay with us. You don't have anywhere else to go. And, it will be nice to have you back, bud. Although, I can't help wondering if that evil spirit is really gone. Could it come back?"

Yugi shrugged. "I don't know. There's still a lot that I don't know about Millennium Items. Lets just pray that it doesn't."

"Yeah," everybody said at once. They laughed. Then, without another word, they put out the fire and prepared for bed. It was late, and it had been a long day.

~

Flower Petals: Sorry, I know it wasn't the best written chapter. In fact, it was probably the worst. . .They get better! Well, at least, I think. . .I have so much to say, so here it goes, and PLEASE READ PEOPLES!!!

1. Thank you for reading!

2. Please review. Seven reviews would be nice before I update again. Since seven is my lucky number.

3. If you would like me to spell "Tea"'s name correctly, let me know via email or review! (Preferably in a review, because I'm review hungry). If you want Tae's name to stay Tae, let me know! And if you don't care, you don't have to let me know!

4. My next chapter is 30 pages!!! So, if you want, I can divide it in half, or as closely to half as I can. Or, thirds. Or, I can keep it 30 pages. He, he, he. . .yeah right. . .

5. Please check out my other story, Random Things You'll Never Hear. I set this impossible goal for myself of getting 50 reviews, and goshgolly, I'm going to do it! So I need all the help I can get!

Uh, think that's all. Thanks and please read and follow all the above!