Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the reviews! This is the ::sob:: last chapter so I very much hope to get a lot of long reviews on your comments about the overall story
What this chapter's about: (Well, if you haven't figured it out yet) LOVE. L-O-V-E. Carla and Yami will finally realize it…and humor (of course) I will do a bunch of love quotes throughout the chapter that I found were rather inspirational, and tie in with the mood of the story at that particular moment. (and they took me forever to choose). Enjoy.
If someone could tell me the best time to update (like so you know you end up on the first page), this would be much appreciated.
Oh yes, probably, by the time you read this I will be in El Salvador to visit my relatives (and if you actually have the time, try and see where that speck of a country is), and since I can't bring the laptop (darn customs!) and my family has no computer technology I can use…I will not write another story for a while (::sob::). MERRY CHRISTMASKWANZAHANUKKAH…HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Disclaimer: Do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh!
REVIEW! (If you don't know what to write then I'll even give some suggestions: favorite chapter, favorite part, if you liked the story overall, etc. It can be from three words to several paragraphs, just please review. SO YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE.)
Oh yeah, amor means love in Spanish.
::sniff:: And so I begin the final chapter…
You see him and can't help but smile.
Think of him for miles and miles.
Weak in the knees when he comes through.
You know his eyes see right through you.
-part of a love poem called You're in Love by Angela Guo
Finally! School was over! It was Friday, and the big day of the End of Fall dance. Yes, it was really the End of Fall Dance. The school really needed to replace the dance committee. As soon as she went into her room, Carla flung her backpack to the side and immediately got stuff from her bathroom. In a matter of minutes, Carla's room was now a mini salon.
Oh Yami…Carla said with a mischievous grin that could only mean trouble. Yami appeared warily, and before he could utter "what?", Carla pounced on him with her bottle of masque. What happened next flew in a hectic blur. Carla put on a green mint masque on Yami as she cut his long cuticles. Yami yelped when Carla plucked his eyebrows.
"Stop being a baby. You're going to get my family in here…What's the saying?…oh yeah, no pain no game." Carla said roughly. Wow, being a girl was tough. She put headphones on Yami and a timer on…as Yami peeked (Carla had told him to shut his eyes) he saw Carla had a masque on as well and was lazily reading a magazine on her bed as she painted her nails a magenta-raspberry color. Her hair was tied up in various places, and Ra only knew what she had done to Yami's hair to keep it out of the way. Like she had a sixth Yami sense or something, Carla whipped her head around to Yami and snapped.
"I told you to keep your eyes closed! Aghhh! You're ruining everything Yami…dates aren't supposed to see their dates getting ready."
"But you are." Yami pointed out, trying to keep a straight face. His angry hikari looked hilarious with her hair tied up in multicolored hair ties, a lime green mask, and with her hands up, in an attempt to dry her nails quickly. A chuckle escaped his hold. Before Carla could fry Yami with her laser-beam glare, the timer went off. Yami was truly saved by the bell! (Still a bit irked) Carla got out a shampoo and conditioner bottle, saying
"Well, I think you can guess what these are. Here's my dad's shampoo and this is his conditioner. Read the directions and you should do fine. Here's a towel…and (they walked over to the bathroom and Carla stood in front of the shower) turn it right and it will turn cold, turn it left and it will turn hot, and if you push it in, it will stop. There you go, keep it short so my family doesn't suspect anything, and I will give you exactly five minutes…GO." Carla said quickly, and more gruffly than she would have said normally. Once Carla was gone and the door was locked, and Yami was about to undress, he caught his reflection in the mirror.
EEP! Was that him?! Carla had put butterfly clips in his hair to keep away his bands. But what really scared Yami were the PINK ribbons in his hair that Yami was sure weren't necessary. He dearly hoped Carla hadn't taken a picture of him. (Carla at this moment: ooh looks like the Polaroid picture finally processed. Tee-hee! Carla puts it in a page of her diary for later blackmail. That'll show Yami to peek when he's not supposed to!)
We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.
– Agnes Repplier
In the bathroom…
An undressed Yami stood apprehensively in the shower. Ok…pull the knob out. Water started gushing out, and Yami wondered…turn it right? He turned it right and was rewarded with icy cold water drenching him. Yami yelped, and immediately turned it left. Ahhhhhh…this was actually quite nice. Ok now the shampoo bottle-thing. Hmmmm…it says 'Dispense into palm, and apply to wet hair. Using fingertips in a rotating motion, work shampoo into lather. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if desired.' (a/n: It's sad, I actually read my shampoo bottle for this.)
Unfortunately what Yami missed in bold letters on the bottom was 'KEEP OUT OF EYES AND THIS IS ONLY MEANT FOR EXTERNAL USE.' Uh-oh. Yami did as told and started to work the shampoo into his hair. Soon his hair was now a huge red, black, and blonde afro of hair covered with foam. Without a care in the world Yami let the water run over his poof of hair. For a few moments the water flowed relaxingly into his foamy hair.
Then the foamy water slid down from his forehead and before Yami could shut his eyes instinctively, the water trickled evilly into his eyes.
"YOWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" howled Yami as he tried to scrub the foam out. A panicking Yami had enough sense to turn off the shower and put on a towel before Carla ran up to the door. It took a while for Yami to open the door as he was blind at the moment. Carla was scared for both Yami and her family's reaction as she grabbed the eye ointment bottle and ran to her room saying loudly "IS THAT A ZIT I SEE?! OH NO!" Suffice to say, no one came charging to see if she was ok after that. She put Yami down in her wooden chair as she quickly put the ointment inside. Yami's eyes were tearing as Yami bit the inside of his cheek to keep from bawling. He was not being very successful. When the ointment started taking effect, Carla asked curious despite Yami's whimpers,
"Didn't you read the directions in BOLD saying you shouldn't put shampoo in your eyes?"
"No." Yami said shortly, blinking a lot to get the sting out.
Carla gave a large sigh, and took Yami to the nearby sink. Yami was obviously hopeless. She made Yami take the chair and she took out a rag from a cabinet. She sat Yami in the chair and made the rag into a pillow. She proceeded to rinse out the rest of Yami's shampoo foam, and then put in the conditioner. Yami closed his eyes in bliss; Carla was gently massaging his scalp. Yami's hair was giving Carla a hard time though by the occasional outbursts that came out now and then like "You're hair's going to get caught in the drain…it's so long when it's washed; there's TOO MUCH HAIR!". When Carla was finally finished she made Yami sit while he carefully blow-dried his hair. Carla was suppressing giggles all the while; Yami looked hilarious with his wilted, dog-like drenched hair, and a disgruntled 'I-do-not-like-blow-drying-my-hair-so-when-is-this-Radamn-thing-going-to-finish…and-stop-laughing-hikari!' look plastered on his face. Yes, a face can say an emotion that specific. Once his hair was back to its spiky self , Carla found herself staring at Yami's glistening chest; beads of water still clung to it, and Carla was finding that the glistening look hot chest one hot Yami.
She mustn't drool.
"Okay then…(still gazing at his chest but forces herself to look away at the carpet, a much safer, totally non-hot object) First, you're going to change into your clothes while I take a shower…speaking of which, where did you put the clothes I bought you?"
As Yami noted Carla's sudden attention to his chest, he found himself a bit flustered at the attention,
"Um…well…errr…I put it right behind your desk and then it must have been…hmmm…I think it's hidden behind that stack of magazines, books and such…"
As Yami rose from the chair and walked over to the stack of books, he knelt, his back to Carla, and…
Perhaps it was Yami's inattentiveness from Carla's distraction that he did what he did next. Perhaps it was sheer accident, or perhaps it was a subconscious emotion…I prefer to think the first.
The towel dropped.
And before Carla could shut her eyes, she got a good look at Yami's firm, well-toned…butt. Carla whipped around and tried to shake the memory out while she blushed furiously into a bright cherry color. Oh dear…butt images were floating around her head teasingly…
No matter how red Carla was it could never match Yami's blush at that moment. Yami's face was as red as his eyes. Maybe even brighter. Yami had snatched the towel at the speed of light, and was firmly tucking it in. Yami was about to disappear and see if he could make himself nonexistent, but before he did, he had to see how Carla was taking this. However an unpleasant task, he had to do it.
/Carla?/
…
"Carla…erm…how much did you see?" Yami said, putting tomatoes to shame with his color as he thought about this question.
"Everything." Carla said in a small voice. All she could see was Yami's towel dropping, and then…butt.
"It was an accident I swear…ummm this was probably scarring though wasn't it."
"I'm permanently scarred." Carla said, as she peeked behind her fingers. Good, there was a towel. Yet there was the tiniest twinge of disappointment. Calling herself a pervert in many ways, she fully opened her eyes.
"Sooo….let's just pretend that memory ever happened shall we?" Yami mumbled as he looked at the ground; this was ranking in the top 5 most embarrassing moments in his lives. Right up there when his mother told him in the MIDDLE OF A SPEECH TO THE AMBASSADORS OF THE WORLD that his fly was open and when to show appreciation for 'the great life of our pharaoh', his NUDE baby pictures were posted around the kingdom. Yup, this was definitely in those ranks.
Carla nodded approvingly and grabbed a bag filled with her clothes and such. As she was headed toward the door and passed a red Yami, she couldn't resist the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She leaned down saucily over to Yami and gave his butt a light slap, saying boldly:
"Nice butt though."
"You never notice it until it's too late too stop…and by then you don't want to stop it"
–Anonymous about love
Carla was just going to start on her makeup when she heard three secret knocks on her door. Knowing who it was, she put on her bathrobe even though she was dressed; she didn't want Yami to see her until she was completely done. She opened the door and gasped.
In pain.
In speechlessness
And in absolute horror.
Yami was dressed in a simple blue jacket, wearing a black muscle shirt THAT WAS TUCKED INTO HIS LEATHER PANTS.
"What have you done Yami?! Where did you get those PANTS?!" Carla yelled as loud as she could with her parents and Aunt Marie downstairs. Dragging Yami by his ear, she saw the bag of clothes and immediately clothes started to fly in Carla's attempt to find Yami a more suitable outfit.
Yami (who was still a tad embarrassed by the whole 'butt incident') didn't see anything wrong with what he was wearing. It was similar to what he always wore when he was Yugi's Yami, and he told Carla as much. Carla answered with an appraising look and she muttered audibly,
"I hope you didn't wear that when you dueled."
"Oh no, mostly I used to take off the jacket and wear it like a cape. I thought it made me look like…who's the guy…oh yeah, like Superman" Yami said as if there was nothing wrong. Carla mentally noted that she should record that line and see if Yami would get sent to a mental institution. He probably would. She rolled her eyes, and continued with only a hint of sarcasm,
"Maybe that's why I was made your hikari. To give you some sort of fashion sense." She finally made an ensemble that pleased her, and giving a final gesture she left Yami to change into some REAL CLOTHES.
(a/n: If you are all wondering if there's a real point to these segments above…there really isn't but I thought they were amusing)
10 minutes later…
There was a timid knock made on the bathroom door. Carla had just finished and now it was the moment of truth. Yami was looking very self-conscious as he examined himself one last time before inspection by Sergeant Carla. Carla gave herself one last look in the mirror, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Both gaped at each other in astonishment.
Carla POV
O.M.G. Yami is hot! THAT OUTFIT IS DA BOMB! Carla couldn't keep her eyes off him. The long-sleeved white cotton blouse/shirt really gives him contrast with Yami's deep blue jeans! WOW. Is that jewelry on his wrists?! On any other guy the gold Egyptian jewelry bracelets would've looked girly, but on Yami, it added to his mysterious look. Carla was fighting the urge to visibly inhale the nice men's cologne Yami had put on. So far she was losing the battle.
Yami POV
…WOW. Carla looks…beautiful. Stunning. Carla was wearing an off-the-shoulder cream shirt with billowy, long lavender sleeves. It seemed to be made of a soft fabric, and Yami longed to run his fingers on it. Carla's crimson pleated skirt would make any sane man drool. Yami was no exception. He thought the red sandals with heels and a cream-colored bow on top added a cute touch to the whole ensemble. But what caught Yami the most was Carla's lovely face: the silver hoop earrings were her Spanish flare, she had put on subtle black mascara, and her noticeable red lips were looking especially...nice. Yami was most intrigued by a certain light that seemed to sparkle in her eyes, and lit up her face in a beautiful, shy grin. He felt his stomach do a weird lurch.
"So…" said a suddenly shy Carla. Weird, she never had trouble speaking to Yami unless they were in a fight or something.
"So…" replied Yami, cursing the fact that he couldn't think of a brighter conversation. Why was he so tongue-tied?! As if it was helping poor Yami, the necklace suddenly popped into Yami's head. Brilliant, the necklace!
"Hey, Carla let's go into your room."
"Ok…." Said a curious Carla, as Yami led her eagerly back into her room.
"Now close your eyes. I don't want you peeking." Said Yami, humorously.
"For what?!" said a now extremely curious Carla.
"(teasingly) You'll see my impatient hikari…(he takes a deep breath and makes a bold move as his heart thumps)…or should I say my lovely date?" Yami finished quietly. If he wanted to buy time to get the puzzle, he couldn't have done a better job. Carla stood shocked thinking "Did he say what I just think he said"
As he tore up the stairs to his room, he thought over his words…he said something that would leave Carla paralyzed.
/Then again Carla…(Carla listens intently. An intense Yami continues softly in his deepest, manliest voice)…they are one and the same./
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."
-Anonymous
"You can open your eyes now." Yami whispered self-consciously.
Carla did as told and gasped shocked and speechless for the second time that day.
It was the most beautiful necklace Carla had seen, or been given for that matter. The silver-lined diamonds shone brightly against the black velvet box. And…wait. Carla timidly leaned over and saw the beautiful ruby glitter happily. It was in a adorable heart…Was this a sign from Yami?…Nahhhh…Then again…
"It's…(still a bit choked from the beauty)…it's beautiful Yami. (looking up into Yami's crimson eyes) It's the nicest gift I've ever gotten…and that ruby is just as lovely as- (she breaks off unsure of whether she was crossing a boundary or not, but Yami's open face encourages her)…as well, you." She finished off shyly. A goofy grin crept up her lips unwillingly. Stupid grin.
Yami was practically glowing from all the joy he was feeling. He grinned foolishly as he put down the velvet box, and picked up the necklace delicately. He walked over and stood behind Carla. Carla, who got the hint, lifted her hair revealing her lovely swan neck. Without the hair covering it, Carla's neck looked very delicate, and its fragile beauty mesmerized Yami. Oh RADAMNIT every part of this girl was beautiful! When Yami leaned over to place the necklace on Carla's neck he got a good whiff of Carla's warm vanilla sugar perfume. Oh dear, it was intoxicating, and soon Yami wanted to bury his face into that radamnbly sweet hair. He fumbled with the necklace clasp, but soon it was on and the bright ruby contrasted nicely against the cream part of the shirt.
"Oh, but Yami what about the Millennium Puzzle?! We can't leave it behind…" Carla said as she held the Puzzle, and looked worriedly at Yami. Yami smiled and took the Puzzle, fondly remembering a time where he would have to force Carla to wear the Puzzle. It showed how far they had come. Yami entwined the Millennium Puzzle around Carla's small burgundy purse with a tiny black bow. Now, the Puzzle looked like an extra large key chain or something…still it didn't look that bad.
"Carlita it's time to go…and yo quiero fotos (I want photos) so come on down!" cried Aunt Marie from downstairs where she surely had a camera waiting.
"Well, that's my cue." said Carla with a sigh. Aunt Marie was surely to make Carla color blind with all the pictures she was about to take.
Both were nervous but they laced their fingers for strength. (Carla didn't care whether her parents saw her fingers in the air for no apparent reason)
They were ready to go. It was time for the dance.
Lives are for living; I live for you
Dreams are for dreaming; I dream for you
Hearts are for beating; mine beats for you
Angels are for keeping. Can I keep you?
-Mele Luhama Piutau in her poem "Can I Keep You?"
They were there.
Carla and Yami stood in front of the doors after Carla's dad had immediately dropped off Carla following the whole "if I catch you with a boy then you are grounded for life" speech.
By this time they weren't holding hands anymore. Both were afraid to touch the other with their now clammy hands.
"Ready…?" Carla said trying to act brave. In truth, she didn't have a clue how the student body would react to Yami, and going into the gym would mean having at least 200 pairs of eyes staring at them. And that was enough to make any teenager nervous.
"Yes, ready as I'll ever be." Yami said with a gulp. But he was not gulping from all the peers he was about to meet (he is a pharaoh), but about being Carla's date. "May I..?" Yami asked politely as he put his arm around Carla to rest loosely at her waist. Carla nodded slightly pink; Yami seemed to be getting touchy-feely lately and Carla wasn't sure she liked it…yet her heart did an odd flutter with Yami's arm around her…DAMNIT.
They pushed open the doors and two of the chaperones, teachers, let the hikari and Yami pair through after Carla showed her tickets. She could've sworn one of them mutter "Looks like Carla got a fine catch…" to the other. Carla refused to take it as a good omen though; they were teachers after all.
The two teenagers stepped forward and were now in their peers' eyes. First, one of the "popular girls", Vicky, caught sight of Carla, but most importantly to her, Yami. Her eyes widened. She whispered something to another girl of her class, and soon the whole gym was abuzz with whispers. It wouldn't take long for the queen bee to know. Sure enough, Carla saw that dreaded girl slinking along in her very revealing clothes.
Now, the queen bee was truly a piece of work. It was as if God had made her the most beautiful girl in the world…to make up for her wretched evil heart. Her name was Angelica Smarts. But she was no angel. Or was smart, in academics at least. Oh sure, Angelica had a body any jock guy would die for: tiny waist, nice…er chest, lean legs, ultra blonde straight hair that could never be a true color, a pert delicate nose, full lips like Carla, a pink tank top with the words "Naughty" written across her chest, and jean skirt that was so short that her dad must've had a nosebleed and fainted. But when you looked beyond her awesome body…you saw a manipulative witch. She may have been failing in academics, but with her baby blue eyes that could show you friendliness one second and cold fury the next, her army of clones, she could trick people into doing what she wished, and when someone displeased her…they were ostracized from the eighth grade population. Yes, she had that much power.
Carla and Angelica had always been enemies since fifth grade after Carla refused to be an Angelica follower. Carla felt like growling when she saw that little slut with hair as straight as a board and an innocent smile so false she wondered if it would fall off. She started to walk around the pair in her pink sandals with their 3 inch heels. Clip-clop, clip-clop…Carla felt the room go silent as the queen inspected her victims…clip-clop, clip-clop…Carla was dearly wishing Angelica would trip and fall…clip-clop, clip-clop…That girl was circling them like they were cattle at the fair that were up for auction…
Yami was starting to find this girl quite annoying (he doesn't know of Carla's and Angelica's history) so he said politely yet firmly,
"Excuse me, could you move. You're blocking our way."
The whole room went very still, as every person waited in anticipation of what their queen would react to this rudeness. Angelica paused and looked up at Yami with calculating eyes. She gave him one last inspection (an up-down) before she answered,
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just wondering what a handsome fellow like you is doing…(she glanced at Carla disdainfully)…in this position." She said in a too-sweet voice. Carla wanted to gag. The whole room let out a sigh of relief: Yami was considered hot, and didn't have to be excluded from society (it would've been a shame if he had to be). Carla was bristling, and Yami could feel her anger.
/what's wrong?/
That slut…(Yami raised his eyebrows; Carla was using some raw words here)…she rules the school, and let's just say when I refused to follow, I was made an outsider from her "group" along with Natalie and half the nice population.
/Hmmm…If what you say is true, then I don't like her either/
Carla felt her heart do the flutter again from her pride in Yami. Angelica, ignoring this exchange, continued sweetly.
"So what's your name cutie?"
Yami answered while he wondered what Angelica's poor date must be feeling (a girl like her always had a date).
"Yami." He said shortly.
Angelica nodded in approval, "Mmm…exotic. I like. So Yami…(she lifts her hand up to his cheek and starts tracing his jawline) If you ever feel the need for a change…(she pauses in her hand-tracing to look at Carla with her now steely blue eyes. Angelica made use of the fact that she was taller by looking down at her condescendingly…despite the fact that it was only a 2 inch difference. Carla was fighting the urge to growl) …then let me know. I don't like letting people like you go to waste. (hand starts sliding down to his chest. Carla: TT)"
With that done she turned around making sure Yami got a good look at her very short skirt and its revealing qualities.
Carla clenched her hands into fists, and was breathing deep breaths to keep her temper in check. Then again…she spotted to certain people she would simply love to vent her anger on.
"Hey Yami…let's go visit some people." Carla said casually but her eyes glimmered with a dangerous fire. Yami noted this immediately and followed her gaze…uh-oh.
"Now Carla…I dislike them almost as much as you do, but I don't think the chaperones would appreciate it if you did something…irrational." Yami said as he gripped Carla tightly in case she decided to escape.
"Why me? Do something irrational? Never." Carla said with wide-eyed innocence. Yami couldn't help smiling to Carla's humor, but he wouldn't let her get kicked out. He gripped her in place. Carla gave an exaggerated sigh, but she said seriously.
"Don't worry Yami. I'll make sure I won't do anything crazy. I'm just going to have a heart-to-heart talk with them. I hope you don't mind coming along."
Yami sighed, but consented and soon they were walking toward the pair who was about to get served. (a/n: I know it's cliché!)
Carla walked up patiently up to the pair that was dancing rather badly (a/n: what do you expect with the king of geeks!), and tapped Phillip on the shoulder.
"(dripping with a Latino accent) Escuz me…am I speaking to the two chucho (too dirty for translation) as!#$?" said Carla in a scarily polite voice considering she had made dirty insults at them. Both Samantha and Phillip whipped their heads around to Carla and Yami in disbelief and shock.
"Phillip. Samantha. I would like you to meet my date Yami." said Carla.
Samantha tries not to look at Yami's hot body, but fails. Yami meets her gaze with a displeased frown…which made him even more handsome in a moody, kingly way…Phillip, the two-timer, is looking at Carla's body in a way no man with a girlfriend already should. Carla notes this with disgust.
"Hey, Phillip, you sleazeball, keep your dirty looks on your girlfriend, not me." Carla continued.
Samantha breaks her gaze from Yami and glares accusingly at her boyfriend. The boyfriend in question looks very uncomfortable and angry with Carla for ratting him out. Yami: DIE. TT
Now where were we…oh yeah, Phillip. I have a nice date who's a great guy, and you have a…slut. (Carla shrugs casually while Samantha looks ready for a full on BIT-- slapping, nail scratching, cat fight) Phillip, get some dandruff shampoo, learn that there is life beyond you, and stop watching porno. Get a life. Samantha. Straighten up, don't stoop yourself to this, but if you do…then ah well, hopefully you won't have to confess to using prostitution for your success at our class reunion. Now if you'll excuse little 'ol Hispanic me and my date, I have to go mother fuc#$s…" Carla said politely (and rather bluntly: Both of the insulted looked at Carla in shock; Goody-goody two shoes Carla didn't cuss at people); she glared daggers at them with her dark eyes before nonchalantly walking away expecting Yami to follow. When Yami wasn't with her…
Yami? What are you doing still there! We're supposed to leave with a bang!
/Wait hikari…I need to have a few words with Phillip (he spat this word)/
Ok…Don't do anything irrational like sending him to the Shadow Realm though. I'd hate to have our secret identities known because of him
/Go find Natalie. I'll be with you soon./ Carla could practically see Yami winking devilishly.
Yami turned around and faced the pair looking very menacing.
"You." He growled picking up Phillip by his geeky collar. Yami's crimson eyes shone with a burning rage that he had smoldered for Carla, but now that she wasn't here, he could unleash it. His darkness. He hauled off a sputtering Phillip into a dark corner hidden by a well-planted shrub (probably for making out).
"But-" Samantha said in a small voice; the most pathetic defense for her boyfriend.
"Shut up." Yami said coolly as he silenced Samantha with a ferocious glare. He continued from his 'you' outburst…
"Are never, I repeat NEVER going to come near my hik-date again! Do you understand…I know you're slow. So if you even look at her that way again…(Yami presses his face close to a cowering Phillip's as Yami has never looked or acted so terrible) then I will make your life…(Yami lowers his voice down to a deadly whisper. A smirk twists his face evilly in an indecent pleasure: he savors the next word)…unbearable."
Both were trembling and Samantha clung to Phillip whimpering as well. Yami looked at them pitilessly. No one hurt his hikari. Just because Carla said he couldn't send Phillip to the Shadow Realm…she didn't say anything about threatening him with it.
Yami turns around without another word and walks off in search of Carla. An angry (and not trembling) Samantha says to Phillip loudly (now that Yami's gone),
"Ooooooh…I bet it was Carla who sent her boy toy after you. Don't worry boo, I'll make sure that b---- will pay along with her loudmouth date. So if you'll excuse me boo, I have to call in for a few favors…"
"A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."
-Fr. Jerome Cummings
Yami looked very different than the scary person he had just been two seconds ago.
Happy, cheery, shy, charming…this new person went in search of his date. He found her dancing carefree with Natalie to 'Just Lose It'. Yami struggled to hide a smile as he tapped his hikari's shoulder. Carla whipped around in mid-dance, and once she saw Yami, turned pink. (With Natalie going away in respect for their privacy)
"Sooooo…how'd it go?" Carla asked (trying to be casual and failing). She was dying to know what Yami had said.
"It was nothing really." Yami said shortly. Too shortly. It seemed as if he was hiding something…
"Liar. Tell me the truth…I hope you didn't send them to the shadow realm; however tempting, I don't think even THEY deserve that fate." Carla said. She waited patiently for an answer; Yami sighed…she was too smart for her own good sometimes.
"No, I didn't send them to the shadow realm. I just told Phillip that if he ever hurt you then…(in a brief moment Yami's face twisted evilly once more)…I'd come after him." Yami said before his eyes smoldered the rage. Carla worriedly placed an arm on Yami,
"Please stop…Don't let that rage consume you Yami, for whatever a cause…It's frightening." Carla said softly. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, waiting for an explosion. There was a shocked pause. Yami touched Carla forehead with both hands. As he wished, he saw how Carla had seen him seconds ago. Yami was horrified at the monster he saw. No wonder Carla was scared.
"I'm sorry Carla…I never want to frighten you." Yami said quietly as Carla opened her eyes to see Yami's guilty crimson ones looking back at her. Carla smiled; the rage was gone completely.
A hug or maybe even something more could have occurred if it wasn't for-
"Carla!" Natalie said urgently as she came rushing over.
"What is it?!" said Carla a bit irked; she had been having a moment.
"It's…Angelica." Natalie said simply as if that were all that needed to be said.
So it was.
Angelica was seen walking silkily in her high heels towards Carla. And by the look on the queen's face and a smirking Samantha walking behind her…Carla knew that she was in Trouble. With a capital T. The crowd knew it too; they parted for their queen, but were giving sympathy glances at her next victim. Yami put an arm around her waist again for moral support. Carla wasn't scared…much. But at least she didn't show it.
Angelica stopped right in front of Carla and on any person less beautiful, her look would've been considered a sadistic, maniacal smile.
But she was too pretty.
"Carla." Angelica said simply. As if she had been looking at cows she had wanted to kill for supper, and she had just found the one she wanted. Carla.
"Yes?" Carla replied trying to maintain a polite attitude.
"I have heard from trusted resources…that you and your lovely friend (this she cooed) have been acting rather mean to my friend Samantha and her date Phillip." Angelica said sweetly, acting for all the world as a martyr fighting for the injustice to her dear "friend". Angelica should get an Oscar for her acting skills. Angelica continued angelically,
"And I can't have that I'm afraid." Angelica's sweet eyes turned cold. Uh-oh. She was about to sentence her subject, and Carla had a feeling it would be torturous. Samantha stood their grinning. Carla had a feeling that it hadn't taken much asking to get Angelica the Mighty to stick up for Samantha. One reason would be that Angelica probably jumped on the excuse to get Carla. But more importantly, the reason all of the cheerleaders including Angelica, the head cheerleader, hadn't dropped out was due to Samantha. And she lowered her voice so only Carla could hear,
"Carla you're just a little girl, who got lucky with a guy…You're weak, fat, and most of all ugly. An outcast. And if you don't believe those words yet, you will. I'll make your life a living hell, starting now," said the evil girl with a condescending sneer. She signaled the DJ and a tune came on. Carla burned with embarrassment as she recognized the song. "I Like Big Butts"
"Carla this is obviously your theme song. Dance for us." Angelica simpered as she fell back among the subjects. Her challenge hung in the air. Some girls and even some boys looked sorry for Carla, but they wouldn't stand up for her: Angelica for the boys was a rite of passage if you could date her. For the girls it was either pure hate or disgusting worship. Sadly, Angelica was the key of the school. Yami was ready to punch the girl, etiquette or no, she was going down. Angelica laughed as Carla stood their stupidly, and a second later the student body present echoed her. Carla blushed harder.
Move feet move! Carla cursed at her body willing it to be thinner (Carla wasn't fat though) or at least move.
Carla was frozen in place.
The old Carla would've wanted to curl up in a dark corner and die. But this was the old Carla. Much had changed since she had become a hikari.
Never doubt yourself…Carla remembered Yami's words. She wouldn't.
Carla felt a rage brewing in her: if she could beat Marik and nearly die doing so, she could take on a little airheaded twit like Angelica. She stepped out of Yami's grip, and turned around. (the beginning beats were still going; this is all happening in a few seconds) If any one had caught the look on Carla's face (and Yami did), they would have seen a smirk as her eyes sparkled. Carla was game.
The crowd started to murmur amongst themselves in excitement. Carla started to shake her butt. At first shyly, and then…quite enthusiastically. And then the famous line came on "I like big butts and I cannot lie! They're the only one I can't deny!". And Carla, true to the song, spun around, and was shaking well…everything. The crowd was eating it up.
Carla danced using every…ahem…asset God gave her.
Yami could feel eyes on him, and Natalie gave him a shove muttering "Don't just stand there, join her." He did as told. Remembering how other couples seemed to be dancing to songs like these, he shyly crept behind Carla. And put his hands around her waist, just above her hips. And danced. Carla looked behind herself, surprised, but soon hid it as she taught Yami quickly how to follow her. If Carla was embarrassed (and you can bet she was dying of it inside), she shoved it aside for later thoughts. Right now, it was time to dance, and bring Angelica down. Yami was a quick learner; Carla could feel his hot body following hers, never letting her go.
Soon, hearty catcalls were heard, and couples began to move their attention from Yami to themselves. More and more people started to dance until Angelica and her current date, the Captain of the football team, were the only ones left still watching. As soon as the song ended, Carla winked at Angelica. She called to her,
"Maybe I have a big butt, but I'm proud of it! Think of a better comeback, or at least get Samantha to…since you don't have the brain."
Angelica stood shocked; this wasn't the way the plan was supposed to work out. Carla was supposed to make a fool out of herself. For once, the queen was speechless.
Yami sauntered over for a moment, nodding politely at the football captain. He turned his look on Angelica, and he didn't look like the happy, carefree guy of a moment ago.
"You may be considered beautiful Angelica…but you will always be ugly to me. Don't try to hurt my date again." Yami said softly as his eyes bore into her crystal blue. Carla looked at Yami in amazement: he stood up for…her?!
Yami turned around, towing Carla with him, and left Angelica shell-shocked. Angelica regained her ability to talk sputtering after them,
"Well…your spiky hair makes porpucines…think you're family, yeah that's right! (lame diss) So from now on porpucine-head I'll make sure your life will be horrible, and Carla…when your boyfriend isn't there to protect you…I'll get you too." Prissy Angelica turned around, and dragged her date over to the other side of the gym. But not before she didn't see Yami's dismissive wave at her. He waved her off like an annoying fly.
"Hey Yami…" Carla said shyly as Yami continued walking forcefully with his iron grip on Carla.
"You can stop now…" Carla said about to add more, but Yami halted at this and whipped around to look at his hikari.
"Stop?! Defending you from people like that tyrant? Never! (his voice softens)…Oh my dear hikari, never. (Yami takes a long pause. He touches Carla's soft face gently) I will always protect you, whether you want it or not…I am your Yami after all." Yami finished his passionate tirade on a light note. Carla smiled at Yami's obvious loyalty to her, or perhaps something more…?
"You're also my friend, and a great one at that. Now, however nice that speech was, I'm afraid I was talking about "stopping" as in we can stop storming off now." Carla said kindly as she said her last words.
Yami blushed.
"Oh." he said shortly. Carla smiled at him, and suddenly the fast tune changed to a slow song. In a matter of seconds everyone was paired up to someone, or staring moodily at the couples in sideline chairs. Carla and Yami were just standing in the right side of the dance floor. This was getting awkward. Carla fidgeted, unsure of what to do, and betting Yami didn't have a clue. In truth, Yami was gathering his courage to ask Carla a very important question. Yami took a deep breath.
(softly) /Oh Carla…/ Yami got an awkward Carla's attention (she had been staring at the floor fascinated). She turned her face to meet his.
"I am infatuated by your beauty, miss. Courtesy and my own desire would never allow me to leave you without asking a simple question…(Carla grinned at Yami's formality…so he did know what was going on…Yami's amusing façade dropped as he became serious…but his eyes still twinkled) Carla would you like to dance?" Yami finished quietly. Carla's answer was extremely important to him, but Yami didn't care to wonder why. Carla gave a shy smile and nodded. Yami wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and Carla put hers gingerly on his warm neck. They revolved slowly on the dance floor, following the steps of every other couple. As Carla gave a furtive glance at Yami's face directly…
Wow…He smells so nice, and feels so warm…(In reality, Carla gave a soft sigh into Yami's chest)…His arms are so nice and protective…I wish they'd never leave…
Yami, nosy as always (and well, Carla's thoughts were rather loud), heard his hikari's thought. He quirked an eyebrow as he pulled her closer to him; he was happy to oblige her wish. Carla instinctively snuggled into his hold. Yami was entranced as her warm vanilla sugar scent was overwhelming him with a desire he'd rather not know.
A flushed Carla was keenly aware of where her and Yami's body met. It seems like as a hikari to Yami, she blushed on average every 5 seconds. It was always something to do with Yami.
"Your perfume is very nice Carla." Yami whispered softly as he gave in to his temptation and inhaled her sweet scent. Yami kissed the top of her hair lightly. Carla felt it and blushed; so he had noticed her favorite perfume. (The blush was right on time too.)
Meanwhile…Yami was willing to bet that if he pressed his lips to her soft skin, it would taste just as sweet as the perfume. He tried to shove that thought away, but more kept popping up just like it. Oh his hikari, was too beautiful, too perfect…
Carla made the mistake of looking up into Yami's crimson eyes. They were too intense; she was drowning in their fiery pools…and she loved it.
They were so close…so close that they started to lean forward, noses touching and…
The song ended. A fast-paced song came on, and Carla suddenly found herself swarmed with boys.
"Hey Carla!" said a young guy behind her. DAMNIT. Carla broke contact with Yami blushing furiously (right on time).
"What?" asked a flustered Carla. There were so many boys. Carla had felt herself being pulled in by Yami's gaze, and if it hadn't had been for these guys they would have…
"I was just wondering-" said one.
"No, I was here first. Hey Carla would you like to-" said another one, impatient.
"No, pick me Carla. Cuz damn baby you look hot!" said yet another one, this one the most forward. He was Austin and Carla wanted to slap him; for years she had been known to him only as nerd or goody-goody, now she was hot?!
"Dance with me, not him!"
"No me!"
"ME!"
Carla could feel the boys' hot bodies pressing closer and closer to her. Carla was sure that this had been a fantasy of hers at one point: guys fighting over her, but right now, she wanted to go back to Yami. An angry Yami was fighting to break the circle to no avail. Finally, he got rough and kicked two guys right behind their knees (a human weakpoint). Both collapsed groaning. Stepping over them without so much as a "sorry", he walked over to where Carla was. And while he was doing so he was giving the rest of the guys some…er…warning signs. Like a fiery glare so full of loathing, it would make Seto flinch. Or like the growling. Yami was gone; in his place, a demonic monster. Carla looked on in awe. Yami walked over and wrapped his arm around Carla in a possessive embrace.
Every witness there could sum up Yami's emotions for Carla and the looks he was giving the potential suitors in one word: MINE.
"Hey Carla, I think I see one of your friends over there…" Yami said with an obvious hint. Yami obviously didn't want Carla to be here when he took every boy apart. Carla stood there defiantly; she wanted to see what Yami would do.
"Carla please go." Yami said politely but very firmly. Carla stood there still. Yami sighed exasperated and with an icy glare of you-better-still-be-here-when-I'm-back to the boys, he grasped Carla's arm and lead her away. Carla protested but Yami only replied,
"You don't want to see me when I become a monster. Ra, I don't want you to."
"But-"
"I'm sorry I have to do what I'll do next. Bye Carla, and this is for the best." Yami said dragging Carla over to her fate. A colossal group of giggling girls were waiting for her: the gossipers. Carla had been avoiding this group the whole night. She gulped, trying to escape, but Yami's grasp on her was too strong. They were waiting with arms outstretched, ready to engulf her. One made a lunge for Carla but Carla jumped out of the way. She glared at Yami, feeling betrayed.
"Sorry." Yami said truly apologetic for doing this dirty trick. But what he did next was probably the dirtiest trick he could've done. (but Yami didn't know of the atrocity he just did to Carla) He kissed her cheek IN FRONT OF THE GIRLS.
They all squealed in chorus, and pounced on Carla. They were successful as Yami manage to pry a dazed Carla off of him and went off towards the boys. Carla was lost in the swarm of girls, and her ears were ringing from all the questions they asked. Theinterrogators tried to get her to spill everything about herself, her love life, and especially Yami. The girls would block all means of escape until they had managed to seep out every juicy fact she knew. Carla sighed; she was doomed.
Yami…you meanie…you're too cute to murder.
Yami walked with a dreamy smile on his face, that was wiped clean off his face as he walked right up to the boys. Yami got right to business, ignoring common courtesy.
"I'll get right to my point. Carla is not to be tainted by any one of you. You got that?" Yami practically snarled at the boys.
They cowered at their fellow teen, Yami, (even though most of them were at least a head taller than him). But Yami had a commanding, intimidating air that came with him being a pharaoh. Austin, the bravest, managed to ask,
"Hey man, we're not dissing her or anything. Sure, I get that she's yours and you want to keep that; she's pretty hot after all…But…(he struggled to keep Yami's furious glare away from him) could you stop glaring at me, I haven't touched her or anything! Now as I was saying me and the other guys were wondering why you don't let her go…I mean you could go after higher catches if you know what I mean…" Austin finished off with an innuendo. (Yami: Must...resist...urge...to mind crush)
Yami knew exactly what he meant and was currently fighting the urge to pommel him. He was losing; his clenched fists were turning white.
"I don't know what you mean…" Yami said clearly; he wasn't going to make this easy for Austin.
Austin was not catching the warning signs. He blundered on heedless. Fool.
"Well you know…you can go for something higher…(he glances at the other guys waiting for suggestions: they don't offer any. Austin may be the bravest, but he was also the stupidest.)…like Angelica for example, although you pretty much blew your chances with her…there are many others willing to look past that…like Vicky…she likes you. Some of us here don't have that chance and are forced to shoot lower. So you get my drift?" Austin said foolishly, fully expecting Yami to say "yes, of course I do. I'll be happy to let you dance, and do whatever you want with my date."
Austin was semi-popular, but his arrogance and chauvinistic attitude was what got him dumped by the girls on a regular basis. And Yami wasn't going to let him near his hikari.
"(Yami repeated sweetly) I don't know what you mean Austin, Carla is the highest there is. (His eyes turned their full darkness on Austin. They flashed with a dangerous anger.) I think you'll have to shoot lower. Please keep out of Carla's way, all of you especially you." Yami said softly, but his voice held a forceful command. His final look on the boys held a clear "Or else…", but then his demeanor became eerily cheery.
"Good day!" He said almost happily to them as he was about to go and rescue his hikari.
"What's with him? Why'd he care so much?! Weirdo…" sputtered Austin. The others groaned exasperated at Austin's ignorance to the obvious situation.
"He's a weird guy true…but a true lady's man. His feelings for Carla were obvious." said one.
"What?" Austin said still not exactly comprehending.
"::collective sigh:: I give up. If you can't see it, I won't tell you. That guy, Yami I think, burned us good. Ah well, Vicky's free…shame though, Carla seemed to have that cute innocent but bad girl vibe about her. It's attractive." said another one, and all the guys agreed.
A nosy Yami (he wouldn't let them off that easily) heard this last part, but instead of blowing a fuse, he smiled.
It was true after all.
It is love that fashions us into the fullness of our being...not our looks, not our work, not our wants, not our achievements, not our parents, not our status, not our dreams. These are all the fodder and the filler, the navigating fuels of our lives, but it is love: who we love, how we love, why we love and that we love which ultimately shapes us.
-Daphne Rose Kingma
During this interesting conversation…
Carla was attacked by answers, and though all the gossipers were anxious to hear some juicy gossip, they didn't care one bit about Carla's opinion about all this.
"Carla-"
"Hey-" Carla tried to say but was drowned out.
"Oh my God!-"
"HEY. Could you guys-" Carla tried to get their attention once more.
"You two are so the new IT couple-"
"Hey?! We're not-"
"OMG yes!"
"But we're not-"
"You two make such a good couple. Is he a good kisser?"
(Carla: O.O speechless at this) "!"
"Of course he is, any guy with a body like that has to be. I bet he's a real good French kisser, all exotic men are." another girl answered for her.
Carla had had enough. This had gone too far.
"HEY! WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OKAY! MY LOVE LIFE IS A PRIVATE ISSUE ANYWAYS, SO FORGIVE ME FOR BEING RUDE BUT BUTT OUT!" bellowed Carla. The topic of her French kissing Yami had been the last straw.
Carla sat in a chair breathing heavily as the gossipers scuttled away quickly muttering stuff like "God, it wasn't such a big deal." Or "Maybe they're trying to keep their relationship a secret, but this is too far. No need to be pushy."
Carla nearly screamed as she heard that last comment. A cautious Natalie appeared.
"Hey! Sooooo…judging by your livid expression, I'd say the gossipers got to you."
"What was your first clue?!" Carla replied nastily. She was still moody.
"Whoa. Chill. Tell me what happened." Natalie said soothingly, trying to console her friend.
"Sorry. But they said…I can't believe they said it…but they said that we were a cute couple! Then they went on about kissing…(Carla turned pink at the thought)…How in the world did they get that idea?!" Carla said confused. Natalie sighed: Carla was so clueless.
"Carla, you can be so naïve sometimes! Don't you see the way Yami over-protects you, how he went way out of his way to get you a necklace to forgive him, how he looks at you, how he cares for you? Don't you see what it means?!" Natalie said passionately hoping to get through Carla's thick skull. However, it was unsuccessful.
"Yeah, it means that we're good friends…as well as a good hikari-and-Yami team." Carla said utterly clueless. What was Natalie getting at?
"Oh Carla…(Natalie gave a huge, annoying sigh here)…you're so clueless. Everyone can see it but you…I won't say any more; you need to figure this out yourself, but COME ON see what's right in front of you!" Natalie finished off. She was tired of them both being in the dark. Carla gave her a blank look thinking: what the heck is she talking about? The only thing I see right in front of me is a crazy friend.
"Okay then…Enough about my supposed love life, let's hear about this one of yours?" Carla said effectively diverting the spotlight from her to Natalie. Natalie reddened.
"So you found out…" she said in a small voice.
"Of course I found out! You were practically clinging to him! Why didn't you just tell me in the first place, you make an adorable couple!" Carla said getting into her gossip mode.
"Well…don't get me wrong Carla but I know you'd tease me forever about this, and I know it's stupid but I wanted to keep this a secret as long as I could." Natalie said in a rush.
"Me?! I wouldn't tease you. Really, I'm all for your relationship. About it…have you two…" Carla said leaving the ending unsaid. A pink Natalie finish it truthfully for her.
"Kissing? (Carla nodded) Yes. And to answer your next question of French kissing…(Carla had her eyes raised; Natalie blushed at her interest)…yes, and it was all enjoyable." Natalie said quietly, furiously blushing. Gossip like this couldn't go without a response…Any second now…
"I see…"
Bingo.
(Carla continued)"I see you don't waste time my dear friend. And I assume this all started when you deserted me at the movies…"
"Yes, I saw him at the video game store, he came and introduced himself…like did you know that Phillip paid Eric to come with him (Carla gave her a bored give-me-more-details look)…Yami helped me out (Carla: satisfied)…and things just started from there you know…" Natalie said. Carla was starting to wish she did know what Natalie was talking about.
"I see…" Carla said vaguely. Natalie was getting annoyed, and she snapped back at Carla,
"Just say it! Just let out whatever remark you want to make on my first boyfriend! Just get it over with!"
"What is there to say, all I need to do is look with my eyes and everything is there. Besides, I said I wouldn't tease. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see Yami. And you dearie, are keeping a hot guy waiting for you over there. (Natalie immediately looked over to where Eric was and subconsciously licked her lips: Carla caught this and couldn't resist any longer) My, my aren't we hungry? Have fun." Carla finished her sentence in a soft purr. Natalie was reddening to a nice tomato red color. Before she turned to leave though Carla gave Natalie a huge lusty wink. This was the teasing Natalie had dreaded.
Carla laughed merrily as she walked over to Yami, thinking about Natalie's embarrassed expression. Yami heard Carla's sweet laughter, and thought that it could charm birds to sing like in those Disney flicks Carla had told him about. The laughter stopped as soon as she reached Yami.
"Yami…" Carla said looking up at Yami meaningfully. She smirked. Evilly.
"Carla, I'm sorry, but I had to teach those guys a lesson on etiquette…Austin was particularly hard to teach."
"I haven't even said anything…Now Yami, I should probably let the girls swarm you and see how YOU like it, but that's not my style." Carla said her voice dangerous.
"What is your style then my dear hikari?" Yami said softly, not afraid. Much.
Carla got her purse out and opened it. She held a picture of Yami in a state no man wants to be remembered by.
"Ra you wouldn't…" Yami said scared.
It was the picture of him in a lime green masque, with Barbie pink ribbons holding unruly bangs. One even was working as a headband.
Oh dear Ra, no.
"Do I hear Ebay? Or let's go global…or better yet how about knowing Yugi, the rest of the gang, and especially Kaiba are seeing this picture right now, and are all laughing their butts off."
Yami groaned; the last comment was all too true. He could handle Yugi's and the rest of the gang's teasing. But Ra, Kaiba wouldn't let him live this down once they met up again.
Kaiba at this moment: (looking down on the Earth) Hmmm…Kaiba Corp is doing well today, and wait. (he sees the picture). Is that Yami in pink ribbons?! OMG. HAHAHAHHAHAHA, the pharaoh's gone girly! I have got to let the rest of heaven know…
Yami meanwhile groaned once more, before looking at Carla again.
That little imp was good.
Carla laughed though, that expression was revenge enough for her.
"No hard feelings Yami; I just wanted to see that utter look of horror on your face. Now let's just put that whole episode behind us shall we…" Carla said, turning back intoher innocentcheery self. She gave a mischievous grin. A fast beat song was starting to pick up. Carla raised an eyebrow in challenge to Yami.
"Would you care to dance?" Carla said. Yami smiled, his red eyes twinkling in mischief and delight.
"I'd thought you'd never ask." Yami said as he and Carla entwined themselves in their hot dancing. Carla's eyes drifted over to another couple dancing closely beside them. Natalie and Eric. Natalie smirked naughtily.
She gave Carla a huge lusty wink in return.
Carla and Yami danced the night away.
He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.
-Anonymous
10:45p.m.
Well not exactly the whole night. More like three and a half hours, but who's counting.
Carla had arrived home famished, after she and her dad had arrived home. Dropping the Puzzle off in her room, she went off to get ice cream (much to the disapproval of her parents) for Yami and herself. When she heard Yami had never tried it, she knew she had to get some.
While Carla was getting the ice cream, Yami was sitting on the edge of her bed happily reminiscing the days' events. His found himself remembering a conversation with Eric while the girls danced. They had just been heartily discussing the "classic" game of Duel Monsters…
Flashback
Both guys were silent as they finished their Duel Monster discussion, and watched their girls. After a while Yami felt he just had to ask,
"So…how did you know…when did you know that you…" Yami started out unsure. Eric smiled confidently, and finished for him.
"That I loved her? (Yami nodded, uncomfortable at the word "love". Eric's face gets a dreamy expression on his face) I knew when just her smile made my day…when I just couldn't get her out of my head…when even the way she ate seemed cute…when if she was hurt or sad I felt the same…when I thought she was perfect, and I was the luckiest guy in the world just to know her, I knew." Eric said and gave a knowing glance to Yami. "You'll know too if you don't already."
Yami just stared at Eric with a funny look. It was as if Eric had just described the symptoms to a disease, and Yami had every one.
The disease: love.
"I can't…I don't…it's impossible…" Yami stammered; Eric just gave him the infuriating knowing look every had and said wisely,
"We'll see."
End flashback.
"Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice. Falling in love with you was beyond my control."
-Anonymous (well at least to me)
Did he…? He cared for Carla, yes, but did he…was it something more?
Yami pondered these thoughts seriously when he heard the door kick open.
Carla walked in with an enormous bowl filled with different scoops of ice cream, and two spoons (one was hidden behind her back).
"Dinner is served. Yum!" Carla said gleefully. She handed Yami a spoon, and immediately dug into the nearest one, chocolate. When she lifted her head up 10 seconds later and Yami was cautiously getting a small bit of chocolate into his spoon, she gave an exaggerated sigh.
"It's not going to bite you silly. Go ahead and put it in your mouth" Carla said giggling at Yami's surprised look at the texture. He swallowed quickly though; it was good.
"It's cold, but nice…it melts on your tongue." Yami said wonderingly as he dug into the next scoop: cake batter ice cream (a/n: which is like the best flavor in the world besides chocolate).
10 minutes later…
They had both just finished the huge bowl of ice cream. Carla looked cutely messy with a little smudge of ice cream on her cheek. She smiled at him when she collected their spoons. Yami's heart did a somersault. Stupid somersault. Symptom #1, Yami thought with unease.
"Here allow me." Yami said to Carla as he wiped the vanilla ice cream smudge off with his thumb, and then licked it. Yum, it was sweet, but not as sweet as Carla.
Damnit, Sympton #2.
Carla was embarrassed and said looking at the ground, "You must think I'm such a messy pig."
"Perhaps…but an adorable pig all the same." Yami said doing the very un-Pharaoh like thing of licking off his sticky fingers. Which made them even more sticky. Yami did a quick clean spell on both of them that made them squeaky clean again. (a/n: And as you can see Yami didn't have to wipe off the ice cream himself, but he just wanted an excuse to touch Carla's face).
Carla gave a sigh, patted her full belly, and sat on the couch flipping idly through a CosmoGirl (a/n: don't own). Yami joined her on the bed sitting very close to her. She didn't object; she trusted him again. She even leaned against him (lightly though for she's weirdly shy around him), resting her head against his shoulder.
Yami was starting to get those thoughts again. And this time, with no distractions or interruptions, they began to overwhelm him.
And there was no turning back.
Carla…with her beautiful smile a few seconds ago…Carla…bellowing: angry, when they first met…Carla, rubbing her eyes tired…Carla…scared after that nightmare; she huddled against Yami…Carla…broken, she turned to Yami that day with such a sad face…Carla…so brave, she looked at Yami unafraid, and gave her precious life…for him…his brave Carla, dying; her frail face so pale, her lips tinged blue; it was the saddest sight Yami ever saw (tears were brought to Yami's eyes in reality. Yami blinked them away)....Carla, alive, and her warm presence against his naughty self that night (Yami blushes)…Carla, confused…Carla…betrayed; angry, hurt, defiant, beautiful in her angry retort to Phillip…Carla giggling…Carla dancing…Carla blushing that charming blush…Carla embarrassed (Yami had quite a few flashes of those)…Carla angry at Angelica…Carla smirking as she triumphed over Angelica…Carla in awe as she watched Yami's loyalty…Carla afraid of Yami, actually hating him when she found out what happened that night…Carla angry…Carla happy (Yami's heart did a flutter)…Carla sad, and that sadness made him want to change the world just so it wouldn't hurt her anymore…Carla's sweet smile just for him…Carla, Carla, Carla. CARLA. Yami's head were filled with all those images of her. They were all his.
Yami couldn't ignore it anymore. He had all the symptoms. All those thoughts, all those emotions were showing him clearly what was happening to him.
And suddenly Yami raised his head in a shocked revelation.
Never were his eyes more astonished.
He…LOVED…Carla. (a/n: YES!)
He loved his hikari.
HE LOVED CARLA!
Yami felt a surprising weight lift off his shoulders. He was free. He was in love. Love. LOVE. L-O-V-E. He knew what he'd been wanting for a long, long time:
Carla.
"Carla, have you ever been kissed?" Yami said with his face cast in a shadow. His voice was deep, and from her angle, Carla didn't have an inkling of what was going through Yami's head. And she wasn't sure she wanted to with his voice sending shivers up her spine...
Needless to say Carla was effectively interrupted from her CosmoGirl. If this was just a simple, stupid little question…then why was her stupid heart beating so fast? Somewhere in a dark, unused, corner of her mind, where this knowledge had been shoved into, she knew. Perhaps that is why Carla answered so cautiously,
"No…" Carla said softly swinging her head up to Yami's. Big mistake. They were so close. Carla could feel Yami's fiery red gaze on her. As he was about to speak, Carla felt his warm breath on her skin; she felt her breath catch, and time froze. Oh dear, Carla thought, it's his eyes that are doing this; they're so hypnotic.
"Then I will be your first." Yami whispered huskily. He cupped his angelic hikari's face with his hands. Yami leaned his face over to Carla, and for the briefest of moments their eyes met: shocked brown against a smoldering crimson. Yami gently pressed his lips against Carla's. As his lips lingered over hers, he savored their unbelievable sweetness. But after 5 seconds of no response from Carla, Yami did the gentlemanly thing of breaking the kiss. But it was taking all his strength not to grab Carla and passionately make out, response or no.
Carla sat there trembling in absolute shock. She had let it all happen in a detached sort of out-of-body experience. She touched her lips with her fingers. Carla was incredibly smart, but her brain was going into overload with all the information she was processing. Her mind might as well have been a laptop going: cannot…compute. Will shut down. And Carla's other half of the brain was screaming at the laptop: no don't shut down! I didn't save! (a/n: So that was the metaphoric equivalent of what was happening.)
Yami took her hands into his. He put it over his heart, and Carla looked up at him saying in a small confused voice,
"Wha…?" Yami smiled at Carla's adorable confused expression. Yami sighed though, it would never be his…But Yami could not live a moment longer without saying what he'd been trying to say all along…
Yami completely melted Carla's mind when he said his next words,
"I love you Carla." Yami said softly. He watched as Carla became paralyzed, and she looked up at him with blank eyes.
Carla could literally be knocked over with a feather. She blinked at Yami. Did he just…? O.M.G.
Yami loves me. ME. YAMILOVESMEYAMILOVESMEYAMILOVESME! Carla felt a rush of emotions fill her up. She gazed at Yami with a dazed expression…This was explaining so much.
Yami plowed onward oblivious to Carla's meltdown.
"I'm sorry Carla, but I had to know…how you tasted…" Yami said about to say "if you loved me", but right now he was feeling pretty low with rejection.
"And how did I taste?" Carla said slowly. (her mind is in a meltdown crisis)
"Sweet…Intoxicatingly sweet." Yami said just as slow as Carla. He was trying to smolder the fire in his eyes, but it was no use; he loved her.
Carla meanwhile: Nononononono! NO. This isn't possible. This isn't right. Carla blushed scarlet as she looked at Yami's lips (she couldn't meet his eyes)…Whoa. She didn't…She couldn't, WOULDN'T, SHOULDN'T-
And why not?
It was that darn little voice in her head. Damn, it was supposed to be stuffed in a dark, unused closet of my mind.
And why was she? Why did she fear Yami's love? Why shouldn't this be?
Carla tried to think of a negative answer, but there was none. She couldn't answer.
And bit by bit, her mind clicked. Her head was in a whirl, the room spinning around her…All those emotions she felt were undeniable. Yami was there, always there watching over her; protecting her…his eyes trapped her, and she never wanted to break free…Yami; stupid, clueless, brave, caring Yami. There, always there.
And she never wanted him to leave.
Her heart thumped as she saw him next to her. Now, she knew why. Carla's eyes widened in shock as it all made sense. It was right in front of her, looking her in the eye all along.
She loved Yami. And he loved her too.
In that single moment, the world was perfect.
But what did she do next? Carla wondered to that enlightening voice.
Kiss him you fool.
Yami noticed Carla's stunned face, and asked worried,
"Carla, are you all right? Don't worry; your rejection is noted." Yami gave a sad sigh about to say more. Carla silenced him with a finger. Yami looked at her surprised, and slowly, not believing this was true, he gave the finger a delicate kiss. Carla nodded answering his unspoken question. Her heart was pounding, but she had lost her dazed look. She moved slowly towards Yami, and then she raised her head: finally meeting those eyes. Yami gave a slow smile. His ruby eyes twinkled at Carla, starting to pull her in their hypnotic gaze…Carla gave a shy smile in return.
"Now…who said anything about rejection?" Carla murmured as she timidly tilted her head towards Yami. Yami didn't reply. He smiled at her, welcoming the shy one into his arms. She wrapped her arms around Yami and they kissed a long passionate kiss. Yami was the gentle one, never asking more of Carla, and their kiss was unhurried and undemanding. Carla wrapped her fingers into Yami's soft hair, and Yami did the same to her own. Yami's tongue gently begged to enter Carla's mouth, and Carla happily obliged; and suddenly, their kiss changed nationalities.
…Blissful seconds later…
Carla broke the kiss reluctantly (she needed to breathe), and both gazed at each other in amazement of what just happened.
"I love you too." Carla said with a sheepish grin. She was blushing madly, but happily. Carla looked long and hard into the crimson eyes that had captivated her heart. She knew what Yami's eyes were full of now: love.
She kissed Yami's cheek, and left to change into her pajamas. She returned 5 minutes later and Yami was changed too. Carla raised an eyebrow when she saw Yami's bare chest and heart-shaped boxers. Yami raised an eyebrow back. She sat next to him on the bed.
"Yami…I…you…(Carla was really at a loss of words, and who could really blame her, what did you say after you'd just made out)…Well, you're a really good kisser." Carla finally said. She then blushed at her words; stupid, stupid, stupid! Is that all you can say?! You're a good kisser! God, she sounded so desperate! Yami didn't answer, and Carla said the first thing that popped into her head, "What did you do take kissing classes or something?"
STUPID!
Carla smacked her forehead. She was such an idiot. She glanced at Yami though and was surprised to see color rise up his cheeks. Wait…
"You didn't really take kissing classes, did you?" Carla asked, and Yami's rich blush confirmed her answer. Carla was struggling not to laugh.
"Well…part of a pharaoh's training is to be well-schooled in all aspects of life that we deal with…" Yami said, not meeting Carla's eyes. Carla gave a whoop of laughter,
"So…how were the tests?! (Suddenly her expression looses all humor) Wait. Who did you practice on?!"
"Well…I usually had this one dumb noblegirl, but I don't remember her very well. All I remember is her huge mole and hairy upper lip…Carla, trust me, you are a much better kisser and would beat any noblegirl in looks...not that that matters to me." Yami said shuddering at the memory of that noble girl. Ewwwwww. Carla, reassured, felt she had to ask,
"So did you pass that course?"
Yami blushed, but then he smiled evilly. He had an idea…
"Why of course, with flying colors…but do you know what naughty hikaris get when they make their Yamis remember terrible memories?" Yami said his voice low as his eyes glittered dangerously. Yami's face looked scary, and for one moment Carla felt terror from this monster that wasn't Yami. Yami's face was grim as he grabbed his hikari's shoulders looking ready to strike her…but then…
"TICKLE TIME!" Yami shouted merrily, his face losing any trace of menace. Yami scooped Carla on his lap and began to mercilessly tickle her. And Carla was especially ticklish.
"HAHAHAHA! ::giggle:: Stop…HEHEHEE!...It's too much! HAHAHAHA!…What about my family?…(Yami gives a brief been-there-done-that nod) ::tears start to form in Carla's eyes as she hoots in laughter::…No…::giggle:: not the foot! YAHAHAHHA! I'll (pant) get you for that…(Carla tickles Yami's ribs and now they're both laughing uncontrollably)…Stop…Hohoho!"
"Not until…(Carla interrupts him by pouncing onto him) Ra not the under arms! HAHAHAHA!…::chuckle:: Not until you say mercy!" Yami managed to say, and by his pleasant demeanor he meant it.
"Oh come on, that is so babyish! (Yami stops for a moment looking at Carla with a you're-gonna-regret-your-words look. He then attacks her, tickling her until she breathlessly cries)…OK, OK MERCY! HAHAHAHHA! MERCYMERCYMERCY!" Yami lets her go, and Carla collapses on the bed breathing heavily. Carla panted, just happy to be breathing. Carla closed her eyes wearily; it wasn't only an aftereffect of that spell, she really was tired. She could hear Yami's deep breaths as he sat beside her, and could feel his comforting warm presence. Carla couldn't hold it anymore, she was too relaxed; she gave a huge yawn. An over-protective Yami took Carla into his arms. Carla kept her eyes closed, but she couldn't help smiling. A cool breeze went through Carla and she shivered, snuggling into Yami's bare chest. Yami grinned; he loved winter.
"It's time for my beloved hikari to go to bed." Yami whispered. He then continued, holding Carla like a precious kitten to him. "And her goodnight kiss."
First, he kissed her forehead in a concerned way, then he kissed each closed eyelid lightly, and then he kissed her strong nose teasingly. Carla waited; she knew which part Yami would kiss next, and she lay there in his arms with her lips slightly puckered. Yami chuckled and said with a smirk,
"Goodnight."
"But those kisses didn't count!" Carla said opening her eyes. She looked at Yami with a pout. She put on her best puppy dog eyes. Yami merely gave another infuriating chuckle as he ruffled Carla's hair.
"Oh, but I like to keep you waiting. If you don't want me to tease you, then you'll just have to stop looking so cute when you're angry. And since that's impossible, then no. Goodnight Carla. Don't let the bedbugs bite!" Yami said quietly laughing, his eyes glittering with amusement at Carla's mock indignation. He tweaked her nose, and then disappeared.
Yami?
No answer.
Well, fine then…don't expect me to kiss you back anytime soon…
Still no answer.
Grumbling about pharaohs who thought too highly of themselves, Carla got into her bed. Bit by bit her eyes closed in apparent fatigue, and Carla fell asleep.
As soon as Carla was asleep, Yami appeared again. He smiled at Carla lovingly, and then he tucked her covers in. (a/n: awwww) Yami pushed all the stray unruly strands of hair out of her face. He smiled at her innocent look on her face.
Did she honestly think he would leave her so soon?
Did he honestly think that she would fall asleep that fast? Carla was awake. She was struggling to look asleep though as Yami leaned closer over to her.
"Oh Carla, you're beauty is too much for words…I love you, Carla, oh yes, every infuriating piece that makes you…you." Yami said, and then tweaked her nose.
/Espescially the part that makes you think I actually believe you're asleep. So, next time you try to feign sleep, do it with someone other than your Yami./ Yami continued with what Carla was surely with a wink.
Oh, he's good.
Carla couldn't help but giggling, but she kept her eyes closed all the same.
(moodily) I'm not talking to you.
(Yami: taken aback; he didn't know Carla was teasing) /Why?!/
(indignant, with a pout crossing her face) Because you didn't kiss me like you should've!
"Well, Ra forbid you should stop talking…" Yami said sarcastically. Carla managed to open her eyes enough to weakly smack Yami on his head. Yami lost his teasing look, and gazed at Carla.
"So I'll just have to remedy that then, won't I?" Yami said his tempting voice sending shivers down Carla's spine. She was all his. Yami placed an arm around Carla's angelic head and held it tenderly in the nook of his strong arm. He lifted her chin up with a finger and gently kissed her. After the kiss, he laid Carla delicately back on her pillow.
"I love you too. 'Night Yami." Carla finally answered to Yami. She had a happy smile on her face. Never had the world look more beautiful. The future was looking bright and Carla could guarantee it was going to be interesting…Her Yami with his intense crimson eyes watching over her kindly, was her last sight before she wearily closed her eyes. As she was starting to drift off…
"Goodnight my little hikari." Yami said softly, ruffling Carla's hair. He half-expected an immediate retort, but none came. The hikari in question gave a wry smile.
But she let it go.
Just this once.
The touch of your skin,
The feel of your hair,
waking up to see you are there,
What is this feeling?
I search for a clue
And out of the blue
I can see
that I'm in love with you Yami.
Yes, just you.
-Carla Sanchez in a poem she later writes to Yami
The End. ::sob::
(and the two lines are based on Chris Tomgren's poem, but the rest is all by me…so there's no plagiarism!)
I love this story, and I would like to thank all reviewers who encouraged me to keep it going. This is only my second fanfiction, and it had enormous success! I'd like to thank all the people in my life for somewhat inspiring some of my characters (though Angelica is not based on anyone but she sure is EVIL)
WAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! It's over! Nooooooo (stop in mid-sob), but wait there's a sequel in the making. I'm still deciding a name for the story but it will feature Bakura being kicked out of the underworld (by a pissed off Underworld God for bad deeds) and being forced to being a Yami again. Who's the lucky hikari? A teenaged girl, with a harsh past named (I could use suggestions here). She's being transferred to Carla's school and let's just say that Yami Bakura TROUBLE…and of course CHAOS. With hurricanes that aren't supposed to come in Spring, chibi transformations, telling your parents and AUNT MARIE you have a 5000 year old spirit living in your puzzle, love, and an insane past girlfriend Yami didn't tell Carla about, Spring Break is going to be… interesting…
I EXPECT EACH AND EVERY READER TO REVIEW! COME ON, I DON'T CARE IF YOU'VE NEVER REVIEWED BEFORE OR NOT! REVIEW! IT'S THE LAST CHAPTER!!!!!
Whew…now I can take a break because it's winter break! YAY! Thank you all reviewers!
I hope you enjoyed this story!
R & R! (PLEEEZ.)
-Starlet36