Lightning-Dono: All right, the grand finale comes now. :)
The lyrics during the wedding scene and Mokuba's...er...you'll see...are the translated lyrics of "Kaze to Issho ni" from Pocket Monsters or Pokemon. The song is up for download in a link I put inside the latest update on my profile.
If you listen to it while reading, you'll find that it fits. It has this grand air about it...
I did a lot of clothing describing in this chapter. It helps you envision the characters better. xD;
LISTEN. I've never been to a formal wedding before, so I didn't know what it was like. Therefore, I kind of made up my own wedding that kind of fit Kaiba's tastes. :P
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All of the invited guests were standing on the velvety carpet of Kaiba's main building within the special chamber that Kaiba used for major parties and events. Often other businesses with little to none space rented to the room for work parties. It was a grand place with red floor-to-wall carpeting. Flowers were strewn across the high ceiling. At the front where speeches and important figures stood to speak there was a load of flowers tacked onto the walls. Banners proclaiming Kaiba and Isis's names shimmered in the heavy lighting. All in all, it carried the impression of a church, but only to those of the untrained eye. It was much more modern looking with a touch of ancient tradition that was visible when one reached the two oak doors that provided entry to the grand room.
Yuugi was in a tight, choking black suit that didn't fit his sense of fashion at all. His hair contrasted greatly with the black that covered him. Yuugi's grandfather himself had hand-forced a purple tie onto Yuugi, saying that it matched his eyes very well. However, Yuugi had removed it and no longer knew how to put it back on, which embarrassed him greatly when he saw that even Jounouchi was wearing a tie.
"I thought I'd bring Shizuka-chan along," he grinned. Shizuka was wearing a traditional kimono, complete with a fan that she held dormant in her hand. It sported oriental designs, as did her pink flowery kimono. Jounouchi's suit was a very dark blue, like a night sky. His tie was a light blue to match with swirling lines that went no where in particular. "I was going to make my hair in a Mohawk, just to distract Kaiba, but my mom told me not to."
"This is his wedding, Onii-chan," Shizuka scolded. "It's a happy time of the year for him!"
"Yes..." Yuugi smiled, thinking over his relation with Kaiba. "He was never sociable. I hope now that he's engaged to someone that he'll be easier to communicate with."
Jounouchi snorted loudly. Several formal guests turned to glare at him angrily, like he had accidentally destroyed a valuable painting. How accidental that would've been no one really knew, but after a moment of awkward silence, everyone resumed their conversing.
"He nearly hissed and scratched out my eyes when I approached him the last time to ask him something. The guy needs anger management lessons. Being married or engaged or whatever won't change him a bit!" The blonde declared.
Then, Anzu burst through the oak doors, huffing her lungs out. With what she was wearing, she could've been a replacement for the bride herself. The white shimmering gown went all the way to her pearly white high heels. A clipped rose had been stuck in a rubbed band and tied to her hair. The dew still clung onto the soft petals, indicating that it was a last minute addition. Unless she had used drops of super glue on it and the rose was really fake. Anzu's hair was sleek and shiny, reaching to her shoulders. Light blush had been applied to her usually pale cheeks and long silver earrings hung from her usually empty lobes.
Yuugi was breathless for a second when he first saw her, but regained his composure. But his heart was beating faster than it should've been. For a second he wanted this wedding to be for him, but beat the idea out of his mind.
"You look nice today," Honda complimented, emerging from the shadows, still jerking on his tight black socks.
"Where did you come from?" Jounouchi yelled. Luckily, amidst the cheerful voices around him, it sounded like a whisper.
"I've been trying to put these stinking socks on before you guys even got here!" He growled viciously, tugging them on and hopping around on one foot.
A bearded man approached a microphone at the front. "May all guests take a seat and the wedding ceremony begin!"
The people scrambled to take a seat on the pew-like benches that were lined up like those in a church. Anzu beckoned the gang over, patting the seats next to her happily. They sat down next to her, giving their attention to the man at the front.
- - - - -
"Please, I didn't do anything wrong!" Mokuba was claiming desperately, the Buddha sitting before him stationary, his eyes closed. The boy wasn't quite sure if he was even listening, but after arguing with the Buddha himself for a few minutes, it was getting so pointless that Mokuba wouldn't blame him.
"You're blowing it..." Kara muttered out of the corner of her mouth, arms crossed and tapping her toe on the limestone that had formed atop the mountain.
"What did you feel when you died?" The Buddha questioned, his deep voice ringing across the hills and valleys that were visible.
Mokuba didn't even have to think about this. He'd been feeling it the whole time, even when he had been cuddled up against Kara. "Well, sad...desperate...hopeful..." He sighed. "Don't you understand?"
The Buddha's eyes snapped open freakishly. "Yes...I do." Hopeless tones tainted his powerful voice. He was torn between two decisions – throwing the young boy back down in the wretched alley or sending him to rebirth? Perhaps even eternal peace, if only someone carrying such a burden on his shoulders and trouble in the mind could achieve that stage.
"So what'll it be?"
"Don't speak to Buddha-sama in such an ignorant manner!" Kara suddenly yelled, stamping her foot. The Buddha turned his head, a look of incomprehensible surprise written all over his face. Like he had been riding a tame horse but it had just bucked him off and started trampling an old lady.
"Calm yourself, Kara," he said calmly, used to being addressed rudely by those who didn't know his unfathomable power, which he often suppressed.
Kara bowed hastily. "Yes, Buddha-sama."
"I shall make my decision soon enough. For now, you both are dismissed to do as you please for an hour while I consult greater beings." His eyes shut tight, eyelashes lying prone to the soft sprinkles falling from the sky.
- - - - -
"Today you will witness the most spectacular wedding of the year, where world renowned Kaiba Seto gets married to former member of the Egyptian Tomb Keeper Clan, Isis Ishtar!"
Clapping was produced from a man in the first row, which then got everyone going. Dainty giggling occurred on the other side of Yuugi and he turned to notice that the lady next to him was half crying and laughing. In slight disgust, he scooted into Anzu, made a noise, and got shushed by her.
An advanced choir at the nearby college stood on the bleachers neighboring the highly decorated stage, robed and singing their hearts out. Pure emotion poured through the air, reaching the ears of all. A soft tune played by two aspiring flutists followed in the background, supporting the voices. The soloist stepped down from the bleachers, leaned towards the nearest microphone supplied and sang.
"You go on walking 'till where will you go?"
I stopped as the wind asked me
Her voice was rich and flowing, easily fluctuating to reach the notes that were within range. Every error she made was turned into a moment of glory. She exaggerated the dynamics and kept the beat with her tapping toe.
This was also the cue for Kaiba to walk Isis up the isle. Acknowledging the fact that their fathers were unavailable, he had designed the formatting himself. It would be a short ceremony, but it would be a rewarding experience for everyone. Especially the two getting married themselves. The white looked oddly bright against her tan skin. Her long glove expanded to her elbow, the dress trailed across the floor, and ahead of them was a petite flower girl tossing flower petals. She happened to be Rebecca with a sparkling turquoise gown that looked all too good against her hair.
The first drum rolls
One more life has just begun
Kaiba's elbow hooked onto Isis's and he held his other arm still at his side, not allowing it to swing. Isis, however, was happily waving grandly to the audience, making little motion with her hand but somehow making it look wonderfully majestic. Rebecca forked the road and went off the left to rest by the wall, making a big show of tossing remaining flower petals towards the couple.
Finally you search for something
Open those little hands
Soon enough you discover
Not yourself but anotherAlthough Isis paled in comparison to Kaiba's height, she made up for it by her smiling face. Never had another bride looked so happy to be walking up to a flower-strewn stage with the one man she loved.
"Do you both promise to keep your partner in good health, treat them well, and show ultimate devotion?"
What kind of corny speech is that? Kaiba wondered, watching the man with dislike. I wanted this wedding to be one to remember because of it's beauty, not because it had some weird speech stating everything we'd try to do, anyway. But whatever Kaiba had thought of the speech disintegrated as they turned towards each other. Isis's face shone with mirth, her eyes overflowing with joy that might come spilling out any moment. Kaiba found himself wanting to dive into those deep blue eyes, wallowing in the happiness, letting it flood him over until he was devoid of all sorrow.
Birthday celebration, more candles
I set off on a journey from a town
"May the both of you live together and be with each other until your last breaths."
The sense of togetherness was overwhelming. Kaiba and Isis urgently waited for the sign that they should start kissing. There was no ring bearer, so the sign was for the man to hand them the ring. The man was so slow in reacting that the world might as well have been stopped in a time. The crowd held their collective breaths. Shizuka clung to Jounouchi in fear that she might lose herself and start singing songs to the people around her. Jounouchi's heart was beating double-time in his chest, his eyes looking like they would pop once Kaiba and Isis's lips connected. Anzu was bouncing up and down in her seat with excitement. The lady beside Yuugi looked like she was about to leave the room to raid a store for tissues she was crying silently so hard. Yuugi strained to look over the sea of heads that had been obscuring his vision for most of the ceremony. Especially since the man infront of him was atleast two feet taller with sharp, pointy hair. But all complaints failed when he realized that 'the man' was actually Honda without enough room on their bench, forcing him to move a row ahead.
The man reached within his pocket to reveal a jewelry store box that contained soft tissue. Inside the depths of tissue was the shining diamond ring that longed to see daylight.
Even now you search for something
Those large eyes shine
Is your pocket what is there
Is not you but another
Kaiba removed the ring from the tissue, a side of the diamond glinting in the light that spilled from a light bulb above them, beamed directly at the stage. Isis's hand went up. She removed the glove from that hand, throwing it into the audience. A young man grabbed it and stuffed it greedily into his pocket. The brown-haired man slipped the ring onto Isis's finger, the cool gold running down her finger until it reached the base. The other glove went off, tossed into the audience in another direction. The man that had gotten hold of the first one looked sorely disappointed to have not been able to receive a full set.
Their hands went together, grasping each other like there was no tomorrow. Isis and Kaiba took one last look into each other's eyes and then leaned in for the kiss. In the audience, Malik emitted a loud sniff, which was halted by Rishid who elbowed him in the ribs.
The kiss seemed to last an eternity. The audience clapped enthusiastically, shouting, "Congratulations!" and laughing whole-heartedly. Kaiba, who was used to such publicity, turned red from the attention as soon as they let go.
"Let's keep true to what he said, okay?" Isis whispered.
"Sure." He smiled. This time not in a way that made people want to throw bricks at his mouth, but a genuine one that made him gorgeous beyond reasoning. "I hope Mokuba is well."
"I do, too."
"But I have to tell you something."
Isis looked up at him.
"I have a whole collection of...Very well carved Duel Monsters decorations..." Kaiba coughed. "I'm quite the artist, see...Would you like some?"
The woman was thrilled. "We're living together now, aren't we? Show me later." She grinned. "I want to join in on the festivities. I'm starving!"
Together, the couple walked into the crowd, arms linked and a single diamond shining in the light.
Numerous encounters and
Numerous farewells
Memories like visions are also few
Outside, although the clouds had parted, light rain pattered onto the ground. A miracle that defied all laws of nature done by a single soul that had been freed.
- - - - -
Mokuba had been accepted into freedom on all planes above the current one where he can be in eternal peace and never fall into the wrong hands again. The Buddha had called it the Buddhism version of 'Heaven' and Mokuba was crying with joy from the acceptance. The requirements were that he love himself instead of worrying all too much about others.
"In heaven, the only person you will have is yourself. While the other angels will communicate with you, to keep yourself in heaven you must be able to be happy."
Mokuba nodded to this without regret, knowing that he could do it.
You go on walking 'till where will you go?"
I gazed at the sky as the wind asked me
An opalescent robe that extended down to his calves, allowing his legs to remain mobile replaced his clothing. Mokuba floated upwards slowly, waving to Kara, tears streaming down his soft cheeks.
"You go on walking 'till where shall you go?"
Together with the wind let's go once more
"Can you come visit me in heaven?" He asked tearfully.
"...No. But I'll never forget about you!" Kara reached upwards to grab both sides of his face. She pecked him on the cheek, her lips dampened, but she didn't care. "Maybe I'll see you again someday when I get up there!"
"Sayonara, Kara-chan!" Mokuba cried, crying with joy...But it was mixed with sadness all the same. He had known her for such a short time but it had felt like centuries. "I'll see you again someday!"
Stamping across the earth I shall go anywhere
'Till I get hold of the dream I aimed for
"I hope so!" Kara screamed, the same salty liquid her lips had touched pouring down her face. "I'll try and visit!"
Stamping across the earth I shall go anywhere
'Till I get hold of the dream I aimed for
The newly born angel soared into the colorful universe above, waving distantly to a friend, letting the whole world know how happy he had becoming by shedding his great happiness down onto the earth.
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This fanfic is now completed. :D If you're a Harvest Moon fan, go ahead and read 'Forget me Now', which I will be continuing. And if not, keep checking back for any more Yuugi Ou fics. Until then, ja ne!
An Authoress note will be following this chapter shortly.
x x x
- Lightning-Dono