Chapter Three: A Rose By Another Name
POV: Sahara (a.k.a. Suzanna)
As soon as I realized Atem didn't remember me, I was prepared to leave for home as to cry every last trace of a tear I had in me. But now Atem…I mean Yami…or Yugi…oh whatever… is inviting me into his own house! I don't know if I should feel upset or pleased.
Obviously, I'll be seeing him again after so long…but he doesn't even remember me…what if he's different now? What if he hates me? What if…?
But even if you forget all the what if's, I still don't know how I'll be able to stand him not remembering our love when I do! Should I tell him? Maybe if I tell him, he'll understand…
I mentally shook my head. He still wouldn't understand completely how much I love him and how much he loved me. Besides, I would never want to manipulate him due to my own heartache.
"You okay, girl?"
I jumped out of my fantasy and looked up at Joey.
I smiled. "Yes. I…I just spaced out a minute. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," Atem said in a very royally charming tone.
"Yeah, Yugi here spaces out all the time," Joey added with a goofy grin, "Once he spaced out in the middle of a movie, and I practically had to dump the bag of popcorn on him for him to realize it was over."
I tried not to laugh as Atem sweatdropped, and whacked Joey upside the head.
"Thank you, Joey, for embarrassing me most profoundly," Atem snapped.
"You're welcome," Joey said sarcastically.
Atem's cheeks were red, and I couldn't help but smile.
"I think it's a cute story," I said shyly.
Atem looked slightly surprised, but smiled back. "If you say so. C'mon…let's get to the Game Shop, the weather's changing."
The wind blew hard, and I suddenly saw what he meant. Odd…there hadn't been any wind before…
POV: Yami
Suzanna and I walked toward the Game Shop, and I snuck a glance at her every so often.
I wish I knew why she looks so familiar to me…
/Are you sure you don't just think she's pretty?/ asked Yugi.
I glared inwardly.
/I'm serious!/ I snapped, /I know I've seen her before!/
I felt Yugi's slight guilt. /Sorry. I was just wondering…I mean, it'd be nice if you found a girl…/
/Oh, shut up…!/
Suddenly, I felt something solid collide with my head.
"Yugi!"
Stars winked in front of my eyes as I held my head. Suzanna rushed over.
She pushed my hand away so she could feel my face for bruises. "Are you okay, Yugi?"
/Note to Yami,/ Yugi said in a teasing tone, /Watch out for lampposts when you're walking and talking through the mind link at the same time./
"I…I'm fine…" I stammered, trying hard not to blush at the sudden contact.
Suzanna relaxed when she found that I wasn't hurt. And then, to my surprise, she began to laugh.
"What's…what's so funny?" I asked her.
Suzanna bit her lip. "You just saved my life…are you really trying to get me to return the favor that fast?"
I blinked as she continued to laugh. Then I found myself smile, and despite it all, I began to laugh too. We both laughed at the situation for a while (Ra, I don't even know how long), before finally calming down and smiling at each other.
"C'mon," I said, "Let's keep going."
Suzanna nodded.
"Just don't run into any more lampposts," she joked.
We continued walking silently for a few minutes. The silence was making me feel awkward and uncomfortable. I needed to talk to her…
"Suzanna?" I said.
"Hmm?" Suzanna replied, "What is it, Yugi?"
"Um…" I tried to think of a good beginning.
/Yugi, what should I say?/
/Ask her about her home!/ Yugi advised.
"Do you…do you like living in Egypt?"
"I suppose," she replied shyly, "It should be everything anyone would ever want…but…"
"But what?" I asked.
"Nothing," Suzanna said quickly.
"I know it's not nothing," I said seriously, "What's wrong?"
"My cousin's…a little controlling sometimes, that's all," Suzanna whispered.
"Your cousin?" I repeated, my eyes narrowing.
"Yes," she replied, "My cousin's older than me and… Well, you see, my parents aren't always there…and my cousin…he sometimes makes me do things I don't want to do…"
I could tell she felt awkward, so I tried a new tactic.
"Do you know anything about Egypt…in the time of the Pharaohs?"
Suzanna looked at me in slight surprise. "Why do you ask?"
"Uh…well, I…"
/Should I tell her, Hikari?/ I asked.
/Go ahead,/ Yugi replied.
I took a deep breath.
"I…I'm not really called Yugi. My name is Yami…well, at least that's what everyone calls me, I don't know my real name. I live in this," I held up the Millennium Puzzle, "I was a spirit from Ancient Egypt…but I don't remember anything about my life back then. People have been talking about me being a Pharaoh and stealing my 'power,' but I don't know exactly what they mean. I just thought…since you're from Egypt, you might…"
I bit my lip. She probably thought I sounded silly.
Suzanna, however, didn't look surprised or freaked out at all. In fact, she looked rather mellow.
"I understand," she said, "And no, I don't know any knowledge I have that might help you… but I could help you look."
She looked at me with hopeful eyes. I smiled.
"Sure. But for now, let's get some sleep."
POV: Sahara
We went into the Game shop, and I felt my heart soar.
What if I actually could help Atem remember?
