Authoress Notes: IMPORTANT NEWS! No, I'm still grounded. Gomen. But...on Sunday, June 1st (tomorrow), I'm going to go meet Amy Birnbaum, Tea's voice actress! w00t! I'm gonna get my Magician of Faith card signed and a piece of Tea fan art! (And...if I can: get some pictures of her and get a mini-interview.) ...And since I'm such a greedy person, maybe I can get Dancing Fairy and Wingweaver sign too! And allllll of this will be posted on the Tea/Anzu shrine!
Did I mention that's it now up? ::has terrible memory:: Just go to my closet site that is linked to on my Bio page and click on 'Apricots & Cream'.
Oh yeah...and just to be pathetioc, I'm gonna give Miss Birnbaum my business card! ::very, VERY excited:: At the bottom of this chapter, it will most likely talk about what happened when I meet her, since I won't get this chapter done in one day.
Now, back to the story...I am FINALLY going to start Golden Isle Tournament! So, in the fic timeline, it's Friday! Just to keep you all up to date with the characters, here's a little overview:
Isis, Shadii, Pegasus and Seto are currently on Golden Isle. All four have now been discovered to be avatars; Seto is Odin, Pegasus is Osiris, Isis is Isis (duh) and Shadii is Thoth.
Malik, Anzu, Yugi, Ryou, Jou, Honda, Rowan and Mokuba are still in Domino City.
Sy and Himeyuri are also in Domino City, getting ready to travel to Golden Isle. Sy has Rowan and Mokuba 'bugged' so that he can keep an eye on them since Seto is an avatar. Himeyuri, however, is just starting to get second thoughts about their mission.
::does a little dance:: I am soooooo proud of this story! And I love you all for reviewing! This is more popular than Harry Potter and the Shadow Realm! ::dodges several rocks and various items being thrown at her by the HP&SR fans:: I got serious writer's blcok on the fic! Don't hurt me! ::gets hit with what look's like Tasuki's tessen and falls unconscious::
Aura: And to wrap up what my light was saying, enjoy the fic! And yes, she is still working on the contest. In her class, they've begun the CD project. ::picks up Mae and carries her out of the room::
I do not own Yugioh! or Duel Monsters. They are copyrighted to Kazuki Takahashi, 4Kids Entertainment (::grumbles about their dubbing::) and Konami. I do not own Sy Cross; he belongs to Esse. I own the Egyptian goddess cards, Himeyuri and the plotline. ^^ All rights reserved.
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Dreams of Innocence
Chapter XXVII: Obsession
Anzu sat in her desk, biting down on her bottom lip. At her side lay the display board for her and Malik's project. However, Malik and the other half of the project wasn't in class. Already four groups have gone. And after this fifth one, it be her and Malik's turn.
{Where the heck is Malik? He can't be sick today! Not today! Please oh please oh please let him be in today!]
::Oh dear, mistress is becoming stressed!::
::Shush!::
::...I am hungry.::
::Ayame! How can you think of food at a time like this!::
::I'm not! My stomach is!::
::Cho-cho! Be nice to Ayame! Besides...I'm getting a bit hungry myself...::
::Suika...not you too!::
Anzu turned her head down to her stachel. Blinking, she reached down and clicked the latch open. Immedtiaely, all three fairies fell silent.
{I could have I sworn I heard little whispers from my bag...} thought Anzu, as he pulled away.
Cho-cho whakced both Ayame and Suika on the back of the heads, glaring.
::We almost got caught! Now, silence for the rest of the day!::
There was a long pause of silence when Ayame interrupted it with a mumble.
::I'm still hungry.::
"Thank you Miss Ikeda and Miss Nomura!" spoke the teacher, clapping with the rest of the class. Both students bowed and carried their project to the back of the room. "Now...Miss Mazaki and Mr. Ishtar, you're up!"
Anzu started to raise her hand in worry when the door brust open and Malik came running in. Under his arm were a bunch of scrolls while his bag bounced off his back.
"I'm here!" he stated. "Sorry I'm late!"
"Ah, Mr. Ishtar! Just in time! It's yours and Miss Mazaki's turn to present!"
When Malik looked over at Anzu, he saw that she was staring up at the ceiling, her lips moving, mouthing something to the ceiling.
"Thank you God," she repeatedly stated as she smiled and stood up. It took a couple of minutes for the two to set up their presentation. As Anzu checked the display board over, she heard Malik whisper soemthing to her.
"Tell Yugi and the others to meet me on the track after school. There's a new tournament hosted by Kaiba and Crawford."
"A new tournament? But why?"
"I can't tell you now. I need you tell Yugi, the pharaoh and their friends of this tournament. Jonouchi Katsuya, Mazaki Anzu, Bakura Ryou and Ogawa Rowan are invited."
"Ogawa? I've never heard of her sis."
"I know you haven't; she is under Seto Kaiba's employement. I need you to deliever this message to her."
"Anzu? In teh tournament? She's never been in one."
"I know, but I need her to do something for me. Now, I need you to relay this message to them all..."
Isis was lying on the bed, her face burried in the pillow. Her conversation with Malik on the phone earlier still bothered her. Everything was bothering her now. And yet...now everythying was making sense now...
Still face down in the pillow, she raised a hand and pointed her finger at the door.
~Clok.~
The lock on the doorknob turned to the left, locking it. Then, she let her arm fall to the side of the bed, dangling in mid-air.
Everything had happened to fast. Her head spun as sher thought.
Avatar?
Isis?
The visions...
Were they memories?
Nothing made sense anymore.
"I don't like this..." Jonouchi muttered as she looked around, arms folded over his chest. He frowned and looked at Anzu. "How can you trust him Anzu? I mean, he used both of us against yug during Battle City, if you haven't forgotten."
Anzu closed her eyes and sighed. "I know, I know...but something tells me...tells me that he's changed, if even jsut a little."
"How can you be so sure?" argued Jou.
"He stopped his yami from killing me," Anzu replied, beginning to feel agitated with her friend's constant paranoia.
"Come on you two," interrupted Ryou. "Let's just see what Malik has to say, all right?"
Jou frowned and turned his back while Anzu sighed, shaking her head.
"You all came."
All heads turned to see Malik joining them. His face was grave, which was unlike him.
"Why did you call us here?" asked Yugi.
Malik looked Anzu, frowning. "Didn't you tell them?"
Anzu looked at the ground. "I...I didn't think they would believe me if I said so..."
"Believe what Anzu?" asked Jou.
Shaking his head, Malik turned to the them. "Pegasus Crawford and Seto Kaiba have started another tournament. It starts today."
Yugi stared in disbelief while Jonouchi voiced his opinion, "Are you kiddin' me? No damn way!"
"My sister called me this morning, which was why I was late to class," explained Malik, glancing at Anzu. "She told me tom deliver a message to you. Yugi, Jonouchi, Ryou and Anzu are invited to the tournament. You are to go home, after this conversation, and pack for a three day tournament. You, along with a few other selected duelists in Japan, will board a plan at eight o'clock and be taken to the JFK Airport in New York. There, the plane will pick up a group of American Duelists and then bring you to Golden Isle, where the tournament will be held. Everything will be explained on the plane."
"How do we know you're not lyin?" demanded Jou.
"Look, I've put Battle City in the past, I damn sure you should too," growled Malik.
"It's hard to forget the fact you used me against my best friend!" snapped Jou.
"Both of you, just shut up!" demanded Anzu, eyes narrowed in anger. "Look," she said, turning to Jou, "Malik has no reason of lying to us about something like this."
"But something just doesn't fit," spoke Yugi. "Kaiba and Crawford? Working together?"
"I know it doesn't make sense," admitted Malik. "But that's what Isis told me. And Yugi...she wanted me to give you these."
From his pocket, he pulled out three Duel Monster cards. "They are rightfully yours, since you got them in Battle City." It was the three God cards. "She said you would be needing them."
Blinking, Yugi accepted. "I'll be needing them? But why?"
"She wouldn't say. Look, you should all go home and pack. The plane is going to leave in five hours."
Yugi garbbed Jou's arm and dragged him away, seeing the murderous look in his eyes. "C'mon Jou..."
"I'll call you later," spoke Ryou gently, placing a ahnd on his friend's shoulder. Malik nodded and watched the albino-haired boy leave.
"Before you leave..." started Malik. Anzu looked at him. He pulled another card from his pocket. "My sister wanted me to give you this."
Taking it, Anzu stared at it. Her heart nearly stopped. "I-I've never seen this before!"
"That's because there was only one made," spoke Malik. "Pegasus gave it to my sister to hold onto. Hathor's a terribly rare and powerful card."
"Oh my...but why me?" Anzu looked at him, confused. "Why did Isis want me to hold this."
"All she said that she needed someone she could trust the most to hold onto it. Anyway, you should go. You've got a plane to catch." Malik turned and started to walk away.
"Malik! Hang on a second."
Halting, Malik looked at her.
"Listen...I know Jonouchi can never forgive you for what you're yami ahs done...and maybe a part of me can't either, but..."
"Just forget it." And with a wave of annoyance, Malik left her alone on the track.
"A three day tournament..." muttered Yami from his perch a top of Yugi's desk. he sat there, crosslegged, thinking. Yugi was packing two shirts into his duffel bag, humming to himself.
"Yeah. There's a plane leaving at eight...I told Sugoroku already."
"A plane...I recall you telling me about those."
"Oh don't worry about it," reasured Yugi. "You'll see one when we get there. Anzu's mom offered to car-pool us all there."
Yami leaned his hands behind him and titled his head back, looking out the window above the desk. It was raining outside. Inside, it felt as though someone was crying these drops of rain, but he couldn't tell who...nor could he get rid of the feeling. The feeling of something. Of something that was going to happen. He nearly toppled of the desk as the scream of woman rang in his ears.
"Yami! What's wrong?" asked Yugi, seeing his darker half jump.
Yami blinked at him.
"Didn't you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Staring at him in disbelief, Yami just sat there. {H-he didn't hear that scream?} Climbing off the desk, Yami stood up. Again, the scream rang in his ears. His knees weakened beneath him as he slumped to the ground, hands over his eyes and eyes tightly shut.
"Yami! Yami, what's wrong?" Yugi fell to his side, shaking his shoulders. "Yami! C'mon, talk to me!"
"She won't stop screaming!" stated Yami, flinching as the scream rang again.
"Whose screaming Yami? There's no one here but us!"
"Just make her stop! Please!"
"Yami, get a hold of yourself!"
"Aibou, make her stop! Please make her stop!"
"You gotta get a hold of yourself!"
A pair of emerald eyes suddenly flashed in his mind, tears of blood streaming down those eyes.
Then, it stopped.
Mrs. Mazaki chuckled as she looked up into the rear-view mirror. In the back, Jonouchi and Yugi were attempting to have a duel in the back seats. Ryou, sitting behind them, watched in amusement. Anzu was riding shotgun and busy changing the CD.
"Put somethin' good on Anzu!" stated Jou, not looking up from the duel.
"Is Daft Punk okay? I got their Discovery CD yesterday," she asked, holding up the black CD.
"Sure. Hey, they had those animted music videos done by Leiji Matsumoto?"
"Yep!" answered Anzu.
"Their music is pretty good," agreed Ryou.
"Anzu, is there anyone else we're picking up?" asked her mother.
"Um...I don't think so. Well, maybe Malik..."
"Oh hell no!" Jonouchi said, eyes doubling in size. "I am not riding in the same car as him!"
"Chill Jou," sighed Anzu. "I don't if he's even going to the tournament." Digging into her messanger bag, she pulled out her cellphone with the Kuriboh keychain dangling from it. She dialed in the Ishtar number and held it to ehr ear. Everyone was sielnt as they waited.
Malik looked over at the phone. It rang once. twice. Three times. On the caller ID, it read 'MAZAKI, ANZU: CELL'.
[If you don't the Ra-damned phone, then I will!]
Turning on his side on teh couch, Malik let the phone ring.
[What the hell is wrong with you? Ever since you talked to Isis this morning, you've been a bigger pain in the ass than usual.]
Ring.
{Just...leave me alone.}
Ring.
[It has to do with the Mazaki girl, doesn't it.]
Ring.
[Just talk to her for Ra's sake!]
Ring.
The ringing stopped and the answering machine picked up.
"Malik? It's me, Anzu. Er...I was just calling to see if you were going to the tournament too. Jou, shut up! I'm on teh phone! ...I know you're there Malik. Pick up."
[C'mon you dumbass! Answer the phone!]
"...Look, my mom is driving everyone to the airport and we can give you a ride...Jou, I told you to lay off! If he needs a ride, we're giving him one!"
[I know what you dreamed off. You want the girl, I can feel it everytime you lay your eyes on her. I may be a killer, but I can damn well tell when someone is in love with another.]
"Malik?...I guess you aren't there."
[Answer her and tell her!]
"I guess...we'll see you after the tournament."
[Tell her that you love her!]
"Bye." Click.
Pulling himself off the couch, Malik stared down at the floor. His yami said nothing more. His lavender eyes stared at the carpet, confused. Then, he burried his face in his hands. For once, his yami had spoken the truth.
He did love Anzu.
And he couldn't bring himself to say it.
The small group waited in the terminal. Anzu was hugging her mother good-bye.
"Now, you take youself sweetie," said Mrs. Mazaki, hugging Anzu one last time.
"It's only three days," replied Anzu. "Besides, you need to relax. Things have been hectic lately."
"C'mon Anzu! We gotta board now!" called out Ryou.
"Bye Mom," said Anzu as she picked up her messenger bag and waved. Her mother waved back, before turning and walking away, sniffling. Anzu quickly caught up with the others.
"Tickets and proof of tournament participation," stated the guard at teh gate. All four showed their tickets, which had been found at their homes after school.
"Proof of participation please."
All four blinked, looking at one another.
"Listen buddy, we showed you our tickets. What more proof are ya lookin' for?" demanded Jou.
"Proof that you authorized to enter the tournament."
"They're qualififed Adams. Let them through." All heads turned. The voice was of a girl's. Her raven black hair was pulled up in a bun, held by two black sticks. She carried a black bag over her left shoulder and was dressed in black flares and a tight green t-shirt. Aroudn her wiast was a black belt with silver studs that hung to the side. Around her left wrist was a spiked bracelet.
"Miss Ogawa, I presume," the guard said, frowning.
"Yes. Mister Kaiba summoned me to come with the duelists to Golden Isle. And I am to give these four their proof of participatian," Rowan added, with a smirk. Digging into her pocket, she pulled out four triangle chips. Each one was silver boarded with a gold line. In the centers were a colored stone. She handed Yugi, Jonouchi, Ryou and Anzu one each.
The guard, Adams, stepped aside. Rowan stepped ahead and walked onto the plane, flashing her ticket. "Thanks Adams."
"She works for Kaiba?" wondered Jou aloud.
Shadii knocked on Isis' door. "Isis?"
"Yes? Come in."
Shadii turned the doorknob and found it locked.
"...It's locked."
There was a soft click and Shadii opened the door. He found Isis sitting on the window seat by the window, staring out it. Her eyes were half-closed, emotionless. The lights were turned off had little of it came through the window. She didn't turn to see him when he entered.
Crossing the room, Shadii sat down beside her, staring at the ground. Neither said anything. Yet they spoke of everything in their silence. The light outside faded from sunset to the cold night, the clouds hiding the stairs and the rain pouring from them. Very gently, Shadii wrapped his arms around Isis, hugging her. Isis made no movement to stop him. Instead, she leaned into his embrace, feeling safe in his arms. She could feel the Millennium Ankh press against her back, but she didn't care. All she wanted was comfort. Then, with the falling rain came the falling tears. The tears, they were silent, but there.
"Woah...first class? Awesome!" spoke Anzu as she and the others got onto the plane.
"Well, well, well! You all are entering the tournament as well? I shouldn't be surprised!" Anzu looked in the direction of the plane and grinned.
"Hey Mai!" she answered, seeing the blonde-haired woman in the back of the plane.
Grabbing her bag, Mai moved ehrself up so that she was seated directly behind Anzu.
"How's it going hon?"
"Not bad!"
"Oh, hi Mai!" spoke Yugi when he put his stuff in the seat next to Anzu.
"Hey Yugi, how's Yami?"
There was a pause as Yugi spoke to yami in his mind. "He says he's all right."
Anzu sat down in her seat, giggling as the two continued their conversation. Digging through her bag, she pulled out her CD player and headphones. Slipping them over her head, she rumagged through her bag again and found her case of CDs. After a minute of searching, she decided on one and put it in the player. Hitting the play button, she leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.
Open your heart...
To eternal dimension.
Open your heart...
For love and affection.
Open your heart...
Your every emotion.
Open your heart...
For tears and rejection...
"Nice way of getting us in Hime," spoke Sy with a smirk. Himeyuri giggled as he wrapped and arm around her shoulders.
"Tis not a problem!" she replied. When they got on the plane, they quickly found seats away from the other duelists and began to talk, but in another language.
~Ydo rou oecignaze ony hf tem?~
~Lon wly fto mro ag eam oshp.~
~Aavstar?~
~Sye, tbu tno eon tye.~
"Damn..." muttered Himeyuri. "Oh well, maybe we'll find them on the island."
"Hopefully," agreed Sy, leaning back in his seat. "But we need to concentrating on both capturing the pharaoh and finding the priestess."
Rowan sat in her seat, staring out the window. They would taking off in fifteen minutes: there were still a few more duelists to appear. Her thoughts were racing as she wondered why Kaiba even wanted her to come.
~~~~~
::bouncing up and down excitedly:: OH MY RA OH MY OH MY RA! Miss Birnbaum is so freaking nice! She signed four cards (Two for my friends, one for me and one for the contest), let us take pictures, let me interview her AND she kept my Chibi Anzu sketch! And she's going to be visiting A&C! HOLY SHITAKE MUSHROOMS! ::giggling like mad::
Note on the contest: there are now two prizes: Dreams of Innocence Soundtrack and a Wingweaver card signed by Amy Birnbaum. XD Life kicks ass, doesn't it?
The interview, pictrues and signed MoF card will be posted on A&C in June, so keep an eye out for it! ^^ ::frolicks away:: ~Mae L. Crawford