Disclaimer: Daikaio does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or any of its' characters.
Chapter Fifteen: Crimson
Author: Daikaio
Rating: PG-13
"Speech."
'Thoughts.'
:'Yami to Yugi.':
(('Yugi to Yami.'))
/'Bakura to Ryou'/
('Ryou to Bakura')
:Yami singing:
((Yugi singing))
((:Both Yami and Yugi singing:))
A/N – First of all, I need to give out a lot of notes. Alright, firstly: no RyouxBakura in this story! xO As much as I like that pairing, I never planned any yaoi in this story, so there won't be any. Last chapter was just about their friendship thing, nothing more. XD Just had to clear that up!
A/A/N – Also, I'm back at school, so the final update could take a few days. Yes, sadly readers, only one chapter left after this one. :(
A/A/A/N – Oh yeh! And one more thing: when I do this "(!)" in my story, that means that the next piece of writing might make your imagination give you…ah, inappropriate images. (Whistles) You'll see what I mean!
A/A/A/A/N – Also, this is a very long chapter! Enjoy!
So, what is the authoress and crew up to…?
With a sigh of defeat, Daikaio stuffs random text books and work books into her school bag and zips up her pencil case. Her two week holidays were over; time to return to her rather annoying semester 2. Rauzeras didn't look happy that she would be on her own all day, and the day after, and the day after that…
Looking pouty, T.Alligator runs about the bedroom, finding random items to throw at 'Baku-Baku'. Looking amused, the rest of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Gang's attention was on them.
Quickly quickeditting and posting chap.15, Daikaio then races out of her room and receives bad news that she may have to start catching the bus home…
"See? You just pluck these cords here, put your other fingers on those cords - yes, that's right – and then it gives off that nice, relaxing sound. Nice, isn't it?" Yami commented, as Yugi gently pulled at the cords to get them to make very nice sounds.
"Mm…"
"Hang on!" Yami said and twisted one of the tuners at the guitar's end. "That should do it."
Yugi repeated the little tune Yami had created, and smiled. "Yes, that sound really good, Yami."
Yami nodded enthusiastically. "Great. Now, Tomb--Ryou, where's your blasted yami?" Yami asked, noticing the albino's absence.
"He's still healing," Ryou reported sadly. Yami sighed.
"Damn! The concert is in two days! He hasn't been able to practise because of his leg!" Yami then frowned. 'It usually doesn't take Shadow Magic this long to heal broken bones…'
Ryou sighed. "If you want, I'll go check-up on him."
"No, I think we all should go," Yami said, watching Joey practise a 'B' note. Everyone agreed to have a five minute break before returning and practising.
Ryou opened the door to their cabin and everyone entered. It took everyone a moment to notice the absence of Bakura, who should have been lying in one of the top bunks.
"Wh-where is Bakura? Can anyone see him?" Ryou stuttered fearfully.
Yami frowned again and peeked in each of the beds and in Tèa's room. "Nope. I can't find him. And if he was nearby, I should be able to sense the presence of another yami."
"Well…where is he, then?" Ryou demanded, looking panicky. Yugi spent the next few minutes calming his fellow Light down while the others looking everywhere for Bakura.
"Any luck?" Yugi mouthed, still patting Ryou gently on the back.
:'Nothing.':
"He can't have gone! He's still got his leg injury!" Ryou cried, sprinting out of the cabin.
"RYOU!"
Everyone followedRyou out into the sunshine, where he was helplessly calling out Bakura's name.
"Ryou, I found somedin'!" Joey called over his shoulder. Everyone ran over to where he was crouched.
"What is it?" Tristan asked.
"It appears to be footprints," Yami said knowingly. "By the looks of it, two sets of footprints."
"Whose are they?" Tèa said.
"Hrmm…" Yami looked closely at them. "Well…one set appears to be human while other set…doesn't."
Ryou gasped. "No, no, nothing like bear's footprints," Yami said quickly, seeing the horrified look in Ryou's eyes. "I believe the human footprints are Tomb Robber's, but the other's are-"
"RaWr! Baku-Baku! Hurry up, Baku-Baku said it was important and yet Toon Alligator is being in front of you!"
"Shut up, Shadow Creature!" Bakura snapped, using crutches to move his way through the forest, evading all the holes in the earth. "It's not that easy!"
"Why not?"
"Because I can't walk on both of my legs!" Bakura said, attempting to swipe at the reptile using one of his crutches. He nearly overbalanced and had to dig the other crutch into the ground to prevent him from falling.
"RaWr! Fine! RaWr! Toon Alligator is being patient! Baku-Baku try and move faster!" Toon Alligator trotted ahead, Bakura scowling at his back.
'Stupid green lizard…'
"Tomb Robber? TOMB ROBBER?"
"'Kura? Where are you?"
Yami and Ryou walked through the forest, ducking underneath the heavy branches to avoid getting their hair stuck in them. The others had split into groups a few minutes before, hoping to cover more ground.
"Yami, can you sense him?" Ryou said pleadingly, peering behind a rather thick tree trunk.
Yami's Millennium Puzzle glowed. "As a matter of fact, I can!"
"Y-you can?" Ryou said, looking hopeful.
"Yes. It's faint; but it's there. Come on!" Yami hurried forward, Ryou jogging to keep up.
They moved silently, their heavy pants for breath the only noise being made. As they kept moving, the faint Shadow tug Yami was getting got stronger, indicating that Bakura was close by.
"I think I can see him!" Ryou cried triumphantly, noticing someone with silvery hair in the distance. ('Bakura!')
/'…'/ No response.
They moved quicker until finally they came into distance with Bakura, who was staring at something in front of him. The Toon Alligator stood next to him, also looking at the rock wall with interest.
"Tomb Robber! What are you doing here?" Yami demanded. "If your leg is still broken, you should be lying down and resting!"
"This was more important," Bakura whispered, eyes glancing over at the drawings on the wall.
"What could me more important, Bakura?" Ryou scolded, walking up next to his Darkness. "You scared me to death!"
"I'm sorry."
"Well, sorry isn't going to cut it, Mister!" Ryou said, grabbing Bakura's hand. "We're going back to camp – come on!" Ryou added, tugging gently. Bakura wouldn't move.
"Tomb Robber, just what is so fascinating about this-?"
"Can you not sense it?" Bakura said suddenly.
"Sense what?"
"The Shadow Magic. A really old type of Shadow Magic," Bakura said quietly, eyes never leaving the wall before him.
"I-yes," Yami said, suddenly feeling the strange sense coming from the rock wall. "Yes, I can sense it."
"Then I was right," Bakura said, voice slightly triumphant. "There was something up with this rock."
Finally growing impatient and a little curious, Yami moved forward so he was standing in line with the others. He gave the wall his full attention.
On it was drawings of what appeared to be pyramids. There were well drawn images of Gods, Pharaohs (One that looked distinctly familiar) and slaves. Yami stared at one of the children pictures. What had drawn his attention was the long, silvery hair…
"No…" Yami said, shaking his head. "Is that-?"
"Yes. That's me," Bakura said mechanically, pointing at the small boy. "The ones holding me looks like – from what I can remember of them – my parents."
"What is this Egyptian history doing on this rock on this island?" Ryou mused aloud.
"No idea. Perhaps…oh, I have no idea." Bakura looked very confused.
"You never told us what happened to your parents," Yami said quietly. "I know what happened to mine, and I've shared it with my friends. But…you've never said anything."
"I didn't want to recount it," Bakura said shortly.
"Please tell us, 'Kura," Ryou pleaded, trying his puppy dog eyes. It worked.
"Oh…alright."
"'Kay."
"Well, back in my time, in a village outside Cairo, my parents lived in this very small hut. They lived there for about six years and then I was born. They named me Bakura, obviously.
"I lived in the village for about…five years? Yes. Five years. I remember a night when I injured my wrist, and went running back to my mother. Yes, I cried," Bakura snorted, noticing the glance Yami sent him. "That was the last time I ever cried. She bandaged my wrist and sort of comforted me. Father then comes back from hunting with the dinner and we eat and yeh. Nothing really important happens after that.
"But the next day, about five in the morning, a boy a few years older than me runs into the village screaming. It naturally woke everyone up, and he was yelling about the Pharaoh's advisers – your father's – were coming to buy some of the children and use them as slaves.
"My mother and father didn't want me to become a slave, so my mother ran with me while father fought off the two or three advisers that were tailing us. We got away; I can only guess what happened to father. Probably killed, but I guess he could have been captured and become a slave.
"Anyway, we reached the Pharaoh's City and rented a tent out with the little amount of gold we had. My mother was very sick – mostly from the dehydration – so I began my life as a Tomb Robber. I snuck into one of the Pyramids and stole some of the gold. But when I got back, my mother had passed on.
"That's about it. I was eventually captured after about a decade and a half and shortly after that was sealed in the Ring. Been alone ever since," Bakura concluded with a shrug (1).
"My father…he-?"
"Yes, it was your father. I guess that's why I was so determined to kill you when we first met. But the anger has died off, I don't hate you anymore."
"Bakura…I'm so sorry that happened to you," Ryou said quietly, gazing at his shoes.
"Oh well. Guess I can never have everything. I never got to have unlimited water, food, slaves, a proper bed, friends, family…"
Ryou glanced up at him. Yami raised an eyebrow at Bakura who then blinked.
"What am I saying? I have all of that now…" Bakura said, looking at Ryou. Ryou nodded, smiling brightly.
And Bakura smiled back; the smile suited him.
"We better get back," Ryou chirped, picking up the Toon Alligator.
"Toon Alligator wanting to be hearing more story!" Toon Alligator pouted.
"There is nothing else to be said," Bakura snorted, moving ahead using his crutches. Ryou followed, walking beside his yami.
Yami looked at the picture of the silver-haired boy standing next to his mother and father. With a small smile, Yami brushed his index and middle finger over the picture, leaving a deep shade of Shadow Magic over it. A moment later, it faded. Smiling in satisfaction, Yami turned and follow the two teens and the reptile. If anyone was to look at the pictures again, they would have seen a sobbing boy with silvery hair being held by his parents in their arms, small smiles on their faces.
The morning of the concert dawned brightly, and Yami, Yugi, Joey were already out practising. Joey has made incredible progress. He could successfully play his piece without any mess-ups, and Yugi was practising his singing (Very quietly, of course; he was very shy).
Yami was bent over a piece of paper and scribbling madly on it. Ryou and Serenity appeared a few minutes later, accompanied by Tristan, and Tèa.
"Morning, guys!" Yami said, his words slightly nervous. He looked as if he was stressing.
"Hello. Yami, I wanted to ask if someone else could do the drums," Ryou said, shuffling his feet. He had had to replace Bakura as his leg still was healing. Yami's head snapped up at the request, eyes full of desperation.
"Ryou, there is no one else! Tristan agreed to help with all the stage effects like the fog and spotlight control, and Tèa already has a part!"
"I do?" Tèa said in surprise. Yami nodded.
"Yes. You're the dancer," Yami said. Tèa's eyes widened.
"Really? Great! But…I haven't practised…"
"Well, use today to practise," Yami said curtly, before returning to Ryou. "Ryou, I'm sorry, but we just cannot replace you. If you just put a bit more effort into it, you'd be able to get it!"
"I'll replace him," Bakura said cheerfully, walking over – his leg was no longer bandaged!
"I see the Shadows have finished fixing your injury," Yami said, a trace of the stressfulness leaving him.
"Yeh. Thank the Gods! I was sick of having that wooden block in my mouth!"
"So Ryou, are you going to give up your spot as the drummer and hand it over to Tomb Robber? There won't be any other spots…"
"I can help Tristan with his job," Ryou said thoughtfully, and Yami brightened.
"Okay, that's settled. Bak-Tomb Robber, your piece is over with the drums. Ryou can help you set it up. Start practising! The concert is tonight!"
"Right," Bakura said, getting over the shock that the former Pharaoh has nearly called him by his name. "Come on, Light…"
Yami finished scribbling on the paper and read over it. With a smile of satisfaction, he got up and began strumming to Wake Me Up When September Ends.
"So, I do the entrance to the song and sing the main solos, then you come in at the appropriate times, Yugi," Yami muttered, strumming furiously on his brown and white electric guitar.
"Yes. And I sing the chorus with you?" Yugi said, plucking at the strings to get them to sound right. Yami noticed the slight disappointment in Yugi's voice, but ignored it.
"Serenity, that's beautiful!" Yami said happily, listening to Serenity play the opening. "Very good."
Serenity flushed embarrassedly. "Oh…um, thanks…"
"Ryou! Tristan! I need you to think of the name of our band!" Yami called over all the sounds of the music.
"Sure!" Tristan called, leading Ryou over to their cabin and sitting on the veranda, where they began to discuss ideal band names.
"Joey! That was perfect!" Yami cheered, causing the blonde to grin.
"Hey, danks, Yam'! I finally go' id righ'!" Joey looked very pleased with himself.
"I have to admit, Mutt, you even had me wondering whether or not someone had turned the radio on," Kaiba said coolly as he came strolling over.
"Uh…danks?"
"Don't mention it. Ever," Kaiba added coldly. "Where's your sister Serenity?"
"I'm…here…" Serenity said quietly, face heating up. Kaiba looked at her for a moment, a strange emotion passing over his features.
"Yes, I wanted to ask you something…" Kaiba said, moving over to her. Yami and Yugi paused in their practising to watch. Joey was blinking confusedly at Kaiba, then something seemed to click into place.
"Serenity, I was just wandering if-?"
"Back off, Rich boy!" Joey growled, suddenly appearing in between the two teens. "You're no' geddin' any closa!"
Kaiba snorted. "Move out of the way, dog."
"Why don' ya go crawlin' back ta ya big cooperadion, Kaiba?" Joey said darkly, attempting to kick Kaiba in the shins but failed.
Kaiba didn't look amused. "Whatever. You're like some sort of guard dog, watching over your sister day and night. Why don't you let her come out from under your shadow for a change?"
"I'm tellin' ya ta leave her alone!" Joey yelled, again trying to kick the CEO. Again, missing.
"Fine. You know what? Forget I even came here," Kaiba said, glaring icily at Joey. "I'll see you geeks later." And he strolled off.
"Joey, there was no need to get Kaiba angry like that!" Serenity said furiously, looking very flustered.
"Pah! If he comes in widin ten fee' of you, I'm gonna star' drowin' punches!" He made a gesture of smashing an invisible CEO in the face. Serenity sighed.
"I must say, that was amusing to watch," Yami whispered to Yugi, causing the small teen to giggle. "Alright! Enough messing around! We have to get back to practising!" And they returned to what they were doing earlier.
"Hey – Pharaoh! I mean, Yami – my bad – we got a name! Hope you like it…" Tristan trailed off, looking embarrassed. Yami nodded at him and Ryou to continue speaking.
"Well…we have a few," Ryou said, holding a sheet of paper up to his face. "How about the Green Dragon?"
"Its sounds way too related to the band that created the song we're performing."
"Okay. How about the Broken Nail?"
"Nah."
"Pudding?"
"Have you been talking to Yugi or Tèa recently?"
"Um…Hawaiian Breath?"
"We're Egyptian and Japanese?"
"Oh. Well, um, the Egyptian's Son?"
"Nope. Sounds corny."
"Um…the Silver Bite?"
"No-wait…there's something there…"
"Silver Spoon?"
"No."
"Silver dragon?"
"Nah."
"Silver bullet?"
"It's sounds like we're these violent bashers or something."
"Silver arrow?"
"…Yes. I like the sound of that one," Yami said brightly. "Who votes on the Silver Arrow as our band's name?"
There was a murmur of agreement. "Done. We're the Silver Arrow," Yami said cheerfully. "How's the dry ice coming along?"
"Mokuba says that it should arrive early in the afternoon," Tristan said automatically.
"And the lighting? Has Kaiba agreed to do the lighting?"
"Well…he looked in a foul mood when he was leaving, so it doesn't look likely," Tristan said sadly. "But Mokuba says we're allowed to control the spotlight. We still need help with the background images and coloured lighting."
"Now is your next mission: convince Kaiba."
"Is it too late to return to being a drummer?" Ryou said exasperatedly. Yami turned and saw Bakura just perform a certain rhythm in the song perfectly.
"Yes. It is too late. Off you go, guys!"
It was late in the afternoon before Ryou and Tristan returned from the Kaiba's cabin, looking very tired out. Yami was sitting beneath a shady tree, gazing out at the horizon.
"We did it! We finally managed to get Kaiba to do all the lighting! He even said he's make all these images flash around on the stage!" Ryou said excitedly, despite the fact that he looked exhausted.
"Excellent! What have you two been doing?" Yami asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, Kaiba wanted us to do work for him in exchange for the lighting," Tristan said in a weary voice.
"Oh! Sorry you had to put yourselves through that." He really was sorry.
"It's okay. Don't worry about it. It was worth it." They both smiled; they still looked very exhausted.
"Well, you two can go and get changed and then go have fun at the little carnival thing Kaiba set up," Yami said, indicating the fair that was set up over near the concert's stage. Games with prizes, large rides and even merry-go-rounds (Which Joey was currently riding on for amusement) were easily visible from their current location.
"Yes, mum," Tristan said with a grin. He and Ryou walked off, leaving Yami on his own.
Wanting to get a better view of the ocean, Yami headed for the hillside he and Tèa had gazed at the stars on when Yami had still be intoxicated with the snake venom. It was sad to know that they would all be returning to Domino City tomorrow…
"(!)"
Marik lay on the couch, gazing up at Bakura who hovered near him. Marik looked really put-out and annoyed. "Bakura, you tease."
"What?" Bakura said innocently, wrapping his lips around the tasty shaft. Marik whimpered. "Tease? Me?"
"Yes, you," Marik scowled, whimpering as Bakura held the stick securely in his hands and sucked on the shaft greedily, drinking in the liquid. Marik moaned.
"Y-you…no fair…"
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about," Bakura said, licking the shaft lovingly, savouring its taste. Marik glared, which ended up as another whimper.
"Let me…me…"
"No, this is officially Bakura's property. Get your own," Bakura said firmly, running his tongue over the shaft again. With a final whimper, Marik pounced on Bakura…
"GIVE ME THE ICE BLOCK!"
"YOU MORON! GET OFF ME!" Bakura cried, falling off the couch back he had been lying on and slammed onto the floor, the ice block flipping out of his hand. "My ice block!"
"YES!" Marik pounced and the ice block slipped easily into his mouth. "Ismine!" Marik said, words sounding slightly non-understandable. "Mine!"
"Ew, Marik, that's already been in my mouth," Bakura said in disgust. "You're like, sharing germs or something, you seedy creature."
"It tastes good though!" Marik chirped, licking the shaft hungrily. "Its lemonade flavoured!"(2)
"You're sick," Bakura said, shaking his head. He walked out of the cabin, wanting some fresh air. Marik sucked on the ice block for a moment, then spat it out in horror.
"Oh, Ra! Bakura germs! Ew!"
Bakura grumbled to himself about the loss of his beloved ice block and flopped down on a hillside which gave him an excellent view of the ocean.
"B-Tomb Robber?" Yami said, recognising the silver-haired yami. Bakura nodded.
"Yeh, it's me. What are you doing here?" Bakura said, turning on his side to stare at the former Pharaoh.
"Oh…nothing. I'm just enjoying the afternoon view for the last time," Yami said, smiling sadly. "Last time I'll get to see it before we go back to Domino."
"Oh yeh. This is the last day here, isn't it?" Bakura said, earning an affirmative nod. "Pharaoh…I've been wanting to ask you something…"
Yami raised an eyebrow. "Would it be the same question Kaiba was going to ask Serenity this morning?"
Silence for a moment. "ERGH! Pharaoh! That's disgusting!"
Yami laughed. "Sorry. What did you want to ask?"
"I wanted to know…why you've been close toletting my real name slip," Bakura muttered, turning his attention away from Yami and staring at the water. "It's never happened before, that's all."
Yami frowned, his crimson eyes showing how he pondered the question. "I guess…I see you as more of a friend…"
Bakura looked at him sharply. "A Pharaoh and a Tomb Robber can never be friends, you know that more than I, Ya-Pharaoh."
Yami smirked at Bakura who had nearly let Yami's real name slip. "Tomb Robber, let me tell you something," Yami said, sitting up and facing him with a stern look. "In the past, I may have been – in people's eyes – a God. I never wanted to be one. My father kept me away from the people of our Golden City…I never liked the palace. I always wanted to go see the villagers. Sadly, I was to remain in the palace.
"So you see, now that I have been reborn as someone other than a so-called God, I think you should be someone other than a so-called Tomb Robber," Yami said. "How about it? Equals? …Friends?"
Bakura blinked. "Um…"
"Come on…Bakura…"
Bakura was startled. Yami had just called him by his first name! "I…sure," Bakura said, smirking and held out his hand. Yami shook it. "Pleasure doing business with you…Yami…"
The former Pharaoh and ex-Tomb Robber lay back on the grass, staring at the sparkling blue water.
"And that was Susie and Martin's comedy act," Mokuba said unenthusiastically, walking back onto the stage. The past few acts had been incredibly bad, and Yami looked like he was about to fall asleep. In fact, he would of, if he wasn't stressing over Serenity's keyboard.
"What's wrong with it?" Yami demanded, close to hyperventilating.
"I don't know! It just suddenly started acting all faulty! Look!" She turned it on and began poking at some random keys. The sounds came out sounding all fuzzy. "See? I can't play this!"
"Oh Ra, Oh Ra, Oh Ra," Yami moaned, pulling at his hair. "What to do…what to do…Serenity! Ryou! Go find Kaiba and demand him to fix the damn keyboard!"
"Um…okay!"
"Hurry!" Yami ushered them off the backstage and began pacing back and forth, being watched by Yugi, Joey, Bakura and Tèa. Tristan was waiting at the edge of the camp for the dry ice delivery. Could much else go wrong?
"Two people have cancelled their acts, Yugi. You guys are on after these next two performances!" Mokuba said brightly, after he had come off from announcing the next act.
Yami groaned and sank to his knees. "It's over…we're doomed…"
"Yami, get up, you look pathetic," Bakura snorted. Yugi, Joey and Tèa exchanged shocked glances at the fact Bakura had mentioned Yami's name.
"Shut up, Bakura! This is serious! We need the keyboard and dry ice! We need it!"
"How do Ryou and Wheeler's sister know where Kaiba is?" Bakura snorted. "Isn't he in his office?"
"No, I saw rich boy stru'in' abou' around dis area," Joey said informatively. "I dink he wen' up to da higher levels of dis stage."
"Okay…okay…wait!" Yami said, eyes widening. "I'll be right back!" And he took off.
A few moments later, Tristan came bustling in. "I got the dry ice! Slackers…" Tristan muttered.
"Thanks, Trisdan." Joey helped carry the dry ice over to a corner of the backstage before sitting down in his seat. All four of them was shaking with nerves.
Yugi wore a sleeveless leather shirt and long leather pants, coloured black. He had two leather belts on his waist and several buckles on his arms and wrist and neck. Bakura had a blue and white striped shirt and a black jacket over the top that went to his knees. He wore long blue jeans and a thick black belt.
Joey had a red collar around his neck that had short spikes poking out, earning him some amused stares from Kaiba. He also had long white pants and a black jacket on, and black boots. Tèa wore a navy blue dress and silky material attached to her upper arms and fell over her forearms and hands. She had bangles and necklaces and crystal ear rings on, her hair shining from recently being washed.
Yami suddenly appeared wearing his crimson jacket over a black t-shirt and black leather pants. He wore leather belts and buckles in the same style as Yugi and wearing a choker on his neck. He clutched a piece of paper to his chest and hurried over. He slapped the paper down on the floor and handed them out blank pieces of paper and random coloured pens.
"Quick! Write all the lyrics and beats down-!"
"Why?" Joey asked, picking up the sheet of paper and began writing.
"We're using these lyrics now!" Yami snapped, looking very nerved-racked. "Tèa, just make your dance moves up as you go."
She looked horrified. "Oh…o-okay…"
"Bakura! You don't rewrite it in Egyptian!" Yami said, looking amused for a moment. Then he returned to his stressful state.
"Shut up, Yami. Oh no…" He looked horrified when Mokuba went out to announce the next act (They were next).
"Oh Ra, no…" Yami groaned and started pacing again, looking over the lyrics.
"By the way Yami, this song turned out really well," Yugi said softly, having finished writing out the lyrics and rhythm. "You finished it really well!"
"Thankyou, Yugi, but try and memorise it!" Yami said, still pacing.
About five minutes later, Mokuba walked out again and declared the Silver Arrow to prepare to go on stage.
"Have you all finished writing the lyrics down?" Yami asked, voice slightly higher than normal.
Everyone nodded.
"You all know what to play?"
More nodding.
"Okay, let's go. Good luck, everyone."
Yami led his 'band' out onto the dark stage, obviously being dimmed by Tristan. Bakura dragged his drums up in the back corner, sitting on a stool amongst them. Joey went onto the left side of the stage, while Yugi and Yami shared the middle. Tèa waited to the side, preparing to go on.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the Silver Arrow!" Mokuba cried enthusiastically into the microphone, and walked off the stage, nearly bumping into Tèa.
Yami stood still, feeling his nerves bubbling anxiously in his gut, but ignored them. Finally calming down (He had attached a small microphone to his head so that his voice would be amplified) he began to strum. Eventually growing louder and joined by Yugi, Joey, and Bakura's drumbeats, he began to sing:
:Life's just…a game:
:We all…wanna wi-i-in:
:Keep your…hand a secret:
:Unleash the monsters within:
:Sometimes…it's over:
:Before it's even begu-un:
:If someone else gets hurt, then…:
:What have you really o-one:
((:I'm always one card short:))
((:Always one day late:))
((:For once I'd like and end:))
((:That I can celebrate:))
((:Stacked the deck myself so there's no one else to blame:))
((:I need just one more move:))
((: One final chance to pro-ove…I can win this game:))
Having finished his part, he took the opportunity to watch Tèa's graceful movements, flushing brightly. She had come on during half-way through the first verse, doing elegant spins and turns. Tearing his eyes away from the site, he glanced up and saw the cool graphics being created my Kaiba's computer. He watched as a Battle Ox and a Mystic Horseman seemed to combine together. Next second, a ferocious looking Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared. Yami looked back down and saw Yugi beginning to sing his solo:
((Life's just…a duel))
((That's how the world is ma-ade))
((But are we really players?))
((Or are we being play-ayed?))
((:I'm always one card short:))
((:Always one day late:))
((:For once I'd like and end:))
((:That I can celebrate:))
((:Stacked the deck myself so there's no one else to blame:))
((:I need just one more move:))
((: One final chance to pro-ove…I can win this game:))
Yami prayed that Tristan or Kaiba had altered the settings on his microphone to help the sudden change in his singing. He looked past the graceful dance moves of Tèa to see the students in the crowd. Everyone was going insane! The girls were jumping up and down, screaming random "I Love You!"'s to certain people in the band (Yami noticed that most of them were screaming his name); several of the males were yelling and cheering, waving their arms about; and the first three rows were swaying and singing very badly to the tune.
Finally realising he was supposed to start singing, Yami opened his mouth and begun to sing, thankful that his voice sounded the way it was supposed to be:
:Is what happens next in your control...:
:Are you doing what you want, or what you've been told...:
:Do you choose the cards from your own hand...:
:Or are we just puppets in a master plan...:
Yami fell silent, waiting for Joey to call out his line…then:
One more mo-ove!
Yami concentrated completely on his playing of the guitar and nothing more. Then he and Yugi started up the chorus again:
((:I'm always one card short:))
((:Always one day late:))
((:For once I'd like and end:))
((:That I can celebrate:))
((:Stacked the deck myself so there's no one else to blame:))
((:I need just one more move:))
((: One final chance to pro-ove…I can win this game:))
:Give me something…something to celebrate...:
:Stacked the deck myself:
:So there's no one else to blame:
:One more move, I'm gonna win this game:
:I'm gonna win this game...:
:I'm gonna win this game...:
:I'm gonna win this game...:
:One more move…I'll win this game...:
Finally fading out, praying that Tristan lowered the volume on Joey's microphone…
And den I'm gonna celebra'e!
The onlookers screamed in their approval and the images of Dark Magician and Celtic Guardian flickered for a moment and then faded. Yami looked to his right and saw Serenity and Ryou standing there, looking very happy. Grinning, he raised his arms up, causing a lot of the girls to scream harder, some trying to get on stage. Bit worried now, Yami backed up a bit.
Yugi laughed and raised his arms too in a 'Praise-me-I'm-famous' kind of way. Bakura got his feet and ran up near the front of the stage, cackling madly, running and giving hi-fives to the people with their hands stretched out near the front of the stage. Tèa giggled excitedly and ran back, grabbed both Yami and Yugi's hands, and raised them up for the crowd. Roaring their approval, the crowd still desperately tried to get on stage, but Kaiba's guards held them back. Mokuba then walked on, a grin on his face.
"And that was the Silver Arrow! One final round of applause, students!"
It sounded more like a tsunami smashing against a tin roof then an applause. Startled, Yami led his band off the stage and into the back. Serenity immediately ran and hugged her big brother.
"You were awesome, Joey!" She squeaked excitedly, tightening her hug. Joey gasped.
"Hey, hey, Serenidy, loosen up a bi', you're chokin' me!"
Serenity nodded and released him. "But you did so well! That was your first time on the guitar, right?"
"Well…yeh, I guess you could say dat."
"Hey, Joseph," Mai said, appearing suddenly behind him. "I'm impressed."
Joey went a bit pink. "Uh…danks, Mai!"
"I never knew you played the guitar."
"Well, I kinda jus' starded prac'isin like two days ago…"
Mai looked startled. "And you pulled that performance off like that?"
Joey shrugged and grinned. "Sounds like you liked my performance, Mai."
"I have to admit, you have skills."
Joey laughed.
Meanwhile…
'Tell. Him. Now. You. Promised.'
'No! I can't tell him, he'll-!'
'You promised yourself you'd tell him before everyone returned to Domino City. Tell. Him.'
'I-! No.'
'Now…'
Tèa bit her lip in anxiety, twisting her hands around. Mokuba announced the next act then walked off the stage. Finally coming to a decision, Tèa walked quickly over to Yami and grabbed him by the forearm, leading him away from Yugi and Ryou.
"Uh, Tèa? Where are we-?"
"I need to tell you something," Tèa replied quickly, still dragging him away. "In here will do." She led him behind a thick layer of curtain, which was completely blocking out anyone else's view. "Okay…okay…" She released his arm and paced slightly on the spot, her dress flowing behind her.
"Tèa?"
"Ilikeyou."
"Say what?"
"I. Like. You," she said clearly, face becoming increasingly red. "I like you…a lot. Maybe more than a friend…yes, yes I'm certain of it. I like you more than a friend."
Yami blinked. Then his crimson eyes widened. God she loved those crimson orbs…
"Y-you-?"
"It doesn't matter," she said quickly. "I just had to get that off my chest." And with that, she brushed past him and hurried back to the others, leaving Yami behind.
"But Tèa, I-!" She had already gone. "I...love you..."
"It's time to announce the winner of tonight's performance!" Came Mokuba's call a good twenty minutes later. Yami – who had been sitting on a block lookingconfused – got up and walked with Yugi, Ryou, Bakura, Tristan, Joey, Serenity and Tèa onto the stage. He tried catching a glimpse of Tèa's expression, but too many other students were walking onto the stage.
"Our judges have given a first, second and third place prize," Mokuba said brightly. "In third place – who will receive a thousand dollar cash prize and a video camera for each of them – Michael, Madeline and Tyler's Comedy act!"
The crowd grave a cheer, and Yami had to admit their act had been quite entertaining.
"In second place – receiving one thousand five hundred cash prize and body boards – Jasmine and Phillips duet!"
The crowd roared their approval.
"And in first place – who will receive two thousand dollars cash prize, mobile phones and a video camera – the Silver Arrow!"
"ALRIGH'!" Joey screamed, and the crowd stamped their feet and cheered happily. Joey did his happy dance on the spot, and Tristan had to calm the blonde down. Yami grinned.
"How about an encore?" Mokuba said, and the crowd screamed. Yami blinked. 'An encore? Yes…this is our chance to play the song we were going to play!'
"Serenity, is the keyboard fixed?" Yami asked.
"Oh, um, yes, Kaiba fixed it," Serenity said, looking embarrassed for some reason. "It's all ready to go."
"In that case, let's do the song we practised for!"
"Yeh!" Everyone agreed. They all scampered off stage, telling Mokuba they just had to get ready.
"You hear that, everyone? They're going to give you guys an encore!"
"Yami, you okay?" Bakura asked, noticing the thoughtful look on the former Pharaoh's face. Yami blinked.
"Oh, just something Tèa said to me."
"Really? What did she say?"
"Oh…don't worry."
"Yami," Bakura said, voice growing into a threatening menace. "You will tell me what she said. Now."
Yami sighed. "If you really must know, she told me that she really likes me."
"As in the 'I think you're a smoking hot stud of love'?"
"…Uh…"
Bakura looked annoyed. "As in she likes you as more than a friend?"
"Y-yes…"
Bakura blinked. "Buahahaha! Good one!"
Yami scowled. "I'm serious, Tomb Robber(3)."
Bakura rolled his eyes. "It was kind of obvious that she likes you in that way. You like her in that way, too," Bakura added, smiling in a teasing way.
Yami blushed. "What-? I-!"
"Come off it. Everyone knows you do, so just tell her you do. Unless you already have?"
"Um…no, she just kinda ran off after she told me-"
"WHAT?"
"I said-"
"No, no, I know what you said. You idiot, Pharaoh! You should have told her you felt the same way!"
Yami looked uncertain. "But…"
"No. You will go up to her right now and tell her you return her feelings. Now."
"Hey guys, c'mon! We godda star' our nex' song!" Joey called, carrying his bass guitar out onto the dark stage.
Bakura turned back to Yami. "Tell her. Do it at the end of this next song." And with that, he headed back out to the black stage where Tristan had already set up his drums.
Yami stared at the spot Bakura had exited out of, thinking. Smiling, he picked up his electric guitar. He noticed Yugi standing nervously near the entrance to the stage, twiddling his thumbs.
:'Something wrong?':
Yugi jumped. (('Oh…nothing.'))
"You want to be the main singer, don't you?" Yami said quietly, gazing at Yugi. Yugi replied with a meek nod. Yami laughed. "Why didn't you just say so?"
Yugi blinked. "Because I thought you enjoyed it so much!"
"Yeh, well, Istrained my vocal cords during that last song anyway. You can sing this one," Yami said while handing Yugi his lyrics. Yugi handed his own lyrics to Yami and, giving a nod and a final smile, walked out onto the dark stage with Yami in tow.
Notes to Reviewers:
Cutehelenjames – I always enjoy your dialogues in your reviews! Thanks!
Sugarontop1 – OMR! I LOVE YOUR PEN NAME! XD (Gives you heaps of sugar) Muahaha! Here's the update!
Funky Egyptian – Nope, no RyouxBakura intended xD. Do you like that pairing? I do…anyway, here's the update!
Awsome (Anonymous) – Thankyou! Here's the update!
Eva92 – GO SUGAR! Loved the review, thanks! Glad my previous chapter was giving you good 'vibes' xD.
Amazoness Archer – YamixTèa in this chapter? (Cries) I'm such a terrible YamixTèa writer! I know, I know, I'm so sorry! Anyway, please don't stab me with pitchforks, I'll update ASAP!
Simple Songwriter – Yeh, Serenity the pianist xD Woot. Thanks for the review! I have a feeling you'll love next chapter (Wink)
xxxShadow Angelxxx – Ah, different pen name. What's that? You want to kill me? Or were you talking about Baku-Baku? Either way, don't kill us :X Me loves the new pen name!
Yami Evelyn (Anonymous) – Bakura is fine. And I planned some Silentshipping-ness from the beginning!
DMGal K-I-K-K-A-Y – She's dancing! I knew someone would ask me about that. Anyway, yes, I agree that Marik and I have mental issues. And thankyou for apologising to Yami, I'll give him the message!
Funkygal-yamitea fan – A truckload of YamixTèa is next chapter! I swear, I planned that fluff in the very last chapter. Hope you liked this one!
Chibineko (Anonymous) – More YamixTèa in next chapter! There has to be, it's the last chapter! XD!
Tusgaru – Yep, the band is cooooooool. Pinecone minions! XD Buahaha…
Bri-2004 – LOL! What a coincidence! And sorry for the lack of YamixTèa :X.
Dark Princess Saz – Thanks for reviewing a number of my chapters! And YES! I HAVE CREATED A YAMIxTèA FAN! YAYAYAYAYAYAY! Woot xD.
Daikaio – Ah, please don't kill me!
Rauzeras – Light, stop leaving cliff-hangers! You'll get a flame eventually!
Daikaio – FLAME! WHERE?
Rauzeras - -.-
T.Alligator – RaWr! Review and update!
Chapter fifteen posted on 07/19/2005.
(1) – This is completely untrue. I made it up xD.
(2) - Oh, I wish I could of seen you guy's expressions xD.
(3) – They only call each other Tomb Robber and Pharaoh when they're annoyed with each other.