Author's note: Hey everyone! Hope you guys had a good week. I'm enjoying my four-day weekend. (God bless President's day.)
Reviewers:
Evil Furby Queen: Glad you liked it. I blame my strange sense of humor on my dad. (He's even crazier then me.)
gohan11: Thanks! I'm back and ready to write! According to a book on Mythology I have it could be spelled Re I liked it better then Ra, (Why I don't know) but thanks for looking out!
butterflybg: (Blinks) Umm…I'm not going to kill anyone if that's what you mean. I just meant that the yamis would have to answer for the thing's they've done at the mall. Sorry it was really late when I wrote that, and I was tired, so I just rushed through it. Although I feel I should warn you someone might get injured in an upcoming chapter, I'm not sure if I'll put that in yet. (Wow, really long.)
Sami Ryou's Hikari: Oh well, everyone has there own opinion. Actually I was scared to put that scene in because I know how some people feel about her. Personally I feel her existence justifies Kaiba's protectiveness of his cards, (Shrug's shoulders) but that's just me.
cute-Baka: Really? The website I went on said it could be interpreted either way. Ha, Ha, your going to have to talk to Duke about that!
Warnings: Slight language.
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't sue.
All I Want for Christmas Chapter 21: Lost HopeFor a while it was all anyone could do not to stare at Yami. Instead they merely glanced at one another questioningly. Joey, still holding Kaiba was looking for someone to pass the CEO off to. Duke suddenly realized how fascinating his fingernails were, while Mai focused on one of the marble pillars around the room. Yugi on the other hand, wouldn't let his eyes of the Pharaoh, and Yami continued to become increasingly anxious as time passed.
Malik broke the silence, "Well that's a relief!"
Everyone turned to stare at the Egyptian as he continued to speak. "At first I thought that Marik was behind this!" Aside from the Pharaoh and his hikari, everyone groaned.
"Malik!" Isizue scolded.
"Hey, what happened here?" Tristan asked as he and Tea ran up to the group.
"Oh, you didn't miss much. Just Yami trying to kill Kaiba again." Mai said sarcastically.
"I didn't try to kill Kaiba!" Yami yelled at the blonde tearing his eyes away from Yugi.
/Well it looks like you did a pretty good imitation Yami./ The spirit winced at Yugi's tone.
The two brunets were speechless, not only were the yamis here but Kaiba was apparently unconscious. 'Or worse,' Tea thought. 'Looks like we missed quite a bit.'
Mean while Isizue was still telling off her brother, "That was extremely rude! What possessed you to say that?"
"Well no one else was saying anything." Malik defended himself, "And besides Isizue, think about it Marik didn't do anything bad!"
"That we know of." Bakura muttered.
Vroom…Vroom….
"Huh?" The group turned to see Marik run out of a store with a chainsaw in his hands, cackling his head off.
"Dude," Duke commented to Malik, "you jinxed it."
/No Marik! Put that down! Bad darker half/ The hikari tried to communicate with the madman.
/Heh, heh, heh/
Malik swallowed, "He's not listening!"
"Run!" Duke yelled, but before anyone could move the psycho charged.
"We're gonna die!" Tristan exclaimed shutting his eyes, as he and the others waited for the end.
Vroom…Vroom…Buzz…
Everyone turned to stare at the yami, now absorbed with cutting down the mall's tree.
Mai made a point of backing up behind Joey, away from the darker half. Tristan let out a sigh; while Duke made sure he still had all his appendages.
"Marik!" His hikari yelled in frustration, "What did the tree ever do to you?"
Buzz…Vroom…
Marik stopped in his cutting a moment. "Plenty!" he answered.
Vroom…
"Hey." Tea spoke up, "The way he's cutting it, it looks like…"
"It's gonna land on us!" Joey finished.
"Now can we run?" Duke asked.
Vroom…Buzz…
"Marik stop!" Yami shouted.
Creak…
"Timber!" the madman bellowed before laughing uncontrollably.
The tree came crashing down on the retreating group, that hadn't managed to get very far.
Several minuets later the group started to dig their way out of the pile of branches unharmed, slightly sticky, but unharmed.
"My," Isizue said, completely covered with pine needles. "that was an event even I did not foresee."
"Then I'd get a refund on that necklace Hun." Mai grumbled.
"Was that really necessary?" Malik asked dragging his yami out of the debris.
"Yes!"
"Well did you have to use a chainsaw?" the hikari grumbled.
"I would have used the axe, but it was taking to long."
"You scared the hell out of us!"
"Oh Bonus!"
"You were saying something about your darker half not doing anything bad Malik?" Bakura stated, making his point.
"How's Kaiba?" Tea asked as she, Tristan, and Joey emerged.
"Still out cold." The blonde said, "And getting pretty heavy. Any chance you guys want a hand off?"
Duke and Tristan started to walk away completely ignoring the blonde. "Hey, I know you two can hear me!"
"Let's see if Yugi needs help Duke."
"Good idea man."
The two continued to wad through branches, away from Joey in search of the short duelist.
Mean while, Yami emerged and sprinted for the top of the tree. 'Please let it be alright.' He prayed silently.
His breath caught in his throat as he discovered the shattered remains of the star.
The spirit stood unmoving, lost for words. It was at that time Marik swaggered over. "What you looking at Pharaoh?"
Yami turned, eyes blazing, for a moment Marik looked slightly unsure of himself. "Marik," Yami whispered, "what part of 'Don't break the star.' didn't you understand?"
"Umm…Break?"
"I'll kill you!"
With that Yami latched on to Marik's shirt and attempted to strangle him.
"Wow, I didn't know Yami had such a violent streak." Tristan murmured.
Malik glance over at where the two were standing, "Gahh! Yugi, tell your yami to leave mine alone!" The two hikaris rushed over to pry the darker halves apart.
/Yami! What is the matter with you/ Yugi's cry caused the spirit's assault on Marik to cease. The Pharaoh quickly realized that injuring his fellow yami wasn't going to help his situation.
Clearing his throat and putting on his best poker face Yami turned toward Yugi, "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
"Don't apologize to me!" Yugi said in frustration, "I'm not the one you attacked!"
Yami looked over at Marik, who was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the occurring drama, "Go on Pharaoh, you heard your lighter half, I'm the victim."
"Please, you probably deserved it, for something or another." Malik said rolling his eyes.
/Do I have to/ Yami asked pleadingly. A wave of anger was his only reply.
"I'm…sorry." Yami said wanting to bite his tongue as the words left his mouth.
"Now that wasn't so bad." Marik applauded. "By the way, you're not forgiven." He quickly added before stalking off.
Bakura was busy examining the remains of the star, "Marik you idiot! This was genuine crystal!"
"Why do you care?" The psycho yelled over.
"It was very expensive, that's why! That alone could have paid the rent for a year at least!"
The two yami's argument brought Yugi's attention back to the broken star, 'I wonder why Yami was so upset over…' he trailed off, a lump forming in his stomach, "Yami," he said slowly. "What happened to the star at home?"
The corner of the sprit's mouth twitched slightly, other then that, Yami wore a black expression. The two stared at each other, until finally Yami gave in.
"It was an accident…but I broke it." He answered, his eyes cast down at the floor.
Yugi stood in shock, "You…broke it?" He then added weakly. "My mother's keepsake…"
"You broke it!" Yugi's patents failed him as he full out yelled at his darker half.
"Yugi I…"
"Don't say it! Don't say anything!"
/Hear me out./ Yami said a little forcefully.
/I don't have to do anything! I'm not your servant your majesty./ The link was cut off and Yugi walked away towards a bench.
'Oh man.' Tea thought, 'I've never seen them fight like this.' She then went over to Yugi to see if she could calm her friend down. Joey would have been right behind the brunet had it not been for the pair that appeared next.
"Seto!" Mokuba cried seeing his brother unconscious in the blonde's arms. "Big brother, what's wrong?" Not getting a response he turned to Joey.
"He'll live." Joey resounded kindly.
"Oh my!" Ryou exclaimed, seeing the collapsed tree. The small boy the teen had rescued in Ryou's arms squealed in delight at seeing the two other one-year olds and clambered down to join them in their game of hanging on to Mai's legs.
The British teen, who had pants now (He had persuaded Mokuba to a short detour to the changing rooms.) asked, "What happened?"
"Long story Ryou." Tristan answered, "And I don't know all of it."
"Ryou!" Bakura shouted, just noticing his lighter half. "You got out by yourself! I always knew you had it in you!"
"Do you hear the wind Tristan? I think there might be a draft." Ryou spoke dryly. The brunet only stared as yet another argument erupted.
"Oh come on!" Bakura yelled, "You're still giving me the silent treatment! I was going to rescue you, you know."
"I'm so sure."
"Mr. Kaiba!" Grace and the two security guards joined the scene. "Does he need medical help? You two call an ambulance!"But to guards had noticed someone else in the crowd. "Hey you!" One shouted.
Ryou winced, while Bakura swore. The guards rushed over and stopped short. "Hey Frank, which one stole the jewels?"
"I don't know Tim."
Bakura sighed, 'Incompetent fools.'
"Ryou wouldn't steal!" Joey protested.
"But Bakura would." Duke whispered to the blonde.
"That's definitely the guy we caught." Frank said as he pointed to Ryou.
"Yeah but he's wearing a elf suit." Said Tim.
"Look!" Bakura snapped at the guards, "I'll use small words so that you bakas can understand. I did it!"
And with that he took off the Millennium Ring, handed it to Ryou, said, "We'll finish this argument later." And disappeared into the item.
Several things happened after that, the guards stared blankly at the empty space where Bakura once stood. Grace fainted, and since she stood next to Joey, the blonde caught her. Unfortunately to do this he had to drop Kaiba.
Thunk!
"Joey!" Mokuba screamed kneeling next to his brother. Kaiba, merely murmured something about a stupid secretary and continued to sleep.
"Well I'm sorry that the security mistook you Ryou." Mokuba said getting up.
"It's not your fault." The brown-eyed boy said.
"But now that we know who took the jewels, where did Bakura put them?" Malik pondered.
"Could be almost anywhere," Mokuba answered. "Before, I got a call from the store's owner. He had a device to let him know that the store had been broken into. He say's he'll give a reward to anyone who can find anything."
'Reward?' Several people's heads picked up. It was safe to say that Kaiba wouldn't be paying them. Maybe they could still do what they set out for.
The three children giggled as two more joined them. Serenity and Odion stepped up to the group. "We heard the tree fall, is everyone alright?" the girl asked.
"We're all perfectly fine Serenity." Duke said bounding up to the girl, "More of less." he spared Kaiba and Grace a glance, "However Tristan screamed like a baby."
"What!" the brunet exclaimed, scowling. "You were all like, 'run for your lives!'"
"And you were like, 'we're gonna die!'"
"Oh cool it you guys." Tea said walking back to the group leaving Yugi, who looked extremely frustrated with the day's events.
"I need to tell Mr. Kaiba that the train has been derailed." Odion spoke up.
"What happened to you?" Malik asked stepping up to his brother, pointing at his head.
"That's what I'd like to know." He answered gruffly, ignoring Marik's cackles.
"Well, since Seto's still out cold," Mokuba started, "you two," he pointed to the guards, "start putting the train back on its tracks. I'll send some more help soon."
After they had left the tall Egyptian spoke again, "Also, I found this bag of jewels in the train's compartment."
Most of the group's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful!" Isizue said.
"Hey, if we all split the reward, maybe…" Joey began.
"I don't really think I'm entitled to it." Ryou said fingering the ring in his hands.
"And I'm not so sure I still want to do what I set out to." Yugi called over in a bitter voice. He then got up and walked further into the mall.
Again Yami winced at his hikari's unnatural tone.
"At least you'll still get that blender for your mom." Duke said placing a hand on Tristan's shoulder.
"Umm… yeah…" the brown-eyed teen said uncertainly.
"That solves one head ache." Mokuba said, taking the bag, "I'll call and let the store owner know, but first…" He took a large breath before screaming, "Why is my brother unconscious in the first place!"
Flash!
Seeing as how the guards were gone, Bakura emerged from the Millennium Ring, causing everyone to jump, "I'll tell you why. This dum-dum," he pointed at Marik, who scowled, "told us that he," the spirit now pointed at Kaiba "was a demon."
"What!" Malik breathed, before looking at the Pharaoh. "And you believed him?"
"He made a convincing argument." The spirit to the puzzle growled.
"Said he heard it from you and Ryou." Bakura continued with a shrug at Malik.
"It's true! I did hear it, don't deny it!" Marik said defensively.
"We said no such thing!" Ryou shot back, "Every one knows the legend of the kind old man that gives presents to children on Christmas Eve!"
Malik sighed exasperated, "There is a difference between hearing what you want to hear and what's really said!"
"But my versions are so much more interesting."
Yami decided to patch things up as best he could with his hikari. He stepped up to Tea and asked, "How is he?"
"Pretty upset." The girl replied, "You should talk to him." The spirit nodded heading off.
Not long after, he found the boy, and approached Yugi. The boy had his eyes on the floor and didn't look up, even when the Pharaoh announced himself. "Yugi, I don't know what to say, to tell you how sorry I am. I wasn't thinking…at all today. I will make up for this."
"You went back on your promise…" Yugi said quietly, tears brimming over his eyes. "Back at Duelist Kingdom, you promised me you wouldn't hurt anyone!"
"Yugi, you don't understand…"
"I don't want to hear it!"
For a while there was only silence between the two. Then Yami took off the puzzle around his neck and handed it to Yugi. "I know I'm the last person you want to see right now. At least take the puzzle so I can protect you if need be."
"Protect?" Yugi repeated, finally looking up at Yami, "Today you've done more harm then good. I don't trust you to protect me." The boy shoved the puzzle back into the Pharaoh's hands and walked off back to the group.
Yami stood in shock, 'He…he…doesn't trust me.' It was the lowest the spirit felt in a long time. He was rejected, by his other half no less!
Stopping the tears threatening to spell from his eyes, the spirit straightened and walked in the opposite direction, and never looked back.
When Yugi returned with out his darker half, Bakura was the first to speak up. "Hey kid, where's the Pharaoh?"
"How should I know?" Yugi muttered walking past the thief.
"Uh oh…trouble in paradise." The spirit said elbowing his own hikari.
"You know, you're not my favorite person in the world right now either." Ryou said tartly, but Bakura could tell most of the anger was gone from the lighter half.
/This mean I'm forgiven/
/Not a chance yami./
"Hmm…that being the case, I'll take my chances with his majesty." Before the hikari could protest, the thief was off.
"This isn't over yet!" Ryou called after him, "Oh bloody hel…heck!" he yelled in frustration.
Half and hour later
By then the group had changed back to their normal attire, the jewelry store owner had handed the Ishtars a check containing a large sum, which they agreed to split with everyone, and Kaiba was up and as fit as one could be after nearly dieing.
"All right, we're getting a new washer!" Malik shouted in triumph.
"Ahh…washer…" Marik trailed off, 'That was a fun object to explode.' He stopped his thoughts of flying springs and sudsy gears at the strange look his lighter half was giving him. 'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?' The yami thought.
"Hey Serenity…" Tea asked looking at the young girl's cloths which consisted of a large sweater that went past her hands, jeans, whose cuffs where rolled up several times, and belt to keep said pants from falling down.
"I know." The girl tried to hide a blush, "I took my mom's bag instead of mine."
"Tough luck." Tea sympathized.
"I offered to loan her some of my cloths," Mai started, "but for some reason Joey refused."
Tea rubbed her cheek, 'Joey may like the way your cloths look on you Mai, but I doubt he'd appreciate them on his sister.' "Don't know."
"Alright losers!" Kaiba yelled in his, 'I'm pissed beyond all reason, so don't even breathe wrong or your rump is mine!' voice.
At once, everyone lined up. "Well," he said softly "I went over the surveillance tapes," he then went down the line of people. "Isizue," the CEO's voice dripped of honey. "Destruction of property!" He hissed stepping to the next person, "Odion, sleeping on the job, which led to the destruction of property."
"Yugi, Mutt, abandoning your posts, Miss. Wheeler, you lost five children and caused major flooding in several stores." He said icily, glaring at the trembling girl.
It was all Yugi could do to keep Joey from leaping at the brunet.
"Threatening children," Kaiba spat at Tristan, "fighting with each other," he continued past Duke and Malik. "Assaulting a guard. Yes, I saw that Miss. Gardner." He then got to Ryou, "Streaking in a public mall."
"I did have boxers on." The British teen mumbled immediately turning scarlet.
"And Mai," Kaiba came to the last person in line, "abandoning your station to file your nails to let me fend off those little monsters by myself." He all but shouted in the woman's face.
"Say it, don't spray it Hun." The blonde said un-phased.
"And I didn't even mention Bakura's theft and Yami's attempt at my life." Kaiba added a bit more calmly.
"And my destruction of property." Marik added pointing proudly at the tree. Kaiba fixed him with a cold glare. "Oh sorry, continue." The yami prompted.
"Your are all lucky I still need you for the dinner party. Perhaps you can begin to repay your debt."
Joey barley stopped a smile from spreading to his face, 'Ha, ha! Rich-boy, we have the money from the reward, so it don't matter."
Then it hit Marik; how could he have forgotten! 'I guess I got distracted with the tree.' "Malik."
"Not now."
"But this is…"
"Shh!"
/Remember the washer/ The yami decided to switch to the mind-link.
/Yes…/
/Let's just say that was a sneak preview./
/What/
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Everyone got down as several stores further down the hall spontaneously combusted.
Once things had settled down, Malik, along with the others, glared daggers at the darker half.
"Boy, you'd think I'd remember setting up those explosives." Marik commented.
Isizue sighed heavily, handing the check to Kaiba's outstretched hand.
So lets see where we stand, Yugi's mad at Yami. Ryou's still pretty peeved too, and it looks like the gang's going to be in some serious debt thanks to Marik. Will thing's ever get back to normal? Oh well, at least Ryou has his pant's back.
Next Chapter: The gang has to work at a dinner party, waiting on the rich snob's of Domino. Also we check up on the yami's.
That's it for now, until next time!