Chapter 21: Love Will Find a Way
As Yami and Tea began crying softly, Yugi turned around as he heard a very familiar voice. It was barely audible and softer than a whisper, but he recognized it immediately.
"Wh…where am I?" Bakura asked as he slowly sat up and looked around him. "I thought I heard someone talking to me…Akari?"
"I, I don't know how to tell you this Bakura, but Akari is dead…" Yugi said as he looked down at his friend and tried to hide the tears that threatened to flow. He knew that now was not the time to cry, he had to be strong…for Bakura's sake. "She gave her life so that you could live. I'm so sorry…"
"IT'S NOT FAIR!" Tea screamed as she sank to her knees and began sobbing. "If Halakti loved her so much, than how could she let her own daughter die like that?"
When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry
And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That have to say goodbye
I had to see if her love for Bakura was real and pure… spoke a gentle voice as a mist appeared and a figure began walking towards them. As the figure got closer, they could see that it was a beautiful woman clothed in yellow robes wearing a winged mask over her face. Yes, I am Halakti and Akari is my daughter. Long ago I left the heavens to see what humans were like, but I was badly wounded during my flight to earth. I was rescued by a handsome young man who took care of me until my injuries healed. Then gradually, we fell in love and had a baby girl together and named her 'Akari no Kibou'…the 'light of hope' who was destined for great things. But alas, I had committed a terrible sin by falling in love with a human and her father had to go fight in the war. So I left her at the home of a loving couple who wanted a baby but could never have one of their own. Overjoyed, they took her in and raised her while I returned to the heavens.
And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
When I look to the sky Something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright And when I feel like I'm lost Something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
"Then she failed to save my life so she was sentenced to sleep forever until she would be needed again." Yami finished Ryou appeared and began speaking.
"And she was given a second chance when she met Yugi and his friends. Even though she knew little of the dangers she would face, Akari risked it all just to come here." Here, he paused for a moment as he gazed upon Akari's peaceful form as he thought of his own chance encounter with the young guardian. "I know it may not mean very much Bakura, but I'm truly sorry for everything I've done to make you suffer. Long ago, I thought revenge was the only way to ease my pain and then I met Akari. She taught me that love and fighting for the ones you love is what's the most important in life. In a way meeting her gave me a second chance as well…"
And every word I didn't say caught up in some busy day
And every dance on the kitchen floor we didn't have before
And every sunset that we'll miss I'll wrap them all up in your kiss
Pick you up in all of this when I sail away
"Please…Halakti, is there any way to save her?" Bakura asked as he gently gathered Akari's body in his arms and laid her down at Halakti's feet.
I'm sorry Bakura, but I cannot undo what has already been done… Halakti whispered softly as she removed her mask to reveal her face and bowed her head as the tears slowly rolled down her face. If only there was a way to save her…
And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that I hope will never leave
When I look to the sky Something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright And when I feel like I'm lost Something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
Suddenly a Kuriboh appeared next to Akari and cried softly as it nudged her body and tried to get her to wake up. Then, the Petit Angel appeared next to the Kuriboh and it too began crying. As if by magic, the other monsters bowed their heads and began crying for their long forgotten friend. Their tears began glowing as a glittering blue cloud formed and hovered over her body for a moment then covered her completely as her entire body began glowing.
"Yami, what's going on?" Yugi asked as he held Tea close to him, not even daring to let go.
Whether I am up or down or in or out or just plain overhead
Instead it feels like it's impossible to fly
But with you I can spread my wings
to see me over everything that life may send me
When I'm hoping you don't pass me by
"When I was a very young boy, my mother told me that when somebody willingly gave their life for someone else that the tears of the monsters could bring that person back to life. But, Akari's body must be healed or else she may not survive the process." Yami said as he knelt next to Akari's body and placed an injured hand on her wounds and began chanting in ancient Egyptian. Then slowly a pink sticky gel appeared and covered Yami's hand and Akari's wound. "Bakura it's time, bring her back to us…"
And when I feel like there's no one that will ever know me
there you are to show me
"Akari I love you so much," Bakura whispered softly as he looked at her beautiful face for a moment, then kissed her. "but a life without you would be so much worse than a thousand years in the hottest parts of hell. Please show me that miracles are real, come back to me…"
When I look to the sky Something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright And when I feel like I'm lost Something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
Then slowly her eyes fluttered for a moment as she opened her eyes and looked around. "Bakura is that really you? Where am I and who are all these people?" she asked as Joey, Seto, Duke, Tristan, Mai, Serenity, and Mokuba appeared and smiled at the heartwarming sight.
"They're friends Akari," Yami said softly as he held her hand and smiled warmly as the tears welled up in his eyes. "and the very best anyone could ever ask for…"
When I look to the sky Something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright And when I feel like I'm lost Something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
As Akari and Bakura embraced Yugi suddenly remembered the special surprise he'd been saving up for. After digging around in his pockets for a few moments, he finally found it and pulled a small box out of his pocket. Trembling, he slowly got down on one knee as Tea gasped in excitement.
"Tea, I know that we've been friends for a long time and all the while I was so busy preparing for the next important duel. Yet, despite the fact that I ignored you most of the time, I'll never forget when you dueled Mai for my star chips in Duelist Kingdom. You never gave up hope even though I'd already lost hope of saving my grandpa. Then I realized how much I loved you and after all we've been through together it would be stupid if we didn't spend the rest of our lives together as a team…Tea Gardner, will you marry me?" Yugi asked as he opened the box and revealed the ring inside, which was a deep blue sapphire sitting on a thin silver band.
"Of course I will, you have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that." Tea said as Yugi slipped the delicate ring onto her finger and smiled as everyone else laughed at her comment.