B-o-n-d-s
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Author's Notes:
Well...after not updating this for a while (okay, for a very long time) I decided to do that and conclude Bonds since my interest for YGO is fading and I hate leaving things undone...So, this is the last chapter.
The moving Hands of Time
Epilogue
A gentle breeze ruffled her hair when she stepped out of the cab, dragging her luggage out with her and putting it down to rest on the ground of a familiar street. She smiled at the driver when she paid for the ride and turned her head back to close her eyes for a brief moment and inhale deeply, her lungs filling with the smell of concrete, freshly mowed grass and the salty scent of the ocean behind her.
She was back. And when she opened her eyes, she realized that although she had changed a lot during all those years spent far away from home, some things would never change and Domino City was one of them.
Slowly, she lifted her bag and started walking down the familiar path that led to the main square, her breath quickening, her eyes widening, her heart beating with sweet anticipation. How would they all look like? Would they still remember her? Would she still recognize them? It had been so long since she had last seen them; waving at her retreating figure at the airport, smiling happily at her for she was finally free to fulfill her dream...
She still remembered vaguely the letters she had been receiving from them – every month at first, then every three months, until the little, white envelopes stopped coming and she had no time to sit down and think about it. Only one person never stopped sending her letters, always informing her of this and that...
Now, she was back again, she was home again, and she would see them again. She just hoped they hadn't forgotten about her already. They were her friends...and she valued friendship more than anything in the world. She wouldn't dare forget them...
÷
Her husband was on time, as usual. And although his work had taken the majority of his time, he still managed to make it. She was sitting in her usual spot in the luxurious car she would never quite get used to. But, he had insisted on buying it, especially since it had very comfortable backseats for the children.
She smiled when he greeted her with a fleeting kiss on the cheek before he slipped behind the steering wheel and started the engine.
She decided to take the kids with them, just so they could see the famous aunty they've heard so much about. Her husband had scoffed slightly at the so-called reunion but didn't protest any further; knowing very well how much it meant to her...Besides, he had belonged to the clique once...rather unwillingly, as he often proclaimed, but she knew that deep inside, those people were the very first friends he had made and that they have become an important aspect of his life from then on.
She turned around briefly to calm the two bickering boys down before her younger helper stepped in and plopped down next to the little replicas of them both, making funny faces at them and making the two toddlers laugh merrily behind. Her husband smiled slightly at the scene before she looked at him and sighed, nodding at him and signaling that they were ready to go.
The car drove away, leaving the large mansion and a beautiful garden behind.
÷
She frowned, glaring at her significant other who, as usual, glared back at her heatedly, adamant not to cave under her ardent gaze. He had no choice but to give in, however, when she pouted at him, leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips, making him growl at his inability to say no to her.
She beamed at him gleefully and told him to hurry up after picking up her purse and leaving the apartment.
He looked down to glance at the drooling Labrador on the floor, who was giving him such cute puppy dog eyes that he just growled again and tugged on the leash, making the dog jump and bark happily at him, following him out of the apartment.
Normally, he would complain about the dog; not just because it would bring him bad memories but also because her little, cute puppy would leave hairs behind on his seats. This time, he decided to keep quiet and simply obey her commands; it was always the easier way to avoid the fights.
She grinned at him and kissed him on the cheek quickly, before the dog had the chance to hop inside the car and settle behind them, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and brown, warm eyes gazing curiously at the awkward exchange in front of him when his owner and his other co-owner shared a kiss.
She buckled up and patted the dog on the head affectionately before her boyfriend of many years started the car and sighing deeply, stepped on the gas pedal, making her shriek and the dog howl in fright.
She frowned at him soon after, reprimanding herself silently for allowing her bad driving skills to rub off on him.
÷
He smiled politely at the last customers and sighed heavily when they exited, deciding that it was time to go after glancing briefly at the clock on the wall. He glanced wistfully at the small photo beneath the large shelf stacked with cards and disks before he shook his head and decided to go back to the house to get dressed. Today was, after all a very special day.
His co-worker and current partner looked at him knowingly over the brim of newspapers in front of him, drinking coffee and having a lunch break behind the counter.
He nodded at him and he got up quickly, straightening his clothes and wiping away the remains of sugar from his mouth. The taller young man went to close the door of the shop, flipping the We're closed sign for everyone out there to see. He waited patiently for the other young man to come down and then they headed outside together, anticipation getting the best of them both.
They started a conversation about how long has it been since they had last seen her? Seven, eight years?
The taller one couldn't remember, but the smaller one could very well. He could never forget her departure and her promise that she would come back one day again to see them all. And he could still remember the feelings he had harbored for her for a very long time, never really bold enough to tell her how he felt about her. Maybe this time...maybe today...he could seize his chance...
His friend and co-worker nudged him and pointed at the solitary figure leaning on the opposite side of the street, smiling and waving at them. They waved back and joined him after crossing the street.
Together, they headed for the main square.
÷
Five adults, two small children and one dog greeted her when she finally reached the main square and although they looked slightly different, she couldn't mistake them for anyone else but her friends.
With a shout, she leaped forward and made them all turn around at the running brunette with a bag in her hands.
"Joey, Mai, Serenity!" She yelled, her legs carrying her towards the small group of people hurriedly, her hands outstretched with a purpose to squeeze the living daylight out of them.
They gasped and yelped when she rammed into them forcefully, almost sending them all to the ground, her laughter disrupting the cozy atmosphere between them.
They laughed together with her and she leaned back to see them all, to really look at them and notice the changes on their faces.
Joey, holding Mai around the waist had gotten taller, his long blond tresses still unruly as before, but his expression was more serious, more mature. Mai was, of course, stunningly beautiful as always, wearing her trademark mini skirt and a tank top, that same old, confident grin playing on her lips.
She looked at Serenity, the young woman in her mid twenties who was smiling at her softly, her husband, the mighty CEO of Kaiba Corporation and Mokuba standing right behind her. She had to admit she was surprised when she heard that they got married but nothing could compare to the surprise she got when two, little copies of Serenity and Kaiba squeezed through, eyeing her with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
"Is that aunty Tea?"
She laughed when one of them pointed at her and his mother nodded with a smile. "Yep, I'm aunty Tea!" She replied cheerfully and tousled the little boy's hair playfully.
When she looked at the tall figures of Seto and Mokuba Kaiba she bowed respectfully on which the older Kaiba bowed back, but the younger one just grinned at her and hugged her happily, making her squeak in surprise.
"Nice to see you again, Tea."
She smiled at him and just when she wanted to ask where the others were, a familiar, but somehow, different voice made her turn around and she was left to stare with wide eyes at the image of her best friend, the one who never stopped sending letters, the one who was always so shy and nice, the one who was always so small and tiny...Now, she had to look up to meet his amethyst eyes and admire his chiseled features...He almost looked like the ancient spirit and her eyes watered, tears gathering in her eyes slowly.
"Yuugi," she whispered and without another word, hugged him tightly, burrowing her head in his chest and making the taller young man hug her back gently. "I'm sorry about your grandpa..." She added quietly on which the spiky-haired man just held her closer and whispered "I know" in her ear.
"Glad to see you, Tea," another voice she recognized spoke and she quickly raised her head to look at Tristan who was grinning at her somewhat knowingly.
She blushed when she realized that she was still clutching Yuugi's shirt and stepped back quickly, wiping her eyes gingerly.
"Hey, there, you..." She said and laughed at the same time, hugging the taller man gently. Behind him, another person was waiting patiently and she smiled at him as well when he gave her a questioning look.
"No hugs for me?"
"Bakura, of course you deserve a hug, too!" She exclaimed and hugged him tightly, making the young man's eyes bulge out slightly.
She stepped back from him a moment later and turned around, realizing that she was in the middle of a small circle, made by her friends. Fresh tears sprung out of her eyes again when she realized just how much she missed them all and how much she wanted to see them, talk to them, laugh with them again...
"I really missed you, guys," She choked out through her tears and Yuugi was the first to put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, smiling gently at her tear stricken face.
"We missed you, too, Tea," he replied softly and others joined him, taking her hands in theirs, putting their hands on her shoulders, patting her on the head, and she felt like her heart would burst from joy and happiness.
She was back...she was home again...She belonged here.
And although time had changed them all, they were still the same at heart. They were still those innocent people she had left behind so many years ago, she got to like and love.
Slowly, the small group of people made their way towards one of the numerous cafes on the square, occupying one whole table and starting a conversation about good, old times.
She tried to listen to them all as they started talking about their lives, but soon she got lost in their voices and adventures and she simply leaned back in her chair and stared at them in awe, still not believing that she was with them...
She looked at Yuugi, who was sitting next to her, questioningly when he reached for her hand under the table gingerly. He looked at her with a soft smile and she smiled back at him, squeezing his hand slightly; his heart beating wildly in his chest. He squeezed her hand, too and sighed happily, feeling feather light.
They joined the conversation soon after, their laughter and voices filling the main square.
Time had passed and flew by quickly for them, but friendship knows no boundaries.
Started: 27/02/2006 ÷ Finished: 14/03/2006
Last words - Well, there you have it -the last chapter. And although I definitely agree that it's not one of the better ones, I had a need to finish this.
Yeah, so, no more Bonds.
I'd like to thank you all for being great reviewers. Without you all, this would never reach 10 chapters.
Bah, I'm getting too sentimental and if I don't stop rambling soon, I'll start crying myself!
Okay, thanks one more time and...oh, there's still Cheer up, Mr. Kaiba! to finish! O.o
-Alena