WH00T WH00T! Let's go! Who'syermomma! CHAPTER 22 IS UP AND RUNNING!

Revelation

I swore under my breath. "I never even thought about school! You're right—what are we going to do?"

"Miriku, if I knew, do you think I would have called you in the first place?"

"Uh…"

"Exactly."

I rolled my eyes. "Great. Just lovely. Got any bright ideas, Johnny-boy?"

"No—that's what you're for, isn't it?"

"Oh, thanks a lot," I said sarcastically.

"You're welcome. Anyway, we already know that they can't come to our school—so what are we going to do?"

I sighed. "There's only one thing we can do—the problem is going to be actually doing it."

"You mean…sending them home?"

"Yup."

I sighed. "Man…we've got to figure this out."

"Definitely. Are you going to call a meeting?"

"Yeah, I was thinking about it—but not tonight. It's already getting late."

"Good point. See you tomorrow?"

"See you."

I hung up the phone. "All right—I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to bed."

Yami nodded, stifling a yawn. "We were just about to get ready. You go ahead—we'll clean up in here."

I nodded, heading off for my room. I needed some sleep—a major problem awaited me tomorrow morning.

I yanked and pulled as hard as I could, but it was no use—the door was firmly locked. The walls were steadily pressing closer and closer.

I heard Derama's derisive laughter outside the thick door. "Let's see your precious pharaoh rescue you now!"

"He's coming!" I yelled. "I know he's coming!"

"Oh, am I?"

Shocked, I looked up. An image of Yami's face sneered down at me. "I'm not coming anywhere, Miriku! Rescue yourself—after all, you're such a big girl now!"

Derama screamed with laughter as the image continued to taunt me. "Not so brave now, are you? Not such a big girl, now that you're in over your head!"

I screamed as the walls began to squeeze against me—Derama's laughter and Yami's taunts echoed in my ears—pain exploded across my body—

Suddenly; faintly;

"Miriku! Miriku-chan, it's only a dream! Wake up!"

"Wake up, Miriku-chan!"

I sat bolt upright—sending Yami tumbling off of my bed and onto the floor.

"…Ouchies."

I leaned over the edge of the bed. "Are you all right, Yami?"

The former pharaoh sat up, wincing a little as his wrist twisted oddly. "I'm fine. The question is—are you?"

I shuddered. "Not really…"

Yami nodded, moving back to the edge of my bed. "You were screaming—it woke me up. What was happening?"

Shuddering, I told him the whole nightmare. When I was finished, he put his good arm around my shoulder. "That's absolutely horrible. I'm glad I woke you when I did."

I looked around, as a thought suddenly came to mind. "Yami…if I was screaming, then wouldn't Yuugi have woken up, too?"

Yami started a little. "…Hai, he would have…"

A look of intense concentration crossed his face—and his eyes suddenly widened a little.

Miriku…can you hear me?

"Of course I can hear you," I said, a little crossly. "You're sitting right next to me."

Yami's eyes widened again. "Miriku…I didn't say that."

"But I just—"

"Not with spoken words."

I stared at him. "Wait—you said that with your mind?"

"Yes."

"And…I heard you…"

"Yes."

I shook my head. "This is too freaky…"

"Yes."

I glared at him. "Can't you say anything other than 'yes'?"

Yami smirked a little. "Yes."

I groaned with fake distress. "Oh, Gods—the pharaoh has an American sense of humor!"

Yami grinned. "Well, we're in America, after all. There's nothing wrong with having a sense of humor from the country you're in.

"But you're the pharaoh—you're not supposed to have that much of a sense of humor! Don't you watch the show?"

"Miriku. I lived the show."

"…Oh, yeah…"

Yami laughed. And he wonders why I love her…

I started. "What was that?"

Yami stared at me. "What was what?"

"I just heard you say something. Or think something. And it was about me. What was it?"

Yami stared at me. Red crept up the back of his neck and his cheeks. "Uh…I…uh…"

I glared at him. "Spill it, pharaoh. Now."

By this time, Yami's face was almost completely red. "You don't really want to know," he muttered.

"Yes, I do want to know. So unless you want me bugging you for the rest of your life, spill it."

"Witch."

"Damn straight."

Yami looked away. "It's…kind of complicated…"

"Then don't say it. Think it."

"You don't give up, do you?"

"Nope."

Yami closed his eyes. Miriku… I still can't say it…

I stared at him. "Hunh?"

Yami shook his head. It's still too complicated—it's impossible to explain. I feel delighted…and confused…and…I don't know…

I smirked. "Sounds like someone's in lo-ove. So who's the lucky gal, hmm?"

Yami stared at me. Oh, Ra, you're more of a blond than I thought…!

"Heyy! What's that supposed to—"

Suddenly, the implications of what he was trying to say hit me. I stared at him, mouth working. "What…the…hell…"

My mind was racing. No…way…not Yami…he's such a friggin' hunk… What the hell does he see in me?

Yami's face was grave. "This is what I see, Miriku."

And suddenly, my brain was flooded with images. I was seeing things that had already happened—but how Yami had seen them. Feeling what Yami had felt. I heard Yami's thoughts as if they had been my own—as if I were the one thinking them.

Beautiful hair, but you always keep it up—beautiful eyes, hidden by glasses—beautiful voice, hidden by sarcasm—beautiful body, hidden by strange clothes—oh, Miriku, you are intriguing. Why do you hide yourself? You are so beautiful, and yet you put yourself down. You disclaim your very nature. I want to protect you, but you don't need protection—you are so strong, and so beautiful. Beautiful like a rose in the desert—beautiful like a ruby among rocks—beautiful like a tall birch in the center of a busy city—like nature itself—like silver—like gold—

I shook my head, hard. "Stop it, Yami! Stop it!"

The visions faded. Yami's head was bowed, and his eyes were closed. "Miriku…" His voice was very soft. "I've never felt…this kind of emotion…this is all new to me…" He wrapped his arms lightly about his waist. "I'm sorry…"

I shook my head. "It's not your fault, Yami…trust me, I'm more than a little confused myself."

"But…I shouldn't have said anything…I've gone and ruined everything…"

I raised my eyebrows. "Ruined everything what?"

Yami shook his head a little. "I was going to wait…until I was sure…but…"

I rolled my eyes. "Hel-lo, Earth to Yami! Are you even paying attention to me? Honestly, I'd think you were a friggin' blond if I didn't know any better! Sheesh!"

Yami stared at me. "You mean—?"

I grinned. "No duh."

And then, I opened my own mind to him—pouring out all the emotions that I had been hiding.

Yami gasped a little, and I felt him trying to control the rapid flow—but I wouldn't let him. I did to him what he had done to me—pounding him with event after event and feeling after feeling.

After about a minute, I stopped. "Does that answer your question, Yami?"

Yami smiled a little. "Yes. Thank you, Miriku…"

I shrugged. "Eh. That's what friends are for."

"And you are a very good friend…"

On impulse, I reached out and hugged him. "I try."

Yami smiled a little, and gently pushed me away. "You really ought to go back to sleep, Miriku."

I grinned sheepishly. "Aww, hell—I'm so wired up right now, I couldn't get back to sleep even if I tried!"

Yami's smile widened. "Then let me help you. Just lean back and close your eyes—and remember to take off your glasses."

I rolled my eyes, pulling my glasses off and setting them on the table next to my bed. "Dursh." I leaned back and burrowed under the blanket. "Go ahead—I'd really like to get back to sleep."

Blurrily, I saw Yami stand up. He knelt next to my bed, and began to chant softly. As I listened, my eyes felt heavier and heavier.

In a sudden flash, the chanting translated itself into English in my mind.

"Rest, beloved, little friend,
Although the night is dark—
Re returns, as ever he does,
Bringing day's bright spark.

Rest, beloved, always know
That I am ever here—
I will help you through your pain,
And hold you through your fear."

Yami POV

I smiled a little as Miriku's eyes closed, and her breathing steadied. She was very much asleep.

"Good night, Miriku-koi," I murmured, leaving her room and heading back towards the guest room.

My mind was in a whirl. Miriku—kind, caring Miriku—did feel for me as I felt for her. The knowledge was heartening—and even a bit intoxicating. I felt like a burden had been taken off my shoulders—like I could finally rest easy.

I had thought it was all in vain…now I knew.

I lay back down on my bed, and closed my eyes.

Miriku-koi…I never thought I'd be able to say it. Koishii…beloved…Miriku…

I thought I would never get to sleep—but I was wrong.

Uh...okay, this is one LAME-O ending...

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