Trials and Test-Runs

"Miriku…come on, wake up!"

My eyes snapped open. Sonja was standing there, shaking my shoulder. "Get out of bed, lazy-butt! It's three o'clock!"

I sat bolt upright. "Three o'clock! But—that means I've been asleep half the day! We lost so much time! Why didn't Yuugi wake me up!"

"Because he thought you needed your rest," Sonja said firmly, yanking back the sheets. "Now get your butt out of bed and get dressed. We need to get the spell down pat today."

I blinked. "But what about—"

"Let it lie," Sonja said firmly. Her eyes were a little sad. "He's gone. He's not coming back. You have to let him go."

"But—"

"No," she said forcefully. "Get up. Don't waste any more time. I'll give you some privacy—but no using it to sit around and mope. We're on a time limit, remember."

She shut the door. I stared off into space for a few moments, before getting out of bed and dressing in an outfit similar to the one I had worn yesterday. But this time, I also went through my odd-and-ends drawer. It contained all kinds of sewing and patchwork supplies. From it I pulled a long piece of black silk that was about six inches wide. Folding in long-wise in half, I tied it around my arm, just above my elbow. Even double-knotted, the ends brushed at my hips. "I'm letting you go," I whispered to the air.

Exiting my room, I saw that everyone was there, waiting. I saw how their eyes went to the armband. "What are you all looking at?" I said tiredly.

Terra raised an eyebrow. "What's with the black armband?"

I smiled bitterly. "'If you love it, set it free. If it returns, 'twas meant to be.' I'm letting him go."

Sonja patted my shoulder, smiling sadly. "That's the best thing you could have done, Miri."

I sighed. "I just wish we could have done more…"

Terra rose to her feet. "There's no time to sit around and think of what we could have done. Kimiru, Derama, and Kemisi need to start working. And so do you."

I pulled the spell book out of my pocket. "I guess you're right. I've been wasting so much time…"

I flipped open the book to the marked page. "Kimiru. Derama. Kemisi. Get out here."

They came—Derama slower than her sisters. She was obviously reluctant. "Why do you need my help?" she grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Because we have to have three other sources of power," I snapped, "and they can't come from the people who are going to be using the portal."

Derama rolled her eyes. "Fine. What do I have to do?"

Carefully, I read through the spell book. "Let's see… All outside power sources must be similar, or connected to each other in some way. Well, you three are sisters, so that's good enough. Outside sources must be in contact with each other." I looked up. "You three are gonna have to hold hands."

Miriku and Kemisi took each other's hands, and looked expectantly at Derama. Dera sighed, clenching the two other girls' hands so tight that they winced.

"Now, this'll be a test reading," I said, motioning for the others to stand back. "I'm going to read the entire spell, except the word that releases the magic. You three need to combine all your power. Don't hold back. Got it?"

Derama growled. "Fine, whatever. Just get on with it."

I rolled my eyes, and began to read. The words were much harder to say than the ones for casting the illusions, seeing as how it was a much more advanced spell. But I managed. Motes of light swirled and danced in the center of the circle made by the sisters. The three of them began to glow with a soft golden light, as did the book. There was a sense of unwrapping—

And suddenly, something went wrong. Derama's eyes focused on something—and the sense of gentle unweaving was gone, replaced by vigorous ripping of the fabric of space.

I cut off the spell, and glared at Derama, panting. "What the hell did you do!"

Derama shrugged, unfazed. "You were taking too long. I took matters into my own hands. Besides, I've had enough of this little let's all share and pretend we love each other act."

Bakura swiped with his hand, swearing as it passed right through her. "Bakayarou! We all need to get home!"

Malik rolled his eyes. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Bakura." He looked pointedly at Derama. "You need to stop playing the arrogant bitch and cooperate."

John sniggered. "Yeah—look at what being an arrogant bastard did to Kaiba!"

Kaiba deathglared him. "Say that again."

"You're an arrogant bastard. I can say it a third time, if you want."

Terra punched him in the arm. "Shut up, John."

John yelped, and glared at her, gingerly touching his arm. "Hey, it's not my fault you like him!"

Terra gaped at him, fists clenching. "Do not!"

Bakura smirked. "Do too."

Jonouchi rolled his eyes. "Ya'd think we was on some sitcom, instead a' Miriku's livin' room," he muttered.

Sonja grinned ruefully. "Ain't that the truth."

I sighed. "Derama, you need to be patient. Pa-tient. Ever heard of that word?"

Derama sniggered. "Yes. But I don't feel like being patient."

Kemisi sweatdropped, and poked her shoulder. "You do know that you're basically sabotaging Bakura, right?"

Derama glared at her. "Touch me again and you're dead."

"I'm already dead, stupid."

Derama's arm whipped around, and Kemisi staggered back, a red mark forming on her cheek. "But I can still hurt you, stupid." She pulled back for another punch.

Kimiru grabbed Derama's wrists. "That is enough, Derama!" she snapped.

Derama rolled her eyes. "Weakling," she spat, ripping free and landing the punch on Kimiru's cheek.

I made to step forward—but Damien grabbed my shoulder. "This is between the three of them."

Kimiru didn't even flinch, staying right where she was. "Derama, you have to stop doing this! You have to work with us, not against us!"

Derama punched her again. "Why? You two are nothing but pathetic wimps!"

Kimiru still didn't move, although there were bruises on both of her cheeks. "There shouldn't have to be a reason."

Derama's response was to land a punch in Kimiru's gut. Kimiru doubled over, wincing—but slowly straightened, staring defiantly into Derama's eyes.

Derama shrieked, raining punches on Kimiru. "Why—won't—you—just—give—up—and—get—out—of—my—way!"

Kimiru didn't straighten this time—but she still didn't move. Her breath was ragged, and she spoke very softly. "Because…I know…my sister…the sister I knew…is still in there…somewhere…"

Kemisi slid her arm around Kimiru's shoulders, helping her stand up. When she looked at Derama, her eyes were sad. "You're a monster. Look at what you've done—and to your own sister."

Kimiru raised her head a little. "I swore…I'd find my sister again…no matter…what it took…even if it meant…I had to pretend…to hate her…"

Derama didn't answer. She just stood there for a while, eyes shaded by her bangs. Her ears and tail drooped.

"Kimiru…" she whispered. "Kemisi…"

Kemisi extended her free arm. "Derama…"

Kimiru smiled a little. "Dera…"

Derama looked up at them. "How can you accept me any more?" she asked softly. "I killed you, Kemisi…and then you, Kimiru…"

Kimiru shook her head. "All in the past."

Kemisi nodded. "We can forgive you…but can you forgive yourself?"

Derama closed her eyes. She reached out, brushing her fingers against Kimiru's. "I can…"

Kimiru beamed. "Welcome back, Derama."

Dustil began to cheer at the top of his lungs. Soon, pretty much the whole room was cheering and clapping for the half-laughing, half-crying sisters. In all the noise and joy, I could almost forget the missing presence.

Almost.

I finally raised my voice over the loud talking. "So, shall we try our test run again?"

Mikey POV

It was nine thirty when I got home. The four of them—Miriku, Kimiru, Derama, and Kemisi—had practiced and practiced, with us giving helpful tips and encouragement on the side.

When I went inside, it seemed like Yami hadn't moved from where I'd left him at two forty-seven. He was still sprawled out on the couch, staring with half-lidded eyes at the ceiling.

"I made dinner," he said as I approached. "Hope you like barely stew."

I sighed. This had gone on long enough. "Yami. You have to go back."

"No."

There was no emotion in his voice. No anger. No sadness. No pain. Just…nothing.

I felt like hitting him. He was being such an idiot… "Listen to me. You have to. They're opening the portal tomorrow. You'll need to go so you can get back home."

"No," Yami repeated. "I'm not going anywhere near her."

I clenched my fists. "Why must you be so stubborn!"

Yami opened his eyes and just looked at me. I recoiled—they were as empty as his voice.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my mini-recording machine and chucked it at Yami. "Listen to that," I said crossly. "And go into your own room while you're at it."

I stormed off to the kitchen, fuming. Behind me, I heard Yami rise to his feet and walk up the stairs—all absolutely silently.

What are you doing, Mikey! Why are you being so rude!

I couldn't help it. He was just getting on my nerves. The silence, the lazing around, the lack of emotion…it was just plain creepy.

But it'll turn out all right…

Yami POV

How long I lay there just staring at the small machine, I don't know. Finally I reached out and set it to 'play all recordings'.

There was one beep as recording one started. There was a minor uproar in the background, and then a shrill voice.

"Yeah—time we don't have! We have three days, Terra! Three days! And we have to find out how to get the others home—and figure out what to do with Kimiru, Derama, and Kemisi! There's just not enough time!

I blinked. That sounds like—

"Miriku, calm down! We're gonna find the bloody pharaoh!"

"How? Tell me that, Bakura. How are we going to find him in three days with everything else we have to do?"

"We'll find a way."

"I was acting like such an idiot…it must be my fault…"

There was a slight click as the recording ended. I hit the pause button, and sat there for a few moments, staring off into space. Was this true? Could it be?

Slowly, I reached out and hit 'play'. It beeped twice.

"Miriku-aneki. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It's not going to get him back any faster."

"You're right…I really need to focus…"

"And once you've focused, we can get out there and get looking."

Click.

Beep…beep…beep…

"What's with the black armband?"

"'If you love it, set it free. If it returns, 'twas meant to be.' I'm letting him go…"

"That's the best thing you could have done, Miri."

Sigh. "I just wish we could have done more…"

Click.

Apparently, there were no more recordings. But those three were enough to set my mind reeling. Miriku. She really was sorry. And I had abandoned her…

Tomorrow. I'll fix everything tomorrow…

I just hope it's not too late for me…