o.O; Now this is a long chapter... Oh well.
Homecoming
Miriku POV
The next morning, I woke up at seven o'clock and couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't even feel tired.
Today was the day. The last day. The day of farewells…
We had it all planned out. Everyone who knew about the characters as characters were coming to see them off. Then, I would cast a forgetfulness spell on everyone—and we would all think that we were in my apartment for a goodbye party for me.
I dressed quickly and exited my room, remembering to tie the silk around my arm. Being careful not to wake the still-sleeping Yugi, I began to set up all the decorations and such that would lend to the guise of a farewell party.
Even though my hands were busy, my mind was still idle—and so it drifted to Yami.
If I don't see him today, there's not chance of me ever seeing him again. If I do see him, it'll only be until he goes back to his own world, and I'll never see him again anyway. It's a lose-lose situation…
/Stop it, Miriku.
/Why? It's the truth.
/That doesn't mean you have to face it so grimly. Find a bright side.
I stopped moving. /Kimiru. There is no bright side. After today, I'll be alone. All the characters will be home. You, Derama, and Kemisi will be gone. And all my other friends will be here, while I'm stuck moving cross-country. Tell me the bright side in this situation.
/…
/Exactly.
I reached up to tape a large banner reading 'Goodbye and Good Luck!' to the wall, and paused for a second, fighting back tears. Come on, Miriku. You have to toughen up…
Mikey POV
I had just woken up and was going around the house collecting everything I needed to bring for the party, when I suddenly realized something was missing.
I hadn't seen Yami anywhere.
I ran up to his room and pushed open the door. He wasn't there. Neither was he in any other room in the house.
"Crud," I whispered, clapping a hand to my forehead. Now there was no hope at all. If he had run off for good…
But there was no time for me to dwell on it. I had to get everything prepared before Ryou showed up with Merekai's family's van.
Ryou…
There was a knock on the door. I heard a muffled voice calling my name.
Opening the door, I saw it was Merekai. "Come on, Mikey! You're our first stop! We're dropping everyone off house by house, so it won't get really crowded."
I nodded, sliding the cake into the back of the van before climbing in myself. "Go ahead. I'm ready."
Miriku POV
By eight o'clock, Yuugi had woken up and was helping me with the decorations. This was when someone knocked on my door.
I opened it, and backed up as Mikey walked in with a large cake in her arms. "Good morning, Miriku! I thought you'd still be asleep!"
I shook my head. "I couldn't get to sleep last night."
Mikey shrugged. She went to help Yuugi, humming something under her breath.
I blinked. It sounded familiar. "Hey, Mikey? What're you singing?"
Mikey blinked at me, and blushed a little. "Uh…well, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was on last night, and I haven't seen it since I was five, sooo…" She grinned sheepishly. "And now I've got that song stuck in my head."
I grinned. "The Chitty song?"
Mikey nodded.
I couldn't help it. I began to sing the song. And Mikey joined in.
"Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Oh, you,
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you—
And, in,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, what we'll do!
Near, far, in our motor car,
Oh what a happy time we'll spend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!"
And suddenly, Terra's voice from behind us joined in as we sang the next verse—which was the whole fist one again.
"Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Oh, you,
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you—
And, in,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, what we'll do!
Near, far, in our motor car,
Oh what a happy time we'll spend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!
You're sleek as a thoroughbred,
Your seats are a featherbed,
You'll turn everybody's head today—
We'll glide on out motor trip
With pride in our ownership,
The envy of all we survey!"
As more and more people arrived, more and more joined in. Even Jane and Terrence, when they showed up, began singing. The whole apartment vibrated with the sounds of clapping hands, stomping feet—and of course, the words to the song. It was such a childish one—but it was one everyone recognized.
"Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Oh, you,
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you—
And, our,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, loves us too!
High, low, anywhere we go,
On Chitty Chitty we depend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!
You're sleek as a thoroughbred,
Your seats are a featherbed,
You'll turn everybody's head today—
We'll glide on out motor trip
With pride in our ownership,
The envy of all we survey!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Oh, you,
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you—
And, our,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, loves us too!
High, low, anywhere we go,
On Chitty Chitty we depend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!
It's uncategorical,
A fuel-burning oracle,
A fantasmagorical machine—
It's more than spectacular,
To use the vernacular,
It's wizard; it's smashing; it's keen!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!"
Right before the final verse, Sonja touched my arm. "I need to talk to you," she whispered, drawing me towards the door. I muttered the words to kill the illusion spell, and followed her.
"Oh Chitty, you Chitty,
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you—
And Chitty, our Chitty,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, loves us too!
High Chitty, low Chitty, anywhere we go,
On Chitty Chitty we depend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend—
Bang bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!
(Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
Fine four-fendered Chitty Chitty friend!"
Yami POV
As I approached Miriku's apartment, I was rather surprised at the level of noise erupting from it. It sounded like people were singing raucously. Most of them were off-key. It was a song from the movie Mikey had been watching last night—I recognized the basic tune.
Suddenly, the illusion around me died. I was very glad this floor was empty.
As quietly as I could, I crept up to the door—and heard soft voices. I pressed my ear up to the wood.
"It's a good thing you're doing by letting him go," Sonja was saying.
"But I haven't, really," Miriku answered. "There's no way I'll have completely let him go. The pain isn't gone. It's just…numbed."
I could just see Sonja raising her eyebrows. "Okay…and what is with all the singing?"
"Release, I guess," was Miriku's reply. "I needed something happy…and this is such a simple, silly song…"
"Ah."
The song ended in a round of cheers and claps. I heard Terrance over the other noise, asking when he could have some cake, and Sonja yelling at him to "Get down from that table before you fall and break something!"
There was a slight push on the other side of the door, and a quiet sigh from Miriku. "Stupid boys…" she whispered, moving away.
I couldn't stand to wait any longer. I tapped quietly on the door.
Miriku POV
Suddenly, Sam looked up. "Everyone, hush!" she called.
All noise ceased, save for a few mutterings. Sam cocked her head, listening.
There was a soft tapping noise from the door.
Yuugi looked around, counting heads. "Everyone's here. Who could it be?"
I shrugged, threading my way over to the door. "I suppose we'll find out, won't we?" I opened the door a crack.
And froze.
I could feel my eyes widening. I was completely paralyzed. My brain was racing in circles.
Yami was standing right there. He was holding a single white rose in his hand.
"Come on, Miriku-aneki—we want to see who it is!" Yuugi pulled the door open all the way. I didn't even move to stop him.
Behind me, there was absolute silence.
"Sumimasen," Yami murmured softly, averting his eyes and holding out the rose. "I'm so sorry…"
Everyone was looking at me. I could feel it. But I was still completely frozen. My mind was pretty much blank.
Yami kept his head down. "If you don't forgive me, I understand…but at least let me come in so I can go home…"
I moved out of the way, automatically stepping backwards. Yami walked in, not looking at anyone.
Damien was the first to move. He stepped forward, and punched Yami in the stomach. "That was for abandoning us."
Ignoring Sonja's gasp, he punched Yami again—in the cheek. "And that was for abandoning her." He crossed his arms. "I'm done now."
Yami didn't say anything. Half doubled over in pain, he moved to Yuugi's side.
There was silence for a while longer.
Terrance stood up on the table again. "Why're we all bein' so quiet? We're supposed to be having a party, here!" He hit the 'play' button on the boombox he'd brought. The sounds of the 93 Rock station pounded at full volume through the room. There was a resounding cheer, and then the party really began.
The whole time, I tried to get to Yami. But it seemed he was deliberately avoiding me.
After about half an hour, Terra twisted the dial. The volume dropped dramatically, and everyone stared at her.
Her face was set. "I think it's just about time." She looked around. "Time for goodbyes. And then…" She didn't need to say any more, turning the volume up to about half its original volume.
I sat down on the couch, watching as the boys circulated throughout the room, giving their farewells. I noticed that Yami was still avoiding me.
He wasn't even going to say goodbye to me.
I looked around, trying to get my mind off of him. I saw Malik stroking Marik's black/red hair, attempting to comfort her. Bakura had his arm around Sam's shoulder again, and was whispering things that made her jump back and forth from beaming to blushing. But I saw that some people had disappeared. Terra, Mikey, Ryou, and Kaiba were all MIA.
Private goodbyes, I suppose…
I nearly laughed out loud at the kind of 'private goodbye' Kaiba would give Terra—most likely a huge rant. And Terra would rant right back.
I wouldn't mind getting ranted at right now by Yami. At least he would be talking to me…
Terra POV
"Cooper. Be quiet. Don't attract any attention. Follow me."
I raised my eyebrows, but followed Kaiba as he slipped into the hall and then into Miriku's guest room. He let me in first.
I whipped around when I heard him locking the door. "Kaiba, what the hell are you doing?"
Kaiba didn't face me, one hand still resting on the doorknob. His bangs shaded his eyes. "Terra," he murmured softly.
I blinked. Kaiba never called me by my first name. It was always 'Cooper' this and 'Cooper' that.
/Oh, come on, Terra. You know you've wanted him to acknowledge you for ages.
/Have not! I protested—but only half-heartedly. It was true. Weird, definitely—but true all the same.
Kaiba glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. "Everything I've said to you…degrading things…I apologize…"
I smiled a little. "It's all right, Kaiba…Seto."
Kaiba blinked at me. My smile widened. "You use my first name, I use yours."
Kaiba smiled, too. It was a real smile—one that reached his eyes, warming them.
I grinned. "You look a lot better when you smile. You should do that more often."
Kaiba closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Terra. There's something I've been debating telling you for a while…ever since the sleepover, in fact…"
I put a hand on his wrist. "I think I know," I said quietly.
He opened his eyes. His smile became lopsided. "Really? Then you know how hard this is…"
"Because the only other person you love is your little brother." I kept completely still, hoping that I hadn't just completely blown it for myself.
"Exactly…"
I looked up at him. He looked right back at me, that lopsided smile still on his face. He looked so much more handsome like that…
I pressed myself up against him, resting my head on his chest. "Seto…"
He draped his arms around my waist. "Goodbye, Terra…"
"I wish it wasn't time for goodbyes."
"Well, we can't change it."
"Can't we just stay here for a while more?"
"Whatever…"
I laughed a little at his half-hearted attempt to use his cold, uncaring voice. "All right, then…"
Mikey POV
I looked around curiously as Ryou pulled me into Miriku's rec room. "What are we doing?"
Ryou cleared a spot on the bed and sat down, motioning me to sit next to him. As I did, he reached into his deck box and pulled out a card.
"Ryou…that's your Change of Heart…"
Ryou shook his head. "No. This is a different one." He ripped it right down the center.
I stared at him. "What the…" He smiled a little, and handed me one of the halves.
I looked at it for a moment. It was the half with the angel. "Ryou…"
He put a hand on mine. "So you'll never forget me. And you'll never forget what I consider you…" Carefully, he put the demon half back in his deck box.
I hugged him. "Ryou…I wouldn't forget you, even if you hadn't given that to me…"
Ryou smiled. He kissed me lightly on the forehead, resting his arms around my shoulders. "But I wouldn't want to just take off without leaving you something…"
I closed my eyes. "This…is good enough…"
Sonja POV
"Psst! Sonja!"
I glanced down. Yuugi was standing next to me.
I bent down so that I was at his eye level. "Yeah?"
I realized he was blushing a little—a split second before he planted a kiss on my cheek and darted off.
I blinked, trying to figure out where he had gone. But he had completely disappeared.
Uh…that was odd…"Sonja."
I looked over my shoulder. "Uh—hi, Damien!"
Damien had his arms crossed. "What was that all about?"
I gulped. Knowing him, he was about to go beat Yuugi into a pulp… "Dunno. He called my name, and then— I have no idea."
Damien smiled a little. "Come on, Sonja. You look like a tomato. What's really up?"
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, fine. You guessed it." I made a face. "But he's Yuugi, Damien! He's the very essence of cute!"
"Sonja, I never said you were in trouble."
I blinked. "Hunh?"
Damien grinned. "That is—only if you go back and repay him the favor he just gave you. And I have to be able to see you."
"Then watch secretly."
"Fine with me."
I crept around through the minor crowd, looking for Yuugi. I finally managed to find him—he was sitting in the kitchen by the table, staring off into space. "Hey, Yuugi?"
Yuugi started. Then he saw me—and blushed. "Uh—S-Sonja—"
I grinned, sitting next to him. "Hi. What was that about?"
Yuugi blushed harder, looking away. "I don't know…"
I grinned, using Damien's line from earlier. "Come on, Yuugi, you look like a tomato."
Yuugi tightly shut his eyes. "I'm gonna miss you, Sonja…"
I leaned over, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Me too, Yuugi…me too…"
Miriku POV
I stood up. "All right—everybody finished?"
I looked around. Our four missing persons had since returned—and Kaiba was smiling and making no attempt to hide it. That was odd, to say the least.
I moved to the center of the living room, pushing the coffee table out of the way. I then turned the boombox off. "Everybody clear the area from the couch to the TV. We need room, here." In seconds, there was a large space in front of the TV.
I pulled the book out of my pocket and opened it. "Kimiru. Derama. Kemisi. Now, please."
The sisters emerged, and stepped to the center, reaching out to take each other's hands. I smiled a little, and began to read.
The words came easily this time. The light swirled about once more—this time growing gold and silver sheens. The spell fixed itself on my desired focal point—the TV. The feeling of unraveling was there again—but faster and more efficient. Soon there was a large space of pure light right in front of the TV screen,
I stared at the dancing light for a moment, and turned to face the others. "The portal won't open on the other side until it's closed on this side. And this side won't close until I choose to close it. Everyone will get through safely—I'm making sure of it. You'll be able to see us until this side is closed."
Malik was the first to step into the portal, gently pushing Marik off of his arm. Bakura was next, tousling Sam's hair as he left. Ryou touched Mikey's cheek, smiling tenderly, before backing to stand beside Bakura. Kaiba simply looked at Terra for a long moment, before stepping in after Jonouchi. Yuugi smiled shyly at Sonja, and darted in.
Which left Yami. His steps were slow and deliberate as he made his way towards the portal—and therefore, me. He didn't look up.
As he passed, I touched his wrist. "Yami…"
He stopped. But he still didn't look at me.
I blinked back tears. "Kojiki yousha, koishii (begging forgiveness, beloved)," I whispered, before backing away.
He just stood there. Then he looked at me.
For the second time that day, I was completely paralyzed.
Even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't have moved away. Not when he moved forward. Not when he gently placed one arm around my waist, and the other on my shoulder, tucking the white rose behind my ear.
Not when our lips met.
I heard cheers and catcalls—but faintly. It was like they were in a completely different world from Yami and me.
You are forgiven…
He pulled away, smiling warmly, and pressed a card into my hand. "Goodbye, Miriku-koi." And he stepped into the portal. There was a blinding light—and the seam of space knitted itself together.
And Kimiru, Derama, and Kemisi—were gone.
I opened the book again. "Time to say goodbye to everything," I murmured sadly—
And read the spell to make us forget everything that had happened that had to do with the anime characters and the sisters.
Yuugi POV
Everyone who had gone was back. We were all sitting on the grass of the park—in Domino City.
Where we belonged…
I looked at the others, who all had a sort of dazed look on their faces—Yami and Bakura most of all.
Wait a second…
"Yami! Yami!"
Yami looked at me. "Yes, aibou?" he said heavily.
"Look at me! Look at yourself!"
Yami rolled his eyes. "What about it?"
"We're separate. We're not supposed to be separate any more!"
Yami blinked. As did the others, who had recovered by now.
Bakura looked at his hands. He grinned suddenly. "This is great. Now I won't have to deal with kicking Ryou out if I want to cause trouble."
Ryou sweatdropped. "Yeah…sure…"
I noticed Yami staring up at the sky, and walked over to him. "Yami? Are you all right?"
Yami sighed. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?"
I smiled, patting his arm. "Maybe. Now—it's been two weeks since I swept the game shop, so we really need to get back home." I waved at the others. "See you, guys!"
Yami and I began to walk home. As we went, I pondered the changes that had occurred. Jonouchi was now pretty decent at speaking, reading, and writing in English. Kaiba was just a nicer person than he'd ever been. And then, there was the fact that Yami and Bakura were now real. Well, not real—they had physical forms.
I smiled around at the familiar buildings. We would deal with all those things when they came around.
For now…we were home.
OWARI
Weeeell...not exactly the end. I still have to do the epilogue...hehehe...
Ack! (runs away from reviewers who she knows will kill her for making them forget everything)(yells over shoulder) REVIEW, PLEASE!