Chapter 28: Promise of a Sunrise

Rya was sleeping soundly when she felt someone gently shaking her. "Rya..." Yami whispered. Rya slowly opened her weary eyes up into Yami's smiling ones. "Wake up," he said cupping her cheek in his hand.

Rya slowly sat up and looked outside to see that the sun hadn't even risen yet. "Yami, it's still dark out," she stated.

"I know. I want to show you something," he replied. "Hurry and get dressed or we'll miss it." Rya nodded, only to start falling back onto the bed and going to sleep. "Come on," Yami chuckled helping her up and walking her to the dresser. Once she was dressed, Yami took her by the hand and made her run out of the mansion. The street lights were still on, but Rya could see them start turning off. She and Yami were running hand in hand in the streets early in the morning. For what reason? Rya had no idea. But she continued to run with him, until they went off the streets onto soft ground. Rya knew it felt familiar but she couldn't place it, and then felt them go onto some rocks. It was so dark out, Rya had no idea what was going on and held onto Yami. "I need you to close your eyes," Yami told her.

"What? Why?" Rya asked curiously. Yami simply gave her a look that made her nod and do as he asked. She felt him cover her eyes with his hands, just in case. "Yami what is going on?" she giggled anxiously.

"You'll see. Right about...now" Yami replied removing his hands. Rya rubbed her eyes and looked, only to gasp in absolute surprise. They were standing on the ledge that looked over the entire ocean, and the sun was rising just beyond the shimmering water. The sky was beautiful, reflected in the water. Rya couldn't speak at the gorgeous sight before her. "I thought you might like this. I know this is probably your first sunrise above the water," Yami said from behind her.

"Yami I...I don't know what to say," Rya said with tears already brimming her eyes. She turned to see the smile on Yami's face. She ran and launched herself into his arms as he spun her around.

"I'm glad you like it," he replied. Rya turned to continue admiring it, as Yami wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. After a while, Yami finally gathered the courage to ask Rya the question he'd been wanting to for a while. "Rya?"

"Yes Yami?" she replied continuing to look on over the golden water. She heard Yami give a sigh, as if he was afraid to ask. "What is it?" she asked looking up at him.

"After you win your duel today, which I know you will," Yami chuckled lightly. Rya smiled back, wondering what he was going to ask. "You...I mean that...what will you do?" he asked quietly.

"I'm afraid I don't understand Yami," Rya said.

"Rya, you're not a human. You're a mermaid, the ocean is your home. Will you...will you go back there?" Yami asked with a hint of fear in his voice.

Rya was for the second time that morning speechless. "In all honesty Yami, I haven't really thought about it. All that's been on my mind lately is beating Lisa and making it so you never have to be bothered by her again."

"I see." Yami replied, releasing her from his hold. "Well it was a silly question to ask anyways. We should be heading back," he said turning, taking his leave.

"But Yami I–" Rya started running after him.

"You should probably sleep a little more before the match. You'll need all the strength you can get," Yami said cutting her off and still walking away. Rya looked back at the sun that had fully risen.

I promise Yami, I will win today for you. I promise one way or another, I will win happiness for you, she thought with determination and turned to catch up with him.

They both stayed quiet on the walk back to the mansion, seeing all the shops starting to open. One shop that caught Rya's eye was the "jewelry shop" that was opening. She looked inside the window to see some of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. One specific item caught her attention, but deciding she would investigate later when Yami wasn't there.

Once they got back to the mansion, they found Kaiba and Mokuba already up eating breakfast. "Hi Yami! Hi Rya! We didn't know you were up already. You want some breakfast?" Mokuba offered happily.

"Thank you Mokuba, we'd love to," Rya replied and sat next to him to start eating as Yami sat beside Kaiba. Rya and Mokuba were talking as Yami watched Rya sadly, thinking maybe she really would go back to the ocean. Pretty soon, Mokuba had asked Rya to play with him for a little while leaving Yami and Kaiba alone.

"Stop worrying so much," Kaiba said while reading his paper. Yami looked at him, wondering what he was talking about. "She'll beat that sorry excuse of a girl, she'll win, you two will kiss and you'll both live happily ever after."

"Kaiba–" Yami sighed holding his forehead.

"Think about it. She's willing to fight for you, make you happy. Do you honestly think she'll leave you after all this? You're more dense than I thought," he smirked grabbing some coffee and leaving the room. He stopped at the doorway and turned to face him, smirk still present, "if you're that worried, give her a reason to stay." With that, Kaiba left Yami to his thoughts.

Yami sighed again and started thinking about what Kaiba had said. I don't want to lose her, but I don't want her to do anything that'll make her unhappy. Yami continued thinking for a moment. Give her a reason to stay, huh? We'll see. Yami stood up and went to go find Rya. He looked all around mansion, with Rya nowhere to be found. In fact, Mokuba was gone too. I wonder where they went.

Meanwhile, Mokuba and Rya were in the limo heading down to the jewelry store Rya had spotted earlier that morning. "Thank you for helping me out, Mokuba!" Rya smiled.

"No problem! Besides I think it's an awesome idea!" Mokuba replied. The limo stopped as they walked in to the store. They had everything from the finest diamonds to $10 necklaces. Mokuba and Rya looked around for the certain item Rya had spotted earlier, when Mokuba felt he had found it. Rya looked at it, and thought it was perfect. They took it up to the counter and asked for it to be inscribed.

"All right, that'll be $87.99," the lady said kindly. Both Rya and Mokuba looked at each other, knowing that neither of them had any money. Rya thought for a moment and came up with a way to pay for it.

For Yami, she thought to herself. He gave me the sunrise, now I can give him something in return.

A/N: I am sooooooooooo sorry! I know it's been so long since I've last updated. I'm really sorry and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me! Please review:)