Tenshi- About time!!!!
Spirit- Oh shut it! You were no help at all. I had to call one of my friends for help on this chapter. But it's Done!!! ENJOY!!!!
Disclaimer- I don't own either animes/mangas. All I own is the plot.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE REVIEWED! YOU GUYS SO ROCK!
88 Last Time 88
"I'm so sorry Hotaru. I'm sorry I put you through so much suffering."
"I know. And I know it wasn't your fault. It was the Millennium Ring. . . Bakura?"
"Yes?" he said drawing back to look at her.
She just gave him a little smile and said, "can we still go traveling?" He couldn't help but chuckle a little bit and nod.
"Of course. Whatever you want."
88 This Time 88
Atem listened intently to Mariks's words. Most of their city had been rebuilt and the dead properly put to rest. There was still work to be done after the battle one week ago, but for now, the people were finally beginning to relax. This was the time that the sandy haired man approached the pharaoh about a certain problem he thought he could help with. It certainly was one that seemed a little troublesome. Marik had asked to be relieved of his tomb guarding. Now that Rishid was dead, it would be difficult to talk to the head of the tombkeepers about letting Marik free. Atem wondered what brought this one all of a sudden? Why did Marik want to leave the tombs?
Deciding the only way to receive that answer he asked Marik, "why do you wish me to dismiss your duty as a tombkeeper?"
Marik was silent for a moment. It seemed this whole ordeal was making him quite nervous. "I . . . um. . . I don't want that kind of life for Minako." he replied.
The pharaoh arched a brow. "Minako? What does she have to do with the tombs?"
"I. . . we. . . want to be together. I told my father of this and he wouldn't hear of it. He said I was to forget about her and return immediately. But. . .I can't do that. I can't leave just leave her."
"Why not take her with you?" Atem asked.
"She won't survive down in that horrible darkness. She's been kept locked up and shackled most of her life, I won't ask her to live there. But I also am not going anywhere without her."
Again Atem listened and pondered on this matter. He knew Marik well. The man hardly ever stood up to his father and always seemed to follow others. Now he was taking a stand when it mattered most to him. Of course he had already known that the two loved each other. It had been apparent all week long to anyone with enough common sense...so naturally that did not apply to Tenshi, but that was not the point. The point was, he doubted even if ordered to, Marik would not go back to the tombs. Hell he might even be tempted to join Bakura's gang of merry thieves and he couldn't have that could he? Though for now Bakura and his men have been pardoned of all past crimes due to their part in the war. He knew that once things went back to normal, they would be out there stealing from his ancestors graves again.
Looking back at Marik, he found the man now to be a nervous wreck. "I believe I will allow you request." he said with a smile.
Marik snapped his head up and stared at the pharaoh. "You. . .you will?" Nodding his head, Marik quickly bowed. "Thank you Pharaoh Atem. I'll find a way to repay you."
"No need. I believe I was in fact in debt to you. You helped with the war after all." Not knowing what else to do, Marik nodded, bowed again, and quickly left the throne room. Atem shook his head, but smiled as he watched the man go.
Marik ran out to the garden where Minako was sitting alone. He slowly approached the blonde haired girl who seemed to be lost in thought. Her once sparkling blue eyes now seemed dazed as she stared down sadly at the stone steps. He watched her for a moment. No doubt she was thinking of what was going to happen now. She knew all about what his father had said and he knew it was hurting her. But now thanks to the pharaoh, she would no longer have to worry.
"Minako?" the blonde jumped a little then turned her head to see him. Instantly she put on a smile.
"Hi Marik!" she cried.
He just smiled back and sat down beside her. "I went to see the pharaoh." he began.
"Really? Why?" she asked, blinking in confusion.
"I told him that I didn't want to be a tombkeeper anymore."
Her blue eyes widened. "Was he angry with you? You shouldn't have done that!"
"Minako, calm down it's ok. He said that was fine. I don't have to go back. I'm free to be with you." he explained, gently taking her hands. Minako just stared at him for a moment in surprise. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Marik had not been expecting that response, but didn't complain. He just let his arms snake around her waist and kissed her back. When they broke away the girl leaned her head on his chest and smiled. Finally she had found the peace she always longed for.
88 Back With Atem 88
Atem walked down one of the many long halls of the palace now. Staring out one of the windows he saw Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Ami, Usagi, and Mamoru gathered around the front steps. The gang had stuck close together since the lose of their leader, Nuru. Apparently Setsuna knew that the woman was going to parish during the war, but was forbidden to tell the others. Like true friends they did not blame her for the death of their loved one. Instead they comforted her and even took her to Nuru's tomb. He didn't know what the band planned to do now. He had given the three who were servants their freedom. It was up to them to decide what they wanted to do with it. Perhaps they would return south with Usagi and the others.
He looked out the opposite sides window which showed the garden. There he saw Marik and Minako going inside. They looked much happier then they had been yesterday, when Marik's father's news reached them. However, he forget that he himself was not free to be with the one he loved. Anzu was his fiancé, not Rei. The war and time away from the palace had made him forget that. About four days ago, Anzu returned to the palace. She had been kept safe at the oasis. Now in only a few months they were to get married. Rei knew this, and had been avoiding him the past few days. He couldn't blame her though.
"Atem?" came a familiar voice. He turned around to see Anzu walk out of one of the rooms. "Hi."
"Hi." he said, then looked at the floor. There was an awkward silence between them for a minute or two.
"Atem-" "Anzu I-" they finally said at the same time.
"You first." Anzu said, smiling at little.
Atem scratched the back of his head and looked away again. "I. . . don't really know how to say this but, . . . Anzu . . . I don't think we should get married. I mean I know it was our parents will and everything, but I, I don't know."
"So you. . . don't wish to be with me?" she asked, putting her hands behind her back and staring at him questionably.
He shook his head. "No. The truth is. . . I love someone else."
"Well that's a relief!" immediately his eyes darted back to her.
"Huh?"
"Well you see. . . I've never really been in love with you Atem. I always found our relationship to be more. . . sibling like. And the truth is. . . I'vebeencheatingonyouwithTenshi!!" She cried, saying the last part really fast.
Atem just stared at her for a moment. It took awhile for all this to take in his mind. Finally it registered and he closed his mouth which had nearly fallen to the ground. Anzu looked scared. She did feel awful for not telling him sooner, but she had thought that he really did love her and never wanted to hurt his feelings. But the tension that was in the air suddenly evaporated and a relieving feeling came over them. The pharaoh smiled and nodded.
"Alright. Then it's settled. The weddings off. We are free to be with whom we choose."
Anzu smiled and nodded as well. She quickly gave Atem a hug in thanks and rushed off to find Tenshi. Atem watched her go. Finally everyone was free, and it took a war for that to happen. A small snicker came from behind and he turned to see Rei standing there with a smirk on her face. He raised an eyebrow as she approached him.
"Feel better?" she asked. He just sighed and nodded. "Good. . . and I wouldn't think that you're exactly free yet. There still is going to be a wedding in your future. I saw it in the fire this morning."
Atem looked at her in disbelief, "you mean. . . I still have to marry Anzu?"
Her smirk widened and became more devilish. "No. . . but I think I look rather good sitting next to you on that throne."
Atem then caught on to what she was saying and smiled. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her lightly. "I was thinking the same thing." he said. Rei smiled sweetly at him, and they kissed again. This time more passionately.
. . . That is. . . until Tenshi came rushing in looking frantic. The two quickly pulled away once they heard him scream:
"HAVE EITHER OF YOU SEEN HOTARU? I CAN'T FIND HER ANYWHERE!"
"I believe I saw her leave with Bakura for somewhere earlier." Rei explained.
Tenshi let out a sigh. "Oh. . . that's fine then. Sorry for interrupting your make-out session my lord! Bye!!" he said then dashed off. Leaving the two with their piercing glares at his retreat.
88 With Hotaru and Bakura 88
Hotaru sat, cross-armed and blindfolded on Bakura's horse. Said man was smirking as he pulled on the reigns to stop. The horse pawed the ground and gave a small neigh as it obeyed. Bakura jumped down and guided the violet eyed girl off. Holding her hand he then led her along. Hotaru, needless to say, was pissed. She didn't enjoy being blindfolded and taken somewhere so far away. She had no idea where the heck they were and Bakura would not utter a word to her. He only said that she would see. Well she was getting really tired of waiting, and she knew that her running out of patience was amusing the thief to no end. Really, for once she would just love to hit him. But until she found out where they were and what he had in mind she would just have to trust him. . . which was a little scary.
The sound of water came to her ears and she stopped for a moment, trying to detect any other sounds that might give where they were away. It was too hot for them to be in a tomb, and it was also a little humid instead of the deserts normal dry heat. Not wanting her to catch on, Bakura quickly took her hand again and pulled her along. She grumbled something and knew she was probably saying how she was going to hurt him later. But he doubted she would remember wanting to do that once she found out what this was all about.
Finally they came to the spot and he let her hand go. Hotaru stood there for a moment trying to hear if he had left her. She heard his shifting feet and let out a sigh. If this was going to be some sort of trick he was going to have to die. Whatever this was, had better be good. She heard that he was now behind her but still did not make a move. Crossing her arms again she began to tap her feet. His chuckle was all she received.
"Bakura what is going on? Where are we?" she asked, finally losing all of her patience.
"I'll show you." with that he undid the not and pulled the blindfold away.
Hotaru's breath caught in her throat. The sight was gorgeous. It appeared to be some sort of oasis not to far from the city. The palm trees stood tall, and seemed to reach thirty feet in the air. The sand was soft and a few patches of grass grew here and there. A small body of water was before it. It's beautiful small waves glistened and it was clear. You could see straight through to the bottom. The place was absolutely perfect.
"Bakura it's beautiful." she managed to whisper.
The thief just shrugged. "I thought you might like it." she turned to look at him and saw he didn't seem to be enjoying himself.
"Is something wrong?"
He looked at the water and for a moment was silent. "Hotaru. . . I don't deserve you. I've put you through so much. I'm a thief, you're a priestess. I can't keep trying to hold onto you. I know I promised we'd be together. But I think the best thing for you would be somewhere far away from me."
Hotaru looked at him sadly and took a step forward. "Bakura don't say that. I want to be with you. All my life I have been following orders. This time I want to do something for me. You deserve happiness too."
He immediately turned around then, grinning from ear to ear. "Well then, why don't we get married?"
. . . . . . "wait-what?" Hotaru asked, completely surprised. She had not been expecting that At All!
Bakura turned away and began to walk off. "Well fine, if you don't want to. I understand. . ."
"No wait!" she cried and rushed over to him. Bakura turned around just in time and caught her in a hug. Hotaru's arms instinctively wrapped around him, as she had lost her footing for he had surprised her. She felt him rest his head on hers.
"I was only joking. But I do want to marry you, Hotaru. I want to be with you forever." he said, seriousness in his voice. He pulled slightly away to look directly in her eyes. "I still don't think I really deserve you. However that's not keeping me from loving you with all my heart."
For some reason she couldn't help it. Tears began to form in her eyes and she tried to hold them back but to no avail. Quickly she made to wipe them away but Bakura gently caught her arm. He leaned over and kissed her tears away. He then leaned his forehead on hers, still waiting for an answer. Hotaru just couldn't find her words. This all was so much, but in a good way. So she just nodded as new tears of happiness fell. Bakura understood her answer and pulled away, only to lean back forward and plant his lips on hers. Hotaru moved her arms to wrap around his neck, deepening the kiss. They could be together without anymore major problems. Hotaru was finally going to be with the man she had always heard stories of from Marik. It was like the perfect happy ending of a long tragic story.
BONUS CHAPTER- Yes i'm doing it again. I had a few requests for it. So here's what I need from you if you want to help rekill Etah and Portayga(i think they were the two most hated characters, but if you believe someone else is let me know):
Gender-(i know most of you are girls, but i'm still not sure so please put your gender down)
Hair-(length, color, style)
Eyes-
Height-
Other-(anything extra you want to add basically)
Outift-(it can be anything. even a sailor fuku if you want, but i will need you to describe it)
Weapon-
Attacks-(no more then two, and no instant kills)
i will be using your author names or a shortened version of it.
Spirit- Well that is all!!! remember if you want to be in the bonus chap, please fill out the form. I will not be excepting anyone after Wednsday.
Tenshi- Can I be in it??
Spirit-Of course. Well Please Review! Ja ne
Death