Disclaimer: I wish I owned Yugioh, if I owned it I wouldn't be wishing I owned it. Thus I do now own it.
Wow it's been a long time… I have been trying to think of a good reason. I mean I had 4 weeks of break and everything! However I can't really think of anything. Sorry guys… I hope you are all still out there and reading this.
Random news: I turned 21!!! I'm OOOOLLLLDDDD I have to say I'm just glad I'm not 20 anymore! I mean if I can't be a teen ager anymore mine as well be able to drink. Not that I ever do. All my friends were making fun of me cuz we all went out and I got a milkshake. But hey, I LOVE milkshakes and just cuz I CAN drink doesn't mean I have to. XD
The next chapter is half written so if I play my cards right (aka get all my homework done –yes my collage sucks and we have summer classes-) I'll have it done soonish.
I also think I'm going to keep my live journal updated on story info so you guy can give me tips and story ideas as well as spoilers and contests.
Well that's it from me for now! On to the long awaited story.
"Than grasping a pear of shears in her right -snip, snap- the beautiful locks lay on the ground."
-Rapunzel
"Gwyn, hold still."
"Ouch."
"Sorry, the zipper is stuck."
"Hey, Sissy,
does daddy really love Manon?"
Emi was helping Gwyn get on the dress that Manon had gotten for the small blonde for the wedding. It wasn't very fancy—probably gotten at some second hand store—but Gwyn could make anything look like it came from heaven.
"Of course he doesn't!" Mir voice said from the other room. She had been in there for quite some time now. Gwyn turned to look at Emi as if seeing if their sister told the truth.
"I really don't know, Gwyn, but he is marrying her."
"That doesn't mean anything, Emi, and you know it. He's just marrying her so we can have a full time babysitter and Manon's just marry him cuz he's got a good job that pays well."
"MIRATA!"
"Psh, it's true."
"Just because you think something is true doesn't give you the right to just say it."
"Sure, sure whatever, I'm coming out."
Both Emi and Gwyn turned to see their sister. The dress Manon had picked out for her was a simple purple dress that made her eyes sparkle and looked lovely with her long brown hair. However, when the brunette walked out, her long flowing locks weren't there. Emi was speechless.
"M-M-M-"
"Mir? What happened to your hair?"
The brunette shrugged, tugging on her now short locks. "I thought I needed a change."
"WHAT THE HECK?!" Both younger sisters turned to see Emi in total shock. Her crystal eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. "It—it—"
"Looks good, doesn't it? Who knew I could pull off the short look."
"MIRATA!"
"Wow, you used my full name twice today, that can't be good."
"You cut your hair!"
"I know."
"WHY?!"
Mir paused. "I… Mom loved my long hair, and… and I felt like it was the right thing to do."
Emi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, then slowly she walked toward her sister, eyeing the jagged mess. "Well, let me trim it so it doesn't look so uneven." Mir smiled up gratefully at her older sister.
"I was hoping you would say that," she confessed as they walked back into the bathroom. "By the way, what would you think if I put some purple streaks in it?"
"At this point, you could die it green and I don't even care."
"SWEET!"
----
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we had a normal life. You know, like with a mom and a dad who worked close to home and didn't forget that they had kids. Even if we just had a step-mom and step-sister who were NORMAL. A step-mom who loved her husband and so tried to love his children because of it.
Or just something like that, something normal.
If we had a normal family, would I be normal too? Maybe… If we had a normal family, a normal life, I wonder if I would have cut my hair that day?
I'm not 100% sure why I did it. Like I told Emi, it just seemed like the right thing to do. Like I was starting over in a new life and it was my declaration that I was going to be a new person. Cutting away my past. I don't know. But I do know that I have never grown it out since.
Short hair just suits me better.
--------------
"Emi, you're soaking wet!" Gwyn cried as Emi came sloshing into the mansion. Mir took one look at her sister and just rolled her eyes.
"I'll get a towel." As the brunette walked off, Emi could hear something about never taking her own advice. Looking around, Emi suddenly noticed how peaceful it was.
"Where's Manon and Feda?"
Gwyn shrugged. "Out, I guess."
"Fedha is off with her newest drone—I mean boyfriend—and Manon is off doing Manoney things."
"Manoney?"
"Hey, there is no other way to describe it."
"That's true."
Gwyn, who was now sitting quietly on the large plush couch, watched Emi silently with a sharp eye. "Is something wrong, Sissy?"
Next to her, Mir felt Emi stiffen. "No, why would you ask that?"
"I dunno, you just look sad."
"Oh, well, I'm fine."
Mir coughed lightly, trying to think of something to lighten the mood. "So how's working for Seto been lately?" Emi blinked in surprise at the random question.
"Uhhh… well, the job in general is rather tedious, most of it is grunt work."
Mir snickered. "Why doesn't he give you anything harder?" Emi laughed lightly.
"He tried once, but I pretty much messed it all up. It had too much math in it."
At that, Mir burst out laughing. "Poor high school graduate Emiko." The older sister rolled her eyes, throwing her wet towel at Mir.
"Oh, shut up."
Mir winked. "That's why you need Seto around, he's a genius and you're… not."
Emi gave a rather exhausted sigh, shaking her head. "Sure, whatever, Mir." The brunette giggled, giving her older sister a toothy grin, but she could feel Emi slipping away again. "So, oh wonderful older sister, what are we having for dinner?"
"How should I know?"
"Well, since you haven't married Seto yet and thus we… I mean you, haven't come into your riches yet, it's your responsibility to feed us."
Emi laughed slightly. "Ok, just let me dry off first."
"We've been waiting for hours, I think we'll survive a few more minutes… but not much longer."
"Well, Mir, why don't you start and I'll come help finish up."
"Hmmm, sounds like a plan."
-------------------
"So when's the next time you're going to see Tito?"
Emi turned to Mir, who was lying on her bed, purple eyes betraying nothing. Emi felt herself getting choked up at the memory of the young man; clearing her thoughts, she spoke quickly, maybe too quickly.
"Well, Tito… just got transferred." Her voice cracked slightly and Emi had to take a deep breath. Next to her, Gwyn snuggled up closer.
"Are you upset about him?"
Mir leaned over slightly, for a moment ready for her older sister to confide in her younger siblings like she always did. However, Emi's response confused the brunette. "No."
Mir sighed, turning on her back, her eyes fixed on the bunk above her.
"Well, who needs him anyway, you're too good for him."
------------------
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we had a normal life.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we had a normal life.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we had a normal life.
Sometimes…
"Mir?"
"Huh?" Mir looked up, startled. Ryou was looking at her, worry evident on his face. His brown eyes seem to pierce right through her. She hated it when he looked at her like that. It was as if he could read into her very soul.
"You seem to be really distant lately."
Mir shrugged. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"Like?"
For some reason, this question startled Mir. "What?" Ryou came and sat down next to her who had been sitting comfortable under a large tree, "reading" a book.
"What's on your mind?"
"Just… just… a lot."
"Want to talk about it?"
Mir wasn't sure what it was, maybe the stress or the fact that it had been on her mind so much, or maybe it was just the way he was looking at her. Whatever the reason was, Mir just suddenly let loose, spilling her guts.
"… and now I'm not sure what to do."
"I think you do."
"Huh?"
"Well…" Ryou paused, looking away for a moment, hesitant. "I have a feeling… It's just, whenever you get that look in your eyes, you do something crazy." Mir laughed lightly, trying to somehow gain her composure. Why did he have to act like he knew her so well? In fact, how DID he know her so well? It was just another one of those mysteries that was Ryou Bakura.
"I'll tell you, but you have to swear not to tell anyone."
Ryou's chocolate brown eyes grew wide at the thought of betraying his friend. "Of course not!" Mir sighed; there should be a law against people who were so understanding and observant. They should be all locked up. The image of Ryou and Emi in jail dressed in striped jumpers was kind of funny…
-----
When Mir had dropped Gwyn off at drama, she had acted… really strange, kind of distracted and more spacey than normal. Gwyn hadn't mentioned it to her sister, but the younger girl was really started to get worried about the brunette. Mir just hadn't been acting herself lately. Then again, Emi hadn't been acting like herself either. Gwyn sighed as she pulled her costume off its rack and got ready to change. It was a conundrum alright. Sometimes Gwyn wished she could just come out and say what she was thinking.
Yeah, like that would ever happen.
"Gwyn, when did you get here?" The blonde looked up to see Chiharu standing in the dressing room doorway. Her hazel eyes scanned Gwyn before she spoke again. "Are you ok? You look kind of upset."
The small blonde was about to answer when Cam came running in. "We just got in the props for scene eight! Come on, Gwyn, they look AMAZING!" Grabbing the other girl's hand, the energetic Cam started to pull Gwyn out of the room. The small blonde glanced back at Chiharu, who just smiled, mouthing 'later.'
------
"This is the place?"
Both Ryou and Mir were standing over a huge rundown factory in the outskirts of town. Mir glanced down at her hand where she had written the address Manon had recited over the phone last night.
34 Lakeview Drive.
"Yep, that's what she said anyway."
"Why would your step-mother be here?"
"How should I know, are you coming or not?"
Ryou sighed. He didn't WANT to go, but he would rather go than have Mir get into trouble. "Ok, but at the first sign of trouble, we leave."
"Fair enough."
They both stood at the doors for a few more minutes. Finally, Ryou spoke. "So what are we going to do again?" Mir frowned, thinking hard; her purple eyes scanned the large building. Finally, her gaze landed on a vent only a few feet off the ground.
"Bingo, come on, Ryou."
"Where?" Mir paused at the vent, testing it out. Yes! It was loose. With a quick tug it came open. Glancing in, Mir started to crawl. "Mirati, where are you going?"
"I'm going to find out what my step-mother is doing if it kills me."
------
"Hey, Gwyn, Mokuba's here to see you." Gwyn looked up to see Chiharu in the door way to the dressing room. Next to Gwyn, Cam giggled, jumping up.
"Yeah! He's so much fun! We should talk him into joining our theater." Chiharu laughed at her sister's comment.
"I'm sure his fanclub would love that."
Gwyn wrinkled her nose in confusion. "Huh?"
"Oh come on, you haven't noticed?" Cam asked, rolling her eyes. "Almost all the girls are head over heels for him."
"They are?"
Chiharu just laughed. "Come on, let's go save him from their clutches. I'm pretty sure I saw a few of them running up to him when he came in." Cam laughed along with her sister.
"Well, you can't really blame them, he DOES have a limo."
"That's rather shallow, but then, since when have any of those girls been anything other than that?"
"My dear sister, you hit the nail on the head." Gwyn just walked with the two sisters, too confused with their conversation to add anything. When they got to the main lobby, Mokuba was there waiting. Like Cam had said, pretty much every girl from the play that was around his age had flocked around him. All of them where giggling and talking as if they were age-old friends with the black-haired boy. Mokuba seemed to be talking easily enough with them; however, when he saw Gwyn, his face lit up and he waved.
"Hey, GWYN!"
"Hey, Mokuba, what brings you here?" Man, she was starting to sound like Mir. The black-haired boy shrugged.
"Got bored, so I thought I'd hang out here. Hope that's ok."
"Oh, it's FINE," several girls squealed before Gwyn could even speak. Behind her, Gwyn heard Cam give a fake gag.
"Quick, get him out of here before he gets smothered by fangirls."
---------
"Shhhh, they're saying something about my dad." Mir's eyes narrowed as she leaned closer, trying to hear what they were saying. Bakura eyed his friend warily. They had been climbing in this rickety air vent for a while now. At first they hadn't found anything, but then Mir had heard her step-mother's voice, along with several others. After many wrong turns they had gotten close enough to the voices to semi-make out what they were saying. Mir was now leaning as close to the vent as she could. However, the vent didn't really seem very stable, in Ryou's opinion.
"Mirati, be careful… LOOK OUT!"
The weak plate Mir had been leaning on gave way.
"AHHHHH!"
"Mirati!" Ryou tried to grab his friend, but ended up missing and tumbling down after her. They both fell into a large pipe and started flying down a series of tubes and tunnels.
"Mirati. I'm coming!!' Ryou yelled, pushing himself forward, trying to catch up with the brunette. Mir gasped, holding out her hand for the white-haired boy as she tried to slow herself down. Their hands were within each other's grasp when the pipe opened into a huge sewer filled with filthy water. Both teens screamed as they plummeted into the dark abyss.
The moment Mir hit the water, her body took action, trying to surface. But something was wrong; her leg wouldn't move. Panic started to take over as she thrashed around. Her dark purple eyes noticed a bunch of wires and ropes that were tangled around her leg. Suddenly, her mind kicked into panic mode.
Oh my gosh, I'm gonna die, gonna die, gonna die, I'M GONNA DIE!
Memories flashed through her mind, her mother's warm smile, her father's forgetfulness, her sister Emi's kindness, her sister Gwyn's childish innocence… She was never going to see them again. What about those men talking to Manon! They were going to do something bad to her family! She couldn't die now, she had to warn everyone!
She couldn't hold her breath for much longer; she was already starting to see spots at the corners of her eyes and everything was starting to get fuzzy. This is it, I'm going to die…. I wonder what the other side is like. I hope they have duel monsters. And books… lots and lots of books. Hey, Mom's in heaven, I'll get to see her…
Suddenly, Mir saw an angel with long flowing white hair.
Ryou Bakura.
He swam past her and quickly untangled some of the wires; then, grabbing her hand, he pulled her toward the surface. Mir was barely conscious when they broke through the water. She could hardly hear the voice of her friend as he tried to keep her afloat.
"Mirati, Mirati, can you hear me? Mirati, hang in there. Mira—"
"I told you," Mir choked, "call me Mir." The white-haired boy looked confused.
"No, you didn't."
"Oh… well, I meant to."
Ryou chuckled as relief flooded over him. "I'm glad you're ok, Mir."
"Me t—"
The loud sound of metal crashing against metal interrupted the brunette.
"Ok, that didn't sound GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!" Suddenly, a part of the wall opened up and started to empty the water out of the large room, taking Bakura and Mir with it. Both teens were sent screaming through another set of tubes and tunnels.
--------
"Hey, Emi."
"Mokuba? Uhhh, what can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if Gwyn could come over after drama."
Emi paused, glancing at the clock. Wasn't Mir supposed to be there by now? "Uh, sure, I guess. Is Mir there? It's twenty past six."
"No, that's why I'm wondering if she can hang out."
"Wait, Mir's not there?"
"No." Mokuba didn't seem to get why Mir not being there was so unlike the brunette.
"Can I talk to Gwyn?"
"Sure, hang on."
Emi waited while the phone was passed over to her younger sister. "Emi?"
"Gwyn? Where's Mir?"
"I don't know, she didn't come to pick me up. Maybe she forgot."
"Maybe."
They both were silent for a moment, thinking over what in the world their brunette sister could be doing. She was such a puzzle sometimes. Finally, Gwyn spoke.
"Mokuba wants me to come over, can I?"
Emi sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, sounds good, I'll stop by there on my way home. I should be off soon." Emi glanced at her door for a moment as if Seto would be barreling through with yet another mindless task for her. "That is, if Seto lets me."
At her last remark, Gwyn giggled. "Ok, sissy, see you soon."
------
The clock chimed 7:30 when Emi was finally allowed to leave. Giving out a low groan, she leaned back in her chair. She was about to get up when the door opened; for a moment, her heart leapt in her throat as she suddenly expected Tito to walk through the doorway.
Of course he didn't.
"Mokuba said your sister was at the mansion, so I'm going to give you a ride over."
Emi inwardly sighted; Seto was as tactful as ever. "You don't have to. I like to walk."
"I wasn't offering."
"Of course you weren't."
-----
Mokuba, Gwyn, and Noah—that was what Mokuba had named the puppy—were playing in one of the many large living rooms. Well, it was more like Mokuba and Gwyn were talking and laughing while throwing a ball to Noah, who was running after it. When Emi saw them, she couldn't help but smile. Gwyn always looked so relaxed around Mokuba, something she never looked like with anyone but her sisters. When Noah saw Emi, he dropped his ball and ran up to the blonde, yipping and jumping.
Next to her, Seto eyed to puppy, confused. "Whose dog is that?" Emi froze, her crystal eyes wide with shock. For a second, she thought he was joking, but when she looked at him, she could see he was dead serious.
"Uh, Mokuba's…"
"WHAT?!"
"You mean you didn't know?" This comment, though it was directed toward Seto, was more for his younger brother. Both Mokuba and Gwyn looked slightly guilty. "I thought he had asked."
"You're never around, brother!" Mokuba whined, standing up.
"How long have you had this dog?"
"A… few weeks…"
"A few what?" Next to him, Seto felt Emi shake with the laughter she was trying VERY hard to contain. "This isn't funny! You're encouraging him!"
"I can't believe you didn't know he had a dog in the house for this long! OH MAN!" At this, Emi burst out laughing, scaring poor Noah, who couldn't understand why this human had suddenly started making such loud noises. Beside her, Seto scowled, his arms folded over his chest in annoyance. He was about to reply when his phone suddenly went off.
"Yes?" He turned as the voice on the other end started to speak rapidly. "What? No, I told them, NO! I gave them specific… No, don't touch anything; we're coming over right now!"
Emi inwardly groaned; she knew what he meant by we. Seto turned off his cell phone and turned to the blonde, who merely sighed.
"What notes do you need?"
"The ones on the amusement park's third room, those morons! I left specific instructions…." Emi just chuckled as she followed the ranting Seto down the halls of his mansion. Turning back to the two younger teens, Emi winked.
"We'll be back soon, I promise."
Gwyn gave a small wave, slightly shaken by Seto's "temper tantrum," while Mokuba just waved happily as he picked up his puppy; he was used to it. Besides, now Seto would be too distracted to ask more about Noah.
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We're really coming close to the end!! and I have to say I'm sooo excited to see what you guys think about the next chapter! So we'll just have to work extra hard :P
Time for the people who really make this story possible and probably are more influential to this fanfic than even me!
Reiko The Awesome:
Really? I'm not sure if that's a good think or a bad thing. Yeah punching Hunter out was pretty enjoyable XD Yeah I tried to make it easy for people to tell that but not go to strong so that he's annoying like Hunter. YOU THINK!?! WOW that's what I'm shooting for, always try to make it better than what you have done before. Ohhhhh you'll see how this one ends –evil laugh-
Starwefter:
Wow that's a REALLY cool quote! May I use it? Wow I never thought of Emi being like Seto XD hummm that's pretty interesting and maybe a little annoying since I wanted to make her be creative and different. Oh well she is what she is. Hahah Yesh!!! Yami left just a little of himself on Ryo. Well Seeing as Tito works for Seto I'm sure it'll be soon.
ember-chan
wow that was a long line of words. I'm sooo happy this made your day!!! –heart- happy happy day!!! Punching Hunter was very fulfilling. This chapter was sooooo sad but soooo much fun to write!!!
Destinykeyblade:
Ohhhh hahah you'll seeeeeee. Wow that's a TON of stuff!! Your one busy little bee aren't you XD
Lightest'Ink
YESSSS he did. It made me soooooo happy!!! Ryou can be a toughie if he wants to. Yeah Tito did it. It needed to be done poor Tito. Oh it's about to get much much thicker before this story ends –giggles madly-
DarkestInk:
It's ok XD I always love getting your reviews, late or not! Hahah no Ryou didn't go slightly yami but maybe he learned how to punch from him XD I can just see it
Yami: Now weakling since I have to stay in your body here's now you punch
Ryou: … why do I need to know this?
Yami: Because your sooo weak!!! You need to toughen up!!
Oh yeah this story is after the Yugioh show, and since I have never seen GX I can't tell you if it's like it.
KittyLo:
Heheh, your reviews make me laugh –heart- I love them!
Mistrelia of the Ice:
I adore long reviews!!! Well I just love reviews so the longer the better XD –such a dork- Chapter 8 is really one of my favorates I write parts of my story way before others than just put them in like puzzle peaces, so the whole Tito break up was written a long time ago. I was sooo excited to post it and see what everyone thought of it. Hahah Satra punch someone!?! WOW I totally should! Humm I wonder who it should be…. And thanks for the offer, I'll be sure to ask if I can think of anything :D you rock!!! If I end up writing Satra's story I will totally be messaging you all the time.
Pottergirls:
Awww thank you so much!!! I love getting new readers!!! (and I love my old readers too) I hope you can give me lot's of tips and your thoughts!! :D
Well I can't describe how your support helps me!!! Keep those comments and thoughts coming!! They make this story what it is!!!
-Liz (aka Element-girls)