By the way, I know there's not a lot of romance yet, but it's because Part I is just to set the stage for the rest of the story, so please be patient guys! When Part II comes (in 1 more chapter), there will be a LOT of romance! (Especially between our favorite main couple: Atem/Anzu! .)
Ragnarok Solstice
Part I: The Admonitions
By Healing Spirit
Chapter 9: Decisions of the Heart
"It's you!"
Sarah somehow couldn't pull back from the intensity of the stranger's gaze. His face, his voice, why does he seem so familiar? What was his connection to her, and why in the world was he staring at her like she had just sprouted bat wings and grew three eyes? Somehow, his expression brought out her original character and she shook her head lightly to clear out her other thoughts.
"Um, excuse me?" she said, putting her hand on her hip casually. "What right do you have to address me like that?"
"Um," he looked extremely embarrassed. "Sorry," he smiled sheepishly. "I thought that you would remember me." Sarah tried not to show her nervousness. "And if I don't?"
"It's me …"
000
"Anzu, your cell phone's ringing," Mai gestured toward Anzu's vibrating handbag laid on top of the mahogany table. Reaching a hand in and rumbling through her things, Anzu finally succeeded in pulling out her baby blue phone. Flipping the top off, she said: "Ya?" (Ya: short version of hello.)
"Anzu-onee!"
"What's up Dorothy?" Anzu replied, plopping her arms on the bed to support herself. "Is Christine with you?"
"Hai, she's hereAnzu, something's wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"Turn on the news, first." Anzu paused for a moment before grabbing the remote control on the table, to turn the TV on. Flicking through the channels, her eyes rested on the news woman reporting.
"Urgent news. Hawaii is currently being devastated by a series of hurricanes. They are headed toward the eastern hemisphere country of Japan, mostly the city of Domino…"
"What," Anzu whispered disbelievingly, her eyebrows furrowing. "What should we do, onee? Our closest relatives are in China (referring to their cousins, Aileen and Hannah) and Mayuka's father is on a business trip in Europe! What are we going to do?" For once, Anzu could think of nothing to say. 'No,' she thought. 'Dorothy and Christine, what am I going to do? There must be something.'
"Anzu? What's the matter, hun?" Mai strode over when she noticed the expression plastered on her face. "Mai…" her head looked up in sullen melancholy. "There's a hurricane headed toward Japan. Dorothy, Christine and Mayuka… there's no way out…"
000
"Yukari!" Susan rushed forward to embrace her friend, dried tears visible on her cheeks. "I was so worried! Everyone thought that you wouldn't wake up!" Yukari smiled genially at her friend's concern as she glanced around the room. Takashi was still asleep, probably from staying up so late to look after her. Shizuka, Jounouchi and Kaiba slept in various parts of the room. But, where were Sarah, Mai and Anzu? And everyone else…?
"Susan, I'm fine!" she almost chuckled at Susan, who was attached onto her arm securely, whimpering like a little child. "But you sure didn't look fine a few minutes ago!" she retorted. "Mai, Shizuka and Anzu are here! Anzu was feeling a little under-the-weather, so she's sleeping in her own room right now." Before Yukari could question where Sarah was, a shout interrupted them.
"Yukari!" Takashi was finally awake, striding over to take her by the hand. Immediately, Yukari's cheeks flushed up, not hearing Takashi's words a bit. She was too busy contemplating her own mixed emotions.
"Blah Blah Blah… so worried…"
'What if Susan, Sarah and Anzu are right? Does he really like me?'
"… Blah Blah Blah Blah… something to tell you…," his face looked crestfallen and apprehensive. Of course, unknown to Yukari.
'But how can he like me? I'm too plain for such a hot guy like him!' (Hehe .; Don't kill me Yuki!)
"Blah Blah Blah … hurricane going to Japan… Blah Blah Blah…"
'What! Hold on! Backtrack for a second!'
"Nani?" Takashi halted for a few moments before registering what she meant. "I said, that a hurricane is going to hit Japan. Are you all right, Yukari?"
"Oh my God!" her hand flew up to her mouth and she gasped stridently. "Miyuka and Yuske!" In a surprisingly disorderly action, Yukari flung off the bed sheets and rushed out the door.
"Wait! Yukari!" Susan hollered, giving chase. Takashi followed in her wake.
000
"Mr. Sung, I beg you to please explain," the weary President commanded as calmly as he could, resisting the urge to fall asleep caused by his terrible fatigue. "I do not understand. How can what you are saying be true?"
"I assure you sir," Min Sung ran a hand through his silky hair in exasperation. "My calculations are correct. I had checked and double checked the results from 20 tests and all point to only one possibility. The ocean current has changed."
"Well check them again!"
Min Sung has had just about enough of this! Betraying Aaron's silent pleas for him to control his temper, he swung up, angrily gathering up his papers.
"Weirdo! Are you trying to anger the president?" Aaron hissed as low as he could.
"I don't care what that bastard has to say!" Min Sung growled under his breathe, storming out of the room. Aaron looked after him before turning to face the red-faced president. An awkward silence passed through. "Heh, looks like that's my cue to leave!" In a frantic movement, he jumped out of his chair and ran out the door.
000
"Weirdo! What were you thinking?" Min Sung ignored his partner's hysterical screams and lectures as they maneuvered from the meeting place to his car, which was parked a block from the hospital Yukari was staying in.
"And why in the world are we taking the long way to your car? Isn't it just down the block?"
"I need exercise."
"Huh? Since when?"
"I'm… getting fat." Aaron's face drops. (Oh, what stupid excuses we make when we get only a few seconds to think them up. -.-)
In all honesty, he was just trying hard not to bump into Sarah. After what she had done to him, he knew that his heart couldn't bear to see the face that haunted him for so long. And yet, she had grown to hate him. To despise whatever move he made, to dislike him so much that she had no words for him when he proclaimed his love. He wiped furiously at the annoying tears that seemed to appear so often now, ever since he survived that operation. 'What's wrong with me?' he scowled at himself. 'Giving my heart to someone who doesn't even care about me anymore. I bet that now she's celebrating with her secret boyfriend that she wouldn't admit to. I bet-'
He was stopped short, for at that moment, the scene before him seemed to stop his heart. There was his beloved angel, her hands in those of a complete stranger. The stranger whispered something in her ear and her eyes grew large. And then…
"Weirdo!" Aaron could barely comprehend what was happening, but at that moment Min Sung rushed past him in the opposite direction. He barely caught a glimpse of his face, but he was certain to see streams of tears staining his face. Though an arm was over his face to cover up his humility, anyone could see that he was heart-broken. His heart shattered in the same day, by the same girl.
Turning to look across the street at whatever had caused it, Aaron's eyes nearly popped open when the sight revealed Sarah, smooching another guy!
'WHAT THE!'
000
"Aileen! Where are you going tomorrow?" Aileen swirled about to greet her cousin, Hannah, who rushed up to her. She wore a strikingly red scarf wrapped around her neck, tucked underneath her shirt collar, indicating that she was a top-notch honor student. The end of the short scarf flapped about in the wind, her black hair rippling behind her. Even though it was summer, she still wore those red scarves, they were her pride. Since it was summer, they were in Shang Hai for vacation.
"I'm helping my mom prepare for Guo Qing Jie (Guo Qing Jie: Chinese National Day). It's in a few weeks!" Hannah slowed her run as she neared Aileen, and they chatted lightly as they strode down the crowded streets of Shang Hai. Pushing pass the hordes of people that swarmed with activity.
The sun far in the distance was setting, gently moving across the sky. Aileen smiled inwardly, excitement racking up inside of her. She and Hannah loved to see Shang Hai at night. It truly was spectacular. And some time ago, she used to go to the ports that overlooked the majestic Pacific, with a special someone…
"Aileen? Aileen!" Hannah waved her dainty hand in front of her face, frowning at the dazed expression on her face. When she finally snapped out of it, Hannah couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. "Ohhh! I get it! Thinking about him, huh?"
"What! Tch! Don't act stupid, Hannah!" Aileen made a sour face, though inwardly her heart fluttered at the reminiscences of her thoughts. "Besides, we agreed to stop seeing each other, remember? We're brother and sister now!"
"Right," it was clear that Hannah was not buying it. Aileen was not easy to read, unless she's thinking about a cute guy. As their feet carried them toward the town square, a large crowd was gathered around the plaza. Curiosity taking control, Hannah urged Aileen to go towards the crowd. "Let's see who it is!"
"Step back please, step back misses, thank you…" What seemed to be like security guys were gently pushing back the huge crowd in a feeble attempt to prevent overcrowding. Hannah pushed her way to the front, while Aileen trailed behind. "Hey, Aileen! I think that they're dueling or something!"
Vivian Wong was in the center of the crowd, glad to be back in her country of origin. Japan and Egypt was great, but it just can't compare to her hometown. Currently, with a duel disk at hand, she was facing up to any challenger who dared to face her. 'Boy, I need some competition. Badly,' she thought to herself as she just defeated yet another challenger.
"Anyone else?" she asked.
When no one would step up, she scanned the crowd. When her narrowed eyes caught a familiar sight, she went forward towards them. "Hey, do I know you?" She pointed to Aileen and Hannah.
'What is she talking about?' Aileen mused as she stared upon the champion's face. (Hint: This has something to do with their Egyptian past! .)
000
"Mayuka! Tell Yuske to hurry!" Yukari's mother shouted back to the house, her whole body trembling in fear. "The bus is here already! Hurry!"
"Calm down Ms. Ito. Everything's going to be all right," Christine comfortingly patted her hand on their suitcases. Since the Mazaki's were not in Japan, strict instructions had been given to Ms. Ito to take care of Christine and Dorothy, and to keep them out of danger. Several buses have been issued by the government to go around Domino and pick up as many residues as possible.
Finally, Yuske and Mayuka emerged from their doorway, clutching their suitcases. "What took you so long?" their mother snapped.
"I didn't want to leave the house," Yuske said softly, and somehow, his expression pained his mother's heart. "Come on," she instructed the four teenagers, and they climbed into the humongous vehicle packed with the rest of their neighborhood.
"Everyone please fasten your seatbelts, we are going to drive above the speed limit. Arigatou," the speaker announced. Obeying his commands, there was a scurry of movement all around the gigantic bus. Dorothy slipped her hand into Christine's for needed comfort and Christine smiled at her younger sister. "Don't worry Dorothy. Remember what Anzu-nee-sama said? That we should stay together and then she'll meet us in China."
But Dorothy didn't catch her words. She was staring at a little boy a few seats ahead of them.
"Look mommy!," the little boy said innocently, pointing out the window. "Look at those big clouds!"
As if on cue, almost everyone at the window seats facing the Pacific Ocean turned their heads. A mass of cumulous clouds was steadily rising in what seemed like over-exaggerated puffs of wind. The ocean waves even seemed to part slightly for the gigantic storm. When Mayuka looked down, wind was picking up at the wheels of the bus, swirling in miniature cyclones. The leaves on the trees started to flutter like clothes drying in the air. Many held their breaths as they gazed upon their impending doom.
"The approaching hurricane," Christine whispered in horror. "What will become of us?"