Small Note
Sakura: Success! This story has made it this far and it's almost done. I'm proud of myself for being able to update every week and thankfully not missing a week. Now this chapter has a bit of a time skip, but it's necessary for what is to come.
Chapter 23: Fall To Pieces
Months flew by and before anyone knew it, it was summer vacation again for all college students. Yuugi had successfully completed her first year of college with no more emotional break downs. Joey had been a big help and the really great news was that they had As and Bs in all their classes for fall and spring semester. Their main goal now was to complete the last three years and then graduate with degrees in the fields they wished to get a career in.
It was around the end of May with Yuugi's 19th birthday fast approaching. So the week before the big day all the girls decided to go shopping just because they wanted to. Ryou, Malik, and Serenity were in town while others would come closer to the day of the surprise party that Yuugi had no idea about. Amara, Yumi, Yuugi, Ryou, Malik, Joey, and Serenity were all hanging out at the mall for a girl's day out and away from the men. Ryou, Malik, Joey, and Serenity went their own way out of view of Yuugi so they could get their friend her gifts. Amara and Yumi were keeping Yuugi busy while secretly shopping for Yuugi too. Yuugi was hard to shop for because she never really wanted anything.
As Yuugi was browsing through a book store with Yumi, she noticed a magazine with Yumi on the cover. "They are really excited about that new movie you are staring in." Yuugi mentioned as she continued to shop.
"I'm excited too. It's my first action movie in a long time and this time I'm the lead female role." Yumi gushed before her mood turned slightly sour. "Although I hate my co-star at least she plays the villain and dies in the movie."
"You mean Vivian Wong?" Yuugi asked. The past month it was all Yumi could talk about was the amazing role she got, but hating the fact that she had to work with Vivian Wong. Vivian was a well-known actress in China, but had done a few minor roles in Japan. Just as this was Yumi's first big role, this was also Vivian's, so there was a rivalry between the two for the spot light.
"Yeah, the biggest news is that she is dating the main male lead in real life so that was how she got the part." Yumi picked up a book Yuugi had put down and looked at the back to it to see what it was about. "I'm looking forward to start shooting next month, but I'm so not looking forward to working with her or her pretend boyfriend. Every movie she had been in, it has been rumored that she is dating one of her co-stars and then once the movie is in theaters for a few weeks she dumps him."
Yuugi finally found the books she was looking for and headed toward the front with Yumi to pay for them. "I'm sure her publicist has set her up on all those dates to make the movie sell better. I doubt she was in love with any of them."
Yumi agreed with her there as they walked out of the bookstore. "Vivian was the only one Atemu refused to be set up with. Both their publicists asked them to meet, so Vivian came over to our house to see him. They talked for a while, but Vivian could only talk about herself. Without really saying it, she pretty much wanted to have sex with him because of how hot he looks. Atemu was furious when she tried to put a hand up his shirt." She smiled at the memory. "Amun had to have security show her the way out, because she invaded Atemu's personal space. I think Atemu spent two hours in the shower that day after she left."
"Oh I remember the article after that!" Yuugi said as the memory dawn on her. "A month later she tried to say he had gotten her pregnant, but she had gotten pregnant by someone else just after having met Atemu."
"You knew about that?" Yumi asked surprised Yuugi hadn't returned back to Tokyo after article was published.
Yuugi nodded. "Mokuba had to explain to me what was going on. I nearly locked myself in my room for a week, because when I was little I told Atemu I would be the one to have his children." She blushed at the idea now. "It was silly, but it hurt all the same so Mokuba got me to see it was all a lie. He told me that Atemu hadn't touched the woman because if he had then Vivian would have known the truth about Atemu's handicap and told everyone about it."
"Although it could have still been true, I would have believed it was true, if I hadn't seen security throw Vivian out with my own eyes." Yumi then turned to look at Yuugi. "Are you and Atemu even thinking about children for when after you get married?"
Yuugi shrugged. "We haven't talked about children since getting back together, but I would like some. It's nice to know Atemu's accident didn't stop him from being sexual active or the able to have children."
A moment of silence took over before Yumi stopped dead in her tracks with wide eyes. Yuugi stopped too and turned to look at her. "What?"
"How would you know Atemu is sexual active?"
A bright blush took over Yuugi's face once she realized what she had said. "Well he told me of course," She said looking everywhere but Yumi in the eye.
Yumi grabbed Yuugi's hand and pulled her to the side. "Are you and him, you know?" She whispered hoping Yuugi would catch on to what she was trying to say.
"I really don't think that is any of your business." Yuugi replied hoping to drop the subject.
"Come on I won't tell anyone…"
Yuugi looked at Yumi for a minute, before sighing. "Fine, yes your brother and I are having sex, but if you tell anyone especially my parents I might just have to kill you."
Yumi grinned glad to understand why her brother had been extra happy lately in the past few months. "That would explain those good days he has been having. He is finally getting laid."
Yuugi sighed and couldn't believe she was talking to her future sister-in-law about her brother's sex life. "It only started a few weeks after Christmas, but my parents would kill me if they found out we have already taken that step in our relationship, so do not tell a soul." She stressed, because she would really like to make it to her wedding day.
"Okay I understand. I think my mother would kill Atemu if she found out he was no longer a virgin."
"He will be having sex on our wedding night, so he wouldn't have been a virgin much longer." Yuugi pointed out as they started to walk again. "What did she think we were going to do, play video games all night?"
Yumi giggled at that. "I don't know what she could be thinking, but she just hates to see her last baby getting married and turning into a man. I hate to see her if you two decide to move out."
"That day won't be any time soon so hopefully she will get used to the idea of Atemu and I having a life together." Yuugi said, "I know she loves him and I don't want to get on her bad side."
Yumi put an arm around Yuugi's shoulder. "Don't worry, she loves you and thinks you're the perfect one for Atemu. When the day comes that you two finally do get married, she will be ecstatic."
Yuugi smiled up at Yumi. "I'll be happy to have her as a mother-in-law as well as gaining two brother-in-laws, a father-in-law, and a sister-in-law."
"I already see you as a sister." Yumi pointed out. "It will just be official on your wedding day and then I'll have the joy of looking forward to having a few niece and nephews in the future."
"No children of your own?"
"I have to find Mr. Right first and I know he'll come around soon."
Yuugi smiled. "Just make sure to find someone your brothers and father approve of, so no one is trying to commit murder."
The two have a good laugh over that, before keeping a look out for Amara and Yuugi's friends.
The day of Yuugi's birthday more friends and family had made it to Tokyo for the big surprise bash. The backyard of the Manor had been decorated in a color theme of reds, blacks, and purples since they were Yuugi's favorite colors. The pool was fully functioning for those who wanted to swim and there was a catering business setting up the buffet, while the cake company Amara hired would be bringing Yuugi's cake any minute. The party was set to start around two o'clock, so while everything was being set up Atemu kept Yuugi out of the house all morning.
All of Yuugi's friends had showed up for the big event and that included Anzu. The young adult had been invited by Tristan to come along and enjoy Yuugi's birthday. Anzu had been reluctant to come since she had not spoken to Yuugi in over a year now, but things had changed in the past year and it was finally time to clear the air. The two girls needed talk about what happened and where they wanted to go from there. Either they would try to be friends again or it would be the last time Yuugi saw Anzu.
Joey, Ryou, and Malik had been surprised that Anzu had even showed up for the party. They were worried about how everything was going to go down. This was supposed to be a happy occasion for Yuugi and they did not want another big blow out, so all three young adults decided to confront Anzu before the party was to start.
Anzu had been standing off to the side with Duke and Tristan minding her own business when Joey, Ryou, and Malik dragged her off. They took her into the house and into the living room where no one was at the moment.
"Girls what's the big idea?" Anzu said in surprise as they closed the doors to the living room.
All three turned to her with their hands on their hips. They were glad Anzu had come, but there was no way they were going to let her mess up Yuugi's happiness.
"Why are you really here Anzu?" Joey asked getting right to the point.
Anzu looked at Joey like she had grown a second head. "I don't understand what you are saying. I'm here for Yuugi's birthday party nothing else."
"You haven't tried to get in touch with her before today." Malik pointed out. "Why finally come around on her birthday?"
Anzu glared at Malik. "I have my reasons okay. I don't have to explain myself to you three."
"Yes you do," Ryou said playing the part of mother hen as always. "You seriously hurt Yuugi by walking out on her. Everyone else has in some way contacted Yuugi and made things right with her. You are the only one who kept yourself distance from all of us, so we are not going to let you mess up Yuugi's birthday party."
Anzu knew how stubborn these three could be and there was no way they were going to let her continue through the party without telling them the truth first. "Fine if you really must know. I want to finally clear the air with Yuugi and hopefully make things right. I know I haven't tried to get in touch with her for a year, but if there is even a small chance of being her friend again I will take it."
"Why today of all days?" Malik questioned. "You could have come yesterday or any day before that."
"Listen I'll admit I was a coward. I could have come during my school breaks and seen her, but something held me back," Anzu admitted. "I was scared to see her again after what I did. I knew I would have to find a time to see her in person, because there was a chance if I tried to contact her through email or phone she would not listen to me."
Joey did not know how but she could tell Anzu was not telling them something. "What else, I know there is something you are not telling us."
Anzu sighed. "There is no point in hiding it since you will find out anyway. The reason I was brave enough to come was because Tristan and I are dating and have been for the past two months." She finally confessed to the three. "I know he has developed a friendship back with Yuugi, so he told me I needed to stop avoiding it and talk to Yuugi. I think he is worried that with him being friends with Yuugi and me and her not talking it will strain the relationship that we have just started."
By the wide eyes and shocked looked she was getting, she figure none of them saw it coming. Anzu wasn't proud that a relationship is what was pushing her to talk to Yugi, but something needed to happen before she moved forward with Tristan.
"If you must know he and I have kept in touch ever since the blow out with Yuugi. He has come to New York a few times to visit me and recently after a spring show I did, he asked me out. I had no idea that he liked me and I have to admit he is hot in his own way, so I said yes." Anzu explained with a blush on her face. "We were never really close as friends, so as we got to know each other better we realized what we were missing out on. I never thought I would be dating a sweet guy like him."
"This was really unexpected," Ryou spoke up for all of them. "So why did you push Yuugi away to begin with?"
"I had a stupid celebrity crush on Atemu," Anzu replied. "I realized now that it was stupid and I should have just gotten over it. Plus there was the betrayal I think everyone felt from Yuugi not telling us."
"It still wasn't an excuse for all of us to up and leave her like that." Joey confessed she was glad that things had worked out and she was in Yuugi's good grace again.
Ryou rolled her eyes at Joey. "Speak for yourself I was the only one who stayed beside her when she told me the truth."
Joey ruffled Ryou's hair. "Okay, so all of us minus you."
They all had a good small laugh about that, while Ryou pouted trying to fix her hair back to the way it was. Once they were all calmed down and in good moods again they figured it was time to head back to everyone else. As they walked toward the backyard, Anzu had a question for her friends.
"Who were those guys you were with?" She directed that questions more toward Ryou and Malik.
"The white hair one is Bakura he is a childhood friend of Atemu and we have been dating for about half a year now," Ryou said.
"The blond hair one is Marik he is also a childhood friend of Atemu and we have been dating for about half a year now too." Malik told her.
Anzu realized she really missed out on a lot by not staying in touch with everyone. Her next question was more directed toward Joey. "So when have you and Kaiba been friends?"
Joey blushed haven't not realized Anzu had seen her hanging around Seto. "I'm sure you know Seto is Atemu's cousin and well…"
"What?"
"Seto and her having been dating for about five months now," Malik said for Joey with a grin on her face.
"Malik!" Joey hissed at her friend.
"Well it's true."
Anzu had not been as shock about Ryou and Malik dating friends of Atemu's, but she was in a state of shock to know Joey of all people was dating the CEO of Kaiba Corp and Atemu's cousin. "You're not joking are you?"
Joey shook her head. "No, we had a rocky start, but once he opens up his heart he can be really sweet. Something about him just keeps me draw to him. I'm willing to have a relationship if he continues to communicate with me and make this relationship work."
Mokuba happened to walk up at that point. "Joey, Seto has been wondering where his puppy went…" He had this smirk on his face that could rival his older brother's.
Joey's face became bright red, as she quickly walked away in search of her boyfriend.
"Puppy?" Anzu asked not sure why they would have a puppy at the party.
Mokuba chuckled. "It's Joey's nickname Seto gave him. Seto used to call him mutt at the beginning, but Joey hated it so Seto changed it to something sweeter and Joey hadn't been able to get him to stop calling her that."
"It's just one of those things Joey will have to learn to grow and love." Ryou said which caused everyone to laugh.
After that the mood of the yard seemed to lighten up a bit as everyone mingled and talked among themselves until Yuugi and Atemu arrived for the party. It was a happy occasion that is until ten minutes before the party was to start and the birthday girl was to arrive. Amara came rushing out of the house with a look of horror on her face. She had tears rolling down her face as she hurried to her husband and clung to him.
"Dear what's wrong?" Aknamkanon asked his wife concerned with how she was acting.
"It's Atemu and Yuugi…" She cried as she tried to calm herself enough to talk, but failing miserable.
"Mom, what's wrong with Atemu and Yuugi?" Amun asked his mother as he rubbed her back. The last time he had been this upset was when... Amun shook his head to rid himself of the thought.
Sadly everyone's worries and nightmares were confirmed once Amara shouted those dreaded words.
"They've been in a car wreck!" She shouted before clinging to her husband more and burying her face in his chest.
At that moment everyone felt like their world was falling to pieces right before their eyes.
Sakura: I'm sure most you hate it when you see my name pop up because that means the end of the chapter. So here is a cliffy for everyone to think over for a while, until next week when I bring out the new chapter.
Yumi: Review!