Death and Beyond
Friday 28th of January 2011
Author's Note: Hello everyone. I'm back after... an eternity I know. Some of you out there might have actually been waiting for this. Here comes the new installment to this story of mine. Cross fingers people, my results are coming in next week. I won't annoy you any further with my ranting. Here goes the chapter 3 only for you.
Disclaimer: No, not yet. I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of its characters. If I did, you think I'd let that manga/anime end like this…
Chapter 3: New horizons, people and... ghost?
Marik Ishtar had always asked himself how come he enjoyed the feminine presence of Téa Gardner. When he saw her apply her lip-gloss while he was holding the mirror for her… he realised that he did not really need to ask himself that question again. Conclusion; he did not enjoy her presence, not when she was up to her feminine rituals while he was acting like the damn props person.
"So, Marik?" Téa started as she pressed her lips together so that the gloss was properly smoothed onto them. She retrieved her compact-mirror from him and placed it in her make-up kit, before getting up to put the latter with the other hand baggage. Exhaling and rubbing her hands, she once again sat next to her plane-companion and eyed him carefully. "What are we going to start with once we arrived at Domino, huh?"
Marik looked at her as is she was the dumbest fool of them all before speaking as if he was proposing a picnic. "I suppose we could start off by exiting the plane, get back our luggage, and since the one under whom we are working for now, otherwise known as Mokuba Kaiba has already told us that he would personally come to fetch us, we wait patiently and look around attentively. What say, Téa? Sounds like a plan, huh?"
Blue eyes flashing with annoyance, Téa chose not to answer that one and decided to take advantage of her window seat and watch the horizon.
Marik on the other hand, was disappointed as he was looking forward to an intelligent retort on behalf of his childhood friend. He hated to admit it but he kind of enjoyed arguing with her. The girl had guts and held her wits properly. The reason he was accompanying her was not only because he wanted to find his own sister, but also because of Téa's uncle's request to look after her as she always did as it pleased her. Of course, if the young brown-haired woman got whiff of the second reason, she would be pissed off at the idea of herself being baby-sat and would not hesitate to voice out her opinions.
A few minutes of silence later, Téa looked at Marik from the corner of her eyes. The young man seemed pensive and angry at the same time. The way Marik was clenching his wrists indicated nothing good about whatever he was thinking.
"A penny of your thoughts?" She broke in successfully.
"I was thinking." He simply stated.
"No, really," Téa said annoyingly, "seriously, what are you thinking about?"
"Well, to be frank, I was thinking how I ended up accompanying you on this trip," he turned to look at her, "you do realise this is going to be dangerous, don't you?"
"Oh come on Marik, what's life without some spicy stuffs, huh?" She flashed him her most genuine smile. "Besides, you know... Ishizu is my friend too. My only female friend."
Marik was about to add a few words but Téa did not offer him that opportunity.
"Look, we've got more than three hours left before reaching Domino, stop bothering me now, I've got my beauty sleep waiting for me."
Marik stared at her.
How easily she had just changed the subject.
Stupid woman. Besides.
"You don't even need that.' He muttered.
"Did you say something, Ma?" Téa asked as she lifted the shades to eye him.
"Nothing!" He dropped before realising what she had said.
"And why the hell did you just call me 'Ma'? He added.
It was a little too late for the lovely girl had already dozed off. Marik sighed and chose a movie to watch from the displayed list. He wore the headset and started his session. Soon, the flight will be over and finally, he would know where exactly his sister had got herself trapped in this Kaiba fiasco.
"I'm not exactly sure than tapping your shoes while walking to and fro may help in any way, Master Mokuba." Roland stated as he watched his young master paced the veranda of the Kaiba Corp impatiently.
"I asked Tokihashi to come here and take me to the airport so that I can receive the persons I sent for. But apparently, his bad hearing came in the way and he headed there directly to receive them. How the hell is he supposed to recognise them? There could like millions of brown haired girl called Téa and blond guy called, uh, Marc or something at the airport."
Roland sweatdropped.
"Alright, maybe not so much but, a few hundred?"
Roland scoffed?
"Or around ten?"
That was more reasonable
"Why don't we just go there Master, I can drive you there personally." Roland proposed.
"Oh shit! Why am I behaving in such a way, Roland? I should've have been the one to tell you to accompany me there. I am just so nervous... too nervous for my own good. Let's go, Roland!"
Performing on a stage was what she had always wanted before the crazy life caught up with her. But tonight was her only chance. She peeped through the curtains and marveled at the sight of so many spectators who had come only for her. She was Téa Gardner, a prima ballerina. She took her pose and waiting as the music echoed and the curtains drew apart, the one at the piano cleared his throat to begin his song.
"Wake up!"
Téa jolted up from her sleep. She blinked a few times before looking at her side. She rubbed her eyes and saw Marik grinning.
"You son of a... sprouted potato! You just ruined my dream! Why the hell did you wake me up for?"
Marik got up and retrieved his hand luggage He dropped Téa's things on her and she was even more revolted than before.
"We've reached Domino, get your ass off the plane. It's not your uncle's property."
Letting out a lungful of air, Téa quickly rectified her makeup and followed suit.
Tokihashi was an old man in his late fifties. Sincehe had always been working for the Kaiba family in for more than twenty years, neither Seto nor Mokuba could have asked him to quit. Seto did ask him once though.
"Mr. Tokihashi, I appreciate your loyal services but I can say it is time for you to retire."
The old man looked at his master carefully before saying, "Mr. Kaiba, with all the respect due, you do not know anything about motoring. Leave that to us your workers and just so you know, no, it is not the time to change the tires of your limousine yet."
Seto Kaiba took a deep breath.
"Just forget it, Mr. Tokihashi."
"Of course now you get it, Sir."
"Now, where do I look for this blond woman and this brown haired man?"
"Welcome to Domino." Téa read the big letters which was on continuous play mode display.
"Now, where is Mokuba Kaiba?" Marik breathed out.
Just as she was about to answer, Téa crashed into someone. She moved her luggage cart from the way and helped the old man stand up. She was so afraid of what harm she could have caused to that person. Marik hurried to help and both friends gently pulled the elderly man onto his feet.
"Oh God! I'm so so so sorry... very sorry! Are you hurt? Should I call an ambulance? What's the num for the ambulance here in Japan?" She tapped Marik ever so lightly. "Come on, tell me!"
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt. Don't you worry. It's my fault, I should've been looking where I was going." The man interjected.
"Of course, it's not your fault, it's not mine either, it's all Marik's fault as he was talking while driving his luggage cart."
Marik pretended he never heard Téa. Just then, he saw that KC logo emblazoned on the lapel of the man's shirt.
"I am looking for a blond woman and a brown haired man who are here to work with my master." The man told Téa. "By the way, I am Kushiro Tokihashi. And you are?"
"You work for someone, at this age? Cool. The name's Téa Gardner and this there is Marik Ishtar. We-" Téa started before being rudely interrupted by her voyage companion.
"Do you work for the Kaiba family, Mr. Tokihashi?"
"No, I don't have a family. I've been working since I was young. I didn't really get time to marry and have a family of my own. As for my own people, my age may reveals their departure to heaven."
He joked. Téa and Marik looked at each other.
What is this man saying?
Téa poked Marik and muttered, "I feel like he has some kind of hearing problems."
Marik rolled his eyes, "I'd say that is rather obvious Téa."
Tokihashi cleared his throat.
"Excuse if I am interrupting your little chat about my person but I have work to do. Have a good day."
Téa's face adorned a vivid red colour while that of Marik went pale.
"Wait sir, please. We are really sorry." Marik caught up with the man, with Téa behind.
"What is it?" The veteran eyed them almost suspiciously.
"We are here to meet up with Mokuba Kaiba, do you by any chance, work for him?"
The old man look from Téa to Marik and then back to Téa. "What did you say your name is, miss?"
If Marik felt slightly insulted after being flatly ignored, Téa was stunned.
"Gardner. Téa Gardner, sir."
"Then you must be the young woman the younger master was talking about. Wait a second, you are not blond and neither is your boyfriend a brunet." The old man tapped his chin.
"I am not her boy-" Marik once again was cut short, by Téa this time.
"You do work for Mr. Kaiba then. I am Téa Gardner and this is Marik Ishtar. We are here for," she looked at man and though he showed no sign of deceit, she did not trust him yet. "We are here to meet him."
At the same time, the threesome watched as a young boy with unruly black hair, rounded the corner and noticed that his chauffeur was about to begin an interrogation session with two people whose physiques match with the description given to him. A man in black was just behind.
"Tokihashi! Thank god I found you." The panting figure said. The figure then turned towards the young girl and her blond friend.
Catching his breath, Mokuba Kaiba cleared his throat and spoke, "You must be Téa Gardner."
"No, I'm not."
Mokuba's face fell, Marik sighed while Tokihashi was completely oblivious to the conversation.
"Just kidding. I am Téa Gardner and this there is-" Marik moved next to her and extended his hand towards the teen.
"Marik Ishtar. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh." Mokuba let out a nervous laugh, "I thought your name was Marc or something. I'm Mokuba Kaiba, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Marik."
He shook hand with Marik and turned towards Téa, "It's an equal pleasure meeting you as well, Miss Téa."
"Same here and please, call me Téa." Téa readily took his hand.
"Alright." Mokuba went up to his chauffeur and smiled at him. "Good job Tokihashi, as usual. Can you please drop us at the mansion now?"
A nod from Tokihashi and everyone was in the back of the limousine, heading towards the Kaiba mansion. Roland followed separately in the private car.
"No, I insist. You must stay at my place. Besides, it will be better for the purpose you guys are here for."
Téa and Mokuba talked all through the drive home with Marik occasionally adding a few words. The young man remained pensive all the time. Who knows what was reserved in this city for them.
He had been wandering for a few hours now. After having witnessed his brother's sadness and determination, he had felt guilty.
"He still did not have to call for a detective to unravel the mystery of my death. Why can't I remember it myself?"
Seto Kaiba, the ghost, was pissed off. Terribly pissed off. First he dies out of the blue. Second, he had attended his own funeral, dressed as a ghost, and had heard what people had to say about him. He had seen his brother's sorrow and loneliness. And now, his brother is calling for special services to track his killers.
"Cool, just cool. Who knows which idiot they are going to send for."
Pacing the floor of his former room and looking out though the window at the same time, Seto saw the limousine pulled up in front of the gate.
"Great. Mokuba is back."
Seto found himself saying like a small child. Two more people exited the vehicle; what seemed like a woman and a man.
"A couple. Double greatness. The number of them just states how good each actually are since they have to team up. Must be some incompetent fools. Might as well stay here."
"Welcome to the mansion. Please feel at home."
Mokuba guided his guests inside. A line of staff persons stood in the living room.
Téa stared at the splendour of this house. When she had exited the limousine, she could have lost her lower jaw already.
"It's huge and it's beautiful."
Marik remained neutral and casually looked at the paintings, vases and other decorations.
"These are the maintenance staff, you may call for their services any time. You can call for me as well. Well then, this is-"
"I'm sorry for cutting this introduction short, but I'm happy to meet you all, can show me the restroom... please?"
Mokuba looked at Téa and then he smiled. "Sure, Lucy-san, can you please?"
The maid shook her head and requested that Téa followed her.
A few minutes later, Téa came back and saw that the living room was empty except for Mokuba and Lucy.
"Ah, there she is. Don't worry, I just sent everyone away, you can meet them later on. Mr. Marik went to his room and I was waiting for you so that Lucy-san could show you yours."
"I feel so ridiculous." Téa muttered.
"Please don't be. It was nature's call after all." Mokuba laughed. "I leave you then, we shall speak business tomorrow morning. It's getting late. Dinner will be served in one hour, be there, okay?"
"Sure."
Téa smiled and went up to Lucy. Mokuba got back to his room.
"I'm sure your room will be convenient." Lucy mentioned as they climbed the stairs silently.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Lucy-san, forgive me for being, uh, weird but I can't help it. I just made a complete fool out of myself down there."
The elder woman sighed and looked at her, "Miss Gardner."
"Please call me Téa."
"Alright then. Téa. No one should be afraid of what he does in life. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are a young lady full of manners and from what I can see, you are quite modest and selfless. I'm glad the young master has called for you. Oh, see, here is your room. I'll leave you. Call me if you need anything."
Téa entered her room and stared in awe. It was a beautiful room, azure was the dominating colour, just like her eyes. The queen-sized bed with the silky bed sheets looked inviting and soothing. She stepped inside and removed her leather jacket, dropping it on the nearby chair, sculpted from dark ebony wood.
"It's a dream. Oh god, I don't want to wake up ever."
She plopped herself on the bed and buried her face in the pillows.
"So soft, so smooth! So good!"
She got off the bed to look for the adjoined restroom. As she opened the doors, her eyes nearly fell from their sockets. Such a big bathtub, so much space... even the toilet looked inviting.
"That's rich! Literally!"
She stripped herself from her clothes and entered the tub. Several oil scents and body lotion lay there waiting for her. Téa had never taken such a wonderful and appeasing bath before.
After what seemed like twenty minutes, she got out of the bathroom, her baby bathrobe on and out of the blue, an idea struck her. She had seen no living creatures in this corridor where there seemed to be lots and lots of other bed rooms. She had made up her mind. Téa was going to visit the other rooms and die out of awe.
"Sounds like a plan!"
He had chosen to remain in his room. He did not want to see the faces of those who had just been hires. If Mokuba wanted to trust these idiots, he was not going to.
"Now, what's in this room?" He heard a voice, most definitely feminine.
The door to his room opened and in came a young woman, dressed in a... bathrobe? She had switched on the lights.
"Aren't women suppose to put their appearance before anything else." He remarked sarcastically.
"Huh? Who's here? Oh my god, sorry, I should've have entered." Téa turned to run away. She had thought nobody would be there and there she was, completely wrong, impeding on others' intimacy.
"Wait. You can hear me?" Seto inquired.
"Of course I can hear you. I'm so sorry for having disturbed." Téa replied.
"Can you see me?" Seto asked.
"No."
"Then, turn around and look at me." Seto said with an impatient voice
"I don't want to. Who do you think you are to order me around, mister?"
She did turn around to give her a piece of her mind.
"You. You are... pale? Why are you pale?" Her eyes widened even more when she saw the curtains flew through him towards her.
"You can see me." Seto stated silently.
"You are a gho-gho-ghost!" Téa asked trembling like a leaf.
"In person. The name is Seto Kaiba."
The young ghost smirked and...
Téa Gardner fainted.
End Notes: Ah, it's over! The third chapter, I mean. Was it short? Drop me a review, criticism or inspirational and forget about flaming. I'll accept if you curse me for being this damn late. If won't count as a flame. If you flame, I'll light the 19 candles on my birthday cake with that. That's all for now; my rambling and this story. Till then; Ciao! Tell me what you think.
NavyBlueMarquise