The flight seemed to take forever. Umi could not sleep, so she tried to work, but even that failed her. She reached out for her brother, only to find him distracted and determined by the events unfolding around him. The darkness that surrounded him seemed to thicken as she tried to let him know that she was on her way home.
Home is a funny concept, she thought, realizing that home had always meant him. Despite having lived now in the United States for far longer than she had in Japan, despite how much Egypt felt like home, if she was being truly honest with herself, home was with him. His light was a comforting presence which she craved. She was angry with herself that it took her so long to realize it, but it was now clear why she had always worked so hard to convince him to move closer to her. It was because she needed him. She had always known that she was his strength in many ways. She had taken pride in the fact that she was strong enough for the both of them when she was younger, but now she realized that he had always served as a counterpoint for her gregarious nature. He was her conscience and her restraint, and despite the distance, he had always served that role. She realized that she was at her best when they were together.
The air in the pressurized cabin was cool, but not as cold as the shiver that went through her soul when he blinked out of her awareness. She gasped at his sudden absence, startling the sleeping woman next to her. Again, the spot within her soul where he lived became a void. It was not so much a hole, as it was just… nothing. Panic flooded her like a river raging and pouring over its banks.
"Yugi." She whispered desperately, reaching for the darkness where he had once been. She would have dove for the darkness had a firm grip not pulled her back. The spirit's grip on her soul felt like sandpaper, scritching as she struggled against the bond which anchored her.
"Umi. Stop." Neferet's voice echoed in her mind. "You can't help him." She could tell that the spirit still feared the darkness, and that fear was driving her. But how could she not help him? How could she stand by and watch him disappear, if that was even what was happening?
Still the spirit held fast.
"Umi. Look." Neferet said, her gritty, sand-like arms wrapping tightly around Umi's soul. She forced herself to really look at the void within that supported her connection to her twin. Her heart beat fast with worry as she stared into the darkness. And then she looked through the darkness at tiny pinpoints of light gleaming in the distance, like the pinhole constellations they had made together as children. Three lights pierced the darkness, like the stars of Orion's belt, their colors shifting as the darkness tried to close them out once more. They were not his light, she thought, as she knew his light exceptionally well, but they seemed to be guarding him and fighting back against the darkness that had snuffed his light out.
"He is not alone, Umi." The spirit's voice said. "But you cannot help him right now. Let those who can, do so."
"I can't just sit by idly, Neferet." She argued.
"Yes, you can." The spirit seemed sad, and achingly regretful. "Sometimes it is what you must do. Sometimes it is the most difficult thing that you can do. But is is also the right thing. He will be fine, Umi."
"Neferet." Umi turned to the spirit that had been with her as long as she could remember. She could tell that the spirit was hurting in a way that only the darkness before them had ever hurt her. She wanted to hear the story behind Neferet's fear of the shadows, but the spirit retreated from her before the questions could start. She wanted to press the matter, to uncover the reason for the sadness and regret, but the announcement that the plane was beginning its descent brought her back to the physical world. The void within her heart still troubled her, but she realized that Neferet was right. There was nothing she could do right now, and the helplessness she felt as a result broke her heart. She tried to think of what she could do, of any assistance she could give, but with the shadows separating them, she could not even send him her strength. She realized that the only thing she could do was to keep the home fires burning. When she had disembarked, she took a cab to the hospital where the message that had prompted the trip had said he had been admitted.
She watched the old man who had raised her brother sleeping peacefully as the monitors beeped and whirred beside him. She sat in the chair that Ms. Takanada had been with him the last four days with little rest of her own. She had asked that Umi watch over him so she could take a short break. While Umi had not necessarily been drawn back to her childhood home by her grandfather's predicament, she had used it as the excuse she had left for her mother. So she felt an obligation to give the older woman a chance to freshen up as she stood guard observing her grandfather's condition.
But it was quiet in the hospital room. The silence made the small noises that the machines made that much more obvious and annoying. Umi sat back in the chair beside the bed and closed her eyes. She had not admitted how exhausted she was when she had seen her grandfather's lady friend. The older woman seemed even more worn than she was. She wanted to sleep, her body craved it, but between the constant beeping and the acrid smells of cleaners that floated through the air, Umi could not find comfort. She reached out and squeezed the hand of the sleeping old man.
"I'll be back soon, Grandpa." She said, feeling foolish for speaking out loud. She had heard that people in a coma could hear what was said to them, but she still thought it was a fanciful idea and it frankly made her feel a little silly to do so. Still, she had done it, so there was no point in regretting it now. She stood and stretched her back as it had grown stiff from all of the sitting she had done that day, or was it two days by now, she thought. She had lost track of time. She could not remember how long it had been since she slept or even how long it had been since she had eaten, though she was fairly certain she had eaten something on the flight. She walked down the hallway to a vending machine and got a coffee. Even though she hated it, she felt that she needed the caffeine boost. She was sipping on the hot liquid as she walked back into her grandfather's hospital room. The cup hit the floor with a splash as the coffee spilled across the floor. She ignored the scalding droplets that hit her skin as she rushed to the bedside. Her grandfather's violet eyes stared back at her.
"He did it." He croaked, his voice raspy from lack of use. "Yugi did it."
Umi wiped a tear she had not realized had fallen from her cheek as she pressed the button to call the nurse.
He returned to consciousness in a dank cell. For a moment he thought he had somehow been transported back in time, but then he realized that was stupid because time travel had not yet been invented. It was on his list of things to do, but right now he had more pressing matters. The only light came from a flickering wall sconce that he had initially mistaken for a torch. It was really just a bulb that simulated fire light. He laughed coldly.
"Leave it to Pegasus to be all show and no substance." He said to himself and the rats that scurried in the darkness. As his eyes further adjusted to the light, he looked at the barriers to his escape. Chains hung limply against the wall near him. He was grateful they had not thought to use them. It would make getting out much more difficult. But then he realized that he should not even be in the cell in the first place. The fact that he was meant only one thing—that he had lost to Pegasus. He felt anger bubble up within him. He did not know how many more failures he could take. He punched the wall, which was also stupid, because the wall was stone and nearly broke his hand. He clenched his fist a few times as the voice of his adoptive father echoed in his mind—stupid, failure, not good enough, work harder, be smarter, do more, it told him. Only, he was working as hard as he could, doing as much as he could and it was not enough. Everything had been progressing according to plan, he thought, until Yugi Muto walked into my life. He briefly considered having the teen killed. It would not cost much, and would probably be an easy job. It's what Gozaburo would have done, Seto thought, but he put the idea aside as it was not his style. No, he thought, Yugi had dishonored him and simply killing him would not help him regain the honor, or the reputation he had lost. He would find another way. He clenched his hand once more. It still throbbed with pain but it was lessening. He looked again at the door to the cell. Pegasus had truly went above and beyond himself to recreate the medieval like structure from the stone walls—replete with moss, rivulets of water and various nooks and crannies, to the rusty bars that acted as a gate with their incredibly simplistic locks. It seemed vaguely familiar and utterly stereotypical, like something out of a movie Mokuba had made him watch.
The thought of his brother stopped him in his tracks. His hand went to the locket that he wore. Only a select few people even knew about it, but even they did not know its true purpose. That knowledge was shared only with his little brother. It was too dark to see the smiling face of the little boy his brother had once been, but he could visualize it without the picture. He slipped the old photo from its place of honor only to have a piece of paper flutter from the locket to the floor. Seto watched it float down confused. The small square of paper had been folded in half to fit beneath the picture, but he had no recollection of placing it there. There were only two things that he had thought to hold so close to his heart, his company and his brother. He was not sure how the paper related to either. Picking up the white square, he opened it. Inside was the image of a girl about his age, maybe a couple of years younger. It was black and white, as if it had been printed from a computer and was not an actual photograph, but he could tell that she had dark hair and she looked Japanese. The picture looked like it was from an identification card, though he had no memory of ever meeting the girl before, or why he would have an image of her. She was smiling and she was, objectively speaking, quite pretty, not that he had the time for any such interests. The image had opened up a mystery, but it was one he would have to unravel later—right after he figured out time travel.
He put the printed picture behind the photo of Mokuba once more as he fiddled with the back of the locket. Inside, he had stored several small items, including various miniature tools that he could use to escape. If anything could be said about Seto Kaiba, he thought, it was that he was always prepared.
Picking the lock was quick work. It took more time for him to reassemble the locket—tools first and then Mokuba's picture. He looked at the paper left in his hand for a moment. He thought about tossing it aside. Whoever she was, she must not have been important enough for him to remember. But she was important enough for him to go through the trouble of getting her picture, he realized, even if he had no memories of her. Sighing, he gave into the mystery and his need to solve it as he slipped the paper back underneath Mokuba's picture. He could not turn his back on a problem that needed solving; it was not in his nature.
He hurried through the corridor toward the back passage he had initially entered through. He peered into each cell that he passed, hoping to find Mokuba. All the cells were empty, but he noticed only one that was unlocked and opened. It looked as if it had been recently occupied. Looking around him, it seemed like it was in the same location he had found Mokuba in earlier. Maybe someone had already gotten him out, he hoped as he continued on his way. Regardless, he would not leave without Mokuba, even if he had to tear this castle apart brick by brick. No one would keep him from his family, he thought, and god help anyone who tried.
He blinked in the sudden sunlight as he emerged from the secret entrance he had found earlier. He had still not located Mokuba and could only hope that someone else had freed him and that he had been restored as well. From his vantage point high on the castle wall, Seto could see the cliff-side where he had landed his helicopter the night he had come to this wretched place. He frowned as he thought about all that had happened here and realized that he would be happy to never set foot on the island again. But first he had to find Mokuba.
He picked his way carefully down the narrow staircase that ran alongside the castle wall and down to the forest floor below. The void beneath him was not nearly as terrifying as the one he had faced when he forced Yugi's hand, but the descent was still nerve-wracking. The staircase widened as it reached the natural bluff upon which teh castle stood as it dominated the landscape from ever corner of the island. Where the building's foundation had been laid, a narrow ledge of natural stone formed a path around the structure. Seto looked down the steep staircase, through the trees and to the ground below as he considered his path. The ledge was very narrow in places and would be a treacherous choice, but he might reach the castle gates more quickly than if he completed his descent to the forest and then had to find the entrance from the ground. The stairs would be safer, he thought, before chiding himself for the consideration of safety now when it had been the furthest thing from his mind since he left Mokuba in charge of Kaiba Corp. He sighed and focused as he stepped out onto the ledge, hoping that he had picked the short way around the castle as he clung to the building's stone surface.
The trip around the castle's base was fraught with difficulty and took all of the concentration that Seto could muster. He had never been happier to see a set of stairs as he had when the broad path marking the front of the castle came into view. He was shaking with exertion and fear as he stumbled on to the stone threshold. His knees were weak and he collapsed to the ground underneath his own weight. His arms were shaking so much that he could barely hold himself up as sweat blinded him.
"Ok, that was the scariest thing I have ever done…" he murmured to himself, thankful that he did not have an audience for this moment of weakness. He took a few deep breaths in an effort to center himself before standing. "Note to self: Rock climbing is not your thing." He stood and brushed himself off before turning to the large wooden doors that marked the castle's main entryway. The lock that had kept people out during the tournament hung opened now that the event was over. He stood frozen, staring at the doors. He hoped that when he opened them, Mokuba would be standing there, waiting to greet him with his smiling face. He hoped that Mokuba would forgive him his failure, that he would not hold his weakness and incompetence against him. Seto vowed to do more, to be better, to work harder, to be smarter, so that he could better protect the only thing in his life that was worth protecting.
The doors swung open and Seto's heart leapt as he saw his little brother—alive and well. His brain registered the others with him, his saviors, but he only had eyes for Mokuba. His younger brother lit up when he saw him and came running toward him. Mokuba nearly knocked him over as he slammed into him full force and embraced him. Seto felt himself relax in the knowledge that his was indeed his little brother restored to him and not another trick to manipulated him. He could feel tears threatening to fall, but he would not show such weakness in front of the others. He looked over Mokuba's head at the group of friends who had returned Mokuba to him. The faces were all smiles and happiness. He met Yugi's eyes. He saw in the other, smaller boy no sense of superiority, no sense of righteousness, not even a desire to be recognized for what he had done. Seto knew that he should at least offer thanks to the young man who had saved them, but he could not bring himself to say the words. His mother had taught him long ago that such things were appropriate, but Gozaburo had long since worked to beat such sentiments from him. He nodded at his rival. It was the best he could muster before turning to his brother and suggesting that they return home.
"Can't even say 'Thank You'?" he heard called out to him from the crowd. Part of him wanted to turn around and punch Wheeler in his big mouth, but he would not stoop to that level. He put his hand on Mokuba's shoulder and herded him out of the castle.
It took them less time than he thought it would to reach the helicopter.
"Seto, were you cleared to fly? I know that the doctor had told you to take a break while you recovered and…"
"It's our only way off the island, Mokuba."
"But Seto, you haven't finished the licensing yet."
"And I promise I will, once we get home. Now can you make sure everything is properly stowed while I start the pre-flight check?" He was sliding into the cockpit as Yugi and his friends came running up to the aircraft. He felt Mokuba's eyes on him, but he kept his attention on the task at hand.
"Seto…" Mokuba pleaded.
"Absolutely not, Mokuba."
"But they need a ride."
"No."
"And we're all going to the same city."
"No."
"Please, Seto?" Mokuba looked up at him with his wide eyes. "They did rescue me."
He realized at that moment that his little brother was one of the most manipulative people he knew. He sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Fine." He turned back to the controls. "But I'm not talking to any of them."
Mokuba grinned as he turned back to Yugi and his friends and invited them aboard. Seto turned to them all once they were seated and Mokuba had fastened his safety restraints in the co-pilot's seat.
"If any of you die, it's your own fault." He said, his gaze primarily fixed on Wheeler, hoping that the obnoxious teen would somehow blink out of existence.
Despite his bravado, Seto was slightly nervous about flying with so many passengers. He had flown Mokuba before, but only with an instructor. Fortunately, they kept to themselves and let him do his job. Once they were airborne, he felt the familiar sensation of freedom that he only experienced while flying. Being in the air, controlling a machine to allow him to do so was the only thing that made him focus completely on just one task. Even when he was tinkering with his innovations, his mind would wander to other ideas or problems. But flying required his complete concentration, his undivided attention. When he was in the air, his mind was silent. It was a refreshing change from the chatter—both productive and less so—that typically occupied it as he worked. In the air, he was free—from expectations, from responsibilities, from the self-loathing that normally ate at him.
He had been so focused on the flying, so caught up in the moment of freedom and the task of keeping them all in the air, that he did not notice when Mokuba had slipped out of the co-pilot's seat and Yugi had filled it. Perhaps it was their similar heights that kept him from recognizing the change, but even their behaviors were similar as they both watched the earth below the helicopter with a quiet fascination. Seto did not realize that it was not his brother sitting next to him until he heard a voice that was not Mokuba's over the ear piece.
"Kaiba." The voice sounded tinny and distant through the headset and the unexpectedness of it jolted Seto, who jerked back slightly on the controls. He focused on steadying their flight as he tried to figure out why Yugi was there and talking to him, but furthermore, how he should respond.
"Yugi." He hoped his uncertainty did not show in his voice. "What?"
"I just… I wanted to thank you." Yugi replied, gazing out the window at the sea stretching into the horizon beneath them. Seto glanced quickly toward the short young man who had just a moment ago seemed so like his brother. He seemed so different now, so much more timid than the times they had dueled. It was easy for Seto to imagine him lost among the crowd at school. Even he had overlooked the spikey haired youth—quite literally—when he had gone to school there. Before the day where he overheard them discussing rare Duel Monster cards, he did not even know that Yugi existed. Granted, he had kept to himself and had barely associated with anyone at that awful place anyway, but it did not change the fact that Yugi was easily overlooked or forgotten. Except when he dueled.
"For what?" Seto asked, feeling his concentration wavering as he reflected. He forced his eyes to the horizon after another quick scan of the instrument panel.
"For letting us ride back with you." Yugi turned to him then. Seto could feel his eyes—big and round, like Mokuba's when he was younger and more naive, watching him.
"Well." Seto cleared his throat as he tried to cope with the scrutiny. "It was the least I could do after… everything." He kept his eyes straight ahead, trying to stay focused on getting them all home safely, but his peripheral vision showed that Yugi was still watching him, searching his face, or perhaps staring more deeply than just the surface.
"You're welcome." Yugi said after a long moment, realizing that it was as much gratitude that Kaiba could give. He turned back to the window and the sea stretched out below them. "You would do anything for your brother." He stated after another awkward pause. "I understand how that is. I had to honor that dedication in whatever way I could."
Seto looked at Yugi's profile as he watched the world passing beneath them. They were approaching the city on the horizon. He could see it glittering in the sunlight like waves capped with white in the distance. Few details were clear this far out, but he could see the Kaiba Corporation headquarters thrusting upwards from the skyline like a dragon rearing its head. The rest of the city seemed to spread out on either side like wings. As they continued to approach, Seto thought it looked as if the city were a great beast preparing to leap into the air and take flight. He had always been amazed by this moment—when they were far enough away from the city that it looked like a living thing—before the buildings took distinct forms. He knew it was just a trick of the mind as it looked for patterns, but it was always so beautiful to him; it always made him think of the possibilities that life held.
He glanced at the young man next to him as Yugi was also captivated by the growing city in the distance. Seto felt that there was something familiar about him, and it had nothing to do with Duel Monsters. Seeing him in profile now reminded him of the picture he had found buried within his locket. There was a similarity in his face to the girl in the picture that he could not explain any more than he could say why he had the image in the first place. Seto found it unnerving, but filed it away with the mystery of the picture.
"Is this your first time flying?" Seto asked to ease the awkward silence that he felt growing between them. While he had not wanted to talk to any of them, now that Yugi was sitting where Mokuba should have been, he found himself compelled to talk
"In a helicopter, yes. I've flown in a plane before to visit my mother in America." Yugi rambled. "It was not nearly as clear of a day and we were so high that I couldn't see much out the window."
Seto rolled his eyes. He had not asked for Yugi's life story. He wondered if perhaps Yugi were as uncomfortable with the situation as he was.
"We've actually met there, you and I." Yugi continued, matter-of-factly. Seto shot him a sharp glance before turning his attention back to the task at hand.
"No we didn't." He countered, but he wondered if he would have remembered him or even noticed him if they had met previously.
"Well, we weren't formally introduced or anything, but I was with a group that observed the demonstration you did for Pegasus a few months back." Yugi continued. Seto felt his mouth drop and wanted to stare unbelievingly at Yugi, but he forced himself to focus.
"That's impossible." He replied. "I only demonstrated the Solid Vision system for Pegasus." He would have remembered an entire audience for that demonstration. It was only the small scale prototype of a duel arena, so the demonstration had been held in Pegasus' office. There was not enough room for a crowd of on-lookers.
"No, there was a whole group of high school students there too. Pegasus invited them, us, to watch it."
"Why would high school students have been at Industrial Illusions?"
"Something to do with a school robotics team?" Yugi shrugged. He had tried to follow what Umi had told him about her hobbies, but he was as hopeless with it as she was with Duel Monsters. "I'm not surprised you don't remember me though. You did seem fairly interested in one of the girls in the group though; you barely noticed anyone else."
Seto felt his face flush. He hated that his body had betrayed him and decided to put on such an emotional display, especially in front of the young man he had deemed to be his rival. He could no longer call Yugi his enemy, he realized, not after what he had done for Mokuba.
A girl, he thought, wondering if that was who was in the image and where he had gotten it. His memory still told him that Yugi was either mistaken or lying.
"I don't remember anyone there except Pegasus." Seto said, trying to get his unruly physical reactions under control. It was not a lie exactly, Seto thought, but Yugi's statements in addition to the hidden picture had made him question the validity of his memories of that event.
"If you say so." Yugi turned back to watching the city growing in the distance. They watched in silence as the buildings grew larger and more distinct as the craft drew closer.
"Don't think that this means anything, Yugi." Seto said suddenly as if the weight of the silence forced him to act.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not your friend. At best, I am paying my debt for what you did for us. Next time we meet if will be on the battlefield, and I will defeat you." Seto said, pushing the thought of mixed up memories from his mind.
"But, Kaiba, you've already beaten me. On the rooftop. I surrendered, remember?" Yugi's voice managed to sound sad, even though the head set. Seto let out a mirthless laugh.
"That was no victory, Yugi. That was me manipulating you, forcing your hand." Seto sighed before continuing quietly. "There was no honor in it."
"Kaiba…" Yugi started before Seto cut him off.
"But next time… Next time, things will be different. And when I defeat you, all I lost will be restored." Seto said before flipping back the mouth piece on the headset and focused once more on flying. He could feel Yugi's eyes on him, watching him for a long moment, but he tried his best to ignore it. He felt that Yugi had wanted to say more, but he was grateful when the he turned away from him and switched places with Mokuba once more.
"So…" Mokuba said as he settled the headset over his own ears. "What were you two talking about, Big Bro?"
Seto sighed as he flipped the mouth piece back into position.
"I don't want to talk about it." He replied. Mokuba, at least knew him well enough to not press the matter, Seto thought as he began radioing in for landing clearance and procedures as they approached the city proper.
The weariness the tournament had caused finally hit Yugi as he stepped through he doorway into the game shop and the only home he had ever known. His friends shuffled in behind him, their usual pep now subdued by tiredness. Yugi was too exhausted to notice that the light in the shop was on nor the slamming shut of the door that lead into the house behind the shop. He only was aware of the familiar presence of home that washed over him as he entered. It was so strong and comforting that he almost fell asleep on his feet.
"Yugi." Joey's voice came as a warning as the taller boy moved next to him protectively. The tone in his friend's voice returned some alertness to Yugi's tired mind. As he looked up, he was met by a pair of familiar green eyes as Umi stared back at him. Relief spread over her face and tears welled in her eyes as she slipped around the counter to embrace him.
"Umi." He whispered in disbelief before throwing his arms around her and burying his face in the crook of her neck. He realized that he should have recognized it—the familiar sense of home—when he walked in. He had never felt that just from a place before, but it was always how he felt in her presence.
They stood there silently, embracing each other for what seemed like an eternity as they reforged the connection they had shared since before they were born. Through an unspoken communication, Yugi and Umi learned about all that had transpired since they were last together. Before long, Yugi's shoulders began to shake with silent sobs as the weight of all the expectations that had been thrust upon hi suddenly came crashing down. Yugi felt that he would have been crushed beneath it, were it not for her. He was grateful to his friends for the support they had given in the think of things, but he had been able to put the true gravity of the situation and the lives riding on him out of his mind, at least for the most part. But now it all came back with a vengeance. Every close call and near miss haunted him, but she welcomed his fear and his worry, taking it upon herself to share the burden as she had so many times in the past.
After a long while, the sobs subsided and the tears no longer fell. Yugi stepped back and looked through misty eyes at his sister. She looked as tired as he felt. Her green eyes were bloodshot and surrounded by dark circles. Even her smile looked weak to him.
"Why are you here?" he asked finally. "I thought you were in Egypt all summer?"
"You needed me." She replied, as if answering the most obvious of questions. She was right; he had needed her. He still needed her. He embraced her once more, relishing in the physicality of her presence. He would have sought her out eventually, he knew, but their mental communication was not the same as having her right there when he needed a hug.
"Thank you." He whispered as he tried to hold on to her warmth despite the increased chattering in his heart. His Other Self was curious and asking questions that he wanted to ignore for just a moment longer.
"Who is this?" the spirit asked. "Why are you hugging her? Can I hug her? I want to hug her too." The yammering in his heart was like the multitude of questions asked by a young child. In many ways, Yugi thought, chuckling, his Other Self was like a child.
She pulled away from him, looking into his tired, watery eyes, but not fully letting him go.
"You look like hell." She said, her mouth quirking up in a half-smile.
"Thanks." He rolled his eyes. "You don't look much better." He smiled as she laughed and pulled him into a tight hug once more.
"I've missed you." She whispered, before releasing him and turning her eyes to the rest of the gathered group.
"I see you've had some friends to help you on your way, Yugi." She said, scanning the trio. She stiffened and her eyes narrowed when she saw Tea, he noticed, but he also noticed that she tried to continue on civilly.
"Right, you haven't met yet. Joey, Tristan, this is my sister, Umi. Umi, these are my friends, Joey and Tristan, and well, you already know Tea." Yugi said, making introductions.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, boys." Umi replied smiling and reaching out to shake their hands, forgetting for a moment that she was not in America. "Sorry. Habit." She muttered before bowing slightly instead. She hoped she had not seemed too forward, but from the look on the blond's face, she feared that she may have been a little more flirtatious than she anticipated.
"It's been a long time, Umi." Tea said, uncertainly, but hoping to break the ice between the two of them. "How have you been?" Umi fixed Tea with dagger-like eyes, which confused both Tea and Yugi for a moment.
"It has." Umi said coldly. "Though I never expected to see you again after the last time." Realization dawned on Yugi and he placed his hand on Umi's shoulder in an effort to calm her.
"Tea and I have gotten over our differences, Umi. Everything is fine now." He said, turning her attention away from the other girl.
"You are too big-hearted, Yugi. Just don't expect me to forget so easily." Umi took a deep breath before turning to other matters. "Anyway, Grandpa woke up a few hours ago."
"Were you with him?" Yugi asked excitedly.
"I was actually getting a drink at the exact moment, but more or less, yeah. First thing he did was ask for you."
"Who's with him now? Ms. Takanada?"
"Yeah. She sent me here to get something to eat and grab a shower. By the way, I borrowed your shirt." She looked down at the lavender button up she had thrown on. It did not quite close all the way over her bust, so she had left the top couple of buttons undone.
"It's fine, I never wear it anyway."
"Yugi, we need to have a talk about your wardrobe." She said rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"What? Why?"
Umi sighed.
"Anyway, I was just heading back over there now, well, after I get something to eat. Everything in the fridge is spoiled."
Yugi frowned at her tired face.
"Are you sure? You look like you could use some sleep."
"What? No, I'm fine. Just need some food and some coffee, maybe. Besides, you look like you could sleep for days yourself." She said as he caught himself yawning. It doesn't matter, he thought, I have to go see Grandpa before I collapse.
"Ok, then we'll go together for a bit but then both come home and get some rest, deal?" He sounded like a master negotiator in his head, but was sure things did not sound so clear as the words came out of his mouth. Umi nodded in agreement before he turned back to his friends.
"If you all want to go home and get some rest, I understand. I'll be fine, really." He said as he looked at each of his friends in turn.
"If it's alright with you, Yuge, I'd like to see your grandpa myself. The man's done a lot for me, ya know." Joey replied before turning a lecherous gaze to Umi. "Besides, your lovely sister did mention something about food." He winked at Umi, who blushed and smiled coyly. Yep, she thought, definitely came off as too forward. Umi crossed her arms over her chest, hoping to keep the shirt from gaping open any more than it already had. She could feel his gaze on her as she shifted uncomfortably. In trying to avoid Joey's gaze, Umi inadvertently landed her sights on Tea.
"Yeah, Food sounds great!" Tristan agreed.
"I'm going to go home, guys." Tea said sourly, watching Umi glare at her. "Besides, I don't think I'm wanted." Tea turned and left in a huff, the bell on the door jingling noisily as it slammed shut behind her.
"Tea…" Yugi moved to go after her but was too late. He sighed, his shoulders slumped as he turned back to those that remained.
"So, um… where are we going?" Joey asked. "I'm starved."
"You're always starved." Tristan tossed over his shoulder as he slipped out the door and held it open for the rest.
"I dunno." Yugi said following him and looking down the street as Tea disappeared in the distance. "I'm kind of broke."
"Yeah, you'd usually be mooching off of Tea." Joey joked.
"Not funny, Joey." Yugi said blushing.
The taller boy laughed anyway.
"Don't worry, guys. Just pick a place—one with coffee please. It's Mom's treat." Umi replied as she passed Tristan. She rolled her eyes as she felt him slid up next to her and attempt to look down her shirt. She wanted to punch him in the face, but did not think that doing so would solve the problem. Yugi looked back at her skeptically before slipping in between her and Tristan.
"Is Mother here?" he asked, already fairly certain of the answer.
"Um, no." Umi answered, her tone sounding evasive. "But I have her card."
"Does she know you have it?"
"Well, she did leave it with me 'for emergencies'."
Yugi made a noise that could only be described as sputtering in frustration.
"Does she even know you're here?" he asked exasperatedly.
"I left a note."
"Umi! Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe it was not a smart idea to go gallivanting off to another country without at least letting your mother know about it? Or at least giving someone a clue about it somewhere?" Coupled with his exhaustion, his frustration quickly grew to anger.
"And just how was I supposed to do that? Huh, Yugi? Mom is out in the field. There is terrible service out there. Even if I wanted to call her, I wouldn't have been able to. Grandpa was in the hospital—the only reason I knew that for certain is because the university had sent a message to the hotel about it, so I couldn't call him to let him know I was coming and you had gone off to do some gallivanting on your own. So who was I supposed to let know I was en route?" She answered his anger with her own following close on his heels as he pushed through the door to a noodle shop that was close to the house.
"They don't have coffee, so you're just going to have to deal with it." Yugi said, still fuming as they sat at the counter.
"Geez, passive-agressive much?" she muttered as she took the seat next to him and grabbed a menu. She frowned as she looked over the squiggles the constituted the descriptions. She was thankful for the few pictures also on the menu.
"Hey, Joey. You understand what's going on?" Tristan asked as he slipped into the space between him and Umi and sat down next, smiling at her. Joey scowled at him before sliding onto a stool next to Yugi.
"Not a lick. Kinda like listening to half a conversation." He said, grabbing a menu. Yugi rolled his eyes. They didn't understand—couldn't understand the bond he shared with Umi. Even he had a hard time understanding it sometimes. He looked over at his sister who leaned toward him as she perused the menu. Her face was a mask of confused annoyance.
"He won't stop making weird faces at me." He heard her say in his head. Yugi looked over at Tristan in amusement as he tried to engage Umi in conversation. "And he keeps trying to look down my shirt." She shifted her body away from him, but he still wouldn't take the hint. Yugi found himself laughing. "Glad you find my discomfort amusing, little brother." Her voice in his head turn sour.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." But he fought hard to get the sense of sincerity that he was hoping for.
"What's good here?" she asked aloud, placing the menu back on the counter. Joey leaned in front of Yugi as he began rattling off his favorites for Umi. He practically listed the entire menu, which was not much help. Yugi reached out for her with both his hand and his heart. He felt the flickers of annoyance at his friends' behavior toward her, but underlying it was the ice and darkness of her anger with him over Tea. He had hoped that she would drop it, or at least that they could discuss the matter in private, but she dove back into her anger over the matter as soon as she had ordered.
"And what the hell are you doing hanging around with Tea of all people, Yugi? After what she did to you, I can't believe that you forgave her so easily." Umi said, seemingly out of the blue to everyone there, except Yugi. Tristan and Joey ceased their banter and just watched the twins.
"It was a long time ago, Umi. We've made amends and moved on." Here it is, he thought, the real reason she was still so angry. Memories from the last few years of when he and Tea had grown apart still haunted him from time to time. They still hurt. But since she had come to him apologizing, they had been able to repair what had been broken.
"You should too, Umi." Yugi said quietly.
"She stood by while they tortured you. In public. Repeatedly from what you told me. I watched her do it, Yugi. How can I forgive that? How can you forgive that?" Her voice was quiet but firm.
"But she didn't help them." He said in their mental connection.
"She may as well have." Umi replied—out loud though she had not meant to. "She didn't stop them either."
"Tea's different now." He voiced his response.
"Yugi, I know you want to believe that; I mean, you have had a crush on her since we were like—what?—ten? But people don't change."
"I have to believe that they do, Umi." He said. "Or what hope is there for me?" he completed the thought in her mind.
Umi sighed as the bowls of noodles were placed before them. She ate in silence feeling the boys glancing at her every so often and Yugi trying to talk with her through their bond. She shut it all out and focused on her food.
Yugi heard the voice of the puzzle whispering to him as he ate.
"Why is she so angry? And why are you so angry?" it asked him—still seeming so confused by the behaviors and emotions of the vessel that had presented itself.
"We are both trying to protect each other." Yugi tried to explain to his other self. "A few years ago, Tea did associate with a group of girls that would tease me relentlessly. Umi is just trying to protect me from that. She could feel how much Tea's betrayal hurt me then. She just doesn't want to see me hurt again."
"But now you and Tea are best friends." The spirit said.
"Yeah. We've been able to put the past behind us. Umi hasn't been here for that, so it's more difficult for her to cope with the change."
"I see…" the spirit replied. "But you want more than just friendship with Tea." It noted. Yugi sighed, longingly. It was true, he thought. Tea was his friend and he valued that friendship greatly. But Umi was right that he had been in love with her for years. He wanted her in ways that he was too embarrassed to describe. He could not help the unbidden thoughts of Tea that floated to the surface and Yugi was sure that he had blushed as they fluttered through his mind. Umi's glance his way confirmed it for him.
"And you are angry because?" the spirit asked, continuing with its line of questioning.
"Umi often does things impulsively, without thinking them through. What would have happened if she had been kidnapped, or if the plane went down? No one would know she was in trouble." Yugi tried explaining his anger to the spirit with whom he now shared so much. "I was just… worried, I guess. And it came out as anger."
"Fine." Umi said as they all finished up with their meal. "I'll try to be civil toward her." Yugi could still feel waves of anger rolling off of her, letting him know that she wasn't happy about it, but he was grateful for the concession.
It was growing dark when they left the shop for the hospital. Tristan had went home after they had eaten but Joey continued with the twins as they went to the hospital. Umi could feel the exhaustion from being up for over thirty hours straight deep within her bones. The walk to the hospital did not help her tiredness. Neither did the energetic buzzing of Neferet within her.
The spirit vibrated with anxious and anticipatory energy. Umi could not tell if she was excited or nervous or perhaps both. Every query she made on the matter was met with the same feeling of anxiety but little in the way of answers. Umi was grateful for the boost of energy because it helped her get through the walk to the hospital, but it was annoying as well since she had no idea why she was feeling this way. She watched Yugi talk with their grandfather as they discussed the tournament—things she did not know about and couldn't be bothered to learn. Her eyes kept drifting to the glittering pendant that hung around his neck. It was smaller than she had imagined, but it was still quite a dominating piece. It looked exactly like the carvings she had seen of it, even down to the places where the pieces joined each other. Neferet had told her that it held great power, but it just looked like an oversized gaudy piece of jewelry to her. Still, every time her eyes drifted towards it, Neferet would grow more agitated. Umi sat heavily on the couch that lined one wall of the small room. Ms. Takanada was sitting on one end and smiled at her as she sat.
"Do you feel better?" the older woman asked. Umi tried to smile back.
"Yeah. But I still feel like I could sleep for days." Umi yawned as her eyes drifted back to the pendant. Ms. Takanada giggled demurely, in a way that infuriated Umi. Her mother had the same laugh and had told her on numerous occasions that it was how she had been taught to laugh while growing up. She and her mother had a difference of opinion on the appropriateness of laughter that Umi knew was culturally driven. Seeing the difference in action now only made Umi more grateful for growing up in America, where a good full body chortle was appreciated.
"You were able to find some clothes?" She asked. Umi knew she was trying to be kind, but it was difficult for her to look at the woman and not think of her mom, which after Yugi's accusations now brought feelings of guilt to her. She wondered if it would have been alright for her to have waited or at least have tried to contact her mother. She had felt so sure of her actions when she took them, but now she was second-guessing herself.
"Yeah, I did. I had to raid Yugi's closet, but I was able to find something. I should probably go buy some more tomorrow though."
"How long will you be visiting?" she asked.
"I… I'm not sure."
"Oh, well, I will go home and let you all catch up. I will wash what you have if you want, Umi." She stood and bowed slightly at her before approaching the bed which was the center of attention for the room. She watched as the older woman tenderly took her grandfather's hand and kissed his forehead. Umi could not deny that there was tenderness between the two, but watching their displays of affection grated on her nerves and she did not know why. She had never met her grandmother who had died even before her father and mother had met, and she was typically of the mindset that everyone deserves love, even old people. But something about seeing it in practice, with their age difference, made her squirm. It was even more disturbing to see Yugi hug her before she left—like she was his mother, when he had been so distant from the mother who birthed them during his visit.
"Grandpa." She said once the door had shut behind the older woman. "We need to talk about your taste in women." Solomon laughed.
"What? Do you think she is too old for me?" He answered jokingly.
"Eww."
"Maybe I should set my sights on Tea?" He stroked his chin. Umi made a face like she was going to throw up.
"Grandpa!" Yugi said, blushing. The old man just laughed. Joey joined in his amusement.
"I think Gramps here has the right idea. Trade in for a young model…" Joey added. The twins rolled their eyes in identical expressions of disgust.
"You two are both disgusting." Umi stated.
"A man has needs, Umi. Even at my age."
"Do those 'needs' come in a bottle, Grandpa?"
Yugi stared at his sister in disbelief. "I can't believe you said that!" his voice echoed in her head as he started laughing out loud.
Solomon just laughed.
"America has definitely left its mark on you, Granddaughter."
"And speaking of needs, Yugi, we need to talk about your wardrobe."
"Oh this I can't wait to hear." Joey added from the peanut gallery
"What's wrong with my clothes?"
"This was the only shirt I could wear, not because it fits—it doesn't really—but because it was the only thing in your closet that didn't look like bondage gear."
"What's wrong with that? Girls love bondage gear."
"Certain types of girls, maybe. And I don't think Tea's one of them."
Joey fell out of his chair from laughing so hard. Yugi's face turned as red as the faded ends of his hair.
"It… It helps me express the dark depths of my soul." Yugi said, trying to recover. Everyone in the room cracked up laughing.
"Yugi. You don't have dark depths in your soul." Umi was breathless from laughter that she could barely get the words out. She did not think it was possible for him to get any more red, but somehow he had managed it. It was her turn to be slammed into a wall of anger as his frustration rolled in waves through the room.
"I like my aesthetic, thank you very much."
"A lot of people do, but they don't wear it on a daily basis." She answered, unable to resist. The look with which he fixed her went straight to her heart. His violet eyes were storms of anger and pain that was barely held in check. She hung her head in shame, sighing.
"Sorry. The exhaustion turned off my brain to mouth filter. How about you come shopping with me tomorrow? I need to get a few things myself, maybe we can pick out some less-fetishy things for you?"
"Only if Tea comes." He stared her down. "You owe me." Echoed in her mind. Umi sighed in resignation.
"Fine." She said defeated before returning to the couch. She had lied; it was not just the exhaustion that was making her speak out. Neferet's nervous energy coursing through her needed an outlet or Umi thought she would explode. But she had never meant to hurt her brother.
"Neferet." She called to the spirit within. "What is going on?" She had little hope for an answer as she had received little from the spirit since she had left Egypt.
"I never thought I would meet him again." The voice within came back as a fearful whisper. "I need to show you everything, so you can understand." Memories flashed through Umi's mind like a blur. They were so fast that Umi could not make out what was happening.
"Neferet, slow down." She thought as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the top of the couch. She was certain that her neck would hate her later, but her body was clamoring for rest and the easiest way for Neferet to share memories was in dreams. She felt herself slip into the ancient queen's skin as sleep took her own mind.
The entire kingdom was in celebration and Neferet was decked out in all of her finery. It had been a busy day with rituals she had had to attend in the morning and then feasting through out the evening. She was ready to get off of her feet and ditch all of the heavy regalia of her station. She was looking forward for a cool dip in the pool with the other young girls in the harem. She had hoped that she would catch Seto's attention, but she had scarcely seen her lover all day. It was not often that their duties took them apart on feast days, but much of her time was spent in her role as princess and betrothed to the heir rather than her role as wife of the gods. It had been several months since the official announcement of her betrothal to her brother, and in that time she realized that she had barely seen Seto at all. It was as if he had been actively avoiding her. She was making plans to hunt him down after some relaxation when her father and brother walked into the harem. The concubines and lesser wives scurried to fawn over the pair, stroking their egos as they entered. The coming of age of the young prince was a highly anticipated and exciting event for the kingdom, but Neferet had already celebrated to the point of exhaustion. Her father greeted her and her mother who had emerged from her chambers before turning to the rest of the gathered women. The crowd ranged in age from younger than her to nearly as old as her mother. Each woman was vying for the attention of the Pharaoh and the Crown Prince. Let them have at it, Neferet thought as she moved through the crowd toward the storage chest where her belonging were stored. The arrival of her betrothed had not quelled her thoughts, and she was eager to wash away the effort of the day. Neferet could feel her brother's eyes darting around the room and lingering on her, but she ignored his attention as she shed the golden weights that had bound her. She ignored the oohing and aahing of the women and the laughter of the men—her father's full-bellied and jovial, her brother's timid and anxious. It was only when her father called her over once more that she gave the goings on any thought.
"Are you sure?" She heard her father say as she moved her naked body through the crowd.
"Yes, Father. After all, she is to be my wife. Should I not learn what pleases her?" Her brother's eyes traveled her body as she approached but snapped back to her face nervously once she looked at him.
"If it is what you want, Son." Her father looked from his only male heir to his eldest daughter. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he regretted not taking her for himself. While it was not unheard of, Neferet knew that her rank served him better as wife to his son.
"Neferet, my jewel. You will stay with Atem tonight." He commanded.
"Father…" she started to protest. Her cheeks blushed red, though in anger and frustration rather than the desire that colored her brother's cheeks.
"In celebration of his birthday, Neferet. Besides, you will be married in three days anyway."
She knew that the marriage would be official in three days time, when the moon was full. She had not expected that he would choose to begin that marriage in practice before then. She was surprised, actually that he had chosen her when he had the full run of any woman in the harem. She sighed and composed herself.
"Very well." She bowed slightly to her brother. "Shall I meet you or would you have me paraded through the palace?" He looked taken aback by the suggestion. His face was a battlefield of emotions. She could tell that he had not wanted to wait for her, that he had not wanted to draw things out any longer than needed, but he also knew taking her as she was—stripped of her rank of station for all the palace to see would dishonor both of them. He glanced at his father for guidance, but he did not seem to be able to read the Pharaoh's hard eyes.
"Um. You can come when you are ready, of course." He reached out for her hand and timidly, uncertainly, brought her fingers to his lips before stepping into her and whispering in her ear. "Just don't take too long."
His breath on her ear sent shivers down her spine and ignited her loins in a way that she had only experienced when Seto had touched her. She nodded, her back ramrod straight to avoid melting into him. Looking in his eyes, she saw the scared little boy she had played with as a child buried in the face of a man. She wanted to embrace him and comfort him as she once had, but they were children no more and now it was time to play the great game. To give in to her feelings would be to give him power over her. She could not afford to cede her power to him, not if she wanted to rule as her mother had, from his side. She slipped her hand from his and turned to walk back to the storage chest and the small room where she would prepare to become her brother's wife in deed if not in name.
She took her time getting ready. Her mother helped her prepare. Her makeup had been removed and was carefully reapplied. Heavy gold necklaces and bracelets were placed over the diaphanous gown that her mother had wrapped her in. She felt as if she were preparing for the wedding three days hence, with the care the older women were giving her. She felt that her actually wedding preparations would pale in comparison. They all knew that tonight would be when the marriage would be made, regardless of any ceremony that would follow. When Neferet looked into the polished silver mirror, she saw what she was meant to be, a queen. She marveled at her own beauty as it had been brought forth by the careful administrations of the older women. Her mother looked at her with tears in her eyes before slipping her slim arms around her daughter.
"Remember that you are a Queen, Neferet, and wife of the Gods. You shall give no quarter, and no man shall ever bind your spirit. It is through you that creation occurs." Her mother whispered before releasing her to walk purposefully from the harem.
He was pacing when she entered the room. She stood silently for a moment for him to realize that she was there, but when he did, he stared at her. His eyes traveled the full length of her a couple of times before he shyly approached.
"You are every bit as beautiful as I imagined." He said breathlessly, blushing. "I… I didn't think you would come." His eyes drifted to the floor between them. He gasped as she touched his cheek and forced him to meet her gaze. She could tell that he was scared. She tried to smile reassuringly.
"Have you…" he started to ask. She knew what he wanted to know. It amused her that he could not even ask.
"Yes." She answered truthfully. He seemed disappointed and embarrassed. He tried to look away but she would not allow it. "And you?" She tilted her head, trying to catch his eyes again. He shook his head in response. She smiled at him.
"I mean, Mana and I… well, we've kissed, but that's about it."
"It's alright, Atem." She slid a hand over his bare chest. He inhaled quickly. "We can start there." His violet eyes snapped to hers as she slipped the hand that had been caressing his cheek around his neck. She pressed her lips softly against his, her eyelids fluttering closed. It was a gentle kiss, not the passion filled rush that she got from kissing Seto, but it was sweet and Neferet could feel his uncertainty.
"You're sweet, Atem." She whispered before pressing her lips against his once more. "Stay sweet." She kissed him a third time only to be met halfway as he moved into action. He pulled her against him, eagerly and growing in confidence at her touch, her words, her kisses. Before long, desire had consumed them both and Neferet lay beneath him, watching his face contort as pleasure and release washed over him. He came quickly and lay heavily against her. She sighed, longing for Seto's languid and purposeful touch. She had been left wanting, an experience she had never had before. She was mildly surprised, though she realized that she should not be. Atem's inexperience was obvious, but she realized that it would be her task to teach him. She slid from beneath him and lay on her side watching him sleep. She still found it difficult to see him for the man that he had become, but she realized that he was still in very many ways a child. She knew her father had sent him away all those years ago to protect him, to teach him, but there was so much that he had not learned about ruling while he was away. She vowed to be the one to guide him as he learned the ins and outs of the court and governance. She would make herself indispensable to him, so she would never experience the pain of being cast aside.
But still her body ached for a release that he had not given. She brushed his cheek only to gasp in surprise when his eyes flew open at her touch.
"You are amazing." He said, smiling at her. It reminded her of the times they had played senet together and he won. He seemed less timid and anxious as he kissed her and pulled her against him. She was surprised by the eagerness in the kiss and in his body. She blushed as he pulled her on top of him.
"Is… Is this alright?" he asked, his voice still unsure even if his body was not.
"Yeah." She sighed as she straddled his hips. Her eyelids fluttered shut. "This is good."
He continued his questioning as she sought release from him. So curious, she thought, amused. Seto had never asked her what she wanted or if something was good or not. But then he had never needed to. He had just seemed to know instinctively. Atem's curiosity was intriguing, but she quickly grew annoyed with his incessant questions. She was impressed by his desire to please her, especially after pleasing himself so quickly, but she longed for the visceral nature of her time with Seto. Despite his best efforts, Atem once again came more quickly than she would have liked. As she laid down next to him, she could tell from his sigh that he was disappointed in himself. She took his hand and held it tightly against her chest as she pulled him against her back.
"I really wanted to please you, Neferet." He whispered against her neck. She moved his hand over her breast, down her belly and between her thighs. She carefully positioned his fingers so that the slightest motion spiked her with waves of pleasure.
"So please me." She commanded as he figured out how. She had to admit that he was a swift learner. Before long he had pushed her over the edge he had teased her with all night and they both collapsed into spent exhaustion.
"I can't wait to be with you forever." He murmured as sleep took him. The thought echoed in her mind. For the first time, she hated her father for allowing her that one time with Seto, which had become many times more without his knowledge or permission. She was certain that without the memories of him, she would have been able to live blissfully with Atem. But now she felt guilty that she could not love him as purely, because she knew what she would be missing. She hated herself for comparing the two, but she could not keep herself from doing so. She wanted to love her soon-to-be husband, but she knew part of her heart would always belong to her blue-eyed priest. And while they had both known that this day was coming, she hated herself now that it was here. Silent tears fell from her eyes as her brother-husband caressed her skin in his sleep, his arm wrapped protectively around her. She had a flash of fear that she needed to leave him soon, to return before others realized that she was missing from the harem. But she realized that no one would reprimand her tonight, and it dawned on her just how drastically her life had changed. The silent tears kept falling for her lost love, and lost freedom, as she let sleep finally come.
Yugi yawned as he listened to Joey telling his grandfather everything that had happened at the tournament. He was envious of the other boy's seemingly bottomless well of energy as he nodded his agreement with Joey's version of events. He was too tired to comment. He looked over at the small couch in the room where his sister had taken up residence. He was envious, too, of her getting actual sleep. After nodding himself awake a couple of times, he slipped out of the chair and sat next to Umi. She intertwined her fingers with his, despite her deep slumber, and he laid his head on her shoulder. Before long, her head was resting against his as they both succumbed to the exhaustion that plagued them.
A/N: lots of stuff here. A little nod to the abridged series. Please forgive any typos or oddly structured paragraphs. I've been trying to write this around work, so I haven't had much time for editing.