Memoria

The finale. I am so happy you guys. We have officially come to the end.

Chapter 20: Aeternus Memoria

Bakura’s arms fell limply to his sides. They had finally gotten Yami back and now this. He cursed loudly and turned away from the scene. His eyes snapped back however as an explosion of energy blew around him.

“Move!” Mana yelled and shoved Yami aside. Her palm rested against Yugi’s chest and his body jolted. Yugi took a large gasp of air and the lines began to vanish. “Oh my, I didn’t think I would make it in time.”

Yugi looked at her confused and disoriented. The shine of his brilliant amethyst eyes made her smile. “Mana,” he croaked and began to cough.

“Oh good, you have your memories too.” She said and grinned. Mana’s eyes widened and she pulled Yami back over, “here you go!”

Yugi’s breath caught in his throat. He reached up and touched Yami’s shoulder and slid his hand up his neck to his face. “I thought I was dreaming…”

“You’re okay..?” Yami’s voice was soft and tears shone in his eyes.

Mana stepped back and shoved Bakura out of the room.

“I think so…” Yugi answered and slumped back onto the bed unable to hold up his arms anymore. “I’m so tired Yami.”

“Then go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Yami laughed quietly.

“Stay with me, don’t go anywhere-wait! Where’s Seth?!”

“Shh, it’s alright aibou.” Yugi’s whole body calmed instantly at his pet name. “He’s gone. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.” Yami brushed Yugi’s hair away and smiled. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Yugi’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears. “I didn’t think I would be able to get you back.” He said his voice cracking. “I thought I would lose my memories and forget all about you and everyone.”

“But you didn’t.”

Yugi, despite his body being sore, despite being utterly exhausted, pulled Yami down and held onto him tightly, “you’re really here!” Yami rested his chin on Yugi’s shoulder and held onto his light gently.

“I’m here…” Yami continued to brush his fingers through Yugi’s hair and sighed quietly. “Thank you, aibou.”

Soon enough Yugi’s arms fell away from him and he was deeply asleep again. Yami hesitated but got up from his side and opened the door. Mana bounded back in and smiled at him. “I don’t have very long. I’m glad he managed to do the ritual without any side-effects.” She said quietly. “He’s officially gone. We wouldn’t have been able to have done it without the Change of Hearts help though…”

“Doesn’t matter, this mess is all over.”

Mana nodded and bowed her head slightly. “It’s going to suck without you…but we’ll be watching over you making sure nothing goes wacky.”

“It’s largely my fault.” Yami said and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think I understood who I was anymore.”

“Well, you know who you are now. That is what matters the most and you’ve got a new wonderful family here.” Mana said her eyes moist.

“Please don’t be upset.” Yami said and smiled at her. “You’ve done so much for me Mana…I really hope that you have a peaceful afterlife.”

“I will now that Seth is gone and you’re finally where you want to be.” She said and hugged him briefly. “Tell Yugi that I’ll miss him. Take care of him okay? Although, I think he’ll be just fine all things considering, he did all of this for you.”

Yami nodded and without another word she vanished. Yami took a deep breath and lay down next to Yugi.

*

Yugi woke up groggily but sat upright quickly noticing someone else in the bed with him. He rubbed his eyes quickly and again found himself looking down at Yami. He paused. “I think I’m dreaming…I’m sure.” He pinched himself and indeed felt pain. His eyes widened and a giant smile broke out on his face. “I’m not dreaming…” Yugi gently rested his hand on Yami’s shoulder and shook him awake. “Yami!”

The other snapped awake and found Yugi smiling brightly at him. “I thought something was wrong…” He chuckled.

“So…I’m not dreaming right? You’re really here.”

Yami cupped his light’s face and kissed him softly. “I’m real.”

Yugi shut his eyes tightly as tears built up in his eyes and he wrapped his arms tightly around Yami. “I’ve learned love can make you do some pretty stupid things, Yami.”

“Yes, but…it can also make you do some pretty amazing things.” Yami whispered knowingly.

“If you ever make me go through that again…I don’t think I’m the only one that’s going to make sure you stay in your after-life.” Yugi teased gently. “I mean it…Mai would probably kill us both.”

Yami chuckled. “I’m well aware.”

“I’m so happy to have you back.”

Yami rubbed Yugi’s back as the smaller man began to shake. “I can never say thank you enough for willing to go so far for me, Yugi.”

“Just say you love me everyday, I think that’ll suffice.”

Yami smiled and pulled back, “I love you, Yugi.”

***

A couple months later…

***

The restaurant was filled with patrons. A jazz musician was playing in the corner and garnered applause at the end of each of his numbers. Every time someone passed behind a patron at the bar they turned their head as they caught a whiff of a subtle yet exotic perfume.

Mai idly stirred her barely touched drink and checked her watch for the hundredth time that evening. Everyone had gone their separate ways and she had take up the responsibility of returning the items after the ritual had been complete. Mai was glad to finally have a semi-normal sleeping schedule. She had taken up traveling the world. She returned all the items except one, she was given the perfume by Yugi, in his own words, ‘you above all people deserve something from this. I didn’t know what but I spoke with Seto and he agreed on this, so I hope that it is to your liking.’ Mai took it without needing persuasion. Mai knew Yugi would have had difficulty but she honestly was happy enough for him to have gotten Yami back.

The perfume was a nice bonus surprise. She had returned the diamond first to the Cavern of Memories. She had passed a couple on the way out saying that they had tried to come before but it didn’t work. They decided to try once more before they left for home, to which Mai replied, “I’m sure you’ll have a nice surprise this time.”

She then left for England to return the armour and met up with Ian again. He took her to all the fashion stops in London for returning the suit. She also gave the Silver Mirror to an exhibitor who studied and had been looking for the item for years. After wards, she went to Paris and donated the earrings to a museum. The curators were ecstatic about having the items in France where Davida had lived.

Yugi and Joey met up with her in Japan. Of course that meant Seto and Yami would be coming along. They were all currently seated in a popular ramen shop and chatting away. Mai looked at Yugi and adored the giant smile gracing his features. After all that he went through he deserved this much happiness, Yami and the others seemed to be just as happy.

“So you found anyone yet Mai?” Joey asked to her quietly.

Mai smiled at him and shook her head. “It doesn’t really matter. I’m a big girl I can survive. Not everyone needs one of your petty relationships to be a human being in this world.” She snipped at the end which resulted in laughter from the others. She was content. Some day perhaps she might fall in love. However, life was just too exciting at the moment.

She was alone with Yugi at some point and he sighed. “I agree with you you know. You shouldn’t feel the need to be with someone.”

She smiled. “Yugi, I do believe that at some point, some where, I will find someone. But that isn’t here nor there and I like my independence.” She pat him on the shoulder. “How’s Yami been doing?”

“He’s doing well. I’m really really happy to have him back with me though.”

“I can only imagine.” She stood and brushed off her skirt. “Well tomorrow I’ll be returning the pendant to the family who once carried it.”

“They must be happy to be getting it back.”

*

The meeting with the family went well. Mai didn’t accept any of their offerings or gifts. She said seeing their happy faces was enough. She met up with the others at the airport.

“Where ya headed now?” Joey asked.

Mai smirked, “an awesome place.”

Seto rolled his eyes.

“Hopefully you enjoy your time fully there now that you don’t have to return anymore items.” Yami said and Yugi’s fingers laced with his.

“I know I will. You cats behave yourselves. If we have another mess with anyone else…I am going to castrate all of you. Personally.” She threatened.

Yugi nervously laughed. “I promise you Mai nothing else will happen.”

“With Yugi Motou around, something is always bound to happen.” Mai said and began walking away. “Thanks Kaiba.” She called.

“You know where she’s goin’, don’t you?” Joey inquired turning to his lover. “Don’t tell me she requested a paid vacation from you.”

“Let’s just say her blackmail is dangerous.” Seto said and quickly turned to find their gate. Joey followed after him continuing to pester him.

Yami was tugged by Yugi gently. He turned to his little light and smiled. “Ready?”

“Always…” Yugi gave Yami a quick peck on the lips and chased after the others. Yami slowly followed suit and a smile graced his lips. He was where he was supposed to be. There was no other place he would rather be than at Yugi’s side.

FINIS

It only took me two years...but for putting up with the BS that was this story and the craziness behind it I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to read my future stories, whenever they appear ha ha.

Peace and Respect,

Frozen-Wings