Memoria

A warning for this chapter: If you like Tea...I don't, so there is Tea bashing, and will be throughout the story; Angst...again...it'll go away soon, but not completely I guess; and I guess an insinuation of rape no explicit detail in my own opinion but you have been warned...nothing happens I promise. Anyway enjoy :D


Chapter 4 Several Opinions

Tea sat silently among her friends. It had been different since Yami had left. She could have been exaggerating it hadn’t been that long since he left. But she missed him deeply. Shooting a scowl in Yugi’s direction Tea angrily took a sip from her drink. “I’m going to be right back.” She said and went to the bathroom.

“Someone’s not happy.” Tristan grumbled ignoring Joey’s sounds as he continued eating. “Well, friends leave sometimes you know, no one stays around forever.” He said crossing his arms.

“Yeah, but you see, something was off about this one.” Joey said between mouthfuls of food. “Ain’t dat right Yug?”

“I don’t get what’s going on.” Tristan moaned hitting his head on the table.

“Don’t worry Tristan.” Yugi laughed patting him on the shoulder.

“Yeah I don’t get it much either.” Joey said and once again delved into his food.

“It’s like you haven’t eaten since yesterday mutt, your master not feeding you properly?” That all too familiar sneering voice laughed. Joey turned angrily but he shook it off which surprised the others, especially Kaiba.

“Hm, ‘fraid they’re mighty incompetent, they can’t look after anything, too unskilled ya see.” Joey retorted.

“Or you’re just too wild.”

“Guys knock it off!” Tristan roared catching the other people’s attention in the diner. “Ah-ha ha, I’m sorry everyone.” He quickly apologized and retook his seat a blush on his cheeks.

‘Joey, really is being affected by this whole thing with Kaiba.’ Yugi thought sadly and looked over at his best friend. ‘What is Kaiba doing here anyway…doesn’t he know how much trouble he’s caused me?’ Yugi asked the ceiling above them.

“Oh, Kaiba, what’re you doing here?” Tea asked upon her return.

“Last time I checked this was a free world.”

“Yeah, but, isn’t this too low for your refined tastes ya money bastard?” Joey stood angrily and faced him.

“Joey man calm down.” Tristan attempted but received a glare. Taken aback Tristan swallowed uncomfortably.

“Tristan’s right Joey, too much has gone on these past couple of days.” Yugi intervened.

“Well, den gimme a call later, I’ll see ya tomorrow Yug.” Joey said and walked out, his face shadowed by his hair.

“Here Yugi, I came to give you this, he left it with Mokuba.” A letter landed in front of Yugi his name written in elegant handwriting. “See you around.”

Yugi shakily picked up the letter and slowly opened it. Stopping short Yugi set the letter down and looked away. “Yugi what’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to read what it says.” Yugi snapped angrily. “He made a choice to leave, well, I guess he didn’t have a choice but he’s gone-for good! So I guess it’s best we just forget about him since it was so easy for him to leave!” Yugi rose quickly before Tristan could react and he was gone.

“What is going on with everyone?” Tristan growled smacking his forehead. “You’re not helping either.” Tristan said pointing an accusing finger at Tea.

“Hey, I’m sad about this too alright. Yami shouldn’t have left.”

‘Why so you could wrap your grubby fingers around him?’ He mused scornfully. “Look as far as Yami is concerned he made his choice. It was bound to make a lot of people sad but think about this Tea, he was protecting the world for thousands of years, sometimes you just need a break you know?”

“But he didn’t say anything before he left. He said some things to Yugi but that was it.”

“Is that all Tea? Are you jealous that he kind of spoke to Yugi and not you? That’s a little bit selfish if you ask me.” Tristan argued.

“I’m not jealous of Yugi Tristan!”

“Oh really?”

“Okay, so maybe I am. What has that got to do with anything?”

“He loved him Tea.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice?” Tea looked away. “This whole thing is turning out to be a mess.” Tristan picked up the letter and pocketed it.

*

Joey collapsed on a park bench and slouched back. Taking deep breaths he wiped the tears coming out of his eyes away angrily and sighed heavily in frustration. “Man, this week is screwed up.”

*

Yugi came to an abrupt halt outside the game shop. Sweat rolled down his face and dripped onto the pavement, it irritated him to no end. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and he turned slowly. Shrugging off Kaiba’s hand he sighed. “What do you want?”

“I need to apologize to you.”

“You don’t have to apologize for anything, just leave me alone.” Yugi tried to go inside but Kaiba blocked his way. “Kaiba, the past couple of days have not been good and I’d appreciate it if you'd leave me alone.”

“I realize that a lot of that hate you’re feeling is directed at me Yugi, but you could have made an effort on your part. So what if he decided to go, it’s not like you were the one being used to remind him of his life in the past.” Yugi’s innocent teary amethyst eyes shut tightly. “I wanted to apologize to you because, I actually do have a human side you know.” Yugi laughed weakly despite himself but it did nothing to cheer him up. “I can’t believe I’m doing this-.”

“I can’t believe it either,” muttered Yugi.

“I’m sorry Yugi.” Kaiba apologized, a flush of embarrassment making its way onto his cheeks. Before his humiliation could get any worse Kaiba walked back to his car and got in. He gripped the sides of his steering wheel and hit his head against the back of his seat. “I hope you’re happy now Mokuba.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll only tease you about this when I know you can handle it.” Mokuba said tonelessly. Kaiba started his car and drove off for home. “Why did Yami have to leave anyway nii-sama?”

“Like I have any clue,” Kaiba snorted. He had to admit it though, the situation peaked his interest.

“Stop being so crabby, no wonder your secretary gets so mad.” Mokuba grumbled. “I wonder why she comes to work everyday…”

“Because I pay her good money for doing absolutely nothing,” Kaiba yawned.

*

Yugi walked into the store quietly. Noticing his grandfather at the counter he sighed heavily. The door behind him opened again and omitted some young school kids. Yugi started in towards the house until his grandfather called out to him for a little help. “You’re in luck I have that very card.” His grandfather said cheerily patting the young boy on the head. Yugi sat behind the register and rested his chin in his hands.

“Is Yami-san not here?” Asked one of the kids, Yugi shook his head no. “Oh well, could you help us Yugi-san, we want to know a really good card.”

‘Ah, it’s those kids that always asked Yami to supervise their duels every so often.’ Yugi thought morbidly. Everything seemed to be reminding him of Yami now. He could have just been going into too many details…but it really seemed like life wouldn’t allow him to forget.

“You know Yugi, I told you to lose.” Yugi’s head snapped up and found no one around, even the kids had vanished.
“I’m over here Yugi.” Mana’s face blared across the window, his eyes widened in shock. “There isn’t much you can do right now,” she said softly, “but I just wanted you to know, things are getting pretty bad on this side. I have Yami safe, but I can’t tell you where. He’ll find out you see.” Yugi’s face scrunched up in confusion.

“You mean he’s alive?”

“Hush!” She hissed. “Barely, which is why I’m going to try and contact a few people in your world. Ra almighty things always seem to have to be difficult. Listen to me, Seth, Yami’s ex-high priest is starting to take over the Shadow Realm, so you better be careful alright?” Yugi nodded and she smiled fondly. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best if you do too.”

“Can I get him back?” Yugi blurted out.

“We shall see, don’t fret little hikari, things have a way of working themselves out.” Mana’s face vanished and Yugi was back in the shop the young boy tugging at his sleeve.

“Yugi, you spaced out. It scared me.” The kid whined.

“Sorry,” he apologized sheepishly.

*

Mai closed her cosmetics case and peered into Joey’s eyes. “You know...things could have worked out pretty well between us.” She said kicking him in the shin. “But I guess it was probably best that they didn’t.”

“Serenity tells me dat almost every day ya know, it gets on my nerves. I think you’re da only one dat knows…”

“That’s fine with me Joey. I don’t have any problems with it. But seriously from what Tea told me, you did really bite today. Kaiba isn’t really someone I’d think you’d go for.” Mai said and shuffled around in her bag. “So Yami flew the coop huh? Doesn’t surprise me really…” Whipping out her phone she checked her messages. “Perhaps now Tea will realize how much of a pain she’s been to little Yugi.”

“I doubt it. Yami was always da center of her attention. Yugi’s too if I may add...and he’s taken dis harder den anyone.” Joey groaned running his hands over his face. He had to admit it he was exhausted. “He should have said something to ‘im you know? Yami could have seen the signs, like Yug said ‘how the hell could you have figured out I loved him and not him himself?’”

“He actually said that to you?” Joey nodded. “Well it’s kind of true…”

“What? That I’m an idiot? Don’t worry Mai, the damage goes away some time.” Joey said painfully but grinned anyway.

“Joey…” She said softly.

“Yami was a jerk I have to say dat, no way he wasn’t. But Yug loves him too damn much, so…there has to be a way. I dunno…this magic stuff isn’t my forte ya know?” Mai rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave dat stuff to da pros.” Joey said and rose from his seat. “Guess I better go and check on Yug, and then head on home.” Joey stretched languidly and faced Mai. “Thanks a lot.”

“Any time, I’ll be around so give me a ring okay? Tell that to Serenity too.” Joey nodded and ran out of the small café.

*dream*

Yami seemed to run quickly. The air was rank with filth and the area was a very ominous place. Malik treaded softly around stone debris and came to halt in a narrow doorway. Yami stood before him but not looking at him, he turned around. Gasping in shock as Seth moved through him Malik did not dare turn around, he didn’t want to see. This was, the Pharaoh’s afterlife? Malik turned quickly and flushed darkly at the sight. Seth had Yami pinned to the wall, clothes nearly gone…but something was off. “Please stop…” Yami cried.

Seth smirked devilishly and ran his hand down Yami’s back. Malik felt bile rise up in his throat as a pained cry escaped Yami’s mouth. “Welcome to your afterlife Atemu.” Seth greeted and thrust into the small body harshly. Malik attempted to run forward but he fell through the floor and landed on hot sand. Slowly gaining his bearings he rose up. Atemu’s city lay before him completely engulfed in shadow power.

“What is going on?” He whispered.

*dream*

“Malik? Malik wake up.” Slowly opening his eyes Malik shot up narrowly missing his sister’s head. Ishizu rested her hand on his shoulder calmly and smiled. “It’s alright. Be at peace little brother. Then tell me what you saw.” Malik nodded and took slow calming breaths. He felt sick again and ran to the bathroom. “Odion I think this is something that we will both need to hear.”

“Yes,” he responded and took a seat.

Malik slowly made his way back into his room and took a seat besides Ishizu. “Tell me what you saw brother.”

“Yami is in trouble.”

Ishizu nodded as if expecting his answer. “Something has been off lately about the Shadow powers. What else happened?”

“He was…taken without consent by his High Priest… His ancient city was overcome by the shadows sister, something has happened on the other side.”

“He must still be within the gate then and not passed on.”Ishizu said. “Seth…something is a little off about that as well. And I don’t think the Pharaoh regained all of his memories either. If he did, he would remember the day he saved us.”

“Did something happen to him sister?” Malik asked.

Ishizu looked up at the ceiling.

“Tell me,” Malik demanded. “It’s the reason why Bakura left isn’t it?” He asked sadly. “You know something about it sister tell me.”

“Your Bakura had nothing to do with it. Thief Bakura did, which is why Bakura is gone. What happened on that day…I will never forget it.” Ishizu said shivering slightly at the thought. “Come little brother things are not well on the other side. We must find out what.”

Malik frowned. Still he followed anyway. Something happened when Atemu was sealed within the Millennium Puzzle and he was going to find out what.

Chapter Four...excitement, it is done. Please R/R they motivate me to write. Thanks to those who reviewed.