Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Identity ❯ The Final Rays of light? ( Chapter 21 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

az: Hmm… I felt like Onizuka suddenly, why is it? Hmm…. Fixed the formating… why on earth that the Quick edit thing ruin my formating with the asterisks…

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh manga nor did I own the anime spare the DVDs and my DM deck that I so much treasure until the end of time. If I OWNED Yugioh... there'll be a new dark lord and it's not Zork, Voldermort... or Sauron!! It's me..!! Huahahahahha.... Now I have the ONE ring!! (Nah... I was just a ringbearer... hihi...) Characters and original excerpts from the fic are copyrights of Kazuki Takahashi. The song…? You know to whom they belonged… the translations on Warriors, partly borrowed from J-Animes.

Chapter 21: The Final Rays of Light?

Written by Azzie/Az Alienna Azuani YamiAzzie

Some time ago, for the sake of living,

we left behind our happiness…

We deceived ourselves, clinging as we danced...

to this mere illusion…!

With closed eyes, at the edge of the horizon

I will look for your smiling face…

Within the fragile traces of memories..

We'll embrace our dreams and continue on...

Some day, that thought sealed deep in my heart…

That feeling… I will hold it again, now…

~Warriors ~ Yuichi Ikusawa ~

Two years later...

'Hey, Seii... did you hear? There's another exhibition at the museum... and it's about the Duel Monsters origins!!', cried a boy named Toshio as the two boys skipped along the pavements. The other boy named Seiichiro squealed in delight. 'Cool!! I never got to watch the last one that had the Egyptian slabs!!'

Toshio waved his hands at the boy. 'Sheesh... that's because we're still small kids right then!! But, man... this time they've include other monsters from other cultures... I heard from a sister that the origin of toon monsters cards were from the founder's favorite cartoon!!', cried the kid as the other jumped excitedly. 'The Duel Monsters game is so exciting!! But... I never seen those brothers that became the champion duelist during the Battle City tournament.. I heard they were from Domino. I wanna meet them!!'

Anzu who had just walked by the park and overheard the kids, stopped by to chat. 'Hey, boys... Ne-chan happened to hear you two talking. It so happened that ne-chan knew those people...', she said as the two boys squealed. 'That was so cool!! Sis, can we meet them, can't we?', cried Toshio as Anzu smiled apologetically. 'I supposed there is still one of them present in Domino city but I don't think it's okay to meet him. Jyounouchi is my friend, but ne-chan had to admit that he just won the competitions because of his crazy luck. You guys can't learn anything from him...'

Seiichiro was excited, either way. 'We don't mind!! But what about Mutou Yugi-nii-san and Seto Kaiba-nii-san? Can't we meet them?', said the boy as Anzu shook her head. 'You can't... Yugi and Kaiba-kun had left Domino two years ago. Ne-chan had lost contact with them for so long-'

'Iie... Seto-nii-chan was here. I saw him yesterday at the airport. That time, we were waiting for our aunty from Hong Kong... and we saw them. Him and his brother... I knew his face from the old pictures...', said Toshio as Seiichiro grinned at her. 'We're cousins... and it happened that we both like to play Duel Monsters... and we're quite a fan!!'

Anzu looked at them in amazement as she managed this new piece of news. 'They... they're here? That's... great. Unh... how about a short visit to Jyounouchi's favorite hangout? Usually at this time, he'll be present...'

'Hooray!!', cried the two kids happily as they followed Anzu along...

'Oii, idiot... what did you mean that you booked the place this evening? It was far and you want me to come!!?... A-ah, I know about that but does that baka knew about this? No?! And it's up to me to call who's stupid!! And what... A surprise? Oh well... you do that yourself!! I don't want to have anything to do about inviting the lot... After all this time, you'd think it would be easy? No-uh... okay, I'll come... after all this useless... Ah, nothing!! Aa.. see you later..', said Seto as he turned off his cellphone.

'Of all the idiocy... I thought I left it all years ago...', muttered Kaiba as a figure walked towards him. '...Kaiba-kun?! It's really you?-', said the visitor as Kaiba looked up at her. 'Omae-'

Anzu sighed in relief. 'Goodness... I thought the kids had been mistaken. It's been a while...', she said as she held out her hand. Seto shook it briefly as he let go. 'Well... I had to return here some time or another. My main office was here... can't let it go unsupervised even while I'm doing the course... Mokuba's fine too.'

'Course-?', she queried as Seto shrugged it off. 'Some short degrees on Business and Management... Some people doesn't want to admit my credibility, eventhough I've been so successful... and Yugi had been studying at the University of Cairo, you wanna know?', he said as he noticed Anzu's silent expression.

Anzu was elated to hear the news after long not knowing anything. 'Cairo? How's he doing... what did he do over there? Did you two still-'

Seto was doing his best to sound unbothered. 'He's studying Archeology as his major over there. Now about to start his fourth term... Often helped his father on some digs when he's on holiday. Bakura too... seemed they've been in a franchise with the Ishtars, studied the thing and helped around with them. They've grown to be respectable over there...', he said as he noticed Anzu's frustrations. 'But no... since I've finished the matter, we've never seen each other... Unless you count all the calls we've made to each other. I pressured him to do that... not wanting Pegasus to get him. We've made some new DM boosters series, by his help. And this exhibition too... it may sound to you that it's strange, but this was a joined project between me, him, the KaibaCorp, Industrial Illusions and the Ishtars...' And no!! None of your business...

'Oh...', she gasped as Seto waved her away. 'I'll be getting off now. Business... find Mokuba if you want. See you later in the evening. I expect that they'd call you...', he said leaving. Anzu was surprised but before she could ask, Kaiba was long gone...

Anzu sighed to herself as she sauntered again into the gaming alley where she left the kids to meet Jyounouchi and Honda. 'Yugi... how is he right now...?', she whispered softly as she sat slumped on a chair. Jyounouchi waved Toshio and his cousin off as he and Honda gathered around Anzu.

'Hey Anzu... what's up? You looked down since you left...', said Jyounouchi to her as Honda grabbed several seats for themselves. Anzu sighed again. 'I've met Kaiba... they'd just returned from USA yesterday. And he told me about Yugi...'

Jyounouchi's face changed suddenly at the mentioning of the name. 'Yugi...? What about him? Is he alright..?', he gasped as Honda made a face. Anzu nodded. 'Kaiba-kun said... that he and Bakura-kun had started studying at the University of Cairo. But, he didn't tell me more... Though, he did tell me that this exhibition that held at the museum was of their collaborative project. And I just wondered... I've heard that Malik and Ishizu-san had arrived, so maybe Yugi...'

'Forget it Anzu-chan. That guy probably didn't dare to come back after all he did...', snapped Honda as Jyounouchi leered at him. 'Shut up, Honda… You didn't know anything...!! Anzu, let's go to the museum! We might catch them there...', he said as he dragged his two friends out towards the exit as he bumped into somebody.

'Ouch!!', the two exclaimed as Jyounouchi rubbed his chin painfully. Anzu and Honda gasped in surprise as the girl gasped aloud. 'O-nii-chan!! Sorry... I was in hurry to find you and I thought I'd find you here...', cried Shizuka as her brother blinked. 'Shizuka..? What... How did you get here? And why..?', gasped Jyounouchi as Shizuka pulled out a card.

'I've received this card some time ago. It also stated to invite brother along too. I guess... the sender knew about your situation with father...', said Shizuka as Jyounouchi frowned at the invitation card. Yes, it was an invitation card to a dinner and it was indicated that the date is today. But what amazed him was that, the sender's name was none other than Malik Ishtar!!

'Malik?!', gasped the three as Jyounouchi gave the card back to Shizuka. 'I'd probably should come. Anzu, Honda... you guys come too. I think there will be something that the guy wanted to meet us for. But I was surprised on how did...'

Anzu grabbed Shizuka's hand as the four of them walked out on the streets. 'Well, since it's still early.... let's go to the museum. We'd probably find our old friends there...'

Jyounouchi nodded. 'I hoped...'

'Hmm... it's perfect!!', gasped Ryou as he switched off his phone. 'Nicely done... and the museum was well organized...', he said again as he surveyed the area around him where visitors had been admiring the various artifacts and stone slabs that depicted the origins of the monsters in the DM game. 'Well... a lot of effort had been done by everyone. And of course by his determination to make sure that everything was fine...', spoke the tall man beside him as the two kept watch.

Seto Kaiba laughed heartily as he approached the two. 'Haha... right. And I questioned his determination now when he's not here. Where's Yugi and those two? I thought Malik and Ishizu had come with you-', jeered Kaiba as Rishido frowned at him.

'Yugi had gone out with his friend while Malik-sama and Ishizu had gone making the late evening's preparations. And I knew that Yugi-san had wanted some time to settle down... Malik-sama had noticed that he's been unwell lately...', said Rishido as Seto glanced quizzically towards Ryou. 'He's still like that?! Man, I should be speaking to him... there's nothing to be worried about. He should have thrown the superstitions down the drain since then!!... I've met the Anzu-girl just now...she's fine, nothing like what he feared...'

'Well, you know him... always taken things very seriously...', said Ryou as Seto turned around to find Mokuba. But what he had not expected, is to bump into another person…

'Aaah!! Sumimasen...!', gasped Shizuka as both of them pulled away from their unintentional embrace. Seto's face turned scarlet as he realized whom he had, err... hugged.

Jyounouchi's eyes lighten up as he saw his old friends. 'Whoa!! Really... I thought I will never so lucky again to meet you guys!! Kaiba... Bakura!! So good to see you two again...', he gasped as he shook both of Seto and Bakura's hand. Seto was still dumbfounded. Anzu and Honda also exchanged their greetings as Jyounouchi noticed someone else among the crowds.

Jyounouchi glanced towards Rishido. 'Oh, Rishido-san!! I didn't notice you there. Where's Malik and the others?' 'Out on their own business, bunkutsu... while that guy was out. No reason for you to worry...' Spontaniously, Seto murmured as Jyounouchi glared at him at calling him trash again.

'Yugi-?', sighed Jyounouchi again as Shizuka grabbed Seto's hand. 'Kaiba-san... do you know where Yugi-san was now? Brother was still devastated by his leave... he wanted so much to meet him!!', she said as Seto swallowed hard. Mokuba found the moment to pop out of nowhere...

'Mokuba!! Boy, how you've grown!!', gasped Anzu as she hugged the boy. 'I've missed you all so much...', she sighed as Seto nervously tried to squirm free from the crowd. 'Well, I've gotta go get some fresh air... you guys go keep up with your news. I... I'll be back later...', he said as Mokuba looked at him strangely.

'Nii-sama.. what?! And why did you look so red?', asked Mokuba as Jyounouchi tried to grab the brunette. 'And Kaiba!! You didn't say anything on Yugi!! Where-', cried Jyounouchi as Seto had already fled the place. Mokuba sighed as he finally noticed Shizuka's presence. 'Oooh....', he sighed mischievously as he urged everyone to explore all of the exhibit. `Ne… minna!! Let us show you around while waiting for my brother to come back…'

Jyounouchi and the others followed his directions obediently as Mokuba and Ryou promised to fill them up with everything...

'Idiot!! And why did I have to get stuck with this...', mumbled Kaiba impassively as he trudged along the pavements. He continued walking as he went into the park, where some kid are playing the Duel Monsters game using the Duel Disk that he had manufactured few years ago. He sighed as he sat down on a bench. 'It's been four years... that long, huh? What's with all the madness and weird happenings and things... life had never been normal since then...', he mused silently.

'Come on, darling!! There's still a lot of things to do!!'

'Then, go slower!! We had a lot of time to be here... you don't have to pull me around like this!! ... Slow down, I said- Aah!!'

Seto was taken by surprise as a girl flew directly over him. He tried to swallow his amused glee as he recognized the girl, who had once tried to offer him help to be his programmer. Seto grinned at the thought of disaster that had struck home.

'Ooi, Becky-!! What are you doing, flying off towards me like that? Do you want to eat grass so much?', he chuckled as he pulled the girl back up. He spotted also, of someone's glasses lying not far from him. He picked it up immediately as Rebecca ran back towards her other, fallen companion. Kaiba followed en suit as he stiffled a laugh to find his friend lying on the ground so clumsily...

'Darling!! I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to, that was so unlady-like-'

'It's alright... I'm not hurt. So where's my glasses-?', muttered Yugi as Seto crouched beside him. 'Here it is-', he said as he slipped the glasses on for him. Yugi blinked as his blurred eyesight came back to him. 'Seto-!! When did- aah, don't mind it. What are you doing here?', said Yugi as Kaiba ruffled his hair in glee. Rebecca just kept herself silent as the two lads settled themselves on the grass.

'Trying to get away from your old friends who wanted desperately to find you. Not wanting to mention my embarassment when I bumped into that mutt's sister-!! The horror…', blurted Seto as Yugi's face turned shadowed. 'They... they've arrived there already?!', sighed Yugi as Seto nodded. 'They missed you badly... especially the mutt and the girl. There's nothing like you feared before... This time it's different, so stop being such an idiot!! Let's go... the others are waiting, and Ryou had already arranged for the reunion banquet...'

Yugi smirked at the thought. 'Then, I should believe you... but-'

'No buts!!', snapped Seto as Yugi moaned. 'I'm scared that they would be mad with me. And anyway, I'm tired. Rebecca ha been persistent for me to take her out for a date- (Becky: Darling!!) And my left leg still hurt from the last fall...', moaned Yugi as he rested his head on Seto's shoulder. 'Well, it's not- Man, Yugi... ooi!!?', cried Kaiba as he heard a soft snoring. He made a silly face. 'Asleep already?! (Or are you tricking me?) Becky, you really shouldn't have gone so extreme-'

Rebecca glanced at him angrily. 'I did not!! And darling hadn't complained before-`

'Well, you go back to the museum and help Malik, Ryou and Ishizu with anything they've been planning... We'll come by later, before any of you go to that restaurant Ryou told me about. Tell them that...', said Kaiba as Rebecca made a face.

'Heh, all right!! But if you did anything to darling, I-', cried Becky as she headed towards the museum. Seto sighed as he glanced again towards Yugi. 'Just my bad luck to be stuck with you- you'd never let me escape by myself, huh?', he said as Yugi opened his eyes and winked at him. (Seto: Damn!! You did trick me!!)

'Well, since you liked so much to be with me... I'd liked to take some advantage-', he said slowly as he sat up again. Seto looked at him. 'Oii, I thought you were tired-'

'Well, I was- would you mind if I doze off on the grass-?', mumbled Yugi as he lied down. (Seto: Huh!! Be my guest!!) Seto did the same. '…haah, today was such a field day for me too... it's not just you who are tired. And I thought that when I got back here, I could avoid meeting those guys…'

'My thought was the same. I had just wanted to visit my mum and grandpa… hmm… So then, what about you stumbling into Shizuka-san at the museum?', said Yugi as he received a kick on his legs.

'Shut up-! That's none of your business!!'

'Then again... we've never get the chance to tell her about that two years ago, huh?'

'I said shut up!!'

'Hahahaha...'

'Shut UP!!'

`You know… she'd probably liked you too…'

`Aah… you stupid!!'

'Bakura-san!! Darling and Seto will be coming here later...', said Meena as the lad nodded. Jyounouchi and the gang overheard it and turned around to find Rebecca, a little taller that the last time they've met. Anzu was surprised to see her. 'Rebecca, what- You've been with Yugi all this time?', she gasped but the young lady was not in a good mood. 'Yes, and why should you care? Darling was better off without you...'

But before Anzu could say anything more, Malik had cut them to the chase. 'Well we will wait for them, then. Don't fret about them. You'll be meeting you old friend sooner than you think..'

Jyounouchi sighed as he waited for the hour to come...

[TBC]

az: And thanks to everyone who reviews…