One month later
"Ebi chili? Really, Yuugi? Again?"
"Atemu-kun likes it," Yuugi said, defensively.
Jounouchi shook his head and took a small spoon to taste the dish. "Well, it is scrumptious, as always."
"And what did you bring?" Yuugi asked curiously.
"Chicken teriyaki," Jounouchi said. "I have to curb your enthusiasm, though. I didn't make it myself. But it's from the best caterer in town!"
"Shizuka-chan isn't a caterer, Jounouchi-kun," Yuugi pointed out. "You shouldn't put your sister to work while you can do it yourself, with a little bit of planning!"
He grinned. "I'm bad at planning and at cooking, you know that."
"I'm so glad that everyone could make it." Yuugi stared at the huge pan with ebi chili on the large kitchen table. He hadn't returned to his dinky little apartment, not even to get his clothes. The large mansion had been his home since the moment he met Atemu, and he had no plans to ever leave him.
"It's nice to see everyone again, yes." Jounouchi could feel Yuugi's sadness. He'd been friends with him for too long to not notice. It was harrowing to see Yuugi in pain, but there wasn't much Jounouchi could do about it. He was grieving, and as a psychologist, Yuugi knew all too well what emotions he was dealing with, but that didn't make it any easier. Concerning that, he and Atemu had great consolation with each other.
"I wish I had known Mahaado-san just like you, Jounouchi-kun. I feel so much sorrow and pain that he's gone, and Atemu-kun..."
His voice trailed off and he stared to the right. Jounouchi followed his direction and looked through the open kitchen doors, leading to the large garden. In the back of the garden, next to the delicately sculpted fountain, Atemu was talking to Kaiba, who had arrived earlier. Mokuba was standing next to his brother, looking slightly amused. They were discussing something, and Atemu held as much ground as Kaiba, apparently.
"How is he doing?" Jounouchi asked, but he already knew the answer.
"He's in pain," his friend answered. "Mahaado-san... he truly loved him, and he wasn't able to say properly goodbye. Mahaado-san took that chance away from him, and it saddens and angers him."
"Mahaado wanted to spare him," Jounouchi said. He didn't deny that he'd been sad and upset about Mahaado's passing as well. The magician-priest had chosen that moment himself, to sacrifice everything in order to heal everyone... but he'd been naive to think that his sacrifice would leave no scars, no grief, no pain.
"I know, and he knows." Yuugi arranged the dishes on the large table. "It takes time, Jounouchi-kun. For all of us."
He didn't answer to that. He had witnessed a couple of intimate moments between Mahaado and Atemu, and he figured that the Pharaoh hadn't told Yuugi yet how exactly deep their bond had run. It wasn't his place to tell, some things were just too private. All that mattered was that Yuugi was very happy with him, and vice versa.
"He wants to sell the mansion," Yuugi continued. "I have to officially end the lease of my apartment, still. He wants to find something for us, together."
"What, he doesn't want to move in with you?"
"Are you serious? Pharaohs need lots of room!" Yuugi chuckled before turning serious again. "It's because of the lingering memories," he softly said. "Mahaado-san's presence is all around, and the mansion breathes a great deal of sorrow and grief."
"Buying a new house would give your relationship a fresh start," Jounouchi agreed.
"We're not going to forget about Mahaado-san," Yuugi said. "But I didn't say no when Atemu-kun suggested it." He looked at Atemu in the garden, his eyes warm and loving. Kaiba handed something to the Pharaoh, it looked like a small card. "He loved him so much. He's burdened with guilt and sadness. It's such a huge sacrifice Mahaado-san made, even though I think deep down, they both knew it was going to end this way, either way. Atemu-kun couldn't sustain them much longer and keep fighting the darkness and summoning the gods to boot. There's a limit to everyone's power, even when you're a Pharaoh."
"He did a damn good job," Jounouchi said. "He and Mahaado."
"Hey everyone, I'm here!" Honda announced himself. "I brought chocolate mousse. Nobody has brought any desserts, right?"
"Chocolate mousse is fine, Honda-kun!" Yuugi took the dish from him and put it next to the stack of plates. "Well, let's see what the others are going to bring!"
"They're fashionably late, as usual." Jounouchi heaved a dramatic sigh. He was hungry, and the dishes for the potluck dinner looked awesome so far. Yuugi went to rummage through the fridge and Honda walked up to his friend and colleague.
"How have you been, man? Have you decided yet?"
"Yeah, no," Jounouchi said. "I mean, no, my decision is no."
"I thought so." Honda looked relieved. "Team leader Jounouchi is just... weird."
"I wouldn't even trust my dog to team leader Jounouchi if I had one," Kaiba said, as he entered the kitchen with Mokuba trailing behind him. Atemu stayed in the garden, still with the card in his hands.
"Shut up, Kaiba," Jounouchi said, slightly annoyed. "They offered me the position out of respect."
Half the police station had been corrupted by Hirutani and Zorc's darkness. Their influence had been more wide-spread than Jounouchi had ever imagined, and he still wasn't sure if they had weeded out all of his agents. Honda had worked hard alongside Jounouchi to expose the corrupted agents and to both their relief, captain Ushio hadn't been affected.
Kaiba snorted. "If they think you're the only competent detective left, that's saying a lot about the Domino City Police Force, and not in a positive way."
"Nii-sama, stop it," Mokuba said. "Ooh, who brought the salad?"
Jounouchi turned away from Kaiba. He wasn't really offended; in the short time he knew Kaiba, he had already gotten used to his blunt comments.
"I'm glad you're staying," Honda said. "Or... are you considering quitting, perhaps?"
After everything that had happened, Jounouchi hadn't returned full-time to the force just yet. He shook his head. "No, I'm not quitting," he said. "I just need a little more time. I can't leave the police force in your hands alone, that's for sure!"
Honda looked mock-offended and asked Yuugi if he could help him. Jounouchi heard noises at the front door and he was about to check it out, when Ishizu walked into the kitchen, carrying a huge pan wrapped in tinfoil. "The door was open," she said. "Has everyone arrived yet? I hope I made enough!"
"Were you planning to feed an army, Ishizu?" Jounouchi took the heavy pan from her. Malik and Marik trailed behind her, dressed equally as twins, also carrying heavy pans.
"Kushari and ful medames, traditional Egyptian dishes," she elaborated. "Are you sure it's going to fit all on the table, Yuugi?"
"Perhaps we should put another table next to it?" Yuugi suggested. Malik had brought extra plates and cutlery and pointed Marik at where to put the other dish, delicious garlic bread. Jounouchi almost started to salivate.
"Everything well?" He knew that she had thought of returning to Egypt, but she had decided against it at the last minute.
"We are doing fine," she said, not saying the 'seeing the circumstances' out loud. "Malik is taking online classes to bring him up to par with his peers. He still has to decide whether he wants to go to college or to follow in my footsteps at the museum."
"And how about..." Jounouchi inquired. Ishizu showed a sad, yet warm smile.
"Mahaado took the darkness out of him, but Marik's... 'birth' has always been extremely complicated and he will never be a 'normal' person. However, this burden is much lighter now to bear, and I will take care of him as my brother, as the two brothers I have."
"That's great to hear." Jounouchi stepped aside so Mokuba could put all the plates on the table. He smiled at Ishizu. "Good to see you!"
"Good to see you too, Mokuba. How have you and your brother been?"
"Nii-sama is extremely busy, but he takes time out of his schedule to spend with me. Ever since he acquired Industrial Illusions, he's been designing and developing Duel Monsters. No more war for us, only children's card games."
"Amazing," Ishizu said. "I am very sorry about what happened to the building, though."
"No problem, Ishizu-san. We wanted to redecorate anyway." Mokuba winked at her.
The damage to KaibaCorp.'s headquarters had raised quite the questions in Domino City. Kaiba had issued a general apology that due to war materials stored in the basement and other subterranean levels of the building, an explosion had occurred, destroying the fundaments of the building. He would take full responsibility and vowed to restore KaibaCorp. to its full splendor again, grateful that no one had been fatally injured. He had employed Varon, Amelda and Rafael to strengthen his security and oversee the renovations.
"Looks like some people are really flexible," she said. "I am glad. Life is too short to keep wallowing in negativity and darkness, don't you think?"
"I agree," Jounouchi said and waved at Anzu and Otogi, the happily married couple. He was excited to see everyone again, relieved and happy that he didn't need to hide and 'play dead' anymore. He was glad to leave his undercover persona behind and to be with his friends and family again. Only the inner circle of his friends knew the truth about what happened; he had told his colleagues and his sister, Shizuka, that the earlier announcement of his death had been a misunderstanding due to a miscommunication. He had left it at that, not wanting to share the raw, dark details with his closest family; Shizuka hadn't asked, simply too overjoyed at seeing her brother alive and well again.
"Ah, the last guests," Yuugi said pleasantly as he herded everyone into the large kitchen. "Bakura-kun, you had no problem finding it?"
"Not at all, Yuugi-kun. This is such a beautiful mansion!" Bakura Ryou smiled from ear to ear as he showed the huge casserole he had brought with him. He had every reason to smile, as he was completely cleared from any suspicion. Jounouchi and Honda had closed the case, as there was no one they could bring to justice. To the outside world, Hirutani was blamed for the murders and the corrupted chaos at the police station. To the insiders... well, how could one explain the existence of the former Dark Bakura who, with a permanent bored look on his face, was next to Bakura Ryou? Whatever he had been, his dark, thieving and manipulating days were behind him. Zorc was gone and so was the darkness inside Bakura - how to apprehend and send someone to trial who had no recollection of what he had done? He had killed Pegasus and stolen his Eye, one of the seven Sennen Items in possession of the American, wearing it in the place of his natural eye. He had killed Dartz, assuming that the man was also in possession of one or more Sennen Items; after that, he'd gone after Kaiba, believing him to be tied to the Items as well; the Rod, to be exact. Both times he'd been thwarted by the Pharaoh, forcing each other to play dangerous Shadow Games; Jounouchi didn't understand all of it yet, but he had received one more, final gift from Mahaado: his notes on the Items and their creation, the origin of these games and Zorc. He couldn't use this in a court, it was too fantastical to believe. Too many questions still, and the one person who could answer it all, had sacrificed himself in an ultimate attempt to heal everyone. Jounouchi turned away and bumped into his sister, who had made an extra batch of chocolate chip cookies.
"Are we all here? I'm losing count," Yuugi said. "Take a chair, everyone! It's almost dinner time!"
"The Pharaoh's still outside," Mokuba pointed out.
"I'll call him, just a moment." Yuugi went into the garden. Jounouchi saw him talking to the other, dressed in a foreign mixture of modern day clothes and Ancient Egyptian jewelry. Atemu showed Yuugi the card that Kaiba had given him, and Yuugi studied it for a moment; then he embraced the other. It was brief but intense, and Yuugi coaxed Atemu into coming with him, back to the kitchen. Silence fell - everybody intuitively knew that this was a special moment.
"Thank you all for joining me," Atemu spoke. "I am humbled to be surrounded with so many loved ones. I wish Mahaado could be here, our beloved and wonderful friend. He chose as I always knew he would choose, but his choice came too soon. Light has persevered, again at a high cost. We will honor this great gift that he has given us. Join me in dinner, friends."
Jounouchi joined the choral "Itadakimasu!" and then everyone was busy with food, sharing bowls and plates, and drink, pouring each other's glass or cup. Everyone was talking amicably and the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable. Jounouchi shoved plate after plate into his mouth, followed closely by Honda. Malik showed Marik how to use the chopsticks, to prevent the other from stabbing his food. Mokuba talked excitedly, whereas Kaiba was merely eating and not answering to anything, in typical Kaiba fashion. Anzu and Shizuka got into a conversation about children and Jounouchi wanted to know immediately if his sister had a boyfriend, and who, and how dared she want to be pregnant so soon! Hilarity ensued and even Ishizu laughed out loud at his antics. Yuugi and Atemu ate in silence, their hands on top of each other. Yuugi looked at Atemu with love and devotion, and the Pharaoh returned his gaze with fierce protectiveness. The card that Kaiba had given him, was on the corner of the table, next to Atemu.
"May I see it?" Jounouchi asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"Of course." Atemu handed him the card with great care, and Jounouchi made sure to wipe off his hands before taking it from him. He stared at the picture, it was a card from the Duel Monsters game titled "Dark Magician", and it was Mahaado's Magus of Fantasy Illusion, or rather, the fusion of Mahaado and his Magus, right before the moment that he gave his life to heal everyone. Jounouchi's jaw went slack. He had never thought that Kaiba, of all people, was able to make such a moving, heartfelt gesture.
"It's wonderful," he said and returned the card to Atemu. "An ATK of 2500, huh? Maybe I should learn how to play this game."
"Do you want to become a duelist, Jounouchi-kun?" Yuugi glowed. "Atemu-kun told me that they played a similar game in Ancient Egypt, and he's been teaching me. Kaiba-kun is going to expand on the game, and even hold a tournament! What do you think?"
"Well... you never know, don't you?" Jounouchi sipped his water. "It's not a big surprise who your favorite Monster's going to be."
Yuugi shared another look with Atemu. "He belongs to you," he said, putting his hand on top of Atemu's again. It was a sweet gesture, but it was a little unsettling to Jounouchi nonetheless. To share a table with not one, but three pairs of creepily similar looking people was just the least of all the supernatural and strange things that had happened as of late.
"What was that?" Kaiba suddenly spoke up. "You are going to learn the complicated game of Duel Monsters and participate in my tournament?"
"Hey now, don't get all worked up. I haven't even decided about my job yet, let alone if I'm going to participate in a tournament!"
"My tournament is not for half-assed losers like you," Kaiba grumbled.
"Now now, be friendly at this table," Yuugi said, a little admonishing. "Don't make me go puppy dog eyes on all of you!"
"Fine," Kaiba said and snorted at the same time. Jounouchi didn't even know that was possible. "Participate if you wish, Jounouchi. I'm sure you're not even going to survive the first round!"
"My brother is pretty smart," Shizuka stood up for Jounouchi. "He's a detective who solved many complicated cases, I'm sure he can play a card game in any tournament!"
"We'll see all about that," Jounouchi shushed the conversation. "Where's the chocolate mousse?"
"That's one big pile of dirty dishes, Yuugi," Jounouchi said as he stared at the impressive stack of empty pots, pans, plates, silverware and glasses.
"I know." Yuugi had refused his guests to help him out. The mansion didn't dispose over any modern electronic kitchen appliances, so there was no dishwasher available. "When and if we buy a new house, I'll tell Atemu-kun that I want a dishwasher installed. And a rice cooker."
"And a coffee machine."
"Tea, Jounouchi-kun, tea..."
"I'm sure your boyfriend will accommodate to your every wish. Too bad he needs his beauty sleep so much, doesn't he?"
Yuugi glanced at the clock. The guests had left after dinner, and Atemu had retreated to his bedroom. "I know, Jounouchi-kun. I guess it's still the drawback of Mahaado-san not being around anymore. I figured Atemu-kun would be a lot more energetic now that he doesn't have to sustain him any more, but the opposite is true. Fatigue sometimes overwhelms him. He needs to find a new balance. He's already doing better, though. I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self very soon."
"You're right. Say, do you want me to help you with the dishes?" he offered again.
"It's pretty late, Jounouchi-kun. You should go home... or do you want to spend the night here? You know your way around in the mansion."
Jounouchi nodded. "Sure. I'd like to stay for one more night. Like a goodbye, of some sorts."
"I'm sure the mansion will appreciate it." Yuugi smiled at him. Talking about the mansion as if it was a sentient being wasn't the weirdest thing that has happened as of late, and Jounouchi accepted it as the simple truth. The mansion had always felt warm and welcoming to him, and after witnessing Gods, dark and light, magic, entities and Pharaohs who technically shouldn't exist, the sense of comfort coming from a dwelling was almost normal to him. "We'll leave the dishes for now. Ishizu-san said that she'd be back tomorrow to help out, after she'd taken care of her brothers."
"Yeah, amazing, isn't it? Bakura and Marik are completely free of the darkness that dwelled inside them. They're never going to be model, upstanding citizens, but at least they won't cause trouble like that anymore." A thought suddenly hit Jounouchi. "You're the Pharaoh's light, Yuugi. If Atemu is your dark half, then..."
"There's darkness inside him, yes." Yuugi was serious. "He shouldered it to save the world, and he took it upon himself to seal it away. He chose to fight it, again and again, bringing him to this plane of existence... and because of his friend's sacrifice, he became real in this world. Atemu-kun will always fight the darkness, as he knows it best. He's not the darkness, Jounouchi-kun."
"You're his light," Jounouchi repeated. "A light half to make his soul complete. I don't expect him to resurrect malevolent beings anytime soon."
"You got that right. I'm never going to let go of him. I balance him out, and he makes me complete." Yuugi put the dish towel onto the kitchen countertop. "Bed?"
"Bed."
They climbed the stairs. Jounouchi was under the impression the mansion had been mourning before, but this evening, after everyone had livened up the place with their presence, laughing and eating and having a good time, it felt as comfortable as it used to be. It was a saddening thought that he wouldn't be able to visit the mansion anymore, if Yuugi and Atemu were really going to sell it. It was probably for the best, Jounouchi figured. Everyone was moving onto a new chapter. Kaiba, leaving every memory of war and violence behind and focusing on holographic technology and games for children. Ishizu, embracing her brothers and loving them. Malik, accepting his dark side and going back to school, rebuilding his life. Bakura Ryou, getting along with the thief who almost killed him and not suffering from those black-outs and gaps in his mind anymore. Yuugi, picking up and continuing his life with Atemu by his side, loving and caring.
"Good night, Jounouchi-kun," Yuugi said as he halted in front of his bedroom door.
"Good night, Yuugi." He didn't walk away yet. He knew his friend too well; he knew Yuugi wanted to say something, but was struggling to find the right words.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what?"
"For everything." Yuugi looked vulnerable. He talked easily about emotions and showed them quite often, but this was a very rare, very open moment for him. "For accepting me and Atemu-kun. For believing in the both of us. For not dismissing the magic and declaring us insane."
"Hey, I saw everything happen in front of my own eyes," Jounouchi said. "I'd never doubt my best friend, and I'll never stop believing in you, and by default, in Atemu."
"Are you in trouble with the police department? I mean... how to explain it all?"
Jounouchi heaved a small sigh. "Hirutani is appointed as the killer and the responsible one for all the events. I know he was a motherfu... rotten apple, but it's not the truth. He was a sad figure, swayed by simple promises about wealth and fame, yet he made the conscious choice to serve the darkness. He has no family, so there's no one going to protest... but like I said, it's not the truth. The truth is just too fantastic to believe."
"People have died," Yuugi said somberly. "I feel guilty about it. But... if it hadn't happened, Jounouchi-kun, I would've never met the other half of my soul. Forgive me for being so terribly selfish, but I wouldn't know what would've happened to me if I hadn't met Atemu-kun."
"You have nothing to feel guilty about," Jounouchi reassured him. "The Sennen Items are gone and can't be used for evil anymore. Kaiba made sure that no one will ever be able to find them. Other forces and powers were at work, Yuugi... forces and darkest powers we had no control over."
"I guess you're right." His face lit up with a tentative smile. "Thank you for being my friend."
"Thank you for being my friend."
"Good night," Yuugi said again and pushed the door open, silently entering the room. Jounouchi waited until he had closed the door before walking to his bedroom. He turned on the light and undressed himself. He could very well remember the first time he woke up in here; Mahaado had healed him after his confrontation with Marik Ishtar and not soon after, Jounouchi had met the Pharaoh... Atemu. He stepped into the bed and rolled himself into the sheets. What was going to happen next? Was everyone and everything going to be all right? He stared at the ceiling. If Ishizu could find it in her heart to accept Marik as a brother, and if Bakura Ryou could find it in his heart to accept Bakura as his friend and partner, and if Yuugi could find it in his heart to accept Atemu as the dark side of his soul and love him with every piece of his heart... then yes, everyone and everything was going to be all right.
"Good night, mansion," Jounouchi said and closed his eyes.
End of Darkest Powers