Is Choice Good or Bad? (Part 2)

DIMENSION: ANIME (The One That Pays to Save the Day)

"You have to try each option," Light Bakura reminded her. "It's three months. Not that big of a deal to have a date with someone you had a connection to before? You'll probably have several dates."

Téa scratched her head. She looked toward Yugi again. "It doesn't matter who I start with. It doesn't." She sounded tense. "It's just one date, and it's fair, and we can date Bakura next time." She glared at Masika. "Yeah, I know he doesn't. I wasn't talking about him, I was talking about-" She shot her attention to Yugi. "Yes, date, Yugi!"

Masika moved away from her. "It's ridiculous," she almost hissed.

"Date Yugi!" Téa yelled again while she stomped her foot.

"You are dragging out the inevitable," Masika said to her softly.

"Shut up!" Téa covered her ears.

"I am done with words," Masika answered. "Thoth probably has already written this one too."

Téa started to wipe her eyes.

"Nothing is final, and nothing is written," Atem said out loud. "This is three months. Time can change things. Dating Yugi is fine."

"Of course, Greatest Pharaoh of all the Greatest Pharaohs Atem," Masika said as she strolled over toward Dark Bakura, relaxing near his shoulder.

Dark Bakura wrapped his arm around Masika like he'd done it thousands of times. "I have no problem with anything, I've been in worse situations. We could even move to New York so that Téa can keep following her dream."

"Did you just recommend moving to New York?" Bakura asked.

"New York is wonderful, and I will try very hard to learn everything I can to help Téa rise to the stardom she seeks," Masika insisted.

Oh these two were buttering it all up. More and more, it looked like Bakura wasn't going to be able to help Yugi.

"Masika!" Atem actually stepped out from the shadows he had been in. "You were right to tell Téa I said you were a very good actress. You are an excellent actress, and I don't doubt with your ability, you will be able to keep Téa in the spotlight she wanted. However?" He moved closer, swishing the jacket like a cape. "This is far from over. While I'm not fond of sharing a room with others, I've no doubt your 'Dark Bakura' is either. To me, it seems the dark energy's are about the same. This is far from being written by Thoth already."

"Well, we have three months to see who was right, Pharaoh," Dark Bakura said. "Time is getting closer though. We need to return home, Bakura."

"Right," Bakura agreed. He looked toward Téa and Yugi. "Three months is a long time, Atem is right. Everyone should work hard to see what's best."

Masika let Dark Bakura go as he and Bakura left. She refused to look at anyone as she went up the stairs.

"We should all follow suit," Atem said toward Yugi and Téa. "There is no telling which body will be used first."

"Right." Yugi followed up the stairs with Atem. ///Yugi: Thanks, Atem. It really looked like they might just pick the Bakura's right now.///

///Atem: Téa has had your heart since we were teenagers, Yugi, and she still does. I will deal with the results if it means you have her. I am here anyway, I am not allowed to go back.///

///Yugi: But Masika is very, very good at convincing Téa of things. She really doesn't want anything to do with you, Atem. Even after knowing why she really died, she isn't letting up. Do you think that Dark Bakura was more than just a friend? The way she curled up to him and he held her?///

///Atem: Maybe, but she was the one who moved toward him first. He could have known that move. I'm not kidding Yugi, she is an excellent actress. She may have never taken a stage, but I have a feeling her entire life was a stage she played to survive.///

///Yugi: You're probably right. You have to break through that acting then. You have to become more than just basic friends with her. As long as she is more of a friend to Bakura-///

///Atem: I'm mincemeat, I know, Yugi. I have three months to gain a closer relationship. I can't force anything, but the closer we are, the more of a bond we can make.///

They each headed to their bed while Téa parted to her own room without a word.

They each rested their eyes, waiting. ///Yugi: I'm sorry. This was such a messed up thing to do to us. We don't even know if getting picked is good or bad or going to fuse us or anything. It's just? We've always been there for our friends.///

///Atem: We may not be saving the world, Yugi, but-/// "we are doing our part. We must remember that." Atem pulled himself out of bed. "I guess it's mine today." Oh he absolutely knew it was his, he could feel the need to want to possess it.

///Yugi: Why do I feel like I'm covered in peanut butter and syrup?!///

Hm. Good comparison. "You are the spirit in a body that is not yours. Bastet said it will fade in time."

///Yugi: Ah, no wonder you never wanted to come out at first!///

"It will get a little easier," Atem assured him. "Go rest in the soul room."

///Yugi: It's all slime and syrupy feeling.///

Although it was tough knowing how it felt? Atem was also kind of glad Yugi knew finally how it felt now. ///Atem: At least you didn't have to last through entire card games.///