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Chapter 5

       “Ms. Tea?”  Tea turned to see little Analisa once again beside her.  Analisa was a wonderful girl.  Cheerful, friendly, intelligent, and a little too observant for Tea’s taste.  The little girl had been plaguing her about Kaiba for three weeks now.

       Tea resisted the urge to sigh, “Yes Analisa?”

       “He didn’t come today.”

       “Who?” Feigning ignorance was the best way to deal with this.

       The girl giggled.  “You know who!  He didn’t come today.  But don’t worry, he still loves you.”

       “Analisa!” Tea scolded, her cheeks flushing hotly.  “You shouldn’t tease like that.  It’s impolite to interfere – to mess with” she corrected, in case the word was too large for the little girl, “– other people’s lives.”

       Analisa smiled, “But he does.” She insisted sweetly.  “And you love him too.”  She added with a pert nod.

        Tea just stared at her, gaping.  “I – I.” she stuttered, “I have nothing to say to that.” She finished lamely.  “Now go work on your positions with Melanie.

       Analisa skipped off happily to find the older girl.  She was humming triumphantly as she went.

       Tea placed both hands against her hot cheeks and turned quickly away.   She had been bested by an eight year old.  How embarrassing!

***

       Tea was sitting on her couch reading a novel.  It was a historical mystery, one of her favorites, and she hadn’t read it in a very long time.  After this afternoon she needed a distraction.  A loud knock sounded at the door.

       Her gaze flicked up briefly and then she returned to her book.  Probably a salesman or a kid raising money for something.  If she ignored them they would think no one was home and go away.

       Another knock sounded.  “Tea!”

       Tea put the book down.  She rose to her feet, her brow furrowed.

       “Yugi?”  She opened the door revealing the young man.

       “Tea.” He was breathing a little hard.  Then his eyes darted over her and he looked into her face in shock.  “You didn’t forget, did you?”

       “Forget?”

       He groaned, “You did!”

       She just stared at him.  What was he talking about?

       “Tea, tonight is the museum exhibit opening.” Still she just stared.  “The one Ishizu and Marik and Bakura and Bakurai have been working on.” He explained.

       Tea gasped.  “That’s tonight?”

       “Yes.” He affirmed, “and you aren’t dressed!”

       “Oh no!” she had to go.  She had promised.  Poor Bakura!  He’d be so upset.  She glanced at her watch.  The party started in thirty minutes.  She made some quick calculations, “Can you give me seven minutes?” she pleaded.

       “Alright.” Yugi said uncertainly, “But Yami won’t be happy.”

       “Oh he’ll live!” she was already in her room, the door shut making her voice muffled.  He could here her shuffling around, probably changing.  A loud crash sounded.

       “Tea?  Are you alright?” he moved toward her door.

       “I’m fine!” she yelled loudly.  “Coming!”  True to her word she soon emerged dressed in an attractive rose colored dress.  It fell just below her knees and had cap sleeves and a scooped neck.  She ran a brush through her hair.

       “Ready.” She gasped.

       Yugi stared at her wide eyed.  He couldn’t believe how quickly she had gotten ready.

       “Are you coming?” she asked impatiently, now behind him at the door.

       “Oh…. OH! Yes.” He hurried after her.  They might just make it.

***

       The Egyptian wing of the Domino Museum was filled with the social elite.  It was a very good thing that this event was by invitation only – it was already a bit crowded.  Ishizu smiled warmly as she greeted the guests and answered their questions.  She was definitely in her element.  Marik, standing at her side, looked a little less comfortable.  As assistant curator his job generally ran more toward behind the scenes administrative and managerial duties: hiring, firing, training, scheduling, and the like.  But this exhibit held a special place in both their hearts and so here he was, doing his best to remain pleasant. 

       The Exhibit itself was a sight to behold.  It filled three large room of the wing and everything was in excellent condition.  One almost expected an ancient Egyptian to come strolling through with a large jar for water.

       Bakura and Bakurai were mingling with the guests, trying to overhear remarks about their amazing finds.  They tended to stay near the center of the main room where a particularly stunning, and unusual, piece was prominently displayed.  It was in fact a crown, Crown of the Pharaoh of Light, was its title.  It was stunning because it was intricate and ornate, filled with careful detail.  Were it only for the delicate beauty of the object it would have drawn the attention of all present.  But still more intriguing was the nature of the piece itself.  Ancient Pharaohs had always shunned the traditional headwear of other ancient kings in favor of large headdresses.  In fact, this was the only crown ever to appear in known Egyptian history.

       This incredible artifact drew gasps from the intellectual and aesthetic observers alike.  No one passed by without pausing and most either gasped or ‘oooed’ and ‘awwwed’.

       Bakurai was smirking.

       Bakura was grinning like the Cheshire cat.

       “Bakura, Bakurai,” Yami approached them, inclining his head.  “Your exhibit is spectacular,” he paused looking meaningfully around the crowded room, he stepped forward just in time to avoid being run over by an elegantly dressed, if slightly over weight, woman.  “And quite the hit.” He finished casually.

       Bakura bowed, “Thank you Yami.”

       Bakurai only nodded.

       “Where did you find all of this?” Yami inquired curiously.

       Bakura glanced sideways at Bakurai and then leaned in toward Yami, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone, “Well, let’s just say that we had an edge.” He winked.

       Yami nodded sagely.  Despite their memory loss both yamis had an innate and uncanny sense of ancient Egyptology; from geography to folklore to specific events as bits of their memory surfaced.  One never knew when a place or item would jump out at them.  It had to come from the vast knowledge they had once possessed as inhabitants of that land, but in their present state it presented itself as a sort of intuition - emotion rather than reason.

       “It’s remarkable,” the spirit allowed his gaze to wander around the room once more.  The display contained items from all walks of Egyptian life; tapestries, tools, stone tablets and hieroglyphs, jewelry and cookery.  “I don’t believe such a complete collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts has ever been-” he stopped short as his eyes fell on the central display case.  “assembled.” He finished in a hoarse whisper.  It was as though his throat had suddenly gone dry.

       Bakura looked at him curiously.

       Yami truly was acting rather strangely.  His eyes were glazed, his breathing shallow and erratic, he moved toward the case as though in a trance.  His fingers twitched sporadically as he raised his hands over the case, but he did not touch it.

       “What… is this?” he breathed.

       Bakurai swung sharply to face him, studying him first with suspicion and then leaning closer to peer intently into his eyes.  The other man did not notice.  Then the ancient thief’s eyes dropped to the crown.  As he watched it began to change.  The flat, stretched, diamond panel in the center had been devoid of gold work a moment before, now a pattern began to take form.  Where once had been a flat plane there was now a raised image of the millennium symbol.

       Bakurai dragged in a breath and darted his gaze back to the once Pharaoh.  His eyes widened – emblazoned on the man’s forehead was a glowing image of that self safe millennium symbol.

       “Yami!” he hissed, hoping to snap Yami out of his trancelike state before any of the museum patrons noticed.

       Yami did not respond.

       Bakurai gritted his teeth, “Pharaoh!” he said a little louder.  But there was still no response.  He stiffened, tightening his fists and resisting the urge to cast a glance around the room.  In a single, quick, motion he placed his hands on Yami’s shoulders moving the man backward and stepping between the Pharaoh and the case.

       The glow on Yami’s head faded, his eyes began to clear, and he blinked rapidly a few times, as though waking from a long sleep, or emerging into sunlight after being in a darkened room.

       “What… happened?” he said hoarsely.

        Bakurai glanced back over his shoulder with a grimace and then returned his gaze to Yami’s.  “I’m not certain.” He said grimly, “but I think we know what era that crown is from – and the identity of the Pharaoh who wore it.”

***

       Seto Kaiba slipped unobtrusively into the crowded room.  He was late, by more than an hour, and he hated to be late.  But it couldn’t be helped.  He had received an important overseas call as he was leaving the office.  He had had to stay. He would apologize to Ishizu and the others later, but first he felt he should at least take a look at the exhibit.

       He was impressed by the sheer magnitude of the artifacts, and they were all in excellent condition.  Bakura and Bakurai certainly had a gift.  And the displays were tastefully organized and arranged, a testament to both Marik and Ishizu.  It was quite possibly the best museum exhibit he had ever seen. 

       He walked the length of the last wall and then turned to find the hosts of the evening.  Unable to locate the Bakuras he found Ishizu and headed in her direction.  As he made his way toward her he walked through the center of the main room.  As he passed the central case he paused.  Something about it seemed to draw him.  A strange feeling rose in the pit of his stomach, <There is something familiar about that> he thought. <I feel as though I know it.>

       He shook his head.  The thought was ridiculous of course.

       He turned and resumed his course toward Ishizu.  She was with a small group of obviously wealthy patrons.  He approached with a smile.

       “Ishizu,” he inclined his head respectfully as she turned to acknowledge him, “I wanted to compliment you on this stunning exhibit.”

       “Thank you.” She nodded regally, but her lips twitched upwards and her eyes held his in knowing amusement.

       “I also wished to apologize for my tardiness this evening.  I was unavoidably detained.”

       “Of course.” Her lips curved into a full smile and she took his hand briefly.  Then she turned toward the group she had been speaking with and proceeded to make introductions.  “You all know Seto Kaiba.” She said and they nodded. She turned to him, “Kaiba, this is Min Hua of Vietnam.  He has a fascination with ancient Egyptian lore.” Kaiba and the short man exchanged bows.  Ishizu moved on to a distinguished middle age couple, “this is Gerald Hagarthy and his wife Margaret, they own a fine jewelry chain that operates internationally.” She turned to the last member of the small group, she was young, probably a little younger than Seto, “and this is their daughter, Cynthia.” The young woman offered her hand and Kaiba took it with a slightly forced smile.  He was glad when she released him.  He didn’t like the way she looked at him.  It was far too hungry, too…interested.

       Finally spotting the Bakuras with Yami across the room he seized the opportunity to escape her predatory eyes.  “I’m sorry, I see a business associate I need to speak with.  It was a pleasure meeting you all.  Ishizu, always wonderful to see you.  Wonderful exhibit.  Good evening.”  Ishizu watched in amusement as he hurried away.

       As Seto worked his way through the crowd toward the three men he noticed Tea in a small side room looking at some carvings.  Seeing that she was alone he veered toward her.

       He hadn’t seen her today.  He had needed to get his work done so that he could come to the exhibit, so he had had to forgo his usual visit to the Children’s Center. 

       “Good evening, Tea.” He said quietly as he stopped beside her.

       Tea turned, a little surprised by his sudden appearance, and smiled at him.  “Hello Seto.”

       They stood a moment in silence watching each other, and Seto let his eyes drift over her appreciatively.

       <She’s beautiful>

       “You look lovely this evening.” He said quietly, his warm gaze meeting hers.

       Tea’s breath caught uncomfortably, she turned away to hide her flushed cheeks, Analisa’s words ringing in her mind.  <Don’t worry, he still loves you> she pushed the thought away.

       “Th-thank you.” She managed.

       Seto’s gaze brushed hers in question and she shook her head, offering a smile.  She turned back to the intricate carving.

       “What do you think?”

        Deciding not to press the issue Seto turned as well.  For now he would simply enjoy her company, her nearness.  He cocked his head slightly, studying the carving.

       It was of an Egyptian woman playing with a child.  They must have been important for so trivial an activity to have been recorded.

       “I like it.” He stated, “it’s real.  It’s life.”

       Tea nodded in agreement.  “Yes, I thought so too.”

       Soft footsteps sounded behind them and they turned.  Seto grit his teeth, but forced a smile.  It was the young woman Ishizu had just introduced him to.  What was her name?  Oh yes, Cynthia.

       Her eyes flicked briefly over Tea before dismissing her and focusing solely on him, “Mr. Kaiba,” she smiled too sweetly.  “I find your work in virtual technology fascinating, and I was wondering if you had the time to answer some questions for me.”  Her eyes focused for a moment on a spot near Tea before returning to him, “That is, if you and your ‘business associate’ are through.”

       Tea raised an eyebrow at that.

       Kaiba cursed his dumb luck.  He had been hoping Tea’s presence might ward the woman off, but now… he had offered the perfect excuse for Cynthia to ignore Tea.

       “Well, she’s not exactly… that  is to say I,” it was very rare that Seto Kaiba struggled for words, and this was one such moment.

       “Oh, it’s fine.” Tea assured him and he suppressed a grimace, - that was not the response he had been looking for.

       “But-”

       Tea shook her head, “I’ll see you later.  I should really go congratulate Bakura on his success.” With a wave Tea walked off.

       As Cynthia latched onto his arm Seto looked longingly after Tea. As she disappeared into the crowd he sighed mentally and forced his attention back to the clinging socialite on his arm.  This was shaping up to be a long night.

       When Seto finally escaped the clutches of Cynthia it was nearly time for the exhibit to close.  Looking around the room for the Bakuras or Tea, and finding none of them, he decided to call it a night. 

       As he passed through the main room heading toward the door he was drawn once again toward the central display.  The crown truly was beautiful.  Detailed and fine, it was truly a work of art.

       For several moments he just stood over it, staring.  Then a sense that he was being watched stole over him and he turned to see Yami’s eyes trained on him.  Their gazes locked for a moment and something passed between them.  Yami narrowed his eyes briefly and then nodded.  Seto returned the nod before turning away.  What had that been about?