Epilogue: The Ties That Truly Bind

Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit, fan-based fictional work. Moi-moi819 does not own Inuyasha, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or any of the titles therein. Please and thank you for not suing.

Moi-Moi: This is the end. I know you guys may not be too pleased with how the last chapter ended, but I know you all will be somewhat happy with this epilogue. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. A big thank you goes to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed this story as well as anyone in the future who happens to stumble upon it and click the button on their mouse to show their love. It means so much to me to have you guys in my life. :D See you next time.

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He flipped to a fresh page in his notebook, his hand quickly taking down more notes, as well as observations. The museum had received new artifacts from a recent tomb excavation in Egypt. He was studying the artifacts and displays of the museum with interest, piecing together the story behind each.

History was a passion for him. He found that the past held more mysteries than the future ever could. There was so much he could learn and it excited him to know that one day, others could look back and study what was going on in his own time.

He was flipping to a fresh page once again when the sound of clacking footsteps reached his ears. He didn't look up from the sarcophagus he was examining. It was probably another of the stray, museum goers. He never let them distract him from his work, however. Not even school field trips could deter him now.

"You've got to be kidding me," he heard a feminine voice mutter. Turning slightly, he spared a quick glance over his shoulder at the only other occupant of the exhibit before turning back to the display. "I must be missing something."

His curiosity was beginning to pique. Whoever she was, she must be struggling with something. If he assisted her, perhaps she wouldn't feel the need to mutter so loudly?

"Excuse me? Is there something wrong?" he started and turned to her. She was wearing a red, long sleeved dress with a white belt around her waist. The dress stopped mid-thigh and a pair of white heels were on her feet. From her back, he could tell she had long, midnight hair and a fair complexion. He ignored the way her dress hugged her curves.

She turned with surprised, sky blue eyes. She held a purse in one hand and a paper in the other. "Oh…no. I was just checking out the exhibit," she said in a melodious voice.

Normally, he would have decided to leave the conversation, but something held him. Whether it was her small and pleasant smile, her bright eyes, or her radiant beauty. He felt his tongue get heavy, his mind go blank, and his heart begin to beat erratically. It was a strange sensation.

"You seemed upset," he spoke when he finally got his body under control. On the outside, he was calm and stoic, but underneath that he was quickly unraveling.

She gave a soft scoff. "Why would I be upset? It's not like I'm missing the biggest duel ever at the Kaiba Dome to do research for my paper. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say so much," she went on.

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"No. I understand. You're a dueling fan," he said. She gave him a hesitant smile and tried to reign in the butterflies that were dancing in her stomach.

She was talking to one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. He had the most stunning and piercing violet eyes and the most outrageous hair. She searched her mind for where she had seen it before. After several seconds, she recognized it as the exact same hairstyle of the greatest duelist to ever pick up a deck- the King of Games Yugi Motou. Maybe he was an extreme fan? No matter what it was, the look worked for him.

He wore a long sleeved, black button up with the top button undone, black slacks, and matching boots. A pair of red-rimmed glasses adorned his face and gave him a classy, yet sexy appeal.

"I wish I knew as much about history as I do dueling," she said fiddled with her paper, a smile gracing her face. She couldn't help it. He probably thought she was insane with all the smiling.

"History is a passion of mine and I'm also a history professor. Maybe I could help you?" he offered. He gave her a small smirk that left her insides turning into a puddle that she was sure they would never recover from.

"That'd be very nice. I would like that. If I finish early, maybe I'll have enough time to catch the last match of the tournament," she said trying to make conversation. If this worked out, she would get her paper done and get to see the turbo duel between Jack Atlas and the poor fool who was his opponent.

"I got complementary tickets to that match. They're great seats. If you would like, we could go together," he suggested.

Kagome felt a bright smile grace her face. "I would like that. I'm Kagome, by the way."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Kagome. My name is Atem," he said.

"So, why don't you start with telling me the story behind this mummy?" Kagome started. Atem turned to face the open sarcophagus with the embalmed mummy displayed inside. He placed a hand to the small of her back and began to narrate the story he had become very fond of. Kagome smiled softly at him, getting lost in the smooth baritone sound of his voice as he spoke. Maybe museums and history weren't such a bad thing…

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Moi-Moi: And there's the end. Sniff. :") Not exactly the ending many of you were hoping for, but a happy ending nonetheless.

Edited: 7/27/13

終わり。