Disclaimer:

No, this hasn't changed since the last chapter: I still don't own Yugioh…but I own this story, if that makes any difference?

Reviews:

Thanks to t recorder for reviewing! Yeah, its been forever since I've posted, but I figured no one was actually reading this. I'm back?

The Bracelet

"Shadi?" I echoed, arching an eyebrow as he lowered his eyes in a silent 'yes'. Oh, I see, the thought dawned on me. I must have had the misfortune of wandering into the role playing section or something as maniacal as that. I found myself executing an elegant bow, smirking to myself. Well, who am I to wreck his fun? "Iiti em hotep," I couldn't help but returning in my own measly knowledge of the Egyptian language, courtesy of the days when I was almost as obsessed with Yugioh as Kenji. "My name is Khaia Stone. I must say, I am surprised to meet you here. Do you come here often?"

The man who called himself 'Shadi' replied, "No, but this situation is unique."

"Ah, saving the world?" It took all my self-restrain to stop from bursting into laughter. I strangled my giggles and squelched the urge to ask him what he did for a personal life besides standing watch over seven dust-collecting jewelry ornaments.

His brilliant blue orbs widened slightly, as if he were wondering if I somehow possessed the Millennium Eye. "Why, yes."

Something that felt like the weight of a truck dropped on me. Wonderful, Khaia, I mumbled to myself, of all the people to bump into, you happen to be trapped in a no-way-out conversation with the most obsessed fanatic in the entire convention. How can he say that without even twitching?

I was saved from the impossible task of burying my incredulous expression, however, because 'Shadi' was busy unveiling a shimmering golden bracelet.

My breath deserted me. Flecks of light showered the air around it, illuminating creamy pools on my tank top. Astonishing hieroglyphic runes were carved into the armlet. Portraits of gods and goddesses wreathed through the script, lacing around a brilliant chiseling of the Eye of Horus. "The Millennium Bracelet," he whispered quietly as I stared, speechless with wonder. "Men and immortals alike have sought its vast power."

"It's beautiful…" I breathed. Mesmerized, my fingers reached out toward it, barely brushing its glimmering surface…"Ahh!" I yelped in surprise, and snatched my hand back as a stream of light snaked around my arm and vanished; the ornament's twinkling eye seared violently for a moment before fading.

"Static," I muttered to myself reassuringly, a tingling slithering through my veins like a serpent's trail. "Just static-"

"Not static. The Bracelet has chosen you as its master." Alright, now this was starting to get a little…creepy.

"…Well, Shadi, this has been absolutely riveting, but now this role playing game has gotten a bit…off track."

"Roll playing?" He inquired curiously. Then a flash of understanding flickered through is eyes, pursued by a rigid determination. "This has not been for pretend. This is a serious matter – I have been searching for a person to carry out this task, and have watched and waited. Now I have found her. The Bracelet is yours."

Angrily I demanded, "Wait a moment, did you just say you've been watching me?" Suddenly the mysterious Ankh bearing Shadi didn't look so sure of himself; he must have heard how that sounded. Stalker! I was getting ready to label him.

"N-no, I didn't mean it like that, miss," he stumbled in a way I was sure was uncharacteristic for him, and I javelined him with yet another of the many death glares I seemed to have in abundance today. "Simply-"

"Anyway, Shadi," I half accused, hurling a condemning finger at him. "There aren't eight Millennium Items, there are seven. A fan as obsessed with you should at least get that right!"

The tanned figure paused for a moment, then continued gravely, "Was it not you yourself, miss Stone, who said that the Egyptian sacred number was nine and not seven?"

"You understand English?" was my undignified cry of amazement. Had this man been lurking around the convention after me? Then, "Sir, I think your counting is a bit off." I sighed dejectedly, coming to a realization. Poor man! Whoever he is, he must be on some strong medication. How could the doctors permit him to go out of the hospital? Before I could kindly ask where his attendant was, however, the man revealed yet another 'Millennium Item' to me. It looked like a picture or a tattoo… or a brooch or an embroidered cereal box cutout, for all I knew.

"Take this as well."

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept this," was my instant reply. My father once happened to drag Kenji and I halfway across America for mom's anniversary gift; I recognized genuine gold when I saw it. Alright, so he's a rich poor man, I amended my earlier assessment. Still, I can't let him give me this. Carefully I tried to hand it back to him, but he refused to take it.

"This one is not for you, but you must take it," he stated with a steely finality. "Do not doubt your worth – the Bracelet chose you. As for the other, you will know who to bequeath it to."

Keep him talking Khaia, I coached myself nervously while nodded as fervently as I could. "And what does the Millennium Bracelet do, Shadi?" Slowly I walked towards where I hoped the security guards were, knowing that he'd follow without a second thought.

It worked. "All Millennium Items have their own unique abilities and share others," Shadi enlightened me. "The Bracelet takes this to the extreme."

Mentally I scolded myself. He must have seen me chasing off that guy as some sort of test that I passed! Goodness, where is Kenji? "Well, Shadi, it has been wonderful to meet you," I began after wildly pointing from the guards to Shadi in an obvious ploy to get them to apprehend him while he glanced towards the Marik exhibit. A thoughtful frown ruffled his brow as he regarded the excessive monument of the Millennium Rod bearer in the corner. "But I'm afraid I need to be going."

"You cannot leave yet. I haven't yet finished telling you vital

information-"

"Miss Stone, is this man bothering you?" A burly security guard rumbled, seemingly materializing out of nowhere at my beckoning.

Shadi slowly turned towards the man while I explained, "No sir, but I believe that he may have missed out on his medication-"

"Excuse me?" The look-a-like blurted, thunderstruck as my words.

"-and I think it may be best if we found his attendant," I finished. The guard nodded knowingly and gripped the poor man's arm.

"If you'll follow me, sir," he maneuvered 'Shadi' away pityingly.

"I am not insane!"

"Of course you're not," was the soothing response, and I swiftly darted through the crowd and into the elusive bathrooms before 'Shadi' could yell after me.

"Agh," I groaned as I flicked open the bathroom door and rested my head against one of the many classy mirrors hang above the sinks. "Could this day get any worse? First the convention, then a mugger, a crazy man, and now…" I brought the Bracelet I had suddenly found myself the master of and the Tattoo - or paper cutout or whatever it was - closer.

It was exquisite, a work of art, and somehow it felt comforting to touch. A spark of light tickled my palm as I cradled it in my arms, gazing at the twining ancient symbols.

Swiftly, covertly, I glanced around, hoping no one would be around to see me actually put this on. "Ah, why not? You'll have to find out who he is and return it anyway." Grinning to myself, I glided my wrist into it. The Bracelet fit perfectly.

A blinding white light erupted from the Eye of Horus, drenching the room in brightness. "What-!" This definitely was not static! "No, stop!"

An arctic chill breathed through the air, and the light vanished just as abruptly as it had come.

I was paralyzed in shock for an entire ten seconds. "OK, item number five on my count of things I would rather not have experienced," I tittered nervously and looked around. Wait, had the bathroom…changed color?

Of course not! I yelled at myself. Don't be ridiculous! Annoyed at myself, I pulled my backpack closer and threw the Tattoo inside, striding outside back into the nest of Yugioh lackeys.

The familiar display of Egyptian artifacts flooded the walls, suffocating them. One would barely be able to tell that there was a wall. Luckily, there were no tacky Yugioh statues out striking clichéd poses or blown up banners ranting about the 'Heart of the Cards' anymore. I shrugged, surprised that the Yami exhibit would be missing quotes of over half his dialogue, but not really giving it a second thought.

"Excuse me," I questioned a man I was certain was one of the management, though I had no idea what he'd be doing here; he looked normal. "Would you mind telling me where the trading card section is? I'm afraid I'm a bit lost." I glanced around, smothering a smirk. In the time I was gone, even the fans had piled out of the Yami section. I suppose the good old Pharaoh wasn't as popular as he would have liked.

The manager blinked, adjusting his spectacles as if to take a closer look at me. "I'm sorry, but I think you must be mistaken. There are no card games here. Duel Monsters can be played at Kaiba Land, however, if you are interested. I can give you a map to show you the way, if you'd like?"

I laughed. "Kaiba Land?" I repeated in amusement. Maybe this guy was a crazed fan after all? "No, please, where is it? I need to meet my brother there."

"I am really sorry madam, but I think you must have mistaken us for some place else. This is the Domino City Museum."

He was saying it with undeniable seriousness.

A messed up Tattoo and a retarded Bracelet. Poor Khaia...better luck next chapter, I suppose:)