At some point last night I had managed to fall asleep despite the aching pain in my heart. Things just had to become complicated, why didn't I just stay in Egypt and make Tristan go there? It would have made life so much easier, but sadly I had to come here for "business".

Currently that business was standing in front of me sipping some wine. His dark grey eye twinkled with mischief, setting me on edge. "Welcome Ash." The silver haired monster smirked. "I'm so glad that you accepted my invitation to this meeting."

"It's not like I had a choice," I muttered and the man just laughed.

"How was the flight here?" He asked with a slight chuckle, as if he knew how I would react.

"Cut the pleasantries Pegasus," I growled at the man who created Duel Monsters. "What do you want?"

"Oh you know," he said swirling wine around the glass. "World peace, an end to poverty and hunger."

"Just answer the question." He was really starting to get on my nerves. I mean who does he think he is flaunting around in that hideous red suit and forcing me to leave Egypt just to meet with him!

"So impatient," he sighed perching precariously on the edge of a couch in his office. "Why don't you take a seat first?" He gestured to the lounge chair across from him.

"I'd rather stand." I said blankly.

"Kid these days," he muttered before answering my question. "I want you to compete in my tournament right here at Duelist Kingdom."

"And you had to make me come all the way to the island when you could have emailed me because?"

"Because you would have refused." He stated confidently. "Don't try to deny it, my Millennium Eye can see into your mind."

"You have a Millennium Item?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him. In response he moved his long hair to the side to reveal his left eye. Only it wasn't a normal eye, it was completely golden and had the distinct style of something from ancient Egypt. It looked like the eye on the hilt of my dagger. My hand moved to touch my dagger, slowly pulling the golden item out of its sheath. "You want my Millennium Dagger don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"You're a clever girl," he mused.

"And what would happen if I refuse to compete in your stupid tournament?"

"We have some… insurance." He smirked.

"What kind of insurance?"

"Bring in our 'guest'!" Pegasus shouted. Two of his large goons dressed in their usual business suits came stomping through the door holding a small body between them.

"Mokuba!" I gasped and went to run to him, but was stopped by Pegasus placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Ash!" Mokuba shouted struggling to free himself from the guards. "You have to find Seto! They're trying to take over our-" His voice was silenced by a hard slap to the back of the head by one of the behemoths. Anger, red, hot, searing anger exploded inside me.

"Mokuba!" I screamed and ran at the bastard who hit him. I became a blur as my dagger's powers filled me, increasing my speed and strength. I kicked on of the men and sent him flying through the wall. I turned to go after the other one, but stopped short. He held Mokuba in the air against him, a knife at his throat. There was something sadistic about the way the man's lips curled up at the corners and the joyful glint that appeared in his eyes.

"Now, now Ash. Let's be civil." Pegasus scolded. "We wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to little Mokuba."

"You sick bastard," I growled.

"Come now, Ash." He smirked. "I'd prefer if you didn't use such vulgar language. If you want to save little Mokuba and your precious Kaiba you'll compete in my tournament. If you can beat me I'll free Mokuba and leave Kaiba alone. And if that isn't enough to convince you, I can't always steal the soul of your younger brother."

"I'll fight in your damn tournament." I said angrily. "But if you hurt any one of them I will personally rip your fucking throat out!"

"Tsk, tsk Ash. Ladies really shouldn't use that kind of language." He tutted. "There will be a package waiting at your hotel room when you get back."

"Burn in hell," I spat.

"Only if you'll join me," he said.

"Fuck you," I growled and stormed out of the room. Normally I'm not someone who swears a lot, but if you threaten my family or friends a whole different side of me shows. I made my way through a maze of hallways to the roof of his castle where a helicopter was waiting to take me back the city. I climbed in and the pilot took off. The entire flight lasted around ten minutes and the copter landed at an airfield just outside of Domino. Pegasus had a chauffer waiting to take me to my hotel.

When I walked into the room I noticed a large package sitting on the desk. I carefully opened it. Inside sat what looked like two Duel Monsters cards, two star things, a key and some strange glove. Around the wrist of the glove was a large metal piece with indents of stars in it. Under the glove was a card that said: You're invited to compete at Duelist Kingdom. The winner will receive three million dollars and a chance to face Maximillion Pegasus in a duel!

"Invited my ass," I snorted under my breath. The card goes on to say the date and time. I pulled the cards out of the box and placed the stars in the glove. After that I sat down at my laptop to send an email to Marik to tell him I'll be gone longer than expected. Just as I finished typing out the email a little screen popped up for a video chat with him. I clicked the accept button and smiled as my Egyptian boyfriend appeared on the screen.

"Hey Love," he greets with a smile that reaches his amethyst colored eyes.

"Hey," I sighed remembering that I had to tell him I'm not coming home yet.

"What's wrong?" He asked picking up on my bummed out mood.

"It's going to be a while before I can come home," I said sadly. "Stupid Pegasus is forcing me to compete in one of his tournaments."

"Why don't you refuse?" He brushed a stray piece of his shoulder length, slightly spiky dirty blond hair out of his face.

"He threatened to hurt my friends and family." I answered. "And if I can't beat him he'll hurt them and take my Millennium Dagger."

"Don't worry Ash," he reassured me with a small smile. "You're an amazing duelist. I have complete faith in the fact that you'll be able to beat Pegasus and be home within a week."

"Thanks Marik," I smiled as a warm and fuzzy feeling welled up in my chest. "I should probably go and prepare for the tournament."

"Okay," he said. "I'm sure I'll talk to you before the tournament, but if I don't, good luck. I love you." Those three words caused a blush to rise onto my cheeks and my heartbeat sped up.

"Love you too," I said and blew a kiss at my computer screen.

"Bye Love," he winked and the screen went blank. I sighed heavily and closed my laptop before going to prepare my deck. This is going to be a long tournament.

A cool sea breeze flowed through my hair as I waited in line to board the ship to Duelist Kingdom. Yugi stood next to me nervously playing with the Millennium Puzzle around his neck. Pegasus, the bastard, had stolen his grandpa's soul in order to get him to come. Now not only am I fighting for Mokuba and Tristan, I'm fighting for Yugi too.

All around us crowds of duelist were talking animatedly about the upcoming tournament. Too bad none of them are going to win. I looked down at poor Yugi who looked so intimidated by it all. "Hey Yugi," I said softly and his large purple eyes looked up at me. "Don't be so nervous, no matter what I've got your back."

"Thanks Ash," he said with a small smile. "But what if I can't save him?"

"I know how you feel," I sighed. "This tournament has a lot more riding on it for us than these people could ever imagine."

"What do you mean?"

"Pegasus is holding someone close to me prisoner," I explained. "And for added effect he threatened to take Tristan's soul too."

"That's-" Whatever Yugi was about say was cut off by a series of shouts up ahead.

"Hey, get ya hands off me!" A familiar Brooklyn accent shouted.

"Please tell me that not who I think it is," I groaned and face palmed.

"Joey!" Yugi shouted and ran towards the blond who was being restrained by two of Pegasus' guards. I decided to hang back considering they were the one's I attacked during my meeting with Pegasus. Them knowing Joey was my friend would probably have just made things worse.

I watched as Yugi dispelled the guards and gave Joey one of his two star chips. Joey stared at him in shock as if he couldn't believe Yugi would help him. He snapped out of it as Yugi tugged on his arm and led him over to me.

"Hey Ash," he said and straightened out his bright green jacket.

"Hey Joey," I smiled. "What go you in so much trouble?"

"Those jerks wouldn't let me on the boat," he grumbled. "I mean, sure I wasn't invited, but they should know a great duelist like me when they see one!"

I just shook my head at him as I flashed my star chips at the guard. He gave a nod and I stalked on board, Joey and Yugi right behind me. "I'll see you two later," I said. "I have my own private room because I used to be a world ranked duelist."

"Okay," Yugi said.

"See ya on the island," Joey said as they went to the common area where most of the duelists were going through their decks and trading cards. I bypassed the door and went below deck to where the private rooms were located. I found the one with my name on it and pulled out the key that came in the package. I put it in and turned, I heard a faint click and turned the handle. I was about to open the door and go in when I heard a creepy little laugh coming from behind me.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ash Taylor." A nasally voice said. "You're looking as lovely as ever.

"Weevil Underwood," I growled and turned to see the green haired insect lover smirking at me. "You're looking as bug like as ever.

"Why thank you," he slurred slightly and fixed his thick rimmed circular glasses. "I just wanted to know if after I win this tournament you would like to go on a date with me."

"First of all, ew." I shuddered. "Second of all, you're only like twelve and I'm seventeen, and third of all my boyfriend would murder you."

"Ah, I check my facts first." He said pushing his glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose. "You and Seto Kaiba broke up a year ago and I'm thirteen, practically a man."

"I wasn't talking about Seto and practically isn't good enough." I laughed imagining Marik tearing the boy's throat out. "Get lost Bug Boy." I stepped into my room and slammed the door behind me; hopefully the pest gets the message to leave me alone.

I sighed and looked around the room. It was plain with just a simple red couch and a coffee table with a connecting bathroom. I threw my bag on the couch and sat down with my laptop in front of me. I logged into my email and saw that I got a picture from my friend Mai. I clicked on the link and the picture popped up. My blond haired friend was standing in front of a ship waving. Underneath there was a message: Off to another tournament!

I typed back a quick message telling her to have fun and clicked send. I was about to shut my computer down when a message for a video call popped up onto the screen. A goofy grin spread on my face when I saw it was Marik. I hit the accept button and the video screen appeared with him in it.

"Hey Love," he said using his usual greeting for me.

"Hey," I said adjusting myself so that I sat cross-legged on the couch.

"I miss you," he said, his amethyst eyes sparkling.

"I miss you too," I responded. "It's kind of lonely sleeping alone."

"I know," he agreed. "Are you on your way to the tournament?"

"Yeah," I answered and started to stare off at the wall behind my computer.

"What's the matter?"

"What if…" I bit my lip as tears began to well in my eyes and I looked away from the computer screen. "What if I can't save them? What if I can't beat Pegasus?"

"Ash look at me," he said gently and I reluctantly glanced back at the screen. "You're one of the most powerful duelist I know. You need to be more confident in your abilities. I know you can beat him, you just have to believe in yourself."

"But what if I can't Marik?" I whispered. "What if I can't and he hurts Tristan, Mokuba, and Seto? I don't think I could live with myself if I let that happen."

"Did you just say Seto?" He blinked. "As in Seto Kaiba you ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah," I said, unsure of why it was a problem.

"So you're doing this for him?" Marik asked, his jaw clenched.

"Did you miss the part where I said Tristan? You know, my brother Tristan?" I asked, stressing the word brother.

"Well excuse me for feeling a bit uncomfortable with my girlfriend fighting to save her ex!" He said in exasperation.

"I just can't let him be killed!" I shouted, my temper going off.

"He broke your heart Ash! He deserves it!"

"No he doesn't!" I growled in frustration. "Besides, I'm the one who left him."

"After he started ignoring you!" Marik ground out through gritted teeth and I could tell he was at his breaking point.

"Marik," I said softly trying to calm him down. "I can't just sit back and let people get hurt. I'm doing this for my brother, but there are other people's lives at risk too. Seto just happens to be one of them."

"I don't care if he's just one of them! Save the others and let him be taken out." He said in a menacing tone. "It'll save you a lot of heartache."

"No Marik, it won't." I sighed suddenly feeling drained.

"You're still in love with him, aren't you?" His eyes widened with the realization.

"No! Yes.. Maybe!" I exclaimed. "Look, I don't have time for this right now. I have to get ready for the tournament."

"We're not done talking about this! Don't you dare hang-" His voice cut off as I clicked the end call button. Immediately the video call box comes up again, but I hit decline. Chances are he was going to be pissed, but in that moment I really didn't care. He was in Egypt and I was in Domino, the only thing he could do was call me repeatedly.

I decided to go see how Yugi and Joey were doing. I slammed my laptop closed and blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes. Stupid Marik just had to start a fight right before one of the biggest tournaments of my life! I got up and exited the room.

"And stay out you little creep!" A familiar voice said to my left.

"Mai?" I asked staring at the violet-eyed woman. Sitting on the ground in front of here was Rex Raptor, a regionally ranked duelist with extremely long brown hair and a stupid looking red beanie. He was glaring up at Mai like she had just killed his puppy or something.

"Ash?" They both asked in unison.

"What are you doing here?" Mai blinked at me. "I mean, not that it isn't great to see you but, why are here?"

"Oh you know," I said casually. "Just trying to save my brother, somewhat brother, and ex-boyfriend from a crazy madman."

"Seriously? What have the Kaiba's gotten themselves into this time?" She rolled her eyes.

"Just don't even ask." I sighed and rubbed my temples.

"That bad?"

"Yeah. Anyways I have to go find some of my friends." I said and began to walk away.

"Good luck out there!" She called after me. "I want to face you in the finals!"

"You too!" I yelled over my shoulder and made my way to the upper deck. On my way up I passed a cackling Weevil and shot him a suspicious glare. He merely smirked and continued on past me. I wonder what the little creep's up to. When I reached the deck I saw Tea and Tristan at the railing pulling a soaking wet Joey out of the ocean.

"What's going on?" I asked rushing over to help them pull Yugi up from the water.

"That creep Weevil threw Yugi's Exodia cards over the edge!" Joey said through chattering teeth.

"Figures," I growled. "The pest would do anything to win. One time he actually thought that if he flirted with me it would throw off my game! Too bad for him Seto kicked his ass after I beat him in the duel. Kid was in the hospital for a month."

"Really?" Asked Tea. "That's horrible!"

"Not if you know Weevil," I muttered with a small grin on my face. "Seto sent him into a coma."

"Why would a jerk like Kaiba stand up for you like that?" Tristan asked and Yugi, Joey and I froze.

"Come to think of it, you called him Seto instead of Kaiba like the rest of us." Tea added making the situation worse. I sent her a dirty look before letting out a sigh.

"I guess you wouldn't believe me if I said he did it out of the goodness of his heart…"

"I don't believe Kaiba has a heart," Tristan snorted. "Now answer the question."

"Um… uh, hey look a dolphin!" I shouted and pointed at a random spot in the ocean. While they were busy looking I sprinted away, but as I rounded the corner I ran into a person. "Sorry" I mumbled looking at the white haired male. He had a sinister look in his eyes and was staring down at my Millennium Dagger.

"Where'd she go?" I heard Tea ask just around the corner. I looked around and spotted a door, but the guy was in the way. Looked like he was coming with me. I pushed on his chest until we were through the door way and I shut the door behind us, letting out a sigh of relief.

I was standing in a broom closet with the stranger. Now that I wasn't panicking I took a good look at him. He had long spiky white hair and dark brown eyes set on snow-white skin. Around his neck was what looked like a dream catcher with an Egyptian eye in the middle of it, but I knew better, it was the Millennium Ring.

"Not that I'm not flattered to be pulled into a closet by a pretty girl," he said in a raspy voice with a smirk on his face. "But why did you do it?"

"I'm sorry," I mumbled slightly embarrassed. "I was um, running from my brother and his friends."

"Why would you run from family?"

"The thing is he doesn't know about my last boyfriend or my current one and we were heading down a line of questioning that would lead to me telling him about them." I explained. "He's just a little over protective and would have flipped if he found out."

"Well since I'm going to be stuck hiding in here with you I should probably introduce myself," he smiled and there was something sinister about it. "My name is Bakura."

"Nice to meet you," I smiled at him, not the least bit intimidated by the sadistic edge to his voice. "I'm Ash."

"So where'd you get that Millennium Dagger in your belt?"

"I got it while I was in Egypt. What about you?"

"My Light's father brought it home for him when he visited Egypt." Bakura said.

"So you're the spirit of the item," I mused. "That's cool, so what were you in the past?"

"A master thief," he said proudly. Sometimes Millennium Items hold the spirit of an ancient Egyptian that got trapped inside them thousand's of years ago.

"That's cool," I smirked. "My spirit was a priestess, but she can't take over my body. She's just kind of there and gives me advice when I duel."

'Be careful Ash,' the spirit said in my mind. 'I remember this thief. He was after the power of the Millennium Items.'

'Thanks Irisi,' I said back to her. 'I won't let him get his hands on the Dagger.'

"Interesting," Bakura mused and leaned back against one of the walls. I leaned on the one across from him and we both stared at each other for a long time.

"I should probably head back to my room now," I said breaking the silence. "The boat should be docking soon and I need to prepare my deck."

"Okay," Bakura said taking my right hand in his and raising it to his lips. "Until next time, priestess." With a wink and a smirk he opened the door and slipped out into the night that was quickly turning to dawn.

'Great one more person who wants their hands on the Millennium Dagger,' I thought to Irisi.

'Sadly that is the price that comes with owning one of the Millennium Items,' she responded as a ghost like figure of her appeared next to me. She pretty much looked exactly like me, but instead of the jeans and black t-shirt I had on she was wearing an Egyptian style dress.

'I know,' I sighed mentally and made my way to the front of the ship to watch the sunrise.

'Don't you just love the sunrise?' She asked with a wistful smile on her face as she stared out at the mix of pinks, oranges, and yellows. 'I remember when the High Priest and I used to sit together on the balcony of his room and watch it.'

'Yeah,' I said sadly. 'I remember when Seto and I used to do the same thing.'

'Do you really still love him like Marik said?'

'Yeah, I think I do, but I love Marik too.'

'You're going to have to choose one or the other,' she advised.

'I know, but how can I?' I asked her. 'Seto saved my life when I was starving on the streets and Marik saved me from those bandits.'

'Love is a complicated thing,' she sighed. 'Believe me I had many suitors, but I chose the High Priest as my love. It was a shock to everyone considering we hated each other when we were younger.'

'There's the island,' I pointed to the dark line of land on the horizon.

'Time to get serious,' she said and I nodded. 'We're going to have to focus if we want to beat Pegasus, especially with that Millennium Eye of his.'

"There you are!" Yugi's voice cuts into my conversation with Irisi and she disappears back into the Dagger.

"Why'd you run?" Tea asked looking at me expectantly.

"No reason," I muttered nervously avoiding eye contact with her and Tristan. "But onto more important matters, we're almost at the island."

"Yeah," Yugi mumbled looking down.

"What's wrong Yug?" Joey asked.

"What if I can't save Grandpa?"

"Don't think like that," I said patting the short teen on the head. "You won't lose."

"Yeah, you have your friends with you," Tea added. "Anything is possible with your friends!" She's really into friendship, I wonder if she ever had any friends before the guys. As the boat got closer and closer to the island I felt my anxiety level rising. I hadn't noticed how hard I was gripping the railing in front of me until Tristan put his hand over mine and pried my fingers off.

The ship docked in the small harbor and we slowly made our way off the boat. "I'm gonna go blend into the crowd," I said to the group. "You guys will draw enough attention with Yugi being the one who beat Seto. It'll make it worse if you guys are seen with me."

"Why would it make it worse?" Tea asked.

"I'm kind of a celebrity when it comes to Duel Monsters. If anyone recognizes me they'll target you in an attempt to goad me into a duel with them." I explained.

"Okay," Yugi nodded. "Good luck!"

"Good luck to you too," I smiled. "I want to see you at the finals okay? And you too Joey."

"We'll be there," Joey said with a nod. I gave my brother a hug and waved one last time before disappearing into the crowd.


Hey so this is chapter two, but you already know that. Now that you guys have gotten a little insight into Ash's relationships with Marik and Seto I want to know your opinion on who she should end up with (Yes that means you have to review or PM me) That way I can take into accout who you think she should be with when I'm deciding. So, um... yeah, I hope you like it!

~Tora