Hello Lovelies!

Look, another chapter already! It's crazy, but I just have this spurt of inspiration for this story and I can't keep it contained!

As promised, this is part Mana chapter part Yami chapter.

Here we go! Enjoy Chapter Nine!

~BlainexKurtxLovex

Mana

"Mana, when did you get here?" Tristan asked.

Mana wiped the tears from her face and rose from her seated position on the floor. She moved forward and knelt next to Solomon's soulless body. He was breathing, but only because his body was running on autopilot. If he didn't get his soul back soon…he would die.

"We need to get Solomon to a hospital," Mana stated.

"I'll call for an ambulance!" Téa exclaimed. She was up and out of the living room before Mana had a chance to thank her.

"Yugi, what's going on? What happened?" Joey questioned.

Yugi had stopped screaming, but he was staring at the fuzzy television screen as if he could follow his grandfather's soul through. Mana could tell he was crying even if she couldn't see his face. The despair rolling off him was enough to make her want to cry again.

Téa ran back into the room and stated that the ambulance was on its way. She tried to ask why Solomon had collapsed, but Mana couldn't answer her. She moved away from Solomon and back over to Yugi. She knelt next to him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Mana had expected him to slap her hand away or at least blame her for failing him, but instead he threw himself into her arms. His face was buried in her shoulder and his arms were tight around her waist. He had reverted to being a child and Mana couldn't blame him.

"I lost…I lost Grandpa…this is…this is all my fault…" Yugi whispered.

"No, Yugi," Mana responded, "None of this is your fault. Pegasus did this. He knows you will do anything to save your grandfather. He took the one thing from you that he knew you couldn't resist going after."

"B-but…why?"

"Because you possess the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi. The Millennium Item that holds more power than the other six," she answered.

Mana ran a hand through his multi-colored locks and soothed a hand up and down his spine. She wasn't sure if the calming gesture was working, but she knew that when Atem comforted her in the same manner she calmed down. Mana only hoped it did the same for Yugi.

There was a knock on the door and Yugi pulled away so that he could be with his grandfather. Mana stayed where she was and watched as Yugi's friends wrapped him in a group hug and helped him come up with an excuse for the EMTs. She didn't know if the EMTs would believe their story, but they would have to take Solomon anyway. At least Solomon's body would be safe until they figured out how to get it back.

When the EMTs asked if Yugi wanted to accompany his grandfather to the hospital, he agreed and Tristan offered to go with him. Yugi asked that Téa and Joey stay with Mana and the Game Shop until he got back. They all seemed to be of the same opinion that Mana couldn't be alone even when Mana tried to protest. After tonight, she didn't want to leave Yugi vulnerable but the grateful smile he gave her stopped her cold.

"You're tired, Mana. You haven't been feeling good most of the day and whatever you did during the duel really took a lot out of you. I can tell," Yugi pointed out. "Just rest and when I get back we can talk about what happened."

Yugi left without letting Mana respond. The door shut behind him and it was enough to make the tears come back with full force. The guilt, the shame, and the disappointment hit her like an emotional freight train.

Téa and Joey tried to soothe her, but she was inconsolable. She failed in her duty to protect her Pharaoh and his vessel. She failed to be the protector of the most important person in her life all because her past trauma had caught up with her when she saw Bakura again.

If there was anyone to blame for Solomon being taken from them, it was her.

After about a half hour, Mana moved from her spot on the floor and walked past the others into the kitchen. Everyone would need tea or snacks when Yugi got back from the hospital and Mana needed something to do with her hands. She heard Téa and Joey follow along behind her, but paid them no mind.

The other two conversed quietly as Mana put the water on to boil. Mana could only stare out the window above the sink and wonder how she failed so miserably. She was out of practice that much was clear, but considering she had been asleep for 5,000 years there was bound to be some sort of learning curve.

Except, Mana didn't have time for a learning curve. Yugi was in danger now and Mana had been unsuccessful in protecting him. Regardless of the time that had passed there was no excuse for her failure.

Mana heard the door open at the front of the Game Shop and Joey got up to call them into the kitchen. The kettle whistled at the same time and Mana pulled it off the coil. She made slow work of putting the tea leaves into steep if only for a little more time to think. Mana heard Tristan and Yugi before she saw them, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. Yugi was bound to have questions Mana couldn't fully answer and that would only make this whole situation that much harder.

"How is he, Yugi?" Joey inquired.

"Stable," Yugi replied tiredly. "I guess that's all I can ask for after Pegasus took his soul."

"What!" the others exclaimed in unison.

Yugi quickly explained what had happened during his duel with Pegasus. Mana remained quiet and focused on getting mugs for the tea. She even poured everyone's tea before returning the tray to its proper place on the shelf.

"Then Mana showed up…and…what did you do Mana?" Yugi asked. "After you came in Pegasus couldn't seem to read my mind anymore."

Mana's blood ran cold and she wanted to cry all over again. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but only so much he would believe and only so much she could say in the present situation.

She wanted to scream that she was the wife of the Pharaoh who resided within his Puzzle whom she was duty-bound to protect. She wanted to lament that she had waited 5,000 years to return to her husband's side only to be forgotten and deemed untrustworthy. She wanted to fall at Yugi's feet and beg for his forgiveness.

But she couldn't. No matter her knowledge of the truth Mana knew it would take more than she was supposed to provide to prove it.

"I blocked your mind from his Millennium Eye using my own power, my sekhem," Mana answered carefully.

"I'm not sure I fully comprehend what you're saying."

"I'm sure that even if I told you…you wouldn't believe me."

"Try us!" Joey exclaimed. "We're pretty open-minded individuals."

"Joey's right. We want to understand," Téa agreed.

Mana turned around and leaned against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at each one of them in turn and saw acceptance, but she knew it wouldn't last. No one was open to the idea of a 5,000-year-old queen waking from an immortal sleep to protect her husband.

Even she knew she sounded crazy.

Mana's eyes rested on Yugi and moved to meet the curious eyes of Yami. She should've known that he wouldn't have missed out on this conversation. He was just as curious as the rest of them about Mana and her apparent abilities. The only downside to him being there was that she wanted to tell him everything. She wanted to spill their whole tale so that he would remember and be the man she loved, but Mana knew that would spell disaster for them all.

Her eyes settled on Yugi again, "Pegasus told you that 5,000 years ago a mighty Pharaoh locked away the Shadow Games in the Millennium Items."

"Yes, but you stopped him from continuing," Yugi reminded her.

"I did, but not because you don't need to know this information, Yugi. You do, but it was distracting you during the duel." Mana defended. "But, you also need to understand the responsibility and danger that comes with owning the Millennium Puzzle."

"So, your saying that what Pegasus said was true," Yugi concluded.

Mana nodded, "5,000 years ago a powerful Pharaoh did lock away the Shadow Games. He did it to save the world and those he cared about from the Darkness that came with participating in said Shadow Games. However, when he locked them away he gave up his own life in the process."

"What? That doesn't make any sense…." Tristan began.

"The power it took to contain the dark magic within the Items took its toll on the Pharaoh. The people the Pharaoh had saved laid his body to rest in a tomb. Along with several of the Millennium Items."

"Okay, so the Millennium Items are powerful and the Shadow Games are dangerous. What I don't get is what this has to do with Yugi," Joey stated.

"Before the Pharaoh passed on, he told his advisors and his queen that he would come back to them. His body would remain in Egypt, but his soul would return when it was needed to combat the Shadow Games once again," Mana continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. "Except, he asked that his name be erased from history. The Tomb of the Nameless Pharaoh still stands today and is where, I assume, Solomon found the box containing the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle."

"Grandpa mentioned that he had been part of a dig for a tomb in Egypt and that, within a day of being excavated it, would seemingly recover itself with sand," Yugi revealed. "He said it was the most bizarre and wonderful thing he had ever witnessed. He found the box on accident and thought it would be a great gift for me. So, he brought it home."

"And you put it together," Mana specified. "You awakened the power of the Millennium Puzzle and with its power comes dangers you never thought you would have to face. People like Pegasus will stop at nothing to get it. The Puzzle not only has power over the other items, but it also holds the power of the Pharaoh inside. The same Pharaoh who saved the world 5,000 years ago."

"How do you know all this?" Téa questioned. "You seem to know an awful lot about it."

"I know all of this because…" Mana stopped to take a deep breath and collect herself, "because I was there…5,000 years ago. I was there the day the Pharaoh succeeded in defeating the Darkness and the day he passed from the physical world."

The room grew silent and everyone looked at her as if she had lost her marbles. Mana couldn't blame them and one look at Yami told her that he didn't believe her either. It cut her like a knife to see the blatant disgust in his eyes. Disgust for the apparent lies she was telling them, the lies that were her truth.

"Very funny, Mana," Joey chuckled. "You can't be more than sixteen years old."

"I'm 5,016 years old give or take a few years," Mana replied seriously.

"You're joking. You've got to be," Tristan pipped up.

"But, I'm not."

Téa let out a scoff of disbelief, "Now is not the time for stories, Mana. Yugi's grandpa is in danger and you are…"

"Don't you think I know this isn't the time!" Mana interrupted. "It's not Yugi's fault that Solomon was taken. It's mine. I failed to protect him and now both Solomon and Yugi have to pay the price for my negligence."

The room grew quiet again and Mana looked to Yugi with hope that he wouldn't turn away from her. He had to know that she wouldn't waste time if it wasn't important. He had to know that she would do anything to help him get Solomon back. He had too…

"That's why you knew what the hieroglyphics on the box meant," Yugi affirmed.

"Yes," Mana nodded. "I was there when the Millennium Puzzle was broken and the box was created. I was there when the Pharaoh's tomb was sealed."

"Then how are you here now?" Téa demanded.

"There are some protectors of the Pharaoh's tomb that are born and then reborn. Then there are those who were chosen that day. Most of the protectors are the first, but I am the latter. I was chosen for one reason."

"And that reason is…" Joey prompted.

Mana wanted to tell them it was because she was the Pharaoh's wife. His most trusted confidant and protector. She wanted to tell them it was because of her love for her husband and dedication to his resurrection that she had given up the rest of her mortal life to find him again, but she knew now was not the time. Especially since Yami looked like he wanted to smack her for lying to them.

"I was chosen because of my status as a Priestess of the Goddess Sekhmet."

"The Goddess of War, right?" Yugi asked.

"Correct," Mana nodded. "Sekhmet is not only the Goddess of War but the protector of the Pharaoh. As a priestess, I had, well…have, powers that other devotees did not. I was able to manifest my power just as the Pharaoh and his advisors could…among other things."

"But, why you and how are you here now? If what you say is true then why would they choose a sixteen-year-old girl to protect the Pharaoh?" Yugi inquired.

Mana had to think fast. She knew her story wouldn't hold up for long, but she had to come up with something that was at least plausible. Telling them that she was once a Queen of Egypt would only make them distrust her more or think her motives impure. She had to make sure they understood that her status as Queen wasn't really a defining factor…for now at least.

"My mother had once been a High Priestess at Sekhmet's Temple in Memphis. I was being groomed to take her place. She died when I was young. Unfortunate circumstances led to me not completing my training."

"Then how…" Téa began. Mana gave her a sharp glare that cut off the rest of her words.

"I'll tell you, but you must allow me to speak." Mana let out an exasperated sigh and tried to cool her temper. "The Pharaoh and I had a clandestine meeting and he helped me figure out that I was a Priestess of Sekhmet. He considered me a trusted friend and confidant. I was among those who laid him to rest and I was chosen to protect him when he returned," Mana finished.

"But how?" Yugi tried again.

"The Goddess Sekhmet herself placed me in a deep immortal slumber. I was laid beside the Pharaoh in his tomb and those that watched over the tomb were the only ones that knew how to wake me. When they sensed the awakening of the Millennium Puzzle they woke me from my sleep and sent me here to you."

"There seems to be a lot of holes in your story, if you don't mind me sayin'," Joey pointed out.

"I wish I could tell you more, but I can't. There is only so much that I can reveal without causing more harm than good," Mana replied.

"That doesn't make any sense," Tristan huffed. "I thought knowing things was a good thing and here you are saying that too much would be dangerous. Whose side are you on?"

"Guys, calm down," Yugi urged before Mana could answer.

"We're just worried, Yugi," Téa stated. "If Mana has information that could keep you safe why won't she tell us?"

"Because this is bigger than all of you," Mana responded. She made her way over and rested her hands on the tabletop. "Yes, you are Yugi's friends and I respect that, but my job is to watch over and protect him from those that wish to do him harm. There is much more at stake than just your friendship. Yugi's life is precious and if I deem it necessary to keep some things about my past private than I will do so."

"We know his life is…"

"But you don't!" Mana yelled. "My sole purpose is to protect Yugi and those he cares about since they can be used against him! All I'm asking for is a little trust, which I know is hard to give, but it is all I ask!"

Mana hadn't meant to freak out. She just didn't know how else to convey to them that she wasn't a threat. She wasn't sure how to could explain that she would give her own life before letting anything happen to Yugi. Mana wasn't sure she ever would.

"Mana," Yugi called. Mana looked at him and he reached forward to touch her cheek. "You don't need to cry. I'm not going anywhere."

Mana hadn't even realized she was crying again. The thought of losing Yugi and with him, Yami, killed her inside. They didn't understand how much the whole conversation was gutting her. Yami even looked surprised that she was so distraught.

"I think it's time we all go to bed. It's getting late and I'm sure your parents are worried," Yugi suggested. "We'll figure out a way to get Grandpa back tomorrow."

His friends tried to protest, but Yugi pushed them all out the door. He promised them that he would get some sleep and see them tomorrow morning at school. Mana hadn't moved from her place in the kitchen. She didn't know how she felt or how she was going to handle Yugi alone after everything she had told him. For all Mana knew, Yugi would shun her or start ignoring her. Mana didn't think Yugi was that type of person, but Solomon's soul had been taken because of her inability to see it coming so she wouldn't be at all surprised if he hated her.

Yugi came back into the kitchen and Mana met his gaze. He looked exhausted and Mana didn't fault him for it. He had gone through a lot in the last several hours and the information Mana had just thrown at him hadn't helped. If anything, it made everything worse.

"I'm going to head up to bed. I'm exhausted," Yugi said. Mana just nodded her head in agreement. "Good night, Mana."

As he turned on his heel to leave the room Mana found her voice. "Yugi, wait." He turned to look back at her. "I just want you to know that I'm going to do everything in my power to help you get Solomon back. I'm responsible for…"

"No, Mana. We're both to blame," Yugi interrupted her. "I mean…I lost the duel against Pegasus. I'm not sure what you exactly failed to do, but if you want to blame yourself for part of it I guess I can't stop you. We…both messed up and now we just have to focus on getting Grandpa back."

Yugi left the room and made his way upstairs. Mana wasn't sure what to do now. She didn't think she would be able to sleep knowing that Solomon was in danger and that Yugi was upset. She decided to clean up the kitchen and then check all the doors to make sure everything was locked before heading up to bed. Maybe, by then, she would be exhausted enough to sleep herself.

Yami

Yugi was a mess. Sure, he was holding it all together on the outside because he didn't want his friends to worry, but Yami knew better. The younger boy didn't know what to do or what to believe. In one night, he had lost his grandfather and learned that Mana wasn't a normal girl. Even Yami was having a hard time processing it.

He understood that not all of it was Mana's fault and she had been particularly helpful when it came down to the wire, but she was keeping secrets. Secrets that not only affected Yugi, but Yami as well. That didn't sit well with him.

He wanted nothing more than to confront her about it, but he was still wary of being too close to her after their first encounter. When Mana had hugged him after his duel with Kaiba Yami almost couldn't hug her back, but after all the encouragement she had given him Yami couldn't bring himself to turn it down.

He also couldn't deny the worry he felt for her at school today. She had gone from bubbly and excited to weak and feeble in seconds. Yami didn't comprehend it, but he knew that he wanted nothing more than to get her home. He had been relieved to see her tucked in bed and finally warm.

Her warning had made no sense to him, but the tears in her eyes made his heart clench in his chest. Her weakened state combined with the tears made him want to obliterate the cause of her distress. What bothered him the most was that he didn't know why he felt this way. He was starting to think it was high time to question her about it. He just wasn't sure how to go about it though.

Sure, he could just walk into her room and demand answers to all his questions, but something told him that Mana wouldn't break that easily. She had already told Yugi's friends that she wasn't going to reveal anything else until it was necessary even though they demanded it. But he had to try for both his and Yugi's sake.

He was just about to leave his room in the Millennium Puzzle when he heard it. A hushed female voice outside his soul room door that made him wonder how she had even gotten inside. Yami reached for the door only to stop when he heard Mana speak again.

"Aren't I already suffering enough? If I go in there I'll have to bury everything so deep inside myself," Mana seethed her tone pained. "Why are you making me do this, Sekhmet? Why?"

Yami didn't hear another voice on the other side of the door, but he assumed it was a voice only Mana could hear. Mana had already conveyed that she was a Priestess of the Goddess Sekhmet so it would only be rational that she could talk to said Goddess without others hearing her. It made Mana sound crazy, but Yami really had no right to judge since he was a spirit of a Pharaoh trapped inside a puzzle box.

Yami pulled the door open and came face-to-face with Mana. She was shaking and there were the beginnings of tears in her eyes. Her lavender nightgown with a matching robe billowed in the light breeze the Millennium Puzzle usually had down its winding hallways. Yami realized it was because of this chilled breeze that Mana was shaking.

Mana quickly wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry if I woke you, Yami. I'm not even really sure what I'm doing here to begin with."

"I wasn't sleeping," Yami replied. "I was actually on my way to see you. I think we need to talk. Why don't you come inside?"

"Oh…um…I don't think that's wise. I mean…it's not that I don't want to…it's just that…."

"Well, I don't think Sekhmet would have brought you here if she didn't think it was wise," Yami countered. Mana's eyes widened in shock at his words and Yami only smirked. "I heard you talking to her."

"I see."

"Look," Yami tried again. "I know I've been avoiding you since our first meeting, but don't you think we need to set that aside? We should be focusing on what we are going to do about getting Yugi's grandpa back. To do that, we are going to have to work together."

Mana nodded in agreement before she spoke again. "You don't trust me. I can see it in your eyes."

She was right about that. He didn't trust her. She was keeping important information to herself, but if she was supposedly protecting Yugi then he was going to be stuck with her anyway. He might as well get used to having her around and her knowledge of the past might be the way to figuring out who he was.

"You're right. I don't trust you, but only because you know more than your letting on and not sharing."

Mana made her way past him and into his soul room. He closed the door behind them. He leaned against it so that he could watch her and block her escape. He wasn't sure it would work seeing as Sekhmet had brought Mana here in the first place. If Sekhmet wanted she could remove Mana at any time.

Mana was still shaking, but more so from anger now it seemed. He could feel it wafting off her and wondered if she was about to yell at him.

"Don't you think I want to tell you? All of you?" Mana inquired. She turned to face him. "It's killing me inside that I know so much and can't share it with any of you. There is a great deal I want to say, but it gets stuck in my throat because I don't know what it will do."

"I'd like to think it would help," Yami offered.

"That's what you don't understand," Mana huffed. "If certain information is given too early or too late then it could affect the future. It could cause Yugi to lose or you to be unable to stand by him."

"I will always stand by my partner," he defended. He couldn't help but glare at her for her insinuation. He would always stand by Yugi. Yugi had done far more for him in the last several months and Yami would protect him the best he could.

Mana's eyes widened again, not in shock, but in despair. Her green eyes became clouded and Yami couldn't understand how his words had seemed to wound her so much. He hadn't wanted to upset her. He just wanted to talk and come up with a plan of action to rescue Solomon.

She wrapped her arms around herself and Yami went to stand before her. As he reached out a hand to touch her she took a step back. Yami retracted his hand a fraction, but didn't drop it.

"Please, don't," she pleaded. Yami wasn't deterred by her words, however. He took a step forward again only for her to take two back. "Yami, you need to stop."

"Give me a good reason why?"

"I'll fall apart if you do."

The answer was vague and Yami had no idea how to respond. What he did know was that Mana again looked very fragile. Yami wondered if he did touch if she would shatter into a million pieces at his feet.

"I should go."

Mana made her way around him, but Yami spun around quickly. He wouldn't touch her, but he couldn't let her leave when he still had so many questions.

"What are we going to do about getting Solomon back?" he enquired.

Mana stopped. "I hate to say it, but there is nothing we can do until Pegasus makes his next move. He holds all the cards and until he gives us the next clue to whatever he's planning we can't strategize a way to beat him."

"I still have questions, Mana."

Mana looked over her shoulder at him. "None that I would be able to answer."

Mana was making her way towards the door again and Yami knew he couldn't let her leave. If she left then this chance would slip him by and he might never know anything about himself.

"Mana, wait," Yami pleaded. She turned to look at him again. "I've been stuck in this Darkness for 5,000 years. I know I'm the Pharaoh you spoke of. I'm the only spirit in this puzzle aside from Yugi so there can't be anyone else I could be."

"What is it that you remember?" she questioned quietly.

"That's it. I only remember that I'm a Pharaoh from Egypt and my knowledge of how to play the Shadow Games. I don't know my name or who you are. You say that you were my friend and confidant, but I have no memories of you."

Mana sighed. "I don't know what you want me to say, Yami."

Yami stepped towards her again, but this time Mana didn't move away. Her back was straight and her head was held high.

"I want you to explain who you really are. I want you to explain why I want to hold you close and keep you safe. I want you to tell me what you are to me."

"Like I said, I am the Protector or Guardian of the Millennium Puzzle," Mana responded. "It's my job to make sure that Yugi, as your vessel, doesn't die or be destroyed by those who wish to take the puzzle from him."

Yami shook his head. "That's who you are to Yugi not who you are to me."

"I can't give you the answers you seek, Yami."

"But you want to," he pointed out.

Mana sighed again, "Yes, I want to. There is no denying that I want to tell you and explain everything to you, but I can't. You're not ready and neither is Yugi."

"So, you would deny me answers simply because you think I am weak?"

"No, Yami," Mana replied. "It is not because I think you're weak. I know how strong you are, probably better than anyone, but even I can't disobey direct orders."

"Direct orders from whom?" he pressed.

Mana met his gaze, "You."

"Me?"

"Yes, Yami, you gave me orders not to explain anything until I thought you were ready to handle them."

Yami didn't understand. Why would he sabotage himself? Why would he keep important information from himself? Why would he keep himself in the dark like this only to get answers when some girl deemed necessary?

"Why?"

"Because although knowledge is power it also makes you a bigger target. I'm doing this to protect both you and Yugi."

"And if I gave you an order now to tell me everything?"

Mana gave him a small smile and Yami had to wonder why it affect him so greatly. She was beautiful when she smiled. He had to admit it to himself that he liked her smiling more than crying.

"I would still deny you, Yami," Mana answered.

"I assume it is because I told you not to no matter what I said."

"You would assume correctly. You knew that you would try anything to get the answers you wanted before it was time so you made sure to cover all your bases."

"I'm exceptionally infuriating," Yami growled.

"Yes, yes you are," Mana agreed.

Yami couldn't help but smile at her. He was still upset about not getting the information he wanted, but he had to commend Mana on her loyalty. She would follow her Pharaoh's orders 5,000 years later even if that same spirit stood before her now and demanded she break it. It was as admirable as it was maddening. Yami hadn't expect Mana to be an easy opponent, but she was certainly an interesting one.

"I think it's about time that I took my leave."

Mana turned on her heel and made her way back to the exit. One more thought occurred to him however that he couldn't shake. He had to at least try to ask it before she left.

"You don't have to answer, but I'm still going to ask…" Yami began. Mana stopped and looked over her shoulder at him again. "You are obviously someone very important to me if you were chosen to guard my Puzzle, but exactly how important are you to me? You said we had a clandestine meeting that led to me trusting you, what was it?"

Mana averted her gaze and pulled her robe closer to her body. Yami just waited. He wasn't going to push her no matter how much he wanted too. She was just being loyal to a version of him that he no longer remembered and he needed, regardless of how much he hated it, to accept that.

"Tell him…."

Yami jumped at the female voice that echoed throughout the room. Mana didn't seem phased, but more surprised that Yami had also heard it. She let out a sigh as the voice echoed around them.

"Tell me what?" he prompted.

"Sekhmet is being very pushy today," Mana grumbled.

"Tell me what, Mana?"

He walked forward until he was right in front of her again. She again didn't move just stared into his eyes as if to gauge his emotional state. He was anxious and a bit angry that Mana still seemed to deny him an answer to the simplest question even when her own Goddess gave her permission.

"Please, tell me," he begged.

Mana's hand came up to caress his cheek and his eyes widened when she leaned up on her toes to press her lips against his. His eyes slipped closed as his hand overlaid hers on his cheek. Then the vision began. They were just snippets and not enough to give any damning details.

He was chasing after Mana who was laughing…he tackled her to the ground and rolled her underneath him….she laughed and he noticed the lovely blush on her cheeks….he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple…then her forehead…next her nose…then their lips met and he felt a burst of love….

Mana pulled away and Yami slowly opened his eyes to see a watery smile on her lips. He reached for her only to have her pull away and leave through the open exit. The door slammed behind her before he could fully process what had happened. He ran to the door and yanked it open only to find her gone.

She must have returned to the physical world. He could go after her. She wouldn't really be able to stop him, but she would just ignore him or something. Mana needed time to figure out whatever mess of emotions she was going through and Yami himself needed time to figure out what the vision meant.

It was obvious that he had loved Mana once if the vision was anything to go by. They had been happy and he had felt so at peace with her. It was obvious that she hadn't been lying before, but Yami was even more confused than he had been prior to their discussion.

All Yami could do now was wait and see if the vision brought anything to mind. Mana had given him a gift. She had given him a memory. Whether it had been her, his, or their memory it was now something precious to him and something he could hold onto.

Woo that was a long chapter, but totally worth it. There was a lot of stuff going on and I wanted everyone to have a chance to see what Yami thought of this whole thing.

How was the end? Do you all feel like Mana is going against everything she had been so adamant against doing or do you all feel like it's about time?

Let me know when you review! I'd love to hear/read your thoughts on the matter.

Thanks for reading Chapter Nine.

See you soon lovelies!

~BlainexKurtxLovex