Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not own Inuyasha, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or any of their titles therein. No copyright infringement was intended.
Moi-Moi: Hey guys. I'm sorry this is so late. I've been swamped. Between classes, extracurricular activities, college stuff, and having a life… It's not so much the work. It's more the endless need for sleep. But! I'm here now, not tired, and ready to go. Enjoy this chapter guys!
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"Shh, Yugi. You have to be quiet for mama," Kagome cooed to the bundle in her arms. She looked up to see one of the ten guards in her room twitch before standing rigid once more. She sat on her bed with Yugi in her lap. The guards surrounded the bed with spears in hand. Outside the room, even more guards patrolled the halls. It was a bit much.
"Do not fear, my queen. By order of Pharaoh, we shall not leave your side," one of the more muscular guards said and looked Kagome dead in the eye. Kagome nodded once before getting off the bed and heading towards the balcony. She heard the sounds of feet following closely behind her. "My queen, you should stay away from the balcony. It may be dangerous for you and the young prince."
"We'll be fine," Kagome says and wills her wand into her hand. She watched the skies frantically for any sign of Pharaoh. Her heart began to beat erratically as the seconds ticked on. 'Egyptian gods, guide him.'
Kagome gasped loudly as a loud roar broke through the dark skies. The guards rushed out to surround her. They all peered into the skies to see a large, red dragon-like creature soar through the skies. Kagome let a smile grace her lips.
"Pharaoh will be fine. He will return to us in one piece. I'm sure of it," Kagome whispers to the bundle before nuzzling it with her nose. She turns to re-enter the room only to see the guards blocking her way. She furrows her brow at them before speaking, "Stand aside men."
"I cannot allow that, Kagome."
Kagome felt her throat close up and her breath leave her lungs. Without a second thought, she surrounded Yugi and herself with a protective enchantment. "You never give up Aknadin. But, this time, you won't get away so easily," Kagome hissed. She expanded the enchantment until it pushed every one of the guards away from her and into the room.
"You cannot escape me, Kagome!" Aknadin cries out.
"We'll see about that," Kagome mutters and uses her levitation spell on her and her infant son. She touched down on the roof and looked around for a way out. The first thing on her mind was Yugi. However, she couldn't help but wonder how Aknadin was here and not facing Pharaoh. "How do I get out of here?" Kagome asked herself.
"There is no way out! Once my clone takes care of your precious king, the throne will be free for Seto's grand take over! Aknadin cried out with a hearty laugh.
Kagome sighed. "But, Seto doesn't want that. Even if your insane plan does work, Seto won't go through with it. You would have done all this for nothing. Seto would most likely have you sent to the dungeon," Kagome reasoned.
"No. He wouldn't do that to me. Not to… his father!" Aknadin yells. The Millennium Eye starts to glow brightly. He begins to laugh again as a chilling breeze whips up. Kagome shielded her eyes and pulled Yugi closer to her. 'Father?'
The cold breeze was seeping into her skin as well as causing Yugi discomfort. Kagome readied her own wand, ready to fight for her son's life. Kagome gasped as a bright ball of light zipped by her and stopped the winds at once. It collided with Aknadin and shot him off the roof's edge. Kagome turned only to see Mana standing behind her with an outstretched wand.
"Come on!" Mana yelled and grabbed Kagome's arm. "Let's get outta here!"
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Atem urged his horse to run faster as the sight of the palace grew closer. Once again, he had left Kagome to face Aknadin alone. He grit his teeth and whipped the reigns in his hands. He could hear Seto calling for the guards to move faster behind him.
Mahad let his eyes drift to his Pharaoh who was yards ahead. He seemed to be ready to leap off the horse at anytime and break into a run. Although he had been injured in his battle with Aknadin's illusion, he was willing to risk it all for his wife and child. Mahad whipped at his own reigns. "Kyah!" he yelled. Kagome was like family to him as well. He would not allow Aknadin to harm her or the young prince.
Seto looked ahead of him, taking his eyes off the many guards behind on their own horses. He watched Mahad speed ahead to the pharaoh's left side. He barely got a glimpse of the determination on Mahad's face. Seto smirked to himself. He could tell Mahad would be willing to risk his life in this fight. Feeling a new rigor, Seto kicked his own horse into overdrive and took his place at the pharaoh's right side.
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Aknadin gripped his head in pain as he lifted himself off the ground. He had fallen onto the balcony with a loud cracking noise. He turned to skies to see his Diabound lurking nearby. With a smirk, he got up and cracked his neck. He had to find Kagome before Pharaoh got back. "Stall others. I'll handle the queen," Aknadin commands. Diabound vanishes with an eerie noise and leaves Aknadin alone.
Aknadin stepped into the pharaoh's chambers to see the guards still unconscious. He narrowed his eyes at them. Kagome must have gotten stronger as well. 'It won't make a difference they will all die tonight.'
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"Watch your step," Mana instructs. "Here, let me," she offers with extended arms. Kagome nods once and gives Yugi over to her. Once Yugi was secure, Kagome slowly crossed the gap in the old staircase.
"Mana, how do you know about these stairs?" Kagome questioned. They were trekking down a stone, spiral staircase with only Mana's torch lighting their way. Kagome retrieved Yugi from Mana before following after her. Kagome tried to avoid the many cobwebs and dust that seemed to attach to her.
"I've been living here for years Kagome. That and there's the perfect hiding place at the bottom of these stairs. According to Master Mahad, it was originally built as a safe room for Pharaoh and the royal family should anything befall Egypt. It hasn't been used in forever. I took it upon myself to decorate the room quite nicely," Mana said with a small smile. Kagome smiled in return. Kagome looked down to Yugi's sleeping face. She would do whatever it took to protect him. "Here we are," Mana says. She waves her wand once to unlock the room. A resonating thud is heard before the door creaks open. "Get in."
Kagome enters through the rotting, wooden door and into the dark room. She uses her wand as a torch, the red light emanating through the room. From what she observed, it looked like a small room with simple furniture. "Don't worry. I keep everything relatively clean," Mana says and closes the door.
"It'll do. Thank you, Mana," Kagome smiles. Mana smiles in return.
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'Finally.' Atem leaped off his horse- leaving it behind- and running into the palace gates. He looked around for any sign of Aknadin or Kagome. But, the palace was eerily quiet. Where was everyone?
"Men! Spread out and search for Aknadin! I should not have to tell you to watch your backs," Seto says. He grips his Millennium Rod before looking to Pharaoh for instruction. The many guards stormed the palace, their frantic feet still sounding in rhythm. "My king, I shall search the courtyards. I will not leave any stone unturned," Seto spoke and summoned his monster spirit. Atem gave him a nod.
"I shall round up the other Priests. Kagome should still be in your chambers, my king," Mahad spoke.
"Mahad," Atem spoke. "If you find Kagome before I do, please protect her and Yugi. I will not lose them to Aknadin." Mahad gave a slight bow in acknowledgement before leaving. Atem left the gates with his chambers as his destination.
The palace was deserted. The servants were all probably hiding until they got the signal to come out. The eerie quiet only seemed to set his nerves off as Atem rounded another corner. He broke into a sprint as the doors to his chambers came into view. He slammed both hands against it and pushed it open with all his weight. "Kagome!" he cried.
The room was dark. The curtains whipped as the night air blew in. He could only see the bodies of unconscious guards, but no sign of Kagome or Yugi. 'Aknadin's already been here.' He groaned aloud and turned away.
"I wouldn't leave yet, if I were you."
Atem froze in his tracks. A chill made its way down his spine. Slowly, he turned and entered the room. He spotted Aknadin standing calmly on the balcony. "Aknadin," Atem spat. "Where are Kagome and Yugi!? What have you done to them!?"
"So nice of you to show up, Pharaoh. A bit too late I'm afraid," Aknadin said and pulled a cloth from behind his back. He balled it up before tossing it at Atem's feet. He glared at Aknadin before grabbing it. Atem's eyes widened in shock.
"Yugi," he spoke. Blood stains tainted the baby blue blanket in his hands. Atem felt his head hang low as he collapsed to his knees.
"Yes. I didn't want to involve your wife and child, but it had to be done. If Seto is to be king, there can be no others in line," Aknadin spat. When he didn't get a response from the king, he furrowed his brows. "Have you heard me?"
"You shall pay for your crimes, Aknadin. You have gone too far! I will show you no mercy!" Atem cried out. He raised his DiaDhank and allowed a symbol to appear on it. Allowing the extreme sorrow he felt show, tears flowed freely down his face. He didn't wipe them away. He was so livid he swore the tears would have evaporated on his heated skin.
Aknadin scoffed and displayed his own. "No monster you summon can compare to my Diabound!" Aknadin smirked at the pharaoh.
"Come forth, Winged Dragon of Ra!" Atem yelled. Aknadin froze and looked around him. The night sky was being pierced with rays of light. He began to feel slight panic at this. He watched as his Diabound was revealed for all to see.
"What are you doing!?" Aknadin cried. He turned to the Pharaoh to see a yellow glow about his person. Aknadin felt his eyes go wide. The young king was chanting something in a low voice. A loud screech from behind him drew his attention. He watched as his Diabound was vanquished by the great sun god. He gripped his chest and fell to his knees. "No! Don't!"
"Mi stampi vin por ĉiam kun ia nomo kiel la ŝlosilon! Atem!" the young king spoke aloud with enough ferocity that chilled Aknadin to the bone. He raised his hands to defend himself, but failed. The spell erupted throughout the room and shook the whole palace. Aknadin cried out in objection before glaring. 'This is not over Pharaoh!'
With one final flash, the tremors ceased and the lights dimmed. Only the sound of the Millennium Puzzle clattering to floor before shattering into many pieces and the Millennium Eye clattering filled the now empty room.
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Kagome sighed as she stared at the new flowers sprout through the ground. She grasped her wand before waving it over them once. They grew instantly with some giving off some fresh dew from the water the servants had given them. Not even the dazzling beauty of the flowers could lift her mood.
"Mother?"
Kagome turned to see her only son standing behind her with a worried look. Banishing her sadness, Kagome gave him a brilliant smile. "Yugi, is something wrong?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," he said and took a seat next to his mother on the stone bench in the garden. "You seem sad today. Is it because today's the anniversary?"
"…Yes, Yugi. But, it is you I worry for. You don't even remember him," Kagome says and wraps an arm around her son.
"I've heard stories about the former pharaoh. I mean, Father," Yugi says. Kagome looks down at her now thirteen-summer-old son. She could have sworn that he had seen her husband- Ra bless his soul- staring back at her. She couldn't help but smile. "Will I be a good king?"
"Of course you will. You're going to be a bright, caring king who is perfect in every way. I know it. You won't be alone. You'll have me, Mahad, Seto, and all the other priests," Kagome says. Yugi gives her a hesitant smile before nodding.
"Plus, you'll have me!" a voice spoke in a cheery tone.
Kagome groaned. Yugi stood to see none other than a twenty-summer-old Mana smiling at him. "When everyone else is driving you crazy, I'll be here to help you sneak away. I know all the ins and outs of this palace. Just stick with me," Mana says with a large grin. Yugi looks to his mother with a hopeful smile.
Kagome waves him off. "Go ahead," she says. She hears the two run off with cheerful laughter before yelling after them, "Just don't be late for your lessons Yugi!"
"Alright Mother! I won't!"
Kagome shook her head with a smile. "He's growing up into a fine young man. I can tell that he will be your equal in every way, Atem." With a small smile, Kagome picked up her wand before heading inside. When something dripped on her head, she looked up. Her eyes caught sight of one leaking sack trailing after another whizzing by overhead. 'Mana…' she thought with a smile.
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Moi-Moi: Sorry to say, Atem had to die. It was a sort of Romeo and Juliet ending. Damn that Aknadin. Even without a father figure, Yugi grew up rather well. Eh? Stay tuned for the Epilogue. Sigh. That was nice… Review please?
Edited: 10/7/12