DH AN: I'm back with a new chapter of PR. I'm almost done with this story. Please enjoy Chapter Twenty: The R.H. Unmasked.

Chapter Twenty: The R.H. Unmasked

Sheon paid no heed to the fact that the redhead was paling more with each step the purple cloaked figure took towards her. He stopped squarely behind the two."Shouldn't you two be working?" His voice was barely above a husky whisper.

The redhead, now extremely ashen faced, jumped about two feet, while Sheon only stuttered nervously. "I, well; she uh, fell and I was just helping her out, sir."

R.H. looked at Arlomhe with a slightly piercing gaze. "Can you corroborate this?"

Arlomhe bit her lower lip. "I think so, sir."

"You think so?" R.H. repeated questioningly. Arlomhe nodded. "Then come with me; there is another matter I wish to discuss with you." Now it was Sheon's turn to go pale, as he watched the two exit the room. If he had done something he shouldn't have; he'd never forgive himself.

Arlomhe was almost dragged through the hallways once they were out of the room; she had to focus on her feet to keep them moving, as the results could be less than desirable if they failed her now. "How much far-?" She asked, but was cut off.

"Keep moving; I needn't answer your questions." R.H. almost hissed, opening the door and somewhat shoving Arlomhe in. "I'll be with you shortly." He almost snapped, shutting the door. He took heaving breaths, trying to calm himself. He sighed, leaning against the wall, and almost slumping to the floor. Perhaps it's time I end this game. I…snapped at her; this ruse could be going too far. He took a couple of deep breaths to regain his composure, and then entered the room.

Arlomhe could have sworn she heard hard panting from the other side of the corridor. Serves him right for dragging me through the passageways like that. She thought somewhat sourly. She suppressed a gasp when R.H. entered the room, as she was to the right of the door.

"You scare easily, don't you?" R.H. asked as he entered. Arlomhe only nodded in agreement, taking a seat on the bed further back into the room. She rotated so that she was facing R.H., who was seated on a chair near the head of the bed.

Arlomhe waited, nervous about asking her question. R.H. strummed his fingers on the adjacent nightstand repeatedly. "You have a question; go on and ask it."

"Who are you?"

"I can't say yet. Is that all you wanted to ask?" He sighed

"That and why you were dragging me through the passageway like an unmasked madman." Arlomhe retorted gently.

"Alas I cannot answer you on that, either." R.H. himself did not know why; perhaps it was out of a fear of being followed.

He leaned forward in his chair enough that Arlomhe could see his eyes but could not make out the color of them. "I have excellent news. That hole in the floor above will be fixed in due time." Arlomhe sighed heavily, regret evident in the act. "You regret coming. Tell me why."

"It doesn't concern this, sir." Arlomhe said firmly.

"You're lying to me; I see it in your eyes." As soon as the phrase left his lips the robed figure said nothing more. I can't believe I just gave myself away that easily. His expression soured, thankfully it was covered by the hood.

Arlomhe was deep in thought, replaying the phrase over and over in her mind. You're lying to me; I see it in your eyes. But something is missing that makes it different from what I remember. She grimaced, unseen to R.H. But I can't figure out what!!

She was brought out of her reverie, as; unknown to her, R.H. had regained his composure. "What is your name?" He asked softly.

Arlomhe's eyes widened. That's what is missing… my name was used in between those two phrases by my- It can't be! It can't be! She started shaking uncomfortably on the bed.

"I asked you a question and expect an answer." R.H. stated sternly.

"I already told you my name is Arlomhe Sharti." Arlomhe stated nervously. Sheon's voice carried farther than he hoped, and now I'm in trouble.

"That isn't what you told Yagasawi." R.H. paused. " Is it, Mhera?" He pressed, the name sounding slightly foreign to him.

"No, you are right. I indeed gave Sheon another name How could you tell I was lying?" R.H. did not answer. Mhera looked him directly in the eyes. "I'm not lying now… I know who you are."

"Oh?" R.H.'s voice rose. "And who am I, Mheralo?" Marik asked, not even bothering to mask the use of the last syllable. The game was finished, and she had done well by his standards.

"You're my father…I know you are, but why deceive me, father WHY?!" She was shaking with fury, fists clenched. She panted again, speaking once more, only this time using her voice "WHY!!" She shouted, the exclamation echoing throughout the room.

Marik bit his lip. She had his emotional tendencies, and that somewhat pained him. "I don't know." He murmured softly.

"You lie!!" Mhera yelled. Her next words were like ice. "I hear it in your voice."

"How do you know that I speak the truth to you now?" Marik asked calmly.

"Your voice is softer, and if I'm not mistaken, warmer than it was earlier." She sighed. "I can put any doubts I have to rest if you only show your face, sir."

Marik sighed. "As you wish, Mheralo." He lowered his hood, seeing a smile cross his daughter's face at the apparent sight of his platinum blonde hair. It was somewhat relieving to toss the alias away.

"Why the notes?"

"You never suspected me, did you?" Marik asked with inflection on the last two words.

"No."

"That's why." Marik smirked

"And why R.H?"

"I saw something similar in a book."

Mhera only nodded.

Marik pulled the hood back over his head, somehow managing to conceal his hair within it. He turned from Mhera. "Stay here for a while; I think somebody you met earlier has taken a quick liking to you." Marik smirked under the hood.

"He was just being friendly…" Mhera was quickly reddening in the face.

"You smiled at him. You smiled at him with a smile that was just like your mother's."

"So?"

"You've taken a liking to Yagasawi and he in turn has taken a liking to you.."

Mhera did not acknowledge him as he left the room .

DH: Well, that's the end of that chapter. Okay I hid Two Phantom References in here. Well, technically one is a reference that I mentioned twice, the other is an implication referring to one of Phantom's forms (Book, Musical/ movie) Vote on my new poll too, please.