The sky began to turn a deep yellow as the sun began to set on the desert kingdom. Shops were beginning to get packed up as dinner was being put out onto tables of hungry husbands and energy depleted kids. Everything seemed peaceful now that the great pharaoh had defeat their enemies in a war that had come to close for comfort. But now, thanks to their rise in victory, everyone knew how powerful Egypt was and the whole kingdom was sure that they would be in a time of peace for a very long time. It was all thanks to the pharaoh and the newly created millennium items. But tonight, things were going to play out a bit differently in the palace...
"You got to get your hands right over it, then strike! But be careful they're slimy!"
"Ok onii-chan!"
The preteen prince stood absolutely still in the waters of the courtyard pond, his hands motionless as they hovered just inches over the water... waiting... The young princess had her stance almost identical to her brothers as she tried to follow exactly what he was doing... her clothes drenched and hair soaked obviously from failing to catch her prey and falling into the murky water... Her face was contorted in concentration as she tried desperately to be patient with her task but it was clear that her older brother was much better at this that she was... Minutes ticked by as the burning sun hung lower and lower in the sky... soon the blue sky was now tinted with a bright yellow color and the moment the slightest hint of orange flooded to sky, the prince struck. His movements were so fast, so precise, so sudden that it made the princess shriek in surprise as she toppled into the water for the second time that evening. The prince laughed gently as his sister wiped her eyes of the dirty water, he reached out to her as the princess eyes fell on her brothers prize. He had managed to catch a fairly large fish that was squirming to get free of his mighty grip. The little girl gaped at her brothers skill, how come he could catch the fish with his bare hands and she just got wet... She sighed as she took her brothers hand and with one mighty tug, she was standing upright staring up into her brothers face.
"You've gotta be patient Yosenity, A good leader must learn to wait and then strike!"
Yosenity smiled and she rung out her skirt while her brother gently placed the fish back inside the water and quickly become invisible underneath the floating vegetation.
"I'll learn!" Yosenity said with a smile, "I'll be just as good as you are one day Yami!"
Yami smiled back as he patted her head, but then a new voice was added to their two way conversation.
"You two! Why don't you ever tell me when you're going swimming!"
Yosenity's big blue eyes looked up to find the owner of this cheerful voice, and it didn't take long to find it either. Yosenity and Yami looked up at the same time to see the preteen Mana holding a book almost as big as her under her arm. Her hair was tousled as if she had just run a mile and there were dark circles beginning to creep under her eyes but that didn't stop the pure joy and the look of fun from pouring out of her. But It wasn't just Mana that stood in front of the two... A very youthful looking Mahado stood a head taller than Mana looking at the two with the same look of interest in his eyes. Yosenity guessed that Mahado and Mana had just got done with their sorcery training for the day, although poor Mana had too work extra hard at it. Mahado was a magician by blood, his father taught him and his mother was trying her best to teach little Mana... she always seemed to struggle but Yosenity knew she'd never give up being a sorcerer... she admired Mahado too much and plus she wanted to do 'cool magic tricks to help Ouji'. The siblings looked at each other then back at their best friends and both of them broke into identical guilty smiles.
"Well..." Yami started as he scratched the back of his head, "we weren't swimming so much as fishing."
Mana's eyebrows raised in longing and Yosenity giggled at the look as she rung out her long hair. Mahado's face just broke it an innocent smile as he looked down at the two, his smile seemed to say 'kids will be kids' and it made Yami laugh a bit. But it disappeared quickly as Mahado's gaze scanned Yosenity from head to toe.
"Oujo... what happened too you?" He said slightly worried...
"I fell." She answered kindly... she knew Mahado had thought that maybe she almost drowned... he always wanted to protect the both of the siblings... and she didn't want Mahado to feel worried or guilty over something that didn't even happen. Her answer seemed to erase Mahado's worry for he rolled his eyes and his face went back to that beautifully innocent smile. Yosenity smiled back and then her eyes fell back onto Mana who was still staring longingly at the water.
"It's harder than it looks, Mana." Yosenity commented to Mana as she stepped out of the water but the moment her sentence had ended, Mana was already flying past her towards the water, her giant book clattering to the ground as she cannon balled into the water. Yosenity's eyes widened as a medium wave came towards her... Yami raced towards her and picked her up to move her from the oncoming water but was too slow... the two were soon caught in the wave and ended up soaked from the waist down... Silence followed but was broken as Mana' head resurfaced. Laughter echoed all around the courtyard as pink entered the ever darkening sky and soon the siblings were splashing Mana in the face as she swam away, as Mahado quickly raced to save Mana's book from being ruined with water... although everybody was happy when he decided to join on their little shanagins and it turned into a boys against girls splash fight.
We were a family... onii-chan, Mahado, Mana and I... I wish things hadn't changed...
Eventually Mana and Mahado had to leave the two, with Mana's giant book of Magician studies under her arm and Mahado pushing her towards the doors, but she swore a water vengeance the next time they met... of course that was met by a 'you're on!" by both of the children and stifled laughter by Mahado. She let out another giggle as she allowed herself to be pushed away and soon Yami was escorting his sister to her room to get changed into night clothes. He had left to change as well but instead of returning to read to her like he normally did, he had returned in day clothes telling her that he was going out with father and couldn't read to her tonight. When she had asked why, she saw his eyes fill with slight fear as the answer 'i don't know' escaped his lips. Yosenity didn't question anymore... she gave her brother a quick hug as he left her room without another word... A couple of hours later, the sky was completely dark with the exception of the full moon and the many stars that nestled around it. A slight breeze was blowing through the kingdom and through Yosenity's hair as she stood outside on her balcony gazing up at the twinkling little lights. In truth she wasn't actually looking at them, she was listening for the sound of hooves against rock, or the slight voice saying 'welcome back, my pharaoh." She was so worried...
Her room was dark as all the candles had been blown out by her mother when she had come in to tell her to sleep... Yosenity had to be silent... if her mother knew she was still up, goodness... talk about more work tomorrow... but eventually, after hours of standing out on her cold balcony, Yosenity decided to continue listening from the warmth of her bed... that way if mom came in, she could pretend to be asleep! But she wouldn't stay in her warm bed for very long...
Her door burst wide open with a bang causing Yosenity to bolt straight up out of bed in terror... but it was very short lived as she saw her mom standing in the door frame, but she didn't look well. She had extremely dark circles under her eyes... her hair was messy and she was panting so hard like her own lungs were being crushed... The overall appearance scared Yosenity to bits as her eyes were still trying to desperately to adjust to the light that now was flooding into her room. But the moment she saw who it was her heart stopped for she had never seen her mother like this before... nor had she even seen her mom cry... but she was certain that tears were welling up in her eyes as she came over to her bedside.
"Okaasan...?" she managed to say quietly but she never did get any answer from her mother... she was quickly swept into her arms and quickly left the room, each step she took full of urgency... Yosenity could only see over her shoulder the whole way but she knew the castle so well that she sort of knew where her mom was going... the horse stables? Why would she be going to the horse stables? Were they going somewhere at this time of night? But she never voiced her question as she nestled into her mothers arms as the coldness of the night hit her skin and the sound of horses neighing rang in her ears... but then a friendly voice weaved into the sound of the horses.
"Your Horse is ready my Queen... There are a couple of bandits trying to sneak into the castle but they will be dealt with before you return."
"Thank you Ammon..."
"My Queen... are you sure you want to travel alone... it is more dangerous out there in the desert... thevies are out and about this time of night."
"Please Ammon... I know you have just my safety at heart, but I don't have time right now... please just do as I say."
Yosenity could hear the man choke a little for he knew he had stepped out of place... she heard his clothes rustle and she knew that the man was now bowing to her mom, but it was strange... mother was never demanding... even though she could be since she was the queen of Egypt... she was always kind and wished to hear others opinons... what had happened to mother? But her thoughts were silenced by the rustling of mans clothes once again as he stood up to face his ruler. He clapped his hands together and suddenly footsteps could be heard running towards them along with the sound of clatering horse hooves.
"Here is the horse Father"
"Good Mahado."
But at the mention of Mahado's name Yosenity's head jerked up off of her mom's shoulder to spin around and see if it was really him. Of course she wasn't disappointed when her eyes fell on one of her best friends... why was he up this late with sir Ammon? Could what had her mother so upset be this important? What was going on... Yosenity's mind kept buzzing with a million questions... who knew her mind would have been working so hard this early in the morning...
The moment Yosenity's sky blue eyes popped up around the Queens shoulder, Mahado smiled gently at her as if to give her some kind of encouragement... but his look made Yosenity's eyes well up with tears... she wasn't sure why... was she scared? was she just happy to see some sort of solid rock in a sea of questions? She didn't know but Mahado just continued to smiled up at her but his strong presence as a young priest was never lost.
"Oujo..." he said with calm sinserity in his voice.
"Maha-do.'' Yosenity said back trying her hardest to smile through her tears that now spilled out onto her cheeks. But no matter how hard she tried to hide the fact she was crying, the queen suddenly looked at her, love poured from her very tired looking face. Yosenity smiled at her beautiful mother as she reached up and gently wiped away new tears that were forming to replace the old.
"Oh Nadia, don't cry sweetie. There's nothing to be upset about honey."
"Okaasan..." Yosenity started but she just ended up burying her head into her mothers jet black hair trying hard to fight back tears of fear and unknown... Her mother just ended up stroking her hair and holding her more tightly into her warm body as she spoke to the two men in front of her.
"She'll be fine Mahado." The queen said to the little priest in front of her and Yosenity could only guess that Mahado had shown a sign of worry on his face... he was so silly... wanting to protect Yami and her all the time. She felt her mother move and soon she was being pulled away from her mothers comforting embrace to be put on the horse just in front of the queen... but it wasn't long before her arms were back around Yosenity as she held the reins... ready to gallop of into the night. Yosenity brushed away her tears as she now peered down at Mahado as his father started to move the horse to the gates. She threw a small wave in Mahado's direction and he returned it with a wink, as if he was trying to say without words not to be afraid and that she'd be back before she knew it...
Oh how I wish that would have been true... Mother...
"Take care of the Castle while I'm gone Ammon."
"I will. We will be awaiting your arrival home."
"Thank you."
And with that, the horse whined as it began to gallop down the courtyard toward the city streets. Yosenity looked behind her to see Mahado just once more before they were gone but he wasn't paying attention to them anymore... Yosenity could see through her hair that he was listening to his fathers order and within the second they both ran off into the entrance hall... to deal with the intruders no doubt... she sighed as she pushed her hair behind her ear and nestled into her mother's arms to guard herself from the icy air that was now penetrating her exposed skin... gods she wished she would have grabbed a blanket from her bed... but her mother wrapped one arm around her try and keep her warmer... it was a nice gesture but in truth it wasn't helping her much...
What felt like hours passed by as mother and daughter rode through the city of Egypt and out into the desert... Yosenity tried to sleep but the rough movement of the horses body made that dream nearly impossible to accomplish... so she opted to just stare through her eyelashes at the enourmous desert that they called home... it wasn't very exciting but she tried to make it exciting by trying to figure out what some of the dunes were shaped as... But if there was one thing that was killing her was the silence even though it wasn't acctually silent with the wind rushing past her ears... silence between her and her mom. She wanted to talk to her but something just told her that it would be better if she just kept quiet... her mom seemed to be deep in thought, probably over the thing that had made her so worried in the first place... but did it really have to be this silent...
Finally after a couple more minutes Yosenity couldn't stand it anymore, she had to ask one of her questions... if the silence wouldn't kill her, the questions in her mind would... and Yosenity certainly didn't want her brian to explode...
"Okaasan?" she asked tentivily but loud enough to be heard over the deafening winds. She tilted her head to the side so she could at least see a little bit of her mom as the conversation started.
Her mother shook her head a bit as if surprised to hear Yosenity's voice and she quickly looked down at her with her usual kind smile that never fail to come onto her face when Yosenity was around.
"Yes Nadia?"
Yosenity blushed as she looked away for a minute a bit uncomfortable that she broke her mothers silence... maybe she was impatient like Yami had said...
"Well..." she started slowly, "where are we going..."
She brought her eyes back up to her mom's face and to her slight surprise, her mother's smile widened as if not surprised that Yosenity would ask that question.
"We're going to see your brother and your father." She stated sweetly.
"But I thought that they would be back in the morning?"
"They are going to Nadia, its just something has come up and I need to talk to your father."
"A vision?"
Yosenity's mother's smile finally cracked into a sort of scared look but as it happened, she quickly looked away so Yosenity couldn't see it...
"Sort of..."
So that was what was going on...
The queen was blessed with the ablitly to sometimes predict the future or see visions from the gods. She had forseen the millenium items being made years before even Yami was born... she had also predicted the war that forced the items creation. Sometimes she aided the pharaoh with her visions... she was indeed a powerful queen... So she must have had a vision of something horrible if she was willing to risk her life to go out into the desert to find the pharaoh...
But suddenly the horse began to slow down to a stop which drew Yosenity out of her thoughts and into the night once more... she looked up at her mother and as she did, her mom tightened her grip on her daughters waist as she stared out in the sands. Yosenity followed her gaze and for the first time she could see something other than pitch blackness. An orange glow was quickly coming their way...
Fear gripped Yosenity's heart as she watch the glow come closer and soon she could make out to men on horse back with bags upon bags of goodness knows what... and as she continued to look out to them she heard her mom curse...
"... They've spotted us..."
Yosenity's young eyes filled with fear as she twisted her body to look at her mother full on. The queen quickly looked down at her and kissed her forehead... as she picked her up into a loving hug.
"Nadia sweetie, I need you to do something for me."
Yosenity kept silent as she grabbed onto her mothers clothing, fear welling up inside her whole being as she breathed in her moms wonderful smell.
"I need you to tell the pharaoh my vision. I saw darkness make a home inside of the millenium locket and I saw a great war to come and to be... The future pharaoh will out match them and he will be sealed away after peace but the darkness won't die... please tell him this Nadia..."
"Okaasan..." Yosenity tried to say while more tears started to form. She didn't understand? What did that mean... and why couldn't her mother tell the pharaoh.
"Nadia... I love you so much... I'm so happy the gods gave you to me..." She squeezed Yosenity in a tighter hug and Yosenity copied her as she grabbed onto her clothing, nestling her face into the queens neck.
"I Love you Nadia... I Love Atem and the pharaoh as well and I thank the gods for all three of you..."
Yosenity felt her mother lift her up and off the horse to set her down onto the chilled sand. Yosenity reached up to her as her hands left her sides but Her mom shook her head and Yosenity could see tears filled in her eyes...
"Okaasan!" Yosenity cried but her mother shook her head as she grabbed the horses reins again.
"Run Nadia! Hide behind the nearest dune! Please tell my vision to the pharaoh..."
Nadia nodded slowly as she took a step back obeying her mothers orders but she didn't want to leave... Why did she have too... why couldn't her mom come with her... why was this happening...
"Mom-"
"Run now Nadia!"
Without another moments hesitation, Nadia took of running towards a nearby dune to hide behind... tears flying from her eyes as she broke her gaze with her mom's beautiful face... little did she know back then that would be the last time she would see it.
"I'll see you at home!" Nadia yelled to her mother but she got no response in return... how wrong she had been back then... She eventually slid behind a giant pile of sand and she quickly pulled her knees in close to her, not daring to move but listening like her life depended on it... she didn't have to wait long.
"What have we got here... hmm?" came a nasty sounding mans voice...
"Well it looks like a very lovely woman..." came another man's voice but this one was a bit more powerful and calmer sounding...
"I apperciate the compliment but is there something that I could help you with?" came the queens voice, more powerful than Nadia ever remembered hearing it before.
"Oh we want nothing really special..." came the firsts mans voice.
"Then I will be on my way if you please." said the queen but Nadia heard quick hoof steps as a response.
"Give us whatever your carrying."
"Unfortunately I have nothing on me! Now let me pass!" her mothers voice almost matched the pharaohs voice in intensity but for some reason this made the two thieves laugh very hard.
"DO YOU HEAR HER! Talking like she's the damned pharaoh!" snorted the first man as the second composed himself to shoot another comment at the queen.
"FINE! If you don't have anything of value on you then we'll take something else."
Nadia heard the second man snap his fingers and the next thing she heard was struggling and horses whining... she clamped her hands around her ears trying to block out the sound of the yelling and whining but it was no use... she could still hear the two men taunting her mother as she struggled.
"I want first go at her! She's sexy!"
"SHUT UP! I get to go at her first!"
"You will unhand me!"
"Oh why would I do that lady?"
"The Gods will punish you if you don't!"
"The Gods will punish me if I let that beautiful body of yours go to waste!"
Nadia heard bangs next and it was clear that her mother was trying to fend them off with the few magic tricks Sir Ammon had taught her but they obviously didn't work for the next thing she heard was screaming... horrible female screams...
She couldn't take it anymore... She ran! She didn't know where too but she ran... tears flew from her eyes as she ran away from her mother and tried to fulfill her wish... Mom... the screaming... the laughter from the two men... she had sacrificed herself to let her escape... mother... the desert wasn't too apologetic... it was dark, so dark... where could she go! She would die out here! She would make the last wish her mother made worth nothing... But where!
As she ran... she suddenly saw the locket light up and tug in a certain way as if answering her question of where to go... Maybe this was the gods way of helping... She followed her lockets directions without hesitation but how much farther did she have to run... her legs where getting tired... But it seemed no matter how far she ran... she couldn't run away from the screams that still echoed inside her head. She slowed to a walk as more tears slid down her face and she remembered her mothers face. Always kind... always beautiful... always smiling... always loving... why. Why did she have to be taken from her... Why didn't the gods save their messenger! WHY didn't they save her mom!...
"MOMMY!"
And with that Nadia collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably... She punched the desert in anger as tears began to make a small puddle in the sand... her body shook as she continued to cry... heartbroken... defeated... how could this had happened after the day had been so great... her body fell onto the ground as she curled into a ball as she continued to feel her chest break... she felt ill... mommy...
Minutes passed with nothing but the sound of her sobs to be heard... the wind blew sand all over her body but she didn't care... she wanted someone to take her away... take away the pain please... gods please take it away... say it wasn't true... that she was sleeping... she was glad that someone interrupted her thoughts at last...
"Nadia..." said a soothing voice and she didn't even have time to look up at the newcomer before she felt herself being lifted into their arms. She looked through her water filled eyes into the wide amethyst ones she knew so very well. He looked sympatic as he pulled her in close to his chest and began to walk forward... The newly aquired millienuim item around his neck glowing and pointing the way home... Nadia grabbed onto his robe as she buried her tear streaked face into his multicolored spiky hair... tears still pouring from her bloodshot eyes. Her brother tried his best to comfort her as she continued to sob into his shoulder... but they culdn't stay quiet for long...
"Yosenity what on earth are you doing out here?" he asked as soothing as he could.
"I came with okaasan... to- too tell pharaoh..." her voice trailed off as she tried to keep the screams from entering her head again and her brother seemed to understand for he didn't continue his questioning but he did hold her tighter into him, pushing his hand more firmly on the back of her head as if not wanting her look up. But... they couldn't leave yet... she had promised okaasan...
She began struggling against her brothers hold but it was useless...
"Atem wait... where's daddy... I need too-"
"Chichiway is not coming home..." Atem said quietly...
Nadia's eyes widened into Atem's shoulders as the millennium puzzle hit her knee again... the puzzle... the new symbol of the pharaoh... was around Atem's neck... It had quickly dawned on her that her father had probably found the same fate as their mother... She couldn't believe it...
"Daddy is... gone..."
Atem nodded his head solemnly and she felt his body shake a little... So that was why the puzzle was around Atem's neck now... he would now be ruling... she was in the arms of the pharaoh... she closed her eyes again as she grabbed on tighter to Atem's shoulder and he held her closer to his heart.
"Atem..." she managed to choke out...
"Its going to be ok Nadia... lets go home..."
"But... the thieves..." she started but Atem kindly shushed her.
"The gods are protecting us Nadia... we'll get home safely."
She didn't know how well the gods protection would be... but she was with her brother and this was enough comfort for her. She nestled her head into his shoulder allowing tears to continue steaming from her eyes until sleep eventually over took her... Little did she know back then that Atem had been crying along with her... nor did she know the horrible ordeal he had to witness... now they only had each other and this was the reason Atem looked after her so much... Egypt had been given into new hands in just one night...
Atem had to study so hard... he was still so young he couldn't fully rule yet... and even when he worked so hard he always worried about me... why...
The sun hit Yosenity's eyes as they stepped out of the airport while she tried to cope with a small head that sent old memories flying through her head... She wished they would stop, every couple of minutes she would see flashes of things but then would come a full on mental black out as she relived something else and she was always greeted with a pounding head after... but whatever...
"So... what now?" she asked as she stared out into the unrecognizable town, pulling along her rolling suitcase that she borrowed from grandpa. Yugi smiled as if amused by her question.
"I called a friend to come pick us up. He should be here in a couple of minutes."
"A friend?" Yosenity questioned with curiosity filling every inch of her voice, "You know someone who lives all the way in Egypt?"
"Well its kinda of lucky we decided to come now..." Yugi explained as he ushered her to a nearby bench to get out of the way of oncoming foot traffic, "see he's about to move to Japan to go to college."
"Really? People actually move from one end of the world to another?"
"Its not uncommon Yosenity." Yugi laughed as he sat down next to her, the 'surprises about this still strange world' still never failed to make him laugh. But his laughter made Yosenity go red with embarrasment as she looked away and Yugi could sense that she was afraid she asked a stupid question. He sighed after his mild case of laughter died down as he looked down the streets for any familiar face... but he really couldn't concentrate very well... his mind was still racing with the recent memory he was forced to relive... and it wasn't even his...
He couldn't get rid of the horrible empty disgusting feeling that had settled inside his chest. He couldn't believe that THAT was what Yosenity had been forced to experience... it sickened him... it was horrifying... he couldn't imagine ever getting back to normal after something like that. But that fact that Atem pretended to be strong, pretended to be ok... was incredible... It didn't matter that he had seen this memory before, back when he first met this strange spirit of the locket, but the true agony of this memory was fully brought out as he heard their words and could fully see their faces and actions... he felt like he was going to be sick.
His eyes wandered over to Yosenity who was starring off into space as her fingers fiddled with the zipper on her luggage. How could she recall such a painful memory and just sit there... well she was probably forced to relive and relive her own thoughts for millenniums... and if that was true, it was no surprise that she would fall easily to the darkness. Probably every inch of light and happiness had been stripped from her... it wasn't fair...
A glint of water caught Yugi's eyes as tears began filling in Yosenity's eyes but her expression never changed as she just continued t stare across the street... he was glad that his phone decided to ring at that moment. Both of them were shocked back into reality as Yugi plungded his hand into his pocket and gazed at his caller I.D.. A smile of relief swam onto his face as he read the name and answered the call.
"Hey! I thought you had forgotten about us."
Yosenity leaned in closer to try and hear the other end of the conversation as Yugi began to laugh.
"Oh yes, there's tons of traffic in the desert."
Had that been sarcasm? Yugi was trying to teach her this little technique that apperently this century was obsessed with... she was good at using it but horrible at detecting it. Yugi snickered at the remark he got and nodded his head even though the person on the other line couldn't see him.
"Alright so your in the airport now? Oh, oh! Ok. Ya We'll be looking for you. Ok. See ya."
Yosenity's watchful eyes waited with anticipation as Yugi pocketed the phone and started to gather up the luggage. He motioned for her to do the same and they were soon waking down the sidewalk, passing through the crowds of people ignoring some of the rude looks when they accidentally bumped into others.
"Hey! watch it Blondie!" shouted a middle aged business man as Yosenity's luggage hit his leg and Yosenity immediately blushed and bowed to him in apology. The man's minor anger quickly was diminished as curiosity over took him, it was clear he had never had anyone bow to him before.
"What are you doing?" He asked her with mild sarcasm but Yugi came to the rescue by pulling on Yosenity's arm and putting her luggage handle back into her hand.
"Gomenisai sir, please excuse my cousin."
The man gave a nod to Yugi while still examining Yosenity with curious eyes as she was pulled away. Yugi smiled at her as she smiled guiltily back at him but he threw her a 'don't worry about it' look. Her smile quickly became wider right as a loud honking sound was heard. Yugi looked out into the the street to see a nice silver convertible coming to parallel park right next to them as the dirty blonde teen waved vigorously at them.
"HEY YUGI-KUN!"
Yugi waved back as he grabbed Yosenity's hand so she wouldn't go anywhere but it turned out he didn't need to take such precautions for she was too transfixed on the newcomer who had jumped out of his car, once he was done parking, and began loading their luggage into the trunk.
"Hey Marik! How have you been?"
Marik's sharp violet blue eyes laughed at them as he finished loading the luggage and gestured to them both to get into the car.
"Ah the same old thing, except that some of my newer costumers are getting very impatient... its like what, did you want me to fix your bike in an hour? People..."
Yugi shrugged as if saying 'ya what are you going to do' as he clicked his seatbelt and turned around to make sure Yosenity had done the same as well. She was all ready to go as she sat comfortably in her seat waiting to be introduced to this stranger.
"Oh right," Yugi said rolling his eyes at his forgetfulness, "Yosenity this Marik, Marik's a good friend of mine and is a... car technician?" he said as he inclined his head at Marik to correct him if he had said his title wrong.
Marik shrugged while holding back a laugh as he pulled out of the parking spot and began to battle the traffic to exit the airport, "You can call it that I guess."
Yugi flushed a bit but quickly recovered, "Alright then, what is your official title."
"Car technician." Marik joked which made Yugi falter and turned slightly red again. Yosenity laughed even though she had no idea what on earth a car technician was and decided to look out into the unfamiliar land as they left the airport. Her head pounded again...
Yugi looked at her again, feeling his head tinge with pain and knew that she would maybe blackout soon and be forced to relive something else... well they both would have to... how many more horrible memories did Yosenity harbor? He shook his head as this thought accord to him and decided to keep the conversation going, but Marik beat him to it.
"So Yosenity," at hearing her name, Yosenity's focus was torn from the scenery and was refocused to the front of car where the two boys sat, "Yugi told me a bit about you on the phone while you two were still at the Domino airport, so your really are the lost princess of Egypt?"
Yosenity nodded as Marik's mimicked her as he turned onto another road, "We were wondering about you. My sister, Ishizu, she and my brother Odion are archeologists, and they found a tablet that had depicted a princess around the time the nameless pharaoh had lived, but no name, no anything, it was just that tablet. And let me tell you something, the picture on the tablet doesn't do you justice."
Yosenity's eyebrows raised in confusion at the last remark and Marik quickly explained himself, "It means that your much prettier in person." He stated with a chuckle.
"Oh, well thank you very much." She said as she started to warm up to him. But there were some questions she wanted to ask him.
"So Marik, how do you know Yugi if you live all the way across the world?"
But to her surprise Marik didn't answer immediately like he had been doing, in fact he seemed to change from the peppy person to this horrible depressed and sorry person in just an instant... what was the story of this mans heart?
But it wasn't Marik who answered the question, it was Yugi. He came flying to the protection of his friend as if she had just been verbally attacking him with this one question. Yugi's kind smile couldn't mask the fact that something terrible must have happened before these two ever became friends.
"Yugi?"
"He was the royal families tomb keepers. He guarded your brothers tomb until he returned to the earth and..." He ceased to continue as he saw Marik's knuckles turn white on the steering wheel and decided on the other way to tell her... it was obvious that what ever Marik had done he still hadn't forgiven himself over even if Yugi had.
"You know what I'll let you search my memories about that ok? Even though I'm sure you've seen those memories. But later ok?"
Yosenity nodded as she turned her attention back to Marik who had seemed to relax now that they weren't on that specific topic anymore but she still had to ask.
"So you were my families tomb keeper?"
Marik nodded again not looking back at her. She could feel she was digging deeper than probably was allowed, seeing how she had just met him but she had to know...
"So... you helped my brother leave to the next world then huh?"
Again Marik nodded slowly but she couldn't help but think that maybe there was something else behind that nod but decided not to push anymore.
"Then your a friend of mine!" She said excitedly as she rubbed his shoulder which was surprisingly toned...
His smile reappeared on his face as he stole a glance back at her while he continued to drive, "You know princess, as your family tomb keeper I will protect you and your item with my life."
In the rearview mirror, Yosenity saw Marik's eyes travel down to her neck where her locket laid against her skin. She giggled happily and sat back in her seat as she grabbed her locket in her hand.
"I think were going to be good friends Marik!"
Marik gave a laugh as her attention went back out to the landscaping around them as her head gave another painful throb. Marik leaned in closer to Yugi to whisper to him over the wind, his curiosity peeking.
"So Yugi, you never told me... what is her items power?"
Yugi leaned in to whisper back to him, trying his best to ignore the painful throb he was forced to endure... it was as if the farther and farther they drove the more painful the throbbing got...
"Well if I understand it right, it can lock away anything. But unlike other items she has to pay a toll to use this power."
Marik's eyes widened in surprise at this answer, he couldn't even guess what this toll could even be... "Well whatever the toll... the item seems precious to her."
"Well see, her toll is kind of high... Her souls kind of bound to that item..." Yugi said slowly.
"What?" Marik breathed as Yugi gave him a stern look, trying to keep him at a whispering level so not to disturb Yosenity... his head gave another head splitting throb...
"Ya and were trying to find a way to separate her from the locket, because if we do that it also separates her from the darkness that feeds on her soul as well."
Marik didn't answer as he let this information sink in... Yugi couldn't blame him... it was kind of heavy information... but in truth there was no other way to share such information , it just had to be told. Marik breathed deeply as he shook his head, returning his body to an upright position to properly drive again.
"Wow..."
Yugi copied him as he straightened up in his chair and rubbed his head while he stared out the car as well.
"Ya..."
"Well, I'll help in anyway I can ok. I'm no stranger to the darkness and I'll be able to help you with some egyptian locations... if thats of any help."
"Its of great help! I was actually hoping you'd offer to help anyway." Yugi said laughing a bit and Marik joined him, but soon stopped as he noticed Yugi rubbing his head.
"Are you ok?"
Yugi sighed and shrugged as he placed his head on his hand, "ya just a little headache."
The sun quickly set on the desert oasis while the group settled in the humble home of the Ishtar's. They were cheerfully greeted by Ishizu who had been busy cooking up a quick dinner for the small family. Odion was apparently working late on a new find over in the the "Valley of the Kings" and he wouldn't be home till very late. The whole night was... at the very best interesting. Ishizu had loads of questions to ask Yosenity but it was clear that she wasn't in the best of moods to answer them... what with the memories she was being forced to relive... But, being polite to her family's tomb keeper's, she answered each question with fake enthusiasm that was actually very convincing, Yugi wouldn't have known she was faking if his heart wasn't connected to her's. Finally they were allowed to retreat to the upper story after discussing there plans to leave early for the valley tomorrow... The Ishtar's seemed to be more happy about it the princess. Maybe it was the fact that maybe, once they found and closed the other door, she would have to leave... they only had about what 5 days now? And Yugi knew she was definitely having second thoughts about leaving... maybe that was his fault...
Yugi yawned as he finished brushing his teeth and turned off the bathroom light... sleeping on the plane never seemed like good enough sleep for his body, but he should be used to this flight... this was his second time flying it! He sighed in slight laughter to himself as he went into Yosenity's room to tuck her into bed. Well he was actually going in to see if she was ready for tomorrow... hell he had to be ready for tomorrow! He was sure they would meet Bakura and what remained of his family... but he didn't want to think about it. He found Yosenity sitting up in bed, hugging her knees close to her chest as she stared out the giant window her bed was tucked under. Yosenity's eyes glanced over when she heard Yugi open the door and she gave him a kind smile as he walked over to her and sat down onto the bed with her. He returned the smile as her eyes returned to staring out the window and Yugi immediately followed her gaze. The one thing he did love about Egypt was all the millions of stars that became visible out in the desert at night... you couldn't possible see them from the lights of Domino. It was strangely calming just staring up at the twinkling lights that hung over their heads but soon the silence was broken.
"I bet heaven's wonderful..." her small voice almost made it sound as if Yosenity hadn't wanted a response to her statement. Yugi stole another glance at her and he could feel the feeling of 'missing' was written al over her face. He understood just as his head gave a horrible, head splitting pound. He winced as he took Yosenity's hand in his as her eyes connected with his.
"I'm sure it is." He said reassuringly... although he wasn't sure if he needed to be reassuring her...
Yosenity smiled but then it disappeared as she stared back out the window.
"I'm sorry..."
Yugi didn't need her to explain... she was apologizing for the memories he was being forced to relive, forced to go through pain, forced to relive pain that wasn't his... but he didn't mind... well the pain he did but the memories were ok... well... He sighed as he tightened his grip on Yosenity's hand. Why was she having to forcefully relive her memories?
"We should probably get to sleep Yosenity. With how Ishizu is talking, we'll have to get up pretty early."
She laughed at this statement which had been very true. She shrugged and leaned back further into the wall as she readjusted herself on the bed.
"Ya but what kind of dream will we be having tonight."
"I don't mind Yosenity..." Yugi said honestly. He hadn't mentioned any of the memories he had seen to her for he wasn't sure if they were delicate subjects or not... well if they had been his memories... loosing his mother would be a delicate subject... He shook his head and placed his other hand onto Yosenity's.
"Forget it... Right now it's time for you to look through my memories."
Yosenity looked confused by this statement and it was obvious that she had forget what he had promised a few hours earlier.
"You wanted to learn more about Marik."
"Oh right!" Yosenity said, immediately excited but also a bit apprehensive... what with the way he had acted in the car. But before she could close her eyes and break into the room where the memories were stored, Yugi gave her a look of warning. Yosenity's expression became concerned as her eyes asked what was the matter... her answer came immediately.
"What you see is the past ok... Marik is not like he is anymore. No matter what, don't forget the Marik you met today ok?"
Yosenity took a moment... was what really happened that bad? But she would soon find out... she nodded and the both of them closed their eyes as their connection opened.
Little did the both of them know... that evil was on the move. Little did they know that the morning would be become more eventful than what would be planed. Little did Yugi know that someone was calling to him for help and little did either of the two know that soon they would be putted against each other.
WOOHOO!
Did you love the cliffhanger or did you love the cliffhanger? Ok I admit that was mean of me because I personally hate cliffhangers cause they leave me... well hanging! lol
Any who I'm working on the next chapter and no it will definitely not take as long as this one did! I won't do that twice in a row! lol
Japanese translations!(Ouji=prince, Oujo=princess, onii-chan=brother, okaasan=mother/mom, chichiway=father.) further japanese translation questions? review or message me!
review please? :)