"My brother and I are part of the tomb keeper clan. Born into the fate to act as the protectors of the Pharaoh's tomb, our duty was to safeguard the millennium items and the pharaoh's body until he chose to return to this world. For generations, the tomb keeper clan kept to this duty," she explained.
I nodded. Story time, I thought wryly.
"My mother—who wore the millennium necklace before me—had foreseen the rebirth of the pharaoh. Thus my brother and I—along with the other young ones of the tomb keeper clan—were trained more fiercely for the upcoming battle to come. My brother, Marik, hated the training. He despised violence and preferred a peaceful life—one that he was not allowed to have. He…" she paused, her eyes shifting in discomfort.
I sighed and lightly placed my hand on hers. She looked up at me and smiled. I turned away and withdrew my hand quickly. Was I becoming too soft once again?
"He hated living in the shadows as we did. In order to find some semblance of happiness for him, I found jobs for the two of us at the Egyptian museum. He was happy—being able to interact with others outside of the clan, to explore the museum in his downtime—and I thought all was well. And perhaps it was…until we were given our millennium items…"
Ishizu fingered her millennium necklace and I began to wonder what she was like before she could peer into the future. Before all of her actions were controlled by her knowledge of what was to come.
"My brother was given the millennium rod, and I could tell his immediate dislike of the object. For someone who treasured freedom as he did…to be given an item that would force others to one's own will was disgusting. He refused the item over and over again, yet my father—the head of the clan—refused to listen to his pleas. And I saw a fate for my brother in darkness…bound to the servitude of the tomb keeper clan, bound to a power that he despised. I wanted to free him from that…
"My brother completed his training and was chosen to become the next leader of the tomb keeper clan. I could see him falling deeper into despair. He was being bound to a fate that he did not desire…a fate that he feared…
"I decided it was time for me to act. I planned secretly with my brother to run away from home, leaving the millennium items behind. Spurred on by my audacity, he agreed with my plan. Though I never uttered this truth to anyone, the millennium necklace was a burden that I wished to throw away as well.
"Yet on the night that we were to run away, my father discovered our plans. Believing that I was the one who told my father, my brother turned to attack me—and my life was spared only because of my mother's sacrifice. Horrified at what he had done, my brother truly fell into darkness, the very darkness that I had tried to save him from…and used his millennium rod to force my father to commit suicide," she explained.
I was surprised at how calmly she related the story of her family's demise. Perhaps she had played the incident in her mind enough times until she had become numb. Or perhaps she had seen more horrific events in the future that made the tragedy of her family pale in comparison.
After a moment's silence, she concluded, "If I had done nothing to alter my brother's fate, my mother and father would still be alive. I am responsible for my brother's sins, and therefore, I will take the punishment for them as well."
"He deserves to die," I said, shocked at the ferocity of my words.
Ishizu blinked and turned to me in surprise.
"Then let me ask you something. Let's suppose Mokuba was responsible for harming Pegasus and Muto. Would you say that he deserved the same fate?" she asked, her eyes searching mine.
I opened my mouth, but found that no sound came out. What would I do if Mokuba had turned into a demon killer? He was too innocent for me to ever consider that he would become like that.
'Your brother also felt some of the abuse that you did' I heard his voice ring in my mind. It wasn't impossible…just…
"It's not easy, is it?" she asked softly.
"So, what are you planning to do?" I asked and then realized my mistake.
"What will happen has already been decided for me. For now, you will be safe. I will alert you once I know for sure when my brother's next move will occur. But for now, rest and recovery for Mokuba and the pharaoh will be the most important," she said, getting to her feet.
"Ishizu," I said softly, "Thank you and…"
She watched me carefully as I struggled with the next two words.
"…forgive me."
"This is a rare treat, " she said, smiling, "to hear you apologizing."
"Don't get used to it," I immediately retorted, "If you weren't so damn secretive all the time…"
I was interrupted mid-sentence as her lips met mine. I felt myself growl in the back of my throat in satisfaction. Damn, I thought as I felt her warm lips respond to mine, she probably already knew that I was going to apologize to her. She probably already knows…
I broke the kiss to catch my breath and saw her watching me carefully—a little too carefully. So, what I'm about to ask her makes her uneasy, huh?
"You also know about this, then," I said, gesturing to the two of us. She nodded, but said nothing.
"I…" I began. What was it that I wanted to hear from her? Or did I want to hear anything at all? I found myself woefully inadequate at speaking at that moment.
"I envy you," she finally said, "You have the pleasure of falling in love without knowing how it will turn out."
"How is that enviable? I would be able to plan…wait, who said anything about 'falling in love'?" I said. I could feel myself burn with embarrassment just repeating those words.
She laughed softly at my visible embarrassment—as no doubt Muto would have done at the expression I had on my face now. I felt a sudden tinge of guilt. I had become so absorbed in Ishizu's story—to be more precise, in Ishizu herself—that I had temporarily forgotten Muto and his critical condition.
"Muto will be fine," Ishizu said, as if reading my thoughts.
"So you can read my mind now as well?"
"No, that would be your millennium item's specialty," she replied, "I just understand your facial expressions from seeing them in my visions over and over…"
"Right. So when will he wake?" I probed.
"In a few days time. It will obviously take him longer to heal from his injuries…" she said.
"That's fine," I said, "And Mokuba?"
"You will be bringing him home soon enough," she said, "Now, I should get going, unless…" she eyed the bed with a mischievous light in her eyes.
"Gods, no," I spluttered, convinced that I was bright red at the moment. I could even feel my ears heating up.
Her expression rapidly turned from teasing to serious once more as she brought a hand up to my face. While holding my cheek in her palm, she said, "Thank you for listening to me."
I watched her leave the room as the warmth of her palm seemed to sear through my skin.
