The Sky Sage: I will outright admit that this is going better than it did before I took this break. It might not have been a wanted one or a break that reassured me, but it was definitely a needed one. I've actually almost caught up to the point where I left off and things are drawing themselves out a whole lot easier.

As for those who are curious, I have finally, finally watched Dark Sides of Dimensions. And I must say, it answered a LOT of questions I had about the movie, about the characters, and about the world. Expect it to impact my writing subtly, certainly when it comes to a few characters. For the moment, though, simply enjoy the ride and, hopefully, some of you don't get too disappointed with the changes I already had to make to this portion of the story.

Btw, guest, thank you for your reply. I'm glad that you're happy with the fact that Megumi is catching a break.

Disclaimer: I don't Yu-Gi-Oh.

The Butterfly Effect

Chapter XXXVI: Past & Present

"You're helpless."

"Says the one who is wearing a uniform that needs to be ironed."

"Not my fault someone didn't want me to go."

The last sentence was completed with a hand in my hair, messing it further than it already was. Didn't really care at the moment, though. Big brother was the one with the brush and trying to undo the ragged mess that it was before trying to tie it up. And, as much he had improved, I knew that there was going to be a few hairs sticking out in the end.

But, again, I didn't care. I did not give a damn. Big brother was here. Big brother had stayed. And big brother was still big brother.

And I had never felt that much relief in a long time.

We hadn't talked after my break down. I hadn't said a damned word despite the need to apologize kicking me in the shins, and he hadn't said anything to indicate that he was angry or upset. Instead I'd just pleaded for him to stay, pleaded for him to keep me company, and he had. He had and the first thing he'd told me was to wake up or we were going to be late to school despite the fact that the sun still wasn't up and tried to get me in the clothes I'd left in all the while trying to tie my hair and making sure that I was in semi order before we left.

Part of me kept hoping that his meant I was forgiven.

"There. You'll be able to fix it when we get home."

"Are we going to have time?"

"If we miss first period, yeah."

The other part kept wondering what was the pull I was feeling as I slid my hoodie on, messing my brother's work, and he got busy on my shoes.

What was that feeling, anyway?

I took the opportunity to look while my brother tied my shoes before rushing to get his bag – at this point, it was clear that he'd come here straight after school and that Mokuba must have called in to tell him that I was awake – and heading straight for the door, opening it as I took in the vanity for the first time.

... No, not the vanity. The object on it. The golden object that shone as if lit by a million diamonds, making me squint before blinking as I approached the vanity, the object with a shape I recognized if only from the books that I had read in hopes of "refreshing my memory" about Egyptian Mythology. Now, that knowledge was saving me as I regarded the object, the ankh-like thing with both apprehension and what I could only qualify as morbid curiosity.

I knew this object, I knew who this belonged to.

"Did Shadi come here?" I asked to my brother who looked both doubtful and resigned to a fact that I still didn't catch, it felt like.

He still moved from the door, closing it with a soft click, and spoke after taking a breath, "Yeah. Not last night, but he did follow us home. He didn't ask, he just did. And, by the time you were brought here, he set that down and said that you were the only one allowed to collect it if you wanted it. Also said that you'd know what it was."

...

I turned to look at it again, taking in the details of it. It didn't finish like any ankh I'd seen before. The wide end of it was instead in the shape of a key. Was this the ankh-like key that had saved me? It felt like the Millennium Puzzle. And that made sense, didn't it? Shadi carried Millennium Items. But why hand one of them to me?

"Did he say what it was for?" I asked, and, from the lack of answer, I could only suppose that it was a no.

"You don't have to take it, you know."

And I knew that those words, that simple sentence was there to reassure me. Reassure me, and possibly tell me that I didn't have to keep going. I'd done enough. I'd died already. I'd paid my dues.

... But that wouldn't stop the Spirit of the Ring. That wouldn't stop his grudge, wouldn't stop the fact that I had done so much to get in his way. And if there was one thing that I hadn't lost, it was the memory of the seal and the fact that Bakura was now fighting with little to no hope. That seal, that hope, had all but died with my... death. I couldn't – I couldn't let him to fight alone. I couldn't run. I had to fight.

Not to mention those dreams. Those dreams that were still vivid in my memory. They had significance. That last angel, he'd sent me back. Why? I had to know. I had to find my answers. And there was only one way to do that.

Keep going. Keep fighting.

... Still...

I had feared the Millennium Items, hadn't I? I hadn't wanted to touch the objects for as long as I lived. I couldn't remember why, but I had and there had to be a good reason for it. Was I ready to make that kind of jump in hopes to help a friend and figure out what those angels wanted with me?

"...Megumi, you okay?"

I had to be insane.

"Would be alright if I did?"

'Cause I was thinking about it. I was definitely thinking about it and checking with my brother if it was okay. If even with the promise I'd made to him, it was okay.

I watched his eyes widen before shifting his eyes to the object then looking away. I watched him, felt him struggle with himself, anger rising and falling within him along with fear. Fear, of this I was sure, of losing me again, of having to deal with my secrets and lies. Didn't matter if I told him that I wouldn't lie to him again, he'd never believe me. He'd never trust me the way he had.

"You know, I'm still mad at you for lying to me, Megumi."

So to say that I was surprised at the fact that he was bringing up the past would be a complete and utter lie.

"You didn't tell me about the seal. You didn't tell me that your soul was ripped in half, and worst of all, you didn't even tell me that Shadi was actually watching you because of it. And considering all of that, I should tell you to stop and walk away. You've done enough."

That was why I simply took a breath, exhaling calmly as he spoke. There was no reason to feel bitter. I lied. He had every right to be angry.

"... But."

...?

"But considering what you did while you were supposedly still out. Considering that you were willing to risk recovery while still unconscious for a friend, I don't think saying that you shouldn't is right." I turned to him, unable to help the blinking as he continued, "I know what you did. I know that you lied. I know why you did it too. Hardest part of all of that is knowing that there's a chance I can't protect you."

"Big brother, I..."

"I know. I know you're sorry. Shadi told us everything, told me everything. And seeing what you've done to able to hold the lie..."

He trailed off. He trailed off and swallowed thickly, eyes shining in a light that I recognized immediately. He felt sad. He wasn't just angry, scared and upset. He was hurt.

I did not hesistate. My arms circled him as I tried not cry myself. I hadn't meant to hurt him. I'd simply wanted to give him what he'd hoped for for so many years. I couldn't just turn my back on the person who'd cared for me, could I? And there was one thing, one feeling that I had never been able to set aside or help during the time that I'd been here.

"I love you, Big Brother."

I loved him. I loved him very, very much. That, of a the lies and omissions I'd done, was the one truth I knew he could trust, I could trust.

I loved my big brother, and I was willing to go as far as needed to make sure that he was safe and happy.

"Take it. If you think you need it, take it. I won't stop you. I just... Be careful, okay?"

"I will," I replied with a squeeze, before turning to the object, the Millennium Item, taking a breath as I felt apprehension settle in. Ankh or not, this was a Millennium Item, and those Items weren't exactly known to be kind. If memory served me right, both spirits of the Puzzle and the Ring weren't exactly sane. Sure, the spirit of the Puzzle had eventually turned out alright, but the Ring... I didn't expect any change anytime soon.

So what did this one hold?

My hand hesitantly floated over the Item, trembling as I lowered it to the object that seemed to radiating even more light. Its power was reaching for me. I could feel it. It wanted to show me something. What?

My finger barely touched the cold metal and I backed off with a scream.

"You alright?"

Yellow eyes. Glowing yellow eyes watching me. From where? And how? Was this tied to my dreams in any way?

"Hey! Megumi! You okay?"

I shook my head. I couldn't let it bother me right now. My brother was with me.

"I think so."

"You sure?"

I nodded, "I – I think it wanted to show me something. I saw yellow eyes."

"... Yellow eyes?"

"Yeah."

"... You sure you're fine?"

"Yes."

"Megumi, I'm pretty sure seeing yellow eyes isn't a good sign."

Before looking at him with a deadpan look, "You're talking to your psychic, witchy sister who had dreams when she was "dead" and just touched a magical item dated almost a thousand years older than her. Tell me again that seeing yellow eyes isn't good sign."

And watching him seemingly debating the point, "Fair enough. You picking it up?"

"Yeah. I – I think it's safe," I said before walking back to the vanity, hesitating yet again before touching it and letting my hand slide along it. Nothing else. It was done. For now.

I looked at my brother with a smile, "It's alright."

"Good. Now stuff it in your pocket. We need to get home," he stated, and I did as instructed only to lift my head the moment I heard someone clear their throat, making me look at the door.

"Where do you think you're both going?"