Chapter 41

A Star Among Darkness

Author's note: just to not get in trouble, I should remind everyone that I don't own anything YuGiOh. I just own my characters and Dark Mage of the Sea owns hers.

When a sentence is ~like this~, it's phoenix speech.

To fully meet Aziza, read chapter 47 of River.

Thank you, Dark Mage of the Sea, my coauthor and best friend.

Not long after Noa's second birthday, Tiki was looking out the bathroom window. She looked down at her positive pregnancy test. She took a deep breath and touched her stomach. "A second child…"

She looked at the clock, knowing that Noa would soon wake up from his nap. Another couple hours and Kaiba would come home. She knew that Noa would be ecstatic and Kaiba very proud, especially since this pregnancy was planned. She giggled, imagining their reactions. "You will be loved, little one…"

A couple weeks later, she and Noa were over at Tima's house. She was currently sitting one of the comfy chairs, watching Noa interacting with Aziza, who was in Tima's arms. The toddler giggled. "Cute!"

Aziza stared to Noa, making Tima smile. "This is Noa, Aziza."

The baby did not react, making Tiki smile. She wanted to tell Tima about her pregnancy, even though she and Kaiba said that they would wait until she started to show to announce to those outside their immediate family. But she did say, "I'm glad you're doing so well with the baby, Noa."

The toddler looked at his mother and blurted out, "Daddy says need pwactice for baby."

Tima froze and looked at Tiki with wide eyes. "What?"

Tiki blushed and covered her eyes with her hand, embarrassed and amused. "Noa, that was supposed to be a surprise."

Noa cutely covered his mouth, having forgotten his parents told him not to tell anyone. "Sowwy, Mommy!"

Tima asked, "Are you really?"

Tiki sighed and nodded. "Took a test a couple weeks ago."

Tima smiled brightly. "That's wonderful! Congratulations!"

Tiki smiled and touched her stomach. "Thank you."

Tima looked at Noa. "Are you excited to have a little brother or sister?"

Noa grinned widely. "Yep! Be best bwudder!"

Tiki smiled and was about to say something when she suddenly felt an odd pain in her stomach. She grimaced a little; that caught Tima's attention and her smile faltered. "Are you okay?"

Tiki continued to wince. "I…I don't know…"

Noa looked at his mother and started to get scared. "Mommy…?"

Tiki gave Noa a discomforted smile. "Maybe…I just need…to go the bathroom…"

She got up, took a few steps, and suddenly collapsed. Noa screamed and went to his mother; Aziza started to cry, startled from Noa's scream. Scared but knowing she needed to be the adult, Tima got out her phone and called an ambulance. 'Hang in there, Tiki.'

Having been called by Tima, Kaiba and Itami raced to the hospital. Leaving Itami outside, Kaiba ran in. He did not have to look long: Noa came running up to him, crying his eyes out. "Daddy!"

Quickly turning around, Kaiba lowered down and picked up his son in a hug. Noa cried as his father took him back to Tima, who was rocking Aziza in her car seat. "What happened?"

Tima shook her head. "I don't know. We were just talking about the pregnancy when she suddenly looked like she was in pain and collapsed."

Noa whimpered, "I want Mommy…where Mommy?"

Kaiba rubbed Noa's back and looked around, hoping to find a doctor. He was trying to look calm but he was emotionally on the verge of freaking out. "Where is she?"

Tima shook her head. "I don't know. They're not telling me anything."

Kaiba took a settling breath and went to the nurses' station. "I need information on Kaiba Tiki."

The nurse was about to ask who he was when she looked up, recognized him, and went to work on her computer. "Your wife is currently in the ER with Dr. Young Michelle. My apologies, Mr. Kaiba: I don't have any more information."

Kaiba glared coldly. He wanted to yell at her but Noa's sniffles kept him at a quiet level. "I want to see Dr. Young as soon as she's available."

The nurse nodded so Kaiba brought his son back to Tima and Aziza. Noa sniffled. "I want Mommy…"

Kaiba could not think of what to say to make him feel better so he just hugged his son. Almost an hour later, he felt restless and was about to yell at the nurse when a doctor came up to them. "Mr. Kaiba?"

Setting Noa down on the seat, Kaiba stood up. "Yes. How's my wife? Is she okay?"

Dr. Young explained, "Your wife is in stable condition right now." She looked at Tima. "I understood you called it in. You made it just in time."

Tima's face scrunched up with worry. "What do you mean, just in time?"

Kaiba got a feeling of dread. "What about the baby?"

Dr. Young lowered her eyes and Kaiba and Tima paled. Tima gasped, "No…"

Dr. Young took a breath. "I am so sorry, Mr. Kaiba."

Kaiba froze, his eyes slightly wide. It took all of his strength not to collapse. His head lowered until his eyes were shadowed. Noa looked up at the adults, tears forming. He was too young to understand what was happening but could sense something was very wrong. Both women looked at Kaiba and waited for a response. He finally spoke in a low voice: "What happened?"

Dr. Young said, "It was an ectopic pregnancy."

Kaiba did not react, though he was confused as he had never heard of that before. Just as confused, Tima asked, "What is that?"

Dr. Young looked at her. "I'm sorry, information is for family only."

Before Tima could answer, Kaiba stated, "She is family; you can answer her."

While touched, Tima gave him a look for his tone. Unaffected by his tone, Dr. Young explained, "The fertilized egg implanted itself in one of her fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, they are not elastic like a uterus." She looked at Kaiba and said in a sympathetic tone, "I am sorry but…the tube had to be removed to save her life."

Kaiba tensed up, almost shaking from trying to keep himself stable. Finally, he said, "I want to see her."

Dr. Young nodded. "Of course. If you would follow me…"

Kaiba turned to follow but Noa slid out of his chair. "Daddy…"

Taking a stabilizing breath, Kaiba lowered down to his son's level. "I need you to stay with Aunt Tima. I'm going to see Mommy first and then you can come see her. You understand me?"

Sniffling, Noa nodded. "Okay…"

Looking up, Kaiba saw an open window. Getting an idea, he brought his son over. 'Itami, I need you to keep Noa company.'

Within seconds, Itami landed on the window sill. One look told Kaiba that the phoenix knew. She nuzzled the toddler's hair. ~I'm here, little one.~

Noa leaned into his nuzzles. Kaiba looked at Tima, who nodded, and followed the doctor to Tiki's room. She was in a hospital bed, staring off into space. "Tiki?" She did not answer, not even as he took her hand. "I talked to the doctor…and she told me exactly what happened. I am so sorry…" She did not respond as he took a chance: "You know it's not your fault…"

Tiki finally reacted: her eyes squeezed shut and she started to cry. Kaiba held her close, knowing he had to be her rock for this. "Why…Seto…? Am I being punished…? Why is God punishing me…? It's not fair!"

Kaiba tightened his hold on her, not wanting her to thrash around. But she still screamed into her chest. He closed his eyes, feeling a couple tears form; her scream almost made him break down. But he managed to keep himself stable and forced the tears to retreat. 'If there is someone or something that controls the universe…damn you for doing this to my wife. She does not deserve this…our son does not deserve this…'

As if hearing his thoughts, Tiki suddenly cried a little harder. "Noa was so happy…so excited to be a big brother…how can we tell him…? He'll be heartbroken!"

Kaiba kept a tight hold on her. Once he heard that she had slightly calmed down, he brought up, "He will be…but we need to tell him right away. He deserves to know the truth."

Tiki sniffled but nodded, pulling back to curl up in a ball. Kaiba left and came back within a minute with Noa. Seeing his mother, the toddler ran up to the bed and tried to climb up. "Mommy!"

Kaiba helped his son up and told him, "Be gentle, Noa. Mommy is still a little sick."

Worried, Noa hugged Tiki. "Mommy sick? Get better?"

Tiki held her son close and hesitated to tell him. Seeing this, Kaiba took the initiative. "Noa…we have something to tell you. I'm sorry to say but…Mommy lost the baby."

Tiki started to cry again but, being a toddler, Noa's face showed confusion. Seeing this, Kaiba hesitated. He did not want to hurt his son but he was not sure how to explain what happened to a toddler. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Itami land on a tree outside the window. ~Be gentle…and be honest…~

Kaiba felt grateful for the first time that Itami reached out to him like that. Taking a deep breath, he touched Noa's shoulder, making the boy look up at him. "I'm sorry, son…but you're not going to be a big brother…"

Noa's eyes widened. He both did not understand and understood. More tears coming down, Tiki hugged the child close. "I'm so sorry…Mommy is so sorry…"

Hearing the apologies, Noa's questions dissolved away. Despite wanting to ask what happened, he seemed to sense that this was not an appropriate time so he hugged his mother back. "No be sad, Mommy…"

Tiki continued to cry but welcomed his comfort.

Almost a month later, Noa was sitting in the home office with Kaiba, who was working on his computer. The toddler was snuggling his Blue Eyes White Plush and thinking about his mother. While Tiki was able to take care of him, she was still very depressed at losing both the baby and a fallopian tube, making her ability to have a child even more difficult on top of her irregularity. Noa looked up and asked, "Daddy…why Mommy still sad…?"

Kaiba looked up from his work. "Mommy has had something very sad happen to her. It takes time to be happy again."

Not understanding depression, Noa asked, "Why?"

Kaiba took a moment to figure out a good way to explain to a toddler. Zeroing in on Noa's toy, he asked, "How would you feel if I threw that toy away?"

Noa hugged his plush tightly. "No! No thwow Dwaggy way!"

Kaiba smirked in amusement. "Noa, I'm not going to do that. But that's how Mommy feels about losing the baby."

Noa looked at his plush. His face was a little more comprehending, though he did not 100% understand. Looking up, he asked, "We see Mommy now?"

In the bedroom, Tiki was on the window seat, having her Bible in her lap and her favorite blue-crystal rosary on her hands. She leaned her head against the window. Itami, having stayed in the room at Kaiba's request, looked at her. She could sense Tiki's depression and felt like she could not do anything to make Tiki feel better. ~Tiki…~

'How is she?'

Itami looked up, seeing Kaiba entering with Noa in his arms. The phoenix shook her head. ~Still depressed. I feel so useless right now…~

Lowering Noa to the ground, Kaiba went up to Itami and scratched her head. 'Thank you for keeping an eye on her.'

Itami's eyes sparkled, feeling Kaiba's gratefulness. As soon as he had been set down, Noa ran up to Tiki and touched her knee. "Mommy?"

As if just now realizing he was in the room, Tiki looked at him and smiled a soft but sad smile. "Hi, sweetie."

Using his stool, Noa climbed up onto her lap and gave her a hug. "No be sad, Mommy." Getting an idea, he held out his plush. "Dwaggy make feel better."

Tiki was touched by his attempt to comfort her. Kaiba smirked in amusement and got an idea. "How about we go out to dinner tonight?"

Tiki was about to say no but Noa answered first. "Yes!"

Kaiba looked at his wife. "Tiki?"

Tiki did not want to go but she did not want to disappoint her son so she nodded. Noa grinned; Kaiba saw through her mask. 'Itami, could you take Noa out? I want to talk to Tiki alone.'

Sensing what he was doing, Itami nodded and flew over to Noa. ~Come play with me, Noa!~

Noa giggled and followed the phoenix out of the room. Alone with Tiki, Kaiba sat in front of her and took her hands. "Tiki…I'm worried about you. You haven't left the house since you came home from the hospital."

Tiki sighed and leaned against the window again. "Why should I…? I mean…it doesn't seem fair to enjoy life…when our baby died before experiencing life?"

Kaiba was not sure how to help her. "Have you looked into counseling?"

"I think we should wait for that."

Kaiba gave her a look. "Tiki, it's been a month." Tiki blinked in surprise as he continued, as gentle but firm as possible. "You should experience life again. You're not you when you're holed up in the house all the time."

Tiki lowered her head. "But…"

This time, Kaiba raised his voice. "But nothing!" Tiki's head snapped up. Kaiba did not want to do this but he knew he had no choice. "You know I love you…you are the only woman I care for in this world. But you can't let yourself get beaten by your own depression. Our child wouldn't want to see you sad like this."

The more she listened, the more tears formed in Tiki's eyes. Kaiba pulled her into a hug and held her close. Once she settled down, he said, "Let's go to dinner tonight. I know you'll feel better, being out with me and Noa."

Tiki took a few deep breaths before nodding. "Okay. Let me get ready."

Kaiba agreed. Once he watched her go prepare for a shower, he went to check on Noa and Itami. He paused at the doorway, amused at the scarf tug-a-war the toddler and phoenix were playing. Itami noticed Kaiba. ~So we going?~

Kaiba nodded. "Noa, get ready for dinner."

The toddler made a happy noise, suddenly getting go of the scarf and making Itami stumble in midair.

A month and a half later, Tiki was getting ready for bed. Dressed in his pajamas, Kaiba peeked into the bathroom. "You feeling okay, my star?"

Tiki smiled at him. "Yeah…I'm all right. Thanks to the three of you."

She remembered Kaiba, Itami, and Noa doing everything they could to cheer her up. Looking at her, Kaiba hesitated a little but thought better of his thought. Tiki, however, noticed. "Something on your mind, Seto?"

Kaiba wanted to ask her if she still eventually wanted a second child but thought it was too soon. So he shook his head. "It can wait."

Tiki found herself walking through an Ancient Egypt village. "What am I…?"

Suddenly the roar of a Blue Eyes White Dragon split the air. Startled, she looked around for the dragon. The roar continued, allowing her to figure out where it was coming from. It took her only seconds to find a lone building. "Inside…?"

She went inside and immediately found Blue Eyes. Locking eyes with the human, the dragon glowed brightly and started to shrink. Tiki shielded her eyes from the light but her curiosity got the better of her. Peeking out between her fingers, she saw a little girl in the middle of the bright light. The child reached for her and Tiki reached back…

Tiki sat up in bed, her arm still stretched out. Blinking, she looked around: she was in their bedroom and it was 2:30 in the morning. She looked over her shoulder and saw Kaiba sleeping. Lowering her arm, she laid back down and stared at the ceiling. 'I've never had a dream with Blue Eyes before…and that little girl…was that a message?'

The next afternoon, Kaiba was bringing Tiki her rosary. Along the way, a picture suddenly fell off the wall. He managed to catch it before it broke. He looked at it and was surprised: it was a restored picture of him and Mokuba as kids playing chess in the orphanage. He looked at the wall and the back of the frame: the nail was not bent and the frame wire was not broken. "Why…?"

He looked at the picture again. Remembering the question he wanted to ask her last night, an idea started to form. "Maybe…"

On the balcony, Tiki was leaning against the railing. She was watching Noa and Itami playing in the backyard but her mind was meditating. "I don't understand…why show me Blue Eyes? And that little girl…what are you trying to tell me, God?"

She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back and saw Kaiba. "I found it."

Tiki took the rosary. "Thanks. Where was it?"

Kaiba joined her side, looking at the toddler pretending to fly like Itami. "In Noa's room, wrapped around his Blue Eyes plush. I'll talk to him later; he knows better than to play with that." He turned to look at her and paused at the look on her face. "What?"

"The second time…" Seeing Kaiba's confused look, she explained, "Last night, I had a dream about Blue Eyes. It was weird: the dragon became a child."

Kaiba's confusion became annoyance. "I thought you had outgrown that occult nonsense."

Tiki grinned. "And I thought you had seen enough proof to stop being stubborn."

Kaiba made an annoyed grunt and changed the subject. "Do you…want another child?"

Tiki took a breath and admitted, "Yeah. But…with my irregularity and with…what happened…"

Kaiba watched her, not wanting her to cry. Once he was confident that she would not, he held out the framed picture. "Have you considered adoption?"

Tiki looked at the picture and smiled softly. She then thought about adoption. "It is an option…"

Kaiba agreed as Tiki took the picture from him. "It's a big decision, I know. But…Tiki…I think we should look into it."

Tiki continued to look at the picture. A smile slowly formed on her face. "If we do…can we look at one orphanage I know?"

Almost six months later, the Kaibas had been cleared to adopt a child and their limo pulled up to a building that looked like a church. Tiki got out and smiled, immediately hit with nostalgia. "Wow…it looks the same."

Kaiba got out the other door, holding Noa in his arms. "This was yours?"

Tiki nodded and pointed, "The tree Rose and I played hide and seek around…the rose bushes we all helped plant…"

Just then, the head nun came out to greet them. Seeing her, Tiki's eyes widened. It was the nun who told her God would provide after Tiki let Rose be adopted by the Bakuras. "Miss Hana?"

Tiki made a giggle. "Mrs. Kaiba now."

Kaiba smirked. "Hana Tiki? And your sister is Rose…"

Tiki giggled again. "Insert joke here, right?"

Noa giggled. While he did not understand the joke, he thought he had to laugh because he heard "joke." Once Tiki introduced the head nun to her family, they were led to the backyard where all the children were. Tiki took Noa and lowered him to the ground. "Go choose your sibling."

As Noa started to walk around, Kaiba looked at his wife. "You're letting him pick? If I had known that, I would have brought Itami"

Knowing Itami was at home with Mokuba, Tiki shrugged. "Yugi chose me."

The parents watched Noa. The toddlier looked around. There were a lot of kids; there were even a couple of babies being tended to by nuns and teenagers. But none of them stood out to him. Hugging his plush, he was about to turn back to ask for help when he heard small crying in the corner. Curious, he looked. There was a pale girl, a few months younger than him, with shoulder-length bluish-white hair. She was rubbing tears away from her blue eyes. She looked like she was just about to stop crying when three six-year-old boys came up to her. "Kisa's crying again!"

"Crybaby! Crybaby!"

"Crying all the time!"

The third boy pulled on the girl Kisa's hair, making her cry harder. Witnessing the whole thing, Noa frowned and ran over to them. "Leave her alone!"

Kaiba was the first adult to hear him. Looking over, he watched Noa running over to the girl and he got a flashback to when he would protect Mokuba from bullies. The boy was so startled at Noa's yells that the one boy let go of Kisa's hair. Noa got between them and stared the boys down. He felt a little nervous since they were bigger than he was but he could not let Kisa be bullied. He did not realize that he inherited his father's glare, which spooked the three boys. A nun called them over and they left. Thinking it was him who scared the boys away, Noa smiled and looked at the little girl. "You okay?"

Kisa looked up nervously. She was on edge, as if worried Noa would tease her too. "Mm…"

Noa turned to fully face her. "Me Noa."

Kisa sniffled. "Kisa…"

Noa's smile widened. "Pwetty name!"

Kisa blinked in surprise. "W-Weally?"

Noa nodded and held out his hand. "Play play?"

Kisa looked up at him. No one had ever asked her to play before but she sensed she could trust him. She took his hand and he took her to the nearby sandbox. Having been watching, Tiki and Kaiba saw Kisa in the light and their eyes widened in shock. Tiki whispered, "The girl from my dream…"

Kaiba tensed up but for a different reason. "Impossible…"

He had a flashback to meeting Kisara in the Memory World. He looked at Tiki, who looked back. After getting over the shock of seeing the child from her dream, she made the same connection as well, even remembering being told that Kisara's soul was sealed in a tablet. Before they could say anything, the head nun came over and saw Noa playing with Kisa, who was smiling. "Oh, wonderful! Kisa is smiling again."

Kaiba asked, "What do you mean?"

Tiki asked, "Did something happen to her?"

The head nun continued to look at Kisa. "Kisa came here a few months ago. There was a fire at her apartment complex, tragically killing her parents. It's a miracle she survived without getting hurt."

Kaiba asked, "How did she survive?"

The head nun smiled softly. "She said her guardian angel protected her."

Kaiba turned back to watching the kids, though he kept listening. Tiki asked, "Which angel protected her?"

The head nun chuckled. "I don't know. She said it was a white dragon. Maybe God told an angel to look like that for some reason."

Kaiba turned back to look at his wife. He felt weirded out and wanted to change the subject. "Why did you make that comment about her smiling? Has she not because she misses her parents?"

The head nun shook her head. "She barely remembers them. She turned two last month and, since her parents were removed before she was three, her brain hasn't matured enough to remember them. But she does remember the fire."

Kaiba turned back to Kisa. His heart went out to the toddler, understanding PTSD. Continuing to play, Noa looked up and saw Kisa's smile. "Pwetty!"

Kisa blinked in surprise. "Wha…?"

Noa grinned. "Kisa pwetty smile!"

Kisa's eyes widened. No other child had ever called her smile pretty. This made her happier than she had been since she arrived; she was so happy, she started to cry. Seeing the tears, Noa started to freak out, thinking he hurt her feelings. "Ah! No, no! No cwy, Kisa! No be sad!"

Kisa shook her head, wiping her eyes. "Me…me no sad…me happy…"

Feeling better, Noa grinned happily. Tiki smiled and touched her heart. She looked at Kaiba, who had a private smile on his face. He looked at his wife and nodded. "She's the one."

Tiki agreed and went forward to sit on the edge of the sandbox. Looking up, Noa smiled. "Hi, Mommy."

Tiki smiled at him. "Hi, sweetie. Can you introduce us?"

Noa patted Kisa's back. "Dis Kisa!"

Kisa looked up and stared at Tiki with her wide, innocent blue eyes. Tiki's heart squeezed and asked gently, "Kisa…would you like to come home with us?"

Kisa's eyes slightly widened again. "H-Home…wit you…?"

"If you desire."

Everyone looked behind Tiki to Kaiba, who had knelt down to the children's levels. Kisa tilted her head as she looked at Kaiba, making him smile gently. "You can be part of our family…"

Tiki finished, "…and be our daughter, sweetie."

Noa giggled and stood up with his arms spread wide. "Kisa sissy!"

Kisa felt overwhelmed with more happiness than she thought was possible. Her tears started again, making Tiki hug her gently. But the little girl still nodded and hugged Tiki. "Mommy…"

As the sun started to lower in the sky, the limo returned to the mansion. Tiki got out first and helped Kisa out of the car. "Welcome home, Kisa."

Kisa looked up at the mansion, his eyes sparkling with wonder. This one house was bigger than the orphanage. Tiki was about to take her hand when Kaiba and Noa came around the limo and Kaiba scooped up the little girl, making her giggle. "Let's go see your room."

Tiki took Noa's hand and got a little nervous. While there was a room for their adopted child, it was a little bare as they wanted to decorate it once they found out what gender they were having. Noa giggled and jumped up and down. "We pway!"

Kisa smiled at her new brother. Kaiba noticed Tiki's look and stroked her cheek with his free hand. "Don't you worry, Tiki. I have everything planned."

As the family started to head inside, Tiki asked, "What do you mean?"

Kaiba just smirked. Once inside, everyone heard the Song of the Phoenix. Kisa perked up and her eyes sparkled once again as Itami flew over and landed on Kaiba's shoulder. ~Welcome back.~ She looked at Kisa. ~I see you have someone special in your arms.~

Kaiba chuckled. "Kisa, this is Itami. Itami, meet Kisa, our daughter."

Itami looked at Kisa. ~Hello, little girl.~

To her parents' relief, Kisa was not frightened from hearing Itami's voice in her head. "Hi, birdie…"

Kaiba looked at Itami. "How's the room coming along?"

Itami's eyes sparkled, as if smirking. ~Come see for yourself.~

Smirking, Kaiba took his family to the room next to Noa's. He knocked and Mokuba's voice rang out. "Come in!"

Kaiba opened the door. As she was lowered to the ground, Kisa looked at the room and her eyes widened in surprise. Her room was blue princess-themed with fake blue flowers scattered all around. Her bed had a quilt, her window had lace curtains, there was a bookshelf and a full toy box, and a wooden dresser in the corner. Finishing putting books in the bookshelf, Mokuba looked up and smiled at Kisa. "Hi, little one! I'm Uncle Mokuba!" He stood up and held up his arms. "What do you think?"

Kisa looked around in awe. Tiki looked at Kisa. "When…?"

Kaiba chuckled. "Sent a quick email to Mokuba when we were signing the adoption papers."

Mokuba grinned. "C'mon, Tiki! We're Kaibas! We don't do unprepared!"

Tiki giggled at that before going to Kisa and hugging her from behind. "A room fit for a princess. Do you like it, sweetie?"

Kisa turned around and hugged Tiki tightly, giggling with delight. Mokuba chuckled and Kaiba smirked. "Welcome home, Kisa."

Noa grinned. "Kisa home!"

Two days later, Tiki was helping Kisa get dressed for her introduction to a few of their friends (they did not want to overwhelm the toddler with meeting everyone all at once). She showed the toddler a yellow dress and a blue dress. "Which one would you like, Kisa?"

Kisa pointed to the blue dress. "Buey!"

Tiki giggled and put away the yellow dress. "You're going to be so pretty."

Kisa bounced on her bed. "Wike Mommy?"

Tiki smiled and kissed her daughter's head. It might have been only two days since Kisa became a Kaiba but everyone had bonded with the little girl. Once the dress was on, Tiki started to brush the toddler's hair. "How would you like your hair?"

Kisa squeaked, "Wibbons!"

Tiki nodded and, once the hair was brushed, started to use white ribbons to put her hair up into half-pigtails. Just then, Mokuba stuck his head in. "Atem, Yugi, and their families are here."

Tiki smiled as she finished Kisa's hair. "Where's Noa and Seto?"

Mokuba chuckled. "Noa insisted on entertaining the guests and Seto is making sure Noa doesn't hurt himself." He then looked at Kisa. "Well, don't you look pretty."

Kisa smiled. "Uncy! Me pwetty?"

Mokuba grinned. "Yup! You look just like Mommy!"

Kisa's eyes sparkled with happiness. Tiki's heart was filled with joy seeing this and hugged the little girl. "My little blue-hair angel…"

Kisa beamed at her nickname. Once she was ready, Tiki took Kisa's hand and led her downstairs. Kisa was still smiling until they were at the bottom of the stairs and she heard everyone. Now nervous, she hugged Tiki's legs, making her smile. "It's all right, Kisa. They're friends and family." Kisa shook her head and hid, making Tiki chuckle. "It's all right. I'm here."

She continued to walk. While it was awkward since Kisa refused to let go, the toddler at least moved. Tiki walked until she was in the doorway. Atem and Yugi were talking, Merina was playing with Noa, and Tima was holding Aziza, who was playing with Itami and Tarra's tail feathers. Tiki cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention. "Everyone, this is Kisa."

Kisa kept hiding, making Atem chuckle. "Shy, isn't she?"

Coming back from talking to the chef, Kaiba looked at Kisa and smirked in amusement. "Show yourself, Kisa."

It took another minute for Kisa to peek out. Everyone's eyes widened, recognizing who she looked like. Thinking that they did not like her, Kisa hid behind the legs again. Tiki was about to console her but Noa came over and offered his hand. "It okay, Kisa. Come out."

Peeking out, Kisa gently took her brother's hand and came out from hiding. Noa grinned broadly and proclaimed, "Dis my baby sissy!"

Kaiba smirked and Tiki smiled, happy with Noa's pride. Merina came over and lowered to the toddler's level. "You are so cute!"

Kisa hid behind Noa and whined. Tiki smiled and rubbed her daughter's back. "This is Aunt Merina. That's Uncle Yugi, Uncle Atem, and Aunt Tima with Aziza."

Kisa peeked out from behind Noa and waved shyly. Atem looked at Kaiba. "She does look like Kisara."

Kaiba glared. "Don't give me that again."

Yugi pointed out, "Well, it makes sense."

Kisa peeked out, now more curious than shy. "Who Kisawa?"

Almost everyone hesitated. They were not sure how to explain to a toddler that she was potentially the reincarnation of someone who lived in Ancient Egypt. Kaiba, however, did not hesitate. "An old family friend."

Accepting the answer, Noa took Kisa to meet Aziza. Atem smirked at Kaiba. "That was impressive."

Kaiba responded, "Don't you start. You know full well about this situation and I've already had enough of it from Itami."

Merina chuckled. "Are you saying she's impossible?"

Kaiba glared, "That's not what I meant!"

Every adult chuckled. Kaiba glared when he realized that he had been lured into that trap. Tiki smiled and took his hand. "Regardless, she's our impossible girl and I love her!"

Kaiba smirked and looked at Kisa, who was giggling at Aziza trying to eat phoenix feathers. As a servant came out with snacks and drinks, conversations broke out and Tima and the phoenixes happily resigned themselves to entertaining the children. Yugi, though, kept looking at Kisa. 'How is it possible? Kisara's soul is in the Blue Eyes White Dragon cards and Kaiba has all of them.'

He then realized. "Atem, you said that a Ka remains in their tablet once they're sealed, right? What would happen if the tablet broke?"

Atem blinked at his friend. "The Ka would be free, why?"

Yugi gestured to Kisa with his head and made a ripping gesture. Atem looked at Kisa and he figured it out. Seeing their looks, Tiki asked, "What are you two talking about?"

Yugi excused them and he and Atem pulled Kaiba over to a corner. Kaiba asked, "What?"

Yugi explained, "Atem once said that, if a Ka tablet is broken, the Ka is free to wander around."

Kaiba was not thrilled that Yugi and Atem were talking to him about this. "So?"

Atem smirked. "So…I think we found the fourth Blue Eyes White Dragon."

Kaiba was getting more annoyed by the second. "What the hell are you talking about? This is nonsense."

Atem gave his rival a look. "Kaiba you know that faces and souls get recycled all the time. I, you, Yugi, and Merina are proof of that."

Kaiba said nothing, not admitting that Atem was right. "So what does Kisa have to do with the…Kas or whatever they're called?"

Atem explained, "Remember the first time you and I dueled? When you ripped Solomon's Blue Eyes White Dragon?" Kaiba nodded. "I think Kisa is the soul that was released when you destroyed that card."

Kaiba was about to call his theory nonsense but he stopped himself. 'Is it possible…?' He then shook his head. "There's no way. She doesn't even act like Kisara."

Yugi was not convinced by Kaiba's comment. "That's the thing, Kaiba. Personalities are different when souls are reincarnated."

Atem added, "And they don't always remember their past life."

Part of Kaiba was relieved about that; if Kisa was Kisara reincarnated, he did not want his daughter to remember how Kisara died. He then crossed his arms. "Kisa is her own person. Nothing you can say can change my mind about that."

Atem smirked, amused by Kaiba's stubbornness. "We know that, Kaiba. We're just saying."

Kaiba looked at his daughter. A small part of him was relieved that a piece of Kisara's soul got another life but he would never admit it. At that moment, Kisa looked up, saw Kaiba, and gave her a big smile. "Hi, Daddy!"

Kaiba waved back. 'Kisa is her own person and my daughter.'

That night, the kids were put to bed. Exhausted from the day, Noa fell asleep right away. Kisa, however, was having trouble. The first night, she slept peacefully, happy to have a new family. But now she was worried she would get her fire nightmares again. She looked out the window and tried to sleep. Eventually giving up, she sat up and hugged her blanket. "Mommy!"

A couple minutes later, Kaiba checked on her (he heard her on the baby monitor and Tiki was in the shower). "Are you all right, Kisa?"

Kisa tightened her grip on her blanket. "Scared…"

Kaiba went to her bed and sat in front of her, stroking her hair. "What are you scared of?"

Kisa lowered her head. "Fire…"

Remembering how she became an orphan, Kaiba scooted forward and hugged her. "You are safe here."

Kisa hugged him back. But she was still slightly trembling. Feeling this, Kaiba looked at her bookshelf and got an idea. "How about I read you a story? Will that make you feel better?"

Kisa looked up. "Weally, Daddy?"

Kaiba nodded. "Go pick a book."

Her eyes sparkling, Kisa slid off her bed and looked at her books. She took a minute before choosing one and came back, holding up the book. "Dis one."

Kaiba took the book and could not help but smirk: it was the story that his and Tiki's first dance song was inspired from. He tucked her in and settled next to her before beginning to read with his arm around her. Kisa fell asleep in the middle of the story. Seeing this, he lowered her onto her pillow, put away the book, turned on her nightlight, and left. He closed the door and almost immediately ran into Tiki. "Were you listening?"

Tiki giggled. "That was adorable, Seto."

Kaiba teasingly pushed her head, making her giggle more.

A couple hours later, they were woken up by the sound of crying from Kisa's baby monitor. Rubbing his eye, Kaiba asked, "You hear that, Tiki?"

Tiki was about to answer when Kisa's monitor suddenly erupted with screams. Now fully awake, the parents ran to her room. Noa was already there hugging his sister. Tiki went to them, worried. "Kisa, what's wrong?"

Kisa was crying in Noa's arms. But she managed to utter, "Fire…scawy…"

Realizing she had a nightmare, Tiki stroked her hair. "It's okay, sweetie. It's all right."

Kaiba came over. "You are safe with us."

Noa hugged her tighter. "Kisa safe! No fire get you!"

Kisa sniffled and started to calm down. Once she was calm enough, Noa started to pull away but Kisa clutched to him. "No go…"

Tiki chuckled. "Kisa, there's no room for your brother."

Kisa did not understand that her bed was not big enough for both of them. She kept holding her brother and whined. Kaiba was about to say something when he saw Noa's Blue Eyes White Plush and got an idea. "Noa, can Kisa borrow your Blue Eyes?"

Noa looked at his plush and hesitated. On one hand, he had never spent a night without it; on the other hand, he could tell Kisa was still scared. Curious, he showed the toy to Kisa. Seeing, Kisa immediately grabbed and hugged it. Noa blinked in surprise as Kaiba said, "We'll get her own in the morning, Noa." Noa started to whine but Kaiba gave him a stern look. "Noa…just for the night."

Noa looked at Kisa. He saw how much Kisa calmed down from hugging the toy and smiled. "Dwaggy help! Fight bad fire!"

Kisa smiled. "Thank you…Onii-sama."

Noah's smile became a grin at his new title.

The next day, Tiki took the children to the toy store. Noa giggled at all the toys. "Me want!"

Tiki chuckled, deciding that not answering was the better choice. She took them to the Duel Monsters section and found the dragon section. "All right, Kisa. Choose your dragon."

Kisa started to walk up and down the aisle. Noa followed her and managed to hide the Red Eyes Black Plush toys. "No get dat one! Weak one!"

Tiki snickered. "Did Daddy tell you that?"

Noa nodded. In doing so, he walked into Kisa, who froze. "Sowwy!"

Kisa did not respond; instead, she started to dig into a pile. She came back seconds later with her find: a Blue Eyes Ultimate Plush. Tiki's eyes widened. "Wow…"

Noa's eyes sparkled with awe. "Waa! It cool! Mommy, get for Kisa! Get for Kisa!"

Kisa looked up, her eyes pleading. "Pwease, Mommy?"

Tiki smiled and lowered to Kisa's level. "You sure it's not too scary? Blue Eyes Ultimate is a very fierce dragon."

Kisa hugged the plush tighter. "Nope! Pwotect me!"

Tiki almost asked for an explanation when she remembered the head nun saying Kisa believed a dragon protected her from the fire. 'Did her guardian angel take the form of the Ultimate Dragon?' She nodded and stood up. "All right, let's get it."

Noa and Kisa cheered, "Yay!"

Tiki took her kids' hands and led them to the front. "I'll let you two in on a little secret too: your father created that dragon."

The kids' eyes sparkled with wonder. As Tiki purchased the toy, she wondered, 'Seto made Blue Eyes Ultimate…Blue Eyes Ultimate protected the girl who would become our daughter…how fate has woven our lives together.'