Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or anything I could be sued for

Keeping promises…

That's one of the most important things in life right? Making a promise to someone and keeping it forever…

For all eternity.

People make promises all the time.

All the time.

With friends, secrets, marriage, the list goes on forever.

But what if the promise you made was one that you didn't choose to make for yourself?

What if you found yourself thrown into a promise that you didn't want to make, but you had to keep?

What do you do then…?

***

"Celtic…"

What the…?

Blinking out of my sleep, I opened my eyes to see Her standing over me, smiling gently. "Celtic," she repeated as the wind blew her golden hair in the wind, wings on her back. Wings as white as snow. "You…?" I whispered in awe. "It's you…but how?" Smiling back at me, she said, "Dark says, 'time to wake Celtty up Yami.' So Yami goes and wakes Celtic up."

CELTTY?!

Blinking again, I saw my angel disappear and melt into the smiling face of Yami. "Yami…?" I blinked again, not sure of what was real or not. Slowly sitting up, I put a hand to my side again to dull the pain. "Did Dark really say Celtty?" I asked with some amusement. Nodding happily, Yami toyed with the box in her hands.

She still has that…

"Yes." Yami said as she looked over to the other side of the campfire where Dark leaned against a tree. "He say, 'we have to go to see Dark Sage' and have to wake you up." Looking back at me, she said, "Good morning. Did you have a good sleep? I slept very well last night." Looking down at her in surprise, I gasped, "Yami…!" I cried happily. "You said a few full sentences! Where'd you learn that?" Yami pointed to Dark and said happily, "Dark 'teaches' Yami to speak because Yami doesn't remember too much." Nodding, I gently placed a hand on her head. "Don't worry Yami." I reassured. "You'll remember with time." Then, turning to Dark who had his arms crossed at his chest, I asked, "How long have you guys been up?" Dark shrugged his shoulders and said, A few minutes Sleeping Beauty. But… Looking at Yami who played with the box, he frowned at her. We still have no idea where she came from. If we take her to see Dark Sage, then he can probably help us. If not… Turning both his eye to me he asked, Then what?

Looking at Yami as she opened and closed the box, I said, I don't care what he says Dark. I…Yami needs me to protect her. Then, turning a sharp glance to Dark, I said fiercely, And I intend to do it! Dark smiled at me. "Good." He said as he uncrossed his arms. "Dark Sage is a long ways from here. We'll be traveling with Yami, and you're injured. Putting this all together, I think we can make it there in about five days, traveling during the day." Turning to Yami, I grinned. "Do you think we can make it to Dark Sage Yami?" I asked her gently. Yami nodded her head and smiled. "We'll make it to Dark Sage!"

***

After I had gotten dressed, we began to head out. We had to go through this forest, then through a large city, and then finally, a small village where Dark Sage lay just on the other side. All this and with my injuries, that would be a heavy problem.

But Yami thought I could make it, and so did I.

***

"Celtic," Yami said as we walked through the dense foliage. "What those things that attacked us? Why they want to hurt Celtic?" Shivering a bit at the thought, I sighed and kept my eyes sharp for any signs of trouble. "It's 'What WERE those things', Yami." I said. "And they were Silver Fangs. They wanted to hurt me because I was protecting you. They wanted to eat you for dinner." Yami nodded as she traced a finger over the box in her hands. "But…" she asked sadly as she ran her fingers over the box's surface. "Why Celtic want to help Yami? Celtic left Yami alone." Sighing, I stopped and Dark and Yami stopped too. "Yami," I said as I bent down to her. "I didn't mean to leave you. I was confused about your appearance. I'm sorry." Yami only stared into my eyes, brown cutting through golden yellow. "Celtic promises Yami he won't leave?" she asked. "I promise." I said nodding and smiling at her. "And Dark won't either."

Hearing his name, Dark looked up, surprised. "What? Oh right. I promise Yami." Dark said as he turned to smile at her. "Yami…" Dark said after a while, his voice getting very serious. "Do you remember anything before you met Celtic? Before you fell here? You said you remembered darkness, right?" Yami looked at Dark, a sudden seriousness her voice. "Yes." Yami said. Yami remembers when she came here. Yami saw a flash of light…then the light turned to darkness. Yami was scared. The voice spoke to Yami. It says, 'You'll bring me two bodies… take their heart…then I can be revived to rule once again!' Yami was really scared! Then, Yami closed her eyes, and Celtic was there."

Heart?

Looking up at Dark, I frowned. What the heck do you think she means? I asked as Yami shook her head from the bad memories. Dark looked at Yami and asked gently, "Yami, we need to know, who was it that said those things?" Yami shook her head as she frowned. "Yami doesn't know." She said. "Yami only knows that she won't do what the voice said. I'll never do that!" Looking at me with eyes full of fear, Yami had her eyes winced like she was about to cry, clutching the box tightly to her heart. "I won't!" she cried, and then broke down into tears, crying into her hands. A bit in shock after such a strong statement from a gentle girl, I stared at her for bit. Then, smiling, I carefully took Yami's shoulder. "Don't worry Yami." I said gently as I pushed her hands away from her face. "We won't let that happen. We'll help you no matter what." Sniffing a bit, Yami closed her hands over the box tightly. "Before Yami closed her eyes, the darkness say one more thing. This scared Yami the most." Shooting a look at Dark, who met my gaze, Dark gently said, "What did it say Yami? What did the voice say?"

Even through the bandages on my hand, I could see Yami tremble. "It say…" she whispered full of fear. "It say that before it takes two bodies, it will kill me first."

WHAT?

"Oh, Yami…." I whispered as she shook. "Don't be afraid…" Then, Dark suddenly and quickly swept down to us and picked Yami up, holding her protectively, his eyes darting around dangerously. Celtic, he growled. Be careful… Cautiously, I picked my ears and sight up, placing a hand on my sword. What? I asked as I slowly stood. Yami in his arms like a baby, Dark's fingers twitched at his wand. We're being watched… Looking around, I saw forest, more forest, Yami and Dark, and then more forest. Watched? I asked. I don't see anything… Then, putting Yami down and muttering a few magic words, Dark cried, "Reveal Invisible!" Instantly, a flash of black magic flew from his wand and flashed around us. When I looked again, it looked like the world was two tones darker than what it should have been. Dark's bright blue eyes had turned navy blue, my light colored pants looked brown, and anything gray looked black. "AAAAAHHHH!"

Looking back at Yami, I saw her cowering in fear on her knees the box in one of her hands, her hands clutching her head, screaming. "Yami!" I cried as I reached for her. "Yami calm down! It's all right!" Moaning, Yami opened one eye at me and cried, "No! No, it's HIM! It's the voice! Celtic, Celtic, help me!"

Voice?

Looking up at Dark, he had suddenly gone pale, even in this darkness. C-…Celtic… his hissed, his eyes wide with fear. Look… Turning around, what I saw noticed I saw it, as a heavy wind blew, making my hair fly back and my eyes widen with fear. Behind me was a black hole. Just a hovering black hole, but in the center, two electric blue eyes glowered back at me. It wasn't a Blue eyes White Dragon…this was something more powerful. "Who…" I cried as the eyes narrowed at me. "Who the heck are you?"

But they said nothing.

Instead, a blue clawed hand, thick and powerful reached out of the hole and without warning, shot out and grabbed Yami's arm! "Celtic!" Yami screamed as the arm began to slowly disappear back into the hole, Yami with it. Quickly, I drew my sword, and ignoring the horrible pain in my side, brought it down on the hand.

Not even a scratch!

But it was enough to make the hand drop Yami, who I scooped up and ran back. "Let's move!" I cried to Dark. At the sound of my voice, Dark quickly snapped his head around and dashed back into the forest. "Celtic!" Yami cried as I sped past trees trying to put distance between that thing and me. "Yami's scared!" Putting one hand on her head and forcing it as gently as I could down on my shoulder so she wouldn't look, I reassured breathlessly, "It's alright Yami! Just don't look back!"

Then, that's when I heard it…a hissing raspy sound of a voice…

"Give me the girl…give her to me…!"

"What?" I screamed as I kept running. "Not on your life!"

"Give her to me you foolish monster! You can't possibly comprehend the power she has, much less wield it! GIVE HER TO ME!"

"NO!"

"Fool!" The voice screamed as I kept running, trying to ignore it. "She does not belong to you! She is mine! Give her TO ME!"

"Never!" I screamed as I ran faster. "NEVER!"

"You WILL regret this!"

Then…it stopped.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw that the darkness was gone, we were no longer being chased, and everything was quiet once again.

"Celtic," Yami whispered, terrified still. "Who was that?" Gasping for air, I slowly put Yami down on her knees, and then put my hands on my knees as Dark slowly walked back to us. He was still a bit pale. Celtic… he whispered hoarsely. Never before have I been that scared…whoever it was…he was really powerful…if he's after Yami…we need to be careful… Looking up at him, panting lightly, I grinned. We? I asked. But Dark just looked down at me and grinned back. "Yeah." He said. "We." Looking down at Yami, Dark gently put a hand to her head. "Are you alright Yami?" he asked somewhat cheerfully. Or as about as cheerful as you could be when you were just being chased by a nightmare.

Yami looked up at Dark, but did not return the smile. "Yami fine." She said quietly. "But Yami is scared that the thing will return." Looking up at me, Yami clutched the box desperately. "Yami is scared…Celtic will be hurt again like with the Silver Fangs! Celtic bled so much…" she trailed off looking away at the ground as tears formed in her eyes as she recalled the memories. "Yami thought…" she finally said in a whisper at first, but then grew louder. "Yami thought Celtic was going to DIE! Yami doesn't want Celtic to die!" Then, breaking down to the ground, Yami covered her face in her hands and began to sob. "Yami doesn't want Celtic to die…!" she cried in a breaking voice.

Short small gasps of air…

Just like when She cried for me…

Oh Yami…

"Yami…" I said as I put a hand on her shaking shoulder. "Don't cry…I'm fine now. C'mon, let's go…" Picking up Yami so she was on my back, I turned to Dark, who was grinning at me. Oh Celtty… he said happily as we began to walk off. She cares so much for you…And you care for her. Could you be in LOVE?

Shut up.

***

"Ok Yami, what is that?" I heard Dark say as we walked through the forest of nothing but leaves. Yami, who had cheered up after a while, walked in front of me with Dark at her side pointing out objects and working on her grammar. "That is tree." She said looking and pointing to where Dark was pointing. Watching the lesson go, I grinned as Dark sighed and said, "No, Yami. That is a tree, but you need to say it correctly. That is A tree." Yami stared at the tree as we walked past it, having to crane her neck around like a bird. "That is A tree." She repeated as she turned back around and smiled at Dark. Grinning back, Dark said happily. "Right Yami. That is a tree. Good job! Now, what's that…?" Watching the two of them, it was funny.

Dark would point something out and Yami would say what it is for the correct grammar.

Which she sometimes got wrong.

But Dark kept trying with her and he got her to say and improve her speaking.

I must admit…

I was a little jealous that Yami was being taught by Dark…

But he does know more about this than I, so I let him teach while I watched like a proud parent.

Not that I was.

But Yami…she was so much like Her…

***(Flashback)

In a peaceful garden with pink cherry blossoms and a white bench with green grass sat a young girl and Celtic. "Celtic!" the girl said with a frown and a long blue dress. "Celtic, are you worried?" The young Celtic turned to face her. "What do you mean?" he asked as he stared at her oddly. "I'm not worried about having to go fight. It's my duty as a duel monster." The girl shook her long hair out of her eyes and deepened her frown. "But you cold be hurt. I don't want to see you hurt Celtic. I care about you too much." Laughing, Celtic put his arm around the girl, who rested her head on his shoulder. "No." Celtic said. "I'm not. Because I'm strong, healthy, and I have the most beautiful girl in the world. Why would I be worried?" The girl sighed and closed her eyes. "I don't want you to die Celtic." She said unhappily. "I want you to live…I want us to live out eternity together." Putting his head on hers, Celtic sighed. "I know." He whispered as the wind blew. "We will."

***(End Flashback)

"…Celtic…"

Snapping out of my reality, I shot my head up and turned around to look. "What?" I asked sharply, not wanting to leave my fantasy. Looking at Dark, I thought that he had spoken, so I glared, angry that I had been brought back to the real world. But when I looked, Yami was asleep on his back that box naturally clutched in her hand and Dark was glaring right back. "Not so loud!" he hissed. "Can't you see she's sleeping? And I wasn't talking you nitwit!" Looking at Yami, she moved her head a bit, and then, when the silence continued, she stopped. As I stared a bit closer, I saw that Yami wasn't on his back, but she was floating in the air as if she was on Dark's back. "Floating spell." Dark said proudly as he stared at my shocked face. "Made it just now. So now we don't have to carry her when she passes out."

Passes out?

"Pass out?" I repeated confused. "When did she do that?" Dark only responded by rolling his eyes and sighing. "Haven't you noticed?" he grumbled as if I was too busy wrapped in my own thoughts to take care of Yami. "She passed out twice. Once before you woke up at the campfire, and again right before your eyes. Somehow, this is taking a lot out of her. Are you blind?" Sighing, I turned my face away from Dark. "No…" I said miserably. "I was just thinking." Curious, Dark peered closer at me. "About what?" he asked. Realizing I had said too much, I quickly turned away. "N-nothing!" I stammered just a bit too loudly, because then, Yami woke up. "Yami!" I greeted as I watched her slowly descend to the ground. Dark must've fixed it so it stops when she wakes up. "Yami have dream…" she said as if she were far away. "A red dragon…" I was about to just say "Let's go, we don't need to hear it," but Dark beat me to saying, "What was it Yami?" he asked interested. Yami blinked a bit and put a finger to her chin as if thinking.

"Yami saw…a red dragon…" she began. "It have two mouths…and it roared hurt Yami's ears. But…" Smiling as she recalled the dream, Yami looked at the ground. "Yami not afraid. Yami know dragon is good. Yami talk to dragon. He say, 'Yami so special. Yami must overcome her fear and her worries to help Celtic and Dark. Yami needs to find 'special thing' inside her. Then Yami can truly help Celtic and Dark." Turning to me and smiling, Yami said, "Dragon give Yami a ride on back. Yami like it very much. Says thank you to dragon, and he says, 'You're welcome', and he flies away." Looking down again, Yami smiled as she clutched the box in her hands tightly. "Yami knows…" she said quietly. "Yami knows dragon is nearby to keep Yami safe. He say he with Yami. Yami may not know what he means, but…" Looking at me again, Yami finished with, "Yami will protect dragon like she protect Celtic and Dark."

Yami…

Turning to Yami, I smiled. "That was a very pretty dream Yami." I said as I put a hand on her shoulder, glad I didn't dismiss it so quickly and looked at Dark.

Don't ask me what it is, but I feel like I need to protect Yami…like something inside of me is telling me to protect her and not leave her alone…like I did that one night…

But I protected her then…

And whenever she smiled or when she turned to me, I had to smile.

Like warmth was washing over me like a dream.

I am Celtic Guardian…protector of Yami…

***