Disclaimer: Does anyone actually read these? I don't own Yugioh, but I do own Raya, Satire, and Jarha, and a lot of bills.
The song "You'll be in my Heart belongs to Phil Collins and his management.
Kris Beech: Hi everyone! I'm Anya's muse, she isn't feeling too well, but wanted to get this chapter out for all of you, so she asked me to do it for her. Also, she wanted to say thanks for all the reviews!
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"Goodnight Mokuba." Seto whispered as he placed his baby brother to bed. It had been along day to say the least, and Seto was looking forward to taking a long sleep like his brother. Exiting Mokuba's room, he headed for his own. He barely had enough time to take off his coat when Mokuba darted into his room, panic written on his face.
"MOKUBA. What's wrong?"
"Raya's…something…is…wrong. A…scream…and…then…nothing."
Seto didn't even hesitate. "Stay here." Taking the steps two and three at a time, he hurried to make it in time to Raya's 'What happened? She was fine 5 minutes ago. Was someone waiting for her? Stupid Seto, careless even. You should have checked out her house.' Once outside, he had no time to deal with gates and fences. Gathering up his speed, he hopped up the fence and jumped over it.
"Wow." Mokuba whispered in awe from the doorway.
Raya's front door was wide open as Seto approached it. 'That's not good.' "RAYA! Where are you? RAYA!" Receiving no response, Seto started worrying. 'Where can she be?'
The house was uneasily normal. Nothing seemed out of place or taken. The rooms appeared how the always did, but still, something was not right. If everything was okay, Raya would have responded. Did Satire or Jarha come and take her? He didn't know. Fear gripped at his heart as he search each room, finding them all empty, void of any life. 'Yami is going to kill me if something happened.'
Finally he turned into the living room. Like all the others, the room was deserted. "I better get back to Mokuba and then call the others and report Raya missing." Spinning on his heals, Seto turned for the doors. Only then did he notice the slight difference in this room. The color drained from his face. "Oh shit."
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*Bang, Bang*
Yami jolted out of bed. 'Who would be here at this time of night?' Carefully, Yami slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the slumbering Yugi. Hurriedly, he ran down the steps, sensing that something was terribly wrong. He pushed open the door to the Turtle game shop. "Seto!"
Seto pushed past Yami, carrying Raya in his arms.
"What happened? Tell me!"
"Mokuba here heard a scream at Raya's place. I searched her apartment and found her in the living room, curled up in a ball, shaking, and not responding. I can't get her to say anything."
Yami helped Seto place Raya on the couch. Only then did he get a good look at his wife. She was cold, shaking, and her eyes seems to be focused on something only she could see. Her breathe was ragged at best. "Keep an eye on her, I am going to get a blanket. If you want, I'll put Mokuba in my bed so he can rest."
"I wanna stay with Raya."
"You'll do her more good if you get some rest. That way, you can protect her better in the morning."
"Will she be okay?"
"She'll be fine. I promise that Yami and I will take good care of her."
Mokuba nodded and went off with Yami. Seto turned his attention back to Raya. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but yet she remained in her comatose state. Yami arrived moments later, blanket and washcloth in hand.
"Help me lay her down will you?"
"Sure."
Together, the two worked to uncurl Raya and lay her on the couch. Yami sat down on the couch as well and pulled Raya into his lap. Gently, he dabbed the washcloth over face, whispering to for her to wake up.
"Yami, what's wrong with her?"
"I…I…don't know. She is seeing something that we aren't and it is literally killing her. She is trapped in her own mind."
"Can I do anything to help? Can you?"
"I think only she can wake herself up. But I think if we talk to her, it would help Raya find her way back to us."
Seto nodded, then spoke. "Raya, sweetie. Open your eyes, please. Mokuba is worried about you. I'm worried about you."
"As I am. Please Ruia, wake up and let us know you are alright. No matter what the problem, we will help you. I swear to Ra that I will."
Raya didn't even stir.
Seto sighed. "This isn't working."
"Let me try something else. Be prepared Seto, you can use this as major blackmail on me."
"If it saves Raya, don't worry about it."
"Raya, I know you can hear me. Don't worry about responding yet, just listen. I understand now the game you're playing. I should have realized it in the beginning. You'll have to excuse my naiveness, I got the shock of the millennia at seeing my dead wife, alive and well. That had to be one of the greatest day of my life. I was so happy back then in Egypt with you by my side. I felt that I was on top of the world, full of life and love. I never wanted that feeling to end, and yet it did. Never had I felt so much grief than I did then. I wanted to kill Satire and Jarha for what they did to you, us. But at the same time, I knew I couldn't. I would have been just like them. So I turned my anger to the Shadow Games, and in the end, I did end up like them. I regret to this very day what I did to my people. But I got a second chance. Another chance to live my life right, with my one true love by my side once again. I didn't understand why you were so cold towards me at first. I thought that it had to be my involvement with the Shadow Games, and I was right, it was part. But the majority had to do with protection. I forgot your abilities laid in that area, like Sekhmet's did. Hers were of love and protection, two very strong characteristics in you. I should have known that you would do anything and everything to protect us from Satire's wrath, even if it meant certain death for you. That is why you pushed me away, to save me the grief at the thought of losing you again. Well Ruia, that is were you are wrong. I am not backing way from our love. I am not giving up. I love you. Nothing, not even Satire and Jarha can change that. We've been through so much, and I promise then to stand by you and that promise still is still valid now. Please Raya, wake up."
Hot tears ran down Raya's face, but still she didn't wake.
"Yami, she'll be ok."
"Yugi what are you doing up?"
Yugi crept into the room, with Mokuba close behind. "I heard about Raya and then I could not fall back asleep." He sat on the floor, next to the couch and took her hand into his. Mokuba climbed up into Seto's lap and snuggled down into his warm embrace.
"Raya, it's Yugi. Please wake up. We need you. You're a big part of all our lives now. I miss you too much if something happened to you. Raya…."Yugi whimpered, but refused to cry.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this Raya, but I think it maybe the only way to reach you."
"What are you going Yami?" Mokuba asked, wide eyed.
Yami grinned. "Recite my wedding vows to her."
Seto's faced clouded over as he muttered "wedding vows?"
"We wrote our own. With Anzu's help, I wrote Ruia a song. It always had a special place in her heart and I think it will bring her out of her confused state."
"Try it."
"Come on stop your crying it will be alright
Just take my hand, hold it tight.
I will protect you for all around you
I will be here, don't you cry.
For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us, can't be broken
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust, what they can't explain.
I know we're different but, deep inside us
We're not that different at all
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
Don't listen to them, what do they know
We need each other to have to hold
They'll see in time…I know…
When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I might not be with you, but you got to hold on
They'll see in time…I know…
We'll show them together cuz
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always
Always…I'll be with you
I'll be there for you, always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder,
I'll be there always…"
Yami softly kissed Raya on her pale lips. Brushing a piece of her hair out of her eyes, a single tear rolled down his face, dropping onto her Ruia's cheek. With a sob, Raya finally woke.
"Raya!" exclaimed the group.
Raya didn't respond, rather threw her arms around Yami neck and buried her head into his shoulder and cried. Yami held her close, rubbing the small of her back. "Shh, it's okay Raya. It's over now. You're safe."
"I still love you too."
The words were spoken so softly, Yami wasn't sure if he had really heard them at all. "I know you do." A quick glance down at Raya confirmed what Yami had suspected. She had fallen asleep.
"Let's put her in my bed."
"And where would you sleep then Yugi?
"I'll go to my Soul Room. She needs a bed Yami."
"Seto, you can stay in mine with Mokuba. Tomorrow we'll get the story out of Raya."
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"Okay, I called the school and let them know that Mokuba and I wouldn't be present. However, I couldn't do the same for the office, but I'll be okay there. Mind watching Mokuba while I am gone?"
"Nope, not at all. Yugi's absence at school has been accounted for since he is injured and I never went to school so I am okay as well. I called Joey to tell him to explain to the school that Raya was sick and to come to the game shop as soon as class was over. Can you be back from work then?"
"Guaranteed. I want to know what scared Raya so badly. I can't get that image out of my head, seeing her in that fetal position."
"I'm going to kill Satire when our paths cross. I should have did it back in Egypt when I had the chance."
"I can't believe I am going to say this but you're not that type of person. You're not a cold blooded killer like she and her brother are. But I'm not sure that it was Satire or even Jarha. She would have killed them, not cower in fear."
"It was Satire, I'll stake my life on it. This is just part of her twisted game against Raya. I'm surprised that Jarha hasn't tried anything on me yet. But then again, Satire, though younger in age, was the more dominant sibling."
"So Satire is the one is charge?"
"Unfortunately."
"And if she could break Raya like that and that fast, it terrifies me to think what she could do to the rest of us."
"Jarha was just as ruthless."
Seto turned to watch his brother sleep. "What she did to Raya is unforgivable and I see now that they will resort to just about anything to finish what they started back in Ancient times. Pegasus was a bother compared to these too. Mokuba was caught in the crossfire then, and he is now too. Though now, I feel he is more danger than he ever was with Pegasus. The siblings will resort to anything to succeed, even if it means killing someone."
"Like Mokuba or Yugi. Yes, the same thought has crossed my mind. Yugi's attack goes as far as proving it too. He wasn't supposed to live."
"I know. We may never have gotten along before, but the competition was all in good fun. I would never wish death on anyone."
"Likewise."
"I'd better get to the office. If anything goes wrong or even looks suspicious, call the office immediately. I'll tell my secretary to put you right through." With that, Seto headed out, leaving Yami alone, with two injured friends and one sleeping child.
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Even though Grandpa was out of town, the Turtle Game shop was still open for business. In the mornings, Yami would run the shop and then later, Yugi would help out once he returned from school. Today, Yami didn't expect any help. It was already after 1 and neither Mokuba, Yugi, or Raya had awaken. When he heard someone walking down the back steps, he assumed it to be Mokuba, since he could still sense Yugi in his Soul Room.
"Morning."
"Afternoon actually. How do you feel Raya?" he replied, turning to face the young woman who came up behind the counter.
Giving a small grin, she replied better. She didn't look much better than she had last night. Pale and obviously shaken, it was amazing to see her on her feet. She had taken off her red jacket, but had borrowed a black long sleeved shirt of his and was wearing it instead. Her hair, which was normally pulled up, was down and flowed around her like a blanket, protecting her from what ever evils that may cross her path.
"If you say so."
"Trust me, I am better than I was before."
"I'll give you that one. You had poor Seto scared out of his mind. All of us actually."
"I was terrified too."
"What happened exactly? That is if you are ready to talk about it."
Sighing, Raya sat down on the stool behind the cash register. And placed the cup that she had been holding on the counter. "I had just returned home when I noticed that the door to my house was open. I know that I should have gotten Seto to check the house out, but I didn't. I walked in. Nothing in the house seemed out of place. Every room was ok. Nothing was gone and no Satire waiting to kill me. But when I walked into the living room, I sensed something. Not a person, but a memory. Satire had been in the room earlier, and left a nasty little surprise there for me. A magic spell, one that lets a person relive their darkest day."
Yami gulped. "That means you felt…"
"Not only felt, but witness every agonizing moment of our son's death all over again. I sat there watching her murder our son all over again. The pain, the feeling of failure since I couldn't do anything, it was all very real. And then she started after me, but this time it was different. Jou didn't come. Satire had raised the knife to strike me, but somehow the vision had stopped. I dimly remember being carried here, but in all honestly, I saw nothing but darkness and that day. I vaguely remember hearing you and Seto talk to me, but I was scared and lost in my own mind. I had no idea how to get back to the real world at all, I was still under that spells influence. But then I heard the words that called me back, your vows."
"I hoped that they would still have the same affect on you now that then did back in Egypt. I was so worried that I had lost you again Ruia."
"You almost did, Yugioh. I was at the brink of destruction. Now I know what you must have felt like in the aftermath of mine and our son's death."
"Darkness. That about sums it up."
"It was so cold too. I couldn't find the light to get warm. I still feel that cold breathe, lingering just behind me, waiting for me to falter once again."
Yami moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling Raya back into his embrace. "In order for the darkness to get to you, it will have to go through me first. And don't fear about falling, I will catch you."
Raya tilted her head up and stared into his eyes. "I meant what I said before."
"And that was…"
"That I still loved you. I never stopped. You were right, I was only trying to protect everyone."
Yami kissed her on top of her forehead. "You were always a good person Ruia, stupid but noble."
"I'm sorry you know, about what I said before."
"I know you are, don't worry about it. All is forgiven."
"You always were good to me."
"You're my wife, mother to my child, of course I will forgive and stand by you."
"Better be careful with what you say around here. Granted we are over a millennia old, but to people, we look 16. They wouldn't take us being married, not to mention having a kid already, too well."
"Point taken. Amazing how at one time, 16 was an appropriate age to be married and to be having kids and now, it is looked down upon."
"It is for the best really. Even you have to admit, being married at 15 was sort of young. We could handle it then, the times were different, but now, I don't think I could do it. Too many problems in this era."
"Like you said people change, did you not expect the times to change as well?"
"I did, but I had hoped for the better. I mean, yes a lot has happened for the best, but then there are people like Pegasus that make me think that it hasn't."
"One man shouldn't influence your decision."
"It hasn't really. Anyway, where is Yugi?"
"Still asleep in his soul room I believe."
"Sweet kid, I noticed he gave up his bed for me."
"He has a big, kind heart just like another person I know."
"I wonder who that could be…" Raya replied with a small laugh.
Yami was about to responded when he heard the squeal of tires. A sleek, black car tore towards the game shop. "Get down, now." Yami shouted, pulling Raya down to floor, with himself on top of her, shielding.
"What's going…" Raya was cut off by the sound of glass breaking. She let out a muffled scream as another window broke. Then the sound of a car revving off.
Yami stood up, shaking the bits of glass off his coat. "Are you okay Raya?"
"Yes, fine." She gasped as the puzzle around Yami glowed. Yugi appeared next to Yami, fear written on his face.
"What happened? I thought I heard glass breaking."
"Someone threw this though our windows aibou. It's addressed to Raya and I."
"Satire and Jarha, I bet." Mokuba said, walking down the stairs.
Yami tore the note from the brick. Quickly he skimmed the note and clenched his fist. Raya at seeing his distress, grabbed the note for herself and gulped.
Our first attempt fail,
Our second won't.
The futures will fall,
Starting with the youngest of all.
The song "You'll be in my Heart belongs to Phil Collins and his management.
Kris Beech: Hi everyone! I'm Anya's muse, she isn't feeling too well, but wanted to get this chapter out for all of you, so she asked me to do it for her. Also, she wanted to say thanks for all the reviews!
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"Goodnight Mokuba." Seto whispered as he placed his baby brother to bed. It had been along day to say the least, and Seto was looking forward to taking a long sleep like his brother. Exiting Mokuba's room, he headed for his own. He barely had enough time to take off his coat when Mokuba darted into his room, panic written on his face.
"MOKUBA. What's wrong?"
"Raya's…something…is…wrong. A…scream…and…then…nothing."
Seto didn't even hesitate. "Stay here." Taking the steps two and three at a time, he hurried to make it in time to Raya's 'What happened? She was fine 5 minutes ago. Was someone waiting for her? Stupid Seto, careless even. You should have checked out her house.' Once outside, he had no time to deal with gates and fences. Gathering up his speed, he hopped up the fence and jumped over it.
"Wow." Mokuba whispered in awe from the doorway.
Raya's front door was wide open as Seto approached it. 'That's not good.' "RAYA! Where are you? RAYA!" Receiving no response, Seto started worrying. 'Where can she be?'
The house was uneasily normal. Nothing seemed out of place or taken. The rooms appeared how the always did, but still, something was not right. If everything was okay, Raya would have responded. Did Satire or Jarha come and take her? He didn't know. Fear gripped at his heart as he search each room, finding them all empty, void of any life. 'Yami is going to kill me if something happened.'
Finally he turned into the living room. Like all the others, the room was deserted. "I better get back to Mokuba and then call the others and report Raya missing." Spinning on his heals, Seto turned for the doors. Only then did he notice the slight difference in this room. The color drained from his face. "Oh shit."
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*Bang, Bang*
Yami jolted out of bed. 'Who would be here at this time of night?' Carefully, Yami slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the slumbering Yugi. Hurriedly, he ran down the steps, sensing that something was terribly wrong. He pushed open the door to the Turtle game shop. "Seto!"
Seto pushed past Yami, carrying Raya in his arms.
"What happened? Tell me!"
"Mokuba here heard a scream at Raya's place. I searched her apartment and found her in the living room, curled up in a ball, shaking, and not responding. I can't get her to say anything."
Yami helped Seto place Raya on the couch. Only then did he get a good look at his wife. She was cold, shaking, and her eyes seems to be focused on something only she could see. Her breathe was ragged at best. "Keep an eye on her, I am going to get a blanket. If you want, I'll put Mokuba in my bed so he can rest."
"I wanna stay with Raya."
"You'll do her more good if you get some rest. That way, you can protect her better in the morning."
"Will she be okay?"
"She'll be fine. I promise that Yami and I will take good care of her."
Mokuba nodded and went off with Yami. Seto turned his attention back to Raya. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but yet she remained in her comatose state. Yami arrived moments later, blanket and washcloth in hand.
"Help me lay her down will you?"
"Sure."
Together, the two worked to uncurl Raya and lay her on the couch. Yami sat down on the couch as well and pulled Raya into his lap. Gently, he dabbed the washcloth over face, whispering to for her to wake up.
"Yami, what's wrong with her?"
"I…I…don't know. She is seeing something that we aren't and it is literally killing her. She is trapped in her own mind."
"Can I do anything to help? Can you?"
"I think only she can wake herself up. But I think if we talk to her, it would help Raya find her way back to us."
Seto nodded, then spoke. "Raya, sweetie. Open your eyes, please. Mokuba is worried about you. I'm worried about you."
"As I am. Please Ruia, wake up and let us know you are alright. No matter what the problem, we will help you. I swear to Ra that I will."
Raya didn't even stir.
Seto sighed. "This isn't working."
"Let me try something else. Be prepared Seto, you can use this as major blackmail on me."
"If it saves Raya, don't worry about it."
"Raya, I know you can hear me. Don't worry about responding yet, just listen. I understand now the game you're playing. I should have realized it in the beginning. You'll have to excuse my naiveness, I got the shock of the millennia at seeing my dead wife, alive and well. That had to be one of the greatest day of my life. I was so happy back then in Egypt with you by my side. I felt that I was on top of the world, full of life and love. I never wanted that feeling to end, and yet it did. Never had I felt so much grief than I did then. I wanted to kill Satire and Jarha for what they did to you, us. But at the same time, I knew I couldn't. I would have been just like them. So I turned my anger to the Shadow Games, and in the end, I did end up like them. I regret to this very day what I did to my people. But I got a second chance. Another chance to live my life right, with my one true love by my side once again. I didn't understand why you were so cold towards me at first. I thought that it had to be my involvement with the Shadow Games, and I was right, it was part. But the majority had to do with protection. I forgot your abilities laid in that area, like Sekhmet's did. Hers were of love and protection, two very strong characteristics in you. I should have known that you would do anything and everything to protect us from Satire's wrath, even if it meant certain death for you. That is why you pushed me away, to save me the grief at the thought of losing you again. Well Ruia, that is were you are wrong. I am not backing way from our love. I am not giving up. I love you. Nothing, not even Satire and Jarha can change that. We've been through so much, and I promise then to stand by you and that promise still is still valid now. Please Raya, wake up."
Hot tears ran down Raya's face, but still she didn't wake.
"Yami, she'll be ok."
"Yugi what are you doing up?"
Yugi crept into the room, with Mokuba close behind. "I heard about Raya and then I could not fall back asleep." He sat on the floor, next to the couch and took her hand into his. Mokuba climbed up into Seto's lap and snuggled down into his warm embrace.
"Raya, it's Yugi. Please wake up. We need you. You're a big part of all our lives now. I miss you too much if something happened to you. Raya…."Yugi whimpered, but refused to cry.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this Raya, but I think it maybe the only way to reach you."
"What are you going Yami?" Mokuba asked, wide eyed.
Yami grinned. "Recite my wedding vows to her."
Seto's faced clouded over as he muttered "wedding vows?"
"We wrote our own. With Anzu's help, I wrote Ruia a song. It always had a special place in her heart and I think it will bring her out of her confused state."
"Try it."
"Come on stop your crying it will be alright
Just take my hand, hold it tight.
I will protect you for all around you
I will be here, don't you cry.
For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us, can't be broken
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust, what they can't explain.
I know we're different but, deep inside us
We're not that different at all
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
Don't listen to them, what do they know
We need each other to have to hold
They'll see in time…I know…
When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I might not be with you, but you got to hold on
They'll see in time…I know…
We'll show them together cuz
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always…
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart always
Always…I'll be with you
I'll be there for you, always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder,
I'll be there always…"
Yami softly kissed Raya on her pale lips. Brushing a piece of her hair out of her eyes, a single tear rolled down his face, dropping onto her Ruia's cheek. With a sob, Raya finally woke.
"Raya!" exclaimed the group.
Raya didn't respond, rather threw her arms around Yami neck and buried her head into his shoulder and cried. Yami held her close, rubbing the small of her back. "Shh, it's okay Raya. It's over now. You're safe."
"I still love you too."
The words were spoken so softly, Yami wasn't sure if he had really heard them at all. "I know you do." A quick glance down at Raya confirmed what Yami had suspected. She had fallen asleep.
"Let's put her in my bed."
"And where would you sleep then Yugi?
"I'll go to my Soul Room. She needs a bed Yami."
"Seto, you can stay in mine with Mokuba. Tomorrow we'll get the story out of Raya."
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"Okay, I called the school and let them know that Mokuba and I wouldn't be present. However, I couldn't do the same for the office, but I'll be okay there. Mind watching Mokuba while I am gone?"
"Nope, not at all. Yugi's absence at school has been accounted for since he is injured and I never went to school so I am okay as well. I called Joey to tell him to explain to the school that Raya was sick and to come to the game shop as soon as class was over. Can you be back from work then?"
"Guaranteed. I want to know what scared Raya so badly. I can't get that image out of my head, seeing her in that fetal position."
"I'm going to kill Satire when our paths cross. I should have did it back in Egypt when I had the chance."
"I can't believe I am going to say this but you're not that type of person. You're not a cold blooded killer like she and her brother are. But I'm not sure that it was Satire or even Jarha. She would have killed them, not cower in fear."
"It was Satire, I'll stake my life on it. This is just part of her twisted game against Raya. I'm surprised that Jarha hasn't tried anything on me yet. But then again, Satire, though younger in age, was the more dominant sibling."
"So Satire is the one is charge?"
"Unfortunately."
"And if she could break Raya like that and that fast, it terrifies me to think what she could do to the rest of us."
"Jarha was just as ruthless."
Seto turned to watch his brother sleep. "What she did to Raya is unforgivable and I see now that they will resort to just about anything to finish what they started back in Ancient times. Pegasus was a bother compared to these too. Mokuba was caught in the crossfire then, and he is now too. Though now, I feel he is more danger than he ever was with Pegasus. The siblings will resort to anything to succeed, even if it means killing someone."
"Like Mokuba or Yugi. Yes, the same thought has crossed my mind. Yugi's attack goes as far as proving it too. He wasn't supposed to live."
"I know. We may never have gotten along before, but the competition was all in good fun. I would never wish death on anyone."
"Likewise."
"I'd better get to the office. If anything goes wrong or even looks suspicious, call the office immediately. I'll tell my secretary to put you right through." With that, Seto headed out, leaving Yami alone, with two injured friends and one sleeping child.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Even though Grandpa was out of town, the Turtle Game shop was still open for business. In the mornings, Yami would run the shop and then later, Yugi would help out once he returned from school. Today, Yami didn't expect any help. It was already after 1 and neither Mokuba, Yugi, or Raya had awaken. When he heard someone walking down the back steps, he assumed it to be Mokuba, since he could still sense Yugi in his Soul Room.
"Morning."
"Afternoon actually. How do you feel Raya?" he replied, turning to face the young woman who came up behind the counter.
Giving a small grin, she replied better. She didn't look much better than she had last night. Pale and obviously shaken, it was amazing to see her on her feet. She had taken off her red jacket, but had borrowed a black long sleeved shirt of his and was wearing it instead. Her hair, which was normally pulled up, was down and flowed around her like a blanket, protecting her from what ever evils that may cross her path.
"If you say so."
"Trust me, I am better than I was before."
"I'll give you that one. You had poor Seto scared out of his mind. All of us actually."
"I was terrified too."
"What happened exactly? That is if you are ready to talk about it."
Sighing, Raya sat down on the stool behind the cash register. And placed the cup that she had been holding on the counter. "I had just returned home when I noticed that the door to my house was open. I know that I should have gotten Seto to check the house out, but I didn't. I walked in. Nothing in the house seemed out of place. Every room was ok. Nothing was gone and no Satire waiting to kill me. But when I walked into the living room, I sensed something. Not a person, but a memory. Satire had been in the room earlier, and left a nasty little surprise there for me. A magic spell, one that lets a person relive their darkest day."
Yami gulped. "That means you felt…"
"Not only felt, but witness every agonizing moment of our son's death all over again. I sat there watching her murder our son all over again. The pain, the feeling of failure since I couldn't do anything, it was all very real. And then she started after me, but this time it was different. Jou didn't come. Satire had raised the knife to strike me, but somehow the vision had stopped. I dimly remember being carried here, but in all honestly, I saw nothing but darkness and that day. I vaguely remember hearing you and Seto talk to me, but I was scared and lost in my own mind. I had no idea how to get back to the real world at all, I was still under that spells influence. But then I heard the words that called me back, your vows."
"I hoped that they would still have the same affect on you now that then did back in Egypt. I was so worried that I had lost you again Ruia."
"You almost did, Yugioh. I was at the brink of destruction. Now I know what you must have felt like in the aftermath of mine and our son's death."
"Darkness. That about sums it up."
"It was so cold too. I couldn't find the light to get warm. I still feel that cold breathe, lingering just behind me, waiting for me to falter once again."
Yami moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling Raya back into his embrace. "In order for the darkness to get to you, it will have to go through me first. And don't fear about falling, I will catch you."
Raya tilted her head up and stared into his eyes. "I meant what I said before."
"And that was…"
"That I still loved you. I never stopped. You were right, I was only trying to protect everyone."
Yami kissed her on top of her forehead. "You were always a good person Ruia, stupid but noble."
"I'm sorry you know, about what I said before."
"I know you are, don't worry about it. All is forgiven."
"You always were good to me."
"You're my wife, mother to my child, of course I will forgive and stand by you."
"Better be careful with what you say around here. Granted we are over a millennia old, but to people, we look 16. They wouldn't take us being married, not to mention having a kid already, too well."
"Point taken. Amazing how at one time, 16 was an appropriate age to be married and to be having kids and now, it is looked down upon."
"It is for the best really. Even you have to admit, being married at 15 was sort of young. We could handle it then, the times were different, but now, I don't think I could do it. Too many problems in this era."
"Like you said people change, did you not expect the times to change as well?"
"I did, but I had hoped for the better. I mean, yes a lot has happened for the best, but then there are people like Pegasus that make me think that it hasn't."
"One man shouldn't influence your decision."
"It hasn't really. Anyway, where is Yugi?"
"Still asleep in his soul room I believe."
"Sweet kid, I noticed he gave up his bed for me."
"He has a big, kind heart just like another person I know."
"I wonder who that could be…" Raya replied with a small laugh.
Yami was about to responded when he heard the squeal of tires. A sleek, black car tore towards the game shop. "Get down, now." Yami shouted, pulling Raya down to floor, with himself on top of her, shielding.
"What's going…" Raya was cut off by the sound of glass breaking. She let out a muffled scream as another window broke. Then the sound of a car revving off.
Yami stood up, shaking the bits of glass off his coat. "Are you okay Raya?"
"Yes, fine." She gasped as the puzzle around Yami glowed. Yugi appeared next to Yami, fear written on his face.
"What happened? I thought I heard glass breaking."
"Someone threw this though our windows aibou. It's addressed to Raya and I."
"Satire and Jarha, I bet." Mokuba said, walking down the stairs.
Yami tore the note from the brick. Quickly he skimmed the note and clenched his fist. Raya at seeing his distress, grabbed the note for herself and gulped.
Our first attempt fail,
Our second won't.
The futures will fall,
Starting with the youngest of all.