Disclaimer: see previous chapter. (damn laziness has affected me again)
Anya: I know I left all of you with a "men" little cliffhanger there, but I blame work for not updating.
Kris: I thought you were sick. And see I was all concerned and I made you a card.
Anya: Aww, thanks, I was sick too, but I still had to go to my job.::Sigh:: Not fun, let me tell you. Well, anyway, here is chapter eight. And hopefully, I'll get back to updating every other day. Thanks for all the reviews!
Oh yeah, Lavender Wonder - if you see this, please email me and tell me what you figured out, I am sooo curious to see your guess. lol
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"I'm the youngest of all, aren't I?"
"I'm not sure who the note is referring to honestly Mokuba." Raya answered. 'Okay, I know perfectly well who it is, but it is better to act like I don't.' A quick glance at Yami confirmed that he knew as well.
"Seto is on his way, but is going to stop by the school and pick up Tea and the others. Safety in numbers I guess."
Raya grabbed Yami's arm and pulled him into the hallway. "What are we going to do? We both know who that note is referring to."
"I know and so god help me if they harm Yugi, I will kill both of them."
"We both would. And it is obvious to me that he isn't safe here. They know where to find him."
"The thought crossed my mind as well. I have no idea where we would hide him though."
"I don't know either, it is something we will have to bring up when the others get here. But right now, I think we better call the police."
"And tell them what? That we have two crazy ancient siblings after us? Yeah, they'll believe that one."
"No, I meant that we would have to report the damages. That way your Grandfather's store would be covered and the windows would be repaired."
"Alright, I see your point, but you, Mokuba and Yugi better stay upstairs while they are here. No sense in all of you getting in trouble for playing hooky."
"But we're not in a sense, but I see your reasoning. I'll get Yugi and Mokuba and head upstairs. Hopefully I'll be able to calm them both down some."
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"Man Yami, you weren't lying. They really did a number on this place." Joey stated, stepping over the pile of glass that Yami had managed to sweep up.
"You should have been here earlier. Luckily, the insurance company called the glass repair shop and they were able to replace one window. They are coming back to do the other in a couple."
"Jarha and Satire aren't wasting anytime are they?"
"No, they aren't Tea. And this time, they are pulling out all the stops."
"Where are Mokuba and the others?"
"Raya is watching them upstairs. I didn't want them to be around when the cops came."
"Is she feeling better?"
"She's doing a lot better Seto. She is alert but hurting none the less."
"What happened to her? And what happened here?"
"We'll explain upstairs. Come on."
The group headed up the stairs, only to find the trio sitting on the couch, watching TV. Mokuba was laying up against Raya, as Yugi sat contently in her lap.
"Seto!" Mokuba yelled happily as he jumped up to greet his brother.
"Hey kiddo. Heard you had an interesting day."
Raya laughed dryly. "You always did have a sick sense of humor."
Seto shrugged and sat down on a chair, pulling his brother into a protective hug. Raya shifted Yugi in her lap to make room for the others.
"So Raya, how are you feeling?"
Yugi felt Raya tense up. He gave her his trademark smile and a quick hug. Raya relaxed. "I'm better. Though a still bit shaken Tristan."
"What happened?"
"To make a long story short, Satire broke into my house and cast a spell so that when I entered my living room, I would be forced to relive my darkest day. And by relived I mean emotions, sight, and hearing. Everything."
"And the memory you went through had to be your son's death. That is why you were so distant. So cold."
"That among other things. The spell would have killed me. It should have. But I was jolted out of the memory by something, probably since you found me Seto. But I couldn't totally escape the vision. I was trapped by the darkness."
"But you're okay now right?"
"Yes Bakura. I still feel the coldness right behind me, but I won't fall to it again."
"Jarha and Satire must have sense that and planned this afternoon's attack then."
"I think it was just Jarha. This is the start of his plans for me."
"So who is the youngest of all? Is it Mokuba?"
Yami glanced at Raya. "We're not sure. They could be talking about Mokuba since he is the youngest one here or they could be talking about Yugi since he was the youngest in Egypt."
"They could also be referring to me, since I was the youngest of everyone in Egypt, not counting Mokuba and Yugi. But here, I am not the youngest, even counting Yugi and Mokuba."
"So it could be anyone of us?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"So what do we do? Obviously Yug and Yami aren't safe here since Jarha has managed to attack then. Raya is in the same situation. They can't stay in their own places if the siblings have managed to reach them there. It isn't safe."
"That is an easy one to solve Joey. Everyone will stay at my place. It is the safest and no one will question why everyone is there. Plus with all the security, we'll be safe. Well as safe as we could be."
"Seto, are you sure?"
"Totally Raya, and don't even try to talk me out of it. I'll sleep a lot better knowing that everyone is safely hidden from the psychos."
"How do you plan for us to tell our parents though? I mean Joey, Raya, Yugi and Yami will have no problem. All of your guardians are gone. But I doubt mine would let me stay. And I really can't tell them that my life is in danger. I bet Bakura and Tristan are in the same boat."
"You know, this would have worked out a lot better if it was summer break."
"I'll ask Satire the next time I see her if she could please wait to kill me till June or whenever you summer breaks are here."
"Funny Raya."
"You asked it Joey, I gave you the solution."
"Any way, Tea brings up a good point. How do we get them out?"
"School project?"
"Nah, parents never would by that excuse to stay over."
"I got it. This is going to require a bit of acting on all of your parts, but I think it would work."
"Go ahead Raya."
"Okay, Tea. Tell your parents that you are staying at my place for the time being. Since I am all alone in my house and especially in a new town, not to mention country, you want to make me feel comfortable. In other words, you don't want me to stay home all by myself."
"I think I get it. I could also say that we have a project due too, that is why I want to stay tonight. But the main reason being that I feel you are becoming isolated right?"
"Exactly. And of course, my phone lines haven't been connected yet, so they can only reach us via my cell phone."
"Nice. And Bakura and I?"
"We can use the break in to your advantage. Since Yugi here is still injured, you and Bakura are worried that the vandals may come back. And since Yugi and Yami are by themselves, you two would feel better knowing that they had more help and protection. Catch my drift."
"But what if our parents called the shop."
"Um…."
"I can fix that. I can make it so that all the calls to the game shop and Yugi's house rerouted to my place."
"You can do that?"
"And that is legal?"
Seto shrugged. "It's our only option, you both know that."
Yami and Raya sighed simultaneously. "He's right Yami, it is."
"I know. Okay, Seto. Do what you have to do."
"Meanwhile, the rest of us should return home and get clothes and whatever else we need."
"Pack light, we don't need to draw too much attention to all of us." Seto warned, as he head for the door. "I'm heading back to the office, to get the equipment that I need. Mokuba, you better come with me. I'll need you're help carrying some of the stuff."
"I'm going to pack our stuff aibou, you stay with Raya."
As soon as everyone left the room, Raya glance down at the young boy, who was still sitting in her lap. "You're awfully quiet. What's wrong."
"I'm the youngest of them all, aren't I? Don't lie either Raya. We both know the truth."
"I should have known better than to try to fool you. Yes Yugi, both Yami and I fear that you are the one the note was hinting too. The reason why we didn't voice our concern was that we didn't want to scare you or anyone else for that matter. We can't lose our heads here. Besides we thought if you didn't know, we could protect you better. I am sorry that we lied to you. It wasn't our intent to hurt your feelings."
"I understand that, but why are the after me? I was just a son to a servant woman in the palace. Why strike back at me now? Is it because I am connected so closely to Yami?"
"Partly I guess. It is hard to understand or justify what Satire and Jarha are thinking. But it scares me to death at what they can do. She tried to kill you in the alley, she cast that spell in my house, and he vandalized your home. It terrifies me that they are trying to hurt all of you, especially you."
We'll win Raya. Don't worry."
"I wish I had your confidence, but you're right. We have to think positively about the situation. If we don't, we are doomed to fail."
"Besides, if you were able to beat Satire and Jarha before, you can do it again. Not to mention that you already defeated that magic spell. I saw you that night. It must have been horrible to relive that day and yet you were stronger in the end. And if you could handle that Raya, I think you can deal with just about what ever Satire or whoever throws at you."
"Thank you Yugi. You really know what to say to make a person feel better."
"How do you feel?"
"A little tired still. Not sleepy tired, wore out tired which isn't good."
"Jarha is likely to take advantage of that, isn't he?"
"Yes. He and his sister are not honorable people at all. I never did see what Yami saw in him to make him a High Priest."
"Yami is normally a good judge of character. After all, he married you."
Raya hugged the boy. "Sometimes though Yugi, our instincts can be wrong or misleading. You have to be extremely careful when interpreting them."
Yugi nodded and was about to reply when Yami walked back into the room, holding Yugi's schoolbag.
"I thought it would look less suspicious packing our clothes in this instead of a suitcase."
"Smart, I give you that."
"Now what do we do?
"Now we wait aibou. Seto still has to 'fix' the phones and then we can head out to Raya's to retrieve her stuff."
"So we have time to kill?"
"Yes, why?" Yami replied, noticing Yugi's mischievous grin.
"So Raya, got any embarrassing stories on Yami."
Raya burst out laughing. "Enough to last you a lifetime and then some."
"Care to share?"
"Raya NO!."
"Well there was the time that he, Seto, Bakura, Tea, and I were on the Nile, swimming and Yami here tried to impress us by doing a dive off a rock mound."
"Raya, I am warning you…."
"So what happened?"
Well he did the dive and he landed in some very strong currents. And lets just say, Yami is very lucky cameras weren't invented yet because he was up steam and the clothes were um, not."
"That's it, you're dead." Yami stated, grabbing a throw pillow off the couch, hitting Raya on the shoulder with it.
"I see, you want to play it like that now do you." Raya shooed Yugi off her and picked up the other pillow. Giving a quick wink to Yugi, she tore after Yami. No way was she going to let him win this pillow war.
"Yup, definitely made for one another." Yugi said as he turned on the TV, occasionally watching Yami run for his life as Raya chased him with a pillow and an egg beater.
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"Done." exclaimed Seto, an hour later.
"Good. Is she around?"
"No Yami, Raya is upstairs with Yugi and Mokuba. She quit chasing you a half hour ago."
"Wipe that grin off your face. It isn't that funny."
"Seeing an ex-pharaoh running for his life while his 'girlfriend' chases him with an egg beater around the house isn't something one expects to be greeted with when entering a shop."
"That's Ruia though. I'm just lucky it was an egg beater."
"Eh, I couldn't find anything else in that short amount of time. You finally done Seto?"
"You're welcome too."
Raya smirked. "You know for a computer genius, you sure did take awhile. But thanks."
"I'd like to see you try this."
"Is that a challenge? I'd take you up on it, but they didn't have computers or the internet in Ancient Egypt."
"Then I wouldn't complain." Seto grinned, believing he had won.
"But that doesn't mean I didn't learn in my one year in America."
Seto snickered. "I should have known you would have an ace up your sleeve. Are you ever caught off guard?" He quickly caught his mistake in his choice of words. "Sorry."
"It's okay, I know you didn't mean it like that, but my mistake should warn everyone to stay on guard."
"Should we get going then?"
"You and Mokuba go on ahead. Raya, Yugi and I will head to Raya's in a short while. That way the others will have time to arrive, without it looking like all of us are staying there. Later, we'll come over."
"Okay, do you think they are watching you three?"
"Without a doubt. They knew that I wasn't home to cast the spell. They knew that Yami and I were here to deliver that message. Oh yeah, we're being tailed."
"And on those oh so comforting words, we better go Mokuba and meet the others."
"Be careful you two."
"Don't worry Raya. Nothing can hurt my big brother."
Smiling, Raya nodded. 'Unfortunately Mokuba, your brother has never dealt with the likes of Satire and Jarha. Pegasus was a saint compared to these two. Which is why all of us have to be extremely cautious. Where Pegasus had a conscious, small granted, they have none.'
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"Are you sure it is safe to go back in there?"
"Sure Yami. If there is one thing I know about the siblings, it is this. They never try the same things twice." Raya replied, pushing open her door. Both of her escorts noticed that she hesitated before walking inside.
"It will be alright Raya."
"I know. Come on in, make yourself at home. If you notice Yugi, most of the boxes are gone now."
"I was wondering if you would ever get to unpacking."
"Some, not all though. It is beginning to feel more like a home now."
"I see you're still the talented artist Ruia." More of Raya's paintings had been hung, including a picture of everyone from Egypt.
"Hey, we look the same. Except Tea's hair is longer. Is the baby in the picture your son?"
"The one I am holding, yes." Raya shouted the down the steps.
"Almost done up there?"
"Nope, I thought we were chilling for a bit."
"We can."
"Good. Yugi, get on my computer and open up the file America. It is a list of everything Satire and Jarha attempted to do to me while I was there. Maybe you can figure out what they are planning, see what I am missing."
"Alright." Yugi moved to the computer and booted it up. He clicked on the America document. "It's password protected."
"And Raya hopped in the shower, so we can't ask her."
"Well it probably refers to her time in Egypt, so now one today could guess it." He typed in Ruia. "Denied."
"Too obvious aibou. Remember, she is protecting some of these documents from Satire and Jarha as well, so I am betting all her passwords have to deal with a time when they didn't know her as well."
"That could be a number of things though. To her dad's name to her favorite word."
"Or favorite toy. I remember when Ruia moved into the palace, she brought a small homemade doll. It wasn't like the ones made today, rather made out of sacks. But it was very special to Ruia because her mother gave it to her before she passed away. It was her most valued possessions. She named the doll after her mom. I bet anything that is her password. Not too many people know that story. But what was her mother's name. Aristae. That was it. But put an e at the end. I can remember Ruia saying Aristae with an e."
"Okay. Hey it worked."
12 Oct 2001
Satire and Jarha arrived. Luckily they haven't found me yet. How did they get here? It is impossible. I can't face them again. But is running my only answer?
23 Oct. 2001
I have been discovered. Damn Satire and her spells. I should have realized that she would eventually cast one on the schools. Only I wouldn't be affected by it because I posse magic. Of course I had to go outside and investigate, giving up my location. Okay Satire, Jarha - Let the games begin.
2 Nov. 2001
Jarha struck today. Thank god for Mama Isabelle. She thought he was a kidnapper, which he is in a way. I never knew mom knew self defense. And luckily Jarha didn't deem it necessary to use his powers. Actually, I think he was afraid of mom. Too bad she wasn't there in Egypt with me. Man, no one would have dared to attack.
"Mama Isabelle?"
"Foster mother I bet."
11 Nov. 2001
Satire will pay. First she took my son, my baby and now she took my sister. Not killed, thankfully, but kidnapped. To use as a bargaining chip against me. Poor Jena. She had no idea what was going on. A life for a life. I'd give up mine to save hers. Of course I went, but Satire didn't expect me to use my abilities in front of my sis. Neither did I. But I had to protect her, us, the world. But now I had a problem, sis knew my secret. I got lucky, she didn't remember a thing. For now, the family was safe, but for how long?
"Skip to the last one Yugi. I want to see what scared Raya so bad that she fled."
"Okay."
24 April 2002
This will be the last entry, after today I will no longer be in America. No longer do I have the will to fight. Not after today, not after what I saw. The pain, the suffering, all because of me. The innocent have suffered enough. I am just glad Mama Isabelle agreed that going to Japan to study was a great idea. Of course, that wasn't my reason. I am fleeing, running to protect the ones I love. I'm heading to Domino City, hopefully to find help and to escape the wrath of the siblings. You've won this round Satire, but you won't win the game.
"She doesn't say what happened."
"Satire and Jarha cast a spell that was too powerful for them to control. The spell hit a nearby building and repercussions caused some of the building to collapse. Luckily no one was killed. The injury count was high though. From that moment on, I promised myself not to let the siblings injury the ones I loved, so I fled. That is the same reason why I was distant the first day I met all of you, I didn't want anyone I was close too to get injured. I thought maybe the siblings wouldn't follow, but they did." Raya answered, hair dripping down onto her shirt.
"Was Isabelle your mother in America?"
"She was my foster mother, Yugi."
"Jena was the one who was kidnapped right?"
"Yes, it was Jarha idea. To use something I loved against me. I suspect that they might try the same tactic here."
"Meaning me?"
"I don't know Yugi."
"Shall we go to Seto's now?"
"Let me grab my bag and we will go."
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"Point me to a bed Seto, I want to sleep and pretend this ordeal never happened."
"The bed I can give. The other request, dream on."
"I can try." Raya replied sticking out her tongue.
"How old are you again?"
"This many." She held up 3 fingers.
Seto shook his head. "Here," he said, opening a door, "you and Tea are in here if that is alright with you."
"Fine." Tea answered, before Raya could respond with some witty remark. She shoved the taller girl into the room. "See all of you in the morning."
"Just not you Seto. I don't want to see anything that scary in the morning." Raya shut the door before he could reply.
"Evil that girl. Come on Yami, Yugi. I'll show you were you too are staying."
Fifteen minutes later, everyone had adjourned to their respective rooms, except two.
"What's up Yami?"
"Tomorrow, something is going to happen, I can sense it."
"To Yugi?"
"I'm not sure, could be anyone. But I didn't want to say anything to the others and get them worried. But I need someone else to keep their eyes open."
"Why not Raya? Can she sense anything?"
"Maybe, but she is still recovering from that spell, I don't want her overextending herself more so."
"I see. Is Yugi going to school in the morning?"
"Yes, as is Raya. It is safer for everyone to stay together."
"Do you really think numbers mean anything to the siblings?"
"None. In fact, I figure that is when they will attack. More of challenge."
"Are we ready to confront them?"
"No, but I don't think we ever would be. But if we keep letting them attack us solo, one of us is bound not to survive. Both Yugi and Raya got lucky. Lucky Seto. How much longer can we survive on it? I'd rather have people with me who can fight, then face them alone."
Seto sighed. "You're right. Okay, tomorrow, we go to and leave school together."
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Joey walked into his last class of the day with a sigh of relief. So far, the day had been fairly normal. Even when the school had a fire drill, every one of his friends was present and accounted for. It was the perfect time for an attack, and nothing came. Lunch had been okay as well.
"Hey Joey."
"Hey Yug. Where's Raya?"
"Inside already, getting the work she missed."
"Good, Bakura and Tristan took Tea to her last class and Seto is at his. He checked on Mokuba and he was fine too."
"Are you sure we aren't taking this to an extreme?"
"Yugi, they sent you to the hospital and mentally crippled Raya. No, I don't think we are."
"You're right. Hopefully this class will go fast and we can get back to the safe house alright."
//We will aibou.//
/I know Yami, but I have a feeling that trouble is on the way./
//Don't worry, what ever it is, we will face it together.//
/Thank you Yami./
//You're welcome. Now pay attention.//
Yugi grinned and started taking notes on today's lecture.
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"Ready?"
"Yes Seto, we are all here."
"Do you wanna do a head count to make sure."
"Shut up Raya."
"You're no fun Seto."
"I'm not am I? I'll show you."
Seto darted to the back, where Raya was walking with Tea. At seeing Seto charging at her, Raya gasped and ran past the gang, with Seto giving chase.
"I never seen Seto act like that."
"Ruia had the same affect on him. She brought out the fun side in everyone."
"Should they be that far ahead of us?"
"They'll be fine."
Seto finally gave up chasing Raya. She was just too quick for him…for now. He would get her back later. Raya saw that he had stopped and started walking back towards him, cautiously. He grinned, good he had her worried.
"I'm going to die aren't I?"
"Of course."
Raya froze. That wasn't Seto's voice. She spun around, only to come face to face with Satire. Dimly she hear someone shout for the others to hurry, but she paid no attention to that.
"Get out of here."
Satire laughed, tossing her long raven hair over her shoulder. "Now is that any way to treat your best friend?"
"You're no friend of ours Satire. Where's your brother? Still hiding in the shadows?"
"Ah, Yugioh. It is so good to see you again. In fact, my brother is just dying to see you. And your light too."
Yami reached out and pulled Yugi behind him. "Leave him out of this."
"I think not, he is part you. A threat, he must die." Jarha said, walking out of the shadows.
"To get to the boy Jarha, you have to go through me." Raya started for the High Priest, only to be grabbed from behind.
"I think not your Highness, you're mine." Satire shifted her grasp, placing Raya in a position to snap her neck.
"Raya!" screamed Tea.
"May I cut in?" Joey asked, swinging his fist, connecting with Satire's jaw. Satire stumbled, releasing Raya. Joey grabbed her, pulling her away.
Before they could move two steps, Satire appeared in front of them. "You'll pay for your interference boy."
"Not today he won't." Seto whispered menacing. He had no idea how to beat the sister, but he knew he had to try something.
"And who is going to stop me? You?"
"That's right. I guess you are smarter than you look."
Satire screamed and lunged at Seto.
At the same moment, Yami attacked Jarha, who had turned when his sister had screamed.
"Ruia, get Yugi out of here. Now."
"But you need my help."
"GO. Take the others with you."
"But…But…"
"Come on Raya, before the get to Yug. They want to kill him, we have to get him out of harms way."
"You're right." She ran over to were Yugi was. Tea was next to him, trying to get him to respond. He had gone into a panicked state when he saw Jarha almost knock Yami unconscious. Raya didn't even hesitate. She picked the boy up. "Come on Tea,"
"No, I won't let you leave. Not when I have the entire Royal Family within my grasp."
"Raya, go now. All of you…GO!"
Tristan bent down and picked up Mokuba. "It will be faster if I carry him."
Satire started after the group. Seto recovered from his latest blow and scrambled to stop her. Grabbing her ankle, she crashed to the ground, allowing the group to make it around the block and out of sight.
"NOOOOOO!!! You'll pay for that. Both of you."
She started chanting, softly at first, then steadily growing louder.
Seto stopped fight, as did Yami. Jarha moved over to where his sister was, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips. Then he too started chanting.
"Yami, what's going on?"
"I'm not sure, but I think we better run."
The boys didn't even make it three steps before a dark blue portal appeared and the four of them vanished.
Anya: I know I left all of you with a "men" little cliffhanger there, but I blame work for not updating.
Kris: I thought you were sick. And see I was all concerned and I made you a card.
Anya: Aww, thanks, I was sick too, but I still had to go to my job.::Sigh:: Not fun, let me tell you. Well, anyway, here is chapter eight. And hopefully, I'll get back to updating every other day. Thanks for all the reviews!
Oh yeah, Lavender Wonder - if you see this, please email me and tell me what you figured out, I am sooo curious to see your guess. lol
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"I'm the youngest of all, aren't I?"
"I'm not sure who the note is referring to honestly Mokuba." Raya answered. 'Okay, I know perfectly well who it is, but it is better to act like I don't.' A quick glance at Yami confirmed that he knew as well.
"Seto is on his way, but is going to stop by the school and pick up Tea and the others. Safety in numbers I guess."
Raya grabbed Yami's arm and pulled him into the hallway. "What are we going to do? We both know who that note is referring to."
"I know and so god help me if they harm Yugi, I will kill both of them."
"We both would. And it is obvious to me that he isn't safe here. They know where to find him."
"The thought crossed my mind as well. I have no idea where we would hide him though."
"I don't know either, it is something we will have to bring up when the others get here. But right now, I think we better call the police."
"And tell them what? That we have two crazy ancient siblings after us? Yeah, they'll believe that one."
"No, I meant that we would have to report the damages. That way your Grandfather's store would be covered and the windows would be repaired."
"Alright, I see your point, but you, Mokuba and Yugi better stay upstairs while they are here. No sense in all of you getting in trouble for playing hooky."
"But we're not in a sense, but I see your reasoning. I'll get Yugi and Mokuba and head upstairs. Hopefully I'll be able to calm them both down some."
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"Man Yami, you weren't lying. They really did a number on this place." Joey stated, stepping over the pile of glass that Yami had managed to sweep up.
"You should have been here earlier. Luckily, the insurance company called the glass repair shop and they were able to replace one window. They are coming back to do the other in a couple."
"Jarha and Satire aren't wasting anytime are they?"
"No, they aren't Tea. And this time, they are pulling out all the stops."
"Where are Mokuba and the others?"
"Raya is watching them upstairs. I didn't want them to be around when the cops came."
"Is she feeling better?"
"She's doing a lot better Seto. She is alert but hurting none the less."
"What happened to her? And what happened here?"
"We'll explain upstairs. Come on."
The group headed up the stairs, only to find the trio sitting on the couch, watching TV. Mokuba was laying up against Raya, as Yugi sat contently in her lap.
"Seto!" Mokuba yelled happily as he jumped up to greet his brother.
"Hey kiddo. Heard you had an interesting day."
Raya laughed dryly. "You always did have a sick sense of humor."
Seto shrugged and sat down on a chair, pulling his brother into a protective hug. Raya shifted Yugi in her lap to make room for the others.
"So Raya, how are you feeling?"
Yugi felt Raya tense up. He gave her his trademark smile and a quick hug. Raya relaxed. "I'm better. Though a still bit shaken Tristan."
"What happened?"
"To make a long story short, Satire broke into my house and cast a spell so that when I entered my living room, I would be forced to relive my darkest day. And by relived I mean emotions, sight, and hearing. Everything."
"And the memory you went through had to be your son's death. That is why you were so distant. So cold."
"That among other things. The spell would have killed me. It should have. But I was jolted out of the memory by something, probably since you found me Seto. But I couldn't totally escape the vision. I was trapped by the darkness."
"But you're okay now right?"
"Yes Bakura. I still feel the coldness right behind me, but I won't fall to it again."
"Jarha and Satire must have sense that and planned this afternoon's attack then."
"I think it was just Jarha. This is the start of his plans for me."
"So who is the youngest of all? Is it Mokuba?"
Yami glanced at Raya. "We're not sure. They could be talking about Mokuba since he is the youngest one here or they could be talking about Yugi since he was the youngest in Egypt."
"They could also be referring to me, since I was the youngest of everyone in Egypt, not counting Mokuba and Yugi. But here, I am not the youngest, even counting Yugi and Mokuba."
"So it could be anyone of us?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"So what do we do? Obviously Yug and Yami aren't safe here since Jarha has managed to attack then. Raya is in the same situation. They can't stay in their own places if the siblings have managed to reach them there. It isn't safe."
"That is an easy one to solve Joey. Everyone will stay at my place. It is the safest and no one will question why everyone is there. Plus with all the security, we'll be safe. Well as safe as we could be."
"Seto, are you sure?"
"Totally Raya, and don't even try to talk me out of it. I'll sleep a lot better knowing that everyone is safely hidden from the psychos."
"How do you plan for us to tell our parents though? I mean Joey, Raya, Yugi and Yami will have no problem. All of your guardians are gone. But I doubt mine would let me stay. And I really can't tell them that my life is in danger. I bet Bakura and Tristan are in the same boat."
"You know, this would have worked out a lot better if it was summer break."
"I'll ask Satire the next time I see her if she could please wait to kill me till June or whenever you summer breaks are here."
"Funny Raya."
"You asked it Joey, I gave you the solution."
"Any way, Tea brings up a good point. How do we get them out?"
"School project?"
"Nah, parents never would by that excuse to stay over."
"I got it. This is going to require a bit of acting on all of your parts, but I think it would work."
"Go ahead Raya."
"Okay, Tea. Tell your parents that you are staying at my place for the time being. Since I am all alone in my house and especially in a new town, not to mention country, you want to make me feel comfortable. In other words, you don't want me to stay home all by myself."
"I think I get it. I could also say that we have a project due too, that is why I want to stay tonight. But the main reason being that I feel you are becoming isolated right?"
"Exactly. And of course, my phone lines haven't been connected yet, so they can only reach us via my cell phone."
"Nice. And Bakura and I?"
"We can use the break in to your advantage. Since Yugi here is still injured, you and Bakura are worried that the vandals may come back. And since Yugi and Yami are by themselves, you two would feel better knowing that they had more help and protection. Catch my drift."
"But what if our parents called the shop."
"Um…."
"I can fix that. I can make it so that all the calls to the game shop and Yugi's house rerouted to my place."
"You can do that?"
"And that is legal?"
Seto shrugged. "It's our only option, you both know that."
Yami and Raya sighed simultaneously. "He's right Yami, it is."
"I know. Okay, Seto. Do what you have to do."
"Meanwhile, the rest of us should return home and get clothes and whatever else we need."
"Pack light, we don't need to draw too much attention to all of us." Seto warned, as he head for the door. "I'm heading back to the office, to get the equipment that I need. Mokuba, you better come with me. I'll need you're help carrying some of the stuff."
"I'm going to pack our stuff aibou, you stay with Raya."
As soon as everyone left the room, Raya glance down at the young boy, who was still sitting in her lap. "You're awfully quiet. What's wrong."
"I'm the youngest of them all, aren't I? Don't lie either Raya. We both know the truth."
"I should have known better than to try to fool you. Yes Yugi, both Yami and I fear that you are the one the note was hinting too. The reason why we didn't voice our concern was that we didn't want to scare you or anyone else for that matter. We can't lose our heads here. Besides we thought if you didn't know, we could protect you better. I am sorry that we lied to you. It wasn't our intent to hurt your feelings."
"I understand that, but why are the after me? I was just a son to a servant woman in the palace. Why strike back at me now? Is it because I am connected so closely to Yami?"
"Partly I guess. It is hard to understand or justify what Satire and Jarha are thinking. But it scares me to death at what they can do. She tried to kill you in the alley, she cast that spell in my house, and he vandalized your home. It terrifies me that they are trying to hurt all of you, especially you."
We'll win Raya. Don't worry."
"I wish I had your confidence, but you're right. We have to think positively about the situation. If we don't, we are doomed to fail."
"Besides, if you were able to beat Satire and Jarha before, you can do it again. Not to mention that you already defeated that magic spell. I saw you that night. It must have been horrible to relive that day and yet you were stronger in the end. And if you could handle that Raya, I think you can deal with just about what ever Satire or whoever throws at you."
"Thank you Yugi. You really know what to say to make a person feel better."
"How do you feel?"
"A little tired still. Not sleepy tired, wore out tired which isn't good."
"Jarha is likely to take advantage of that, isn't he?"
"Yes. He and his sister are not honorable people at all. I never did see what Yami saw in him to make him a High Priest."
"Yami is normally a good judge of character. After all, he married you."
Raya hugged the boy. "Sometimes though Yugi, our instincts can be wrong or misleading. You have to be extremely careful when interpreting them."
Yugi nodded and was about to reply when Yami walked back into the room, holding Yugi's schoolbag.
"I thought it would look less suspicious packing our clothes in this instead of a suitcase."
"Smart, I give you that."
"Now what do we do?
"Now we wait aibou. Seto still has to 'fix' the phones and then we can head out to Raya's to retrieve her stuff."
"So we have time to kill?"
"Yes, why?" Yami replied, noticing Yugi's mischievous grin.
"So Raya, got any embarrassing stories on Yami."
Raya burst out laughing. "Enough to last you a lifetime and then some."
"Care to share?"
"Raya NO!."
"Well there was the time that he, Seto, Bakura, Tea, and I were on the Nile, swimming and Yami here tried to impress us by doing a dive off a rock mound."
"Raya, I am warning you…."
"So what happened?"
Well he did the dive and he landed in some very strong currents. And lets just say, Yami is very lucky cameras weren't invented yet because he was up steam and the clothes were um, not."
"That's it, you're dead." Yami stated, grabbing a throw pillow off the couch, hitting Raya on the shoulder with it.
"I see, you want to play it like that now do you." Raya shooed Yugi off her and picked up the other pillow. Giving a quick wink to Yugi, she tore after Yami. No way was she going to let him win this pillow war.
"Yup, definitely made for one another." Yugi said as he turned on the TV, occasionally watching Yami run for his life as Raya chased him with a pillow and an egg beater.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Done." exclaimed Seto, an hour later.
"Good. Is she around?"
"No Yami, Raya is upstairs with Yugi and Mokuba. She quit chasing you a half hour ago."
"Wipe that grin off your face. It isn't that funny."
"Seeing an ex-pharaoh running for his life while his 'girlfriend' chases him with an egg beater around the house isn't something one expects to be greeted with when entering a shop."
"That's Ruia though. I'm just lucky it was an egg beater."
"Eh, I couldn't find anything else in that short amount of time. You finally done Seto?"
"You're welcome too."
Raya smirked. "You know for a computer genius, you sure did take awhile. But thanks."
"I'd like to see you try this."
"Is that a challenge? I'd take you up on it, but they didn't have computers or the internet in Ancient Egypt."
"Then I wouldn't complain." Seto grinned, believing he had won.
"But that doesn't mean I didn't learn in my one year in America."
Seto snickered. "I should have known you would have an ace up your sleeve. Are you ever caught off guard?" He quickly caught his mistake in his choice of words. "Sorry."
"It's okay, I know you didn't mean it like that, but my mistake should warn everyone to stay on guard."
"Should we get going then?"
"You and Mokuba go on ahead. Raya, Yugi and I will head to Raya's in a short while. That way the others will have time to arrive, without it looking like all of us are staying there. Later, we'll come over."
"Okay, do you think they are watching you three?"
"Without a doubt. They knew that I wasn't home to cast the spell. They knew that Yami and I were here to deliver that message. Oh yeah, we're being tailed."
"And on those oh so comforting words, we better go Mokuba and meet the others."
"Be careful you two."
"Don't worry Raya. Nothing can hurt my big brother."
Smiling, Raya nodded. 'Unfortunately Mokuba, your brother has never dealt with the likes of Satire and Jarha. Pegasus was a saint compared to these two. Which is why all of us have to be extremely cautious. Where Pegasus had a conscious, small granted, they have none.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you sure it is safe to go back in there?"
"Sure Yami. If there is one thing I know about the siblings, it is this. They never try the same things twice." Raya replied, pushing open her door. Both of her escorts noticed that she hesitated before walking inside.
"It will be alright Raya."
"I know. Come on in, make yourself at home. If you notice Yugi, most of the boxes are gone now."
"I was wondering if you would ever get to unpacking."
"Some, not all though. It is beginning to feel more like a home now."
"I see you're still the talented artist Ruia." More of Raya's paintings had been hung, including a picture of everyone from Egypt.
"Hey, we look the same. Except Tea's hair is longer. Is the baby in the picture your son?"
"The one I am holding, yes." Raya shouted the down the steps.
"Almost done up there?"
"Nope, I thought we were chilling for a bit."
"We can."
"Good. Yugi, get on my computer and open up the file America. It is a list of everything Satire and Jarha attempted to do to me while I was there. Maybe you can figure out what they are planning, see what I am missing."
"Alright." Yugi moved to the computer and booted it up. He clicked on the America document. "It's password protected."
"And Raya hopped in the shower, so we can't ask her."
"Well it probably refers to her time in Egypt, so now one today could guess it." He typed in Ruia. "Denied."
"Too obvious aibou. Remember, she is protecting some of these documents from Satire and Jarha as well, so I am betting all her passwords have to deal with a time when they didn't know her as well."
"That could be a number of things though. To her dad's name to her favorite word."
"Or favorite toy. I remember when Ruia moved into the palace, she brought a small homemade doll. It wasn't like the ones made today, rather made out of sacks. But it was very special to Ruia because her mother gave it to her before she passed away. It was her most valued possessions. She named the doll after her mom. I bet anything that is her password. Not too many people know that story. But what was her mother's name. Aristae. That was it. But put an e at the end. I can remember Ruia saying Aristae with an e."
"Okay. Hey it worked."
12 Oct 2001
Satire and Jarha arrived. Luckily they haven't found me yet. How did they get here? It is impossible. I can't face them again. But is running my only answer?
23 Oct. 2001
I have been discovered. Damn Satire and her spells. I should have realized that she would eventually cast one on the schools. Only I wouldn't be affected by it because I posse magic. Of course I had to go outside and investigate, giving up my location. Okay Satire, Jarha - Let the games begin.
2 Nov. 2001
Jarha struck today. Thank god for Mama Isabelle. She thought he was a kidnapper, which he is in a way. I never knew mom knew self defense. And luckily Jarha didn't deem it necessary to use his powers. Actually, I think he was afraid of mom. Too bad she wasn't there in Egypt with me. Man, no one would have dared to attack.
"Mama Isabelle?"
"Foster mother I bet."
11 Nov. 2001
Satire will pay. First she took my son, my baby and now she took my sister. Not killed, thankfully, but kidnapped. To use as a bargaining chip against me. Poor Jena. She had no idea what was going on. A life for a life. I'd give up mine to save hers. Of course I went, but Satire didn't expect me to use my abilities in front of my sis. Neither did I. But I had to protect her, us, the world. But now I had a problem, sis knew my secret. I got lucky, she didn't remember a thing. For now, the family was safe, but for how long?
"Skip to the last one Yugi. I want to see what scared Raya so bad that she fled."
"Okay."
24 April 2002
This will be the last entry, after today I will no longer be in America. No longer do I have the will to fight. Not after today, not after what I saw. The pain, the suffering, all because of me. The innocent have suffered enough. I am just glad Mama Isabelle agreed that going to Japan to study was a great idea. Of course, that wasn't my reason. I am fleeing, running to protect the ones I love. I'm heading to Domino City, hopefully to find help and to escape the wrath of the siblings. You've won this round Satire, but you won't win the game.
"She doesn't say what happened."
"Satire and Jarha cast a spell that was too powerful for them to control. The spell hit a nearby building and repercussions caused some of the building to collapse. Luckily no one was killed. The injury count was high though. From that moment on, I promised myself not to let the siblings injury the ones I loved, so I fled. That is the same reason why I was distant the first day I met all of you, I didn't want anyone I was close too to get injured. I thought maybe the siblings wouldn't follow, but they did." Raya answered, hair dripping down onto her shirt.
"Was Isabelle your mother in America?"
"She was my foster mother, Yugi."
"Jena was the one who was kidnapped right?"
"Yes, it was Jarha idea. To use something I loved against me. I suspect that they might try the same tactic here."
"Meaning me?"
"I don't know Yugi."
"Shall we go to Seto's now?"
"Let me grab my bag and we will go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Point me to a bed Seto, I want to sleep and pretend this ordeal never happened."
"The bed I can give. The other request, dream on."
"I can try." Raya replied sticking out her tongue.
"How old are you again?"
"This many." She held up 3 fingers.
Seto shook his head. "Here," he said, opening a door, "you and Tea are in here if that is alright with you."
"Fine." Tea answered, before Raya could respond with some witty remark. She shoved the taller girl into the room. "See all of you in the morning."
"Just not you Seto. I don't want to see anything that scary in the morning." Raya shut the door before he could reply.
"Evil that girl. Come on Yami, Yugi. I'll show you were you too are staying."
Fifteen minutes later, everyone had adjourned to their respective rooms, except two.
"What's up Yami?"
"Tomorrow, something is going to happen, I can sense it."
"To Yugi?"
"I'm not sure, could be anyone. But I didn't want to say anything to the others and get them worried. But I need someone else to keep their eyes open."
"Why not Raya? Can she sense anything?"
"Maybe, but she is still recovering from that spell, I don't want her overextending herself more so."
"I see. Is Yugi going to school in the morning?"
"Yes, as is Raya. It is safer for everyone to stay together."
"Do you really think numbers mean anything to the siblings?"
"None. In fact, I figure that is when they will attack. More of challenge."
"Are we ready to confront them?"
"No, but I don't think we ever would be. But if we keep letting them attack us solo, one of us is bound not to survive. Both Yugi and Raya got lucky. Lucky Seto. How much longer can we survive on it? I'd rather have people with me who can fight, then face them alone."
Seto sighed. "You're right. Okay, tomorrow, we go to and leave school together."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joey walked into his last class of the day with a sigh of relief. So far, the day had been fairly normal. Even when the school had a fire drill, every one of his friends was present and accounted for. It was the perfect time for an attack, and nothing came. Lunch had been okay as well.
"Hey Joey."
"Hey Yug. Where's Raya?"
"Inside already, getting the work she missed."
"Good, Bakura and Tristan took Tea to her last class and Seto is at his. He checked on Mokuba and he was fine too."
"Are you sure we aren't taking this to an extreme?"
"Yugi, they sent you to the hospital and mentally crippled Raya. No, I don't think we are."
"You're right. Hopefully this class will go fast and we can get back to the safe house alright."
//We will aibou.//
/I know Yami, but I have a feeling that trouble is on the way./
//Don't worry, what ever it is, we will face it together.//
/Thank you Yami./
//You're welcome. Now pay attention.//
Yugi grinned and started taking notes on today's lecture.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ready?"
"Yes Seto, we are all here."
"Do you wanna do a head count to make sure."
"Shut up Raya."
"You're no fun Seto."
"I'm not am I? I'll show you."
Seto darted to the back, where Raya was walking with Tea. At seeing Seto charging at her, Raya gasped and ran past the gang, with Seto giving chase.
"I never seen Seto act like that."
"Ruia had the same affect on him. She brought out the fun side in everyone."
"Should they be that far ahead of us?"
"They'll be fine."
Seto finally gave up chasing Raya. She was just too quick for him…for now. He would get her back later. Raya saw that he had stopped and started walking back towards him, cautiously. He grinned, good he had her worried.
"I'm going to die aren't I?"
"Of course."
Raya froze. That wasn't Seto's voice. She spun around, only to come face to face with Satire. Dimly she hear someone shout for the others to hurry, but she paid no attention to that.
"Get out of here."
Satire laughed, tossing her long raven hair over her shoulder. "Now is that any way to treat your best friend?"
"You're no friend of ours Satire. Where's your brother? Still hiding in the shadows?"
"Ah, Yugioh. It is so good to see you again. In fact, my brother is just dying to see you. And your light too."
Yami reached out and pulled Yugi behind him. "Leave him out of this."
"I think not, he is part you. A threat, he must die." Jarha said, walking out of the shadows.
"To get to the boy Jarha, you have to go through me." Raya started for the High Priest, only to be grabbed from behind.
"I think not your Highness, you're mine." Satire shifted her grasp, placing Raya in a position to snap her neck.
"Raya!" screamed Tea.
"May I cut in?" Joey asked, swinging his fist, connecting with Satire's jaw. Satire stumbled, releasing Raya. Joey grabbed her, pulling her away.
Before they could move two steps, Satire appeared in front of them. "You'll pay for your interference boy."
"Not today he won't." Seto whispered menacing. He had no idea how to beat the sister, but he knew he had to try something.
"And who is going to stop me? You?"
"That's right. I guess you are smarter than you look."
Satire screamed and lunged at Seto.
At the same moment, Yami attacked Jarha, who had turned when his sister had screamed.
"Ruia, get Yugi out of here. Now."
"But you need my help."
"GO. Take the others with you."
"But…But…"
"Come on Raya, before the get to Yug. They want to kill him, we have to get him out of harms way."
"You're right." She ran over to were Yugi was. Tea was next to him, trying to get him to respond. He had gone into a panicked state when he saw Jarha almost knock Yami unconscious. Raya didn't even hesitate. She picked the boy up. "Come on Tea,"
"No, I won't let you leave. Not when I have the entire Royal Family within my grasp."
"Raya, go now. All of you…GO!"
Tristan bent down and picked up Mokuba. "It will be faster if I carry him."
Satire started after the group. Seto recovered from his latest blow and scrambled to stop her. Grabbing her ankle, she crashed to the ground, allowing the group to make it around the block and out of sight.
"NOOOOOO!!! You'll pay for that. Both of you."
She started chanting, softly at first, then steadily growing louder.
Seto stopped fight, as did Yami. Jarha moved over to where his sister was, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips. Then he too started chanting.
"Yami, what's going on?"
"I'm not sure, but I think we better run."
The boys didn't even make it three steps before a dark blue portal appeared and the four of them vanished.