A.n.-Hiya^_^I'm really happy that ya'all liked the last chap:)Sorry this one toke so long to get out, I've been a tad busy. Bein' back in school n' all takes up a lot of my time....Not to mention writers block has started to hit me for this fic and I've been diverting off this and into Ryou/Bakura fics....i'm sorry. I will do my best though to try and update this more often^_^_^_^Ty for reviewing and being patient. Your reviews are actually what kept me going back to this and working on the kinks of this chappie^_^I hope you like it and please don't forget to review^_^

Dedication:

Ni-chan-^_^Ty I'm glad you liked.:)and your wish is my command:)

Hi-I'm sorry for leaveing you in suspence...

Happy-^_^Sorry for makein' ya wait so long...

Jazz-Well...least its up now, ne?

Dragon Sun-Van's not suppose to be cruel...just a little bitter is all...^_^I'm glad you like my fic though...maybe i'll turn you into a D/H fanatic!^_~lol.

Xshiny-^_^I hope you like this chappie:)

Silver Midnight-As you wish^_^Mhm, D/H rules!^_^

Fitz20-^_^heh, don't worry Jaden ain't a whimp...he's...well, you'll find out^_^

Mini Me-I'm happy you loved the last chappie:)And as for the D/H action....you'll see^_~

Emeral Mist-*blush*ty so much:)Your compliments really ment a lot to me^_^It was one of the major motivation I had to strive throug my writers bloak and add more to this. Thankyou^_^

Alantis Angel-Thankyou^_^

Sailor Saturn-^_^_^I'm glad you like my fic^_^It means a lot to hear ya'all say that^_^

Rina-Sorry for the long wait^_^I hope you like this chappie though!^_^

Star-^_^I'm glad ya liked the last chappie, and Hitomi's personality change^_^An' no I doona have a spell cheak, I did have a beta reader but she kinda disspeared on me...

















Miss-matched eyes were narrowed with a snarling fury. Brilliant hazel blue and nearly black brown raged with a fire of their very own. The large stone castle that had belonged to him for longer then time itself perhaps had seemed to darken with the anger that its Master felt. He had been so -close- this time! So infernally *close*.

Growling the Dark One paced through out his thrown room like a panther in a small cage. The Goddess had been in his thrall, her fragile will crushing like a rose in his fist. Her power was great, he'd had a rather strong demonstration of it as he'd lured her into his illusion. Ah, the power she possessed....but the Visions were draining on her.

Leavening her weak...more then weak enough to bring her under his spell. She would have been his already, damnation, if HE hadn't interfered. Though perhaps he should have expected this. Fate did have that funny way of throwing things into his path to make his life all the more difficult.

Still, to reincarnate -HIM- of all people? Of that despicable race? How could they? Growling in frustration, Jaden flopped gracefully into his throne in a regal sprawl. Perhaps he should have seen this one coming. Should have seen that Fate would pull such an underhanded tactic. Leaning back in his throne Jaden pulled out a small, perfect innocent-appearing crystal ball.

He held it aloft in his fingers as a picture appeared inside. The content made a small smile curve his full lips. There was still time, wasn't there? The game was far from over. The reincarnation of his own greatest foe was a rather unlikely turn of events....but a workable one. He'd push ahead with his planes. The Goddess would belong to him, and her power would be used to make Fate kneel down.....and to gift him power worthy of the god he had been so long ago.

Jaden threw the crystal ball across the room. The shattering sound of glass made his smile widen. Even if he had to break her like that crystal ball she would be his.......


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


She was standing on what felt to be the edge of eternity. Up, down, right, left.....they were all one and the same. She was floating in midair, the blank depths of space surrounding her in a crushing embrace. Hitomi rubbed her shoulders slightly, though there was no chill. No wind whatsoever really.

Hitomi moistened her lips nervously as she turned around in a small circle. Unbidden an image of Dilandau appeared her minds eye. For a split second she longed for his reassuring presence. He was always so invulnerable appearing....so perfect...

Hitomi shook her head slightly, sneering at her own thoughts. She sounded like some sort of crush-ridden baka. Sighing she turned around in a small circle. This place....sanctuary. That was the only world that came close to describing the peaceful nothingness that resided. Relaxation stole over as she released the tight grip on her powers and let it run freely through her veins.

No chaos surrounded her, the tendrils of the magic she held wrapped comfortingly around her. Time, space, past, future.....she could touch them all. Twist them about if she so choose. Change them into whatever she did so desire. A Unicorn flashed in her minds eye. Beautiful beyond words it stared at her, Sakura blossoms fell lightly around the mystical creature.

The Elecorn (A.n.-the horn in the middle of a unicorn's head) flashed lightly in a silver light, behind the Unicorn stood a single sword. The Unicorn moved away from it, as though laying down its guard for her. Two gems glowed in the hilt, one a brilliant red the other blacker then the dead of night. They sparked against each other, darkness and light. Order and Chaos, life and death, love and hate. Each one intertwined by the powers that riveted from the nearly innocent appearing gems.

"It has been a long time, Goddess."

Hitomi whirled around, alarm surging through her at the soft almost childish sounding voice as the Vision of the Unicon vanished. A small figure appeared near her. He looked to be around ten years of age, but those eyes....those round yellowish green eyes with wide nearly insanely deep black pupils spoke of wise knowledge surpassing many.

His hair was a curly deep brown, falling lightly around his face despite the fact it was cut rather short. His ears were long, reminding Hitomi of an Elf's ears. He was dressed only in a small brown loin-cloth that went to his knees, his chin was slightly pointed while his cheekbones were high and easily defined. His skin was paler then snow, his lips a light blue. At the moment those lips were parted into a mocking smile, showing cruelly pointed teeth.

Hitomi swallowed hard, her adrenalin thinning at the sight of him. He didn't appear to be dangerous......but then again, appearances can be deceiving....

"Who are you?"She demanded, feeling pride well up within her at how strong and unwavering her voice sounded.

The Elf-like being's mocking smile widened, his unique eyes dancing with mirth.

"She who be the one to make Fate itself kneel down.....and not know the Ryou?"

Hitomi shifted uncertainly at the musical voice. Clear and soft, slightly rough..though child-like in a way.

"Ryou is it?"she questioned.

He bowed low, sweeping his arm out exaggeratedly so it brushed down to his feet. He looked up at her, that same teaseling smile remaining as he stared at her.

"Honeythorn Ryou, at your service Goddess Hitomi."

"What do you want?"Hitomi asked, forcing her body to tense for battle. It was always better to prepared after all.

He seemed to notice her unease for he walked a little way from her, his unique eyes remaining on her completely.

"Want?"he chuckled softly, the sound harmoniously perfect,"I wish to keep this world from falling into chaos. To keep the Dark One from reaching Ultimate power...modest wishes really."

"Dark One?"Hitomi whispered.

Instantly her mind flashed to Jaden, his diamond hard eyes and seductive caresses. That husky voice that was a drug itself.....

"I see he got to you first...."

Hitomi jolted from the memory at the sound of Ryou's amused voice. She blushed instantly, her eyes narrowing in slight anger through the embarresment as she wondered if he had read her mind or something of the like. Those eyes of his.....they seemed to see more then anything....more then any other...

"Where are we?"

He looked up at her through dusky gold lashes with a devilish glint. His mouth was still quirked up in a amused smile that Hitomi found was becoming both irritating and endearing at the same time.

He gestured around himself,"A safe place, for the moment that is. A Sanctuary that will eventually be broken if Chaos is unleashed."The smile remained though his voice had taken a hardened edge that was out of place with his almost innocent appearance.

Hitomi swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the burden that had weighed on her mind since the discovery of her powers become heavier. Saddness flushed through her at the thought that the peaceful eternity she stood upon would one day be gone. Gone if she didn't have enough backbone to stop it.

The same spark of old fear clinched painfully in her chest. Fear that she wouldn't be able to stop it...that all her sacrifices would be for nothing and the end would come. That all she was doing was barely holding off the inevitable....

"You think too much, Goddess."

Hitomi started, her eyes flashing green fire at Ryou,"Stay--out--of--my--mind."she growled, pronouceing the words in a dangerous warning.

Ryou laughed agine, brushing her threat off so easily,"I wouldn't read them if you didn't think so loud, Goddess."

"Why are you here?"Hitomi snapped, her patience for the being before her was fast running out.

The fey-looking face of Ryou became seriouse suddenly, though his lips remained quirked in a small half-smile,"I've come to warn you, to help you more or less. The Gaurdian has been doing his job of protecting you--though not in the way Fate planned."

"Gaurdian?"she questioned, curiouse despite herself.

Ryou laughed agine, his eyes twinkling,"You know of whom I speak...and if you don't, you will eventualy. No worries about that."

Hitomi felt her lips curl up in disgust. She despised riddles. She always had. Yet, it seemed her life was full of them. Hell, every aspect of her life since the day she touched her Taro Cards and her mother's pendent had been a mystry that could never be truly solved. Hitomi blew her bangs out of her face exhasperatedly.

Ryou's eyes darkened suddenly."The time is comeing, Goddess. I've only come to warn you of it. Can't you feel it? Feel the darkness closeing in? Can't you feel the waves of magic sparking together for the battle to come?"

Hitomi flinched slightly. Yes. She could feel it. Feel the subtle shifts of powers comeing to play. The strongest of the strong comeing into play. The eternal battle of light and dark growing more aggressive. But then, thats the way it had always been. There can be no light without darkness. To heaven without hell. No love without hate.

Hitomi closed her eyes slightly at such thoughts. Though they were true. Darkness and light balanced eachother in truth. They kept eachother from drowning. Too much of either can destroy one. Perfect balance had been kept for so long, both srtill fighting that eternal battle of control. An ending to this war?

Too much for any mind to comprehend. The war had always been there. Without it....how would any survive really? You were picked and placed before your birth into this world on which side you would fight. A double agent you can become at times, rarely. But what happens when you don't know your place? What happens when your the pawn to be used for either side.The pebble that can bring balance or chaos?

"It is a sad cycle, Goddess."Ryou said sadly, his bright teasing smile faltering for but a secoud."But now isn't the time to decifer things that have been the same before their was such a thing as time. You know that. Besides, your Gaurdain is beside himself awaiting your revival. Farewell 'till next we meet, Goddess Hitomi."

Darkness pulled around her, plungeing her beneith its velovty essence. The form of Ryou slowly began to vanish away. In a moment of desperation she reached out her arm towards him. Silently begging for answers she knew he held. He smiled somewhat sadly and toke a low bow. Oblivion embraced her untill she knew no more.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Honeythorn Ryou stared at the empty space the young Goddess had disspeared into with a solem expression that seemed almost wrong on his face. Such a naive girl to be the embodiment of the only one to make Fate kneel down. Such a sweet soul filled with burdens that none should have to carry.

But she was strong. She had to be, to have made it so far already. But she was falling. He could see it. See the turmoil that layed beneith her calm facade. See the pain that was twitching just beneath the surface. The fury toward those who would try to use her to their own ends, fear that she wasn't powerful enough to face what would come, frustration that she couldn't always controll her powers....

"I thought I told you not to interfear, Ryou."

The voice was like sweet tinkering bells. Belying a beauty beyound the ravages of time, beyound mortal compensation. An impish smirk toke Ryou's features as he turned to see the Goddess among women, Varie of the Draconion race. Long, gracefully Black hair framed an ovel face of pale complextion.

Large, lumionuse dark eyes with dusky black lashes stared hard at him. Full, perfect lips were drawn into a thin line. High-cheekboned aristocrate features glared at him. Large unblemished pure white wings appeared from her back. Feathers of glowing intensity swept past him, brushing his face with a feather light touch.

"You should know by now, Lady Varie, that I have never been one to take orders."he said dryly.

The beautiful woman before him frowned ominiously,"A trait I'd thought the last five thousand years would have cured you of."

Ryou snorted delecitly at the woman's words. He had obeyed orders once in a while. When things had been in the best intrest of the battle they thought. He choose which paths to take on his own though; he'd never be a simple drone of theirs to do as they ordained. Never. Brash words perhapes, but ringing ever so true.

"I do what has to be done, Varie. Perhapes I wouldn't have been forced to make my precence known to the Goddess if you hadn't bungled the job with her so badly."he responded, defience curveing into his voice.

Dark eyes narrowed instently with a spark of anger,"You should be careful what you say, Ryou--Unless you wish to spend the next thousand years intombed in the hell of your own memories."

Impish features paled at her words. Such a punishment was reserved only for the most blasphemous. Some wouldn't think being locked into your most cruel memories for thousands of years wasn't much of a punishment. Being binded with your every misdeed, fear, and thought however can send one mad in an instant. Not a pleasent thing you'd want to spend an enternity in.

Ryou swallowed hard, his eyes narrowing,"You wouldn't dare, Varie. You know as well as I Fate won't allow it. And the only one to make Fate kneel you've lost."

Slinder hands clinched into fists. He was right, of course. She had lost the Goddess's faith and thus her abilty to control her. And Ryou knew that she hated it. Hated no being in controll of the one being that could end everything or save it. To not possess such a power to her...was an undredeamable flaw.

"For now."she hissed."What did you tell her anyhow?"

Ryou smirked, his eyes glinting devilishly,"Why so curiouse now? I thought you didn't want me in contact with her in the first place..."

She growled softly, the gutterel sound somehow still elegant comeing from her,"Stop playing games, Ryou. What--did--you--tell--her?!"

Ryou shrugged demurely, his features holding the trouble of a child,"Several things. Nothing of concern to you in the first place. What I do with my time is none of your concern in the first place."

Dark eyesnarrowed into mere slites,"It concerns me when you squander your time with the very pawn of this prophasey! You know what without her the Dark One will triumph and you know what will happen to the rest of us when that happens!"

Ryou shook his head sadly. It was always about them to her. The council that had ordained over Gaea and other worlds/dementions since the begining of time itself. Since the war of Light and Darkness had come into play they had been there. It was only seriouse to her though when the the saintesty of light and herself was endagered....innocent bystanders didn't matter to her.

She had lied to the Goddess to an extent to get her to come with her, Ryou knew that for a fact. It was true that she would have been a pawn for either side of the petty war of Zaibock and the others, and that her return to her own world perhapes would have left a distent ringing in her soul to return.

But then this would have never happened. Jaden would not have learned of the Goddess's rebirth and of the power she held. Had Varie let Fate's plan go as intended Hitomi would have joined the renagade forces of Van Fanel of the Dragon Kings and vanquished Zeibock and returned to her world.

Even if she had slapped the play boy knight.

Such a small, almost tiny thing Varie had changed had caused the entire plan of Fate to be changed and smashed apart. The destinys of many complicated. Men who should have died lived, secrets that should have been unearthed remained forever buried in the sands of time. Fury that should have been seen, lies that should have been told were never made.

The roles of all had been switched, changeing the future irrevocably. And it was all her fault. She couldn't let things be. Couldn't allow things to take their rightful course. She had to try for the power that surpassed all. Had to appear before the Goddess of Fate itself. Bitter thoughts, worthless simple words.

They changed nothing. Only heeped the fires of anger to higher heights. What was done was done, and could not be changed. The future however, could perhapes be salvaged. Maybe. If things went as planned then they could be saved. Hopefully that is. But it was so uncertine a future. Such a thing had never happened before. But now it had, the tunes of Fate had been changed and it was time to dance to the new tune. No matter how dangeres it was.

The only point that Ryou remotely agreed on with Varie though was the fact that Jaden had to stopped before it was too late. If he did gain controll of Goddess Hitomi's powers....darkness would rein forever. Light would be forever extiguished. Something he knew he could not allow to happen.

And if worst did come to worst and she started to fall into the embrace of Jaden...he would do his duty and kill her. Quickly, painlessly. If she did join forces with him...she would have to die. The thought tugged painfully at his heart. He had no desire to kill the honey-brown haired Goddess. None whatsoever. But if he had to...then he would. Too many lives depended on it. Lives he'd sworn to protect at all costs.

Keeping his thoughts from showing on his face Ryou squared his shoulders and smiled ferely,"Then I'll leave you to your thoughts, Lady Varie."

With that he vanished into thin air, leaveing only golden speckles of light. And leaveing Varie angry enough to skewer him a million times and never reach the center of her rage....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Princess Millerna Sarah Aston made her way quickly into the Freid gardens. She stopped at the entrance, smoothing her red and gold gown with gracefull hands. She'd taken great care in choosing gown, despite the recent attacks on her nephews freind Himeno Pretear...she wasn't mindless on what was going on...but that didn't mean that she didn't still want to attempt to show the young Fanalian King of her feelings.

The object of her affection stood not far away, his back turned to her. Shoulder length messy raven-wing hair fell over his strong shoulders. He was dressed simply in a pair of black pants and white tunic with boots to complete the outfitt. As long as she'd known him, he'd never been fussy about his clothes or any material possession.

Something the Millerna admirred.

"V-Van?"she questioned, as she walked forward. Curseing herself slightly for her stutter.

Why oh why did she have to act like a fool whenever she was near him? He needed a woman that was strong...not a stuttering weakling after all.

He turned though at her voice, his redish brown eyes focusing on her instantly.

"Ah, Millerna. I...didn't expect to see you so early."he said softly.

She loved it when he said her name. Loved the way it rolled of his tongue like the most preciouse of jems.

She smiled slightly,"I've never been one to sleep late, Van."She responded, walking so she stood at his side.

He nodded slightly,"I see....what brings you here?"

She twisted her fingers on the edge of her gown nervously,"I...wanted to see you actually..."she said, blushing slightly at saying it aloud.

Sea-blue eyes rose to take in the young King's suprised expression. A single dark eyebrow rose at her words. Her stomache did flip-flops at the small, nearly indiffent expression....

"Why is that?"he asked briskly.

Millerna bowed her head slightly, allowing the sheild of golden blonde hair to fall over her face,"...I have no reason but one....Van.."she said, raiseing her head to look him square in the eyes.

It was now or never.

The time for standing by was gone.

It was time to show him; not to dance around with words.

In a swift movement she threw her arms around his neck and captured his lips with her own. Intoxication filled her senses at the simple thing. Useing his obviouse suprise to her advantage she dipped her tongue into his mouth. Tasting. Teaseing. Hesitently she thought she felt him return the kiss but she pulled away.

Millerna ran her fingers across his stunned face as she waited for a reply that would no come. Sadness filled her as she turned and ran from the Gardens. Her courage to stay and face what she had begun failing her as she dove through the hallways. Sea blue eyes were blinded with tears suddenly. He knew now....new of the seceret feelings she'd kept locked away for *so* long....

What happened now?

Had she been a fool to show him? Had she? Would she only face a crushing rejection now? Cowardice filled her with a sultry tast as she ran through the varies corridors to find a place to be alone with her folly...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dilandau Albatou paced near Hitomi's bed with blank expression. The sun had begun to rise not long ago, the exotic warrior maiden was made even more pale by the golen rays of sunlight that splashed through the large window. Bandages covered her chest and hands. The mere sight of them makeing the General's blood boil like the fire he loved so much.

His hands itched to take hold of his sword and bath it with the blood of the one who *dared* touch that which belonged to him. No one touched what belonged to Dilandau Albatou and got away with it. NO ONE. He'd find that bastard that had done this and torture him for a few sun rises and sun downs before running him through. Then maybe he'd hang the body on the walls near his fort.

Use it to show what happened when you damaged what was his and his alone. Abruptly he heard a sharp intake of breath behind him. Wirling around he watched as emerald eyes slowly opened to reveal their radiance to the very world. She looked around slowly, moveing to rise only to fall back with a gutterel sound of pain.

Dilandau was at her side instantly for reasons he didn't understand completely. The woman inspired such emotions within him at but a glance. Frankly he wasn't all that comfertable with such emotions. Feigning indefference he stood next to her bed, doing his best to show his dominating precence as he did so.

Glazed emereld eyes rose to meet his own with a flash of fire."What in the *hell* are -you- doing in my room!?"

He smirked slightly,"Cheaking up on you, *Hitomi*."he drawled, his smirk widieng at the look of fear and suprise that dove over her features.

"M-my name is Himeno, lord Albatou. Have you been drinking or is your stupidity comeing out into the open again?"she said, her voice trembleing slightly as she forced herself up into a sitting postion, leaning heavely agenst the wood headboard as she bit her lip against the pain that probably tore through her at the movement.

"Don't play games with me, Kanzaki Hitomi. I'm not a baka like the others around here. I know who you are. Though I'm confused as to why your back. Why return here after five years?"

Hitmoi shrugged weakly,"I don't know, your the man with all the answers you tell me."she responded, sarcasam coloring her words.

He sat down on the bed next to her, placeing his hands on either side of her head,"True. But not to the question that counts."

She didn't move away like any other would have in such a position. Instead she remained motionless, her eyes rageing a cold hard fire at him.

"Get out of my room, Albatou."she growled out.

He shook his head,"And why would I want to do that? Your cute when your angry."

A dusky red blush spread across her features and he saw the flash of apperciation at his words pass fleetingly through her eyes as embarrsement made her body stiffin.

"Shut up. What do you want, Albatou?"

He smirked slightly,"Answers....for now."

Emerald eyes narrowed,"What sort of answers?"

Garnet eyes were danceing with dark amusement,"Why are you back, where have you been, why you haven't rejoined yourself with *Fanel*..."he trailed off purposely. Showing he had other qustions in store.

She sighed,"I owe you nothing, Albatou so get out. I'm not answering any of your stupid questions."

"Oh I think you will..."Dilandau said, leaning in closer as he smiled ferly.

She swallowed hard,"And why's that?"she asked, her eyes widening slightly.

He wasted no words. Moveing forward he captured her lips with his own, she gasped in suprise, her hands going up to push him off though he didn't move an inch. Useing her suprise to his advantage he tasted her mouth with his tongue. Sweeter then anything he'd tasted before her soft mouth revealed prizes unkown to many........












A.n.-And we stop there for now....i'm so sorry this chapter was late but I did try to make it as long as possible to make up for it...i'll try to add more soon^_^Please review though...i'd like to know what you all thought fo this chappie!^_^