Hey yall- its me, GG! lol, I know yall looking at me funny for the last chappie. Not what you would normally expect from me, huh? I'm sorry to all those that I COMPLETELY confused in the last chapter but I went through and edited somethings to tie up loose ends in this chapter. Hopefully those of you that were confused will now understand the storyline easier. Please let me know if some things still confuse you okay? Well, I hope you enjoy the next chapter because you will now all know EXACTLY everything about Sydney and her past. And to those who wonder how much longer this story will drag on, I plan on making this story no more than 20 chapters long, BUT who knows where this story will lead so there may be more or even the possibility of a Sequel. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please, Read and Review!

Disclaimer: Yada, yada, yada, you know the drill.
Chapter Thirteen: The Story Of Sydney Part Two
"....beautiful," Kaiba managed to let out.

Kaiba was in utter shock. If he had thought Sydney was beautiful before, he was thinking she was the epitome of beauty right now. Her hair, now the soft light color of brown and not its usual dark brown, was now waist long and pulled up along her head by a sparkling crown of metal, which let the loose strands of her hair cascade downward, draping her delicate soft shoulders. Her facial features remained exactly the same, except that her eyes had changed from a soft green to a vivid bright blue. Her skin was still its milky white but seemed to shine slightly as the light hit her. Instead of the clothes she had been wearing before, she was now in a soft delicate lace white dress, that revealed her shoulders, a slight view of cleavage and the length of her forearms. The skirt of the dress was definitely the strangest attribute. It cascaded toward the ground but revealed her legs from her mid thigh down. It seemed to have been cut short only at that area and showed off the thin curved muscles of her legs.

Kaiba's jaw nearly hit the floor. Luckily for him, only she had noticed his reaction. The others in the room were still recovering from the brightness of the light and had missed his more than just mental reaction to her appearance. She seemed to smile at him slightly at his obvious mental AND physical reaction. Luckily for her, Kaiba was working on calming himself down before anyone else than her noticed

"WHAAAA?!"

Kaiba's head snapped to see Joey's reaction. His mouth hung open as his eyes traveled over her newly improved form. She may not have changed much but the attire still caught his attention. Kaiba immediately felt anger running up his body and turned to the gaping blonde across from him.

"Cut it out, Wheeler!"

Sydney looked to Kaiba surprised than to Joey, who finally managed to pry his eyes from her slender figure. Yugi had stared at her also but had managed to look away without a delay. He didn't seemed to be too surprised by her sudden change and looked to find a fuming Kaiba yelling angrily at a still surprised Joey.

Joey raised his hands defensively,"Sorry, sorry!"

Kaiba growled,"If I ever catch you looking at her like that again I swear I'll-"

"Seto," Mokuba tugged on his sleeve and Kaiba looked at him,"She's so pretty."

Kaiba smirked at his brother than raised his gaze to Sydney,"Nothing's changed Mokuba, Sydney's always been beautiful."

Garuza was the first to react to his comment,"That is a very gentleman like thing to say. You have certainly redeemed yourself from earlier."

Sydney blushed and turned to Garuza slightly,"Garuza, please." She than turned to face them again,"The necklace resting along my neck was given to me by my father. It's an ancient jewel that was bewitched long ago by a high priest. It allows me to take any form I wish, or to inhabit any host I so choose."

"So it's alot like my millenium puzzle?" Yugi inquired as she slowly held the jewelry for further inspection by the group around her.

"Not quite," Sydney continued,"The item you wear is indeed enchanted but it holds a spirit of one from the past. The jewelry I hold is merely filled with ancient power."

"Destructive power?" Kaiba put in as Joey's eyebrow raised at his choice of words.

Sydney shook her head,"Sorry to disappoint you but the power in this necklace is simply transformal power. For me to actually use this to cause any type of destruction.....if I chose to.... I'd have to seek help from a holder of a millenium item."

"So what now?" Kaiba asked the young woman before him,"What do you plan on doing with us now?"

Sydney could tell he still doubted everything she had spoken and had revealed earlier and her eyebrows joined in a sigh of irritation. She knew it would take more to convince him but she didn't imagine he would be this unconvincing.

Before her mouth opened to speak, Joey cut in with a loud burst of words,"HOLD UP!"

All eyes fell upon the blonde as he stood up, one hand raised to keep her from speaking any farther. Sydney simply looked at him strangely, trying to figure out what caused his sudden distress.

"What is it Joey?"

Joey's eyebrow twitched slightly as he spoke in a frustrated tone,"I don't understand this....any of it! Yer royalty....how? Ya changed inta this new form....and ya look pretty much de same! I'm so CONFUSED! WHAT'S GOING ON?!!!"

Kaiba tried to hold it in but laughter consumed him and he burst into hysterics at Joey's flustered state. The blonde was still standing, his fists balled and his face red with confusion and anger as Kaiba's laughter rang inside the room.

Sydney eyed Kaiba angrily,"Cut it out, Seto! I don't exactly blame him for not understanding! Alot has happened! Have atleast a slight bit of compassion!"

Kaiba's laughter twindled slightly,"I'm not just laughing at him Sydney. I'm laughing at the whole idea! This is crazy! I must be dreaming- if not, than I must be insane because I don't believe a damn word of this!"

The room was stunned. Kaiba had suddenly slipped from Seto to Kaiba, as though there were two personalities to choose from. The more sensitive, jealous, loving Seto had suddenly sunk into the cold spiteful Kaiba that everyone recognized and even Sydney didn't know how to react at first.

Sydney's eyes showed hurt at his statement,"Are you..... calling me a liar.....Seto?"

His laughter ceased and his eyes harden once more,"Why shouldn't I call you that? You've been lying to me up until now. Give me one good reason why I should believe you!"

She was sent into silence by the hardened look in his eyes. Joey could see her distress and growled angrily at Kaiba's lack of support in her. After all this, Joey could tell she still loved Kaiba and all he did was shun her away.

Joey hissed angrily at Kaiba,"Why do ya gots to be so harsh for?! Dis was all just a big understandin'!"

Kaiba snorted and rose, locking his gaze in with the blonde,"Listen to me and listen to me good, Wheeler."

Mokuba suddenly raised his head to look at Sydney, who was still in silence and was now fighting a flow of tears. He shifted slightly in his seat than looked back up to his brother. He had been quiet a majority of the conversation and he wasn't too sure what was going on himself. He had about as much idea of what Sydney was than anyone else and her further speech about her necklace made it even more confusing for him.

Kaiba's expression deepened into a scowl as he raised a finger pointing to Sydney,"I loved her, damn it! Past all my hard coldness and selfishness, I fell in love with that woman! I TRUSTED her with everything! My mansion, my reputation, my brother, my own FREAKIN life even! Look at me, Wheeler! You know me better than most of the people in that damn high school and you knew I'd never let myself care for anyone else let alone LOVE anyone else other than Mokuba."

He lowered his hand and kept his gaze locked with Joey's and continued,"I let her into my home, trusted her to take care of Mokuba. I trusted her with everything I had, falling in love with who I THOUGHT she was! I went out of my way to do things for her! Hell, I even slept with her!"

Joey's and Kaiba's eyebrows both shot up when they realized what he had just revealed to the entire room. Kaiba could hear Sydney's sigh of disapproval but raved on without hesitation, ignoring the blush that was working its way up Sydney's cheeks.

"I LOVED her," Kaiba's hands were now fists,"I even SHOWED her, Wheeler! I showed her how I felt about her last night when I returned! Now tell me, WHY IN THE HELL SHOULD I TRUST HER WHEN SHE SENT SOMEONE AFTER ME TO ACHIEVE MY COMPANY FOR HER OWN DAMN SELFISH REASONS AFTER ALL I PUT MYSELF THROUGH FOR HER?!"

Kaiba's chest heaved with the force of his last words as he yelled them into the space separating him from the now, fidgetting blonde. Joey didn't know how to respond to such words and decided not to respond at all. He just averted his gaze and turned his head away and even Sydney knew Kaiba had a strong point in feeling the way he did. Garuza remained unmoved at the brunette's strong confession and burst of emotion. He began to feel himself regret having to follow such obsurd orders to kill the obviously emotionally distraught teen but he had no choice. It was his duty to protect his princess, even if it meant hurting her feelings.

Kaiba let out a deep breath and sighed at everyone's silence,"That's what I thought. I have every right to feel the way I do."

Sydney opened her mouth,"Seto-"

"Don't," He raised a hand to stop her from talking anymore,"I don't need it Sydney. I don't need any of this. Whether this is true or not, you're going to have to do it without me."

"But-"

He growled angrily,"I SAID DON'T!!"

Sydney's eyes began to water again, this time with a stronger force that she could not hold back. Tears streamed down her soft cheeks and Kaiba looked away immediately as soon as he saw the first tear fall. He wasn't going to allow himself to be weak anymore. He'd had enough of it. He wanted his life to return to normal, before he had ever met the girl. He was Kaiba now, not Seto and he was planning to stick with it.

"I'm leaving now," Kaiba stated coldly,"Come on Mokuba."

Sydney suddenly flew forward and grabbed his arm, dropping to her knees in front of him. He looked at her suprised than hardened his gaze at the woman below him.

"Please, Seto!" She cried as the tears continued to stain her flushed cheeks as all eyes fell upon her,"You can't do this! I can't do this without you-"

"You tried to kill me!" Kaiba shouted downward at her as he gritted his teeth angrily,"DAMN IT SYDNEY LET ME GO! This is your own DAMN fault! I'm going to make this perfectly clear to you right now."

Sydney shook her head,"Seto please, no-"

"I never want to see you again."

Her tears continued to flow from her beautiful eyes as Kaiba's cold scowl looked down upon her with no emotion. The room was stunned into silence at the scene that lay before them. Kaiba seemed to have retracted into his cold outshell once more, showing the reason why he was feared as often as he was. He didn't shed a tear or showed a slight twinge of emotion as she clutched onto him, trying to stop him from leaving her. The softer side of Kaiba.......

....was gone.

"Please-"

"Never," Kaiba cut in flatly as he slowly began to move his arm away from her,"Go find some pathetic weakling to prey on. I have MORE IMPORTANT things to do."

She let him pull away from her, his back immediately meeting her gaze as he placed a firm hand upon his brother's arm and began leading him toward the front door. She watched his figure move smoothly, his hands buried deep inside the pockets of his trench coat. She was in shock.

'I have truly lost him,' Her thoughts echoed as the door slammed shut behind and she was left on her knees.

She was partially aware of the firm hands on her arms as Joey and Yugi helped her regain her standing position. She continued to cry silently, her tears of pain and heart ache traveling downward at an increasing pace.

'I can't do this without him..... I need him....'



"Seto-"

"I don't want to talk about it Mokuba."

"But Seto-"

Mokuba flinched when the door to Kaiba's office slammed in his face. He sighed deeply and turned to look down the hallways of the mansion. He was already missing Sydney and now his brother was barely speaking to him. He knew he had done nothing so he was sure his brother wasn't mad at him. It was probably the fact that he was feeling guilty about his sudden outburst at Joey's.

~"I never want to see you again."~

Mokuba's eyebrows raised in remorse at the remembrance of Sydney's expression at his brother's harsh words. He knew how Kaiba could get- better than anyone in fact, but he could have sworn that Kaiba loved her too, maybe even more so than he even knew. He rubbed the back of his hair frustrated, and slowly began to walk to his room.
'I wander how Sydney's doing.... she's probably really upset.....why'd Seto have to go and act so mean for?! Now I won't ever see her again...!'

Mokuba hadn't gotten far when a loud crash sounded from the office where his brother was in. He suddenly turned and ran back down the hallway, skidding to a stop outside the door. He placed a hand upon the doorknob and flung the door open, revealing a very distraught scene and causing the door to slam softly against the wall.

Kaiba was standing in the room, a disheveled computer however, lay upon his desk in front of him. It was evident that he had smashed it with his chair, which his hands were still lying upon.

'She toyed with me!' The dark voice in his head spued into his mind.

He was still clutching the chair angrily, his expression blank, than he suddenly lifted it and hoisted it to the right, slamming it into his nearby glass bookcase, shattering the glass and sending his collection of books and picture frames to the floor.

'I love her....' Came the softer side of his mind.

'She LIED to me!' The darker side conflicted as Kaiba's body trembled with anger.

His body heaved but he did not stop there. He raised the chair and swung to the left this time, smashing through a class case containing trophies he had recieved when he was a child.

'She explained herself....'

'She tried to KILL me!'

'I made love to her....I still want to...'

'She was after my COMPANY! She didn't love me!'

Not satisfied, he pulled the chair above him and sent it hurling out the window, smashing the glass and recieving a loud breaking noise as the chair hit the ground outside the mansion. Kaiba stood and admired his work and let out a deep sigh. The voices had stopped and left nothing but his own thoughts.

'Damn it... I stil love her...there's no use fighting it....but I'm so angry...she should have told me the truth!'

Mokuba's mouth hung open. What the heck was going?! He had never seen his brother act in such a way before. He was not one to be so violent, especially over a girl. Kaiba suddenly turned slightly, locking eyes with his little brother. Mokuba looked at him in fear, slowly taking steps backward away from him.

"Mokuba-" Kaiba said suprised to see him standing there.

"WWhaat....what's...... happening to you, Seto?" Mokuba stopped him from speaking any further.

Kaiba raised his hands to his head and shook it,"I don't know! I just don't know!"

Mokuba continued to backpedal out into the hallway as he looked at his brother in fear.

Kaiba lowered his hands suddenly when he noticed his movement,"No, Mokuba! Don't be scared, I'm fine."

He reached for his brother but Mokuba suddenly turned and ran, streaking down the hallway and rushing into his room. Kaiba didn't need to know where he was going but was graced with the loud slamming of a door.

"Damn it!" He brought his fist against the doorway of his office.

'Now I'm REALLY beginning to worry myself!'




"Sydney?"

She sat alone in Joey's room, her dress gathered around her as she clutched onto her knees as tears continued to slide down her delicate face. She had fleed into here, wanting be alone and had instructed Garuza to not let anyone in. She knew he didn't listen, for Joey approached her and leaned into her slightly as she sniffled.

"Sydney?" He repeated.

"Leave...me.... alone...."

Joey's eyebrows raised,"Come on, I know ya hurtin' but-"

Sydney suddenly grabbed Joey by the collar of his jacket and brought him to her face, placing her hands upon his shoulders and forcing a hot open mouthed kiss upon his lips. Joey flared about than pushed himself away, his face full of shock and surprise.

"Sydney? What the hell?!"

She continued to cry but grabbed for his hand,"Joey! I can't do this alone! What am I gonna do?!"

Joey's expression remained the same,"I don't know but why the HECK did ya kiss me?!!"

"I don't know!" She cried, clutching onto her knees again,"I'm so confused right now!

Joey let out a deep sigh and tried to calm his beating heart. He had actually felt his heart jump up his throat when she kissed him but this wasn't the time to awaken old feelings. She loved Kaiba and he wasn't going to sway her from him. Kaiba needed a girl like her anyway- Joey was really beginning to like the softer side of him that she caused to open up, but by the way he had spoken earlier before he left, Joey doubted that he'd see the nicer side any time soon.

"It's okay Sydney," Joey said lifting his hand from her hold and placing it upon her shoulder,"Ya just lookin' for comfort. Sorry I can't give it, but I'll stay with ya if ya want."

"Thank you, Joey."

"No problem," He said with a smile,"But uhhh...."

Sydney could tell he was still curious about some things. She realized that she hadn't fully explained things to him and knew he was probably still confused about her true identity.

"Joey, its okay," She reassured him,"I will fully explain everything to you now."

"Are ya sure? I mean if ya don't want ta-"

"No," Sydney said stopping him and tugging him to sit beside her,"I will tell you everything. I will start from the beginning, okay?"

Joey nodded and she let out a deep sigh, readying herself to finally unlock the history of her past.

"I was born in Southern Egypt, exactly three thousand and twenty two years ago in a small town called, Virtue," She paused as Joey's mouth hung open suddenly at the revealing of her true age than closed, not stopping her from continuing,"My father, as you know, was a pharoah of Southern Egypt and kept close ties with the pharoah in Yugi's millenium item or Yami as he's called. He was a young pharoah, many looked down upon it but he was a noble and strong leader. My father admired him and soon the two joined a strong alliance between them. I was the oldest daughter of my family and my brother was coming of age. My father was getting older and he knew it would soon be time for him to pass on the dynasty."

Joey blinked,"So dat's how ya know Yami."

Sydney nodded and continued onward,"It was more than that, Joey. My father frequently visited Yami's kingdom and in turn, I fell in love with him."

She watched as his eyes widened in surprise at her words. He sat there silently than raised a hand to ruffle the back of his tuft of blonde locks.

"So you and Yami, huh?"

"My father didn't know of this though, for I was young at the time and he wouldn't have approved. Yami was a couple years my elder and it would have been seen as lechery. Me and Yami kept the affair very silent- only those closest to us knew. He told his best knights and I told my older brother and Garuza. We had planned to wait until I had reached my eighteenth birthday before letting everyone know of our affair. I'm afraid it was soon after than that my father fell sickly- I wanted to tell him about Yami and I but I knew it would only make him worry.

A war was going on during this time that involved Southern Egypt and my brother left to aid in commanding the armies my father had sent. It was a couple months later that I found out that he had been murdered. My father feared for my safety and sent me and my sisters to Yami immediately. After he had been told what had occured, he had told me that one of my father's men had done it. I was confused on this, for I didn't think my father's men would turn on him so easily but Yami assured me this was true. He had told me that he had seen my father's first knight, Tskusa, one evening consulting with a mercinary that he knew was famous for assassination."

"Why didn't Yami just tell ya dad about it?"

"He didn't want my father to sway his trust," Sydney explained,"If Yami had told him, my father would have thought he was after his throne. My father was a very stubborn man and wouldn't have believed a word of it."

"So than what 'appened?"

"I remained with in Yami's kingdom for some time until the war dwindled down," She said loosening her hold on her knees,"Secretly, Yami was sending his men out for Tskusa. He was planning on forcing him to confess his true intentions but before that was accomplished, my father died."

Silence filled the room suddenly and Joey didn't push the story any farther.

"After than....." Sydney suddenly said, beginning again after a couple mintues of silence,"I recieved a copy of my father's will. He asked me to take the crown for I was the oldest of my sisters. I knew I wasn't fit to be pharoah, so I did the next best thing."

"Ya gave it ta Yami," Joey said softly and slowly.

She nodded and smiled slightly,"Yes, yes I did. I knew my father would understand, Yami was a very noble man and my father loved him as though he were his own son. Unfortunately, it was a couple months later that the affair between me and Yami ended."

"How come?"

"Many reasons," She said, her smile slowly fading,"I just couldn't be the type of woman he wanted me to become. So we parted, but I still love him to this day. Than-"

She stopped to furrow her brow before continuing again,"A month went by and there were several assassinations attempts against both me and Yami. I still had claim to my father's dynasty and still held many of my father's riches and Yami held the biggest one of all- the crown. It was one day when things proved themselves true about Tskusa. I had been at Yami's kingdom, attending a ceremony when he tried to kill me when I was in the bathing room. Yami was furious and had sent him to the shadow realm.

I had no idea Yami contained such power- I was amazed and frightened by him at the same time. He felt as though he could never look at me again due to the change him. He had told me he had found power through a mystical item and that no one would hurt me again. Peace came and went- as war always creeps its way upon Egypt and another uprise came through against Yami. This time, a priest named Seto."
"HUH?!" Joey exclaimed in surprise,"Ain't that Kaiba's first name?"

"Indeed it is," Sydney said lowering her knees and letting her legs hang off the bed,"Kaiba is a descendent of Seto. This priest however, was very much more arrogant, cold and greedy for power. I'm afraid the Seto today is nothing compared to the one of my time. The evolution of Duel Monsters occured during this time and a constant struggle forced back and forth between Seto and Yami. I, however, watched from the outside looking in. Until I achieved this."

She raised the necklace upon her neck and than let it drop again,"When I had first acquired this, I had no real use for it. It was merely a token of remembrance of my father, but during the struggle between Yami and Seto, I had realized its full potential."

Joey's eyebrows raised slightly,"Dat's right, ya never told me how ya came here."

Sydney smiled at him,"Well, you'll know now. I had gotten myself caught up in a personal fight between Yami and Seto due to my own arrogance and hoped for a way to keep Yami safe. After all, I still loved him and he was pharoah. If Egypt were to fall in Seto's hands, I can only imagine the devastation he would have caused. I clung onto the necklace, thinking about what my father would do at such a time and it suddenly began to glow like crazy. I hadn't known what I had done and realized that Yami's item was glowing as well. The room had filled with such a strong burst of light that I was blinded for several moments. When I was finally able to see again, Seto was gone and Yami was staring downward at his puzzle in bewilderment. I was glad that the worst was over and clutched onto the necklace like I was going to die if I lost it.

Peace followed Egypt after than, and Yami of course, continued to rule Egypt with great wisdom. I however, never got to witness any of this. I had been visited in my room one night by a force not long after Seto was vanquished. I had been promoted to be an ordinant for the gods, a spirit that kept world order from being disturbed. I pondered the idea for several moments and had accepted the offer. I, however, never got to say goodbye to Yami. I have not seen him since the last day I was at his kingdom. I've been watching the world for many centuries now and travel constantly between worlds. I can be in each world simultaneously but not for long. My power is limited in my other form than in this one and I can only remain in this world for an equivalent of a few months. I use my necklace to constantly move between worlds and like you already know, Joey, I'm here to find Tskusa."

Joey nodded, expressing himself from letting his mouth hang open in awe,"So what's dis guy doin' here?"

"He's after Yami," She told him,"Over time, Yami's power has laid dormant but this in turn, increases his power due to the millenium pizzle ensealment. Tskusa wants to use this power to release him into a definite form into this world so he can reclaim what he claims is his."

"He doesn't sound too friendly."

Sydney laughed slightly,"No, he's far from friendly. I had actually hoped to have everyone's help."

Joey watched her face fall in sadness,"What's wrong?"

"I never intended to fall in love with Seto," Sydney breathed uneasily,"The man was so callous and cold. I only wanted to use his company to lure Tskusa from his hiding by using him as bait. He was the descendent of the priest and I had thought it was a way of punishing his dynasty but after I had spent so much time with him..."

"Ya couldn't do it?"

She nodded,"No, I couldn't. I love that man, Joey. It so much different than the way I felt about Yami- it's so much stronger than that. Those couple months when I thought he was dead- I was really grieving. I had no idea Garuza had been ordered to kill him by the High Ordinant. I was going crazy at the thought of him not coming back. Everything just got out of hand and the more I tried to explain it to Seto, the more unbelievable it sounded. I didn't know what to tell him- I just made up stories and lies, anything to make him stay."

"I bet if ya tell him everythin' ya told me now," Joey told her with a smile,"He'd understand."

Sydney shook her head,"He's far from understanding now, Joey. I should have been straight with him in the beginning. He thinks I'm a murderer but I am far from that. I know it all looked horrible at the time....I could never hurt him- even if I tried to I'd never be able to hurt him. I love him too much to."

She looked up to see the softness in Joey's eyes. The look he gave her was of affection, remorse and compassion. Sydney had never seen so much emotion in just one look before and shifted nervously under his gaze.

"Ya just don't know how special ya are," Joey said with a grin,"Yer the only one to tear down dat stupid guise Kaiba puts on, ya know? He needs a girl like you. I've even told the creep the very same thing earlier today. He knows it too, he just needs ta think about things, but he'll come around."

"I hope so," Sydney whispered softly as Joey placed a hand reassuringly on her shoulder,"He doesn't know it, but he's got powers too."

Joey's eyebrows rose,"What do ya mean?"

"Seto is a descendent of the priest," Sydney repeated as she did before,"His power isn't as great as Yami's but it's enough to lure Tskusa in."

"What power does Kaiba have?" Joey asked eagerly.

Sydney tilted her head slightly,"The priest was very skilled in many areas and Kaiba had gained them. He's very smart and intelligent, he picks things up faster than others do and..."

"And?"

"Well..."



Okay guys, that ends chapter thirteen. I know, cliffhangers, cliffhangers, but seriously, I didn't know what power to give him so...lol.... guess I'll find out after I think about it some more. I just wanted to ask if this chapter helps tie up the storyline so review and let me know if this explanation of Sydney's past eased up all the confusion from earlier. Well I'll try and update as soon as I can guys so... until next time!

Ja na, minna! (translation: See yah everybody!)

~Garden Goddess~