I ran into the calm warm waters of the ocean, swimming after Mako happily.  The water always calmed me down and pushed aside the feelings of worry and darkness I had just a few seconds ago.  I saw Mako with his dive mask surface for air just a few feet in front of me as I swam further and further out.  He grinned that sharklike grin of his and dove under water, gesturing for me to follow.  I took a deep breath and swam after him.

It was one of the most amazing beautiful things I had ever seen.  An orca, or killer whale as some called them, though not a name that suited them, was alone in the water with us.  I could tell it was a female by the shape of the fin, which was short and curved.  She couldn't have been more than a year old though; she looked so young and alone.  Usually orca's travel in huge family pods for their whole lives.  I wondered what had happened to separate this orca from her family.

She curiously swam closer and closer to Mako and I, who just looked at each other with such excitement we could hardly contain ourselves.  She circled us, making elegant arcs with her tail flukes and I could hear and feel her sonar, checking us out.

"Do not be afraid Jade, although an orca may look imposing they are usually gentle with people."  Mako told me.

"Don't worry Mako, I'm not afraid, just in wonder."  I answered him.  "The orca is my favorite animal in the whole world.  The only reason they have the name killer whale is because of the wide variety of prey they have.  This one looks like a resident orca, one that eats fish.  She's coming so close and is so curious about us.  A transient, one that would eat seals, dolphins or even the big whales, would be more wary and would probably not approach us."

"Remarkable knowledge."  Mako answered.  The orca was so close to us now, Mako reached out to touch her but she shied away and began swimming away.

I closed my eyes and began singing, hopefully, to calm her and maybe even call her over.  I knew that in anime, animals were much more intelligent than they were in the real world.  And that sometimes, when given a special signal, they could be "summoned" or something.

I sang the song Ariel had sung in "The little mermaid" when she was giving her voice to Ursula.  It had no real words but a sweet soft melody that everyone back in the human world said matched perfectly when I performed it.  The orca stopped swimming, turned herself on her side and listened with on eye on me.

I saw that Mako looked entranced as well.  "You are indeed no angel, you are a mermaid…"  He said and I blushed and looked at the orca instead of at him.  She was swimming toward me, very slowly, still sideways listening to my song.  When she was close enough, I reached out my hand slowly and timidly, fearing that she would get scared and swim off for good this time. 

Instead, to my surprise, she swam closer so that my hand did touch her.  She felt soft and smooth, like a baby's cheek but wet.  I petted her very gently staying clear of her blowhole.  She squealed and clicked, I believe enjoying it.  "Mako…"  I whispered.  He swam over and began petting her.  She easily took to him too and seemed to love the attention we were giving her.  I was amazed at the bond Mako and I both shared with the sea.  And…with each other.  They both just kept growing with each passing day.

"Think I'll call her Ariel, after the mermaid in the little mermaid."  I giggled.

"A fine name."  Mako agreed.  Ariel seemed to agree too.  Ariel swam a bit under water and squealed to us.  Mako grinned widely and swung himself over her great back and positioned himself in front of her dorsal fin.  Mako held out his hand to me.  I smiled and took it.  It seemed like an eternity of time had passed as we gazed at each other's hands before Mako lifted me up a bit and I scooted over behind Ariel's dorsal fin and took hold of it.

Ariel began swimming at a fast pace with Mako and I clinging on to her. 

            "Wooooohooooo!"  Mako cried out with joy as Ariel leapt into the air!  I held on to her fin for dear life, grinning wildly at the rush of power her body contained. 

                We played like that for hours, just swimming with her and being together.  When Mako and I tired, we rested on her back and she didn't seem to mind at all, Ariel seemed to enjoy our company.

                "Oh wow, I think we completely forgot about the fish we were supposed to catch."  I laughed.

                "Hmmm, your right, but it seems our new friend has taken care of that problem."  Mako answered, then diving for his forgotten spear that lay at the bottom of the sea.

                Ariel swam slowly up to me with an enormous fish in her mouth.  "Thanks girl."  I smiled and stroked her enormous head.  I winced as the feeling of darkness returned to my body.  I just didn't know where it was coming from.  The dead smelly lifeless body of the fish in Ariel's mouth looked really good right about now.

                "Are you alright?"  Mako asked, swimming up from behind me.  I felt dizzy and reached for Ariel's fin so that she could pull me in more to the shore, but I kept missing, my vision became a little blurry.

                I saw Mako take the fish from Ariel's mouth, spear it, then throw it ashore from where we were.  I then felt his strong arm wrapped around me.  "Hold on, Ariel will take us to shore and I'll get that fish cooked right away, maybe then you'll feel better."  He said.  Ariel seemed to understand as Mako grabbed her fin and she pulled us as far shore as she could go.

                "Thank you my new friend!"  Mako cried and waved as he took me in his arms and began walking away.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me closer to him.  He set me down by the dying ashes of our last fire and began rebuilding it.  I couldn't help but love him even more because of how sweet he was being to me.  "Thanks Mako, I just feel a bit dizzy, probably from the harassment Keith gave me last night and from lack of eating today."  I thanked him.

                "Do not worry about it my friend; I'll have you feeling better in no time hahaha!"  Mako laughed.

                I smiled as he playfully pushed his thumb against my cheek and got to cooking.

                After the fish were cooked, Mako and I ate like we never had before, and indeed, I felt a lot better.

                Then we heard an announcement that sank both our hearts.  The finals had begun, Mai vs. Yugi and Bandit Keith Vs Joey.  The tournament was practically over…and Mako had only needed two more star chips to qualify for the finals…

                I felt sick…if it hadn't been for me…maybe Mako would have won his way into the tournament.

                I saw Mako sit down and put his head in his hands.   "I will find you father, no matter how long it takes!"  He cried out.  I didn't know what to do, or what to say to comfort him.  We heard that the next boat that would leave for the mainland would be tomorrow afternoon at sunset, after the end of the tournament.  So we decided to make camp for the night, no point in traveling through the forest anyway.

                Mako sat in silence, staring into the fire.  He stirred it occasionally with a stick.  Not a sound could be heard except for the waves lapping against the side of the cliff.  It was too calm for me and I was restless.  I began playing with my earrings, trying to come up with some way of getting Mako the money to buy the boat, or getting him the boat itself. 

                I could use the Millennium earrings to teleport people places for money…but then others who seek the Millennium items would find me and probably try to hurt me or Mako to try to get to them.  That secret was better off a secret.  Maybe I could sell them or something…  Then the ultimate idea hit me.  I could sell my Millennium earrings to Pegasus!  He's the one that really wants them anyway!  I'd ask for 6 million dollars, nothing to his fortune, but it would pay for an awesome boat plus give us enough money for diving equipment and food and other utilities that we might need.  I'm well aware that Pegasus isn't exactly a sane person, but I figured, once he got the earrings, he could use their power to reunite with his wife, which was his goal anyway and quit stealing souls.  He'll probably let the other souls he captured go even!  I had no doubt that he would pay what I wanted too, he was a desperate man who wanted to be with his deceased wife more than anything, and would do anything to get that chance.

                I felt a renewed sense of hope inside and imagined the surprised look on Mako's face as I handed him the six mil.

                "Don't worry Mako, you'll get the money some other way."  I said and smiled.

                He looked up at me with a confused expression.  "But how, the tournament is over and the prize money will go to someone else now.  I won't be able to compete in the finals."

                "The next tournament won't be too far away, I'll bet Seto Kaiba will be throwing his own tournament very soon.  And even if I have to get a job as a waitress and scrape by and save up, I'll still help you get your boat.  No matter what..."

                Mako smiled and nodded to me.  "Let us hope it does not come to you doing that, though I do appreciate your devotion.  Thank you my friend, I feel better now."

                "Awe, come here big guy, someone needs a hug."  I said and walked over to him and placed my arms around him.

                Mako pulled me into a bone crunching hug as I hugged him back just as tightly.  It felt so good and I could tell it was helping him too.  He sighed in a relieved sort of way as I rubbed his back.

                "It will be ok Mako, I know you'll find him someday, I just know it."

                He didn't answer.  I didn't need one from him.  Just the feel of a couple wet drops on my back was enough.  I wanted more than anything to tell him how much I loved him.  How much I just wanted him to be happy and to have all his wishes come true. 

                We pulled apart and just stared at each other, my lips were trembling and so were my hands slightly.  I think his were too.  We both moved a bit closer to each other, as if drawn together by some unseen force.  I felt like I was in a trance, not breaking eye contact with Mako and not wanting to.  I could drown in those sea green eyes of his forever.  I could see his lips trembling now too.  Mako placed his hands over mine and had a grin on his face that made me want a drool bucket.  I knew we were about to kiss. 

                But unfortunately, there came a random loud bang and out from the woods staggered a lone figure.

                "Awe man, what's a dinosaur gotta do to get some dino chow!" 

                I looked in the voices direction and raised an eyebrow.  "Rex Raptor?"  I asked.

                "Someone call my name?"  He asked stepping into the light and then promptly fell over. 

                "Are you alright Raptor?"  Mako asked concerned, though he did not look too happy that our little moment had been interrupted. 

                I walked over to Rex and helped him up.  I almost laughed.  What was up with all the short people in "Yu-Gi-Oh?"  I must have stood at least a head and a half taller than him. 

                "Man, I'm so hungry haven't had anything to eat since the tournament started."  He explained.

                I looked over at our fire and found that a lot of the fish was still there to be eaten.  I still felt a bit hungry but, meh, he needed it more than I did.

                "Can he share our fish Mako?  Rex isn't that bad of a guy…"  I asked pleadingly.  I knew that Mako had placed third in the regional tournament.  Either Rex or Weevil had beaten him and I liked to think that it was Rex, because I hated Weevil with a flamethrower's passion.  And if it was Rex who had beaten Mako, I hoped Mako didn't harbor any bad feelings toward him.  I kinda liked Rex, a bit gullible, but still an ok guy. 

                "Of course he can, please sit down and eat your fill Raptor."  Mako told him.

                "Alright!  Thanks Tsunami!  And…whoever the heck you are!"  Rex said gratefully and fell to eating the leftover fish.  He ate with such ferocity that maybe he could compete with the eating machines known as Tristan and Joey…

                When Rex slowed down to breath we began to talk.  "So Tsunami, who's the pretty babe your with huh?" 

                I looked over and saw Mako blush and clench his spear in his hand tightly.

                "Name's Jade, nice to meet yah Raptor."  I smiled and shook his hand.

                "Oh the pleasure's all mine sweethearts.  You a duelist?" 

                "Yeah, my deck's made up of Spell castors and Dragons."  I told him.  "Right now im traveling with Mako.  How'd you do in the tournament?"

                "I got crushed by some punk in a green coat named Joey Wheeler…"  Rex grumbled.

                "Yeah, guess yah can't win against the heart of the cards."  I shrugged.

                "Nah, that stuffs for wimps, I'll see you two later."  Rex said, picked himself up and began walking away.  "Especially you dollface!"  He called back and blushed.

                I rolled my eyes and waved to him.  "Not on your life Raptor!  I have loyalties to other people and won't fool around like that!"

                "Awe darnit!"  Was the last I heard as the dino duelist walked away.

                I shook my head and chuckled to myself.  I looked over at Mako who just sort of look mortified at the whole thing.

                "Awe come on big guy, you know I'd never go off with anyone, the only one I'll ever have feelings for is…"  I stopped myself just in time.  I wasn't ready to confess my love for him yet.  He looked at me expectantly.  "Well...It's getting kinda late.  Wanna crash for the night?" 

                Mako nodded but it was strange to me.  He had this disappointed look in his eyes.  Was he disappointed because I hadn't said it was him, because…our kiss that was supposed to happen got interrupted?  It felt too good to be true.  Maybe it was just sadness coming back from the tournament ending and him not winning, and not being a step closer to finding his father.  I smiled and sat beside him.

                Mako smiled back at me and placed his arm around me.  I could have fainted, and it wouldn't have been the first time I felt that way around him.  I just knew I had to get the money for him now.

                We built up the fire a bit and both of us yawned.  "Goodnight Mako, think I'll go to sleep now."  I said, disappointed that I would ever have to leave this nice comfy position.

                "I am going to get some rest as well.  I er…hope you have sweet dreams Jade."  Mako said, blushing a bit before he planted a light kiss on my cheek.

                I had to do a double take.  Did Mako Tsunami just kiss me???  I could have screamed with pleasure but all I did was smile sweetly at him and bid him goodnight again.  When was I ever going to be able to get up enough nerve to tell him how I felt!  Mako must feel something of the same way, with all the clue's he's given.   But then again, men are hard to understand at a lot of times and sometimes don't even know what they want.  So I decided to wait on it some more..  When I was sure Mako was sound asleep, I crept up from where I lay.  Now to find Pegesus and strike up that deal with him.  I was sure he was still up; weirdo was probably reading his comics about funnybunny or something.  Well, he was about to get a blast from the past. 

I began running through the dark and scary woods.  I looked back and saw the moon looked even brighter than usual that night, and I randomly bumped into someone!

                White hair with a lavender tint, Millennium Ring…gotta be Bakura.  Poor Ryou…   But what was he doing late at night?  I thought he would be with Tristan and Tèa scaling the walls of Pegasus's tower idiotically…  Tristan and his crazy plans…

                "Watch where your going, who do you think you're…"  Bakura snarled, picking himself up and brushing himself off.  He looked at me and stared.

                "I'm…I'm really really sorry please don't be angry…"  I pleaded, not straying from his dark brown evil eyes.  I hadn't the slightest wish to be turned into my favorite card and be sent to the shadow realm.

                "You look familiar…I've seen you before somewhere…"  He trailed off.  Bakura grabbed me by the shoulders and held me close to his face.  "Jamilah…?

                "No, sorry."  I said confused, who was this Jamilah?

                He trailed his fingers across my Millennium earrings and grinned evilly.

                "You're nowhere near as beautiful as she, but the resemblance between you two is still too uncanny to ignore."  Bakura sneered.

                "What in the world are you talking about?  I'm Jade not this Jamilah person your talking about!"

                "Then how could you possibly obtain the Millennium earrings?"  Bakura asked me coldly.  He held out his hands in front of his chest and the Millennium Ring levitated, glowing brightly.  "I sensed the presence of another Millennium item and came to find it and claim it for my own.  I didn't know that the long forgotten Millennium earrings were the ones that were triggering its response.  The same Millennium earrings that hold the sealed spirit of my long lost lover…"

                "Lost lover…?"  I whispered.  I began backing away, ready to run at any given moment.  I did not like the way he was looking at me.  And I did not like the thought of having a yami…a darker half…

                Bakura just kept grinning evilly at me with a lustful look in his eyes.  He began chanting something in Egyptian I guessed.  It didn't sound too good and I found myself not being able to move.

                "Oh Gods what's he doing to me?!"  I cried out.  My head began swimming with pain and a golden yet dark light surrounded my body.  The moonlight seemed to be piercing through the darkness

                "What's happening?"  I cried out in terror.  I closed my eyes tightly and clutched at my ears.  My ears became white hot as the Millennium Earings glowed.  I felt a presence; deep inside myself begin to awaken.  An ancient spirit was coming to be, and I was the host body.  I was suddenly frightened out of my mind.  What if I was going to turn out like Ryou?  A helpless slave that can't be freed.

                "Jamilah, awaken from your slumber from inside the Millennium earrings!"  Bakura cried out! 

                Suddenly my eyes opened under their own accord.  I felt as though I were looking out a window.  I had no control over my own body and felt it changing all around me.  I had grown a few inches taller, my breasts were now sizes bigger too and my waist was skinnier and I felt like I had a body that even Mai would kill for.  Just who exactly was this Jamilah person? 

                I made a sort of mental gasp.  I, or we, were looking into Bakura's smirking eyes and I saw my own reflection.  My eyes had turned from a kind chocolate brown to a catlike green with long slit pupils.  My skin was a bit more tan and I was...what's the word…voluptuous? 

                That's when I felt…her.  "I…I am restored once more."  She said in a voice as smooth as silk and as sweet as sugar.  The sort of beguiling voice that you would use to put people in a trance.

                Bakura closed his eyes and shuddered for a moment and then stepped forward and took me in his arms and embraced me. 

                "Welcome back my Jamilah..."

                Evil cliffy I know!  Don't worry peeps, My Yami's whole past including her relationship to Bakura will be explained in the next chapter.  Mako is sooooo sweeeeeet hehe!  See yah next chapter, stay tuned!