AFTER TASTE OF A RAZORBLADE: ^__^ Thankies SO much for the sweet review! No one has ever called anything I've done 'sheer brilliance'! *gives her a Seto/Jou doujinshi* Enjoy! ^_~

JADE-J.: No I'm not using a code. It just seems that if I don't put this in HTML format, it will give me squiggly lines. Thanks for saying that my story has a good beginning though! ^_^

ANGEL 13: Aw, that's so sweet! ^O^ Don't worry, I won't be listening to Bakura anymore.

DRAGON_LOVER_RYUSHI: Does this answer your question? ^_~ LOL! Anywho, thanks for the review!

MACARONI GIRL: I owe you big time! Thanks SO much for telling me how to get rid of those lines, it was really nice of you! *glomps her* ^_____^

FREAK & JEWELCRYER: I'm sorry that you got confused in the end. I'd like to help, but I'm not sure what you're confused about. ^^; If you tell me which part you don't get, I'll be glad to help clear it up.

ESCACHICK: Since you're the only one who wanted a Yu-Gi-Oh! guy, you can have them all! *gives her the whole cast* But to be fair, I'll give Seto to you so you can date him. ^_~

Jou: Oh yeah, over my dead body! *glares*

Mid-S: ^^; Come on Jou, lighten up! It's only for the weekend and besides, Esca-Chan deserves him.

Jou: So you're saying I don't.

Mid-S: -_- Listen, I'll write a lemon between you and Seto if you shut up.

Jou: Okay! ^_^

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"Soldiers!"

The cry rang out through the winter air and was heard in the Oaken Arvin tower.

At her perch, the jade-eyed falcon flapped her wings and her cries joined the ones outside. The dog, Thomas, who had been sleeping, jumped up in alarm and hid under the wooden table.

Beware Jounouchi!

The words where heard in the herbal, bouncing off the stone walls. Even the bubble of the potions could not drown out the warning.

Jou looked up and hurried over to the small window on the west wall. He saw Peter, the smithy's son from the village, in the yard below.

He was running fast, though Jou wasn't quite sure where. But he knew one thing. The people in the village would not last for long when the Normans appeared.

Just as he thought that, he saw them. The soldiers where off in the distance, but not too far. They're armor was a midnight black and on they're flag there was a deadly green serpent that seemed to smile mockingly at him.

A terrible fear seized Jou. Ever since the day that he saw the vision in the jade crystal, the people of the village Naigai had been waiting for dread. And now, as the soldiers drew closer, one thing raced in his mind.

England is doomed.

Peter had already warned the villagers, so his main worry was for his sister, Serenity (1), and his guardian, the feisty Shadi (2). They may have not heard the warning.

That morning, he and Serenity had gone outside to pick some flowers and just relax, though what they where really supposed to be doing was getting some different leaves for the healing potions Jou was to make. They had jumped to it when Shadi had caught them, and hurried to get the leaves.

Shadi had spent most of the afternoon in the herbal with him. He said he found it relaxing to sit in the herbal, looking out through the broken piece of roof to the sky above. Several of his followers had left him and the village to ruin a few years ago. They all knew the day would come when Yami the Conqueror would take over England. They didn't have the guts to stay.

Jou's guardian loved to study the sky, whether it was day or night. Jounouchi admired, respected and loved Shadi. He was like the father he never had.

Snapping back to reality, Jou remembered where he was. As if sensing his fear and distress, the jade crystal glowed powerfully around his neck. 'I must warn them,' he thought. 'I simply must.'

He felt the fear grow stronger and he hastened his pace. He hoped he wasn't too late. Closing his eyes (but still walking) he prayed, 'let them be safe, please'. Not missing a beat, he started running down the long dark corridor, the only light source was his jade crystal. But he knew the corridors well, since Serenity and he had been living in Oaken Arvin since they where babies.

They (Serenity and he) had been travelers with their mother, coming from some place he could not remember, on the night the worst storm that the people in Naigai could ever recall. Shadi had taken them in and when the winter ended, they remained there. They're mother had left them there, kissing their cheeks and crying, telling them she wouldn't be returning. What surprised Jou was that he had only been three and his sister was about 5 months. He couldn't believe he still remembered that far back.

He never knew why his mother had left his sister and him. She never left any reason.

As Serenity and he grew, he learned the ancient healing ways from Shadi and spent the afternoon with his guardian, learning astrology, mathematics, languages, old myths and riddles and anything else that Shadi had learned on his trips to other European states.

His little sister had also learned how to heal, but for some reason, he was considered more important to learn this then she was. Serenity only learned French and Italian but that was it. It had always saddened him that he would know more then her. But there was nothing he could do to change that. He was after all, a man and she was a woman. Men had more rights then woman and that's the way it would always be. (3)

Life had been simple in Naigai. They weren't a rich village, but they got by all right. Well that was until the monks had left.

The village had fallen into ruin and the villagers there where simple folk. They didn't know how to rebuild houses and important things like that. Naigai had been ruined.

The only person who was well educated and stayed with them was Shadi.

'But why,' Jou wondered frantically as he ran down the narrow steps, leading into the chapel on the main floor, 'are the Norman's here now? What could they possibly want with us?'

Beware Jounouchi!

The same warning echoed on the walls.

He jumped off the last stair and landed on the chapel floor, he saw Shadi running over to him. The man's normally cheerful face was pale with fear and his dark eyes wide.

"Peter." Jou started, starting to explain why he had run. Shadi held up his hand.

"Yes, the Norman's are coming Jounouchi. Just as you have foreseen and we have dreaded." There was no surprise in Shadi's voice. He (and all the villagers) had learned long ago that it was wise to trust Jou's visions.

"King Bakura's army has fallen." he continued, looking heavily saddened, "It's a terrible time for England."

"Serenity?" Jou asked, the fear for his sister clearly in his voice.

"I'm right here brother," she said, stepping from behind a wall. Jou breathed a sigh of relief and ran to embrace her.

"Darling sister." he muttered. Serenity tore out of his arms suddenly.

"You must flee Jou! You have to get out of here!" she said urgently, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

"Yes, you must go." Shadi added his voice to hers, his voice more demanding then Jou had ever heard it before.

"I will not leave!" he said, but seeing the look pass between them, he knew it had already been decided.

"Dear child," Shadi began, smiling slightly. "The days that are coming will be dark for all of the Saxons. And you know that you must *not* fall into Norman hands! Now go, before it is too late!"

But it was already too late.

The oak doors that barely kept the cold out, burst open with such a force, that they slammed against the stone walls.

The candles that where lit, burned out with the sudden gust of cold wind. Serenity grabbed her brother's arm and pulled him behind the huge altar.

"Don't say anything." she said in a harsh voice, but Jou could sense the fear in her words.

Shadi stayed where he was. He scrunched up his shoulders to look older. He found a long piece of wood on the floor and used it to look like a walking stick. He took a large cross that he kept hidden in his shirt and put it right over his heart, for everyone to see. His face was filled with fake surprise (though it looked real enough to the soldiers). But as he gripped hard on the 'walking stick', Jou's heart almost stopped with fear. He knew the dangerous game his guardian played.

Jou knew he could escape from Serenity's grip easily, but he heard another voice in his head that added to his sister's:

Don't do it! All is at stake!

"Move out of my way!" a voice commanded harshly. The soldiers at the front parted and in between them came a man with black hair and cold green eyes ((Mid-S: Guess who. ^_~)). He stared at Shadi, as if trying to figure out what he was up to.

"It wasn't necessary to brake down the doors," Shadi said frowning. "What is the meaning of this? Why do you bring weapons into the house of God?"

"This is now Yami of Normandy's house," the black haired soldier said, smirking at his next sentence. "As is all of England."

He was dressed in heavy chain main and black tunic, with stains all over the armor. Jou's heart jumped when he realized those stains where blood.

"We have come for the healer whose reputation is well known," the Norman said, his hand lying on the handle of the sword attached to his belt.

Shadi's look was of mild surprise but he shrugged and Jou was surprised at how easily the next lie fell from his lips.

"There is no healer here, my lord. Only me, a humble monk."

The soldier glared, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"A Saxon man told us that the healer is here. He was quite certain of it, because his wife had brought a potion to heal him from burns, and said that this is where she got it. According to him, the healer's talents are well known. "

Again, Shadi shrugged. "He must have been mistaken. Naigai is far too poor to have someone of such great reputation."

"The man's hand had been badly cut, yet it was almost healed when I saw him," the Norman then smirked evilly. "He told me this right before he died under my blade."

Jou gasped. That had been Peter's father! The man had come to him for a healing potion the day before. Sensing his anger and deep sadness, Serenity gripped his arm tighter.

"There is nothing you can do about it Jouno." she whispered quietly.

But Shadi didn't give up, pretending he knew no man that had come there with a hurt hand.

"The man must have been mistaken. There is no healer in Oaken Arvin."

The green eyed Norman scowled. "Search the chapel! Bring me the healer!" he commanded his men.

Shadi wobbled over to them, as if trying to block their way.

"I must protest! You can not bring your bloodied weapons into the Sacred House."

The Norman drew his sword and pointed it at Shadi's chest. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Stop your pathetic whining old man, or I'll drop you where you stand."

Jou tried to get out of Serenity's grasp but she wouldn't let him go. "Stop it, brother! You've heard the Voice. You mustn't let these Norman pigs find you!" She said in a harsh whisper. Tears started out of her eyes, and Jou could sense her fear and worry for him. He sighed. She was right, but he wished she hadn't been.

The soldiers moved quickly through the building. They broke chairs and tables with axes, spilled Shadi's favourite wine, took the lunch that was on the table - brown bread, cheese and fruit - and stuffed it into their mouths. They took Shadi's favourite books and journals and threw them into the fire. His star charts and math books got torn apart.

Jou's throat ached with the fight to stop the tears and knew all this was happening because of him. His hands clutched into tight fists of helpless rage, as Serenity (who was crying silent tears) whispered to him more warnings. If he had a sword, he would have gladly used it on the Norman's, not caring about the blood that would be spilt.

"Please," begged Shadi. "These books are of no importance to you. Don't destroy them."

"You're right monk," the Norman said. "they are of no importance to me. Of course, you can save your precious books by telling me where the healer is!" With these words, the rest of the men returned to searching the chapel.

Even though Shadi knew it would only be a matter of time before Jou and Serenity where found, he kept on playing the game. "I do not know any healer. Surely Yami the Conqueror would not break into a chapel."

"I can not bare this anymore!" Jou whispered to his sister, "I can't take other's suffering because of me."

"You must bare it!" Serenity whispered back. "Shadi has always told us to be strong! Now both of us must be stronger then we ever have been."

Tears started pouring out of his eyes. How could he be strong when the Normans' were threatening his guardian?! He felt his pocket and there was the knife he had used that morning to cut some herbs.

Shadi, taking his 'walking stick' and using it as a sort of weapon, he pretended to hobble over to them.

"This is sacred ground!" he roared. "Stop your evil ways now, or be damned to hell for all eternity!"

"Otogi." one of the soldiers spoke, looking at the black haired man. Sensing his men's uneasiness, he swore.

"Curse you, old fool!" he cried and hit Shadi on the side of his head, with the sword. As Shadi struggled to get up, Otogi's eyes filled with grim satisfaction, as he raised his sword to strike again.

"Stop!" Jou cried out, braking away from Serenity's grip and running from behind the altar.

Serenity's heart filled with grief, as she knew she had failed to protect her older brother. 'But maybe', she thought quickly, 'there is still a way to trick these simple minded fools.'

"I am the healer you seek." she said, stepping out from behind the altar and slowly walking towards them.

"NO!" Jou cried out as Serenity was immediately seized by the Normans and pushed to the ground.

Otogi picked her up by the throat, his emerald eyes looking her over. He shook his head and flung her to the ground.

"It's not her!" he cried angrily, "She's too young to be a healer." She slowly lifted her head to face Jou, her eyes now puffy with tears cried and more coming down.

"Ha correto il fratello caro. Te stesso risparmiare." (4)

With that said, Serenity flung herself at Otogi with amazing agility. Unfortunately, the other soldiers got to her first and threw her against the wall. She fell to the ground, unconscious.

"How *dare* you touch her!" Jou cried and, taking out the gardening knife, he lunged at Otogi's throat.

Hearing the warning from one of his men, Otogi blocked his throat with his hand. Instead of killing him, Jou had only managed to cut his cheek. Otogi cried out like a wounded animal.

"Saxon bastard!" he snarled, putting his hand over his cheek. He raised his fist and hit Jou on the shoulder. Then he pulled Jou against him, digging his hands into his blonde hair.

"There are other ways to tame a cat with sharp claws." he said, smirking evilly. Jou knew what he meant by that and though it frightened him greatly, he refused to cower.

"I will show this blood thirsty Saxon who his master is," Otogi vowed, taking his sword and pressing it against Jou's throat. "Do you understand me?"

"Je vous comprends (5)," Jounouchi answered in perfect, flawless French, enjoying the stunned look on Otogi's face. "But do you understand me?"

Otogi's eyes narrowed at him, but Jou continued.

"Pray for forgiveness, Otogi. For I vow, by the ancient powers, you're already dead for what you have done."

All the soldiers started laughing. "Tell me Saxon, how am I already dead? Am I some ghost that is holding you prisoner?" he laughed even harder. "Tell me, if I am dead, how is it that I hold this blade against *your* lovely neck?"

Jou recoiled with disgust, inside the threat of the knife against his throat and outside trying not to show any fear to this horrible brute.

"Please, don't harm him! He is just a foolish child, he doesn't know better," Shadi said, finally getting to a standing position. "He only sought to save the girl that is his sister."

But Otogi seemed not to hear, for he pressed the sword even harder against Jou's flesh.

Suddenly, another party of Norman soldiers burst through the already open chapel doors.

"Stop at once Otogi or die!"

Otogi's face was filled with utter disbelief and then anger. He dragged Jou with him, to stand in front of the man who had called out to him.

"Seto Kaiba, you black hearted son of a bitch!" He snarled. Jou turned to look at the said boy and had to hold in a gasp.

He was tall, with chestnut brown hair and ice blue eyes. Jounouchi felt like he had seen him before, like they had some how met.

The blonde couldn't help but think how attractive he was...realizing what he had just thought, Jou shivered inwardly with disgust at himself. How could he even begin to think that about a *Norman*?

Then he realized why he thought they had met before. It was the man from his vision! The crystal had told him to beware of 'the one whose eyes are like ice and has no mercy'.

He felt the same desire he had felt before. Why did this boy have such an effect on him?

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(1): I want to use her dub name because I like it better. Sorry. ^^;

(2): I think Shadi would be a perfect guardian for Jou, don't you? Besides, I needed someone to take care of Serenity and he.

(3): A glimpse inside the male mind.

(4): It simply means 'Run dear brother. Save yourself.' in Italian.

(5): 'I understand.' in French (even though you probably know that already). ^^;

Mid-S: Um, was that okay? OO; Sorry to all those Otogi fans, please don't take it too personally.

I'm not sure if you guys will like it. I'm personally not too impressed...It was horrible wasn't it? T_T

YMS: Oh come on, it isn't bad!

Otogi: You're right. It's worse then bad. It's crap. *laughs*

Mid-S: *blinks* WAAAAAAAA! T_T *sobs*

YMS: *hits him over the head* Shut up a-hole. _