"Sisters of the Moon"

By:  Heikou and Janime Lee

            "Morning, Ryou," said Malik. He was sitting at the kitchen table with Joey and Keriam. Marik opted to stay inside his light for a while, not wanting to deal with the angry looks Joey had been sending his way.

            Ryou dropped a few pieces of paper stapled at the top next to Malik and the Egyptian picked it. "Last will and testament...?" Malik blinked. "What the hell did you do?"

            "Not me," Ryou said, "Bakura."

            "Uh oh," Joey cringed a little. "Should we dare asking?"

            "Bakura kissed Cheri last night," Ryou plopped himself into a chair.

            "Well that must have been interesting," Keriam said and drank her orange juice.

            "He kissed her in front of Seto."

            Keriam spit her juice all over her Rice Crispies. Joey patted her back, and Malik stared at the albino.

            "He did that? In front of Kaiba?" Malik asked, making sure he heard right.

            "Well it was nice knowing you," Joey sighed.

            Keriam cleared her throat as she looked up at him. "Where's Bakura now?"

            Ryou just shrugged some. "When I woke up he wasn't in the room nor in the ring. He's around here somewhere."

            "Marik, would you be so kind to go find him, please?" asked Malik.

            ~Alright,~ his darker half sighed, ~I'm going.~ Marik stepped out and left the kitchen. ~Maybe I can get a few details.~

            Malik returned to the three-page will. "Your leaving your jeans to me, your mangas to Joey, the board games to Yugi, and the three butterfly collections to Cheri, Keriam, and Tea."

            "They belonged to my mother," Ryou said when the other three gave him a look. "I know that they'll be in good hands."

            "You're not leaving anything to Tristen?" Keriam asked.

            "I don't know what else there is."

            "Don't you think you're going a bit overboard?"

            "I'm not taking any chances. I know I'll be dead before the day is over."

            Joey sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of what to say. "Ryou look, I doubt Kaiba is gonna kill ya for something Bakura did. I mean it's not like you kissed Cheri yourself. Did you?"

            The poor boy flushed as he shook his head. "No no!! I admit she's pretty but she loves Seto and I am not stepping between them!"

            "Let's pray that a certain spirit takes your path," Malik said.

            "Make that two spirits," said Joey.

            Seto lightly ran his fingers through Cheri's hair. Still asleep, she murmured something and snuggled closer to him. A light smile played across his lips as his arms went around her, lightly stroking her bare back.

            He had been awake for a short time but rather than get up and get ready for the day he just laid in bed, thinking about last night. For the first time in a long time, he felt complete. Hugging his love's warm body closer he kissed the top of her head, murmuring how much he loved her against the strands.

            "Love you more," came the sleepy reply.

            "Didn't mean to wake you," he said softly.

            "Don't hear me complaining." She lifted her head and smiled down at him. "Besides, I wouldn't mind waking up to you every morning."

            "I wouldn't mind it either." Seto leaned closer and gently kissed her.

            Cheri stretched, wrapping her arms around Seto's neck. "I do not want to get up," she said and kissed his chest.

            "Unfortunately, if we don't, everyone will come looking for us."

            "Forget them. Let's just say we caught a twenty-four hour bug and need lots of bed rest."

            "There's an idea but we can't." His arms rested around her waist as he smiled. "We have to at least let them know we're alright."

            "You have a point. Hmm okay... I'll get up but I won't like it." With a sigh she sat up, stretched once more and pulled a robe on. Seto watched her as she padded around the room, gathering her things to take a bath but as she passed him he reached out and grabbed her hand.

            Holding her hand he kissed the palm, showing how much he loved her. "Try not to take too long."

            "I'll try." Tracing her finger over his lips she made her way to the joining bathroom. Setting her stuff on the corner she turned the water on and waited as it warmed up before slipping the robe off and stepped in. Seto sighed as he laid back in bed, stretching his own arms with a soft and satisfied grunt.

            He heard the water turn on and a few moments later, Cheri began to sing lightly. A sly grin crept across his face as an idea formed inside his mind. Seto rose from the bed. I need a shower, anyway, he thought and walked into the bathroom.

            ~We're tied,~ said Malik. ~I hope you know that.~

            Bakura opened his eyes briefly and glared at the other spirit before closing them again.

            ~In front of Seto?~

            ~So what!~ Bakura snapped. ~You kissed Keriam. I wouldn't be surprised if Yami kissed Tea.~

            ~I doubt it. Pharaoh has a sense of honor and he won't overstep it.~ Marik sat next to him, looking up at the sky. ~Ryou made out a Will.~

            ~I know but I seriously doubt Kaiba is gonna kill him. Not like I used his body.~

            ~But he promised that he'd keep you under control.~ A snort was his answer. ~So... what was it like?~

            Bakura cracked an eye open at him before he closed it but smirked a bit. ~Why should I tell you?~

            ~We have something in common besides co-existing in another's body.~

            Bakura chuckled. ~True,~ he opened his eyes. ~I'll tell you only if you tell me how your kiss with Keriam was.~

            Marik frowned a little. ~Need I remind you that I was extremely weak when I did.~

            ~No, you don't have to, but do tell about kissing the Sister of the Moon who has been blessed by Ra.~

            ~... You're terrible. But... It's something you'll never forget or want to. Kinda hard to describe into words really.~ Marik sighed as he leaned back on his hands. ~Needless to say Malik wasn't very happy when he found out and Joey is still glaring at me every chance I'm out.~

            ~Just ignore him. You could always threaten to send him to the Shadow Realm,~ the ancient thief commented.

            ~Tempting but I am not getting on Keriam's bad side. Your turn but just answer me one thing, why in front of Kaiba?~

            ~To be honest, I didn't expect him to be in her room,~ Bakura said. ~When he usually works late at night, he stops around two in the morning.~ He sighed and placed his hands behind his head. ~I know those two have kissed already many times. I wanted to kiss her before they really got to enjoy themselves. As for the kiss, it's just as you said. If I ever had amnesia, that would be the one memory I would definitely never forget.~

            ~It's kinda depressing now that you think about it. We find two girls that could be our perfect match and they're already taken,~ Marik grumbled as he laid back, one hand resting behind his head as the other rested on his stomach.

            ~Life has a tendency to screw us out of what we really want in life.~ Bakura sighed as he closed his eyes once more but this time, Marik let him be as he watched the clouds drift lazily by.

            "Brother, our plans are almost complete," Haziem spoke up.

            "Excellent. Marik and those fools will never know what happened before it is too late," Perjiem smiled evilly.

            "Are you certain the Sisters will come?" Deliem asked with some doubt.

            "Positive. If they would go to such great lengths to protect each other, they will surely do the same for their friends."

            "It will not be easy," Haziem frowned, "one is protected by the power of the puzzle though he unaware."

            The eldest brother remained quiet for a brief time. "Perhaps taking their chosen consorts would be an eventuality they could see," Perjiem said. "But if their own families were brought into this-"

            "But they have been before," said Deliem. "In Duelist Kingdom and Battle City."

            "Do not forget that was for what they had," Haziem reminded. "This time they know we're after the Sisters of the Moon, and we've already let them know we will go after their consorts. Would they really think that we'd go after their family members, other than the family of the Sister called Tea."

            "Serenity Wheeler, Solomon Mutou, and Mokuba Kaiba," Perjiem spoke the names and smiled darkly. The scars on his face making his smirk seem more demonic. "One family member in exchange for one Egyptian God Card."

            "From Yugi and Seto we won't have a problem," Deliem folded his arms across his chest, "they will hand the God Cards over without question. Marik will be the main concern."

            "If he wants to stay in good graces with Joey Wheeler," said Perjiem. "You saw him at that dance with the other Sister. He'll hand it over."

            "Shall we send off our minions to capture them?" the youngest of the three Brothers asked but Perjiem waved his hand.

            "No. My Brothers... I think it's about time we went out on a hunt of our own. With our abilities to twist the dark arts we can change our appearances long enough to capture the family members," the eldest explained.

            "Once we have them in our grasp they will have no choice but to give up the Egyptian gods and knowing the Sisters, they will come," the middle brother spoke as he rested his elbows on the table then he chin on folded hands. "I like the idea."

            ~We will win this battle, I swear this upon my immortal soul.~

            School went by rather smoothly. Amierla started again with Keriam. Needless to say, Keriam won yet again. A couple boys decided to adopt Joey's and Tristen's Panty Tank stunt on Amierla, revealing the girl's light gray and pink heart-covered panties to everyone in the lunch room.

            Fortunately for our group, their lunch shift was before that.

            Joey had heard and could not keep the grin off his face all day. Maybe now Amierla would leave them alone. ~When pigs fly,~ he thought to himself as he headed to class.

            The students were all sitting around, talking so no one gave him another look as he went to his desk and plopped down. He had Keriam and Tristen for this class but he didn't see them yet so he just sat back in his chair, trying to make it stay balanced on the back two legs.

            "Hey, Joey," one of the other boys stopped by his desk, "I heard that Keriam beat Amierla again."

            The blonde nodded. "Yeah, did ya hear what happened to Amierla during lunch?"

            "Yup! And if you ask me, she deserved it."

            Joey snickered as he walked away. Looking towards the classroom door, Keriam walked in and winked at Joey before taking her seat by the window. Tristen made it inside just before the bell rang.

            "Okay class," said their teacher, Ms. Koyoji. She was very nice elder woman with the personality like an aunt. "Now before we begin," she continued, "as you know next week we have off-"

            The entire class cheered and clapped their hands.

            "Settle down please. As I was saying, we have next week off but over that time I would like for you to do an essay for me." Now the class was groaning. "You haven't heard of the topic yet," she scolded lightly.

            "Will it be fun?" a student asked.

            "That depends."

            "Okay. Do we have to do it on a boring subject?"

            "Now that depends as well. The topic is yourself, what your dreams and goals are, and where you picture yourself ten years from now. It doesn't have to be long, a page will do but please make it longer than five sentences."

            Some of the students giggled and looked at Joey. He glared at them in return. Keriam rolled her eyes and gave her boyfriend a smile, which calmed him.

            Tristen shook his head and sighed. Hmm... what would he write about? In ten years, he would be twenty-seven and at least engaged to Serenity. Of course, he'd be hearing Joey voice his opinion about the whole thing but deep down, Tristen knew that Joey didn't mind them dating. Anything beyond that, his best friend would either die or kill him.

            ~But who knows, ten years is a long time and maybe he won't be so uptight when I ask Serenity to marry me,~ he thought to himself. ~Or at least try not to kill me.~

            ~Ten years… I should be out of high school but afterwards…~ Joey frowned as he tried to picture himself in the future. But thinking about it he thought about Keriam. ~Will she even be here before the school year is over?~ Looking over in her direction he sighed to himself softly as the lecture started and his mind zoned out.

            Keriam looked like she was listening to Ms. Koyoji, but in truth, she was thinking about the essay's topic. She had to do a similar one last year back in her world, yet the answer she had written then differed greatly from the one she had now. Except for one thing: find a great guy and marry him.

            And I have, Keriam thought, Joey's right here... he's everything I want and more. But... I might have to go back... damnit! It's not fair! Isis, don't do this again to us! Please, Mother!

            "Keriam?"

            "Yes?" she quickly snapped out of her trance when Ms. Koyoji called her.

            "Would please read the paragraph on page 227 out loud?" she asked.

            "Sure okay." Taking her book out she flipped it to the page and began tore ad.

            She looks like she was deep in thought, Joey thought as followed along but soon his mind drifted again. But this time, it drifted to his past life. What happened when the Sisters died? He knew the gods were entrusted to the pharaoh at the time but what about him? The temple? Were they written out of history on purpose?

            "Kasuyan."

            He looked over his shoulder, seeing the Pharaoh standing not too far behind with concern on his face. Kasuyan turned back to the three sarcophagi resting on cloth-covered wooden benches, each sarcophagus had an image of the Goddess Isis in the center, with the god that the Sister could summon beneath their beloved Mother.

            Kasuyan slowly rose from his knees and walked over to the sarcophagus to the right, the one with the Winged Dragon of Ra. He reached out, trembling fingers caressing the golden mask that captured Theliane's face perfectly but to Kasuyan, it was far from his wife's true beauty.

            The pharaoh did not need the powers of an empath to know how the young man felt. He had been joyous that the Sister Theliane had found someone to love but to be taken away so soon. Reaching up he rested his hand on the blonde's shoulder. "I am sorry... but they knew the risk and because of them, Egypt is safe."

            "It doesn't mean I have to like it," Kasuyan growled angrily as he closed his eyes tightly. "So now what? With Theliane gone... I have nothing to live for."

            "That's not true. The Sister would not have wanted you to waste your life away like this."

            "Then what do you suggest I do?" he snapped, whirling to look at him.

            The Pharaoh walked over between the other two sarcophagi, touching the sides of both golden caskets with his hands. "Peisimemne told me that everything they had done, every task, must be kept secret. The recordings had to be separate from the ones my priests keep." He turned to the center sarcophagus and looked at Kasuyan. "Agalameia said that Isis had instructed for it to be that way for many generations, should one day that their bloodline end."

            Kasuyan looked at the Pharaoh and the three sarcophagi. "And the records?" he asked.

            "Safely stored in my chambers for now, but I cannot keep them. And as for the burial grounds for the Sisters, I know that my people would want them to be in the Valley of the Queens or even in one of the pyramids..." the Pharaoh sighed, shaking his head. "I cannot allow that. Bandits and tomb raiders will seek them as their prey."

            "So they have to buried in secret..." Kasuyan said bitterly but even he knew it would be or the best. The less people who knew where the Sisters were buried the less likely for their bodies to be defiled. "Then... the records should be buried with them. If anyone does come across them, then they'll know how important they were."

            "An excellent idea. But where to bury them..." the pharaoh frowned. It had to be somewhere no one would think to bury anyone but it also had to be safe from the hands of time.

            "I know of a place," Kasuyan looked at the Pharaoh. "My friends in the caravan are leaving in a few days. I will go with them. They are family to me--they know how much I love Theliane. They will be silent."

            The Pharaoh nodded; he walked over to Kasuyan and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. "And the less I know, the better. I'll have my most trusted guardsmen help you with this hard task, my friend."

            Kasuyan nodded mutely, and then leaned his head against the golden mask. "Isis said that one day we will be reunited... but that two of their souls will be sent to another time. If one of them is Theliane... how can we see each other?"

            "Perhaps you two will spend some time together in the afterlife."

            "Her heart is lighter than a feather. I'm not certain about mine though..."

            "I am certain that Isis will intervene on your behalf," said the Pharaoh. "If there is anyone who should worry about Ammit devouring their soul, it is those who attacked us and anyone who dares to disturb the Sisters of the Moon."

            Kasuyan smiled weakly. "I will talk to the caravan, and bring them to the palace in the morning... so that we can make the necessary arrangements to..."

            "I know, Kasuyan." The Pharaoh turned and started to leave. He stopped and turned around. "You love for Theliane and hers for you, is very pure. Remember, the gods consented your union. Isis will keep her promise." With that said, the Pharaoh left the temple.

            "I can only hope so..." Looking down at the golden coffin he pulled out a flower from his tunic. It was a bit smushed but it was lovely and delicate. Resting it on his wife's sarcophagus he offered a prayer. "I hope we will met again Theliane. Isis..." he closed his eyes but still a tear fell even as he slowly made his way out of the temple. "Please... watch over them."

            Joey had no idea he was crying until he felt tears steadily running down his face. Lifting a hand he wiped at them but they still continue to fall. Damnit. Getting up he mumbled about needing to use the facilities and left without waiting for a reply. Going to the restroom he immediately went to the sink and turned the cold water on. Lucky for him it was empty at the time so he let the tears run free.

            A secret... Joey thought, raising his head to look at his reflection. They had to be kept a secret. Only the royal family of Egypt knew about them.

            The restroom door opened and Yugi walked in. "Joey, you alright?" the shorter teen asked when he saw his best friend.

            "Not really," the blonde replied, splashing cold water on his face and dried with paper towels. "Hey Yami, the Sisters of the Moon... their legend was only passed down in the royal family, right?"

            ~Yes,~ the spirit answered and appeared next to Yugi, looking surprised. ~The people were forbidden to ever mention them again and when the older generations passed on, their story went with them. How did you know?~

            "Malik's gotta call Ishizu--I have to talk to her."

            "How come?" asked Yugi.

            Joey looked at the two. "I know exactly where the Sisters of the Moon were buried five thousand years ago."

            "Malik!!"

            The blonde looked up as his name was called and was surprised to see Joey coming at him but he looked determined. "Joey, what's wrong?"

            Joey slowed to a stop before him, breathing a bit heavily but waved his hand. "I need to talk to your sister… I have something she has to know," he panted softly, trying to breathe.

            ~Oh now this I have to hear!~ Marik spoke up as he appeared next to Malik.

            "It deals with the Sisters of the Moon."

            Pale lavender eyes widen as Malik looked around and led Joey into an empty classroom. "What do you mean? We have everything we need to know about them so far."

            "Just answer me this, has Ishizu ever come across three gold sarcophagus with the image of Mother Isis engraved in the center?" he asked.

            "No… No I don't think so. Wait, Mother Isis? You mean the mummified remains of the Sisters of the Moon?" he asked in an awed tone.

            "Exactly!!"

            ~Wait how did you know they were mummified? For all we know their bodies could have been destroyed when they summoned the gods,~ the spirit said with slight doubt in his voice.

            "No they were mummified and were to be buried in three gold coffins with Isis in the center with a god underneath, a god they could summon!"

            "H-How do you know this?"

            "Because… in the past the caravan I was with took them so they could be buried in secrecy.  And I just remembered where they're buried."

            ~A caravan?~ Marik looked at Joey with a raised eyebrow. ~Why would the Pharaoh then allow the Sisters to be taken away by a caravan?~

            "My name was Kasuyan. Keriam's name was Theliane." Joey looked at both spirit and teen. "And they were married. Keriam is my wife!"

            "Oh Great Ra..." said Malik. "You've been hitting on a married woman..."

            Marik seemed to shrink away from Joey. ~Depends on your point of view...~ said the spirit.

            "But you do know exactly where they're buried," Malik said.

            Joey nodded. "I hope Ishizu travels light."

            "Why?"

            "Because the Sisters weren't buried in Egypt."

            "… You're kidding me, right?" But Joey just shook his head.

            "It was better because their tombs wouldn't be robbed by tomb raiders and thieves. I have to tell her about this."

            "Alright alright, we'll go directly to Kaiba's place and use his phone. Where's everyone else?"

            "Waiting at the gate. The girls have to work tonight but I didn't tell them. So far only you two, Yami, and Yugi know about my secret."

            Malik nodded. "Okay, let's go." They walked out of the classroom and headed for the main gate.

            ~Who would've thought that you'd beat Kaiba by two hundred years?~ Marik couldn't help the grin.

            "We're all getting out at eight," said Keriam.

            "Correct," said Tea.

            "And Seto will be sending the limo," said Cheri.

            Keriam and Tea looked at her. "Why the limo?" Keriam asked.

            "Why not?"

            "It's going to look a little odd for a limo to pick up three girls from Burger World and drive to Domino's very own youngest and richest tycoon," Tea answered.

            "It's all over the news I'm his girlfriend," Cheri said, "it even picked up business here."

            Keriam snorted. "No wonder you got more hours this week."

            "Hey it has its perks," she winked as they walked inside. Going to the back they changed in the locker rooms and clocked in for the evening.

It seemed like any other day as they took orders, cleaned up tables, made sure the area was clean and picked up. Tea took over the register as Keriam and Cheri wiped down some tables, restocked the napkin holders.

            "Another day, another dollar earned," Cheri sighed as she gathered the ketchup and mustard containers, going to refill them.

            "And sanity lost due to idiots," Keriam sighed as she stretched, and then picked up the used trays to be sent through the dishwasher.

            "Does anybody know what the boys are up to?" Tea asked as she wiped the counter. "Yugi, Malik, and Joey seemed like they had something very important on their minds."

            "Beats me," Cheri shrugged, capping the mustard container and opened the one for ketchup.

            "Maybe it's nothing but I just hope Joey doesn't try to harm Marik."

            "Try is right. Or maybe they've come up with a way to help defeat the brothers," Tea said.

            "But why not include us?" Cheri refilled the ketchup but when she tried to unscrew the next one it wouldn't turn. Frowning she pointed it at her and tried squeezing but it seemed jammed. So against her better judgment she squeezed harder and was reward with a splat. Keriam and Tea stared then laughed as they saw their friend covered in ketchup. They laughed harder when she tried glaring at them.

            "That is not funny," she growled, wiping the stuff off.

            "They're buried where?" Ishizu asked in disbelief.

            "Crete," Joey repeated into the phone, "in Greece, the little island just off the mainland."

            "Joey, I know where it is, but why were they buried there?"

            "I didn't see that part, Ishizu, but that's where they're buried. You have to believe me."

            "... I don't know why but something tells me to believe you," she said softly. "I'm book a flight there as soon as I can."

            Joey smiled and relaxed just a bit. "Thanks. When you find them you should also find records about what they did when they were alive."

            "A recorded history all their own. No wonder it was so hard to find anything about them, they wanted this is be kept in secrecy."

            "Secrets out. Just do me a favor, when you get to Crete and find them... let me know."

            "Secrets out. Just do me a favor, when you get to Crete and find them... let me know."

            "I will, Joey," Ishizu promised and hung up the phone.

            "Man, you knew how to travel," said Tristen.

            "Tell me about it," Joey replaced the phone back in its cradle.

            "Now what?" Seto demanded. "We just sit and wait for her to call back?"

            ~Not much of a choice, now, is there?~ Bakura said from within the Millennium Ring; he could feel Seto narrowing his eyes at him.

            Ryou folded his arms over the Ring as if protecting his darker half. "Anyways," he spoke, "when are the girls getting out?"

            "About half an hour," said Yugi.

            "I'm sending my limo to pick them up," Seto said.

            ~No offense, Kaiba, but I think somebody should go and meet them,~ Marik suggested ~just in case.~

            "And just who do you suggest go?"

            ~Us,~ Bakura said immediately. ~And us as in Ryou, Malik, me and Marik.~

            "Why you four?" Joey asked as he narrowed his eyes as well.

            ~In case the brothers attack we can better protect them."

            "Um Joey, why don't you come? Maybe you can tell the girls about what you say in your flashback," Ryou said hopefully.

            "I believe the last thing they need to hear is where their bodies from over five thousand years go are buried," Seto almost growled.

            "At lease their's are preserved," said Joey. "My skeleton's in there and mostly dust." He jumped back at what he just said.

            "Joey...?" Yugi looked at him.

            The taller boy opened his mouth to say something but the rush of memories flooded his mind. Joey fell to the floor and he scrambled back up against the wall, gasping and staring off into space with wide eyes.

            "Joey," Malik knelt beside him and put his hands on the trembling boy's shoulders. "It's alright. What do you see?"

            "...I couldn't live without her..." Joey said quietly. "...I drank poison... and was beside Theliane's sarcophagus in the tomb... holding a scroll..." He looked at Malik. "That scroll... its important..."

            "A scroll? Hey when Ishizu gets to Crete and locates them we ask if she finds a scroll and get it, okay?" Malik tried to calm him down but he looked lost and almost scared. "Joey?"

            Yugi slowly knelt to him and looked at his friend. "Will you be okay?" he asked softly.

            "I... I guess so..."

            "C'mon, maybe you should get some rest." The shorter boy help him up and led him upstairs as the others watched.

            ~Seeing yourself dying will do that to anyone...~ Bakura said quietly with a sense of remorse in his tone. ~All we can really do now is wait...~