~*Most Wanted*~

            It had been days ever since Yugi was burned. Yami, Tea, Ryou and Shadi were in the caves hidden deep in the forest. Ryou was carrying Hotaru's body while Shadi carried the urn that contained Yugi's ashes.

            "Hey," Tea looked around as they entered the caves. "Where's Reverend Kaiba and Mokuba? Shouldn't they be here too?"

            "Reverend Kaiba couldn't bear to see his sister buried. Mokuba is still in shock not only because of Hotaru but what had happened to Yugi." Yami lit up a torch as they went further down the caves.

            "I am surprised you would dare to come along Yami." Ryou swung Hotaru's body over his shoulder, stroking her back.

            Shadi looked over Ryou, "I wouldn't be too attached to the child already." He spoke.

            "Force of habit." Ryou spoke softly. "Me, you and Ishizu raised her ever since she was born. Her mother died of childbirth after all."

            "Ah yes, I remember that fateful day." Shadi stopped right in the middle.

            Yami, Tea and Ryou stopped where Shadi stood. The caves were at its darkest except for the small fire that lit Yami's torch.

            "Why did we stop here?" Tea looked around.

            Shadi glanced at Tea. "Yugi and Hotaru had always played about right in these parts when they were kids. A secret hideout you can call."

            "Does Kaiba know this place?"

            "Nay, he has not. It's unfortunate that they were not in these parts the night they were captured." Shadi then found a hole on the ground deep enough to put a dead body. Ryou knelt down, gazing at Hotaru's pale face for a long time.

            "Never have you killed a child, have you not?" Shadi placed a hand on Ryou's shoulder.

            "I have killed children but none I have grown close to." Ryou placed her body in the hole. Shadi then placed the urn close to Hotaru, then used one of her arms to hold it close to her chest.

            Tea stood a few feet away, tears streaked down her face, her back leaning against the cave wall. The short memories of how she happened to run into Yugi and the time she spent with him at the markets. He was the first person she had met and befriended. Now he's gone. Her eyes shifted to the ground, not wanting anyone to see her tears. Yami knelt beside the hole, gazing at the urn inside the whole nearly collapsing inside but Shadi caught him.

            Ryou took a glance at Tea, making his way towards her. He noticed the tears continuing to form from her eyes. He ran his fingers through her hair, placing his other hand on her shoulder. Tea looked up at Ryou for a long moment. She then started sobbing, burying her face in her hands. Ryou pulled her close to him, feeling her tears soaking through his clothing, her face pressing against his chest. With one arm wrapped around her waist, the other massaging the back of her head, trying to calm her down.

            Shadi knelt beside Yami, looking into the hole as well. He then placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard Yami."

            "You're damn right it's hard." Yami snapped. "I lost Serenity and now I lose my own brother."

            Shadi nodded slightly before turning to Ryou. "Ryou?"

            "Yea?" Ryou looked up.

            "We'll spend the night here. You go back to the reverend's home or he will get suspicious."

            Ryou nodded, slowly releasing Tea. He lifted her chin up, looking at her briefly before turning around. "Aye, I understand. I know where this may go." With his hands slowly tucked into his pockets, he turned around disappearing into the darkness.

            "I guess it's a good idea to spend the night here." Tea hadn't moved an inch. "I don't know if I'm able to go back to the village after what happened."

            "Join us Tea." Shadi built a small fire. Tea made her way towards Yami as the two sat across Shadi. Yami gazed into the fire, tossing a small twig. He felt someone watching him. Looking up, he noticed Shadi watching him.

            "Ishizu was right." Shadi tilted his head to the side.

            "What was she right about?" Yami kept his eyes on him.

            Shadi took out a deck of playing cards, shuffling it. "That you two were meant for each other. You and Tea that is. Despite that you're an incubus though, do you love her is what I wonder."

            Yami looked down at Tea before turning back to Shadi. "According to your cards, you should know the answer by now."

            Shadi placed down a few cards into the shape of a cross looking at it for a long time before looking back at Yami. "So I see." He then placed the cards back into his pocket.

            "What did you see?" Yami looked at Shadi. Shadi remained quiet as he started to meditate. He then opened his eyes, taking out a wooden flute, playing a soft melody.

            "Do you mind?" Yami glared at him.

            Shadi stopped playing, looking up at Yami calmly. "What I saw in the cards is something hard to believe. Lot of things will happen your within your relationship with Tea and the village of Salem."

            "Such as?" Tea spoke up in a long while.

            "It is something I cannot say my child." Shadi glanced at her. "I can only tell you that there will be a certain test put between you two."

            "What kind of test Shadi?" Yami started to shake him as hard as he could.

            Shadi gazed at Yami for a long while before closing his eyes, collapsing on him. Yami instantly got ticked off, shaking him harder. "Shadi? SHADI!! Damn you!"

            "What's wrong with Shadi?" Tea looked at the two.

            Yami glanced at Tea before laying Shadi down. "He's sleeping." He looked down the hole, holding three fingers out, chanting something. Suddenly, vines started to grow, concealing the hole.

            Tea yawned, resting her head on a smooth flat rock, curling her body. Yami made his way back sitting beside her. He lifted her hair from her face, smiling. With his hands, he gently lifted her, placing her on his lap. He watched her squirm and tense slightly before nuzzling her head against his stomach. Yami massaged her head before he too laid on the ground, his head resting on her chest, his arms draped over her. As he fell into a dark sleep, he felt Tea's arms wrapped around him. He looked up at her, whispering. "Hey Tea?"

            Tea released a slight groan, replying weakly. "Huh? Wha…?"

            "Are you still sleeping?"

            "I was just having a nice dream. That is until you disturbed it."

            "I apologize for that." He fell back asleep.

            "Hey Yami?"

            Yami scooted slightly until his head touched her shoulder. "Yeah?"

            "I know it is rather unusual to ask but do you think we'll ever get married?"

            To this, Yami's lips curled into a smile. "What makes you ask such?" he stroked he cheek.

            "I just had this strange dream. You and me were sitting on a rooftop and…yeah. It's not that I want to get married or anything yet."

            "Marriage is a thing that takes time to think over," he kissed her on the cheek. "Love, however, has its ways of revealing its eternal bliss." Yami then leaned forward pressing his lips against hers, kissing her passionately before he slowly broke it off. "Get to sleep."

            As he laid atop of her, not too far away stood Chibi-Usa, looking at the two, horrified to see what was going on. Tears streaked down her face as she made her way out of the caves. Right when she was outside, she started to cry, making her way home. Standing in the middle of the living room, she took out a flask,

            "Oh Yami," she muttered under her breath. "How could you, you son of a bitch? That little carnivore Tea doesn't deserve you one bit. You will pay for this, I promise." Tilting her head back, she poured in the contents of the vial into her mouth, swallowing whatever her tongue had caught.

            Just then, Rei, Usagi, Minako, Hikaru and Umi entered the house.

            "Hey, Chibi-Usa?" Hikaru ran towards her. Chibi-Usa turned towards them, weakly gazing at them before collapsing. Hikaru and Usagi managed to catch her before she touched the floor.

            "Chibi-Usa?" Rei made her way towards her. "What's going on?"

            Chibi-Usa tried to speak, a dark red liquid oozing out of her mouth. "Yami…Tea…Shadi…demons…"

            "Chibi-Usa," Umi knelt beside her. "What are you trying to say?"

            "Demons…" Chibi-Usa's hand stroked Umi's face before her hand fell to the ground, her eyes closed.

            "Chibi-Usa!" Usagi jumped towards them, screaming. She grabbed the pink-haired girl, shaking her violently. "Chibi-Usa, wake up! If you're just playing around, you can stop!" All was silent for a moment. Chibi-Usa didn't stir. Usagi started screaming at the top of her lungs, shaking Chibi-Usa as hard as she could. "Chibi-Usa, wake up damn it! This isn't funny anymore!"

            Minako placed her hand on Chibi-Usa's forehead before gasping.

            "What is it Minako?" Rei ran her fingers through her hair.

            "Reichel…" Minako gazed at her friend.

            "It's been a while since you've called me by my real name." Rei turned to Minako.

            "Her body, it's as cold as ice." Minako said sadly.

            "That can't be!" Rei reached out, placing her hand on Chibi-Usa's forehead. "Then that would mean she's…" her voice softened. "Dead."

            "You lie Reichel! Please tell me you lie!" Usagi started to cry.

            "We'll head for Reverend Kaiba's home this instant." Hikaru stood up. "Usagi, you shuld head for Makoto's home and tell her and Ami everything."

            "She's right Usagi," Rei looked at Usagi before picking up Chibi-Usa. "She is, after all, your sister."

            Usagi nodded as she headed out the door.

            "How long is Shadi going to be gone?"

            Reverend Kaiba, Mokuba, and Ryou were sitting in the kitchen drinking tea. The night continued to tick away as Ryou gazed out the window.

            "He did not tell me of his return or where he had went." Ryou replied. Suddenly, a knock came about the door. Ryou slowly made his way to the door but Kaiba grabbed him by the arm.

            "Just wash the dishes Ryou. I will answer." Kaiba watched Ryou taking the cups to the sink while heading towards the door. Opening it, he was surprised to see the circle show up. "What brings you girls here at this late of night?"

            "Oh Reverend Kaiba, it's horrible!" Minako cried out. "Chibi-Usa…she's dead."

            "Say what?" Kaiba was stunned. Rei had draped Chibi-Usa's body over her shoulder.

            "My good reverend," Umi spoke up. "Before she passed on, she mentioned that Tea, Yami, and Shadi had something to do with this."

            Silence hung in the air. Kaiba was too stunned to say anything. Finally, he spoke softly. "Do I have your word on this girls? Is what you speak the truth?"

            "Yes m'lord!" They all fell to their knees, crying for the loss of Chibi-Usa.

            "Fucking bitches," Ryou muttered under his breath as he scrubbed the dishes. "Nothing but dirty tramps."

            "Mokuba looked up at Ryou, surprised that he would talk that way. "Ryou?!?"

            Ryou didn't look up at Mokuba as he placed some of the dishes on the rack. "The truth hurts sometimes," he spoke soft enough to not let Kaiba hear. "Nothing but lying serpents."

            "Then why don't you explain how Chibi-Usa died." Mokuba whispered.

            "Very well. A simple, yet deadly, homemade poison created by yours truly. That little whelp came to me practically begging for one."

            "This is getting out of control." Mokuba gazed at the circle in shock. "This has to end."

            Meanwhile, Kaiba touched the heads of each of the girls. "I will pray over you along with the other priests that the soil you have received from the demons shall be removed and let the Lord shroud you girls with the cloak of protection and strength," he then turned to his brother. "Mokuba?"

            Mokuba looked up. "Yes Seto?"

            "Remind me to have a death warrant posted up for Shadi, Yami and Tea."

            Mokuba was shocked at what his brother had just said. He knew Kaiba and Yami hadn't gotten along very well but it was just too much. "Seto, have you gone mad?"

            "Apparently not." Kaiba glared at Mokuba. "Now do it!"

            Mokuba sighed sadly, sliding off his chair. "Yes Seto."

            "M'lord," Ryou placed the last dish on the rack. "Tis all right if I leave? I have personal matters to attend to."

            "Huh?" Kaiba's attention shifted from the girls to Ryou. "Ah yes, you are free to go."

            Ryou nodded wiping his hands with a rag before exiting.

            Mai was unable to fall asleep as she sat on her bed, gazing out her window at the empty streets.

            "So many nights that innocent people have been killed." She then heard footsteps. With a shaking hand, she lit up a candle, startled to see Ryou right in her room. "Ryou? What in god's name…"

            "I need your help Mai…" he slowly approached her, dressed in a black cloak.

            "How could you come through my door?" Mai scooted back.

            "It's a long story." Ryou replied.

            "All right, let's just forget about this. What's going on?"

            "The circle has named their newest victims."

            "Yeah…so…?" Mai wasn't getting it.

            "Unfortunately, it's Tea, Yami, and Shadi."

            Mai was shocked, unable to form a sentence. "You…you can't be telling the truth."

            "Aye," Ryou nodded. "But I do speak the truth. Apparently, their leader Chibi-Usa had passed on and the circle seem more vengeful than ever."

            "How did Chibi-Usa die?"

            Ryou smirked at Mai. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

            Shadi woke up seeing the night sky. The fire slowly became dim. He looked over at Tea and Yami, noticing that they were entangled in each other's arms.

            "Cute…" Shadi tossed in another stick, causing the flames to grow. "Very cute indeed."

            "Shadi," a familiar voice called out in his mind.

            Shadi's eyes widened. "Ryou?"

            "Shadi, get yourself, Yami, and Tea out of Salem."

            "What's going on?"  

"The circle has named you, Yami and Tea demons. I believe it is because Chibi-Usa poisoned herself. I sent Mai with another horse and carriage."

"All right, I thank you for letting me know." He then slowly got up, making his way towards Yami, shaking him slightly.

            Yami's eyes opened slightly. "Tis morning already Shadi?"

            Shadi shook his head. "Nay Yami, tis nay morn but we are in grave danger. Chibi-Usa has died and before death embraced her, she named us all three spawns of Satan."

            "That whelp!" Yami clenched his fist, unable to believe what Shadi had just said.

            "I am told that they will come early morn. Tis best if we are to leave early."

            Yami nodded. "Tis best we leave now. Perhaps we will be able to leave Salem by morn." He then stood up, picking up Tea as the two made their way out of the caves only to find two horses. One of them had a cart filled with clothes and belongings.

            "Ryou seems to know everything." Yami smiled a twisted smile.

"He was the one who informed me of what has happened." Shadi climbed atop one of the horses.

Yami placed Tea on his back, carrying her as he too climbed atop the horse with the carriage. "Let's go."

            Shadi nodded. "We must flee immediately." The two then rode into the night.

            By the time of the rising sun, the three of them were out of Salem and in the fields. There laid two paths that led two different places. Shadi turned to Yami. "We must part ways here. Tis the only way."

            "You think we will meet once more?

            "Nay, I cannot say for sure. Ishizu and I taught what you need to know and you know much of the tarot cards and dark arts.

            Yami nodded once more. "Aye, I know." The two then took each path and separated.

~*To Be Continued*~