Whoa... i think this may be the last chappie! NO!!!!! anywayz... im not very good at dragging stories on for a long, long time...

anywayz....

Me: another short-

Kagura3: yeah right

Mika-Juushousha: like anything you explain can be short!!

Me: HEY! *vanishes friends* ANYWAY.... another *short* note: the asterisk in THIS chappie (*) is after the description of the flower. (It's a little ways in...) Basically, a white daffodil. Read on ~_^

Jeshone: no, you didn't offend me!!! I was just saying i liked your review! I like it when people say things like that, so i know exactly what they were thinking! thank-you^_^ *huggles Jeshone*

I'm Still Dreaming

Chapter Seven

"We'll tell you if anything is discovered," Jei promised. Come couldn't say anything; she was too busy crying. Jei seemed beyond tears, however. His face was dry of tears, but his eyes were red.

"Thank you," Yugi said, and the sullen group walked home. They were excused from school that day because of this. Rain still poured straight down. They wandered into the park, and found a bench that wasn't soaking wet. It was underneath a thick willow tree, so hardly any rain got through.

"I wonder if Asenath really did capture her," Yugi said, rummagging through his back pack. Honda shrugged.

"This is getting really dangerous," Bakura said in his quiet manner. He coughed.

"Bakura?" Yugi said, looking at his friend. "You really shouldn't be out here in the rain." Apart from the fire he was in, he was already having problems with his breathing. Once at school he even started to cough up blood. There were times when - even though this almost never happened - he started to hyperventilate. He would be in danger of suffocating if this happened. They had all learned from Come what to do when this happened. However, Anzu was the best at calming Bakura down. She knew exactly where to put pressure on his lungs, whether he should be conscious or not, what position he should be in....

Bakura shrugged. "Anzu shouldn't be captured, but she is." Jonouchi had been silent. He was leaning forwards, his elbows on his thighs. His head was in his hands. No one seemed to notice that he wasn't entering into the conversation.

Yugi finally found what he had been looking for; his fathers notebook.

"What's that?" Honda asked, taking it from Yugi.

"It's a sketchbook," Yugi explained. "My father brought it with him on his last trip." Honda's expression turned to one of confusion.

"What did your father do? I don't even know," he said. Yugi smiled.

"He was an Egyptologist. He worked with Bakura's father." Yugi motioned towards the sketchbook. "He was an incredible drawer, so he sketched whatever he saw. He even imagined what people and places might have once looked like." Yugi grinned. "He was very accurate half the time."

"Really," Honda said, opening the book.

"Where did he go on his last trip?" Bakura asked.

"Egypt," Yugi said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, I know. But, last time I checked, Egypt was a pretty big place."

"Oh. I don't know. They had discovered some secret crypt deep in the Valley of the Kings... Some city was found there. No one knows where it is, since all traces of it's whereabouts were lost in the fire...."

"What?" Both Bakura and Honda asked, now interested in the story. Yugi sighed.

"A fire. My father, Otousan, and Bakura's parents were on an excavation together almost fifteen years ago. They found a lot of artifacts, including the Sennen Puzzle. Scholars today think that the city they found might have been where mou hitori no boku lived in the past. A hidden city right on the Nile..." Yugi cleared his throat and continued. "Lots of stuff was found about the Items, including a story about a boy and a girl. I think it might be mou hitori no boku and Asenath in the story. Anyway, my father sketched all of these artifacts in his notebook. Everything was stored in the basement of a museum.

"One night, while my father was locking up down there, a fire broke out. Everything was destroyed. The first thing that burned..." Yugi took a breath. He almost couldn't continue. Tears were starting to form in his eyes. A familiar aching rose inside his chest.

"Yugi..." Bakura started, "If you don't want to tell us...."

"N-no," Yugi stammered. "I'll tell you..." He collected himself, then started again. However, he couldn't hold his tears back for much longer.

"The first part of the room that burned was the only door out of there. He was under the ground, and there were only two small windows. My f-father t-t-tried to escape, b-but it was n-no use... He th-threw his notebooks out the window, j-j-just so they could remember e-everything they found..." Yugi wiped his eyes. Jonouchi was listening intently. His eyes closed, he felt like drifting off to sleep. He'd hardly gotten any last night....

"Ev-every-th-thing was destroyed. He burned in that f-fire with everything. Th-th-the only thing salvaged was the Sennen Puzzle, b-because it's indestructible..." Yugi took a deep, shuddering breath. He sniffed, tears falling down his face.

"Yugi," Honda said gently. "When did you first learn this?"

"A while a-ago," he said. "My m-mom told me. Otousan h-helped, too..."

"How is Otousan?" Jonouchi quipped suddenly. Otousan was in the hospital. Yugi shook his head.

"N-n-not good. He might d-d-die soon," Yugi said, wrapping his arms around himself. He closed his eyes.

"It's not fair," Bakura said softly. All three boys looked at him.

"What isn't fair, Bakura-kun?" Jonouchi asked.

"This," he said, looking Jonouchi straight in the eye. That's why it was hard to lie to Bakura, either of them; one of the only traits they both have is this penetrating stare, one that makes you feel like he knows exaclty what you're thinking.

"What?"

"Everything," Bakura proclaimed. "I never noticed it before, but all of us... Everyone who has been involved with the Sennen Items in some way... whether is has to do with the Sennen Puzzle or not... They've all lost someone dear to them."

Why was it Bakura always seemed to get everything before anyone else?§

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"St-stay away from me," Anzu whispered. She couldn't move. Asenath smiled an insane grin.

"Listen, Teanna," she spat, "I knew that you were hiding from me. I figured out that you created the story just so you could find Yugi and warn him, huh? Just because you shared my power...." Anzu was very confused. Obviously, there was another side to the story she didn't know. Asenath shook her head, still holding the dagger.

"Well, no one said you were that smart," she said. She smiled wickedly, looking at the dagger. "I can't believe you fooled me for so long. It's a good thing that the Reprimand affected you, too, even though you had died long before I cast it. Hmpf." She pulled out the dagger's sheath.

"Well, Teanna," she said icily, "You should have known that my brother's protector would come after you. Yet you went and killed him anyway..." she laughed. Her laugh sent a chill down Anzu's spine.

"So, Teanna? How does Yugi die this time? Huh? Since you saw it happen, you decided that that one vision you saw must be important, or the Gods wouldn't have given it to you. Well? How does he die?" Asenath waited. Anzu finally found her voice.

"I'm not her," she squeaked. "I'm not the person who you think I am. And... What are you going on about?" Anzu sat up a little. Asenath sheathed her dagger, to Anzu's relief.

"You... Are you her reincarnation then?" she asked, not thinking twice about it.

Anzu nodded. Asenath smiled, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"Even better. Since I know that Teanna is hiding from me...." She laughed once more. Anzu winced as if Asenath had struck her. Asenath grabbed onto the handle of the dagger, and pulled gently. Anzu was trying to stand up.

"Well, girl," Asenath said, venom dripping from her voice, "You will die the same way she did three thousand years ago...."§

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Yugi, Honda and Jonouchi looked at each other, surprised. Bakura nodded.

"It's true. I noticed it before."

"Really?"

"Yes." Yugi leaned against the back of the bench. He shoved the sketchbook back into the bag.

"Jonouchi?" Honda said suddenly. "You've been very quiet...." Jonouchi shrugged. He stared across the street to a set of large, marble steps. He could see Isis's figure walking around in the rain at the top, clearly waiting for someone. Jonouchi's eyes went wide.

"You guys..." he said, standing, his eyes still on the steps.

"What?" the other three asked, standing up also. Jonouchi pointed.

The large, granite building across the street from the park was the Domino Museum.

"The museum..." Jonouchi started.

"What about it?" Honda asked. Jonouchi bit his lower lip.

"I think Anzu's there."

"WHAT?!" They all looked at the building. Isis looked relieved, then frantic again. She must have thought whomever she was waiting for had arrived already, then she realized.... They didn't.

"How would you know that?" Honda asked, slightly suspicious. Jonouchi turned away from them, still ashamed at what Jono had forced him to tell.

"What is it, Jonouchi?" Bakura asked. His eyes bore right into Jonouchi's, making him shiver.

"Well.... Asenath.... It seems that my past self, Jono, he.... really liked her, and was her spy.... kinda. Asenath used that to her advantage last night.... She showed up at my apartment while Dad was out - and then Jono forced me to tell her where the Prayers to the Dead and the Pharaoh's sword were located." Jonouchi closed his eyes. "I think she's gonna use them somehow." Then he whispered, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Jonouchi," Bakura said, placing his hand on Jonouchi's shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"Isis is there," Yugi said. "We should go meet her..." The foursome ran over and up the steps to where Isis stood waiting. When she saw them, a look of relief spread over her face. She seemed pretty frantic.

"Oh, Yugi! Bakura, Jonouchi, Honda... Help!"

"What is it?"

"Asenath... Sh-she's in the basement with Anzu!"

"Wha...?"

"I called Maho, I didn't know what to do, I... I..." she buried her face into her hands.

"Isis..." Yugi said. He became serious again. "Lead us there."

"What?" Isis practically screamed. "Are you crazy? She tried to kill Anzu! She might try you next!"

"I have to tell her something!" Yugi explained. "Teanna told me to! It's too much to explain right now... Please let us in before she kills Anzu!"§

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Anzu screamed as Asenath lunged at her. She managed to dodge the attack, but Asenath came at her again. She grabbed Anzu's wrist.

"Lemme go!" she yelled, attempting to kick Asenath. Asenath was seven years older and about three thousand years wiser then Anzu, though, she easily dodged the assault. She managed to bring the girl to the floor again. Anzu readied herself for the dagger...

"ANZU!" Yugi yelled from the top of the stairs. He ran down them, Jonouchi right behind him, and stopped near the Prayer.

"Asenath!" Jonouchi gasped, backing up. Honda ran up behind Jonouchi.

"Don't move!" Asenath cried at the same time as Anzu. A strong, unseen force hit Jonouchi, Yugi, and the others. Jonouchi tried to recover, but found he couldn't move. He was frozen! Honda, Bakura, and Isis were all frozen as well. Bakura had still been running down the stairs. The only one who wasn't frozen was Yugi, and that was because he had the Puzzle's protection. Asenath snarled at him. Yugi moved a tiny bit.... The dagger was right in front of Anzu's throat.

"One more move, and she dies," she hissed. Then she smiled. "Actually, one more breath!" Suddenly, Yugi couldn't breathe. His lungs! They were frozen! Yugi backed up against wall and slid down it, clutching his throat. He didn't know how long he would last without air.... Yami was shut off from Yugi. He was doing something entirely different from what was happening.

He approached the flowered door, and extended his hand to the handle. His fingers touched it, but he didn't grip it. He wasn't sure if he wanted to open it or not. He pulled his hand back, then outstretched it again. He gripped the handle, and started to push down on it...

"Mou... hitori no... boku...."

Yami jumped and let go of the handle. He spun around and ran to the center of his soul room.

"Aibou!" he cried, his eyes darting around the room. He could hear a strangled sound, but he didn't know what was wrong. He ran to his soul room door, and grabbed the handle.

It wouldn't open. Yami panicked. I can't go out! he thought, frightened. If he couldn't leave the Puzzle, then he couldn't help Yugi. And Yugi could really use the help right about now...

"Yugi...." Jonouchi whispered. Yugi was crouched on the floor, holding his throat. He had a pained look on his face, and he was becoming very pale. Asenath held the dagger closer to Anzu's throat.

"Well, girl," Asenath hissed, "Seems to me as if you have more power then I first thought. Freezing your friends so they don't get killed? Smart move." Anzu looked up at her, then looked over at Yugi. She winced as she watched him struggle to breathe.

"D-dont..." she whispered. Her eyes darted towards Bakura. If she decided to freeze Bakura's lungs... Yugi would most likely be okay, even though something deep in her said he wouldn't. But, if she did... Freeze Bakura-kun's lungs, then.... Anzu gulped.

Bakura would die.

Asenath followed Anzu's gaze toward Bakura, who was frozen on the stairs. Isis was right behind him. She watched him closely, to see why Anzu was staring at him. She concentrated on his breathing, and noticed he was taking short, strained gasps.

He's weak, Asenath thought. He doesn't breathe well. She nodded towards Bakura, and extended the arm that was holding Anzu down.

Bakura blinked, confused. Then he started to tremble. He was still frozen, and now he.... Anzu gasped as she figured it out. His lungs were frozen!

"Hmm," Asenath said, examining Bakura. "You can break that if you want to..." She moved the dagger away from Anzu's throat. Anzu closed her eyes in silent thanks. Asenath let the girl go, then grabbed her wrist.

"Anyone moves," she warned, "And I'll stab her." Anzu closed her eyes. It would have been better if she slit her throat. At least that way she would know when Asenath would attack. But this way....

Suddenly, a flash of light came from Bakura's body. He fell onto the his knees, and fell down the last of the stairs. He was on all fours, facing the floor, struggling to breathe. He was trembling terribly now, and he was pale, too. Isis knew that she could break the hold Asenath had, but she feared for Anzu's life.

Asenath sniffed.

"He doesn't count," she said. "It would be pointless. He'll be dead soon anyway." Anzu gasped. She opened her eyes and looked over at her friends. Honda was looking at Bakura, Jonouchi was watching Asenath, and Yugi was, thankfully, still conscious. He wasn't shaking as hard as Bakura, but he was in obvious pain.

"He'll most likely die too," Asenath said, nodding towards Yugi. Anzu bit her lip to keep herself from crying. Yugi was sitting against the wall, his entire body tensed. Then, slowly, Yugi's hands dropped to his sides. His body relaxed; his face relaxed, too. He lay there, white as a ghost, not breathing. He had lost consciousness, and Yami was still trapped.

Jonouchi couldn't hold back. He struggled as hard as he could, and found that he could move. He ran to Yugi and caught him before he hit the floor. With this sudden burst, Honda and Isis could move as well, too.

"No!" Isis cried, her hands over her mouth. "Anzu!" Asenath raised the dagger, and Anzu braced herself. Honda ran forwards, and attempted to push the dagger away. He succeeded. He skidded across the room, proud of himself. But it didn't matter, for Asenath pulled another dagger out of her other boot. She raised it, and said,

"Now you'll die.... Just like she did." Anzu closed her eyes. Then, suddenly, there was the sound of slicing flesh, and Anzu cried out in pain. She fell forwards onto the floor, pain writhing through her body. She fould feel her heart picking up pace. She hovered between conscious and unconscious, and a pool of blood formed around her head and body.

"Yu......Gi...." she muttered, and her head hit the floor, splashing up blood. Asenath pulled the dagger out of her back. The end glittered with dark blood. Anzu was still breathing, but her breaths were strange. It sounded as if she were breathing blood.

"Anzu....." Isis said, gripping the wall. Asenath stood, and walked through the puddle of blood towards Yugi. She crouched in front of him, and pushed Jonouchi away. She placed her fingers on the Eye on the Puzzle, and then stepped back.

A bright, golden light suddenly overtook Yugi's body, so he was comepletly submerged in golden light. Jonouchi stared, his eyes widened. Isis was holding Bakura in her lap. The boy had finally lost consciousness.

"You bitch," Jonouchi murmured, and stood up. He was the same height as Asenath. He growled, now clearly pissed. He lunged at Asenath, punching her in her stomach. Asenath, taken by surprise, thrust back, hitting Jonouchi's face. He stumbled backwards into Honda, holding his cheek. Asenath looked down at Anzu.

"Bitch!" Jonouchi yelled, running towards her.

"Hmpf." She held out her hand. A sudden force stopped Jonouchi in his tracks, and then he flew backwards. He hit Honda and then they both hit the wall.

"Ohh..." Honda muttered, pushing Jonouchi off of him. Asenath smiled at the dagger. A cobra was wrapped around the blade. It was made of silver, like the dagger, and it was 3-D. Two glittering red jewels were it's eyes. They seemed to watch Jonouchi's every move.

Isis bit her lip, then looked down at Bakura. She pushed his hair back from his forehead. He was very pale, but he had started to breathe again. Isis was able to break the spell on him. She looked over at Anzu's unmoving form. The blood had stained pretty much most of the floor in the side of the hall. Isis shivered.

Asenath wondered if she should worry about the girl. Nah, she thought. She'll be dead soon anyway. Asenath held the stained dagger up to the fluorescent lights.

"This dagger.... Was the Pharaoh's worst enemy," Asenath said, smiling. She tapped the cobra.

Isis gasped.

"Yes, my dear," Asenath said, not looking at Isis. "A dagger from the Resistance. There was always something from the Resistance worth taking." She placed her fingers on the 3-D cobra.

"Three thousand years ago," she started, "when my brother came to the throne, these daggers were made as part of the Resistance against him. They filled these little hollow cobras with cobra venom. Whenever you stabbed someone with the tip, they were injected with the venom." She turned it around, examining it. "A neat little invention, I think." She was standing next to Anzu, so if anyone tried to get to her, Asenath could easily stab her again. Jonouchi knew enough about stabs and knives to know Anzu would live.... for now. Another stab would finish her. So he tried to distract her.

"Why cobra venom?" he asked, standing up. Asenath looked him in the eye.

"My brother was allergic to venom," she said. "So one stab with this and he would be dead in minutes. Clever, ne?" Jonouchi had to admit yes, that was clever.

"Not clever enough, though," said a voice from behind Asenath. "I was never once stabbed with one of those." Asenath spun around, her long braid swinging. She was face-to-face with her little brother.

Yami was standing behind her, hands on his hips, staring at her in an icy way. He was staring at her the way she would to them. Asenath smiled. She backed up a little.

"Well, hello," she said in a surprised voice. "I thought my sealing spell worked."

"It did," Yami said, taking everyone by surprise. "If it weren't for another way out of the Puzzle... I would still be trapped in it." Yami slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. Jonouchi kept his eyes on Yami as he was ringing out the hem of his pants. (They had been stained with Anzu's blood.)

"Well?" Asenath said, frowning at Yami. "How did you get out, then?" Yami pulled something from his pocket. Asenath gasped, a frightened look on her face. She backed up a little, splashing blood into the air.

Isis gasped, her hands over her mouth. Jonouchi and Honda looked at each other confused. Yugi, conscious in his soul room, gasped as well.

Yami was holding a white flower with long petals in his hand. It had a yellowish pinkish center, and short, green leaves(*). He held it in front of him. Asenath blinked. The string around her neck suddenly flashed, and she pulled out the Sennen Card. She took it off form around her neck and held it close to her heart, biting her lip.

"Teanna," Isis breathed in a whispery voice.§

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yesh... wow im writing these chappies fast!^_^

HEY!!! GET BACK HERE!!!! *runs after cat**returns* uhhh... sorry. my cat was sitting on my bed while i was writing this and then he just walked away... yesh anyway...

i wonder if anyone actually READS these random things at the bottom.... probably not.... i finished writing this on 11/17/03. this chappie, anyway... i JUST put up chap 6... and ive ALREADY STARTED chap 8!

I've noticed something.... my chappies have gotten longer and longer and longer... it just continues on and on... im gonna wait a whilez to put up this chappie! Once, though, i wrote an ENTIRE pokemon story and then divided it into *goes and counts chappies in C'est Lavie*....13. WHOA. hey im gonna go read that story! mebbe i'll put it up!

Well, im off to see Scary Movie 3! CIAO!

Shibby-One