Titan stood out on his bedroom balcony and looked out over his kingdom in disgust. The kingdom of Sudan was the most pathetic in the world, while the neighboring kingdom of Egypt flourished. Frankly, he was sick of it.

"Damn that stubborn Pharaoh," he muttered. "If he was out of the way, Egypt would be mine."

"There is a way." Titan turned around to see his mistress, Naria the Sorceress of Anarchy standing in the doorway. As she walked towards him, he began to speak.

"Naria, my love. You have seen something that I have over looked?" She nodded. "Tell me- what is it?" Naria ran her fingers through her fire red hair and her dark green eyes flashed as she smiled.

"Pharaoh Yami has a child," she said, plainly. "A daughter, Princess Koujo, whom he loves very much and would do anything to protect." Titan nodded.

"Anything is correct," he replied. "The Pharaoh probably has her under lock and key as we speak." Naria began to laugh.

"My Emperor, since when have locks been an obstacle for me?" Titan began to smile.

"Do what you must, my Sorceress, but I want her in my hands before the rising sun." Naria smiled back- it was more time than she needed.

That night, Yami woke with a start. He could hear a storm raging outside the palace walls, but that wasn't what woke him. Crying- there was crying coming from down the hall. He climbed out of his bed, lit a small candle and headed out into the hall. He began to walk towards Koujo's room, noticing that the closer he became the louder the crying got. Once he reached her room, he pushed the door open and walked inside. Her bed was empty and her covers were strung all over.

"Koujo?" he called softly. "Love, where are you?" A moment later, Koujo's head popped out from under the bed. As Yami suspected, her face showed signs of crying and she looked scared. Yami shook his head, then walked over to her bed. He set the candle on her bedside table, then picked her up off the floor.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed, lighting up the entire room, followed by a clap of thunder. Koujo jumped in fear and let out a whimper as she cuddled close to her father. Yami held her close and began rocking her back and forth.

"It's all right, Koujo," he whispered. "It's only a little thunder and lightning- it will be over soon."

"It's scary, Daddy," she replied, her face still buried in his chest. "Make it go away!" Yami sighed.

"That is not within my power to do, Koujo. It shall leave in due time." Koujo nodded, but didn't relinquish her tight grip. Yami bit his lip, then had an idea. "Koujo look." The young princess looked up to see something sitting on her father's head. It was a small brown ball of fur, with big dark purple and gold eyes, two small green hands and two small green feet. Koujo let out a happy gasp.

"What is it, Daddy?" she asked, excitedly. Yami smiled as he got the creature out of his hair and rested him in Koujo's arms.

"This is a Shadow Monster," he replied. "His name is Kuriboh."

"He's cute!" As Koujo hugged him, the small monster made a sound that was almost like a cat's purr.

"Kuriee," he said happily. Yami smiled- Koujo had quiet forgotten about the storm, which had now died down to a dull roar, and that was exactly what he had wanted. Moments later she was fast asleep, Kuriboh still in her arms, asleep as well. Yami shook his head, tucked his daughter back in under her covers, and headed back to his room.

"Sleep well, little love," he thought. "Sleep well."

The next morning, Yami awoke from what had been a surprisingly restful sleep. He had figured that he'd be up the rest of the night, waiting for Koujo's next cry. But the cry never came, and he'd slept like a log. He got out of bed, put on his cape and sandals and walked towards Koujo's room. The door was shut. He didn't remember shutting it last night. He knocked on it anyway.

"Koujo?" he asked. "Koujo, are you awake?" There was no reply. Yami pushed open the door. "Kou... Oh dear Ra."

The covers on the bed were missing. The only life in the room was Kuriboh- he was lying on the floor, injured and unconscious. Yami fell to his hands and knees as a strange power filled him- it was as though his blood had caught fire and the fire was fueled by the uncontrollable rage that had overcame him. His fists clenched together.

"Titan... Koujo..." Suddenly he let out a loud, angered yell. "NO!"

It didn't take much for Naria to slip into the palace- she didn't even need to use her magic. With the storm outside, the guards were relaxed, convinced that no one in their right mind would be out in such weather. Then again, no one had ever accused Naria of being sane. Either way, if getting in had been this simple, grabbing the princess and getting out would be a snap. She quietly walked down the hallways of the palace until she found the right room. She went inside and automatically saw the young princess. She was tucked safely into her bed with the covers up to her chin... and a Shadow Monster in her arms?

"I wasn't told I'd have to deal with his Shadow Monsters," she muttered quietly. "No matter." She snapped her fingers- Kuriboh went flying across the room, slamming into the wall with a force unimaginable. Just as suddenly, the blankets on Koujo's bed wrapped around her, making a sort of sack that trapped her inside. "My Emperor shall still have what he wants."

Koujo woke instantly and started to struggle with her blankets, trying to free herself. Seconds later, she felt herself lift into the air, which caused her to stop.

"Kuriboh!" she whispered, urgently looking for the monster. "Kuriboh, where are you?!" But he didn't respond- she was all alone. Koujo hugged her knees to her chest, buried her head into them and began to cry. "Daddy... Daddy, please help me."