"We go after her at first light." Jou looked up at Yami, wondering if he heard him right. "We go into Sudan and we get my daughter out."

"Pharaoh, are you sure that's wise?" asked Jou. "Going into Sudan unannounced could be seen as an act of war..."

"They've all ready started a war!" Yami yelled, angrily. "They came in here and took Koujo like she was nothing more than a pawn in some twisted game!" His eyes narrowed. "If it's a game he wants, then a game it shall be. Only this game, he shall not win."

Titan knew that Pharaoh Yami had received the scroll by now and wondered when he would reply. He didn't wonder what the reply would be- there was no way he would sacrifice his daughter for his people. He loved the child too much for that. Love- that was a wasteful emotion. Sure, he told Naria that he loved her, but he didn't mean it. Lust- he lusted over her and that was it.

"My Emperor." Speak of the Devil- Titan looked up to see Naria standing in his doorway. "My Emperor," she continued. "It would seem that Seto of the Dragon has sent a guardian to the young princess- a fairy. She will not allow anyone near her." Titan began to laugh.

"So," he said. "The Pharaoh's priest can protect the child, but he can not set her free. Typical." He looked a Naria. "Get rid of the fairy. I don't care how you do it, but get it done."

Wingweaver held a sleeping Koujo close to her and became worried. From what she'd been told, the princess was strong, full of wit and cunning. But the child in her arms seemed so frail and scared. It made no sense to her.

"No matter how she seems," the fairy thought. "I am her guardian. I shall be for all time." Koujo began to shiver, prompting Wingweaver to wrap her wings tighter around the two of them. The room was freezing- if the princess became ill, there would be hell to pay.

"How cute. I think I'm going to be sick." Wingweaver's head shot up and she looked towards the door. Naria stood there, a cold smirk on her face.

"Wingweaver?" Koujo had woken up moments before and was now looking at her guardian, a frightened expression on her face. "What's going on?"

"It is okay, my Lady," came the whispered reply. "Just be ready to run when I tell you, all right?" Koujo nodded as Wingweaver rested her on the bed. She then turned around and faced Naria. "You must get through me before you harm her, Sorceress. I warn you not to try." Naria began to laugh.

"What fear should I have of a mere fairy?" she asked. "Certainly you don't think you stand a chance against me?" Wingweaver wasted no words- she put her hands in front of her, forming a lustrous green light in her palms.

"Illumination Wave!" she exclaimed. The light burst from her palms, knocking Naria to the ground. "Run Koujo!" Koujo stared at her in shock for a moment, but then did as she was told, fleeing down the stairs as fast as she could.

"No!" yelled Naria, getting to her feet. She scowled at Wingweaver and let out a low growl. "This ends now- Arise, Black Skull Dragon!"

Out of nowhere appeared a black dragon with bone-like armor covering his entire body. Wingweaver stared at him in shock.

"Oh my God," she whispered.

"Now," commanded Naria. "Skull Flare Blast!" The Dragon opened his mouth. The blast shot foreword, hitting Wingweaver in the chest. She went flying backwards, slamming into the wall.

"I've done my part," she thought. "Lady Koujo is safe." Seconds later, she was gone.

Koujo ran as fast as she could down the stairs and out of the palace. She wasn't sure why anyone didn't follow her, but then again she didn't care. She just knew she wanted to go home. By now she was out in the sand far from Titan's palace, wondering what to do. Finally, she began walking again.

"I'm coming, Daddy," she thought. "I'll be home soon."

"You idiots!" Titan yelled at his guards. "You let her escape! How could you be so stupid!?" The guards cringed and looked at the floor.

"We are sorry, Emperor."

"Sorry doesn't cut it! She isn't worth a damn to me wandering the desert, so get out there and find her!" His guards nodded, then quickly left the room in search of the runaway. Titan turned to Naria, glaring. "I can't rely on them for anything, my love. Find the child. Now." Naria gave a nod and vanished, causing Titan to smile. If anyone could find the child, it would be Naria.

Seto had told him that he'd sent a guardian to protect Koujo, so Yami did feel slightly better... but not much. He now found himself in Koujo's room, sitting on her bed. In his hands was her small Tiger's Head staff. Seto had said that she would someday be a powerful Animal Sorceress, the Sorceress of the Tiger. If she lived through her lessons of course. Koujo had the tendency to light Seto's robes on fire, turn him into different animals and just plain make him mad. Yami knew the only reason Seto didn't kill her was because he would kill him.

"Pharaoh?" Yami looked up to see Seto standing in the doorway. "I have heard news from our people in Sudan- the Princess has escaped." Yami's eyes widened.

"She has?! Where is she, is she home, is she..." Seto shook his head.

"She has escaped, but no one knows where she is- she ran out into the desert and none have seen her since." Horrified, Yami looked out the bedroom window- the sun was nearly set. Tonight, there would be no moon and Koujo would be out there in the dark. He clasped his hands together, rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his thumbs. He then shook his head.

"Why her, Seto?" he asked. "I've already lost my mother, father, Tawnia..." He sighed, sadly. "I can't bare to lose her too- not Koujo." Seto was about to answer, when he noticed something he'd never thought he'd see. Tears- Yami was crying. "I can't lose my daughter..." Seto sat down next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. After thinking "I can't believe I'm doing this," he began to speak.

"You won't lose her, my friend." Yami looked up at him, shocked- did he hear him right. "Koujo is strong," Seto continued. "She may not seem it, but that little girl has a warrior's spirit and the heart of a tiger inside. She will be fine and she will return home." Yami wiped his eyes and gave a nod.

"You're right," he replied. "We will find her- and we start looking tonight."