Chapter 9 - Journey to the Shadows

"So!" Crimson said triumphantly. "We leave for the Shadow Realm tomorrow. Just make sure that ya'll dress appropriately."

"Why?" Téa asked.

"What do you mean, 'dress appropriately'?" Tristan asked.

"We've got to blend in with the Shadow Realm. What color do y'all think it is? I'll tell you, it's black." As she anticipated, she received groans from her friends. "I know you think it's a boring color, but if you want to survive, I suggest you do as I say and wear everything black. And bring nothing flashy. It's a dangerous place, the Shadows." Crimson yawned.

"So we meet back in Yugi's house tomorrow?" Bakura asked.

"Right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to catch some sleep." The others nodded too and got up. Téa, Tristan, and Joey left first. Bakura watched them, and then headed off to his house. Crimson stayed until she finished washing the cups. She stepped out of the kitchen when she noticed Kaiba leaving with Mokuba in his arms.

"Wait!" she cried. Kaiba stopped and turned around. His cold stare seemed to go right through her. "Y-You can't go back to your mansion. You said that Pegasus needs one of you. He's probably set guards on your mansion."

"Crimson's right," Yugi stated. "Who knows?"

"Then where can I sleep?" Kaiba asked.

"You can sleep with me," Crimson volunteered. Kaiba and Yugi gave her the worst kind of Look the one reserved for special purposes. "Okay, let me rephrase that... you can sleep at my house in a totally different bed in a totally different room. What do you say?" Kaiba thought for a moment.

"I have no other choice." Crimson smiled, but quickly erased it before anyone saw.

"Is that my bed?"

"No it's mine."

"I know that, Crimson, but where else can I sleep?"

"You want to sleep next to me?"

"I never said you were going to be in the bed with me."

"But we've got no other beds."

"My mansion has at least twenty bedrooms."

"Does it look like we're in your mansion?"

"Then where are you going to sleep?"

"I'm going to sleep in my bed. You can find a place you want to sleep in." Kaiba and Crimson glared at each other. Crimson had hoped the night would be an uneventful one, in which both of them fell asleep without an argument. But as soon as she got home unexpectedly early from a 'camp trip', her parents told her that the spare beds had been sold because they were getting new waterbeds soon.

"Okay, listen, here's the deal. Since we can't figure out who'll sleep in this bed, I've got a better plan. I've got two couches downstairs that can fold out into beds. We'll both have to use those."

"Fine." Crimson went off to change. She came back in a blue silk robe over a pale white nightgown. She ushered Kaiba to the living room. A big maroon leather couch sat right in the middle.

"That one is a stubborn one to pull out," Crimson said. She took off the cushions and tried to pull out the bed, but it wouldn't budge. She turned to Kaiba, who was taking off his trench coat. "Can you help, please?"

"Yeah, whatever." Kaiba finished unbuttoning his shirt. Crimson bit her lip. Don't take it off, please, or I'll never be able to do anything.

"Stop daydreaming and do your part." Crimson suddenly snapped back to her world. Kaiba had grasped one of the handles, leaning over ready to pull. His unbuttoned shirt fell loosely around his chest.

"I never realized you're so skinny," Crimson remarked. She immediately covered her mouth with her hand. Kaiba smirked and tightened his grip. "Uh...yeah, we should get pulling." They both tugged at the bed. It wouldn't budge. They used all their strength. Crimson couldn't help but yawn. Her eyelids grew heavy with every pull. Kaiba felt the same way. He was using all his energy to pull the bed, and he didn't have much to start with. Finally the bed sprang out, making Crimson lose her balance. She fell on top of Kaiba, who sprawled backwards on the ground.

"So...sleepy..." Crimson's eyes closed. Kaiba couldn't stay awake either. He fell right to sleep, with Crimson lying peacefully on top of his chest.

Bianca crossed her arms and leaned back. She was inside a huge Ancient Egyptian chamber. Her brother, Atem, had to talk to the High Priest Seth about some 'matters.' Bianca didn't care what it was about; she just wanted to go back to her room. It was boring staring at walls of ancient carvings, partly because she couldn't interpret them. Her attention fell on the High Priest. It was the first time she had seen him. Atem had made sure she was well protected inside the palace. Bianca barely had time to see anything. Atem suddenly walked up to her.

"I have something to check on for a while. It might take a couple of hours." Bianca rolled her eyes. "Stay with Seth until I return." Atem left the scene.

"That's new," Bianca thought. "I know Atem and Seth aren't the best of friends after hearing how my brother speaks of him." Bianca walked over to Seth, who was busy carving something in the wall.

"What are you doing?" Bianca queried. Seth paused a moment, clearly annoyed, before resuming his activity.

"Carving a picture of a Blue-Eyes." Bianca crouched down to watch him work. For a few minutes, he watched his hands. Slowly, however, her eyes found his face.

"Oh my gosh, he's quite good looking!" she thought. Seth kept working. He stopped in the middle. Without even taking his eyes from his work, he spoke to Bianca,

"Will you stop staring at me? It's really annoying and spooky at the same time." Seth continued his work. He heard Bianca mutter something about 'men' before walking off.

"You're Atem's sister, aren't you?" Seth asked. Bianca stopped walking. She tossed some of her pitch-black hair over her shoulder.

"Yes, I'm Pharaoh Atem's," she made sure to put extra emphasis on the Pharaoh part, "sister, Princess Bianca." She stood by the door and resumed her original pose, crossing her arms and leaning back on the wall.

"You can gaze upon my carving, if you wish, but not upon me. It's distracting."

"Then what's the point?" Bianca's jaw dropped as soon as the words left her lips. Seth got up from his crouch and looked at her curiously.

"I did not think I was the object of your interest. How did I catch the eye of one so beautiful as yourself?" Bianca flushed red. Just then, Atem walked in.

"I'm back, Bianca, are you ready to go back?" Bianca rushed to his side.

"Am I ever, this chamber is so...closed up. I find it hard to breathe."

"Is that why your cheeks are red?"

"No, I believe that's another reason which I'm not willing to discuss."

"What? Were you romancing with Set hin there?" Atem teased, poking his little sister in the shoulder. Bianca scowled.

"Very funny."

Over the next few weeks, Bianca found herself actually spending more time watching Seth carve his pictures. Sometimes he wrote words, other times he drew pictures. Yet, Bianca didn't pay too much attention to that. She just liked to watch Seth work. He always had a handsome, determined look on his face.

One time, Seth caught Bianca looking at him. Instead of chasing her off, he smiled and asked her opinion. He asked her for friendship as well, which she gladly accepted. Bianca doubled the time she spent with him, and Atem noticed this. He knew that Seth, even though a High Priest, had some bad qualities he did not want Bianca exposed to. He warned his sister about spending time with Seth, but she just told him he was silly. He figured a little friendship couldn't hurt, so he stopped worrying about the two of them being together.

Seth was in the back of the palace, one morning, out getting some fresh air. He found Bianca playing with a fish in a nearby pond. He sneaked up on her.

"Boo!" Bianca screamed and almost fell into the pond. Luckily, Seth caught her arm and pulled her away from the side of the water. Bianca glared at him.

"You jerk!" she cried.

"I'm sorry! It was an accident."

"You are such a jerk. I hate you!"

"Okay, Bianca. Maybe you should calm down."

"Whatever, jerk."

"Okay, Bianca. Now you're starting to get a little too far. You should watch your tongue. There's no reason to be angry."

"Yeah, whatever, double jerk."

"Now Bianca, I'm warning you."

"I'm not scared of you."

"I'd watch my tongue if I were you."

"I'm not scared!"

"Perhaps it's because you haven't known me too long. It hasn't even been a year."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

"I'm warning you."

"Shut up, jerk."

"I'm seriously warning you!"

"Maybe you should watch your tongue."

"Bianca!" Seth slapped her across the face. Bianca stood there, stunned for a moment. Then, she sunk to her knees in tears. Seth realized what he just did.

"Oh, Bianca! I'm so sorry!" He kneeled down next to her and lifted her chin. Tears poured down Bianca's cheeks.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you that." Bianca sobbed into Seth's chest. He wrapped his arms around her.

"I shouldn't have hit you. I'm sorry." Bianca sniffled as she wiped away her tears. She pulled away from his embrace.

"I'm okay." A new tear slid down Bianca's cheek. Softly, Seth kissed it away. His kisses moved down her cheeks and slowly found her lips. Before Bianca knew what she was doing, she found herself kissing him back. She leaned back and Seth pushed her to the ground. Bianca felt like she was in heaven...

"Bianca! What are you doing?" Atem's voice pierced the air. Bianca gasped and sat up...everything went black.

Crimson gasped and opened her eyes. As her eyes adjusted to the bright light, she found herself lying in the living room. Her vision seemed to move up and down and her ears rung with a weak, drumming noise. For a few minutes, she just lay there confused.

"Maybe I'm sick?" she thought. She heard a moan and something moved under her. Crimson still didn't get it.

"I didn't know a bed could move..." she lifted her head and met Kaiba's face at the same time he groggily opened his eyes and yawned. For a moment, they stared at each other, until...

Crimson screamed shrilly, backing up until she hit the metal edge of the bed. "Ouch!"

"What are you doing, Crimson?" Kaiba demanded, buttoning up his shirt.

"What are you doing?" They glared at each other.

"Honey, is everything all right?" Crimson's mom called. The pair heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"What now?"

"Hide?"

"Where?"

"Behind the bed!" Kaiba hid behind the couch and Crimson quickly arranged herself on top of the bed. Her mother came into view at the bottom of the stairs.

"Is everything okay? I heard you scream and a male voice." Crimson remembered that she hadn't told her mom about Kaiba coming over. She had only brought Mokuba to her mother, and Mokuba was on her bed. Kaiba was not part of the plan. He was too famous.

"Male voice? No mom, you must be imagining things. I had a nightmare, that's all." Crimson's mom scrunched her forehead.

"Whose trench coat is that?" she asked suspiciously, eyeing the coat sprawled on the couch. Crimson gasped silently.

"T-t-trench coat? What trench coat?" Her mother walked toward the garment.

"Crimson!" Kaiba whispered from behind the couch. "That has my company's logo on it!"

"Eek!" Crimson thought. She hurried to the coat before her mother could reach it and bundled it in her arms.

"Oh, that trench coat. It's my friend's. Yeah, he left it in my room and I just noticed. Remember?" Her mom shrugged and went back upstairs. Crimson sigh with relief. Kaiba came out from behind the couch once the coast was clear and took his trench coat back.

"I have to go back to my mansion for a few moments. I'm sure they won't notice if not more than five minutes."

"But if they're guarding it, how will you get in?" Kaiba walked over and looked Crimson right in the eyes.

"I have ways," he answered tersely. He put on his trench coat and left the house. Crimson crossed her arms.

"Men!" she muttered. "Now, about that dream..."

"So, we're all here!" Crimson exclaimed. She eyed Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan, Bakura, and Kaiba - him most warily - before going on. As she had instructed, they all wore black clothing. Yugi had worn a black sleeveless tee with navy pants; Joey had worn a black shirt over black jeans, identical to Tristan. Téa had worn a navy skirt and a black tank top, and Bakura had jeans with a black shirt and coat. Kaiba was wearing his normal trench coat attire, except all black. Crimson wore her black flares and a black ribbed turtleneck. Her hair was pulled back with a black ribbon. It fell all the way down to her hips.

"Okay, now, let's go to the portal. I left Mokuba at my house because he'll be safe there."

"One question: where is the portal?" Téa asked.

"In the graveyard of course, let's go." Everyone shifted uneasily but followed Crimson out the door nonetheless. Kaiba was the only one that didn't seem uneasy.

In a matter of minutes, they had reached the long-abandoned graveyard. No one had been buried there for over five years. Crimson led them right to the tallest grave marker. It had no markings at all.

"I hate this graveyard," Kaiba thought. "It brings back memories of my childhood, which I'd easily like to forget." Crimson went up to the marker and tapped on it three times. At first nothing happened, but soon a swirling black vortex opened before them. Lightning flashed across its surface.

"We have to walk through 'dat!?" Joey exclaimed. Crimson nodded.

"I told you, it's the only way..."

"We know...I'll go first," Yugi volunteered. With a deep breath, he stepped through the portal and vanished with a whirl of purple and blue. The others followed suit. Crimson was the last to step in through the shimmering portal. It closed up behind her.

"Pegasus sir, the kids have escaped the island, as well as the Kaiba brothers," Croquet informed a cranky Pegasus. The owner of Duelist Kingdom sighed.

"It is over then, my efforts have been in vain. Nevertheless, Yugi will somehow come back to save his grandpa. We'll just have to wait till the opportunity comes again for us."

"So, now that we're on land," Mai said. "We go our own ways." Mai nodded at Bandit before heading toward the street.

"My efforts might have been in vain," she thought, "but at least I'm alive. There are other ways to get rich after all."

"Pegasus," Bandit thought. "You may have escaped this time, but I will make you pay for how you humiliated me. We will meet again!" He headed off in the opposite direction.

The seven friends found themselves in a graveyard similar to the one they came from. Instead of a bright cheery sky and a slight wind, the graveyard was shrouded in a mysterious dark fog. Everything was dark.

"This graveyard is a mirror image to the one we came from," Crimson said. Everyone looked around.

"It's kind of spooky, isn't it?" Bakura admitted. Yugi nodded. Téa shivered.

"It's cold!" she muttered. Crimson inspected the gravestones.

"We must move on. The Shadow Realm is already a corrupted place. Who knows what will happen if we stay in the graveyard." She led the others down a path. They walked in a tight group just in case anything decided to pop out and scare them. Joey looked around the graveyard. It was very spooky to him. Suddenly, a creak sent him flying into his other friends.

"Did ya hear 'dat?" he whispered. The others stopped and looked around nervously. Another crack alerted Téa's ears. She yelped.

"It's over there!" The others looked to the left at a wide gap bare to the rock. Cracks were forming on it.

"I have a feeling this isn't going to be good!" Tristan said. They watched as the cracks multiplied. A hand emerged from under the ground. Téa shrieked.

"It's gross!" the hand was followed by an arm, followed by a zombie body and head. More emerged from behind it and surrounded the group.

"This isn't good," Crimson said. "This isn't good at all!"