The Cross Roads

It was a scream, his unconscious heart-wrenching scream that brought her to open her ocean blue eyes. She closed them again. Yugi, they were hurting him, she couldn't watch. But she had to stop them from hurting him.

Her eyes burst open and she screamed, "leave him alone, his is too innocent, don't you hurt him." Tea yelled at the rare hunters as they whipped Yugi. He was tied to two large stakes, and was suspended in the air in the center. He was still unconscious. "How dare you do this to him! He has done nothing to you." She yelled, and was soon quieted by a slap across her cheek.

It hurt so badly that her head was sent flying back against the table. She looked up through hurt eyes and saw that her attacker was Bakura. "Hold your tongue,"

'Oh.' Tea thought whishing her heads were untied so she could give Bakura a thrashing he wouldn't soon forget. Too bad that wasn't the case for she was tied up and she was helpless. She winched at each crap of the whip. "Okay stop it!" she yelled "you like deals right?" she closed her eye tightly as Bakura lifted his hands once more.

"Wait!" Marik yelled at Bakura and walked over to Tea, "what did you have in mind?" he asked

"I know you are planning to sacrifice Yugi. So take me instead, and I will do what ever you want. Just stop hurting him." tears slid from her eyes as she truly meant it. She had to save Yugi no matter what.

"I see. Fine, no harm with come to him, but I will keep him just in case you change your mind." Marik said "Bakura, untie him and put him somewhere safe." Marik ordered and turned back to tea, here's the plan, my desert mouse." He said

On the way

Yami ran as fast as he could, he had to get Tea back, he never knew how much he needed her until that very moment. Even if the world came to an end, he would not want to face it if it meant losing her so he ran faster.

His legs where numb and his lungs in fire, but he had to get to her. He promised her that they would go back together and that was one promise her intended to keep. Yami began to slow down when her heard his friends call him. He stopped and turned to See Joey, Tristan and Seth. "I told you to split up, what are you doing?"

"How could you think that I would fall for that? I know you know where you are going, you know where she is." Seth said

"You know me too well." Yami said "but there is still no time for this, we have to help her."

"Who do you have to help?" Came Tea's voice from behind Yami. He turned and smiled, but frowned again when he saw her face.

"Who has touched you in such a hurtful manor?" Yami asked as he lightly traced her bruise.

"Well, I fell out of bed and I went off to find something I had lost and now I'm back, "she lied, "So who are we looking for?"

"You." Seth seethed

"Me, but I was just fine, sorry if I worried you." Tea smiled "hey isn't today the day of the Nile rising? Shouldn't we be preparing?" she asked

"Uh, Yeah, come on Yami. I wan' ta get back home." Joey said

"Let's go," Seth called

The group of five turned back and headed for the Throne room where Yami could dress in his light robe and dress himself in gold.

Once they were all ready and dressed the exited the palace and walked down a path to a huge stage made of stone.

"Ah, Yami." Tea pulled him back from the other and told them to keep going. "Yami, I forgot something back at the palace, I will catch up with you." Tea said and looked into his eyes one last time.

Yami saw her eyes and the pain they held so as Tea turned from him, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug. "Are you sure you are okay?" he whispered

"Ye-yeah, "she lied and pulled away from his hug, and placed a hand over his heart and looked at his chest.

"Then why can't you look up at me?" he asked placing his hand over hers. She shook her head and looked up with a bright smile. She reached up with her other hand and cupped his cheek.

"I'm just worried and nervous about going home is all." Tea said and lightly kissed his lips before leaving him, "I will see you soon." She called out as she ran back into the temple.

'She's not telling me something. I will ask her when she gets back' Yami thought and walked to join the others.

&&&&&&Inside&&&&&&

Tea ran back to the room where Marik was holding Yugi in tears, she had lied to Yami and that was that last thing she wanted to do. But a life was more important than feelings right now.

Tea entered the dark room of Marik and Bakura, "I'm here and Yami and the others are on their way." She said looking at the ground

"Good, Anzu." Marik said and threw a white dress at her. It was long sleeved and reached the ground. It was made of silk and adorned with silver and gold. She quickly threw it on over her clothes and it fit perfectly. "There, how does it look?" She asked to break the silence.

"You are the moon goddess." Marik said "and the millennium necklace suits you." Marik smiled his handsome smile, "too bad it won't after the sacrifice." He said referring to the beheading.

"...You said you wouldn't hurt Yugi and I expect you to keep your word, and though I know you are evil I know you are a man of your word." Tea said

"I have no business with that little boy." Marik said