"Geez Louise you two! Just have more twists and turns why don't you!"

--If you insist, 0023!

"Arise from Darkness"

By Heikou and Janime

Chapter Twenty

Loyalties Already Made

Tea jumped off Tristen's bike just as he started to slow down in front of Kaiba Mansion. Pulling her helmet off, the young dancer raced up the driveway to the main gate. She punched in the access code Cheri had given her.

"Come on! Come on!" Tea hissed as the gate swung open slowly. While she was at Kame Game Shop, the oddest feeling came over her. All she knew was that she had to get to Kaiba Mansion and fast. Tea kept thanking Osiris that Tristen had decided to stop by and help out at the shop.

"Tea wait!" But she was already running up the front steps. "Man can she run."

Tea panted a bit hard but ignored it as she began pounding on the door. "Be home, please!" When that didn't work she kept pressing the doorbell over and over. "It's Tea! Someone please answer the door!"

Ryou opened the door and barely moved back in time when she nearly fell to the floor. "Tea? What's wrong?"

"Ryou?? I'll ask later, where's Cheri?"

"I don't know. Bakura said she went to the restroom."

Tristen finally made it but groaned when the dancer took off once more. "Again? She should've been on the track team!"

"What's going on?" Ryou asked.

"You tell me," said Tristen.

--

Bakura looked up as something bolted pass the door. "Tea?" he whispered. A sense of dread filled him and he quickly got up from the armchair, running after the sprinting figure. He grabbed her arm when he caught up. "What are you doing here?"

"There's no time!" Tea pulled herself free from his hold. "Cheri's in trouble!"

Katsuya ran down the hall and barked at them, then ran back to the office just as Tristen and Ryou arrived.

"…The Book of Shadows!" Tristen yelled.

They immediately followed after the wolf, stopping at the door.

Cheri held the Book of Shadows in her hands, a dark smile on her face as she proceeded to open the lock.

"No!" Tristen cried, raising his hands as if to stop her.

Suddenly the Book flew from Cheri's hands and went to Tristen's. He stared at the Book in shock. How did that happen?!

"Tristen! Look out!" Ryou shouted.

The taller boy looked up, and quickly dove to the floor as the thorn whip flew past.

"Give me the book, Keeper!" Cheri shouted, pulling the whip back.

Tea's eyes widen but holding her hand out she summoned her specter. "Cheri please! We don't want to fight you!"

The girl's eyes looked over at her but they weren't the same. These eyes were filled with darkness and anger. "You... die spellcaster and be gone from my sight!!" She snapped the whip forward but it barely scratched the magical barrier.

Ryou's eyes widen as Silver Fang moved behind him and Tristen as he stepped back. "Bakura, what's happening??"

"I'll explain later. Cheri please, look at me... We don't want to hurt you..." He used the same tone as before, moving slowly and carefully with his hands held before him.

The young girl frowned, drawing the whip back and wrapped it around her hands tightly. "No... that girl is not in control, I am... Give me the Book of Shadows!"

The thief's eyes narrowed but he slowly shook his head. "I know you won't hurt me... Just like I won't hurt you... Cheri you can fight her. Don't let her have control..."

Her hands tighten over the whip, not noticing or caring as the sharp thorns pierced her palms, causing blood to be drawn. "... K-Kura..." She shut her eyes tightly as her body began to shake. "I... I can't stop... I won't be stopped... I will get that book and revive my master!!" Snapping her eyes open she snapped the whip forward once more but it streaked past the thief towards Tristen.

Katsuya jumped and grabbed the whip before it hit the Keeper. He shook his head roughly, trying to yank the whip from Cheri's hand, ignoring the blood in his mouth caused by the thorns puncturing his tongue.

"Ancient Gods of Egypt, I, the Daughter of Osiris beseech of you," Tea chanted, "Grant me the power to save my Sister from her inner darkness. Father Osiris, do not let the Daughter of your firstborn son, Anubis, fall to the Black Scorpion!"

A red glow started in Tea's hands and swirled around her. Ryou watched in amazement as Tea then stretched out her hands towards Cheri. The aura shot from the Daughter of Osiris and enveloped Cheri.

The other girl screamed and released the whip, which made Katsuya stumble a bit, but he regained his balance and dropped the whip; tiny rivulets of blood dripped from the wolf's mouth.

"What the hell?!"

Tristen, Ryou, and Bakura turned to the doorway and saw an extremely shocked Seto Kaiba standing there. He moved to run to his wife, but Ryou and Bakura grabbed him.

"Let go!" Seto yelled. "What the hell is she doing?!"

"We'll explain later but you have to trust Tea!" Bakura growled.

"Please Seto! If you go now you might ruin this!" Ryou tried explaining.

"That's my wife!!"

As the aura continued to surround the young woman a kind of misty form could be seen. It was of a girl with long brown hair and wore a uniform of red and dark gray but it looked like she was sucked into Cheri's body. On her right upper arm the tattoo of the black scorpion seemed to glow brightly but three red bands encircled the arm, keeping it trapped. A shrill scream issued as the tattoo faded until only a very faint outline could barely be made out but the red bands remained.

The aura slowly died out and it left Cheri to stand there. The thorn whip vanished from sight, leaving a slightly bloodied stain on the floor. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at them.

The moist, chocolate brown depths looked at them with such intense sorrow before losing focus. As they drifted shut her body couldn't take it anymore. She fell forward, towards the floor silently, blood slowly pooling from the puncture wounds on her hands. Seto had watched it all but as soon as she began to fall he tore himself away from the two albinos, raced towards his wife and barely caught her before she touched the floor. Bakura was less than a second behind him.

Seto held her tightly as he checked for a pulse, his eyes worried yet focused. "I have a pulse but it's jumping erratically," he said tightly.

"Modern medicine can't help her with this," Bakura said as he took a hold of his shirt and tore a strip from it. He wrapped it tightly around Cheri's hand before doing the same for the other. Pushing the sleeve up he lightly traced the red bands, feeling the magic prickle against his fingertip.

"It's a restricting spell," Tea said quietly behind them. "As long as the bands stay on, her darkness won't be able to seize control. I just hope it's enough."

Tristen slowly got to his feet, keeping a tight hold on the Book of Shadows. "Kaiba," he said, "I think I'll keep this with me from now on."

"I was just about to tell you to get that damn thing out of my house," the CEO looked at him.

--

"I'm sorry about your home."

"I do not blame you, Daughter of Ra," Halima placed her hands on the young woman's shoulders. "Marik was the first to free himself of our family's self-exile. You have freed the rest of us from centuries of ignoring the sun."

"So what will you do now?" Keriam asked.

"We have lived too long underground. Some of the other clans that move in daylight still exist, and we will find them. We will start again."

Marik looked at the trap door that once led to their home. Now he would never have to worry about coming back or worry about another child being forced into leadership as he was. "It's over… the nightmare is finally over," he said in a soft whisper. He tensed a bit when he felt someone slowly wrapped their arms around his waist in an embrace. Looking down he relaxed and smiled, gently petting Malik's hair.

Malik looked up at his other half with a bit of worry is his eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"… Yeah, I am. We don't have to worry about Luzige or anyone like him ever again."

Joey smiled at the twins before turning to Halima. "I think the gods are happy to have people walk under the sun once again and I know that you'll be fine."

"We can be a family once again," Ishizu smiled and rubbed her tummy. She could feel a slight movement within that made her smile more.

Rashid placed his hand over Ishizu's, feeling their child give a little kick. Rashid looked to the west, a slight smile crossing his face. "The setting is sun," he said quietly, "Ra's day is almost over."

"As is our old life," said Halima. "And tomorrow, we too shall be reborn into a new one." She turned to Keriam and Joey. "This has happened to you a few times, hasn't it?"

"Yes," Joey answered.

Halima smiled; she walked over to Joey and took his hand in hers, placing two small orbs--one gold, and one black--in his hand.

"You will need these very soon," the older woman released his hand, "to find the third Guardian of the Daughter of Ra."

"But they're all here," said Ishizu as everyone else looked at her.

Halima shook her head. "Only two are here now," she said, "a prophecy of the Daughter of Isis said that even though the Daughter of Ra appears to have three Guardians, only two of them are. The third Guardian will be revealed when the Keeper of the Book of Shadows uses those orbs."

"I suggest we get going before night falls completely then," Marik said, carrying Malik on his back. "Nights are freezing as the days are scorching."

"Yeah you're right. And we need to give money-bags a call and let him know we're still kicking," Joey said, carefully placing the orbs into his front pocket.

Keriam sighed as they began their trek, the rest of the clan and family included. "You're never going to stop calling him that, are you."

"I'll stop when he lays off the dog jokes."

"Or when you finally beat him in a duel," Malik added with a grin.

"Hey!" Everyone just softly laughed and the tension was relieved a bit more.

--

Rose looked at her daughter, holding Cheri's hand in both her own. Every so often a tear would fall from her eye as she watched her only child sleep without any movement except for her quick shallow breathing.

"Mrs. Dante?"

Rose turned her head around. "Tea…"

The Daughter of Osiris slowly walked into the room, wondering now if announcing her presence to her best friend's mother was a good idea. She stopped just a few feet short from the bed.

"I'm sorry," whispered Tea, "I didn't mean to-"

"No, I understand," Rose held up her left hand, stopping the young dancer. "This is beyond anything medical. I believe in what's going on, and I know you wouldn't have bound her if it wasn't necessary."

She tried to smile but her heart wasn't in it. "I wish... I don't have the power to remove the tattoo... I wish I was stronger..." She shut her eyes tightly as she felt tears form and slowly fall. Rose said nothing but slowly got up and embraced the young girl. Tea gladly accepted the comfort without hesitation.

"Shh it's okay, you did what was right," the nurse spoke softly as she patted her back. "You are also strong where it really counts. In the strong friendship bonds you hold for everyone."

Tea sniffed and rubbed at her eyes. "That sounds like something I would say."

"So I imagine." Looking at her she reached over and handed her several tissues. "I do not hold this against you, only that Scorpion."

"Same here," Seto walked into the room. "Keriam just called. They'll be arriving late tomorrow afternoon."

"Did you tell her what happened?" Tea asked.

"Yes, and she said that quite a bit happened there but it can wait until after they arrive…" he looked over to his wife, "and take care of Cheri."

--

Bakura stood on the balcony from the guestroom Cheri had used over a year ago. He could feel her presence lingering in the room, her scent on the sheets, and almost hear her voice--cheerful, wondering, and slightly frightened about what was to come.

After Kaiba had taken Cheri to their room, the master thief walked away, wanting to be alone. He even blocked the link from Ryou, and his light knew better than to try and disturb him when Bakura suddenly shut him out. Sighing, Bakura shut his eyes.

"She could be yours."

Eyes flying open, Bakura found himself looking at Chick. The youngest of the Scorpions grinned at him from his seat on the railing.

"What are you doing here?" Bakura demand, as his hand went to his pocket for his deck.

"I'm not here to fight so you don't have to bother with your cards," said Chick. "All I'm here for is to make you an offer."

Bakura relaxed his stance but kept his guard up. "And what, pray tell, could you possibly offer me?"

"Cliff would kill me if he knew I was here saying this," Chick's smiled widened, "but it's for our cause." He became serious. "You could have Meanae, oh King of Thieves."

"I don't want Meanae," Bakura almost hissed. "The only one I want is Cheri."

Chick pointed at him. "That's the part you don't quite grasp. Cheri is Meanae. Meanae is Cheri. She is the same soul, not like you and that wimpy boy that was your host."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. True that Ryou lacked in the courage department and had the gentle personality of a kitten, but the thief hated it when his lighter half was insulted--unless it was Bakura making the insults.

"You had better watch what you say or do you like the idea of having your tongue being cut out?" he threatened.

"The blood-thirsty King of Thieves actually cares for that spineless boy-" What he was going to say froze in his throat as the young man grabbed his throat and pushed him over the edge. Chick's hand clung to the railing but it was the thief's hand keeping him from falling.

"You were saying?" Bakura said darkly.

"I-If Meanae regains her memories... then we can get the Book of Shadows... Once the book has been opened our master shall be free... he would gladly grant you your heart's desire...!" Chick managed to say as he tried to keep the hand from breaking his neck.

"Meanae doesn't seem the type to warm up to strangers so easily."

"Not to those against our master... but help us and she could be yours..."

"..." The thief withdrew his hand and turned his back on him, heading for the room. "Why would I lower myself to help that, bug?"

The young man scrambled to regain his balance and looked at him, grinning darkly. "Because, you deserve more than what has been granted to you. You deserve to have your revenge of watching your village being destroy. You deserve being the one with power and wealth. You deserve a strong and powerful woman at your side. You deserve all this but it is beyond your reach. Do you want to sit by and watch as the High Priest takes it all without any effort?"

Bakura stopped just before the glass windowed doors. He was fuming inside but he refused to let it show. Slowly he turned around and faced the skinny blonde. "If any loyalties I make, it will be with the ones of my choosing. And I have already sworn my loyalty to someone long before you and the rest of your tribe of insects showed up." He removed the Necrofear from his pocket. "Now are you going to leave on your own, or I am going to have to allow her to give you a proper sendoff?"

Chick merely narrowed his eyes and vanished in a pool of dark mass.

Bakura took a deep breath, placed the card back in his pocket and walked inside.

Going to the bed he laid down on the comforter and took a deep breathe. The scent was still strong in the air he buried his face deeper into the pillow. Closing his eyes he could picture his heart's desire sleeping in the same bed, the sheets wrapped around her slender frame, her thick curls spread out on the pillow. He shut his eyes tighter but it didn't help.

If anything it made him feel worse.

--

"Well, we're all set," said Ishizu as she closed the book she was reading. Looking over to Keriam and Joey, the Egyptian woman smiled as she watched the couple play Duel Monsters, remembering when she had taught Marik how to play so many years ago.

"Home," Keriam sighed. "Coming here actually felt good, but I cannot wait to leave."

"Ditto," Joey smirked and placed a card facedown.

"Who's in the lead?" Ishizu asked.

"We're tied, actually. Three out of five, and this round will make or break."

"Your skills have improved greatly," the older woman commented.

"Yeah well it was either learn from my mistakes or lose to everyone and their grandmother."

Keriam smiled as she played another card. "You're a fast learner and no it wasn't a dog joke."

Joey rolled his eyes but was smiling. "Hardy har har."

Rashid had been quiet for the most part. He rose from the chair. "I'll go check on Marik and Malik."

Ishizu nodded, then her husband leaned over and kissed his wife. He left the room, walking to the door right next to the one he just closed to his left, and went inside.

Marik was sitting in a chair beside the bedroom window with Malik in his lap. Both boys were fast asleep, exhausted both physically and mentally from today--no doubt more than the rest of them.

Being careful not to disturb either of his brothers, Rashid gently picked up Malik and carried him over to the bed. Once Malik was settled, Rashid pulled the light blanket over him. He turned around and stopped short.

Marik was looking at him with a smile on his face. A real smile. One that Rashid hadn't seen in almost a decade.

"I used to wonder how I got into bed when I was his age," Marik said. "Let me rephrase that last part: when I was his height."

Rashid could only smile gently at the past memories. "All my life I had wanted to be part of the clan but I already was... I wish I had been able to stop the ritual though."

"Not a day goes by that I didn't wish for the same thing but that doesn't matter. You were there to help us when we needed you the most." Getting up from the chair he stretched and nodded to him. "You were more of a father to us that our real father."

"I'm honored to hear you say that."

"And I know the baby couldn't have better parents. Just take care of them."

"I would lay my life down for our family."

The blonde could only smile. "I know you would."

Rashid looked at him for a moment. "Something is troubling you."

"The Daughter of Isis spoke to me a while back. I haven't told anyone else about it."

"What did she say?" asked Rashid.

Marik swallowed. "One day I will have to make a choice between Malik and Keriam, and it will affect them greatly… I don't know if I can do something like that. How can I?"

"How can anyone choose between people they care about," said Rashid. "But it's not just what she said that's bothering you, Marik. There's something else."

"… It's… what Halima said earlier," Marik sighed and looked out the window. "About one of us not being Keriam's Guardian."

"And you're afraid it's you."

"Being her Guardian is the closest I will ever be to her in this life. I know I shouldn't be pining after her like this, after all she has Joey, but…" Marik rested his hands against the windowsill. "I love her, Rashid. You have no idea how much I do."

Rashid said nothing but slowly moved to stand behind him, reaching out to rest his hand on his shoulder. "I cannot begin to understand how you feel right now... And I don't think I ever will, but you are here for her now when she needs you the most. Continue to help her and support her through thick and thin. She does care for you, I can see that."

"It's not the same," he said a bit bitterly.

"No it's isn't. But she does care about you. Until the third guardian is found and even afterwards, continue to protect her." He gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Things are bound to get better. Have faith."

Marik said nothing but reached up and rested his hand over Rashid's. "Thanks. I know I can't live up to Joey or get her to feel the same way... but talking about it helped. Thanks for the advice."

"That is what family is for. You should get some rest while you can."

Marik nodded and Rashid left the room. Marik looked up at the half-moon, as if waiting for an answer that he knew would never come. Sighing, he left the window and walked over to the bed. He carefully climbed on top so that he wouldn't disturb Malik. Smiling at his twin, Marik laid down and soon fell asleep.

He never saw the figure standing by the window, smiling happily at the two boys.

--

Mokuba watched his sister-in-law worriedly. When he had heard what happened he was both angry as hell and scared. He wanted to teach the Scorpions that no one messed with the Kaiba family but he didn't want to lose Cheri. He reached down and took her bandaged hand in his own.

"You can't leave us now Cheri, I don't want to lose you," he said softly, resisting the urge to cry. "When mom and dad died, all I had was Seto… then Pegasus kidnapped me… then Noah tried to become my brother by destroying Seto… I've never been so scared of losing anyone... until now." Slowly a tear rolled down his face as he squeezed her hand. "You can't leave us! You can't!"

"You honestly think she'll leave, squirt?" Bakura said from the doorway.

"How long have you been there?" the younger boy asked, rubbing the tears away quickly.

"Long enough." He moved into the room and stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at Cheri's still form. "She's not going to give up, squirt. And neither should you."

"I'm not a squirt. And I'm not gong give up on her!"

The thief smirked, moving to his side and ruffled his hair. "You're a tough kid. And you need a hair cut."

Mokuba frowned and swatted at his hand. "Like I care what you think. Why are you here anyway? Where's everyone else?"

"Rose had to go to the hospital for a bit but she'll be back. I think your brother is in his office but I don't know or care." He shrugged his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ryou's helping Nan in the kitchen. Go get something to eat, squirt. I'll watch over Cheri."

Blue-gray eyes narrowed up at him slightly. "I trust you as much as Seto does."

The thief rolled his eyes. "Just get already; I need to say some things and I don't want you eaves dropping."

Mokuba frowned at Bakura and left the room, casting one more glare over his shoulder before closing the door.

Bakura sat in a chair beside the bed and looked at the door, patiently waiting until he heard Mokuba's footsteps go down the hallway. He smirked, knowing full well that the younger Kaiba would be listening.

Turning his eyes to Cheri, the thief sighed. "Chick was here not too long ago," Bakura said quietly. "He made me an offer to join them, and if I did you and I could be together."

She didn't stir but he didn't expect her. Sighing he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I won't lie, I was tempted because I could have everything I ever wanted in life... even having you at my side. But I turned him down. I still can't believe it myself but what was the use of having someone who already gave their heart to someone else?" He closed his eyes, rubbing them before sitting back on the chair.

"Since you've arrived, going a bit past a year now, I could feel something inside changing. I was actually beginning to go soft but, I wasn't mad. My heart isn't consumed with world-domination and blood-thirsty revenge as it was before you came." As if to emphasize his words he reached up, resting his hand on his chest to feel the beat of his heart.

"I'm actually alive... I can actually feel everything around me... I can actually eat real food and not dream about it... but most of all, I can feel." Looking at Cheri's still form he silently moved off the chair and sat next to her, reaching out and taking her hand in his own. "Chick said for me to join, I had to give their king my loyalty. Thing is, I already gave my loyalty to someone and I'm not about to change that. You remember, what I told you the day you got remarried? I meant every word." Leaning down he gently whispered in her ear, "You won't ever get rid of me." Giving her hand a squeeze he kissed her softly. Just please... don't leave me.

--

"I hate time zones," said Joey.

"That makes five of us," Marik yawned.

"Six," Ishizu pointed to her stomach. "Practically kicking every five minutes we were on the plane."

"Thank you Seto, for sending the limo," Keriam sighed as she leaned her head against Joey's shoulder.

Malik was completely in slumber land, having been unable to fall asleep on the flight home. The young boy was sitting in between Rashid and Marik, leaning against his older twin.

The CEO said nothing as he looked out the window, watching the scenery passing by. "I only sent the limo and came because it would be faster than a taxi," he said coolly. "I want this Meanae out of Cheri so I can have my wife back."

"I don't know about removing someone from another person like an exorcism, that's Tea's department." Keriam stifled the yawn as it tried to escape.

"She said she can't without removing the restriction bands she placed on and your item is the only one that can go within the person's soul."

"Joy."

Joey looped his arm around his lady's shoulders, holding her to his side as Marik gently shifted Malik so now the younger boy was sleeping his in lap, resting his head against his chest.

"Thank you," Rashid moved over into the vacant space to give Ishizu a little more room.

The limo pulled in front of the mansion, everyone got out without even waiting for the driver to open the door. Seto all but dragged Keriam into the mansion, leaving everyone else to handle the luggage. He led his wife's best friend to the bedroom.

"What are you doing in here?" the CEO demanded upon seeing Bakura in the room.

"Don't worry," the thief narrowed his eyes as he sat in the chair, "I didn't do anything. Your brother was here and I sent him off for lunch."

Seto was about to yell at Bakura to get out when his cell phone rang. He cursed and pulled it from his pocket. "Kaiba. Can't it wait? … Fine, I'll call you in a few minutes." He closed the phone. "I'll be back shortly."

"Well, he really cares about her, doesn't he?" Bakura asked sarcastically after Seto left.

"Don't start, Bakura," warned Keriam.

Snorting, the pale-haired man rose from his seat. "So what do you have to do?"

"Use the Millennium Key and go inside Cheri and try to get Meanae out."

"That last part won't happen."

Keriam looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Meanae is Cheri," Bakura said, "just as she is Agalameia, and as you are Theliane, and Tea is Peisimemne."

"How do you know that? I mean, you're certain?"

"I'm positive. Chick was here not too long before you arrived. He told me that Meanae and Cheri are the same soul. They are not like Ryou and I."

"And you didn't tell anyone?" Keriam stared at him.

"Oh sure! Go and tell Kaiba that a Scorpion was here and I let him go without even sending one of Duel Monsters after him. That would go over really well!"

"You know you're really pushing my last nerve here," she warned.

"You and everyone else. So if you can't get rid of Meanae what are you going to do?"

Keriam blinked and looked at her friend. "I... I don't know..."

The thief looked at her and then back at Cheri. Looking back at Keriam he sighed and rubbed his face, running his hands through his hair. "What if you, lock Meanae part of her away? I mean the memories of her? Something like that had to have happened in the past of that Scorpion could have been reborn when you guys were first alive in Egypt."

"I don't know," she shook her head. "When Tea and I went to the museum a few months ago, we remembered something from our childhood in Egypt. Agalameia said that Anubis gave her life twice, but the reason for that was the Black Scorpion killed his wife. Anubis allowed his Daughter to live long enough for her to give birth. Zashida became the next Daughter, and Agalameia was her successor. Zashida was adopted in a way, though. Agalameia was the true-blood Daughter of Anubis."

"And of the Black Scorpion," Bakura grunted.

"I just wish we knew more about this," the Daughter of Ra sighed. "But who else does?"

A dark grin spread across the master thief's lips. "There might be someone."

"Who?"

"Who else?" Bakura's smirk grew wider and he removed his deck. "The creator of Duel Monsters, Maximilian Pegasus."

Hope appeared in Keriam's eyes but then she frowned. "The man's been in a coma even since you ripped the Millennium Eye from his skull!"

"If I had known that would happen," Bakura said in defense, "do you think I still would have done it?"

"Yes."

"You're damn right I would."

"You're sick."

"Thanks."

"That wasn't a compliment and you know it."

"Talk talk talk. We have to find old one eye and wake him up. He's the only one who can help us out."

Keriam snapped her finger. "Mrs. Dante can help. She's a nurse and she's has to have heard of him!" Searching her pockets she dialed the number for the hospital.

"Domino City Hospital, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked.

"Can I speak to Rose Dante please?"

"Just a moment." Putting her on hold the receptionist looked into the break room. "Rose! You have a call on line 2."

"Got it!" Rose picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Rose, its Keriam."

"How's Cheri?"

"Still the same. I have to ask you something. You know Maximilian Pegasus, right?"

"Not personally," said Rose, "he's been sleeping for almost two years now."

"Is he still in Domino City Hospital?" Keriam asked.

Rose faced the wall and lowered her voice. "What's going on?"

"Remember when we explained about how the cards were based off an ancient Egyptian game? Pegasus went to Egypt on an expedition after his wife died. That's were he got the idea for Duel Monsters."

"I take it the reason you want to know if Pegasus is here is that he might know something so that you can help Cheri."

"That's what I'm hoping for," said Keriam.

"Hold on." Holding the phone to her shoulder she called for the receptionist. "Who's watching Pegasus this week?" she called out.

"Is he the one with the missing eye?"

"Yeah."

There was the sound of rustling paper before an answer came. "It's split between you and Kaoru since she took over Aoi's position."

"Thanks." She lifted the phone to her ear. "Did you get that?"

"Sure did. Visitor hours are still on?"

"Until six. Since you're coming I'll let Kaoru know and she can direct you. If anyone asks, just say your distant family members."

"There's only two people who can pull that off, but I'll be there."

"Alright. I'll see you in a little bit."

Keriam hung up the phone. "Okay, let's go."

"Me?" Bakura gaped at her. "Why in the nine hells should I go?"

"Your hair color is only a few shades off," Keriam explained, "You can say you're a relative."

Bakura crossed his arms. "There is nothing you can do or say that will get me to go along with this charade of yours."

--

"I cannot believe I am here," Bakura grumbled as the elevator went to the seventh floor.

"Bribery does have its perks," Keriam grinned.

"You just make sure you hold up your end."

"Red wine, mashed potatoes, baby peas, and a rare sirloin steak, followed by apple cobbler for dessert with a mug of warm milk."

The thief didn't say anything but the look in his eyes looked ready to drool. Jabbing her elbow in his side they walked to the front desk.

Kaoru looked up at two young adults approached the desk. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes, we're here to see a patient by the name of Pegasus?" Keriam asked, glancing at her nametag: Mei Ling.

"Are family members of him?"

"He's my uncle," Bakura said. "I just got word about this."

"... He's been in a coma for two years."

He just shrugged his shoulders. "I've been out of the country."

Mei Ling looked at them before looking at the files. "He's in room 709. Down the hall and second to last door on the left but hours are until 6pm."

"Thank you very much." Keriam said quickly and pushed Bakura down the hall before he could open his mouth.

"A little more than an hour," said Bakura as they walked down the hall. "Do you think you can pull it off?"

"Ra I hope so," Keriam answered.

They reached 709 and Keriam opened the door, walked inside, and quietly shut the door behind them.

Bakura walked over to the bed, looking down at the man who had practically almost started the chain of events that led to this moment. "He's had better days," said the thief.

Keriam walked over to the other side of the bed, being careful not to bump into the monitor tracking Pegasus' vital signs. The door opened and Rose stepped in.

"I just want to make sure that no one else comes in here while you're doing whatever you'll do," she said, giving a quick look at the monitor. "He's stable but wherever he is in here," she tapped her forehead.

"I'll find him," said Keriam.

"Be careful and good luck."

The Daughter of Ra nodded to her and removed the Millennium Key from inside her shirt, slipping the cord over her head. "Here goes nothing."

"That's all he has in his head right now," Bakura smirked.

Rolling her eyes, Keriam then placed the tip of the Key at the unconscious man's forehead. "Wakey, wakey, Peggy."

Turning it a click was heard. Bakura and Rose watched as Keriam's body when stiff and her eyes went blank.

As Keriam opened her eyes she found herself in a large room. It looked to have seen better days with the wallpaper peeling, the floor filthy, and windows crudely boarded up. But there were also easels scattered along the room with paintings spewed all over. Frowning she entered deeper and looked at the floor when she heard a crack. Moving back she found it was of a painting.

"What's this?" she asked. Kneeling down she slowly picked up the frame, feeling the brittle wood in her grasp she turned it over and eyes widen. "Cecilia..."

A scruff in a dark corner as heard she quickly looked up. She couldn't see it but, there was something huddled in the corner. No, not something, someone... She moved closer only to stop when she watched as the figure tried to melt into the walls. She sighed before slowly dropping to his level, keeping a safe distance away. "Pegasus... I'm not here to hurt you..."

"... How do you know me? How did you get here?" came a hesitate voice.

"I'm the Guardian of the Millennium Key. And I need your help."

Authors' Notes!

Janime: Confession time! This chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones.

Heikou: But man, what a cliffhanger this time!

Janime: Tell me about it. But we have a treat for you readers.

Heikou: Yep! What would you readers like to see in the next chapter?

Janime: you tell us and we'll looked it over. Sound fair?

Heikou: But no killing off a character so that the couple (whether it be het/yaoi/yuri) you like can be together.

Janime: For example, no killing Tea so that Yugi and Yami can explore the Millennium Puzzle. Sorry, not going to happen.

Heikou: Maybe if we decide to create another fic in the future.

Janime: Yeah, we got lots of material sources too. (looks at doujinshi)

Heikou: Why is Marik wearing that?

Janime: Beats me but it looks good on him, doesn't it?

Heikou: Hentai.

Janime: Back at ya.