ANAYAS-CREATER- Unfortunately, I cannot review the chapter, but I really like it and can't wait for more! And his name's Khayer. (winks) I won't tell you if you're right or not, but this chappie will have the answer anyway!

SGCred- Kaiba will have a bit to do with this, but in a few more chapters, along with one char I wish didn't have a larger role. (sticks her tongue out) Neway, poor you. (pouts) I hate exams too, I just had 'em.

Rainbow Guardian Angel- Always nice to update a fic I haven't updated in a while! (grins) And being a fangirl is NEVER wrong. BROTHER? (raises an eyeborw) o...k...

ZeldaAlly- do you know how nice it was to see you reviwed this? (glomps you) Thankies! And I hope this was quick for you!

DarkMousyLover- Thank you so much, except for that Shadow Realm part...! (hides behind Yugi) And I'm in love with the same things! I swear, I find a new clone everyday, lol.

RobinIV- What can I say? I think Mai's cool too. And I, as the authoress, had to miss updating it. (winks)


Chapter Five: Marriage Undenied

POV: Sahara

Yami, Joey, Tristan, Serenity and I were currently driving back toward Domino in Mai's purple car, as walking home seemed a bit dangerous considering what happened at the mall.

Well, it was definitely illuminating to see Seito's present form…he's a jerk. But his little brother I remember well…I visited him once when he was little. Then again, I remember every child I've visited as a goddess.

I looked out at the sea absently, barely recognizing that it had started to rain.

Mokuba was his name. Poor boy…he was one of those I pitied the most out of all the children I visited. Orphaned at his age, with no one but his big brother…I know how it felt. And so kind-hearted, too…like most children, the pains of the world have not quite damaged him yet.

Kaiba is one of them; he's almost consumed by pride and ambition already. And no matter how much kindness and jokes I see in Joey, I could see those he cared about have backstabbed and betrayed him. In Serenity I could see longing; in Tristan I could see heartbreak; in Mai I could see fear.

But Yami…whenever I looked at him, I could see something I've never seen before. It was a strange mix of loneliness, naivety and darkness, and now that I thought about it, it was ever so similar to how I felt without him.

POV: Yami

"We're here, Yami," said Mai as she stopped in front of the Game Shop.

I jumped out of the car and ran around the other side to help Suzanna out.

I opened the door for her; I caught her shy smile as she got out and couldn't help but grin. We waved goodbye to Mai and the others as they drove away, before we ran inside to escape the downpour.

Suzanna went into the living room as I went into the kitchen. I heard the news turn on as I prepared some hot chocolate. I poured it into two separate cups, and then headed into the living room.

I put the hot chocolate on the table in front of her, before draping a blanket on her shoulders.

"You should get warm," I told her quietly.

Suzanna smiled. "Thank you," she whispered, picking up her cup and drinking some cocoa.

I picked up my own and drank it as the news reporter started a Breaking News story.

"Today there was an explosion in the middle of the food court at the Domino Shopping Center. No people were killed, but the younger brother of the CEO of KaibaCorp was rescued from the ruins and is now in the hospital to check for any problems. The person who saved Mokuba Kaiba from the ruins did not stay long, but it is assumed he was not a rescue agent."

I snorted. "He? That news reporter needs to check the gender on this one. And about being a rescue agent…NO DUH, otherwise you would've been able to interview him no problem."

Suzanna giggled. "Well, the reporter likely wasn't there."

I chuckled. "Whatever. But I still think he should get his facts checked and keep them to the point."

"Experts now believe that the explosion might have been the work of a terrorist bomb, although there was no sign of a bomb at the explosion. No one has assumed responsibility and no suspects have been named. Citizens are asked to keep their wits about them and report any suspicious behavior to the proper authorities."

"If it's not a bomb, what could it have been, I wonder?" I said to myself.

Suzanna shifted awkwardly in her seat, and I could've sworn I heard her mutter something.

"Hmm?" I asked, "What did you say, Suzanna?"

Suzanna shook her head. "It's nothing."

There was a slight pause in which we drank our hot chocolate. Then I finally decided to speak.

"What you did today was very noble."

Suzanna looked at me in surprise. "What?"

"Your saving Mokuba," I elaborated, "That was very brave of you."

Suzanna looked down in slight embarrassment. "I…have a fondness for children."

"So you told Kaiba," I said with a smile, "I could tell he was grateful…if you know him for a long time like I have, you can see hidden emotions like that from him."

POV: Sahara

I felt sheepish. "Well…I'm glad I could help."

Yami moved closer to me and put his arms around me to keep me warmer.

"I'm glad you're here with us," he whispered, his eyes locked with mine.

I felt my cheeks go red. My heart was beating against my ribcage like a huge drum. Ra, why does Yami have to have such handsome eyes?

Was he going to kiss me? Did he feel the confused love that I felt when I knew him as a blind-deaf girl? Did he really know what he was doing? Could he…?

All of my questions and the whole atmosphere we had slowly been building up came crashing down on us in a big BOOM!

The ceiling collapsed down on top of us, burying us in wood, broken pipes and other debris.

My goddess powers kicked in to save me, but I found Yami buried underneath the rubble.

"YAMI!" I screamed.

I threw away some of the wreckage away until I finally found him.

"Yami."

I pulled his unconscious form in my lap. I could feel that he was alright, but I still was worried.

What happened…?

My eyes narrowed in realization.

"Khayer, appear."

My cousin appeared, god form and all, out of the darkness and in front of me.

He smirked at me spitefully.

"Glad to know you can recognize my artistic flair of pain and destruction," he sneered, "I do hope the Pharaoh is hurt badly."

"SHUT UP!" I roared, "What in the seven hells do you think you're doing here, Khayer?"

My cousin laughed. "You came here against the contract! You were never to return to this world, and when I find you, you're deceiving your past lover into loving you again! What did you expect me to do, sit back and watch?"

"You could leave me alone!" I snapped, "My life has nothing to do with you!"

"On the contrary," whispered Khayer, "Your life has everything to do with me…and I have the proof right here."

He made a scroll appear out of the darkness, and he showed it to me.

"It's the marriage contract!" I realized, "My father fought against that-"

"And he failed," Khayer said with relish, "Look at the bottom."

I stared at the parchment. On the bottom was the seal of Ma'at.

It was accepted.

"No…" I whispered.

"Now you belong to me, dear Sahara," Khayer whispered, "The marriage plans have already been arranged. In one god day, you shall be my bride, and I intend to have heirs by the third."

I didn't know what to say at first, but at those words, I felt a surge of anger.

"Any children we might have will be staying with me and away from you!" I spat, "I rule over youth and innocence."

"Do you really think once we're married that either you or our children could be considered free?" Khayer whispered, "Marriage in the God World gives me all rights to you and our children…so you are my property. I can torture, beat or rape you, and it'd be perfectly legal."

"NO!" I shouted.

"YES!" Khayer mocked, "You're mine by tomorrow, Sahara. You have three mortal hours until you will be expected home."

"I won't come!" I protested.

"Oh, I think you will," Khayer hissed, "You forget…I have the power."

"What should I be afraid of from you?" I snarled, "You're nothing but a filthy coward!"

"Really?" asked Khayer, "Those bombs were enough to give me all the power I need to destroy you. These pathetic mortals think that they're from terrorists, right? Well, I could always have a random terrorist organization claim responsibility, and just like their allies, Yami's country will declare war…and I'll make sure your friends are on the front lines of battle."

I went white. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Khayer scorned, "You have nothing on me, and I have everything on you. It's your choice: come home to become my bride for all eternity, or watch your Pharaoh lover die before your eyes."

I looked down at Yami in my lap. I couldn't let anything happen to him…even if he doesn't remember I can't let him die.

I looked at Khayer. "I'll…I'll do it."

"I knew you'd see things my way," Khayer smirked, "I'll expect you home in three mortal hours…"

And with that, he vanished into the darkness.

I held Yami close to me, as the tears I thought I'd never shed again fell down my cheeks.

POV: Third Person

Sahara did not notice the hawk perched on a lamppost on the street corner, who looked at the two carefully before taking off from his roost and disappeared in a gust of wind.