Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh...*sigh* Otherwise, I'd probably be living in Japan and having the time of my life.

The legend of the three souls

Chapter IV – Mistake

-by Alena S. Anigor

Ishizu hated lying; something she was doing at the moment. Inspector Muhadda was casually scribbling down his notes on the piece of paper, nonchalantly observing the office, that was in a complete mess.

Ishizu hugged herself with her hands, rubbing her upper arms in a comforting manner, hoping that it would keep her composed.

Inspector Muhadda nodded one last time, and then ordered his men to get out. He looked at the dark haired woman and then pointed at her with his notebook.

"If you think something's missing, or if you find anything we overlooked, notify us please," his voice, low and gruff echoed trough the room, and Ishizu nodded understandingly. Inspector Muhadda took the final glance at her, and then disappeared behind the doors, leaving Ishizu to stand in the middle of the office alone.

She sighed inwardly when the footsteps died down, and her shoulders slumped, her hands still enveloped around her arms. She turned her head to look at the desk, noticing that the computer was still in one piece. She approached the desk slowly, grabbing the chair on the floor, and pulling it up to sit on it. She put her elbows on the desk, rubbing her temples with her fingers. She could already sense a headache coming on, and she groaned slightly, covering her eyes with her hands, sitting like a statue for a moment, all alone in her office. A few moments passed, until she composed her thoughts and pushed her anger and anguish aside. She stood up, glancing at her watch, and then sighed, deciding to start cleaning the mess all by herself.

She almost groaned when she remembered that her office wasn't the only room that looked like it was wiped out by a giant sandstorm.

Two taxis stopped in front of the Oasis Hotel, and a crowd of people stepped out, tiredness written all over their faces. Tristan and Joey said something to the taxi drivers and they nodded. Tristan paid them and the sound of the engines roaring filled the parking place, before the cars were gone. The streets were still full of people, cars bustling around, and gipsy like music heard from every corner of the street. Mai had enough of it, and she headed first to the hotel entrance. Tea yawned, not bothering to cover her mouth, while the younger Mutou was busy assuring his grandfather that Ishizu was all right.

Solomon was still worried for the young woman, and he still had a nagging feeling about the whole situation. Joey and Tristan lead them to the entrance where the girls were waiting for them. Mai wasn't in the mood for chatting with anyone, so she simply asked for the key and headed upstairs. Tea followed behind, a drained expression on her face.

"Well, we'll be going now," Joey notified and Yuugi nodded, heading after the two girls. Solomon was left to stand by the Egyptian boys, staring at the floor in thoughts. Joey raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly down to see if the older Mutou hadn't fallen asleep. Solomon jerked his head up suddenly, and looked at them with determination in his eyes.

"Joey, Tristan, we're going to help her first thing in the morning," he said and the boys were silent for a while, slightly surprised with the sudden change in the old man's behavior. They nodded, never – the less and Solomon cracked a sad smile, before he left them and headed upstairs. Joey and Tristan were watching him from below for a while, before Joey sighed, glancing at his watch. Tristan's expression darkened, and he turned to his best friend.

"What do you think happened there?" He asked, and Joey's facial expression darkened as well. He frowned, eyes hidden with a mop of blond hair.

"I don't know, but if I ever catch him, I'll make him pay," he replied grimly, and Tristan nodded his agreement. The boys left the hotel, replying half – heartedly to the receptionist's greeting, and headed down the stone stairs, both eager to hit their beds and have a good night sleep.

They didn't notice the figure standing in the shadows behind the corner; dark eyes following and watching their every move.

Marik wasn't a very patient person; on the contrary – he was very impulsive and hot - headed, but not as much as Bakura was at the moment. The white haired thief was pacing across the room, barking at everyone who dared to make a remark at the failed heist. His fists were clenched, and he growled every now and then, sending death glares to everyone around him, Marik especially.

Bakura blamed him the most for preventing him from stabbing the old man until his final breath. He didn't understand why he stopped him when they had such a good opportunity to finish the job to the end. He sent the blond Egyptian one final glare, on which he lowered his gaze to the floor.

Bakura pointed his finger at him, threat evident in his eyes. Marik raised his head, looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

"You," Bakura choke out, gritting his teeth, "I save your life, I take you in, and you fail me like that! Why?" he roared, making the other thieves around them back away, some of them already on their way out of their hiding place. Marik lowered his head again; he knew very well that he'd be dead by now if Bakura hadn't found him on that faithful night, wind blowing around the desert, making his hair and eyes full of sand. He was hungry, thirsty and half dead, and his legs gave away to his body, making him fall to the soft sand with a thud. He already thought he was dead, left to the mercy of the desert animals, getting ready to get stabbed by a scorpion or get eaten by a jackal. But instead, a hand pulled him up, dark orbs staring at him with interest, offering him water...

"I'm sorry, Bakura...it won't happen again," he mumbled, head lowered, and Bakura sneered, crossing his arms over his chest angrily.

"Good for you," he replied gruffly, glaring at him, and then sighing in irritation. He scanned the rest of his little gang of thieves, and they paid attention to him, all of them being afraid of the greatest thief of the desert. Bakura uncrossed his hands, looking at one of them with interest and the young boy gulped audibly.

"Did you get it?" He asked, and the boy stepped forward, reaching into the depths of his robes to offer him a little clothed sack with something chinking in it. Bakura smirked, taking the sack from the boy and opening it. He counted the amount of money inside, and then let out a satisfied 'hmph' before letting the coins fall to his palm, and giving the sack back to the boy.

"Not bad, kid," he commented, eyeing the boy with a mischievous grin. The boy, who wasn't probably older than fourteen, smiled slightly, glad that he could make the notorious thief satisfied.

"Now leave us alone," he added, and the little crowd of people scurried out of the poorly dimmed room, obliging the command from their leader. The doors closed, leaving only Bakura and Marik in the room.

Bakura was silent for a while, before he turned to look at his partner who was looking at him with curiosity. Bakura's eyes revealed a significant plan, and Marik's violet orbs widened slightly when he realized what that plan might be.

"Don't tell me you want to go there again?" He asked him, perplexed. Bakura's mouth formed his trade - mark smirk, and he crossed his arms across his chest. Marik was looking at him like he had grown another head, staring at him in disbelief.

"Are you insane? With the stunt we performed yesterday, the police is all over the place!" He retorted, his voice rising to an almost high – pitched screech. Bakura chuckled slightly, letting his bangs shadow his eyes for a while, before speaking his mind.

"Don't worry Marik, I have a good plan this time...and I will get that bust."

The large room, decorated with the golden statues of ancient Egyptian gods was full, crowded with people, all of them dressed up in cloaks, kneeling in front of the throne which was taken by an equally cloaked person, his face shadowed with a hood. Only a pair of two emerald and menacing eyes were noticeable in the darkness around him, as he spoke, his voice hollow and echoing.

"I know now who they are," he voiced, his eyes widening a bit, making all the men in the room do the same, their eyes shining with a golden light for a second, "and now you know who they are as well." He added, crossing his leg over the other one.

"I expect you to do only one thing with them," he said again, the corner of his lips revealing a snarl.

"Kill them."

"Yes, Ancient One," dozens of voices roared in perfect unison, and the figures stood up, lead by one tall man, who turned one last time to bow to the man on the throne, before he headed towards the doors, leading the rest of them to their goals.

The next day was spent in cleaning. The little group of people, among other coworkers of Ishizu gathered at the museum, helping with putting the things back in order. Mai grumbled a bit at first, hating the thought of carrying 'filthy stupid statues' around the museum, but she had no choice after everyone gave her a dirty look. The museum was closed for the day, and when Ishizu came back from the hospital Rashid was placed in, she seemed out of breath.

Yuugi, who was currently in the process of sorting out some old papyruses, wanted to ask her if everything was all right, but she stormed so quickly past him that he didn't have a chance to utter a word.

She opened the doors of her office, finding Tea inside. The brown – haired girl shrieked a bit, startled with the force the doors were opened. Ishizu didn't say anything; Tea had to back away so she could gain access to the lower drawer. She snatched the key from her purse, and opening the drawer, she took the wooden box, putting the key into the lock and unlocking it. The lock made a clicking sound and Ishizu opened the box, sighing in relief when she saw its content. Tea leaned a bit forward to see what caused such a commotion and gasped a bit when she saw the bust inside the box.

"The Second Soul," she whispered and Ishizu seemed to acknowledge her presence then. She nodded, carefully taking the bust out, eyeing it intently.

"So..." Tea began, watching the bust in Ishizu's hands, "that was the thing they were after?"

Ishizu nodded again, her face darkening and her eyes narrowing in confusion. "I don't know why...what could they do with it?"

Tea rolled her eyes aside, observing the wall of the office then glancing back at the bust.

"Because it's very worthy?" She asked, on which Ishizu shook her head absentmindedly.

"There are other things that are equally worthy in this museum, but they left everything else...they wanted the bust, Tea," she replied, putting the bust back into the box and locking it.

"Rashid gave me the key today," she continued, taking the box into her hands again, "saying the bust is in the drawer."

"How is he?" Tea asked and Ishizu turned to look at her for the first time today. Her expression saddened slightly, her eyes solemn.

"He's fine, but...the doctor said that whoever stabbed him, managed to stab a nerve of some kind of in his shoulder," she spoke, Tea listening intently, "he won't be able to move his left hand for a while."

"Poor Rashid," Solomon spoke from the doors and both women turned to look at the Mutous, Joey and Tristan who were watching her sadly, and at Mai, who was still holding a funny looking pot in her hands.

"He'll be fine, I know him," Ishizu said with a smile, and then took the bust with her, "I have to put this somewhere safe." With that, she left the room, and vanished down the corridor. Solomon sighed dejectedly, staring at the floor solemnly.

"Poor girl," he commented, "after so much trouble, she finally finds what she was looking for, and now there's trouble again."

Silence followed after that as everyone stared at the floor, lost in their own thoughts.

"So, what am I supposed to do with this?" Mai broke the dead silence, raising her hand with the pot in it, and looking at everyone with a deadpanned expression. Tea just shook her head.

The rest of the day was spent in sorting the artifacts out, and cleaning the hall. Mai and Tea were in charge of the artifacts, while the boys were busy with dusting the hall and carrying the garbage out.

The night came quickly, and they were still busy with the cleaning. Mai stood in the middle of the corridor, leaning backwards only to feel the bones in her back cracking. She cringed, feeling the numbness in her muscles. Tea was finished with sorting out the artifacts, and she sighed heavily, putting the last bowl on its place. She turned to look at Mai who was twisting her waist into all directions, trying to return the feeling of having a spine.

Ishizu entered the room, looking at them expectantly, and the girls smiled at her.

"All done?" Need a help?" She asked, and the girls shook their heads.

"We're done, thank you," Tea replied, glancing around the room.

"Yeah, finally," Mai muttered, and Ishizu smiled slightly, apologizing for the inconvenience. Tea shook her head and smiled back, while Mai plastered a forced polite smile, patting her camera nervously around her neck. They stepped outside to see the corridor neatly cleaned, and the hall looking decently like the night before. Solomon was mimicking Mai's poses, trying to bring his bones back to life, while the boys let out a mutual sigh, finally glad that it was all over.

Ishizu felt a bit guilty for making them clean her museum for her, but she was happy non – the less to have such good friends who volunteered to help her without a second thought. She wished she could simply hug them all out of gratitude, but she dismissed that thought, telling herself that it would only make them feel awkward.

"I'm tiirrred..." Mai mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Yuugi stiffened a yawn, but Joey couldn't. Ishizu thanked them all for helping her out, and although Rashid was in the hospital and the bust was almost stolen, she still felt content and happy. She thanked them one more time as they were all walking towards the entrance doors. Although they were all tired, they smiled at her, Tristan making jokes about Joey's attempts to balance a staff, a box full of garbage and a plate on his head at the same time. The result was a pile of garbage on the floor, a broken plate and the staff somehow managed to mingle between his legs so he ended up on that same pile of papers, napkins and dust. Mai couldn't stop laughing which started to irritate the young Egyptian and he growled inwardly, casting murderous glances in Tristan's direction.

Ishizu stopped suddenly in the mid - step, her mouth agape. She resisted the urge to smack her forehead and looked at the group of people who were looking at her with raised eyebrows.

Ishizu smiled uneasily, and then sighed.

"Something wrong?" Yuugi asked, voicing his grandfather's thoughts. Ishizu waved her hand slightly, looking at the closed doors of the museum.

"No, no, I just forgot about the files," she replied, slightly exasperated.

"What files? We cleaned everything," Joey commented, scratching the back of his head. Ishizu shook her head, already fishing trough her purse.

"No, I meant computer files," she mumbled, tumbling trough her purse, "I still have to sort them, and I completely forgot all about them." She added, sighing when she finally found the keys and headed up the stairs.

"You're going to sort them out? Now?" Solomon asked, becoming a bit annoyed with the young woman's stubbornness and dedication. Ishizu turned around, and smiled apologetically.

"I'm afraid I have to, there are so many of them left..." she trailed off, staring at the night sky and at the moon.

Tea felt sorry for the young woman; she partially knew how it was to be alone and depend only on yourself.

"I'll stay with you, and help you then." She said, making Ishizu shake her head and Mai stare at her in wonder.

"Are you insane?" she whispered to her friend, but Tea was determined to help her.

"Really, Tea, you should go back to the ho-"

"No, I'll help you," she replied sternly, "end of discussion." The look in her cerulean orbs matched the one of Ishizu and the dark – haired girl sighed in defeat.

"But it's late and-"

"So we better hurry," Tea winked, dragging her up the stairs, "the sooner we're finished, the better." She added, and waved her friends to go on without her. Ishizu was speechless for a moment, before thanking her silently. Tea just shook her head and smiled at her. The doors of the museum closed, and the lights switched on, illuminating the corridor.

"I don't believe this," Mai muttered, and then headed down the stairs to catch up with the rest of them.

Two shadows sneaked behind the wall, and then disappeared into the dark alley behind the museum.

"I really appreciate your help, Tea," Ishizu said softly, searching trough the data on the computer. Tea smiled, putting the hands behind her back and leaning closer to look at the screen.

"No problem, I'm interested in all sorts of ancient Egyptian stuff, and I'd really like to know more about the legend," she replied, and Ishizu nodded, clicking every now and then on the mouse.

Tea grabbed a chair from the next room and dragged it across the corridor to the room that was crowded with all sorts of folders and files on the shelves. She took one of them and opened the first page, looking trough the photos and descriptions. She couldn't read the letters since they were all Arabic, but she marveled in the photos of the ancient pyramids.

Ishizu craned her neck aside and grimaced when she heard the bones cracking. Tea also heard the disturbing sound, and closed the folder, putting it back to the shelf.

"Let me do that," she approached her and shoved her off the chair with a smile, "you just tell what to do to." Ishizu was staring at the girl in wonder, blinking a few times, before she shook her head and smiled.

"Okay, you see those there?" she asked, pointing at the files on the screen while Tea nodded, "sort them alphabetically."

"Okay," Tea replied, enthusiastically crossing the fingers of her hands and then straightening them forward, earning cracking sounds in return, "then you'll tell me about the legend."

"Agreed," Ishizu smiled and then an idea crossed her mind.

"You know what? I'll go and make us some coffee," she said, opening then doors and stepping outside. Tea continued on typing, eyeing the screen carefully.

"Thanks, we'll be needing that," she replied, rubbing her eyes a bit, before paying attention to the monitor. She could hear Ishizu's footsteps echoing down the corridor until they quieted down completely. She was looking at some theories concerning the queen Neferti before she copied the data to another document in alphabetical order.

She failed to hear whispers behind her, having her attention fully on the monitor, her eyes glued to the screen and ancient pharaohs.

"Her?" Marik hissed quietly to Bakura, who barely suppressed the urge to throw him outside the backdoor they just sneaked trough.

"She'll be useful," he hissed back, already pulling out the knife from the depths of his robes. Quietly, he left Marik to look out for the other woman, while he stepped into the room, intently observing the brown – haired girl who hadn't noticed him at all.

The knife was in his hand, light reflecting the metal a bit. He tiptoed to the middle of the room then decided to approach her as quickly as possible.

When Tea finally noticed a strange figure reflecting in the monitor, it was already too late. She couldn't even turn around to see who it was when the person grabbed her shoulder, enveloping her chest with his free hand, while the other hand pressed the knife to her throat. The edge of the blade was pressed roughly against her skin and she was afraid to move. The cold metal sent shivers down her spine, and her eyes widened in fear, her body completely in shock and immobile. She could only grip the end of the desk tightly, staring at the figure's reflection on the screen.

Then, the figure leaned down a bit, and whitish bangs brushed past her cheek, rough and raspy voice whispering only one warning into her ear.

"Be quiet, and you shall live."