Okay, it's early. That's because I really like this chapter, especially the first part. So it's up now because I'm impatient. So read! And REVIEW! And shamelessly plug me! Because I REALLY need publicity ^^"""""""

***

The day after Yugi-tachi had confronted Korimo, Duke Devlin had just been lazy. His work was done, business at the game shop was slow, and everything else was uneventful. That is, until that evening when he heard the doorbell ring and stepped outside to see who was there. After that, things got quite eventful.

Fukamito and Korimo hid just out of sight, where they could see and not be seen.
"But Milady, he'd never come willingly, so how can we make him?"
Korimo glared sharply at her servant. "Don't ask questions and leave it up to me, I believe I told you that. Now just watch."

Duke picked up the note that was on his doorstep and read it.
"Duke, I have watched and admired you from afar for a long time. Up till now, I have been too shy to talk to you, but now I feel I must. Please come to meet me at the park tonight after sunset. I'll be waiting." There was only a heart next to the message. Duke smiled. "Nabbed another one." He looked to his left. The sun was hovering shyly just over the horizon, not confident enough to sink. He went back inside to get a jacket and set off for the park.

Korimo stood up and dusted herself off. "There, I told you I'd take care of things."
"Ah, I see." Fukamito nodded his dog head. "Of course, play off his weakness. I should have known that earlier."
"Yes," Korimo said distractedly. "Now come, we can't keep the boy waiting. He's expecting an admirer in a few minutes." She allowed herself an anticipant smile. "And that's just what we'll give him."

***

Duke stood watching the sunset, leaning against a tree in the park. He kept looking at the note, wondering if he could place the handwriting, and speculating as to who might like him.
Korimo wore her usual outfit, but she let her hair down, fastening the black lily behind her left ear. Her black hair fell to her waist, filled with waves and soft twists. If she had been pretty before, she was beautiful now. Which was, of course, exactly what she wanted. She dusted her skirt off before walking to where Duke stood.
"Duke? You-you really waited for me?" Korimo put a shy quiver in her voice.
"Of course baby, I wouldn't wanna miss ya." Duke thought he was being suave. To Korimo, he was being disgusting. But she continued her charade, giving no hint of her true personality.
"I...I wasn't sure you'd come..."
"Well I did. What's your name sweetheart, I don't think I know ya."
"They call me Korimo." She was slowly walking closer to him, noting with relief that the night was breaking clearly, with no clouds to obscure the rising moon.
The name clicked in Duke's mind, and he switched gears immediately. "Wait a sec...You're the one Yugi was talking about, aren't you?" he asked defensively.
"Please Duke," Korimo threw herself onto him, trapping him in an embrace. "Does it matter? I-"she called a flush to her cheeks, "I love you."
Duke tried, and failed to push her off. "No way, get off. If you're Yugi's enemy, that makes you mine too."
Korimo finally shook off her act. "Well fine, have it your way. I have my methods, and you'll willingly be mine before the night is done!"
The waning moon rose completely over the city skyline, and Korimo began to chant. The same rings of energy that had trapped Ryou the day before now tied him to the tree. He began to panic, struggling against the magic. Korimo stepped away and stood relaxed, with her eyes closed. She raised her arms above her head, interlacing her fingers and bringing her hands down in front of her, palms facing out. Her entire figure began to glow faintly red. She muttered her newest spell quietly. It was in an old language, one spoken only by way of sorcery. Spells were always most powerful when cast in the ancient tongue.
The red light slowly began to collect in her cupped hands as it grew stronger. Her silky hair lifted itself out and up, framing her like a lion's mane. Her sandaled feet pointed downward as she was lifted a few inches off the ground by the power of her new spell. Her ruby lips moved rhythmically as she called up her power.
Duke had stopped struggling, and was watching with terrified fascination. The bonds holding him to the rough bark of the tree broke. Duke looked down and tried to run away, but found himself unable to. He was frozen the same way Yugi had been the first time he'd met Korimo. However, the magic she used to keep him from running was far from his biggest problem.
The ball of light was about the size of her head now. The chant picked up speed and volume, and then her eyes snapped open. The magic shot forward from her hands and hit Duke straight on. He threw his hands before him, trying vainly to block it. For a few seconds, the light connected the two by their hands. Duke's face contorted into a scream, but no sound crossed his lips. The light absorbed itself into his body, and he fell to the ground.
Korimo sighed lightly and picked up the lily that had fallen when her hair fanned out. "Well, that's all I wanted. You can go now, Duke."
Duke sat where he'd fallen, staring blankly at the ground. "I...I don't want to."
"Hm?"
"I don't want to leave."
"Oh really?" Korimo smiled. "What would you rather do?"
"I want to do what you want me to do." Duke stood up. His eyes were blank, pupil-less, controlled.
Korimo saw that look in his eyes. He was now completely under her spell. "Perfect."

***

Meanwhile, Yugi-tachi were being watched without their knowledge by a ladybug on the windowsill. Everyone was still in shock over the last night's events. Even just the small amount of information Ryou had gotten was enough to finally throw their situation into proportion.
Tea had always had the purest heart in the group. The new knowledge they had of Korimo hit her the hardest. "I...I just can't believe it...what kind of cruel, heartless person could kill their own parents!?" again, she began to cry at the thought.
Ryou put an arm around her shoulder. "I know Tea...but that's not our biggest problem right now." He turned to the rest of the group. "But I think it's part of it."
"What are you talking about Bakura?" Joey asked, leaning back into his seat on Yugi's couch.
Ryou's expression was grim. "I mean that now we have a better idea of what we're up against. If she can kill her mother and father, than what do our lives mean to her?"
"Pretty much nothing, huh?"
"Right Tristan." Ryou nodded.
Yugi sighed. "So how are we supposed to go against her?"
"Yugi, are you nuts?" Tea had composed herself by now. "You can't fight her! You...you'll be killed!"
"I have to, Tea." Yugi stared at the ground. "I'm the one she wants, aren't I? It seems like I'm the one she's targeting, so I have to fight her, and soon. Otherwise, everyone I care about will be at risk...the same way Bakura was...and I can't let that happen."
"But Yugi..." Tea paused, her words caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and said them. "I...I don't want to see you hurt." She blushed a little.
Yugi stood up and awkwardly placed his hand on her shoulder. "I don't want you to get hurt either. Or anyone else for that matter. That's why I have to go."
"Well Yuge," Joey stood up, stretching his arms over his head. "If you're going, I'm going with ya!"
"Me too!" Tristan jumped up next to his best friend. "No way I'm letting this dimwit get all the credit!"
"What's going on?" everyone turned to see Serenity standing at the door, her arms full of snacks she'd gone out to get. The rest of the gang had sent her out so they could discuss Korimo without her.
"Ah, nothin sis. Don't worry about it."
"Joey, what is it? I heard something about people getting hurt...is everything okay?"
Yugi decided to be honest with her. "No, not really. But you shouldn't worry about it Serenity. I know you probably want to come with us, but you'll only get yourself into trouble."
"You can't just leave me behind!" she replied indignantly. "Besides, I wouldn't let Joey go into danger without me, he'd be hopeless!" Everyone but Joey burst out laughing at Serenity's accurate assessment of her brother's talents.
"Well...alright Serenity," Tea said, "But if we tell you it's too dangerous, you've gotta go back, okay? We don't want anything to happen to you."
"Yeah, ya gotta listen to us, sis." Joey ruffled Serenity's hair. "But I think you'll come in handy after all."
Among the giggles and overall high spirits, the ladybug flew away.

***

Fukamito returned to Korimo's dwelling as a sparrow. Korimo was ready and waiting for him.
"Do you know who the younger girl is?" he asked, becoming a tabby cat at her feet.
Korimo nodded. "Serenity Wheeler, Joey's little sister. There were a few mentions of her in the Duelist Kingdom articles. Apparently, she's his inspiration. She means a lot to him." She smirked. "We'll have to pay her a visit sometime."
"Yes, Milady." The cat began to slink away.
"I haven't dismissed you yet," Korimo said. Fukamito turned to look at her. "I said sometime. For now, you are not to touch her. Get me Tea Gardner."
"Tea? But milady-"
"But what? You are here to follow my orders, and I suggest you do so." Korimo spoke with a calm, dangerous timbre. "Obviously, the girl means something to our little Yugi. And it seems to me that he means the same to her. Now, the poor girl deserves the best education she can get on these matters."
"I'm afraid I don't understand, Milady."
"I got my education from that goody-goody sorceress who used to teach me, and look how I turned out. We don't want Tea to go bad like I did, now do we?" she asked with amused sarcasm.
Fukamito's cat eyes glittered with understanding. "Perhaps learning from the bad will allow her to turn out good?"
"Precisely. Now get her to come with you and meet me at the forest outside of town. It's time for the game to begin."
"Yes, Milady." Fukamito left the room to go and find Tea.
Korimo looked down to see Yume nuzzling against her. She picked the cat up. "Finally Yume, my dreams will be fulfilled. If I can defeat Yugi Moto, I'll really be the strongest there is." She smiled wickedly. "I can't let my old master be right about me." The cat meowed curiously in her arms. "What did she say? Well alright Yume, I'll tell you..."

A/n: yup, a flashback chapter next time. So....yeah