I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters and plots.

However the following characters (their powers and such) used in this fan fiction ARE mine:

Lady Aurora Phoenix

Lady Natara Fear

Lady Sapphira Star

Blaze

Chaos

Havoc

Nothing in the mailbox this time but I do know there are people still enjoying it... Now that this chapter is out of the way the rest should fall into place soon If that makes any sense lol... Enjoy!


The Proposal

Chaos looked up when he heard the exhaustion in Lady Phoenix's mental voice. He was concerned for her, he would not deny it. He felt that Havoc was being a bit unfair as well to their friend. She still had a heart. She could be capable of falling for another. He saw Lady Star glare at Havoc and Lady Fear merely shook her head in frustration.

"What? We need to get going, and she is holding us back." Havoc's voice was low and his anger was evident.

"I told her to go, Havoc. This is not entirely her fault," Lady Star told him. Havoc was about to speak again when Lady Fear silenced him and turned her head up to see what was happening on the balcony. Just above them, Lady Phoenix had turned to leave and they saw Atem chase after her with desperation written on his face. They saw him grasp her arm, and saw her look back at him, before looking at her feet. They were uncertain as to what was just said, but they all knew that something had suddenly gone very wrong up on that balcony.


"I deserve an answer, Aurora," Atem's voice was strained as he tried to keep calm. Lady Phoenix swallowed hard. She wanted to tell him, but she did not know if she could go through with it. "Aurora, please tell me. Are you only staying here to protect me?"

"Atem," she whispered tightly. Her breath was shaky, and she felt faint. She somehow felt herself pulled back to him. He was holding her against him in a way that had her both pushing him away and yet clinging to him at the same time. Tears stung her eyes. She could not look at him any longer. The raw emotion in those crimson eyes was too much for her to take. She softly cried out and let her head fall gently to his shoulder. She felt his body tense up and he lightly cupped his hand behind her head. He was right. She knew this. He deserved an answer. The answer he deserved, however, scared her more than the idea of facing Lord Theron in battle again.

"Aurora." His voice was almost too soft to be heard, as he pleaded with her again. She gasped in a quiet sob and shook her head. She was fighting her tears and her heart. And she was losing. There was only one thing she could do. With her head still on his shoulder, she turned so her lips were near his ear.

"No, Atem. It is not the only reason I stay," she finally whispered. "I stay... I stay because..." She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "You once told me you loved me. I never did answer you. I should have." Atem pulled back slightly to look at her face. He saw the tears she was fighting.

"Are you saying that...?" His voice trailed off as her eyes closed.

"Yes, I am. Atem, I do love you. But this love is different from what I had ever felt before. It shakes the very core of my soul. It threatens to overwhelm me. It ... It scares me." Atem breathed deeply and held her tighter to him. A huge weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. He understood what she was saying. He understood it all to well.

"It scares me as well, Aurora. I have never felt this way before. It is strange to me. But it... It feels right to me." She nodded against his shoulder again before pulling back and looking at him.

"So what happens now?" She asked him quietly.

"Come," he said as he led her farther inside his room. He guided her to his bed and motioned her to sit. Once she was seated he went to a table by a far wall. There was box there he opened and pulled an object out of. Taking a deep breath, he returned to her and knelt before her, taking her hands in his own. "I want to ask you to stay with me forever. I would be honored if you would. However, I also know the pressures you are facing. I do not wish to keep you from what you must do." He paused a moment as if searching for the words he wanted to say.

"Atem, I feel the same. We both have our responsibilities. To our people, our friends, and our duties. I cannot keep you from yours either. I do not wish that at all. I will not take you from your people."

"You feel the same? About just the responsibility part?"

"No, about all of it, why?" she asked him. She watched as he glanced at the object in his hand. Wait, she said to herself, veiling her thoughts from him and her friends. Is he going to...

"Aurora, this is your choice. I had this ring made for you," he brought the small ring before her. It was a small diamond set into a simple silver band. "I know you do not wear much gold. So I made sure some silver was set aside for this. I would be honored if you chose to wear it while you were gone this time. A way to remember me while you are in battle. Then later, if you wish, would you," he paused again to gain control over his voice, which had begun to shake with fear and other emotions. "Do me the honor of becoming my bride?" Lady Phoenix sat there stunned. Part of her knew this was coming. Her heart leapt to her throat, but she silently offered up her left hand to him. A small smile had begun to show on across her lips. Fire sparked in Atem's eyes as he slipped the ring on her awaiting finger. She stared down at the tiny ring in awe and wonder for a moment before looking back at him. He helped her to stand and pulled her into a warm embrace. The kiss they then shared was unlike any kiss from before. Light seemed to glow around them. White around Lady Phoenix, and red around Atem. The light grew and became a melding fire as the kiss deepened.

Lady Phoenix and Atem broke the kiss and looked around them at the flames brought on by their melding powers. It was a Powerful feeling. A feeling the felt completely natural to them. They knew this was right. The only task ahead of them now, besides their enemies, was telling the others around them. But that was a task that could wait till she returned from her search. When that thought crept into their minds, Lady Phoenix slowly pulled away.

"I really must be going now," she said softly.

"I know. I will not stop you. I only ask you to please be careful. The rooms that you and your friends have will be saved for you upon your return. Do you need anything? Food, water, anything?" Lady Phoenix thought a moment.

"I suppose a little something would not hurt, just in case. Maybe a few horses as well?" Atem nodded.

"Consider it done. Have your friends meet you by the stables. I will have a few of my servants bring everything out."

"Thank you."

"No, Aurora," he said with a light kiss on her lips. "Thank you."


Ok that seems like a nice place to break... Lady Phoenix is leaving for a bit after he just asked her to be his wife... not a bad place to stop right now lol... It is not over yet though... The rest is just around the corner... As far as the action and more duels and then the puzzle taking control... Hope you enjoyed this so far!