Tink.
"Mmmmuh, what?" Ashelin mumbled, slowly rising from the depths of sleep.
Tink.
"I think someone's throwing stones at the window." Asheritu said, appearing in her transparent spirit form.
"And at one in the morning too, I might add." Ashelin sighed and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Might as well go and see who it is. That way I know who to yell at tomorrow." She opened the window and leaned out slightly. "Who's out there?" she called into the darkness.
"It's me."
Asheritu took over almost instantly. "Bakura? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"We need to talk. Can I come in?"
She met him at the door where he was standing on the front porch looking rather sheepish. She put a finger to her lips, motioning silence and let him up to her room. Once the door was shut, she decided to open the conversation.
"Sorry about that, but I didn't want to wake the Berkelys."
"Not a problem, I've never minded stealth."
Asheritu laughed. "Or using it to 'liberate' certain people's belongings. Remember that time you got caught trying to steal Old High-And-Mighty's good hunting bow back in Egypt?"
Bakura smirked. "I'd never heard you talk so fast."
She wagged a finger under his nose. "You make fun of me now, but as I recall, at the time you were shaking as if you were facing the crocodiles… You might as well have been, he wasn't exactly known for being benevolent." Her face hardened, growing more serious. "All that aside, why did you come here in the middle of the night?"
Bakura sighed. "I was worried about you. I heard little Yugi talking about what happened with your host's parents – and we both know what's coming."
"Not necessarily."
"What do you mean? Destiny can't be changed, you know that."
Asheritu rubbed her temple. "The Wingweaver spoke to me when I went into the Millennium Key and something stuck in my mind. It said that destiny was not properly fulfilled in my lifetime, that's why some of us would get a second chance to correct us."
"But why did I come back then?"
She shrugged. "You must have some sort of role to play. Destiny works in many small, cryptic ways." Something occurred to her. "Speaking of destiny, why doesn't Kaiba have the Millennium Rod? It is his by right of fate."
Bakura sighed. "He's still in denial, the imbecile. The Pharaoh got given it and offered it to Kaiba, but he refused. That fool thinks he can run from destiny."
"I'll go talk to Yami about it tomorrow. But right now, I need some sleep."
"I'm going to go home then."
She looked surprised. "You're not staying."
He shook his head. "I wouldn't want to offend his Highness. Does he remember certain complications with certain people yet?" he asked slyly. His only answer was a pillow to the head. "I'll take that as a no." he smiled gently. "Sweet dreams Asheritu."
"Night."
The next morning, Ashelin left on her way to go and talk to Yami about giving the Millennium Rod to Kaiba. When she was just over halfway there, an icy voice from the shadows said, "Good morning, companion of the pretender."
She spun around. "Who's there?" she called.
"You know," said the Sovereign casually, sauntering out of the alleyway, "I was shown visions of what happened in the past by Ishezu. That fool thought she could deter me from my goal." He laughed. "It has only given me something to look forward to."
Asheritu took over. Hatred blazed in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
He smiled smugly. "If, by some remote chance I fail once again to defeat to defeat that fake Pharaoh, at least I get to destroy someone he loves."
"Not this time you won't!" She pulled out the Millennium Key and tried to send him to the Shadow Realm with all her might.
But he only laughed. "Pathetic. I barely felt that." He unleashed his own shadow powers, slamming her against the wall. A loop of it snaked around her neck.
Just when Asheritu could feel the world slipping away from her, she heard Yami's voice.
"Sovereign! Release her!"
Asheritu fell to the ground, coughing and holding her neck. The Sovereign turned to Yami, smirking. "Impeccable timing Pretender." His expression darkened. "Be warned, it won't always be quite so perfect." He disappeared in a flash of shadow magic as Yami rushed at him, revenge in mind.
A cough from Asheritu brought Yami back to his senses and he rushed over to her. "Are you alright?" he asked gently.
She nodded. "How did you know I was here?"
"I don't know. All I knew is that you were in danger."
She smiled. "Perhaps your memories are returning?"
"Perhaps." He looked into her eyes. There was such hope there. But why? What was it that she hoped he would remember?
A/N: Thanks RobinIV for your review! I want lots more for this chapter! Come on peoples! Let the monkey of cheese know what you think of her stuff.
