Authoress Notes: (8-1-03) WAHOO! ::does her lil dance:: I'm so HAPPY!!!! Today's my birthday!!! I'm finally SIXTEEN! YES! Now I can go and get my permit!

Anzu: Yeah! And then your license!

::crying happily:: Things are starting to look up!

Anzu: Well, while Mae is celebrating, I shall be commenting in this note. Here's some mroe good news: The contest shall be posted next week! Mae has finished the questions! It's a twenty-two question quiz that asks a mix about the manga, anime and this fan fic. ::winks:: I'd advise everyone to re-read the story carefully! Some of these questions are VERY selective and picky. Mae's still trying to figure out a third prize. So far, these are the prizes:

            ~A WingWeaver card signed by Amy Birnbaum, Anzu's English voice actress

            ~The Dreams of Innocence soundtrack.

Anzu: I just want to say thank you to all of those who are protecting me form those bashers! And for visiting the shrine! ::sweatdrops:: Mae's been having Net problems at home and that's the only place she can update. That, and her scanner hasn't been working. But the next section should be up this month. Well, I hope you all enjoy 29!

Malik: When the hell am I going to kiss Anzu?

Anzu: ::blushes::

I can't say! It'll spoil everything!

Malik: ::eyes Mae:: Don't tell me until the Ra-damned end!

...::runs::

Malik: ::sobs::

Anzu: ::sweatdrops::

I do not own Yugioh! or Duel Monsters. They are copyrighted to Kazuki Takahashi, 4Kids Entertainment (Your dubbing sucks!) and Konami. I do not own Sy Cross; he belongs to Esse. Hikari belongs to Nadia. I own the Egyptian goddess cards, Himeyuri and the plotline. ^^ All rights reserved.

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Dreams of Innocence

Chapter XXIX: A Voice Has to Have a Body

            Anzu never realized she had drifted off to sleep on the plane. Head resting against the pane, she fell asleep with the music still playing.

            Anzu...

            Anzu!

            Blinking, Anzu looked around.
            "This again? I'm really getting tired of all of these voices..." grumbled Anzu, as she stared around the dark room. Then, something white and pink flashed by in front of her. A second on of white and brown did as well, a red and white one last. The three little flashes contiued to zip around Anzu, giggling.

            Anzu, do not worry! We are here to help you!

            "Who are you?" demanded Anzu, trying to keep up with the flashes.

            Soon you shall see mistress! But for now, just know that we are to help and guide you, as we did for our old mistress.

            "Your old mistress? What are yo-"

            Keep the feather with you.

            "Feather?"

            It will protect you from the influence of the Shadows! Please mistress, keep it with you, but hide it from the view of others!

            "What in the world are yo-oh yeah!" Anzu suddenly blinked, remembering the feather. "The feather I found this week! The long, white one?"

            Yes.

            It is vital that you keep it with you at all costs. If not...

            Suika! Theyr'e coming!

            No! Not yet, we're not do-

            We must go Suika!

Ayame, we musn't! We have to-

            Farewell mistress!

            Keep it with you!

            Then, the flashes and voices were gone. Anzu remained standing there, alone in the darkness. "What's going on...?" she muttered. But then something new interrupted her thoughts. A tiny pinprick of light hoevered in the air high above her. Turning her gaze upwards, she watched it slowly and steadily drift to her, the light growing bigger and bigger.

            Thsi light was a gentle, sky blue, And when it stopped, it hovered inches from Anzu's face. Curiously, she reached out and touched it. The light vanished instantly, leaving behind a blue feather.

            "What is it with me and feathers?" kidded Anzu, as she gently took it in her hands and studied it. It was different from the whit one. It was smaller and wider. She let her finger tip trace the edge of it.

            Anzu. Stay away from him.

            At first, Anzu thought it was the flashes again. but this voice was different. It was...older.

            "Stay away from who?"

            Stay away from him Anzu, he will betray you. He will hurt you. He will attempt to kill you.

            "Who are you talking about?"

            Keep this feather with you. If he or anyone connected with him is within distance of you, it will glow. the closer, the brighter it glows.

            "Can't you tell me his name?"

            Be careful, dear mistress. I pray that you will stay safe.

            "Don't tell me you're leaving too! Please, you have to answer my questions!"

            But there was only a heavy silence.

            "Mr. Crawford? I'm sorry I'm late!" rushed Otogi, running into the room.

            "About time," grumbled Seto, downing his fifth glass that hour. Otogi shot him a quick glare, before seating himself at the table, next to Pegasus. Pegasu sat at the head, with Seto sitting on the left, farthest from him. Two seats remained empty: the chair between Pegasus and Seto and the one next beside Otogi.

            "I'm afraid Miss Ishtar and Shadii will be a little late as well," spoke Pegasus, carefully sipping his wine.

            "Which one are you?" Seto directed this question at Otogi, who inreturn raised an eyebrow.

            "Excuse me?"

            "Don't play dumb Ryuuji: which one are you?"

            "Ah, that." With a smirk, Otogi snapped his fingers. Instantly, his chairslwoly rose form the floor and hovered inches form the ground. His eyes glowed a complete emerald. When he spoke, it was his mixed with another.

            ~I am Anu, Lord of the Sky.~

            This, apparently, triggered a chain reaction, for when Pegasus spoke, his voice was mixed with another, as did his visable eye glow a deep amber.

            ~Anu, it is pleasant to see you again.~

            ~Osirius? Well, well, well! What a pleasant surprise!~

            ~Would the two of you quit the pleasanties?~ snapped Seto; he two had changed. His blue eyes glowed brightly.

            ~Odin! Your firey temper still has not changed, I see!~ mocked Otogi.

            ~This is no time for arguing~ interrupted Pegasus, stopping a fight from starting. ~We need to concentrate on the issues at hand!~

            ~The issue is that my daughter is a stubborn, thick-headed fool for attempting this again!~ growled Otogi, slamming his fist against the arm chair.

            ~And with my idiotic brother working with her,~ added Pegasus, ~It shall all happen again!~

            ~The priestess or the betrayer must be found! Without either one, the ceremony cannot be completed,~ stated Seto, taking another drink of his scotch.

            ~But knowing my daughter, she will seduce the betrayer and convince him otherwise,~ growled Otogi, shaking his head.

            ~Then the cards! We must hide the cards!~ interjected Seto.

            ~Hathor was given to a mortal girl; the three God cards to the King of Games; Isis and Ma'at are missing.~ explained Pegasus, sighing, eyes closed and resting his forehead against his two hands that were intertwined together with his elbows resting on the table.

            ~This mortal girl, do you know who?~ questioned Seto.

            ~The avatar of Isis told me that she is a competator in this tournament, and a friend of the King of Games.~

            ~Can she handle the power?~ Otogi demanded. ~Hathor is an extremely powerful card.~

            ~The avatar assures me that she can.~

            ~Where is Isis?~ Seto stated, looking around while finishing his scotch. ~And that ibis-headed one, Thoth?~

            ~They are coming,~ assured Pegasus. ~But right now,the King of Games must be brought here immediately, before Ishtar can get to him! If we at least have him...for now though, we must let our avatars go and remain in seclusion in their minds, until the time is right. All right?~

            There was a loud thump as Otogi's chair hit the ground. Blinking, his eyes returned to normal as he looked around, dazed. Within seconds, Pegasus and Seto had matching expressions.

            "What the hell just happened?" demanded Seto, hand tightening around his empty shot glass.

            "I'm going to guess that...was the gods just talking?" stated Otogi, though his eyes were doubled in size.

            "You are right Otogi," agreed Pegasus, noddeding his head.

            Otogi turned his attention to Seto again, his shock beginning to wear off and being replaced with a smirk. "So...that explains why you have bandages warpped your eye and you downing that stuff like its water!"

            After downing another quick glass of scotch, Seto glared. "You know Ryuuji, I'm not afraid to take that bottle and ram it up your-"

            But Pegasus pressed the button on the intercom on the table. "When the planes with the duelists arrive, please keep an extra watch on the floor that Mr. Yuugi Mutou resides in," he spoke into it.

            "Yes Mr. Crawford."

            "What was that about?" Seto demanded. "What does Mutou-"

            "Are you drunk enough not to rememebr what they were just talking about?" snapped Otogi.

            "I'm warning you, I have plenty bottles of this stuff," growled Seto. "I wouldnt' mind loosing one if I break it over your head."

            "Kaiba, sit down and drink your scotch," snapped Pegasus impatiently. "Otogi, stop the taunting before I throw you out. Unless you want you both shut up, I will make sure neither of you get a good nights rest due to spirits keeping you up all night!"

            This shut them up.

            Though Seto spent the rest fo the night glaring at both Otogi and Pegasus, while consuming glass after glass of scotch.

            Isis hovered over the scrolls, scanning them rapidly. Her finger traced across line after line of text. All the while, she listened to Isis speak to her, explaining all that she didn't want to hear.

            ~*It took the ten of us to over power Set and Ishtar, btu still then: there were casualties. The priestess, we could not save her. She was consumed by the six and still, the memory haunts me.*~

            "So, what are you suggesting for me to do?"

            ~*Keep an eye on the betrayer. Make no sure he does not come in contact with my brother or Ishtar. If he does, they will trick and convince him into joining their side.*~

            "What you are asking, it's impossible. I have no clue as to who these avatars look like!"

            ~*Just watch the betrayer. I know they will come to him.*~

            Sighing, Isis closed the scroll and stared at the table. Tears sprung to her eyes. "Why must this happen to him? He has fought so hard to protect this world...and to think that he will be the one to bring its end." Her fists clenched tightly upon the desk. "Why must things shatter like so?"

            "Anzu, wake up!"

            "Huh?" Blinking stupidly, Anzu looked to see Yugi smiling at her.

            "We're here!"

            Rubbing her eyes, she muttered, "How long was I asleep?"

            "The entire trip," he repleid with a chuckle. "I was surprised you slept through the time when the American duelists came on! They were cheering and blasting their music!"

            Anzu sweatdropped, laughing. "I guess I'm sound sleeper! My aunt always said that I could sleep through a torando, earthquake and a volcano erruption at the same time!"

            "Well, you better get yoru stuff! They're taking us to the hotel as soon as everyone gets off."

            Nodding, Anzu quickly packed her CD player into her bag and stood up. Following Yugi and the others off the plane, she put her free hand in her pocket. Something soft meet her fingertips. Pulling it out, she stared.

            It was a blue feather.

            And it was glowing.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Part One:

~*Walking Through a Dream*~

Concluded

Stay Tuned for

Part Two:

~*Innocence Shattered*~