Authoress Notes: Ugh...life sucks at times. I don't feel like talking much... just that I've noticed that a lot people are still confused about the betrayer. Well, to help you all out, since I thought I pointed it on in the chapters, the betrayer is Yami Yugi, also known as Pharaoh Bel um Ful. But I won't say anything more.

To doublestuff: I really don't care that you don't like Anzu. You can go on hating her. But remember, this PRO Anzu. Now, next time, if you have something more constructive to say, lemme know. *is really tired and grouchy today* I wanna make my Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (Ronin Warriors) sweatshirt.

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 XXXI: Visions, Decisions and Strawberry Pocky

            "You're the one who helped us onto the plane!" Anzu said with a smile. Rowan nodded, stepping inside the room"I never got a chance to thank you!"

            "Nah, it's okay," she replied, waving it away. "Mr. Kaiba probably conviently forgot to give you your entrance chips."

            This made Anzu laugh and Rowan couldn't help but grin. She set her stuff on the second twin bed and began to unpack. "So, do you know what your wearing for the tournament?"

            "Eh?"

            "Your dueling outfit!" declared Rowan. "You gotta have a look for the tournament!" Turning back to her bag, she rumaged through it, pulling out various items and tossing them onto her bed. Anzu watched her pull out a white, men's button-ip shirt with collar; a black tank top, a simple gold chain with a cross; a silver balled chain, a black choker, gold-hoop earrings, several rings, a black-mini skirt and boots that nearly reached her knees, covered in buckles. "That's what I'm wearing." She winked. "I'm gonna stick out a bit, ne?"

            Grinning, Anzu nodded. "I can see you love fashion!"

            "Hell ya! I'm always designingf new looks for myself," replied Rowan as she set her outfit the top drawer of her dresser. "If you want, I can help you with yours!" And without waiting for answer, Rowan snatched Anzu's stuff and began to rumage through that.

            "B-bu-"

            "Hush and let the master work," grunted Rowan.

            Anzu sweatdropped. "Okay..." She watched as the 'master' pulled every article of clothing out of her bag and toss it onto Anzu's bed. Then, abandoning the bag, she stood before the clothes, arms crossed and studying them, calculating outfits in her mind. "Um...while you're doing that, I'll be in the bathroom..." She slowly edged away a few steps before dashing for the bathroom and closing the door behind her. After locking it, she let out a sigh of relief. As soon as this happened, the three little fairies fluttered out from ehr jacket and into the open.

            ::That was a close one!:: stated Cho Cho.

            ::Ne, mistress?:: asked Suika quietly. Anzu was staring at them, blinking and shaking her head.

            "I know I should be flipping out, but I'm not! I mean, you're not supposed to be real!" muttered Anzu, holding her head as she leaned against the bathroom door. She opened her eyes and looked at them. "No offense, but you're just cards!"

            ::In the mortal realm, yes.:: replied Ayame. ::But we are really real in the Shadow Realm.::

            ::And because you have knowledge of the Shadow Realm, I believe it is easier for you comprehend our existence!:: added Suika.

            "..."

            ::Mistress...?::

            "Anzu. Please, call me Anzu."

            The three fairies face's lit up with joy as this registered.

            ::Yeah! She believes us!:: cheered Cho Cho.

            Now, of course, Marik is a psycotic, crazy, twisted and sick son of a...well, you get the idea, but unknown to nearly everyone (except Malik and Isis) was that he enjoyed eating Pocky. Don't ask. just...don't. Anyway, he stood there in the same clothes as Malik, eyeing himself suspicisously while holding a box of strawberry pocky in his hand while three sticks of it were hanging out of his mouth. He munched on it hungrily.

            Malik himself was sitting on a stool, leaning his elbows on the counter top, staring intently at the Millennium Rod. His eyes were narrowed, frowning.

            "I promised Isis I wouldn't, but..."

            Marik rolled his eyes, stuffing the rest of the three sticks in his mouth. After quickly chewing and swallowing, he stated, "Just use the Ra-damned thing all ready. At the rate your staring at it, I'm going to run out of Pocky! Besides..." He looked up at clock hanging on the kitchen wall, "It's fucking 3 AM in the freaking morning."

            But, as usual, Malik simply tuned his yami out and continued to debate with himself. "If I use it, I'll be able to know what's wrong with Isis..."

            "And spy on the Mazaki girl," added Marik with a snicker.

            Again, Malik ignored him. "But if anyone finds out I used it, who knows what'll happen..."

            "I'm going to beat the shit out of you with it if you don't decide within the next five damn seconds!"

            "Screw you Marik. Now, Ryou might  let me use it on him, as long as I don't let my yami use it."

            "...I need more Pocky. And I am going to kick your ass for that last comment."

            "Bite me."

            "Where?"

            "...bastard."

            "Pansy."

            "Asshole."

            "Dumbass."

            "Mass-murderer."

            "I know. And your a fucking smart-ass."

            "Damn proud of it!"

            "Wuss."

            "Prick."

            And needless to say, this goes on for quite awhile...

            Yugi chuckled as he heard the snores of Jounouchi. Turning onto his side, he drew the blanket closer, snugglign underneath it and keeping warm. He closed his eyes and sighed with content, feeling himself drift into sleep. As did Yami, who was currently resting in the Millennium Puzzle. However, instead of a peaceful sleep, like his light, he found himself in a nightmare.

            Standing by himself in a blackened room, he suddenly crumbled to his knees, covering his ears. A blood-curdling scream rang through the air. The voice belonged to a girl and it was filled with pain. "Make it stop!" he shouted, flinching as the screams grew louder. "Make her stop!"

            Wno.

            Suddenly, the screaming stopped. Catiously, Yami pulled his hands off his ears. The only sound that could be heard was silence. Yet, the nightmare did not stop there. To his surprise, what lookeded like a faded hologram appeared before him. In it were seven figures. Four in which looked human, while the other three were massive, vast shapes hovering in the air. Three of the four human forms knelt down beside the fourth, who was lying on the ground, sprawled out. He saw white-silver hair trailed beneath the head and covered the face. The others remained in shadows.

            Then, one firgure, reached out and gently laid a hand on the wrist of the fallen body. The other two followed, one on the opposite side while the other sat so that the fallen body's head rested on its lap. they're movements were graceful and seemed gentle. But this all changed in a split second.

            The one holding the head on it's lap gentle placed a hand on either side of the head. Then, with a quick movement, it snaped the head to teh right and Yami heard a sickening crunch. The eyes of the fallen snapped open, mouth opened as if to scream. Yami stared at those eyes.

            Emerald green.

            The others, unfazed by the first movements, followed in persuit. Placing their second hands on the shoulders, they twisted and broke the bones of the arms. The Pharaoh turned away as he heard the ripping sound. He felt his stomach churn in disgust. For a moment, he simply listened as the three tear at the body. Then, again there was silence.

            Daring to turn around, he stared. The three figures stood over the mess. All that could be seen now, besides the outlines, were strange markings on their faces, the blood from their ritual and their eyes. He watched as they each stooped down and began to pick up the pieces. Then, turning about to each of the floating figrues, they held up the sacrifice.

            That was when Yami found his voice.

            "You sick people!" he screamed. All three heads turned to him. And in unison, they spoke in words that sent chills up his spine.

            -Then you are a hypocrite Pharaoh, for this is what you had us do.-

            "WHAT!?"

            -You brought us into this world and that is where we shall stay.-

            "Y-you're insane! You killed that person! You tore the body!"

            -That is what will happen when you summon us, Pharaoh Bel um Ful.-

            His eyes snapped open. Blinking in the darkness, Yami stared up at the top of his bed. The thin viels aorund the bed rustled as a small creature jumped on his bed. The small Kuriboh cooed, blinking innocentl at Yami. Sitting up slowly and racking his hand through his spiked-hair, the ex-pharoah sighed. Carefully, he picked up the Kuriboh and patted it on the head.

            "Was it...a dream?" he spoke in a soft voice. "Those...people...who were they...?"

            ~How fitting! I would have never guessed that a tombrobber would share this body to house my spirit!~

            Pour Ryou! To keep himself from falling in the shower, he clung to the curtain when he jumped in surprise. The hot water continued to spray down upon him, steam rising and fogging up the mirrors.

            "Who said that?" he demanded. "Yami, if that's yo-"

            ~Don't be an idiot. The tombrobber is asleep.~

            "W-who are you?"

            ~Yes, we should get the introductions over with, shouldn't we? My name, mortal, is Hermes. I am the god and protector of merchants, dealers and theives! I do hope you have heard of me!~

            "...I knew that airplane food wasn't safe."

            ~Wonderful, a comedian.~

            Ryou leaned his head against teh tiled wall and procceeded to whack his head repeatedly.

            ~You idiot! Stop thta!~

            "I don't need another voice in my head! Bakura is enough!"

            ~Well, tough luck. I need to use your body for what is coming.~

            "What do you mean...why me?"

            ~Because your body is ideal for me. You are my avatar.~

            "A-avatar?"

            ~Do you need me to spell it out for you?~

            "I know what it means!" snapped Ryou. "But how did I end up being your reincarnation?"

            ~No idea.~ However, Ryou was unaware of the lie. As he hovered in the back of the mortal's mind, Hermes felt a wave of guilt, if possible in his state. He was nothing more than a ghostly spirit. He had successfully sealed his thoughts from the boy, unless he wanted them to be seen. The god suddenly heard the water turn off. The curtains slid back.

            Ryou snatched a towel adn wrapped it around his waist, before quickly wiping the steam off of the mirror and stared intently at it. As Hermes looked through his eyes, he suddenly saw, as if looking through his eyes once more, down at Ryou. But he was different.

            Dressed in garbs worn by Greek merchants, the boy was grinning up at him, waving.

            "And what's coming? What in the world are you talking about?"

            Hermes snapped out of it.

            ~A war is coming. A war inolving those of great power.~

            "Care to elaborate?"

            Hermes sighed mentally. This was gonna be a loooooooong night...

            ~Are you feeling well, Mai?~

            Setting her brush down, Mai stared into the mirror, into her own reflection. Hand still wrapped around the brush's handle, she sighed.

            "I'm still having trouble coming to grips with you," she admitted, shaking her head. "How can any of this really be happening?"

            ~I understand your frustration. But you must understand, I am not lying to you. Why would I?~

            Standing up, Mai began to pace the room. Pushing back a strand of her blonde hair, she continued, "But...stuff like this shouldn't be happening to me! I'm not into this magic and hocus-pocus nonsense!"

            A bell-like laugh rang in her head. ~Even after all these centuries...you are still the same.~

            "That's another thing I'm not getting!" added Mai snappishly. "How in the world am I not only your 'avatar', but also the reincarnate of that Allya girl you keep on talking about!?"

            ~The same short temper too.~

            "Aphrodite! Are you listening to me?"

            Isis' hands curled around the orb that floated in before her. The room was dark. except frm the soft blue glow emitting form the orb. Her topaz eyes stared intently into it, watching the Pharaoh sitting in his bed, playing quietly with a Kuriboh. Her eyes softened.

            "Be at peace, my pharaoh, for now," she said gently.

            "Isis, you should sleep."

            She shook her head stubbornly. "I must watch over everyone. That is who I am, ne? I a mother, in certain ways?"

            Shadi placed a hand on her shoulder. "But a mother needs to sleep. Ask Isis. Thoth has told me that Isis rarely slept, constantly watching over her children and her followers." He sat beside her and a placed a hand over the orb. It flickered before vanishing. Thus, the room fell into darkness. "You worry me," he spoke softly in the darkness. "You carry to much on your shoulders."

            "I must protect them," she whispered back. "My pharaoh...my brother..."

            "And the girl. You have made her a part of your responsabilities?"

            "Yes," she admitted. "The night you brought ehr too me, I felt a strange bond to her. I knew I had to take care of her, but I...did not say anything..." Isis leaned against him, closing her eyes. "So many lives are at stake...why Shadi? Why?"

            "I do not know..." he replied, wrapping an arm around her and holding her close. "I wish I did..."

            Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Hikari waited for her room mate to come out of ehr shower. While she did, she looked through her deck. She stopped as she came across one card and smiled. "Ne, I don't know who gave you to me, but I'm sure you'll bring me luck for tomorrow! You always have ever since I put you in my deck!"

            She held the card up in the light, studying it's picture. A woman was standing with her bakc to the viewer, a pair of bright red eyes glowing in the deep blue/black background. In her outstretched hand was a single white, ostrich feather.

            "'Ma'at, Judge of Heart'..."Hikari whispered.

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I'll update...whenever. *sighs* Sorry minna, I'm just not into it right now...I just wanna listen to ym Utada Hikaru CD for now. *walks away, eating strawberry pocky* ~Mae Crawford