Soft crying reached his ears. He opened his eyes and peered through the faint light at the girl. She was sobbing in her hands, looking extremely feeble all the while. Unable to stand her sorrow he moved as close as he could to her and patted her shoulder.
"It's ok, Takoda." Mokuba assured the crying girl. "Everything will be alright."
Takoda looked up at him, her dark eyes bloodshot. "Don't lie Mokuba, you know it won't be. We're doomed. They're going to take us to this new place, and they're going to kill us!"
"Kill us?" He blinked, a bit stunned. "Why would you think that?"
"Don't tell me you don't know!" The girl cried. She calmed a bit at Mokuba's confused expression. "You mean, you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"About the ritual! About the Chaos!"
Mokuba shook his head. "I can't say I do."
She took a shaky breath, then released it. "Maybe it's better that you don't know…"
"If I'm going to die, I'd like to know how." He said defensively. But inside his heart was beating fast. Are we really going to die?
Takoda pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. She remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke. "I've been told stories about it since I was a baby." She whispered, her eyes distant. "My brother was the Gem Keeper, and our grandmother raised us, so she tired to give us all the information because omens said such a thing would happen again."
"What thing?"
"The Releasing of the Chaos."
Mokuba blinked. What was this Chaos that everyone spoke of?
As if seeing the question in his eyes the girl explained. "No one knows just what the Chaos is. But it's bad. Some say it's the combined powers of all the Shadow Creatures, some say it's the combined powers of all living things, and other's say it's a creature all it's own. My grandfather once said that the Chaos was Death itself. But, like I said before, no one knows for sure.
"But, one thing is for certain. It's a whole lot of power, it's deadly, and only the Shadow Gems can release it. That's where we come in. They line up the Gem Keepers with their Gems, and we do some sort of ritual to break the seal and let the Chaos go. But being so close to it as it's released will most likely kill us…"
"But you don't have to worry." The boy told her. "You're not the real Gem Keeper."
"But when they find out I'm useless they'll have no reason to keep me around." Takoda said bitterly. "That's why they can't know I'm not the real Gem Keeper, else I'll be the first one to kick the bucket. If I'm the one to take part in the ritual not only will my brother be safe, but the whole world will be because seeing as I'm not the Gem Keeper, I can't use the Hematite and the Chaos cannot be released." She leaned against the wall, a satisfied look on her face.
Mokuba sighed and leaned against the wall of their cabin as well. "So, that's what the Gems were made for? To be used as keys?"
"No." A small voice said from the door. Both Mokuba and Takoda turned to see Chiquita enter the room and close the door behind her. She came over to them and sat on the floor before the bed. Mokuba noted that she stayed out of arm's length.
"Then, what are they for?" Takoda asked coldly.
"The Shadow Gems were made to seal the Shadow Creatures away." Chiquita told them. "But because of their connection to the Realm of Shadows they can open the gateway to the Chaos."
"I don't exactly get it…" Mokuba admitted. Chiquita smiled at him, making him blush.
"It's simple, really." The Mexican assured him. "See, our world can open gateways to the Realm of Shadows, but not to the Chaos itself. But, the Realm of Shadows can open gateways to both our world and the Chaos. So, we make a gateway to the Realm of Shadows, then one to the Chaos, and it's one big gateway between the Chaos and our world." She smiled brightly at both of them.
"Despicable." Takoda muttered, turning away from Chiquita and Mokuba.
"What is?" The other girl asked.
"You!" Takoda rounded on her. "You're excited to be releasing the Chaos, excited about bringing the Apocalypse down upon us! Excited about destroying the world as we know it!"
Chiquita's eyes went wider than Mokuba thought they could have. She slowly stood. "Y-you're wrong. We won't bring on the Apocalypse, we're going to make the world better, you'll see."
"Make the world better?" Takoda scoffed. "Don't give me that. You're going to destroy the world, that's what you're going to do!"
"No." Chiquita shook her head. "We're going to make the world better. Antonio told me so!"
"Takoda, stop it." Mokuba hissed at her, not liking the look of shock on Chiquita's face.
"No." The older girl told him. She turned back to Chiquita. "Well, your brother's lying. He knows he's going to destroy the world."
"That's not true!" Chiquita cried at her. "My brother would do no such thing!" And with that she ran from the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Why did you do that?" Mokuba asked. "What good is it to confuse her and make her upset?"
"She should know what she's really helping to do." Takoda insisted, her chin sticking out stubbornly.
"She could've been our only chance to get out of here, and now she'll never come back." He told her.
The girl shrugged, then turned stare at the wall. "The truth hurts."
It sure does. Mokuba thought, fighting back the tears that were bubbling in his eyes. He turned from Takoda and stared at the closed door. All this was too much. He didn't want to be handcuffed to a bed. He didn't want to be a prisoner on a boat being taken to someplace unknown. He didn't want to be the Keeper of some magical gemstone. He didn't want to die…
Seto, if you're out there, please come and find me. His silent prayers seemed to be his only hope that help would come and somehow rescue them.
Before it's too late...
Hearing motion down the hall made her force her eyes open. She hadn't been asleep, but that didn't stop her from trying to. Slowly she sat up and opened one of her curtains around her bed. She went over to her window and peered out. It was still dark, but a faint light on the horizon said the sun would be rising soon.
No point in trying to sleep. Medea thought. She quickly dressed.
After she had applied her makeup and had just finished putting on jewelry she glanced down at the Shadow Gem still sitting on her vanity table. She picked it up hesitantly, then with a sigh she secured it around her neck. It didn't hurt to have something magical at hand when you needed it.
Finally fully dressed she left her room, remembering to lock the door behind her. She then slowly made her way down to the main floor as quietly as she could so no one would hear her and wake up.
She then went through the garden and to the pathway that led from the back of it. She followed the path to the fork, and took the new path that would lead down to the beach.
As soon as she left the bush that hemmed the beach she could see clearly all around it. The beach was deserted of all life save for one form sitting in the side, watching the waves beat against the sand but far enough from them to stay dry. Slowly Medea went over to them and sat down silently.
"I'm sorry I asked the Gem about your past." She whispered softly. "I had no right to."
"It's alright." Marik said, his voice just as soft. "We can't change our pasts. I was a different person back then, really I was. But I've learned, and I've changed. And things are different now, things are better."
"If that's the case you won't mind me asking the one thing the Gem wouldn't tell me."
"And that is?"
"How does the story end?"
Marik gave her a sidelong glance. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, how did you go from that person to the one you are today?" She questioned. With her thumb she rubbed the Turquoise. "It only knows the bad things that happen, but not the good. So I would like to know how the story ended."
He sighed, then leaned back on the sand, propped up by his elbows. He gazed at the ocean silently, then with explained. "It was the Pharaoh." He told her. "He helped me to see the truth, along with my sister and Odeon. I swore to right my wrongs and I was given the chance to. I took that chance, my evil side was destroyed, and I could start over again."
"And the Pharaoh?" Medea asked. "Did he get a happy ending as well?"
"More or less." Was his reply. "He received all three God Cards. But, for some reason he hasn't had the opportunity to use them, so he remains in his imprisonment."
"That means he is with us." She uttered. "Here, in Greece."
"Yes."
She sighed, looking out to the ocean as well. "Maybe it's a good thing he never received an opportunity to use those cards and regain his memories, else he wouldn't be here with us, and we might need his help soon."
Marik only replied with a nod. By now the sun's rim was over the waves as it slowly rose in the sky. A breeze has come up, pulling at their clothes and hair. Silently they sat and watched the morning unfold.
The early morning light flooded through the windows and filled the hall. One of the bedroom doors on the main floor opened and she stepped out, carefully closing it behind her. Unknown to her someone else was already in the hall and has he placed a hand on her shoulder she jumped, then spun around to glare at him.
"You nearly scared me half to death." Ishizu said warningly, though within her chest her heart had skipped a beat for a different reason. Sanders chuckled, his grey eyes dancing with laughter.
"You're very jumpy, did you know that?" He asked. Ishizu gave him a look then turned and proceeded down the hall. Sanders sighed and followed her. "You just can't forget about it, even if you tried."
"Forget about what?" She asked, not glancing at him. At the front door she turned into the dining room and continued to the kitchen.
"About us." Sanders whispered to her. This made her freeze, then slowly turned to him.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Was her answer. "There is no 'us'." Sanders noticed how she avoided his eyes.
"Ishizu…" He sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Now it's my turn to say 'I don't know what you're talking about'. How can you say that? Nothing has changed."
"But things have changed, Sanders." Ishizu said, turning from him and leaning on the table. "You have a daughter."
"Stepdaughter." He corrected her. "And I had her two years ago as well."
"I never knew that." She snapped at him. "You could've told me then."
Sanders sighed as he rubbed his chin. "I didn't see how it mattered. Medea's mother and I were divorced, I was free to see other women."
"You could've at least have told me before." Ishizu whispered, looking down at her hands that grasped the side of the table. "Even after. Now I feel like I don't know you." She hadn't been aware of Sander's moving until he grasped her shoulders and turned him to face her.
"Does it matter who we are?" He asked softly. "The only thing of importance is how we feel about each other. I know my feelings haven't changed since the last time we saw each other. Have yours?"
Slowly Ishizu looked up into his eyes. Slowly she shook her head. "No."
"That's my girl." Sanders said with a smile. He moved a bit closer to Ishizu, but the woman stepped out of his grasp and began to pace.
"But things are different now." She insisted. "Nothing can happen between us."
He turned and sat on the table, an amused smile on his lips. "Things don't seem different to me. You've showed up on my doorstep again, with strange and foreign company. You've brought something near impossible for me to try to translate. And some mad man is trying to take over the world. Nope, sounds like everything's the same to me."
Ishizu narrowed her eyes at him. "I hope you're not referring to my brother as the past mad man." This made Sander's grin widen.
"What can I say?" He asked, taking her hands. "I believe it runs in your family."
"And now you're calling me mad." She said sternly, though her eyes were bright with silent laughter. "You're so complimentary."
"You're mad in the best of ways." Sanders told her. Her raised her hands and kissed them one at a time. "But I suppose I'm mad as well if I'm assisting you at the task of translating that damn book."
At this Ishizu allowed a smile to shine through. "Even if both of us are sane at the moment, we won't be once we're done with it."
"You mean when it's done with us." He chuckled. Then he became a bit more serious. "So, are we alright?"
"Yes." Ishizu said with a bit of reluctance. "'We' are alright."
Sanders smiled brightly and pulled her closer to him in an attempt to kiss her. But outside the house a vehicle sounded and Ishizu place a finger on his lips and pushed him away.
"I believe we have company." She mused, then turned and headed towards the entrance hall. Sanders hung his head for a moment in defeat, then slipped from the tabletop and trotted after the Arabic woman.
As Sanders and Ishizu emerged from the house and into the cool morning three figures came from a taxi. The blonde boy carrying a few suitcases and another boy with white hair were familiar to Ishizu, but the girl on the pale haired boy's back was new.
"I hope you know them." Sanders uttered Ishizu. "Else I'm afraid my house is turning into an Inn."
Ishizu lightly swatted him. "I know them." She told Sanders. Then she eyed the girl who was sleeping on Ryou's back. "Most of them, anyways."
The man and woman approached the new comers, Sanders grabbing the remainder bags that Joey couldn't carry and Ishizu went to make sure Sundari didn't fall off Ryou's back.
"She's still tired from the flight." Ryou told Ishizu. "Is there anywhere she can lay down until she wakes up?"
"Inside." Ishizu told him, then motioned for Ryou to follow her inside.
"I'll show you where you can put these." Sanders said to Joey, motioning to the luggage. Joey nodded, still half asleep himself, and followed their host inside as well.
From there Sanders led Joey upstairs and Ishizu took Ryou to the living room where he placed Sundari on one of the sofas. The girl grabbed one of the pillows and held it close to her the way a toddler held it's favorite stuffed animal. Ryou sat on a chair beside her and Ishizu sat on the sofa across from both of them.
"I do hope she's the Indian Gem Keeper." Ishizu sighed.
"Oh course." Ryou told her. "Why wouldn't she be?"
"No reason." She told him with a smile, though in her mind she thought of Bree. She didn't want to endanger the girl's life if it wasn't necessary, but Bree was stubborn and refused to return home. Ishizu was glad Sundari wasn't going to cause something of that sort.
"There is a bit of a problem." Ryou uttered, bringing Ishizu back to the matter at hand.
"And that is?"
The boy brushed a few strands of Sundari's brown hair that had escaped her braid back behind her ear. "Her family was taken by the Gem Keeper. He's holding them for ransom, demanding for the Shadow Gem."
Ishizu looked at Sundari. "The poor thing. But she does have the Gem with her, correct?"
Ryou nodded and lifted her wrist to show the bracelet that clung to it. Ishizu gazed at it for awhile, then stood.
"I'll go see where Sanders has your things." She told him, then disappeared down the hall.
Ryou remained by Sundari's side. Within his mind he felt a shift, then Bakura appeared to his mind's eye sitting where Ishizu had been.
Do you think she's forgiven me? The yami asked, looking at Sundari with stressed eyes.
Though I've only known her for three days, I can safely say she probably has. Ryou assured him. She doesn't seem like one to stay angry at someone.
Good. Bakura uttered, wringing his hands a bit. That's good. Ryou noticed the anxiety in his actions. Curious he turn in his chair to fully face the spirit.
If you don't mind me asking, but what does it matter if she forgives you or not? He asked with caution, knowing his yami had a short temper. You've never cared about other people's emotions before, what's changed?
Bakura scowled at him, but he stopped wringing his hands. He looked to Sundari as he answered. Times are hard with the treat of the Chaos about. I just don't think we should be angry or upset with each other incase something may happen and we'll have to depend on those around us if we want to live. I just need to know I have her trust so she'll watch my back when I need her to.
Is that it? Ryou asked, sitting back in his chair. I was almost sure there's something more to it.
Something like what? Bakura snapped.
I don't know. Ryou said innocently. Maybe you had feelings for her…He gave a shrug.
Bakura glared at him. Feelings? For her? You're stranger than I thought. Honestly, I know better than to get involved with someone like her.
Someone like her? What's that suppose to mean? The other boy snapped in defense of the sleeping girl.
It means that a person in her position, being a Gem Keeper, is most likely going to be put in dangerous situations, some of which she might not make it out. To fall for someone like her is reckless.
How, may I ask, is it reckless?
Because there may come a time where you'll risk your life for her and loose, putting other's in danger as well. Bakura answered, his voice low, his eyes hard and emotionless. Then his form faded from view as he returned to the Ring. Ryou sighed, fighting back the urge to call the spirit back and fight with him some more. Something rustled at his side and Sundari slowly opened her eyes, peering up at Ryou, then around the room.
"Who were you talking to?" She asked sleepily as she sat up.
Ryou smiled a bit, his anger melting away. "No one."
"Really?" the girl asked, brushed her braid over her shoulder. "I could've sworn I heard two people arguing."
"You must have been dreaming." Ryou assured her, though he frowned mentally. He didn't remember speaking aloud through out Bakura's and his conversation, and he wasn't sure how Sundari could've heard Bakura, but she had.
"I must have…" Sundari uttered, not knowing what was going on in Ryou's head. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked around. "Are we in Greece?"
"Yes, you are." Sanders said. He had appeared from the hall and was walking closer to them. "I'm Sanders Euphemia, I own this house."
"Ryou Bakura." Ryou told him. He stood and shook the man's hand. As the boy stepped back her gestured to Sundari as she slowly stood. "This is Sundari Sohana."
"Pleasure to meet you, Sundari." Sanders assured her. As he shook her hand, he noticed the bracelet and smiled, tapping it as he did. "You must be the Indian Gem Keeper."
"That I am." Sundari said with a bright smile, fully awake and back to her happy self.
"That's wonderful." The Greek man told her. "Now, I'll show you two to your rooms." He led them to the second floor and to their rooms which were across from each other. Joey was already unpacking in his one that was to the left of Ryou's. The boy and girl thanked Sanders then went to their respected rooms to unpack and change.
By the time the had both finished the other members of the house were awake and gathering in the dining room on the first floor for breakfast. Ryou and Sundari headed down there together.
As they came down the stairs a small kid turned and gave the pair a confused look.
"Who're they?" He asked in flawless Japanese that had startled Ishizu when he first revealed he could speak it. His question caused others in the room to glance at them.
"They came with me." Joey said. Already he sat at the table, food bulging from his mouth.
"Don't worry, Chayton." Yugi said from his spot across from Joey. "They're friends."
"More people?" A voice from behind them asked. Ryou and Sundari turned to see a tall girl behind them. She smiled brightly.
Ishizu, who had been in the kitchen before, entered the dining room. "Oh, I see you're up." She noted to Sundari. To the others she said, clear among their dull roar, "We have three new people with us. Joey Wheeler, Ryou Bakura, and Sundari Sohana." As she said each name she indicated the name's owner. "And I believe everyone is with us now."
"Where's Marik and Medea?" Yugi finally asked as he looked at the people around the table.
Sanders glanced around the room, then shrugged. "I'm sure they'll turn up eventually. Medea always does."
"So, let's eat!" Chayton cried. With this he glanced a Joey, a wide grin spreading on the boy's face. "Well, those of us who haven't already started."
Sundari smiled, then grabbed Ryou's hand and pulled him over to the table. "Come on, I'm starving!" She pulled him down beside her as she took a seat next to the tall girl who introduced herself as Bree Keagan. Introductions went around the table, and soon they were all eating and talking, save for the one called Seto Kaiba who ate quickly without a word, then rose from the table and ventured off somewhere. At the end of the meal they each helped to clear the table and put food away.
"I have to go into town to get a few things." Ishizu said to those in the kitchen with her as she washed dishes. "Who else would like to join me?"
"That'll be fun!" Chayton cried, almost dropping the dish he was drying. With a slight blush he finished drying it and put it in the cupboard.
"You're lucky your grandmother wasn't here to see that." The Arabic woman teased which drew a sheepish grin from the boy. She then turned to Sundari who also helped with the drying. "What about you Sundari, would you like to join us?"
"Oh, I'd love to." She said with a grin. "I didn't get to see the island at all when our plane landed because I was asleep."
"I suppose I'll come as well." Ryou said as well.
"Count me and Yug in." Joey declared from his spot at the island. Beside him Yugi nodded.
Ishizu pulled out the sink's plug to allow the water within it out. She dried her hands and turned to Bree who sat with Joey and Yugi. "What about you Bree? Care to come and do a bit of shopping?"
"I don't know…" Bree uttered. "I'm not really one for shopping."
"There's a place where you can rent motorbikes." Yugi told her. "I saw it on the cab ride over."
"Bikes you say?" The girl asked, her green eyes dancing. "Well, it can't hurt to see."
At this point Sanders entered into the kitchen, a few containers of food in his hands.
"We're going to go into town, are you going to come with us?" Ishizu asked as she took a cup from Chayton and placed it on it's high shelf.
"No, I should start translating that book." Their host told them. "It needs to get done." He crossed over to Ishizu. "Besides, I'll get a bit done, then you can do the rest when you get back." He clapped her on the shoulder. Ishizu gave him a playful glare and shoved him a bit. At the island Bree and Yugi exchanged a look, but neither said anything.
"Then, we'd better get going." Ishizu told the others. "Go and get whatever you need." Sundari and Chayton rushed from to their rooms. Sundari doubled back and grabbed Ryou, pulling him after her. Bree got off her stool and stretched a bit, then elbowed Joey.
"You two, come help me with something." She ordered.
"What do you need help with?" Yugi asked.
Bree placed her hands on her hips. "You'll see when I show you." When Yugi gave her a questioning glance she quickly looked towards Sanders and Ishizu.
"Oh." Yugi said, catching on. "Right. Come one Joey, let's help her."
Joey huffed, grabbing an orange from a basket before him. "I'm sure you two could handle-" Before he could finish Bree grabbed him by the ear and led him out of the kitchen, Yugi behind both of them. Sanders and Ishizu stared at the kitchen door until Joey's cries had faded up the stairs.
"You certainly find the strangest people to help you." Sanders noted as Ishizu turned to rinse out the sink.
"I don't find them." She said with a sigh. "Somehow they find me." She dried her hands again and headed for the door. As she did so Sanders caught her around the waist and pulled her back, swiftly kissing her as he did.
"Hurry back." He whispered. Ishizu smiled, nodded, then hurried out of the kitchen. As she left the dining room the others were coming down the stairs with purses and wallets.
"I don't see why you need to move the dresser in your room right at this moment." Joey complained, slightly glaring at Bree as she followed him down the stairs. "Are we even aloud to move stuff in the rooms around? This isn't even our house."
Bree sighed and patted his shoulder. "Just forget about it Joey."
"Come on, let's get going." Ishizu told everyone, opening the front door and ushering them out with a few waves of her hand.
"This should be fun." Bree said sweetly, bringing up the rear. "But, it doesn't seem like you need this fun, Ishizu." When the woman gave her a questioning look Bree's smile turned into a mischievous grin. "You're blushing and your lipstick's a bit smeared." She added quickly, then rushed out the door. Ishizu gawked after the Irish child, then turned to Sanders who had entered the dining room. To his chuckling Ishizu glared.
"Don't you start." She warned, then disappeared out the door.