hey, sorry it's taken me longer than usual to update, but we just got a new computer and i've been busy with that, setting up programs, trying to figure out how to transfer data...and well, i'm sure you know how all that goes...

school starts in two days :( i'm gonna miss my summer, but i've got the feeling it's gonna be a good year (as good as any school year can be i guess) but yeah, hopefully my days will get back to normal soon enough. enjoy this next chapter and keep watching for more - coming soon!!!

Part 1 (Chapter 10) – Yet Not Close Enough

"Kira!"

The girl looked around, confused, and then stopped to smile slightly as she recognized the owner of the voice. "Hello, Joey."

Joey jogged over to her, walking by her side when he caught up. He had been on his way home from Yugi's house and had taken a short-cut through the park. It had been a week since Kira had collapsed, and none of them had heard anything more about how she had been doing. That's why it was such a surprise to see her well and walking about.

"You haven't been at school lately," Joey mentioned.

"No," Kira shook her head. "The doctor wanted me to take it easy for at least a week. I've just about got my strength back, and I'll probably be in class tomorrow."

"That's...good," Joey said, not real sure how to reply. After a few minutes of silence, he asked again, "Do they know what exactly happened...to...you?" he stumbled some with the words.

"I don't mind talking about it," Kira grinned at his hesitation. "But no, the doctors weren't really sure what happened."

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you know what happened?"

Kira shifted her step uncomfortably, "I know my heart stopped for a short while. It was strange. I should have had brain damage, but luckily I didn't. I guess it had started again though by the time they got me in the ambulance. I don't remember much from that day."

"It's kinda freaky," Joey admitted. "Your heart just stopping like that for no reason."

"Not exactly no reason," Kira mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing," Kira pushed that thought away.

"This might be a weird question," Joey murmured, just a little embarrassed, "But did you see anything while you were...well...out of it?"

"I'm not sure," Kira thought hard, and when she spoke again, it was in a far-off voice, as though she was talking to someone else. "It's all so blurred in my mind. There was some other pain...my sides...my head...it all came back again, just like when I got it...the dark voice...and the two figures...the Pharaoh..."

At that last word, Joey started. Kira opened her eyes, realizing that she had been speaking aloud. "Never mind," Kira grinned sheepishly. "Just a dream. You must think I sound crazy."

"Not crazy," Joey sighed. "Not crazy." He was almost certain now. Yugi had seen Kira in his vision. She was still in pain from something, though she looked fine now. But how had she known about the Pharaoh? Had she seen Yami just as Yami had seen her? It didn't seem possible, but it would remain the only explanation for the time being.

As the shadows closed in, Kira almost cried. The pain and fear came every night now, but even after a lifetime, she would never become used to it. I won't accept the abuse. I won't be weak. Kira fought to convince herself. Ryou gave in to Bakura's tyranny. He betrayed me to his master, and now I'm trapped within the power and will of a dark spirit no less cruel than Bakura. Kira couldn't hold back the one short sob. I never even did anything to deserve this. "Of course you didn't," the now familiar voice mocked.

"I didn't!" Kira spun to face the dark version of herself. "Why won't you believe me?!"

"You lie," the other spat.

"How do you know?" Kira demanded.

"I've heard of you," she replied.

"You can't believe everything you hear..." Kira started to defend herself, but was cut off by a slap across the cheek.

"Don't contradict me!" the dark one growled. Then, in a slightly more subtle tone, "I trust Bakura."

"Bakura!" Of course. Bakura was the one who handed me over to her at first. He would have told her about me before that. Another slap across the face, then she grabbed Kira's arm roughly, pulling her victim close as her other hand revealed a dagger. Kira trembled at the intense sharpness of the blade as it glinted brightly despite the lack of light in the shadows. Her soul had been scarred many times already with the weapon. Still, Kira clung to whatever courage of hers that had remained.

"Bakura hates me," Kira whispered, looking up into the matching pair of eyes.

The girl above dug deeply in Kira's gaze for a long moment and then threw her down. "Of course he does, why shouldn't he?"

Kira pushed herself back up. "He considers me a threat, though I'm not sure why. He's using you to hurt me, to keep me out of his way. Why wouldn't he lie about me? All he cares about is his own gain. Surely you must see that? Let me prove I'm not who you think I am!" she begged.

"No!" The spirit cried, though she seemed shaken. "No. Bakura would not lie. Not to me. I won't believe you. I can't." In anger she threw the dagger forcefully. Kira lunged backwards, rolling across the rough ground. Pain seared through her upper right arm, and she fell limp in shock against the ground.

Kira forced herself to look and grimaced immediately. The blade had driven itself entirely through the skin and had been embedded deep into muscle, scratching what felt like bone. Fire raced along Kira's nerves, sending waves of searing heat coursing up her arm and through the rest of her body. Her vision swam with specks of absolute light and dark, blotting any real images from sight. Several moments later, when Kira could finally see again, the dark shadow above her had gone.

Then she was falling. Ever ounce of spirit tingled with pain as Kira lost her grip on the realms, her soul flowing back to reality. The last thing she saw was the Pharaoh's face above mine, watching in a stunned sort of way. His faithful follower stretched a hand out from the shadows, his small fingers straining. "Wait!" he called, wanting it badly. Kira reached her hand back towards him. His voice is so familiar, if only I could remember...

And for a moment, she was frozen, her gaze caught inside the eyes of the Pharaoh's boy. His violet pupils were intense and full of confusion. So many questions flooded out from him in that moment. Who are you? Why have you come? What do you want of me? Why do you seem so familiar? Why do you always leave? His innocent bewilderment filled all of Kira's thought, but she couldn't answer. Instead, her mouth was silent as she ached to remember the voice which had just been carved forever in her soul's memory. And in the next moment, all was dark and still. His hand faded away; and as Kira's eyes opened in her own room, his closed, taking the shadows with him. Only the fear remained.

"So close!" Yugi pounded his bed in frustration. "We were so close!"

Next time, my hikari. Next time we will reach her.

Next time? Who knows if there's even going to be a next time?! Yugi took a deep breath, calming himself. When our eyes met, in that moment, I saw her fear and pain. She's suffering Yami!

I know, hikari.

But it's more than that!

How so?

I felt a strange danger around her, as if there was very little time left...very little hope left for any of us.

You are sure of this? Yami asked sharply.

Yes.

Then we must find her, and we must not fail!