Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything related to it what-so-ever. The only characters in this fic that are truly mine are:

Lady Aurora Phoenix

Lady Natara Fear

Lady Sapphira Star

Dorian "Chaos"

Bryant "Havoc"

Sanura

Zahara

Adais

A/N: This is a fantasy as you can tell. It is part 2 to the Eternal Love fanfic that I ended a little while ago as it was getting to be too long. The story of the Pharaoh and his family is far from over however. His children are still around and they will incorporate themselves in the lives of little Yugi and his friends in one way or another. Fair warning, I am not one for writing out duels so you may not see a lot of them- barely any actually, as the fic is about the events that happened outside the duel arena. There will be some familiar scenes to fans of the show but most of those scenes will have a small twist or two in order for it to fit with the plot being laid out.

I understand many will not agree with a lot of what is written but that is why this is in the fantasy genera and not in just the general one. This is purely a concoction out of my own head and I am just going where the ideas lead me.

What's in the Mailbox?

DDCfreak- I am glad you liked the last chapter. Hope this one is just as good…

Ishizusan- I am glad to see you are still reading! And very happy to see you liked it. Yes I very much agree that the guy deserved what he got- though I admit, I would have no doubt had Zahara's reaction to the whole smell thing afterward…

A/N- just one more note in here before I get into the chapter. There are technically 2 chapters before this one that are not published here on FFN. They are on my blogger account which the URL can be found on my profile here. They are song fics. The first one doesn't really have any bearing, but the 2nd one leads more into this chapter. So if you haven't read them yet, please go back and at least check out the 2nd song fic.

Otherwise… on to the next chapter… enjoy!

A New Adversary

Zahara watched in awe as her mother moved with grace and ease across the dance floor with her partner. Her eyes widened when she realized who that partner was. He was taller and the blonde bangs no longer drooped in his eyes, but fit perfectly up against the rest of his hair. His eyes were no longer round and violet, but cat-like and crimson. Yugi was no longer little. He was the taller, more confident spirit. As she watched, Yugi's taller self matched her mother step for step around the floor, holding her close, then spinning her around. Zahara shivered at the passion in the air. Even after all those years, there was still something burning there, even if he did not quite understand why.

The end of the song had found them off the dance floor and near a wall in the hall way leading to Aurora's office. Aurora had her back pressed up against the wall. Zahara watched, confused, as it almost seemed as though her mother did not want to be there. Her eyes were pleading with the spirit. Then suddenly her face changed. She reached a hand to his cheek and lightly touched it. Zahara cursed silently as a patron called for a drink. By the time she had turned back to see her mother again, she gasped as it seemed a small fight had begun. Téa stood just behind Yugi's taller body, her kind face marred by the scowl she wore. She had slipped into the club earlier that night, pausing to chat with Zahara for a short period of time before Yugi had arrived asking for help with Hanasaki, who had found himself on the bad side of the karaoke master they had been unfortunate enough to have to listen to. Aurora's lips turned into a sly smirk. She seemed very amused by what Téa was saying to her. Zahara cursed silently again for being too far away to hear what was said. Téa started forward with a raised hand. Aurora's eyebrow arched skeptically.

Uh-oh, Zahara thought as Téa continued forward. Aurora rolled her eyes and dodged the strike that Téa had aimed at her. That's it! Zahara threw down her towel and called Dorian over to watch the counter so she could hear what was going on.

"Be forewarned, I do not take kindly to those who attack me. I can be your friend, or your worst enemy, whichever you choose," Aurora was saying in a dark voice. Zahara blinked. She had never heard her mother speak so harshly to anyone other than her enemies. "I do not, and will not hurt you."

"I am not worried about you hurting me," Téa growled back. Zahara had to give her credit. No mortal had ever really stood up to her mother before. She was amazed by the courage in Téa. Even if there was nothing but fear in the younger girl's eyes. "I won't stand by and let you toy with my friend, though." Aurora chuckled softly.

"Who said I was toying?" She glanced up at the boy standing beside them. He was watching them in silence. Looking back and forth as if trying to decide who he should be helping. With a sigh, Aurora let her attacker go. "I am not out for him. Though, it is true, if I wanted I could have him at any time I wished, he came to me." Aurora shrugged. "It does not matter anyway. It is not my time." She started to head toward her office, brushing past Yugi as she went. "I am only to look after him."

"What do you mean?" Yugi's darker voice finally spoke up. Téa looked over at him sharply, recognizing the voice as the one that belonged to her mystery guy.

"I mean we will meet again. Good night, Yami," she replied simply. She cast one more look over at Yugi's direction and sighed. Shaking her head sadly, she slipped inside her office and shut the door behind her. Zahara watched as Yugi made an attempt to go to the door. Téa stopped him.

"Just leave her. Come on, let's get out of here."

"Hang on, I will be right back. I have to check on someone first." He separated from her and somehow managed to lose her in the crowd. A frustrated look on her face, Téa stormed off to find a place to sit down.

"The nerve of that woman, who does she think she is anyway. Must be old enough to be Yugi's mother," she was muttering as she passed Zahara. Zahara suppressed a giggle.

Actually even older than that, she thought with an amused grin. She turned to head back to the counter only to find her head bumping into someone's chest. Her cheeks turned red as she looked up into crimson eyes.

"The boy I left with you, will he be alright?" his dark voice asked. She nodded.

"Y-yes, he will be. Someone has already come to take him home." She blinked as he continued to stare down at her. He took a breath and blinked his eyes, as if trying to clear his mind.

"You are, Zahara?" he asked her. She nodded, not sure what to say. He looked up in the direction of Aurora's office. "She is your mother?" She nodded again.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked him after a few moments of silence. He shook his head.

"Not now, by helping Hanasaki, you have helped enough tonight. Thank you," he said as he turned away. Zahara went back to the counter feeling confused. She was face to face with her father's spirit, but she said nothing she had wanted to. She even found herself almost afraid to touch him. She counted on that being a good thing considering her mother's warnings.

Yet she can go out and dance with him in front of the whole town, and even almost kiss him! All I want to do is hug the man who is my father! She scowled as she filled a drink for yet another teen. Closing just did not seem to be coming fast enough. When it did finally come, she looked up to see that Téa was rambling on about her run in with Aurora to a very tired looking, very confused looking violet-eyed Yugi.

"Long night?"

Zahara jumped in her seat and looked up. Warm brown eyes filled her gaze and she could not help herself but to smile. She nodded and felt her cheeks begin to burn. A few weeks had passed since that night at the club. Aurora had been so shaken afterward, she left the club in the hands of Dorian and Zahara and flew back to America to help Pegasus with some details concerning a tournament he was planning. Since she left, Zahara had been swamped with notes from the teacher as well as the club work at night.

"Oh, Ryou!" She shook her head slightly. "You could say that. My mom had to fly to San Francisco to help her boss. I have had to be at the club every night this week."

"Must be tough. How do you do it?"

"Good question." They chatted softly for a few moments while students began trickling in. Yugi and his friends had already arrived by the time she had gotten to class. She noticed that Tristan kept casting glances over at a desk on the far side of the room. A girl had just arrived and took that seat. She remembered the girl's name as Miho. Thinking back, she realized Tristan had been staring at the girl quite often lately. In between running all kinds of errands for her. She wondered what was going on to make the three boys so excited. The bell rang and everyone took their seats as the teacher made her way in. Zahara found herself shrinking back a little at the look in the teacher's eye. She was not in a good mood and Zahara could sense that things were not going to be good for the students today.

"All right, attention everyone! Before we open our text books, I would like everyone to empty the contents of their desks and bags. It is inspection time!" There were groans and gasps among the students. "Come on, hurry up now. Let's see what you have." The teacher walked up and down through each aisle glancing at each desk with an amused grin. She stopped at Miho's desk as the frightened girl stared at a gift wrapped package she had found in her desk. Zahara immediately turned to see Tristan, Joey, and Yugi looking horrified in their desks.

Now what is going on? she wondered.

"Well, what is this, Miss. Nosaka?" Miho's face had begun to turn a bright shade of red. She hung her head.

"I-I don't know, Ms. Chono. I-I found it in my desk." Zahara gasped as Ms. Chono ripped off the gift wrap to reveal a box. Taking it to her desk she opened the lid to reveal several puzzle pieces.

"A jigsaw puzzle! This will be fun. You put the pieces together and a message appears."

A message in a puzzle? Zahara turned her attention back at Yugi. A puzzle would be something she would picture him coming up with. But she was surprised to see that Tristan's face was the reddest one of the group. He was staring at Miho. She looked at the poor girl and saw a tear drip from her eye. That poor girl! No one deserves this! She tried to think of something to stop the teacher from her cruel form of punishment.

"What's this? 'My beloved Ribbon… You look perfect in your yellow ribbon…' What a silly message!" Ms. Chono cackled. She was enjoying the torment she was giving to Miho. She stood beside her desk and looked around the class with a grin even the Cheshire cat would be proud of. "Underage dating is against the rules here, you all know that. This puzzle is a date waiting to happen. So who gave this to her?" The room went silent. Ms. Chono's smile grew larger. "Come now, if the sender would stand I may forgive you."

Zahara turned her gaze back to the class. Tristan was struggling with something before finally pushing his chair back and standing. But he wasn't alone.

"It was me! I wrote it!" Yugi? Zahara gasped.

"No, I put it in her desk, Teach!" Joey? They both stood, not seeming to care the trouble they were in.

"Thanks, guys, but that's enough. It is my message in that puzzle!" Tristan finally said from his spot by his desk.

"You idiot!" Joey shouted raising a fist in warning.

Ms. Chono rolled her beautifully made up eyes and laughed. "Only one of you is the guilty one. Someone is lying!" She looked back at the unfinished puzzle on her desk. "No matter, all I have to do is finish the puzzle and I will know the truth. And when I figure out who lied to me, he will be expelled!" Zahara's eyes widened and she looked back at the three friends in fear. "One…two…"

"Good bye everyone. Joey, Yugi, I'm glad you were my friends. Thank you," Tristan said softly. Yugi looked back at him, anger flashing in his eyes. Zahara felt the soft rumbling of power and saw the puzzle around his neck begin to glow. Within moments, time seemed to stand still. No one moved. Zahara could not understand what was happening. Or why it had not happened to her. She was still able to move. Able to see what was going on as Yugi faced the teacher. No, not Yugi. Yami.

"Ms. Chono!" Zahara cringed at the darkness in Yami's voice. He was definitely angry, and ready to do something about it. "How dare you torment Tristan and Miho! Everyone has secrets locked within their hearts. Secrets they only wish to show one special person." The puzzle began to glow again and Zahara watched as the puzzle on Ms. Chono's desk shook slightly. What has he done? She wondered. She looked at him and realized he was still staring hard at the teacher as whatever spell had been placed on the classroom faded and students began to move again.

"I have a name!" Ms. Chono exclaimed with glee. "The person being expelled is…" She opened her mouth to announce the name when the class gasped and shouted. They were all pointing and making remarks about her face. Zahara could not believe the face she was looking at. She looked back at Yami and realized he had to have used his powers to bring out her true face. Not the pretty made up one, but the one that reflected what was in her very soul. Ms. Chono pulled out a mirror and screamed.

"This class never happened!" she shouted. "This can't be happening to me! I will be back!" She vowed as she tore out of the room. Zahara stood and made it to Ms. Chono's desk. She glanced down at the puzzle before swiftly swiping the pieces off their backing and dumping them in the box it had come in. She looked up at Tristan who was cringing at the memory of his teacher's face. Your secret will remain safe, she promised silently.

"Did you see her face?" Tristan asked Joey and Yugi. Joey seemed unphased by the teacher and was more focused on the fact they just barely escaped getting into trouble.

"Yeah, that was too close though," he said. Yugi blinked his violet eyes. He looked around a little confused.

"Is class over?" he asked them. They looked down at him and gave him an odd look. Does he not know what happens when Yami takes control? Zahara thought. After that night in the club, that is probably a good thing. She added as she packed up her things. There obviously was no reason for her to stick around today and she had to get ready to get to the club that night. The weekends were always the most active and she had to make sure she had everything prepared and ready.

Aurora sat behind the desk in her office at Industrial Illusions. Pegasus had found himself busy with preparing for his Duelist Kingdom Tournament, so she had to come back to headquarters and managed his paperwork while he was overseeing the construction going on at his private island in which the tournament would take place. She had not really wanted to leave Domino City, but she felt at the moment she had no other choice. That night at the club had been too close a call for her. She had to keep her distance if the spirit was to complete his task. Still…

Visions of the dance they shared filled her head and the sensations she felt as he drew near for a kiss overcame her within moments. There were so many mixed emotions in those crimson eyes that night. Confusion and lust. A battle for what he should and should not do. In then end his advance was stopped by the friend of his charge. Aurora's lips curled in a small smile at the thought of the smaller brunette as she took a swing at the experienced warrior. She had no idea who she was attempting to hit, but she learned quickly not to try again.Sighing, Aurora's mind slid back to the feel of being in his arms again. This time her thoughts were jarred away from her by the annoying ring of the telephone on her desk. Pegasus had all the phone ring tones changed to some toon-type ring tone and it made her want to toss the phone across the room. She glanced at the phone with an arched eyebrow and an agitated sigh.

"Industrial Illusions, Aurora speaking, may I help you?"

"Maxemillion Pegasus, please." She gave the phone a suspicious look.

"He is not available at this time, may I take down a message for him?"

"Yes, this is Nezbit over at Kaiba Corp. I need to schedule a conference with Mr. Pegasus." What on Earth does Kaiba Corp. want with Pegasus? She wondered as she grabbed a pen to make the note not only for Pegasus but to remind herself to talk to Sanura later that night to see if she knew what was going on.

"I have made a note of your request and will be sure to pass the message along," she told Nezbit in a business-like tone.

"Thank you." There was a click on the other end and she replaced the receiver on the cradle. She sat back in her chair and crossed her legs with a look of concentration on her face. This was a twist she had not counted on. She had to figure out what Kaiba Corp. was up to. Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind to open so a vision could come to her if there was one to be had.

"I see," she whispered. "Well, now, we can't be having that…"

"Sanura!" She looked up sharply, slightly startled by the angry tone in her boss' voice. She was use to his harsh tone typically, but there was an edge to it this time that concerned her.

"Yes, Master Kaiba," she answered, standing and bowing slightly in respect. He stopped a moment and stared at her before the scowl coming back on his face.

"See to it I am not disturbed. I have some calls and arrangements to make. And be prepared for another late night. I need you to be at the High Rise Duel Arena tonight. There will be a special event taking place. As my personal assistant, I think it is time to see more about what Kaiba Corp. is all about."

"Yes, sir," she answered softly, stifling a sigh as she returned to her seat. Cringing only briefly at the sound of his office door slamming behind her.

(Earlier that day)

"Hey Joey! Earth to Joey! Hey, are you in there? It's your turn." Zahara looked up from her paperwork again to see a small crowd gathered around Yugi's desk. Even Ryou was glued to the scene. Silently, she stood and made her way to stand just outside of the crowd. Joey was staring at the cards in his hand, trying to plan out his next move. Tristan shoved passed her to grab Joey around the neck.

"Isn't he cute when he's thinking?" he teased. A few giggles were heard around the desk.

"Hey Tristan, Yugi is teaching me how to play Duel Monsters," Joey announced proudly. Tristan gave him a blank look.

"Drooling Monsters?"

"Duel Monsters, you idiot!" Joey corrected, shoving his friend away. Tristan backed up and Téa smiled at him.

"They've been at it for hours," she exaggerated. It was only during their lunch period. Zahara looked up at the clock. The bell would be ringing shortly and their substitute teacher would arrive any moment. "Joey's starting to get the hang of the game, but Yugi's like an expert."

"How does it work?" a voice asked from behind them. Téa explained the attack and defense numbers on the cards and how they worked in the game play. Zahara found herself vaguely interested and wanting to learn more. She looked over at Ryou and realized he was watching the match intently as well. Though she noticed a darker look in those brown eyes again. Joey sat back after laying down his next card.

"Pretty good move, huh, Yugi?" he said smugly.

"Yup, pretty good move, but not good enough," Yugi grinned back as he laid a card with higher attack points on the playing mat. Joey groaned in disappointment.

'Thanks a lot, a card that powerful totally wipes me out!" He sat back in his chair with a boyish pout on his face. Zahara shook her head with a light chuckle. Tristan tossed an insult at Joey and Yugi quickly defended him.

"He did fine. I just have better cards. With my grandfather owning a game shop, I can get all the best cards from him," Yugi explained simply. Joey jumped up.

"Well then, what are we waiting for, let's go and see what he has!" Yugi laughed.

"All right, and maybe I can get him to show us his super rare card, too!" A slight movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned her head slightly and noticed Seto Kaiba lowering his book and peering over at the group as Yugi and his friend made plans to go after school to the Kame Game shop. The look in his eye concerned her, but she could not figure it out.

"Hey," a soft voice called out to her. She jumped slightly and turned to face Ryou who had moved toward her from his spot by Yugi's desk. "You have any plans after class?" She gave him a searching look.

"Not really, why?" He shrugged and looked down for a moment.

"I know you have been busy with your mom's club lately, but I was wondering if you would like to go with me for a drink after class. My treat," he added with a shy smile. The smile was infectious and she found herself smiling back.

"Why not," she replied with a shrug of her own. "I don't have anything better to do anyway." She nodded as the bell rang and the students took their seats. Little did she know what she would be witness to later on that day...

Ryou and Zahara laughed back and forth as they walked along the sidewalk headed toward their homes. Their path took them past the Kame Game shop and they stopped at the sight of a limousine out front. The letters "KC" were on the front plate of the vehicle. An attendant stood outside, waiting for the owner.

I wonder if Sanura is inside, Zahara wondered as they crept closer. They stopped short as the door flew open and Seto stormed out of the building.

"Senile old fool!" he snarled, his cerulean blue eyes flashing with his anger. "I will have that card, no matter what I have to do to get it."

"What was that about," Ryou wondered aloud as the limousine sped away. Zahara shrugged.

"Not sure, but it didn't look good." Ryou nodded and they began to walk again.

"Hey guys!" They turned back to see Yugi waving at them. Téa was trying and failing to mask her scowl as she looked at Zahara. Ryou looked back and forth between the two women. Zahara offered an innocent smile, but her eyes told Ryou she was far from innocent. Something was definitely not right between the two and he was not sure exactly what it was.

"Hey Yugi!" Ryou turned and smiled at him while waving in return. Zahara nodded toward the taillights of Seto's limousine.

"See you had an important customer," she commented. Yugi looked after the limo.

"Something like that. So what re you two up to?"

"Just heading home. We live not far from each other. I have to get back soon anyway to see if my help is needed at the club tonight." She raised an eyebrow as she caught Téa muttering under her breath but chose to ignore it. Instead she turned and looked in the direction of her home. It seemed so empty since her mother left. Dorian was running the club's affairs while Aurora was gone and the others were scattered in different parts of Egypt and Japan. She was not looking forward to going home alone.

"Really? You guys live near each other?" Yugi asked.

"I always wondered why you two came to school together so often." Tristan grinned at them. Joey laughed as if hiding a secret. Zahara and Ryou looked at each other and smiled.

"Nothing like that at all," she replied.

"Can't have her getting into trouble," Ryou added. They all laughed for a moment, then Ryou turned to Yugi and his friends again. "Where are you all off to?"

"Not sure. Just out I guess," Yugi said with a shrug. Zahara swallowed hard.

"You can all come over to my home for a little while?" she offered. "It's just me right now there anyway. My sister is at work and my mom is not even in Japan. It gets a little too quiet there." She missed the amused flash in Ryou's eyes as he glanced over at her. Yugi looked back at his friends and they all nodded. Soon they were all headed over to her place to hang out. Joey and Yugi played a few more games of Duel Monsters before they looked at the clock and decided they had better get back. Zahara grabbed the keys to her mother's car and had everyone jump in to get them back to the game shop faster. Ryou opted to just walk back to his place as they all left.

The game shop was dark when they arrived. Yugi gave the shop a confused look before they all climbed out of the car. Zahara had a strange feeling herself and stayed just a little while longer. It did not surprise her when the group came charging out of the shop with worried expressions on their faces.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's my Grandpa." Yugi answered, very visibly shaken. "Seto Kaiba has him."

Ok now is where the story line gets pretty familiar for everyone- just remember- I have added a few twists to make it fit my own plots... It is no longer just about the game, Pegasus, and Kaiba... There is always so much more to something then what it appears to be...