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.

Just want to thank my faithful readers and reviewers again for continuing along on this little journey. DDCfreak, Atemu Fangurl, and Ishizusan, thank you all!

Rival Spirits Meet Again

"Have him attack Rex! He is just fine, he can still attack!" Zahara stared wide eyed at the black dragon that had been turned to stone. Mai was still demanding that Rex Raptor finish his attack on Joey. The head to the dragon slipped off the shoulders of it and crashed to the ground, the rest of the beast following, crumbling to dust. Joey jumped up and down in excitement as he captured not only the victory but the card of the dragon he had just defeated. Zahara had to smile. He was an interesting person to hang out with. If she could hang out with him that was. She still had to remain in the shadows for now. She was unsure how the group would take to her being so near them. She had no real excuse. No story to tell them. She was certain," I was sent to watch over you," was not going to work as an excuse for them. She sighed and moved away from her perch by the tree. A flash of white hair caught her attention and she narrowed her eyes in thought.

"Now what is he up to?" She wondered softly. Carefully, silently, she began to follow after him. This time she was certain to catch up with him and find out what he was doing. The sky was quickly growing dark and Zahara involuntarily shivered as she looked around trying to figure out how she missed him again. "Where did he go now?"

"Looking for someone?" She jumped at the voice behind her. Her breath froze and her heart stopped in her chest. She swallowed hard as she began to turn, stopping only when something fell around her shoulders. She looked down to see the deep blue color of the school uniform. Quickly she looked up at the one who had given it to her.

"Ryou?"

"Yes, are you going to be alright? I would have thought you would have brought a jacket of some kind with you," he chided her softly.

"I didn't realize it would get so cold."

"Cold always lurks in the darkness… No matter where you are." Zahara was struck by the odd sound in Ryou's voice, but she said nothing as the noise of Yugi and his friends caught their attention.

"Hey, my meal ticket!"

"Joey!" three voices chorused out as Tristan grabbed Joey's jacket to stop him from eating a mushroom.

"Wild mushrooms are poisonous Joey!" Yugi called out.

"Only certain kinds," Zahara muttered under her breath. Ryou gave her the odd look as he tried to figure out what she said. She glanced over at him and shrugged as Mai's voice called out to them, telling them to let him eat it. Zahara rolled her eyes and tried to stand a little straighter so she could be more comfortable. But her actions failed in that respect as she found herself pressed against Ryou. They both froze for a moment, not moving, barely breathing. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her balance and she cast a sideways glance up at him to find light crimson coloring his cheeks. She bit her lower lip and detached herself from him to turn back to Yugi's group as Mai stepped forward so they could see her as she snacked on a piece of beef jerky. Joey broke away fro Tristan to face her.

"That's it, you can duel me an' insult me, but you ain't eatin' in front of me!"

"You're that hungry are you?" she cooed. "Okay then, give my your star chips and I'll give you some food." Zahara missed Joey's reaction as she became acutely aware of Ryou standing near her again. She closed her eyes trying to regain her composure and slow her heart from its rapid pace. When she opened them again, the guys had gone in search of fire wood and water while Mai went about setting up a makeshift shower not far from where they were hiding. By instinct, Zahara pulled away from the bushes and found herself backing up against the side of Ryou's body causing her to lose her footing again. He caught her before she fell and placed a gentle hand over her mouth to stop the cry of surprise she fought to keep back in her throat as he pulled her back up and kept her near. She closed her eyes again and just listened to his own heart beating, noting the fast pace it was going as well.

The sound of falling water caught their attention and they made an attempt to back away. As Ryou inched back away from her, his hair caught on a button on the jacket he had placed around her to keep her warm. They struggled as quietly as they could to get it off the button, accidentally disturbing the bushes in their task. They heard Téa shriek and Ryou forced Zahara onto the ground, placing a hand over her mouth again as he lowered his head to her neck in an effort to try and cover themselves a little more in the brush. Mai pushed through the makeshift shower looking around. Upon seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she closed the flimsy door on it and they waited, barely breathing until they heard the girls' voices along the fire with the guys. Zahara had closed her eyes when they landed on the ground. She did not dare look to see what was going on above her. She was consciously aware of his breath at her neck which was making her dizzy. The smell of his hair reminded her of sandalwood for some odd reason. It was all she could do to keep herself from deeply breathing the scent in. Though she was aware of her feelings, she had no idea the struggle that was going on within Ryou. A struggle of emotions raging from his position as well as the darkness stirring inside him thanks to his Millennium Ring. Which at the moment he shifted his body dug into her chest from underneath his shirt. He felt her intake of breath and felt her cringe under his hand. Chancing a look at her face, he saw confusion in her eyes. Swallowing, he pulled back and sat back on his heels, offering her a hand.

What is he wearing that dug into me like that? She wondered as she rubbed the tender spot, avoiding his gaze. She felt him lean closer and the world seemed to stop around her when his quiet voice filled her ear.

"Sorry about that." She could not speak. She nodded and gave a shy smile to show she was all right. Her mind was still filled with questions about what he had under his shirt. The smell of food filtered around them but they cared not as they stood to face each other. She was not sure what had prompted her to reach out, but her hand lightly went to his chest, trying to feel the object hidden there. He stopped her hand before it made contact and stepped back away from her causing her to replace wonder with curiosity. There next problem was thathis stepping back also stirred more bushes. This time, there was no escaping being caught.

"Come on out, Mai!" Joey shouted as he, Tristan, and Yugi ran forward in an effort to protect Téa just in case it was not Mai after all. Ryou sighed and shook his head. Still holding Zahara's wrist, he led her out of the bushes and into the light of the fire.

"Zahara?" Joey gave her a curious look.

"Bakura?" Yugi asked quietly.

"See? I told you I wasn't crazy. I knew I saw Bakura," Téa commented to Tristan. He only nodded his response to her.

"What are you two doin' way out 'ere, Bakura?" Joey asked, stepping forward again. Ryou shrugged, keeping a calm disposition as he faced the other on edge teen.

"Same as you I guess," he answered evenly. Zahara looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You gave us a scare there hiding in the bushes like that," Tristan told him.

"Yeah, for a moment we thought we actually had something to worry about," Joey added, standing up straighter and calming down. Zahara gasped softly when Ryou's fingers tightened around her wrist. "Pretty silly, huh?"

"Yes, pretty silly," was all Ryou said. Yugi looked around Joey to see Zahara. She wondered why he was giving her such a concerned look. Then she remembered their tumble in the bushes and realized what she must look like.

"Are you all right, Zahara?" he asked her gently, eyeing Ryou for a brief moment.

"I-I am fine. Thank you." Zahara swallowed hard. Ryou glanced over at her and decided on a quick story to explain her presence. Something inside him felt he had to. Though he did not quite understand why.

"I found her a little while ago. She said Pegasus had her here with her mother." Zahara looked down at the ground, blinking in surprise. Ryou had just given her a way out. She wondered just how he would have known she needed one.

"Pegasus had taken the both of you?" Tristan asked.

"He still has your mother?" Yugi added softly, sadly. Following Yugi's question, Zahara knew she could answer without actually lying to them.

"Yes, she is still with him. Up in the castle." She stopped speaking as her body shivered briefly. Ryou gently tugged her a little closer so she was nearer to the firelight, hoping the warmth would hit her. Yugi saw this and stepped forward to offer them a place by the fire and what was left of the meal Joey had made. Zahara's stomach growled. She had not realized just how hungry she was until a plate had been handed to her. She waited for more questions that were sure to come as the silence fell over the group. She kept her eyes downcast. Unsure of what to do or say.

"So how did Pegasus find the both of you?" Téa asked her. And so it begins, Zahara thought. She swallowed hard again.

"The club my mother runs is owned by Pegasus. She worked for him until she learned what he was doing to others. She stood up against him. The next thing I knew we were on the ship here. My mother and I were separated when we reached land." Not exactly a lie, she added to herself. Yugi sighed and looked down before reaching over to lightly touch her arm.

"I wish I had known. I am sorry it happened. We will help you get her back." His innocence made her smile.

"She will be fine. He won't hurt her. She knows too much about his company now. He actually needs to keep her around. Her soul intact." Joey raised an eyebrow at her, trying to figure out how she knew about Pegasus' habit of stealing souls. Yugi understood though and nodded.

"Still, stick with us. We can look out for each other. That way you can get back to your mother."

"Thank you, Yugi."

The topic of conversation shifted away from her, much to her relief, as they began to talk about Duel Monsters. No one had known that Ryou was a duelist. Even Zahara had been surprised when she learned. He pulled out his deck and took a card from the top, looking down at it. Not long after, the others had pulled out cards as well. Zahara shifted to stay back away from the fire a bit, feeling out of place. And you should, she chided herself. You do not belong here with them. She sighed and faded out of the conversation. They compared Duel Monsters to themselves. Sharing which card they related to. Joey claimed the Flamed Swordsman, Tristan, the Cyber Commander, Téa, the Magician of Faith, Yugi, the Dark Magician, and Ryou showed them his card; the Change of Heart. Seeing the picture on that card made Zahara do a double take at the white haired boy. The picture of one person, split in the middle; one side an angel, one side a demon.

"This one is my favorite," he told them.

"Isn't that the Change of Heart card?" Yugi asked him.

"Kind of a weird lookin' picture don't ya think?" Joey added.

"Hmm, if you want to see how it works, we can have a duel right now. Not for star chips, just for a little fun." The suggestion sparked smiles around the fire. Zahara felt an odd feeling in her heart. As if something about the suggestion was not quite right. Again, she shifted to be a little apart from the group. Ryou half turned to her. "Please stay, Zahara. I think you would be interested in this as well." Now she knew something was not right. There was a strangeness in his eyes that made her blood run cold. She also had a feeling he would not let her leave if she tried so she nodded and settled back in her place again, keeping silent as Yugi pulled out the playing mat used for the game and they set up around a large tree stump, perfect size for the duel. They had agreed to put their favorite cards in Yugi's deck so they could feel like they were all playing in the duel. They promised to take it easy on their friend as they set the cards on the mat, shuffled and ready. The dark feeling Zahara was fearing grew stronger and made her shudder involuntarily.

What is causing this? Is it really Ryou that is making me feel this way? She wondered as she looked over at him again. The strangeness in Ryou's eyes turned to darkness and a cruel sneer curved those precious lips that had tempted her earlier. No! It can't be! He can't be…

"Before we get started," he began as he raised his hands to his chest. "There is something I would like to share with you guys. Especially with you, Yugi."

"What's that?" Joey asked him.

"You'll see," was all Ryou told them as a humming sound began around them. Yugi sat wide eyed, staring at Ryou as a golden glow began in between his hands.

"This is getting' freaky," Joey stated as a golden necklace appeared around Ryou's neck. Zahara's breath halted and she swallowed hard again.

The Millennium Ring! He has it! That means… her eyes flew to his face again, dread filling her being as she closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. No, not sweet Ryou! He can't be! The evil spirit has been released after all. She choked back a sob and resisted the urge to run. She knew she had to stay now. She had to do what she could to protect Yugi and his friends from the evil they were facing. She was not sure what she could do to help them, or even if she could. The only one besides the Pharaoh she knew to ever face the evil spirit was her mother. Mother! What am I supposed to do? How can I save them from him?

"What? It can't be!" Yugi gasped. "A Millennium Item!"

"Yes," Ryou told him. Only it was not the sweet, soft, gentle voice of Ryou speaking. The voice was cold and cruel. Just like his eyes. "And the magic of my item will take us to the shadow realm!"

"Why are you doing this, Bakura?" Yugi asked him in shock.

"Because you've something I want, little Yugi. And I aim to take it!" The group gasped and cried out as their souls were pulled from their bodies. Zahara watched as the lights of the souls disappeared into Yugi's deck. She braced herself, waiting for hers to be pulled from her body as well. She was surprised when nothing happened. She looked around at the fallen forms of Yugi and his friends. Ryou stood and looked over at her.

"So, like your mother, the Millennium Items can't touch you, can they?"

"You know my mother? You remember…" Zahara struggled for words, the heat of his gaze distracting her mind.

"Yes, of course I remember the only woman to have ever defeated my monster the first time. You have grown. You were what? Three years old when I last saw you?" She pulled back as he neared her with every word. She did not remember ever seeing him. Only the stories her mother and the others had told her. "I could not believe my luck in finding you. I knew that after all those years being trapped in that retched ring that my time there would have been time well spent. Finding you meant I found the Pharaoh's wife as well. I can now take his Puzzle and get rid of her." Zahara felt a surge of adrenaline pass through her body and her fear turned to anger at the thought of this man going after her mother.

"Good luck."

"What was that?"

"I said good luck. Time has not eased her sense of you. She knows you exist. She is ready for you."

"Ah yes, the night you introduced Ryou to her. I could tell she sensed me. You do not seem to have her powers. Or else you would have sensed me as well."

I did sense you, she thought angrily. I didn't want to believe that such a cruel spirit lived within such a pure soul.

"Yes, he is such a sweet boy isn't he? No way a heartless spirit could share his body." His laughed chilled her. She had not known he could sense her thoughts. Suddenly, he turned away from her and stalked up to Yugi's fallen body. The Puzzle was vulnerable to his taking. Zahara thought hard to find a way to stop him. Quickly she rushed at him, intending to shove him away. He anticipated her actions, however, and caught her arm, wrenching it painfully behind her as he spun her around. She cried out and he shoved her forward to the ground, then he turned back to Yugi. "And now after waiting countless centuries, the Millennium Puzzle shall be mine at last!" He started forward to grab the Puzzle as Zahara helplessly watched. He was stoppedshort when the Puzzle began toglow and dance around Yugi's neck. Zahara's eyes lit up with hope as she sensed the familiar presence of the spirit of the puzzle as he stood to face Ryou.

"No, it can't be!" the darker spirit growled as Yami gazed hard at him.

"You want my Millennium Puzzle? Then you are going to have to duel me for it." He challenged the dark spirit. "But if I win, you will release my friends and send us all back!" he demanded. Ryou laughed wickedly.

"I agree to your ridiculous terms, Yugi. But I promise you, there is more at stake here then you comprehend. This is one shadow game you cannot win!" Yami crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at his new opponent. Ryou glanced down at Zahara with his cruel smile and she turned away. Yami followed Ryou's gaze and cautiously stepped away from the dark spirit as he went to kneel beside her.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" She kept her gaze lowered as he helped her to sit up. She held her arm which had been sore from when Ryou had twisted it before shoving her forward. "You are hurt, aren't you?" She nodded slightly.

"I will be all right. They need your help more," she told him softly as she glance over at Yugi's friends.

"How is it you were not affected by his magic?" Great, how do I answer that one? She thought with a sigh.

"Long story, no time. They need you now." He nodded and stood to face Ryou again. She knew the conversation was not finished. He would return to speak with her again. But at least she had bought herself time. As long as the evil spirit he faced did not decided to spill the truth first.