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, Ishizusan, Pastelblue, and mugen thank you all!

Pastelblue- Yes he was very cute in that episode as the Change of Heart, I will definitely agree with you there, lol. I am glad you are liking the story so far! Thank you for reading! (hugs)

Ishizu-san – I am glad you liked my little twist on that duel. I actually had fun writing it. When writing from a different point of view it can give an interesting angle to what we all have seen and know…

Mugen- I am glad you are finding the fic so entertaining. I am enjoying being able to write it. I keep pushing myself to keep going because I want a different ending than what the show had lol… Hope you are able to continue to enjoy it as much as you seem to have already Thanks again for reading!

And now on to chapter 14

Shedding Light on the Truth

Aurora quietly made her way through the halls of the castle, trying to get a sense of where Pegasus had taken Mokuba. She had paused only briefly when the odd sensation of Shadow Powers had reached her senses instead. She wondered if it was Pegasus' doing or if Yami had decided to punish someone somewhere along the way. Sighing, she continued her way again. Passing by the paintings lining the walls of a blonde woman. She lightly reached out to touch on of the paintings.

Cecilia.

The name came to her as well as a brief vision of the beautiful woman standing beside Pegasus. She realized this was the woman he had lost all those years ago. The one that started him on his journey that took him to Egypt. So this is his reason for his actions, she thought. A part of her feeling sorry for him. For a moment anyway. That pity was replaced by her anger as she returned to her search for Mokuba, taking note of her path so she could find her way back out when she was through with her search. Too many have suffered in your quest, Pegasus. This has got to end.

Sanura stared out over the water as Seto flew the helicopter from Domino City to the Duelist Kingdom island. She watched him as he took control. So young and yet so sure of his actions. She knew he only had looking for his brother on his mind. She knew he was worried about what his brother may be going through. She had to admit that she was concerned as well. Her mother had been vague on the phone the last time they had spoken. The silence was beginning to get at Sanura and she wanted desperately to speak, but she knew she could not. He was her boss. He was on a rescue mission and he was not one for idle chit chat. So she settled back and resigned herself to the scenery they flew passed, part of her wondering if her life could ever be normal.

"Mai!" Yugi and his friends reached a duel arena that had been hidden in the forest just as Mai came down from her spot. Weakened, shaken, and defeated. Her eyes remained lowered to the ground as they approached.

"Mai? Are you okay?" Yugi shouted out to her. Mai looked up at the group approaching her and shook her head.

"You're too late," she told them with little emotion in her voice. The group looked at her in confusion, unsure of just what she was talking about. "Panik is one of the island's eliminators. He is paid to knock duelists out of the tournament by destroying them and taking their star chips," She explained to them. Eyes widened in shock all around. "If you don't get out of here now, he is going to do to you what he did to me." She cried out as Panik came up behind her, grabbing her wrist for all to see her duelist glove had no star chips being held within it. She hung her head in shame as the facts sank into their minds, making them realize that Mai had been disqualified as she had lost all her star chips to him.

"You're out, Mai?" Yugi asked her. She looked up at him.

"I am," she answered. "It all happened so fast. The way Panik duels…" She hung her head again. "I –I just lost it." Panik laughed and threw Mai forward causing her to stumble.

"She was one of my easiest victims yet!" He boasted happily. Joey started forward, only to be held back by Tristan and Ryou.

"Outta my way! There's no excuse for pushing a girl!" Ryou struggled against Joey's demands as he grabbed his shoulders.

"I know how you feel Joey, but that guy is more than twice your size!" he told him, trying to reason with him.

"I can take him," Joey returned. He had nearly broken free of Ryou and Tristan's grip when Yugi's soft voice stopped him.

"No, Joey. Fighting him just isn't the answer." Zahara looked over at him to see his head hanging low; his eyes to the ground. A grim resolve seemed to hang on his shoulders. Everyone turned to look at him then. Surprise clearly evident on their faces. "I have faced a lot of bullies in my life and I am afraid there is only one way to deal with them." Zahara swallowed hard. Ryou and Tristan eased their grip on Joey's arms and shoulders. They all watched as Yugi stepped forward, walking purposely up to face Panik.

"What do you mean?" Joey asked him. Yugi's eyes still faced the ground until he was closer to Panik. Then he looked up with a cold look in those normally innocent violet eyes.

"You have to stand up to them," he answered as the Millennium Puzzle began to glow and dance around his neck again. Zahara blinked in the sudden bright light. She was seeing a lot of her father this night. She remembered his questions from his duel with Bakura and felt it best if she backed out of sight for a little while. Ryou reached out and stopped her. Gasping, she turned to face him. He shook his head,

"Don't run from him, Zahara. He needs your presence as well as the others," he told her.

"But, Ryou…" Her words were cut off by his fingers against her lips. She lowered her gaze and silently stood beside him, turning to see Yami glaring hard at Panik.

"Now, let's see you try your tactics against me. I don't' scare easily, especially when I am standing up for my friends!" Yami told him. Mai stood staring at him in shock.

"But Yugi?" He did not move to acknowledge she had spoken. He kept his cold gaze trained on his next challenge. Panik agreed to the match and each took their places. Zahara did not trust the evil look in Panik's eyes. She looked back and fort between the two duelists. Hoping for the best outcome. Yami stood at his place with his arms crossed. Mai continue dot plead for him to change his mind and he still paid her no mind. He was there for a reason. He was determined to do right by his friends. Joey hollered up to Yami with nothing but words of encouragement, while Mai stood broken near by them. Zahra took pity on the woman and moved to stand beside her, just in case the weakness grew to a point she would not be able to stand. Ryou watched her as if expecting her to run again, but she sighed and kept her place.

"Playtime is over, Panik," Yami informed his opponent. "Let's duel!"

"So you are the famous Yugi Motou, eh? Pegasus has offered a generous bounty to the eliminator who can take you out of this tournament. I will gladly take this chance to do just that."

"Heh, you better start thinking of other ways to make money, Panik, because by the time I am through with you, not only will you be out some star chips, but you'll be out of a job," Yami promised him. Panik did not falter. His grin still in place on his face. Yami still maintained his cool. The more Zahara watched, the more royal he seemed to act. Taking control, and so much strength. His entire presence screamed, "Respect me or else."

"Get ready, Yugi. I am about to take you into a world of hurt!"

"I won't be bullied by the likes of you," Yami returned, a growl beginning in his throat. His anger clearly evident in his eyes. Mai broke his concentration briefly when she shouted up at him.

"Panik's ruthless, Yugi! He had me totally terrified!" Yami looked down at her with his eyes narrowed as he absorbed her words. Panik's laughter resonated around the field.

"That's right and she's not the first either," he proudly told them. "You see when you are as good as I am, you learn to appreciate the hunt as well as the duel." The scowl returned to Yami's face. He let a small chuckle escape his lips as well.

"I see how you work, Panik. Sneaking up on unsuspecting duelists because you haven't the courage to face them yourself!" Panik grew anger by his remark.

"Watch your mouth, you insolent cur!" Yami went on to tell him about how a true duelist would go about winning their match which only served to anger Panik farther. Yami offered all his star chips to win back Mai's and Panik agreed. With a laugh he informed Yami that he was putting much more on the line besides star chips. Yami gasped as cuffs appeared and shackled him to his spot in the arena. Little rods turn and aimed their direction at him. Zahara started forward, but with a look from Ryou, stopped in her tracks.

Have faith, she told herself. He can do this. He will be fine. As many times as she told herself that, she still was not believing it. She gasped as flames flared up from the rods and soared straight at his head. He brought an arm up to shield his face as he looked around at the flames. A part of him, though concerned, seemed to feel at one with the flames. They barely phased him. He turned his hard gaze back toward Panik.

"We gotta get 'im outta there!" Joey shouted. He had started forward but stopped, unsure how to release his friend.

"Nervous, Yugi? Get used to it because now you are strapped in for the long haul." Zahara felt the anger raise in her spirit. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Joey yelled at Panik to turn off the flames and Mai told him it was Panik's way of dueling. That he had used those on her as well. Ryou sensed Zahara's tension and felt for her. He reached over and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly as he stared up at Yami.

"Stay strong, Yugi. You can do this," he said softly. Her hand tingled at his touch. Her heart swelled at the concern he was showing for Yami. Though a part of her wondered if he really cared or if it was for her sake. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Ryou had never taken his eyes off the arena. So maybe he really does care, she thought, turning her gaze back as well. Yami growled through the heat and flames stopping only when he had realized they were gone. Panik laughed , announcing he could see the fear in his eyes. Zahara saw no such thing. Fiery rage, yes. Fear, definitely not.

Zahara watched him silently as Joey and Tristan tried again to talk Yami down from the arena. He was not listening to them. He had made a decision and was going to see it through to the end. She had to admire him for that. She also saw more and more why her mother had been drawn to him.

"Are you finished blowing smoke, Panik?" Gasped could be heard all over the area. But Zahara was certain that no one was more shocked than Panik, himself. "It will take much more that that to make me lose my cool." She closed her eyes and sighed. Panik laughed at him, greatly amused by the challenge Yami was giving him. But Yami stood tall. Showing no fear. Not giving his opponent an edge. It was his only real way to get through this.

The duel began then. Panik's first move was to cloud his side of the field with darkness. He tried his hardest to get inside Yami's mind and each attempt failed. Yami looked at the field and his hand. Zahara could see him trying his hardest to come up with a strategy. Just when it seemed the darkness would claim him, a grin slid upon his lips.

"I can see right through you, Panik," Yami told him with a small chuckle. "You may scare others into being afraid of the dark, until they realize the dark is nothing to be afraid of. Like you." Zahara could not help but smile when Panik's grin slipped from his face. His eyes wide in shock. Apparently no one had been able to turn his own tactics against him before. That is, until now. "Once a person learns they have nothing to fear, the darkness loses the only weapon it ever had."

"You wish it was that simple, but," Panik began. Yami cut him off.

"But it is that simple, Panik! And I have the card to prove it."

"Not possible," Panik growled. Yami pulled a card from his hand, holding it so Panik could not see what it was.

"This card will expose you and lift that veil of shadows you hide behind. A card that will teach you a little lesson in broad daylight." Téa stood confused, trying to figure out why her friend would tell Panik his strategy. Zahara watched him closely. Mai told Téa that she had done much the same thing in her duel with the man. She said she had managed to hang in there up until about this long before feeling herself start to slip.

"It was right about here I started making amateur mistakes."

"I don't know, Mai," Zahara finally spoke up. Ryou nodded in agreement.

"It does not seem to me that he is panicking in the least." Panik laughed, trying to pass off his nervousness. He did not believe that Yami held the card he was hinting at.

"Let's see you give me this tough lesson," he tempted. Yami laughed again.

"And just why should I show you my card?" He shrugged. "Why not? Not all duelists are liars like you. And to prove it I will show you." He turned the card over to reveal the Swords of Revealing Light. He explained to Panik that the card would not only stop his monsters from attacking for three turns, but would lift the darkness as well, leaving him completely exposed. "Soon your monsters will have no where to hide." Panik grew concerned when Yami opted not to play the card just then. Instead, placing it back in his hand and finishing his turn by playing a monster and one other card face down on the field. Allowing Panik to wonder if he truly played the Swords of Revealing light or not. Yami promised him the duel would be over in just five turns. The tables had turned. And from the look on Panik's face, he was not happy about that change. "Your tactic has been used for centuries, Panik. Believe me I know. You have not, nor will you ever, have me cowering in fear."

Panik laughed as he felt certain Yami had left his winning card wide open for an attack. He called out his Reaper of the Cards to attack the magic card, Yami had played. But Yami was ready for this attack. The card had been the Spellbinding Circle. Panik reeled at the shock and Yami laughed. He knew Panik would make an attempt on the magic card. He had been expecting it. Within the next turn the Reaper was destroyed. They played their turns back and forth. Panik beginning to slip as Yami matched him in his mental game. In a flash of fury, Panik hit the button near his hand that turned on the flames again. Yami was ready and welcomed the warmth like a second skin. He laughed at Panik's attempt to take control of the mental battle again.

"Is that supposed to frighten me, Panik? Or are you the one who is running scared?" Panik scowled as Yami continued to berate him. "Your mental tactics have been used for centuries to throw others off their game. Believe me I know. Your tricks have not, nor will they ever frighten me." Panik twitched, his anger boiling. " And now, Panik, It is time to bring all your monsters into the light!" Yami flipped over his Swords of Revealing Light and a bright light exploded onto the field. Mai and Téa cringed. Zahara threw up her arm to shield her face. Ryou had spun slightly to save his sight as well when he moved to block her even more from the light. Joey and Tristan squinted, but continued to gaze hard into light so they could see what was going on. Zahara blinked rapidly, trying to get focused again. Gently she nudged Ryou's shoulder to let him know she was ok and they, too, turned to face the arena again. Several swords had appeared under Panik's Castle of Dark Illusion. Panik was still shouting. Obviously, the light was not his friend. "Now your monsters have no where to hide," Yami chided him.

"Ha! No one keeps Yugi in the dark!" Tristan cheered.

"Three turns left," Yami informed Panik as he still cringed from the light bathing the field. "Three turns and this duel is over." Yami stared at Panik with a cold fire in his crimson eyes. He stood strong in the light, unmoving, his arms crossed over his chest once again. His face a picture of seriousness. A closer look in his eyes told Zahara he was becoming impatient with Panik. "Quit stalling and make your move!"

Panik did just that, all the while keeping silent as he looked over his hand. Zahara could tell it un-nerved him that Yami was not falling prey to his fear tactics as the others he was used to facing. The look in his eyes worried her, but looking back at the confident look on Yami's face, she felt certain everything was going to be all right. A smile curved Panik's face. A smile that made her rethink her certainty. His next turn combined a chaos shield with his Castle of Dark Illusions shielding his monsters from any attack Yami could throw at him.

"What does this mean?" Téa asked no one in particular.

"It means Panik is untouchable while Yugi is a sitting duck!" Mai answered. Zahara sighed.

"You underestimate him," she said simply, earning curious glances from the others while she stared straight ahead. She had seen him duel enough times to know he could easily change things. She could see by the look in his eyes that though faced with a stronger challenge, his strategy was far from beaten.

"So do you think you can still defeat me in three turns?" Panik challenged Yami. Zahara sighed again as Mai told everyone that their friend did not stand a chance at beating Panik now. That breaking duelists was what he did. Ryou heard the sigh and squeezed her hand again in reassurance.

"Mai, you have become so cynical about Duel Monsters. And you don't understand Yugi at all," he told her lightly. Zahara looked at him while he spoke, wondering just how much he truly knew about Yami. Just how many of the evil spirit's memories Ryou had maintained. "There's much more to him than meets the eye." She cocked her head to the side with a look that warned him about his choice of words. He simply nodded and closed his mouth again. The point had been made. Tristan ran over to Joey who was standing in edge.

"Yugi can win this, right?" Joey flung his arm away in frustration. He, like Zahara was getting tired of the others talking Yugi down as if he could not handle his own against this opponent. But he had to admit, he was uncertain.

"I wish I could tell ya, Tristan," was all he said.

"Give up!" Panik was shouting. "Admit defeat!" Yami chuckled again. He was easily amused by the man he faced. He was actually enjoying toying with him in his own game. But he was ready for this to be over as well.

"You would like that wouldn't you, Panik? You think you can win through intimidation and not by skill."

"You mock my skill?" Panik questioned him. "My skill is what is defeating you!"

"Don't be so sure," Yami warned him. "You only think you are winning. That your tactics were taking me by surprise. But your kind does not surprise me. Your kind is always hiding behind something."

"Shut up!" Panik shouted. His voice was beginning to lose its edge. "I hide behind nothing!"

"Your whole strategy was nothing but hiding, coward." Panik growled and Zahara watched him touch a few buttons on his panel. The flame throwers changing their position again. Her eyes grew wide with fear.

"No one talks to me that way!" He slammed his fist on the button to light the fire again. As she watched, Yami seemed to know just were the fiery blasts were going to be heading and he dodged them with ease. She could almost see the flames leaping in his eyes as his anger became evident as he maintained his control.

"Are you finished? Or are you going to continue to hide behind your cheap tricks? The truth hurts, doesn't it, Panik? Facing your true self is more than most bullies can bear. So they hide."

"You will insult me no longer!" Panik yelled. Téa stepped forward.

"He's dangerous, Yugi. Please, stop stirring him up!" Zahara stepped beside her, releasing Ryou's hand. She finally understood completely.

"Don't interfere, Téa. Trust me on this." Téa turned to face her.

"What do you mean, 'don't interfere'? Yugi will get hurt if he keeps this up." The glare in her eyes told Zahara that this was much more than her concern for Yugi. She was still having hard feelings from the night in the club when she caught Zahara's mother with Yami. Zahara ignored the anger and nodded forward.

"He is only using Panik's own tactics against him. Mind against mind. A test of wills." Mai thought for a moment, taking in Zahara's words.

"You mean, like, psych out war-fair?" Zahara nodded.

"Exactly." Everyone turned back to the duel where Panik was promising to destroy Yami again as Yami, yet again, called him a coward. He told Panik to stop hiding and play the game with honor. He again informed Panik that he only had two more turns left before his promise to crush Panik came to pass.

"Can you last just two turns?" he asked him. "Do you have the courage?" Panik growled at him in response. Yugi's friends all agreed that he had really shaken Panik with his taunting. They only hoped he did not pay for it in the end. Yami made his next play, calling Gaia the Fierce Knight to the field. Panik laughed until Yami revealed another face down card which had been his Polymerization card. He combined Gaia with his Cursive Dragon to create Gaia, the Dragon Champion. He ended his turn, but not before taking one last jab at Panik.

"My turn is over, but so are you." Panik grew still a moment trying to figure out what Yami had meant by that. Finally he played a Metal Guardian to further protect his creatures. Yami shook his head. "Figures, you're cowering again." Insults flew back between the two duelists.

"Silence! Your next turn your swords will disappear leaving you wide open for my monsters to attack!"

"It is already too late, for I have already led you deep into my trap." Panik stood shocked a moment before recovering.

"You're nothing but talk!"

"The time for talking is over," Yami told him. "That was your last turn." He drew his next card and pulled the ones from his hand he needed to end the duel. He summoned Catapult Turtle to use with his Dragon Champion to break down Panik's defenses. The Dragon Champion was launched at the castle shattering its floatation ring and sending the pieces to the ground. Panik thought the attack had failed as his monsters still stood and the castle still hung in the air. Zahara saw the plan then. The swords were the only thing holding the Castle up over the monsters. Panik's chaos shield holding the monsters in place. Yami ended his urn and Panik stared in shock as his monsters were crushed under the castle bringing his life points down to zero. Yami was once again the victor. But Panik was far from letting that defeat stop him from destroying Yami.

"I may not have defeated you, Yugi! But I can still eliminate you!" His fist slammed through the panel with his flame button on it causing fire to swell around surround the arena. Yami felt an odd sensation on his right shoulder and he blinked a moment as it burned him. His puzzle began to glow and the golden eye blinked open on his forehead. There had been so much power surrounding him, even he was surprised. He raised a hand almost by instinct and a small barrier formed just before a surge of flames struck him full force in the front of him. Zahara grabbed Téa and Ryou as more flames flew around and nearly struck them.

"Get down!" She shouted.

"What's going on?" Joey hollered out.

"Yugi!" Téa called, her voice cracking in fear.

"He will be all right, Téa, just get down!" Zahara told her, forcing the girl back down and bracing herself from the heat. She could feel the rumbling on the ground but was not sure if it was Yami's power or the fire before them. She glanced up to see the flames had risen to form what could only be described as a tornado of fire. She could hear Panik's shocked voice when he realized that Yami was still standing.

"My powers protect my friends and me from your assault," Yami told him, the fire making his crimson eyes look almost onyx. "But nothing will protect you from Oblivion!" He raised his hand and the power of the puzzle flowed freely, shattering the darkness in Panik and sending him to the Shadow Realm. The flames died and Yami was released. Zahara sat back on her heels and allowed Ryou to help her and Téa stand as Yami met them back on the ground.

"You were incredible!" Téa exclaimed. He stood straight in front of her, acknowledging her words but staring hard at Zahara and Ryou. Ryou stood strong, considering the fear she felt emanating from him. Zahara lowered her gaze, prepared for whatever he would ask of her. After a moment of silence, he nodded to her and turned to face Mai. She was not sure what to make of his actions. She wondered if, like Ryou had with the evil spirit, Yami shared certain memories with Yugi. If he did, then he heard her story. In the end, she figured that Yami had been sizing her up. Trying to decide if there was enough truth in her story to trust her. His not saying anything concerned her, but his nod made her settle a little.

"Yugi, I don't know what to say," Mai started to tell him. He stopped her, raising his arm and opening is hand to reveal the star chips resting there.

"Here, these are yours." Mai stared down at his outstretched hand as everyone looked on. "They're yours, Mai. Go ahead, take them."

"I-I'm sorry but I can't accept them." Yami nodded again. Joey rushed forward, catching him off guard as he snatched the star chips form his friend.

"If she doesn't want 'em, then I'll take 'em!" he claimed. Mai growled, her spirit returning.

"You think my losing my star chips is funny, Joey Wheeler?" He grinned at her which caused her temper to soar as she came at him, her hand raised. His hand met hers up in the air, passing the chips back onto her.

"I'm just kiddin' wit cha, Mai. They're yours, take 'em." Mai stared down at her hand in shock. "Come on, Mai. Can't you let your shield down, just this one time?" Yami nodded at her. She looked down thoughtfully as an uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Joey grinned. "I'm such a sensitive guy," he said with a laugh.

"Yeah, when you're not being a pain," Tristan grinned as they began to walk away.

"Which is most of the time," Téa added with a smile. Ryou slipped an arm around Zahara's waist as everyone laughed. She felt Yami's eyes on them but willed herself not to turn to face him. Yami was indeed watching them. A strange sensation filling his heart. As if he had to watch over her. Guide her, protect her if she needed protection. Knock Ryou senseless if his hand so much as dared to slip below her waist. He did not understand the feelings as of yet, and he had little time to think about it when Mai's voice called out to him. Well, called out to his other self anyway.

"Yugi, wait!" He stopped and turned to face her, as did the others. "I will never forget what you did here for me today. You won these so as far as I am concerned I still owe you. More than I have ever owed anyone." She looked down at the star chips in her hand with a wistful look in her eyes. "And when we do finally face each other in the arena, I promise you an honorably fought duel. No tricks, no lies." Yami nodded with a grin.

"Yes, an honorable duel," he agreed. "That's a duel I look forward to, Mai." Without another word, he rejoined the others as they made their way along the path again, this time hoping for a place where they could rest and get some much needed sleep. Though, Zahara found it very hard to sleep that night.

Eventually she gave up and stood to walk a little ways to a small cliff over looking the ocean. She paused a moment near Yugi as he stirred in his sleep. Yami had remained in control of his body until he lay down. Yugi looked around for a moment, trying to get his bearings, before sleep over took him. Rubbing those innocent eyes of his, Zahara had watched as they drifted shut. She sighed and lightly swept his blonde bangs away from his face, kneeling to gently place an airy kiss on his forehead. He seemed so peaceful. She did not wish to disturb him, so she continued on her way to the cliff. One there, she sat down and stared out at the water. So many emotions in her mind and heart. So many things she wanted to do and say. So many fears of what she was truly doing there. Her mind kept drifting back to Ryou. He had helped her out in several tight spots already. She found herself not minding the attention as well. She knew if the school found out, she would lose her place, but a part of her no longer cared.

"What am I going to do?" She whispered, placing her chin on her arms which were resting on her knees. "How do I really feel? Is this real? Is this just a phase? And what if Bakura returns? Mother could never accept that. She barely accepted him before. But if she was to learn that Ryou had the Ring, and that Bakura was here…" She swallowed hard as she imagined the fury in her mother's eyes. "I can't let her know. Not if I want to be with him." She paused a moment, closing her eyes. "Do I really want to be with him? How do I really feel about him?" She opened her eyes again when she realized there was an even more important question she should be asking herself. Did he really care for me, or was that the spirit trying to get close to Mother by going through me? She chocked back a sob, her breath catching as tears filled her eyes.

"I don't understand why I feel this way. I have never felt this way. But is it real?" Her heart stilled when a soft voice sounded just a short distance behind her.

"Is what real?" She swallowed hard and could not bring herself to say anything as Ryou dew nearer to her. "Zahara? Are you all right?"

"Do you really care?" She quickly regretted her words the instant she said them. The pained expression on his face told her the answer she had known all along.

"I-I…" Ryou struggled with his words, flustered and uncertain what to say. She gave a silent sob and turned her head away from him and burying her face in her arms. She felt him hesitantly place a hand on her shoulder as he took a spot beside her on the ground so he, too, could stare out at the water. "Why do you ask that? Has it not been obvious?" She lifted her face again but, but left her chin on her arms as she stared straight ahead. She could smell his scent on the jacket she was still wearing from when he had given it to her.

"I was… was not sure. I –I was afraid that… that…"

"That the spirit was using me, to get to you, to get to your mother," he finished for her in a sad tone. Startled, she sat up and looked at him.

"It scares me that you know so much about me, Ryou. No one has ever known as much about me as you have. To be honest, I almost feel you know me better than I know myself at this point."

"Somehow, I doubt that very much," he said softly. "Zahara, I understand your fears because of that spirit. I honestly don't blame you. I haven't sensed him since Yugi banished him from my body during that duel. I am taking that as a good sign." He paused again. There was no real tension between them as they spoke, or even as they sat in silence. Just an uncomfortable feeling that passed between them every now and then. They wanted to hold each other, yet were afraid to.

"Just how much do you know about me?" she finally asked him. He looked down. Not much, but enough to piece a few things together. Like you are a lot older than you let everyone believe." She bit her lower lip. So he did know.

"Anything else?" He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"That you were the daughter of a Pharaoh in ancient Egypt and that is why you know so much about the Millennium Items."

"Not exactly. I mean yes, I was the daughter of a Pharaoh. But I only know what my mother has told me through out the years about the Items. I was too young to remember anything of that time, including my father's name."

"You don't know his name?" She shook her head, still staring out at the ocean. Tears slowly filled her eyes again.

"My mother would not tell me. Said it was better I did not know at this time."

"You said you were looking for him, and that you thought you had found him. How can that be when you do not know his name?" Carefully she turned but did not look at his face, instead she looked down at his Millennium Ring. He caught her gaze and frowned. "My Ring have something to do with this?"

"Might, I am not exactly sure. My mother made us protect the puzzle of all the Items. She herself guarded the Pharaoh's tomb. She talked often about a powerful spirit within the puzzle that would one day be released. That when that day came, and the spirit fulfilled his destiny, he could return home. She said that spirit was my father." Ryou grew thoughtful.

"So the spirit that fought mine, was your father?" She nodded briefly. It felt good to finally be open about everything. To at least let everything out that she had kept hidden for so long.

"I am certain of it. He looks like my brother." That was where she stopped. She felt like she had gone too far with that revelation.

"Yugi is your brother?"

"No," she replied quickly. "He is not my brother. My brother is still in Egypt."

"So how can the spirit look like your brother? I am afraid I don't understand that one. I thought he just looked like an older version of Yugi." She sighed. It was too late now. She had to tell him. Mother, please forgive me, she thought before proceeding.

"That is because Yugi is a blood relative of mine. My brother is his father. The spirit… The spirit is Yugi's grandfather. That is why they look alike. Because, they are one. Bound by blood." Ryou looked shocked a moment, but quickly recovered. She turned away from him as he digested the information.

"You have never told anyone this have you?"

"No," she answered. "And you mustn't either. My mother would kill me if she knew I told you this much."

"I won't say anything, I promise."

"Thank you." They grew silent again. He shifted beside her as she nibbled on her lower lip again. He looked closely at her face, studying her. Trying to decide what to say next.

"Was that the only thing you feared? The spirit of my Ring?" She closed her eyes a moment, shaking her head. "Then what else?"

"Myself." The simplest answer she could give.

"Yourself?" She sighed.

"I have never felt… felt like this before. It is new, and frightening. And with you of all people. You who harbored the spirit of the man my father fought until his spirit was taken within that puzzle. There are so many dangers in my being with you. If my mother ever learns of your having the Ring, if the spirit should return, should the school ever find out…? I am supposed to be there to protect Yugi. And… and…" She looked up at him, her lapis blue orbs filled with her unshed tears. "Ryou, I…" He placed two fingers on her lips to hush her before taking her into his arms.

"It's okay, really. I understand. It is your choice in the end."

"All I have ever wanted was to find someone like my brother had. Someone who knew about him, who he was, what he was, and accepted and loved him anyway. With all my responsibilities I never thought that would be possible. And even so, the one I love will grow old and wither away while I stay young. I don't think I can handle that. But I am still as close to human as anyone else here. I still have a heart that needs to be loved. If I actually allow it…" Her words softened to a point he almost did not hear her. He pulled back and cupped her chin drawing her face up to look into her eyes again. Warm brown eyes gazed deep into her own blue ones and she no longer saw the traces of the evil that had been there with the spirit.

"Zahara, I know you now. I know almost all there is to know about you, where you are from, your connection to the spirits and the Items. I know all this and I am still here. What does that tell you?" She stared at him, unsure what to say. Too scared to utter a sound, though her lips moved to speak. No sound could be heard. "It should tell you that I accept you. I always cared about you, even before the spirit made his presence known to me. That never changed. It never will. But the choice is yours to make." The closer she was to him, the more his scent seemed to hypnotize her. It drew her in like a moth to a flame. She felt her lips part slightly and her eyes flutter closed as he moved closer toward her.

"Choice… is… mine…" She breathed as his lips met hers in a light and chaste kiss. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest as the stored emotions surged forward. It amazed her how such an innocent kiss could stir up so many emotions. Her body began to tremble and she pulled up closer against him, felling his arms wrap around her before he broke the kiss. Her head fell to his shoulder. What does this mean? She asked herself. She did not know the complete answer, but she knew things had most definitely changed. She moaned softly when he shifted to stand, helping her up along the way.

"Come on, let's get back to the fire. There are still some hot coals there that can help take the edge off the chill here." She said nothing but allowed him to lead her back to camp. They stared into the flames for a little while before sleep took them both. Ryou was pleasantly surprised when she cuddle up close to him, using his jacket as a makeshift blanket. He rolled to his side so he could watch her sleep. He draped an arm over her and closed his eyes, actually falling into a peaceful sleep for once in his life.

The newly formed couple rested unaware of a set of crimson eyes watching them. Yami had sensed Zahara's presence near Yugi not long before she disappeared to head toward the cliff. He had been about to take control of the boy's body to go after her for a few answers when he noticed Ryou quietly making his way toward her instead. So he remained near his charge. Keeping alert and ready in case she showed the slightest form of distress. The spirit within the boy may have been banished, but Yami was still uneasy about him. He did nothing about this as Yugi had seemed to value the boy's friendship. But that did not stop him from having his concern. Seeing that Ryou was indeed finally asleep and of no real risk, Yami settled back within his puzzle for a rest of his own. Determination to help Yugi and his friends, as well as seek out the answers he was sure Zahara held that could help him figure out just who he was and why he was here in this strange period of time, the last thing on his mind.

OK, I had to add an A/N here as I had to correct something that my loyal reader DDCFreak was kind enough to catch. Zahara was of course talking to Ryou, so she would have been looking at his Millennium Ring and not the Millennium Puzzle as I had so foolishly typed in before (sheepish grin). Thanks for catching that, my friend, and alerting me to it. I am glad it was something little so I could fix it without re-doing anything major that may have messed up chapter 15 which is up already. (smiles and gives a Seto Kaiba Plushie to go with the others in her collection)