A/n: Okay I need you're help! (Say back pack!) XD j/k if anyone actually got that I'll give you an e-cookie. Anyway. Pharaoh's new girlfriend is making a short appearance in the next and last chapters and I really need a name for her but I'm just drawing a total blank. I would prefer it be Japanese since I'm using the original names but she is blonde so she could be American. But yeah, in the words of Lilu from The Fifth Element, plaaaaaaaaayse holp.

ps: Nightfalls, about Blood and Candlelight. I'm not sure if i'll do a sequel to it or not yet, but if I do it'll probably take place about ten years into the future. XD five year olds are hard enouigh to deal with in real life!

Forever in Light: Pharaoh in Checkmate

''

Ryou had managed to sleep all night and Anzu was surprised to find herself between the twins.

Ryou's arm was draped across her stomach and Bakura's was draped across her hip.

She was startled as he opened his eyes and just stared at her.

"Bakura...?"

He hushed her.

"Don't wake Ryou. Come talk to me in the living room."

He stood quietly and left.

Anzu slowly wormed her way out of Ryou's rather tight grasp and pulled her pillow under his arm.

She quickly headed down to the living room to find Bakura waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.

He suddenly went down on his knees and took her hands, looking up into her eyes.

"Don't do it."

She blinked at him.

"What?"

He gently squeezed her hands.

"If we were really meant to be than even if Seto doesn't kidnap you I should still end up with you right? So don't do it."

She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I have to Bakura. I don't want to risk losing you. If you're not sure that you would, than I'll do what I must. He won't be putting me through an entire night this time any way."

Bakura stood, still staring into her eyes.

"I'm so sorry."

She shook her head.

"Better that you say so, than to lose you when there's no way to get you back. Where the hell have you been anyway? Ryou and I have searched all over this city for you."

He was silent for a moment.

"I left town."

Anzu glared at him.

"I think that's obvious. Where were you and why did you just disappear for two days! And what's been with you and Ryou?"

He never took her eyes from her.

"I just needed to think. It's not what's with both of us, it's what's with him. He's pissed because I don't think I can love you if the past doesn't happen like that. The last thing I want to do is to hurt you but I'm so scared that I'm wrong."

She looked away.

"What would make you come to me? What would be worth your while to come and save me over Pharaoh or Ryou?"

He stared at her for a moment.

"What are you saying?"

She pulled away from him and sat on the stairs.

"You do know that you're not going back with us right? In order to make this work I have to be convincing and Seto has to do anything that will make you angry."

Bakura shook his head.

"No...I won't put you through that."

She stared up at him, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"For the sake of our relationship Bakura, please. I will live through hell it's self to keep you."

He turned from her.

"I can't Anzu. It really hurt you the first time and made you think twice about me."

She closed her eyes.

"I screamed with such anguish that even you felt sorry for me...I'm sorry Bakura but there's no backing out now."

He took a deep breath, trying unsuccessfully to stop the tears.

"Do you really think you can handle this? Who will it be this time though? How will you pull it off?"

She shook her head.

"I'm not sure. All I know is that whatever it takes, I'll get it done."

''

Anzu entered the museum with Seto.

She had begged Ryou to stay home and Bakura had refused to go.

Shadi looked concerned as he appeared before them.

"Are you feeling okay now?"

She nodded.

"I'm sorry for the things I said. I really didn't know what I was saying."

He smiled gently.

"I understand. You weren't prepared for his mind tricks and so you couldn't fight them. He won't be able to do it again."

He glanced between the two for a moment.

"Things will be a little different this time."

He opened the portal and allowed the staff to float in.

"As you know, you stopped Pharaoh from fighting with you and going insane. Because of this the argument between the two of you on this night is not to take place. However because of this you would arrive home too soon."

Anzu spoke quietly.

"We sort of need the extra time."

Seto shivered as he thought about what he would have to do.

Shadi nodded silently and the three entered the portal.

''

Anzu found herself walking home with Yugi.

He seemed nervous.

"Yugi, what's wrong?"

He never looked up at her.

"Pharaoh wants you to stop by the store. He's got something important to ask you."

She smiled.

"Okay. Yugi...I know you're upset about us breaking up still, but it really was for the best. I promise I'm okay with it."

Yugi continued to stare at the ground.

"I'm really still mad at Pharaoh for cheating on you. That was horrible to do. That's really why I insisted on getting him a new body."

Inwardly Anzu was shocked.

Did that mean Ryou and Bakura were already split?

She suddenly smiled.

"Yugi...I'm so much happier with Ryou. He does little things for me every day. Like yesterday I came home and he had not only cooked dinner, but gone to the flower shop and bought me roses. That's something Pharaoh would never do."

He nodded.

"I know."

She stopped him for a moment.

"But Yugi, the biggest reason I've been able to get over this so soon, is because I have you as my pillow. You listen to me if I'm upset. I know you love me and...I don't ever want to stop being friends with you."

He smiled slightly.

"Yeah. You know I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I guess I'm also just angry at myself for not telling you."

They continued walking and she sighed.

"I knew. Almost from the beginning."

She suddenly smiled as she spotted the game store.

"Beat ya there!"

And took off.

Yugi shook his head and took off after her.

"That's not fair! You have longer legs than I do!"

She stuck her tongue out as she turned back to him from the door.

"That's no excuse! You're just lazy! Hurry up!"

Yugi caught up to her and had to catch his breath before they walked in.

"Sometimes..."

He panted out.

"I still think you're sixteen."

She giggled and patted his head.

"And lately I totally think you're grandpa."

He laughed and straightened up.

"Neah, just eating a lot more."

She grinned at him.

"Well, one good thing that came out of this is her cooking."

He nodded.

"She makes a killer Strawberry Shortcake! Pharaoh, we're here!"

He poked his head around the door, the phone pressed to his ear and glanced at Anzu oddly.

"Right, I'll call you back. Tomorrow morning at nine, yes I'll make sure."

And he hung up.

Smiling nervously, he looked up at Anzu and she smiled back.

"I heard you wanted to ask me something."

He nodded and walked up to her, taking her hand.

"Well I want your permission to do something."

She stared at him in confusion.

"What on earth do you need my permission for?"

He looked down.

"I...I want to ask her to marry me."

She was speechless for a moment.

"You...don't need to ask me. Just do it."

He looked up at her.

"It's just that we..."

She shook her head, cutting him off.

"No you haven't. You've been dating her long enough. This just shows that I was right. Yes Pharaoh...you have my permission."

He looked up at her.

"Are you angry?"

She shook her head.

"Not for the reasons you're thinking, no."

She glanced at the clock.

She had an entire hour and a half to kill and she could tell it wasn't going to be pleasant.