Author's Note: Sorry this update took so long..I've been re-doing some of my other chapters, and pondering the story-line of another fanfiction I have in mind..

Nevertheless..

All past conversations will be put in italics.

'More Than Life Itself' has been updated if anyone still cares to read it... Reasons for why my revision is so late are posted in the chapter. Please excuse the inconvenience. I tried my best, and I understand if the story really doesn't interest you all anymore. Just say the word and I'll delete it.

Chapter Nine---

Staring at himself in the light of the well-lit bathroom, Seto Kaiba thought of the words said by Ishizu Ishtar, not long ago:

Take a moment to abandon your persistency on the future, and listen to someone other than yourself for once, Kaiba..

The CEO smirked to himself as he turned away, and shut off the restroom light..

As if it were that easy.

Did she not know that everytime he thought about his past -- she was involved? In every single 'vision' he'd had...she was there in one way or another..

Physically, or in his thoughts..

There was one thing he and that former Priest agreed on..

His predecessor was a fool.

How could someone with his blood-line be so susceptible to love? Look where it left him.

Dead.

If he wasn't incautious enough to let his feelings for that woman get the best of him, he would've lived to see another day..and more importantly he, Seto Kaiba, would be living a normal life.

But see, this wasn't it..

It almost felt as if...some of those feelings were beginning to get to him...

Kaiba recalled the last time he saw Ishizu..

He remembered his exact reaction when he saw her, and knew that his facial expression didn't exactly do a great job hiding it, either. She probably saw him...gawking at her...with that look in his eye.

Then there was the murderous sensation he got when he saw Yugi sit down next to her..and that thought he had about those two...

Abruptly, he had a thought, causing him to place a look of pure deliberation on his face.

...What if he was in Yugi's place?

Would he..enjoy it? Would he honestly be pleased with the fact he had Ishizu all to himself?

For a brief moment, Kaiba put himself in the poisition of the tri-colored head..

He being the one who wrapped his arm around her waist...he being the one she longed for...he being the one who pulled her deeper into his grasp...he being the one that ran a hand through her midnight hair, causing her to quake...and finally..he being the one that closed the gap they had between their lips...

Suddenly, he realized his own thoughts; and noticed the look of satisfaction he had placed on his face. Quickly, he turned it into one of avarice, and shook the image out of his head; mentally cursing his ancestor.

No..he wasn't even going to go there.

Pfft...He and Ishizu?

Kaiba laughed silently to himself in amusement.

They had as much of a chance as a couple as Anzu Mazaki did at giving up her friendship speeches.

They were completely opposite!

Sure, there was the fact that they both had siblings but, as far as he was concerned, Mokuba wasn't a deranged maniac who wanted to take over the world.

What he meant was in their views..their beliefs..their way of life. In that, they had absolutely nothing in common.

The past and the future...events predetermined and events to be determined..destiny and coincidence...running a mutli-billion dollar company and running a museum on Egyptology.

They just didn't mix..

Instantly, a thought struck him.

If he was in this position, was Ishizu?

Was she being forced to think about him constantly, against her will, as he was about her? Did she despise her predecessor as well? Did that necklace her ancestor once owned cause her to experience delusions everytime she touched it? Did strange illusions play before her eyes when she looked at him, or even heard him speak?

At this exact moment, could she be thinking about him as he was about her?

After shaking off the odd feeling of concurrence, the CEO began to walk towards his bed...

His bed..

It had been a long while since he'd slept in it..

But finally tonight, he, after long hours of work, would actually be sleeping by his own free will in his own bed. He'd told Mokuba so, and recalled how joyous the boy looked that his brother would finally be getting a good night's rest. It had been weeks since he'd last put on his nightware.

The azure eyed individual glanced down at his dark black, swarthy, silk garments. They were so loose; both the lower and upper wear. It felt unconventionally odd to him, for he was so accustomed to wearing trench coats and leather pants.

As he approached the edge of his bed, the nightstand to his left caught his attention. Resting on it was the box containing the golden rod that Ishizu had insisted he take with him.

The mahagony haired being stared at it for a while, letting his gaze trail over all the hieroglyphic carvings and symbols.

As if it was an automatic instinct, the corporation owner outstretched his hand almost hesitantly; and opened the box. As the lid lifted, it revealed the brilliantly slick, gold rod.

Kaiba gave it a phlegmatic look through. He started from the sharply pointed end, and slowly surveyed the smooth, pipe like pole that extended a few inches. The CEO then let his gaze rest at the climax of the rod. It had two almost wing like shapes protruding from either side, and in the center was an eye-shaped design at the rod's peak.

As if hypnotized, the cerulean eyed individual reached out his hand once more; only this time heading for the inside of the container, rather than the box itself.

Just as his fingertips brushed against the sleekness of the rod, he heard a knocking at his door.

"Nii-chan, are you awake?"

Instantly, he switched his gaze away from the golden rod, and drew back his hand. Straightening his countenance somewhat, he walked towards the door, determined not to let his younger brother enter.

His brother was a curious boy...and the last thing he needed was being asked what was in the golden box, and how he had it in his possession.

He'd had enough of the past, and Ishizu, for tonight...

Extending his hand, and turning the knob, the elder sibling opened the door.

"Mokuba," the older brother began as he knelt down on one knee to get to his sibling's level, "you're supposed to be in bed."

"I know.." the boy said, looking at the floor, but then quickly looking back up"...but I wanted to say goodnight!"

Kaiba let a small smile appear on his lips as he looked at the younger boy.

"Alright," the elder one replied, "Goodnight."

"Night, nii-sama!" the younger one squealed as he flung his arms around his brother's neck.

The CEO nearly fell back due to the impact, but managed to keep his stabilty. Fondly, he patted the boy's head with one hand, and embraced him with the other arm.

The two siblings soon parted, and the elder of the two spoke up.

"Now time for bed, kid.." he stated as he got to his feet, "You've got school tomorrow."

Nodding in sulky approval, the bushy haired boy turned and left the room.

He knew better than to argue with his brother.

After making sure that the boy entered his room, the hazed haired being shut the door.

As he approached his bed, Kaiba sighed in relief. He then moved the covers, and placed himself onto the mattress. After positioning the pillow under his head, he pulled the sheets over himself.

Almost immediately, the CEO's eyelids fell shut, concealing his vivid blue eyes from being seen...then slowly, his breathing declined into a substantial pace...

Then suddenly, a small light was admitted into the room..

A golden light that was so meager, even the slumbering CEO didn't notice.

The light itself was coming from the golden box engraved with symbols..soon, the light became brighter and brigher; although the auburn haired individual still failed to notice.

As the light took on a gleaming gold shade, the peaceful slumber of the human being turned into a nightmare.

He felt the sensation of spiraling through a dark warp..a never-ending one...

He had only felt this feeling once before; and that was when he and Yugi both were transported to another period..another era..

Although, that time, itwas different..that was when he didn't know of his past...when he wasn't being afflicted by 'visions.'

But now...

..What could he do?

As a last resort, Kaiba shut his eyes tightly. There was nothing else he could possibly do. Faster and faster he went, as if he was riding a haywire merry-go-round against his will. After minutes of experiencing the same nauseous feeling, the CEO gave up the last bit of faith he had stored within himself. There was no doubt in his mind that he was ever going to see the real world again. He'd just stay here...in the darkness, wasting aw--

Suddenly, as if an invisible force had saved him, he felt himself come to a complete stop. There was a sudden rush of cold air, and the azure eyed being felt the breeze intertwine itself with his chestnut locks of hair.

Now, only one question remained unanswered..

Dare he open his eyes?