Hello, one and all! With the past holiday season and the surface of one of my favorite animated movies (Anastasia) I have felt the urge to create this little number. I say little but many would probably disagree. What can I say, the story got away from me this time!

This is by far the movie I remember the most of that I used to watch as a child. I even still have the original soundtrack that was released with the movie way back when!

. .

Forewarning: This work will be rated M to be safe!

There are adult situations and themes inside so if you are under 18 or are easily queasy, please proceed with caution.

This will not be the cutesy musical that some of have grown up with (the animated movie) and I honestly have never seen the play/broadway/original so I can't say that it will or won't have any similarities.

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Anyway, as you know I don't own rights to the characters of Yu-Gi-Oh!

Anastasia (Original Yu-Gi-Oh! Style)

Part 2

Yami's back straightened as the trinket around his neck suddenly grew warm. Not more than a second ago it was slightly chilled from the lower temperature climate and now it was nearly warm enough to make his body heat in response. The person he had seen in his nightmare, the one that looked almost exact to himself, flashed briefly before his mind's eye. He didn't pay any mind to their protests as he stood and deliberately cross the room. The second he had entered the adjacent room the brothers made to remove him but he simply locked gazes with each as he purposefully walked towards the bed. Her skin had grown even paler since their arrival and the mark that had started so small was threatening to cover every inch of her exposed flesh. Some would sit atop of her skin while other parts had buried themselves beneath and caused the skin to raise in gruesome patterns. Ishizu had quickly placed cloth to protect the girl's womanly attributes upon his entrance and even she did not attempt to deter him as he took a seat on the opposite side. A power was radiating from him that was causing an interesting reaction from the curse plaguing the young girl in their care. He took Tea's hand within his own, one atop and the other under, as he leaned closely to her ear. His amethyst eyes swirled with a power that none of the siblings were familiar with but they instantly recognized the chant he had begun whispering.

Odion quickly joined him, their lower voices harmonizing with Ishizu's light timbre when she began a different chant. Marik quickly combined the freshly ground spices, carefully measuring each before he brought the mixture over to the girl. He took up his own chanting as he lined her lips with the concoction then sprinkled a bit over each of the marking's branches. Never had they encountered a spell that required three vastly different counter casts as well as so many of the herbs they rarely used. The siblings never missed a beat as her body began to convulse in response to the curse attempting to fight back, her cries causing Yami's face to grow tight with concern as her free hand clung to Ishizu's. The siblings feared the worst when the young woman's back suddenly arched off the bed, eyes rolling so far back they could nearly see the veins, but they remained diligent in their castings as a white outline appeared around her form.

Incantation complete, Yami allowed Odion to continue repeating it and focused his attention on her as she began to cry softly. "It will be alright," he whispered, his free hand petting the top of her head as he had done before. "Focus on my voice, Tea, do not allow yourself to be swallowed by this. I have faith in your strength and strongly believe that you can survive this." His lips quivered slightly when her body grew slack and fell back onto the mattress. The hand he was holding felt like ice and her pulse was so faint that he could barely feel it. Desperation filled him again when her breathing stalled. He spotted something gold placed off to the side that hung from a simple cord much like his own and he carefully drew it over her head so that the golden piece could rest against her heart. Yami leaned forward to rest his forehead against her own as a tear slipped down his cheek when he felt her soul waiver. It was then that he spotted the thin vines wrapping themselves around her from head to toe. His hand swiped the pair of scissors that had been poking out of one of the medicinal storage containers, coated it in the leftover spices, and held his breath as an indivisible barrier prevented him from bringing it within the closest clusters. An idea came to him as he glanced down at where the creeping vines were sourcing from and steeled himself. The siblings never broke their concentration but their eyes remained fixated upon Yami as he fought what had to be a barrier until the purified scissors he held effectively snipped the first large root. A faint cry slipped up Tea's throat, her breathing momentarily leveling as the wrinkle between her brows smoothed slightly. He snipped another and the thick vine that had managed to reach her chest unraveled, relief filling him when she took a deep breath that caused a bit of color to renter her being. It was working! Biting his lower lip, he set to snipping every vine he spotted, earning soft sighs from his friend as each piece of the curse dissipated. His free hand grasped hers when only one remained after several minutes.

The chanting halted as the seed, the source and home of the curse that was implanted within her leg, resisted the sheers. There weren't any spices leftover and it was deep beneath her skin. Ishizu gently took the pair of scissors from Yami and told him to take her place, her cornflower hued eyes assured him that she could finish what he started. "I will be as gentle as I can but you will need to ensure that she remains calm in case she regains consciousness."

He nodded and quickly grasped both of Tea's hands within his own as her head began to toss. Marik appeared where his sister had been, hands clasping her shoulders as the blade pierced her skin and her eyes shot open to reveal pain filled cobalts. The young practitioner made to stuff a spare cloth between her lips when she began to sob loudly but was deterred by Yami's glare. One of his hands rose and gently cupped her cheek, effectively directing her attention towards himself as his eyes softened. "Focus on me, Tea, not anyone or anything else. You are in pain, I know this, but you will be well soon. I trust these people and I know you trust me so have faith that they will do everything they can to help you." Every tear that trickled down her cheek felt like a dagger piercing his chest but the fierce squeeze of her fingers relayed enough. His lips lifted into an assuring smile when she nodded. Another wave of pain must have passed over her, judging from the grimace and sudden bite to her bottom lip, and he gently used his thumb to ease the abused flesh out from between her teeth.

"Brace yourselves!" Ishizu's warning came too late as Tea's body suddenly lurched upwards, eyes rolling backward as a hair raising scream tore form her lips.

Yami had been quick to prevent her from falling from the bed and his hands had a gentle yet firm hold upon her head, their foreheads resting against one another's as he spoke to her in a level tone. Her tears soon ceased under his calming gaze but it wasn't until color had fully returned to her skin that the fog of the curse lifted from her eyes. "Tea?" He exhaled in relief when she blinked for a few seconds then offered a small confused smile. "I shall explain later but for now I must leave you in their care." After explaining that he would be in the next room awaiting and was about to pull away when he became aware of Marik's gaze that was locked on them. It took him a moment to realize why and then he realized the slight predicament on his hands…or should he say within his lap. When she had sat upright the cloth that had been draped over her chest had fallen, which meant that if he moved away and wasn't careful of his gaze there was sure to be repercussions. She took must have noticed the lack of clothing since her cheeks began stained with a blush that rivaled the color of a tomato. Though he tried for words they seemed to be out of reach or blocked by the lump in his throat as her eyes dared his own to look away.

This seemed to amuse the youngest Ishtar, if his sniffled chuckles were to mean anything, but they dissipated when his elder sister flicked his temple before fixing the fallen cloth around their patient's chest. "Enough of your childish antics, Marik, take him to the other room this instant while Odion and I finish cleansing her. You are in charge of ensuring that the rest of their traveling party is well enough to continue on their journey." Before Yami allowed himself to be led from the room, he caught sight of the curse's source and felt a dark power gather at his fingertips, tempting him to use it to find the one responsible, but opted to leave it be. Whoever was after him would show themselves eventually and he was more than ready to repay them the pain that had been wrongfully issued.

. . . .

A satisfied sneer lifted his once decayed lips, tongue slipped out to moisten them and revealing restored teeth. Someone had severed the curse before it could claim her life but that could be addressed later. It had siphoned nearly half of her life force, meaning that she would be weak for a while, and that would require their traveling to slow exponentially. "I thank you, my dear, I owe you my nearly restored life!" Bakura's head fell back as he laughed, relishing in the power that now flourished within him.

. . . .

They removed their hands from the strange object as it returned to its normal state, lacking both light and temperature, and blinked at one another in confusion. Solomon shrugged to answer his grandson's unvoiced question but he couldn't deny the seed of hope that had taken root within his chest. For the relic to have had a strong reaction meant that only one person who had trained with the knowledge of the ancient lost art among their family had called upon their aid. His lips lifted into a mischievous smile, quickly making a move upon their unfinished chess game, and earned an exasperated sigh from the young man sitting opposite. He quickly wiped the stray tear that managed to gather within the corner of his eye as he sent a silent prayer to the sky in hopes that even an old man's wish would help guid the missing prince home.

. . . .

Yami practically fell into the chaise, his mind and body beyond exhaustion as the pair who had been anxiously waiting for news bombarded him with questions. He assured them that she would be alright now and was slipping into unconsciousness as they chorused that they were going to head back out to look for jobs. He made to stand, to go with them, but they quickly forced back onto the chaise with promises that they would work hard to repay their debt. They slipped out the door and silence fell like a blanket that lulled him into the waiting sleep that tugged at his eyelids.

The door creaked softly as Odion appeared, carrying several utensils and paused mid-step as he caught sight of Marik studying their guest's sleeping face. "Don't be rude, brother, let him rest." He quickly deposited the items he was carrying and managed to cover his youngest's sibling's mouth in time to prevent his shout. Ishizu had warned him to help keep their guests's identities secret not just because of their oaths as medicinal practitioners but also to protect the traveling group in case anyone was attempting to follow. He drew him into one of the other rooms and quickly shushed him while ensuring that none could overhear their conversation. "Yes, he is who you think, but you must not tell a soul."

"Brother, why not?" The young Ishtar threw up his hands towards the ceiling as he paced about the room. "The missing heir is here! His family has been looking for him for a decade and you want to keep this a secret?"

A soft knock drew their attention to the doorway, finding Ishizu supporting a properly dressed Tea who wore an expression of deep sadness. "Please, don't speak a word about us being here. You saw what happened to me but you don't know how it did." She recounted what had happened upon the boat, her gaze unwavering from the young man who made to interrupt her several times whether to stop her words or to ask a question, but refused to stop. She could vaguely see the other siblings's expressions from her peripheral vision but it didn't matter. "Someone is after his life and if I hadn't witnessed it myself I would have never believed it either. Please, I'm begging you to keep our visit a secret. You've done so much for me already and I feel horrible asking for you to do more for us but I feel as though I have no choice. I'm not used to depending on others but my friends are the most important things to me in the world and I will do anything to keep them safe."

"Tea, your love for your friends is obvious and admirable." Ishizu's cornflower blue eyes bore into cobalt as they began to swim with tears. "Your strength and spirit have done you well. Fate has brought him to you for that reason, that you would be able to cross the bridge and reunite him with his family. His memory has been lost, as well as his name, a dangerous combo indeed. Rest assured that we will keep your secret." She pulled out a medallion that mirrored the one her brother had shown at the market; the medicinal cross with braided vines of white lilies that decorated its edges. "This here is the royal family's symbol of favor bestowed upon our family centuries ago. We each were personally given ours by the late king himself, Marik being the youngest in the family to receive the honor, and those who remain loyal to the royal family do not hesitate when we request their assistance." She gently wiped away the tears that slipped down Tea's face as she clung to her.

Odion nodded. "Young girl, you are strong beyond measure and he will need it to see his journey through. Hold your head high."

"You are admirable in many ways," Marik softly said, moving to stand before her. His eyes bore into her own that revealed uncertainty and hope. "So do not lose that spark." An idea occurred to him and he swiftly departed from the room, ignoring their calls as he continued onward. His goal: the train station on the opposite end of town. Looks like it was time to cash in a favor.

. . . .

Yugi waited until that night to slip out from his room, careful to tread lightly as he made his way to the room down the hall. There was only one place that might be able to offer him answers that his grandfather couldn't. Perhaps wouldn't was the better choice of word. The former monarch was talkative so to see him withdraw as he had when asked was surprising. The door leading to the archives creaked slightly as he opened it, flinching as the sound reverberated through the hallway, but even after several seconds there was no indication that it had been heard and he stepped through, securing it behind himself as he flipped on the light. This room contained a copy of every original record that once resided in the palace so the best place to start looking for answers would be here. The aisles and bookcases seemed to never end as he wandered about the room, his lavender eyes glancing every which way. His footsteps came to a halt as he spotted a book that looked incredibly familiar. Upon closer inspection, he found that it was a photo album! He settled at a nearby nook table and lifted the cover and nearly choked when his eyes met those of his departed mother's. "Hi, mom," he whispered, fingertips brushing the border of the photo. She was smiling up down at the younger versions of his brother and he as they played with her long ebony hair. They couldn't have been more than four years old at the time, judging from the still lingering baby-chub that made their clothing bunch slightly. He'd had it worse at the time, his brother may as well have been born lean with how quickly he had slimmed up. There was still the slightly bulbs within his cheeks though that gave away his youthful age.

His hand carefully flipped to the next page and nearly stood in show when he came across a photo of the palace assistants. There was a couple holding the hands of a young girl with brunette hair that was shyly looking up at the camera. Beneath the photo was one that made his breath stall when he read the inscription that was undoubtedly his mother's handwriting: "My most trusted assistant introduced her daughter to the boys today. She was a kind girl who helped her mother in any way possible as my needs were tended to despite Yugi wanting to play. She was taking a rest by my side when Atem approached her, offering her his prized storybook." So they had been introduced back when they were children? His eyes combed over the next few pages, finding many photos of them playing amongst each other but found no name for her written anywhere. A tear slipped from his eyes as he came across the last photo of their mother upon her death bed, her hands attempting to soothe he and his brother as they clung to the sheets covering her being, and spotted a figure within the background behind his weeping father: a man with platinum hair that wore a scowl on his face. His expression grew livid when a few photos later he found the man standing trial within the throne room, kneeling before his father, and his hands clenched into fists as he found a name. "So that's your name, the stranger who not only practiced the dark arts of magic that ruined my family but also had the gall to tempt my brother to learn them as well…Bakura."

. . . .

A gaze rose to the cavern ceiling as a rumbling threatened to cause a few stalagmites to fall. Bakura closed his eyes and smirked as it grew, a crack appeared beneath his feet while one above his head. Magic flooded from the one in the floor and he threw back his head as a pleasure-filled scream slipped from between his lips. The remaining flesh that had yet to regenerate grew like weeds as his heart gave a powerful beat, the blood in his veins warming and spreading new life throughout his body. "It appears that someone has said my name," he purred, moistening his lips with a flick of his tongue. "It would be rude to not thank them in person and it had been quite sometime since I last visited the royal family." His hand extended towards the ceiling as his being was enshrouded within a sphere of darkness.

. . . .

Yami woke with a start as if someone had struck him. He rose to his feet when he found the room dark and silent, his guard up as a bad feeling clouded over his heart. There was a storm brewing. His eyes found the two sleeping mounds that were Joseph and Tristan but he did not spot a trace of Tea no matter how hard his eyes searched the darkness. Where had she gone? He rose to his feet and exited the room where he heard the softest of sounds coming from a room down the hall. His relief was short lived when he spotted her standing before the window. Her being was practically bare in the moonlight that was coming in through the window, her raw beauty threatening to captivate him if it weren't for the scars that were scattered across her fair skin.

She must have heard him enter, judging from the slight hitch of breath that caused her shoulders to hunch slightly, but they relaxed once she had secured the robe that Ishizu had lended her before turning to face him. There weren't any tears in her eyes as their gazes met and she hesitantly took a step toward him when he softly called her name. "There it is again," she whispered, head tilting to the right as he asked what she mean. "You called me by my name just now. I never told you what it was and yet you knew it even back before we left Saint Petersburg."

His eyes never wavered from hers as she took another step closer. "The more I remain with you, the more it seems that my memory is attempting to return. I must sound foolish to you, forgive me for my lack of description to what I am feeling. It's as though I can almost remember who I am and then it slips away from me like a shadow or sand between my fingers."

"Dance with me." Her hands grasped his own, earning a questioning tilt of his head as she smiled up at him. His features for the first time became filled with uncertainty as she used her body to sway his to the left then to the right as she began to softly hum. The rhythm she created was slow enough for him to easily follow, her smile growing when his body visibly relaxed as they gently swayed in time with the song she was humming. She expected him to pull away and reprimand her for the childish antic but she softly relished when he instead brought her closer to rest his chin atop of her shoulder.

"The song," he whispered as an image flashed before him. "It sounds familiar…" The cold room was replaced by one with warm mahogany walls that were intricately decorated with golden relics that sparkled in the flickering fire from across the room. Ebony hair tickled his face as whoever was dancing with him called out as a figure danced into his line of sight. There was no mistaking the shinning cobalts that met his own when little hands grasped onto his own and lead him in a dance as the woman he had been previously engaged with began to sing. "On the wind…"

It felt as though the world had stopped as they ceased all movement, silence reigning as she leaned back and watched as his brow furrowed in concentration. His baritone whisper had been so soft that she had thought it was her imagination but the sheer determination within his eyes told her that she was not mistaking. The song that her mother had learned from the late queen was having an effect on him! She slowed her breathing in hopes that he would unconsciously match it and silently cheered when his breathing leveled, matching her own. "On the wind…" she softly sang, her voice no louder than a whisper as she took a step back, hands grasping his own as her feet deftly traced the same steps she had taken as a child that she had created to symbolize the wind's twirling. "…cross the sea…" her hold on his hands tightened as their bodies came together, his body moving as it had that night so long ago, their eyes never blinking as she brought their joined hands up into the air. "Hear this song…" Her legs bent, causing them to tilt forward slightly and their foreheads to meet. "And remember…"

Amethyst widened. "Soon you'll be…" He twirled her, earning a giggle. His upper torso bent in a bow as she curtsied, her eyes glittering as she hurriedly swept her chocolate locks from her face as the mini version of himself appeared next to her and they reached out their hands towards him as the woman with ebony hair smiled fondly down at him before she was whisked away by a man who patted the top of his head in passing. "Home with me…"

"Once upon…" Her hands rose to cup his face gently as his voice cracked, her heart clenching tightly as a lone tear slipped from the corner of his eye. There was no doubt in her mind that he was returning to him right before her very eyes. His hands had fallen to her forearms, his grip a bit strong but she endured it, more than willing to become his anchor in case he grew overwhelmed. Worried filled her when he began to tremble and she bit back an embarrassed as she recalled what happened next. They had been children at the time, innocent to what something like that truly meant, but she shook off the hesitation when his eyes became glazed. "…a December…"

His body was drawn against her own as one of her hands reached behind his head to bring it closer to hers and felt his heart freeze when something soft met his cheek. The ghosts and flashes of memory screeched to a halt as though reaching the end of a movie reel that caused the room to come back into view as well as the young woman who was in front of him. Recognition, realization, and relief braided together as his arms rose and wrapped around her when the weight that had been threatening to suffocate him disappeared. She pulled her head back in an attempt to hide her burned face but he tightened his hold just before she could step away and effectively trapped her against his chest as he took a staggering breath. "Forgive me," he whispered, falling to his knees with her still in his grasp. "It took much too long for my memory to return." She gently rubbed his back as his forehead fell to her shoulder. "It was after I placed you within the stable that a carriage came around the corner, my younger twin brother tried to help me inside but an explosion caused us to lose our grips and I must have hit my head. I was found and placed within the orphanage since I had no recollection of who I was nor who my family were." He lifted his head, amethyst eyes clear as crystal as they bore into her own. "Tea, you were my childhood friend that would dance before the fireplaces as your mother would tend to my own." The blush returned to her cheeks as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead before helping her back to her feet. "You have helped me so much along the way but I cannot stand the thought of you in danger."

Her back straightened, a finger pressing against his lips. "If your memory is truly back then you should know that I don't quit even when things get nasty." She playfully flicked his nose when he made to protest, earning a blink. "Besides, you still have no idea where your family is and I have a lead. Face it: you're stuck with me." He could only smile as she stuck out her tongue and found himself gathering her in his arms as she giggled softly. They separated as a loud commotion came from the hallway, their hands remaining interlaced as they peeked out from the room.

Marik's eyes locked on them the second they appeared. "There's no time to waste." He tossed them some bags that felt as though they contained a change of clothes and drew the young prince into the next room while Ishizu ushered Tea into the room and closed the door. "Someone has found out about you and there is a riot growing along the docks. They think you are still on the boat so we have to get you to the train station now while they are all still occupied on the opposite end of town. I will take you there but that's as far as I can go, I will not be apart from my siblings." Joseph and Tristan appeared from the front room, both dressed in the clothing his older brother Odion had provided, and accepted the tickets that were handed to them. "The conductor of the midnight train owed me a favor. These tickets will get you to Paris but then you will be on your own." Tea too stepped into the hallway, dressed within clothing that Ishizu had picked, in time to see the prince step out wearing one of Marik's own outfits. The Ishtar's heads bowed as their guests slipped out the back door to the alleyway, Marik's hand briefly resting on his shoulder before they turned away. "Prince, I pray for your safe travels."

"Please do," his lips lifted into a smile as he returned the gesture. "Your family has done a great many services to my family. Formalities are not necessary between acquaintances such as ourselves. You may call me by name, friend," Ishizu's eyes widened at his words, earning a bow of his head in her direction as he grasped Tea's hand when their names were called. "My name is Atem."

See you next time!