Millennium Shadow--Trust In

He moved slowly in the shadows, the purple outfit which he wore not cumbersome and luckily not making any sound. If he was lucky he could at least see where he was being hidden.

"master," a whisper came from behind him, and he turned briefly to see that she was behind him.

"master, is this wise?"

"we must find him, so we may best see how to rescue him."

"demo…akunadin…"

The one now known as Black Magician looked at Black Magician Girl and sighed. "I do not care. I must save him. He is…beloved of our pharaoh, I cannot allow him to be hurt."

Black Magician Girl nodded and then looked back at the shadows from where they had come from. The others were there somewhere, entering the maze of the Millennium Puzzle, and she whispered back to him, "I'll lead them as far as I can, Master, I promise."

He nodded and paused briefly, thinking of if he should stop her and give her a kiss for good luck. The magic he taught her--it wasn't complete and his untimely death in the past, protecting the Pharaoh whom he served, had caused him to not be able to speak what he had felt.

He pushed those thoughts aside and began to once more sneak into the darkness, hoping to see him.

He paused after going ahead a few steps and seeing a small opening. He knelt down to see Akunadin in his human form, and nearby Pegasus, the other one who had owned the Millennium Eye but had used it for evil, as Akunadin had ended up doing. Tied to a cross-like object nearby was Mutou Yugi, the grandson and the one who had brought him back into this world by placing his faith and love into him. It was true, as he had once said, that he was like Maha Vailo, where if more items (or in his case people) were near him and believed in his ability, he would gain power, but he also considered him, the Black Magician, to be his favorite. He had brought him back to the Pharaoh, and thus he owed him for this.

And either way, Yugi didn't deserve this.

Akunadin glared at Pegasus. "So without the Millennium Eye, you still think you can beat Kaiba?"

"It's not that. I can confuse him, or at least send him away and bring back someone you once controlled."

"You mean Set."

Pegasus nodded. "The price is simple. The more he loses, the more he will lose his identity of the present, and revert to the past."

"What of you? In any Shadow Game, one must offer up either the same loss or something just as important."

"Of course, if I lose completely I'll have to return and never visit or come near the Shadow Realm again unless in a duel by someone else. Plus at least Kaiba will now be able to say he won against me in a fair fight."

The former priest turned and looked over at Yugi. "If you feel this will work, then do so. I do not care either way. My prize is here, and as long as I hold his 'aibou' he will have to worry about that and coming to rescue him. I will not lose to him again."

Pegasus smiled and nodded before heading off, disappearing into the shadows. Akunadin looked at Yugi and reached out, nearly touching the boy. Instead, he withdrew and smirked. "I will have my revenge…for myself, for my son. For everything. You are my tool, my way…to destroy the Pharaoh."

"Shadow Power!"

The blast smashed the imposter out of the way and beyond the darkness. Marik and Anzu looked over at the door and raced over to open it and walk past it, the Wedjet eye glowing as they went past and disappeared from that world.

Finding Anzu had been slightly difficult but he had done it. His main worry was now if Rishid had found his sister. He knew he had feelings for Anzu (and she seemed to not mind the fact that he had seen her almost naked once, possibly because she had been the one to do that) and now that had considered it, Rishid did have feeling for Isis too.

"What's wrong?" Anzu asked.

"I'm trying to cope with the fact that someone I see as an older brother likes my onee-chan."

Anzu smiled and said, "Well, come on, maybe--."

The door nearby opened and out came Rishid and Isis.

The two walked over and Marik was the first to ask, "Are you okay?"

"We're fine, Marik-sama," Rishid told him.

"Rishid…it's just Marik. Onegai…I'm no lord. That's Atemu-sama."

Anzu looked around and finally asked the most obvious question. "Does anyone know where we are?"

As they walked out of the door, Jounouchi and Makoto nearly ran into Ryuugi and Minako, who also seemed to almost run into Ryou and Ami.

"Woah!" Jounouchi said, "watch out!"

"Gomen, Jounouchi-kun," Ryou said, "Have you seen Kaiba-kun and Rei-san?"

"We just got here," Makoto pointed out, "same as everyone else."

"Brings up the question of where 'here' is," Ryuugi said, looking at the maze which seemed to wind around them and go in directions which were almost impossible except in maybe a painting or something.

"Any suggestions?" Minako asked.

"We find Atemu and the others and get out of here after destroying Akunadin," Jounouchi said.

They all nodded and looked around.

"So…" Ryou asked, "Where do we start?"

"This is pointless," Kaiba said as they opened what felt like the umpteenth door to show an empty room.

"Everyone feels that way about a puzzle," Rei said, "but I'm starting to agree with you. I wonder how--."

She started for the next door only to have it open and have Ryou staring at her before turning back to where the others were. "I found Rei-san!"

"I guess we don't go that way," Kaiba said as the group filed out and looked around. Jounouchi sighed. "Kuso, this is confusing!"

"It's a wonder he remembered he was even from Egypt," Mako added in, looking around the place. "So now what?"

"We still need to find a way out of here, and I'm guessing we need to find Atemu and Yugi to do that," Ryuugi pointed out.

A door nearby opened and out of it came Sailor Set and Bakura.

"Oh, and them."

"Miss us that much?" Bakura sneered at Ryuugi. "We've been stuck in a small maze with a few 'old friends' after us." he looked over to Set, "I somehow don't think we're very loved."

"You weren't."

"Could we get back to the matter of finding our escorts out of here?" Mina asked with a sigh.

There was a sound of crying and the group turned.

"I guess that way," Rei said.

"What about the Outers and Honda," Bakura asked, "or do you want to leave them here like you were going to do to us?"

As if on cue, the Outers walked in and looked over at him. "You'd best keep your tongue in your mouth, Doroburo," Haruka said, "I might just cut it out."

"Ruka-chan…" Michiru tried to placate her lover and the other two Outers, plus Honda, rolled their eyes.

"Help…"

The group turned and then looked at each other before, as a group, they headed after the voice.

Atemu was lost, and hated that feeling. He had felt this before in his Puzzle, and disliked feeling it again especially with Yugi in danger.

He looked down the dark corridor and slowly, gently, sent out some of the Shadow power to see what might be down that way. He felt the power of the Senshi, a new power along with the others, and the power from the others, a Shadow power and some without the Millennium Items.

There was also another power, like a thread leading back to another thing. He moved down the corridor and paused, seeing if he knew what the thread lead to, or something to give him an idea as to the identity of the person who made it.

Then he felt it. The same feelings as he got whenever calling forth the Black Magician or the Black Magician Girl, though more the Black Magician Girl.

Mana…that was her name, before she died. Her ka had been Black Magician Girl. Therefore the holder of the Millennium Ring, or at least the holder before Bakura, was at the other end.

Mana and Mahaado. They know…they know where Yugi is.

He broke into a run now, finding his way to where the powers were coming from and where the person who could lead him to Yugi would be.

Yugi…I will not let you die again.

The group turned and then stopped suddenly as they saw themselves at the entrance to a large arena. A crowd of ghostly figures seemed to be around them everywhere and on the other side was…

"Pegasus…" Kaiba said with a good deal of venom. Ryou looked slightly worried and Bakura himself smirked.

"Ah, Kaiba-boy," the deposed 'Duelist King' said happily, "how nice to see you again. And you brought your friends, too? How nice!"

Rei looked ready to blast him with fire and Kaiba was close to doing the same. "Cut the crap, what do you want?"

"Oh, how rude!" Pegasus said with a smile, "But enough of that. The ones you seek are beyond me, so I suppose one of you should battle me. Oh, how about you, Kaiba-boy? I'm sure you're still sore about the last time."

Kaiba glared at Pegasus and Rei looked over at him. "Seto-kun…"
"It's okay," he said, looking over at Pegasus. "What's the catch? With you there has to be."

Pegasus cast an almost evil-looking smile at him. "You'll find out as we play. Or do you want Jounouchi to play me? Really, I don't think he'll stand a chance."

"Ki-sama…" Jounouchi growled and Mako put a hand to his shoulder while Kaiba smirked. "Ie. I'll play you, and this time you won't stand a chance."

Pegasus smiled as Kaiba walked out to the dueling arena. The points were displayed in odd coloring near them and Pegasus said, "You realize this is a Shadow Game, right?"

"I guessed that," he said, "are we going to duel or not?"

"My, right to the point. Very well then, Kaiba-boy, I'll start." He pulled out the card and then smirked. "Well then, let's start off with a world of great mayhem and hurt for you, Kaiba-boy. That's right--Toon World!"

A gigantic book appeared and the group blinked while Kaiba said simply, "Don't tell me you're still using that idiotic card."

"Oh please, Kaiba-boy, you're only saying that because you're still sore that I beat you last time."

"Considering you have to lose a thousand life points for that card this time around, what exactly is our dear penalty game for this?"

The answer came from Ryou, who gasped as he looked down at the Millennium Eye. It was disappearing, and Pegasus, with a smile, lifted up the long hair which had hidden his left eye while the Eye was in there, and now hid the empty socket. Instead of just part of his face and maybe a hand covering his eye, there was nothing.

"The Millennium Eye is disappearing with me, who is the real holder. You, however, will disappear as your past self, Priest Set, takes your place. I wonder," he said with a smile as he pulled his monster card, "what will happen if you come home and don't know who Mokuba is…"

Jounouchi and Mako started forward but an invisible wall threw them both back.

"Oh, and no stopping it either. He has to defeat me on his own. So, for my first monster, I bring out Toon Gemini Elves. And then I play one magic card."

Kaiba looked down at his own hand and quickly a strategy was formed. "I play X-Head Cannon and put two face-down cards onto the field."
"Oh, I'm so scared. Two face down cards! Whatever shall I do? I know, I'll play Card of Sanctity!" A bright light appeared above them and Pegasus smiled. "Isn't it pretty? This allows us to draw until we each have six cards in our hands, which is just what I need.

"Now, I'll play Cost Down, which--."

Rei and Kaiba both voiced their opinions of the ongoing commentary. "Do you ever shut up?"

Pegasus glared at Kaiba mainly as he said, "I know what that card means, you don't need to tell me. I'm not an amateur like you."

"I wouldn't give you that much credit, Kaiba-boy," Pegasus said with a glare, before saying, "Now I summon Toon Dark Magician Girl."

"What is it with this guy and cartoons?" Haruka asked.

"Maybe he was unloved as a child," Hotaru said.

"Maybe he was just spoiled," Honda suggested.

"He simply likes cartoons…though they are rather annoying…" Shadii added in.

"He never grew up, that was what it was," Michiru said.

"Perhaps if he pulled out an anime or manga monster it would help him win," Setsuna added.

Pegasus sent the Outers and company a glare before turning back to the game, "Now, I'll attack with my Elves, and I think my target will be…oh, you."

The Toon Gemini Elves went up and then landed hard on Kaiba, causing him to nearly hit the table and he groaned. Rei looked ready to set fire to Pegasus' deck.

"But that's not all that my Elves' do. When they do damage to a player, they also can take one card randomly from his hand. Aren't cartoons today so violent?"

Kaiba didn't answer, blinking as he got up. Something about him seemed to shift and Minako started to turn towards where Bakura had been. "Hey, was that…wait, where'd they go?"

"This is idiotic."

"You want to wait for Kaiba to get done fighting that has-been?"

"I still think it's idiotic."

"Think what you want, you can even go back. I'm a thief and intend to steal away Akunadin's chance of winning."

Sailor Set paused and sighed. "I'm coming with you."

"I thought you said it was idiotic."

"It is, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried about you. Besides, you might need backup."

Bakura gave her a smile and finally said, "I don't think I will."

"I'm coming anyway."

There was a quick nod between them and nothing more was said.

Where am I? What is going on?

Kaiba pushed the foreign thoughts aside as Pegasus tried to take that opportunity to attack him with Dark Magician Girl.

"It must be true that the first thing to go with age is the mind, because you forgot about my two face-down cards. I activate Attack Guidance Armor!"

"You wouldn't!"

"I will. Attack Guidance Armor, attach to Toon Gemini Elves!" The group seemed to have noticed the disappearance of Bakura and--

The thief is here? Where?

--Kaiba fought for control, reminding himself that he was dueling and he couldn't make a mistake if he wanted to win and get past this has-been and at Akunadin.

Akunadin is here as well?

He also was wishing that other voice which now occupied his head would shut up with the questions. When the Elves had hit him, he had felt like part of himself was pulled away and another was being put into place. He disliked this feeling and was fighting to stay in control.

If my strategy is going to work, though, I may have to give up more life points, meaning more of myself will be lost.

And you are?

Kaiba considered answering that as Pegasus brought back the two Elves and finally decided it wouldn't hurt.

Kaiba Seto. Who are you?

Priest Set, of the Pharaoh's court. I have more questions.

Can they wait? It's kinda important that I finish off this guy.

By all means, but I expect answers.

So would I.

Kaiba decided to not mention the fact that he was probably Set's new incarnate, if anything the spirit would figure that out for himself. A brief wonder as to if Yugi or Atemu went through this crossed his mind, but he had a duel to win and it only stayed as a minor question to ask when they got out of this mess.

Pegasus played 'Ultimate Offering' and brought up the Blue Eyes Toon Dragon (a card which Kaiba would give a lot to tear up) and then used up five hundred life points to summon Toon Summoned Skull.

Pegasus didn't attack, and Kaiba considered that his big mistake. "I'm playing Dark Core. By discarding one card from my hand I can remove any monster from the game."

"I see…well, I suppose this is the end of the Blue Eyes…"

"Not quite, because I'm discarding Y-Dragon Head so I can remove my X-Head Cannon from the field."

"But that's your own card! What are you planning?"

The group outside looked only slightly worried and Kaiba guessed it was because they had seen Yugi and Atemu do so many moves that didn't seem to work at first but turn out alright that they were waiting for the outcome before they said anything.

"Now I activate the card 'Soul Release' and remove my Y-Dragon Head from the game. I now summon Z-Metal Tank to the field!"

"But that means…"

"I have one more card to play. I activate 'Return from a Different Dimension' and bring back the two I sent out before. But with these three on the board, they're not ordinary monsters. They combine, to form the XYZ-Dragon Cannon."

Pegasus was sweating and Kaiba enjoyed this feeling, despite having to give up half of his life points and now he was seeing the spirit beside him, looking on in some wonder.

"Now I have enough fire-power to destroy the one card I want to, so if you still think you're going to win, I think you need to change your tune. Go, Dragon Cannon, destroy Toon World!"

There was a large blast of light, and he saw Pegasus disappear from his part of the stage. With a slight smirk, he muttered, "That's all, folks."

The rest of the group raced up to where he was leaving and Rei stopped short to look at the faint outline of the Priest Set, who was still there despite Pegasus having been defeated.

Kaiba looked over at the spirit and asked simply, "Don't you have somewhere to go?"

I said I had questions.

The group looked around and Kaiba sighed. "We don't have time to answer them. Our friend is in danger and your Pharaoh is somewhere in this place."

Pharaoh Atemu is here as well. I see. The spirit seemed to disappear slightly and he looked down at that before looking back up to Kaiba, Ensure that he comes out of this alive.

"I was planning on it."

Dark Magician had been planning on a way of getting to Yugi somehow, but that plan went out the window, so the saying went, when he saw the thief and a new girl with light blond (strawberry blond, it was called) and dark skin with blood-red eyes. She cast one more look at the thief and the past events made Dark Magician wonder why he was hiding. Perhaps Akunadin didn't have him employed? It would make some sense, he was sure, but still Dark Magician wasn't sure as to his purpose here.

"I see that Pegasus failed," Akunadin said, looking once more towards Yugi as the young boy finally started to stir. Whatever energy had been poured into him had caused him to be out for most of the time he was there, and so Dark Magician wasn't sure what would happen when Yugi awoke.

The former owner of the Millennium Eye glared as Yugi's eyes slowly opened up. "I see you decided to join the land of the living once more."

Yugi didn't speak for a second and Akunadin snorted. "No matter. Your friends will not be able to make it past the door, even with all their new powers. I will only allow the Pharaoh to enter, to face me for the right to take you back. And even if he does, there is no way he can reach you safely."

"…he will…" the voice was faint and everything in the room seemed to quiet, as if waiting to hear what Yugi had to say. "…figure it out…you won't win…"

Akunadin walked up, once more stopping just short of Yugi and then smiling before reaching out, once more nearly touching Yugi. "But I will. You see, he will think the trap is before you, or something he will do, and he is right. He can maybe figure out those traps, but not the one I set around you. He will not think that by doing what he wants to the most, it will destroy him. You, young man, are the key to his downfall.

"No," Akunadin moved his hand back and his face became demonic with glee. "You are his destruction. The one thing he loves shall destroy him, and you cannot stop it."

Yugi struggled weakly against the bonds as Akunadin turned. "As no one else can come through, no one else will be able to sacrifice themselves, and don't think that the ikizuishou can be summoned or used while you are in such a state. You may have escaped death once, like your Pharaoh, but this time it will take you or he. It is drooling over the prospect of taking either of your souls, and I fully intend to give them to it."

Atemu ran, his whole body sore and almost willing to stop but his mind and love for Yugi kept him going.

Akunadin!

He would find his love and he would kill Akunadin, this time ensure that he stayed dead so he couldn't hurt anyone else that Atemu cared for ever again.

He stopped at the doorway, breathing hard, and glared as the old priest turned and gave him a smile. "Ah, Pharaoh. How nice of you to join us."

Yugi looked up weakly and Atemu felt his blood boil. "Akuandin! Let him go, this is between you and me!"

Akunadin held out his hands as if to show Atemu that he had no weapons and then pointed to Yugi. "I knew you would come here for the boy, so I will tell you this much. I put a trap in this room, one designed to destroy you. Now, if you can find and survive the trap, then I will disappear from this world forever. If you don't, though…you and your love will be sent to the underworld without a guide, alone and lost and unable to see the way to any land. Of course, I will send the others in with you as well, but only after they see what becomes of you."

Atemu glared and looked around the room. A trap for him and his aibou?

Yugi was shifting slightly and lifted his head weakly, his purple eyes slightly dull. His mouth moved but Atemu was too far away to hear what it was he said and he couldn't read lips sadly.

With a slight glare to Akunadin, he walked in two steps and looked at the room more fully, keeping an eye on the former priest as he moved around and began to move towards Yugi. He caught sight of two small holes to either side of the room but he wasn't sure if anyone was inside or not and couldn't tell from any spot in the room.

"Do you give up, Pharaoh?"

"Ie," Atemu told him, "I will find it and we will walk out of here alive, Akunadin."

Akunadin smirked as Atemu moved closer to Yugi. "Really? How you do that should be…interesting."

"that damned fool," Bakura muttered, "can't he figure it out?"

"bakura…" Sabaku said, looking down as Atemu moved closer to Yugi and whatever trap was unluckily placed on him.

He looked over at Sabaku and she finally moved to kiss him. "whatever it is…be careful."

They finished the kiss and Bakura gave her a smirk. "see you on the other side, then."

With Atemu coming closer to Yugi, Bakura paused and Sabaku was ready to henshin and give him the time needed. They looked across and for a second the eyes of the Black Magician and the former thief met before, just as Atemu was going to get at Yugi, Bakura moved.

Akunadin's look of surprise was worth it right before Sabaku jumped down, "Set Galactica Power, Make-up!"

The Black Magician also jumped down and threw a spell at Akunadin, tossing him back as the group came up to the archway that Atemu had entered in just as Bakura grabbed for Yugi.

Pain coursed through him, the dark energy that Akunadin had put around Yugi hitting him instead of the intended target while Sailor Set looked over and then back at Akunadin. "Galactica Fourteen Knives of Hate!" of all the time they had spent together, that was the first time he had heard her use that attack, and he knew it would be the last.

"Bakura!" Atemu yelled, somehow worried for the former thief who had set about to destroy his dynasty, but Bakura wasn't listening to what that inner voice told him about it.

Sorry, but I'm going to do one thing right in my lifetime.

He freed Yugi and all but tossed the boy into Atemu's arms, the energy now destroying him as he heard the others come up and gasp. My, they had perfect timing.

Akuandin turned and glared. "No! This was my victory! Mine!"

"Sacrificial Burst Stream!"

"Wraith of Lightning!"

The two powers from Sailor Mars, Kaiba, Jounouchi and Sailor Jupiter opened up the door a little wider and cut off the energy that would've kept them out, allowing the others to come in and attack as well.

"Lovely Lucky Dice!"

"Rising Space Currents!"

"Melodious Tidal Wave!"

"Garnet Gem, Time's Ally!"

"Silence Glaive Surprise!"

Bakura looked over at Ryou and put a hand painfully on the Millennium Ring. "Well, I don't need you anymore, so…"

The Ring glowed and suddenly appeared on Ryou. He blinked briefly before he and Sailor Mercury joined in with the last attack needed. "Melody of the Mind!"

With that Akunadin was sent back and slowly began to change. Yugi and Atemu, who had yet to attack, both stood, though Atemu looked worried about his love, and the glow of the ikizuishou appeared before the sword that had been threatening to appear when Akunadin first attack now fully appeared and Yugi grabbed it, his clothing changing with Atemu's to look like that of two Pharaohs. Atemu walked up, the Millennium Puzzle glowing before both pointed to Akunadin, "Be gone!"

No catchy name for that attack?

The light of the two attacks joined and completely engulfed Akunadin and Bakura knew that he would no longer be a threat.

The group gathered around Bakura instead and Sailor Set knelt beside him. "Of all the times to be a hero…"

Bakura smirked at her softly and said, "Don't bother to try and resurrect me. I know my time as well as anyone does."

"Bakura…" Yugi said, and the thief looked at him. "Don't start. I'm not that great."

"You did redeem yourself, Bakura," Atemu said, "that should count."

"I only did it because both of us," he motioned to Sailor Set, "know what might happen should we stay longer in this world. I would get greedy or she would not be able to complete her redemption because of how I am. I wasn't fully converted, you know. I still wanted the Millennium Items." The group looked over at him with some surprise as he began to fade and Sailor Set looked down. "Bakura…"

He grinned at her and said, "It was fun while we were together…"

She was about to say more but then stopped, looking up in surprise at the ghostly figure who had appeared and now walked up to where Bakura was fading. Her hair was not as wild as Yugi's or Atemu's, but some of it seemed to have the same qualities. She wore an outfit much like Sailor Set's own, but her colors were more of those that Atemu could associate with the dead and the practices of it.

"Osiris…" Sailor Set whispered, looking at her with tears clouding her eyes. "But…you're…"

"Dead, as is Bakura the Thief King. His actions in the past as well as the present say he should be punished, but his sacrifice for the beloved of the Great Pharaoh Atemu weighs the scale even."

Sailor Set blinked. "What does that mean?"

Osiris smiled at her then moved before putting her transparent arms around Sailor Set and causing the unshed tears to now fall. Sailor Set tried to hug her but only found air before Osiris continued. "He will be waiting for you, for I won't judge him and then you, but both of you at the same time. In the meantime, sister, I will await for you in my throne, with the other Dead Senshi of Khemet."

She disappeared, along with Bakura, and Sailor Set was left sitting, tears coming down her face, as the room disappeared and the group was sent out of the Shadow Realm.

Passing of the Shadow

Yugi's concern for Sailor Set was obvious, and he walked up to her, kneeling. "Sabaku?"

She looked at him and smiled. "it was his choice, as it was mine, Yugi. Don't be sad for me."

She stood and changed back into her normal clothing before looking around. They were back in the museum and only missing the now-dead Bakura as well as the Millennium Eye.

Atemu looked up to the stone tablet and sighed. "It's only the writing of a memory, now. Akunadin is gone forever."

"I still wish we could've done something for Bakura…" Anzu said while Ryuugi said, "Well, he said to not worry about him, and that Osiris lady said that she was going to wait until Sabaku di--wait, what did you guys see that made you both so sure you'd die?"

Sabaku looked at him and the rest before saying, "I am part of the Galactica, and so I've gained a lot of enemies. If my death means they will leave everyone else alone, I accept that. As well, both I and Bakura have our ka be influence by evil, so if another evil were to attack, they might choose us to go through as a way to get close to Atemu or one of you. So we promised that if we had a way to redeem ourselves, even if it meant death, that we would do so and save you." She gave him a small smile. "We are not well-liked, nor are we the best for this group. I only ask that when my time comes none of you cry over me until after I'm dead. I'd rather not leave with that on my conscious."

"You shouldn't say those things, Sabaku," Atemu said, gaining her attention. "I and Bakura had our differences and disliked each other a great deal, but that does not meant I will not miss him completely. He was…a challenge, though not as much as Kaiba is, but still one."

"And he was kinda my friend," Ryou pointed out. "I'll miss him, if only because through him I gained more understanding of things I didn't know about."

Sabaku looked at everyone and finally gave a genuine smile. "Domo arigato, minna-san…"

"Nii-sama, there's someone on the computer wanting to talk to you."

Kaiba looked up as he and Rei entered back into the Kaiba mansion, seeing Mokuba had come back from the school trip and was obviously in a good mood. Kaiba blinked only briefly before going over and hitting the button to see who it was.

"Konnochiwa, Seto-otoutou, Mokuba-otoutou."

"…nii-sama, who's that?"

Kaiba felt another headache coming on. "It's a long story…"

Rei moved over, smiling at the face of Noa. "Konnochiwa, Noa-chan. How're you?"

"I'm doing good, Rei-mama, I found my way into here and was wondering if I could stay and help out! Can I, Seto-otoutou? Please?"

Kaiba wondered which one of the gods had decided that this would be amusing and decided that if he gained enough power he would have to hurt them severely.

"Nii-sama, why is he calling us 'otoutou'? I thought you were my only nii-sama…"

Rei looked at Kaiba then back to Noa. "I'm sure you can, but you shouldn't bother Kaiba so much, he does have to make sure the company is run smoothly."

Noa nodded enthusiastically. "I promise I'll take care of it. Right now I'm restricting myself to basic security and whatever else Seto-otoutou wants me in. I can also hook up to Mokuba-otoutou's computer and explain everything to him later, and help him with his homework."

"At least you can do that…" Kaiba muttered before sighing and checking the time. "Do that, and make sure to turn off the screen if Mokuba goes to sleep, it's getting around time for his bedtime."

Mokuba looked like he was ready to stay up but the look that both Rei and Kaiba shot him and Noa told them that staying up late, especially with school the next day, wasn't going to be tolerated. Mokuba headed for his room and Noa disappeared from the screen while Kaiba and Rei went to their own shared room.

"I don't need two kids in my life."

"At least one is virtual…"

He looked over at her and then she walked up and hugged him closely. "Are you okay still?"

"…yes…"

"Liar."

He sighed and looked away before she moved and leaned up, kissing his cheek. "I saw them and I don't care. Seto-kun…I love you anyway."

Those were the words he needed to hear, he guessed, because he turned and all else was forgotten, the two falling onto the bed as he kissed her deeply.

Atemu once more lay with Yugi in his arms, but this time things were quite different. He was content now, the threat that had been handing over them gone and now all he worried about was Sabaku, but she had said to not worry so he didn't unless he had time to think.

When they had gotten back, Yugi had not given him that time to think.

Now he had it and he decided to not think about Sabaku and her death-wish, or Bakura and his way of redeeming himself.

Thank you for giving me back Yugi.

Yugi stirred against him and Atemu smiled slightly before closing his eyes and falling into a peaceful dream. They were all safe and now everyone began to get further along in their relationships and lives.