A/N: i am really sorry it took so long to uplode, lets just say life happened. also i apolige for the spelling mistakes that might be still in here. i desides posting them was better them be deleting this whole chapter for being a pain.

Also i want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you who reviewed my last chapter, i think the only reason i kept going was because i kept reading them. please review this one as well.

Special thanks to EB and battousaisgirl16 for help with the writers block.

Chapter 17

A week went by without anything eventful happening. Almost everyone in the Muto house hold was on edge. Grandpa seemed to be the only one who could breath easily, happy Yugi was alright. Yugi and Airi were both trying to act normally while waiting for something to happen. Yugi spend the first few days out of the hospital wandering around blankly, blaming himself for almost losing Yami. Though he was just as worried, Yami finally had a long talk with Yugi which seemed to snap him out of his soulless body trance, at least he finally started smiling again.

Even if she wasn't the target, Airi still felt threatened. She started having dreams about strange men in black robes challenging her brother to shadow games, or Yami screaming in agony as he faded away while she watched helplessly. She would wake up in a cold sweat, terrified her dreams were real. Feeling her distress, Yami would come to make sure everything was alright. She couldn't bring herself to tell him what they were about, but they would go out in the living room and just talk, which helped calm her down. She was thankful she never woke Yugi up and Neither of them told him about her sleepless nights, knowing he would only blame himself.


It was Saturday. Airi was at the kitchen table, flipping through a text book about dead languages while she ate breakfast. Now that she had finished all the assignments she could actually look at it for pleasure. Gramps called her being nerdy, but so what.

Airi finished her toast and glanced up at the clock. It was almost ten. Yugi never slept this late. Some weekends he would be the first one downstairs, either to help in the shop or meet up with his friends for a day of craziness.

'Come on Airi. You don't have to go check on him, he's a teenager. Who do you think you are, mom.' Airi guessed she was getting paranoid. But still, it was getting late. She sighed and got up. She better see what he was up to.

She paused half way up the attic steps. Yugi's door was open which meant he was up. So why didn't he come down? Hesitantly she peered around the door fame. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise, not really sure what to make of what she was seeing.

Yugi was standing in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection with a critical eye. His bed was covered in clothes he had discarded as he tried to create the perfect look. Yami was sitting on the bed, seeming amused and slightly confused at Yugi's actions. Airi remained in the doorway, trying not the laugh. Yugi nodded at his reflection, deciding the black shirt and leather pants were good enough. He winked at himself, then froze seeing his sister watching him.

"Going some where?" she said, smiling.

"what, oh yeah actually." Yugi said.

"Well you look smart. Make sure you tell who ever she is how long it took you to get ready." she teased.

"Airi, knock it off." Yugi went pink then glanced at the clock. "oh no, we're going to be late." he sat down on the bed and started pulling on his shoes.

"Late to what?" Airi looked at Yami, who only shrugged.

"Right." Yugi now had his shoes on. He clipped his deck onto his belt, and ran past his sister. "I've got to go, see you later." he called over his shoulder.

"Alright be careful." Airi called back. "That's an order Yugi!"

"Got it, Bye!" a moment later the door slammed and he was gone.

"Just be careful." Airi said softly, looking after him. Feeling Yami's hand on her shoulder, she smiled at him humorlessly. "I seem to say that a lot these days, don't I."

"Whatever is going on today, we'll be alright." he said. "I promise."

After Yami faded Airi glanced over her brothers room. He had left quiet the assortment of clothes scatter all over the bed. She shook her head. Hopefully he would remember to put them all away when he got home instead of dumping them on the floor. She really hated washing clothes that had never been warn. Making a mental note to reminded him, she went back down stairs. Gramps had come up to get a drink of water.

"Any plans for the day?" he said.

"Not really. I might go to the museum. I need to practices my sketching." she paused in gathering up her books and gave him a look. "Are you hinting you want help in the shop?"

"No thank you young lady." Gramps said. "You haven't been out side of this house in days. When you go take Yugi with you."

"He's already left for the day."

"Again? That boy never seems to stay in one spot." Gramps put his glass in the sink.

"Are you sure you don't need help, Grandpa?"

"Just go and do something fun today. That's an order."

"Yes sir." she kissed the top of his head and headed for her room, books in her arms.

Airi had just put the last book on the shelf when she felt the jolt.

'Oh no, please no.' she thought.

But this jolt wasn't like the others. Still there could be trouble. She turned around and almost shrieked in surprise. Yugi was standing there, translucent in spirit form.

"Yugi! What is it? Is something wrong? Is Yami ok?"

"Its ok, Airi, I promises. Everything is fine."

"But I felt panic."

"I caused that."

Airi sighed in relief, tankful everything was ok. but her relief soon changed to annoyance. She hated being scared for no reason.

"Whats going on, Yugi?" she said coldly.

"Um well, its rather hard to explain."

Airi sat on her bed, arms folded.

"Start talking."

"Well." Yugi sat next to her. "Yami's been really preoccupied by all that's been happening. So I asked Tea if she would hang out with him today. She always has great advise and is fun to be with. He needed something to take his mind off all that has been happening. I knew he wouldn't go along with it if he knew, so I tricked him into it."

Airi stared at him. Then she started laughing.

"Hey I thought it was a good idea." Yugi said, indignant.

"Only you would think of something like that." Airi said, still laughing. "So the panic I felt was when Yami found out your plan. Oh, I would have liked to seen his face." Airi stopped laughing, and studied her brother's expression. "Yugi, if nothings wrong, why are you here?"

"Oh, well it's rude to be a third wheel. Besides, this way Yami wont be able to switch places so easily."

"I guess that's true." Airi could sense a slight hint of loneliness in Yugi's voice. He really liked Tea so letting Yami spending time with her alone must be hard. But of course that was Yugi for you, putting other above himself. Even so, Yugi's face showed his mind was preoccupied. "I'm sure Yami wont hate you for tricking him." she told him.

"I know." he smiled. "I'm sure they'll have a great time."

"And I don't hate your for scaring the heck out of me, though I wish you'd give people a heads up about these things."

"thanks sis." but Yugi still looked subdued.

Knowing he would only talk when he was ready, Airi got up. She went over to her desk and started checking her bag to make sure she had her sketching stuff in there. Pad, penile, eraser, all were there. She glanced over at Yugi who was staring gloomily at the carpet. Something was really bothering him. She placed her bag on the chair, waiting for him to speak.

"Airi." he finally said.

"hmm?"

"Do you think the person after the puzzle will try again soon?"

'So that's it.' Airi thought. She sat back down next to him on the bed. "I'm surprised he hasn't already. But then I don't know much about bad guys time tables."

"What if I'm not ready?" Yugi looked down at the carpet. "What if I fail again?"

"Remind me when you 'failed' exactly."

"I lost the puzzle. One moment I have it, the next I'm dueling to get it back."

"Well you were kind of stupid in handing the puzzle over to a stranger." Airi said. "But besides that I can't see where you failed. Yami's alright and you still have the puzzle."

"I still almost lost him in the fire." Yugi clenched his fists. "Ever since I completed the puzzle I've had this feeling that I was able to put it together because I was meant to. Whatever Yami was sent here to do I'm connected in some way. He needs me, what if I mess up again?"

"For one thing we all believe in you. Yami does, your friends do, I have always. Is it really so hard to believe in yourself?"

Yugi shrugged.

"I know all of you are there for me. I don't want to let you all down. What if I'm not strong enough."

Airi fiddled with her jade pendant, frowning as she thought of what she could possible say. Her parents should be the ones to handle something like this, if only they were here. She gripped the small flower tightly as she though of them. Or maybe someone like Gramps or Yami, Yugi listened to them. But Yugi was opening up to her. What if she failed helping him? Then she thought of something he had told her about Duelist Kingdom.

"Yugi, What card describes you best?"

Yugi frowned as he considered his options.

"I guess Maha Vailo. Even though he isn't the strongest card in my deck he has hidden powers which can help the other monster when they get in a tight spot, like back up."

"Hmm." Airi said. Yugi could tell she didn't really agree with his choice. "I guess it works for now."

Yugi rolled his eyes.

"Ok, Airi, what do you see me as?"

"The Dark Magician."

Yugi's jaw dropped.

"What. No that's not me, that's Yami. I'm not powerful like him. Yami is confident and sure and knows what to do in every situation. Me, I'm not like that at all."

"No, you two aren't the same. But you are no less powerful."

Yugi shook his head.

"Sorry, Sis. I don't see it. How can I be like The Dark Magician?"

"You're dependable in any situation even if it looks like there's no point in going on. You stand up for what you think is right and you put others safety above yours."

"I though you hate when I do that." Yugi said, then instantly wished he hadn't when he saw a flicker of pain in her eyes.

"I hate the idea of you getting hurt, not your willingness to help others." she said softly. "It's part of who you are, I just wish you'd be more careful."

Yugi looked away, remembering all the worry he had caused. He knew what she was saying about him was true, he just didn't think he deserved to be compared so someone like Yami, or The Dark Magician for that matter.

"But I'm not as talented or brave."

"Look who's talking." This exclamation made him snap his attention back to her. She was giving him one of her exasperated looks."Who stood up for two thugs because you consider them friends? Who was first to rush to Tea's aid when she almost got mugged?" Yugi went pink. "Who stood up to Kaiba when he messed with Grandpa?"

"And you." Yugi added. Airi ignored the interruption.

"Who entered and won a tournament without any professional dueling experience? Who had to duel for our family's good name more than once? Who stayed in a burning building because a friend was trapped in there?" Airi's face was only a few inches from Yugi's transparent one.

Yugi looked back at the floor.

"I wasn't trying to be incredible, it was the right thing to do."

Airi smiled and placed her hand over his.

"That is what makes you so amazing Yugi. I know you'll never admit it, and that's ok. But don't think any less of yourself, ok. Just remember I think you're one of the bravest people I know."

Yugi looked back up, smiling. He reached up and gave her a hug.

"Thanks Airi. I really needed to hear that."

She kissed the top of his head.

"Anything for you, my magician."

When they separated Yugi's face was no longer looked dark with worry. Talking to his sister really had seemed to help him.

"Were you going some where?"

"I was thinking of going to the museum and practices drawing artifacts. Also Gramps gave me strict orders to get out of the house."

"Mind if I come with you?"

"Not at all, but you need to do one thing first."

"What's that?"

"Go put your clothes away."

"Oh yeah right." On his way out Yugi paused in the door way. "Airi, has anyone told you your amazing."

Airi shrugged, turning pink.

Yugi gave her a look.

"If I'm amazing then you are double amazing. I'd be selfish if I didn't tell you."

"Yugi, you're incapable of being selfish."

After he had finished putting his clothes away he found his sister in the kitchen waiting for him. Before they could leave the phone rang. Yugi was the first one to it but stopped. He handed it to, remembering only Airi could hear him in spirit form. Giggling, Airi took the phone from him.

"Hello . . . hey Joey . . . he can't really come to the phone right now . . . means he's busy. . . yes I'll give him a message . . . what!. . . that's wonderful! . . . yes, I'll be sure to let him know . . . thanks Joey . . .Bye." she hung up, grinning. "Serenity finally got the doctors ok to get the operation. She's going to see again."

"That's wonderful!" Yugi said. "Do they know when?"

"he doesn't have the exact date, but he said it would probably be next week."

They first walked around the park, talking over the mind link. It was going rather well, until the park got overly crowded by families enjoying the nice weather. Because no one could see him Yugi almost tripped several people by accident on the crowded paths. Airi, secretly laughing, suggested they go some place less likely to cause a accident.

Eventually they ended up at the museum. Airi went straight to the Egyptian exhibit, because it was her favorite. Sitting down on one the benches she pulled a sketch pad from here bag and started to copy some of the statues. Yugi sat next to her, watching her work. After a while he got bored and walked off to look at the exhibits more closely.

As she sketched Airi's thoughts wandered to what Yami and Tea could be doing. Not odd feelings so everything should be alright. What ever it was it probably wouldn't be what she would think was fun, Tea and her were different people. She imagined herself sitting with Yami in the park, talking and laughing together. She instantly squished the image. Yami was her closest friend but she wasn't his only friend. He deserved to hang out with others. But why couldn't she get him out of her head. She mentally smacked herself. Yugi was the one with the crush not her. Wait, when did it upgrade to crush.

'Airi, you're being stupid.' she thought. She and Yami were just friends, her thinking like this was ridiculous.

Yugi came back over an looked at her drawing.

"Well besides his nose is too big, its a good likeness."

"Thanks Mr. Art Critic" Airi said, not really paying attention.

"Hey come on, there are some cool stuff along this way." Yugi took her hand and lead her down the corridor. Luckily they hall ways were wide, and there aren't that many people in a museum anyway, so accidentally tripping someone. Yugi had been right, there were some really amazing works of art in this wing of the museum.

Suddenly Yugi stopped dead in his tracks.

"Yugi what is it?"

"I think Yami is going to duel."

"What, how do you know?"

"I just do, I better go help."

Airi grabbed his shoulder.

"Be careful."

Yugi nodded, smiling before fading. Airi paused, trying to sense either boys emotions. She couldn't sense panic, but could feel something she interpreted as, annoyance? She frowned. It didn't seem to be dangerous, that was refreshing. She continued to walk around the exhibit, slightly comforted by this thought.

She paused in front of a display case of fragments of tablets. She glanced over it with out much interest, then her gaze snapped back to one stone in particular. It wasn't very large, slightly larger then her fist. In the center was carved was the same sort of eye that was on the Millennium Puzzle. She stared at it; what was something like that doing here? She scanned the other objects but none of them had the eye on them.

"Ah, the sister to the Pharaohs vessel." a voice said behind her.

Airi spun around. Behind her was a tall, young woman who she guessed was of Egyptian ethnicity. She was looking at Airi with some interest.

"Sorry?" Airi said. She froze, eyes widening. Around the woman's neck was necklace with the same symbol of the eye she had just seen in the display case. It flashed suddenly, making Airi jump.

The woman smiled.

"Don't worry. I mean you know harm"

"What do you want?" Airi said. This woman didn't seem threatening.

"Come." the woman turned. "We can't speak here."

Airi followed, not sure why. She didn't know this woman, but some how she knew she could trust her. Airi followed her through a door and down some steps. Beyond the steps was a door way leading to another room.

"Hold on." Airi said stopping at the bottom of the steps. The woman paused, turning to face her.

"You want to know what this is about, is that right Airi?" she said.

"Well yes. " Airi said, slightly flustered. "How in the world do you know my name?"

"You are the sister of Yugi Muto, the holder of the Millennium Puzzle. My Millennium Necklace has shown you to me in glimpses of the future."

Airi wasn't really sure how to take this information. It was weird having people know who she was without a proper introduction.

"May I know who you are?"

"I am Ishezu."

"Ok, now that we are sort of on the same foot, what do you want with me and my brother?"

Ishezu raised an eyebrow.

"You are the ones connected to the Millennium Puzzle and the spirit who dwells with in."

"Wait, you know Yami?"

"My family have been waiting for him to appear for many millennia."

"So you know who he is, or was?" Airi's heart was banging around from excitement.

"I do, but that is not what I'm supposed to tell you at this time."

"What is it?"Airi didn't like the serious tone in Ishezu's voice.

"A darkness is coming. Your brother and the Pharaoh are the only ones who can stop it."

"Why are you telling me?" Airi said, chills running up and down her spine. "What can I possibly do about dark forces?"

"The dark will push them both to their limits. Though you are not the one under direct attack, your presence will be more important then you can possibly imagine. You are the strength behind them both."

"I don't understand. How could I possibly be strong enough for either of them?"

Ishezu smiled.

"You really don't see your own power. Airi, you are Yugi's sister, Yami's closest friend. You know them better then anyone. Even the strongest people can fall. At the darkest moments, you can help like no one else."

Airi gulped.

"Can you tell me what they will be facing?" she said softly.

"I can not, even to me the future is unclear." her necklace flashed again and Ishezu frowned. "That vision again." she muttered.

"What is it?"

"I must go." Ishezu turned.

"Can't you tell me anything useful?" Airi said, voice slightly higher then usual. "If I'm supposed to be strength or whatever, shouldn't I least know what I'm supposed to do?"

Ishuzu paused.

"Know this. There will be many times where difficult choices will have to be made. But at one of the most critical, you will be the deciding voice."

"I guess that's all I'm going to get then." Airi muttered.

"For now." before she disappeared down the dark hall way, she turned again to Airi. "When the spirit of the pharaoh arrives, please lead him to this room." she indicated the room.

Airi nodded and Ishezu walked off, vanishing into the darkness.

Airi stood there in the deserted stairwell, not sure what to make of what had just happened. Yugi and Yami facing evil powers. They would need her? People had been waiting for Yami for centuries. She had seen what both of them could do, how was she suppose to help either of them? She walked up the steps with out really realizing she was moving. She closed the door leading the stairs softly behind her.

"Airi?" came Tea's voice.

Airi looked up to see her and Yami walking towards her.

"Oh, hey." she said.

"Airi, what is it?" Yami said, seeing she had just gone though some sort of shock.

She looked into his concerned eye, dreading what Ishezu might reveal. But she knew they couldn't escape finding out.

"I have something to show you." she said reopening the doors. "About your past."

Yami looked confused, but then nodded.

"Are you sure we're allowed down there?" Tea said.

Airi nodded. She and Yami started down. Not wanting to be left behind, Tea hurried after them.

The room was empty except for the glass cases with tablets inside, mounted on the walls. Airi didn't know what she was supposed to show, but Yami some how did. He walked straight over to the largest stone slab. Glancing at each other, Tea and Airi followed close behind.

The tablet had a sense of a duel, or it looked like a duel, there were duel monsters carved on it. A dragon and what looked like the Dark Magician were in head to head combat. But what made Airi stare was the figure carved on the right.

"Yami?" she whispered.

"I see it."

The figure carved there had spiky hair and if the carved images were in color Airi was sure those squiggles standing up would be gold against black. It was waring the millennium puzzle. Above his head was the Dark Magician.

"What does all this mean?" Tea said.

"I don't know Tea." Yami said. "first I know nothing about myself and then suddenly this tablet has a images of me with my most trusted monster." he turned away from it, sighing. "But still I know nothing about why this tablet was carved or why I'm on it."

Tea looked back at the tablet, trying to see if there was some other clue she could find.

Airi could hear the frustration in his voice. Without thinking, she took his hand in hers. Yami blinked in surprise, then looked at her.

"Hey, you're closer." she said softly.

They couldn't help smiling at each other.

At a movement from the door way all three of them looked up. Ishezu stood there, a knowing smile on her face.

"Welcome, My Pharaoh." she said. "I knew you would come."


A/N: well how was it. hopefully it was ok. if you wondering who the heck Airi was in the past, please just be pacient. everything will be explained.

ok i have a favor to ask. Airi will be on the blimp during battle city so i need all of you help. would you prefure her going into Noa's vertural world or whould you like her to have a evil Marik encounter? i am mostly open to both so if you can give me a good reason why one of these should happen please put it in your review. thanks :)

please review. i hope to update soon. keep your fingers crossed.