In honor of Chinese New Year and the over 200 favorites I decided to post. I'm sorry it's not very long, but i had to start somewhere.

Ok, house keeping. I don't own Yugioh or Charlotte. Airi and the other OCs are mine, and i really hope you like them. There are some cute Kaiba/Airi and Yami/Airi moments so i hope you like them too.

Enjoy!

Chapter 38

The plane trip had little turbulence, less then Airi's nerves anyway. She had never been to America before, or out of Japan for that matter. Even with Seto she had only been to business dinners in Japan. The idea of being in a different country was almost as bad as fighting bad guys. Almost. What if her English was bad? She had been able to speak with the American company representatives at Seto's parties, and Professor Hawkins had always written her in English to keep her in practice. Still she had a mental picture of herself insulting someone by accident or asking for something and getting arrested for asking for bombs.

Charlotte thought her fears were silly, but did give Airi some suggestions. By the time she was done Airi's head was spinning. It only made her more nervous when they landed in LA, though that could also be from not getting much sleep. Sleeping on planes was far from comfortable. Getting off the plane proved slow as everyone else was trying to push their way out first. Airi wanted to wait for an opening, but Charlotte was all for making her way to the front. Getting pushed around by grumpy passengers didn't help Airi's misgivings.

She took several deep breaths. Maybe if she looked at this as a new adventure instead of something completely new and terrifying it would help. All she got was the memories of their last "adventure" and the dread that something could happen to Yugi while she was gone. She shook herself. Nothing was going to happen to Yugi. He had his friends, and Yami promised to keep all of them out of trouble. Most importantly the last time she had spoken to Ryou Bakura there was still no sign of his dark half or the millennium ring so there was probably no unexpected trip to Egypt in the near future. She was going to enjoy this trip, if she could get off the plane.

Finally she and Charlotte managed to exit the plane and join the flow of walking traffic in the crowded hall ways of the airport. So many people in one place. Japan could get crowded but this was a whole new definition. There were so many different types of people and the noise was near deafening.

"I'll make sure you get on your flight before I split." Charlotte shouldered her carry on, her only luggage. "I'm sure you'll stuff will be transferred so that's one less thing for us to do."

Airi nodded, still a little dazed.

Charlotte laughed. "Don't worry. I'm sure before the first week is out you'll love it here."

The two girls made their way down the crowded hall. The airplane hangar they were referred to had an obscured number and they had to ask for directions. Charlotte made Airi ask, much to her annoyance. It turned out her English was still quite good, and Airi left the interaction with boosted confidence. The hangar they wanted was in the small plane and privately owned section of the airport, meaning a long walk across nearly a mile of tiled floor.

It was hard to talk in the main walk ways, but soon they found themselves in less crowded wings of the airport. Airi remembered she's promised to call home when she got a chance. Gramps had finally splurged and gotten her a phone, with strict instructions not to use up all the minutes. They broke away from main traffic, went off to the side and called, Airi to home, and Charlotte to a friend she's be staying with in the city to make sure she hadn't forgotten to pick her up.

Gramps answered the phone on the first ring. He wanted to know about the flight and if she was at the site yet. Yugi managed to get the phone away eventually to say hello. School was starting up again and he said everyone was dreading the coming year of college preparation exams and such. Airi told him he'd be great and make sure the group didn't spend too much time on video games "recuperating" after studying. He laughed, and then asked if she wanted to talk to Yami. Her heart sped up, but made sure her voice was calm when she said yes. A moment later Yami's voice came over the line. It sounded a little off, but there was no mistaking his voice. She wished he was here with her, but pushed the thought back.

Their conversation was brief, but pleasant. Yami sounded distracted, and she smiled to think this was probably the most public conversation they had. Back home they could use the mind link or talk in privet while Yugi was somewhere else. Having to share the body to make a phone call with Yugi probably standing close by must be disconcerting. They kept it to simple questions; the flight, school, expectations for the next few months. Airi's fingers traced the weave of the bracelet he'd made her. Yugi still didn't know Yami was the one who made it for her. He's assumed Tea had made it without mentioning it.

"I guess you better get going or they'll wonder where you are." Yami said.

"I guess so."

Pause.

"Everyone one say's they love you and take care."

"Give them my love, and same to them."

Another pause.

"Take care, Airi."

"You too, Yami."

She clicked the phone shut.

"Missing home?" Charlotte said.

"Yeah." Sighing she slipped it back in her jeans pocket.

"I miss them all too. Duke said he'd try to visit if he gets a chance."

Airi grinned. "Long distance relationship?"

Charlotte huffed. "Only when he gets rid of his fan club will I consider putting that title on it."

They continued down the hall.

"It's going to be odd, not having to run for my life all the time." Charlotte said.

"You're going to miss it?"

"Nah, but still things will seem pretty dull."

They made it to the entrance. Through the door way Airi could see the plane. Professor Hawkins, wearing a tan outfit and pit-helmet, talking the man driving the luggage cart as Airi's bag was loaded into the small aircraft.

"Well." Charlotte adjusted her bag strap. "I guess this is it."

"Yeah." Airi gave her a hug. "Don't be a stranger. Let us know when you get settled."

"I'm sure we'll meet up again. Knowing your family, Yugi can't keep out of trouble very long."

Airi laughed. "That's true. Good luck, Charlotte."

Charlotte made a peace sign, and then started towards the main entrance of the airport. Taking a deep breath, Airi headed out to the airplane.


Airi was a little worried about riding in the smaller aircraft, but found it less scary then she first supposed. Sure it was easier to feel the air around her but it was more like being in a car with a more interesting view. The pilot was one of the other students on the dig called Neal. She thought he was nice, but he reminded her of Joey, and thus made her a little nervous about him commanding an airplane.

Professor Hawkins sat across from her. He looked unchanged since he came to Japan.

"I'm very pleased you were able to join our team Airi." he said.

"I'm happy to be here." Airi said. "What are we investigating? It wasn't very clear in your letter."

"Yes, well that is a bit complicated. You see the college has granted this funding to continue a study of rock art and prehistoric sites in the area. They allowed me to be in charge of the project because I have a summer house in the vicinity and they have a graduate student to make sure work gets done. I am mainly hosting the research team and allowing some of the students if they are interested help me with my personal research project."

Airi frowned. "So what do I do then?"

"That's up to you. The main group is having success with their research at the rock shelter. You'll have to experience the pit no matter which one you pick, its part of the requirements for the course."

"I figured digging would be involved." Airi said. "So what are you looking into?"

"Origins of duel monsters, of course."

"I thought the cards came from Egypt."

"A branch of the game did, but I have a theory which, if I'm right, will prove duel monsters came into existence ten-thousand years ago."

"That's older then Yami!" Pro. Hawkins looked puzzled and Airi felt her face grow hot. "I mean the Nameless Pharaoh."

The corner of the professor's mouth twitched. "Oh, I see."

Airi cleared her throat. "So this game is older than we thought."

"The game Pegasus developed is based mainly on the Ancient Egyptian version, from the stones carved in priest's tombs. Your brother's connection to the Nameless Pharaoh is channeled mainly from this power, but I believed there are other series of cards. Pegasus isn't very open about the other source he uses for his cards."

"Not surprising." Airi muttered. "Where do you believe these cards came from?"

"They come from all over the world, but the group I'm interested came from Atlantis."

Airi stared at him. "Atlantis?"

"Oh dear, I usually get this reaction from people?"

"No, it's not that." Airi quickly assured. "I mean I don't really much of a reason to be stuck up about mythic stuff. I mean, my best friend is a spirit."

"You're best friends?"

Airi flushed again. "I didn't know you knew about the nameless pharaoh."

"I have some reliable sources, this is the main area of my research after all, and I took the liberty to call your grandfather while I was at the airport to see what your views about this subject might be before I asked you to join my team. Yugi was quite sure you would, and I had a chance to speak to your pharaoh."

"He's not my pharaoh." Airi shifted uncomfortably. "You were talking about Atlantis."

"Oh yes," he said. "Anyway the Atlantian civilization, I believe, had a version of the game, and channeled quite a lot of power. When Atlantis sank below the waves this game was lost until it resurfaced in ancient Egypt. Of course there is much more I need to look into, but I'm hoping to have a break through soon."

"So you're looking for a sunken city in the desert?"

"Sort of. Because of cost it's hard for me to do extended searches. Most of my fellow professor's think I'm crazy, so funding is hard to get. I'm hoping finding the ruins will prove me right, but for the time being I'll have to be satisfied with using the internet and paper documents."

"How many others are working on this side project?"

"Myself and Nasira, and Neal is helpful when he drag himself away from his game-boy. Rebecca also helps when she has time from her school work."

"Rebecca's here to?" Airi pictured the annoying teddy wielding girl from two years ago.

"Of course, she's very interested in my work. She's in early college."

"We'll be there in a few moments, professor." Neal's voice came over the scratchy intercom.

"Will you consider it?" Pro. Hawkins looked anxious.

Airi considered this. Maybe going back further would help Yami with his past. Even Ishizu said some things were still unclear. Maybe going back to possible origins would help them face whatever darkness the spirit of the ring wanted to resurrect.

"I would be happy to help with your project."


The Hawkins summerhouse was quite the place. It looked too nice for a dig crew. Airi barley stepped out of the plane when a girl with blond hair and glasses rocketed out of the doors and nearly knocked Airi over.

"You're here!" she squeezed Airi's middle, threatening to crush her insides. "Now I have a bit of Yugi here with me."

"Wa … Rebecca?" Airi attempted to push the girl away, but she had a death grip.

"Rebecca." Pro. Hawkins said firmly. "This isn't how a college student acts."

"Yeah, shorty." Neal came around from the side, Airi's bag in one hand. "Loosen your grip before you snap her in half."

Rebecca gave him a dirty look. She did let go of Airi's middle, but grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the house. It was late afternoon and the crew was home. Rebecca made a point of introducing Airi as "her boyfriend Yugi's sister." and then going on by reminding them about how she was going to marry Yugi someday. Airi wondered if Yugi knew about any of these plans, and smiled as she wondered if she should tell him when she called him later.

The dig crew consisted of a few undergraduates, all relaxing from a long day of digging. The crew chief Zac was a large guy who didn't look like he smiled much, and had a manor of military efficiency. Airi hoped not to get on his bad side. The group was friendly, though they did share an odd look when she said she was going to help on the side project.

"Well, we should get dinner started." Prof. Hawkins said. "Nasira, would you please show Airi to her room."

A girl about seventeen with short black hair and tan skin stood from the end of the couch.

"I can show her." Rebecca said.

"You're on kitchen duty." Zac said. He did sound like the military.

Airi picked up her suitcase and followed Nasira up the stairs.

"We get the loft." Nasira said over her shoulder. "We have to share with Rebecca, but the view makes up for it."

The loft had glass window looking up to the sky. Two cots had been added along the side walls. A bed and desk were spread with books and papers for classes. Airi didn't miss the news paper article picture of Yugi taped to the wall over the bed.

Nasira offered to help her unpack, but Airi said she was fine, thanks. The other girl didn't leave, but stood awkwardly near the door while Airi organized her things.

"Is there something wrong?" Airi said.

"No." Nasira still looked nervous.

"Hey, I don't bite." Airi smiled. "Is there something I can do for you?"

The other girl paused then said. "I just wanted to thank you for what your brother and you did for the Ishtars."

Airi stared. "Sorry?"

"It's been hard on all of us, Marik going evil and everything. Especially on Kelila. Having him return a new man, and the darkness of the rod taken away has raised all moral among all of us."

"Wait." Airi stood. "For one thing, I didn't do much. Yugi and Yami much did more than I did. And, are you telling me you're ..."

"Nasira Karnak." she bowed. "Tomb Keeper and loyal servant to the Nameless Pharaoh." she gave a shy smile. "But I'm not really anyone important. I don't hold an item or anything."

"Well," Airi said. "It is nice to meet you, but I hope this doesn't mean anything dangerous is going to happen. From my experience, you guys don't show up unless the world is going to happen."

"Don't worry." Nasira said. "I'm not here as a guardian. After the Ishtar family had their troubles with kid's sneaking out and Marik going rouge, the elders decided the rule could be loosened, a little. Ishizu has connections in the archeology world, and I got into this program." she stopped, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I talk too much."

"Hey, it doesn't bother me." Airi sat on the cot, and patted the spot next to her. "I didn't know there was more than one family."

"Of course." Nasira sat next to her, still looking nervous. "I mean, we guard the pharaoh's actual tomb. It's important, but there isn't much reason to leave."

"But you don't have an item?"

"Kelila is the keeper of the scales. I don't think she can do as much with them as Ishizu and Marik can with theirs, but it's still powerful. She likes staying in Egypt, though she likes being able to leave the tombs now. Me, well I guess I can't get into much trouble in America so I got sent here."

"I sure professor Hawkins likes having someone with your background on his project."

She shrugged. "I tell him what I can. Most of it is secret, and the rest I just don't know."

"Well that's more than I do." Airi said. "I'm expected to just wait while my brother and friend run around in near darkness."

"Most of us feel like that with Ishizu." Nasira fiddled with the hem her t-shirt. "But you've done more, like you've faced down Marik's dark side."

Airi shuttered. "I almost didn't get out of it alive. Yami saved me."

Nasira's eyes widened. "You mean you're in contact with the Nameless Pharaoh?"

Airi felt uncomfortable. "Well, he is connected to my brother, and I sort of am along for the ride."

"But still, you must be a real help to him. I read the old articles about your dueling career, you were amazing." she stopped. "I did it again, didn't I?"

Airi laughed. "I guess you are a duelist too?"

"I have a deck. Being from a family like mine dueling is a necessary skill. Still I like more of the history behind them then actually playing."

"No wonder you're on this team."

The door opened and Rebecca poked her head in. "Dinner's ready. Hurry or you won't get any." she was gone before either of them could tell her thanks.

"Is she always like that?" Airi said.

"I think her Yugi talk will increase now you're here."

Airi winced.

Actually dinner wasn't too bad. Mostly Rebecca just talked, while everyone else had their own private conversations quietly to the side. Airi mostly talked to Nasira and the professor unless asked a question. After a period of questions the others mostly kept to themselves. Neal talked to her during the meal, but mostly to try some of his pick up lines and other forms of flirting. She tried to get him to include Nasira, who was watching the boy with shy interest. Airi guessed being in a tomb meant the other girl didn't have much experience with boys. Airi just hoped she wouldn't have to endure another Duke Devlin while here.

After the meal most of them retreated to their rooms. Being tired Airi wanted to join them, but Rebecca followed her up to the room and badgered her with questions about Yugi. Getting sick of the topic, Airi redirected the topic to the professor's work. This was the only other topic that could distract the young girl from her brother. Rebecca gave her the history of Atlantis, their findings so far, and the large amount of data still needing to be put in the computers while Airi got ready for bed.

At long last even Rebecca got tired and the house settled down to silence. Airi lay on her cot staring up at the sky light. With no street lights the stars twinkles in countless clusters. The boys back home would love to see a sky like this. Moving carefully so not to disturb the others she pulled her bag from under her cot and felt around inside. She pulled out the silver card locket Seto had returned two years earlier. Clicking the latch it opened to reveal two pictures. The first was the one of her family eleven years ago, and the second was one had been given to her by Yugi at the airport. It was two small pictures, they were obviously from the picture booth at the arcade. The first was Yugi smiling and giving a peace sign. The second was Yami, looking serious and uncomfortable in the small space. With a smile she clicked it shut. Holding it tightly she closed her eyes.


The next few months fell into a steady routine. Every few weeks Professor Hawkins would have Neal take him to the coast where he rented a probe and tried to find a location Airi and Nasira had traced down in their research. When not working on their research they joined the others on dig site. Zac proved to be a efficient taskmaster and hard worker, with a note of authority Kaiba would have been proud of. After several months of hard work Airi was ready to write the people who made the archeology action movies and tell them their hero's were wimps. Maybe those heroes should try some actual digging instead of wielding guns.

Airi kept in contact with her family. She didn't mention Rebecca's crush to Yugi, guessing he wouldn't have to worry about it while in Japan and it would only make him feel self-conscious. He had enough to worry about. Everything seemed normal. No news from Egypt made Airi relieved. Yugi also sound relieved, but Yami sounded a bit restless. During late March and he sounded distracted and moody. Airi assumed waiting was proving hard for him. She would be impatient too if the mission she was suppose to complete was taking forever to happen.

During the last week of March their hard work paid off. During the afternoon the phone rang and a moment later Rebecca screamed for the whole house to hear that her grandfather found something. Everyone crowded around the speaker while Neal told them what happened.

"We all thought the professor lost his rocker." Neal said. "I mean, he just kept going down while the dude at the radio told him to pull up. Then after a while he gets back on the line and told us he found something?"

"I knew he would." Rebecca cheered.

"Is it Atlantis?" Airi said.

"Not sure, but whatever it is he says it's proof."

"About time he found something." one of the other girls names Kelsey muttered.

Professor Hawkins arrived back in the morning, tired but excited. He would have been their sooner, but the news reporters had kept him late and Neal refused to fly in the dark. He had the pictures developed so everyone crowed around to see what all the fuss was about. Airi picked up one of the photos. On it was an image of a monster in a rectangular shaped frame. It looked very much like a duel monsters card image. She smiled. At last they were getting somewhere.

There was a lot of work going through all the images and categorizing the different monsters. This look a long time. The carvings were not current duel monster cards, which meant the carvings were far from clear. Nasira, who had grown up with similar carvings, had some difficulty trying to put names to the images. When finished they would hand them over to Rebecca who added them to the data base. This took a long time and they were still working on it when the rest of the crew came in from the field.

Everyone was doing their own thing when there was a shout from outside. It was followed by a screech of a dragon. A dragon? Everyone hurried outside and stared. A dragon, large and very real was flying around outside, racing around the sky with what looked like a winged Kuriboh.

"Who's been playing duel monsters?" Zac said. "This isn't a funny joke."

"Those aren't holograms." Nasira's eyes were wide.

"That's crazy." Neal said. "Those things aren't real."

"Wanna bet." Airi said.

"Guys, it's on the news!" Kelsey called from inside.

"Everyone get inside." Zac ordered.

The television was tuned in to the local news channel. The announcer said the appearance of strange monsters, common in a popular card game, were reported all over the world. "When asked, Industrial Illusion's president Maximilian Pegasus refused to comment, saying he was not the one who made holograms." the reporter on the screen said. "Members of the press have been attempting to get hold of KaibaCorps president Seto Kaiba for his take on this issue, but members of the staff say Mr. Kaiba will release an official statement to the press later today."

Airi and Nasira's cell phones started ringing at exactly the same moment. Picking hers up, Nasira blanched at the name on the screen. "Ishizu." she hurried out of the room, answering as she went.

Airi looked at her own phone. The number was foreign, no name. Guessing it was probably Yugi calling from school she flicked it open. "Hello?"

"Airi, what the heck is going on?"

Her eyes widened. "Seto?"

"I know when stuff like this happens your family is involved somehow."

"I don't' know what's going …" she paused. "How did you get my phone number?"

"Don't avoid the question." Seto snapped.

"It's unlisted." Airi snapped back. "Have you been keeping tabs on me?"

"Honestly, you can be so self centered. There is a crisis going on and most of the trouble makers I know come from your family."

"No, I have no idea what is going on with the monsters flying around. Why don't you ask Yugi. That number is actually in the phone book."

There was an annoyed snort at the other end, and then the fainter sound of Seto giving orders to someone. "I have to go. Your family better not be involved or you'll be sure to hear from me. Stay out of trouble." the phone clicked off.

Airi snapped her phone shut. Looking around she found the other dig members watching her with puzzlement.

"Ex-boyfriend."

The girls looked sympathetic and the boys looked amused. An image of winged beasts climbing the Empire State Building drew their attention back to the screen.

Nasira reappeared, looking puzzled.

"What did she say?" Airi said. The two of them stood apart from the others to talk privately.

"She doesn't know." Nasira sounded scared. "She wanted to know if we did anything with our research."

"I don't think taking pictures of stone tablets lets the monster out of them." Airi said.

"I know, but still it's too much of a coincidence. She hasn't had anything from the millennium necklace, meaning this isn't something in our families' responsibilities."

"But it's still duel monsters." Airi clicked her phone open again. She clicked one of the numbers on the phone. She listened to the dial tone. If she was correct she knew exactly where he would be.

"Hello?"

"Tea?"

"Airi?"

"Is Yugi there?"

"Yeah, he's right there."

"Airi?" Yugi's voice came over the line. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?"

"Yeah, we're all good. What's going on over there?"

"You first. Did you or Yami see anything strange?"

A pause. Then another voice came on the line. "Airi I believe I have the explanation."

"Yami?"

"I believe my actions are to blame for this."

"What happened?"

"I attempted to use the God Cards to gets some answers from the stone tablet at the museum."

"The one with you and Seto's doppelganger on it?"

"Yes." he sounded frustrated. "I had this urge that I had to find out. I couldn't just sit and wait for the Spirit of the Ring to make the first move. The inscription on Marik's back said the three cards were the key. I figured the tablet had something to do with the mission. However when I did it, this dark force began to drain energy from me and the cards. After that we heard the screaming and found the monsters outside."

"So the stone let out the monsters?"

"That can't be right." Nasira had been listening on the one sided conversation. "There's no magic in the tablet. It's a fake."

Airi stared at her. "The tablet is a fake?"

"Do you really think my family would let anyone come into the pharaoh's tomb, and then take a priceless and powerful carving out of the country?" Nasira looked indignant. "We've been over paranoid since some meddling archaeologist broke in."

"Did you get all that?" Airi said back in the phone.

"Yes." Yami's sounded angry. "I apparently was used, and now because of my power someone has let monsters lose on the world."

"Sure looks like it." Airi watched as a group of fairies on the TV screen did laps around the Eiffel Tower. "Though you might not be the only one to blame. We've been messing around with duel monster origins. It might be just a coincidence, but knowing us it's probably not."

"Are you alright?" Yami's tone changed to concern.

"Yes, we all are. Don't worry. I'm sure there is an explanation to all this."

"I have to go, Joey suggested going to KaibaCorp to see if we can get some answers."

"He doesn't have them. He already called."

"He called you?"

"Yeah, no idea how he got my number. I just know he had no clue, but won't admit it."

"Alright." Yami sounded guarded. "We'll let you know if something comes up."

"I'll try to find some stuff here too."

"Take care."

"You too."

She hung up.

"I suggest you two pack." Professor Hawkins had been standing behind them, also listening to the one sided conversation. "If you leave now you can catch the next flight to Japan."

"Japan?" Airi said.

"Both of us?" Nasira said. "But why?"

"From what I heard that is where this started and it is most likely connected to our research. I have to stay in the country, its part of my contract with the school. You however are knowledgeable enough to discover any connections to this event and our research."

"It's settled." Rebecca had also joined the conversation without invitation. "We're going to Japan."

"Who said you were coming?" Airi said.

"I did, and you need me." Rebecca said. "I know more about this subject then any of you, and I because I'm a Hawkins I get half price on airfare. A little something you might want to take advantage of."

Airi glanced at the professor.

"It's something I happen to have. Long story, including good friends and near death experiences."

"You're really connected." Airi muttered. "Fine, all three of us are going."

"Better hurry." Neal said. "I don't want to fly in the dark with things like that."

"Scared of a lizard." one of the boys joked.

"Not unless they are the same size as my plane." Neal looked back out the window. "or bigger."

The girls each shoved a few things into a carry on; Checking luggage was out of the question. There stay was most likely a short one. Glancing at the chattering Rebecca she decided it would be a short one.

They got the airport in time to catch the last flight to Japan. The Hawkins connections did help with the costs. Nasira looked excited about the trip, despite the circumstances, and Rebecca was over the moon about getting to see Yugi. Airi stared out the window. A dark shape flew close by and then was gone. She sighed.

"Here we go again."


A/N: Well, how was it? I'm sorry if the cannon stuff is a bit off, but i promise it will make sense. the description did say twists in the plot. if you have questions, please message me.

Please Review. I need the support. My schedule is mainly writing classes so writing this story will be in down time, and i need assurance people are still reading and not glancing at it.

Thanks and Happy Year of the Horse!