Night had fallen over the island. The day had gone with many duelists being sent home. Joey dueled Mai, a psychic duelist they had encountered on the boat, and after some instruction from Yami, won the duel. Natori had run over and hugged Joey in her excitement, much to Yugi's displeasure. He didn't say anything though. Joey was his best friend. He knew how far to take it. They had set up camp, and Natori and Kasumi had made everyone a hearty soup. Since they were surrounded by water, both girls knew that it got cold at night. Soup kept the body warm and filled their stomachs. Natori had watched Joey get settled in, before drinking the cold tonic she had given him. In a matter of moments, he was asleep. Natori sighed gratefully. He'd get some much needed rest, and his cold would be gone by tomorrow. Natori had walked into the forest after a bit, just to clear her mind. Hushed voices made her stop, and her curiosity had gotten the best of her. Following the sounds, she stumbled upon a heart wrenching scene. Yugi. Her panda. Was kissing Teá. They looked to be enjoying each other quite a bit. Her eyes immediately lowered, and she went back the way she had come.

Yugi pulled back. When Teá had confessed her feelings to him, he thought he would be over the moon with happiness. He had liked her for such a long time and he had just found out that she had felt the same. But… He didn't. He wasn't over the moon with happiness. He… Didn't feel those feelings for her anymore. While kissing her had been nice, it didn't… Feel right. In fact, he felt like he was cheating. "This is wrong." He told Teá, who immediately wrinkled her brow.

"What do you mean? You said you liked me too!"

Yugi looked away. "I… Thought I did… But… I don't. Not anymore. There's someone else… That I love, and have loved for much longer."

Rage filled Teá. "It's Tori isn't it!? You've been watching her for so long now! I knew something had happened between you! She and her family stands for everything you hate in a person! She's violent, untrusting, she's not even human! What could you possibly see in her!?"

Yugi's eyes narrowed. "In her… I see everything that you aren't."

"What…?"

Yugi stood to his feet. He was sick of Teá constantly trying to downplay Natori. As if she were a stain that the world would be better off without. "She was so right about you…" Yugi growled. "Yes, she can become violent and yes, she does come from a family of assassins and yes, she herself is an veteran assassin. But have you ever taken the time to look passed that? Have you noticed how she treats Kasumi? Like she's made of gold! Have you ever seen her harm an innocent person? I sure haven't. Have you ever seen her smile? Or heard her laugh? Have you seen how protective she is of all of us!? Have you ever watched her stick up for people being bullied!? Has she ever told you anything about herself!? Do you know her likes or dislikes? Do you know why she is the way that she is!? No! You don't have a clue! That girl has been through hell and back and she still tries to do right by people! She could've turned her back on us eons ago! But she didn't! She didn't have to make Joey that cold medicine but she did! Nobody asked her to! Nobody paid her to! She did it because she genuinely cares! About all of us! The time those jocks were bullying you because you wanted to change the school rules? Natori and I both put a stop to it! I didn't have to wish on a magic item for Tori! She came to me on her own! She's not like you, and that's why I love her!" With that being said, Yugi left the clearing with a huff. He stopped mid-stride. There was something he hadn't told any of his new friends. Something that Teà should know. "Natori, Kasumi, and I were friends before I'd even gotten the millennium puzzle. We've all been friends since the beginning of high school." He left the clearing fully then. Once he'd gotten the puzzle and started making new friends, Natori had fallen back a bit. She was cynical, but she didn't want to prevent Yugi from making friends. She'd told him to pretend like they only had a mutual friend. Kasumi of course. Natori was unpredictable, and he had always enjoyed that about her. She wasn't like the others, and she had stolen his heart.

Natori had been walking passed a large tree when a hand shot out and grabbed her. She immediately slammed her fist into the offender's face. One of Pegasus's guards staggered into the light, and Natori growled. Kasumi! She needed to get back to Kasumi!

The guard looked at her with a scowl. "I hope Pegasus lets me have you first after him." He growled.

Natori's eyes widened, and she charged. Being as small as she was, the guard had no idea as to how she was able to pick him up by his neck and slam him to the ground. She straddled his neck and let her fists crack powerfully against his skull until she felt that he had, had enough. After she kicked him a good 10 feet back, she ran back to the camp. When she got there, Yugi and Teá had returned. They were sleeping far away from each other, but she didn't care. Her eyes landed on a sleeping Kasumi, and her heart calmed. Taking a breath of relief, she walked over to Kasumi and lied out beside her. Her broken heart be damned. All she wanted to ensure, was Kasumi's safety at all times.

The next day, Kasumi awoke alone. She was the second person to wake, because Natori was nowhere to be found. Sighing, she spread out her aura, relaxing when Natori's responded in kind. She wasn't far. At the shore. She noticed the others beginning to wake, and she walked out onto the beach where Natori was. Her back was turned, and she was holding herself tightly. Kasumi could see the slight shaking of her shoulders. Her best friend was crying. The others had joined them on the beach, just as Kasumi had run ahead over to Natori. The others stayed back as they spoke. Yugi's stomach wouldn't stop churning. He had the sneaking suspicion that he had something to do with Natori's sadness. He had sensed someone watching he and Teá last night, but that feeling was gone as soon as it had come. He had brushed it off as some passerby, but now… He wasn't so sure. His suspicions were confirmed when Kasumi glared at both him and Teá hatefully. She had never glared at him before. His heart dropped into his stomach. Natori had seen them. But she hadn't witnessed the entire incident. All she knew, was that they had kissed.

"No…" He whispered, wanting to run and explain what had happened. But the way Kasumi glared… As if he so much as took one step towards them… She would kill him. Her head turned back to Natori again, and they could tell by her face that Natori was telling her something else. She pulled Natori into her arms, and that's when it became obvious that she was crying. They walked back over to the others. Natori kept her head lowered, refusing to look at neither Yugi or Teá. He had showed so much jealousy when Weevil had grabbed her hands, and then to see him just kissing Teá after that? In her eyes… They deserved each other.

"One of Pegasus's guards tried to attack Tori last night." Kasumi told them.

The group's eyes widened and gasps were heard.

"Are you ok!?" Teá asked.

"Yeah, are you ok Tori?" Joey asked.

"When did this happen? How are you feeling?" Tristan asked.

"Tori…" Yugi called.

"Tristan… Joey… I'm fine." Natori told them. She looked to Kasumi. "I promise. I'm fine." She snorted. "It's my fault… I shouldn't have dropped my guard…" She let her eyes land on Yugi, and within them, he could see the walls he had broken through, being reinforced. "It will not happen again."

Yugi lowered his head. That statement wasn't just meant for that situation. It was meant for him as well. She would never open up to him again. She would never trust him again. Kasumi led Natori to their camp, and once the others made it, they packed up and left.

"So… What happened?" Yugi asked.

"Natori was walking through the forest, and one of them grabbed her and tried to take her away. She fought him off, and ran back to the camp to make sure that I was safe." Kasumi answered, her tone clipped in anger.

"I'm sorry…" Natori told her. "I won't leave your side again."

"None of this is your fault! I'm just so happy that you're ok!"

Natori lowered her head. "Am I? Am I ok? I don't know… Maybe I should've let him take me… I would've been right where Mokuba was, and I could've mentally spoke with you about the best way to get him out."

Kasumi shook her head. "That's too great a risk! What if something had happened to you!?"

Natori snorted. "Wouldn't be the first time… I doubt it'd be the last time."

"Tori… Don't think like that…" Yugi told her gently. "You're surrounded by friends… We wouldn't let anything happen to you…"

"I'm tired." Natori sighed, standing to her feet. "I'm gonna go somewhere and sleep."

"Tori someone just tried to kidnap you!" Teá exclaimed.

Natori ignored her, and began walking away. "Use your aura to find me Sumi. As long as I am able, I will respond to you."

Kasumi nodded as Natori disappeared from sight. Yugi lowered his head. He had really gone and done something stupid. The feelings he'd thought he had for Teá, was completely obliterated by his feelings for Natori. He had meant everything he had said to her. He had also meant everything he'd said to Teá. He had been watching her for a long time. He had loved her for so long, and now she wouldn't spare him a passing glance. He felt a sense of deja vu.

"just what. In the hell. Is this!?" Natori yelled angrily. The mayor of Tanis wanted to gain the Pharaoh's patronage. He had sent his daughter to speak with the Pharaoh about such. Natori could feel the lust rolling off of the girl in waves, and she had gotten so angry that she had left the room. After taking a walk through the private gardens and clearing her mind, she went back to the meeting room. The sight that had met her shattered her heart. Before her, was her beloved, kissing that mayor's daughter passionately. Both parties pulled away, and her beloved had turned to her. Tears were streaming down her face, and her fists had clenched so hard that blood dripped from her fingers. Her eyes had gone completely white, she quaked at her own rage.

"No! Wait! It's not what it looks like!" Her beloved pleaded.

Natori charged, and her fist slammed into the girl's face. She dragged her off of the table, and tore into her mercilessly. Her beloved tried to pull her off, but let go in favor of dodging her fist. The girl screamed for help, but there wasn't anyone that would be dumb enough to interfere. Natori snatched the girl up and threw her against the wall, and she fell to the ground, unconscious. Natori then set her eyes on her beloved. She walked over to him and slapped him in his face as hard as she could. The Pharaoh fell to the ground, holding his cheek.

"I hate you! I gave you every piece of me and this is what you do!?"

"No! Natori please!"

"Fuck your fucking excuses! I never want to see your face again!" Natori cried as she ran out of the room.

The Pharaoh felt as if his very heart had undergone trauma. He had been speaking with the mayor's daughter when she had suddenly kissed him. Dread pooled in his stomach as he made to push her off. His wife had appeared right as he grabbed her arms.

The Pharaoh turned to the girl angrily. "I want this filth and her father executed!" He didn't wait for the guards to follow his orders. He immediately ran after Natori. He knew where she would be, and he ran out of the palace. His feet took him straight to the Nile, where he found Natori. She was standing with her back to him, and he knew that she was crying by how her shoulders shook. He ran over to her. "Natori please let me explain!"

Natori shook her head. "There is nothing that you could say that would make this better."

"I love you! She forced that kiss on me! I had grabbed her arms to shove her back but you had walked in! Please! Natori you mean everything to me!"

Her beloved had fallen to his knees. The great Pharaoh of Egypt, was kneeling before her. It didn't matter. She was unfazed.

Natori crossed her arms. "What is you kneeling supposed to tell me? How could I ever trust you again!?"

Her beloved leaned forward, so that his forehead was touching his hands. "You are my queen… No other would ever be able to take your place at my side… You are the sole commander of my heart… I cherish all of my time with you… You are my sunrise, and the moon and stars to my night sky… You pulled me from the blackest pits of my soul… I can't lose you… You're the fire within my soul… Please don't leave me… Please…"

Natori wiped the tears from her eyes. "And that whore?"

"Her and her father are being executed as we speak… May I carry you home? I know you must be exhausted."

Natori nodded. Her beloved stood to his feet and closed the distance between them. He kissed her feverishly, and then pulled back. He envisioned a pelt big enough for them lie comfortably on. Once it materialized, he laid Natori down on it. He kissed her passionately, and he was sure that the Gods were smiling upon them. As they made love under the night sky, with the Nile River sparkling behind them.

Yugi sighed. He had to get her back. He had to. But at the same time, he had to go through Kasumi. She wasn't trying to so much as look at neither him or Teá. Much like Natori, Kasumi was very protective of her friends. Hurting Natori, was unacceptable. They went through the day, dueling and winning star chips. Both Yugi and Joey were close to having enough stars to enter into the palace. But both boys dreaded it. They knew that they would have to face each other. They made an agreement, that the winner would finish the loser's battle. Joey would duel for Yugi's grandpa, and Yugi would win the 3 million for Joey. Once all of the dueling was done, Kasumi spread out her aura. She immediately felt Natori's aura responding in kind. She was in the forest, and Kasumi could tell that she was still asleep. The group followed Kasumi along the trail until they came to a clearing. Flowers were everywhere, and they could hear the sounds of a waterfall. Natori laid in a bed of flowers, sleeping peacefully. A barrier surrounded her.

Kasumi giggled. "She reminds me of Persephone, resting in her gardens."

Yugi sighed.

"I agree with Kasumi. She indeed reminds me of a resting goddess." Yami whispered to Yugi, who nodded in agreement.

Kasumi noticed the wind swirling around Natori. Comfortingly. Protectively.

"Tatínek! Budete omezovat bariéru?"

The group looked to her in confusion. A deep chuckle swirled around them before a man materialized from the wind. His golden hair was tied in a ponytail, and his sapphire eyes blazed with infinite wisdom. Right under his eyes, were dark freckles across his nose. He was tanned, tall, and muscular. He wore a pair of white sashinuki. His full lips smiled.

"Good evening Kasumi. I am glad to see that you are well."

Yugi's eyes widened. This man was taller and broader than Akiko! He didn't think that was possible. His fists clenched. He looked better than Yugi ever would. Much like Akiko, he bore a onyx rose on his left cheek, and black henna raced from his wrists to his shoulders.

The man chuckled. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jeremiah Sukimori. I am Natori's grandfather. A pleasure to meet all of you." He smiled.

Yugi's eyes widened. "You have Tori's smile…"

"Correction," Jeremiah stated. "Tori has my smile. But thank you, all of my children and grandchildren have my smile."

"What are you doing here?" Kasumi asked. "I thought Tori had told you all not to interfere."

Jeremiah crossed his arms. "Did you truly believe that we would not be here for our crown jewel? Natori knows quite well that we can't not interfere. Besides, she was having trouble sleeping. I got to her first." Jeremiah sat against the tree behind Natori's resting form. "She cannot rest unless one of us is present." He reached over and stroked her hair gently, lovingly. He smiled a sad smile. "Poor child. She should keep her heart under better protection. There are many things that we can protect her from… Love is not one of them. But you don't want to hear me muse to myself. I'm sure you all have had an eventful day. Rest. I shall tend to you all tonight."

There were flower beds scattered about, and each person took their place. Yugi chose the bed closest to Jeremiah and Natori. He watched the man as he leaned back against the tree.

"Why all of us? I'm sure she told you about what had happened…"

Jeremiah chuckled. "She did. But unlike Natori, I am a man. I asked her some more questions, and came up with my own conclusion. I'm thinking, that when the other girl confessed her feelings, you kissed her because you thought that you shared those feelings. You realized that you do, just not for her. You realized that you had loved another. But my lotus here ran off before she viewed the situation in its entirety. She is much like my son. Once they have an idea in their head, they run with it. It takes some time for them to listen… But they do, with the right incentive."

Yugi nodded. "I guess I should give her time to cool off?"

Jeremiah nodded. "Rest Yugi. There are many trials ahead of you. My granddaughter being one of them."

Yugi smiled. "I'd do anything for her… But I have a question for you."

Jeremiah wrinkled his brow. "What's that?"

"Do you really have five children? What are their names?"

Jeremiah smiled and crossed his arms. "Yes. I have five nuisances that never ceases to amaze me with their combined idiocy. My oldest son is Dawson. The second oldest is Blake, ugh, that idiot… Then it is Akiko, and my last two are twins. Alex and Ashen."

Yugi blushed. "Wow… Tori said that… Um…"

"We're a bunch of hoes? She wouldn't be wrong. The fact that they all have the same mother is nothing short of a miracle."

A giggle sounded then, and the two looked down to see Natori sitting up.

"Uncle Blake said that you probably didn't know who their mother was."

Jeremiah shook his head. "I get tired of my sons putting me on blast like that. You know the worst kind of respect is disrespect."

Natori giggled once more. "Are you spending the night with us papa?"

Jeremiah nodded. "My schedule is clear. My children are grown. Why not? Since you're up, why don't we explore this island and find some food?"

Natori nodded and allowed Jeremiah to help her up. Together, they ventured into the forest. The wind barrier remained intact though Jeremiah had gone, and Yugi had gone to sleep, pondering the things that Jeremiah had told him. Though it didn't seem like it, perhaps he really did have a chance after all.