When the group woke up, there was a fire burning. Night had fallen once again, and the smell of food tempted their noses. Jeremiah and Natori were sitting by the fire. Natori leaned against him as she listened attentively as he told her stories of long passed. The group sat around the fire, listening to Jeremiah as he spoke.

Natori sighed. "I know there's no way you'll tell me about my past."

"I'm glad that you've finally realized that. I am your grandfather. I love you more than anything. Your past… You're not ready to face it yet. I've lived for thousands of years, and there are still things in my past that I am not ready to face. I don't know when you'll be ready, or if you'll ever be ready my love. You must be able to truly deem yourself ready, without doubt. Can you say that my love?"

Natori lowered her head, and then shook it slowly. She had no idea if she was ready to face her past. She guessed that she wasn't if she fought herself about it so much. "Papa…?"

"Hm?"

"Do you… Um… Do you think that… I'll… Ever be ready…? To face my past?"

Jeremiah smiled and rested his hand on her head. "I don't know moje láska. But you're a strong girl. I have faith in you."

Natori smiled hopefully, and then leaned against him once more. Jeremiah rested his cheek against her head, and they sat in a comfortable silence as they stared into the flames. The food was just about ready, only 10 more minutes.

"What do you think my curse will be?" Natori asked.

Jeremiah chuckled. He was one of the more intellectual members of their clan. So his family deemed him worthy enough for the hard questions. But with this particular topic, there was one that was more versed than he. "Would this question not be more suited to Blake? He is the psychologist in our family."

Natori lowered her head. "... He won't tell me."

"Why do you think that?"

Natori clutched Jeremiah's arm. "I've already asked him. He told me that… He doesn't think I'm ready to know… But he told me that I would have multiple curses… He couldn't diagnose all of the signs I show with just one. You're a psychopath papa, do I show any signs that are similar to you?"

"We're sitting with a psychopath!?" Tristan exclaimed.

"Dear child," Jeremiah spoke, crossing his fingers against Natori as he did so. "If I wanted you dead. You would be dead."

"And if you don't watch what comes out of your mouth concerning my grandfather you might end up dead regardless."

"It's alright lotus." Jeremiah told her, pulling her onto his lap. "There are not many that are willing to see passed our flaws."

At that, Natori glanced at Yugi. She then looked back up at Jeremiah, and then lied her head on his chest. Her grandfather was correct. She had many friends that had stopped talking to her as soon as they found out who her family was. The very name Sukimori had both prominence and murderous attached to it. She never hated her family for that though. If anything, it made her love them more. Was that how Yugi saw her? As some murderous pariah? If so… Then he deserved Teá.

"Are you hungry?" Jeremiah asked.

Natori nodded. In truth she wasn't. But she hadn't eaten since yesterday. Jeremiah would make her eat something so that she wouldn't make herself sick.

"Papa? You still love me… Right?"

Jeremiah nuzzled her. "Of course I do! You're my princess."

Natori smiled up at him, and then moved. Once she was up, she walked over to the pot where the stew was brewing. She looked over to the other pot and wrinkled her brow at the rice stemming in it.

"Papa I don't remember seeing rice anywhere."

Jeremiah chuckled. "I called father. He is the best cook."

Natori clapped her hands. Their leader, her great grandfather, was an amazing chef. When she wanted to learn to cook, she had gone to him. She had become quite the cook herself, but she would never be as talented as her great grandfather. The others joined her around the pots, and Natori felt Kasumi quickly pulling her away. They walked back over to Jeremiah and sat back down. Natori handed Jeremiah the bowl she'd made for him.

"Teá was about to pull you aside." Kasumi told her. "I know how you feel about her, so I got to you first."

"Hey Tori?" Teá called as she walked back over to the group. "Can we talk? In private?"

Natori sighed. "Sure." She assured both Kasumi and Jeremiah that she would be ok, stood to her feet, and followed Teá to the other side of the area.

"Look Tori… Yugi's a really great guy and he really loves you. He's been trying to talk to you all day. I know you saw us that night, but you didn't-"

"I see." Natori whispered. She lowered her head. "You're rubbing it in my face."

"No! Tori that's not-"

"My name, is Natori. You do not have the right to speak to me endearingly. I get it. He's yours. I'm not… Damsel enough for him. I hope you two enjoy each other."

"Natori please!? Just let me-"

Natori had already left. She walked back over and pulled on Jeremiah's arm. "I'm ready for bed papa."

Jeremiah, having eaten his fill while watching their exchange, opened his arms. She sat on his lap and snuggled him until she was comfortable. She quickly fell to slumber, safe and sound within the arms of her grandpapa.

Jeremiah smiled down at her, before looking up at Teá. "Give her time child. She is too hurt by her own assumptions to listen to reason right now."

Teá sighed. "I think I made it worse."

"Yes, you have. But that also set the correct series of events. They will come together by the end of this."

"How do you know?" Joey asked, looking to Yugi, who had also fallen to slumber.

Jeremiah smirked. "Natori didn't inherit her psychic abilities from just her mother…. Kasumi dear, come."

Kasumi smiled, and then leaned comfortably against him. It was nice being Natori's best friend. She was the only one that Natori was willing to share her family with. Although Kasumi's father had died when she was younger, she had felt as if she were blessed with many fathers.

That morning had found the group on the beach. Jeremiah would be leaving today. Natori stood before him with her arms crossed and her head lowered. The portal swirled behind him.

Jeremiah smiled endearingly. She was so incredibly spoiled. "I spend all night with you, and it is not enough."

Natori shook her head. "Don't go…"

"I have to baby."

Natori lowered her head even more. Her shoulders started shaking, and Jeremiah pulled her into his arms. "Don't cry baby I'm sorry."

Yugi watched the scene with an amused smile. It gave insight to what kind of lover she would be. Spoiled and would want his attention all the time. She would act like a brat for him and her family, no one else. Jeremiah looked into the portal, and then reached into it. When he pulled his hand out, he was holding a large fur cape. He put it around Natori's shoulders, and then kissed her forehead. "There. You know I wear it all the time. Better?"

Natori looked up at him and nodded. She hugged him one more time, and then watched as he stepped into the portal. She waved, and watched it close. Natori lowered her head. She was a brat. But she loved her family. She was their princess, and she had never been so far away from them before. Of course she still felt their presence, but it wasn't the same as seeing them all the time.

Kasumi walked over to her and hugged Natori. "It's ok Tori. I'm still here."

Natori smiled softly, and touched Kasumi's hand in comfort. "Thanks Sumi. You're the only reason why I haven't gone completely insane."

Kasumi giggled, then turned to their friends. "Come on you guys! We've got a psycho creator to stop!"

The group departed from the beach, eager to continue their quest to save Mokuba and Mr. Solomon. As they were walking, Natori noticed the shift. She smirked. "Bitch waits until grandpapa leaves before he plots his next move."

Kasumi's eyes narrowed. "Just keep on our guard. I can't stand bitches like Pegasus."

"Right! Gotta do shit when people leave little bitch boy! I'll still beat the whole hell out of you and your guards! Get creative or get knocked the hell out!" Natori yelled out the last part. She smirked at the rage that suddenly warmed her skin.

Kasumi shuddered. "Tori don't do that!"

"Fuck him."

"Tori seriously. Stop."

She rolled her eyes. Mai, who had begun traveling with them, had her eyes trained forward. She walked with Yugi and the others, who were trailing behind both Natori and Kasumi.

Mai grinned. "I see why you all walk behind them all the time. Hey Tori! Your ass looks really good in that skirt! It's not all the way out, but I appreciate the peek whenever the wind blows."

Natori giggled.

"You too Sumi! That ass in that leather is to die for! I see why Kaiba doesn't like you wearing certain things." Mai continued.

Kasumi blushed, much to Natori's merit. Natori swished her hips gently, making both the skirt and her ass jiggle slightly. Yugi's eyes widened at the simple movement. He immediately glared at both Joey and Tristan.

"Tori, you shouldn't do that out in the open…" Yugi told her softly.

Natori snorted, but said nothing in response. He was correct. Her family would have a fit and ban her from wearing her tribal clothes in public. Seeing as she was the most comfortable in her tribal wear, she heeded Yugi's warning.

"You do… Have a really nice… Frame. It suits you." Yugi added quietly, lowering his head.

"Heh, I'll say." Tristan grinned.

"Shut up Tristan!"

"Shouldn't that be directed towards any guy to compliment Teá?" Natori asked, the anger evident in her voice.

"No-"

"She is yours right? You should turn that jealousy towards your lover and not random women."

"Tori we're-"

"As I told her, my name is Natori. Do not speak to me so endearingly."

Yugi looked away and bit his lip. She treated him so coldly. He hated that feeling, but again… He felt a sense of deja vu.

The ball had taken a glorious start. The music was playing, the drinks were flowing. Pretty flowers from all over his land had gathered to meet him upon his father's request. The prince and his father sat on their thrones. Many women surrounded him, laughing and smiling at every ounce of attention he sent their way. However, there was one. A lotus in a field of immortelle. She stood at the opposite side of the throne room, conversing with a man much taller and broader than her. Her white hair had been pinned to one side of her head, allowing the curls to fall like a waterfall. Her amethyst eyes looked up at the other man with a love and devotion only a daughter would have for her father. He had sent a guard to spy on their conversation, and he could see him standing beside the door near them, staring straight ahead but listening to their conversation. Atem watched as the young maiden walked into the man's arms. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rocked her gently. He rested his chin on her head, and smiled lovingly. Yeah, that man was her father. His own father smiled that same smile whenever he looked at him. She had pulled back suddenly and shook her head. The man pursed his lips and then took her hand. He walked her over to them and bowed politely.

"It has been far too long old friend," He greeted his father.

His father smiled. "Indeed it has Akiko. Where are the others? I know that they would not leave their crown jewel with just her father."

Akiko smirked. "Not a chance! They were mingling, but are now slowly approaching as we speak."

The prince looked up to see 10 men slowly approaching their throne. They stopped a few paces away, watching the scene.

Akiko smiled. "This is my daughter, Natori."

"Good evening my Pharaoh. Good evening my prince." Natori had greeted, bowing politely.

The prince smiled. "Good evening. You look lovely my dear."

"Thank you, my prince."

The prince chuckled. Her words spoke one thing, but her tone revealed her true feelings. Her voice was cold, and it made her pleasantries feel forced. But they were forced. She didn't want to meet him. Now that he thought about it, he was sure that she didn't even want to be here from the start.

"I hope you enjoy yourself tonight, Miss Natori."

"You as well, my prince."

She took another look at the Pharaoh, before suddenly running up to his throne. His father simply opened his arms as she collided into him like a spoiled daughter would her beloved father. The two laughed before Natori pulled back. She smiled brightly at the Pharaoh.

He chuckled. "I was wondering when you'd come up here. As always, you worry much too much. I'm in prefect health. I promise."

Natori's eyes never changed, and he kissed her temple to further emphasize his point. Her eyes lightened, and she hugged him once more before walking away. That done, she walked over to one of her family members. They spoke briefly, and then Natori exited the room entirely. The prince became a bit perplexed. She had never met him before until that night, and yet she treated him as if he were not worth even an ounce of her time.

Akiko noticed this, and smiled. "I would like to apologize on my daughter's behalf. She is a cynical beauty, and treats everyone she meets with a tolerated disdain. She must… Deem you trustworthy before she begins to treat you any different. Apologies."

The Pharaoh smiled. "I have known little Tori since she was but a hand babe. I knew that her first encounter with my son would not go as he might have expected."

Akiko chuckled. "She only wanted to see you my Pharaoh. She knows that you are well now. She is ready to depart. Perhaps we will meet again soon."

"Perhaps." The Pharaoh replied.

"Wait, you are leaving? But… I haven't had the pleasure of conversing with your daughter yet."

Akiko chuckled. "We have had a long day my prince. I do apologize."

"Alright… But come back tomorrow. You all don't have to wear anything fancy. Come early and stay for dinner."

"Persistent aren't you? Very well. We shall return tomorrow morning my prince."

The Sukimori family departed, and the prince sighed. She had regarded him as if he were nothing more than an insect. That intrigued him. He looked around at the giggling girls, and gestured for them to leave. The Pharaoh's brow arched as he witnessed his son's change of mood.

"You are sending them away?"

The prince nodded. "After encountering Natori, those others seem… Mediocre. I wish to know the story behind those cool amethyst eyes… And I want to watch them warm into the look of love and devotion she gave to you and her family. I want her… To be mine."

Like the man in those flashbacks, Yugi loved challenges. He would show Natori that she was the only one for him. But first, he had to speak with Kasumi.