Chapter Four

'Uggh' I groan as I awake. Some time seems to have passed since I must have fallen asleep. ' What a strange dream' I think as I recall bits and pieces of what I assume could only have been a dream. 'but what of that voice? Who was that? ' I continue to ponder as I look around to see that I had fallen asleep at my desk.

' that's odd' I continue to look around my desk trying to get my bearings when I do a double take. "Oh!" I exclaim out loud. I silence my self quickly. It is still late at night and I don't want to disturb anyone. I look at the Jewelry box in front of me and focus on on what I had noticed. The box had seemingly popped open. Reach out to it open the lid the rest of the way to see a simple but beautiful arm bracelet. It was golden with hanging blue stones and had an eye of Horus hanging from the center. It took my breath away to see such a stunning piece and suddenly my dream came back to me. I heard the voice again, this time in my memory asking for me to put it on. To share my life force? I pull my hand back before touching it as I got up from my desk. I glanced at the clock on my night stand. 2:00 a.m. blinked in blue glowing numbers. ' I think Im just gonna go back to bed and investigate further in the morning. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. ' I think to myself as I crawl under my covers to drift back off to sleep. This time I didn't hear strange voices. I was haunted this time by dark lonely eyes and a sadness that I could not explain.

I awoke sometime later that morning. The loneliness and sadness that had haunted me through out my life and now currently my dreams clung to me as I awoke. I could not explain the sudden onslaught and did what I could to push them to the back of my mind. My eyes refocused on the piece of jewelry that rested in the box on my desk. I once again recalled the dream from the previous night as I tentatively reached for it to examine further. I held my breath as I touched it for the first time and let it out in a huff at my silliness. I picked it up to examine closer still in awe at the beauty. As I turn it over in my hands I notice a tiny inscription written in hieroglyphs. I noted that for further investigation later.The whole piece was more beautiful to me than words could describe and it seemed to radiate a powerful energy. Energy this strong was new to me . 'Put it on' I remember the voice saying. Almost pleading. I of course was weary of trusting such a strange voice. More so having felt the energy coming from the piece. But on the other side of that I had also felt nothing malevolent. I shrug to my self as I pick up the jewelry carefully.

' What harm can it do? What have I got to lose really? ' I think as I place it in position on my right arm. ' besides, that voice sounded lost. Perhaps I can help it.' I didn't like the idea of anyone suffering if I could do something about it. It was that feeling that compelled me to fasten the clasp on the bracelet.

'Hmm, a perfect fit." I think to myself when suddenly it began to glow brightly. A few seconds later, there was a bright flash that had me shielding my eyes. The light subsided just as quickly. As my eyes adjusted back to the dimness of my room a figure appeared before me. As I studied the figure before me silently I noticed that as much as it was there. It wasn't. I could only describe it as a ghost. But even stranger still was that this ghost looked a lot like me. A bit older and way more beautiful than I could imagine myself ever being. She seemed to hold herself with a confidence I only dream of having.

"Why do you think so little of yourself?" I heard a voice, that I could only assume to be the ghosts, ask in confusion. I was startled by the sound.

"Who are you? How did you know what I was thinking? What do you want?" I ask in a slight panic, I'm weary and on guard. This is a lot to take in. I feel as if I am dreaming.

" Those are all very good questions." The spirit replies. "Unfortunately I may not have all the answers right now. There are a lot of things that seem hazy right now. But I can try to put you at ease. I will explain all I know." She explains as she extends the offer of cooperation.

I'm grateful for her to offer up what she knows without a struggle. I decide to do what I can as well to help her if she needs it. " Thank you. I hope I can help you find answers as well. Please tell me what you know. Honestly it's hard to process all this and I have some issues not being a bit creeped out talking to a ghost of myself that's not myself. I figured it's easier to just play along and not think on that to much." I giggled nervously. This dream is way to weird. I think to myself. If the spirit heard my thoughts she did not say anything. It took her a moment before she did speak.

" I'm not sure how much time has passed but it must have been long ago. I lived in Egypt and was training to become a priestess. Right now those are the only clear memories I have. Outside of those solid memories I remember a great pain in my heart as if I had lost the most important part of myself. After that it was dark and lonely for a long time. Now I can see that I must have somehow locked away in that armband but I remember nothing as to why this may have happened. There must be a great connection to that band, I may not remember what it was but I can feel it." She explains to me.

" Do you at least remember your name? I keep referring to you as ghost me and it's kinda strange... " I say shyly.

"Yes actually. I do know my name. I am Nadeshiko." She says with a confident smile. My jaw drops as she says that. The shock as I realize some of what is going on.

"Wait. You are Nadeshiko?" I ask with amazment. ' could she really be the one I was named after?' I thought to myself.

" What do you mean when you say you were named after me?" She asked in response to my thought. I forgot that she could do that. I sigh, " Can you try not to read my thoughts like that? It's very unnerving." I say in irritation

"I am sorry. I do not even realize they are thoughts. I am not used to this either." She admits.

" I understand. This while thing is kinda surreal. It's definitely not my kind of normal. It must be just as difficult for you as it is for me. As for what I was referring to when I mentioned being named after you, that is kinda it own story. You see, my parents found that box before I was born." I started. Nadeshiko listened silently til I had finished telling her the story that I had grown up hearing.

" That must have been the moment that I had been awakened. You see up until what I assume to be years ago, I was just drifting in a dark dreamless sleep. The only thing I remember feeling was lonely and lost. Out of everything else I could have lost those two feelings remained. Then after what's seemed to be an eternity of nothing I felt a spark of life force. Ever since that moment I have been aware. It is all very confusing for me still because I can not remember why I was there in the first place." Nadeshiko shared what she remembered from that moment. It was all to strange to have just been coincidence. I thought to myself.

" There must be a reason for everything that has happened. Something must have been triggered for you to wake at that moment." I theorize.

" You are right. There is a reason. I know it nothing happens without a reason. What I do know is that it would seem that the only way I have any strength is if I have a body to sustain my life force. And it seems that that might be part of the mystery. I think that the reason your mother was able to awaken me is because she carried apart of your life force and the magick that seems to be written on this box must have recognized it. It is tied to you." Nadeshiko explained her theory. " I am not sure of the boundaries I carry in this form. I don't know if I can be seen or heard by anyone else."

" Well, I may have an idea, I mean you did say you are basically a trapped spirit. If that is the case you could try to possess me... That sounds so strange to say." I suggest with a shrug. This will be interesting.

" You do have a point." Nadeshiko chuckles at my nonchalant shrug. " How are you so relaxed with all this? I'm apparently an ancient ghost that you have just met and you are just willing to let me posses you? She asks me with concern.

" To be honest, I think I am ok with you possessing me as needed because of the fact that you hadn't just possessed me without asking. It spoke of your character before I even heard your voice the first time. It is obvious to me that you are just as confused as I am on this whole thing. I figured it would be easier to get our answers if we worked together, you know since you weren't a malevolent spirit." I finish explaining myself with another shrug and a smile."

" I'm sure if we were reversed I would have done the same thing." Nadeshiko said. " I feel you are correct when you say that answers will be easier if we work together."

" Right. So basically as of this moment we are only able to communicate three our minds. And you what live in my mind too?"

" That one is kinda hard to understand and explain. I will try my best. So I seem to have my own space in your mind but I live in the arm band. My spirit is attached to that item. So I can only seem to leave it, if it is touching you. Your life force sustains me so I become trapped if I am removed from your person. If that makes any sense." She tries to explain. It seems easy enough to understand. At least as far as anyone can understand magick and spirits.

" I think I understand. I will try to maintain contact as much as I can. There will be times that I will not be able to have it on though. I will still need my privacy too."

" Yes of course. I do not wish to impose. This will only work for us if there are boundaries." She chuckles. " Perhaps later we can practice sharing your vessel."

"That's sounds just as strange, if not stranger, than allowing you to possess me." I sigh in defeat. " I guess nothing can be done about strange. I seemed to have stepped knee deep into it." I say out loud with a laugh. " Well I guess I should start getting myself together this morning. I have a lot to get done In a week."

" Why what is going on?" Nadeshiko asked curiously.

" Oh that's right. You don't know much about that. You see I will be moving in a week to intern at a museum in Japan with a professor who specializes in ancient Egypt. Oh! I didn't think of him before. He helped me figure out the mystery of how to open the box. Perhaps he can help us find more answers."

" I'm glad we have help in this. It at least gives us somewhere to start. I will subside for now. If you need anything just reach out to me.

Nadeshiko faded as I began to ready myself for the day ahead. I had a lot to do in a week.

The next week flew by in a blur. Nadeshiko and I used every spare minute to practice our abilities together to find our limitations. She also started to teach me more of the old ways she was trained in. She may have spotty memories but she seemed to gradually remember more. I had also managed to get my belongings packed and ready to be sent to my new home. I did not realize how much I had until I had to pack it all away. My excitement was growing as the days slipped by. With all the strange that had happened for us both in such a short time, we felt as if nothing could surprise us or catch us off guard. We both were unprepared for what we were about to stumble into.

Author's Note: I hope to have at least one more chapter out this week. Maybe two.. Our beloved Yugi will arrive in about that many more chapters. so please stay patient and as always I am open to positive reviews.

Chao,

Shiko