As she stepped out of the elevator, Mai found herself on the top floor of Kaiba Corporation and the lobby of Seto Kaiba's office. She offered a friendly smile to the Familiar secretary, who was seated at the simplistic mahogany desk, adjacent to the French doors that were the entryway to the president's office.

"And how are we this evening, Miho?"

"Busy." Miho Nosaka thumbed through a stack of paper on her desk. "Mister Kaiba asked Leon to send over electronic and hard copies of all of Schroeder Corps latest transactions and business dealings. I think he is hoping there will be a clue as to why Mister Siegfried was murdered or maybe a lead to an actual killer. So far though, I haven't been able to find anything suspicious. Then again, I've barely started."

"Kaiba's got you sorting through this all by yourself?"

Miho shook her head. "No. Rebecca and Mokuba were going through some of the encrypted disks, but then they decided to go visit Leon. He's staying with some relatives for now. Poor kid, he's really torn up about his brother."

"I can imagine. Siegfried may have been a sneaky bastard at times, but you got to admit he did love Leon and vice-versa. To me, they were kind of like the German versions of Mokuba and Kaiba."

Miho giggled. "Better not let Mister Kaiba hear you say that, Miss Mai. He's liable to throw a fit."

"It wouldn't be the first time," Mai drawled. She turned her attention to the French style doors. "It's too quiet."

Miho gave her a knowing smile. "Don't worry Miss Mai. They haven't killed each other. Miss Kisara has seen to that."

"Thank God. I was afraid I'd be walking into a war zone."

Do you ever knock?" Seto Kaiba questioned, as his office door opened and emitted the lovely, salacious vampire known as Mai Kujaku. He was seated behind a large semi-circular desk and typing on his computer.

Kisara leaned over his right shoulder. Her crystalline eyes, which had been studying whatever was on the computer screen, looked up when Mai entered. "Hello, Mai," she greeted.

Mai gave Kisara a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning to the figure that was seated on one of the leather sofas. "Alright Jounouchi, what's so important that you call me in the middle of my investigation?"

Jounouchi waved his hand dismissively. "What did you find out?"

"What did I find out?" Mai huffed. "Boy, you got some nerve pulling me away from an investigation early and then asking me if I got all facts. Why I ought to –"

"What did you find, Mai?"

His tone stopped Mai mid-rant. He was impatient and not in a giddy or anticipating way. No, he was all business. Mai also noticed he had that don't fuck with me expression he had managed to learn from working with Yami and Kaiba on his face at the moment. If she had been a Familiar or a vampire of lower station, Mai would have blanched at that look. However, she was his wife, and that look she knew. It wasn't intended to frighten her, just to get answers without all the pomp and circumstance.

"It's as we feared. The cause of death is ruled blood loss. Cher seems to think Siegfried was being hunted. There were bite marks on the corpse."

"Was it a vampire?" The question came from Kisara.

"Cher seems to think so, but -"

"You don't agree with her," Jounouchi finished. "You think it was a shape-shifter or werewolf?"

"I am not sure," Mai admitted. "Cher's theory is improbable, yet all the known evidence seems to prove it. It doesn't make sense though. Vampire or dhampir, we aren't a cannibalistic race. We can't be. The genetic make-up of both species makes it impossible for us to survive off of each other. I mean sure, I can take a sip from you every now and then to tide me over, but this - I've never seen anything like it, Jounouchi. There were fang marks on his neck, vampire fang marks. Siegfried was sucked dry just like a human entree. Yet, I don't think a vampire or a dhampir could have done this, at least not a normal one."

"Are you saying we have deranged vampire species on our hands?" Seto inquired. "Really Kujaku…"

"Look Kaiba, I am not sure what it is, okay? And obtaining any information or leads is going to be hell."

"And why is that?"

"Two words, Jirou Matushita."

"What?"

"You heard me," Mai replied. She swung her gaze back to Kaiba. "Apparently he's picked up where he left off as a scribe and taken up the mantle of a private investigator."

Kaiba pursed his lips together.

"Oh well, this is just fabulous." Jounouchi spat.

"Relax, mutt."

"Relax? You're telling me to relax? How in hell am I supposed to relax when the world's most shunned vampire has attached himself to a priority investigation?"

Mai laid her hand on Jounouchi's shoulder. "Whoa there, take it easy, hon. "I don't think Jirou's presence is going be too much of problem. I had a nice little chat with him earlier at the crime scene."

"You did what?" Jounouchi's eyes grew large and then darkened. "Did he try anything with you?"

Mai rolled her eyes. "Chill, will you? Nothing happened, but we did come to an agreement, so to speak."

"And pray tell, what kind of bargain did strike, Kujaku?" Seto wanted to know.

"Simple. Given the fact that we're all running blind into this investigation, Jirou and I agreed that we should pool our resources, but at the same time, stay the hell out of each other's way."

"This is just great," Jounouchi muttered. "Not only do we have a murder investigation on our hands, but we've also got to prevent the apocalypse."

Mai blinked. "Come again?"

"Long story short rich boy here decided to call in the big guns." Jounouchi stopped talking long enough glare at Kaiba. "He didn't think we could handle the investigation by ourselves. So, he called the Ishtar siblings."

"Ishizu's foresight has always served us well. She may be able to shed some light on the situation." Kisara reasoned.

"Still, if she finds out we're working with Jirou, we're dead."

"Ishizu's no snitch, Jounouchi. And neither is Marik. Besides, you know as well as I, that they don't hate Jirou."

Jounouchi rubbed his temples and sighed. "I know. I guess I am just paranoid. Yami made it perfectly clear that the individual known as Jirou Matushita is dead to us and if we're caught associating with him it's our ass."

"Yeah, but I think in this case we should make an exception, don't you? This isn't just some casual conversation; it's a matter of un-life or second death. We're walking into this thing blind. And if trusting Jirou means saving others, then I am all for pissing off Yami."

"Mai's right." Kisara agreed. "We need to find out whom or what killed Siegfried, because odds are, they'll strike again."

"Besides, it's not like Jirou and Yami are going to be face-to-face. Yami's all the way in Egypt and we can just communicate with Jirou on a strictly need-to-know basis."

"Alright, fine. We'll communicate with Matushita, if and only if we have too."

"Now that we're all in agreement over associating with Matushita, let's get back to the business at hand –"

Kaiba was cut off by his desk phone ringing. With a roll of his eyes, he pressed the speaker button. "What?"

"Mister Kaiba?"

"What is it?"

"I have Ishizu Ishtar on the phone, sir. She says it's urgent."

"Put her through." Kaiba picked up the receiver.

There was a pause as Miho transferred the call. When he was certain Ishizu was on the line Kaiba said, "Ishizu is everything alright? Huh, what do you mean unforeseen circumstances?"

Just what in the hell did that mean? Ishizu was a seer and the best in the entire Order. Her predictions and ability to see the future were near perfect. In fact, in their three thousand year history of working together, Kaiba had never known her to utter the word unforeseen. Up until now, he didn't even think it was in her vocabulary.

There was a rustle on the other end of the line. "Ishizu?"

A different voice spoke. It was masculine and underlying with the accent of the region. Yet, Kaiba recognized it immediately, "Mahad."

Jounouchi, Mai, and Kisara immediately snapped to attention. Their eyes planted firmly on Kaiba and the receiver at his ear.

"Is everything alright?" More chatter. "Uh-huh. Look Mahad, I appreciate the gesture, but you can tell Yami that we've got this. There's no need for you and Mana to travel halfway across the world –"

Kaiba suddenly stopped talking. "I see," he murmured, his tone dead serious. "Very well, I will make the arrangements immediately." He exchanged a brief farewell with Mahad and then cut the line. The others watched as he leaned forward on his desk and tented his fingers.

"What is it?" Kisara asked.

"Yami is coming. He's coming to Japan with the Ishtars."

"What do you mean he's coming here?" Jounouchi demanded.

"It's just like I said, mutt. He's coming in on the Ishtars flight with Mana and Mahad."

"Yes, but why?"

"Apparently he's interested in Siegfried's murder."

"That doesn't make any sense. The two of us told him before we left Egypt the last time that we would handle any situation here. He gave us the clear. So why would he suddenly want to come in a rip the rug of authority right out from under our feet?"

"Maybe because this whole situation with Siegfried isn't exactly a minor thing," Mai put in. "I am sure Ishizu got a premonition of the situation when Kaiba called her a while ago. She's no doubt probably filled him in on the gritty details. You know how that gift of hers is."

"That's a possibility," Jounouchi admitted. "Still though, I can't just see him dropping everything and rushing here just for that."

"Maybe he's homesick for his second home?" Mai ventured.

"Whatever the reason, we need to prepare for his arrival." Kisara turned to her husband. "I take it from the conversation that you intend to re-open The Mutou Manor. You need to call the caretaker and let him know of Yami's return."

Jounouchi pulled out his cell phone. "I should probably call Honda and Shizuka and let them know what's going on."

"I thought they were in Kyoto for leave?"

"They are." He pressed the speed dial for his sister's cell. "But they should be here when Yami arrives."

Hilde wearily rubbed her eyes. She, Anzu and Jade had spent the better part of the last hour studying the files Kaiba sent over for the department to analyze.

"Okay, just what in hell are we looking for again?" Jade wondered aloud. She had pulled Duo's desk chair over to Hilde's cluttered desk and was currently setting opposite the German vampire and sifting through papers. "These are all pictures of gifs or people."

"Vampire census," Hilde supplied. "Kaiba wants to make sure all his employees are counted for and have legit backgrounds. Every month, he, the Tenma brothers and Siegfried send records on all their company employees in order for us to pick up any 'questionable' individuals."

"There must be hundreds of files here from Japan alone. Just how much influence does money bags have?"

"What did you expect? The guy owns more than half of downtown."

"Thank God for alphabetical order, huh?"

A soft moan from the sofa drew both women's attention. "When did she drop off?" Hilde mused.

"I am not sure," Jade admitted. She looked over at the sleeping Anzu. "If I had to guess though, I'd say it was somewhere between L and M."

"She must have been more tired than she let on."

"It doesn't surprise me. We spent the afternoon working, before heading out on a shopping venue."

"Work hard and play harder, eh?" Hilde grinned. "I take it that you shopped until you dropped?"

"I don't think a strenuous day of work and die-hard fun is the culprit, Hilde. I think is more of a lack of sleep from these past few weeks and stress."

"Stress, Jade?"

"Ah, well you know, between my working extra shifts and Jirou out prowling around more so than usual, Anzu's pretty much had to manage the house all by herself. You wouldn't believe how much laundry three individuals can generate in just a couple of days and if I wasn't stuck working the rush shifts, I would most certainly pull my weight in household chores."

"Can't Jirou do his own laundry?" Hilde mused.

"Are you kidding? The one-time 'Zoo and I let him touch the laundry, we both ended up with pink socks and underwear because the bum threw his red shirt in with the whites. I tell you, Hilde, I don't know what that brother of mine would do if he didn't have me or Anzu."

"He'd probably be still working for Kaiba and associates."

Jade's brow furrowed. "Yeah, probably…"

"Hey, it's not your fault. You and Anzu aren't responsible for Jirou's situation with the higher-ups."

"You're half right about that one."

"Jade, it wasn't Anzu's fault either."

"He did it for her, Hilde. He did it to protect her."

"Okay you got me there," Hilde consented. "Still, you can't blame Anzu for Jirou's decision. She has no knowledge of the situation, after all."

"She's a lot smarter than you think, Hilde."

"Come again?"

"As you probably noticed from this evening's earlier argument, she's been reading Jirou's texts on the monarchy."

"So?"

"So?" Jade repeated. "Do you have any idea what's in those texts?"

"How about the detailed chronicle of vampire history?" Hilde guessed.

"It's a lot more than that. Jirou has records dating back to when he lived in Egypt. Private chronicles."

"Still though, it's not like she's found any of his personal stuff, right?"

"No, but she did find a reference to the royal family. It was about the Pharaoh and the Great Wife."

"Oh…"

"Oh…" Jade mimicked. "Luckily, she kept her mouth shut when Jirou grilled her earlier. Otherwise, my ass would be grass."

Hilde peered at Jade thoughtfully. "I thought your objective was to keep her safe and unaware of certain vampires and vice-versa?"

"It is," The red-head defended.

"So allowing her to snoop through your brother's personal stash, which is chalked full of not only the history of the Order and all its key players, but your family's ties to the royal court is keeping her out of harm's way?"

"I know what I did was risky okay?" Jade snapped. "I just couldn't help it. Ever since she told me she'd dreamed about being in Ancient Egypt, things haven't been the same."

"Whoa time out," Hilde crossed her hands like a T. "What dream?"

"Two days ago during our work break, Anzu admits to me she is having trouble sleeping for the past two weeks because she can't decipher a dream, and you know what that's like for someone who has the gift."

Hilde nodded at Jade's explanation. Anzu was one of the few humans in Domino City who was blessed with the gift of sight. The girl had the ability to get premonitions by simply touching objects or people. That's why she often accompanied Jirou and Jade to the department and sometimes even on investigations. Her visions had helped solved many murders and missing person cases over the last year or two.

"Dreams have meaning," Jade continued, "But as someone with the sight, Anzu can only deliberately dream."

"Her dreams are real," Hilde concluded. "But you said she dreamed of herself being in Egypt? How does she translate that? Does she think of it as reliving her own past or someone else's?"

"I am not sure. From what I can tell, she thought it was a sign she should learn more about vampire history and our family history, but…"

"You think it's more than that."

"She told me, she saw shadowed figures and heard voices. She couldn't quite make out what they were saying but she could tell they meant no her harm. She also mentioned something about a pair of eyes watching her from the sky of dreamland."

Hilde wrinkled her nose. "Talk about creepy."

"Tell me about it," Jade mumbled. "Anyway, now she's determined to solve the mystery of this dream and believes she might find answers in Jirou's texts."

"Have you told Jirou?"

"Are you kidding? He'd lock her up and throw away the key for sure. No, I won't do that to her. She'd wither. She's already restless enough as is."

"Why Jade, am I detecting guilt from you?"

"I feel awful about keeping her dreams a secret from Jirou, Hilde. But at the same time I don't exactly feel bad about allowing her to read about the family's past," Jade looked over at Anzu, "She says she's always felt like she doesn't belong here and that something's missing from her life."

"She's a human with a supernatural gift. I'd feel unsettled too if I were in her shoes."

"She is more than that, Hilde."

"You're right about that one."

"This is why I am torn. If I let the truth be known, I could help her understand and heal the rift in her soul. I could make her feel complete, but we could also lose her forever.

"You talk as if she's someone else, Jade."

"You agreed with me that she was more than what she seems."

"Yes, but that does not mean she's something or someone else altogether. She's still, Anzu."

"Hilde…"

"I am not saying anything, Jade. I won't deny that she isn't always the fun, perky girl that I've come to know and that her personality isn't a little off at times. I just think you shouldn't worry so much. If Anzu is destined for a greater purpose then she will find it, or it will come to her."

"That's what I am afraid of."

To be continued…