Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Twenty

Yugi

It had been almost a month since Dria had returned to Domino. Every day she would walk with us to school, walk back to the game shop to help Grandpa, and then walk back to the school to walk home with us. Yami and I loved seeing here, Yami especially. I couldn't really decide if I was jealous of him or not. Every time he took over, she just seemed to glow with excitement. She always seemed happy around everyone else, but around him, it was as if she was truly alive.

"Hey guys!"

Dria stood outside the school gates, waving excitedly. She had dyed her hair blonde again, hiding her dark locks. I wasn't sure if she had wanted to change her hair again, but it allowed her to move about without fans swarming her for attention. Even then, everyone stopped at the sound of her voice and turned towards her. She ran in, people stepping aside to let the gorgeous woman through, and skidded to a stop in front of me.

"Hi Yugi!"

She bounded forward and kissed my cheek. My whole face felt like it was on fire I was blushing so hard. She smiled brightly and turned towards the other three. She hugged Joey and Tristian as they kissed her cheek, but when she went to hug Tea, Tea pushed her arms away and ran off.

"Tea! Where are you going?" Joey took a few steps after her, before stopping and scratching his head. "What's up with her? She's never been like this before."

Tristian shrugged and placed his arm around Dria, "Don't worry about her. I bet she'll explain it to us later. Let's go back."

As he gently pulled her along, Dria reached back and took a hold of my hand. Her soft hand shot warmth up through my arm and down my spine, making it tingle. We walked in silence back to the game shop, where Grandpa was currently helping a customer. The next few hours were spent in silence as well. Joey, Tristian, and I worked on homework while Dria helped Grandpa around the store again. When the clock struck 6pm, the shop was closed and the other two joined us. A fire was started, and Grandpa went to make everyone hot chocolate. Dria curled up in the chair next to the fireplace and pulled out a sketchpad.

"Are you making a new card? Can I see? Is it a monster card?" Joey was extremely excited. He tried to sneak a peek at the drawing on the pad, but Dria jokingly slapped him away.

"Yes, no, and that's a secret." He huffed in annoyance at her secrecy but didn't stop begging her to show him. He tried to sneak one more glance by grabbing the sketchpad away, but with surprising speed, Dria held it out of his reach. Joey eventually retreated, quietly growling something about seeing it when she wasn't looking; Dria must have heard his statement because she smiled brightly and playfully waved the sketchbook in Joey's direction, tempting him to try again.

"What do you all say to a movie?" Tristian pulled out an old video from underneath the couch.

"That's where my movie went! I've been missing that one for months now!" I raised my eyebrow at Joey's excitement.

"Something tells me I don't want to know what's on it."

Joey glared at me. "It's not that, you idiot! I know I have all those!" The opening credits started.

"The Lion King? Really Joey?" Tristan laughed at Joey's selection in movies.

"Watch it! That's one of my favorite movies!" Dria protested.

She closed her sketch pad, tossing it across the floor, and joined me on the couch. I felt Yami's presence next to me and turned towards him.

You want some time with her too, right?

He shook his head quickly, before slowly nodding and dropping his head guiltily.

I smiled, just don't hog all the time again, you hear? He smiled and I closed my eyes. A nap sounded nice anyway.

Dria

My necklace tingled against my skin. I reached down to touch it, when I noticed the faint glow the Puzzle was giving off. I raised my eyes and stared directly into the sunset eyes that had captivated me so many years ago. His gentle smile covered his face, and I couldn't help but relax onto his shoulder, swooning slightly. He chuckled a little and barely brushed his lips against my forehead.

*FLASH*

I heard the snap of a camera and the cackles of two obviously mature boys. I opened one irritated eye and glared at the sources.

"Aw, aren't they cute?"

"Dria and Yugi sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I—whoa!"

In response to Joey's song, I pulled the Pharaoh towards me and proceeded to kiss him properly. My fingers combed through his hair, messing up his blonde bangs and ebony hair. The boys hollered and cheered as we continued for another moment.

"Alright, alright! We have a movie to watch, you two."

I released him and hid a giggle at what I saw. The Pharaoh's eyes were dazed, and he seemed short of breath from the surprise affection. I smiled again as I rested my head back on his chest. To think, I used to be the one left breathless. With the lights turned off, the curtains pulled down, and the popcorn popped, we began the movie. Pharaoh and I were curled up on the couch with a nice warm blanket around us. I got distracted from the movie every now and then because he would run his fingers down my spine or kiss the spot behind my ear. I smacked his chest a couple times for it, but he ignored my warnings.

"Hello Tea. I'm so glad you could join us. They're all upstairs watching a movie."

I froze as I heard the footsteps getting closer. I knew why Tea was avoiding me. She hadn't figured out her feelings for Yugi, or the Pharaoh for that matter, and she especially didn't like the competition I presented. I wanted her to feel comfortable with my relationship with Yugi, but I wasn't going to go out of my way for it.

"Introducing His Majesty, King Ignatius, and his Lady, Queen Leilani!"

I looked up from the scroll I was reading and watched as the visitors made their way into the throne room. All the servants bowed to them as they passed. A servant came and offered to return my scroll back to the library. I smiled, passed him the scroll, and floated over towards my position. Pharaoh had just entered the room and smiled lovingly upon seeing me. He took my hand and placed a chaste kiss on my lips before sitting down. I sat on the arm of the chair and leaned against the back.

"Greetings Pharaoh! Thank the gods above we are able to come together again."

My husband smiled slightly. Ignatius was known for starting and retreating from wars and seducing others' wives more than his political savvy or his war strategies. However, he was a wealthy leader with a large army, and it was better to remain his ally than become an enemy.

"It is lovely to see you as well, Queen Alexandria. Rumor has lied to me. You are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined."

I smiled warmly, though still cautious of the flattery, and left my spot beside my husband. I floated down towards Leilani, grabbing her hands and kissing both her cheeks in greeting.

"As are you, Lady Leilani. I am very pleased you are here."

She didn't respond to my greeting. I raised my eyebrow as she looked at me. Her dark eyes betrayed her; pure jealousy was prevalent. I smirked slightly, silently accepting her challenge. I bowed my head slightly towards Ignatius before dancing back to my husband.

"Please, enjoy the wine and food we have prepared for you, and the ceremony our servants have prepared."

Pharaoh pulled me down onto his lap after I finished speaking. I giggled as he nibbled my ear, his chest rumbling as he tried to suppress his chuckles. The dancers then came out and started performing for our guests. Despite the entrancing entertainment, Ignatius's eyes were on me the entire time. After ignoring it for some time, I started to fidget, uncomfortable under his long gaze.

"What is wrong, my akh?" Pharaoh tightened his grasp on my waist.

I slightly shook my head, "Nothing."

He huffed in annoyance. He could always tell when I was lying. He pulled my chin around and stared directly into my eyes. Then he smirked, having formulated yet another strategy. He proceeded to kiss me deeply, not concerned about how many people were staring. Even though I was distracted, I could still feel Ignatius' burning eyes on me as he drank yet another cup of wine.

Many hours later, I found myself walking down the hallway towards my room, finished with overseeing the cleaning of the throne room. Pharaoh had told me he would come later as soon as he knew Ignatius and Leilani were being watched carefully by the other guardians.

"The gods must have smiled upon me if I am so lucky as to meet you here, Great Royal Wife."

I had to suppress a shudder. Ignatius had too much to drink, so much that I could smell the wine on his breath even though he was on the opposite side of the hall. How he had managed to find his way here, I couldn't even begin to guess.

I smiled slightly in response, "Perhaps. Or perhaps they have cursed you so you would encounter me here. Surely, your wife awaits you now. One of my servants can lead you to your room."

He took three extremely large steps and pushed me back against the wall. He raised his hands and trapped me, leaving no room for a quick escape. When he exhaled, my head spun as the overpowering scent of wine filled my nose and I could barely breathe. I wasn't going to allow him to do as he wished, but I also knew that if I wasn't careful, Ignatius would have no issue declaring war against Egypt. This situation had to be resolved peacefully.

"She means nothing to me, not when I can have you instead."

I narrowed my eyes and hissed at him. "Ah, how feisty you are. I wonder if you have the same fire under the sheets. I would love to find out." His lips came dangerously close to mine as I twisted myself away and pushed back, despite my current imprisonment.

"IGNATIUS!"

A fist came flying from the hall, smashing into Ignatius' right cheek. He spun away from me, clutching at his now bleeding nose. Familiar hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me to a strong chest. The unique scent of cinnamon cleared my head, and I realized a peaceful resolution was likely far from possible now.

"Great Pharaoh! Please come back!"

Leilani soon joined us in the hallway, clad in a half-torn dress. I nearly shook in anger. She had tried to seduce my husband while hers tried to seduce me. Now it all made sense. This attempt could no longer be understood as the drunken mistake of a moronic king. They had planned this in advance, but the purpose of it was still unclear.

"Leave me, you wretched snake. I want nothing to do with you. As for you, Ignatius, learn this: touch my wife again, and I will te-"

I placed my hand over his mouth before he could finish his threat, which would give Ignatius a reason to strike back with force. He blinked a few times, and then met my gaze with his confused one. I winked and focused on Leilani.

"What do you say to a game? Winner picks her husband. Loser gets the leftover."

She smiled widely, "Don't weep when you have to go with that pig of a man."

I shrugged and requested a servant to bring my special basket. All the servants around started laughing, knowing exactly what I was going to do. The one returned with my basket and set it down in between Leilani and me. The basket had one, very small opening at the top. A low hiss was heard from inside the basket as we sat down on either side. Her eyes widened in fear as the hiss reached her ears.

I smiled, "An Egyptian cobra, the deadliest of snakes in this kingdom. The game is to collect as many coins from the basket as possible, out of 20, without being bitten. If you are, you lose."

She laughed harshly, "Death would be the result if one is bitten. Of course you would lose."

I smiled sweetly, "Not if one knows the antidote."

Her laughter stopped and she glared at me once more, "Very well. Let's begin."

The game began. I started by grabbing one coin. Relief filled my body when I wasn't bitten. I might have been talented at the game, but that didn't mean I hadn't experienced my fair share of snake bites in the past. They hurt each time with the same sharp sting. Leilani grabbed one as well with no repercussions. This pattern continued until I had 9 coins, when she could clearly wait no longer. She pulled out a knife from underneath her dress and stabbed at the basket multiple times. The hissing inside stopped.

She giggled, "I was getting bored. Besides, my new husband awaits me. I will have to get rid of your bed though. I can't have him remembering his former lover."

I just stared back stoically. I didn't appreciate cheaters. She stuck her hand in to grab the last few coins, and I felt a familiar tingle as my eyes flashed red. She could not pull her hand back out.

"What trickery is this? My hand is stuck! Release me at once!" I still said nothing as she continued to struggle against the consequence of the game.

The hissing returned. She froze and her eyes filled with complete fear. I rose from my spot. Pharaoh, who had leaned against the wall to watch, stood straight and held out his arms. I could not resist his invitation and wrapped my arms around his neck, brushing my nose against his.

Leilani started screaming, "Please! I don't wish to die! Please, spare me!"

I waved my hand and the basket was gone. All that remained was the bite mark from the snake on her hand.

"You lose."

Tea walked into the room and immediately narrowed her eyes at me. I just raised one eyebrow back. She scoffed and sat down next to Joey, who greeted her, "Hey Tea. Glad you could join us."

She put on a fake smile. "I got off work early and wanted to hang out with you all."

Her glaring eyes never left my face throughout the movie. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the evening, feeling satisfied for the first time in many years. As the movie ended and I rose from my spot, I smiled at her to be friendly.

"Would you like to go shopping with me tomorrow?"

The three boys immediately agreed, even though I wasn't asking them, but Tea was reluctant. I sat down next to her and pleaded, "Please, I can't handle that much testosterone all alone. I need a female friend."

She cracked a small smile and covered her mouth as giggles arose. Maybe she and I could be friends once we moved past the jealousy stage. That night, while the others were sleeping in either in Yugi's room or the other guest room, Pharaoh crept into my room. I knew it was him, so when he tried to spook me, I just laughed quietly.

"How did you know?"

I smiled at him, "You have very distinct steps. Plus, Joey and Tristian would have been laughing the whole time and Tea might have come at me with a knife. You were my best guess, unless Grandpa had a career as a ninja that he has neglected to tell us about."

His eyes darkened a bit at the mention of Tea and her hostility, "I will talk with her."

I smiled and pulled him into bed with me. "Don't fret. She is just worried that I'm replacing her in the group, but she'll eventually realize that I couldn't do that even if I wanted to. I want to be her friend as much I want to be yours."

I laid my head against his chest, falling asleep to the steady beating of his heart. I woke up alone bright and early. Pharaoh had left in the middle of the night to return to Yugi's bedroom to avoid worrying Grandpa should he wake up and randomly check on Yugi and the others. I bounded over to his room and threw open the door, shocking the three boys awake.

"Get up, lazy bums! It's shopping time."

Tea was already downstairs, ready to go. As I helped clean up the house a little, she tried to do everything better. I smiled. Anything I can do, she can do better, I suppose. Still, I appreciated her determination to show off because it got the work done nearly twice as fast. The boys didn't even have to lift a finger.

"So, as Tea and I are enjoying our shopping spree, you boys will be carrying anything we buy."

It wasn't a request. Joey and Tristian complained at first, but when I promised to take them to an all-you-can-eat restaurant and pay the bill, they agreed instantly. Yugi just rolled his eyes and smiled. After a few hours of window shopping and modeling clothes, I had found a new dress and new shoes for the dinner Father and I were going to have when he came to town next. I also got Tea a dress for whatever occasion she wanted to wear it. I just thought it looked great on her and she tentatively agreed that it would be nice to have a new outfit for a fancy occasion. So, in all honesty, the boys didn't have to carry anything. Well, at least Yugi didn't, much to Joey and Tristan's irritation.

"Alright guys. Pick a restaurant."

Joey immediately dragged us out of the mall and over to some fast food place. He ordered half of the menu; Tristian ordered the other half. When they first saw the total, I had to laugh. Their jaws nearly broke through the table. Apparently, they didn't consider just how expensive their appetites were. I smiled regardless as I reassured them, "Hey, I promised."

One swipe of the card later, the two were enjoying their reward, completely absorbed in their own paradise. Yugi and I watched in amazement for a few moments before retreating from the carnage to engage in our own conversation. We had talked for a while when I realized Tea wasn't with us. I asked him where she had gone.

"I don't know. I thought she was here. Maybe the bathroom?"

"Don't touch me!" I snapped my head towards the high-pitched voice outside the restaurant.

A few guys had cornered Tea in the nearby alley. She must have stepped outside for a moment and unintentionally caught their attention. I stood and hurried over to her as quickly as possible. She smacked away one guy's hand just as I got there.

I placed myself between her and her new friends, trying to make myself as threatening as possible, "Leave her alone."

The four boys turned on me instead as one responded, "Well, well aren't you a pretty one? I think we'd rather have you than her anyway."

"Come here, little kitten." One was stupid enough to touch my shoulder as he spoke in what I assumed was his seductive tone.

My fist met his face rather quickly, causing him to fall back in surprise and pain. After successfully giving him a nosebleed, the other three backed off. I narrowed my glare at them again, this time letting them see just how intimidating I could be when pushed as my eyes turned red.

"Leave now or you all will regret it."

They scampered away faster than I thought they would be able to. I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping they would fade back to their normal hue before anyone else noticed. Yugi, Tristian, and Joey came running up as the cowards ran the opposite direction. While the last two checked on Tea, the former immediately came to me.

"Are you alright, Dria?"

His, and the Pharaoh's, worried eyes traveled over my body, checking for any signs of injury. I smiled and kissed his forehead.

"I'm fine. That was fun, actually."

"Thank you, Dria," Tea hesitated to speak at first, but then she shyly extended her hand towards me.

I smiled softly and stole a hug instead. She was surprised by my instant forgiveness, but accepted it anyway. Hopefully, she would realize that I didn't intend to take her friends away from her in any capacity, but I wouldn't give up Yugi or the Pharaoh so easily either. If so, I wouldn't have to come close to threatening her to make her see the truth (not that I would, of course).