Hey there everyone. I see everyone thought the duel with Pegasus was a little short, lol. I did manage to drag it out to two chapters. Really, the first chapter was pretty long, so I couldn't help the second chapter wasn't as long. Oh well, everyone will get over it, I hope, hehe.

Btw, I'm writing this review from my wife's home. Smiles at his half cat demon mate who is playing some game. She prefers the name Marie as to Cindy, so if I say Marie, but mean the story one, I'll say story Marie. Ok, now that that's all and well, time to get to the reviews.

Isis the Sphinx: Well, it looks like the two groups are moving closer towards meeting one another at the least. As for the dragon, we'll see about that. Who knows what will happen. Poor Sesshomaru. At least that's not as bad as my mate's idea. She wanted to put a necklace around my waist instead… Btw, I do have one around my neck. Mumbles about damn priestesses. Actually, my lovely mate procured this one and put it around my neck. Sighs Why me! Are us half dog demons just that damn gullible? Marie: "Yep." Sighs again

Tomb Robber Vicky: Lol, yeah, they got blasted back to the drawing boards. Yugi and company are getting closer, that's for sure. They're not in the same country as of yet, but are getting close. As for Mrs. Hughes, yeah, definitely from FMA. Well, at least her character is just a stand in. There is more on her later, hehe. Bakura, you could use people, I'm sure. After all, delegate some power man. You need to do that to rule the world, so why not to conquer it?

pink-kiss-candy: That's right, Ryon is the problem! He has done many a things that are just wrong! And yes, the doctor is genius!

Berry Kisses: Slashes that girl into fifty pieces. Ah, much better. Don't you feel better now?

sweetxokissesxo: Lol, poor Ryon. He shouldn't have done that to your hair, then he'd have possibly not been knocked out. Adds more dye to her shampoo. Marks it with "Ryon did it!"

Brianna Ishtar: You should look at that Illidan rocks site! It's the best one ever created!

Fire Princess: Damn it, die already zombie girls! Slashes down an advancing row of marching zombie girls. Ryon shouldn't have killed them all the first time. If he hadn't, then I wouldn't have had to kill the zombie girls. Sees them getting up again. Draws Danceseiga. Time to get rid of you all, so do a super fusion dance! Swings sword. Fusion Scar! All zombies magically are forced to do the fusion dance, and become one large zombie. Farewell zombie girl! Pulls out pair of mini-guns, thus blowing always all traces of the zombie girls. I saved the day!

Strawberry Cake: You've been sleeping too long. Hands her bottle of specially marked shampoo. Go get cleaned up, and make sure you use that shampoo.

Ryon Nakura: Ryon runs into me. Hey Ryon. Smiles Ryon: "DAMN YOU HALF DEMON! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Scratches head. What's my fault? Ryon: Points at crazy girl running behind him. "That's your fault! She's gone nuts, saying I dyed her hair that strange color! I know I didn't, hence you did it!" Sure, blame your problems on me. It's you, and we all know it. After all, I found this empty bottle of dye with your finger prints, hence you had to have done it. Watches as sweetxokissesxo gets hold of Ryon's neck again. Ryon: "A … little help… here…" Better hand over my fee first before I help.

Ultimate Legendary Master: Lol, yeah, it kind of ended fast. Sesshomaru is up with the times. Points to him. See, he's drinking a Starbucks coffee and reading The Wall Street Journal.

Metal Overlord 2.0: Very true, it's good Gozaburo didn't know about those effects. He'd have really tore Illidan up then. I think the car wreck is how Pegasus lost his wife for real in the show. I'm not 100 sure, but I had read something about that somewhere, and I think it was a car wreck. But yes, I tied the show and my story together. I did leave hints as to where the show was when I did something, which wasn't easy. The timing of the show was extremely hard to keep up with. I had to really research it out, plus kind of think about it. Anyways, as for the decks, they'll be seen soon enough.

Mark Machine: Yeah, he met Pegasus before Yugi. You know, it was hard to place where Pegasus was, so I made up locations. Lol, that was the only solution I could figure out, cause the show never says where Pegasus was, other than his central office, which was in America, somewhere. True, Illidan didn't struggle as much against Pegasus, but remember later on, Seto didn't struggle as much with Pegasus. That is coming from the movie and the show (Allister). And besides, Illidan did take a good bit of damage, and was nearly beaten. We'll see about the Blue/Vash thing. Thanks for the warning about my story though. It was hard to write around the show. I mean, placing the timing, getting the characters where they need to be, it is all hard. And yes, I was very careful in writing this story, making sure not to step out of line.

x-knight20: Thanks for that. I may check that site out.

Well, I'm tired, and done. Since it's Columbus Day, and I'm off, I've decided something. I'm going to post 2 chapters! That's right, two at once! I know, I know, I'm too gracious. Hears people grumbling about what an asshole he is. Crackles claws and flashes red eyes at them, and gives a deep growl. Watches everyone bow down to him and say how wonderful he his.

Yes, that's right, I'm wonderful. Hears Marie yell "SIT!" Slams to floor. Damn you… Gets another "SIT!" And another, and another… Fifty later… Crawls out of hole in the ground. Freaking mate… Marie: "I heard that! SIT!" Falls back in hole. Marie: "Well, since he's stuck in the bottom, I'll wrap things up. Enjoy the two chapters. Later!"

Disclaimer: Illidan wasn't hurt too much in the making of this review.

Chapter 21

Once arriving back at the motel, the group rested up for the next day. The next afternoon, the group prepared to move out.

Slowly, they gathered up their things to take with them. When they had gotten up that morning, a bellhop brought up an extra suitcase. Soon enough, they had found out the extra suitcase was identified as Blue's. She checked it out, making sure no tracking devices was on it, or booby traps. After a thorough inspection, it was determined safe.

Still, that didn't stop Blue from rummaging through all her clothes and other small possessions to make sure. Once satisfied, she sighed happily, glad that everything was in the suitcase. She had found a letter inside of it from Hige also, but didn't let the others know. He had asked, no begged, her to return to him, but she knew she couldn't.

"I could never go back now. After what I did, I just can't. I owe it to myself, and to Marie and Illidan, to try and make things right. I don't know if I can, but I've got to try at least."

She also thought about a certain person in the group that seemed to catch her eye. Shaking her head, she silently said in her mind "No, don't be silly. He probably hates me for what I did. How could he love me? Still, he didn't seem to mind holding me the other night, or mind me sleeping in his arms. And I thought I saw him blushing earlier…"

Shaking her head once more, Blue stood, but noticed how warm her face was. She realized instantly she had a light blush on her face. "Good grief, I must like him more than I'm letting myself think."

In the other room where Bakura had been staying, Vash and Ryou were packing up their bags. Each packed in silence, but Vash's mind was swimming. Just two days ago, he had lost his brother, again, and then he lost his new friend.

"I lost two people I cared about in one day. What am I going to do now? I know I have to save Bakura's soul, but still, I just don't know what to do with the spirit. I… I hate him for what he did to my brother's life and my own, but we need him. I wish Illidan had only been able to find another person."

He then sighed as thoughts of Blue came into his mind. Thoughts about how good it felt to have her snuggle up against his chest… He quickly shook his head, saying in his mind "No, get those thoughts out of your mind! She took Marie's soul!"

He then calmed down a bit and said in his mind "But she regrets what she has done. That's a sign that she wishes to change. A sign that the evil in her heart maybe vanishing, that maybe she is sorry. She looked so sad that night, and I just wanted to take her pain away…"

Shaking his head again, he sighed, thinking "Why is it I can't get her off my mind? As if she would want me anyways. But still, she didn't seem to mind me holding her. I thought I saw he blush when she saw me earlier too…"

He lightly smirked at that and looked up into the mirror, seeing that he was lightly blushing. Ryou, whom was across the room, saw that his vessel's brother was blushing, and just said "Keh."

In the master bedroom, Illidan was finishing up packing and looked over at the fallen angel on the bed. "Marie…" he whispered.

He walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. She looked so peaceful lying there to him. If he didn't know for a fact that she had lost her soul, he'd have guessed she was asleep. He lightly touched her face with the back of his hand, letting a single tear fall from his eyes as he did.

"I promise you this Marie, I'll save you. I'm coming. Please, wait for me." he lightly whispered out loud.

He then bent over and kissed her forehead and stood back up. Taking one last look back at Marie, he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Arriving in the main room, he took check of what all he had. He had his duffle bag, along with his Duel Disk in his backpack. That was it, for after all, he was a light packer.

Blue was already in the room, looking ready to go. She had a small hint of blush still on her cheeks, making Illidan believe she was thinking of Vash. As he thought about Vash, he appeared from the spare room with Ryou. Each had their duffle bags packed and their backpacks on their backs as well. Illidan could see a small hint of blush on his cheeks too, making him just shake his head at the two.

With a smile, he asked "Is everyone ready?"

All three nodded, and Illidan said "Well, I believe that's it…"

Before he could finish, there was a knock at the door. Illidan walked over to see two men in black suits, and a young woman. He instantly recognized the woman as Pegasus's secretary.

"My name is Mrs. Hughes. I was sent to pick up the girl that you asked Mr. Pegasus to take care of." she said.

Nodding, Illidan said "She is in the back. He did explain her case to you, right?"

She slightly smirked and replied "Yes, he told me what happened, so don't worry. We'll take good care of her body."

Slightly nodding, Illidan replied "Please do. Thank you."

He then turned back towards the others and said "Ready?"

Each nodded and he replied "Good, because we're headed out."

The four then grabbed their belongings and walked out of the motel. Slowly, the headed for the bus station, which happened to be close by. Illidan bought four tickets for Death Valley, and the four boarded the bus.

Along the way, Illidan sat in silence with his eyes closed, trying hard to mentally prepare himself for the road ahead. "I have to be on edge more than ever. With the loss of Marie, I'm sure I've changed. I can't let that cloud my judgment though. I have to remain calm, and remember what I'm fighting for. I have to continue to stay calm. If I falter, I could lose my soul. And the others, I have to watch out for them."

In the seat next to Illidan, Ryou sat in silence as well. His choice in seats would have been different, but Illidan warned him he wasn't letting him out of his sight. Finally, Ryou had agreed to Illidan's demands and chose to sit with Illidan. After all, misery loves company. He smirked at that comment, remembering how things had been before the crown's corruption, but remembered he could never go back to that way. The crown had broken something deep inside of his soul, and he just couldn't revert back.

Behind Illidan and Ryou sat Vash and Blue. Neither could look at one another without blushing. Vash had resided himself to looking out the window, while Blue read a small book she had. Every once and a while, one of them would look at the other, but the other would catch whoever was looking and they'd both turn back away with blush coming across their faces.

To Vash, he felt intrigued by Blue. She was beautiful, smart, and in need of someone to help heal her wounds. He knew how it felt to be broken hearted and to have all you had known in life literally destroyed. He had had this done when the spirit, Ryou, had sent his mother's soul to the Shadow Realm. Ryou would have done the same to Vash, but Bakura saved him by pleading for his life to Ryou. Ryou had only agreed when Bakura had promised to go back to Japan. Vash was spared that day, but the hurt of knowing it had cost his brother his freedom was hurtful to him.

He had lost his mother tragically, but he refused to lose Blue. She was a kind soul now that she was free of the seal's power. She had cried her heart out the night she had taken Marie's soul, mostly crying over what she had done to Marie, and he had comforted her. Once she had fallen asleep, he had allowed her to remain in his protective arms. It had felt so right to him holding her, knowing she was safe, and when he had woken up to find her snuggled in against his chest, his heart had melted. No, he couldn't hate her, even with what she had done. He knew she regretted it, and accepted that.

In Blue's mind, she pondered why she felt so attracted to Vash. "Is it because he actually wanted to protect me from things that night? Or is it how good it felt to be in his arms? It felt so right, like I was meant to be in them."

She glanced over at him, noticing that he was looking out the window still. "He is so handsome… Hige never let me sleep in his arms like Vash did, and that's after going out together for a year. He was never very kind to me either, always yelling or complaining about something I did wrong. I think it's possible I fooled myself into believing I loved Hige. Maybe as a friend I did, but not the same thing I feel now for Vash. Vash is different from Hige in so many ways. He's kind, gentle, and a loving person. I felt the kindness in him that night while he let me cry my heart out. He doesn't seem to hate me either, even after what I've done."

Sighing, she noted that she was tiring. She put her book away and tried to get comfortable, but couldn't find a good sleeping position within the seat. That's when she felt an arm slide under her neck, and slightly pull her towards the window. Looking up, she saw Vash with a warm smile on his face.

He gently said with light blush on his face "If you're tired, you can use my shoulder as a pillow."

Smiling with blush on her face, she replied "Thank you."

She then gently placed her head on his shoulder and sighed happily as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Vash only sighed happily as well, placing his head on top of hers as he fell asleep too.

Like the other two, Illidan and Ryou eventually succumb to sleep. Neither had slept much, and the strain of dueling had worn Illidan out even more. Both slept soon, but each was keeping a watchful eye out too.

Elsewhere, about three hours ahead of the bus was the Wolf Pack. They were at an area where the bus would have to stop to change buses. Here, the transfer would force people out, meaning they would find their quarry. They waited on a hillside nearby, knowing exactly which bus carried their prey.

"Kiba, why did master Dartz want us to allow Illidan to go see Pegasus?" Tsume asked, breaking the silence.

Shrugging, Kiba replied "I'm not sure, but I trust his judgment for now. Master Darcia didn't argue either, so I'm guessing they had a plan."

Looking over, Kiba saw that Hige was still brooding. Ever since they had left Blue, he had hardly spoken a word. His face was nearly unreadable, but the others could guess he was heartbroken, not to mention angry at Kiba for leaving Blue behind. Toboe had been trying his best to help his friend out, but Hige refused to speak about it to anyone. He would occasionally glare at Kiba, showing his anger towards him for his decision.

Sighing, Kiba said "We need to be ready for when they get here. Tsume, I believe your target is now available from what our intelligence has said."

Puzzled, Tsume asked "What do you mean? That kid lost his soul, and Illidan would never release the spirit of the ring."

Smirking, Kiba replied "Oh, you think so? Well, you lose that bet due that Illidan did release his soul. I'm guessing with the loss of Marie coupled with the fact there are four of us, he had no choice but to do the deed."

Tsume only grinned and said "Good, now I get to take that punk out. He cheated me last time, but this time there is no escape for him."

Nodding, Kiba added "We have a new target too. Hige, you know the one. Shall I put Toboe on it, or…"

Hige looked up from the ground with fiery eyes and said "I'll handle it. I'll be the one to take her soul, not any of you."

Sighing, Kiba nodded and turned to Toboe, saying "Your target is Vash Ryou, Toboe. I'd be careful with him. He may not be one of the big names of the world, but he is a strong duelist. He's only had two losses since he switched decks, but I doubt he'll win against you."

Smiling, Toboe nodded and said "Ok, I'll take him down. It'll be a fun duel."

Kiba then returned his gaze down to the bus station, saying "And that only leaves one person. Illidan will fall at my hands soon, and then we shall return home to Paradise when we finish."

The others only nodded, as they continued their watching over the station where the switch would occur.

Back at the island where their master lived, he smiled at the results of his Wolf Pack. They had sent him the soul of one target, plus another. The first was a boy, who had little power. The other was a young woman whom had been a target. Her name was Marie O'Dell. Her energy had granted the Great Leviathan a great deal of power, putting it closer to resurrection. Her energy had rivaled even the power of the three Egyptian God Cards that his own group had brought him. The combined power of the Egyptian Gods and the girl had increased the Leviathan's strength far beyond what Dartz had originally figured it would.

With a smile still plastered on his face, he said "Soon Great Leviathan, you shall rise once again, and we will destroy all the evil of this world together!"