Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything dealing with Yu-Gi-Oh.

Guardian of the Gods

Chapter 7

A Love/Hate Understanding

Palace Grounds, Main Chamber, Early Morning

"I am reassured to see you all here before me again." The pharaoh sat on his throne with his six guardians kneeling beside him. They were dressed in their ceremonial robes for the celebration that would take place later that afternoon. The entire palace had been decorated to commemorate the guardians and those before them for their service to Egypt. No expense was spared for the celebration. There were dancers, entertainers and magicians exhibiting their talents. All six guardians were seated on either side of the pharaoh enjoying the display.

"Yes, my Pharaoh," they all said in unison, turning to face him. Every single guardian had their millennium items and best shadow creature present standing behind them. Mahad, Karim, Set, Isis, Akhenaden, and Shada had respectively their Illusion Magician, Bastet, Galestgoras, Mat'at, Ushebti, and Zelua.

"Now to the matters at hand," The pharaoh announced. Every entertainer and guest present ceased their talking and movements to focus on their king. "Today is the anniversary of the sacred court of guardians that my father, the great Pharaoh Aknamkanon, created over fifteen years ago. That might not seem like a long time to most of you. However, I implore you, regardless of how long you have served on this court, I want you to keep this day in reverence and pay respect to those guardians before you. Remember why it is that you serve on this court and keep in mind the people of Egypt that you serve and protect every day. Because of your efforts, this great nation still stands and grows prosperous. I am grateful," everyone in attendance gave a thunderous applause.

"It is we who are grateful for you my Pharaoh. Without you, this nation could not have reached the gloriousness that it is today. We salute you. Your father started this tradition while you were yet a man, but you have continued in your father's name and taken us to higher heights," Shimon said aloud.

"Thank you, Shimon. Let us pay our reverence in my father's temple in celebration of this day. After which we will partake of a wonderful feast I have had prepared especially for the occasion." The celebration then continued and each guardian was treated like a king.

Most of the court's greatest accomplishments and paramount moments were reenacted to remind the Egyptian citizens of their sacrifice and dedication.

Later in the day the pharaoh saw his only High Priestess and managed to pull her away from the festivities. She walked closer to him, bowed respectfully and inquired about what he command she do.

"May I speak with you? Let us go where we do not have any other company," he led her out to a balcony and dismissed the guards stationed there. Isis complied and listened intently.

The pharaoh sighed and began talking. He was not quite sure how to give her the news. "The subject of your hand has come up of late," he paused watching Isis' expressions. "I wanted to know your opinion on the matter."

"Anything my Pharaoh wishes to do becomes my will. If my Pharaoh sees fit to give me away, I have no other desire than to comply," the response came from habit. Isis did not know what to expect next. Marriage? To whom?

"What do you truly think? The truth, Isis."

"I only wish to be free to make my own decisions. I have been driven to prove myself all of my life. It is not a matter of my happiness or pride; it is a matter of convenience or detriment to whomever I were to be tied to."

"What do you mean?" The pharaoh asked.

"I do not have the mind of a conventional wife. I am a guardian. I serve, I protect."

"I thought those would be the words to come from your mouth. How would you feel if you knew the man beforehand?" Maybe this would lift her spirits a little and convince her that the proposal was not entirely a bad thing. Isis wanted her freedom. But she was a woman, a highly desirable one. She was going to be wed, it was just a matter of time. The pharaoh knew that could not be avoided.

"To what purpose does this serve?" Beside herself, Isis crossed her arms.

"It is for your own sake Isis. I have to give you away, Mahad needs a wife. Trust me; the alternative is not as pretty. My advisors suggest that either you be married or removed from the court."

"I beg your pardon? What is happening?" Her heart beat faster.

"I am not the only one who can see what is going on. I have noticed how you and Priest Set have become," he paused. "Close." He noticed the defiant look in Isis' eyes. "Ever since you have been charged with teaching him to channel a god, it seems that he's been teaching you something else as well." He noticed her blush. "I know that your genuine interest is innocent. However, my advisors will not let me have a woman be seen in the company of a man she is not related to. No matter what time of day or night. They have gone so far as to suggest banishing you all together. I have managed to sate them by agreeing to you having guards escort you at all times, even to your baths. Also by agreeing to give you to Mahad. I am sorry."

"There is no need to apologize; I will answer for my own actions. I only wish to please my pharaoh," Isis could not help but sound bitter. She was not upset with the pharaoh, just his meddling advisors. She helped protect this nation and in return she was still treated with oppression and prejudices.

"You are sad. But the sun always shines on a new day. Mahad adores you greatly. He has made it known that he wants to have you as his wife. He's very proud of you," he said trying to cheer his High Priestess.

"I do not share those same feelings. Mahad is a great man. I only hope that I can please him," the pharaoh noticed some of the light escape from her eyes. He could tell that this did not make her happy. He felt that he was taking a dove and forcing it to live in a cage two sizes too small.

"You have until summer's end. That is when the ceremony will take place. I suggest you try to make peace with this. My advisors wish to remind you that you are still a guardian and as such must behave accordingly." The pharaoh's eyes softened. "My advice is to not get caught with Set again. Witnesses are what make public baths public."

Isis was not sure how to take the pharaoh's words. But the conflict inside her caused her to retire early for the night.

Give up Set? Was he worth her position on the guardian court? Was he worth her reputation and renown?

Was he worth fighting her destiny?

Later that evening, Isis sat at her home in her bedroom overlooking the Nile. She knew Set would visit her that night. But how was she going to tell him that she was now someone else's?

"You are so beautiful in the moonlight; you would strike me down if those eyes were to glare into my soul," Set whispered in her ear, his voice was low resonating in his chest.

Isis did not stir.

"Are you playing a game with me? Trust that you do not have to entice me further, I want you now."

She turned to face him when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Set, I can't."

"Can't what?" he came even closer and held her in his arms. He leaned down to kiss her when she spoke up.

"I now belong to Mahad," she said. Her eyes lost a little of their color. "Once the ceremony begins, the ancient magics will make me his. I will no longer be able to deny him anything, my will becomes his and we will be tied at the heart. None save the pharaoh could command anything of me." She rested her head on his chest. He felt so warm and Isis loved how she fit just right into his arms.

"I know. The pharaoh told me. I do not care. In your heart, you are mine and I will have you. No one else will. You may have to live in his house and in public you will have to be his wife. But behind these doors, you are mine," the way he declared her as his had her constitution wavering. She had morals, she had standards to uphold. Once the pharaoh ordered that she marry the court's magician, her upbringing told her that she should not – could not be with Set.

"Set," she whispered. It was more than just his name. It was a plea, it was a call for help. It was permission to do with her as he pleased because she knew he spoke the truth. This engagement to Mahad was for show, for etiquette, to please other people. She wanted desperately not to be tied to him. He was a wonderful person. But her heart belonged to someone else.

"If you keep saying my name like that, I'm not going to give you much of a choice," he whispered once more, this time his voice deep and seductive.

"You would take what doesn't belong to you? You would steal from a brother guardian?"

"I cannot take from Mahad what he does not want. Or rather, does not deserve. Besides he is more interested in his magic. I am certain that the night you all are bound to him, he would not know what to do with you. He would not know what to do to a beautiful goddess like you. Think about it, he will not even take the pleasure in knowing you. He might kiss you on the cheek, he might display some interest, for Ra's sake he might even unclothe you. But when it is time to consummate, he will not. I am not taking from him, he would not even care about the things I do to you."

"You always emasculate him. He is our only spellcaster, he has a duty to this kingdom."

"A duty that he allows to consume him. He even neglects his own household. He is weak, I am not the only one to realize that."

"That's why the pharaoh says he needs me."

"I need you many more times over. Just think if the tables were turned. Say you were promised to me instead and Mahad sought your love? Think of the consequences."

"Dear Ra," brought a hand over her mouth thinking of all that would happen. Set would never allow something like this to continue. He would serious injure, if not kill, every person that stood in his way. When he wanted something he always got it. No matter what it took, he did it and took what he wanted as his prize. "You would burn down half of Egypt to get what you want. That is senseless."

"That is passion. My passion for you, my passion to have you. If Mahad knew what I intend to do with you, what are the consequences?"

"He would not do much, Mahad could not hurt a beetle," she did not want to admit that. Mahad was a different kind of man. Mahad was more gifted when it came to magical talents, she could not think of anyone else to go to if she needed a spell or had questions about potions or her item. He was more of an academic than a romantic. Both the pharaoh and Set were right. Mahad needed someone, a maid perhaps, but Isis was capable of becoming much more than a housewife and governess. Her talents were recruited by the pharaoh himself and rivaled that of her fellow guardians. That was why she was of those chosen to protect the pharaoh and Egypt herself.

"You are being thrown at him. Of course he would protect you, any man with a right mind would, but he does not care for you. He does not know you like I do. He does not love you like I do, like I want to. Like I will," his hands rubbed her shoulders and then down to her hips.

"Set," Isis clamped her mouth shut after she said his name again. It was another plea, she knew she had only aroused him further. Isis was not sure if she wanted to tease him more or force him to go away. She wanted him, she needed him but her conscious was yelling at her in her head.

"Your morals might scream to you that this is wrong. But your heart speaks the truth. Tell me you do not love me and you will never again see me in this capacity."

Isis opened her mouth to speak, but no words came from it. She felt defeated. She really did care for Mahad. Though, she had admit to herself that the care she had for him was like that of a friend or brother. Set however, he could tell her anything and convince her to do it. He could make the most passionate, erotic, lawless thing seem moral and deserving.

"Say that you want me to leave."

Isis did not stir.

"Tell me you do not want me to hold you like this," he pulled her closer for a tight embrace. She could feel how through his garment how hard he had become.

She remained silent. She could not bring her mouth to speak. One more word from her and she knew Set would throw her upon her own bed, no concern for secrecy, tear off all of her nice ceremonial robes and force her to say all the words she was holding back.

"Tell me you do not want me to kiss you like this ."

"Set, I," he took her lips in a quick kiss that left her wanting more. But he knew that was all he needed to do to convince her.

Her eyes looked up to his and straight into his soul she gazed. Her eyes struck a chord within him and Set knew he could no longer deny himself this woman. He loved Isis, every fiber of his being and every part of his soul knew that he could not live without her. The Pharaoh had given her away to someone else, someone who did not deserve or want her. Set did not care about this injustice, nor the pharaoh's decrees. Even if it sent him to the dungeon or cost him his life, he had to be with her.

No one else had to understand him, if he had to fight the world to be with Isis he would. And so he decided in that moment, pressed against her that no matter what happened, he would protect, provide for and love this woman until his soul left the earth.

"Isis, I love you and I will have you. Irrespective to pharaoh's decree and your future husband. You belong to me," his hands traveled to her backside and firmly squeezed. He kissed her again, although much longer and deliberate this time.

Set lifted her up and forced her to straddle him as he walked over to her bed. He began kissing her again as he laid her softly on the material.

Isis pushed her fingers through his hair and caressed his neck. She leveraged herself against him to rub her breasts against his bare chest. Set took the hint and grabbed at the robe to pull it down and get better access. His hands found her nipples and stroked them gently. She purred in response and cuddled in his embrace.

Set slowly tugged at her clothes, dropping them to the floor. Isis looked up at his deep blue eyes and felt her heart leap. She tentatively allowed his hands to roam the flat of her stomach, caressing her every curve, reveling in the softness of her skin. He lowered his mouth to her breast, tracing the hardened nipple and being rewarded with a mew of pleasure. His member throbbed painfully at the sounds Isis made. He captured her lips in a demanding kiss, pouring his need and want into it. He ground his erection against her, alerting her to his heightened arousal.

Isis closed her eyes tight, enjoying the journey his fingers were taking. Set inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her excitement; it drove him further, past the point of stopping, past thinking. Human logic did not exist; he had no cares, only the primal need be deep inside her.

Set shoved his hips against hers to push her further up the bed and began planting soft, sloppy kisses from her ankles to the insides of her thighs. Each time he would come closer to where her legs met, he would hesitate and only hover for a moment to continue going further up her stomach.

Isis whined desperately in response. Every time he would skip over the part of her that needed him the most, she wished he would go back. Every time anticipation built up, her heart would begin to race and then his mouth found some other part of her body to be interested in.

Set smiled at the frustrated look on her face. He knew he would drive her crazy not giving her what she wanted. He wanted to hear her tell him what she wanted.

"What is it my love? What is it that you crave?" It took too much concentration to make his voice work. Actually, it took too much thought to do anything other than fuck her.

She mumbled a response that Set could not make out. He removed the rest of her clothes and all but ripped off her undergarments.

Fully exposed, Isis blushed wildly especially when he took his index finger and applied light pressure between her legs. Up and down he stroked, teasing her entrance. He could feel how wet she was already. His breath hitched in his throat when she started moaning and squirming under him.

Oh gods you're going to be the death of me, the thought scattered across his mind as his finger slowly entered her. His heart pounded through his chest and his manhood begged to be let free from his own ceremonial clothing.

Isis' small cries went along with the rhythm he had set with his hand. But they were working against him, testing his control. He could not take the torture anymore and threw off his clothes, freeing himself.

Isis lifted her hands and began to stroke him. Her thumbs spread pre-cum over the head of his phallus. A low growl came from the back of his throat.

"This," she pulled down on him slightly. "Is what I want. You," sex dripped from her lips and her eyes pleaded with him.

All he could do was silently comply.

He gently spread her legs, fighting with himself to go as slow as he possibly could. Set coaxed her to relax as he rubbed the tip of his shaft against her entrance.

"Hold onto me," he whispered softly to her. She did as he said not breaking eye contact from him. He shoved half of his length into her, watching her wince as her slick walls stretched to accommodate him. He tried not to move to allow her time to adjust. Feeling her slide against him would be the undoing of his slow, passionate love and rage into an uncontrollable frenzy. He was going to make love to her, not grind into her like a common concubine.

Suddenly, she moved of her own accord, experimenting with the new found pleasure she felt at his member moving inside her. She opened her legs wider and that was when Set rammed the rest of himself deeper into her.

Isis cried out at the unexpected sensation and unconsciously wrapped her legs tightly around Set's hips, locking him in.

He moved back and forth in her, quickening his pace as she lifted her hips to meet his demanding rhythm. Her moans turned to cries which escalated into screams. He groaned, pushing deeper into her, his strength to continue hanging on by a mere thread.

Just before Set thought he would be undone, he opened his eyes to witness a smug smile cross Isis' lips. She pushed against him, disconnecting them and took advantage of his sheer surprise to push him down on his back.

She jumped right on top on him, straddling his hips. Slowly and deliberately she looked into his bewildered eyes and took the head of his shaft into her mouth. He moaned in response, grabbing handfuls of the sheets. He was completely caught off guard by her actions and entirely engrossed in the sensation of her mouth sucking him off.

The noises she made in response vibrated against his manhood and sent his mind into a spin. Satisfied, Isis pulled her mouth away making sure that she looked him straight in his eyes as her head rose and his member popped out her mouth. His erection bounced slightly and throbbed to the point of pain.

He growled deep in his throat trying to keep his hands buried in the covers. Isis slid herself up to him and guided him to her entrance. Set desperately wanted to grab onto her hips and immerse himself inside of her again.

Isis braced herself by placing the palms of her hands onto his toned torso and began going up and down. Set's hands found their way to her pert rear to hold her in place as she rode him. The sound of flesh smacking against flesh became louder and louder in time with his thrusts and her shouts of absolute pleasure.

Isis felt a twisting pressure in her stomach, spreading from the inside out. Without warning, she succumbed to the weight pressing deep inside her, sending bright lights bursting behind her eyes.

Unable to withstand the waves of her orgasm, Set roared and soon followed his lover, releasing deep inside her.

They both tried to catch their breath, sweat pouring down their backs saturating the covers beneath them. Set turned onto his side and pulled Isis into an embrace.

She smiled content to be the little spoon. He grunted slightly, pulled her closer and slipped into a peaceful sleep.

Isis knew she belonged in his arms, it just felt right. She knew that moment Set was more than worth fighting for.

She loved him and come what may she would do what was necessary to keep what was hers. Set was hers. Hers to love with all her mind, body, and soul.

A pair of eyes looked on intently, witnessing the entire exchange between the High Priest and Priestess.

Mahad retreated into the shadows of the balcony he stood on. His face held no emotion and his actions were nondescript. He simply turned around to step off the platform and return to his home. His shadow creature, Illusion Magician, remained in silent watch taking in his master's private thoughts.

Seto Kaiba jolted awake, his eyes flashed open and his hands unraveled themselves from his sheets. He pushed himself up on his elbows and looked down at his semi-hard erection under the ruined sheets.

That was one hell of a dream. A really weird dream and Ishizu was in it and he was dressed in some awful garb. Ishizu grabbed and sucked his dick and fuck, did she ride him hard.

But those feelings for her felt real, traces of them knotted up his stomach and made his dick hard again.

Fuck, he needed to see her again.

His cellphone vibrated against his nightstand. He loathed picking it up, but touched the screen anyway. The phone let him know it was 4:31 am.

"This better be worth my time," he surly said.

"Kaiba? It's Yami, Joey and Téa are missing," his archrival informed him.

"What do I care?"

"Mokuba has been taken as well."

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Later in the Afternoon, Domino City

"Sister," Odion paused, his voice breaking in the process. "He's taken Kaiba's brother and two friends of the Pharaoh."

The silence between them spread like an infection.

"Are you sure Odion?" her voice was desperate. When Yūgi found out that his friends had been kidnapped, all the fingers would be pointed at her.

Kaiba, would all but kill her.

"There is no doubt sister, I saw when he brought them to the shipping yard. But there is more unsettling news," Odion looked around to make sure that no one was watching him or eavesdropping on his conversation. He continued, "He plans to put the Pharaoh against his best friend in a duel where both parties are rigged to drown. That is all I can say, someone is coming. What do you plan to do?"

Ishizu dropped down onto her couch and put a shaking hand over her head. It took her a minute to process all the information. She cringed at the thought of going through with the very plan that had teased her mind since learning of Marik's choice to usurp the Pharaoh. But now, the situation with her brother soared from mild trouble to fatal danger, putting everything in jeopardy.

Normally rational and calm, Ishizu saw no other way out of this situation. She toyed with her idea and quickly, but expertly, made her decision.

She took the phone from her ear and pressed the end-call button. This blood shall not be on Odion's hands.

Odion heard the dial tone from the other end of the line and harshly hung up the pay phone. He knew that his sister would do what was necessary and the fact that she hung up the phone meant that she was ashamed of the decision she came to. He looked down at his shaking hands and hid them in his pockets. He did not know how much longer he could stand to do the things forced upon him. Odion hoped that no one else would be harmed. However, he knew that things had yet taken a turn for the worse.

Tears streamed down Ishizu's face as she went to her bedroom and pulled out the top drawer of her dresser. She did not know what force was driving her, or why she dared not stop.

I tried my best to bring my brother back home. I remember him as the little babe our mother left behind. The brilliant child that loved playing in the sun.

She removed the hand towels that were on top one by one.

No one was supposed to get hurt. No one is supposed to die. We were supposed to fulfill our duties as tombkeepers, not bring a world to its knees.

She lifted a small cardboard box from the bottom of the drawer and placed it on her bed.

I promised to protect the Pharaoh and bring him back to where he belongs. I promised to protect my brother.

Sitting down beside the box on the bed, Ishizu lifted the corner of it and continued to wipe her wet face with the sleeve of her dress.

This has gone past the extreme, Marik. You are no longer my blood.

The sunlight leaking in from the windows of her room reflected off the metal inside the box. She reached her hand inside and gripped the object in her palm. Its weight sat heavy in her hand. The box jingled when she shook it. Two tiny, cylindrical, metal items tossed about.

Your efforts must be ceased. I am the single, remaining partition between you and oblivion.

Ishizu grabbed her messenger bag and slipped the Python .357 Magnum in the largest, most accessible pocket. She then took the two bullets in her hand. She contemplated whether she should load the little derringer before she reached the shipping docks. She went back and forth in her head about safety and being able to take action when needed.

Then her mind switched back to a time where everything seemed easier. She remembered when Marik was only five years old. He would leave his bedchamber that was adjacent to their father's and sneak into bed with her. He would always ask her to tell him a story. She would wrap her arms around him, pull him closer under the cover, and ruffle his hair. He would always smile and stick his thumb in his mouth in anticipation. Most of the time Marik would fall asleep before Ishizu even finished the story. But what mattered most was that he slept peacefully in the dark sepulcher they called home and wake up bright-eyed and confident to start the same day over and over again.

Ishizu always ended up telling him the story "Land of Lies" by his request, the irony made her chuckle uneasily. She guessed that in the end he got a kick out of it too.

I need to be ready when the time is right.

She loaded the gun and headed out the door. Kaiba's question rang in her head.

Ishizu Ishtar who are you?

She pondered the answer to that question as she began her journey walking to Domino Pier.

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Domino Pier Docks, Shipping Yard #4

Reaching the docks was simple enough. After piggybacking inside the entrance, Ishizu walked towards the shipping containers that Odion had explained to her earlier. She kept her mind on finding the pharaoh's friends and Kaiba's younger brother. They were here friends too and she was not going to let her deranged brother ruin their lives.

She noticed a dark figure ahead of her dressed in a purple cloak. Every step she took to get closer, he would take a step in the same direction. She hoped that he was just another person working at the docks and not actually following her.

Ishizu zig-zagged through some shipping containers to lose the creeper.

Finally, she saw the dockhouse that Odion had described. She did not know the layout of the building, but if she just followed her intuition, she felt confident that she could find her brother.

Ishizu walked briskly towards the building. The creeper appeared suddenly from behind another shipping container and startled her. He continued to take long, calculated steps towards her until he completely blocked her way. His hands went digging in his pockets.

"You look just like our boss. You must be his sister," he paused. "Ah, there it is," he said with a crazy grin. His right hand revealed a skinny, silver, elongated object.

Ishizu refrained from saying a word and instead offered a quick prayer that she would not be harmed.

Her mind raced to think of what to do next, she began retreating. She hoped that this man was not evil and could be dealt with using diplomacy.

The creeper spoke up once more. "Your brother told us not to…," he flipped open the switchblade he held in his hand. The swoosh of the metal made Ishizu's heart jump out of her chest. "Harm you."

She slowly backed down the alleyway of containers, putting one foot behind the other. Her hand slipped inside her messenger bag and grasped the gun inside.

But before she could pull the gun out of the bag, the man forced her against the wall, pressing all of his body weight against hers. Ishizu could smell the man's breath and some of his hair fell from his hood into her face.

He lifted the blade dangerously close to the side of her cheek. He applied just the right amount of pressure to leave an indention but not break her skin.

The light dimmed in the alleyway and the temperature suddenly dropped. There was a change of atmosphere and the presence of another being appeared not too far away. Ishizu did not realize that she was breathing so hard or that her heart was beating so fast until she saw the cloud of hot air in front of her face and felt goose bumps on her skin.

The man in front of her lost the color in his eyes and could not quite keep his head up. The symbol of the millennium eye radiated on his forehead and his jaw hung ajar.

"Ishizu, it is lovely that you have brought yourself here of your own accord. For a moment I thought I was going to have to come after you," the words came from the man's mouth mindlessly. His voice overshadowed by another's.

One that Ishizu recognized.

"Marik," Ishizu said solemnly, her eyes began to water a little. She was witnessing firsthand the extent to which her brother defied their traditions and sacred laws. Controlling another being's mind was considered indecent and inhuman. It was one step away from taking a person's freewill.

"Why are you hurting me like this? We were raised better than this," her voice wavered. She continued to struggle against the weight of the man who pinned her to the wall.

"We were barely raised with more luxuries than an asp, sister. Don't tell me that you've already forgotten what father did to all of us. What he did to you. How could I possibly hurt you more than he already has?"

Ishizu closed her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to fall down her face. No matter what Marik did, he was always going to be her little brother, crawling and babbling, drawing on his slate, snuggling with her listening to bedtime stories.

"Why would I hurt you sister? You, of all people."

The man held his arms out like a puppet to stroke Ishizu's face, all according to Marik's will. He even smiled.

"Why would I not provide you with immunity to all of this? I need you," Marik said through the man gently. "You my dear sister are the only one who can see the future . It is your innate ability. It has been ever since our family was assigned to wait for the Pharaoh's return. Sure, your necklace has some power. But without you to work it, how would I be able to see and therefore reach the future I want?"

"You're using me to plan your coup," she spat.

"It's the only thing keeping you alive," Marik's voice became darker.

"You are not my brother, you are the evil spirit that has been feeding on his soul. I thought Odion and I repressed you a long time ago."

"What did you think Marik was doing? Taking a fucking vacation? Of course it was me the whole time. Do you think he could have done this on his own?"

Ishizu squeezed the trigger of her gun. It was between her and the creeper, aimed at his hips. In an explosion of blood and flesh, the creeper fell to the ground groaning. The sound of the gunshot was loud, but Ishizu knew exactly where she had to go. Her brother was beyond help, at the moment she had to go find Kaiba's brother and the pharaoh's friends.

Two thugs were guarding a shipping container that Ishizu guessed housed the hostages. She aimed her gun up in the air and fired her other shot. Immediately the thugs ran towards her direction. She ran around to get behind them and tossed the derringer back in her bag.

She banged as hard as she could on the door and called out Mokuba's name.

Ishizu heard his muffled voice inside and tried to open the door. It was locked. She climbed some boxes to look into the window and opened it.

"Mokuba!"

"Ishizu," the younger Kaiba said quietly. "They will be back soon. We have to get outta here!"

"See if you can stack those crates, I'll pull you through the window!"

"What about Téa? And they have taken Joey somewhere else, I don't know what's going on."

"We will get everyone out. Just hurry!"

Mokuba managed to climb high enough towards the window that Ishizu could pull him up. "Téa, please hurry, Mokuba and I will help you get out!"

But as Téa began climbing the boxes they heard the shouts of more thugs.

"Oi, they're getting away!" One of the thugs cried out as he pulled a gun from his cloak. He shot his gun so close to the building that all three of them heard the bullets ricochet off of the metal.

"Just go! Get Mokuba somewhere safe, Joey and I can handle ourselves!" Téa yelled out.

"No!" Ishizu and Mokuba reached out for the girl, but she just slid back down the boxes.

"I'll be fine you guys, just get out of here!"

"Come on Mokuba, we need to leave now!" Ishizu stealthily led him around the building and towards the exit of the shipping yard. A cloaked figure appeared and began running after them. "Mokuba run! Run and go find your brother!"

He took off running faster than he thought his legs could carry him. Ishizu slowed down just enough for the cloaked man to catch her and distract attention from Mokuba.

"Come here you little bitch. I don't care what your brother says, you shot my buddy and you're going to pay," he grabbed her shoulders and dragged her back towards the center of the docks.

But before they got farther Ishizu stuck her foot out and tripped the man on his face. She took his gun from his hands and pointed at his nose.

"Do not come closer to me or I swear to Ra Almighty I will blow your face apart!" she shouted at him. He just laid on the concrete and stared at her. His death glare let Ishizu know that this would not be the last time she would see him.

Slowly she backed up until she felt she was a safe distance away to turn her back and run.

And so she did.

Oh mighty Ra, what just happened?! Ishizu raced inside her house and threw water on her face. It was then she realized she was still holding the gun she took from one of the thugs at the docks. She was hyperventilating and sweating profusely. I pray that Mokuba is okay, he's smart, I know he found help. Ishizu was too scared to move anymore, she did not want to leave the kitchen, she did not want to leave her house. What was she going to do? She knew she would have to go back for the pharaoh's friends but she could not bring herself to lift a toe. Shaking and unsteady, Ishizu reached up to take her necklace off and somehow make her way into the bathtub. Even if she fell asleep in it, the bathtub felt safer than outside.

However, when her fingertips touched the surface the necklace, she felt the familiar pull in her chest when she was being shown a vision. Her body and emotions were swirling, and all the adrenaline that keep her running to her apartment made her dry heave until she watched her surroundings change and the vision fully unravel.

Ishizu felt too sick to open her eyes and see what her necklace was trying to show her. She felt too uneasy and tired and disoriented to even deal with keeping herself conscious. But slowly, she opened one eye and then the other.

The vision was one of the future ; that much she could make out. But she was so exhausted and fatigued that none of the words made sense. She did not understand what was happening, she did not recognize anyone or hear their voices. Ishizu fought the inevitable, but after a few moments she fell into unconsciousness.

Kaiba knocked on the door for the fifth time, almost banging down the aluminum barrier. "Ishizu! I know you are in there! Open the fucking door!"

She jerked awake on the kitchen floor and managed to climb back to her feet. She shakily made her way over to the front door. Her head was swimming and pounding. Her vision was blotchy. That sounded familiar, that voice, that angry, demanding voice, she knew it. Kaiba! It was Kaiba's voice. She ambled towards that sound.

Ishizu checked the keyhole to see that it was indeed Kaiba. Her breathing became even quicker when she saw him run down the hallway, pause to turn around and then began to run as fast as he could towards her door.

She retreated as quickly as her jelly legs would let her to the kitchen just in time to hear the door cave in and crash against the floor.

"Ishizu!"

She dropped to the floor, bringing her knees up to her head and covered herself with her arms. She wished so much that she would just disappear into the vinyl flooring. She did not want Kaiba to find her; she did not want to face him or anyone else for that fact. Ishizu just wanted to be left in peace to recuperate and gain her strength. More importantly, to contemplate her next move.

Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt the vibration from Kaiba's footsteps hit the kitchen floor. The sun had just set and the apartment was now dark with hints of light coming from the street.

Ishizu felt Kaiba wrench her from the floor and push her over to the couch.

"Ishizu! Where the fuck is my brother?"

She kept silent, not looking at the flustered and frantic brunette. They both turned around when they heard a sound where the front door used to stand.

"Ishizu?!" It was Yami's voice. He also sounded angry and confused.

Kaiba turned back to Ishizu and shook her shoulders to make her answer him. "Where is Mokuba, Ishizu? You and that brother of yours are assholes for kidnapping him. I want him back, or so help me I'll have all of you convicted and incarcerated or deported!"

"Ishizu, Kaiba's right. We need to know where your brother has taken everyone. Joey and Téa are missing. Kaiba wants his brother back. You both are playing a very dangerous game. People are getting hurt for the sake of some Ra-damn cards!" Yami said, losing his temper quicker than he anticipated.

"I am sorry to the both of you. But this goes deeper than duel monsters, you think you know the costs that are being gambled here, but you could not possibly grasp the whole scheme of things. I do not know where Mokuba and the others are," she did not want Yami, or worse Kaiba going to the shipping yard. Ra only knows what would happen. Certainly someone would lose their life. "Just go. You have no idea what I've been through in the last few hours," Ishizu was surprised at how calm her voice had become after that day's events. "Leave me alone," she simply said and waved them away.

"Woman, look," Kaiba's eyes were alight with the fire of an unquenchable anger. "I want my brother back. I don't care what happened to you. Mokuba is being held captive somewhere, and here you are telling me we should consider what you've been through." Ishizu's cool demeanor frightened both duelists a little. Certainly, in a situation like this, no one would be able to keep from yelling. But that was how Kaiba always knew her to be, calm and collected through everything. Despite the way she looked, she took all of this in stride. Kaiba still wanted to wring her neck dry for not helping him find his brother.

She looked away for a moment, bracing herself for what was going to happen next. She slowly raised her arm.

Yami tapped on Kaiba's shoulder in warning. Kaiba shrugged it away.

Ishizu held the pistol straight with Kaiba's line of sight and breathed heavily. "I've asked both of you to kindly leave, I do not wish for this to elevate further, but I will protect myself if necessary. It was not my wish for anyone to get hurt. If you promise to leave the moment I tell you, you'll know where your friends are being held."

"Ishizu," Yami said holding his hands up in the air, the universal symbol for 'Please don't shoot me'. "Put the gun down, or else you are going to hurt someone. I don't want anyone else going missing or being carted off to the hospital."

"What about my brother?!" Kaiba still yelled, unaffected by the gun. She was not going to shoot him. That, Kaiba felt confident about. But the look in her eye told him not to push his luck.

"I do not know where he is Kaiba. I helped him fight off one of the guards and he ran away. I believe that he escaped."

"Big brother!" Mokuba said from the front entrance of the Ishtar's apartment.

"Mokie!" Kaiba jumped to his feet and rushed to where the front door used to be.

Mokuba cried and reached for his brother who took him in a tight embrace. Kaiba tried to comfort him as single tears began to drop from his eyes. "I thought I had lost you again Mokie," Kaiba said being a troubled and deeply concerned brother.

Ishizu slowly climbed onto her feet and stumbled over to the door still tightly clutching the gun in her hands. The Pharaoh followed her, just as dazed and confused.

Kaiba sat in the corner holding Mokuba in his lap, hugging him. He looked like a parent who had just found their missing child. The strain of the whole ordeal was quite visible on Kaiba's face. His eyes were a little red and his face looked tired.

Mokuba continued to cry and shake from running so hard from the pier.

"Thank the gods he is alright Kaiba," Yami said, a tinge of bitterness in his voice. He had to find his friends next.

There was a crash outside the apartment that made all three of them jump. Shouting and stomping made Kaiba shove Mokuba deeper into the apartment. But before he could get to his feet, a man Ishizu recognized as the remaining lackey from the docks, busted through the opening and aimed a pistol at Kaiba's head.

A gunshot rang in the air.

The thug slumped to the floor, the gun falling out of his hands. Blood started to pool around his head.

No one moved for what seemed like an eternity.

"FUCK," Kaiba yelled. Yami shuddered.

Kaiba stepped cautiously over to Ishizu and pried the gun from her hands. Reluctantly she let go and started crying. Kaiba stood completely still, hesitating and surprised at his urge to console her.

Yami opened his arms as he walked towards her and looked at Kaiba as if to say 'Here, I've got it, you couldn't soothe a baby to save your life'. He embraced Ishizu as she cried harder and started to tell him about what happened to her at the docks.

Yami took her over to the couch and held her as they talked.

Kaiba felt a strange sensation, something like jealousy. He felt as though he should be the one trying to comfort her. But he pushed it off on all the emotions they went through that day. Kidnapping, guns, and other stuff that stimulates your brain into overdrive.

Instead, he settled for listening to Ishizu tell her story while holding Mokuba. After all, it gave him more fuel for fury. He had more than enough excuses to kill every single one of those cloaked motherfuckers. That was when Mokuba spoke up.

"Ishizu helped me get away Seto. Don't be mad at her, she's the one that saved me. They were going to shoot me!"

Ishizu motioned for Mokuba to come close to her. He took a few steps and she whispered something in his ear. His fear seemed to melt away and he stopped shaking, although his face showed his confusion at Ishizu's words. 'Trust me' she mouthed to him. 'The day will come'.

"I don't understand anything anymore!" Mokuba cried out.

"Shh, it's okay, don't think about it anymore Mokie, I'll take you home myself and then I will see to them. Personally," he said through gritted teeth.

"Before you do that Kaiba, you have to listen to what Ishizu has to say. This is not good."

So, that turned out to be longer than I expected…I'm glad that I've finally finished this chapter. It took me a while to even get up the nerves to write it. Thanks to my best friend in the world Tiffd618, who helped me persevere. I am very grateful for all of you that review and give me really good feedback, it encourages me to write more.

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