He took another drink for courage. But not too much; he didn't want to throw off his aim. He dressed carefully, forsaking his usual colors for a simple, innocuous pair of jeans and a worn sweatshirt. As he did so, he looked around.

The room seemed barer than it had a year before. Much of the decorations had been stripped away months ago to help maintain his failing company. As Kaiba's company bloomed, he shoved all others beneath his feet.

Red-hot anger flooded the man's veins. He picked up a chair and flung it against the wall.

"You haf ruined me!" he shouted. "You haf ruined me!"

The crash restored him to his senses. Very slowly, he knelt down and picked up the chair, setting it upright. He brushed a strand of hair behind his ear and turned to the desk, where the gun lay innocently, looking far too delicate for the task at hand.

"But it vill serve," he muttered. "For you see, even the brightest flowers vither."


Kaiba sat calmly in his chair, watching as Seth carefully measured a pinch of foul-smelling herbs into one of the Mutou's mixing bowls. At least, outwardly he was calm. Inside, his head was spinning. A thrill of excitement shot through him, but he shoved it down. There isn't anything to this magic crap, he tried to tell himself. And was horrified to find, that despite himself, he could no longer make himself believe it.

Seth looked up and smiled slightly, as though he could hear Seto's thoughts. But he couldn't…could he? Seto scowled and checked his mental shields. They were strong, with no gaps or chinks, but that smirk…

"What are you looking at?" he snapped.

"You," Seth replied matter-of-factly, still smiling. "Did you want to ask me something?"

"No," Seto said gruffly. He hardened his face into a familiar scowl. "Hurry up. I'm not going to sit here forever."

Seth shrugged. "As you will." He reached for another packet, this one filled with snakes' eyes. He shook a few into his palm and eyed them critically.

"Not as fresh as I'd like," he muttered. He dropped them into the bowl nevertheless.

Seto smirked, unaware that he exactly echoed Seth's expression. "We don't exactly have stores of magic components here, priest. Nor snakes for that matter."

"I wish I were in Egypt," Seth grumbled.

Seto's smile widened. It was not a nice smile. It was the smile of a man who thoroughly enjoyed prodding other people's nerves with hot pokers. And not always metaphorically.

"No one's stopping you."

Seth turned and flipped his double off. Seto was left staring at him in shock as the priest picked up the bowl again.

"Where did you learn that?" he stammered after a moment, just as startled as he would have been if Yugi had suddenly dropped an f-bomb.

"One of the few useful things I was able to glean from that thick head of yours," Seth answered. "I can't imagine why you don't use it more often; it's strangely satisfying."

Seto had recovered from the initial shock. "It's the sort of thing a little kid does, that's why. Even Wheeler doesn't flip people off."

"As far as you know," Seth said.

Seto continued on without interruption. "But I guess you're used to being undignified, what with bowing and scraping to an imaginary Pharaoh all day."

Seth's insides boiled, but he forced his anger down to a manageable level. "Because spending millions of dollars on trading cards and having a fit when you lose is such a mature occupation."

Seto's eyes narrowed dangerously, but Seth had already turned his back to his double, breathing deeply in an attempt to bring himself back under control. What is it about this man that brings out the worst in me? Roughly, he pushed these thoughts aside. Later, he told himself firmly. And stop acting like a petulant child.

Seto watched, eyes narrowed, as the priest held the Millennium Rod over the bowl and muttered a few words. The contents of the bowl began to glow and spark. A powerful smelling incense rose from the bowl, which Seth captured with an inverted glass jar. He capped it and then laid it on the table, where it continued to throb with magical energy. Seto edged away from it.

"I can do no more without the Pharaoh's presence," Seth said, rinsing his hands in the kitchen sink. He glanced out the window. "I hope he will soon return."

"School doesn't get out until 3:00," Seto said. Despite his best efforts, his hand was inching of its own accord towards the glass jar. The incense inside pressed against the side as though eager to reach him. He felt a strange feeling of excitement. With a sudden jerk, he dragged his hand back.

Seth was watching him with barely concealed amusement. Is it my excitement he feels, or his own? He dried his hands on a dishtowel and regarded his double.

"Why are you not in school?"

"Because I have better things to do than sit around and listen to some old fool gabble on about long-dead civilizations."

Seth could hardly miss the barely-concealed snub. When he spoke, his voice was icy. "Then don't let me keep you."

Seto stood. "Thank you for the amusement," he said, injecting as much disdain as possible into the word. "Call me and let me know how it turns out."

Seth's eyes narrowed. "And thank you for the pleasureof your company, Seto. Joey couldn't be here today, so I'm glad I had someone to talk to."

You could have roasted marshmallows on Seto's glare, provided you didn't leave them on too long. With a final glance of icy disdain, he stalked out in a swirl of white trench- coat, the picture of offended dignity. The effect was rather ruined by the single finger that emerged over his shoulder as he left.

And undignified or not, it was strangely satisfying.


'Do you think we can trust him?'

The Pharaoh paused, considering. 'I don't know, aibou. Despite myself, I want to trust him. His arguments about good and evil… I have often wondered about my true nature.'

Yugi nodded. 'I want to trust him too.' He sighed. 'Life didn't used to be this difficult.'

The Pharaoh smiled, but it was a sad smile. 'Before me, you mean.'

'I wouldn't give you up for anything, Yami. You know that. I think we should trust Seth, at least to perform the spell. This might be your best opportunity to restore your memories and uncover your name.'

'I shall think on it. As always, I value your advice.'

Yugi nodded, then was abruptly called back to the real world as a ruler slapped his desk inches from his fingers. He yelped in surprise and nearly fell out of his seat. A ripple of laughter spread throughout the room.

"Mr. Mutou, pay attention! I will not have anyone daydreaming in my class."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Yugi said respectfully. "I'll pay better attention from now on."

The teacher humphed. "See that you do." She turned back to the board and Joey Wheeler leaned across the aisle.

"Talking to the Pharaoh, Yug?"

"Yeah," Yugi said, flushing. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to those who know ya," Joey said with a laugh. "You look like you're listening to a voice instead your head."

"Thanks a lot," Yugi whispered.

"Ah, no sweat," Joey said. "We know how much he means to ya." He leaned back in his seat. "So what were you and the Pharaoh talking about?"

"Seth," Yugi whispered. Joey hadn't bothered to lower his voice, and Yugi knew that any second, the teacher would turn around.

Joey's face darkened. "Did he explain just how come he took ya to the Shadow Realm?"

Yugi nodded slowly. "He did…and I want to believe him."

Joey shook his head sagely. "I wouldn't. Let's face it Yug, he's just like Kai…"

A resounding THWACK echoed throughout the classroom. The teacher, approaching unnoticed, had brought the ruler down directly on Joey's head. Joey yelped and rubbed it, glaring at the teacher reproachfully.

"Since you and Mr. Mutou are having such a deeply important conversation instead of learning the material, Mr. Wheeler," she said with sickly sweetness that belied the force of the blow. "You won't mind staying after school and learning it then."

"Aw, teach!" Joey whined, but Yugi was silent.

'I guess we'll have a little while longer to think about it after all, Pharaoh,' he whispered.

The Pharaoh only sighed.


As a result of their detention, it was nearly 4:00 by the time that Yugi trudged home. Joey had disappeared immediately, but Yugi had taken a little longer to gather his books and backpack. It was getting colder, and Yugi clasped his arms around himself tightly as he walked. The Millennium Puzzle glowed slightly, warming him from within.

"Hey Yugi!"

He turned to see Tea, Tristan, and Joey running to catch up with him.

"Hi guys," he said, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

"We thought we'd come home with you," Tristan said. "Just in case Seth, you know, tries anything."

Tea and Joey nodded. Despite himself, Yugi was touched.

"You guys don't have to worry about me," he said with a laugh. "I've got the Pharaoh to protect me." He gestured towards the Millennium Puzzle.

"Just in case," Tea said firmly.

Joey grinned. "After all, what are friends for?"

Yugi smiled back, and it felt as though a weight had lifted off his shoulders. "Thanks guys."

Ten minutes later, they reached the game shop. As they approached, Yugi spotted Seth looking out the window, eyes narrowed in concern. The priest smiled, relieved, and his face disappeared. Taking a deep breath, Yugi reached for the doorknob.

"Well, here we go." The Millennium Puzzle glowed in support.

They found Seth in the kitchen, surrounded by stacks of herbs and other paraphernalia. The priest was dressed in clean white robes, and the Millennium Rod was clenched tightly in one hand. He hastened forward and bowed.

"Pharaoh, I was beginning to get worried about you." He straightened, ignoring Yugi's stammered excuses. His dark blue eyes bored into Yugi's own.

"I am ready to cast the spell."