Seeing the past, living the future

by Yuna Yami Mouto

It all started when the Mouto twins moved in with their grandpa in Domino City. Seto was living in hell until the "Demon child" came into his life and changed it for the better. They did not know one another, but a girl who was brave enough to stand up to him and his stepfather was enough to catch his interest. But there's something wrong with the girl, but what? Female Yami

17. Chapter 17 Might be the last time

Seto's POV

I feel like a hole has just been placed in my heart. I must have heard wrong! I must have! There's no way that Yuna, my precious rival and secret maybe-more-than-a-crush, who has been away for a YEAR, just said that she's going to leave in a month ... before my 10th birthday. I have been hoping that ... I could celebrate it with her this year. I guess that wishes really don't come true.

Even though I didn't want to, I move out of the hug that usually felt so right. But now I feel like I should get as far as I can from it. The sad, almost broken look on Yuna's face is definitely going to haunt me for the rest of my life, but now all I want to do is leave. How could she be like this?

"Seto?"Asked Yuna, almost like she was afraid of what I might say. I just turned around and briskly walk away from her in search for my little brother. I hear her coming after me after she got over the shock, and I speed up. I have soon reached the room where Cecillia was and everyone stared at me when I entered the room. I simply told Mokuba that we're leaving and bid them farewell. Just then Yuna finally got there and was about to say something, but I just took Mokuba's hand and left. I heard her yell my name one more time, but then the elevator doors closed. In my mind, the little 'Ding!' had a certain finality to it and it made me feel sick. I know that after this limited time that she is staying here, I'll never see her again. Yuna Yami Mouto will forever be out of my life and I can't do anything to change it! Outside, Roland and Fugata are waiting for us and open the door to the limo. They are obviously surprised to see it's only me and Mokuba. But they don't ask any questions, which I am very grateful for. Mokuba, though, won't allow the matter drop.

"Why did you just ignore her like that? She looked really hurt!" Mokuba kept insisting, trying to convince me to go back and apologise.

"I doubt that she would be hurt. And if you knew what she just told me, you would understand." I don't want to have this conversation right now. Not while it's still fresh in my mind and memory. I just want to pretend that this is a dream, no a NIGHTMARE, and wake up to just go to school or whatever and see Yuna, who is NOT going to leave before my birthday. I wish it was so.

"She IS hurt. And I want to understand! Tell me what she said that upset you like this! Please Seto!" I sometimes forget that my brother, just like me, took after our mother when it comes to being persistent and stubborn. I sigh, knowing that I have to tell him.

"She is going to leave in a month." Silence. I knew that it will take a moment for it to sink in, and as soon as it did, Mokuba lowered his little head and said :"Oh" I couldn't stand it, so I wrapped him up in my arms and hugged him like there's no tomorrow. He sniffed a bit, but didn't cry. We stayed like this until we reached the mansion. I was about to move when I noticed that Mokuba fell asleep. I somehow managed a small smile and gently picked him up and took him up to his room. The staff knew not to ask if I wanted them to take Mokuba from my arms and take him up there instead. They know since the first, and last, time someone tried it I almost bit their head of, figuratively speaking. As I tuck him in, my mind wonders to the day when Yuna saved Mokuba from a bullet. I have never been so scared in my life. I truly thought that I will never see my brother again and that would have brought me to the brink of insanity.

As I enter my home office, I thought about what happened. I know that I can't drown myself in KC work just so I don't think about it, so I'll solve this problem before I start working. Yuna has just came back after a year of being out of the country, and now she wants to leave again. I know for sure that she is not performing another surgery. I know that there is no tournament going on. I know that she isn't on some research project in the fields of archeology or history. I know that she's not visiting a relative or friend. If it was something like that she would have left the second the surgery ended. And if it was something as simple and small as a concert, she would have said that that's what she's leaving for. Maybe it's the anniversary of her parents death? Or something? I don't know! I am not sure what to think anymore! I sigh, turning to look out of the windows in my office. I look at the same sky that has both taken and returned my crush, and I know that it will take her away from me again. But, why would she want to leave? Surely she can do here whatever it is that she wants to do. I sigh again, recognising that this was not working and that today will be a long day. And don't even get me on tonight!

I ended up actually managing to get some work done, but I am still plugged by what Yuna told me today. I have realised that there is probably a good reason for Yuna to leave again, and so soon after she just got back. But, just because I understand that there is something deeper to this fact doesn't mean that it still doesn't hurts. I sigh for at the very least a thousandth time today, and got up to head to bed.

That night I had a dream. It was an unusual dream. I dreamt of Yuna and me, standing across from one another, wearing a contraption very similar to my prototype duel disks. We looked older, maybe two years older, maybe more. But there suddenly was a purple shadowy mist that descended from nowhere. It took hold of Yuna and started dragging her deeper into it's misty core. And all I could do was try and run to her, but before I made it to her, the mist swallowed her whole. I stared in shock and after a while, a piece of her Millennium Puzzle was thrown out. It was the centre piece, the one with the eye. I woke up dizzily to the sound of my alarm clock. That is weird. Usually I wake up before it goes on, but there are times like this. But what was that dream about? What does it mean? Usually I could ask Yuna to tell me, but yesterday I have decided to accept that she was never really my friend and avoid her until she leaves. I know that it's stupid and that it will hurt the both of us, but I just can't bear the thought of going for a whole new year without her. At least not until I know and understand her reason.

As I step out of my limo, I see Yuna standing in the regular place by the school gate, waiting for me with the usual lunch bento. This is the first time in a year that I was supposed to get the 'food from heaven' as Mokuba likes to describe it as. But, no matter how much I want to take it and return to the old routine, I know that I can't. It will only be painful to go through what I went through 12 months ago, all over again. So I just pretend that she is not standing there and walked straight to the school building, ignoring the shocked stares and the look of shocked, sad pain comic from my only worthy rival. I continued to ignore Yuna all throughout the week, avoiding all possible conversation and getting annoyed with many teachers, especially John, Samantha, Taro and coach Wolsingham , who tried to make me talk to her. The news about her leaving again have got out on the second day, but it seems that I'm now the only one that doesn't know why Yuna is leaving this time. It hurts me. That I, Yuna's closest friend from Japan, am the only person in this entire school who doesn't know something this important for her. In the meantime, Mahad has threatened me that he will kill me for how I'm treating Yuna. But what still amazed me was that Yuna continued to wait for me in her usual place with a prepared bento, even in the rain, yet she never forced the food or a conversation on me. It's becoming harder and harder to just ignore her, because I swear I have seen tears flowing from her eyes on that day when it rained.

Today is Monday of the second week from when Yuna told me that she is leaving. I have heard that an archaeologist was coming to our history class. He is supposedly specialised in Alexander the Great and that is quite convenient as we just started learning about him. I simply sit in the back of the class, ignoring everyone else, but I have noticed that Yuna isn't present while Yugi is here. He looks relaxed, so I guess that she is probably alright. Still it hurt that she finally gave up on me, seeing as I haven't seen her in her usual spot this morning. I sigh, knowing that this should be what I wanted, but also knowing that I missed her immensely. After all, I have not seen her for a year and now I'm avoiding her. As if summoned by my thoughts, Yuna ran into the classroom, looking out of breath and unusually tiered, yrt still clenching the Blue bento box she always gave me my lunch in and for some reason it made me immensely happy to know that she isn't going to give up on me so easily, yet something is wrong. Yugi and I both frown at that but she just looked around the room and when she caught sight of me, her eyes filled with sadness that will haunt what little sleep I get these days. The same nightmare keeps recurring every night and it's driving me nuts! And the worst thing is that every time the distance between me and Yuna increased and I really can't get to her in time. It's like every day I spend without talking to her, the further I am from my goal in my dream at night. I have told this only to Akiko and she told me that it's probably BECAUSE I keep distancing myself from my best friend and crush.

Yuna sits down and after a minute, Ms. Samantha Samane walks into the classroom with a tall, blond man. He is quite handsome, with his curly, short, blond hair slightly falling into his light blue eyes, which are the colour of the morning sky unlike mine that resemble the dark night sky or the deepest ocean. He is wearing an ordinary shirt of some sandy colour, over which there was a almost black, long coat, and pants of the same colour as the shirt. Around his neck is a strange pendant that looks like a five edged jewelle in a beautiful amethysts colour that changes into a nice, darker pink in the light.

"Class, this is Dr. Alex Brisbane and he is here today to tell us something about Alexander the Great. Please welcome him with an applause!" She said and the entire class did so except for me and the Mouto twins. They have been talking to one another and the second they heard the name their heads shot up. When they saw him they did something I never thought I'd see Yuna do.

"Alex!" They yelled together and jumped out of their seats and ran out to hug him. He looks surprised for a moment and then laughs and hugs them both. We all stare in confusion, not knowing what to make of the scene in front of us. I am making a stupid and obvious guess that they know each other from somewhere already. Someone actually voiced my thoughts and Dr. Brisbane confirmed it with :"I have worked with their grandfather for a while on a great discovery but he was called by his daughter and found out that she is getting married about fifteen years ago, after which we didn't have a chance to meet again. He was my mentor back then and I always respected him. On one of my individual trips to Egypt I unexpectedly met him again and that's when I met these two. I was researching Alexander the Great and was at the brink of the greatest discovery but something was standing in my way. This was the reason why I went to Egypt that Alexander loved so much. I was struggling and when I saw my old mentor I thought that all my problems were solved. I have told him what was stopping me and we tried for days to figure it out. We finally got permission to use the knowledge of the Great Library of Alexanderia and I was greeted with a strange sight. In the middle of a crowd of people bustling about something, SOMEONE to be exact, was a child of what, four, five years. I have heard that Solomon's granddaughter was incredibly intelligent and was gifted with history and archeology, but I never expected her to be THAT good! Everyone was looking in fascination as she told them about this and that, and I could see that she had everyone's attention and respect. They even asked her questions and for help with their research and she helped many of them. I saw her parents to the side, looking at her with pride and little Yugi all but ran to hug her. In the meantime, Solomon asked his daughter why they were here, while I watched the kids. Yuna suddenly came to me and pulled me through the Library and I heard my friends shouting to stop. She did eventually and started looking through the shelves. I also looked around and was shocked to see that this was a part of the Library I have never seen. There were scrolls and scripts everywhere that seemed to be about Alexander the Great and the Ptolomeys and it looked like almost no one was here for centuries! I was scared to death when she explained that it was a secret room that only Alexander and the Ptolomeys knew of and that it also leads to Alexanders grave, mostly because I wasn't paying attention to her and forgot that she was even there. I couldn't believe how much she knew, and, of course, out of curiosity I started looking around but I was almost crushed by a bolder that was set there as a trap, something I also missed in my observations while she was warning me about them. That was the first time I was scolded by a kid, meaning that, yes, I was scolded by her more than once. But she found what I needed and I was able to find this, " he held up the pendant he was wearing" so it was worth it! I even found out that I am the direct descendent of Alexander the Great! I didn't believe it at first, but the resemblance was unbelievable but real! And then a family friend of her father's whose family has been keeping a list of all dynasties for over five thousand years showed me that my family line started with Alexander and his second wife! I am very honoured by this fact, ESPECIALLY seeing as Yuna here was able to provide us all with proof! Isn't she amazing! Uuhhh! I am supposed to hold a lecture here, but I believe everyone would like it more if you do it! Is that ok with everyone?" He turned fully to the class and everyone cheered. Mr. John Smith, as if having a reader for these kind of things, showed up right now and we are once again escorted to the next classroom and I got the feeling of deja vu.

This time I stand by the door, not wanting to appear interested, but I was surprised to see that Alex ( for some reason I feel like if he's close to Yuna, he's somewhat close to me as well ) is standing beside me. I just shrugged him off, not wanting to be distracted by anyone or anything while Yuna is talking, yet a whisper to my right catches my attention.

"You know, she wasn't always like this." I look at him in confusion and he continues:" She used to be such a lively, lovely little girl, not worrying about anything and just enjoying what she does. But it all changed when she was kidnapped because of her talent and knowledge. Yet it didn't scare her from still doing what she loves, but it caused her not to trust people. I'm one of the very few rare people who she is willing to trust. Mahad and Mana are also one of the blessed, as well as a few of her famous friends and the family friends that her father and mother, and well of course her grandfather all had. But she only had two friends of her own age and I heard that that changed a few weeks after she moved in here. I thought that it was wonderful!" He was smiling and I felt shame wash over me, knowing that I was the one destroying our friendship. I was about to ask him why he was telling me about this, but he continued:" But, I also heard that she has finally found a way to fulfil her parents biggest wish and that she'll be leaving this place soon. I know that they would have been very proud of her!"

I know that I am staring at him in disbelief, and he must have caught on:" You don't know what their wish was, do you? I guess she never got the chance to tell you. She didn't do it because she didn't want to, but you haven't given her the chance to explain? Is that it?" I nod miserably and he smiles gently, before looking over to my crush. "She always wanted to make them proud and her incredible talent, despite it's price, always brought this look of undieing affection to their faces. It's not like they didn't love her, but they knew that she worked hard to achieve all that she did. Aknamkanon, their father, once said that she could probably finish the Big Three before she turns twenty and their mother agreed with the statement. Since their death, I know for a fact that Yuna tried to get into the colleges, but it was no good. Before you even start thinking that that's the only reason why she helped Pegasus' wife, you should know that she is not that shallow. No, it's because, probably, Cecillia reminders her of her mother and she always did believe that everyone deserves a chance to live. You don't have to believe me, but you should know that she never meant to hurt you by leaving again. There will probably be more times like this in the future as well, seeing as her parents had big dreams of finding some legendary artifacts, so if you can't be patient with her and support her when she needs it ... Please leave her alone now."

I thought over everything he said and decided that I need to know one thing before I make my decision :" Will this be the last time I see her?"

"Yes," my heart fell to the deepest pits in existence, only to soar up again when he finished :" for some time. But then she'll come back and you'll be with her again, although she might leave again. But she never leaves for forever, that I can tell you!" I smile in relief, but soon sober up :" How did you know that I was this new 'mysterious friend' and not someone else?" He laughed. LAUGHED! "That was too easy, seeing as how you always looked at each other!" I'm sure that I was as red as Yuna's eyes! I just turned away from him and started planning on how I can fix this.

When it was lunchtime, I decided to be as blunt as possible and went over to the Mouto twins, who were having lunch with Alex, and tapped Yuna on the shoulder. She turned to look at me and looked shocked, but before any of them could ask anything, I sat down beside her and, spotting my characteristic blue bento box I took it and started eating. The second I tasted it, I let out a small moan of delight at finally eating her food. When I looked at Yuna, she was smiling from ear to ear. I was about to apologise for avoiding her but she just gave me a brief hug and kiss on the cheek, before returning to her own lunch. If I was blushing before with Alex's coment, I sure as hell was blushing now! But I didn't mind. I got a hug, a bento and even a kiss on the cheek from my Yuna! I couldn't have been happier than this at the moment. Momentarily Yuna's leaving was forgotten and everything was fine. I finally got the chance to talk with her and it was amazing how much I love it when she relaxed against my side while we all talked. After a few short minutes, I felt Yuna leaning heavily against me and looking down, I was surprised to see that she fell asleep. Alex must have noticed as well, because he chuckled and dear, little Yugi barely held in his snickering. I just glare at them and they soon shut up. Yep, the glaring still works!

Later that day, we had PE and the coach couldn't have been happier when he saw both Yuna and me, ready for a challenge. We played basketball, but it was Yuna and me against the rest of the class. Oh, it must have had hurt their pride! We defeated them with a difference of 92 points, out of 100. Embarrassing, really. But it was the first time Yuna and I played together after a year. The rest of this week was a lot better than last week. Mokuba and I spent most of our time with the Mouto's and I even arranged for a special tour of KC for Yuna and Yugi next week, so the preparations have started and the deal is that my little brother and I show them around on Monday. Seeing as Alex stayed two more days after he came, we spent some time with him and both Yuna and I kicked his butt in the game he based on what Alexander used to play. Mokuba was very interested in Capsule Monsters and quickly learned how to play, then he also defeated Alex at it. I even played a few games against grandpa, but only a small number, seeing as it usually reminds me of Hobson. Yuna and I also made a deal to try out some martial arts techniques in the best dojo in Domino the day after the tour, and the day after that we should be visiting Pegasus, so everything is planned for this week. We weren't expecting to have a surprise guest in all of this!

On Monday of the all-planned week, I arrived in front of the school in my usual time, wearing a stark white turtleneck and black jeans, a new trench coat of the same colour as my eyes covering the white turtleneck and contrasting it quite nicely. I know that I got stares of admiration from every girl in the school, but I was taking Yuna on a tour of my company and I was going to look damn good while doing it! Yuna was standing in her usual place by the school gate, wearing a nice light yellow summer dress that came up to the knees and, of course, her Millenium Puzzle, and after she gave me the bento, we walked together into the school building, talking lightly, and not noticing the boy that just rounded the corner.

First class of the day was maths and we, Yuna, Yugi and I, heard from some guys that we have a guest from Russia today. I decided to ignore it and took out my laptop so I can do some KC work, Yuna took out her sketchbook and started working on something and Yugi simply observed what the two of us were doing. Sometimes in the first week of Yuna's absence, Yugi sat close to me and started sitting there with Yuna as well after we worked out the little problem from a week ago, so we always talk about everything and anything during both the brakes and the classes, seeing as Yuna and I are geniuses and if Yugi ever needs help we can help him with it better than the teachers.

As the teacher, Ms. Chono, entered the whole female population, except Yuna who is still preoccupied by her art, of the classroom squealed and shouted things like 'Cute!', "Kawaii!' or even 'He looks like a fairy tale prince!' At that one I look up from my KC work and look to the front of the class. There stood a boy around Mokuba's age, maybe alittle oolder, with silver-snow-white hair and deep aquamarine eyes. He had an earing in his left ear, a small red ball and a white blonde braid hung from it, and was wearing a pair of plain blue jeans and a sweatshirt a darker colour then my eyes and a pair of gloves. On his feet were some kind of shoes, or maybe sneakers? Something in between. I must admit that he is rather cute and has potential to become quite handsome when he grows up. He is also taller than Mokuba, so maybe he will be one of the tallest in his future classes like I am now. But he looks bored, slightly annoyed and a bit embarrassed by all the comments the girls are throwing around. I decide to spare the kid, seeing as I saw an intelligent gleam in his eyes and I knew that he could cause trouble if he wanted to. But I don't want it, seeing as I am busy after school and don't want to have to go to the make up classes that the teacher likes to torture us with AND I want to spend peaceful time with Yuna since it's limited.

"Don't you think that you should leave him alone? He doesn't know you and he sure as hell doesn't look comfortable." I say offhandedly. All eyes turn to me, but I'm already back to my work. The teacher seems to have recovered from her own squealing fit and asked the boy to introduce himself, which he ignored completely and just looked around the room, as if looking for something or someone. I didn't know until I looked around that Yuna is completly out of his sight. The teacher sighed and started speaking.

"Class,please welcome Alexander Nicolaevich Herr. He is from Russia and is five years old, but is very intellegent and wished to see Japan and how things are in schools, seeing as he is a genius. Don't worry, he knows how to speak Japanese and English so you can ask him questions about himself if he is willing to answer." Just then some guy walked past Yuna's seat and exclaimed :"Eehh! That looks awesome Yuna!" The kid's head shot up "Can you please draw one for me too?" Everyone got curious and went to see Yuna's drawing. It looked like the reapers weapon, the scythe, but a lot less creepy and a lot cooler. Every guy tried to snatch it up, but in the end I took it from them and gave it back to Yuna. She has just stood up to do the same thing and the second she was on her feet, a cry of "Старшая сестра! (Big sister!)" could be heard before Yuna was tackled to the floor. The little Russian has just ran to Yuna and is giving her the biggest, cutest, happiest bear hug I have ever seen, Mokuba's included! Yuna looks slightly disorientated but was soon able to sit up, Alexander still clutching her around the waist. Yuna finally looked down at the boy only to gasp in surprise.

"Sasha? What are you doing here?" Huh, so she knows him from somewhere. Interesting.

"Я пришел к вам в гости!" (I came to visit you!) Said the little boy in his mother language. "Я скучал по тебе!" (I missed you!) Yuna's ruby red eyes soften and she wrappes her arms around him and she answers him in perfect Russian:"Я скучал по тебе тоже, маленький Саша." (I missed you too, little Sasha.) They stay like that for a bit longer, only I and maybe the teacher understanding their conversation. Soon, however, Yuna tried to stand up but couldn't because Alexander wouldn't let go of her waist. I went over to help them up, but when he glared at me I said:"Вы не можете сидеть там весь день, малыш. Общие. Позвольте мне помочь вам два вверх.(You can't sit there all day, kid. Common. Let me help you two get up.) adding my tender mark glare. But he just stares up at me in surprise and shock, not at all was he scared of my glare ( if anything, he looks interested in it) , like everyone, save Yuna, is, so I add :"Я знаю, достаточно несколько языков, и русский является одним из них." (I know quite a few languages, and Russian is one of them.) As an afterthought I introduce myself :"Я Сето Кайба. Я уже слышал ваше имя, так что ..." (I am Seto Kaiba. I already heard your name, so ...)

Alexander nodded and stood up, the two of us hoisting Yuna up with one of us taking one of her hands each. He then turned to me and offered his hand :"Я Александр Николаевич господин. Это приятно встретиться с вами, Сето Kaiba. Как вы знаете, большая сестра Юна?" (I am Alexander Nikolaevich Herr. It's a pleasure to meet you, Seto Kaiba. How do you know big sister Yuna?) I decided to test out his Japanese, since I was curious, while shaking his hand:"私は彼女の友人やライバルです。あなたはどう？¥Watashi wa kanojo no yūjin ya raibarudesu. Anata wa dō?¥ (I am her friend and rival. How about you?)

"私は彼女の友人やライバルです。あなたはどう？¥Watashi wa kanojo no yūjin ya raibarudesu. Anata wa dō?¥ ( I knew I recognised the name! She talked a lot about you! Then it's truly an honour.) He bowed at the waist. When he straightened up he continued, smiling :"姉由奈は数ヶ月前に私の命を救ったと私は良くなる助けました。¥Ane Yuna wa sūkagetsumae ni watashi no inochi o sukutta to watashi wa yoku naru tasukemashita.¥ (Big sister Yuna saved my life a few months ago and helped me get better.) I decided that it was enough and nodded at his answer. "How did you meet?"

" My parents abandoned me and a group who trained children to become assassions took me in and tortured me. Every day. For two years. I had only one friend. Olja. She was like a sister to me. Her mother was Japanese I think. But that's not important right now. One day, a group called the Adepts came and killed everyone, even Olja. The leader killed her when she tried to protect me. The second she hit the ground and was surrounded by her own blood, she died and I, in rage went to kill the man. Unfortunately, one of his helpers stopped me and the leader made a scar under my left eye." He trailed the now invisible mark on his skin, but Yuna shivered and hugged him to her. "The scar was supposed to represent that I belong to him and that I am both loved and betrayed by God. It looked like an inverted Eastern Cross and it still tends to bleed whenever I get truly angry. I am now known as martyr Sasha. But Yuna nee-sama helped me. She found me after I dug up a grave for Olja, although I had nothing but my hands and it was the middle of a snowstorm and the ground was frozen, therefore leaving scars on my hands and fingers, and she took me to the nearest hospital. She was able to make my scar disappear, but when I'm angry it is rather visible. And after I calm down it bleeds. It's probably doing that because of a lot of blood pressure. I stayed with her a few weeks, but one day she found a church that would allow me to stay with them. I have wanted to go with you! Can I please stay in Japan with you? I promise I will be good!" He turned to Yuna and all but begged her. I can see Yuna's heart cracking up from how much genuine pain the little one is feeling. In the end, I decide to be the one to tell him that she will soon leave for college, but before I can Yuna pulled him to the side and they talked in rapid, quiet Russian. By the time the conversation ended, Alexander cried a little but soon got over it and decided to finish his story, not letting go of Yuna's hand :" They treated me well, but I wanted to be near the only other person I could completely trust like I did with Olja and so I asked one of the priests if they can take me to Japan. In the end they sent me here, and now I'm staying with Father Yuri Noda and I am training to become a good fighter so I can defend my new home and family! I want you to tell me if I got any better, nee-sama!" Yuna nodes.

"You can show me today in PE. We'll be doing martial arts." She ruffled his hair and gave him her drawing. He looked like the happiest little kid in the world. Ms. Chono then started the lecture and was actually mean enough to try and humiliate Alexander, but she just ended up looking stupid.

When it was lunch time, I was a little surprised to see Yuna, Yugi and Alexander coming up to the rooftop. I have been coming here every day for lunch after that first time, seven days before Yuna left for medical schools. They were talking about something, but Yugi seemed a little uncomfortable.

"What's up with you?" I asked him while the little Russian started talking about the Church he's staying in.

"I don't think that Alexander likes me."

"Why would you say that? The kid obviously loves Yuna and you're her little brother. I think he should like you."

"And you're her friend, yet he still glares at you! And he isn't allowing me to call him Sasha!" He says, crossing his arms and pouting. I sigh.

"And how does that mean that he doesn't like you? You weren't allowed to use my first name for a long time before I gave you permission, yet it didn't mean that I didn't like you. What does it matter, anyway? Just call him Sasha and he'll get used to it." I told him rationally.

"Если я не дам вам разрешение, чтобы позвонить мне Саша, вы не будете меня так называть! (Unless I give you permission to call me Sasha, you won't be calling me that!)" He said, "Но вы можете называть меня Саша, Сето, пока я разрешено использовать ваше имя." (But you may call me Sasha, Seto, as long as I'm allowed to use your name.) He finished slightly hesitating, even blushing in the end. I look at him in confusion:"Почему?" (Why? )

"Потому что Юна уважает вас, так что я вас уважаю. Как таковой, он будет честь!" (Because Yuna respects you, so I respect you. As such it would be an honour!) He said in a way that showed just how much he respects not only me, but also the reason for which he respectseme, the person for whom he respects me for.

"Но Юги является младшим братом Yuna и таким образом, вы должны уважать его, как хорошо." (But Yugi is Yuna's younger brother and as such, you should respect him as well. ) I told him, only now understanding that he probably thought that Yugi was just a fan of Yuna's, judging by the hair. I am right, once again.

"Я не знал. Я извиняюсь!" (I didn't know. I am sorry!) Then realising that the person who should be receiving the apology couldn't understand him, he turned to Yugi and bowed, speaking in Japanese:"知りませんでした。ごめんなさい！" ¥Shirimasendeshita. Gomen'nasai!¥

Yugi, after recovering from shock, just smiled at Alexan- ... at Sasha and started talking with him, complaining about Yuna not telling him about Sasha yet and about how it wasn't fair that he couldn't, even with a great teacher like Yuna, who perfected it, learn to speak Russian. I just shake my head at their antics, but I caught sight of Yuna's content, relaxed, happy yet at the same time sad smile. I guess that she's happy to see them, to see US getting along with each other so well, yet sad that she has to leave it behind. I decide something very important in this exact moment :' I don't like that look on her pretty face." And with that I scoot closer to her and start tickling her. She yelps, but it soon turned into uncontrollable laughter and I grin like a fool. However, as I am busy admiring Yuna's beautiful laugh and she was being tickled, we almost didn't hear the identical cries in two different languages. "Я присоединяюсь в! Пусть мой старшая сестра идут!" and "私はに参加しています！私の姉は行ってみよう！" ¥Watakushiha ni sanka shite imasu! Watashi no ane wa itte miyou!¥ (I'm joining in! Let my big sister go!) And the laughing increased. We wrestled for about ten minutes, but in the end Yuna ended up on the top of the pile we made, with me in second place. After that we finished our launch, each of us giving Sasha some of it, then returned to the classroom, where the students asked Yuna and Sasha all the details of the story about how they met. I even found out in these stories that Sasha is a craftsman of sorts, and is capable of making true pieces of art out of iron. It seems that the Mafia that took him in also looked for chemists who are able to do anything they want with a specific element that they were born with. Sasha is one of those rare people, who are called qwasers, and his element is iron (Fe). The Adepts seem to also want him to live long enough to perfect his skills for some reason, and when the time comes they will come for him. Or that's what Yuna was told by one of the nuns in the church where she left him in Russia. He has had to fight every day just to survive. I guess that the two of us are very similar, after all.

And, finally, the school day is ending. Now we only have PE and then I will be taking the Moutos to the tour of KC. Maybe I'll even allow Sasha and Seira to come with us, seeing as Mokuba will be there as well and they ARE children, so why not? As Yugi and I exit the boys changing room, we see Sasha trying to ignore all those who already finished changing, obviously waiting for us and OBVIOUSLY not in the least comfortable with how they're trying to get all sorts of information about Yuna. I just shake my head at their antics, and turn to Yugi :" What do you think? How long will he last before finally losing his temper and ripping their heads off in his annoyance. I know that I would have probably done so on the day you and Yuna transfered, that is IF you haven't transfered that day! They're just too annoying." I scoff. Just as Sasha is finally about to explode, Yuna comes in, walking over to Yugi and me and then called Alexander over to us, who was more than happy to oblige.

A few minutes later, coach Wolsingham all but ran into the gym :"Today, we'll be doing martial arts with a special guest who happens to be my mother's, cousin's, dog's, neighbour's, friend's, girlfriend's, sister's in law, brother's, hairstylist's, grandmother's, nephew's, daughter's, boyfriend's best friend ..." he stopped just to take in a new lung full of oxygen, then kept going:" He's name is Sasuke Uchiha, he comes from a little ninja village in the North and is the junior champion! Isn't that great?!"

A boy who is around Mahad's age, nooo, younger than him by at least two years, with midnight, black hair and midnight dark blue eyes came in. He was wearing a pair of white shorts that reached to his knees, a dark blue shirt and some sort of sandals the same colour as his shirt. Around his ankles and shins were some bandages and on his wrists were ... What the hell ARE those? Anyway, on his forehead was a band that went around his head, on which rested a plate with the old symbol of fire and leaves. The girls start squealing for the second time that day, and Sasha is more than revealed that it's not over him.

He looks around, ignoring everyone, until all of the sudden he stops and stares. I look in the direction of his eyes and see the most beautiful girl that I know. Yuna. He is looking at her in a similar way that that guy, Vincent, did but there is also something else. I don't like it.

Sasuke, was it, is walking over to us, and it seems that I'm not the only one who doesn't like the aura he is emitting seeing as Yuna tensed up and Sasha threw his arms around her waist, as if that alone could protect her. I take a step forward, just in case, but he just walks straight to Yuna, not even glancing at Sasha. Sasuke lifts his arm and uses his pointer finger and tumb to bring Yuna's face closer to his. I suddenly wanted to kill him. He leans in:" So, you're the legendary Yuna, the Queen of Games? I must say that I'm not disappointed with what I can see. You live up to the rumours that you're the most beautiful, but what about the other one? The one about your skills? They say that you're unbeatable. That there is no one who can defeat you. I'm going to be first, then. Also ..." he leans in even closer, but Yuna just looked him straight in the eyes. He keeps on leaning in, when suddenly Sasha let go of Yuna and pushed him as far as he could away from Yuna. Sasuke looks both shocked and pissed by what the brave, little Russian did.

"What do you think you're doing, you little braty rat?!" He all but yelled. Sasha didn't look very moved by his anger.

"Вы не достойны быть так близко к моему большому сестры!Сделайте это снова, и вы будете сожалеть об этом!Ваш гнев не может заставить меня дрожать." (You are not worthy to be that close to my big sister! Do it again, and you'll regret it! Your anger cannot make me tremble.) He said with an ice cold tone, first in Russian then in English so that everyone can understand him. Sasuke suddenly smirks. "Is that a challenge? Are you challenging me in a martial arts fight?" The mocking was more than clear in his voice. Sasha, however, just lifted his head higher. "A challenge you will lose." He said. Sasuke started laughing.

Soon, they were ready to start the match, but Yuna pulled Sasha aside from the rest of us, probably giving him advice. The match is going to have a timer, so whoever is in a more advantageous position will be declared as the winner if they are both still standing by the end of the limited time. Sasha just now entered into the circular arena, but he was holding a bamboo stick, unlike the wooden sword his opponent chose. They took their positions while Yuna came to stand between Yugi, who has been quiet all this time, and me. She looks worried about something, but what? I don't like the look on her face. "He'll be alright! I am sure that if he says that he improved that he means it. And, after all, you must know how good he actually is. Right? So don't worry abo-"

"I'm not worried about his ability to stand on his own against an opponent. What worries me is something different. Something from his past. If Sasuke decides to be merciless, he's surely going to taunt him. And quite frankly, there's a lot of things that could be fatal for Sasha or the one who evokes his talent, ... or for the both of them. I just want to be ready to jump in and save Sasha the agony it could cause. I was able to save him from it once, but who knows if I'll be able to do it again!" She interrupted me and all that she said made me think that she could really be Alexander Nikolaevich Herr's older sister. But what she said next was truly stunning:" The braid that hangs from his earring is actually the last lock of hair from Olja, the girl he thought of as his older sister. It's what kept him sane after some nightmares. That and the cross she gave him before running out of their hiding place in order to save him. Before running to her death. I got his trust after spending two nights and two days with him. He first realised that I wanted to help him when I asked him what was his favorite dish was and made it for him. He was delighted. I believe that his exact words were:"Ваш борщ мое сердце трепетать! Я хочу, чтобы вы позвоните мне Саша. Могу ли я называть вас моя большая сестра?(Your borscht made my heart tremble! I wish you to call me Sasha. Can I call you my big sister?) I agreed to his request and from that moment to the day I had to leave, he was always with me. I know what he's been through and a reminder might be too much at the moment. Or ever!" Just as I am about to say something, the coach blows the whistle and the match started.

Sasha is pretty good, actually. He had perfect control of his movements and was incredibly fast, the pace of the battle looking almost familiar. His moves are well planned out and precise. It obviously made Sasuke frustrated and he started making stupid mistakes. However, something changed. Yuna was right. Sasuke taunted Sasha to an embarrassingly low point and he even dared to mention that Sasha is an orphan. Sasha's demeanour changes completely and I hear gasps and screams from across the arena. When Sasha looked up, I barely surpassed my own gasp. His left eye turned red and there was a stigmata in the shape of an intervened Eastern Orthodox cross was perfectly drawn under it in a blazing bloody red. The eye didn't seem to be the same colour as Yuna's. It looks more like there was an injury on it. Sasha's moves became faster and soon Sasuke was almost thrown out of the circle, landing on his back. Sasha stood over him.

"Вы когда-нибудь дрожали? Чувствуется, что замораживание крови страх проходит через ваши вены?" (Have you ever trembled? Felt that blood freezing fear run through your veins? ) "Если у вас нет, то я положу его там."(If you haven't, then I'll put it there. )he said, pressing on Sasuke's chest where his heart is and Sasuke started panicking. But, suddenly, Sasuke took out a kunai knife and threw it at Sasha, who, luckily, was able to hit it off to the right. But it caused him to take a few steps back and Sasuke jumped to his feet. This time, however, his eyes were a darker red then Sasha's left eye and seemed to have two more smaller pupils. I gasped in shock but I soon turned to look at Yuna as Yugi silently called her name. But she wasn't responding. She is staring in a worrisome fashion as Sasha's and Sasuke's battle went on. Sasuke was now able to copy Sasha's every move and it looks like the fight could go on for forever. Sasuke's stance has changed completely since the start of all of this. It was first the stance of a ninja, while Sasha's was different. Sasha used the "Reaper's bloody dance" technique, a very dangerous and precise battle stile that allowed anyone who knows how to do it properly a definite victory. It enables spinning, jumps and usage of weapons of any kind, not to mention that you can easily switch to a different style at any point in the battle. It's very complex and is incredibly hard to learn. Anyone who hasn't mastered it could just end up being a danger to others or die. I must say that I'm impresed that a child has been able to learn it seeing as it takes years of practice to master it, and Sasha sure has. Sasuke now has the same stance as Sasha, but he is obviously not comfortable with it. It could be lethel for him. However, his usage of the knives is enabling him to distract Alexander long enough to get in some blows. It's how, all of the sudden, Sasha received a knife in his right thigh and the gym echoed with his pained scream. Everyone looked on in shock, not doing anything, as Sasuke advanced towards the small fallen Russian boy. My body reacted on its own and I picked up a practice katana and ran to help Sasha.

"Well, Russian boy. It seems that you're not as good as you said you were. It's time to end this!" Sasuke raised his own sword, ready to slam it into Sasha's stomach, but as it came down I thrusted my sword forward and changed Sasuke's direction. He stumbled across the floor for a few seconds and then straightened up, looking at me in shock. We both have katanas, but his is the shorter ninja sword, while mine is the longer, heavier samurai sword. He is an assassin while I'm an honorary warrior. I now stand between Sasha and Sasuke, in the perfected stance of a samurai, ready for battle.

"Attacking someone who is down AND younger than you is not worthy of even the assassin. You disgrace an honourable fighter with such great skills like Sasha with your faul play and how dare you point a real weapon at one of the few people who I care about!? I am now your opponent and I'll show you how you use a katana!" I say as I point my practice sword towards him. He just laughs at me.

"Do you think that you are better than me? You must be joking! But I'll accept the challenge. This way I can show everyone that I am truly the best! I can show my older brother that I am the best!" And with that, he charged for me. I quickly receive the attack and answer in my own. We fight like this for a couple of minutes before the same thing started happening. Just like with Sasha, Sasuke started copying my moves, but because his sword is shorter he can't do the same exact thing and that is causing me to have the edge in this match. He, however, went for his bag of dirty tricks again and took out some shurikens and threw them at me. I caught one out of the five he threw, dogged three but the final one made a cut in my left arm. I almost cried out in pain but training with Gozaboro was worse. This is probably one of the few things that I'd thank that man for, because if you show that you're hurt you're at a disadvantage. It's still not good. I can no longer hold my sword in the attacking position, so I switched to the defence. He was laughing again :" So much of the great Seto Kaiba! Look how pitiful you really are! You wouldn't survive a minute against my brother! I'll finish this, NOW!" He runs towards me and Sasha, who is still behind me only now he is standing, though barely, as well, and he raised his sword at us ...

A sharp 'thud' was heard and when I opened my eyes, I didn't even realise that I have closed them, I saw Sasuke on the floor, his sword knocked out of his hand. I looked in front of me and saw that it was non other than Yuna who just saved both me and Sasha. There was a look of disappointed disapproval in her lovely crimson eyes as she gazed down at the boy she just knocked down. I have never seen a battle stance like her's before. It was nothing like any of the Japanese or Chinese martial arts techniques, nor was it similar to the western styles. In fact, it reminded me of the techniques I saw in books on ancient civilisations and how their warriors looked. Like the Ancient Egyptians. I swear that you could hear a pin drop how silent it was! Yuna was the one that broke it.

"Who do you think you are? To just hurt two of the very few people whom I care for? Whom I trust? Whom I respect. I know what you've been through. What Itachi, your older brother, did to your family. But if you think that I'll allow this ... you are sadly mistaken." Yuna said in a tone of voice that I have never heard before. It was distant, cold and merciless. Yet there was understanding and acceptance in it as well, not to mention a fondness that is truly unexpected. Everyone can hear it and is staring at Yuna in shock, Sasuke included. But soon, rage takes him over :"What could you possibly know about what I've been through, how I felt and what is excusable and what is not for me to do? What do you know about living on your own and trying to get stronger!? Just because you're pitying me I'll kill you!" Sasuke suddenly launched at Yuna and she met his attack straight on. Sasuke kept attacking her and she started moving to the right, obviously trying to lead him away from me and Sasha. I took the hint and started leading Alexander out of the makeshift arena, Yugi soon helping me. Sasha couldn't stand long and as soon as he possibly could he sat down. The coach soon came over to check our wounds, but our attention almost instantly shifted to Yuna's fight.

Sasuke seems to have gotten over his little fit and is now quite seriously trying to injure Yuna, whose eyes have glossed over. Yugi gasped as soon as he noticed this and I'm starting to think that that couldn't be a good thing.

Yugi's POV

Over the past six,maybe seven years, I have known that there are some things in this world that you just shouldn't stop from happening. My sister's dreams or visions are one of those things. Because if it is done otherwise it could end in her death. And most of the times that they happened I couldn't do anything to prevent people from stopping Yuna's dreams. Now is one of those times.

I know that I can never win against Yuna in anything. No one can. The closest anyone ever came was Seto and not even he could do it. But when Yuna is under the effects of those visions, she is truly unstoppable. Seeing as she is now in that state, I could get hurt. But not by her. No. Never by my older sister. Not even when she is not aware of what is going on around her during those things. She would never hurt me. Sasuke, however, is a different story. He could easily hurt me while he is trying to defend himself. It's not like he would just stand there while Yuna unleashes her full potential, or what we THINK is her full potential. Her dreams gave her knowledge of many things, including martial arts of all the times and she has perfected them all. She could easily kill him if she wished. Now, as she stood there protecting Seto and Sasha, I could only hope that in this fight someone doesn't hit her hard enough to wake her from the vision.

I watch the match with a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I know that it's not because Yuna might get hurt. No. It's because everyone is seeing the ancient technicques that should have been forgotten over 2000 years ago. And Seto, being smart as Yuna, will probably figure out that this is not exactly normal. This will raise questions that Yuna would not want to answer for at least a few more years, ESPECIALY to Seto, who is her first friend that doesn't know of her secret. If he found out he might decide that the dreams are the reason that Yuna is as good at everything as she is. I know that if she loses Seto that she will never trust anyone ever again. It would be the last time she would accept someone as a friend.

And I don't want that.

Yuna's POV

The first thing I noticed in this vision was the soothing melody of my favorite song, The Flight of Horus.

I can see the Great Temple of Ra in the distance. There are four kids sitting there, and a single adult. One of them is tall with long, brown hair in long robes. He is sitting in front of a short boy who reminds me of Yugi, yet is completly different. Beside him sat a girl with wild, spiky brown hair. She was leaning on him in what i could asossiate with Yugi when he is relaxed. There is another tall boy in long blue and white robes, gold bracelets on his arms and a tall headdress on his head,though some chocolate bangs fell out fro under it. He was leaning on a nearby pillar, listening to the beautifull melody the only short boy was playing. I could see from this distance that he had eyes as blue as Seto's. It's a good thing that I have had this dream before so I know who that is. It's High Pries Seth. Then the boy they are sorounding must be the Nameless Pharaoh, Seth's cousin. The boy had the same hair as Yugi, except it was tipped by crimson and not amethyst and I know from previus visions that his eyes are the same color as mine. The color of fresh blood. He was wearing silk white robes with a gold waistband from which hung the traditional cloth of Egyptian royalty the color a shade brighter then his cousin's eyes. He, too, had many gold wristbands and a pair of large earrings that looked like ankhs. On his forehead was a princely crown with the eye of Ra in the center. The only adult looks a lot like grandpa, except he is wearing robes and a headdress and has the usual Egyptian tan. Sometimes he has a cloth over his mouth,but not , the girl and the other boy look exactly like Mahad and Mana. The prince was playing on the same flute that I play on and I lost myself in this peaceful moment, because I know that it won't last. I always ''wake up''from this one too early. As I see every time, Seth goes to stand behind his future Pharaoh and said soon-to-be-ruler leans on his also soon-to-be-High Priest. The cry of the falcon that is always looking over them is heard as he flies freely in the sky. I have drawn this scene hundreds of times yet I still wish to draw it. I want to paint it on a huge wall so that everything can be seen clearly. I think that I'll be satisfeid only then.

I close my eyes, comiting this moment to memory ...

I open them to see everyone staring at me in wonder and Sasuke on the floor.

I ignore the stares and go over to Seto and Sasha to check their injuries. Thank goodness that I finished medical school!

Seto's POV

As the battle went on, I was surprised to see that Yuna's moves were becoming faster, her jumps higher, and the attacks more precise with every move. Sasuke was starting to get tiered, but it has nothing to do with him fighting against me and Alexander. His movements are getting slower and his rage is causing him to make stupid mistakes. Soon, after the fight lasted fifteen minutes, Sasuke landed on the floor with Yuna standing over him, her practice katan pressed to his neck. Everyone, except Yugi, Sasha and myself, was gawking at Yuna. Yugi has an expression of relief and Sasha looks proud and happy for the girl that saved his life and whom he calls his big sister. I can also feel relief and happiness, not to mention pride, surge through me now that I have the knowledge that Yuna is no longer in danger. I noticed that her lovely eyes now again have that unstoppable fire burning in their depths and I can truly relax, but my wound snaps me back to awareness. Yuna seems to have noticed this, like she always notices, and came towards us. Everyone's attention was on her but she ignored it and knelt in front of me and our little Russian friend. She sighed.

"Your wounds don't seem to be that deep but we'll have to reschedule the trip to the dojo and maybe even the tour around Kaiba Corp. to some other day. You both need rest and if I have to, I'll tie you both to a bed! Now, common. Seto, call Roland and Fugata. Don't you give me that look, Seto! You are injured and you need to go to a doctor as soon as possible! You and Sasha could have torn muscles for all we know!" She said, exasperated. I just continue to glare at her.

"If you said that they're not too serious injuries, then I'll believe your words more than any other doctor on this planet!" Yuna blushed tomato red at my words and I felt really happy with the fact that I'm one of the few people who can make her show her true self. She nodded and asked the coach to bring some bandages and the First Aid kit as soon as possible. He listened and immediately came back with the white box that had the red cross on it. He gave it to her and she went to work on Sasha first, seeing as his thigh was stabbed. Watching her work is incredibly fascinating. I can only look at her, the intense look of concentration clearly seen on her beautiful face. She soon finished with Sasha and deemed him to have just received a slightly deeper light cut that should heal by the end of the week and that it only hurts because it is fresh. She then turned to me and started working on my arm. She was so close that I can smell her scent that reminds me of the desert and the lotus flower. Her delicate fingers and soft hands worked quickly, yet gently that I almost didn't notice that she was done. She took my good arm and hoisted me up, then with Yugi's help, we steadied Sasha on his feet.

By this time Sasuke was once again on his feet, ready for a fight despite how tiered he was. "Come on! We still haven't finished our battle! Or are you scared?"

Yuna just shook her head. "That is quite enough, Sasuke. I know that you want to-"

"You don't know anything! My own brother-" Sasuke interrupted her but then she did the same by finishing his sentence.

"-killed your entire family and clan. Yes, I know. I met Itachi, remember." Now we're all staring in shock at my beloved rival. All but Sasuke. He was glaring at her in pure envy and hatred. She continued. "He had his reasons, ones that I don't think can justify what he has done, but reasons non the less. That is also one of the reasons I knew how to block your Sharingan. I know that you are aware of my victory over him. It's because I have been able to avoid the perfect copying technique and use it against him. The Uchihas are famous for being able to form three more pupils, but you still have only two. You're still too young. You should become stronger, yes, but you still have a life in front of you! Don't throw away your future because of revenge! Find a friend that will understand you. That's the most important thing in life. I know that you want to hate your brother, but you can't. Because you know that if you needed him now, he would be here for you no matter what. You can pretend all you want, but I know how it is. Your parents were taken from you by someone or something you love. The same happened to me. I loved archeology and I still do. Yet it's what killed my parents. But if something hurts you, that doesn't mean that you should give up and hate it! Look at Alexander Nikolaevich Herr! Sasha the Martyr! He is facing a world that abandoned him and took away from him all that he held dear!" She points to Sasha, who is looking at her with admiration and a younger sibling's love. "Or, look at Seto Kaiba! He was tortured by the man who adopted him every day, only to in the end stand up to him and here he is now! CEO of Kaiba Corp. and living his life to the best of his abilities, looking after his little brother and running a multi billion dollar corporation! While still going to middle school!" She points to me with as much pride as she did with Sasha and I feel my heart swell. "Or even me! Look at me! I'm still doing the same thing that killed my parents about a year ago! I never stopped. Listen, Sasuke. Everything that happens has it's reason for happening. He could have been protecting you, for all you know. I know that he said that it was his greatest wish to see you grown up and being happy and healthy. Don't judge without first calming down and listening to him. You could be surprised." The last few sentences, she said in such a gentle tone that Sasuke was staring at her in wonder, probably asking himself if he was in front of an angel. He was only snapped out of it when Yuna extended a hand for him to shake. I can't believe how forgiving she is, but I guess if she forgave me for being a jerk so many times, she could forgive him as well. For a while, he just looks at the hand he was offered and then, instead of shaking it, he just hugged it's owner, crying on Yuna's shoulder while she returns the embrace.

00000

"I wish to thank you for everything you have done for me, Yuna-dono!" Sasuke said as we are standing by my limo that's going to take us to KC after we say our goodbye to the ninja-in-training. It's after the classes have ended and now Sasha will be joining us on the tour of my company, while Seira should be arriving at KC soon. " If it weren't for you I would have probably wasted my life and maybe killed my brother. I'm going to find him and see what really happened. Maybe ..." he hesitated for a second "Maybe we can meet again, some day. Both me and Itachi nii-san and I will visit in the future, but I first have to become stronger so I can defeat you! So you better become stronger as well!" Yuna just smiled with a nod. Sasuke then turned to Sasha and me and bowed.

" I know that I don't deserve it, but I beg you to at least consider it. I wish to apologise for everything that I have done to you. You didn't deserve it! I am sorry that I have disrespected you in such a way!"

I just look at him for a minute, then turn to the side and say offhandedly:" Although, I usually don't give forgiveness that easily, ... I'll make an exception this time, seeing as I understand everything. I know that I would have done anything to keep my brother safe. Even something that drastic. But don't do it ever again! You got that? And I'm also going to become better and stronger so that the next time we cross swords, I'll win!" At that Sasuke looks up to me from his bow and stares at me in wonder, then says:" You don't have to become stronger. I can see why you are the only one who can keep up with the Queen of Games." At this, we look at Yuna, who looked beautiful bathed in the afternoon sunlight. Sasha clears his throat.

"Even though I am known to be merciless because of everything that happened to me, ... that's the me when afar from my only other source of humanity, that is Yuna nee-san. I know that the Bible says that we should be forgiving and I almost forgot that. I WOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN if it weren't for her. So, in the spirit of Christianity and my nee-san I forgive you. But I agree with Seto. Don't do it again! Or I'll make sure you will regret it!" Sasuke looks over to Sasha and nods his head. A few minutes later, he was already out of sight and the four of us got into the limo.

On the ride over there, I decided that I want some answers.

''How was he able to copy our moves, since you seem to know about this ability? Who is Itachi? And what is the Sharingan? How did you stop it?'' They all look at me and Yugi starts to fidget, while Sasha looks on in interest. Yuna just thinks for a while and then nods her head, crossing her arms across her chest and starts answering my questions.

''Sharingan is the reason he was able to copy your movements. It's a technique that only the Uchica clan can use. It forms three extra pupils, if not mature, like Sasuke's, then two. Although there are different forms of it that i would rather not discus now. Anyway, those extra pupils allow for their photoreceptors to work ten times, or more, faster than an ordinary persons. There are other clans with similar yet different techniques, but this is one of the most useful in battle. The reason his eyes changed color is because blood entered them when the pupils formed. It happens every time and it is not dangerous for them. Itach is Sauke's older brother. He killed their whole clan and then left their home. I'm pretty sure that it was for Sasuke's own safety. But there is also the lack of evidence that it is Itachi who did it, except that he was there when Sasuke came back home and found everyone except his older brother was murdered. The possibilities are endless, yet they cling to the one where Itachi is a murderer. It's probably because Itachi was in a fight with their father. But that's not exactly what you are asking me about.'' She stops, as if formulating an answer, then just sighs and continues:''How I stopped it? I fought against Itachi and found out that the Uchicas can't copy something that their predecessors haven't seen before. And although their clan is quite old, the techniques I used are older, dating back to the times of the pharaohs. Cool, huh?'' Yuna grins.

It takes me a few moments to process all that I have just learnt about. When I feel like I am satisfade with my conclusions, I nod to Yuna, who returns it. Something else falls to my mind and I decide to find out about it as well, seeing as Yuna is in a mood for explaining. She must have sensed that I have more questions and just sighs, nodding for me to ask away. So I do.

''I know that this is probably none of my business, but I couldn't help wondering about how YOUR left eye turned red, Sasha? You don't have to answer. I'm just curious.'' Sasha looked startled. Yugi looked confused. Yuna just shook her head and sighed for the who-knows-what time today. Yet she answers anyway, of course not before getting a nod from Alexander.

''On the day that I found Sasha in that snowstorm, his scare was fresh and still bleeding. The scare is in such a place that he was lucky that he didn't go blind. But the cut has damaged a small vein that brings blood to his irises and it was a miracle that he hasn't started crying blood. Instead, with treatment that saved his eyesight, it turned his eye red. Or rather, it's red when he's angry because more blood than usual rushes through there. The man that did that to him was truly careful, obviosly wanting Sasha to live and become stronger. From what I know, he calls himself the Qwaser of Gold. But lets not go there right now. We are supposed to be having fun, right?'' At this, Yuna smiles a smile that almost screams that I should shut the fuck up. I just nod, and the rest of the ride there is spent in answering Sasha's questions about Domino City. I was more then proud to point out the tallest building in the city as my very own company, Kaiba Corp., even if I was teased by Yuna how the building has to be that big so it could contain my ego, which earned us a laugh from Yugi and Alexander. I just tickled Yuna for about five minutes before Sasha and Yugi jumped in to help her, saying that they will always be on her side and will always help and protect her. I swear I heard Roland and Fugata chuckling from the front of the limo!

A few minutes after we stopped fooling around, the limo stopped in front KC. As soon as I stepped into the building a black haired ball of unlimited energy all but crashed into me, while little, short short arms wrapped around my waist and an excited ''Big brother!'' was heard. I just chuckle and return my younger brothers embrace as I heard Seira rushing to Yuna to give her her own bear hug. I look up only to see a very angry and jealous looking Sasha glaring at the girl who is hugging the girl who he considers as his older sister and Mahad and Mana seem to have also made it. I just shake my head as he walks over there and also hugs Yuna and the two younger es start a glaring match. In the end, Yuna barely stopped them from starting a fight and introduced them. They still weren't happy with each other. Mokuba just looked curiously at the boy he has never met before and made a comment how Sasha looked similar to an icon of Christ and Mary that we saw once as a man painted it. I just agreed with him, only now noticing the similarities. Yuna looked thoughtful for a moment but then shook her head and asked if the tour of my ''amazing'' company would start any time soon. Just as I was about to start leading the way, her phone started ringing. She excused herself and answered the call. We just stand in silence, Sasha and Seira glaring each other for all that they are worth and the rest of us watching them in amusement. Not long after, Yuna came back and informed me that she needs a ride to Tokyo tomorrow and even asked if I want to join her in helping a friend over there. I agreed with it, but Mokuba and Sasha insisted that they have to come with us. So, after twenty minutes of pleading and puppy dog eyes from my little brother and Yuna's only other weakness, Yugi not included, we finally started the tour since we promised them that they can go with us. Seira also wanted to go, but her sister and she are supposed to go and visit their mother and new brothers. Yeah. They got twins about three and a half months ago and they actually weren't here much, helping their mother back in India. That's why Taro spent a lot of his time with us at the Game Shop. Yuna especially flew to India to meet them and gave them the names Gakuto, for the older, and Kaito, the younger of the two. Seira said that they never cried when she was around. The tour went better than I expected and I am very pleased! Yuna looks really impressed with what I have done in just one year and it makes my heart swell. Of course, she had great suggestions that could make our games even better, but what can you expect from the Queen of Games, right?

But,As much fun as we are having, Yuna seems distracted by something. She would suddenly doze of and just look out one of the floor to ceiling windows, no specific expression on her face. I don't like how I can't help her with whatever it is that it's bothering her. I'll just have to wait for the right moment. The first chance I got was when Mokuba dragged everyone else to the cafeteria and left me alone with my crush.

You've been thinking about something all day long? Tell me, what is it that's bothering you so much?" I said and when I got no answer, I decided to explain myself:" I'm not sure what it is or if I can even be of help, but at least I can talk to you about it. Whatever it is, I promise I won't stick my nose in it if you don't want me to."

"It's something you CAN help me with, Seto." She said quietly from her position in front of the windows that Gozaboro jumped out of in my office. "You and Mokuba ... The man who was painting that picture, I have a reason to believe that he was Yamanobe Yudai. I've met him before and he was looking for the very first icon of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding Christ. An icon believed to represent and hold all the miracles that Christ did on Earth. It's been hidden for the last two thousand years, but I have learnt of its location. I wasn't aware that someone heard me. The icon's name is Theotokos of Tsarytsin. I'm not sure if Yudai ever even found it, but I think that I now know what made the Qwaser of Gold choose Sasha of all the others. Mokuba, and even you have said that Sasha resembles the infant Jesus. Who knows what those Adepts have in their minds. Seeing as they are a religious sect, they must think that Sasha is the key to unlocking some of the greatest secrets of the world." She said seriously, and then just sighed again.

I decided to change the subject.

"Sooo, ... I was wondering ... To which religion do you belong to?" I can't help but blush. I know that I have no idea what she believes in, but I myself don't believe in anything. I think that every one of us makes our own futures, and no one else.

Yuna blinks at mysudden question but then just chuckles and answers :" I don't believe that I belong to a specific religion. I believe that there is only one God, one entity, that we just name differently, represent and even see differently. And even the ancient gods and goddesses are just different aspects of the same diety that created us. I don't think that we developed from monkeys, since you don't see monkey-people transforming in zoo's. But I don't have a specific name for the one who created us from love, although you will probably hear me say both ancient names and the modern ones equally. If that's what you are asking me, then I was happy to talk to you about it. If not, then you'll have to be a bit more specific about the details. Sasha is an Orthodox Christian, and Yugi and grampa took after my father's religion after my mother got married him. What about you?" She turned to look at me and I was fascinated how the setting sun made her look like a goddess.

'Fuck this! She is gorgeous! I may have found a new religion.' I laugh on the inside at the idiocy of the thought, but outside I just shake my head.

"I don't believe in any of these religions. I think that our lives are in our own hands and that if someone died, it's because he or she couldn't hold on to it. Even if God exists, for me he has only one purpose. God gives every human a single barging chip in this existence, and it's called our lives. If we are brave enough to bet on it, then we will go far and make our names known to everyone. But if we are too cowardly, or too foolish, then we will not only waist other people's time and lives, but also our own and in the end we would give it up. I know where I belong in this, but I have a feeling that you don't approve of this. Am I right?"

"It is true that every human being has the rights to choose from the numerous possibilities that are in front of them. But if God blessed us with that one barging chip, we must be careful with it. It's the last thing we can do. So, no I don't approve of how you treat your own life." She came in front of me and cuped my face in her delicate little hands that were softer than silk. I lean into her touch, looking her directly in the eyes and losing myself in their enticing depths of the glorious sunshine caught in the best vine. "Your life is precious! I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you. I ..." she broke off as I pulled her to my chest and rested my chin on the top of her head and she nuzzled my chest. "Please be careful! You are one of my best friends! I do not wish to lose you!". We stayed like that a little longer then we went together to the lunch room. Where we got into a food fight, with everyone present. Everyone made teams and attacked whoever was not on the said team. It ended up being Seira, Sasha and Mokuba in one team, Yugi and Mana in the next, Roland, Fugata and Mahad in the third and, of course, me and Yuna in the last team. Everyone tried taking me and my rival out first, knowing that we are the best and unstoppable team. Even the employees! Even Roland tried to hit me with a meatball! But it was me and Yuna that won in the end.

After the tour, we went back to the mansion, where we were greeted by a shocked Akiko and Solomon, seeing as we are still somewhat covered in food. Mana was the worst, seeing as she fell into the mashed potatoes and sauce. I swear that Akiko demanded three more maides to help clean her up and then scolded the rest of us. Well, everyone except Yuna, who somehow emerged from the lunch room as clean as when she walked in. I swear that that girl is a miracle maker! Sasha, Yugi and Seira weren't that far away from Mana and Mokuba was somewhere between them and Roland, who has a pie on his head and was receiving a disappointed look from Akiko. Fugata wasn't much better, except he has a spaghetti 'wig', done by your's truly. Seira and I are somewhere in the same situation. I have dirtied my pants and someone threw a Russian Salad at my shirt, something Sasha wasn't very pleased with, but other than that, I got off pretty good. Seira still has some mushrooms on the top of her head and her socks are still drenched by the cury someone spilled over her shoes. Mahad's hair was actually yellow from the beshamell sauce and there are also traces of blue cheese and ketchup, not to mention mayonnaise. His strange robe like clothing that he always wears and that used to be WHITE are now a rainbow of colours and it's quite funny. I just shook my head and went to clean my brother and myself. . Once we cleaned up, we had a picefull dinner and then showed Sasha, Seira, Mana and Mahad around the house, played some games ( where Yuna thrashed our sorry behinds without any effort ) and watches an interesting move. Even if we didn't want to, we went to bed early seeing as we will be flying to Tokyo tomorrow morning.

00000

As we exit he private jet that flew us to Tokyo, I couldn't help but wonder who it is that Yuna will be helping. I noticed that there is a weird looking man in a turban that is waving around a welcoming sign that read :"WELCOME YAMI-SAMA! PLEASE, THIS WAY!" The others seem to have noticed him as well, but Yuna just walked over to him and left the rest of us, except Yugi who is right behind her, in total shock. He bowed to them, well more like to HER, and then started leading them to a white limo. Yuna turns to us and waves us over, and soon we are riding in the limousine. It wasn't long, as we shortly stopped in front of one of the most famous agents companies in Japan, the LME. We watched in curiosity as the Mouto twins walk into the building like they know it by heart. We soon follow them as they step into the elevator and ride to the top floor. There, one office stood out like a sour thumb. It seems that we are going to that office.

Before we entered, Yuna turned to me and said :" This 'mission will probably last a couple of days, so if you have anything urgent you can leave anytime you want. I'm glad you came with me, even though you're probably very busy." She smiled at me and I just reassured her that if I need anything from KC I always have the HQ of KC in Tokyo, as well. She nods, and pushes the heavy wooden door open. The room is lavish, but the person who is in the room is what catches one's attention. A grown man dressed up as the Dracula. I guess that Mokuba couldn't help himself but to stare at the strange, strange man. As soon as he sees Yuna, however, the man breaks in to tears of happiness and relief, repeating "Yami-sama!" as he hugged her legs while he was on his knees. We, except Yugi, all just stare at him.

After he calmed down, Yuna introduced us. "Guys, this is the proud, ignore what you just saw, president of LME, Lory Takarada. Lory, you already knowYugi, my brother. Well, these are my friends: Seto Kaiba, his little brother Mokuba, Mana Sennen and her older brother Mahad, and Alexander Nikolaevich Herr. Also, that over there is Sebastian, " she tells us and points to the man who escorted us here, " and that is Natsuko-chan." She said as she gestured towards an anaconda and Mokuba looks at her in wonder as it wraps itself around Yuna's neck like a scarf. Yuna just makes her way to a pink couch as we say our awkward greetings and are ushered in.

"So,what's the problem now? Kyoko , Ren and Sho?" He nodded seriously, "Again? Okay, what happened?" She looks exasperated, and yet she still listens carefully, even though she seems to have a rough idea of what is going on.

"Weeellll ..." Lory starts, " I think it started ever since Sho changed companies in order to be closer to Kyoko, and Ren didn't really approve of it in the first place. But, a few weeks ago, Ren and Sho started having more arguments than usual and Reino, the lead singer of Vei Gohl (?) took advantage of the situation and went after Kyoko again. She was traumatised seeing as he was really, very close to raping her. The only reason why he failed was because Ren and Sho were able to find her before he could do it and teamed up on him. He's still in the hospital, you know? However, the reason why I called YOU to come all the way HERE is because I'm worried about Kyoko. It seems that she can't decide which of the two is the one that her heart desires. I thought ..." Lory pauses for a moment and I ask.

"Wait! You mean to tell me that you called a 10 year old to help you and your stars with love matters? You gotta be kidding me! She may be a genius, but this is too much!" I exclaimed, not believing what I was hearing. "And when it's a love triangle? Seriously?!"

"Actually, she's the only one who can get them out of whatever situation they are in right now." We younger ones in the room turn to look at Yugi in surprise as he went on. "All three of them are our close friends and they and their families simply ADORE Yuna! I know that if they could, they probably would hug her to death! Luckily, she is more than capable of escaping the bone crushing hugs. Anyhow, we know them and if there is anyone on this Earth that all three of them would listen to and respect the advice, it would be non other than Yuna Yami Mouto." He says, smiling at us. President Takarada nods his head continously, so much that his head becomes a blur. Just then we hear Yuna thanking someone who she talked on the phone with while we were discussing the situation. She turns to us and says :" We are lucky. I'll be dealing with Kyoko first while you and their parents deal with the immature children in adult bodies. I think I know what is bothering her. It's not that she can't decide who she likes best. It's that she can't choose between them. Because she loves them both! Equally! She'll never be able to choose just one if both love her and if they are fighting it only confuses her, seeing as she can't turn her back on either of them. So, the only solution is for me to have a serious talk with all three of them and, of course, their families... What? Why are you all looking at me that way?"

"I can't believe that I haven't seen this! And I call myself an expert in love?! I don't deserve to live!" And the president brust into tears. A moment later, a girl with long, light brown hair, around the age of eight years old, came over to him and started shaking him like a rattle until he stopped. "Pull yourself together, grandfather! Onee-sama needs you and Rren needs you!" I haven't even noticed that she had been in the room along with two other girls that looked to be between 16 and 19 years of age or the slightly older man in a business suit and tie, beside whom two professional looking women in their late twenties were standing with worried expressions on their faces. The older man and one of the women looked like managers, while the other resembled a producing, judging by the clothes, while the teenagers were dressed in jumpsuits the strange colour of neon pink you can't possibly see in every day life. What. The. Hell? One of the girls has long, straight, black hair while the other has shorter hair than hers and it's colour is a darker brown than my own. On their outfits was a circular logo that said 'Love Me'. Sasha, Mokuba and I snicker at how frustratingly annoyed they looked at the president and at their own outfits. They arepprobably used to them by now, seeing as they absolutely hate them, but hey, I would have probably killed whoever even presented those to me. Finally, the president calmed down and asked who Yuna just called.

"Oh. You know. No one special. Just Mr. and Mrs. Fuwa, Kuu Hizuri and his wife Juelina. You know, my close friends. Kyoko will be happy to see them again, and Kuu will most ddefinitely slip and reveal that Ren is actually Kuon, or as Kyoko sees him, the fairy prince Corn. It ought to be interesting. And I am glad that Seto is here, because it'll be easier to escape from the deathly embraces they just love to give me, ne?" She smiles to me and my heart skips a beat. I will never get used to the feeling of warmth that spreads through me whenever she smiles at me like that. She asked me to make it seem like she was texring the three celebrities from their managers phones and arranged for them to meet us in Kyoto, where Kyoko is spending her day off and when I found out that we will be going over there in the president's personal jet, that happens to be one of my designs which kept me away from my little brother, I almost killed him. Because it was an ordered luxury plane on three levels with jacuzzis, a pool, a Caffè, a restaurant, seven sleeping rooms, a ballroom, a game room and, of course, a personal move theatre. And even I can't remember what else! It took me three weeks, impossible for anyone else, to get the design to be perfect, calculatr everything and find the best materials for the construction, and also make digital models and fiscal ones as well, and the blue prints for the workers. Needless to say, my project was a success, I could see my brother again, Gozaboro made a few millions and the new owner of the plane was more than satisfied with the jet's speed especially considering it's size and complexity, not to mention it's weight. Now, the proud owner of the same jet was cowering in fear behind the two strangely dressed teenage girls. That's what he gets for making my life harder than it was in that time! It was only because of Yuna's threat to not speak to me for the rest of the week that I stopped snarling and deathglaring the man and allowed her to take my hand and lead us all to the rooftop, Lory a good deal of feet behind us. The journey, as it was supposed to be in this specific jet, was short and relaxing. Yuna told us how she met these guys, firstly the president while he was in Egypt when she was studying medical school in order to save Cecillia, and then how she met the rest of them in Tokyo when she accidently ran into the scene that Kyoko, Ren and Sho were filming for a drama and ended up getting a role in the next seventeen episodes. She will come in the next season as a main character and might become famous, well even more so than she is right now. Then she explained that she met the famous Kuu in Washington, but that it wasn't the first time she saw him. It seems that they know each other since she was five and her mother was in high school with his wife. I sometimes forget that Yuna lead a totally different life before I met her, and that she is mostly still friends with some people. I sort of thought that it was just her family, Mana, Mahad ( who couldn't come with us to Kyoto because Pegasus called and demanded that the two of them greet him and keep him company until we get back to Tokyo ) and Alex. Guess I was wrong.

It didn't take us long to find the three celebrities, Ren being the tallest person I have ever seen, and Kyoko being the most daydreaming girl in the world who still believed in magic and fairies at the age of 17, proven as such when she asked Sasha if he was a prince from fairytales. Sho was just a stupid jerk. A half an hour later we found Shotaro's (Sho) and Kuon's (Ren) parents. Ren and Sho exchanged surprised glances, Kuon's amused while Sho's was horror at finding out who Tsuruga Ren actually is. Kyoko had fainted, but then started asking a million questions a second, while Kuon's parents hugged him in greeting, then her, seeing as they see her as their own child, and Shotaro received both loving greetings and angry scoldings for the way he treated his childhood friend in the past couple of years. Once they finished with him, they greeted Kyoko as well and then my help was needed. They had all wrapped Yuna in a bone crushing hug and she was turning blue from the lack of oxygen. With Sasha's and Yugi's help, I was barely able to get her out of their arms, although she landed on me as I fell to the ground on my back. We blushed an identical red that matched her eyes and received some giggles and snickers before we death glared them to silence. The talk that followed in the hotel that Sho's parents ran, and ultimately where Kyoko and Sho grew up, was awkward at the least. The parents were giving all sorts of suggestions and the three 'children in love' were blushing like mad. I have given Mokuba the permission to go and play video games with Maria, Lorry's only granddaughter, just so he wouldn't listen to this. The first thing that happened was that Kyoko confessed her love for both men and that she refuses to choose between them, followed by their own confessions of love for her. As soon as they said all that, their parents started discussing ways to marry all three of them and how it works, how Kyoko's pregnancy would affect their lives and jobs, how difficult it can be to raise a child and etc, and etc. By the half of the same hour of which this talk began, Sasha, Yugi, Kyoko, Kanae (Kyoko's best friend; the black haired Love Me member ), Ren, Sho, Chiori (the other Love Me worker ) and I were all blushing the colour of Yuna's lovely eyes, while the owner of them is slightly pink in the cheeks. The adults got into quite the discussion and it was only thanks to Yuna that the talk about three way sex was stopped and I couldn't have been happier than that when I realised that I did a good thing by sending Mokuba out of the room before all of this began. I then realised that Sasha is also very young, also only five or six years old, and yet he listened to this crap! Didn't they feel any shame at speaking like that around a kid who can still be considered a toddler. After Yuna stopped them, the over excited parents and Lory apologised to Sasha, but he surprised me by saying that he had heard worse. I almost forgot that a Mafia took him in, trying to make him into a murderer, a weapon. We stayed there for the night, and next morning Kyoko, Ren and Sho announced that they will give it a try with the three way relationship. Everyone cheered and by nightlife we were all in good spirits. Lory took us back to Tokyo, where an excited Pegasus was waiting for us with the Sennen siblings. Yuna seems to have received a request for tutoring the students at Tokyo University and will be remaining here until the end of next week. I decided to stay in Tokyo as well and check things at the HQ of Kaiba Corp. Tokyo.

Yuna's POV

A friend of mine, well somewhat, was working in the Tokyo University but he fell ill and now they need a substitute. And who's better than the Queen of Games, the "Archeological wonder" and "Child of History", the "Daughter of Pharaohs" right? And since I owe both the ill teacher and the deen, I have to agree. But it's not fair! I have a limited time left to spend with my family and friends, and now they are taking that away as well?! And Sasha can't stay here forever either. I know that Athos, the organisation that is now taking good care of him, needs for him to start training soon and he'll need to leave for some Orthodox country, probably Greece. Who knows when I'll see him again! And grandpa couldn't leave the Game Shop unattended back home! And what about Seto and Mokuba? Mahad and Mana will spend the next twelve days with us as well, then go back to Egypt where they are going to finish/start their training (Mahad/Mana). But Seto will take this the hardest, because he's too much like me. He doesn't have much friends and if his best friend leaves him behind ... He'll never trust me again if I don't come back after some time.

We spent the week seperatly, not by our choosing. Seto was working in KC Tokyo. It seems that he started working on computer special effects for movies and such while I was away, and he even started Space reasurch. Quite a few things have changed in the time I was studying in distant countries. I, on the other hand, have been working on the University. On the first day I was able to show the students just WHY I am called "Child of History". They have been staring at me in wonder, not beliving that a ten year old knows as much as I do. It was quite funny seeing as many of them had said that I will be at fault if they fail the subjects of history and archeology, but they, mostly, ended up being the ones that asked the most questions. I received many apologies after every class, because everyone reacted the same. Unfortunatly, someone snitched that I'm in Tokyo and reporters started following me around by the third day of my University work. Actually, if it weren't for some students, I would have been mobbed. Seto and Pegasus immediatly sued the reporters and their companies each needed at the very least 13 new employees. Poor guys. Oh well. Yugi, Sasha and Mokuba were more than happy to just sit around Pegasus' place and play everything and anything. Pegasus himself, was busy. Some guy was developing some game and wants him to publish it. It seems that Seto declared the game as 'boring' and 'a knockoff of Duel Monsters with less excitement' when he got this persons offer. Pegasus has been nitpicking at the game for a week now, but can't seem to figure out how it can becoma at the very least as half as popular as Duel Monsters. Appearently, the game is very similar to DM and because of that Pegasus is hesitating. I'll be helping him with it the day after tommorow. It's already Friday. The reason that it's Sunday and not Saturday that I'm working with him on it because Elliott and Wesley invited me to the caffe once they heard that I'm in town.

So, early Saturday morning we: Seto, Mokuba, Yugi, Mana, Mahad, Pegasus, Cecillia, Sasha, Roland and Fugata, and I walked into the pretty pink caffe. I heard everyone gasp and realised that Seto, Pegasus and I should have probably worn to cover up our features.

Seto's POV

Everyone in the caffe was staring at us until a blond guy came to us and greeted Yuna with a hug, soon folllowed by his female employees and the only other male worker who I persumed was Wesley seeing as he is older than the blond guy, who must be Elliott. Yuna introduced us to them and vice versa. They were all over Mokuba and Sasha, and all the female guests were either gossiping about the three most famous names in gaming all being in the same room, cuing over the two youngest of our group OR ogling Mahad, who WAS handsome. Some girls even dared to come and give him their number, leaving him dumbstruck. It was quite funny.

Soon we were seated, but the redhead, Zoey, took Yuna by the hand and dragged her to the kitchen. We are left to gawk at their retreating forms as the girl with green hair, Bridget, apologised and Renee, who has purple hair, just shook her head while Corina, withe her blue hair in balerina buns, and Kiki, the small blonde, followed them with wicked expressions. Elliott was hot on their trail but it seems that he wasn't able to save Yuna seeing as he soon returned with a defeated look on his gace and irritation in his eyes. Wesley sweatdropped. Pegasus just chuckled while Mahad, Kimo, Croquet, Roland and Fugata had anxious expresions on their faces, obviosly wanting to help her even after the owners of the cute caffe explained that they are just excited about something. I just sigh.

When they returned, breathing was something I no longer knew how to do. I always thought that Yuna is, simply put, perfectly gorgeous! But now ... Now that is the biggest underestimatment of the millennia! She is wearing a waitress outfit the colour of the sunset, outlined in the shades of the sunrise. The thing was very, VERY SHORT! Any shorter and I could have probably seen her undergarments. I blushed as red as Zoey's hair at the thought. Although ... Ahem. Her hair was decorated with the strap that the other girls were wearing, and on her legs and feet were the same black shoes and the long socks. The Millennium Puzzle has managed to stay in it's place, but on her wrists were the cuff like accessories that seem to come with the outfit. The final touch was Yuna's cute, delicate blush that sent many of the male guests to the floor with their noses bleeding with the ferocity of a volcano! I was barely able to stop myself from joining them, and it was once again thanks to Gozaboro's training. I don't care. I'm just glad that I am in control as much as I am , because I know that Yuna hates guys like the ones who are now in need of medical attention given how much blood they have lost moments ago. Yuna came over to us.

"Well, what do you guys think? Is it any good on me?" She asked shyly and I am sure that our faces share the same colour. I have never before known of a creature more beautiful than my precious rival. Her unique features and great build are an amazing combination. Although she may be a bit short, I like that. I always imagined myself wrapped around my loved one as a protective blanket, not allowing her to get hurt. And for that, I needed someone of smaller built. Yuna fits the description perfectly. But I think that it's her personality that makes me want to be around her forever. I always thought that I'd end up marrying some weak woman who would fear me or just try to please me. After I met Yuna, all I wanted was to be with someone like her, even before I realised that I have feelings for her. I'm still trying to figure those feelings out, but I know that I am very close to the answer to the question of how deep my feelings for her actually are. I realise that I have yet to answer Yuna's question about the attire, so I pull myself together and say :" You look beautiful!" without thinking. Not that I don't meanthem, iit's just embarrassing to admit it out loud. The redness in our cheeks increases to the point I believe that it's no longer healthy.

Just then Sasha let out a startled cry as Kiki all but dragged him in the same direction that Yuna disappeared a few minutes ago, cursing loudly in Russian. I was surprised at how much cuss words a five year old kid knew, but then recalled what kind of past that same kid had. I didn't get the chance to think about it as Mahad and Mana were snatched up by Corina and Zoey and followed suit after the small Russian boy. Before I could say anything Renee took me by the arm and the only remaining waitress took Mokuba's hand gently. I reacted on instinct and did a judo throw over my shoulder, sending my ''captor'' across the room. Bridget immediatly let go of Mokba as I glared at her and ran over to help her fallen friend. Yuna just shakes her head and explains everything on both sides, my still glaring at them forbidding them to speak. I ended up being scooleded by both Yuna and Cecillia while Pegasus talked lightly with Wesley. Soon Sasha came out in a small black suit with a bowtie and white gloves replacing his usual black ones. His silvery bangs were combed to the side, but his earring stayed and a light blush covered his boyish face. All the girls squealed in delight and highpitched conversations were heard all over the Caffè. Mana came out a few minutes later, wearing a similar outfit as Bridget except it didn't have any white, and was followed by a very satisfied looking Zoey. Kiki also looked pleased. But then Mahad came out and the girls in the cafe got really loud. He was dressed similarly to Sasha with his long, brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. He, too, had a blush on his face, but looked a lot more comfortable with the attire after Yuna assured him that he looks fine. I wonder if he has a crush on her, but remember that he said that he started dating some girl back in Egypt.

The day was rrather interesting. The girl customers wanted Sasha or Mahad as their waiters and so it was very loud. I was tricked into letting Mokuba 'play' with the others and he helped them out quite nicely. Even Elliott wasn't spared from work, seeing as Zoey pulled an apron on him when he was distracted and made him wait tables. Cecillia, never having done something like this, also went to help despite Pegasus' protests. It was rather busy, but it got worse when Mana joined Kiki in her daily act for the customers and even worse when Sasha decided to help them out! They were great! There wasn't anyonewho ccould have said that they just joined up instead of practicing their whole lives. Yuna looked very proud. But it was drawing attention and the pink cafe needed more help so Yugi and Pegasus were dragged off by Cecillia but were a bit clumsy. They didn't break anything, at least. Unlike Bridget. Zoey looks revealed that there are more workers than usual. Yuna was probably the busiest in the house. She worked in both the kitchen, helping Wesley, and the guest area, serving customers. I was about to get up to help her when I saw something out of the corner of my eye before a loud crash was heard, followed by screaming and yelling. I have seen a guy spill his drink and Kiki, Mana and Sasha slipped on it. Kiki spilled the drinks she was juggling all over some customers, and Mana dropped the cakes she was balancing on some girl. Sasha managed not to fall, but one of the tarts he was carrying landed on one guy's head while he was helplessly flirting with some girl who looked more interested in Mahad. The girl shrieked and jumped in surprise, almost hitting Yuna, who dodged effortlessly, and instead bumped into Yugi, who lost his footing and crashed into Zoey, the dishes they were carrying flying directly into the guy who started the mess. Zoey ended up in Elliott's arms as he helped her not to fall. Finally, everything stopped. The customers were complaining, expecially the idiot who started everything. He was accusing Elliott of allowing amateurs to perform like that and assaulting the guests. I returned his accusion right back at him, but he turned it to his favour by telling Elliott that he is rather unprofessional if he permits a kid to treat his customers like that. Zoey actually stood up in his defence, and I could see the little gleam of happiness in his eyes that I recognised as the same one I always have at the thought of Yuna. But, if he's in love with her, am I in love with Yuna? No, it can't be. It must be from all of this excitement and Yuna's soon departure. Yeah. That's probably it. But more and more guests were starting to get ready to leave, despite the employees trying to apologise for the incident. The guy looked smug as he turned to leave as well, but a ritmik clapping of hands stopped everyone. We all turned to see non other than Yuna standing on a table, clapping her hands in a familiar beat. I recognised it as the melody of the same song she performed with the cafe's workers about a month and a half ago. Maybe more. Everyone recognised the song, but could only watch in wonder as the one and only Yuna Yami Mouto, the Queen of Games, started singing. The voice that came out could have easily been an angel's, it's soothing softness and warmth calming everyone down and soon the entire cafe was clapping and singing along. The waitresses/singers stood up on five other tables and Zoey even outstretched a hand for Elliott to take, so that they were together on the same table. Yuna's was still in the middle of the cafe and most people surrounded it and watches the wonderful Queen make the table a stage where she turned everything else into her Kingdom. A game. The guy looked pissed off. He was about to try and ruin the piceful atmosphere but I didn't allow it this time.

I caught him by the arm and pushed him into the mess that has yet to be cleaned and everyone stops as he gets back to his feet with a yell of rage, covered from head to toe in the spilt drinks and food. The workers of the Cafe Mew Mew were all looking at him in mixed shock, disgust and anger. Zoey looked hurt. "Mark?"

"Zoey, I can explain! It's because you refuse to quit the job and the band, even though I offered you to be my backup singer! You stayed because of HIM!" Heb said, pointing at Elliott who was holding Zoey's hand as she shook from tears. " So, I thought that if I ruin his business you would change your mind and reconsider my offer. Today happened to be the best opportunity to fulfil my plan, and it would have worked, too, if it weren't for these meddling kids!" Mark exclaimed. Yuna walked over to him, Mahad on her right side, Sasha on the left, Yugi and Mana behind her. "You do realise that this is not "ScoobyDo", right? However, if you ever try to hurt my friends and family and anything that they consider important, you will be in unbearable pain, forgotten on the streets and unemployed for the rest of your miserable little life! Is that clear?" She asked in a rhetorical way that sounded colder than the Artic. Tha guy could only shake his head 'Yes' before he ran out as Elliott made his way to him, probably intending to kill him for hurting Zoey, but she stopped him. As he turned to look at her, she threw herself into his arms and started sobbing. Elliott, after getting over his shock (and receiving murderous glares from his female friends and Wesley; just to be sure I guess), wrapped her in his arms and held his beloved as she cried.

The way he was holding her, so tenderly and softly whispering to her while he buried his face into her hair, I could also assossiate with the way I hugged Yuna. But ... Elliott loves Zoey. What do I feel for Yuna? I don't know. Will I ever even find out. After all, this might be the last time that I ever see her.

00000

As the day at the cafe ended and the last of the customers left, the only things you could hear were something like : "That blond boy and the redhaired girl are so perfect for each other!'', ''They make such a cute couple.'', or things like : ''That little Russian boy is just the cutest thing, don't you think?'' and ''YEAH!'', ''That older boy is so exotic! Do you think he has a girlfriend?'' ''I don't know.'' and even thing like ''That younger boy with blue eyes and brown hair and the girl with the three coloured haired girl with those beautiful crimson eyes are the only couple that is cuter than those two, I'm sure!'' Needless to say that Yuna and I have once again started copying strawbearies. And we got teased a lot.

The first chance that we got that neither Zoey nor Elliott were around, Wesley explained that he called Yuna over because those two have been arguing for the past two weeks and everyone got sick of it, even they themselves. Explained that they were hurting from hurting each other. And that they needed help to get those two to admit their feelings to the other. Yuna just chuckled. We all looked at her with puzzled expresions.

''You didn't need my help. Belive me.'' They all look at her disbelivingly, so she leads us all to the back of the cafe where we see something unexpected. Zoey and Elliott, watching the sunset. She was leaning on his side while their fingers were interlocked. Their faces looked happy and piceful, but still slightly awkward. ''They will need tome to get used to the idea that there might be something more between them other than friendship and their professional relationship. But they will manage. They are both too stubborn to give it up just like that. They will still argue, you should expect it, BUT before all your hopes vanish ... you should know that that is actually pretty healthy in some relationships. They sometimes last longer than those relationships where the couple is all too similar and always get along. They'll do just fine.'' Yuna smiles and everyone lets out a sigh of relief. We watch them for a while in silence. I felt Yuna lean her head against my shoulder and all my doubts leave me and, for the first time since Yuna left Japan a year ago, I feel myself truly, really, honest to God, relax with the two of the most imporatante people in my life, standing right beside me.

Pegasus is the one that speaks first. ''We should get going. It was nice to meet you and I hope you to have all of the best, only! Hope we meet again.'' We all shake hands, even those two lovebirds, then left. Halfway to Pegasus' mansion Mokuba, Yugi and Mana fell asleep. Sasha managed to stay awake until we were a block from it and finally gave up, falling asleep against Yuna's left side, while Yugi's head rested in her lap. Lucky basterds! Mokuba was leaning against me and the same was with Mana and Mahad, who just dozed off. But at least Yuna and I are sitting side by side in the car. I only now realised that Pegasus was snoring away in his wife's lap, and she herslef was napping away the excitment of the day. And the bodyguards are up front with the driver. Yuna and I were the only ones awake. Yuna leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around her. She rested her head in the joining of my neck and shoulder, nuzzling it slightly, and I buried my nose into her hair, inhaling her scent. We soon fell asleep like that, and actually woke up in the morning IN the limo with EVERYONE ELSE as if we actually SLEPT in here! The waking up was very embarrassing for us all.

00000

After that night in the limo, Yuna and I didn't have any alone time. Sara and Seira left for India at the end of the week and we were lucky that their plane departed from Tokyo, and not Domino. A week later, Mana and Mahad were leaving to Egypt from Domino City. Yuna has finished her job as a substitute for the professor at the Tokyo University and gained a lot of popularity from it. Time was blurring and the day of Yuna's departure has almost arrived. Sasha was leaving tomorrow but today we are finally taking him back to the church that is looking after him.

In front of the church at St. Mihailov was the priest Yuri Noda the little Russian told us about but a girl our age was slightly hiding behind him. She has orange, short hair and is dressed in a nun's dress. Her eyes are a brighter green than Mana's are.

"Welcome back, Sasha. I would like you to meet Teresa Beria. She is from a faraway country that used to be a part of the Yugoslavia before it was separated. She is a Serbian Orthodox nun. Her nun sisters that took her in were killed by an Adept and some solders when she was your age Sasha. I hope you will get along." Said the priest. Then he turned to Yuna:" I must thank you for saving him in the first place and for taking care of him all this time. I know that he sees you as an older sister, and it's an honour to finally meet you, Yuna "nee-sama"." They shake hands. Yuna then turns to Teresa and introduced herself. She then suddenly started talking in what must be Serbian, because it sounds similar to Russian, yet soo very different, and Teresa understands her.

"Možete li molim vas da pevate pesmu "Djurdjevdan"?" (Can you please sing the song "Djurdjevdan"?) Teresa asked Yuna in a hopeful voice. Yuna nodded and cleared her throat.

Proljece na moje rame slijece

djurdjevak zeleni

djurdjevak zeleni

svima osim meni

Drumovi odose, a ja ostah

nema zvijezde Danice

nema zvijezde Danice

moje saputnice

Ej, kome sada moja draga

na djurdjevak mirise

na djurdjevak mirise

meni nikad vise

( 2x ) E, evo zore, evo zore

Bogu da se pomolim

evo zore, evo zore

ej, Djurdjevdan je

a ja nisam s onom koju volim

Ej, kome sada moja dragana djurdjevak mirise

na djurdjevak mirise

meni nikad vise

Njeno ime neka se spominje

svakog drugog dana

svakog drugog dana

osim Djurdjevdana

( 2x ) A ja nisam s onom koju volim

Yuna's voice was as amazing as always, and even without understanding a word of the song I knew that it was a very emotional song. Sasha seems to have understood a few words, but Teresa had tears running freely down her face as she quietly sobbed. Yuna hugged her and she clung to her like she was her only life line. Sasha, for the first time since I met him, didn't get jealous of someone else hugging his 'nee-sama'. He must have pitied her or something.

We stayed for dinner,made by Yuna and Teresa, and for the very first time I realised that Alexander truly is just a boy of Mokuba's age when he started arguing with me for the last portion of the borscht that Yuna made. If it was anyone else's food I would have given it to him without a fight, but it was Yuna's and so I refused to relinquish it to someone else. Especially since this is one of the last meals that I might taste with Yuna here. It was only thanks to father Yuri and Yuna that the meal was saved when our most important person ( for me besides my little brother, Mokuba, of course ) gave us each a half of the portion and sent us such a glare that we immediatily shut up.

We stayed the night there, Sasha and Teresa cuddled up to Yuna, despite Teresa being only maybe a month or so younger than Yuna. Yugi, Mokuba and myself were in a different room. The youngsters were already asleep ( they are both younger than me ), yet I couldn't even close my eyes. I couldn't help but put myself in Sasha's position. He'll be separated from the only person he trusts in some eight hours and who knows when they'll see each other again. Their situation is very similar to ours. Yuna and mine's. How will I deal with it in about a week or so.

In the morning, during breakfast, Sasha was literally glued to Yuna's waist and this stayed that way on the way to th airport and during the time we waited for his plane to call it's passengers. Alexander cried and cried, demanding that Yuna promises him not to forget him. Yuna's heart broke with every sob but she promised everything that he asked her to, even that she will send him borscht once a month. Soom he was on his plane that was taking him to Greece where he will continue his Qwaser training. Yuna, as we watched the plane climb higher to the air and the flying hight, cried silently on my shoulder and I felt my heart clench whenever she shivered instead of a sob. I knew that all I can do now was to hold her until she calms down, bit it hurt. I know for sure that little Sasha is also crying on the plane and I'm sure that she knows, too. I also know that this is how I'll feel shortly, when Yuna is the one leaving. I now have only a week with her.

'Why must we always be separated from those that we care about the most?' I asked myself, knowing that there is no answer to my question.

00000

That day came.

The day I might be saying my final goodbye to my crush.

This may as well be the last time we stand face to face, speak in person.

'When will I see you again? If ever?' I can't help but think it, even as Alex's declaration that she never leaves for forever plays in my mind. It's been playing over and over again for the last few days, but I still have my doubts. After all, there is always a first time for everything. I sigh, knowing that I'm just making things worse for myself without any reason or prof that she won't come back.

We've been saying our 'Goodbyes' for the past hour, but all I can think of is the month that I have sent with her. The month that might be the last time I can see her like this. I remembered my stupidity when I first found out about her departure and how I ignored her, until I meet Alex and made up with her, then the fun we had with him while he was still here. Then came Sasha, Alexander Nicholaevich Herr, and things got interesting, first with the fight against Sasuke and in the same day I held the first public tour of my company, made especially for my rival. That's also the first time I participated in a food fight. It was also the time I experienced my first sleepover and got to show off my jets. It was definitely the first time I have helped, even by just being support, a love couple, no a LOVE TRIANGLE, fix their problems and listened to other people's parents talk about sex (Gozaboro had a very, ahem, interesting interest in this subject and liked to tell me all about his experiences whenever he got the chance, meaning all the times when Mokuba wasn't around; he knew that I would have killed him otherwise). Then I got the chance to see my crush in a waitress outfit and watch her work (What can I say? I'm a pervert. ) and even got to see what MAY be the nature of my feelings for her (Although I doubt it). After that I got the chance to fight against both Mahad (he's not a bad fighter) and Sasha, both of which I won. Later I met an Orthodox priest, found out that Yuna knows Serbian and listened to her sing in it at the request of a little Serbian girl that was raised to be a nun, then argued with Sasha over Yuna's food and watches her sleep contently with Sasha and Teresa. I have been her shoulder for her to cry on and the supporting pillar that only close friends can be. And now I'm supposed to say goodbye.

It is not fair, really.

"Well, it's time for me to go. Harvard is waiting for me!" Yuna declared. I can only watch as she says goodbye one last time. This time, I don't let go of her that easily when we hugged and Yuna whispers in my ear words that gave me hope and reassurance that I'll see her again.

"I'll come back, I promise! After all, Domino City has something, SOMEONE, who I wish to return to. A challenge I don't want to let go of. As long as Domino has this, I'll always come back here and consider it my home." She nuzzled my neck one last time. "As long as you don't forget me, Seto. As long as you want me to come back, I will! I swear on my honour, Seto Kaiba!" She is looking determinedly at me, our eyes meeting.

Cold sapphires on fiery rubies. For what might be the last time.

But, for the first time since she told me that she is leaving, I know that she is going to come back. Because of me. Because I AM going to attract her attention. Because I'M going to drag her all across the world if I haveto and iI'll always find a way to be her number one rival.

This mmight be the last time we see each other.

But...

I'll make sure that it is not!

A/N:Hi! Sorry for taking so long, but as you can see iit's a huge chapter and many things have happened. Sasuke and Itachi Uchiva are from a cool anime/manga called Naruto, and Alexander Nicolaevich Herr, Teresa and Yuri Noda are from Seikon no Qwaser, also a great, awesome and cool manga/anime although it's a bit of a hentai/echi kind of thing. You might have seen the Mew Mew bunch in there again, well lets just say that Elliott became friends with Yuna on some genius occasion and etc. Kyoko, Ren and Sho, as well as the other characters that go around with them are from one of the best mangas that I have read, Skip Beat. And we still have our Mermaid Princesses, with new appearances of Kaito and Gakuto, although they are Sara's and Seira's younger brothers. I like the paring of Sara and Gakuto very much, but this just popped into my head and ... things happened. Also, I think it's incredibly cute, little Sasha being jealous of others around his nee-sama, which by the way means 'big sister' in Japanese. Also, you should know that I don't know Russian or Japanese. I used a translator for the sentences in those languages. However, I do know Serbia as it is my mother language, and the song also exists and doesn't belong to me. You should check it out! It's very pretty. About the love triangle of Skip Beat, I just can't decide who is better with Kyoko, although I do LOVE Kyoko/Ren. I just like complicating things! It's soo fun! And I know that some of you will wonder why it's Seto's tenth and not ninth birthday that Yuna'll be missing. Well, remember that the Moutos transfered to the school sometime in the second semester and Seto wasn't their friend from the beginning. And here is where things get interesting because the plot of this story finally starts to mingle with the plot of Yu Gi Oh, although they will still be younger than in the show. It's Battle City time! I hope that you like the story so far and thanks for the support!