Hello everybody! And welcome to my third fanfiction! A Yugioh fanfiction that I have had in the works for quite some time.

This fanfic takes places during the Dartz arch of the manga and anime. I will be bringing in Cecelia Pegasus here and several original characters. One such OC is a major supporting character named Kagome. No… this isn't a cross over with Inuyasha. No… I didn't just use the name because of Inuyasha. I wanted to use it to bring some recognizable names into the fanfic.

I do not own Yugioh (nor do I own Inuyasha) they are owned by the original creators, Hiroyuki Kakudo for Yugioh and Rumiko Takahashi.

Please enjoy!

Cards and Dragons

~ Chapter 1 Grave Meetings...~

Maximillion Pegasus looked out over the ocean from his bedroom balcony as he drank his wine. On the table in front of him was a cake. Cecelia's favorite: chocolate raspberry. He made it himself in honor of her birthday every year. Yet… Before she passed, every year they made one together. He had cut a piece out and had placed a single pink and purple candle in the center of it.

Cecelia… my darling Cecelia… I miss you so much. Maximillion held the piece of cake as he watched a falling star sail across the sky. I wish you were here with me still, Cecelia. He blew out the candle and ate the piece of cake, despite not having an appetite. Putting the plate aside, he stood and went to the railing.

Maximillion peered out over his island, Duelist Kingdom, and beyond to the ocean. Since Cecelia's death seven years ago, he had to deal with black, empty dreams that were either horror or lonely, or dreams of beautiful colors of her. The ocean reminded him of his attempted escapes from his nightmares. Maximillion's gaze fell as he cried, despite having the Millennium Eye in his left eye socket.

"CECELIA!" Maximillion shouted to the sky as he fell to his knees. Sobbing, he stayed there covering his face with his hands as he longed for Cecelia. After a while his tears dried and he grew silent, filled with sorrow. However, a new sound pierced the air, causing Maximillion to flinch in surprise. The sound came from below the balcony. Standing up, he wiped his tears away with his handkerchief and looked over his railing to the garden below, listening. From below, he heard the soft, muted sounds of a woman crying.

Maximillion watched in curiosity and shock as a young woman, his personal gardener Kagome, walk in the shadows, dressed in a cloak. She walked over to his wife's grave and she placed a bouquet of yellow roses and white daisies, indicating friendship and remembrance, on Cecelia's grave stone.

In confusion, Maximillion tried to remember or at least recall why he even remembered Kagome other than her being his master gardener. "Hmmm…" Max hummed quietly.

After a few minutes of watching his gardener grieve, he decided his curiosity was too difficult to resist. Silently, he walked quickly to his closet and got out his own cloak. He needed it to get past his guards without them knowing their boss was out and about without protection. Not that he needed it with the Eye. Also, he didn't want to risk scaring Kagome away, thus forcing him from knowing why she was at Cecelia's grave. He knew he could use the Millennium Eye to gain the truth in moments from Kagome's mind, but, in his curiosity, he wanted to hear the truth from her own mouth firsthand without its powers. On why she grieved his late wife.

So thus, with much secrecy and silence, Maximillion made his way down to his wife's grave to discover the truth via the secret tunnel.

~Earlier…~

Kagome, from her vantage point beneath her hood, watched the guard walk away on his patrol atop the wall. Once he was out of sight, she scurried over to the castle's shadows in the courtyard below Maximillion Pegasus' bedroom. That area was left a wider berth, but still securely monitored. Not that anyone tried to gain access there. For beyond the garden and grave site, was a sheer cliff with jagged rocks at the bottom, giving Maximillian Pegasus reason to keep his chambers at this point. It gave him his privacy without having guards interrupting his peace. The courtyard was enclosed on two sides, the open sides facing south and west, which the view of the Pacific was fantastic. Here in the courtyard, lay Cecelia Pegasus, Maximillion's wife… and Kagome's friend since their toddler days.

Kagome looked up and made eye contact with Jason Lu Jung. He was on guard duty this part of Duelist Kingdom's wall. Jason was the only one on the entire island who knew Cecelia and herself personally. Jason, himself, was Cecelia's adoptive brother, who her father loved, yet hid away to protect him from his former foster parents who were intentionally trying to kill him. He came here with her, like her, to be close to Cecelia's resting place, even as Cecelia's grave was a secret to all here save her, Jason, and Maximillion. Both considered revealing their identities and past to him, but both decided against it unless it was absolutely necessary to certain circumstances.

Stepping out of the shadows for a brief moment to nod up to Jason, Kagome disappeared deeper into the shadows. Jason nodded back as she disappeared and went back to guard duty. Kagome sighed; turning to walk towards Cecelia's grave. Without warning, tears started to fall, causing Kagome to whimper and weep, though she tried her best to keep it in and quiet, since the master was on his balcony grieving himself. As she approached her friend's grave, she began to weep openly, though still quietly. Steeping out of the trees' shadows, Kagome came to her friend's grave.

Kagome whispered under her breath, "Happy birthday, Cece!" She said it so quietly one would have to hugging her to hear her.

Falling to her knees, Kagome wept as she gently placed her bouquet of yellow roses and white daisies on the grave. Yellow meant friendship, white meaning remembrance. She had included a black rose meaning death and a red rose meaning love. For several long minutes, Kagome cried quietly, mourning her friend's death, even though she had been gone seven years already. Just being around here to grieve helped to put the past behind her and calm her tears.

Unbeknownst to her, a cloaked figure silently approached her from behind, watching her. As Kagome wept, she remembered the master's pain and sorrow as well. She knew how deep Cecelia's death had pained him. How much he grieved and cried for her in the night. And it still pained him. He truly loved to this day. As she dried her tears, a hand touched her left shoulder, causing her to scream in fright. But only for a fraction of a second.

The hand clamped over her mouth, cutting her scream into nothingness and strong arms pulled her against a man's rock-hard chest, silencing her effectively, as he pulled her to the deepest shadows. Jason, not having been alerted to the disturbance, glanced down over from his position on the wall, noticing Kagome was gone. Narrowing his eyes, he let out a hum of disapproval and thought, Hmmm… Normally Kagome stays there for roughly twenty minutes. It's only been ten. I'll check up with her in the morning about it, ask if she's alright… Jason turned and continued to walk his security detail route, unconcerned.

Kagome and her captor watched as Jason moved out of sight and hearing range. Heart pounding, Kagome felt her captor lower his head, his lips quite near her ear and there came the whispered voice of Maximillion Pegasus to her ear, "Don't make a single sound, Kagome." Kagome's eyes bulged, fearful. He continued to whisper in her ear, "I have some serious question for you about this. However, this is not the place, nor is it the best time for it. Let us get to my chambers for privacy. Promise me you won't run or make a sound?"

At her timid nod, Maximillion released Kagome who turned to face him. He saw the fear in her eyes, in her posture. "Come follow me. I know a secret way to my chambers that's secret to even my own guards." He whispered his command, before he turned to the south eastern wall. Obedient knowing there was no room for arguments, Kagome silently followed as he led her in the shadows. Coming to the wall's middle, Maximillion paused and pushed in a stone slightly, causing a hidden passageway to appear.

Kagome gasped quietly, fearful. Maximillion gave her a sympathetic look before whispering, "Have no fear, there is nothing bad inside. Quick, before anyone sees." He went in and turned to offer her a hand. She grasped his hand and followed like an obedient puppy.

Inside, Maximillion hit a hidden switch, causing the door to close and placing them into complete blackness. Kagome, blinded by the darkness, felt Maximillion take her hand again, surprisingly gently and in a way comforting, leading her through a dizzying maze of unseen corridors, causing her internal compass to wonder aimlessly. Finally, after what seemed like an endless walk, Maximillion stopped, causing Kagome to hum in question. Suddenly, the black passageway was filled with light as he again hit a hidden switch in the wall.

Blinded this time by light, Kagome squinted feeling Maximillion lead her into the room as her eyes adjusted to the room's light. Once her eyes had fully adjusted, Kagome looked around in confusion. The room had a large, almost life like sized painting of Cecelia at one end. Maximillion stood to one side, looking at it for a moment before he turned to her. She stared in shook as a tear fell from his right eye, confirming her suspicion on his pain of losing Cecelia.

Cautiously, Kagome came over and placed a comforting hand on his arm, shedding a few tears herself. Maximillion, at her hand, collapsed to his knees and sobbed, causing Kagome to kneel as well and held him in comfort, knowing exactly why he cried. Both held each other as they grieved over Cecelia. As Kagome calmed, Maximillion did as well. She tried her best to comfort her master as they grieved, knowing he hurt and lost far more than she did. Soon they pulled apart and they knelt facing each other. Drying his tears, Maximillion stood and offered a hand to Kagome which she accepted.

As she stared at him in question, Maximillion explained, "You're most likely wondering why I brought you here."

"Yes. It's something to do with me being at Cecelia's grave. Are you going to punish me? Place my soul inside a card?" Kagome accused, fearful and angry. She was a bit ashamed for going to that point so quickly.

Maximillion sighed, but he didn't blame her for asking that. "No… I won't, Miss Kagome. This is one time I am more curious than angry. Far from angry though. This place," he shook his head and paused, looking around before continuing, "one of the places besides my own chambers that I only have access to and the only place that we can talk about Cecelia."

"What do you want to know?" Kagome relaxed finally, calmed to hear he wasn't angry with her.

"Well first… Why were you at Cecelia's grave? Was she someone you knew?"

Kagome smirked, "Before I answer, may we have a seat? This will take a while to explain."

He raised a brow, surprised at her boldness at asking. He smirked and gestured to two comfortable chairs, "Come, let's take a seat."

Kagome took a seat and he took the other one across from her. Getting comfortable, she crossed her arms and legs, answering, "Well to answer your first question, I obviously was grieving Cecelia. And yes, I knew her. She meant the world to you and you to her, sir."

At Kagome's smiled, he rolled his eye as he smiled, "Please call me Max, but yes, I realize that Miss Kagome…"

Kagome gaped for a moment at Maximillion. For him to allow her to call him Max was a bit personal, but apparently she had made ground with him for knowing Cecelia. "Please if you insist that I can call you Max, call me Kagome or Kags. It's my nickname." Kagome interrupted, blushing.

"Alright, then. Kagome. I knew you were at the grave to grieve Cecelia… But why though? You still haven't answered my question on how you knew her. Did you two know each other in life before she passed?" He pressed, right eye narrowing in warning.

Hesitating a bit, Kagome spoke slowly, cautioning Maximillion, "Before I tell you my secrets, please I need you to know that I won't be able to tell you every little secret. I been sworn to secrecy about some things that no one should know about. But I can answer some questions in part. As for that question, yes, Cecelia and I knew each other quite well."

"Who swore you to secrecy? And for what purpose? We both know very well that I can get the secrets from your mind with the Eye." Maximillion frowned, taken aback at Kagome's forwardness.

"Yes, I know you can, but even then, with the Eye, you won't know every little secret. I can say this… as a hint… ask the one who gave it to you… Shadi."

Stunned that she knew that knowledge, Maximillion was quiet for moment. But only a moment before he turned on her and stood, accusing. "How do you know he gave it to me?! SPEAK WOMAN! Or I will take your soul!" he threatened her.

Kagome smiled, completely unfazed at the unveiled threat, laughing, knowing he would probably react this way, confusing Maximillion and making him uncomfortable with her unnaturally calm demeanor around him, "Ah, if I gave you the answer to that it would mean the end of me regardless. Now sit down and let me tell you why. Otherwise you'll end up hurting yourself."

Growling at her order but following it anyway, he sat down again as he narrowed his eye and harrumphed, "Very well… Keep your secrets, woman. Please then let's get back to the original topic… Cecelia." He took a breathe to calm down his emotions.

Kagome's smile disappeared and a look of pain and sorrow appeared. She looked to Cecelia's portrait to her left and let a lone tear escape. " Before I say anything... This is a long story... so be prepared. Cecelia and I knew each other, We were… best friends actually. Since we were infants. Her family and mine were very close despite out parents' different social classes and vocations. We were like sisters, always together as if we were connected at the hip. Even when we lived hundreds of miles apart due to her parents moving, we stayed connects. Our parents even stayed together. Often my family would visit her or her family mine. I…"

"Seriously? Why is it I never knew of you or your friendship before?" Max cut in, curious.

Kagome shook her head, sad, "Because I personally didn't want to come between you and Cecelia. And plus, I was the one to encourage her to meet you so long ago at the ball. And there was some other… developments…"

"Why? Why wouldn't you want to get to know me? Or myself get to know you? Did you think you'd steal me from Cecelia?"

Kagome shook her head again, "No… it was because of my up bringing and my family. See… your father had a grudge against mine because of a past wrong."

"Please may I ask what this wrong was, Kagome?"

"Yes. My father saved your father's life as they, being best friends back then, went off to hunt. Your father had shot a 11-point buck and was about to go fetch its body for food when a black bear charged him for the carcass. What ended up happening was that my father was able to fend off the bear and some how managed to kill the bear, and he then struggled to drag your severely injured father away without harming him further. They never got the deer, but at least your father survived the attack. My father was praised for saving yours, and for the fact that he had killed the bear that attacked. I know for certain that your father was very well taken care of by my parents, but even then, your father felt cheated out of a deer and a bear. Cheated because he wasn't the one to take vengeance on the bear. Also the deer that he shoot was a one in a million shot, for it had a total of 39 points. And the deer seemed to have survived for over a decade since an expert in large ruminants looked at the deer's jaw and aged it to be nearly 15 years old.

"He also felt cheated because even though he had fallen in love and married your mother and then had you, before that his first love was my mother and she had married my father…" Kagome stood and went to the window staring at nothing in particular. Maximillion simply stared at her in shock, never realizing he didn't even bother to ask this information before from his father, who still had the scars from that bear attack. It's the reason he never had a truly good relationship with his father aside from the high and mighty formal relationship.

Kagome watched as Jason patrol on his route, continuing, "He felt cheated, enraged. I remember the heated fight they had one your father had fully recovered and how my mother rejected your father one evening when I was rather young. Your father terrified me that night, though until then he had always been friendly towards me. But he had gotten drunk and angrily accused my father of stealing my mother away from him, when it was purely my mother's choice to fall in love with my father and visa verse. Unfortunately, my father and mother had to put a restraining order on him and legally have him placed far from us."

She turned to face Maximillion, eyes becoming sympathetic to his shocked face, "Please don't get me wrong, Max. Your father is a great man, but my parents and Cecelia's parents felt it best we physically part ways only to keep my parents and I safe from your father's rampage. But as I said before, we stayed in contact every day. And here I am."

Maximillion let out a breath, trying to process all the new information. "Wow… well that is… unexpected."

Kagome smiled sadly, "I know it's a lot to take in, Max. All that I have will be revealed one day."

He stood and brought the chair he was sitting in closer to Kagome. He sat down again, getting slightly annoyed now, "Well… it explains my father's hard and thorough exterior. What did your parents do afterwards as a living? And how did you know Cecelia's family? You still haven't explained that."

Kagome chuckled, "Seems you've forgotten that you have an enchanted and ancient artifact as your left eye, Max. Can't you just read my thoughts?"

Maximillion blushed, something he hadn't done in a long while. Seeing the hint of laughter and teasing in her eyes before turning away, he stayed silent. Kagome raised an eyebrow, though she continued, correctly assuming by his silence that he wanted to hear the truth from her without using the Millennium Eye. Smile fading yet again, Kagome hummed, continuing, "I am getting to that, Max. Cecelia's parents and mine all grew up together in the same town when they were young. Her parents, Paul and Minerva who had moved to continental USA, were understood and managed business very well in the stock markets and technology. My parents, Elam and Rose, were well know wine enthusiasts and ranchers. So, between Cecelia's parents and mine they became partners in the wine industry and stock markets with beef. Our families became highly influences in all three industries and we all did very well.

"As we grew up at our residents, Cecelia and I become the best of friends, so close, it seemed we were like sisters in everything but blood. When she and her family moved to California from Montana, we remained in constant contact. Until that day…" Kagome paused, troubled.

"I see…" Maximillion frowned, "But I still don't understand why you didn't want to be known… Why did you encourage her to see me, Lady Kagome?"

"So, is it Lady Kagome now?" Kagome raised a brow, amused. Before Maximillion could explain, she waved her hand and went on, "Never mind that though, Max. The reason I didn't want you to know about me specifically was because… because… of what happened between your mother and myself."

"Why does my mother have to do with this?"

"She and I were not on good terms. We still are not a good terms. When my parents and I were at your place one day, I was admiring your mother's prized, exotic parrot and it injured itself. She blamed me for it despite my parents clearly seeing it was the parrot, not me, that injured itself. I could see you both were made for each other, but my relationship with your mother would stop her from being in contact. I didn't want your mother knowing I was Cecelia's friend because of the parrot incident. Your mother was forever angry at me for my supposed hand in injuring her prized parrot. I've even gone as far as apologizing, several times in fact, for the parrot's injury and paying for its vet bill, even as unnecessary as it was. But she still insists to this day that I am guilty somehow."

Maximillion frowned, now seeing why his mother was so angry years ago over her precious parrot, "I remember that bird. I hated it with a passion and I bugged her for years to get rid of that horrid animal. I remember her receiving several letters and her ranting about that parrot afterwards. Seems she had several law suits over the parrot attacking several guests and she was quite unset at the prospects. She lost all four of the lawsuits as it was found that two of the four people who got attacked had to deal with infections and the other two had visible scars afterward. My mother was crazy over it and my father was rather indifferent. He didn't care for the parrot either. I am surprised he allowed her keep it that long."

Kagome narrowed her eyes, "Doesn't make it any better Max. My parents were in the process of going through a lawsuit over the issue when I last spoke with them yesterday…"

Maximillion sighed, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair, "What a mess. If it's any consolation, Kagome, we forced my mother to sell that blasted parrot to a local sanctuary who barred her from their property about two years ago. She was furious over it. If it helps in the process, and please know I hated the parrot as well. I'll personally see to it that you and your parents are compensated for the losses incurred."

"Very well. Thank you. It means a lot to me. I'll make sure my parents know." Kagome nodded, sighing. "Onward with Cecelia and I, when the ball your father hosted where you two met. I had moved a year prior to that and I didn't have a chance to travel out here for it. So, distance was a major factor."

Maximillion hummed in annoyance, "What is the second reason?! Get to the point, Lady Kagome. You are trying my patience."

Kagome sneered, "Very well. The second reason you didn't hear of me is because of the very item that makes up your left eye. The person who gave it to you asked Cecelia and I to keep my presence a secret."

"Shadi? The Millennium Eye? Why?" Maximillion whispered in shock.

"Shadi asked Cecelia and I in a dream the night prior to the ball. He told us both of the Millennium Items. I can't say what he wanted us to do and how so because we were so young at the time, but I can tell you that it would have been a huge risk to my life had you known of my existence then." At that Kagome pulled the Millennium Rod from behind her back. She rarely left it in her room, usually keeping it on her belt.

Stammering in shock, Maximillion whispered, "No wonder Shadi wanted me to remain ignorant of its location. Is it because he wanted it to be safe from further evil?"

Kagome nodded, "Yes. Shadi stated that after he acquired it from Yugi Muto for safe keeping several months ago. Yugi, the Pharaoh, and Shadi all thought and agreed it would be safe with me here. They believed it would be safest under the care of a pure soul. I, of course, couldn't believe it."

"Hmmm… I wonder what happened to the Millennium Scale then? Has Shadi contacted you in anyway or lately for that matter, Kagome? And may I ask why he asked you to be the keeper of the Rod?"

Kagome thought for a moment before answering, "No, Shadi hasn't spoken with me since he gave me the rod, Max. As for your question regarding the Scale… I am afraid I cannot answer it. I know its location, as does Shadi, but I cannot tell you where or who has it under their care." Kagome yawned, tired. She closed her eyes, trying to rest as she quietly added, "I am tired Maximillion. Besides tomorrow I have to get the gardens ready for your afternoon meetings with the new businesses you are dealing with."

Maximillion frowned, not realizing it was getting so late. Hmmm… 3 o'clock in the morning. He smirked teasingly, "Tomorrow, I will make you my right-hand advisor. I'll have Jordan take over your duties and promote him to your position so you can be at my side."

Kagome stared wide-eyed at him, stunned. Maximillion waited and watched for a moment before she offered him a tired, but happy smile, causing him to smile genuinely for the first time in years. Kagome looked at him with awe, surprised how much more handsome Maximillion looked with a genuine smile. However, her smile disappeared into a thoughtful smirk, "Hold your horses, bronco. Before you give the order, I suggest a plan how to do it. Rushing into this plan may seem like you've lost your mind and I bewitched you or something."

Maximillion's smiled turned into furrowed brows and a frown, "I hadn't thought of that, you smart-alecky one. Do you have a plan?"

Kagome nodded, "Yes, will you hear it out?"

"Yes."

"Good make any suggestions you want to the plan as needed. Alright?"

Maximillion nodded and the two got to planning to have Kagome as Maximillion's right hand man… um… woman…

~Two days later…~

Yugi Muto sat chatting away with his friends at lunch when the principle came over to their table. At the surprise of all present, the principle personally handed an envelope to Yugi, saying, "This arrived for you and I believe it's beyond important. Good day, young Yugi." With that the principle left and the chatter in the room turned to hushed mumbles.

Yugi studied the envelope to see if he could find any hint at who sent it. Tea spoke his thoughts for him, "No return address. Wonder who it's from."

Yami noticed the stamp and recognized it immediately. "Yugi, it's from Pegasus. See the stamp?" He mentioned quietly in his mind.

"You're right. I wonder why Pegasus is writing me." Yugi wondered out loud. Tea, Joey and Tristan stared in stunned silence as Yugi opened the letter.

Taking out the hand written letter, Yugi quietly read it out loud for his friends, "'Yugi-boy, I have some need of you, Yami, your grandfather, and your friends here in Duelist Kingdom in three days' time. To compensate you for your journey, I will be paying for the expenses incurred. Shadi, Ishtar, and two personal friends will be there to discuss the Pharaoh's identity as well as some disturbing reports pertaining to the Millennium Items and some new threats to humanity. I will have Croquet meet you all at the local airport in two days. Aside from that one of the two personal friend is a special person for you all to meet when you arrive here in Duelist Kingdom. Sincerely, Maximillion Pegasus. P.S. Rebecca and her grandfather will be here as well regarding the same issues.'"

Brows furrowed, both Yugi and Yami glanced at each other in concern in their shared thoughts. Bad news of a new threat and a summons from Pegasus who mentioned Ishtar and Shadi was of grave concern. The five friends, "Seems we have no choice in the matter. Besides I am curious. Pegausus came out to be a great ally and source of information these past few months after we defeated Marik. What do you think?"

Joey spoke out quick, "Seems the high and mighty Pegasus needs our help. But I say let's not go. Even having him on our side, we can sure do a lot to help Yami by ourselves."

Tristan gave Joey a light smack, "Joey, give it a rest. Pegasus became a good guy after what he did. Just give him a break. I'd say let's go. His help in invaluable, especially since he has influence in the business world."

Tea stood and walked over to Yugi, "Whatever happens and what you decide, I am coming. Besides I need to help you three keep your heads together. I am sure Yami could do so, but I just want to make sure."

Yami took over, "I agree. How about you four finish your classes? Aside from my past, this summons sounds more like a plea to my ears than a simple command."

And with that, the five friends finished their classes… well… Tristan, Yugi, Joey, and Tea did. Pharaoh consulted with Yugi in between classes. At the end of the day, Yugi and his friends congregated at his grandfather's house to discuss details and to contact Pegasus.

PSA below!

Hello readers! I am re-uploading this story to this site here. I had to delete it do to a review that was promoting a certain type of crime against humanity that I highly disagree with since the review was from an anonymous guest.

I will eventually reposting chapters 2 and 3 as well later.

Until later. WS. Z.