Disclaimer: Yugi-oh is the property of Kazuki Takahashi, who is a genius.

Please read Chrysalis before you read this story. Otherwise you might find yourself wondering what the hell is going on. This is the second part of a story arch and while you might be able to understand what is happening, you'd like it a lot more if you read the first part and came back to this later.

Emergence

Chapter One: All is Faire

Yami took one look at himself and disappeared.

Yami? Come on. It's fun. Yugi called to his obstinate darkness as he dodged a portly man.

No! NO! I do have some self respect you know! Yami braced his back against his soul room's door as he fumbled for the lock, keeping his insistent hikari out.

Oh come on. It's not that bad. Yugi wheedled through the door after trying to shove it open. I'll see if I can get you a beer...

Yami looked down at himself, he was still dressed in the same manner that Yugi was, he frowned and started ripping the offending garments off. I. Said. NO!!! NO! NO! NO!

Yugi sighed and shrugged, Okay Yami, but if you change your mind...

Yami checked the lock, making sure it was fully engaged and straitened, tearing the last of the brightly spotted clothing off his body and giving the ridiculous belled hat a kick for good measure. Not fuckin' likely.

Yami! You sound just like Bakura! Yugi danced around a black dressed matron with a starchy white hat. He was trying to keep up with the rest of the group, who were up ahead consulting their programs.

Yami didn't answer back. He stomped deeper into the puzzle and headed for his bedroom. Most of the time, he didn't mind his light's choice of clothing. He thought the black leather looked great on him. He didn't particularly love the school jacket, but he could manage. His hikari's taste for wearing rumpled shirts was a bit distressing, but a bit of well placed magic and the shirt disappeared. However, today his light had clearly lost whatever tiny, minuscule amount of good fashion sense he possessed. He flung himself out onto his balcony and breathed deep, letting the scent and sounds of the Nile sooth him as soft gentle wind caressed his bare flesh comfortingly. To think, he, a pharaoh, a living god, the beloved son a Egypt, who had ruled over the greatest kingdom of his age, reduced to wearing fools motley and a belled jester's hat. When I get my hands on you aibou! You just wait...

Yugi skipped ahead to where Honda, Jonouchi, Anzu, Mai, Mokuba, Kaiba and Yuai stood next to a brightly colored Maypole trying to figure out where they were going to go first. It was the opening day of the Renaissance faire and a whole day of ogling overflowing bosoms, eating bad food and listening to raunchy jokes beckoned. He only wished his yami would come out and enjoy the fun.

Everyone else seemed to be getting in the mood. Even Kaiba had been cajoled into wearing an elegant pirate costume, complete with a revealing white shirt, that kept his lover gleefully occupied ogling a completely different kind of bosom than the others that glided around the faire. Yugi knew that his other half would be at least a little miffed at his choice in costume, but to lock himself away in his soul room and start cussing? He thought he'd get a blush, a disgusted look, maybe a frown and a grumble, but it had been true anger he had seen in his yami's eyes.

Yugi hoped he hadn't completely offended his other. Lately, the spirit seemed to be loosing his sense of humor. He took the oddest things seriously, a chance comment could make him turn away and disappear deep into the rooms of his soul. Other times, nothing seemed to be the cause, Yami would just leave without a word, sometimes angry, sometimes sad, sometimes with an unreadable expression that left Yugi wondering what had happened. He had hoped that Yami would enjoy the faire. Guess I should have dressed as a Celt or a pirate or something, anything else. Thought he might laugh...Well, guess not.

Jonouchi, dressed as a swordfighter, complete with flamboyant gloves, soft velvets, and a slender sword hanging from his hip, waved toward the cool expanse of lake. "We gotta see the pirate fight after lunch."

"No, no," Mokuba pointed over to a round lushly green hill behind the merchant booths, "We should watch the war games."

"I don't care what we watch, after lunch," Mai, dressed in a sky blue wench dress with an amazingly revealing neckline, shrugged, nearly making Mokuba's eyes pop out. "I want to go to the Rouges Gallery Theater, the show starts in just a couple minutes." Mai consulted her map and pointed in the direction the stage.

Anzu, who was pressed, half terrified against Mai's side and wearing a matching dress, nodded agreement, She was nervously watched a group of drunken Spaniard noblemen stagger by, looking a bit overwhelmed to be out in such a crowded place. Mai smiled reassuringly down at her and kissed her temple.

Mokuba also nodded, "Yeah! Let's go there. I want to see A Irishman, a Sheep and a Who..."

"Not happening." Kaiba shook his head, then irritably flicked the trailing ends of his headband back over his shoulder. "How about going over to the Spingflower Stage and see The Jesters Mad Dance?"

"Ah, come on, big brother! I'm big enough to see.." Mokuba stamped one leather clad foot, a miniature pirate having a tantrum.

Kaiba growled, "No you're not."

Jonouchi wrenched his eyes away from the tantalizing expanse of half exposed chest and forced his eyes up, "How about we split up?"

Honda, the only one not wearing some kind of costume nodded. "Sounds good. We've all got our cell phones and we can meet for lunch after the shows."

"I'd like to see the Jesters. I heard theyre really funny." Yugi went to stand next to Mokuba, "Mokuba could come with me."

Yuai was in a green dress with a soft yellow under-dress and a delicate band of dried flowers in her blond hair. She was tugging at her under-dress, trying to get it not to further expose her already, in her opinion, over exposed body, as she stepped closer to Yugi, "I'd like to see that too, I read a review about them in the paper. It's one of the "must sees" of the faire."

Honda stepped over to the rapidly forming group. "Then I'm in."

Jonouchi grabbed Kaiba, yanking him in the direction Anzu and Mai were already heading in, "Lets go with the girls. The Rouge's Gallery is next to the food row. I wanna drumstick."

Kaiba looked back at his brother, "Okay, but we meet right after the show." He leveled a hard look at Yuai. "Keep him away from anything rated NC-17."

"Not a problem." Yuai smiled back.

"Hey! Wait! I didn't say I'd go." Mokuba yelped as his brother disappeared into the crowd. "No way am I going for the kiddy show. I want to know about that sheep!" He tried to bolt, but was caught easily and swung up over Honda's shoulder.

"Life's tough kid. Suck it up and enjoy the view." Honda helpfully swung Mokuba so the kid had an amazing look at the biggest, most scantily covered cleavage his young eyes had ever seen.

Yuai whacked him, "Honda! NC-17, remember!"

"Hey, I only rate those PG-13." He sauntered over to where an other young, endowed woman stood waiting in line and playfully turned, nearly smacking Mokuba into the lady's chest. "Now, those babies are heading to the R rated category, don't you think Mokuba?"
Mokuba nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. R, definitely R."

Yuai turned and wrapped her arms around Yugi, hiding her face in his hair. "I'm doomed."

Yugi patted her back, eyes glued to the young heaving breast of Mokuba's latest object d'art. "Oh, don't worry, he's right. That one's only R." His eyes nearly fell out as Honda made his way over to another blushing beauty. "Now that might just hit the NC-17 rating."

Jonouchi bit into his turkey leg and grinned as the Irishman tripped over his sheep. "That just had to hurt."

Kaiba nodded, happy to see Jonouchi happy. It had been a near call. Kaiba Corp. was in the middle of inventory and the truth was, he was needed. He had fully intended on going in to work today, to keep the whole situation under strict control, but who was he to resist both his brother and his sweet eyed lover. "Probably should give up working with livestock." Kiaba gently pushed a lock of bright hair away from Jonouchi's eyes, smiling at the laughter in them.

"That'd leave him with the whore." Jonouchi giggled as the Irishman pulled himself to his feet and wobbled drunkenly across the stage to where his 'lady' sat flirting with another man. Jonouchi laughed as the 'lady' smacked the Irishman coyly with her fan, sending him reeling into the sheep, who dramatically baahed and kicked him.

Jonouchi scrunched closer to Kaiba and pointed to the whore, "Ya know, I think that just might be that bug kid, Weevile Underware.

Underwood, Jo." Kaiba looked closer at the whore, "I hate to say it, but Weevile looks better than that.

"Yeah, could be right." Jo took advantage of his position to eye Kaiba's chest again. Damn hormones, sit boys, sit. We cannot jump Kaiba in the middle of the Faire! He forced himself to look around the audience, while getting portions of his body to calm down. Glad I opted for the codpiece.

Kaiba grinned to himself, watching Jonouchi. This really was so much fun. Normally, he didn't go in for teasing, but just watching Jo pant and drool was far more entertaining as the show. He quickly wiped the grin away as Jonouchi's eyes skittered back for another look. To think I wanted to miss this to watch some moron goof up counting pencils.

Kaiba turned back to the stage, noting a half dozen security men scattered in with the crowd, dressed in rather bland Renaissance clothes. He knew at least a half dozen more were presently guarding Mokuba and only his head of security knew how many more were lurking unseen. Things had been quiet for months, with no repeat of the shooting incident, but Kaiba wasn't about to let down his guard, he had too much to protect, too much to lose. He looked over at his lover, watching Jonouchi laugh. Yes, way too much.

Yuai

Yuai dragged herself into her room and collapsed onto the soft bed. She loved her room. The soft furniture, the pristine view of the gardens behind the Kaiba estate, the quiet. Oh, how she loved the quiet. So different from the tense stifling quiet of other homes she had lived in, or the empty, lonely quiet of the park. This was a good quiet, of sleep, and rest, and safety. She smiled happily into the soft comforter, letting herself drift into the quiet, letting herself flirt pleasantly with sleep for a few moments.

Mokuba had spent most of the evening ricocheting around the mansion on sugar overload from eating chocolate strawberries, sugar covered kettle corn, and lemon ices. He had sang every dirty song he had overheard; slid down the banister waving his new feather plumed hat and yelling "hazzah!" when he finally leapt to a graceful bow at the bottom; raced up and down the halls, shrieking "Have at ye, villain!" and nearly decapitated Jonouchi with his sword. It had been about then, that Kaiba had yanked his startled lover upstairs, handing Yuai a hundred dollars and leaving her to her fate. She had finally resorted to hauling Mokuba to the backyard and letting him run like a maniac, till the kid finally fell into an exhausted heap. It had taken three hours. Hope the gardener doesn't kill me in the morning.

She rolled over and looked at the clock. It was nearly midnight, much too late to call Yugi and wish him goodnight. She pulled off her Renaissance clothing and stumbled into the bath. Maybe, she could go over to his house tomorrow after school. She'd found a new game called Cathedral at the faire and she wanted to try it out.

She brushed her teeth and smiled at the mirror. She still owed Yugi for trouncing her in Othello last week. They'd both been busy in the last minute rush of exams before spring break. Now, with break finally here, she could recoup her loss.

She quickly showered and scampered off to bed, pulling her nightdress over her head. With any luck, Mokuba would want to spend the day over at a friend's house and she'd have the afternoon free. She wiggled under the covers and turned off the light. It was nice, she thought as she slipped into the soft hazy world of sleep, to finally have a life to look forward too.

Someone

He reached for the delicate flute of mimosa that sat on the white linen and lace table cloth. His breakfast, a perfectly toasted English muffin, a mound of fluffy scrambled eggs, three pieces of beautifully cooked bacon and a small crystal bowl of melon, sat in front of him, neatly framed by sparkling silverware.

"Are you sure that everything is in place?" He took a sip of the orange liquid, enjoying the tangy bite of citrus, watching his employee carefully. Never trust anyone, lesson one in life. He especially didn't trust this man. Yes, he was useful, but once his use was over a quiet, unobtrusive grave in the middle of the ocean seemed appropriate.

"Yes, sir." The man passed him the file with a small bow. "I've triple checked the details. We're using one of our best operatives. It should proceed without a flaw."

"Good. Very good. Make sure there aren't any mistakes this time." He set the file down on the table next to his plate.

"Yes sir. This time the outcome will be far more satisfactory." He bowed again as he was dismissed with a wave. He walked quickly out of the room, leaving his employer to finish his breakfast.

The man leaned back in his chair and looked out the window at the lush expanse of manicured lawn, edged with sculpted bushes and soft hued flowers. The sun gleamed against the crystal panes of the windows, sending bright prisms dancing across the floor. He opened the file and skimmed through the contents.

"Hmm. This should work nicely. Very nicely." He took another sip of orange juice. "Surprise, Kaiba, surprise. You really shouldn't be so very egotistical. It sets you up for some of the most amazing things."

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