Battle of Destiny

Chapter 3

Awakening of the Spirits

IMPORTANT

-Must Read-

Rating : 'R' for massive swearing and Coinal. Wait... those two cancel each other out.

... Okay. This fic is rated 'R' for Coinal. Yeah. That sounds good.

And...warning... this fic is not for strong and rabid fans of either Duke Devolin, Seto Kaiba, Ryou Bakura, or Joey Wheeler

And there WILL be shounen-ai in the future of this fic. If...this fic even has a future. The only one reviewing so far is Tiger-chan. I want reviews, people ! I know it's starting out slow, but I promise it will get better with time. I just have to get off my lazy ass and write more on it.

Okay, as a final note, from here on I will be referring to the characters using their Japanese names. Why don't I go and change things ? Cause basically I'm lazy. Anyway. Yeah. Begin fic !

"Okay, now I've heard everything." Ikki muttered, arms folded as he looked over the five crystal relics in front of him. "Okay, so pretty much what you're telling us is that we're the only ones that can save this world from oncoming doom and destruction ?"

"You and three other children. Yes." Ishizu replied, giving a small nod. She noticed their confused looks but only smiled at them. "There are nine crystal dragon items in existence. Each one has it's own special power and element, along with its own dragon. However, you notice I only said there are three others that can save this world. One Crystal wielder is pure evil. He is the person that wants to consume and corrupt this world with evil and hatred."

"That Jarin guy person thingy of doom and evil-ness, right?" Jamie asked childishly, as if this were all a game. He grew more and more excited as he listened to this strange woman talk. Saving the world. He had the power to save the world from some...sort of...evil monster...or person...he didn't know. He didn't have the details. All he knew was that every word this woman spoke sent chills up his spine. This was like something out of an anime, or...something...yeah. Well he was excited. That accounted for something, right ?

"Yes. Jarin. He has a special connection with a few of the spirits, and they can give you more information than I ever could." She walked over to the crystal items and placed her hand on the Belt. "Now, if you children don't mind, it's time to distribute these items to their proper wielders. Howver, the item chooses its master. I have no say in this." She picked up the crystal belt and held it out in her hands. "Now, gather around. I want each of you to stand in a half circle around my hand."

Confused, the children simply nodded and gathered around her, following her instructions. They placed their hands over the items, letting them hover over the crystal relics in the woman's hand. "Now, tell me," She began, blue eyes on the children before her. "Do any of you feel as though your heart has skipped a beat ? Do you feel an odd flutter in your stomach ?"

"I don't." Ikki said, unsure of what this was all about.

"I do ! I do !" Jamie exclaimed, raising his hand as if he were a child in school. "It's kinda the feeling you get when you're in love with someone, right ?"

Ishizu smiled warmly, nodding at his words. "Yes. You are correct, Jamie. That sensation is what binds you to this item. It is telling us it wants you to be its wielder." She walked behind Jamie and pulled the crystal item around his stomach, pulling her hands away and letting it buckle itself. " The Crystal Belt, element of fire. It gives the wielder the power of telekinesis."

"Telekinesis ? Really ?" He squealed and bounced up and down on his heels. "That means I can move things with my mind ! COOL !" He grinned and took a dramatic pose. "I am Jamie ! A being of unimaginable and unstoppable power ! I'm the king of the world !"

"More like the king of the idiots." Ikki teased, running a hand through his raven black hair. "So what's this whole deal with the spirits. How is one supposed to awaken them ?" He winced as Jamie continued his ranting, Coinal finally hitting him on the head to get him to calm down.

"They will awaken when they are ready. But the physical, mental and spiritual energy of their Hikari helps break the seal on the item, stimulating them to awaken." Ishizu walked over to the crystal staff and removed it from its satin resting place. "Okay. I want Sarah, Ikki, Jan and Tiger to gather around me this time." The four children nodded as she held the staff outward. "I want you to tell me if you feel that same flutter in your stomach, just as Jamie did. Concentrate."

"...nope. Nothing." Tiger whined, pulling her hand away. "Damn. Do these things not like me or something?"

"No. That's not the case. Each item was destined to be with one child. The Crystal Belt was destined to be with Jamie, just as this staff is destined to be with either Jan, Ikki or Sarah." She blinked and turned her head to Jan when she squealed.

"I got it ! That fluttery feeling in my stomach !" She gently took the staff and ran her fingers over the cold crystal, sighing happily and going kitty-ish as she nuzzled her cheek to it.

"The Crystal Staff, element of water." Ishizu said, chuckling at Jan's over excitedness. "Its power is the ability to heal. Namely, if you find someone or something that is injured you could easily heal their wounds. It may seem to be an odd power, but it will be vital during your battle with Jarin. Of this, I am sure. It is... a great responsibility."

"Yes. I understand." She held the item firmly in her grip with a serious expression on her face. That is... until Jamie made the ring fly by and hit her right in the head. Jan whined and went chibi, tears falling from her eyes like rivers. "..that hurt... Jamie !" She growled and shot a death glare in the red-heads direction, instantly turning and chasing after him, waving her new staff in the air threateningly.

"..." Ishizu sighed and grabbed the crystal ring and held it out in her hands. "Oh well. It seems we will be finding out whom this one belongs to." She watched as Sarah, Tiger and Ikki gathered around, all of which placing their hands over the item. Tiger was instantly struck with a sensation of lightheaded-ness. The sensation sank to her stomach, giving off the fluttery feeling once more.

"Ahh...I...I feel it." She whispered, unable to control the overwhelming feeling that rushed over her body. Her cheeks flushed and her body felt heavy. This was her item. The Crystal whatever it was.

Ishizu slid the ring onto Tiger's finger, as one would at a wedding ceremony. She stepped back and gave the same smile she did to the other two children. "The Crystal Lock, element of light. As its name suggests, the ability allows the wielder to undo locks, and even decode ancient text. It is a useful ability, one I am sure you will find useful."

"Cool ! So that means I'm like a spy now, right? ... a ninja spy. A ninja spy with ninja-y powers." She grinned, just as excited as the other two were. She had over come the dizziness once the item had been put on her finger. She held it up to the light, watching as it sparkled and shone like nothing she had ever seen before. That just made her love it even more. "And it's sparkly ! Sparkly and pretty !"

"And these are the people that the world depends on?" Coinal commented amused, watching the hilarious scene taking forth within the roped off walls.

Ikki gave a nod and sighed. "Apparently so."

Jamie squealed and ceased his running in fear and nodded, agreeing with Tigers words. "I know ! They're so pretty ! And sparkly and shiny ! They're so cool !" He giggled and took her hand, examining the ring. "This one is so tiny. All the others are so big. Well... big-ish."

"Just like the Millennium items, these items vary in size and shape." She chuckled and picked up the gauntlet, holding it out. "This will be the last time we need to do this. Alright. Ikki. Sarah? Please step forward." Both children nodded and stood in front of her, placing their hands over the item.

Both children closed their eyes as they concentrated best they could. Sarah had felt nervous before, but after seeing the others do it she felt more confident. She took a deep breath. She inhaled and exhaled. Inhaled and exhaled. But she felt nothing. Ikki was the one to give Ishizu the nod to show that it was he who got that famous feeling of butterflies in his stomach.

The woman let Ikki take the gauntlet and watched him put it on. " The Crystal Gauntlet, element of Earth. This gauntlet gives the wearer the strength to lift a truck as if it were a mere penny. A very valuable skill indeed." She turned and walked over to the necklace and held it out. "And Sarah, that means this belongs to you."

The brunette nodded and brushed her blue bangs out of her face and tucked them behind her ear, preparing herself for what would happen when she touched the item. And, just as expected, she felt dizzy, and her knees felt week. It was...the same feeling she got whenever she saw Seto. She closed her eyes and took in the feeling the item was giving her. She saw things in her mind. Things she didn't recognize. But...it felt good. However, she was snapped out of her feeling of nostalgic bliss by the strange woman's voice.

"The Crystal Orb." She stroked the round ball that was hanging from the necklace. "Element of ice. This item gives its wearer the ability to transform. You can become anything you desire. Man or beast. It doesn't matter."

Sarah blinked and held the orb in her hands. "These items. Do they really have so much power?"

"They do. More than anyone who has not yet witnessed said power could ever hope to believe." She turned to the five children as they gathered around each other, inspecting the others items. "Now all of you should go home and take some time to think things through. Jamie, Knight of the Flame. Jan, the Beauty of the Water. Tiger, the Light of all Hope. Ikki, the Rock of Support. And Sarah, the Princess of Ice. You all have an important role in what takes place in the future. You must seek out the other three warriors, or the world will be doomed to fall into the hands of evil."

"OKAY ! WTFBBQ ?" Coinal exclaimed, having stayed quiet all this time. " These guys have extra cool awesome powers of elemental doom and destruction. And what the hell do I have ? Why the fuck am I even here ?"

"To be...really loud an annoying?" Ikki asked twisting his finger inside his ear. They had all gotten used to her attitude and loud mouth. Though their ears hadn't quite adjusted to the constant volume change yet.

"No, Ikki." Jan said gently, poking at his chin. "That's Jamie's job."

"...touche."

"That and fogging up all the shiny glass cases." Tiger added, watching Jamie run around the museum and breath on the glass, drawing little pictures and watching them disappear. "...I'm surprised the curator hasn't gotten after him yet."

"That's because you children are my guests. I asked the curator to let things slide. Since I am the one that invited you here, I will take full responsibility."

"As long as things don't get broken?" Sarah asked, looking at her.

Ishizu nodded. "Just as long as things don't get broken."

"Someone better go tie down Jamie, then." Ikki said, leaning against the wall. "Now tell me. Why IS Coinal here? She doesn't have an item, so why did you invite her along."

"Because this young girl has a very important purpose as well." She closed her eyes and began her explanation. "If we were to lose you, any of you, this world would be in grave danger. She is here to protect you. She is...the direct descendant of one of the original guardians of the Crystal Dragon Items."

"Oooookay. I'll say this again. WTFBBQ ? So basically I'm just a babysitter? GREAT !" She threw her hands up in the air. "Great ! That's just freakin' great !" She started walking around in circles, going into another one of her ghetto-ese swearing rants.

"And she has officially brought ghetto-ese into the Japanese country. Lovely." Ikki rolled his eyes and waved the girl off. "Alright, alright. Can we just...go home now? I'm starting to get pissed."

"Please. This is all a lot for a group of teenagers to take in. Go home and rest. Think on this. And if you need help, you can call me at this number." She held out a small card with her picture and information on it. "And I must be going as well. I must continue my own search for the three other warriors."

Coinal and the others walked out of the roped off room and headed back over to their group of friends. Yugi was the first to notice them and he waved them over. "Hey guys. What was... all that about? We saw Ishizu in there."

"You know that woman?" Tiger asked, confused.

"Yes. She's helped us out of several predicaments before. And she helped me with the mysteries of my Millennium Puzzle." Yugi held up the odd golden pyramid he kept around his neck. "It may look like a bad accessory, but it holds my other half in here. The Pharaoh, who supposedly ruled over Ancient Egypt several thousand years ago."

"..." Sarah felt a twinge of hatred flow through her body as Yugi spoke those words. Why did she feel this way. Why did this overwhelming sensation of anger and sadness just form inside her? She didn't understand. She wasn't sure she wanted to.. All she knew was that she wanted to get away. Far away. She stepped back, her hair overshadowing her eyes. "I... I have to go. I'll...meet up with you guys later, back at the house." That said she took off towards the entrance of the museum, running down the street. She didn't know where she was going. And to be honest, she didn't care.

"What...was all that about?" Jonouchi asked, blinking. "That girl's weird."

"Yeah. She's like that." Ikki said, shoving his free hand in his pocket as he held the gauntlet up into view. "That woman...she said something about us having to...save the world from some sort of evil." He shook his head, unsure of the whole ordeal. "I...just don't get it."

"She also said something about our items being linked with yours, somehow." Tiger took Yugi's puzzle in her hand and ran a finger over the cold surface. "But.. I'm not sure how our items could be linked. Yours seems to be made of gold. Ours are crystal."

"Well Ishizu does usually know what she's talking about, Tiger." Ryou said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, not noticing her blush.

"Rew...I...guess you're right." She shivered under the boys touch, not even daring to look up at his eyes. Last night, when she had done just that, she got lost in the soft brown hues. They were so gentle, so sweet. And the way his silver hair framed his face. It was...beautiful. She had been breathless at that moment, and even at the touch, she is breathless now. She started fumbling with the Lock on her finger, pulling it off and twirling it around. Suddenly, she dropped it and it bounced across the polished museum floor. The top snapped open, and a piece of gold flew out of it. "...rew?" She walked over to it and picked up both the lock and the gold piece. "It's...it's gold..."

"Ah !" Anzu took the gold piece and held it out in her hand, examining it. "This is what Ishizu must have meant when she said the Millennium items and the ones you have are connected. Tiger's ring had a piece of gold inside !"

"Rew... is..that really what she meant?"

"If not, it's damn good enough for me." Ikki said, placing the gold back inside the ring.

"Hey. I have an idea." Otogi said, stepping forward. "Why don't we all go grab a bite to eat? It's past lunchtime, and I'm sure we're all starving." His emerald green eyes scanned the group and he instantly walked over to the Dominican and threw an arm around her shoulder. "Whaddaya say, little miss?"

Coinal twitched, and everyone aside from Yugi's gang backed away several feet. "Don't...call me... little..." Just as soon as her anger had come, it had gone. However, she was going to have her payback. She reached behind him with her hand "Sounds fine, Otogi-kun." She said, giving his ass a nice, firm squeeze when she spoke his name.

Otogi squeaked and threw his hips forward at the contact, freezing in place. His green eyes widened, his body and mind unsure of what to think of the sudden touch. "Ahh..." Coinal and the others guffawed at the sight. Otogi. Not knowing what to say to a girl. That, in all honesty, was something for the record books.

Coinal smirked and nuzzled up to the raven haired man. "Why don't you and I go out and get a bit to eat, eh? The others can go off and get the furniture for the house."

"..." Jan giggled and squealed, clapping her hands together. "Yeah ! That sounds like an idea!"

"Wh-wha ? BUT I'M HUNGRY !" Jamie whined, stomping his feet in frustration. "I want hamburgers ! And french fries ! A-and... and ice cream ! And pocky ! ... I WANT FOOD DAMMIT !"

Jan shushed him by placing her hand over the red-heads mouth, using her other hand to grab Tiger around the shoulders. "Let's go everyone ! The world of crappy furniture and musty upholstery awaits !"

The black-haired goth rolled his eyes and left the scene with his friends, leaving Coinal and Otogi alone for the day to let them do God only knows what in a God only knows where. Well ...they'd know it too, Otogi and Nail-chan. But... you get his drift.

As the others disappeared around a street corner, Coinal's amber brown eyes gazed up at Otogi in a teasing manner, a coy smirk on her face. "Hey, 'Togi-kun?" She smiled and ran a finger down his chest, making the emerald eyed game creator in a state of mild shock. "Wanna go to a love hotel ?"

"Wh-wha ?" He blinked, stepping away and glancing down at the girl whom he was significantly taller than. The girl must have come up at about his stomach. Must be the Dominican blood eh? He had always heard those Spanish chicks were short. But, to be honest, he didn't mind. He actually enjoyed being around her, even though they had only become acquaintances just a couple days ago.

"Kidding." She teased giving him a good, firm slap on the back. "Don'tcha know how to take a joke, 'Togi-kun?"

He blinked, blinked again, and then chuckled, once more twisting the large bang with his finger. "Heh. You actually had me going there for a moment, Coinal." He laughed that cocky laugh of his and lead her down the street, making his way to a small but fancy burger joint. "So...all this stuff about 'saving the world'. Do you believe in that ?"

"...hell, I dunno what to believe." She said before giving her order to the waitress that had made her way over during their conversation before they even had a chance to sit down. " That Ishizu person is sca-reh. She talks about the end of the world, and yet she keeps a straight face ! Who the HELL keeps a straight face when the world is in the hands of...of people like Jamie !" She threw her hands up into the air to emphasize her words and just how 'sca-reh' Ishizu could be.

"Ishizu's like that. Strange, ne? But whatever." He shrugged and pulled out a chair for her, listening as the legs scraped against the brick laid in a neat stitch pattern on the ground. He sat down across from her, making his own order before he smirked, emerald hues once again on the shorter girl. "But in all honesty, do you believe what Ishizu was saying in there ? In that room ?"

"Eh... I dunno." She leaned against the table, kicking her legs back and forth. "She was sayin' something about me being the descendant of the guardians that protected the Crystal whatchamafuckers over five thousand years ago. Somethin' like that is kinda hard to believe, yanno?"

"Yeah. I know. I was a bit befuddled when Yugi and the gang explained to me the whole ordeal with the Millennium Puzzle. Now THAT was a shocker, right there."

"This...Pharaoh person... what's he like ?"

"Well..he's very confident...and he's got some mad dueling skills. Hell, when you watch Yugi you know the kid's good. But Yami...man. He could beat Kaiba ten million times over. If... he hasn't already."

"Yeah. Mhmm. Yeah. Do me a favor. Don't say that around Miss Dragon Obsessed. That is... unless your impervious to the almighty fangirlishness that is Sa-chan. And, to be honest, 'Togi-kun, I doubt you are. Even I am vulnerable when she gets all uber scary vicious about her 'beloved Seto Kaiba'. Crazy, that one."

He laughed."Oh yeah. Don't worry." He grinned and watched as their order came in. "I won't say a word." He grabbed his hamburger and took a bite into it, watching as Coinal ravenously devoured her fries. He sweatdropped, unawares up until now that he had been speaking to a bottomless pit.

"Yeah, that's good !" She said cheerfully after wolfing down the burger. Coinal could put food away. But she never gained an ounce. It was a joy most women could not share. "You're smart, 'Togi-kun. You listen to reason. Not like that Ikki bastard. He's an ass."

"I'm...sure he's said the same thing about you." He said just above a whisper, a nervous smile on his face as his left eye twitched. What the hell did he get himself into ? Damn him and his attraction to pretty girls. Damn him to hell.

Upon a few hours more of conversation and hanging out at the mall, it was time to head home. Otogi offered to walk her back to the house. And, of course, she gleefully accepted the offer. That boy was fine. And hot. Don't forget hot. And his hair...that hair...if she could touch it... she wondered how soft it was...what kind of shampoo he used. Better yet, the kind of conditioner ! Oh how she'd love to feel those soft locks between her fingers. Oh how she'd love to run her hand through that gorgeous black hair. Oh how she-

"Ummm... Coinal?" Otogi let out a small whimper. " ... what are you doing?"

"Hm ? Wha ?" She blinked, soon coming to realize that she had, indeed, grabbed gently at his hair. She had been petting and stroking it as if she were giving a pet dog some attention. Oh how she wished she didn't have that damn hair fetish.

She squeaked and jumped back, covering her mouth and vigorously shaking her head. "Oh my God ! Otogi-kun ! I'm so sorry ! Your hair's just so damn pretty !"

"My...hair...is..." This girl was definitely strange. And yet, at the same time, she was highly amusing. She was so open, so charismatic. So... so wonderfully attractive. He shook his head to clear it of those thoughts as they arrived at the small mansion in which the Spanish girl and her comrades now lived. Why the hell was he thinking like this ? He hadn't even known her for a week, and yet he felt drawn to this girl. He was compelled to learn more about her. And, to be honest, that's exactly what he was going to do.

"Hey. Coinal?"

"Hm? What is it, 'Togi-kun?"

"I was...wondering..." He smirked and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and resting his chin atop her head. "...would you like to...go on another date, sometime?"

" Love to." She replied almost instantly, turning and glancing up at him. "Oh, and by the way?"

"Yeah?"

"...you have ketchup on your cheek." She cackled that famous semi-evil cackle of hers and walked up the pathway back to the house, leaving Otogi confused, baffled, befuddled, and any other manner of words relating to said confusion.

As she strolled into the house, she saw four of her companions sitting around the living room. No furniture. No food. No nothing. They were all staring at the odd crystal objects they had received earlier that day, going over word after word that Ishizu had spoken to them. Did she...honestly expect them to believe what she had said? Were these items really as powerful as she claimed them to be? So many questions, very few answers.

Coinal quirked a brow. She wasn't a person that enjoyed unsettling atmosphere. And this was definitely unsettling. Unsettling and depressing. She hated 'depressing' too. So she decided to do something about it. And what was the only way she knew to liven something up ? "...what the hell are you guys so down in the dumps for ? ...and where the hell is the furniture ?"

"We didn't go to the store." Tiger said blankly, not taking her eyes off the Lock on her hand. "We came straight home."

"Came straight home ? I thought you guys said you were going to go out and look for furniture ! How the hell am I supposed to be my couch potato self if I don't have furniture to couch potato on, dammit !"

Jan heaved a sigh and stroked the staff in her hand, closing her eyes as a chill ran through her body. "We...couldn't focus on looking for furniture. Not at a time like this..."

"Shiny..." Jamie muttered in a somewhat zombie-like state. "Shiny and pretty..."

"Dammit let me see one of those !" The Dominican exclaimed, snatching the gauntlet from Ikki and looking over it.

None of them, however, were prepared for what happened next. The Crystal Gauntlet began to shake and tremble. It shook so violently it leaped from a startled Coinal's hands. But it did not land on the floor. Instead, it floated in mid-air and began to glow. The glow was almost ethereal, and it gave off a certain... beautifully foreboding amber light.

Everyone stepped back. All eyes were on the mysterious item as it danced in the air, floating back and forth, up and down, and often spinning around in a circle. But soon, it stopped. And the gauntlet fell to the floor with a loud clatter. It did not break. But it just laid there. Until a very loud "HIIIIII !" rang from the item.

The amber glow transferred from the item and floated in the air, taking the shape of a boy that seemed no taller than five foot. His silvery white hair was mussed and dirty, but his black eyes shown with a hyper vibrance that not even Jamie could copy. The boy bounced around on one foot and held out his arms, checking out his own movements before squealing gleefully. "I have a body ! I have a body again ! YAY !" He giggled and bounced around happily on nothing but the tips of his toes.

Ikki sweatdropped. What the hell was that thing and why the hell was it inside his Gauntlet ? More confusing... how the hell was it inside his Gauntlet ! Yeah. The kid was short. And small. But how in the world was he able to fit into such a small place? He pondered these thoughts, but froze when the boy turned his way, smiling a smile that he had seen several times on Jamie. It was a smile of complete and utter happiness, hyperness, and sugar-highness.

"Ikki ! IkkiIkkiIkkiIkkiIkki !" The boy giggled and tackled the significantly taller man to the ground, snuggling up to him. "Hi ! Hi ! I've been waiting so long to finally see you face to face !"

"Uh...who the hell are you?" Ikki inquired. He didn't like this. He didn't like this one bit.

"Me ? I'm Zanzi ! A thief ! And you're Ikki ! My Hikari !"

"...Hikari?" He asked questioningly, not really prepared for the answer.

"Yeah ! My other half ! Isn't that cool ?"

He...really didn't like this one bit.

"I'm...your Hikari ? Shouldn't like...Jamie be your Hikari ?"

"Wha ? Jamie?" He blinked and then glanced over at the red-head that was waving hyper-actively. "...nah." He did, however, notice the belt around his waist. He giggled and spun around on one foot, holding his arms out for balance. "But I do know who HIS Yami is !"

"What ? Really ?" Jamie exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down. "Tell me ! Tell me ! Tell meeeeeee !" He paused, blinked, and then tilted his head slightly. "What's...a Yami ?"

"Your other half. Hikari and Yami. Light and Darkness. Life and death. Y'know. Opposites." The short silver-haired boy laughed and latched onto Ikki.

"..." Ikki's eye twitched, but he payed the PDA no mind. Instead, he asked yet another question. "...life and death...how does that apply to us ?"

"Well...you're alive and I'm...dead... I guess." He gave a shrug as he glanced down at his own body, his eyes catching the confused look on his face. "...I'm... a spirit ! Yeah. The spirit of the Crystal Gauntlet."

"But why do you have a physical form ? If you were a spirit you wouldn't be able to touch us, right ?"

"... I dunno. Um...maybe it's a fashion statement ?" He giggled at his own words, before freezing and suppressing a squeal from the next voice that filled the room.

"Your logic is as baffling and moronic as ever, Zanzi." The voice was deep, controlling. Definitely not the voice of someone as perky and lovable as little Zanzi.

"KAZE!" The young boy squealed. "Kaze ! KAZE !"

"Shut the hell up. You're gonna give me a headache." Grumbled the voice. The Crystal Lock began to glow and float just as the Gauntlet had done. This time, however, the glow was golden, instead of amber. The Lock hovered over to a clear spot and the glow began to manifest itself into the form of a man much taller than the five foot Zanzi. This man, in fact, was quite handsome, instead of painstakingly adorable. Narrowed red eyes, chocolate brown hair, and a glare that could put even Seto Kaiba to shame.

"You know..." Tiger said, poking him in the arm. "They have a new invention called Tylenol."

"...Tylenol?" The man asked as he quirked a brow. "What the hell is that?"

"It's a medicine for headaches."

"...they actually came out with something like that ?"

"Yep."

"When ?"

"...Mmmm ! Do you expect me to know everything ?" Tiger exclaimed, throwing her arms up into the air. "...and gimme back my ring, dammit !"

"Waaait. Wait, wait, wait." The Dominican glared up at the tall man of at least five eleven with her own height of four foot ten. "Are you dead too ?"

"Yes."

"...why the HELL are there dead people in my house ? I didn't know we were going to be living with dead people ! That's just creepy !" She stomped around, throwing one of her little tantrums that lasted about five minutes before she resorted to the liquor.

"Umm... Ishizu DID say spirits." Ikki noted, his finger once again in his ear, twisting it back and forth. "Didn't you hear that ? Or were you too busy staring at the curator's ass ?"

"HEY !... he had a cute ass..." She said with a pout, poking her fingers together.

"Yeah. And he's at least twice your age."

"WELL HE LOOKS YOUNG FOR HIS AGE, DAMMIT !" She growled a bit before folding her arms and looking away, her cheeks a tad red from the shouting. He DID look young for his age. It should be illegal for old people to look young ! People will make mistakes ! It's inconceivable !

The raven-haired goth rolled his eyes and glanced over at Zanzi and Jamie who were bouncing around happily, discussing the latest technological breakthroughs. That was...until Jan's item began to glow as well. It seemed it was happening all at once. Two spirits had already awoken, and now it was time for another one. This was all going way too fast.

Jan's Crystal Staff glowed a bluish color, and it floated to an upright position as the glow began to manifest into a young woman. The girl's hair was long and dark green, held up in a long ponytail b a golden ring. Her eyes were a light green, and were soft and kind. The woman was absolutely stunning. Even Ikki was awestruck by her beauty.

The woman stepped forward and cleared her throat a bit before shyly saying, " Uh-...um...ex-excuse me? My name...is Jadine. I am... I am the spirit of the Crystal Staff.."

"JADINE !" Zanzi exclaimed happily, throwing himself at the shy girl and snuggling into her stomach. "Jadine ! Welcome ! Kaze and I are already awake ! This is great, right ? It's great ! Really great ! Greater than great !"

"OKAY !" Kaze exclaimed angrily, throwing a hand over the boy's mouth. "She gets it already."

"Hi ! My name is Jan !" Said the girl next to her. "I'm you're Hikari ! Or...whatever.." She shrugged and then tittered as she latched onto the slightly taller spirit. "Do you think we can be friends?"

"Oh, my. Of course." Jadine said with a smile, glancing down at the girl before giving a small hug. "It would be an honor, my Hikari, to be your friend."

"Great ! It's decided then !" Jan giggled and poked both of her Yami's cheeks happily.

"By the way... i-is the princess awake by any chance?" She inquired, releasing a disappointed sigh when both Kaze and Zanzi shook their heads.

"No. Not yet. Kiyouh ( Pronounced 'Kyo' as in Samurai Deeper Kyo, or Kyo from Fruits Basket' ) hasn't awakened yet either." Kaze muttered. "He can stay dead for all I care."

"I heard that you impertinent thief." Said yet another deep voice. This time it was Jamie's item that began to glow. The light emitted from the belt was a fiery red, and it detached itself from his waist and hovered to a clear spot. The light took the form of a tall man, an inch taller than Kaze, with light brown hair and gorgeous tan eyes. What made him different from the other Yami was not his height, nor the fact that his highly complex outfit was almost completely red. Oh, no. It was the fact that he sported a pair of giant white wings. Though they weren't completely white. Upon closer inspection that had a slight bluish tinge. They were extravagant. Beautiful. Heavenly. Few words could describe the wonder of these wings. They weren't too small, or too large. They were just the right size.

"Woooooow" Jamie spoke with awe as he gazed at the man up and down. "...you're sexy !"

Kiyouh sweatdropped as he glanced down in utter disbelief of the other's words. "...this is my Hikari? ...you've got to be kidding me. Ra must have made a mistake."

"Nope ! No mistake !" Zanzi said with a laugh, spinning around once more, something he did quite often, before running to Kiyouh and hugging him. "But I'm glad you're awake !"

"Agh ! Get off of me, filth !" The man growled and picked up Zanzi by the back of his shirt, carefully setting him down before checking over his hand, as if examining it for any traces of 'filth' that might have been transferred during the physical contact. "Ugh. Absolutely disgusting."

"..." Tears welled up in Zanzi's eyes as the smile that had seemed permanently plastered upon his face disappeared. Sure. He knew Kiyouh didn't like him much. Kiyouh didn't like thieves, especially thieves that had worked alongside the almighty Prince of Thieves, Bakura. But...but he didn't have to go and call him filth. That was...that was just mean...mean and rude.

It wasn't long before the tears began to roll down his cheeks as Ikki and Kiyouh looked at each other questioningly. Had Ra actually made a mistake? Ikki and Kiyouh seemed more like a fitting pair of Yami and Hikari, as did Jamie and Zanzi. But here they were, stuck with complete opposites. Opposites that, more or less, got on their nerves 24/7.

Tiger was the first to go over to the young thief to try and console him. She pulled him into a hug and spoke comforting words, and even offered the boy a cookie. He had looked at it, unsure, but when Tiger told him it contained sugar, he was suddenly in much better spirits as he took off up the stairs to guard his precious treasure of baked dough and chocolate morsels.

"...you gave him sugar?" Kaze asked in a highly surprised voice. "You gave him SUGAR ?"

"...yes." Tiger said with a nod, not the type to lie to anyone, let alone someone she shared an ancient bond with.

"Do you have ANY idea the consequences of those actions ?" Kiyouh exclaimed, shaking his head. "That boy thrives on sugar ! THRIVES !"

"But...but sugar is good. How dare you diss the sugar!" Tiger whined, stomping her feet angrily. "Sugar is the food of the gods !"

"Sugar...technically...isn't food." Ikki stated.

"... Sugar is the seasoning of the gods !"

"...whatever." Ikki shrugged and glanced around at the four dead people in the living room. "... I am SO glad mom bought a small mansion instead of a little cottage. Cause we're gonna have a full house by the time Sarah gets back."

" Sarah-chan ? Where IS she by the way?" Coinal asked, raising a brow. "Didn't she say she was going to be back after she like...cleared her head or some shit like that ?"

"Yeah." Tiger nodded. "But she hasn't been back since we got home. I'm starting to get worried."

"That girl's tough. She can handle herself." Ikki said, still eyeing the strange people around them. "But for now, we're going to have to figure out who's going to sleep where. We've got plenty of rooms, but... we don't have any furniture yet."

"We can reside in the items for the time being." Jadine suggested, glancing upward at Ikki. "Until you get the required items in your household, that is."

"Sounds like a plan." Kaze shrugged, not caring whether or not he slept on a bed or in the item. He had actually grown to like the comfort of the Crystal Lock. It was cozy. And, more importantly, it was quiet.

"Very well !" Jan smiled and leaned forward, her hands behind her back. "We have ourselves a nice little family !" She smiled and spun around, mimicking Zanzi's jubilant movements. "This is great !"

And so the group spent the rest of the day talking and joking around in the living room, completely oblivious to the fact that their missing comrade, Sarah, was about to have a very close encounter with the famous kind.