The streets of New York bustled with activity as Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Tea made their way through the crowded sidewalks, each of them keeping a wary eye out for any signs of danger. They had come to the city in pursuit of a mysterious villain after the group, but now, their attention was drawn to a quaint old bookstore nestled between towering skyscrapers. The sign read, "Kannon's Antiquities."
"Are you sure this is the right place, Yug?" Joey asked, scratching his head as he peered at the dimly lit shop.
Yugi nodded, his Millennium Puzzle glowing faintly beneath his shirt. "This is it. The Book of the Dead should be here. We need to find it before it's too late."
The group stepped inside, the doorbell chiming softly as they entered. The interior was filled with towering bookshelves crammed with ancient tomes, artifacts, and curiosities. Behind the counter stood a young woman with striking features—her dark hair fell in waves, framing her face. Her eyes, a deep hazel, sparkled with mischief as she regarded them with an amused smile.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice smooth yet filled with authority.
Tea stepped forward, clearing her throat. "We're looking for something... specific. The Book of the Dead."
The shopkeeper's smile widened. "Ah, I see. You're in the right place." She gestured toward the back of the shop. "Third shelf from the right, second row from the top. But be careful with it. It's not exactly the easiest text to handle."
As the group headed toward the indicated shelf, Yugi paused, glancing back at the woman. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Shrugging it off, he turned to join his friends.
The woman, Diana Kannon, chuckled softly to herself, watching them disappear into the aisles. She then moved to the back of the shop, where a narrow staircase led up to a private room. Her footsteps were light as she ascended, the sound barely audible as she approached a door at the top.
Opening it quietly, Diana slipped inside. There, seated in a wheelchair beside a desk, was her brother—Yami. His sharp, regal features softened as he looked up from the deck of cards he had been sorting. His amethyst eyes gleamed with warmth as Diana entered, locking the door behind her.
"Sister," Yami greeted, a smile tugging at his lips. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Diana moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing his cheek affectionately. "We have visitors," she whispered in his ear, her voice laced with amusement. "They're looking for the Book of the Dead."
Yami raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Visitors, you say?"
Diana smirked, pulling away to lean against the desk. "Yugi and his friends. I thought you'd want to know."
A flicker of recognition crossed Yami's face, but before he could respond, Diana reached for the inner phone on the desk and dialed a familiar number. It rang twice before the line picked up.
"Seto," Diana said smoothly, her voice taking on a businesslike tone. "I need you to come over. Yami's still here, and I don't trust what's out there. Bring your Duel Disk—just in case. And try not to trash my shop this time."
On the other end, Kaiba's familiar voice grumbled in response. "No promises. I'll be there shortly."
Diana smiled, rolling her eyes. "And Seto? If anything happens to my brother while I'm gone, I'll wring your neck."
After hanging up, she turned back to Yami, her expression softening. She approached him again, her hand gently caressing his cheek before pressing her lips to his. Yami responded, pulling her onto his lap, deepening the kiss as he held her close. He savored the warmth of her body against his, the taste of her lips igniting a fire in him that had never dimmed since their days in ancient Egypt.
