Hello! This is my first fanfic for Atem and Mana, I had never really considered them until I began watching Yugioh again and got to season five lol. Seeing Atem´s reaction when he meets Mana and reading the manga really hints at the fact that he likes her and they just make a really cute couple-just my opinion lol. Please read and review!

Mana and Pharaoh Atem have been best friends since childhood. But with Atem becoming Pharaoh of Egypt and fighting to protect his Kingdome, and Mana uncovering the painful truth about her past, they´ll need each other more than ever. Will they have the courage to confess that what they share is more than just a friendship?


Confessions of Friendship

She looked at him from afar, smiling.

Today was the day her best friend, the Prince, was being crowned as Pharaoh of Egypt. His father, Pharaoh Aknamkanon passed away a few days ago. It was one of the darkest, hardest moments in the Prince´s life, but here he was today, putting on a strong front for his deceased father and his empire. He looked terribly handsome, with his streaks of blonde hair falling at the sides of his crown, wearing his cape and dressed so regally, still showing off his muscular figure. Mana silently scolded herself for these thoughts. They were best friends since childhood, always supporting and counting on each other, along with her now master and Priest, Mahad. But in the last couple of months something had started changing on her part. She had taken a slight liking to the young prince a while back, when she started noticing several changes. He had become stronger, more firm and serious, he was still the same courteous sweet prince she had always known but was now becoming a bit stricter. She assumed it had to do with the long hours of study he had in order to prepare for his reign as Pharaoh. Aside from that were the physical changes as well, his voice had definitely changed, it was a soothing, yet intimidating deeper voice. He had a narrowed profound gaze, and he possessed a smile that could light up the entire palace, a smile that not everyone had a chance to see being that during his studies, meetings and staff he always maintained a serious stance. All in all, it was evident he was growing up. In fact, most girls took notice and daydreamt with the charming young prince, if not all. But he was the prince after all and now, the pharaoh, she couldn't allow that feeling to grow, besides, what were the chances of a Pharaoh falling for an ordinary girl like herself?

Atem knew her story, in fact, the former Pharaoh, Mahad, and a few of the Priest knew how she had gotten to the palace. But only Atem knew how it had begun to affect her over the years. Someone, her mother probably, had left her wrapped in a blanket outside the palace gates early one morning, with a note stating that the child had some sort of magical gift and needed to be taken care of. Of course everyone knew that in the palace lived magicians in training, who helped protect the palace with their magic and who were prepared in case of a war or assault on the Kingdome. The guards found her just a little while after, being that they guarded the entrance since the early hours of the morning. Immediately they had taken her to Pharaoh Aknamkanon, who was a kind man, and decided to have Mana stay and be raised at the palace under the guidance of one of the best Magicians in training of that time, Mahad. It was difficult growing up without parents, she often saw the prince with both his parents, or Mahad´s mother visit him at the palace from time to time, but she had no one. The only other person she could relate to was Priest Seto, who knew his mother but never met his father, but priest Seto was a very serious man and never said a word to anyone about his childhood or personal matters in general. She didn't think too much about it when she had first learned the truth, on the contrary, she considered herself fortunate to have arrived at the palace and have such kind people around her, someone to guide her in learning magic, and thankful for the king´s compassion. But as she started growing up, her curiosity also began to grow, and only Atem knew and understood that. Only he knew how, from time to time, Mana wondered who her family was or why they couldn't or didn't want to keep her. But the prince always gave her a strong hug or held her hand reassuringly, telling her that her parents probably tried doing what was best for her, and that she had a family at the palace who would never leave her side. She always smiled and thanked him dearly. But his words weren't enough to put out the flame of curiosity.

Everyone cheered as the new Pharaoh greeted his people. He made a small speech of motivation and incentive to the nation before Seto announced a banquet in honor of the new King. They then retreated back into the palace. As soon as they did Mana dashed off to find him. Of course she knew that things wouldn't be the same now that he was King of Egypt, but she wanted to see him one more time before he began with his duties. They were still best friends after all and he had made a promise to make time for her and to continue being there for each other. And they never broke their promises.


The Pharaoh sat in his throne as the banquet commenced. He looked through the crowd of people who were sitting in tables enjoying the feast, until he spotted the one he had been looking for. He smiled. Mana was his best friend and confident. But lately, she wasn't acting like herself and he was worried about her. He wasn't sure just how to approach the situation at hand. He cared so much for Mana but lately she had so many questions about her real family. Mana´s origins were never a conversational topic, not ever. But for some time she often seemed lost in thought and whenever she was, it was all that was on her mind. He didn't want her to get hurt, and what he desperately wanted was for Mana to forget the whole thing. Of course he couldn't blame her but he had a bad feeling about this, if she searched for the truth, there was no telling what she could find. He certainly wasn't going to let her suffer, especially now that he was pharaoh. Atem felt the need to protect her at all cost, even from herself. It had even crossed his mind to forbid her, as her pharaoh, to search for her family, but of course he couldn't and wouldn't do that to his best friend. So he had set as a personal mission to somehow make Mana forget all her doubts concerning her origins. It wouldn't be easy, especially considering his new position and how busy he would be, but he would make time for her anyway he could.

With a swift wave of his hand, he called for her. She all but ran to the throne and gave a quick bow.

"Prince! I mean-King!" she said laughing, it would take a while to get used to the new title after years of calling him prince. Atem smiled,

"It's quite alright" he told her, "So how are you enjoying the feast?" he asked, kindly.

"It's awesome, but you know me, I can't stay in one place for too long" she said, guiltily, and it was true, no matter how the years went by Mana would still be a kid at the heart. She was very energetic and quickly moved from one activity to another, except for when she was training due Mahad controlling her and helping her maintain focus.

"Of course, how could I forget," he responded sarcastically, smirking,

"So, do you think we´ll have time to see each other, Pharaoh?" She asked, taking his hand and playing with his fingers. Atem blushed noticeably, although it was common between them to play with each other's hands like that, they had never done so in public, let alone now that he was pharaoh. Gently, as to not let Mana notice, he pulled his hand away and placed it over his puzzle. Aside from that, there was another small detail. At some point during their earlier teenage years, he had developed a crush on Mana. She seemed completely oblivious to it, thankfully. But looking into her gleaming green eyes, or feeling her touch always caused him a strange, yet thrilling sensation that he tried so hard to supress.

"Of course I will, Mana, but…do you promise to let go of all those thoughts you seem to be having?" he asked, she looked at him confused,

"What thoughts prince, I-" she started, but one stern look from Atem helped her realize,

"Oh, you mean-"

"Mana- let the pharaoh be! He must relax and enjoy this feast", Priest Seto scolded her, Atem spoke up,

"It alright Seto," Mana bowed before the pharaoh, and was about to leave, before Atem grabbed her hand quickly, provoking a tingling sensation in his stomach,

"Meet me after the banquet" she nodded and skipped away. Was she really so unaware of the feelings she triggered in him? He watched as she bounced over to Mahad, smiling widely. He sighed, yes she was.

The rest of the banquet continued smoothly and by the end of the night his people all retreated to their homes after the delightful feast in his honor. Just before leaving the throne room, after his priests had retreated to their chambers, Atem glanced once more at the golden throne and shut his eyes, remembering the last time he saw his father sitting in that same chair.

Father, I wish not to disappoint you. I must follow in your footsteps in order to be a righteous king and make you proud…

A single tear rolled down his cheek. He wiped his face, left the throne room, and proceeded to find Mana. It seemed they would need each other's company for yet another night.