The Right To Be Jealous

Hey guys!

I'm Nakoujou! I've been writing fanfiction for a while, but this is my first one for Yugioh. I usually write Naruto fanfiction, basically the SasuSaku pairing, but I've been reading so much vaseshipping ones here that I'm not a huge fan of it! Honestly, the story "Harem Girls" by SilentWhiteRose sold me to vaseshipping; I really think it's the best one out there. At first, I thought Atem/Yami Yugi should end up with no one since it's awkward for him to be with Anzu. But then, I realized how cute he and Mana would be and thought "OMG MUST READ!" Sadly, I couldn't find many fanfics on this pairing since it's so rare. I'm not sure why it's not popular because if you think about it, their relationship as childhood friends is similar to Yugi and Tea. It's very fitting, ne? Anyway, I got angry at just rereading the same ones over and over again that I decided to write my own for my entertainment! I hope more people write vaseshipping fanfics because I want to enjoy other people's stories besides my own for once!

I hope you guys like my first Yugioh fanfic! Reviews and constructive criticism are really appreciated! Enjoy!

Ouji=prince

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Yugioh. That's Kazuki Takahashi. I don't even know why I bother to put this up; everybody knows people on don't own the story. That's why it's called FANFICTION

Prologue

He was barely seven-years-old when he first met her.

He remembered being a young prince, just innocently walking down the palace hallway when he had bumped into a little girl, head-on. She had messy brown hair, wore a dirty tunic, and had jade green eyes. He had never seen her around, yet she ran this palace like it was her second home. She complained at him for wearing such a stupid, golden headpiece and that it could kill someone, even though she was the one that ran into him. Atem remembered hearing Mahado scream at the girl, wondering how they knew each other. It didn't matter; Atem felt a tiny hand grab his wrist and drag him into one of the vases lined up at the walls. It was amazing how large the vases were; they were enough to fit at least four little kids within.

Without even asking who he was, she then proceeded to tell him her life story, even though she could only fit so much in her five years of life. One of the palace servants had found her abandoned in front of the palace, with a letter warning of her mysterious magic. The servant had taken her in, raising her as if his own, and eventually, getting her to control her magic under one of the students, Mahado. She would become Mahado's apprentice the moment his magician training was complete and took on the Millennium Ring. She was told only to remain in the servants and Magician's quarters, but often times, she would run around the palace to explore and enjoyed hiding in vases when skipping magic lessons, considering a bore.

After her long ramble, she smiled at him and said "I don't know you, but wanna be friends?"

And that was how he met his best friend Mana.

He was ten-years-old when he first started getting classes on his pharaoh duties. And when he first started ditching them thanks to Mana.

They were dull, long, and boring. He wondered what arithmetic or history had anything to do with being pharaoh, but it was his father, the current pharaoh, who ordered him for these studies. He hated his tutors. Although kind and nice, they were often old men with strange, long bears and wrinkly faces that feigned their desire to teach the future king their lessons, yet Atem was well aware they rather be sleeping. He was fortunate to have Mana as a friend, who had taught him to make a sleeping draught that he could sneak into his teachers' goblets and sneak out of classes with her.

They did everything they could while out of class. They swam in the Nile, threw plums at each other, played hide-and-seek in the vases, catch squirrels, prank his father's court of priests, anything kids did back then to entertain themselves. He also learned that Mana wasn't exactly the best at making potions; those sleeping draughts usually lasted for no more than an hour and eventually, they would get caught. They liked to hide in vases to avoid getting caught, but then again, everybody knew their infamous hiding places and knew those two kids didn't bother to find anywhere new.

They would always be reprimanded, but Atem always felt guilty since the most he ever got was a lecture. Mana always had to clean a room or no dinner. When it got worse, Atem avoided sneaking classes with her, hoping she wouldn't have to deal with the punishment. But then she threatened never to talk to him again when he stopped sneaking classes with her. Atem wasn't sure why he still went along with her; maybe it was because one hour with her was worth more than a day-long lecture. And she probably felt the same too. He hoped.

He was thirteen-years-old when the court brought up marriage to him.

Atem remembered nearly gagging at the idea of marriage. He was barely a man and now they were talking about choosing the right wife? They had to finish early, his uncle Aknadin had reasoned. Atem didn't wasn't a fan of girls; heck, he didn't even have crushes yet! The only girl he really talked to was Mana, but she was basically his little sister! He didn't want to get married.

Atem remembered how when he brought up Mana, Aknadin's face had suddenly darkened. His uncle warned him to stop hanging around a commoner like her so much; she wasn't a good influence on him. That things could happen between them and ruin his chances of being pharaoh. He needed to cut it off early. Atem refused. Mana was his best friend; nothing more. If anything, she could be the best spellcaster, next to Mahado, when he became pharaoh. That sounded right to him. Aknadin suggested he started mingling with the noble's daughters, the people he was allowed to marry AKA the most boring, giddling, annoying girls he had ever met. His uncle needed to relax.

He had told Mana later that day of what Aknadin told him. He remembered Mana laughing it off but somehow felt it was forced. He complained about not wanting to get married and Mana teased him endlessly that he would have to kiss his future wife. Atem had spat at that image. Girls were still nasty to him. Except Mana, of course. Mana then proceeded to tell him how all the maids talked to marriage about her too, how she should start acting more like a lady if she wanted a good husband to take care of her.

Knowing that their opinions on marriage would probably change, they made their promises on what destiny could not change.

Mana spoke first. "You're going to be pharoah! You have to get married! So promise me that when you marry someone, it's the girl you love and care the most! Oh, and she has to be pretty, nice-especially to me-, smart, and will help me tease you! And I can't hate her or I'll never let you marry!"

Atem had laughed. "Fine. Then promise me you'll marry the boy of your dreams who's nice, brave, shorter than me, strong but weaker than me so I can beat him up if he makes you cry, and is not a jerk. Also, I have to like him and he has to ask me for your hand in marriage because I'll be king!"

They laughed to no end that day, drawing out pictures of what their future wife or husband would look like. Imaging how life would be with kids. Pretending to be parents for the day to one of the servant's newborn. Mana attempting to make her wedding dress with magic, even if it ended up looking like she just covered herself in a blanket. Them creating scenarios where Atem would name his daughter after her and she would name her son after him. As if the idea of having feelings for each other never occured.

"You'll still have time for me when you're pharaoh, right Ouji?" She had asked him. "Even when you're married?"

He smiled. "Are you insane, Mana? I'll always have time for you."

Another promise. A promise between best friends.

Atem opened his eyes upon the lights of Ra shining through his room. He winced slightly at the burning rays, moaning as he sat up on his king-sized bed. Fitting, since he had been the pharaoh for almost a year. His bare chest had toned up, almost to a six-pack that many girls swooned over. His violet eyes had narrowed, giving him a permanent stern look unless he smiled. His arms showed well his strong, yet not bulky, muscles. He had grown, indeed, into a handsome 18-year-old King. A young king who ruled over Egypt, his home, his people, and his empire after his father passed away much too early.

Yet, he felt like he swam in the Nile with Mana just yesterday. When they were young children.

He looked outside the window, to the sun, before eyeing the golden crown that laid on top of the dresser.

"What happened?"

So much time had passed by. So much time.