The Queen and the King of Games

Chapter One

I'm back lovelies with the sequel to The Pharaoh and The Female Thief! I know it has been a while, but I was focused on another story, but this sequel has been haunting my mind so I wanted to get some of it up for you.

I hope you enjoy it as much as the first one!

So let's see what trouble Mana can get into this time!

Mana

Domino City was large and bustling with energized people and tons of, what Ishizu and Shadi had deemed, cars. The air was surprisingly clean for a place so populated and Mana was happy to know that the Earth would be spared somewhat from the onslaught of what her companions called pollution. Mana knew what pollution was, of course, because even in her time the Nile had been filled with waste at one time or another and Atem had to order it cleaned before planting.

A car horn sounded off to Mana's left and she jumped a bit at the noise. She was not prepared or ready for the new sounds, but Mana knew that in order to live in this time she would have to be. There were also so many people that Mana was afraid she would get lost among them all. It wasn't that Mana hadn't spent time among her people in her time, but there was always guards to keep the people from touching her unless she allowed.

This time around it was different. Everyone was bumping into each other and moving on without so much as an apology. It was rude and no one would have gotten out of apologizing in her time if they had hit her as the people did now. However, these individuals didn't even know who she was and what she represented so it wasn't like they would drop to the ground and bow at her feet. In this time, in this era, she was nothing more than a simple girl with no title or position.

Mana let out a sigh at the thought. She had had nothing before she met Atem and then gained so much once they had been married. Now she was back to being a simple girl. It shocked Mana, but if Atem would have to live as such then so could she. That was the only reason she was awake after all and walking around the city. The Millennium Puzzle had been reassembled which meant that Atem was finally awake and she could feel it. The pull of his soul on hers was slight and it made her heart hurt to know he was so far away. The pull felt a lot like a young child was tugging on the connection enough to be annoying. At other times, when she was closer it felt more like a caress and it made her shudder. It was, however, irritating and frustrating to the point that Mana was worried her patience would wear thin.

It was fortunate thought, because the small tugs and slight caresses reminded her of the time the connection between her and her pharaoh had transpired. Mana smiled as the memory resurfaced in her mind. It had been shortly after they had married and an attempt had been made on Atem's life. The assassin had missed, but only because Mana pulled him down and out of the way in time. She had landed on top of a shocked pharaoh. His eyes had been wide with concern for her not for himself. Atem had constantly asked if she was okay and if she had been hurt. Mana had laughed at him for being more worried about her safety when she was perfectly capable of looking after herself.

That night when they had gone to bed, Mana had pulled Atem close and held on tight. He hadn't seemed to mind as he wrapped his arms around her. They feel asleep in each other's arms and stayed that way until she woke in the middle of the night because something had come into the room. Mana was alert and wary as she started to rise, but a voice in her head told her to lay still. Mana was reluctant at first until she realized the voice in her head belonged to Sekhmet, her Goddess.

Sekhmet had come into the room with a small smile on her feline face and Mana had smiled back. The Goddess of War and of Ten Thousand Names had become a mother figure to her and it was nice to see the lion-faced woman. Sekhmet had raised a finger to her lips and again asked her to lay down. Mana nodded and rested her body against the soft bed again as the Goddess stepped forward.

Sekhmet then reached forward and rested a single finger to Atem's chest, right above his heart. She mumbled a few words, a spell, and a light began to glow from inside her love's chest. The Goddess then pulled her finger away and the light followed as she brought the light to connect to a spot above Mana's heart. Mana had felt the warmth of the magic her Goddess was spinning and felt lightheaded at the experience.

After that night, Mana had always known when Atem was near or in danger. His heart, his soul, would call to her and she would find him no matter what. It was her job, as Sekhmet's priestess, to be his protector and she would do so until his destiny was fulfilled.

A gentle hand on her shoulder shocked her from her thoughts. She hadn't even realized that she had stopped in the middle of the sea of people causing Shadi to stop as well. Mana turned to find her escort looking at her curiously. Mana smiled and Shadi nodded before gesturing for them to press on.

Shadi had agreed to be her chaperone on this trip to Japan and it still amazed her that he had left the comfort of the tombs to watch over her. He rarely was seen publicly and usually used the Millennium Key to stay hidden and out of sight. He said it was because he wanted to make sure she made it safely, but Mana wondered if there was another reason. Mana didn't have time to dwell on it though as they continued to walk towards their desitnation.

She did, however, observe that Shadi was tense and constantly watching the people approaching. She knew he was doing it as a way to protect her. Ishizu's brother, Marik, knew about the Millennium Items and more specifically the Millennium Puzzle. He would know when she would wake and could send anyone to keep her from finding the Atem. Marik coveted the power of the Millennium Puzzle and heard stories of the beautiful queen who would protect not only the pharaoh, but the puzzle's keeper as well.

According to Ishizu, Marik had snuck into her tomb before he disappeared and gazed upon her. She had caught him declaring that Mana would be his once he gained the Millennium Puzzle and the Egyptian God Cards. Ishizu and Shadi decided then to keep an eye on the queen to make sure that Marik didn't do anything rash.

"Marik, wouldn't be stupid enough to attack me in the open," Mana pointed out. Shadi shot her a look out of his peripherals. "Besides, I can smell danger. I'll know when something is coming after me and act accordingly. I have been doing it for years, Shadi. I will protect myself and my pharaoh until he regains his memories."

"I am glad you have confidence in your abilities, my queen, but it has been centuries since you last used your gifts. It will take some time before you are able to control them as you once use to," Shadi stated. "You have slept and dreamt of a time long since passed. It will be hard on you at first and trying to control your powers might prove futile."

Mana was about to argue, but stopped when she saw the look of concern on her bodyguard's face. Shadi was only cautioning her to be careful. Mana could not fault him for that nor could she fault him for the reminder. She had made an attempt to take on her lioness form before they left Egypt, but had failed miserably.

"I understand," Mana said instead.

Shadi gave her a small smile and patted her arm. "I know it will be especially difficult for you, my queen. Nevertheless, I know that you will adjust. Love is a powerful motivator and the love you and my pharaoh have for one another is stronger than any other."

Mana smiled and tried to hold back the blush that was silently spreading across her cheeks. Shadi rarely said anything so poetic and Mana couldn't believe that those words had come out of his mouth. It was nice to know that someone believed in her because Mana was just a little bit worried that she would fail.

She knew nothing of this time or it's customs except for the ones she had been forced to learn in a short amount of time. What if she offended someone? What if she took some social grace for an attack and acted rashly? So much could go wrong and Mana was scared she would disgrace her pharaoh.

"Do not worry so much, my queen. Yugi Muto and his grandfather will teach you what you need to know. They will look after you."

Shadi must have seen the worry on her face to have read her mind, but Mana didn't care. It helped that he seemed to understand what her mind was thinking since the one man who did couldn't be with her. Sure, Shadi wouldn't know everything about her long ago past, but he could still read body language. He had been the calm one when Mana was getting on Ishizu's nerves and constantly yelling at Mana to keep her focus. Mana knew that Ishizu meant well and just wanted Mana to excel at what she needed to learn, but it had been Shadi who had made sure the two women hadn't killed each other.

"Thank you, Shadi," Mana stated. "For everything you have done."

Shadi nodded and gave her a small smile. Mana smiled back focused her gaze back out in front of her. She may not have had any idea where she was going, but the goings-on of the people of Domino City were still fascinating. The shops weren't outside or covered by awnings like they were in Egypt, but tucked away in shining buildings with mouth-like openings that unsealed when someone walked up to them. Little shining boxes with bright lights let out high sounds when it was agitated or wanted its owner's attention and the owner would have to hold it up to their ear and console it. Mana thought it all very enthralling.

Ten minutes later and Shadi was coming to a stop. Mana looked up at him and raised a questioning eyebrow. He smiled down at her and pointed towards what had grabbed his attention. Mana followed his finger and saw a yellow building with the words "Game Shop" above it in bright read letters. Mana looked back at Shadi who was watching her for a particular reaction.

"What about this 'game shop,' Shadi?"

Shadi didn't answer her right away. Instead he looked at the large time piece across the way and let out a small sigh. "I thought we would get here around the time school ended and Yugi Muto would be home. I wanted to see your face when you realized the Pharaoh was so close. I anticipated wrong."

Mana nodded in understanding. Shadi had wanted to see the look of happiness on her face when she came into close proximity with the one she had waited 5,000 years for. Mana couldn't blame him and she certainly didn't think it was wrong of him to want to see his queen happy.

"It is alright, Shadi. Yugi should be home soon, yes?" Mana questioned and Shadi nodded. "Then I will be seeing him in no time. I can make it on my own from here."

"I should, at the very least, escort you to the door. I want to make sure you get inside," Shadi pressed.

Mana just nodded in agreement. She knew he wouldn't admit it, but Shadi wanted to stay with her just a bit longer. He wanted to make sure for certain that she was safe so that he could go about is other duties without worrying if he had left his queen to her doom.

"Of course," Mana agreed.

Shadi smiled at her and they walked across the street to Mana's new home. Once they were outside the front door Shadi bowed and opened the door for her. Mana nodded at him and walked into the shop. Shadi left promptly after and Mana stood surrounded by, what she assumed, were games of different types.

She looked around carefully for anything that looked familiar. There were tons of boards, game pieces, and the like; but only one game screamed at her more than anything else.

Duel Monsters.

Mana's breath caught as she looked at the poster and then down at the thousands of cards on display. They were so different from the tablets she had witnessed being used in her time and she wondered how someone's Ba and Ka were fused into the cards to make them work.

"What can I do for you?" a gruff male voice asked from behind her. Mana turned to find no one but Muran standing behind her. Except, he looked a lot kinder than he had in her time and Mana had to smile a bit knowing that her love was again paired with someone who would look out for him. "Are you interested in Duel Monsters, young lady?"

Mana shook her head. "No, sir. My name is Mana Renma."

Solomon's violet eyes widened as he registered her name and a broad smile spread across his face. He walked forward and took one of her hands in his.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mana. My name is Solomon Muto and I speak for both myself and my grandson when I say it is a pleasure to have you in our home," Solomon stated.

"Thank you, Mr. Muto. I am grateful that you are allowing me to stay here during the duration of my time here," Mana replied.

Solomon clutched at her hand and smiled. "It is no trouble. I came to love Egypt during my digs there and I learned so much about the culture as well as the past. I am glad that I will have someone besides my grandson to share stories with."

"I'm sure there is much we can learn from each other," Mana stated clutching his hand back.

A short silence passed between them. Mana knew that although Solomon was Muran's reincarnation she also knew that this version of him would be a lot kinder to her. Muran had been against Atem marrying her from the beginning and had done everything he could to keep their marriage from happening, but he had come around when he saw how much his pharaoh loved his new queen.

Muran had still insisted that Atem take more than one wife and make Mana his Chief Wife to solidify an heir and his rule, but Atem refused to listen. He only wanted Mana regardless of how it looked. Atem loved his wife and would do anything to keep her, even if it meant giving up his bloodline.

Solomon was the first to break the silence. "I apologize, but Yugi isn't home yet. He's still at school."

"No, I understand. I am a little early so it is understandable that he wouldn't be here to greet me."

"He should be home soon, though," Solomon stated. He shot a glance over his shoulder at the timepiece on the wall. He turned back to her smiling. "He will be home very shortly. School just ended and he promised to be home right after with his friends to meet you."

Mana nodded because she could feel it. She could feel the approach of the boy due to her connection to the pharaoh's soul. He was getting closer with every passing second and Mana was excited to see what type of boy Yugi was. She was also nervous. Mana was afraid she would look up on her love's host and cry or run out of the room in sadness. She could only hope that she would keep her composure until a private moment.

"Come take a seat behind that counter and I'll make some tea. If anyone comes in just go through that back door and yell for me."

Solomon released her and beckoned her to follow him. Once they were behind the counter, he pointed at the seat and Mana took it silently. Solomon smiled at her before leaving through the door he specified and leaving her alone in the shop.

Mana just looked around the shop again at all the many games and wondered what they taught the young children who bought them. She remembered Duel Monsters as the Shadow Games and knew how dangerous they could be, but also knew that Atem had learned how to lead through the trials that came with them. He had protected the whole world from total destruction and learned that having trusted friends by his side was his true strength.

The bell above the door sounded and a small group of teens came into the shop. Mana stood up and moved to open the door to call for Solomon when she froze. The smallest boy of the group was laughing and smiling, but Mana couldn't focus on the sound of his voice. She could only focus on his spiked hair that was a mixture of blonde, black, and magenta; and his eyes that were a vibrant shade of violet. The last thing that caught her eye was the Millennium Puzzle dangling from the same leather strip it had always had from the boy's throat. He was too pale to be her husband, but there was no doubt that this boy was Atem's reincarnation.

"Hey, Yugi, did Gramps get a new employee?" a tall blonde boy in a blue uniform questioned.

"I don't believe so, why?" the smaller boy replied. Yugi still hadn't taken his eyes off of his friend so he hadn't even turned to follow the blonde's gaze.

"Because there is a girl behind the counter where your Gramps should be."

The entire group shifted their focus from the blonde to her and Mana felt her heart stop. Those violet eyes were staring right at her and Mana thought she was going to pass out. She knew this boy wasn't Atem, but he looked so much like him that Mana wasn't sure she was going to be able to hold it together. She could feel her soul reaching out towards him with the hopes that Atem would reach out for her, but she knew it was impossible at this moment in time. Her love didn't remember her and it would be a long while before he did.

Yugi didn't look upset or mad. He just looked curious as he took a step forward and asked, "Who are you?"

Mana swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry to surprise you. My name is Mana Renma."

Yugi's eyes widened and a broad smile stretched across his face. He ran forward and around the counter to stand before her. His friends seemed confused and shocked that he had gotten so excited, but Mana could see the true happiness in the boy's eyes.

"Welcome to Domino City, Mana. I'm Yugi Muto!"

"It is nice to finally meet you, Yugi. Thank you for allowing me to stay with you," Mana said in reply.

"It's really no trouble. It gets lonely around the house when it's just grandpa and I."

"What about us, Yugi? You aren't lonely with us around either," a brunette female pointed out with a smile.

Yugi looked at his friends and smiled, "No, of course not! But you guys can't be here all the time!"

Solomon came out from the back door at that moment and smiled. He came forward and stood between the two and rested his hands on each of their shoulders.

"I see you are home, Yugi and that you have officially met our new house guest," Solomon stated.

"Yeah, I can't wait to get to know her," Yugi answered excitedly.

Mana fought off a blush because she wasn't used to this much enthusiasm. Yugi seemed genuinely happy to see her and that gave Mana hope that Atem would feel the same way.

"Since Yugi seems too distracted to do the introductions, I'll start," the blonde interrupted. "My name is Joey Wheeler. I'm Yugi's best friend."

"My name is Tristan Taylor," the tall brunette stated.

"And I'm Téa Gardner," the brunette female said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Mana replied with a smile.

"Oh, Grandpa," Yugi called. Solomon gave the boy his full attention. "Will you show us your super-secret special card? Please?"

"My secret card?" Solomon asked.

"Please, Gramps?" Joey begged. He had his hands press together in front of his face as if he was praying for a miracle.

Solomon laughed. "Yes, yes, alright. Yugi, take Mana and join the others on the opposite side of the counter will you?"

Yugi nodded eagerly and took Mana's hand. Mana let him and felt a tingle run up her arm. Yugi guided her around the counter to stand beside Tristan, but never let go of her once there. He held her hand gently and talked with his friends as if nothing was out of place.

Mana would have laughed if her heart hadn't been beating so fast. Yugi had obviously taken a significant interest in her and Mana wondered if it was by his own will or Atem's. It was true that Atem wouldn't remember her that had been made clear when he sealed away the Millennium Items, but it wasn't certain if he wouldn't remember her soul as one that belonged to him. The connection Sekhmet had given them wasn't fully understood so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch that Atem wouldn't recognize her as someone from his past. Mana was curious if Atem was shining through Yugi just enough to hold her hand because he knew her, but didn't know her.

"Alright everyone, I don't take this card out very often so you are in for a rare treat," Solomon announced as he pulled a wooden box out from behind the counter. Everyone waited with baited breath as he took the lid off and presented the card to them. "Here it is everyone! The Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

The others oohed and awed while Mana just stared. The pearly-white dragon with the striking blue eyes meant more to Mana than the others because she remembered when her friend had given her life to become it permanently. The woman whose Ba and Ka had been given up to take on the form of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon had not been anyone of royal or courtly significance, but she had been one of Mana's closest friends. It was nice to know that he friend was still being remembered through this game of Duel Monsters, but it was hard to see her friend's visage and not want to cry.

"I got this card from a dear friend, but there are only four in existence. This is because the creator of Duel Monsters, Maximillian Pegasus, thought they would be too powerful if more were made," Solomon explained.

Solomon was right about one thing. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon was a card to be feared especially when she was protecting someone she loved. Her friend had only held love for one man and she had died to protect him from harm.

Mana looked at the card and smiled as she thought, "It is good to see you again, Kisara."

Suddenly, the door to the Game Shop was thrown open and a man stood silhouetted against the afternoon sun.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?" Solomon asked as he set the card down and back in the box.

"I would be surprise if you couldn't help me. I don't think I will find anything worthwhile in this…No it's not possible!" He rushed forward and threw his hands on the counter. Whatever was going through his mind anyone could only guess at, but Mana was immobile.

Mana could do nothing but stare. The voice had been enough to enlighten her to who this man was, but the visage had made it perfectly clear. The dark brown hair and hard piercing blue eyes would never leave Mana's mind. She saw him as he once was, in his priestly robes and staring down at her husband as he tried to dethrone him. Atem's once cousin was standing before her and looking at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in astonishment.

"Priest Set," Mana thought.

"Seto Kaiba!" Joey exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

There you have it everyone! I plan on going through all of the Duelist Kingdom Arc so be prepared for a long journey!

I hope you enjoyed it!

Reviews are greatly appreciated and PM me if you need to!

~BlainexKurtxLove