Disclaimer: … (Tsuki clears her throat, and Anevay looks around) Oh! Right. So… this is the question in debate… does Anevay own Yu-Gi-Oh? (Thinks about it) No, no I do not.

Author's note: Wow! I got a lot of responses after just the first two chaps ^O^ so I decided to post again. Why not, I say! I mean, it's not like I have anything else to do besides watch Yugioh and X-files :P Right? Just kidding—mostly.

Anyway, I'm babbling, so on to the thanks!

-For reviewing: me, Aqua girl 007, Angel's Riot, fan person, Nick-Arach, and princess atemma—if I missed anyone, I am eternally sorry!

For adding this to their favorite stories/alerts: Aqua girl 007, Nick-Arach, Chaos Infinity-X, AuraWolf4, ArcherAzzure, and then to ErinNovelist for adding me to their author alert ^D^

-Responses:

Angel's Riot: hahaha man, I love your reviews! Every time I read them I just sit there and giggle with a happy grin ^O^ haha. I was very pleased to use your phrase X) It's totally fine that you didn't review, by the by—I'm glad you're liking it! If I didn't include Yugi, I would be very angry with myself. Yugi is great! And I agree, they have a great relationship! Ah, ATEM. So obsessed. But yes, Atem will remain Atem ^-^ either that or Pharaoh, as usual. In the last seasons Yugi calls him Pharaoh, so that's how it's gonna be ^-^

Aqua girl 007: Oh, I know—I just had to stick Yugi in black and make him look all awesome X) My answer to your question: wait and see, my friend, wait and see! Hehe.

Fan person: hahah I know, poor Yugi. Sorry Yug! Love ya ^o^ talking to characters is fun!

Wow am I a babbler—sorry peoples. Oh! But Tsuki, above, is my OC and her name is said Su-key. Now, let's catch up with our dear friends Atem and Mana.

Someone's got to do it

Atem was frustrated with the whole thing.

Souls disappearing and appearing everywhere—living and dead, they were popping up all over the place. It was wreaking havoc in both the Spirit World and the World of the Living. In the last six months, things had gone even more down hill. The problem with the vanishing and appearing souls was no closer to be fixed than it had been before, and not only that, but Hamon was no where to be found.

The province where he had ruled had suddenly vanished, making the venture to find him pointless. There had been no further activity of the Soul Collectors. Atem feared they were striking the World of the Living, but he had received no reports with alerts on strange activity.

Either they were lying low, had given up, or were planning something big. Atem was unconvinced it was the idea that they had given up, as much as he hoped it could be. He had a sense they were planning something, and he didn't like it.

Most of his days were spent receiving complaints from Kings, villagers, wealthy merchants or rich New World-ers. He did all he could to assure them. At the moment he was thinking of just closing off the palace to everyone because he was so irritated, but knew that would only receive negative responses. It was better to talk to everyone. That way he had a chance of getting information on the Soul Collectors.

He opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. One of the doors to the balcony was open, allowing a cool breeze to play across the room. He put his hands behind his head and turned to look at Mana asleep beside him, her eyes closed peacefully.

She could sleep so long that it amazed Atem. He awoke automatically at seven every morning. While Mana was technically allowed to sleep an extra hour, being the queen, she usually didn't. She almost always got up at the same time Atem did so she could spend every moment she could with him, keeping an eye on him at all times. Keeping him safe.

He rolled on to his side and reached over, softly tracing her face. He had awoken about an hour earlier than usual, unable to sleep.

Alert to his touch, her eyes opened blearily and smiled. "Morning," she said sleepily.

Atem closer and put his arm around her, kissing her forehead. "Go back to sleep," he said quietly, "We don't have to get up for another hour."

A wider grin lit her mouth and she scooted closer, nuzzling him. "'Kay," she murmured, and closed her eyes, content to sleep in his arms for another hour.

Atem promptly fell asleep, but it seemed like five minutes later that he was awake again, groaning as he dragged himself out of bed. He cracked his neck and hauled on his tunic, putting on his belt and usual adornments. He was reaching for his cape when he looked around to see Mana curled up under the covers.

He smiled and lifted the covers for a moment, just to kiss her head before leaving her to sleep. Mahad stood outside, and looked mildly surprised to find Atem alone.

"Mana?" he questioned.

"I didn't want to wake her," Atem told him, and the two set off towards the throne room to get things ready for the day. "What's been going on this morning?"

Mahad sighed, "We already have several villagers and kings lined up for today."

Atem inwardly groaned. "Great."

Mana opened her eyes and after a moment's thought, blinked.

She looked out the window at the sun and cried out: "Almighty Ra! What time is it?" Pushing herself up, she realized Atem was gone. He had let her sleep. Curse him! How she loved him. She threw herself to the closet, tugging on her red dress and crown, scrambling hurriedly to ready herself.

As soon as she was ready, she ran from the room, wand in hand. The guards bowed to her before she dismissed them to the guard house, where they would be assigned elsewhere for the day.

Luckily, she hadn't missed breakfast.

Atem sat at the head of the table and Mana sat to his left, between Mahad and Atem. They both smiled to see her and she grinned. Breakfast was uneventful, but the food was good.

In the throne room, things quickly begun. The first villager was ushered in and promptly began to speak.

Mana glanced at Atem out of the corner of her eye. She stood to his direct right, while Shimon stood to the left. Atem looked bored out of his mind, listening to the villagers and kings complaints. He had heard it a thousand times before and he would hear it a thousand times again.

Finally, Atem called for a break.

The king in waiting would be angry, he knew, but at the moment he just didn't care. He left the room, in the courtyard outside and stretched. Mana joined him, rubbing her eyes. She yawned. "This is boring," she complained.

"I know," Atem agreed, "But someone has to do it."

"Your job sucks."

Atem barked a laugh and wrapped his arms around Mana. "You said it, Mana," he grinned.

"I mean," Mana continued, "Don't they realize that you're doing everything you can?"

He shrugged. "I guess they don't. Most people are clueless, you know." He ducked his head and pressed his lips to her throat, "There are other things I would much rather be doing than listening to their complaints, but…" he trailed off, his lips making a trail up to her cheek. Mana closed her eyes contentedly and Atem rubbed his nose along her cheek, "As I said, someone has to do it. At least I've got you and the others at my side."

"Atem," she said, and then stopped. Thumbing his cheek thoughtfully, she sighed, "I wish you didn't have to do all this."

Atem kissed her for a long moment. Pulling back, they stood embracing, and Mana fondled his neck. She ran her fingers through his hair, thinking. "It's been a long time since we've really played any games," she said. "You know, spent time together."

"We do every night," Atem pointed out.

Mana rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean. Every day if filled with this. Complaints, complaints. 'My mother disappeared and we haven't seen hide nor hair of her in two days!'" she said, sounding just like the man they had previously been listening to, "Or, 'My chickens have gone missing!' They're chickens, and your mother will come back." She shook her head,

Atem threw his head back, laughing. "Oh, Mana," he smiled, "You're the only person in this world keeping me sane." He pulled away, hooking their arms together, "Now come on, we've got more complaints to listen to."

He sounded so mock enthusiastic that Mana had to laugh. She loved him too much.

Ha ha… yeah, now that they're married I'm willing to go all out. It's fun to write them! X) sorry for the pointless fluffy contents. We're just catching up with my favorite couple, seeing what's going on with them. I'll post another chappy soon.

Review, please!

-Anevay