Yay so many people have viewed the story and it has a few followers! Someone posted a review wondering when the romance was going to begin and I will answer that person by saying this chapter begins the romance. This chapter also introduces a genderbent version of one of my favorite Yu-Gi-Oh characters.

Chapter 3

Yami held and stared at the cartouche around her neck. Taric had given it to her right as she was about to enter the Memory World.

Flashback

"Hey Yami! I wanted to give you something before you left," said Taric.

Yami turned around and looked at Taric slightly puzzled. He had never given anything to her before. Taric then pulled out a silver necklace with a large ovular pendant.

"It's lovely," smiled Yami.

"It's a cartouche. I bought this before we left Domino City because Pharaohs would have their names engraved on them."

"I'm a queen remember?" Yami smiled teasingly.

"I know but I'm sure it'll serve the same purpose. I bought a blank one thinking you could engrave your name on it once you get your memories back. That way you will never forget it."

Yami was speechless. This was the most thoughtful thing she could remember anyone doing for her. Of course, she didn't have that many memories at the current moment anyway.

"Thank you so much, Taric. I'll always wear it."

"Thanks, Yami. That means a lot. Um…do you want me to put it on?" Taric asked shyly.

Yami nodded and turned her back to Taric. She moved her crazy tricolored hair over her shoulder so Taric could hook the necklace around her neck. Yami felt chills as she felt Taric's fingers brush her neck. Once the necklace was around her neck, she turned around and faced her friends.

Back to present.

Yami felt a tear form in her eye as she recalled her last memory before entering the past. She felt lonely without her friends but also had a slight pang of guilt.

I feel bad for Taric and Yugi. Yugi has had a crush on him since they were children. But since I was released from the Millennium Puzzle, it seems Taric has been more interested in me. I could feel Yugi's sadness in my heart before I went into the Memory World knowing that she longed for Taric's affection. I wish he would realize that the only feelings I have for him are friendship not romance. My heart tells me that Taric and Yugi should be together and that they would be happy together. I'm not even from their time. I wonder if I ever experienced love in my past. Even if I did I can't remember who it was or if it even happened.

Yami closed her eyes and let the pendant slip from her hand. It came to rest on her chest again as a tear slid down her face.

"My queen?" came a voice from behind her.

Yami gasped and turned around quickly. Mahad was standing behind her clearing looking upset that he had scared the queen.

"My queen, I apologize for frightening you!" Mahad said as he kneeled, "Please forgive me."

"It's fine, Mahad. I was just thinking," Yami said as she wiped the tear off her cheek.

"My queen, why are you crying?"

"Oh…it's nothing you need to be concerned about. Trust me."

"If you wish."

Mahad still looked concerned as he stood up and continued, "You fought courageously against Bakura, my queen. I thank you on behalf of the sacred guardians and the honored guests at your coronation for saving our lives." Mahad bowed deeply.

"Thank you, my friend. I only want to protect my people." Yami turned around and faced the ruined village sadly, "If only I was able to protect everyone. There's no telling how many lives were lost."

"Unfortunately, there was only so much you could do, my queen. Bakura's attack took all of us completely by surprise. I feel that is a failure on my part as your head of security."

Yami turned and faced Mahad, "Mahad, please stop beating yourself up about it. I told you I would provide you with more men and the proper weapons to defend our city. Like you said, the attack took us by surprise."

Mahad bowed once again and replied, "Thank you, my queen. And with all due respect, it probably is not safe for you to be outside at this hour. Allow me to escort you back to your quarters."

"Thank you, I would deeply appreciate that," Yami smiled.

Especially since I'm not sure where my room is.

Yami followed Mahad throughout the palace talking amongst themselves when an urn they walked past began to rattle. Mahad stopped quickly and stood in front of the queen.

"What is it?" asked Yami.

"Stay behind me, my queen, just in case it isn't safe." Mahad answered sternly.

Suddenly a teenage boy jumped out of the urn excitedly and landed in front of the queen.

"Hey princess!" he shouted as he picked Yami up roughly around the waist and hugged her tightly.

"What the hell?! Can you put me down?" exclaimed Yami while trying to wiggle out of his tight grasp.

"Mano! Put the queen down this instance!" Mahad scolded the boy fiercely.

"Okay fine," Mano said as he put Yami back on her feet. "Look, just because you may be a queen now doesn't mean I'm going to stop calling you princess," he teased.

Yami smoothed out her skirt and then got a good look at the boy in front of her. Something inside her head clicked whenever she looked at him.

"Wait! You're Mano! My childhood friend!" Yami remembered suddenly.

"Well yeah, silly princess. You haven't forgotten me after one day have you?"

Mano leaned really close to Yami's face suddenly causing her to lean back in alarm.

"Your eyes look a little glossy," Mano noticed. "Have you been drinking too much? Because I am not cleaning up your mess again."

"Mano! Stop being so disrespectful! Out of all my apprentices you certainly have the biggest mouth," Mahad scolded again.

"Aw, Master, you need to relax! I've know the princess since we were in diapers. I don't think she will be offended if I keep referring to her the way I've always referred to her. Right, princess?"

"Um…yeah. Sure," replied Yami hurriedly. She was still trying to remember more about Mano.

"You see, Master? We don't have a problem."

"The queen must be addressed by her proper title from now on," Mahad corrected. "Now it has been a long day and the queen is–"

"Unable to speak for herself? Is that why you have been doing most of the talking?"

"Quit being a Smart Alec. Now how did you get passed all the guards?"

"I've been practicing my freezing spell," Mano stated proudly. "I froze every guard I walked passed to reach the urn you found me in."

Thankfully when Yami looked at the guards below her none of them were actually frozen in ice just frozen in place.

"Mano there is a criminal on the loose! Do you want to get everyone here hurt or killed?!"

"Oh, my mistake! Here let me find the undo spell," Mano replied as he made a spell book magically appear in his hands. He started flipping through pages frantically trying to find the counter-spell. "Um…I know it's in here somewhere."

"Just hurry up," Mahad said exasperated.

Yami couldn't help but smile at the young apprentice and his master. Their relationship was similar to a father and son or an older and younger brother. Yami actually wasn't sure how old both of them were.

I'm glad I had good people as friends when I was queen. Though there's something about this boy that I can't put my finger on.

Mahad eventually undid the spell himself because he was tired of waiting on his apprentice. The guards went back to normal but looked very confused.

"Thanks, Master," Mano blushed. "I'll make sure to remember the spell next time."

"Or at least have it bookmarked."

"That too."

Yami didn't want to embarrass Mano any further and asked, "Mahad, weren't you taking me to my room?"

"Oh yes, my queen! I apologize for this interruption," Mahad said as he gave his apprentice a look. Mano looked away from his master still blushing. "Follow me please."

Yami and Mano began following Mahad back to the queen's room. She tried glancing at the boy from the corners of her eyes somehow not able to take her eyes off of him. He was quite tall, probably around 5'10", had shoulder length messy brown hair, a fit figure, and light tan skin like hers. The feature that grabbed most of Yami's attention was Mano's eyes. They were bright green and unique, like her own violet eyes. Yami felt a blush forming on her own face.

I wonder if he's 18 like me. Am I blushing? What's going on with me?

The three finally approached the queen's bedroom and Yami opened the door.

"Thank you for walking with me," said Yami.

"Of course. Have a good night, my queen," Mahad bowed and walked away.

Mano bowed in a slightly silly manner and said, "Sleep well, princess."

"You too," Yami replied.

Mano turned his back on the queen and began walking towards his own quarters. Yami smiled as she watched him turn the corner and then walked into her own room closing the door. She sighed and looked around her room. It was nighttime so she couldn't see anything. She noticed a candle on her nightstand as well as some matches. She walked over to her nightstand and lit the candle. That's when she noticed her reflection staring back at her.

This is what I look like?

Yami was startled by her reflection as she hadn't seen the mirror in front of her and she hadn't seen her face all day. She was used to seeing herself with black and red spiky hair with blonde bangs in her face but that didn't change. Her skin was no longer pale but a nice tan, her violet eyes stood out even more so with the heavy kohl lining her eyes, and she was covered in gold jewelry from head to toe. Her clothes were the most different. Instead of a dark blue jacket and mini skirt, she wore a floor length white gown that had a slit that ended right above her knee. And lastly a floor length purple cape that came around the front to cover her chest slightly. It was actually the most conservative she's ever dressed.

I'm not usually a conceited person but damn I look good!

Though Yami couldn't stare long as sleepiness started to overcome her. She yawned and began to remove her jewelry. She took all her bracelets, rings, and earrings off and set them on the table as well as her crown. Then she removed the Millennium Puzzle and carefully placed it on the table next to all the gold jewelry. She paused when she grabbed the cartouche.

I can't take it off. This has too much meaning to me. Almost as much as the Millennium Puzzle but it's way too bulky to sleep with.

Yami then washed her face at the wash basin on the other side of the room and changed into a skinny strapped dark purple nightgown that stopped right above her knee. She then climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling fiddling with the cartouche.

Oh Yugi, I wish you were here to help me solve THIS puzzle.

Yami then leaned over and blew out the candle.

AH do I see some sparks between Yami and Mano? In case you were wondering Mano is the character I was referring to in the footnote at the top of the page. Also sorry this was a sadder chapter but hopefully I lightened the mood with introducing a new character.

Clarification in case you don't remember, Taric is the genderbent version of Tea and Mano is the genderbent version of Mana.

Please review!