Egypt: Chapter 7! Wow...so...many...chapters...brain...frying... *died*

Yugi: Oookkkaaayyyy?

Yami: *sighs and rolls his eyes*I guess it's down to us Yugi. You want to do the declaimer or shall I?

Yugi: You do it while I revive drama queen over here.

Yami: *chuckling* EGYPT DOES NOT OWN ANYTHING BUT THE PLOT AND HER OC'S!

Egypt: I want tea not coffee! *screams as she sits up suddenly*

Yami: *whispers to Yugi* Are you sure we should have revived this wack job?

Yugi: *Whispering back* There would be no one to finish the story if we didn't, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to deal with angry fan girls do you?

Yami: *still whispering* Good point-

Egypt: I can hear you, you know!

Yami+Yugi: Whhaaa?

Egypt: I'm the author, I see and know all! *chucks them out of the chat room* And you're not supposed to be here! Wait for Love vs. Trial! *slams door*

Now then, this chapter will be a fluff. I'm sorry if you prefer action but this story needs a good fluff chapter so you'll have to bear with me! But this chapter does hold key facts and evens...

And i am so, so sorry for not updating in to long! to those who are waiting for my other stories to be updated then i am really sorry but bare with me and be patient ok? i have good reasons, like an exam in january that's worth 60% of my overall grade, my first ever bf, my best friend having a hard time so im having to help her out...so much going wrong...well i guess thats what being a teen is all about :/

anyway...on with the story!

Chapter 7

Love or Lust?

Atem knew something was wrong with Neteru. She was silent all the back to the palace. She's always quiet, but not this quiet…could she be having doubts about our relationship already? … Wait a second…relationship…what kind of relationship are we even in? Atem's head was filled with all these odd, confusing questions, and Neteru was too deep in her own thoughts to notice Atem's growing distress. Only Yugi and Yuki could.

"I'm worried about them." Yuki whispered into Yugi's ear as the four of them walked through the halls. Yugi was blushing from Yuki being so close, but nodded.

"I know, something's way off. So what do we do?" Yuki straightened up and thought for a moment.

"You take Atem and I'll handle Neteru?" Yuki asked. Yugi nodded seriously, striding forward and taking the taller teens arm with his hand and dragged him off before he could protest. Yuki then stepped forward, lightly taking Neteru's hand and led her to a different part of the palace gardens.

This part of the gardens had a bigger pond. Fish with gold scales swam aimlessly around in the clean water, water lilies floated on the surface. Patches of the large grounds were decorated with beautiful flowers and a blossom tree stood tall and proud in the far right corner, branches thin and decorated heavily with pale pink flowers. It was a beautiful site. A statue of the deity of nature stood in the far left corner, at the feet were bunches of flowers and burning incense.

"Neteru?" Yuki asked softly when they were both sat down on a stone bench. But Neteru was still beep in thought and did not stir. Yuki sighed, bent over to scoop up water in her cupped hands then threw it up into Neteru's face.

"Wahhaa!" The girl cried as she ungracefully fell backwards in shock. "Hu!" The grunt was loud and annoyed. "What the hell did you do that for Yuki! Hu, when did we get into the palace? And where's Atem!" Neteru jumped up and looked around worriedly, fear obvious in her eyes. Yuki rolled her eyes.

"Wow you were so deep in your own mind that you didn't notice that Atem saw you upset and Yugi drag him off to talk to him."

"I wasn't upset." Neteru said with a frown, standing straighter and dusting herself off, embraced at her earlier reaction now.

"Then where were you in that thick skull of yours?" Neteru scowled slightly at her friend for the mockery but sighed and sat back down.

"I saw my Master's on the mountain side as we headed back to the Palace." She said softly. Yuki gasped.

"Why didn't you tell Atem?" Yuki demanded.

"What would be the point? Atem would just go running after them which is way too dangerous for only two people to handle. Even I'm not stupid enough to think of taking on all the Mather's at once Yuki. And by the time we got reinforcements to join us, the Mather's would have been long gone." Yuki nodded in understanding.

"But still, its important information and Atem should know." Neteru sighed and nodded, but made no move to get up. "There's more to it…isn't there?" Yuki was hesitant to ask, afraid of the answer.

"Yes." Neteru said simply.

"What's wrong Neteru?" Yuki asked softly, placing her hand on the small girls shoulder. Neteru looked sideways at her. "I know something's wrong when you use your emotionless voice, I may not have known you for very long, but I'm not stupid either." Neteru smiled slightly at that and sighed again.

"Whenever my Master's appear somewhere…it often means something horrible is about to happen." Neteru said finally. I can't give her any details; I don't want to scare her. Yuki saw that there was more, but trusted Neteru. If she's not telling me, then it's either really bad or not too important. She told herself. Neteru stood up. "I'm going to find Atem." And with that she turned and walked away quickly to find the Pharaoh.

Neteru wondered around for a little while, and then came to a stop when she recognised Yugi's voice, even though it was in only whispers. She followed the sound until she found a small corridor, dark and out of the way from the main hallways. She stopped at the corner and stood against the wall, standing close to the corner to listen.

"So? That doesn't mean that she doesn't like you Atem. Think about it. Neteru must have a lot on her mind." They're talking about me? "I mean, she's just left a life she's always known, she's living this completely new life in new and strange surroundings, people have a hard time accepting her and she's having trouble forgiving herself. The poor girl has a lot of things to deal with." A childish voice sighed.

"You're right Yugi, thank you." Atem? His voice sounds rough and uneven… I really upset him… Neteru felt her heart grow heavy and she leaned her back against the wall.

"And do you know what else I'm right about? Neteru had gotten more… …humane…happier…softer while she's been here, even I can see that. And you know why? Because she's been spending all her time with you." Neteru smiled slightly to herself. How true.

Neteru turned and headed to Atem's chambers, shutting the door behind her. She asked one of the servants to tell Atem that she was taking a bath and asked another to prepare it for her. The two women bowed and rushed to it, while Neteru went back to the balcony.

The girl smiled at the view of the sun sparkling along the Niles surface, the sand glowing golden in the heat, people going about their everyday lives down in the city below. It was a beautiful sight, the sun lighting and reaming to make the walls and roofs of the temples glow from the dazzling light it gave off, boats floated by slowly along the Nile and the sky was clear and warm in the aging day.

Neteru sighed as a warm breeze blew from the mountains, enjoying the tickling sensation it made. The loud calls from the market below hummed in their air to keep the silence at bay. How I envy them. Neteru thought to herself as she watched the children run around the roads and the women chatter. Such simple happy lives… but then again…if I never lived this life…I would never have met Atem. Atem. Neteru smiled at the thought of the young man.

"M-mi-miss?" Neteru turned to see a young servant girl standing in the doorway. "Y-your bath is ready." She stuttered again, shaking slightly. Neteru smiled softly at her, as kindly as she could.

"Thank you." She said, walking past her, giving the girl a wide breath to ease her tension, and entered the bathroom. Neteru undressed and slipped into the hot perfumed water, sighing at the comforting feeling. She washed thoroughly then laid back to soak. Neteru heard the door open to the bedroom.

Climbing out of the bath and wrapping her towel tightly around herself, Neteru moved quickly to the other side of Atem's room to her bag. Atem watched her, cheeks bright red but not complaining at the sight.

Neteru still had her towel wrapped around her chest, covering her as she pulled on her lose leggings, sure Atem couldn't see anything, then pulled a low V neck short sleeves top over the towel. Once it was covering her chest she tugged on the towel so it dropped to the floor and pulled the tight top the rest of the way down. Of cause her garments were black.

Neteru turned, bumping into Atem. She gave an involuntary gasp, freezing where she was, but relaxing and closed her eyes as Atem wrapped his arms around her.

"What was wrong with you earlier? You seemed so distracted and upset…" Neteru looked up at Atem and saw the worry.

"Don't react until I tell you everything, ok?" She asked, looking right into his eyes. He nodded so Neteru carried on, taking a deep breath before she started. "I saw my masters on the cliff edge on the outskirts of the city. I didn't tell you because I was worried that you'd charge us up there to face them. Atem even I'm not foolish enough to even consider taking on the masters all at once with only two people. They're called the Masters for a reason! And I knew that by the time we gathered re-enforcements they would have been long gone and our efforts would have been for nothing!"Neteru said slowly, never removing her eyes from Atem's.

Atem looked deep into her eyes, watching her and listening to what she was saying. He was silent for a long time, considering her words. Finally, Atem smiled sadly.

"You're right, I would have gone after them, and even if you'd stopped me and we'd got re-enforcements… But next time I want you to tell me, ok?" Atem asked softly. Neteru nodded then looked up at him.

"There's more… Whenever my masters would show themselves, it would be a warning to that area that their end was near…" Neteru said weakly. Atem froze and stood there for a long time, Neteru never took her eyes away from Atem, trying to figure out the emotions he was feeling. It wasn't hard, Atem may be a Pharaoh and taught to hide his emotions, but Neteru was specially trained to pick up even the slightest trace of emotion, and that was sure coming in handy. Neteru saw fear, worry, and pain, hurt. "Atem…" Neteru took his face in both of her hands and brought his head down to hers. "Atem, I swear, no matter what it takes, I won't let them hurt anyone, they won't get to you… I won't let them."

Atem stared down at Neteru. He had to admit, at first he thought that she was using him, secretly still on their side, but then again, there was something in him telling him that wasn't true. Then he was worried for Neteru, worried what would happen to her… And yet here she is, worried about me and my people, people who hate and ridicule her… I… I… Atem pushed his lips gently to Neteru's, putting his hand behind her head to pull her closer.

As Atem's eyes closed, Neteru's grew wide, but she quickly melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. She was shocked and confused by his reaction, but had no complaints. Pulling away to look at each other, they stared into each other's eyes. Atem's grew wide and his cheeks flushed as he realised what he had just done.

"I-I-I'm so sorry-"

"I'm not." Neteru said, looking up at him and smiling. Atem smiled but his blush remained. Neteru glanced to the window and was happy to see it was getting late. "Dress warmly, I'll sort out food." Neteru walked past Atem.

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Neteru stopped and turned back to Atem.

"I got the impression you wanted to break the rules for once and take a risk…?" Atem frowned, confused, but the small younger teen just winked at him and carried on heading for the corridor, looking for a servant.

When Neteru came back she had a basket in her hand and Atem was dressed in a thick tunic and had a cloak tied around his neck. Atem looked at her even more confused, but his look quickly turned to one of worry when she strapped on her weapons belt and tied on her padding and daggers. "Oh don't look so nervous, they're only precautions." Atem just nodded and shifted on his feet, trying to take his eyes from Neteru's body, fighting the flashing images in his head from his dreams and failing both miserably.

Straightening and striding out to Atem's balcony, Neteru looked down over, lowering her whip down and finding it just touched the roof of a different wing to the palace. Smiling at the simple exit, and mentally making note of the easily accessible spot, Neteru tied the tail end of the whip to the banisher railing and lowered the rest of the thick leather rode down. She looked up to Atem.

"Ready?" She asked, giving a reassuring smile. Atem smiled weakly and looked over the banister at the long drop. "Don't worry about it, you're strong, you'll be fine." And with that she threw her legs over the rail so she was sitting on the stone banister, taking the rope, and sliding down easily. Atem watched in astonishment and admiration. He climbed over, slower, standing steadily on the small ledge, taking the rope tightly in his hands, lowering himself down slowly to slide down the whip. Once safely on the roof with Neteru, she took it from Atem and pulled hard so the leather was released.

Taking Atem's hand, she led him quickly over the roof to the outer wall and stopped, looking around for the best way out. Finally they decided to just climb the wall using gaps in the brickwork, tying her daggers to Atem's feet to help him out. Once up and over, they took the same route down, stepping in the gaps. Again Neteru made a note of this flaw in the palaces great wall. Once down, Neteru took Atem's hand again.

"Come on, I'll show you how I travel through a city. Just try to keep up and do as I do." Atem nodded, smiling as Neteru seemed to relax and ease up, letting her nature come through and loosening up. Neteru ran forward, heading for carts and piles of crates against a small house with a well built roof. Sprinting at an impressive speed, Neteru leapt up onto the cart, Atem moving with her, closer than her shadow, they jumped from the cart to the crates, using them as a rocky surface to get to the roof. Once up the two stopped on the edge and looked over the rows of housing, Neteru plotting their route and Atem looking an admiration at his grand city.

"What now?" Atem asked, looking down to the small girl.

"When you get to the edge bring both feet together and push off with all of your strength, and when landing, remember to bend your knees on impact." Neteru said blankly. Atem looked to her confused, but then he understood when she let go of his hand and sprinted forward looking like a cheetah, leaping into the air, flying then gracefully landing, looking like she used little effort in her actions. Atem bit her lip but ran forward, doing as Neteru had said, landing shakily and not nearly as graceful as she had been. "Impressive Pharaoh, you may make an assassin yet." Neteru said jokingly, but meaning her compliment. Atem smirked darkly and winked.

"Hey I'm not some defenceless King; I can take care of myself to."

"Then what do you need me for?" Neteru said teasing, but also curious. Atem blushed slightly and looked away.

"You've proven yourself as a good adviser in the past few days, and you're a great body guard, I trust you…and…" Atem tried off, knowing he was ranting and was afraid all his feelings may slip out, after all, Neteru didn't know how deeply he felt for her yet, she only knew the surface, and he was getting close then to admitting his love for the girl. Neteru smiled and nodded, sparing him from his embarrassment that showed on his cheeks.

The two leapt from roof to roof again, by the time they got to the end of the city the sun was beginning to set and the Nile glistened in the orange light. The two jumped down carefully from the last house and walked to the Nile shore, sitting down and eating their bread, honey, figs and duck. After they ate they watched the sun finish sinking behind the horizon.

"The sun sets and Ra fights the demons to bring day to us once more." Atem muttered. Neteru was silent and still, making Atem look over at her with raised eyebrows. "You don't believe in the Gods?"

"I don't believe in anything." She muttered back, sighing. "My masters never taught us much about religion, only about feast days in countries so we knew when it was safest to strike. But I know some. Whenever I'd go on a mission I'd stop in small towns to spend the night, talk with the village people…it always surprised me how kind they were…of cause they didn't know who I was or anything, but still… The Priests were the most interesting, going on about religion and the Human Ka*. I'd sit and listen as they taught the children of the village."

"When did you realise that there was more to life than killing?" Atem asked seriously, staring intently at the horizon and the multi-coloured sky.

"I've always known…my masters would take us into the villages at night to practise, exercises like what we've just done…my masters taught us the social scale, how to tell the difference between slave, commoner, servant and Nobles, we learned about the economy, societies in different countries, terrains…all for the purpose of been able to blend in with any society should we need to… I've always known that normal people lived a completely different life to me… … But the thought of ever taking up that kind of life style as more than just a cover never occurred to me…not until that night we met, and that was only because you'd seen my face and looked for me. I was well aware that the Clan would never take me back after that great failure, and that's why I took to a small village by the borders…I guess you could say my instinct to survive took affect…and the nightmares gave me the courage to leave that life behind me…but it seems the scars don't fade." Neteru said thoughtfully.

"Do you regret leaving?" Atem asked seriously. Neteru looked at him in confusion, a lost look in her eyes.

"And get raped every other night, vicious whipping, torture tolerance training and battle training? Are you joking? I can deal with the stares, the insults, the arrogance…but that life…I'll kill myself before I go back to that life again." Neteru said seriously, a fire in her eyes telling Atem she was dead serious.

"That won't happen. I won't let it." Atem stated, his own determination burning, along with passion. Neteru smiled slightly and nodded.

"Well if we're both looking out for each other, then there's not much that can stop us then, is there?" Atem smiled and nodded in agreement. The girl turned back to the setting sun as the last of the sun sank away and the sky flared pink and purple. "I can never repay you for all you've done for me Pharaoh." Neteru said thoughtfully, smiling sadly at him when he gave her a confused and startled look. "Because of you I've tasted what it's like to live a peaceful life, and I know I could never give it up willingly… And living here with you…a-and Yuki and Yugi…I've never had anything that I really wanted to protect…but now…I'd do anything to protect you all and stay… Thank you."

Atem smiled softly at hearing those words, taking Neteru's hand tightly in both of his and holding it to his chest.

"I wouldn't have changed a single moment that I've spent with you Neteru. I can't put into words how grateful that I am that you are here with me…and Yugi and Yuki…You've made such a difference to the palace…and me…" Atem trailed off, finding himself lost in the younger teens crystal pink eyes, and loving every second of it.

As the last of the sun's rays faded and now there was no sign of the sun except for the bright coloured that lined the horizons sky, Atem leaned forward, down to Neteru. The girl stayed perfectly still as Atem came closer and closer, her heart pounding into her ribs and vibrating throughout her body, making her feel more alive and energetic than ever. The handsome boy gently placed his lips to hers. The two stayed absolutely still, not wanting to end the blissful moment.

When Atem finally pulled away, the two sat and stared into each other's eyes for what felt like an eternity, until they both broke out into happy, calm smiles.

I meant what I said. There is nothing on this earth that can take me away from Atem and this new life. For the first time, I feel friendship. For the first time, I feel at peace. For the first time, I'm accepted for the real me… For the first time, I feel in love… I'm in love with the Pharaoh… I'm in love with Atem… So I will protect him and my friends with everything I have, Anubis will drag me away and through my Ka to Amit before I let any harm come to Atem and my friends, that I swear to any and all Gods out there. I can't loose this, not my humanity...not Atem.

*Ka- the Ancient Egyptian word meaning soul, or spirit. When someone dies Anubis collects the Ka of the person and takes them through the trial, if they're evil Amit, the monster of the Underworld, devours the Ka-which was the worst fate any and every Egyptian feared.

ok so how was that? fluffy enough?

im really struggling to deside on whether i should make the next chapter a lemon or an action...any ideas?...tell u what, tell me in a review and let me know what u thought of this chapter k?

thatnks for reading! hope u liked it! review please!