Moi-Moi: Hey, guys! Quick question: How many of you looked up the translation for the name of the kingdom Otogi rules? If you did, congrats to you. If you didn't, I know that you are going to/are doing it now…
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"Isis, how are we going to remedy this situation?" Mahad asks as he paces about his room. Isis sat quietly on a chair with her hands in her lap as she watched him. She had to admit, she was getting quite dizzy. "We can't leave them like this! Kagome was so happy, but now she is so melancholic and her magic is suffering. Pharaoh was happy as well. He cannot deny it. His rage is so unpredictable now. Who knows who he will take it out on next?"
"Mahad, calm yourself. All we need is a panacea for this little problem," Isis says and cups her hands around her Millennium necklace. She closes her eyes and took a deep breath. Mahad keeps quiet and watches her work impatiently. When her eyes stay closed for more than a minute, he begins to tap his foot. Isis opens her eyes with an annoyed look. "And I have found it," she says. Mahad smiles before exhaling with relief. He knew Isis would devise a plan.
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Kagome heaved a sigh as her feet soaked in the water of the Nile. This was quickly becoming her favorite spot. It was the only place she could go to be alone where the Pharaoh did not frequently visit. She was running from a man in his own home. Not only did it sound foolish, but she was sure she looked just as foolish.
She raised her hand idly and began to practice her magic. This was all she could do now without everything going horribly wrong; simple tricks. The more complicated the magic, the more she messed it up. It upset her to no end. She had gotten so far, mastered so much, and made so much progress only to have it all pulled away and revert back to her 'beginner' status.
'Master Mahad was right. Until I get my feelings in order, my magic will suffer. But, what can I do?' That's when the little voice that most choose to ignore spoke up. 'How can I confront the Pharaoh? He doesn't want anything to do with me. If I do confront him, there's no telling that he won't snap at me again. The last thing I want is to see that cold look in his eyes again.'
"Kagome?"
Kagome turned at the sound of her name. She hadn't sensed anyone approaching her. She stopped and smiled slightly when she spotted Otogi standing with a smirk on his face. "Hello, your majesty," Kagome says. When he laughs at her, Kagome pouts. She didn't like being the brunt of his joke.
"Please, call me Otogi. I'd like to think that we were good friends, Kagome. There's no need for formalities," Otogi says and sits next to her. Kagome noticed just how close he was before scooting away nervously. She pulled her knees to her chest and kept her eyes forward. There was something about Otogi's closeness that unnerved her. She didn't think they were that good of friends.
"Is there something I can help you with, Otogi?" she starts. "If you are looking for the pharaoh, he is not here and I cannot say that I know where he is," Kagome says and swallows.
"That's fine. I did not come here for him. I came for you," he says and inches closer to her before placing an arm around her shoulders. Kagome freezes up then. Every nerve in her body went haywire under her skin. It was as if her brain was sending out the message 'Bad Touch'. Kagome stood quickly and dusted off her clothes. Otogi stares up at her strangely. Had something bit her?
"Would you look at the sun? It's getting late! I should head back. Bye," Kagome says nervously before dashing back to the palace. Otogi raises an eyebrow as he watches her go. Curiously, he checks his breath. Maybe he should have brushed his teeth before he left his room…
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"Mana! I need to speak with you," Mahad calls out to his apprentice. Mahad approaches her with his usual, expressionless face. Mana stiffens before turning sharply.
"I swear it wasn't me, Mahad! I'm being framed," Mana pleads with her head down. Mahad raises an eyebrow at her. He was curious, confused, and suspicious at her outburst. Just what had she done now?
"What are you talking about, Mana?" Mahad asks and folds his arms. He gives her a suspicious look. What mischief had she caused now? Mana sweat drops before waving Mahad off with a nervous laugh.
"Oh, nothing. What did you need to speak to me about?" Mana asks with an innocent smile. She prayed to the gods that he would let it drop and not press the issue further. It would be very unfortunate were Master Mahad to find out about the palace guards…
Mahad decided to let it drop. He would make her tell him some other time. "Mana, Isis was just going over things, when she noticed something. Why didn't you tell me that today was your birthday?" Mahad asks.
Mana tilts her head to the side before placing a finger to her chin in thought. "It…is?" she asks curiously. "I don't remember. You think I would remember something like that. Maybe you're right. I think it is today!" Mana cheers happily.
"We must celebrate," Mahad smiles. Mana continues cheering while pumping her fists in the air.
"I have to go get ready! I'm sure you're going to throw me an amazing party. Right?" Mana asks slyly. Mahad feels his façade slip away as Mana runs off cheering. She hadn't even waited for an answer. He lets out a relieved sigh and shakes his head. 'Leave it to Mana to forget her birthday. She doesn't even realize that it's not for three more months.'
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As happy as can be, Mana skips down the corridors humming a made-up song. In her mind, she went about planning different reactions to the party Mahad was throwing. She could feign surprise or let them know that she expected it. Mana continued to ponder these things before bumping into someone's back. She shook herself off before looking up accusingly. She stopped when she noticed the pharaoh and Otogi watching her. "Sorry about that. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'll go around. I'll see you two later. And don't forget to get me something nice!" Mana says with a smile and a shake of her finger.
"What are you talking about, Mana?" Atem asks with a raised eyebrow.
"For my party, Pharaoh! It's my birthday! You didn't forget, too. Did you?" Mana questions him with a fold of her arms. Atem blinks a few times before clearing his throat. Was it really her birthday already? "That's alright! I forgot, too. Mahad just reminded me. He and Isis are having a party for me, but it'll have to be tomorrow. So everyone can get me a good gift. I'll see you two later. Bye!"
Atem and Otogi watched her leave before shrugging. "If it's a party she's having, I suppose I'll need an escort," Otogi says with a small smirk.
"That can easily be taken care of. I'll have one of the women-" Atem starts, but stops when Otogi raises a hand to silence him. The young pharaoh watches the teen curiously and with slight annoyance. He had silenced him in his own kingdom. That alone would set anyone off.
"There's no need for that. I already have a woman in mind. Tell me, Pharaoh. Is Kagome seeing anyone?" Otogi asks and continues walking. Atem instantly freezes up before mentally shaking himself. He fell into step next to Otogi and tried to keep all the emotions rising up within him in check.
"Why do you ask?" Atem asks cautiously.
"I must be completely honest with you, Pharaoh. I have not only come to Egypt to discuss an alliance. I wish to take a bride," Otogi says. Atem feels the weight that was looming over his head crash down onto him. In the back of his mind, he knew Otogi had an ulterior motive for visiting Egypt. He was nearly positive that it had everything to do with Kagome-the same Kagome that was his only weeks ago. "So, tell me. Is she spoken for?" Otogi asks.
"I… do not wish to speak for her," Atem says. Otogi raises an eyebrow and gives Atem a side glance. Otogi had his suspicions about Pharaoh and Kagome's relationship. He had asked around the palace, but everyone avoided the subject. No one wished to speak about it. They would all give him frightened looks and run off claiming to know nothing.
"Then, I shall ask her. I have not seen her with another man. I am sure that once she warms up to me, she will surely agree to becoming my wife. Mark my words," Otogi promises and walks away. Atem watches him go with a glare. 'I cannot and will not allow that.'
He may be second best and not Kagome's "husband of choice", but he was not going to sit back and do nothing. Atem was sure that Kagome would not go for a man like Otogi. He was not her type. He would not let her be trapped in a loveless marriage. He would do this for her and no one else.
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Moi-Moi: Sure, Atem. You're not doing this for your own selfish needs… (insert eye roll here). So, how many of you know what Sekushi means now? ^.
Yugi: Hey, I just wanted to see if we were going to be in the fan fiction…
Moi-Moi: Yep. You'll be in it along with Anzu. Not the others though. I have no room for them.
Yugi: Oh. That's a bit harsh. Don't you think?
Moi-Moi: (thinks) Nah.
Yugi: ^.^' Review please!
Edited: 6/28/12
