Hello everybody! The fillers are almost done and we are on our way to the best parts of the story. Just a couple of more chapters to go then the fun will begin. Just giving you a heads up. Also, thank you for the reviews. Really appreciate it! So enjoy!

P.S There is going to be some Anzu bashing in this chapter and later on. I was wondering if I should make her remain being hated by everybody or become a friend at the last few chapters. Just let me know.

Three summers has passed. Time went by fast for Atem and Yuugi. Not only have they grown and matured, their friendship bond has also. It progressed to the point where they treated each other like brother and sister, sometimes more. By the time they reached age ten, they've started their studies on how to rule their kingdoms. They haven't had the time to visit each other like they used to when they were younger but when they do have the time to meet up, they treasure every moment.

Over the course of the three summers, Yuugi's vision has been getting clearer. She confirmed that the vision event will occur when they get older, approximately their late teens. She also saw that the riots have gotten out of hand and turned into a rebellion led by the tan people. Other parts of her vision were still blurry but the only thing she always sees in perfect clarity was her stepfather. It always sends a cold shiver down her spine.

One day, Yuugi finished her studies early so she rode over to Atem's palace. She went to his room but he wasn't there. So she went to Mana's room and asked Mana where Atem was. Mana told Yuugi that he was studying at the library with Mahad but would be finished in a few minutes.

"And then Mahad will teach me about magic," Mana added with excitement in her voice, bouncing up and down. Mahad had finally chosen Mana as his magician apprentice and she has been more hyperactive ever since.

"Congratulations Mana! Well, I'm going to see Atem."

"Okay. Bye and thanks," Mana waved goodbye as Yuugi closed the door behind her.

Knowing the palace layout by heart, Yuugi managed to make it to the corridor of the library just as Atem was leaving with various books in his arms. Yuugi's heart skipped a beat as she took in Atem's physique. Not only did Atem started his studies but also his training. Lean muscles formed his biceps and triceps. Under his white shirt, abs started to form.

Yuugi was about to call out to Atem when a random girl came out of nowhere and latched onto Atem's arm, making him almost drop his books. She had light tan skin and brown hair. She wore a sky blue dress with a dark blue sash tied around her waist. For a little girl, she had on a lot of jewelry that should have weighed her down but didn't seem to affect her at all.

"Hi Atem!" the girl said in an annoyingly high-pitched voice.

"Hello Anzu," said Atem, already annoyed just by her presence.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I told you that I was with Mahad." Atem tried to pull his arm away from Anzu but she wouldn't let go.

Yuugi froze as she saw Atem and Anzu together. Her heart clenched in fear as Yuugi thought that she was being replaced. She shook her head at the absurd idea. Atem would never do that her, they've been friends for too long in order for that scenario to happen. Yuugi also felt a feeling inside of her that she never had. It spiked as she looked at Anzu. She labeled it as jealousy.

Yuugi saw that Atem needed help so she walked up to them and spoke up. "Hi Até."

Atem's face lit up when he saw his pale friend and current savior.

"Hey little one. Am I glad to see you." Atem said with a smile. "How have you been lately?"

Anzu, still clinging to Atem's arm, glared at the pale princess. She didn't like how she was able to put a smile on her Atem's face and not her. She also didn't like how they had nicknames for each other and Atem hasn't given her one.

Yuugi felt the glare Anzu was giving her but remained oblivious to it. "I've been great." She looked at Anzu, still acting oblivious to her glare. "Who's this?"

Atem glanced at Anzu and inwardly sighed. He silently grunted when Anzu tightened her grip. "This is Princess Anzu. She is the heir of Libya."

Yuugi bowed her head. "Nice to meet you princess."

Anzu stared at her for a second then replied "Likewise."

"How are your dance classes going," Atem asked Yuugi.

Yuugi has been taking dance classes at her palace, without her stepfather knowing of course.

Yuugi's smile widened. "They are lots of fun. My dance mentor says I'm a dancing prodigy. I've progressed to a professional dancer in a short amount of time. Want to see?"

At Atem's nod, Yuugi stepped back and started doing advanced twists and turns, spins, even a couple of jumps in the air.

Atem's attention was all on Yuugi. His crimson eyes followed her every move. He loved seeing a smile on her face whenever she dances, it's the only thing where she can be herself and not the shy girl he knew since he was five. Yuugi's moves were very graceful as if she was the quintessence of dance. A ray of sunlight caught on her white shimmering dress, making her more beautiful.

Yuugi finished with a curtsy. Atem beamed at her. "That was awesome Yuugi."

Said person smoothed down her dress. "Thanks Atem. I still have to practice on some parts."

"Are you kidding? It was perfect."

Yuugi, not used to being complimented, put her head down in embarrassment, hiding her blush before Atem saw it. But he still did and thought, So cute.

Raging with jealousy, Anzu finally spoke up. "I can dance too."

Anzu finally let go of Atem's arm and started dancing. Atem had to admit that Anzu was really good but she wasn't as graceful as Yuugi and seemed to get tired faster whereas Yuugi didn't break a sweat.

Anzu finished, her breathing slightly labored.

"That was really nice Anzu." Atem replied.

Atem turned back to Yuugi. "We can go play once I put my books away okay?"

Yuugi nodded her head. "Mmmh."

Atem scurried away quickly before Anzu could grab him again.

"So, who are you to Atem," Anzu asked once Atem turned around the corner.

"I'm his best friend." Yuugi answered.

"Why would he be friends with you," Anzu sneered. "You have a different skin color."

"Just because we have different skin colors doesn't mean we can't be friends. It's the inside that counts."

Anzu suddenly smirked. "Well, he won't be your best friend anymore since he'll be spending his time with somebody else."

"Why?" Yuugi said defensively. "What makes you think that he won't be my best friend anymore? Who are you to say who Atem can or can't be with? He can be friends with as many people as he wants and how long he wants."

"That's because I'm his fianceé." Anzu said with a smug smile on her face.

Yuugi stopped breathing the moment she heard that word.

"You're his what?" Yuugi squeaked.

"His fianceé. Meaning that he will spend his free time with me. And you want to know why you're not his fianceé ?"

Anzu didn't give Yuugi a chance to talk. "It's because I'm prettier than you, smarter than you, and better at everything else than you. You are a nobody."

Yuugi didn't give any reply. Her breath was caught in her throat. She took a step back as Anzu took a step forward, calling her every insult. Yuugi didn't know why she felt so cold and heartbroken inside at the concept of Atem and Anzu being engaged. She knew that arranged marriages were common in royal families but she didn't like how Atem was in one, with Anzu nonetheless. She knew they wouldn't make a good couple in the long run, only her and Atem. But now that will never happen.

Yuugi's eyes started pooling with tears. She quickly ran away from Anzu so that she wouldn't see the tears that already started falling. As she turned the corner, she ran into Atem.

"Whoa little one." Atem chuckled in his slightly deep voice, holding Yuugi by her shoulders at arms length. Atem's expression changed to concern as he saw that Yuugi's head was lowered, her blond bangs shadowing her eyes.

"What's wrong little one?"

Not trusting her voice, Yuugi shook her head and pushed past Atem, continuing to run away to her safe haven.

"Yuugi!" Atem called out to her but she didn't stop.

I wonder what's wrong with her, Atem thought.

He turned around as he heard footsteps. It was Anzu's and he didn't like the sadistic smirk on her face.

"What did you do to Yuugi, Anzu?" Atem demanded.

"I just told her that I'm your fianceé and that she's a nobody."

"Why would you do that?!"

Without waiting for a reply, Atem ran after Yuugi, knowing exactly where she ran off to.

Atem appeared at the garden. It has changed drastically over the summers. The garden has been built bigger and wider to accommodate new plants and the bushes that have been steadily growing wider. Atem's father built new pathways into the maze. The new paths interconnected with the others so it was more confusing and servants rarely entered. The Ra fountain was still there at the center but more water spouts erupted from it.

Atem didn't need to enter the improved maze to find Yuugi. He walked to one of the palm trees at the outer rim of the garden. Looking around to make sure that nobody was around, he moved aside some branches and sure enough he found Yuugi.

The lotus flowers she was lying on were in full bloom, giving off their sweet fragrance. Since the bushes have grown, the lotuses had enough space to grow more, covering every inch of the ground, allowing Yuugi to stay hidden without any of her body parts sticking out. She was currently curled into a ball, her face hidden from Atem. He heard soft sniffles coming from her.

Atem lied down next to Yuugi.

"Yuugi, what's wrong," he asked softly.

Yuugi didn't respond for a moment. Then she looked up at Atem. His face softened more and his heart wrenched as he saw his little one's face. Her innocent amethyst orbs were puffy and red from the tears that were still cascading down on her face, creating salty streaks.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were engaged to Anzu," she asked, her question broken apart by her hiccups.

Atem reached over and wiped away his little one's tears with his thumb.

"I was going to tell you. I just found out myself today. To tell you the truth, I don't like her at all."

The weighted grief that was laying on Yuugi's shoulder was lifted and she gratefully inhaled air.

"Then why are you engaged to her?"

"It was my father's decision since I was born."

"Why don't you tell him to call it off since you don't like her?"

"I can't. It's already set."

Yuugi sighed in resignation and closed her eyes, her tears finally gone. Atem stared at her for a moment then a question popped in his head.

He gave Yuugi a curious look. "Not to sound rude but, why do you care who I am engaged to? I haven't seen you this upset in a long time."

Yuugi's cheeks flushed pink. "W-well, because..." she stammered.

Atem smirked at her. "Are you jealous little one?"

"No!" Yuugi denied but the brighter shade of red on her face said otherwise. "I just want you to be happy with whomever can do that for you. Can't I worry about a friend's happiness?"

"You're totally jealous Yuugi," Atem kept teasing her.

"I am not." Yuugi hid her tomato red face under her folded arms.

Atem laughed at her reaction. He loves to get his little one riled up and see that cute blushing face. He also loves how he's the only one that can put a smile on her face, aside from Mana and Queen Layla. From that day on, he vowed to himself that he would make Yuugi smile everyday, if possible, so that he wouldn't have to see her depressed ever again.

Days have passed since the Anzu encounter. Whenever Yuugi had the time to come over to visit and Atem was finished with his studies, they would escape into the garden maze to lose Anzu. She never took a step inside so they were safe.

Right now, Atem and Yuugi were in the maze, leisurely walking side by side under the clear, blue Egyptian sky. A breeze went by, blowing over the couple. Atem sniffed the lavender scent that was coming from Yuugi. She always smells like a lot of flowers but lavender was her natural scent.

Atem sighed as he thought back over the last few days when Anzu arrived. It has been a living nightmare for him ever since.

"What's wrong?" Yuugi asked.

"Anzu. She never leaves me alone. I have to keep on looking out for her. She's stalking me in my own palace."

"Then why don't you tell her father? I'm sure he'll be able to do something."

Atem shook his head. "No. I don't want to cause trouble for my father if I'm complaining."

"Okay. I understand."

"How is Queen Layla?" Atem obviously wanted to change the subject. "My father hasn't heard from her in a while."

"My mama's well. She's just planning something and won't tell me. She says it's a surprise.

"I'm more worried about my vision Até. Especially the rebellion of the tan people. The riots have stopped at my kingdom but there is still thick tension between the people. I don't know what to do if we aren't able to control it."

Atem plucked a red rose and placed it in Yuugi's hair.

"Don't worry. I'll be right there to help you in a heartbeat."

Yuugi looked at Atem. "You really mean that?"

"Of course. That's what friends do, protect one another."

Yuugi smiled cutely at Atem. "Thanks Até."

"Anything for you mery-i."

Yuugi blushed at the new nickname and turned her head away. Atem chuckled, always content to get that reaction from his little one.

Mery-i=partner in Egyptian

Just one more chapter to go then the fun will begin! I'm sorry if I made Yuugi get bullied in this chapter. I had no idea what I was thinking when I was writing that part but everything is better now. Review!