I walked up to Bakura, trying to ignore all the stares I was getting. I know I was taking a big risk, but I had to know.

"Bakura, please tell me who hired you." I said softly. "Was it Kahmunrah?"

"Will I be pardoned?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I can't grant that."

"Then I have nothing to tell you."

"Please Kura."

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"You have changed. I'm sorry."

I went to turn back to the throne. I knew he wouldn't tell me anything, but I had to try.

"Nubia."

I looked back at him.

"I'm sorry too."

I went back and sat on my throne; Ahkmenrah was staring at me along with everyone else. Odion was the first to recover from what had just happened and he cleared his throat snapping everyone back to what was going on.

"The prisoner has been sentenced to death. It will happen tomorrow morning." Ahkmenrah ordered.

Then the guards took Bakura back to prison.

"What was that about?" Ahkmenrah asked once we were alone.

"I had to try to ask him one more time who hired him."

"He won't tell you. He isn't your friend any more and you have to realize that."

"I...I can't."

I know Bakura has changed and he isn't the same person I grew up with, but I still consider him my friend even though he did try to hurt me. It's strange. I looked over at Ahkmenrah who was looking at me with s trange look on his face.

"What?"

"Oh uh...nothing." He quickly turned away.

Ok, that was strange. What is going on in that head of his? And why was he looking at me like that?

Ahkmenrah's POV

I know this Bakura guy was once Nubia's friend, but he is different and she has to realize that. He isn't going to tell us who hired him. And why would she still try to help someone who almost killed her?

I do have to admit that this morning when she said she was dreaming of him I felt a little jealous, but why? It doesn't matter to me who she dreams of or who she loves. It's not like we are in love. We are just married because we had to stop the war. But if that's true then why do I feel hurt? I know she still loves him. I can see the way she looks at him. It's going to hard for her when he is executed.

I looked at Nubia and I felt something in my stomach and my heart speed up a little. What was this that I'm feeling? Am I...could I be falling for her?

"What?" Nibia said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh uh...nothing." I turned away quickly, blushing at the fact that I thought I might be falling for her.

Kahmunrah's POV

I walked down to the prisons to have a little chat with our new occupent. It's amusing how the guards think I'm only going to interigate him because I'm concerned for my brother's and his wife's safety. I couldn't care less about my brother

I got to Bakura's cell and saw him sitting against the wall, staring at the ground. He looked so pathetic.

"You failed."

"I didn't fail." He said as he looked up at me.

"You didn't kill my brother and you landed in prison. Tell me how that is not failing."

"I'm biding my time."

"For what?"

He smirked. "I can get out of here any time I want."

"No one has ever gotten out of this prison."

"Then I will be the first."

"I doubt that. I'll see you at your execution." I went to leave, but a I thought of something. "Why did you go after Nubia. I told you to kill my brother."

Bakura shrugged. "She was standing to close to the pharaoh."

I growled in annoyance as I left. He was obviously the wrong person for the job. I will have to find someone else. Someone who is not a bandit. I should have known bandits cannot be trusted. Of course I might just have to kill my brother myself. That is probably the only way it's going to get done. Then I will have the throne and Nubia will be mine.

Nubia's POV

I think I made Ahkmenrah angry. He said he had some things to think over then left. I don't know why he is getting so mad. I just asked Bakura who hired him. Sometimes Ahkmenrah seems like he is jealous of Bakura, but I don't know why.

I was on my way to the garden when I saw Ahmenotep.

"Nubia, I need to talk to you."

I don't think this can be anything good.

"What is your relation with the prisoner Bakura?"

"We were friends growing up." I replied, wondering where the conversation was going.

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"About a year ago."

He didn't think I had anything to do with this, did he? Why would I have Bakura attack me? That wouldn't make sense. He must have saw the worry on my ace because he said,

"Don't worry I don't think you had anything to do with this. I just want to know how you became friends with him"

"He wasn't always like this. I don't know what made him change."

"I have heard his execution is tomorrow. I know it is the Queen's duty to be there, but you do not have to go if you do not want."

"Thank you, but I think I had better be present. I can't neglect my duties just because...he was my friend."

Amenhotep nodded. "I understand."

Then he started coughing.

"Do you want me to get the healers?"

"No. I'll be fine." He said between coughs.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I just need rest. Excuse me." Then he left.

I felt bad just letting him go. I hope he'll be all right.

I headed back to my room to talk to Ahkmenrah. I knew he was mad, but I don't understand why. Maybe he was just mad because I was a little out of line when I went up to Bakura. I wish I knew what happened to Bakura in the last year.

When I got to the room I didn't see Ahkmenrah anywhere. Maybe he is walking around the palace. Oh no, I was suppose to be in the throne room helping people with their problems. I was so wrapped up with thinking about Bakura I forgot all about that. I quickly headed to the throne room hoping Ahkmenrah wouldn't be too upset I was late. Of course in my rush something had to go wrong and I tripped and fell face to on the ground.

"Ouch."

I sat up and rubbed my forehead. The last few days haven't been that good to me.

"Well, look who we have here."

I looked up and saw Kahmunrah. Not someone I want to see right now. I'm sure he was the one who hired Bakura, but I can't prove it.

I stood up. "I have somewhere I need to be."

I tried to go around him, but he blocked my way.

"Didn't you learn your lesson from last time?"

"You will learn to respect me."

"I doubt that."

I went around Kahmunrah and this time he didn't try to stop me. I can't believe him. What makes him think I would respect him? He's after the throne so I know it was him who hired Bakura.

I sighed.

I miss Bakura.

I was about to go into the throne room, but the door opened before I could. Ahkmenrah came out and he looked very irritated.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here. Your father wanted to talk to me and then I ran into Kahmunrah."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"No."

"That's good."

Then Ahkmenrah started walking away. I feel so guilty right now.

"Ahkmenrah, I'm really sorry. I would have been here, but I...well, I..." I really didn't have an excuse.

Ahkmenrah looked back at me. "Don't worry about it." Then he left.

Why do I always mess things up?

Morning came too soon. Bakura would be executed and I would never see him again. I couldn't even it breakfast. Ahkmenrah hadn't said much to me last night or this morning. He must be really mad at me. I tried many times to apologize, but he just said things were fine. If that's true then why won't he talk to me? Why am I so worried about this anyway?

Before I knew it, it was time for Bakura's sentence to be carried out. I sat next to Ahkmenrah and my heart started pounding when the guards brought out Bakura. Ahkmenrah stood up and started talking, but I didn't hear him. I could only hear the pounding of my heart. Bakura looked at me and smiled. How can he be smiling at a time like this?

Ahkmenrah then sat back down and Bakura was forced to his knees. The executioner pushed Bakura's head down on to the stone table then raised his sword. I couldn't watch this. I quickly ran inside. I wasn't strong enough to watch my once best friend get killed. A few tears escaped my eyes and slid down my face.

Suddenly I heard screams and some soldiers shouting, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. Bakura must be...the executioner...I can't even think about it.

"Nubia."

I turned around and saw Ahkmenrah. He looked shocked. Was this his first time seeing someone executed?

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay out there."

"Nubia, He's gone."

"I know he's gone." I snapped.

"No, I mean he got free from his bonds and ran off."

"What?"