Angel: Hello! Again, thanks for all your reviews! You guys are the best! Now, instead of listening to me ranting on and on, let's go to the story!

Y.Ang: To put it bluntly, Angel doesn't own YuGiOh.

Angel: (looks like she's going to cry) You don't have to say it like that! It sounds so mean!

Lonely Heart in Egypt

Chapter 11 – It's Hard to Tell the Truth

Crystal laughed softly as Mokuba and Yugi argued. Both were arguing about what they thought was the answer to the problem, but in fact, both of them were wrong. Yugi turned to Crystal, who rapidly regained her composure, and Yugi started whining. "Crystal, tell Mokuba that he's wrong."

To which Mokuba angrily replied: "No, tell Yugi that he's wrong, and I'm right."

Crystal laughed gently, embracing both the eight-year-olds. "You're both wrong! Since it's such a nice day, let's go down to the gardens, and I'll explain the real answer on the way. OK?"

Both boys nodded as she led them away, already beginning to explain the answer.

-------------------------------------------15 minutes later-----------------------------------

Crystal was still trying to explain the answer to the riddle, but the answer seemed to be eluding both boys.

That is, until Yugi cried out. "I've got it!"

Mokuba pouted, and a new voice spoke up. "Got what Yugi?"

Yugi ran to the newcomer's side, beaming. "Yami!"

Yami chuckled, and embraced his little brother. As Yugi pulled away, he turned to Mokuba. "Yami's here! We're allowed to play now!"

Crystal called after them as they ran off. "Don't annoy the advisors this time!"

Yami chuckled again at this, and Crystal smiled sheepishly. "Well, last time I was blamed for that."

Yami just grinned, "Have those boys been tormenting you again, Crystal?"

"I wouldn't call it tormenting, Yami. They aren't that much of a handful. Besides, I have nothing to do with their behaviour."

Yami was in a teasing mood, and responded with a flourished bow. "Whatever you say, my dear."

She raised her eyebrows playfully. "Are you mocking me?"

Yami looked at her, grinning. "Why, of course not! I would never risk your wrath!"

She glared at him, and Yami suddenly found a flood of water covering him from above his head down. When the water stopped, Yami spluttered, "Hey! That's not fair!" Over the last few weeks of Crystal's stay, she'd been studying her magic a lot more with Yami, Mana and Mahaado. Her skills were rapidly improving, and she had also learned a great deal more control. Of course, her new-found powers did come at a price...

She grinned evilly in response, "Well, I've wanted to try that trick out for a while. And let me tell you this, life's not fair. Now look up."

Yami obliged, and saw what Crystal was grinning about. A miniature almost cartoonish rain cloud hung over his head, and as he looked up it dropped another torrent of water on him.

Crystal chuckled as Yami tried to move away from the cloud, and it just followed him. "It's no use Yami. That rain cloud's just going to keep raining on you."

When the rain stopped briefly, Crystal saw Yami grinning wickedly at her.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

In response, Yami began moving slowly towards her. It only took her a few seconds to realise what he was up to, and she gasped. "Don't you dare!"

It was a little late. Yami leapt at her, pinning her to the ground, and therefore succeeded in soaking her.

"Yami!" she shrieked, trying to push him off her.

When he refused to move, Crystal had little option than to cancel the spell. It vanished, and Crystal opened her eyes again.

She immediately felt herself flush. Yami's face was only a few inches away from hers, and he was still lying on top of her. It was more shock that had left the two of them staring at each other for a few minutes.

Suddenly, reality kicked in, and both royals went a deep shade of red as they realised their awkward position. Yami almost instantly rolled off her, and got to his feet. When Yami moved, Crystal also stood up.

"Sorry," Yami said.

"It's okay. So, uh, anyway………how did your talk with Kaiba go?"

Yami was grateful for the change of subject, but remembered in time that he couldn't tell her the truth. "Well, after a while, we finally agreed on the gods of honour at the festivals, and realised that they are exactly the same as this month last year."

"Interesting. That would have been very convenient if you had just decided to do that then."

"Yes, it would have."

Crystal started squeezing the water out of her hair, "I think, since I'm already wet, I'll go have a nice long bath."

Yami nodded, "That sounds like a very good idea. Do you want to meet at the fountain in the middle of the labyrinth in about 2 hours then?"

"That would be nice. I haven't been there for a long time."

"Well, I'll see you there later, I suppose."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

--------------------------------------------About 1 ½ hours later------------------------------------------

Crystal sighed in contentment. The bath was warm, and she felt very relaxed. As she was daydreaming (of a certain someone), she sank further into the large bathtub. However, the peace and quiet wouldn't last very long.

"Best you don't fall asleep in the bath again, Crystal. You could drown this time."

Crystal lazily opened one eye. "Mana, go bother Mahaado."

Mana glared at her friend. "Well, as he's currently with Yami, who is also having a bath, I figured they might not really appreciate my presence."

Crystal closed her eye again. "I agree."

Mana grinned mischievously, even though Crystal currently couldn't see her. "But judging by Yami's face before, I'd say he wouldn't mind if you were there."

Crystal's eyes snapped open, and she sat up so fast that water went flying everywhere. "What?"

Mana's eyes twinkled, "Oh, didn't I mention it? When Mahaado and I were walking around the gardens, enjoying our free time, we heard you and Yami talking. We decided to come and find you, and guess what we found?"

Crystal's face was turning red, so Mana continued with another playful grin, "We found the Pharaoh of Egypt lying on top of the Princess of Isiria! And it was quite an unexpected sight too. We didn't think you'd be up to that yet."

In response to that, Crystal splashed Mana with no small amount of water, though she was still very red.

After Crystal stopped the splashing, Mana removed her arm from her eyes and continued, "Care to explain why the most powerful man in Egypt was lying on top of you then?"

Crystal sighed, cheeks still flaming, and told Mana the story. Mana just grinned. "Interesting."

Crystal leaned back in the bath, the white towel wrapped around her vanishing under the waterline again.

Mana smiled. "I'll bet you two will be announcing your engagement any day now."

Crystal looked pained as Mana said this, remembering things she wanted to forget. Mana noticed Crystal's expression, and looking concerned, asked, "What's wrong?"

Crystal climbed out of the bath and put a dry robe on. As she sat down on the edge of the bath, next to Mana, she started to cry. "Mana, I don't want to marry Rames. I don't love him. I hate him."

Mana looked a little surprised at the change of subject, but realised that when she had said engagement, she'd reminded Crystal of her coming wedding. Mana hugged Crystal as she continued to cry, thinking about Rames. After his talk with Seto, Yami had told Mahaado about who Rames really was. Then Mahaado had told her, so she knew about the danger Crystal was in. Except, only Mana had suspected how much Crystal was hurting inside because of her father's decision, and now she knew that her suspicions were true.

"I know, and I wish you didn't have to do this either, but your father has already signed the document, and there's little, if anything, that we can do about it."

Crystal just sniffed, "He said that he'd never make me marry someone, he said he'd let me marry whoever I love! Father doesn't even care that I love someone else!"

Mana only hugged Crystal closer. "Then there is another. May I ask who?" Mana asked, although she had a feeling that she already knew.

Crystal was silent for a while, and then answered. "Yes. I love...Yami. But I doubt he'd ever love me in return."

Mana asked gently, "Why do you think that?"

Crystal sniffed again, "Because he is Pharaoh, and he can have any woman he wants. And because...because of the way he reacted when Isis said that she would arrange a marriage between us."

"Oh, Crystal. I'm sure it was only shock at the idea, and nothing else."

"Mana, didn't you see the look on his face? He looked horrified!" she cried.

Mana sighed sadly. The strain of this coming wedding was really getting to her. Until today, Crystal hadn't really cried since her mother's funeral. "Crystal? I cannot be certain, but maybe his horror was because he didn't want to be forced to marry you, he wanted to see how you felt about it."

Crystal pulled slightly away from Mana so that she could see her. "What?"

Mana smiled. "I know he cares a lot about you, if not love you. Give it time. No person could know you well and not love you."

Crystal smiled at the praise, but then looked sad again. "I don't have time. I'll be marrying Rames in a few months."

Mana looked shocked. "But the palace wasn't supposed to be repaired for another 6-7 months!"

"Well, one of the servants came by earlier with a message for me. It was from Rames, and it said that he is doing everything he can to speed up the repairing. Although he didn't say it outright, I have a feeling he has hired some magicians. He also said that he assumes that the palace will be repaired in a few months, if not sooner. I'd like to know how he hired the magicians though. From what I can see, he's not very rich."

Mana was silent. She knew how Rames was hiring magicians. Probably though Ishtar, like he'd hired the ones to kill Crystal earlier.

Crystal then continued, oblivious to what Mana was thinking, "Besides, even if Yami wanted to marry me, he can't overrule my father. The contract is signed, and nothing can change it."

Mana shook her head, "You forget: the man you love is the most powerful man in Egypt. His law overrules your father's. You have to tell Yami how you feel."

"I can't. I'm...I'm afraid."

"Of what?" Mana asked gently.

"Of what he'd say. Of what would happen to our friendship. Of what would happen to me."

Mana sighed again, "I seriously doubt anything would happen. Even if he doesn't love you, I know that Yami would never hurt you. He'll always be your friend."

Crystal nodded, "You're right. But still, I have doubts. I suppose I had better tell him now, as I was going to meet him anyway."

Mana smiled, "If you need me, just call."

"Thankyou, Mana."

"You're welcome. Now, I think you'd better get dressed. You'd cause uproar if you walked around in that."

Crystal chuckled softly at that, and went to go get changed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mahaado sighed. He and Yami arrived at the centre of the labyrinth late, and Crystal still hadn't arrived. Yami was pacing around, and was getting quite worried.

"Yami, stop worrying. She will be here soon."

"Mahaado, I can't help it. It's not like her to be late, so something must have happened."

"Mana is with her. She'll be fine."

Yami did not reply, and resumed his pacing. A few minutes passed this way, with Yami getting more and more worried. After 15 minutes had passed, Yami heard someone clearing their throat, and looked up.

He then saw Mana standing there, grinning at him. Crystal looked out of breath as she stood next to her guardian. Her face was flushed, and her hair was slightly wind-blown.

As she reached up to her hair to smooth it, she spoke, "Sorry for being so late."

"It's alright," Yami could barely say.

As always, Yami was tongue-tied. Crystal looked gorgeous in her outfit. She was dressed in a slim-fitting, long-sleeved white dress, with a blue vest covered in gold embroidery over it.

Noticing that the two royals were staring at each other, Mana spoke up to distract them. "Well, if you two don't mind, Mahaado and I would like to wander around the labyrinth for a while."

Mahaado's normally impassive face changed to one of surprise, "We would?"

Crystal tore her eyes away from Yami, and grinned at her guardian. "Sure that's all you plan to do."

Mana blushed, and Mahaado tried unsuccessfully to make his face blank again to hide his own blushing. Mana spent a lot of time teasing Crystal, in a friendly way, and Crystal gave back as good as she got.

Before either royal could say anything else, their two guardians had disappeared.

Yami blinked. "Well, that was fast."

Crystal nodded, and sat down on the fountain. "I'll say."

Yami sat down next to her, his gold jewellery flashing in the sunlight. Crystal smiled at the sight and turned to face him, "Was there anything you wanted to tell me about, Yami?"

Yami was a little surprised. It was almost as if she knew. "Yes, there is."

"Well?"

Yami looked into her eyes, and felt his previous confidence fade, "I...I wanted to congratulate you on your wedding to Rames." As he said this, he mentally kicked himself. That wasn't what he meant to say! Also, Crystal looked upset at what he had said.

"Please don't congratulate me. It's a curse, not a blessing! I hate him, and I certainly do not want to marry him!" she cried.

Yami looked a little bewildered as her eyes welled up with tears, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. It seemed...the right thing to say."

Crystal sniffed. "It's alright. You did not know, and anyway, that was polite of you to say that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Well, tell me about it now. Tell me why your father would make you marry this man if you do not love him."

Crystal sighed, "Well, I suspect that my father was controlled by those trying to make my life miserable when he signed the agreement."

"All right, that makes sense."

"I also think it is terrible, because those people are succeeding in their task. They have killed my mother, taken away almost all my friends, and now they are taking away my freedom to love who I choose. My father would never do that to me, and he would let me love whoever I wanted as long as they took care of me."

Yami sighed, remembering court over the past few months, "Judging by the amount of affairs that I have dealt with over the past year, I'd say that no-one can take away that right."

Crystal smiled sadly. "That is true, I suppose, but I would never stop feeling guilty knowing that I loved someone other than my husband, no matter how badly my husband would treat me."

Yami frowned as she said the last part, but nodded. "Then at least one other member of the rulers of Egypt has moral beliefs."

Crystal nodded, staring at the flowers across from her, some distance away. She wasn't really paying attention anymore, wrapped up in her own thoughts.

Yami turned her head back to face him, and said inquiringly, "You mentioned that you would never stop feeling guilty for loving another. Does this mean that there is already someone?"

Crystal's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't realised exactly what she had said. At first she did not want to reply, but she felt she owed Yami an answer. "There is someone that I love, but I could not tell them with my marriage so close. I have little doubt that they do not feel the same way about me anyway."

Yami sighed, and leaned back slightly. "It is similar for me. I doubt that the woman who stole my heart either knows or cares that she did such a thing."

Crystal smiled a little at the phrase, but at the same time, felt her heart sink. Even though she could not love Yami, she still didn't want him to love another woman. Deciding that she might as well get the pain over with, she asked. "Well, who is the lucky woman? Perhaps I could put in a good word for you."

Yami stood up, and turned around to once again face her, a sad smile on his face. "Although that is kind of you, it would be impossible."

She also stood up, "And why would that be? Is she dead?"

Yami shook his head. "She might as well be, for I can plainly see that my love for her is not wanted."

"Well, who is she?"

Yami raised his head again to look at her, his expression serious. "You."

Crystal looked shocked, and even though she knew it was wrong, she had to tell him somehow that she loved him too. She just couldn't break his heart, even though she knew it would kill him to see her get married to another man if she did so. So she did tell him. And she did it without words.

As Yami turned to leave, she stopped him with a gentle kiss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angel: Woot! I finished! And a cliffie to boot!

Bakura: Woot? What the hell is 'woot' supposed to mean?

Angel: Whatever I want it to mean. So there!

Bakura: ¬¬;;

Angel: Wait...how did you get here?

Bakura: You made me come, remember? I'm here until you get Nozomi and Yami from HCG.

Angel: Oh yeah, that's right. I could always just steal them off Ebony...if I actually knew these people and wasn't afraid of their wrath...

Bakura: (rolls eyes)

Angel: Anyway, how did you guys like this chapter? Please tell me in a review, and I might be inspired to write faster!

Bakura: I doubt that.

Angel: Quiet you, or I'll turn you into Kawari.

Bakura: Huh?

Fangirls: (far away for now) KAWARI? WHERE?

Angel: The guy in HCG's fics who gets mobbed, hugged and kidnapped by many Fangirls

Bakura: (remembers) I'll be quiet

Angel: Good Bakura (grins happily)

Bakura: I am so glad I am not in this story

Angel: That could change very soon, my friend (cackles evilly)

Bakura: (looks very scared)

Angel: (grins) Well, do you guys want Bakura in the story? And what do you think will happen next? I want to hear what you guys think. And I won't update unless I get at least 5 more reviews!

C YA! Angel