Ok, so I messed up on the last chapter. The last chapter was the beginning of section two. I promise to go back after I post this and fix it! I promise!

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. No one reviewed my last chapter, so I kinda felt a bit sad about that, but that's alright. I also know that I left this one as a cliffhanger, but it works for what the next chapter brings to the table. Oh, and sorry for the shortness! It was just, Atem said it was time to end and Sagira didn't want to be brought into the picture again. She was trying not to cry. lol Not really, anyway, hope you have fun!

Chapter Ten

Hope Among Demons

Sagira awoke to the sound of servant in her room. She had been at the palace for a fortnight and had yet to become accustomed to the way the servants treated her. It was not that the maids treated her harshly, no that had nothing to do with it. All of the servants, guards and maids included, were kind and ready to serve. It was the fact that each of them were always so happy to see her walking around the palace and enjoying herself with whoever she may be with. Sagira felt herself blush with the soft hands of a maid named Kisa touched her.

"Lady Sagira, it is time for your bath. I have it perfectly warmed and scented to your liking. The reader is already behind the screen with letters that have been sent to you and a scribe is waiting there as well to write down your replies." Kisa explained kindly as she helped the blind woman from the bed.

Sagira knew that her personal maid had long ebony hair that was normally braided and piled atop her head and that she had pretty chocolate eyes (so said Malik anyway). Sagira could also tell that Kisa always had a smile on her face and was a most confidant and loyal friend. Kisa had been helping Sagira since she had come to the palace, other than that first night. Sagira actually was glad to have someone that was with her all through the day with Malik or Set couldn't be. The young woman smiled at the maid and allowed herself to be led off towards the bath.

As Sagira soaked, she heard the letters from noblemen who had sons her age and she had charmed in some way at some party or another. Sagira was actually tired of these letters and had a reply sent that was thanking them for their flattery, but it was her brother they needed to speak to about any sort of a courtship. Sagira felt as if she had handled all of this with care as she allowed her hair to be washed and combed.

Sagira spent only a minute getting ready for her day after her bath. She allowed her hair to be brushed through quickly and tied up in an elaborate braid that would run down her back. She dressed in a simple white linen dress and wore her normal sandals. She would rather go barefoot, but she knew that was impossible even here. Sagira would deal with having to wear shoes now just as she had when she was a child. Sagira smiled at the thought before she turned towards the door.

"Kisa, what am I to do today?" Sagira questioned lightly as they began to make their way down to the breakfast hall.

"Well, High Priest Set has asked for your company on a ride through the city. I believe that would be nice for you. It would at least get you out of these walls." Kisa laughed and Sagira had a feeling she was also blushing from her tone.

"Is Malik near?" Sagira teased and laughed as she heard the footsteps of her brother coming closer down the hall. "Hello, Brother." Sagira smiled as she looked towards the sound of Malik's feet.

"Good morning, Little One, Kisa." Malik said as he took each of their hands and kissed them respectively.

Sagira laughed at her brother and batted at him. Since he had come to the palace and had met Kisa for the first time, he had been infatuated with her. Sagira had actually had to recount tales that Kisa had told her to Malik just so he could know more about the girl. The blind woman had no problem with helping her brother find love for it was a simple thing to do. Her brother deserved some sort of happiness from their horrific childhood. "Where is Set? He wants me to go with him into the city today." Sagira questioned.

"He is actually having breakfast at the moment. If I may escort you, ladies, it would be my honor." Malik said as he took Sagira's arm and she could tell by his positioning that he had taken up Kisa's as well.

Sagira laughed again as she was led down the corridors to the dining hall. Truthfully, she could have managed on her own, but there was always someone with her to help her get to where she needed to be.

Once she entered into the dining hall, Kisa tried to excuse herself, but Malik wouldn't hear of it. He brought her in and had her sit between the siblings. Sagira patted Kisa sorrowfully on the arm before another servant came up to put her food on her plate. As Kisa had always done, she picked up a piece of the fruit and ate it before Sagira was even allowed to touch it. As well, Kisa took a sip of her water as well. Since Bakura was still after her and no one knew if he would try to kill her or capture her, Atem had appointed Kisa to taste her food and drink during each meal. Once the food was deemed eatable, Sagira began to eat slowly.

"You do realize," Sagira whispered to Kisa, "that even if the food is poisoned, Bakura would not have used something that would kill a person immediately?"

"Yes, but it is my job. However, I dare you to ask the Pharaoh that question." Kisa giggled back and caused Sagira to giggle with her.

Set watched from down the table as Sagira laughed with her maid. It was strange to see someone get along so well with a woman that was beneath oneself. However, if Set was honest, Sagira wasn't beneath Kisa. Sagira was at the exact same level. Each of the women was peasants who were allowed to reside in the Pharaoh's palace. The only difference was that one was a guest and the other a servant. Set sighed into his water before he took a sip. He did not know that Atem was watching him intently.

"Set, why do you not just ask her how she feels for you? Surely there has to be some mutual attraction if she was so willing to come with you?" Atem asked his cousin and advisor.

"Perhaps you are right, Pharaoh, but I must say that there is something else that you do not know. Sagira may have come with me just because it was a different future other than becoming the wife and bed partner to Bakura." Set returned and Malik choked upon his own food.

"He is actually right, Pharaoh. Bakura will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I am ashamed to call him brother any longer. However, if I were to disown him, Sagira would be sad. She still thinks of him as her brother and will until she dies. Well, that is if he does not do something horrible to her first." Malik sighed as he looked down the table towards his sister who was laughing once more.

"We will do all in our power to make sure that Bakura does not lay a hand upon Sagira. That is my mission at the moment. Most can wait for now." Atem replied to each of the men as all three let their eyes stray to the curious blind beauty at the end of the table.

Sagira smiled as she rode in front of Set. She was told that this would be safer for they had no idea when Bakura would strike again. Sagira even knew that a few guards had come along with them. She also could not complain. She truly did enjoy Set's arms around her at the moment with his chest against her back. All Sagira had to do now was fight off the urge to close her eyes and melt into this embrace.

"Where would you like to go, Sagira?" Set whispered in her ear and she shivered lightly.

"I do not know. Where must you go?" Sagira returned with a smile as she turned her head to the side and up to seemingly look at him.

She could feel Set chuckle through his chest and smiled even wider at the feeling. Sagira continued to watch him with her sightless eyes as she sat there contently. "Why do we not go into the market and see what they have?" Set offered and Sagira frowned.

"Do you not have something you must do in the city? I had thought that was why you were going and I was just allowed to leave the palace." Sagira explained as she turned her face back to the direction they were heading.

"No, all of my business has been taken care of already. Right now, I am to show you the city and make sure that no harm comes to you while you are here." Set returned and Sagira could hear the smile in his voice.

A low growl came from by the horse's feet and Sagira laughed. "Oh, Gereh, you never stay behind do you?"

Another growl was returned with a soft purr underneath it. Sagira relaxed even further knowing that her tiger was by her side along with Set. There was nothing that could make her feel as if she were in danger now. Sagira turned her face to the sky and smiled widely. The sun beat down upon her and it warmed her to all corners of her body and soul. Nothing could ruin this day.

Atem paced in front of his throne. Akenaden was truly making a rational plea. However, Atem had also promised his father that he would continue to honor the promise he had made to Sagira. Atem could not just throw her out onto the streets now! The young pharaoh clenched his fists as Akenaden continued on, but it was this last point that caught Atem's attention the most.

"It would seem, Pharaoh, that she has also stolen a Shadow Monster. That tiger of hers is the All Seeing White Tiger and I demand that he have her return it to the Shadow Realm!" Akenaden exclaimed harshly as he blinked his one good eye in frustration.

"You are saying that she has stolen the monster when the animal follows her willingly?" Atem questioned with a raised brow, trying to see all sides of this story. "I can understand how it frightens you and the rest of us, Akenaden, however, this tiger is the one that growled at the tablets we use as a portal through the two worlds. Perhaps, someone should challenge her to a duel and see what she does with her tiger. If she understands what her tiger is, she will play him, if not…we leave the tiger and the girl be."

Each of the priests around the room nodded their head, all except Priestess Isis. "Pharaoh, you mustn't put her into a duel. I have seen horrible things that this woman is able to do when she begins to cry. If her tiger were attacked, she would be able to destroy this entire city!" Isis was pleading and this confused Atem.

Isis hardly ever told anyone what would happen from their actions in the future. She took her occupation of being the Priestess of Time and Secret to heart. Atem looked at her curiously for a moment before he turned to go back to his throne. Isis would have to have a reason to explain of the future that revolved around Sagira and to find out what Sagira was hiding that Isis was trying to get him to realize, he would have to gain her trust or get Set to find out for him.

Better yet. Atem smiled to himself as he finally sat upon his throne to face his priests. "Fetch me Malik. I wish to speak with him about his sister, to see if the future claims the truth or if this is a lie. Isis, forgive me." Atem bowed his head to the woman and Isis only nodded and bowed before leaving.