Hey everyone! This chapter's a bit of a doozy, but I like it... Especially at the end...

I don't own YGO! or anything else that obviously isn't mine!

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! The-Living-Shadow has produced a lovely picture of our dear Bali, in which I am very pleased to say looks freakin' SWEET! The link is on her profile, so don't ask me about any of that stuff. I'm no good with computers ^^; Also... THANKS FOR GETTING THIS STORY OVER 100 REVIEWS! CAPS LOCK CANNOT EXPRESS MY EXTREME JOY! (It's supposed to be fangirly joy, but I figured my joy isn't exactly that of a fangirl, and more as an author. Maybe authorly joy?) Keep up the reviewing, for I am pleased with some of the feedback I'm getting...

Well, here's today's FUN FACT!: Airheadninja is going to major in archaeology so she can learn more relevant FUN FACTS! for you all. I have a feeling you guys aren't interested in the fact that coffee steam has more antioxidants than three oranges.

Enjoy the chapter!

Bali and Atem sat in their normal spots at the river, their cats sitting on their laps comfortably.

"Is there something wrong with having the mark of the Mehdji?" Atem asked, and Bali shook her head.

"It's not like that. You see, back in my own time, I had this mark originally. The mark of Ra replaced it, and I had guessed that the Mehdji meant nothing after all. But Ra made it appear on my wrist again because he said that I'm part of the mehdji anyway. Is that true?" Bali elaborated, and Atem nodded in understanding.

"Well, yes. You guarded Egypt, which means guarding my father and I. You were in the informant group, who were all mehdji themselves. You plan on furthering that group, don't you?" Atem asked for clarification, and Bali wavered her hand.

"I don't know. I don't think I could train them correctly at all. I don't know if you want me galloping all over the country, given how worried you were when I finally came back." Bali pointed out, and Atem blushed slightly. It was the truth; he didn't want Bali away from the palace.

"Or away from me." He thought, and breathed deeply to rid himself of the blush and fast-moving heartbeat.

"Don't worry about those things. The mark of the mehdji is not misplaced. I can have you stay here and lead the mehdji with Mahad. Sound like a deal?" Atem suggested, and Bali nodded.

"Bali, are you okay? You look tired." Atem remarked after seeing her yawn widely.

"Yeah, I haven't gotten a lot of sleep these past few days. I don't have nightmares, but I keep waking up and staying that way just thinking about all of the stupid things I've done." Bali confided, pausing in her stroking of Ameniphus, who was purring loudly in his sleep.

"The next time this happens, come see me. I don't care what time it is. Nobody blames you for their deaths, Bali." Atem told her, taking her hand up in his.

"I know that, but there are other things I've done, Atem. I've killed people before without knowing who they were or what life they had outside that one situation. I can't help but think of all that I've taken away, that I can never give back. Hell, even that bastard George Corman must have had someone special waiting for him at home, like a wife and children." Bali said, smiling wistfully at the thought. Atem slowly sounded out George Corman and asked who he was.

"He's the man that forced me to take the Trial of Ra so he could gain Ra's power. He threatened to kill my teacher. Seriously, my own partner who I thought was my friend betrayed me. Life just sucks for me, doesn't it?" Bali ranted quietly, scratching the back of her neck, acting nonchalant.

"That's not true. Everything you've said is not true. You may have done those terrible things, but isn't that why Ra sent you here in the first place? Not only that, but Bali, you've given all of the people pride and hope. You've saved them. And you know what?" Atem asked heatedly, and Bali stared at him in surprise. Atem's face softened into a gentle smile.

"You've given me something better than anything else in the world."

"What?"

"Bali, I l-"

"PHARAOH! Your presence is needed to bless the ship!" A voice called, though the person had no idea where Atem actually was. It was just a general calling. Atem swallowed his words, his moment ruined. He cleared his throat. He picked At off of his lap and stood.

"Wait, what were you going to say?" Bali inquired, standing and catching his shoulder before he could run off. Atem turned with a smile.

"You're my best friend! I wish I could elaborate, but apparently this is an urgent matter. I'll talk to you later!" Atem covered, and Bali let him go and watched him run around the corner.

"I feel like he wanted to say something else. But, maybe that's because he wanted to explain some qualities about me before he came right out and said it. That would make sense." Bali thought aloud, and At sounded at her feet. Bali was holding the still sleepy Ameniphus in her arms, and she bent down and set the kitten on his feel. At took the scruff of fur behind the kitten's head and walked off with him.

"I swear, those cats are smarter than all of us." Bali mumbled amused. Bali loved cats. She had always loved them, even before her obsession with Egypt when she was smaller. Egypt really had only enhanced her love for them, seeing as they were so important.

"Are so important. Sometimes I forget I'm living the dream."

...

Atem, on the other hand, couldn't believe he nearly told her how he felt.

"You could have ruined everything, you dolt! You can't say it until you know she won't say no!" Atem scolded himself, and slowed so he would make an appropriate entrance, as his image as Pharaoh required elegance. He walked into the throne room calmly, just as his father had taught him to do.

"Your highness! The ship is ready, all it needs is your blessing before we can properly adorn it." Karim elaborated, and Atem understood fully. Karim gave him a curious look.

"Why didn't you bring Lady Bali along? I'm sure her presence would greatly help the ship in arriving at its destination." He said, and Atem shuffled his feet nervously. Only Karim knew that he was in love with Bali, and Atem knew that Karim was being sneaky in his own way.

"How id you know I was with her?"

"The maids know everything, your highness. We'd best be getting to the ship, however. It seems that if we keep the focus through the night, we'll be able to have the ceremony earlier."

"Oh." And off they went to the docks set on the Nile.

"I don't see anything wrong with you, Lady Bali. You are in perfect health. Your heart is strong and in top condition. I'm sorry I couldn't help more." Mahad apologized, after examining her. Bali sat in shock over what he said.

"How can all of that happen without there being something wrong with me?" She asked herself, gripping the hem of her skirt.

"Thank you Mahad. I don't know if Pharaoh informed you, but we're going to be leading the mehdji as a team." Bali informed, holding up her wrist. Mahad smiled.

"That's wonderful. You're very deserving of such a post. I'm glad I don't have to do this on my own." Mahad complimented truthfully, and Bali nodded her head happily.

"I'm glad you don't disapprove. Well, I have to be going now, thank you for your time!"

"It is no problem. If something happens, come see me, alright?" Mahad reminded her, and Bali waved at him without turning around, a sign that she had listened.

Bali was heading for her room, because she hadn't really spent a lot of time in it for awhile, and she felt that a nap would probably do her some good. Her talk with Atem made her feel much better than she did. Then again, her talks with Atem always made her feel better for some reason. Bali couldn't fathom why he made such a difference. In fact, Bali figured that if anyone else had tried to talk to her the same way, she would have blown them off.

"That's weird. Maybe he just has a way with words that I just pay attention to more. I don't know." Bali figured, but it still didn't make sense. And with these strange happenings around him where she felt sick, awkward or embarrassed, there had to be something up with him.

"Wait a second... He's not trying to pull a prank on me, is he? If he is, that moron has another thing coming!" Bali growled, a light bulb (seeing as she's from the future) popping on in her head. She wasn't about to go tumbling after him however, seeing as she was still determined to have that nap.

"Kitten, you've calmed down more, but whenever you're angry, you seem to be more intense than before. Are you getting ready to go on your monthly?" Ra asked curiously, concerned with the way Bali's aura had been growing in her anger. Bali shrugged, but shook her head.

"I don't see what you're talking about. And I just finished a couple of days ago." Bali told him, though for once she wasn't spiteful, which Ra was grateful for. Ra bid her farewell to keep his thoughts to himself. Up in the heavens, he watched the desert stretch before his eyes on the earth below.

"It's true that I planted it inside of her, but it shouldn't be growing so rapidly. Eventually, Bali will have to learn to control it, and it will be her greatest task yet." Ra said to himself, calculating his plans before someone sprang from a flash of light.

"Father, when is Bali going to join us here? You told me before that I would soon have a sister!" Ma'at exclaimed, her radiant beauty making her glow as an added effect. One could see similarities between them. And if one compared Bali with Ma'at with Bali, they would have made an astonishing discovery. Luckily, no living man had ever glimpsed Ma'at knowingly, and therefore nobody could see...

Ra smiled.

"Ma'at, she will be here sooner than I had expected. Now leave me, I must meet with Horus." Ra ordered, and Ma'at bowed her head with a brilliant smile.

"Of course father."

The ship was ready, and Bali rose from her nightly slumber with sudden memories plaguing her mind.

"Lady Bali, here are your garments for the ceremony these next few days. Su and I are coming with you to make sure you are kept clean." Mery stated, guiding the still muddled Bali to the washroom.

"I'm glad to see that you've slept well. Tell me; is anything going on between you and the Pharaoh?" Mery ventured to ask, and Bali shook her head.

"No, we're getting along fine. Why, did somebody think we had a fight or something?"

Mery sighed with a slight giggle.

"Well, I thought maybe you were laying awake thinking about something of that sort. That's all." Mery covered, trying to not to laugh at Bali's clueless behavior.

"Atem and I didn't fight, anyways. I was just awake thinking. Thank you for the concern though." Bali yawned, and quickly got ready for Pharaoh Akhnemkhanen's journey to his tomb. Su was there, but quiet, her heart still heavy from her loss. Before Bali went out (she was dressed the way she had been for the feast the night she had arrived) she caught Su's shoulder while Mery was off doing something. Bali looked into the maid's eyes with a gentle smile.

"He protected me bravely up in Syria. He was a good man, and he'll always want you to have every happiness." Bali said softly, and Su nodded, tears escaping her eyes.

"I know, right?" She mumbled, smiling slightly before starting to sob. Su dropped to the floor, and Bali just rubbed her arms in comfort. Mery came back and immediately took care of everything.

"You need to go, Lady Bali. Do not worry, we will be on the ship on time." Mery called to Bali as Bali stood to leave. Bali pulled the door aside to find Seth standing there, about to knock. He put his hand down and the two glared at each other. Eventually however, they began walking, seeing as they couldn't be late.

"So what has given me the honor of your presence, Seth?" Bali asked, keeping her voice low so she would sound mean.

"I wanted to talk to you about the way you've been acting around the Pharaoh, Lady Bali. The thing is, I'm just curious as to when you started acting like that. I thought you didn't like to act like a woman." Seth teased, a smirk easing onto his face.

"Pharaoh needed support at that moment, and it was his doing, not mine. I wouldn't want to upset the ruler of this country."

"True. But why were both of you so embarrassed when I pointed it out? If Pharaoh had planned it, shouldn't he have been less surprised?"

"He probably just forgot because he was making an important speech. And I was surprised because he had forgotten, and embarrassed that we had to have such an important moment ruined by such a rude comment." Bali replied, leering over at the priest something fierce. Seth chuckled a little.

"I made that comment simply because it was distracting everyone from listening, somewhat. I didn't want Pharaoh's words to be wasted."

"... Jackass."

Seth smirked in victory, but their conversation was joined by Isis and Seshat.

"Lady Bali, Seth! Do you mind if we walk with you?" Isis asked with a smile.

"Of course." Bali answered, not caring if Seth had another opinion.

The group engaged in small talk (Seth even bothered to make comment every now and then) and arrived at the front of the palace, where open palanquins were waiting for them. Shada, Karim, and Shimon had gotten there only moments before, and were already getting ready to move out. Bali felt awkward when sitting there, watching the people of Egypt stare in awe and follow in a parade so that they could also pay their respects to their former king. When the group got to the ship, Bali was amazed at the artistry and care the craftsman had put into decorating it. It truly was fit for such a king as Akhnemkhanen. Bali's group was the last that needed to come, and Atem himself rode up to Bali, got off of his horse and helped her go from the palanquin to the horse.

"Why couldn't I have just brought Bit?" Bali asked him, finding it pointless to just be put on a horse anyway. Atem slid on in front of her and turned with a grin.

"Because I want you with me!" He replied quietly, and kicked his horse forward and up the ramp onto the ship. Bali didn't really have to wrap her arms around his middle and hang on for dear life, but she found herself doing that anyway. And she couldn't help but feel comfortable. Atem had cheers in his ears at her action. His plan had worked. Bali would only hang on to him if she really trusted him, since he wasn't galloping off like a madman. He didn't exactly mind the feeling of her arms around him. In fact, he almost didn't want it to end, but the ceremony is for his father. Atem didn't want to be selfish, seeing as his father was his hero in his eyes.

Atem turned his horse, and told Bali she could get off. He was surprised when she refused.

"I'm up here now, and I've got your back. I figure you're gonna need some support." Bali argued, but did withdraw her arms. Atem muttered his thanks but cleared his throat to address the crowd.

"People of Egypt, we are gathered to send off my father, a great king to the afterlife, in hope that he shall protect Egypt alongside the gods!" Atem started, and Bali was amazed at his strong and powerful voice. Usually he was somewhat quiet, despite being a trickster. Bali nodded her head.

"He really is suited to be king." She thought, and Ra agreed instantly.

The ceremony was mostly prayers to different gods and the like, with incense burning and the like. The people amassed around the dock seemed to span far back.

"There's definitely more people than the population of Thebes. They love Akhnemkhanen quite a bit. And I'll bet that they're going to be just as loyal to Atem." Bali thought, after prayers were finally over. It was time to get ready to set out. It would take until morning to get to the Valley of the Kings, which was normal and part of Akhnemkhanen's passing. After the ship started to leave, all but the priests were put to rest. The guardians, Atem and Bali were going to be housed stern-side of the ship. Bali would be sharing a compartment with Seshat and Isis. Atem, of course, had one to himself.

Atem was staring over the side of the ship at sunset, having already settled into his room. Bali emerged from her below and walked over to join him. She leaned on the railing in the same fashion as he. There was silence for the most part, as Bali relished the cool wind of the Nile, and enjoyed looking at the landscape.

"I can't believe he's gone. I still can't believe he's gone." Atem murmured sadly, a wistful smile spreading onto his lips. Bali glanced over at him and leaned more to find a comfortable position.

"We'll all get used to it. I eventually got used to having my mother gone, and having my father shun me before sending me to boarding school." Bali replied, and Atem shot her a sideways glance.

"What is boarding school?"

"Basically a living hell, except with learning."

"Ah. Shouldn't that learning be part of 'hell?'" he asked amused, and Bali chuckled.

"Not in this case. Contradictory to the fact that my teachers were hell-bent on making our lives miserable, they did give me life skills and taught me many things. I wouldn't be here if I weren't learned enough."

"I thought you were naturally intelligent."

"You and me both. Now I realize that I wouldn't be here without any of those things happening. And I can't say I'm not grateful. I mean..." Bali explained, but stopped to sort through her words. Atem met her gaze, and she smiled a genuinely lovely smile.

"I have you."

So cute! I'm writing this story and I'm squealing like a fan girl myself! But might Bali have anything to add to her recent statement?

Let's all say farewell to Akhnemkhanen's soul! BYE!

Also, I hope you all know who the mehdji are... Perhaps I shall explain in the next chapter.

Right, so review... Just because we're over 100 doesn't mean I don't want feedback. Feed my brain, it craves sustenance! Thanks for reading and please keep coming back for more!