And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Bali said something pseudo-romantic, and that's gotten everyone riled up, even Atem! Let's see what happens!

I don't own YGO! or anything else that can't possibly be mine.

FUN FACT!: Pharaohs each got their own individual thrones, custom made just for them! When he died, his throne would be buried with him to sit on in the afterlife! His names would be inscribed on it, as well. Yes, names. The Pharaoh had a given name, a nick-name, and a throne name given by the gods. The nick-name was never inscribed, obviously.

Enjoy, because I'm sure you like it...

Atem's heart was beating faster than he thought possible. His cheeks were hot, and his back rigid.

"I mean, you're my best friend, and you've helped me through a lot of the tough times. Of course, I don't think my old teachers meant me to have such a wonderful person to be friends with, much less a king. I'm grateful to Ra for giving me that." Bali finished, and Atem's heart nearly stopped. Bali stared at his motionless form, curious as to why he looked like he was in pain.

"Are you okay? Maybe you're the one who needs to see a healer." Bali stated, staring at the water once more. It was getting relatively dark, so torches would be lit soon so the priests could effectively continue their prayers.

"I am fine. For a second there, I thought you were going to say something else." Well, it was the truth. Atem was only initially surprised though. When he thought about it, it made sense that she had said he was her best friend.

"Seeing as I told her that she was mine." He thought, remembering his embarrassing moment.

"Oh. Okay, if that's all. You know, I actually wouldn't mind learning how to dance. I just wish I could teach someone something." Bali complained, changing the subject to a slightly less awkward one. Atem's eyes widened.

"You could teach me how to dance!" He offered suddenly, and Bali began to giggle.

"Your enthusiasm astounds me. Usually men of this time would find dancing stupid."

"Ah, but you're talking about dances from your time. Men do dance in your time right?" Atem asked, slightly worried that he might be doing something embarrassing because Bali wanted to prank him.

"Yes they do, especially the ones I'm talking about. In fact, you can't dance them without a man and a woman." Bali stated, and Atem breathed a sigh of relief. Bali sucked up her courage for her next question.

"Hey, Atem? Have you pulled any pranks lately? You know, gone back to your old self for a little reminiscing?" Bali asked, getting around to the strange, sickly feelings that had been coming on, even right in this current conversation.

"No, not at all. I promise, I've been very focused on everything around me." Atem answered truthfully, thinking that Bali was suspicious of him slacking off. Bali's shoulder drooped slightly because she knew he wasn't lying.

"Great, something is wrong with me." Bali grumbled quietly.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing! Today has left me really tired, so if you don't mind, I'm going to get some sleep. You shouldn't stay up too late either." Bali wrapped up, walking away and waving before Atem could protest. Atem watched her go with a small, sad smile.

And it was sad because he couldn't tell her how much he loved her.

Bali got into the cabin, closed the door and leaned on it as she closed her eyes, put her hand over her heart and tilted her head back.

"Is everything all right?" Seshat asked kindly from her cot. Isis sat next to her, helping her mother thread a needle for embroidering. Bali was alert again and went to sit on her cot with a sigh.

"Yeah, I just really think something's wrong with me. Oh well. Maybe I'm just tired." Bali yawned, getting herself ready for nighttime. Mery and Su had left out her nightwear on her cot to change into. Bali thought it strange that she hadn't seen them for a moment, but shrugged it off.

"Lady Bali, have you been feeling... sick? As in, your stomach feels strange and your face heats up randomly?" Isis asked suddenly, and Bali's eyes snapped to hers at the description of her strange illness. Bali walked over and sat next to Isis. Seshat had a knowing smile while she embroidered, but Bali paid her no mind. Isis turned to face her and took her hands and pretended to really find out what the Millennium Necklace had to show. Isis, of course, already knew what was going on, as did Seshat, who had seen the vision as well.

"You're fine, Lady Bali. It will all make sense in time, and I promise you that you'll be glad when it is resolved. Unfortunately, I cannot directly reveal the future. You understand." Isis elaborated, and Bali nodded quickly with a joyful gleam in her eyes.

"Thank you, now I don't have to worry so much!" Bali cheered, but yawned immediately after that and stumbled back to her cot.

"Good night, dear friends." Bali called over her shoulder, as she pulled the sheet over herself and closed her eyes to sleep.

...

The next morning found everyone awake and saying prayers themselves. They had arrived, and were now in the procession to Akhnemkhanen's tomb. He was carried in first, and then everything was situated around him, and all the while priests sang aloud praises and prayers. It actually was quite impressive, especially the tomb itself. The walls were painted gloriously with stories of the people's fondness of him, and his triumphs. It was obvious that he was a Pharaoh well loved by his people. Bali sneaked peeks around at anything every chance she could, her inner archaeologist still a lit fire in her soul.

"If Dr. O'Connell ever heard about my adventures, she would flip out most definitely." Bali thought, once again thinking of her old teacher. It didn't take long for everything to get situated, and everyone had to remove themselves from the tomb. Bali got her last glances of the entrance before letting the priests and workers seal the tomb up with a great stone door. Everyone sat thinking about all that had just happened.

"Akhnemkhanen... Just you wait and see. Atem will probably be even greater than you were. No offense." Bali muttered, her final words as she set her stick of strong incense near the entrance and backed away so the others could follow suit. They prayed some more, and everything finished with a ringing note from the ballad the priests sang. Atem smiled.

"Now everyone, we must get back to the palace! My father would not want me to be slacking off too long. And if that goes for me, that goes for the rest of you!" Atem cheered, and everyone chorused their agreement. All were headed back to the boat, but Atem noticed that Bali had stayed behind, still where the group had been. She was staring at the sky. He told everyone to keep on going ahead and to ready the ship and to prepare a meal. Then he lagged behind and went to Bali.

"Talking to someone?" He asked amused, but Bali turned with a sad smile.

"No, just thinking about my mom. Silly, I know."

"No, not really. You've been thinking of her all this time, and I'm sure going into the tomb just brought back memories. But you know what I think? I think that we need to focus on the here and now. Right?" Atem opinionated, and Bali nodded, linking arms with him. Atem had never really linked arms with anyone, so he was curious at the action. He voiced his curiosity, naturally.

"Oh, it's just something that we do in the future. Nothing to worry about." Bali brushed him off, feeling that pleasantly sick-type of grossness crop up again. Isis' words comforted her however, and she was able to live with it. In fact she started to embrace it as a happy feeling.

Both meandered back to the ship at their own pace, a comfortable and companionable silence surrounding them. When they were closer to the ship, the guardians were waiting for them to arrive, and Seth got that teasing look in his eyes once more. Bali glared in his direction but stopped because Atem began to speak.

"Is anything wrong?"

"No your highness, we just felt that you had more right than us to board the ship first." Shimon answered, and Atem grinned.

"How unnecessary, but quite considerate. Let's go up then, shall we?" Atem inquired, though it was mostly directed at Bali.

"I should have to say so. We are supposed to make our way back so we can celebrate your kingship." Bali replied, mimicking his astute royal tone. Atem laughed and they both stepped off.

All of the guardians were surprised that they weren't courting yet. They acted like it and it was hilarious to see. Well, think about it: Atem likes Bali, and Bali likes Atem, but Bali doesn't really know that she likes Atem yet. The funny part was, was that Atem didn't know it either! Even though Karim is the only one who knows the concrete fact, it wasn't hard for the rest of the guardians to figure it out.

All in all, they were a comical couple, to be sure.

Getting back to the palace was uneventful, but full of friendly conversation. Atem was too busy conversing with Shimon and Akhenaden to really get a chance to spend time with Bali. Bali was in the same rut, as she was learning the basics of Egyptian embroidery from Seshat and Isis. But getting back at nightfall meant they had made good time, and Bali had gotten the basics down, for the most part. Her fingers had been pricked so many times that her hands almost looked mummified themselves.

"Perhaps you are more suited to being a warrior than a housewife." Isis giggled as they traveled off the ship and to the palanquins that would carry them back. Bali stared at her hands and sighed with shame.

"I guess you're right. I'll keep practicing though." Bali directed towards Seshat, who nodded approvingly.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be like normal women. Are you going to learn how to dance too?" Seth yelled, having heard the conversation. Bali shot him a glare and told him to shut up. Everyone started laughing, remembering the night Bali had arrived.

Atem felt the best right then. Everyone was together and feeling happy. All conversation was in good fun, and there were no qualms between any of them. They were his new family, and he was proud of it.

...

That evening's feast was wondrous indeed, a celebration held for one last honor for Akhnemkhanen. The former Pharaoh had always loved food and music, so it was perfect. Bali got tipsy on date wine and got into a hysterical debate with Seth, while Atem's closest friends laughed and joked.

"There was nothing to fear in being king. You were right, father." Atem thought, and joined full fledged into the argument of Bali and Seth. It went late into the night, and there were no problems anyone had with that.

Getting up was the main problem for Bali, and she was extremely regretful that she had gotten drunk again.

"Lady Bali, It's time to get up! The Pharaoh is being officially announced today, and you're too important to skip out! Pharaoh Atem will be here to escort you in an hour!" Su chirped frantically, having gone back to her normal self thanks to Mery and her wisdom. Bali groaned but sat up. She rubbed her face slowly, but slid onto her feet.

"Right. Let's get dressed then." Bali moped, and made her way to the washroom. Mery immediately gave Bali a tonic.

"It's from Master Mahad. He says it will help with the after effects of drinking." Mery explained at Bali's puzzled look. Bali didn't need to hear another word as she pulled the stopper and gulped it down. She swallowed and gasped with a look of disgust.

"That was gross beyond all reason." Bali yelped, but started to feel better within minutes.

Washed up and outfitted in something more lovely than usual, Bali waited for Atem to arrive. She was reading on a cushion when there was a knock. Bali sprang up and rushed to the door. The maids looked to each other in surprise. They had never seen her so excited to see him before.

"Atem!" Bali cheered, and they could hear the Pharaoh laugh lightly. The door shut and off they went.

...

Atem had a plan. A pretty good plan, that Mahad, Mana, Isis and Karim were in on. Atem had invited ladies from throughout Egypt to join in the celebration at the palace. He wasn't looking for someone special. He was going to be looking to see if Bali got jealous. Mana had expressed at one point that jealousy was sometimes a tell-tale sign that there was someone in love. So Atem got the brilliant idea to see if Bali would get jealous, and he and the others would look out for it.

When he escorted Bali down, the look on her face was priceless with surprise as she saw all of the women in the throne room. She looked up at Atem with almost incredulous concern. Atem gave a smug smile to wave it off and Bali stood while Atem kept going. Her mouth was open slightly in shock, and almost anger.

"What is he trying to pull? I don't care if he's looking for someone to marry, but seriously? This soon?" Bali's mind ran like a motor. Everyone who cared to watch her knew she was steamed. A couple of the women in the throne room walked up with sly smiles.

"Look at her, getting special attention from the Pharaoh!"

"She doesn't look all that womanly with that sword on her hip!"

"And look at those bandages! Someone doesn't even know how to embroider well." They barraged.

Bali couldn't believe what was happening.

Nyah-haha, I have made you all slightly angry! No worries, Atem thinks he's extremely smart with this complicated plan. The only reason he can carry it out is because he's so powerful.

The next chapter will be all fun and cuteness, and also something that I have been planning on doing for a long time now.

Review review review as always, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading and stick around for next time.