Hey all you people, hey all you people….

Here is the next chapter XXI, some serious back story to come, you have been warned.

Please be ever nice to tell me what you think plus if this is all making sense.

Thank you all who have reviewed, NanohaXFateAsuna, AmandaSpardaBVB, Chibi-Aibou-Kuriboh and Aqua girl 007 .

I do not own YUGIOH, Takahashi is the real genius!

Atem POV

As the plane leveled out, Kaiba looked at me.

"Why are you staring Kaiba?"

He grunted. "Nothing really, but I have to wonder who your little friend back there is."

I knew he was referring to Mana.

"Stay away from her!" I growled.

Kaiba chuckled. "Do not worry, Pharaoh, I'm just asking because of what she did to Wheeler."

I glared at Kaiba and his smirked just widened. "Protective are you?"

My glare deepened, amusing Kaiba even more.

I stood up; the temptation to hit him was too great, and went to where Mana was sitting.

"Are you ok?" I asked her.

She had her eyes closed. Mana smiled, but didn't open her eyes.

"I'm really starting to get tired of that question, Atem." I smiled. "To answer your question, though, I'm alright."

"You used a lot of Ba back there."

Mana opened her eyes and looked at me. "Just ask me what you want to know, Atem."

I looked at her and couldn't keep the smile from my face. She could read me so easily, yet here she was a mystery to me.

"What was that back there, Mana?"

She sighed and closed her eyes, nodding."Tell me, what do remember about my past before I came to the palace."

I frowned."Not much Mana, only that it left its mark on you. I'm sorry."

Mana straighten her posture and traced my jaw with her hand.

"No Atem," she shook her head. "I just never told you, it has always been my most guarded secret."

I nodded understanding, but it still hurt to know that she didn't fully trust me.

I subconsciously pulled my face away from her hand.

Mana lost her smile.

"Atem, it's a long story. You want to hear it?"

"Mana I-"

"I trust you Atem, I always have, never doubt that. It's my memories that I fear." She said seriously. "Plus, I guess we have time to kill."

I gave her a small smile. I was still kneeling next to her chair. She looked at me and unbuckled her seatbelt. Mana had rapidly gotten used to modern concepts. She stood up and sat across from me.

I quickly looked around the cabin. Yugi and Ryou were sleeping, and Mahad and Isis were making a scene of ignoring us, Kaiba was busy on his computer. However, Bakura kept looking over at us. I still couldn't believe that we used to be friends.

Mana grabbed my hand and stared at it.

"I came to the palace when I was five, and nearly gave you a heart attack the first time we met." I couldn't help but smile replaying that day in my head.

"But before that I lived in a small village, at the border of lower Egypt. My parents were killed days after I was born. The people believed that they were cursed for being able to call forth the dark power. Or so my aunt told me, she could do it too you know. Her Ka was the Dark Witch of the Forest. She kept her powers a secret until mine started to manifest. Can you imagine the daughter of two Shadow Callers? The level of my magic could rival that of the Pharaoh, as legend has it."

I stared at her confused.

"Mana, Shadow Callers, you're not making much sense."

She chuckled. I noticed she was so lost in her mind that she wasn't aware of what she was saying. All she did was hold my hand and trace small circles on it.

"Mana!"

She shook her head and looked me in the eyes.

"Shadow Callers are people like you and me and Mahad and Bakura, we have a connection to the shadows. We have magic, and just how there was a village of thieves, there was a village of Shadow Callers. My parents were from said village though they had to run away. It was prohibited for a Caller to marry another Caller. The powers of their offspring would be unspeakable. My mother's sister went with them.

"They settled down in a tiny village and stopped practicing, but when my mother was near her due date the combination of her dormant powers and mine went haywire, and they were exposed. My aunt took me from their house hours after I was born, denying any relationship to them and kept me hidden.

"Though when I reached five summers of age, the villagers came through our door and demanded the demon we were harboring. My aunt pretended to not know what they were taking about, so they took us both. As they dragged us out of the house, she called forth her Ka, and the villagers cut her throat.

"They hung me on a wooden trunk afterwards." She closed her eyes and I saw pain write itself into her face. I pulled my hand free from hers, though before she could open her eyes. I pulled her toward me and held her against my chest, comforting her.

In a small voice, she continued, "They flogged me, insulted me, called me Seker'sspawn, and starved me. I lasted three solar cycles like that, until I lost control. A burst of dark energy ripped through my body, burned the ropes and knocked half the village people unconscious. I didn't think, Atem, I just ran and left the only place I knew as home far behind me."

She looked up at me, tears shinning in her eyes. "Your mother found me two solar cycles later. I was half crazed by that time, I'd stolen a fruit off a vender in a passing village and that had been all I had eaten. I also became terrified of my powers and I couldn't control them because of the mental scars I carry. Your mother locked me up in a room, ordering me food and water until I regained some sort of sanity. I escaped on the second week and that's when I met you." She said the last part with a smile.

"Mana if I had known..."

She shook her head.

"Nobody knows, I never told your mother, nor father, nor any of the Priests. Only you know now."

I looked at the girl in my arms and wondered; how could she maintain the level of optimism, spunky energy, and spirited attitude after what she lived through?

"You're amazing," I murmured.

She laughed, but before she could answered Kaiba called out.

"Hey lovebirds, get in your seats we're about to land."

I sent the prick a glare, but nodded. I stood up and with a smile I left Mana to find my seat. We would continue this when we could get some privacy.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When we exited the plane a burst of the shining sun blinded me. Mana walked next to me. She smiled.

"Finally we are home, how I have missed the heat."

I laughed. Yugi, Ryou and Kaiba were already sweating.

Kaiba looked at Mana in disbelief. "How can you stand this heat?"

Mana shrugged and grabbed my hand. "I grew up in it."

Yugi shook his head and walked toward us. Isis and Mahad were standing next to me, looking at everyone and everything.

"Atem, Marik and Ishizu will be at the entrance. They'll take us to the hotel and tomorrow we will begin the search."

I nodded agreeing with him. Mana needed to rest for the spell to be active and they were all jet lagged in general.

Yugi turned back to look at Isis; he had a thoughtful expression.

"What's up, Yugi?"

He smiled. "I'm just trying to picture Marik, Odion, and Ishizu's reaction when they see Isis." I laughed. "Or when we tell them who Mahad and Mana are, and when they see the Thief King."

"I guess seeing me won't be the biggest surprise."

Yugi nodded.

I looked back and saw Bakura; he was hanging near the rear of our little group.

Mana followed my gaze and sighed. "Prince-"

"I can't Mana."

She nodded."I understand you feel betrayed, but he used to be our friend once."

I sighed.

As we exited the airport, I spotted Ishizu and Odion.

"Hello."

They turned to me in surprise.

"Pharaoh?" Ishizu asked.

I nodded.

They both bowed. The rest of the group stood behind me.

"Ishizu, Odion there is no need for that."

They lifted their heads and looked at me, instantly spotting Yugi.

"I see you have your own body." Ishizu stated.

"Yes, but you can imagine that it came with a price."

The silence stretched between us. Yugi looked at me and chuckled.

He stepped forward and greeted them.

Minutes later Marik appeared with a car.

"Holy Gods!" He said when he saw us.

"Good to see you too, Marik." I greeted him sarcastically.

Marik looked at the people around me, they still hadn't noticed Ishizu.

"So who are all these people and where are Wheeler, Taylor, and Gardner?"

I smiled.

"Marik this is Mana, Mahad, and Isis." As I pointed to Isis ,the other three Egyptian's eyes widened.

"What the hell?!"

Isis smiled; I guess that she saw this coming.

"It's nice to meet you all."

Mahad stayed quiet, observing everyone's reaction.

"Why does she look like my sister, Pharaoh?"

"Your bloodline stems from mine, just as Yugi's stems from Atem and Seto's."

Kaiba looked at the woman.

"What?!" Yugi, Mahad, Kaiba, and I exclaimed.

Mana only smiled.

I looked at Mana; I knew that it was impossible.

"Mana?"

She shook her head; a sorrow filled look crossed her eyes.

"No Atem."

I noticed that people were staring at us. I cleared my throat.

"We can discuss this when we get to the hotel, we are drawing a crowd."

Everybody turned to me and nodded.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When we arrived at the hotel, everybody was still silent.

Isis sat down on a chair near the window. She waited for the rest of us to settle down before she began.

"The Tombkeepers originated from my blood line. I suspect that is the reason that the Millennium Necklace was passed down from generation to generation; until it went to you, Ishizu."

The woman in question nodded. I could only imagine what she was thinking seeing Isis.

Marik stared at Isis, anger boiling in his eyes.

"Why did you agree to such a task?" He demanded.

"Brother!" Ishizu scolded him.

Isis stopped her, but frowned at her descendant.

"I understand your anger, but Pharaoh Seto asked this from me. We knew that the tomb had to be protected, if not our Pharaoh's sacrifice would have been in vain."

Isis turned to Mana.

"This happened six lunar cycles after your death. We decided that anybody could enter the Pharaoh's tomb after we were gone and destroy the memory tablet. I volunteered, and so when the underground living quarters were built, my son and I moved there."

"Wait you had a son?"

Isis nodded.

"She gave birth to him 5 lunar cycles after the battle with Zorc."

Mahad's stare hardened, but I could see a smile underneath.

I looked at my old friends and smirked, Mana looked at me and burst out laughing. I followed.

Bakura looked at us and in a hushed tone asked. "What's so funny?"

"We were right!" Mana answered.

"So you condemned your family?!" Marik burst out. "You're the reason that I was branded and lived my life secluded from the rest of the world?!"

Isis shook her head. "No, that wasn't how it was supposed to be."

"What do you mean?!"

"Marik enough," Ishizu hissed. Her brother only ignored her.

"Yes, you were supposed to live with your family until you became of age, then you could decide if you wanted to live your life dedicated to the Keepers or just go. It was to be voluntary."

"But I received the marks at the age of ten!"

Mana shrugged and answered in a calm tone.

"Back in our time, one was of age at ten. Prince took the vows on his tenth summer and I began my apprenticeship a year later."

Mahad groaned. "Please don't remind me. Why I ever agreed I will never understand."

Mana turned to him and stuck out her tongue.

Marik stared at them. He was at a loss. What had changed during his family history that the traditions had been altered. I could see the question shine through his eyes.

Isis stood up and walked over to him.

"I'm sorry you suffered, but you did your ancestors proud by completing their lives' work." Isis turned to Ishizu and nodded. "You as well."

Ishizu went to her brother and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Ms. Isis."

Marik looked up and stared at me.

"So what are you doing back?" He asked.

"It's a long story."

"We've got nothing better to do and as Isis said it is our family's duty to help."

"Marik, you don't owe me anything, this isn't your fight anymore. You have your own life to live now."

Marik shrugged. "Maybe, but you are going to need a guide around Egypt that knows the old myths. Egypt isn't what all of you remember. Plus, I do owe you."

I sighed, he was right.

I looked at Mana, her eyes were half closed.

"Sleep; I'll wake you up when we have to leave."

She nodded and went to her room. Yugi and Ryou followed her, they already knew the story.

Odion turned to Bakura.

"And you are?"

The thief grinned.

"The Thief King at your service." He said with a mocking bow.

The others' stares became hostile.

"C'mon I'll explain everything."

There you have it. Seen you soon and please REVIEW!