V.E.: Hello my fair readers! College is certainly a change of pace. Monday is outright hell! I have to dash to a class a good distance away from my math class in ten minutes. Better get started on my sprints then.

I'm sorry for this story since I've just been struggling with it. Yes I know how I want the final battle to go and how it ends, but the middle part is giving me a little trouble. Plus there's the fact I haven't really done as much romance between Atem and Mana. I guess I've been focusing on the mummy thing too much.

Disclaimer: If I had the money that came from Yugioh or The Mummy, my parents could retire the Midwest and live comfortably for the rest of their lives (depending on budgeting).

Atem had no idea that Mana snored quietly while she slept(actually it was kind of cute). Still, she was like a log in the new hotel that everyone was spending the night for. On arriving in Luxor with their summoned Duel Monsters, Mana, Yugi, Marik, and Rebecca had managed to crash. Seeing that it was a bad idea to continue with fuel burning, Ishizu and Odion and gotten a room with Professor Hawkins and Atem's grandfather.

He had come up earlier to check on the siblings and return Mana's sketchbook and had been greeted to the sight of Mana still out on the bed and Mahad simply reviewing his notes.

He gestured his thumb towards her, asking Mahad.

"Is she always like this?"

Mahad nodded without looking up from his notes.

"Yeah, Mana's the type that it takes a while to fell asleep, but once she's out, she's out."

Atem looked at her with pretend loss.

"Oh too bad, I was hoping she'd be like you who can fall asleep anywhere and not move like the dead."

Mahad looked up from his notes with a faint blush and great annoyance.

"For the record, I still haven't forgiven you and Joey for that incident with the shaving cream."

Aem offered a weak smile.

"If it helps, it was Joey's idea."

"Not really."

Atem sighed, holding up the sketchbook.

"Listen, I just came to give this back to Mana."

Mahad looked at his sister's book in interest, standing up and crossing over to look at it. He carefully took it out to examine the pictures, flipping a page at a time.

"This is….really…..good….."

Atem looked at this old friend cautiously.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be reading that?"

Mahad looked at him blankly.

"Why, what's the problem?"

"Aren't you the one who kept saying that Mana was touchy about that book? It seems like her diary. If she caught you reading it…."

It seems like the point caught on to Mahad as he dropped the book like it was on fire. He suppressed an involuntary shiver.

Atem rolled his eyes as he picked up the sketchbook and simply placed it next to Mana on her bed.

"So what are you up studying so late anyway?"

Mahad sighed tiredly.

"Just the copies of the translations from the Tomb Keepers' documents I made earlier. I can't really turn my brain off right now."

Atem nodded in understanding.

"Sounds like me and Yugi before a match. Never really could get the nerve thing down…."

Mahad shook his head in fond annoyance.

"Anything else you need?"

Atem thought for a moment before coming up with an 'Ah ha!' face.

"Oh yeah. Ishizu said she wanted to see you. Something about what happened with you and the Millennium Ring the other day."

Mahad sighed.

"She could just come up and talk to me herself."

Atem shrugged then got a rather wicked smirk.

"I guess she could have. Speaking of which, what exactly happened between you and the boat over to the dig site?"

The brunette archaeologist blushed maroon and resolutely peered down at his notes.

"Don't you have a younger brother to go tease?"

Atem nodded in acknowledgement, then went back to staring down the blushing man.

"I do and I will later, however getting off topic isn't really going to help you right now."

Mahad put down his notes and sighed, giving up.

"Let's just say, it was a big misunderstanding."

"Like when I met Mana the first time?"

Mahad nodded, getting up after answering.

"A lot like that. Well, I better go see what she has to say I suppose. Are you going to leave so I can lock the door?"

Atem shook his head at that.

"Oh no, I'd like to stay here until she wakes up. You know, to talk to."

Mahad didn't seem like he believed that, as evidenced by his set on stare at the nervous teen and drawn out sentence.

"I see."

Atem repressed a gulp. Somehow he got a very bad feeling that Mahad was aware of the duelist's not so tiny crush on his sister.

Finally, Mahad's intensive stare relented and he turned his body toward the door.

"Fine, I'll leave the door unlocked. But just so you know if you do something stupid, it's not my wrath you need to be concerned about."

With that, the door was closed with a rather large 'BANG!', causing Atem to cringe.

Yep, I'm gonna need to be really careful around him in the future.

Now that that was over with, he turned his attention to the lovely lady sleeping on the bed. Or appeared to be.

"You know, you need to learn to fake sleep better."

One of Mana's eyes opened tentatively who then groaned and sat up, dusting herself off.

"For the record, I was sleeping until you came in."

Atem shot her a rather wry look.

"I noticed it when your snores changed."

Mana's face blushed.

"Don't say something like that! People….would get the wrong idea."

An awkward silence reigned for a couple of moments, before Mana cleared her throat and gained the spiky haired duelist's attentions.

"Thanks for returning my book and making sure Mahad didn't look at it."

Atem gave a small smile.

"No problem, but why didn't you want him to look at it if you let me look at it?"

Mana resolutely looked away.

"The drawings are really…..personal. At least to me. And….I trust you."

Atem's eyes softened as he sat beside the girl on her bed, Mana pulling her legs towards herself and crossing her arms in front of them.

"Nice to know."

MAna pretended to have a thoughtful look then.

"Of course, that could just be motivated by my past life's memories of you."

Atem's eyes gained a spark of amusement.

"Why you…."

He launched himself onto her, tickling every place he could reach. Mana's laughter immediately came out as he kept at it.

"Stop it! STOP IT!"

"Not going to happen!"

So the tickling continued until Atem finally relented, the both of them laughing with all they had in them left. Then they immediately froze when they realized the position they were in.

Atem was currently on top of Mana, straddling her in a way that if an innocent bystander walked in (or an angry brother if what goes around comes around in payment for what happened on the boat), it looked like the two teen were about to start making out.

Suddenly, Atem's mind flashed back to their first meeting and not so smooth start. He immediately got off of her, wanting to back away at an alarming rate.

But before he could really do that, he was stopped as she grabbed his wrist. His royal purple eyes looked at her confusion, much similar to how her eyes were looking.

They stood in that position for a while, before Atem nudged closer back to where Mana was sitting.

Eventually, Mana was the one to break the ice.

"So what'd you want to talk about?"

Atem's hand went and ruffled the back of his head, intertwining with the crazy hair.

"Actually, I wanted to ask about that DiaDhank you found in…the pharaoh's coffin."

Mana nodded in understanding as she crawled over to a far side of the bed, to crouch over and get her bag.

Atem looked for a moment before resolutely returning to his former position. Let's just say, Mana's nightgown gave an interesting view.

"I know it was in here somewhere…..AH HA!"

Mana eventually pulled up, the golden looking bracelet.

"Here it is! Funny to think that this used to be some ancient Duel Disk."

Atem took it from her hand, trying very hard not to touch her hand too much. He examined the thing as he tried to put in on.

"How does this work, I wonder? Do I just think the monster or….?"

Mana chuckled as she was faintly amused by Atem's actions.

"I'd say you need to first learn how to put that thing on. Here, let me do it."

Atem stopped trying at that as she reached for the golden band and held Atem's left arm still. Gently, she coaxed the thing through and settled it around the teen's left wrist. Immediately as it was in place, the oval shaped attachment fanned out, resembling a small golden wing.

She looked at it questioningly.

"Is it supposed to do that?"

Atem nodded curtly.

"I'm pretty sure."

At that, Atem's face lit up in remembrance, his hand going to his pocket in his black jeans.

"Oh yeah, I got something for you."

Mana shook her head as she was slightly embarrassed.

"Oh no, you don't need to give me anything. After all, the thing is yours and…"

She immediately stopped as his hand was offering a simple golden necklace, with a circular ruby in the middle.

Atem smirked at her astonished reaction.

"And this is technically yours."

Her hand reached out to touch the ruby before she stopped herself.

"But….it's….but…."

Atem laughed at that.

"Are you going to keep babbling, or are you going to let me help you put this thing on?"

Emerald eyes were as hard as diamond as she glared at him.

"I'm not babbling!"

He simply laughed more.

"Here, let me do it."

At those words, the hands of a duelist picked up the necklace to display it air and he moved himself to Mana's back. He slowly brought the necklace nearer to Mana's neck, moving her brown hair off to one side. He made sure the clasp was tight.

Mana's arms went to the necklace, cool to the touch but elicited something warm within her.

Then the warmth went up as she felt strong arms wrap around her, holding her close to a firm chest. Her head turned to have both her and his nose meet, the eyes kept staring at each other.

It seemed like Atem was about to pull away again, but Mana's body moved again without the guidance of the brain. She leaned a little away from him, but clasped their hands together looking up at him directly.

Silence was around for a couple of moments before Atem cleared his throat.

"It….uh…looks good on you."

Mana nodded keeping her response direct.

"Thanks."

Atem spoke then, his voice nervous.

"So, any more dreams?"

Mana shook her head, glad to be getting back to a relatively safe topic of conversation (if it was steered in the right direction).

"Not tonight. But you know, I can't get the feeling there's something missing here."

Atem shot her questioning look at that, to which Mana answered.

"I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like I'm overlooking something. Something really important."

Atem considere that for a couple of moments finally answering.

"Well if you didn't see something, it's a good idea and go back and check. You'll often find something you missed the first time."

Mana shot the teen a wry look.

"Do these wise words of wisdom come from homework or dueling strategies?"

Atem shrugged sheepishly.

"Eh, a little of both really."

Mana smiled as she reached for the sketchbook and brought it near her heart.

"Well, I guess I better take that advice considering that I'm not going to get any more sleep now."

Atem stood up as if to go before stopping.

"I'll leave you to it then. Before I go…..can I do something really crazy?"

Mana met him with a skeptical gaze.

"Something crazy?"

Atem shrugged nervously.

"Just promise not to slap me afterwards, please?"

Mana rolled her eyes, her curiosity overruling her concern.

"Alright, alright, I promise. Now what is this crazy….?"

She didn't have time to finish her sentence as Atem swooped in and kissed her.

At first she was still with complete surprise, but a few seconds in she relaxed as Atem's sharp hands massaged her neck and scalp. Little by little, she felt her body relax with it, a familiar touch and sensation. It was sweet and deliberate though it was trying to keep itself from getting passionate, though Mana's thoughts were starting to lean towards not minding that direction.

As soon as it started though, it stopped as Atem removed himself from her and walked towards the door silently. Without looking back, he went through the door and closed it gently.

Leaving a very confused and very red Mana clutching her sketchbook in his wake.

Seto Kaiba was not the type to fall asleep easily.

His mind just wasn't oriented that way. If there was something pressing that needed to be done, he would work himself half to death until it was done exactly the way he wanted it. Such behavior worried Mokuba, but it was the way his brother was. It didn't stop him from trying to get his older brother to relax though.

Working was a way to keep awake, away from the memories of the past where he would often wander while his subconscious' defense levels were lowered at the body at sleep.

Unfortunately, there wasn't any work he could do in Egypt so now when dreams were bothering him, he was resigned to standing in the middle of the hallway with no real purpose of looking so deep in thought.

His mind bristled with anger. Magic was not real, nor was Duel Monsters or past lives or mummies that came back from the dead. He hated his subconscious for even giving a little to those theories. Kaiba was a man who liked being in control and he despised the fact that there was none over his dreams.

But what kept him up most wondering about it, was her.

Ever before he had gotten his first Blue Eyes, the pristine white dragon had haunted his dreams. So beautiful, so powerful. But it wasn't until he met the Muto twins that the dragon began to take the shape of a woman.

The scenes from the nightmare flashed through his mind.

White lightning…..a chilling laugh…her beautiful glowing body taking the hit for him…the hot tears he shed over her body as she breathed her last…the tablet that housed the dragon spirit….

He shook his head resolutely, as if it could easily dispel the images out of his head. Still, the grimace on his face remained as he found the images would not go away.

A rather unexpected voice interrupted these thoughts.

"You look like Siegfried Von Schroeder just took over your company."

Seto's eyes opened to find Mahad right near him in the hallway. Unlike the rest of their companions who decided to turn in, both of them were still wearing their day clothes. Seto didn't usually wear night clothes and from what he knew of Kurozaki, he was just as inclined to work as late as Seto was.

He went back into a grimace and grunted at the thought of sharing something in common with Mahad.

"Don't even joke about that."

Mahad's gaze turned rather sarcastic.

"Funny, since you'd normally consider this stuff as a big joke."

That irked Kaiba who didn't bother to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Don't get any ideas Kurozaki! This is completely bonkers!"

Mahad's eyebrow lifted questioningly.

"Oh yeah, then how come you're still here?"

Kaiba opened his mouth to get an angry reply…..to promptly close it. It irked him even more that he knew Mahad (really irked him to admit it) was right. Why was he there?

Seeing his face, Mahad decided to intrude on his thoughts.

"Kaiba, my father once told me that 'People who often study the past are often trying to find something about themselves'."

Now it was Kaiba's turn for the eyebrow to go up.

"Your point?"

Mahad shrugged at that.

"That perhaps you stay because you're trying to find something. I don't know, only you can say what that is. It's just a feeling."

Kaiba turned his head to the side.

Mahad sighed and walked away.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a very attractive and very annoying woman to see about the Millennium Ring."

As the brunette archaeologist's footsteps died going down the hall, Kaiba looked up with his usual look.

Looking for something about myself? Ridiculous. I already know who I am. Seto Kaiba, president of Kaiba Corp. That's all, my present and the past is nothing to me. There's nothing else.

Then why did he feel like there was a still small voice in the back of his mind saying that that wasn't true?

V.E.: Yes I know it is a shorter chapter, but give me a break. It's mostly fluff I guess, but it will do. We get to Obelisk and Aknadin's return next chapter.

And now, a word from a good authoress Aqua girl 007!

On a very serious note, a part of the SOPA bill, the stupid document that tried to take away our freedoms on the internet which the American government tried to pass a few years ago, is trying to be passed again. And this time around, if this bill gets passed, if a particular stream contains ANY copyrighted material in the broadest of terms the uploader and creator of the content could be found guilty and put in prison for years on felony charges. Also, anyone who streams a video with 'copyrighted' content, whether it be on YouTube, a walkthrough for a video game, or a kid singing a song could be faced with charges as well. Yeah, you heard me right - anyone who posts lets plays, amvs, fandubs, reviews which have movie clips in it, fan art, fan made movies or fan fictions online could possibly be cell mates with serial killers and rapists. That is one of the highest form of criminal offensives for something as simple as uploading a video game walkthrough on YouTube, playing a song with lyrics of your favorite artist, putting a review with movie clips in it, making a fan made movie or amv, and even this site.

This doesn't just effects people in the States, but world wide. People on this site or post fan made content on other sites, especially in the States, could end up with major charges, possibly being put in maximum security prison long side serial killers and rapists. And I can guarantee you guys, if this gets passed, this site will be taken down for good and your hard work will be gone forever. After all, this is an American site.

This bill is taking away human rights and freedoms - that is wrong in my eyes. I don't know about you guys, but I want to do something about it and help put an end to this before it begins.

We, even those not living in America or not an legal adults, are not as powerless as we might think. We stopped SOPA before and we must do it again. If you want to stop this bill from being passed, please spread the word by posting an similar A/N in the next chapter of your own story; making a video with information about this on YouTube with a link to the petition; or even post messages about it on sites like Twitter, 4chan, Tumbler, Facebook and any other social media sites you can think of, informing people of this bill. You can even do your part by simply informing your friends and family members about this. Anyone can do these actions no matter what nation you live in or what age you are.

For those readers living in America, especially those who are legal adults, please for the love of God, sign the official petition stopping this bill online because you guys are the ones who could truly put an end to this madness easier then the rest of us living in other countries. If you ask me through a PM or even a comment, I can give a link to the official petition which any of my legal age, American readers can sign.

This bill is trying to be passed quietly and we can stop them in their tracks by simply letting as many people know about this as we possible can. I know we stopped this bill once before, but if we all have the "well, it won't get passed anyway since it did not last time" attitude and do nothing about it, informing no one about this, this bill will get passed. for sure. Do not sit idle by and let this bill happen, let people know about this and do your part! We can all take part and make a difference if we put up a fight for our rights!

Along with taking in the in the statement above, please review!