Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, that right belongs to Kazuki Takahashi. I do own the crazy idea that I am putting the character through.

Author's Note: The first part of this story, the past, will be moving a bit faster due to the plot line. And characters (canon) will at times be out of character. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

Nenet stood by her Pharaoh and let the chatter filter in as she tried to keep an eye on her errant daughter. It amazed her how quickly a year has come and gone. And it was becoming harder to keep the secret about her daughter already having her seers power. A part of her was not pleased that it was harming her daughter physically. But such was the way of their people. A price had to be paid for the gift the Gods had given them to serve the Pharaoh.

Tonight was a big night for the Prince was having his twelfth birthday and her daughter her sixth. It would be the last time they'd seen each other for seven years as her daughter was sent away to train to control and use her power at will. Having gone through that training herself, Nenet, knew that her daughter would be in some serious hell for the next six years. And in that time, the young Prince would begin his training to take over the throne for his father as was the order of such things.

Sighing, Nenet stiffened as she heard the rustle of the ornamental jewelry on the Pharaoh softly clink. It was time. She had been told already, but she knew her daughter well enough as silence descended upon the throne room. An auspicious night with the birthday of the Prince, her daughter, and the announcement of who the Pharaoh was pledging her hand in marriage to. Rising to stand, Nenet took in a breath and held it as the call for Prince Atem and her daughter to come before the Pharaoh.

He was not happy. Tonight was of great significance and would change the way things were to happen. But most of all, he had been told, along with his errant companion's mother, who her intended was to be. Atem was okay with the choice, except for one detail, and he couldn't change it. His father's word was law, and this was going to happen.

"Atem, my son, today you are twelve. A man almost grown and you will begin your journey to train and gain the wisdom of our predecessors to rule our people justly and fairly," his father intoned across the quiet room. "And you, daughter of Nenet, tonight you turn six. At the break of dawn, you will leave, as all your people do, to train for seven years. When you return, you will be pledged by right to my son as his seer."

Atem glanced at the petite girl by him, quickly noting after a year, the tension radiating from her body. It was amazing that she hadn't spoken out like she always did with his father. No, she was staying silent, which was scary, considering how she was on an average day.

"Nenet's daughter, I have finally decided on who will be your husband," his father stated. "The man who will help you carry on your family's lineage for the next generation."

The moment the words left his father's lips, Atem felt his head dip as he looked away from her. She was still nameless by the decree of his father.

"After much consideration after observing you this last year, daughter of Nenet," His father said, clearly amused. "That the right man for you is none other than Priest in Training. His temperament will be a good balance for your fiery nature that balances out my son, Atem's."

Atem watched as his father lifted a hand and waved for both his companion and Seto to come forward. He liked Seto, and he was only two years older than himself. But an eight-year age gap was concerning. And all he could do was watch as they stood before his father, who grasped their left hands and placed them together, giving a small speech about how he hoped that their bond would be strong and produce many healthy children.

Then it was done, and the two bowed as Atem watched and made their way towards the floor together. He knew they'd have to greet those of the royal court as a promised couple. That they'd have to be seen together for a while before either could go about their business. And it was easy to see that neither was happy with the choice though they accepted what their Pharaoh had decreed.

She was seething internally as she stood just outside of the Throne room, hoping the cold night breeze would cool her temper. It wasn't that she hadn't prepared for that announcement, no she had been expecting for weeks now. The last year with Atem had been a fun-filled learning experience. Each day a new adventure or crime depending on who was asked. Their friendship would serve them well, her mother said.

"So, this is where you are hiding?"

At the innocuous question, she turned and looked at the object of her thoughts. A smile curling her lips as she shrugged and turned back to look out at the desert as the night sky shone like a thousand jewels. Over the last year, they'd learn to communicate without words, which helped a lot.

"Your upset, I understand," Atem said softly. "I was told when your mother was. When asked my opinion, I told my father that I didn't think it would be a good match due to the age difference."

She stilled before sighing softly. What she wanted to say, or instead scream, would not be appropriate. The heart was a strange thing she had come to find out. It could be swayed so easily from wanting one thing to another. And her few interactions with Seto, who had become a Priest at fifteen, was impressive, had left her furious. Something about the man and the way his cold blue eyes seemed to stare at her dispassionately. Almost as if she was a problem.

"It is fine, my Prince," she said. "It was your father's choice, and I have no right to refuse. Besides, age won't matter once I am fertile to have children. If I, due to my duty to him as my husband and you, then there shouldn't be a riff at all."

She was aware that each word that passed her lips was spoken in a dispassionate tone. In reality, Seto wasn't her problem. And she couldn't talk about what was. Nope, because it dealt with her name, purpose, power, and her birth father. It was annoying being nothing more than a tool that could be discarded once it was no longer useful.

"Hey, sunshine," Atem spoke, using the nickname he came up with for her. "Let's not think about it. We have a few hours before we will retire and then seven years without seeing each other. Let's do something worth remembering."

Turning, she looked up at Atem, saw the way his amethyst eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and laughed. Giving a shake of her head, she waved at him to lead the way to whatever he was planning.

"I think I would like to have a dance before we slip away," Atem said. "I mean, I want to see if the lessons I know you were taking paid off, or you are still a klutz."

Narrowing her eyes and hissing, she held out her hand as the next song started to play. It was a simple song, easy to move to as her hand was taken, and Atem began to lead her through the dance. Her heart was hurting, knowing she was going to leave her only friend behind and decided to speak what she was allowed.

"I am scared, Atem," she whispered. "That is the seven years we are apart that you will change and forget me, our friendship. That I will be nothing more than my mother is to your father."

The way his hand gripped hers tighter as he twirled her hurt.

"You are not the only one, Sunshine," Atem whispered back. "You are precious to me; there is no way I can forget you. I mean, how many girls would dark humiliate me before the court on their introduction day? Or shove me into the fountain, call me an idiot, or go on these adventures outside the palace to the river? None. I promise I won't forget you or see you as nothing more than an object I own."

His words touched her heart, and a tear slides unseen from her eyes. It made her happy that he wouldn't forget her.

Unbeknownst to the two dancing in the faint light of the moon, a person had heard and seen everything that had transpired between them. A frown was marring their face as they turned to leave as the duo slipped off into the night to play in the Nile River.

It had been a shock to hear what was announced. Even more so what the girl had said. Though they found it intriguing to listen to the Prince call her by a nickname. Something they were sure no one was aware of since the Pharaoh had decreed that she was to remain nameless until she came back from her training. Seven years from now, she would return a young woman, a seer, and to be a wife with the power of whichever God had blessed her with the seer's gift.

Seeing people give them a curious stare, they put a small smile on and weaved their way through the crowd. They'd keep it a secret what was seen and heard, for there was no mistaking the emotion that was used in the promise made. Well, except for the person the promise was made to, they were young and ignorant of those emotions. But their cold assessment of what their role was accurate and harsh. How a six-year-old could be more mature than most of the adults they were around was abnormal.

TBC!