Jaid: Okay…this chapter isn't so much plot…just them trying to get used to Ancient Egypt and all…

Jad: There's some new people.

Jaid: Oh, yeah, that's right! Thank you Jad.

Jad: Welcome. ^_____^

Naga: Suck up.

Jad: -__-

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            Yugi sighed to himself as he sat in the royal garden. They had been here for what? Several days now? He couldn't remember. With a bit of shock, Yugi realized he couldn't picture his school anymore. Memories of his mother and grandpa were blurred. Groaning, he put his face in his hands.

            "Are you all right?" a voice said above him. Yugi looked up into brilliant turquoise eyes.

            "Fine." The boy said, then blinked. This guy…he looks like the Dark Magician!

            The young man smiled. "Good. I heard about your fall. Mana told me."

            Yugi nodded dumbly. There was a pause, then Yugi blinked again and invited him to sit down. The man inclined his head and did so.

            "I am having a hunt in a few days." He said. "I thought you might want to join; if your father agrees. Seth will be coming. I would invite Ankhkare, but he doesn't care much for killing."

            "I suppose that's because he's a healer." Yugi said absentmindedly. The man smiled again.

            "I suppose you are right."

            There was the sound of a throat being cleared. They both looked up to a girl that looked like a young version of the Dark Magician Girl. Yugi was seriously doubting his sanity right now.

            The girl bowed, with her head to the ground. "Pardon me, my prince, but Lord Mahado has an urgent message." She said in a soft voice. The man, Mahado, stood and bowed to Yugi.

            "If my prince will excuse me…?"

            "What?" Yugi looked up. "Oh, yes. Of course."

            Mahado smiled and he and the girl left. Yugi watched them go. 'Oh boy…"

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            Mai sighed, twirling her now black hair around her fingers. She glanced at Tara, who was seated next to a window. The girl's blonde hair was tied back; she looked strange without her customary low pigtails. Suddenly, Tara gave a short cry and straightened.

            "What? What is it?"

            "You'll never guess who's coming up the lane thingy." Tara turned to Mai. "Duke!"

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            Seto was in the royal house again; this time with Tristan. They walked down the halls. Seto was in noble Egyptian dress and felt uncomfortable in it. He envied Tristan, who was only required to wear a kilt and a leather chest plate.

            "So Yugi is here?" the taller boy asked quietly.

            "Yes." Seto said in a rather short tone. Tristan pretended not to notice. They walked on in silence.

            Shortly before they reached Yugi's chambers, Seto collided with a person. The girl, who was apparently a servant, gasped and hastily kneeled.

            "Pardon my lord." She said softly. Seto blinked; that voice was familiar.

            "Serenity?" he and Tristan said at the same time. The girl looked up, recognized them, made a face and stood up.

            "Oh, it's just you."

            Seto raised an eyebrow. Serenity giggled and he had to smile. Her laughter was infectious. Tristan grinned and then moved back, apparently to study the painted walls.

            "Are you all right?" was Seto's first question. Serenity nodded.

            "Fine. Tea's my 'mistress', so I'm not ill-treated or anything." The girl said. "You?"

            "Fine." Seto answered. He wanted to reach out and hold her; to make sure she as real; to make sure she would hug him like the old Serenity would. But they were in the middle of the royal house. If someone chanced by and saw a nobleman and soon to be priest embracing a servant girl, it could cause a huge amount of scandal.

            He was startled out of his thoughts by Serenity's tiny hand in his.

            "Meet me by the east palace walls tonight." She whispered, then bowed again and went on her way. Seto forced himself not to look after her, but he did smile.

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            "My lady," a serving woman entered and bowed. Mai nodded regally. Tara giggled behind her hand. Mai was very good at playing 'haughty princess, daughter of the god', she thought.

            "Your betrothed is here." The servant continued. Tara perked up with interest and Mai felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. It was probably not Joey; hadn't Serenity told Tara he was just a charioteer?

            "Send him in." she commanded. The servant left and Mai took a deep breath. Glancing over at Tara again, the girl just dimpled. Mai mentally snorted; just like Tara to be enjoying this.

            "Prince Raneb, erpa-ha, -"

            "Yes, yes, just send him in." Mai told the servant hastily. She wasn't in the mood for titles.

            The servant, looking both startled and scandalized, bowed and opened the door. In walked Prince Raneb. Tara gasped and Mai forced herself not to smirk.

            It was Duke.

            (A/N: Okay, I'll bet you all saw that coming from a mile away…)

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            "There we are." Ankhkare said, finished replacing the bandages on Yugi's head. "You should be able to start leaving those off tomorrow. In time for the hunt."

            Yugi gave a half-hearted smile. Ankhkare noticed, as he put his healer supplies away.

            "My prince is not happy at the prospect of a hunt?" he asked softly.

            "No. I mean yes." Yugi shook his head. Ankhkare looked at him with frankness.

            "My prince?"

            "Nothing."

            There was a short silence. Finally, Ankhkare sighed and closed his healer's satchel. "May I speak to the prince as I would to a close friend?"

            "Uh…sure."

            Ankhkare paused, as if contemplating what to say. "Are you worried about what your father spoke to you about yesterday?"

            "The Puzzle? No." Yugi shook his head. Ankhkare nodded.

            "Then, may I ask if my prince is feeling well?"

            "I guess. Why?" Yugi asked. Again Ankhkare seemed to hesitate.

            "It is just that, the prince has not been himself. I wondered if it has something to do with your fall." The healer's eyes were full of concern. "I merely wanted to know if there was anything I could do."

            Yugi looked down. Part of him wanted to tell Ankhkare, but the other part stopped him. "Nothing is wrong." He finally said.

            Ankhkare nodded, stood and prepared to leave. Before he exited the chambers, he turned back.

            "My prince?"

            Yugi looked up. "Yes?"

            "Be careful." Ankhkare said. "I have a feeling that your fall was not an accident."

            "What?" Yugi stood, but the healer had left. Yugi sat back down. 'Great. Is someone trying to kill me?'

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            Mai, Tara, and Duke just stared at one another. Mai glanced side long at Tara and noticed with some satisfaction that the girl was no longer smirking. She looked back at Duke, who quickly recovered himself and smiled.

            "Well," he said, in Japanese. "I have to admit; I'm glad it's you and not some stranger."

            "Just don't let Joey hear you say that." Mai grinned and answered in the same language. Duke chuckled than turned to Tara.

            "Yoshi, babe?" he asked quietly. Tara nodded.

            "Aa. It's not that strenuous being a maid."

            "Good."

            "My lady?" another servant entered. "There is a message for you from the apprentice priest, Seth."

            "Let me see." Mai said, switching to Ancient Egyptian without a second thought.           

            "Um, he says that if you will grant him an audience this afternoon, he would be most gratified." The servant said, sounding confused. Mai flushed slightly.

            'Of course it wouldn't be a written message.' She chided herself.

            "Tell him I will." Mai nodded. The servant bowed her head and then got up and left.

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            Mahado sighed and tossed down the papyrus sheet. Mana looked at him anxiously.

            "What is wrong?"

            "Nothing. Just that Pharaoh, the living god, wishes my and several other priest's presence tomorrow morning. I'll have to delay the hunt."

            Mana said nothing, but moved forward to roll up the sheets Mahado had been looking at.

            "Just leave them, Mana."

            "My lord?"

            He turned to her with a smile. "If you start straightening up, I'll never find anything."

            Mana frowned. "It would do you good to clean up once in a while."

            Mahado smiled. Mana was a slave from Greece. He had seen her in the marketplace several years ago and had felt drawn to the look of defiant suffering in her deep green eyes. Since then, he had found her to be loyal, but headstrong and rather blunt. Still, he preferred it that way. It was refreshing after the intrigue at court.

            "Were you able to visit your sister?"

            "No, lord."

            "Tomorrow perhaps. She serves the Princess Ipwet, does she not?"

            "Yes."

            Mahado nodded, sitting in his chair. "Go on, Mana. Get some sleep."

            Mana went to the door way, but hesitated and looked at him.

            "I'll go to bed soon. It's no use for you to hover over me." Mahado smiled.

            "I do not hover." Mana stated in an offended tone, flipping her blonde braid over a shoulder and then leaving. Mahado shook his head, still smiling.

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            Ryou tapped his foot on the deck of Rei's family boat with a nervous energy. Rei's 'father', Sennefer, was holding a celebration in honor of his eldest son's betrothal. Ryou glanced over where Rei stood with the other young woman. Dressed in white linen and gold, jeweled ornaments, Ryou couldn't help but think her beautiful. Like back home, she stood apart from the other girls; he thought she looked rather cool and elegant. In reality, she felt horribly out of place and lonely. Looking up, she glanced at Ryou. The open admiration in his eyes made her blink and then Ryou ducked his head; blushing because he realized he had been staring. Rei smiled, and walked towards him.

            "Ossu."

            Ryou looked up, a blush still staining his dark cheeks. "Hello."

            "Kinda boring, isn't it?" she commented, grabbing a stool and setting next to his.

            "I suppose." Ryou answered. Rei shook back the braided and beaded strands of her black hair.

            "Do you know they wanted me to wear a wig?" she made a face. Ryou smiled.

            "There you go." Rei smiled back. "I was afraid I was going to have to force you to smile tonight." She frowned. "Daijoubou ka?"

            "Iie, I just…" Ryou's smile faded. "I'm just worried."

            "Yeah…" Rei agreed. "It is a little scary right now."

            Ryou looked at her. Even sitting, he was still a little taller than she. "Did you know you look very pretty tonight?"

            Rei raised an eyebrow. "Was that a compliment?"

            "If you like."

            "Well, arigato." Rei said, then glanced over to her right. "I should go back to the other girls; silly lot thought they are. My father's giving you glares."

            "Wait." Ryou said softly. "I really do need to talk to you again. They've been keeping us out of each other's way. I've scarcely seen you."

            "We could always meet in the granary shed." She commented wryly.

            "Rei…"

            "I know." She bit her lip. "I guess-"

            "Bener."

            They both looked up to see Rei's older brother, Reia, standing there.

            "Mother calls for you, Bener." He said, then lowered his voice. "If you want to know, nobody goes near the family shrines at night." Then he walked away. The other two stared at each other.

            "Did he just give us a tip?" Rei asked.

            "Sounded like it. You'd better go." Ryou said.

            "Right." Rei said and squeezed his hand. "Tonight."

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            Mai was standing in her receiving room, when Seth was announced and shown in. Behind him trailed Joey. As soon as the servants left, Mai ran and hugged the second boy.

            "I'm so glad to see you." She said.

            "Me too." Joey told her, returning the hug. Seto walked over to where Tara stood by the window and engaged her in conversation.

            "I think I like you better as a blonde." Joey said, then smiled crookedly as he fingered some of her black hair. "But I could get used to this."

            "Oh Joseph." Mai sighed, with a slight note of despair.

            "What?" he blinked. "I said I could get used to it."

            Mai shook her head and smiled. "You're still an idiot." She said, leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder. "But at least you didn't change. I'm so glad. But black is definitely not your color, hon."

            Joey laughed aloud. "Yeah, us natural blondes should stay that way, ne?"

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            That night, aided by a lamp, Ryou headed for Rei's family shrines. He paused as the desert wind blowed through, causing a mournful sound. Shivering slightly at the shivers that ran up his back, he began to realize why Ancient Egyptians were loath to go out at night.

            Entering the small, mud-brick building, he saw Rei all ready sitting. She was staring at the altar which held two statues.

            "They're my grandparents." She said as he sat, then looked at him. "So…"

            "Exactly."

            They both laughed.

            "What if we can't get back home?" Ryou whispered.

            "I don't know." Rei drew up her knees and hugged her legs. "You're scared, aren't you?"

            Ryou sighed. "Remember the Ring?"

            "Aa."

            "Remember…remember my other side?"

            "How could I forget?"

            Ryou bit his tongue. "I have a lot to explain." He sighed, then told her about Bakura, how he had gotten him, how much he knew and what Bakura had told him about an old love named Bener.

            "That's why I'm frightened." Ryou said. "Your tousan could be planning this as we speak." He reached out to touch her arm. "I don't want to lose you."

            Rei leaned back, biting the inside of her cheek. "Then do what Bakura couldn't. If my father brings it up and it looks inevitable, we run."

            Ryou looked at her, a little unsure. But then he remembered the pain in Bakura's voice and eyes. Looking at Rei, he nodded.

            "Agreed."

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            "Serenity?" Seto's voice was quiet. The girl jumped and turned.

            "Wow, you're quiet." She said, standing. Seto smiled wryly.

            "I'm used to sneaking around." He said, then stepped forward and gave her a tight hug. Serenity gasped a little.

            "What?" Seto released her.

            "Nothing, I just didn't expect you-"

            "You're bruised."

            There was a silence.

            "My…boss? Whatever she is; she kinda has a bad temper. I'm thinking that the former Mutemwia wasn't exactly a model servant and me being compliant and fast has made her suspicious."

            Seto's face looked like it was made of stone. "So she hits you?"

            "Um…no, she throws things occasionally, but I'm pretty good at ducking."

            Seto swallowed, so angry that he could barely see straight. "Why don't you tell Tea?"

            "Tell her what? Seto, really, it's not like that all the time. Calm down." Serenity pulled on his arm. "Look, you just caught me on a bad day. It's nothing worse than when I fell down on the basketball court or when I tripped on Joey's sneakers and fell down the stairs, okay?" She narrowed her eyes. "Are you listening to me?"

            "I don't like it that she hits you; no matter who she is. Yurusenai!"

            Serenity smiled. "You're so sweet. But really, Tea is keeping me with her more, so I'm safer that way, see? If you want, talk to Yugi about it. But I don't know what he could do. After all, I'm just a maid. They won't care."

            Seto swallowed and closed his eyes. Serenity had hit the truth on the head, like she always did. Mutemwia was a maid, a servant. She was right, nobody would care. He sat down. Serenity sat down next to him.

            "Sumanu." She said quietly.

            "For what?"

            "…You're angry now. I didn't want that."

            Seto sighed and put an arm around her. "It's not your fault. Don't apologize."

            Serenity leaned into him and there was silence for a while.

            "The stars are so pretty." She whispered. "You never see them like this in Domino."

            "Not half as pretty as you." Seto murmured, half without thinking. Serenity giggled.

            "That's a nice speech. Did you practice?" she teased. Seto shook his head, just staring at her eyes which sparkled. There was more silence. A few minutes later, Seto realized that she was asleep. He leaned to rest his cheek on her head and smiled.

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Egyptian/Arabic:

erpa-ha – Hereditary title in Ancient Egypt.

Jap. :

Yoshi – okay

Aa – Yes (very informal); more like Yeah, I guess.

Ossu – Hi (informal)

Daijoubou ka? – Are you all right/Is something wrong?

Iie – No

Arigato – Thank you

Ne – Like Eh? I've decided that it can be used anywhere in a sentence but is most commonly used at the end.

Tousan – More informal version of "father"

Yurusenai – "I won't allow it!"

Sumanu – I'm sorry

Names:

Yugi – Yami

Tea - Tefnut

Duke – Raneb

Tara – Mara

Mai – Ipwet

Seto – Seth

Serenity – Mutemwia

Joey – Tanefer

Tristan – Ramose

Ryou – Bakura

Rei - Bener

Character List:

Ankhkare – Healer in the court.

Mahado – Priest; friend of Yugi

Mana – Mahado's servant

Reia – Bener's older brother

Sennefer – Bener's father

A/N:

Geez, are these things long or what? O.O Sorry about no e-mails last time; computer trouble.

Black Mistress – Er…sorry, didn't mean to freak you out…I just felt like being mean to Isis. Lol, j/k, there is a reason behind all this. (Hm, so that's how you get Yami to hold you; freak him out first, lol)

Indigo – Yeah. Q has white hair like Pegasus. But he's not related. I was going to put Pegasus in here, but I can't seem to fit him in. Maybe later…? O.O Okay! No killing!

Dragon Spirits – O.O okay. She will get better! I promise! Lol, I'd kinda like a title like "Sticker Guy." It's a cool title!

Amberliz – Oh good. I thought it was just me…O.O I think my face is permanently getting stuck like that. Yes! God bless our teacher for giving us second chances!!

Dr. Vorlon – Thank you! Sorry for not reviewing yet; the site is being iffy. :-P

Anime*Angel*Fox – Hi! Oh, it's okay. Sometimes I have problems with that too.

Queen of Games – O.O Plz don't kill me!! Isis is not going to die, okay? She won't! (lol, don't worry, I do that too…)

B-chan – Oh hello. Erm, Duke is in here. I haven't had a chance to introduce Katya, but be assured she is in here! Okay, I will try to see them when I get time.

Fire Pendant – I know. I love to torture poor Shadi so. That's probably why he doesn't come over anymore…yes, he still loves chocolate. ^__^