Jaid: Hello all! Here's chapter six. Er…Next update is a little uncertain since I've gotten behind and Chapter 7 is barely two pages long. *sigh* But don't worry! I'm sure it'll be ready in time! ^__^

Naga and Jad: *exchange knowing looks*

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A/N: There's a little bit of grossness in this chapter, towards the end. Just to warn you…

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            Shadi came home the next morning, looking pale and drained. In his hands was the Millennium Tauk. He placed it on the table and leaned against it as Scales, Ankh, and Yami stared at him, none of them sure what to say. Finally, Ankh stepped forward tentatively.

            "Is she…?" he faltered.

            "She's been poisoned." Shadi continued to look at the table top. "They don't know how or by who." Muttering a curse, the man sank to a seat. None of the spirits said a thing. Yami set his jaw. He felt like he was in a trap and the walls were closing in faster and faster. The worse part was he couldn't see any way to stop it. Shadi felt the same way and Ankh was beginning too. The healer looked at Scales. The other spirit was just looking at the ground, scowling. He hadn't said anything for days and seemed determined not too. Why, Ankh wasn't sure.

            "What do you think's going to happen?" he asked quietly. Scales glanced at him and snorted.

            "How should I know, grass face?" he growled.

            "You've all ready used that one." Ankh said softly.

            "What?"

            "Grass face. You called me that, let's see, two weeks ago."

            Scales blinked. "You've been keeping count?"

            "I was bored."

            Scales just stared. "You're all insane." He muttered, then left. Ankh looked back at Yami and Shadi, both lost in their own thoughts and felt helplessness starting to creep up on him. Shaking his head, he drove it back. 'It's no good to feel that way; we have to keep hoping. If we don't; then we've all ready lost.'

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            Malik and Bakura stared at one another silently. Qenamun had left them in the ancient shrine, promising to be back. Hours had passed and the Tomb Robber and the holder of the Rod had said nothing. Bakura's eyes strayed to the Rod and Malik's hand tightened over it unconsciously. Without knowing, a predatory smile had crept onto his face again.

            "So, you are the Holder of the Ring." He said. "I had heard that a Tomb Robber's spirit inhabited it, ever since he claimed it from Pharaoh's priest."

            Bakura's eyes narrowed. To tell the truth, he had few memories. But a priest? That sounded right…

            "If you have something to say that has a point," he bit out. "Then say it and do not waste both of our times with useless words."

            Malik's smile deepened. He liked this person. Well, maybe like would be too strong a word…

            "How do you know about Qenamun?" he asked.

            "I know nothing. I merely came here because I knew another Millennium Item was in the vicinity." Bakura stated and his gaze strayed to the Rod again.

            "I see. Then perhaps we can make a sort of pact?"

            Bakura's eyes tore themselves away from the gold in Malik's hand and studied his face. "What do you mean?"

            "I know nothing of Qenamun either." Malik said. "But he is obviously dangerous. Perhaps, if we could make an alliance that was unknown to him…?"

            "You're suggesting team up against him?"

            Malik shrugged. "He would have nothing to fear, unless he turned against us."

            Bakura smiled. "All right. But how do I know you won't turn against me?"

            "Qenanum promised me Pharaoh's life. He has offered you nothing. What say you that after I get what I want, I had over the Rod and any other Millennium Items I have over to you, freely?"

            Bakura blinked, the smile gone and suspicion rising up strong. Malik noticed the change of expression.

            "It is only if Qenamun betrays us. If you help me get Pharoah, I'll help you get the Items. I have the Rod and you have the Ring. If we kill Pharaoh and his vessel, then we will have the Puzzle. I know how to get the Tauk. You should be able to figure out how to get the Ankh and Scales after that." Malik said.

            "A magnanimous offer." Bakura stated. "I'll think about it."

            "Please do." Malik said, his smile growing colder.

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            Mokuba was seated on the ground, frowning. Beside him, Rebecca played happily with her bear.

            "Ne, Becca?" the boy said.

            "What?"

            "Is something weird here?" he asked, looking up. Rebecca blinked.

            "What are you talking about?"

            "Your grandpa and Mr. Bakura. I mean…" Mokuba struggled for a minute. "They're acting strangely."

            Rebecca looked down. "What do you think, Teddy?" she pretended to listen to the answer. Mokuba refrained from rolling his eyes. For pity's sake; they were ten-year-olds! Rebecca looked up at him.

            "Teddy agrees." She said solemnly. "Do you think they got taken over by aliens?"

            "Oh please." Mokuba did roll his eyes this time. "Aliens don't exist."

            "How do you know?!" Rebecca demanded.

            "It's not important!" Mokuba hollered. He was on his feet now. "The problem is my brother and the others are gone and your grandpa and Ryou's dad don't seem to care!"

            There was a silence.

            "Maybe we should go look for them." Rebecca suggested. Mokuba looked doubtfully at the desert around them.

            "How far is it to Luxor?" he asked. Rebecca shrugged and stood. "We could ask Hassim."

            "Yeah…" Mokuba said unsurely.

            "You don't want too." Rebecca guessed and her eyes widened. "Maybe he's part of the plot!"

            "Nani?" Mokuba blinked.

            "Come on, there has to be a plot!" Rebecca said in a hushed, excited voice. "Grandpa and Mr. Ryou's Dad are acting weird. Your niisan and the others disappear. How come we never thought of this before?"

            Mokuba blinked again. She was right! Something really weird was going on. "That's true."

            Rebecca suddenly looked scared. "Who can we trust then?"

            She and Mokuba looked around at the workers who rushed around them. Unconsciously, Rebecca stepped closer to him and hugged her bear tightly. They were suddenly aware of how young and small they were and the fact that if there was danger, there was very little either could do about it without someone older and stronger on their side.

            "Iie." Mokuba shook his head. "We can do something, 'Becca. We just have to think." He looked at her and was surprised to see tears. "What's wrong?"

            "If the bad guys took control of my grandpa…" she said in a quavering voice. "And we have to run away, what if I never get to see him again?"

            Mokuba just stared. He understood what she meant; right now, he wanted to see Seto more than anything in the world! But…let's face it, Mokuba had never seen a girl cry and here was one, right in front of him about to dissolve into tears. Mokuba suddenly felt awkward.

            "Ne, nakanaide!" he ordered. "There's no reason too!"

            "I'm not crying." She insisted. A tear rolled down her cheek and she angrily wiped it away. "I'm not crying and yes there is a reason! If my grandpa gets taken away, I won't have anyone else! I'll be alone!!" She started to cry in earnest.

            Mokuba looked at her for a moment, pity suddenly stirring in his little boy heart. Hesitantly, he put a hand on her shoulder.

            "Hey, it's okay. Don't worry. You won't be alone, I promise!"

            Rebecca looked at him for a moment, then burst into tears again. "Yes I will!!"

            Mokuba was starting to get frantic as she sat down on the dusty ground and sobbed. Kneeling down next to her, he tried to come up with something, anything, to get her to stop crying. "Hey, hey! You won't be alone because, I uh, I'll stay with you!"

            Her sobbing abruptly stopped and she looked at him. "Soo?"

            "Hai!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Just don't cry anymore, yoshi?"

            Rebecca wiped her cheeks and suddenly she smiled and threw his arms around him in a tight hug. "Yoshi!"

            Mokuba sweat dropped. He didn't know why Joey and Yugi and his brother liked girls; they were just too weird.

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            Mahado stood in a small circle of priests. Seth was there, as well as a priestess called Isis. The other priests were Shadah, Karimu, and Aknadean.

            Seth had still not graduated, but Mahado knew that the boy's magical abilities had been praised. He was expected to be a powerful priest. Right now, the boy's narrow blue eyes were watching everyone in the room, while his brown-haired, green eyed guard stood there solemnly.

            Isis was cool and elegant as ever. She met his eye and gave a slight smile underneath her white cowl. He smiled back. Isis' large black eyes floated back over the others in the room. She was the high priestess of the goddess she was named for; and not only that, but the younger sister of the Great Wife. Isis was admired greatly; she had the beauty of the goddess Hathor* and the wisdom of Thoth*, they said. Mahado believed it.

            Shadah's cowl covered his upper face, but Mahado still tried to catch his friend's eye. Somewhat aloof and intimidating, Mahado knew that Shadah was someone to be trusted, no matter the cause. He was a priest of Anubis, jackal-headed god of embalming. Mahado hid a smile as he saw Shadah's head turn towards Isis more than once. He should tell Ankhkare; the healer would have them matched up before the week was out.

            Karimu Mahado was not that fond of. Priest of the god Set*, Karimu was harsh and calculating as the god he served. He and Mahado had never gotten along. Karimu met his eyes and inclined his head slightly, causing the braided strands of his wig to brush his face. Mahado returned the nod, only out of curtsey.

            The last was Aknadean, high priest of AmunRa, king of the gods. An old man clothed in white, Aknadean stood still and solemn. Out of all the priests of Amun, the old man was the only one Mahado would trust near Pharaoh without a guard. The old man was wise and peaceful, unlike some of his younger counterparts. Mahado glanced uneasily at Seth. Someday, he would take the mantel as the high priest of AmunRa; would he be as Aknadean had been?*

            Mahado sighed mentally, but then smiled inside as he heard Mana's footsteps behind him. He turned to speak to her, when the Pharaoh was announced.

            Aknumkanon walked out, still dressed in clothes of court. His wife followed. Aknumkanon was a hard man who had seen war for a long time and fought dark powers. Now that Egypt was at peace, Mahado sometimes wondered if the Pharaoh sometimes yearned for a challenge.

            Behind them, entered the crown prince, looking vaguely miserable. Mahado felt sorry for him and made a mental note to caution Pharaoh against pushing his son too early.

            Everyone bowed and waited for Pharaoh to speak and then stood. Pharaoh's right hand man, a short, slightly rotund man named Shimon, stepped forward.

            "I will not waste time with titles, as Pharaoh has commanded." He began. "You have all been called here for a purpose. Many of you know of the former high priest, Qenamun and his rebellion against the golden one. Though his threat is gone, there is still a great deal of dark power. Pharaoh had Qenamun make seven Items to lock this darkness away. Now he has decided to give these items to seven worthy people. May you use their power wisely and protect Egypt with them." The man bowed.

            Aknumkanon stood and placed aside his rod and flail. Turning to the Great Wife, he picked up a gold orb with the Eye of Horus on it.

            "The eldest first, I suppose." The king smiled wryly, making his eyes crinkle. Mahado glanced at the prince, who looked slightly apprehensive.

            "Aknadean, priest of the god AmunRa, I bestow upon you the Sennen Eye. Will you take it?"

            "Yes, my king." Aknadean's quiet voice answered. There was really no other answer he could give; Pharaoh had asked out of courtesy.

            "Then you know what must happen for the Eye to be yours." Aknumkanon's face was impassive.

            "I am ready, golden one." The old man drew back his hood. "I may be old, but these bones still can serve."

            A ghost of a smile graced Aknumkanon's face. "Then so be it." He placed the orb over one of Aknadean's eyes and with a start, Mahado realized what was happening. His stomach twisted as Aknumkanon shoved the orb in and Aknadean cried out in pain.

            "Mana." He whispered. She had buried her face in his sleeve. "It's over."

            The girl looked up and made a face at the blood and pulp that was strewn on the floor before Pharaoh's throne. Two younger priests had come forward and were helping Aknadean to a chair. A servant came forward to clean the steps.

            Mahado glanced at the others. Seth's face was hard and a little disgusted, Isis' blank (as was Shadah's), Karimu had a slight smirk and Yami, the prince, looked vaguely sick. So did his mother for that fact.

            "Isis, high priestess of the wife of Osiris and Chief Mourner, come forward." Aknumkanon ordered. Isis glided forward, almost floating rather than walking.

            Taking something from his wife, Aknumkanon presented a necklace with the Eye of Horus on it to the woman.

            "I grant you the Tauk. Its power will give you insight into the future and past. But be warned, priestess! This is a heavy burden and you must be wise in all you do."

            "I will, my king." Isis bowed her head as the Pharaoh put it on. She stepped back, relatively normal and Mahado relaxed slightly.

            Karimu was next and presented with the scales, Seth the Rod, then Shadah was given the Ankh.

            "Mahado, priest of Horus*, come forward."

            He stepped towards the king. Aknumkanon placed the Sennen Ring over his head. He spoke a few words to Mahado, but the priest barely heard them as he stepped back. The weight of what he was supposed to do finally came down on him. Not only did he have his duties to the god Horus, but he had to oversee the graves of the Kings as one of the medjai. Now he was responsible for the protection of Egypt from dark powers.

            Mana's hand gripping his tightly brought him down to Earth, in time to see the Puzzle given to Prince Yami. The boy bowed his head and accepted the burden; as carrier of the Puzzle he had power over them all and the responsibility to lead them should trouble break out. Mahado shook his head.

            "He is still a boy." He murmured.

            "You think Pharaoh forgets."

            He looked at Isis. "Yes, I do."

            Isis looked back at the prince with trouble in her eyes. "I do as well. My nephew is still very young; he does not need to grow up so fast."

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Ancient Egyptian:

medjai – This referred to the families that guarded the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Japanese:

Ne – Eh? Here I used it more like "Hey" tho…

Nani – What?

Niisan – brother

Iie – No

Ne, nakanaide! – Hey, don't cry!

Soo? – Really?

Hai – yes

Yoshi – okay

Notes:

Hathor is the Egyptian Goddess of Beauty and Love. Her symbol is a cow and her metal was silver, which was rare in Egypt. Her priestesses were also responsible for night watches; where they would entreat Hathor to help Ra (the sun) in his journey to rise the next morning.

Thoth was the ibis headed god of wisdom and writing. He was a favorite of scribes and was said to be the one who came up with the languages.

Set was the god of chaos and the desert and generally not very nice.

I mentioned tenseness between the priesthood of AmunRa and the holy family. The priests of AmunRa had wealth and power that was only contested by Pharaoh. This sometimes caused rather strained relations between the two, especially if the current Pharaoh did not get along with the priests.

Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis. He was the god of Truth I think and the sworn enemy of Set, his uncle.

Character List:

Qenamun – A priest of AmunRa who has broken out of the Shadow Realm.

Ancient Egyptian Isis – Priestess of the goddess Isis, holds the Tauk.

Mahado – Priest of the god Horus, friend of Yami

Mana – Servant of Mahado

Shimon – Guy who is the announcer/herald thingy for Pharaoh

Karimu – Preist of the god Set, current holder of the Scales

Shadah – Priest of the god Anubis, current holder of the Ankh

Akanadean – peaceful priest of the god AmunRa; holder of the Eye

Aknumkanon – Pharaoh; father of Yami

Ankhkare – healer in Pharaoh's court

Names:

Yugi – Yami

Seto – Seth

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Whew! Well, that eye part wasn't as bad as I thought, though it did get me sick to my stomach trying to imagine it. *Makes face*

Serena – No it is not! I know; I want to do more Isis/Shadi scenes, but the poor couple isn't going to get a break for a while. Lol, yeah, well, it makes sense to Bakura! Oh good, I'm glad you liked it! Personally, I think Seto was being just a little too sweet, but oh well…Grr, I know exactly what you mean. But my new computer Cheryl is very nice to me. ^__^ Yes, I love writing Joey and Mai. They are too fun.

Anime*Angel*Fox – Hopefully you'll like this once better. The reason Seto/Serenity got so much attention is because they were the only ones I could think up an idea for. O.O Yup, I think Tara is still in a bit of shock. She'll probably freak out later when it finally gets through. Mai is going to have a field day…

Indigo – Er…Shadi's here…Isis will be in the next chappy. I think…Scales still is not cooperating…

Dragon Spirits – Thanks! Oooh, hey, check out "The Knights Who Say READ!" profile; I got your info up!

Dr. Vorlon – Oh yes, it is. I'm getting very attached to Mahado, but I don't want too…you'll find out why later. *goes off and cries*

Black Mistress – Lol! You are evil! Hmm…maybe that would work with my own bishie?

Naga: Legolas isn't a bishie, he's an elf.

He's a pretty boy; so he qualifies.

Naga: I'm sure he'll be thrilled…

Nobody asked for your opinion. Anywas, BM, hope you like this chapter!

Amberliz – Er, no I haven't. O.O I'm so not looking forward to it. Glad you liked the chappy! Didja get my e-mail?

FirePendant – Senui or Scales should be in the next chapter I think, along with Katya (finally). A.E. Scales probably won't know what chocolate is, since it wasn't invented till the Middle Ages and then it was in Spain mostly. Glad you liked!

Okay…I'm tired. I think I'll go crash now…oh wait…Yu Yu Hakusho tape is here. Much happiness! ^__^ Cya guys all later!