Jaid: Hi guys. This is the last chapter for a little while, because I am loaded with school work. X__X But there is good news; summer vacation in a week!!!! And…I got my first car! WHOOHOOO! *dances around* But exams next week…if any of you are praying people; remember poor Jaid Skywalker…because I am very, very nervous…
Naga: Why are you referring to yourself in third person?
Jaid: Effect.
Naga:…Right…
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"Becca." Mokuba whispered, shaking the girl. "Becca."
Rebecca moaned and opened an eye. "Mokuba?"
"Come on. You gotta get dressed."
"Where are we going?" Rebecca asked softly.
"We're leaving. It's real late and nobody'll see. Hurry up; I'll wait outside."
Rebecca blinked, then dug though her clothes.
'Always wear clothes that will cover you up in the desert.' She heard her grandfather say in her head. 'That way, you won't get as sun-burned.'
Nodding, she put on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve white shirt that had little blue butterflies embroidered on it. She put her hair in two low tails and grabbed the straw hat her grandfather had bought her. Putting on her tennis shoes and tucking Teddy under her arm, she looked out. Mokuba was in his usual clothes, but he had added a baseball cap. He looked up.
"Good. Here." He handed her a pink back pack that was rather heavy. "You carry this one."
"I was wondering who took my pack." Rebecca muttered, putting it one. Mokuba had a dark blue one and two large water bottles that came with their own arm slings. He handed a third to Rebecca.
"I don't know how far it is, but better safe than sorry." He bit his lip. "Did you have to wear white?"
"What's wrong with it?" Rebecca demanded, almost forgetting to whisper. Mokuba sighed, rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand.
"We're going to have to be real quiet." He murmured. "Don't whithper or thay any 's' thingth, okay? It'll carry on the wind."
Rebecca nodded.
"Good. Now, we're going to leave from right here. Follow me and do what I thay, all right?"
She nodded again, swallowing. Mokuba realized that she was scared and he smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Becca. It'll be okay."
She smiled at him. Still holding her hand, Mokuba led her out from the camp, towards Luxor.
'I'm coming Niisan!'
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Shadi stirred and sat up. He had fallen asleep at the table. Looking around, he saw how dark the room was. It must still be late. Blinking, Shadi wondered what had woken him up. Passing a hand over his eyes, he stood and walked to the doorway. Startled he saw Yami standing outside facing someone. Shadi's eyes followed to where Yami was glaring and saw Bakura. He frowned. A fight was not what he needed right now. He stepped forward to intervene, but paused when Yami spoke.
It was only one word. But the way Yami said spoke volumes. "Traitor."
Bakura smirked. "There was no one for me to betray."
"You've betrayed your aibou. You would honestly leave him to suffer?"
Bakura's eyes flickered for a moment and his smirk faded. "What is the matter with you?" he hissed. "Why care you for these pitiful mortals?"
"We were once mortal, or have you forgotten?" Yami shot back. Bakura raised an eyebrow.
"Very well, Pharaoh. Yes, we once were. Now I can do as I please. You know, it really is too bad that that certain priest had to get in my way all those years ago. If he hadn't, then he probably would have been the spirit in the Ring. And you would have had an ally, wouldn't you?" he smirked again. Yami blinked, opened his mouth to retort, when a memory hit him.
Whether his mental guards were slowly coming down, or Bakura's words had unlocked a part of his memory, Yami didn't know. All he knew was that all of a sudden, he was back in his throne room, seated on the edge, as a man with turquoise eyes jumped in front of him and was cut to pieces by a trap Bakura had summoned. Yami suddenly felt a deep and almost paralyzing grief. Although he didn't remember any more about the man, he remembered the emotions that went with him.
Bakura's low, mocking laughter brought him back to the present. "Remember something, Pharaoh?" he said. Yami felt anger build up. Shadi hung back still, knowing he needed to intervene, but unsure of how to do so. Neither would listen to him if they chose.
"What I remember and what I don't remember do not concern you, Tomb Robber." Yami growled. "You have delivered your message, so go."
"What, no more trying to reform me?" Bakura asked mockingly.
"I've neither the heart nor patience for such a thing. I would try, for Yugi's sake, but you are beyond hope." Yami retorted, his own voice low and angry. Bakura flinched slightly, as if Yami had struck a nerve, then turned on his heel and walked away. Yami sighed and turned to see Shadi. There was a short silence.
"How much did you see?" Yami asked.
"A little." Shadi said. "Message?"
"A man named Qenamun has an offer for us. He would meet us outside the city tomorrow, near the Nile." Yami said. "He claims to be a priest."
Shadi's jaw tightened. "Then it seems that he must be the priest your father battled."
"I suppose he is." Yami agreed. His face was flat, emotionless as he walked past Shadi and into the house.
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"Hey, you okay?" Joey asked Yugi quietly. The boy blinked and looked at them.
"Er, yeah." He frowned at the bow. "I'm supposed to shoot this in a chariot?"
"I don't have too." Joey grinned. Yugi rolled his eyes as Seto approached.
"I know you don't have too, Joey. I'm just worrying because I have too." The spiky haired boy said.
"You shouldn't." Seto advised. "You'll only stress. If anything, that head wound gives you an excuse if you mess up."
Yugi made a face. "Gee, thanks."
Seto smirked and walked away. Joey shrugged at Yugi and followed him.
"Seto's right you know." A voice said behind him. Yugi jumped and whirled. He blinked.
"Duke?"
"Raneb." The boy grinned. "At least here. And you are Yami; the crowned prince."
"Not as wonderful as it sounds." Yugi commented, fingering the cord the Puzzle was on. In a way, it was comforting to have its weight around his neck. But without Yami's spirit, the Puzzle seemed empty.
"I can imagine." Duke nodded to the other princes and noblemen who had gathered. "It looks like we're going to start. Come on."
Yugi started to follow when a voice held him back. "My prince?"
Yugi turned. "Oh, hello, Ankhkare."
The hemu neter smiled. "Hello."
"You're not coming with us, are you?" Yugi asked, sounding a little confused. Ankhkare shook his head.
"Yes, I am coming, but no, I am not shooting anything. Accidents happen during hunts and someone must bandage people up."
Yugi smiled at the taller man. "I guess we should get going then."
Ankhkare returned the smile. "Yes, I guess we should."
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"Lord Mahado?"
"Mana, if this is more business-"
"It's not." The girl walked forward. "It's Karimu."
"Oh?" Mahado raised an eyebrow. "What is he doing here?"
"He's brought a young cousin to court and wished for you to meet him." Mana explained. "They are waiting in the courtyard."
"I suppose this means I will have to invite them to the hunt." Mahado sighed. 'And we get another late start. Damnation.'
"No, Karimu must take the boy to the royal court as well." Mana said, then looked over her shoulder. "Are you coming?"
"Yes, yes." Mahado said. "I am."
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"I can't walk anymore." Rebecca moaned. Mokuba's jaw tightened and he pulled on her hand. Rebecca tripped and fell to the sand.
"What did you do that for, baka?!" she cried. Mokuba sighed and choose to ignore the insult.
"Gomen ne. I'm just worried. When they find out we're missing, they'll come after us." He said. "You've got to get up, Becca. Kudasai."
The girl looked at him blearily, then staggered to her feet. "But I'm so tired!"
"I am too. You can lean on me." Mokuba said.
"Are we going to stop soon?" Rebecca asked.
"I don't know." Mokuba scanned the desert warily and bit his tongue. He didn't even know where they were anymore.
"Where are we?" Rebecca asked.
'Figures she would ask now.' Mokuba thought.
"Close." He lied. Rebecca seemed to brighten at his words though.
After a short stop and a small meal, they both headed onward again. Mokuba was determinedly going forward; one thing he and Seto had in abundance was determination. But Rebecca was stumbling along behind him; she was tired and was beginning to feel sick.
"Mokuba, matte." She said. The boy turned, and saw her flushed face.
'Yare, yare.' He walked back to her and un-slung his water bottle. "Here, drink some."
Rebecca did so, but then flopped to the ground. "I can't walk anymore; not with out a break. Kudasai."
Mokuba sighed and sat down next to her. They'd been walking since he'd gotten Rebecca out of bed last night, with only a few short breaks. Maybe he should've been easier on her; she was after all a girl.
After a little while, Mokuba stood up and dusted off his pants. "Come on, Becca, we've got to go."
The girl nodded, looking a little dazed and Mokuba bit his lip. Despite her hat, the girl's face was flushed and she looked completely done in. Mokuba felt exhaustion creep up on him as well, but shoved it down. 'I have to find Seto.' He thought. 'I can't stop now.'
"Come on." He said gently, tugging her hand. "We're almost there."
"Good." Rebecca murmured.
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"Are you going to go?" Ankh asked.
Shadi was quiet. "Yes." He finally answered. "With you and Scales. I think Yami should stay here."
"He's not going to like that." Ankh commented softly. Shadi's jaw tightened.
"I know. But…" He trailed off. Ankh nodded.
"I'll tell them. Scales should be glad to get out." The healer said, then left. Shadi stood and went to the room where the bodies lay. He stared at them for a moment, before one shifted. Blinking he went forward.
It was a young woman, with black curly hair and gray eyes. Gray eyes that were coherent and alive.
"Where am I now?" she moaned.
"In Luxor, Egypt." Shadi answered, kneeling in front of her.
"What year?"
Shadi told her.
The girl's eyes lit up. "Really! Finally! Home! I could just hug you." She beamed. Shadi blinked again.
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Mahado entered the courtyard behind Mana. Karimu stood there and next to him, stood a young man, really a boy.
He had black hair and slightly slanted eyes that resembled Karimu's somewhat. The boy also had odd eyes; a pale, ice blue that were somewhat frightening. He stared openly at Mahado, then bowed a little.
"Greetings, Mahado." Karimu said. "Allow me to present my cousin, Senui. He is training to be a judge at the royal court."
"I see." Mahado commented. 'And how many strings did you have to pull to get him that job, Karimu?'
"I just thought I should introduce you two." Karimu commented easily. "But I see you are having a hunt today. My apologies for interrupting. Come Senui."
The boy glanced back at Mahado again, then followed his elder relative. Mahado sighed.
"He does this just to irritate me." He growled. Mana came up behind him and laughed.
"He knows that it does so. Even if you show nothing."
There was silence.
"You'd better go; it would not due for you to miss a hunt for the second time. I will have a meal ready for your return."
Mahado nodded and started to walk away, when he turned and looked at her. "Thank you." He said solemnly. Mana smiled a little shakily then turned away to go. Mahado watched her for a moment, then sighed again, heading for the stables.
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"What?" Yami asked Ankh in a low tone.
"Shadi thinks you should stay here." He repeated. Yami's eyes flashed.
"Why?"
Ankh blinked, trying to think of a reason.
"Because you're too valuable or so the fool thinks." Scales said from the doorway.
"He is right you know." Ankh said hastily before they could break out in argument again. "As the spirit of the Pharaoh-"
"I know." Yami cut him off with an edgy tone. "I've heard it before." He turned away. "The sky is darkening again."
"Ankh, Scales?" Shadi entered the room. "We have a visitor."
The three spirits turned as Katya bounced into the room. "Konnichiwa!" She said to Ankh, Scales and Yami. Yami bit his tongue, unsure of whether to keep pretending to be Yugi, or not.
"Er…Shadi-san sort of explained everything…" Katya began, scratching her head. "I don't get a lot of it, but some of it. Um…I guess this explains Yugi and Ryou acting weird sometimes." She laughed a little. Ankh smiled and Yami smirked a bit. Scales rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
"Yami, Katya is going to the hospital to see Isis. Would you go with her?" Shadi said. Yami's jaw tightened. He knew very well that it was not a request, but an order. He glanced at Katya. The girl was looking at him with large, hopeful eyes. She definitely would need someone with her. Yami felt like grinding his teeth for a minute.
"I will." He said stiffly. 'But this is not going to be forgotten anytime soon' he added mentally. Shadi seemed to understand him, however, as the turbaned man gave him a slight nod.
"We'll leave in a few hours." Shadi stated to Ankh and Scales, then turned and walked away.
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Mokuba frowned. He didn't feel so good. Looking back at Rebecca, he knew she felt the same. The girl's eyes looked slightly glazed over. She stumbled again and fell to her knees.
"Mokuba…" she cried. The boy walked over to her.
"Come on." He said, trying to help her up. Rebecca hung limply, then all of a sudden began to throw up.
"Ack!" Mokuba nearly dropped her arm as Rebecca continued to heave, even though there was nothing left in her. Mangled sobs were mixed in with her sharp gasps of breath.
"Mokuba!" she cried again. "Help me!"
"Er…" he felt paralyzed again. Dragging her away from the vomit, he tore off his handkerchief and soaked it in water, then began to dab her face. Rebecca was still crying, but it was soft.
"Here, drink something." Mokuba said desperately, trying to pour some water into her mouth. Rebecca gagged and choked. Mokuba helped her sit up, afraid she was going to throw up again.
"I'm tired." She said dazedly. Her eyes rolled up and she got limp in his arms. Mokuba felt very cold all of a sudden.
'Oh no…did I kill her?' Mokuba worriedly checked her pulse. It was there, but it was very rapid. Mokuba wasn't sure, but he didn't' think that was a good sign. Grimacing, he wet the washcloth again and tied it around her neck, then hefted her on his back.
"Only a little farther." He said to himself softly. "Almost there." Mokuba looked up and to his surprise, saw a glitter of something.
'Water?' Mokuba blinked. 'Or maybe it's my imagination. I shoulda brought binoculars. Well…' he looked at the unconscious Rebecca. 'Doesn't hurt to try.'
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A cliffie! I know I'm evil. Sorry!!! Poor little Mokuba; so brave…
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Japanese:
Niisan – Familiar version of "brother."
Aibou – Realized I hadn't translated this before. *sweatdrop* It means basically "Soul-partner". I've heard that the Yamis use 'Hikari' (which means light) instead of this term, but I could see Yami Yugi using it.
Baka – Jerk, idiot
Gomen ne – Sorry
Kudasai - please
Matte – wait
Yare, yare – Well, well, but can also mean something like "Oh boy..". I've used the second meaning here.
Konnichiwa – Hello
-san – Means "Mr." or "Mrs."
Egyptian:
Hemu neter – Pretty much "physician priest." I assume, from Indigo's hints, that Ankh had some magical ability, so I thought it would not be far off if he had been trained in some sort of priesthood.
Ancient Egyptian Names:
Yugi – Yami
Duke – Raneb
Seto – Seth
Joey – Tanefer
Character List:
Mahado: Priest of Horus; chosen to hold the Ring; friend of Yami
Mana: Mahado's foreign servant girl
Karimu: Priest of Set; chosen to hold the Scales; Senui's cousin
Senui: Ancient Egyptian version of Scales. Karimu's young cousin and apprentice judge.
Ankhkare: Ancient Egyptian version of Ankh. Healer in the court and friend of Yami and Seth.
Reviewer Response:
Indigo – Well…Senui's here! I don't think he'll actually say anything till chapter nine or ten tho…sorry!
Dragon Spirits – It's in my Favorite Authors now, so you can go head and check it out. They didn't list in the directory for some reason. X__X
Kanika – lol, here you go!
Dr. Vorlon - ^__^ I'm glad you want me to continue. I even have plans for a third story after this, depending on how it goes.
Amberliz – lol, me too! Good thing you and I don't time travel often. Yeah, it made me feel a little like "Ewww…" when I realized how the Eye had to be put in. O.o Welp, I sent you a new e-mail…hope you got it!
Anime*Angel*Fox – Thank you! I just love Mokuba and Rebecca together; so much cute potential there! I like Mahado too! *cries and hugs the priest* I wanna keep him but I can't.
FirePendant – Yeah, Shadah isn't the talkative type. ^__^ Blood and gore doesn't bother me when I'm reading it, but if I have to write it, I start getting queasy. O.o Weird…
Black Mistress – Hee, hee, how close would you have to get with Duke? ^__~ Yami, Malik, face it; Authoresses are just a whole lot more psychotic than you are. And more powerful. HA! Er…okay, yeah, I'm weird…
B-chan - ^________^ Thank you! Very much! I just love cute Mokuba/Rebecca scenes; they are at an age where there can be sweet, fluffy little things like that with out it actually being romantic.
Serena – When I first got into YGO, I thought of that as well. Heck, the only reason I started watching was because of the Ancient Egyptian stuff. ^__^ You should be worried about Isis, because I am going to be mean to her for a few chapters. But I'll make it up to her; after all, she does get Shadi, right? I like her…but I have this really bad habit of being mean to those I like…O.O
K*Fox – Cool! I'll try and do that. Not much time these days. *sigh*
A/N: There is a Yu-Gi-Oh fanfiction contest goin' on and I wanted to enter it. I need a Beta Reader; preferably someone who has MSN messenger so I can talk to you. Is anybody interested? I'd ask Amberliz or Iris Omega…but I need someone who actually watches Yu-Gi-Oh…if you want to know more, there is a link to the contest sight on AmunRa's profile. And check out her/his stories. They're pretty good!
