Anaya's Creator: Guten Tag people! Well, I've updated So... R&R!

Disclaimer: I lost the lottery therefore I cannot buy Yu-Gi-Oh from the true owner (like my parents would ever let me)

The Chapter I Can't Think of a Title for...

Akina ran past several servants, halls and guards on her way. She didn't know where she was going and she didn't care. She just knew she had to run. Run far away so that she could remain a free woman for eternity.

When Akina had reached her limit there was a painful stitch in her side. She leaned against a statue and slid to the ground. She wrapped her arms around her knees and began to sob softly.

What am I to do, she thought helplessly. Several girls would die to be in the position I'm in. But I don't want to marry; I want to be free... She lifted her head, wiped her eyes, and took a good look at her new surroundings. All the scenery had blurred together as she ran.

She guessed she was now in a palace temple, the scent of incense was stronger here. The statue she had leaned against was a huge gold statue of the Egyptian god Ra. Personally she could have cared less what temple she was in, she didn't believe in the Egyptian gods anyway.

"Hmm, you're a pretty one," said a light-hearted masculine voice.

Akina with drew a dagger from her cloak and pointed it directly at shoulder's length behind her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy, I'm not going to hurt you," the person said. her dagger was pointing at a young man about her age with golden hair that stood up on end. He was about a head taller than her (not counting his hair), well built for his age, and his skin was a rich tan. His face still held onto its boyish charm. Gleaming at her through his pure white bangs were ardent lilac eyes.

"How do I know that?" Akina retorted.

"Not the trusting type, are you Jade-eyes?"

"What reason have you given me to trust you?"

"My name is Marik, I'm one of the high priest's sons, and if I disgrace a woman my father will find out and he'll tan me." His eyes laughed as he spoke.

Akina fought to keep herself from snickering.

"I see," she said. So this is how Marik grew up; he hasn't changed a bit, she thought. She smiled slightly and withdrew her blade.

"Aren't you going to tell me who you are?" Marik asked.

"Umm... no," Akina said playfully, egging him on.

"Aww, come on, please..." he begged, pouting slightly.

Once again Akina had to bite back laughter.

"Nope," she said as she plopped back down one the floor next to the huge statue.

"Fine, I'll wait," Marik sat down next to her; then looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a curious look in his eyes. "You sure you're not going to tell me?" he whispered into her ear; his breath tickled as it reached the nerves on her neck.

Akina could no longer hold back, without warning she erupted into an explosion of giggles. She was laughing so hard she nearly cried. After a few minutes she gained her composure.

"I haven't laughed like that in a long time; you're good at that."

"That's what my name means, don't wear it out." (A/N: I made that up.)

"What... laughs?"

"No, it means water's coming out of my ears,"

Akina was bent up in laughter once more. When she had gained her composure Marik asked: "Aren't you going to tell me you're name yet?"

"Well, if you really want to know," Akina stood up and drew out her blades. Then she offered it to him while she drew out the other. "Beat me, either hand to hand combat or with one of these, it matters not to me."

"I accept your challenge, and if I win you tell me who you are and where in this world or the next you're from."

"Fine if you win, but if I win... I'll think about it then I'll tell you when I win."

"Confidant, missy?"

"Yes, but not to the point of arrogance,"

"What's that supposed to mean? Never mind... I haven't even decided how..."

"Then choose!" The impatience that rang in Akina's voice stung like bees.

"Okay Miss I'm-in-a-hurry, we'll fight with the daggers. And, don't worry I'll go easy on you."

"Don't," She handed Marik one of her daggers.

The hilt was silver and it was formed in the shape of a heavily detailed snake. It felt icy in his hand, despite the warm weather. Her aura; it's sub-zero! Something must have happened in this girl's past to make her this way, but what...

"Hey, you gonna fight me or just stand there and stare at the hilt?"

"Yes, let's get on with this..." Without warning Marik charged at Akina.

Their battle went on strike after strike, both only trying to disarm the other, neither drew blood.

He's good I'll grant him that, Akina thought, but he hasn't fought several different people from this side of the Mediterranean. However, he is the first challenging opponent I've had in a long time; I'm going to enjoy this.

She's skilled, very skilled, Marik thought. She must have been practicing for years, with several different teachers. This is actually going to be a challenge; this'll be fun.

Strike after strike their private battle ensued. Eventually Akina had Marik backed against a wall and she was able to disarm him.

"I win," Akina said softly, breathing hard.

Marik merely chuckled.

"I may be disarmed, but I can still fight you." he remarked. Marik gave Akina a swift kick about her ankles. Before she could react, he had pinned her to the ground, his legs on both sides of her, and her wrists were above her head, held firmly in one of his hands. "Is it so hard just to get your name?"

"Try asking where I live cheater,"

"I believe I can think of one more way to get you get you to tell me..."

"Bring it on!"

"If you say so," Marik bent down, put his free hand in the side of her face and forced a gentle kiss on her. His touch was completely different from Yami's; Yami's had been forceful and demanding, but Marik's was surprisingly gentle and simply unconditional. Even though Akina had felt incapable of love since that fateful day when her father had been murdered, she felt herself weakening to his touch.

Someone was poking at their sides with something.

"Eh-hem," said a voice.

Marik and Akina parted, and she saw the face of another person she had not seen in a long, long time.

He had chestnut hair and dark tan skin. His face was long and oval, and his sapphire eyes were deep set, giving him a look of ultra-seriousness. He was dressed in priest's garb and held a long staff in his hand.

"His highness wishes to see his 'pleasure'," he stated.

So this is Seth after seven years, Akina thought. Let's see if I can jog his memory...

"I am no one's 'pleasure'!" Akina spat.

"You're the new servant?" Marik asked in astonishment.

Akina turned to Marik, "Mind your own business;"

Seth had to struggle to hide a small smile. So Shrimp still has her don't-bug-me attitude, he thought to himself. "Well, like I said, the prince wishes to see you."

"I never said I wasn't coming!" She said, and then turned back to Marik, "Just in case you don't know, you're cutting off the circulation in my legs." She gave Marik a rough push off of her.

"My apologies. Don't worry 'Priest Seth' I'm leaving." Marik said gruffly, getting up off the floor, and then leaned down to give Akina a hand.

Akina accepted it and let Marik heave her off the floor.

"I really enjoyed our duel Marik. You'll have to try again some other time," Akina said as she followed Seth out of the temple.

"Uhh... sure," Marik answered.

She turned for a moment and gave him a small smile.

Damn, I still didn't get that girl's name... he thought furiously and banged his fist against a nearby wall.

"So trying to see if anyone remembers you, Shrimp?" Seth asked as he and Akina reached the outside of the temple and he led her to, where she supposed, were the prince's chambers.

"You remember me?" Akina gasped.

"Of course... Not one day has gone by when I haven't heard at least one comment about you from my brother. If you ask me, he's grown fond of you..."

"What of Yami?"

"No idea," Seth looked puzzled for a moment, "He's spoken of you as well, but certainly not as often as Marik; however, I assume that you aren't here just to drop in to say 'hello', are you?"

"Yami invited me..."
"Well, unless you're another one of those hair-brained peasant ditzes who would die to marry Yami, be on your guard."

"I don't need telling twice..." Akina muttered.

"Pardon..."

"Nothing,"

"Well, we're here," Seth gestured to an entranceway, bowed, and left Akina standing there.

Anaya's Creator: Well, that's the third chapter, R&R folks!