A/N I don't own anything Yu-Gi-Oh.

A/N This chapter is a bit long, but I was having fun, so I just kept going, and I didn't think you guys would mind too much.

B.E.W.Dwarriorprincess: I loved the fact that you apologized for not reviewing sooner. It's okay. I forgive you. (insert smiley here)

(I just realized that all of the smileys and emoticons I've been putting in these author's notes haven't actually been posting. Apparently, fanfic doesn't allow those symbols to be posted. If I've offended anyone, I'm terribly sorry. There was probably a smiley there that didn't post.)


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Just as Atemu had predicted, Safiya and her dragon had dominated the palace shadow games. Every game was fiercely competitive, and some players held out longer than others, but in the end, no one was able to claim victory over Safiya and the green eyes gray dragon. Even Mahado was present, wanting both to test his guardian, the dark magician, and to see the famed green eyes gray dragon. He had waited until everyone else had their chance to play against Safiya, while he observed her strategies and tactics throughout the day. Finally, as darkness settled in and it became late, he had risen up to challenge Safiya to what turned out to be the most competitive game of the day. But none of his observations and counter-tactics had helped him to overcome Safiya and the dragon, and she had defeated him in the end.

Atemu had watched the games from the sidelines, astonished by the strength of the dragon and the control Safiya had over it. She had never played a true shadow game before, but she was already a master. A smile crossed Atemu's lips when he had heard what the observers were calling her: the Queen of Games.

When she had defeated Mahado, Atemu called for the games to end. She had proven herself over and over again, and it was getting very late at that point. Upon hearing his words, everyone returned their guardians to their dia dianks and congratulated each other. In the palace games, no one left with hard feelings.

"Safiya," Atemu said as he approached his wife, "that was absolutely amazing."

Upon hearing his words of praise, a grin quickly spread across her face, but just as quickly, it vanished. In its place was a look of utter seriousness and determination. "Yes, I suppose it was a good day." She raised her eyes to meet his gaze. "But I can't help feeling that something is missing."

"Well, I suppose you have proven yourself worthy to challenge the King of Games…" He paused, then an idea hit him. A smirk slowly spread across his face. "How much of an ordeal would you like to make out of this game between you and I?"

She answered quickly, before he even finished the question. "As big as we can. I want everyone there to witness your defeat."

"Whoa," he stuttered, raising his hands and stepping back a few paces. She smiled sweetly, and he began to laugh. "Alright, how about this. I was going to make this a surprise, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it from you for long. Our first anniversary is coming up and I took it upon myself to organize a celebration fit for a pharaoh," he paused, "and queen."

"Oh, Atemu, that's so sweet."

"I have invited every Egyptian under my rule to attend, and I am expecting quite a turnout. If you want, we can play our game then, before all of Egypt."

She beamed. "I would like nothing better."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked deep into her eye. "Who are you and what have you done with my dear, sweet, innocent Safiya?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Um, I don't know?"

His deep laughter echoed throughout the palace. "You are something else, Safiya, and I love you for it."

"Well," she shrugged. "I suppose I love you, too."

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" But before he could address the question to her, she had made a mad dash for their sleeping quarters, her laughter floating back to his ears. "Oh, you can run, but you can't hide," he whispered as he took off in pursuit of his wife.


A few uneventful days passed, and finally, their anniversary was upon them. As usual, Atemu woke with the rising of the sun and he stretched every muscle in his body, cracking several bones in the process.

"Oh, love, you know how I hate it when you do that," Safiya moaned. Her back was facing him, but she refused to turn over. "First of all, I don't like to be awakened this early. I don't care if you have royal things to tend to; I'm Queen and I can sleep in if I want to. Second of all, I don't deserve to be awakened by the sound of your back cracking in eight places." She rolled over, preparing to glare at him, but he quickly disarmed her early morning irritability. When she made eye contact with him, she couldn't help but smile at the stupidly satisfied grin that enveloped his face.

"Good morning, sunshine," he said cheerily. "Do you know today is?"

She pulled the warm bed coverings up over her head, mumbling, "How can you have this much energy this early in the morning? And no, I don't know what today is, and I don't particularly care right now. Now go about your business and let me sleep."

He sighed and crawled under the bed coverings to lie beside her. He looked at her with what appeared to be genuine hurt in his eyes. "Safiya," he whined. "How could you forget our anniversary?"

"Anniversary!" She threw the covers off and jumped out of bed, her nerves a mess. "What am I going to wear? What am I going to say? What if something goes wrong? What if we run out of food? Or worse," she froze. "What if I lose to you?"

Atemu laughed. "Well, I see where your priorities lie." He moved to her side, gently taking hold of her hands. "Relax. We will find you suitable attire; you can say whatever your heart desires; nothing will go wrong; and if we run out of food, the people will still love you." With the utmost seriousness, he added, "And it's not a matter of 'if' you lose. It's a matter of 'when' you lose."

She punched his arm and turned her back to him, folding her arms across her chest.

When she had turned away, Atemu rubbed his arm, massaging the already bruising skin. "She gets me every time," he muttered under his breath. "You'd think I'd learn by now."

"What was that Atemu?" She asked, turning her head slightly so the she could see him.

"Oh, nothing Saph. I was just thinking about what we should wear today."

"That's my boy," she said, wrapping her arms around him. She gave him a chaste kiss, then hurried off to find appropriate attire for the celebration.

Atemu smiled to himself. "You never cease to amaze me, Saph," he said softly as he headed off after his wife.


Yugikid: Apparently fate has been put on hold for this chapter. It looks like you're going to have to keep pondering until the next update. (insert angelic smile with a tarnished halo here)