I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters and plots.

However the following characters (their powers and such) used in this fan fiction ARE mine:

Lady Aurora Phoenix

Lady Natara Fear

Lady Sapphira Star

Blaze

Chaos

Havoc

Now I know this will be different from typical stories thus the reason it is in the fantasy genre but I wanted to give Atem a family and have a way to keep an eye on him even while he was nothing but a spirit in the Millennium Puzzle... This way I could do just that. This is my first fan fic so forgive me if it is not to your liking.

"The Stranger Awakes"

The scene that greeted them was not exactly what Pharaoh Atem was expecting. The stranger's eyes were still closed but her face was twisted into a grimace of pain. Mahado and Mana were feverishly trying to calm her using their magic but it only seemed to make things worse. Atem could tell she was fighting the magic. She felt it to be an attack.

No! The scream ripped through his head like a knife and he gasped in pain. Isis cast a worried glance at his direction when he grabbed for his head. You cannot have me! The voice cried out again.

"Stop!" Atem roared with both hands clutching his head now. Startled, the two spell castors dropped their hands and ceased their chanting. The stranger on the bed was still shaking on her bed, her body rigid and tense. One hand was clutching the blanket at her side while the other she had balled into a fist. The fist was so tight her nails had cut into her palms. Atem knew he had to calm her. He was just uncertain as to how. Quickly, he went to the bed and knelt beside it. Instantly, he grabbed for her hand. Her fear raced through him. He had to get through to her.

"Please calm down," he pleaded in a soft voice. "It is I, Pharaoh Atem. You know me." Her struggles seemed to slow, as she recognized the voice, but her tension was still there.

What is happening? Why was magic being used against me?

"It was not being used against you, lady. My faithful friends were trying to help you. They are experts in the magic arts and were hoping to help aide in your healing. They meant you no harm." Everyone in the room looked at each other with confusion in their eyes. They never heard the questions being asked. They only heard Atem's responses. He was speaking to himself, it seemed.

"She did not speak with her lips. It is a voice in my head. A soft, gentle voice, filled with pain." Atem's words floated back to Isis' mind and her eyes widened. Could it be true? She asked herself. Could she really be talking to him?

"Please, lady. You must believe me. My people meant no harm," Atem continued to say. His normally dark and sensual voice, filled with worry and concern. He had completely forgotten about the people in the room. His only intent was to gain her trust. Slowly her felt the tension ease. Her fingers began to unclench. It was then he noticed the blood. Grasping her injured hand, he held it tenderly with one hand while reaching for a dampened cloth with the other. Looking up, he motioned for a servant. "Get me some clean cloth so I can wrap her palm." With a nod the servant went to a corner where there had been cleaning clothes used to wash the lady's wounds from the fall.

Why? Confusion filled his mind. Atem gazed down at her with narrowed eyes as he washed her wound.

"Why, what?" he asked.

Why are you being so kind? I am a stranger to you.

"That means nothing to me. You crashed onto my land. You were injured. I told you, I would help you. I meant it." He received no response at first. He felt nothing from her. She had shut him off. For a few moments there was nothing but silence. With a heavy sigh, Atem stood and turned toward his people.

"Let us go. She shall be all right. We have more important matters at hand in which we must prepare." Nods of agreement came from the small group of people as they all left the bed chamber. Atem chanced one last look back toward the now calm creature on the bed. Seeing no change, he took a deep breath and started out. He hesitated only briefly when a flicker of feeling breathed through his mind. It was tired and weak. But ruefully grateful.

Thank you, Pharaoh… The voice finally said. There seemed to be a small sigh before she spoke again. Thank you for your kindness. Your… understanding.

"Please, call me Atem," he requested lightly.

Atem… Thank you… Atem.

"Hmm," Atem nodded with a small smile on his lips. His name spoken by her voice. His heart had jumped, yet slowed at the same time. This was an odd feeling. His cheeks burned lightly as blood rushed to them. He never remembered being flattered enough to blush before. This stranger had really gotten to him. He just was not sure if he was ready to admit it to anyone. Let alone himself. He left the room, never seeing that the stranger's deep blue eyes had opened slightly and watched him leave.

"Your kindness shall be repaid, your majesty," her soft velvet voice vowed, as she felt her strength begin to return. "It shall be repaid." She looked around trying to take in her new surroundings. "Well, Phoenix, you are here in a palace once again. What kind of damage will you do this time," she muttered as she tried to sit up in the bed. She spotted the long white gown and her long white cape. "I have not worn a gown in so long. But it will be nice to not have to be ready to go into battle every time I turn around." Little did she know, trouble was beginning to stir just outside the main gate. An enemy of Pharaoh Atem was sneaking his way in.

With a sigh, she donned her new gown and wrapped the cape around her shoulders clasping the silver buckle at the base of her throat. Her choker dazzled in the sunlight pouring in through the balcony. Turning toward the light, she slowly stepped out onto the balcony to look around at this new planet. It was much like her own. Except where her lands were more green , the land she was on now was a desert. Still there was a beautiful garden to the right of her room. The desert flowers blooming brightly for a short period of time. Taking a deep breath, she took in the beautiful aroma that floated up to her. This was a beautiful place. But she longed for her own home. Her own palace. Her lost husband.

"Blaze," she whispered as tears came to her eyes. She raised a hand to her heart and lowered her head, letting a tear escape its place in her eyes and trail down her cheek. "I am so sorry, my love. I should have protected you better than that. You should still be here. What am I going to do without you?" With a sob she closed her eyes and looked toward the sky. A gentle breeze ruffled her cape. Her hair shone like red gold, and her tears were falling dew drops on her face. To any passing stranger, she looked like a saddened angel. She just felt alone.