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.

"Shut Out"

"Please, show her in, Mana," Atem responded as he, and the other males at the table stood. Mana turned and motioned Lady Phoenix forward. She took a deep breath and entered the room with her gaze turned down. Her cheeks reddened as she sensed Atem's eyes falling upon her. A shy smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. A quick breath and she raised her head and met his gaze just as he had asked of her the night before. Shock was in his eyes, but that quickly switched to amazement, then joy. She had accepted him. Atem started forward to greet her. "I am glad you chose to join us," he said offering his hand to her. She took it and he raised her hand to his lips. She was honored by his act as a gentleman. She nodded at him when he looked up at her from her hand. She bit down on her lower lip and stifled a giggle when he gave her a wink. She could feel her face getting red again. A cough brought them back to the room. Looking over at the table, she saw Seto with an amused look on his face. Kisara and Mana were shaking their heads trying to conceal their grins. Mahado raised an eyebrow in humor with a smirk.

"We have an audience, Pharaoh," she whispered to him as he straightened. It was his turn for his cheeks to go pink. She heard his soft, deep chuckle and her heart fluttered.

"Shall we continue our breakfast, Pharaoh?"

"Of course, Mahado," he answered still gazing down at Lady Phoenix. She straightened her shoulders and moved toward the table. Set moved from his place beside the Pharaoh's chair and stood at an empty seat on the other side of Kisara.

"Please, Lady Aurora," he said. "Take my seat." Touched by the gesture, she looked up at him. Way up. He was a tall man, but handsome still the same. His icy blue eyes should instill fear into the hearts of others, and yet there was a welcoming kindness in them for her.

"I could not. It is your place. I am but a guest."

"Maybe," he responded. He glanced at Atem with a knowing look. "But you are also a special guest of honor. So please." He took her hand and led her to the chair. As she prepared to sit, Set leaned down to her ear. His darkly seductive voice stopped her in her place. Her eyes widened in shock but she stood still to hear what his whispered words were. "Just be careful with him, Lady Aurora," he whispered with a sly smile. "He is new to this whole thing." She turned to face him. Just as quietly, she spoke words of her own.

"What whole …" Realization dawned on her and she took a breath. "Oh! I see." She gave him a dazzling smile, and a gentle laugh. "I will be good and gentle to him, I promise you." They both shared a quiet laugh. They coughed at Atem's curious look.

The breakfast went surprisingly well in Lady Phoenix's eyes. Everyone was kind and very open. She was shocked and yet glad to be a part of something, even though she was still considered a stranger. They discussed the battles between the Pharaoh and the Thief King, Bakura, whom she had battled the day before. They explained to her the way of their duels and the stakes. Her eyes narrowed as they described past duels. She silently compared them with battles of her own. She allowed questions about her origin and her Powers. She explained only what she felt comfortable telling. She avoided telling Atem about his new Powers. She figured it would be better for her to discuss those Powers with him privately. She could tell he had told no one about them and she was not about to spill his secret.

Near the end of the meal, Set turned to her. "So, Lady Aurora, what are your plans for today?" She faced him.

"Actually, I was thinking of going into the market place and looking around. I thought it best to get to know my new surroundings. And I am hoping that maybe some of my friends may have found their way here. I can only hope," she added softly. Atem glanced at her, his eyes softening. He heard the sadness in her voice. It worried him. It was when the sadness crept in that she pushed everyone away. He fought too hard to be allowed into her heart. He was not sure he could handle being pushed out again.

"Would you like to join us then?" He asked her. "We were going to be meeting the other priests there a little later." She looked down at the table.

"I do not know if that would be such a good idea, Pharaoh." It was Mahado who responded to her.

"Why is that, my child?" She sighed but said nothing. Mana answered for her.

"It is Isis. A few others as well, but Isis for sure."

"Hmm," Atem's eyes narrowed. He was afraid of this. "I see. She is only concerned for me. She will learn eventually that you are good for us here. She also is not one for change." Lady Phoenix raised an eyebrow at him.

"Is that so? And you think that my being around her more will get her to trust me? I am afraid I will disagree with that one. The more I am around her, the more she will resent my presence here. You need all your people to be open with you. You need them to work well with you. If she is worried about me, she will fail you." With her head lowered, she stood. Everyone at the table stood as well. "I shall leave you to your duties. Thank you for allowing me to dine with you this morning." Atem lowered his head. She had shut him out again. After all he had done to gain her trust. She closed up. Set narrowed his eyes at the sadness on his cousin's face. He was not about to let Isis' issues mess with Atem's chance at some kind of happiness. He may be a Pharaoh with a lot on his mind, but even he deserved to have someone in his life without Isis meddling with it. Without a word, he turned and followed her out of the hall.