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 the truth is out... So what happens now? Atem Wakes up a little confused and... Well if you read this far then thank you and your curiosity will be rewarded with a few new answers... If not... well then I guess I am just doing this for my own sake and no one else's... Now to continue...
A Compromising Situation
Atem drew his arms closer to him in an effort to hug Lady Phoenix. His eyes flew open and he sat up as he realized she was no longer beside him. He looked around trying to find a clue as to where she had gone. The sun was raising and casting an orange glow through the balcony opening. He stood and made his way to the balcony, looking out over the garden. When he did not see her, he turned to exit the room. Just outside the door, he ran into Priest Set. His cousin raised an eyebrow at him and gave a sly smirk. Blood filled Atem's cheeks as he realized what it looked like. Set chuckled.
"Your night was good, I take it, cousin?" Atem smiled shyly.
"Actually, nothing happened. She is not even in there."
"Going to the extreme to stay in her empty room are you not, my Pharaoh?" Set asked in a teasing tone. Atem rolled his eyes.
"She was there. She had gone by the time I awoke this morning." Set nodded with a "yeah right" glance at him. "Never mind, what is going on for today?"
"It seems there was another raid last night. Word just reached the palace a few moments ago. I went to your room and when I saw you were not there, I headed this way." Atem sighed. Another raid. They were becoming more and more troublesome.
"Why is this Thief King so bent on destroying me?" Seto shook his head with a shrug.
"I am not sure, Pharaoh. This may not have anything to do with you as it is the tombs of your father's court that are being ravaged." Atem thought hard about that idea. He tried to keep his mind on the problem. He wished he could.
Ok, Atem, get a hold of yourself, he thought angrily. She is not here so there is no distraction. Just focus on this thief and figure out a way to get rid of him. He glanced back toward Lady Phoenix's door and sighed before following Set to the hall. Mana was seen in a corner with Mahado practicing a simple lifting spell. She seemed bored this morning. Mahado looked tired as well. Atem raised an eyebrow at Mana when the girl blushed and quickly spun to face a new direction. Now he knew something was not right. She never avoided him like that. He approached her while he waited for the other priests to arrive.
"Mana? Are you all right?" She jumped at his voice. Mahado looked hard at her as if in a warning.
"Yes, Pharaoh. I am all right. Just did not sleep well last night," she answered timidly.
"Are you sure?" Mana continued to avoid looking at his face as she nodded.
"Forgive me, but I do need to return to my lessons."
"Very well." By this time the other priests had arrived so it was on to the tasks at hand. It had been decided that he would go with High Priest Set, Isis, and Mahado to check out the damage done in this last attack. At the stable, he noticed three of the horses were missing. "That is odd." He turned toward a stable boy. "Where are the horses from those stalls?" The stable boy shrugged after he bowed.
"I am not sure, your highness. They were missing when I came in to feed them this morning." Atem nodded.
"I see," was all he said as he climbed onto his own horse. He noticed Mahado gazing off into the distance. "Is something wrong?" he asked the magician.
"You are filled with questions this morning, Pharaoh," Mahado commented softly.
"If I would get some straight answers, I would not have so many questions."
"Point taken, sire." Mahado was quiet a moment before he looked over at Atem and decided to speak again.
"She and her friends left late last night. She said she would return but was unsure how long she would be gone." Atem's eyes widened in shock. So someone did know where she was.
"When were you going to tell me this, Mahado? And was that why Mana was acting so strangely this morning?"
"Yes, sire. She was unsure of your reaction. I had planned to tell you when we were more alone. It seems she was certain her enemy was near by. She is searching for the last two members of her team so they may be prepared in case he appears. I told her about the spring in the oasis. They should be fine."
"I hope so. I only wish she had told me." Mahado nodded but said nothing. Now that he knew where Lady Phoenix had disappeared to, Atem focused his entire being onto his search for the Thief King. He would worry about her later.
Ok so Atem is now a little disappointed, but love can be troubling that way... sigh Oh well... on to the next scene...
