Spirit-Ello again my faithful reviewers!...i'm sleepy.
Tenshi-you sure aren't acting like it.
Spirit-yeah i know, but i am. anyways here's another chapter for you all. i hope you enjoy it and please review!

Shout Outs!-

Sailor Ra-Bulma's right, of course bakura will come back:takes on a devil appearance: and i can't wait for that! Mwahahahaha. yeah anyways. i'm glad you liked it when Hotaru kicked his ass. i had so much fun writting that. oh and Amara will actually be coming in, in the 12th chap, but so far not much has been potrayed on her. thanks for the review!

pyro the dark angel-well it started in Egypt but i'm sure it can be celebrated else where. Cause i Am going to! but really i don't know much about it. i'm pretty sure it takes place each year on it. and it's just a party throw, it's not really a place. thanks for the review.

Harpygirl-lol, well i just watch, read, and draw a lot of actiony things so i pick up on different styles of ways to write out the fight scenes. mostly i just make sure they aren't to short, or to long as to bore the readers. and i learned the names of weapons and stuff like that. that's really all i do. but i'm glad you liked it and thanks for the review.

Bunny Anio, Saturn's Spawn-thanks for the reviews guys. i hope you like this chapter too.

Pairings- Hotaru/Bakura, Rei/Marik, Makoto/Seto

Names- the reason i have this is because i am using Yami's past names.
Yami-Atem Kaiba-Seto Yami Bakura- just Bakura Tea-Anzu

Disclaimer-i don't own anything except a few minor characters and the plot. got it? good!


88 Last Time 88

Hotaru bolted up. She had awoken from the dream and realized she was covered in sweat. The sun had not yet risen and everyone else was still asleep. Jasmin, who was laying in between her and Anzu, lifted her head and looked up at her. Hotaru patted her and told her she was alright. She laid back down and closed her eyes. She wanted to dream of the man again and find out more instead she only slipped into dreams of the snake from that day and the fight with Bakura.

88 This Time 88

Early in the morning everyone was awaken and quickly helped the servants pack. They put the packs on the horses and strapped then on. Hotaru and Anzu had changed into dresses now, but neither wanted to. They liked the freedom of mens clothes, but the priests and their mother wouldn't allow them to wear them. To show her displeasure, Anzu wore her black dress and veil. Hotaru just wore a nice blue one, but refused to wear any jewelry. Even though it would become hot, both girls were to wear their veils till they found a place to camp for the night. That just added to their anger and they refused to talk to anyone besides Seto, the guards, and the tombkeepers.

"At least we aren't riding with anyone.(meaning two to a horse) That would just kill us with the heat to come." Anzu said. Hotaru nodded. They were out of the city and were all riding on their horses. Guards surrounded the group on all sides. One even carried un extra glaive in case they met robbers on the way. Seeing as how Hotaru had a knack with the weapon her mother allowed them to bring it.

"Well it's nice to know you two are actually satisfied with something." Seto said, he was dressed in his priest outfit. Both threw a glare at him. A guard next to them chuckled.

"Be careful Master Seto, they might stop talking to you soon." he said, the other guards laughed. Seto just smirked and Anzu had an urge to go over there and slap it right off his face, but kept where she was.

"Seto...have you ever heard of Karma?"Hotaru asked, a smile on her face. Anzu wondered what she was smiling about when she saw a mud puddle coming up in front of her. Hotaru winked at her sister and Anzu knew what to do as she was the one coming up to it.

"Yes I have, but I don't believe in it." he said.

"Well you might want to start." Anzu said and kicked her horse slightly on the sides. It reared and when it brought its hooves done they landed in the puddle. Hotaru had pulled back in time to avoid the mud, but Seto had not been expecting it and was splattered with the stuff. The two sisters and a few guards laughed as Seto cursed and tried to wipe the stuff off of him.

"Look at it this way Seto, at least you'll be cool when the sun is at its peek." Hotaru said still laughing. Rashid, who Hotaru had pulled up beside to avoid the mud shower, smiled.

"You two are quiet the schemers Lady Hotaru." Hotaru smiled.

"Uh..I guess you could call us that."She heard Anzu pull her horse up beside them and looked over at her smiling at how well she made Seto play into the plan. Turning back to Rashid she said. "I'm sorry I did not catch your name before."

"It's Rashid Ishtar." he replied. She smiled.

"Thank you, now I won't feel so stupid. Why did you decide to become a Tombkeeper anyway?" she asked.

"It wasn't really my choice. Nor is it any child's choice born from a Tombkeeper. I however was adopted by a family of them ." he answered. Anzu blinked.

"Really? So neither you nor your brother had a choice? But Isis isn't a Tombkeeper. " she said.

"Yes well she had a choice, for she is female. The boys have no choice." he explained. Hotaru nodded. Rashid soon started telling them about the tombs and their stories. Hotaru listened intently. Having lived in the city for so long, she had never been anywhere else before, and even if she did, she couldn't remember. Anzu just zoned in and out of his stories.

"Hotaru? Forgive me, but I couldn't help but notice you look nothing like your family." he suddenly said. Hotaru sighed, Anzu decided to go join her brother, and leave the explanation to her sister. Nudging her horse she gave Hotaru a comforting smile and rode ahead, it was then Hotaru spoke.

"They're not my real family. Father found me when I was eight in an alley. I couldn't remember how I got there or who my parents were...actually the only thing I could remember was my name. He took me to his home, and later he and mother adopted me. I still can't remember anything before that night when I awoke alone in a basket." she explained. Rashid's eyes softened.

"I'm sorry, perhaps you and I are more alike then we wish." he said the violet eyed girl shook her head.

"No it's alright. I'm thankful for that night. I now live with a family that loves me and treats me as their own. I doubt I would be this happy with my real one, they were the ones who left me in the alley. You should be thankful too, you now have a brother and sister who also care about you."she said. Rashid nodded and Anzu called her sister over.

"Please excuse me Rashid." she said and moved the horse into going faster to catch up with her sister. The thing was she could not get the man, Darius, from her dreams out of her mind.

88888

It took them two days to reach the capital city. The two sisters eyes were wide at all the sites. There was so much more things here. People called out to buy gems, jewelry, water, food, etc. Unfortunately the girls weren't allowed to stop and look. This of course didn't sit well with them, but they had no other option, and kept moving until they reached the grand palace. There the Priests separated from their party to see the Pharaoh. Neferu and the girls said goodbye to Seto as they were lead by some servants to their rooms.

Seto and the other Priests entered the throne room. Pharaoh Atem sat on the throne talking to a man. Once he saw them the two finished the conversation and the man left. Atem stood and approached them smiling.

"Its been awhile. I've missed you all." he said as the priests bowed their heads in honor.

"It has been a long time Pharaoh Atem...you said you had news for us?" Akhenaden asked. Sadly the Pharaoh nodded. He went back to his throne and they gathered at the bottom of its steps waiting for him to speak.

"This is even worse then that King of Thieves, Bakura. Raiders from our neighbors have been coming into our lands and taking over villages near the borders. Only was it recently that we found out...they're not just some groups of outlaws. They are soldiers." he explained the Priests looked amongst each other. Surprised none of their Millennium Items had not picked this up, when the Pharaoh began to speak again they looked back up at him. "Rei is currently in Mut, I need to send a few bodyguards to retrieve her. Possibly one that looks like her."

"I know of someone. She her self can be the bodyguard." they turned to see the two Tombkeepers. Some of the Priests and Isis scolded them for entering without permission, but Pharaoh Atem dismissed it.

"And who would this woman be?" Seto's eyes went wide as he realized who Marik was talking about, and glared at him, daring him to continue. However Marik was not looking at Seto and did not see his little threat, his eyes remained on the Pharaoh.

"Her name is Hotaru Kaiba. When I first saw her I even thought for a second that she was your sister." he said. Atem seemed be thinking about this. "She also fought off Bakura when we were attack by him not but two days ago."

"Bring her to me and I shall see for myself." a guard nodded and went to retrieve her.

88888

Hotaru was in her new room which had a balcony overlooking the city streets. She sat on the ledge and stared out beyond the city though. Deep into the desert, opposite of which they had come. Suddenly an image passed through her thoughts. She frowned at it. It was of that no good thief Bakura. Gods how she wanted to strangle him especially after he tried to kill her brother. Then the memory of him winking at her played and she blinked.

"What the-." her doors then opened and a strong hand rested on her shoulder, steading her so she wouldn't fall from the suddenness of their entrance.

"Lady Hotaru, the Pharaoh wishes to see you." said the guard. Hotaru hopped off the railing and followed the guard out. 'What could the Pharaoh possibly want with me?' she thought. 'I haven't done anything...yet. I bet Seto said something as pay back for the mud shower he got.' they soon reached the throne room and she kneeled before the Pharaoh. When she looked up she was surprised to see him so young. He may have been even a year or two younger then Seto. He seemed to be studying her and soon was in awe.

"Besides the hair length, she almost does look like Rei. But is she really as good as a fighter as you say Marik?" Atem asked the Tombkeeper who nodded. Atem signaled a guard who suddenly gave Hotaru a spear. Seto's eyes widen.

"Pharaoh Atem you can't be serious?" he cried.

"I'm just going to test her Seto, I'm not going to kill her." he said rising. A guard gave him a sword and Hotaru stood in shock.

"B-but your Majesty, I-I couldn't possibly fight you." she stuttered. He just laughed and smirked at her.

"What are you scared?" this made her falter. He really did act like a teen. He began to circle her and she began to do the same, seeing no way out of this. Her eyes flashed a dull purple for a second, she griped the spear better, and watched the Pharaoh with a strait face. He gave up waiting and lunged ready with his sword. Hotaru dodged the sword and swung the spear, but only managed to form a tare in his shirt as he had stepped back in time.

She didn't wait for him to respond first and stuck the tip of the spear in the ground and jumped up kicking him back in the chest with both feet before landing. The Pharaoh landed a few feet away. Hotaru felt something wet run down her arm and looked to see he had managed to cut her before she had kicked him. He rose and gave the sword back to the guard, obviously stating that the match was over. Another guard came to take the spear which Hotaru gave to him. The Pharaoh smiled.

"You were right Marik. She is good. Even though we only fought for a minute it has been a long time since someone was able to bring me down in that short of time." he said. She blushed at the compliment and looked at the floor. He walked over to her.

"Hotaru I must ask you to do something for me." he said. She looked up at him surprised.

"What is it you wish of me?"

"I need you to act as bodyguard for my sister, the princess Rei. She is in Mut right now and will soon be returning, but what with the raids I need someone protecting her. Can you do this?" he asked. Hotaru looked towards her brother who just looked at the floor. She knew he didn't want her to do this, he wanted her to stay safe within the palace walls...and since when did she do what he wanted? She knew the dangers and such and quickly thought it over before nodding.

"Yes, I will." she said. Atem thanked her and told her she could go prepare to leave, and would depart in a few hours.


Spirit-this is where the plot line really starts kicking in.
Tenshi-yep, so if you want to find out what happens then you have to Review!
Spirit-and i'll put up the next chap tomorrow! Ja ne then.

Death