Spirit-another day another update.

Tenshi-yep.

Spirit-well you're unusually quiet today.

Tenshi-i didn't sleep. to hooked on the FFX game. so i stayed up almost all night playing it.

Spirit-Yeah! now i don't have to listen to you! anyways heres the next chapter for you guys.

Shout Outs!-

Sailor Ra & Vegeta-hey if i could i would update all that i have now, but that wouldn't be fun. plus Tenshi says it's beeter to leave you hanging for a day. Thanks for updating that. it really made my day yesterday. thanks for the review you two.

bluedragonflyofdestiny-well thanks for the review, i guess you must like it if you've read this far. hope you like this chapter.

Bunny Aino, Harpygirl, Saturn's Spawn- I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter. yep things are defidently picking up now, thanks for the reviews.

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

They would soon be reaching the city. Unfortunately night was also soon approaching and they were not allowed to stop. They were ordered to retrieve the princess as soon as possible, which meant traveling back at night. This plan did not sit well with Hotaru, as she felt something stirring in the vast desert.

88 This Time88

Makoto stared wide eyed at the room she was given. She was told it was just a servants room, but to her it seemed like the Pharaoh's room. Seto had brought her to the palace as he said then handed her over to some of the women servants. She was given a bath and a beautiful white dress to where. The only jewelry she wore where her rose earrings as they had been a gift from her parents when she was little from the northern lands.

"My lady would you like anything else before we go?" asked one of the servants. Makoto shook her head and thanked the two. They bowed and left the room. Oh yeah, a girl could get used to this.

Makoto smiled and went over to the balcony looking out she found she was over the palace gardens. She starred in awe at all the exotic looking flowers. She loved plant life and this garden was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Some people walked out into the garden. It was Seto and a brown haired girl. Makoto couldn't help but stare at him now, as he was in his priest outfit.

Seto said something to the girl and she seemed to be shocked. Then she started crying. Seto wrapped his arms around her and Makoto felt her heart ache. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She didn't like him. Sure he had saved her but he was still a cold jerk to her. Looking back she saw the girl was gone and Seto just stood there starring at the ground.

Makoto couldn't take it, he seemed so sad. "Seto?" she called out. He looked up at her in surprise. "Are you ok?"

Seto kept starring at her then seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in. "Yeah I'm fine. It's nothing you should concern yourself with." he said.

The emerald eyed girl didn't buy that but before she could say more he walked back inside.

88888

That had not gone well. Seto had taken Anzu out to the gardens to tell her the news of their father. He hadn't told his mother yet and still didn't know how. They stopped when they reached the lilies. Anzu was looking around at all the flowers. She knew her ignoring him would get him annoyed and she was waiting for it. When Seto didn't do anything she finally looked up at him.

He looked sad and wouldn't meet her gaze. Instead he looked at the ground, his fists clenching. "Seto? What is it? What's wrong?" she asked.

He couldn't do this. It was to painful, he could already imagine her shocked face as the tears welled up in her blue eyes. No, he couldn't do it, but he had to. It would be worse if she heard it from the Pharaoh or one of the other priests.

He took in a breathe and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Anzu...father is...father is..."

She starred up at him confused. "Father is what? Is he hurt? Can he not make the trip back?" damn her innocence. She may be a trouble maker, but she knew nothing of the troubles the world could bring. He shook his head.

"Father is dead." he said softly. He couldn't look at her, but he heard her sharp intake of air. Then he heard her begin to cry. He moved closer and hugged her in an attempt to comfort his sister. She soon pushed him away and ran inside crying.

That was when he heard Makoto ask him if he was alright. He looked up at her ready to tell her it wasn't any of her business when his breathe caught. She was in a simple white dress but it was a Huge improvement from the grey torn up dress he had met her in. She wore no jewelry, but there was no need for it. Her emerald eyes shone with concern as they starred at him. She looked ...beautiful.

When he realized what he just thought he shook his head and looked back up at her. "Yeah I'm fine. It's nothing you should concern yourself with." he said, then went back inside. He wondered if she had heard what had happened. No, if she had she wouldn't have needed to ask that question.

He had to get her out of his head. This wasn't the time for these thoughts about her. He decided he would go get something to eat and relax a bit before telling his mother. If Anzu hadn't run to her already. With a heavy sigh the priest made his way to the kitchens for a quick bite to eat.

88888

Finally Hotaru and the guards had arrived in Mut. It was a huge city but of course not as big as the other one. The guards led her to a temple. She soon realized it was a temple of Isis. That made sense. It would be the perfect place to keep the princess and provide her protection. Several priestesses came out to welcome them and called over stable hands to tend to their camels as they followed them inside.

Hotaru was in awe at the place. The only temple she had been to was the public one in her home city, and that was nothing compared to this place. The walls were white marble and had pictures and hieroglyphics carved into it. Statues of the goddess were everywhere and the place was well kept. She almost didn't realize the others had kneeled till Tau pulled her down to kneel with them.

"You may rise." came a voice. Hotaru looked up and saw a girl about her age with long raven colored hair and purple eyes almost identical to her own. She wore a red Egyptian dress with gold bracelets and necklaces. She also wore a simple tiara with a ruby in the middle.(like the senshi's tiaras)

The guards and Hotaru rose. The one with two swords spoke. "Princess Rei we are here to accompany you back to the palace. It is no longer safe here for you."

"Did my brother order this?" she asked seemingly annoyed. He nodded.

"Yes he did, so you know we can not disobey him." Rei nodded. That was when Tau pushed Hotaru forward and removed her veils. Rei looked at her in surprise. Tau then spoke.

"Princess this girl will play as your decoy during the ride back. You are to dress as a hand maid and ride in the carriage with her."

"WHAT!"both girls shouted. The guard with claws chuckled.

"You two really are similar. This plan will work perfectly. Now I believe you two will have to change." he said. Rei looked angered while Hotaru silently pictured herself killing them. She hated wearing dresses and all that jewelry.

"Fine!" they both shouted again and were led to a room where they could change. Rei was placed in a white dress with no jewelry and a white veil that hid all of her face, but was able to see through it. Hotaru put on the dress she had been wearing as well as the jewelry and a red veil that only showed her eyes.

The two didn't talk while they changed nor would they even look at each other. Both were blaming the other for this plan. Finally they had finished and stepped out. The priestesses and guards smiled as it was very difficult to tell the two apart. Hotaru had been given a wig as well to make it even more believable.

"Well shall we go now?" asked the guard with two swords. The girls nodded and they left the temple. A carriage was waiting for them outside and they got in. Hotaru sat on one side while Rei sat on the other. Tau handed the violet eyed girl some weapons to conceal under her dress which she quickly did, and soon they were off.

Just as they left Mut

"How did you become a warrior?" Rei asked. They had been quiet while they had passed through the streets since the people all wanted to see the princess. They of course saw Hotaru instead but she waved to them, and acted the part. Hotaru looked at her questionably. "I mean it is not right. How could anyone let a girl become a guard? I know women can fight, but no one has officially made a woman a warrior before."

"To tell you the truth I'm not really sure. I first learned that I could fight about two days ago. My home was attacked by thieves and I fought off their leader. Someone must have told your brother about it and he assigned me the job of being your body guard till we get you back to him." Hotaru explained. Rei hung her head.

"Atem won't even permit me to learn how to fight. Our father did the same before he died. 'You are a princess. The battlefield is something you will never see. Therefore you will not need to learn.' was what they would tell me." she said in an irritated voice. Hotaru felt sorry for her, even Anzu knew how to defend herself to an extent, but Rei was completely defenseless. For a princess that actually was a dangerous thing.

"I could teach you a few things." Hotaru said.

Rei looked up at her in surprise, "you will? But why?"

"Well because I hate following the rules and plus I think you'll need to learn a few things to help you in the future." she said. Rei smiled through the veil and got up and sat by Hotaru.

"Alright I'm ready to learn." she said. Hotaru nodded and began telling her about pressure points and a few defense moves. She even gave her one of the daggers she was given and showed her some ways to use it. New things just kept popping up in her mind. Things she never knew she even knew. It scarred her a little, but she ignored it and continued in helping Rei to learn how to throw a dagger.

Night came and the only source of light they were permitted was a single candle in the carriage and the moon. By now Rei knew plenty and Hotaru agreed to secretly teach her how to use some weapons when they got back to the palace. They had started talking about other stuff and became friends almost instantly. Hotaru told her about her family and all the trouble she and her sister got into, while Rei told her of life as a princess and her fights with Atem which she had always won.

"Yeah I have a short temper so Atem and I fight often. I'm mostly the one who starts it...but I'm also the one who finishes it." she said. Hotaru laughed as she pictured this.

"The Pharaoh didn't seem like the type to argue like that when I had met him." she said. Rei shrugged while she laughed as well. Both just sat there for awhile and then the carriage suddenly stopped.

Tenshi-dun dun duuuunnn

Spirit-sorry i had to leave you there.

Tenshi-but if you want the next one tomorrow you'll have to review!

Spirit-Yep so do that! Ja ne

Death