Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! However everyone else is mine. Mwaha…

Yami grabbed a passing slave. "Tell my council to meet me in the conference room in ten minutes."

The slave bowed and hurried to do his bidding.

Aura sighed and threw the parchment down. "Why do they have to make things so difficult?"

"Problems?" asked Bakura, coming into the room.

"You could say that."
"Anything I can help with? Like relieving the tension perhaps?" he asked, kneading her shoulders.

Aura sighed pleasantly. "Kura…that feels so good."

Bakura grinned wickedly and lowering his head he began to nibble on Aura's ear.

"Bakura!" Aura scolded, "The door is open."

"Forgive me my Lady but I can't seem to keep my hands or mouth off of you."

"Bakura! Stop it this instant!" Aura said irritably.

"Ra but you get royal when you do paperwork."

Aura stiffened and turned back to her paperwork, not saying anything. Bakura turned to leave and stopped.

"Oh and by the way Lady Aurahkah, your presence is requested in the conference room immediately." He bowed and waited to be dismissed.

Aura stood and nodded at Bakura. "Thank you slave, now make sure these papers get to Seto." She walked past a furious Bakura, heading for the door.

Bakura glared after her and walked over to her dressing table. "Oh Lady Aurahkah!" She stopped and looked at him, waiting. He picked up a strange necklace from the table and held it between his thumb and forefinger.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked.

Aura glared at him. "Give it to me."

"For a price."

She glared at him again, narrowing her eyes. She glanced out into the hall and seeing it empty said, "Fine. Name your price."

Bakura smiled slyly and said, "It's not much. Just one kiss."

Aura rolled her eyes. "No."

Bakura's smile faded. "No?"

"You heard me. No. Now give it to me."

"No."

Aura sighed. "Fine." She walked over and quickly pressed her lips to his. But when she reached for the necklace he held it up away from her.

"Hey. I paid your price." She protested.

"That was a kiss? Come I thought I taught you better than that."

"Enough, I'm going to be late. Give me the necklace."

"You're already late. You are the one making yourself later." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall waiting.

Aura glared at him.

He smiled. "I'm waiting. See you have to step towards me because I'm not moving."

Aura glanced at the hallway again and walked over to him. Placing her arms around his neck and standing on her toes slightly, she kissed him. Bakura fought against responding but when she began to move her lips against his he surrendered. He began to kiss her back with more passion. Aura felt his arms loosen and she took the opportunity to grab the necklace from his fingers.

"Hey that's cheating."

"I paid your price. Now you've paid yours." She turned and headed for the door. "Don't forget about those papers Bakura! I mean it!" Without another word she placed the necklace into the folds of her dress and left the room.

"Dammit." Bakura muttered. He walked over to the pile of papers and picked them up. "Ra, what in the world is so important it takes up all of these papers?" He considered reading them but knew he would only get his mistress in trouble if he got caught. He sighed and left the room with the papers in hand, heading towards Seto's room and then on to do the rest of his chores.

Seto stood at his bedroom window, watching Seraph. She was walking around the garden, stopping every once and a while to smell a flower. He couldn't take his eyes off her. The wind caught her, lifting her dress and revealing a long shapely leg beneath it. He felt desire slice through him. He sighed in frustration. Why couldn't he get her out of his mind? She wasn't even that beautiful. "But she is", he thought. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Her hair makes me want to run my fingers through it. Her lips are cherry red and so kissable. Her breasts-" He shook his head as though he could clear his thoughts. A slave entered, interrupting his musings. "My Lord?"

"Yes, what is it?" Seto asked irritably.

"Pharaoh has called the council. You are to meet him in the conference room."

"Yes, alright." He waved his hand to dismiss the slave.

The slave bowed and left.

Seto walked over to his desk and picked up his Millennium Rod. He looked out the window but Seraph was gone. Sighing again he turned and left.

Seraph walked inside, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She loved outside. And here in the gardens it reminded her of her home. She thought of Karnak and of her mother. Reaching into the folds of her dress she fingered the necklace, the metal cool against her skin. She thought of all that had happened since she had come to the palace in search of what the necklace meant. Shrugging she walked off towards her room.

Seto tapped his Millennium Rod against the table. "Where the hell is everybody?"

Aura breezed into the room. "I'm sorry my Phar-. Oh it's only you." She came in and sat down.

Seto raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Hello Aurahkah. Surprised to see you."

"Yeah Seto, why is that?"

"I didn't think you would be able to break away from that slave long enough."

Aura ignored him, refusing to rise to the bait.

Seto, disappointed in Aura's lack of reaction tried again. "And where pray tell is your Item? You know the Pharaoh requires you to have it." He said mocking her. "We wouldn't want Pharaoh getting upset with you now would we? He may be forced to dispose of you."

Aura pulled the Millennium Ring out of the folds of her dress just as Yami walked in. Both immediately stood and bowed, murmuring "My Liege."

Yami waved his hand impatiently. "Aura, Seto, we have some things to discuss. Relah has asked me to change the law. I told her that I would consider it." He folded his hands and looked at the two people he trusted most aside from Relah.

"What do you think?"

Seto spoke up. "My Pharaoh you may be above your laws but others are not. Relah is not permitted by law to have any relationship with you."

"Yes I know that."

Aura said, "My Pharaoh your people will not have a very high opinion of you if you do not obey your own laws. How can you expect them to when you do not yourself?"

Yami looked thoughtful. "Yes well as I told Relah I will consider it. Now about this thief girl. What was her name?"

"Seraphic my Liege." Aura said.

"Yes Seraphic." He beckoned for a servant. "Go and bring this Seraphic to me."

The servant bowed and left the room. Just as the servant left, the door opened. Yami looked up in surprise as Relah strolled into the room.

"Relah, I thought I told you to stay put."

"You probably did." She said.

"Then please tell me why in Ra's name you are here."

"I had to make sure you gave Seraph a chance to explain her situation."

Yami grumbled. "Don't worry I will."

Relah smiled. "I don't believe you."

Seraph sat on her bed brushing her hair. She worked the tangles out with a wire brush, its handle made from the finest ivory. It was, with the exception of her dress and necklace, the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"My Lady?"

Seraph turned and saw a slave kneeling. She shook her head and laughed. "You startled me."

"My deepest apologies." The servant smiled. He had heard a great deal about this girl, most of it from his friend Dakar. Watching her he decided that Dakar was right, she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. "The Pharaoh desires your presence in the conference room."

Seraph wrinkled her nose. "Whatever for?"

The servant looked startled but quickly regained his composure. "I expect to seat you before the council my Lady."

"Oh well I guess I should go then shouldn't I?"

"Yes." The servant bowed again and left.

"Wait, I don't know-Oh well I guess I'll just have to find it." She left the room and began to navigate the many turns of the intricate palace.

Seraph was lost. She was sure she had passed that room before. In fact she was certain she had passed it many times. She sighed and tried to remember where the conference room was. After passing the same room again she was ready to cry. "This is great Seraph. Get lost when summoned by the Pharaoh. You'll probably be put back in the dungeon for all of this. Great impression." She wasn't paying attention and didn't realize she had bumped into someone until she heard his cry of protest. "Oh I'm sorry." She said as the papers he had been holding went everywhere.

He grunted and began to gather the scattered documents.

Seraph looked at him and felt certain that she knew him from somewhere. He was very rare with his white hair and pale skin. He reminded her of someone but she couldn't think who.

Bakura was pissed. First his fight with Aura and now he had a mess of papers. He had no idea what order they were supposed to be in either. He looked at the girl who had run into him. She was about his height with dark curly hair and violet eyes. He glared at her. "Who are you?"

The girl didn't answer. Instead she continued to stare at him.

"Oh yes, let's stare at the man because he's so rare. He must surely be a slave." Bakura mocked. He continued to gather the papers, muttering to himself. The girl seemed to get out of her shock because she began to help him. He grabbed the papers from her and walked away, not giving her another thought.

Seraph stood there in shock. She knew she must look like an idiot but she couldn't help it. She watched his retreating back, staring at him. The white hair and pale skin proved he was rare. But his eyes. They were a rich chocolate brown. When he had looked directly at her she knew she had seen him somewhere before. She just couldn't recall anything more than a faint memory.

"Where the hell is she?" Yami asked. He was beginning to look very irritated. He was very much aware of Relah's presence and his desire was becoming overwhelming. He had half a mind to cancel the meeting and take her right there on the table.

Aura spoke up. "She may not know the way my Pharaoh. She is new to the palace."

Yami sighed. "Relah." he said. He knew he had to get her out of the room or he would quickly lose control. "Go and find her.

Relah nodded and left the room.

Seraph was ready to cry. She had been all over the palace and couldn't find anyplace that was anything close to a conference room. She hadn't run into anyone either. Except for the white-haired man. Her cheeks flushed when she thought of the way she had acted. He must think she was the biggest idiot.

"Seraphic?"

Seraph looked up and saw Relah walking towards her.

"Relah, I'm so lost. I was supposed to be at a meeting but I couldn't find the place and now the Pharaoh will no doubt believe I am a thief." She said.

Relah sensed the woman's distress and quickly put an arm around her shoulders. "He will not think that. You got lost. It is perfectly understandable. Come on, I'll take you to the conference room."

"But what if he throws me in the dungeons?"

"Then I guess I'll have to get you out won't I?" Relah said, her eyes sparkling.

Seraph laughed and hugged Relah. "I'm glad I found you."

Relah returned the hug and said, "So am I. Now come on, we needn't be later."

Seto was extremely irritated. He had been sitting in this room for over an hour waiting for Seraphic. "Damn women." He thought to himself. "Never where you tell them to be." Suddenly a commotion at the door interrupted his thoughts. Seraph and Relah entered the room. Relah came forward an quietly said some things to Yami.

Seto looked at Seraph and at once was stunned. She stood there regal as a queen. As if they had no right to be angry. There was a hint of defiance in her violet eyes that intrigued him. He allowed himself what he meant to be a brief look but he couldn't tear his eyes away. She was still in the light blue gown with her hair down about her shoulders. He immediately saw her as she was in the garden, a wood nymph smelling the flowers. Her creamy shoulders were bare and around her slender throat was a necklace with the same eye as was on his Millennium Rod.

Seraph felt uncomfortable. For all her outward show of courage, inside she was quivering. The tall dark-haired man was watching her. His intense gaze was making her nervous and she felt a blush climb her cheeks.

Yami finished talking to Relah and turned to Seraphic. He saw a beautiful black-haired girl. She couldn't be more than seventeen.

"What was your name?"

Seraph tore her gaze from Seto and looked at Yami. She quickly curtsied and said, "Seraphic my Pharaoh."

He nodded in approval and motioned her to take a seat. Seraph sat down across form Aura and felt her courage lift when Aura smiled at her.

Yami took his seat at the head. Relah came forward and sat next to Seraph. Yami looked irritated and was about to say something but changed his mind.

"I offer my apologies to the Pharaoh as well as the others for my tardiness." Seraph said before Yami could speak. He was surprised but he let her continue.

"I was on my way when I tool a wrong turn and it seemed every time I thought I had found my way. I only ended up even more lost."

Yami nodded in approval, softening towards her. "Do you know why you were called here?"

"I believe it was to defend myself against the accusation of thief, my Pharaoh."

Yami's eyes held amusement at her boldness.

Seto however scowled at her. "You would do well to watch your tongue girl!" He shouted at her angrily.

Seraph met his scowl with a calm, serene look that only made him scowl even more.

Yami watched the exchange carefully, his face an inscrutable mask but he admired Seraph for her courage. Not many were willing to stand up to Seto.

Seto however was furious. "Insolent girl. Beautiful, insolent, chit." She would have to be taught some manners he decided.

Aura spoke up, "Shouldn't we hear her story my Liege?"

"Yes. Seraphic tell us how you came to Thebes."

Seraph took a deep breath and began by telling him about her life with Micah and training  to be a priestess.

Yami leaned back in his chair and listened interrupting once to ask, "The necklace he gave you is the one you now wear?"

"Yes my Pharaoh."

He nodded and said, "Continue."

Seraph told of her journey to Thebes and how she has asked the merchant about the necklace. "He told me to come here to the palace. And so I did. When I got here I was met by Lord Seto who immediately summoned you my Pharaoh. And I believe you know the rest." Seraph finished and waited to hear what he had to say.

Seto spoke up. "You say your received the necklace from this priest Micah."

Seraph nodded and said, "It belonged to my mother who passed it down to me. Micah kept it for safekeeping but it was always mine."

"Where is your mother now?" Yami asked.

Seraph swallowed. "I-I don't know." She blinked away tears. "I was taken from her at a young age when bandits ravaged my town."

"What is your mother's name?" Aura asked.

"Kali."

Yami nodded once again. He could see the girl spoke the truth. He looked at her with kindness in his eyes and said, "I apologize for your harsh treatment your first night here. Now let me see your necklace."

Seraph's hands went to her throat. She unclasped the necklace and handed it to him. Seraph noticed that each of them had some  sort of token with an eye on it much like her own.

Aura's was a golden ring with five sharpened pyramid shapes hanging from the sides and bottom. In the middle of the ring was a pyramid with the eye. It hung on a long golden chain, draped loosely around her neck where it rested against her breasts.

The Pharaoh's  was also on a golden chain and his too had a strange eye on it. He was in the shape of an inverted pyramid and had other strange marking on it.

Seto's was the only one that did not hang around his neck. Instead he held his in his hand. I end was long and then like a pole. At the top was a ball with sharpened wings. On the ball was that same strange eye.

All of the Items were made of the same gold as hers.

Yami held the necklace in his hand and examined it. He knew it was the Millennium Necklace but he wondered how much Seraph knew. There was a part of her story she wasn't telling and he wanted to find out what it was. "Do you know how your mother came by this necklace?" he asked Seraph.

Seraph looked at him and said, "She once told me it was a gift from someone she loved very much who hurt her very badly."

"Did she say who the person was?" Aura asked.

"No. She got very quiet whenever I brought the subject up."

"Do you have any idea at all who this person might be?" Seto asked with distrust obvious in his voice.

Seraph shook under his intense gaze but quickly said "No, I don't."

Yami looked at Seraph. "Seraphic I'm sure you are curious about why we treated you like a thief."

When she nodded he continued. "As I'm sure you have noticed the Items each of us have look similar to your necklace."

Seraph nodded again wondering what he was trying to say.

"They are called Millennium Items and each has its own name. Aurahkah has the Millennium Ring, Seto the Millennium Rod and I have the Millennium Puzzle. You own the Millennium Necklace." He handed the necklace back to her and waited as she clasped it back around her neck. When it was in its rightful place Yami continued. "The Millennium Items were only given to those the Pharaoh chose. Usually they were trusted members of his council or his children. When the owner of the Item died, or for some reason was dismissed, it was passed down but sometimes they were stolen. These Items are very precious and because you were too young to be given one by my father, I naturally assumed you had stolen it."

Seraph felt Relah tense beside her and looked at Yami in disbelief. He had believe she was a common thief. She thought to herself angrily. He had every right to believe that, her other half said sensibly. He's the Pharaoh and you were not dressed as you are now. The only thing he could think was that you were a thief.

The room was filled with silence, no one daring to be the one to break it. After studying Seraph for a while, Yami spoke again. "Who is your father?"

"His name was Akur." Seraph said in a strange voice.

Yami nodded again. "Thank you. You are free to leave. You are also welcome to stay here as my guest while we investigate how you came by this necklace."

Seraph heard the order disguised as a request and though better of disobeying. She bowed to Yami and the council and left the room. Besides, she told herself. Where else did she have to go?

Yami looked at the three people left in the room and sighed. "Well that's finished."

Before he could say anything else Relah jumped up and glared at him.

Yami calmly looked at her. "Yes Relah?"

"You still treated her like she was a thief you…you…" She said sputtering with anger. "You dismissed her story and called her a thief. That girl is no thief and I won't-"

Yami cut her off, his eyes glittering. "Relah first off even you are not permitted to speak to me in that tone. Secondly how I deal with her is not your concern nor was it ever intended to be. Now please return to your chambers. We will discuss this later."

Relah didn't think she could be any angrier. She looked at Yami with emerald eyes full of fire. Sarcasm laced her voice as she bowed and said, "I'll not concern myself with any trivial matters my Lord but Seraphic not need or deserve the ordeal you put her through with hidden insinuations." She tossed her head angrily and swept from the room.

Yami's hand crashed down on the table making Aura and Seto jump. "Dammit!" he cursed. He stood up to go after her but abruptly changed his mind. He sat down and allowed his face to regain the aloof composure he always portrayed. "Now then, on the matter of Seraphic. Contrary to what my intended may believe I do not believe she is a thief. There is some question as to how her mother came by this necklace. I am going to find out who this Akur was. Keep your eyes and ears open around the girl and report back to me if you find out anything. Do you understand?"

Aura and Seto nodded and Yami said, "Good. Now if you'll excuse me I have some things to discuss with Relah." With those words he strode from the room.

Aura stood up after the Pharaoh and prepared to leave.

"Going back to your slave Aurahkah? I didn't think you would be able to last more than a couple of hours." Seto mocked.

Aura walked up to him her eyes blazing. She reached her hand back to slap him but he grabbed it. Twisting her hand painfully he said in an ominous voice. "Think hard before you slap me or I will be sue Bakura pays." He twisted her hand again and she let out a gasp of pain. Seto dropped her hand and walked from the room.

Aura glared at his retreating back and cursed. Why had she let her temper get the better of her? Why did she respond? Feeling upset she tucked her Ring back in her dress and swept from the room.

Seraph felt humiliated. She thought the Pharaoh would understand her story. She had thought he was the kind, compassionate man Relah said he was. What a fool she had been! The Pharaoh believed she was a thief. But she could tell he thought she wasn't telling him everything. But you aren't telling him everything. Her conscience was quick to point out. You didn't tell him anything about your mother or the village you lived in. He wouldn't have been concerned with all of that, she sternly told her conscience. And if he wanted to know, he should have asked. It didn't matter what I told him, he would have believed me to be a common thief, or the spawn of one.

Seraph pushed the thoughts from her mind and looked for something to occupy her time. She grabbed the ornate ivory brush from the dressing table and methodically began taming her unruly locks. As she brushed she thought about her mother. The memories of times she had sat while her mother brushed her hair brought tears to her eyes. She began to hum a song her mother often sung to her as a little girl. Softly she sang the words as she brushed.

The sound of music reached Seto in his bedchamber and his quill stopped its rhythmic scratching as he inclined his head to listen. The melody of a sweet voice bathed his senses and he felt a sadness tug at his heart. He couldn't believe what was happening. The music weaved its sensual spell and Seto found himself caught in its web. He stood up and made his way to Seraph's bedchamber where the singing was coming from. He stopped in her doorway and admired the fetching picture she made. She was still in the blue dress, her hair looped over one shoulder and she was brushing it. Her voice quivered and the music stopped abruptly. Seto walked forward and reached out and grabbed a lock of hair.

Seraph spun around in surprise, yanking her hair out of his grasp.

"Crying, singing, and brushing your hair . I had no idea you were so talented Seraphic."

Seraph flinched when she heard him say her name although she didn't know why.

Seto looked at the wounded angel in front of him and felt his heart stir. He took the brush from her and began to rhythmically stroke it against her head.

Seraph sat there motionless, his presence doing strange things to her. He moved the brush lower and she felt the soft bristles against the sensitive skin on her neck. She shuddered with pleasure when his hand replaced the brush.

Slowly he began to finger-comb her hair, loving her heavy tresses spilling through his fingers. "Why were you crying?"

Seraph hastily wiped her tears away. "I-I wasn't crying."

"Come now Seraphic. I have seen my share of crying and you most definitely were crying. Now please, tell me why."

"I w-was thinking of my mother."

"What was she like?" he asked softly, still running he hair through his fingers.

"She was sweet and gentle, and she had so much love to give."

Seto smiled as he heard the smile enter her voice.

"She was beautiful too. So very beautiful." Seraph turned and looked at him, her eyes huge pools of deep violet. "I used to be so jealous. I wanted to be as beautiful as my mother." She continued, laughing. "I knew I would never be though."

"You are beautiful, so very beautiful."

Before Seraph could react Seto had leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. He began moving them shaping and reshaping her lips with his own.

When Seraph responded, Seto groaned. He grabbed the back of her neck and held her in place. The kiss became more urgent, demanding. Seraph's knees went weak.

Seto pulled her off the bed and she instinctively molded her body to his. When she let out a moan, reality hit Seto with full force. Quickly he broke the kiss, pushing Seraph away. His breathing was labored, his heart racing. Damn the things she did to him. She was a natural temptress and she didn't even know it. He had to get out of here now before he lost control and did something he knew he would later regret.

"I hope you don't do that with every man that comes in here. Seto said as he walked out the room.

Seraph stared after him angrily before picking up a jar of perfume and launching it at him. It hit the doorway and shattered.

Seto looked back and raised an eyebrow. "Is that the best you can do?"

"Why you insufferable, undignified-"

Seto cut her off. "Please, you'll spoil me."

With a shake of his head he left her room leaving a very angry Seraph behind him.

Seto stood in his room scowling. He thought of the way she had responded to his kiss and smiled. She would be a very passionate woman in bed. His mood darkened when he though of how he left her. He would deal with it later he thought and turned back to finish his work.