Disclaimer: For the eighth time I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Sad but true. Also I do not own Egypt. Another sad fact of life. I can claim everyone else. They are mine!!!

Yami looked down at the girl in front of him. So young he thought. And beautiful. Ra she's a beauty. Yami felt no desire when he looked at her. Instead he felt an insane urge to protect her. She was an innocent. She had to be. There was no scheming in those violet eyes. Only genuine smiles had ever graced her face. She had no idea what a temptress she was either.

"Seraphic, as you have now become one of my inner circle, I would give you an Item. However since you already have one, I'm going to allow you to keep it. You may go."

Seraph nodded and left.

Now he had two women on his council. He thought about the last meeting and his face darkened. He had witnessed the exchange between Seraphic and Seto. Seraphic didn't know any better but Seto did. He was going to have to watch out for her. Especially against Seto.  But hen, he mused, she is on the council now and Seto would never break the law. No she's safe enough where he is concerned. I'll just have to monitor her friendliness with the slaves. Satisfied Yami walked off to go see how Relah was doing.

Seraph spent the afternoon replenishing her herbs. She was delighted with all the herbs growing in the Pharaoh's garden. She hummed to herself as she snapped off some gingerroot.  She still couldn't believe what had happened. She was the High Priestess. Micah would have been so proud of her. So would her mother. Ah mother. "One of these days I'm going to find you I promise." She vowed. She gathered the herbs she picked and walked inside. Seraph grabbed the bruise ointment and went to Aura's room. The door was open and Aura was sitting at her desk. Bakura was nowhere in sight.

"Hey Aura." Seraph said softly.

"Seraph." Aura nodded. "Is something wrong?"

"No. I thought I would check on your wrist."

Aura stood up and walked over to the bed. Sitting down she patted the spot beside her and waited. Seraph sat down and took Aura's wrist. She began to gently move it from side to side. Aura gritted her teeth against the pain.

"I'm sorry but it has to be moved." Seraph said.

"I know but it hurts." Aura gasped.

Seraph grabbed the jar of ointment and rubbed a generous amount on the bruised wrist. Then she took a bracelet made of parchment out of a pouch. Handing it to Aura she said, "Wear this at night. It will help heal your wrist and make it less painful to move."

Aura nodded and placed the bracelet on the bedside table beside her. "What's in it?" she asked.

"Just some herbs." Seraph replied standing up. "Go back to your work and don't forget to exercise your wrist."

Aura nodded and Seraph left the room. She was on her way back to her room when a slave stopped her.

"My Lady." The slave said, "The Pharaoh wants to see you."

Seraph stared at the slave. "Me?" she asked.

The slave nodded. "He is in his bedchamber."

Seraph watched the slave leave. What could he want to see me for now? Seraph wondered. I couldn't possibly have done anything wrong. Maybe he's upset because I took the herbs. Yes that must be it. She stopped at Yami's door and quickly knocked.

"Come in." Yami said.

Seraph took a deep breath and opened the door.

The Pharaoh was standing at his window gazing out. "Have a seat Seraphic." he said pointing to one of the chairs.

Seraph quickly sat down. She couldn't tell if he was upset or not. "I'm sorry Pharaoh. I needed them and you had such a variety. I never thought to ask you first." She quickly said.

Yami glanced at the nervous young woman before him. She looked like a child who knew she was going to be chastised. He had no idea what she was talking about.

"What do you speak of?"

"I wasn't stealing my Pharaoh. If I knew you would be upset I would have asked first."

Now Yami was really confused. He had called Seraph in to explain about the laws and have her check on Relah. Here she was trying to convince him she wasn't a thief.

"I'm not a thief." She said stubbornly.

"I know."

"You do?" She stared at him.

"Seraphic what in Ra's name are you talking about?" Yami asked.

"The herbs I took from your gardens. I thought you were upset and-"She stopped.

Yami couldn't help himself, he threw his head back and laughed.

"Well you don't have to laugh." Seraph said irritably.

"I'm sorry. Now why were you gathering herbs?"

Seraph looked at him like he was stupid. "To heal with." She said.

Yami looked at her. "Heal who?"

"Whoever needs it." She said.

Yami nodded. "Did you find what you needed?"

"Oh yes. You have a large variety my Pharaoh. I was extremely pleased."

Yami smirked. She certainly was delighted. And over plants he mused shaking his head.

"I didn't call you to take you to task about herbs." He said.

"You didn't?" she asked relieved.

"No." he said biting back a smile. "I called you to explain your duties."

"Oh."

Yami shook his head. "Seraph anything you want or need tell me and you'll get it. And if you want to get herbs from the gardens you are more than welcome to do it. However we have our own store down in the healing room. You are welcome to use those as well." He waited for her nod then continued. "You are High Priestess of the Healing Arts. You are the highest healer in the land. If you want to use your magic to heal everyone who comes, you may do so. However you must be able to come to my meetings because you are on the council."

Seraph nodded.

"Now we must hold a meeting so I can formally introduce you to the others." He slapped a scroll on the desk. "These are the laws. You must abide by them. Now I want you to listen very closely. If you violate any of the major laws you will be dismissed. I will throw you out of the palace and you will be forced to live on your own. Oh and one more thing, your necklace is a sign that you hold my favor. Show it to someone if you get in trouble and you should be helped. No one would dare refuse you because I will deal with them. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Yami waited.

Seraph absorbed everything Yami had told her and then she spoke. "Yes my Pharaoh I understand."

Yami nodded. "Good. Now then I have one more question to ask you and then we'll go to the meeting."

"I'll do my best to answer it."

"What is Ra's name are you giving Relah? That slop is good for slaves only."

Seraph shook her head. "Relah is still weak. Her stomach cannot take such hard foods. She must regain strength first."

Yami nodded.

A voice suddenly came from the other room. "Yami?" Relah called.

Yami stood up and motioned for Seraph to follow. Seraph and Yami walked into Relah's bedchamber. Relah was sitting up in her bed. She smiled when they entered.

"You called darling?"

Seraph smiled at the endearment.

"I didn't know where you went. Then I heard your voice and…oh hi Seraph."

"Hello Relah."

Relah stretched and grimaced with pain.

Yami was by her side immediately, a concerned look on his face. "What's the matter sweetheart? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. Just a little stiff. Can I please get up now?"

"No." Yami said crossing his arms.

Relah looked at Seraph a pleading look in her eyes.

Yami narrowed his eyes.

"My Pharaoh she really-"Seraph began.

"No." Yami said again.

Seraph walked over to Relah. "You know my Pharaoh, she's beginning to look a little pale. Yes and I'm sure she has fluid in her lungs."

Relah's eyes widened and Seraph slightly shook her head.

"See that's why you can't get up." Yami seemed satisfied.

"Oh no my Pharaoh you misunderstood. You see her condition is due to excessive bed rest."

Relah caught on and sank back into the pillows.

"You see she has been in bed too long. She needs some fresh air and sunshine. Without it her condition will surely worsen."

Seraph managed to look grave even though she was laughing inside.

As if on cue Relah coughed. The cough was Yami's undoing.

"Out of bed right now! Get dressed and let's get you outside." Yami said quickly. "Seraphic you help Relah and then take her out to the garden. When she's settled come to the conference room." With those words Yami left, pulling the door closed behind him.

Relah and Seraph erupted into laughter.

"Did you see his face?" Relah asked tears streaming down his cheeks. "He was so worried."

Seraph stopped laughing. "He loves you." She said quickly."

Before Relah could say anything Seraph said, "Now let's get you up and dressed."

Relah quickly finished dressing and Seraph took her arm. "You still need to be careful. If anything happens to you the Pharaoh will have my head." Seraph said.

"Don't worry Seraph. I'll be careful." Relah promised.

Seraph got her situated in the gardens and then walked back towards the palace.

Yami strode into the conference room and sat down. Seto and Aurahkah were already there, having been notified by the slaves. Both jumped to their feet and said "My Pharaoh."

Yami waited for them to retake their seats. He steeped his fingers and looked at them. "As you know Relah was sick. She is doing much better now thanks to Seraphic. We are meeting today to discuss minor matters of importance. Also I must formally introduce you to the newest member of the council."
Seto and Aura looked at him in surprise.

"Newest member my Liege?" Seto asked.

"Yes Seto I believe I already stated that. Now our guest should be arriving shortly. In the meantime the treaty for…"

Seraph walked down the hall humming to herself. She turned the corner and nodded absently to a passing slave. Finally she come to a stop in front of the conference room door she knocked three times and waited.

"Yes Aura if you will take care of that." Yami was saying when three knocks sounded on the door. "Ah there's our newest member now."

Seto and Aura looked at the door apprehensively. Why was the Pharaoh adding another? Was he unsatisfied with their jobs?

Yami stood up and walked to the door. He opened it and smiled at Seraph. Seto and Aura craned their necks to see but Yami was blocking their view.

"Are you ready?" he asked Seraph.

She nodded and he moved aside.

Aura gasped with surprise. Seto glanced at Seraph and continued tapping his finger on the desk, looking bored.

Seraph walked into the room and sat down.

"Everyone knows Seraphic. Now she's is Seraphic High Priestess of the Healing Arts. She is also a member of my council. I expect the same from her as any of you."

Aura smiled over at Seraph. "Congratulations Seraph. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise." Seraph said blushing slightly.

Seraph looked over to Seto who was looking at her, his eyes blazing. She quickly looked away at the intensity in his stare. She nodded to him, and then turned her attention to Yami. Even as he talked he could feel Seto's eyes boring into her. She felt like her body was on fire. She moved her attention completely back to Yami who was explaining the situation behind a treaty for her benefit. When he concluded his account he asked, "What do you think Seraphic? You are a member and you have every right to voice your opinion."

"Well I-"

"Have you lost your mind?" Seto snapped glaring at Yami. "You allow not one but two females on your council and expect to get something accomplished? You are a fool! Don't you know that women are only good for one thing? They should not be in positions of power. Women are weak. They need men to make simple decisions and-" Seto stopped his tirade when he other three in the room stood up glaring at him.

Yami's eyes glittered ominously. "Seto you do not have the right to talk to me in that tone of voice. Furthermore I am Pharaoh and I allowed Aurahkah and Seraph on my council. You don't have to like it but you will treat them with the respect they deserve. Is that clear?"

Seto bowed. "Yes my Pharaoh."

"Seto meet me in the throne room, I wish to speak with you privately."

Seto nodded curtly and stalked out of the room. Yami braced his hands on the table and said "I don't know what that was about but I intend to find out. I'm sorry for his behavior, don't take it personal. This meeting is now over, you are all free to go." Yami walked out of the room.

"What was that?" Aura asked.

"I get the feeling he's not happy that I'm on the council." Seraph sighed.

"Seto's never happy about anything."

Yami walked into the throne room. He saw Seto standing there his back turned. Yami watched as Seto clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Seto what the hell is wrong with you?"

Seto turned around and glared. "Nothing."

"Seto don't give me that shit. You just made an ass of yourself in front of the rest of the council, not to mention disrespecting me."

Seto bowed his head. "Forgive me my Pharaoh." He snapped.

"Seto you are dangerously close to pissing me off. Watch it."

Seto once again said "I'm sorry." He sounded contrite.

"Now why are you so pissed off? And if you tell me it's because Seraph is on my council I swear to Ra I will kick you off."

Seto's eyes darkened. "It's-"

"I'm not finished. You just put down two women interrupted my council meeting and yelled at me! Your behavior lately has been very aggressive. Don't forget Seto, you too can be replaced. I never want to hear you talk to them like that again. Now this issue you have with women, get over it. I won't have it in my palace. Furthermore you will apologize personally to both Seraphic and Aurahkah and I never want to have this discussion again. Return to your chambers."

Seto stalked out of the room.

Bakura walked down the hall. He was on his way back to Aura's room, his duties complete. He turned the corner and saw Seto walking angrily toward him. Bakura's fists clenched and he longed to hurt Seto for hurting Aura.

Seto suddenly smiled. Bakura tried to hurry past him but Seto's grabbed his arm.

"So Bakura have you seen Aurahkah lately?"

"No my Lady is still in a meeting with the Pharaoh."

"You will address me as my Lord and you know exactly what I mean."

Bakura tried to get away but Seto tightened his hold. "You aren't the only one to put your hands on her. Although mine aren't tainted like yours."

Bakura clenched his fists.

"Ah some reaction. That's what I like to see. Defend your master, or should I say lover." He waited for his words to sink in then continued. "You know she's just using you. Yes let's use the slave for pleasure. The slave works harder and no one suspects. Your precious Aura is nothing more than a common whore."

Bakura, eyes blazing slammed his fist into Seto's stomach. Seto let go and Bakura punched him in the jaw. He was in a rage and was about to smash his fist in Seto's face again when Seto began laughing.

Confused, Bakura stepped back unsure of how to proceed. Seto raised his hand and muttered something. A blue glow surrounded Bakura and he felt himself being picked up and slammed into the wall. The impact started him and he wondered why he didn't fall to the floor.

"Now you'll learn what happens when you strike your master, slave." Seto roared.

He pulled his arm back and punched Bakura in the face. Bakura tried to move but he couldn't. He tasted blood as Seto's fist came in again.

"Leave him alone Seto!"

Seto turned and saw Aurahkah racing towards him.

Aura slammed into Seto who blinked at the invasion. She began pounding him with her fists. "Let him go!" she yelled.

Seto grabbed her arms. "Did I not teach you what would happen if you strike me?" he asked menacingly.

Bakura growled. "Don't you-"

"Worried about her Bakura?" Seto taunted.

"A slave would be worried about his master, or mistress." Seto's meaning was quite clear.

Bakura growled again and Seto laughed.

"Look Bakura, as I said, you aren't the only one to touch her."

Seto grabbed Aura and spun her around facing Bakura. He brought his hand to her face and caressed it. Aura flinched and tried to pull away but Seto held her firm.

"Now slave your woman will know what it is like to be kissed by a man, not a dog."

Seto braced his hand on Aura's neck and lowered his head. He kissed her, bruising her lips. Hot tears of indignation coursed down her cheeks as she struggled against him.

Bakura roared and continued to fight. "Let her go you bastard! She has done nothing!"

Seto raised his head again. "Oh she has done something. She has baited me and disobeyed my Pharaoh for that she will pay."

"You filthy bastard!" Bakura struggled.

Seto threw Aura hard to the ground and walked over to Bakura. "I will teach you respect boy!" He lifted his hand again and blue fire was visible. This time the sensation was different. Bakura's body was filled with pain. There was no source. He felt white-hot pain sear his mind and a white light exploded in his brain. Without another word Bakura crumpled to the floor.

Aura was beside him in seconds. Seto roughly reached down and pulled her up.

"You are soon going to be far from here so I suggest you go pack. I'll help you there." Seto grabbed Aura's arm and dragged her with him. She tried to shake off his arm but couldn't. She kept looking at Bakura's still form until they rounded the corner.

Seto threw her into her room then took out his Millennium Rod, hitting her in the head with it, knocking her out. After laying her on the bed, he walked back out into the hallway and grabbed Bakura by the collar of his shirt. He quickly dragged him in the room and left him on the floor, and then he walked back over to the bed. He rearranged Aura's clothes a bit and stepped back to survey his handiwork. It was perfect. Bakura was ravishing Aura and he, Seto, had walked in and saved the day.

"Hey Aura you know that-"

Seto cursed and turned around. Seraph was standing in the doorway, he hand over her mouth.

"What happened?" She asked eyes wide.

Seto rolled his eyes and said, "I believe he," he jerked his head at Bakura's limp form "was going to rape Aurahkah. I walked in and stopped him."

Seraph stared at Seto. "R-rape?"

"Yes." He snapped. "I know it's a little much for your tender sensibilities but I need you to go get Pharaoh. I'm taking Aurahkah to the throne room away from this mess, have him meet me there."

"Pharaoh? But why can't you?"

Seto sighed. "Because I have to be here in case he wakes up. Now go get Pharaoh!" Seraph nodded and raced out of the room. She stopped in the hallway and thought about what she had seen. Seto said Bakura had raped Aura…or been trying to anyway. Visions of the day she had eaten in Aura's room flashed in her mind. "She saw Bakura's smile. Could he have actually done it? Seraph was torn. She knew Seto didn't like Aura or Bakura, but why would Seto lie? Making up her mind Seraph hurried down the hall. She walked into Yami's room. "Relah?"

Relah turned around and looked as Seraph came in the room. She looked upset about something.

"What is it?" Relah asked.

"Well…would Bakura rape Aura?"

Relah's eyes widened. "No! Why?"

Seraph stood there. Relah grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Seraph why would you want to know that?!"

Seraph hesitated then told Relah about the scene she had walked into.

"And Seto said Bakura was raping her?"

Seraph nodded.

"Seraph, Bakura loves Aura. He would never do anything like that."

"You knew about them?"

"I've known for quite some time."

Seraph snorted. "I've seen men do a lot worse in the name of love."

"What do you mean?"

"I've seen men who claim to love their wives beat them until they could barely move. I've seen men kill the same women they claim to love because they committed some minor transgression. If that's love, I don't want it."

Relah's eyes widened. "Not all men are like that."

"Oh yeah, name one."

"Yami."

"Yeah right, now he's not. But then you aren't married yet either. I've seen it before men are so sweet until the wedding. Then they believe they own that woman and do whatever they want. Maybe you'll get lucky Relah. Maybe Yami will be different. But I still am never getting married. I've seen too much."

Relah listened to Seraph's declaration in stunned silence. Seraph had begun planting doubts in her mind. Would Yami believe he owned her once the marriage was final? No, not her Yami. He would still be sweet and loving. Or would he?

Seraph broke into Relah's thoughts. "So what are we going to do?"

"About what?"

"Aura and Bakura!"

Relah thought for a moment. "Okay I will be right back. You keep Seto busy and make sure they're all alright."

Seraph nodded and left the room. She walked back into Aura's room but Aura and Seto were gone. Bakura was lying on the floor covered in blood. Seraph leaned down and checked him. He had a broken nose and some nasty cuts on his face, probably from Seto's rings. He was beaten up pretty badly but aside from being sore he would live. She leaned down and used her magic to heal his nose, the worst cuts and stem the blood flow. She stood up quickly as Bakura groaned and pushed himself up off the floor.

"What the hell happened?"

"Seto beat you up."

"Aura? Where the hell is Aura? What did that bastard do with her? Tell me!"

Bakura grabbed onto Seraph's hand and begged her to tell him.

Seraph shrugged. "I don't know Bakura. They were gone when I got back. You rest and I'll go find them."

Seraph ran down the hall and almost ran into Yami. She saw him and quickly ducked into a nearby room. Yami passed her without a glance and walked into Aura's room. Seraph gasped and began to run, an idea forming. She reached Relah's room and found her inside. "Fall Relah fall!" Seraph said panting.

Relah looked at her like she had lost her mind.

"Just do it. Pretend to fall."

Relah carefully "fell" to the floor.

Seraph screamed "My Pharaoh!"

"What are you doing?" Relah demanded, getting up.

"No stay down. I'll be right back. Don't move!"

"Where are you going?" Relah asked but Seraph was already gone.

Why had Relah sent him here? All Yami knew was that he was pulled away from his research and Relah wanted him to go to Aura's room. Something about Aurahkah's slave and rape…Those words didn't settle well in Yami's mind, and then something about Seto walking into the room and beating this slave to save Aura. Relah's account didn't really seem clear. Yami looked at the room around him, no Aura, no Seto, only a pool of blood on the floor and a half conscious slave. He looked at the slave in front of him. He was slumped against the wall, fluttering between conscious and unconscious, and was badly injured from Seto's beating. If he was lucky, Yami mused, that would be the worst he would suffer. But exactly what had happened here?  None of this made sense to him.

He shook his head and sighed. So many things going on in his palace. This had to stop. Yami was about to say something to Bakura when he heard his name.

"My Pharaoh! My P-Pharaoh! I must s-see you! It's u-urgent!"

Yami recognized Seraph's voice. She sounded extremely upset. He turned and walked back out into the hall.

Seraph skid to a stop in front of him and stammered. "She fell. I don't know if she's hurt or not but she fell and I-"

Yami shook her and Seraph stopped. "Slow down!" he commanded. "Who fell?"

"Relah!"

Yami paled. He let go of Seraph and ran down the hallway.

"Hey wait for me!" Seraph yelled running after him.

Seto stood there becoming impatient. "What the hell? Did she get lost?"

Aura moaned.

Seto looked over at her. He had thrown her down by the throne while he was waiting for Yami. If Yami ever showed. Seto was getting more and more frustrated. Dammit someone needs to give that girl a map! He walked over to Aura limp body. He nudged her with his foot, she stirred but didn't wake up.

"Come on Aura. Wake up Aura, your dear Bakura needs you. You want to say goodbye don't you?" He prodded her a few more times.

Aura sat up and held her head. It felt like someone had rammed her head into a wall repeatedly.

"I was beginning to wonder." Seto said.

Aura stared at him trying to figure out what was going on. Images came flashing thought her brain. Seto laughing and grabbing her, Seto beating on Bakura who was pinned to the wall, Bakura falling on the floor. She was on her feet in seconds.

"You son of a bitch! You filthy bastard-"

Seto cut her off with a menacing grip on her arm. "Now, now Aurahkah. Is that any way to treat your savior?"

"My s-savior?" She sputtered.

"That's right, I saved you from getting raped by that white rat of a slave you have."

"Save me! You were the one who-"

"Ah-ah-ah we wouldn't want Pharaoh finding out about your relationship would we? And the only way you can tell the truth is by telling Pharaoh that you've been sleeping with your slave. And we all know that that's against the law." Seto shook his finger at her. "Shame, shame, shame."

Aura glared at him.

"Now we can do this one of two ways, you can go along with my version or you can attempt to tell Pharaoh the truth and I will expose you. Which do you choose? The first one?"

Aura nodded and clenched her teeth.

"I thought you would see things my way. Now I want you to listen very carefully…"

Yami raced down the hallway, images of Relah hurt flashing through his mind. He pushed past the doors and rushed into her room, Seraph right behind him.

"Relah what the hell happened?"

Relah looked at him. "I fell."

"You fell? How in Ra's name did you fall? You look fine to me."

Seraph stopped and stared at Relah who was standing by her window.

Yami turned to Seraph "Does she look sick to you?"

"I never said she was ill my Lord only that she fell."

"You never said she was ill…Seraphic are you trying to upset me?"

"No my liege. Why would I do that?"

Yami ignored her question. "You come rushing down the hall to tell me my fiancée fell and I need to hurry up and come so I rush down here with all sorts of images in my mind to find my fiancée standing and looking out the window. Now Seraph does this look like an emergency to you?"

"No."

Relah spoke up. "I tripped over something on the floor. Seraph must have been passing by and saw me fell. Naturally she assumed I had fainted." Relah turned to Seraph. "I thank you Seraph. If it had been a real emergency you may had just saved my life."

Yami glared at Relah. "Now Seraphic are you trying to distract me?"

Seraph looked at the floor and quickly shook her head. "D-distract you? From what?"

"From finding out the truth."

Seraph shook her head again.

"You're a terrible liar Seraphic."

Seraph stared at him.

"Now we are all going to straighten this out."

"Excuse me my Pharaoh, but Lord Seto said you should meet him in the throne room."

Seto was satisfied. His plan was going to work. "Now you know exactly what to say Aurahkah. Unfortunately for you, Bakura is going to die either way. Now you can either stay here in the palace in Pharaoh's favor, or you can be shunned and forcibly thrown out of the palace. The choice is yours."

Before Aura cold speak Yami stalked in with Seraph and Relah close behind him.

"Now" Yami said briskly.  "We are going to get to the bottom of this. Which one of you is going to start?" Yami crossed his arms and looked at them. "I want you all in front of my throne in a line." He sat down and watched as they all did what he said. Seto was on the far right, Seraph the left.

"Now then Seto, we'll start with you."

Seto nodded. "Of course my Pharaoh."

"What happened?"

"Well I want to see Lady Aurahkah about some paperwork and when I knocked I heard what I thought was come in so I did. And that slave had Lady Aurahkah in his arms and threw her onto the bed."

"Was she struggling?" Yami asked.

"Yes."

"How?"

"She was…trying to get away."

"I gathered that but thank you Seto."

"Aurahkah, you're next. What happened?"

"I slipped and fell and Bakura was helping me. I hit my head on my dressing table, I was feeling faint and I was placed in my bed not forcibly thrown."

"So the slave was only trying to help you?"

Aura nodded her head.

Seto clenched his fists. "Dammit Aura! Congratulations I didn't think you were capable." Seto thought.

Meanwhile Yami had moved down the list. An hour later he had a severe headache. "Let's go through this again. Aura you say you fell and hit your head and the salve was trying to help you. Seto says he believed, Bakura is it? Bakura was intending to rape you so he beat Bakura up, to save you. Relah you have no idea what is going on and Seraph you say that you saw Bakura on the floor covered in blood and Aura passed out on the bed. Is that right?"

Everyone nodded.

Yami sighed. "I've never heard so many stories with so many holes in them. Who haven't we heard from yet? Oh that damn slave. Somebody go fetch that damn slave!" Yami began to pace the floor.

"My Pharaoh. " Seto said. "If Bakura's intentions were not that of raping Aurahkah then why are her lips bruised? And have you seen her wrist?"

"Good question. Aurahkah what is your answer?"

"I-I don't know my Liege."

"You don't know. Seto is accusing your slave of rape and right now all the evidence points to that crime and you don't know if you were kissed?"

"I hit my head my Pharaoh." Aura snapped.

"I would advise you to watch your tone." Yami said icily. "You are in enough trouble as it is."
"I thought she was the victim." Seraph said.

Relah elbowed Seraph in the side. "You shouldn't have said anything.

Yami turned to Seraph "I'm not finished with you yet. Where is that damn slave?!"

Just then Bakura stumbled into the room with the help of Dakar and another slave.

"I take it that you are Bakura."

Bakura nodded.

"Is that how you address me slave?"

"No my Pharaoh."

"No what? No that's not how you address me or no you're not Bakura? Speak up boy!"

"That is not how I address you my Pharaoh. As a slave I am to address you with your title and the respect you deserve. Yes my Pharaoh I am Bakura."

"Are you getting smart with me?"

Bakura continued to stare at the floor. He shook his head.

"Look at me boy!"

Bakura met Yami's eyes.

"You have been accused of raping your mistress. How do you plead?"

Bakura's eyes widened for a second at the accusation. "I am innocent my Pharaoh."

"Why were you carrying her?"

Bakura had to think of a lie and fast. "She had…fallen my Pharaoh. I was helping her when Lord Seto came in."

Yami nodded. "Alright…with the evidence presented I cannot determine whether or not Bakura was doing anything wrong, and Aura seems apparently fine. I do have one question though. Seto?"

"Yes my Pharaoh?" Seto asked.

"Why would you help Aurahkah?  Fro all intensive purposes, you hate her and she hates you."

Seto was silent for a while, then slyly smiled. "It is what you would have done My Pharaoh."

Yami nodded. "Still, with this scant evidence I still cannot determine whether Bakura intended to hurt Aura or not."

"But what about her writ my Pharaoh?" Seto asked.

"Yes, how did you hurt your wrist?"

"We were out in the…garden." Seraph spoke up quickly. "And she…tripped…and landed on it…and twisted it…somehow…"

Aura shook her head. Yami stared at Seraph. He walked over to her and crossed his arms. "You would do well not to lie Seraphic."

Seraph refused to meet his eyes.

"Seto and I were training and we got a little rough. The injury must have slipped Lord Seto's mind." Aura said.

Yami nodded. "Alright now I'm tired of this. All of you return to your rooms. Bakura you stay here."

The group headed towards the door. Yami reached out and grabbed a hold of Seraph's arm. "You stay. Like I said I'm not finished with you yet."

Seraph gulped and waited as the rest left the room.

Yami waited until their footsteps became distant. "Now Bakura although you were found innocent, you are not off the hook yet. I will be watching you very closely. Do you understand?"

"Yes my Pharaoh."

"You ay go." Bakura left and Yami turned to Seraph. "Now then why don't you tell me what all that was about?"

"What do you mean my Liege?"

"Seraphic don't play dumb with me. All it does is upset me." Yami crossed his arms. "Who were you trying to protect with that lie?"

"Aura my Pharaoh."

"Yami tilted his head slightly. "I thought as much. They get into it all the time."

"Yes, they really hate each other." Seraph said.

"Yes. Now Seraphic who is your father again?"

"Akur my Liege."

"Yes and your mother?"

"Kali."

"Yes. Your father was my father's High Priest."

"He was?" Seraph was stunned.

"Yes. I found him in the records. But there was no mention of a Kali. Anywhere."

"Oh."

"You weren't' up there either. Do you know what this means?"

"That my father left the palace before I was born?"

"Very good Seraphic. But he didn't leave."

"He didn't?"

"No. He was killed."

"My father is dead?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I'm still researching it."

"Oh, so what exactly does this mean?"

"The necklace belonged to your father who must have given it to your mother who passed it down to you."

"Oh…"

"Seraphic, I'm sorry."

Seraph blinked back tears as what Yami had said set in. her father was dead. Seraph felt the tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

Yami groaned and pulled Seraph into his arms, feeling that urge to protect her. He rocked her gently until she stopped crying. "Seraph please don't cry." Yami pleaded. He felt terrible, telling her had only caused her pain.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even know my father but I though someday-"She stopped. "Can I go back to my room?"

Yami nodded releasing her and watched as she left.

Bakura's head was killing him. He walked into Aura's room. She was sitting on her bead, her head bowed.

"Aura?" He walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. "Aura?" He tipped her chin up and saw that she had been crying.

"You have to leave."

Yoru: I end it at the absolute worst possible times! I love it though. Bakura's leaving, poor Aura. Seto's a pervert…always staring at Seraph. Oh and we can't forget Yami who is almost oblivious to what is happening in his own palace. Relah keeps him in the dark *wink wink* And the angst continues. I'm not feeling particularly authorly(is that a word? It is now! ^_^) today but maybe a ton of reviews will change my mind. I might even be persuaded to finish both ch. 9 which I'm working on now…who knows. Review and find out. Jan e ^_^