Disclaimer: Do I have to tell you again? I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Egypt. I do claim all rights and responsibilities for the other characters. They're mine so no touchie!

"I-In Aura's room, my Pharaoh." Seraph stammered.

Yami turned to her, his face white with rage. "May I ask, Seraphic, how long does it take to relay a simple message and return with the person whom you relayed the message to?"

Seraph lowered her head. "Not long my Lord."

Yami continued relentlessly. "Then would you please explain to me why it took you three hours to do something that takes 'not long?'"

Seraph flushed, "I…we…"

"Tell me the truth Seraphic."

Seto chose that moment to speak up. "She probably got lost, didn't you Seraph?"

Seraph raised her head, anger flushing her cheeks. "That's Lady Seraphic to you and no I didn't get lost." Tossing her head, she looked Yami in the eye and said, "I offer my sincerest apologies my Liege. I delivered your message and Aura and I got quite caught up in conversation."

"She speaks the truth." Aura said quickly. "It was my fault. I began talking to her. We must have lost track of time. However," Aura continued, "She didn't get lost and it was quite mean of you, Lord Seto, to bring up."

Yami shook his head and stared at the two women. One he loved like a sister, the other he felt a strange protectiveness for. It was strange, Yami thought. He loved Seraphic too. It hit him suddenly. She felt almost like a daughter to him. No more like a baby sister, he quickly amended. But he loved her just the same. He decided he would talk to them separately.

"Seto, Relah, leave us." He commanded.

When Yami was alone with them he began to pace.

"Seraphic return to your room. I will send a slave to get you when it is your turn."

Seraph nodded and quickly left.

"Aura?" Yami said watching her.

"Yes my Liege?"

"Aura, we've been friends all of our lives."

Aura waited for him to continue.

"I know you got the message. Why didn't you come?"

"I wasn't feeling very well." Aura half-lied.

"You knew what I was going to say didn't you?"

Aura nodded. "And I'm very happy for you both. Relah is perfect for you, much better than that witch Kesiri."

"Aura you've been acting strange ever since that incident with the slave. Are you sure nothing happened?"

"Nothing happened." She said fiercely.

"Aura I'm your friend. You can tell me."

Aura looked away. "Nothing is wrong. I just didn't feel very well that's all."

He looked at her skeptically but nodded. "If you're sure. Where is your Ring? I haven't seen you wear it in a while. You didn't lose it did you?"

"No my Lord. It's on my desk under all that paperwork." She lied quickly praying he wouldn't ask to see it.

Yami sighed. "Very well you may leave but remember you must wear your Item at the council meetings."

Aura nodded and executing a quick curtsy left the room.

Yami sat in his chair after Aura left, for what seemed like hours Yami was hurt that she wouldn't confide in him. He thought about forcing her but quickly decided against it. He didn't want to force her. He wanted her to trust him with her secrets. .

. He leaned his elbows on his knees and placed his head in his hands. Aura's denials had hurt him more than he thought possible. He knew something was wrong. He had lived with her too long not to know. The fact she couldn't trust him cut him deep. He sighed and went to get Seraph.

Nadai picked up the sack and moved into the square. He nodded at a few people he knew but kept on walking. Suddenly he saw a crowd gathered. Frowning he went to see what was going on. Nadai elbowed his way to the front, but once people saw him, they simply moved aside. Nadai made it to the front and saw a small letter on the wall. He quickly read it and his eyes widened in shock. "It can't be." He whispered. "I have to tell Kali."

Nadai raced from the square ignoring the townspeople staring at him. He hurried to Kali's cottage and quickly did his ritual.

"Knock knock."

"Come on in."

Isis looked up and saw a boy of about nineteen standing there. "Nadai, what's the matter? What is it?" She was alarmed by the look on his face.

Nadai ran up to Isis and pulled her into his arms. "You will never believe what I just heard."

Isis laughed. "Tell me before you burst."

"They found Seraphic." Nadai blurted. "She's at the palace with the pharaoh."

Isis' face drained of color. "Seraphic? My baby's at the …p-palace?"

Taking the odd look on her face for surprise Nadai rattled on. "Pharaoh made her the High Priestess. Can you believe it? Everyone thought she was dead. Now she's with the Pharaoh. Who would have thought to look there?"

Isis closed her eyes and shook her head. She slowly walked into her room, Nadai close on her heels.

"Kali? What are you doing?"

Isis continued to put the clothes out on her bed. "I'm packing."

Nadai looked confused. "Where are you going?"

"To see my daughter."

"I'm coming with you."

Isis nodded. "You better be ready. I'm leaving soon."

Nadai nodded and left the house in a rush.

Isis sat down on her bed and covered her face with her hands. She smiled and wiped away tears. "Akur, our baby's alive. She's back at the palace where she belongs. I knew she was alive. I knew it."

Isis sat up and hurried to finish her packing.

Seraph paced her room. She was so nervous about what Yami was going to say. She hated lying to him, seeing the look in his eyes when he knew she was lying. She decided to brush her hair. She sat down on the bed and pulled her heavy hair over one shoulder. Grabbing the ivory-backed brush she began to pull it through her hair. The rhythmic stroking calmed her and she loved the feel of the bristles gliding down her wavy tresses. With a little sigh of pleasure she ran her fingers lovingly through the mass.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Seraph turned toward the door and gasped.

Yami walked into the room.

"M-my Liege. No of course not. I was just…" Seraph trailed off dumbly.

"Brushing your hair?" Yami asked smiling.

"Yes. It calms me."

Yami's brows knit together. "Do I make you nervous?"

Seraph began to pace. "No, of course not." She finished shaking her head emphatically.

Yami bit back a smile. He watched her pacing and wringing her hands together, obviously very nervous.

"Seraphic, if I don't make you nervous why are you pacing?"

"I'm not pacing." Seraph lied.

Yami shook his head. "We've been through this before. You are a terrible liar. Now obviously you are worried about what I am going to ask you, so I will put your mind at ease."

Yami waited for Seraph to deny but she just sat there watching him warily. "I'm going to decorate you."

"You're going to what?"

"Decorate you."

"Decorate? What does that mean?"

"Why don't you come with me and I will show you."

Seraph stood up and followed Yami out of the room. She began walking very quickly and realized that she didn't know where they were going.

Yami walked at a much slower pace. When he caught up to her, he grabbed her arm. "Seraphic this is not a trick. I'm not going to beat you or even ask you anything. Calm down. We're going to my study where I left the gold."

Seraph walked with Yami while she pondered what 'decorating' her was and why in Ra's name did the pharaoh want to do it.

Yami walked into his study and stood by the desk. Seraph's eyes widened at the large pile of jewelry sitting there. Yami looked at Seraph and then at the pile on his desk. "This is what I meant by decorating you." He said handing her some armbands.

"You want me to wear these?" She took them and studied the craftsmanship. The bands were solid gold and lightweight. Seraph had never seen anything like them in her life.

Yami nodded. "Among other things."

Seraph laid the bands on the desk. "My lord they're beautiful, but I couldn't."

Yami looked at her. "Do you know why I'm decorating you?"

Seraph shook her head.

"Because anyone who is in my inner circle must look that way. The gold shows that you are important to me and you will be given the respect you deserve." It will also keep the slaves in their places, he added silently.

Seraph shook her head. She snapped the bands on and Yami nodded. "Now let me see, I think these will work quite nicely."

When Yami was finished he stepped back and looked at Seraph. He nodded with approval. "You look just like a High Priestess."

"But it's all so heavy."

Yami laughed. "You'll get used to it. You should have seen Relah the first time I decorated her. She could barely stand up."

Seraph winced. "I can sympathize."

Yami had given her armbands and ankle bands. A golden headdress sat on her crown with beads flowing down and twining with her hair. She had on numerous bracelets and a pair of ear cuffs in the shape of wings. In it's rightful place, her Millennium Necklace laid at her throat and a small crest was on her finger.

"Why don't you decorate Aura?" Seraph asked.

"Aura and I have had this discussion. If I don't decorate her she signs the treaties in all the right places. As soon as I can afford a war, Aura will be decorated."

Seraph laughed and hugged Yami. "Thank you so much. I've never had stuff like this in my life."

Yami was surprised by the hug but he returned it. "You deserve it Seraphic." Overwhelmed by the love he felt for her he dropped a brotherly kiss on her forehead.

"Well, well, well, isn't this quite a picture." Seto drawled.

Seraph quickly moved out of Yami's arms. "Ah Seto. What do you think?"

Seto gave a quick glance at Seraph. He was amazed by her beauty but he hid it behind a bored look. "Very nice." He turned his attention back to the pharaoh and spoke to him in whispered tones.

Yami nodded. "Take Seraphic back to her room. I'll take care of it." With his last instruction given, he quickly left the room.

Seraph quickly stood up to leave. "Thank you Lord Seto but I believe I can get to my rooms by myself." She tried to walk but the unfamiliar weight threw her off balance and she fell forward. Seto caught her before she hit the floor.

"Are you sure you can get there by yourself?" he asked biting back a laugh.

Seraph stood up and brushed herself off. "Well I could have...but it's all this gold." She went to take off the bracelets but Seto's hand stopped her.

"Leave them alone. I like them."

Seraph went still at the husky sound of his voice. She instinctively knew he was going to kiss her and tilted her head. Seto's mouth ravaged hers. When the earth-shattering kiss finally ended both of them were breathing heavy. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" Seto asked stroking her face with his hand.

"It's the jewelry. Jewelry will make anyone look beautiful."

Seto shook his head. "You were desirable before, sweetheart. Now you could make a dead man sit up and take notice."

Seraph's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "I don't understand."

Seto laughed. "I know you don't. Sometimes I'm not even sure I do. Anyway come on I have a surprise for you."

"Be careful, with all of these surprises I think I'm going to become spoiled." She said smiling.

"Not a chance." He said kissing her. "You're too sweet."

He led her out of the room steadying her every time she lost her balance.

By the time they reached her room, Seto was so aroused he was ready to strip the dress off of her and take her right on the floor, or against the wall, he wasn't picky.

Seraph felt the effects of the continuous contact as well. Tiny lightning bolts seemed to appear wherever he touched. She wanted his touch. The thought surprised and scared her. She was letting herself get too close. He would hurt her. She didn't want a man to rule her. She was independent and liked it that way.

Seto stopped in front of her door. "Alright close your eyes."

Seraph did as he asked and held out her hand to him. He led her into the room and over to the bed.

"You can open them now."

Seraph let out a gasp of pleasure. Sitting on the bed, staring up at her with yellow eyes was a kitten. She was all black with a white star just above her nose and two white paws. Seraph leaned down and picked up the kitten. She purred and snuggled in Seraph's lap where she promptly yawned and fell asleep. Careful not to disturb the sleeping kitten, Seraph gently laid her on the bed and stood up. She looked at Seto and burst into tears.

"Hey if you don't like her, you don't have to keep her. I'll get you a new one." He pulled Seraph into his arms. "Don't cry baby. Please don't cry."

Seraph laid her head on his shoulder. "Don't you dare take her away. She's mine now." Seraph wiped her eyes and wrapped her arms around him.

Seto pulled her back so he could see her face. "You really like her?"

"I really do." Seraph nodded. "Thank you so much Seto. It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Seto walked over to the kitten. "The slaves found her in the kitchen. I already talked to Yami and he said it was fine. She's all yours."

Seraph reached over and stroked the kitten's silky head. "It's like a dream come true."

"What are you going to name her?" Seto asked.

Seraph thought for a second. "Why don't you name her?" she said to Seto.

"Are you sure you want me to?" he asked smiling at her.

Seraph nodded. "I'm sure."

Seto thought for a moment. "Rasui, because she's your dream come true."

"Rasui. It suits her. Rasui, come here Rasui." Seraph called softly.

The kitten opened her eyes and looked at Seraph. "Come here Rasui."

With a meow Rasui stood up and stretched. Then she pranced over to Seraph and rubbed her head against her hand. Seraph laughed. "She acts just like a princess."

Seto smiled at her joy. "Listen sweetheart. I have some things to do but stay here and play with your kitten. I'm glad you like her."

Seraph looked up. "I really do."

Seto stood at the doorway and watched her petting the purring cat.

Suddenly Seraph stood up and hurried over to him. She pulled his mouth down to hers and kissed him with all the gratitude she felt. Seto took control of the kiss and turned it passionate.

Suddenly Seraph felt a small furry animal brush her cheek. She jerked in surprise when claws dug into her shoulder.

Seto laughed. "Looks like Rasui doesn't want to feel left out."

The kitten brushed her head against Seraph's cheek and Seraph smiled. Reaching up she stroked her head. Seto watched the two of them together and once again felt his chest tighten.

"I'll see you at dinner." Seto said and left.

When Seraph came down for dinner, Rasui was on her shoulder. Yami looked up in surprise but said nothing. "She won't stay in my room, my Liege."

"It's fine Seraphic. Come eat."

Seraph sat at her place between Aura and Seto and Rasui watched everyone from her perch.

Relah smiled at the cat. "What did you name her?"

"Rasui."

Rasui turned to Seraph when she heard her mistress say her name.

"Intelligent." Yami remarked.

"Who cares about that," Aura said. "She's gorgeous. So little too. She can't be much more than two months old."

Rasui blinked and began to lick her paw as though she was dismissing all of them.

Everyone laughed and returned to eating their dinner.

"I have something for her royal highness." Yami said. He motioned a slave and pulled a gold collar out of the slave's hand. Fastening it around the cat's neck he said, "A collar fit for a princess." The collar was made of gold with a large emerald dangling down. On the back was a row of diamonds interlaced in a breathtaking pattern.

"It's not enough to decorate me, you have to decorate my cat too?" Seraph asked laughing.

Relah laughed. "You'll have to excuse him, he feels like he must decorate everything that moves. I see he got you too."

"Seraph you look gorgeous." Aura said.

"Thanks." Seraph turned her attention to her dinner but the blush on her cheeks combined with her sparkling eyes let everyone know how pleased she was with the compliments.

The castle became quite used to seeing Rasui either on Seraph's shoulder or following closely behind her mistress. The two were inseparable and fully devoted to each other.

Seraph had never been so happy in all her life.

Yoru: Aww isn't it sweet. And yes for all of you who know me, Rasui is modeled after my kitty Maggie. Seto has given Seraph what she has always wanted and yet they both deny their feelings for each other. Yami has finally decorated Seraph and she eventually will get used to the extra weight and be able to sit, stand, and walk in a straight line. Now if you have ever read my stories before you know that when it seems perfect I find someway to ruin it. The story isn't over, merely beginning so R&R to find out what I want.

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