Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or Egypt or any of the spells, rituals, or remedies that come from the most hallowed country. I do own the other characters and a computer and soon will add a car…at least I hope so….and anyway on with the story.

Yami looked at the others with narrowed eyes. He was not sure what was going on. His circle had not given him the reaction he wanted. Something was going on here. He fully intended to find out what.

Aura just sat there. She was shocked and devastated. Relah was pregnant too. This just made everything worse. Now Yami would notice that Aura had the same symptoms. Could this get any worse? Aura really didn't want that question answered.

Images were running through Seraph's head. She had stiffened when Yami announced Relah was pregnant. Memories of the dead baby and everything that had gone wrong. She wasn't sure if she could do it. Kifi hadn't died but she could have. Seraph couldn't bear to be the one responsible for the death of Relah or the heir to the throne. She took a few calming breaths and reached down to smooth her dress. She felt her hand covered and a warm palm meet hers. She looked at Seto but he was just sitting there, his face set like stone. The hand in hers tightened and his thumb began to caress the back of her own hand. Seraph was grateful and she squeezed his hand to show her thanks.

Seto felt Seraph stiffen beside him. He knew what she was thinking, the same things were running through his own mind. He swallowed and watched Seraph out of the corner of his eye. She was near tears. Slowly he watched her reached down to smooth her dress, a nervous habit of hers. He carefully moved his hand to cover hers willing his own strength into hers. When she squeezed his hand he bit back a smile and gave off the air of cool boredom. Leaning back in his chair he said, "Congratulations, my Pharaoh. It seems we will soon have an heir."

Seraph heard Seto's felicitations and she smiled brightly. "Yes. Congratulations. I'm very happy for both of you." She gently nudged Aura sitting beside her, a shocked look on her face.

Aura jumped and looked at the others. Unable to meet Yami's eyes, she stared at his crown instead and said, "I add my congratulations and deeply hope the baby's healthy."

Yami looked at each of them in turn. The only one who looked normal was Seto. The women were acting very strangely. He shook his head. I will never understand women, he thought warily. "Thank you all so much. Now we have all some other matters…"

Relah tuned her husband out and looked at her friends. Their reactions puzzled her. She thought they would be a lot more excited. She watched Seraphic and saw a flash of uncertainty light her eyes. It quickly faded replaced by worry. Relah's eyes narrowed. She wondered if it had anything to do with Seto. Her gaze wandered until it rested on Seto's face. She searched for a sign of feeling but found none. Inwardly, she sighed. Seto was so hard to read. He hated to show feeling, unlike Seraphic. She wore her joy and her pain right in her expressive eyes. It was one of the reasons she couldn't lie. But still, Seto's congratulations had sounded a little force. She made a mental note to find out from Seraph later. Thus, brought her to Aura. Aura's reaction had surprised her the most. Not only had her shocked look flown across her face but she couldn't meet Yami's eyes. Relah thought that very odd indeed. Something had happened. Relah felt an instant pang of guilt. She had been so wrapped up in her husband, she hadn't even talked to her friends in a while. They had passed in the hall and exchanged hellos, but they hadn't had a deep conversation in quite a while. She was determined to fix that.

:16:

Dakar smiled at the old man across from him. Micah was the one who had raised Seraph from childhood and he found he liked him excessively. He had been telling Dakar stories of Seraph ever since he had arrived. Of course, Dakar thought smugly, it could be because I told him we were betrothed. But to his mind the small lie was of no consequence. After all she loved him and as soon as he got her away from that bastard Seto, he would marry her.

Micah looked at Dakar. "You have yet to tell me why she didn't come with you."

Dakar nodded, "Ever since she became the High Priestess, a man has been…chasing her. He forces her to do things she would rather not."

Micah's eyes narrowed, "Who is this man?"

Dakar looked at him in surprise. "I haven't told you? Why, he's the High Priest."

Micah gasped. "Lord Seto? Once of the most powerful men in Egypt aside from the Pharaoh himself?"

Dakar nodded. "He wouldn't have let her go. She wasn't entirely sure if you were still here either. So, I came to make sure, and then I will go back and rescue her."

Micah nodded satisfied. "Tell me about her now."

Dakar eyes lit up and he began describing her in great detail.

Micah listened. He ran through every word Dakar had spoken, weighing it for truth. It seemed all the boy had said was legitimate. He thought of the vibrant girl Seraphic had been, a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. She had been such a happy child. He looked forward to seeing his little girl again.

:16:

Aura walked back to her room slowly. There was so much running through her head right now. She sighed and walked into the room she now shared with Kebi and even more recently Bakura. She closed her door slowly and leaned her head against the cool wood. She just couldn't do this. Isis' words came back to haunt her. She had to figure out what to do…and fast. "Kura?" she called out softly. "Kura where are you?"

Bakura popped out of Kebi's room. "Right here. I can't leave remember?" He took a look at her and narrowed his eyes. "What the hell happened?"

Aura just shook her head and walked to the bed. She flopped down on top of it and sighed. "Could this situation get any worse? By Ra what are we going to do!"

Bakura sat on the bed beside her and watched her be melodramatic. "Umm...have the baby and then…run? Or something to that effect. Either way we're having this child," he slammed his hand on the bed for emphasis.

"Where do you get 'we?' I'm the one who's carrying this child! I'm the one who can't eat, can't sleep, can't even fi-"

Bakura slapped his hand over her mouth cutting her off. "Yes, I know. You are the one who has to deal with everything. But I'm in hell too, Aura. Or did you forget I'm walking a fine line between life and death?" He shook his head. "Why don't you tell me what happened at the meeting."

Aura laughed bitterly. "It was absolutely perfect. We all came together, like a big happy family, to get wonderful news."

Bakura raised an eyebrow and waited.

"She's pregnant!" Aura buried her face in her hands and tried to hold back tears.

Bakura just looked at her. "Who?"

Aura raised her head and stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean who? Isis. Relah you idiot. Relah, also known as the Queen is pregnant with the heir to the throne! Now do you follow?"

His eye twitched and he reminded himself that she was severely stressed out right now. He closed his eyes for a moment to get control and then looked at her. "Why is this a problem?"

Aura threw up her hands and got off the bed, walking to the window. "Men are so stupid." She hissed through her teeth. Whirling around to face him she glared and said, "Because." She began to talk slowly like he was a stupid child. "Relah is pregnant. That means she is going through all of the same things that I am."

Bakura sighed and lounged on the bed waiting for her to stop with her long and tiring speech. Speaking as slowly as she was it might take her the rest of the afternoon.

"And so." She said crossing her arms and hating that he was lounging so comfortably while she was going insane, "It will soon become VERY clear that I, like the Queen, am pregnant! And you know what will happen from there!"

He sighed. "Love stop yelling. You're drawing attention to yourself."

Aura glared at him. "How can you be so calm? We are in a crisis here!"

"We've been in a crisis. I fail to see why waving my hands and screaming is going to make this any better."

Her hands hit her lips. Oh he was so smug. She glared at him and turned back to the window. Through gritted teeth she said, "So this doesn't worry you at all?"

"Of course it does. I'm not stupid Aura. I saw where you were heading with that speech a long time before you actually got to the point. It's trouble but it's something we were going to have to face sooner or later. Isis was right. In another couple of months it's going to be obvious. Now we just have to figure out what to do earlier than we planned."

And he could still sit there and say that in such a calm voice. It really irritated her. And with her emotions on such a whirlwind as it was, she was really getting close to losing it. Right now she needed to get out of the palace. She turned to Bakura and put on a smile. "I'm dreadfully sorry, but I have duties to attend to. Keep out of sight and I'll be back before dinner."

"Aura come back here."

Aura simply spun and left the room slamming the door behind her. "Damn man." She muttered as she hurried angrily down the hall. "Doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. He thinks he knows but he doesn't have a clue. What in Ra's name am I going to do?" She made her way to the gardens and stayed there the rest of the afternoon, making sure she was late for dinner. It was a spiteful thing to do but it gave her a sense of gratification to know he wouldn't get his dinner on time.

:16:

Seto walked Seraph back to her room after the meeting had finally finished. She was quiet and he really didn't know what to say to break the silence. His stomach tightened when he thought of how worried she had been when the announcement had been made. The moment that had passed between them, was…magic. He never thought it would be like this. He had had lovers before but he had never cared about how they felt after. It was like every feeling the small woman beside him experienced, he too experienced. Her pain became his pain. Her worries made him worry. He didn't like it but for some reason he couldn't fathom, he didn't want to change it either. She bumped against him and he drew in a breath, swearing. His body tightened in anticipation and he couldn't help but remember it had been three weeks. Three, long, excruciatingly painful weeks. And he intended to remedy the current state he was in too. He hadn't been able to do it last night because of the baby incident but nothing was standing in his way tonight. He stopped at Seraph's door and grabbed her arm to keep her from walking. He shook his head. If he hadn't been with her she would have kept right on going, wandering the palace for Ra only knew how long. He kissed her softly on the lips and shoved her gently into her room, placing another kiss on her lips. "Until tonight."

"What? Mmm." Seraph had no idea what he had said but she figured it was probably a good idea to agree with him. She walked into her room and walked to her desk staring at the papers littering the top. She really served no purpose here. All the paperwork was done by Aura and Seto and now with Isis, she didn't even need to reorganize the infirmary. But it kept her busy. She walked off down the hall towards the infirmary where she spent the rest of the day cursing, throwing bottles against the wall, and finally getting the different remedies correct.

:16:

Seto watched her go in her room and then headed down the hall to his own. He had a lot of paperwork to do and only an afternoon to do it. Yami had been doing more and more work with the other nomes. It required extensive research and meetings that were tedious and unfruitful. He sighed briefly and sat down to read yet another lengthy contract. He needed to keep himself busy for the rest of the afternoon. The night would take care of itself.

:16:

Yami watched his circle leave the conference room and looked at Relah wondering if she too had noticed their reluctant congratulations about the baby. He didn't want to worry her though so he simply walked over and laced his fingers through hers, bringing her hand up and kissing it he said, "Come my dear, we have our own duties to attend to."

Relah looked at him for a moment considering. She wasn't sure if he had noticed or not. He tended not to be very observant at times. Hell, who was she kidding. The man could be so blind at times. She was almost certain that he had seen something strange about their closest friend's behavior. It appeared though that he wasn't going to bring it up, so she would. "Aura seemed….happy for us."

"Mmm." He agreed. "Seto too."

"Mmm." She started to walk out of the conference room and stopped when he yanked her back. "Dammit Relah what are you trying to get at?"

Relah's eyes widened. "Nothing. I simply stated that Aura appeared happy for us."

Yami rolled his eyes. The woman could be so irritating sometimes. "Ok, I'll play along. Yes Aura looked overjoyed. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if she began making you a baby blanket this very morning."

Relah sighed. "You don't have to be coy. I know you saw something strange. I did too. The question is what are we going to do about it?"

"Do about it? I have half a mind to bring them all in here and question them until they tell me exactly what the hell is going on. And if they refuse I'll lock them in the dungeon and beat them till they talk."

Relah crossed her arms over her stomach. "Your child will hear you and that is no way to run a country my Pharaoh. You can't just beat everyone that doesn't give you what you want."

Yami listened to her lecture but the whole time he was rolling his eyes. Leave it to her to tell her how to run his country. She would too simply because she was Queen Relah now. He pulled her along as she continued to berate him for his 'evil and ancient methods,' Evil? What the hell was evil about it? He just wanted answers. Was that so much to ask? Apparently so. He pulled her along until he came to their room and pulled her inside closing and locking the door behind her.

Relah was oblivious to where he had taken her. She continued to lecture him on the proper decorum for his treatment of those he held most dear to him. She suddenly looked around and realized where she was. When had the man done that? She stopped her tirade halfway through and stared at him.

He looked at her in surprise. Apparently she wasn't going to finish this one. Worked for him. More time for…other things. He walked over to her and started pulling off her gold.

"Yami I do believe you took advantage of me."

He just shook his head. "Not yet. But now that you've figured out my plan…"

She shook her head and laughed. "Now that I've figured out your plan…what?"

"I shall have to move ahead to the final phase."

"And what pray tell is that?" she asked smiling.

"Well," he said in mock seriousness. "It has to do with this." He walked over and whispered something in her ear.

Relah's eyes went wide and she stared at him. "You're joking, right?"

Yami shook his head, a gleam in his eye. "No, I'm serious. Deadly serious."

"B-but…we can't…can we?"

"Yes we can. And we will."

And he proceeded to show her just how possible his suggestion was. It kept them entertained for the rest of the day and into the night.

:16:

Seraph paced her room and debated with herself. She wanted desperately to go to his room but she wasn't sure. She knew he wanted her, he had told her often enough he did. But still…she was in love with him. It had happened so fast that she hadn't even realized it until it was too late. She never should have slept with him. But she had and there was nothing she could do about it. Now she felt empty. She knew what would take the feeling away but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing she couldn't go much longer without him. Dammit, she cursed inwardly. The whole situation was horrible. She had no doubt he would come to her. For some reason she wanted to be in his bed. She couldn't explain it, it was just a need. Powerful and compelling. She slipped on a robe and opened her door, looking out into the hall to make sure no one was around. Dinner had been over for a few hours and no slaves were in the halls so she slipped out of her room and walked to his door. She knocked once and waited a few seconds.

Seto heard the knock and wondered who in the living hell was bothering him at this time of night. He wanted to get to Seraph's room. In fact, he had just been about to head that way. He wondered how he would find her. Probably in the middle of getting ready for bed. Brushing her hair. He pictured her sitting on her bed in a demure nightgown her long, raven locks piled over her shoulder as she dragged the ivory brush through her hair. She always sang when she was brushing and he listened to see if he could catch her voice. He walked over to the door and pulled it open ready to give the person standing there a blistering reprimand for disturbing him when he blinked and saw Seraph standing there. He was struck speechless for a moment as was she and they stared at each other, unsure of who should make the first move.

Seraph was tired of waiting and she decided to take charge. She slipped inside his room and wandered over to the window. "I…thought you would come and see me…but I wanted to.." she wasn't sure how to do this.

Seto regained his senses and saw the uncertainty in her eyes. She was biting her lip, a sure sign she was nervous. He smiled to himself, he would much rather have her uncertain. He walked over and cupped the back of her neck. "I've been waiting for you." He crushed his mouth to hers and kissed her fiercely.

Seraph returned the kiss, desire heating her blood and passion thrumming through her veins. She needed this, she thought. And wanted it, more than she wanted air, food, or water. This was all she needed to survive. This quick and insistent need. The ache she had felt so often the past weeks made itself painfully obvious as he continued to ravage her mouth with his own. He tasted of cinnamon and man and she felt like she could devour him.

Seto was feeling much the same. His body had hardened when he had seen her standing at his window, framed in moonlight. He wanted her so badly he couldn't breathe. "Seraph…it's not going to be like it was last time."

Seraph swallowed. She found that she didn't want it to be slow and gentle. She needed him and she needed him now. She slipped her hands under his shirt and smiled when she felt his pulse quicken beneath her searching fingertips. "It's okay. You won't hurt me."

Seto nodded and plunged his fingers into her hair, tilting her head so he had better access to her mouth. He tasted her and greedily took as much as she gave him. But he wanted more. He unbelted the sash holding her robe together and gasped when he saw she was naked beneath it. Her body was there, his to feast on all it's curves and hollows and he found he wanted her that minute. He tugged his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor then ripped the robe off her shoulders completely.

She stood before him, gloriously naked and unashamed. The virgin shyness was gone, replaced with a passionate woman who knew just what she wanted and wasn't afraid to take. He swallowed and opened his arms.

She ran into them and met his mouth hungrily with her own. She made a low sound deep in her throat and raked her nails over his back. The gesture sent bolts of pleasure shooting up his back. He moved his mouth from her lips to her neck and grinned when she moaned. He backed her up against the wall and held her wrists above her head. Slowly he moved his way down her body until he came to one full breast.

Seraph's breasts were aching. She longed to have his hands and mouth on her body, branding her as his own. When his hand cupped her she sighed with happiness, quickly replaced by a moan when his mouth replaced his hand. She was burning, her body a furnace that was nearing dangerous temperatures. She felt passion flow like liquid gold through her veins.

Seto knew he didn't have much control. He didn't want to take her against the wall, but there weren't many other places that looked very promising at this moment in time. He did a quick survey of the room and saw his desk was no more than a foot away. Perfect. He moved her slowly back until her back hit the side of the desk. Leaving her there he took his hand and swiped it across the surface until all the papers were shoved off. Amidst the snowfall of parchment he grabbed her and kissed her then moved her to the front of the desk.

Her eyes widened but she went with him. When he had her in position, she reached down and slipped her fingers in his waistband. Her hands touched his heated skin and she was rewarded by a low groan. She quickly helped him rid himself of his pants and then he put his hands around her hips and lifted her to sit on his desk.

"Are you ready Seraphic?"

She smiled and kissed him softly. "Teach me everything Seto."

He smiled and scooted her body to the edge of the desk then tilted her hips to allow him entrance. Slowly he maneuvered them until they were in position and then he pushed his throbbing length into her entrance. She was already wet and more than ready for him. He slipped inside and groaned when he was embedded to the hilt. It was perfect.

Seraph's head fell back and she locked her legs around his waist, closing her eyes as he slipped inside of her. Her body closed around him like a hot, wet glove and she moaned in surrender when he was completely gloved by her warm center.

Seto gritted his teeth and began to thrust, not worrying about being gentle. He moved faster and faster, pounding into her with excessive force.

His violence delighted her in a forbidden way and she exalted in his lack of restraint. It was just how she felt and was as anxious for release as he was. It didn't take long until she felt herself nearing that exact moment. She exploded with a bright light and began to shudder against him, her body pulsing with her climax.

Seto continued to pound into her as her body tightened around him until her finally felt his own release. With a groan he emptied himself inside her and trembled with the force of his own explosion. When his shakes subsided he stroked her sweaty back and kissed her shoulder.

Seraph buried her flushed face in his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him, their bodies still joined. She felt delicious and warm. She sighed contentedly and waited to see what would happen next.

He felt terrible. He wasn't sure if he had hurt her, but he knew he had been violent. "I'm sorry Seraph. I didn't mean for it to be that way…I just wanted you so badly."

She lifted her head and kissed him slowly. "I loved it. It was…exhilarating knowing you wanted me so badly you couldn't help but be forceful." She kissed his forehead and tilted her head back.

He watched her in disbelief. She was perfect for him. He lifted her and carried her slowly to the bed. This time it would be slow and sweet. Gentleness would reign overall.

She felt the cool sheets at her back and wondered what would happen next. When she felt his hands and mouth all over her body, she stopped thinking completely.

Seto made love to her so slow and tender that she thought she would cry with the sweetness of it. It was the perfect end to what had been a less than perfect day. They had climaxed together and held each other through it. Afterwards he had remained inside her and held her close. She wanted so badly to say those three little words but felt it might be too much for him to take. So she kept her silence. Instead she had listened to his praises and finally his even breathing as he fell fast asleep. She turned slightly and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Seto." Then she turned in his arms and fell fast asleep.

Seto tightened his hold on her. He had heard what she had whispered to him and it made him feel good inside. She had told him she loved him before but it had been while she was expressing her hatred. Somehow he liked this way much better. He kissed her on the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her and smiled. "Sweet dreams my angel." He said and then he too fell asleep.

:16:

Nadai came around the corner and entered his room. It was next to the one Isis occupied. He picked up his dinner and walked to her room, coming inside he saw her sitting on her bed, a plate of food in her lap.

She looked up and smiled as he came in. "How are you Nadai?"

"Fine. Fine." He looked at the woman he thought of as a second mother. "And how are you, Isis?"

She sighed. "Did you hear about our incident?" she asked him.

Nadai nodded. "She took it hard, didn't she?"

"Too hard. She's so emotionally involved it may have a bearing on the kind of job she does."

Nadai hesitated but looked at her for a moment. "If she loves the people she treats, how will her love cause her problems?"

Isis sighed. She had seen the way her daughter had reacted yesterday. "She blames herself for the baby's death. It wasn't her fault but she can't seem to accept that. She keeps telling herself she didn't do something she should have."

"That's ridiculous. You said it yourself that you were impressed with everything she did."

Isis nodded. "But that doesn't make her feel the hurt and want to take responsibility any less. She needs someone to blame and she finds herself a good target. I don't like it."

Nadai took a bite of his food and while he chewed reflected on what Isis had said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Isis looked at him and smiled, "You might want to make friends with her. You danced with her the night of the wedding but that's it. Talk to her. Find out why she feels that it's her fault. Maybe you'll be able to get more than I have."

Nadai nodded. He was looking forward to spending some time with Seraph. It would be one of the more enjoyable jobs he had done in his lifetime.

:16:

Aura walked to the window and looked out at the fiery sunset. She watched the shadows begin to take over her world and thought about how many times she had stood here wishing she had Bakura back. She sighed and reminded herself that he was back…probably permanently. And every time you see him, you jump down his throat or scream and holler at him while accusing him of all sorts of things. And you wonder why he stays. She finished berating herself and sighed again. Leaning down on the windowsill she watched the last rays of light disappear over the horizon. When night had completely fallen she stood up slowly and looked over at the bed where Kura had been sitting for the past couple of minutes. He hadn't said anything to her when she had walked back in…late. He had just taken the plate and eaten. She knew he was probably deep in thought and she felt like she should go to him…but she was going to have to apologize and Ra she hated that.

Bakura was deep in thought but not about the things Aura suspected. Instead he was considering committing murder and then slipping out the window. Maybe Isis wouldn't find out…or she would think he was killed too. If he left a great deal of blood…he shook his head. He was so pissed off right now. Every time he tried to help her she blew up at him. He was bewildered and confused and right now royally pissed off. His hands clenched on the bedspread and he watched her standing there. "How in the hell can she be so god damn calm? How? Well maybe it's because she's always screaming at me so she gets HER anger out. Then I'm not allowed to yell because: A. I'm not supposed to be here and B. Well I'm not allowed to yell at her. Ra it sucked sometimes. He had to take the beating every time her emotions got out of whack. Well he was no longer playing the doormat. He sucked in a breath and glared at a spot on the spread. If looks could kill the spot would have been…obliterated. He stared daggers at Aura's back. He really needed to do something about this anger. It wasn't good to keep it bottled up. Might come back and haunt him later.

Aura turned from the window a soft smile on her face. She walked slowly over to Bakura and sat next to him on the bed. She watched him for a moment. He seemed to be glaring at a spot on the bed. She swallowed and said, "If it bothers you that much, I'm sure there's something that will get rid of it for you…"

Bakura ignored her. He was afraid he'd hit her if he said something.

Aura tried again. "Kura? I…" she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

Bakura's eyes shot up. "You know what Aura? I'm fucking sick and tired of this shit! You come in here and treat me like shit and then I'm just left with-" He stopped. "What did you say?"

Aura looked at him and blinked. She was confused. Why was he yelling at her? Oh that's right…she had been a tiny bit upset lately and might have taken it on him once…or maybe twice. But it really wasn't that big of a deal. "I-I'm sorry?"

Bakura blew out a breath and gritted his teeth. "It would be like you to do that wouldn't it?" he muttered. He got up and took his turn at the window.

She blinked at him again now more confused than ever. "Did I do something?" she ventured timidly. She didn't like this one bit. She knew she had been less than civil to him the past few days but she was pregnant. It came with the territory. She was carrying his child wasn't she? So he was entitled to enduring a few bursts of temper now and then. It's not like it happened every day….right?

Bakura clenched his fists on the windowsill and glared at the night sky. It was so wrought with stars and happy and bright. It really fucking pissed him off. The stars were twinkling and laughing at his plight. "Fuck you all…"

Aura tilted her head and looked at him. "What did you say?"

Bakura turned around and his eyes showed his anger. "I said fuck it all. All. Do you hear me Aura? Fuck. It. All."

She raised her eyebrows and stared. "Fuck what? The baby? Me? This whole place?" she waved her arms to encompass the palace. "You need to be just a little more specific so I can know exactly what you're as you put it fucking."

Bakura's hands came up and he imagined her neck was between them. He squeezed and finally thrust his hands into his hair and sighed in anguish. "Forget it. You're a god damn woman…how would you know?"

She glared at him. Now she was getting angry too. "You're damn right. I am a god damn woman. Thank you so very much for reminding me...as if it's something I could possibly forget. And even I know the effects of being a woman. Because I'm a woman my mother didn't fucking love me…"

Bakura looked at her. "Smartass…" he dropped his hands and leaned against the wall crossing his arms over his chest. "Why does everything have to be about you all the fucking time? I want to tell you things about how you make me feel and all you can do is bring up your issues. Grow up Aura! Your mother was a bitch. You're not. Your father loved you but that's not enough for you! Stop living in a fairy tale and face reality. You were loved as a child. Just because you put so much store in the love you didn't receive you missed out on the love that was right there waiting for you!" As soon as he said it he regretted it. It was cold and heartless and he felt like a bastard for saying it. It had hit her right where she was most vulnerable just like he knew it would. And instead of feeling some satisfaction that he had given her a taste of her own medicine he felt like he had just kicked a puppy.

Aura looked at him her lower lip trembling. "Well thank you Kura. I suppose that's what you've really wanted to say all this time. Now that you've said I think I'd like to be alone."

Bakura closed his eyes and called himself ten kinds of fool. "Aura…I didn't mean it…I just…you…I…oh..hell."

Aura turned away and felt the tears begin to fall. "Dammit.." she cursed. "I told myself I wasn't going to cry…"

Bakura walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. He laid his cheek against her

Aura was tired of being treated like glass. "Damn you get off me. You said what you wanted to say. Now leave me alone." She pulled away from him and stalked out of the room and into Kebi's room. She closed the door and leaned against it. Good thing Kebi had decided to sleep with his mom tonight. She fought back the tears and strangely enough after the first few had fallen she was finished. There would be no healing crying tonight. She was just plain pissed off now.

Bakura watched her go. He had heard her try and keep her tears to herself and once again he called himself a bastard in his mind. "And she apologized…you are such an ass." He walked over to Kebi's door and knocked gently. "Aura?"

Aura sniffled once and said "Go away."

He sighed. She was so upset. He could imagine her sitting on the floor crying her eyes out.

On the contrary, Aura was standing with her back against the door, arms crossed, debating over which object to bash over his unnaturally hard head. The chair might do nicely. On the other hand there were a few other objects that might work just as nicely.

Bakura knocked again, "Aura, love, please come out…I'm…"

Aura waited to hear it. But it never came. He just stopped right before saying it. "Would it kill him? I did it…but he can't. Damn man. I hate him. I loathe the very ground he walks on. I despise him." She considered opening the door, damning him to hell, and then slamming it in his face. But that wouldn't satisfy her and it sure as hell wouldn't relieve her of her anger. She waited to hear if he would say something else.

He laid his hand against the door. "Aura…please come out." He listened and thought he heard another sniffle. Cursing himself once again he knocked. "Please…?"

Aura sniffed in disgust. "Why should I?" her voice came out trembling with anger and frustration.

Bakura sighed. Her voice was trembling. She had to be so upset right now. He really couldn't blame her. What he had said was awful. Even though parts of it were true. That was completely beside the point. He knew what she would look like when she finally came out. Tears would stain her cheeks and her eyes would be red. He hated to see her cry. Hadn't he told her that in his letter. He wondered if she still had it. He laid his head against the door and sighed.

Aura glared at the door. She wanted to just open it and scream in his face. She considered doing just that…but it just wasn't good enough. She sat down with her back to the door and sniffled once.

Bakura heard it and turned around laying his head back against the door. "Aura…"

Aura grinned in an almost sadistic fashion. She listened for his voice and tried to figure out exactly how he was standing on the other side of the door. From the sound of his voice his back was to her. Perfect. She slowly stood up careful not to make any noise, and reached out. Grabbing the door, she pulled it open quickly and stepped to the side.

Bakura felt the door give at his back and then he felt himself falling. "Holy Shit!" He fall back and hit what he was sure was now a broken tailbone. :"Ouch…" He was laying flat on his back and he had cracked his head against the floor. "That fucking hurt…." He looked up at Aura who was leaning over him her face scrunched with what he thought was her torment.

Aura tried so hard to keep the laughter inside. It was very difficult with him lying on his back like an overturned turtle. She leaned against the wall and held her sides. Finally she couldn't help it she busted out laughing. She laughed and laughed until tears came to her eyes.

Bakura was in shock. He could not believe it. She had been planning it the entire time. He wasn't entirely sure if she had made him believe she was crying or she really had been but she had certainly planned him falling on his ass. He glared at her and then smiled. "You've had your fun. Now it's my turn." Reaching out he grabbed her ankle and pulled her down with him.

Aura felt herself pulled to the floor. She smacked against it and cried out in pain, her laughter gone. She glared at him and when he started laughing she got ticked.

Bakura sat up and laughed. :"You should have seen the look on your fa-oof."

Aura sat up and pulled her fist back. Letting it fly she plunged it straight and true right into his stomach. "Who's laughing now?"

Bakura's face showed his pain. "Dammit…ouch…"

Aura crossed her arms and went to stand up but Bakura grabbed her and wouldn't let her leave. He used his foot to kick the door shut and managed, despite his pain, to sit in front of the door, blocking her escape. He pulled his arms around his stomach and locked his legs together protecting himself, just in case.

She glared at him and then she began to laugh. "You are the biggest…ass ...I've ever met...in my entire life."

He blinked. Not exactly the reaction he had been expecting but laughter was better than her mauling him. "So are you…"

She laughed harder. "I am, aren't I..? But you're a bigger one."

"You think so. I have quite a few stories that prove just the opposite." The conversation was so absurd he began to laugh too. That just made his stomach hurt more but her laughter was infectious. He held his painful stomach and laughed.

She laughed right along with him. She laughed till her sides ached and she laid back down trying to catch her breath. He lay down beside her and she laid her head n his chest, still laughing. "We're quite a couple aren't we?"

"Never a dull moment. That's for sure." He stopped laughing and stroked her hair. "Aura I-I'm…"

She shook her head. "Just say it Bakura. Sorry. One little word."

He grimaced. "I'm sorry." He mumbled softly. "There I said it."

"I didn't hear you…"

He gritted his teeth. "I said it once. I'm not saying it again. If you didn't hear it...that's your fault."

She smacked him lightly and shook her head. "If I ever hear it again I'll have to look outside."

Bakura thought for a moment. "Outside?"

"Yep."

"For…what?"

"To make sure it's not snowing."

Bakura smacked her on the ass and said "Smartass."

"At least I'm not a dumbass, dumbass."

Bakura rolled his eyes. "I'm not even gracing that one with a reply."

"Good. That means you know I'm right."

"No you aren't right. There's just nothing to say to that."

Aura sighed. "Can't admit it when I'm right either, can you?"

He sighed. He was tired of this and he felt like he had accomplished something. Laughter diluted anger. Make her laugh. No more yelling. Make her laugh. His life got so much better. He hit her lightly once again and stood up. "Come on. You need to eat something."

"I don't wanna."

He just looked at her. "Do I look like I care what you want? Isis said…"

She waved a hand. "So? Isis probably says a lot of things. Why do I have to listen to her? Seraph didn't say I had to eat all my meals."

"Neither did Isis. She said you could skip two a week. But I'm not allowing it. One and that's your limit. And you skipped breakfast. So you're done." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "And you know very well that if Seraphic knew your condition she would say the same thing so stop. Because you won't win."

"I don't have to eat."

Bakura sighed. "Always have to do this the hard way, don't you?"

She blew out a breath and her bangs flew in the air for a moment. Sniffing she said, "It's only the 'hard' way when it comes to you."

He shook his head and said. "Fine." He grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder. Opening the door, and amidst her kicking and cursing, he walked over to the bed and dumped her. "Such language Aurahkah. Your father is turning in his grave."

She glared at him "What the hell did you do that for?" she spat the words at him in what sounded like a hiss.

"Touchy aren't we?" He picked up a plate and said. "Are you going to eat or do I have to feed you?"

She grumbled but picked up the plate and began to eat.

He watched her eat until she had cleaned her plate then he kissed her on the forehead and took the plate from her. He dropped it on her desk and walked back to the bed, climbing in he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. "Time for you to get some sleep."

"But I'm not ti-" she yawned and promptly fell fast asleep.

He chuckled. "Worn out from all that fighting. Good thing I didn't toss you in the bath like I was planning. Would have drowned you if I wasn't careful." He shook his head and lay down. In a few minutes he, too, was fast asleep.

:16:

Seraph stretched like a cat and felt the delicious sensation sink into her skin. She felt so good inside. All soft and mushy. She rolled over and ran into a hard chest. She rubbed her eyes and started to sit up when she realized Seto was awake. "How long have you been watching me?"

"Since dawn…"

"Dawn!"

"No, I'm kidding. I just woke up too."

She sighed and shook her head. "You can be such a bastard sometimes."

He smiled and kissed her. "I know."

She shook her head again and looked at the sunlight streaming in through the window. Then she perused the room with her eyes. "Oops." She giggled once and then laughed. "Did we do that?"

Seto looked to see what she meant and quirked his brows. The room was coated with parchment. It must have happened when he had swiped his hand over the surface of the desk. He cringed thinking of all the contracts and treaties that he'd have to put back in order and return to the Pharaoh but currently, he didn't care it. It was well worth it.

Seraph got out of bed and grabbed her robe, still uncomfortable being nude in the daylight. He watched her get up, biting back a smile at her modesty. He didn't think she'd be happy if he told her she was more provocative in the robe than her own skin. He watched her bend down. His mouth went dry with the wonderful view she was giving him. He felt the blood drain from his head and his body tightened once again. He sighed. This was getting ridiculous. What had happened to the "bed 'em and forget 'em" motto he'd always lived by? Gone. With Seraph there was no forgetting. He needed her now just as much as he had last night, three weeks ago, and would forever he suspected. The thought scared the hell out of him. He couldn't imagine her with anyone else and the very thought of another man touching what was his caused his fingers to curl and clench the sheets tightly in his fists. He'd kill any man that touched her. Slowly. Painfully. But first he'd make them suffer a fate worse than death. No one touched what was his. No one.

She had picked up a few of the papers. She wasn't entirely sure how all of them should go, and frankly she really didn't care. She just wanted to get them picked up. She hated the thought of the slaves speculating what had happened. She knew they knew. There was nothing they didn't know. And there was no way it would stay in one circle either. She highly suspected every slave in the palace knew by the morning after the wedding that she had slept with him.

Seto got up, gloriously and unashamedly naked, and began to help her pick up papers. He sorted through the ones already on the desk and took the pile she had collected from her. He flipped through the papers again. "Wait a minute…"

Seraph looked at him and blushed. She averted her eyes rather quickly and staring at her hands asked "What's wrong?"

"I'm missing the letter from Ba-haria… Oasis…it's really important. It's a treaty of sorts. Very important to the Pharaoh." He lied quickly.

She quirked a brow. "A treaty from an oasis?"

He nodded. "It's a…trade…route…that's…" he shrugged. ":It's just something Pharaoh wanted me to sign. I didn't really read it but he wanted it today. And now it's gone missing. Where in the hell did it go?"

Seraph shrugged. "What did it look like?"

He stared at her and held up a blank piece of paper. Grabbing a quill he scribbled something on it, then crumpled it and tossed it at her. "Like that."

She caught the ball and shook her head. She threw it back at him with more force than she intended, hitting him in the chest.

He watched the paper bounce off and hit the floor, then looked at her. "So have you seen it?"

She thought of the crumpled piece of paper she had found. It had had tear stains on it though. And it had been a very private letter. "Nope." And she had burned it.

He sighed and slammed his fist against the desk "I have to find that letter."

"Have Pharaoh write a new one. I could ask him for you."

Seto swore. "No. I'll…handle it. Are you sure you haven't seen it Seraphic? You weren't in here alone lately, were you?" He began walking toward her slowly, menacingly.

She backed up quickly. "No.." A lie.

He continued to stalk towards her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Another lie.

He crossed his arms and then decided to try something. "Let's run away together."

Seraph looked at him in shock. "What?"

"You heard me. Let's run away together." He decided if he used exact sentences from the letter it would click in her mind and he'd know if she had it. "What we're doing is against the law. We could both be killed or fired for it. Let's run away." He waited a beat. "Somewhere where Pharaoh can't touch us."

Lines ran through her head. She had heard all of this before. Her eyes went wide and she knew instantly that he knew that she knew. His next lines confirmed it.

Seto moved towards her until he had her pinned against the wall. "We can settle down and.." he paused again then smiled cruelly. "Start a family."

She bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't think that would be a good idea…" She was stalling desperately. She had no idea what he would do when he finally realized he could no longer use the letter, but it wasn't going to be good.

He pressed her against the wall and said softly, "Where is it Seraph?"

"Where's what..?"

"The letter. Don't play games with me. You recognize everything I just said. Now, tell me where it is."

"I-I can't."

"Yes you can."

"It doesn't matter where it is. You'll never be able to use it against her."

Seto sighed then smiled. "And why do you believe that?"

"Because I burned it!" she said defiantly.

Seto stared at her for a moment. He slammed a hand against the wall right beside her head and clenched his fist. "What did you say?"

"I…burned it. It's gone. Forever."

He slid his hand down slowly then moved it to grab her by the chin. "Why in the hell would you do something so stupid?" he raged.

His grip was forceful and it hurt. She squirmed but was back against the wall and had nowhere she could go. "Why do you want to hurt her so badly anyway?"

He sighed and let go. "You just don't get it do you?"

"Apparently not. Is this about the council?"

"No! Dammit. It's about her trying to be something she's not."

Seraph blinked. She was lost. What was he talking about. "Just because she's a woman doesn't mean she can't do her job Seto. She's a good advisor and she does her job right. So what if she's not a man. Pharaoh doesn't seem to care."

"This isn't about the damn council Seraph."

"And I'm a woman in my position too." She continued ignoring him. "Why is it okay for me? Because you're sleeping with me? That's a double standard, Seto."

"Will you stop for just a minute! This is not about the god damn council." He closed his eyes for a minute and grabbed his clothes. Pulling them on he said "Forget the council."

"Then what is it about!" Seraph shouted her hands hitting her hips.

He finished dressing and glared at her. "She tried to be my sister. I had a sister. She died. I didn't want a new one and Aura wanted to be her. So I cut her out."

Seraph looked at him for a moment. "You cut her out? Why? Because your sister died?"

He nodded. "She'd always been there. She was such a pest but Yami always wanted her there." His voice tightened. "Then my sister…and after that I didn't want to see her anymore. Yami got interested in girls and didn't want her cramping his style. So we dropped her like a rock and were gone."

Seraph walked over to the desk and sat down slowly. "Poor Aura. No wonder she hates you."

Seto rolled his eyes. "It wasn't that serious. But you burned the damn letter. Now how am I supposed to prove anything to Pharaoh?"

"You're not. You want to prove something? Go tell him we're sleeping together. That's the only confession he's going to hear because of you. I stopped you from hurting her and I don't regret it." She looked at him her eyes angry. "How can you be such a hypocrite? You rage at her for breaking the law when you're doing the same thing. You're not above the law either Lord Seto." She said with disdain. "You might want to think about that."

Seto lost it. He stalked over to her and picked her up. Then he threw her on the bed and climbed on after her. She backed up into a far corner and threw up her hands. "You have ruined my plans and for that you should pay dearly. Count yourself lucky my father taught me to respect women. Now get out before I do something you will hate me for and I won't regret."

Seraph's eyes widened in fear. He was barely holding his anger in check. She had no doubt he wanted to beat her until he thought he had beaten some 'sense' into her. She scrambled off the bed and hurried out of his room. "You have just as much to lose in this as I do Seto. Tread carefully." With those words she slipped out of the room and into her own. She had a lot to think about.

Seto watched her leave then flung a chair against the wall. It broke into four nice pieces and he cursed and broke it again just because. He stood back and sighed. Her words had sounded like a threat. And Ra help him but a shiver had run down his spine.

:16:

Isis walked down the hall slowly. She looked around and knocked softly on Aura's door. "It's Isis. I need to check on Aurahkah."

The door opened a moment later and Isis walked inside. Aura was already laying on the bed ready for the usual barrage of questions Isis threw at her.

Aura nodded to Isis. "Yes I ate dinner last night. Breakfast this morning. No I have not felt anything strange. No, oddly enough I had no morning sickness this morning. No, I have not done anything strenuous lately. Did I leave anything out?"

Isis bit back a smile. "You pretty much covered it. Except for one thing. Did you drink the medicine anyway?"

Aura looked at her for a moment. "No, why would I?"

Isis laughed. "My Lady you will soon find that although it's called morning sickness, it could come at any point, day or night. Take the medicine every single day. You'll save yourself some embarrassing situations, trust me."

Bakura stood off to the side mentally making a note that the powder in the jar needed to be given to her every day no matter how much she complained or refused. He would not let anything slip by him. He was used to the routine by now. Isis would ask the questions and then she'd check and make sure nothing was wrong. He wasn't entirely sure how that one worked but he intended to find out. Eventually. He watched Isis do her normal check-up under the covers and tossed Aura her customary pillow.

"Violated…" Aura whispered. "Horribly violated."

"Tsk tsk." Isis said. "It's completely natural and there's nothing you have that I don't. Well except for a baby inside yours. But that's beside the point." Isis continued with her exam unnaturally cheerful.

Aura buried her head under the pillow just like she did everyday. "So violated. There are some things that just shouldn't be poked…"

Isis finished and brushed off her hands. "So how are you two doing?"

Aura peeked out and said, "Doing? An exam isn't enough for you? You have to ask details?"

Bakura sighed. "We fight. She screams at me. She curses at me. She tells me I'm an idiot and not fit to be with her at this point in time. Overall I think I take it rather well."

Aura buried her face under the pillow again. "Bakura…must you?"

Isis nodded. "And sex?"

Aura choked. "Absolutely not! Don't you dare Bakura."

"I can't get any Isis. Nothing. It's been a month and I've had nothing! It'd be okay if I got laid but no. I deal with the screaming and sometimes the hitting and I get…a pat on the head when she's feeling generous. It sucks."

Aura shook her head. She really hated this. "I'm going to strangle you Bakura. Or I'm going to rip out your tongue so you can never speak again!"

"That would be the anger. And next will come the violence."

Aura slammed her hand on the bed. "I am not violent!" She tossed the pillow at his head. "Stop lying."

Bakura caught the pillow and nodded. "And then she'll start ranting and raving.."

"I do not rant and rave! Here I am carrying your child and can you be nice? No. You have to start telling her everything. You go on and on and on about matters that are entirely personal and…" she continued to rant and rave while Bakura just nodded towards her.

"I told you."

Isis nodded. "Well you're normal. Congratulations."

Bakura stared at her. "Are you telling me...all women are like this?"

Isis nodded.

"All…like that? Ranting and raving and hitting and screaming? And then when you're so pissed you can barely see straight…they turn sickeningly sweet…? They're all that way?"

Isis nodded again. "Believe it or not Bakura. Every pregnant woman threatens her mate's life at least once a day and tends to toss objects at him when he dares to open his mouth. It's just a trait we all share, I guess." She stopped and looked at Aura who had finally finished her rant. "You know Aura. You'll feel a lot better once you've had sex."

Aura dropped her head in her hands and glared at Bakura who had gotten that gleam in his eyes. "Absolutely not! No...no…no and NO!" She crossed her arms. "You are getting nothing from me. At all. Period. Nothing Bakura. Don't you smile and nod at me. Treating me like a petulant child. I refuse to sleep with you! Refuse! Do you hear me?"

Bakura nodded and pretended to listen to her long strings of refusals. She was adamant. There would be no sex until this child was grown. He sniffed. Damn last time it had been until the kid was grown and married. He was doing better and better. At this rate he'd have her in bed before the week was up. All he had to do was endure her anger for a little while longer.

In the middle of this whole scene, Seraph had hurried down the hall after getting dressed. She got to Aura's room and needed to talk to her so badly she didn't even bother to knock. She opened the door, "Aura I need to tell you something. Bakura's .." she trailed off as Aura's refusal of sex hit her. She stopped for a moment and realized that the door was open. She closed it and looked around. Aura was laying in bed talking about how Bakura was never touching her again. Surprisingly enough Bakura was there. Leaning against the wall beside the bed, looking entirely too happy with himself. Isis was standing just at the foot of the bed. Seraph blinked once and went to say something but was cut off by Aura's next sentence.

"Just because it's your baby does not mean you have exclusive rights to any part of my body anytime you want it! I will not have sex with you while I'm…puffy!"

Seraph closed her eyes and shook her head. "Dammit Ra...why must you have a sense of humor?" She looked around and said "Apparently I missed the announcement. When's the baby due?"

Silence greeted her. The three in the room froze like they had been caught doing something wrong. Bakura dove for the bed and missed by a few inches. He tried to scurry under it when Aura said, "What are you doing?"

He froze again. "Umm…I freaked…she won't tell…right?" He looked at her. "You tell and I will make your life a living hell."

Seraph raised an eyebrow. "Isis." She turned to her assistant who was trying very hard not to laugh. "Would you mind filling me in?"

Isis nodded in approval. She had seen her daughter walk in at the very awkward moment and she wondered what her reaction would be. All in all she handled it rather well, Isis thought. She showed no reaction and simply accepted the fact Aura was pregnant. Done very nicely indeed. "I don't think I need to go into a step-by-step. So we'll go with Aura got pregnant by Bakura. I found out by accident and have been taking care of her ever since."

Seraph nodded. "Who knows?"

Isis said, "Everyone currently here. That's it."

She nodded again. "Aura?"

Aura sighed. "Yes?"

"Have you been doing everything your told?"

"Yes…"

Bakura said, "She's lying. She refuses to have sex with me. Isis said she should and she won't."

Aura was beyond humiliated. She buried her face again, lacking the pillow she used her hands and sighed. "Ra…kill me now."

Isis lifted a brow at Bakura and Seraph said, "I assume you're referring to the emotional state she's in being cured by her having sex with him?"

Isis was taken aback for a moment. She wondered if Seraph knew from personal experience but then discounted that theory. There had been no mention of a child anywhere. In fact, as far as she knew, there were no children from the current circle. Well that was about to change in about eight months by her calculations. "Yes."

Bakura nodded. "Doctor's orders must be followed." He smiled happily. He was getting some tonight. The doctor had prescribed it and who was he to argue with a doctor.

Seraph saw the pillow on the floor and picked it up. She walked over to Aura and handed it to her. "Here you go. And it's true Aura. You will feel so much better. It's a temporary fix though but why not enjoy it."

Aura snatched the pillow and hid. "I hate you all…"

Seraph patted her friends shoulder. "You're not puffy yet either." She looked at Isis. "How far along is she?"

Aura spoke up. "A month."

Seraph nodded. "You won't be…puffy for another two possibly three months depending on how large the child is and how fast it wants to grow and develop." She smiled. "So you can't say that just yet."

Isis bit back a laugh. "Poor Aura. She's just so upset right now." They were talking about sex so casually and Aura was losing it. Slowly but steadily.

Seraph looked at her friend. "I'd check you out but Isis already did and I'm confident in her abilities. So I'll let you be violated only once today."

Aura nodded. "Thank you Ra."

"However I do have some bad news."

Aura sighed. "You hate me don't you Ra?"

Seraph sighed and shook her head. She wasn't entirely sure how to tell Aura this and would much rather do it with just Aura in the room. "Isis can I have a moment?"

Isis nodded and grabbed Bakura's arm. "Come on. I have some more instructions to give you."

"But I want to…oh those instructions. Ok. Bye Aura love. I'll see you" he smiled "tonight." He followed Isis into Kebi's room and closed the door. Kebi was currently doing his duties as a slave.

Aura cursed the man in every tongue she knew. She used words that would have burned even the devil's ears.

Seraph raised her eyebrows at her friend's extensive vocabulary and waited, tapping her foot. "Are you finished damning him to hell? If you are I'd like to tell you this and get it over with."

Aura blinked. "I'm sorry…I got...carried away."

"So I saw…or rather heard." Seraph shook her head. "Aura your letters gone." She finally said it quickly and calmly.

Aura nodded. "Okay." She started to think of all the ways she would keep Bakura from getting what he wanted.

"Aura!" She snapped her fingers in front of Aura's face. "Your letter from Bakura is gone. It's ashes. Literally."

Aura blinked for a moment and then said, "Technically it wasn't doctor's orders. It was more of a friendly suggestion. And friendly suggestions don't always have to be…followed..." She stopped. "What do you mean it's ashes?"

Seraph stepped back. "I burned it."

Aura sprang up out of the bed her eyes accusing "You burned it? The only thing I had left when Bakura left and you burned it! Why? What demonic god possessed you? What in the nine hells that I can't currently name were you thinking?"

Seraph stepped back again. Aura was pissed and this was not good. "Seto had it…I didn't want him to use it against you so I-"

Aura cut her off swiftly. She walked slowly towards her friend and for the second time that day Seraph found herself trapped against a wall. "I'm sorry…"

Aura slammed her against the wall. "You're sorry? Is that all you can say? What in the hell is wrong with you? Do I burn your stuff? No."

Seraph held up her hands to push Aura back and said "It seemed like a good idea…at the time…?"

Aura closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she launched herself at Seraph. The women went down in a pile on the floor. Aura grabbed at Seraph's throat and began to strangle her. Seraph fought back pulling Aura's hair. "I'm sorry Aura! I didn't want him to take it to Pharaoh!"

"What would he have been able to do? They didn't know where Bakura was. And all anyone had to do was prove that Seto had been out to get me for a long time! He had nothing! Nothing Seraph. It would have been explained as a prank or Seto trying to get rid of me. Now I have nothing!" She kicked at the girl catching her in the stomach.

Seraph went to punch Aura in the stomach and stopped. "Damn you and your pregnant state." She settled for shaking Aura a few times so her head snapped back and forth a few times. "I wasn't thinking clearly at the time. I was so afraid it would cement the doubt in Pharaoh's mind about the incident last year that I did the first thing that came to mind. I destroy-" she was cut off again when Aura hit her in the face. Seraph felt Aura's hand connect with her cheek and she shoved Aura none too gently into the bed beside them. Aura cracked her head and let out a yelp of pain. "Dammit Seraph! That hurt! I should be the one causing you pain. You already caused me more than I can possibly take at this moment in time! Don't you know? I'm supposed to be bringing down my stress level!" She shoved Seraph off of her. "You make me sick. I can't believe you would do something like that."

Seraph sighed. "I said I was sorry Aura. I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did. And there's nothing you can do now. I hate you Seraph! I never want to see you again! Ever!"

Seraph stepped back the hurt evident on her face.

"Did you plan it Seraph? Did you and Seto have a great big laugh over it while you were in bed? Look at Aura. She holds onto a stupid piece of parchment like it's the only thing between her and death. She's so fucking pathetic."

Seraph's eyes reflected her pain. "How dare you?" She brought her own hand up and smacked Aura in the face. "Don't add bitch to your resume. You may never get another job!"

Aura glared at her and rubbed her cheek. "You're a traitor Seraph. Sleeping with the enemy makes you the enemy too!" She launched herself once again and was caught around the waist by Bakura. "Stop this both of you!"

Isis grabbed Seraph's hand and said "You're acting like spoiled children. Aurahkah. Seraphic. Apologize to each other now."

Aura looked at Seraph and said "I'm sorry you ever came here and I'm sorry I even thought I could call you my friend. You're nothing but a backstabbing, low, conniving bitch and if I don't see you again until the afterlife it will be too soon!"

Seraph took a deep breath. "I'm sorry you feel that way Aura because I never thought of you as anything but a trusted friend. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings and I'm sorry I hit your head against the bed. That was immature of me. But I will say this once and only once. I never once plotted against you or tried to cause you pain in anyway." Seraph felt the tears coming and fought them back. "And I am sorry that our friendship has to end like this." With those words Seraph slipped from the room. Isis glared at Bakura. "Calm her down and get her to shut up!" Then she followed her daughter out of the room.

Bakura hugged Aura to him and held her while she cried. "Wanna tell me what the hell that was about?"

"She bfeined mkin letddfedr dndie I fjiet faieft aowejiedoj."

Bakura blinked. "I caught a she in the beginning and an I in there somewhere. Other than that…I got nothing."

She leaned back and said "She burned my letter and I got so upset. I hate her…so much right now."

Bakura just shook his head. "You don't hate her. You're just upset."

"You're right Bakura. I don't hate her. I despise her. I never want to see her again. Did you think I was lying? She stole something so precious to me and destroyed it, forgiveness is not an option."

"What could be that valuable?"

"My letter. The one you wrote me when you left."

Bakura shook his head. "You don't need the letter. You have me. The genuine article."

Aura shook her head and started to cry again. "You just don't understand." She buried her face in his chest and cried until there were no more tears to cry.

Seraph fled. She felt her tears streaming down and she just wanted to get out of the palace. She turned a corner, her tears beginning to burn her eyes and ran smack into Relah, who surprisingly was up and about.

Relah grabbed Seraph's shoulders to keep herself steady and said, "Seraph? What happened to you?"

"Aura hates me!" Seraph sobbed. "She never wants to see me again."

Relah nodded. "Mmmhmm." She sniffed once and said "Are you going to tell me more or just leave it at that?"

Seraph told Relah the whole story beginning with finding the letter up to the point of the fight mere moments ago.

Relah pulled her into a room and closed the door. She listened to the whole story as it poured out and only nodded when the door opened and Isis came in. By the end of it Relah was beginning to see what had gone so wrong at the meeting yesterday. She filed away different things for further questioning. Seraph was sleeping with Seto. Bakura was back apparently for good. Aura was pregnant. It explained a lot. And now Aura's most prized possession besides Bakura himself, was destroyed. By Seraph. Relah sighed. What a mess. She supposed she'd have to play mediator in this and already began to plan how she would get the two of them to meet together. For now she simply waited until Seraph had finished her story.

Seraph's tears were coming in a steady stream as she came to the last thing Aura had said. "She told me she didn't want to see me till the Afterlife and even then it would be far too soon." Seraph sobbed.

Relah hugged her and said soothingly. "I'm sure she didn't mean it. She's just really upset right now. She's going through an emotional time and I'm sure it's even worse knowing that any minute she could be found out. I'm out in the open and it's okay. It's not okay for her."

Seraph nodded. "I know that but she was so upset Relah. It was like I had done the worst thing on the face of the planet and I have no idea how I'm going to earn her forgiveness."

"Forgiveness shouldn't be earned. It should be given out of the love one person feels for another. If you have to earn forgiveness, it isn't worth it. Aura will forgive you because she loves you Seraph." She held up her hand to silence Seraph's protests. "She loves you more than she knows. She's just set that love aside for the moment. You did something to hurt her and she has to deal with that in her own time."

Seraph nodded and said, "I've had a long day. I'm going back to bed." With that she left the room.

Isis and Relah shared a look. Isis hoped Relah's prediction would turn out to be true.

:16:

Unfortunately Relah's prediction didn't come true. A week passed and not only did Aura not forgive but she was not speaking to Seraph either. At meetings she would sit and stare at her hands. The tension was so thick you could literally cut it with a knife. The entire circle stepped lightly around the two of them, afraid at any moment there would be another fight.

Yami didn't like it. A division in the circle was a weakness. One that could easily be exploited. Something had to be done. And soon.

Relah planned to bring the two of them together that very day. She had already planned what she was going to do. She would bring the two of them together and make absolutely certain neither of them left the room until they had everything worked out.

Yami nodded with his plan of action. "Call the council." He said to a slave. "And don't tell my wife."

The slave nodded and ran off to assemble them.

A few minutes later Aura, Seraph, and Seto were sitting in the conference room. Yami paced with his hands behind his back. "This is not going to work anymore. Seraphic. Aurahkah. This is ridiculous." He slammed his palms down on the table, making the women jump. "I will not tolerate this any longer. Either you fix this or I will." Yami had dealt with the snotty looks across the table when they thought he wasn't looking. He had dealt with the lofty attitudes when one woman was asked for an opinion. It was driving him insane and he wanted it stopped. Now. He crossed his arms and waited. They would take a few minutes and this would be over. Oh how very wrong he was.

Four hours later Yami was ready to bang his head against the wall. He sunk into a chair and said wearily, "Look I don't know what happened and I don't care but this has to stop. We've waited for four hours for one of you to do something to heal this breach. You refuse to so I'll do it."

Seraph refused to look at Aura. She had humbled herself once. She wasn't about to do it again. "My Pharaoh can I leave? I have said everything I wish to say to her. I apologized once already and she threw it in my face."

Yami felt like he was twelve again. He looked at Aura. "Is that true?"

Aura refused to look at him. "I won't accept her apology. It doesn't take away from what she's done and I will never ever forgive her!"

Seraph lowered her head to the desk.

Seto tapped his hands on the table. Why am still here? "Can I go my Pharaoh. I see no reason for me to be here."

Yami sighed and rubbed his temples. "You are witness."

"To?"

"To the fact that I tried to give two headstrong women the chance to make things right. Four hours of chances. They refused to take them so what I do now is my last resort."

Seto sat up in his chair. This should be interesting.

Yami steepled his fingers and looked at the two women. He wanted to shake them both. "Lady Aurahkah, I must ask you to hand me your Millennium Item." He held out his hand his voice firm.

Aura's head shot up. She looked at Yami with hurt in her eyes. Then they hardened. "What?"

"I'm sorry Aurahkah. I'm suspending you from the council until further notice. I will allow you to keep your room and your slave but you will get no say in anything that happens and you are hereby banned from any and all confidential meetings. Now, your Item please." He held out his hand and waited.

Aura glared at him. "Fine! It's not like I'm wanted on this damn council anyway." She pulled off the Ring and looked at Seto. "Congratulations Seto. You finally win. I hope this day lives in your memory forever." She looked at his hand and shook her head. "I was once proud to wear this Item as a trusted friend. Now I see I can't even claim that anymore." She threw the Ring down on the table and stalked from the room.

Seraph held her breath and waited to see if she would be suspended too. She glared at Seto who was all but dancing in his chair. His eyes had lit up at Yami's announcement and he had nodded when Aura had made her little speech. Then he'd lifted his fingers and waved bye to her a touch too happily.

Yami watched one of his best friends leave a place he thought she'd always be. He sighed. "I wish I didn't have to do that but I saw no other choice. Now what in the hell happened between you two?"

Seraph met his eyes and said calmly, "That my Pharaoh is between Aurahkah and I and none of your business."

Yami stared at her. "Seraphic I must caution you. I can suspend you just as easily as I did Aura. Tell me what it was."

"I'll do it for you my Pharaoh." She reached up and took off the Necklace. She held the treasured Necklace out to him and waited for him to take it.

Yami cursed. "Seraphic. It doesn't have to be this way."

She shook her head. "But it does my Pharaoh. I refuse to tell you and if that means I'm off the council then you will grant Seto's fondest wish. A council of all men." Her scathing gaze shot to him and he had the grace to look abashed. "Isn't that what you've always wanted, Lord Seto? The ear of the Pharaoh. Without any women to get in your way?"

Yami was fed up with this. "Silence!"

Seraph shut up.

Yami took a deep breath. "Put that back on now! I am Pharaoh and what I say is law. Despite Aurahkah's seniority, she has the more volatile temper. And putting that fact aside, it is also stated and witnessed by your assistant Isis, that you did indeed apologize. Aurahkah refuses to bend so I will break her. She will put this foolishness in the past or she will not be given her position back. You, however, have done nothing wrong in my eyes and if you do not show up to the next meeting I will personally come and get you myself. Is that clear?"

Seraphic nodded. "Yes, my Pharaoh."

Yami nodded. "Good. Now that unpleasant business is taken care of, Lady Seraphic, you now have all of Aurahkah's paperwork. I'll have her slave move it to your room. I do not intend to go to war for ANY reason. Am I understood?"

Seraphic nodded. "Yes, my Pharaoh."

Yami nodded again. "I have spoken." He stood up and said "The meeting is adjourned. He picked up the Ring and left the room.

Seto glared at her. "What in the hell were you thinking? You can't take yourself off the council."

"Watch me." Seraph replied. She stood up and walked out. In the hallway, she put the Necklace back on. She had no desire to upset the Pharaoh. His will be done.

:16:

Aura stormed down the hall and into her room. Yami wanted to play hardball? Fine. She could do it too. She grabbed treaties and began tearing them to shreds. She signed the wrong lines on some and just tossed others right out her window. "There we go. We shall have a nice war on our hands in a few weeks." She smiled sadistically and sighed. Then she climbed into bed and once the hurt had settled in, cried herself to sleep.

Bakura slipped out of Kebi's room and looked at the mess she had made. He walked over and sighed. He had no idea what had happened this time but she was obviously mad at Yami. And that was bad. It would be a hellish next few weeks if she didn't make up with soon. He was not looking forward to it. He climbed into bed with her and held her until he too fell asleep.

:16:

Relah cursed, "You did WHAT!"

"I kicked her off."

Relah threw back her head and sighed "You are an idiot. You have only made things worse! Why don't you kick her out too? Make it even more horrible! Men! Why do you try and fix things with a bandage? You have to heal the cut…not cover it up!" She threw up her hands. "I'm going for a walk. You stay here and think about what you've done!"

Yami watched her go. Everyone was pissed at him now. Except Seto. He had the oddest feeling that he had made Seto's day. He sat back and held the Ring in his hand. Oh how did life get so complicated?

Yoru: Oh the horror..hahahahhaha I am so evil! I love it. Everyone hates everyone else. There is no more love in the palace. And we have two pregnant women on our hands and the emotions are flying everywhere. Oh the fun. Currently the only happy one is Seto. Which is ironic because when everyone else is happy…Seto is…for lack of a better word, miserable. Ra or God as I'm fond of saying…loves irony. Now all of you need to RR so that I will feel like writing Ch 17 which I guarantee will make you all want to kill me. Until 17 thank you all for your devotion and remember...we're being grown-up in this story. Byes.