A Witchy Idea: The World of Memory

by RobynHood3

Time waits for nobody, especially when you're linked to the Millennium Items. It's time to unravel the past with Christine and the Gang as they delve deep into the World of Memory. What kind of secrets have been hidden by 3000 years of darkness and will Christine be able to face what made Iliana fade into legend? Finale in the Witchy Idea saga.

2. Remembrance of Father

Yay! Chapter 2! Slowly but surely we will get through this! I loved writing all the ancient stuff! Gah! I'm so happy we're finally here!

And... ShadowTier... There will be some... *twirls fingers together with an evil laugh.* Oh, yes, more...

Yami Bakura: Are you gonna run away again?

Shut up! *Looks back to the audience* I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I only own my OC, Christine, and all my kids, who I love very much! If you recognize anything, I don't own that either! If a text is in italics, it's in a different language! Enjoy!

Yami Bakura: You don't have to be so grumpy about it...

Although tanned and marred with a scar over his right eye, Yami Bakura's face looked exactly the same as the last time I saw him. All eyes were locked on him, seeing what he was about to do. The air felt like a very thick soup with all the tension. With a very dramatic pull of the rope tied at his waist, all of the fine funerary goods fell to the ground with a loud crash.

"Lose something?" Yami Bakura - or simply just Bakura for the moment -, said with a cheery smile. "Here! These are the treasures I just removed from Akhenamkanon's tomb!"

My heart clenched when he tugged at a rope, pulling at the neck of… a mummy? "I even brought this thing I found in the coffin! Can't you set better traps than that?!" He gave a chuckle; the sound sent shivers up my spine. "The only one that was an issue only had enough power to handle one person; I simply threw in a bystander." My brain immediately put the pieces together that the trap he was mentioning was the one I had put in. I had faint recollections of powerful protection spells - ten times the strength of the crystals I had made for the gang - but they only had so much potency before they faded.

Then his words finally sunk in. I looked back to the mummy. He had pulled it out of the coffin?! Then… the body he had dragged all the way here was…. My temper rose faster than I had ever felt before; I barely even remembered whose body it was, but my temper made me sure it was someone close to my heart. Alexander calling me Sekhmet incarnate made a lot of sense now. How… how dare… I only straightened an inch - intent on some form of retribution - before Yami tightened his grip on my knee. It kept me in place but only just barely.

"Y-you defiled Pharaoh Akhenamkanon's tomb?!" Shimon gasped.

Bakura chuckled. His beetle-like eyes glinted with unrestrained malice.

"I've come for the Millennium Items."

He let the statement settle in before shouting. "Well? Aren't you scum going to pass judgment on me?! I am the Great Bakura, the King of Thieves! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Shada was the one to voice the priests' disgust.

"To step unbidden before the throne of the Pharaoh is an unconscionable crime!" Shada barked, holding out the Millennium Key. "You will not be forgiven!"

Bakura gave a shrug. He obviously didn't care about the religious aspects the Pharaoh embodied.

"These gold trinkets are the burial items I just took from Pharaoh Akhenamkanon's tomb. But there's something I want more than these! Your Millennium Items! I'll ask you once nicely. Will you give all seven of them to me? Well?"

Priest Seto gave an evil chuckle. From my angle, I could see him cross his arms slightly, holding the Millennium Rod over his chest.

"For a miserable thief, to stand before the six priests takes courage." Priest Seto almost complimented. "We'll make sure the canopic jar for your guts is a somewhat larger one."

"Listen well, thief Bakura." Master Aknadin breathed then. "The law and order of this world is maintained by these seven Millennium Items. The only ones who can wield them are the priests who have trained their souls and the Divine Pharaoh who rules this land! If a person like you, with a heart of evil, were to touch a Millennium Item, your very soul would burn away. The gods themselves would punish you with death!"

"You excite me!" Bakura replied with a bright smile. "Now I want them even more!"

"Don't worry." Seto jumped in. "I'll punish you with death myself first."

That only made Bakura even more excited as he threw his arms out. His smile was wild, tugging at his scarred eye.

"Interesting! I'll take all of you priests at once!"

Since I didn't move, Yami's grip on my knee had loosened, and he was able to lounge slightly in his throne. A quick peek showed his eyes were narrowed; it was like he was watching a duel. Well, if a duel regularly had threats of killing people.

"There's nothing to worry about, Pharaoh!" Shimon breathed to us. "The thief should be the one to worry; no sane person could stand alone against the Heka of the six priests! Nor would he have any chance of reaching you with the Great Royal Wife by your side."

Dang. If he kept up that line of complimenting, my head would be as big as Khufu's pyramid. I didn't let the ego boost reach my face, though, as my eyes were moving back to the sight ahead of us. Yami hadn't moved either, but his voice was soft in my ears.

"Is there a monster in his soul as well, Shimon?" Yami asked.

"There very well may be. Although, for a mere thief, it's probably a low level, weak monster."

He spent the next minute explaining the difference between the Ba - the life energy - and the Ka - the soul. He explained that the two worked together in creating either a spirit from a good soul or a monster from an evil soul. Their strengths were determined by the strength of their owner's Ba. My eyes flicked to a set of guards lifting a stone slab. "His Ka will soon show its evil form and be sealed into the stone by the Heka of the priests!" I flicked my eyes back to the space ahead of me. The priest's expressions were beginning to tell me otherwise. Eyes were wide, stances were being widened, faces were scrunched in concentration.

They were prepping for a fight.

I watched as Shada looked into Bakura's soul with the Millennium Key and flinched when he was flung backwards. His eyes were wide, and he gasped for breath. What had he seen? He then gestured to the stone slab that had been brought in.

"That stone slab is too small for it!" He called.

"His Ka is about to appear!" Master Aknadin then called.

Almost like it melted out of Bakura's body, a large monster appeared. Its top part was a humanoid but its bottom half melted into a snake. It was utterly huge! It nearly reached the ceiling of the room! I could also feel some sort of strange power emanating from it, but I couldn't identify what exactly it was. The priests seemed at a loss for words as well. "What?! I don't believe it! How can such a demon dwell within a mere thief's soul?"

"This isn't a demon!" Bakura retorted. "This is a god! The Great God Diabound!"

A god? My eyes narrowed at the term, but I felt Yami and heard Shimon flinch. "What is 'evil'? If I'm loyal to what you say is right, is that all it takes to make me 'good'?" Priest Seto brandished the Millennium Rod, managing to grab Diabound and hurl him into the stone slab. It only held for a few seconds before the entire thing exploded and the monster came hurling out again. "Your sealing stones are useless against my Ka!" The priest saw that as a challenge as he laughed.

"In that case," Priest Seto breathed. "let me show you the true power of the priests!"

Master Aknadin tried to convince him to go another way, but, in true Kaiba fashion, Priest Seto wanted to go it alone. I heard him begin to mumble a spell, and, to my surprise, I could hear it translated in the back of my head. He was summoning something. A stone slab shot out of the ground behind him, called by the spell to prepare for the monster's arrival. Yami was now on the edge of his throne, eyes wide at what was happening; I was the only thing keeping him in the throne. I was so focused on the spell that I didn't listen even as Shimon was explaining something. "Galestgoras, I summon thee!" A large dragon like monster burst out of the stone slab. The roar it let out echoed in my ears, but I couldn't flinch to cover them.

"Go, Priest Seto!" Shimon cried like the gang would have at the sidelines of a duel.

It was a very simplified duel from what I was used to as the monsters simply went after each other, attacking and defending as much as he could. Galestgoras threw Diabound around and around, slamming him into the stone ground so loudly and with so much force, I felt it up on the dais. It went to stomp on the other monster, but I watched as it disappeared into thin air. Huh?

"When a person has a Ka in his soul, it develops the powers he wishes he had!" Bakura explained. It reflects his most secret desires! As for me, I am a thief! What power would help me steal treasure? The power to move through solid stone!"

"His Ka can move through walls?!" Kalim gasped.

"And one more thing. When a monster is summoned from a stone slab, it will vanish if that slab is destroyed, right?!"

Uh oh! I flinched forward, but I didn't know what I could do against something I couldn't see.

"Seto!" Master Aknadin shouted. "Protect the stone tablet!"

It must have been too late as I heard the sounds of stone cracking. The tablet exploding sent stone chips flying everywhere but thankfully not all the way up to us. That would have been like shrapnel at that speed! At the loss of the tablet, Galestgoras gave one last roar as it faded into mist.

"This is boring… I want to fight the Pharaoh! How about it?"

Bakura's wide eyes lifted up to Yami. "Will you challenge me? If I lose, you can have my head. But if you lose, I'll take your life, your wife's life, your gold finery, and your Millennium Items!" Yami didn't reply, but I did feel his grip on my knee tighten even more. I responded by gripping his shoulder again. I had promised him before that I wasn't going anywhere, and I intended to keep it.

"Have you no respect?! How dare you say such things to the Pharaoh, the Divine King, and his Great Royal Wife! There will be no mercy for you!"

"Bakura!" Yami's lifted voice actually spooked me as I fought to not jump out of my seat. "Why do you want the Millennium Items?"

Bakura's smile remained, and he tugged once more at the rope, pulling the neck of the mummy up off the ground. I flinched at the sound of the linen wrappings scraping along the stone floor, as well as the thief's foot being used to lift the body even higher.

"Why don't you ask him?" Bakura taunted.

Yami was confused as I felt his head shift. The priests helped identify the body, further justifying the anger that flowed through my veins.

"It's him!" Priest Seto gasped. "The former king! You barbarian! How dare you step on the body of Pharaoh Akhenamkanon?! I'll flay that foot to the bone!"

"The… the former..." Yami breathed softly, making me immediately turn to him.

His eyes were wide. He was putting things together. "Shimon… Is that mummy… my…"

"Yes." Shimon replied. "That is your father."

Yami's fists clenched, having to release my knee to do so.

"After all!" Bakura continued. "Akhenamkanon made them! He was the one who brought the Millennium Items into this world!"

I tightened my grip on Yami's shoulder as his fists clenched even tighter than before. He was beginning to shake. I couldn't even try to tell him to calm down as Master Aknadin was speaking again.

"Bakura, the Great Pharaoh Akhenamkanon ruled for 40 years." The priest spoke firmly. "He put an end to the wars between countries and brought peace to this land!"

"Peace for you…"

"Pharaoh Akhenamkanon wished for a millennium of peace for this war-torn country. It is for that purpose that he made the Millennium Items!"

"I know this story! To stamp out all evil! To purge all sinners… He left us these seven Millennium Items imbued with the power of Justice and Righteousness! Ha ha ha! Justice?! Don't make me laugh! Don't you know the truth?"

The truth? "The Millennium Items are forbidden artifacts of Black Magic! The evil power of darkness dwells within them! The one who owns all seven of them can forge a contract with the dark spirits of the Afterworld!"

"That's absurd!" Mahad huffed.

Bakura didn't take kindly to that as his face became a dark grimace.

"Have you ever heard the name of the village of Kul Elna?"

I hadn't heard of it, or I had just forgotten it. "That village is now a ruin, but a secret shine is hidden there. In it is the tablet of the afterworld. The one who places all seven Millennium Items in that stone tablet will be given the power of the shadows by the evil god Zorc Necrophades!"

Yami was really mad now. I adjusted so that he could have more room on his throne; I had a feeling he was going to jump up at a moment's notice. "Do you ever think that's why your Pharaoh made the Items? Maybe Akhenamkanon was after that evil power… just like me! Not just Egypt… he wanted to rule the entire world with the power of darkness!"

Yami exploded. He threw himself out of his throne to stand on his feet. If I had still been on him, I'd have gone flying with him. His voice was unlike anything I had ever heard come out of his mouth.

He was pissed.

"Bakura!" Yami roared. "Get your foot off that body!"

Bakura's face became a bright smile once more at Yami's anger.

"So… I finally got your butt off the throne… 'Great Pharaoh'…"

When the priests confronted Bakura for his insolence, I jumped off the throne as well. I knew better than to try and say 'chill out'; his anger was warranted. Yami was still shaking with rage, but his voice was restrained when he tilted his head to whisper.

"Can you get him?"

I thought with all my brain power for anything I could have done. My brain gave me everything but… I shook my head, more disheartened than ever.

"Not without the risk of harming his body." I replied. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ruined his afterlife."

Yami's head dropped, his fists clenching at his sides. Shimon then approached; His voice was lifted in pride.

"Great Pharaoh…" The man said gently. "I, Shimon, had the honor of serving your father, Pharaoh Akhenamkanon, as his vizier for many years. I stood by his side when your Lady Nefertari, a terrified little girl who would barely pull herself away from Mereyam's dress, was first brought before him."

Shimon gave a soft chuckle as if the memory was a happy one before sobering quickly. "I can say with certainty… your father was a good and strong Pharaoh who dedicated his life to bringing peace to his country and to his people." Yami's fists relaxed for a fraction of a second before clenching once more. His head turned to me.

"Guard my back." He simply said.

Huh? I blinked, but he didn't explain himself. He simply turned towards the room ahead and began to walk into the fray. Yami, you idiot! The priests had summoned monsters and were about to fight with Diabound! This is just as dumb as you jumping in the way of Ra's attack! I fumbled for a long second, hearing Shimon shout for him to come back, begging for an idea to present itself.

It then hit me. If Bakura could summon his Ka without a stone, I could as well! What was stopping me? I struggled with how to do it but, when it eventually happened, it was far easier than I had expected. I was grateful to see Joan appear, flying quickly to guard Yami's back as he approached the body of his father. Had Yami known Joan would appear? Or did he just know that I wouldn't have let anything harm him? My brain simply said 'yes'. Very helpful.

A distant part of my brain controlled Joan, subtly adjusting any attacks if they got too close to my Pharaoh. Was this exactly what Bakura was doing? Through Joan's ears, I could hear every sound: gasps, grunts, Bakura's laughter, and the soft sound of Yami's breathing. Then, as if he was right next to me, I heard Yami's quiet demand. "Move." He pushed the thief out of the way, and I ordered Joan to stand between the two as Yami bent down to pick up the mummy of his father.

"An emotional reunion, eh Pharaoh?" Bakura taunted. "Some pieces might have fallen off on the way here…"

That sent my temper raging once more. How dare he! I let it reach my face, but Joan remained impassive, hand outstretched to cast a spell at a moment's notice. Yami's reply hit my ears, just as clearly as before.

"Stay right there… I'm going to destroy you."

As he turned to walk back up to the dais, Bakura went to try and attack. Joan deflected the first attack, sending a flash of pain down my arm where the attack hit, and she remained at Yami's back. The priests reacted quickly, sending their monsters to distract Diabound long enough for Yami and Joan to get back to the dais. I couldn't look to the battle as my entire focus was centered on Yami's approaching form.

When he was a few feet away, his eyes suddenly widened. Had he heard something? I looked to Joan, who shook her head. If she hadn't heard anything, what had Yami? I shook it off and quickly adjusted so that Yami could put the mummy gently onto the ground. Joan remained, standing guard at the steps of the dais.

"Oh no…" Shimon moaned. "Pharaoh Akhenamkanon… That you should return to the Palace like this… Do not fear, Great Pharaoh. This insult to Pharaoh Akhenamkanon will not go unavenged! As agents of the Gods, the priests will punish this malefactor!"

"He's not the Pharaoh…"

Shimon was confused by the statement, but I understood. "This torn and beaten body is my father!" His head then snapped towards me. "Don't let anyone touch him." I nodded.

"Not while I live." I replied.

Yami didn't nod in return, but I knew he appreciated my words. He turned back to walk down the dais. It left Shimon and I guarding the mummy of a great man. I let myself fall at his head. Tears were welling at my eyes at the sight of the dusty and sandy wrappings. His nose had been lost, but that seemed to be the only thing. I should have been grateful for that at least, but… all I felt was anger. Taking a man, not just a Pharaoh, out of his grave was something I found to be inexcusable. I knew they did that in the future, but… Something about it right now made every drop of my blood radiate with anger. I held it back - nothing good would have come from losing my temper - and settled my hands on the dais floor. A blast of my powers shot through the floor, seeping through the microscopic crevices in the rock, until it exploded into a protective barrier. It pulsed with power, ready to defend if Bakura or another managed to get close enough.

"As always, Lady Nefertari, your power would make Pharaoh Akhenamkanon proud." Shimon gushed.

I didn't react to his words. At least, not these ones. My brain had gone to what he had said before: he had been there when Lady Meryam brought me to him. I couldn't remember his face… What had he been like? As gently as I could, I settled a hand on the mummified shoulder of my father-in-law. It was solid, his skin still intact after the lengthy mummification process, a true testament to the genius of the ancient Egyptian embalming process. It wasn't even ten seconds before the memory overtook me.

My eyes were locked on the soft fabric of a linen dress. Both of my hands were clenched in it, refusing to step even a millimeter away. A hand kept brushing gently through my hair, and I recognized it as Lady Mereyam's. When I refused to come out, the priestess continued to brush through my hair.

"It's alright." The priestess breathed, but it was only my modern self able to translate it; to the little me, it only sounded like foreign words. "There's no need to be scared."

I remembered being frightened out of my skin. I had been manhandled for weeks, tossed into a dark room with my hands tied behind my back, and left there for hours before a gentle touch finally reached me. I was only six; I considered myself perfectly allowed to be afraid. There was a soft laugh like the priestess knew what I had been thinking. A guard then came, and I was moved. I only peeked out for a second, and I recognized the room I was entering as the throne room. When we stopped, and a new voice hit my ears, I threw myself back into Lady Mereyam's dress.

"You ran out in quite a hurry, Mereyam." That was Shimon's voice… he sounded amused but also serious.

"I apologize, Shimon. The vision I was granted was… powerful. I couldn't leave it alone, especially since…"

Her hand returned to my hair. I felt all the eyes on me now.

"What is…"

"I am not sure myself. The Millennium Necklace led me to the temple where a vision of the goddess led me straight to her."

I felt her adjust to look at a new face. "Great King, I have reason to believe that this child has a stake in the balance of Ma'at. Please, I ask that you have mercy and let her stay here." There was a long moment of silence before I heard the rustling of fabric. My head was touched again, and, for some unknown reason, I looked up.

Kneeling so that he was eye level with me was a man wearing a slightly relaxed Nemes headdress and fine robes. Around his neck was the Millennium Puzzle, which glowed in the light coming in from the high windows. He was slightly tanned, with a beard covering his jawline and a smile lifting his face. He had Yami's eyes… This was his father…. He smiled when I peeked up and tried to say something, but I didn't understand it. He kept trying, but I couldn't understand a word he was saying. Soon enough, he finally reached me.

"Hello." The former Pharaoh's tenor or even baritone voice said.

I blinked and peeked out a bit more. "Can you understand me?" I nodded, and he smiled.

"My king, you speak her language?" Shimon asked.

"A little. I pick up a little bit from diplomats."

The Pharaoh looked back to me, and I watched as he gathered his words.

"Are you hurt?"

I was hesitant to reply, but… I knew this man wouldn't hurt me.

"My shoulders hurt." I replied.

The former Pharaoh nodded his head, understanding my pain. When Shimon stepped around to see me better, I threw myself back into Lady Mereyam's dress.

"Shimon…"

"My apologies!" Shimon squeaked.

There was the rustle of feet, and I peeked out again. Only the former Pharaoh was there, smile back on his face.

"Where is your family?"

I felt tears prick at my eyes, and the Pharaoh saw them, his smile fading. Lady Mereyam put her hand back to my hair.

"That was part of the vision, my king." She explained. "They… were lost to her in an attack. Her uncle…"

She dropped the explanation when the Pharaoh nodded his head. I remembered being fascinated by the jingle of his jewelry as he moved.

"I understand."

His crimson eyes were lost in thought for a moment before he looked back at me. He then lifted his hand, holding it out to me. I was still frightened, so I remained locked in Lady Mereyam's dress, flicking my eyes between his face and hand. "It's alright. I will not hurt you." I hesitated for a moment longer before I let one hand fall loose and wrap my hand around one of his fingers. He did flinch at how cold I was, but his smile remained. He didn't try to pull me out of the linen dress, and he only held me there for a few moments before releasing me. I did return the hand to the dress but stayed looking out, watching as he got to his feet. "Very well, Mereyam. No one will harm her. I leave her in your care." I heard the rustling of some jewelry, feeling the slight bend at the waist as Lady Mereyam gave a bow.

"Thank you, my king. My apprentice was asking for more responsibility so, would it be possible…"

"Of course. I see no issue in that."

"Thank you."

The Pharaoh sent one more smile down at me before he turned to head back up to the throne. I watched him for a second before Lady Mereyam's hand reappeared at my hair. "Come along. Let's get you washed up." I hadn't understood her words but dutifully followed along and, after a blink, the sight was gone, and I was back on the dais, the mummy of my father-in-law beside me. The gasps and shouts around me showed that I had missed something while distracted. I looked up to see the backside of Obelisk the Tormentor. Everyone around me shifted in visibly restrained fright, but they didn't run screaming. I was grateful I wasn't the shaking leaf I had been before. Had Yami somehow summoned him? Shimon bent down beside me, but he didn't speak to me.

"It's real…!" Shimon gasped. "Pharaoh Akhenamkanon! If only you could see! The prince who carries on your dream is the one who wields the Three Hidden Gods!"

Three Hidden Gods… Was he mentioning Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra? He didn't explain anymore, and my attention was captured by Yami saying something, his voice loud enough for me to hear him.

"Bakura!" He barked. "The Millennium Items were forged with my Father's dream of Freedom and Peace. I will never forgive the person who tries to steal them!"

"'Freedom'? 'Peace'?" Bakura huffed in reply. "Don't make me laugh! The Millennium Items are made of good and evil! They're like a double-edged sword!"

The smile then returned to his face. "Whoever possesses them must beware, because you see, the Items will respond to the evil that lives in every person's soul and drag them into a world of evil! The rich and powerful love to talk about 'justice'! The right to punish those you fear… To kill those you hate and call it execution, not murder! Is that really justice? Or is it evil? Whatever you really fear is your enemy's idea of justice! No one can truly draw the line between just and unjust, good and evil. Only the Millennium Items can tell. They are the compass of the soul!" Yikes, who died and made him a philosopher? I wouldn't want to be in his school of thought. "Even now, 'Great Pharaoh,' look behind you at your self-righteous priests! Can you be sure there isn't one who covets your throne?"

"What are you saying?!" Master Aknadin barked back. "We priests swore absolute loyalty to the Great Pharaoh!"

"Heh heh… I claim justice on my side as well… I'll kill every one of you. I'll make myself Pharaoh, and with the power of the throne and the Millennium Items, I'll rule the world!"

"Justice?" I heard Yami now ask. "Don't make me laugh, Bakura. Murder?! Grave Robbing?! Just where is the 'justice' in your actions?! You won't get away with this!"

With one last laugh, Bakura set his Ka against Obelisk, but I knew nothing happened when the smile faded from his face. "I'll show you how flimsy your 'justice' is with the iron fist of a God!" Obelisk shifted, and his fist threw Diabound backward, pulling Bakura with him. I thought that would have been the end of it, but there were gasps as Bakura slowly got to his feet, Diabound moving a hand to protect him.

"I see…"

I heard a cough and saw a drip of blood leave Bakura's mouth. "So that's what your god can do… You're better than I thought… But next time, it won't go so well for you, 'Great Pharaoh'…" Diabound grabbed its master by the waist and hefted him into the air. He then went straight through the wall!

"He went through the wall!" Master Aknadin gasped. "His human body too!"

"Quick!" Mahad shouted to the guards. "Follow him!"

The guards raced out of the throne room after the thief. Obelisk remained only a few seconds after they left, then faded into a few sparks of light. Joan floated back to me as well, and I could feel the strange sensation of her returning into my body. I remained on the dais, protecting the body of my father-in-law, for several more minutes. I only relaxed when a collection of priests under Shada's command came forward and moved him to a temple where they would begin the process of returning the former Pharaoh to his resting place. I watched them leave before looking for something else to do; my nerves were jumpy, and I didn't want to stand still. Yami didn't return to the dais as he was ushered into a meeting with some of the priests. I wanted to go and stand with him, but I remembered something that made my heart sink.

My kids! They probably heard the commotion and were worried sick!

As calmly as I could and without saying where I was going, I walked out of the battered throne room then bolted to the room I woke up in. Servants jumped to get out of the way, but I didn't stop. Without getting lost, I managed to get back and gave a sigh of relief when I heard my boys' voices. My heart fell again when I heard a sob.

"I'm sure they're fine, Kiya." Hepzefa was gently saying.

"Yeah." Khemu agreed. "Don't cry."

"Bu-but…" Kiya whimpered

Kiya could barely get a word out she was crying so hard. I didn't want to torment her by standing silently at the door, so I quickly turned the last corner and walked into the room. Kiya somehow saw me through her tears and gave another loud sob.

"Hey…" I breathed, moving to wrap her up into a tight hug. "It's okay, Kiya. It's okay. Shhh…"

"La-lady Nefer-Nefer…"

"I'm okay, Kiya. We're both okay."

Kiya stopped trying to talk but continued to cry. I did my best to comfort her as I rubbed a hand over her back and continued to tell her that everything was okay. When she eventually stopped crying, I moved to Mery; she hadn't said a word the whole time, so I was concerned. Her face was contorted into what looked to be an uncomfortable one, most likely to stop any more tears from escaping. I figured that if she said something, the dam would break. She must have tried to be strong for the others, but her facade was starting to crumble, the dam was beginning to break. "It's okay to cry, Mery." She gave a hiccup before melting into me. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, continuing to try and soothe her.

For the next few hours, I sat with my kids, proving to them that we - meaning Yami and myself as Hepzefa and Khemu were insistent on hearing how he was - were okay and that we were safe. They had heard the screams and shouts, but they stayed put, knowing that they were safe in their distance. My heart was relieved to hear that; if I had gotten mad with Yami's life in danger, I didn't want to think about how angry I would have been with these children in danger. I was happy as my brain fed me tidbits of knowledge that helped me see more of these kids' personalities. My favorite bit had to have been Mery's crush on Khemu. The boy was absolutely oblivious, not even noticing when Mery gave a bright blush at him sitting next to her. Neither of my boys cried, but I could see they were still nervous and had been scared themselves. Without wanting to embarrass them, I did my best to comfort them while telling them that they were allowed to show their emotions. They tried to pull a 'manly man' card on me, but I ruffled their hair and repeated my words.

When it got late, I decreed it was time for bed and, after a long drawn out whine from all of them, led them back to the room where they all lived. While Yami and I were in the royal quarters, they weren't too far away, just in case of a nightmare. I had a faint memory of the guards fumbling with a still terrified Mery those first few nights. They had their own little corner of the palace with good sized rooms all for themselves and a small garden that was almost entirely used as a sparing corner for the boys. Without too much complaint, they all got ready for bed and, one by one, I went to wish them goodnight.

I started with Khemu since his room was closest. He smiled when I gave a gentle knock on the stone archway to announce my presence.

"You don't need to tuck me in, Lady Nefertari." Khemu said as he climbed into his bed. "I'm almost 15!"

"I know, but humor me?"

Khemu didn't argue, and I was allowed to walk into the room to pull his thin sheet up to his chin. I gave a quick brush through his hair then pressed a kiss to the top of his head before standing up again. "Good night, Khemu." The boy gave a yawn, mumbling the wishes in return. My brain fed to me that he was always the fastest to fall asleep, and, sure enough, he was gone to the world within 20 seconds of closing his eyes. After a muffled laugh, I walked into the next kid's room.

Kiya was still spooked and happily allowed the extra few moments of comfort. "No one will hurt you here, Kiya. I promise."

"I know." She replied.

There was a meow of a cat, and Kiya perked up. "Hi, Merti." A well fed cat jumped onto Kiya's bed and happily curled up against her chest, beginning to purr when the girl wrapped it up. "Thanks." I couldn't remember her ability right now, but I had a good inkling it had something to do with animals. I smiled at the content expression that took over her face. I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, gave Merti a pet over the head before quietly wishing her a good night as well.

Mery was the easiest to put to bed. She was already in bed when I came in but perked up when I knocked on the wall. I smiled before sitting down beside her.

"You were very brave for the others."

"I tried to be." She sighed.

Her expression dropped slightly. "You always look so calm in the face of danger. I bet you'd even laugh if Chaos himself walked in and say he was as tiny as an insect." Wow… lay on the praise there, Mery. I felt my head grow bigger with the compliments, but I saw something there I had to deal with.

"Of course I'm frightened sometimes. Mery…"

She looked up at me. "You are allowed to be frightened; there is nothing wrong with that. Just because I may not look it doesn't mean I'm not."

"Then you hide it very well."

I smiled at her.

"Many years of practice, but you don't need to do that. If you are frightened, all you have to do is say so; no one will judge you."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

I pressed a kiss to her hair, pulled up her sheets to her chin, and got up. "Good night, Mery."

"Good night."

The hardest to put to bed was Hepzefa. He was pacing when I walked into his room, eyes locked on the ground. I stood at the entrance of the room, watching him. What was going through his brain? He eventually saw me, and my heart sank at the sight of tears in his eyes. Silently, I walked over and let him wrap me up in a tight hug. There was a barely restrained hiccup, and I held him all the tighter.

"I wish I had a gift of my own." Hepzefa eventually said, voice muffled by my dress.

Huh? Hepzefa didn't… "I just feel so powerless. I'm the oldest, so I have to protect them, but…" Another hiccup reached my ears, and I lifted a hand to brush through his hair. "I'm so useless."

"No, you are not." I quickly argued.

Hepzefa gave another hiccup, tightening his grip on me. "Just because you don't have a gift doesn't mean you're useless."

"Yes, it does."

"No, it doesn't."

Hepzefa obviously didn't believe me as he hid his head further into my dress. I managed to get him to sit down on his bed and get his eyes on mine. I found all the tears that hadn't been shed before; they were rolling down his cheeks in large droplets. I wiped them away with a few swipes of my thumb, but they just kept coming. "You don't need powers to protect them. You don't even need to protect them yet; don't put all that pressure on yourself."

"But what if something had happened today? What if you and his majesty were hurt or killed?! What if…"

His words were lost in a soft sob. The mere thought of that was too much for him. Unable to form words, I wrapped him back up, feeling him hide his face in the crook of my neck. "I can't lose my parents again." Tears reached my eyes now. At least one of my kids considered us their parents… My heart grew three sizes in my chest.

"You won't lose us. It'll take a lot more than a silly little thief to get rid of us."

Hepzefa's hiccup was louder now that he was closer to my ear, but I felt him nod. "I'm proud of you for thinking ahead, but you don't need to put so much pressure on yourself. Give yourself time to practice, to train. You have plenty of it." Hepzefa nodded again. I let him hug me for as long as he wanted before he pulled away, wiping the remaining tears from his cheeks. "Feeling better?" My oldest nodded again.

"Thank you."

I smiled at him, ruffling his hair and making him laugh.

"I'm always here if you want a listening ear."

Hepzefa smiled and nodded. "Bed." With no argument, the boy climbed into his bed, pulling up his sheet. He didn't complain when I pressed a kiss to his head.

"You and his majesty will be by tomorrow, right?"

I thought about it, but my brain didn't supply me with anything we had to do. I assumed the priests and other workers of the palace would handle any repairs, so that would leave Yami and I to ourselves. I smiled.

"Of course."

"Yes! Khemu and I have a plan ready! We're gonna beat him this time!"

I gave a laugh. He sounded a bit like Kaiba but, instead of rivalry fueling him, it was now like a pair of boys trying to outwit their father. It made my heart grow even bigger in my chest.

"Don't count him out yet. You boys are smart, but he's experienced."

Hepzefa kept the smirk on his face, and I laughed again. "Good night, Hepzefa."

"Good night."

I pressed one more kiss to his hair before standing up. Before leaving, I peeked into everyone's room one last time. Mery was asleep, and, based on the jumbled words that left her mouth, she was out cold. Kiya was asleep as well, Merti pressed against her chest and still purring away. Khemu was still asleep, but he'd flipped over to sleep on his other side. I gave another smile before finally leaving. A guard moved to stand at attention at the entrance, and he bowed as I left. It gave me the peace of mind that nothing would come in during the night.

Now… where was Yami…

I wandered the palace for a while, hoping to catch sight of my… boyfriend? Husband? I brushed it off. I'd think about what we were later. It was late; maybe he'd already gone to bed? That question was answered when I peeked out onto a balcony back near the throne room and found him. I leaned against the entrance, but he gave no sign of him turning around and seeing me.

"He's been standing there since Ra set." The voice of Lady Isis appeared in my ear.

"Has he?" I replied, sending narrowed eyes at Yami, who still didn't notice.

"Something must be weighing on his mind."

That I didn't doubt. From Yami Bakura of all people being here to Priest Seto then simply being here, poor Yami was probably worried out of his mind. Any annoyance that I had faded away.

"I'll do my best to make sure he gets some sleep."

There was an evil giggle then. Oh boy…

"Make sure to use all your womanly wiles to ensure it."

My face lit up like a Christmas tree. The evil giggle echoed in my ear again. "What's the blush for? You've been married to him for three years now!" How old did that make me? Wait a minute… Now wasn't the time to think about that! I snapped my head to give her a look.

"If I told him what you said…"

"You wouldn't."

"I-I will!"

My mistress gave another giggle. Wow. She really did look like Ishizu… I completely understand mixing them up. Unlike the tomb keeper, this version of her was brightly smiling. She then tapped me on the top of my back, moving to leave.

"Good night, your highness."

"Good night, Lady Isis."

She giggled at my pout then walked off. The visions weren't far off, but dang, she just teased the heck out of me! And I'm the freaking queen! I forced all the air in my lungs out my nose, doing my best bull impression, before taking in a deep calming breath. Okay… I stepped out onto the balcony and over to Yami's side. He jumped when I took his hand.

"You scared me!" He chuckled, turning his head in my direction.

"Sorry."

He twined his fingers with mine, lifting them to press a quick kiss to them. Gah… He knew I liked the stinking romantics… He smiled when he saw my blush. It faded quickly, though, and he regained his seriousness.

"Where did you go? I couldn't find you after Bakura vanished."

I smiled up at him; I appreciated that he was concerned for me. I was very lucky to have him.

"The palace is a big place, your highness. Things happen in a lot more places than just in the throne room."

Yami gave me a raised eyebrow, but his lips were quirked up in a smile. "But enough of that. You." I poked his nose. "You need to sleep."

"Yes, ma'am."

Happy that he wasn't arguing, I pulled on his hand, and we walked towards the royal chambers, a whole section of the palace in of itself. Nobody tried to stop us, so we were able to walk all the way through the palace without any trouble. When we reached our bedchambers, Yami sat down on the bed and gave a sigh. "I'm so glad you remember some things; I would be dead in the water without you." I smiled at that. It was nice to be needed.

"Happy to help."

I poked his nose again. "Come on. Bed." Yami nodded and got back up. Once again getting my way, I moved to get ready for bed myself, hiding behind a partition. It took a few tries, but I eventually figured out how to unclip all of my jewelry and get my linen clothes undone.

"Uh. Mereret?"

"Yeah?"

"Are… are we sharing a room?"

I tilted my head towards the partition. Was he really asking this?

"…. yeah? Why wouldn't we? You kicking me out?"

Yami sputtered for a moment while I giggled. My boyfriend was so fun to tease sometimes. "What's the issue? We've shared a room before."

"Yes, but we had Yugi as an intermediary."

I rolled my eyes. Was he really that nervous? Before walking out, my body made me reach for another dress and pulled it over my head. It was a tad see through, but it, thankfully, covered everything. All that was left was getting my makeup off. Once I was suitably covered, I walked out and gave Yami a look. He had only managed to get his headpiece off before his thoughts had gotten the better of him. He blushed slightly at the change in outfit, but he kept his eyes on my face. I wanted to tease him, but he was already under enough stress.

"I'm up for whatever you want to do. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Yami took a deep breath, obviously thinking about my words. I didn't move nor put any words into his mouth; I simply waited to hear what he wanted. After a long minute of waiting, he reached out his hand, and I took it, letting him tug me into a hug. I wrapped him up, letting my head melt into his shoulder and neck.

"Please stay."

I nodded. I held him close for another few seconds before pulling away, beginning to tug at his cape.

"Need help?"

It didn't take us long to figure out how to get all of the jewelry off and put away. We also figured out how to remove the kohl around our eyes, having a good laugh about it too. Eventually, Yami doused our torch - I was too much of a chicken to do it - and relaxed into bed. We lay there a while, me nearly half asleep before Yami's voice woke me.

"Mereret?"

"Yeah?"

"Do… do you remember anything about my father?"

I flipped around, seeing Yami's back in the dark. He took my silence as an opening to keep talking. "I heard his voice… I could feel his love… and yet… I don't even know his face…" My heart hurt at his tone of voice, so I slid up to him and wrapped my arms under his and around his body. I fought off a blush when the girlish part of my brain screamed at the touch of his skin. He didn't argue, lifting his hand to rub his fingers against my forearm.

"I don't remember much more than you, but… I did actually remember something."

Yami's fingers paused. "Shimon mentioned the day I was brought before your father, and I remember it." I leaned further in, pressing my head to his shoulder. "You have your father's eyes." His head turned, peeking back at me, and, in a tease, my finger poked his chin. "I don't think you'll grow a beard like his, but I bet you share his facial shape." He finally gave a chuckle, and I smiled.

"Did you hear him speak?"

"Yeah. He climbed off his throne to look me in the eye and ask me if I was okay. He apparently went through a few dozen languages to find mine."

"He could speak it?"

"He picked bits and pieces up from diplomats."

Yami adjusted so that he was on his back, and I was now in the crook of his arm and laying against his side. His eyes were alight. I could see his thoughts whirling as I described what his father was like. "He was very kind, especially to a scared little girl who didn't understand what the people around her were saying." My hand lifted to slide along his cheek, making him smile and lean into it. "I think he'd be very proud of you and all you've gone through." The smile remained, and he nodded.

"Thank you."

I was wrapped up in his arms, and I happily melted into him. "Bed, Mereret." I gave a laugh myself now, nodding my head.

"Yes, your majesty."

I squeaked as he poked my side, but I didn't take back my sass. After giggling for a few more seconds, I melted into his side and shut my eyes.

I am part of the collection that believes that men/boys should be allowed to show their emotions! *Slams imaginary spear into the floor* Damn it! Let them show their tears! *Slams spear again*

Yami Bakura: Okay... Calm down... We understand...

I will slam my spear when I deem it necessary! *Slams it down again*

Yami Bakura: *Rolls his eyes*