Black Roses666: Here is the next installment of this story. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Iluvevilyamis: Thanks a lot for the review!

Tantei39kunoichi: wow, nice penname. "The female detective ninja"

Darklight03: wait no longer for here it is!

Jazzy Uchiha: Thanks for dropping by the review!

Mina the Mischevious: You should hate the Pharaoh because the guards were following the Pharaoh's orders.

Chrystal Patrick: Well, here you go!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh!

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CHAPTER 2

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I was taken to the palace in my unconscious state and brought to judging, or so my captors told me. When I awoke, I was confronted by one of the High Priests. He told me that, from that day on, I shall live and serve the palace as a penance for having the thieves' blood coursing through my veins. I was, of course, worried of my old friend, Bakura. I never knew if he survived, I never knew how he would survive.

For five years, I lived in the palace as an assistant of the servants, learning the proper manners of being a palace slave. They also placed me in a school during my free time, saying that I may have potential and that I may need it for the unexpected times that may come. I have always listened to them, but I never removed my mind from Bakura. I wore the necklace he gave me under my shirt, where no one can see it.

When I was ten years of age, I finished my basic schooling and was then ordered to become the Prince's personal servant.

Of course, as everyone could see, it was somewhat deep down terrifying, but outwardly exciting.

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"Aren't you enthused, Kanika? You are given the honor of being the Prince's personal slave; I'm so invidious of you!" one of the many servants chirped, helping out her young friend with her new clothes. She then crossed her arms and looked a the ten year old girl in front of her, going over her looks one last time.

Kanika had certainly grown over the years. Her once short hair now reached her mid-back; her hazel eyes gave off less childish innocence; her skin tanned to a darker shade of brown; and she now wore a white shirt that was a size too big for her and a short skirt as her slave outfit.

She glanced at her friend and gave a small smile, "I'm not sure if this is a good idea, Anzu…" she sighed, fixing her hair behind her ears. She slowly took out her precious necklace, slipped it over her head, and hid the golden piece under her shirt.

"You'll be just fine…" Anzu reassured, smiling at the younger girl. "You've certainly grown well. Now, go on or you'll be late!"

Kanika nodded, looking over herself one last time before she started to head out , prepared for what she was about to face.

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The ebony haired girl knelt on a single knee, head bowed down as a sign of respect from which she learned from her five years of schooling. She couldn't believe what was happening herself, but there she was, in front of the Pharaoh and his young son, who was in fact a week or so older than her.

"State your name…" the Pharaoh spoke calmly, nodding in approval of her good position. She did not look up at him at all, which was also a sign of respect, and it took a lot of diligence to accomplish.

"Kanika Zahra…" she replied confidently, knowing that it is never a good thing to show any signs of fear or weakness in front of the highest superior.

"Very good, you may look up at my eyes now…"

Her head slowly looked up and locked with the Pharaoh's violet pupils.

"You, Kanika Zahra, will become the personal servant of my son, Atem. Should he ever complain about your disobedience, you will be killed. Do you still wish to accept such a task?"

She gave him a single nod, her mind swarming with fear, "yes, my Pharaoh…"

"You start today…"

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The life of a personal slave is harsh, and it takes an unspoken number of attentiveness, control, and endurance to survive. Patience is the most important virtue one must have for this task, otherwise, they could say goodbye to the world of the living.

Ten year old Kanika resisted the urge to wipe away the sweat trailing down her forehead as she walked behind the prince, carrying an umbrella over his unusual hair to keep him from the heat. Some people definitely have all the luck in the world.

The Prince, Atem, abruptly stopped in his tracks and looked behind him, at the raven haired girl. She froze, staring at the boy before her.

His raven hair spiked up, highlighted with fierce purple and his thunderbolt bangs bleached blonde; his eyes an intimidating violet color; his clothes pure white; and he glittered with golden accessories.

"M-may I be of assistance…?" she muttered, swallowing hard. She has every right to be afraid; if this person complains even once about her, she will immediately be sentenced to death.

"You're name is Kanika, correct?" he inquired, facing her completely.

"Yes, my Prince…" she nodded, hands on the verge of shaking.

"You seem nice…will you be my friend? There aren't many people my age around, so I'm always all alone…"

She stared at him, eyes wide. Was this really the Prince of Egypt; the son of the fearsome Pharaoh; her master, asking her to be his friend? This was certainly unbelievable on her part.

"I-if his majesty wishes it…" she replied.

"No, answer me on your own free will, will you be my friend?"

"I…uh…yes, it's all right...I guess…"

He smiled at her, raising her confusion to a higher level. It was unheard of, in all her years of knowing the palace; a Prince asking a mere slave to be a friend just because they were the same age. Was it not this boy's father who ordered the destruction of her village? It was mind-boggling, indeed.

"Okay then, since we are friends then you can address me by my name whenever there is no one in the royal family with me. That's what friends do, right?" he chirped, extending a hand towards her.

"O-of course…if you say so Pri- -I mean…Atem…" she hesitated, but allowed one of hers to let go of the umbrella and hold his hand.

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Kanika's main duty was to walk with the Prince at all times and attend to his every want or need. Other than that, she must also clear his path of any obstacle.

She followed the Prince around the palace as they headed to the dinner area. The small doors were decorated by multiple hanging beads, and as for he big doors, they were opened for him.

As easy as it may seem for him, Kanika thought otherwise. Whenever they passed a small door, she must move all the beads away from his face, and when big doors come in sight, she must open the doors for him.

She was free to eat in another room as Atem took his meals, but she must stop whatever she is doing whenever he calls for her, or when he finished eating.

That was her life…and she couldn't miss her home even more.

Eating a piece of bread, she reached into her shirt and took out her beloved necklace and stared at the golden piece, which was considered the most valuable thing she had left.

"How is it that you are capable on reminiscing on a friend and not even cry?" a familiar tone asked, taking the seat beside the raven haired one. Kanika's head snapped up at the tone, and almost recognized the girl instantly. It was none other than Anzu, herself.

She did, in fact, tell Anzu about her friend, but never mentioned his name or heritage; and she did tell about her village, but lied that it was a poor village with no name and with only poor people and it burned down by a terrible accident.

"I used to cry…but it has been five years already, there isn't anymore point in my tears…" the ebony haired one replied.

"So…how was your first day?"

"It was fine…nothing special…"

"I see…well, eat up, Kanika; you're going to need it because of your status now. May Ra bless you and your friend's souls…"

"Thank you…"

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Kanika was called after Atem ate his dinner and then followed him wherever he went, clearing his path of beads and doors as they moved along.

"Where do you come from…?" Atem asked, ever so suddenly that it shocked her, causing her to nearly trip as they walked.

She gracefully regained her composure, as to not raise any suspicion on the Prince's part, and thought quickly on how to react to this situation.

Kru-Elna was a rather secretive village, hiding behind the high sand dunes making it not so easy to spot. The Priests told her, the day she started living in the palace, to never tell a single soul what had transpired in that village or she will suffer the consequences horrendously.

"I…came from a very poor village…it had no name…" she stated simply, praying that if Ra still has hope for her, he wouldn't ask further of the village from which she came.

"What happened to your parents?"

"They…died…"

He stopped in his tracks, and so did she, following the suit. He slowly turned to her, causing her to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry…" he nodded before muttering a soft prayer for Ra to bless the poor souls of the deceased. Kanika was confused, yet again. Was this not the Prince of Egypt? Was this not the son of the man who turned her village into nothing but the ashes from which it came?

"Why are you sorry? You need not worry of my problems…it is nothing of your concern…" she bowed, thinking that it is probably the proper thing to do for him; after all, he is the Prince of Egypt.

"Is it wrong for me to be sorry for those whose parents have deceased? Is it not the duty of all those in the royal family to show even the slightest bit of decency to all subjects, regardless of whom they may be?" he fired back, asking her two other questions as the retort, leading Kanika to the path of amazement to how witty he could be at such a young age.

"Forgive me…I did not think…"

"Do not fret, you are forgiven…"

He passed her a smile, "After all, we are friends, aren't we?"

"Yes my- -sorry, Atem…"

The two then carried on with their journey to Atem's room.

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At the first sight of the Prince's room, Kanika's eyes snapped wide in amazement. It was gorgeous; a room that a peasant may only dream of having.

The walls were decorated with intricate hieroglyphics made with pure gold with a prayer of good health; every necessity needed in a room was already found there, neatly polished and organized; a curtain hung around a king sized bed, where the Prince would be sleeping; and a small mat lay beside it, where Kanika would be spending every night so she may be ready to attend to his every need.

"Kanika…" Atem called, drawing her attention from the room to him, "when I'm not doing anything tomorrow, would you play with me?"

She allowed a small smile to escape her lips, "if you wish it…A-Atem…"

With that, her first day as the Prince's servant ended and she slept peacefully with a smile attached to her face, knowing that she has made a very kind friend within the castle walls.

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On and on, my duties as the Prince's personal servant and his friend went along well. He repays my loyalty with kindness, and as everyday passed, we became closer and closer to each other, almost like how close I was to Bakura.

In fact, I never really thought about Bakura ever since that day…it was almost as if I have finally moved on with my life. I knew that he was dead, and I had to accept that fact…

Well, I thought he was dead…

But then, I was simply so happy to be by Atem's side, and I thanked Ra for sending me here and choosing this fate for me, even if he had to sacrifice my childhood friend for it. All was well…

I guess my happiness soon became my downfall…

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Black Roses666: And here the second chapter ends. Sorry for the late update and please review!