Pleashipping (Mahad x Priestess Isis)

She was a woman. She could not handle the magic of the Millennium Items. She was not worthy to be among the highest ranks of the kingdom. She was not strong enough to handle the duties of a pharaoh's guardian.

Isis knew the whispers among the people. She was not blind, and she was not stupid. And having a magic artifact that allowed one to see the future didn't hurt either. She was never worried by those whispers, though. The pharaoh needed her and trusted her, and she would do everything to protect him. And the other guardians had long since accepted her for her magical prowess and uncanny fighting abilities.

In spite of this however, appearances must be made. She was careful to maintain a mask of quiet demureness and strength. In the end, she must be a guardian first, and a woman second.

It got harder, though, the more she realized how he made her feel.

"Isis," Mahad said, inclining his head towards her.

The sound of her own name from his mouth made her chest clench up. But outwardly, she remained calm. A small smile graced her face as she, too, inclined her head.

"How goes the pharaoh's lessons?" she asked.

"That's a good question," Mahad said. A slightly raised eyebrow was the only sign of his irritation. "You haven't seen him, have you?"

Isis covered her mouth to hide a smile. That boy. Always sneaking off with Mana. Really.

"I'm afraid not. I'll take a look into it, however," she said.

"Thank you."

He brushed against her thankfully as he left, and that sent another shiver through her. But she squelched it. She must not be a woman. It would put all of them in danger. She would never address her feelings. She mustn't.

He was leaving. He was going to face Bakura all on his own.

"Mahad, let me come with you," Isis said.

Mahad shook his head.

"No, I have to do this alone. I can't put everyone at risk – if I defeat him, he's out of the way for good and nothing has been lost. If I lose...the rest of you must remain to protect the pharaoh."

It was so hard to conceal the shaking in her arms. So hard to forget the nightmares of last night – had they been visions, or only dreams? She didn't want to find out.

What if he disappeared?

He started to walk past her. Those words bubbled at the back of her throat, but she swallowed them. She could not say it. It was not allowed. She could not be a woman.

"M-Mahad!" she said, before he was gone.

He paused, but neither turned around to look at the other.

"You...you will return. I have seen it," she said. "You will return."

Mahad lingered a moment longer. Something passed in the silence, but neither was sure of what it was.

And then he was gone.

Forever.

She didn't move from her spot for a long time.

"Don't make a liar out of me," she murmured to the air.

Only in the darkness, away from prying eyes, did she allow a single tear to run down her face and a silent plea to escape her lips.

"Why didn't I say it?" she said. "Why couldn't I tell you before you were gone?"

Those forbidden words – had she been wrong to squelch them? If only, just once, she had said it before he was gone.

I love you.


A/N: I really like this pairing! :D But it's a tragic relationship, unfortunately Next is Platinumshipping (Pegasus x Kisara).