Chapter Four- Consort Search

Atem was stunned. I was engaged to Bakura? I fell for the thief king? I should be disgusted over that, but instead I'm sad and heart-broken. I still love her. He jerked himself out of his thoughts and focused on Mahad. "Why was she blaming you, Mahad?"

"Because it is my fault," he said. "The tomb nearby where you found her contained a two-fold trap. It changes the gender of the intruder and removes their memory. The gender cannot be undone, but the memory can be restored. Clearly, Bakura triggered and fell victim to it."

"My pharaoh, shall we send the guards to capture her?" Seto asked.

"No, let her be for now. She needs to truly adjust to being a woman."

"My pharaoh, she is a thief. At the very least, her memory should be erased again."

"I said, let her be!" Atem snapped.

There was stunned silence after his outburst before Seto bowed. "Yes, my pharaoh," he said at last.

Atem exhaled slowly. "Dismissed," he said softly. Slowly the room emptied until it was only Mahad and Atem, the former staring at the carpet, head bowed. "Mahad," he said gently.

"I am sorry, my pharaoh. I cost you your consort. I should never have crafted that trap."

"It is all right. You were trying to help." Atem got down and as he passed his friend, added, "Let's get some sleep. We have duties to perform tomorrow." And I have to choose a new consort, he thought, a couple of tears escaping as he thought of his lost love.

Bakura awoke under a rock cropping at a beautiful oasis. She had plentiful water to drink, but no food. That was fine with her as she had other things on her mind. The first was her body. Now that she didn't believe she had been born female, she looked it over closely. She sat at the edge of the lake with her legs tucked to one side and leaned over. A woman with pale lavender eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips started back. She turned her head to see a slender neck and silver-white hair flowing down her back. She saw medium-sized breasts and a lean slightly muscular torso with a lean waist. The dress of a commoner cloaked her body but her slender legs were exposed and royal-like shoes covered her feet. Her arms were slender and her hands were smaller with delicate fingers. Damn, but I am attractive. I can see why the pharaoh fell for me. And thanks to that priest, I acted like a real woman and fell for the pharaoh. I…actually still love him. I know he no longer loves me now that he knows who I really am. I feel awful about this and normally I would steal to feel better, but no amount of thievery will make this heartache go away. In fact, now that I've experienced love, I'm through with being a thief. I want to marry the pharaoh and be loved, but I can't. It's all over. Bakura gave in to her tears and sobbed.

Reports were received, patrols were scheduled, criminals were judged, and all was peaceful. Atem dealt with each one in a half-hearted manner. He was distracted and depressed over losing Bakura. Yes, she was a thief, but the woman he had been with had been sweet, kind, and loving. He missed that woman and would never be with her again. She got her memory and life back, just as I swore to her that she would. It's only a matter of time before she goes back to her old ways and I suppose that's as it should be. But still…

He dwelled on her the rest of the day, only coming out of it when Siamun said, "My pharaoh?" He shook his head before saying, "I'm sorry, Siamun. What?"

"You need to choose someone to wed," he said gently. "Today's the deadline."

"Yes, I know." His tone was sad and distant. His eyes stared ahead, unfocused.

"Pharaoh?" Siamun said, concerned. "Your choice?"

"Bakura," he said.

"I'm afraid that's not an option."

"I don't care!" Atem shouted, leaping to his feet. "I can't choose another because I still love her!"

"She doesn't love you anymore," Seto reasoned. "She's most likely gone back to stealing."

Atem got down and left the room saying, "I'm going to bed." The court exchanged looks once he was gone.

"He fell hard for Bakura," Isis said. "He doesn't want anyone else."

"But she's a thief," Seto protested.

"Yes, but for two days, she was another person," Shada pointed out.

"Let's give him a few days before I pose the consort question again. Perhaps by then he'll be over Bakura and chosen someone else," Siamun said.

Atem laid in bed, unable to sleep. Last night's sleep came easy as he had been in shock, but tonight his head was too full to allow him to rest. He missed Bakura terribly and wanted to see her; he wouldn't be able to rest until he did. He got up, pulled on his hooded robe, slipped into the kitchen for provisions, out to the stables for his horse, and got out the gates thanks to his guard friend. He got the food and water as he had no idea how long he would be gone. He rode off into the night, deciding to check every oasis he came across; Bakura needed access to a source of water.

Bakura sat by the water the next day, contemplating her options. She was tired of stealing, missed Atem something awful though he most likely didn't love her, and was depressed with how empty she felt. I have nothing to live for. I can either face imprisonment at the palace or commit suicide. Yes…killing myself would put an end to this pain I'm feeling. No one would care that I'm gone. There should be a sharp rock or two around that cropping I'm sleeping under. I'll wait until tomorrow morning and then I'll die. She heard pounding hooves approach but didn't react until she heard Atem's voice say, "Bakura! I finally found you!"

Atem rode to the next nearby oasis, feeling frustrated and slightly despaired. What if she wasn't at an oasis? Suppose she was underground or in a cave or an abandoned tomb, maybe even the abandoned town of Kul Elna? His horse climbed a dune to reveal an oasis below and he spied a figure with sliver-white hair! His heart pounded as he urged his horse into a gallop. He was soon behind Bakura and, as he got off, said in relief, "Bakura! I finally found you!"

Bakura looked over her shoulder with sad, empty eyes before looking away. "Hello, pharaoh," she said flatly. "Have you come to arrest me?"

Atem blinked in confusion. "Arrest you? No, I simply came to find you. I've been looking since last night and no one knows. Well, they probably do by now."

Bakura got up, glanced at her sleeping place, and then the water in front of her. She had thought of dying tomorrow, but Atem's presence really hurt and she couldn't take it anymore. Time to leave this world. She headed over to her rocky home and began to search the ground, unaware that Atem had followed. She found a pointed stone and smiled as she grabbed it. I'll slit my wrists and then my throat. That should do it. She gripped the stone in her right hand and held it over her left wrist.

Suddenly, a strong hand yanked it out of her hand. "Bakura! What were you thinking?" Atem asked.

"I was thinking of dying," she answered without looking at him. She turned back to find another stone, but strong arms wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides. She struggled to get free.

"No! You will not commit suicide!"

"What do you care, pharaoh?" she shot back, almost in tears. "I've given up stealing, my life is empty now, and I still love you though you feel nothing for me."

"You still love me? I still love you too. I thought you didn't love me."

She stopped struggling and once she was released, she turned to face Atem and saw his eyes shining with affection. "You still love me? Even though, I'm a thief?"

"I don't care about that. Besides, you just said you gave it up. I chose you as my consort and I still want you." Atem pulled Bakura down slightly and kissed her. Bakura melted at the kiss. It was warm and loving and knew she would receive more as Atem's wife. He pulled back and said, "Bakura, please come home."

"I will. I have a request I wish to make to Mahad."