V.E.: Oh writing on a computer to a story that I love and other people reciprocate...how I have missed doing this more during the school year! As my last summer before college, I hope to update my stories a lot this summer.

Now I know I left you hanging last chapter. Some of you were wondering about Kisara's age. Well, I'm putting her about the same age as Seto was so she's about two years older than Atem. I'm thinking these events would take place when she was either nine or ten maybe. Therefore, Atem is around seven or eight. It's so tricky in anime to guess a person's age though it is remarked that Priest Seto was orphaned at an early age.

Any other questions, ask in reviews or PM me please.

Disclaimer: For formality's sake, please just go to the next line.

It was the second time that Kisara had spirited away by the guards, but this time she was rather grateful to be given some space to take the new information in.

The room she was in was certainly more grand than the dark cell she had been in previous, though less grand than the audience room. It seemed like a bedroom of sorts. She sat on a polished golden chair as she took in the room around her. The walls were painted with the customary gods and goddesses she had already seen throughout the palace though she did not know their names. The bed had white sheets and had a rather unusual headrest where a person would lay their head. There was another door aside from the one that lead out into the hallway, but Kisara had no idea what that was for. Not to mention there was a balcony that overlooked the whole city.

But all this grandness couldn't distract her from what had just transpired what must have been a couple of hours ago.

"This is Kisara. She is to be your sister."

Even now, it sounded unreal. She couldn't honestly believe what the pharaoh had said.

Her, a princess, a Sister to the Crown Prince and Daughter to the Pharaoh?! How could that be possible?! Going back to the slave system had been more real of an idea. She was wondering whether or not the god king had gone temporarily insane.

She was certain she was not the only one who was thinking so, considering the reaction of the Sacred Guardians. Let alone her soon to be brother. His facial expression and outburst mirrored hers, though they shared no similar characteristic.

She couldn't believe it, wouldn't believe it. Any minute now someone was going to take her to the slave market, telling her that it was an absolute mistake…..

And the door did open suddenly at those thoughts. Kisara jumped up straight in her chair, but it wasn't a guard.

Lady Nephthys came into the room with the same brevity she had when she came to pick Kisara up from the jail. Her hawk like serious expression seemed tired as she sighed, her eyes closed for a moment before opening and directing her attention to Kisara.

Once more, Kisara felt completely scrutinized. Unlike the time at the jail though, this felt like a more in depth observation. That feeling didn't disappear as Nephthys came closer to her until she was standing right in front of her.

Nephthys' finger pointed to her and moved up.

"Stand up."

Kisara hurriedly got to her feet.

"Yes ma'am."

Nephthys guided her away from the chair to the middle of the room. Once she had done so, the high priestess circled the pale haired girl, taking in every detail of her truly this time. Every now and then, she would stop as if to focus on something before continuing her circle.

None of this put Kisara at ease as she squirmed under the priestess' gaze, but that was quickly picked up.

"Don't squirm girl! Stand up with your head held high!"

Kisara was startled by the direct tone, but she did as the woman asked.

Now Nephthys moved closer to her and while Kisara was uncomfortable with it, but she didn't show it. Taking Kisara's wrist in her hand, she lifted her arm and observed it. She released it to have fall back to the pale haired girl's side to do the same to her other arm. After that examination was finished, the tan fingers ran their way through the moonlight white hair. Finally, she lifted up Kisara's chin and turned her face from side to side a few times, her face unreadable.

She released her and stepped back, breaking the uneasy silence.

"I know you can talk, but can you read anything?"

Kisara's fingers twisted slightly as she answered.

"Not really."

This didn't change Nephthys' expression as she went on.

"And what do you know of our gods?"

"Kisara forced her fingers to stop playing as she answered.

"Umm...that Ra is the sun. And Anubis is involved with the dead."

Nephthys' question was direct as always.

"That's it?"

Kisara nodded.

"That's it."

The Egyptian woman sighed.

"Well, it seems like I've got my work cut out for me."

Kisara's face changed from unsure to puzzled which Nephthys saw.

"You don't understand what's going on, do you?"

Kisara shook her head.

"No."

Nephthys' features relaxed slightly as she responded.

"I've been assigned to be your tutor."

"Tutor for what?"

Nephthys' gained some amusement.

"To be a princess. Were you not paying attention earlier?"

Kisara's eyes widened in disbelief before she caught herself.

"Of course I was, I just thought…"

Nephthys seemed pleased by her answer.

"That the Pharaoh was not serious? Oh no my dear, one thing you'll learn about Pharaoh Aknamkamon is that he always means what he says. Although, it's good to know you have some sense about this. As of now, most people in court are marveling at his great generosity or temporary insanity. Whichever that turns out to be, depends on you."

Kisara thought of something and questioned her about it.

"But wait, if you become my tutor, won't that detract from whatever your work is?"

This gained the first smile from Nephthys she had ever seen, but as quickly as it came was as it was gone.

"It is nice you show concern, but it is not necessary. My duties are not as pressing as the other Royal Guardians. I only need report to court if a vision of the future I have will impact Egypt, so I can concentrate most of my time on tutoring you."

Kisara's eyes widened as she connected some things.

"A vision of the future. Then are you a seer of sorts?"

Nephthys nodded before her hand went to the golden eye necklace.

"Yes, my power comes through the Millennium Necklace. It is not as precise as the other Items though, visions do not come constantly and the future is subject to change."

Kisara wanted to ask more about the Millennium Necklace and the other Items, but she got the impression now wasn't the right time so she kept silent.

Nephthys paused before she went on

"I was not originally part of the Royal Guardians, before it was only five men that watched over the pharaoh. It was the Millennium Items that changed all that. At the time, I was simply a small priestess when the Necklace chose me to wield it. Since then, I have done my duties faithfully, enduring the stares of many because of my position and because I am a woman."

Nephthys focused on Kisara after she said this.

"This is the world that I am preparing you to enter. If you were to enter court right now, it would be like tossing you directly into a nest of scorpions, because that is just what the Royal Court is. Every noble, every general, every priest, will have their own motives and will do anything to achieve their desires. Not everyone is living selflessly for the pharaoh and their country.

"As princess, their eyes will constantly be on you. They will see you as a pawn they can use perhaps, to curry favor with the Pharaoh. Or they can see you as a nuisance and take steps to have you eliminated. This is a delicate and dangerous game, but one I will teach you to play. You will master the rules of the game until you can play it better than they can."

Nephthys paused before she posed a question.

"But before I go on, I must ask something. What is it you want?"

Kisara was unsure what the priestess was asking of her.

"What do you mean?"

"Surely you also have a desire of sorts. If the Pharaoh had offered you anything you wanted for your assistance, was this what you would have wished? Is there something else that you could have been offered? To return to your homeland, perhaps?"

Kisara's mind flashed to Seto for a moment, but she immediately resolved herself to the answer. She was going to be truthful however.

"My lady, I was an outcast in my homeland. The one person who cared for me and made it home no longer lives. There is one thing I desire, but that is not a wish your king can grant for me nor do I ever expect it to ever come true so I see no reason to speak of it. I saved your pharaoh for the same reason I would have saved anyone. I would not stand silent if it were in my power to save someone. I did not expect this or anything else."

Nephthys took in her answer for a few silent moments before her lips widened into a real smile.

"Thabit did not exaggerate, I see. And there's some eloquence with that self-less heart. Very well, you will become my student. Every morning, you will rise and be escorted by one of the servants to take lessons with me. Considering where you are at the moment, reading and writing should be the first thing on our minds. When you have gotten the basics of that, I will see you get the chronicles of the kings to study along with our gods.

"At meal times, I will dine with you and instruct you how to eat properly. I will also quiz you on what you have learned that day. In the afternoons, you may return to your room, but do not wander the palace. It is crucial that no one see you in this time.

"Also, don't expect to see the pharaoh, but don't take this personally. His own son sees him very little, he is always busy with business these days. Expect the same of Prince Atem, I get the feeling he will not approach you until he is more sure of you. Don't take this personally either, he's quite wary of strangers."

Kisara shook her head.

"After all that's gone on, I would have been surprised if he didn't react that way. I certainly would have done the same in his place."

Nephthys nodded pleased.

"Good, that frame of mind will serve you well. At the moment, you will focus on your studies. I have sixth months to teach you before I present you to the court and they decide whether it was worth it. Six months to turn a foreign girl into an Egyptian princess."

Kisara couldn't help, but feeling awe by the woman's tone. It was confidant, almost looking forward to the challenge despite the problems. There was something about it that made Kisara want to do it, to rise up and meet the first expectations set for her.

"Where do we start?"

Nephthys looked at Kisara up and down, slightly focusing on her clothes.

"Well first, we should get you out of that sack and into a through bath. Then we'll see about getting you some decent clothes."

She clapped her hands twice before calling out.

"Dendera! Akila! Femi!"

From the door where Nephthys had entered, came three woman that were dressed as servants. The first two seemed to be about the same size, their hair covered. The tan skin, the facial features; they looked like sisters. The only visible difference between the two was that the first woman had light brown eyes while the other had darker pupils. The third was completely different, having slightly darker skin and a squarer face.

All three of them tried to maintain professionalism, but were they definitely taken back by Kisara's appearance. Finally, the first managed to reclaim her voice.

"What is it you desire Lady Nephthys?"

"Escort us to the baths, will you?"

The first nodded, catching the two other's attention and getting them to nod.

"As you wish my lady."

Nephthys held out her hand.

"Come along, Little One."

Kisara shyly took her hand and allowed herself to be guided by the priestess. The two were followed through the puzzle like wall of the palace by the three maid servants. She asked no questions, trusting Nephthys to lead her through this unfamiliar surroundings.

Finally, after what seemed like almost an hour, they finally entered though a doorway that housed a rather beautiful baths. The water sparkled beautifully, there were steps to lead her to the small pool. Of course, there were also decorated pillars of the gods and other pictures.

Nephthys took in her expression with some amusement.

"If you think this is impressive, you should see the official royal baths. This is just for the regulars of court. The servants have their own baths."

One of the woman went to get some ointments and other things to wash the body and hair. The darker skinned woman simply stood there. The one with lighter eyes was left behind as she stood before the pale girl.

"Your clothes, my lady."

Taken aback by the title, Kisara did as she asked as she let her dress drop to the floor. The servant held out her hand then.

"This way."

Kisara felt herself guided into the water, before being let go as the servant went back. She wasn't taken aback by the water, it was pleasantly warm and she huddled into the pleasure.

The two women that seemed like sisters, came to her with a brush and some jar of something. But before they did, the one with darker eyes stretched out her hand.

"Oh."

Kisara felt it touch her white hair.

"So soft."

The other one also touched Kisara's shoulder.

"Such nice skin, I don't see a single mole."

Nephthys spoke up, her stern tone back to normal.

"Well, what are you waiting for, you fools? She's not something to gawk at like a two headed snake. Get to it!"

The two were brought to attention as they nodded to the priestess and turned back to Kisara.

"Yes Lady Nephthys."

With that, they began to pour the liquid contents on Kisara's hair and begin to rub it through her hair. Kisara marveled in the small bliss that came with someone doing this for her. This felt nice, surprisingly she felt like she could get used to this.

Off to the side, the darker skinned servant girl held the dress and addressed Nephthys.

"What should I do with this?"

"Toss it or burn it, I never want to see it again. Before that, figure out the size and find a suitable replacement for her."

The nod was given in reply before leaving.

"As you wish."

Kisara didn't even really connect that the last thing that was hers was being taken away. At the moment, she was just aware of the small attention lavished on her and the sweet smells of what was being applied to her.

I wonder what else it is that I'm getting into?

V.E.: It's shorter than the last chapter, but I hope it will be appreciated.

This bit about Nephthys' past I'm somewhat guessing on. I didn't see her in anime until the Millennium Items were properly used. Still out of all the Guardians, I thought she would be the best teacher for Kisara.

Next is when we get to Kisara's lessons. This will be what Kisara will be focusing on for now, we won't meet the others for a while. And to answer someone's question, yes Mana will be here along with Mahad and Isis. But that will come later.

Seto won't come in for a while, at least some time after she is properly royalty.

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