V.E.: Well, this is the first time in a while that I've broken my regular cycle of updating, but the Mummy Reborn has been giving me a lot of trouble. So what better way to come up with some ideas? Work on something else! That was my brother's advice from a couple of years ago. It's certainly a lot more helpful than my father's.

Besides, I've been waiting to introduce the following two for a while now and it seem like there have been no stories I like that have been updated recently.

Disclaimer: Do not bother the rabid dog, her owner, or her father. Trust me, it's not worth it by sending imaginary lawyers.

Kisara hummed as she walked down the hallways back to her room, though in no apparent hurry to get there as she paused to admire some of the spectacular paintings in detail that she had never been able to before. Sometimes she would try to guess whether it was a god or goddess she had been studying about, but she eventually moved on.

For the first time in a while, she had been left alone. She had been already for continuing her lessons today, but it seems as if Nephthys had received a vision that could not wait. Femi had her own duties so she asked if Kisara could see herself back to her own room.

Kisara assured the dark skinned servant she could, though not without a warning to not wander away in curiosity. She had half a mind to disregard it, she was sick and tired of everything and wanted to explore this place, but she knew that there was a reason for that. Though she did wish her teacher would share that reason.

And besides, she never said she would rush right back and stay there.

She passed through the deserted halls with ease, though it struck her as rather lonely. She sighed as she dealt with that feeling, all this time since entering the palace and the only people she interacted with were her teacher and the several servants assigned to her mentor. She still had yet to come across any people around her age.

The last thought made her twist her hands. She didn't have any friends back home, why did she think that it was going to be any different here? She should be grateful people weren't staring at her…that she was safe and well cared for….that no one aside from Nephthys was willing to look her in the eye and be kind to her….

Her head sagged even more at the depressing thoughts, but she was stopped in her tracks by an unusual sound.

Kisara gave a circular glance at her surroundings, then stopped with a puzzled expression with no sound forth coming. She felt her shoulders shrug.

Must have imagined it.

But just as she was about to resume movement, she heard the sound again, making her freeze. Now that she listened again, it almost sounded like something was clattering toward the ground. Her blue eyes were roving even more as she spied a beautifully decorated large vase, her vision moving past it as it moved.

Kisara's eyes went wide as she realized what she saw and went back to the vase, slowly approaching it. The vase rustled once more as Kisara' footsteps were heard approaching before lying absolutely still.

Her hands went to her hips as she studied the vase, her head bowing low to examine the bottom of the vase. Her fright wearing off, now only curiosity remained though it was guarded curiosity. Nephthys had warned her that there were times a poisonous snake would get into the palace and hide itself in places no one expected.

Just to be safe, Kisara didn't reach into the pottery. She put her ear to it and used her right hand to knock on it several times.

A small and almost unnoticeable giggle came from the vase.

Kisara felt her face go blank as she rose from her spot and peered into the vase.

To find that it was already occupied by something. A human something.

"Oh, you found me!"

Kisara felt herself taken back as a small girl popped out of the vase. Whatever she expected to find in the vase, this was not it.

The girl seemed to be stretching her arms, her lower half still hidden in the vase. From Kisara's guess, she was definitely younger than herself by a couple of years. She seemed to be dressed in a creamy white dress and a rather unusual white hat over messy brown hair. Her grin wasn't failing under green eyes accented with some kohl. Kisara was certain she wasn't a certain, especially because of the simple ruby necklace.

As she went on stretching, the nameless girl filled the silence.

"Well that's good, although it was Mahad's turn to be 'it.' But you know, it does get uncomfortable in there when you're there for who knows how long. Granted I'm so used to hiding in these I can go for almost three hours without coming out. Sometimes, I can go longer if I have some food with me."

Kisara was still in the middle of her shock, but she managed to speak.

"Ummmm, I'm not sure…."

At that, Mana stopped stretching and looked right at Kisara. She got out the vase and got right over to Kisara and looked her up and down. After a moment of thought, she spoke with surprise.

"Wow, are you really that pale?"

Kisara cringed before she answered.

"Ummm….yes?"

The brunette lit up at that.

"That's so cool! I mean sure, some of the northerners are pale, but not like you! Hey, what are you doing around here?"

Kisara gestured to their surroundings.

"I was just looking at the walls."

The stranger nodded in understanding.

"Oh, I know what you mean! My first couple of weeks here, I couldn't stop looking at everything. I must have gotten lost like a dozen times or so! We don't usually play hide and seek inside the palace since there are so many places you can hide, but Mahad said we could do it today. Though, I think I'm a little farther away than he meant. You're the first person to see me in a while!"

Kisara was unsure what to say before the green eyes lit up realization.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Mahad says it's impolite to talk someone on and on and not introduce yourself. I'm Mana, what's your name?"

Kisara spoke softly.

"It's Kisara."

Mana looked a little puzzled at that.

"Kisara, that's an interesting name. What are you doing in the palace anyway?"

Kisara opened her mouth and was about to say something when a voice interrupted her.

"MANA!"

The two girls to find a boy around Kisara's age approach them. Just like Mana, he was a brunette with longer hair in white clothes though adorned with a golden neck collar and belt. He also had kohl around dark navy eyes and had just as tan skin. If she had to guess, they looked like siblings. He did not seem to be in a good mood.

Mana lit up as she skipped over to the older boy.

"Mahad, you found me!"

That didn't really help his mood.

"Yes and it took me almost two hours! Didn't I say to hide in the places near the garden?"

Mana laughed uneasily as she put her hand in her hair behind her head.

Mahad sighed as his eyes wandered over to Kisara for the first time who raised her hand and waved.

"Hello."

His eyes widened in realization as he looked her up and down and rounded on Mana.

"Mana, I thought we were told specifically, not to go in the palace near Nephthys' room."

Mana looked confused at his words.

"But I'm not near her room…I'm near….well…that is…"

Mahad sighed.

"You got lost again, didn't you?"

Mana cringed.

"Ummm….maybe?"

Kisara spoke at that.

"Oh please, I don't think she's in any trouble….."

Mahad turned to her with a more calm face.

"Please forgive us for the intrusion, we won't bother you anymore."

He turned to Mana at that and grabbed her hand as he began to lead her away.

"Now come on, Mana!"

Mana seemed to resist at that.

"But I want to stay and talk to Kisara some more."

"MANA….."

Mana shrugged at that.

"Alright, alright."

She turned back to Kisara with a smile.

"See you soon Kisara!"

At that, Mahad hurried her away down the halls, leaving Kisara just as alone but more confused than before.

Femi knocked once more on her teacher's door as Kisara stood once more in the early morning as she once again recalled the events of yesterday. The sweet sound of the musician's harp came from within.

Nephthy's voice answered, as calm and serious as ever.

"Come in."

Femi opened the door as Kisara went in there as fast as she could while still looking dignified. She stopped in surprise as she realized that her teacher wasn't at the desk as usual and there wasn't a court musician in there.

In the center of the room, Nephthys was on a new chair as she strummed along a harp. The sound made Kisara close her eyes and think of rain, something she had not seen in quite some time. Each cord seemed to summon its own watery drop into the green forest that was her home once. For a couple of moments, she lost herself to the melody and her memories.

Finally, though the song ended and Kisara was brought back to Egypt and reality and opened her eyes.

Nephthys breathed in relief as she leaned back into her chair, with a smile of calm bliss as if she too was taken in by the music. Then she sat up and nodded to Kisara.

"Good morning Kisara."

Kisara felt herself work her way to the hapr, carefully touching the body.

"I did not know you played the harp."

"I am not a court musician, but I play well enough that if the pharaoh asked me to play for the Royal Court, I wouldn't embarrass myself. You just haven't known since I haven't had it out during our lessons."

Nephthys got up and led Kisara over to their usual place, sitting down in their respective chairs.

"Now, from what I know, you had an interesting meeting yesterday."

Kisara felt herself redden.

"I didn't mean to….I mean…"

Nephthys smiled at her.

"It's alright. Neither you nor her are in trouble."

Kisara raised her hand to her neck. She still felt a little nervous when discussing the golden Item around her teacher's neck.

"I didn't say anything. Umm, did the necklace….?"

"Show me? No, but I heard from Rashidi how Mahad was lecturing Mana. He said he was slightly impressed, the day had come when his student didn't need to hear a lecture and instead gave one."

Kisara's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Student?"

Nephthys nodded.

"Yes, Mahad is Rashidi's apprentice. When he retires, Mahad will inherit the Millennium Ring and become a Sacred Guardian. Mana is also a magician in training, though not nearly as schooled as Mahad is. She's allowed a bit of leeway with some rules."

"Are they siblings?"

"No, though I can understand why you would think that. Almost everyone assumes they are siblings when they meet them, but no. Mahad is the only son of a nome ruler while Mana is an orphan from an out there farming village. Both of them possess great magical talent and are quite close to the young prince."

Kisara felt her eyes widen in understanding.

"Oh…the prince…."

One of the people who seemed, for the most part, ignored her very existence. She hadn't seen him at all since their shared outburst in the throne room. And, from what it seemed of Mahad's reaction the other day, he certainly didn't look like he was warming up to her.

No wonder he was in such a hurry to leave. As his friend, he wouldn't want to be with someone he dislikes so much.

She was taken out of her thoughts by movement as Nephthys made her rise from her seat and take her back to where the harp before stopping.

"Now, do you know what I'm thinking of you learning for today?"

Kisara took a guess.

"Umm…..about Hatti since the new representative supposedly arrives tomorrow?"

"No, good guess though. No, today you will be learning the harp."

Kisara felt her eyes go wide as Nephthys directed her into a new chair pulled up by Femi, beside her own.

"Harp?! But it looks so difficult!"

Nephthys took her seat once more.

"Everything is difficult at first, but enough time and practice can allow you to learn just about anything. I noticed the other day when some of the musicians came by to play, you were listening quite closely. And the day before yesterday you seemed to be softly singing when I left you alone."

Kisara nodded. True, she was listening because she felt it was such a difference from the regular routine. She didn't know her teacher noticed her song.

"Yes, it was a lullaby my Amma used to sing to me."

"Well, as good a student you are, you also need something to do that's your own. A hobby of sorts and I thought music would be a good fit for you. If you do not wish to work on the harp….."

Kisara shook her head, as a matter of fact intrigued.

"No, no it's fine!"

Nephthys straightened herself up, looking at Kisara while her hands were near the strings.

"Very well, but listen. With a flute or a lyre, you're only one a group. But with a harp, you're alone onstage. We'll first lean notes than melodies. In time, I will teach you to sing some of our songs to the music. I will send over a harp of your own to your room so you can practice. Now, pay attention well."

At that, Nephthys' right hand neared a string plucking it gently as Kisara merely watched.

Kisara sighed as she closed the door of her room behind her. Though exhausted, the lesson with the harp was perhaps the most fun and interesting lesson she had gone through yet.

She turned forward a harp of her own near the desk with Femi nearby, inspecting it's place. And out of the corner of her eye, she saw a small basket, shut with its lid, on the desk.

She nodded to the dark skinned woman.

"Thank you Femi."

Femi bowed to Kisara before getting the basket off the desk.

"You're welcome my lady. But there's also this."

Kisara took the straw basket from her hands, looking at it quizzically.

"A basket?"

Femi looked slightly less confused as the young girl.

"It was on your bed when I got here. It is not from my lady, I can tell you that."

Kisara looked at it a couple more glances before she heard a quiet muffled sound.

"Mrr."

She glanced down at the basket and lifted up the lid.

The head of a fluffy pure white kitten popped out of the straw basket. The bluish gray eyes flickered around before settling on Kisara.

Kisara felt a smile break out on her face.

"OHHHH."

She placed the lid on the desk as she walked over with the basket container to her bed. She sat down and placed the container right side up. The kitten made a couple of attempts to get out of the semi cage before tipping it over along with itself on to the bed(revealing it to be female).

Kisara picked up the kitten gently, it was so soft in her hands. Bringing it to her neck, she stroked the little one's back causing a soft little purr. The little kitten was snuggling up close to Kisara like she was her mother.

Kisara still stroked and cuddled it as she spoke again.

"She's pretty."

Femi looked at that cat for a little while.

"Well, pretty as it is, I wonder where it came from."

"I don't care, I like her and I'm keeping her."

Femi sighed at that.

"I might have expected that. I better get a bowl and pan to train that thing."

With that, Femi left the room and closed the door in semi hurry.

Kisara's attention went back to the cat.

"Don't worry. I'm new here too. I guess we'll both be the pale haired ones in this palace. It's nice to have some company for once. But you need a name, I just can't call you Cat or Kitten Fluffy Girl as amusing that would be."

She thought for a moment before her mind lit up.

"Well, I'm not sure if this is an actual name, but I think I'll call you Neftis. That sounds like a good name."

V.E.: Alright before you get on me, I know Neftis is not a real name. It's in honor of yamineftis on deviantart, who's OC Neftis is Kisara's sister. I thought it would be an interesting thing.

Strings(like the violin and harp) always remind me of water. Piano reminds me of snow. Yes I know, I have strange mental images.

Now who sent her? Well, that will be my secret for now. Hope you all enjoyed Mana and Mahad's appearance, they won't show up again for a while.

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