Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Sixteen

Dria

I searched the darkness above me, trying to find the trickster who made it seem like physically going and finding my friends was the only way to accomplish my mission. When I finally saw him, he was smirking in the shadows above. I weakly glared at him, a smile threatening to rise when he shrugged and laughed at my frustration.

"Mokuba! Mokuba! Open your eyes!"

Seto was desperately trying to wake Mokuba up. As far as I could tell, Mokuba had been sleeping ever since Father had sent him here. I didn't know why he hadn't woken yet, but I knew it probably wasn't good. Then again, maybe it was better that he hadn't woken up. He tended to get into trouble regardless of whether he was conscious.

My friend had, thankfully, allowed us to stay in his home while he was 'away on business.' I didn't know the real reason, nor did I care enough to ask after I chewed him out for lying to me, to which he promptly responded, "I was bored and you're always entertaining."

I went straight for his shower and stole his bed away from the other three. When Seto complained, I merely shrugged, pointing out that I was the only girl in our group, not to mention the fact that I had been fighting the entire time trying to save them. He stopped arguing very quickly, seeing that there was no good counter-argument he could make.

I relaxed into my friend's soft pillow and warm sheets, feeling refreshed after a nice shower, and while I had healed the cut across my cheek, my body was still sore from bruises. Hopefully, the other three wouldn't get in any trouble while I was sleeping. Most shadows were too afraid to come to this place, so as long as they didn't wander, the mortals should be fine.

"Dria? May I come in?"

I lifted my head at the sound of Seto's voice. He only waited a few seconds, before making his way in without waiting for my approval, as usual. He cocked his head at me, and his eyes softened as he gazed upon me. Seto's feelings for me were no secret. He had learned long ago that when I wanted to, I always found out his secrets. If he had a secret and refused to share it with me, I found a way around his iron curtain. He finally stopped trying to hide things from me, except gifts, which he still absolutely refused to tell me about and even threatened to bound and gag me so I couldn't ask anyone else.

I moved my arms behind my head and stared back at him. "Is something wrong?"

He quickly shook his head, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar again. "No, everything's fine. I was just worried about you when the old man said you had been injured in a fight, so I wanted to check on you."

The tenderness in his eyes grew as he stepped closer to me. I had to resist sighing in irritation. I had told him before that I was not the one for him because I would cause him nothing but trouble. We got along perfectly, but my heart had already been won and I couldn't get it back. It wasn't Seto's fault though and I couldn't be upset with him. He didn't know I was already in love; he thought I was just being unreasonably stubborn and that he needed to prove himself worthy. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back again, hoping my message was clear. My eyes shot open again when I felt his hand caressing my cheek where the wound had been. I sighed sadly, not wanting to get his hopes up, "Seto, we've talked about this."

"Please Dria, just give me a chance. I know you think we're no good for each other, but how can you know that without even trying? Am I really that bad?"

I gripped his hand in mine, softly kissing the back, "Seto, you are perfect the way you are. I know this is cliché and entirely unhelpful, but it has nothing to do with you. I'm the one with the problem."

"Tell me and I will find a way to fix it. Whatever you want, I'll do it better than anyone else ever could."

I smiled sadly. It was time to tell him, no matter how badly it would hurt him. I could only hope he would still be my friend afterwards.

"A stolen heart is not something money can fix Seto."

He froze as he comprehended the meaning of my statement. I saw his heart breaking in his eyes and I gently held his cheek with my free hand. "You are my best friend. No one will ever take your place in my heart. But someone has managed to occupy a larger part."

His eyes flashed with anger. He remained frozen under my gaze, until he sighed in defeat, his anger diminishing.

"Please don't tell me it's Wheeler. I will never forgive you for that." I giggled.

"It's not, so cool it."

He raised his gaze to mine once more, completely serious, "It's Yugi, isn't it?"

Even though he wasn't technically right, I dropped my head down anyway. Yugi held a place in my heart as well. Seto picked his hand back up, and gently stroked my cheek once more.

"Why? Why does it have to be Yugi Mutou of all people? I change my mind. I'll forgive you if it's really Wheeler you love. I'll even pay for your wedding if it's him."

I smiled as I rolled my eyes at his attempt at humor to lighten the mood. He searched my face for answers, sighing when I just shrugged helplessly.

"I don't try to make sense out of it. I've always gone with my gut on these things. Most of the time, that's the best decision I could have made."

"If he does anything to hurt you or even make you cry, I will kill him with my bare hands and there's nothing you'd be able to say to stop me."

I held his hand to my cheek, tears gathering in my eyes. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Seto's feelings for me were so strong that he was willing to push them aside for my happiness. Perhaps he was trying to make it seem that way, so he could keep himself waiting in the wings for when Yugi messed up. I flung my arms around him, crushing myself against his chest. As he held me tightly, I remembered my other Seto, who had also shown nobility when it came to his feelings for me.

I yawned as I walked through the throne room. My nap had been fantastic and I was sad it had to end. It had been at least 10 years since the Millennium Items had been created and since I had become part of the Pharaoh's family. I currently served as His Majesty's High Advisor, as I had since my 10th summer, which was not a popular decision for many years, even though I had proven myself capable.

"Seto, though you have completed all the necessary tests to enter my sacred court and gain the Millennium Rod, you have one more task ahead."

Seto bowed to the Pharaoh, completely ready for the next task, "Present any task you wish, Great Pharaoh. I will accomplish it to gain your trust and earn a place amongst your guardians."

The Pharaoh shook his head, "It is not my trust you need to gain."

Seto's expression was amusing. Pharaoh did not say anything for a while, probably expecting someone to lead me in. When no one did, he stared at the entrance to the room, confused by the lack of my presence. A servant suddenly came running in.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but no one has been able to locate her for hours. She missed her lessons this morning with Shimon and Mahad."

Pharaoh's eyes widened. The Prince smiled wickedly and looked up towards the top of the columns, where I had been napping. He winked at me when I smiled and shrugged.

The Pharaoh sighed, "She will turn up eventually. I suppose she will not meet the new guardian, who will sit at my son's side, before his appointment."

I snapped back to attention. He would not dare make such a decision without me. He knew that the Prince's guardian needed my trust more than his, simply because I would be the one to partner with the new guardian to protect the Prince. Seto seemed like a perfect candidate, but so did the last one and the one before that, both of whom I had thrown out within moments of meeting them. I silently jumped over to the column behind the Pharaoh and slid down. I quickly moved directly behind him and opened my mouth to scare him.

"Ah, there you are, Dria."

I huffed in annoyance. I swung around the side of his chair and landed on his lap. The guardians started to say something, but Pharaoh only chuckled and held me securely.

"Seto, I would like to introduce you to my daughter and high advisor, the Lady Alexandria."

I stretched out my arms and waved towards the newest possible guardian. I froze when I met his eyes that were as clear and blue as the sea I had been born on. Beneath the color, I saw the calm waves that had sung me to sleep as a child, as well as the fierce storms that guarded my city against enemies in troubled times. Making my way down, he was unbelievably attractive elsewhere as well; if only his clothes showed more of his tanned, muscled body beneath. He blushed and averted his eyes, clearly uncomfortable under my gaze.

The Pharaoh chuckled, "Fear not Seto. She may seem dangerous, but you will never meet a sweeter woman. She is a fiercely loyal companion and tends to be soft towards those she likes."

Seto gulped, "What about towards those she dislikes?"

The Pharaoh only chuckled as he stroked my hair and I giggled.

The Prince smiled from beside his father and looked at me with a gentle gaze. We had been spending more and more time together, much to the delight of his father and dismay to some foreign royal princesses who had long since been vying for his undivided attention. We would skip lessons together, take a horse down to the Nile, and spend the day swimming and practice magic, not returning till late at night. I smiled back and winked at him.

The Pharaoh continued explaining Seto's final mission, "Your task will be to gain her trust. She chooses who will and will not stand by my son's side, as she already serves as a guardian to him. If she trusts you, you will have achieved what no other has in months." I grinned widely at Seto. I was going to enjoy this.

Many weeks passed and Seto had so far been unable to gain my full trust. There were times when he proved himself worthy, thus gaining a little more from me, but never the full amount. For the sake of the man I loved and would defend at any cost, I had to be unbearably selective about those around him.

Seto was wonderful to be around and was actually becoming more loyal to me than to the Prince and even Pharaoh, something he vehemently denied daily, but no one believed him. They also didn't believe him when he swore that he felt no affection for me, despite the lingering looks he would give me when he thought no one was watching. Instead, the other priests encouraged him to keep trying. They had sometimes struggled with maintaining my trust in them too. He would sigh, mope for a few more moments, then return to his place beside the Prince and me with renewed determination.

One day, I was walking between the inner and outer walls. I only had a few hours before I needed to join the Pharaoh in one of his meetings to discuss the kingdom's status and such. I stopped for a moment and leaned against the wall, resting my eyes. I listened to all the activity bustling about me: some were running around calling for specific people, others were working in the gardens, and others still were running to and from the city on various errands. I sighed in contentment at the sounds of peace around me and was about to continue my walk when someone grabbed me from behind and held a dagger to my throat.

He said nothing to me, only forced me back inside the walls, heading towards the throne room. Many gasped or screamed at the sight. It was unusual for me to be in a vulnerable position, especially within the palace walls.

"Alexandria!"

The Prince cried out in horror, causing my captor to push the dagger harder against my neck, causing a small trail of blood to run down my neck. The Pharaoh and the priests who were present froze. Seto looked upon the scene before him with an emotion I had not before seen in his eyes. It was a devastating fear of losing everything that mattered in a moment.

"Give me what I desire, and the little girl goes free," The man demanded.

I growled at his statement. I was not a little girl and he would not be ordering the Pharaoh of all Egypt around like a dog. Then again, I wasn't exactly in a place to argue my point. Could I have beaten this man? I wasn't entirely sure, and I wouldn't take chances with the Prince and Pharaoh in possible danger as well. My life was always forfeit, and I was content with such an outcome. My eyes met those of the Pharaoh, and within moments, he understood what I wanted. He didn't respond to the man's statement, but I saw his knuckles turn white as he clenched the arms of his throne tightly. The man realized that his threats wouldn't work, so he shoved me to the ground. I half raised myself up and turned around, only to see him swinging his sword down towards me. I raised my arms to protect my face and closed my eyes.

The blow never came.

I was in the Prince's arms before I opened my eyes. When I did, however, the sight surprised me. Seto was standing in front of me, clutching his now bloodied left side. The man had fallen to the ground, Seto's sword deep in his torso. Seto, with almost unnatural speed, had pulled me out of danger and allowed the man's sword to strike his left side in place of me, shielding me from the blade. Then, using his uninjured right arm, Seto had drawn his sword from his side to strike back at my attacker. Seto turned to me and kneeled next to me, acting unaware of his potentially grave injuries.

"Are you alright, My Lady?"

I smiled gratefully and threw my arms around him. I was in shock that he would put himself in harm's way as he had for me, despite how difficult I had made life for him lately. He froze like a statue at my sudden show of affection. I kissed his cheek and gently touched his injured side, healing it instantly, "Thank you, Priest Seto." He softly smiled back at me as he returned my hug, the fear now gone from his gaze.

I kissed my current Seto's cheek and released him at last. He blushed a little, his eyes scolding and thanking me for being so affectionate. He left the room, whispering a 'sleep well' before shutting the door. I smiled and leaned back against the pillows again.

I awoke after a long night's rest, completely refreshed and ready to return to the mortal realm. The others were still sleeping when I reached the rooms they were staying in. My friend was sitting in his living room, casually flipping through the channels of his TV that I had convinced him to acquire. I joined him on the couch, burrowing into his side.

"You should go. He needs you." I sighed, somewhat agreeing with his statement.

The problem was that I couldn't just leave the other three. They needed me more in this otherwise unforgiving realm. I had to keep my promise to Yugi to keep them safe. A sudden jolt shot through my heart. I shoved myself away from his side as my already empty stomach heaved in response to the shock. He pulled back my hair and rubbed my back; this had to be the kindest thing he had done for me recently. When I finally stopped, he laid me down on the couch and pulled up a chair for himself. He waited patiently as I pulled myself back together.

"I told you so."