Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh in any way, shape or form!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 3: A New Mother

Mana skipped across the rocks with ease. She reached the other side of the river and looked back. "Are you coming, Prince? I thought we were going to play that game of yours."

"I'm coming." The tips of Yuugi's toes touched the first rock. He stepped out onto the flat surface and his other foot joined him on the same rock. "Just . . . just wait for me."

Yuugi slowly crept over the rocks. He sighed in relief as he reached the other side of the riverbank. He looked up at Mana. "But where are we going? Papa said I couldn't go too far from the palace."

"We won't go too far, Prince. Don't worry!" She smiled. "Besides, I'm here to protect you!"

Yuugi was silent as he stared up at her with an eyebrow raised. Mana huffed. She continued walking and made her way towards the dunes. Yuugi knew where her destination was and stopped following her. "Mana, I don't know about this. I mean, playing in the dunes? Papa might get mad."

"Oh come on, Prince! You're seven years old! Are you really going to listen to your dad all your life?" Mana looked down at him with a challenging look in her eyes.

He stared right back at her in confusion. "Well, yes. Papa is the Pharaoh."

Mana threw her head back and laughed. "You'll understand what I mean someday, Prince. Don't worry about it! The Pharaoh won't get mad at us. What about this? As you're trying to find me, we'll call out each other's names! That way we'll know where each of us is at all times. Ok?"

Yuugi nodded. "Ok! Now go hide!" He covered his eyes and started counting. He stopped and said, "Don't forget you can't use magic!"

"All right!" He could hear her footsteps walking away. Mana stopped. "Keep counting, Prince! No cheating!"

He soon finished counting to ten and ran off in any direction. "Mana!"

"Prince!" Her voice was distant and sounded as if coming from the right. He ran in that direction calling out her name.

"Prince!" She replied. It still sounded as if it came from the west. He ran as fast as he could.

"Oh, Mana!" He called her name as if serenading her, in a sweet song filled voice.

She giggled. "Oh dear Prince!" Mana answered back in an equally tuneful voice. Only this time, it sounded as if it came from the East. Yuugi grinned. 'She's moving!'

"Mana!" Yuugi cried out again. He stood still waiting for her reply. There was no sound that fell on his ears but the wind. Why didn't it carry her voice? "Mana!"

Once again, there was nothing. He scrambled up a dune and looked around. "Mana, where are you?!"

Over another dune in front of him, Yuugi saw a flash of something golden. It was so bright that it nearly blinded him. He ran towards it, thinking it was the sun glinting off the gold that she wore.

He ran down the dune he was on and then up and down one more. Mana stood at the bottom of the dune, but it wasn't her gold that the sun what shining off of.

Before them stood a tanned man in a red robe, a white wrap around his waist and a pair of brown sandals. The robe he wore showed off a well-built chest and a nicely chiseled stomach. He had a scar over his right eye and wild, spiked hair the color of the clouds in the sky.

His face was rough, seeming to have a permanent smirk on his lips and a gleam of something unreadable in his eyes. He held a sac over his shoulder that carried gold in it which the sun was shining off of.

Yuugi smiled at him. "Hello, sir. What-"

Bakura looked down at the boy and raised an eyebrow. The instant that he even glanced at the Prince, Mana stepped in front of him and pushed Yuugi back. "Don't you dare look at him! Don't even think about it!"

She pulled out her staff and pointed it at him. "Run away! Run to your father, Prince!"

Bakura threw back his head and laughed. He glared down at the two. "So this little brat is the Pharaoh's son. I thought it was just a coincidence that he looked like the king."

Mana gasped. "Oh no. S-stay away from him!"

"And what are you, a pathetic, weak student, going to do about it?" Bakura said.

Yuugi looked up at them. He was so confused. Why was Mana so afraid of this man?

"BAKURA!" The Pharaoh was riding towards them with his court of priests and his soldiers in tow. He saw his son was sitting on the ground and looking up at the thief. "Get away from them!"

The three looked over at the Pharaoh. Bakura smirked. "We'll meet again, Prince!" He kicked the sides of the brown horse he was sitting on and rode off across the desert.

Atemu looked to Shimon who rode just behind him. "Take Yuugi and Mana back to the palace. Protect them with your life!"

"I will, my Pharaoh!" Shimon slowed down as they passed the two and dismounted. "Mana, you are in a lot of trouble. Do you realize how much danger you put the Prince in by coming out here? This is too far from the palace!"

She bowed to him, pressing her forehead against the sand. "I'm very sorry, Master Shimon. I didn't know that Bakura-"

"That's not what I meant, Mana!" Shimon yelled. "The dunes are the perfect place to not only lose someone but to kidnap someone as well! It is far too dangerous out here, regardless of an enemies presence!"

Yuugi stepped forward, moving himself in between Shimon and Mana. "Shimon, please don't be angry at her. We were only playing a game. We were calling each other's names so we knew where we were at all times. Please, it's not fair that you're yelling at her like that."

Mana lifted her head. "Please do not defend me, my Prince. I was wrong to bring you out this far. Master Shimon is right." She lowered her head again. "Whatever punishment I receive, I will accept."

Shimon sighed. "It is not my right nor responsibility to deal out judgment or sentence. The Pharaoh will decide what is right when he returns. For now, let us go back to the palace and await him."

Mana stood up and, after Shimon got back on the horse, helped Yuugi to mount the creature. She too climbed on and they were off towards the palace. Shimon gave Yuugi his cloak to cover him with in case anyone was watching them.

Yuugi peaked out from under the cloak and turned to look at Mana. His eyes were full of concern for her and he quietly whispered, "I'm sorry."

Mana smiled and shook her head. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her cheek on his head. "I hope this is all right, my Prince."

He nodded slightly and leaned against her. Yuugi knew she needed comfort and hoped that perhaps this was going to help in someway.

--

Mana and Yuugi waited for Atemu's return in the thrown room. Neither of them spoke a word since they got back. Neither of them had anything to say. But it seemed the Pharaoh had a few words for her.

He stormed into the thrown room with a scowl on his face. He stomped towards them, but Seto stopped him. He leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Cousin, don't look so mad. The children will think they're the ones you're mad at, not Bakura. Calm down."

He pulled away to make sure that Atemu's anger lessened. The Pharaoh took a deep breath and closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again, and most of his anger was gone. Or at least, he had suppressed it. "Better?"

Seto took a step back to allow the Pharaoh to march towards his son and the magician in training.

Mana bowed at his feet, once again with her forehead pressed to the floor. "Please forgive me, Pharaoh. I did not mean to put the Prince in danger. It was a mistake and one I did not commit on purpose. I'm so very sorry, my Pharaoh."

He looked down at her. "An apology won't correct what you've done, Mana. I understand that you would never put my son in harms way. However, you know as well as I do that any wrongdoing must be punished. Every crime must have an equal penalty."

She tensed her body as if waiting for a whip. "I understand, my Pharaoh. I will accept whatever punishment you give me."

He nodded. Atemu paused and looked down at her. "Get on your hands and knees."

Mana did just as she was told. She closed her eyes and waited. Atemu borrowed a round shield from one of the guards and stood behind her.

Yuugi whimpered and looked away. He knew that there was nothing he could do.

Atemu raised the shield into the air then lowered it, connecting it with Mana's bottom. "Ouch!"

It connected with her rear two more times before he returned the shield. "You may stand now, Mana. Your punishment has been delivered."

She blinked and stood up, turning around to face him. "But . . . but Pharaoh! My punishment-"

"Has been given. Didn't you say you that you would accept it?" He smiled. "Besides, it's not as if you tried to kill someone. It was a mistake, Mana. I know you wouldn't purposely try to hurt Yuugi. That's why your punishment was so minor. I'm not mad at you. I'm not pleased with what you did, but I know it was a mistake."

Mana smiled and hugged him. "Thank you, Pharaoh."

Atemu smiled. He patted her head. When she let him go, he said, "I believe that you have a lesson with Mahado now. Go on."

She nodded and ran off. Atemu smiled and looked at Seto with a raised eyebrow. 'Was that good enough for you, dear cousin?'

Seto looked at Atemu only for a moment. His eyes then turned to the corner of the room. Atemu looked over and gasped quietly. Yuugi was huddled in the corner, covering his ears. He sobbed silently and rocked in the corner.

Atemu looked to his priests and they all nodded, signaling that he could tend to his son. Atemu thanked them and picked Yuugi up in his arms. He walked towards their chambers.

Isis sighed. "Poor Yuugi. He has such strength inside of himself, but he won't let it show itself."

Seto nodded. "He's a lot like Amisi in some ways."

Shada shook his head. "I think he's more like the Pharaoh. Atemu was shy and scared like that once. A long time ago. Yuugi only needs time to develop his strength, just like his father."

"That may be true, but I feel he may need to find his strength sooner." Karim said. "Bakura knows what the Pharaoh's son looks like. I doubt he would let this chance slip away."

The priests looked at Karim. They knew he was right. Someone had to be with Yuugi at all times. It was the only way to keep him safe.

Shada looked to Isis. "What does your Necklace tell you?"

She focused on her item for a moment. "Nothing. It does not show me anything of the future."

The tension built. Karim turned to the exit. "I'll tell Mahado to increase the palace security. Bakura isn't a fool. He wouldn't attack us tomorrow. He'd wait to let our guard down. We won't let that happen."

--

Atemu held Yuugi as he cried. "Please don't be so upset, Yuugi."

"Papa it's my fault. I knew we were too far away. I should have told Mana to come back." Yuugi sobbed. "I'm sorry."

He gently rocked Yuugi back and forth. "Shh, Yuugi, please stop blaming yourself for everything. This was not your fault. I'm not mad at you and I'm not mad at Mana. However, because she was responsible for you, she needed to be more careful. I didn't hurt her when I punished her. I made it as painless as possible. She's not in trouble and neither are you."

Yuugi's cries slowly quieted. "Why wasn't I punished? Because I'm the Pharaoh's son?"

"Yuugi, if you did do something wrong-"

He interrupted Atemu. "I really am just a brat aren't I?"

Atemu looked down at Yuugi. "Who said that?"

Yuugi was silent. He raised his son's head to look into his eyes. "Yuugi, tell me who said that. Who called you a brat?"

"That man in the desert. He said, 'so this little brat is the Pharaoh's son.' Papa, who was that man?" Yuugi asked.

Atemu growled quietly. "That was Bakura. He claims to be the King of Thieves. He stole from our treasury room today. He's a very dangerous man, Yuugi. Don't ever listen to a word he says."

"He's a bad man?" Yuugi inquired.

Atemu nodded. "Yes. He's a very bad man, one that has been terrorizing us for a very long time. But I promise to protect you from him. I will do everything that I can."

Yuugi nodded and rested his cheek on Atemu's shoulder. "You promise you're not mad at us?"

He put his hand on Yuugi's head and smiled. "Not at all, my son. Mana did not do wrong and you are not at fault. I love you, Yuugi. I could never be mad at you or Mana. I promise you."

Yuugi smiled. "I love you, Papa."

Atemu saw that the sky was darkening and the moon was starting to show itself in the night sky. "It's time for bed, Yuugi."

When his son didn't move, Atemu looked down to see that he had already fallen asleep. He smiled and tucked Yuugi into the covers. The boy snuggled into the blanket and sighed.

Atemu kissed his forehead. "Sleep well, my son."

He stood up and walked out to the balcony. He looked out over to the dunes where he lost sight of Bakura. Atemu's body tensed and he punched the ledge. "Damn you, Bakura. How dare you insult my son! You take my families treasures; speak to my son with such disrespect. I swear I'll kill you. I swear to the Gods themselves that your blood will be on my hands one day."

He took a deep breath. Atemu rubbed his head as a headache started to form. He walked back to his bed and lay down, pulling the blanket over him. In a separate bed just a few feet away from him, he watched Yuugi sleep peacefully. He smiled. 'Sleep well, my son. Tomorrow you will be safe, I'm sure of it.'

XxX

Atemu yawned as the sun rose. He watched it with a smile. Yuugi still slept in his bed and didn't make a sound the entire night. Silence filled his ears. It was very peaceful.

He decided to go and have a bath. The headache from last night was still there and he knew that a warm bath would ease the pain.

He opened the door and saw a young servant woman standing there with a fist raised to knock at the door. She gasped and bowed. "Forgive me, Pharaoh. I did not mean to raise my hand to you."

He smiled. "It's all right. Please, stand."

She slowly stood up. "I-I have a message from Master Shada. There's a foreign caravan of peasants that must see you. Master Mahado has made sure they carry nothing with them that would be harmful."

He nodded. "Very well. Tell Shada I will see them shortly. But before you go, tell me your name."

She blinked. "My name? Well, it's Salidji, my Pharaoh."

Atemu smiled. "You have a very beautiful name." He looked her over. "You don't seem to be a personal servant to anyone."

"No, my Pharaoh. I am a dancer for special occasions. Otherwise, I am just a servant." She kept her head bowed as she spoke to him as a sign of respect.

He nodded. "Then, as a dancer, you would be quick to run to someone if there was danger."

She lifted her head slightly. "I . . . suppose I would, my Pharaoh."

Atemu smiled. "Then you would be perfect. Please come in."

He moved aside to allow her to enter. Salidji stepped forward into his chambers and slowly looked up at him. "What would you want me to do my Pharaoh?"

"As I'm sure you know, Bakura stole from us yesterday. Unfortunately, he's seen my son for the first time as well." Atemu began. "What I need is someone to follow Yuugi. Someone to be with him at all times, to protect him and make sure he does not get hurt. I believe that you would be the perfect person for this task."

Salidji gasped. "Pharaoh . . . what an honor! I'm so honored you would consider me!" She fell to her knees and bowed. "I won't fail you, my Pharaoh. I promise to keep the Prince safe."

"I know you will. Thank you for being so eager, Salidji. I'm confident in your abilities." Atemu smiled. "I'm going to take a bath. You start your duties today. Please inform my son of your presence here and tell him to pick out a tunic for you."

"As you wish, my Pharaoh. Thank you so much." Salidji remained on the floor until Atemu left. She stood up and smiled. "I can't believe the Pharaoh would choose me!"

Salidji couldn't get over how happy she felt. She, above all others, was chosen to be the Prince's guardian! Speaking of which, Yuugi was starting to wake up. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Salidji walked over to his bed and smiled. "Good morning, my Prince. Did you sleep well?"

He smiled. "Yes. Do you know where Papa is?"

"The Pharaoh went to take a bath." She sat on the edge of his bed. "And he has asked me to be your guardian."

Yuugi blinked. "Guardian? What does that mean?"

She smiled. "It means that I'm going to escort you everywhere to make sure you're safe."

"Is that like having a friend?" Yuugi asked excitedly.

Salidji paused, but smiled. "Yes, I suppose so."

Yuugi grinned. "That's so great! I'm going to have a friend!"

She nodded. "We most certainly will be friends. As well, your father told me to ask you to find a tunic for me. One that shows that I am your guardian."

"Oh, ok." He hoped off the bed and put the blanket back, making his bed. He ran over to the chest were he kept all of his clothes. Yuugi dug through it until finally he found what he was looking for. "How about this?"

It was a pink vest that Yuugi held before her. There was royal black embroidery on the back that was in the shape of the Eye of Horus.

Salidji looked from the garment to Yuugi a few times. "My Prince, it's beautiful. I would be honored to wear this. Thank you so much."

Yuugi smiled. "You're welcome. Try it on!"

She gently slipped her arms into the holes and straightened it out. It fit her perfectly. Yuugi beamed at her. "You look so pretty!"

Her shoulder length black hair stopped just before the Eye. Her white dress and pink vest looked surprisingly well on her. Her blue eyes stared back at the Prince's violet ones. "Thank you, my Prince. This is a great honor."

Yuugi wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his cheek against her stomach. "Thank you." He looked up at her. "What's your name?"

"Salidji." She smiled.

He looked at her with cautious eyes. "Can you be my new mother?"

Salidji gasped quietly. She sat down with Yuugi on the bed and looked at him with all seriousness. "My Prince, I . . . I can't take the place of your mother. Why would you want a new mother?"

"Because I don't have one." Yuugi said sadly. "Papa said that she died a long time ago. I wanted a mother just like everyone else. Please, will you be my new mother?"

She shook her head. "My Prince, I can't-"

Yuugi sat closer to her, holding her arm. He looked at her with desperate eyes. "Papa won't have to know about it. It can be our secret! He won't ever find out. You won't get in trouble, I promise. Please, Salidji. I've never had a mother. I want one so badly."

She saw tears slowly falling down the Prince's cheeks. Salidji slowly pulled Yuugi into a hug. "Please, do not cry. If . . . If it's just our secret then I suppose you could call me your mother."

Yuugi jumped on her, squeezing her. "Thank you so much! I have a mother! I have a mother!" He laughed and cried from happiness.

Salidji chuckled. "Yes, and I have a son."

Yuugi's stomach growled so she left the room to get the Prince's breakfast. Her thoughts were troubled as she made her way to the kitchen. 'Am I doing the right thing? How could I have agreed to this? But the Prince was lonely. Maybe this is the right thing.'

Atemu walked into the hall after finishing his bath and smiled. "Salidji." He called to her.

She turned around and bowed. "My Pharaoh."

He chuckled. "Please, stand. You do not have to bow to me every time. Is my son awake?"

Salidji stood, then nodded. "Yes, my Pharaoh. He has been informed that I am his guardian now. And he has chosen a garment for me."

She turned around to show him the insignia on her back. Atemu smiled. "Yuugi's mother made that for our child if it were a girl. I'm glad that he chose that for you."

Salidji sighed. 'His mother . . .'

"Where are you off to?" Atemu inquired.

Salidji turned around to face him. "The Prince was hungry so I am going to get his breakfast."

"Please wait until I have dealt with the peasants that are here to see me. I wish to eat with my son." Atemu smiled.

Salidji nodded. "Of course, my Pharaoh." She lifted her head when Atemu walked past her. She fiddled with the hem of her vest. "His mother made this . . ."

She sighed and leaned against the wall. 'I hope I am doing the right thing.'

XXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I'm really glad with the way this story is being received. Thanks for everyone who review!

And a special thanks to "Andrea", an anonymous review. I'm glad you liked it so much! Your enthusiasm and support is greatly appreciated. I hope I don't disappoint you with the rest of the story! Please keep reading and review often! 'Cause I love you!

I love all my reviewers. Thanks, you guys! (sends you love)