Angel: I am loved!

Y.Ang: (sighs) Yeah sure, whatever

Yami: (raises eyebrow) She sure has a big ego, and she is very strange

Y.Ang: Duh! She got 8 reviews in 2 days! She's happy!

Yami: Ok, anyway, can someone please explain why I am here?

Angel: (grins) Of course! You are my favourite character, and I got sick of Bakura, who 'helped' last chapter.

Yami: Oh joy. So I'm stuck with you?

Y.Ang: Just be glad you are not a full-time muse

Yami: (gulps)

Angel: Why? That would be an honour! (scene changes to various people in the yugioh world fighting over who will NOT be my muse)

Yami: ...This is so weird.

Angel: (shrugs) Get used to it. You're now going to be my muse for this story, whether you like or not.

Yami: (faints)

Y.Ang: (dryly) Well, he seems happy about that

Angel: Well, actually, I think he just remembered Crystal was supposed to be a guest muse in this chapter, and that isn't good at the moment.

Y.Ang: (raises eyebrow) This isn't about that fight I heard yesterday in the 'characters complex', is it?

Angel: (sweatdrops) Probably

Y.Ang: What happened?

Angel: Well, you see, remember how even though I don't really like the Yami/Tea, Yami/Anzu couple, but I will still read Fanfictions on it?

Y.Ang: Yes...

Angel: Well, Crystal didn't know that, and she sought of went though my favourites list, that the yamis have added to, and read them. Since she knows I dislike…

Y.Ang: (coughs) Hate! (coughs)

Angel: Fine, hate that couple, she assumed they were Yami's favourites, as he was on my computer a couple of days ago, and added some in, but it wasn't those stories. I think those stories were actually added by Bakura. She is now upset, as some of the stories were...ahem...a little graphic, or at least Bakura said they were.

Y.Ang: So that's why Yami was kicked out and ended up here.

Angel: Yeah. Anyway, Crystal is mad at Yami and is accusing him of cheating on her with Tea, and that Tea wrote the stories to rub it in. So Crystal is quite upset, and almost refused to do this chapter until she read what she does. She inspired some of this herself, actually.

Yami: (wakes up) Oh good, it was just a dream. I was worried there for a minute

Y.Ang: If you're talking about your becoming this story's muse, that wasn't a dream.

Yami: (faints again)

Angel: (coughs) Crystal, get in here and do the disclaimer!

Crystal: (walks in and glares at Yami) Fine. Angel does not own YuGiOh. She doesn't own the names of cities used in her game Pharaoh. She also does not own Kawari, Kaeru, Nozomi, and any other Negative Realm characters that she mentions or talks to. They belong to the talented High Crystal Guardian, so Angel doesn't own them. However, she does own Rames, me, my father, my city, and……hey wait, most of the stuff you own is actually mine!

Angel: (sweatdrops) Umm……yeah. On with the chapter!

'Italics' stands for mind speech

Italics in paragraphs stands for flashbacks, or memories.

"word" stands for normal speech

Lonely Heart In Egypt

Chapter 12: Running Away

Yami was surprised by Crystal's actions, but he still responded. The two were kissing for a few minutes before Crystal suddenly broke away, her hand over her mouth.

"I'm so sorry, I...I shouldn't have done that. I have to go"

Yami looked confused, and quite hurt as Crystal turned and fled. 'What did I do wrong?' he thought before he disappeared to his hidden sanctuary in the palace, where he went when he wanted to be alone.

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Crystal collapsed on the bed when she reached her room, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Why? Why does he have to love me?" she shrieked, throwing her pillow at the door.

After the pillow hit the ground, someone entered the room. "The Pharaoh cannot help the way he feels, Crystal. I think your actions only made his heartache worse."

Crystal turned around slightly to face the door, her face still streaked with tears. All this turmoil surrounding her upcoming wedding was affecting her and causing her emotions to spiral out of control. "Mana?"

Mana sighed and started to walk towards her friend. "Yes, it's me. And I spoke the truth, Yami looked heartbroken when you left. He thinks he misunderstood you. It would have been kinder to him to do nothing and just leave."

Crystal's eyes filled with tears again. "Mana, I just couldn't tell him...despite my actions. Because I must marry Rames, it's better if Yami is confused about us. Even though I hate Rames, I would never go behind his back, even for love. It would never work between us anyway. My people despise the Pharaoh, and the way he rules. They would never approve."

Mana looked angry at Crystal's last statement, "You have got to stop putting your people before yourself! Ever since your mother died, you've never been as happy as you used to be, and putting your people first has only made it worse! Yami is giving you a chance to get that happiness back, and you should refuse to marry Rames because of that! Yami loves you, and he would do anything to make you happy!"

Crystal then glared at Mana, the effect only spoiled by the tears still streaming down her face. "How dare you mention my mother? You don't know what it feels like, Mana! You only have me as an obligation, and can love whom you choose! You just don't understand what I'm going through! Now get out!

Mana looked shocked. In all her years protecting Crystal, Crystal had never once yelled at her. Mana then looked at her mistress, and saw the incredible pain in her eyes. She silently prayed to the gods that they could somehow let Mana help Crystal carry her burden, but she knew in her heart that she could not help Crystal this time.

Mana then left, murmuring under her breath. "In that case, my lady, may Isis protect and help you, for I cannot do such things this time."

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Yami sighed heavily, and rolled over on the bed. Mana was right, it hurt more knowing that Crystal had kissed him and then left, rather than just knowing that she did not love him.

Mahaado had found Yami not long after Mana had left. Mana had sensed her mistress was in distress and had gone to see what the problem was. Upon sensing Yami's agony, Mahaado had followed him to this place, which was a hidden room in the palace connected to Yami's library.

"My lord?"

"What?"

Mahaado replied hesitantly, "I'm not too good with matters of the heart, so I'm sorry I have so few words of comfort for you. Perhaps things are best this way, as she is getting married in a few weeks."

"You are right, that is little comfort. I have therefore found a good reason for her marriage. Rames would not allow her to see me anyway, so I suppose things are best this way. That still doesn't make it hurt less."

"I know, my lord. You just need to take your mind off it. Chess?"

Yami smiled sadly, "I suppose. That will take my mind off it, at least."

--------------------------------------------------2 ½ hours later------------------------------------------------------

Yami rested his chin on his hands, considering his next move. He finally moved his next piece, after much consideration.

"Checkmate."

Mahaado's face showed rare surprise. "What? How did this happen?"

Yami leaned back enough to tip the chair onto two legs, a self-satisfied smile on his face as Mahaado examined the chessboard in disbelief.

Without warning, Mahaado stood up and spun around. Yami was so startled by Mahaado's sudden movement that he fell off his chair. From where he was sitting on the floor, Yami heard someone approach, and decided to stay put. 'It's probably one of my advisors,' he thought crossly. He was, however, wrong.

"Mahaado!"

"Mana, what is it?" For the first time in a long time, Mahaado sounded worried. Yami lifted his head above the table to see Mana, and to find out what was wrong. She had collapsed in Mahaado's arms, and she looked terrified.

"She's gone! She's gone!"

"Calm down, Mana. Who's gone?"

Mana seemed beyond being calm at the moment. "Crystal!"

Yami stood up so fast, he nearly fell over again, "What!"

Mahaado looked paler than usual at her words. "How?"

"I don't know! She screamed at me to leave, and when I went back to talk to her just a few minutes ago, she was gone!"

"How do you know she is not in the palace?" Yami asked curiously.

Mana looked angrily at him, but calmed down slightly when she saw it was Yami. She hadn't noticed him earlier. "Because all her stuff is missing, and her horse, Starlight, is missing from the stables!"

Yami looked more upset at her reply, but Mahaado looked thoughtful. "Well, if she's riding somewhere, where would she go?"

Mana still looked tearful. "Home."

"WHAT?" Yami shouted, outraged. "If she goes home, we can do nothing to keep her safe from that filthy bastard, Rames!"

Mana nodded, "I know, but remember she doesn't know the danger that Rames represents. Anyway, whenever she's upset or in trouble, she goes home. Her father and best friend are there, and besides, there she does not have to face you and know she's hurting you inside." Mana then turned to look at Yami.

Yami felt all his heartache come back as she said this, "What else can I do? I cannot just forget how I feel!"

Mana sighed, calmer now, "It would hurt her less if you did."

Yami looked stung, "How could it hurt her less? I'm the one that is hurt by my feelings and her rejection, not her!"

Mana looked tired, "She hurts knowing that you are hurting. You are still her friend, regardless. I'll explain the rest of it later, but for now we need to find her and bring her back before she reaches Isiria. It is not safe for her to be out on her own, especially at this time."

Still looking faintly hurt, Yami replied, "If you'll move to the palace gates and open them, I'll arrange for a carriage and my fastest horses to be brought there."

"Alright. Let's go, Mahaado."

So the three set off to where they needed to go.

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Yami scowled as he followed Mana and Mahaado into the carriage. The stable master was a stubborn man, and even after Yami resorted to death-threats, he had only received three horses instead of four. Fortunately, those horses were the fastest in the palace, and they could also run for the longest distances at a fast pace. Yami had also managed to receive his biggest coach, with the royal crest on it. It would easily fit the three of them, as well as Crystal when they found her.

After the three had sat down, Yami on one side, Mana and Mahaado on the other, they started heading in Isiria's general direction. Yami looked at Mana and asked, "Is there anyway to determine exactly where Crystal is?"

Mana nodded, and frowned as she waved her hand, "I think that's right…" To her delight, the spell worked, and a floating map of Egypt appeared on the side of the carriage next to Mahaado. Yami noticed a blue dot moving away from the city labelled, 'Menefer, the Pharaoh's city.'

Mana gestured to the dot. "That's us."

Yami stared at the map, intrigued. "What's the star there for?" he asked curiously, pointing at the silver star a while away.

Mana smiled, "This map is a variation of the one the Isirian stable-master uses to keep track of our horses, and therefore the nobles that use the horses. Each Isirian horse is a different coloured star on the map. The stable-master's version is smaller though, and shows a lot less of Egypt. Crystal and I manipulated the spell to show all of Egypt, and came up with symbols for the different people. We made it so we can track people we know well with it."

"Anyway, as I said, Isirian horses are symbolised by a different coloured star. Crystal's horse is a silver coloured star, as that is the symbol for the Isirian Royal Family, and Starlight belongs to the princess. So that's where Crystal is."

Yami's eyes widened, "How ingenious. How far away would you say she is?"

Mahaado chuckled, "As you no doubt actually want to know how long it will take to catch up with her, I'd say about 3 hours. She got a head start, but she appears to be walking her horse. Therefore it will only take about that long t catch up with her, as long as our horses maintain their speed."

Mana added, "And although she is an excellent rider, she would rather walk than canter, unless she had no other choice."

Yami frowned, "So basically, we should have caught up with her after about 3 hours?"

"Yes," replied the mages.

Yami sighed. After yelling at the driver as to what direction to go in, he swung his legs up onto the cushioned bench and rested his head against the wall to catch up on some much needed sleep. He'd been awake most of last night from work, so he was more tired than normal.

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As Mahaado had predicted, Crystal was in fact walking her horse. She was also completely unaware that the others were following her.

Despite what you think, you're not in a hurry to get home, are you?

Crystal smiled, returning the mind speech, Who would be? Rames is there.

Point taken, my lady.

Crystal sighed as she remembered her father's reaction when she told him she could 'talk' to animals. Although she thought it was a great gift, her father had been horrified by it. She'd first discovered her gift when she was 12, and it was a short while after her mother had died.

----------------------------------------------------Flashback-----------------------------------------------------------

Mana had left on some errand a few days ago, and Crystal was lonely. She went down to the stables, wishing for a friend to talk to who wasn't fawning over her.

When she arrived at the stables, she went to the stall of her favourite horse, Starlight, and started crying. As she cried, she talked about all the things that were wrong, and everything she was afraid of. As she finished, she was startled to hear a soft voice in her mind comforting her. She screamed in fright, as she knew Mana, the only person she could talk to in her mind, wasn't here.

'Don't be frightened dear. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry for what you have suffered, and I wish I could help you.'

Crystal looked all around her, confused, "Who are you?"

A gentle laughter in her mind answered her, 'My dear, you know so little about your powers. Since your mother passed on, she gave her gifts to you, and you can finally do as she did, and talk to me.'

Crystal moved instinctively towards Starlight, her lip trembling, "But who are you? Where are you?"

'I am Starlight, Princess. I am the horse that your mother chose for you.'

Crystal jumped back with alarm, "You are? But how is this possible?"

The gentle voice, who she now knew to be Starlight, answered, 'Your mother always had the ability to talk to animals, and when the good Queen died, her gift was passed to you. You didn't know because you never spoke to any animals until today.'

The young princess looked enchanted, "You mean I can talk to animals now?'

'Of course child. Sadly, most creatures are unused to talking to humans and will flee if you talk to them with your mind. You must talk to them directly, and hope they understand you.

"Why wouldn't they understand me?"

'A few wild animals do not understand human, though all Duel Monsters do. That is why you can speak to Mana in your mind. You have always had the gift of talking to Duel Monsters, but your mother could also talk to non-magical creatures, such as most animals.'

"So I can talk to everyone now?"

"Mostly, child. Since you are such a kind-hearted and sweet young girl, and most Duel Monsters, animals and humans love that, you will now probably have friends wherever you are.'

Princess Crystal looked delighted. "You mean it? Oh, thank you!" she cried throwing her arms around the horse's neck. "You're my second best-friend now, 'cause you helped me when Mana was away. And you didn't have to, so that was extra-nice. Thank you so much!"

The horse whinnied in delight at the way her simple words had so pleased the young Princess.. 'Thank goodness her mother spent so much time developing my mind and powers of speech. Where would life be without magic?' Starlight thought to herself as she nuzzled the young Princess.

-------------------------------------------------End Flashback-----------------------------------------------------

'Princess? Hello?'

Crystal shook herself out of her thoughts, and answered Starlight aloud, "Sorry, I was just thinking about the day we first 'spoke'. Anyway, I suppose that even though Rames is there, I think it is better to go home than anywhere else. Besides, if I went anywhere else, my father might blame Yami for my disappearance. And I don't want to think about what Father would do."

Starlight gave a mental impression of a shrug, 'Neither do I. But look on the bright side. You know those people that are trying to kill you, or at least trying to kill those you love? Well, maybe they will think that you love Rames, and they will kill him!'

Crystal laughed, "Starlight, you are absolutely terrible. Do you know that?"

'Of course, and I'm proud of it!'

Crystal chuckled, and then cocked her head to one side, "Do you hear that?"

Starlight stopped, and turned her head to see behind her, 'Yes, and I can see it too. I don't like the looks of that Crystal.'

Crystal also turned, and looked worried, "Me either. Just keep walking."

Starlight seemed very nervous, but obeyed.

After a few minutes passed, Crystal turned around again, and gasped. "Starlight, RUN!"

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Angel: (is long gone)

Y.Ang: (sweatdrops) Angel thought you guys might be after her because Yami and Crystal didn't end up together after all, and because this chapter was kinda weird...(what with the talking to animals thing that she will most likely neglect and never mention again) so she is currently in an undisclosed hiding place. She has left notes for you guys though.

Note: 'Well, something has Crystal spooked. And only I know what it is! But, still, I wanna hear your ideas, ok people? Good.'

Yami: Although this isn't a written note, I would like to have it known that Crystal has forgiven me for that 'FanFiction romance stories' incident, after I made Bakura confess. She is currently out for his blood, and apologised multiple times for what she did to me this chapter, as she feels terrible about getting mad at me. (grins)

Y.Ang: (bored) In other words, Yami is enjoying being flirted with.

Yami: (coughs) Now, (looks at notes, and reads them) Angel would still like you to vote on whether Bakura comes in or not. She needs answers by the next chapter, or her best chance to put him in is gone. (thinks about what he just said) What the hell? As if anybody would want Bakura in any story, let alone this one! And just when Angel was writing really good too!

Y.Ang: (reads next note) Angel says: 'shut up, my writing is just fine, and just you wait until I'm safe.' (sighs) That is so like her

Yami: ...ok, I should've known she'd know I'd say that.

Y.Ang: Oh, here's the last note. Angel says: I am absolutely not in Tokyo buying non-dubbed episodes of YuGiOh!

Yami: ...Well, that wasn't very smart to say. (angry reviewers run after Angel)

(a scream is heard, followed by the sound of a plane taking off)

Y.Ang: (sighs again) Here we go.

Yami: Hey look! A new note has appeared. Let me read it!

Note: 'Ok, now I am safe again:) I am now not living in the cottage of my friend Sarah's house, and I am not watching my new DVD's on her massive TV! No, I'm not!'

Y.Ang: Didn't she learn her lesson last time? I have the address!

Yami: (reads the newest note that appeared) 'Tell anyone the address and I shall kill you next chapter.' ...How blunt

Y.Ang: Damm. Oh well, if you want Angel back, and even if you're one of many who don't, please review! She might come back and update then! And judging by your last reviews, you do want her to update!

C YA! Angel