Angel: (sings happily)

Y.Ang: (walks in and stops) Dear god, the end of the world is coming! Angel has started singing! The horror!

Angel: (frowns) That's not very nice. Just because I have been extremely lazy in writing this...

Y.Ang: Yeah, you're lucky your readers haven't killed you yet. I believe you said something about December...

Angel: (coughs) Well, yes. Anyways, hello everybody! In case you're wondering why it has taken me soo long to update this time (smiles innocently), I have been playing Knights of the Old Republic and its sequel on my computer. Also, I joined a forum with roleplaying, and have been writing a story about the first roleplay we did rather than writing this story...(sweatdrops) And then school is getting more irritating. My Accounting teacher gives us way too much homework.

Y.Ang: (coughs and points)

Angel: What? (remembers story) Oh, yes, my story. Sorry, I kinda get distracted very easily...

Y.Ang: Kinda? Well, that's not how I would put it.

Angel: Well, anyways…since I have nothing of real importance to add, and don't particularly want to be killed by readers, Yami, would you do the honors?

Yami: (looks bored) Angel does not own YuGiOh. She does own certain characters and suchlike. You know the drill.

Angel: On with the story!

Oh, by the way, anyone interested in Star Wars, please join this forum: http/z10. Heart In Egypt

Chapter 18: The Days Before

Yami paced around his throne, looking thoroughly annoyed. Honestly, what could Crystal be doing that was so important? Didn't she realize he needed to talk to her? Irritated, he glanced up as his page nudged him, and noticed that Crystal had re-entered the room. However, the flush that crossed his cheeks soon evaporated into jealousy, as he noticed that Crystal had her arm through Ishtar's in a familiar manner.

Crystal and Ishtar both walked up to him, with Ishtar bowing politely, and Crystal curtseying. Yami opened his mouth to ask a question, but Crystal smoothly spoke over him, "Sorry Yami, I just had to see how Ishtar was doing after his…battle with himself."

Yami looked confused for a moment, but then realized what she meant. Ishtar smiled ruefully, "Yes, highness, I have managed to fight the darkness within, and I defeated it. Crystal was very kind to notice, and then to come and see how I was feeling. I then agreed to escort her back to your side."

Yami flushed slightly, and Crystal smiled softly. In all the months they had been friends, there were still some things Yami didn't understand about her. One of these things was the way she truly felt about him. Since their kiss several months ago, (which Crystal incidentally had forgotten) they had completely avoided the issue of romance, and had instead settled into a close friendship. But Yami had only found himself falling further for her, and would find out tomorrow night if she felt the same way.

However, Crystal had no idea about the thoughts running through Yami's head. Over the last few months, she had stopped invading people's thoughts at random, and only did it when she felt it was necessary. However, all her other powers had developed significantly; mostly due to Yami's teaching. The Isirian heir glanced curiously at the Pharaoh. "Yami, are you alright?"

Yami blinked several times as his thoughts returned to the present, and saw the princess looking at him in some concern. "What? Oh, I'm fine; just thinking. Sorry about that."

She raised an eyebrow, but decided not to press the matter further. Ishtar, sensing the source of the Pharaoh's annoyance, deftly disentangled Crystal's arm from his own, and covered the movement smoothly with a bow. "Forgive me my lord, but I am quite tired from the journey here. I would ask your permission to retire, and I hope that I might be able to speak with you later over an important matter."

Yami looked curious at that, but quickly hid it. "You may retire as you will, Ishtar. I will indeed speak with you later, and shall send a page with my summons when I have a spare moment."

Ishtar nodded, and bowed to Crystal and Yami again as he left. "Very well. Good day my lady, my lord." He then left in the direction of his quarters.

Yami looked at Crystal, who's expression was blank as she asked, "Well, my Pharaoh, how goes the greeting of all of Egypt's marriageable daughters? I don't know whether to be amused or insulted that this unnecessary celebration of my birthday is to be interpreted as an occasion for you to meet all the eligible princesses of your kingdom."

Yami flushed slightly. "It was not meant to be, but you know my advisors. Any excuse will do, especially for dear Isis. And this celebration is not unnecessary; you are my guest, and you shall be treated accordingly. It would be an extreme rudeness on my part to ignore my guest's birthday."

She looked at him, a slight smile forming on her features. "You're avoiding my question."

Yami sighed heavily, "Well, to tell you the truth, I find it most annoying. Ye gods, if I have to endure any more simpering, I think I'll go mad!"

Crystal only smiled further, "Oh yes, it must be difficult to be a good-looking, bachelor king."

Yami frowned at her, "That wasn't funny in the slightest."

She tried to stop smiling, and just barely managed to look contrite, "My apologies, Yami. I understand how frustrating this must be; females tend to be more annoying when courting than males. Especially when such courting is done clumsily. But still, aren't you enjoying having so much female attention lavished upon you?"

Yami didn't answer straight away. How could he enjoy it, when the only female he wanted was standing before him; the only one who seemed to not want to marry him? "In truth, I find it excessively annoying and boring. Why do you ask? Surely you do not want to join the list of admirers?"

The Isirian princess blushed, "Nothing of the sort! I just wanted to know your opinion. I'm not a male, so I just wanted to know how men would react to having so many females flirting with them."

"In truth, I think most men would be using it to their full advantage, and spending the rest of their time making sure their wives did not find out," he replied dryly. "I personally find such chattering in such large doses to be highly irritating and to be avoided at all costs."

She grinned teasingly, "Surely not all females irritate you in such a way! Perhaps if there were fewer of them, you might find your feeling would change."

Yami looked at her with suspicion in his eyes, realising he was being baited. 'There's more than one way to trap someone', he thought in amusement. "You've been chatting to Isis, haven't you? Anyway, perhaps if there was only one of them, I indeed might find it more enjoyable," he said with a sly smile as he looked at her.

The princess flushed, and looked away for a moment. Over the last few weeks, Yami had been growing steadily more flirtatious, but she was unsure if he meant it in a friendly way or not...if it meant more.

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Mana, who was watching the two from some distance away, sighed and shook her head. "You know, for such an intelligent woman, she can be incredibly stupid at times," she remarked calmly to her companion.

Mahaado nodded, and his green eyes flickered back to the royal couple. "Perhaps it is because that with so many arranged marriages, the young people of Egypt know not what love is."

Mana rolled her eyes, "Oh please. She knows; she just chooses to ignore what's right in front of her eyes. Honestly, stop thinking up excuses for them both!"

He looked down at his smaller love, and smiled. "Just be glad I don't ignore what is right in front of my eyes."

Mana flushed and looked away in a similar manner to the way Crystal had just reacted. Smiling to himself, Mahaado once again turned his eyes to the two young royals as court officially began again.

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Sometime later that afternoon, just before nightfall, King Ishtar was summoned to the Pharaoh's private gardens. He arrived to find the Pharaoh pacing in front of the central fountain. "My lord?"

Yami jumped slightly, but relaxed as he noticed Ishtar. "Ah, Ishtar. Good to see you again."

Ishtar merely looked amused, "Is it truly? Or was the jealous expression on your face when you greeted me for someone else?"

Yami barely managed not to blush at that. "And what if I were jealous?"

Ishtar didn't look at all fazed. "I wouldn't hold it against you. I suppose you have called me here to see whether or not I am a threat to your courtship of Princess Crystal?"

Yami nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. "Well, yes."

Ishtar shook his head, still looking amused. "I had thought as much. However, my Pharaoh, ease your heart. I have no desire to marry Crystal, and would only do so if the man she truly loved deserted her."

"You mean...?"

"What I mean is that if you go against your feelings and do not marry her, I will; rather than see her devastated and alone."

Yami watched Ishtar in suspicion. "Are you saying..."

Ishtar interrupted him. "I am saying that you had better do the right thing and marry her, rather than break her heart. And don't lie to me and say you don't plan to marry her. I spoke briefly with Priestess Isis when I arrived here. And rest assured, my lord, she will say yes. I can see that she truly does love you."

Yami looked at Ishtar, hope dawning in his eyes. "Do you truly think so?"

Ishtar laughed at the Pharaoh's expression. "Oh, that I do. If the two of you weren't so blind, you'd see it too. Now, I understand you have a few last-minute preparations for tomorrow. I'll leave you to it."

Yami could not keep the smile from his face, and nodded a polite goodbye to Ishtar before running off. Ishtar chuckled to himself and then left for his apartments.

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Late the next morning, Crystal woke up with a large yawn. Sitting up slowly, she was just about to get out of bed when her maids ran over to her. Crystal was quite startled by their sudden actions, and got out of bed to pull a thin silk robe over her nightgown. She soon saw the reason for the flurry of activity when one of the palace serving girls moved to her bedside, shyly offering a tray of fruits and suchlike for breakfast.

Crystal stared at the tray in some surprise, and sat down again. The servant immediately became worried. "Does your breakfast not please you, my lady?"

Crystal looked at the girl, shaking her head. "On no, it looks wonderful. I was merely surprised by it. Not to be rude, but who arranged this?"

The girl curtsied neatly, somehow managing to do so whilst still carrying the tray. "My lord Pharaoh requested that a special private breakfast be prepared for you on your birthday, my lady," she said softly.

Crystal smiled kindly at her. "Well, convey my thanks to the kitchen staff: it looks delicious. Thank you for bringing it to me."

The girl smiled shyly, and curtsied again. "I am glad that my lady is pleased," she said happily before leaving the room.

Crystal then sighed to herself, and dug into her breakfast. After some time had passed, enough time for Crystal to eat most of the food, someone knocked on her door. The moment her maid opened the door, two children ran into the room. A second maid quickly rescued the tray of food just before the Princess was 'attacked' by the two young boys.

Crystal stared at the two in delight. "Mokuba! Yugi! What are you two doing here?"

The young prince beamed up at her. "We wanted to say happy birthday to you!" he said happily.

Mokuba also grinned at her. "Seto said we should leave you alone, in case you weren't decent or something, but we thought it would be alright if your maids opened the door, and they did! So we came to see you."

Crystal smiled happily. "Well, I'm delighted to see you both! I've missed you."

Both boys nodded. "We missed you too," they chimed. Yugi then spoke up, "We haven't seen you for ages!"

She sighed. "I know little ones. I've been busy, and so have you with all your lessons."

Both boys immediately made a face at that, and Crystal laughed. "Alright! If you like, you can help me finish my breakfast. Then we can go find your brothers, alright?"

The boys grinned, and dug into her breakfast while she chuckled at their eagerness. After sending them out of her room for a while so she could get dressed, the three then made their way down to the throne room.

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Angel: Ok, originally this chapter was supposed to be longer, but I've made you poor readers wait long enough. Therefore it has been split into two chapters. By the way, there should only be about 3-4 more chapters of this story (unless I have an incredibly brilliant idea to add to the plot), and I promise I'll try to write them faster this year. To all of you who review, your patience and support is greatly appreciated.

C YA! Angel