Hello everyone! I'm back with chapter 3! Sorry it took so long! I was really busy with school work and stuff! You guys can kill me in your reviews if you want for keeping you all waiting. Anyways, enough of my blabbering, time to thank my reviewers!

Racegirl: You never fail to review my story! Thank you so much for reviewing again! Hope you like this chapter too!

KibumiWong: You like this couple as well! YEAH! ANOTHER LOYAL SUPPORTER! W00T! Anyways, thanks for reviewing and thanks for adding me to your favs!

Amazoness Archer: Yes! Atem FINALLY meets Tea! Isn't that great! Anyways, thanks for reviewing! You put me in your favorites? Oh.My.Gosh! Thanks!

C.A.M.E.O.1 and only: You think it's beautiful? Aww, thanks, I'm flattered! Alright, here's chapter 3 for ya!

Death Angel's Fate: Yeah! ANOTHER YAMI/TEA SUPPORTER! W00T! Whao, this story is exposing me to so many Yami/Tea fans like you! Yea! Anyways, thanks for reviewing

A. Valentine: Oh my gosh! I love your stories! Heehee. Anyways, thanks for reviewing. You liked the way I introduced Tea? Whoa! Thanks so much! Oh by the way, the Sea Witch isn't Serenity. Stay tuned to find out who it is!

ANZUXATEM4EVA: Wee! We're both obsessed with Yami/Tea! I know, they are like SOOOOOO perfect for each other! Anyways, thanks for reviewing! We have a lot in common you say? Lol, glad to know that!

Hysterik-Angel: Thanks for reviewing! You clapped for me? (touched) aww thanks! Liked I said in Yamea, whatever plot I think of eventually becomes a fanfic. n.n Hope you like this chapter!

Jellybob15: Wow! Glad you liked it! You actually reviewed my story! Woo! You're one of my favorite authoresses! Thanks for reviewing! It gave me some inspiration to finish up my next chapter.

Alright, on with the show!

Disclaimer: If I owned YGO, do you think Yami will leave! I would have got him to stay with Tea! YGO's not owned by me! Don't sue me .n.n

Gift of the Nile…

Chapter 3

After what seemed like eternity, Pharaoh Atem, Jou, Honda and Tea finally made it to the palace. The sight was breath-taking, as Tea soon noticed. The palace seemed to reach for the sky, as the clouds danced just above the castle's roof. Tea let her cerulean eyes wonder towards the grand entrance, where Atem's white stallion slowly entered into the enormous palace. The wind whistled and blew across the foursome's faces. Tea's hair brushed against Atem's distinguished sun-kissed face. For a minute there, Atem wanted to shove her hair off, but remembered whom it belonged to. He let a blush creep onto his cheeks before shaking it off, reprimanding himself for what he had first intended to do. Being an impatient Pharaoh, he would have gotten rid of anything that pricked his face, except Tea's hair, he thought. He could never do that to Tea, not after such a fright she had when she first awoke to witness three men fixing their gaze on her.

Take note that Atem and Tea were on the same horse and Tea's back rested comfortably on Atem's hard chest. At first, Tea seemed almost nervous to be so close to such a charming character, but got her nervousness under control once she witnessed the tall building right in front of her, which was the palace.

Jou and Honda relaxed as they were greeted by their fellow guards, who shot a somewhat suspicious yet surprised glance at the fair young lady on the horse accompanied by their supreme ruler. They certainly did not see that one coming! They never did expect the almighty Pharaoh to pick up a girl just like that. Then again, as they thought harder, the Pharaoh never did anything that was predictable, as they recalled his excitement when Jou and Honda told him about their mysterious findings down at the Nile. The guards did not have time to think about it as they were soon called to bring the royal stallion back to its stables. They immediately obeyed and marched off towards the stables with the gracious white stallion.

Atem ordered Jou and Honda to inform the head servant of his new guest. Atem wanted the best for his guest. Jou and Honda saluted and went off to find the said person as Atem led Tea by her hand to one of his maidservants.

"Susana, I would like you to help refresh Tea, my new guest" he gestured towards Tea as she smiled her sweetest, "make sure that she is fitted in the finest of cloths in this palace. I trust that you will take good care of her. After which, find out where her chambers is from the head servant and let her rest in her chambers. Get Hidaya to lead me to her chambers. After that, I'll take care of the other things from then on. Do you understand?"

"Yes my lord, I will do exactly as you wish. Your new guest is in good hands. I will carry out my duties now. May I be excused?" the maidservant asked.

Atem nodded and let her take Tea to the bathing area. Atem gave her a reassured smile before mouthing out "see you". Tea got the message and nodded.

Atem sighed, "I'm sure tired. Maybe I'll go back to my chambers for a while." With that said, he made his way to his chambers to rest, and to continue pondering on this mysterious young lady.

Atem paced up and down his polished floor, while thoughts raced through his mind. "Who is she?" was the question left unanswered even after one candle was burned outHe thought of all the possibilities.

"Could she be a mermaid? No, mermaids don't reside in the River Nile…" He thought, "Maybe she's not even from the Nile! Maybe she is just an Egyptian, but, her skin color betrayed that theory. "

Atem was thinking so hard that he failed to notice Jou popping his head through the opened door.

"Pharaoh! We've completed our task! Pharaoh?" Jou stared as Atem continued to march up and down his room.

"Pharaoh!" Jou yelled. He sealed his mouth with his hands. He just shouted at the Pharaoh! "Curses! I'll get killed!" Jou thought, immediately regretting his action. Yet, the Pharaoh seems to still be in his own world!

"What! He still didn't hear me! Ha! I know!" Jou cleared his throat for his "long" speech

"Pharaoh! Almighty Supreme Ruler of Egypt, Your Greatness, Your majesty, Your grace, Your Excellency…" Jou went on and on, naming all the titles he could come up with.

Pharaoh Atem finally snapped out of his thoughts and did not look like he was very pleased, "Jou! How many times do I have to tell you! We're friends! Call me by my name, Atem or Pharaoh! You know how agitated I get when you call me by those titles! I'm just a human! See, flesh and bones, and you're a friend!" Atem exclaimed, vexed by Jou's "speech".

Jou stopped his blabbering and flashed a smirk, "Finally! I've been trying to bring you back to earth but you wouldn't listen. Anyway, Honda and I have informed the head servant." Jou finished

Atem nodded. At least Tea would feel comfortable by now. Still, Atem could never take his mind off her. Not only was she beautiful, her appearance has also stirred up a mystery. Atem, being a very curious person, would like to solve this little mystery as well. He wondered if Tea would tell him more about her background.

Jou stood at the entrance, shuffling his feet. Should he ask the Pharaoh? The Pharaoh seemed attracted to Tea. Jou debated with himself whether to inquire the Pharaoh about their new found guest.

" Hey, Pharaoh Atem?", Atem looked up, his same serious expression plastered on his charming face, "I've been meaning to ask you about…" before Jou could finish, Hidaya, with her hair up in a bun strolled in.

"Your highness, your new guest is ready. Would you like to see her now?" the maidservant asked.

Atem was amazed at how beautiful Tea looked in her new set of clothes! She was still pretty even without being dressed in such a splendid outfit of course. The cerulean eyed adolescent was donned with a low-cut light brown top with the sleeves starting from her shoulder. She was also in a short light brown skirt which framed her legs perfectly. Atem could not help but to let his mouth drop to the floor. What could you expect? The gold necklace around her intensified her beauty.

"Atem?" Tea inquired, remembering what Atem had told her about calling him by his name while they were making their journey back.

Atem shook his head for the second time, "what am I thinking! I just met her and yet… Something's wrong with me. For now, I better just act normally in front of her," The Pharaoh thought.

Atem put on his trade mark smile which could make any girl melt! Apparently, that theory worked on Tea as she gazed at the handsome ruler fondly, a tinge of pink brightened on her face.

" You look gorgeous as usual Tea," Atem responded. Tea could feel heat rising to the tip of her ears.

"Why, I'm most flattered your Majesty," Tea teased.

Atem wanted to correct that "mistake" but thought not to when he heard something growling, or rather, Tea's stomach growling from hunger.

Tea's blush intensified, if that was even possible. Atem stepped forward and took her by the hand once again.

"You better get something to eat. I don't want you fainting later," Atem chuckled. Tea giggled and let her new found friend lead her to the dining hall. She could foresee a delicious meal awaiting her. After all, anything would be good to satisfy her hunger.

The dinning hall was huge! Tea was indeed fascinated, but not as amazed as when she saw the tall building. Why, she even had that expression as though it was a normal thing to her! The long table stretched from the entrance to the back where a portrait of the previous Pharaoh rested nicely on the wall.

The food was excellent! Since it was lunch time, the food spread could easily satisfy her hunger.

Although they were both indulged in that splendid meal, nothing could satisfy Atem's curious heart. As he observed Tea, it only made him wonder more about this adolescent. Finally, he decided to inquire about her.

"Tea, ever since I've met you, there's something that I would love to clarify…" Atem started.

Tea looked up from her food and set her eyes on the curious Pharaoh.

"I know it might be too early to ask these questions, but I want to know who you are and why it was possible for me to understand your speech when Jou and Honda clearly couldn't." Atem continued. He hoped he had not questioned her, as once those words escaped his lips, a downcast expression soon took over Tea's once cheerful one.

Tea's eyes were shadowed by her hair. She did not know how to respond! Noticing this, Atem hurriedly added, "Well, it seems that you are not ready to answer these questions. I'm sorry I asked… you can tell me whenever you are ready. I'll wait. Sorry about that," Atem ended, scratching the back of his neck.

Tea gazed up at him and giggled softly, before she resumed eating. Atem watched as she ate and heaved a sigh. Will he ever get to know the truth behind this elegant character? He wondered to himself. He never did realize that Tea suddenly put on a depressed expression as she finished her meal…

In order to prove that he was sincerely sorry for what he had said, Atem brought Tea to the palace garden. The palace garden was the most beautiful garden of all, considering its location. Tea gasped in awe, "What a beautiful sight!" She exclaimed.

The midday sunlight reflected on the array of flowers in the garden. It also captured the water spraying out of the fountain. Ripples formed on the water surface of the medium-sized fountain which was situated at the centre of this splendor. Atem grinned as he observed his friend strolling through the garden, reaching the fountain.

"Wow! Atem! This place is so magical! The fountain's so beautiful!" She whispered as she gazed fondly at the water fountain. Atem found this very amusing.

"She's attracted to the water fountain... interesting..." The pharaoh wondered.

Before he could enter into his world again, he suddenly let out a yawn. Tea turned and chuckled.

"It's only dusk and you look so tired. Guess you didn't sleep well the other night. We can go back now," Tea spoke.

Atem blushed, "Guess you're right. You know it's not very fun to be a Pharaoh. You have to wake up at dawn just to welcome the new day," Atem whined.

Tea giggled, "I know what you mean, my fa…" Tea immediately closed her mouth.

"I almost said it out… what if he finds out that I'm…"

Apparently, the young Pharaoh was too exhausted to catch Tea's words. He looked towards Tea.

"I sure wish I don't have anything on later in the night…. Guess we can go now?" He questioned his cerulean eyed friend.

With that said, Tea grabbed his hand and shot towards the exit. Atem was confused by her action, but Tea suddenly dropped his hand and blushed, "Sorry Pharaoh, I'm…"

Pharaoh Atem grinned, "It's alright, come on, let's make a move."

Both strolled back to Tea's chambers, each lost in his or her own thoughts…

"Well, I hope you're pleased with the hospitality," Atem spoke, breaking the intense silence as they reached their destination.

Tea glanced at Atem, and then nodded, "Of course! It's splendid here. I love it!" Tea finished.

The Pharaoh smiled and waved as he explained that he had to go back to his chambers, "I have to get rid of this drowsiness," he chuckled, then waved a "good bye" to Tea.

"Wait, Pharaoh!" Before Tea could restrain herself, her arms were already wrapped around Atem. Her head rested on his shoulder, making both of them blush a crimson red.

"erm, thank you for having me here. If you didn't find me, I'm afraid I would not live to see the day…" She reasoned.

Atem turned and put on his trademark smirk, "Well, I guess it's fate that I've met you," he winked as he spoke. Now it was Tea's turn to flash a smirk.

"Didn't you say that you had to sleep? I do not exactly have the strength to carry you back to your chambers if you sleep right here at my door do I."

Atem let out a small chuckle, before bidding his friend farewell. As he made his way to his chambers, he never did realize that Tea was doing the exact same thing as he was, grinning from ear to ear as they recalled the embrace…

Yeah! I'm done! Hope you liked this chapter. I know I overdue it by a day, but I was out with my family yesterday. Well, I hope that after all this… you'll leave a little review for me. Thank you! Love you all for taking the time to read! Remember, you can kill me in your reviews for making you wait for such a long time! No flames please! See you all on the next chapter!