Chapter 14

"So Masi will you please explain to me what exactly happened when you were with Bakura?" Mana's inquisitive nature was beaming brighter than the sun.

"If I must," she unraveled her tail of the infamous group of thieves, and their constant handling of her as she continued to help Mana in the stables while Atemu was doing 'pharaoh only' business.

"That's got to be crazy! How could you have possibly put up with all that?"

"I just learned not to resist, the more I put up a fight, the more of a power struggle it became," she sighed, her hand running gently over the scar he'd left.

"Knowing Bakura, he likes it when people resist," she laughed, seeing the reprimanding glare Masika had shot her down with. "Even if only to show them who's boss. Honeslty Masi, you take things a little too dirty."

Her eyes widened, immediately turning off Mana, "Yeah, but you know, If Seto hadn't have shown up and rescued me… I don't know what would've become of me. If I were to struggle, even the slightest bit, he'd have had that dagger at my throat in an instant's time…"

Mana realized she'd touched a very sensitive nerve in her dear friend, "It's okay now Masi, we'll take care of you," she hugged her gently, reassuring that she would be completely fine.

Masi merely nodded, hardly having time for words as Mahado suddenly appeared, requesting her attendance in the library, where the negotiations were being finished.

Sullenly, she made her way into the room, her mind still fresh on Bakura, she wasn't too shocked when she heard his name mentioned.

"We assure you, we will do everything in our power to prevent him from raiding your village," Atemu sounded slightly fed up, a slight anger building in his undertone.

The prince seemed to have a small glint to his eye, as though he were up to something, "Alright then, agreed."

Masi didn't notice how much time had passed between here entering and her leaving until she noticed the sun had long since set, "Great, a late dinner," her voice was low, slightly agitated.

This hadn't been the best of days, and the last thing she wanted to be at that moment, was awake.

"Does that mean you don't want to eat with me?" a completely faked, childish whine came from behind her. However funny it was, it was still not enough to make her smile as she turned to greet the stunning male.

"Hi Atemu."

His face flushed, that was just about as lonely and depressed he'd ever heard her. "Are you alright? You seem really depressed," he wrapped his arms around her tenderly, sharing his warmth.

"Yeah," she sighed, sounding greatly bored.

Atemu blinked, she was still so depressed, and he knew exactly why. "Masi… could you meet me at the oaisis after dinner?"

She looked at him, slightly puzzled, but he just smiled at her brightly behind his regal features before floating down the hall ahead of her.

"Sure Atemu," she rolled her eyes, "He can be so damn cocky sometimes. Mister 'I'm the almighty Pharaoh, my word is law' …. Yeah, well… I'm not hungry," she continued walking directly past the dining hall.

"Masika? Are you not going to eat dinner?" Mana approached with a full platter of fruits.

Masi only responded with a weak smile, shaking her head as she took an apple from the top.

"If you don't mind my asking, where are you going?"

"Nowhere, I'm just walking around," she was distant, lost in thought.

"Alright, if you get hungry just come by the kitchen, I'll fix you up something," Mana smiled brightly before continuing down the hall with her fruit.

Masi waited for Mana to be out of sight before sneaking out of the palace, going home to relax would be best, especially since her Royal Prince-Charming would be awaiting her presence at the Oasis in a while.

"I don't really feel like seeing him right now, I need some time to sort out my emotions… He'll understand. I just hope he's not going to get mad about me standing him up…"

A knock rapped on the door.

"Crap," she muttered under her breath, "who the hell knows I'm here? I'm not up to talking."

Another knock; whoever it was, knew she was home.

She lifted herself dully, just to open the door. "What?" She was met with the brilliant, slightly intoxicated eyes of Kontar. "Have you been drinking again!?"

"Hey…" his hand slipped from the frame of the door, to her light linen clothing, "I don't remember you wearing clothes like these."

She backed up, allowing him to stumble forward. "Well, that's because I don't live in the village anymore," she stopped herself from finishing the sentence; he didn't need to know she was about to become royalty.

"Oh really?" his words were starting to slur as he stumbled his way towards her. His eyes preferring to try and undress her instead of sobering up. "And would that be because you finally caught that 'higher calling' shit of yours?"

"It's not shit, and yes I did," she backhanded him when his hand fell upon her skin.

"Oh really? What are you now? A trader's wife? You're parents told me you were engaged," apparently the hazy blur of his vision stopped him from seeing her formal headdress and jewels.

"No, I'm not a trader's wife, and I'm not married yet, I'm still engaged; not that it matters for you," cold words slithered between bitter lips.

"Oh, on the defensive for our trader husband huh?" he nursed his sore cheek, slightly allowing him to focus.

"He's not a trader! Maybe if you weren't such a stupid barbarian you'd have noticed by now what I'm wearing. I swear! I come home to unwind and all I get is a good for nothing drunken ex boyfriend trying to get me into bed!?" she had begun a rant, hardly noticing his steadier gaze as it fixed upon her jewelry, "I mean come on! Bakura is a more respectful person than you are! Holy Ra, I can't just believe I complimented that jerk!

"Is that what I think it is?" he pointed to her headdress and jewels.

"Yes it is," her words sounded as though they'd retreated to a dark corner to hide.

"So it was you then, the Pharaoh's bride-to-be? That was kidnapped by Bakura?"

"yes…."

His whole figure seemed to morph from drunken bastard to caring sibling, "I'm so sorry that happened to you, I'm sorry for scrutinizing your feelings, I'm sorry…. For everything," he hugged her warmly.

"Its okay, I don't expect anyone to understand. But if you don't mind, I'd like to be left alone for a while, I need to sort some things out.

"Of course," without further words he released her and left; leaving her to be alone with her thoughts.

Sorry about the HUGE delay, i got a bit sidetracked with a different fic. Tis puzzleshipping and my fave so far. but i hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was a bit rushed, and its a bit short... and i hated bringing Kontar back into this thing, but i felt i didn't have a choice.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget, please feed the authoress, for she is a hungry beast. XD