Hello! Here comes Chapter 5!
I suppose there are two major plots going on now.
I'm really unsure of how long I want this to be.
I feel like this sucks. I hope it doesn't.
Prepare for development in the IsisxMana situation!
Enjoy!
Love, Catch Fireflies

Recap:When he heard her short whimpers of pleasure, he only felt more aroused. She's mine. She's mine right here, right now. I'll make her mine forever.

"Malik!"

Isis harshly awoke from her nap, hearing herself shout her brother's name; a premonition flashing through her mind. The Priestess shot up and out of bed quickly, dressing herself to go to the palace. Her mind was racing. If what she saw was accurate, her brother would be unknowingly entering a world of hurt and disappointment. She left her home in a hurry, positive the palace is where Malik and Mana wound up. Isis' heart beat like a drum against her chest for more than one reason.

If the vision she saw was correct, Hijra planned on using her younger brother in order to be with Akiefa. That was something that Isis couldn't let happen. She lived to protect Malik. Even though she understood the princess' suffering, there had to be another way to solve the problem. A heartbroken Malik would kill Isis. As she traveled through the busy streets to the palace of Pharaoh Atem, she prayed to the gods what she envisioned was only a nightmare and not foresight. Sometimes having the Millennium Necklace was more of a curse or burden than a gift.

Her dream played in her mind on repeat. The plan Hijra was devising, the feelings Malik had, the actions that would follow; it was all crystal clear in her head.

/

Malik watched Hijra fill the vase with fresh water. He longed to take tresses of her dark caramel hair between his fingers and just take in the softness they would provide. He longed to take her into his arms and keep her there, protected, forever. In fact, he didn't see anything wrong with either of those things.

As Hijra organized the flowers, she felt him gently play with her long ponytail.

"Malik," Hijra started. She felt him. She knew he desired her, but was not aware of his true feelings. She, at one point, desired him as well. Now things were different. Even if she pursued her fading lust, Atem would grow more protective and Akiefa would go after Malik. But she felt alone, she felt hollow. Hijra was a physical being, she longed to be touched and touch in return, and she thrived on contact. It isn't like she didn't care for Malik. She did. He was good to her. If Akiefa hadn't come around, she could have seen herself marrying Malik. Hijra knew before Akiefa, if Malik had asked for her hand in marriage, Atem would have allowed it. Now the situation was different. Now Akiefa stood between the two siblings and anyone who came into Hijra's love life. A terrible thought came over her. It was a terrible, sinful thought. If I could convince Atem I am over Akiefa, and have set my sights on Malik… he would not even think twice about protecting me from him. I could satisfy my brother, and be with Akiefa. No one will know; no one but Akiefa and I.

The princess turned to Malik and placed her hand lightly onto his chest. She looked at him, her eyes wide and full of longing.

"Hijra, I…" the lavender eyed young man began.

Hijra then moved her hand to place a finger onto his lips. They were soft. They were soft like Akiefa's. She slightly flinched.

"You don't need to say anything, Malik,"

/

Isis dashed onto the palace grounds, passing the guards with ease and carelessness. She needed to arrive at the gardens before it was too late. She had to interfere with what could take place. The vision was no longer a dream. It was becoming increasingly more realistic; undoubtedly foresight. Nothing could distract her from her present goal to reach her brother. Not even that silly young mage.

Set and Mahaado saw Isis sprinting from a short distance. They looked at each other worriedly. The two priests could feel Isis' earnestness from where they were standing.

"It's Malik," said Set, crossing his arms. He clutched the Millennium Rod tightly. "I knew we should have advised her of his arrival."

Mahaado frowned. "Somehow, I think it's more Hijra than Malik," he replied.

"How do you figure?"

"Isis is running like her brother is in danger,"

Set tensed up. He narrowed his eyes. "Do you think Akiefa is on the premises?"

The magician glanced over at his associate. He didn't think it was, but he knew that the high Priest would want to take precautionary action anyway. With a light shrug he responded, "What I think does no matter and you know it. Although our Pharaoh is with Mana currently,"

Set sighed gruffly. "I am sure once we fill the guards in about our suspicion and Isis' panic their meeting will come to a necessary end,"

/

"Prince! Prince, I don't know what I should do…" Mana trailed off, plopping down on one of his couches with an exasperated sigh.

Pharaoh Atem smiled gently and sat next to her.

"You know, Mana, you could try pursuing her," he said.

His childhood friend blushed. "I'm… afraid to," she admitted quietly.

The Pharaoh observed her. Her hands were folded on her lap and her eyes were stuck to the ground. He never knew Mana to be afraid of anything, especially when it came to social situations. She was the first to break a silence with something cheerful to say. She brought liveliness wherever she went.

"Why?" asked Atem, concern striking his tone.

"Priestess Isis is a mature woman. She would never take me seriously. Besides, I only saw her in this light this morning when I went to visit Malik. Something was… different and new,"

Atem chuckled a little. It was rather clear that Mana looked at Isis in a rather admirable way. Maybe it struck her this morning, but everyone else had been seeing it for a long time. He was grateful that she came to him with this.

"You'll be fine. I'll help you,"

Mana gasped, looking up at her friend.

"Prince! No! You don't have to! Especially with everything going on! I don't want to trouble you—"

"Mana, don't be ridiculous. This may help me as well,"

Just then, Priest Set and a few guards burst through the doors of his chamber. Atem's eyes darted toward them. They were filled with worry. Mana stood immediately, frightened at their stern expressions.

"My Pharaoh I beg your pardon," Set began, "but Priestess Isis was seen dashing through the palace grounds rather intensely moments ago. We have reason to believe it may have to do with the Thief Akiefa or the princess."

Atem paled. He cleared his throat and shot Mana an apologetic glance. She was panicking herself.

P-priestess Isis! she thought. Wh-what? Did she have a vision? Oh… oh my…

"Where was she seen running to, Priest Set?" Atem asked in a deep, professional tone.

"The back gardens,"

"Take us there immediately,"

/

Isis' lungs were on fire as she finally approached her destination. Her cerulean eyes spotted the almost-kiss that her brother and Hijra were so very close to completing. They widened with relief and shock all at once. I… I made it.

"MALIK!" she shouted, out of breath.

Hijra and Malik froze.

The sandy-blond boy slightly cringed, aware that lecture upon lecture would be coming from his older sister for days to come. He lowered his head.

"Hello, sister," Malik mumbled flatly.

Isis stood still trying to catch her breath. She couldn't believe she'd made it. Although her haste didn't stop Hijra's plot, it was just stalled for now.

The Princess stood and faced Isis. She brushed off her gown and smiled calmly.

"Good day, Priestess Isis,"

Isis' stared at her. She saw the fire the Princess' eyes, the depression, and the deviousness. She knew that Hijra wasn't an evil being. Some part of Atem's sister did care for her brother, but the love Hijra had for the Thief King was far too strong to recognize right from wrong. From the vision, Isis now knew that the Princess would stop at nothing to successfully be with her soul mate. Part of the Priestess grew angry, but part of her sympathized. She just wished that Malik didn't have to be subjected to this matter.

"I apologize for… interrupting, but I need Malik home right away. We have urgent, important business matters to discuss," Isis said.

Malik's lavender eyes shot toward his older sister, whose own eyes looked deeply phased. He swallowed. Whenever that distant, focused look was displayed on those blue eyes something had been seen. He then looked at Hijra, who seemed completely content about everything. Malik stood, awaiting a response from the object of his affection.

Hijra smile turned warm.

"Of course, Priestess Isis," she began walking past Malik until she was next to Isis.

Their eyes met intensely. Hijra sensed the wariness of her brother's gifted confidant. Isis bowed, not losing eye contact. She needed to read her as much as she could within those moments.

"Have a lovely evening, Isis," Hijra sang deeply as she turned back toward Malik grinning charmingly. "You as well, Malik, darling."

Just as the Princess was about to exit the garden, she was greeted by a handful of officials.

"Hijra,"

She tensed at the voice of her older brother.

Malik quietly made his way over to where his sister was standing. The Ishtar siblings remained silent as they observed the scene before them.

Guards parted to reveal Priest Set, Mahaado, Mana, and the Pharaoh Atem. Mana was feeling incredibly timid and nervous at this particular moment. Glancing at the Priestess only yards away from her only made those feelings stronger.

Hijra folded her arms. "What is it, brother? Why have you brought a party with you?"

"Where is Akiefa?" Atem harshly demanded to know.

The air felt cold as those words were released from his mouth. Sliding off of the Pharaoh's tongue, the Thief King's name sounded like a curse. Hijra clenched her fists.

"Not here," she snapped, gritting her teeth.

Mana felt herself shiver as she heard the tones that lined the siblings' words. She looked over at Isis and Malik. They looked equally uncomfortable. There was clearly no sign of the wanted man. Malik certainly would have done something if he came around. The young woman wondered what Isis acted so hastily about. Something told her this situation should be revolving around the Ishtar family. Stress was obvious on the Priestess' face, and worry was visible on Malik's. Mana frowned. Isis is more beautiful when she smiles… a-ah! With a small sigh, she let herself accept the thought. Her new goal was to ease the burdens the older woman carried. No matter what, Mana longed to see that gentle smile again.

Atem stiffened. He observed the scene, noticing Malik shifting his weight uneasily next to his sister. Although he didn't necessarily approve of his sister having male suitors after her at the current time, it assured him that Akiefa wasn't there. It had been a false alarm.

"Isis," the Pharaoh started, "is something wrong?"

The Priestess widened her cerulean orbs. She couldn't reveal her vision just yet. After all, it was fairly new and she was unsure of how accurate it would be; especially since she just interrupted the original premonition. Now things were to take a different course. Isis had no choice but to wait. She shook her head quickly and bowed.

"No, my Pharaoh. I am very sorry for panicking you. I just have business that Malik and I need to attend to. Urgent business. My sincerest apologies," Isis answered.

Atem nodded, loosening his stance. He shot a glance toward Hijra, who only glared coldly back. He knew a meeting between the two was in order. Losing his only immediate family was his worst fear. He saddened at the thought of his baby sister straying. The thoughts plagued him every day and night.

He released everyone from their duties and sent them to resume what they were originally doing. Mana stayed to try to speak with Isis.

Hijra strode past her brother with no intention of turning around.

"Hijra!" Atem called. "We must talk!"

She stopped short and didn't look back.

"No." was all that came out of her mouth. She continued her walk back into the palace and soon disappeared.

The Pharaoh groaned, molding tight fists.

"My Pharaoh, I am so sorry." Isis said.

He shut his eyes, keeping his composure.

"There is nothing for you to apologize for, Isis. I'm going to try to speak with her. Enjoy the rest of your evening. You as well, Mana and Malik."

With that, Atem turned and he too disappeared back into the palace.

"Sister! What was that all about?-!" Malik exclaimed.

Mana stood and observed silently.

"Malik, I…" Isis began. Her eyes met Mana. This wasn't something she could announce in front of her. Though something inside of the Priestess told her that Mana was someone she could trust. There was a warm, welcoming aura emitting from her. It made Isis want to smile, it did, but at the current time she couldn't bring herself to. Sighing, she finished, "we'll discuss this at home. Come."

Her brother didn't argue. He knew that when Isis experienced visions they were usually of a serious nature. He complied by following her out of the garden.

Mana took this as her chance to finally say something. As Isis was leaving, she quickly ran up behind her and tugged on her dress but pulled her hand away as fast as she had caught up to the Priestess. Isis stopped and turned her head to Mana. A blush appeared on her cheeks. She felt immediately rude.

"I… I'm sorry!" Mana bowed.

Her body tensed up when she felt a hand gently placed atop her head. She looked up through her hair only to see that soft smile once more. It sent butterflies swarming throughout the magician-in-training's body. She shot up straight, causing Isis to take back her hand.

"What for, Mana?" she asked kindly.

Malik smiled to himself, watching from a small distance.

"For grabbing your dress like that! It was incredibly rude!" Mana cried, a little louder than she planned. "Ah! Um! I just wanted to tell you… if ever you need to talk to someone… to, you know, vent; I'm here,"

That wonderful, rare smile stayed. There was no verbal response to what had just been said. The smile was just enough, and Mana knew that. She returned the gesture cheerily, with a little laugh and a rose dusting that spread across her face.

Isis gave Mana a small wave before continuing her leave. She felt immobile, seeing the siblings exit.

Oh gods, she thought. What have I gotten myself into…