Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not Yu-Gi-Oh!, Inuyasha, or any titles therein.
Moi-Moi: Hey guys! This is going by quickly. Hmmm. Maybe I should slow down with the updates? What do you guys think? *holds up hand puppet of random fan*
Fan: I think you should! Go slow! Don't update for months at a time!
Moi-Moi: That's an excellent idea Random Fan! ^.^
Actual Fans (all two of them): -_-'
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Mahad waited patiently on the balcony, overlooking all of Egypt that he could see. The sun was high in the cloudless sky and a pleasant breeze was blowing. Mahad had seen neither of his students today and could only hope that they were faithfully studying. He was sure that Kagome would be trying, but Mana was another case. Hopefully, Mana wouldn't convince Kagome to take a day off from her studies.
"Mahad, you called for me?" Isis asks and approaches Mahad. She watches his back and waits for him to speak before standing next to him.
"Isis, I must request a favor of you. Please look into Kagome's future for me. You do not have to look too far, only the next few months," Mahad says to Isis while looking her in the eyes.
"Is there something wrong with Kagome?" Isis asks, worried. She makes a move as if she were about to go search for the girl, but Mahad grabbed her wrist to hold her back.
"No, she is perfectly fine. I only asked you to look into her future because you cannot look into the Pharaoh's future," Mahad says and releases his hold on Isis. Isis nods her head in understanding.
"It sounds like you are trying to meddle, Mahad," Isis teases before positioning her hands around her Millennium necklace. She closes her eyes as the necklace glows brightly. Isis looks only a few months into Kagome's future. She watches the vision bit by bit before opening her eyes and lowering her head in thought.
"What did you see?" Mahad asks, only slightly impatient.
"It is a troublesome future Mahad. Poor Kagome," Isis says silently. Mahad sighs before closing his eyes in prayer. He did not know what Isis had seen, but he prayed that he could be able to change it for the better.
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"Aknadin, may I have a word with you?" Seto asks and approaches Aknadin with his Millennium Rod clutched tightly in his fist. Aknadin turns to Seto before nodding once. He waited patiently for Seto to speak up. Seto stopped in front of him, his face fixed in a scowl.
"What troubles you, Seto?" Aknadin questions.
"Priest Mahad seems to be slipping in his duties. Don't you think so? I have noticed an increase in the crime rate and break-ins here at the palace. I have spoken to him about it. He claims that evil in on the rise and that he cannot sense every new criminal that appears," Seto says.
"What do you propose, Seto?" Aknadin asks.
"I propose that we take Egypt's safety into our own hands. I only require the Pharaoh's permission to search the city for evil spirits lurking about. We could purge the city of its evil and restore Egypt to its former glory," Seto proclaims with a malevolent grin.
"Why do you come to me with this plan, Seto?" Aknadin asks, curious.
"You are the only one I can trust, Aknadin. The other priests would not understand. They would only misinterpret and influence the Pharaoh before I can plead my case," Seto speaks with a forlorn look. He looks away from Aknadin with melancholy. Aknadin rests his hand on Seto's shoulder, causing Seto to look at him. Aknadin nods once before leading back inside the palace and towards the Pharaoh.
~:~
'I can do this. I know it.'
Kagome breathed deeply before focusing again. She was trying to perform a very complicated spell that required great concentration and power. Pointing her wand, Kagome fired her spell at the frog that sat on a nearby rock. It lit up before changing form and transforming into a dark brown hawk. Smiling widely, Kagome clapped her hands once. Before the hawk could fly away, she turned it back to a frog.
"I'm getting good," Kagome says to herself with pride. She cleaned some imaginary dirt off of her wand before admiring its shine.
"You sound rather cocky if you asked me." Kagome froze up before feeling irritation set in. Sheshe turned on her heel to glare at Priest Seto. He had his arms crossing crossed and was staring at her with an amused and teasing look.
"Well, I didn't ask you, Seto," Kagome snaps before looking away. Seto scoffs once at her. He had to admit, Kagome had seemed to be progressing well. He had been keeping a watch on her, just in case she had let her old thieving ways resurface. She seemed to be well-trusted here at the palace, but he didn't want to let his guard down too quickly.
"I have to admit, you are quite unpredictable. I assumed you would have tried to make off with as much riches as you could carry and left the palace by now," Seto says. He moves closer and Kagome moves away in response.
"You assumed wrong. I'm not going anywhere. You can count on that, Seto. Sorry to ruin your fantasy. I know how much you dislike my presence," Kagome says while folding her arms. She smirks at Seto before turning up her nose at him.
"It's such a shame. You are quite the beauty. You would have many suitors if it weren't for that horrid attitude of yours. What man would want such a child as a wife?" Seto taunts. Kagome clenches her fists at her sides before letting out a low growl. She glares up at Seto's smug face in pure rage. "I suppose you are useful for something. You are fun to rouse."
"You…you pig!" Kagome exclaimed and gripped her wand. She shoved the end in Seto's face quickly, catching him off guard. Seto stared down at the petite girl, daring her to do what they both knew she wanted to do. "I could do it, you know. But, you're not worth my time or effort."
"Keep telling yourself that, Kagome," Seto says. Kagome growls again before stomping away from the priest. Why did he always have to choose the wrong time to approach her? What's worse, he always had some smart remark for her. The nerve of him! Kagome walked back inside the palace and continued down the path back to her room. Kagome could hear some laughter from around the corner, but didn't stop. She continued to stomp angrily while muttering unintelligible things.
"Kagome, where are you going?" Mana asks when she notices Kagome stalking towards her and Atem. They both stop to see the raven haired girl approach them with irritation, anger, and upset clear on her face. "What happened to you?"
"Seto happened. One of these days, I'll throw him in the Nile myself! He better watch ithimself," Kagome threatens before leaving the two confused and silent.
"Um, okay?" Mana asks and looks at Atem. He shrugs at her, not able to explain. Moments later, Priest Seto came rounding the corner with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Seto, what did you say to Kagome? She seemed quite upset," Atem questions his priest.
"I only told her that she was a beautiful young lady, my king. She must have taken it the wrong way," Seto says before leaving. Even more confused than before, Mana scratches her head hopelessly. Atem narrows his eyes at Seto's back. Since when has Seto taken an interest in Kagome? This deserved some investigating.
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Aknadin folded his arms and knitted his eyebrows in thought. He stood at one of the many balconies of the palace that overlooked the courtyard. He had been originally standing alone to think on the many different things in his life; his duties, his life, and his son.
After some time, the young woman, Kagome, had come out onto the courtyard alone. He had spared only a short glance before looking away, disinterested. It was when she started to perform her magic did he look back.
Kagome moved around the courtyard with her levitating book, trying out different spells. He watched as she would fail, only to get back up and try again. The girl was persistent. He would give her that much.
Aknadin knew quite a bit about magic and sorcery. It was when Kagome started much more advanced magic did her focus on her. She did the spells as if they were child's play.
She moved gracefully and blithely around with her magic. Although she had only just started, she was very powerful. Aknadin could tell that she had great potential to be an extremely powerful priestess. She would be perfect for his son, Seto. Aknadin had always wanted the best for his son. What better than to be Pharaoh and with a powerful woman like Kagome at his side? With a conniving smirk, Aknadin slipped back inside the palace.
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Atem paced in his room slowly, deep in thought. The way Seto had acted today had him perplexed. Seto could not be interested in Kagome. He had never shown any interest before. Kagome had never shown any interest in Seto either. Seto could not be the man Kagome cares for. Even if he was, would Kagome really choose Seto over him?
Atem sat on his bed, placed his elbows on his knees, and rested his head on his clasped hands in thought. Seto was a High Priest. He could provide well for Kagome, albeit not a well as a Pharaoh could. But there was one thing Seto could give Kagome that he could not. A Pharaoh could not marry a woman not of high class.
There was that separation of the classes again. Atem truly did not understand it. They all had the same flesh and blood. If one's status decided his fate, he'd rather not have the throne. But, he was Pharaoh. He was the morning and evening star; the embodiment of the gods on Earth. If he wished for the separation of classes to done away with, surely it could be done?
Without the separation, Seto would not have the advantage. Even if he were not Kagome's lover, Atem did not wish to take chances. It's better to eliminate the competition early. That way, he wouldn't have to fight anyone for his prize later on.
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Moi-Moi: There you go! How do you like it? I always ask that question. This is getting complex. Hm. I'd hate to be Kagome right now.
Mana: Me too. I feel kinda bad for her. I wonder if there's a spell that could help?
Moi-Moi: Hey! Get outta here! You have to be in the scene for the next chapter!
Mana: Geesh, I'm going!
Moi-Moi: Review please! ^.^ (Or else my Panda army will come after you and all the bread and bamboo in your fridge!)
Edited: 6/16/12