Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, Inuyasha, or any if their titles therein. No profit was made from this fan fiction. No copyright infringement was intended.

Moi-Moi: I really don't see the point of the disclaimer. What owner would want to come after me? I can barely support myself. What would you get from suing me? I can give you the half-empty pack of gum that I have in my purse…

Warning: This chapter contains graphic scenes containing nudity. For any one uncomfortable with this, please scurry away or something. For all you perverts, go right ahead…

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Atem stalked confidently through the palace corridors. He wasn't sure if Kagome had gone to bed already, but his mind was buzzing wildly. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight unless he spoke to her. He had to confront his inner turmoil. Only Kagome could put his fears to rest.

He arrived at her door before reaching out to knock. His hand hesitated a bit before making contact several times. He waited for her to respond, but when she didn't he reached to open the door. "Kagome?" he questioned, "I need to speak with you." Atem opened the door then and looked around the dark room for Kagome. When he saw her his heart stilled, his body froze, and a shocked gasp left his lips.

There, on her bed, Kagome laid as naked as the day she was born. Atem could clearly hear her moans as the slowly increased in volume. What truly stabbed him deep was the man who mounted her. Fully naked as well, Seto moved his body rhythmically which moved Kagome's below him. Time seemed to slow down for Atem as his throat closed up and a slight gagging noise slipped out.

Seto stopped moving and looked up at him with a devilish smirk. Kagome looked back at him as well before giving Atem an upside-down, annoyed face. "Can you close the door?" Kagome asked snidely. Atem swallowed before leaving the room and closing the door after him. He spent a few moments with his forehead resting on the door before he steeled himself and moved away. In a matter of moments, he had gone from confident, to hurt, to furious, to emotionally shut down.

On the way back to his room, Atem sighed deeply. He had been a fool. It felt like his heart had burned a hole through his chest before heaving itself out of his body and falling to the floor in a heap. He had tried so hard. Had he not tried hard enough? Of the two of them, had Seto always been the better man?

Atem never was one to lose or give up easily, but what could he do? Force Kagome to marry him? She would hate him for that. Even though she had basically spat in his face and told him he was second best, he didn't wish to hurt her. I small part of his heart that still yearned for her wouldn't let him.

"Pharaoh?"

Atem stopped then. He turned slowly to see Kagome's soft face looking at him with her sparkling, doe eyes. She had a small smile on her face as she stopped in front of him. Atem glared at her before speaking, "Have you come to torture me further?"

"What do you mean? You left so quickly I didn't have a chance to speak with you. I wanted to ask if you were alright?" Kagome asked and reached out for his hand. As if she were more poisonous than a cobra, Atem pulled away from her harshly. Kagome withdrew her hand and stared at him confused.

"Do not touch me, peasant. I have no use for another man's whore. I will no longer be your muse. Leave me. I want nothing more to do with you," he says. His tone was so cruel and cold, Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine. His intense glare made the room feel ten times colder and gave her goose bumps.

"What? Whore? I-I don't understand," Kagome says brokenly. Kagome blinked her eyes to disperse the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Do not toy with me. You have taken me for a fool, but no longer. Count yourself lucky I do not have you removed from the palace," Atem continues. Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but Atem had already turned to leave.

The way he had spoken to her, it was if she was a common peasant or worse. She had thought that she meant more to him than that. But apparently, she was another man's whore. She had told him that she cared for a man, but even then he had stayed with her. What had changed?

Backing away slowly, Kagome wiped her eyes before going to her room. She should have known. He was only using her. He must have found some other woman to court. 'It was nice while it lasted.'

~:~

Aknadin walked away from Kagome's room before anyone could spot him. His plan had worked out better than he had hoped. Aknadin was sure that his dark magic would get through to the young Pharaoh. The pharaoh had taken the bait perfectly and had even dealt with Kagome.

He chuckled darkly to himself before heading to his chambers. Now, all he needed was for Seto to truly begin courting the broken-hearted girl. Once she was his, Seto's rise to the throne would be much easier. That is, after the Pharaoh was dealt with...

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Over the next few days, Kagome had made every attempt to avoid the Pharaoh at all costs. Every time she pictured that night, her heart would break a little more. Even though all she wanted to do was hole herself up in her room, she did have responsibilities. As a result from the pharaoh's spurn of her affections, Kagome was even more determined than ever to master her magic. The faster she did, the faster she could get out of the palace and out of the pharaoh's life.

She thanked the gods Mana was being patient with her and didn't press the issue. She had just allowed Kagome to cry and hadn't left her side except to bring her food or water. That was about to change, however. "Kagome, I don't think I can do this anymore. You have to talk to me Kagome. Tell me what happened. Please," Mana pleads with her friend. Seeing Kagome so hurt made Mana's heart clench.

"I don't want to talk about it," Kagome says and turns away in her bed to face the wall. Mana pouts before grabbing Kagome's shoulder and turning her back over. Kagome stared up at Mana, shocked, before sitting up. Mana gave Kagome a pleading and encouraging look. Kagome sighed, relenting. "He hurt me, Mana. I thought he cared for me, but I was only fooling myself."

"Who?" Mana asks. "You can't mean the Pharaoh." At Kagome's affirmative nod, Mana goes on. "Kagome, Pharaoh does care for you. Anyone can tell. I don't know what happened, but he wouldn't hate you or use you. He's better than that."

Kagome gave Mana an unsure look. Mana had been friends with the pharaoh for years, she should know what she's talking about. "He called me a whore, Mana. He said that he wants nothing more to do with me. I really want to believe you, but it's so hard," Kagome says.

Mana swallowed and held her head down. Mana let out a despaired sigh. She wasn't going to give up yet. If the roles were reversed, Kagome wouldn't give up on her. "Alright, Kagome. You don't have to talk to the Pharaoh. But, promise me you won't spend all day in your room," Mana pleads. Kagome looks into Mana's eyes then. Mana had the desperate, pleading look. Kagome suddenly felt terrible. This must have been hard on Mana. Here she was, acting selfishly and not even caring about Mana or anyone else. She would have to put away her feelings, for Mana.

"Alright. You're right, Mana. Let's go out right now. I feel like cooling down. Let's go to the Nile," Kagome says with a small smile. Her smile grows when Mana flashes a brilliant smile her way and takes her hand. Mana cheers before pulling her friend out of her room and running with her. Kagome held a small smile in place while trying o keep up with Mana's strides.

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Atem overlooked the courtyard silently with an unreadable expression. The young king had spent his last few days distancing himself from everyone. He always spoke in short, clipped sentences and never broke in his firm resolve. He could not let anyone see him this way. He saved his morning and hurt for when he was in private. Even then, he did not like to show just how much Kagome's betrayal had hurt him. What had hurt even more was that she truly didn't seem to think that what she had done was wrong. She stilled smiled that carefree smile of hers.

When the sound of feminine laughter drifted up to his ears, Atem looked below him. He spotted Priest Seto walking with Kisara on his arm. His eyes narrowed at the priest. Why wasn't he with Kagome? Atem had figured that the priest would be more than happy to rub his happiness in his face. Had he deserted Kagome? Atem scoffed at the thought. He wanted to say that she deserved it. He wanted to spite her. But, he couldn't. That portion of his heart that yearned for Kagome had continuously been interfering. Sighing deeply, Atem retreated back into the palace.

"My king, we have just received word that the ruler of the kingdom of Sekushī wishes visit the palace. What is your reply?" Shimon asks carefully. His king had not been in a good mood as of late. The last thing the vizier wanted to do was put his foot in his mouth. It truly might be the last thing he did…

"Tell him he is welcome whenever he is ready," Atem waves off. He leaves Shimon without another word. Shimon exhales relieved before heading off to do his king's wishes. He was safe for now.

~:~

Mana was pleased with herself. She had gotten Kagome out of her room and nearly back to her old self. She could tell that Kagome was still hurting, but she was trying. Mana had tried speaking with the pharaoh, but he was much more stubborn than Kagome. Mana had tried to think of the best way to get the two happily back together, but everything she thought of had a down side.

She could make the pharaoh believe that Kagome was seeing a man in the city. But, that would only anger him further and get Kagome in trouble. She could tell Kagome that the pharaoh had taken interest in another woman, but would only upset Kagome back into her room. She could tell the pharaoh that Kagome was sorry, but he wouldn't want to hear it. He'd only want to hear an apology from Kagome herself. But, Kagome didn't want anything to do with the pharaoh. The pharaoh wouldn't go apologize either. He truly believed that Kagome was to come to him. Mana was at a loss.

"Mana, duck!" Kagome called out. Mana's eyes widened before she grabbed her hat and crouched down. The magic blast Kagome had fired zoomed over her head before continuing on and dispersing into the air. Kagome sighed sadly before tossing down her wand.

"What's wrong with me? I can barely control my magic anymore," Kagome complained. Mahad approached his apprentice and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He had grown quite fond of Kagome in these last few months. He thought of her as a little sister and it troubled him to see her so upset.

"Maybe something is interfering with your source. Can you think of anything that has upset you recently?" Mahad tries. He knew that Kagome would be having problems with her Heka. Her source was her heart. Ever since this muck with the pharaoh had started, Kagome's feelings and emotions had been thrown out of whack. Until she reconciled properly with the pharaoh, her magic would continue to suffer.

Kagome sighed. She picked up her wand again and tried to concentrate. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes. But, once she tapped into her source, the endless amount of Heka that met her was wild. It was like a tumultuous ocean of restlessness. Usually, it was so calm and peaceful lake.

"Watch out!" Mana called out. Kagome opened her eyes in fear. She watched as her magic blast headed farther away from her and towards a group of people. She gulped when she noticed that the group consisted of Shimon, an unknown man, and the pharaoh. The blast nearly hit the pharaoh, but he moved out of the way in time. The man next to him was not as lucky. Kagome gasped lightly and rushed over to them. 'Please don't be hurt.'

~:~

Atem had stood at the palace entrance with Shimon and some guard flanking him. Their guest was due to arrived today and he had to be there to greet him. His name was Otogi. He was slightly older than the Pharaoh and had travelled from his nearby kingdom. Atem scoffed to himself. His father had often debated with himself whether or not it was beneficial to attack and conquer the tiny kingdom.

A horse drawn carriage had pulled up after some time, as it kicked up dust and pebbles behind it. The guards closed the large, palace doors behind it as it came to a stop. The driver opened the door with a low bow before backing away. Atem approached the carriage to see his governor step out and smile at him. "It is both an honor and a pleasure to meet you, Pharaoh," Otogi says and bows. He may not have to follow the law of Egypt, but he didn't want to get off on the wrong foot with this king. Atem gestures for him to stand and nods once.

"Please, the pleasure is all mine, Otogi. Come inside. You shall be able to settle in before receiving the grand tour," Atem says with a half-smile. Otogi smiles and follows him into the palace. Shimon followed after them with a sigh. Now was not the time to be entertaining guests…

Atem had tried to seem interested in Otogi's banter, but his mind was far away. He couldn't seem to focus. Once they started to near the courtyard where Mahad would be having his lessons, Atem hoped to pass by without any trouble. The last thing he needed was to run into Kagome while she was armed. He was somewhat sure she wouldn't attack him, but he would rather be on the safe side. She did let her temper get the best of her sometimes. However, Otogi had insisted on going outside. As soon as they had walked outside, Atem had noticed Kagome working on her magic. He hadn't seen her in so long, that he couldn't help stop and stare.

"Watch out!" Mana had cried out. Atem's eyes widened as he ducked out of the way. If he hadn't been watching Kagome, he was sure that he would have gotten hit with that blast. He heard footsteps approaching them before seeing Kagome zip past him and down to where Otogi laid on the ground.

"Are you alright? You're not hurt are you?" Kagome frantically asked. Atem felt himself go green with envy at the way Kagome touched Otogi. She seemed to be innocently checking him over, but that didn't stop the growing jealousy within him.

Otogi groaned before opening his eyes. He blinked to get the sun out of his eyes before his vision cleared. When it did, he looked up into the clear blue eyes and soft face of a young woman. "I'm…fine," he says and sits up. Atem waited for her to back off, but when she continued to help him up he rolled his eyes.

"I'm really sorry about that. I thought I had it under control," Kagome says. Atem watches as Otogi smirk at her before dusting himself off.

"It's perfectly fine. It didn't hurt, I promise. Tell me. What is your name?" he asks and continues to give her that sly smirk of his. Atem could only watch silently with the others as Kagome answered him.

"My name is Kagome."

"Well Kagome, it is definitely a pleasure to meet you. My name is Otogi," Otogi says and takes her smaller hand in his. Kagome watches with pink cheeks as he places a kiss on her hand. Hadn't she just painfully knocked him to the ground with that last blast? Did he hit his head or something?

"Thank you, but we should get back to our lessons," Mahad says and narrows his eyes at Otogi. He places his hands on Kagome's shoulders before leading her away. Mana follows after them with an eyebrow raised. 'That was weird.'

Atem couldn't help, but notice the way Otogi's eyes never seemed to leave Kagome even as Mahad led her away. (He would have to thank him later for that.) Atem could decipher that look anywhere. It was the look of a man in lust.

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Moi-Moi: God, I love this story… I am in such an elated mood right now. My most favorite-est story "Fragmented fate" by punkish furball was updated today! That story's so good that one update's got me feeling like I'm on top of the world…. I'm gonna hate it when it's over… :( You'd know how I felt if you read it. If you didn't, go now… I mean it. Go. I'll wait until you get back… ;)

Review! ^.^

Edited: 6/19/12