Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, Inuyasha, or any of their titles therein. This is a nonprofit fan fiction. No copyright infringement was intended.

Moi-Moi: Thanks everyone for your reviews and adding me & this story to your 'Favorite Author', 'Author Alert', 'Favorite Story', and 'Story Alert' lists. It means a lot to know you guys like it so much. I gotta share the limelight though. Just some story recommendations:

"Prints" by yulie1022 is an amazing read if you want to read Inuyasha/Kagome. It's not completed, but it's got six chapters so far. The descriptions in it are amazing. It's one of those rare stories I would stay up until 2 in the morning reading. It's that good, I couldn't leave it alone.

"Fragmented Fate" by punkish furball is amazing as well (if you want another Inuyasha/Yu-Gi-Oh! crossover). A lot of people know about this one already. I have no doubt that many of you are sitting there going, "I read that one already." Congrats to you. For those of you who haven't, shame on you.

Last, but not least, "The Young Priestess" by Marik's girl is really good. It's another Inuyasha/Yu-Gi-Oh! crossover with Atem/Kagome as the pairing. Read it, love it, favorite it. It's not completed either and it's got two chapters. But, I'm sure that some support will encourage Marik's girl into getting out more. ;P

~:~

"What did she say?" Isis asks Mahad with a sly smile. Mahad smirks at her before taking a seat in one of the vacant chairs in Isis's room. Isis sits in a chair across from him and waits for a response.

"It's not like you don't already know. Mana believes that it is her birthday and she told the pharaoh, along with Otogi," Mahad says with a sly smile to match Isis's.

"Perfect. I don't need the Millennium Necklace to tell me that Pharaoh will make his move tomorrow. It's unfortunate that we had to meddle in Pharaoh's private affairs, but this is for his own good, I am afraid. Sometimes love needs a push. Especially, if it's in the hands of the youth," Isis says and fingers her necklace.

"You speak as though you are a wise, old maid," Mahad teases.

"Being able to look into the future gives you an exceptional amount of wisdom and insight, Mahad. I might as well be an old maid," Isis jokes with a smile. Mahad lets out a chuckle and smiles in return. Suddenly, his demeanor changes and he clears his throat.

"I'm afraid this is where you take over, Isis. You are a female, like Mana. You should know what she would want at her party," Mahad says and stands to leave.

"Mahad, you are leaving me alone with this task. Or have you forgotten that Mana is your student and expects you to plan her impromptu party?" Isis asks knowingly with a raised eyebrow. Mahad freezes in place before sighing. He was so close.

~:~

Mana opens the door to Kagome's room before entering loudly. "Surprise!" Mana yells and startles the only other occupant in the room. Kagome shrieks before falling off her bed with a thud. Mana stares down at her with a confused look before speaking, "Kagome what are you doing on the ground?"

"You just scared me! That's why!" Kagome glares before climbing back up. She sits on her bed, folds her arms, and gives Mana a hard and unpleased glare.

Mana seems unfazed by this and continues, "Whoops. Sorry, Kagome. I only came to let you know how to yell when I walk in the room tomorrow."

Momentarily putting aside her ire, Kagome asks, "What's tomorrow? What are you talking about?"

"Not you too! Did everyone forget my birthday! I suppose I can forgive you," Mana says hangs her head. She plops down on the bed next to Kagome before laying on her back.

"It's your birthday? I thought your birthday wasn't for three months," Kagome says and stares at Mana confusedly. Mana blinks up at her before shaking her head.

"I thought so too," Mana starts, "but Master Mahad told me it was today. He's throwing me a party tomorrow to make up for missing it. But it's a surprise so just pretend I didn't tell you."

"Mana, how can you have a surprise party if you go around telling everyone about it?" Kagome asks with a smile. Mana blinks twice before opening and closing her mouth.

"I can still act surprised! Don't worry, Kagome! Just make sure to get me something nice and dress pretty for the party. I'll see you later. I have to work on my 'surprised face'," Mana says and stands quickly. She gives Kagome another smile before leaving the room. Kagome sighs slowly and shakes her head. Mana was something else.

Kagome then looked around her bed for the spell book she was reading that Mana had made her drop. Not seeing it on the bed, she looked on the floor. "There you are," she says softly and reaches for the book under her bed. She hears a soft rap at the door and looks back at it. Placing the book on her bed, she went to it. "Yes?" Kagome asks and opens the door.

"Hello, Kagome. I was wondering if I could ask you something?" Otogi asks with his most charming smile. Kagome nervously laughed before nodding. She should have known that she couldn't escape Otogi forever. "May I come in?"

"Sure," Kagome says and moves to the side. Otogi steps in and Kagome shuts the door behind him. She wondered what Otogi wished to ask her…

~:~

Atem confidently walked down the corridors and staircases towards Kagome's room. He had to move quickly before Otogi got to her. He would not allow her to escort Otogi to Mana's party. Even if he had to forbid the party and banish Otogi from Egypt, he would do it to keep him away from Kagome. Atem hated to say it, but if he could not have Kagome, no man could. His fists clenched with determination and his eyes narrowed.

Atem heard the sound of happy humming and slowed. Just then, Mana rounded a corner and nearly bumped into him. She stopped in her humming and let out a relieved sigh. "You frightened me, Pharaoh. Have you already picked out what you are getting me?" Mana asks.

"Mana, it has only been an hour since you told me about your birthday," Atem replies dryly. Mana sweat drops and rubs the back of her neck with a smile.

"What can I say? I'm excited," Mana says. Her demeanor changes then and she gives Atem a curious look. She points to him and asks, "Where are you headed, Pharaoh? Are you going to see Kagome, too?"

Atem furrows his eyebrows then. "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"You may want to wait a while. When I left, Otogi was going in to see her. He was acting strange though," Mana trails off. Atem walks around Mana without another word. He should have known that Otogi would have gone straight to Kagome. "Pharaoh!" Mana calls after him. She pouts before walking away. Why was everyone acting so strangely?

Atem rushed down the staircases as quickly as he could. It occurred to him that Otogi could be charming Kagome at that very moment. He sped up, taking the steps two at a time. What would he do? Burst in on them? What if Kagome spurned him again? He wouldn't let her. He had allowed her to slip away from him once. He would not- could not- allow it a second time. It didn't matter if he had to smack the sense into her. He would make her see just how much he loved her and how much he knew she loved him.

Atem stopped when he got to the second to last step. Otogi had appeared out of nowhere with his head hung low. Atem felt his heart rate pick up again in surprise before slowing down. Otogi looked up then with a shocked look. "Pharaoh, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same, Otogi," Atem says and stands tall above the king.

"I just came from Kagome's chambers. I asked her to be my escort to tomorrow's party. I think it went rather well. I wouldn't disturb her now if I were you," Otogi says, now with a smirk. He moves up to the step Atem stood at and looked down at him. "She seemed tired out after I left her," Otogi says and dusts some imaginary dirt off his sleeve. He gives Atem a devious smile before walking up the staircase.

Atem grit his teeth and continued down the stairs. He felt his anger and jealousy boil over in his veins as his fists clenched and unclenched. He tried desperately to reign in his emotions. He wouldn't believe what Otogi had implied. He knew Kagome better than that. Besides, someone like Kagome wouldn't lower themselves to do such lewd things with a snake like Otogi. Once he arrived at her door, Atem retrained himself from banging down the door. He knocked civilly and waited. Atem could hear a loud groan before the door opened sharply.

"Look, Otogi-" Kagome snapped. She froze and her eyes widened. The last person she expected to see stood on the other side of the door. She gripped the door before shutting it quickly. She rested her back on the door and felt her heart rate speed up. 'The pharaoh? What's he doing here!'

"Kagome, open the door. I must speak with you," Kagome heard him plead through the door.

Kagome felt her anger rise up then. Now, he wished to speak with her? She turned at glared at the door, hoping it would go through and melt the Pharaoh where he stood. "I thought I was a whore and a peasant that you didn't want anything to do with. Weren't those your exact words?" Kagome snapped.

"Kagome, please. This is important. I understand what I said was wrong, but I wish to correct it," he continues. Kagome folds her arms and continues to glare. She stops when she realizes the pharaoh can't see her and looks down at her feet instead. Nearly every fiber of her being told her to open the door, latch onto him in a hug, and never let go. But, there's was that nagging part of her that held her back. "If you won't open the door, I will still say it.

"I understand that my words hurt you. I reacted harshly to what happened. I let my anger and jealousy get the best of me and I regret it now more than ever. I've tried so hard to hate you, but I cannot. It's impossible to hate the one you love. Now, I am begging for your forgiveness, Kagome. I would get on my knees and do so if you wished. There aren't enough words to express the amount of remorse I feel. I'm sorry it took Otogi showing interest for me to realize this," Atem says, muffled by the door.

Even with the door in the way, Kagome could hear him perfectly. With each word, it felt like something nasty was being ripped away at her. At the end, even with so much confusion on her mind, all that was left was a fresh heart ready to love again. She held back a sob and swallowed loudly. She wiped furiously at her cheeks and eyes and a sniffle slipped out while her guard was down. With a shaky hand, she opened her door.

Atem waited impatiently for some time after he spoke. Would she laugh at him? He thought of leaving then. He knew that if she did not accept him, it just might kill him. He took a step back. He could feel the pang of tears starting to gather, but he held them back. He would not cry for her, at least not in public. Then, she opened the door.

Even with tears flowing down her face and a slightly red nose, Atem relished in the sight of her. It seemed like a lifetime since he had really seen her. He opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped. She immediately latched onto him tightly and began to sob into his tunic. Slowly, he returned the embrace with a small, sincere smile. It was amazing. In that instant, he no longer felt cold and alone. It was as if her hug alone warmed him entirely and refreshed him all at once.

"Even though I don't understand why, you shouldn't be jealous. I don't have any feelings for Otogi," Kagome said softly. Slowly, her sniffles stopped. She pulled away from him before wiping her eyes again.

"I know you don't," Atem says and helps her wiped her eyes with the pads of his thumbs. He gives her a small, encouraging smile and stares into her blue eyes.

"Then why were you jealous?" Kagome asks him softly.

"How could I not be? I saw you with Seto," he said and looked away from her then. He did not wish for her to see the look on his face. He knew that it would not be a pleasant sight.

"Oh… I guess you know his secret then. I told him I wouldn't tell anyone and I didn't. It would have hurt his pride if anyone found out that he needed help talking to Kisara," Kagome says and bites her lip. Atem looks up at her in shock.

"What? I'm not talking about Seto and Kisara. I'm talking about you two. I saw you with him that night in your room," Atem says and gives her a hurt look. He didn't care that he fully displayed what he was feeling. It didn't seem to matter now.

Kagome furrows her eyebrows at him. "Seto's never been in my room. I don't think he even comes down to this part of the palace."

Atem stared at Kagome confused. He could see noting but truth in her eyes and hear the sincerity in her voice. But, what he had seen with his eyes…

"My king! I've found you! I have been looking everywhere," Seto says and runs towards the two. He barely acknowledges Kagome before looking to Atem. "My king, Aknadin has disappeared. He has taken the Millennium Eye and vanished. I have already sent the guards on a search."

Atem looked to Kagome once before giving Seto his full attention. "What brought this on?" Atem asks. What was going on here? This was too much. Atem sensed something was wrong somewhere. Seto swallowed and took a deep breath before telling his story…

~Flashback~

Seto closed the door behind him as he left Kisara's chambers. He adjusted his robes before starting the walk towards his own chambers. Suddenly, he heard someone calling after him. "Seto! I must speak with you at once!"

Seto turned to see Aknadin stalking towards him with a displeased look. "What is it Aknadin?" Seto asks.

"Were you in that girl's chambers? The girl that the guards picked up from the streets?" Aknadin questioned.

"I am not sure if that is your business, Aknadin. But, yes. I was," Seto replies, now suspicious. He folds his arms and glares down at Aknadin with a guarded look. What was Aknadin getting at?

"Why do you continue to associate yourself with the woman? I thought you had taken an interest in Kagome. You are to be with Kagome. Don't you see, Seto? With Kagome on your arm, it will make your rise to the throne all the more glorious!" Aknadin exclaims.

Seto gives him a strange look and steps away. "What are you saying Aknadin? There is already a pharaoh who rules! How can I be Pharaoh? And with Kagome no less. I have no interest in Kagome nor in being Pharaoh."

"But, you must! I have always wanted this for you! You will become the new ruler of all Egypt! Even if I must kill Pharaoh myself to do it! You will be next of kin! You are my son, Seto! Take the place of your cousin! Become Pharaoh!" Aknadin exclaims and grabs onto Seto's arm frantically. Seto withdraws from him and backs away.

"Guards! Come quickly! Apprehend him!" Seto exclaims. Aknadin scowls at Seto before shaking his head. Once the palace guards start to close in, Aknadin gives Seto one last look.

"I will return for you Seto. I will return to finish what I started. And THEN you shall sit on the throne," Aknadin says before vanishing in a puff of black smoke. The smoke formed a perfect, black sphere before exploding through the corridors. Everyone present was thrown back with great force. Only Seto was able to crawl away and not be knocked unconscious. He had to alert the Pharaoh…

~End Flashback~

Atem felt his anger grow within him. His mind went into overdrive as every puzzle piece fell into place. It was not Kagome and Seto… Aknadin had deceived him. Aknadin wished to kill him and have Seto become King. The only traitor in the palace was one of his most trusted priests. Atem tried to keep his composure even though he felt like lashing out. He had been made a fool of for so long! How could he have not known! Suddenly, he felt a pressure on his shoulder. He turned to see Kagome giving him a worried look. Instantly, an impressive amount of anger dissipated from his being. "Seto, gather as many guards as you can for your search," Atem says as calmly as he can.

"Don't you think it would be wise to have some here as well? Aknadin made a threat on your life. You'll need protection as well," Kagome suggests.

"For once, she is right Pharaoh," Seto says. Kagome rolls her eyes. She wouldn't even acknowledge him.

"Fine. Go, Seto. I am placing my trust in you. But, I want him found," Atem says.

"Yes, my king," Seto says and bows. He leaves at once with his head held high. He had an important duty to carry out. He would not fail Pharaoh. Atem watched him go, itching to go with him. He wanted to track down Aknadin himself.

"I think you should get some rest," Kagome voices quietly, reading his thoughts. Atem looks to her and stares at her. Kagome stares back quietly. She allowed him to stare at her, patiently awaiting his assessment.

It was in his best interest to go back to his room and sleep. But what if Aknadin chose to strike him down then? Perhaps he would sleep in a different room. "If you are afraid, I will walk you back to your room," Kagome smiles. She wills her wand to her and takes the pharaoh's hand. He smirks at her and disregards her jab at his pride. He would let it slide just this time.

"Very well then. You can show me just how much your magic has improved. I feel I haven't been keeping up with your progress," he says. Kagome smiles brightly and moves closer to him. Slowly, to keep their walk from ending too quickly, they moved in sync away to wherever they pleased.

~:~

Moi-Moi: WHOO! I am… DRAINED! This calls for some yogurt and a nap.

Kagome & Atem: Review!

Edited: 6/03/12