Disclaimer: Is Yu-Gi-Oh vaseshipping? Nope. That's evidence enough that I don't own it.

Author's note: This chapter is a good one! I know, I know, I say that about every chapter… but seriously, this chapter is good. It actually introduces the plot for the rest of this and the next continued story: The Return of the Pharaoh! Be excited. I know I am.

Thanks to:

SoulLezZ for adding this fluffy story to their favorite stories list and reviewing! ^o^

Aqua girl 007 again for being a constant reviewer! I know, I didn't think I'd ever see Mahad blush either hehe!

WARNING: FLUFFY CONTENT! (I'm serious!)

A visitor at the gate

Out on a walk, Mana plopped down on the wall of one of the lotus pools, dipping her finger in the water. Atem sat with her, watching her fingertip trace patterns on the surface of the water.

Atem and Mana were the talk of the palace—without their knowledge, of course. It was exclusive news that the Pharaoh had been unofficially courting her for the past three months, and continued to do so every day.

Isis and Mahad were continually shooing and even punishing peepers who wanted a first look at the couple. The two Guardians patrolled the garden outskirts now, behind the pillars. Peepers had finally begun to realize that peeping wasn't such a good idea.

Mahad and Isis, naturally, didn't peep. That would have been hypocrisy.

Mana brought her finger out of the clear blue water fractionally, hiding a grin. She always liked to mess with Atem, and now she had a great idea.

Thinking a spell, she lit the tip of her finger a bright magenta and drew a swirl on the surface of the water, leaving a bright magenta trail behind.

"Very nice, Mana," Atem commented—too innocently.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, suspicious. Still, she continued to doodle swirls and patterns, even going so far as to write 'Atem' in symbols. Whether Atem had caught it or not, Mana wasn't sure, but she blushed enough for him to figure it out if he looked.

Suddenly, Mana's finger caught fire. She cried out in shock and brought it further away from the water, but Atem caught her hand and pushed it back, extinguishing it. He brought it up to study it while Mana pretended to be worried and afraid. Quickly, Atem pecked her finger and smiled, "Nice trick, Mana," he commented.

"Worth a try," she shrugged, "Since when did you get smart? I used to be able to do stuff like that to you all the time!"

"Exactly," Atem agreed, "You did it all the time."

Mana sighed, "I guess it was pretty predictable."

Atem laughed, sticking his hand in the water behind them. "Mana," he said thoughtfully before stopping with a frown.

"What?" Mana urged gently.

He turned those amethyst eyes on her thoughtfully and shook his head, trying to sort his thoughts. Mana scooted closer to him, squeezing the hand she held. "Come on, Atem. You can tell me."

Atem tried to force himself to relax—he just had to go for it. It was now or never. He had to pluck up the courage to just make a move. But for the moment, he postponed it. "You said you were going to tell me what you were thinking about," Atem told her, "That night at the ball, but you never did."

"Oh, that," Mana said, smiling. "Well… I…" she swallowed nervously. Sure, she and Atem had gotten Mahad and Isis to confess their feelings, but hers and his were a completely different matter. It was more complicated than that.

The Mahad and Isis thing had been simple: once Atem had suggested it to Mahad, within the week they were spending all the time in each other's company. The swiftness with which Mahad had acted surprised Mana and Atem, but they were pleased nonetheless.

Mana shook herself. Atem had been back for nearly four months now and they spent their time exclusively in one another's company whenever they could. They held hands sometimes, and it had become their strange practice to kiss one another's cheeks at times—there was no doubt about the fact that they were nearly a couple, and yet she couldn't seem to come out and say it.

"Well, I was…" Mana tried again, "Think about… um…" it came out so that she was mouthing it as she looked down, "Us."

Sometimes Mana was sure Atem could read her mind. Taking her hand, he drew her attention, "Us?" he asked. Their eyes caught again, and Atem moved in closer.

Mana realized that she wasn't breathing. She drew a ragged breath, making her head light. She felt Atem's fingers at her throat, caressing it lightly so her skin tingled. His face touched hers, their lips brushed, and their lips met in a momentary kiss.

"The Pharaoh must come at once!" cried a voice in alarm and horror, pleading with someone.

Mana and Atem looked around, breathing shallowly. "Pharaoh, I apologize—" Mahad said hurriedly, trying to bow. His cheeks were on fire and he was trying with great difficulty not to smile, even given the situation at the gate.

Atem blinked and tried to steady his heartbeat, interrupting Mahad with a dismissive gesture. "What is it, Mahad?"

"It seems there is someone at the gate," Mahad replied quickly, having stood erect. "They…" he took a deep breath, "You had better come see for yourself, my King. It is something I never imagined would happen."

Atem frowned, "Very well." As Mahad drew away to wait, Atem intertwined his fingers with Mana's and stood. Mana obeyed him, catching up to his brisk walk beside Mahad.

Inwardly, she was erratic. Her lips tingled and her heartbeat flew. Not only that, but Atem was holding her hand, making it burn with pleasure. She squeezed his and he looked around, smiling. Mana smiled in return, her thoughts reeling.

At the front gate, they could hear shouting just outside the gate. Angry shouting. "What is going on, Mahad?" Atem demanded.

Mahad handed him a cream cloak, which Atem covered himself in, understanding. He had to disguise himself. Swinging the hook over his head, he took Mana's hand again and followed Mahad to the top guard post.

Looking down the golden wall, they saw a single man standing before the palace, shaking his fist upward and ranting about souls. All around him the people of Egypt had gathered and were demanding that the man stop his words of treason and leave.

"What on in the name of Amun Ra is this?" Atem asked, clearly confused.

"He seems to be protesting, you majesty," a guard told him.

"And he may be drunk," added Shada, who stood to his other side.

"Drunk?" Mana queried, "Protesting? Why?"

Mahad shook his head and waved his staff, murmuring a spell. The man's words came to them clear as day: "Pharaoh! You think you're so high and mighty in your palace, but the Soul Collectors say differently! You have no command over the people of the world! All souls will be freed!" he burped, confirming Shada's guess that he was drunk. "Come down here and fight me if you're no coward! The Soul Collectors rebellion will bring you to your knees!"

Again he burped and actually seemed to giggle, swaying on his feet. Atem shook his head, "What is he babbling about? Soul Collectors rebellion?"

"I do not know, my King," Mahad said, "But it can not be good. I will deal with him for you."

"Your majesty," the man mocked, swaying, "If you're not a coward, show me you're power."

Mahad moved to deal with him, but Atem held out a hand. "No, Mahad," he said, "I will deal with him."

"But Pharaoh—" Shada and Mahad immediately said, only to have Atem cut them off.

"I'm going to have to prove my strength eventually," he told them, "Why not now?"

Still his Guardians seemed hesitant. Mana wasn't sure, but she was leaning in Atem's direction. "I think he's right," she said to Mahad and Shada, "He needs to take this one."

Atem nodded gratefully. The shouting was growing louder below, and it was his job to bring order back to the Spirit World. He tossed the cream cape aside, holding his arm out so that his diadhank appeared on his arm.

Holding it before his face, his baritone voice carried magically to the courtyard below for all to hear:

"Almighty protector of the sun and sky, I beg of thee, please heed my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe. Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win. I beseech thee, bring me aid. But first, I shall—call out thy name!"

The Pharaoh raised his arm and a glare brighter than the sun seemed to come from the Pharaoh himself. All those around shielded their eyes against the light, and the man below fell to his knees in fear. There was a terrifying screech as the Pharaoh cried: "Winged Dragon of Ra!"

The light brightened and above the King the beast appeared. Golden and larger than could be described, the enormous bird's wings were spread. It loomed over the man in the courtyard.

Atem leapt upon the battlements, holding his arm up, "Who are you? You do not belong here, thief. You are a liar and a cheat. I demand that you tell me how you came here."

The man trembled in pure terror. "I-It was the, the Soul Collectors! They brought me here! They freed me!"

"Freed you how?" the King demanded, his anger making him a terrible sight to behold.

The man opened his mouth to confess, but suddenly screamed in pure agony. Slowly, he seemed to melt until he was no more.

Everyone stared in surprise. Glancing at the Pharaoh, the people of Egypt looked to him for an explanation. The Pharaoh lowered his arm, his brow furrowed, and the Winged Dragon of Ra faded from sight. After a moment's thought, he held up his hand for silence and the people obliged.

"My people," he said loudly, "I do not know what the cause of this man's disappearance is, nor of his appearance. What I can tell you is that his soul was dark. There are some of you who will know this, because you can sense it as I can," pausing, he got several nods and continued, "How a dark soul was able to come to this world, I cannot imagine. But do not be alarmed," he assured them, "All will be resolved in time."

The people seemed to be satisfied and nodded, cheering for their king. Atem waved before jumping down from the wall and looking around at his Guardians and soldiers. "We have much to discuss," he said heavily, "It seems we have a problem."

Da da! Plot introduced! I know, it's taken forever but vwa-lah! Liking so far? Review and let me know! ^O^ Or PM me; either one.

And I know the chant for the Winged Dragon of Ra is a little different. I used lines from both the way the Pharaoh says it and the way Marik says it, because it fit my purposes! Well, you know the drill: review!

-Anevay