Disclaimer: Do I own Yugioh… you could probably answer that yourself, huh?

Author's note: goodness. Ready for another chapter?

Anonymous reviewer me: Thank you! XD I'm so glad you're still reading and enjoying it.

Fanficfan: good ideas! Thanks for the review and I hope you keep reading.

Aqua girl 007: you totally got to the core of it, haha!

Princess atemma: Thank you very much! It makes my writing worth while! Good ideas, thanks!

Well, that's it for the responses/thanks, so, here's that intense chapter I promised you!

Discussions

Atem, Mana, Mahad, Seto, Isis, Aknamkanon, Karim and Shada sat in a long, lavishly furnished living space, discussing the past events and the meeting with the Court of Kings.

"I want to help," Atem was saying. "I want to find these Soul Collectors."

"It's too dangerous, Pharaoh," said a voice. Shimon. Of course. "The Guardians can handle that. You stay inside the palace." He had just entered and now sat with his hands clasped before him. He knew the exasperated look on Atem face and continued: "If you were to leave the Palace while these 'Soul Collectors' were about, who's to say they wouldn't 'collect your soul,' as it were?"

Atem's spine snapped straight as he sat forward, a look of realization on his face. Mahad had the same reaction, suddenly straightening where he sat, as if a rod had been shoved down his robes.

"Of course!" Atem exclaimed, leaping to his feet and looking out the window. "That's it, Shimon!"

Mana, who had been sitting beside him, watched him with growing alarm. The fact that he was Pharaoh and the duties that it enrolled would always consume him. They captured him and held him in their grasp, so that when a matter was brought to his attention, it was all he could think about. Even when he was with her, Mana knew he was thinking about it. It was his secret pharaoh-mode, even if he didn't realize it.

"Soul Collectors," Atem said, "I was thinking about the name. The obvious reason they call themselves that is because they collect souls. We knew that, but for what reason they do it, only Ra knows. The term collect…"

"The term 'collectors' is key here," Mahad agreed, standing with him. Everyone's eyes were on the pair as they thought aloud. "A collector gathers things of interest. Maybe they collect them as trophies."

Atem nodded, wondering, "A double purpose?"

"Exactly," Mahad confirmed. "While they collect them as jewels, in a sense—like King Dartz said they collect the highest valued souls, and they not only keep them as rewards or trophies but perhaps they give the group power. Maybe they trade them for something."

"Like selling a soul?" Aknamkanon asked in alarm, catching on. "Using it?"

"Yes," Atem agreed, staring out the window, "When Shimon mentioned the danger of leaving because they might want to collect my soul—"

Mahad interrupted in a soft whisper, "That's what they want."

"What?" whispered Mana.

"They want my soul," Atem clarified with gentle stress on 'my,' surprisingly calm. It wasn't the first time. "After all, a king's soul is usually considered valued."

"Not only that," Seto agreed, "But you are the Chosen King. Your soul is said to have enormous power."

Atem said nothing. Sensing Mana's growing panic, he turned back and sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. "But they'll have to destroy me to ever get it."

Mana had a bad feeling about that. Her arms wrapped protectively around him, snaring in his shirt. No one saw the small light of determination in her eyes as she looked down. Last time she hadn't been able to do much to help, but this time she could.

"What else do we know about them?" Shada asked ponderingly, "Collecting valued souls, double purpose—but why?"

Isis was unusually quiet. Atem, usually having a sense for these things, studied her. "Isis," he said, "What do you think?"

She could tell that the Pharaoh knew. Looking around, she saw Mahad's wondering glance as well and confessed, "I have been… seeing things."

Mahad looked at her with new interest, "What have you seen, Isis?"

"I have seen a force of dark souls. They move in secret and gather souls for power and sport, not only for trophies, but because they enjoy the suffering of others. They want a certain person's soul," she said hesitantly, looking at Atem and Mana. "I believe it to be yours, my King."

Atem nodded, "I would assume so. We have already determined that, and now we have it confirmed. Why have you not told me this before, Isis?"

"I only saw it this morning," she said, "I have been trying to see ever since the meeting. I felt…" she trailed off, "Useless. I wanted to do more."

"Do not overexert yourself, Isis," Mahad said gently, laying his hand over hers. She clasped it lightly back.

"I must try," she told him, "It's what I'm good at. I have been able to see."

"What else did you see?" Shada asked, he and Karim close by.

She closed her eyes, "They rampage the Spirit world, gathering souls. And then they move to the world of the living."

"No," Atem denied in horror, "We can't let that happen."

"It is inevitable," Isis said softly, meeting his aghast amethyst eyes. "I have foreseen it. My senses tell me that it will happen before they are stopped."

Atem's thoughts drifted, turning to his friends. Yugi, Tea, Joey, Tristan… everyone he had worked to protect the entire time he had been in the world of the living. He couldn't let it happen.

He shook his head, looking down. His eyes were far away again, and despite his closeness to Mana, she could feel that his mind was far away. His hand rubbed her back as she stared into his unfocused, amethyst gaze.

Mana looked away angrily. She knew it wasn't technically his fault, but she was still angry. She didn't want to say anything in front of the others. This was between her and Atem. She was worried about him. And so willingly, she held her tongue.

Finally Atem spoke, "We can still try." The others nodded in agreement and he continued, "Until then, we should try not to worry. Send spies and keep watch, keep your guard up, but go about your usual business."

There were the usual replies of 'yes, Pharaoh,' and the titles came: my Pharaoh, my King, your majesty. They were all delivered the way they always were: with loyalty and reverence.

Mahad offered to escort him and Mana to their rooms, and Atem, not thinking as most boys didn't, said yes, but Mana interrupted: "Actually, no, Mahad, thank you."

Mahad gave Mana a curious glance before exiting. Atem finally gave her his full intention: "What is it, Mana?"

Instead of answering, she seized his hand and pulled him from the room and outside, where she turned to face him, moving in surprisingly close. Their faces inches apart, her aquamarine-green eyes were hard.

Atem blinked, "Mana?"

She stepped closer, so that their bodies and faces were touching. Atem's breath quickened—what had gotten in to Mana?

Her fingers linked with his at the same time their lips did, and that was when Mana got his mind off every problem he could possibly have.

His arms snaked around her waist while hers traveled up around his neck. He kissed her cheek when the broke contact, completely oblivious to anything but her. Just the way she wanted it.

She sighed, smiling. "Atem," she said softly, "Please, just let your Guardians share the weight of everything and don't worry. With us around, you have nothing to worry about, okay?"

Atem brought his eyes back to hers, their faces touching. He smiled, "Thank you, Mana. You're right. There's no sense worrying about it yet."

He brushed his lips over hers, and Mana felt that he goal was accomplished.

That night, only one thing crossed her mind.

If they wanted Atem's soul, they'd have to go through her to get it.

So yeah, a little short, but I liked it… so now that you know the plot, we'll close this baby up with some fluff and a little more plot, and then on to The Return of the Pharaoh.

Tip of the day… eat some brownies. Yum.

-Anevay