A/N: I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Otherwise, there would be some MASSIVE YugixYami/Atem going on up in those episodes… :D I guess I own the idea of this fanfic though...?

Sorry about this really laggy update everyone! Life seriously happened! School, full-time job, the extreme pissy-ness of my full-time job, fatigue, and now I'm finally on a break… cause I quit that forsaken job… that job was seriously unpleasant! GAWD!

Remember! I love doing first person point of view! THERE WILL BE MANY FRAGMENTS SO BEWARE! After all, people's thoughts aren't usually in complete sensible sentences or paragraphs. :D

Oh FYI- italicized words mean it's a different language and Yugi is not meant to understand it.

Oh and right now, I don't care about grammar mistakes, punctuation, or spelling mistakes. Just make sense of it. I don't have a beta, and this has been a very laggy update and I'm just too damn egar to review this doc. So ya…

Hope you all enjoy it anyway! :D

Night of Day Two didn't go so well as planned.

I only managed to eat pieces of bread the size of my fist today. I felt guilty of this one family I saw on the streets with a toddler walking around and a baby in a woman's arms. A grown man seemed to be coughing a lot. Must've been too sick to work. I gave them less than half of my food and it seemed that they appreciated it. That made me happy even though it was less for me.

I'm exhausted today. Just the anxiety of when to steal really drained me. Plus, that I shouldn't linger too long next to a stall. People might get suspicious. Then at one point I was almost caught, but I ran and hid. I guess it's a real skill here. Yes! I gained experience points from when I had to run and hide from bullies before my pharaoh in shining armor came into my life. You have to be really creative in hiding if that's all you can do.

I was walking around and then I decided to sleep next to an abandoned flee market stall. It was still pretty close to the family I just gave food to. At least it doesn't look like that many people will bother them.

I'll just settle here and snuggle into my bum robe. This whole day has been exhausting and I have never put myself in so much danger… okay I take that back. Compared to before, this should really be child's play, what with before I fought against Egyptian Gods!

And here I am tonight recovering from sprinting this entire day, jumping over obstacles, and living on survival scraps and other people's water wells.

I hope tomorrow will be a little better.

I wish I was with Atem already. I think I got used to him protecting me all the time, but I know I would always have his back too. I just wished he was here to help me out.

I think I'm getting closer to the palace at least. I have been seeing get bigger from my view. This whole time I have been close to the boarder, those giant stone walls, and I feel as though I'm really heading toward the center.

I'm almost there. I'm almost there. The view is getting bigger.

At least I still have time to think about how I'm even going to approach the palace. Do I sneak in? Just openly go up to the front door and knock? No wait… scratch that. I'm already being hunted down for looking like him.

Can't they just think this was all a coincidence?

Atem… I miss you so much right now. I just want to see you one more time, even if you don't return my feelings… I'd rather die in Egypt alone, than to live in my time never having the chance to see your wonderful face again.

With that last thought I drifted off to a dreamless slumber.

~~~~~Day Three~~~~~~

I woke to the morning star rising and its rays shining into my chambers. I rub my eyes and remove my covers away from me to stand and walk over to my open window. Beautiful. The people are very energetic, the markets are full, I see people playing games, and everything just seems right. Back to normal.

I am the Pharaoh of Egypt again.

I walk into my bathing room and walk over to my mirror. I forgot what my true eye color was and I didn't even realize it last night. A sort of red-violet color. When I see the tinge of violet, I couldn't help but think about Yugi. Sharing the same body meant of course eye-color as well. I sort of miss it. Always having someone to talk to and we were never alone.

I won't see those violet gems anymore…

I know so much about him throughout these years, and I left quickly. I had years to know him, and Yugi had hours to realize who I really was and what I had done.

I shook my head of these thoughts. I had to become Pharaoh today and from this day till my death. My real death this time… and be the ruler I was meant to be. I washed up and got dressed in my pharaoh attire with symbolic crown on my head with the eye of Ra along with my puzzle dangling from my neck. I never took it off… hm… I wonder how I slept with this last night.

I stepped out of my chambers and I hear my cousin's voice.

"Sire. Good morning. I hope you slept well after our meeting last night." It was my High Priestly Cousin, blue and white robes and all. I was feeling a little tired, but nothing out of the ordinary. I'm actually quite used to it since Yugi would stay up late all the time. I chuckle to myself.

"Yes, High Priest. I feel quite rested. Where are you off to now?" I asked.

"Following you, of course, to your throne room. We must announce that you have returned to us. The kingdom has no idea what you have been through. The last things they have seen were the horrid events that Zorc bestowed up on us." He said with a sigh, but smiled a mild weak smile. "Now that we have you back, the courage of our kingdom can be restored."

"I understand. I am here to stay until Osiris judges me instead of fighting with me." I assure him.

He smile turned into a grin. "Come my Pharaoh. Let us meet your court." He bowed and gestured me with the nudge of his neck to follow him.

I grinned.

Walking through these familiar hallways of gold and stone, it sent me a rush through my mind. Memories of walking through these hallways with my father and Mana. Receiving tutelage from an old friend who turned into my Dark magician. Those were the days.

After a few moments, I arrive into my throne room. I see my Millennium Court. Some are gone, but others are still alive and well, recovering from their small injuries, but nothing too serious.

"It's good to see that you are doing well my pharaoh." Isis, it's you and it is not. This "you" is the real wielder of the Millennium Necklace.

"You may have your seat, Pharaoh. You are once again our chosen one by Ra himself." Seth. You're using your professional tone. I smirk.

I come closer to my throne. It's gold and stone in the designs of my culture. It really is wonderful when you see it for yourself instead of seeing it in books, or references. I'm almost nervous to sit in it again.

For five-thousand years, I was trapped in the darkness of the puzzle, and then for years I was one with a remarkable young man who I entrusted my entire self to, and now he's no longer with me.

I am Pharaoh Atem. The last one in line of my direct lineage.

I slowly sit on my throne. My arms are at the rests, and sit up straight leaning against the back rest and my feet firmly sitting, parallel to the ground.

I am once again the pharaoh.

"My Millennium Court! I have returned as your Pharaoh. I have seen many things while my body stayed behind in its comatose state. I have spent thousands of years in this," I held my puzzle and I can feel that everyone focused on it, "while you all have only waited a couple of days. I am now here to lead you, to guide you, and see to it that we live in Ra's protect-"

I was suddenly interrupted. By the look of this very muscular gentleman, it is one of my royal guards. Seems I recognize and remember everything now. Handy.

"My Great Pharaoh, I apologize, but this is very urgent!" He seems to be really alarmed.

"How dare you come in here while the Great Pharaoh speaks!" Easy Seth… he might have something about Zorc.

"Hear him out Seth. This guard has seemed to have seen a ghost." Thank you Isis.

"Guard, you may come closer and speak of this. Tell me what the emergency is." I used my hand to gesture him to come forward.

The guard runs towards me, but Isis stops him a few yards away from me and kneels, bowing his head to face the floor. I see he's carrying a familiar blue in his hand.

"Please Sire! I want you and your court to be aware that there is an imposter of you roaming around this city! You have very similar looks, My Liege, and he has committed the crime of saying your name!"

My eyes widened. Someone that has very similar looks to mine?

My entire court gasped, or whatever was left of it… the depression will need to come later

"We will catch this imposter at once! We don't know where he has come from your Greatness, but we will see to it that your royal guard will catch him and eliminate him!" He said with such confidence.

"What is it that you have there?" Seth questioned as he stepped closer to the guard. The guard just handed him the cloth… please don't let it be what I think it is… there is only a few things I know that has that color… that specific color…

"It seems to look like a cloak. Such a magnificent color of this blue hue." He held up his jacket.

It's Yugi's school uniform jacket! My mouth went slightly agape and I think I felt all the blood from my face flush out. I was completely shocked.

"Who would wear this in this climate?" Isis questioned.

"Yugi…" I whispered aloud. How can his jacket be here? Is he here in my kingdom? Is he roaming around? How did he get here? So many questions… "Tell us what happened right now!" I probably over reacted just now, but I don't want to guess. I want to be sure of what this guard saw!

"I and another guard encountered this boy. It seemed the people had him confused for the Great Pharaoh and everyone bowed to him. I was called out to help in a rush by another guard and this boy bumped into me. Sire, he was as if a copy, but his skin was so white, and he appeared to be much smaller than you. His eyes were rounder while Pharaoh's is sharper. He wore something around his neck and his shoes appeared to be black. I was holding him by this cloak and he slipped it off so I was only holding onto this."

I march over to the guard and snatch the jacket away from him. This belongs to Yugi! How is this here? Is he really here?

"We have to find him! Guards!" I yell out. More of my royal guards come out and stand in rank. "I order all of you to find this boy who resembles your Pharaoh, and bring him here to the palace immediately!" I whip around back to my throne to sit on again. I grip the arm rests until my knuckles show a lighter color.

"Yes your Greatness! We will find this boy and bring him here. For the Pharaoh, it shall be done!" The guard that spoke to me earlier led the speech. The others then bowed to me and then proceeded out of my court.

"Sire, we will catch this imposter and figure out what to do with him." Seth had said with a bowed head.

"No, that will not be necessary. I just want this boy in here. I need to rest. This has taken a toll on my mind." I pretended to have a headache by rubbing my head. "I feel as though I do not have the rest of my strength just yet, but I will see you all for our gathering tonight when we feast."

My court bowed to me. "We wish you a fast recovery, Son of Ra." They always say that when I don't feel well. I really need to gather my thoughts. This cannot be happening.

"High Priest, please let me know immediately when they have the boy and have brought him to my palace. Consider this urgent. I'm going to take my leave."

"Yes Pharaoh." He bowed to me again and I turned to walk to my chambers.

When I arrived, I walked over to my balcony and leaned against the corner and the wall. I see the bright sun and I can tell it's a little bit after high noon. If Yugi really is here, I want him found and…

In my arms.

I look into my hands and I still held his jacket. I hug it closer to me, bringing it to my face and I close my eyes, breathing in its scent. Smells of the hot sands and some sweat, but of a fresh scent. Judging by this smell, it seems he has been through a lot.

"Yugi… please be safe." I can only hope. My court will grow weary if I were to lose my stature. If I were still with Yugi in his present time, I would run wild through the streets, looking through every alley, asking anybody and everybody questions if they have seen him, but as pharaoh, this can be done for me. I wish I could this myself…

I pace back and forth in my chambers.

Did he come for me?

Does he want me?

Or did he just trip and fell right through the rift?

It can't be that. It was a long walk way to get to the rift. Unless something happened after I went through…

Now is not the time to think about this.

His safety is number one right now.

To be here with me is number two.

"PHARAOH! You really are awake!"

I sharply turn around. That voice! "Mana!"

She rushes toward me and I embrace her fully. My goodness! It really is her! She pulls back and I quickly examine her. She's in her usual tan, tunic outfit along with the shade on her head.

"Pharaoh! I was so scared I wouldn't see you alive! Everyone said that you would wake soon, but I was so paranoid that-" I place my finger on her lips and she hushed.

"But I'm fine. I have returned." I smiled to her and I see tears falling from her eyes. "You really are here and you really are back…" She hugged me again, tighter this time as if she thought I was going to disappear again. "I am."

"You have gone through so much Pharaoh. Five thousand years your soul had been through and facing so many challenges and-" Wait a minute…

"Mana, I haven't seen you yet since I awoke. How did you know all this?" She looked panic and smiled nervously.

"I wanted to visit you, but then you were already awake and talking to High Priest Seth. I wanted to let you be with him for a while. Plus, he would've been mean to me if I was there with you! I figured you shouldn't take on his 'mean' behavior until you talked to him first. So I just outside your chamber door."

"Thank you Mana, but you are my family too. At least you spared me from repeating my story again."

"I know, as you're mine. Oh Pharaoh! I also wanted to ask you something. Is that boy out there really Yugi Motou?" How did she..?

"How did you know?" I raised an eyebrow and she sat on my bed while I just stood looking at her.

"You gave a very descriptive list of what he looked like and what colors he usually wears while I was eavesdropping," I smirked, "… the way you spoke about this boy," my smirk disappeared, "he was really close to you. The two of you were one for goodness sake! But when you spoke about him, it seemed as if you had this, how can I say this… happiness and positive energy about him. I know you didn't tell your cousin everything, but to me, your voice said it all." She stood up and took my hand and stared straight into my eyes.

"You're in love with Yugi, aren't you?"

My mind came crashing down. Millions of thoughts of Yugi and my sexuality came into my mind. I have never been attracted to any male ever. I never liked men.

But after all the time I have spent with Yugi, after knowing everything about him, I couldn't help it. He is a beautiful man inside and out. I fell in love with his very being. If he was a woman, it would be the same thing… I'd still be in love with Yugi. No other human being can compare to this young man.

I haven't admitted it out loud to anyone yet that I was in love with Yugi, and I certainly made sure that he didn't know either, but it was very recently when I came to this realization. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and spoke to my loving "sister".

"Mana, you are right. I have never been attracted to any man, but knowing him inside out, he certainly is a remarkable being. I have changed so much because of him. I was also stripped away from him in a long, instant moment if that makes any sense. We didn't even get to have a 'last day' together because we had to prepare for our Ceremonial Duel for me to return back as your pharaoh." I closed my eyes and I lightly gripped her hands into mine. I felt her body react, but I couldn't tell.

"I couldn't even talk to him the night before because it took us most of the night preparing for the duel. We had to take it seriously so he would be able to send me back. "I looked into her eyes then and she seemed so sad. "I just wish I just had one more day with him, Mana. Just one more day to enjoy each other's presence, say what really should've been said, even it if was only merely to deepen our bond. I just wanted one more day before I had to leave him." I noticed my vision started to get blurry. I let go of her hands and I touched my eye lightly only for my fingers to have been me with tears.

"I'm sorry Mana to overwhelm you like this. So much has happened and-" I suddenly widen my eyes because before I knew it, she embraced me and she was sniffling. I could feel her tears going through my clothing on my shoulder.

"Oh Atem… no one should feel this way. You didn't even get to tell him how you feel! You must feel so lonely right now! You had spent every second of you spiritual being with him and then you just go. Atem, know that this isn't your fault. You didn't leave him! He knew and you knew that you had to come back to us. It was for destiny's sake so that you fully defeated Zorc and come back to rule again as pharaoh. But as a man, you must feel so lonely without your counterpart. I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I'm so sorry."

All I could do was raise my arms and hold her closer to me. I started to stifle a bit. Small hiccups became long sighs as I try to hide my emotions. Some other noise would come out of my mouth whenever I tried to cover up another sound. I whispered into her ear.

"Don't be sorry, Mana. I just wish I had at least one more day to tell him how I feel. I felt lonely as soon as I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time. You should see him. We have a lot of similarities. Then I thought, I'll never see his face or feel his remarkable soul again." She pried me away from her and I stared at her teary smiley face.

"Atem. Don't forget. He might be here. He might actually have come for you." Of course! How could have I forgotten so quickly! I had been so caught up in my sadness. "He could really be here if the royal guards didn't have hallucinations from this heat. Please believe in him, Atem." She started to become a little excited, making her body slightly bounce.

"That's right. That guard was very confident that he saw my look-a-like." I started to ponder. "Mana, I need a very big favor from you right now."

"Anything Atem!" She smiled happily wiping away her tears. I have a feeling she already knows what I'm going to ask.

"Please find Yugi for me." I had wiped a tear away gently and smiled, but my eyes begged for her help.

"I was going to anyway even if you didn't ask." She lightly hugged me again. "Please have faith in me. I will find him. I should find him in a day or two or even faster. I know these roads like no other." She pulled away and patted her chest, confidence building in her.

"I know. I remember how many times you snuck out of the palace when we were so much younger." I couldn't help but chuckle. "You never wanted to do anything that Mahaado wanted you to do." At the mention of his name, we both stood in silence remembering him just for a moment.

Mana headed over to my balcony and was about to swing herself off, but she said to me before going, "He wants you to be happy, Atem. He'll always be with us no matter what and he will continue to serve you as he is now. I will help you as much as I can in his place. I'm sure we can visit him in his tablet shrine once we find Yugi." Then she jumped off.

At least there was another floor below me that she could jump off too. I did hear an echo of a small "ow", but she's a big girl. I couldn't help but laugh to myself.

All this talk with Mana has passed so much time that Ra is already starting to set.

I look out the window again and whisper to the wind. "Yugi, if you really are here. I only hope that Mana finds you first than the royal guards." It would be harder to hold face in front of my royal court if you were to be captured by the guards. At least with Mana, you can have a better entrance and introduction.

After my last thought, overlooking the balcony with such yearning feelings, I treaded back into my room to ready myself, and only myself, for my welcoming feast.

Day three of being in this miraculous kingdom. I see kids playing on the paths, people negotiating trades among the flea markets, I even see some couples and families walking together.

It wasn't so bad actually. There are still some who are poor… and bum-like like me, but still making an effort to stay positive… some of us anyway.

But seriously I need a shower.

I would love a bed to sleep in.

And some good food to eat.

How the heck did Aladdin do this? I mean really… He must've been seventeen or eighteen and was living as a street rat most of his life.

Well, I guess that is a main difference between him and me. I had luxuries compared to him and I went from sixty to zero when I jumped into that rift.

I still don't regret it you know. I would do it again if I can just see that strong, fierce, handsome face again.

I just wish I knew how to get to him.

Should I just be captured by the guards? Should I just stroll up to the front steps and ask? Man, I bet once they see me again though, they might think I'm a doppelganger or something and kill me... ack. That's not a very pleasant thought.

Who am I kidding… I'm already on Egypt's most wanted!

They might think I will replace the pharaoh or something…

I should really think up my strategy.

I just wish that our mind link was still working. It's been real lonely in my head these past few days. I have no one to talk to at all. I wonder if my dear Atem is feeling the same way?

I doubt it. I mean he's back with this family and friends, he's moving on. He knew this was going to happen. I wonder if I'm being selfish for wanting him to know what my feelings are. Well, too late to turn back now!

I decided to go trudging through the sandy streets again to just snatch the smallest food scraps that won't be missed by anyone.

I walk along some more of the emptier stalls where there were some varieties of nuts. They looked like almonds, pistachios, and some other kinds, and I don't know what nuts would grow around here, but right now they look delicious.

My stomach growled… easy now Yugi… Don't let hunger take over your senses!

I just want to jump out and tackle those nuts! That guy isn't looking. If I linger too long, I might probably get cau-

I heard a yell. Like when your parents have caught you from a far while you're doing something bad. That kind. Awww nuts. Okay, what I learned so far for the past three days. When I hear something threatening, just bail.

Instincts have told me that I just need to run and don't look back. I'm running in between people and zig zagging it out of the area I was just drooling in. I was so close to getting breakfast!

Run run run run!

I hear more yelling! Okay, so at least I was right in thinking that all that yelling was for me. As I'm running, I turn back and I see a girl with a short white tunic and a hat. She was really tanned and after me. I have no idea who she is, but she does look familiar in a way. Still though, I gotta keep running. Why did I even look back? That just makes me lose focus and-

"OOOOFFF!"

Bump into someone. I shake my head an realized I bumped into someone's loin cloth! I really am short or this guy is tall!

"Hey it's the doppelganger! Capture him and bring him to the Pharaoh!" How did he recognize me so fast? What did he say? I cannot understand diddly squat about this!

They must've had a guard meeting to catch me. Great! I gotta hide!

Get my bearings and run run run! I get up and going in between people. I'm getting a lot of shouts. Probably telling me to watch it or something. I turn back… Great, I see three guards on my tail now! Everyone at the palace is probably on a red alert to find me now.

As I'm running, I'm pulling on my bum robe to cover my hair and arms. Everyone is tan here but me.

I wish I could stop for water, but these guys just don't know when to give up. I have to hide.

I scan my surroundings ahead of me. If I go around that corner, I have to find a barrel or another box to hide in. I'm getting pretty good at this. I'll just hope that I'll keep my winning streak.

I make an immediate turn onto the next building and luckily, I get into the bum side of an alleyway and I dive behind an empty stall and wrap blankets around me and hide put barrels in front me. I've noticed that guards don't usually turn to this alleyway because it seems that they find it disgusting with all the poor people.

I can see through the fabric of the dirty blankets that I covered myself with. I see one and there's another one! Two guards? There should've been three. And what about that girl that was chasing me earlier? I steady my breathing to not panic, and the guards were looking around.

Oh my God! One is walking straight towards my spot behind the stall! Stay calm, Yugi. Staaaaaaaay…. Hold breath… don't panic…

I heard a sound as if a rock was thrown and hit the ground. The guard that was heading towards me lost its attention me and ran toward the sound. I stayed hidden in my spot for a few more moments.

"Whew!" I took off the blanket and drew in a deep breath and relaxed. "So lucky!" Sometimes, when you don't say anything for quite a while, you just gotta remember you have a voice!

As I was staggering to get up and pull the hood over me, I saw the girl that was chasing me earlier right in front of me!

"Oh God! No leave me alone!" I didn't even stop to see what she wanted. I can't trust anyone! Run run run away! I pulled the bum robe around me closer to my head to avoid evil stares.

"No wait! Stop! I'm a friend!" I look back at her and she seems to be pleading with her eyes and her arm outstretched to me. "Sorry lady! I don't know what you're saying, so maybe some other time!" I tried yelling to her. I'm losing my breath again and I realize my speed is slowing down. I turn the corner and I'm in a dead end…

"It's a dead end! No! Not now!" I start to panic and rub the walls just hoping that there was some "open sesame" button. No Disney movie way out for me! Shoot! How the heck am I gonna get out of this one!

She reached me and she was also out of breath. She bent over and put her hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath. Well, she's not attacking me right away.

Then she stood up right, put her hands on her hips, and began waving her bossy finger at me! "Good I made it. I honestly didn't think I was going to find you so fast! The pharaoh will be most pleased! Who knew that you hung around so close to the palace! It was the last place the guards would look for until you stupidly bumped into one! You should have waited for me!"

I gave her the most quizzical look I could. "I don't understand you." I said it the only way I could. I pointed to her and I gestured an "I don't know" with my hands and shoulders.

She raised her eye brown and had an "ah-ha" moment then nodded. "Oh, I see! You don't understand me. Just like how I don't understand you. She scratched her head. "This is odd. Then how did you and the pharaoh understand each other?" She walked in circles around me now and I'm thinking at this point she isn't really… all that bad. She hasn't killed me or called for reinforcements.

Her face actually looks kinda familiar…

Then her face brightened up.

She pointed to herself, mainly her face. "Mana." Oh, I guess her name is Mana then. She then pointed to me. I pointed to my face, "Yugi". She then clapped her hands excitedly and then gestured to my hair jogged behind me. She removed my robe slowly.

My hair spiked up, but it was droppy. It was sandy, oily, and just plain dirty. But she looked at it carefully. She picked up my red-violet tinted ends of my hair and ruffled the black part of my hair. I didn't know what she was doing, but I guess she was really intrigued. Don't ask me why I was letting her do this… it's quite hypnotizing really… I feel as though she could be a good person.

She was then facing me again and tugged on one of my blonde bangs. "Ow!" She let go quickly and looked nervous. "Sorry." I just shrugged my shoulders. She backed away from me and then was looking happy again. Almost really excited.

She then picked up her own hair and tried to make it star shape too, like mine. She looked around and then whispered. "Atem."

My eyes had gotten wider. Did she say his name!

"You know Atem!" I rushed towards her but then she clamped my mouth with her hand and said a quick and sharp "Shhhh!". Right… I can't say his name here. That's how I got into this mess in the first place.

She nodded her head and smiled. She must be a friend of his! She has to be! "Oh! My jacket was taken by a guard and At-er… the pharaoh must have seen it! He sent you didn't he!" Then she gave me a quizzical look again. "Right, you don't understand me." I sighed and gave her a nervous smile and I gestured the "I don't know". At least the gesture seems to be universal so far.

She took my robe and covered my hair for me and I held it tight. She took my hand and I just automatically followed her.

I hope she's a friendly instead of an enemy. She seems and looks too nice for me to think she's a bad guy.