Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

A lot has been introduced in one chapter, so here's an interlude chapter!

Chapter 2: The Gang Meets the Pharaoh

A few days later, during lunch, Anzu asked, "I don't know how you two got befriended by these two jerks, but shouldn't you tell your grandpa? I think he'd have a word or two about these two hooligans."

"Hooligans?!" Honda protested.

"Nah, we quit that once we became Yugi-kun and Mitsuko-san's friends, Mazaki," Jonouchi countered. "Getting beat up like that in defense for someone else, it made us see the light. Right Honda?"

"Right!"

"We don't want to give our new friends a bad reputation, so we're trying to get better, see? It wouldn't be fair to them if we kept getting in trouble."

"I think Ushio knocked your brains loose," Anzu deadpanned. "Their grandpa is very particular on who befriends them. He's never gonna approve of you."

Jonouchi growled then turned to the twins. "Can I come to your grandpa's house after school? I'm gonna prove I'm your friend!"

Mitsuko looked at Yugi, who smiled and nodded. "Sure! We'd love to have you!"

"Me too!" Honda chimed.

"Sure!" Mitsuko chirped, happy her two friends could come see her house.

So that afternoon the five of them walked to the game shop, Mitsuko entering first. She called, "We're home, Jii-chan!"

Sugoroku smiled as he came from behind a shelf. "Oh, just in time! I was bringing in a new shipment of games that just came out! Would you help with bringing them in? There's quite a few still in the truck and I didn't want our newest helper to strain himself too much."

"I'm sure he appreciates the exercise, Jii-chan," Yugi called as he came through the door.

"I can't complain about how hard he works, but he's not a one-man army, you know."

At the same time that Anzu, Jonouchi and Honda entered, Atem carried in a stack of three boxes, his head hidden by them as he asked, "Siamun, where do you want me to put these?"

"Just put them next to the other ones," Sugoroku answered, then informed him, "Yugi and Mi are back, and it looks like they brought some new friends with them."

"Is this guy a foreigner?" Anzu asked.

"Yes, he is. We were planning on him being a foreign exchange student, but he doesn't know much Japanese yet, so he'll have to learn the language first."

Atem put down the boxes and looked over at the newcomers, and Anzu gaped at him.

"Oh wow, he's a real hottie!"

"A short one, that's for sure," Jonouchi pointed out. He then walked to Sugoroku. "I'm Jonouchi Katsuya, nice to meet you, Mutou-san."

"And I'm Honda Hiroto," Honda added as he came over too. "It's great to meet Yugi-kun and Mitsuko-san's grandpa."

/Who are they?\\ Atem asked Mitsuko.

/Mazaki Anzu is the girl, she's been our best friend since childhood, the one with the yellow hair is Jonouchi Katsuya, while the brown-haired one is Honda Hiroto, and they've been our friends for a few days. You can call them Mazaki-san, Jonouchi-san and Honda-san.\

"It's an honor to meet you, Mazaki-san, Jonouchi-san and Honda-san. You are blessed by the gods to be friends of such noble and selfless people as Yugi-san and Mitsuko-sama."

"What did he say, Jii-chan?" Yugi asked.

"He greeted your friends in a proper way, Yugi. Would you go check to see if there's anything else in the truck? I want to speak to your new friends."

"Okay, Jii-chan."

Mitsuko was starstruck by how great Atem looked in his black wife beater and loose jeans, an ankh necklace adding to the look. He smiled at her and followed Yugi, and once he was gone, Sugoroku smiled proudly. "I'm glad Yugi and Mi have finally reached out and made some new friends. Take good care of them and I'll be good friends with you as well."

"So...who is this foreign guy? Does he have a name?" Anzu asked, cheeks flushed.

"I see you've taken a shine to him. I suggest you don't pursue him, he isn't the type to be attracted to more than one girl at a time."

"Is he dating anyone now?"

"Not at the present time—"

"He's the perfect guy for me!"

Go right ahead, that's one less thing I have to worry about. If Atem-ou likes her better, maybe I won't have to be his queen.

Anzu stood by the door as Mitsuko emptied the boxes of games and when Atem came through the door, she asked, "What's your name? I'm Mazaki Anzu."

Atem blinked in confusion before Mitsuko supplied, /She wants to know your name.\

/I will not give my name to just anyone, I'm the pharaoh. Is there a name in your language that would describe me?\\

/How about...Yami?\

/"Yami"?\\

/It means darkness.\

/Very fitting.\\ "Yami."

Jonouchi and Honda came through the doorway, each with a couple boxes. "Hey Mazaki! Budge up, will ya? We're trying to unload here!"

Anzu pouted, but stepped back so the boys could put their burdens down. But once they were done, she followed them out. Mitsuko watched as her friend tried with very little success to talk to Atem, the pharaoh ignoring her since he had no idea what she was saying. The brown-haired girl stopped after a bit and sighed as she helped her female friend with the unloading and shelving.

"I didn't know a language barrier would be so difficult to breach. Do you know any Egyptian, Mitsu?"

Mitsuko shook her head. "I'm as lost as you are. Only Jii-chan knows the language, and I'm sure it'd take a long while to even understand a few words. It's really complex and I don't want to accidentally say something that might offend him."

"Do you know why he said a random Japanese word?"

"Maybe that's his name?"

"Why would an Egyptian have a Japanese name?"

"Why don't you ask Jii-chan?"

Anzu shrugged. "At least I have something to call him by."

She walked over to Atem again. "Yami-san?"

He looked up and motioned for her to continue.

"Do you want to go out for a soda after this? You're probably thirsty."

/She wants to go get something to drink with you.\

/Why?\\

/Nowadays, it's how people get to know each other.\

/I'm afraid I must decline, for I cannot understand her and she me.\\

/Well, tell her so.\

He shook his head.

"No? So you understand some Japanese?"

"He knows some words, but not enough to hold a conversation," Mitsuko explained.

"How long do you think it'll take for him to learn?"

"I don't know, weeks, perhaps months."

"I don't want to wait that long! Isn't there something your grandpa can do to help him learn faster?!"

"Nope."

"Maybe he needs a tutor! I'll be more than happy to help!"

"Good luck."

For the next several days, Anzu visited every day to try and teach Atem Japanese. Sugoroku often interfered with this so the pharaoh wouldn't get too frustrated and isolate himself.

"Anzu, what you're doing isn't helping. Yami-kun is doing just fine learning from listening to Yugi, Mi and myself."

"But he hardly knows a few words!" Anzu insisted as Atem straightened the shelves under Mitsuko's watchful gaze. "How could he possibly integrate into our society by the time the school year is over?!"

"Actually, he's staying for much longer than that, but he's actually learning at an impressive pace. He actually asked me a question in broken Japanese today. He still has a very strong Egyptian accent, but in time he'll be understandable to everyone."

"Where does this go?" Atem asked Mitsuko.

She shook her head. "In Japanese, or else I'm not giving you the answer."

His brow creased as he struggled to remember the Japanese translation for his question. He then asked with a heavy Egyptian accent, "Where does this go?"

"It goes on the lower shelf," she answered with a smile. "You're getting better all the time, Yami-san."

/It's tiring to have to learn by complete immersion. The only one who can speak my native tongue is Siamun.\\

/You're learning better than most people in this time. I think I'm learning Egyptian slowly as well.\

/Then say, "I am the queen of Egypt."\\

/Why would I do that?! It isn't true!\

/It is true that you haven't given me an answer, but it should help you with practicing.\\

She frowned but muttered, "I am the queen of Egypt."

He smiled and nodded. "You're getting better, Mitsuko-sama."

Anzu put her hands on her hips. "But he'd learn a lot faster if there were more people around to talk to! He doesn't even try to answer me when I talk to him!"

"He does the same to Yugi, so don't feel angry, Anzu," Sugoroku countered as he looked through a gaming magazine. "You'll have to wait until he learns better Japanese to get an answer from him."

"He sure tries hard when Mitsu talks to him, and they talk together like they're the best of friends!"

"Now, now, Anzu, don't be jealous. They hit it off from the first and she's patient with him as he learns the customs and language. Even I don't talk to him as much as she does."

"So she treats him like a friend?"

"Yes, from what I've observed of their interactions. They don't feel any special connection, although I've seen—"

"Mitsu! Come here for a second!"

Mitsuko raised her eyebrows as she came over to her friend. "What, Anzu?"

"What is it about you that made you two click from the very first?"

"I think it's because we're very much alike. We both like all sorts of games and stuff like that. We can talk for hours about all kinds of games from both our countries, plus it helps the two of us learn the language of the other." Well, he also follows me around wherever I go, so as to learn more about me. I've had to explain more embarrassing things than I ever want to for the rest of my life. The first time he asked what a pad for my period was too mortifying to recall again!

"Has he ever asked about the Millennium Puzzle? He might know something about it!"

Putting this question aside... "Yami-kun is actually very good at astronomy. He picked up on all the constellations faster than any kid in school! It was really impressive!"

"Why are you dodging my question? Does he know something?"

"No, why would he? Just because he's from Egypt, doesn't mean he'd know about this old thing." I can't tell her that Atem-ou's spirit resided in the Millennium Puzzle and his body was preserved inside his sarcophagus for three thousand years and by completing the Millennium Puzzle, I freed him! She wouldn't believe me anyways!

/I sense that Mazaki-san's earlier inquiry has caused this anxiety. Is something the matter?\\

/She wants to know if you know about the Millennium Puzzle! She wouldn't believe that you sealed your soul into the Millennium Puzzle and your body was put to sleep and preserved by magic for three thousand years! I looked on the internet and in the library for hours and I haven't found anything pertaining the Millennium Items or your rule! It's as if you never existed! She'd call it a part of Egyptian mythology if I told her such a story!\

/Siamun did tell me that most people in this time don't believe in magic. The only reason you and your family do is because you've seen it with your very eyes.\\

Me especially. That "Shadow Game" he played with Ushio-san was the scariest thing I've ever seen. I'm sure even Jii-chan hasn't witnessed a real Shadow Game. /Yeah—\

"Mitsu...Earth to Mitsu!"

Mitsuko blinked and realized she'd spaced out again. "Oh! Sorry, Anzu!"

"Are you okay? Your eyes went blank for a minute there."

"I'm fine. I must've gotten lost in thought."

"You've been doing that lately. Did you hit your head or something?"

"No, really, I'm fine. I've just had a lot to think about lately."

"Okay..."

Atem called to Sugoroku, "Is it odd for people to go into trances here?"

"Yes it is, Atem-ou. As I told you, what everyone in your time thought was normal, people here call 'unnatural' or 'insane'. If it's noticed by a teacher at school or a customer, she might just be admitted into a mental hospital."

"It would be wise if I didn't contact her mentally in the middle of her conversations."

"Very wise," Sugoroku agreed, before he turned the conversation to a more serious subject. "What will you do if Mi refuses your offer to be your queen?"

"It is her fate, and mine. It's been prophesied from before I was born about how I would be awakened by my future queen and continue my line."

"I read a text in your tomb about this, but much was scratched out."

"It was done so by the order of the pharaoh after me, to protect such information being exploited by tomb robbers."

"So you know it in full?"

"My father made sure I knew it from my youth. He knew that I wouldn't live long once I was crowned pharaoh. I wouldn't have time to leave an heir or even choose a wife. I was younger than her when I was crowned and only a short time later, I had to seal myself into the Millennium Puzzle."

"So she's given you a second chance at life. You'd better act well, or else you'll spend the rest of it behind bars."

" 'Behind bars'?"

"In prison. People here don't take kindly to things that were everyday life back in your time. If you must do something, make sure it doesn't lead back to you."

Atem nodded in agreement. "It would only cause trouble for the rest of you. I wouldn't want you to be troubled because of my careless actions."

"That's very compassionate of you, my pharaoh. Would you have given it any thought during your time?"

"I might've been...ruthless against criminals, but to the innocent, I always showed compassion."

"So you weren't a tyrant. That's good to know."

Mitsuko stopped talking to Anzu once she felt a great sense of pride from Atem and looked towards him. He merely smiled and nodded to Anzu, who looked confused by her sudden reaction. "Oh, where was I?"

That night, Mitsuko opened her skylight and climbed up onto the roof. She lay on her back and gazed at the stars, hands behind her head. Things have changed since I completed the Millennium Puzzle, although not as drastically as I thought it would once my wish was granted. In fact, with all the confusion, I really don't know how strong my conviction was to getting my wish. Should I trust that this was the answer to my silent plea? For all I know, it could all end up as a big hoax. I've only believed in magic for little more than a week, even if it was done before my eyes.

She lifted the Millennium Puzzle so the front faced her. I'm the current wielder of this magical pendant that I was destined to complete and awaken an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. For all I know, it could've just as easily been Yu-nii. I've noticed that ever since Atem-ou was awakened, we've been drifting apart. He's usually with Honda-san and Jonouchi-san, while I'm with Anzu and Atem-ou. I have to reconnect with him, or else this rift might get so big we don't even know each other anymore. Perhaps after school I should take him to the arcade and leave Atem-ou with Jii-chan for the afternoon. I know that he feels annoyance towards my behavior and that Atem-ou basically ignores him. If it were me, I would've felt left out, too. Yu-nii, it's a wonder you haven't snapped yet and yelled at me.

She turned her head to her brother's skylight and tapped her fingers against her arm. Should I see if he's still awake? I know Atem-ou is deeply asleep, but Yu-nii is a night owl, like me. Yeah, I will.

With a grunt she pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the skylight, lightly knocking on it to alert her brother it was her. He came to it and opened the window so she could climb in. He gave her an annoyed look and muttered, "You haven't said two words to me outside of school in over a week and now you want to talk?"

She nodded. "Sorry, Yu-nii. I didn't mean to..."

He smiled and hugged her. "I know, but I guess I was jealous that Atem-san was the center of your world, when it's just been the two of us since we were kids. Plus, you can understand him effortlessly while I'm completely in the dark about his side of the conversation. He isn't really the type to talk to anyone unless he knows what they're saying. I hope that he can branch out once he learns more Japanese."

"I'll make sure he does. I can't have him hovering over me all the time."

"He does seem to do that. It must be because of the connection you share. It's even closer than we have as twins."

"No matter what happens, you're my closest friend."

They hugged, before he asked, "Looking at the stars again?"

"Yeah, you know me."

"No wonder you were fascinated by how much Atem-san knew about them. You're the best in the class about that subject."

"If I wasn't such a manic gamer, I'd become an astronomer. I'd want to see things beyond what is seen with the natural eye, through the Hubble telescope and beyond. I'd want to name some newly-discovered stars, or even better, galaxies."

"Why don't you pursue your dream?"

"It would require going to college, and you know we can't work during high school, so getting the money for it would be hard, and I couldn't burden Jii-chan."

"Mi-ne, Jii-chan traveled the world! I'm sure he would support your dream of becoming an astronomer!"

"I can't put such a burden on him when he has two grandchildren to even get through high school, let alone what it would cost to get a master's, if not a doctorate, degree in college."

"I know that we're not the richest of families, but you would get far if you told Jii-chan you wanted to go to college to study astronomy! Not everyone has the talent or passion you have for the stars!"

She sighed and nodded. "Maybe I'll tell him senior year."

"Mi-ne, the longer you wait, the more Jii-chan will be upset that you didn't tell him earlier."

She stood up and walked to the window, climbing out. "Thanks for the encouragement, Yu-nii. I'm going to bed."

She closed the window and a pained look crumpled her face. I know I should make more out of my life, but I don't want to leave what I have in this life behind. How could I? I have Yu-nii and Jii-chan, I can't abandon them.

Her eyes strayed to the star-filled sky and a thoughtful pout came to her lips. But...it's been my dream since I was little, even if I only told Yu-nii. Could I pursue it when it's only been a leisurely pastime until now? I'd have to find something to fund my dream, even if there's nothing I can do job-wise. /I would do anything to reach my dream...\

At that time, she sighed and retired to her room for some much-needed sleep.

Atem was very quiet the next few days, only speaking to anyone if they spoke to him first. Mitsuko began to be worried about him once the third day passed in this fashion, so she asked her grandpa about it.

"Jii-chan, what's going on with Atem-ou? He's been quiet for three days."

Sugoroku watched the former pharaoh as he straightened things on the shelves after a long day of helping mind the shop. His Japanese was getting better all the time because of his interactions with customers and the family, and Yugi was becoming less grumpy for being left out, now that he could hold pretty decent conversations with him. He'd realized quickly what Anzu's intentions were and gently told her that he wasn't interested, but that didn't seem to stop her, in fact, it fired the girl up, which made him confused. Jonouchi and Honda were getting to know him better as well when they visited the game shop, they even played games with him (failing at beating him once he knew the rules spectacularly) and when Yugi and Mizuko joined in, they had even more fun.

"Perhaps he's still acclimating himself to this new time and place. He's very curious by nature and we've played just about every game in the shop because of this. Don't worry, if he's stumped about something, he'll come to you if he keeps hitting the wall long enough."

"I hope so. I'm worried that he'll keep hitting it and never talk to me."

"It's only been three days, not more. He'll come around."

"Okay, I'll leave him alone for now."

What could the pharaoh possibly be stewing about?

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