Disclaimer: Hey there, Koros45 doesn't own any Yu-Gi-Oh! or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's. If I did own 5D's, there would be less filler in season three and at least one more arc. Happy now?

Kindred Spirits

Chapter Seven: Pondering Fate

It is often said that one's mood determines how they see the world. For Seto, this was true. He had just lost to Yusei, and his humiliation didn't end there. He kneeled before Atem and, in a voice of barely contained rage, spoke.

"By the rules of our Shadow Game and by the wager given by the victor, I pass my title of Pharaoh back to you."

After surrendering the Pendant to his cousin, he left. He kept his posture straight and his walk slow when he left the throne room, but soon found himself to be stumbling out of the palace as fast as his legs would carry him. Even as he walked through the streets in confusion, the battle he waged with the outsider still rang in his head. He still heard Kisara's roar of challenge, still saw her graceful form locked in battle with the golden warrior, and still wondered how he , who had ruled Egypt until his death, and who had ruled in the afterlife for countless years, had lost.

The tower was close, and Seto found himself walking up it. Kisara had seemed so sad when he summoned her solely for battle. It was true that she had always been shy, even when they became close friends and Seto wondered if he had made the right decision in challenging Yusei.

Seto climbed up the staircase and went to the tablet with Kisara's draconian image on it

Maybe this was supposed to happen.

"What do you mean?"

Perhaps there was nothing to be afraid of.

"I only did what I thought was right."

Only what was right, Seto?

"I… I did take the privileges of the Pharaoh for granted."

Should you be apologizing to me?

"You were the one who got hurt!"

I was only hurt because I hadn't seen you for so long.

"You were lonely and I ignored you. I'd like us to still be -"

You know that I'll always cherish you Seto.

Seto sat next to the giant tablet and closed his eyes. There was a lot to think about.

=(0)=

Atem's heart fell when he saw Seto's face. The silence of the crowds made him want to squirm. Seto got back up and left, and no one spoke for at least a minute.

He stared at the throne with frustration. It was a constant reminder of Seto's hard work as Pharaoh. Even the Millennium Puzzle, a gift from his father, and his first bond with Yugi, seemed like another burden to Atem now since Seto had given it back to him. The worst part was that he had done nothing to earn it. Seto lost to Yusei, not him. As for Yusei, Atem's feelings were mixed. On one hand he knew the young man had been mistreated by Seto's actions, and that Yusei simply wanted to get home, however, Atem was shocked that Yusei would wager Seto's title in the Shadow game.

In short, he was frustrated at Yusei, Seto, and mostly himself.

Atem turned and dismissed the large crowds until only himself, Mahado, Yusei, and the priests remained. Atem spoke in a weary voice.

"Unofficially, all of you are to consider Seto as the High Priest until further notice. I'd like Mahado and Mana to stay here, but the rest of you should leave and get some rest. Do not come back to this place until three days and nights have passed. That is all."

The majority of the room was silent when the priests left. Yusei stood there for a moment, but left when Atem turned away from him.

There was a large sigh from Atem when he sat on the throne. There was much to be done.

=(0)=

After his third day in the afterlife, Yusei found that his nightmares were slowly decreasing. He was still worried about his friends, but his worries were overshadowed by how different the setting he was in differed from the familiar Satellite district he grew up in.

For starters, the technology he was familiar with was nonexistent. No electrical lights, computers, or vehicles. Everyone around him didn't mind, but for someone who had lived with electricity and momentum powered technology for their whole life, it presented unique challenges; it suddenly was difficult for Yusei to cook a meal, contact others, or even bathe without having to focus on the task at hand.

Secondly, no one really knew who he was despite Seto's opinions of him. Most of the people would avoid him if they so much as saw his hair. Even so, some people were kind to him. Shada offered to give him a house during his stay, Mana gave Yusei a guided tour of the city, and Isis explained her people's customs and traditions him.

Finally, he was treated normally by most of the populace. There was no Satellite in this place. No old grudges against him. Although some people believed that Yusei was a threat, the man had gained some sympathy as well as popularity. He was invited to social gatherings almost regularly and found there was much to be done in the great city.

Despite all of this, there was nothing he could do to get himself home. The battle with Seto was only a victory in that Yusei's monster was the last one standing. It was a hollow victory that didn't feel genuine. Victory did not guarantee a way home, Yusei didn't want to give Seto the satisfaction of winning, and no one knew if Seto's wager would have been met anyway.

Yusei snapped out of his thoughts, and left the small building Shada let him use. It was the equivalent of a guest room, only it was an entire building with a bed, a small outhouse, and some statues that were probably significant. The outside of the building was a rough cube, and there was a simple opening for the entrance.

He walked to a small river that ran through a large portion of the city, and removed his clothes by the river bank. It was customary for the citizens to bathe naked. It was a little awkward for Yusei at first, but everyone else only seemed to notice his pale complexion and odd hairstyle rather than his nudity.

He had arrived at a time when only a few people came to bathe, as he preferred his privacy, and was surprised when a pair of arms wrapped around his neck and pushed his under the dark water. He struggled against the arms for a second before he pulled away and surfaced, treading away from his attacker. His eyes widened when he pulled back his wet bangs and identified who it was.

"Mana!"

She laughed and laughed at his expression.

"You-ha ha –you should –ha –see your face!"

Under such conditions, Yusei didn't know whether he felt more angry or embarrassed. He was glad that the river was up to Mana's neckline.

"What's wrong Yusei?"

He exhaled before he met her gaze.

"Where I come from, people don't usually bathe together."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Was I intruding?"

"I forgive you. It's just that I've never . . . bathed with another person before. "

"Well? Does it bother you?"

He thought for a moment.

"Mana, how old are you?"

She smiled at him.

"How old do I look?"

"Sixteen or seventeen?"

She laughed at him again.

"You're far too kind."

She's at least about Atem's age

He answered her first question.

"I guess it's not that bad when you put it that way."

"What do you mean?"

"Where I come from, if I was just one year younger, you would be arrested."

"Why?"

"It's illegal to violate a minor."

What's a minor?"

She didn't ask what violate means.

She got silence as her answer and decided to let that question drop.

"Yusei?"

"Yes?"

"How does your hair stick up like that when it's wet?"

=(0)=

Atem was shocked. It couldn't be that simple. Not after Seto's impression of how a Pharaoh should act in the afterlife. Nonetheless, Mahado told Atem just how the Pharaoh's power was not genuine. It was true that the Pharaoh was still a symbol of the people of ancient Egypt, but now in a land where there were no opposing countries, or ideologies, it seemed irrelevant.

"How long has it been this way?"

"Since Seto arrived."

"I see. So that's all I need to do? Appearing to the people every seven days isn't a hard task at all. I was under the impression I had a lot of catching up to do."

Mahado gave a rare smile.

"Pharaoh, there still are other services that require your attention, but they can wait."

"For what reason?"

"Yusei doesn't need to get anymore involved in our problems than he already is. I don't think it would be safe talking about it while he is present."

"You still don't trust him? Really Mahado, I'd thought you'd –"

"You are mistaken Pharaoh. I just don't want you to get worried about an outsider's safety."

"Now I'm curious. "

Mahado sighed before speaking again.

"It can wait. Are you tired?"

"Now that you mention it, I feel exhausted."

"Here's the way to your room."

Mahado turned and guided Atem to the top level of the palace. There was an oversized bed in one of the rooms, and Atem fell asleep seconds after he hit the soft mattress.

Mahado bowed before he faded out of the air and returned to his tablet.

Until you require my guidance, my King.

=(0)=

So there's that chapter. A little short, I know, but it's difficult to write a story when I don't get many reviews (hint hint). Anyway, with that I hope everyone was in character even during the nude scene. Before any of you start wondering, no I'm not pairing Mana with Yusei.

Next chapter features cards, stone tablets, and maybe even some character development. I want to finish this story soon, and again I'd love some new reviewers.