Recently joined a few Reddit exchanges and got some really positive reviews over on AO3 :D Seems I'm doing a good job on conveying the scene and emotion of my AU :D

Birds called to one another in the early hours as the glow of the morning sun marked a new day in Egypt. Kat groaned, feeling vexed at having to listen to their cheery twittering. She pulled a pillow over her head, attempting to drown out the noise. Gods, she really hated mornings.

A hand running down her back caused her to tense up. "(Atem, I'm still mad. Get your hands off of me.)" she demanded bitterly in the old tongue.

The hand quickly retreated. She felt the weight of the body it was attached to shift into an upright position.

"(I mean it. Touch me again, and I'll break your hand.)"

"I'll let him know that when he wakes up," came an irritated voice that was not Atem.

Kat was fully awake now, and a bit confused. She removed the pillow from her head, staring groggily towards the body next to her. It took her brain a long second to realize where...or more accurately...when...she was, followed by another long second of who was staring at her in disappointment. She brought herself fully upright, looking around and trying to figure out how she had ended up in Malik's spare room.

"Sorry, my head feels like I was hit by a truck...literally," she apologized, rubbing her temple. "Why are we in Mal's guest room?"

Marik wrapped his arms in a comforting embrace around his girlfriend. "Observation. Your other half took over again."

It wasn't entirely a lie. He was simply 'warping the truth within the confines of technicality'. After the encounter with Apep, he had called for Malik. The larger Ishtar had jumped to the conclusion that Kat's Isfet had taken over again. Marik hadn't corrected him, nor would he because of the bargain he'd made with the serpent. When he had refused to leave Kat's side, Malik insisted that they stay in his guest room so that he could be nearby in the event of another attack.

Marik felt Kat shift uncomfortably within his arms.

"If I attacked you again, then why are you still here? Aren't you afraid it will keep happening?" Kat questioned quietly.

Marik leaned his head onto hers. "No. Actually, I spoke with it. It promised not to bother us again." Once again, not entirely a lie. Apep had simply asked to be kept hidden. By still letting everyone believe that Kat's other half was simply part of a split concept, he was keeping his end of the deal.

Kat drew her head back and looked up at her boyfriend with an extremely puzzled, yet doubtful, expression. "You spoke with my Isfet? I highly doubt that. I appreciate you making the effort of trying to convince me not to worry about whether or not I'll attack you again, but don't outright lie to my face."

"But it's true," Marik stated, feeling very hurt by the accusation.

"Oh really? Say I believe you. Exactly how did you get it to come to this agreement?"

Marik was about to admit to the bargain he'd made, but the sensation of something coiling and constricting about his throat made him stop. Was this the 'discomfort' Yugi had felt? Whether it was or wasn't, it was plainly obvious that he wasn't permitted to talk about the details of the bargain.

Kat noticed her boyfriend's sudden strange behavior. "You're not lying…" She forcefully withdrew herself from Marik's arms, quickly leaving the bed while staring at him as if disgusted. "You made a fucking bargain...with my Isfet. Why the fuck would you do something so stupid?!" she questioned angrily.

Marik had expected something like this. He already knew she would be mad at him. He sighed and looked at her as apologetically as he could. "We wanted a solution. We have one now. You don't have to worry about unintentionally attacking me again. I didn't have a lot of time to think about it and there was no way to discuss it directly with you. I did what I thought was best for the both of us."

Kat glared in disappointment. "Us? You mean you. Marik, I thought you were smart enough to know that you should avoid any and all magically binding deals with my kind. Especially after seeing what they can lead to."

Marik scowled. "I know the choice I made, and I stand by it. Be mad at me, I don't care. But don't accuse me of doing something that only benefits me. I was upset with you about what had happened, but that doesn't mean I couldn't see that your actions were just as upsetting to you. I mean it when I say I did this for us. Would you rather the alternative where we split up and try to avoid each other?"

Kat closed her eyes while clenching her jaw and fists. "...not really. But I hate the idea that you did something like that. I hate that you are bound and have to keep something from me...that you actually agreed to keep something from me."

"I don't like that part either, but the alternative wasn't very favorable," Marik stated. "Just trust that I did what I felt was the best option...please?" he asked, his eyes begging her to trust in his actions.

Kat sighed and relaxed. "I guess I don't really have a choice. The bargain has already been made. There's nothing I can do about it now. Just...don't do something like that again. Bargains rarely end favorably for those who were reluctant to shake on them in the first place."

Marik brought himself to the edge of the bed, sitting there with his legs hanging down. He took his girlfriend by the hand and pulled her towards him. "I'll try not to make any more magically binding deals. I won't promise it though. If I'm placed in a similar predicament to the one I was in last night, I'm going to take the more favorable option. I know I'm not going to be the winner in the long run, but at least I can stay in the game a bit longer."

Kat couldn't help but smirk. "Just doing whatever it takes to be a top contender, right?"

"Of course," Marik replied with a smirk of his own. "How do you think I made it to the Battle City finals?"

"By cheating."

"I did whatever it took to get there. It's just who I am. I set a goal, and I go for it."

"And what, might I ask, is your current goal?" Kat questioned, still smirking.

Marik pulled his girlfriend closer so that she was between his legs, bringing her face close to his. "I don't really have one at the moment. The Pharaoh is revived. I was hoping maybe you could help me find something new to work towards," he said flirtatiously.

Kat smiled. "How about something short term to start with?"

"Oh? What did you have in mind?" Marik asked playfully.

"Helping me wake my ex. He is a real pain to get out of bed," Kat said casually.

Marik's face fell. "Not quite the goal I was hoping for…"

"What were you hoping for?" Kat questioned with a playful smile.

Marik brought her face in close enough that he could practically taste her breath. "I thought maybe testing whether your Isfet will hold to their end of the bargain."

Malik made a noise of disgust from just outside of the open doorway, making his presence known.

Kat stood upright, glancing over her shoulder towards the other elemental. "Still the ever watchful guard I see."

Malik turned his head just enough that one of his eyes was visible to the pair in the room. "You know my rule Ka-ib."

Kat did her usual tilt and stare. "Don't let Kura touch your stuff?"

Malik groaned in annoyance. "Not that rule."

"Don't wake you before sun-up?"

"You test my patience."

"Ohhh! You mean the rule about not waking you up with my claws, right?" Kat asked mockingly.

Malik's eye twitched as he tried his best to avoid giving in to Kat's irritating taunts. He shook slighting as he pointed towards the exit of his quarters. "Out. Now." he demanded.

"Fine…" Kat said while sighing boredly. "You used to be fun," she added with a small pout while walking out of the room, leaving Marik behind.

Marik stood up and began to follow.

"Stay here. I need to get dressed for the day and so do you. We might not get to what we planned if you follow," Kat said, looking back with a playful smirk.

"And what am I supposed to wear exactly?" Marik questioned.

Kat shrugged. "Not sure. Either borrow from Mal or see if he'll take you back to Domino to get changed." She then left, leaving the two Ishtars alone.

Malik groaned again in irritation, his fists at his sides. "I care deeply for Ka-ib, but there are times she makes me want to do things I know I'll later regret."

"I see that," Marik stated casually. "So...uh...would you be up to taking me back real quick? I think I've worn more of yours and Mkhai's stuff the past few days than my own."

Malik gave an examining glance towards the smaller Ishtar. "I agree. No offense, but I'm not fond of letting others borrow to begin with. Last night was a rare exception."

Marik raised a curious brow. "Who would have thought you were so possessive over your stuff?"

"I'm not," Malik replied in sharp defense. "You try living with a thief for five-thousand years. I've learned to keep a close eye on my possessions."

"Ishtari aren't supposed to keep possessions," Marik said in a reminder. Part of his Tomb Keeper studies included the history and rules of the Ishtari. Malik had rambled on about the 'No emotional attachment' rule, and it was the one that apparently he struggled internally with. The 'Keep no worldly possessions' rule he didn't appear to be too bothered with breaking.

Malik scowled and grumbled as he marched off towards his room. "Ka-ib said to not listen to the rules…" he muttered under his breath.

"How did you meet?" Marik asked in puzzlement.

Malik stopped, glaring harshly towards the smaller Ishtar. "Who are you asking about? I've met a great number of people."

"Kat. Being Ishtari means you were born and raised within the palace. From what I understand, she wasn't. So how did the two of you meet?"

Malik relaxed. "Oh. It was dumb luck I guess. I had gone with my older brother and sister to the market. As usual it was packed, and we ended up separated. I think I was only five? Maybe six? Hard to remember ages at this point. Anyways, my older siblings always told me if we got separated to just start making my way back to the palace, and that if I saw any guards on the way to have them relay the message that I had gone back. It was more crowded than usual, so I took a detour down an alley. That proved to be a big mistake. A cobra had taken refuge from the sun in the shadows of the buildings, and I foolishly was not looking at my feet while walking. I think you can figure out how that ended up."

"Yeah, I'm not exactly fond of snakes for the same reason…" Marik said dryly.

"It just so happened the alley was next to the brothel Katrina lived in at the time. She heard my scream, rushed to my aid, and sucked out the venom, then helped me inside where her mother wrapped the bite before carrying me back to the palace. My brother never allowed me to leave his side after that when we went to market, but he did allow me to stop in and visit with Katrina for a bit before we returned home. She was my first, and for the longest time only friend. When Atem ordered me to place her above him, I did so gladly." He released a deep sigh, remembering something that dampened his spirits. "Unfortunately my dedication and attachment to her was a source of contempt in my family. My father mostly. He was supposed to be the personal Ishtari for Akhenamkhanen, but a crippling injury in his youth left him incapable so my uncle took his place. Having me become Atem's personal Ishtari I think made him feel as though it made up for being unable to properly serve Akhenamkhanen. When he discovered I had been re-assigned by Atem himself, I think he felt that he had somehow failed his Pharaoh yet again. I always tried to be the best at what I did for him, following orders without question, but it was never enough. I was never enough." Malik had taken to staring off at nothing in particular, but Marik shifting weight caught his attention, bringing him back to the present. "I apologize. I didn't mean to ramble. My issues are not yours."

"No, but I think I understand you a bit more, and why you feel the way you do towards me," Marik stated.

Malik glared. "Don't." He wasn't in the mood to be psychoanalyzed by a teenager.

"Fine." Marik shrugged. "Let me know when you're ready to leave."

"Now seems appropriate," Malik replied, slightly less bitter than a second before.

Kat made her way down to the main area after changing into one of her black halter tops, a pair of black skinny jeans, black strappy stilettos, and a bright red bolero jacket slung over her shoulder. She came to a stop near the head of a still sleeping Atem. Metal rubbing against stone caught her attention, and she spotted Bakura sitting nearby in a shadow sharpening one of his jewel-hilted daggers. The pale elemental had changed back into modern clothing as well, wearing a white button down shirt with a black vest over top, gray jeans paired with a black belt, and a pair of black dress shoes. The cord of the Millennium Ring peeked through at the collar of his shirt, keeping the relic for the most part hidden as he had often done throughout the millennia.

"You look nice. Almost like your old self," Kat commented towards Bakura's appearance.

"Wasn't easy. Only thing the kid owned that resembled anything I would wear was a suit for special occasions. We better still be heading to Italy today. I need to see if that lycan that I used to get my suits from is still operating out of Rome," Bakura mildly growled. It vexed him that the clothing from his old body was a bit too large on Ryou's more slender frame.

"We'll get there," Kat replied. "Gotta wake sleeping beauty first. I can't believe he's still out cold."

"I can wake him if you like," Bakura said with a devilish smirk, brandishing his blade so that the light glinted off of it.

"I think I can manage," Kat said dryly.

Bakura's face fell in a small pout. He was hoping Kat would at least humor him.

Kat crouched down, grabbed a handful of Atem's hair, lifting up his head to see his face. Atem groaned, fluttered his eyes, then decided to keep them closed while groaning some more at the fact that he was being woken. Kat released her grip and Atem's head fell back into the cushion while she watched boredly. Kat sighed, then began poking her finger into his shoulder repeatedly.

"(Go. Away.)"

Kat stopped her poking, resorting to shaking him awake.

"(Let Set deal with whatever it is. I feel as if I was vomited up by Ammit.)"

Kat didn't mask her shock. "Looks like I'm not the only one waking up in the wrong era this morning."

Atem stirred and groggily raised his head. He looked around and was momentarily confused. He was in his throne room….but he wasn't? And his beloved Queen was dressed strangely and appeared to be irritated with him. Had he done something to anger her again? Ever since they had wed, it appeared that she was upset with him more and more often.

"Ibib, are you aware of where...or better yet when...you are?" Kat questioned.

Atem slowly sat upright, becoming more confused as he realized he was indecent with only the robe of the Thief King to hide his lower region. He grabbed his head as it began to throb violently.

"(What happened? Where am I?)"

Atem's intense confusion worried Kat. She began to wonder if the restoration of his memories had only been temporary. "Atem, do you remember the events of yesterday?"

"(Yesterday? Ugh...my head….)"

Kat looked at him with concern. "Atem, look at me. What comes to mind right now when you see me?"

Atem tried to focus through the screaming pain he felt. "(I keep wondering why you are dressed like that? How can I understand you when it is obvious you are speaking a different tongue?)" He grasped both sides of his head as the pain intensified, crying out. "(Make it stop!)"

"Kura! Do something!" Kat called out in panic.

Bakura looked around, shrugging in confusion. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"You've studied medicine...there must be something you can think of!"

"Studied medicine, yes...treating someone brought back from the dead...not exactly my area of expertise!" Bakura argued.

Atem curled up and fell onto his side, still grasping his head and crying out. Flashes of lives that were not his own came and went quickly behind his tightly closed lids. One second he was a great general, the next a powerful lord, then on to someone else with power, and on to another life...another face...another mind. Each flash leaving behind an intense burning in his head. 'Make it stop! Who are all these faces?! They aren't me!' Another face appeared, one that smiled and was full of light and optimism. One that stood beside him when he was lost and had forgotten his name. One that he felt an overwhelming connection to, in a way that he didn't feel towards the other faces. The other faces were simply a means to an end, their fates decided the moment they assembled the familiar relic around their neck. This face was special to him. Another face appeared standing excitedly beside the one that Atem felt a connection to. It was more like his own than the other, but it was still not him. Another flash. Atem saw a wall of black flames, watching as the two faces walked into them. He then saw himself do the same.

Suddenly the pain vanished, and he found himself standing in the circular center of the flame wall. Standing across from him was...himself? The face was not a replica. It was actually him.

"Have you forgotten our conversation already?" the other him questioned.

Atem stared in puzzlement. A quick flash reminded him of the trials he had encountered. He remembered the Sphinx's riddle, his harsh words to his Queen, and the conversation with himself in the flames.

"Apparently you weren't as ready as you thought," the other him commented, appearing disappointed.

"I...I don't understand."

Another flash, this time showing his possessive behavior towards his Queen and her lover's reaction towards it. More flashes came quickly, showing the arguing and bickering, and being chastised for trying to hide a secret that wasn't much of a secret.

Atem hung his head. He was slowly remembering everything from the day before. "I didn't try to be like that. It just...happened."

"Because you allowed it to happen. What did Shimon always tell you? Think before you speak or act, as both hold the power to create and destroy. He did not mean just the words and actions of Pharaoh...he meant the words and actions of Atem as well."

Atem raised his head, looking at his other self in confusion. "I'm not certain I understand? I am both."

"Are you? As Pharaoh you have always shown great wisdom, and your people loved and respected you because of it. It was because of your wisdom that your kingdom flourished. As Atem however, you brought about the deaths of several people in a single day, all because you did not stop to think on your actions or words. As Atem you did not hold your tongue. As Atem you spoke harshly towards those you claimed you felt deeply for. As Atem you were afraid of the truth."

"Are you saying that I am two different people?"

"Are you?"

Atem contemplated. Perhaps this other him was right? Looking back, he could see clearly the difference between his actions as Pharaoh...and his actions when he was not. One was wise and full of compassion. The other was, as Bakura often referred, 'an asshole'.

"How do I fix this? How do I make the two become one? The world no longer needs 'Pharaoh'...but I do not wish to be the 'Atem' that continues to hurt others."

"So don't. You already have what you need to fix 'Atem'. It is up to you now on whether you truly wish to change."

"And how will I know when I have accomplished that?"

The other him smiled. "You'll know when I no longer appear before you."

The black flames engulfed the two of them, causing Atem to instinctively close his eyes while shielding himself. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Kat kneeling down next to him with an expression of extreme worry. He slowly sat up, wondering what had happened as Bakura was looking at him with the same expression.

"Are you...okay?" Kat asked, her voice fully of concern.

"I think so?" Atem replied, slightly perplexed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You were holding your head and screaming you idiot. How else do you expect her to look at you?" Bakura said in his usual bitter tone.

"Atem, do you...know where you are?" Kat questioned, wanting to make certain he was actually okay now.

Atem looked around. "This is the palace you recreated for me. I must say, I'm still impressed with how close it is to the original."

"So then you are aware this isn't five-thousand years ago…right?"

"Of course it isn't," he replied, wondering why she would even ask something like that.

"Do you know the name of your last host?" Kat continued to question.

"Of course I do! Why does any of this matter? Why are you even here pestering me with questions? Have you grown tired of your new lover already?" he asked irritably.

Kat scowled. "Sorry for being fucking worried about you! I came to wake you up, and next thing I know you're confused about where and when you are and holding your head like it's about to split into two! Sorry for thinking that after I finally succeeded in keeping my promise to you that I somehow still managed to fuck it up!" She stood quickly and stormed across the room, her heels tapping harshly on the floor as she did so. She came to a quick stop, with her back to him while folding her arms over her chest. She had been so worried, and he didn't even care!

Atem rubbed his temple. His head did hurt a little, but he was certain that it was from the wine he had drank. He glanced across to his irritated Queen, feeling a bit guilty for snapping at her. She was just showing concern over his well-being. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. She turned her head slightly towards him, but it was obvious she was still upset with him. "You look nice," he added after a short period of silence. He hoped the compliment would show he meant the apology.

"Whatever. It's time to get up. Kura wants to get to Rome ASAP. So hurry up and get a fucking shower so we can leave," Kat replied irritably.

"Do I still smell that bad to you?"

Kat faced him. "One: Yes. Two: I think Kura would appreciate it greatly."

Atem scowled. "Why would I care what the thief thinks?"

"Now that's just rude," Bakura pouted, pretending that his feelings had been hurt.

"Bakura, I'm in no mood for your games," Atem scowled, slowly rising while holding the robe that had been draped over him to keep himself somewhat decent.

"Nor was I when you fucking took advantage of me…" Bakura growled.

Atem paled. He had been drinking. Bakura had been drinking. He was now naked...and covered in the Thief King's robe. His face fell. "Oh please tell me we didn't…"

"Camera footage says otherwise," Bakura replied, scowling, pulling out the data pad Mkhai had lent him and waving it in the air. He knew Kat's reclusive younger sibling had always gone to great lengths to chronicle everything that happened throughout the millennia, and knew without a doubt the palace was most likely filled with more video surveillance than a Swiss bank. He had to see for himself the atrocity that had been committed while he and Atem were inebriated.

Atem quickly rushed over and grabbed the device from the pale elemental, pressing play on the video that was already pulled up. Nearly half a minute later he paused the video, then turned his gaze towards his former wife, glaring irritably. "You watched for a few seconds then ran off?"

"Well at first I was confused, then I remember how you were complaining about going to bed alone," Kat stated casually while shrugging. "I figured 'problem solved'."

"You let me….and him…" Atem began shaking in frustration.

Kat grinned mischievously. "Oh, but you only watched until I left. Believe me when I say it gets better. You should play it with the sound on."

"Wait...what?" Bakura looked at the other elemental, puzzled. Had he missed something? He had mostly fast-forwarded through the footage, only pausing occasionally to make sure he wasn't having some sort of nightmare. He hadn't played any of the audio.

Atem and Bakura hesitantly looked towards one another, both debating if they should follow the suggestion. They both reluctantly stood next to one another, Atem pressing the play button again and slid the volume control up. Both figures paled hearing the sounds coming from the device, tinges of pink forming across their cheeks. Bakura's entire face suddenly flushed red with embarrassment as he heard himself practically become his former host. The embarrassment was quickly replaced with a sudden desire to kill Atem as it quickly became obvious that the Pharaoh was extremely turned on by Bakura's 'Ryou-ness'.

"You sick fuck!" Bakura growled, shaking with his fists clenched at his sides. The ash-violet of his eyes began to glow as his rage intensified. "I'll. Fucking. Kill. You." Dark clouds blotted out the sun that had been filtering brightly into the main room, accompanied by fast winds that were growing in intensity by the second.

Atem paled even further, stepping quickly backwards away from the pissed off wind elemental. "Katrina…do something…" he begged nervously.

Kat shrugged casually. "Go ahead and kill him. I don't care. I've done my part." She then turned and began to slowly walk away.

Bakura grinned darkly towards Atem, his eyes glowing brightly against his pale form as he slowly walked towards the doomed Pharaoh.

"You know…" Kat began, stopping after a few steps while glancing back towards Bakura. "...he won't walk the Path of Duat. He'll proceed straight to the Halls of Osiris...where Judgment will be waiting for him. I hear he can see everything a person has done in their lifetime in a single second. Wonder what he'll think of Atem's final moments? Perhaps he'll be flattered?" she finished with a mischievous grin.

Bakura paused his murderous advance towards Atem. He shook with seething rage. The Pharaoh was right fucking in front of him….yet somehow the annoying, tiny, flame elemental had managed to make him reconsider plunging his daggers deep into that deeply bronzed and semi-well toned body that cowered before his fury. Would Ryou really be into someone like him?

Bakura howled in rage, vehemently throwing his daggers across the room, causing them to become embedded in the wall. "DAMMIT! YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"

Kat feigned ignorance. "Did what on purpose?"

"You let me think I could actually fucking kill the annoying bastard!"

"Oh, that. Yeah. I guess I did," she smirked.

Bakura closed his eyes and calmed his rage. The winds died down and the dark clouds began to disperse. "That's not even fucking funny."

"Meh. Kinda was. Besides, now you're a bit more inclined to make certain he doesn't die again."

Atem swallowed hard, trying to push his heart back down to where it belonged...and to make sure it was still beating. His eyes were still wide, his brain trying to comprehend what had just occurred. He thought for sure when Kat had given Bakura the okay, that it was game over for him. "I think...I'll go get that shower now," he said, turning slowly away from the pale elemental that still glared visual daggers in his direction.

"Okay," Kat replied casually. "I'll see what I can find that will suit you for our day out."

Atem nodded, cautiously making his way to Kat's room, glancing back over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure Bakura hadn't changed his mind about killing him.

Next chapter will still be Egypt, then back to Domino. I promise we'll get to Rome at some point! Then eventually back to Domino for a while.