Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Yugioh!

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Yugioh! © Kazuki Takahashi

Note: What caused me to write this, I have no idea…

The Wayward Pharaoh
Written By: Marik's Girl

Prologue
A Newcomer Known as Sakura

~ Ancient Egypt ~

Rumors were starting to go about the palace… that the young Pharaoh preferred the company of men — Atem, the current and Pharaoh in question — scoffed at the rumors, Atem very much liked women, he didn't have a thing for men. Whoever came up with the rumor would die a slow and painful death…

"My Pharaoh, Lady Sakura Haruno of Konoha, is waiting to see an audience with you." Atem was about to shoo off this audience with this woman but gave it a second thought. He had heard of Konoha before and heard good things about them, especially their trading aspects. He nodded to his guard. "Let her in."

"As you say!"

Atem was expecting an older woman to walk through the throne room but was surprised to see a teenage girl of seventeen wearing a white yukata with cherry blossoms flowers pattern on it, she wore white sandals on her feet. Her pink hair was pulled into a neat updo with a flower pin in her hair and she had the most amazing and beautiful emerald-green eyes that he had ever seen, not that he had seen many people with green eyes… if any at all. As she walked, she gracefully walked delicately. When she arrived in front of him, she bowed low in a respectful manner.

"Good evening, Pharaoh— it is an honor to finally meet you."

"You are from Konoha? May I ask, my dear, why have you come here?"

"My village wants to form an alliance with your kingdom, our Shinobi or warriors are at your disposal as you see fit, we would also like to trade — if it pleases you." She explained her head was still bowed. "Tell me." He began as he rested his cheek in his hand as he looked at her. "Where do you fit in this picture?" He questioned with interest. She finally looked up at him with surprise written on her face.

"I'm here to make sure everything runs smoothly, your highness. Whatever the choice you make… we hope that it is a peaceful one." Atem chuckles as he looks at the daring girl, no woman. If any man were to say such a thing, peace would be the last thing on his mind, she had guts to speak to him in such a way. He wondered if she spoke that way to everyone.

"Woman, watch your tongue when you're in the presence of the Pharaoh!" Set the high priest hissed. She raised a delicate pink eyebrow at the High Priest. "Why? I am simply telling the truth of the matter — I do not want war to break out between us. I do not want to go through another war again…" she trailed off softly.

War… she had been through a war before? "You were in a war?" the Pharaoh questioned, she turned back to him and nodded. "Yes, it was called the Great 4th Shinobi War… it wasn't the first time we had a great war like this, but this was different." she paused. "Go on," he told her. "This war wasn't fighting against some rival Shinobi nation like normal, we banded together to fight a common enemy that wanted to take over our world…" she looked down then. "We lost many loved ones to them, including my parents," she said bitterly. "But now we are at peace among our people." She gave a small smile. "But we lost so many too, I guess that is the price for peace…"

He looked upon her saddened face. She was saddened that this had happened to her, but she was moving forward. "I am sorry for your loss, losing the ones that you love can tear you up inside - all you can do is try to move on."

Sakura blinked at his words. "You sound as if you have lost someone as well," she asked as she tilted her head to the side, and he nodded. "My father has passed and gone to the afterlife and few years ago." Sakura's eyes widened. "I'm sorry my Pharaoh, were the two of you close?" He gave her a small smile and nodded his head. "Yes, very much so." Normally, he didn't talk to women because they were boring and talked about odd things that he didn't want to hear about. She had come about trading… yes, he would trade for a price… long as he got to see her again.

"I don't mean to get off topic, my Pharaoh… do you want to form an Alliance? And start to trade?"

He smirked at her as he looked at her beautiful emerald-green eyes. "Yes, I will form an alliance with your Konoha - but for a price."

Sakura blinked. For a price? What price? They were willing to give him their Shinobi to do as he pleased what else did he want? Besides trading? He then pointed a finger at her. "You are the price, my dear - I will join as an alliance with your village if you stay here at the Palace." Gasps could be heard in the Palace and Sakura's jaw dropped comically and then shut. 'Shannaro! You have got to be kidding me!' The smile on his face told her he wasn't… dammit!

:::::

"This is good news, lady Sakura. We thought it might be harder for you to keep an eye on him, but then this happens! He wants you to stay at the Palace! I'm sure you will find out if the rumors are true or not!" said the elder. Outside Sakura smiled politely at the elderly man, but inside - she wasn't sure this was such a good idea… she was a shinobi for hire and even though the alliance was true on their part, it was a sham… finding out if the Pharaoh preferred men over women… was none of her business and frankly anyone else in Sakura's option. But if that was true, why did he want her to stay at the Palace? "Be sure you find out all that you can. If the rumors are not true, then we have a potential bride for him, he is at the marrying age now."

She blinked. So that is what they were up to? "How old is the Pharaoh? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Seventeen!"

'Seventeen… I'm the same age as he is.'

"We are counting on you, lady Sakura." Sakura bowed at the elder. "Yes, of course." 'I just hope everything goes smoothly…'

~ End Prologue ~

Yet, another story… :) Atem x Sakura ;) AU of course! At least in some ways. Hope you enjoy the Prologue.