Mana's eyes shoot open, immediately being met by a mysterious silhouette hovering over her. She quickly sits up, scrambling away until her back hits a rock wall. She kicks her feet and grabs a fistful of dirt to throw at her foe to try and protect herself at any cost. Looking around frantically, she realizes she is no longer in the desert. Her eyes gaze over the mystery figure's shoulder to the cave's exit, seeing a night sky. How long was she out for?

'Where am I?' Mana thinks to herself. Gritting her teeth, her palm glows briefly before fading. 'Come on, focus. Center your mind or you're done for!'

The hooded person continues to approach, making her movements more desperate. Is this truly the end?

His hand goes up to reach for the hood, bringing it fully down and revealing his identity. Immediately, Mana's frantic actions come to a halt and her face drops. That grey hair. Those eyes. They have hardened over the years, but there's no mistaking it.

Her arms fall limp to the ground while her mouth goes partially agape. The tears begin to form in her aquamarine eyes as she stares at the figure in front of her that she believed to be killed all these years.

"B-Bakura…?" her voice whimpers.

A smirk appears on his lips as he crouches down in front of her. "It's good to see yo—"

She suddenly leaps forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace as she breaks down hysterically. His eyes widen in shock before relaxing as he places a consoling hand on her back. Her shoulders tremble and he can feel her tears on his bare chest. All this time, she thought she would never see him again. But she is so glad she was wrong.

"I thought you were dead!" she sobs uncontrollably.

"There's no need to cry. Come, now. Don't tell me you've softened up after all these years," he teases.

She pulls away, wiping away the tears and sniffling as a light chuckle escapes her lips.

Bakura smiles. "Now there's the Mana I like to see."

"I thought for sure you were—"

"And I thought the same of you," Bakura says. "After I managed to escape the monstrosities that were occurring to Kul Elna, I went to your village in search of you. But all I found was ruin."

They sit against the rock wall next to each other, beginning to converse with one another. At first, it started with Mana telling him what happened to her village. How one moment she was sleeping peacefully in her room, only to wake up to complete chaos. Bakura watches as she manages to keep herself from getting too emotional while she recounts her story. He can sense his own heart rate beginning to race, being able to relate to her story.

"Before I knew it, my parents were gone and my village was up in flames," Mana continues. "Someone from the palace saved me and I've been living there ever since. Well…until recently." She mutters the last sentence.

His fists clench together for a moment before he releases it. He knows if he reacts too strongly, she may not be willing to listen to what he has to say. But it begins to make sense as to why she was protecting the prince.

"What's life like in the palace?" Bakura asks, looking over at her. "When we were kids, I remember you not being very impressed with it. Do you still feel the same?"

Mana doesn't respond. If he had asked her a few days prior, she might have said that she is eternally grateful to them for saving her life and giving her a place to call home.

"Something tells me nothing has changed," Bakura concludes. "Or perhaps…you know the truth."

"I don't know…" She lowers her head. It's still so hard to believe the same people that took her in are the same people who destroyed her village. "At one point I wanted to serve in the palace as a powerful sorcerer and protect the pharaoh and all of Egypt."

Bakura finds himself getting tense once more. She would really pledge her life to the pharaoh? A man who is obsessed with power and has caused nothing but destruction and heartache? Noticing the change in his body language, Mana tilts her head to the side.

"Bakura?"

"Like you, my life changed in a short matter of time as well," Bakura starts off. "I watched as my people were senselessly murdered and sacrificed."

"Sacrificed…?"

"Do you know how the Millennium Items were created?"

Mana ponders for a moment and then slowly shakes her head, only having heard bits and pieces of Aknamkanon and Mahad's conversation in throne room.

"The Millennium Items came to be after an ancient ritual was performed in my village of Kul Elna." As he starts to explain, he finds himself getting emotional all over again. The rage within him builds and builds and he is finding it hard to contain his emotions any longer. It's time for Mana to know the truth.

"I'm sure the reason no one told you, is because the ritual involved sacrificing my village. And the pharaoh is responsible for it."

Mana can feel her heart plummet. 'So it's true…'

"I know it's a lot for you to take in. But I would never lie to you Mana."

It feels as if her mind is spinning. Shutting her eyes, she clenches both sides of her face as she tries to make sense of things. She can practically remember everything that happened to her village like it was yesterday. Then again, she was only a child and there were some things that were a bit hazy due to the fact that the attack happened in the dark. Who's to say Bakura isn't right?

"It's quite possible your village was killed off by the pharaoh under the guise of an intruding army. But…if you have any doubts, you're free to go back to the palace and ask them yourself," Bakura offers and she quickly looks up to him with surprise. "If they really care for you, they'll tell you the truth."

"No…"

Bakura raises an eyebrow. "No?"

"I've heard enough…and I've decided…I'll never go back." After hearing what happened to Bakura's village, how can she? How can she stand in the presence or even merely look into the eyes of the very ones that have caused her so much pain?

"You're more than welcome to stay with me," Bakura offers, bringing Mana out of her thoughts.

She turns her head in his direction, taking in the sight of him more fully. Apart of her still sees the little boy that she grew up with in her earlier childhood. And the other part of her sees a man who has suffered so much and trying to survive in the world. Her eyes go up to the scar on his face, causing her to frown.

"What have you been up to?"

Bakura smirks, sensing the concern in her voice. "What? Do I look as bad as all the things I've gone through in my life?" He asks jokingly.

"Well…it's no secret you've had it pretty rough. I was taken in by the palace while you were out here fending for yourself," she replies before lowering her head. "Had I known you were still alive I'd—"

"Now don't go beating yourself up," he says, cupping her chin to bring her head back up. "There's no way you could have known. This reunion happened purely by chance, after all." At least, that what she thinks. He can remember the day he first found her at the bottom of a chasm. How he wanted to reveal himself then, but it was too late.

Ever since then, he kept close tabs on her until he ran into her once more. This time, with the prince. The sight of the both of them together made his blood boil. He was supposed to lay low until another opportunity arose when she would be alone. However, his emotions got the best of him and he attacked, only to fail miserably.

But this time will be different.

Mana fans his hand away, averting her gaze, remaining silent.

"But you are right about one thing. We had two totally different upbringings. I've had to take another approach to living life to survive, resorting to thievery just to have a meal."

Mana's eyes scroll back to him. "You're still as blunt and straightforward as always."

"It's only fair that I am open with you, Mana."

"Has anyone ever gotten hurt as a result?"

"A couple of minor bumps and bruises is all."

Mana lets out a sigh, bringing her knees close to her chest. She doesn't budge when Bakura puts an arm around her shoulder.

"Look, Mana. I can sense your hesitancy. And by no means are you obligated to participate in any operation that makes you feel uncomfortable. I only do, because I have to."

"Right…" She slowly stands to her feet, going to the entrance of the cave and staring out into the night sky.

He smirks briefly before getting up and walking to the opposite end of the cave, disappearing into the darkness. "It's getting late. And I'm sure it has been quite a day for you. Let's get some rest, shall we?"

Mana doesn't respond, even though he's right. Her eyes feel heavy and her body is drained. At the ground, small droplets fall around her feet as her mind begins to think of the relationships and bonds she formed at the palace. For all of that to go down the drain in such a short period of time is a lot for her to bear. But perhaps what breaks her heart the most is not being able to see Atem and Mahad anymore.

Placing one hand up to her chest and using the other to wipe any remaining tears, she takes a deep breath, taking in the sight of the night sky one more time before retreating into the cave to begin her next chapter.

YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO

—One year later—

"We'll conclude here," Shimon announces under the direction of Pharaoh Aknamkanon to the royal court. Looking out to the wielders of the Millennium items, he breathes out a sigh of relief as they all give a bow to the pharaoh before departing the throne room. He then looks over his shoulder just as Aknamkanon rises from his throne and begins to exit as well, with his son Atem following closely behind.

"Thank you, Shimon," Aknamkanon says in a hoarse voice before putting the back of his arm up to his mouth to clear his throat.

"Is there anything else you need my pharaoh? Perhaps someone to escort you to your quarters?" Shimon offers.

"You worry far too much Shimon," the king responds with a weak smirk as he continues ahead.

Atem stops briefly, standing alongside Shimon as they watch Aknamkanon make his way for the exit. Though the king tries his hardest to appear strong on the outside, his most trusted advisor knows better. He looks at Atem from the corner of his eye, unbeknownst to the prince. No one has formally told him of his father's health conditions, though he suspects Atem may already know something is amiss. Over the past year, they have been subtly adding more responsibilities on the prince to prepare him for taking on the role of pharaoh someday. Although training has always taken place since he was a young boy, no one could have anticipated the possibility of a transition to happen so soon.

"Do not worry Shimon," Atem says, taking the advisor out of his deep thoughts. "I will ensure my father makes it to his room."

And without another word, Atem continues forward.

Shimon nods, placing his arms behind his back as he observes further. The prince has grown so much in just one year alone. Although it appears he won't be matching his father height wise, his voice has gotten a lot deeper, the combat training he has been put through have given him a more chiseled frame and he is wise beyond his years. But he can't help but worry that there might be too much weight being put onto the prince at once. After all, he has watched him grow from a mere infant into the young man he is today. Nevertheless, there isn't much he can do to ease any stress from the king or the prince, except be by their side and offer support as he vowed to all those years ago.

"It has been awhile since we've had time together. How have you been doing?" Aknamkanon asks as they walk toward his quarters.

"Staying busy," Atem replies, his eyes drifting off elsewhere. He looks down a dimly lit hall, his heart doing a brief jolt before it settles once more. He recalls many times going down that hall to meet a certain someone. That is, until she left.

"Yes. I have noticed you have been extremely focused on your studies," Aknamkanon compliments Atem. "Even going as far as to shadow me on days that I don't require you to do so."

"How are you doing, father?" Atem asks out of the blue, catching Aknamkanon off guard.

"What?" He looks over to his son who simply raises an eyebrow, keeping his trademark stoic gaze. Aknamkanon stops walking, pausing to bow his head for a brief moment, then letting out a deep exhale. "I should have known I wouldn't have been able to keep anything from you. Your observation skills will serve you well when you take on the throne."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"What do you mean?"

"At times you struggle to speak, let alone walk. Your breathing is more labored at the simplest of tasks," Atem replies, his voice beginning to steadily raise as his fists clench at his sides. "I'm not just busy because of my own free will, you have told the instructors to intensify my studies because you're…"

Having reached his room, Aknamkanon quickly grabs Atem by his arm, yanking him inside and shutting the door to his son's surprise. At first his back is to Atem, with his hand placed firmly on the door. Then his hand begins to soften as it slowly slides down until it drops to his side.

"Dying," Aknamkanon finishes in a calm tone.

Silence.

Even with them being inside Aknamkanon's quarters, Atem can feel a cold breeze brush up against his skin, causing goosebumps to form on his arms. He didn't want it to be true. But he noticed his father's health deteriorating ever since Mana left. And with his workload increasing, he sensed dark days ahead.

It was never told to Atem why Mana and Mahad had a falling out. But ever since then, the palace has just not been the same.

Atem looks to the ground. "When were you going to tell me…"

"I…figured you might have already known. And it seems like I was correct in that assumption."

"Aside from my studies, I've forced myself to be by your side in throne room. Not only to monitor your state, but to learn first hand what it means to be a pharaoh," Atem explains. "But as my father, I still would have like to have been told directly by you…"

"My son…"

Atem simply shakes his head with his eyes closed, moving past his father to get to the door. "Please…just get some rest," Atem says, not wanting to hear anything further. "I have scrolls that I need to attend to."

Aknamkanon doesn't say a word, only silently watching as his son leaves his room.

On the opposite side, Atem leans against the door with his hand up to his chest. For years he had closed himself off after the death of his mother. It took a toll on him and made him never want to speak again. That is, until he met Mana. She brought out a playful, more softer side that he never thought he would be able to see in himself again. Then, he lost her too. And now it seems he will be losing his father as well.

The one thing his studies have never taught him, is to be strong during times like this, just like his father even when knocking at death's door. His chest begins to hurt from the rapid beats of his heart and he can feel his nose beginning to burn as he squints and holds back tears. It seems this is a firsthand lesson on how to hold it together when one is going to be in a very powerful position. He mustn't cry, lest he fail the test he personally has set in his mind.

Pharaohs don't cry. Pharaohs are to be strong and show no signs of weakness. Even when his world appears to be crumbling. And despite the losses and the stress being thrown at him left and right, he will ensure that statement stands true no matter what.

YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO

AN: Thank you all for your patience with me writing this story and sticking with me all these years. And to those who are new to my fanfics, welcome! The support does not go unnoticed. Leave your reviews and see you next time!