Yami AJ: Hihi! This is my first Yu-Gi-Oh story, so if it sucks like my other fic, please forgive me. UU . It might be better than Fire, Foxes and Ningens but it can't be worse.

Ash: Although she still hasn't received a flame for her other fic

Yami AJ: . Anyway, if you read this thank you so much. And if you review, ten times more thanks! I usually review the stories of those who review me if I know about the Anime you write about

Ash: Yeah, she has lots of time

Yami AJ: Well, TIME FOR THE FICCY!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, I however do own the sexy Mariku (Marik) and Bakura -…..ok I don't but maybe if my plans for world domination come through I WILL! O

Please Note: This fanfiction is set in ancient Egypt, when Yami was known as Atem. But everyone knows about the Memory saga right -;;;;;;;…..Now, if you don't know about the names of the Characters of 'Memory Saga', just tell me in a review and I'll explain what ever you ask in the next chapter.

Because this is set in Ancient Egypt there will be no Yugi, no Anzu/Tea (YAY!), no Tristan/Honda, Joey/ Jounochi and such characters…sadly there will also be no Ryou, Marik or Malik but I hope it doesn't make you hate this more or like it less UU.

Now, I don't know that name of Yami's mother . if she is ever mentioned I missed it. So I'll just make up a name for her.

- Enjoy!

The Shadow Sands

A wise person once said: 'Our lives are like the Sand dunes. All holding common properties, but as alike as they may appear, they are very different. Like the sand dunes our lives can be changed by seemingly small things, just as over time mighty mountains of sand are levelled by a simple breeze. But unlike the sand dunes, we can shape our fate, not change it but bend it….hopefully we will chose the right direction…..'

The winds had changed direction as the darkness lightened on the sand laden horizon. Work had just begun in the Valley of the Kings, signalling the start of a new day, even though the sun had not risen. Many inhabitants of the palace would not wake for a few hours, leaving the prince alone and untroubled by chirpy greetings.

Atem stared over the side of his balcony, violet eyes surveying the kingdom that would eventually be his. By the sounds he heard his parents were fully awake. They had been so for many hours but had remained silent, attempting not to wake him. But he had woken first, their attempts were in vain. Their words played again like a broken record, his mother begging for the same thing she always did, only to be ignored by his father.

"Why won't you even consider it, Akunumkanon?" his wife asked, her hazel eyes once again on the verge of releasing tears.

"I don't need anyone else," he replied not meeting her gaze.

"But it will be the downfall of your kingdom. The line shall die out."

"I will not take another wife, I d-"

"YOU DO NEED ONE!" Nephthys shouted, rising from the bed.

"Quiet!" Akunumkanon urged. "I will not be like my father, who had so many wives that he could hardly pay attention to my mother. We will find away around this."

"There is no way," the black-haired beauty replied hanging her head. "We can not take a daughter from the nobles; it will be known that she is not a daughter of pure blood. The only way around this would be to find someone who has never been seen by the villagers. And there is no such person."

Akunumkanon put his hand gently on Nephthys' shoulder and she looked at him, tears rolling down her face as they did every time they had this conversation. "I will find a way. Shimon and Akunadin are looking for all possible ways."

"Atem is a young man. He is old enough to understand the problems that we face. He may have an idea."

"An idea that we couldn't think of?"

"Atem is wise beyond his years, he may think differently," Nephthys said, walking out of the room. Her husband stepped onto his balcony and looked at the kingdom that would belong to his son. Taking another wife would help them…perhaps save the line, but his wife was all he needed…when Atem was pharaoh, he would sort this out….he must…

The rulers of Egypt had gone back to sleep just before Atem passed their sleeping quarters. If his parents had been awake they would have stopped him as he crept downstairs to the only part of the palace he was forbidden to go. He stopped as he heard a footstep behind him, the hair on his neck standing up like his hair. A soft 'meow' came from the cat following him, its green eyes staring at him in wonder.

Atem let out a sigh. "Bastet," he said, thankful it wasn't a human following him. Bastet rubbed against his legs, tan fur soft against his skin. He picked the cat up and exited the main palace, walking past the stone pillars in the figure of the present Pharaoh and his queen. The prince quickly hid behind a stone pillar as two guards passed on their rounds.

"They say he's pretty small," one said using his index finger and thumb to show a short distance.

"If he's so small, how did he manage to get past all those guards?" the other questioned doubtfully.

"None of the guards saw them, they just found footprints in the sand and an empty chamber," the other continued.

"Them?"

"Yeah there are two small ones, they're obviously outsiders. How else could they be so small?"

"They could be really young…"

"Nope, not with the skill these two have, that takes years of experience."

Atem processed the words that had just been said; there had been a robbery somewhere but his father had not been told of it, but currently that wasn't his concern. He darted off to the left side of the palace, making sure there was no one around to see him as her grabbed a lamp from its perch. Bastet 'meowed' again as if to remind her owner he was disobeying his parent's orders.

"I know," Atem said to his cat, "I'll be my usual careful self." The cat didn't take much notice of his words as it fell asleep, purring a bit too loudly for Atem's liking. The tanned prince made his way down the slanted limestone path, the light of his torch not yet necessary. A long, straight passage with ten tributaries continued far into the darkness to places he dare not venture. The flooring material was different for each wide passage, symbols in a foreign script engraved into the stone. At the end of each passageway was a door, a door more than twice the height of a twelve-year old, pointy-haired prince.

But he wasn't going all the way down; he was continuing his journey of the right eighth passage; one he had been trying to finish more for than four months. The hieroglyphs of the eighth passage were high level, a level only taught to those who lived in the palace or had close relations to it. They were complex and it took at least a week worth of trips to understand one description; and unfortunately there were usually three per scene.

The passages made up the part of the palace called the Hall of Time; tunnels painted with scenes of important events, with descriptions for each occasion. The history went from past to present, the first picture at the entrance a scene of the creation of the world. Atem had realized shortly after he began his visits why he was forbidden to come here, here and there scenes of violence and suffering appeared, bloody bodies painted onto the walls in grim detail. But only on his exploration of the eight passage had Atem found something that truly convinced him; a golden pendant worn by the palace guard, a broken dagger and something that could be nothing but a shattered bone.

"And I could have sworn of the light of Ra that he was going to like, DIE!" one of the guards shouted, their voices too close for comfort. The boy with the tri-coloured hair ran rapidly one of the first two tunnels, Bastet lazily opening one eye. He waited until the footsteps had faded, for placing his slim cat on the floor, and walking down three more slanted pieces of limestone to reach the beginning of the eighth tunnel. His torch had become his best friend; its light providing him with a limited circle of vision in which Bastet prowled.

Something broke loudly in the distance, the sound echoing in the utter silence. Bastet continued forward leaving her master as he remained still and un-breathing, waiting for another sound or for the silence to continue. As usual it was the second one that came, but the hairs on the back of his neck still stood up as if warning him of what lay ahead. Atem held the torch high above his head after a few minutes, his shadow dancing on the wall to the music of the flames. He could see another large door ahead, but did not approach it. He held the flames close the last two panels on the wall and observed them closely.

"A…new king is born….let him be called 'Atem'" the prince read, grateful for finding some relatively easy hieroglyphics. Three maids held their hands upwards, their tanned bodies all facing right. Akunumkanon and Nephthys sit opposite them their hands held outwards with Atem in the hands of his mother. A golden bird is above his head, its blue-tipped wings stretched protectively above him. Bastet curled up in a ball at her owners' feet, closing her bright eyes. The shining bird is in the second line, its wings now folded at its side. 'His magicians shall …' the last marks were a mystery to him. Shimon and Akunadin were also in the picture behind the Pharaoh, their hands raised to the sky. "What?" Atem mumbled to himself, noticing the strange mark on his forehead. He stood on his tip-toes and reached out for the mark, his fingers tingling on impact, the Millennium Puzzle in the picture almost glowing. The symbol on his forehead was unfamiliar and didn't even look like something his mother would know. He squinted to see it to no avail. "Let...Le-"

A scraping sound met his ears. The sound of blades being dragged tip-first along the stone. Bastet was on all fours, hissing madly and something in the shadows, her hair standing straight up. Something sparkled in the darkness, a red glow emanating from what ever lay beyond his range of vision.

"COME BASTET!" Atem ordered loudly, already backing away from the end of the tunnel. The cat did not respond to his request, and its hissing continued a type of growl coming from its throat. "BASTET!"

A claw reached for the light, a shiny curved appendage inches away from a tanned paw. Atem reached for his cat, another claw shooting from the gloom, creating a gash in his arm. He didn't cry out as the first drop of blood decorated the floor and Bastet was taken up in his arms. Bastet didn't want to be saved as she jumped into the shadows, her claws extended as she pounced on the large creature in the dark. The prince hadn't noticed when he had dropped his torch and didn't much care as the creature became visible, its petrifying appearance putting Atem in a state of shock. Its scaly green skin shone in the light from the fallen torch, the three, twelve inch claws at the end of its arm reaching hungrily for the cat attempting to claw out its red eyes. The creature was easily twice his height, its spiked tail three times as long as him. Its eye focused on the prince as Bastet sunk a claw into the other eye causing it to release an un-earthly howl. The cat hit the floor shortly after, still alive and snarling. Blood ran down the unsightly face of the creature and its working red eye focused on Atem, a claw raised in preparation for the coming attack.

"PRINCE!" a voice shouted before the claw could cause any harm. Atem turned to see Mahado running towards him, his eyes a picture of worry. The creature howled on his arrival, indicating its displeasure. Atem didn't answer but turned back the creature, its large body falling to the ground and shattering as another creature promptly vanished into the wall. "Prince, are you ok?"

"Please-call-me-Atem," the future pharaoh said breathlessly, his bleeding arm now beginning to sting. Mahado took his arm and ran his finger along the cut, the wound closing to nothing but a scratch. The torch went out a second after, the green orbs of the cats now the brightest thing I the tunnel. "Please don't speak of what has happened here. I will never get to finish this chamber if you tell the Pharaoh or Akunadi- "

Mahado gave a small chuckle as he helped Atem up. "I do as you say…Prince Atem…"

"Hurry you losers!" Haktep shouted down the thin shaft that connected the Labyrinth Caves to one of the storage chambers of the Pharaoh. His shiny black hair fell into his face as he reached desperately for his sack, sweat falling into his muddy brown eyes. His face was neither round nor thin, but leaned slightly more towards the latter and was very attractive. His tall, slim body made his job much easier, but it still wasn't small enough to fit in all places that were needed to go. "HURRY!" he ordered again, hastily putting on his hard, serious voice.

The one behind him was new to their group, and was the same age as Haktep; seventeen. He had his height and had his body build, with grey eyes and ear length dark brown hair, but lacked many of the 'people' skills of a thief. The other three in the group strongly doubted his loyalty and his willingness to work with the others was virtually non-existent.

The five each wore a white kilt-like skirt, the only piece of clothing that they shared other than their knee-length robes and vests; each of a different colour.

Shefnu scrambled up the shaft, pushing the sack above him to its respective owner. Haktep took his friends sack and dragged the panting man the rest of the way up the passage, looking down for the two left. The one panting the ground was rather handsome; he was also slim and fairly tall as you had to be in this profession, with dark brown eyes and hair that came just past his shoulders. "Our bread winners are coming, they went past the stairs," Shefnu joked, wiping his hair out of his sweaty face.

The chamber they were exiting was heavily guarded and littered with traps, to protect the treasure that lay within. The linked circular rooms were painted with gold; the walls shimmering brilliantly from the paints also colouring them. The limestone floors were covered in tiles, each carved with various symbols.

"HAUL ASS DOWN THERE!" Haktep yelled. A jangling sound grew louder and louder until two figures appeared at the shafts end, both their heads wrapped to cover their faces, only leaving a small gap for them to see out of. "UP!UP!UP!" He continued. One of the two flung his sack up the shaft his cut arm not affecting his throwing distance. He went completely still as the on beside his tensed up.

Shefnu made a desperate signal for the younger thieves to hurry but they both remained still. "Guards…" he youngest one whispered.

'What are you doing?!' Haktep mouthed. Bakura motioned to the thief beside him who held onto his wrist, their fingerless-gloves bloody from the cut on their hand. Bakura slowly pulled off his head wrapping and draped it over his shoulder.

"Make the midgets hurry," Oberon said quietly, his grey eyes scanning the narrow path ahead of them. Shefnu gave him a dirty look.

"Hurry Bakura!" Shefnu urged. Green eyes watched the door the chamber expectantly before a quick nod was given. "Thoth, throw it!"

The one beside the white haired boy nodded and tossed their loot upwards where Haktep took both sacks, something long sticking out of Thoth's sack. Bakura and Thoth grabbed a chest and placed it to the side of the opening, the green eyed thief climbing two thirds of the way up the shaft before Shefnu could pull him to the top.

"Can't he speak?" Oberon asked. Thoth's frigid green eyes shot a cold look at Oberon who simply repeated the question.

"Yes," Shefnu said irritably. "Just not to you." Oberon's mouth opened slightly to comment but he decided against it as Thoth knelt down next to the hole from where he came, and slid midway down the shaft, head-first. "HURRY BAKURA!" Shefnu continued, holding onto the ankles of the youngest one in the group. Bakura slid the chest under the opening and picked up the circular tablet that would cover his exit.

"HURRY!" Haktep ordered his voice shifting to a panicked plea. Bakura listened as footsteps grew louder but didn't take time to judge distance. Quickly, he sat on the chest, carefully pushing his feet in far enough to be held. Shefnu pulled slowly as Thoth held Bakura's ankles, the one with lavender eyes attempting to fit the tablet into the space. He lay on his back with his arms above his head and Haktep began fixing their sacks.

"I'm TRYING!" Shefnu shouted, waving his fist. OO Thoth slipped as Shefnu let go of one of his kegs and he was thankful for his ankle length cotton pants, as well as the 'skirt'. "YOU COME DO IT THEN!"

"SHEFNU!" Bakura and Thoth shouted, slipping further by the second. Shefnu sweatdropped and pulled them up slightly.

"It's not going in," Bakura commented staring up at the tunnel ceiling as his white hair cushioned his head. Oberon cursed picked up his bag.

"You'll get caught, WE MUST GO!" he shouted. The wind changed direction and blew throw the tunnels, whistling slightly and few seconds passing before the sound of guards hurrying past was heard.

"The wrong way," Thoth said slowly. Bakura picked his head up slightly looking at the visible piece face of the one above him. "Turn it upside down."

Bakura swiftly followed instructions and the stone loudly slipped into place, the hieroglyphics on the other side continuing the message on the wall. Shefnu and Haktep pulled the two up, sweat drenching their clothes and running down their faces. Footsteps were heard in the chamber as guard inspected, too ignorant to notice what had been taken. They quickly left and grey eyes flashed with anger.

"YOU IDIOT!" Oberon hissed, grabbing collar of the one who was yet to remove his facial coverings. "WE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT!" The one who dangled above the floor remained silent, unreadable eyes staring into grey orbs. "ANSWER!" Oberon ordered shaking the body in his hands.

"Because when the wind comes from the opposite direction, the whistling sound is loudest in the chamber two rooms down, because of the tunnels behind it. So the guards would go to the sound before coming here. If I had given instructions earlier they would have heard the tablet turning from their location, would have come here first, and had time to see it turning" Thoth said slowly.

Oberon walked towards a wall and pushed the one in his hand against it. "You and all your wise answers. Don't think that I'm stupid; I know you don't like me. And neither does your other worthless little friend," he said sharply pointing to Bakura. Something flashed in Bakura's hand as the white-haired thief raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think you're stupid. I know it." A fist made contact with a partially covered face as the body slammed into the cold ground. An already bloody hand was brought up to bleeding lips, wiping the blood away. "Your people skills could use some work…"

Oberon waited for a sign of pain, but none was given. He looked at on one who got up easily and gave a laugh, obviously not bothered by recent events. Bakura snickered from behind the one with stormy eyes. "You little white haired bats-"

"What were you going to say?" Bakura questioned, his cold blade pressed against the throat of the one who had spoken. Even though he was one of the shortest in the group he was still as high as the shoulders of the three seventeen year olds in the chilly tunnel. Oberon stepped back only to feel another knife against his neck. Thoth had slung his sack over his shoulder, also held a jagged blade to a sweating neck. Oberon looked to Shefnu and Haktep for help but they glared at him with cold eyes and crossed arms.

"Silence is greatly appreciated in this group," Thoth said. He was a hair shorter than Bakura but it wasn't noticeable.

"Whatever," Oberon spat, turning his head away from the one before him. The knife in the hand of Bakura pressed against his skin and a small cut was made, a small cut big enough to sting and bleed. He bit his lip; he had never been one to ignore even slight pain. Bakura and Thoth withdrew their blades and waited for their victim to move.

Oberon stalked away to where the two others stood and looked Haktep in the eye. "You make something with one of them, you make something with both," Shefnu informed the newest addition, hanging his sack before him.

"Learn to lighten up," Haktep said putting his hand on Oberon's shoulder.

"Yes, it just might save your life around these two." Oberon nodded and took his bag, putting it over his shoulder as Haktep and Shefnu told him jokes as they walked down the passage.

"Here," Thoth said, handing Bakura the heavy pack. Bakura placed his hand onto Thoth's and stared into the shadowed emerald eyes.

"Your hands are too bloody for my liking. I told you to leave me alone," Bakura said slowly, placing his load over his shoulder.

"Your hands would have been more cut up. It was foolish of you to step past the second stairs. You should have noticed the blades on the floor."

"The best treasure is stored in the middle of the chamber. But I'm…..you know, about your hands," Bakura said uncomfortably, unable to bring himself to completely apologize. He carefully ripped two pieces off his head covering and wrapped them gently around the bleeding palms of his friend.

"Thank you," Thoth said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Come on you two!" Oberon shouted around the corner, acting as if nothing had happened. "Sorry about….you knows…" Bakura nodded and Thoth gave a shrug indicating he had never really cared.

"Shila's (Shy-luh) making something special for breakfast today, so move your skinny butts!" Shefnu shouted from a good distance ahead. "AND SHILA'S PRETTY HOT WHEN SHE'S COOKINGGGGGGG!" Oberon, Haktep and Bakura laughed, while Thoth gave a sort of snicker.

Bakura stepped towards the left of the tunnel, the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the walls. "Aren't you coming?" Bakura asked as Thoth remained stationary.

Thoth's blue robe quivered slightly in the light wind before he stepped over to Bakura and pointed to his chest. "It's gone…." Bakura put his hand to his chest and felt around for the pendant that should have been hanging there. His eye grew wide as he accepted that the piece of jewelry was gone.

"It doesn't matter," Bakura said hastily, hiding the disappointment and sadness in his voice.

"Ra will strike you down for your lies. If it really doesn't matter then I shall go back and get it for myself….."

"You wouldn't."

"I would, but perhaps something will persuade me to give it back to you. After all, I could get a fair price for an item like that," Thoth said slyly. "Even if it is yours…Maybe one day…one day I'll find something to trade it to you for. Something special."

Bakura gave a snort as Thoth dragged him along by his wrist, their white shoes standing out against the dark floor. "Only in your dreams."

O.O "What if Pharaoh Akunumkanon had seen you, Ouji-sama," Mana said quickly as Atem re-dipped his reed brush.

"I don't know…..I've never seen such a creature down there before," Atem whispered, curving his symbol.

OO "What is that?" Mahado asked from Atem's left, pointing to the papyrus scroll the prince was using. "It's….It's hideous!" he continued pointing to the princes' misshapen hieroglyphs.

;.; "You are two years above me in writing and Mana is one year. It's not my fault the symbols choose to disobey me…."

Mahado and Mana giggled as Atem ripped his scroll into thousand pieces and threw it into one of the tall bowl-lamps in the room.

"What is wrong with Seth?" Mana questioned, looking at the lower priest in the corner. As usual, Seth sat alone in the most shadowed corner with the largest desk, countless papyrus rolls arranged across its surface. He scrawled symbols onto his papyrus, finishing a scroll before Atem could write a legible column.

"Don't you remember?" Mahado questioned, poking Mana's head. Mana lightly punched herself in the head and stuck out her tongue.

"The p-" the one with tri-coloured haired began. Mahado put his index finger to his chin indicating he was going to finish the sentence.

. "NO!" Mana shouted standing up. "DON'T TELL ME MAHADO-SAMA! I KNOW WHAT IT IS OUJI-SAMA JUST HOLD ON!"

Isis stopped walk once Mana began her outburst and looked at Mahado with a smile, waiting for an explanation. Mahado shrugged and Isis continued, disappearing behind a large shelf. Seth looked at Mana out of the corner of his eye, annoyed by her joyful screaming.

"Mana," Atem said, attempting to pull the girl down. "Please have a seat…"

"I KNOW! THE CEREMONY OF THE MILLENNIUM ITEMS!"

Atem sweatdropped and Mahado hung his head, shaking it doubtfully. "She means well," Atem said noticing the magicians' half-closed eyes.

"Mana," Mahado said softly once she had ceased her jumping around.

"Yes Mahado-sama?" Mana inquired, wondering what her teacher could want.

"Ouji-sama asked you to sit, and you must obey him."

"ohhhhhh," Mana said slowly, taking a seat as Shimon scurried through the library. "Sorry Ouji-sama." Atem nodded with a smile and got back to the pile of work he had to do. "Sorry Mahado-sama."

"It's ok, Mana."

"I hope you are nearly finished!" he said briskly, rushing out of the opposite exit.

Atem looked down at the full scroll that was left to be read and answered and then at his own sheet which had only one messy sentence on it. Mana did the same and sweatdropped, picking up her brushed and dipping it in red ink. Mahado crossed his arms and replaced the library scroll that he had been using, rolling his own finished scroll and placing it on the empty desk.

"You should hurry, Shimon walks very quickly for an old man."

Isis took Mahado's place next to Atem when the spell-caster left, brushing her black hair over her shoulders. "Isis-sama!" Mana and Atem said quickly, grabbing the arms of the new arrival. "HELP US!"

The soon to be priestess smiled at them and shook her head. "There is no need, the Pharaoh wants to see you prince Atem," she said. Atem nodded and rolled up his scroll leaving them in their current position.

;.; " Hai. You're leaving me Ouji-sama? I must do all of this alone?" Mana sobbed as Atem stood up.

"Akunadin-sama wants to see both of you once Atem has spoken to the Pharaoh."

"HAIIIIIIII!" Mana screamed again, jumping out of her seat and onto Atem, knocking him to the floor. "Gomen Ouji-sama." -;;

"My queen," Shimon begged. "Please go to lie down. I BEG YOU!"

Nephthys flapped her hand at the old man and coughed again into the piece of cloth. "I'm fine Shimon, if you keep on worrying so much you'll get sicker than I am," she said smiling brightly although her lungs burned intensely. She took a seat in her throne, to the right of her husbands, and placed her hands on her lap.

"My queen," Akunadin said slowly bowing before the Pharaoh's wife. She smiled and nodded as five others came in and did exactly the same.

"Shimon, where is Akunumkanon?"

"He's….He's…He's there!" Shimon exclaimed as the Pharaoh entered the room. Those other than Nephthys bowed as Akunumkanon took a seat and looked at the ones before him. Atem and Mana rushed in as the last person had straightened up, the two of them skidding past the straight line of those to receive the Millennium items.

Mahado rubbed his temples as Mana managed to trip Atem causing the prince to tip over a lamp and a statue. Mana quickly recovered and threw herself on the ground before the rulers of Egypt.

"You can stand, Mana," Akunumkanon said while his son fixed what had been knocked to the ground.

"Thank you, Pharaoh," Mana said, finding her way behind her main teacher, Mahado.

"You may be wondering why I have called such an assembly," the Pharaoh said as Atem found his way to his seat to the right of his father.

"There is a problem facing our kingdom," Nephthys whispered. "Because I have only had one child, our son Atem, there is no other to help continue the line."

"Why not take another wife?" Akunadin questioned. Akunumkanon remained silent indicating that idea was already out.

"Why not find an outsider…..or someone who is not well known too many people," Isis suggested. "If that was done then no one would know that they were not of royal blood."

"That would contaminate the line anyway," Seth argued. "The outsiders we have found so far are old. And even so, all outsiders are ugly and unfit to be with anyone of the royal line." Akunadin nodded.

"There are two another groups that are not known by many….." Karim said in an undertone. Akunadin noticed the look on the priests face and laughed.

"Please don't tell me my suspicions are correct…" the holder of the Millennium eye joked.

"Who are y-" the pharaoh began, sitting on the edge of his seat.

"Thieves," Mahado said quickly. He looked quickly to his king and apologized for interrupting.

"Go on," Nephthys said, her eyes bright and excited.

"The thieves and the dwindling amount of magicians," Shada continued. "It is said that the two groups have merged since their main villages were somehow destroyed."

"There are magicians outside the palace?" Akunadin questioned.

"It is rumored to be so," Seth grumbled.

"How is this so?"

"There are others able to practice magic other than Mahado and Mana, and a few others in the palace….they could be of value to this kingdom," Akunadin said quickly, his eyes flashing. Akunumkanon nodded.

"Unfortunately my king," Isis informed him to his dismay. "Most of those able to practice magic are also thieves, there are few if no true magicians left…..outside of these walls."

Nephthys stood up and coughed into her cloth, her hand automatically going to her chest once she had finished the exhausting activity. "If there is one good thing about magicians and thieves, it is that at least a few of them must be able to read to practice from books or wall hieroglyphics," she mentioned.

"If they can read they must be slightly educated," Shimon added. Atem looked to Mahado but the fifteen-year-old merely shrugged and whispered to Mana. The soon-to-be priests, Akunadin, Shimon, Akunumkanon and Nephthys exchanged ideas at a mind-bending speed, confusing the two who had arrived late.

"Excuse me," Atem said standing up. "EXCUSE ME!" he shouted, causing the stream of words to be blanketed with silence.

"Yes," Akunumkanon declared. "You have an idea?"

"Not exactly. You speak of thieves and magicians for a purpose which I still don't understand. Two, you forget that both groups are very hard to find, and even if you do find them they are not easy to catch. Even if you did catch one, it is not likely that they would willingly help."

Nephthys took a seat, wondering why she hadn't thought of that. Her brain had been too focused on that single thought to think of the most obvious facts. "You are right," she said softly. "Simple things tend to avoid ones' mind when they're thinking big."

Mana raised her hand and waving it madly waiting for someone to acknowledge it. Mahado stepped to the side and sweatdropped.

"Yes, Mana?" the current holder of the Millennium puzzle inquired.

"If you just find a noble, you can use magic to make them look different, and then you can say they are your daughter!" Mana suggested brightly. The room was silent and Mana rocked back and forth, scratching her head every now and then. "We can make them look really pretty… Mahado-sama could do it…maybe…."

"Mana that is a wonderful idea!" Mana jumped up and down and grinned broadly. All but two people in the room excitedly discussed the idea.

Atem rose from his seat and walked to his mother, placing his hand on hers as she gazed into her lap at the cloth she coughed into, the white of both fabrics matching Atem's clothes. "What is it?" he questioned.

She looked at him and her beautiful hazel eyes watered dangerously. "I can't do it, my dear Atem…." she said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't take a child who belongs to another. A child of the nobles will have a family….and although they may fell honored that their daughter was chosen to become a royal, part of them will never be the same….It's hard watching someone you love being taken away; No matter how much gold fills your pockets or hangs from your ears."

Atem never understood how his mother managed to teach him without him noticing. She taught him the things in life that a scroll or book would never contain; or a teacher would never explain. "I understand." Nephthys gave a grateful nod and placed her other hand on top of his as they waited for the others to be silent.

"I'll buy him from you!" Shila begged yet again. She gasped after a hand touched her backside. "SHEFNU!" she yelled, smacking the brunette upside the head. Shefnu gave a nervous laugh and sat next to the wall.

"A short while ago you couldn't stop saying how ugly he was," Oberon said shortly.

"Anubis has a nicer colour," Haktep added, attempting to find the highest value out of each of their treasures. He brushed some figures onto a piece of flaking papyrus, not wanting to use the new roll they had stolen.

"How do you come up with these names, Thoth?" Shefnu questioned, hanging off the end of the hard bed to play with the white-blonde kitten on the floor.

"When I found Malik he was very small, but I think one day he will do be able to great things….like a king," Thoth said, as usual, confusing others with his knowledge. Malik was a kitten small enough to fit in someone's cupped hands, with white blonde fur and amber eyes.

"And he called Anubis, Anubis, because we found him curled up on Jenset's dead body, and Anubis is the announcer of death," Bakura continued. Anubis was Bakura's lean dog with pointy ears, a thin snout and jet black fur.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Shila said, actually understanding something.

"Where is he?"

"Oh, he's with Fasen…he was bringing him to Ari…."

"Why don't you take off your wrappings?" Oberon asked, pointing to the green-eyed thief who was yet to remove his facial-coverings. "I haven't seen your face since I've been here."

"He's really ugly," Shefnu joked, receiving a punch from the one in question. "For Ra's SAKE! ARE TOU TRYING TO BREAK MY ARM?"

"He doesn't like the sun," Haktep said calmly. "It does something to his skin."

"What?" Oberon asked.

"It blisters," Bakura said. "Even a bit of light affects it; so it would be dangerous to take it off even in the den."

The den was what the ten by eleven foot room under Fasen's and Shila's bar was called. The only way out of it was to climb up a small ladder to the storage space behind the counter. Because of it's location below the ground it received little, if the trap door was left open, or no light. All the room contained were two beds on raised pieces of earth, a reed mat, a miniscule shelf and a small chest.

"Why did you name it the den?" Oberon asked.

"I'm not sure, it just sounded fitting," Thoth replied, the tiny kitten on his lap, fast asleep.

"HELLO!" a gruff voice boomed from above. The one in the corner of the space opened a weary green-grey eye and scratched his head through his shoulder length chocolate brown hair.

"Did you shut the door, Shila?" Fasen questioned as she stood up. Shila covered her grey eyes and climbed up the ladder, Shefnu attempting to look up her clothing.

"Why are you always so tired?" Bakura questioned.

Fasen raised an eye brow and messed up Bakura hair even more than it already was. "Because I have to live around you guys," he joked. The six remained silent as Shila attempted to convince the guard that they were closed and would not open until sunset.

"When the sun sets?" the guard asked again.

"Yes," Shila answered uncomfortable with the look the man gave her.

"I'll be back to see you baby," the man said quickly, giving Shila a wink before departing. A vein bulged in the back of her head as she slammed the doubled door, placing the metal pins in the correct slots.

"You can come out," she said with a sigh, throwing herself onto one of the chairs.

Shefnu was first to appear, a grin on his face. "I can't blame him, you are pretty hot," he said quickly. Shila was nearly seventeen and was the average height for most young ladies her age. Her hair was dark brown but only came to her shoulders where is curled up slightly. Her big bright eyes were grey like her brother's and body was slim. She wore a simple off-white, short-sleeved, knee length dress with a brown belt around her waist. Thoth and Haktep and drawn a lotus pattern onto the sleeves which made it look more than it was worth. Her shoes were simple white cloth shoes (Unlike Thoth, Shefnu and Bakura who wore shoes that came to just above the ankle with the edges turned down).

"You talk too much."

Shefnu gave a giggle as Thoth and Bakura came up. He elbowed Thoth and Bakura in the side and let out a sly laugh. "I know a prettier girrllll…" he said slyly.

"OH SHUT IT!" the two ordered, punching Shefnu in the head.

;.; "I wish you two were shorter…"

Haktep came out last his arms laden with sacks and scrolls.

"Good-job-girls…." Haktep wheezed.

"What?" Bakura asked, putting his feet up on another chair.

"You have obtained the original book."

"What book?" Shila asked, blinking rapidly.

"The book every thief desires," Shefnu said quickly. Haktep dug into the blue-lined sack and pulled out a thick, hard-back purple book, the covers held together by a heavy golden lock, with a key no where to be seen.

"The Book of Buried Pearls," Bakura continued softly, gazing at the papyrus pages hungrily. "The original book, it's priceless."

The usual look of confusion that Shila had on her face was back and stronger than ever. "It's the first and un-soiled, thieves' handbook," Oberon explained to his sister. "I don't know much about it, the scroll I received is much smaller than that."

"It is said that the Book of Buried Pearls is of great value to magicians and thieves alike. I've read that it contains magical spells for weakening the guardian spirits of tombs and temples, and weaken spells. And for thieves who cannot use magic they speak of summoning powerful Ka and other things…." Thoth said in an undertone, playing with his cat.

"You know too much," Bakura said.

"One can never know too much."

"So, who found the book?" Bakura questioned.

"Well, you found the last pages but Thoth found the larger part of the book," Haktep informed him, pulling six or so pages from another bag. "Although I can't open the book and the writing on the loose sheets is of a high level. Perhaps a priest wrote it…."

"A priest writing a dark book?" Bakura scoffed. "Maybe he did, but not alone," he continued darkly. "Such books are not written by one person. They take several different people...or things….with different experiences to write such a book."

The others –minus two- were still and silent, their eyes open slightly wider than usual. "You know Kura," Thoth said, sounding happier than usual. "You scare people when you speak like that. It's amusing."

Fasen chuckled and mimicked Bakura's dark voice, pushing his bangs as far over his eyes as they would go. "I am all powerful; with my white hair and purple cloak. I shall eat your joyful heart…once it has dressing on it, for my name shall be known through out the land," Fasen said darkly, obviously mocking his white haired friend. Shefnu giggled and fell on the floor in a laughing fit.

Thoth continued, not needing to do anything to shadow his face. Bakura smirked and nodded in confirmation at the next words that exited Thoth's lips. "AND I SHALL BE KNOWN…..AS THE GREAT THIEF, BAKURA!"

"Ouji-sama?" Mana asked once again, poking Atem in his arm. "OUJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-SAAAAMA!"

Atem blinked rapidly and Mana prodded him with her staff. "IYAAAA! MANA! DON'T TOUCH ME WITH THAT-THAT THING!" Atem shouted, pointing to the staff Mana used for magic practice.

"Mana, what are you doing?" Mahado asked, pointing to the staff in her hand. The magician-girl in training stood up and handed her teacher the staff, pouting as she walked to a tree. The three were in the garden, one of the few green places that were part of the palace, especially since it was months until summer rains.

Mana popped a grape into her mouth and sighed. "Queen Nephthys didn't look happy…..with my idea."

"It was a good idea, but she won't take anyone's family away," Atem said. "She said for someone to become part of our family, they must have no family of their own. And she says everyone has a family."

"You mother is wise," Mahado said. "She knows what she's talking about. Akunadin-sama was acting very strangely once magicians were mentioned. His eyes told me he wants magician for something other than what we spoke of…"

Mana smiled and slapped Mahado on the back, causing him to cough and rub his back in pain. ;.;

"Akunadin-sama is always scary, right Ouji-sama? I would also like to meet another magician. They could teach us things we may not know," Mana said brightly. "But thieves are different…"

"Thieves may take what does not belong to them but they are amazingly loyal...well most of them. They are true to whoever they are with."

"How do you know so much, Mahado?" Atem questioned.

"I haven't lived my whole life within these walls, out there you learn all that is really necessary from simply…living." Atem was silent as Mahado trailed off. "But then again, everything we learn is necessary for our positions so don't think I'm telling you to be lazy."

"I know, Mahado," Atem said with a creased brow. The wind blew lightly across the land, presenting the princes' left eye with some dust. He rubbed it vigorously but slowed down when he saw the look Mana gave him.

Mana met his gaze and sighed. "You and Mahado are not telling me something," Mana told the two. "And Pharaoh Akunumkanon and Queen Nephthys did not notice it, but Ouji-sama, you have a line on your arm that shows you have been cut."

The two young men remained silent as Mana tapped her foot. "I found a creature in the Hall of time, I think it wanted to kill me…." Atem whispered.

Man gasped and her mouth formed an 'o' as she stood completely still, shocked at what she had been told, fearful for what might have happened to her friend. Her face quickly changed to a picture of anger. "I don't believe you," Mana hissed, her voice unusually quiet. She looked to Mahado and crossed her arms.

"Calm down Mana," Mahado said quickly. "I managed to kill to creature that was down there."

"What were YOU doing down there? What if you had not come down there in tine to help Ouji-sama? What would have Queen Nephthys and Pharaoh thought if neither of you had made it out?" Mana continued, her face turning slightly pink with anger. "You aren't supposed to go into the tunnel anyway! I'm very angry, what would have happened if my Ouji-sama and Mahado-sama had not come out?" Mana asked, her face showing worry and sadness.

"Sorry Mana," the two said in unison, putting there hands on her shoulder.

Man sniffed. "HERE HAVE A GRAPE!" she exclaimed, stuffing a grape into each of their mouths.

Atem swallowed his grape quickly, nearly chocking in the purple fruit. "Thank you, Mana," he said his eyes watering. Mahado fell backwards off the bench, hitting his chest so the grape would go down.

"Thank you Manaaaaaaaa," Mahado wheezed, pulling himself up.

"YOU ARE WELCOME!" the bright eyed brunette said brightly, eating the last grape she had. "Do you think we can find a girl for you Ouji-sama? She can be slim and have very dark brown hair and big ummm…..grey or brown eyes and she can be outgoing and charming and graceful…." Mana said imagining a girl for the pharaoh.

Atem and Mahado sweatdropped. "I do not understand why my parents are so concerned about my lack of siblings now. Why didn't they worry about it more, or think about it later?" Atem inquired.

"Maybe Pharaoh and Queen Nephthys have a special reason. Maybe after the ceremony we can ask Isis-sama to look into our future," Mana suggested, excited by the thought.

Mahado said nothing as Atem and Mana exchanged ideas; sometimes futures are best left unseen.

Darkness enveloped Egypt but the sky but out its own white, night-lights. Lamps were lit and houses were closed, as the nearly full moon cast an eerie glow on the mountains of sand. The residents of the caravans lighting large fires between their clusters.

"ANOTHER ONE BABY!" a half drunk guard shouted to Shila, just as she finished with another.

"Fasen, two more beers," Shila said quickly, flitting off another rowdy customer.

"Ok, Shi," Fasen answered, walking to the storeroom. He pulled back the curtain and stepped looked into the entrance of the den, his eye scanning the nearly complete darkness. He took a jug of beer and knelt down, pushing his head through the hole. "Go to sleep," he told the two who did not slumber.

"In a while," Bakura called back, his face illuminated by the dancing flames of the lamp. Fasen nodded and vanished from sight, another head appearing minutes after.

"Hey midgets," the teenager called as he climbed down the ladder, his bright grey-lavender eyes sparkling through the darkness. He stepped gracefully onto the floor, his black sandals perfect for a soundless landing. He flashed a sparkling smile and walked over to Bakura and Thoth, blocking their light. He was rather tall, taller than Shefnu but a hair shorter than Haktep. His neck-cut black hair was very shiny and his shoulder length bangs perfectly framed his slim face. His white kilt-like skirt was perfectly clean-as usual-and was separated from his long sleeved shirt by a purple belt. "Hello! What are my two of my favourite people reading now?"

Thoth gave a small wave and jabbed Bakura in the arm. "We're reading a book of how to summon dark spirits to do our twisted bidding," Bakura lied, smirking as he spoke. Rayeel took a step back and smiled, his eye twitching as Bakura gave a quiet cackle. Rayeel looked to the bed where Shefnu, Oberon and Haktep slept and his eyes lit up. Thoth snickered but received a punch from Bakura.

"AH, they're sleeping….." Rayeel said whimsically, taking a few steps towards the bed.

Thoth stood up quickly, dropping the book into Bakura's lap. "Shefnu's had a long day, he's really tired," Thoth said quickly, taking Rayeel's hand in his gloved one and walking him back to the ladder. Thoth realized he was touching another person's hand and quickly let go of the new arrival. Rayeel frowned at the loss of Thoth's touch. Bakura glared at Rayeel for unknown reasons.

Rayeel climbed up the ladder after much persuasion from Thoth and many chains of cursing from Bakura. "Someone's grumpy tonight, I'll just leave you and Thoth alone," Rayeel said quickly, climbing up the ladder and going back to the counter.

"Stay up there you fucker," Bakura hissed, grabbing Thoth by the wrist and sitting next to the lamp.

"He isn't a fucker. He can't get anyone to bed, Kura," Thoth corrected him with a snicker, examining the book again. Bakura smirked.

"Look at how he gazes at Shefnu and Haktep…even Oberon who is more annoying and arrogant that any other living being."

"That's just the way he is. It is rather strange how he likes Shefnu especially."

"He'll be damned in the afterlife for such acts."

"Perhaps, but how heavy is the feather his heart will be weighed against? Besides, Shila will damn him here if here even thinks of making a move."

"I hate it when you use your intelligence crap against me," Bakura grumbled. "Anyway, can we just continue the book?"

"We've already read all that we can. There is no more writing on the outside of the cover."

"Doesn't it say how to open it?" Bakura asked doubtfully, holing the book closer to the light. "Just because I can't understand any of it doesn't mean you have to fool around."

"It gives a brief explanation but we cannot open it. I can and will not. I'm not experienced enough."

"What does it say?" Bakura questioned, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Someone who uses magic must open it."

Bakura raised an eyebrow at the one beside him. "I'll get Shila to do it th-"

'Shila isn't strong enough. She can barely light a lamp and you expect her to unlock such a book?"

"It's worth a try. What do the covers say?"

Thoth gave a sigh and once again cursed the thing that was intelligence. "It speaks of a Ka with many forms and amazing abilities, this Ka will belong to the most feared thief of the lands. It shall be strong enough to challenge the gods," Thoth continued, squinting in the dim light. "Ummm…" the thief continued rubbing his sore neck.

"Never mind, just go to sleep."

Thoth didn't have to be told twice, he crawled onto the empty bed and curled up. "Good night Bakura," he said loudly, surprising Bakura that he could speak in something other than a whisper or regular volume, for no real reason.

"Night," Bakura replied. When Bakura blew out the lamp a minute later, he was the only one in the room who was not asleep.

"Pssssssst," someone sounded from the entrance of the den. "Psssssssssssst, Baku?"

"Ari?" Bakura asked doubtfully.

"Yeah, I can't come down so here," the green eyed boy said, throwing a bunch of grapes down to Bakura. "Is Thoth asleep?"

"Yes, you just missed him. How come you weren't here yesterday?"

"The caravans were around; there are a lot more people moving back and forth and I couldn't blend in with those who were moving."

"Oh ok."

Ari brushed his extra long hair behind his pierced ears. Bakura had never seen a boy with hair as long as that of Thoth's brother. His long, straight, dark brown tresses came to his mid back. He was roughly Rayeel's height if not a slight bit taller and had turned seventeen a short while ago. Like Thoth he wore cotton pants, something the others would never think of wearing. His face was slim and so was the rest of his body, especially since he spent a lot of time running from people. His eyes were the best thing about him; they were an emerald green, bright but not as bright as his brothers. They weren't very large, but more of the size of Bakura's eyes, but they contained a sparkle that could keep someone staring at them forever. Although there was thing that puzzled the others about Ari and that was his s-"Umm, Bakura?"

"Oh, yeah, what?" Bakura said quickly, snapping himself out of a fantasy he was having with a certain girl.

"I'm going, I'll see you later ok?"

Bakura nodded and wished that Ari had been in the den when Rayeel had come around; it was obvious that he was uncomfortable around the extra chirpy Egyptian. Bakura waved and Ari's head disappeared, Shila's legs coming into view a minute later. She picked up a jug of beer and set it down next to the ladder, climbing into the dark den.

"Here Bakura," Shila said softly, handing him a small cup.

"What is it?" Bakura questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"It's beer," Shila said blankly. Bakura nodded and downed the cup in one gulp. "Why is the lamp out?" Bakura pointed to the four sleeping people in the room and Shila giggled. "They look so cute when they're asleep…..especially Shefnu -."

"Yeah, Rayeel thought that to," Bakura informed the sixteen-year old. A vein pounded in her head.

"He better stay away or I'll rip him apart and throw his limbs into the desert," Shila told the white-haired boy next to her. Bakura's eye twitched at how scary Shefnu's 'woman' had become. "We need some light in here…it'll keep away evils like Rayeelllllllllll." -

Shila shuffled to the lamp and closed her eyes, placing her hands over the raised bowl. -;; "Shila, are you sure you should try that, you're not experienced…." Shila didn't listen to the words that Bakura uttered, as a small flame flickered to life in oil drenched ashes. Her face was sweating from the effort but she grinned none-the-less.

o "You see?" Shila said proudly. "There are other people that can do magic around here!" she continued happily, making her way back to the main bar.

Shefnu mumble din his sleep and Haktep rolled slightly, his hand slapping the one who had mumbled. Thoth rolled over, his cloth wrapped tightly around his head, the many amulets and pendants on his chain hanging out of his clothes. Oberon scratched his head and the gold bracelets on his arm jangled. Bakura placed the cup on the chest in the corner and pulled down the entrance to his dwelling, his purple robe folded in a corner.

"Go to sleep Kura," Thoth instructed. Bakura secretly smiled at the only one who called him that.

"Give me minute."

"Who lit the lamp again?" -

"Shila tried, but it's really crappy."

"Go to sleep," Thoth mumbled, rolling over and pushing his jewelry back into his shirt. "And you can't light it at all, so don't say it's crappy."

"Good night Thoth," Bakura declared with a yawn. No answer was given to the last greeting; it was obvious Bakura was the only one awake.

Bakura stared doubtfully at the small flame dancing the bottom of the round dish, its light illuminating a tanned face. "It lasted longer than I thought it wo-" Bakura sighed, the flame going out before he could finish his statement. "Oh Ra." UU

The white haired thief gave a sigh and crawled into the empty space next to Thoth, his shining lavender eyes to heavy for him to lift; but even through the darkness something shone.

A golden lock that begged to be opened….the lock of a purple bound book that would serve the great thief of Egypt….or would it be the other way round….

Bastet: The Egyptian cat-headed goddess of cats, musicians and dancers (sometimes à) a representation of the warm, life-giving power of the sun.

Ouji-sama: Prince

Anubis: Jackal-headed god of embalming, keeper of medicines and poisons. Guide of the dead and announcer of death; it was believed that he could foresee a person's destiny

Malik: It's supposed to mean 'king' in Arabic, which is the language they speak in Egypt (you can slap me if I'm wrong )

The Book of Buried Pearls : It's said that this was a handbook for robbers that told them how to get past the spirits that guarded the dead. I just added some other stuff to it ;;;

Yami AJ: I'm sorry if it sucked big time, but I really tried.

Ash: Yeah, but she's a bad writer.

Yami AJ: -

Ash: OO What? you said it yourself!

Bakura: Why are we so young?

Atem: Isn't it supposed to be my LIFE? Then why don't you start from where I was born? =O

Yami AJ: Because then I'd be too long…you can complain in the next chapter….. UU If I write one….

Ash: . Thanks for reading! PLEASE REVIEW -

. The purple button…..it's calling you…it looks just like Marik or Bakura or Yami or Kaiba or Mai...depending on who you are….don't you want to click it? You are drawn to the button O.o…..

Peace out