Summary: Mahado and Mana are in the midst of a lesson when it happens. A young woman is found half dead on the banks of the river Nile. What is her purpose...? Don't own Yugioh.

Another burst of inspiration from the deep! Don't you love them!

Disclaimer: Don't own Yugioh. If I did, Kuribohs would eat 4kids.

Staring at the Sun:

"Mana! Watch how you steady that staff!"

Mahado gently grasped the end of the staff that was being thrown around wildly like a mad thing, before grasping Mana's hand and guiding it to its desired resting place.

"Remember Mana...swish and flick!"

"Swish and fick," murmured his young vivacious apprentice, her brow furrowed in concentration. She mimicked her Master's actions and gave a childlike gleeful giggle when the baskets of fruit opposite them...carefully picked and cleaned by the Palace Gardeners mind, suddenly sloshed together in a fountain of summer juices, flinging some over poor Mahado and the still giggling Mana.

Coughing politely, Mahado removed a piece of peach skin that had attached itself to his headdress.

A snickering behind them indicated to Mahado that to his most misfortune, Seto had been watching the whole thing. Counting silently to ten in his head, he turned to his hated rival who was shaking silently with laughter.

"Why hello Mahado. I personally had no idea that magic came into the making of a fruit salad..."

This last line was suddenly interrupted as their tormentor fell into some more maddening laughter, grasping the tree next to him to steady himself. Mana was glancing worriedly at her teacher, who was twitching rapidly. Instead, he cleared his throat before commenting:

"Personally Seto, practice does make perfect. I am however, pleased with Mana's efforts...don't you have Ka's to hunt for?"

The last comment caused a silence that could kill a hundred charging elephants.

Seto's eyes narrowed to silts as he glared into the deep, calm chestnut eyes of Mahado, who was staring as coldly back. It was a well known fact to Seto that his hunt for Ka's was to be kept strictly secret, least of all to be babbled to the Pharaoh. If Mahado even dared...he didn't even knew how he found out, Ra damn it!

With a swish of his cloak, Seto made his bid to leave. He was not hanging around here. However, before he exited the foundations completely, it would be unlike him not to leave a stinging comment in the air.

"Well...I have seen what your magicians in training are capable of. I say a bit more "training" couldn't hurt."

A smirk visible on his lips, Seto left without another word.

Sighing, Mana pointed her staff in his direction. "Do you want me to curse him for you?"

Despite himself, Mahado smiled. Trust Mana to cheer him up, even if it wasn't fully appropriate.

"That is not necessary, Mana. You should treat Master Seto with equal respect as me..."

He couldn't help but laugh at her pouting expression.

...but thank you for the thought."

As Master and apprentice made their way back to the palace, Mana stiffened and glanced in the direction of the Nile. Her eyes widened as she made a motion for Mahado to halt.

"What is it now, Mana?" frowned Mahado, following his students glance. To his amazement, lying near the bank of the river where the water was collected, lay the sleeping silhouette of a young girl. Or she seemed to be sleeping. Her white hair covered her body like a blanket, made damp by the rippling waves of the river. Her head was turned away from Mahado and Mana so her face was unseen. She was dressed in what seemed to be a cross between a rag and a poorly misshapen dress, scruffy and dirty. From what they could see of her flesh, which was paler then any other citizens, was covered in open wounds and bruises. The Egyptian sun baked down on her, cruel and unforgiving, like the people that had inflicted such wounds on this young girl.

Quick as a flash, Mana flew past Mahado, a blur to his eyes, and was kneeling down next to the girl's unmoving form. Mahado quickly followed, but then a sharp pain shot up his body. Looking down in wonder, he saw that his Sennen ring was behaving oddly. The small arrows were grimacing and pressing back into his torso, the sennen eye glinting and flashing. A frame of doubt made itself known in Mahado's mind. Was this young woman...dangerous? He could sense the power...a deep, mighty power, solemn and beautiful...but brimming with malice for its enemies...

"Master Mahado!"

Mana's voice shook him out of his daze, causing him to ignore the Rings warnings for now. All that mattered was the safety of this young woman.

Bending down next to her, he gently removed the bangs invading her face to see what lay beneath. The woman's eyes were closed, her breathing even and not rapid. She appeared to be alive, but only just, as a trickle of dried blood endorsed her cheek. She was not going to last long out here with the scorpions and bandits at bay. She needed help, considering her condition.

Gently lifting her body into his arms, Mahado firmly instructed Mana to order the servants to make up a room. As he watched Mana trot off, he gave a sigh as he let his eyes fall on the young woman again. Mahado's bronzed hand lay a gentle caress on her face, so alien to her pale skin. His eyes narrowed as the eye of his sennen ring shone brighter as ever, lighting up her face. Yes...there was something odd about this girl. As he noticed Mana running back to the bank with a army of eager servants, he smiled to himself as he got to his feet. Maybe the royal court would be eager to consult this young woman and this so called godly presence that appeared to linger in her.

BB3: So, what do you think?And for those who are wondering, Kisara is canon. I've never been one to write fan fictions with Ocs.

Damn, I shouldn't be starting a new story. But I was nipped so badly by the plot bunny...Please R/R.

Cat: ...0.o