Yugioh belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

Author's Note: So yeah, I finally got my hands on a computer but it's not mine which means at times, updates will be slow. I'm just warning you guys before hand. Now enjoy the story!

The air is very humid and the sun beams down on the civilians of Egypt. They are used to this weather and they proceed on doing their daily tasks as usual. So does two people in the courtyard of the royal palace. Their swords clack and make noises as they make contact with each other. A woman with brown spiky hair charges at her opponent with her sword held back. Her aquamarine eyes are narrowed in determination to get a good blow and her red cape flows behind her as she runs. The air goes against her brown, revealed legs because she is wearing a short, white pleated skirt and blouse. Her opponent with spiky, tri colored hair stands there waiting for her next attack. His sword is out toward her and his amethyst eyes are calm, showing no fear. A light breeze makes his blue cape blow slightly as he waits.

Once the woman is only inches apart, she swings the sword at him, only for it to be blocked with ease. Atem stares into her eyes as he continues to block her with his sword. "You still need a lot of work Mana," he says and pushes forward making her fall to the ground. She grunts as she makes contact with the ground before glaring up at him. She has gone through this training many times only to have the same outcome.

A short man wearing a purple hat approaches Atem with his hands behind his back. "Now, now. Don't you think you're being a little too hard on her my king?"

"Not at all Shimon."

Shimon shakes his head before turning his attention on Mana. "My queen, may I assist you with—?"

"No," she replies standing to her feet, dusting herself off and turning away.

"Are you sure? Are you hurt?"

"I am fine." And with that she walks back inside the palace leaving Shimon and Atem there by themselves. They watch as she leaves and don't start talking until she is completely inside. As the doors close Shimon looks Atem's way.

"I believe she's taking the defeat a little hard," he says.

"If I go easy on her all the time, then she'll never progress. She would just stay at her current level."

"She will get better soon enough. You were the same way," Shimon reminds him. "Just give her some time." Atem stays silent as he stares off into the distance, things on his mind as usual and Shimon smiles to himself. He reminds him of his father, the previous pharaoh in many ways. Sure they didn't look alike but their personalities were just about the same with some slight differences. 'Your father would be so proud if he were here today.' Quick footsteps bring them out of their thoughts and they both look toward the source. A small girl with black hair going down to her calves and slightly narrowed amethyst eyes runs toward them. She wears a short, white pleated skirt and a blouse that starts a little below her shoulders.

"Ah, the princess has grown up quite well over the years," Shimon remarks with a smile. "She looks a lot like you but takes after the queen the most."

"Yes," Atem replies as his daughter finally reaches him, hiding behind him, her hands clinging onto his long skirt. He looks back at her briefly before looking ahead to see one enraged priest known as Seto. His short, brown hair is revealed and he carries his hat in his hand as he approaches Atem and Shimon. "What can I do for you Seto?" Atem asks his cousin. Seto's cold eyes glare down at the girl hiding behind Atem before he gives his cousin direct eye contact.

"I demand to know what you are going to do with that daughter of yours," he says.

"Seto, do not talk to your king in that tone," Shimon warns him. "He may be your cousin, but you still have to treat him with respect."
"It's alright Shimon," Atem assures him. He turns his attention back on Seto who still has the same face expression. "Now tell me what happened." Seto doesn't reply and only shows him his hat that is filled with mud and maybe something else telling by the stench.

"She did this!" He points to her and she only cowers more behind her father to hide from his rage. "Now what are going to do about this?"

"Do not worry. I will discipline my daughter for her actions."

"Let's get you cleaned up," says Shimon, leading Seto back inside.

The girl steps back from Atem as he turns around to her and he looks down at her with a serious gaze. "Do you wish to tell me why you decided to mess up Priest Seto's hat?"

"Because…" she says with her voice and her low.

"Because?" She continues to keep quiet and she looks down to her feet, clenching her fists at her sides. "Well Cairo?"

"It's just because."

"That's not a good enough answer for me."

"I thought it would be…funny," she replies finally and Atem stands there for a moment, not knowing how to reply to that response. Her mother is the one that would usually give her these talks. He rarely disciplines her or sees her because he is usually busy watching over Egypt.

"You will stay by my side for the rest of the day," Atem says making her eyes go wide as he says that. That's possibly one of the worst punishments she's had. To stand by him and do nothing all day will be very boring indeed. He walks forward toward the palace while she continues to stand there. "Maybe now you will think twice about doing such bad things. Come now. You are to stay at my side at all times." She reluctantly follows with a pout on her face and she folds her arms as she walks by him. Atem shakes his head and thinks, 'Just like her mother.'

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Atem gets into bed that night, lying next to Mana who is already in bed. He lies facing her and moves closer so that their faces are inches apart. Her eyes are closed yet he knows that she is still very much awake. He brushes her hair away from her face and she opens her eyes. "I can tell that you are still very much upset about earlier," he says, wrapping his arms around her waist and she does the same to him.

"It just seems like I'll never get better at sword combat."

"You of all people shouldn't say things like that. You were just like this when you were studying to become a magician. You started off weak, but the more you practiced the better you became."

"But dealing with swords just seems so much harder."

"Don't give up. You may need that one day. There may be a time where I won't be able to defend Egypt and you will have to take over."

Mana chuckles lightly, "Yeah right. You're always there to protect Egypt."

"But I won't be able to all the time. Understand that Mana…"Mana only shakes her head with disbelief and then kisses him on the forehead before closing her eyes.

"Like I said," she says before drifting off to sleep. "Never gonna happen."

Atem looks down at her before letting out a sigh. 'Oh but it will Mana. It will…'

This was only an introduction of course and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Click the button and review please!