“CATCH HER MEN! SHE HAS DISOBEYED THE PHARAOH’S LAW!!” The guard shouted as him and his men ran after the girl.

Frightened as she was she did not dare look over her shoulder.

“I’ve got to get out of here! I cannot bear to have The Trial of the Millennium Items pressed upon me!”

Suddenly the girl did not see where she was going and tripped on a rock.

She fell to the ground hard and trying to scramble to her feet, but the guards caught her by the arms and violently shoved her up to her feet.

“The Pharaoh will be pleased to see what will happen to you.” One of the guards scowled.

“No! Please! The Pharaoh does not deserve to see my filthy and horrid face!!!” The girl pleaded.

“Be quiet you! We’re not going to let you off that easy!” Another guard replied slapping her across the face and another kicked her in the stomach.

“Please spare me!!!”

“I SAID QUIET!!!” With that the guards began kicking her until she was knocked unconscious.

“Your Highness! This villager has been caught disobeying your law!”

Yami had sprung from his throne and his court stood as well.

“Show me mercy dear Pharaoh…I did not disobey you in any way!” The girl pleaded tears running down her cheeks.

“You have not been given permission to speak to the Pharaoh you filthy peasant!” Seto, the holder of the Millennium Rod, shouted.

The girl recoiled in terror.

“We shall give her the Trail of the Millennium Items!” Shada proclaimed.

“No! Show me Mercy dear King! Kind, sweet, wonderful King!”

“DO NOT BRIBE HIM FOR YOUR LIFE INFEDEL!!” Seto shouted pointing his Millennium Item in her direction.

“Dear court I do apologize for my ignorance, but you must listen to me!! It was Usaya who blamed me for this crime!! Usaya I tell you!!”

“Usaya? The bandit we have been searching for?” Yami gasped running from his throne to stand with his court.

“Yes dear Pharaoh…my father Usaya had betrayed our family all these years and your father dear King.”

She looked to his face but quickly drew it back to the ground.

Yami smiled at her as her silent sobs filled the room.

He knelt in front of her and put his hand on her shoulder.

“King the trial.” Shada said.

“Do not harm this girl of only seventeen!” He commanded. “Leave us.”

Seto deeply disgusted, the guards, and the rest court left without argument.

“Tell me your name sweet girl.” Yami replied kindly.

“Shiaree Taoshi.” She replied as he undid her roped wrists and walked back to his throne.

“Dear King! You may do as you wish to me…just seeing your face once in my life is good enough for me!”

“Shiaree please! You are a bright girl and I cannot allow this brightness to disappear!” He replied putting a hand on her cheek.

She turned away with a blush.

“You may choose Shiaree.” Yami said putting his hands on her shoulders and stared straight in her eyes.

“To stay with me and be one of my and the court’s servants or go back to your family and never be in my sight again.”

“All my family is dead Sire…died at the hands of my father…I escaped by standing in a corner and watch them all die.”

“I am truly sorry I should not have asked.”

“No dear Pharaoh! Do not ask for an apology!” Shiaree replied turning to him and her hair followed.

When she saw his eyes she quickly looked away.

“Do you see terror in my eyes?”

“No Your Highness! I just do not believe that a royal, handsome, person like you should see my peasant face.”

He went over to her and put his fingers on her chin moving her head so she looked into his eyes.

“Do not turn away from me. I do wish to see your face and see if it is “palace material”.” He said with a smile as he inspected her face.

“Oh wait there is something on your cheek.”

He slowly bent his lips to her cheek kissing it softly.

Shiaree blushed harder than ever.

“Isis!” Yami called.

“Yes my Pharaoh?”

“Please show Shiaree to her sleeping quarters, give her anything she desires, and the finest Egyptian silk you can find for our celebration festival tonight. Give her lime green or purple, or even light blue! It will go with her eyes. And work clothes for the next day please.”

“Yes Pharaoh.” Isis smiled. “Shiaree follow me.”

“Shiaree.”

“Yes my king?”

“I shall see you soon.”

She smiled as she followed Isis.

“Are you angry with me for not being tried?” Shiaree asked.

“I think you are inspiring young Shiaree! You seem like a sweet girl and anyone who the Pharaoh enjoys I enjoy as well.” Isis said with a smile.

“Here is where you will sleep. I hope you find it fitting.”

The room was lit with the golden sun of Egypt; the bed was of beautiful red silk with a transparent like vial draped over it, and a stone wardrobe.

“Isis! I cannot accept this! It’s too beautiful for someone like me!”

“You are no longer a peasant dear Shiaree! You apart of the Pharaoh’s life. Try to accept that.”

Shiaree nodded as she spun around the room.

“I could have never dreamed of this!! Never! I just thank the Gods for making the Pharaoh!”

Isis smiled as she clapped her hands calling on the dress servants.

“Girls make Shiaree any type of gown she desires!”

“Yes madam.” They replied as Isis left the room with a smile.

“What would you like Miss?” They asked offering Shiaree light blue, purple, and lime colored fabric.

“What do you ladies think? You are the experts!”

“The light blue madam definitely!”

“Alright then!” Shiaree smiled as they sized her.

“I wish I could hand you coins for this!” Shiaree exclaimed as she saw her gown through the mirror.

“That is not needed miss! It is our duty to serve the Pharaoh and his guests.” They bowed as Isis came into the room.

“Wonderful Shiaree!! Why do you look miserable?”

“I am afraid, Isis, that I may attract men other than the Pharaoh.” As soon as she said that she slapped her hand to her mouth.

“I shall not tell.” Isis said reassuring her.

“He just made me feel so wonderful…his eyes oh his eyes how do I start with those!”

Isis laughed happily.

“The festival will start soon, and we must do your hair and face.” Isis clapped her hands once more and three different girls entered the room.

“Make her beautiful girls.”

“We shall on your command Isis.” They replied as she walked out the door once more.

“What would you like?” They asked happily.

“I like your hair so do it like yours please! The face paint you can think of yourselves!” They smiled gleefully as they pulled out the same color of face paint as her dress.

“I really do wish now that I had coins for you!” Shiaree replied. “The Gods have sent you to me and I thank them for that!”

They smiled as they left the room and Isis entered.

“We are ready for you.” She smiled as the glitter in Shiaree’s hair glistened in the ruby colored sunset.

“Isis! Do I look good for him?”

“Of course he will fall over you!”

Shiaree smiled as she followed Isis towards the throne hall.

“I am nervous Isis.” Shiaree whispered as they entered through the golden doors.

Isis smiled as she put a hand on her shoulder.

The doors were opened and she saw many people of the palace and the one who definitely caught her eye was the king.

He stood from his throne and smiled wonderfully at Shiaree.

She smiled too as he took her hand and kissed it gently.

“You look wonderful.” He whispered.

She blushed as she stood next to Mahad and Isis for the palace dinner, who both had small forming grins.

As Yami sat everyone did as well.

“Shada if you would?” The King asked.

He closed his eyes and everyone else did the same.

“Gods of Egypt we are thankful for the banquet you have put in front of us.”

They all nodded and began to eat.

When Yami clapped his hands the food was hurriedly taken away by his servants.

“Dance!” He exclaimed happily as three girls in colorful dancing garments stood in the center of the room followed by three other men with drums.

“Go.” Isis whispered to Shiaree.

The dancers beckoned Shiaree and Mahad pushed her toward them.

She stuck her tongue at him and he winked.

“You’ll have to teach me.” Shiaree explained.

The girls smiled as they took her wrists and pointed them into the sky.

“Move your hips side to side like this!” The girls demonstrated.

Shiaree nodded as she did as they commanded.

They clapped and jumped.

“Now your arms.” The girls smiled as they took her arms out and demonstrated a wave like movement.

Shiaree did it and the girls giggled and jumped.

“Now spin holding your arms to the Gods and moving your hips!”

The girls demonstrated and Shiaree followed. The girls once again jumped and clapped.

“Are you ready?” They asked.

Shiaree nodded.

“We’ll go slowly then fast.”

She nodded as the girls nodded to the drummers.

They began to play and the girls danced slowly.

“Hips, arms, then spin.”  They repeated.

The girls crept away silently and let Shiaree go on her own.

The drums stopped and she fell to a bow.

Everyone clapped and the dancers came to her with hugs and giggles.

“Very well done Shiaree.” Said a deep voice behind her.

She turned around and her eyes widened.

“Yearka?”

“Surprised to see me?”

“I should not see you at all! You should be dead my father killed you along with my family!”

“I am your father’s apprentice now Shiaree and he has asked me to collect you for him.”

“No! He will not destroy me like he did my family!”

“Now Shiaree it’s not like you to do this!”

“Neither you Yearka!”

His teeth clenched in anger as he shouted.

“We can do this the easy way Shiaree or the hard way!!”

She stood her ground and said nothing.

His eyes narrowed then his eyelids shot high and Shiaree’s eyes went blank.

He beckoned her and she slowly walked to him.

“Shiaree!” Yami exclaimed running from his throne, wrapping his arms around her.

She struggled, but Mahad came to their aid. He put his index fingers on the side of her head.

With a gasp she fell back into Yami’s arms.

“Never enter my domain again! Or there will be consequences!”

“I will be back for Shiaree do not worry!”

With that Yearka left with a slash of his cloak.

“Is she all right?” Shada asked as he knelt next to Yami.

“She will be. He was trying to control her and take her away.” Mahad answered. “She just needs rest.”

“Shada will you look in her mind to see how she knows him?”

“Certainly Your Highness.”

Yami held her up as Shada called, “I shall now use the power of the Millennium Key to look into Shiaree’s mind.”

His key began to glow and his vision was transported to a street on a sunny day in a village not too far from the palace.

“Shiaree come play!” Shouted a boy.

“No Yearka. I am too busy staring at the palace to play!”

“Is that all you do nowadays?” He asked.

“No Yearka! I just wish that the Pharaoh’s son would notice me…I saw him come into the village once and I thought he was the most handsome being I had ever seen!” Shiaree replied dreamily.

“What about me Shiaree? I am your best friend! Could you not just take a break once to play with me like we did when we were younger?”

“Okay Yearka! Tag you’re it!”

Shada smiled as he saw them giggle and play.

Next he saw a middle aged man and a boy in his prime age ridding on a horse.

“Stop! I did not do this!” He heard Shiaree shout.

He soon saw her running from their home running from the Pharaoh’s guards.

With a jolt Shada returned to his present time.

“What did you see Master Shada?” Mahad asked.

“That man’s name is Yearka and he was her best friend, but he was angry with her for having a passion for you Pharaoh.”

Yami smiled as he looked at her face.

“She also was blamed for the murder of her family. To think we almost preformed the Trial of the Millennium Items on this poor girl.”

“Do not worry Master Shada you did not know!” Yami said with reassurance.

“I shall take her to her sleeping quarters. Good evening to all of you.”

“Pharaoh.” They replied with bows.

With that he held Shiaree in his arms. Her arms, legs, and hair, dangled from his arms.

“Sleep well dear Shiaree.” Yami whispered moving the hair from her eyes and kissing her forehead.

Shiaree awoke breathless and soaked in cold sweat.

She felt her cheek and put her hand over her heart as she sighed.

“It was just a dream once more.” She looked over to her balcony and saw rain pour down on the darkness of Egypt.

She uncovered herself from her sheets and walked to her balcony slowly.

In the pouring rain she climbed to the railing of the balcony and looked up into the sky.

“What am I doing?” She said unsure of tears or rain that came down her cheeks.

“Shiaree.” Mahad gasped as his eyelids shot open opening Shiaree’s door and saw her on the balcony.

“Shiaree!”

“Stay away from me Mahad! I do not deserve this luxury of the Pharaoh’s!”

“Shiaree come down and we shall talk about it!” He stepped closer and Shiaree’s heel was over the edge.

“Shiaree please be reasonable!”

Suddenly she slipped and began to fall. She screamed so loud that it echoed all through the palace courtyard.

Mahad grabbed her wrist and she grabbed his.

“Do not worry!” He said as he pulled her up.

As soon as he pulled her up she fell to her knees and sobbed.

“Mahad! What’s going on? Oh she’s all soaked bring her in.” Yami said as he walked her to her bed.

“What happened Shiaree?”

“The dream…the dream I have been having over and over…I did not want it anymore and the thought of killing myself rose up and that was the only thing I could think of that would make my nightmare go away.”

“Could I do anything? I do not want you to destroy your life just because of this dream.”

Tears fell down her cheeks.

“Tell us your dream Shiaree.” Mahad said as he sat next to her drying her clothes with a fire spell.

“I am in total darkness calling for my family and then the court. No one seems to answer except for my best friend Yearka, I see him as a little boy and I smile, but then he turns into a demon shouting loudly as another vision appears. The vision of a war, a war that will surly destroy the land of Egypt.”

Mahad and Yami exchanged glances.

“I am scared…because if I do not go with them Yearka will surly make this dream come true!”

“That will not happen!” The Pharaoh exclaimed as he put his hand on her shoulder.

“You need rest dear girl! You have a big day of cleaning tomorrow.”

“Yes Sire.” She replied going under her sheets.

“Mahad and I will be outside if anything goes wrong. Sleep well.”

“You too Pharaoh please do not keep up on my account.”

He smiled as he closed the door.

Shiaree looked to her balcony and watched the rain still pour down on the sleeping Egypt.

The pounding of the rain on the granite of the palace quietly put her to sleep.

Shiaree started her servant cleaning duties in the throne room.

“She does not deserve this type of cleaning Isis.” Mahad replied as they looked at her from the halls.

“I know Mahad I wish she could be one of us but all the Millennium Items are taken.”

“Maybe she could become a magician like me…it comes in handy.”

“Great idea Mahad! Start in the evening when she has all of her chores done.”

Mahad nodded.

“She seems to be enjoying herself.” Isis smiled.

“Now that she and the Pharaoh are acquaintances she will be for a long time.” Mahad said happily.

“Do you think wedding bells will ring in the near future Isis?”

“I have been hearing bells in my sleep and seeing white petals in my visions, but I do hope so Mahad. Shiaree does bring the Pharaoh joy.”

That evening Shiaree was called to Mahad with Yami by his side.

“Good evening Shiaree.” Mahad bowed.

“Hi there Mahad.” Shiaree replied happily smiling.

Yami and Mahad exchanged smiles.

“Shiaree the court and I have discussed this very deeply.” Yami explained.

“Even though there are no Millennium Items left for you to take we have agreed that you should join the court, but be taught by Mahad to become a talented magician.”

“Are you kidding?”

“No. You will become a master magician and be able to protect Egypt and become a respected Guardian of the Pharaoh.” Yami said.

“I do not know what to say!”

“Is it a yes then?” Mahad asked.

“YES!” Shiaree said giving Mahad a hug and then hugging Yami.

They looked into each other’s eyes unable to speak. Mahad cleared his throat and they quickly turned away.  

“So Mahad when will the training start?” Shiaree asked putting hair behind her ear nervously.

“Tomorrow afternoon Shiaree.” He said grinning slightly.

“We shall leave it at that. Thank you Pharaoh, Mahad.” Shiaree replied with a bow.

Shiaree slammed to the wall breathing hard and putting her arm over her heart.

“Shiaree?” A voice said that made her jump.

“Master Shada! Nice to see you!”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes. Oh yes.”

“Sleep well Shiaree.”

She smiled as she turned to her room. As soon as she shut the door she began to spin wildly and skip with happiness.

Her smile was overwhelmed with joy.

She went to her balcony and tried to catch her breath.

She smiled as she overlooked Egypt.

Suddenly she saw many horses gallop up the palace courtyard.

“Yearka.” Shiaree whispered to herself.

“Pharaoh!” She shouted running into the throne room where all the court had gathered.

“Yearka! He is approaching! Him and many other followers!”

“Go back to your room you’ll be safe there.”

“But King! I wish to fight with you! I do not want to be a coward if I am to be in the court in later life!”

“Very well.”

The doors flew open and emerged Yearka, the followers, and…

“Father?!” Shiaree shouted.

“Shiaree you have grown so much.”

“How dare you say that in front of me!” She began to move closer towards him, Mahad tried to hold her back but she whispered.

“I will be okay.”

“Daughter why do you fear me?”

“You killed our entire family father why shouldn’t I fear you!?” Shiaree replied as her father got off the horse and walked towards her.

“Shiaree…dear Shiaree you know I loved you the most. I just killed the others for us so you and I could enjoy each other.”

“You lying bastard!” Shiaree shouted slapping him across the face.

The slap echoed through the palace and her father clutched his hand around her throat.

“Shiaree!” Everyone gasped.

“I AM SORRY!” Shiaree gasped to the court. “I AM SORRY I DID NOT HOLD BACK! AND I AM SORRY THAT I AM A COWARD!”

“We must help her!” Shada commanded. Seto folded his arms in disgust.

“Is that a problem Seto?” Yami asked angrily.

“No Your Highness.”

“You better shape up on your feelings against Shiaree. She will be here for a long, long, long, time and you better soon to like her. Understand me?”

“Yes my king.”

Yami nodded to him.

“Jackal Warrior come forth!” Shada shouted as a Duel Monsters character came from an ancient disk on his wrist.

“Dose Monster come forth as well!” Seto shouted as another Duel Monsters character came from his ancient disk.

“Dark Magician Girl!” Isis shouted.

“Curse of Dragon!” Shouted Mahad.

“Dark Magician!” Shouted Yami.

“Guardians unite to protect Shiaree!” Yami commanded.

“Curse of Dragon! Light shine attack Shiaree’s father to release her!”

As soon as the attack hit him Shiaree fell to the ground motionless.

“Shardon!” Yearka shouted going to his aid.

“I am fine Yearka! Just get Shiaree so we may leave!”

He nodded as he ran to Shiaree but Yami’s Dark Magician got to her first.

“Dark Magic Attack!”

The attack shot Yearka and threw him hitting the wall.

“Shiaree.” Yami whispered holding her to his collarbone.

“Please do not be dead dear Shiaree.”

“I did not leave you Pharaoh.”

He gasped as she smiled at him.

“I am sorry I am a coward dear Pharaoh.”

“Do not be sorry! For anything that you do!” She staggered leaning on him.

“Are you well enough to stand?”

“Yes.” She whispered weakly as she feel into him for an embrace.  

Yearka’s vision became blurry then clear as he awoke from his hit. With teeth clenched at the sight of their embrace he shouted, “SHIAREE!! THE DREAM YOU HAVE DREADED FOR YEARS WILL COME TRUE TONIGHT!!!” Suddenly everything went silent as Mahad and Yami exchanged terrified glances.

“Guardians! Protect Shiaree with your lives! We must not let that dream come true!”

“Dream?” Isis asked Mahad.

“Shiaree told the Pharaoh and I that she had a vision where a war would break out and destroy Egypt.”

Isis gasped.

“The world will not exist if that happens!”

“I know Isis that is why we must stop this from ever coming true!! Curse of Dragon light shining attack!”

“MAHAD STOP!” Shiaree shouted.

“What?!” Yami gasped.

The monster stopped and Mahad looked at her with anger and curiosity.

“Pharaoh I have to go with him.”  

“I shall do no such thing!” He replied angrily grasping her shoulders violently.

Tears fell down her cheeks as she turned to him.

“That dream is more horrible than you know…I must go with him before ever letting it come true!”

“What if I do not ever see you again?!”

“Pharaoh you will! I promise, just pray to the Gods above that it will not be long.”

“I cannot let you go!!!!” Yami repeated as frustrated tears fell down his cheeks.

She fell into his shoulder and he stroked her hair.

“Does it have to be this way?” He whispered tearfully.

“Yes.” She replied.

Yami and she began to cry harder.

“Do not be sad for me Pharaoh I will be in your arms as soon as it is the Gods choice for me to be.”

“Why have they done this?”

“It happens for a reason dear Pharaoh. It is awful how they choose events for us, but it turns out better in the end.”

“You know I do not want you to leave me.”

“I know dear Pharaoh I know so much.” Shiaree replied as bucketful tears fell down their cheeks.

“Return to me as soon as possible.”

“I shall.”

They gave one last embrace and she walked towards Yearka.

“Your Highness! What are you doing?!” Shada demanded.

“She must go for all our sakes.” He replied as tears fell down his cheeks.

Shiaree got on the horse with Yearka and mouthed tearfully to the Pharaoh, “I love you.”

He gasped as they rode off.

Yami followed them to the gates and the court followed as well.

“Shiaree.” Yami whispered silently as he fell to his knees the dust moving away.

He slapped his hands to his face and began to weep.

“We shall get her back Sire. The court and I will try everything.” Mahad said putting his hand on Yami’s shoulder.

“That will not be needed Mahad. Shiaree will return when the Gods above want her too. We just need to pray.”