Dousing the Flame

Adoption

A/N: Hello all! Thank you for your support. You are all amazing! Please continue your awesome support. 

SyraTsukiano *Beams* You and a few others! 

Estrellalover Kids will be kids. At least she was making friends and not making trouble. 

Jofisk Oh mine too. 

Also, quick note, there's a little bit of citrus at the end of this chapter. 

Okay my dear hearts! You know the drill. Read, enjoy, hit that vote button and leave the authoress some comment love! 

/Thoughts/

Atem sent word throughout the land that there was a boy that needed to be adopted. He met with countless couples not impressed by any of them. They seemed more interested in finding out if the pharaoh was offering any kind of reward for adopting the boy instead of carrying about the youth's well-being. 

Atem rubbed his forehead, hoping to  mitigate the splitting headache he acquired earlier in the day. The pharaoh sighed and grit his teeth in frustration, "Next." 

"Don't worry. We'll find someone for him. We can't give up," Yugi's gentle voice broke through Atem's thoughts, providing comfort. Yugi leaned over the arms of his throne and Atem's to place a kiss on the tan cheek. A smile passed over the weary pharaoh's lips. Yugi tilted his head to whisper in Atem's ear; his bangs tickled the sun-kissed cheek. "Hang in there and I will give you a message later."

"Is that a promise?" Atem tilted his own head. 

Amethyst grinned and returned to the throne room, "Wait...she looks familiar..." 

Yugi stood, observing the woman who approached them. She was tall with long straight jet black hair and teal eyes. Her white dress went down to her ankles with a split in the center that went up to her knee. The sleeves of the dress rested off of her shoulders. Yugi gasped and ran towards the woman. "Ishizu!" Yugi squeaked and flung himself at the woman.

Atem cocked his head further to the side, confused. The woman was obviously Egyptian. /I wonder who she is and how Yugi knows her./ He watched the two warmly embrace before Yugi pulled the tall woman over to Atem.

She bowed low before him, "My Pharaoh, it is an honor to meet you." She straighten, meeting the piercing crimson pools of the country's ruler, "I am Ishizu Ishtar."

"Ishtar...I know that name," Atem looked at Yugi who had returned to his own throne and was was practically bouncing in it.

"It's Malik's sister!" Yugi finally informed Atem, excitedly.

"Oh! It is an honor to meet you. I know your brother and Yugi are good friends," Atem smiled at her, "What can I do for you?"

"I am here about the boy. I heard there was an orphan that is in need of care. I am interested in providing my services. May I please meet him?" Ishizu asked. 

An ebony brow arched. She was the first to ask to see the boy. The others had no interest in even seeing him. Atem nodded hesitantly. He awaited the other proverbial shoe to drop. This woman was too good to be true. 

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Ishizu inquired; his voice soft and melodic. 

"You aren't going to ask about any rewards?" Atem narrowed his eyes.

"Why would I? We are discussing the adoption of a human. Not the return of a prized steed that had run off," Ishizu looked disgusted and insulted.