Thank you to Catti for being a most awesome beta! Sorry I'm so late, it's been one hell of a year so far. I can't promise to be timely but I do have two more chapters written and beta'd…I just need to get on here and post. If possible I'll have the next chap out next week. Wish me luck. XD

Enjoy!

o ~ O ~ o

Over the next few days Yugi spent a lot of time in the company of Jonoh during the day, and his enigmatic stranger at night. Between the two of them they kept his spirits up, conversing with him on a myriad of different topics, altogether avoiding the reason he was still being kept in what was really no more than an extravagant cage, still a prisoner.

It was later toward the evening on that second day when Jonoh approached Yugi with an offer to speak of the Pharaoh's beginnings, and answer his questions concerning the mysterious monarch.

"You're not going to get into trouble for this, are you?" Yugi queried to the offer.

"Nah, no one's gonna hear me other than you. And who you gonna tell?" Jonoh shot back.

"That's true…" Yugi mused.

"Uh-huh, see what I mean? Alright, look, no one else knows this, but I knew pr-aA Atemu from the time he was no more than a babe in swaddling. His mama appeared with him one night, wanting to rent a room from my parents. I was little at the time but I do remember it. She said her husband had died, and that his relatives weren't interested in the fate of a young woman with a baby when they had so many other mouths to feed. My mama always told me later that her story didn't quite add up, but she had a soft spot for the desperate, so she let them have my brother's room."

"So, wait, pr-aA didn't grow up in the palace? What happened to your brother, if you don't mind my asking?"

"My baby brother had been dead for months by that time – the plague. And no, Atemu didn't grow up in the palace. News came down from the palace that one of pr-aA's concubines had escaped the women's hall with his only child and heir just days before they showed up. A reward was offered if the child could be found. But news is unreliable at the best of times, and more so when the person offering it is doing so from the other end of a spear. So most of the people in my village ignored it."

Yugi sat back on his haunches, "wow, that's…incredible."

He thought back to the legend of the unnamed Pharaoh that he had spent the better part of his previous life researching. Legend had it that this Pharaoh was controversial in that mention of his description and his place in the royal lineage had not been found in the palace archives that were available, until nearly his teen years. To the point where it wasn't certain if he was the previous Pharaoh's brother or son. Could it be? And oh dear gods, if it was…

He shivered.

Unaware of Yugi's thoughts, Jonoh continued, "So he grew up in my house. With my family. I'm sure my mama had some ideas about his origins, but she never said a word. Ankhesunamun – Atemu's mama – was never late with her rent while they lived with us, and even though the rougher guys in the village gave her grief when they found her alone she always doted on Atemu and made sure that he was raised to be gentle…with a strong sense of right and wrong. He used to get so pissed, when he was older and he found out what some of the village idiots were doing to his mama."

"What did they do? Not that I really need to know; I can guess, I think."

"Yeah, you probably can. He caught one of them once. It was bad…I helped him drag the body to the water."

Yugi gasped. "What?"

Jonoh shrugged. "I was too late to do anything else, the least I could do was that. Atemu was a tough kid. The other kids used to pick on him because he was always smaller than they were. Older boys, my age used to beat him up, so he got to where he would play games with them. Set up a trap and lure them into it when they used to give chase. After one of his traps almost killed a kid, they quit picking on him. But his mama caught wind of it by that time. Ankhesunamun tore into him good, and set him to studying with different masters to curb his wildness after that.

"About that time was when girls came into the picture. When I finally did see him again – mind you this all happened after they moved out of our house and into a small dwelling down the street – he was sweet on a girl up the road. He used to invite the two of us to join him in his lessons. My mama made me go, said it was the only chance I would get to learn something other than farming. And boy did I try to keep up with him. It was no use though, once he learned to treat his lessons as a game to beat he was unstoppable. Anything he could get his hands on…"

Jonoh shook his head, and shot Yugi a rueful smile. "By that time even the dumbest kids in the neighborhood knew something was different about him. He was smarter, more agile, a smoother talker. He was able to get us out of some pretty prickly trouble when we needed. The girls were his downfall, though."

"Why, what happened?"

Jonoh frowned, recalling the day. "This group of girls was standing around giggling at us – we were helping the old man down the street rebuild a food storage after some drunken idiots destroyed his old one. And they were watching…and giggling. Atemu, he gets this idea to moon them. So, like an idiot, I go along with it. If you know anything about lines of succession for the throne, then you know that the legitimate heir to the throne is tattooed on his right flank at birth with Re's right eye to ward off evil and ensure a long, hearty life. Something that can only be done in the palace to ensure no imposters."

"Oh no!" Yugi clapped a hand over his mouth. "Please tell me he didn't do that."

Jonoh nodded solemnly, "I'm afraid so. Those girls took one look at him and tore off screaming. We didn't know why…had no idea until the soldiers came down into the village the next morning, scattering our livestock and destroying our homes. Atemu, of course, was the first one out of his house and running into the fray."

Yugi groaned, covering his face. In his mind he could clearly see a smaller version of the young man who haunted his dreams running into the middle of a crowd with the clear intention of defending his family. And the more he thought on it, the more this Pharaoh Atemu looked to be the Nameless Pharaoh of his former world. Could he really leave this story in the middle with no regrets – if this was the story he was living?

He had to help, somehow. Hopefully not how they were thinking. Shaking off his thoughts he directed his attention back to Jonoh, who had continued on with his story.

"– I was trying to pull out of my father's grip, thinking he was gonna die. I thought they were gonna kill everybody that day, and they damn near did. I saw it all…and I regret every moment of it. There was nothing I could do. Pr-aA, he swoops down on this big black horse and snatches Atemu up, turns him upside down and examines the mark. And then he nods to his brother as Ankhesunamun comes running out of her burning house, turning around and taking off with Atemu. They burned her that day…Atemu's mama.

"They dragged her out into the middle of the village and proclaimed her a traitor, tortured her…and burned her alive. I know he's heard by now, there are no secrets here in the palace, but I could never bring myself to tell him face to face. I was a coward that day. I couldn't have moved from our hidden place in the fields to save my life – even if my father had let me go. He was my best friend…and I couldn't do anything."

"Yeah, but what were you gonna do? Against so many?" Yugi questioned. "You'd have died that day. And who would he have on his side now if you weren't here? You did the best you could have done under the circumstances."

Jonoh glanced over at him, brow furrowed. "That doesn't make it any easier."

"No, I don't suppose it does."

"Anyway, it does explain why he is the way he is – why he's so different, why he has such a hard time dealing with certain priests and advisors. And why he and Akhenaten are always at odds. If given the chance he could change the world. And I intend to see that he gets that chance. Look, it's later than I thought. If you don't have any questions I'm gonna let you get some sleep. I'll be right outside."

"G'night." Yugi replied automatically, his thoughts, and heart with that long ago boy who had been ripped from everything he had ever known, his mother killed, his friends gone. The pain he must have endured…

Sleep, sure, after that tale? He had the feeling sleep was going to be a long time coming tonight. Tomorrow he was to begin training with Isis, so he knew he needed at least a little sleep, but the thoughts were already churning in his head. How could he make plans to leave after that tale? He knew the offer was open, but now he really knew he would have to refuse. He could not leave the man that boy had become to deal with the aftermath of his defection. There was no way.

After putting out most of the torches in the chamber that he could reach Yugi stretched out on his pallet and contemplated the horrific tale Jonoh had told him. Unbeknownst to him he was not the only one who had heard the story. His nightly visitor was curled up on the balcony, silent tears streaming down his face.

Slowly the man made his way back down the wall, a visit with Yugi now out of the question on this night. He needed time to absorb what he had just heard. Jonoh was right, he had known, but knowing and hearing from someone who had observed the entire incident were two different things. Akhenaten had a lot to answer for. His father did as well, but that would wait until he made it to the afterlife. Akhenaten was here and now.

~o~O~o~

After a couple of weeks as Isis's attendant Yugi had come to the realization that there was really no specialized training for his station, just a series of made up tasks that Akhenaten had put together to demoralize and humiliate him. With Isis he was learning how to make potions, and learning that he was rather good at it – and that he enjoyed it. When not completing her duties to the court Isis was always on hand to give him instruction or share some of her wisdom. He had come to look to her as the mother he had never really known.

With each hour of her company he was more certain that his decision to stick around was the right one. Isis shared her knowledge of the Pharaoh in her stories of palace life, and Yugi came to appreciate that the man sounded like a decent person – if not a total saint from her perspective. And even though he never saw him in person, his dream personification of the Pharaoh persisted.

He'd meet him eventually, there was no way he wouldn't.

Life in the palace – for him – had settled into a predictable (and cherished) routine. He would wake to Jonoh's urging, where they would break their fast with bread, cheese and interesting morning discussions; he would then head to the healing ward to spend part of the day under Isis's watchful eye, come back to his chamber to relax and read, and top the night off with a visit from his strange cloaked admirer. And he was content.

Scared, but content.

The kiss that he had shared with his nightly visitor had not happened again, nor had it been referenced, much to Yugi's consternation. He would run through it over and over in his head when he was alone at night, wondering why it affected him so deeply. What did he feel for this stranger? Why was he drawn to this man when he knew he had to give him up? And who was he? Yugi had yet to figure out the identity of his visitor. The man gave him no clues – other than the decorative bands of gold around his wrists and ankles – to go on.

But drawn to this mysterious figure he was. They had shared a good many late night skins of wine and good conversation, even some light touches when their guard was down and the wine was sweet, but never another kiss. And the idea that Yugi belonged to another as a slave still chafed at his conscience. He wanted a choice in the path his life would take.

His former life seemed like a dream to him now. It still hurt. Ryou was on his mind more often than not, but it was like a sequence in someone else's life. Here he had friends. And he was making a life for himself. Something he'd failed at spectacularly back in the other world. But, oh, there were times when he wished he had his friend with him here in this world.

Tonight he was fresh from lounging in his small bathing pool after a rousing debate with Jonoh over whether Shadi and Isis were going to become (or already were) more than friends. Apparently, that was the discussion around the palace. Yugi wished they would. To him they were the ideal couple, even if they tried so hard to hide it from view. Jonoh had told him that even the Pharaoh had remarked on their suitability this day, giving them permission before it was sought, much to the delight of a good portion of the court.

Night had fallen, but Yugi was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice his visitor until the man cleared his throat. Then he bounded off the pallet and wrapped the man in an embrace through the bars.

His visitor laughed, returning the embrace. "And what, may I ask, has you in such boisterous spirits?"

"Jonoh just told me that pr-aA outed Shadi and Isis, right in the middle of court. I'm happy for them, of course, but how embarrassing!"

"From what I hear, they were caught kissing in the hall. He had every right to 'out' them, as you say." His visitor returned with an audible grin

"I heard the same." Yugi laughed, shaking his head.

The man shrugged. "If they are in love, then others' opinions should have no bearing."

"Yeah, that's true."

Throughout the entire conversation Yugi was held securely in his visitor's arms, a gentle hand stroking his face. And it no longer seemed weird to him that he craved this man's touch. He wondered at it, yes, but it felt natural. Much like his new life.

"I just think they fit." Yugi replied, reaching out to cup the other's face in his hand.

It was an unspoken agreement between the two of them that Yugi would not attempt to remove his visitor's hood, and the man would accept his touch without complaint. Tonight, though, Yugi was after something different. He wanted another kiss. He needed to see if they were as suited to each other as Isis and Shadi were, and in answering that question he would know what he wanted to do with whatever of his future belonged to him.

He would not leave the Pharaoh in a lurch – especially if he was who Yugi thought he was – but neither would he remain a slave. There had to be a compromise in there somewhere, some room for him to be able to live his own life. Surely the man who would end up sacrificing his life to save the entire world could allow him to have a life of his own? Or so he hoped.

If his future was with this hooded stranger than he wanted to know before it was too late and his future was decided for him. He also needed to set up a meeting with this elusive Pharaoh that he had heard so much about. Hopefully the man was as compassionate as all of his new friends seemed to think he was. The time he had in which to decide was running short.

"Something has changed." The stranger observed.

"What do you mean?" Yugi questioned.

"You seem to have come to a decision concerning something that has been on your mind. You seem…more carefree, less guarded."

"Yeah…about that…" Yugi hedged.

"Yes?"

Yugi could almost hear the eyebrow as it was raised beneath the stranger's hood. "I just need a couple more days to figure it all out…but I was hoping you would help me with something tonight."

"What would you like me to do, little one?"

"Kiss me, please. Just once."

The stranger's grip tightened on his arms as the man seemed to be fighting himself. Yugi reached back out and memorized the contours of his face with his hand. He understood what he was asking. He could very well get this man killed with his request if the Pharaoh turned out to be just another jealous, spoiled aristocrat. He was taking a very big chance if anyone found out. But he was also banking on the fact that no one knew about his late night visitor.

"Please?"

The stranger sighed deeply, "I started this, and for that I am sorry. I never meant to take it that far. Little one, you are a tempting treasure."

And Yugi found himself swept up in a demanding kiss that pressed him up against the bars of his prison, and stole his senses. The stranger's hands wandered along his sides and down to his backside to pull him up against what felt to be his arousal. Yugi groaned into the kiss, his hands gripping the other's shoulders tightly. This was so much more than what he had bargained for. Desire coursed through his veins and he kissed back with a vengeance.

And just as suddenly his visitor ended the kiss, cradling him to his chest through the bars. "You are a dangerous temptation. The things I would do to you if…I wish things could be different."

That last comment caught Yugi's attention. "Why?"

"When all is said and done, I fear you are going to hate me."

"Now why would I do that?"

"Hush, little one, I wish to enjoy this moment. I should never have let it get this far, but I shall answer all of your questions soon. Please, let me have this."

"I wish you would let me help you." Yugi replied, settling into the other's embrace.

"You are helping me. More than you know. Do not ever doubt that I appreciate it. I cannot change the future, though. And for that I am sorry."

"You're afraid? Of what?"

"Soon enough, little one. I must leave now, duty calls. I merely wanted to wish you peaceful dreams tonight."

And then the man was gone, just as silently as he had come. Yugi had no idea where he went from the balcony, there was nothing else out there but a straight drop three stories down. He gave a sigh and wandered back to his pallet. He had gotten the answer he originally sought, but more questions wandered in along with it. Great. Not exactly what he needed right now.

~o~O~o~

"How many drops of frankincense oil do you add to the potion to cure a migraine, and where do you apply it so as to be the most effective?" Isis questioned as their group moved through the halls toward the healing ward.

Yugi thought it over for a minute. "Ten drops, and it's applied to the victim's temples, behind the ears and at the base of their skull."

She nodded. "Yes. What about a potion to clear the sinuses?"

"Fifteen, along with a eucalyptus base."

"Very good, young one. You are learning quickly." Isis replied. "If only you could remember the incantations as easily as you do the recipes. They are just as important."

Yugi cringed and shared a look with Jonoh as they crossed the center pavilion that led to Isis's domain, the pair of them only giving a cursory glance around at the foot traffic that flowed around them on this busy day. A figure caught the corner of his eye, and he turned his head to warn the person who seemed not to realize there were other people sharing the path. But he had no time to so much as open his mouth before they collided. His head whipped around from the impact and he found himself on the floor, staring in bewilderment at the man who had just deliberately run into him.

Akhenaten.

"Imbecile!" The priest shouted, snatching him up by his arm, and waving torn scrolls in his face. "Look at what you've done. You are going to pay for this."

Isis stepped in front of the older man with her arms out. "The fault was yours. You have no cause to touch him, Hm-Ntr Akhenaten. Unhand him now."

But the priest only snorted. "We shall take this outrage before pr-aA. He will sort this out." And he took off down the corridor, a helpless Yugi in tow.

Isis bristled as she tore off down the hall after him, leaving Jonoh to catch up. And Jonoh didn't give a fig for Akhenaten's chances if the irate priestess caught him before he could reach the court. Unfortunately for Isis she was not able to catch the larger priest before he burst into a full court. By the time they had caught up to him he had already hoisted Yugi up by his hair.

"What is the meaning of this, uncle?" Atemu demanded as he shot out of his seat.

"Your toy needs a leash, your Highness." Akhenaten replied, shaking Yugi like a ragdoll with one hand while he held out a fistful of torn scrolls in the other. "He should not be free to roam the halls. His carelessness has caused harm to the scrolls I was attempting to translate."

Both Isis and Jonoh shot the priest a disbelieving look when they stalked into the chamber to hear his complaints.

"You said to fetch him to you when he was in need of punishment. Well, here he is. What are you going to do about this?" Akhenaten demanded, allowing his victim to fall to the floor in a heap.

Yugi glared at the old priest before turning his attention to the person occupying the throne above him. His jaw dropped, his eyes widening as he realized that he was getting his first real look at the man who held his life in his hands, and that he was indeed the same man (with the skirt!) that he had seen in his dreams. He felt the same sort of helpless desperation when he gazed up at the beautiful being as he had when he had woke to find himself in that strange room. Dear gods, he was real?

It was the crown, it had to be. That had to be what was giving him heart palpitations. It couldn't be that the Pharaoh was not much older than he was – or that he was drop dead gorgeous. That wasn't it at all. Holy hell. Was he dreaming? Quickly Yugi dropped his eyes to the ground, very much aware that he could have been put to death merely for the liberty of staring at this god (in a skirt). He was lucky that the Pharaoh and the priest were too busy glaring daggers at each other to have noticed his transgression.

Yugi stayed glued to the spot where Akhenaten dropped him until he heard a familiar voice ask, "What say you, was it your intent to cause harm?"

He almost looked up, but sanity took over at the last moment and he merely shook his head, keeping his eyes to the floor.

"It matters not his intent, what matters were his actions. He ran into me. You wanted the authority to punish him, now do so." Akhenaten charged.

Yugi's lip curled in distaste. Had someone asked him before he came to this land if he had the capacity to hate anyone he would have said no. After being here for the length of time he had, he would now have to revise that answer. He despised this man with every fiber of his being. His voice, his manner of speaking, his hulking shadow. His bullying pose.

"If he is to be punished it is my choice, uncle. Not yours. You lost that right."

Yugi could hear the frustration in the young monarch's voice. And with those words he went from despising this man towering over him to mentally cheering the young man standing before the throne for his ability to withstand the priest's ire with a collected calm. He wondered how long the Pharaoh could withstand his rage, and then wondered if it was a good idea to test that at this moment when so much was still undecided. This could end in disaster if Akhenaten chose to push the issue, as it looked like he wanted to.

"Be that as it may, he committed a crime by even touching one of the priesthood, let alone causing damage to priceless artifacts with his carelessness."

"I have heard your side, uncle, now I wish to hear his side. Or do you intend to stand over him and force your will upon us both?" To Yugi he beckoned, "come, I simply wish to ask you a question."

Yugi stood on shaky legs, considering the consequences of telling the truth verses lying to save the tongue lashing and possible future retaliation against both of them from the older man. Once he made it to the top of the dais, feeling sick to his stomach, he found he could not lift his eyes from the floor. He did not feel good about this situation. Not one bit. Akhenaten had always seemed unhinged, to him, fanatic. How far could he be pushed before his controlled violence became uncontrollable? And who would be the target for his rage?

"You may look at me, I give you permission." The Pharaoh's voice was startlingly soft, but Yugi shook his head, unable to do as asked with what he was planning to do. The Pharaoh seemed to expect his resistance.

"Very well then, how do you plead? Did you run into Hm-Ntr Akhenaten, and in doing so cause harm to the scrolls he was carrying?"

Yugi took a deep breath, closed his eyes and nodded. Twin gasps were heard, and he shook his head imperceptibly at Isis and Jonoh, watching from beneath his lashes as the Pharaoh gave Jonoh a questioning glance. The guard tipped his chin in the direction of Yugi's accuser, and in that moment Yugi knew he had been outed as a liar. He'd had a good reason for it, but after Jonoh's assertion that plan had fallen by the wayside. He closed his eyes, waiting for the Pharaoh to pronounce judgment.

~o~O~o~

Atemu surveyed the scene with disgust. He'd already had a stomach full of his uncle's posturing earlier in the day, and had no qualms whatsoever in believing that the older man had set the entire scene up in retribution for his decision in the court room that afternoon. But now Yugi – out of fear, most likely – was going along with his plan. He placed a hand over his face, scrubbing at his eyes, and most likely damaging the paint he wore for court.

Apparently his long day was not over yet.

Atemu clapped his hands. "Court is dismissed. We shall reconvene next rise."

As the rest of the onlookers, and a good portion of the priesthood filed out of the throne room Atemu spared none of the four remaining his icy glare. Isis glared back challengingly, Jonoh directed his anger at the floor, and Yugi refused to even look up from the spot he had been staring at since he had climbed the dais. Akhenaten, however, refused to back down.

"The court deserved to behold the spectacle of you punishing this slave yourself when you have never before held the whip, and even now refuse to do so. You are soft, Atemu. Weak. Even if you ascend to the throne you will not be able to hold it. You should have paid more attention to your father's instructions."

Atemu raised an eyebrow, refusing to be baited into their longstanding argument. "You desired to force this confrontation, and that is your choice. However, none of what I have to say here is fit for the gossip mills, uncle. He shall be punished, but it will be for lying, not for running into you, as you say. There are others who wish to make the truth known even if the two of you do not. Hear me now, I shall not allow you to comport yourself in such a manner as to bring the title of liar down upon this court. I will not be manipulated by my administrators. You are dismissed."

"Oh no, nephew, I will see him punished first. Believe me or not, it does not matter to me what happens once you attain your majority, but for now you will do as you are bid. Until the moment you fully assume the throne I am stuck with you, as you are with me. I assure you I am not exactly pleased with the arrangement either."

Atemu shrugged dismissively, pointing a finger toward the area where court scribes normally sat. "Very well then, he is to work with the scribes for the next –"

"You shall not make mockery of your station." Akhenaten snarled as he stalked toward the doors to the general entrance where the rest of the court was milling around, waiting for individual conference with the Pharaoh. "You shall physically punish him or I will stage a coup under the notion that you are unfit to serve as pr-aA due to your inability to hand down sentence."

Atemu blinked. There was a good chance that coup could work in Akhenaten's favor. There were still too many unknown instigators in his court who would happily latch on to the priest's accusations to keep him from the throne. As much as he hated to back down from his stance he would have to this time. There was so much more at stake than his misgivings about slavery, and this one young man's comfort.

He motioned for Jonoh and Isis to remove themselves from the room, wishing for as few witnesses as possible, but he wasn't surprised when they refused. Isis folded her arms over her chest and glared at him impassively. Jonoh refused to acknowledge the order. Nice to know he could control his court. He didn't want them to fear him, but he needed to know that his orders would be obeyed.

He sighed. Very well. He understood why they were ignoring him in this instance, so he chose to leave off with the lecture, and just get on with what he needed to do. Had Yugi even healed from the beating that his uncle had given him? He wasn't sure. It had only been a couple of weeks since the incident.

This was not how he wanted their first true meeting to be remembered – with his uncle goading him into violence. Inwardly Atemu seethed. Akhenaten would win this confrontation, and he hated giving up even the smallest of ground against that man. But he would not win without giving something up in return. And Atemu intended to make it hurt. He intended on taking something his uncle held dear.

"This is your demand, then? That I physically punish the sacrifice in your presence? And you will speak no more of it? And when the time comes you will leave mycourt…no, you will leave my country with no objections? I want your word. I want you gone; you'll do no more malice here. If you back out I will have you arrested for treason the moment this crown has been blessed and placed back on my head."

"You have my word." Akhenaten spit, eyes aflame with hatred.

"Come." Atemu motioned Yugi without taking his eyes off his enemy.

He could clearly feel the boy trembling as he grabbed his hand to guide him. He would have to work hard to erase this scene from the boy's memory, and hope that Yugi would eventually learn to trust him again. But there was too much at stake here. He couldn't work around this. It had to be.

~o~O~o~

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