Title: Reborn

Disclaimer: Kazuki Takahashi and associates own these characters; I am writing for fun and not profit.

Warnings: Non-explicit male slash.

Pairings: Yugi/Yami, Yugi/Atemu, and pre-slash Ryou/Bakura.

Rating: T

Summary: Death is only the beginning. The Mummy (1999) parody.

Author's Note: Welcome to Reborn! I hope you enjoy the adventure!

Reborn

Prologue

Curled up in the satin sheets the two lovers mewled contently, limbs contorted with one another in a fierce embrace. Ra had gone to rest hours ago, leaving the city of Thebes cloaked under a black midnight.

"But for our love, I am willing to risk life itself," the Prince of Egypt confessed to his lover, tan arms wrapping themselves around the slave's bare chest. For hours the two lay there in forbidden bliss, knowing too soon they would be torn apart and forced behind their mask of lies once again. Their secret passion hidden until night fell once more.

As if on cue, a fierce knocking came from the hallways, the ruckus sending the two lovers scurrying out of bed and into position just before the door opened.

"My son," the Pharaoh acknowledged the prince, watching as he bowed in respect, "you are needed to prepare for the ceremony, make haste and go." Without so much as a glance towards his secret lover the prince began to make his way out.

Aknamkanon turned his attention to the slave as soon as possible, forgetting his son for the moment. His eyes searched him carefully, until they suddenly went wide, mouth forming to gasp, "Who has touched you?" he roared, fingers seeking out the long scratch marks that were evident on his bare back.

The Prince froze, one foot out the door as his heart raced in fear for both him and his lover. The slave stumbled, trying to cover the evidence of his earlier lovemaking foolishly, "My Pharaoh, I must have scraped myself on a twig by the trees from the Nile when I was gathering water. . ." he tried to lie, his voice breaking as heat rushed to his face, guilt and betrayal evident all over.

"Guards!" The Pharaoh shouted, turning to face his son as the troops gathered, "Atemu, my own son," he moaned, watching as the prince slunk back, terrified.

"Father, I. . ."

"My own son," Aknamkanon repeated, disgust dripping from his tone.

"You must go, save yourself," the slave suddenly shouted, his eyes widening in horror as guards flocked to his lover's side, trying to restrain him.

"No," the prince roared, beating the men off him, "I won't leave you, Heba!" he cried, rage fueling him as the remaining troops grabbed the slave.

"Atemu," the younger one shouted back, blonde bangs concealing his face as he bent over after being jabbed in the stomach. The Prince screamed, ruby eyes finding his father with fire blazing in them, "You are no father of mine, you snake!"

Aknamkanon retaliated, withdrawing his dagger and holding it up to Heba's neck as a guard locked the slave's arms in an iron grip, "For the disgrace you have brought upon this family, you will pay with this filth!"

"NO!" Atemu screamed in furious rage and agony, "GET AWAY FROM ME! HEBA!" With madness burning in his eyes the Prince watched with a numbed mind as the slave's throat was sliced, crimson blood pouring down his body and onto the stones below.

He fell to the ground in a stupor; breathe hitching as he fought to keep control of it, eyes wide in disbelief and shock, cold sweat dripping to mix with the fresh blood below.

"The Hom-Dai," Aknamkanon whispered, dropping the dagger to the ground as he passed his son.

The Hom Dai was the worst of all ancient Egyptian curses. In nearly all research, it's never been heard of that the Hom Dai was ever actually performed, because the people of Egypt feared it so. This curse was reserved for only the most evil of blasphemers. It started by removal of the tongue using a knife, the mouth being sewn shut, then being mummified in the traditional burial bandages, excluding the protective amulets, herbs, and oils. Afterwards, they were placed in sarcophagus that had the sacred spells chiseled off, thereby condemning the victim not only in this life, but in the next. The sarcophagus was then allegedly filled with scarabs, (a common Egyptian insect that is not traditionally carnivorous, but will, if lacking other food, consume flesh) - followed by a live burial and condemnation ceremony.