Author Note: Please Read it is Important!

A big thank you to my new BETA Ireina Kurotsuki and my old friend and BETA sonata hirano for both of their fantastic work on this and previous and up coming works I've written such as Shades Of Grey. And quick note to all my readers that I thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my works.

This is an AU, alternate universe story, and I have no connection to the writers or creators of Yu-Gi-Oh! Nor do I profit from the creation of this Fan Fiction. Abuse both mental and physical are mentioned and will later be detailed. Sexual contact of both consensual and non-consensual, hetro and homosexual will be apart of this story so if these things offend you I surgiest you don't proceed in reading the actual story. And lastly reviews are very welcome along with any constructive criticisms you may have of what has been written.

Thank you for Reading

Aghony

Part Eight

I watched dawn claim the once black sky, Ra covering the world in shades of reds, pinks, and oranges, a beautiful, burning display and I wished I could share it with my Pharaoh. It had been two days since we had set out and I could not even see the Royal City in the horizon. Sleep was slow in coming, short and restless without the comfort of my Master near me. I had woken hours ago, as the fire turned to burning coals and the others slept, Ryou, Malik and Akefia slept snuggled together, Akefia in the middle, sitting cross legged with a blanket drawn close. Ryou pressed into his left side, his head on Maliks thigh as the boy sprawled over Akefia and curled around him. None of their positions looked terribly comfortable and I wondered briefly who would ache the most out of the three.

The Deshretians too huddled together Wati in the centre, admittedly not a very good fighter, Ibai pressed next to him, though his lower half covered Wati's, their legs tangled. Mdjai pressed into his side, a long, thick arm around Ibai's petit waist, one hand under the boys tunic and Odji, who still looked like he was about to hatch some insidious plot curled around Wati. His face pressed tight into the younger mans throat, the dull glitter of his dagger shinning in the brilliance of dawn.

It was sweet to see them, as most would describe them, having never met them, going by their reputation alone, as cut throats who not even their comrades would trust, even though that was not the case. Akefia, the feared and notorious Thief King, had given them, every one of his people, a family, a place to be accepted, a place where you could be yourself and not be judged or ridiculed.

He had given them what no one else would, a home.

And they loved him as much as most of the remetch en Kemet, feared and hated him. He, to them was what Atemu was to his people.

He was their god-king, he was their friend, their brother, father, and son, he was their protector and provider, giving most the means to take care of themselves with little asked for in return.

And I wished, Atemu, Seth and the rest of the court and the People of Kemet could see this. Listen and know that he was not evil without reason and he just like most wished to have a family, a home and a place where he was welcome and loved.

And I wanted to give him that, with Prince Yugi and free him and his for lack of a better word, family a better standing in the general community of Kemet.

"Seto?" Akefia said and I blinked looking at him, my face reflected in his large, crimson eyes.

"Yes?"

"We should be near Kemet and your Master by tomorrow night, I think it best to interrupt one of the counsel meetings so I'll get the times of them later, that way we can be sure to find your Pharaoh."

"Okay…Akefia…please hurt no one unless it is strictly necessary," I whispered back, my voice seeming very loud in the morning air. We were creating another memory for the sands of Kemet, another thing for one such as I to hear and ponder. Breaking the early Ra quiet, for I could not call it silence, the hushed breathing and loud, abrasive snoring of the men. The whisper of the wind as it picked up and played with the golden grains of sand, the hiss and rattle of one of the curious creatures of the desert.

"…I'll do what I can, tell me, why do you sleep to uneasily?"

"I…I miss my brother and my Master. I have slept by his side too long to be comfortable without his presence," I murmur meting his gaze then looking away. "Hmm, we'll be off soon, so you wont have too many more sleepless nights, young one," Akefia told me running his fingers through his brothers white hair, the strands tangling around his long fingers, as if to hold him close to his younger sibling.

"Yes, yes soon I shale be home and all will be well."

--

The ride that day and the next were beyond tiring, and I ached, opening healing wounds, causing blood to soak into the clothing Akefia had graciously given me. Muscles ached and protested every time I rod, every time I mounted Noble or dismounted from the placid, playful horse. And a mixture of dread and anticipation filled me, making my heart pound in my chest like the drums played for my Pharaohs entertainment.

Sweat coated us all, sand sticking to unnamed places and we smelt beyond fowl, my hair matted and dirty, my scalp itchy from the build up of dirt and sweat and skin. I felt unclean and heated it. And as the Pharaohs city grew bigger on the horizon, Noble went down, throwing me off, away from him and under Odji's horse, Smug, its hooves biting into my skin and then away.

Ow, I thought panting as my vision faded in and out, the wet slick fluid of my life seeping out as I curled up on the sand Akefia almost instantly at my side. Tears filled and spilled from my eyes and I whimpered, "Atemu, bigbrother," wanting them, needing them as Akefia lifted me into his lap.

"Hay, kid, shh, you're alright," he murmured as my tears tracked my face and I huddled close to him, whispering, "Why does this keep happening?" as he watched Wati check the horses making sure Noble and Smug were okay as Malik slid down beside me and Akefia. "I don't know little one…I really don't," he whispered and I heard his thoughts, I wish I did kid, I wish I could tell you why the gods seem to have a vendetta to hurt you as much as they can.

"Akefia, we're too close to Kemet to stop in the open like this," Mdjai murmured looking around and I felt Akefia nod before standing with me limp in his arms, as if knowing I was too shocked, to sore and upset to walk and move alone. Moments later we where off, Noble tied with the two pack horses, Sandstorm and Bandit, the latter nipping the smaller, gentler horse every chance he got.

--

"When Ra is born in the morning, counsel is held, just after pray and breakfast," my voice weak and subdued as we sat by the great wall of the Great City, spending yet another night away from my Pharaoh torture for me. Already feeling sleep deprived, weak with hunger, as I couldn't eat, nothing wanted to stay down, and after relieving my body of its continence twice I'd given up trying to eat anything and blood loss. Smug had opened and created wounds that wept and leaked blood, even after being bandaged.

"Alright, we'll go in then, Wati, you'll stay with Malik and the horses, Ryou, you and Odji hide your arses, I don't want a repeat of the last time. Ibai you and Mdjai will follow Seto and I, but stay outside the palace," Akefia said looking at each of his followers and I swallowed. Everyone nodded, following and accepting his words without question and I thought bitterly, even Atemu is questioned.

Feeling irritable, bitter and worn out I huddled into my blanket staring at the sand at my feet, images of Atemu and Seth's faces, smiling, frowning, confused and sleeping, Jono with Prince Yugi, as they played around. The love that shone in my brothers eyes as he looked at me, Atemu, Yugi and most of all Jono. All different kinds, all different types of love.

Brotherly for me and Yugi.

Worship and loyalty to Atemu.

And deep, ever lasting love for Jono, the look laced with lust.

I wanted to be home, I wanted to be in my Pharaohs room, waiting for him, or with Yugi in his playing games as we spoke of our days, our dreams. Or with Seth in the study, both of us silent, just basking in the luxury of each other's presence.

"Seto…" Malik whispered curling up beside me and I looked over at him, moving only my eyes and he smiled whispering, "You love the Pharaoh don't you?"

"…Yes, very much."

--

Akefia, Ibai, Mdjai and I set off just before the rise of Ra, Akefia keeping an arm around my waist as my legs were unsteady and we both wondered if I had damaged my spine. As with spine damage people could lose the use of legs, sometime their inter bodies, frozen from the neck down and unable to live alone. Every step brought flashes of pain through my body, the streets around us mostly empty, people just beginning to awaken and ready for the day, infants cries echoing in the silent predawn.

Ibji watch around us his eyes hawk like, sharp and ever obseverant and I could see why Akefia wanted him with us, to watch and make sure everyone made it without issue. Mdjai a large, intimidating shadow behind us, his large body moving just as quietly as Ibji's smaller one, only my footsteps audible. Only my breathing harsh as pain raked my system and by the time Akefia and I were inside the palace walls my legs were useless and he had to carry me.

"You are so much trouble pet," he teased and I rolled my eyes, not even dignifying his jib with a reply as he slipped quietly through the halls, keeping to the shadows and darting behind or around guards, and I could see why he was so feared. He was a shadow, a figment, a phantom slipping in and out unseen, leaving you poor and whispering his name in anger, fear and awe at his skill.

Slowly we came upon the Throne room, the raised voices easily heard from our position a the side entrance, a slaves one, and I winced when Akhenadens voice came, a sneer of self-possessed superiority, "Your brother, the pet of our Pharaoh, who too knows where such things are is missing as are the valuables and you dispute his guilt?! You are blind with your love for one you have not seen for years, he is a slave and has stolen from his master! He is a slave who had run and still you try and defend him when he is so obviously guilty!"

Whimpering I pressed closer to Akefia who was silently seething, his breath coming out an angry hiss as he whispered, "I'll kill him. Dirty snake." And I trembled as Seth snapped out, "You Priest can believe all you like. I know my brother, our Pharaoh knows Seto and we know he would never do such a thing. One he is loyal, his sacrifice for our Pharaoh is more than enough proof of that Akhenaden, two he is too afraid of the punishment if he betrayed his Master, his Pharaoh. He begged before several of this court to stay, terrified of the thought of being freed. He would never leave, not unless given no choice!"

"Now, we must enter now," I murmured and he kicked the door open, with a bang, turning faces too us. Shock, joy, confusion on many faces and Yugi gasped his eyes shinning with happiness and worry, and I knew it was at the sight of Akefia, though he was concerned with my condition. I felt his love and when Akefia looked at the young prince I was hit with knowledge, with memory as he too remembered.

I saw what he saw felt what he felt, the gentle weight of Yugi sitting across his thighs, the way the young Prince looked with desire in his amethyst eyes. Felt his need as he kissed Yugi deep, thrusting his tongue into the small heated cavern of the Princes mouth. The hot press of Yugi's arousal against his stomach and the pleasurable pain of his own need.

I gasped at the feelings and sensations the Thief King remembered, taking me along with him and I felt his love of the younger, innocent boy. Trembling I pushed at the man who held me and I pushed until I tumbled to the floor of the counsel room, my wounds, wounds my own father had inflicted opening and pain flared.

Whimpering I crawled to the dais where my brother and beloved Pharaoh sat staring at the Thief king and I as I moved slowly until my forehead hit the cold lime stone and I shuddered closing my eyes as I went still.

A hand went to my hair, my dirty, greasy yucky hair. A hand I knew, I knew well and pressed into it as my brothers voice rang out. "Guards seize the Thief!" and I jerked up a small cry coming from my lips as pain worsened, "My lord please," I called my voice begging and eyes turned me instantly.

It was a rare thing for me to speak up, especially when I was in pain, "High Priest…brother, he saved my life," I told them and Atemu brushed my hair from my face whispering, "Not now my pet…later, when the others hear not."

Glancing at the Thief King I nodded as the guards came and he stiffened, shaking my head I pleaded with him to be patient, he would have his Yugi soon. Once all was explained.

He watched me and sighed his shoulders rounding in defeat, rolling his eyes as he smirked, "Take him to his cell," Seth ordered and I blinked remembering that Akefia had told me he had a cell that had a fairly good bed and such in it. The Prince had hooked him up.

"Take care of your boy here, Pharaoh, he'll die for you," Akefia said almost defiantly, turning narrowed angry eyes to Akenaden before shrugging off the guards hand and turning walking away with a dignity I was surprised by. Atemu's lips pressed to my dirty skin tasting the grit, sand and sweat on my skin, the light tang of blood. "I am most pleased to see you home, my little one. You had me most worried Seto," he whispered and I whimpered, letting my eyes fall shut as I whispered back, "I meant not to leave my Pharaoh…I was…" trailing off as I felt Akenaden's gaze burn into my back.

"Phar- Father began and Atemus hand left my hair drawing a displeased sound from my throat, holding it up to the priest, his voice rough with repressed emotion, "Pharaoh speaks."

"This meting is adjourned. We will speak more on this matter later, once we have spoken with Seto and the Thief King," Atemu said and Akenaden made a displeased sound, the hatred in his gaze boring into my skin, which already bore the mark of his dislike of my existence. "My Pharaoh- he protested and Atemu snapped, "Pharaoh's orders Priest Akenaden, you may be my uncle but I am Pharaoh!"

"Yes Pharaoh," the elderly man murmured sourly, and we all fell silent as the court left, only Seth, Jono Yugi, Mahado, Mana and Isis staying, the two women instantly coming over to me and Atemu. "I will see to your wounds Seto," Isis murmured her hands delicately touching my aura as Mana began to unbandage my chest and Atemu snatched his cushion from the throne. Sitting on it as he pulled me half onto his lap his hands stroking my hair, tracing my face as Seth sat beside him.

"Little brother who?" Seth asked and I closed my eyes shaking my head, "I…" I whispered unable to place blame on my father, on my Pharaohs kin. "Seto you must tell us, how are we to protect you if you do not tell us who harmed you? Was it someone of the palace? Or was it the thief?" Atemu asked and Yugi made a small sound, as if pained.

"My Pharaoh…master you must believe me when I tell you Akefia harmed me not," I murmured looking up at him. Honesty shinning in my eyes as I spoke, "He found me in the Eating Ant pit, I had been their mayhap a day, and he saved me…he freed me from the sand and took me to safety."

"And you wanted to come home?" Seth asked and I nodded, "I had to return, I can not leave you or Pharaoh. This is my home. I need go no where else."

"Seto," Atemu whispered pressing his face into my hair and I made a sound of displeasure, "My Pharaoh, I'm dirty. Please, do not," I whispered my protest and he chuckled nuzzling my hair some more.

"Its alright pet, we will bathe together, I am not allowing you out of my sight again."

His declaration brought chuckles and giggles from those around us and I smiled, liking the idea constantly being in my Pharaohs presence. "Aww, Pharaoh is in love!" Mana giggled and Isis smiled behind me her momentary pleasure flooding her aura and brushing mine as she slowly healed my wounds.

"I know not how you manage to hurt yourself so often, Seto," she whispered, and I glanced back to see her eyes on the newest wounds, the ones Smug gave me. "These are younger than the others, how did they happen?" she asked looking at me with dark eyes.

"My horse hit a soft spot on our way here and Noble fell, I fell off and was trampled by one of the others horses' Smug, its nothing," I murmured slowly going into a daze.

"Seto…if this gets infected it could kill you," she said slowly and Seth hissed like a cat having its tail pulled, and I blinked whispering, "But I'm with my Pharaoh and big brother now…I should be fine." My voice small and very child like, as if she had just told me that the Man Eating Bug (1) was going to come and eat my soul.

"Seto, hush pet, you're all right," Atemu murmured and I looked at him, nodding, trusting in his word, Master was the god-king, Ras' son, his word was law. "And you'll make sure Akefia is alright, you'll make sure everyone is safe and everyone has family," I murmured sleepily, curling around his legs slowly drifting off, letting the feeling of safety and love wash over me and carry me away.

FIN. Will be continued in, My Captive My Heart.

the Man Eating Bug, is the Egyptian version of the boogie man.

I know I make Seto sleep a lot but face it, when your hurt you sleep, its just the way it is.