Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Mistaken Assumptions	By : tavia454 Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 17844 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, I make no money off this story! Bummer!

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Okay, here's the next chapter –
and just to make sure that you've been paying close attention to the
smaller details...well, I won't ruin it for you but to say that I've
always had a fondness for seeing what would happen if Atemu were
Yugi's slave instead of what always happens. You want to know what
I'm talking about? Just read and find out. ^^;

Special thank you to:
Renaiya880727 for being my super special awesome beta – and a
couple of really awesome guest betas (cause I really didn't want to
screw this chap up since the entire plot revolved around these
scenes) Sabina-san, Keara (Red Dragon of Egypt) and Natoya! (glomps)
Thanks guys!

Review shout-outs at the end of
the chapter.

Enjoy! (hops into bomb shelter
and shuts door behind her)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Greetings
Your Majesty.” Dartz gave a small bow as Atemu met him at the
entrance to the dining hall.

“Hello
Commander Dartz. I trust everything is well?” Atemu
acknowledged smoothly, stepping up to clasp the other's hand briefly
in affection before motioning him inside, all too eager to be seated
so as to hide the remaining side-effects of the potion he had taken
earlier.

“As
always.” Dartz murmured in a distracted manner, his gaze
darting furtively around the dining hall as he followed his young
host through the entry.

Frowning at the obvious lie,
Atemu shot the Hyksos retainer an odd look. Even in his slightly
tipsy state he had not failed to notice the lack of color in the
man's hawk-like features, nor that he seemed more than a little
preoccupied.

Not that he, himself, didn't
have enough to occupy his thoughts without having to attend to
Dartz's problems as well, for shortly after he had ventured from his
chambers an audience had been requested by the high councilors for
the matter of detaining Pegasus until the remainder of the High
Council arrived – which would hopefully be soon. Now that he no
longer had to fear discriminating sanctions against his country that
were based on nothing more than his reputation alone Atemu was more
than eager to wash his hands of the entire situation, if that were at
all possible.

What with this newest,
indisputable evidence of his treachery the disgraced Hittite monarch
would never again hold the throne to Hattie, of that Atemu had been
repeatedly assured by both Rishid and Khallid – as well as the
third councilor, who had arrived earlier along with Pegasus and his
entourage. The trial would convene merely as a matter of course –
its outcome already decided after most of the council had witnessed
the Hittite ruler's confession.

The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed in
displeasure as he mused upon his one-time friend's fate. Were the
final decision up to him right now Atemu would make certain that the
Hittite ruler's severed head graced the gates to his western-most
border village to serve as a warning to others with the same
ambitions. But the decision was not his to make and he had to abide
by whatever ruling the High Council handed down.

The question now was –
who would take over the Hittite throne? Prince Anittas was barely
three harvests old, hardly old enough to rule a country. And under
Hittite law Katara, as a female, was also barred from ruling. With no
other family to take over until the prince came of age, this left the
council in a bit of a bind as far as deciding on the temporary
stewardship of Hatti.

With
a mental roll of his eyes Atemu wished the High Council the best for
what they were about to undertake. But from this point on the fate of
Hatti was no longer his concern. He had no stake in what happened
after the trial was finished. At least that
nightmare would be over and he could turn his full attention toward
this ongoing debacle with Hyksos. Speaking of which...

“You
are rather quiet this evening.” Atemu ventured, slim eyebrow
raised in question.

Dartz nodded solemnly, refusing
to meet his eyes. “You appeared lost in your thoughts, your
Highness, and I figured I'd give you some time to sort them out.”

“Ah.
Well, 'tis in the past now, we shall no longer have to worry about
Hittite threat to either of our kingdoms.” Atemu replied,
motioning for the other man to join him at the feast laid out before
them. “Come – my cooks have prepared a wonderful meal for
us...and someone has even been kind enough to open a jar of wine laid
down during my father's reign just for this joyous occasion.”

“Sounds
simply delightful.” Dartz concurred hesitantly before taking a
seat on one of the cushions surrounding the low lying table, his gaze
never once meeting with Atemu's as he glanced around the lavishly
decorated hall, almost as though he preferred to believe that his
young host didn't exist.

Atemu lowered himself regally
into a second cushion, mystified at the other's evasiveness.
Something had definitely spooked the commander earlier, during the
confrontation with Pegasus, but what, he had no clue. Whatever it
was, though, it would most likely come out during their discussion
today. Dartz was never one to keep a difficulty to himself, often
venting on whatever sympathetic ear he could find.

With that in mind the Pharaoh
waved off the ever-present retinue of guards and servants in order to
assure their privacy. He encouraged the reticent Hyksos retainer to
take his pick of the mouth-watering offerings, even as he reached out
to do the same. It would do him some good to get some food into his
stomach right now, for the overly-potent elixir Yugi had served him
earlier had left him lightheaded and feeling slightly dizzy.

The mood was fairly subdued as
they two of them began to pick at their food. But about halfway
through the meal Atemu poured two goblets of the finely aged wine and
opened up a discussion concerning the newly deposed Hittite king and
the upcoming trial with the High Council. Dartz seemed to relax a
little after the first couple of sips, nearly taking over the burden
of conversation on his own as his hand reached for the goblet over
and over again.

With each sip of the potent
drink the mood lightened substantially and the two of them drifted
from topic to topic, regaining some of their former camaraderie. It
was only later into the night, well after they'd had their fill of
the delectable food and nearly the whole jar of wine had been
consumed – and the debate on the Hittite situation waned –
did the two of them even venture toward the topic of Hyksos, and
even then it was only to nibble around the edges.

Atemu sipped lightly at his
third goblet of wine – a first for him since he rarely indulged
in any of the potent brew that dwelled in lower levels of the
kitchens – listening halfheartedly as the other expounded on
whatever it was he was expounding on.

He could feel the pleasantness
of the alcohol buzz as it coursed through his system, complimenting
the cocktail that Yugi had given him earlier and he was quite certain
that his companion was feeling the same way, as the man had
frequently given in to fits of giggling throughout their discourse on
Pegasus's precarious situation.

It was time to get down to
business, Dartz needed to be informed of his plans before the Council
gathered sometime after Re's next rise. And he needed as much
information as the other could unknowingly supply. Time was running
out. If the council found out about his plans they would insist on
meddling in the affair. And that was something he would not tolerate.

“I
have just these past days come to the decision that Hyksos shall
remain under our occupation for the time being.” Atemu stated
nonchalantly, leaning back on his hands to study his guest's
reaction.

Dartz, caught mid-giggle from
an earlier drunken comment, suddenly straightened, his gaze
narrowing. “What would that gain you, your Highness, other than
another territory to oversee? Something that – last I heard –
you wished to avoid at all costs...”

“There
is a plan in the works at this moment, which would return Hyksos to
its former glory. It shall take a while to implement, though, and I
am not at liberty to discuss the intricacies of it just yet.”
Atemu replied off-handedly. “Should the time come that we are
close, you shall be the first to know.”

The Hyksos commander bowed his
head forward, his hair hiding his face, his hands clenched tightly
together under the table. “And what of the Hyksos people, your
Highness? Do they understand the reasoning behind this decision?”

Atemu blinked at him in
surprise, not expecting for the commander to question his decision.
He could tell Dartz was upset, although the man tried his hardest to
hide it. “What of them, Commander Dartz?” He shot back
eyebrows raised. “Whatever I decide they are better off than
they were before we were called into their troubles. I doubt they
shall protest overmuch.”

Dartz chuckled without humor,
his voice more than slightly slurred with the effects of the alcohol.
“I do not know if I agree with your...conclusion, your
Highness. They would...they would be better off under the rule of a
native of Hyksos. Someone who grew up with an understanding of their
problems.”

“And
you know of such a person who would be willing to take on this
responsibility without attempting to reap the rewards until such a
time that Hyksos has attained its former honor?” Atemu
retorted, his mind fuzzy, yet his voice sounding clear as day to his
ears – unlike his companion's.

“As
a matter...a matter of fact I do!” Dartz slapped a hand on the
table, rattling dishes from the force as the alcohol in his system
overrode his common sense. “ME!
For
years I have stood patient-patiently, waiting for the time to
act...to hel (hic)help free my fellow citizens from Hasim's tyranny.
I was the one to help put lives back together after Hasim destroyed
family after family in his greed.”

“You?!”
Atemu raised a delicate brow at the other's exuberance, nearly
laughing out loud. “I was under the impression that the common
people annoyed you, Commander Dartz. You have not had much good to
speak of them during your visits.”

“Pah!”
Dartz dismissed his claim with a drunken wave of his hand, nearly
tumbling from the cushion in his enthusiasm. “It is all a
matter of perception, your Highness. I was...merely aggravated with a
situation...that I could not control. I care for each and every
single person to dwell within our borders, even on the outskirts.
Their troubles have always been mine as well, including that border
village that was...was burnt to the ground recently.”

Atemu arched a disbelieving
brow at the claim. “Be that as it may – ”

Dartz leaned in closer to the
skeptical Egyptian royal, cutting him off with the need to convince
him of sincerity of his words – not realizing that he ought
to have kept his mouth shut. “In fact, I've been meaning to ask
after the fate of the child who survived that vicious raid. How does
he fare?”

“Excuse
me?” It took Atemu's befuddled mind a few moments to work out
what the other was speaking of, but once he did he reared back, his
eyes narrowing in anger. “How is it,exactly, that you know of
the raid on our village?”

“We
had to pass the ruins during our crossing.” was Dartz slurred
reply.

Atemu ground his teeth, eyes
aflame with rage – hardly satisfied with the paltry answer.
“And the child?! Explain yourself now Commander!”

Dartz blinked stupidly at him
for a moment, then the commander's eyes cleared as he realized his
fatal mistake. Once he did he tried to backpedal. “Er...Did
I...? I do not recall the circumstances. I must have heard tell of it
from the men in the barracks...I remember someone mentioning...”
He trailed off under the Pharaoh's blazing anger, appalled that he
had given himself away so readily.

“'Tis
impossible! That is not public knowledge! No one other than those in
the throne room and those who destroyed my village even knew of his
existence!” Atemu surged to his feet, his hand already reaching
for the dagger at his waist even as he cursed himself twice the fool
for his drunken state. “'Twas you! You are the one
responsible!”

“But
I...” Dartz glanced swiftly around the room, searching for an
escape, a distraction...anything. Failing to find anything of that
nature he staggered to his feet. The dagger that he had used to cut
the meat clenched tightly in his fist, he faced the Egyptian
monarch's condemnation head on, his laughter echoing around the hall
as he decided to bluff his way out. “Well, well...and they
always say the truth shall set you free, don't they. Come now Pharaoh
Atemu, you can't tell me that you're actually surprised, can you?”

The two of them stared each
other down, neither of them all that steady on their feet as Atemu
reflected drunkenly on the other's words. Surprised? Was he truly? He
had always known that Dartz was quite capable of the kind of hatred
that would cause people to go to such extremes. But yes, he truly was
surprised. He had actually come to trust this man who had been his
Hyksos liaison over the years, thinking him to be working towards the
same idea of peace as he was!

Fool!
His
conscience berated him heartily.

A
low growl passed Atemu's lips as he studied this new foe. Who was
this man that he'd called more than a passing acquaintance, if not a
friend? Was everything a lie?! This man had killed one of his
friends. One of his true
friends. And then clung to him in order to gain a more advantageous
position. Dartz was the one responsible for Otogi's death! Why?! He
needed to know the truth – he deserved
to know.

“Why?!
Why did you do it, Commander? Why did you destroy my people?”
Atemu nearly roared, his eyes locking with those of the Hyksos
retainer's in a challenge for the truth as rage and sorrow for his
loss waged war within his mind. He had to know why his friend's life
was forfeit. He just had to. “What would it gain you by earning
my ire?”

One
eye on his formidable opponent Dartz berated himself mentally,
scrambling for a way to extricate himself from the situation. How
could he have been so stupid?! All his plans – finished!! Just
for the simple reason that he couldn't keep his mouth shut when he
drank! He had thought to gain a kingdom, but now that was impossible.
And now his life would be forfeit...

He stilled as the truth stared
him in the face. What did the Pharaoh know of his intentions?
Absolutely nothing. For all the power that he held the young Egyptian
monarch knew next to nothing about what he had sought to achieve, and
was, in fact, asking him for an explanation. What a foolish child he
was.

A devious grin split the
commander's features as he realized that he could still accomplish
what he had originally set out to do if he played the other's
emotions right, and he laughed in the young monarch's face, his
speech suddenly losing its slurred edge as he hissed. “I did it
so you would confront Hasim, Pharaoh. You see...my little lover took
exception to his father's interference in our relationship.”

“Excuse
you? What lover?” Atemu straightened, a dark scowl on his
features, as he tried to work out the admission through his drunken
haze. “What are you going on about?”

“You
ought to know who it is I speak of, Pharaoh...after all he's sleeping
in your bed at the moment.” Dartz smirked. At the surprised
look in the Pharaoh's eyes his smirk became predatory. “Aw,
what's the matter Atemu? Didn't realize that your little boy toy
already had a lover?” He taunted with a nasty tone.

“Pfft!”
Atemu scoffed regally, refusing to comment on such an outrageous
claim.

Dartz straightened, raising an
eyebrow at his younger adversary. “What? You don't believe me?
Prince Yugi belongs to me. By his own admission!”

“Whatever.”
Atemu sneered with a wave of his hand. “You speak nothing but
rubbish so as to prolong your miserable life. 'Tis nothing I have not
heard before. It matters not, Commander, in the end – no matter
what lies you spout – you shall still find yourself fighting
the jaws of Ammit.”

To
the young monarch's disbelief Dartz threw his head back and laughed
loudly. “You misunderstand my intentions,
my Lord.
I already know of my impending death...I am merely being selfish. If
I am to die then my lover shall die with me so that we may reunite in
the afterlife. I have no fear of your Ammit, Pharaoh.”

Atemu gritted his teeth. “He
does not belong to you, Dartz.”

“Aww,
how cute...did he – ” Dartz paused momentarily, putting a
thoughtful finger to his lips. “Did he tell you he loves you,
Pharaoh? Does he whisper his love after making all those beautiful
noises while you were fucking him?”

“Lies!”
Atemu spat, even though his mind only heard the words whisper and
love.

It
couldn't be.

Realizing that he was too
inebriated to take on a man of the commander's caliber Atemu had been
ready to call his guards from the moment that his enemy started
spouting filth about his little one. But this tiny, niggling doubt in
the back corner of his mind insisted that he hear the man out, no
matter how outrageous his claims – for if he kept him talking
long enough he might discover the truth hidden behind his twisted
words. He needed to know why Otogi's life, why the lives of his
people were destroyed.

And
what if he is not lying? The
thought nagged at the back of his mind, settling into the background.

“Are
they? Am I truly lying, Pharaoh? Or do you simply refuse to believe
the truth before your eyes?” Dartz snapped. “If I am
lying, then tell me how I would know of the birthmark on Yugi's left
hip? One in the shape of an eye. How would I have come across this
information when he has been completely hidden from the public during
his father's reign – per Pegasus's request? His father sold him
to Pegasus in a bid to win him over against you before we could run!
If I would not stand for Pegasus touching him then it stands as a
matter of course that I will not let you keep him either.”

Atemu
blinked questioningly at the commander, the drunken haze still
clouding over rational thought even as he clung to the faith that he
had put in the young Hyksos royal. Was
it misplaced?
“Why do you not tell me yourself?” He snarled. “Did
you stalk him in the palace halls, corner him in his chambers? Your
words do not paint a very pretty picture of you.”

Nor did it of Yugi, if what the
commander was speaking was truth. The young Hyksos ruler had insisted
that their first night together was his first time. Had he lied?
Atemu made an attempt to shake the persistent thought away,
concentrating instead on the true foe standing before him. He could
not let his guard down around such a cunning adversary. That he had
done once already, paying a heavy price for his ignorance.

Dartz merely laughed at him.
“Believe what you will, Pharaoh. Yugi and I know the truth. He
was mine from the start and neither Pegasus nor you shall come
between us! Why do you not ask him yourself? Are you afraid?”
He taunted.

In one swift movement Atemu
aimed a right hook at the unsuspecting Hyksos retainer, sending him
flying backwards over the table even as the dagger he had held so
threateningly was hurled across the room in the other direction,
scattering the remains of their meal and causing such a ruckus that
the guards stationed outside the hall – as well as the pair of
High Councilors that had been conversing with them – came
barreling into the room.

Marik
skidded to a halt, his companions nearly running him over in their
hasty entry as his eyes widened at the destruction. What
in the...?

Dartz shook himself off,
gingerly plucking a splinter out of his hand as he rose unsteadily
from the debris. Noticing the guards' presence with a start, he
turned to face the raging monarch with a final, smug, taunt, hoping
to gain a swift death at the hands of the furious Egyptian ruler
rather then languish in an agonizingly slow death, impaled on a
long-pole. “He doesn't love you...I hope you realize that.
There are times I doubt he even loves me. To him this is naught but a
game. Just as it was to me to take the pitiful lives of your
villagers.”

That was all it took for Atemu,
in a drunken fury, to launch himself over the table with a roar,
taking the unarmed Commander to the floor with him. This propelled
Marik and his men into motion as they raced around – and over –
the table to break up the potentially deadly confrontation. Marik
snatched a hold of his raging monarch, pulling him out of harm's way,
only to receive a fist to the face for his efforts.

“Leave
me be!” Atemu raged against his friend's crushing embrace. “He
has admitted his guilt!”

“Pharaoh
– ” Marik tried to sooth his infuriated leader. “Pharaoh
– ” But it was no use as the young monarch struggled
savagely against him. After removing his foot from the path of what
would have been a brutally painful kick for a second time, he roared.
“Atemu!! Cease!”

Atemu stilled in his guard's
arms at the mention of his name. But he could not control his
trembling as he glared across the expanse of the table at the man who
had ordered the death of an entire village of his people for no
reason other than a selfish desire to keep his ties to a member of
royalty. Roughly, he pulled from his friend's embrace and stalked
over to where the other guards were holding Dartz, his intentions
anything but friendly.

“Commander
Dartz of Hyksos – ” He began, trembling in rage with
every step that he took. “You are hereby sentenced to death for
your – ”

“My
Lord Pharaoh!” Khallid intercepted the Egyptian monarch in his
course. “The Council was formed in order to mediate disputes
amongst the nations. If you do not allow us to do our – ”

“Khallid
– enough! This does not concern the Council!” Atemu
snapped, stepping around the man to continue on his path. The elderly
councilor reached out to touch him and Atemu jumped out of reach,
nearly stumbling in his haste, his guards drawing their swords at the
perceived threat, the councilors' guards drawing their own weapons to
counter.

Marik raced to his ruler's
side, steadying him as he gave the visual order for his men to stand
down. The last thing Egypt needed were sanctions imposed by the High
Council for a drunken skirmish that could have been easily avoided.
He tipped his friend's chin up, forcing their eyes to meet, only to
take a step back from the visible anguish written in the other's ruby
orbs. What had happened?!

“My
– Atemu...speak to me. What is it that has happened? What has
he done?”

“I
beg to differ, My Lord Pharaoh, this has everything to do with the
Council.” Rishid gently refuted the young ruler, stepping into
the tension with his hands raised in supplication. “If you do
not allow us to do our jobs, then our nations even forming this
council was completely futile. We are here to prevent the wars and
bloodshed that would occur were there not alternative methods of
dealing with those who wrongfully – ”

Atemu had stepped away from
Marik during the course of the Councilor's well meant words, but
Marik pulled him back, shooting a glare at the interfering old man
even as he interrupted him. “I wish to know what is going on
before we decide what is to be done. Let my Pharaoh speak, Councilor
Rishid.”

“Very
well then.” Rishid gave a slight bow, but did not move from
where he had stepped between the two groups. “The floor is
yours, My Lord Pharaoh.”

Atemu, still stunned after the
force of the commander's admission as well as the presence of the
Council, glanced solemnly around the hall, pushing away from Marik as
he peered into the eyes of all of the men present. He cleared his
throat, attempting to clear his hazed mind. “This man is
sentenced to death for the destruction of the village bordering
Hyksos land. His impaled corpse shall rot outside the palace gates
for all to see. His men are to be rounded up tonight for trial and
shall rot alongside him if need be. This crime is not to be tolerated
in my realm.”

Marik started visibly at the
mention of the disaster that had sent them into Hyksos in the first
place. He gave a wide-eyed glance in his ruler's direction, his
thoughts scattered to the wind at the insinuation. “What in –
?”

Atemu shot him a glance.
“Commander Dartz has admitted to his crimes in my presence.
'Tis enough evidence to warrant his death.”

“There
needs to be a meeting held with the Hyksos royal house – ”
Khallid started, but he was cut off by a short bark of laughter
coming from the accused's direction and he glared at the guilty
party.

“The
only remaining Hyksos royal is already here, Councilor.” Dartz
laughed, already knowing that his fate was sealed. But if he was
going down, he was taking others with him. “The Pharaoh, here,
kidnapped him not more than a season ago. Why do you not ask his
opinion on the subject?”

Atemu's eyes widened at the
other's words before narrowing on his foe's smug expression. He had
fought so hard to keep the council from finding out about his little
secret, and yet, in the end it was all for naught. It was all too
apparent that he would now have to allow the councilors access to his
little one.

His breath caught in his throat
at the thought. What if the council were to request Yugi's presence
this evening and he backed up what the commander was saying, not
understanding what was at stake...what then? Did the High Council
have the power to put royalty to death? How much power did they wield
in the Hyksos realm?

He, himself, hadn't given them
all that much, but how intertwined was Hyksos with their rule? Even
if his little one was nothing more than a devious liar, he didn't
want the boy to face the prospect of a trial and even possible death.

The Councilors turned to him as
one, Rishid speaking for all of them. “What is the meaning of
this Pharaoh Atemu? Is what he speaks the truth?”

Atemu graced them with a
drunken smirk. “'Tis partially the truth. King Yugi is here by
my invitation.”

Dartz gave an audible snort at
his claim, only to have Marik cross the space between them in two
massive strides and render him unconscious with a single, well-aimed
blow to the head. Not one person spoke out against the action after
witnessing the blonde's show of brute strength, preferring instead to
ignore what had just occurred.

After
glancing sharply at the unconscious prisoner Khallid gave a nod in
his guards' direction. “Why do we not hear from your guest on
this invitation,
My Lord Pharaoh? Then we shall all sit down and discuss – ”

“You
shall not disturb his rest.” Atemu stated firmly, giving the
guards a glare. “Yugi has been through enough this day and has
not yet recovered from his altercation with Pegasus.”

Both councilors gasped as they
connected the name, along with the earlier confrontation with
Pegasus, to the boy that they had thought merely another palace
slave. Khallid was the first to speak up once they were over their
surprise. “Then we shall accompany you to your suite and make
certain that he is resting comfortably.”

“Do
not overstep your bounds, Councilor Khallid.” Atemu hissed,
drawing to his full height despite his inebriated state. “I
allow the High Council their illusion of power simply for the trade,
and the allies that it brings in the event of catastrophe, no more
than that. You shall let him be until Re's next rise before you begin
asking your questions – and that is final.”

Taken aback, the elderly
councilor only nodded his assent, but he added the condition of extra
guards in order to assure the council of the boy's continued
presence, just in case the Pharaoh was of a mind to hide him away
before they could ascertain his well-being.

“As
for Commander Dartz – ” Rishid spoke up as Khallid and
Atemu began to haggle out the details.

“His
fate is sealed, Councilor.” Atemu reiterated, shooting a
narrowed glance towards Rishid. “I shall allow you to be
present for his soldiers' trials, but their fate shall be decided by
me and me alone. 'Tis my right as ruler. 'Twas my
village that was attacked, my
friend who lost his life. They belong to me now, no matter their
nationality. This has been so since they first set foot upon Egyptian
soil.”

Khallid
pondered the statement for a moment before giving his consent. He
did, however, reach out and lay a gentle hand on the Egyptian
monarch's shoulder. “You should have contacted us when you
first learned of this catastrophe, Pharaoh Atemu. We do
have
the duty to ensure the safety of our allies.”

Atemu shook the hand off,
refusing to be placated. “And when was I supposed to do such,
Khallid? While Pegasus was still sitting so prettily at the High
Councilor's feet, whining about his constant mistreatment at my
hands? When would you have believed my words over my reputation.”

The words were like a slap to
the elder man's face as he recoiled from the condemnation in the
young ruler's eyes. “We have never condemned you for your
reputation, Pharaoh Atemu. There were spies out in the field who
spoke freely of Pegasus's misconduct and lies. But our hands were
tied until you came to us. 'Tis why the High Councilor wrote that
missive, 'tis why he insisted that we meet here where Pegasus's power
is not so great. Why did you not come to us first? Why did you force
us to seek you out?”

Atemu straightened at the
rebuke, his gaze never wavering from the other's face, even as he
swayed lightly on his feet. “It matters not what happened in
the past. 'Tis over and done now. We shall reconvene shortly after
the light of Re has passed the halfway point to put this travesty to
rest. I bid you good night, gentlemen.” He turned to Marik.
“Round up the rest of the Hyksos soldiers and send them to the
dungeons. We shall deal with them as well.”

Khallid and Rishid both gave a
bow as the young monarch swept past them with his head held high,
Khallid calling out to their guards to aid the Egyptian soldiers in
their quest. A glance passed between the two councilors as they
watched the rest of the group exit the hall. They would have to find
their third member – now – for they had a lot to
discuss before the morning sun, and their leader, made an appearance.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Atemu staggered drunkenly up
the stairs to his chambers after having waved off Marik's offer of
assistance, taking little notice of the pair of Council guards that
had split from the main group to flank him until he entered the royal
suite. Once away from their scrutiny he wandered aimlessly through
the halls until he stumbled to a halt before the doors to his
bed-chambers with a forlorn expression on his face. What was he going
to do?

How well did he know the boy
lying in his bed?

He had come to trust the
younger monarch more and more with each passing day, but just how
well did he know this young stranger who had appeared so unexpectedly
in his life? He had so sorely misjudged Commander Dartz throughout
the many harvests of their association, who was to say that he was
not wrong when it came down to the boy he had been so determined to
kill on their first meeting.

If he was wrong, and the
council questioned the boy at Re's rise...there was a chance that his
lover would not survive the day. Oh gods, could he have been wrong
this whole time? Could the boy be just another scheming whore in the
polite guise of royalty? And if he was, did he have the heart to
deliver him to the council? Knowing what he knew?

Atemu cringed at the mental
imagery that the thought presented. But what if he was wrong tonight
and the boy was truthful? So many thoughts flew through his mind,
just barely touching his consciousness even as they tore at his
heart.

One of the guards shifted
subtly under his inattentive presence and he flushed. He couldn't
stand out here forever debating, there would be talk. Steeling
himself for the inevitable confrontation Atemu took a deep, cleansing
breath that did absolutely nothing to alleviate the alcoholic fog
clouding his mind. And then he gave a regal nod to the men guarding
his doors before sweeping into the chamber, the closing of the doors
behind him sounding like a death knell in his ears.

He needed to know if Dartz
spoke the truth. If the commander had destroyed his people in a
possessive bid to keep his lover from becoming the Hittite king's
toy.

Staggering over to the bed,
where he glanced down at the angelic figure sprawled out on top of
the covers Atemu cringed in distaste of the task he needed to
accomplish in order to ease his conscience. He didn't want to do
this. He didn't want these doubts, these poisonous thoughts that
distorted his earlier reality. What he truly wanted was to crawl
under the covers and take the boy into his arms – to forget the
day's events. To remain ignorant.

Reluctantly he opened his eyes
to gaze upon his lover's flawless skin, memorizing the way those
thick lashes spread out against skin paler then moonlight. Memorizing
those beautiful, sleep tousled features, every little detail that he
could take in. He had noticed of late that if the younger royal went
to sleep before he was finished with his work that he had the habit
of using his limbs to search out his presence – often taking up
the whole bed in his quest, only to curl up next to him once he
slipped beneath the covers.

Lightly he ruffled a hand
through the boy's hair, reveling in the softness of the multi-colored
spikes. Whispered words of love that had been spoken to him night
after night haunted him as his hand trailed down the soft, moonlight
pale skin. His hands encountered the rough fabric of the boy's shenti
and he hesitated for a second, wishing to hold on to the dream of
being loved for who he was, not the position he held, already knowing
that it was too good to be true.

Finally, irritated with his
hesitance, Atemu gently lifted the corner, his eyes searching in the
scant moonlight for proof of Dartz's claim. He nearly choked on his
anguish as he spied the innocent looking mark – the shape of an
eye, just as Dartz spoke of – right where he said it would be.
He shook his head against the implications. Forced or not –
either way the boy lied to him. He lied to him.

Why?

Voices swam around in his head,
laughing at his foolishness, taunting his arrogance. His little one
was nothing but a liar! A liar and a whore, just like all the rest.
How could he have ever been so gullible as to think that the boy was
true?!

And if he lied about
that...then what else had he lied about? Thoughts of strangling the
boy with his bare hands drifted through his head, only to be squashed
by a tremendous pain in his chest where his heart lay. He couldn't do
it. He couldn't kill the deceitful little bastard. Even now his
traitorous body stirred with lust at the mere thought of the boy
struggling against him. He closed his eyes to the moisture that had
suddenly appeared, his breathing ragged and forced.

Yugi, as though feeling the
intensity of the gaze upon him, rolled over and stretched languidly
to stare into his lover's shadowed features. “Hey...how are you
feeling?”

His heart immediately screamed
at him to flee. To run as far and as fast as he could from the truth
that he had learned. To warn the deceitful little one of his danger
and run. But whatever Atemu had been about to say caught in his
throat on a painful breath and he turned away from the gorgeous
sight, his eyes still slightly misty. He cleared his throat and
whispered huskily. “I am fine, little one.”

Yugi, unknowing of the danger
that his fierce lover presented at the moment, beckoned the other
closer, needing to feel him again. He had waited so long for the
Pharaoh's return, an anxious knot forming in his stomach as the hour
grew late. It was only moments ago that he had fallen asleep, having
hoped to greet the other with a little surprise. “I need you.”
he stated simply.

Atemu
glanced back down in surprise only to look away from the lustful
gleam present in the boy's glowing jewel-like eyes.
Just once more...'Tis all I need, just once more and I shall free
myself from this spell.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(coughs) Please review?! –
and let me know if you are lost. Cause you're going to need to
understand what's going on in order to comprehend the next chap or
two (which btw are already written, I just figured I'd let this one
sink in first). Thanks guys, you really are the greatest!

Review replies:

O.O

Oh holy hell I just realized
how many people reviewed this fic! Uh...sorry guys, I guess I'm going
to have to do a quick shout-out to everyone who reviewed and just a
quick answer for a couple of questions or I'd be here all night –
and you'd be there all day.

Well, here goes (draws deep
breath) A HUGE thank you goes out to:

read_right_time, AngelDove,
cady, Cody Thomas, mightybeefoven, J Chan, Mistress Sorcha,
dragonlady222, kiraRaven, MewMew2, Betrys, katFO, Rayemoon, xMiyux,
anonanon, Anon, Sisely, Yaminisu, Sakura-Laurel, Emerald Rains,
Naomiekeiko, lo, maegerakawaii, chickigirl, tash1021, MokubaRulez,
Naomie, kris, Yami kuro Ookami Hatake, adexis, heidlebergchick,
Anahi, kalliana, Andi-chan, catti, Mazy3261, Cosmic Tomato,
chickigirl, lbrylady, blueesky200, MadlyDaft, Zero Tenshi, silva,
Pixies, Tripliss, ChibiKitsuneOfEgypt, Dove, Lady Laran...

(takes another deep breath)
aaand:

bry, yo-yo's suck,
Bfly-Ronaldita, maria, DreamsCanBeRealities, LovinTheTan,
kuroneko1571, Florida Alicat, AlwaysYourAibou, lolcat, SRRH,
mikinyet, SoulfighterSu, Fanfic Female, S2Teennovelist, chirp chirp,
tinkletimekelly, kain-donovan, spirithorse, horseygurl189, Red Dragon
of Egypt, Hikari Kame, Yami Yugi Candy, Natoya, Markie12,
MangaReader322, Chibi Kuriboh, T1GG1, Yami-no-Tamashii, Nasakebukai
Hyzenthlay, yaubaru1, Roweena5000, Ma'at's Apprentice,
XxXSilverShadowXxX, SilverDragon-Purity, Ryu Earth, MEGAN RUSSO,
Procrazed fan, Hikari-and-Yami, Khgirl446, Ocean, Valkyria Raven,
Zngel, Yami Yugi, ananymous, cridget101, Calamitynexus, yizuki, Evil
Pharaoh Atem,...

(and another breath)...

siarafaerie-101-miss, unknown,
Star-Struck Inu, Renaiya880727, Atemu Yugi Lover34, Rosesinbloom,
catti-dono, momocolady, Stray Neko, I don't have an account,
Twinfetish, Arisu Tsuranu, Hiki-chan, moondalian, sonata hirano,
Jisa, Supa Artemis and Supa Cheyenne, Nameless I Shalt Be, The
Danvers Girls, Alexander: The Holy Gardian, Obsidian Jade,
singingshowtunes, alice456, Hikari Tsuki Chi, HikariTenshiYamiTenshi,
Chocolate coated Blue, Silverwolfe08, the birdster, ranmyaku-neko,
YkCandy, redconvoy, Haruka-Shir, yaoifanvane, yours.to.hold, sable,
Shamise, Sakura angel dark, YamiGurl, Angel's Charm, Protector Of The
Nameless, gottasmile416, zerynCrystak, Eliyora, yana5, Zombieblinky,
EvenGlore, DarkFaeIvoryWolf.

Damn! Y'all have some looong
names! Sorry if I misspelled anyone's screenname, but that was a
list! And on to the comments:

Lady Laran: Thank you, I am
honored that you reviewed my story...If you don't mind me asking how
are things coming on your's – Invisible Me? I really like that
one!

Catti: (glomps) Sorry, I've
been really inattentive with everything going on lately. Thanks for
the support, and I'm sorry to hear you had the same problem. How
about I invite you to the demolition party? It'll be fun.

Ugh, sorry guys, its 1:30 in
the morning and this old lady is tired! I'm trying, I just don't
think I'm going to be able to answer everyone. But know this, I
appreciate all the wonderful reviews that I've gotten from each and
every one of you. Thank you...

And stay tuned to the next arc
of MA, I'm sure most of you will like this.
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Mistaken Assumptions