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
- 23
- 24
- 25
No
notes today – still moving. Joy. (twirls finger in air)

Here's
the next chap. Thanks to Renaiya88027 and Egyptiancatgoddess for some
awesome beta work.

~
o ~ O ~ o ~

Not
more than a week after they finally put the rest of their
misunderstandings to rest, Yugi was once again wandering the palace
corridors. Atemu shadowed his footsteps not more than a hairsbreadth
behind him, looking rather meek and obedient for one who had caused
so much disturbance in the days past, this new acquiescence not quite
fitting his regal bearing. Yugi still had a hard time equating the
fun-loving person who had emerged from beneath his lover's closed-off
shell with the Pharaoh who had so long ago stolen him from his
homeland.

Due to
Atemu's last episode it had been decided by both Yugi and the present
members of the Egyptian court that the Pharaoh would take a few days
and rest up before attempting to help Yugi sort out Hyksos's affairs.
Not that the Egyptian monarch did much resting...

How
in the...? Yugi stifled a grin with the knowledge that his
dignified lover had a mischievous streak that apparently no amount of
strict royal upbringing had been able to quell. And once the Egyptian
monarch settled into a routine free of stress it broke free from
whatever restraints he had wrapped it up in with a vengeance. Yugi
had never seen this side to Atemu before...well, maybe a glimpse of
it back in Egypt, but the intimidating Egyptian had somehow managed
to keep the bulk of his mischief-making ways well hidden beneath that
impeccable, elegant demeanor.

The
younger king wished that he could have been a fly on the wall when
Bakura had noticed the bluish tinge to his hair, or that he had been
present to witness the sight of Marik's nude form streaking down the
corridors after learning that all of the clothing he had taken with
him to bathe had mysteriously vanished. What he wouldn't have given
to see High Priest Seto turn an apoplectic shade of red upon noticing
his entire wardrobe had holes cut out in strategic places. Apparently
when his lover was bored there was no end to the mischief he could
cause.

Not
that Atemu himself had escaped unscathed from the rash of prank
pulling that had been dished out during the previous week, for once
the others had finally put two and two together they had all come
after him with full intentions of one-upping his escapades. It was
only with great control that Yugi had somehow managed to wash most of
the indigo dye out of his lover's luxurious tricolor locks without
dissolving into outright laughter.

In the
end he'd given in to his urges as Atemu attempted valiantly to scrub
the dark blue coloring off his lips and his eyelids. Perhaps that
would teach him not to fall asleep so quickly after having committed
such atrocious crimes against his court. It was simply amazing that
none of their affairs had ended up making the gossip rounds, but none
of them were going to complain.

And
Yugi was quite certain that none of them had laughed so hard in their
lives as they had in this past week. A
serene smile crossed over his face as he noticed that his lover had
reverted to his normal, regal self upon the reinstatement of his
daily tasks. Never before could he have imagined the range of
emotions hiding behind that serious mask of royalty that Atemu always
wore, nor that he would have been the one to bring them forth.

After catching a glimpse of the
many sides of his lover that Atemu had always kept wrapped up inside,
Yugi couldn't help but sympathize with him for believing that he was
to remain alone, and unloved. He was ecstatic that they had come this
far after everything that life had thrown at them. Their relationship
was finally starting to come together.

His smile faded slightly as he
glided silently down the stairs to the main floor. As happy as he was
that they had finally worked things out between them, he still had
other things to worry about – like the upcoming meeting. The
smile disappeared from his features altogether as he considered his
newest dilemma. After his ultimatum at the last meeting with the
nobles, this one was bound to stir up even more difficulties.

As
they passed out of the living quarters of the palace and into the
large, somewhat public domain of the meeting chambers Yugi kept
shooting worried glances at his lover's regal form. The Pharaoh had
promised to keep a low profile during the proceedings, but Yugi was
afraid that after seeing the way he was treated by these pretentious,
greedy busybodies, his lover would end up revealing his true identity
without ever really intending to.

Yugi had let the nobles have
their say from the start, afraid to cause any more disturbance in the
delicate balance of the Hyksos state, nearly to the point of being
run over by their demands time and time again. Most times he was only
able to hang on to his position on whatever it was they happened to
be debating by the thinnest of threads. But lately he had grown tired
of their constant demands, and it was beginning to show.

He didn't figure this meeting
was going to be any different from the others, but he had long ago
realized that he could not run this country without help from someone
with a little more knowledge of these affairs. And who better to
advise him than one of the most prestigious rulers in all the lands.
He was truly lucky to have Atemu on his side. Perhaps he could help
settle these disputes with the nobles – something he'd had no
luck with so far.

As they made their way down the
hall towards the throne room Yugi snuck another hesitant glance at
Atemu. If he were honest with himself the young Hyksos ruler would
admit that it wasn't only his lover's continuing anonymity that
concerned him, but that he was going to look like a fool in front of
the commanding Egyptian king for not standing up for himself. A
forlorn sigh crossed his lips as he contemplated that bothersome
fact.

“Relax,
little one.” Atemu commanded gently. “Palace rumor has it
that you are doing a fine job...even if these idiots don't seem to
think such is the case.”

“Wha
– ?” Yugi nearly tripped over his own feet with his
lover's casual remark.

Atemu caught him just as he put
his hands out to brace himself for the fall, pulling him close. “You
have been highly distracted, and given only one word answers all
morning long. One could only assume that your thoughts are already
with those whom we are meeting, and not on what they should be. Do
not let them control your thoughts, Yugi. They have only as much
power over you as you give them. Do not mind me either. I am merely
an observer. I do understand that you are, as of yet, untrained in
the art of mediation. 'Tis nothing to feel shame over, I am not here
to judge – only to help and advise where 'tis needed.”

“Thank
you, Atemu.” Yugi replied, lacing his fingers with Atemu's
momentarily before they continued on their way.

Head
held high with his lover's encouraging words ringing in his ears,
Yugi rounded the corner and entered the throne room, giving a nod to
the men who were already seated around the table in the center of the
room. Atemu raised an eyebrow when several of those men remained
seated, instead of bowing before their king, as was proper,
astonished that they would be so disrespectful.

However
Yugi chose to ignore the slight as he ascended the steps to perch on
the edge of the throne, the Egyptian monarch trailing along after him
and kneeling beside him on a comfortable pillow that had been placed
there for his use. Atemu kept his head bowed, but this submissive
pose did not stop his eyes from wandering the length of the chamber,
nor from taking the measure of the spoiled aristocrats who had
gathered around the table before him, hoping for handouts.

One of
the men coughed, clearing his throat loudly, catching Atemu's
attention with his obvious show of disapproval, and scarlet eyes
narrowed on the man's mouse-like features with distaste. The
irritated Pharaoh wondered who this man thought he was to command
this meeting when he should have been showing deference to Yugi due
to his position alone. One eyebrow met with his hair line when the
man's furious gaze rounded on the Hyksos monarch. The other soon
followed the first as the man cleared his throat again and questioned
the young king.

“Really
your Highness, must you bring your pet to our private meetings?”
He sneered.

Yugi
bristled at the man's words, taking a moment to reach out and put a
calming hand on his lover's shoulder. The young king had felt Atemu
stiffen at the man's comment, even though his outward appearance
remained unchanged. “What I do with him is no concern of yours,
Auserre.”

“Yes,
but we are trying to conduct a meeting here, your Highness. He is but
another distraction, proof that you are not yet ready to deal with
the problems of this country,” the man refuted angrily.

Incensed,
Atemu could only watch as his lover countered the man's claim with a
few short, clipped words. “He is a gift from Pharaoh Atemu, and
I shall not hear any more against his presence.” A low murmur
floated over the room with the knowledge that Yugi was held in favor
by the much feared Pharaoh of Egypt, and after it passed the young
king turned his gaze on the rest of the men in the chamber. “Let
us continue, gentlemen, we do not have much time left to iron out an
agreement and I have other obligations to meet today.”

At that
moment the Pharaoh could not have been more proud of his younger
partner. The young Hyksos ruler was asserting his authority without
being overbearing – much as he himself was at times. A
self-satisfied smirk drifted across his face as he watched Yugi's
detractor flop down into his seat with a huff of annoyance after
being told off. He truly doubted that would be the end to their
confrontation, the obstinate look that crossed those mouse-like
features said as much.

Scarlet
eyes narrowed on the troublesome noble's features, Atemu swearing
that he had not allowed that particular person a spot on the council
he had hand-picked. That one would bear watching. If he had managed
to sneak on the council beneath the watchful eyes of Seto and Bakura,
then he was probably up to no good. The Pharaoh made a mental note to
discuss this worrisome fact with Yugi when they retreated for the
midday meal, and turned his attention back to the proceedings.

This
was his little one's time to shine. They had agreed earlier in the
week that Yugi would set the situation in Hyksos to rights before
they returned to Egypt, not only to allow themselves a little time to
get to know each other without Atemu's power as Pharaoh coming
between them, but also to give Yugi the understanding that he too was
worthy of the title that had been bestowed on him at his father's
death.

It was
imperative that the boy realize he was indeed a person worthy of the
people's devotion, and not merely for the fact that he was bound to
Atemu. The boy was a king in his own right, it was time he understood
how to wield this power. The only way that was going to happen was if
Atemu sat back and allowed him that chance without interference,
which was what he was attempting to do today.

Though
the longer he watched the actions of this court from behind lowered
lashes, the more Atemu felt a distinct need to strangle his temper
into submission. The nerve of these men, he huffed silently, shooting
a glare at the pompous aristocrats seated around the table. For every
offer Yugi made they countered with a need for more.

His
eyes narrowed on the one man from earlier in distaste. This
Auserre...this man, Atemu was becoming more and more certain did not
belong in the room seemed to be demanding the most of all of them,
rousing the others to agree to his terms with veiled insults and
thinly spoken threats to their status. He did not trust this man's
motives. There was something entirely not right about this
situation. Something about this man raised the hair on the back of
his neck, and since he had long ago learned to trust his instincts it
was time to make plans to deal with the situation before it was out
of control.

And his
worries only increased when the troublesome noble scoffed at yet
another one of Yugi's compromises to the upper class, practically
sneering. “You do what you feel you need to, my Lord,
and we shall do what we have to. This country has no need for a false
king, the people see that and have sided by me in times of crisis
before.”

“Who
are you to proclaim yourself savior, Auserre?” Yugi countered
with a glare. “You, who stood by with greedy hand extended when
my father pillaged these lands, and stand before me now, not to aid
their situation, but to further yours. You have said your piece, it's
time to let someone else take the floor.”

The
argument only spiraled from there and by the time Yugi called for a
small break in order to gather his thoughts the Pharaoh was boiling
over with rage. Never before had he met a more contrary,
argumentative man in his life. Auserre seemed a little too smug, a
little too self-satisfied, much like a devious child who had gotten
away with a prank and was planning another one even as you watched.
It was his fault this man had found a way onto the council to give
his little one grief, and he would remedy the situation before the
day's end.

As the
sounds of scraping chairs indicated that the men were retreating from
the tension filled room to stretch their legs he quietly requested a
brief absence in order to speak with the head of his forces here in
Hyksos.

Yugi
gave him permission disguised as an order to gather some snacks from
the kitchens and he slipped out of the chamber unnoticed. Lost in his
thoughts Atemu made his way quickly to the training room, where Marik
was instructing Ryou and Jou on the finer points of sword fighting,
while Seto and Malik looked on with an expression of complete and
utter boredom – each of them having been banished from the
meeting of the nobles due to their uncanny ability to rouse the men
into a fury with only a few words.

“Marik
– ” He called out, halting the fight between Jou and
Ryou. “Might I have a word with you?”

The
head guard nodded, adjusting Ryou's stance and bidding them to
continue their practice before crossing the chamber to give a low bow
before his Pharaoh. “What is it you need, your Highness?”

“I
need you to alert the men to signs of a revolt. Bring them in closer
to the palace, send out spies to infiltrate the house of Auserre, and
a few others.” At Marik's wide-eyed look Atemu lowered his
voice and named off the others he wanted under watch, lest his words
echo out of the room. “He is playing word games with Yugi, all
but insinuating that he has the power to incite a revolt amongst the
people.”

Marik
rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. “I shall do so, my Lord, And I
shall command a few guardians for the residents of the palace. It
would not hurt. Do you wish for us to bring in troops from home as
well, perhaps quell this rebellion before it begins?”

“No,
but send word to make ready, I want troops gathered at the border
under the guise of seeing to the safety of one of our villages.”
Atemu shook his head in consternation. “As much as I wish for
this time to allow Yugi his confidence I do not wish to invite
catastrophe upon us all. It would not take much for a revolt, and I
shall not have him caught up in it.”

His
quiet words must have carried, for Jou gave a hearty snort. “You
promised him this time, Pharaoh. To figure out who he is, as well as
to figure out who the two of you are together. Don't you dare back
out on him without giving him a say in this.”

“I
would keep you from harm as well, Jou.” Seto spoke up. “Were
it my decision we would all be on our way home.”

“Yeah,
but its not, so don't even start with me on that.” Jou
returned. “This is between Yugi and your Pharaoh – ”

“And
I would not even consider pulling Yugi out of here without having
discussed it with him first. I am not giving up, Jou, merely taking
precautions. Yugi shall be informed of all that is going on, I assure
you of that.” Atemu butted in. “Am I wrong in
understanding that you also have misgivings about our circumstances?”

This
time it was Ryou who spoke up, just as Bakura slipped quietly in the
door, returning from wherever it was he had disappeared to earlier.
“We all have misgivings about staying here the way things are,
your Highness. Even Yugi. But he needs this chance to prove to
himself that he can be a worthy partner to you, as well as a refuge
from your all encompassing power. I'm not saying he's right or wrong,
but that I think the time has come for a serious discussion about
where our future lies.”

“I
understand, Ryou.” Atemu responded with a sigh, pinching the
bridge of his nose. “I shall not revoke his authority on this
issue. What he says goes, for I do not intend to lose his trust
again, especially when 'tis such a fragile thing right now. From this
moment on you have all been put on notice, should you see anything
out of the ordinary, suspicious or not, I wish to hear of it.”

“There
is talk about the town,” Bakura began quietly from the corner
of the room. “It is making the villagers uneasy. Someone is
attempting to create unrest, comparing Yugi to his father by posting
false laws and requirements. Right now it is only rumor, and the
palace workers are doing much to dispel it, tearing down notices
where they see them, but we need to take out the source.”

Atemu
stared at him in surprise, while Ryou casually remarked. “So
this is where you've been disappearing to all this time.”

“You
did not expect me to be idle while you all gathered in here did you?”
Bakura questioned, eyebrow raised. “I already know how to use a
sword, its the ability to remain invisible that I need to practice.”

“To
steal stuff you mean.” Seto gave a superior sniff. Marik and
Malik shot the priest a vivid glare when he tsked the white-haired
teen for his behavior, Jou whacking him across the head and turning
his back when Seto protested the action. The group shook their heads
collectively, all of them understanding that it was their way of
coping with each other.

“Not
so.” Bakura retorted. “I just watch people, identify
their habits, maybe pick a pocket or two for information – ”

“So
be it.” Atemu took command of the discussion again, rolling his
eyes at their combativeness. “We all agree that there is a
certain peril to remaining here, and 'tis in our best interests to at
least prepare – if not retreat – until we know from where
the threat comes. I have to return to my duties, I shall leave it up
to you to do what is needed. We shall meet once Re's journey is
complete.”

Murmurs
of agreement were heard around the room as Atemu slipped back out the
door, on his way to the kitchens. He picked out a platter of what he
knew to be Yugi's favorite fruits and cheeses, snagging a jar of wine
on his way back to the throne room. But no sooner than he set foot on
the carpeted hall that led him back to his lover's treasured form,
and a strong hand grabbed his wrist, spinning him around and causing
him to lose hold of his wares. The platter tumbled to the ground with
a loud crash.

“What
is the meaning – ” He hissed, taking a step back.

“You
seem to be causing all manner of problems, little slave...”

A glare
passed over Atemu's features as he found himself staring into the
narrowed eyes of the man he had sent spies after not moments before.
The grip tightened on his wrist, Auserre giving a superior sneer as
his eyes wandered Atemu's lightly clad body. Atemu merely raised an
eyebrow and waited for the man to finish appraising him, his fist
clenched tightly around the dagger tied tightly around his waist,
hidden within what little coverage was provided by the skimpy outfit.

One
eyebrow raised. “Are you quite finished?” Atemu
questioned sarcastically.

Offended
by the query Austerre raised a hand to strike the slave for his
insolence.”You fool!” He hissed.

The
first blow took Atemu by surprise, snapping his head back and
loosening the veil that had become a part of his disguise. The second
one knocked his head back, allowing the veil to part from his form.
The sheer piece of material fell soundlessly to the floor as Atemu
shook off the insult that had been handed to him. He gritted his
teeth, snatching his hand back from the man's grip as he slipped the
dagger out of its sheath and waved it before the now stunned noble.

“Should
you ever touch me again 'twould be the last move you ever make.”
He hissed, drawing up to his full height with a new understanding of
what Yugi had felt during his confrontation with Pegasus.

All
color drained from the noble's face as he realized just who he had
struck in his anger, having caught a glimpse of the Pharaoh's
remarkable features from his first stay in Hyksos. It was one thing
to laugh with his partner Dartz so long ago over how naive the
Pharaoh was, but another to face down one of the most powerful men in
history all on his own. He could feel his legs shaking, his hand
frozen in position to come crashing down on the other's head.

“You?!
What are you – ?”

The
rapid pounding of feet cut his words off and the two of them turned
to see that the entire confrontation had been witnessed by not only
Yugi, but a contingent of palace guards – both of Hyksos and
Egyptian origin. The men quickly subdued Atemu's attacker as Yugi put
himself between the combatants, studying the mark on Atemu's face
intently.

“Oh
gods! I'm so sorry...I didn't mean for...” Yugi stuttered,
fingering his lover's reddened cheek carefully.

Atemu
grabbed his hand and planted a kiss on the palm. “Easy, little
one. No harm is done.” And then his glare shifted over towards
the person responsible, the stunned Egyptian guards dropping to their
knees at the realization of his presence, bringing the guilty man to
the floor with them. “Do you wish to deal with him...or shall
I?”

Yugi's
glare too shifted over to the speechless man held on his knees
tightly between the guards. A sudden thought struck him when the man
who had given him such a hard time for months on end seemed to cower
and tremble before his lover's intimidating glower. He had been right
all along, Auserre was nothing but a bully, preying on those he
thought to be weaker than himself. And now that he was faced with
someone of immense power he had clearly lost all fight.

He
almost felt a sort of pity for the sniveling noble, recalling his
fright when Pegasus had grabbed him in the middle of a crowded hall,
and no one even thought to help him. But one look back at the forming
bruise on Atemu's face squashed that spark, a cold fury taking its
place. This man had harmed his lover, had intended to do even more
than that had he not been shown exactly who it was he was abusing. He
was finished messing around with these men who thought to make his
life a nightmare.

After a
few moments thought Yugi shrugged as though the decision didn't
matter in the least, his tightly gritted teeth belying his soft tone.
“If you don't mind, I've got the perfect sentence for him.”

“By
all means.” Atemu acquiesced, giving a nod of thanks to the
guards who had rushed to his assistance, not knowing who he was. He
hadn't needed it, but it was appreciated all the same. Then a pleased
look stole over his face and he stared at the five men in the hall.
“This goes no further than this corridor, do you understand? I
do not wish for my presence to be acknowledged. Once we have sorted
this out, you are to see High Priest Seto. He shall inform you of
your new positions. My court and I do right by those who defend
others.”

And
then he turned from the astonished faces of his guards, letting Yugi
help to adjust the veil back over his face, and followed his lover
back into the throne room. The soldiers, once his gaze was removed
from their kneeling forms, got to their feet and dragged their
stunned prisoner into the room with them, pride evident in their
every movement.

Not a
one of them had thought anything out of the ordinary when they had
witnessed the beating, only that it was wrong. For them to be given a
reward for doing what they would have done under any other
circumstances was beyond their comprehension. Each and every one of
them was overjoyed at their good fortune, their glares seeking out
all those who stood around the table, open mouthed at their leader's
ignominious entrance. The man who had harmed their king came from
this bunch of aristocratic rubbish, and were their Pharaoh to ask it
of them they would take out each of those men without a question.

Atemu
returned to his place, Yugi's hand finding his and squeezing
comfortingly as the Hyksos ruler settled back against his throne, his
very form radiating a sort of fury that he had never seen present
before. The Pharaoh could tell his lover was beyond angry by the set
of his teeth, his rigid posture, and mentally he pleaded for the boy
to calm down and think rationally. Anger never solved anything –
as he had discovered recently. He wanted to see what the boy was
going to do, how he was going to solve this issue concerning the
impetuous noble.

Yugi
cleared his throat, commanding the room's attention, even as his
glare was directed at a random spot on the floor. “I...”
He started. “I have never witnessed such an appalling event...”
And then his glare sought out the guilty party held tightly in the
center of the chamber. “The house of Auserre is finished...you
are hereby sentenced to life in exile. But before you go, you will
spend two days in confinement and the symbol for traitor will be
visible upon your face from this moment on. All property and monies
shall revert back to the crown. Get him out of my sight!”

Verdict
handed down Yugi flopped back against the throne with a hand to his
head. He had just sentenced a man to a most unspeakable torture. He
had no doubt that once word had reached the dungeons the man would be
flayed alive, and that was after the mark of traitor was burned into
his face. And if he survived all that then he would be set loose to
wander the desert along with the rest of his family, for neither
Hyksos nor Egypt would welcome someone known to turn on them so
easily.

But he
could not believe the gall of that man, to strike at his lover like
that, thinking him to be a slave or not. Were the Pharaoh in any
worse of a mood that move could have been the downfall of their
entire country. And then his glare swept across the room of stunned
faces and open mouths, a smirk twisting his features. Auserre had
been their leader, the one who gave them strength. What a bunch of
pompous, overbearing chumps.

The
Hyksos monarch gave a second thought to his new plan, just to be sure
it was the right action to take. He didn't want to start a revolt.
But he was so sick of these men and their demands. It was time to end
this before another stepped in and took up Auserre's place. Neither
he nor Atemu would have time to deal with their petty nonsense after
they returned to Egypt anyways.

It was
just better to get it done and over with now. And after what he had
just witnessed he wasn't certain that he even cared anymore. Perhaps
Hyksos was better off being absorbed into the more prominent country
of Egypt – back to where they had so long ago come from.

“I
have decided that it is no longer in the best interests of this
country to deal with the lot of you. You are hereby dismissed, and no
agreement shall be forthcoming.” Yugi snapped, his temper
having yet to dissipate. “You shall not be cast into poverty,
but neither shall you be invited to speak in the decisions concerning
our country. You have all proven yourselves entirely too greedy to
make those decisions. Good day, gentlemen, and should rumors ever
reach my ears of revolt, I shall be coming for you.”

Atemu
turned and gaped at the younger royal as he gave his announcement. He
had never heard Yugi speak like that to anyone. Frustration was
evident in the smaller teen's tightened features, in the manner he
spoke. Without thinking he reached out to stroke his hand
comfortingly. When Yugi was finished he gave the Egyptian a tiny
smile.

And
then his eyes widened even further as the men who had fought so hard
against his younger lover broke from their seats and scurried towards
the doorway. He snorted in amusement. At first he had thought them to
be worthy foes, people not to underestimate, but with their leader
gone they dissolved into confusion, not wanting to bring down the
wrath of their king upon their own heads after witnessing what had
happened to the one who did.

Only
once the room was empty did Yugi turn to look at him fully. “Who
knew?” He questioned. “In any case it doesn't matter, I
quit. I'm so sick of them and their attitudes!” Needing to
relieve some pent up energy Yugi bounded from the throne and paced
the length of the floor. “I was so ready just to send them all
packing as a bunch of traitors...they just don't quit! I'm done
tiptoeing around their egos, they're not the ones I wanted to help.
And I've spent all this time catering to them cause I thought they
would upset the balance, that they would incite riots...when it
wasn't them at all I should have been concerned with. Ack! I'm done!”

Atemu
was at his side in an instant. “Hush now little one, you did
what you thought was right. That man Auserre should not have been on
this council, and for that I am sorry. 'Tis my oversight that caused
this. Had I known you were facing such troubles I would have
intervened earlier.”

“No!”
Yugi shook his head. “It wasn't your...” And then reality
hit him. It was Atemu's place, Hyksos belonged to him now. With their
marriage Atemu held final say over what happened in his homeland. “I
had wanted to do this on my own, to bring my people peace before they
were to join with yours.”

“And
that is what you are doing, Yugi.” Atemu tipped his head up,
their eyes locking. “This was your first step, to realize that
one group of people meant nothing over another. You are doing fine,
little one, do not doubt yourself now. I shall have my men infiltrate
their houses, and bring me word of whatever ills they plan. We have
all the council we ever needed in your brothers and sister, and my
priests. We shall speak with them concerning the fate of Hyksos.”

Yugi
snuggled into his lover's embrace, embarrassed that the Pharaoh had
seen him lose his temper. “Yeah, you're right. I know you'll
treat my people right, I just wanted to do something for them, and
these men hold the villages in their command, I thought that by
giving them some incentive perhaps they would make life a little
easier on those beneath them.”

“And
they might have, had it not been for that man. He encouraged them to
hold out for more, and now that there is nothing perhaps they shall
realize how insufferable they have been. Though I doubt it. We would
do well to appoint different guardians to the towns and villages
rather than allow them to continue to reign supreme among their
people.”

“Yeah,”
Yugi agreed. “I just didn't want to add to your burden with all
of this drama...”

“'Tis
not a bother, little one.” Atemu returned. “I would do
anything to ensure your happiness. We shall decide together what is
to be done with them.”

Yugi
fidgeted, unable to shake away the pent up frustration. “Thank
you,” he replied, moving away from his lover to pace the room.
This was the third time that Atemu had been subjected to physical
abuse while in his presence, and the responsibility weighed down on
him heavily.

As if
sensing his thoughts the Pharaoh was at his side, pacing right along
with him as he vented his frustrations. And for a while the two of
them wandered around the silent throne room, discussing Hyksos's
future, and ways to combat the blatant greed and corruption that
plagued the land. Yugi apologized over and over again for his
reaction to Atemu's harm, and for the whole situation that had come
about to cause it. Atemu, on the other hand, refused the apology,
stating that there was nothing he could have done, and that he
wouldn't have reacted any differently to the situation.

It was
only Jou poking his head in the doorway to announce their visitors
that had brought them out of their private discussion and back to the
fact that their day was not yet finished. With a smile on his face
Yugi bade his blonde friend to gather the others so they could greet
the caravan that had requested shelter together.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

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Mistaken Assumptions