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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
- 4
- 5
- 6
Okay,
haven�t had much time to work on this, but between me and my new beta � a big
thank you to Renaiya880727 for beta-reading (and for the many suggestions that
helped pull this chapter together)! Sorry guys, no time for review replies on
this chap � cause I�m trying to get this out
in-between Tech Expo (which was a pain in the ass on so many different levels!)
and the Daytona 500. So I will reply on the next chapter.

Thank
you to everyone who�s reviewed and or read this!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX5

Yugi
slumped against the ledge of his prison with a despondent sigh, gazing down at
the bustling commotion in the courtyards below, wishing once more that he and
the others were a part of the almost festive activity. The deposed Hyksos king
still had a hard time accepting that his Egyptian tormentors had made so much
progress in aiding his people � whereas he had been held powerless from the
start thanks to his inability to command respect from those in his father�s
employ.

His
captors had even managed to wrest control of the central grain storage from his
father�s most faithful of soldiers, making the stores of food available to the
impoverished Hyksos public � a feat which had been all but impossible for him
and his friends alone.

For
that, he held the Egyptians in the highest regard, relieved that the general
populace would no longer have to fear the oppression and hypocrisy that made up
his father�s reign � but only for that reason, for their treatment of those
within the palace walls had been far from admirable.

On
more than one occasion the troubled royal had heard his white-haired friend Ryou�s pleas for mercy as they echoed along the nearly
deserted corridors of the second floor. And each time he heard those tortured
screams he feared for his friend�s life, knowing there was little to nothing he
could do from inside of his locked rooms.

His
friend�s frantic cries reminded him all too well of the piteous wails made by
the many women and young girls his father had kept imprisoned for his own
selfish needs and they left him chilled, searching for a reprieve from their
intensity. Years before he had been caught trying to release one of those
unfortunate souls. The horrific memory still sent shivers through his frame.

The
image of her expressionless face as her head was mercilessly separated from her
body would be forever imprinted in his mind. It was the first time he had
witnessed the violent death of another and it was a sight he would never forget.
He shuddered deeply with the recollection, the physical tremor forcing him back
to reality and the problems that awaited him there. He had other worries right now;
his father was dead and there was nothing more he could do for that poor girl
or those like her.

The
Egyptian monarch�s continued absence worried him to no end. The terms of his
captivity had been laid out for him very bluntly and he couldn�t possibly
imagine the arrogant, domineering Pharaoh as a man of infinite patience. Yet, not
once since his imprisonment had the Pharaoh � or anyone else for that matter �
laid a violent hand on him.

Moreover,
he hadn�t even laid eyes on his captor since the first morning of his imposed
confinement, when the man had shown up to give him some last-minute
instructions, leaving him highly frustrated from the lack of sleep as well as
the other�s imperious demands. Even now, days later, the humiliating wake up
call was still quite fresh in his mind.

His tears had finally dried sometime in
the early hours, but any semblance of sleep had still managed to elude him prior
to the Pharaoh�s entrance, as the man marched into his room bright and early
that morning, looking every inch the regal monarch that he was; an impressive
sight compared to Yugi�s bleary-eyed pallor.

As
he replayed the scene in his mind Yugi couldn�t help but feel a slight bit of
resentment for the one who could so carelessly destroy another�s life without �
apparently � losing even a wink of sleep over it.

��His
captor had given a brief, impersonal account of what would be expected of him
in his new life, disregarding his captive�s disheveled state of appearance �and then promptly handed him over to Mahaado
to be taught how to perform some of his duties, gliding out of the room without
so much as a backward glance at the one whose hopes he had just shattered with
his shameful demands.

It had taken the young king a few
moments after his casual departure to regain his composure before he could
greet the priest who was to tutor him in the tasks regarding his new station.
When the mentally battered Hyksos royal finally gathered the courage to hold
his head up, he found himself looking into the same compassionate brown eyes
that he�d wished, more than once, belonged to Egypt�s
sovereign. That look almost broke what little composure he had.

The priest cracked a sympathetic smile
at him before handing him an armload of scrolls which he had been patiently
holding the whole time.

�Rest easy little prince; you shall
come to no harm in my presence. But I warn you, you will need to understand
completely everything I speak of in order to properly fulfill your duties in
the courts.� Mahaado firmly advised as he dragged a couple of pillows out to
the middle of the room, waiting for Yugi to be seated before beginning his instruction.

If
Yugi had thought that he was only to become a bored concubine, someone to serve
his master�s pleasure before being relegated to the inner confines of a guarded
room, he was quickly relieved of that notion by the first of Mahaado�s stringent lessons. It seemed that he was to be in
the Pharaoh�s attendance at all times and that required him to be as
knowledgeable as any other Egyptian courtier.

There
was so much to learn. Languages and proper courtly etiquette � which he held
some knowledge of, albeit with Hyksos influence � along with the titles and
social standings of the aristocracy he would most likely meet. He also needed
to be proficient in reading hieroglyphics in both Hieratic and Demotic.

Each
and every subject, as Mahaado repeatedly drilled into his head throughout the
week, was vital to serving his new master in accordance with Egyptian customs.

As
if those dismal thoughts weren�t enough, Mahaado had promptly informed him upon
arriving early this morning that once they returned to Egypt he would have a proper tutor to educate
him on the art of massage, dancing and the many ways of pleasuring his master
in the bedchamber.

Master �Yugi nearly choked on the word.
Unwanted images of a night not long before his father left for Persia flashed through his mind and he
shuddered. The promise of retribution in the Hittite sovereign�s remaining eye
after their scuffle was all too clear for him to forget anytime soon. And he
was finding too many similarities between that time and his situation of late.

Yugi�s
eyes unconsciously sought out his captor�s slender form as he lingered behind
the flowing veil of the curtain to watch the afternoon�s proceedings. He let
out a startled gasp when the one he had been watching turned his head and
caught his eye, before ducking back into his shelter with a shiver. He had not
meant to attract the formidable Egyptian ruler�s attention.

Atemu
glanced up at the second story window only to catch a glimpse of light
reflecting off of the delicate beads that were woven into the boy�s hair,
noting that his captive rarely left his place by the window since his confinement
� other than the times Mahaado was in attendance. His eyes drifted over the
contours of his captive�s face, briefly holding the other�s timid gaze until he
disappeared once again behind the diaphanous curtain.

How
a man of Hassim�s contemptible nature had ever sired
one of such beauty was beyond him. Had he ever asked for the little one�s name?
Atemu couldn�t remember; which wasn�t a surprise considering the weighty responsibilities
he had taken on this past week, but the omission still tugged at his
conscience. Somehow he couldn�t help but feel he was supposed to know the
little one�s name.

�His
name is Yugi, your Highness,� Mahaado answered Atemu�s unspoken question softly
as he materialized at his side to relieve him of his duties. �� And he has
requested, most hesitantly, to see his friends one last time before we depart.

Yugi�That was right! How could he ever have forgotten such a
graceful name? The foreign-sounding word rolled off his tongue like a song as
he mentally translated it into his own language. Heba. It was the perfect
name for such an exquisite being.

�How
did you �?�

�It�s
not often that you have such an expression of complete loss, your Highness�That,
and when you are under an extreme amount of stress you usually tend to forget
minor details such as names...� Mahaado delicately refrained from mentioning
that it was frequently the names of those Atemu had bedded that were so quickly
dismissed from his mind.

I do that? Atemu gaped at his priest. �I didn�t
realize��

�It
is not so noticeable unless one knows what to watch for, your Highness.�
Mahaado said softly, his gaze lighting on anything of interest but the person
before him.

�Atemu arched a brow at his priest�s quiet
demeanor. �What troubles you Mahaado?�

The
priest shrugged nonchalantly, choosing his words with the utmost of care. �There
is more to him than meets the eye, my Pharaoh. It seems almost as if his
na�vet� is a charade�either that, or�� He trailed off uncomfortably.

�Or what?�

Recalling
the horrified look that met with his earlier edict Mahaado blushed fiercely. �Or
he is truly pure, in both spirit and body��

Atemu
chuckled at his friend�s impractical train of thought before shaking his head.
��Tis an impossibility, my friend; those of royal
blood sow their seeds long before attaining his age. He is surely no more chaste than I am.�

Mahaado
glanced up at the window, catching sight of the petite slave�s profile in the
shadows. �Somehow I am not so certain.�

Atemu
chose to overlook the quietly spoken observation in favor of answering the
earlier request. �I shall allow them to dine with us tonight, so long as they
remain on their best behavior. If you would give my orders to Bakura, Marik and
Seto before we trade off.�

�I
shall do so.� Mahaado bowed before striding back into the shadows of the palace
wall, his thoughts and sympathies centered on the gentle, quiet child that he
had come to be acquainted with � if only slightly � over the past week.

Dismissing
his priest�s odd behavior, Atemu picked up the papyrus Seto had laid on his
desk only moments ago, quickly tallying up the figures in his head. When they
added up to what his soldiers had accounted for previously he nodded in
relieved satisfaction and laid the papyrus aside, his thoughts already turning
towards his next task.

There
was so much that needed to be done before he returned to Egypt. And they were to set out after dinner
to meet briefly with the troops that were en-route to clarify their duties. Unfortunately,
he was behind schedule and had not yet had the chance to catch up.

It
had taken him well into that morning to convince the bulk of his men to remain
behind to watch over their newly acquired territory, leaving him very little
time to finish his remaining tasks. Yet, even after his announcement Marik and
Mahaado had remained stubborn on the subject, insisting repeatedly that their
position was to protect him against any threat � a task which would be
impossible if they were in two different countries.

In
the end he had relented, if only so they would allow him a moment of peace,
leaving Bakura and Seto in charge of readying Hyksos for the transfer of power.
As far as the Hyksos people knew the Egyptians were only here to lend support
to their new sovereign, a notion Atemu would gradually disabuse them of once
they were back to their normal state of self-sufficiency. But for now it seemed
prudent to let the lie stand.

It
would be nothing short of slaughter if they were to revolt in their deteriorated
condition. He could always declare that he had taken a liking to the young king
during their time together and joined with him, if it came down to that.

It
was a notion he would leave until later, since it may not even be of concern. Up
to this point the only people who had given his men any difficulty were the few
nobles who had held positions of esteem under his nemesis� rule. Those spoiled
aristocrats he would deal with, and deal with swiftly, before he and his men
sat down to dine.

Shortly
after allowing Mahaado to relieve him Atemu roamed the inner perimeter of the
palace walls, watching over the proceedings as his mind wandered back to the
beautiful being whose name he had nearly forgotten until only moments before.
The priest�s casual remark had thrown him off. From what he knew of royalty
they were a promiscuous, haughty group. Even he fit the stereotype at times.
But could Mahaado�s estimation be correct?

No, he thought with a wistful shake of his head. It was
impossible. There was too much temptation for those of royal blood to even
consider resisting. Not even the princesses were virtuous, as he had found out
early on in life. Only those who were to become concubines were guarded from
the pleasures of the flesh � in order to fetch a higher price. There was no
reason for a prince to remain chaste. No reason whatsoever.

His
errant thoughts carried him through a brief, rather tense meeting with the
nobles � who ultimately accepted his dominion, though with a decidedly less
than charitable attitude � and before he knew it Atemu was entering the dining hall,
conferring with Seto and Bakura over what else needed to be done before their
departure.

�We
have made more progress than I had hoped for. But this is far from finished.�
Atemu drew the pair�s attention to the fistful of papyrus he held. �Now it is
time to turn our attention to other issues, such as the men�s reports of greed
and oppression across the rest of Hyksos. It is time for those in power to move
on, by force if necessary. The men will be briefed before they arrive; use them
in whatever capacity you see fit.�

Yugi
peeked out from behind the corner of the entryway hesitantly, overhearing their
conversation. Perhaps this was not his best idea. He suppressed a shiver,
tugging awkwardly on his clothing before reluctantly allowing Mahaado to usher
him into the room. Conversation halted when the Pharaoh and his entourage became
aware of his presence.

Atemu
did a double take when he spied the angelic being moving almost soundlessly
into the room. The boy was stunning in a short, sleeveless vest of white silk
interwoven with silver and sapphire beadwork that accentuated his slender
figure, the color combination serving nicely to highlight those gorgeous
amethyst eyes.

The
simple folds of his matching low-cut pants flowed outward gently, swirling
around his graceful form with every step, ending in gathers at his ankles, the
dainty pair of sandals that adorned his feet making soft clicking sounds
against the sandstone floor as he made his way across the room. A circlet of
silver perched on his brow with a single teardrop-shaped sapphire in the
center. The vision was so striking Atemu had to remind himself to breathe.

Managing
to recover from the momentary shock the boy�s enchanting appearance had caused
the Pharaoh gave a small bow, holding out a hand to escort his captive to the
table. �Hello little one; I am glad to see you are well. Your outfit is very
becoming.�

��uh,
thank you�� I think. Yugi ducked his
head, taking note of the lustful gleam that was all too evident in the other�s
eyes.

This
was definitely not his greatest plan, judging by the scorching look that the
Pharaoh had given him. He was not ready to attract the man�s attentions, even
if he was easy on the eyes. Not ready at all. The outfit had been all Mahaado�s idea. The priest had ransacked his chambers in
order to find an outfit worthy of the Pharaoh�s presence once it was known they
would dine together.

When
he had presented his choice Yugi�s face felt like it had nearly burst into
flames. The outfit was one that his father always requested he wear when the
Hittite king called on them. It was very revealing, and brought with it a whole
slew of bad memories. But the priest was undeterred by his reticence, thus,
here he was, feeling out of place and extremely uneasy as he laid a trembling
hand on the Pharaoh�s arm in response to the chivalrous gesture.

�The
others will be along momentarily, my Pharaoh.� Mahaado said with a bow before
wandering over to where Seto was eyeing the pair with mistrust, so as not to
intrude on their moment.

�I
do not trust the little rat.� Seto whispered.

Mahaado
gave his companion a sidelong glance. �I do not think ��

Any
chance of discussion was lost as the rest of their dinner party arrived in the
company of Marik and the somber, wary group made their way towards the heavily
laden table. A suffocating silence descended over the room as everyone chose
their meal, the Hyksos teens preferring to ignore their Egyptian captors, but
before long Seto turned their attention back to the topic that had been
interrupted, completely disregarding the presence of their guests.

After
clearing his throat to catch the Pharaoh�s attention the blue-eyed priest spoke
out firmly, his eyes on the morose blonde beside him. �With regard to what you
said earlier, my Pharaoh�I am still of the firm opinion that we should mind our
own business and leave these idiots to theirs.�

Atemu
glanced over at the brunette, taking in his rankled expression with a sigh. He
knew the high priest was still feeling put out at being told he was among those
needed to stay and secure Hyksos for the Egyptian empire. �You do realize that
the only reason I place you and Bakura in such a position of power is that I trust
you to do what is needed?�

There
was another reason for his decision as well, but Atemu felt it wise not to
mention that it would force the two rivals to get along without him in
attendance to mediate.

Seto
sighed deeply. �I do ��

��Screw you asshole! We aren�t stupid and we�re
not yours to order around! Yugi is our true king!!� Jou spat as he tossed a
piece of half-eaten meat back onto his plate in disgust. If the man who thought
he owned him was looking for a fight with his verbal abuse and slurs, then he
would give him one. So far the only thing the priest had done was insult him
and his friends, and issue threats like a coward.

The
blonde glanced briefly over at his true sovereign after his outburst, knowing
that Yugi would protest his actions as he had so many times in the past. But it
was time to see if there was anything of substance behind those cruel words and
malicious taunts. He wasn�t worried. He�d been through much worse than what
someone such as this blowhard was capable of dishing out. It was time he stood
up for his young king, as he hadn�t been able to do in the past.

Atemu
glowered at the blonde�s interference, Seto�s face
exhibiting a touch of surprise before he too aimed an equally deadly glare in
the other�s direction.

�Oh
poor baby,� Bakura chuckled, drawing the brunette�s ire from his target before
anything of consequence could happen. �You�re just upset �cause
your lips won�t be able to reach his majesty�s ass from such a great distance.�

And
then the white-haired thief ducked as a plate full of food was hurled in his
direction, courtesy of Seto�s hand. The plate hit the
floor with a resounding crash as the irate priest stood from his seat, his tall
form radiating a sort of animalistic fury. He reached out and snatched Jou
roughly out of his chair, dragging the hapless blonde along behind him as he
stalked out of the room.

Bakura
and Marik both chuckled at his display of temper as the rest of the group
watched the scene in stunned silence. Yugi swallowed audibly, his concerned
gaze meeting briefly with Ryou�s sympathetic one
before returning to the sumptuous meal in front of him, his appetite lost. His
hand clenched tightly around the piece of bread he had been nibbling on,
molding it to the shape of his slender fingers in helpless anger.

Did
he dare go after him? Or would it make his friend�s situation even worse? Why
had he ever suggested dining with their captors? How could he have been so
blind?!

�Bakura,�
Atemu reprimanded �that was exceptionally rude of you.�

�So?
He had it coming.� Bakura defended, tossing a glare after the departed priest.
�He�s been nothing short of a pain in my ass ever since we left the palace. And
don�t bother to deny it � �cause you, of all people,
know its true!�

Atemu
rolled his eyes skyward as he took a bite of roasted hen. As much as he cared
for both men the two of them had never gotten along with each other, often
trying his patience with their antics. He knew the reasons for their enmity too
well, but couldn�t understand why they had yet to let go of their long-standing
grudge since the point was moot.

Well,
that would change once they found they needed to cooperate in order to
accomplish the task he set before them. But he would let the two of them figure
that out when the time came, since neither one seemed to have given a thought
to what their positions entailed.

��Be that as it may, you overstep your bounds
with him and you will have to deal with Akunadin once you reach the palace.� He
pointed out evenly.

�Oh
well,� Bakura gave a shrug of indifference. �Akunadin will just have to watch
out then. Between me and Marik, I�m certain we can deal with him.�

�Hey!
Leave me out of it!� Marik snapped. �I don�t want that ornery old bastard
breathing down my neck again, for something you started!�

�I�m
just saying; anyways, back to the subject at hand.� Atemu dismissed the
previous topic with a casual wave of his hand before turning to Bakura in an
effort to engage him in the discussion instead of dwelling on the past. �On top
of the grain storage, you need to open the coffers and start a project that
will enable the people to earn a respectable living.�

�Why should you care what happens to
our people?� Ryou asked
petulantly as he glared at the group of Egyptians.

The
remark earned him a loud slap from Bakura for daring to speak out of turn. The
white-haired teen fell silent, cradling his face as he glared back at his captor,
the rest of the table looking away in mortification, helpless to relieve the
boy�s distress. Atemu raised an eyebrow at his white-haired companion,
wondering at his need to make their affairs public.

�This
is bullshit!� Malik snarled, rising from his chair with his fists clenched.

�Stop,
please! He�s done nothing wrong!!� Yugi shouted as he too rose from his seat to
come to Ryou�s defense before clapping a hand over
his mouth, his wide eyes on the Pharaoh.

�That�s
enough out of you!� Marik snapped, rising from his chair with a scowl directed
at Malik. �Your situation has been explained very thoroughly, which is more
than you deserve. I think it is time you learned your place!� To Atemu he bowed.
�Please excuse us, your Highness.�

Bakura
eyed his slave with vicious intent as he stood from his chair, heedless of the
pair struggling and hurling invectives behind him. �I could say the same for
you. We�ve had this discussion before � haven�t we, my pretty one?�

Ryou
glared back, bracing himself for what was coming. He wouldn�t back down. He and
the others owed it to Yugi to fight for their freedom so they could eventually
free him from the Pharaoh�s clutches. And if he had to endure the pain of another
rape in order to anger his captor and perhaps make him careless, then so be it.

The
white-haired advisor was so easy to rile, and once his temper was pricked he
tended to overlook minor details, such as locking the door � which was what he
was hoping for with his comment. He only needed a couple more items before they
could say goodbye to their arrogant captors.

Ryou
was well prepared as the taller man tossed him over his shoulder and carted him
from the room, having hidden the knife from his place setting underneath his
tunic. He may not be in the position to use it tonight, but sometime soon�

Atemu
gave his newest possession an appraising look as Marik and Bakura hauled their
protesting look-alikes out of the room. �I shall deal with you after this conversation
is concluded. Either finish your meal or await me in your chambers.�

Yugi
averted his gaze, tears welling in his eyes. This hadn�t been his intention. He
had only wanted to assure himself that his friends were still alive and well.
Instead he had only brought them more troubles. Swallowing the lump in his
throat the young royal dropped his bread back onto the plate and excused
himself, his posture defeated as he exited the room.

Once
out of sight his footsteps quickened silently�

Atemu
glanced at Mahaado, continuing the conversation as if nothing out of the
ordinary had happened. ��Perhaps we should pay those working a decent amount in
advance. It will catch their interest and gain us another small measure of
their trust.�

Mahaado
nodded after the small, forlorn figure that had stepped out of the room with a
compassionate glance. �What are you going to do to him?�

�Nothing
too harsh; not that it is anyone�s business.� Atemu replied evenly. �He shall
have a hard time sitting down for a while, if I see the need. Why are you so
interested?�

Mahaado
hesitated for a minute, wondering if he would be doing his sovereign a favor by
speaking the truth. In the end he decided to be as truthful as possible without
explaining the whole of his logic. �I am merely concerned for you, your
Highness. This boy seems to affect your reason�I would hate for him to be the
one you are searching for �particularly when you look at him with such lust.�

Atemu
chuckled, lacing his hands behind his head as his gaze wandered to where the
petite slave had exited the room only minutes before. �That is all it is my
friend � lust. When have you not known my eyes to wander towards those of such
beauty? Perhaps once I bed him he shall no longer hold a place in my thoughts.�

�This
is true.�

Mahaado
shook his head regretfully. He was well aware of Atemu�s roving eye. The Pharaoh
was known for being rather discriminating in his choice of bedmates, as far as
looks were concerned. Beautiful men and women alike had fallen prey to those
exotic scarlet eyes and a hefty dose of boyish charm.

But
once the Pharaoh grew tired of them they ceased to exist in his eyes. It wasn�t
a fate he would wish on the na�ve young king who had come under his care for
the past week, to be used and then discarded as though he held no more value
than the least of low-born servants.

The
promise of a true leader was still fresh in those wide, vulnerable eyes and he
would hate to see that light extinguished before it reached its full potential.
The young one could be an excellent consort for Atemu, if the chance was
presented.

��As
I was saying�� Atemu brought them back to their concerns about the Hyksos
people; gaining back some of Mahaado�s attention, but
for the most part his concerns were with the young royal who had left the room
in such defeated spirits mere moments ago.

Sensing
his friend�s unwavering fixation with the boy�s departure, Atemu quickly
concluded their conversation and rose from his chair. It was time to deal with
his disobedient charge. He climbed the stairs to the second floor, wondering
what reprimand the little one deserved for his offense.

The
instant Atemu rounded the corner he could hear Bakura punishing his slave. He
felt a fragment of pity for having put the slender white-haired child into that
situation. His friend had a lot of childhood issues that he hadn�t worked
through and could be quite violent if provoked, usually working off his anger
through sexual activities.

But
he wasn�t about to rescind his verdict. The boy would just have to learn his
proper place. Perhaps he would talk with his friend, though, just to set him
straight.

Speaking
of learning proper places�

�I-I�m
sorry�� were the first words Atemu heard when he slid the door open to his
prisoner�s chambers. When he cocked an eyebrow at the tearful youth, locking
the door behind him, the boy continued. ��I couldn�t stop myself�it just came
out�I can�t just sit back and watch like that�It was a bad idea to begin
with�maybe if I hadn�t suggested it�I�m sorry�Please make him stop�!�

He
couldn�t take it! Instead of obeying the Pharaoh�s earlier command he had gone
to Ryou�s chambers in hopes of being able to help his
friend, but the door was barred from the inside and he had found nothing in his
frantic search of the second floor that would enable him to gain entry into the
room. When the real screaming began he fled to the safety of his chambers in
order to hide from the sounds that tore at his heart.

Atemu
stalked towards his charge with a frown. �Be that as it may�they have rules to
learn just as you do. When you speak out against that you undermine those
rules. You were warned about this, so ignorance is no excuse. Come here, little
one.�

With
no other options available Yugi rose from his place at the window, his steps unsteady
as he made his way over to where Atemu was standing with his arms crossed over
his chest and a scowl on his face. What was the Pharaoh going to do to him?

Remembering
his father�s methods of discipline Yugi rubbed at the tiny scars along his ribs,
his head down. This was going to hurt, wasn�t it? But it was no more than he
deserved for selling his friends out to a fate worse than death.

By
the time the boy presented himself before Atemu, the Pharaoh was having second
thoughts on how to chastise his newest slave. He noticed that Yugi had once
again folded in on himself, rubbing at his chest uncomfortably and his
protective instincts kicked in without his approval.

He
didn�t want the little one to fear him. The offense was a minor one � in his
eyes. Granted had one of his advisors heard it the punishment would have been
twenty lashes, but only Mahaado, Marik and Bakura had witnessed the boy�s
outburst. He could let him off with little more than a warning this time.

With
a sigh Atemu forced the boy�s eyes to his. �You do understand that, if you were
to show such insolence before my council, you would be whipped for it?�

The
color drained from Yugi�s face as he nodded hesitantly.

�Than
I shall assume that you understand, and will remember, the consequences of your
actions henceforth.� Atemu pushed a stray braid out of his captive�s face, the
other coming up to cup his backside gently before�

Whack!

Yugi
hissed as the sting was felt through his thin clothing. He bit his lip to halt
the protest that had formed, lowering his head in shame. That was it? That was
his punishment?!

�I
feel you have learned your lesson. Do not make me rethink my actions.� Atemu
cautioned as he soothed away the pain with his hands, planting an affectionate
kiss on the boy�s forehead.

Yugi
let him. He couldn�t believe he had gotten off so lightly, even if it was
humiliating to be treated like a child. But the look in Ryou�s
eyes when he was attacked, and the screams that tore through the corridors, was
punishment enough. If it hadn�t been for his suggestion none of this would have
happened. His eyes misted over as he feared, once again, for his friend�s life.

Atemu,
mistaking the tears in his captive�s eyes as being a result of his punishment,
held the boy to his chest. Gods how was he ever going to chastise the little
one if this was what happened? Those tears nearly broke his heart.

Yugi
tensed in the embrace, shivering lightly. The only people who had ever shown
him any signs of affection were his friends and his grandfather � to receive
such an intimate gesture from the stranger who had just spanked him was odd, to
say the least.

With
an irritated frown at Yugi�s response, or lack thereof, the Pharaoh disengaged
himself from his captive. �We shall be leaving within the hour. Make yourself
ready. I need to have a word with Bakura,� he said as he stalked out of the
room, locking the door behind him.

As
the lock clicked into place Yugi collapsed to the floor, his hands covering his
face. He couldn�t leave Ryou in the hands of that madman. He just couldn�t. But
what could he do? He was powerless. Unless�

The
screams finally died out and Yugi scrambled towards the window, refusing to do
nothing about the situation. If he could lower himself onto the ledge he could
scoot over to Ryou�s window and assure himself that
his friend was alright. After debating the wisdom of his plan for a moment he
hopped up on the windowsill and carefully lowered himself onto the ledge below.

The
protrusion wasn�t very wide and he almost lost his footing as he shuffled past
the window, but he managed to find a firm handhold in the rough sandstone
blocks, and continued on his way. It was much to his relief that he found Ryou�s window not far from his and he waited, listening to
the nearly silent sobs before peeking over the edge. What he saw when he
glanced in almost broke his spirit.

His
gentle friend was curled into a ball in the middle of the floor, sobs wracking
his slender, nude form.

�Oh
Ryou��

His
softly spoken words must have been heard, because a pair of tearstained russet
eyes peered up at him and Ryou uncurled his body, limping as fast as he could
to the window to help him into the room. �Yugi!� he whispered. �What in the
name of the gods are you doing here?!�

�I
can�t just sit by and let him do this to you! Are you okay?!� Yugi grasped the
white-haired teen�s shoulders and looked him over carefully, blushing at his
friend�s exposure. �Let�s get you some clothes; we�re getting out of here.
We�ll find a way to free the others as we can.�

Ryou
glanced at his sovereign, before glancing out the window with a frown. �Y-you
really didn�t think this through, did you?�

Yugi
turned around, his expression questioning before spying what his friend was
talking about with a sinking heart. The ledge disappeared at the corner of the
building. �Well�no. But I can�t let this happen to you!�

�There
isn�t any other way out of here, I�ve tried already. They�ve got every exit
well guarded.� Ryou said with a pained hiss as he slipped his torn clothing
over his bruised legs. �You do realize that it�s all an act, right?�

�Then
we�ll just have to make one�An act�what do you mean?!� Yugi blinked at his
friend questioningly.

Ryou
grabbed his sovereign by the arms. �Yugi�each time he gets angry enough to do
this he has a tendency to leave the door unlocked after he storms out of the
room. I�ve been using this time to gather keys to everyone�s room, so we can
escape together�All I needed were Anzu�s � and yours,
but that damn Pharaoh hasn�t set them down yet.�

�Please
Ryou, come with me! We�ll find a way out� Yugi pleaded as he turned from the
window to glance at his friend.

��Oh Yugi� there�s no way for all of us to get
out of the palace, there are too many guards.� Ryou shook his head sorrowfully
as he urged his smaller friend towards the window. �Please don�t get into
trouble just for me, I�ll be okay. I�ve got somewhat of a plan in mind and
we�ll come for you as soon as we�re free. But you need to go back, I don�t want
you caught!!�

��But he�s going to try to take me away to Egypt tonight!! There�s no more time! I need
to get you away from here!!� Yugi said as he reluctantly moved back to the
window

Ryou
gripped his ruler�s arm in surprise, and not a little fear. �He�s what?!�

�He�s
��

Just
then the door slid open to reveal two surprised faces as Atemu and Bakura
caught the pair of conspirators in the act. Atemu leveled a furious look at the
young king, who he had believed to still be locked in his room. When Yugi
caught that deadly glare he quickly scampered out onto the ledge, hanging on by
his fingertips as he glared back at the Egyptian duo.

�You
leave Ryou alone! He�s done nothing wrong, so you promise me you�ll leave him
alone or I swear to the high gods I will jump!!�

Atemu�s
eyes narrowed when he was confronted with the ultimatum. He had warned Bakura
not moments ago that his treatment of the younger white-haired boy would cause
dissent among the rest of their captives. �Little one, come back inside��

Yugi
eyed his captor with a glare. �No, not until he promises not to hurt Ryou!�

This
had to work. It just had to. He might as well face the fact that he would not
escape the situation unscathed, but he could at least ascertain that Ryou would
not have to deal with the consequences of his stupidity. If the Pharaoh wanted
him that badly he would just have to give in to his demands.

Atemu
glanced at Bakura as if to say I told you so. Upon receiving the unspoken
message the white-haired advisor hissed through his teeth as he nodded in
agreement, knowing that were his sovereign to be deprived of his prize the man
would make his life hell for a long time to come.

�Fine,
fine � you win.� He snarled grudgingly. �But if I were you I think I would be a
little more worried about my own ass than I would someone else�s.�

Yugi
nodded at the sincerity in the other�s eyes, pulling himself back into the
room. He glanced over at Ryou to see how his friend was taking the surprising
news only to have something, or rather someone, blocking his vision. Yugi�s
mouth ran dry at the calculating look in those scarlet eyes before finding
himself on the floor before the Pharaoh�s feet.

Atemu
had wandered over to the window, his step deceptively calm as he arched a brow
at his defiant slave. He was furious with the boy for attempting such a
perilous stand. Even now all it would take was the slightest misstep, or a
loose bit of stone and the child would fall to his doom. Well he would make
certain to banish any notions of flight from the little one�s thoughts after
tonight.

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