Disclaimer: I don't own em!

Darker Than Black

"Where do I start?" he asked the boy before him softly.

This had been a long time in coming, but he had sworn to tell of the night that had changed his life forever and now was the time to be true to his word. The question was, how did one begin? How did one put into words every detail as he had promised he would?

"Just start at the beginning."

The former Pharaoh jumped slightly when a soft and warm hand was placed gently onto one of his own much colder ones. He still wasn't used to this, such caring where before he had only been met with scorn and judgements based on what he was instead of who he was, but regardless, he let out a soft sigh and nodded slightly, feeling the hand on his squeeze gently in comfort. He smiled before taking a breath and slowly let it out, looking up where ruby met amethyst in a deep gaze as he began his tale.

"Well since you want it from the beginning, I hope you have time, for this is a story which spans over five thousand years." He paused here, and nodded back when he recieved a nod before continuing. "I suppose I should start with the day of the harvest for that is the day it all began, the day I met the man who made me what I am..."

The people of Egypt all smiled as they wondered around the city, preparing for the yearly festival of the harvest, having been told by the Pharaoh who passed by to arise and go about their daily business as if he weren't there. After all he was there to observe, see if the people had need of assistance in money, supplies, or homes. The Pharaoh moved through said city with a smile of his own curving his lips, his Queen alongside him and guards walking close behind. He and his Queen held hands as they walked, one of them whispering to the other every once in while about the grand court and the ridiculousness of the order to have the guards follow them so closely everywhere they went. The Pharaoh more than agreed with his Queen's words for they hardly had any time to themselves anymore. Oh what he wouldn't give to spend a day leisurely holding his love in his arms in the gardens as they sat beneath the shade of a tree like they used to do. To do nothing, but be together once again and talk about whatever came to mind, to hold one another, to kiss and savor the other's company so freely. Every since he became Pharaoh however, such things seemed to be naught, but a memory he could relive in his mind, but never physically again. It had taken so long and so much effort to be able to marry his Queen, the love of his life, taken such a strong toll on them both, nearly split them apart, until he had at last put his foot down and declared he would marry the one he loved and that was the last he would hear of it.

He smiled at the memory, recalling that he had ended the meeting there and ran straight to the man he loved, telling him the news, and kissing him senseless without a care of who may or may not be watching. They were wedded not a fortnight later and consummated their love for the first time. His little scribe had become his Queen, and Seto was named his successor in the time of his death which had at last put an end to any argument from the court.

The Pharaoh couldn't help, but chuckle quietly at the memory of how he had finally shut them up, which made his Queen look at him curiously, so he bent down, whispering to his love.

"Just memories mry, memories of how the court was finally silenced."

It seemed the memory was fresh in his Queen's head as well for the petite man chuckled himself at the words, covering his mouth slightly with one hand as he tried to stop the laughter. The Pharaoh smiled as he straightened, looking over the town and was pleased by what he seen, men and women working carts and having much business, children at play, women watching the children and doing their chores; all was right in the town even after the recent trouble they'd had with Touzouku and his recent rampage of terror. The thought of the former theif king almost set the Pharaoh's blood boiling once more, but he remembered the man was now in the clutches of Anubis so he would have no need to dwell on him.

He was so caught in his thoughts that he had not heard his Queen speak to him, until said young man, tugged slightly on his arm, and made him look at him curiously.

"Mry, I don't have a good feeling about that man..."

The Pharaoh tilted his head slightly at that, a brow arched.

"What man?"

His Queen's answer was to look over at the doorway of the town's inn which made the Pharaoh do the same, but he gasped at what he seen. A man who looked to be well into his seventies stood there leaning heavily on doorway of the inn, looking sickly, and pale for an Egyptian, his eyes half closed, but the Pharaoh could tell they were blood shot and it was confirmed as the man looked up at them. The Pharaoh felt rather sorry for the man, and let go of his Queen's hand, about to go to him, but his Queen grabbed him, making him stop and turn to look into amethyst colored eyes.

"Ate, please do not go to him. Let us just continue on our way."

Atem was shocked by what he heard. Had his love really just say that, since when did he so willingly turn his back on the sick?

"I am surprised at you mry. That was very unlike you to say."

His Queen released him at that, a look of shame crossing his beautiful features before looking back to the elderly man, then back to his husband.

"I do not like the feeling I am getting from him. Something tells me he could harm you."

Atem smiled at that and took his love into a hug, uncaring of who seen and kissed the top of his cute and spiked head.

"He will not harm me, I will be alright, and we must help him Heba."

Oh how wrong he had been.

TBC...