Hello everyone!

It's great to be back and writing again. I have to say, taking an eight year hiatus from fanfiction was the worst possible thing I could have ever done in my whole existence. Last night I began reading through some Yu-Gi-Oh! Fanfiction and all be damned if I didn't have the urge to make one myself. You know how you read an idea that almost everyone tries…but fails? Giving you this extreme urge to write it out yourself and see if it's any better? This is exactly what I'm doing, so let's see where it's takes us, shall we?

I am fully open to constructive criticism! Anything to better the writing, yeah? If you catch any grammar/spelling mistakes or something that doesn't quite sound right, please, please let me know! Thank you to all that take the time to read, subscribe, and all that wonderful stuff =3

Chapter 1: "Please, don't say no"

There wasn't a single thought in his brain that didn't tell him to run. Shadows crept along the edges of the Nile, concealing the thick brush and land. Sheer terror kept him from moving his feet toward safety, but where was safe? All around he saw darkness ready to swallow him, take him to the Shadow Realm, and force him into a life of eternal pain and misery. He couldn't allow things to end this way. No, not now. Not after everything he had finally accomplished! But how could he possibly escape such a terrible place such as this? He couldn't see the sky or the desert sand, nor could he make out the great, towering pyramids in the distant. Only darkness.

'This cannot be,' he thought. His heart pounded wildly against his ribcage, threatening to combust. 'It can't end this way… I won't allow it!'

"Why do you try to escape your destiny?"

With widened eyes, he swiftly turned toward the voice, taking a step back as he did. "Who are you?" he demanded. He couldn't keep the tremor from his voice. His ears knew that voice much too well. How could he ever forget it?

"Don't you recognize your own father, Atemu?" said the voice. "You always were a shameful child. To think you are my heir."

"Father…" His voice was hushed, barely above a whisper. Anger boiled within his veins, making those crimson orbs appear so much more deadly. "Why are you here?"

"You mean you don't know?"

"Tell me why you're here!" Atemu shouted, fists balled into tight fists. "Answer me!"

The darkness around him chuckled, and before him, stepped the figure of a middle aged man wearing the crown of the pharaoh. His eyes held the sharp crimson color Atemu's did, but his hair was pitch black with a few gray strands. His body appeared weak, but his pose revealing strength only seen in a true dictator.

"I see you still bare no respect for your elders, Atemu. It's a shame, really. I had such high hopes for you." The man folded his arms behind his back and looked off to the side, seemingly distracted by something only he could see. Without looking back to his son, he said, "I've come to take you to the Shadow Realm where you belong. I was foolish to think you could take your place as pharaoh."

Atemu's wide eyes narrowed dangerously. His pose went from frightened to powerful, straightening his back and flexing the muscles in his arms. With his head held high he took a confident step toward his father, who in return brought his attention back to his son.

"You dare challenge fate's decision?" the man said. "You haven't a chance against the shadows."

"If I am to be taken to the Shadow Realm, I will be sure to take you with me, Father."

Chuckling, the man casually paced, his brows pulled together in a thoughtful expression. "You believe that, do you?"

"Stop playing games!" he shouted. "Dark Magician!" The shadows stirred and then quieted, pulsating with power. Then, a dark purple light erupted, creating a hole in surrounding shadows until Dark Magician, the loyal servant of Atemu, appeared.

The appearance of the servant monster proved more amusing than fearful to the man. Rather than defend himself, he simply looked his son straight in the eye and laughed.

"You do not believe I can destroy you?" Atemu questioned.

"What I believe…is that you are too naïve to be pharaoh!" he shouted. "I will show you what true power is, my son! Dark Paladin!" Another ripple veined through the darkness and beside the man appeared Dark Paladin.

"Attack!"

"Attack!"

A tremendous wave pulsed around them, sending vibrations of dark energy. Both magicians raised their scepters, aiming it at the opposite before a massive explosion consumed both sides. Instantly Dark Magician was destroyed, leaving Atemu defenseless and surrounded by Dark Paladin's power.

"You are too weak, Atemu! Now it is time to banish you to the Shadow Realm!"

Pain blistered along his skin. He could feel his strength drain as the pressure of Dark Paladin's attack flew against him. Soon gashes appeared, his blood flying into the air. Atemu collapsed to his knees, unable to shout in pain or fear. Then, with a final strike, Dark Paladin destroyed Atemu's body, banishing him to the Shadow Realm while his father laughed, maniacal with his victory….

"No!" Atemu's voice echoed through his chamber, distressed, as he bolted upright in his bed. A sheet of cold sweat coated the pharaoh's bare body, heart racing furiously against his chest, his breathing labored. Darkness surrounded him, adding to his panic until his crimson gaze, so wide with terror, caught sight of the glistening moon from the balcony.

A dream. It was all a dream.

Running a hand through his multicolored locks, he rose from his bed, draping one of the silken sheets around his waist before making his way to the stone balcony. The cold night air hit him, allowing him to calm his racing heart and nerves. He couldn't understand why he was so worked up. It had been a dream that haunted him since his father's death one year ago.

'It was just a dream,' he thought. No…not a dream. A nightmare. One that reoccurred nearly every night, keeping the pharaoh from rest.

Why did it haunt him? As far as Atemu knew, he would always live in his father's shadow. No matter what he did, he would never just be content as the new pharaoh, despite what his loyal subjects said.

His father, the great Ahknemkhanen, was a cruel dictator. He earned his respect through the fear of his people, forcing death upon anyone who committed even the slightest hint of a crime. However, despite the appearance of the collected man he appeared to be, Ahknemkhanen was the most corrupt leader Egypt would ever come to know. He was so fearful of losing his power he couldn't help but force world leaders into submission. Ahknemkhanen, at one point, made it his goal to become king over the entire world.

Fortunately, one year ago, Ahknemkhanen was killed in his sleep by an assassin. No one knew which country had sent one after him. There was a list a mile long of people who wanted him dead, but even so, no one was complaining that he was dead. All but Atemu.

The thought of becoming the next pharaoh displeased him. It was a responsibility he did not care for, but by the fate of the gods he had no choice in the matter. On the contrary, Atemu didn't have to worry about his wellbeing. He had power, money, and the best of everything in Egypt. It was the only worthy thing of being born into royalty.

Since becoming the new pharaoh one year ago, Atemu cleaned the palace out of his father's high priests, his council members, even the slaves that used to work for him. He didn't want the workers of his father handed down to him, to service his every need like they had the wretched man whose death became and godsend. And every contract Ahknemkhanen had made with neighboring countries and cities…he destroyed. Egypt didn't need to be partners with anyone else by itself. Atemu would show the world what a powerful kingdom he would make out of Egypt and show how weak his father really was.

But much like his father, Atemu had lost track of his humanity. The darkness eating away at his heart made it difficult for him to trust anyone but his prophetess, Ishizu. Anyone else he was certain were merely there out of fear or to let their greed ruin them. Ishizu on the other hand, no matter how harsh the words, she spoke the truth to him always. It was what made her such a loyal and powerful ally.

His mind forced his thoughts back toward the nightmare, an irritated grunt slipping from his lips as he leaned his back against the cold limestone walls. Was the dream indicating fear toward his father? As a child, Atemu feared his father, often receiving brutal lashing and abuse if he spoke even one wrong word. But since getting older he had learned to defend himself against Ahknemkhanen's physical punishment. If it wasn't fear, then what? Perhaps anger? Hatred? Both entirely plausible. Still, he didn't understand why he always lost to his father in the dream after summoning Dark Magician.

It just made no sense.

"The dream… It came to you again, didn't it, My Pharaoh?"

Atemu perked his head up, crimson gaze searching the darkness of his chamber. He wasn't surprised to hear her soft, powerful voice. She came to him each time the dream plagued him.

"Ishizu," he said, softly. "Did you sense it again this time?"

"I did." The shadows peeled away the closer the female came, eventually revealed under the light of the pearl moon. "The darkness within your heart is growing more powerful, My Pharaoh." Her gaze met his for only a moment, and then dropped to the limestone floor before closing. "I fear you will lose yourself if you continue to let it."

"To let it?" Atemu challenged.

"Your hatred toward your father is what drives you to be pharaoh. Each time you see your father inside the dream the darkness in your heart is released and you become stronger. But, should you be consumed by it, you will lose all sense of who you really are."

He didn't like the sound of her words. To be quite honest, he didn't know if he was worth saving. He felt broken, irreparable. Nothing as a true pharaoh should be.

"Let me ask you something," Atemu said, turning to look directly at the prophetess. "If I should be consumed by darkness, what would you do?"

Ishizu simply stared at him for a long moment. Her brows pulled together, now thoughtful as she pondered over her answer. Then with a soft reply she said, "I cannot answer truthfully, for I am not certain."

Nodding, the pharaoh appeared to accept her answer for the time being. "You should get back to your room, Ishizu. Tomorrow is when we hold the banquet honoring the new high priest. Neither one of us should attend without sleep."

"I will be nearby should you need me, My Pharaoh." Just as silently as she came, Ishizu disappeared back through the shadows, leaving the pharaoh alone in darkness.*****

Atemu wasn't the only one with a heart of darkness. Much like how his own father, Akhenaden, despised his brother for being pharaoh, Seth despised Atemu, his cousin. It was a struggle that began in friendship and ended in heated rivalry. Unfortunately, there was not a single thing Seth could do to overpower the pharaoh.

The two had often dueled side-by-side, but as the years went by, darkness rooted itself their young hearts, turning them against one another. Atemu's hatred stemmed toward his father while Seth felt cheated in power, unable to defeat Atemu in any competition. It was through Seth's persistence that led Atemu to turn a portion of his darkened heart against his own cousin.

However, despite their hatred toward one another, Atemu remained pharaoh and Seth the high priest, and together—through reluctance—worked toward the same goal of making a better Egypt…or so it appeared.

"Aren't you done yet?" Seth questioned impatiently. "I gave you an hour to prepare."

"I apologize, Priest Seth," replied a small, timid voice. "Almost."

"Almost isn't good enough. Have my robes for tonight ready and finish organizing my sacred volumes."

Seth strode to the balcony in his chamber, peering out toward the horizon where he could see Atemu's pyramid being built. His hands clenched in disgust and quickly turning away he glanced at his slave, anger full in his blue hues.

This slave… Oh, how he resembled the pharaoh! His hair spiked black like Atemu's, laced with a deep red while a set of blond bangs framed his delicate face. The boy's amethyst eyes, opposite of the crimson the pharaoh possessed were the purest thing Seth had ever come to see. He felt a sense of pride owning this boy. He was the most well known slave in the kingdom, having not only a similar appearance to the pharaoh, but his unusual, shy quirks that brought him attention

Quite often when Seth would leave the boy to a particular job, many of the noble women would often gush over him, giving Seth a better reputation. Of course, it was for show. Deep down, Seth hated this slave for reasons he couldn't quite comprehend. Was it because he was so similar to Atemu? Perhaps something so innocent should never be permitted to live. At least not in his presence anyway.

Seth could remember clearly when he came across the young boy, back when his heart had yet to burn with hatred. He and the other high priests had to journey to the temple of Osiris in ordeal to obtain the Millennium Eye, but during their travels a young, abandoned boy was struggling to survive.

Oh, how that day relived itself as if it happened only days ago.

"Seth, look there! Do you see?" On top of sturdy horses, three men, all priests came to a stop in the desert, the sun beating ruthlessly down upon them. "It appears to be a young boy."

"A boy?" Seth, riding a black stallion, had to squint for a better look. The blowing sand made it impossible to see anything clearly from this distance! So, with a sense of curiosity fueling him, Seth dismounted and slowly made his way toward the figure.

Sure enough, falling face-down into the sand, was a boy. Gasping, Seth immediately noticed the striking resemblance he had to the pharaoh, and without thinking he knelt down and gently touched his shoulder.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

The boy seemed terrified of him, trying to be subtle in scooting away. "I'm fine," he replied, nervously eyeing the other two priests who followed Seth toward him, still on horseback.

"I won't harm you," Seth said, his voice soothing. "You're a runaway slave, aren't you?" The boy nodded. "Unfortunately, a slave who has run away must face penalty. However, I can make an exception."

"Seth, are on Ra's name are you doing? We must leave this boy and get to the temple of Osiris."

"Yes, I realize that. But I can't just leave him here to die." Seth eyed the second priest, his blue orbs glistening in the heat. "Young slave, do you have a name?"

"It's…Yugi."

"Well, Yugi," he said, turning back to the slave. "How does this sound: I, Priest Seth, will personally take you into my care at the palace. You will be given proper care as my own."

The third priest gasped in shock. "Do you think that to be wise, Seth?"

"It's my decision. I will take this boy in rather than let him die."

If only he had known back then what a mistake he had made taking Yugi in. There was nothing to be done about it now. If he sold Yugi it would only bring a bad name to his reputation. With his rivalry with Atemu, he couldn't afford any dents in who he was. So, reluctantly, he kept the boy as his personal slave if nothing else.

As his robes were strewn out before him, Seth began to quickly dress, ignoring Yugi in the process. Once fully clothed, he removed himself from his chambers, leaving his slave behind.*****

One by one the members of the high council filed in, taking their places around a large stone slab. Atemu was the last to arrive, taking his position at head. Seth was seated to his right, blue eyes staring intently at the pharaoh, distaste written all over his face. Ishizu was seated to his left, her own gaze focused on Seth more than anyone else in the room.

Something about Ishizu's expression told Atemu that she had a vision, especially with the way her fingers clenched and unclenched in her lap. What had fazed the prophetess, he wondered. He wouldn't be able to find out until after the meeting, when everyone was dismissed and he could speak with her in private.

"This shouldn't take long," he spoke, eyeing Seth. "I've called you here concerning the Millennium Items."

"Has something happened to them?" Seth interjected.

"No," Atemu replied. "But I feel it is best if…we assign another priest to care for them."

It took all but one second for Seth's temper to explode.

"Are you mad?" Seth hissed, forcing himself to stand, to tower over the pharaoh. "How could you think of replacing me?"

Atemu glanced at Ishizu, whose chocolate brown eyes quickly averted to the pharaohs. It became clear that whatever vision she had concerned Seth, something bad.

Sighing softly, Ishizu stood, both the priest and pharaoh turning to look at her. "If I may, Seth, your replacement is merely temporary. As of late there are far too many responsibilities you must attend to, and with your attention needed so frequently, it leaves and opening for the Millennium Items to be stolen. Whatever the cost, we mustn't allow Bakura to have a chance at them."

Seth's fist shot out, one finger pointed accusingly toward Ishizu. "You, of anyone here, know I am the only one fully capable of guarding the Millennium Items! By allowing someone else to guard them you've given an open invitation for Bakura to strike. You are tempting the god's Atemu!"

"That's enough, Seth." So serene was his voice… The pharaoh stared Seth down, his crimson stare far more deadly than the priests. "My decision is final. Until you are able to direct your full attention to guarding the Millennium Items you will be released temporarily."

"You haven't the slightest idea what kind of mistake you've made pharaoh!" Seth shouted. "I will not allow this!"

Ishizu darted to Atemu's side just as Seth bolted from the room, spewing angry curses on his way out.

"My Pharaoh," she spoke urgently. "You must calm him down. I have foreseen the danger he has become to others if you allow his temper to go unleashed."

Nodding, Atemu was quick to follow Seth.*****

'If only I was taller,' he thought as he tried desperately to reach for one of Seth's sacred volumes located on a large stone shelf. Something like this always happened whenever the priest would ask him to organize his belongings, usually beginning with the scrolls and other things that tended to be out of his reach most of the time.

Not that he minded. After all, if it wasn't for Seth, he would have been either dead or forced to work on the pyramids. As far as Yugi was concerned his life was better than most. But lately, he had become worried about his wellbeing after witnessing one of Seth's more aggressive mood swings. It made him wonder whether the priest was simply stressed or if he was really losing his mind.

Being a slave, Yugi could only wonder about this. He was certain that trouble would befall him he were to ever question his master in any way. Though, thinking back, it never used to be as it was now. Yugi remembered a time when Seth was kind and gentle with him, often teaching him of things he otherwise would have never learned as a regular slave. But as years passed, Seth became colder, more obsessed with his hatred toward the pharaoh, whom Yugi had never personally met in his one year of being in the palace.

In a lot of ways, Yugi was glad he never personally met the pharaoh. From what he had heard from Seth's ranting, the pharaoh was arrogant and power hungry. But having not met him personally, he couldn't tell if it was true or just Seth. Either way, Yugi was happy to stay out of it.

After collecting a small stack of wooden crates, Yugi was finally able to reach the last sacred volume scroll and place it with the others, just as Seth came storming in. Yugi nearly lost his balance having not expected the sudden appearance of his angry master.

"To replace me?" Seth bellowed. "The nerve that bastard has…"

It didn't appear to Yugi that things had gone well at the meeting the pharaoh had held. He debated whether he would get into trouble for leaving the room, but asking didn't seem like an option at this time. But at the same time, Yugi didn't think it was safe to be in the same room as his master at this moment.

"Priest Seth…are you…okay?" Yugi asked in a small voice. He winced when a clay vase was thrown to the floor. Seth ignored his slave entirely and leaned out of the balcony, cursing.

The broken pieces shattered everywhere, some splintering off all the way across the room to where Yugi was standing. Without thinking, he quickly began picking the broken shards, placing them in the palm of his hand to be discarded, but in the center of the mess was one of the rings that usually adorned Seth's fingers. Gingerly picking it up, Yugi glanced to his master and slowly rose to his feet.

As far as he could tell, Seth was simmering down, forcing himself to be calm. So, with his voice soft, Yugi held the ring out. "Priest Seth…you're ring, you've—"

Smack!

It happened so fast, Yugi didn't have time to realize what had happened until his hands met the sharp pieces of the broken vase. His cheek stung terribly bad, and robotically he turned his head to Seth, eyes dazed. Had he been slapped? The clay shards dug into his palms, drawing blood to the surface of his pale skin.

"You slaves have it so well! All you ever do is take orders. There is no responsibility for worthless fools like you!" Seth shouted.

"I'm sorry," Yugi whispered. He slowly got up, his eyes watching his masters every move.

"Sorry?" Seth echoed. "I can't stand you!"

Before Yugi knew it, Seth's fists began colliding with Yugi's cheek, splitting his lips and drawing blood, sending him toppling backwards. By then, Seth used his powerful legs to kick Yugi's ribs, breaking one..two…three before everything began to get blurry. It was then he realize the warm tears streaming from his eyes.

"Please…stop…" he begged. His voice was too low to be heard over Seth's thundering insults.

Then, the beating stopped. Yugi felt someone standing over him, someone that wasn't his master. He glanced up through his bangs, eyes widening when he saw Atemu holding Seth by the shoulders.

"That's enough, Seth!"

Two guards came racing in, charging toward Seth to remove him from Atemu's presence, but before they could drag the priest away, Ishizu walked in.

"I fear your future does not look bright, Priest Seth," Ishizu said firmly. Her eyes locked with Seth's angry gaze before falling to the pharaohs crimson orbs. Her features softened when she finally looked down to the floor where Yugi lay, curled into a ball, quietly crying. She stepped aside, letting the guards through.

"And what do you intend to do to me, Atemu?" Seth shouted, struggling against the guards powerful grip.

"For now, you'll be held under supervision until you've gathered your senses," Atemu said. He shook his head in disappointment. How could such a thing have happened? He sighed, following Ishizu's gaze to Yugi, eyes widening ever so slightly…

"And another thing," he said, causing the guards to pause so Seth could hear the pharaoh's final parting words. "Consider your slave mine now."

Not even Ishizu saw that coming, who immediately jerked her head up. "My Pharaoh?"

The pharaoh's gaze settled on the boy, an overwhelming feeling coming over him.

"Will you really keep him as your own?"

'Please, don't say no,'Yugi thought weakly.

"I've made my decision. From now on, he'll be mine." Atemu turned away, glancing over his shoulder at his new slave, the unknown feeling sending a wave of disquieted confusion through him as he left to deal with Seth.

Yugi lifted his eyes to Ishizu's dumbfounded expression and inhaled. He now belonged to…the pharaoh? Fear and relief flooded his thoughts, making his heart race until everything went black….*****

Please have mercy! As I've said before, it's been an eight year hiatus. I promise you though that the next chapter is going to be a lot better, with a lot more detail and a lot more AtemuxYugi

Tune in next week for chapter 2!