I don't need saving. I'm just a slave.
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Jounouchi is an Egyptian slave who doesn't believe his worthy of being saved from his abusive father and harsh life. One day he escorts three young boys (Yugi, Ryou and Malik) to the palace of the Pharaoh. Swearing to protect them Jounouchi fights for his friends chance to become servants of the Pharaoh who could protect them. During his fight for his friends he meets high priest Seth.
Seth "so you want to save your friends. But what about you mut?" Seth said looking the raggedy boy over.
Joey seethed at the insult but ignored it "me? I don't need saving. I'm just a slave. Slaves don't get saved"
Seth blinked "but you're friends are slaves."
Joey nodded "they never should have been. They didn't deserve this life." he wrapped his arms around himself,
Seth frowned "and you did?" his voice was thick with sarcasm.
Joey didn't notice it. He was distracted by memories of his father "yes." he replied simply and Seth blinked at the dead tone.
Runihura- Destroyer. father
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Chapter one – begin
Jounouchi sat on his bed. Blood dribbled down the side of his face from a gash in his forehead. He stared at the empty doorway, there wasn't even a cloth to block the sound of footsteps. The unsteady rhythm was familiar to him. His father, drunk on good egyptian wine had returned home. Jounouchi shivered, he was in for another beating.
Joey's pov
Oh hi dere. I guess I auta expla'n a few tings b'fore my father forces me n'to unconsciousness. My nam's Jounouchi Wheeler Katsuya of the Katsuya merchant house. My father, da 'honourable' Runihura Katsuya is a seller and buyer of commodities, in other words, a slave trader. He specialises in da younger kind. Selling them to who eva has da cash in dere hand at da time. I live in the magnificent city of da Pharaoh in the glorious land o' Egypt. Where sand is plentiful and rains are, not so much. My father brought me here from across da sea and we ave lived here since I waz three. I was actually not meant ta be bourn till they reached the shores of da Nile but me mother gave birth to me prematurely and died. That is my curse. I'm already a murdera. There waz blood on me hands at birth, for that I must be punished.
Normal pov
Jounouchi sighed. His head was spinning from the beating he had received earlier. Gangs of ruffians hounded him daily. His daily routine was to wake up and clean house, cook his fathers morning meal, and present it to him saying "your meal good lord". His father would dismiss him and he would leave without eating. He would travel five miles to the slave yards where he would do hard labour with the other slaves. Five hours before sunset he would leave and travel six miles to the market. There he would care for the owned 'commodities' for an hour, teaching them to read and write. He would then back track a mile to his home, often being beaten on the way by gangs and would eat a meagre meal of bread, cheese and water. He would then clean the house again and await his fathers return home. Another beating would follow and he would remain unconscious until morning when it would begin again.
Watching the door way he watched as his father stumbled past. Jounouchi frowned. His father had not entered his room, insulted him or even beaten him. Standing quietly he approached the threshold of his room. Looking down the hall after his father he noticed a woman stumbling along beside him. Jounouchi blinked. He was safe for the night. Smiling he looked down to the other end of the hall. Cowering in the shadows an old woman looked back at him.
She waved him over and they both quickly made their way to the kitchen. Jounouchi smiled "Kara, relax for t'night." he said noticing the basket of leftovers on the table "I'll take da food to da slaves. Rest your legs." she smiled at him gratefully letting him take the basket.
Outside Jounouchi continued smiling though his head throbbed. Walking quickly he shivered from the cold desert winds that blew over him. As he reached the slave yard he looked around. Jed, the slave keeper, was on watch duty tonight. Noticing Jounouchi he waved the boy over "what you doin out ere boy?" he asked his voice hushed.
The boy smiled "me father was to preoccupied ta beat me t'night so I gave Kara a chance to rest by bringin her basket here for her" the slave keeper nodded taking the basket from him.
"The slaves'l be pleased" he said and nudged a dog at his feet. Jounouchi jumped, he hadn't expected the mound of fur to be alive. Jed lent down and placed the handle of the basket in his mouth. Wagging his tail the dog ran off further into the slave yard. Looking back at Jounouchi Jed frowned. "Boy, you already brought dat basket 'ere, but can I ask somthin from ya?" Jounouchi nodded. "Dere are three boys 'ere in da slave yard. A man came ta me t'day and bought them at twice dere price for no questions asked. E' was da high priest of da Pharaoh's. I trust im. But I need ya ta take dem to im at da palace."
Jounouchi crossed his arms frowning. He should really get home and rest. Buuutttt, these three boys need his help. The Palace was eight miles away, three miles off course to his home. But he was never one to turn away those who needed him "I'll do it" he said and Jed smiled.
Giving a low whistle a young man came out of one of the nearby huts with three smaller figures. They were all shrouded in nondescript cloaks. With a few quick words from Jed the three boys approached Jounouchi. The smallest of them pushed back his hood revealing spiky three toned hair, pale skin and purple eyes. His hair consisted of gold blond bangs and ebony black hair trimmed with purple "I'm Yugi" the boy said and Jounouchi smiled at him "these are Ryou" he said pointing to the boy to his left. He had also pushed pack his hood revealing soft white hair and kind brown doe eyes "and Malik" he pointed to the boy to his right. He pushed his hood back revealing light gold blond hair and lavender coloured eyes.
Jounouchi nodded at each of them in turn "I'm Jounouchi, me friends call me Joey" Yugi smiled at him, Jounouchi noted the innocence that radiated off of him.
"Are we considered friends?" he asked and Jounouchi uncrossed his arms.
"Yea" he said and looked around "we beta get goin, the night won't last fo' eva" giving a nod good by to Jed the boys covered their faces again with their hoods.
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Chapter 2 – Challenge
Joey looked around as the three boys shuffled behind him. Looking about he made sure that no shadows moved. He pulled back and turned to the boys. "No one is out dare', we can make a break for da next spot." the boys nodded and followed him quickly. They weren't that far from the palace now. The imposing stone monument loomed above them, a dark black shadow against the sky. Joey crouched as they hid in the shadow of an alleyway.
(A/N from here on Jounouchi will go by Joey rather than Jounouchi. Yes in this fic Yugi has purple tipped hair not red like the anime and yes Joey's speech will improve a little. )