Pairing: Atem X Seth

Warning: This is yaoi. Don't like it then don't read it. Rated T for blood and violence.

Disclaimer: I dont freaking own Yugioh ok! Happy!

A/N: Because I love Scandalshipping and I havn't shared a story of it on here I decided I wanted to. I love it and wish there was more of it on here. Some people think it's pretty much prideshipping WHEN IT'S NOT! Ugh. I don't even think Seth and Kaiba are very much a like... Anyways... Nice reviews would be awesome for another update! I really hope you like the story...

Enjoy.

Atem lowered his sword for only a mere moment before he had to bring it above his head again to shield himself from a blow. The strength exerted upon the swing caused his grip on his own sword to loosen but he stayed strong to protect himself. In times of an impending war he had to stay strong. Every day he pushed himself harder until at the end of the day he was barely able to move a limb. He had to stay strong for his people. The people he ruled over. Egypt.

The young pharaoh pushed away the sword that had swung over his head. He fiercely elbowed his combatant in the stomach before swinging his leg over to knock them to the ground. He pointed his curved sword down at his momentary enemy.

"Excellent tactic! You have learned quickly."

Atem nodded down to his combat mentor, Baniti. He put his sword in the case around his waist then offered his hand down to him. "You have taught me well."

When on his feet he suddenly placed the pharaoh in a head lock. "Obviously not well enough. Have I not taught you to never let your guard down? On the battle field never sheath your sword before your enemy."

Atem attempted to elbow him from behind but before he knew it he was thrown roughly to the ground. A foot on his stomach keeping him down. He tried desperately to get up but it was to no avail.

"You will not offer your hand to the Runihura, will you? That shows great weakness to them. On the battlefield you have no heart. You only kill, but you never forget what your fighting for." Baniti removed his foot from the pharaoh to step back from him. He readied his stance and sword while Atem stood up and brought his sword out once more. "Now come at me!"

Atem brought his sword to hold in both hands before charging at him and taking a swing. Baniti side stepped to miss the swing but Atem had anticipated that. He quickly moved his sword to his right hand to swing it out at his enemy. When it connected with the others sword he turned and pushed his sword away to strike again but he was faster and blocked it again. Atem growled, he seemed to never be able to land a hit on him. The Runihura, a ruthless horde of barbarians were surely much more vicious to fight then Baniti.

The Runihura had been always terrorizing his people, killing anyone they laid their eyes on. His kingdom could not condemn these kinds of monsters any longer. He had to put an end to it so that his people were safe again. He was supposed to have gotten more information on their encampment, their leader, their weapons, almost everything about them but it had yet to reach his ears. Every day that he knew less, more of his people were dying which he could not let happen any longer. He was ready to just attack now if he didn't get the information by the end of the day.

Suddenly he found another sword pressed against his. His eyes narrowed at Baniti before pushing back. When their swords slipped they both brought theirs together in a frenzy of strong blows that were blocked and the sounds of dancing metal scraping against the swords. Atem put as much effort and strength as he could, though he conserved some of his energy. Remembering that Baniti had told him that often his enemy would let out one last frenzy before being defeated.

When Baniti began moving faster Atem turned to the defensive, letting the sword constantly swing against his as he blocked each one. He was becoming breathless from having to move so quickly and from their previous fighting. He knew to push through it, he couldn't ever give in to an enemy. When he saw a sudden opening in Baniti's relentless onslaught he managed to disarm him, grab his sword, kick him to the ground, and point both swords at him.

Baniti laughed breathlessly from the ground. "Now that's swordsmanship! Brilliant my pharaoh!"

Atem stepped away from him so that he could stand. This time he didn't let his guard down. He never knew when Baniti would strike at him. That was what made him such a good mentor. He was always taking Atem by surprise.

"You are definitely improving from when I first started to train you. I remember when you barely knew how to hold a sword. Now your taking mine!" He approached Atem to stand before him. "I think that will conclude today's training." He stated while Atem nodded once and handed him back his sword. "Tomorrow I'll show you this." He suddenly turned towards the door just as it opened to throw his sword at it. Barely missing the priest that had opened the door by possibly a couple inches.

Atem was very impressed. By the strength and aim he had put into his throw. Learning that would come in handy even though he would have been very angry if he had impaled his high priest.

Baniti began walking towards the door. "My apologizes priest. I had no idea you were just about to open the door." He admitted while removing his sword from the door to smile at the slightly shocked and dazed priest. Baniti excused himself from the pharaoh's presence before leaving the two alone.

Atem sheathed his sword then turned to a small fountain inside the room. When before it he splashed water onto his face, with the mixture of the hot air and fighting he had engaged in the least he could say was he was warm.

"Excuse me pharaoh." Called the priest as he entered the room. Walking closer near Atem.

"Yes, Seth?" Atem questioned. Not turning from the fountain as the water dripped from his face.

"I wish to speak with you about the Runihura's. We have finally received the information you requested." he stated. His eyes following and admiring all of the pharaoh's curves up and down his body.

Atem stood up straight. He gazed at his refection in the water. "I want the other priests to hear this information also. We need to organize a plan of attack upon these heathens. I'm sick of them killing my people." he then turned to face Seth who had been frowning slightly but when their eyes connected his face went solemn.

"Of course." he stated.

"Gather them in the throne room, and we will all speak there." Atem commanded. Feeling more cooled off he turned again to grab his silk red robe and put it over his body.

"Yes, pharaoh." Seth mutter before turned to leave.

Atem faced back the other way and watched his priest leave. Wishing that it wasn't completely against the laws to ever be with him. For as long as he had known Seth he had loved him. Wishing that every moment with him would last just a little bit longer. Wishing that he could get the chance to taste his lips in a sweet kiss. Wishing that he somehow felt the same way for him even if it didn't matter since they could never be together. The thought of this killed him a little more each day. All he could do was wish.

xXxXx

"The Runihura have one large encampment miles from here. I suggest we surround them, that way they will have nowhere to run. We cannot risk leaving any behind." Explained Seth. Watching the pharaoh's face for some kind of approval.

"How large is this camp exactly? We may not be able to if we spread out so thin. I highly doubt that they have a weak defense if it is their only camp." Added Mahado.

Atem tapped the golden arm rest of his throne with a slender tan finger in thought. Not sure of plan of attack yet.

Seth turned to gaze at Mahado with a very slight glare. "It only consist's of a few huts. Their defense is surely going to be weak, they are known for their vicious onslaughts."

"I still don't think spreading out like that is wise. We will lose more warriors that way." Mahado crossed his arms while eyeing Seth. "Didn't the spy clearly inform us that they had watch towers? They would see us coming a mile away if we decided to spread out around them."

"Hmph." The high priest turned his gaze towards the pharaoh who had already been looking at him. "Our forces greatly outnumber them, how could we lose if we surrounded them? Enclosing them so that they had nowhere to run? So that they could not call out for reinforcements. After all they could have a secret alliance with another group that we know nothing about."

"The Runihura are the only hostiles in the area, it's not possible." Mahado remarked.

"Actually." Isis began. "There have been reports of shifty men in black wondering the city… I do not want to jump to conclusions but they could be Runihura, or possible allies with them. After all we can't just capture one and question why he looks so suspicious."

Mahado nodded in agreement. "I guess it could be possible… but not likely. The Runihura are not known for being shifty, they would have to be allies with them if the accusation was correct."

Atem finally spoke to cause all of them to look at him. "What of their leader… Nizsm? He is the wisest of them all and the most cunning. He must already know we are already planning an attack because of how many of my people he has killed. I bet they already are expecting us, I bet they already have a plan to defend against us." Atem gripped the edge of his arm rest out of a growing frustration. There had to be a way to stop them.

"Then we will just have to outsmart him. We must do something unexpected." Mahado suggested.

"Yes, but what? Surely if he is as cunning as they say then he surely has thought of a full proof way to fight us off." Atem questioned. Almost seeming more to himself then to the others before him.

"But they are outnumbered. We have hundreds of warriors over them, his plan couldn't be so great that it could keep us all back." Seth pointed out.

"If they use strategy they could wipe us all out. Numbers in this fight will clearly not matter." Stated Mahado. Giving Seth a stern look.

The high priest merely glared almost unnoticeably back at him.

"We must play by their game. We need a strategy that will leave them surprised so we can make our attack. What though? What could we do?" Mahado began to mutter to himself while gazing down to the ground in serious thought.

The throne room became silent then. Each mind thinking of some sort of attack plan that would break down the Runihura. They could not under estimate the horde of barbarians due to their leader. They had been at war with them for way too long and it was time to end it, too many innocent people had lost their lives due to the savage hand of a the Runihura. Atem was not going to give up until his people were safe again. Until they would no longer fear ever leaving the city.

He gripped the edges of the arm rests of his throne even harder. He then stood causing all eyes once again to gaze at him. A look of confidence arrayed off of the young pharaoh's face and a strong will became the aura around him. "We will assemble groups of four. Each group will have at least twenty warriors and I want Karim, Shada, and Mahado to each lead a group while I lead the one that will bait the Runihura. They won't be able to resist attacking me. While my group distracts them I want the other three groups to sneak past the disoriented defense and go after Nizsm. Once he is dead this long waged war will be over. The Runihura will be no more."

Karim, Shada, and Mahado all nodded. Once the pharaoh made up his mind it could not be changed.

"That is an excellent plan. They will most definitely not think that you would lead the attack straight on." Mahado praised.

Seth on the other hand didn't find it as well thought out as any of the others. "What about your safety pharaoh? You could be killed."

Atem gazed to Seth. "It will be an honorable death then. A death for my people."

Seth gritted his teeth. He was hesitant before raising his voice over Atem's. "Let me take your place! Egypt needs you to rule. Even if the Runihura are defeated what will your people do without their leader?"

Atem frowned at him. "Enough Seth. My mind is set. I will lead this attack and if I die then at least Egypt will be free of these barbarians."

"Pharaoh-"

Atem shook his head at him. "Please Seth. I want to defend Egypt. You cannot change my mind…" he trailed while looking away from him. A sudden hurt filling his heart for unknown reasons.

"Should I inform the warriors?" The voice of Shada spoke out.

After a moment Atem looked up and nodded to him, Shada then bowed before him and left the throne room. He then gazed to Karim. "Have the stable masters ready the horse's. We leave tonight." he was not going to wait any longer. This needed to end before someone else was killed.

"As you command pharaoh." Karim said respectfully. He bowed before exiting the throne room like Shada him.

Atem walked down from his throne to stand in front of Mahado. "I suggest readying yourself. We leave as soon as the moon is above the palace."

Mahado nodded. Bowing then leaving his presence.

Atem turned away from the other three. "This concludes our meeting." he said before beginning to leave the throne room. He knew he had made a wise decision. This would save his people even if it did cost him his life.