A.N~ Yay! UPDATE! And wow! The story itself was 4800 words EXACTLY! This is my longest chapter EVER! So bear with me!

Okay, so I realize my prologue was just retelling (SORRY!) the beginning of this chapter was supposed to be included, but I didn't finish it and I was excited to post so…. Sorry!

I want to thank everyone who reviewed, it means a lot to me! And I also want to say that I do not know if there had matches in ancient Egypt... But for the sake of the plot, pretend that they did… XD I tried to fix all of my grammer mistakes, but I doubt I got them all, so if you see any, dont hesitate to tell me!

I would like to thank; Angeldrkfire, Joey Kaiba, Jacky the ripper(anon), Dragon-chan, -Breanne-Higurashi-, PhantomBrat, and yugixyamiyaoilover,for reviewing! I HOPE I DON'T DISAPOINT! And yes, I decided to use HEBA as the name for ancient Yugi! XD

Disclamer: I don't own Yugioh… I'm afraid if I try, I'll get mind crushed T_T

YARNING!: Yaoi (guyxguy), slight angst, and IMPLIED attempted rape! I mean very, very implied… so you won't have to cover your eyes or skim through…This is rated T there for I won't write out everything… just use your imagination… XD

Chapter 1: When I wake

Why is it so dark? Atem blinked his eyes again, only to be welcomed by the familiar darkness. He had been wandering aimlessly for what seemed like hours now, and the blinding light which had over took him had long since dissipated leaving him to stumble blindly though the shadows. 'Is this where I was meant to be? Surrounded by darkness?' He wondered wearily. It wasn't fair that he had left the comfort of his loved one to suffer in this blackness.

'Yugi…' He thought blissfully. He would happily wander for the rest of his life aimlessly in this darkness if he could only see his shorter counterpart's face one more time… but where was he?

Where was the light? Where was his light?

"Atem…"

Atem whipped his head frantically, searching for the voice, only to find nothing but the darkness which had long since overtaken his vision. "Who's there?" He called desperately into the darkness.

"I'm sorry Atem… Please forgive me…"

Atem blinked at the unknown voice, searching for its owner. The voice sounded so foreign, yet at the same time, it soothed him, like he had heard it before. "Sorry…?" Atem whispered, reaching his arms out for solace. "Where are you?" He asked again.

The pharaoh shivered as a brush of warm air caressed the nape of his neck. However before he could turn to face his new company, a hard shove caused him to fall forward, but as he waited to hit the ground, he never did. He was falling, falling into darkness.

He flailed his arms in an attempt to catch his bearings, but to no avail. Suddenly, a blinding light opened in the ground before him, and began to consume him. His screams where muffled as unconsciousness began to over take him, and the voice soothed him gently.

"Atem…" It whispered. "I'll miss you…"

"Yugi!" Atem called as he shot up, finally free from the blinding light. Locks of tri-colored spikes, stuck uncomfortably to his skin as he panted breathlessly. His lungs burned, greedily taking in as much oxygen as possible until eventually his breathing had reverted to normal and he was able to take in his surroundings.

He blinked his eyes to adjust them to the darkness before surveying the large room. The room was covered in white fabric and decorated with gold pots and jewelry. A large table was laid beside him, where an assortment of candles and large jugs of multi-colored liquid was set. He could feel the fine fabrics under him as he moved to get a better look of the room. The bed – or so he assumed – was circular with white cushions assorted delicately around him. Everything in the room was tidy and kempt as if no one had lived there for years.

Atemu furrowed his brow and growled in displeasure as a violent pulse began pounding in his head, causing him to wince. His whole body ached as he forced himself to sit on the edge of the bed to further assess the situation.

Where was he? After all of those years inside the millennium puzzle, was he finally put to rest? Was this where he would spend his eternity? Ignoring the aching protests of his body, he reached over the table and grabbed a red candle from the set beside him. He searched for something to light it with and sighed with content when a bundle of matches came into his line of sight. He took his time lighting each individual flame before turning around.

He couldn't help but gasp at the sight. The white walls suddenly illuminated, shining brightly where gold trimming created intricate details around the edges of the walls and doors. A double door led to what Atem could only assume was the balcony and allowed a thin line of light to trace the floors of the golden room from between thick curtains of deep magenta.

Atem stood up, shocked when his legs gave out under him, leaving him little time to grab the small chair beside his bed before he tumbled forward. He furrowed his brow in confusion at the weakness in his legs, but quickly caught his bearings and made his way to the curtains and pulled them apart, allowing rays of sunlight to light the once dim room.

Atem was speechless as he gazed upon the golden city. From far off, he could see the long line of houses that surrounded the tall walls of the large palace he resided in now.

He stumbled back, dumbstruck as he gazed across the sands of Egypt. He wasn't in the afterlife; he knew that much for sure now. He was in his old kingdom, but why? He had died nearly 3 thousand years ago, he should be… dead. Atem shivered at the cold metal on his chest and felt the familiar millennium puzzle dangling around his neck. The millennium puzzle was here…? Then where was Yugi…?

Atem head whipped towards the door as a young boy, maybe around the age of 16 or 17 stepped through the opening with a bucket of water and cloth in tow. The boy seemed confused about the state of the room and met eyes with Atem's own violet irises.

The slave seemed to nearly crumble at the site of him as drops of water flew out of the sides of the bucket in the trembling slave's hands. "P-P-Pharaoh..?" Atem took a step towards the boy to calm him, causing the boy to drop to his knees in a low bow, somehow managing not to spill anymore water on the floor. "I-I ap-pologize M-Master, p-please forgive me for b-being the first to s-see y-your awak-kening Milord…"

Atem blinked in confusion at the site before him. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a loud gasp behind the slave. "Pharaoh!" Atem jumped as the tall brunette made her way towards him, her long flowing white gown trailing behind her. "You're awake at last." The tanned woman grinned brightly before sinking to her knees in a low bow. "I apologize, if we knew you would be returning we would have had someone to properly welcome you." She slowly rose to her feet as if unsure and nodded her head in respect towards him. "I believe your memory should return to you very shortly." She grinned and Atem raised a brow in confusion yet again. Hadn't he already learned of his past? But then again though this girl seemed familiar with him, he couldn't remember seeing her anywhere before. Her long hair was tied in a pony tail running down her back leaving only strands of dark hair to partially obscure her dark eyes from his vision, though she seemed to be somewhere in her early to mid thirties, a youthful beauty was still emanate in her face.

The Egyptian woman noted the confusion on her pharaoh's face and bowed her head yet again. "My apologizes Atem, you must be confused. My name is Sharifa, I was your nurse maid when you were young, and live as your caretaker today."

Atem opened his mouth to speak, but found it impossible as a violent coughing fit insured every time a word passed his lips. "Pharaoh, you shouldn't try to speak. You should be resting now. Though your body is alert, your soul was put through great strain to get you here."

Atem nodded though he had no idea what was going on and forced quick words of appreciation to the woman, and was shocked at how hoarse his voice sounded, as if he hadn't spoken in years.

"I will send a slave up with water. I must alert the elders of your return." She turned to leave but stopped as she reached the door. "I implore you to get some sleep Master." She left the room, quickly inclining the slave to follow behind her. The boy jumped up and rushed to her side as if he were scared to be in the room….strange…

Atem lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes. Why was it that after all of his strife he still was in the dark about himself? He was confused and he was alone. At this time he would usually appear in front of Yugi and listen to his encouraging words. Yugi – despite his small stature – was the one who was always good at solving puzzles and thinking his way out of confusing situations. If he were here, he would make sense of this puzzle and assure Atem that everything would work out for the best, because that was how he was. He was strong and willful, and he was everything that Atem needed right now…but he was gone…

Moments later a slave – Atem noted that it wasn't the one from before – entered the room with a cup of water and placed it on the side table before rushing out, not meeting Atem's eyes once. Atem grabbed the glass, wondering briefly why everyone was so jumpy around him, before tipping the glass to his lips and allowing the cool liquid to soothe his burning throat

The pharaoh laid his head against the pillow and closed his eyes again. He couldn't sleep, as much as he wanted to. He couldn't get the troubling thoughts to leave his mind. He should be dead, but by the pain in his head he knew he wasn't. Why was he here? Why could he still not remember…? And why couldn't he sleep…?

Finally giving up on rest, Atem opened the door of his golden room and roamed the halls. He didn't run into many people, but the slaves he did see either turned and ran the other way or graveled at his feet, neither of which were to the pharaoh's tastes.

Never the less, Atem smiled at the familiar atmosphere of his kingdom. It had been a long time since he had walked these halls, and he was just glad to be home.

Atem stopped outside of the kitchen where the smell of tonight's dinner overflowed the hallway. He closed his eyes, breathing in the delicious scents, only then realizing how hungry he was. He listened to the sounds of the kitchen, biting his lip in contemplation. They sounded busy, would they really mind if he asked for some food?

The growling in his stomach answered the question for him, and he opened the door, greeted with the clanging of pots and pans, and sizzling of food on the fire. "Uh - Um…" Atem cleared his throat, causing each face to turn towards him, and widened and freeze with shock. The loud banning of pots and pans sounded again as people dropped to their knees in respect. "N-No!" Atem called a slight blush on his face. He really hadn't thought this through. "I just wanted something to eat… I…" He sighed when no one responded and knelt by a young brunette, who seemed to be the bust boy and laid a hand on his shoulders. "I was wondering if I could simply have some bread before dinner." He obviously wasn't going anywhere addressing them all, and this one seemed a little less shaken.

"Uh–uh–uh" The boy seemed to be shaking at the contact so Atem pulled his hand back and sighed again. "I-I'll get it r-right away!" He called, shooting up and running to a pantry, and returning with a full loaf of bread. Atem took the bread from the slave's hand and smiled gratefully. "Thank you." The pharaoh looked around feeling the awkward atmosphere of the room before turning to leave.

Atem closed the door, and leaned his back against the rugged wooden surface, listening to the sounds as the kitchen came back to life. This was going to take some getting used to…

"Pharaoh…?" Atem rolled over in his bed as Sharifa's voice echoed into his room. "Dinner is prepared." Atem got off of the bed and opened the door groggily. He had yet to sleep, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of his smiling hikari. "Follow me; everyone is excited to see you." She said her trademark grin eminent on her tanned face.

Atem nodded, not sure if he was up for a huge celebration, but followed her regardless. He still needed answers.

He followed her through the winding corridor and through large double doors where festive music could be heard. The door swung open, gaining everyone's attention as Sharifa led him swiftly towards the head table where he was seated on a large throne like chair.

The room fell silent as Atem took his seat and was served his own plate of food. All eyes were on him now, watching, expecting. Atem glanced at Sharifa, who shot the pharaoh her own sympathetic gaze. They wanted him to say something, but he really didn't know what it was he was expected to say.

Atem stood slowly, surveying the room around him. What was he supposed to say? 'I thought I was dead, but apparently I'm not?' Atem opened his mouth and wasn't surprised when nothing came out.

Suddenly, the sound of a sliding chair caught his attention and he found himself locking eyes with a familiar face.

"Our Pharaoh has been through much, we should allow him to relax."

"M-Mahado…?" Atem stared wide-eyed at the tall brunette beside him, his millennium ring hanging loosely around his neck. He was dead. Of that, Atem was sure. He had seen him die with his own eyes when he gazed into his past. He had seen him transform into the dark magician.

Mahado smiled, his brown eyes shining with innocence as he gazed upon his recently awakened best friend. "It is good that you have remembered me Atem. Sharifa had told us your memory was hazed."

Atem could only nod dumbly as Mahado returned to his meal in front of him. "M-Mahado…?"

The high priest turned to the pharaoh, his eyes filled with concern at his friend's quizzical expression. "Yes…"

"Why was I gone?"

Mahado furrowed his brow at the question, apparently shocked that the pharaoh could forget such an important mission. "Isis had sensed a disturbance in the other realm, and you graciously offered your assistance. Your soul was trapped in the millennium puzzle, allowing your soul to travel to the other realm to stop the evil which disturbed the gods." He smiled humorously at the pharaoh. "Which you need to inform me of later."

Atem nodded thoughtfully. He had volunteered to trap his soul in the puzzle? He did stop an evil in Yugi's world, but the evil had originated from his own time. At least he thought. It seemed as if none of the horrid things he had witnessed had ever taken place. Mahado was alive, Isis was apparently okay, and Seth… "Uh- Where is Seth?"

Mahado shrugged, searching around the table causing the pharaoh to jump, he hadn't realized he said that out loud. "I would assume he's with Isis somewhere talking about your arrival. I'm sure you'll meet them when you are well enough to speak of your travels."

Atem sighed. He had gotten his answers, but now he was more confused than when he started. He was starting to think that this was all a dream and he would wake up back in the dark.

Atem closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair. He knew he should be listening around him – it probably wouldn't look good if on his first day back he was ignoring his guests – but he found paying attention harder and harder as time passed.

"M-may I p-pour y-your w-wine?" Atem looked up, temporarily distracted from his thoughts as a small slave approached him. This one was dressed differently than the others. He was clad in a white ceremonial dress that covered everything except his light violet eyes that looked upon Atem with a pained look.

Atem nodded, turning back to the conversations around him. The slaves hand was shaking as he poured the red liquid inside his golden cup, making the pharaoh look up at the violet eyes with concern. Atem said his thanks and tipped the wine to his mouth but stopped as a small – yet somehow familiar - sound addressed him again.

"Uh- P-pharaoh…" Atem turned back to the small slave and he continued. "I-I'm glad that your back…" Atem furrowed his brow in confusion before smiling at the small slave, earning a slight blush from the boy. Why was he so sure that he had heard that voice before?

"HEBA!" The boys face seemed to pale from what Atem could see through the white fabric as he was called over by a group of Egyptian solders. The slave bowed to his pharaoh before quickly rushing to the group of men who gripped his arms tightly and dragged him down to sit by them, all the while laughing as he squirmed uncomfortably. Atem narrowed his eyes in contempt at the rough treatment, but there wasn't much he could do. The boy was a slave; therefore, what they were doing wasn't illegal or wrong.

"That voice…" Atem breathed unknowingly to himself.

"What voice?" The pharaoh turned to his two friends and smiled.

"Uh – It was nothing…" Atem laughed, though by the look on Mahodo and Sharifa's faces, it wasn't very convincing.

He sighed in relief when they finally turned their accusing gazes away from him and towards the conversation around the table. To be honest, he didn't know why he was so uneasy all of the sudden. But there was something about that boy voice…. Something…different…and Atem couldn't figure out why he was so angry as he watched the group of solders taunt the small slave. It was true that Atem was against the abuse of those that could do nothing to protect themselves – and it was obvious this boy fell under that category. But that wasn't it…

He was angry…

And Atem didn't know why…

'Yugi…'

He was back….

He was back…

He was back…

No matter how many times Heba whispered those words to himself, it failed to sound any more real than when he had muttered it the first time.

Heba hated it here without him… The palace always seemed colder, his punishments felt unbearable, the hits burned all the more without his face.

But it was okay… Because he was back…

He had heard of his pharaoh's loss of memory, and at first he was terrified at the thought of his pharaoh forgetting him. He couldn't bear the thought. But know… Maybe it was for the best. If Atem had forgotten him, maybe he had forgotten everything else too? Maybe now he would look at him again?

Just now… that look of disgust usually eminent on his face was replaced with genuine kindness... Heba thought for a second that it was just his imagination, but quickly brushed off the thought. He couldn't allow those thoughts to enter his mind. He had to believe. He had to… If he allowed such negative thoughts to cloud his mind, they could break him, and he couldn't allow that… not yet at least…

"Come on Heba…" His tormentor cooed his name breathlessly in Heba's ear causing him to shudder. "Why so unresponsive?" A low chuckle sounded again, making bile rise in the slave's throat.

Heba's eyes widened with fear, his situation finally registering. "J-Just leave m-me alone today. P-please…" Heba was disgusted by the weakness in his voice as he pleaded with his tormentors. Of all the days this could be happening… It had to happen today… Just when he had returned... Just when Heba could finally prove to him that he wasn't weak…

Heba pulled feebly at his restraints, the iron grip only tightening around a pale wrist. "I-I need to w-work…" Heba shut his eyes tight in hopes that that would be a good enough reason for them to leave him alone, yet somehow knowing it wouldn't work.

"Exactly!" The largest holding him beamed, causing the other guards to erupt in a fit of laughter. "You're really helping me a lot, Heba…"

The slave shuttered as cool breath brushed the nape of his neck. He hated it. He wanted to get away; he wanted to scream for help from anyone. He wanted to cry from the pain, but he couldn't…

He was an orphaned slave. Nothing special… nothing different… just Heba, the boy who never fought back; Heba, the boy who wanted to end it all, the boy who was broken inside, the boy who wanted to be fixed.

Heba glanced towards the pharaoh's direction pleadingly, hoping that he was in a good enough mood to help him, but wasn't surprised when he found the pharaoh turned the other way.

It seemed like hours before the pharaoh finally stood up and excused himself from the hall without wasting a second glance towards the silently pleading slave. Heba could only watch helplessly as the pharaoh trudged down the hall and out of sight.

"Looks like the pharaoh's gone to sleep…" A hoarse voice breathed against his ear. "I think we can play now…" Heba's eyes widened as he searched desperately for an exit, anything to get away.

Heba tugged on the arms constricting him and formed small whimpers and pleas through trembling lips. "S-stop…"

The solder's only laughed as they dragged him out of the dining hall and away from seeing eyes…

No one noticed…

But then again, they never do…

'Atem…'

Atem had finally closed his eyes, the darkness of sleep finally closing in on him. He had found his thoughts occupied with Yugi again as he slowly drifted off.

He had thought that by leaving his hikari's world that the unnatural feelings he harbored for his small friend would dissipate, but as time grew on, and obtaining Yugi became more and more impossible, the feelings only grew until they began slowly eating away at him. He loved Yugi… but what was the point if he was never going to see him again.

His sweet innocent Yuig… He was filled with love for all of his friends. He was too perfect, and that was why Atem could never have him.

"Shut up!"

Atem shot up from his bed, slightly annoyed that someone had interrupted his sleep, even more annoyed that someone had the nerves to tell him to shut up.

"They're going to hear you, you stupid slave."

Atem groggily stood from his bed and made his way to the door. What was going on?

"P-please…" Atem's eyes widened at the voice which sounded filled with fear and pain. "I-It hurts… Stop!"

The pharaoh narrowed his eyes at the fragile voice. It sounded like the slave from before, though Atem couldn't be sure. He had only spoken to him once, but somehow he knew.

At the sound of a pain filled screech, Atem wasted no time in banging open his door and stalking towards the assailants. He winced as another shriek assured him of his destination, causing him to quicken his pace until he was watching the scene in horror.

Maybe three or four soldiers were huddle over a small frame as merciless blows rained down on the helpless figure who could only feebly shield his head from their constant blows. The body convulsed violently as another kick in the ribs shook his small body.

Atem could only watch dumb struck for a few seconds before he found himself howling at the group of men. "What is going on here?" The pharaoh couldn't contain his rage as he made his way hastily towards the whimpering boy.

"A-Atem!" They called out in shock, only proving to further anger the enraged pharaoh.

"Get out of my sight!" Atem spat with as much hate as he could muster. "I'll deal with you later." He carefully lifted the slave in his arms and turned to the group of soldiers. "Don't you dare try to run, or I'll hunt you down myself!" The pharaoh hissed the last word, meaning exactly what he said. As much as he wanted to rip out their tongues now, that would have to wait and he dashed down the halls.

Atem growled at the sudden lack of life in the halls but decided his room was closer than the healer's room anyways.

Atem placed the boy in his bed, ignoring the blood which seeped through the white satin sheets and into the mattress below.

Though the pharaoh knew little of healing, he knew enough to save the young boy before the healer arrived. He swiftly propped the boys head on pillows before quickly lighting enough candles to apply sufficient light to inspect the boy's wounds.

The pharaoh pulled up the boy's white tunic to inspect dark purple bruises before quickly surveying other parts until his analysis was complete. As far as he could tell, the boy had at least a broken rib, and a damaged arm that seemed to be dislocated and broken. Needless to say, the boy would be in pain for at least the next couple of weeks.

Atem bit his lip in contemplation, not sure whether or not to pop his arm back in place while he slept, or when he awoke. He would just have to wait until he could call a healer.

Atem's anger grew as he watched the youth squirm in pain, glad that he had passed out and for the moment was numb to the searing pain that screamed from his wounds.

Atem frowned at the hood which still concealed the boy's face from his view. He needed to take that off. For all the pharaoh knew, the boy could have dislocated his jaw, of broken his nose, though by the lack of blood on the hood, Atem assumed he was over reacting, but decided it was better to be safe than sorry.

The pharaoh didn't know why his hands were shaking as he slowly removed the thin line of fabric from the boy's face, letting his eyes rest on the tan complexion of his skin, to the large doe eyes – that Atem knew bore a pale violet hue – and finally revealing the large spikes of tri colored hair that jetted out on either side of his head, framing a sleeping child-like face.

Atem gasped at the sight. There was no way. No way could this be true. This was a sick joke, it had to be…. Atem had left Yugi in his world, yet here he was. Broken and beaten, but he was here.

"Yugi…?" Atem nearly cried as the hikari eyes blinked open, revealing confused violet eyes. Yugi… How could he not have seen it in his eyes? He wanted to kick himself for giving up on seeing him. But here he was…

The eyes fluttered open and stared up at the pharaoh in disbelief, and extreme happiness. That look…. That innocent look he had missed so much….

"Are you alright?" Atem whispered tenderly to his hikari. "I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner, but I didn't know it was you…"

Yugi blushed and turned away. "Y-You remembered me?"

Atem gave his friend a weird look and nodded his head. "How could I forget?"

He watched as Yugi doubled over from the pain and whimpered softly. Atem wrapped his arms gently around the boy, careful of his wounds and stroked his hair lovingly. "I'm so sorry…"

Yugi clenched his eyes tight and let tears flow from his eyes and into the pharaoh's sleeping tunic. "I've always wanted to hear you say that…" The younger of the two nuzzled against the pharaoh's chest and sighed.

Atem couldn't have been happier at that moment. He was almost positive he was having a dream now, but he really didn't care. Yugi was here… "I never thought I would see you again Yugi…"

The body immediately froze in his arms and pulled away. "Yugi?" The boy's doe eyes widened with shock at the name causing Atem to tilt his head. "I-I'm… Who's Yugi…?"

Atem eyes widened. Could Yugi have lost his memory too? "Wh-what?"

"Who's Yugi?" The boy repeated, searching the pharaoh's eyes for answers.

The pharaoh watched the boy's face closer. He was the spitting image of Yuig. Thoug his skin was darker. His hair was the same, though as Yugi's hair was big and spiked straight, the boy's in front of him, seemed to lag. And that round face, although this Yugi seemed to have more of a child-like appearance than the Yugi he knew. But those eyes! Those brilliantly bright violet eyes, Atem narrowed his eyes, noticing how much duller this boy's eye's looked in comparison, and the child-like innocence seemed to waver in this boy's eyes, whereas in the other, they grew strong… But if this wasn't Yugi…

"Then who are you?"

A.N~ dun, Dun, DUNNNN! Cliffhanger! I know it's stupid, but I tried, just don't flame me! DX

REVIEW PLEASE!