Yu-Gi-Oh was created by Kazuki Takahashi. I claim no ownership of any of the series, or characters in the series; further more I do not and never will earn any money for writing fan fiction of any sort including this fiction.

I know I said it would be a couple of days but I can't wait. I have checked and rechecked the story for errors. I may still not have caught them all but well…there is a reason I would never make a good beta.

The Dragon's Child

Chapter 2: Faerie Stories

Eiko Jounouchi loved to sing. She also had many wonderful stories to tell, and her son loved to hear them. His fondest were of the faerie folk and their hidden kingdom. But his absolute favorite story was of a different kingdom and the legend of the seven treasures.

"Tell me the treasures!" He would happily beg, "Please mommy."

Eiko chuckled at her son as she rocked her daughter in her arms, "Alright my darling Katsuya, But soon it is time for you to sleep." She paused enjoying the excitement on her son's features as he bounced in his sitting place at her feet. After putting the babe into her cradle she sat in her rocking chair. The woman patted her knee and Katsuya scrambled up to sit in her lap. Eiko could not help but laugh at her sweet child. The boy rest his golden head on her shoulder, and Eiko began the tale…

"…There was once a brave hero who set out to save his beloved from a curse. There were seven legendary treasures that were said to be able to do great good or great evil. A pendant, an eye, a ring, a set of scales, a key, rod, and a necklace; all made of gold and all very dangerous items."

"Why were they dangerous mommy? I want to know." Katsuya interrupted his mother. His eyes shown with curiosity and he grinned like the cat who got the cream.

"The pendant…" She started, "The golden pendant was wielded by a man of great power, a king. Though he was very young he was a fair minded ruler. His pendant was in the shape of a pyramid and bore the ancient writings of a lost civilization. The pendant was rumored to have the ability to grant one wish to its rightful owner."

"Any wish mommy?" Katsuya interrupted. His eyes were wide with wonderment even though he had heard this story many times.

"Yes," She stroked his hair seeing his eyes begin to become heavy, "That could be very dangerous or work miracles. The pendant also granted it's owner incredibly good fortune. It is said that this young king was never defeated in any challenge."

"What about the others?" He asked excitedly.

"Patience son…remember patience is a virtue. Sometimes we must wait to get what we want, but I will tell you of the other I know about," She gently chided her exuberant son. Eiko stroked his hair as she continued.

"The eye was entrusted to a man of great wealth. He was a virtuous man, but he allowed the eye to corrupt him. The eye's power was to allow him to see into other people. With the information he gathered he used it to gain much power. He hurt friend and enemy alike," Eiko explained. To her son she sounded as if she had known the man personally and had been hurt by him as well.

"What happened to him mommy?" The boy asked.

She sighed sadly, "He was banished. There was little worse than that punishment." The woman shook her head and smiled. She continued her story, "Now never you mind. It is neither here nor there. Perhaps this story is better left for a time when you are not so full of questions." She teased the boy who suddenly became less sleepy. He pouted.

"Please mommy I'll be quiet now," Katsuya begged.

"Alright my little angel," She tweaked his nose gently and took up the story once more, "The hero was a lord in the court, and a trusted advisor to the king. He was also the king's cousin and next in line for the throne.

There was a time of great turbulence and upheaval in the King's court. There were two whom the King trusted beyond any other. One was his advisor and the other was a lowly servant. The boy who served the king was an honest and forthright youth. He was a modest boy though he was said to be a very beautiful young man. His one flaw was a fiery temper that would flare up if he felt that someone was being unjust…either toward himself or toward others. This often got the boy into trouble, but he could not help but interfere if he felt someone innocent was being hurt. This earned the boy many enemies.

The king kept his trusted servant close because he feared that harm might befall the boy. You see the King and this servant had become very good friends. The King was very young and had been isolated from comrades due to his status. The servant was about his age and was a sincere person. He was one of the few people to dare tell the king when he was wrong. The king appreciated this in a court of simpering fools who always tried to use their words to gain favor and to manipulate the king.

The advisor was also a young man. He was loyal to the king, but not as friendly. He would constantly insult the Kings servant blatantly. The young king was unhappy about this but his servant was stubborn and proud. Once his ire was awoken he would return the young lord's barbs and insults. The king saw that it was impossible to make peace between the two. He refused to punish the servant for disrespecting the lord citing that the lord always started the arguments.

The lord in turn became angry at his cousin and ruler. He was so blinded by anger that he left the court for a period of months. He refused to acknowledge any summons sent to him. Until one day there was a personal message sent to the lord carried by the servant whom he hated.

The man nearly attacked the boy in a rage. They hurled insults at each other. Then the lord backhanded the young servant. The boy was so shocked that he ran from the man dropping the message. The lord took it ignoring any feelings of regret he might have had for hitting the servant.

He had never struck the boy before. The boy had been hurt deeply by the act, and he ran away from the lord's home. The beautiful servant returned to the castle fully intending on avoiding the king because he was too upset to explain how he had gotten a bruise and why he had failed to bring the King's cousin back.

Of course the Lord read the letter. He read it and re-read it but could not believe it was true.

The king sent word that he suspected some of his court of plotting to assassinate him and overthrow the kingdom. The king asked that his cousin return with the servant. The lord feared that the boy would get caught up in the treachery and be harmed. He headed out after the boy immediately forgetting his anger.

…The boy went to the servant's quarters. The strange thing was, there was one of the Kings courtiers speaking to some of the servants and palace guards in hushed tones.

The boy managed to remain unseen, and he heard of the plot to kill the king. The boy was terrified for his ruler and friend so he ran to warn the king…

…When the lord made it to the palace it was so very quiet. It was wrong there should have been guards posted at the gate, servants' chatter, and people milling about. There were none of these. He ran to the throne room…

…The boy reached the throne room seeing the king was safe, he was so relieved. Then he spied the evil glint of metal. A masked man stepped from the shadows raising a silver dagger high in the air. The boy shouted and jumped between the killer and his king…

…The lord heard a sharp cry then all was quiet. He threw open the doors to the thrown in time to see the king use his magic to banish a masked man to the darkest realm. Then the king fell to his knees before a prone and bleeding figure. The lord gasped when he realized the very servant he had thought he hated lay dying on the floor.

The young king tried to use his magic to bring the boy back from the brink of death. But the boy was bleeding profusely. You see that dagger had a poison applied to the blade. Such a powerful poison it even resisted the king's magic.

'I cannot save him,' The King announced, 'He is cursed by a poison.'

The lord came to the king's side. He looked down at the boy his eyes were closed, peacefully. The boy had a gash on his right cheek surrounded by a dark bruise. The lord looked at his hand and he had the boy's blood on his knuckles where the ring bearing his personal seal sat. The proud man cried realizing that the boy would never again be there to return his insults, to challenge him.

'If you could keep him alive is there anyway way I could find a cure?' The lord set his jaw waiting for the boy's verdict.

'There may be one chance, but he must remain suspended in sleep,' The lord nodded with pleading eyes at his king. The king worked his magic and the boy glowed a golden hue. Then the bleeding stopped, his short breaths ceased and his heart stilled its beating; but true to the king's promise the boy remained warm and life radiated through his still form.

The lord took the boy and carried him to his home where he rested the boy in his bed and worked his own magic to cast a spell on his private quarters to protect the defenseless young man. He made arrangements with his servants and left post haste on his quest to seek a cure."

The woman stopped and looked at her son who was fighting sleep.

"What happened then mommy," The boy yawned as he asked his mother.

"I am afraid that you must wait for that tale my baby. You must sleep," She stroked her son's blonde hair. Eiko lifted her son and carried him to his bed. She nearly dropped the boy as an icy chill ran down her spine.

Little Katsuya stirred and looked up into his mother's eyes. Fear pouring through his features. He spoke, "Momma."

"Hush Katsuya my darling," She soothed him. She kissed his head and tucked him away to dreamland.

Eiko left her child as calmly as she could. She closed the door to the children's room quietly, and ran to the front door just as a loud pounding jarred it. She flung the door open knowing that something horribly wrong had happened.

"Eiko," A lanky man with a gaunt face frowned.

"Kitashi? Where…where's my husband?" Eiko demanded in a shrill voice. He seemed unaffected…only saddened by her reaction. He stepped aside and two men Eiko recognized as farm hands from Kitashi's farm were holding Katsuya senior.

"He's suffered a spell," The lanky man explained, "I'm afraid he mayn't make it much longer. He asked to be brought to you."

"E-Eiko," The man called for his wife, his desperation grated at her ears painfully. She fell before the man who was rested on the ground gently. She lifted his head into her lap stroking his greying hair lovingly. She smiled as tears ran down her nose.

"Katsuya," She sniffed back tears and kissed his forehead, "Save your strength my beloved."

"Beautiful, kind Eiko," He smiled and reached a shaky arm up to wipe away the tear rolling over her cheek. He continued to speak, "I never deserved such a lovely and precious woman. I love you, and our little ones with all my heart. I ache to hold Shizuka and Katsuya once more. I…will…miss you…all so very much…" His voice trailed off and his eyes closed. Jounouchi Katsuya Senior faded away from the mortal sphere.

Eiko pressed her mouth to her husband's still warm lips. She kissed the man one last time before she fell on him sobbing.

Katashi and the two farm hands were still there watching the widow uncomfortably until she sat up. The woman wiped at her reddened eyes. She spoke to the three that stood witness to her tragedy, "W-would you men please help me bring my husband inside. I-I can't do it on my own." She stood and collected her nerves. She had much to plan for, a great deal must be done and quickly.

The men assisted the woman and gave their condolences. They left the woman to grieve and prepare her husband's body…