I'm back! Thank you, everyone who reviewed and read this story in my extended absence! I'm very sorry that some people were upset by some of the events i nthe earlier chapter, but I feel that they are integeral to the charactrs interactions and relationships as the story goes on. Please try to look past what may be unpleasant now, because it will get better later, I promise! It can't all be happiness, you know.

I think that the plot truly gets its feet in this chapter. Please do remember to review and tell me waht you think!


Atemu heaved a heavy sigh and dabbed the running makeup from the corners of his dampened eyes. The passed four days had been a horridly savage and brutal beating upon his emotions. Inbetwixt his yearning for Seto's affections, the strange but not entirely unwelcome attentions of his uncle, and the agony of being kept under lock and key day and night were becoming a roiling cauldron of mental anguish that sent his mood swinging like a mad pendulum.

He grabbed the small cup of wine setting on his vanity and quaffed it with gusto. It stung pleasantly as it washed down his throat and brought a pleasant heat to his face. His petite frame jounced slightly as he hiccuped. Gods, he was so terribly bad around spirits. He always had too much and got too comfortable for his or anyone else's own good. He stepped shakily over to the bed and fell down upon the large pile of cushions and pillows at the head of it, his cape falling over him like an improvised blanket. He had started wearing the gown he had met Seto in more often, so the extra coverage was moderately appreciated. His lavender eyes shut slowly, and he sighed. The wine made his confinement more tolerable. Oh so very much so.

A knock at his door stirred him from his silent musings and he opened an eye to investigate. "Enter," he murmured in a smooth, alcohol hazed voice.

The heavy door opened with a creak, and light flooded the room. Atemu hid his face in the pillows to block out the harsh sunlight. Heavy footsteps approached we he lay and the slight pant and smell of the person were familiar. Atemu looked up with a mischievous smile "uncle". The man sank down in front of him, returning the smile. Rough finaglers slid under his chin and Atemu's face was drawn up so that his eyes met the gleaming Millennium Item that adorned his uncles face.

Atemu smiled pleasantly and allowed his head to rest in the palm of the man's hand with a contented sound that was trapped between a sigh and a groan.

"What brings you here, uncle?" he asked softly with another sigh. "I thought I was to be kept under guard."

Akunadin smiled fondly "I have relieved your guards. I wanted to talk to you about...intamate matters, my young Pharaho." Atemu's eyes widened a bit. He hadn't been to see Seto in days! Could his most beloved uncle possibly know about their secret relationship! Akunadin brushed back his lightening-shaped bangs with a gentle caress, and slowly drew Atemu into a sitting position with a firm hand on his soulder. "Even though you are God on Earth Atemu you still have certain...desires. Afterall this is a mortal body and with it come the tempations of the flesh." Atemu's cheeks burned to hear his uncle speak such things! "Tell me young one. Do you lust for a firm touch on your skin?"

"I... I don't..." Atemu stammered, his face red from more than the wine. He wriggled uncomfortably and looked up at the man pleadingly, large eyes reflecting with indecision. In a fit of terrified, flustered madness, he answered.

"I do, but... no one interests me," he said slowly attempting to at least conceal he and Seto's relationship.

Akunadin's expression gained an edge of hardness "I beg to differ, young Atemu. Why, with the way you've been showing your body off these last few days." He smiled "please remember that I am only here to...help, you."

"I have not been showing my body off!" Atemu sputtered hotly, suddenly feeling that warm rush returning to his body as he tried to stand up. He faltered and fell back into a slightly undignified position on the cushions. He gave an aggravated snort and folded his arms. "I... simply like to dress this way. It's comfortable."

"As you say, nephew." Akunadun sat down on the cushions beside him, groaning softly as he did so. He glanced at Atemu and frowned. "You look so tense. May I offer you a relaxing massage?" Atemu nodded and struggled to sit up among the mass of cushions while simotaniously pulling his robe over his legs suddenly highly self-conscious. He turned his back to his uncle and the man lay heavy hands on his shoulders and began to massage firmly. Atemu felt a warm sensation wash throughout his whole body and he sighed in satisfaction.

After several wonderful moments, Akunadin's hands dipped lower. Relaxed Atemu picked up his glass again and drank deeply from it. The alcohol sluiced down his throat and lit his belly afire in a pleasant way.

Akunadin's mouth twisted in a horrible smile. "Giving you a massage, nephew." His large hand slid in between Atemu;s parted legs and the small boy whined pittifully as a barrage of sensations overcame him.

"Stop..." he whimpered silently as he squirmed. "Please..."

He managed to wench himself free from Akunadin's grip just as starbursts began to burst and glimmer before his eyes. He staggered to the ajar door, wavering eradically along the way.

He felt so... bare. Like he had been stripped nude and laid out for all to see. Tears welled in his violet eyes, and he found himself searching for Seto's room again. He burst through the door with his arms pulled close to him as if in an effort to concela and protect himself.

"Setooooo!" he screeched, throwing his slender arms around his cousin and snivelling pitifully.

Recovering his shock at recieving an armfull of his cousin and newly devoted lover with remarkable equinimity Seto grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around Atemu. The boy sobbed into his chest and Seto assumed that he'd gotten another note. "Show it to me!" He demanded while cuddling Atemu to his broad bare chest.

Atemu gaped up at him through tears and sighed. "Are... are you certain?" he asked, quaking against his lover. He pressed himself closer, nuzzling against Seto's chest. He felt so safe... And it was the second night of the new moon, after all...

"Yes, I'm certain!" Seto expelled. "I want to see it!"

With a sigh, Atemu stepped away from Seto and allowed the blanket to fall away from his shuddering form. He blushed brightly, his breath coming quickly as his heart raced. The new moon...

He stooped low and took hold of the hem of his nightgown, pulling it upward. The wine had taken effect on him, clouding his senses. He quickly pulled the gown entirely off, revealing his whole bare form to Seto.

"As you wish..." he murmured.

"Master Seto!" A guard called. Seto grabbed Atemu on the shoulders and threw the blanket around his now completely naked form. "Yes" Seto hissed as he was clearly annoyed. Atemu squirmed beneath the blanket and pushed himself against Seto his small hands falling havily on his cousin's upper thighs.

"We've captured a man, sir in the pharaoh's bedroom," the guard spluttered. "He is captive now."

Atemu shrunk up against Seto with a soft, breathless whine. That man had been in his room again... but he was captured, now, so all would be well. Right? Still, a cold tremor danced up and down his bare back. He parted his flushed lips to speak but was abruptly interupted by Seto.

"Go to the dungeon and prepare him," Seto answered for him. "We will follow shortly."

The guard turned and hurried out the door and down the stone hallway leaving Atemu and Seto alone. Seto gazed down at Atemu tenderly, his piercing blue eyes glinting with sympathy. "Is our evening spoiled, then?' he asked tenderly.

The pharaoh nodded soberly and rest his wine-flushed cheek against Seto's chest with a sigh and a shudder. "I believe so," he sighed. "I feel that I'm far too rattled to... do anything right now."

"You could have deceieved me," Seto purred, running a hand up Atemu's bare back. Atemu shivered. "Get dressed. You'll find spare clothing folded beside my bed."

Atemu nodded and broke away from Seto, still clutching the blanket to his naked form. "Thank you so much," he murmured.


Atemu and Seto stepped down the smooth stone steps to the dungeon, flanked by two guards. Seto's clothes sagged and swam on Atemu's slight form giving him the appearance of a small child in a parents clothes. His still-damp eyes glittered in the pale torch light of the stairwell, and he feared that it may betray his rattled state of mind.

He stepped into the dungeon hesitantly, grimacing at the dank, putrid smell of mold and people kept in darkness without baths for gods only know how many years. The guards led them over to the only occupied cell, tapping on the iron bars with their spears.

"Get it on up," one of the guards snarled.

The pale-haired figure within stirred and chuckled smugly dispite his captive state. He lifted his head and leered out at them with glimmering, pale purple eyes. Eyes like a hungry jackal...

The chains around his wrists chinkled ominously.

"What do you want of me, guard?" he sneered coldly. Atemu took a step back and scowled. The man was... strange-looking. His eyes had an unnatural gleem to them, and he had some sort of tattoo on his face. The pale hair didn't make him seem any more usual.

"The pharaoh has come to ask why you invaded his chambers," the other guard snapped. "And you will not adress us so insolently!"

The man in the chains chuckled again. "It is you who should learn to curb your tongue, guard. I could obliterate these measly chains and turn you to ash," he said. He turned to Atemu wit ha faint smile. "I've come in service of the pharaoh, nto as an attacker."

Atemu screwed his face up in befuddlement and approached the cell. "Who are you?" he asked.

The man onyl laughed again.