Priest Seto was awakened out of his deep sleep by a sound that could be describes as nothing less than bloodcurdling.
"I'm not going to leave, I'm not going to run away – don't hit me!" The strangled sound was coming from the writhing form that now slept at the foot of his bed. He had witnessed the boy having nightmares but he must have been dreaming up something worse than usual because he had never been so loud. Two of his personal guards poured into the room, spears at the ready.
"Lord priest!"
"It's nothing. Get out." Seto said, curtly.
He walked to the reed mat that lay by the foot of his bed. It had only been the second night that his new servant had slept in his house and he was already beginning to wish he'd left him in the house of healing for another week. But Isis had declared him fit to be transferred out.
"He'll need time to recover." the priestess had told Seto. "If you really did not find this foreigner out in the desert ruins, then there's a good chance he contracted something nasty that didn't agree with him. Keeping him in a dark damp place with minimal food did not help things. But the fever is gone. Anything else he has is bacterial and will go away if he's kept on the medicine for another week."
"What of the scars you found on his body?" he asked, nonchalantly.
"Old wounds." she replied. "All of the fresher ones are healing well."
"And he has stopped vomiting?" Seto prompted, trying to hide his squeamishness. He was not going to bring sickness into his house.
Isis gave him an exasperated look. "Yes. But start him on solid food slowly." Her look turned quizzical. "Why are you doing this?"
If anyone but a colleague had questioned him, they would have found themselves regretting their audacity. Unfortunately this was Isis and he did not like the amused look in her eye.
"What do you mean?" he countered irritably.
"Well…it's not like you." she said frankly.
"I made a mistake by imprisoning him and so it is just that I make it right." he said smoothly. "I am simply keeping the balance of Ma'at. Nothing more."
"I am glad to hear it; the people need examples such as that to follow from their priests." But
Isis still didn't look convinced. And she still looked like she was trying to conceal her mirth, blast her. Probably thought he was going soft. Fine, she could think what she wanted as long as it was not the truth.
"I know you don't want my opinion." she began.
But I'm going to hear it anyway, he thought with a scowl.
"But I am glad you are taking him in. A boy your age might do you some good. You spend too much time in isolation."
"I do not need to be entertained like a child." he bristled. "And I'm taking him into my home because I need a servant, not a friend. And now I have duties to attend to. I have to get cleaned up for the afternoon ritual."
The priestess merely shook her head as Seto stalked off. Like her, he was one of the youngest to serve under the pharaoh. Yet he was determined to act as though he was nearing his fortieth year instead of his nineteeth. In other words, Priest Seto really needed to loosen up.
"Enough!"
Jounouchi was awakened by a toe in his ribs and a sharp voice. He was grateful nonetheless. He had not had a nightmare about his father in a while and he had not missed it at all. It had actually been a while since the old man had dared to touch him except for when he was really drunk. As he had grown bigger he'd learned to fight back. He owed part of that to meeting Honda. But it didn't erase bad memories. And it didn't mean he liked hitting his Dad. Most of the time he just left the house.
His eyes opened to reveal a dimly lit room. Torchlight flickered off of white limestone. A few jars that were inlaid with something blue sat against the walls. And Jounouchi noted that there were even structures that looked almost like modern fold up stools. Certain parts of the walls had been marked with pictures and hieroglyphics. A nice house, even by ancient standards. He groaned when he tried to move. His body was sore and he was lying on some kind of mat that had something soft strewn over it.
He gave a start when he looked up and saw the Priest Jerk himself glaring down at him. Maybe he was having another nightmare. He closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again. No such luck. He was still there. He struggled to sit up.
"I wouldn't move too fast." The priest had to smirk at the boy's show of energy. "You were malnourished from being in prison and then you were very ill."
"Where am I?" Jounouchi asked.
"My villa near the Nile." Seto replied.
"Why?" the boy looked fearful. Good. He knew who was in charge at least.
"Because I have decided to make you part of my household." he replied, squatting beside the blonde so that they could speak more comfortably.
"Why?" he asked again, a note of confusion and apprehension in his tone.
"Because what else will you do?" Seto snapped growing annoyed. "And servants don't usually question their masters."
"What do you mean what else will I do?" Jounouchi demanded, a rebellious spark in his eye. "I didn't agree to be anyone's servant!"
Seto quelled that spark with a prompt, "Ok. My mistake. I had no idea you had an occupation and a place to go. Off with you then."
Jounouchi stared at him with wide eyes. Crap. Maybe he should have thought that through better. But he was not about to admit to defeat to this guy. That would be like admitting defeat to Kaiba, if there was even a difference really, and that was so not happening.
"Look," Seto said making an attempt to be kindly. "Think things through before you run off and do something rash. You could have a lot worse fate than ending up in the service of a priest of the pharaoh. Most Asiatic boys are shipped off to the army to guard the border – I doubt you find that appealing. I've treated your wounds and allowed you to recuperate in my home. You have clean clothing and a place to sleep. In a little while it will be dawn and we can have a meal. Think it over while you eat."
There was no way in this life or the other he was letting the vessel of the black dragon get away. But it would be best if the boy chose to stay with him. Besides, judging by the dream he was having perhaps home was not so appealing. Perhaps he worked under a harsh master. Perhaps his family beat him. With the blonde's attitude, Seto would really not be shocked to find that assessment accurate. All he had to do was make life here seem more worthwhile. And really, that couldn't be much of a challenge. This boy was clearly a peasant.
"Yeah, well…" the boy began peevishly. "It's your fault I got sick."
"Perhaps." Seto didn't deny it. Nor, Jounouchi noted, did the bastard look very repentant. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if you caught something from those vile thieves. But I think saving your life makes us even. You don't understand the situation that the priests are currently facing. In my place, you would have acted the same."
Jounouchi gave him a quizzical look and so Seto elaborated. "The thieves had only recently gotten bold enough to attack the palace. In the last several months there have been several attacks on the valley of kings."
"That's where the royal dead guys are buried, right?" the blonde asked, squinting.
"Yes." the priest said after a pause. He still couldn't get used to this youth's way of speaking. "Mahaado has only barely been able to hold them off."
"I still don't get why you didn't just toss me out on my tail." The boy hugged his knees and looked up at him doubtfully. "The present-day you would probably have."
Seto's eyes narrowed. "Present-day. I don't get your meaning, boy. Have we ever met?"
He knew they had not. He would have remembered someone who looked like they had hair of spun gold. Whatever else could be said about the cold and distant priest, he appreciated beauty. That's why he had instructed the servants not the shave the boy's head.
"It's complicated." the foreign boy replied, looking uncertain. "I could tell you everything, but I'm not altogether sure how you'd take it. I told you; sometimes I don't even believe what's happened. I keep thinking I'm in this bad dream and I'm going to wake up soon."
Jounouchi gave a start at the soft touch on his shoulder. The priest was smiling and this time it didn't look like a smirk. "Lately, I'm prone to believe the unbelievable. And perhaps your dream is getting better. Come. Help me dress and then we'll have breakfast. Afterwards, I'll dismiss the servants and you can tell me everything."
"Seriously?" Jounouchi quipped. "You guys can't dress yourselves?"
He thought Seto might crack a smile. He seemed a little bit nicer than Kaiba, but the guy's face was stone.
"Is there a problem?" the priest asked coldly.
"Well, it just seems like something you wouldn't need help with." the shorter boy pointed out. "I mean even kids dress themselves." He gawked. "You really don't dress yourself?"
"You are implying that it is a task so simple that anyone could do it?" Seto's eyes matched the ice in his voice.
"Yeah!" Jounouchi said, pleased that he seemed to agree.
He was promptly smacked in the face with some kind of gold collar. What the hell? The guy was all friendly a minute ago and now he was flinging crap at him.
"Then you are mentally and physically competent for this task. The rest of my clothing is in the chest by the wall."
And that's how a few minutes later Jounouchi was helping someone who was probably older than him get dressed. And in his opinion it was the stupidest thing he'd been asked to do by someone that had perfectly good and functioning hands of their own. But he probably wouldn't get fed until he agreed.
Well the guy let me sleep here…I guess if this is all he wants, I'll dress his dumb ass.
"Oils are first– what are you doing?!" the young priest griped.
"I'm not familiar with this kind of stuff!" the boy protested. "Give me a break, I'm trying. What do you mean oils first?"
"I mean, that before you start to help me with my clothing you have to rub oil on my body." Seto said through gritted teeth. He was tempted more and more by the second to flog the living daylights out of him. But that would probably not be advisable as the boy was still weak.
"Say what?" Jounouchi said in a panicked voice. He did not just hear some guy ask him to rub oil all over him.
"Start with my back and torso. Then you can work your way towards my arms." Seto instructed struggling to maintain his patience.
"What is this, an ancient tanning lotion?" he asked, gingerly rubbing some of the scented oil from the pot between his fingers.
"Yes." the priest replied after Jounouchi had explained what tanning lotion was. "It is a hot climate; we need to protect our skin. You have probably had some applied to you as well while you were in the house of healing."
It was lost on him what the boy meant by 'ancient'. This was the best oil that could be supplied. You would have to be of high station to afford it. But the blonde was giving him a dubious look.
He sighed. "In your home country, do you not take care to shield yourself against the sun?"
"Well….yeah." Jounouchi admitted, but we usually only worry about when we go swimming. "Most people don't stay outside long enough to worry about it."
His stomach growled. Sighing in defeat he rubbed the oil together in his hands and began applying some to Seto's back. He was just going to have to get it over with. Anything to speed them to breakfast. He tried not to envy the toned muscles running down the older boy's back and arms. Now that he thought about it though, he had not seen a fat person yet. People were either skinny, like the ones that lived in the village or lean and toned like this. He thought a rich guy like Seto would have a little bit of stomach pudge or something. Egyptians either had high metabolisms or just took care to keep themselves in good condition. He began to worry a little bit about what he was going to be fed. He wished for the thousandth time that he had never gotten the bright idea to travel to museum and had taken up Yugi on his offer. He could really use that burger now. And he wouldn't be in this mess.
After he'd applied the sufficient amount of oil to the Egyptian's skin, he got through helping him dress without much grievance even though he had to be instructed on what tied where and what went on first.
"Um…do I have change my clothes?" the boy asked uncertain. He was wearing a simple white outfit made with linen and no shoes.
"No, that will not be necessary today." Seto replied. "I had not planned on having you do much more than this until you recovered fully. Besides, it seems that you have no idea what duties are expected to come naturally to a servant. What was your occupation in your native country, anyway?"
Besides, as far as Seto was concerned they had much more important matters to deal with. He knew this youth would have quite a fascinating story to tell and he had other servants to see to the rest. Then the boy said something that shocked him.
"I don't have a job yet." Jounouchi admitted. "I'm still in highschool."
"You don't work at all?" Seto was incredulous.
"I did have a part time job once." the boy defended, looking earnest. "But then our school really started cracking down on us for it. Stupid bastard teachers…said it took away too much time from studies and cram school. Like hell I would want more school after already suffering hours through regular school." Jonouchi shuddered. "Besides, you think I wouldn't love to have a job? Then I could make enough money to move out of that dump my Dad keeps us in."
The priest looked at him contemplatively. "So the education in your country is taken seriously then?"
Maybe he was wrong. Maybe this boy was not a peasant if he was going to school. But he didn't act like someone used to servitude either. There was something refreshingly free about this foreign boy. He wasn't sure he liked this independent streak though. This situation only benefited him if the blonde realized that he needed Seto if he was going to survive here.
"You have no idea." Jounouchi replied, looking depressed.
"Then you must not have been pleased with your living conditions." Seto probed, though he tried to seem indifferent. "For someone whom society doesn't expect to work to seek work you must have been anxious indeed to change the state of things."
The present day teen was not altogether certain how he felt about the young priest's perceptiveness. He was not comfortable talking about his personal life. Honda was the only one who knew him that well. He didn't even discuss his home life with Yugi.
"You could say that." he admitted, cautiously.
Seto was not pleased with the evasive answer, but he knew that pushing would not get him anywhere. It was of course, futile to hide anything from a priest of the sennen items. Almost all of the sennen wielders were endowed with abilities that enabled them to spy on the secrets of the soul and to root out hidden truths. However, using that gambit would probably not foster good will. He had seen back in the oubliette how frightened the light skinned boy was of those items. The boy's stomach growled again, breaking his chain of thought and almost making him smile – something he didn't do that often.
"Follow me." he said to his new charge.
He had never seen anything quite like it: dried beef, dates and grapes were disappearing into the boy's mouth at an alarming rate, though the boy didn't seem to favor the bread very much. He had exclaimed so loudly with delight that beer was included in the meal that Seto worried his personal guard might come running again. In fact, the blonde boy enjoyed the beer very much. He also seemed overjoyed at being allowed to partake in it, as though it was a privilege he didn't often get. The priest couldn't work that out since beer was a normal part of the diet of every man, woman and child in Egypt. One would swear the boy had been offered wine.
He had not really touched much of his own breakfast as he had been staring in utter horror at his new servant, hoping that this was just a temporary reaction to malnourishment and not how he ate all the time. About a year ago the farmers were complaining about how destructive the locusts had gotten and were petitioning the priests for extra spells to protect their fields. He remembered how annoying it had gotten. A pity he hadn't had the boy on hand then – he could have loosed him on one of the storage houses or granaries and shown them what a real plague was. At the rate he was drinking the beer he had better ask some questions while the boy was alert.
"I hadn't had the opportunity to ask your name." Seto murmured.
"Jounouchi Katsuya." the blonde piped proudly from across the low table. "Everyone calls me Jounouchi though."
"And tell me again how you came to be here in this realm, Jou…nouchi." the priest prompted, stumbling over the strange name.
Amazingly, the boy separated himself from his food and launched into a story about his arch rival. Even as practiced as Seto was at remaining unreadable he found it hard not to show his incredulity at the boy's description on these duels with 'cards'. He explained how his attempt to find a new direction had led him into contact with the sennen scales and how he'd fallen in with the thieves.
Jounouchi appreciated that the young priest looked too shocked to interrupt. Well, he couldn't blame the guy. He'd be impressed too if he'd just met one of the top duelists in the country. Yep, he was pretty awesome. And, since Seto was such a good audience, he decided to tell him the tale of Ryou Bakura's crazy other self and how he'd almost pissed himself when he met Bakura here. Anyway, it was a good story. It deserved telling. After all, he'd seen the actual card grave yard in the shadow realm and lived to tell about it. Or maybe the beer was just making him talkative.
Seto listened intently as the boy talked about his friends and he noticed the change between how happy he was speaking about them in contrast to talking about his family. He apparently had strong ties to them and the amount of affection and loyalty in his voice was apparent. No matter how fantastic the rest of Jounouchi's tales were, he'd be able to tell he was sincere about his comrades. He wouldn't have even needed the rod to tell him that. And as for the rest of the story, even if he decided to dismiss it as lies or madness, how else could one explain what he and Shada had found inside his mind?
"And Kaiba, that jerk, he looks like you." Jounouchi was starting to look tired now. "No offense. It's so weird though. You look like him and you sound like him. Maybe you're like some long lost ancestor. Though don't ask me to make sense of it. I'm not the expert on bizarre. That's Shadi. He looks like your buddy with the sennen key. He's a jerk too though."
Jounouchi yawned. The aftermath of his sickness meant that his body was not all the way recovered and the food and beer had probably contributed to his need to suddenly pass out. Seto had his cheek propped against his fist and seemed to be contemplating something. He really wished the guy would say something. It was getting kind of unnerving.
He felt a wave of relief and gratitude when the priest finally said, "You should lie down for the rest of the day. Isis said you were still recovering. The last thing that needs to happen is for you to slide into a relapse."
He was glad that the Egyptian had not asked him to do anything else. He couldn't believe he'd burned up so much energy just helping someone get dressed and moving to the dining room.
"How sick was I?" he asked, pausing by the doorway.
"Your body was burning with fever when I brought you to Isis." Seto replied. "Your body also had a hard time keeping food - it kept rejecting everything in an effort to cleanse itself."
"Geez." Jounouchi winced. "I must have been really out of it."
"You would have died." Seto stated flatly, hoping Jounouchi got his meaning.
Jounouchi scratched the back of his head in a show of awkwardness. "Well um….thank you, for making sure that I didn't. Is Isis the pretty girl with the long black hair? I thought I was just dreaming of that."
"She is a diviner and a healer." Seto murmured. "You owe her your speedy recovery as well as your respect as one of the pharoah's seven. She is a priestess."
"I see."
Seto noted with impatience that the boy was still looking embarrassed. He seemed to be grappling with something to say. He may not be used to owing gratitude. Or maybe he just wasn't comfortable owing a debt.
"Go to your bed. You can say whatever you want to say to me when I see you again in the evening."
"All right, all right but let me say something or I might never say it: no one ever goes out of there way for me outside of my friends." Jounouchi said earnestly. "So, what you did…that was no small thing. You didn't have to do it, I don't know why you did it, maybe you are nicer than your double…but it doesn't matter. I…just…thanks."
Then the boy bowed low, which surprised Seto to say the least, and he scurried off towards the sleeping chamber. The Egyptian sat there feeling a bit shocked. Maybe it was because it was the first form of respect the boy had willingly shown. Not that he was unused to that as a priest and important part of the pharoah's council. Something about it just felt more genuine. It wasn't forced or staged. It was something someone freely gave. And for the first time, it wasn't just because he was Priest Seto. Strange, he hadn't felt that way since he was young boy before he made his way to power and his position.
Author's Note:
Long chapter. But that's a good thing, yes? I tried to finish this last night but my brain was mush. (So I made notes on the chapter and played Skyrim instead.) Still I didn't close the chapter like I expected to, but I think I closed it better. I am so glad to not have to go to work today. Or I might not have finished this until this evening.
Well it's almost that time that I go looking for food. See you all in the next chapter. Thanks as always for your reviews, follows and favorites.
