Next chapter is here!

Everyone seems to like the irony of haveing Atem wish to meet the musician, then actually meet him the next day but be completely unaware of it. Now that they have actually met there should be some more interesting interactions.

Let's see what's in store for the both of them:

Yugi hummed lightly as he finished cleaning the Prince's rooms. Because the Prince had no personal servant or slave, the cleaning crew took shifts for cleaning his rooms. The Pharaoh and the Queen had a personal servant each to take care of things like room cleaning and reminders; the Queen had a helpful little girl called Rebecca and the Pharaoh had a boy named Leon.

Rebecca and Leon were a couple and it just proved how much the Queen loved seeing people in love together, she arranged this on purpose so that they could still see each other.

Yugi pulled the last sheet onto the bed and then picked up his bucket and tools before leaving the room, he had been given this duty all week. Yugi had worked hard to please the Prince and, on three lucky days, he caught the Prince in his room in the mornings so he got a chance to talk to him. Yugi felt so honoured and many of the servants were jealous and asked him about the Prince often, mostly girls although it was a well known fact that he was disinterested that gender.

Yugi smiled up at the guard as he left, the guard nodded at him "Last day on the job?"

Yugi nodded "Yes, sir. I'll be back in the gardens tomorrow."

The guard nodded "Good good, see you around small fry," Yugi rolled his eyes as he left. He was used to those names by now. They weren't mean names, they were fond nicknames. He missed being called Abw, though …

Yugi reached the bottom of the stairs and blinked as something shiny caught his eye. He looked down and saw a very expensive broach lying on the ground, carelessly dropped. Yugi bent down and picked it up, seeing the Eye of Horus on it he knew it belonged to Prince Atem. Only royalty had the right to wear this symbol, and the Pharaoh's room was nowhere near here, so it had to belong to Atem.

Yugi looked back up the stairs and knew he had to return it, he placed the bucket on the bottom of the stairs and made his way up the steep climb.

Yugi was about to enter the rooms when the guard barked "What are you doing shrimp?"

Yugi jumped, that wasn't the voice of the guard earlier! He looked up and saw a face that was heavily scared and one eye was white … yep he would have definitely remembered that face! The guards outfit looked a little small for him … and he seemed to be constantly adjusting the collar …

Yugi hesitated then held out the broach "I found this on the floor, it belongs to the Prince," he said confidently.

The guard nodded "Quickly in and out then." Yugi did so, but … he looked back at the strange guard and had a bad feeling …

"Hey, Yugi."

Yugi blinked as Ryou called out to him, Ryou stood a few meters way, holding his own cleaning tools with a smile on his face "What you doing down here? I thought you'd be finished by now."

Yugi smiled at him "Hey, Ryou. Yeah I've just finished, I had to bring back a lost broach though, I'll be with you in a minute," he picked up the bucket and then thought "Ryou? You know the guards that are placed by the Prince's rooms?"

Ryou nodded "Sure I know of them, normally one or two there, isn't that right?" he ran a hand through his hair to shake out some dust.

Yugi nodded and frowned "How often do they change shifts?" he asked, the uneasy feeling not leaving him alone.

Ryou blinked "How often … Shift changes, mmm" he thought for a moment "They're like us really, they change once in a while so that they are awake and not tired out, more often than we do. I think it's every three days … Yugi?"

Yugi had gone pale. The nicer guard he's spoken to had only had two days on duty… which meant that-

Yugi dropped the bucket and ran back the way he came, Ryou shouting after him and following after putting his own tools down.

Atem sighed as he made his way to his rooms, the meetings were always busy, he'd get some rest just after noon then he'd have to witness a few more trails. After that there were his lessons, then his sword training, then he'd have to bid goodbye to some nobles who were leaving- unfortunately Teá wasn't one of them. Ra, my days are packed …

Atem hadn't been sleeping very well. Every night or every other night the mysterious musician had played from somewhere in the gardens. He'd listen for as long as they played. Lately the music was happier, he was glad of it as the very first song had brought tears to his eyes.

Atem approached his rooms and had just put his hand on the door to push it open when three things happened at once.

One; the guard pulled out a dagger and the end was pointed at Atem's exposed back. Two; Atem realized that this guard was different that the one he'd seen earlier. And three; someone shouted "No!" and a small body crashed into his own and send him stumbling into his rooms. The same voice shouted in pain a split second later.

Atem looked over his shoulder once he had caught his balance and saw the assassin move to attack him again.

Atem pulled back a fist and hit the fake guard in the chest – only getting a little scratch on his arm from the dagger – with shadow magic packed into the hit. The guard went flying into the opposite wall, he slipped down and lay still.

Atem half expected his neck to have been snapped from the force of impact.

"Yugi! Yugi, are you alright? Say something!"

"R-Ryou …"

Atem stepped outside his rooms at the panicked voices and saw Yugi laying in the arms of a another slave boy. The pale slave had a hand pressed to his lower stomach, right by his hip bone, he had tears running down is face and he looked like he was in a lot of pain. Atem knelt and took Yugi's hand away from his hip gently, blood gushed out around the fingers and Yugi whimpered.

Atem's eyes widened, this boy had been stabbed. He saved his life. "Yugi, hold on," he said encouragingly. The fake guard moaned and tried to move.

Three guards appeared from down the hall, they must have heard the screaming, and looked around in shock.

Atem stood and pointed to the assassin "Have him thrown in the dungeons for attempted assassination, and one of you get Isis and some healers, this boy needs help," the guards ran off to do that, two dragging the fake guard who howled with every painful movement. So not a broken neck, but definitely broken legs, arms and shattered ribcage.

Atem looked back at Yugi and the boy looked up at him, biting his lip very hard Atem feared he'd break the skin "You saved me," Atem said softly.

Yugi nodded and winced "T-the g-guard-" he tried to sit up and look for the real man.

Atem helped Ryou lay him back on the floor, they both feared he would over exert himself. "Don't worry about him, I'll take care of it. What's your name?" he asked Ryou.

Ryou bowed slightly "Ryou, My Prince. Yugi just ran off and …" he whimpered and helped him press on the wound, keeping as much blood in his body as they could. "Hold on my friend."

Yugi nodded, shaking and as pale as death. Then he passed out.

Isis appeared with three healers and the guard a moment later. Her eyes widened at the sight of the young slave on the floor with the Prince and another slave. "What happened?" she asked as she knelt, seeing blood coming out from under the hands of the white haired slave boy.

Atem answered her "An assassin tried to kill me, this boy saved my life by jumping in the way. Please Isis, can you help him?" he pleaded.

Isis moved Ryou's hands for a moment then nodded "I'll do what I can," she promised. Isis turned to the guard "Can you carry him? Everyone else follow me," she stood to let the guard lift the unconscious boy.

Atem raised his hand and picked Yugi up himself "He saved my life, I want to help him," he said when Isis blinked in surprise. Yugi was as limp as a rag doll, and his weight seemed more as it was not just mass Atem was holding onto, it was his life too.

Isis nodded "Very well, please follow me."

Yugi groaned as he came to a few hours later. His eyes fluttered open and he saw the stone ceiling of a place he'd never been in before. His eyes wandered over shelves and herbs and bandages before he realised he must be in a healing chamber. Yugi tried to sit up but yelped in pain as a harsh throbbing, sore and stabbing pain made itself known in his lower stomach, right by his hip bone.

Yugi winced and pressed a hand to it. "What? Where am I?" he murmured softly.

"You're awake, at last."

Yugi looked up and saw two people standing in the doorway to the room. He recognised the male at once; Mahad looked very relieved and happy to see Yugi awake, he breathed a sigh of relief as Yugi watched him. The woman standing next to him he did not recognise at all. She was slim and pretty, blue eyes that were very kind but wise, her necklace had an eye on it; Yugi guessed she was a priestess. Her skin was tanned and her hands were wrapped around a steaming cup of medicine.

Yugi smiled weakly at them both "Hello Mahad, Priestess …"

The woman smiled "How are you feeling?" she asked, moving to sit on a stood by his bed.

Yugi winced as she helped him sit up, whimpering as the bandages pressed against the painful point. "Um … my side really hurts …" he admitted softly then slightly louder "Priestess? What happened? What's wrong with me?" he questioned, not remembering how he had ended up here.

The priestess smiled at him "Call me Isis when we're not around the court. You saved the Prince from an assassin, remember?"

Yugi closed his eyes as he rubbed his temples. Then he gasped, at once he flinched from the movement. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I remember … the guard … he wasn't meant to change that day, but there was someone else, instead of-" his voice was rising in stress as he remembered watching the fake guard raise a dagger at the unprotected Prince.

"Hush Yugi, it's alright," Mahad soothed when Yugi cried a bit more, he stood behind Isis.

Yugi sniffed "Mahad? Is the Prince alright?"

Mahad nodded "He's fine, he's only suffering from a wounded pride," he chuckled "He said he could handle anything and yet he needs our most gentle servant to save his royal behind."

Yugi smiled and resisted the urge to laugh for fear of more pain. Isis put the bowl to his lips "Blow," she warned as he began to drink. Yugi swallowed the warm liquid, gagging when it hit the back of his throat. Isis rubbed his back and encouraged him to keep drinking "You were very brave," she said as she checked the bandage.

Yugi blinked "I was?"

Isis smiled "Many would just tell a guard and be off with it, yet you jump before a knife and take a killing blow," she pressed another bandage over the old one "Luckily for you it'll only scar and you'll be able to walk in a few weeks."

Yugi sighed "That's good, I hope I didn't worry anyone."

Mahad smiled gently "Ryou was worried. I'll go tell him and the other two that you're going to be fine. Isis? Should I …"

She nodded "Yes, he's been asking as often as those boys, tell him when you see him," she agreed. Mahad nodded and left the room with a quick goodnight in Yugi's direction.

Yugi looked up at the priestess. "Isis? Who else has been asking about me?"

Isis finished tying off the bandage and said "Prince Atem."

Yugi jumped then instantly yelped.

Isis gave him a look "Don't. Move" she ordered sternly before picking up the used bandages "He's been very worried, he'd like to thank his saviour personally. I think you'll get a promotion of some sort for this, rest for now. I think you'll see him sometime tomorrow."

Yugi heard her leave but just stared out the window at the moon with wide eyes, the Prince … has been worried about me … ME! Yugi felt lightheaded and could only stare where his eyes landed; the moon.

Yugi sat up, wincing the entire time, but he had to get to the window. He limped over, with one hand pressed to his bandage, and leaned out the window towards the gardens, the moon, and where he played his treasure music. Yugi blinked then realised that was why he wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight, he needed to play his music …

Atem stared up at the moon from his balcony and bit his lip worriedly. Yugi … the small boy, looking no older than twelve, with skin lighter than he believed possible, had been hurt, could of died, because he was careless …

Atem pulled at his bangs in frustration, seeing Ryou holding Yugi and begging him to hold on and keep awake, crying the entire time, and Yugi … he was pale as death, holding a weak hand over the wound that should have been on Atem's body … not his. Atem pinched his nose and groaned. It should have been me … not him … "He doesn't deserve it …"

"My Prince."

Atem jumped at the new voice and turned around, a hand flying to his dagger in his belt, but the instantly relaxing when he saw Mahad by the door. He relaxed and gestured for him to enter "Mahad … I'm sorry, I acted without thinking."

Mahad smiled and nodded understandingly "I'm sure after an attempt on my life I'd be just as cautious," he allowed.

Atem rolled his eyes and left the balcony to talk to him properly, face to face "Be thankful that you'll never have to find out what it feels like, you wanted to see me?" he asked with a smile. Mahad was the man who taught him how to control his shadow magic and yet they were very good friends on top of that.

Mahad smiled and nodded "Yes. I thought you'd like to know that Yugi, the boy who saved your life, is scheduled to make a full recovery. Isis tells me he'll only scar a little."

Atem breathed a sigh of relief "Thank the gods … thanks for telling me Mahad. I was worried about him."

Mahad smiled "If I could be entirely honest, My Prince, you never fail to impress and amaze me that way."

Atem raised an eyebrow "And how do I amaze you?" he questioned, Mahad's response baffling him.

Mahad chuckled "Don't boost your ego too much, Atem. You're still my student even if you're due to be the most powerful man in Egypt one day."

Atem laughed "Gods forbid that day be anytime soon."

Mahad nodded "I second that," both didn't want anything to happen to the current Pharaoh, they respected and loved him too much to wish that on him. Mahad continued "I was just commenting on the fact that you, who could have any and everything he could ever want, is in fact one of the most unspoilt boy I've ever met."

Atem laughed "Thanks, and … boy?" he added, that's a little demeaning.

Mahad chuckled "You may think you're a man, My Prince, but you have a while to go," he informed him, crossing his arms firmly.

Atem nodded with understanding once he realised what Mahad was talking about. "I know. Thanks for coming to talk to me Mahad, that's put me at ease enough to sleep tonight."

Mahad nodded "Goodnight, My Prince, pleasant dreams."

"Goodnight Mah-" Atem froze, as the unmistakeable sound of a flute filled his ears.

Mahad looked at him, confused "My Prince?"

Atem held up a hand "Do … do you … hear that?" he asked hesitantly, his head tilting to catch the sound, it was more beautiful this time, happier, peaceful … Atem found himself falling more in love with the sound.

Mahad blinked when he realised what the Prince meant and gasped "It's beautiful …" he murmured as the notes grew to a point then lowered only to peek higher again with the image of rushing water or the wind.

Atem sighed … this is what he'd been missing. His face relaxed and the tension left his body at the beautiful sound so late at night. Then he frowned "Something's …" he looked around, sharply "Something's different," he said.

Mahad looked confused "You've heard this before?"

Atem shook his head "Not this song, but … the same flute. I can tell … it's," he turned to the balcony then his eyes widened "It's coming from inside the Palace!" he said as he realised this, rushing to the doors and opening them.

Mahad blinked and followed him "My Prince, please! You shouldn't be out so late, after today you should know-"

Atem raised a hand sharply for silence. Then followed his ears, running down corridors to the sound of music. Where are you? Who's playing, please, Ra, let me find this player today!

"My Prince!" Isis exclaimed as he rounded a corner.

Atem looked around "Do you know who's playing?"

Isis shook her head, Mahad joining them after a moment of catching up "I got out of bed to find the player also, I've heard this flute on several nights … isn't it beautiful?" her eyes closed as the music swept her up and seemed to carry her away while she stood still surrounded by stone walls.

Atem nodded "Do you know where they are?"

Isis looked around and then shook her head, Atem sighed and just then the music ended. Isis and Mahad gasped in disappointment when the sound faded and didn't start back up again.

Atem shook his head "No, please. Don't stop …" his prayers weren't answered …

Okay, so Yugi's started being reckless in my opinion, playing in the Palace walls; of course lots of people will hear that! Silly boy. But he needed it to feel better and let out whatever he was bundling up inside him.

Atem's just had his life saved, and Yugi's on his way to recovery as a result, but it's better than one being dead. Plus we get to meet Isis, and I've always liked how cool and calm she is.

I hope you all liked and see you in the next chapter.