A/N: This is stupid. I flunked Chemistry. My classmates said our teacher was a sadist (and it was confirmed when he said he'd smile if somebody fails in his subject). So bad. Anyway, I would like to thank those who reviewed the previous chapters.

To Hathor: I agree. Ranmen deserves a 20, not a 12. If there wasn't a need to finish the plot of the story, I would have sent a huge meteor crashing down to him. I hate him.

Man, I just realized how long I was gone. I'm so sorry. I know, this is freaking stupid but after that downfall in my Chemistry grade, I had to focus on my studies harder. I already finished two chapters on my birthday (hehe... Nov 14)... but I couldn't connect to the Internet. Funny huh?

Once again, I apologize.
As for the sequel, I'm already planning the plot. I've been thinking about that sequel ever since I started this fic I just didn't know what your reactions are. Don't know when I can start on it, though, coz I'll finish this first.

Enough rambling…

Chapter 11: Back to Business

Atemu stood in the balcony, drinking in the night breeze. He hadn't seen his cousin anywhere for the rest of the day and frankly speaking, he was beyond concerned.

'Meet me in the balcony' said a message given to him. It would have belonged to Seth. Of course, it would belong to Seth. The question was, why would Seth want to meet him in the balcony?

The sound of the door being opened caught his ears and he stood straighter.

He turned around and instead of meeting sharp cerulean orbs, he met brown.

"Mahado," he said, making sure the other wouldn't notice his surprise. He never expected it was Mahado. But then again, his priest was acting oddly after Seth told them of his message.

"My pharaoh," Mahado answered, bowing in respect.

"I told you not to call me that when we're in private, remember?" Atemu asked, smiling at his friend who stood and met his gaze, "Forgive me, I forgot," Mahado said.

"I take it you were the one who sent that small anonymous message?" Atemu questioned, raising an eyebrow in speculation. He could see a small blush grace his priest and he smiled even more. So it was Mahado.

"Yes, Atemu," he said.

"Let me guess, you want to talk to me about something, don't you?" Atemu asked again, meeting Mahado's gaze.

"You didn't tell me what happened after you met him in your father's celebration," Mahado stated, watching as the other looked away and sigh. Atemu stared at the landscape overlooking his balcony; he didn't want to talk about it.

"I really prefer to keep it to myself, Mahado," he said honestly.

"Even now that he's trying to get you?" Mahado asked, "Ranmen's more of a threat now, Atemu. You should take that into consideration."

Atemu sighed again, "I know that, Mahado. Sometimes I even wondered why I didn't let you kill him before," he confessed, "And now that he knew about—"

Crimson eyes widened in realization. He was about to blurt out their secret. But then, Mahado never revealed his secrets even when they were younger. Surely, he could trust his friend with this?

Or, he could just think the other didn't catch his slip-up.

"I know, Atemu," Mahado said, fixing his gaze on his pharaoh's widened ones.

"I… How…" the monarch stuttered, seeing Mahado smile. "You and Seth never really learned to keep your secrets well enough," his priest answered, "Ranmen knows about your relationship, Atemu. What do you plan to do with this?"

With that, affectionate crimson eyes hardened in defiance, "I would just have to stop him, wouldn't I?" he asked, harboring the same recklessness his cousin was famous for.

Mahado shook his head, "Atemu, this is not the time to be careless. I would have helped you and give advice but you brought this to yourself. Honestly, I don't know how to help you anymore," he said in defeat.

"I apologize, Mahado. I have to admit, it was a foolish thing to do. I should never have consented," Atemu agreed.

Mahado gave his friend a small smile, reassuring the other he would do anything to help, "It's getting late. I should leave you, my pharaoh," he said, bowing again. Atemu stared at him before he smiled in return, "Goodnight, Mahado," he replied.

XXX

Atemu made a run for it as he dashed through his father's halls, from behind he could hear his friends shout at him. Yet another successful prank, he told himself as he rounded on the corner.

Knowing that he had got away from trouble, he smirked to himself and failed to see the person in front of him. With a rather ironic crash, it sent both of them to the floor, dazed and their worlds spinning.

"Are you all right?" the man he bumped into asked.

Crimson eyes opened and adjusted to the light as they focused on onyx-colored ones. Atemu blushed at his mistake before chuckling at himself, "I apologize. I wasn't looking," he said, accepting the hand that the other offered.

"There's nothing to apologize, your highness," the other replied, "Although maybe I should advise you not to run on hallways while staring at your victims. The results might prove disastrous," the man added, making the prince laugh.

A small pinkish tint graced Atemu's face as the other stared at him deeply, "May I know your name?" Atemu asked curiously. He was sure the other was one of his father's guests for his birthday, why they even have celebrations like this, however, was unknown to him.

The man in front of him smiled, not minding that he still held the young monarch's hand, "My name is Ranmen, sire," he answered, bowing in respect.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Ranmen, I suppose you are one of father's guests?" Atemu asked, oblivious of his surroundings, "He does have a knack for inviting his favorite merchants."

Ranmen smiled, "Yes, sire. I will meet you later, then?" he answered.

Atemu nodded, "Of course," he replied before taking note of their hands and pulled his, blushing.

"Atemu, I better not catch you or you're dead meat!" Mahado's voice rang from the other end of the incredibly long hallway. Atemu's eyes widened, knowing he was caught, apologized to Ranmen and darted off.

XXX

Atemu woke up and sighed. How amusing. He didn't expect the man he met that day was the one who would bring him headaches. Ranmen didn't even look like he was cruel enough to be capable of killing people.

"Is something wrong, Atemu?"

Atemu's eyes widened in surprise before turning to his side, seeing his cousin, who had his arm draped over him protectively, "Seth, you're here!" he cried, hugging his blue-eyed priest.

Seth returned the affection, briefly taking a glance on his Atemu before he smiled, "I take it you missed me?" he asked.

Atemu hit him on his chest, "I can't believe you! You wouldn't even talk to me this afternoon. I thought you were angry with me for not letting you go with the troops," he said.

"Come on, Atemu. You know we had to talk about Karimu and Shadi's abduction. You've been burdened with a lot of problems lately," Seth explained, "If I had the choice, I wouldn't attend it but I have to."

Atemu sighed, "I know… but… please tell me the next time so I won't worry, okay?" he said.

"Of course, Atemu"

"Thank you, cousin," the monarch said.

"You're always welcome. Now go to sleep," Seth commanded. Atemu chuckled before his head on the other's chest and drifted off.

XXX

"Shadi, are you awake?"

The mentioned priest opened his eyes, adjusting to the dark, "I am. What is it?" Shadi replied, testing if he could move his arms. As expected, they were bound.

"We have to return soon. They're trying to kidnap the pharaoh," Karimu reported, "I overheard some of them talking about his majesty and killing High Priest Seth. It seems Mahado really knew what's going on."

Shadi sighed, "If only it was that easy. Akunadin will sense us if we use our powers, it will not be easy to escape," he told his friend.

Karimu, however, didn't answer. There wasn't a point to bring up. Shadi was right. All they can do now is wait, and recuperate.