Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters (unless otherwise stated) Kazuki Takahashi does, nor do I make any money from these stories.

11

In Atemu's room he and Yugi sat on the bed contemplating on what had happened in the throne room earlier, Yugi looked at the prince "What do you think the pharaoh will do to Seto and his lover?"

Atemu sighed, "I don't really know Yugi, I suppose it depends on how angry he makes my father."

"Will he blame Seto for Akhenaden's actions? I mean for killing that guard."

"I don't think so Yugi after all Seto was still locked up so I don't think he was involved."

"I'm glad." Yugi whispered "It would be a shame if the son had to pay for his father's actions."

A knock sounded, "Enter!" Atemu called The door opened revealing one of the throne room guards "What is it Bomani?"

Bomani bowed "My prince the pharaoh wishes for you and Yugi to join him in the throne room."

"Did he say why?"

Bomani looked at them "He is going to sentence the former high priest and his lover."

"Thank you, tell my father we will be right there."

Bomani bowed again "As you command my prince." He turned and left the room closing the door behind him.

"Why didn't we go with him Atemu?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were ready to face Seto and possibly Akhenaden."

Yugi smiled at him "Thanks, but I will be fine." He looked up at Atemu mischievously "Besides, I will have a little help."

Atemu raised his eyebrows "Oh, who from?"

Yugi lifted the scales from the table and grinned "Ma'at."

Atemu chuckled as he followed Yugi out the door.

It wasn't long before they made it to the throne room at the door they found Bomani waiting for them.

"Why are you still here Bomani?" Atemu asked him politely

The guard bowed "The pharaoh asked that I stay by master Yugi's side during the hearing."

"Why did he pick you Bomani?" Yugi asked him

He didn't pick me master Yugi, I volunteered."

"Why would you do that?" Atemu asked

"To repay master Yugi for the kindness he showed my dying mother." Bomani chuckled at the light blush on Yugi's face.

Atemu smiled "That is one story I think I'd like to hear."

Embarrassed Yugi mumbled, "I didn't do a lot."

"We'll talk about this later I'm sure father is waiting."

Bomani opened the throne room door and stood aside so Yugi and Atemu could enter. Atemu stood on the dais next to his father and Yugi stood to the side with the other priests, Bomani standing just behind him.

"Oh look." Seto sneered "The street-rat finally graces us with his presence."

"Enough Seto! You have already been warned." Aknamkanon commanded. Seto calmed down and pointedly refused to look at either Jou or Yugi, deciding to stay focused on the pharaoh hoping to find anything that he could use to save his skin.

"Now then Seto are you going to tell us where Akhenaden is?"

Seto refused to speak

"I will ask you once more Seto, where. Is. Akhenaden?"

Seto looked up "I do not know, I asked him to help Jou and I escape the palace dungeon and he refused." Seto gave Jou a look of hatred "That was before that worthless nobody betrayed me!"

Aknamkanon looked at the young man in question then motioned Yugi over "What do you think young one?"

Yugi looked at Jou then turned back to the pharaoh, "Could he work as a slave in the palace? It's better than what he would get on the outside."

"What of Seto?" the pharaoh asked

"That my pharaoh is up to you."

Aknamkanon sighed "Guards take Seto and Jou into the side room and guard them well."

The guards did as ordered and Aknamkanon addressed his priests "I have decided to banish Seto."

"Sire." Mahad spoke "Then would it not be prudent to wait until Akhenaden has been found?"

"You may be right Mahad."

"What of the one called Jou?"

"It would appear that he has lost Seto's affections so we thought about making him a slave to the palace."

Isis nodded "That is a good idea, it will keep him safe from Seto's or Akhenaden's wrath but my pharaoh."

"Yes Isis what is it?

''We still need to know where Seto obtained the money to buy the young man's freedom."

The pharaoh looked at her "Yes, I had forgotten about that."

"Now all we need to decide is where to place the slave."

"Somewhere where he can't cause any harm." Shada said quietly

"That is a given Shada." The pharaoh said

After much deliberation it was decided that Yugi had had the best idea, which was to place the young man as a temple servant,

there to keep the temple clean at all times and to help the priests prepare for the rituals.

Aknamkanon looked at Minkah "Fetch the blond prisoner."

Minkah bowed "By your command pharaoh."

Yugi watched as Minkah walked to the side room and went inside.

"What do you want?" Seto sneered at him

"It does not concern you." he looked at Jou "You're to come with me."

"Why?" Jou asked quietly

"The pharaoh has commanded it now come on."

Jou stood up and looked at Seto who turned his head away from him "Seto." Jou whispered

"Leave me traitor!" Seto snapped

Jou hung his head and followed Minkah out the door; he knelt at the feet of the pharaoh.

"Look at me." The pharaoh commanded he could see that the young man was still upset "I take it Seto is still ignoring you?"

"Yes pharaoh."

"Very well, I or should I say we, have decided on your punishment." The pharaoh saw the young man flinch as he bowed his head "You will not be put back into slavery, instead you will serve as a temple servant."

Jou looked up "What?"

"You will be placed in the temple of Ma'at, your duties will be to keep the temple clean at all times and help the priests." The pharaoh watched as Jou visibly relaxed "The work is not hard but it is tiring."

"Minkah, remove his chains and escort him to the temple."

"By your command pharaoh."

Minkah undid the shackles and pulled Jou to his feet, "Come, the temple is this way."

Jou started to follow the guard when suddenly he turned,

"Pharaoh."

"What is it?"

"You will find Akhenaden at Yugi's former home."

"You know this how?"

"For the short time we lived there, Akhenaden would meet others there, they would talk, share out money and other things, I was always sent out of the house."

"Then how do you know this for certain?" Kalim asked

Jou looked at him "It was my home he may have sent me out the door, but it didn't stop me looking in through the window."

"Was Seto there?" the pharaoh asked

"Not always but he did attend when he could, when it didn't look suspicious that two of the priests were missing."

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Atemu asked

"My loyalty was to Seto, now I have none." Jou turned and followed where Minkah had gone.

When the throne room doors closed an angry Aknamkanon looked to his priests "Gather a small army and bring me Akhenaden!"

Bomani bowed "Shall I accompany them pharaoh?"

"No Bomani I want you to stick with Yugi."

"As you wish." Bomani went back to his place behind Yugi.

"Bring in Seto."

The guards pulled in a struggling Seto "I told you I don't know where Akhenaden is!"

Aknamkanon smirked "You may not but we do."

Thanks ShinigamiSeniade it's good to be back. Hopefully along with the old there will be some new stories as well.