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.

13

"Shada."

"Yes pharaoh."

"While we wait for Karim's return, take Akhenaden into the other room and remove the millennium eye."

The other priests gasped, "Is that wise pharaoh?" Isis asked

"I believe so, now Shada please see to it at once."

"You cannot do this, the eye is mine! I am its rightful holder!"

"Not any longer, you have abused your power and position, brother or not I will not stand for it!"

Shada had several guards drag the still shouting Akhenaden into the adjoining room.

The pharaoh sighed, "I need a break." He stood up and went into the garden, the remaining priests watched him go, Yugi also watched him, but he noticed something the others had not…

"What's wrong with him Atemu?" Yugi asked in a whisper

"I think these problems are beginning to take their toll."

"Is that all it is?"

Atemu shook his head "No I think that the fact his own brother was involved has also upset him."

Yugi turned to walk away

"Where are you going little one?" Atemu asked.

Yugi looked over his shoulder at the crown prince "To see the pharaoh, I have something I need to say and I think he needs to hear."

"Shall I come with you?"

"Thanks Atemu but I'd rather do this alone."

Atemu watched as Yugi made his way into the garden

"Where is Yugi going prince Atemu?"

"He's going to talk to father."

"Is that wise? You know he hates to be disturbed while he's in the garden."

Atemu looked at the two priests standing with him "Yes I believe it is, Yugi said he had something he needed to say and he thought father needed to hear." Atemu looked out into the garden again "And I believe him."

They watched as Yugi made his way over to the stone bench where Aknamkanon sat and saw the pharaoh look at Yugi, smile then pat the bench beside him, an invitation for Yugi to sit down.

They both sat in silence "It was a noble cause to start with." Yugi said quietly

Aknamkanon looked at him "Do you really believe that?"

Yugi smiled "Yes I do, I mean think about it, many nobles having to suffer being childless their whole lives and having no-one to pass their wealth onto, while innocent babes were left to perish because their parents could not afford to keep them."

The pharaoh watched Yugi as the young one contemplated "It is a shame that greed eventually took over, there are a lot of homeless youngsters out there who would love the chance of a real home." He looked at the pharaoh "Once we find and deal with the child brokers you could do something similar, but without charge."

"That is worth looking into young one, I'll have to give it some thought."

Yugi went slightly pink as he said, "I already have pharaoh."

The pharaoh chuckled "When we have finished today's unpleasant business you will have to outline your ideas for me."

Yugi smiled "Certainly my pharaoh."

Yugi stood up and stood in front of the pharaoh "Can I ask you a personal question pharaoh?"

"Of course Yugi what is it?"

"When was the last time you had a hug?"

Aknamkanon was surprised by the question and had to think hard "Do you know Yugi I can't honestly remember. Why?"

Smiling Yugi placed the scales on the bench then, standing in front of the pharaoh again Yugi leaned in and wrapped his arms round his shoulders, Aknamkanon stiffened.

Atemu stood there his mouth open in shock

"What does Yugi think he's doing?" Mahad yelled. He was about to go outside and pull Yugi from the pharaoh.

Isis grabbed his arm "Mahad stop! Look."

Mahad looked back at the scene and was surprised when he saw the pharaoh visibly relax and return Yugi's embrace.

"Thank you Yugi I needed this."

Chuckling Yugi pulled away "My grandpa always used to say 'a hug a day keeps the despair away'"

"Your grandfather was a very wise man, I do feel much better."

Yugi picked up the scales again "I'll leave you to your thoughts now pharaoh."

Yugi walked back into the throne room and up to Atemu and the others.

"What were you thinking, hugging the pharaoh like that?" Mahad asked him

"Does it matter?"

''Of course it matters!" Mahad said tersely "You can't just go round hugging the pharaoh like that."

"Why not?"

''It's just not done Yugi." Isis answered him before Mahad could lose it

"Why did you do it Yugi?" Atemu asked and Yugi noticed that it was amusement more than anger that laced his voice.

Yugi sighed, "When the pharaoh walked into the gardens what did you three see?"

Mahad spoke first "I saw my pharaoh walk into the garden nothing more."

"Isis?" Yugi asked

"The same thing, a man walking into the garden getting some fresh air."

Yugi turned to Atemu "What about you?"

"Much like the others, I saw my father walk into the garden."

Yugi looked out the window at the pharaoh "That is not what I saw."

"Then what did you see Yugi?" Isis asked him softly.

His eyes not leaving the man outside he spoke quietly "I saw a man who has just had to banish a nephew he'd only just found out he had, a man that may have to sentence his own brother to death for his betrayal, but most importantly of all I saw a lonely man." He turned to Atemu "When you've had a stressful day what is the first thing you do when you get back to our rooms?"

Atemu looked at Yugi his eyes widening in sudden realisation "I pull you in for a hug."

"Why?"

"It soothes me and helps me relax."

Yugi smiled and turned to Isis and Mahad "You two have each other, but who does the pharaoh have?" he turned back to Atemu "When was the last time you gave the pharaoh a hug? As a son would, to his father?"

"I never realised." Atemu said in a whisper as he again looked at his father.

"That was why I willingly allowed Yugi the scales."

The small group turned and bowed as they saw the goddess Ma'at standing there also watching the pharaoh. "The child is extremely perceptive and has seen the loneliness Aknamkanon has managed to keep hidden since the death of his beloved wife and your mother Amisi, prince Atemu."

"Why does he not take solace in the harem?" Mahad asked

"My father has never used the harem, he does not believe in sex without love." Atemu whispered

"A trait." Ma'at smiled at Atemu, "He has passed onto you."

"Why are you here goddess?" Yugi asked

"To tell you that Akhenaden although denying such knows the names of all the people you seek, do not let him sway you into thinking otherwise." Unknown to the group the pharaoh had entered the room

"Thank you goddess." He sighed, "Upon Kalim's return we will seek to extract the information."

"A word of warning Aknamkanon" the goddess said "Only use the millennium rod if there is no other way."

"Why Ma'at why only then?"

"As an ex-item holder Akhenaden may be able to withstand the rod's power, it might be wiser to use the key and scale combined."

"Is Yugi strong enough to hold both items?"

"No he is not, they would have to be held by the bearer of the Millennium Key."

Aknamkanon bowed "thank you Ma'at." The goddess nodded and vanished.

Shada walked into the room "It is done pharaoh."

"Good, where is the eye?"

"I have it here pharaoh." Shada held his hand out and gave the eye to the pharaoh who slipped it into his cloak

"Because of the power it has the eye will no longer be used in times of peace." He walked to his throne and sat down.

Atemu, Yugi and the pharaoh were talking among themselves, as were Shada, Isis and Mahad.

Soon the throne room doors opened and Karim entered, he bowed to the pharaoh "Seto has been escorted to Egypt's borders and I watched as he walked into the desert."

"Rise Karim, tell me, what of the young man called Jou?"

"Once I was able to persuade Seto that Jou had not really betrayed him just his father he asked that he join him."

"And once Jou was informed that you would indeed allow it, he agreed to join Seto in exile."

"Was extra food provided?"

"Yes pharaoh three day's supply, the same as Seto."

"Do you know which heading they took?"

"Yes my pharaoh they headed towards Nubia."

"Thank you Karim." He turned to the guards "Bring in Akhenaden!" the pharaoh commanded.

That thing about the 'hug a day' my gran the wise old bird she was, used to say that whenever she saw us as an excuse to give her grandkids a hug, you know I still thank about that, and her even after all these years.

Chibi.