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.

Chapter 16

Karim bowed "I assume it will be the usual method of execution for a member of the noble classes, death by cobra bite?"

"No Karim it will not."

The way in which the pharaoh had spoken surprised the new high priest, "Then what will be his punishment pharaoh?"

"I will reveal that in due time, first have Atemu and Yugi bought to me."

Karim motioned a guard over "Ask prince Atemu and Yugi to come to the throne room."

The guard bowed and left.

"Karim, I want you and Shada to search Akhenaden's rooms from top to bottom, see if you can find any records detailing the actions of the 'Baby Brokers' and see if you can find any kind of financial records while you're at it."

Karim bowed "By your command pharaoh." He and Shada left the throne room.

He turned to Isis and Mahad "I want you two to search Seto's old rooms look for the same things."

The priest and priestess bowed "By your command pharaoh." Mahad said as he led Isis from the room. Leaving Aknamkanon alone to think before Atemu and Yugi's arrival interrupted his thoughts.

"You wanted to see us father?" seeing the flushed look on Yugi's face the pharaoh grinned, "Did I interrupt anything?"

Immediately knowing what was going through his father's mind Atemu scowled "Not father you did not, we have not yet reached that stage in our relationship!"

Yugi blushed brightly when he suddenly realised what the pharaoh had meant, he looked down at the floor "No pharaoh, Atemu was just tickling me as punishment."

The pharaoh raised an eyebrow "Punishment, for what?"

Yugi looked at Atemu then to the pharaoh and grinned "I beat him at senet. Aknamkanon was surprised, even he had never beaten Atemu at senet, he didn't think it was even possible; Ra knows he'd tried often enough.

Atemu looked at his father "What did you want to see us about father?"

Atemu's question pulled Aknamkanon from his thoughts "Ah yes, I want you to gather a small group of guards and take Yugi into town, I want you to find Bakari and bring him here."

"He won't be in trouble will he?"

The pharaoh smiled "No Yugi he will not, I wish to discuss something with him."

Yugi was confused "Pharaoh he can't talk, I told you remember?"

"We will find away." The pharaoh said kindly.

"When do we leave father?"

"As soon as you both are ready, and I do not have to remind you to be careful." Then as an afterthought he added "Leave Bomani and Minkah behind I have a special job for them."

"Yes father." Atemu led Yugi from the room.

Once the boys had gone he called for Bomani and Minkah to be bought to him, it wasn't long before they walked into the throne room and kneeled before their pharaoh, "You wanted to see us pharaoh?"

"Yes, stand up I have something I'd like you to do for me."

"What is it pharaoh?"

"Here is a list naming the so called 'baby brokers' I want you to put together a small army, find these people and bring them back here."

"And if they resist pharaoh?"

"Use whatever force is necessary."

Aknamkanon saw the smirks on their faces "But keep it within reason, I need them alive for sentencing."

The two guards looked at each other "Is there any particular way you want this done?"

The pharaoh shook his head "No I will leave in entirely in your hands." He looked at the two men "I am placing my complete trust in you two, see that this trust is not misplaced."

"You can count on us sire."

"Then go and find them."

The two men bowed then left the room.

Yugi and Atemu were talking quietly as they rode into town, they had a small contingent of guards with them, 10 at most. It didn't take them long to find Bakari, he was sitting were he usually sat, in front of the door to his home enjoying the playful laughter of the small ones at play whilst at the same time mourning the loss of those taken or killed.

Yugi and Atemu climbed from the horse "Bakari?" Yugi said quietly so as not to startle the old man.

He looked at who had spoken to him and smiled when he saw it was Yugi, but his smile turned into a frown when he saw who was with him. "May we sit down? I want to talk to you about something?" Atemu asked.

The old man looked at him, distrust shining in his eyes, then he heard Yugi speak "Please Bakari we really need to talk to you." Hearing the soft pleading he nodded and Yugi rewarded him with a beautiful smile. Bakari drew a question mark in the sand.

Atemu cleared his throat "My father has asked that you come to the palace with us, he wishes to talk to you about something." Without even thinking about it Bakari shook his head 'no'

"Why not?" asked Yugi softly

Bakari pointed to his mouth and Yugi knew what it was he was trying to say "But Bakari, the pharaoh didn't know you had been to the palace that day Akhenaden never told him, when I told him about what happened to you he was shocked and angry about it."

Yugi and Atemu watched as Bakari wrote something in the sand "Where is the bastard priest?"

"Locked up in the palace dungeon where he should be!" Atemu replied,

The venom with which the crown prince spoke surprised the old man and Yugi chuckled "Trust me Bakari, prince Atemu's anger is nothing compared to the pharaohs."

"Why I go to palace?" he wrote

Atemu shook his head "He didn't tell us, he just said he needed to discuss something with you."

Bakari studied the face of the young man in front of him then looked at Yugi, he pointed to Yugi then Atemu and then wrapped his arms round himself, knowing what he was asking Yugi blushed and Atemu chuckled

"Yes." Yugi whispered looking down at the ground.

Bakari thought for a moment 'If Yugi can trust the pharaoh enough to love his son, then perhaps I can trust him enough to go and see what he wants.' Making up his mind the old man tucked a calloused hand under Yugi's chin and lifted his head, then nodded

"You'll come with back with us then?" Yugi asked hopefully

Again the old man nodded "Thank you." Atemu said sincerely.

Bomani and Minkah looked across at the men who had gathered to listen to what they were being asked to volunteer for. "As you know we have been charged with an important task by the pharaoh!" Bomani yelled at the gathered men. "We are to go out and hunt down those people who have stolen or murdered our children! But we must bring them back alive so the pharaoh can deal with them!" he looked at the men "The task may be a long and unpleasant one, those of you still willing to go raise your hands!" just as he'd expected every man raised his hand,

One man spoke out "I think I speak for everyone here when I say, no matter how long it takes we will not rest until we will find them!" the rest of the gathered men shouted their agreement.

"Mount up!"

Once they were ready Bomani raised his sword and cried "FOR THE CHILDREN!" and galloped out of the palace gates.