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.

27

"So are we all agreed?" Aknamkanon asked the members of his council. The new head of council Madu stood.

"Yes pharaoh we have discussed this between us and feel it would not be fair to prince Atemu or Yugi to force them apart."

He paused as he looked at the other council members, "The only thing now is to decide on the fate of Egypt."

The pharaoh sat on the throne his eyes closed, Atemu not having a liking for woman was a problem but he knew that this like any problem could and would eventually be solved. "Where is Atemu and Yugi?" he asked, knowing they were already late for this meeting.

Madu stood up again "I saw them in the gardens pharaoh when I went to breakfast and told them to delay their arrival for an hour."

"Why?" Aknamkanon asked

Madu cleared his throat in slight embarrassment "I hope you don't mind Pharaoh but I thought it would be better to further discuss this without them here."

The pharaoh smiled "Perhaps you are right, Atemu would most probably have argued with us until we gave him our decision."

He looked at his council members then grinned, "I think it is time prince Atemu met our new council member, Bomani please go and tell the prince and Yugi we are ready for them."

Bomani stood and bowed "As you command my pharaoh." As he left the room the pharaoh and the remaining council members watched Bomani walk away in some amusement, the poor man was definitely not used to wearing long garments having only ever worn the short shenti used by the pharaoh's army.

Bomani found Atemu and Yugi still in the gardens Atemu was sitting leant against a tree Yugi was snuggled into his side. As much as Bomani hated to interrupt the tranquil scene he coughed to alert them of his presence.

Atemu looked up at him "Bomani?" he asked in surprise "What on earth are you wearing?"

Bomani looked uncomfortable "I am one of pharaoh's council now."

"Congratulations!" Atemu and Yugi said together.

"Thank you." He said proudly then his shoulders sagged "And apparently I have to dress like this."

Yugi giggled "I take it you don't like it?"

"It's not that I don't like it, it's just more cumbersome than what I'm used to."

"Don't worry you'll soon get used to it." Yugi said

Atemu raised an eyebrow "Oh like you have?" he asked teasingly looking at the shenti Yugi was wearing.

Blushing Yugi slapped his arm lightly "I wear the long stuff when I have too." Yugi then looked at Bomani "Perhaps you could ask the pharaoh if you could just wear that stuff on official business."

Bomani brightened "Do you think he would allow it?"

"I'm sure he would, now Bomani what is it you wanted?" Atemu asked

"The pharaoh would like to see you both in the throne room now."

Both Yugi and Atemu stood up. "I suppose we'd better go see what he wants, unless you know Bomani?" Yugi asked him

"It is not my place to say master Yugi."

Yugi growled "Stop with the master Yugi, I am no one's master!"

Bomani bowed "As you wish Yugi."

"That's better." Yugi mumbled as he and Atemu followed Bomani to the throne room.

Ra had been watching the scene taking place in the garden "They are afraid." He said to no one in particular, he was surprised when Ma'at answered him.

"What are they afraid of Ra?"

"Yugi still thinks they will have to part and Atemu is afraid that Yugi will leave him again."

"But surely Atemu would just go after him again?"

Ra nodded "That is true but what scares him the most is that he might not be able to find Yugi next time."

Ma'at walked to the viewing pool to see Atemu and Yugi following the new council member.

"Don't you think it's time you and Hathor told them?" Ma'at asked.

Ra could not miss the resentment in her voice he turned to her.

"Ma'at I am sorry you will not be the one to break the news to the young ones but I have a different task for you."

Ma'at looked at him sceptically "Oh and what might that be?"

"I want you to look after Yugi during his pregnancy."

"But that is Meskhent's job!" Ma'at said

"Not this time." Ra said as he remembered Osiris's words 'she would ramble on about childbirth being the bastion of women, and something a man could not and should not encroach upon.'

Ra couldn't take the risk that Meskhent wouldn't do anything to disrupt the pregnancy or hinder the birthing when the time came, he looked down at the young lovers after all this was a one-time only deal…he turned to Ma'at "I would also ask that you guard Isis when she aids Yugi with the birth."

Ma'at bowed "Of course Ra."

Ra smiled "Thank you, I feel better knowing that they are protected by justice and wisdom."

Hathor walked into the room "Are you ready?" she asked Ra

He turned to her "Yes I am ready."

"Grand entrance?" Hathor asked with a grin

Ra shook his head "Not this time Hathor, I want to stay invisible for a while."

"Why?"

"I want to hear what they have to say first."

Hathor sulked it had been a long time since she was able to frighten a mortal with her presence.

Ra chuckled "Come on I'm sure we can find someone for you to frighten."

Hathor cheered up, Ra held his hand up "But not until we're done with the pharaoh and his court."

"Fine." Hathor said her mood suddenly down again.

As Ra and Hathor vanished Ma'at chuckled at Hathor's behaviour, but she knew she herself had it lucky she could descend as she wanted but Hathor could only go on certain occasions and only with Ra's permission. She took one last look into the pool "Good luck prince Atemu and Yugi, I will be watching over you."

Atemu, Yugi and Bomani made it back to the throne room, "You wished to see us father?" Atemu asked

"Yes my son." He said as he motioned to the two empty chairs, the two boys sat down

"Now the council and I have been discussing the situation about an heir for Egypt."

Atemu stood up "There is nothing to discuss!" Atemu growled, "It is not happening!"

Aknamkanon sighed, he was glad that Madu had had them wait, if he hadn't they wouldn't have gotten this far.

"Atemu." He sighed, "Sit down and let me say what I have to then you can argue if you still feel the need."

Feeling Yugi's gentle touch on his arm Atemu looked at him, he saw the pleading look and smiled softly, he turned back to his father and nodded "For Yugi's sake I will listen."

"The council and I have discussed this matter at great length and decided that you and Yugi should marry as soon as possible."

Atemu and Yugi's eyes widened "But yesterday…" Yugi stopped as he noticed a councilman try and stifle a yawn "How long have you been here?"

Madu looked at Yugi "Since before even the servants rose, we had just broken to get some breakfast when I saw you in the gardens."

"Why that early?" Atemu asked

Aknamkanon smiled "Because we knew it was the only way to discuss this without you knowing and arguing."

Yugi wanting to get the meeting back on track asked, "Why do we have to marry so soon?"

"It will get the people used to the fact there will be no heir." Yugi couldn't miss the sadness in the pharaoh's voice he stood up

"There will be no wedding." He stated firmly, he knew what he was about to say would not only break Atemu's heart but his own as well "I do not love prince Atemu enough for marriage."

Everyone's eyes widened but before they could say anything or demand answers an angry voice reverberated around the room "That is a lie Yugi and you know it!"

Everyone turned to the direction of the voice to see Ra and Hathor standing there. The Egyptian court bowed to them.

"Stand pharaoh you have no need to bow." Ra said kindly, doing as they were told the humans stood up

"What do you mean he's lying mighty Ra?" Atemu asked his voice laced with his tears.

Hathor looked at him "Yugi loves you more than anything." She turned to Yugi "Why don't you tell them what this is about Yugi? or shall I?"

Yugi lowered his head "I can't let Egypt go without what she needs, and she needs an heir." Yugi looked back up tears streaming down his face.

Atemu went to go to him but Ra motioned for him to stay where he was, Hathor knelt in front of Yugi "What about what you need Yugi? What do you want?"

"It doesn't matter what I want great goddess, I have to do what's right."

Hathor looked at Ra who nodded to her.

Gently wiping the tears from Yugi's cheeks she smiled then she spoke so that only Yugi could hear her, "What if you were given the chance to give Atemu the heir he needs, would you do it?"

Yugi looked up at her his eyes wide "In a heartbeat great goddess, but I am not a female."

Hathor chuckled as she stood up she turned to Ra "In a heartbeat." Was all she said, the others in the room looked at the goddess in confusion Ra grinned

"Then so be it."

Ra turned to Yugi "Go stand by your prince." Yugi did as he was told, and Atemu grabbed his hand tightly "Prince Atemu, Yugi, it is true that Egypt does indeed need an heir, and that your love for each other makes it impossible but..."

"But?" Aknamkanon said carefully

"Yes but." He turned to the young ones "Yugi, I will grant you the means to conceive and carry a child."

"WHAT?!" a chorus of voices said

Ra chuckled "Tonight while you sleep, although you will stay as a male, your body will be altered so that you may conceive and carry a son for prince Atemu."

"But…But…but"

"No buts Yugi, he loves you and now because you will be able to give him what he needs you will not have to part."

"How will I, you know?" Yugi asked nervously

Hathor chuckled "When the time comes Yugi the goddess Isis will help you but be warned you will not be able to give birth naturally."

"Then how?"

"It will be taken from your body by knife." Hathor looked at him "Do you still wish to do this?"

Yugi looked at Atemu "With all my heart."

Hathor kissed his forehead "Then it will be done, good luck to you both."

Ra and Hathor appeared to vanish.

A.N

Sorry for the wait folks, but real life got in the way.