DECLARAION: - This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.
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Chapter 5 – Betrayal
The following weeks were great. In between his duties and time with Yami, Yugi was able to slip into the tunnels to see Jou, often bringing him food and things to keep him occupied. Jou was looking much stronger now he was eating well again. Yami noticed the change in Yugi.
"Yugi, you seem very happy at the moment," Yami said one morning.
Yugi paused from where he was laying out Yami's clothes.
"Yes, I suppose I am," Yugi replied cheerfully.
"It seems you have been much happier since you met with your friend. Jou wasn't it".
"Yes, Jou always looked after me when I lived with my grandfather. Looking after me when times were bad. I was able to help him out that day, and I'm glad I was able to repay him for his kindness".
Well he wasn't lying to Yami. He had been able to help Jou, and was continuing to help him. Soon Jou would be able to find a new, much kinder master. He wished he could ask Yami to give him a job at the palace but he didn't want to ask the Pharaoh for anything more, he had already given him so much and it wasn't his place to ask.
"I'm glad you were able to help your friend".
Yami sat down.
"Yugi..."
"Yes Yami".
Yugi approached the Pharaoh.
"Over the last few months you've been more like a brother to me than a servant or friend".
Yugi waited knowing that Yami wanted to say more.
"There is something I want to show you. Have you heard the legend of the 'power of the Pharaoh'?"
Yugi nodded.
"Yes, it's an old story told by the story tellers".
"Do you know how the story goes?"
Yugi looked thoughtful as he tried to recall the story.
"The story says that when a great and powerful evil descends across the land of Egypt its Pharaoh shall stand tall and call forth his power to destroy the evil and using the seven mystical millennium items lock it away in the shadow realm so Egypt shall once again be safe".
"Yes that's the one. What if I told you it wasn't a story, that the legend was true".
"True?"
"Yugi come with me. I want to show you something".
Yugi dutifully followed Yami as they walked out of the chamber and down the corridor. Yugi wondered where they were going. They approached the large gold encrusted doors of the palace temple and entered. Yugi looked round. He had never been allowed in here before. Large statues depicting the gods of Egypt towered above them and Yugi recognised those of Ra and Osiris. Yami walked to the centre of the room and climbed the steps to the dais. Yugi followed him. A large stone statue stood, on a stone plinth in the centre of the dais. What caught Yugi's eye were the seven golden items embedded into the statue. On its forehead sat the orb of an eye, in one hand it held a long rod and in the other an Ankh, around its neck it wore a necklace and on a long golden chain a ring. At its feet sat a set of scales and in the place of its heart was a gold inverted pyramid. All of the items had the symbol of the eye of Horus marked on them.
"Yami, are these the millennium items from the ancient story?" Yugi asked with wonder.
"Yes, and according to a prediction made at my birth I'm to be the Pharaoh to wield their power, but I don't know how or when".
He sighed and looked down at the floor deep in thought. Yugi not wanting to disturb Yami's thoughts moved closer to the statue. The item in the middle, the inverted pyramid intrigued him and without thinking he reached up his hand to touch it. To Yugi's surprise it started to glow. Yugi snatched his hand away. Yami saw his quick movement.
"Yugi, what's the matter?"
Yugi didn't get a chance to answer as the doors to the temple swung open with a loud bang and Seto the High priest came striding in muttering under his breath. He didn't notice the two boys at first but stopped when he saw Yami.
"Your High...Highness," he stammered.
"Please forgive me I did not expect to see you," he recovered with a low bow.
"You look upset Seto is something wrong?" Yami asked.
"No Your Highness," he replied politely.
"Just a small affair of state which is in need of sorting. Nothing to worry about, I can handle it."
He turned to leave when he noticed Yugi standing behind Yami. His tone instantly turned hostile.
"What is that slave doing inside the sacred temple? Guards remove him".
Yugi shrank back.
"Stop where you are." Yami commanded to the guards.
He turned to Seto his voice taking on a dangerous tone.
"He is here at my request".
"But he is a common slave and defiles the temple with his presence my Pharaoh".
"He is my friend and I will not tolerate your tone." Yami said angrily.
Realising he was treading on dangerous ground Seto bowed to the Pharaoh in submission.
"Please forgive me Your Highness. I meant no offence. Of course the boy is welcome as your guest".
Yami turned to Yugi.
"Come Yugi, I think we have stayed long enough".
With that Yami swept out the temple, Yugi followed swiftly behind. As they passed, Seto raised his head to give Yugi a look of pure hatred. Yugi, hurried to catch Yami up glancing fearfully back at the High Priest. The doors closed behind them and Yugi was glad when they finally reached the safety of Yami's chambers. Yami dropped into a chair with a look of concern on his face. Yugi approached him head bowed.
"I'm sorry Yami".
Yami was pulled back from his thoughts.
"For what Yugi?"
"For causing you trouble".
Yami looked at the humble boy standing before him, eyes lowed to the floor. He sat up and gently lifted Yugi's chin to look him deep in the eyes.
"It's not your fault Yugi," he said firmly.
"If anyone is to blame it is I".
He sighed deeply.
"Perhaps I should not have shown you the temple and the secrets it contained?"
He sat back deep in thought again.
"Yugi. I want you to promise me you will never tell anyone of what you have seen today. If my enemies were to learn of the items in the temple then they may try to take them and use their power against me".
Realising fully what Yami was saying Yugi dropped to his knees before his Pharaoh and friend.
"I promise Yami, I will never reveal your secrets. I will guard them as I would your life".
Yami looked at the small boy kneeling before him who had made the deep and serious pledge.
'Does he fully understand?' he thought.
One look at his eyes showed that he did. They were filled with fierce love and dedication. He leaned forward and placed both his hands on Yugi's shoulders.
"Thank you Yugi. I knew I chose well when I picked you to be my friend".
They sat in silence for a short while. Then Yami leaned back.
"I think is time for something to eat, wouldn't you say".
Yugi smiled and stood up making his way over to the servant's entry door which lead down into the kitchens. As he closed the door behind him he repeated the pledge to himself. He would protect Yami's secrets and with his own life if necessary.
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Down in the kitchens he delivered the food order and waited while it was prepared. He was visiting Jou that night so whilst no one was watching he quickly grabbed a few items from around the kitchen, a slice of bread, some fruit, and hid them inside his tunic. The cook returned with the food and Yugi made his way back up the stairs stopping off at his room to place the items he had stolen into a small piece of cloth, which he tied up into a bundle and placed under the bed.
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Yami yawned deeply as he finished the meal.
"I think the events of today have taken their toll on me Yugi and an early night is in order".
Yugi nodded and helped the Pharaoh get ready for bed. Once Yami was settled he went around the room quietly snuffing the candles until only one remained. He picked it up shielding its glow with his hand. He could already hear Yami's slow deep breathing as he drifted off to sleep. Not wanting to wake him he crept across the carpeted floor and slowly closed the servant's door behind him. Once out of the chambers his pace quickened and he rushed to his room. With Yami in bed earlier than usual he would be able to see Jou sooner. He picked up his cloak and candle and quickly left the room making his way down the corridor to the secret entrance. Once in the tunnels he hurried to Jou's hiding place. Jou was surprised to see him.
"Yug, your early?"
"I know Yami went to bed early so I thought I would surprise you".
"Great. How's your day been?"
Yugi relayed the story of his trip to the temple, being careful to leave out all references to the statue and millennium items, after all he had given his word to Yami and he would not break it even to his best friend. He told Jou of his encounter with Seto.
"I wonder what his problem is?" said Jou.
"I don't know but he has sure changed since the first time I met him".
He thought back to his first day when he had collapsed from fatigue and had been picked up by the High Priest and carried on his horse. What had happened to change the once kind man's opinion of Yugi?
"Yug, did you bring any food?"
Yugi's attention was snapped back.
"Oh hell, I left it under my bed".
"Never mind, I've got enough to last me till tomorrow".
"I promise I will bring it with me tomorrow".
"Ok, you were always forgetting things back home." Jou said grinning at his friend.
And that set them off reminiscing about the past.
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A cool breeze blew though the room as Yami lay in bed. He had tried to sleep but his mind was still reliving the events of the afternoon. Why had Seto been so angry that Yugi had been in the temple? Other slaves entered the temple so what was wrong with Yugi being there. He just couldn't understand it. He watched the moonlight dance on the walls and mirrors in the dark room trying to find some solace. He sighed and turned onto his side. He would have to sleep sometime otherwise he would be exhausted in the morning. He closed his eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.
A small sound behind Yami caused him to snap back to awareness. Was that just the wind or had he heard a footstep? He listened hard. There it was again, definitely a footstep. He started to sit up.
"Yugi...?" he said as he turned over.
He saw the knife just in time and rolled quickly to the side, crying out at the blade slashed down his back rather than into his chest where it had been intended. Yami dived out of the bed as the attacker recovered and swung again. This time the outline of his attacker became clear in the moonlight. Yami cried out in shock as the blade narrowly missed him again. Suddenly he tripped and as he fell he banged his head on the arm of a chair. He felt his vision beginning to blur as he started to black out.
'No I must fight it,' he thought as he struggled back to his feet.
He couldn't see anything in the dark room. Had he really seen his attacker? It couldn't be...he must have been mistaken. He turned his head as loud banging came from beyond the doors. His guards had been alerted by his cries and were trying to get into the room.
'It's been bolted form the inside,' thought Yami.
Despite his swimming head his instincts told him that there was danger to his left and he dived forwards as the knife struck again, this time slicing into his arm. Yami cried out and fell to his knees. He couldn't stand anymore. But if he didn't fight back his attacker would finish the job. Just at that moment the doors to his chambers smashed open and several guards ran in, swords drawn. As unconsciousness finally overwhelmed Yami he caught a glimpse of his attacker running towards the open balcony and despite the shadows the moonlight once again highlighted the shape of a small boy with spiky hair and if Yami had had any doubts they were soon put to rest as the boy turned slightly to look back. Although he couldn't see his face clearly there was no mistaking the blonde bangs hanging down the side of his face and the crimson streaks in his hair. Yami finally collapsed dimly aware of people gathering around him.