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 11 – Chosen One

They emerged to find the place in turmoil. Honda left quickly to get aid for the Pharaoh, he returned a short while later with Ishizu.

"Thank Ra, you are Ok," she exclaimed as she ran up to them.

"The whole palace has been looking for you. We feared you might have been kidnapped...or worse".

She stopped as she took in the scene before her. The Pharaoh was leaning heavily on the arm of an unknown slave and he looked to be in great distress. His eyes were red and his dusty face was streaked with tears. Honda stood behind them and she realised they were standing outside the entrance to the dungeons. She gave Honda a knowing look.

"Yugi?" she said in a sad voice.

He nodded and let his eyes drop back down to the floor. Ishizu sighed and signalled for two passing guards to help and together they made their way back to the Pharaoh's chambers. Once there, the exhausted Pharaoh was helped to bed and Jou was pushed to the side. No one seemed to have noticed him.

'Maybe I can slip away back to the tunnels where it will be safe?' he thought quickly.

However, as he tried to slip back round to the servants entrance he was grabbed from behind.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" came the gruff voice of one of the guards.

'That's it I'm in trouble now,' Jou thought.

If they learned he was an escaped slave Ra knew what his punishment would be. The guard began to steer him towards the door.

"Wait," came the tired voice of the Pharaoh.

"Let him stay".

The guard let go of Jou and bowed as he left the room closing the door quietly behind him. Ishizu was the only one to remain. She held a cup of warm liquid out to Yami who took it gratefully and drank. The warm liquid made him drowsy and he felt his eyes growing heavy as he laid his head back down on the pillow.

"I'm so sorry Yami", she said as she laid a gentle hand on the now sleeping Pharaohs forehead.

She stepped back and pulled the curtains around him for privacy and turned to the tall blond youth.

"What is your name?"

"Jou, my lady."

"That is not necessary, I have no title, call me Ishizu. How did you come to be here?"

"I'm a friend...." his voice caught.

"Was. A friend of Yugi's."

"I see. Sit down Jou, you look tired".

"Thank you".

He sank heavily into the chair behind him.

"Would you like something to eat or drink", Ishizu asked.

"Something to eat would be nice".

Fresh tears rose to his eyes as he remembered why he was hungry. Yugi had forgotten to bring the food parcel with him on his last visit. He blinked back the tears. No, he had to be strong for Yugi's sake. He would want him to be. Ishizu approached Jou as he fought with his emotions and laid a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.

'How have things got so bad?' she thought.

The prophecy had been nearly fulfilled. All the millennium guardians had gathered in their appropriate places and by the appointed time. Things had been going well but then this had happened. Maybe she had been wrong...maybe Yugi wasn't the chosen one. After all if he had been, why would fate allowed him to die before his task was complete? She sighed and looked worryingly out of the window watching the sun set behind the dunes.