The Lost Pharaoh

Chapter 1: Reassurance

The wind blew the trees softly, the leaves dancing in the breeze. It was so lulling...so, extravagant. The way the sun's rays hit just right to magnify the silvery-clear drops of water from the last night's showers. The way the trees let the wind magically pull it, as if they were under some sort of spell. It was so entrancing that Yuugi almost forgot he was supposed to be listening to the teacher. With a great heavy sigh, he turned his head from the window to gaze at the teacher once more. She was currently reading from their history book about recent events that had happened with the political system and whatnot, but Yuugi was only paying half attention. His mind was elsewhere.

It had been a whole month...a month since the day of the archaeological dig and still Yuugi hadn't gotten any sign, hint or word that the lost Pharaoh of Egypt had made it back safely home. Nor had he gotten any indication when he would be seeing him again, if ever. Yami had told him that they would see each other again...

"It's because of you Yuugi that I am able to go back home. My spirit can finally be freed from this confinement of my tomb," Yami's soothing voice whispered in his ear as the memory came back.

"What will you do when you get back home...?"

"I must once again claim my throne so that no one of evil intention can take it from me. In order to do this I must seek my finest viziers and go back home to see what has happened since I have ruled 5000 years ago."

"Will I ever see you again?" Yuugi's small voice quivered softly, sounding like a whisper.

"Yes, soon...I promise..."

"When, Yami?" Yuugi muttered softly, unnoticed by any of the students around him.

A month was a long time, at least for Yuugi. For a Pharaoh who had been dead for 5000 years trapped in a deep sleep inside a dark tomb, it probably felt like a day. Yuugi had been patient for a long time, remembering the words Yami had spoken to him, knowing that Yami's troubles were all too real despite how long he had been just a spirit. Yuugi wanted to know so badly about Yami's past....about everything about him. He didn't understand why, only that he wanted to help in any way he could. But how could he when Yami was miles away and out of reach?

Yuugi folded his arms and rested his head down upon them, staring at the teacher with blank eyes, as if he didn't really see her. Two weeks ago he remembered his grandpa telling him he'd be gone all night on another dig in Egypt to uncover a piece of ancient Egypt. Yuugi didn't know what it was, nor did he care. All he wanted was for it to be the same place he met Yami...

***Flashback...

Yuugi was sitting in his room on top of his bed with his books spread all around him, concentrating on finishing his literature project. Coincidentally, part of the project had to do with ancient Egypt, or at least the system of government compared to the books they read that year.

The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs was barely noticeable to Yuugi, since he was so absorbed in his homework. Two knocks got him to lift his head and murmur for them to enter. Sugoroku came inside the doorway, smiling at how diligent Yuugi whenever he worked on anything for school. Chores were a different story.

"Yuugi, I wanted to let you know I'll be out all night."

Yuugi finally lifted his head and dropped his pencil. "Is it another Egyptian museum duty, grandpa?"

Sugoroku chuckled, "No, I'm afraid that doesn't come until we've acquired the pieces found at the dig last time."

Suddenly, Yuugi jumped up and was on his hands and knees staring at his grandpa with wide eyes, his books long forgotten.

"You mean...the dig you took me on?"

Sugoroku blinked at the strange and sudden change of behavior and nodded.

"Yes, I'm afraid when I took you we didn't have much luck in finding anything, but Arthur called me a few minutes ago saying he thinks they've found an underground cavern where some ancient Egyptian potteries and tablets have been found. They're not sure how important they are to Egypt's past so that's why I must go and help."

"I want to come!" Yuugi jumped up quickly.

"What?" Sugoroku asked surprised. "Yuugi, w-what about your homework?"

Yuugi waved the question away, "It's fine, I was working on a project that's not due for another month just because I was bored. Let's go!"

Sugoroku wondered what inspired Yuugi to like Egypt so much. Finally, he just decided it was because Yuugi had been going there since he was little. But when Yuugi got there, it wasn't the same. He climbed the waterfall where he had followed Horus, gone into the small cave...

...and there was nothing. It was just a small cave. No secret entry that led to where the glorious golden pyramid stood. Nothing but just a small empty space behind the waterfall. Yuugi could feel all his happiness dissolve and only an empty, lonely feeling was replaced. He had friends, very good friends, but it wasn't the same. He wanted to see Yami again, to talk with him about Egypt and everything he had experienced as a Pharaoh. He wanted to know what the customs were, the language...he wanted to be a part of Yami's culture and heritage. It was like, he wished he could be with Yami all the time...but that was impossible, especially now that Yami was back in Kemet...

***End Flashback

Two weeks had gone by and still the pain of not seeing or hearing from Yami had stayed built up inside him. Even when his friends asked him to go the movies, or arcade or even have a Duel Monsters battle together, Yuugi made up some excuse about homework or helping his grandpa. What really happened was that he stayed in his room replaying the whole day over and over again. It was sad really, even he admitted it. But until he was sure Yami was safe, or at least got there and was getting his throne back, if he hadn't all ready, then he couldn't stop thinking about it. He was worried about him. Yuugi was very kind and sensitive to his friends and grandpa, even arch rivals like Kaiba. But not knowing about Yami was driving him crazy to where he could barely sleep and do his daily activities.

All of a sudden the bell rang, drowning out Yuugi's thoughts. The teacher closed the book and wished them all a good weekend. While everyone was leaving Yuugi slowly began to pack. He had done it again, he had zoned out in every class for the past month not listening to the teacher and only thinking about Yami and Ancient Egypt. He had only paid attention during history last week when they had been talking about the rise of the Egyptian Pharaohs and the Sumerian age. Other than that he had been daydreaming every day since then, even on weekends.

Luckily he was ahead in all his classes, or at least by now caught up, otherwise he'd be behind with all his slacking. If his grandpa ever found out he wouldn't stop badgering Yuugi until he told him what was wrong, and that couldn't happen. Yuugi was bound by his word not to say anything, so he locked it up in his mind.

Finally, Yuugi picked up his bag and walked out, heading toward his locker. What he found there surprised him. There, waiting at his locker, were his friends: Jou, Anzu, and Honda. He stopped suddenly and stared at them confused, then surprised. As emotions fluttered across his face, Jou stepped forward.

"Hey Yug," he smiled. "We were eh, wonderin' if you'd like to walk with us."

Yuugi wasn't surprised by this knowing that since he'd been wallowing in despair about Yami he'd been keeping to himself. Naturally it concerned his friends since they were all very close. Yuugi smiled kindly, glad to have something to look forward to besides worrying about Yami. He could do that when he got home.

"Of course, Jou, I'd like that," Yuugi answered.

"Well great!" Anzu smiled clapping her hands together with a big grin on her face.

The four of them began walking home shortly after. Anzu was excitedly telling Yuugi about a new dance class she signed up for.

"So, the teacher tells me I'm a natural! I'm so happy, Yuugi, my dream is really coming true."

"That's great Anzu," Yuugi smiled cheerfully.

Suddenly, Jou stuck his head between them, "Yeah, well I've got better news for ya. There's this new duelist tournament coming up."

Anzu put her hands on her hips and stared at him, "Jou, I thought you said you weren't going to enter into anymore of those. Remember what happened with Kaiba, he completely embarrassed you."

Jou glared sideways at her.

"Thanks for the reminder," he muttered before turning back to Yuugi. "The good thing is it's not with Kaiba, nor his stupid company. This one is being hosted by the game shop downtown, you know the one that sells rare cards?"

Yuugi blinked, "You mean the Duelerific Game Stop down by the dance studio? That's surprising that they're hosting something like that for all duelists all over the city."

"Actually, I heard their business was the fastest increasing profit game shop," Honda broke in casually. "They're doing better than most shops right now so they have the money to host something like that."

"And give prizes," Jou smiled widely.

"Is that all you care about?" Anzu asked. "What about the experience?"

"Eh...what experience?" Jou asked blankly.

Anzu sighed and rolled her eyes, "About learning to play duel monsters with more skill and talent."

"Or in Jou's case, learning how to have skill and talent," Honda remarked.

"Hey...," Jou glowered at him. "You think that's funny, well I'm not sharin' my lunch with ya anymore."

Honda's eyes widened, "NO! It was a joke, man! Please...please!!! Can I at least have your pudding?!" he begged grabbing onto his jacket.

Jou looked away and folded his arms.

"Oh honestly! You both don't know the importance of anything, even lunch!" Anzu huffed.

Yuugi smiled and shook his head. His friends could be very amusing at time. As they argued back and forth Yuugi, for what seemed the hundredth time that day, focused his mind on Yami. He was so engrossed in wondering where Yami was and if something had happened to him that he didn't realize his friends had arrived at his grandpa's shop until Honda grabbed him by the backpack to stop him.

"Hey Yug, what's on your mind?" Honda asked.

"Huh?" Yuugi blinked. "Oh...I uh, I was just thinking," he said sheepishly.

"Uh huh, about what?" he asked, staring at him deviously.

"Nothing important," Yuugi replied, knowing full well telling his friends would not only break his promise to Yuugi, but make more problems with them. They'd think he was crazy.

Honda was about to badger him more but Anzu stopped him.

"All right you two, we've got homework to do," grabbing both of them by the back of the shirt.

Then she turned and smiled down at Yuugi, "We'll see you later all right Yuugi. And if you need anything just stop over."

"Thanks," Yuugi smiled.

He watched them go before turning and entering the game shop. As expected his grandpa was busily selling rare cards to several customers. They walked by Yuugi with big smiles on their faces.

"Looks like you sold a really rare one today, grandpa," Yuugi smiled, setting his bag down.

Sugoroku turned around startled and smiled when he saw it was his grandson.

"Ah, Yuugi, you're home a bit earlier than usual."

Yuugi nodded, "I walked home with my friends this time instead of going to the library first. I didn't think it was necessary since I finished most of my homework anyway."

"That's good," Sugoroku smiled. "Well, I believe it's time to close the shop."

Yuugi sat down on the stool to look in the glass case where his grandpa's rarest cards were. Even though his grandpa had rare cards and sold him, he always had at least two of every card, except for one. A very special card that was only made once and his grandpa had gotten a hold of it through winning a big duel when he was younger. When Yuugi got into dueling he gave it to him. It was a lucky card that he cherished and helped him through every duel if he got stuck.

"Don't you think it's a bit early to close?" Yuugi asked, looking up at him.

"Yes, well actually I have to go on an errand. It has to do with finding someone to help Arthur and I polish the dirt and grime off the Egyptian artifacts we've found and get them safely to a museum."

Yuugi's eyes lit up, "You mean...you did find something at the site?"

Sugoroku nodded, "Indeed Yuugi, something very special that I'll show you later. I'll ask Arthur if I can take you to the museum after hours so we can be alone. Good thing his company has some part in the museum."

"I can't wait!" Yuugi chirped.

"Me either. I'll make sure to be home by dinner though. Don't forget to lock up behind me, all right Yuugi?"

"Of course grandpa," Yuugi answered sliding off the stool next to him.

Sugoroku smiled and headed for the door. Before his hand could grasp it, he stopped and turned around.

"Oh, Yuugi?"

Yuugi had been heading up the stairs to his room, but he stopped and turned toward his grandpa.

"What is it?"

"I almost forgot. A couple items came addressed to you in the mail today."

"For me?" Yuugi asked.

The only time he had gotten something in the mail was either for dueling tournaments, or homework when he was sick.

"Yes, I put them in your room on your bed. I'll be home by eight."

"Bye grandpa," Yuugi said as his grandpa left and he immediately locked the door.

Yuugi, forgetting about the little bit of homework he had left, curiously climbed the stairs to his room. He wasn't that excited, knowing it could only be one of few things. He opened his door and stepped inside. His room was a lot bigger than it appeared from the outside, since his window was slanted from being on the roof. His bed lay in the corner with a small bureau next to it, his dueling deck lay on the very top of it. A picture of him, Jou, Anzu, Honda and Bakura was sitting there as well.

And there, laying on the bed, was the mail his grandpa told him about. He quickly jogged over to his bed, hopping on top of it and snatching up the letter. He opened the letter and scanned over it.

"It's about the dueling tournament Jou was talking about. It starts in three days and anyone who has been in any previous tournaments are allowed to enter into the contest," he thought aloud.

" 'There will be prizes for winners up to third place. It is a test of how much a duelist has learned through passed experiences and mistakes and to see if they can rise to their potential'," Yuugi read. "Hmm...sounds interesting enough."

Yuugi put the letter on top of his bureau and was about to take out his homework when he noticed something else on his bed. It was half hidden by the pillow. Yuugi crawled over to it and noticed it was a package. A name was scrawled in fancy lettering on it: Yuugi.

He traced the letters loving how delicate and elegant the handwriting was. It wasn't like any of his friend's, or anyone he knew of as far as he could remember. The strange thing was that there was no return address on it, so he didn't know who sent it. Curiosity and excitement was running through his veins as he tore open the package, throwing the paper on the floor. When it was all messily thrown on the floor only a cardboard box was left. Yuugi shook the box and could swear he heard something jingle slightly. Other than the small noise he wasn't positive he hadn't imagined it, it felt weightless, like nothing was inside.

Yuugi felt a little disappointed, thinking it was just some kind of advertisement. Slowly he tore off some weird kind of rubber substance that was holding it from opening, much like a combination of glue and tape. Inside of the box was yet another box, but nothing plain and ordinary. It was a beautiful metallic cobalt blue color that shimmered even without the sunlight shining on it. It was gorgeous..., but it looked expensive. Was it accidentally sent to him? It looked like only something a really rich person would buy. But then, why did it have his name on it? Maybe it was fake...though it was hard to believe. It sure looked genuine.

Yuugi ran his hands over the smooth, expensive item enjoying the feel. It was so smooth it felt like silk. He was entranced he almost didn't see the small latch in the middle of the box. Not thinking whether it was right or not to touch something that might possibly not be for him, he let his curiosity get to him and slowly he lifted the lid.

The moment he laid eyes on what was inside, all his worries and bad feelings were drained away. He stared down at the replica of the beautiful golden pyramid that had been in his dreams since that fateful day. A beautiful sized down replica lay neatly inside the box in its own special shaped holding. Attached to it was a fair-sized golden chain that lay neatly above the stunning item. Yuugi rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. This...necklace must've been made from solid gold, encrusted with the Eye of Horus in the center of it. It was royalty's wear, but somehow Yuugi had it.

A smile spread across Yuugi's face as it all was pieced together. This was it, finally after a little more than a month of waiting in worry and anticipation, Yami had sent him a sign. A sign that he was not only alive, but that he was coming back. It must've been specially made by his viziers for Yuugi himself, for him helping the Pharaoh and being true to his word about keeping their secret and never betraying his heart. As his grandpa always taught him, it was the heart that made the person; it was what gave them power to do the unimaginable. That's why his grandpa, when teaching him how to duel, said the most important thing was to "always follow the heart of the cards" and it would never steer him wrong.

Yuugi wanted to put on the necklace so bad, but his grandpa couldn't know about it. He might try to take it away from Yuugi and that might ruin everything. It might even prevent Yami from coming back...though he wasn't sure it had that kind of power. It was light as a feather which gave Yuugi the feeling it wasn't an ordinary necklace, even from the Pharaoh's palace. It was something much more important, but what? And how would Yami be coming back? When would he be coming back? Would he still be a spirit, or would he be an actual living being? All these questions were swarming in his mind, but he closed the box and swiftly hid it under his bed on top of the wood below the mattress. That way even if someone did look under the bed, it would be hard to spot.

The excitement grew as he bounded downstairs to set up the table for dinner. His grandpa would be home shortly and most likely notice Yuugi's sudden change of mood, but he didn't care. Everything was all right again and headed in the right direction, so far. Even with his jumping around and smiling broadly, deep down inside he could feel something stirring, some sort of sixth sense that couldn't quite come out, not with Yuugi alone. But his body had gotten a taste of a powerful sixth sense when touching the box that held the necklace inside, but it couldn't quite warn him that all was well now, but something sinister was lurking around ready to show itself.

TO BE CONTINUED...

~*~*~ ^-^ *sighs* Finally I finished the first chapter. I wasn't sure how to end it, but I think this is okay. I'll try and update the next chapter as soon as I can!!!

To Reviewers:

Yesim: lol! Well, I WILL tell you that Rebecca will have a part in this story at some point. She's not gone forever! In fact, she'll probably be back to BUG Yuugi even more ^-~

Silverlily: Hey, it's great to see you!! Well...hear from you anyway! ^______^ I know, I FINALLY updated the next chapter. I'm sorry you had to wait, I know the prologue was kind of uninteresting to you since you all ready read it before. Hope this was exciting enough! I will get the next chapter out asap!! Glad you had a nice time on vacation. Really, you're related to people in JAPAN? COOL! Just for a trade off--my family is connected with royalty ^-^ It had something to do with my great-great grandmother who was related in some way to a Queen of something-or-other, my mom doesn't know all the details. Maybe I should look up my ancestors! I've always wanted to do that, what about you? Anyway, good luck with Zuka-chan! I have seen how stubborn she can be. *nods* Say hi to Jade for me!!!

Anime-fan Meepa: OH MY GOSH! *blushes* What a compliment! Thank you very much!!! Yes, this is my very first Yu-Gi-Oh story. I submitted it into the first Unofficial Yu-Gi-Oh contest but I didn't quite get up to prize-length. *sighs* Oh well, maybe next time. Glad you're liking this! Let me know if you have any questions!! Oh wait, you do...about the Yami/Yuugi question. To be very honest, I'm not sure. I KNOW for sure they're going to be REALLY close, like soulmate kind of close, but I haven't figured out if I'm going to take it that one step farther or not. Whether I do or don't, I WILL make it cute and fluffy in some parts and VERY like...attached together kind of thing. You'll see how important their link is later on. Thanks again!

****AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: For those of you who might not have heard of the last Yu-Gi-Oh fanfiction contest. There IS a second one going on right now and you have until December to submit a short *one-shot* Yu-Gi-Oh fic. All the contest details are here: