Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…)

Author's Note: Egyptians didn't believe in marriage like we do today. It was more like a contract between two parties. And yes, Little Neith is a brat in this chapter. For now, enjoy the change of pace that comes with a switch to Set's perspective. All I can say is it's hard getting inside a man's head. Akunadin may have turned out to be an ass in the manga, at least according to some people, but I find him interesting. Especially the relationship he has with Set. That's why he's in this fic. That and the fact he plays a big part in events in the manga and anime. Romance will appear, but like the finest wine it takes time. But it's creeping in, as you'll soon see.

Summary: Upon his arrival back at the palace, Set considers what transpired and has a talk with Akunadin that reveals more about the relationship between two than Set himself knows.

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Chapter 5: The Watcher

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Absolutely exhausted.

The long journey back to the palace had been a tiring one, and Set's bones felt weary as he seated himself down on the cushion, roped into this small party that the oh so generous Per A'a had decided to hold as soon as they had returned. If only attendance was not compulsory. Set hated being roped into things, to not have control over who did what and who went where. Power was something important to him, and at times he found it difficult to put up with the young boy who was his ruler. Yet, he knew the importance of this land, his home, and what it meant, all enshrined in the one man who ruled it all.

That was when Set noticed Shadah looking at him.

"So then, how was your visit? Tell me," the Sennen Ankh's holder requested.

"I'd rather not say," he replied simply.

Fruit, meat and bread were lined up in front of the six priests and their ruler, and Set checked his nails as he lifted a jar of wine, inhaling the sweet smell. The sight he had overseen earlier was playing on his mind, because he now silently watched Isis as she entered the chamber and seated herself next to Mahaado. Set then pulled the jar up to his lips, the wine sweet on his tongue.

She's said something to Neith, about myself, he thought darkly. She said something, and I want to know what. No one talks about me behind my back. They don't have the right.

Set nodded at Isis once she noticed him watching her, immediately shifting his gaze to a bowl nearby. He selected one of the tiger nut sweets and bit it hard. He was increasingly interested by the thought of Neith; it played on his mind as Isis continued to calmly stare at him.

She knows I'm watching. Good. Set stared back at Isis, his kohl-lined eyes narrowed.

A part of Set, albeit reluctantly, wanted to know what such a body like Neith's would feel like when pressed against him. He had the power to find out, but where was the fun in taking something that would be easily offered? The thrill of victory, of the battle, was much more flavoursome if achieved against the odds. Set knew what it was like to win easy wars, and it was empty. He would struggle for supremacy, take full credit for the victorious outcome and then he would –

Well, such thoughts were private, to say the least. Akunadin was still here, after all, and Set had no desire for his mentor to go exploring his mind with that eye of his. But what if he was doing so right now?Well, at least it would prove to be interesting.

Perhaps I should give it some thought. It would certainly give them all a surprise, Set thought with an evil smirk.

The tall priest then yawned again as the Per A'a continued to speak, soon sensing that a man was staring at him.

"Set, did you even hear what the Pharaoh was saying?" Set silently narrowed his eyes at the Priest of the Sennen Ring. "Ah, I see the Rod's holder has his troubles. My apologies. I should let you be."

The Priest of the Sennen Rod bowed his head in thought. What would he do later? Another festival was soon to be upon them, one where he would be expected to sit down in the same place as that woman and share the same food and drink. How should he talk? Curtly? It was an official gathering, so he would have to at least be civil. He would also get to see just how she had developed. He was also noticing her developing beauty as of late: why was that? He had not done so before.

If I'm interested, I should out the goods. It's no good investing in a field if proves to be barren, after all, Set thought.

"Are you sure you're all right?" a voice then asked him.

Set gazed thoughtfully at Akunadin and nodded politely, stifling a yawn.

"I'm quite fine. I just feel somewhat tired from the journey," he replied.

"Then you should get some rest," Akunadin advised. "You work yourself too hard. Please, go and sleep. Per A'a, may he be excused?"

"Of… of course," Atemu agreed.

Akunadin studied Set as he pulled himself up from the floor and took his leave.

Why was this woman getting on his mind? What was she even doing there? Set shook his head amusedly, grateful that he was alone with his thoughts. Neith had always proved capable of knowing what buttons to press in relations to his challenges, and he did not know whether he loved her or hated her. She had to be dealt with, one way or the other, lest she annoy him to a point, just like the day he had accompanied his mentor to the city in the mouth of the Great River.

-o-

Four years ago…

"Just who do you think you are, girl?"

Set glared up at the figure on top of the roof above, shielding his eyes from the sun as he walked forwards.

The girl who was up on the roof had some cheek, covering him in a shower of water. Why was he even bothered by her actions, if it meant he kept cool? And who was her father? This brat needed a serious lesson in manners. Set glanced up and saw that it was a girl with light-brown hair, one who was around his age, dressed in red and white. The fabric indicated that she was part of a reasonably well-off family and this piqued Set's curiosity. What was she doing out here all alone?

"Someone who's not stupid enough to fall into a trap hole, boy," the girl told him, pulling a face noisily.

"Oh, shut your mouth, before I do it for you," Set growled. Then the meaning of her words hit him. "… You mean that was you? You little!"

The brunette leaned over the side of the roof and made a gesture with her hand.

"Go on; try and hit me! I dare you!" she challenged.

"Fortunately for you, I've got more important concerns," Set replied snidely. "Now go away and stop pestering me, you annoying wretch."

There was a noise of frustration as Set turned his back on the annoying troublemaker.

"I am the High Priest's daughter, you know. You're in my backyard now, so watch that mouth of yours. Or else Daddy'll punish you." Set ignored the girl's threat, walked over to where Atemu was standing and placed his hands on the young prince's shoulders.

"Yes, well, this is the Per A'a's son, so do anything to us and you'll be punished beyond your worst imagination," he responded.

Set continued to have his back to the girl and pushed her to the back of his mind where she belonged. Atemu looked like he wanted to vanish inside a pot and Set smirked as Mahaado looked suspiciously at him, no doubt worrying about his intentions. Set then leaned down and looked sagely at the spiky-haired boy who had been entrusted into their care.

"You see, Prince? You have to act like you're the one in charge. If you don't, people will walk all over you when you become the next Per A'a," he whispered.

Set then smirked to himself as Mahaado protested.

"Set! That's hardly the truth. The common folk also deserve compassion, for they are also part of Kemet!" the slightly older boy replied.

Set then noticed that the girl was teetering dangerously close to the edge of the roof, watching them all like a bird of prey, and he stared up at her. It was amazing how she had gone so quiet in the blink of an eye. Set's lips then curved into a wicked smirk and he knew that his warning must have had some effect. That, and she felt threatened by him.

As she should be…what the? Set immediately looked up upon hearing a scream.

The nameless girl who had been pestering him was now clinging onto the edge of the roof, having no doubt fallen over the side. Why was he even bothered by her actions? She had been playing dangerously close to the edge, so it was her fault, right? Set made the effort to look up and saw that she was straining to keep hold with one hand. As much as he found her odious, he did not want her injured. It was quite a long fall, bound to result in broken bones that would take a long time to heal.

"For crying out loud! How could she be such an idiot?" Set seethed angrily as he closed his eyes, focusing upon his magical energy.

It wound around Set, congealing into an armoured figure clad in black that wielded a large sword. Out of its back sprouted a pair of sheer armoured wings that were the same colour as the rest of its body. It hovered above the ground, silently awaiting Set's instructions.

"Set! Akunadin said we couldn't use our Ka outdoors. Not yet!" Isis protested.

"As much as I might enjoy it, would you rather have dead?" Set then pointed at the girl as she finally let go of the ledge. "Dious! Grab her! Make sure she's safe!"

"Hang on, Set…" Mahaado spoke.

Set glanced over at Mahaado with a questioning look, seeing the older boy look in the girl's direction, and as he followed Mahaado's gaze he found himself looking at something that was very interesting. Hearing the girl mumbling a chant under her breath, he watched on curiously as a strange beast appeared in the air. It had a large pair of white wings and a sandy-gold body of a beast that looked similar to a lion.

"That's her Ka," Mahaado whispered.

"I can see that!" Set snapped.

He then watched on as the girl landed on the lion's back rather shakily, still shielding his eyes. It was a stroke of irony if the girl's words were true. Someone from the Temple of Bast having a feline Ka. The beast landed on the ground and seated itself, and that was when Set saw a middle-aged man running towards them. His Mentor, Akunadin, was behind the man and looking straight at Set, the old priest's gaze shifting to Dious, and Set breathed a sigh of relief in the knowledge that he would not be chastised as his Ka disappeared back inside him.

"Neith, what do you think you were doing? How dare you worry me like that!" Set watched on as the man who had accompanied Akunadin emotionally clutched the girl tightly to him. He had to be her father. "My little baby has a feline Ka! By the Goddess, this is an honour! Praised be Bast!"

Set scoffed as he rolled his eyes, the man's sentimentality grating his ears as he watched on silently.

-o-

"You know, Set, it's about time you thought of your age. I know why you feigned tiredness. You're a man now, not a boy, and it's been a privilege to see how you've grown. Many other men your age are starting to settle down. Perhaps you should give it some thought," Akunadin advised.

Set glanced momentarily at the old Priest, and as the two of them walked side-by-side he found himself thinking about the events of the last few weeks. Crossing his arms in a manner in a hope it would distract him, Set face fell from disgust to puzzled thought as he thanked his namesake that he could talk to his mentor.

"Settle down? I..." Set sighed and shook his head. "It's a waste of my time. I have my duties to fulfil."

Except, perhaps… No, it's ridiculous, he added inwardly.

"Duty is only one part of your life. Set, let me give you some advice; it is a fool who ignores the numerous roads that lie ahead, be whatever they may. Even though your mind may be cold, your body and heart might not feel the same, especially once you age and there's no one to care for you. Once you find that someone, you should cling onto them for all they're worth. Your mother would want you to be happy," Akunadin replied.

Set then felt his Mentor's eyes resting upon him and glanced coolly over his shoulder at the tall, thin man.

"I never would have held you to be one who believes in that sort of thing, Master. You're going soft in your old age."

The old priest had met Set's mother once before, when he had come to collect his new student and had not seen her since. Why was it such a matter was ominously silent? Set was constantly thinking about this. Perhaps Akunadin had also known his father. Set unfolded his arms, turning back his head as they dropped to his side. He then heard a faint laugh echo from behind him.

"Perhaps, perhaps," Akunadin replied, amusedly. "But I also have something you do not; experience."

"I'm well aware of that, and your guidance is appreciated," Set affirmed.

It was true, Set appreciated all the help he had received. If it had not been for Akunadin, he would have had a harder path to climb in achieving his goals. Set had been accelerated into the service of the Per A'a at what was considered a young age. He had learned philosophy, magic and everything else he knew from the old priest. Set may have grown older, but he knew that such a thing deserved the utmost respect.

"So, and tell me the honest truth, what do you think of Neith?" Akunadin asked his student.

"That woman is no concern of mine." Set walked faster in an attempt to escape the matter, but found that he was unable to do so. His mentor, at times, was annoyingly perceptive. "No. She is of no concern at all."

"Really? You weren't enjoyed to be spending time with her. Is that how you truly feel?" Akunadin queried.

"Yes."

Slowing down, Set came to a stop and turned around to face Akunadin, his mind trying to stop thinking about that woman whilst at the same time he could not get rid of her. It was ridiculous! When he said something was the end of the matter, his was the final word. Akunadin looked undisturbed and seemed to be watching him calmly, Set noted. Set continued to gaze back impassively as the old priest gazed at him.

"So you haven't given cohabitation or even a contract a second thought?" Akunadin asked.

"No," he replied.

"That's a shame. Women are one of the things that make life bearable."

Set then realised that Akunadin was looking at him through that Sennen Eye of his, and he could almost sense the reading of his thoughts as they flowed from his mind. The old priest would not ordinarily do such a thing, but as of late Neith had increasingly been on Set's mind, especially after what Set had seen between Neith and Isis. Set wondered just what Isis had said to get Neith looking so concerned.

"You know, from what I can see, she seems to suit you, and you seem to be fond of her. Concerned, even," Akunadin observed. "You know more than anyone that I'm a good judge of character."

Set felt something snap within him, the inability to handle how he felt. All these questions! It was something he could not describe properly. He just was not used to these kinds of feelings. Women had approached him before, but he had always turned them away in as nasty and callous a way as possible. But Neith, she seemed blasé to his recent attentions. She was now less of an annoyance, but all the more mature. Then why had he sneaked in on her? Set cursed himself. They were ridiculous, these feelings.

"Yes, but it's not like you're my father," Set snapped, angry with Akunadin's words.

"No, I'm not…" Set's mentor whispered to himself.

And it pains me. I only have your best interests at heart, Akunadin mused quietly, a sad, tired look on his face. This pretence was torturous. Set did not even see the way he was looking at him as he swiftly strode down the corridor, or the wistful sigh that followed.

"... Son"

-o-