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: Priests in Egypt did not practice chastity – or so I've learned. But before they entered a temple, they did observe no sexual contact. And there's upcoming action and romance for those of you who have been waiting for such things. Swabu is what the Egyptians used for soap. It was made into a paste from ash or clay and was often scented.

Summary: Set is troubled by nightmares he was told about, courtesy of Isis's vision. Then, he discovers that the one he was supposed to meet disappears without a trace. Thus begins the start of trouble for the Priest, who has to discover what has happened before time runs out.

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Chapter 9: The Vanishing Priestess

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The air was unbearably warm, and as he shifted beneath the covers, Set glanced tiredly to the side.

Neith lay there as the Hem Ntjr then folded his arms behind his head and thought about what had happened. They had kissed. That much was obvious. What worried Set was the fact Neith had then told him she was having nightmares. He looked down at the young woman, concerned that she had been unable to tell him what plagued her. She had been unwilling to reveal more, and he did not want to probe too far. Neith's personal business was her own and she would tell him when she was ready. Still, he had been surprised by her acceptance of his offer.

Come with me, and I promise that I will watch over you. You should not have to suffer alone, Set remembered himself saying, as he led Neith away.

Set gently wrapped an arm around Neith and pulled her close to him, running a hand through her hair. She had been a shy one! It had taken a lot of persuading to get her to not wear her dress in bed, settling for a simple long, thin tunic. What did she think he would have done? Took advantage of her?

The young man chuckled to himself and then kissed Neith's forehead. It was quite a crude thought, but he had not been disappointed. He felt somewhat sated now that he had at least slept close to her, though nothing had happened.

To tell the truth, Set did not mind the waiting, for it made everything else after it much more satisfying. Sex was an afterthought, albeit a pleasant one; he knew the true value of a loving relationship. His mother had been in love with his father, and he remembered the joy it had brought her up until his death. He could afford to wait. Yesterday's events were just to test the water, and the thought of Neith giggling last night and repeatedly having to slap away his curious hands were enough to bring a smile to Set's face.

Watching concernedly, Set frowned as Neith moaned quietly, wondering what kind of dream could make her look so vulnerable. A worrisome feeling occupied the Hem Ntjr's mind as he gently placed the brunette female to the side; she looked so worried. He then pulled himself out of the bed and began to pull on his kilt, which lay on the floor, gazing back when he heard a small moan.

Why was he so concerned for this woman? What was it inside of him that had made him feel and act the way he did? Set pondered this as he walked over to the table, upon which stood a lone jar of wine, and hungrily drank from it. Set had this strange feeling that something was going on, that it concerned him, and that Neith was too afraid to tell him the truth. It almost put him off his wine.

That was when the young man saw Neith looking hazily at him, her hair tousled about her face as he proceeded to seat himself in an empty chair near the bed.

"So, my dear, does this mean that you want to do it again?" Set said, jokingly.

The Hem Ntjr smirked as he lowered the jar from his lips and gestured it towards Neith. Knowing that he had the woman's undivided attention, Set leaned back in the chair, twined his hair around his finger and crossed his legs as Neith double-glanced at him. She moaned loudly and then buried her face in the pillow.

"Please don't taunt me. You know perfectly well that nothing happened..." Set raised a questioning eyebrow at the brunette, smirking. "… Nothing like that! Besides, I'm working today."

"Oh, so you're a working girl? Interesting…" Set chuckled.

Set hurriedly ducked to avoid the cushion Neith threw at his head, laughing in amusement. When was the last time he had laughed like this? He was not the sort of person who laughed often, so for him to be amused by this woman was exciting.

The young man then noticed that Neith had suddenly lost her happy demeanour. Her hands were raised to her face and she sounded horrified.

"Oh Gods, what have I done?" Neith murmured.

Set's eyes narrowed, and his hand tightened around the jar.

"Prey tell, my dear; what do you mean by that?" he said coolly.

"It's… don't worry yourself about it. It means nothing…" Neith murmured, turning away from Set.

"That's a lie, and you know it. I saw it in your face. Face me when I'm talking to you! Does it have something to do with Isis?" Set gazed studiously at Neith, who guiltily turned back to face him as he loosened his grip on the jar. "I thought so. Perhaps next time, you will trust me enough to tell me the truth."

"It's not that; it's just…" Neith paused, seemingly frightened to tell Set what she was thinking. "Please excuse me; I am late. I really must be going."

Neith then kept her back to Set as she pulled herself out of the bed, removed her tunic and tugged on her dress

Set frowned. Just what was going on? First she ignored him, and then she was content to share his bed, and now this... He rested his head in his hand: women and their confounded emotions! Neith was hiding something from him, and the Hem Ntjr was determined he would find out what it was.

-o-

Later, Neith found herself walking through the courtyard of the estate where she lived with her mother, several hours after conducting the morning rituals at the temple. Set's sudden change of mood when faced with her fear was disconcerting. She had not expected to see such a side to the Hem Ntjr, though she had heard it existed from the whispers that originated from the Royal Court.

Neith then handed an empty basket she had been carrying back to her mother, who had bumped into her daughter when Neith had arrived back at the family estate. Ever since the death of Neith's father, the two of them had become much closer. Neith knew that her mother had seen it as her duty to his memory to keep an eye on their daughter.

The young woman bowed her head contemplatively. The sudden change in Set's demeanour was worrying. Was he always like that?

Sighing, Neith felt empty inside. Was it because of Set?

"My dear, you look troubled. Is something the matter?" Bennu asked.

He's so… I don't know how to describe it. Attentive? Protective? Intriguing? Hmm…

"Mother… I think I'm in love," Neith admitted, hoping that her mother would be able to give her some advice.

"Well, well, well. My daughter finally seeks my advice about men. I thought you'd never ask." Neith glanced at her mother, who noticed her stare and shrugged her shoulders, placing the basket on the floor and then holding her arms open wide. "I'm sorry, dear. You have enough troubles without worrying about me."

"So, who is it?" Neith was asked, stepping into the embrace, her mother holding her close like she had done when she was a child.

The younger woman sighed, feeling her hair being stroked soothingly.

Looking up towards the room she had stayed in last night, Neith's attention was suddenly caught by a figure that was watching her from the terrace.

Neith pulled back from her mother,

"I can't say," she whispered.

The priest who had proved both to be a blessing and a curse was standing just outside the room Neith had gazed up at, watching her carefully, listening to every word.

Neith thought about him. Set, a young man who had managed to turn hate into love and win over her heart. She had noticed the Hem Ntjr was wearing a different outfit from the one he had worn yesterday. A short skirt, white and purple with golden lining, was accentuated by a matching cape and the golden ankh that hung over his bare chest. Perhaps he was the one.

Neith smiled up at Set, meekly waving a hand, and felt gladdened when Set wryly smiled back.

"Is something wrong, my dear?" Bennu enquired.

Neith hurriedly looked away as her mother gazed in Set's direction, thanking the Netjer that the man she had shared a bed with had been wise enough to seek cover before he was seen. Neith then noticed her mother gazing at her and laughed weakly, raising an arm behind her head.

"What? I… No, I'm fine. I was just thinking about… him."

"You must like this mystery man a great deal," Bennu said thoughtfully.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Neith then sighed, lowering her hand. "Anyway, it's time for me to have my bath."

-o-

Set gazed down at the river that ran around the back of the estate. The young man had overheard Neith talking about coming here and had quickly made his way down to the back of the estate, walking over the wet, sandy ground. The delta was exceptionally fertile where the Great River began to seep into the ocean, and Set thought the area to be exceptionally beautiful. The Temple of Bast that stood out in the centre of the city accentuated it. Made from red granite and with the sacred grove in its centre, it was truly beautiful.

The Hem Ntjr quietly began to unclasp his cape from around his shoulders as he walked up to the river's edge. Dropping it quietly to the ground, he then removed his ankh with the same care and finally his kilt. It was a hot day and he needed to clean himself. Set then picked up the wooden bowl of swabu and dipped his fingers into the viscous material, carrying the bowl with him into the river.

Moving through the cool water, Set chuckled as the woman who was bathing just in front of him noticed his presence. She seemed to have become even more distant since their talk in the morning, and he was beginning to grow concerned. He continued to watch Neith, his hand dipping in and out of the bowl.

A feminine hand rose to flick back wet brown hair in a silent reply.

"You're still a sight," Set murmured. "I've almost forgotten how beautiful you are."

The brunette walked up to Neith and handed her the bowl, making sure they were alone to talk. Neith just remained silent and held the bowl as Set placed his hands on her shoulders and began to work the swabu into a lather that covered her skin.

What is up with her this time? Women, I'll never understand them, Set cursed.

"So then, are you going to tell me about this problem of yours? Maybe I can help," Set then prodded gently, massaging Neith's tired shoulders. "Perhaps once you tell me, you'll find that your nightmares will disappear."

The young man finished what he was doing, leaned forwards and rested his arms over his companion's shoulders.

"I… I find it difficult to talk about. That's why I've been avoiding you," Neith breathed, and Set felt her lean her head against his chest. "I want to tell you, don't get me wrong, but I'm afraid of what you'll think of me once I tell you."

Set ran his fingers through Neith's wet hair, allowing them to drift down her face, wondering just why she was afraid of what he would think. Perhaps he did not take this problem seriously enough. But it had been festering for a while, he could tell. He did not want to approach Isis about it and have his business with Neith spread throughout the Ryoal Court, so Neith was the only option. He still did not trust her fully, but he trusted her enough to keep his secrets. At least he had the ability to calm the brunette down.

"You need to relax. You're so tense," Set replied, raising his hands to once more massage Neith's shoulders.

Once finished, the Hem Ntjr rested his chin on Neith's shoulder, thinking about Isis. The black-haired priestess had not said anything at all, being a woman of stony silence. But Isis's visions were always correct, and she had managed to save Atemu's life in the past with the power the Tauk had bestowed upon her.

Something clicked in Set's mind, and he then kissed Neith's ear.

"Is that it? Did she show you a vision, my love? But then, why would it worry you so?" Set paused for thought, holding Neith close as he soothingly stroked her hair. "Neith, it may not seem like it, but I do worry. When a woman like yourself seems scared to talk, I believe there is good reason for me to be concerned."

Neith tensed in Set's grip, but then she relaxed. Set could tell that she seemed to desire to get this weight off her shoulders, and he would aid her in doing so. Perhaps he would learn something interesting.

"Then I shall tell you everything. Come to my room when the sun sets," Neith finally relented.

Set's arms coiled around Neith's body, holding her to him as his cheek rubbed against her wet hair.

"Of course I'll meet you. I'll be there, never fear."

--

Set was pacing down a corridor later on in the day, near the appointed time, his face obscured by shadow as he came nearer to where Neith resided.

So, when do you want to spend some time together? How about tonight? Or perhaps you'll give me the gift of your company for a riverside walk? Set thought of asking Neith.

The Hem Ntjr felt that the target of his desires would reply positively after the events of the last few days. It had been a wondrous discovery. Neith was at times naïve, but he found the young woman to be quite interesting. Perhaps if they were to spend more time together he would grow fonder of her. But until then, he would be calm.

I shall be safe in the knowledge that it is I who is still in charge, Set thought, arriving at his destination.

Set liked to know everything that could happen, thereby averting any possible crises. Besides, he thought that Neith might like it better if he took charge. It meant that she no longer had to worry.

The Hem Ntjr gazed at the wooden door that led into Neith's room before knocking on it. It was better to be that way and lessen the risk of being hurt, than wearing one's heart on one's sleeve.

Moments passed by in silence.

Set tapped his foot impatiently. Was she ever going to answer him?

"Neith, are you in?" the young man asked again, as his knuckles rapped on the wooden door. "Hurry up and open this door."

Not receiving an answer, Set opened the door and entered Neith's room. The balcony veil was fluttering in the breeze, his intended not here as she had said she would be. Her bed was still tidy, scrolls were prepped up on the shelves and a plate of fruit was still uneaten. Flies were buzzing around the food, and it was as if no one had been in here at all. What was Neith playing at?

Set stared at the silent room, and his hand came to rest on the Sennen Rod he carried.

I don't like this. It's not like her to be behind schedule.

The veil continued to flutter noisily as the Hem Ntjr paced back and forth, feeling agitated.

Hmm… Set stopped for a brief moment. Maybe it's nothing to worry about.

Set then left the room, his hand clutching tightly to the Sennen Rod as he pulled the door shut and paced down the corridor. Once he saw a slave, he beckoned the tall dark-skinned man over with a finger.

"You! Come here! Have you seen your mistress today? Do you know where she has gone?" Set asked, demandingly. The Nubian slave bowed in front of Set, who was tapping his foot.

"No, Hem Ntjr. I haven't seen her since this morning. Why do you ask; is something the matter?" the slave enquired.

"Nothing that's any of your concern. Carry on with your duties. I shall look for her," Set replied caustically.

Once he had finished snapping at the slave, the young man stormed off down the corridor. Something was going on, and he did not like it. Just where was she?

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