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…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice, and the fact that she added in little bits of text here and there.

Author's Note: There's a little surprise for you all at the end of this chapter. A well-known character makes his first appearance. Types of fish in Egypt was considered dirty by some people, especially for those in the priesthood, so you'll understand Neith's dirty little secret. Just remember that she's not a priestess anymore. And to enter or work at a temple, a priest had to observe several days of sexual abstinence. And from this chapter onwards, time moves forwards. Comments will come in the next chapter.

Summary: Three years have passed since Set and Neith returned to the Royal Palace. As she is out shopping she has a frightening run in with the King of Thieves, Bakura. Will the sinister encounter be the end of her?

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Chapter 25: Passing Of The Years

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Three years later…

Neith pulled her shawl tighter around herself as she walked through Waset's bustling marketplace, squeezing her way through the large crowd that whispered behind her as she passed by. Birds whistled noisily in the cages as she breathed in the smell of roasting varieties of meat, most of which would be unaffordable for the chattering classes. They were all talking about her, and she knew it.

Her hands slid down to protectively guard her swelling and she sighed, walking up to a store framed by freshly harvested produce.

For three long years she had been praying for such a thing to happen. Both her and Set had been expecting her to fall pregnant sooner or later, but she had not done so. Every time they had waited for some sign, only to have their hopes dashed when she went into her monthly cycle. They had wanted this baby so much and now she was having it. Having prayed for healing, the Netjer had finally seen fit to grant her request. After her last entreaty six months ago, she had been delighted to learn that she was with child, as had Set.

All he was doing lately was constantly enquiring how his baby was doing. He was treating her well, though he remained calm and calculating. To be honest, sometimes she felt stifled by his desire to shelter her away; he got infuriated when anyone came within a meter of her and promptly shooed them off.

As for Akunadin, it was hard to tell what he thought. Lately, he had been treating her well, always making sure that the baby and herself were all right. Sometimes he seemed overly concerned with the child, but it was okay.

At least he cares.

What had truly concerned her were the reactions of the other priests, her friends and the populace.

Ordinarily, her condition would not have warranted much concern, but she had conceived at an awkward time. One was usually ashamed if found guilty of sexual conduct during what was supposed to be a period of purging celibacy, but Set had been unapologetic. All she had wanted was to spare him the shame, but it had slipped out once she had started to show, thanks to an eavesdropping slave, the Sennen Eye and the Per A'a's unannounced presence.

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Two months ago…

Neith stopped as she reached the centre of the chamber, breathing in as she leaned against the large pillar. She was finding it increasingly harder to get by unnoticed. People would start asking questions if they found out she were pregnant.

Already she had lied to her friends, blaming her recent chubbiness on a change of diet: anything but the truth. If they knew that she was four months gone, they would put two and two together and realise that she had conceived during Set's period of Holy Orders. To be found sexually active during religious service was a humiliation.

She ran her hands over her stomach, feeling the contours of her body and the beginning of a new life beneath her palms. Even though she had committed an offence, she would not give up her unborn child for anything. Not even if Per A'a himself told her to. To her he seemed like a decent man, so perhaps he would understand. After all, he had allowed Set to return to his duties after defeating him with the power of Obelisk.

Trying not to flinch, she felt a man come up behind her. She allowed his arms to embrace her from behind, his hands sliding beneath hers. A contented murmur echoed in her ear, a shudder running down her spine as she caught sight of a blue eye gazing at her. Set had the unnerving ability to get around silently.

She ran a hand lazily over his gold bracelets, allowing him to lean her head against his chest. One of his hands lazily stroked her hair as she smiled to herself.

"How is the little one doing? Has he started to kick yet?"

One hand stroked her stomach as the other slipped under her white veil. It fiddled with her hair, something inside her moving at his touch.

"Not yet, but he definitely knows who his father is," she replied.

She smiled as she looked down at her stomach and ran her hands along Set's, clasping them before she leaned back and looked up.

He was looking down at her, anything he might be feeling not registering on his face. He was usually calm and collected. She knew that this man was capable of the greatest passion, but also, if the rumours were true, the greatest cruelty. It was said passion that had gifted her with his child. They already knew it would be a boy, thanks to Isis.

In any case, he seemed to be looking forward to fatherhood, even if he never said it.

"And yourself? How are you faring, my dear?" he asked her. She felt a hand stroking her hair, its opposite number spreading across her stomach.

She nodded silently in reply, gazing at the floor.

"Set, it's getting harder for me to get about without anyone realising. I have to lie, and I'm running out of excuses. What if Akunadin sees me? I won't be able to hide anything, not if he faces me with that Eye," she sighed, only feeling somewhat comforted as he stroked her hair.

She looked sideways at the flickering torchlight, feeling unnerved. Not only would she be punished, but Set would also be in trouble. They had both worked so hard to get to where they were today, and neither of them was willing to admit they had done something wrong. She did not want either of them to suffer and she wanted this child, it was as simple as that.

That was when she was turned around to face her husband, who had a wry smile on his face. She was still held close, encircled by a pair of protective arms. She felt safe and secure, knowing that she would want for nothing as long as he was here.

Set, in the meantime, had squatted down, his cheek resting on her stomach. He then stroked it with his hand.

"He will be perfect, Neith. Just you wait and see. He will be as beautiful as his mother," he murmured, rising to his feet.

Pulling back her veil, he leaned down to kiss her. The kiss was content and long lasting before he pulled back.

She turned away from him. Her face was revealed by the torchlight as her loose robes failed to hide her signs of pregnancy. He reassured her, so she felt safe, but she was unsure of the future their child would face. She could not feel safe, not as long as they were not in charge of their own destiny, but she knew that her husband would keep both her and their child safe and secure with his power.

"My love. Will you let me deal with this?" Set whispered, reassuringly stoking her hair.

He continued to hold her close, his breath lulling her to relax.

She did so, allowing his voice to soothe her mind as the time passed by, the two of them closely embraced. That was when she felt herself being held even nearer, Set suddenly being more protective as she opened her eyes and saw the Pharaoh and his entourage staring at them.

They had heard every word.

--

She frowned as she walked up to the store and ordered several measurements of grain, lentils and onions. She then placed them into the basket she carried. The kind of beans they served was not an option; Set considered them taboo.

Oh well. At least no one could tell until then, she thought, handing her accompanying guard her basket. I hardly showed until then; it was so easy to cover up and not have people notice.

At least now she knew that she was past the point of no return. Isis had been right all along; it had to be Meskhent's work. She should have known that the goddess of childbirth and destiny had plans for her. She could not go back to her friends now, anyway. Too much had happened for her to even consider talking to them. All their interfering had been annoying, and she had not appreciated their dislike of her husband.

She raised her head. As if she needed their help!

Marching off, she left her shopping to her guard and walked through the marketplace, people now moving to get out of her way. Her mouth watered when she smelt fried fish. She soon ordered her guard to fetch her one, and she munched on it happily as she pushed through the crowd, heading for the palace. She felt in need of rest as she guiltily munched on her snack. It would be her little secret, and she always had the perfect excuse.

You're taking it out of me, aren't you little one?

Her hands rested on her stomach, and she paused as she felt him kick inside her. It was a strange but joyous feeling, to be carrying a child created by the love her and Set shared. Yet, these last six months had not been a totally pleasant experience.

First, she had needed to tell its father, who could still show furious bursts of anger and coldness.

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Five months ago…

"What's the matter? You haven't touched your food. Nor have you been near your drink. Is there something amiss?"

Set looked at Neith, who lay back in the purple cushions, a sad expression on her face.

"Maybe I can't touch my drink. I don't feel too well," she muttered, resting back with a sigh as Set snorted in disbelief.

The two of them were resting on a mound of purple throw cushions inside his personal quarters in the palace. They were sheltered from the midday sun by a heavy blue veil that separated them from the outside balcony and had just finished riding back from Naquda. How could she tell him? She had, as had Set, made sacrifices to their respective gods in the hopes that she would conceive. He would be overjoyed of course, but that joy she feared would be short lived because by her estimations, she had conceived during his period of Holy Orders, which was a no-no.

"I've never known of those from Per-Bast refusing drink when it's been offered to them," Set remarked, coolly gazing at her with those blue eyes of his.

He was obviously suspicious of what she had to say.

She closed her eyes and looked away from him, hearing him get up and then settle into the cushions next to her. An arm coiled around her shoulders, pulling her close to its owner.

"You know you can tell me anything, Neith. After all, we're one person now," he whispered into her ear.

An indicative tone was in his voice as he held her close to him, his fingers digging into her shoulder.

"I mean it, you know. I am you and you are I. You are my wife and I am your husband. So tell me," he whispered again.

She felt him sidle up against her, his lips on her neck.

I know. I would follow you to the ends of the world itself, and you know it, she mused.

She allowed herself to relax as he leaned over her and held her close, his arms coming across her to hold her in place against him. Wiggling her bare toes, she cursed the midday heat. Pretty soon she would be in need of a bath. The air was hot enough as it was, especially with the lack of a proper breeze.

Should she tell him? He was the father, after all, and he had looked forward to it as much as her. They were already joined, so they were able to prepare for such an arrival. He seemed to have the qualities of a good father; intelligence, authority and social standing, but there was also his lust for power and his cold-heartedness that seemed to be a permanent fixture these days, as well as increasing contempt for the Pharaoh.

"Are you sure you want to know? I'm having your child, just like you've always wanted. Isn't it wonderful?" she commented happily, Set looking at her.

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A few days ago…

"Set, what do you think we should call him? Now that we know it's going to be a boy we need a name. I thought that you, being the father, might do the honours," Neith enquired.

She was hovering behind Set as he looked at the scroll he had laid out upon his table, waiting for an answer.

"I don't know. Why are you asking me? I'm busy at the moment and do not need these interruptions. Leave me be," he replied, scribbling on the scroll as she clasped her hands together.

She stared wide-eyed at her husband, shocked by his rebuttal.

She had spent the last few weeks hiding away, everyone now in the knowledge about her condition, thanks to that slave and the power of Akunadin's Sennen Eye.

Truth be told, some of those she knew were more understanding than others. Her mother was keeping quiet, Anuket was appalled and who knew what the Pharaoh thought. As for Set, he seemed pleased, but she could sense a darkness lurking behind his cool façade. Six months gone and she had a sense of foreboding about the future.

I've been married to him for three years, but do I truly know him? Sometimes I get the feeling that he's hiding something from me. Like when he disappeared the other night. What's up with that? she wondered, resting a hand on Set's shoulder, only for him to knock it away in frustration.

"I said that I have no time for your pathetic mood swings. Just leave me be!" he snapped at her.

He did not deign to look over his shoulder as tears welled up in her eyes. The warm liquid trickled down her cheeks as she stepped backwards, now crying loudly as she ran over to the door and yanked it open. Running outside, she wiped her face with her sleeve and ran down the corridor.

Set put down his feather and pushed himself up from the desk with a sigh, cursing.

How can I be so stupid?

Exiting his quarters, he heard a quiet sobbing from nearby. Neith was becoming increasingly more sensitive, now that she was carrying his child. His son, a reason for him to fight for the future he wanted.

Striding down the corridor to his left, he saw Neith sitting on the floor cushions, her hands covering her face as he watched her cry to herself in the centre of his library. The large room had not always been a place of learning. He had made it so, converting it from a harem that had existed since before the days of his deceased father. What use had he for women? One was enough for a stoic such as himself.

Walking over to her, he seated himself in the cushions to her side, slipping his arm around her back and holding her close. The veiled woman cried into his shoulder, her tears staining the blue material of his vestment as he soothingly stroked her hair, pulling down her veil.

"Shh, it's all right. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just feeling stressed at the moment, but that's no excuse. I'm sorry, lotus. I didn't mean to upset you," he whispered, stroking her hair.

He continued to hold her close as she cried, feeling her body as it shook within his grasp.

--

During the time she had remembered those events, she had walked to within sight of the Royal Palace, having successfully abandoned her guard. It had taken a great deal of persuading, but she had shirked him off by assuring him that she would head straight inside the palace and make sure Set did not have him punished. At least he had sent one of the palace guards with her; if it had been one of Set's own she would have been stuck with him.

She walked down the narrow alleyway, heading down the side of the palace to the main entrance. He would be expecting her back soon and she did not want to worry him.

That was when she saw a white-haired young man walk through the wall of the house to her right, pulling something behind him. She froze, recognising the self-proclaimed King of Thieves.

But he had also noticed her.

"Ku, ku, ku; if it isn't the whore of the Priest of the Sennen Rod. What are you doing out here, alone and unguarded? Especially in your condition."

"I – was out for some fresh air," she replied, hiccupping and stepping backwards as the thief stepped forwards. "What are you doing here?"

She yelled as Bakura suddenly dashed forwards, dropping his cargo, and shoved her up against the wall, holding a sharp knife to her throat.

"That's none of your business!" he growled. His left hand grasped at the chain of her pendant and he pulled it up for inspection. "What a pretty trinket you have here."

"Get your hands off it!"

He pressed his knife even closer, silencing her protest. She whimpered as he yanked on the chain, snapping the delicate golden links. The pendant came away in his hand and she silently thanked the fact this thief did not know the true power of what he possessed. He then dragged the knife down, swishing it lightly across her stomach, making her flinch.

"I could always cut you open and leave you for him to find, but I'd have to kill that spawn of yours as well." Bakura leered down at her as he pulled away, leaving her to fall to her knees. "But I believe this shall do for now. Why alleviate suffering when I can cause even more?"

He then walked through the wall behind her, straight into the royal palace.

Neith shakily got up and cursed herself for sending the guard away. How was she supposed to know that this day would be the one day she would actually need protection from harm? Set would be furious with her, and she thought sadly that he would have every right to be angry.

As she tried to regain her composure, she tried not to think about what could have happened and how this encounter with the King of Thieves could have been the end of her and her unborn child.

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