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.
Author's Note: Ain means priceless. It seemed like just the word to describe Set's mother, so I used it. Zerua is a lizard-type Ka Shadah uses in the manga and Dark Shabudi looks like a mini sarcophagus, from what I can remember, like a tribute doll.
Summary: Akunadin thinks about Set and his mother as he starts putting one of his plans into motion. Set himself gives a special person a gift and takes out his anxieties in a practice duel.
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Chapter 28: Neith's Anxieties
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Fear.
That was the first feeling that flew into her mind as she awoke to face the day. The ordeal she had gone through with Bakura had not been so easily forgotten as she heard Set moving about outside on the balcony. What if Bakura had gone through with his threat? It did not bear thinking about.
What if he comes back for me?
Her head fell into her hands and she began to cry, catching Set's attention outside. The very thought of anything happening to her or their precious unborn son was enough to make the tears flow down her cheeks, through her fingers and onto the sheets. Just why had she suddenly started to fell like this? She was then aware of a low murmur, a familiar hand brushing away her hair from her face.
She felt her hands being pulled away from her face, a pair of blue eyes framed by a brown fringe moving into view.
"Neith, what's the matter? Come on, you can tell me."
That did nothing to help; she only cried even more.
"But I can't! I know how you feel about 'women's silly displays of emotion'. You'll only hate me, and I don't want you to hate me!" She cried, hiccupping as he rested her on his shoulder and stroked her back.
"How could I ever hate you, Neith? I love and worry for you. Now tell me what's wrong. If you don't calm down, you'll make both you and our child ill." He leaned her back down in the bed, trying to keep her cool.
She looked away, still crying softly.
"I'm scared, Set, and I don't know what to do. What if something terrible happens?"
He leaned over her and stroked her hair, checking her temperature with the back of his hand. She knew he hated all this emotional nonsense, but she was scared, desperate for some reassurance. She was afraid not just for herself, but also him and the child. Bakura was out for Atemu's blood and Set stood in his way. As long as he remained in the thief's path, she was sure that Bakura would not hesitate to use any means necessary to remove that obstacle.
"Nothing will happen, lotus. I'll make sure of it." He smiled at her, his voice calm. "Now please try to keep cool, otherwise you'll get ill."
She lay back in the bed, reluctantly accepting the concern that he was showing for her. Ever since she had told him of her condition, she had been wrapped up and treated like a valuable treasure that had to be protected. She knew he was looking forward to this child, but her inner voice was warning her. Like Akunadin had suggested yesterday, Set seemed to be changing. He was beginning to fracture under what he considered to be insulting demands from Atemu. Both her and Akunadin could see it; especially one command above all others.
Treat the villagers with respect. You are here to serve them.
That had truly set the cat amongst the birds. Set had angrily exclaimed, or so he said, that he served no one save Kemet. Then he had marched straight out of the meeting and upstairs to this very room. He had fought all his life to get where he was today, and he did not see why he had to afford respect to those who milled around, doing nothing of value with their lives.
He then fussed over her, pressing the side of his face to her stomach.
"Akunadin told me he's been kicking lately. But he sounds asleep." He then looked up at her, a troubled look on his face. "You really should eat and drink. You need to keep your strength up. I'm sure little Set here will thank you for it."
She laughed, marking out a distance with her hands.
"He's only this big at the moment. He'll have a long way to go before he can walk and talk."
He kissed her stomach.
"I know, but you have to be careful. You're living for two people now. Anyway, I have to be going, but I'll return. Never fear."
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Later, Set had returned to his room to check on her, having yet listened and acquiesced to more of Atemu's orders and plans. As he looked down at Neith, the young woman raised her head. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he noticed that her neck was bare. He then fingered her pendant that he still wore around his neck.
"Neith, what happened to that necklace I gave you?"
"Your necklace? Oh, the necklace!" She fingered worriedly at her neck, leaned back and rolled her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I know how much it means to you so I didn't want to misplace it. It's in the chest, inside my jewellery box."
She then looked at him apologetically, and he found himself smiling.
How thoughtful of you.
His wife seemed at fault that he had caught her not wearing his gift. He appreciated the thought, but it would look better on her, not stuffed away in some dark hole.
Rising from the bed, he moved to the chest that laid to the right on the floor, in-between the bed and a small table, and kneeled down. Opening it with a click, he furrowed around for her jewellery box, found it, and claimed his necklace. He then rose and sat back down on the bed, the silver winged necklace balanced in his right hand.
"Please wear it for me. I hate the thought of it going to waste, and I would like to see it on you." He then pointed a finger at the pendant he wore. "Don't worry; I'll put this under lock and key with an incantation only I can break. Besides, you could always wear both at the same time."
He smiled, handing her the necklace.
"I suppose so. It would be a shame for something of such beauty to remain unseen." She took it from his right hand, fastening it around her neck.
It snapped into place, hanging at the base of the neck like the Sennen Tauk.
"It looks good on you, lotus. Will you leave it on for me?"
She nodded, smiling.
He then leaned down to kiss her stomach, after which he pulled back. There was then a knock on the door. Frowning that their time alone had been disrupted, he swivelled his head towards the door.
"Who is it?"
"It is I. I've come to collect those scrolls you said you had ready for me," Akunadin's voice announced. "I want to take care of them today."
"Of course. Do come in."
He watched the old priest as he entered his room, his mentor glancing down at him on the bed. He gestured for Akuandin to stay put, rising from the bed. He went off to the small adjoining room to collect what his mentor had come for, leaving him alone with Neith in the other room.
Akunadin looked down at Neith, who remained respectfully silent. His eye then fell upon a familiar piece of jewellery that hung around her neck. She was wearing the same necklace that he had given his wife, Set's mother, all those years ago.
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Nineteen Years Ago…"Ain! Ain! Where are you?"
A younger Akunadin walked in through the front door of his home, and as he did he looked around for his wife. Having missed his son's first birthday because of working for his brother, he had immediately returned home with a gift he knew she would adore. Entering the atrium, he heard a curious sound, followed by a loud cry.
What's this?
"Set, get back here!"
He smiled, folded his arms and watched on as the scene unfolded before him. His young son, just over a year old, was rapidly crawling out of the kitchen to his right. Set, as Ain's letter had told him, had become a real handful, always resisting naps so he could explore and play. He kept on removing his clothes, not that they would be missed in this hot country. He had many similarities to his mother, but he definitely had his eyes. He was a mix of the both of them, a perfect little gift of love.
He smiled as Set noticed him.
"Dada!" He smiled more widely, causing Set to repeat himself, desiring more attention. "Dada, dada, dada, dada, dada!"
He walked forwards and scooped the small but excited boy up into his arms. He had been named after the God of Storms himself. He was a slippery little thing, and Set almost slipped out of his arms as he wriggled like a fish.
"Whoa there! Stay still!"
He then smiled as a tired-looking woman emerged from the kitchen. Her hair was tied back, hidden beneath a headdress, and she was wearing a dress.
"Welcome home, dear. You're early."
"Yes, well, I have something I want to give you."
"Oh really?"
He handed Set back to his mother and then placed his hand inside his robe, pulling out a silver necklace. It was shaped like two wings attached to Ra's sun disc, fashioned from silver, and it caused Ain's breath to catch in her throat.
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That's the necklace I gave Ain. Where on earth did she get it from?
Akunadin continued to stare at the silver necklace, which had lost none of its shine. He wondered why that was, and as he continued to look at it he knew it had to be down to Set. He always had been attached to his mother, and after losing her he must have continued to keep her things in good condition. It was quite sad. Set had been a good son, a far better one compared to him as a father.
"Do you like it?"
"Hmm?"
"The necklace, Lord Akunadin. You were looking at it." She looked up at him from the bed, shifting as he looked away. "Does it remind you of something?"
"No, not really. It's just a fleeting dream, nothing more. Where did you get it from?"
He closed his good eye as he said this, his face hidden from her view. He already knew the answer, but it was better to let her think he knew nothing about it.
Neith raised her hands to the necklace, holding it thoughtfully.
"Set gave it to me. He told me it was his mother's."
He nodded, knowing full well that had to be what had happened. Of course, being the loving son that he was, Set had spent his spare hours polishing it and keeping it clean. It was as if he was still close to his mother. He could imagine his son sitting down, spending his spare time doing such an activity that no one would ever expect of him.
He stood up, made his excuses and went to join Set in his study, in order to inform him of the fact they were to gather later on at the duelling platform. He desired not to listen to such deviating thoughts that were creeping into his mind, but something deep inside him told him that this necklace, this heartfelt gift, could prove beneficial to the plans he had for his son.
It shall prove useful should he not come around to seeing things my way, very useful indeed.
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Later, back at the palace's Duel Stage, Set stood on one side of the duelling platform with Shadah and Akunadin, facing Mahaado, Karim and Shadah on the other side. His mentor and Shimon had advised Atemu that because of the strength of Bakura's monster that it was necessary they all put in more training. So now, after Akunumkanon had been entombed once more, he found himself here, not that he minded. He now had another chance to prove his superiority over that Mahaa.
As Shimon walked forward to announce the terms of the duel he cockily smiled at Mahaado. Looking away before the priest could respond, he folded his arms and impatiently awaited the start of this duel, sighing in exasperation.
I do wish he'd hurry up and make a start. I'm growing bored.
"You shall duel in two teams, three on three. You may summon either your own Ka or a Ka from Veju Shrine. The winning team is the one still able to use their Ka. Are you ready to start?"
"Yes, now hurry up!" he growled under his breath, his teeth gritted together.
"Diaha!"
He immediately summoned forth his own Ka, Dious, feeling the familiar energy of his soul surrounding him. Atemu watched on from his throne as Shadah summoned Zerua from a tablet, Mahaado summoning his Illusive Magician and Isis her Superia. The rest of the tablets had to be traps. If he knew this, then so did everyone else. He would have to clear the way before he could launch a direct attack.
"Dious! Attack the enemy magician!"
His spirit beast flew forward to attack but found itself frozen in time; the Illusive Magician had an ability that allowed it to seal the movement of an enemy monster. He cursed his forgetfulness but found himself being rescued by his mentor, who had sent his trap monster, Dark Shabudi, to intercept the Magician's ability. He ordered his spirit-beast to continue its attack, but just as it sliced its sword at the Illusive Magician a barrier that glowed with a marvellous range of colours repelled it.
Damn her!
He smirked and saw that the wall was starting to fade, the ability of Shadah's Zerua putting an end to the wall. If would only be a short while now until he could celebrate his victory. And if Neith liked him now she would like him even more when he told her of his prowess here today. Mahaa would not be allowed to put a dent on an otherwise perfect day.
"Hmph! Is that all you've got?" he asked coldly, cockily glancing at Mahaa through one eye.
"Not at all!" Karim replied loudly. The priest then held out the Sennen Scales, and a large spider emerged from the tablet behind him. It shot out a sticky web, sealing the movement of Shadah's Ka.
His lips curved up in a wicked smile.
Now that his three opponents had declared their strategy, he had spotted a gaping hole in their defence. He ordered his Ka to cut down its team-mates. Dious sliced its sword through the two monsters, cleaving them into halves. Everyone around him exclaimed in surprise at his callous act as he increased the power of his Ka three times over, its sword now burning brightly with the flame of the fallen.
You should never take me too lightly. I'll do anything to make sure I come out victorious!
"Aura Crush!"
There was a flash of light and suddenly a thunderous earthquake on the platform as Dious destroyed the enemy monsters. He had his victory.
His eyes gleamed evilly. Perhaps now they would take him more seriously.
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