Seto closed his eyes in bliss as he sunk further down into the elaborate bath. Steam and scented oils filled his senses leaving him utterly relaxed. He thanked whatever gods were out there that those pestering girls had finally given him space and privacy. He guessed over the past few times the servants got the hint that he didn't like to be treated like a child.
These past few weeks had been strange to him. Not once, since that night, had the Pharaoh come to him or even spoke to him. He had asked Jahi, who for some reason he had gotten use to his company, where the crimson eyed ruler was and the response was always one of three responses – at the temples praying, in the throne room holding various meetings, or in his chambers with orders to be left alone.
All of this worried him.
Ever since that night after the battle, he couldn't get the worn, defeated look the Pharaoh gave him out of his mind. It tore at what was left of his heart. He never thought his greatest rival could look like that and he never thought his own emotions would respond to it.
He only mildly wondered how he was going to get back to his time. In all honesty, he felt very comfortable here now that he had come to understand all that had happened to him in the future was real and true. His mind and soul felt at ease once he had come to terms with it.
For once he was at peace.
With a sigh, he reluctantly got out of the water. Not caring about his lack of clothing, he walked out into his room and strolled over to the balcony. A rare smile graced his face as he looked out onto the prominent land before him. Yes he truly was at peace in this simple land, one where your very life depended on the grace of the gods and the flow of the Nile.
A small dark spot in the endless blue sky caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes, he watched as it came ever closer till he recognized it as a falcon. Mesmerized, he took in the grace of the flying representation of the god Horus, as it swooped, dived, and sailed in an intricate dance of beautiful deadly power.
Sapphire eyes were trained on the falcon as it took another dive, heading straight for the palace gardens. As he followed it, his gaze fell on the lean, bronzed body of the Pharaoh.
Atemu stood in the middle of one of his favorite gardens, with his arm outstretched waiting for the falcon, Asim, to land. He loved this silent time he had with his beloved bird of prey. Here no one asked for his council, his time, his power or judgment. In this place his thoughts were his own and they were allowed to wonder as he pleased.
His decision to seal away the realm had not changed. Plans were being made for the ceremony and his kingdom even as he stood out here watching his friend as it landed on his arm.
Atemu's heart was nothing but a bleeding torn mess. His soul was going to live in eternal darkness for thousands of years before he would ever get a chance to live again, to see his beloved again.
But he was grateful to whatever god above him, that he had been blessed with Seto being brought to his time. This gave him the hope he needed to go through with his plans for he knew they would have a second chance in another time and place.
As he thought about reincarnate, a sad smile played on his sun kissed face. Over the weeks he had very little time to see him, only catching quickly glances as they passed in the halls. His personal time was nonexistence, not important while the future of his kingdom was at stake.
A small shiver when down his spine, giving him the feeling of being watched. Taking a quick glance at his bird, he then turned his eyes and scanned the area. Not finding anything he looked up and crimson met sapphire.
'Damn', Seto thought, feeling the urge to cover up his lower body but at the same time a distant excitement at being seen like this by the pharaoh. Flustered he stared down, willing himself not to blush but failing miserably.
The pharaoh simply smiled and waved up at him. Ah, yes, it seemed Ancient Egyptians were a little more used to nudity than the people of his time and age. Shyly, he raised his hand to wave back.
The pharaoh laughed and shouted up to him, "I see, you're jealous of Seth's tan and want to get some yourself! Be careful though, this sun hast burned many a stranger already."
Seto snorted. "Thanks for your concern, pharaoh, but I'm not that foolish to run around like this outside"
The other boy smiled again. "What a pity," he stated, "That outfit suits you well."
At that comment Seto flushed even more and the pharaoh laughed again. "Look, your face is getting red already! You really should get inside there or your nice fair skin will get all crimson."
"You think my skin is nice?" Seto whispered in awe.
"Of course", the pharaoh assured him. "It's exotic and beautiful, white like the wings of the sacred ibis."
Seto grabbed the rail of the balcony he was standing on to steady himself. He felt like jumping around for joy. The pharaoh had called him beautiful!!! Beautiful!! Had kissed him and now called him beautiful!! Course he was a Kaiba and such childish acts were beneath him.
He was beyond caring about what his employees or the rest of the world might think seeing him like this, knowing he felt like this, he was just too happy.
"My pharaoh!" the voice of one of the priests rang through the peaceful gardens. The pharaoh's face became concerned instantly, and he turned around, shouting,
"I'm coming! Just one more minute!"
Then he turned back to give Seto a last wave of his hand. "You might dress sooner or later, we have a banquet tonight you might want to attend!"
"I will" Seto nodded, while the ruler of Egypt whistled to his falcon that landed gracefully on his arm and then vanished inside of the Palace.
Seto stood some more in silence, eyes closed and a peaceful expression on his face, while a fresh morning breeze tousled his hair.
The wind rustled in the palm trees, rippled the water of the small pond and made the papyrus plants sway gently, before it traveled to one of the lower balconies, lifting a thin hanging to reveal a silent figure standing there, arms crossed, blue eyes glaring dangerously. The observer then turned away and the curtain fell down again, hiding him from view.
Oblivious to the other's presence, Seto sighed and went inside of his chambers again.
All the rage of the gods ever known to man couldn't come close to what Seth was feeling now. Never before had he felt such anger and jealousy. The Pharaoh was his and his alone. He didn't give a damn if this person was supposed to be him or not. No one had the rights to flaunt in front of Atemu except him.
He could deal with others looking. Hell Atemu was beautiful, powerful, graceful, perfect, who wouldn't look. But to parade around him nude, flirt with him, and talk to him so defiantly was an outrage!
He would deal with Seto soon, but for now he needed to have a little heart to heart with the Pharaoh.
Seth stormed into the Pharaoh's chambers, uninvited, flinging the massive wooden doors back as if they were made of nothing more than paper. Yelps and squeaks were heard from the servants that were currently dressing the Pharaoh for tonight's feast.
Atemu narrowed his eyes as his priest barged his way into his room scaring his servants. He looked upon Seth's face and raised an eyebrow at him. What was he so pissed about?
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the girls allowing him and Seth to be alone.
"Well Seth, do tell me why you felt the need to break my doors down?" He loved Seth with all his heart but he'd be damned if he was going to get away with acting like this.
"Tell me Almighty One, did you enjoy your time in the gardens with Asim?" He sneered.
Atemu crossed his arms over his still bare chest and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Yes, you know that I always my time with my falcon. But what does that have to do with anything?"
Icy blue eyes bore into crimson ones, "Did you enjoy looking at the beautiful white wings of the ibis?"
A sheepish grin spread along Atemu's face as he turned and busied his hands with the jewelry laid out for him to wear. "So you saw that. You were spying on me? Doesn't matter I won't lie. I did enjoy the view."
Seth was seething; he walked over to the smaller man and spun him around so they faced each other. "You are mine!" he growled out. "How dare you look upon another!"
Ruby eyes darkened as he looked up into the face of the one he loved. "But that other is you Seth. Your reincarnate! Granted there are differences, but still he is you whether you believe it or not. So if I belong to you I belong to him as well. Don't you see? Three thousand years changed you but not my love for you. How could I not feel for him?"
The High Priest clenched his teeth. Atemu truly believed that man was he and had fallen for him also. Why did that man have to come here? Couldn't he have stayed at where ever he was from? He decided it didn't matter; he would make sure Atemu thought only of him.
Seth's hand grabbed Atemu by the back of the head and forcefully kissed him. He threw gentleness out the door, marked him in his own way.
Atemu responded just as rough. He knew this was just his priest's way of claiming him, showing him that he did love him. He clung to the taller man, wanting his heart and soul to be bound to this man forever.
Breaking the fevered kiss, Seth stepped back, bowed his head slightly and walked out of the Pharaoh's chambers without another word.
Seto smirked as he entered the large room where the banquet was set up. Even he could notice the icy atmosphere there. Quickly he analyzed the situation. The pharaoh was politely talking to ambassadors and counselors, after all this was a political meeting, ignoring Seth next to him, who looked as if he had bitten into a particularly sour fruit. His servants shying away from him, most likely awaiting their death sentence if they happened to spill anything. It was obvious; the two very emotional rivals had got into an argument once again.
Carefully, he took his seat next to Isis, who offered him the place invitingly. Of course he would have liked to be closer to where the pharaoh was sitting, but one look into Isis' eyes told him to avoid exactly that if he valued his life.
Interested, he tried some of the foreign dishes and fruits placed in front of him, and was surprised to find them absolutely delicious.
"Who is this?" one of the ambassadors demanded, pointing his way. Seto glared at the man, who instantly let his hand sink back to the table. The pharaoh gave Seto a stern look, signaling him clearly that this man was politically important, and Seto, ever the businessman, understood that well and nodded his head in a polite greeting.
"He is a relative of my High Priest here, paying us a visit", the crimson-eyed ruler introduced him, still avoiding Seth's eyes.
There was a quiet growl and Seto looked up. He knew that sound from him self; it was a sign of extreme anger. Coming from Seth at that comment it could only mean...they had been fighting over him. A-ha. That would explain a few things. 'Well, High Priest', Seto thought, 'Even Yugi had to admit I am a worthy rival when I really start fighting'
Suddenly there was a loud crash and the wooden doors flew open, split in two halves. In the middle of the damage there was blackness, pouring into the room, slowing taking shape, revealing behind its massive form a lean body and unruly white hair. Evil laughter filled the room as Bakura stepped slowly into it, the shadows writhing before him.
"You should watch your prisons better, pharaoh!" he shouted, "Your guards didn't stand the ghost of a chance when the shadows themselves came to free me! They don't obey you anymore, my pathetic little ruler! How long before even the gods turn their back onto you?!" Then, before anyone could move, Bakura lifted his hand to command the shadows, "Attack quickly, before he gets the chance to call the gods!"
And indeed the shadows were quick, forming the body of a giant black snake in milliseconds, similar to the one that had almost been Seth's death in the last battle but adorned with three heads instead of one, hissing evilly and launching itself at the pharaoh.
There was a loud shout, frightened people jumping up in panic, but two of them were quicker than the rest, Seth grabbing Atemu and pulling him back from the snake's attack, while Seto simply grabbed one of the large bowls on the table and threw it with all his might and practiced aim right onto the monster's head.
The black snake looked dazed for a moment, then hissed angrily and went right for Seto.
"No!!!" Bakura and the pharaoh both shouted, but again Seth was quick in grabbing the sword of one of the stunned guards and tossing it at Seto.
"Here!" he cried, "Distract it just two minutes so I can call my dragon!"
Seto nodded, stepping back from the attack, raising the sword in defense, while Seth started chanting.
"Seto!" the young pharaoh shouted and made to run over to him, but Seth grabbed him, in the middle of his chant, shouting, "Don't, my pharaoh! If he's really me he can defend himself! Help me call my Ka! Quick!"
"Help him!" he called out to Isis, and then concentrated on the incantation again.
Seto stared at the snake hovering over him. Well, that was a new experience indeed, but what had he done all that martial arts training for? And with a shout he attacked, taking the monster completely by surprise. It barely avoided Seto's first blow, but the second came even faster and this time it hit its target. The snake gave a loud hiss, throwing one injured head back; mouth opened to reveal poisonous fangs, while the second and third went to attack again.
But even as Seto jumped back once more, Isis attacked from behind, having simply followed Seto's example and thrown a heavy earthenware jar.
The snake turned one head in surprise, sending a blast of lightning towards Isis but at the same time trying to fend off Seto's new attack with the two remaining heads.
Suddenly there was a loud roar and the faithful Blue Eyes White Dragon rose once more, plunging itself down onto the other monster. A second later its dead body hit the floor.
But the master of the Dragon didn't waste time himself. Sword drawn, the guards behind him he ran to catch Bakura. The thief, though, had quickly accepted his defeat, and with a last, "We'll meet again, pharaoh!" he dashed away, Seth and the guards after him.
Seto looked coldly at the dead monster, then turned towards the pharaoh to see if he was all right. But the young boy had already gotten up, shouting Seth's name and running out of the room right after him.
Blinking once, twice, Seto prepared to run as well as Isis grabbed his arm. "Please, stay and help me sort out this chaos!" she pleaded.
Looking around Seto agreed that he would be of a better use here. There was a complete mess, political and their servants running up and down, some even hurt slightly. Oh yes, diplomatic skills like Seto's would be needed here soon.