(A/N). Squeal! I just have to give a big thanks to Larnya6 and crew for putting me on the wicked-awesome C2 "The Pharaohs Rule!" It's got to be my fav archive! I also love the new uploading system, despite the crappy down time... I had fun with the fromatting... (takes a deep breath) Ok, now I know some of you were concerned that Atemu would be taking Yuugi's place as pharaoh... but don't worry, their god (aka me) has ordained that they will only be exchanging places for a week. Then it's back to their not so regularly scheduled lives. I just have to apologize for the general crappiness of the last chapter. It just wasn't as developed as I had hoped it would be, and it left some people confuzzeled. Hopefully, this chapter is better. Enjoy!
Warning: I'm using Yami no Yuugi's real name in this story, so if you don't know it already (an unlikely chance if you frequent ff . net) it will be a spoiler… Shonen-ai ness. Also, this is definitely AU 'cause in the manga/anime, Yuugi was never pharaoh!BTW: Don't expect this to be historically correct, I'm not an Egyptologist (though I would like to be one…) I will try to keep stuff historically correct when I can. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Yuugiou is owned by a middle-aged, Japanese man. I am neither a man, middle-aged, nor Japanese. I let you ascertain for your selves whether or not I own Yuugiou.
Don't Call Me Pharaoh!
By Hales731
Chapter 5: "You seem familiar."
As Atemu walked into the throne room with Yuugi, he was affronted by a large chorus of 'good morning's from the other people inside the room. Surprised, he glanced around at the figures of Yuugi's priests. Shouts of "Hello, my pharaoh!" and "Did you sleep well, my lord?" drifted towards him. So far, it seemed, Yuugi's ruse was successful.
When Yuugi had described his 'switching places' plan to Atemu, one of the main concerns Atemu had (besides botching up the job) was being recognized as the former prisoner he was. In his eyes, he and Yuugi were completely different. Sure, they had similar features, but besides their odd hair styles and shared short stature, Atemu could easily create long list of differences. When he had tried to explain his misgivings to the High Priest Seto, the blue eyed man had laughed Atemu's dilemma off as Atemu's "sad attempt to persuade himself that self-love was acceptable." After that, Atemu easily understood Yuugi's contempt with the brunette ass.
Yuugi had explained that during the whole escapade with Atemu's kaa, the priests were not given the chance to give Atemu a detailed look over. All they had remembered was a young man, similar in appearance to their pharaoh, with an exceptionally strong kaa. It also seemed that Yuugi and Seto had kept much of the two look-alikes' affair under wraps. With all this in mind, Atemu realized that the kooky scheme of Yuugi's just might work.
The only qualms Atemu still had were with his abilities. His lover had the utmost faith in him, yet even up until the first morning of his stint as pharaoh, Atemu was having difficulties dealing with everything but controlling his kaa and playing the Shadow games.
Having grown up in a game shop gave him the ability to quickly pick up and comprehend games. The only person he ever lost to was his lover, a fact that never ceased to excite him. Despite Atemu's losing streak to Yuugi, Atemu still won the games in the bedroom. Their private sanctuary was the only place that Yuugi was willing to let Atemu be dominate and Yuugi seemed to enjoy losing (and quite frequently) to Atemu within those confines. Outside their chambers, Yuugi continually overshadowed Atemu in anything from Senet to simple riddles.
No matter how many times Atemu lost to Yuugi, he still was undefeated. This little fact irked Seto, quite a bit. Atemu had defeated Seto countless times, but the arrogant high priest always came back for another go. Seto had made up for this several times by managing to find small moments to interject his snide remarks concerning the 'wimpy pharaoh and his mirror's' relationship. Said remarks always left Yuugi blushing seven shades of crimson, and Atemu fuming.
"Pharaoh? Pharaoh, are you listening?" drifted a voice towards Atemu, jarring him from his ruminations. Unexpectedly, he found his backside painfully meeting Yuugi's throne for the first time, courtesy of Yuugi's small hands.
"Ow…" he muttered and turned towards his partner's worried eyes.
"You can still back out if you want," whispered the petit pharaoh. Atemu merely shook his head.
"My pharaoh! You are not paying attention!" shouted the jarring voice from earlier.
"Er, what is it, uh…"
"Akunadin," Yuugi supplied.
"Er, yes. What is it that you desire, Priest Akunadin?" Atemu stuttered as Yuugi slapped himself on the forehead.
"You have a visitor. He claims he knows your look-alike prisoner," Atemu's growl at being labeled a 'prisoner' interrupted the priest. He continued, "er, companion."
"Send him in," Atemu glanced at Yuugi, who had taken up hiding behind the throne. "Are you ready? That's probably Grandpa, coming to pick 'me' up."
The doppelgangers had informed Atemu's grandfather that 'Atemu' would be going back to the game shop for a week, and then would return to the palace. The old man had been happy to know that his 'grandson' was returning, and not so happy to learn that 'Atemu' would leave him again after just one week. Yuugi was still on tenterhooks for 'kidnapping' Atemu.
"Yes, I can't wait! A whole week for playing games and meeting new people. It'll be great, better than this place where everyone thinks I'll fall to pieces at any given moment. It'll be a lot more exciting too!"
"I wouldn't expect too much, Yuugi. My life in the game shop was not fast paced."
"I'm sure it's better than here. Besides, after this week, you can tell me for sure whether my life is more boring than yours. Plus, I get the added bonus of having a gorgeous, buff guy prove that I'm not weak or under qualified."
"I might be able to prove that you're no weak, but as for having me fill your post, I'm not so sure." 'I'm still having misgivings. Yuugi is definitely more qualified than me. He gets all this political and judgment stuff. I mean, he's a genius, so why can't he see that this plan of his has so many opportunities to fail. Yuugi is so convinced that this will work, and if I didn't care for him so much, I'd tell him no. … On second thought, I don't even think that I'd get a reprieve then. Damn those eyes!' Atemu reflected.
"Pharaoh!" Again, a shout in his direction interrupted his musings. He looked up to see his guardian being escorted in by two of the pharaoh's priests.
"Here's my cue to exit!" Yuugi gave Atemu a slow but deep kiss. "See you in a week, love. And don't worry. I have a great deal faith that you can handle this boring country for a short week. What's the worst you can do? Bring down my country?"
"Probably…" Yuugi gave Atemu a reproving look, and turned the old man in front of them.
"Hello grandfather!" piped Yuugi. "I'm ready to go home, but don't forget, I'm returning next week!"
"Hmph! I don't know if you should, Atemu. I don't trust this pharaoh. He's a wimp, even more so up close."
Atemu cocked an eyebrow, imitating a gesture of Yuugi's that he had seen on many occasions. Atemu always saw Yuugi as a calm and collected ruler, and this was what he was trying to emulate. Inside, however, he was in a muddle of mirth at being confused as the pharaoh by his own grandfather, anger at being labeled a wimp, and slight regret at his impending separation from his first love. He looked down at his beloved and saw that the true pharaoh was pouting, undoubtedly over being once again labeled a wimp, however indirectly.
"You have my permission to leave my presence, Atemu. But remember, you are required to return in a week. I would greatly enjoy your presence here again."
"I shall," chimed Yuugi, astounding Atemu in how his grandfather had not noticed the change in voice. The fake pharaoh figured the game shop owner was attributing it to puberty or the like. "I enjoyed your hospitality, my dear. Until next week, I'll be counting the days till my return."
Atemu's grandfather rolled his eyes as Yuugi threw a wink at the young man sitting on his throne. The two then left the room, leaving Atemu to contend with ruling a country for the first time.
mnmnmnm
Yuugi was astounded by all the sights surrounding him as his temporary grandfather and he traveled from the palace on foot. Having never step foot outside the palace or its gardens, the young ruler had never experienced the flooding of his senses as he reveled in the prolific bouquet that was his capital's market. Surrounding him on all sides were stalls and booths exhibiting anything and everything that he could've imagined. The food stalls did not entice him much, as he received exotic concoctions daily, but the stalls selling toys, tools, furniture, herbs, flowers with striking perfumes, wool from sheep in Israel, and much more drew his attention greatly. Only when an old woman offered him some foul smelling herb to cure his 'apparent weakness' did he steer clear of the merchants.
Pulling Yuugi to the right, Yuugi's surrogate grandfather examined a trader's booth. Yuugi wandered up and down in front of the stand, picking up each item up for a closer inspection. There were dolls from the Orient, made recognizable by their slanted eyes; native rattles for babes; board games from Samaria. Though Yuugi had come in contact with much of the games on the trader's table, through his own extensive collections, each item present seemed to have a different and unique personality that his own toys did not retain.
"They were hand made by some of the most creative craftsmen of this world," the tradesman explained. The young trader had blue eyes and hair jutting toward the heavens, similar to Yuugi's, only one color: brown. A voluptuous woman with long blonde hair and violet eyes stood near by. The two appeared to be married, or at least working together. "But your old man here, of course, won't buy anything from my humble stall."
"To right you are. These are to common anyways," the mentioned man snorted and proceeded to direct Yuugi away to another stall. As the two maneuvered through the throngs of people, Yuugi absentmindedly collided with another person. Looking up, he gasped.
"Ryou!"
"I don't know who in Duat that is," was the gruff reply. The man turned to Yuugi and said, "But you look somewhat familiar? Have I threatened you before?"
Yuugi shook his head and took a second glance at the double of his palace healer. The man was approximately the same height as Ryou, possibly taller, with the same white hair. This man, however, had intimidating narrowed eyes, both of which possessed a sadistic and possibly frenzied gleam. His left eye also had a jagged scar trailing down his cheek. The final difference that Yuugi could see was that this man seemed more physically built than Ryou.
"Hm, since you don't really know me, and I don't know who the fuck you are, I won't kill you… yet. Keep you fucking mouth shut about seeing me… actually, forget you ever fucking met me, or I'll make sure you meet Ma'at's scales sooner than you might've expected," sneered the man. Then, with a flutter of his scarlet cloak, the man was gone.
Thanking Ra that his week-long guardian had forced him to wear a head covering, Yuugi glanced around for the elder. The man was finishing some business with a baker. When the bartering was concluded, the two made their way in the direction of the place that would be the disguised pharaoh's home for the next week.
Before I continueon to responses, I want to know if anyone discovered the cameos and movie quotes that I snuck into this chapter (couldn't help myself...). First reviewer to identify them gets a virtual Pharaoh Yuugi plushie. It shouldn't be too hard, I think it's quite easy, but newho... And yes, this is an attempt to scrounge more reviews. My dream is to get 50 by the next chapter, so I'mcounting on you guys (gets down on her hands and knees) Please!
Review Responses--
Xamosy-- Thanks! You thought the last chapter was cute? Well, that makes me feel better, 'cause I thought it was crap… As for Atemu being a wise pharaoh… we'll see (evil cackle)
Molly-chan the Anime/Game fan-- Thanks for another entertainging review. As for your frying pan, I hope you received it in my review for your story Reversed (great story btw). It didn't do me any good. (rubs the bump on her head).
Pharaoh Atemu's Angel-- Thanks again! Yeah, my name's is just not very original. Honestly, I don't know how people come up with their cool names. Xamosy's for example… NEwho, thanks for putting me on your fav's list…. I feel special!
Citus luver-- Yup, this story has elements of the Prince and the Pauper, but it won't be centered on that plot. The reason I'm having them switch places is so they can see how they take their own lives for granted, and see how their supposed faults can actually be strengths. Also, I'm hoping that it will help in developing their characters. Atemu isn't really more qualified than Yuugi to be pharaoh (in fact it's quite the opposite). He is just able to control a God and play the Shadow games well. Yuugi equates these qualities with strength and wisdom, because he does not see intelligence and mercy as attributes of a strong person. He sees these attributes in himself, and since he is often labeled as weak or frail, he sees intelligence and mercy as weakness. He's got a kinda 'Seto complex' (aka to win need power; therefore power good), just not as bad as Seto's. I'm sorry that I didn't elaborate that more in the last chapter (bangs head on desk). I hope stuff is a little cleared up now.
Yamishadowcat22-- Thanks! And I hope Atemu can handle the upcoming week too, though I'm not sure he will (evil snicker).
Silvershadowfire-- Yesh, I particularly liked that line. The whole shpeal with Atemu having been seen by the court was explained better in this chapter (I hope...). I hope that helps unfogs things a little (Grimaces and shakes fist at last chapter) Damn you, chapter 4! … I dunno; maybe I'll go back and fix it some day… (sigh)
pharaohs-slave-- No prob! And I hope you like this chapter too!
Paladin Dragoon-- That's ok, shit happens. I hope you were able to read this chapter though!