Hey guys! Miss me?

Well, here's the next chapter, just like I promised. Sorry I couldn't update sooner but school's been really hard on me!

Thanks to the people that reviewed, including:

kristen89

sugarpony

Meant2Live

Summoner of Spirits13619

Well, you can probably guess what happens in this chapter by the name, so I hope it's up to your expectations!

Warning: Sorry to all Seto fans but he is older (though I don't really see that as a bad thing…) in this story and I've made him the villain. I'm really sorry about that! I have nothing against him, but he just seemed to fit in with the part! Also, there are hint's of Yugi x Téa in later chapters.

'thoughts'

"speaking"

Also, you need to know a little history before reading any further (though some of you may already know this so just ignore it!). In Ancient Egypt, the men wore tunics, which are basically like skirts. In other words, they wore nothing over their chest, so in this story, Yugi, Atemu, Joey, Seto, Tristan and all the other boys are topless! cue drooling Just thought you should know! But this information is important, especially in later chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! and I do not own the Prince and the Pauper

-I-

The Pharaoh and the Pauper

Chapter 3: You're me!

-I-

Atemu walked out of yet another empty room and continued down the corridor. It had only been a few minutes since he had ordered the guards to bring the peasant up, but somehow, it seemed longer.

Atemu came across another room, and looked inside. Empty. He should've known. He took one last glance into the room just to make sure he didn't miss anything, or anyone, before continuing down the corridor, all the while having a nagging feeling that he'd forgotten something.

'Ironic that whenever you don't need someone they're always there, yet when you do need them, you can never find them. Where is that doctor anyway? And why is this palace so big?'

"Atemu! Hey! Wait up!"

Atemu turned at the sound of his name. There, running towards him, was Téa, and by the looks of it, she was angry.

Uh-oh

Téa stopped in front of the Prince, her hands on her knees, and tried to catch her breath back. Luckily for her, due to running around the palace all day, she soon did.

"Atemu, Ishizu and I have been looking for you everywhere! Do you have any idea what time it is?" Téa asked, sounding more like a mother than a friend.

"Err…no…should I?" Atemu answered, unsurely.

"What do you mean 'should I'?!" Téa grabbed Atemu's wrist and began to drag him down the hall. "It's time for the daily ritual to the Gods."

"Ritual?" Atemu tried to release his arm from Téa's grip, for he had to find the doctor for the peasant boy. Unfortunately, thanks to working in the palace all her life, Téa was surprisingly strong for a girl.

"You know!" Téa was begging to become annoyed with Atemu. He may be the Prince of Egypt, but sometimes he could be really clueless. "The ritual for the well being of the people of Egypt. You know you have to do it instead to your father because he's sick."

"Oh yeah, that ritual." Atemu had to do so many rituals and services, that sometimes he would lose track of them and forget which one was which. "But I can't Téa. You see-"

"I don't want to hear it Atemu." Téa turned a corner sharply, and began to pick up the pace, still dragging Atemu behind her, not noticing that he was trying to escape. "Ishizu is already waiting for you at the temple. Do you have any idea how long we've been trying to find you?!"

"No, but-"

"Ages! You know that this ritual is important, not just to you and your father, but to every single person that lives under the rule of the Pharaoh's. Oh boy, Ishizu's gonna be really mad when you…"

Atemu couldn't take it anymore. He had to find a doctor for that peasant boy. That was more important than another stupid ritual, wasn't it? He was trying to tell Téa, just she just wouldn't listen. Besides, he was the Prince of Egypt, and even though Téa was his closest friend, she was still only a servant girl who had to obey his every command…right?

"That's enough Téa!"

Atemu released his hand from Téa's strong grip and stop in his tracks. His sudden out burst cause Téa to stop too.

"Atemu…"

"Please, just listen to me Téa." Atemu clenched his fists as he felt his emotions become out of control. "I can't take part in the ritual today, because…because there's something more important I need to do…"

"But what's more important than this ritual?" Téa asked softly. Now she could see that something was bothering Atemu, but why didn't she see it before? Why didn't she listen?

"I need to fond a doctor, to…to help someone…"

"Who?"

"…a peasant."

"A peasant?!" Téa outburst. "How in the name of Ra did you get yourself involved with a peasant?"

"I saw him, when I was standing on the balcony… I saw the peasants rebuilding the building that was demolished during the Shadow Game last night, when I saw High Priest Seto Kaiba… He was ordering a guard to punish this peasant, but he hadn't done anything wrong! He was being punished for no reason!"

"…Atemu…"

"I didn't know what to do Téa!" Atemu turned around to that his back for facing Téa. He could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes. He didn't want to cry in front of her, he didn't want to look weak. "I couldn't just stand there and let him get hurt! I couldn't just walk away when this innocent person was getting hurt. I couldn't let that monster, Kaiba, continue this…this evil!" A single tear fell down his cheek and hit the floor. He placed his hand onto the Millennium puzzle that hung around his neck, and held onto it, tightly. "I just want to be a good Pharaoh, like my father. I don't want to be ruthless and evil, like Kaiba. I want to be kind and loyal to my people, but I'm afraid that I won't live up to the expectations of the people of Egypt! I'm afraid that I'll let my father down!"

Téa looked at the Prince, whom she could see was trying to control his emotions. She knew that Atemu had a lot of pressure on him right now; his father was dying, and he would soon be expected to take the throne, but she had no idea that it was affecting this way.

"Hey," Téa spoke softly. She walked round to face Atemu, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Listen Atemu, the one thing that you don't have to worry about is letting down the people of Egypt. True, your father is a great Pharaoh, but I know that you'll be even greater."

Atemu slowly opened his eyes, and looked up at Téa.

"But, how can you be so sure?"

"Because deep in my heart, I know that you'll be the greatest Pharaoh that Egypt has ever seen. You'll make the Gods, and your father extremely proud."

Atemu smiled up at his friend. That was the thing about Téa; no matter how sad or depressed you were, no matter how alone you felt, she always reminded you that you were never alone, and that everything will work out.

"Thank you, Téa."

"No problem. What are friends for? Now…" Téa removed her hand from Atemu's shoulder, and placed on her chin, thinking. "How are we going to sort out this little problem of yours?"

"We'd better think of something quick, because the ritual is due to start soon, and the peasant will soon be brought to my chamber."

"You sent for the peasant to be brought up to your chamber?"

"Well, yes. He was injured, he needed help. I know outsiders are not permitted inside the palace, but what else was I suppose to do?"

"No, I guess you're right. So, you need to be at the temple, but you also need to be in your chamber when the peasant arrives…hmmm…hey! I know what we could do!"

Téa turned Atemu around and started pushing him down the corridor. To say that Atemu was surprised by this was an understatement.

"Hey! Téa, what are you-"

"Look's there's no time to go into it right now." Téa continued to push Atemu down the corridor, picking up the pace. "Ishizu is waiting for you right now, so you go and do this ritual-thing, and leave the peasant to me"

The pair arrived at a fork in the corridor. Téa stopped pushing Atemu and faced him. There were two doorways beside them; one that lead to the outside courtyard, where the temple was, and the other lead to the other rooms of the palace.

"But, what will you do with the peasant?" Atemu asked, not wanting to leave Téa with this burden.

"Don't worry! I'll just make sure that he's alright. I'll give him some water, make sure he isn't hurt too badly, you know, just making sure he's alright…It is a 'he', right?"

"Yes Téa," Atemu laughed. "Good luck with that, and thank you for helping me. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Atemu turned around and starting running towards the temple. He was already extremely late, and Ishizu would not be happy. But Atemu knew that somehow, she always seemed to forgive him.

Téa watched Atemu disappear down the sandy courtyard, then turned and walked down the second corridor.

-I-

Yugi winced as he landed on the hard, stone floor. He could hear the guards laughing at him as they closed the door behind him. Slowly, he pulled himself of the floor and onto his knees, rubbing his shoulder as a small bruise appeared. Not much time had past since he was called to the palace, and Yugi still didn't know the identity of his rescuer. As the guards had dragged him through the palace, the servants and the Priest's staring at him in disgust as he past, he had tried to ask them who had called him into the palace. Unfortunately, his voice was dry and sore from working under the hot sun with no water, and besides, he knew that the guards wouldn't answer him. He was just a lowly peasant.

From what Yugi had picked up from the incident, he guessed that this person was very important and powerful, since the High Priest seemed to obey his every command. Could it have been Pharaoh Akunumkanon? No, the Pharaoh was ill, it couldn't have been him. Maybe it was his son, the Prince of Egypt. But what would a Prince want with someone like him?

Yugi slowly stood up, wincing as he did. His back stung from the wounds he had received from the whip, and he felt small droplets falling down his back. Blood. Great, more battle scars. As he looked around the brilliantly decorated room, the sun shinning onto the golden furniture, lighting up the room, he wondered what would happen to him know. What was he-

Yugi turned around suddenly, staggering a little from the dizziness of dehydration. Someone had gasped. He was not alone in the room, and yet as he searched with his eyes, he couldn't see anyone. And he hadn't heard anyone enter the room. Had the sun finally affected his brain?

"Sorry if I startled you," a sweet, angelic voice spoke.

Yugi turned his head to the right, and saw that in front of a doorway, which Yugi assumed lead to an adjoining room, was a servant girl. She was about the same age as him, only a little taller. She had shoulder length brown hair and deep blue eyes. She was a simple white, short-sleeved dress that stopped at her shins, with simple embroidery in gold. She was also carrying two small clay pots, and had a piece of cloth draped over her arm.

"My name's Téa." Téa said, slowly walking towards Yugi "What's your name?"

"Y…Yugi…" Yugi answered a little weakly. 'This girl, she's not like the others. She doesn't look at me with hate and disgust like everyone else did. Her eyes show kindness. But can I trust her?'

"Yugi? Wow, that's a very interesting name. I like it." Téa stopped in front of Yugi and looked down at him. She could feel a strange feeling in her body, like tiny butterflies, and her heart began to beat faster 'This peasant, Yugi, he looks so much like Atemu, as if they were brothers. But that's impossible. Atemu's mother died after she gave birth to Atemu, there's no way Yugi could be a long lost brother, or something like that. Besides, even though they may look the same, I can tell that they're personalities are different. Atemu is strong-minded and won't let anyone stand in his way. Yugi, on the other hand, he's…different. He would put other people first before himself, and wouldn't pick a fight unless he had to.'

"Thank you…Téa." Yugi looked up at Téa. She seemed trustworthy enough.

"No problem. Well, now that we know each other, would it be OK if I have a look at your back? I noticed that you had some injuries."

"Err…no, I don't mind."

Téa smiled and placed the pots and cloth she was carrying down onto Atemu's bed, which they stood next to, before taking a closer look at Yugi's wounds. As she examined the cuts, she didn't even flinch in disgust at the bloody wounds. I guess that's what you get after helping out the palace doctor for most of your life.

She placed her hand on Yugi's back, causing Yugi to blush a little. She ran her fingers softly down his back, until it came into contact with one of the three whip marks. Yugi winced.

"Oh, sorry!" Téa apologised sincerely. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's OK." Yugi said, smiling. "I know you didn't."

Téa, glad that Yugi had forgiven her, walked over to the bed where she had placed the pots and clothe.

"The wounds are deep, but not serious." She took the cloth and placed it in one of the pots, letting it soak up the liquid inside. She picked up the second pot, and handed it to Yugi. "Here, drink some water. You must be very thirsty after working in the sun all day."

Yugi thanked Téa as he took the pot into his hands, and drank the water, soon satisfying his thirst. As Yugi drank the water, Téa took the cloth she had placed in the other pot, squeezed out the excess liquid, then placed it on Yugi's wounds. Yugi, not for the first time that day, winced as he felt his wounds stinging again.

"Sorry!" Téa apologised again

"It's OK," Yugi said through gritted teeth. "What is that stuff?"

"It's a special ointment that I got from one of the medicine men. I know it hurts, but I promise that it's good for you, and the pain will soon go away."

"OK, if you say so…erm…Téa...can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well, I was just wondering…do you now who saved me from the High Priest, and who sent me here?"

"Of course I do." Téa removed the cloth and dunked it in the ointment again, then squeezed the excess water, before placing it back on Yugi's wounds. "Prince Atemu was the one that called you here."

"Prince Atemu?! But…why?"

"He didn't want to see you get hurt. Atemu hates to see innocent people get hurt. That's why he has such a big heart…a bit like you, I guess."

"Oh."

As Téa attended to Yugi's wounds, the two teens talked and got to know each other. Téa told Yugi that she had been working in the palace all her life, and that her mother, grandmother, everyone in her family had worked in the palace for the Pharaoh and his family. Yugi explained to Téa that he and his friends built all the monuments that were scattered around Egypt. He explained that he lived with his grandfather, since his parents had died when he was young.

"…so now I live with my grandpa, but unfortunately, he's really ill right now, so it's up to me to take care of him." Yugi finished explaining to Téa.

"I'm sorry Yugi," Téa said, touched at Yugi's story. From what he had told her, his life seemed to be filled with nothing but sadness.

"It's OK Téa, I know that my grandpa will get well soon. After all, I trust the Gods, and I pray to them every night."

"That's so sweet…" Téa lifted the cloth off Yugi's back to examine the wounds. "Well, it looks like your wounds have healed up nicely." She stood up and put the cloth back into the pot full of ointment. "Do you feel any better?"

Yugi turned around to face Téa, a smile plastered in his face. "Yeah, I feel much better now Téa, thanks."

"No problem, I'm just glad I could help."

Yugi and Téa stared into each other's eyes, a strange feeling washing over them. They had only just met, yet it felt like they had known each other an eternity, their feelings for each other growing with every passing second. Slowly, without them knowing what they were doing, their faces began to become closer and closer together. Yugi closed his eyes as his face came closer and closer to Téa's, his heart beating faster and faster. Téa, too, closed her eyes, softening her lips. Their faces continuing closer and closer to one another, their lips only inches away…

"Téa, are you in there?"

Yugi and Téa stopped at the sound of a voice outside the room. They both opened each other's eyes simultaneously, blushing as they made eye contact. Quickly, they pulled their faces away, both a little embarrassed. Téa whispered a quick 'sorry', then collected the pots and made her way to the door. Yugi watched her with saddened eyes.

Just as Téa was about to open the door, she turned around to face Yugi.

"It was nice meeting you Yugi, and I hope we meet again soon."

And with that, Téa opened the door and disappeared.

-I-

Atemu looked up as the door opened in front of him, and saw Téa step out of his room. As he looked closer, he could see that she was smiling, and had a small blush on her cheeks.

"Is the peasant OK?" Atemu asked

Téa jumped at Atemu's voice, and turned to face him.

"Atemu, you scared me!"

"Sorry, but you seemed to be lost in thought. Are you OK?"

"What?…oh yeah! I'm fine Atemu, don't worry about me! Haha!"

Atemu eyed Téa suspiciously. She was up to something.

"So, was it you who called?" Téa asked

"Yes. I was wondering if the peasant is OK?"

"He's fine. I gave him some water and I cleaned up his wounds. You can go in a see him if you want."

Atemu nodded in response and watched as Téa started making her way down the corridor.

"Oh, just one thing." Téa said, turning to face Atemu. "He's not a long lost brother!" And with that, Téa disappeared down the corridor.

Atemu stood there, confused. Just what did she mean by that? Confused and curious, Atemu opened the door and stepped into the room.

-I-

Yugi in the room, and little surprised what had just happened. One minute, he and Téa were talking, and the next, they were about to kiss! And they had only just met! Talk about love at first sight. But, as Yugi thought about it, that what it was. Love. He had fallen in love with Téa; at least, he think he had.

Suddenly, Yugi heard the main door behind him open. 'That must be Prince Atemu!' he thought. As he heard footsteps entering the room, and the large door closing, Yugi fell to his knees and bowed to the floor.

Atemu closed the door behind him and looked around the room. Strange, there was nobody here. He took a few steps forward, and then saw something in front of him. It was the peasant boy, bowing on the floor, his face on the ground, and even though the sun was now beginning to set, Atemu could see clearly that this boy had the same hair as him.

'Strange. How can this peasant have hair that resembles mine? I thought I was the only person. Was this what Téa meant by what she said?'

"Dear friend," Atemu addressed Yugi, "you do not have to bow to me. You are my guest here. Please, stand on your feet."

Yugi was unsure of whether to stand up in the presence of the Prince of Egypt. He was taught that if he was ever in the presence of royalty, he must always bow to the floor. But, then again, he had asked Yugi to stand up. If Atemu wanted him to stand up, then he should obey him.

Slowly, Yugi got to his feet, but kept his head down, staring at the floor.

Atemu watched the boy and he rose, a slight panic entering his mind. This peasant looked his age, had the same hair, and was almost his height, but how was this possible? His face was still in shadow, but Atemu had a strange feeling of what was to come.

"Let me see your face," Atemu said gently, hiding the panic in his voice.

Yugi once again obeyed the Prince's command, and looked up at Atemu…

…and both gasped at the sight before them…

They looked exactly the same, like brothers. They had the same eyes, same skin, same hair, same everything. It was amazing, and yet frightening. How could someone look exactly like you, if they were not related to you?

A silence filled the room as the two Egyptians started at each other, until that both spoke at the exact same time…

"You're me!"

-I-

To be continued…

-I-

Please R&R! I'll try and put the next chapter up before I go on holiday (which will be in a few weeks), but I think you can guess what happens next