"I lie down in death.
I am born, I become new, I renew my youth every day…
I am Horus who dwelleth in his divine Light.
I advance towards the boundaries of heaven.
Horus is upon his seat. Horus is upon his throne.
My face is like that of a divine hawk.
I shall see Osiris."
- The Book of the Dead

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14
Horus upon His Throne
-

Despair was an emotion the cursed spirit of the cat understood, and when Harsiesis left him Kyou found himself alone with the vengeful spirit. It was strange to think that before, Riese had always been there, even though the god's spirit had been sleeping as it were. Kyou stood mental eye to mental eye with the monster that had always been a part of him; that he's learned to fear and loathe before he'd learned anything else in his life.

But if there was something he'd learned even before that, before he'd even thought of himself as a person- and maybe he'd learned it again a little better recently- it was that a person didn't exist alone. We've got to help, he said.

The creature's eyes glowed. Kill. HIM.

Kyou frowned. He'd never really talked to anyone who'd wanted to hurt Yuki as much as he did; everybody loved that damn rat.

The spirit bared its teeth. Yes… it hissed. Kill. Revenge…

But, Kyou looked at the spirit intently, do I hate him because I hate him, or because you do?

It reared back, shocked. Kill. Hate. Betrayal… forgotten?

No. Kyou shifted uncomfortably. He tried to look away, think about something else, but the only thing he could think of was Tohru. Tohru… kissing Yuki. No, not forgotten. He closed his eyes and, taking a deep breath, gritted his teeth. It'll hurt Tohru. I… don't want that.

A feeling of incredulity. What… this feeling? It sniffed, inhaling deeply. …Love? It pulled away from him, flinching from this thing it had long forgotten, and curled up confusedly at Kyou feet. Why? How? Curse… makes us hated. Hatred returned. Is only way. To survive.

Kyou shook his head. No. He reached out a hand hesitantly and put it on the creature's forehead. We're not going to kill anyone. It snarled defiantly, but fell subdued under his touch. Kyou felt a thrill of power pass through him. It was listening to him?

The spirit looked up at him, confusion written on its face. Do not understand, it moaned. Love? Is not… possible.

Kyou sighed. No…I guess it's not.

He blinked, and he was back in the real world, Kagura looking at him worriedly. He smiled at her distantly, looking to see where Horus had gone.

"Kyou-kun," Kagura pulled at his arm, trying to get his attention to tell him something, but he didn't listen. Scanning the room, he froze when he saw a horrified Hatori kneeling over a body…

"Yuki?" he murmured, getting up, running toward the others, but, more importantly, "Tohru? Where…"

A shriek of pain and fury and Isis fell upon Apep, her fingers like claws. Thoth pulled her off the dragon, holding her comfortingly as Kyou and Kagura arrived at the group, but everyone took a step back as Horus landed in a swirl of feathers, taloned paws scouring the stone beneath his feet.

Horus cocked his head and peered down at the body of Osiris, keening softly in the back of his throat.

Hatori knelt in horror and shock, but he shook his head and it was Apep who slowly stood and faced Horus, no regret on his face.

"I did what had to be done. You know this, rival mine." He threw his head back defiantly, looking up at the golden griffon. "This is bigger than the two of us. There is no room for enmity, petty no matter how critical it is to my blood that you perish. No, this is above all gods. Our ignorance and refusal to accept that the world changes around us has led us here." He gestured around him. "This spectacle has chained us, and we have allowed it. Even I became ensnared, and I refuse to be anyone's puppet. There had to be a change in order to break free, and while I desire my blade to rest in your gut," his lip curled predatorily, "to thwart Seth's desires answered all factors- the opportunity was handed to me and I have changed the script we danced to, I have repaid Seth for presuming to order me, and," he grinned darkly, "I have still hurt you." He inclined his head to Horus mockingly.

"Indeed." The voice of Horus sounded in all their minds as he lowered his head to examine Apep face to face. "You are finished here, dragon of darkness. We will meet again elsewhere, in the nightly journey." He blew his breath on Apep, and the dragon crossed his arms before his face as an expression of distaste twisted his features at the sensation. But the breath of Horus accomplished its errand, and Apep's cruel expression melted away, leaving Hatori free of him.

Hatori fell to his knees beside Yuki, his hands going immediately to the wound, trying to staunch the blood that no longer flowed, to press against Yuki's neck feeling for a pulse… There were tears on his face as he slammed his hands against the ground in frustration. Shigure came up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Peace, cousin," came Horus' voice. All eyes turned to him as he closed his eyes, leaned down close to Yuki, and called, "Osiris."

-

Someone was calling his name.

Yuki turned toward the sound but he didn't see anyone, so he turned back toward his journey. The road ahead was dark, and he couldn't seem to remember where it was supposed to lead, but behind him there was no road. So, not really any point in going back.

Osiris.

There it was again… Yuki turned around looking for the source of the sound. His name… He paused. That wasn't his name…

"It is my name," Osiris whispered in his ear. "It is your name."

Yuki rolled his eyes. "Yes, I remember you. And your amazingly unhelpful non-logic."

"You have truly passed into my realm," Osiris observed. "Perhaps you will find my words of more use to you now."

"Your… realm?" Yuki frowned. He looked around again, but didn't see anything other than the smoky darkness that surrounded him.

"Death is my realm."

"So I'm dead again?" Suddenly continuing down the road before him didn't seem like such a good idea. Yuki glowered at the darkness in the absence of his companion's face. "Thanks, you always bring me such good news."

"Know this- my power is your power."

"What power?" Yuki demanded. "The power to die!"

"And to live."

Yuki paused. "You said death was a step in the cycle."

"Yes."

He frowned thoughtfully. "How do I go back a step?"

"There is no back. Only forward."

"Then what's the point…" Yuki continued, but Osiris interrupted him.

"Do not think the path you see is the only one open to you. There are many ways to go forward." He could have sworn he felt Osiris wink at him. "As one who has spent a great deal of time here, I will tell you some of this realm's secrets. You have taught me much in our time together, I will return the favor." Yuki felt himself turn, facing back the way he had come. "The trick," Osiris whispered, "is not to think 'back,' but to think 'forward.' As long as you know that you are moving forward, you can move in any direction you wish. And is this not moving forward? You cannot go backward, for every moment changes you. But you can go forward, as a new person, and still end up in the same place you were before, can you not?"

Yuki had to smile at the god's circuitous thoughts. "Crafty," he admitted. "But… what did I teach you?"

"You awoke me to it first, but I have been watching your companions as well and you all have it. Something very powerful; something that not even Seth, in all of his twisting thoughts, could have taken into account. Hope, and faith in each other. And, even greater, love."

"Love?" Yuki's eyes went distant for a moment. "Is that something anyone ever truly feels?"

"You have it."

Smiling slowly, Yuki turned and started down the path, moving forward.

-

It had been several minutes since Horus had spoken, and it didn't seem like anything was happening.

"Yuki," Hatori murmured.

"My love," Isis sobbed softly.

Kyou sucked in a deep breath and suddenly realized he had been holding the last one. "Dammit," he growled. He stalked over to Yuki and glared down at him. "You damn rat!" he shouted. "Get up!"

Yuki inhaled suddenly, moving all at once, his head tilting back as his chest rose, his eyes blinking and his hands coming up to cover his stomach as he swallowed. He pushed himself up on one elbow; raising his other hand he looked at the blood that covered it, but the wound in his stomach had vanished.

"Yuki," Hatori said pleadingly, but Yuki raised his hand in a halting gesture and shook his head.

Isis came and knelt beside him, taking his face in her hands, tears still on her cheeks. "Oh, my love," she murmured.

He smiled at her fondly. "Isis, love, you know I would never leave you for long."

She nodded. "Truly I know this, but every time hurts me more than the last."

He brushed the back of his fingers against her face, but then returned his thoughts to business. He wiped his bloodied hand on his already stained kilt and seemed to realize with an absent frown and a shiver that that was the only garment he was wearing. Yuki rolled his eyes and started to push himself to his feet, but a hand on his elbow helped pull him up and he stood, surprised, facing Kyou. The cat looked away; taking off his jacket he thrust it at Yuki. Surprise evident on his face, Yuki nodded and accepted the garment. Slipping it on, he took a step forward only to stumble slightly. Kyou caught his arm again, Yuki's hand grabbing on to him automatically as his legs faltered.

Regaining his footing Yuki looked at Kyou, but the cat looked away. Yuki released him and turned to Horus. Locking eyes with him he said, simply, "Ayame."

Horus' eyes closed solemnly, and he opened them to look at Yuki again. "I can remove Seth. However, Ayame has fought him most resolutely and Seth is insidious in battle. He may have inflicted damage that is not mine to undo."

Yuki's eyes flashed as he stood toe to toe with the god, prepared to fight him for his brother, when a purple light lit his eyes. "Peace," Osiris said. "I will handle it."

Horus nodded. He turned to where Hathor, joined by a softly snarling Taueret, stood guarding Seth who, at the moment, didn't seem to be presenting much of a threat. Ayame knelt, shivering slightly, his arms wrapped around himself, the serpents Seth had called to him curled around his body protectively, eyeing all other creatures with suspicion. Osiris came and stood before him; Horus bent his head and let his breath cover Ayame gently. Ayame's head shot up and he inhaled deeply as his eyes flew open wide. Osiris knelt before him and took his face between his hands, the snakes parting to allow the god near.

-

Seth was incensed.

At the moment, his antagonism mostly extended to Apep, but a much easier target presented itself in Ayame and he didn't hesitate to vent his anger. You think to defy me! he growled at his host. Your hesitation cost me everything, and still did not accomplish what you desired.

Ayame stared ahead vacantly, hopelessly. Yuki… He hadn't been able to save his brother. He hadn't…. he couldn't…

No, Seth hissed coldly. You could not. So just give up now, why don't you? He reached his hands out and pressed his palm to Ayame's forehead, seeking reentrance, but a warning hiss caused him to withdraw his hand. He glanced down to see a cobra curled around Ayame's head, reared and hissing, hood spread, over Ayame's forehead- like the ureaus of the Egyptian crown, the cobra that defended the kings of Egypt. What is this? Seth's eyes flashed in annoyance.

Nii-san, a voice called and Ayame flinched.

Yuki? He looked up, looking around. Yuki, I'm sorry, I tried… But the shape that walked toward them was not his brother.

Osiris, Seth hissed in contempt. He gestured to the ureaus. This is your work. The cobra hissed at him.

Yes, Osiris replied. You and I have unfinished business brother, but it does not need to involve these ones- that is what Apep showed us. He paused, and Yuki seemed to step out from behind him. Osiris fixed his gaze on his brother. Horus calls, Seth. Even you must obey. Here, I will escort you. He took Seth forcefully by the arm, and both of them vanished.

Yuki reached his hand out to Ayame. Nii-san, he said, letting his fingers brush against his brother's skin.

Ayame stared at him, disbelieving. Yuki? But… you…

Yuki rolled his eyes. Ask him about it sometime, he said, gesturing at where Osiris had stood. It's not like I understand what's going on. He took Ayame's hand and pulled him to his feet, smiling at him. Let's go. Ayame nodded.

-

"Nii-san."

Ayame blinked, then looked around. Yuki was kneeling in front of him, just like in his dream, and he reached out to pull his brother against him. "Yuki," he murmured. "I thought… and he tried to… and I tried to stop him, but I wasn't sure I could…"

"Hush," Yuki said softly, raising his arms and tentatively embracing his brother in return. "It's over now."

"Indeed." Horus fixed his eyes on each member of the group in turn. "I think it was time we were leaving." Taueret, Hathor, Thoth, Anubis, and Isis nodded in response. Horus leveled an eye at Anubis. "You as well?"

Anubis looked properly chastised, in that way only canines have truly mastered. "Yes," he said quietly. "I was wrong to listen to Seth." He narrowed his eyes resolutely. "I will not do so again."

"It is well," Horus said and, throwing back his head, he keened once, then left the body he had occupied and Hara's familiar form dropped to his hands and knees, gasping from the intensity of the experience.

Kyou, Yuki, Hatori, and Ayame watched as around them the rest of their family bid farewell to their gods. At some parting thought from Isis, Tohru squeaked and blushed furiously.

-

The sun was high and bright in the sky as Kyou went in search of Hara two days later. He tried to dislodge the bundle of fur hanging desperately from his shoulder, purring madly, but the cat wouldn't leave him alone. This cat, and many like him, had been waiting at the village when they had returned from that night when Horus had been reborn, and more kept coming out of the woodwork. Hara was ecstatic; apparently there hadn't been a cat in the village in over a thousand years. Kyou glared at his passenger again; he could have continued to live without the creatures… but according to Hara this was a sign that they had succeeded.

Kyou found who he was looking for standing in the temple of Horus, gazing up at the statue. "We're ready," he said as he managed to finally detach the cat's claws from the cloth of his shirt.

Hara turned to him and smiled. "Of course, you are eager to return to your home."

Kyou snorted. "Yeah I guess that's part of it." He rubbed his wrist, a reflex action it would take a long time to rid himself of, if it ever happened. "So, how are things with you?" He knocked his knuckles against his head lightly to emphasize what he meant.

Hara smiled widely, something he'd been doing a lot lately. "Never better, and that is the exact truth. Thank you." Kyou shrugged noncommittally, but Hara came and put his hands on the cat's shoulders. "No, thank you. Without you, all of you, this would not have happened. Everything has happened to fulfill all my wildest dreams and more."

Kyou shrugged again, uncomfortably. "Yeah well, it's not like you gave us much of a choice."

"I suppose that is true." Hara smiled secretly, looking for a moment like his old self.

"And it's not like we didn't figure out a few things ourselves too," Kyou mumbled.

"True as well," Hara responded softly. He gripped Kyou's shoulder, his eyes shining. "Brother, may you see always a large cat, the sign of the god's highest fortune," he said with a grin, "and may you not be one." Kyou snorted and Hara's grin widened. He turned toward the door abruptly. "Come then. If you are ready, I will take you home."

Home… Kyou paused a moment and turned to look at the golden statue of Horus. A glint in one eye caught his attention- it was a piece of silver, shaped to look like the moon. He narrowed his eyes, then turned and followed Hara out into the sunlight.

-

Yuki stood near the plane, watching as the villagers helped Haru and Shigure clear the last drifts of sand away from the wheels, giving it an amused look.

"You find something humorous?" Hara came up beside him.

Yuki glanced over at him. "I distinctly remember thinking I would die before I let you fly me anywhere ever again."

Hara laughed. "Oh? So."

"Yes," he said. "Though I feel more confident with your recent return to a higher level of sanity. Should we call you Horus now, Harakhte?"

"I suppose." He tilted his head back and let the sunlight wash over his face. "Though I think it will take some time before I remember to answer to that name. Then again…" He rested a hand over his heart. "It seems impossible that I should ever forget to."

Yuki nodded.

"When you return, be sure to give my regards to Ra," Hara said after a moment, looking sidelong at Yuki. The rat stiffened, but nodded. With a parting smile, Hara went to start up the plane.

Home… Yuki thought. He shivered. Things were going to be different once they got home. Very different.

-