Son of the Pharaoh

Disclaimer: I don't own it and never will. Get it? Got it? Good.

Chapter One: The Pharaoh's Return

"Atem! Atem!" Mana yelled, trying to wake the young prince from his slumber.

"Go away Mana, I'm sleeping." He groaned, pulling the covers over his head.

"But Atem, the Pharaoh's home! Your father's home!" The six year old shot up in bed, pushing the blanket away.

"Why didn't you say that in the first place Mana? Ra! How long?"

"He'll be here soon Atem! You gotta hurry! He's in the Market." She said, excitedly. Atem's father Aknamkanon, was the Pharaoh of Egypt and had been away on some urgent bussiness for nearly 30 days. Atem had been missing him terribly and it showed. The usually cheerful, energetic youth had been moping for 2 weeks and nothing anyone did could cheer him up.

"Mana, get out so that I can get dressed!" he said. The giggling girl rushed out of the room as Atem got out of bed and quickly dressed.

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Atem stood in the Throne Room, dressed in his favorate robin's egg blue tunic and black belt. A ray of sunlight shone through the windows of the large palace, reflecting off Atem's golden crown.

Finally, the large doors opened to reveal his father. He smiled, running to him with a cry of, "Father!"

Aknamkanon picked his young son up in his strong arms for a hug.

"You've been so long Father," Atem said.

"I know Atem, it took longer than expected to sort out the trouble in the south. I am sorry for not sending a messenger. How have things been in my absence?" he asked.

"Boring," Atem said as his father set him back on the ground and they walked out of the Throne Room, and into the hall. "Seto hasn't been paying any attention to me, he's always busy studying. I asked Uncle Aknadin if Seto could take a break and play with me but he said Seto needed to finish his work. Me and Mana have just been playing alone."

"Did Seto want to take a break?" Aknamkanon asked his son, worried that his brother had been working Seto too hard.

"I dunno, Seto wouldn't talk to me. He looked tired though. I think he's been studying to much. Last night I found him asleep at his desk. The ink on his papyrus had come off on his face. It was really funny." Atem said with a giggle.

"I'm sure it was. Good moring Seto." Aknamkanon said as the boy came out of his room, traces of the ink still on his cheek.

"Seto! You still have ink on your face from last night!" Atem giggled. Seto blushed a deep red.

"M'sorry My Pharaoh," he said, somewhat tiredly. "I fell asleep at my desk last night and it seems the ink came off on my face." he said with a bow.

"Yes, Atem has told me. Perhaps you should go and wash it off." he said, trying not to laugh.

"Yes My Pharaoh." Seto said, bowing to his uncle and retreating back into his room. As soon as he shut the door, both Atem and his father were reduced to silent giggles.

"What did it say anyway?" Atem asked.

"What?" Aknamkanon asked, confused.

"The hierogliphics on Seto's face, what did they mean?" Atem asked, he wasn't able to read yet.

"It was something about Horus and Ra I believe. It was hard to make out, the symbols were faded." his father replied. "I think you're right, he has been working too hard."

I'll speak to my brother about that later. He expects too much of Seto, he's only a boy. I wonder if Aknadin remembers that fact sometimes. He treats Seto like a man twice his years and he rarely spends time with him. Aknamkanon thought. That's why I try to include Seto alot of the time when I do things with Atem. He needs a childhood, not endless hours of studying in that dusty room he calls a study. For Ra's sake, he's not 3 summers older than Atem! Aknamkanon shook his head as he walked down the hall, half listening to his son's animated chattering.

"--and yesterday, me and Mana went down to the river with Shada and he showed us how to make a little whistle out of some of the reeds down there. It was really neat. Then we went through the market. They had all of these neat things in there."

"Yes, the Market is a very interesting place Atem, but I warn you, be careful. There are some very shady folk who hang around there and I don't want you hurt."

"Yes Father, Shada said the same thing. I'll be careful, I promise."

"Very good Atem, ah there you are Aknadin, I must speak with you. Atem, why don't you run along and find Mana?" Aknamkanon suggested.

"Ok Father, see you later!" and he ran off to find Mana.

"Pharaoh," he said with a bow. "what do you wish to speak with me about?"

"Your son actually."

"Seto? What about him?"

"I believe you are working him to hard Aknadin, Atem informs me that he fell asleep in the study last night. I saw him this morning, he looked quite tired. Have you ever concidered giving him a break?"

"Aknamkanon, how I raise my son is my own bussiness. Seto needs his studies."

"That is true brother but you must remember that Seto is also a child. He's but a mere 9 summers, he needs more in his life that dust, ink and, scrolls. He needs to have time to be a child. Do you even know your son Aknadin? Are you willing to gamble you relationship with your only child for his success. What good is his success if he hates you for working him like an animal?" Aknadin lowered his head, he knew his brother was right, Seto needed a break. Why did his brother always have to be right? The only reason they said Aknamkanon was the older brother was because he cried louder at birth! How was that fair? He sighed

"I suppose you are correct Pharaoh, I will give Seto a break. He may have today to spend however he wishes." and with that, he gave a small bow, spun on his heel, and walked away. Aknamkanon shook his head and sighed.

"I fear for you brother, I really do."

A/N: Hi! This is my first Yu-Gi-Oh fic, actually, its my first Anime/Manga fic. I really wanna know how I'm doing here so please click on that little "Go" button on the drop-down menu and review. It is greatly apprieciated.