I have a lovely new (old, we've worked together before) beta – thank you, Catti. :)

New chap, enjoy!

o ~ O ~ o

Jonoh saw him to his chambers and the guards at the entrance, bowing low before retreating to the barracks. Once behind the doors to his suit, and away from prying eyes Atemu headed toward the bathing chamber. He dismissed the girl whose duty was to attend to his bath, preferring solitude for the night. After he was certain that she had left the chamber he shed his court attire, and immersed himself in the cool waters of his private pool.

He waded out to where his toes barely touched the bottom, and swam the length of the large pool before heading to the shallows to complete his bathing ritual with only a passing thought as to his priests' reactions to his autonomy had they witnessed the dismissal of his customary servant. They would adjust to his eccentricities; he saw no reason to change himself to court their approval. He finished with his ablutions, and waded back to sit on a protruding shelf in the shallows.

He drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around them. And then he broke down; harsh sobs wracking his body. He knew he was slated to die. He had known that since before his father had died. Since before his mother had died. It had been understood since he was no more than a babe in swaddling that he was going to die young. He had only hoped to make a difference before he let go. To right the wrongs he had witnessed in his life.

But now, now his dying meant something different. In order for him to fulfill his destiny another had to die first. And that other was the boy, Yugi. The boy he had accepted friendship from not one night ago. The boy he had lost his heart to from their first meeting.

How he knew all of this he was unsure, but he knew it all the same. He knew he should be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the governing of an awesome power such as Khemet, even for this short time – to be able to steer this country toward a better future. But at the moment he was frightened for his (and Yugi's) future. Isis had told him nothing he didn't know, merely confirming his suspicions with her predictions.

If only he could figure out whether the true threat came from Bakura. Or from his uncle. Or from somewhere else entirely. If there was a way to save Yugi, then he intended to find it. If he could save this one small boy, then perhaps the gods would take pity on him and allow him to live out a long life. Or barring that, that his afterlife would be peaceful and happy. He could not let their lives go to waste. To die for nothing, and knowing nothing was his worst fear.

He soon grew tired of the self-pity of his actions and dried his eyes, then set about to drying off and finding his night attire. He missed Yugi and his late night talks already, but the boy was still occupying a mat in the healing ward, and would be for days, if not weeks, depending on what Isis put in the poultice.

She was definitely good at her job as head healer, but he wondered at her hidden sadistic streak – for there were times when he could have sworn she hindered an individual's healing rather than helped. Usually those musings coincided with that individual's cruelty toward another… someone that Isis favored. He may have to investigate that line of thought further. Perhaps when he could devote more time – and his full energy – to it.

He wasn't tired, but there wasn't much else to do. Listening to the thoughts screaming through his head did not sound all that appealing. What he wouldn't give for a distraction of any sort.

Once dressed, Atemu made his way toward his bed chamber only to stop and listen as an errant noise caught his attention in the silence. He froze, concentrating to what sounded like bare feet slapping at the stones of the hall. He came to recognize the sound just as the outer chamber doors blew open, and the footsteps steered toward the chamber he was currently occupying. Atemu slipped into the fighting stance he had been taught, figuring that whoever had run into his chambers was looking for a fight – or worse.

The second set of doors blasted inwards, and a young man with white hair and a horrific scar covering one side of his face barreled into the room, tripping to a halt as he noticed the obstacle in the form of Atemu between him and the balcony doors. The two antagonists stared at each other, sizing up the threat.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" He chuckled, after raking Atemu's length with his eyes. "Shouldn't you be surrounded by your babysitters, your Highness?"

The emphasis on his title set Atemu's teeth on edge and he snorted, his chin coming up a notch. "Bakura. Shouldn't you be robbing more tombs of the dead? It seems to be all you are capable of dealing with."

Dark eyes glared murder, as Bakura shot back, "sorry, your Holiness, but one of your priests thought to steal something that I stole first. By all rights, it's mine. I'm just taking it back."

Atemu smirked, "you shall have to make it past me first, thief."

"With pleasure." Bakura replied, swinging a heavy fist.

Atemu dodged the first punch, but a kick to his stomach brought him up short. As he struggled to breathe Bakura followed up with a fist to the side of his face that snapped his head around. This was not their first go round, but it was quickly becoming their most vicious encounter to date.

"You should know better than to play with me, boy." Bakura snarled

"No," Atemu gasped, "you should know better than to toy with me."

With that said he launched himself at the thief, and the pair tumbled to the floor in a pile of limbs. They wrestled around on the floor, each grabbing and jabbing as they got the chance. It wasn't long before they both heard what sounded like a herd of horses heading in their direction. The thief sprang up, grabbed the scrolls he had dropped when Atemu tackled him, and launched himself toward the open balcony, laughing maniacally.

Atemu failed to find the same humor, though, as he faced the contingent of guardsmen that had chased the thief throughout the palace only to lose him earlier in the confusion – even enlisting his chamber guards in the chase when Bakura ran past them the second time. The only reason they had come back to Atemu's private chambers was to inform him once it became apparent that the thief wasn't going to be easily found.

He would have berated them for losing the man in the first place, but his heart wasn't in it. He hurt. Why did it always seem that Bakura thrived on the violence of their meetings; whereas, he came away feeling like he had been ground into the dirt and stomped on?

His ears were ringing. He could feel the side of his face swelling where Bakura had elbowed him in the eye. And it took all of his patience for him to wait for his guards to search his chambers. Once they ascertained that the thief was long gone – which he had known from the beginning of their endeavor – he stalked out of the room without a word, heading for Isis, and something to relieve his pain – thoughts of stolen scrolls far from his mind.

By the time he reached her domain he could no longer see out of his left eye, and his ear felt like it was on fire. The guardsman who had accompanied him slid the door open and bowed him into the chamber. The door closed behind him and he swayed, unsteady on his feet. Thank the gods he had been able to hold it together until he was out of sight. He hurt so badly. It took a conscious effort to put one foot in front of the other while he searched the room for Isis.

From what he could see the priestess seemed to be in the middle of a potion making session. Her back was to the room as she stood over a large caldron by the fire, and he could hear her chants through the ringing in his ears. It was as if she had limitless energy. She was always available, no matter the time. Did she even sleep? Was she even human?

She turned, as though hearing his thoughts, and gasped at his unsightly appearance. Atemu knew he looked like something the scraped up off the floor, but the look on her face surprised him. She looked downright foreboding as she stalked the length of the chamber toward him; her eyes glowing strangely in the muted light.

"Who did this to you?" She hissed, setting one hand lightly against the unbruised side of his face. Her other hand came up to support him when it looked like he was going to lose consciousness.

Atemu shrugged. "I had a run in with Bakura."

"What? Where? Where were your guards?" She questioned sharply. "No, you know what, never mind. You are to stay here for the night. I'll not take no for an answer. You could have been seriously injured. Why would you even think of going up against someone like that on your own? I realize that you believe you are grown enough to handle a confrontation of that nature, but he has infinitely more experience in that area of life."

He opened his mouth to reply but felt the brush of her finger against his lips. He raised a brow at her boldness.

"Forgive me, pr-aA, I was a mother once, and you remind me so much of that bruises could merely be bruises, or they could be much more than that. For your safety you shall remain where I and the other healers can keep an eye on your condition. I am going to have a word with your guard, Jonoh. He seems to be the most competent of your guards. He should be with you at all times. I'm not of the mind to care where he sleeps, or if he sleeps at all. Your safety comes first."

Atemu was in too much pain to argue after her diatribe so he allowed her to set him up with a mat in the corner of the chamber – next to Yugi. Once he was settled, she set about to mixing up a potion for his pain, and a wrap for his face to help fade the vivid bruising and swelling. He felt ridiculous, like someone who had been mummified alive, once she was finished with him. But soon the potion began to work and he no longer cared about the cloth covering his face as he faded into a deep sleep.

Isis stood over him as he fell into sleep, her face enigmatic. Inside she was seething. How dare Set. If she got her hands on him in this lifetime she would be certain to end him. And if she failed to get her hands on him in this lifetime…well, she had a long memory. He would have to come before her or Osiris at some point. Of that she was certain. And when he did…

She had to concede that perhaps her being in this realm was not her best idea. Sooner or later someone was going to provoke her motherly instincts and seven hells help them if she caught them, she would string them up by their entrails and feast on their innards for messing with her boys.

o ~ O ~ o

Yugi awoke to a pulling pain in his back. He hissed as he attempted to roll over and assess the damage. His small noise of discomfort alerted Isis to the fact that he was awake and she walked over to evaluate his condition, bowl in hand.

"Hello, Yugi, how are you feeling?" She questioned.

He gave her a wan smile. "I'm alive, I guess. That counts for something, right?"

"That it does. Pr-aA has removed Akhenaten from all duties concerning you. I am taking over for him. I'm sure you're beside yourself with loss."

Yugi's head jerked up at her comment to see her eyes sparkling. In return he gave her a heartier smile. "Yeah, I guess so…I mean who else is gonna call me names and beat me like that now that he's gone."

With his words Isis seemed to sober, "You shall not have to worry over that anymore. And Jonoh, here, is going to be your guard from this moment on."

A young man with sun bleached hair and warm brown eyes stepped up beside Isis and bowed to Yugi. "You'll have nothing to fear in my presence."

Yugi gave a shy smile. "Hello."

"Come, let me change those bandages." Isis waved a hand at his condition. "Jonoh, I'll need you to help him up so I can get to the edges. They are bound to stick, and I would rather not peal anymore skin off him than Akhenaten has already."

Yugi was pretty certain he would rather she not, as well, so he held still for their ministrations.

Jonoh carefully lifted Yugi so that Isis could unwind the dirty linen, and helped hold him steady while she studied his wounds and replaced the bandages with fresh ones smelling of potent herbs. A cool, soothing sensation settled over his back once the wraps were in place, and Yugi sighed with relief.

"You look better than I had hoped." She said as she took the pile of dirty linens away to be cleaned. "I am thankful Akhenaten was more concerned with playing to the crowd than actually trying to kill you. He could have caused some serious damage."

"That makes two of us." Yugi replied, as he tested the limits of his movement. "What's his problem, anyway?"

Jonoh shrugged as he lowered Yugi to the mat. "Had they not found pr-aA he was next in line to for the throne. I think, anyways. He is a bitter old man, has been for a while, and he has a problem with anyone around him finding pleasure in life. I don't know if it's a personality flaw, or what…and right now I don't care."

I agree," Isis chimed in. "He is causing suffering where none is needed."

"He could have left me where he found me, if such was his issue." A new, muffled voice chimed in from Yugi's left. "I needed not his help in life."

"Pr-aA, we did not know you were awake." Isis exclaimed.

Yugi craned his neck to get a look at the person he'd heard so much about but never seen – except maybe in a dream – as Isis hurried to the Pharaoh's side. He wasn't able to see much since he was stuck lying on his stomach, and the person occupying the mat next to him was swathed in bandages from the shoulders up. However, Yugi recognized the petite form from his dream of the man with the crown (and the skirt). Maybe it wasn't a dream. He didn't know anymore what to believe. The man's voice sounded somewhat familiar as well, or maybe he was imagining things.

"Am I allowed to take this stuff off my face yet?" Atemu questioned, the impatience clear in his tone.

"Not quite yet, pr-aA. Unless it is your intention to have others see you in this state." Isis stated.

"Not exactly." He replied.

"Give it a little more time. If you are uncomfortable I can give you something to help ease you through the remaining hours that you have to wear it." And she turned to Yugi, "I am going to give you something that will put you to sleep for the day. You have a lot of healing to do, and we do not have a lot of time. Do not worry, you will feel no pain."

Yugi nodded, the pull in his back becoming more uncomfortable with each passing moment now that the numbness of the poultice had subsided a bit. Atemu, however, wasn't so easily placated. The Pharaoh drummed his fingers against the side of the mat, looking the very picture of irritation for someone without a visible face to express such an emotion. Yugi didn't need to see his expression to know that he was exasperated with his situation.

"What I would like is to be able to go back to my chambers. I have enough work piled up that needs seen to. I'd not like to have more of it pile up in my absence – which is exactly what it will do."

"Then I suggest you drink this, pr-aA, and allow your face to heal so that you can resume your duties without delay." Isis replied evenly, holding out a bowl as she guided his hand to it.

Impatience or not, Atemu realized he had met his match; and gave in with grace, drinking the whole bowl without spilling a drop – which was quite a feat in his partially mummified condition. Isis left him to his thoughts as she returned to Yugi's side, giving him the same treatment. As the two passed into the realm of sleep she turned to Jonoh and shook her head with a rueful smile.

"You've got your hands full, huh?" Jonoh smiled. "Never a dull moment since he assumed the throne."

She grinned back. "Yes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've grown fond of them both." And then she turned serious. "Please be kind to the little one. He's had a hard life."

Jonoh nodded. "Yeah, I kinda figured. I was there when pr-aA found him, and he wasn't a pretty sight. Akhenaten hasn't made it any easier, either. That old man has issues. If he wasn't a priest…"

"No, he hasn't." Isis replied with a pointed look at Jonoh. "Do not worry, I shall deal with him soon enough. His name is first on my list."

Jonoh cringed, understanding that he was speaking with not only a greatly revered priestess but also the master of potions. She could truly make someone's life a living hell if she had the mind to do it. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"So long as you do your best to protect these two you shall never have the privilege."

"With my life." Jonoh promised, bowing low before Isis.

He had worked his way through the ranks as fast as he possibly could just to be the one to protect his friend. To make sure that his pr-aA's ideas were heard. So that Atemu could make the difference he had always talked about so many years ago. After all the times Atemu had protected him when they were little, he could do no less. He was just sorry that he hadn't been able to prevent Atemu's kidnapping or his mother's death in the first place. If only he had known. If only…

And this young man, lying here, hurt and alone, reminded him so much of his friend from before that kidnapping. He couldn't save Atemu from his fate back then – and he wasn't certain he could help him now, even though he would try his damnedest – but perhaps he could help to save this boy from Akhenaten's designs. He would go to the afterlife, and into the next life – if there was one – to complete this vow. To help his friends – old and new.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

By the time Yugi woke the room was silent. He looked to his left and saw a sleeping Jonoh on the mat that the Pharaoh had occupied when he was last awake. So he glanced to his right to see Isis busy at a sideboard, cutting herbs with a practiced efficiency. He watched her for a few moments, trying to decide if he wanted to draw her attention or close his eyes and go back to sleep.

But the moment passed and she was looking back at him with a smile on her face. "Good morning, young one. I was just about to wake you so you could eat."

Yugi returned the smile. "I'm starving. How long was I out?"

"For two rises you slept. I do not doubt you are famished." She replied. "Today we are going to have you up and walking around. No fever set in, so we got lucky there. Now you need to regain your mobility, though it will most likely be a while before you are feeling completely normal again."

She handed him a full bowl and stood over him to make certain he would eat. Then, true to her word, after she was sure he had sucked down every last drop of the broth she had brought him, she woke Jonoh, and between the two of them they had Yugi up and walking the length of the chamber – once with help and once without. When he had proven that he was more resilient than even she had thought, she pronounced him ready to return to his quarters – with restrictions, of course.

"But what does being a sacrifice mean?" Yugi questioned as she finished giving instructions to Jonoh on his care over the coming days, until he was fully healed.

The pair glanced at each other before she turned her sole attention to his question. He did deserve to know his fate – at least this part of it for now. And she was sure that Jonoh would not even know how to approach the topic.

"It is a way for the coming pr-aA to prove his dominance over another in front of an audience of nobles and the priesthood – usually an enemy captured in battle or during the sack of a city." She replied.

"The original ritual used to involve the death of the one chosen for their beauty, hence the title sacrifice. The ritual itself has been watered down over the centuries. But it was still brutal, a life of slavery instead of death. Genital mutilation, brandings, hobbling of the feet, disfiguring, torture, all were a part of this ritual until pr-aA's great, great grandfather did away with nearly all of it. He almost did away with the ritual itself, calling it rich man's porn, but was persuaded to continue the practice in name only. It was pr-aA's grandfather who brought back the torture, along with the idea of slavery, on a trip from Greece when he was young. And pr-aA himself objects to both practices, but there's not much he can do until he fully assumes the throne – which is after the ritual – due to Akhenaten's interference."

Yugi's face was rather green by the time she finished speaking, and she put a hand to his face. "You are brave, young one, never doubt it. Remember our discussion from earlier. What you want…what you need is within your grasp. All you need to do is hold on a little longer."

"But you're talking about –"

"Yes, I am. And more when all is said and done. I'll not lie to you. From what I've seen you can handle the truth. This ritual is not your biggest challenge, but it is a challenge you must face nonetheless."

Yugi wrapped his arms around himself, images of the man (with the skirt! and the crown) forcing him under the watchful eye of a multitude of nobles and priests. "I'm scared. I don't want to do this."

Isis broke protocol and wrapped him up in a fierce embrace, knowing that she should remain unattached but unable to stand by and watch him suffer, thinking he had no support. He was so fragile right now – yes he was getting stronger, but he teetered on the edge at this time. And it broke her heart. "You have every right to be afraid, Yugi. But do not let the fear consume you. You are stronger than you realize, so much more than you think you are."

After cuddling him for a few moments she let him go, and with one last admonishment to Jonoh allowed the pair to leave her hall. Yugi remained silent, caught up in his thoughts on the journey through the palace. Never had he ever thought his life would take a turn like this – not that his life had been normal since arriving in this world, but this, this was just out there. And he was not interested. Not even the least little bit…well, okay, maybe he was interested to know what the Pharaoh's thoughts were on it. But no more than that. He was not that self-sacrificing

He had never really thought of himself as gay, had little time to think of himself in any sexual context with all of the issues life had handed him, and even though he frequently found himself thinking back to the dream version of who he thought the Pharaoh might be he still had yet to reconcile himself to any thought of being anything other than straight.

In all honesty he still had doubts as to whether he had really seen what he thought he had seen. The young man in his dream was a little too perfect. And even if that was who they were discussing, that still didn't mean he was interested in what they were talking about. Not like that. No. Just no.

"I took the liberty of rearranging your quarters." Jou remarked as he halted before the door that led to Yugi's prison.

Yugi's head shot up with a start, having not realized the amount of time he spent in his head. "Uh…thanks?"

Jou slid the heavy panel back, allowing Yugi to precede him into the chamber, and Yugi gasped as he saw the changes. Instead of a small cage in the corner he was allowed the almost the entire length of the room, minus access to the small balcony, a walkway to that balcony, and the door itself. Where there was once a pile of straw and a pair of large pots there was now a small pallet stuffed with cloth and feather (and a blanket of his own), and as he explored further a small chamber off the main room to be used as a bathing room – complete with running water – and toilet, of sorts.

"I even confiscated some scrolls for you, in case you like things like that." Jou admitted sheepishly. "Had to hide them inside my uniform to get them out of the library."

Yugi was stunned. "I…I…thank you! So much! I don't even know what to say to that."

"You've said enough. I'm just glad I could help." Jonoh returned with a grin.

A wide smile graced Yugi's features as he looked over the offerings, his eyes returning again and again to the tiny bathing pool in the corner. A real bath would be heaven. But would he be able to without opening his wounds again. He posed the question to Jonoh.

"Isis said you can bathe once she checks your bandages on Re's next rise." Jou replied.

"I don't know how to thank you enough. I've never had someone –"

"You don't need to." Jou grinned. "Isis helped too. It's the least we can do. I can't allow you access to the balcony, but at least you can get the breeze and feel the sun while you're here. Isis says you're to rest for the next couple of days, and then she's going to work you to the bone."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, between you and me, I think she's going to teach you her potions. But don't tell her I said that. Pr-aA has been on her to take on an apprentice, and she's been kind of prickly about the topic."

It occurred to Yugi that the pair of them thought of this ritual as a foregone conclusion. The idea that he would stay here and become the Pharaoh's slave was already firmly cemented in their minds. But did he really want to give himself to someone he didn't know? And in front of a group of people, at that. He had to find a way to remove himself from this predicament without jeopardizing this young king's rule. Maybe his late night visitor had an idea?

"Oh!" Yugi exclaimed as he realized that his visitor had left him a present not that long ago, and that it was most likely found by someone in the rearranging of his quarters. It took all of his willpower not to tear around the room in search of what was most likely already gone. He hoped to the gods that his visitor hadn't been punished for it.

"You're looking for this?" Jou held out the small amulet.

Fearfully, Yugi glanced at the guard's face to gauge his reaction as he reached for the tiny treasure. But all he saw was a smile.

Jonoh shook his head. "You don't need to fear me. I'm gonna keep telling you that until you believe it. But you do need to be more careful with this before someone realizes you have it. I had a pouch made so that you can wear it and no one will know it's there. Isis knows a lot more than she ever lets on. She figured you would freak out if it was gone."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

Yugi swallowed thickly, his voice no more than a whisper. "Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?"

"Truth?" Jou questioned.

Yugi nodded.

"I had a friend when I was young. You remind me of him. A lot. He used to help me when I'd get into trouble for stealing. But I couldn't help him when he needed it most."

And I'll never forgive myself for that, he thought.

"What happened to him?"

"He's the most powerful person in the world now…or he will be." Jou replied with a sad smile.

"You knew –?"

"Yes, I did."

"But?"

"I'll tell you what, I'll tell you the story tomorrow after you've rested as Isis commanded. I think you need to know a lot more than you're being told. But not now. Honda will be here with our food in a few, and then you're gonna rest. Isis is damn scary when people disobey her orders. I'm not messing with that. Not even for you."

"Okay," Yugi returned his smile. "Again, thank you. I appreciate everything you guys have done."

"It's not a problem. Now go relax and read or something. I've got paperwork to do, so I'll be hanging out in the outer chamber here." Jonoh gave a salute before sliding the door closed behind him, leaving Yugi to his thoughts.

~o~O~o~

That night, while Yugi was relaxing by the balcony, reading one of the scrolls on a recent – or recent to this world – treaty with the Greek empire by the light of one of the torches, he heard a soft noise out on the balcony. His interest was piqued as he set the scroll aside. He broke into a wide grin as his late night visitor revealed himself.

"It looks like your circumstances have much improved, little one." The man remarked. "You are healing well?"

"Yes, thank you. How have you been?"

"Busy, as always. You have been quite the topic on everyone's tongue these days past. Are you truly feeling better?" Yugi could feel the man's eyes searching his body even though he could not see through the hooded robes he wore.

"I'm doing okay. Really."

A hand shot through the bars to cup his face, the imperceptibility of those hidden features no longer giving him concern as the man caressed the side of his face. "I missed you, little one. I am sorry that Akhenaten was allowed to hurt you as he did."

"It's not your fault." Yugi murmured against the caress.

It bothered him a little that he seemed to be losing his heart to a person whom he didn't know, and had never seen. And a man, at that. For not being gay he was having an inordinate amount of longings for another man – be it a man from his dream or this man here in front of him. Maybe he was gay? And maybe it didn't matter here? The thought passed through his mind before he refocused on the stranger's gentle touch.

"I feel responsible, all the same." The stranger replied. "You are so beautiful. It is no wonder Akhenaten is jealous."

Yugi blinked, "I don't know if that's his problem. He seems unhinged."

A rich chuckle met his doubts. "That is exactly his problem. He is jealous of pr-aA. I have no doubt that he would claim both the crown and you if he could."

Yugi sat back on his haunches, just out of the stranger's reach. "Why do you say that?"

"Have you no idea of your beauty?" The stranger questioned incredulously.

Yugi shrugged, looking away.

"Come here, little one." A hand tugged at his, pulling him closer to the bars.

"You truly have no idea, do you? I am not the only one who has noticed this. Most of the rumors I have heard these days past have not much to do with Akhenaten's cruelty, but in passing. The people are more interested in your looks. Many comments as to how lucky pr-aA is to have you. And your plight has caught the attention of the average citizen and nobility alike. You have done much to further pr-aA's cause against slavery. For that I thank you. With your name on everybody's lips they can hardly ignore the wretched station of those we consider slaves."

Yugi was lulled into compliance by the strength of the stranger's voice, the hands that were on his, gentle and demanding. He leaned against the bars, giving in to the other's unspoken wish. The brush of fingertips against his skin made him feel feverish, the stranger's lips seeking out his with a light touch. Before he realized it he had two handfuls of the stranger's robe, kissing the man back with an intensity that would have astonished anyone who knew him.

And it was his visitor who disentangled them to whisper, "I should not have done that. Forgive me."

Yugi leaned back, still tasting the man's spicy scent on his tongue, trying to work out what exactly had happened. "I…Uh…Huh…?"

"I did not mean for that to happen."

Shaking his head to clear it, Yugi replied, "Why?"

"You belong to pr-aA…I should not be here. I am sorry." The stranger made to leave, but Yugi held onto his hand, refusing to allow him to retreat.

"Don't, please. I'm scared…take me with you. I don't want to do this anymore."

He wanted to run, but he didn't. He wanted to know what had just happened, why it had happened. Why it felt so good to him. So right. Why he felt this need to stay even though he knew what was waiting for him at the end of this catastrophe, but he still wished that this stranger, this robed man would take him away from all of his worries, away from his thoughts.

"You would leave?"

"I don't want to be a sacrifice. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be a pawn in the struggle between some weird old dude and his nephew, being beat on for things that I didn't know were against a law I've never heard of. I just…I just…I'm not a slave. I'm a person. Please don't treat me as a thing. Please?" Tears rolled down his face as he put voice to all of his fears.

"Oh, little one," the robed stranger returned to his previous position, gathering Yugi into his arms. "I am sorry. I will get you out of here, and away from Khemet, if such is your wish."

"Come with me?"

"I cannot. I wish it were different. If I were caught I would be executed on the spot as a traitor. I do have enough contacts though, to get you out of here. Please allow me some time to make the arrangements. I will not let you down."

Yugi held tightly to the only man who had promised him freedom, with a sniff. "But where would I go? I don't know anybody here. And what will happen to pr-aA? I can't. I wish I could. I can't leave someone else to suffer for me. Everybody is counting on him to be so much to the people here. I can't. But I'm so scared. I don't want to do this."

"Ah, beautiful little one, you have a good heart. The offer shall remain open until such time as it is no longer needed. Just say the word." The stranger brushed the tears from his face.

"Please kiss me?" Yugi leaned in, staring into the recesses of the hood. "I'm not so scared when you kiss me. Having you here helps keep me from being such a coward."

The stranger obliged him with a last sweet kiss, and then left with the words, "sleep, little one, things will look better upon Re's rise. We shall talk again."