Here is it, the 5th chaper.

Disclaimer: No own, no sue.

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Game Lover: That was actually the sealing of Atemu's soul into the millennium puzzle. It's very different than how it's supposed to happen, but since I don't intend on putting the character that caused the sealing of Atemu's soul into this story, I couldn't really follow the story. I didn't want to make it happen when he was so little, but the only other way that really seemed to make sense was having it get sealed when he solved the puzzle.

Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: I'm glad you liked it! There'll be quite a few more visits to the "outside world" for you throughout the story…

Dmos13: Jounouchi's just plain irresistible. I hope this update was a little faster for you, and I hope to be able to continue updating a little faster. The last update did take me a long time.

Chosen Duos: Sorry about the grammar mistakes, I'll try to be more careful about that in the future. And I'm not sure what you mean by "easier to read." Did you think my paragraphs were too big or something?

Chapter 5

Sword collided with lance as the two monsters clashed. Atemu watched, knowing the battle wouldn't be lasting much longer. He'd fought Simon enough times by now to know that he could easily beat him, but the old man insisted that it was good training. He didn't quite understand how fighting someone weaker than you over and over again was good training, but complied anyway.

Kekewey lunged at Gaia ready to deal the finishing blow. Breaking through his defenses easily this time, he did jut that. Atemu had won, again. He nodded to his ka monster giving him a mental "thanks" before he returned to the shadow realm to rest.

"Oho. Defeated again." Simon said, pulling himself up from the floor. "But one does learn more from his defeats than his victories." Then why do you always make me fight you if you know I'll win? Atemu thought dully. After all, today was his tenth birthday, and there were other things he'd rather be doing.

Come to think of it, this was the worst birthday of his life. Like any other he'd been swarmed all day with presents, special treatment and basically a lot of extra attention he didn't particularly want. But this birthday was different for one particular reason: his father. He'd taken ill about a week before and well, so far he wasn't much better. And Akunadin seemed to be extremely interested in the pharaoh's health, a fact that thoroughly worried Atemu.

Walking down the hall brought another slew of people shouting "happy birthday" and offering various other niceties. Atemu could barely stand it. That's it. I'm going for a walk. He thought, heading towards the front gates of the palace.

"You know, there just trying to be nice to you." The voice came from behind Atemu.

"Well, Seto, sometimes I think niceness has its limits. I don't care if it's my birthday, there are other, much more important things they could be worrying about right now." He said, turning around to his cousin.

"Still worried about your father?" Atemu didn't reply. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine. Oh, and if you're going to leave the palace please-"

"I know, take a bodyguard." Yeah right. Atemu turned around and continued toward his destination.

Atemu sighed. Jou was talking to him again, but he wasn't listening. Simon had told him time and again that if he wanted to be a good pharaoh he needed to work on his listening skills. Atemu had no intention of becoming pharaoh anytime soon, however, and the clouds had suddenly become quite interesting.

"Ya' know what I mean?" Jou asked, finishing his story.

"Uh, yeah." Atemu agreed, although he wasn't sure what it was he'd agreed to.

"Hey bud, are you alright? You seem kind of down today."

"It's my Dad, Jou. He hasn't gotten any better."

Atemu had told Jou about him being prince a few years back, under the condition that he didn't tell anyone else. Although most other people could recognize him anyway. So naturally, Jou knew exactly what Atemu was talking about, everyone knew about the pharaoh's illness at this point. At that point just about everyone in the country was talking about it. He also knew that, ra forbid, his father should not make it through his sickness Atemu would have to become pharaoh at the age of ten. And becoming pharaoh was one responsibility his friend had never really wanted.

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure he'll be fine. Everyone gets sick once in a while."

"That's exactly what everyone else says."

"Yeah well, that' probably just means it's true. Don't forget, you've got some of the best doctors in Egypt in there healing your father as we speak."

"That's true." Atemu said, but it still didn't help him very much. The moments following the conversation were rather quiet; an unusual situation when one is with Jou. A rather unexpected visitor, however, broke that silence.

"You're going to get me in deep trouble one of these days you know. How am I supposed to do my job if you don't even bother to tell me when you're leaving?" Malenka asked irritatedly, brushing a strand of raven hair out of her face.

"Well-" Atemu began.

"It was a rhetorical question." Malenka added with a sigh. "Do you know how boring life is being the personal bodyguard of a prince who prefers sneaking out of the palace to taking a guard?"

"Was that one rhetorical, too?" she glared at him, "well, I can't help it if I like having a little privacy now and then."

"Now and then?" Malenka retorted, "I don't believe you've ever once willingly taken a bodyguard anywhere. Besides, it's not like I'm going to eavesdrop on your conversations with your little friend there. It's for your safety that I'm here."

"You are absolutely right." Jou said, nodding his head in a fiercly exaggerated manner. Jou had developed a crush on Malenka over the past year, and he never missed a chance to show off when she was around.

"Thank you, at least one of you has some sense." She stated, ignoring Jou's blatantly obvious attempt to impress her. Being eighteen and nearly ten years older than him, she didn't share his feelings for her. She gave him a flirty smile and a wink, mainly because she enjoyed messing with his head, before looking back to Atemu.

"Anyway, I'm not here to argue. I'm here because your father would like to speak with you and asked me to fetch you. So come on, let's go." She grabbed the twine on which the millennium puzzle dangled and dragged him along for a few steps before allowing him to walk on his own.

"Bye, Jou." Atemu yelled back to his friend.

"See ya', buddy."

Malenka escorted Atemu down the hallway toward the pharaoh's chamber. His father's bedroom was only at the end of the hall, but the walk seemed almost endless to Atemu. He wasn't sure if he was ready to see his father yet. They finally reached his father's chambers, only to find Akunadin standing in front of the door.

"No one's permitted to see the pharaoh," he snapped, "He's too ill to have any visitors. Especially one's liable to worsen his health." He looked directly at Atemu with this last statement.

"That's funny because the pharaoh personally requested that I bring the prince to him at once." Malenka retorted.

The nerve above Akunadin's eye twitched slightly, but he opened the door for Atemu to enter. Atemu stood frozen to the spot for a moment, afraid to enter. He hadn't visited his father at all since he'd taken ill, which was more than likely the reason that the pharaoh wanted to see him. The truth was, however, that he hadn't been here sooner because he'd been afraid, and he still was. His father was the strongest person he knew; he didn't want to see him in a weak state like this.

"What, are you waiting to let all the germs in Egypt in first?" Akunadin asked impatiently. Atemu knew that his uncle had a fairly good point and that he couldn't wait any longer. He took a deep breath and entered the room. Akunadin quickly slammed the door behind him.

The pharaoh's chambers were dimly lit, and it took Atemu's eyes a moment to adjust. Once he could see properly he slowly approached his father's bed.

"Happy Birthday, son." Akunamukanon's voice was hoarse, and the came out slowly, as if each syllable was a difficult task. His face was pale, and his eyes were dim and unfocused; for the first time he looked old to Atemu. Atemu turned towards the floor, partially because he didn't like he his father in his current state, and partially because he could feel tears forming behind his eyes. He refused to cry in front of his father. Akunamukanon reached up his hand and took hold of Atemu's. Atemu noticed how clammy his skin was.

"My time in this world in coming to a close…"

"No, that's not true. You're going to get better, you'll be fine-"

"Ssh," The pharaoh continued, "It will soon be your turn to continue my legacy. You've trained hard, and you've learned a lot. There's not a doubt in my mind that you're ready. I'm very proud of you." All Atemu could do was shake his head, since most of his energy was concentrated fighting back the imminent tears.

"I love you, Atemu." Atemu felt the grip on his hand lessen and release.

"No…H-he can't be dead. He can't." But the pharaoh was gone. Atemu no longer bothered to fight the tears, and they began to stream down his face. He fell to his knees, completely consumed by sobs.

Akunadin peered through the doorway, a satisfied smirk written on his face.

"What do you think we should do?" The priest of the millennium scales asked.

"The boy is only 10, he's much to young to take on the responsibilities of being pharaoh," the priest of the ring answered, "why not make Akunadin step in until the boy is ready? Just as a regent, of course."

"Because I don't trust that man as far as I can throw him." The priestess of the millennium tauk cut in.

"Besides," Simon, the priest of the ankh added, "The prince is very advanced for his age. He's doing exceedingly well in his training and his use of magic. I believe that he's ready to take the thrown. The only question is, is it fair for to him to bestow such a burden on him at this age?"

"What's fair to him doesn't matter. It's what's best for Egypt that's important," The priest of the rod stated, "And what's best for Egypt is making sure that Akunadin does not take the thrown. The others nodded.

"Then it's settled," Simon said sadly, "Atemu starts his duties as the pharaoh tomorrow."

TBC

A/N: GAH! Please don't hate me for this chapter! I know it's sad, but it had to be done, even though I didn't want to do it. And I also realized after I wrote this that I made both of Atemu's parents die on his birthday! I'm such a terrible person…

I'm also sorry about not knowing any of Akunamukanon's priests'/priestess's names besides Simon and Akunadin. They weren't very important, and I don't know if the names are ever even mentioned.

Chibi Atemu: :Big, teary chibi eyes:

Ohkami: awe. :huggles: Please review, it'll make Atemu happy…