Chapter 8

It was just after dinner when they met up once more, in the Pharaoh's room.

"Is Seto always so… strange?" Masi asked, joining the Pharaoh on his bed.

"Unfortunately, yes," he pulled her into his lap, holding her close.

"It's kind of scary," her face twisted as she recalled the events.

"You get used to it after a few years," he breathed, resting his face on her shoulder, sounding very tired. "How were the stables? Not too hard?"

"It was hard, but it was fun. Mana made it interesting; she's a good person, it's easy to see how you got attached to her."

He smiled, glad she made a new friend.

"How was your meeting?"

"It was boring, we're just trying to make a compromise with another country. They don't exactly like Egypt very much at the moment. We can all blame Bakura for that, his thievery made its way over there, and they're blaming me for not catching him sooner."

"Sounds annoying."

"It is quite so," he pressed a kiss into her neck. "But sitting here with you takes away all the worries of the day, so I'm happy."

She smiled, happy that she could bring him such joy. A mere village girl brought such happiness to her King. "Hey wait," she felt him yawn.

"Hmm?" he turned her in his arms.

"What about our deal?" she faked a pout.

"Oh of course," sarcasm coated his words, "how could I ever have forgotten?" A devilish grin settled into place as he pushed her back against the bed, straddling her once more, putting their lips together; silently inviting the tongues to play. His hand held her cheek; hers held his neck, toying with his hair. They paid no mind to their other hand, as that was not important, all that mattered was their kiss.

It continued on, hands roaming freely against the other's body, sometimes tangling in clothing, but that didn't stop them. Slowly, the Pharaoh broke away, pressing gentle kisses into her cheek before traveling down to her neck, stopping every-so-often to leave a bite. He smiled as he felt her back reel up from the bed; sensations overwhelming them both. Her stomach forced forward into his bare chest.

His kisses turned to her collarbone, where his teeth sunk in, feeling the bone below, he nuzzled the skin underneath his teeth, causing her back to reel a bit more, pressing more into his stomach. Their eyes closed, he continued biting his loved one, leaving his mark. After he was sure he'd well enough sucked the blood through her skin, he allowed his teeth to release, kissing gently where he'd just bitten. Her back fell to the bed as the emotion subsided. He slowly returned to her lips, pressing a chaste kiss to them before opening his eyes.

"Now look who's spontaneous," she found herself saying, almost out of breath.

A smirk was all he had to say.

"You were planning that weren't you?"

A slight nod came before their make out continued.

After a while they had to part, out of breath, and totally dazed they snuggled close to each other; falling asleep.

The sun entered gently into the golden room, bathing the sleeping couple in its light. A yawn escaped the Pharaoh as he opened his eyes, looking down to the woman he held in his arms, "Masika, it's time to get up," he played with her hair.

"Do I have to?" she snuggled closer to him, making him laugh.

"Yes, we both do. I can't spend all day in bed and neither can you," he returned her embrace.

"But I like sleep," she faked a snore.

"I do too, but we must go join the council for breakfast," he smiled.

Her eyes shot open, "I have to eat with them AGAIN?"

"Every day, every meal. Yes," he watched her face twist in distraught emotions.

Unhappily she raised herself away from him, trying not to goggle at the perfectly chiseled chest of his. She made her way to her formal clothes and changed behind a drape.

"Today's going to be long," he sighed.

"What makes you believe that?' she poked her head from around the drape.

"You'll be with Mana, I'll be stuck with Seto trying to make some more negotiations," he fell back on the bed, releasing a heavy groan.

"Does little Atemu not want to go with Master Seto?" she teased, treating him like a little kid with a temper tantrum.

"Yes. I want to stay here, with you!"

"Well, I want to stay with you, but everyone must work, even tedious or miniscule, everyone must work," she preached, feeling like her father.

"Okay, that was not something I'd expect you to say," he tilted his head to one side.

"My father rubs off sometimes," she laughed, emerging from the drape.

Pharaoh changed rather quickly before giving her a gentle kiss and heading down the halls to find Seto as she headed in the opposite direction, to find Mana.

The days dragged on by, worries around the Palace grew as the town people started to suspect what was going on, but that was the least of their problems. In the course of the second week Masika had spent at the Palace word was spread that Bakura was seen near the Nile. Fears ran high as their village was not too far off the banks.

With Bakura so close and causing fear among the people Masika had hardly even seen the Pharaoh for a good week; he was always in a meeting, and when he finally came back to his room for sleep, she was already long since asleep. The only time they actually spent near each other was when they ate, and that didn't seem to be enough. Their thoughts started to get cloudy as they couldn't get the other off their mind, causing Pharaoh to drift off in the middle of a meeting.

"Pharaoh! You can't be drifting off while your country is in danger!" Seto yelled.

"My apologizes Seto. I've barely slept in a long while, I've been under such stress from this," his hand held his head up.

"Regardless, you should be paying attention," Seto carried on coming up with a plan about what to do about Bakura. He only nodded as the meeting dragged on. After hours of deliberation they agreed on a plan for when Bakura enters the city; thus Pharaoh dragged himself to his room, happy that there was still daylight. Seeing his empty room sparkle in the light relaxed him, how long it had been since he'd seen such a sight? He removed his golden trinkets, placing them gently on a desk of sorts. He plopped himself back onto his bed, just relaxing with his eyes closed. He was interrupted however by a yell coming from just outside his room.

A second later Masika stormed angrily into the room, unaware of the Pharaoh's presence. "Seto is really starting to piss me off," she pulled her trinkets from her hair and around her neck, releasing her hair to fall to her back. "GRR! I'll kill him!"

Pharaoh chose to remain silent and listen to her rant.

"'Its all your fault the Pharaoh is falling asleep, you need to stay away from him until this is settled'. OH yes! I'm the reason! Just because I sleep in his room! I haven't even been able to have any alone time with Atemu since Bakura came into the picture! If Seto doesn't get off my back I'll go back to the village!" her words came out in blind fury as she sank onto the floor, throwing her fists in the air.

"Don't do that," Atemu's words were soft and low, causing her to turn in disbelief.

"How long have you been here?" she questioned, fury fading a bit.

"Since before you walked in the room, I was laying on the bed the whole time," his eyes were so apologetic she ran up to him and hugged him.

"It's not your fault Atemu, Seto just needs to back off some," she felt so guilty for her last words.

"I'll talk to him about it, but right now," a smile graced him as he looked into her soft auburn eyes. "We have some catching up to do."

Her eyes filled with happiness, "Really? Let's not waste any time then, shall we?"

A nod from him as he pulled her atop him as they fell back on the bed; a small laugh escaping her before lips met. Only a few seconds later was the kiss deepened and quickly turning into a session; hands found their way around the other, passing over sides, backs, necks, hair, everything. They stopped for nothing, the yelling in the hall, the knocking on the door, Seto's screams; all bypassed.

Still managing to keep the make out under control, they continued on until Atemu had to pull away, now on top. Slowly, they opened their intoxicated eyes, "I hate to say it, but I think its time for dinner," he sighed, wanting to continue.

"Hmm. Food. Shall we continue after dinner?" she hoisted herself up onto her elbows. A few months had gone by since she'd met Atemu, and she'd never been so happy with her life as she was now.

"Yes, let's," he took her hand, escorting her to the dinner hall as a proper gentleman. Fortunately for Seto, when they walked in they could very well have been the definition of 'disheveled'. Their clothes were messily arranged, as was their hair. Neither wearing their headdresses or other golden jewelry, and both holding a lustful gaze in their eyes.

"Masika, I had a talk with you, do you not remember?" he hissed.

"Yes, I remember Master Seto, but let me inform you, I have not even seen the Pharaoh outside meals. Today was the first since Bakura came along, so don't even think you can begin to preach to me," the lust was quickly replaced by her blind fury once more; he couldn't help but smile at her rage. Huffing, he took his seat, watching the two straighten themselves up as the food came from the kitchen.

"I don't believe I've ever seen your mood change so drastically," Shadah blinked.

"What can I say?" she brightened a bit, "I'm very spontaneous!"

The council seemed to look frozen, confused by her sheer happiness coming straight from pure rage. It made no sense to any of them, but Atemu smiled and laughed.

"You can say that again!"

"Hey!" she poked him, picking up a piece of a roll that was on her plate, "Don't make me throw this at you."

"You wouldn't!"

She did, and thus began a small food fight, Mainly between them, Mana, Isis, Shadah, and Muhado.

"Stop!" Akunadin declared and all food froze midair. "There will be none of this nonsense at dinner!"

They settled down and finished their dinner, suppressing laughs as they looked back and forth to one another. They finally departed for their rooms, Pharaoh and Masika heading off a tad faster than the others.

"That was hilarious!" Masi laughed as Atemu closed the door.

"Did you see the look on Akunadin's face?" he laughed.

"No, I was too busy looking at Seto. His face was priceless!" she imitated it, causing the Pharaoh to fall back with laughter. She drifted over to the bed where he found himself lying.

"I still can't believe you threw food at me!" he looked up at her, watching her laugh.

She leaned over him, poking his nose, "Why not – because you're the Pharaoh? Remember, I don't care about your status; I treat you like a normal person."

"How could I forget?" he laughed.

"I wonder," she laughed, reuniting their lips in a heartfelt kiss.

A soft moan escaped him as he rolled them over, deepening the kiss. They made out, hands taking advantage of the free roaming, forcing greater emotions to overwhelm them. Masika found her hands roaming freely up the Pharaoh's shirt, feeling his still obeying the clothing barrier.

It was only then that their luck would seem to run out as Seto just so happened to silently barge in the door. He stood in awe as the two rolled about, holding the other close. Pharaoh rolled them over so he would be on top before pulling away, laughing.

"What's so funny?" she asked, dazed. Neither noticed Seto as Pharaoh's back was to him.

"You!" he kissed her neck gently, noticing that the hickey he left had long since faded.

Seto cleared his throat, causing the Pharaoh to fall over.

"SETO!" he yelled. "What is the meaning of this?"

"What? Did I interrupt something?" he smirked, watching them squirm as they were caught.

"As a matter of fact, yes you did. What's the meaning of this?" his voice was unusually loud. Masi sat up, quickly matting down her frizzy hair.

Seto laughed inwardly at what he'd achieved. "I just thought you should know, we received word that the Prince from Lower Egypt is on his way here to settle the negotiations.

"Why lower Egypt? I thought everything was fine."

"Well, our neighboring country, where Bakura has been spending a great deal of time, met with the king in Lower Egypt and they've made alliances, so now they're sending the Prince to meet with you."

"That makes no sense!" Masi interjected.

"Not a word from you, commoner. You don't know these matters!" Seto raised his voice.

Crimson eyes filled with rage, "Do not speak to her in such a condescending manner!"

"Atemu, he's right. It's alright."

"No it's not. You do not speak to Masika in such a way. I've told you as well as everyone else in the palace, she is to be treated with the same respect you would treat me."

"And why is that? Because she's your puppet? Your toy?" His words were cruel, but they made Masi think.

"No! I would never use her in such a way. You disgust me Seto. How could you ever think something like that?" Pharaoh defended, but Masi was no longer paying attention. She was too busy in her own thoughts.

'Seto's right. How strange is it that he would love someone like me; a mere commoner, and fall in love with me so quickly. It didn't seem like that all that time ago, but if I look at it now, it seems to fit. We moved really quickly a couple weeks ago. If he's only in this the way Seto is saying… then what am I doing here? It hurts my heart to think about it like that. Does that mean that Atemu is honest? That he's not just using me? Has he been truly honest all this time or has he only been lying to me? Leading me on so he can use me and leave me? No, that's not like him. A Pharaoh wouldn't be that way… would he?'

"What do you think Masi?" Seto's questioning glare shot at her.

"I – I – I don't – know," she stuttered.

Atemu looked crushed that she wouldn't believe him, but he turned back to Seto, "I can't believe you would say such a thing, I could never hurt her! I should have your head for such a comment Seto!"

"Do with me as you wish my Pharaoh, but the Prince is expected to arrive in a few days," smiling maliciously, he took his leave.

"Atemu," her words barely audible, eyes totally glazed over.

"Don't listen to him. I would never do that to you," he tried to touch her, but she shook him off, heading to the balcony. "Masika! Are you honestly doubting me?" he rushed after her, feeling a strange energy radiate off her, he knew he shouldn't be approaching her.

She turned her head to the guards below, still not responding to him.

"Masika? I wouldn't do that to you! I would never use you! You can't honestly tell me that after everything we've been through that you believe I'm using you?" he doubted himself.

"Amun," she whispered, it had been a good month since she'd used that name. "I just can't help but look at how awkward it seems. A pharaoh falling in love with a village girl; it doesn't seem that there are no strings attached."

"I know it seems different. Awkward, but its probably because you don't treat me like I'm a God that I'm so drawn to you. But I would never be lying to you. Cautiously, he approached her, standing next to her; he placed his hand atop hers. He watched her muscles relax at the touch.

"My heart," she started, words trailing off.

"Your heart knows I'm telling the truth. If not, you wouldn't have relaxed like you just did," he was slightly happy that he knew how to read her.

She sat quietly for a second, eyes still watching the guards. "I'm sorry," she turned and left the room, not so much as looking at him.

"Masi!" he called after her.

"Don't follow me!" she called back, running down the halls out to the stables.

"What's wrong?" Mana saw the red in her eyes.

"Just give me a horse Mana," she barked.

Mana obeyed, slightly frightened and watched as she rode out of the Palace and into the village. "Pharaoh, what did you do now?!" Mana went to hunt down her friend.

'I can't believe him. Not yet. I don't' understand! One minute everything was perfectly fine, then the next Seto has believing that he was only using me! He wouldn't really do that… would he? He said he couldn't, but… I don't know if I can believe him. Why do I believe Seto? I shouldn't be listening to the one person I hate most! So why am I? I hate Seto! I love the Pharaoh! How could I distrust him now? I have no reason to be mad over this anymore. I know the Pharaoh wouldn't do that to me. He couldn't,' She dismounted her horse, heading into her house, realizing that everything had been left in disarray; she cleaned up a bit. "Well now that I've realized I've been a complete ass to him, I should apologize. But I can't go back there! Seto will only try and do the same thing over again. I can't let that happen, and I can't just go back and say 'hey sorry Pharaoh, I didn't mean to be so rude."

"Masika?" a familiar voice alled though her door; her mother's voice.

"Yeah Mom?" she asked, opening the door.

"What happened?" she entered the now tidy house.

"I'm an idiot, that's all," she sat on the bed.

"What happened?"

"I just yelled at the Pharaoh because I actually believed Seto! Why am I so stupid?"

"Well, what did your heart say?"

"My heart said that Pharaoh was telling the truth, but my brain listened to Seto.

"What did Seto say about you two?"

"That he was only using me for entertainment."

"He wouldn't do that!"

"I know that, but I don't know why I didn't listen to my heart then. I really don't."

"You should apologize."

"I know I should, but I can't just waltz back in the palace!"

"Yes you can. And you will! You shouldn't make the Pharaoh come and get you, I know it seems rather reasonable to, but if you walk back in with your head high they'll never talk back to you. I promise."

"But what if Atemu is mad at me now?"

"That's a chance you'll have to take," her mother helped her to the door. "Now go home, where you belong."

"Mom," she started to tear up.

Her mom wiped her eyes, helping her onto the horse, "You'll be fine. I have faith in you. You and your heart."

She smiled as she trotted back to the Palace, returning the horse to the stables only to see Pharaoh getting saddled up. "Where do you think your going?" she demanded her Pharaoh.

"Masika? I thought –"

"I was wrong. I'm sorry for doubting you. And didn't I tell you not to follow me?"

"Eh. Yes?"

"C'mon," he took him by the arm and dragged him back to his room.

"I'm sorry about Seto."

"Forget him, I owe you a sincere apology for listening to him in the first place," she stole a kiss from him, soft and gentle, but truly apologetic. Accepting her apology, he deepened the kiss, picking her up in his arms as he started walking towards the bed. She wrapped her legs around his torso as he carried them both to the bed before they both fell onto the soft, disarrayed sheets. Suddenly, Atemu felt himself parting from the kiss.

"What was all this about?"

"What do you mean?"

"First you think I'm using you and run off, then you come back and you start making out with me? Are you okay?"

"I had a talk with my mom. See. I was going to stay there and wait for you to come find me, like a damsel in distress, but my mom was saying 'no, you can't do that. Go back there and tell him how you feel' and so here I am, telling you that I love you, and I'm sorry for losing my trust in you for even the slightest instant."

He backed up, sitting up straight, turning it over in his mind, trying to understand. "Were you okay back there though? It was like you stopped listening to your heart."

"How did you know?" she raised a brow.

"When I put my hand on yours you relaxed, but then you yelled and ran off. It confused me," he gave her a concerned look.

"Yeah, I wasn't listening to my heart, but I wised up, thank you for not being mad."

"I couldn't be mad at you. Scared, maybe, but not mad," his hand caressed her cheek and he tucked her into bed.

"What about you?" she rolled over, looking at him on the other side of the bed, heading towards the door.

"I have some business. I'll be back later. You should get some sleep," he blew her a kiss before leaving the room.

He searched high and low but he finally found the high priest he was looking for, "Seto."

A cruel smile met his deadly glare, "What is it my Pharaoh?"

"I know what you were trying to pull, and let me tell you; I will not accept it. If you do something like that again, it'll be your head."

"Why are you so obsessed over this woman?"

"I love her."

"You can't marry her so what's it matter?"

His eyes narrowed, "I'll be damned if I can't."

"So you do want to marry her? You've only known her for a short time my Pharaoh!"

"Have you seen life in the villages? Arranged marriages, people getting married before they even know each other! I love her, so what should it matter to you anyway?"

"I'm telling you its illegal to marry a village girl."

"I'm telling you, it's not. I've done my research. I did way before I invited her to live here."

Seto was shocked, "You've been planning it this long?"

"Well, not entirely, I didn't want to risk getting close to her and find out that it was forbidden by all means. I couldn't hurt her like that!"

Seto shrugged it off and headed the other way, "I'll stop being rude when you're married."

Pharaoh smiled as he turned and headed back to his room, humming a gentle tune.