Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not own Inuyasha, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or any of their titles therein. No copyright infringement was intended.
Moi-Moi: Hey all! I'm not finished just yet… We've got a few more chapters to go. I just want to say an early thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorite, or followed this story. It means a lot to me.
Also, once this story wraps up, I'll be posting up another story entitled, "Point of View". I've already got the first chapter done… It'll be a compilation of one-shots (not related) done in the POV of an Inuyasha character. The first one is done in the POV of the bold hanyou himself: Inuyasha! Once it's up, you guys can review on which character you want done next…
Enough talking for now. Let's get to the new chapter…
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"And now… it's gone!" Mana exclaims loudly. She smiled when the infant prince began kicking and giggling happily. Mana had the infant surrounded by pillows while he leaned back on a pillow and stared up at her with bright eyes. "Now, watch this," Mana says. She shows the prince her empty hand, closes it, opens it, and reveals a small lotus flower.
"Do you enjoy showing him magic tricks?" Atem asks with an amused expression. He watched Mana entertain his son while Kagome slept. His poor wife barely got any sleep now that there was an infant to care for.
Every time his son's eyes lit up and his toothless mouth opened in a large grin, he felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. "Of course. He's enjoying it too, you know," Mana says in 'know-it-all' tone. She touches the tips of her thumb and index fingers in a circle before blowing into it. The two males watched as several bubbles came through her fingers and floated around the prince. Mana looked pleased to see him flail his arms wildly as he reached for the bubbles.
Atem watched the two for a while longer before leaving them alone. He closed the door to Mana's room behind him before leaving the area.
Atem's senses had been going haywire all day. He felt as though something terrible was about to occur. Atem had two guesses. Aknadin was going to strike and soon. Or, Aknadin's year-long waiting period between attacks had his paranoia spiking. Then again, a combination of both could be doing him in. Whatever it was, he had every able-bodied guard patrolling his kingdom and protecting his people, friends, and family. When Aknadin struck, he would be ready.
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Atem felt the sun's rays warm his back as they peaked into his chambers. He felt around the sheets for another body. When his hand met cool fabric, his head rose up. He looked around. On the far side of the room, Yugi laid in his crib motionless. Where was Kagome?
"Morning, my king," he heard a soft voice. Atem turned over onto his back before propping himself up on his elbows. He spied his wife smiling at him with a tray of fruit in her hands. He smirked at her. She looked stunning.
The sun seemed to cover her entire frame in a glow that left him blind and star struck. Although her attire was simple-a clean, white dress along with sandals- it made her seem all the more royal and prestigious. "Good morning. How long have you been up?" he asked her.
"Since sun rise. I was practicing my magic a bit, but I got hungry. I figured you would wake soon, so I brought fruit," she said. He felt a warmth spread from his center until it warmed his toes and left him feeling happy and weightless. The sun's warmth paled in comparison to the one coursing through his entire body.
He watched her take a step towards their bed, but she froze. She gave him a shocked look. He watched her curiously. Her eyes looked down at her torso. He followed her gaze to see a blood stain spread out from her chest and soil her dress. She gave him a pleading look before her eyes glazed over. "Kagome!" Atem yelled. Her limp body fell to the ground with a sickening thud and revealed a body standing behind where she stood. "Aknadin!"
"How do you feel, Pharaoh?" Aknadin laughed a cruel laugh and held the red dagger up for his inspection. He raised an arm to the crib where Yugi lay before setting the crib ablaze.
"Yugi!"
Atem tried to move. He tried to save them, but his body held him back. His limbs felt like the heaviest lead in the world. He could only comply as a force pushed him back onto his bed. A crushing force pushed his chest down further. No… I have to save them…
Atem opened his eyes wide and sat up at once. His whole body was covered in a cold sweat that chilled his bones. He wiped at his face, but the images of his nightmare haunted him. His abrupt movements had jostled Kagome awake. She turned to him questioningly, but he didn't look at her.
"W-what is it? What's going on? Did Yugi wake up?" she asks and looks over at her son's crib. When she heard no crying she turned back to her husband.
"Just a bad dream. Go back to sleep," he comments and leaves the bed. Kagome sits up to watch him leave with concern marring her features. She throws off the covers and follows him onto the veranda. She spotted him leaning over the rail with a pained look on his face. He didn't bother to hide it.
"What was your dream about? Do you wish to talk about it?" she asks and places a comforting hand onto his shoulder.
"No. It was a foolish dream. You and Yugi are fine," he says softly. This causes worry and curiosity to rise up within Kagome. Just what exactly had he dreamt?
"Of course we are. You make sure of that," she reassures while wrapping an arm around his shoulders. She rests her head on his shoulder before sighing. He raises a hand to grasp hers that rested on his left shoulder.
As they stood on the veranda with the cool breeze whipping around them, they reveled in their own private moment. Even with his nagging fears and her worried concerns, they felt at peace. "I love you. You must know that," Atem speaks softly into the night.
"And I, you," she replies. He squeezes her hand once before looking her in the eye. She removed her arm from his shoulder to place the hand in his hair. She pulled him in for a passionate kiss that took her breath away. She felt his arms embrace her waist for a second before a loud explosion was heard. They broke apart and looked out into the dark night.
"It came from the temples," Atem comments seeing the rising smoke.
"Whose is it?" Kagome asks and looks out.
"Aknadin's," Atem spits before turning and returning inside. His demeanor changed instantly into a determined and vengeful man. He quickly dressed himself in the quiet room. Kagome waited patiently for him to acknowledge her. "You are not to leave this room unless your life depends on it. I will send guards here at once."
"You will return to me," she says with a hard look, giving him her own command. She tried to hide her pain and concern for his wellbeing, but some seeped through and flashed in her eyes for him to see.
"Always," he says and places a chaste kiss to her lips. She watches him walk to Yugi's crib and stare down at his son. He would be returning to them. He did not need to say goodbye.
Atem allowed himself a moment of affection as he gently held his infant son's cheek. He rubbed his thumb over his nose before combing his fingers through his mane. 'Be strong and live long my son. Take care of your mother. I love you both.'
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Aknadin had been easy enough to find. The man was laughing quite loudly and made a show of attracting much attention to himself. Aknadin rode on his horse with loud cackles trailing behind him. His clothes were ripped and dirty. Even his skin looked dark with dirt. Atem followed him on horseback with Seto, Mahad, Shada, and some guards trailing after him. Atem narrowed his eyes in determination. 'Tonight, Aknadin, you will pay for your crimes.'
Shada continued to follow his king, his eyes never leaving the sight of Pharaoh's navy cape. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. "Wait! What is that creature in the sky!?" Shada exclaimed. Everyone looked up simultaneously to see a large, black and grey creature soaring through the dark night sky above Aknadin.
"How do you like my monster, my Diabound! Not only do I have a new monster, but my master has given me new powers to defeat you and crush the pharaoh with!" Aknadin proclaimed. Atem grit his teeth. He urged his white horse to go faster as he leaned into its mane. 'Egyptian gods, guide me…'
Atem felt a sort of comforting embrace as he sat up slightly. Where had that come from? Where the god answering his prayers? He looked to the golden DiaDhank that was secured onto his forearm. Where had that monster come from?
"Look!" Shada exclaimed once again. They all turned to see a large, red dragon roaring to life behind them.
"It's an Egyptian God!" Seto exclaimed. He could not believe his eyes. An actual Egyptian god was soaring above them before their eyes. Seto felt his eyes move to the pharaoh. Their king was a truly powerful one indeed.
'You have answered my prayers. I am forever grateful.' "Go now, Slifer the sky Dragon! Lay waste to his monster!" Atem commanded.
Mahad watched in awe as the Egyptian god followed his king's commands. It was as if the two were one. Perhaps, the previous pharaoh had been right? Perhaps the new pharaoh had been blessed by the gods?
The men watched as their king fought relentlessly against Aknadin. But, Aknadin's monster seemed extremely powerful. The paled to think it, but… was it more powerful than an Egyptian god?
"Aknadin, this madness stops here! You shall pay for your crimes against Egypt!" Atem proclaimed with a commanding voice that left the men behind him relieved that they were not the ones being punished.
"You will have to capture me first, Pharaoh," Aknadin cackled. Gone was the civilized priest from a year ago. Now, he was a wild man who looked as raggedy as a common thief.
"My king, we will make him pay for his crimes. There is no mercy for the wicked!" Seto exclaims. Atem barely acknowledges him though. He had already directed his horse to follow after Aknadin. Atem rode towards the ledge where Aknadin was perched on his own brown horse. "Pharaoh!" Seto called out. "We must follow him men!"
"Aknadin, surrender now or else!" Atem commands. Aknadin gives him a smirk as if he had a dirty secret. Atem watched him suspiciously before a chill ran down his spine. He looked behind him to see Aknadin's Diabound ready to attack and kill him. Atem grit his teeth once he realized that he had fallen right into Aknadin's trap. "Two can play at this game, Aknadin."
Aknadin looked behind him to see Slifer breathing harshly from above. There was a look of pure malicious intent in the dragon's eyes. Aknadin felt fear rack his frame before he glared at the god. "You're right, Pharaoh. However, this is one game I doubt you'll win," Aknadin smirks. Atem gasps while seeing Diabound vanish. Atem looked around wildly. Where was it?
"Slifer! Behind you!" Atem yelled. Diabound had just reappeared long enough to fire a blast at the Egyptian god. It was an all consuming blast that disintegrates Slifer's upper body and left the lower half to collide with the cliff side that loomed over Atem and Aknadin. Atem felt a seizing pain form from within his chest that seemed to restrict his airways, lungs, and heart. It was as if Diabound was squeezing his organs with its sickly claws. His hand loosened the reigns and his body toppled off the horse's back.
"Pharaoh!"
"My king!"
"Pharaoh!"
Atem grit his teeth as he held onto the ledge. Slifer's body had caused the a large chasm to open up within the mountain. Slowly, Atem removed his hand from his aching chest long enough to try to grab the ledge with both hands. "Well, this is unfortunate. It doesn't look like you will make it out of this alive. You won't be needing this then," Aknadin smirks before crouching at the ledge.
He reached down low and grabbed the Pharaoh's Millennium puzzle. Before he could lift the puzzle off his neck, Aknadin felt a piercing sensation in his chest. His breathing seized up and his wide eyes looked down to the Pharaoh. "I'm not dying yet, Aknadin," Atem mutters. Atem twisted the dagger he had retrieved from his kiln before withdrawing it. He noticed Seto, Mahad, Shada, and the guards approach.
"What's happening to him?"
Atem's violet eyes went wide. Aknadin was vanishing? It was as if the wind was blowing away a pile of sand. Soon, the spot Aknadin had occupied was empty. Atem heaved his body up and over the ledge. Mahad moved to help him while the others blinked confusedly.
"Where did he go?" Shada questioned.
"What sort of trickery is this?" Seto asks no one in particular. Atem examines the blade of his dagger. There was no blood.
"It was an illusion. Aknadin was never really there. It was a clone," Mahad ponders aloud.
"Then, where is the real Aknadin?" Shada asks. Atem felt his blood freeze his veins and bones. This had all been a distraction. To get him and the others out of the palace. To get him away from Kagome.
Without a word, Atem mounted his horse before speeding back towards the palace. The others followed him with their suspicions peaking and all different, terrifying scenarios clouding their thoughts. 'How could I have been so foolish? Kagome, Yugi forgive me. I will not let you pay for my mistakes. Wait for me.'
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Moi-Moi: hey guys. Big suspenseful ending. Hehe. Stay tuned for chapter twelve part two, eh?
Edited: 9/11/12