Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters (unless otherwise stated) Kazuki Takahashi does, nor do I make any money from these stories.
44 Bad News for Yugi & Atemu
"You wanted to see me father?" Atemu asked as he walked into Aknamkanon's office.
"Yes Atemu, come in and close the door."
Atemu closed the door and sat down opposite his father, "What's wrong father?"
"Nothing is wrong exactly, I just wanted to let you know that King Huzziya of Hatti will be attending the upcoming celebrations."
"What?!" Atemu said angrily.
"Please calm down son, I don't have a choice."
"Of course you do father!" Atemu said still fairly angry "How in Ra's name can you invite him considering what happened the last time he was here!"
"Atemu my hands are tied." Aknamkanon said trying to keep his patience.
"And what of Yugi? How do you think he will feel when he learns about this?"
Aknamkanon sighed, "Son, I'm sure that once you explain it to him Yugi will understand my position."
"And just what is your position father?"
Aknamkanon sighed again "King Huzziya is a proud man and if he were to think he was deliberately left off the guest list it would sour the relations between our two countries even more."
"Are you telling me you regard that man's feelings over those of mine and Yugi's?"
"Of course not Atemu!" Aknamkanon snapped "But you two will not declare war on Egypt if I hurt your feelings."
"War?" Atemu asked in surprise
"Yes Atemu war." Aknamkanon sighed again, "King Huzziya has been looking for an excuse to start a fight for a while now, a fight neither I nor Egypt want or need."
Atemu scoffed, "Even if he tried it he would have to pass through several countries to reach us."
"Don't be so naïve Atemu!" Aknamkanon snapped "You know as well as I do distance means nothing to a man like Huzziya! He'd fight all the way if he had too!"
Atemu stared at his father for a moment then asked "What of our allies, would they not help?"
"No son, the Nubians have too small an army and the Libyans would have to cross the desert and then most of Egypt to help defend our borders." Aknamkanon sat back in his chair "Atemu, I know that Yugi will not like this, Ra I don't really like it, but as I said for the sake of continued peace I have no choice."
"Is that why you put up with the old camel?" Atemu asked
Aknamkanon gave his son a wry smile, "It's called diplomacy son."
Atemu stood up "Alright father I will explain it to Yugi and we'll put up with his presence." his eyes narrowed "But I warn you now father, if that man so much as looks at Yugi in a way I don't like I'll be the one starting that war."
"Atemu…" Aknamkanon warned
"No father, I'll tell Yugi but I know he isn't going to like it."
"He doesn't have to like it Atemu he just has to put up with it."
Atemu walked to the door, "I'd better go tell Yugi the good news." He said sarcastically.
Before his father could reply to his sarcasm Atemu left the room.
After Atemu had left Aknamkanon sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, his mind drifted back to the last time king Huzziya had visited his kingdom.
*Flashback*
The Hittite king rode through the palace gates where the pharaoh's council met him, he was surprised and somewhat angered that neither the pharaoh nor the crown prince had been there to greet him personally and he was quick to voice his displeasure. "Why is the pharaoh not here to greet me personally? Am I not considered important enough in his eyes?"
Madu bowed showing the visiting monarch deference, "My pharaoh sends his apologies your majesty but he was needed to oversee the final preparations for the coronation tomorrow."
"Very well." the Hittite king said, "I will be speaking to pharaoh Aknamkanon about this matter later, my station requires that I be met by someone other than that of a lowly council member."
Madu bit back his anger and through gritted teeth said "If you will follow me I will show you to your rooms."
The king and his entourage were led to the guest's wing of the palace where a suite of rooms had been made ready for them.
"You will be sharing this wing with king Taharqa of Nubia and king Samir of Libya." Madu said, noticing with some satisfaction the look of annoyance that crossed the Hittite kings face, because it meant that with two of the pharaoh's closest friends and allies here it would be near impossible for the Hittite king to find an excuse to start a conflict with the Egyptian pharaoh.
After he'd made sure the pharaoh's guests were comfortable and had everything they needed, including access to the pharaoh's harem, Madu left to find the pharaoh.
Aknamkanon sighed as he rose from his seat to look out of the window. From the moment Huzziya had arrived the demands started, wine, women and fine food, the kitchen staff had been kept busy with his demands. But what had angered the pharaoh the most was that whenever a kitchen maid had delivered the requested food they did not leave the kings room until he had forced her into his and at least one of his guard's beds. Aknamkanon's anger was growing, but it was what happened with Yugi that had really angered Aknamkanon and everyone else in the palace…
*Flashback*
It was the day of Yugi's coronation and induction to the Egyptian royal family, the ceremony had gone smoothly and it was now time to formally introduce the newly crowned prince Yugi to the visiting dignitaries.
In the cavernous throne room Yugi sat next to Atemu wondering what was going to happen next when the first of the visiting kings entered the room. As was the custom he had bought a gift for the new prince…
"King Taharqa of Nubia." Shimon announced, and the palace scribe made ready to record the gift.
Taharqa walked up to the three thrones and bowed before clapping his hands, four male slaves walked forward and placed a large, covered object before the newly crowned prince Yugi, the old king uncovered it with a flourish, "My gift, a chariot crafted with the finest leather and the sturdiest wood and then embellished with the purest gold as befitting a prince of Egypt."
"Thank you king Taharqa." Yugi said shyly, "It is most generous of you, I do not know how to show my appreciation."
"Yes, thank you." Atemu added.
King Taharqa bowed and moved to the side.
"King Samir of Libya." Shimon then announced.
Just as king Taharqa did before him king Samir bowed before the pharaoh Aknamkanon and the two princes "My gift is also for the young prince Yugi." he clapped his hands and a servant led in two small ponies, one as black as the night the other as white as the clouds in the sky above.
"Thank you king Samir it is most generous of you."
"Yes." Said Atemu "They will indeed grow to be fine horses."
The king clapped his hands again and another servant walked in carrying a cushion and on the cushion curled up fast asleep was a small grey cat. "This gift is for prince Yugi alone, a gift I hope will keep him entertained."
Yugi grinned, he loved cats "May I?" he asked the pharaoh.
Aknamkanon nodded, Yugi stood up and walked down the steps and towards the king of Libya, he carefully picked up the sleeping bundle of fur and held it close to his chest, "Thank you." he said sincerely "She..."
"He." King Samir corrected.
Yugi blushed "Sorry, HE is adorable." He walked back up to Atemu and sat back down, the kitten now contentedly sleeping in his lap.
King Samir moved to the side, now it was king Huzziya's turn and Aknamkanon was wondering what gift, if any he had bought, knowing the man as he did he knew it was bound to be inappropriate.
The throne doors opened and king Huzziya of Hatti strutted in. "Pharaoh." He said. The gathered dignitaries were shocked that he had not bowed to the pharaoh before addressing him as was the custom. "I was going to present a gift but I have discovered a more, lasting solution." He said as he looked towards Yugi.
Atemu took hold of Yugi's hand and held it tightly hoping to reassure him that he would not be made to leave, that he Atemu loved him and would not let him go, even if it cost him the throne…
"And what is this 'lasting' solution?" Aknamkanon asked, his eyes narrowed, "Just what do you have in mind Huzziya?"
Grinning Huzziya clapped his hands and seven extremely beautiful and barely clad women walked into the throne room.
"For crown prince Atemu." The old man rasped, "Seven of the most beautiful women my kingdom has to offer."
"And what do you require in return?" Aknamkanon asked stiffly.
The arrogant Hittite king licked his lips "Well, now that his station has improved young prince Yugi is just the beauty I have been looking for."
"Why?" Atemu asked barely holding his anger or his shadows back.
"My bedchamber gets cold at night." The look in the king's eyes left no mistake as to what he really meant.
Yugi could not look at the man any longer and stood up to leave, he turned to the pharaoh "Is it alright if I return to our rooms?"
Aknamkanon knowing that Yugi was still suffering from morning sickness allowed him to leave.
As he went to walk passed, the Hittite king grabbed Yugi's arm. "Where are you going my beauty? I'm not finished with you yet."
Yugi looked up at him and opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything Atemu spoke up, "Unhand him immediately!" he demanded.
The king of Hatti looked at him through narrowed eyes "This has nothing to do with you boy!" he snapped
"Yes it does!" Atemu seethed, "That is my husband you are touching!"
King Huzziya looked at Aknamkanon, "Husband? You would allow the crown prince to marry a mere peasant?"
Aknamkanon stood up and glared at the older man, "That is prince Yugi to you, you yourself witnessed his coronation and investiture into this the Egyptian royal family." He growled.
"I see." Huzziya said, "You made him a prince just to save face? How pathetic."
During the argument no one noticed the shadows creep towards king Huzziya and Yugi until they started to envelope the Hittite king.
"Call them off Atemu!" Aknamkanon demanded, "The shadows may harm the baby!"
Atemu looked at his father and saw the genuine fear in his eyes, the fear that his only grandchild would be born tainted with shadow magic or worse still killed. Atemu relented at let the shadows subside, for now…
"Let him go!" Aknamkanon demanded, "The gods will not take kindly to this!"
"Nonsense pharaoh, I'm sure the gods will side with me."
Ma'at, who had stayed in the background during the coronation and the gift giving stepped forward, "Would you like to re-think that Huzziya?" she asked.
"Who in Ra's name are you wench?" the king asked
Ma'at chuckled before a soft golden glow surrounded her and she changed back into her real form, that of the goddess Ma'at.
Shocked Huzziya tightened his grip on Yugi's arm making him wince, "Great goddess why are you here?"
"I am here to watch my son get crowned as a prince of Egypt, an occasion you have ruined!" She said angrily "Now let my son go before I have Ra send the ten plagues over your lands!"
"Son? This boy is your son?" the old king asked fearfully
"He is our son." A male voice said from behind him.
Huzziya let Yugi go and turned to see Ra, Horus, Anubis, Isis, Hathor and Osiris standing behind him, the Hittite king fell to his knees, "Forgive me mighty Ra."
"It is not our forgiveness you require."
The Hittite king looked over at Yugi only to see Ma'at looking him over,
"Are you alright Yugi?" the goddess asked "Would you like Isis to check you over?"
"No thanks I think I'm alright."
"Yugi." Atemu said softly
"What is it Atemu?" Yugi asked
"I would feel a lot better if you'd let her."
"As would I Yugi." Aknamkanon said.
Yugi sighed "Okay if it will put your minds at rest."
The goddess Isis led Yugi from the room.
Under the watchful gaze of Ra and the others Aknamkanon turned to Huzziya, "For your insult to Egypt and one of its princes I'm giving you one hour to leave my palace and a further two hours to leave Egypt itself, failure to do so will result in my men forcibly removing you."
King Huzziya stood up and turned to leave "And take your whores with you." Atemu said
The Hittite king turned to the young crown prince "I gave them to you as a gift, a different girl for each night of the week." Huzziya paused, "After all even with a husband a young virile man like you will still have certain needs." He said mischievously.
Angered Atemu stood up, "My husband is all I need!" Atemu snapped then he narrowed his eyes "Besides leaving them here will only result in their deaths."
"You cannot be serious!" Huzziya yelled
Aknamkanon answered for his son, "He is right, for any gift given to any member of the royal family that is not wanted is either destroyed or killed, the choice is yours."
The seven girls looked across at their old master who clapped his hands and with relief the girls joined him and followed him out of the room.
"Minkah!" the pharaoh called "Please make sure that the Hittite delegation are out of Egypt by the time three hours has passed."
"And if they are not?" the new head guard asked
Aknamkanon looked across at Ra who nodded, "Kill them all except king Huzziya, let him live, but make sure to escort him out of Egypt."
"By your command pharaoh."
*End*
"What?!" Yugi yelled, "That sAb is coming here? I thought he was still in disgrace."
"I'm sorry my love but father has to invite him."
"Why?!" Yugi demanded
"So he can keep the peace." Atemu said gently hoping to calm Yugi down.
Yugi folded his arms, "Your father may have to pander to that man but I do not, you can have the celebrations without me."
"But Yugi." Atemu pleaded
"No Atemu I am staying here." Before Yugi could argue Yugi went into the bathing room and slammed the door. Atemu sighed, 'At least I have a week to try and persuade him to attend his own celebrations." He thought.
SAb = Jackal