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.

Just a filler chap folks, to clear away the festivities and whatnot so I can concentrate on Yugi, the pregnancy, and the birth.

Chapter 45

Atemu sighed as he entered his and Yugi's rooms he was tired, it had been a long day for him as it had been the first time he'd sat in his father's court for the whole session and then joined his father during his various meetings with his priests and council sure he'd done one or the other before but never both, but his father had decided he needed to learn everything he needed to know for when he became pharaoh, now all he wanted to do was relax preferably with Yugi in his arms. "Yugi, are you in here?" Atemu called.

Yugi walked in from the bathing room "Where else would I be?" he asked with a smile, Atemu wrapped his arms round Yugi and sighed as he rested his head on top of Yugi's.

"Hard day?" Yugi asked returning the hug.

"Yeah, I'll never understand how my father can do this day in and day out I'm exhausted, how are you and the baby?" Atemu asked as he gently rubbed Yugi's stomach.

Yugi gave him a little squeeze "Never mind about me go and take a relaxing bath and I'll send for dinner."

Atemu picked Yugi up bridal style and chuckling at the squeak Yugi gave headed for the bathing room, "Forget dinner Yugi, you are all I need." He said huskily.

Aknamkanon was sitting in his office when there was a knock on the door, "Enter!"

Shimon walked in, "Excuse me pharaoh are you free to discuss more of the details for the upcoming festivities?"

Aknamkanon sat back and sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "I suppose so, but to be honest I am not looking forward to this."

Shimon sat down "Why, what is wrong pharaoh?"

"Shimon we have been friends since we were children, there is no need to address me as pharaoh."

Shimon nodded "I know Aknamkanon I just don't like to take our friendship for granted." Shimon looked at the worry lines on Aknamkanon's face "So what is wrong?"

Aknamkanon sighed again "It's Yugi, he's being so stubborn about not attending the festivities, Atemu hasn't been able to sway him."

"It's only been two days Aknamkanon, it'll take time."

"I know that Shimon but we only have a week before the guests arrive."

Shimon thought for a moment then looked at the pharaoh "Maybe we could ask Isis to try and persuade Yugi to attend."

"What, the goddess Isis?" Aknamkanon asked.

Shimon chuckled "No sire, the priestess Isis."

Aknamkanon hummed "That is a good idea, okay Shimon put it to her will you."

"Certainly." Shimon replied.

"Alright now that's settled Shimon, what other details do you still need?"

Shimon opened the scroll he'd bought with him, "Well after the banquet will you require the dancing girls?"

"No!" Aknamkanon yelled making Shimon jump "No! No, definitely not! No girls!" noticing the quizzical look Shimon was giving him Aknamkanon explained. "After everything that's happened including Masika do you really think it wise to have a group of barely dressed women dancing around?"

"Well." Shimon said.

"Oh come now Shimon." Aknamkanon said "You know very well the girls always target Atemu to try and seduce him when they dance and given Yugi's temper at the moment would you risk it?"

"Maybe they'll behave themselves this time." Shimon said not really believing it himself.

"Have you forgotten about the incident in Atemu's chamber's on the morning of his wedding?" Aknamkanon asked.

"When you put it like that." Shimon said, "I agree no dancers, although the guests might not be pleased about it."

Aknamkanon grinned, "It's not the guests I'm worried about."

Shimon made a note on the scroll. "Now then." Shimon said, "What will you have in their place?"

"You can still have the musicians and the guests can dance themselves if they so wish."

Shimon made another note and then rolled up the scroll. "All that's left is to decide the menu for the feast itself." He said.

Aknamkanon sat back "Well that doesn't need to be sorted for another day or two."

Shimon stood up "Well if that's all I think I'll go and speak to Isis before it gets too late."

"Very well Shimon." Aknamkanon said "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Aknamkanon." Shimon replied before leaving the room.

Isis was sitting in her rooms going over the notes she had made concerning Yugi's health, she heard a gentle rap on her door "Come in Shimon." She called.

Shimon entered the room "How did you know it was me?" he asked.

Isis smiled and put her hand to her throat and touched her necklace, "I've been expecting you."

Shimon pointed to a chair "May I?"

"Of course Shimon please, sit down."

Shimon cleared his throat "If you've been expecting me then I assume you also know why I am here."

Isis shook her head "No Shimon, my millennium necklace showed me you were coming not why." Isis stood up and poured two goblets of water and handed one to Shimon before retaking her seat. "Now then Shimon what can I do for you?"

Shimon took a small drink and cleared his throat again "Pharaoh was wondering if you would try and talk to Yugi."

"What about?" Isis asked.

"About attending the upcoming festivities."

"I see." Isis said "I take it prince Atemu is not having much luck?"

Shimon sighed, "I know it's only been two days but the pharaoh is worried."

"How does the pharaoh think I can help?" Isis asked taking a small sip of her water.

"I thought that if you could explain the significance of these celebrations to him." Shimon paused "Apart from his pregnancy of course."

"Does he not know?" Isis asked in surprise.

"I don't think he does." Shimon said, "I don't think he'd refuse to go if he knew."

"I can't believe no one told him considering what he is now." Isis muttered. She thought for a moment before looking at Shimon "Very well I will speak with him when he comes to see me tomorrow."

"Thank you Isis." Shimon said the relief clearly heard in his voice.

The two talked for a while longer before Shimon left to retire for the night.

Atemu and Yugi had emerged from the bathing chamber and were presently eating their evening meal. "Well Yugi have you given it some thought?"

Yugi looked across at Atemu "Given what some thought?" he asked.

"About attending the festivities next week."

Yugi put his knife down and sighed "Not this again Atemu."

"Yugi we need to discuss this."

"No!" Yugi said angrily "You need to discuss it, I don't!" Yugi sighed again and his voice softened as he looked at Atemu, "Don't my feelings count for anything anymore?" he asked sadly.

Atemu put his own knife down "Of course they do Yugi, it's just that…" Atemu stood up and walked round the table and knelt before his husband, "Yugi I am so proud that you are my husband and that with Ra's help you are willing to provide a true heir for Egypt and her people." He took hold of Yugi's hands "I want to show you off to the world.

Yugi pressed his forehead against Atemu's "I know that Atemu and normally I would say yes you know I would but I can't face that odious little man again I just can't."

Seeing that Yugi was getting upset Atemu wiped the lone tear from Yugi's eye "Let's not talk about it now, let's go to bed it's getting late."

"Well you're the one that wanted us to bathe together." Yugi pouted.

"You didn't enjoy it?" Atemu teased.

"You know I did." Yugi mumbled as a chuckling Atemu led him to the bed.

Atemu had already left by the time Yugi woke up he found the note Atemu had left on his pillow for him.

'Sorry I'm not here when you wake Yugi but I had an early meeting with my father and I hadn't the will to wake you.

Good luck with Isis today .

Love Atemu.

Yugi smiled as he climbed out of bed 'so Atemu isn't angry with me because of last night' he thought to himself as he went to freshen up. After a light breakfast of a couple of pieces of fruit he went to see Isis for his check-up, he was a little nervous as this would be one of the few times that the goddess Isis would not be there.

As he made his way to the healing room he couldn't help but wonder if he was being fair to Atemu by refusing point blank to go to the celebrations just because of one man…he hated being stubborn but he wished that Atemu would try and see it from his point of view, forgetting his troubles he knocked on the healing room door.

"Come in Yugi!" Isis called.

Yugi entered the room "Good morning Isis."

"Good morning Yugi, if you'd like to lay on the bed for me we'll begin."

Yugi did as he was asked and made himself comfortable. Isis pulled his top up and placed both of her hands on his stomach and, adding a little pressure she felt for the baby to see if everything was okay and that the baby was sitting in the right place, to Isis surprise and somewhat shock she thought that she could feel a second baby but decided to say nothing until Yugi was further along and she would be able to tell for certain.

Towards the end of the examination Isis finally spoke "So prince Yugi are you looking forward to the festivities?"

Yugi groaned, "Not you as well Isis."

"What's wrong prince Yugi?" Isis asked feigning innocence.

"Please Isis just call me Yugi."

"Very well Yugi." the priestess replied "So tell me, what is wrong with you?"

Yugi sighed, "I don't mean to be down Isis but Atemu keeps on at me to attend them but I don't want to go."

"Why not?"

Yugi looked at Isis "Isis I've never been one for celebrating and it seems like that's all I seem to be doing these days." He paused "I've lost count on how many we've had since Atemu and I got married."

"Yugi, there's only been the one." Isis giggled.

"Are you sure Isis?" Yugi asked not looking in the least bit convinced "It seems more."

Isis smiled "If you remember Yugi the wedding celebration was cancelled because of Ra insisting you marry much sooner than planned so we only had the intimate party."

"What about when Taharqa, Samir and Huzziya arrived?" Yugi asked.

Isis noticed the shudder when Yugi mentioned Huzziya's name. "That was to celebrate your becoming a prince of Egypt, and we only had that because the pharaoh had forgotten to send out messages telling them that the wedding celebrations had been cancelled."

"So they just showed up?" Yugi asked.

Isis laughed, "Yes we would have really been caught out if it hadn't been for advanced guard king Samir sent, when they arrived they were told it was not a marriage they were celebrating but your inclusion to the Egyptian royal family."

"I see." Said Yugi thoughtfully "So tell me Isis, what exactly is this celebration for, and why do I have to be there couldn't I just feign illness or something?" Yugi asked hopefully.

"Every year a festival is held to honour the gods of Egypt, and this time the news of your pregnancy is to be included in the festivities. That's why you have to be there."

Yugi thought for a moment, "Isis I don't understand, why didn't we celebrate my pregnancy when they were here the first time and just leave this one for the gods alone?"

Isis sighed "It is not usual to celebrate a pregnancy until we are sure the baby will survive."

"But surely Ra wouldn't let his gift to us die?"

Isis sat down next to Yugi "Yugi once the baby is within you there is nothing Ra or the other gods can do to safeguard the child." Isis smirked "Don't forget Yugi, you are classed as a demigod now so even if you were not pregnant in a way this festival would still be for you."

Yugi gave up trying to find reasons not to attend the celebrations. He sighed in defeat "Okay Isis I'll tell Atemu that I'll be there without complaint."

Isis smiled "Don't worry Yugi this is the last one you'll have to attend for a while unless…"

Yugi looked at her sharply "Oh no! You tell the pharaoh that if he so much as thinks about having a feast to celebrate the birth I will leave the palace until it is over!"

"Yugi."

"No Isis I mean it, nothing will make me go nothing!"

"Very well Yugi." Isis said, "I will inform the pharaoh."

Yugi climbed down from the bed, "I guess I'd better go and tell Atemu."

"Yes you should, I think it will make both prince Atemu and the pharaoh very happy."

Yugi bade Isis goodbye and left the room, as he turned towards his and Atemu's rooms he saw Mahad "Mahad!"

The priest turned "Ah prince Yugi, how may I help you?" he asked with a small bow.

"Do you know where Atemu is?"

"Yes he is in the pharaoh's office."

"Is the pharaoh with him?"

"Yes."

Yugi smiled brightly "Thanks Mahad!" he said before rushing off to find them.

Mahad shook his head in amusement as he watched the young prince leave.

Yugi was about to knock on the door of the pharaoh's office when he heard raised voices. "But pharaoh!" Kalim argued, "It is unthinkable to have a celebration to honour the gods without the dancers!"

"No Kalim." The pharaoh said "You know how the dancers are, they always try and entice Atemu and I will not have anything upset Yugi, this celebration is as much for him as well as the gods."

"If he decides to attend that is!" Kalim argued.

Yugi jumped when a hand banged down on the desk "Mind what you say Kalim, Yugi is not the only one their action upset." Aknamkanon growled.

"Oh?" Kalim enquired.

"No, they also upset Atemu, you know he doesn't care for any of them, he never has."

"Tell them to stay away from him then!" Kalim said.

Yugi heard the pharaoh sigh and Atemu speak "Enough Kalim my father's decision will stand, there will be no dancers."

Yugi felt guilty he hadn't realised he'd put the pharaoh through so much trouble with his actions, he didn't bother knocking before he opened the door "Pharaoh?"

"Yugi, what is it son?"

Yugi blushed "I couldn't help but hear your conversation."

"And?" Aknamkanon asked.

"I will attend the festival next week without complaint."

"You will?" Atemu asked in surprise.

"Yes." He turned to the pharaoh "And I would like it if you would allow the dancers."

"But Yugi."

"No it is fine really, but if one of them does try anything with Atemu then I will react and not in a pleasant way."

"Very well Yugi." Aknamkanon said, "I can live with that."

"So can I." Atemu said as he walked over to Yugi and wrapped his arms round him.

Kalim stood up "I will inform Shimon of the change of decision concerning the dancers." Without waiting for an answer Karim bowed and left.

Both Atemu and Aknamkanon looked at Yugi. "What?"

"What made you change your mind so suddenly?" Atemu asked.

Yugi looked at Atemu "Isis explained what the festival was actually for and that my pregnancy had just been added." Then he grinned, "She also said that as I was now considered a demigod I had to attend even if I wasn't pregnant."

"You didn't know it was a festival for the gods?" Aknamkanon asked.

"No or I would never have refused no matter who was attending." Yugi said referring to Huzziya,

"You mean to tell me that if Atemu had told you that it was a festival for the gods we wouldn't have had this fuss?" Aknamkanon asked.

Yugi nodded, he couldn't help but laugh at the looks on the faces of both Atemu and Aknamkanon.

Now that the pharaoh knew for certain that Yugi would be attending the rest of the week had been a blur of activity for everyone in the palace. The decorations had to be set up, the food prepared, the seamstresses Yugi thought must have been working day and night to finish the new costumes for the dancers and make a complete new outfit for him as his other one no longer fitted him.

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight Yugi?" Atemu asked as they lay in bed together.

"Yeah it was fun except for…"

*Flashback*

Despite all of Yugi's misgivings the festivities went well, the gods had even chosen to put in an appearance. The two kings Yugi had previously met and liked kings Samir and Taharqa had presented him and Atemu with generous gifts of gold, silver and delicate fabrics. Then it was Huzziya's turn…

"A gift." King Huzziya said mischievously, "A toy for the crown prince to play with." He clapped his hands and a young woman was bought in held between two of Huzziya's personal guards. Yugi was horrified, it wasn't that the girl was wearing nothing but a small cloth that barely covered the lower half of her body, it was the look in the young girls eyes…she was afraid, she didn't want to be there.

Fortunately Aknamkanon also noticed the state of the girl he turned to his priestess "Isis get something to cover her up."

Without saying a word she took the cloak Mahad had offered her and walked towards the terrified girl and, after pulling her from the men holding her she wrapped the cloak round the girl and led the girl out of the room.

Aknamkanon turned to Huzziya "I thought we made it clear on your last visit that prince Atemu was not interested in having a concubine!" he said angrily.

Huzziya gave him an indifferent look "I thought that the prince would have tired of the boy by now and wanted someone better for his bed." He looked across at Yugi with a smirk.

Before Aknamkanon or Atemu could say anything Ra, Anubis and Horus stood before the Hittite king "You have offended one of our own, Huzziya you will be taken from this place and made to wonder the deserts never finding your way back home, you may if you're lucky receive help from one of the nomadic tribes but you will never see civilization again." Ra said.

Huzziya looked at him wide-eyed "You can't do this to me!" he said shakily "I have honoured the gods my whole life!"

"Be that as it may." Ra said "But this is the second time you have insulted Atemu by offering him something he clearly said he didn't want. Plus you have also insulted Yugi again, something I and the rest of the gods will not tolerate!" Ra turned to Anubis "If you would."

"Certainly." Anubis said as he grabbed Huzziya's arm and they disappeared.

Ra turned to the two remaining guards "I suggest you return home and inform your people of what has happened here."

Terrified the guards bowed.

"And don't forget to tell them Egypt has the protection of the gods!" Horus added.

Atemu pulled Yugi closer "Don't worry Yugi thanks to Ra we don't have to worry about him anymore."

"Good." Yugi said as he snuggled down into Atemu's arms.

The two princes lay there in silence enjoying each other's company when suddenly Yugi started to giggle "What's so amusing Yugi?" Atemu asked.

Yugi looked up at him and grinned "Your fathers face when Ma'at dragged him up to dance."

Atemu joined in Yugi's laughter "Yes." He said then he added thoughtfully, "I don't think I've seen my father that happy since my mother died."

"Do you mind?"

"Mind?" Atemu looked down at his petit husband "Mind what?"

Yugi rolled over until he was almost on top of Atemu, "That Ma'at can make your father smile like that."

Atemu thought for a moment "You know Yugi I don't think I do, my father was lonely I accept that now."

Yugi smiled at him before he lowered his head and kissed Atemu, who used his weight advantage to turn Yugi onto his back.

Yugi shivered as Atemu's lips made their way down his neck and then nipped along his shoulder, Yugi's hands made their way up and into Atemu's hair before the two teens became lost in each other…