all disclaimers apply

Author's note:A few of you been wondering what my original characters look like.
Here's the link to my sketches of Anhur and "the Prince."Go to my website: The Flamin' Dragon. Link is also in the author info section) or type in flamindragon.net/bind1.jpg after all the basic url info. (Having trouble giving a full link in words here...ff.net may not let me I guess).

The ages I've drawn them from slightly earlier chapters of "Ties that Bind." Anhur about age 14/15 and the Prince about 12/13 (maturity seems to happen quickly with Seto and therefore so did his son's).

And here's, in words, how I initially arrived at how they look: Remember...I'm aiming to link several bloodlines past and present in this fic so appearances of these two characters are designed for lineage evolution or de-evolution.

Anhur: Think of Marik with hues of Atemu's darker hair color frosted or highlighted within his hair and the weird violet color towars the tips of his hair. Like Yami/Atemu, he has spikey lightening-like golden bangs and his father's eyes. As far as personality...a bit like Atemu's only with a larger sense of humor and slyness...so a bit of Joey and thief Bakura also mixed in (mother's side...honest. heheh) For more insight on my version of Anhur's biological mother (Atemu's wife/queen) read the initial chapter(s) of my fic, "Nobody's Son".

Prince Sethos: I kept envisioning that one Slytherin dude, Draco Malfoy from "Harry Potter"...I'm no Harry Potter fan, but this dude's face kept coming to mind when I write the prince in my fics. If you are familiar with the anime, "Please Save My Earth"...this character also looks a bit like Rin Kobayashi. I like to think Prince Sethos' personality is a bit like Rin's too.

As Yugi packed and prepared for the trip to Egypt, Yami was spending time constantly badgering his partner.

"It's Egypt Yugi...sand, desert, sun, and most of all...HEAT. You don't need that...or that...and definitely not that."

"I thought you didn't have your memories Yami?"

"Geography lessons Yugi and basic knowledge about climate and topography. Am I the only one who paid attention to that while you sat at that desk in school?"

Yugi blushed. "At least you can fade in and out of them. Try being me for a whole day with all those different classes and lessons. You'd lose your attention span too."

"Doubtful. Knowledge is power. The more one learns, the wiser and smarter one becomes."

"Now I know you're watching way too much tv. You're a walking advertisement."

"Who's the one with the body plopped in front of the tv, eh aibou?"

"You could always request to move me."

"Already have before...and you simply ignore me because you are so engrossed in whatever program you are intensly vegging on."

"Oh well..."

"And don't pack that. You won't need it either. Pack lightly so you'll pass through customs faster."

"I thought you were an ancient spirit.Stress the word, 'ancient.' Since when were you the leading expert on modern regulations hmm?" Yugi teased. Sometimes the two enjoyed arguing and debating in relentless banter as a form of amusement. Their bond was strong enough to make a game of arguing afterall.

"Since I realized that I inhabited a body that had a mental capacity of something along the size of a jellybean."

"A jellybean!? You calling me stupid!?"

"Call it as you wish." Yami replied with a smirk. He knew Yugi was going to throw something and as the many times before, would pass right through Yami's semi-transparent form. Sure enough, Yugi did.

"See, a jellybean. You've done that so many times before and know nothing can hit me as I'm a spirit. Definitely the mentality of a jellybean. Speaking of which...does Grandpa still have some left in the bowl downstairs?"

"If he does, you're not getting any. You'd have to take control of my body and I'm not lettin' ya this time, so there." Yugi taunted as he stuck his nose in the air.

"Yugi, Yugi, Yugi...you forget that I could technically utilize the same powers Bakura does when he takes total control of Ryou. Ryou has no say in that exchange."

"Yeah, but you're better than him. You wouldn't stoop to such a low level."

"Try me." Yami replied as that challenging glare entered his eyes. Yugi knew it well. It was often there right before a duel.

"I'll pass thank you. If you want jellybeans so bad, then let's go get the jellybeans. A memory-less pharaoh on a sugar high...swell." Yugi replied with a sigh. For some odd reason, the spirit always got what he wanted. Spoiled pharaoh.

Back in Egypt, Marik and Isis were making preparations for their soon-to-be guests.

"What shall we plan for dinner for our guests? No doubt they will be hungry after such a long flight." Isis said as she continued to ponder the preparations.

"And then some. They hardly serve meals on airlines these days. I know Yugi though...some sort of hamburger will do him just fine. Not sure about his grandfather though."

"Perhaps a traditional egyptian meal? Yugi may eat such too since he'd likely wish to oblige the pharaoh."

"Or taunt the poor spirit. I honestly don't see how those two get along in one body. They are two completely different personalities."

"Opposites attract Marik."

"But it just seems so...bizarre."

"The pharaoh had to resurrect somewhere and utilize someone. Yugi is the logical obvious choice...especially after all that we've found. It was Yugi's destiny."

"But I would've been a more logical choice. I'm egyptian and know the ancient scriptures. I'm also more physically fit and taller...a better enviornment for the pharaoh."

"Are we going there again Marik? You have a pharaoh-complex you know that?" Isis teased.

"I wasn't going there sis. Geesh, you jump to conclusions so easily. I was merely stating my qualifications."

"Yeah...right." Isis giggled as Marik let out a quite audible, "hmph."

Ancient Egypt...

"Is that all you can muster peasant? Some wolf like creature?"

"Can kick the crap out of what is that...a sewage sucker? Oh wait, if my creature kicks the crap out of that thing then it'd eat it again and power up wouldn't it?" Anhur jeered with a smirk of defiance.

"We'll see. Diablo, slash and tear that mangy mutt! Reduce it to nothing but strands of fur and blood!"

"Night Fang, counter with saber bite!"

As it turned out...both beasts were of equal power. Both beasts were sent reeling backward and both duelists squinting in pain.

"Diablo, now take to---" the prince began to speak as suddenly he heard his chamber's door open and the booming, confident voice of his father filled the room.

Anhur cursed and quickly sought a place of refuge. He didn't have time to check for scaleability of the outer ledges beyond the windows. Finding none and out of options as the king began to enter the room, he took the first course of action his mind could formulate. Using forward momentum, he slammed into the prince. locked lips, and shoved him onto the bed, flinging the covers over both as he did so. He had to keep the prince quiet so he wouldn't get ratted out by the little royal pain in the ass.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS SETHOS!?" the entering voice boomed.

Anhur, not wanting to be discovered opted for a temporary truce with the prince. "Look, you want to avoid trouble with your father and I want out completely. If we cooperate, we both live to duel again another day." Anhur whispered. The prince thought for a moment as he struggled then gave his answer when he ceased struggling.

"What do you propose and make it quick?" the prince whispered back.

"I know your secret. You like boys. I'm your lover for the night."

The prince wanted to gag! "I'd rather see you dragged behind a horse that is shitting."

"Look, I want to puke over your face too, but this is the best option at this time. Take it or leave it prince. It's best you play along. You know it as well as I. "

As Pharaoh Set drew ever nearer, the prince was nervous as was the usual emotion around his father, but remained as calm as he could. His father was unpredicatable and it was wise not to cross him.

"I EXPECT A REPLY SON."

"Uh, father, well, I uhhh--COULD YOU NOT LIFT THE COVERS! I'M NOT DECENT!" the prince replied as he fought to keep the covers over both him and Anhur as Set tried to lift them.

"Are you with lover? I cannot believe you are screwing another servant boy! How many times have I told you that you've got your genders crossed? Stupid messed up boy." Set muttered as he opted to turn away. If that was indeed what his son was doing, he did not need to see it. "Get decent and dismiss that boy!" Set uttered as he stormed out of the chamber.

Anhur and the prince remained 'together' until the silence of the room was confirmed. Slowly, Anhur pried the covers away from them and was exposed to fresher air.

"Sethos? THAT is your name?" Anhur asked as he cocked his head in amusement.

"It's prince to you commoner."

"Testy aren't we?" Anhur replied with a chuckle as he removed the golden colored duel disk and tossed it onto the bed. "I must take my leave, but prince, this is NOT over. Our duel will continue...I promise you that."

"I'll be waiting with bells on." the prince shot back

"Please don't." Anhur said as he grimaced at the vision that formed in his mind. As he checked the window ledge for height and design, he found it to be his escape route. "And one more thing prince..."

"Yes swine?"

"Word of advice...you are such a rotten kisser!" Anhur commented with a laugh as he lept out of the window with cat-like grace and disappeared into the darkness of night. He could've sworn he heard the ranting sputters of the prince in the distance. He nearly slipped off the thin ledge as he scaled it due to too much laughter.

Once home, Anhur slipped in quietly. But found his step mother right there waiting.

"You find your romping amusing Anhur?"

"No mother...just the results."

"You dance with death Anhur."

"I know mother. But it is a dance I can keep step with."

"You are such a foolish, reckless boy. I wish your true mother and father were here to teach you otherwise."

"I must test my adversaries. I must learn their strengths and weaknesses."

"And the lady?"

Anhur wanted to smack himself for his own stupidity! He walked right into his mother's trap! He forgot his reason that he'd given his mother was the lady. He struggled to find the right verbal path out of it. "What makes you think I was at the palace on this night?"

"Mothers know. Mothers ALWAYS know. And your adversaries are the king and the prince themselves am I not correct?"

"If you always know then you already know the answers to your own questions mother."

Anhur was bopped firmly over the head with a wooden spoon. "DON'T give me your wise ass remarks young man!"

"I'm sorry mother." Anhur replied as he hung his head low.

"You'd better be. While I can't stop you from going to the palace, I can try to sharpen your mind from your own stupidities. Curiousity kills the cat Anhur and cats don't always have nine lives. And before you think you do...remember how many near misses you have had already. Not many lives left right Anhur?"

"Yes mother."

Suddenly, Anhur's step mother noticed some strange shiny objects upon Anhur's cloak. She brushed them off into her hand and studied them in the candlelight. "These are royal sequins Anhur. What are they doing on YOU?"

"Tripped on a prince?"

He was met with another tap on the head from the wooden spoon. "Stupid boy!"

"Oww...ahh, I think I'll retire for the evening now mother before my tongue flaps into more of your traps." Anhur replied as he tried to slink away from the ever present wooden spoon.

"Next time I will bring your father into this matter. Got that young man!? I only wish it was Atemu and not us. He wouldn't put up with this. He'd give you a game whereby you'd learn the realities of stupidity."

"Yes mother. Sorry mother. Won't happen again mother." Anhur replied as he continued to back down the hall until his found his room and quickly ducked into it. "Okay, I admit, that was dumb of me! I should've just visited Kashir and then left." Anhur muttered to himself as he pulled the cloak over his head and off. It dropped to the floor along with the rest of his clothing. He then plopped himself into bed and stared out into the starry night sky and thought of Atemu, the father he never met, but was learning so much about. "Father, if you're in the afterlife...watching me...then please guide me and not into more shit like I fell into tonight!"

In the palace, Prince Sethos also stared out into the night sky. He wondered what destiny had in store for him. His ascension to the throne wasn't going to happen as smoothly as it should be. He had a serious thorn in his side named Anhur. One thing was for certain though, he wasn't about to let some male who grew up as a commoner take what was rightfully his own. He was being groomed and trained to become a pharaoh. His time, effort, and hard work learning all that needed to be learned was not going to be wasted because of a street rat with big dreams!

to be continued...