all disclaimers apply

Yugi awoke with tears in his own eyes. What a powerful, emotional dream or daydream, or whatever! He HAD to know. Concentrating once again, he sought the ancient ruler in his soul room.

Yami had awakened just as Yugi entered. "Aibou?"

"Okay, THAT was downright sad. But, I think I understand more now. Did you dream the same?"

"Afraid so. I had a son?" Yami asked with a raised eyebrow and cocky smirk. He wasn't sure if he was surprised or satisfied in his own masculine ways. Likely both.

"You came to the same conclusion. Now, question is, will these dreams lead us to whether or not he survived?"

"Based off my recollections of the dream, that was the last I saw of him. We may not know."

"These dreams are occurring at a more rapid rate Yami. I simply dozed off while doing homework and the dream came. And you regularly sleep. Maybe there's some significance in this?"

"My guess is as good as yours. I do not understand why or how these dreams or memories are manifesting, but they seem to hold importance regardless."

"Yeah, but WHY?!"

"Guess we'll find out sooner or later." Yami said with a sigh. "Will you be contacting the Ishtars soon?"

"In a day. Weekend rates are less expensive. That's when Grandpa does all his long distance calling."

Yami chuckled. He was still learning about modern day complexities such as budgeting, expenses, and so forth. The modern world was a formidable place indeed, especially for one 3000 year old ancient Egyptian pharaoh with no memories thrust into modern day Japan. Naturally though, he revealed very little of this shortfall to anyone and faced it head on with the confidence of one who was born in this day.

Before Yugi could continue he was interrupted by a voice from downstairs.

"YUGI! PHONE CALL! FROM EGYPT!" Grandpa yelled up the stairs.

"Coming Gramps!" Yugi yelled back as he stood. "Well Yami, perhaps we'll have some answers sooner than later. It has to be the Ishtars calling." Yugi ran down the stairs. Grandpa had already been talking to Isis for many minutes.

"Yugi here. Hi Marik. How's Egypt? Writings eh? And neither you or your sister can decipher them? That IS strange. Your sis spoke with my grandpa about them right? And what about Professor Hopkins? Oh, I see, Isis called him first. Hmm, well, I'm not really sure what to say. Yami probably wouldn't be any more help than I. Though, he and I have been having some disturbing dreams lately. Yami and I both think they have possible correlation to memories. Hey, in all your readings of ancient scriptures and all and being down in the tomb, have you come across any mention of an offspring, say a son? That's the reason of this call? Oh, that's weird. Too much to be coincidence don't ya think? A ring of love!? That IS interesting, especially if you could see the dreams we've seen...though no ring has appeared in the dreams yet. Maybe it was already there and neither of us noticed it. I mean, in the dreams, the pharaoh *does* wear a lot of jewelry. Well, keep me informed okay Marik? I'll let you know if anything progresses on our end here. Take care." Yugi said as he hung up the phone.

Yugi turned to look at his grandfather, who was eyeing his grandson suspiciously. "Yugi, when were you going to tell me that you and the pharaoh were having strange dreams?"

"Uhhhh, well, you see grandpa, we didn't want to make fools of ourselves so we didn't want to say anything unless we had a more solid idea ourselves as to whether they were remnants of memory or pure fantasy."

"I see. Well, based of the dreams you and the pharaoh have had, can there be any correlation to the Ishtars' findings?"

"Seriously grandpa, I think so, but let's give it time. These dreams are occurring more often now. Maybe Yami and I will learn more through them."

"You promise to inform me if they do?"

"Yes grandpa, I promise."

"Very well then. Perhaps you should return to your studies."

"Oh yes! Wow, I forgot about them! I fell asleep!"

Grandpa Motou simply rolled his eyes as his grandson stormed back up the stairs. There were some things about Yugi that would never change, with or without the pharaoh's assistance.

Safely back in Yugi's room, Yami resumed a more 'physical' appearance. "Seems like there's more than meets the eye in this matter, eh Yugi?"

Yugi spun, startled. A textbook dropped from his desk and slammed onto his toes. "YEEEEEOOOOWWWW!" he yelped as he hopped on one foot. Once the pain subsided, he picked up the textbook. "Hate school, hate school, hate school." he muttered as he put the offending text back on his desk.

Yami chuckled.

"Don't laugh, it's your fault for startling me like that."

"I'm sorry aibou, but the look on your face was priceless."

"You need to stop spooking me. Maybe I should put a bell on so when you appear, it'll rattle gently and I'll know you're there."

"I'm not a cat Yugi. But, I am a spook of sorts. Isn't that another term for ghost or spirit?"

"Sorry for the accidental pun Yami."

"Anyway, Marik's found other items of importance?"

"Yes, some scriptures in coded writing and a ring that seems to be an item professing love."

"Love?"

Yugi saw an opening with the puzzled spirit (no pun intended). "You know, love...girls and boys get together...mushy stuff, sex, dancing on clouds, feelings...perhaps it's something you had in the past?" Yugi thought as he tried to imagine Yami, in pharaonic garb, all eyes locked on some babe...unable to concentrate, not even on dueling. It was a difficult picture to imagine.

Yami too, was trying to imagine what such a feeling would be like. It didn't seem to suit him at all. "Love seems to be more of a distraction than a positive emotion Yugi. If I had all the responsibilities that a true king has, where would I find time for such a thing?"

"You're the King of Games, perhaps to you, life was a game. If so, you'd have found a way."

"If you have to put it THAT way." Yami chucked. Still, the fact that dreams and new findings in the tomb happening at the same time were too much of a coincidence. It bothered him terribly. "Regardless, I guess only time will tell if we're meant to know more about what's transgressing in mind and material."

"Things sure have come a long way since simply playing Duel Monsters." Yugi sighed as he looked at a bunch of cards sprawled out on another table in his room. The game used to be such fun, now it always took on a darker, more serious tone and now things had progressed well beyond the card game itself. But still, it was the card game that linked persons, places, and things together. Everything had a purpose.

"Duel Monsters seems to be a catalyst to many other events." Yami replied solemnly.

"Yes, it has. But the biggest question in play is WHY?" Yugi said as he picked up a card out of the stacked deck to the side with his eyes shut. It was the Dark Magician.

"Indeed." Yami replied as he eyed the card."But we'll get through it as we always do. We are supported on so many fronts. With a team and friends like ours, we can't be beaten by anything or anyone!" Yami replied, trying to cheer Yugi (and himself) up with a little pep talk.

Over 3000 years ago...

A boy, four years old, ran over to some horses that were resting in the shade of the palace walls. As he ran around towards the wall, he bumped into some legs and rolled backward onto his behind. His cloak fell backward, exposing his head to the intense heat of the day.

"Boy, are you okay? You need to watch where you are running." The tall figure said as he bent down to lend a hand to the child.

The boy's serious violet eyes shimmered crimson red as he tried to ignore the pain and locked his gaze upon the being he'd run into. It was Pharaoh Set himself! But, he paid no bother to the man's status. He allowed the king to pull him to his feet, but he never once turned his gaze away.

Suddenly the pharaoh stepped back a moment, stupified. The eyes of the boy were eerily familiar. He'd met those eyes before! And the boy's hair, straight, shoulder length, but with hints of stubborn spikes rising in spots, shimmered gold that reminded the king of the former pharaoh's golden bangs. Images of his deceased cousin dashed into his head. "It-it can't be?!" he spoke.

"What can't be?" the boy innocently asked. He was much smarter than his age and was always challenging adults in their strange ways.

"Who is your father?"

"Daddy? He's there!" the boy replied as he pointed to a merchant unloading goods from several camels.

Pharaoh Set didn't fully believe the boy. The boy and man looked nothing alike. "How old are you?"

"Four, but I'm smarter than I look." the boy replied with a cocky smirk. His shoulder length golden hair danced in the slight breeze.

"I'm sure you are. Perhaps we shall meet again uhh..." Pharaoh Set trailed as he tried to get the boy to speak his name.

"Anhur." the boy replied confidently with almost regal air to it. He knew he was speaking to the king, yet he exhibited none of the respectful mannerisms usually given by a commoner to one of such high status. It was usually one of the first things taught to a child of common rank. No, this child was taught such things, he just refused to exhibit them! Pharaoh Set was intrigued by this.

"Yes Anhur, we shall meet again." Pharaoh Set replied as he continued to ponder the possibilities. He departed to continue on with his business.

Anhur returned to his father. "Daddy, I met the king!"

Immediately the man spun in fear. Sure enough the king was present in the village! Like the previous pharaoh, this king too, liked to mill about in the village. Although, unlike his cousin, he rarely did so casually. Apparently the king was overseeing the inventories. "Anhur, you must be careful among people of high rank. Okay?"

"But why?"

"Just do as I say."

"But he seems nice."

"Don't argue. Just obey! I'll explain when you're a little older okay?"

"Hmph." Anhur said as he pouted.

"Go help your mother with the two donkeys please."

Anhur trudged off to his mother. Perhaps she'd be more open to his great news.

"Mommy, I met the king!"

Her reaction was the exact same as her husband's. "Anhur dear, you need to be more careful."

"That's what daddy said. Why?"

His 'mother' rubbed his little golden blonde head. "Someday you'll understand. Right now, be mommy's little man and give the donkeys some water."

"Ohhhkaaaay." Anhur replied, but he couldn't help but wonder why his parents were upset rather than glad he'd met the pharaoh. He was confused. To him, it was such a great thing! The pharaoh with his mighty white dragon was his idol! He wanted to be him!

Later that day, the family gathered what was remaining of their unsold merchandise, packed their camels and donkeys and rode off alone towards the Nile and to a hidden area obscured by the grandeur of the Valley of the Kings --the new home to the youthful pharaoh who had sacraficed his life to save his people from a great evil.

to be continued...