all disclaimers apply

After a long rest and hearty meal, Marik was back in action. Isis was extremely curious of any developments of her brother's as she liked to keep updated on any ancient findings. But, what Marik discovered was for their eyes only.

Preparing two horses, Marik prepared for a journey.

"Marik, where are you going?"

"To the place this thing says." Marik said as he handed his sister a scroll. "I have a feeling even more answers lie there. Perhaps the answers I seek."

"Let me go with you."

"No. Stay. Please? If I must, I will take Rishid, but it would be best if I went alone as I can only carry limited supplies."

"What do you hope to find by treading upon the Valley of the Queens?"

"Maternal lines were always more accurate than paternal ones. Perhaps I can trace ours or even the Nameless Pharaoh's there."

"Be careful Marik. And be sure to avoid any archaeological digs going on in the area."

"Sis, when am I not? I'm a master of stealth. Our family knows the underground caverns better than any in this world or that of the past."

"Just be careful. When shall you return?"

"Within a day I hope. If not, I will send Nastasi back letting you know."

"I really wish you'd get a real pet rather than that weasel."

"Mongoose, sis, mongoose. He's saved my ass from cobras and mambas many times. You should be thankful."

"That you draw snakes to you faster than a lame bird could? Hardly brother."

"Heheheh, so be it sis. Either way, I'll keep you informed as you wish."

"You'd better."

Marik then mounted his albino arabian stallion with Nastasi curled around his neck, and rode off into the desert in hopes of finding answers unseen.

The setting was ideal. A beautiful star-filled night with a full moon illuminating the room without need for torchlight. The crickets chirped in harmony with the frogs croaking along the Nile. Earlier, a declicious dinner was served, the pharaoh's favorite, softened the young ruler. He'd been tense and depressed for so long. For some reason the loss of his first born son was harder on him than the mother who bore that child. Nibbling on a leftover wing of the roast goose, Atemu retired to his quarters for the night. His loving queen was already there...waiting.

"Still eating I see." she replied with a giggle. The pharaoh, surprised at the occupant in his usually quiet quarters stared at her dumbly with a wing bone hanging in his mouth. She giggled more at the funny expression her mate was showing.

Pulling the wing bone out of his mouth, the young king eyed her with renewed passion. Illuminated by the moonlight and shadows, the young woman's natural beauty was enhanced by nature. She was scantily clad, with transparent linens. Having attracted his attention, she continued her plan of action. She stood and with slow, deliberate motion, she untied her robe and allowed it to snake down her body and drop to the floor. The other poultry wing in the king's hand seemed forgotten as it dropped to the floor. She had him in her game now.

"Aty." she purred. It was the king's little nickname that only she and a few select close friends of the king's knew and she alone was the only one priviledged enough to use it as the king didn't think too highly of the nickname...except in certain circumstances...such as this one.

Caught in her spell, he stalked forward like a cat upon prey. She beckoned him ever nearer. But, this was the King of Games she was seducing. She had to calculate every move carefully. She had a trump card, the young king was a teen, prone to hormonal urges just as any other boy his age. He seemed to control such urges better than most boys, but she had ways of bringing it forward in the young pharaoh. Her body swayed slightly in tune with the light curtains in the breeze. She was as graceful as a swan in flight. But she was seeking the company of an eagle, who was matching her graces with his own.

Atemu, eyes locked upon his beautiful queen, continued forward, but strayed slightly to his left. He was going to flank her and turn the tide to his favor. The queen allowed him this maneuver, but she was onto him. He enjoyed coming up from behind her. It was his way of saying 'I accept this challenge.'

The queen turned her head slightly, to catch view of her captor.

He slid behind her with cat-like grace and nuzzled her neck and back while running his hands down both her sides. With the graceful skill of a dancer, she turned in his arms and met him face to face. He seemed a bit stunned that she made the next move. But his eyes quickly flickered more amusement than surprise. He'd allow her to have her way...for now. He groaned in contentment as her hands worked over him as much as his did of her. He met her lips in a deep passionate kiss.

Skillfully, the queen removed articles of the pharaoh's clothing as she raked her hands along his fit, firm body. The king's long blue cape slid to the floor followed by the golden waist bands and blue groin protector.

The pharaoh broke the kiss as he slowly led his lady towards his large, lush bed. Without breaking their activities, the pharaoh turned and laid her gently on the bed with what almost seemed like a dance maneuver. Their passion increased as the pharaoh removed the last of his clothing himself in one swift move. Aside from some adorning jewelry, both were now completely unrestricted by barriers of cloth.

The pharaoh had turned the tide. He was now in control of this little 'game of love' as he was sitting atop her, pinning her. Uncharacteristic of his age, he was a patient young man. He sat ever so lightly upon her, yet took his time, relishing in seeing her beauty, feeling her soft, smooth flesh, smelling her entrancing aromas. She stared into his dancing violet eyes...they almost seemed playful?! What was he up to? She fought her own urges and tried to remain patient. She wasn't going to give in to whatever he was playing. With a cute little smirk of her own, she decided two could play at this game. Why should he administer all the love?

Her hands snaked behind him as he sat upon her. Her long nails raked gently along the pharoah's back and sides then her fingers began to work along his spine. It was something his mother had told her about. He enjoyed having his back rubbed perhaps more than any other part of his body. But she had to be careful...too much back rubbing had the ability to put this young king asleep. It was a tactic his mother had used when he was a baby to get him to go to quiet down or sleep.

The sensation of pleasure from the back rub was nearly unbearable for the pharaoh! He groaned and purred, his already rather deep voice, deepening even moreso. He wanted to remain and relish the feelings, but he knew what the queen was up to. Backing off, he slid off her and stood. His eyes remained playful as he cocked his head sidewards and raised an eyebrow as he put his hands on his waist. It was a comical sight!

The queen raised to a sitting position and took in the spectacle. She giggled. Leave it to Atemu to 'toy' with passion and love! But, he also gave a telltale sign that he was more interested in passion than play. He knew it too.

The queen banked on this 'weakness' in the king's game. She slid off the bed and stood, her body resting right up against his as she met his lips in yet another passionate kiss. His hands once again embraced her and drew her in ever nearer. But, the queen had one hand free and placed it between their bodies. With the pharaoh distracted in his own explorations, the queen's hand found that 'weakness' of her lover's. She gently grabbed and stroked. She could feel the king's gasp within their kiss and he tried to pull away from her lips. But, she had none of that. Her lips gave chase and kept him locked in the passionate embrace. Casually, he tried to squirm and slither out of the grasp, but his wife had none of that. She countered with graceful sways of her own body, matching his attempts to flee. The Duel King would not get the upperhand in this duel! His breathing became more rapid and she knew she had him exactly where she wanted him. With her own love dance, she turned him and placed him upon the bed, mimicing the same maneuver he had pulled upon her. It surprised him, but he remained amused and actually curious. He allowed her to have her way with him. For some reason it seemed even more exciting to be the one submitting to the whims of another. It wasn't something the king usually experienced. He surrendered in this duel of love and allowed his wife to manipulate him to her heart's desire.

She actually enjoyed the new found power and control. Atemu had never allowed her such freedoms before! Sure he let her lead now and then, but he always resumed control at some point. Had he let her win? Why? No matter, she'd have time to ponder that after. Right now, she would enjoy driving her husband into a rapture he could only dream about! With a gleam of excitement and arousal, she began the dance of which she would lead and control. As she ---

"YUGI! YUGI! YUGI, WAKE UP!" Grandpa Motou yelled as he shook his grandson.

"Wha-huh-wha?" Yugi's replied, stupified and groggy. He had fallen asleep while watching some movie on television.

"It's bed time Yugi. You fell asleep on the sofa. And, you were moaning and groaning. Thought it was best I wake ya before your mother came into the room." Grandpa Motou replied with a wink.

It took Yugi a moment to understand Grandpa's meaning. With a brief flashback of the dream he was having, he glanced down at his pants and quickly grabbed a blanket as his face turned bright red. "I--I--yeah...I'm going to bed now." Yugi stammered as he stood and ran out of the room still holding the blanket to himself.

Grandpa Motou only chuckled lightly. He understood what it was like to be Yugi's age.

Once in his room, he thunked the Millenium Puzzle onto his desk. It was his way of roughly waking up the pharaoh.

//Aibou?// Yami yawned. He hated when the boy treated the Puzzle harshly, but they had already had that lecture and Yugi only did it when it seemed necessary.

/Nice dream there partner. You put me in yet another embarrassing moment!/

//My apologies aibou. I didn't mean to--//

/I know, I know Yami. You have no control over these dreams. I just wish we'd get some sort of forewarning about what type of dream it is so I can be sure to nod off in a more private place if necessary./

The pharaoh chuckled. //I'm sorry.// was the only response he could give. He had no more answers or solutions to the issue than his 'other half' did.

/It's not funny Yami./

//Is funny. Cute funny.// the ancient ruler teased, hardly supressing his laugh.

/You need to shush and go back to---wait, no Yami, don't go back to sleep./

//But...//

/We're taking a cold shower. My mom and gramps probably think I'm some crazed perv./

//It's perfectly natural for you to---.//

/Easy for you to say. It's not your body putting you in these humiliating situations!/ Yugi replied, cutting the pharaoh off.

//At least it wasn't one of those darker dreams. Right?//

/Sometimes Yami, I really wonder about you./

//In what way?//

/It's a figure of speech Yami...sarcasm./

//What did I do?//

/You dreamed!/

//I can't help that.//

/Sleep less. Awake more. I got it, I'll drink soda before I go to bed and eat a couple of chocolate bars. Maybe the sugar and caffeine will--/

//Rot your teeth and do more damage to you than me.//

/Yami?/

//Yes aibou?//

/Just be quiet for a while okay!/

//...//

Back in Egypt...

Marik dismounted and hid his steed and supplies in a secret cavern that only he knew about. He often laughed at the archaeologists who spent oodles of money to dig in all the wrong parts of the sand! No matter. It was best that way. Some secrets weren't meant for the entire world just yet.

Marik opened a scroll he brought along with him. It was an ancient blueprint of several burial chambers that he had found buried in a secret chamber within the Nameless Pharaoh's tomb. The name of its creator was 'Shimon Muran.' This name had been referenced many times in the Namelss Pharaoh's tomb. So, there was a link...for some reason and Marik intended to find it out.

Still Egypt, but some 3000 years ago...

Anhur, now a strapping 15 year old, was evermore a young man. Trouble and antics followed him as he pursued answers and reasons for being. But, always, he eluded any pursuers or confused any who sought out his identity. He began to enjoy his role as a 'jackal.' Though he never disobeyed the laws and rules of the region, he did enjoy bending and testing them, especially when it came to the royals and nobles. His black cloak and entrancing eyes became that of a living legend among the villagers and something of fear to the pharaoh and his court though they knew not why. The pharaoh and his priests were good beings and cared for their people. The people lived in peace and prosperity. And yet, the people still enjoyed and supported this rebellious black cloaked being, toying with all that was. Stirrings and curiousities drove this young man to seek out answers to his questions. And now...his mother would face such.

"Mother, for many years now, I've sensed a cloud over your head. You dodge my questions or answer them vaguely. Why?"

"Son...I..." she started but tears stopped her from proceeding.

"So it is true." Anhur replied. He wasn't angry, but rather anxious. He held his mother in a loving embrace. "Please mother, tell me. I am old enough and mature enough to handle anything you may say." he said softly and gently. Despite his reputation in the village, he was still a momma's boy.

"I know son. But...it is difficult. I know not if this is the right time."

"Right time? What do you mean?" Anhur asked as he stepped away from his mother so he could now see her eye-to-eye.

Anhur's step mother looked from side-to-side as if looking to be sure the coast was clear. "I don't know if your 'father' would approve either."

"Father doesn't have to know. It can be our secret."

"What I have to tell you could alter your life forever. I do not know how you will react. I fear you will blame us for keeping it from you."

"I cannot blame you for something you thought was in my best interest. If you felt I was not ready for something, then it would be in my best interest right?"

"Anhur, you are wise beyond your years."

Anhur chuckled. His somewhat deep, passionate voice echoed that of a young pharaoh gone by. "And I do not know why that is mother. Yet another mystery I seek an answer to. Please mother, it is doubtful I will be any more ready than I am now."

"Your father and I had planned to tell you upon your sixteenth birthday, but you are beyond your years mentally. It should matter not what your physical years are."

Anhur nodded, his eyes wide with interest.

"I am unsure if it is good or bad news for you Anhur."

"It will be news nonetheless mother."

"Allow me to confront your father first. Can you have patience until tonight?"

"If it must be so, than I shall. I will continue on my chores then." Anhur replied softly as he gently kissed his mother's forehead and departed.

As he left, Anhur's step mother broke into tears. After tonight, everything could change forever.

to be continued...