Close Confinement

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh in any way, shape, or form. I also do not own The Pretender or MacGyver series from television. I am just a fan fiction writer who is having fun with a few of the characters. So, don’t sue me. You would only get a few dollars because I am a poor young adult struggling to make ends meet.

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Normal P.O.V.


“What?!”

“Gozaburo was the one who funded the organization chasing you. I shut it down.” Seto growled under his breath. I knew Gozaburo was a monster, but to take someone from their birth parents and then have them killed…at least my parents were already dead!

“Some of the scientists still exist, Kaiba.” Jou paused. “To make things even crazier, I realized that every person linked in our group is intelligent in some manner. Yami and Yugi are the ultimate game masters. I am a multi-talented genius. Bakura is a master thief. You don’t know this but Ryou is a very talented computer hacker. You are an intelligent, strategic businessman and genius.

All of you have Shadow powers connected through the Millennium items. You vehemently say you don’t, and that you don’t rightfully own the Millennium rod, but deep down you know you do. You just choose to avoid it.

To my surprise, one day Yami just handed me the Millennium necklace. He said he thought I should have it for some reason. It helped me recover the rest of my memories. You have one wacky past, Seto. Did you know that?”

Seto sighed. Again with the magic thing. A strange nagging feeling started at the back of his mind. “So, I’ve been told.”

“Your past isn’t the strangest one I’ve seen. You should see mine.” You should see Bakura’s. He shivered. “Each and every one of us is connected with Shadow magic and we have the brain powers to back them.”

“Hmm…then you have a past, too, I take it. What was it?”

“Uh…”

“The truth, Jou.” As if I really believe in this crap. Some genius you are if you really follow this stuff, pup.

“I was a slave for part of my life, before I was brought to the palace.”

“And…” Seto prodded.

Jou sighed. Then he smacked himself on the head. “Why am I telling you all this when I have the ability to show you?” He pulled down the neck of his shirt to expose the golden necklace.

“Huh? Wait…” A bright light flashed. Not again.
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Seto found himself standing next to Jounouchi in what appeared to be a small hut. “Where are we, mutt.”

“Egypt, during Yami’s rule. Watch.” He turned back to look at the doorway.

A blond boy with tan skin ran around the corner. A look of fear was plastered on his face. “Get back here, you worthless dog!” A voice bellowed from outside.

The boy was too busy watching over his shoulder to see the bundle of rope lying in the floor. “Look out!” Seto tried to grab him, but his hands passed through the boy’s body. He landed with a crash and a scream onto the ground. His ankle was twisted into an unnatural angle.

A large figure appeared in the door. The youth tried to stand and run, but fell back down with a small screech as his ankle protested his weight. “No! It was an accident! I’m sorry! I had just finished cleaning the dishes. My hands were still slippery. I’m sorry.” The figure just ignored his words, bringing the whip in his hand across the boy’s back. The boy screamed as a rip appeared in his off-white shirt.

“Stop it!” Seto yelled.

“We can’t do anything, Seto. No matter how many times you try. In both lives, it starts out so horrible.” Jou was looking away, angry tears forming in his eyes. Will you believe again? Seto, will I be yours again? Or will you reject me?

“Do you realize what you have done!? You little idiot! Do you? You broke the annual gift to the pharaoh! The pharaoh! Where am I going to find a gift suitable for him on such short notice? I present tomorrow. They’ll kill me! You fool!” The whip continued to fall. Blood was seeping from the slashes across the boys back.

“I’m sorry!” The youth shrieked.

“Not as sorry as you’re going to be.” The man sneered. Two figures appeared in the doorway.

“No! Leave me alone!” The youth struggled.

“I see you recognize them. They have been chasing your little ass for weeks now, haven’t they? You have managed to avoid them until now.” He turned to the figures. “But, I am going to make it a little more interesting. You have two minutes to try and escape. If you can get away, they are not allowed to touch you when you return. I would run, boy.” The two men stepped forward.

A look of determination crossed the youth’s face. He stood up with a small groan. He started a fast walk, dragging his leg along behind him. A minute passed. “Get him. Make sure his body is never found.”

“No! He said two minutes!” Seto tried to grab the two men, only to fall forward as his body lost balance from passing through the two men. They walked out the door, turning in the direction of the youth.

“He doesn’t get away.” Jou was openly crying now. A scream filled the air.

“Damn it! Damn it!” Seto hit the floor with his fists. He looked up at Jounouchi. “Is this how it was…is? You live in poverty, while I always have the wealth. Is this how your life ends?”

“No.” Jou smiled now. “Something happens that makes everything so much better.”

“What?”

“I meet you.”
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The scene shifted. Seto’s face turned putrid as he saw the actions occurring in front of him. The blond was bruised and bleeding. He was naked from the waist down. The two men were rubbing their hands harshly down his legs. His face was twisted into a look of horror. “No! Let me go! Stop! I won’t do it! No!” He attempted to escape, but was harshly struck in the stomach. His face mutated into a look of pure hatred, reminiscent of one Seto had just recently seen. With sudden clarity Seto recognized the very situation Jou had lapsed into during his attack in the elevator.

“Release him!” A harsh voice rang out from the shadows. “Release him, or face death.”

A look of shock crossed Seto’s face as he recognized the voice. “What?” He swung around only to stare at the figure before him.

The two men reared back. “Who the hell are you?”

The figure stepped out of the shadows. He was covered with fine linen from head to sandaled foot. A jeweled necklace hung from his neck. The headdress he was wearing displayed a snake head. The golden item in his hand released a shimmer into the air. A look of disdain was across his face.

The two men threw themselves at his feet when they recognized him. Their noses were smashing into the ground they were bowing so low. “High priest.”

“What has this boy done that deserves the treatment you are giving him?”

“He is a slave, your highness.”

“Does it matter? What has he done?”

The two men glanced at each other out the corner of their eyes. “He broke the rare crystal statue that our master was going to give the pharaoh tomorrow.”

The man sneered. “That is hardly worth this treatment. Your master should have just bought something else. The pharaoh would have been horrified to learn about a rape and possible death over some stupid little trinket.” He turned. “You, stand up.”

None of them moved. One of the men gathered his courage. “Who, your highness?”

“The slave.” A gasp of shock came from the boy’s lips. “I said stand up.”

“I am…trying, your highness. It...hurts.” He was struggling to sit upright. A moan fell from his lips as his legs again gave out on him. He fell to his knees.

The priest sighed. Bending down, he scooped up the youth, who yelped in surprise to find himself off the ground. Ignoring the look of indignation that crossed the bruised face, he turned back to the two men. The rod attached to his robes began to glow. A blank look appeared on their faces. “You will return to your master saying the slave escaped. When you have done so, hand him this piece of cloth. All three of you will then forget about this slave. Go now.” He handed a white strip of cloth to the closest man.

Seto looked at the cloth closely, realizing there was a golden shimmer around the edges. The two men stood up and walked away as if nothing happened. He enchanted the cloth.

The priest looked down at the person he was holding in his arms. “What is your name?” He said softly.

The boy continued to look at the ground. “Jani, your highness.” A rough twist in Seto’s gut almost took him to his knees. He started to shiver as goose bumps covered his body. What…this name. Jani. It makes me want to cry.

“Well, Jani. It looks like I just acquired another servant. Let’s go get you cleaned up.” He walked away.

Jou turned to the shocked and still shivering Seto. Are you starting to remember, Seto? “You took me in, but when I asked you why, you would not tell me. I had intrigued you for some reason. We found out why later that day.”