Ahmose Inarus

Ahmose Inarus

Hato chiisai

Shonen-ai

Disclaimer: I own Ahmose. That’s all. Nothing else.

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Chapter 8

The Fall and Rise of Kings

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“Maha Vailo, Attack!!!” Fourteen year old Ahmose thundered, and his monster raised the Shooting Star Bow and Arrow that Ahmose had just equipped him with, and fired at the Mystical Elf. Her high defense did her no good, and she fell to the Maha Vailo. Yugioh frowned and glared at Ahmose across the Shadow Grounds.

“I summon a Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Malevolent Nuzzler Spell, and I will call forth the Dark Magician!!!” Yugioh shouted, and the Dark Magician appeared, looking at the Maha Vailo who smirked. The Dark Magician returned the smirk, as both monsters silently agreed that their masters were learning well and quickly.

“I’m casting my own spell!!” Yugioh called. “I give my Dark Magician the Book of Secret Arts!!” Ahmose’s eyes narrowed. He had a feeling that he would looseY. Again. For some reason, he had never defeated Yugioh. And this didn’t rest well with him. He never lost at anything, but for some reason, while he could beat any other opponent, he could not beat Yugioh. No matter what he did. And it wasn’t only him. From Day One, Yugioh had a perfect record; the boy had never been defeated, and the court had begun to call him The King of Games. And while Ahmose was proud of Yugioh, it also irked him that he was not the best. He scowled and pouted when the Dark Magician blew Maha Vailo away, sending him to the Graveyard to recuperate before he returned to the Shadow Realm.

“And Yugioh wins. Again.” Ptashepses called. He smiled to himself. It was good that Yugioh was so good. Not only did he need to be good as the Prince and future Pharaoh, but it did Ahmose good to have his ass handed to him every once and a while, to keep his ego in check and to prevent him from being overconfident and learn to know his limits. But even so, it was odd that Yugioh was never defeated. Even Yugioh’s father could not defeat the boy. Of course, Wosret brought up Ahmose's "fatal flaw" as he called it every time Ahmose's skills were brought into conversation.


“PHARAOH!!!” Someone suddenly screamed, and Ptashepses whirled and looked up to the throne, watching the Pharaoh slump over and collapse on the floor. Wosret immediately fell beside him.

“DADDY!!!” Yugioh screamed and the Dark Magician watched as the boy ran up to his father, Ahmose at his heels, both boys pale and frightened looking. Ptashepses made it up and knelt by the Pharaoh, who had blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his breathing was labored.

“We must get him to the Healer.” Wosret said, and Ahmose and Yugioh stood back, watching as members of the court and guard lifted the Pharaoh and began to carry him from the room. Ahmose and Yugioh followed, and Dark Magician watched them go, before returning to the Shadow Realm to give the bad news.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Ahmose and Yugioh stood in the Prince’s chambers, waiting to hear news about the Pharaoh. They had been waiting for hours. Yugioh was a wreck, and though Ahmose didn’t show it, he was too. Both looked up when the door finally opened, and they looked at Ptashepses.

“Ahmose, Yugioh...” The man said. “Come with me.” And he turned and headed down the hall. Ahmose and Yugioh glanced at each other, and then followed.

The Pharaoh looked up when the door to his room opened. His court surrounded his bed, watching over him, but he didn’t care. He smiled when the two people he DID want to see ran in and clambered onto the bed, scrambling up on either side of him, despite the court yelling at them.

“Ahmose. Yugioh.” The Pharaoh said, placing his hands on the teenagers’ heads.

“Daddy!” Yugioh cried.

“Fara!” Ahmose slipped, calling the Pharaoh by a name he hadn’t used in several years. The Pharaoh smiled.

“It’s been along time since you called me that, Inarus.” He said softly, and Ahmose nodded, looking very worried. The Pharaoh looked around. “I want to speak to Yugioh and Ahmose alone.” He said, and slowly the court filed out of the room, Ptashepses leaving at a nod from the Pharaoh.

“Wosret...”

“My Lord, I should not leave you.”


“I am dying, Wosret. Your job is finished. Please leave..... before I order you to.” The Pharaoh said, and Wosret winced, but left, glaring at Ahmose on his way.

“Dad, are you gonna be okay?” Yugioh whimpered. The Pharaoh smiled sadly.

“Yugioh, daddy’s sick.” The Pharaoh said. “I have been for a very long time.” He smiled at his teenage son, whose eyes filled with tears. “I just didn’t want to tell you. But that’s why I’ve had you studying so hard. It’s only a matter of time before I travel to the next world.” Yugioh’s eyes filled with tears as his father turned and looked at Ahmose who had an oddly blank expression.

“Ahmose?” The Pharaoh said with slight frown. “You knew, didn’t you?”

“That you were sick? Yes.” Ahmose said. “You did a good job of hiding it.” The Pharaoh chuckled.

“You make me proud, Ahmose Inarus. You have always been my son. Take care of Yugioh.”

“On my life.” Ahmose said, and the Pharaoh nodded and grabbed Ahmose’s shoulder, pulling him down to kiss his cheek. “Now let me speak with Yugioh alone.” Ahmose nodded and slipped off of the bed, going out into the hall where the court gathered around him, all asking questions.

“He wants to talk to Prince Yugioh.” Ahmose said, softly. He could feel that he would not call Yugioh by the title of Prince for much longer. Half an hour later, the door opened, and Yugioh stepped out of the room, sobbing. And Ahmose knew. He stared at Yugioh, as did the rest of the court, and then he knelt before younger boy. The court stared, and Ptashepses ran into the Pharaoh’s room. The court followed to confirm it, but Ahmose didn’t need to; he had seen it in Yugioh’s eyes. Yugioh fell to his knees and threw his arms around Ahmose’s neck, crying. Ahmose blinked, and held Yugioh, knowing that his new King needed him.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Ahmose stood near Yugioh as the distraught boy stood in everyone’s view for the coronation. Neither he nor Ahmose really paid attention to the ceremony; they had lost their father. And now, Yugioh was crowned Pharaoh at the young age of fourteen. Yugioh, now known as Pharaoh Atemu, slowly sat down in his father’s throne, in a daze. He looked up to Ahmose for reassurance, and the boy nodded. Yugioh gave his bodyguard a weak smile, which Ahmose returned. Neither really paid attention to the court cheering, or the many ambassadors from other lands who had come to express their condolences on the death of the Pharaoh and to bring gifts to suck up to the new Pharaoh.


Yugioh was presented with gold and jewels and exotic animals and slaves galore. But the boy wasn’t exactly interested. Ptashepses apologized to all of the ambassadors, explaining how shocked Pharaoh Atemu was at the time, and reminding them that he was still only a child. When the celebrations were over, Yugioh and Ahmose both had to go to bed so that they could attend early meeting in the morning. Yugioh walked to his room in a stunned silence. Ahmose saw him to his room, then turned to go to his own.

“Ahmose?” Yugioh called, softly, and Ahmose turned and looked at him.

“Yes?”

“Will... Will you sleep with me tonight? Please? Just this once?” Yugioh pleaded, and Ahmose sighed and nodded with a small smile. Yugioh smiled back, relieved, and the bodyguard followed his charge into the bedroom. Yugioh knew that he was expected to move into his father’s room, but he couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t. He planned on staying right where he was.

Slowly, he reached up and removed the gold crown that had rested on his brow, and he stared down at it. Ahmose watched quietly as Yugioh glared at the crown, his eyes filling with tears, and then, the boy screamed and hurled it across the room, falling against Ahmose’s chest, sobbing. Ahmose closed his eyes and held Yugioh tightly. The pair of them slowly undressed and slipped into the bed, and Ahmose held Yugioh as the new Pharaoh cried himself to sleep.

But not all in the palace were asleep. Several men were meeting in a darkened room. All turned to the tall slender man in their midst.

“You see? I told you that the old man was not to be worried over. I told you that he would die soon enough.”

“Now we have to deal with… Atemu.” Another man grumbled, using Yugioh’s Pharaonic title.

“And this one isn’t going to just drop dead…” Said another.

“True. And Ahmose is not Wosret. It will be harder to get to THIS Pharaoh than the last.”

“HEY!! What’s THAT supposed to mean?!”

“Enough! I will not have us fighting among ourselves.” The slender man snapped. “However, Ahmose IS a great obstacle. But he, like the Pharaoh, is still a mere child. And he may have to die as well. If we kill Atemu, he will die without an heir. I will seize the throne, and Ahmose will be… dealt with. He will either swear loyalty, or will find himself in exile, or, if there is no other way, on the executioner’s block. That is all there is to it. Ahmose or no, for the sake of Egypt Atemu MUST ome under our control or die! However, we must wait until the time is right… we do not make our move yet. Wait for my order.”

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The next day brought no relief from the pain of losing the Pharaoh. In fact, it was amplified for Ahmose, who was put in charge of the mummification process, as the aged High Priest of Anubis was too weak. As Ahmose worked, it was hard to keep his vision from being blurred by tears, and he felt strange not being by Yugioh's side to protect him, and the idea that Wosret did so in his absence rubbed him the wrong way.

After he had finished for the day, he went to the throne room to find Yugioh being briefed on what was happening in Egypt. At that moment, he was being informed of a pair of infamous tomb robbers called Mariku Ishtar and Kurah-Akeifa Itemri. Ahmose had heard of them before. He knew that Ishtar had worked alone as a desert raider. He just randomly disappeared for a while, and then resurfaced with a partner, Itemri. A lot of digging on Ahmose's part, and he was able to trace Itemri back as an escaped slave who had once belonged to a higher slave, who was the boy's father. The father had sold the boy as a tavern whore before selling him to a slave breeder, from whom the boy had escaped. According to Ahmose's research, he had come up with the theory that Ishtar had rescued Itemri from the band chasing the escaped slave and took him under his wing. Now, Itemri was a vicious killer and lover to Ishtar.

When Ahmose entered the room, Yugioh rose from his father's, and now his, throne. The man speaking stopped as Yugioh descended from the raised dais and moved to Ahmose, wrapping arms around him and burying his face in the taller boy's shoulder. Ahmose placed his arm around his King.


“How are you?" Yugioh asked softly.

“How am I? How are you, Pharaoh Atemu?" Ahmose asked, blinking and moving out of Yugioh's embrace. Yugioh winced.

“Don't call me that, please." He said, and Ahmose blinked. “The others can, but.... not you. It doesn't feel right."

“Sire?” Ahmose said, asking for clarification.

“Call me by name. Always call me by my name, Ahmose."

“As you wish, Yugioh." Ahmose said, blinking, then followed Yugioh back to his seat, and the sorcerer took his place to the right and behind it, folding his arms, his sharp eyes moving through the room instinctively looking for anything that may threaten his charge. Wosret slunk away, glaring at the boy who stood where he once had.

YYYYYYYYY

Yugioh sighed and closed his eyes against the harsh sun as he rode in his litter. He was NOT looking forward to what he had to do. Public speaking was not a thing he enjoyed, and this wasn’t ANY speech. This was addressed to ALL of EgyptY Thank Ra that Ptahshepses helped him write the speech. A thunder of hooves attracted his attention, and he watched Ahmose ride by on his black stallion, which was snorting and prancing, feeling his Master’s anxiety. Ahmose was trying to watch everything at once, making sure that there was nothing that could threaten his young king.

Finally, the litter stopped atop a hill, and Yugioh gulped as he stared down at the massive crowd before him. Ahmose dismounted and peered around from under his black cloak. Yugioh sighed and stood, stepping out of his transportation. But suddenly, he felt something tighten around his ankle.

“Yaah!!” The Pharaoh yelped, as he tripped on one of the decorative ropes on his litter, and fell flat on his face. The court stared, and laughter rose from the crowd. Ahmose blinked as the golden crown that had been on Yugioh’s brow rolled past his feet on its break for freedom. After watching a noble go chasing after the Pharaoh’s crown, Ahmose strode over to Yugioh and offered him his hand. The red faced boy-king took it, and stood. Ahmose brushed him off.

“Are you alright?”

“Oh, shut up.” Yugioh grumbled, and glared as Ahmose bit his lower lip in an attempt not to laugh.

“Yes, sir.”


“… now what do I say?” Yugioh asked, praying for wise words from his friend.

“Ummm...” Ahmose mused, at a loss. Yugioh sighed and shook his head, and moved forwards past the High Council members. He finally stood facing his people, and turned as the noble handed him his crown. Yugioh took it and looked down at it, then, slowly, he smiled and shook his head, then laughed, and passed it over his shoulder to Ahmose, who smiled and took it with a bow, and backed off slightly. Yugioh smiled slightly at the titters that went though the crowd.

“I never liked that thing anyway...” He said, and the people laughed.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY..

Yugioh frowned at the large map laid out before him. The Kingdom of Kush was attacking from one direction, the Nubians from another, and even more, Libyans from ANOTHER direction. And the Nubians had somehow managed to slink deep into Egypt and was now a mere twenty five miles from the Palace. His generals had given him their advice, and now awaited his orders. Yugioh covered his face in his hands.

He had been in the throne for a mere month and his enemies were already testing him. And he knew little of warfare. He had not spent much time on it in his studies yet.

“My Pharaoh, we must move quickly!” One general prompted. “What are your orders?!” Yugioh leapt from his chair, swinging his arm out and sending his goblet flying across the hall to shatter on the floor.

“I DON’T KNOW!!!” He screamed, his voice echoing through the throne room. The generals and court fell silent as Yugioh paced anxiously, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Just... Just give me a minute to think...” A few minutes later, he was still pacing, the generals were shifting nervously and the court was whispering. Suddenly, the doors flung open and a figure in a black cloak strode in at a quick pace, clutching a scroll in a pale hand. Yugioh looked up and relief washed over his face.

“Thank the Gods...” He said, and Ahmose pulled down the hood of his dusty cloak. “It’s about time. What took you so long?” Ahmose smiled slightly and handed Yugioh the scroll, which the Pharaoh quickly tucked into his belt.

“Some cattle got loose and went on a stampede. The streets were chaos.” Ahmose said and took his cloak off. He was relieved to be back by Yugioh’s side. He was anxious every moment he was away from his King, but he had to leave for a short period of time every morning to see to his duties as the High Priest of Anubis, as his predecessor had passed on a mere week after the Pharaoh.


“Well, you’re here now. And I need your wisdom.” The young king said, and Ahmose nodded, and moved over to the map. He snorted and pulled his knife, tapping where the forces were marked outside of the city.

“THEY have moved.” He said, and the generals stared. “They were here.” Ahmose said, tapping a place about three miles closer to the city walls and six miles to the east. “And they have been joined by a few more parties. They split up. Now they’re advancing along here, and here. Oh, and your scouts won’t be coming back; they were caught.”

“How do you know?!” One general spat, alarmed, and Ahmose gazed coldly at him.

“I make it my business to know all that happens within the Empire, and without.” And he turned back to the map which Yugioh was looking over again. Wosret glared at Ahmose in fury. “Now, as for the Kushites... Move these troops—“

“Here.” Yugioh finished, tapping the map, and Ahmose smiled and nodded, then waited to give Yugioh the opportunity to make other decisions. “And bring these to forces together to cut them off here.” Ahmose nodded again, then reached down.

“Bring these in to cut off their retreat.” He said, and the order was sent on its way.

“Now, here...” Yugioh said, turning his attention to the Libyans.

“This canyon…“ Ahmose said, pointing at a place on the map.

“Yes... Drive them into it. I want this force brought in. Position them along the cliff edge, and have these two units drive the Libyans into the canyon. Slaughter them all.” Yugioh said and Ahmose again nodded, but added his own bit of advice.

“Yes, but use the chariots to drive them with. The will flee before hooves sooner than our blades.” He said, and the generals nodded in agreement. “Then gather the men from this area and drive out the rest. Now… the Nubians...”

“The forces here are numerous and strong, are they not?” Yugioh asked, pointing to a city. The generals nodded. “Good. I want them to send a company of infantry soldiers, and one of archers. And get them here to drive out the Nubians within two months.” And the order was sent. “Now, you said that this town suffered a bad attack?” And he pointed to another city.

“The enemy broke through the wall, Pharaoh. The granaries were burned, as was their supply of wood. They sent their apologies; they will not be able to send the monthly shipment of wood.” A general said, and Yugioh snorted and waved his hand.


“Forget the wood.” He said. “The people are probably hungry. Here...” He pointed to another town. “Their fig orchards produced twice as much as usual this past season, and their river is full of fish. Have them send supplies immediately, enough to fill one granary of figs and one of fish. And this city… have them send grain. They have more than enough... Yes, send those requests on their way, immediately.” Ahmose again nodded his approval. Yugioh showed genuine concern for his people, and that was good. He smiled to himself; Yugioh was going to be a good king.

“My Lord, Pharaoh,” A general said. “What about the enemies approaching the city?” Yugioh frowned and lowered his face, chewing his lower lip in thought, then looked up at Ahmose for help. Ahmose smiled and looked at the map. He flipped his belt knife, then with a flick of his wrist, it flashed through the air and landed with a >thunk< into the table, piercing the map.

“We should attack right there. Immediately.” He said, and everyone stared.

“Immediately?!” Yugioh gasped.

“Yes. Keep them from getting closer to the city, Yugi. We must protect the people.” Ahmose said, and Yugioh thought a moment, then nodded and looked at the generals.

“Well? You heard him! Get the soldiers ready!! GO!!!” And the generals blinked, then rushed from the room. “Now, Ahmose… Help me with my armor.”

“W-What?!” Ahmose gasped, fumbling and dropped his knife that he had pulled from the table top.

“My armor. They are outside my city; I wish to ride to meet them.” Yugioh said, and Ahmose’s jaw dropped. Yugioh smirked. “Their attack is a challenge. They are challenging my strength, and ability to rule. I will face them and show them that I am not weak, nor afraid.”

“My lord Atemu, you can't be--" But Wosret was cut off.

“Silence, Wosret. Your job is not to advise." Yugioh snapped. “And it is only out of respect for my father that you are still here. If you cannot remember your place, however, you WILL leave. Now go. You will ride with the soldiers." Wosret stared at Yugioh, then whirled and stormed from the room.

“Yugi... I don’t think that’s a good idea....” Ahmose said, and Yugioh smirked.

“Well, I do. I must establish my authority. Come. We ride with the armies.” And he turned and swept from the room. Ahmose stood staring for a moment, before finally running after his Pharaoh.


YYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Two hours later the people lined the streets, watching their armies march out to face the enemies led by their young Pharaoh in his chariot, Ahmose close beside him holding the reins of the red stallions. His face was hidden in the shadows of the black mask of Anubis he wore over his face. His hands were covered in black gauntlets with gold spikes on the knuckles and gold claws at the tips of his fingers. He wore gold bands up his arms and a heavy collar covering his throat chest and shoulders, partially obscured by his deep purple cape, and his chest was bare. He wore formfitting black pants and gold metal plates over his shins and knees.

Yugioh wore a rich crimson cape over his shoulders over the two gold plates that went over his chest, made to look like the wings of Ma’at. He too wore a broad heavy collar over his neck chest and shoulders, and gold bands up his arms and the plate over his shins. But he wore a white linen wrap tied with a red and gold sash instead of the pants of his body guard. His crown had two panels of gold reaching down to guard the sides of his face, and a cobra leered down from above the Sennen Eye on his brow, and, as always, the Millennium Puzzle and Key gleamed on the chest of the Pharaoh and sorcerer.

The chariot barreled out of the gates of the city, the army followed. They turned and headed towards the forces that Ahmose had reported as being the biggest threat, while some of the generals led another part of the army to meet the other unit of Nubians.

One hour later, Yugioh and Ahmose were looking down a sand dune at the Nubians, who were startled and amazed at the sudden unexpected appearance of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Ahmose’s eyes darted around in anxiety, ready to protect his king. Yugioh cleared his throat and narrowed blood red eyes.

“SURRENDER NOW, OR DIE!!!!” He called down, trying to sound menacing, but it didn’t quite work as his voice broke. Yugioh blinked, his eyes widened, and he clutched his throat. Ahmose blinked at Yugioh, then had turn and cover his mouth as he snorted in laughter.

“Shut it, you.” Yugioh snarled under his breath, and blushed as Ahmose was unable to contain high pitched giggles. “You’re never going to let me live it down, the least you can do is maintain your own dignity before the enemy.” Ahmose snorted and straightened, schooling his features into his usual emotionless face, though his eyes continued to laugh.


“Yes, my Lord. I suppose ONE of us has to be dignified.” He said, and Yugioh glared, flushing darker. “LOOK OUT!!” Ahmose suddenly cried, and hurled Yugioh to the floor of the chariot, covering his Pharaoh with his body. Yugioh yelped, then stared at the Nubian arrow in the sand just behind his chariot. Ahmose leapt to his feet, and Yugioh followed. More bows were raised among the Nubians and the arrows flew. Ahmose’s eyes flashed bright gold and he raised his hand. A transparent gold shield materialized before the chariot, and the arrows simply bounced off. Yugioh turned to look down the other side of the dune at his armies that were struggling up the steep slope. He drew his sword.

“ATTACK!!!” He thundered, and swung his blade around the point at the Nubians. “NO MERCY!!!” And he breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to hold his tone. A roar came up from his soldiers as they swarmed over the hill and poured down the other side to clash with the Nubians.

“Charge!!” Yugioh commanded, and gripped the front of the chariot so he wouldn’t be thrown from it. But it didn’t move. Yugioh blinked then looked at Ahmose.

“With all due respect, I think we should stay where we are.” Ahmose said, looking down at his king. “Out of danger.”

“But—“

“Should you die, you have no heir, Yugioh. Do not be reckless with your life.”

“I AM PHARAOH!!!” Yugioh cried, his voice breaking in and to his irritation. “I am a Son of Ra!!!”

“AND I AM THE CHOSEN OF ANUBIS!!” Ahmose snapped back, eyes glowing, making Yugioh freeze. “But that does not make me indestructible. I am mortal, Yugi. And so are you. Remember that.” Yugioh blinked, then lowered his eyes and nodded. “Just because the gods favor us, it does not mean that we will live forever.” Yugioh nodded and Ahmose smiled gently at his young king. “And besides… why go the battle when the battle will come to us?” And he drew his twin Kris. Yugioh blinked and turned, and sure enough, a few Nubians had escaped the battle and were charging up the slope towards them.

Ahmose leapt from the chariot and landed in a crouch before it, awaiting the attack. Yugioh raised a bow and pulled an arrow from the built in quiver in the chariot and aimed. He fired. Ahmose didn’t bat an eye as the arrow whizzed over his head and sunk into the belly of the nearest Nubian. He smirked and charged, gutting the second with a single strike. Yugioh drew another arrow and fired at another enemy soldier who lurched forwards. Ahmose leapt over him, hit the sand and rolled, coming to his knees before five more Nubians, who all fell within seconds. More Nubians charged, and Ahmose retreated, not that he could not take them, but that he felt that he had strayed too far from Yugioh.


He stood before his king, letting Yugioh fire his arrows and only slaying those who got too close for comfort, and lifting a shield now and then to stop an arrow on its deadly journey. Finally, no more came, and he and Yugioh looked down on the victorious Egyptian soldiers. Ahmose sheathed his blades after wiping them down on the tunic of one Nubian soldier, and then stepped back into the chariot with his Pharaoh.

“My King!!!” A general cried, approaching. “A victory! We should feast this night!” And the army shouted their agreements. But Yugioh shook his head.

“No. We shall feast when all of my armies have reported a victory and our Empire is empty of intruders.” He said, and Ahmose turned the chariot and they raced back to the palace for a much needed bath.

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PLEEEEEEEASE review!!!!