Ahmose Inarus

Ahmose Inarus

Hato chiisai

Shonen-ai

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

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Chapter 9

Successor

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Yugioh sat on his horse, eyes wide, watching Ahmose in the street before him slice a man’s head from his body... The fifteen year old Pharaoh gulped as his sixteen year old body guard looked around, seeing if there were any others who would care to try and hurt Yugioh. Finding none, he cleaned his blades and sheathed them, before turning and bowing to his young king, and awaiting his orders. The crowd and guards were silent, amazed at how the young sorcerer had moved like lightning, catching the shaft of the arrow on its deadly journey towards Yugioh’s neck, and then slaughtered the man who had shot it.

“Ahmose...” Yugioh squeaked, and Ahmose looked up, seeing how pale his king was. He offered him a small smile.

“It’s over.” Ahmose said, and Yugioh gulped and nodded. Ahmose mounted his black stallion that was prancing nervously next to Yugioh’s gray yearling. Ahmose gave his stallion’s neck an affectionate slap.

“Easy, Nakhti.” Ahmose said, and the stallion snorted and tossed his head, but calmed down. “Now, shall we proceed, Yugi?” Ahmose asked. Yugioh nodded and urged his horse forwards. After another ten minutes of riding, and they arrived at the small stone building. Ahmose dismounted and stood beside Yugioh, his hands on his blades as they approached the doorway... They entered, and several men stood and bowed, properly praising their Pharaoh. One of them moved forwards.

“My Lord Pharaoh Atemu… upon your birth, your father chose a site and we have begun the design of your tomb.” The man said, and Yugioh nodded.


“Show us the map of the location.” Ahmose commanded. The man bowed to Ahmose, and pulled out a map. “Here, my lord, is the Nile.” He said, pointing to the blue line. “Here, a few miles away is this hill and canyon. Here, in the canyon, we discovered a cave. We are going to carve into the mountain, which will serve as our Pharaoh’s tomb, overlooking the Nile.” Ahmose and Yugioh nodded. Yugioh looked at Ahmose, who placed his hand on the map and closed his eyes. After a moment, he drew away and nodded.

“The site will be fine.” He said, and the men all gave sighs of relief. “I will oversee all plans for the tomb. When you have finished the design, you will bring the plans to me. I will make adjustments as I see fit, as will Yugioh. When we have both approved of them, you may begin.”

“Yes, my lord.” The man said, and bowed. “Here are the plans we have done so far.” And he laid it out. Ahmose shook his head.

“The base of the mountain is to be a labyrinth.” He ordered, and the men’s jaws dropped.

“Sir, how will the Pharaoh find his way out to continue to the Afterlife?!” The man asked, and Ahmose smirked.

“THIS is to keep tomb robbers out. The Pharaoh will have his own passage.” He said.

“Yes, my lord.” The man said, hesitantly... Ahmose bent over the plans, eyes narrow.

“Here.... I want a passage going up. Place a chamber here, and a chamber here.”

“Two burial chambers?” The man asked, and Ahmose nodded.

“A decoy chamber, so that in case tomb robbers to get in, they will not find the Pharaoh’s body...” He explained. “For now, that will do. Get to work, I want the plans by the Pharaoh’s next birthday...” And he turned and swept from the room. Yugioh blinked, thanked the men for their time, and followed.

“Do you have be so abrupt, leaving?” Yugioh asked, climbing on his horse beside Ahmose. Ahmose smirked.

“We have other things to attend to.” Ahmose said. “Or did you forget?”

“Oh, shut up.” Yugioh growled. There was a festival beginning the next day, and it would be kicked off with a banquet that night.

YYYYYYYYYYY...


Yugioh sat at the head of the grand table in the banquet hall, looking over all the guest; nobles that had come from miles around to attend the party thrown by the Pharaoh. Ahmose sat on Yugioh’s right hand, at his king’s insistence, and Sethos sat across from Ahmose on the Pharaoh’s left hand. The feast was in full swing, people drinking beer, and feasting on beef and ostrich meat, figs, chickpeas, fish and bread. Ahmose himself ate with one hand and kept his other on the hilt of his blade. Yugioh sighed and shook his head.

“You’re hopeless…” He muttered to Ahmose. ARelax.”

“I cannot.” Ahmose said, bowing his head. Yugioh sighed and took Ahmose’s hand in his. Ahmose blinked, and flushed. Yugioh placed Ahmose’s hand on the table.

“Eat, Ahmose.” He said, and Ahmose nodded, stuffing a piece of meat into his mouth. Sethos chuckled.

“You have a one track mind, Ahmose-Anubis.” The High Priest said.

“I have a purpose, Sethos-Amun.” Ahmose replied, and Sethos nodded with a small smile. Ahmose looked down, and did not see the bitter glare that Sethos was giving Yugioh.

Finally, the feast was over and everyone moved to the throne hall. Yugioh ascended to his throne, Ahmose behind him. He sat, and Ahmose took his place by his side, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. Yugioh raised his hand, signaling for the entertainment. A servant approached with a wine pitcher, and poured the Pharaoh a glass. Ahmose picked it up and sniffed it lightly... Then, he frowned. He sipped it. Everyone froze when Ahmose turned his head to the side and spat the liquid out. Wosret leapt forwards and seized the servant girl. Yugioh stared as Ahmose wiped his mouth on his sleeve, then whirled and moved towards the servant, who cowered, trembling in fear. Ahmose seized the pitcher and drank directly from it, tasting the wine with in. He swallowed, and turned to the nearest guard.

“Find out who provided the Pharaoh’s glass.” He ordered. “My lord?”

“Poison.” Ahmose said, and raised Yugioh’s glass again, sniffing it.

“Ahmose?” Yugioh asked, finally finding his voice; assassination attempts were new to him. Ahmose sipped the wine again, making a face at the taste as he rolled it around on his tongue. He spat it out again, then handed the glass to another guard.

“See that this is properly disposed of.” Ahmose said, before snatching the pitcher and rinsing his mouth out. Then, he snatched the servant carrying it and stared her in the eyes. His own flashed and the girl whimpered. Ahmose released her.

“You may return to your work.” He said, and she scurried away...


"WHAT?!" Wosret roared, raising his blade.

“She had nothing to do with it.” Ahmose said, and turned, ascending the stairs to stand beside Yugioh. Yugioh stared at him. Ahmose offered a small smile. But this time, Yugioh did not return it. Ahmose's smile faded, and he knelt beside his king.

“I know what you are thinking.... and it's not true, Yugi. You are a good king. You are. The reason that certain people want you dead is simply because YOU are the one in power. There are many who would want to take your throne. It's nothing personal, I assure you." Ahmose said, and Yugioh closed his eyes and swallowed, then nodded.

"I understand... It's just.... frightening."

"I know, Yugi." Ahmose said, offering him another smile. And this time, it was returned. Yugioh gulped, then threw his arms around Ahmose's neck. Ahmose blinked, but smiled and pet Yugioh's hair. Then, Yugioh pulled away and stood. All eyes turned to him and things grew silent.

"Let it be written, let it be known...." He said, and of course, the royal scribe quickly prepared to write. "That until the day a male heir is born to me, Ahmose Anubis Inarus is my heir." Shocked murmurs swept through the room, Wosret's jaw dropped, and Ahmose nearly fell over in his own shock.

"Y-Yugioh!!" He gasped. "This, this isn't traditional, you can't--"

"Damn the traditions." Yugioh interrupted, and Ahmose stared at him. "Until the day I am blessed with a son, Ahmose is my successor." There was a slight hesitation before the council mumbled their acceptance of this. Yugioh turned and smiled at Ahmose, who was a bit pale. Ahmose blinked, then knelt and bowed his head.

"My Lord, you do me a great, though unorthodox, honor." He said, and Yugioh laughed.

"I know how much you dislike going against tradition, but you'll get over it." Yugioh said, and Ahmose quirked an eyebrow.

"If you say so, Yugioh."

"I do. Now get over it."

"Uhh.... y-yes, sire...." Ahmose mumbled, as Yugioh took his seat again. "Still, if you were going to do this, a party isn't exactly the best setting."

"Whatever."

In the back of the room behind a column to stay out of sight, several figures put their heads together.

“Now what?! The Pharaoh has an heir!”

“Not just any heir! That blasted sorcerer of his! Sir, this messes up everything!” And they all turned to look at the tall slender figure among them.

“No it doesn’t. It just means that it’s time to switch tactics. Quite honestly the Pharaoh would be easy to control. Ahmose is the only obstacle. We get rid of him and the Pharaoh will be in the palm of our hands. And now, we get rid of him and we get rid of Pharaoh Atemu’s heir. It’s killing two birds with one stone. But it definitely makes Ahmose a target. We could have merely exiled him if we had killed the Pharaoh, but now we have no other choice. He must die. Atemu just put a death order on his et sorcerer’s head, that is all. Now go, or we’ll attract too much attention. And besides… The sorcerer was foolish enough to taste the wine…”

“He didn’t swallow it…” A large man grunted, and the slender one grinned.

“He didn’t need to… simply taking it into his mouth allowed it to be absorbed into his blood. The poison now runs in his veins.”

“But is it enough to kill him?”

“…… that remains to be seen. Now go, before we look suspicious.” And the figures scattered through the crowd… at least most of them did. The tall slender man grabbed the back of a squat man’s robes. “Wait. You and I need to discuss your…. Botched assassination attempt from this morning….” And he dragged him out of sight, the squat man trembling.


And so the party dragged on. Ahmose had to shake Yugioh awake a few times, amused at his boredom.

"Now I know why my father complained about these things....." Yugioh grumbled to Ahmose as yet another man he didn't know came up to greet him like an old friend, presenting his daughter. Ahmose smiled.

"They believe you are looking for a wife." He said, and Yugioh groaned.

"I am NOT looking for a wife."

"You need to."

"AHMOSE!!!"

"You do."

"......... shut up."

"Yes my lord." Ahmose snickered, then winced and rubbed his forehead.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course.” Ahmose replied, but Yugioh frowned. Ahmose’s cheeks were flushed, an odd sight in the normally pallid sorcerer.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes sir.”

“You’re flushed.”

“I’m what?”

“Your face is flushed.”

“I’m... feeling a bit hot...” Ahmose said, and Yugioh blinked, feeling a cool breeze pass by...

“Ahmose… perhaps you should retire for the night.”

“No Yugi. I am fine.”


“Ahmose—“ But Yugioh was cut off, as suddenly Ahmose's eyes widened, he dropped to his knees, and vomited. Everything stopped and everyone looked up at the young sorcerer as he heaved and vomited again. Yugioh dropped to his knees beside Ahmose, eyes wide with alarm as the sorcerer heaved yet again, bringing up the last of his dinner. And even then, the vomiting didn’t stop. He retched, bringing up bile, and then, nothing. But he kept retching and heaving, face turning red and eyes panicking.

“SOMEONE GET SOME HELP!!!” Yugioh screamed, and Jono, the young healer, came running up the stairs to the throne, dropping to his knees beside Ahmose. He flipped the sorcerer on his back and began to massage his chest. And slowly, his heaving disappeared and he gasped for breath. Ahmose closed his eyes in pain and relief. But the relief was short lived. With a gasp, Ahmose fell into a seizure. Yugioh's eyes widened as arms pulled him away from Ahmose's side, and he clung to his vizier, Togeses. Sethos and the newly appointed captain of the gaurd, Tris, ran up to where Jono was working on Ahmose. The sorcerer's seizures stopped, and Jono and Tris lifted him up between them, carrying him from the room.

“Sethos, crowd control, please!" Togeses said as he followed Yugioh, who was rushing after Ahmose. Sethos nodded as the young men left the room. Wosret watched them go, then decided to follow..... if Ahmose was going to die, he didn't want to miss it.

Yugioh followed them into Jono's clinic, where Ahmose had been laid. His face was an ashen gray and he was sweating profusely... Yugioh grabbed Ahmose's hand.

"Ahmose...." He whimpered, and Ahmose looked at him.

"It's... the poison." Ahmose choked out. "Don't worry, Yugi. Let it run its course. I'll be fine." and he closed his eyes as he fought to breath.

"He's right." Jono said. "There isn't much in his system... certainly not enough to kill him. He'll be fine in a day or two. Go back to the--"

"I won't." Yugioh interrupted Ahmose firmly, as Ptahshepses ran in, alarmed, shoving by Wosret. "I'm staying here with you."

"Tris... protect Yugi....." Ahmose panted. Wosret's eyes widened... When Ahmose was unable it was HIS job to protect Yugioh.... but now Ahmose had given that duty to someone else. Wosret growled and stormed from the room.

"Of course, Ahmose." Tris said, laying a hand on Yugioh's shoulder, and Yugioh covered his hand with his own, expressing his thanks. Ptahshepses moved around the other side of the bed and pushed Ahmose's bangs from his face. Ahmose blinked up at the man who had taught him his entire life, and smiled.

"I'll be fine." He whispered in a raspy voice.

"You cannot fail to recover, Inarus." Ptahshepses said in an attempt to sound stern, and Ahmose laughed, but that was cut off by harsh coughing.


"I will be fine..." He reassured the men around him. "I just need... rest......" And he closed his eyes.

"You heard him, he just needs rest. Now off with you! I can't work with you all hovering! Go!!" Jono ordered, shoving Togeses towards the door. "Pharaoh Atemu, that means you too!"

"But--"

"That's an ORDER!!!" Jono snapped, and Yugioh's eyes widened. He gulped and nodded, leaving the room, a snickering Tris at his heels, and Ptahshepses ruffled Jono's hair as he left. Jono sighed and got a bowl of cold water and a cloth, and began to try and bring Ahmose's fever down.

Right outside the doors to the main hall, a large man and a tall slender man met. “Well?” Asked the slender man.

“Not enough to kill him. He’ll be out of commission for a couple of days, and… Tris was asked to protect Atemu in his absence.”

“That will complicate things… But we can use this to our advantage… Set a trap, with Atemu as the bait. We will force Ahmose into a surrender since he will be unable to get to Atemu… when he gives himself up…. slaughter him.”

..............................................

"Ahmose.... Ahmose, wake up..... Ahmose, please, you HAVE to wake up! PLEASE!" Jono cried, shaking Ahmose. Ahmose groaned and opened his eyes. Jono's panicked face met his gaze.

"Ahmose, you have to be okay! You have to get up, Yugioh needs you!"

"What?!"

"Tris and Wosret.... they've failed!"

"WHAT?!" Ahmose cried, sitting straight up. He turned and saw Tris and Wosret on the other cots in the room.

"The Main Hall.... a man has.... Ahmose, you MUST go..... but..... you must be disguised. He has ordered you to be brought to him, and if he sees you on your own, he will kill the Pharaoh without hesitation. He has demanded that you turn yourself over to his men in the courtyard."

"And they will surely kill me."

"..... yes. I beleive that to be their intentions. You’ve been out cold for four days.... They stormed the palace about an hour ago, and.... You must do something!"

"........ I must.... think."

"No time! They're looking for you and it's only a matter of time before they find the clinic.... Atemu has ordered that no one tell them, so they are searching on their own. This way, quick!" And Jono pulled Ahmose to his feet and across the room. He got to his shelf of supplies, knocked on a panel, and the shelf swung open. Ahmose's eyes widened.


"Even YOU don't know every secret in the palace." Jono said with a grin. "Now go. You must save the Pharaoh."

"I will." Ahmose said with a smile.

"If you go left, three doors down will take you into the harem, which has already been searched. And to the right is the kitchens if you go all the wa... Go down, and you'll be in the dungeons. Up the stairs to the left should take you to a passage you are familiar with." Ahmose nodded and smiled, turned and running as Jono closed the door. Ahmose ran to the left. He counted three doors, and pushed the third open. Sure enough, the door opened up letting him out onto a small platform behind the waterfall in the fountain in the harem. No one noticed him behind the wall of water. But he quickly strode into view.

"Lord Inarus!" A woman cried, and all the young men and women turned and stared. "Sir, they are looking for you!"

"I know." Ahmose said, striding across the room. He looked around.

"Sir, you must hide!"

"The Pharaoh is in danger. I must get into the throne room."

"Lord Inarus! Hide!" Another woman cried, and shoved him to the floor, flung several pillows over him and reclined on top as men came into the room.

"Our lord commands entertainment!" One man snapped. "Dancers! Now!" And a moment later, the woman got up and pulled the pillows off of Ahmose.

"They are gone, my lord." She said, and Ahmose stood.

"Good. Who is going?" He asked, looking around. Six women and three men raised their hands. Ahmose looked at them. "You." He said, pointing to a man about his height and weight. "You will remain here. I will take your place."

"My lord.... no offense but, you could not pass for me...." The man said. Ahmose smirked.

"I can." He said. "Hold up your hands." The man obeyed. Ahmose placed his palms on the man's and chanted under his breath. A moment later, and their appearences seemed to melt away and switch. The people in the harem gasped as Ahmose stood back, examning his now dark skin, short hair, and new clothes, while the other man stared at himself in a mirror, now pale with golden eyes and hair to his waist.

"Now...." Ahmose said. "You must hide."


"No, my lord." The man said with a smile and a bow. "I shall..... I shall aide you how I can. I overheard them say that their leader wanted you to witness the murder of the Pharaoh. If I turn myself in as you...... it will lower their guard." Ahmose blinked in surprise.

"You volunteer of your own accord."

"I do, my lord."

"You may be killed."

"I am sure that should I die, my death will be for a good cause, and you will see to an honorable burial."

"I shall. I shall see to it personally... What is your name?"

"Neshi." The man said.

"Neshi. When this is over, dead or alive, your reward shall be great."

"I thank you, my lord, and am honored to serve you in such a way..."

"Go." Ahmose said, and watched the man flee from the room. Then Ahmose joined the other dancers as they marched down the hall towards the throne room.

........................

Yugioh sat stiffly on his throne, head held high, not out of pride but as a result of the knife being held to his throat. He swallowed thickly as the man perched on the left arm of the throne stared around at the court, all sitting on the floor, his own men positioned here and there, and the bodies and blood of the guards littering the floor. He looked up as a man walked in.

"Well?!" He growled, and the man shook his head.

"The Pharaoh's servant has not been found. We captured the healer, but he has told us nothing." And at that, Yugioh's eyes widened as Jono was dragged into the room, bruised and beaten. "He was hiding the body guard and captain of the guard." And Tris and Wosret were dragged in.

"I don't care, that sorcerer is the only one who is even remotely threatening." The man snapped, then turned to Ptashepses. "Where is he, old man?!" But the old vizier bowed his head and said nothing. "WHERE IS HE?!"

"Ahmose Inarus is where he wills himself to be." He said firmly... "Only he himself knows. And should he want to keep hidden, he will."


"I will find him, old man. And force him to watch his Pharaoh die before I slit his throat. Now where would he be hiding?!"

"He does not hide."

"I do not see him. He has not been found. He is hiding."

"He is eluding! There's a difference!" Togeses snapped from where he stood under guard. The man growled and looked down at Yugioh.

"Where is he, Pharaoh?"

"............."

"You protect him? Shouldn't he be protecting you?"

"He will come." Yugioh said firmly... "And you will not see him until his blade is turned red with your blood."

"You have much confidence in him."

"SIR!!!" Someone called, and a man ran in. "We have him!!!" Yugioh's eyes widened, as did Togeses, Jono, and Ptahshepses'. The leader straightened as Ahmose was dragged in, stumbling between two men, his hands chained behind his back. He was thrown to the floor before the throne, and slowly got to his feet, glaring defiantly up at the man holding the Pharaoh hostage. The tall slender man smirked in satisfaction from where he stood among the captured court.

"And here I expected some grand attack from the infamous Inarus." The leader sneered, and Ahmose glared, eyes darting to the Pharaoh, who looked devastated. The leader descended from the throne and backhanded Ahmose to the floor. "Now you will witness your failure in the death of your king!" And his men dragged Ahmose over next to Togeses, who was staring in shock at the captured sorcerer. The leader looked up with a grin as the doors opened, admitting nine dancers, six female, three male. He signaled to the musicians, and the dancers began.

"Enjoy, Pharaoh. It's a farewell performance for you." He hissed to Yugioh. Then he turned to watch the dancers.

..............................

Ahmose felt a rage rise up in him when he saw the man holding the knife to Yugioh's neck. But he had to keep up his facade. He began to move as the music started. The movements were centered around his hips and torso, his spine moving with a fluid motion. His low center of gravity was carried by strong leg work. His hip movement was intricate and expressive, and flowing arms framed the picture of his body's movements.


Slowly, the dancers made their way across the hall, two women paired up with one man. Ahmose carefully noted the positions of all the intruders as he made his way across the room and to the foot of the dais on which the throne sat. As the dance reached its end, Ahmose set a foot on steps, and began making his way up. The two women he had partnered with flanked him, trying to draw attention away from him as much as they could, passing him by and going up to the leader. They moved around him, brushing against him here and there, making him grin and move away from Yugioh. Ahmose got right behind him, mimicking the women's movements, trailing his hands down the man's arms in a sensual manner.

"Hmmmm.... I think I'll like being Pharaoh....." He mused, grinning at Yugioh.

"Don't get too comfortable." Ahmose snapped, grabbing the knife that was in the man's hand and slashing upwards, ripping open a large gash all the way up his back and shoulder. The man screamed, and Ahmose planted a foot on his ass, sending him crashing down the stairs head first. The women dancers squealed and ran aside, and the other dancers retreated, anxiously... The man staggered to his feet and turned, glaring up at the male dancer.

"You.... you little whore!!!" He groaned, as several of his men ran over to him. "KILL HIM!!"

"Your time is up!" Ahmose snapped. "Anubis has come to collect your souls!!!" And the flames on the lamps and torches in the room gave an eerie flicker. The man stared at the dancer, and the tall slender man inwardly cursed; they had been tricked… this plan had failed.

"Who.... who are you?" He gasped. A bronze hand reached up and grasped his short black hair. He pulled, and his skin seemed to rip. He peeled it down, revealing a pale narrow face and glowing golden eyes. Black waves fell down his back. He tore the dark skin and dancer's clothes away, and Ahmose stepped out of his false skin. The entire room stared.

"AHMOSE?!" Yugioh gasped, but Ahmose did not respond. He was focused on the man on the floor before him. The man was looking back and forth before the Ahmose before him, and the Ahmose being held to his left. One of the men holding the false Ahmose blinked, grabbed a handful off his hair and jerked, only to have it tear away... His eyes widened and he and the other man holding the imposter tore his skin and clothes off, revealing the real dancer underneath. The leader's eyes widened, and he turned and glared at Ahmose.

"YOU!!! YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" Ahmose smirked.

"Save your breath. You will need it to scream when Ammut devours your soul on the other side." And he raised the knife and descended the stairs towards the man, who backed away, then broke into a run.


"KILL HIM!!! KILL HIM!!!" He screamed, and the men around the room attacked. But they never got to Ahmose; the court rose up and over powered them, the tall slender man moving through them, cursing the loyalty that most of the court had for the Pharaoh. Yugioh leapt from his throne and chased after Ahmose, his heart pounding.

Ahmose chased the man down the hall, letting him think he was getting away... When he got out into the courtyard, he collapsed from blood loss and the pain in his wound. He whimpered and tried to crawl away as Ahmose approached him. Ahmose kicked him over onto his back, and the man yelped feeling the sand dig into his wound. Ahmose glared and pressed his foot down on the man's chest.

"May Anubis show no mercy..." He growled, lifting the knife. Yugioh ran out in time to see Ahmose swing the blade, and watched the fountain of blood as he sliced open the man's throat.

"A-Ahmose....." He gasped, and Ahmose turned, quickly... He dropped the knife and swiftly moved over to Yugioh's side, seeing his king pale and shaking. Yugioh dropped to his knees, and Ahmose caught him, kneeling and holding him as the boy-king's terror caught up with him. He hid his face in Ahmose's cloak, and cried...

...............................................

And the chapters just get longer and longer and longer.......

Please Review!!! I really want to know what you all think of Ahmose.