Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Frozen Tears ❯ Of Ice and Slavery ( Chapter 1 )

Randomasdf (Grace): Hey everyone! This is my FIRST EVER fanfic - so please go easy on me! Please don't flame me… Yugi, will you please do the honors?

Yugi: <pouts> How come I'm always roped into this?

Yami: Because you're so cute! <winks at Yugi>

Yugi: <blushes> Ummmm…okay… Grace does not own anything related to Yu-Gi-Oh!, nor will she ever. Please don't sue her - or you won't be able to read the fic! <gives readers chibi-eyes> And don't forget to review pwease? {A/N: pwease = please in chibi talk}

Yami: Oh Yugi - you KNOW that no one can resist those eyes… By the way, the only thing Grace does own is the plot and some of the more minor characters. Oh yeah, and she would also like to inform the readers about the parings.

Randomasdf (Grace): Right…Almost forgot… This fic includes the following (main) parings: Yami/Yugi, Seto/Jounouchi, Bakura/Ryou, and Marik/Malik. Which means this fic is YAOI!!! Don't say I didn't warn you…

For clarification purposes: Yami=Yami Yugi, Yugi=Regular Yugi, Seto=Seto (obviously), Jounouchi=Joey, Ryou=Regular Bakura, Bakura=Yami Bakura, Marik=Yami Marik, Malik=Regular Marik. Stupid dubbers…

A/N: The story takes place in Ancient Egypt where Yami is the Pharaoh, Seto is the High Priest, Bakura is a tomb robber, and Marik is a traveling merchant. Yugi, Jounouchi, Ryou, and Malik are slaves who are best friends.

Now for the fic…please read and review!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~ = Scene Change

|-|Frozen Tears|-|

By Randomasdf

~CHAPTER ONE - OF SLAVERY AND ICE~

Yugi hung his head low in the dark shadows the dank cellar walls offered him. Crystalline tears trailed down his soft pale cheeks as sobs echoed off the damp slimy surroundings. He squeezed his large violet orbs shut tightly, ashamed for allowing himself to be so weak. Even after spending most of his fifteen years in slavery, Yugi was not broken, nor did he ever plan to be. He had made a promise to himself and his best friends to be strong in the face of adversity.

His master was a cruel man, one who held no emotions and had no mercy for his slaves. Yugi shuddered at the memories of his childhood - one that was overshadowed by deceit and hatred. He had once been a carefree youth full of happiness and contentment. But when he was five years of age, his mother had contracted a rare disease and passed away the following week. His father, struck by sorrow and grief, was soon overcome by hatred and disgust toward Yugi, as if he was a cause for the whole situation. Yugi became an object of abuse and a way to relieve pain.

**FLASHBACK**

"Where are you, you worthless piece of shit?" Methk roared. {A/N: Here's one of the minor characters that I own - gee…I really need help with names…} His patience was wearing thinner and thinner by the second.

Yugi stumbled into the room and tripped on his own feet, sending him hurdling toward his father's feet. He landed in a bruised heap upon the hard floor, wincing at the harsh contact. "P-p-please f-f-father…I-I-I -"

"You what, you little whore? And for the last time - I am your master, nothing else." Methk spat roughly, placing a hard grip around Yugi's slender arm. "Your mother's dead because of you and you expect sympathy? You are lower than I thought," he hissed sinisterly.

Methk backhanded his son…hard. Yugi, having inherited the petit gene from his parents, flew back and slammed painfully into the wall - letting out a small agonizing squeak. The excruciating aches spread all along his tender body.

`Ra, that's going to leave a mark,' Yugi thought bitterly.

**END FLASHBACK**

Yugi stared at the floor in disdain, remembering how his father had sold him to his current master, Dakha {A/N: There's another one…weird name, ne?} soon after that incident. His round innocent eyes brimmed with tears once again, threatening to fall.

"Yugi? Are ya in here bud?" a voice whispered through the darkness.

Yugi jerked his head up sharply, droplets of salty liquid spraying through the air. Surprised that anyone could find him in the cellar, he found his voice. "J-J-Jounouchi? Is that y-y-you?" his timid voice replied. He leaned forward, straining for vision in the shadows, while trying to hold back a sniffle. He hated appearing feeble, especially in front of his friends.

"Yug! Cut the formalities - ya know ya can call me Jou," the blond-headed slave winked at his short friend, causing the tri-colored haired teen to giggle rather out of character. "Anyways, we were so worried about ya! You know how Ryou is when one of us `disappears'." Pausing for a moment, picturing the overprotective white-haired boy, Jou chuckled. "Malik and I were also worried! Oh Yug - what did ya do this time?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Yugi said, his voice dripping with cynicism. "Master doesn't care though - when does he ever?"

"Good point, bud," Jou looked thoughtful. "Let's get ya out of there first."

It was always like this - Dakha would lock Yugi somewhere {A/N: Because he's the smallest!}, and Jou, Ryou, or Malik would come save him. Dakha never noticed when Yugi was freed, since he always forgot about locking him up in the first place, not that it was a bad thing.

"By Ra! You must be starving Yug! Let's go see if we can smuggle anything from the kitchens…" Jou gave his companion a small smirk.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Pharaoh Yami sat lazily on his golden throne, pushing his blond bangs back with a graceful motion. A gold and ruby encrusted circlet adored his regal tri-colored hair. He was dressed in royal silk garments sewn with the same blood-red gem. Gold bracelets encircled his thin, but strong wrists and intricate gold earrings completed his ensemble. His appearance reflected his royal stature as Pharaoh.

A slight sneer graced the cold features of Yami's face. His intense crimson glare sent shivers down his counsel's spines. Next to the impassive king stood his blue-eyed High Priest and only friend, Seto. Appearances may be deceiving, and the dignified priest was no exception. Behind his icy cerulean mask was a caring individual who shows compassion to those he trusts. Seto glanced discreetly at the ruler, wondering how Yami's heart could possibly reside permanently in frosty depths.

`Perhaps it's only temporary. When Yami finally learns to love, the people of Egypt will rejoice.' Seto pondered as the head advisor droned on. He laughed silently at his thoughts. `If Yami heard me use his name and love in the same sentence, I'd probably have one head less.' Being Yami's only friend, he knew that Yami had a softer side somewhere in his wintry heart.

The proud Pharaoh turned his delicate head slightly, and raised a shaped eyebrow at his High Priest. Seto sighed softly and shifted slightly to hide his amusement. Yami turned his attention back to his counsel. In a firm tone he commanded, "Why do you bore me with your pathetic excuses for not getting any work done? Now, if you excuse me, remove your lowlife presences from the vicinity."

Yami swept out of the chamber, his scarlet robes billowing behind him. Seto shot an odd look at the counsel members and quickly followed the young pharaoh, his own sapphire robes swishing silently. Seto rapidly caught up to Yami with his long fluid strides.

"Yami? Why do you mock your advisors so?" the tall brunette questioned. Crimson fire clashed with cobalt ice as Yami turned to face the one person who understood him.

"Seto, do you really have to question my motives? I AM Pharaoh, after all," Yami paused, emitting a light chortle. He continued, "Besides, I needed to get away from those monstrosities that you call my counsel. Only Ra knows what they are up to, and I feel like going on an adventure today…"

The High Priest swallowed. "Yami, today might not be the best day… The slave auction is being held at the marketplace." The pharaoh seemed unfazed by his remark.

"Seto, when have I passed up a chance to see a whip across flesh?" A sneer made its way across Yami's lips. "AND, we are short on slaves - we might as well go shopping for broken souls." He shrugged innocently while housing a malicious grin upon his delicate features. "We wouldn't want people to be afraid of their Pharaoh now would we?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Twelve! Sixteen! Get your asses over here!" Dakha growled with irritation. Each slave had a number, for it was easier to keep track of and it gave him or her a sense of inferiority.

Chocolate and lavender orbs looked around for their missing friends before fumbling over to the fuming man. Both boys bowed their heads low and responded, "Yes master?" Ryou and Malik kept their eyes on their feet, but they showed defiance.

Dakha snarled at his spiky-haired slaves. "Twelve and sixteen, you are in charge of making sure that every one of your…comrades…has something to wear - I will not be made a fool at the auction today!" said with a smirk.

Ryou's eyes widened considerably. Malik glanced nervously at his companion. Of course! Today was the slave auction - that meant one thing - they were going to be separated…

~*~*~*~*~*~

Randomasdf (Grace): Hmmm…I guess it's not THAT bad - tell me what you think by reviewing! <winks> Ya know ya want to!

Yugi: I thought it was somewhat depressing…especially that part about me…

Yami: Oh aibou! You know that I would let no one hurt you!

Yugi: <sniffs> Well excuse me, cold-hearted Pharaoh. It's not like you helped me at all…

Yami: I haven't even met you in the fic yet!

<Yami and Yugi glares at Grace>

Randomasdf (Grace): WHAT??? It's not my fault! Don't kill the messenger, kill the message!

Yami and Yugi: <sweatdrop> Huh? I don't get it, Grace.

Randomasdf (Grace): Well, I didn't expect you to.

Yami: Where is all of the pointless fluff? GIVE IT TO ME NOW! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! GIVE IT OR I'LL SEND YOU TO THE SHADOW REALM!!!

Yugi: Yaaaaaaammmiiii-chan… You said you wouldn't… <gives chibi-eyes> {A/N: KAWAII!}

Randomasdf (Grace): Oh dear. Being Pharaoh has made you whiny. <glances at Yugi> NO! NOT THE EYES!!!

Yami: Well? <arches eyebrow quizzically>

Randomasdf (Grace): Fine. I give. Uncle.

Yami and Yugi: Uncle??? Ummmm…right…anyway…FLUFF!!!

Randomasdf (Grace): <sweatdrop> Uncle means mercy for you ignorant people. Anyway, thanks for reading this story - and I hope you review!

Yami and Yugi: Please review! Then we can get on to the good parts (a.k.a. the fluff)! Onegai? <Yugi and his chibi-eyes again>