"What do you know about me?" the words from a deep voice assaulted my ears, and his purple eyes searched for my red ones that were hidden by my black hair with fear and wonder. His jaw clenched and unclenched as I stood in front of him with an innocent smile. "I said what do you know."
"I heard you, Pharaoh." His eyes widened and the quick intake of his breath told me he wasn't expecting me to know that title without a millennium item. "Oh don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you or Yugi. In fact, I'm here for the exact opposite reason." I slid up the sleeve on my left arm and showed the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics are tattooed on me that run up my arm.
"I can't read that…" the look of frustration on his face turned to sadness and hopelessness.
"I'm aware you can't Pharaoh." I bow to him and keep my head down as I speak again to him. "They say "Jessica, defender and servant of her Pharaoh. Should she fail in any of her duties, she will be forever banished into the Shadow Realm where she will, and rightly, suffer madness for all eternity.""
"For eternity? What? Why? Who are you?"
"I said my name is Jessica, Pharaoh Yami. I'm part of the family that has protected your tomb. Ishizu and Marik Ishtar are my older brother and sister. My sister told me you were in grave danger and, though I'm too young to rightfully be the protector of the great Pharaoh, I must do what I can to protect you at all costs."
"Just how old are you, Jessica?"
"Eighteen, great Pharaoh, but I won't be strong enough to really help you until I complete my training at twenty-three years." I lower myself from my bow that I held through the conversation to a kneel before him. "Should I fail you in any way, my life is yours to do with as you wish."
"You may stand, Jessica." He took a step towards me and I lowered myself so far that my forehead rested on the floor. A few more footsteps brought him even closer and my breath caught in my lungs as my heart pounded faster.
"I'm not good enough to protect you, Pharaoh…I'm sorry. Please…destroy me…I had no right to come to you without being more powerful." Every muscle in my body froze as I waited to be sent to the Shadow Realm.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Jessica." His voice was closer than I thought and I jumped at the nearness and power in it. I felt his fingers run through my hair and his voice speak softly to me. "You're way too young to die, Jessica. And being young is no reason for it, either. Sit up please. You've kept your head down this entire time and I'd like to see your face clearly." I sat up but kept my face hidden behind my hair and my eyes focused on his millennium puzzle.
"I'm sorry my Pharaoh." My fingers fumbled with the hem of my shirt as I spoke softly.
"And for what are you sorry?" his left hand moved forward and brushed my hair from my face as a small smile moved to his lips.
"I'm not good enough for your kindness Pharaoh." I answered and fought the urge to look at his face.
"Well you haven't done anything to make me feel otherwise, so I guess it's alright." He smiled bigger and my eyes moved on their own to see his face. My jaw dropped slightly as I stared at him. "What are you staring at?"
"Nothing!" I jumped and looked back down at the ground. "I'm sorry Pharaoh." I thought I had lost every chance of keeping my soul when I heard Yami's deep chuckle.
"You're too hard on yourself. And will you please stop hiding your face? It's very hard to talk to you when I can't see your expressions." I nodded and slid a hair band from the pouch at my hip and put my hair into a bun.
"Is there anything else you would like me to do Pharaoh?"
"Stop calling me that, for one. And for two, I would like you to actually look at me." My eyes widened and I held my breath.
"But I can't. I stare…you're too great for someone like me to look."
"I'm no different than you."
"You're the most powerful person to ever walk the earth. You sealed away the dark magic that almost destroyed the entire world. You're the great Pharaoh Yami." I looked at him with a confused and desperate look, everything Ishizu taught me about the Pharaoh was right, but she never told me he would be so nice.
"Why are you looking so confused?"
"I never thought you'd be this kind. When you were Pharaoh you were understanding but iron willed…many feared you…you're different now."
"I'm not the same man I was then."
"Who are you then?"
"I…don't know." He looked away and I could feel the depression in his energy. My heart pounded in my chest with the sadness his energy held and before I could stop myself I leaned towards him and hugged him. His body froze for a moment then I felt his arms around me. "Thank you, Jessica." He whispered into my ear. I pulled away and stared at him, I studied his face. His deep purple eyes held such pain it made my body weak.
"Forgive me my Pharaoh…I shouldn't have asked that question, nor should I have touched you in any way."
"I have no issues with it, Jessica. You're kind, and your intentions are good. So tell me something please." His fingertips glided along my cheek and jaw, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. "Would you tell me more about my past?" my eyes turned to the floor and I turned my face from him.
"I'm afraid everything I've said is almost all I know. Ishizu said in my last six months of training she would take me into the past to learn everything…but I'm nowhere near my last six months and when I will be it'll be much too late." I let out a deep sigh and searched Yami's eyes for anything other than anger or disappointment. And yet as I looked into those purple eyes I didn't see either of those…I saw hope, or maybe it was happiness. "What is that look in your eyes?"
"I'm not entirely sure." He smiled and stood up before offering a hand to me. "Would you like some help?" I took his hand and stood before dusting myself off and then dusting off the Pharaoh. He raised an eyebrow as he watched me. "I can do that, you know."
"I'm supposed to take care of you."
"You're not a slave."
"I wouldn't be so sure…"
"What?" he gripped me by my shoulders and stared at me, searching my eyes and face for what I meant.
"If I fail you in anything, anything, even if it's brining you a drink in an orderly fashion…my soul is…gone."
"That can't be right! Are you sure?" I nodded and glanced away again.
"My Pharaoh…your grip on my shoulders is painful." I squeaked and his eyes widened.
"I'm sorry Jessica." He dropped his hands from my shoulders and placed a hand on my cheek. "Is there any way I can free you of your service?"
"No my Pharaoh, but please…don't abuse me and I will not regret my services to you."
"Abuse you? Why would I do that?"
"Marik would if he had someone under his control like me. Not saying you're anything like my brother, but I did have to grow up with him so please my Pharaoh…forgive me if I'm afraid." I rubbed my eyes as memories of Marik toying with my mind when I was younger flooded my memory.
"What's wrong?" he rubbed his thumb across my cheek to wipe away a tear.
"Memories of a time better left in the past my Pharaoh."
"Well those times are gone, Jessica. And if I can help it they will be forever." He smiled and kissed my forehead before turning away. "Are you willing to come with me?" I nodded and took a step to the left and two behind him.
"I'm right behind you my Pharaoh."
"Please call me Yami. It's bad enough knowing your life rests on what I ask you to do, I don't want to feel like your master too." I nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry Yami." He turned around and offered a hand to me.
"I don't own you, and I'd like to be something other than your pharaoh." I placed my hand in his and he led me from the dark alley I led him down to get him alone to talk to him and out into the bright and busy streets.