IT'S HERE!!!!
That's right, this is the much-anticpated sequel to Forbidden Love! It is now officially published!
Am I allowed to say 'much-anticipated'? Of course I am - I'm the one who's had fans screaming at me to hurry up with it!
This can be taken as a stand-alone fic, or you can go read 'The Forbidden Love of a Pharaoh' (the prequel) so that you know more about what's going on. Entirely your call!
In response to some of my reviewers..
One Last Breath: This is high on my update list. I'm currently re-working the ending, but after that I'll get back on to it! Thankyou everyone who yelled at me for not updating *nods* Sometimes we need a little kick, ne?
Ryou's First Kiss: I would like to continue this one, but - as one fan said - if I do, it'll lose some of the cuteness that only one-shots can have. If I do update (which I am keen on) then they'll be sporadic. Also, don't expect a long fic or much of a storyline, since it wasn't originally intended to be anything more than a one-shot!
First Date: Ah yes, my first fluffy fic, with the exception of Be Mine... this one suddenly got popular recently! And yes, I know, 6 months is a VERY long 'temporarily discontinued' - ideas for that fic are also currently in the works, so an update looks likely! Fear not, oh fans of fluff-without-tragedy, it shall start up! Even now I just had a new idea jump into my head - so things are looking good!
On top of all that, I currently have 17 ideas stuck on my bedroom wall... so now would be a good time to slap the ol' Author Alerts on if you haven't already!
Universal Disclaimer: Eee... I always wanted to do this, just once. Okay, don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any affiliated ideas. Do own storylines and a few OC's. Also own two spare pillows that I huggle when I sleep. Note the 'Universal' bit - that means it applies to all my fics. So nyah! *sticks tongue out at lawyers, who suddenly get in a huddle and frequently glance at me*
WARNING: Shounen-ai fic. That means boy-love. Which means gay sex. No like, no read! *points to door* Will possibly also feature shoujo-ai later. Will probably have lemon and lime scenes. Upsetting death scenes.
Well, the intention is for this to run in the same vein as Forbidden Love - that means Drama, Angst, Humour, Anger, Action and Romance. Hope you guys like it... after all the build-up, if this is a let-down I'll just go top myself. So please enjoy! ^_^
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Just look at him," Bakura sighed, speaking quietly. "He's not even moved from that spot all day."
Malik nodded slowly, his heart heavy with feeling for the Pharaoh. "Can you blame him? Tomorrow would have been their anniversary…"
Bakura gave a small 'hmm' as means of a reply. The entire room seemed to have taken on the same mood as the Pharaoh – no desire to move, to think, to sleep…. not even to live. Not that it was hard to understand why, of course. There was no question about it; Yugi had been Yami's intended. The Gods had meant them to be together… but they hadn't meant it to be happy ever after. Bakura wondered for only the second time in his life just how low the Gods could possibly go… stealing away loved ones with such impunity just didn't seem right. "It's so hard to believe they only had eleven days together… they really loved eachother so much. Eternity wouldn't have been enough"
Malik looked at Bakura, his eyes betraying an underlying sadness for their friend. He knew exactly what Bakura meant; he and Malik shared exactly the same feelings as the Pharaoh and Yugi had. "And one of those was the big rescue," came the doleful reply.
Bakura's eyes held the same look. 'Yes…' he thought bitterly. '*That* rescue… the biggest fuck-up ever…'
Malik and Bakura had both held themselves partially to blame for the failed rescue attempt – all the 'what ifs' had consistently whirled round their heads for weeks after that. They doubted they could have done any more – they hadn't even known they were capable of doing as much as they did! – but they still wished they had. They wished desperately that Yami still had Yugi with him – Yami was their friend now, and Malik had developed a rapport with Yugi during their brief stay in Set's cells. He'd often told Bakura how friendly Yugi had been, how cheerful and optimistic he'd tried to be despite everything. Malik hadn't been able to help liking him, and wished he was still around, so that they could have one more true friend. Likewise, Bakura wished he could have met him properly, just the once.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Since that day, Yami's world had ceased to be. Once Set had stabbed Yugi, Yami had charged at him, knocking him off the platform… but the damage had been done. Yami dropped to his knees at Yugi's side as Yugi cried out painfully, each beat of his heart pumping his life away as it spurted blood across his chest. Tears in his eyes, Yami had whispered those three sacred words to Yugi once more, and leaned across to kiss him. He felt a weak response, and felt Yugi's whispered breaths against his cheek. "I love you too." Then… nothing. Yugi had fainted, the blood loss mercifully sparing him the pain of the heart attack that was imminently due, and Yami's vision had begun to spin.
When Yami came round, he was in his bed in the palace, surrounded by various medics who were anxiously watching him. For a brief second, he hadn't recalled what had happened, or why he was in his bed Then it came flooding back, and Yami's tears had begun to fall. He'd curled up in a tight ball, the covers he and Yugi had shared wrapped tightly around him, and cried his eyes out, wishing the world could just cease to be, that it had never existed so he and Yugi hadn't had to go through that.
Yami had stayed like that for two weeks, barely eating and crying every time he thought of Yugi – which was almost every waking moment. When he slept, the event played over again, and he awoke shaking and sobbing once more. There was no peace for the heartbroken Pharaoh, and eventually he left the running of his kingdom to his advisors, unable to face another decision without knowing his love would be there at the end of the day. Slowly, the Pharaoh allowed himself to get less and less involved with anything, and in the end had simply borrowed a slave's outfit and left the palace altogether, leaving behind as many of the painful memories as he could.
With no-one to oppose him, Set swiftly made sure all the advisors were under his thumb – every man had his price – and ran the kingdom himself, claiming to be acting on the Pharaoh's behalf. The people didn't question him – after what they'd seen at the execution, they weren't surprised that their leader was having trouble facing daily life – and eventually, Set took absolute power without even having to cause any bloodshed. Except, he'd often laughingly remind himself, for the Pharaoh's little fuck-puppet.
His plan had come to fruition with far greater ease than he'd ever begun to imagine. It seemed that it helped to have the gods on your side…
*~*~*~*~*~*
Yami's departure from the palace had been the loneliest time of his life for a while. He'd wound up living on the streets, no-one wanting to house him or associate with him. Outside of the palace, he wasn't recognised – after all, the Pharaoh didn't wear common clothes, and didn't live on the street. The Pharaoh was never caked in mud, and never had to beg. So that man who looked remarkably like the Pharaoh couldn't possibly have been him. Just one of those funny things life throws at you before you walk past with barely a second glance.
Such, it seemed, was destined to be the end of a wasted life. Not that Yami particularly cared one way or another. Fortunately for him, someone did. Or sometwo, to be exact.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Malik paused mid-stride. "Bakura… I don't mean to sound like I'm crazed or anything, but… is that the Pharaoh?"
Bakura, who hadn't paid any attention to beggars for years, instead focussing on richer and more deserving pickings, followed Malik's eyes, blinking in surprise as he saw the figure slumped in the corner. "It… can't be…" he murmured, starting to take a step toward the figure even as he spoke. "He wouldn't be out here… unless…"
Malik dashed past Bakura, slowing to a walking pace near the figure and kneeling down beside him. "…Yami?"
The figure slowly lifted his head. The voice seemed familiar, and it was a name that he hadn't been called for what seemed to be a long time. In fact, only two people had ever called him that… and one of them was dead. He stared at the white-haired boy knelt beside him, and desperately groped through his tired memory for a name. Even if it went nowhere, it was nice to see a friendly face again. "…Malik?"
The white-haired boy grinned, so apparently Yami had got it right. "Yeah, it's me." Malik paused and looked intently at the Pharaoh's face. He had been about to say that Yami looked like he'd been to Duat [1] and back again… but then, he supposed he had, really. Malik looked up as Bakura knelt down beside him, then looked back to Yami.
Bakura's voice issued a command. "You're coming with us."
"Huh?" was all the fallen leader could offer by way of a request for an explanation.
"You're coming to live with us, Pharaoh." That was a habit Bakura had never dropped. "I'm not letting you live out here, especially not after all you did for us." Before Yami could protest, Bakura and Malik had grabbed an arm each and pulled Yami to his feet, escorting him to their home.
*~*~*~*~*~*
During the many months Yami had spent with Bakura and Malik, he had gradually begun to make some new friends, and had slowly started to live again. He still hurt hugely, and he was certain that he always would. But Yugi had given him one thing above all else; friendship. Yugi had taught Yami compassion and kindness, and Yami never wanted to lose that. If nothing else, Yugi would live on through his honoured memory. Just like all the Pharaohs of his nation.
Yami had slowly adapted to street life, and had learnt what Bakura referred to as 'a few tricks of the trade'. Yami had even begun to smile, for a short time. Now, faced with this harsh milestone in his life, Yami wasn't sure he could go on. He'd lost all will to, once again. Just as he'd begun to build himself back up, the day that would have been their anniversary approached, and he'd sunk. Now, sat on his bed and staring out the window, Yami felt a single tear slip down his cheek. "Yugi…" he whispered.
Bakura and Malik both sighed together. Their hearts ached for their friend, but there really was nothing they could do right now.
Turning, they one after the other went down their sun-baked-mud stairs, before slouching on the piles of feather-stuffed sacks that served as seats. Bakura twined his fingers together behind his head and leaned back, wondering what on earth could be done to help Yami tomorrow. Certainly well-wishers and flowers wouldn't serve any benefit…
Malik, ever the brains of the outfit, suddenly sat up. "Bakura!" he whispered, low and urgently. "Listen… tomorrow, we're going to help Yami. If nothing else, we can give him something to take his mind off it if he wants."
Bakura, with a moan, slowly sat up. "How so?"
Malik paused, going over the detail in his head. "All we need to do is have everyone round here for the day… not as a party, but as a social gathering. To show Yami he's not alone, and that we all grieve with him. To give him someone to talk to, about whatever he wants."
Bakura considered this, then flopped back down again. "You know…" he mused. "I doubt it'll make the day wonderfully pleasant for Yami… In fact, I doubt anything could. But yes, I think it will help…"
"So we can stop pitying him and start doing something then?"
Bakura considered this. "Yes… I think so…"
"So, if Yami's gonna be better than he would have been, we can be happy now… and that means…"The grin was evident in Malik's voice, floating across the room almost as a sing-song. "My turn on top tonight!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
[1] Duat – the Ancient Egyptian underworld
*~*~*~*~*~*
Eeee... I liked that chapter ^_^ What did you guys think? Did you like it? You liked it, right? I do hope you liked it... Oh, please say you liked it!
*shudder* I think Pegasus's taunting of Seto really affected me... Hit the big purple button and lemme know what you thought anyway! Constructive criticism always welcomed, flames will be publicly mocked (see chapter 6 of Forbidden Love) and ideas for OC's can still be submitted!
That's right, this is the much-anticpated sequel to Forbidden Love! It is now officially published!
Am I allowed to say 'much-anticipated'? Of course I am - I'm the one who's had fans screaming at me to hurry up with it!
This can be taken as a stand-alone fic, or you can go read 'The Forbidden Love of a Pharaoh' (the prequel) so that you know more about what's going on. Entirely your call!
In response to some of my reviewers..
One Last Breath: This is high on my update list. I'm currently re-working the ending, but after that I'll get back on to it! Thankyou everyone who yelled at me for not updating *nods* Sometimes we need a little kick, ne?
Ryou's First Kiss: I would like to continue this one, but - as one fan said - if I do, it'll lose some of the cuteness that only one-shots can have. If I do update (which I am keen on) then they'll be sporadic. Also, don't expect a long fic or much of a storyline, since it wasn't originally intended to be anything more than a one-shot!
First Date: Ah yes, my first fluffy fic, with the exception of Be Mine... this one suddenly got popular recently! And yes, I know, 6 months is a VERY long 'temporarily discontinued' - ideas for that fic are also currently in the works, so an update looks likely! Fear not, oh fans of fluff-without-tragedy, it shall start up! Even now I just had a new idea jump into my head - so things are looking good!
On top of all that, I currently have 17 ideas stuck on my bedroom wall... so now would be a good time to slap the ol' Author Alerts on if you haven't already!
Universal Disclaimer: Eee... I always wanted to do this, just once. Okay, don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any affiliated ideas. Do own storylines and a few OC's. Also own two spare pillows that I huggle when I sleep. Note the 'Universal' bit - that means it applies to all my fics. So nyah! *sticks tongue out at lawyers, who suddenly get in a huddle and frequently glance at me*
WARNING: Shounen-ai fic. That means boy-love. Which means gay sex. No like, no read! *points to door* Will possibly also feature shoujo-ai later. Will probably have lemon and lime scenes. Upsetting death scenes.
Well, the intention is for this to run in the same vein as Forbidden Love - that means Drama, Angst, Humour, Anger, Action and Romance. Hope you guys like it... after all the build-up, if this is a let-down I'll just go top myself. So please enjoy! ^_^
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Just look at him," Bakura sighed, speaking quietly. "He's not even moved from that spot all day."
Malik nodded slowly, his heart heavy with feeling for the Pharaoh. "Can you blame him? Tomorrow would have been their anniversary…"
Bakura gave a small 'hmm' as means of a reply. The entire room seemed to have taken on the same mood as the Pharaoh – no desire to move, to think, to sleep…. not even to live. Not that it was hard to understand why, of course. There was no question about it; Yugi had been Yami's intended. The Gods had meant them to be together… but they hadn't meant it to be happy ever after. Bakura wondered for only the second time in his life just how low the Gods could possibly go… stealing away loved ones with such impunity just didn't seem right. "It's so hard to believe they only had eleven days together… they really loved eachother so much. Eternity wouldn't have been enough"
Malik looked at Bakura, his eyes betraying an underlying sadness for their friend. He knew exactly what Bakura meant; he and Malik shared exactly the same feelings as the Pharaoh and Yugi had. "And one of those was the big rescue," came the doleful reply.
Bakura's eyes held the same look. 'Yes…' he thought bitterly. '*That* rescue… the biggest fuck-up ever…'
Malik and Bakura had both held themselves partially to blame for the failed rescue attempt – all the 'what ifs' had consistently whirled round their heads for weeks after that. They doubted they could have done any more – they hadn't even known they were capable of doing as much as they did! – but they still wished they had. They wished desperately that Yami still had Yugi with him – Yami was their friend now, and Malik had developed a rapport with Yugi during their brief stay in Set's cells. He'd often told Bakura how friendly Yugi had been, how cheerful and optimistic he'd tried to be despite everything. Malik hadn't been able to help liking him, and wished he was still around, so that they could have one more true friend. Likewise, Bakura wished he could have met him properly, just the once.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Since that day, Yami's world had ceased to be. Once Set had stabbed Yugi, Yami had charged at him, knocking him off the platform… but the damage had been done. Yami dropped to his knees at Yugi's side as Yugi cried out painfully, each beat of his heart pumping his life away as it spurted blood across his chest. Tears in his eyes, Yami had whispered those three sacred words to Yugi once more, and leaned across to kiss him. He felt a weak response, and felt Yugi's whispered breaths against his cheek. "I love you too." Then… nothing. Yugi had fainted, the blood loss mercifully sparing him the pain of the heart attack that was imminently due, and Yami's vision had begun to spin.
When Yami came round, he was in his bed in the palace, surrounded by various medics who were anxiously watching him. For a brief second, he hadn't recalled what had happened, or why he was in his bed Then it came flooding back, and Yami's tears had begun to fall. He'd curled up in a tight ball, the covers he and Yugi had shared wrapped tightly around him, and cried his eyes out, wishing the world could just cease to be, that it had never existed so he and Yugi hadn't had to go through that.
Yami had stayed like that for two weeks, barely eating and crying every time he thought of Yugi – which was almost every waking moment. When he slept, the event played over again, and he awoke shaking and sobbing once more. There was no peace for the heartbroken Pharaoh, and eventually he left the running of his kingdom to his advisors, unable to face another decision without knowing his love would be there at the end of the day. Slowly, the Pharaoh allowed himself to get less and less involved with anything, and in the end had simply borrowed a slave's outfit and left the palace altogether, leaving behind as many of the painful memories as he could.
With no-one to oppose him, Set swiftly made sure all the advisors were under his thumb – every man had his price – and ran the kingdom himself, claiming to be acting on the Pharaoh's behalf. The people didn't question him – after what they'd seen at the execution, they weren't surprised that their leader was having trouble facing daily life – and eventually, Set took absolute power without even having to cause any bloodshed. Except, he'd often laughingly remind himself, for the Pharaoh's little fuck-puppet.
His plan had come to fruition with far greater ease than he'd ever begun to imagine. It seemed that it helped to have the gods on your side…
*~*~*~*~*~*
Yami's departure from the palace had been the loneliest time of his life for a while. He'd wound up living on the streets, no-one wanting to house him or associate with him. Outside of the palace, he wasn't recognised – after all, the Pharaoh didn't wear common clothes, and didn't live on the street. The Pharaoh was never caked in mud, and never had to beg. So that man who looked remarkably like the Pharaoh couldn't possibly have been him. Just one of those funny things life throws at you before you walk past with barely a second glance.
Such, it seemed, was destined to be the end of a wasted life. Not that Yami particularly cared one way or another. Fortunately for him, someone did. Or sometwo, to be exact.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Malik paused mid-stride. "Bakura… I don't mean to sound like I'm crazed or anything, but… is that the Pharaoh?"
Bakura, who hadn't paid any attention to beggars for years, instead focussing on richer and more deserving pickings, followed Malik's eyes, blinking in surprise as he saw the figure slumped in the corner. "It… can't be…" he murmured, starting to take a step toward the figure even as he spoke. "He wouldn't be out here… unless…"
Malik dashed past Bakura, slowing to a walking pace near the figure and kneeling down beside him. "…Yami?"
The figure slowly lifted his head. The voice seemed familiar, and it was a name that he hadn't been called for what seemed to be a long time. In fact, only two people had ever called him that… and one of them was dead. He stared at the white-haired boy knelt beside him, and desperately groped through his tired memory for a name. Even if it went nowhere, it was nice to see a friendly face again. "…Malik?"
The white-haired boy grinned, so apparently Yami had got it right. "Yeah, it's me." Malik paused and looked intently at the Pharaoh's face. He had been about to say that Yami looked like he'd been to Duat [1] and back again… but then, he supposed he had, really. Malik looked up as Bakura knelt down beside him, then looked back to Yami.
Bakura's voice issued a command. "You're coming with us."
"Huh?" was all the fallen leader could offer by way of a request for an explanation.
"You're coming to live with us, Pharaoh." That was a habit Bakura had never dropped. "I'm not letting you live out here, especially not after all you did for us." Before Yami could protest, Bakura and Malik had grabbed an arm each and pulled Yami to his feet, escorting him to their home.
*~*~*~*~*~*
During the many months Yami had spent with Bakura and Malik, he had gradually begun to make some new friends, and had slowly started to live again. He still hurt hugely, and he was certain that he always would. But Yugi had given him one thing above all else; friendship. Yugi had taught Yami compassion and kindness, and Yami never wanted to lose that. If nothing else, Yugi would live on through his honoured memory. Just like all the Pharaohs of his nation.
Yami had slowly adapted to street life, and had learnt what Bakura referred to as 'a few tricks of the trade'. Yami had even begun to smile, for a short time. Now, faced with this harsh milestone in his life, Yami wasn't sure he could go on. He'd lost all will to, once again. Just as he'd begun to build himself back up, the day that would have been their anniversary approached, and he'd sunk. Now, sat on his bed and staring out the window, Yami felt a single tear slip down his cheek. "Yugi…" he whispered.
Bakura and Malik both sighed together. Their hearts ached for their friend, but there really was nothing they could do right now.
Turning, they one after the other went down their sun-baked-mud stairs, before slouching on the piles of feather-stuffed sacks that served as seats. Bakura twined his fingers together behind his head and leaned back, wondering what on earth could be done to help Yami tomorrow. Certainly well-wishers and flowers wouldn't serve any benefit…
Malik, ever the brains of the outfit, suddenly sat up. "Bakura!" he whispered, low and urgently. "Listen… tomorrow, we're going to help Yami. If nothing else, we can give him something to take his mind off it if he wants."
Bakura, with a moan, slowly sat up. "How so?"
Malik paused, going over the detail in his head. "All we need to do is have everyone round here for the day… not as a party, but as a social gathering. To show Yami he's not alone, and that we all grieve with him. To give him someone to talk to, about whatever he wants."
Bakura considered this, then flopped back down again. "You know…" he mused. "I doubt it'll make the day wonderfully pleasant for Yami… In fact, I doubt anything could. But yes, I think it will help…"
"So we can stop pitying him and start doing something then?"
Bakura considered this. "Yes… I think so…"
"So, if Yami's gonna be better than he would have been, we can be happy now… and that means…"The grin was evident in Malik's voice, floating across the room almost as a sing-song. "My turn on top tonight!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
[1] Duat – the Ancient Egyptian underworld
*~*~*~*~*~*
Eeee... I liked that chapter ^_^ What did you guys think? Did you like it? You liked it, right? I do hope you liked it... Oh, please say you liked it!
*shudder* I think Pegasus's taunting of Seto really affected me... Hit the big purple button and lemme know what you thought anyway! Constructive criticism always welcomed, flames will be publicly mocked (see chapter 6 of Forbidden Love) and ideas for OC's can still be submitted!