DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS, EVEN IF I WANT IT THAT WAY. *sigh*
Chapter 2- Be Awed By Ore-sama's Generosity!
Two days after the end of the National Championship, Atobe woke up in the middle of the night. He didn't know why he had dreamt what he did but he knew better than to dismiss such a vision. Atobe Keigo was a man of many things but believing in visions was one thing that many do not know of him. He carefully brought back his head down to meet his pillow, staring at the ceiling for what seemed like forever. "Egypt… I wonder, why of all places, did it have to be in the middle of the desert!" he mentally groaned as he closed his eyes back.
~oO0Oo~
In the heavens, Amun-Ra was pleased with himself. Being 'King of the Gods' had its advantages. Though the divinities weren't supposed to meddle in mortal affairs, it was just too much a temptation to resist. Besides, he was as curious as everyone else if the tale of King Arumi-Kuy and Prince Amon-Rye would indeed be reborn this time and finally be complete. Amun-Ra was lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice others arriving. The sound of tutting brought him out of his thoughts and made him turn to see who had arrived.
Behind him were Thoth, Anubis, Bastet, Osiris, his wife Isis, his son Horus with his wife Hathor, and Osiris' brother, Seth. However, it was Bastet who looked 'smug' as the mortals called it. He sighed as he knew she was going to say what he knew she was going to. "It seems that the Great King Amun-Ra couldn't resist." She said as the others chuckled. "Well, one or two of you would have done what I did just now. Don't dare deny it Horus. You know as well as I do that Seth and your father have been betting who would intervene first." Amun-Ra informed them. Seth smirked when Isis eyed her husband.
"Who were Seth and Osiris betting on?" Thoth asked as he gathered clouds and sat on it. Horus shrugged as he did the same for everyone else. He sat down and turned to Thoth, "Seth had placed his bet on Amun-Ra while father thought Anubis would do it." He said which made Isis smack her husband's hand. Anubis turned to Horus and looked confused. "Osiris thought I would? I thought that either you or Thoth would do it." He joked and watched Thoth's eyes widen in surprise. How Anubis got that idea was beyond him at the moment.
Bastet turned to Hathor with her palm open, "It looks like I win the bet, dearest Hathor." The others were surprised when Hathor handed Bastet a pendant with a blue stone. Bastet turned to Isis as well. "Give it up, Isis." This made Seth, Osiris, Thoth, and Amun-Ra gape in surprised. Isis muttered to herself as she handed Bastet a silver ring. The cat goddess giggled as she smiled at her new jewelries. Amun-Ra turned to Anubis who didn't seem so shock as the rest. "What? Bastet told me about their bet after it was made. She made me vow not to tell until after."Anubis defended himself.
Osiris handed a silver staff to his brother discreetly to avoid being hit by his wife again. Seth laughed as he willed the staff back to his treasure room. "So, they will be coming to Egypt then. We have got to clear a few pyramid paths for them." Suggested Hathor which made Isis and Bastet nodded. "We should make them visit the Philae Temple. I think there are walls there that show King Arumi-Kuy and Prince Amon-Rye's story. Should we make those two mortals who look for things about others know about it?" Isis asked. They all knew she meant Sadaharu Inui and Yanagi Renji.
"I think that would be a good idea. We'll wait for the rich mortal to tell them the news of his extravagant gift for everyone and we'll have those two mortals research about that history. However, let us make them keep it to themselves for a while. It won't be fun if they share such news to everyone early one." Thoth injected which made everyone nodded once again. Thoth was indeed wise. Then it was Bastet who looked like she was going to jump from her seat, "Let's make them visit Hatshepsut's temple! I know she had placed a hidden area in that place that had Arumi-Kuy and Amon-Rye's love story written on the walls!"she said which made everyone recall and smile.
"And let us not forget Abu Simbel. Amon-Rye loved that place." Osiris added which made his wife smile at him. The rest nodded and stood up, "Time for the sun to rise up." Amun-Ra said and smiled at the others. He nodded and they all went back to their own realms, making preparations for the return of King Arumi-Kuy and Prince Amon-Rye.
~oO0Oo~
Everyone wondered why Atobe had called on them and made them gather at the public courts. The rich captain had it closed for Rikkaidai, Seigaku, Hyotei, Rokkakku, Fudomine, Yamabuki, St. Rudolph, and Josei Shonan. Shishido looked irritated that his morning was disrupted by Atobe's selfish whims again. Choutaro was calming him down while making sure Gakuto, Marui, and Eiji didn't eat all the doughnuts on the table. Momo arrived with Echizen and Kaidoh who looked like they just got out from bed.
"What does Monkey King want with everyone on a Sunday?" Ryoma asked as he rubbed his eyes. It took Oishi, Jackal, and Saeki a good sum of energy to stop Eiji, Marui, and Aoi not to kill Ryoma with their hugs. It was just then that Atobe appeared looking like he was been staying up far too late than he ought to. "Be awed by ore-sama's generosity, brat! Ore-sama shall be taking everyone on a five-day vacation to Egypt. All expenses paid. And stop calling Ore-sama by that horrible name!" he said as he huffed. Everyone was shocked as the news of Atobe taking them all on vacation passed through their ears.
After an hour of debate from the other captains, it was decided that they were leaving in three days. "Why the sudden decision to bring everyone for such a grand trip, Atobe?" Tachibana had to ask. Atobe thought about telling them the truth but then again, the truth sounded crazy. "Because Ore-sama can, Tachibana." Was all the others got from him. They all returned home and began packing. Ryoma on the other hand headed to the mall to purchase a travelling back since the one he had was not big enough for a five-day trip to the desert.
"Maybe I should buy a few more hats, shoes, and lots of sun screen while I'm here." Ryoma said to himself. He wasn't paying much attention which caused him to bump into someone. "I'm so-" he stopped as he saw who he had bumped into. Yukimura Seiichi, Captain of Rikkaidai. Blue sapphire eyes met golden toned ones. "Echizen-kun, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking were I was going." Apologized the senior with a smile that Ryoma nodded. "I wasn't looking were I was going as well, so half the fault was my own." Ryoma said as he scanned the area for Marui, Sanada, or Kirihara.
Yukimura smiled, "Don't worry. I'm here alone. The others went straight home after the meeting with Atobe." Yukimura explained which made Ryoma breathe in relief. "What brings you here, sempai?" Ryoma asked, wondering why the Rikkaidai captain was alone. "Well, I came here to purchase a travelling bag. The one I own at home isn't big enough for a five-day trip to the desert. I need a few other things as well for the trip." He explained which made Ryoma nodded in understanding. "Did you come here for the same thing as I did?" the older asked which earned a simple nod from the younger one.
"Well, do you mind if we go together? They say shopping is better with company." Yukimura suggested. Ryoma thought about it for a second then nodded. It was indeed better to be with someone than shop alone. They decided instantly to buy the travelling bags first so they could place all the other things they needed to buy at the other stores. Both ended up buying the same trolley bag (1) since it was the only one big enough and the only one available at the moment. Their attendant had informed them that they were lucky because they only had two in stock and wouldn't have any other until the next month.
They went to the department store next to buy a few, if not, a dozen bottles of sun screen lotions. The last thing they wanted was to come back with horrible skin thanks to the heat and dry air of the desert. Yukimura watched as Ryoma bought three other hats and a few white shorts and loose pants. Atobe was kind enough to warn them to not bring anything black, red, or yellow. No thick shirts and a thin sweater for the evening. Yukimura did the same thing and bought himself three pairs of white loose pants and a few loose white shirts.
They paid for their purchases and Yukimura was about to ask Ryoma if he was hungry when the younger boy's stomach rumbled on queue. Ryoma blushed and pulled his hat lower so the blue haired captain wouldn't see it. Yukimura simply chuckled, "Come on, let's find a place to eat. My treat for agreeing to shop with me." Ryoma was about to protest but the other had pulled him along, heading to the side of the mall were food were sold. Ryoma was being man-handled in a sense but it wasn't offensive at all so he just allowed the captain to pull him along.
They settled down at a tea and cake house that served sodas as well. It was no secret to the tennis circuit that Ryoma loved drinking Ponta. Yukimura ordered a slice of the Devil's Chocolate Cake (2) while Ryoma ordered a slice of their Caramel Cake (3). "You don't have to treat me to cake, Yukimura-sempai. It's not like I didn't have things to buy as well. It was just luck that we needed the same things because we're going to the same place." Ryoma said as he tried to talk the other out from paying for him. Yukimura simply shook his head, "No, its my treat since this is the first time that I shopped with someone who does not go to the same school as me and who isn't a member of my team." He said which made Ryoma nodded. The green haired wonder knew it was pointless to try again.
They're order came and both enjoyed their cakes in silence. For Ryoma, it was weird because he had only met the Rikkaidai captain a few days ago on the tennis court and won against him. Yet for some reason, he found the company pleasant and comforting. Little did Ryoma know that Yukimura was feeling the same thing he was. The afternoon was slowly turning into twilight. The sun was already setting when they reached the train station. "It was a productive afternoon, Echizen-kun. I'll see you in three days." Yukimura greeted. "Thank you for the company, Yukimura-sempai." Ryoma bowed. "Call me Seiichi. It's the summer anyway." He said as he waved good bye and went to the other side of the station.
Ryoma looked confused yet he bowed again, "Good bye, Seiichi-sempai." He said in a whisper. He was shocked to see that Seiichi had waved again as if he had heard Ryoma's greeting. The prince stared at the child of god as he disappeared into the crowd. He didn't linger and got on the train that was taking him home in silence. He was thinking about the day's events. First, Atobe invites them all to Egypt for vacation. Second, he spends the whole afternoon shopping with Rikkaidai's captain, who, by Ryoma's observation, wasn't the same person he had met on the court. And lastly, how he felt so comfortable with the said captain.
When Ryoma got home, he told his parents about the trip and they were just as shocked. He left them to start packing so that he didn't have to panic on the day of the trip. Eiji had called him to remind him to pack carefully and was told to call Momo since they were doing the phone tree system. When he had finished calling Momo, he took long bath and rested early. He was wondering about Egypt. Why Egypt? And why did Atobe decide to bring them along? He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to relax and rest. He knew that in three days, a new adventure was going to start.
TBC. ^_^
A/N: Read and Review. Still trying my damn hardest! Your opinions matter! ^_^
I just realized that Yukimura's eyes are sometimes said to be violet. But since I started with blue, I'm sticking with blue.
Take away all the ^ to see images:
1. http^:/^image.^made^-in-^china^2f0j00tjdTMOCKMfcS/^Two-Layer-Trolley-Travel-Bag-Red-and-Black-Big-Luggage-for-Outdoor-Weekend-Suitcase.^jpg visual image of the bag.
2. https^:/^ .^com^/^images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9eXQJhYVsrHnSZr7xlbjA Rcnor-jrgRdstfTo_yDMHLxCsw_c visual of the devil's chocolate cake
3. https^:/^ .^com^/^images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyoXW_j6_d7QQ2aoKkSHoZy5j8c3Zu7v7NY2I YTwljADFH18o2 visual of the caramel cake
The God and Goddess:
Amun-Ra - 'King of the Gods'. Amun was important throughout the history of ancient Egypt. However, when Amun was combined with the sun god Ra he was even more powerful. He was then called Amun-Ra. A large and important temple was built at Thebes to honor Amun.
Seth- god of Chaos. Seth represented everything that threatened harmony in Egypt. He was the brother of Osiris and Isis, as well as the brother/husband of Nepthys. He murdered his brother Osiris, then battled with his nephew Horus to be the ruler of the living. At certain times in the history of ancient Egypt, Seth was associated with royalty.
Osiris - god of the Dead, and Ruler of the Underworld. Osiris was the brother/husband of Isis, and the brother of Nepthys and Seth. He was also the father of Horus. As well as being a god of the dead, Osiris was a god of resurrection and fertility. In fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of their most important crops. A large temple was built to honor Osiris at Abydos.
Isis - protective goddess. She used powerful magic spells to help people in was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very important. Isis is often shown holding Horus on her lap. Isis is associated with thrones because her lap was the first 'throne' that Horus sat upon. A temple was built to honor Isis at Philae. It is still standing today.
Horus - 'The One Far Above' god of the Sky. He is probably most well-known as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was the 'living Horus'. The ancient Egyptians had many different beliefs about the god Horus. One of the most common beliefs was that Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris. After Osiris was murdered by his brother Seth, Horus fought with Seth for the throne of Egypt.
In this battle, Horus lost one of his eyes. The eye was restored to him and it became a symbol of protection for the ancient Egyptians. After this battle, Horus was chosen to be the ruler of the world of the living. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt today was dedicated to Horus. It is located in Upper Egypt at a town called Edfu.
Hathor - 'House of Horus' goddess of Love and Joy. Hathor was the wife of Horus, and was sometimes thought of as the mother of the pharaoh. Hathor was connected with foreign places and materials. For instance, Hathor was the goddess of the desert and the turquoise mines in the Sinai. A large temple was built to honor Hathor at Dendera.
Bastet - protective goddess. Bastet was usually seen as a gentle protective goddess. However, she sometimes appeared with the head of a lioness to protect the king in battle. The cat was a symbol of Bastet. The ancient Egyptians made many statues of cats like this one to honor Bastet. Bastet was one of the daughters of the sun god, Ra. A great temple was built in her honor at Bubastis in the Delta.
Anubis- god of Embalming and the Dead. Since jackals were often seen in cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis watched over the dead. Anubis was the god who helped to embalm Osiris after he was killed by Seth. Thus, Anubis was the god who watched over the process of mummifying people when they died. Priests often wore a mask of Anubis during mummification ceremonies.
Thoth- god of Writing and Knowledge. The ancient Egyptians believed that Thoth gave them the gift of hieroglyphic writing. Thoth was also connected with the moon.