Team Heba all worked with their heads down, some stealing glances over at their leader who sat at his desk, frowning his purple eyes down narrow; Everyone knew that Professor Yuugi Mutou was in a rotten mood, however even with the proof right in front of them, they still could not believe it the angry pout on the man's face.
In all the times since he became overseer for the project, not once had Professor Mutou become mad or angry with someone; Yuugi was a firm believer in not bringing your problems to work and leaving them at the door before coming in.
Even through the usually heat wave during the past couple of weeks the man did not show any shows of annoyances towards them, even keeping his cool while his bosses denied some of his purposes.
This odd state that the kind hearted man was so out of character that members of the other teams came seeking him, just to see if this were true.
Yet there he sat, silently before his desk, with that deep frown, glaring hard at the open newspapers that lay there.
Yuugi continues to read through them. It had been four days since that night at the museum, the night he and those with him was chased by shadows.
Yuugi had waken up in his bed with only a powerful headache as proved that something was wrong; he quickly showered and dressed then headed for the police. While driving his van to the station, many questions went around his pounding skull.
How had he woke up at home? What had happened to the others? What was that thing that spoke in an ancient tongue?
Reaching the road where the police station was he saw Ishizu waving him down, dazed he had stopped.
At the time he was too confused to ask why she was there almost like she were waiting for him; he quickly explained everything to her and she told him that she had spoken to the police and detectives and then pointed out that there was no evidence of him ever being there.
The woman led him away from the crowds that had gathered around the main entrance of the police station before they could notice them. Ishizu told him to return home and tell no one of the events that happened.
Closing his eyes Yuugi sighs, regretting not speaking up that first day; behind his eyelids he could see the three people he had been with in that room. The same three people who now had their photo in the newspapers, reports of them being found dead. And not just them , five other guards and including those two tomb raider wannabes, six cultist.
'Mass suicide?' Yuugi thinks in disbelief as he opens his eyes and continues to glare, 'Guards walk their little stunt and go on a killing spree and then kill themselves?'
The newspapers claim these cultist had been trying to contact the Pharaoh Atem from beyond the grave in hopes of asking him if it was okay for Heba to be on display with him.
"This is unbelievable!" Yuugi hisses out, he stands up and stalks towards the door with all eyes was glued on him. No one said a word as their leader exited the room.
Yuugi marches down the corridor, everything that had taken place came returning to his mind again and again.
The second day he had contacted Ishizu after the agonizing wait and lost first day of waking up; she was quick to tell him to keep silent once again. Still in shock he had listened to her again, trusting her judgement and spent the rest of the day thinking the police was going to crash through his door and demand his side of the story.
Ishizu came later that night, convincing him yet again not to say anything to anyone about him being at the museum.
She reasoned that they may place the blame of him and make him leave the team. At the time his fear gotten the better of him, now four days on his highly intelligent brain was fully working once more and he wanted to have his say and wanted to know why she was so hell bent on him not speaking.
Yuugi moves quickly down the long red and brown coloured hallway, hoping to find Ishizu in the main office that was at the very end. He knew she was in the office today, having overheard that she was meant to be talking with a couple of builders about a roof that needed to be fixed.
Yuugi came to a stop at the main desk that was in front of the double doors that lead into the office. He stood until the woman there glances his way, before she went back to her task on the computer.
"Afternoon," Yuugi said politely, "I would like to see Ishizu -san, I mean Miss Ishizu please; Say Professor Mutou would like to see her." the woman who was tapping wildly on the computer's keyboard just raised her eyebrow at his request and carried on typing for a moment, then reaching for the phone she pushes a button.
"Miss Ishtar, a Professor Mutou is here to see you." The woman behind the desk says into the phone in a dull manner, "Yes. Yes. Yes, I understand." she places the phone back down and out of sight from Yuugi's view, "Professor Mutou, you may go in to see Miss Ishtar."
"Thank you very much." Yuugi replies to that as he walks around the desk and head through the door that lead to offices and meeting rooms.
He walks along gazing at the amazing art that some local artist paints, it hung along the wall.
"Admiring the art again." Ishizu amused voice came from behind, he spins around to see her smiling warmly at him, "You really should buy his work, they go quick."
"You buy most of his work I hear." Yuugi answers back as he turns to look at one piece, a person dressed in white robes and gold bands, he could not tell if it was a man or woman.
"Yes, he only sales his Egyptians related art work to friends. He is surprisingly jealous at who sees what." Ishizu comments as she slowly takes a look around the hallway, "I placed these here so visitors go check him out, but he does not like me doing so."
"It gives him good trade?" Yuugi asks walking over to her.
"It does." Ishizu answers with a nod, she starts moving back and allowing him inside.
"Then he should have no reason to moan," Yuugi said with a frown coming into the office, "Most artist struggle to sale their work and to make a living from it. This guy, as far as I know, is doing well."
"Mmmm...He is young, only nineteen," Ishizu mumbles almost in thought at what he said, she sat down one of the sofas that was in the room and waved him to be the same, "However he comes from a good family that support him, he does not worry much about his next meal."
"Oh...I see." Yuugi says taking a seat, he glances towards the wall and notices even more pieces of art, "Of course, you do know that I have not come to discus your art collection."
"Yes, I'm aware." Ishizu said with a sigh, she closes her eyes and pinches her nose with her index finger and thumb, "A lot has been happening, Professor, I do not need to deal with your daydreams as well."
"Wait! What?!" Yuugi shouts suddenly standing, "Daydreams? Ishizu-san, you do I was dreaming!?"
"Yes, I do." Ishizu answers with another sigh, dropping her hand and looking at him right in the face, "Please sit Professor and allow me to explain."
"Explain what?" Yuugi asks sitting down with a huff, not liking where this was going, "Do you think I'm insane? That I didn't see a big shadow chasing me and those people? It said 'Heba' I clearly-" he stops when he sees her hand raised asking him to stop.
"Professor, you are one of the finest minds I know," Ishizu starts seemingly very sadden by something, "Your love for history is something I respect greatly. You however, have been through some rough times over the passed two years and I wish not to add to it."
"So you think I'm mad?" Yuugi questions in worry and a little hurt, "You truly think that I dreamt that up? But why? Why did not not at least tell the police and detectives I was there?"
"Because the cultist that died in the museum were from the same group as those who murdered your grandfather." Ishizu said at last, he blinks at as odd feeling settled in his stomach, "Like I said, I know how much you been through; Your grandfather's dead. The court case. The business deals in your game. Your research here. Professor Mutou, you are a very busy man."
"And so you think that I could have something to do with their deaths?" Yuugi asks slowly as he looked her carefully, "Because they are from the same group?"
"No, but it may have triggered the nightmare." Ishizu says softy never backing down from his stare, "We also check medical before anyone works for us, I am aware of your long history of nightmares and insomnia. You take a lot of sleeping drugs as well asleep at odd times and places."
"So it was a dream..." Yuugi breathes out as he flops back into the seat, "A dream? It felt so real..."
"I understand that you firmly believe it to be real." Ishizu told him gently, "But it wasn't, none of it. So please, do not mention this again. To anyone."
"Okay..." Yuugi answers as he moves forward and stands, "May I take the rest of the day off?"
"You may, I'll inform your team." Ishizu said standing quickly, giving him a bright smile, "However why not sleep in the cot in the back room, you look like you're about to drop."
"Thank you Ishizu-san." Yuugi says with a small bow, he wanders over to the room where he had taken short naps before; opening the door he hurries over to the cot and falls face down onto it. It smelt of damp and dust, but he did not mind.
xxx
Heba bows low, her heart thumping hard in her chest. The people around her did the same as the footsteps drew closer; their Pharaoh was coming to their temple, viewing a new gifted child that was found east of the river bound.
A shadow fell over them, they never moved an inch. However the Pharaoh halts and turns to the future priests and priestesses that was bowing at his feet.
"Why is this one covered so?" The Pharaoh's voice came, making everyone's body tighten.
Heba's eyes widen as she faced the cold ground below, her forehead pressed harder with her fear. She knew he meant her.
"This young woman is has a vow to fulfil," Her master's voice then came, "No one at any time shall look upon her flesh, only her eyes are seen."
"A vow? To a god?" The Pharaoh asks as he nears her, other slaves crawls sideways letting making a path, "Only her eyes? Raise your head woman, let me see your eyes."
Heba did was she told; slowly she rose up and stare right in the face of Pharaoh.
Deep amethyst met ruby red.
The Pharaoh's breathe seemed to be stolen for a moment, then blinking he reaches down with his hand and held her chin, taking in those strange coloured eyes in detail.
"Beautiful." Pharaoh utters, he appeared pleased with her.
Yuugi was now standing in a room, or rather Heba was; he glances around at the clothes that hung around the tall pillars, hiding him within the space.
The floor was slightly raised, he could see steps leading down to the clothes. In the middle of this area and before him was a long deep looking bath.
Yuugi could feel his heart beating fast, he slowly began to peel the layers of robes that hid and wrapped his body; piece by piece he let it drop to the floor, the only sounds it made was when there was some gold attached.
Soon Yuugi was looking down at Heba's body, he let his right hand lightly run along his left arm. It was covered in scars. Touching his flat stomach, he felt more scars.
Slowly he moves forward and carefully walks into the lukewarm water, he let swim out, closing his eyes at the welcoming feeling.
Yuugi opens Heba's eyes, they had come to the edge was crossing their scarred arms on the side, resting their chin on their flesh.
Yuugi somehow knew that Heba's skin from head to toe, was filled with scars. The tightest is some places even hurt, the only area in which there was no scars, was the upper half of their face. The chin and jaw line was disfigured as much as the rest of the body.
"It feels so good." Heba speaks aloud, with a sigh.
Someone laughs, causing them to dart up and duck down. Heba only had the top of their head showing.
"Relax brother it is I." A smooth voice came from behind one of the clothes.
Yuugi felt Heba relax at the voice, in fact this was the first time he had even been so relaxed in Heba's skin.
"Brother." Heba says, a smiles tugging at his lips. The Priestess swims to the side and stands fully, it was then Yuugi realized something that sent shock waves through his entire being, something very familiar between his legs, something that should never be on a woman.
Yuugi stares through the eyes of the priestess, knowing now that she was a he.