Hi there. Well I finished another chapter and it was kind of hard too. I'm having one of those problems were your head gets so full of ideas that it makes you confused and the ideas keep coming and slipping away before you can write them down. I thought of four different ways to write this chapter but finally decided. I hope you all enjoy it. I also want to thank all those who have messaged and reviewed. As well as those who have added it to their favorite/alert list. It makes me so happy to know that people are interested in this story.
Oh, of course the disclaimer thing. I don't own yugioh but that would be so awesome
A person's fortune is like that of a scale, always tipping this way or that. A person can change the way the scale tips for others, and sometimes even for themselves. While some people try to tip the scale in their own favor others believe in such things as karma or fate. That everything a person does is decided for them by the Gods and they're only playing through what has already been said. Was all that was happening destiny too or by some weird chance of fate? If a person went back in time could they change it or would it happen anyway? Why did the Gods let such events unfold.
Those where some of the things that crossed Emi's mind as the scene in front of her unfolded. Her hands quickly covered her mouth to keep in the screams and sobs that wanted to escape. Her eyes widening as the blood streamed closer to her along the floor but she refuse to let those things sink in till she was out of danger. The white haired man laughed as he stood on the bed towering over the body that laid before them.
Emi could feel the anger bubbling up from the man that stood by her side. She glanced over at him from the corner of her eyes to see the prince overcome with emotion. His fist tightening and body shook out of rage.
"What a fun start to an exciting game" a boy laughed stomping his foot down of the hilt of the dagger in the stomach of the body.
"You will pay for this" the prince growled as the man pulled the dagger out and smiled.
"Will I? We shall see. The games only just begun and thanks to a little help I have been given I know just how to win this game" he laughed as the prince readied himself as if he planned to attack making the thief laugh harder.
"Don't worry Prince" he spat out in spite. "I'll be coming back for you next" he grinned excited about the idea before running to the balcony and jumping. The prince ran after refusing to let him get away so easily.
Emi ran to the balcony and looked over the edge to see that the prince safely made it to the ground and continued to pursue the whit haired man. She quickly turned to the injured Pharaoh who laid is his bed. Emi didn't even make it back to the room before the six High Priest entered and ran to their king's aid.
"You! What's the meaning of this?" The Priest of the Sennen Eye, Akunadin shout as Emi looked at him in surprise. The tone of his voice seemed accusing. As if she had something to do with this.
"Akunadin surely you are not blaming her for anything, are you?" Shimon questioned as Akunadin grow quiet.
"Now my dear, tell me what happened here?" Shimon asked as Emi looked toward the balcony with worry as to where Atemu was but turned back to Shimon after he asked his question. Emi noticed that all the other priest were trying to help the pharaoh.
"Well the prince and I were spending the day together since he finished all his lessons. We were in one of the rooms near the outer gardens playing Senet most of the day. A few minutes ago we decided to head to our rooms when we heard a loud crash. The prince starting to head in the direct of the noise, which lead us here. We entered to find a man with white hair, dark brown eyes, and he also had a scar on his face. He had stabbed the Pharaoh with a dagger before running. Escaping out through the balcony, the prince is pursuing him" she answered recalling the day's events. It was hard to believe that an hour ago she had been laughing and teasing the prince about him always winning every game they played to the pharaoh being attacked.
Shimon thanked me and called one of the priest to start a search for the man as well as the prince to make sure he was safe. The priest quickly left to do so as the others continued trying to help the pharaoh. Emi grew more worried as she over heard the priestess of the group say something about poison.
"I think it's time you take your leave" Shimon said in a gentle tone as Emi sadly nod and walked to the door. By the time she reached it Atemu was there trying to catch his breath snd looked into her eyes.
"He got away" he growled in anger.
"I see. It'll be alright Atemu. That man will be caught and punished for this. There's only so far a person can run" she whispered softly to him trying to calm him, even if it was just a little, but the effort was for nothing. He didn't seem to really be listening as his eyes moved from hers to something behind her. Emi's eyes sadden and Atemu turned his attention back to her. His hands slowly held her shoulders.
"Emi, You should go to your room now" he spoke trying not to sound anger. The prince quickly moved Emi out of his way before heading to his father. She looked at him sadly one last time before going to her room.
Truth was that she was glad to be in her room now. She was fighting with herself on what to do. The man that attack the pharaoh was someone Emi knew. Something in Emi clicked and she felt as if her father would know or of had something to do with this. The man that attacked the Pharaoh was after all her father's nephew Bakura. She should have told Atemu and the priest but if her family had nothing to do if it and where dragged into this mess because of her she'd never forgive herself.
Not only that but what Bakura said about having help made her think of the boy she saw three days ago.
"Some lost soul needed my help. You know how I am. I just had to help. I told him a way to get revenge on these who caused him pain" his red eyes pierced into her
Are the two connected or not? Emi couldn't be sure. She placed her hand over her heart as that feeling ran through her. It felt as if something was coming. This attack was only the beginning. Bakura even said so. Said he'd be back for Atemu. She felt that she had to do something.
So what should she do?
Night came to an end and the following day started coming to an end as well and she hadn't seen Atemu once. Shimon informed her that the poison was one they didn't have a cure for but it was slow as well. The pharaoh would only live a day or two at the most. The day had gone by in silence. A painful silence that filled everyone with sorrow. The pharaoh seemed to be calling on people all day that he wished to talk to one last time. Worry filled Emi as Atemu didn't show for dinner. He hadn't came to breakfast or lunch either. Torn over what to do Emi finally agreed to go see him.
"Who is it?" Atemu's voice mumbled from the other side of the door after she knocked.
"Atemu" she felt relief in just hearing his voice. Mana had told Emi that when the prince was younger he was a bit of a crybaby. That it was easy for his emotions to over come him. Years have passed and he's grown up and doesn't act that emotional but she thinks at he does but has just gotten better at hiding it which Emi seemed to agree with Mana on that. The thought of him locking himself in his room to suffer alone pained her more then the silence.
"Emi?" he guessed just as she opened her mouth to tell him it was her.
"Yeah, it's me. Please let me in" she thought that maybe he didn't hear after a minute or two of silence. She decided he didn't want to see her after five minutes that seemed to drag on. She sighed sadly as she turned to leave.
"Emi" she turned back to the now opened door and Atemu who stood confused in his doorway. She quickly moved to stand in front of him and became the one confused. She expected to find a sad and angry prince before her but he looked the same as always. He intense gazed made her look to the ground.
"I was worried when you didn't show up for dinner. You missed breakfast and lunch too. I haven't seen you all day" her words were soft as her continued staring at the ground. She heard movement and glanced up to see him holding the door opened for her to enter.
She entered slowly unsure if she should. His room was large but felt somewhat empty. She heard the door close behind her and turn to the prince.
"I am sorry to have worried you Emi. You needn't be worried. I am perfectly fine. I just have a lot on my mind is all" he said leaning beside the door giving she a slight smile. She watched him closely staring into his eyes before he quickly turned his head away.
"Atemu" she spoke in a tone a person would use to comfort a child. He sighed.
"My father has been sick for sometime now. He's been slowly dying for over a month now. When I first found out I didn't want to believe it but he started getting worst. Sadness filled me to a point that I couldn't stop crying. I accept the fact my father is going to die. I have known it was going to happen soon but I still" he seem to slightly choke out the last bit as Emi moved forward and pulled him into a hug. There was nothing she could do but be there for him and she would always be there for him. Atemu gently slid down the wall pulling her down with him so that they were sitting on the ground. Emi blushed as he had pulled her down into his lap and held her. She still had her arms wrapped around him and rubbed his back in a comforting manner as he rested his head on her shoulder against her neck before he became still.
Emi wasn't sure how long they stayed like that. She had hymned a song to him and cradled him for some time. The sun had long sence set before he sighed.
"I feel bad" she heard him mutter making her release him from the hug to lean away slightly to look at him.
"Atemu" she started to think of how to help as he leaned back against the wall and grabbed his right wrist with his other arm.
"My father will be dead soon and all I can think of is if I will be able to rule this kingdom as well as my father had" he continued staring away from Emi and down at the ground.
"Don't feel bad for that. Maybe that's just your mind's way of distracting you" she replied making him slightly look up to her. "And about becoming Pharaoh. You don't need to worry. Your father and Shimon taught you well and you won't be alone in this. You'll have help when ever you need it" she smiled softly as he closed his eyes as if thinking over every thing Emi said.
"Thank you" Atemu finally replied opening his eyes and lifted his hands to her face. She felt her face grow warm as he pulled her forward. For a second Emi thought he was going to kiss her. He had never done so before and she always wondered what it would be like but couldn't help but softly smile as his lips lightly pressed against her forehead.
She wanted to be there for him whenever he needed her. To help make the pain and sadness a little easier for him to bear. In truth Emi wasn't sure she could handle being away from Atemu. She needed him more then she would ever know. Which made what Atemu said worry her. Would things change once he became Pharaoh? She knew the answer but was unsure just by how much of a difference it would be.
Atemu's hand released her and he leaned back against the wall and grabbed his wrist once more. This time, however, he starting breathing harder.
"Atemu?" she was slightly confused. He seemed a little off. Was he sick?
"I am fine. Just feeling a little tired" he gave a small smile to try and reassure her. Emi quickly put the back of her hand to his forehead.
"Maybe you should try and get some sleep" Emi suggest removing her hand and got off him before standing.
"You're probably right" he said between breaths sliding up the wall. He took a step forward only to stumbled into Emi.
"Atemu? Are you okay?" she question but got no answer.
"Atemu?" still no reply. Emi moved them both to the bed before laying him down. She bit her lip unsure what to do. He seemed to have fainted. She gently shook him but he wouldn't wake up. She decided to go get the priests. Once she opened his door a servant had been passing by so Emi asked them to go get the priests. Emi didn't have to want long either.
"What is it, dear?" Shimon asked as him and two others walked in.
"The prince doesn't seem well and he fainted" Emi informed as they started checking him. Emi grew annoyed as they made her wait outside the room. It was over an hour before they came out.
Emi's face fell at the frowns on their face's.
"Shimon, is he okay?" he asked the man that so quickly started feeling like a grandfather to her. The old man frowned at her.
"He's awake now if you want to see him" Shimon said before walking off without answering her making her grow more worried.
"Atemu?" she asked walking into his room seeing him sitting up in bed waiting for her. She noticed his wrist bandaged up once she reached the side of the bed.
"What happened?"
"The man who attacked my father injured me in our fight before he had escaped" he said as fear entered Emi.
"with his dagger?" she askd as Atemu nod making tears fill her eyes.
"Shimon told you" Atemu guessed slightly annoyed.
"It poisoned you too" Atemu simply pulled her onto the bed and gave her a hug.
"don't worry, Emi. The healers and priests are looking to find a cure as we speak. Its a slow moving poison and the cut was small so we still have plenty of time left. I'll be fine" he tried to cheer her up. She nod and he moved her back and wipe the tears from her eyes.
Emi stayed with Atemu till he fell asleep before moving to his desk. She grabbed a piece of papyrus and quickly wrote Atemu a letter. She placed it on his bed beside him so he was sure to find it.
Anger, worry, and fear was Emi's feeling as she ran to her room and threw a few things into a bag before going to the stables. Atemu was poisoned by Bakura and she wasn't going to sit around and watch him get sicker. The person that created that poison would have the cure and she was going to go find it.
"Atemu, please stay strong. I'm going to save you. So please wait for me to return with the cure" Emi whispered softly as she climbed up onto her horse and started south.