Disclaimer: "I do not own Yugioh."
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Flashback/ Dreams
Tea...
Princess...
Tea stirred slowly, releasing a gentle sigh and falling back into a deep sleep.
Wake up, my love...
She was dreaming of silk caressing her shoulders and gentle breezes of warm wind kissing her face. But slowly, her body was beginning to awaken, bringing her to reality. The silk was actually a pair of hands softly feeling their way along her skin, and the warm wind was a gentle breath as Seto's lips trailed their way along her cheeks, her eyelids, her lips, her jawline, her neck...
"I'm awake." She whispered softly.
Forcing her eyes open, she saw the sky through the window near the bed. Resisting the urge to moan and roll over to continue sleeping, she asked.
"May I ask why you woke me before the sun has even risen?" She couldn't help but smile the entire time she spoke to the man lying beside her in bed, his own naked body entangled quite comfortably with hers. Before answering, Seto placed a loving kiss on her ear, and Tea couldn't help but giggle softly as it tickled her.
"If you were to be seen leaving my room in broad daylight," he explained in a whisper, "people might question and begin to talk."
She nodded, understanding. "Alright then," she said, "I'll go. But next time, do remember to come to my room on your own. Then I don't have to barge into yours to remind you." She chided, earning a small smile from him. As she sat up, Tea paid no attention to the thin white sheet falling onto her lap, exposing her breasts, stomach and her entire back. Raising her hands above her head in a satisfying stretch, she felt Seto moving next to her.
"I wish you didn't have to go."
Placing one hand through her hair and the other around her waist, he turned her head to the side and kissed her as he pulled her back onto the bed by his side.
"Good morning, your majesty." Slowly opening his eyes, Yami looked up and saw Mahado standing at the foot of his bed. He sighed and dropped his head back onto his pillow.
"Wake me tomorrow." Yami muttered.
Mahado's soft laugh echoed in the large room. Yami liked the echoing affect that his room had on people's voices, especially the women who often shared his bed.
"Alright then, your majesty, sleep the day away," Mahado said. Yami was filled with the feeling of satisfaction, as he always was, whenever he got everything he wanted. He heard the priest's feet nearing the door and was about to fall back asleep when Mahado's words reached his ears suddenly.
"I suppose the rest of the kingdom will enjoy the new guest." Eyes opening, Yami sat up and looked at the priest's retreating form.
'The new guest.' He thought and grinned. How could he have forgotten about such a perfect creature? But the grin soon disappeaed frmo his face as he was reminded of their last encounter.
(Flashback)
Yami watched with pride as her eyes glittered with delight at the sight presented before her. He stepped closer to her and whispered in her ear.
"Do you like it?" Tea spun around and blushed in surprise at the how close Yami had gotten without her realizing it.
"Yes, it's beautiful. I can't say thank you enough." She said. He shook his head and smiled down at her.
Tea would have never imagined such a lovely variety of flowers to grow in a country so hot, with its suffocating heat and unforgiving sands which seemed to dominate the very winds that blew. And yet, here she was, never having touched a rose petal so smooth between her fingers. The grass that she walked upon was not as green and lush as the one in her own garden but it was still beautiful and a lifetime fresher than the sands. She couldn't muster up a greater thanks to Yami for bringing her here.
Thinking of her garden made her think of her home again. She had made herself promise to be strong and not conjure thoughts and memories that would only bring her to tears... but she couldn't help it. She supposed she would always wonder what Lyna was up to, and what her father was doing, until she had a chance to return and see them for herself.
"Something the matter?" Yami questioned noticing her fallen face.
"I was just remembering my loved ones." She said with a sad smile.
"I apologize for being the reason of your separation from your loved ones." He said in a gentle voice and cupped her cheek.
"But i do wish and hope I can become one of them." She blushed at the comment and the contact.
"Thank you." She said and continued enjoying the garden. She never noticed his arms wrapping arround her waist, pulling his body flush against his. But when his lips placed an open-mouth kiss on her neck, she gasped and jumped.
"Y... your majesty... what are you...?" She stutttered, all the while struggling to break free of his strong hold.
"You are a beautiful flower." He whispered huskily in her ear, earning a shudder from her body. "A rare jewel..." His lips moved to suck her earlobe.
"please... let me go." She begged, trying to move her head away from him, but he seemed to be lost and ignorant to her pleas.
"I want to taste you, to enjoy you, to--. "
"Let go." She screamed, causing him to immediately release her. Without sparing him another glance, she ran inside, leaving a bewildered pharoah behind.
(End flashback)
Yami sighed and fell back on the bed. Mahado, having heard his pharoah's sigh, turned arround .
"Is there something bothering you my pharoah?" Yami let out another sigh and motioned for Mahado to come closer.
"Mahado, do you find the princess different than other women?" Mahado was taken back at such an unecpected question from Yami.
"My pharoah... I'm afraid I don't understand."
"I... I made an attempt to bed her, but she refused me." Yami confessed. Mahado's eyes widened. "No other woman has ever refused me but her. Why?"
"My pharoah, she is no other woman." Mahado explained. "She is a princess from a great nation, destined to be the queen of an even greater nation. She has been rasied with class and honor. She is above the common women who dream of sharing your bed. She is to be your queen, and expects to be treated as one." Yami shot him a questioning glance.
"You must be patient with your desires concerning her. You cannot treat her like the many women within the castle. You must treat her with respect and honor. You must make her feel that she is your queen. And since she will be the one you will share eternity with, you must learn to love her as well."
"How can I?" Yami asked, surprising the priest. Never in his life had Yami asked for help or advice. He had always demanded that things either be done his way or not done at all. And when he had been forced to ask for advice or help, he demanded it, commanded it.
"My pharoah, you must shower her with affection." Mahado said. Yami shot him a confused look.
"How?" Mahado sighed. Yami only knew lust. Teaching him affection was going to be a challenge.
"Be kind and gentle." Mahado advised. "Show her things you don't show others. Honor her wishes, and shower her with gifts. Make her feel special. Make her feel like she is the most important person in your life and she'll be yours forever." Yami nodded his head at Mahado's advise, though he wasn't quite sure how to act upon it. But that was a matter for another day. Today, he would enjoy the simple pleasures his life offered. Quickly kicking the thin sheet off body, Yami stoop up and went to his bathing room, where hot water and eager female hands awaited him.
His mind drifted off to his recent conversation with Mahado. Perhaps he should be patient. The princess was a delicious sight no eyes could ever tire of watching, and he did not want to lose the opportunity to taste her. And the best part was that he would do as he pleased with her in due time, when she became his wife. Then, smiling to himself, eyes closed, he leaned back and allowed himself to enjoy the pleasure of female hands just the way he liked it: all over him.
Life at the palace went on normally enough. Servants came and went doing their jobs all over the kingdom. The preparations for the pharaoh's wedding seemed to be proceeding quite well. And while everyone was busy trying to get by that day like all others, no one noticed the blood-red eyes watching. They were as hidden in shadow as the body that they belonged to. Intent ears picked up conversations that came and went. Eager hands resting on a weapon waited patiently for the blood to run down their skin. And the enraged eyes observed, plotting without mercy.
Tea made her way down the busy palace halls, greeting all who passed her. Her body tingled with a delicious satisfaction, and she couldn't stop smiling.
"Princess Tea!" Looking behind her, Tea stopped and turned to greet the small body that was fast approaching her.
"Good morning, Mokuba." She said warmly. "Why are you in such a hurry?" Looking up and grinning at her, the boy answered.
"I've been looking everywhere for you. The pharaoh wishes to see you in the gardens." Tea frowned.
"Oh... ok." She said uncomfortable. Her last meeting with him had been less that positive in her opinion. After the pharaoh had begun suggesting, quite openly, that they should go to his room to make love, though those were not his choice of words, Tea had panicked and run away from him. She had hated the way he made her feel when he touched her and allowed her to press against his arousal the way he had. She figured that his concubines did whatever he wanted, fulfilling his deepest desires and acting out even his wildest fantasies. But she was no concubine of his or of anyone. She was to be his wife and she would expect nothing less than respect from him. Mokuba tugged at her dress to get her attention and she smiled..
"Thanks for letting me know Mokuba. I'll go to him ." Having said that, she began walking in a specific direction. Mokuba looked behind her and, then back up at her and tried to sustain a laugh.
"What?" Tea asked. Mokuba pointed over his shoulder.
"The garden is that way," He said. Tea felt her cheeks gain warmth and sighed.
"Oh dear, I guess I don't know my way around well enough to go without an escort yet." She said with some embarrassment. Leading her down the halls in the correct direction, Mokuba told her that there was nothing for her to feel bad about.
"When I was little, I used to get lost all the time. Seto was constantly having to look for me until I memorized my way around."
Seto...
His name alone made Tea shiver with anticipation. She longed to be with him again. The memory of him was forever burned onto every inch of her flesh. Since having left his room earlier that morning, she hadn't seen him at all. And she wanted to, so much that it was hurting her.
"Princess?" Blinking, Tea looked down at Mokuba and smiled. He giggled.
"I said we're here." He repeated. Tea realized that they were standing at the edge of the garden.
'When had they gotten outside?' She wondered. "Thank you, Mokuba." She said instead. The boy nodded and then looked forward and bowed. Turning to look before her, she found herself looking into the pharaoh's eyes.
"Oh, hello. I'm sorry." She said, embarrassed at acting to clueless. She bowed and straightened quickly.
Yami smiled, amused at his effect on the princess. She looked at him for an instant and became flustered. He wondered if it was because he was the only man that every woman wanted, or because of their previous meeting in the garden. He looked down at the child beside his future wife. She was holding his hand and it seemed to make the boy happy, judging by the smile on his face. He had some features that were similar to his older brother, but the only thing that was identical to Seto were the boy's eyes. Yami could never seem to inflict any fear or obedience into either of them, and it bothered him. It meant he didn't have control.
"You can go now." Yami said to his younger cousin. With a bow in his direction, Mokuba turned to the princess.
"I'll try to be around if you're lost." Yami resisted the urge to roll his eyes. But Tea, on the other hand, smiled at him wholeheartedly.
"Thanks so much, Mokuba." With a grin, he turned and walked away.
'Finally.' Yami thought annoyed and focused his complete attention on the princess. She looked radiant in a beautiful brown dress. As expected, it was embroided with gold thread, with small chain hanging loosely arround the waist.
"Princess, I want to apologise for my behavior earlier. I do sincerely hope you'll forgive me and grant me another chance." She seemed a bit taken back at his apology. Clearly, she didn't expect the most powerful man, a man with the stature equaling gods, to seek her forgiveness.
"It's... it's fine. Please, don't apologise." She said in embarassment. He smiled, making his features appear even more dashing.
"To show my respect and gratitude, I'd like for us to continue our garden tour. Would you kindly grant me your time and company?" She couldn't help but smile at him. He had skilfully woven a charming web and she had been caught.
"It'll be my pleasure." She said with a smile. Extending his hand forward, he took hold of hers and led her through the variety of flowers.
"It's certainly very beautiful". She said. Yami nodded absentmindedly. He allowed her to walk a few steps ahead of him so that he could have a better view of her cute posterior.
'That must be one sweet treat to handle... in due time.' He thought. She began to tell him about the gardens that she had in Greece, at her own palace, but he was admiring her skin. It had darkened a bit since she had arrived, and it looked all the more delicious.
'I wonder if she is as tasty to touch as she is to watch...' Lecherous thoughts crept in his heart again. Imagining his hands, and his tongue, exploring her body was a thought that excited him even more.
"You majesty, are you alright?" He realized that she had stopped talking and was looking at him with some worry.
"Yes, just fine. I was only lost in how beautiful you are." He said. She blushed and he smiled. He wondered if he could dominate her as fast and easily as all of the other woman that visited his bed.
'In due time." He reminded himself.
Just then, the gardener walked towards the garden. Yami stopped and stood straight, allowing the man time to stop and bow before his presence.
"You will no longer work in this garden." He said to the man, who looked up to him with a pale and frightened expression. "At least not without first speaking with the princess. It is hers now. Address her for whatever she would like done." The man nodded and bowed bwfore Tea. She truned towards Yami.
"You mean... this..." She found it hard to fathom that he would give such a lovely garden to her.
"Yes." He said, an amused smile dancing on his lips. "A place as beautiful and heavenly as this belongs to someone equally beautiful and heavenly." She blushed at his compliemnt.
"Thank you." She finally said. Yami dismissed the gardner and they continued their tour.
'Well, isn't this sweet?'
The body hidden in shadows, a blood-thirsty mind, a pair of murderous eyes; Thief King Bakura watched the Egyptian palace with mild interest, but its inhabitants with a rage that fueled his hunger for revenge. He was observing the praised pharaoh acting courteous, or at least trying to be. But Bakura could see the lust shinnign in his eyes. Yami was as usual, like a dog, towards a woman. And not just any woman, but the young goddess brought across the waters by that damned high priest. Bakura's eyes glided over her frame, from the silk of her hair, to the delicate curve of her waist, to her shapely legs. She was a jem that belonged in his hands. And then, under the glow of the sun, he saw it. Hanging around the king's neck: The Millennium Puzzle.
An animalistic growl rumbled inside Bakura's chest. That pathetic excuse for a king's father had made that puzzle, and the other six items, and passed them down like treasures to the priests that guarded his throne. But Bakura had been the one to pay the price for the items. Kul Elna, his home, had once been alive with family and friends. But all were slaughtered for the sake of power. 5, 000 human lives were taken, all of them slaughtered, their blood, bone and flesh melted in with pure gold that was cast under a mystic ritual to make the Millennium Items. Bakura was the only one left. There were no Tears left for the Thief King to cry, for he had poured every drop of agony out of himself when the items were forged.
"My king, my deepest apologies for interrupting you but you are needed inside." Bakura looked up at the sound of the voice. He recognized the man, Priest Mahado. Such a loyal dog towards his pharaoh. The Millennium Ring was as appropriate as a leash around his neck. As the two began to talk, Bakura disappeared to another part of the palace, invisible in shadows.
He made his way onto a rooftop that overlooked the court yard, but of course, he remained hidden and out of sight
'And here comes another one.' He thought with disgust.
A man with a serious expression was walking down the courtyard towards the palace, his steps calm and steady. Priest Shada, keeper of three Millennium Items: the Eye, the Key and the Scale. Bakura was tempted to jump onto the man's passing form and snap his neck. But he resisted, instead diverting his attention to a woman emerging from the palace, who seemed to be giving some servants instructions. The Millennium Necklace hung just below her slender throat.
'Well, well. Priestess Ishizu, you are looking as edible as ever.' He thought. 'Too bad your golden toy didn't warn you of my arrival.'
Making sure to be well hidden behind shadow and stone, Bakura made his quiet way into the palace, as quickly and cunningly as a serpent. When the hall was momentarily empty, he darted down the long corridor and was about to disappear behind a door when he heard footsteps approaching. As quickly as if he had never been there, he was once again hidden. Peering towards the figure that was getting closer, he saw that it was none other than High Priest Seto, carrying the Millennium Rod in his hand. Bakura's hands were itching with anticipation for murder, and as he reached for his concealed weapon, a voice burst out in the hall.
"Big brother!"
Bakura saw a flash of raven black hair darting by, and then there was a boy hugging Seto's legs. He recognized the child as the high priest's younger brother, Mokuba. He would have loved to kill them both, but Bakura knew that he had more important matters to attend to.
Tea entered her room when it was dark, the evening a cool relief from the hot day. The day had been quite intersting. Yami's aplogy had shocked her beyond extent. And now, she owned a beautiful garden. She considered writing home to Lyna and her father to let them know of her well being, but then ruled against it. She thought about them for a very long time, about her home, about her friends. When it grew late, she decided to call it a night and sleep. But now, back in her room and away from familiar faces, she felt the need for some company. Perhaps, if Seto wasn't busy, he could come over and spend some time with her. Or, if he thought it would raise suspicions, she would look for Mokuba and spend some time with him until she was tired enough to fall asleep. He was such a loving child. She enjoyed being with him very much. As she considered what to do, there was a knock on her door. Looking towards it, she felt a bit of unease.
'Who could it be at such a late hour?' She wondered. Pushing her silly fears aside, she walked to the door, reached for the handle and pulled it open.
"Good evening, princess." Tea was, to say the least, quite surprised.
"Good evening." She said after a moment of silence. "Please, come in." Her visitor made their way inside and stood quietly.
"What brings you here, Mahado?" She asked , her surprise still upon her. The priest took a bow before her.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting you in any way." He apologized. Tea shook her head.
"No." She assured him. "Everything is fine." Mahado nodded and took a breath.
"I understand you called for me earlier, but due to certain obligations to the pharoah, I wasn't able to come right away. I hope I didn't cause you any inconvenience." He said with a smile. Tea blinked in confusion.
"I hope you don't find me rude, Mahado, but what exactly are you talking about?" The priest looked at her as if she should have known exactly what it was.
"I came at your request, princess." He explained. Tea smiled and slowly shook her head.
"But I never called for you." She said. Mahado frowned slightly.
"Princess, I read your note. It said for me to come to your room when-." Tea interrupted him.
"Wait, what note? I never wrote any note." Mahado was about to speak again when suddenly Tea felt a hand around her mouth and a thin cool blade against her neck. Tea only took in a sharp breath but did not utter a sound as a voice whispered in her ear.
"I missed you, princess."
She knew that voice. And it terrified her to the point that she felt her blood freeze. She kept her eyes on Mahado, who was reaching for something. The blade against her skin pushed uncomfortably close to cutting her and she closed her eyes tightly.
"Move and she dies." Were Bakura's only words, and Tea saw Mahado froze in place.
When the blade moved a bit away from her skin, she opened her eyes and blinked back Tears. 'Don't move, don't make a sound.' She told herself, trying to remain as calm as possible.
"Release her now or you'll suffer at the hands of the pharaoh." Mahado warned in an ice cold voice. Tea prayed to the gods for him not to provoke Bakura into madness or neither of them would leave the room alive. Bakura laughed softly, and his breath was warm against the back of her neck. Then she felt his warm wet tongue tracing the edge of her ear. She shut her eyes again and a tiny moan of disgust escaped past his hand.
"Release her." Mahado warned him again, his voice rising slightly.
And before Tea could realize what was happening, she felt herself go free, and saw Bakura behind Mahado. Before the priest could react, Bakura's knife plunged its way into the side of his throat. A fountain of blood errupted from his throat, covering a shocked Tea. Horror overtook her mind and she covered her mouth so hard she thought she would break her own jaw. Tears ran down her face and she choked back the urge to scream.
Mahado fell hard onto his knees, blood staining him down one side. He looked at Tea and attempted to speak, but only succeeded in choking on his own blood and coughing it up in front of him. More drops stained her body, but she couldn't find the will, nor the strength to move away from his writhing body. Sinking to her knees, Tea held her hands in place over her mouth and watched Mahado fall forward and die.
"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be." Bakura said, reaching for Mahado's Millennium Ring. He grabbed it and tore it off its golden chain. Tea felt herself beginning to lose control. A moan was escaping her clasped hands and she felt her stomach heaving its contents into her throat. Forcing back her urge to vomit, she watched as Bakura held the Ring in his hands. It glowed brightly and seemed to be hurting him.
"You are now mine." He hissed at the item.
Holding it with one hand, he raised his other hand to his mouth and cut the palm of it against his teeth. Grabbing onto the item again, he held it tightly, allowing his blood to cover the gold. And to Tea's horror, the item absorbed it. Bakura grinned as the item stopped glowing. He placed a thin leather string around it and tied it around his own neck. Looking down at her, Bakura approached Tea's shaking form.
"It looks so much better on me, wouldn't you say?"
And then Tea screamed.
Shada sat meditating in the palace temple, candles burning, casting patterns of light and shadows around him and the two other bodies sitting on either side of him. Ishizu and Seto were accompanying him in that evening's prayers. There was a silence so absolute that they could practically hear each other's hearts beating.
"NO!"
Before Shada or Seto could react to Ishizu's sudden ear-piercing scream, the three of them were struck by a pain that burned its way through their entire bodies. Shada grabbed hold of his head and gritted his teeth to suppress a cry of pain. Seto doubled over, holding firmly onto his chest and groaning. Ishizu seemed to be unable to breathe as she held tightly onto her throat, struggling to take in a breath. The Millennium Key was glowing brightly and afterwards, as its light diminished, so did everyone's pain. Breathing heavily, Shada stood up and helped Seto bring Ishizu to her feet. Seto had beads of sweat trailing down his forehead, and Ishizu looked to be on the verge of fainting.
"What was that?" Seto asked, his Millennium Rod in his hand.
Ishizu moaned but managed to speak. "Mahado..." Then, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed.
When Bakura approached her in her room, she screamed with all her might. Angered at her reaction, Bakura's hand struck her cheek so hard that her head snapped sharply to one side. Echoing voices and approaching footsteps were heard and she had never been so relieved. Bakura, however, looked extremely displeased. He shot her one last look before climbing onto her window and preparing to leave.
"We'll meet again, sweet princess." He said.
Tea glared at him through tear filled eyes and watched him jump as gracefully as a cat. Moaning, Tea had looked towards Mahado's body and began to cry. But she couldn't look away. Guards burst through the door and then a commotion had started.
Shouts of 'what happened here?' and ' Priest Mahado' filled the room. Some guards carefully rolled Mahado onto his back, while others ran out the door again, shouting to gather search parties. One guard knelt beside her and asked her if she could stand. She couldn't, and simply shook hear head. Outside her room, there were people shouting and feet ran back and forth.
"What happened?"
Tea slowly looked up at the sound of Seto's voice. He entered the room with Shada behind him and they both stopped short at the sight of Mahado.
"Bakura." Tea managed to say. Everyone looked at her and she fought the urge to cry again. "He... took it. He took Mahado's Ring." Seto's eyes widened and Shada shook his head.
"That's impossible." He told her. Tea couldn't answer as she felt sick again. She covered her mouth with one hand and held her stomach with the other.
"Help her." Seto ordered, and Tea was slowly helped to her feet by two guards. But suddenly, everyone grew quiet. Tea forced her head up to see Yami standing in the doorway. No one spoke, only moved aside as he approached the dead priest in a sort of a daze.
"Mahado?" Yami called quietly. "What... happened?" He asked in a small voice as he approached the body. She watched as Yami knelt beside Mahado's body and gently touched his face.
"Mahado." He called out again to the dead priest. "Mahado, get up. I command you to get up. I command you. Get up. Get up." His desperate pleas and yells filled the room. Tea was sure she heard his voice break. Finally, Seto motioned to Shada to pry Yami away from Mahado. He turned towards the guards holding Tea and ordered them to get her out of the room. The guards holding her slowly helped Tea out. She felt tears fill her eyes again. As she left, she shot one last look at the occupants and watched Yami struggling against being taken away from the priest's corpse.
"I feel--." She couldn't finish her sentence as blackness took over her mind.
"And don't move from her door, understood? "
It seemed like only a moment later that Tea opened her eyes and she saw Seto standing at the door of a room she recognized as her own, speaking to guards outside. When he closed the door, he turned and faced her. He looked exhausted.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her quietly as he approached the bed she was lying on and sat beside her. Tea bit her bottom lip and tried not to start crying again.
"I don't know... I don't know how I feel." She admitted. Seto kissed the top of her head tenderly and held her hand.
"I'm not sure what to tell you." He said, looking down at their hands together. She shook her head.
"I'm so scared. I'm just so scared." He immediately pulled her into his embrace.
"It's alright, don't worry." He whispered in a soothing tone. They stayed like that for a moment, then Tea looked at him with worry.
"How is Mokuba?" Seto sighed and ran his other hand through his hair.
"He's having trouble sleeping, I can't leave him alone for a second. He's sworn never to go outside again, and demands that his window be bolted shut with something." Tea nodded.
"It's understandable, he's so scared. Would you like him to stay with me?" Seto shook his head.
"No, I'll take care of him." Sighing, Tea turned her head to the side.
"I'll leave you alone. You should rest," Seto whispered. Tea closed her eyes as he placed a soft kiss on her lips. He walked to the door and turned.
"Call on me if you need anything." He said before leaving. She watched his retreating back disappear. As soon as he was out of her sight, fear began to creep into the corners of her mind. She was alone... alone and unprotected.
What if Bakura came back?
No. The guards had checked every nook and cranny of the room. There was no way he could have hidden from them.
But what if he had managed to hide?
No. She assured herself. That just wasn't possible.
We'll meet again, sweet princess. Bakura's words rang in her ears, causing a shudder of fear to course through her body. Her eyes darted across the room in a panicked manner. Every where she looked she saw Bakura. Every shadow seemed like a hiding place for the murderous thief. She felt like a prey, being constantly watched by a hunter.
'I have to get out of here.' She desperately thought and got off the bed. But where to go?
Seto?
No. He had Mokuba to take care of. Then who? Who else could she go to?
Now, unable to sleep and not wanting to bother anyone, she got up and slowly paced the room. The palace was quieter than she'd ever heard it, and it only seemed to heighten her fear. Tears spilled from her beautiful eyes. She felt so alone... so scared. Images of Mahado's body falling to the ground... his blood soaking her... Bakura's devilish face... Yami's pained cries... everything echoed in her mind.
Yami.
She wondered how he must be feeling. Thought she had left the scene right away, she had managed to hear his shouts and his cries. From what she could tell, he cared for the priest a lot. He hadn't just lost a priest and a servant, he had lost a friend. She wondered if he was feeling as alone as she was. Maybe she could find out.
"Why didn't you warn us? How could you not tell us this was going to happen?" Yami's anger was only fueling his hate towards Ishizu. The priestess' eyes were filled with tears as she tried to explain to him that she had not known.
"I'm telling you the truth, my king. I had no idea." But Yami couldn't believe her.
"How could you not? You have that damned necklace hanging there and you didn't see it?!" He was blind with rage, but more than anything, sadness. Ishizu's guards were outside as he had ordered them to be and he didn't care how frightened the priestess was of him.
"Please, I know how you feel-." Yami felt himself go cold. He breathed heavily and slowly made his way towards the woman who backed away from him.
"You know how I feel? How could it be that you know how I feel... but you didn't know what would happen?!" Grabbing hold of her Millennium Necklace, he tore it off and threw it with all his might against a wall. Ishizu cried out in fear and backed away from him faster. Yami stormed out of her room and walked to his own.
"Damn it!" He yelled, slamming his door shut.
Mahado was gone. He was dead. Killed. Yami shut his eyes and tried to shake the image of the priests body from his mind. He still recalled the coldness of his skin under his touch, the blank look in his eyes, and his blood poured all over.
"No! Damn it! Damn you all!" Grabbing hold of a chair, he threw it against a mirror. The glass shattered and lay scattered on the floor. There was a small table with bottles of oils and perfumes on it, and this he kicked over. The edge of the table cut his foot, but he didn't care.
"Why didn't you see it?!" He yelled, thinking of Ishizu, as he slammed his fist against a wall. The skin against his knuckles split and a pain shot up his arm that left it numb. Sinking down to the floor, he sat with his back against the wall that had his hand's blood stain on it.
Mahado
Yami closed his eyes and thought of him. Since childhood, they had been best friends. Mahado had always been there for Yami. He had been there for Yami to play with, to fight with, to talk to, to command. Many times, Mahado had put himself in danger for Yami's amusement. He had been a loyal servant, and perhaps the only one Yami thought of as a friend. He had been the only one Yami had trusted with his secrets. But now, Mahado was gone forever. Tears streamed down Yami's face and he sobbed quietly, alone in his grand palace.
There were soft steps approaching him.
'Who is that?'Yami wondered, having lost all energy to even look up. He thought he heard someone calling his name, but he wasn't sure it was real.
'Who's there?' His mind asked. His head was down, but he felt that there was someone in front of him.
"My pharaoh?"
He knew that voice. Forcing his head up slowly, he saw her. Tea, his future wife, the last person to see Mahado alive, kneeling before him. She was looking around the room, at the mess he'd made of everything.
'Like my life.' He thought.
"You're hurt." She said softly, taking hold of his injured hand. Yami looked into her eyes and watched her blue orbs fill with tears.
"I'm sorry my king." She choked out as she began to cry. Yami frowned slightly in confusion. Her tears spilled onto his hand and she held it a bit tighter.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save him." She said, her shoulders shaking with every cry she let out. Closing her eyes, she dropped her head and clutched his hand so hard it hurt him even more. Yami slowly raised his other hand to her cheek and held it softly, raising her head to look at him again. Never in his life had anyone cried for his pain.
And here was the woman that he had thought of as one of his whores, crying over his loss, apologizing for his pain, as if she had caused it herself. He wanted her to stop crying, but couldn't speak. Instead, he gently pulled his hand free and opened his arms to her. And Tea embraced him. Holding her close to him, Yami stroked her hair, hoping to calm her sobs. He could feel her hot tears on his shoulder.
"Why do you cry?" He asked in confusion. "Why do you cry for my pain?" Her sobs increased.
"Because I feel your pain. I know how you feel. I know you feel alone because that's how I feel too. Mahado was someone you loved and now he has been taken away from you. My..." Her body began shaking as her voice now accompanied hiccups. "My loved ones are away from me too. I... I can't see them... I can't talk to them... my father... Lyna... they are all so far away. I feel so alone... so scared... so alone... just like you." Yami felt his heart fall at her words.
Alone. That's how he felt, and she felt the same. She understood his pain. She was the only one.
There was a feeling inside of Yami that he did not recognize. All he knew was that this woman, in his arms, mourning his loss, was different... special. Her beauty had captivated him the first day he saw her. But now, this display of sorrow for his pain, that no one could ever understand, was more than he could have imagined anyone to do for him. He tightened his hold on her and rested his chin on top of her head. Tears fell from his eyes as he let himself be taken over by grief. They stayed together holding each other for a long time, sharing their grief, shedding tears over their pain and loss. Neither knew exactly when they drifted to sleep, but neither cared. In each other's arms, they were content.
Holy shit. This is a long chapter. It is a late update, but I hope it's worth the wait. And just to let you guys know, this whole chapter was written by Want2BeFree. I just edited it, made small adjustments, added and subtracted some things, and that's it.
So, enjoy this chapter. And don't forget to REVIEW.