This chapter is dedicated to Shandana! Thank you very much that you liked this story! It really appreciated, I hope that you will not get disappointed. :)
Disclaimer for the upcoming chapters of the story: The upcoming chapters are the reason why I marked the story "M". I do not plan to write anything explicit in this stage (if I do in the future it will be an extra bonus material but right now I would rather concentrate on the main events) but be aware that the all of the upcoming chapters may include mature content. ;) With that said hope you will enjoy the developments of the story! :)
Two and a half years passed after Yuna passed her challenges when the little prince realised that her sister started acting strange. Recently she had become closed-up and did not talk to him as much as beforehand...Whenever he tried to ask her about her problems she muttered moodily. "Nothing." That day they were practicing sword fight again and Atem recognised even the beginning of their practice that something was definitely odd. She made no move to make an attack but waited until Atem made his move. Their fight went on and on with Atem's constant attacks which she parried absent-mindedly. It was crystal-clear that she was somewhere in mind and did not give her full attention to her brother. After a while Atem threw his sword on the ground which made Yuna first look into his eyes. "What is the matter Egyptian brother? Tired already?"
Atem walked to her and put his hands on her shoulder. "You ask what the matter is with me? Really? I can see that something has been bothering you recently but you are avoiding answering me all the time! Yuna, I am worried about you, talk to me, please!"
The girl looked away attached her sword in its sheath. Her chest rose up and down and lastly she cried out furious. "I do not know exactly know what the matter is with me...But something is wrong...My chest or better to say my breasts became so stiff and uncomfortable. They often hurt me as well...And my whole body feels so strange...As if it is preparing for something but I have no idea what for..."
Atem became anxious of her. "Have you visited a healer?"
Yuna pouted frustrated. "Well, yes, I have but it was totally useless. Healer Neferti just smiled when I told her my problems and she said that I am in the in-between stage and I need nothing to worry about..."
"In-between stage? For what?" Atem blinked clueless.
"I have no idea...But she stated it so obviously that I could not admit that I haven't got the slightest idea what she was talking about..."
"Perhaps we should ask Mahado about it..." suggested Atem.
"No way!" she snapped back. "I do not want anyone know about this! It is enough that you know it...But perhaps we can find out on our own as well if we do some research...Could you help me with it Egyptian brother?" asked Yuna with a slight blush.
They spent a week with searching but they found nothing about "in-between stages". On that evening they were also engaged in reading some books when Yuna let the book fell from her hands and put her hand on her stomach.
Atem reached out to her. "What is the matter, Yuna?"
"My stomach is so strange...I feel so uncomfortable...it hurts a little bit..." said worried. "I think I finish today's search and go to bed and have some rest..."
Atem put the blanket around her. "I will leave you to have some rest now then."
As he stood up he felt that the girl grabbed the blue belt of his dress and pulled it gently. He turned back and looked at her curiously. The elbowed her pillow and raised her head and laid it in her hand and looked at her pleadingly. "Would you stay with me tonight Atem? I do not want to be alone tonight...I would be glad if you could tell me a story about your great-grandfather and his messenger of the far-away land."
Atem laughed aloud. "Well, you usually ask me to stay when it is stormy night but I do not mind staying today as well..."
He went to the bed next to her and was talking stories as long as he heard that the girl started snoring quietly next to him...He sighed relieved. It was high time...I feel so tired as well...He turned to his another side and felt that his lids became heavy with sleep.
He was woken up a cry in the morning. He sat up abruptly and saw that Yuna was already sitting and staring down the bed under her. Her face showed a mix of emotions: her wonder and disbelief mingled with pain and fright. She seemed to turn into stone unable to do anything. Then her breaths sped up as if she was in shock and Atem jumped to her side. "What is it, Yuna?" Then he looked at the spot where she was staring at. And he also saw something red on the sheet of the bed...Blood...
"Yuna, are you hurt somewhere?" Atem was afraid someone might have uninvited entered the palace again and hurt his sister. How was it possible that he did not get up when this happened? And why would she not wake him up sooner?
Yuna laughed aloud but at the same time she turned her head away and let a tear roll down from her face. "I am not hurt Atem...I have just bloomed...From now on I am a woman for real...I am not a little lady anymore..."
What did she just say? Did his little sister had just become a woman? Was she bleeding that way? Atem turned slightly red and turned his head away and could not say anything at first...What should I say in that kind of situation? I have absolutely no idea...We have not talked about this and I do not want to say something wrong...But I cannot remain silent for Ra's sake, I must say something at least! Hm...I suppose that this must be even a bigger event in that culture than by us...She must have waited for a long time for this...I suppose I do nothing bad if I congratulate her on it...
He turned confidently to her to congratulate her but his words stuck to his throat when he saw the painful expression on her face...She did not seem happy at all...She seemed rather afraid and lost for some reason...
"Yuna...What is wrong with you?" asked Atem worried about her and grabbed her shoulder.
"Atem...I am a woman now...You cannot touch me unless I allow it for you...and from now on you cannot enter my room unless I invite you into it and..." she said automatically but she stared ahead of the same way as before.
"Yuna, I promise that starting tomorrow I will act the way your people do but today I will not do listen to any of this nonsense! I am not a man but I am your brother! I see that something is wrong with you and I do not want you to feel that you are alone with your problems...I want to help you as much as I can..."
Then suddenly tears flew from the eyes of his sister and she started talking as she sobbed. "Atem I am afraid that this time you will not be able to help me...In my land this moment would have been a great joy and happiness. It would make my family proud of me and we would have had a great celebration and feast...I never felt that I need my mother like now...I miss her so much Atem, I have no idea what should I do now...Mother would have taught me everything but she died before I was old enough for that..."
Atem patted her shoulder and then he heard a high shriek from the direction of the window. He saw that Sky was sitting on the edge and turned her head left and right as if she was waiting impatiently for her master's words. That falcon has a sixth sense when she should appear. Atem thought with a smile. He stood up and walked to her. He let the bird fly on his underarm and he whispered his wish to her.
After the falcon flew away he turned back to his crying sister. "Dear Sister...The gods and your mother sent you this place for a good reason...In this place as long as I am at your side you should never be afraid. Do not worry you will soon get to know what to do because..."
Then the door opened with abruptly and even Atem looked astonished when Mana stormed into the room as cheerful as ever. "Hi you two!Here I am! What did you call me Atem? Do you need a third player or should I act as a judge?" she asked with a laugh then she burrowed her eyebrows when he saw the serious expression of the two.
"...because there are our friends who always come to our side when we need their help." finished Atem smiling. "Mana, I called you because we need your help today as a young woman. Would you please tell Yuna what she needs to know? Thanks Mana, see you later!" Atem quickly waved a goodbye and left the two young women alone to discuss the issue privately. He had better plans to which he needed much time...
It was late afternoon when he could finally finish his plan. Now he had nothing to do but wait for them to arrive. He walked to the entrance of the cave and looked outside the desert. His exhaustion seemed not at all important, he only hoped that all of his work would pay off. When Mahado finished his daily duties he also gave a helping hand but he had to do the majority of the work...Now he took deep breaths to calm his excitedly beating heart a little bit. This morning he consulted his friends about his plan and made sure to choose the time when everyone would be free. Finally he heard the footsteps echoing from the walls of the cave. They were coming...From the sounds he could hear that she was among them. Atem turned back and his mouth turned to a confident smile when he heard Yuna gasp out aloud. For the second time of today she seemed to turn into stone unable to move or speak...She looked at the cave into which Atem with some help of Mahado brought a table and some chairs...The table was arranged for a feast for them...On the floor Atem were a lot of games scattered around that he knew that his sister loved playing with.
First Mahado walked to Atem and nodded to him in appreciation. "Good job Atem!" Then Mana stepped between the two of them and whispered excitedly. "So then as we discussed...for three then...1, 2 and 3!"
Atem, Mana cried out as loud as possible whereas Mahado said the sentence in his normal voice. "Congratulations Yuna!"
"Bu-But..." Yuna seemed utterly surprised and still she could not take a step to come forward.
Atem winked and waved her to come closer. "If you celebrate this in your land we will also do it here! Do not dare to think that we are uninterested in your blooming!"
"Atem what are you saying? Uninterested?" Mana shrieked. "Yuna's blood might have magical powers!" Then she pouted annoyed. "Mine seems not really effective...I am thinking of something great and I need every kind of things that may help!" Then she became excited again and her eyes shone up with delight. "May I have some of yours, please?"
Yuna stared at her shocked then looked at Atem. " Is she joking? If yes than it is a strange disgusting one..." she wrinkled her forehead.
Atem shrugged his shoulders. "Do not ask me, I am not the competent person in magical matters." He nodded towards Mahado who seemed to be cross with Mana.
His friend's mouth twitched a little but turned to be serious and answered matter-of-factly. "Well, the magical power of the monthly blood is really debatable. Lot of magician uses and believes in it but as for me I find this nothing but a superstition and a useless practice..." There he turned to Mana and scolded her. "Mana, I cannot believe that you believe in this. That is the problem with you actually. Instead of focusing on the proper right magic and improving your magical power you let yourself distracted by stupid practices and useless magic tricks."
Mana pouted and turned her head away hurt. "Very well...I will not show any of my useless magic tricks then Mahado..."
"I am strict with you because I know that you are capable of achieving great things. I am your master magician Mana it is my duty to guide you to the right methods. Have you understood Mana?" stated Mahado and Mana cast her eyes to the ground.
"Very well Master...I have interested perfectly well, do not be worried about it..." she stated with dignity then turned to the group and gave her usual cheerful laugh. "I have a great idea. Let's play a competition we four. First round boys against boys and girls against girls."
Yuna muttered. "No one is a girl anymore Mana here..."
Mana seemed not to notice the remark and continued. "The winners and the losers of the first round will play against each other!" With that she sat to one of the tables and put the board of backgammon on the board.
Atem and Mahado also set the board on another table and as they threw the dices and moved their pieces the young prince asked quietly. "Mahado don't you think that you were a little strict with Mana just now?"
"I am perfectly aware of that Atem. I did that intentionally." said Mahado with a sorrowful smile.
Atem gaped at his friend astonished. "Bu-but why Mahado? You are gently with your other students..." Atem remembered how he taught sword fighting and horse riding to his other students. To his relief his style was the opposite of Maester Sabu...
"It is for her own sake...Atem, I promised her when we were children that I will help her achieve her dream: to become an excellent master magician no matter what. For me it is clear that Mana is a person who can channel enormous energies into things...The problem is that she gives too much attention and energy into useless things... I just want her guide into the right direction so she does not waste her time on things which do not help her on her way...She is so talented that it hurts but she leaves everything unfinished if something engages her attention...Since we were children I am the only one whom she listens to and learns from...I need to be strong and strict with her to her own benefit... One day I am sure that her magical power will be appreciated by everyone. Atem I want her the best because she is the most special for me...for her I would do anything..." smiled Mahado and looked at Mana with a gentle expression.
"Even hiding your true feelings from her? What if she feels the same as you?" asked Atem tentatively.
Mahado smiled sadly. "That would be a disaster now. Between a master magician and a magician apprentice cannot be more than master and student relationship. It is prohibited! If anything develops between them then another magician must take the apprentice's education...And that would be the worst that could happen to Mana...She would never accept anyone as her master magician...She has always been stubborn she never let anyone preach her, only me...I want to see her succeed and for that I will do everything it takes! It is my job to support her all the way through...I wish to see her pass her challenges with great success...What comes after that is a different story...but till then it is a secret the only me and you know!"
Atem smiled and nodded. "You are wise and I respect your decision. I will not reveal your secret. But...you must tell her what you feel when she passes her challenges. I know perfectly well that my father would appoint Mana as second Master Magician Master because he knows holding back the evil power of the Millenium Ring needs more than one magician. That time you will not be master and apprentice anymore! If you do not tell her what you told me after she passed her challenge I will tell it myself to her!"
"Fine Atem. But do not worry I will not need your support that time!" he said with a chuckle.
Then they heard the exparated cry of Mana and a victorious shout of Yuna. After some time Atem whispered to him. "Mahado you must admit it! You deliberately lost this round just to play against Mana!" Mahado chuckled and Atem stood up and walked to the other table and sat against Yuna.
"Are you prepared Egyptian brother to see who is better?" asked Yuna with a broad smile and quickly she stated. "Thank you very much for this day, all of you! I am so glad that I have you in my life!" said his sister happily and put her hand on her heart.
"We are also glad that we have you sister." answered looking away and thought the following: How much easier to love someone as a sister...You can be with her, teach her without any trouble...How come that loving a woman is so much different than this? Should not all kind of love be natural?
Then he let his thoughts drop and started preparing the board for the next game...
...
Atem could not ignore the fact any longer... Whenever Yuna stepped into a room or just walked through the corridors a lot of men stared after her with a dreamy expression. For some reason he found this a little bit of annoying...
Priest Siamun who was standing next to him, seemed to realise now whom Atem was looking at and started chuckling. "I cannot believe how fine a lady our Yuna has become in such a short time. My niece developed such curves that pull the eyes of men to her like a magnet." boasted Priest Siamun proudly as if he were responsible for the change that happened to Yuna.
Atem saw that his dear father smiled a little at the boasts of his priest. "I have realised that too. It is incredible how quick girls change into young women...Priest Siamun I am absolutely sure that we have to be careful. I want that Yuna finds a fine young man who can appreciate her the way she deserves."
Priest Siamun put a hand on Atem's shoulder and winked at him suggestively. "I would not mind if she catches a fine man like the birthday child."
Atem blushed slightly as he started protesting. "But Priest Siamun! I am not even come of age and Yuna is my sister!"
"Oh you are not really related!" winked Priest Siamun again with mischief. "Look at her properly. She has very nice curves don't you think? I suppose she has even become a bigger up there. Does that not make you have nice thoughts about her? You can be honest Prince Atem..."
"I—I ...I do not know what you mean Priest Siamun...What kind of nice thoughts you mean? I always think nicely of my sister..." Atem replied and his face became crimson red.
"Priest Siamun, leave my son enjoying his birthday. Atem is still young to understand what you are getting at! He is still a little boy! He does not think that way at all!" That moment Yuna reached them and bowed respectfully. "Welcome my daughter. You look as wonderful as always. Now as you arrived we can return to our seats and let the young ones alone and enjoy today's celebration."
Atem and Yuna sat on their seats and when the celebration was about to start when Atem heard running footsteps behind. When he looked back he saw Mana running to them and hopped down on the seat next to Atem's other side. She was out of breath when she hugged Atem still her voice was as cheerful as ever when she asked him. "What is it like to be fifteen years old Prince Atem?"
"Like to be fourteen I suppose." rolled the prince his eyes.
"You have not age a bit you still look like the same boy we know you! Well a year is not a long time anyway!" she said laughing.
Then Mahado behind them leaned to Mana and muttered. "And what is it like to be nineteen years old and still being late all the time? Atem behaves more mature than you even he is just fifteen."
"Mahado!" she cried out annoyed then she caught the direction of Mahado's eyes. Seto was looking in the direction of them and shook his head disapprovingly. Mana patted her master on the shoulder. "Do not worry, today we will give a show that will make him stop making nasty comments on your abilities! We will be the best today I promise you Mahado!"
"Mana I told you that you should call me Master Magician Mahado in public!" muttered Mahado clearly visible that his dark mood did not disappear.
"Roger Master!" said Mana with a cheerful laugh which made Mahado smile a little bit and his rigid posture relaxed as well.
Atem observed them with a smile on his face but soon he got back on the remark of Mana. She is absolutely right...I still look like a little boy...I have not changed a little bit...That moment he let his gaze wander at Yuna who was engaged in a conversation with Mana and Mahado now... He did not need Priest Siamun's words to make him aware that Yuna had changed a lot...He realised that long time ago...In the last two years she had became two heads taller than him...She had been always a little bit taller than him but not with two heads! Atem always had to look up at her when they were talking...And her body also changed radically too...Her bosoms became well developed and her bottoms were round and firm...She had slender long legs and slim waist...It was still a shock when he looked at her and he saw that Yuna had grown up before him: she became a young woman and she was not a girl anymore...But on the other side Atem knew her better... She might look like a young woman but inside she remained the same girl that he got to know years ago...Still her change often made him wonder about one thing...
Why? What is the reason that she looks like a young woman whereas I am still in the same body of a little boy? I have not changed at all in these two years whereas she is a real woman now...Will I always remain in this state? Is something wrong with me perhaps?
Then the first performers stepped on the stage and made him leave his troubling thoughts. He leaned closer to his sister and whispered to her ears exited. "Wow, I cannot believe that I have dancers this year as a first performance. Wow look at them! They are so excited that they can perform here! And there are some young women there in the back rows. They must be first performers! I am really curious what I see from them!"
"And look at that woman in the front!" Mana pointed at the young woman at the front.
"Stop being rude Mana!" reproved Mahado his apprentice and put her hand down.
"Roger Master!" replied Mana cheerfully and turned back to Atem and Yuna. "Well, what I wanted to say is that she dances the lead role today. I was late because I talked to her by the way. She told me that she will perform her dance to her love! She will get married next week. It is so beautiful, isn't it?" She clapped her hands in front of her chest and looked at Mahado.
Mahado smiled at the sight of her dreamy face. "You are right. That is really nice."
On the other side Atem heard Yuna take a sharp breath and stirred next to him. Atem glimpsed at her and to his astonishment she seemed to be annoyed rather than happy but he could not ask anything from her because the music started and he turned his eyes back to the performers. He was curious about their show...And he was glad what he saw...It was unbelievable that some of those young women were just some years older than Yuna and him...All of them moved totally synchronised, swung their bodies elegantly and swift. He got mesmerised and let his thoughts wander.
Would Yuna look like these women in a few years?
That woman with the long dark hair let her hand wander down her hips and her long legs. Hm...Yuna has already got long and slender legs and wide hips like a grown-up woman...I do not think that would change much...
Then the group started dancing a sensual belly dance which made their slender waist into centre of attention. Yuna's waist is as slender and she has got as even better belly than these women...
One of the woman let her hand quickly wander on her firm chest. Yuna's bosoms are even more developed than that woman's...She has firm and well-rounded bosoms...Actually she has beautiful curves just like Priest Siamun said...
Then he glimpsed at way the dancers moved their hands. Yuna also has an elegant hand and arms just like a developed woman...
Then a thought entered in his mind which made him shudder. Does that mean that she finished changing? Does this mean that she is a grown-up woman already?
Then Atem focused on the lead dancer. She was taller than the other women. Her bosoms were not so developed as Yuna's but she had wider hips and rounder butts. She had long dark brown wavy hair. And Atem realised that difference at once...It was not her figure and her body that made a difference...She was moving like the other women but still she was so different. Her movement, her posture, her dance showed a story of her. The story of an everlasting love between a man and a woman...Her chestnut coloured eyes were fixed to a particular man who watched her mesmerised. Then the lead dancer did something that made Atem take a sharp breath in. She moved away from the other dancers and danced in front of her beloved. The difference between a young woman and grown-up woman became even more obvious...Atem watched as the woman folded carefully her arms around the man's neck and looked into his eyes...Her deep brown eyes gazed at that man with care, love, kindness and with something else which was passionate and full of fire but Atem could not really grasp what it actually really was...Then his mind started playing a wild game with him...He imagined Yuna folding her arms around his neck and cast such a gaze on him with her wonderful clear blues eyes and he imagined that her hair slightly touched his face...Holy Ra, how he wished that Yuna would smile at him and took his head into her hands just like that woman did with that man and he saw as the woman leaned forward a little and...At this point something inside his stomach stirred and had to swallow hard. He put his hand on his chest to conceal his rapidly beating heart...He was unsure why he felt so strange so sudden...
Then he felt that the real Yuna stirred next to him...Atem looked at her instantly and saw that the his sister was staring ahead of her with her eyes widely open. She was patting and a drop of sweat rolled down on her face which was even paler than usual...
"What is the matter Yuna? You look sick..." asked Atem worried. I am such an idiot thinking about stupid things and not realising that next to me my sister feels unwell.
Yuna stood up and looked away. "I think I should return to my room to have some rest...I have not felt well today..." She walked to the pharaoh who looked worried at her and signed that she might leave the room. After she left the room and Atem could not at all watch the dancers with the same excited feeling as beforehand...Soon the performance of the young women ended and from the reaction of the crowd their success was inevitable...Atem also clapped his hands and gave the performers a kind smile but his enthusiasm was only faked. His thoughts went back on Yuna so when the little break started after the first performance he slipped out of the room to the secret path to have some privacy. He felt absolutely horrible as he leaned his back on the cool wall. He wished nothing else but to go after his dear blood kin and talk to her...He did not care about the next performers he just wanted to be on her side...But it would be absolute rude towards the other performers if he left the room. All these people who performed today had been giving their best and they regarded it as an honour that they could perform in front of the prince's birthday...If he left everyone would think that the first act made him dissatisfied with the whole event...He would make those performers hard work into nothing...His hands balled into fists and muttered angrily... "I am such an idiot not realising from the beginning that she was ill. Why did I let my thoughts wander away ...?"
Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and Atem saw Mana's beaming smile and a wink. "Hey that is not your fault that you were distracted. You are a boy after all...Of course, you look at attractive women that is nothing wrong in that."
I was looking them but I was thinking at Yuna all the time! And still I did not realise that she is ill... Atem wanted to protest but Mana shook her head. "She does not feel well but not because she is ill...When we arrived she had no problems but when the performance started she seemed to become extremely troubled...She seemed like someone who wanted to leave the place as soon as possible. For some reason she seemed totally shocked and uncomfortable..." Then she seemed to realise Atem's questioning look she continued. "...I could not really concentrate on the performance as I am so excited that I can perform with Mahado in an hour! I am reciting all the main parts of our performance over and over in my head and I just happened to look to her direction and that seemed even more troubled and anxious than me..."
Atem sighed and put his head in his hand. "Why must I be here? It is not fair...I want to be at her side now..."
Then she looked at to him with a concerned look in her eyes and whispered into his ear. "Do you wish to be with her so much?"
"I want to be at her side when she needs me. All the time..." A wide smile appeared on the face of the young master magician apprentice and she nodded. "I see."
Then Atem saw the fire of mischief flare up in her eyes and she started talking to him with her usual over-excited attitude.
"Well...The truth is that I have been practicing a new kind of magic for some time...Mahado knows nothing about it because I think that he would be dissatisfied with it...Still I cannot stop myself because deep in me I believe that this will be a really useful magic one day...One day that will be my special talent I feel it...And when it becomes a reality I will show Mahado and I will perform it in my challenge...If not I will not make him unhappy that I am practicing useless things again..."
Atem let out his breath and asked impatiently. "What exactly are you getting at Mana?"
"Well I was experimenting with things and finally I seem to make a progress. At the moment I can change everything on my face and my height. So if you agree then I can make myself spiky purple hair with blonde locks and change the colour of my eyes to purple. I can make myself a little bit shorter as well..." There she winked cheekily. "I hope you get now what I am aiming at..."
"You can change your appearance to look like me?!" cried out Atem.
"Well my face and my height as I said but I think that would be enough. Once day I hope that I can change nearly everything on me..." Mana nodded proudly. "But my ultimate goal is that one day I will be able to change other people's appearance as well. Just like I can change this!"
She looked at Atem intently then she touched her dress and it became the same copy of Atem's. Then she looked at Atem for a long time and her features started changing one by one till the point when Atem was facing with his own reflection. It would have been totally perfect if his reflection would not have started jumping up and down and smiled with the broad cheeky smile that was only typical for Mana. "Is it cool, isn't it? If you want I will take your place as long as we perform so please come back as soon as possible after you talked to Yuna."
Atem smiled kindly but grabbed Mana's arm as she wanted to go away. "What is it Atem?"
"Two things: First of all, you need some accessories Prince Atem." And he carefully took off all his jewelleries and gently put them on Mana.
"You never told me that these things are so heavy..." pouted Mana. "I never thought that I will ever wear a crown in my life!" she laughed out happily and put the crown on her head. She moved her head right and left then asked curiously. "What is the second thing?" .
"Your voice Mana. You do not sound like me." chuckled Atem.
"Oh, you are right." Then she cleared her throat one or two times and imitated Atem's voice. "I think that will be sufficient. Fortunately you have not mutated yet."
Atem had to agree that her imitation was good enough. And most likely she would not talk much anyway...
"You are magnificent Mana!" Atem praised Mana.
"Well I am a master magician apprentice. I am trying to give my best! Because I want to become a great magician master! So give your best as well Atem! But be quick though!" She waved a quick goodbye and Atem watched her behind the door with the help of a peephole that she ran back and hopped down on Atem's seat and looked utterly pleased and proud of her. Mahado looked at her startled. His astonished expression made Atem turn away quickly before he burst out laughing. Then he started running towards Yuna's room with a smile on his face.
But soon it turned out that there would be no need to run so far because in the centre where all the paths met he saw a figure sitting on one of the steps with one knee pulled to her chest whereas the other one stretched straight and the several white scars were visible...Her shoulders were moving up and down and she was sniffing quietly. Atem ran to her and carefully put a hand on her shoulder. Yuna stirred and looked up surprised.
She glimpsed unbelieving and the question popped out of her. "Atem...What are you doing here? Should you not be at your birthday ceremony?"
"Well, the truth is that I have found a great substitute of myself. Mana is playing my role right now."
She looked at him questioningly so Atem started explaining the situation. "You know she practiced some fabulous magic and it turned out really useful today...Imagine that she can..." Then he looked at his teary eyed sister and changed his mind. "But that is not important now...I have not come here to talk about Mana or her magic for that we will have time enough..." He swept away her tears carefully with his fingers gently and sat next to her. "Sorry that I touch you but I am your brother and I cannot see you crying...I came to be with you because you were not telling the truth...You are not ill, but you are hurt inside. What is the reason for that?"
Yuna seemed to find what he said amusing as she started chuckling silently. "Sometimes I regret that I taught you how to ask a proper question..." Then she asked a question quietly. "You will get your answer I promise but before that may I ask you some question first?"
"If that is how you want to do it fine by me. Sure go ahead." he sat next to her and waited her question eagerly.
"Atem...If you lived in a different place... in a different time...if you had a chance to have a different life what would you become? What would your imaginary or dream life be like? Would you become someone else or would you remain the same as you are now?"
"Those were more than one question." pointed out Atem triumphantly with which he earned a playful hit on his shoulder and a laugh on the part of his blood kin. "How cheeky you have become!" Then she became serious again. "I am asking you seriously...It really interests me what you think about what I asked just now..."
Atem looked around and he saw those doors which led to different places to the palace. He closed his eyes and wondered what path he would choose if he lived in an imaginary dream world. "Well...I would not be a ruler that is for sure..."
Yuna gasped surprised. "Wow, why?"
"Because in that world people would not need me as a ruler anymore. They would find another way to govern themselves."
Yuna smiled broadly. "You would live with us then. We do not have pharaohs or kings or queens...But would you not be out of space without your role? What would you be then? A priest? A conselor? A tomb keeper? A warrior? How would you spend your time if you were not a ruler?" She seemed to get more and more interested.
"I would..." he gulped and he felt that his heart rate increased. It was not like that he had never thought about something like this before. It was the opposite...But he never talked about this to anyone before. Not even to Mana and Mahado...What if his sister found his thoughts an idiocy?
His blood kin realised his hesitation and put her hand on his. "Do not be shy about it. I can see in your eyes that you have thought about this before this I really wish to hear your thoughts...It is really interesting what you said so far..." said Yuna encouragingly.
"I would spend as much time as I could with games...I would try out as much as I could and I would take part in competitions to become the best because..." There he stopped again and hesitated again.
"Because?" His sister asked him in an encouraging way.
"You will find this ridiculous...But in a different life and world I would like to find out my own games and I would make them popular among a lot of people." admitted Atem blushing.
"It is not ridiculous at all." Atem could hear that she took the matter seriously and she had no intention to laugh at him. "What would you like to achieve with it?"
"How did you know that I...?" asked back Atem astonished.
"You never do anything without some good purpose...I know you..." his sister replied honestly.
"Well..." Atem nodded and become less embarrassed at a sudden. He knew he could confide her into his most inner thoughts. "Playing games helped me to start talking to my best friends...That time I was too shy and reserved...But when I played I could ease up and I could overcome my shyness...It made me feel good and relaxed...So playing games helped me to find friends for a whole life...And I want other people experience this feeling...I want to help them feel good and relaxed...and find new friends...You must find me strange now..." He scratched his head. In the end despite his efforts he became embarrassed again after all...
Yuna smiled kindly at him and shook her head. "Not at all. I like your world...very much..." Then she looked up and took a deep breath. "Would you like to hear about my imaginary world?"
"I think you know that answer for that." smiled Atem and he could hardly wait to hear Yuna's thoughts.
"In my world I am a girl who spends a lot of time watching a woman. This woman is special because she has a special ability...Whenever she dances she can invoke purifying powers and make evil demons drive away...But that is not the only way that her dances are special. Her dances open up new worlds to me and makes me happy every time I watch her...And when I look around I can see other people see that same way...But she can especially make happy when person, a man that she loves from the bottom of her heart...Her example inspires me and I promise myself that I would like to become like her when I grow up. In this world I would spend as much time as possible to practice her movements and do anything to achieve my dreams. I would learn how to move my body to express all kinds of emotions, I would learn to jump high, how to move my legs elegantly...Even at a young age I would decide to perform a dance in my final ceremony...in front of everyone in my town...And one day I would perform in front of my own special one to show my emotions to him just the way she did...I would like to make people happy, I would make them forget their worries in their live and purify their heart, with my dance I would create them a new world and inspire them...Atem...Even after such a long time every time I see those dancers I still get remembered...About my mother's dances...and my dreams..And every time I realise that my imaginary world could easily have been a reality in this lifetime if my father would have not taken my dreams away from me...But now it is out of reach forever...I would never be able to jump with these kind of legs or perform any dance..." she put her head into her hands and started crying again. Atem looked at her legs...The one which was pulled up again to her chest and the other one on which knee white scars made their remarks about the past... She seemed to follow his gaze and when she found out what he was looking at she snorted.
"You find them hideous too, don't you? Every time I look at those scars they make me remember about that bastard father of mine...and about the dreams that he stole away from me...They are symbols of betrayal, pain and lost dreams..."
Atem sighed but he did not take his eyes from the scars which made Yuna fidget uncomfortably. He did not say anything for several seconds to gather his thoughts.
"Atem, why are you so silent?" Yuna asked worried.
"I am gathering my thoughts how to answer you the best way..." started Atem seriously. "You are right. If you look at those scars that way of yours then it is not a wonder that you find them hideous or even disgusting...But if you tried to look at them differently you would realise that they are in reality wonderful and amazing. Because that is how I see them every time I see them..." He reached out and let his forefinger wander up and down on each white scar as he continued talking. "For me they are symbols of a brave and strong willed person who bears them. They make me remember how many hardships my blood kin had to overcome and she did not them crush her but she was victorious all the time...They are the marks of how much hidden strength lies within you. Because you have been a fighter in your whole life...It makes me remember about your ability that you can adapt to every situation by learning new skills. They make me remember that if you get the right support you can achieve everything in your life and conquer all kind of obstacles...Dance is nothing but an obstacle which you can conquer if you look at the right way." Atem raised his finger from her leg took a deep breath and decided that he would share all his thoughts. "Well you know... During the years I realised that everything depends on how you look at a certain situation...None of us can live in an imaginary world but that should not make us unhappy. I cannot spend all my time playing around and make up new games but I do not think it as a burden anymore. I realised that I must do my best in the real world and I can be as happy or even happier here as in my imaginary one. If I had the chance to live in my imaginary world that I created in myself I would refuse to do that. Because I do not regret that fate gave me this life. I am glad that I can serve my people as a pharaoh. Once I might have found this as a burden but I realised that I cannot run away from any hardships of life but rather give my best. I would never forgive myself if I let down on my people because it would turn out that I am the chosen one and I allowed the darkness join its powers with the evil...And...I realised that I can be grateful for a lot of things: I met my friends here and you became my bloodkin, my dear sister...Even if I could live in an imaginary world I would never leave this place because I could never be happy without you all...I can play games here with those people who are important to me and that is what makes me really happy."
"Atem, you forget one thing. You can play games whereas I will never be able to dance properly. I will never be able to jump, hop, bend on my knees..." said Yuna with a sad smile on her face.
Atem stood up, gently pulled Yuna's hand and Yuna stood up next to him. "Yuna, that is exactly what I have been talking about have you not listened at all? You look at the whole thing the wrong way...If you believe that dancing is nothing but a sequence of jumping and hopping and bending your knees then you will never dance! If I thought this way I would never play games again in my life just because I cannot the master of all games and become a creator a new game...But no I refuse to think this way. I decided years ago that even though I will have little time when I have to fulfil my duties I will still try my best to play and learn new games and I will try make people happy and show them what pleasure playing games can be when I organise competitions...So I advise you to try thinking about your possibilities instead of what hinders you..."
"You speak nice but my case is hopeless..."
"You cannot be serious...That is not true at all! Yes, you will not be able to bend your leg, you will not be able to jump but you can dance...You will not be able to deny it, I will prove it to you..." Atem stepped behind her and grabbed her shoulders. "I have just seen a performance in which the dancers used their WHOLE body to show their emotions..." He put his hand on her hip. "You can move your waist the way they did..." He moved his hand upward along her belly. "You will be able to do a belly dance." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled them back. "You can stand gracefully and straight just like them." He turned her to him and grabbed her hands. "You have delicate hands and arms which you can move freely just like them..." And he touched her chin carefully. "You can turn your head the way you want and you can swing your hair like any dancer does on stage. And you have wonderful eyes which can show all of your emotions. Your eyes are just like deep water; it can show and reflect any emotions that you wish to display. And you can use steps that does not involve bending your knees. You will not be a professional dancer just like I will not become creator of new games but you can make your special person happy when the day comes...Do you still think that you are hopeless?"
Yuna nodded and hugged Atem gently. The boy felt that her her soft and equally firm breasts became close to his chest and for a second he felt that that the heat rushed into his head. Then he put his hand on her back and wondered when his sister became so fine, so soft. It felt so great and comfortable to be near her and he would have hugged her longer if the she did not step away and looked at him with a bright smile. "You are totally right. I was blinded but now I see clearly what I need to do from now on. I will find out how to dance on my own way and show my feeling for my special one when the day comes. I feel much better now so I think I can go back to your birthday celebration now." Then she put her hand on her chest and bowed a little. "Thank you very much for everything today my dear Egyptian brother." Atem looked away but the first time in his life he felt a little pain when he heard the word "brother". He turned quickly away and muttered. "I think we should be quick. We must get back before Mana and Mahado's performance starts."
"Oh yes, speaking of Mana, how did she become my brother's substitute?" she asked curiously. Again Atem felt uncomfortable as if the word brother caused him some pain all of a sudden.
What is the wrong with me? Why do I feel this strange feeling all of a sudden? Have I gone crazy? What do I want her to call me if not brother? Then he shook his head. It must be some coincidence I do not think that it means something special...
Then they walked back to the throne room and during their way Atem told her everything about Mana's new magical abilities.
...
That night Atem was woken up by hearing steps nearing him. He opened his eyes and sat up instantly to see who interrupted his sleep. His heart hammered rapidly in his chest. Was the steps were the sound of some upcoming danger?
"Do not be afraid it is just me." heard Atem and recognised the owner of the voice before she stepped out from the shadows into the moonlit room. It was Yuna...And how beautiful she was tonight! Atem could not take his eyes from her...She was not wearing her usual traditional Egyptian dress but the same dress as the dancers today...Shemust have seen his admiration because she gave him a mysterious smile, walked slowly to him and gently sat down on the bed and leaned close to him. She put her hand on his chin and closed his mouth. He did not realise until now that he had been gaping with open mouth at her...He looked away a little bit ashamed gulped hard and after some seconds he finally managed to say. "What are you doing here?"
"I wish to dance for you." she whispered to his ears. "I hope you will like it." She stepped on his bed and Atem sat up abruptly on his knees and looked up at her in wonder. Before he could say a word the same music that he heard today was played and Yuna started dancing and Atem watched her with wide eyes and his mouth popped open. She circled her hips and made a belly dance in front of him. Even if he wanted he could not have taken his eyes from her. But he had no intention to take his eyes from her even for a moment! He loved how she moved her hands so elegantly and so smooth. She danced like a dancer who had been practicing her moves for years...
"Wow, you are wonderful." he whispered mesmerised. How could she become so good? It is unbelievable that she have not danced in all her life! I cannot believe that she just told me that she would start dancing from today and now she moves her body like this!
Then he looked up into her face and his breath was taken away. She was looking at him with such an intense gaze. It was full of passion and so inviting. Atem felt that his heart started beating faster and felt a strange hot feeling emerging within his stomach which spread slowly lower...Before he could realise what was happening to him Yuna stepped closer to him knelt in front of him grabbed his shoulders and pushed him to the bed. Her face was just above him and Atem felt that her hair touched his face gently. She was glaring at him with the same expression as the dancer had cast looking at her special one... Without thinking Atem reached out his hand to touch her face. He let his fingers linger on her reddish cheeks. Then he glimpsed at her lips and brushed his forefinger on the lower one. Holy Ra how much he loved that she was so close to him...That was the best feeling in the whole world! Yuna chuckled at him then folded her arms around his neck and she pressed her mouth on his own. At this moment an intense wave washed over his body suddenly...He grabbed her hand and pulled her down on him, he let his fingers buried in her brown hairs and kissed her back. He felt his as if his whole body was suddenly consumed by some kind of fever but instead of feeling ill he never felt more alive as in that particular moment. He let his hands wander on her back, her shoulder, and her arms. He put light kissed on her cheeks.
"I want to feel you close to me." he whispered softly in her ear. His voice was full of need and passion. His sister leaned closer to him and folded her arms around him. Atem loved the feeling of her breast on his chest. She gave him another kiss on his mouth and Atem folded his arms on her waist. He let her smell, her presence fill all his senses. His heart pumped blood in his veins and his heart hammered in his ears. He took deep breaths to fill his lungs with fresh air...His body was convulsed in an unknown intense feeling which concentrated on a special spot now...In his mind the same thoughts went round and round.
I want to feel you, I want to touch you everywhere...You are so good...I want more of you...
At that point small pants broke out of him and it became hard for him to make coherent sentences but he tried his best to tell what he felt to her. "Ha...ah...Yuna...I...want... to be...near...you...all the time! I want...to feel you...to touch you...I always want to be...on... your side. Because...I love you...so much..." Then he wanted to kiss her more passionately and bury himself into her somewhere and become one with her...
His eyes popped open and realised he was lying on his back in his bed. He was breathing hard and his heart raced hard. He looked around in surprise and noticed that he was totally alone in his room. He realised with a sad pang in his chest that he had only been dreaming...He slowly sat up to calm himself and then he felt something wet under him on the bed and...He became aware with a slight shock that his change into manhood had also started...
Notes of the author:
- Yu-Gi-Oh! and its characters belongs to Kazuki Takahashi please note that I try to be faithful to the storyline of the manga but in order to make the my own story complete and logical I may have made some alterations and will do if necessary
- the avatar that I used was found on pinterest at: pin/507147608010770878/ I does not belong to me, I would be wonderful if I could make my own pictures about the story but I am not on that level. I would be a dream come true if I could inspire artists to make pictures about this story. :)
- I set my story mainly in ancient Egypt but as I am not a historian, historical inaccurances are also possible
- Please note that English is a foreign English for me however I try to my best to improve my vocabulary and grammar, feel free to higligh my mistakes I will correct them as soon as possible
- As I work and have a private life the updates can take some time, but if I have some free time I devote it to the story.
Notes about this chapter:
-I know that I have spent a lot of time composing this part of the story. This chapter made me come out of my comfort zone for a lot of reasons...I had to rewrite it over and over till I finally had it in this final form. Actually it is only the first part of the whole chapter I plan to upload the second part as soon as possible. I am sure that after reading this chapter it is obvious why I marked the whole plot "Mature".
- As for Mana's remark on Yuna's period: As I read about Egyptian culture I have come across that Egyptians believed that the monthly "blood" had magical powers. As I found this fact interesting I included it in the story. (The reaction of Yuna reflects my personal opinion though. ;) Actually it is astonishing how open-minded and developped and knowledge was about sexuality...
