*Saraha walks into the room and ducks all the objects throw at her
as she enters.*
Saraha: Ack, lack of updating! Gomen! Please don't kill me!
Y Malik: *looks pleadingly* Please kill her!
Saraha: *glare*
Y Malik: *cower* OO;;
Saraha: *smirks before turning back to readers* I am really, really,
sorry that it took so long to get this up, I've been pretty busy
compared to my normal lazy lifestyle. I've had lots of stuff to
over worry about lately and of course now the impending 90% or so
chance that my family and I will be moving from St.Louis to somewhere
near Orlando right after Christmas. *crosses fingers* Wish me (or my
dad more likely, he's the one who'll get the job if it happens) luck
on it, I've always wanted to live in Florida, to be away from my
allergies, be near a beach, warm weather year-round... *sigh*
Sounds like heaven to me!
Other than the 'important stuff' I already said, I've also been
distracted by other story ideas that dance through my head like
Yugi and Yami on a sugar high.
Yami: Oo Who says I get sugar high???
Saraha: I do! ^^
Yami: *grumbles and mutters about insane yaoi fangirls*
Saraha: hehe. Well, on to other things. This a all Aku chappie,
with more than likely another all Aku to follow. I'm not sure but,
I should finish Aku's story in the next chapter. Or maybe the one after that.
I'm really not that organized ya know. ^^;;
Anywho, I DO have a few plans for after that though so my estimate
for length of this story is about 32 chapters. Wow! That's a lot!
You know when I first started writing this I planed on maybe
five chapters at the most and I planed on making it kind of dark
angsty-ish fic. Wow again. OO It's gone on this long!?!
I feel both proud and embarrassed at the same time. Oo
Well, I'm sure people who have gone far enough to get
to this point want a story so here's chappie 26!
-----------------------------------
When he woke again it was night. The teen opened his eyes seeing
a flickering shadow on the ceiling, he turned his head towards the
nearby table. There sat the Prince with a candle burning next to
him; he ruby eyes coasted along the parchment he was looking at.
He stopped suddenly and looked at the wounded other.
"Any pain?"
Carefully sitting up brown eyes blinked when a burning pain didn't
crawl up his back as it had before. Amazing, he'd only been out a
few hours at the most.
"No.."
The prince smiled at this, folding over his paper and moved to sit
next to the white haired thief. The thief looked away nervously.
"Good, I thought Seh would do a good job. He has very interesting
powers, he'll be a great priest someday."
The other said nothing, not trusting himself to keep from saying
something foolish. The prince didn't seem to notice.
"You never told me your name."
The thief pulled at the cloth wrap he wore trying to make it cover
his knees, wearing so little made him very nervous. He always
worn long clothes since he'd lived with Sunqui, mostly because
of his skin. The clink of the royalties bracelets was heard making
him look up involuntarily. Crimson orbs met his own chocolate brown.
Quickly he looked down.
"My name is Aku, my Prince."
"Aku, interesting name. I've never seen anyone who had hair or skin
like you, were you born in Egypt?"
A silent nod.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen, my Prince."
"Really? I thought you might have been Seh's age not mine.
Do your parents live in the palace?"
Aku felt a stinging pain in his chest and without thinking answered
quite bluntly.
"My parents are dead."
"I see. Then you work here by yourself? Or with siblings?"
"..I-"
"You don't work here do you?"
Surprise written on his every feature Aku looked from the floor
to the elegant features of the Prince of Egypt.
Had he figured him out? If so he'd be dead in whatever amount of
time it took for the guards to come, and with royalty that would
be seconds most likely.
"He took you from the city didn't he? There are laws against
enslaving commoners like that."
Relief flooded into Aku's chest making everything that comforting
numbness again. He was still relatively safe for now. However it
wouldn't do to lie now when it as well could get him into trouble.
It didn't matter however for the other teen continued.
"Well, he can't touch you anymore. If he even tried to he'd be
in huge trouble. My father made restrictions to keep commoners
from being forced into the slave trade."
A note of superiority flared in his voice that made Aku's temper
rise. There may have been officially laws against it but he knew
that it happened all the time with noble, even royal consent sometimes
as well. Anyone who looked exotic or were talented in different areas
and were of low birth were taken. He himself would have been if not
for his mother and Sunqui. They had taught him well too, he knew to
avoid public areas during the day and to stay cloaked at all costs.
However he suppressed the anger wanting only at the moment to come
out of the situation alive.
"Thank you, my Prince."
It was at that moment the door that blended in with the walls opened.
Parting with a creek a tall teen with messy brown hair and icy blue
eyes stumbled in a round of bruises laced across a bare chest, simple
white pants clinging to a thin waist. The Prince hurriedly stood
rushing to the side of Seh with worry in ruby eyes. Seh smiled almost
kindly at him.
"I-I'm fine. Just a little tired."
The Prince seemed unconvinced by the statement of the taller and
placed a hand to his chest letting a gold glow cover and remove his
bruises. He removed it showing flawless and smooth tanned flesh.
Aku stared in silent awe at the magic.
"He didn't do this to you did he?"
"Not directly. He knows you'll get him in trouble if he did so. He
is though quite angry about the lose of his toy."
Aku felt his stomach drop at the now apparent subject of the
conversation. Horrible images filled the boys mind making everything
a seething pain in his head. Involuntarily he whimpered. Somehow he'd
gotten himself to think of everything except the situation that had
brought him to require the help of the people he hated more than
any. The promise he'd made to himself came to mind, he would live
and live better than any other of the pathetic people of Egypt.
That he would be one that would find something better to live for.
All these dreams now seemed to fall and break at his feet, the soft
mocking laughter of the Priest echoing in his thoughts.
How could he find himself broken so easily?
Had his teacher not shown him how to overcome his weakness?
Somehow though that didn't seem enough. He never thought that something
like this would happen to him. Who would?
"Sunqui.."
The Prince spun to face Aku with large eyes and shock written on his
face. He looked upset, angry even in some way.
"What did you say?"
"I-I-"
The Prince sighed then laughed a little.
"Sorry, I just thought you said- well it's not important. I'm just a
bit tired I guess. If you've had enough sleep now I'm sure Seh could
help you get something to eat for tonight. We can probably sneak you
out of the palace somehow tomorrow. Seh, I'll be retiring now. Please
see to Aku for me before going to bed alright? I'll leave my chambers
spelled for your entrance."
The taller boy bowed to him as he left by way of another hidden door,
he then faced the thief boy.
"Your name's Aku then?"
He nodded.
"Well, come'on. I know a shortcut to the kitchens, we'll get you
something there. I could do with a meal myself, that bastard decided
to train through the afternoon and evening meals."
It didn't take long to get there, Aku was amused to see the older boy
moved much like a thief himself as the made there way to what appeared
to be a large store room for food. More food then Aku had ever laid
eyes on in his already short-lived life. Seh smirked at the wide eyed
boy.
"Quite a lot isn't it? It's bigger than the private stores of the
Temple of Osiris even."
In no time at all the two were seated on the cool floor feasting
on sweet fruit, bread, and smoked fish; a jug of cold water to
share between them. Aku could barely restrain himself from stuffing
everything in his mouth at once, he took instead large bites of various
foods taking sips of water in-between different foods; Seh was a bit
more restrained though. Chewing his meal he watched his younger
companion stuff his face.
"Never seen anyone eat like that before."
Aku swallowed causing himself to choke slightly. He coughed slightly
and took a sip of water before speaking.
"It's been so long since I've had a meal like this. I can't help
myself."
Seh chuckled lightly.
"Well try and restrain yourself, I'd hate to tell his Highness that
you choked to death right after your recovery."
Aku snorted at the others crude humor chewing bread thoughtfully.
"I suppose so."
It was quiet for a while and soon both teens were full and on there
way back to the room. It was then that Aku choose to speak, feeling
oddly comfortable speaking to the other; perhaps because they were
both commoners? That was perhaps the only link he could think of.
"Seh? Do you know why his majesty um-"
"Saved you? Not really. I'd only just been brought here and met his
highness just recently for the first time. He seems, unusual though."
Surprised that Seh had even bothered to answer him Aku waited for him
to continue.
"It-it's like he sees things no one else can, like magic or something.
He does things on whims too. Like saving you."
"Hm."
"Me too. I was a trainee at the temple when he order that I become
that bastard's apprentice. He kept talking about dragons or something
like that then told off the old man like he was king already. It was
something though, hilarious really when you think about his height."
The thought of the Prince putting the Priest in his place was quite
funny, though it's effect wasn't as impressive as one would hope.
"He is strange though. Not really in a bad way though."
And that was the end of the conversation Seh led Aku back to his pallet
in the odd hidden room before leaving himself. Aku lay there for
quite some time try to comprehend all the oddities of the day. He
wondered especially why his muttering of Sunqui had alarmed the
Prince. What exactly had caused that? Probably nothing he told
himself, he probably misheard him in the first place. Aku rolled
into a more comfortable position to rest. He wasn't really tired
after so much sleep but something told him to stay for the moment.
So he lay there and pondered for the first time in quite a while
what exactly happen with Sunqui, his old teacher. He'd never really
thought carefully about it but, what had Sunqui ever done to be
branded as a considerer against the Pharaoh? Indeed, how was
a simple city Priest considered any kind of threat at all.
-----------------------------------
Saraha: Ra, my chapters are getting too short and my notes too long!
I'm sure you all want to strangle me by now since nothing really happened here.
I really am going to get this done! I've been a bit lazy in updating I suppose but,
I'm going to try to update once a week again wish me luck with that.
As I said early I have many stories planed out for after this which I may
post summaries to in my FF.net profile. Tomorrow or something. Maybe.
I love this story I really do but, I think I've kept it going a bit too long.
I however want it to end well.
So I'll keep writing and try to finish. I think Aku's story is what's wearing
me down on this, I sort of threw it in on a whim and now I have to finish it.
Well, I'm getting kicked off the computer now so I gotta go, Ja! *grabs Y Malik and wanders to her
room carrying her notebook*
Y Malik: OO HELP!
as she enters.*
Saraha: Ack, lack of updating! Gomen! Please don't kill me!
Y Malik: *looks pleadingly* Please kill her!
Saraha: *glare*
Y Malik: *cower* OO;;
Saraha: *smirks before turning back to readers* I am really, really,
sorry that it took so long to get this up, I've been pretty busy
compared to my normal lazy lifestyle. I've had lots of stuff to
over worry about lately and of course now the impending 90% or so
chance that my family and I will be moving from St.Louis to somewhere
near Orlando right after Christmas. *crosses fingers* Wish me (or my
dad more likely, he's the one who'll get the job if it happens) luck
on it, I've always wanted to live in Florida, to be away from my
allergies, be near a beach, warm weather year-round... *sigh*
Sounds like heaven to me!
Other than the 'important stuff' I already said, I've also been
distracted by other story ideas that dance through my head like
Yugi and Yami on a sugar high.
Yami: Oo Who says I get sugar high???
Saraha: I do! ^^
Yami: *grumbles and mutters about insane yaoi fangirls*
Saraha: hehe. Well, on to other things. This a all Aku chappie,
with more than likely another all Aku to follow. I'm not sure but,
I should finish Aku's story in the next chapter. Or maybe the one after that.
I'm really not that organized ya know. ^^;;
Anywho, I DO have a few plans for after that though so my estimate
for length of this story is about 32 chapters. Wow! That's a lot!
You know when I first started writing this I planed on maybe
five chapters at the most and I planed on making it kind of dark
angsty-ish fic. Wow again. OO It's gone on this long!?!
I feel both proud and embarrassed at the same time. Oo
Well, I'm sure people who have gone far enough to get
to this point want a story so here's chappie 26!
-----------------------------------
When he woke again it was night. The teen opened his eyes seeing
a flickering shadow on the ceiling, he turned his head towards the
nearby table. There sat the Prince with a candle burning next to
him; he ruby eyes coasted along the parchment he was looking at.
He stopped suddenly and looked at the wounded other.
"Any pain?"
Carefully sitting up brown eyes blinked when a burning pain didn't
crawl up his back as it had before. Amazing, he'd only been out a
few hours at the most.
"No.."
The prince smiled at this, folding over his paper and moved to sit
next to the white haired thief. The thief looked away nervously.
"Good, I thought Seh would do a good job. He has very interesting
powers, he'll be a great priest someday."
The other said nothing, not trusting himself to keep from saying
something foolish. The prince didn't seem to notice.
"You never told me your name."
The thief pulled at the cloth wrap he wore trying to make it cover
his knees, wearing so little made him very nervous. He always
worn long clothes since he'd lived with Sunqui, mostly because
of his skin. The clink of the royalties bracelets was heard making
him look up involuntarily. Crimson orbs met his own chocolate brown.
Quickly he looked down.
"My name is Aku, my Prince."
"Aku, interesting name. I've never seen anyone who had hair or skin
like you, were you born in Egypt?"
A silent nod.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen, my Prince."
"Really? I thought you might have been Seh's age not mine.
Do your parents live in the palace?"
Aku felt a stinging pain in his chest and without thinking answered
quite bluntly.
"My parents are dead."
"I see. Then you work here by yourself? Or with siblings?"
"..I-"
"You don't work here do you?"
Surprise written on his every feature Aku looked from the floor
to the elegant features of the Prince of Egypt.
Had he figured him out? If so he'd be dead in whatever amount of
time it took for the guards to come, and with royalty that would
be seconds most likely.
"He took you from the city didn't he? There are laws against
enslaving commoners like that."
Relief flooded into Aku's chest making everything that comforting
numbness again. He was still relatively safe for now. However it
wouldn't do to lie now when it as well could get him into trouble.
It didn't matter however for the other teen continued.
"Well, he can't touch you anymore. If he even tried to he'd be
in huge trouble. My father made restrictions to keep commoners
from being forced into the slave trade."
A note of superiority flared in his voice that made Aku's temper
rise. There may have been officially laws against it but he knew
that it happened all the time with noble, even royal consent sometimes
as well. Anyone who looked exotic or were talented in different areas
and were of low birth were taken. He himself would have been if not
for his mother and Sunqui. They had taught him well too, he knew to
avoid public areas during the day and to stay cloaked at all costs.
However he suppressed the anger wanting only at the moment to come
out of the situation alive.
"Thank you, my Prince."
It was at that moment the door that blended in with the walls opened.
Parting with a creek a tall teen with messy brown hair and icy blue
eyes stumbled in a round of bruises laced across a bare chest, simple
white pants clinging to a thin waist. The Prince hurriedly stood
rushing to the side of Seh with worry in ruby eyes. Seh smiled almost
kindly at him.
"I-I'm fine. Just a little tired."
The Prince seemed unconvinced by the statement of the taller and
placed a hand to his chest letting a gold glow cover and remove his
bruises. He removed it showing flawless and smooth tanned flesh.
Aku stared in silent awe at the magic.
"He didn't do this to you did he?"
"Not directly. He knows you'll get him in trouble if he did so. He
is though quite angry about the lose of his toy."
Aku felt his stomach drop at the now apparent subject of the
conversation. Horrible images filled the boys mind making everything
a seething pain in his head. Involuntarily he whimpered. Somehow he'd
gotten himself to think of everything except the situation that had
brought him to require the help of the people he hated more than
any. The promise he'd made to himself came to mind, he would live
and live better than any other of the pathetic people of Egypt.
That he would be one that would find something better to live for.
All these dreams now seemed to fall and break at his feet, the soft
mocking laughter of the Priest echoing in his thoughts.
How could he find himself broken so easily?
Had his teacher not shown him how to overcome his weakness?
Somehow though that didn't seem enough. He never thought that something
like this would happen to him. Who would?
"Sunqui.."
The Prince spun to face Aku with large eyes and shock written on his
face. He looked upset, angry even in some way.
"What did you say?"
"I-I-"
The Prince sighed then laughed a little.
"Sorry, I just thought you said- well it's not important. I'm just a
bit tired I guess. If you've had enough sleep now I'm sure Seh could
help you get something to eat for tonight. We can probably sneak you
out of the palace somehow tomorrow. Seh, I'll be retiring now. Please
see to Aku for me before going to bed alright? I'll leave my chambers
spelled for your entrance."
The taller boy bowed to him as he left by way of another hidden door,
he then faced the thief boy.
"Your name's Aku then?"
He nodded.
"Well, come'on. I know a shortcut to the kitchens, we'll get you
something there. I could do with a meal myself, that bastard decided
to train through the afternoon and evening meals."
It didn't take long to get there, Aku was amused to see the older boy
moved much like a thief himself as the made there way to what appeared
to be a large store room for food. More food then Aku had ever laid
eyes on in his already short-lived life. Seh smirked at the wide eyed
boy.
"Quite a lot isn't it? It's bigger than the private stores of the
Temple of Osiris even."
In no time at all the two were seated on the cool floor feasting
on sweet fruit, bread, and smoked fish; a jug of cold water to
share between them. Aku could barely restrain himself from stuffing
everything in his mouth at once, he took instead large bites of various
foods taking sips of water in-between different foods; Seh was a bit
more restrained though. Chewing his meal he watched his younger
companion stuff his face.
"Never seen anyone eat like that before."
Aku swallowed causing himself to choke slightly. He coughed slightly
and took a sip of water before speaking.
"It's been so long since I've had a meal like this. I can't help
myself."
Seh chuckled lightly.
"Well try and restrain yourself, I'd hate to tell his Highness that
you choked to death right after your recovery."
Aku snorted at the others crude humor chewing bread thoughtfully.
"I suppose so."
It was quiet for a while and soon both teens were full and on there
way back to the room. It was then that Aku choose to speak, feeling
oddly comfortable speaking to the other; perhaps because they were
both commoners? That was perhaps the only link he could think of.
"Seh? Do you know why his majesty um-"
"Saved you? Not really. I'd only just been brought here and met his
highness just recently for the first time. He seems, unusual though."
Surprised that Seh had even bothered to answer him Aku waited for him
to continue.
"It-it's like he sees things no one else can, like magic or something.
He does things on whims too. Like saving you."
"Hm."
"Me too. I was a trainee at the temple when he order that I become
that bastard's apprentice. He kept talking about dragons or something
like that then told off the old man like he was king already. It was
something though, hilarious really when you think about his height."
The thought of the Prince putting the Priest in his place was quite
funny, though it's effect wasn't as impressive as one would hope.
"He is strange though. Not really in a bad way though."
And that was the end of the conversation Seh led Aku back to his pallet
in the odd hidden room before leaving himself. Aku lay there for
quite some time try to comprehend all the oddities of the day. He
wondered especially why his muttering of Sunqui had alarmed the
Prince. What exactly had caused that? Probably nothing he told
himself, he probably misheard him in the first place. Aku rolled
into a more comfortable position to rest. He wasn't really tired
after so much sleep but something told him to stay for the moment.
So he lay there and pondered for the first time in quite a while
what exactly happen with Sunqui, his old teacher. He'd never really
thought carefully about it but, what had Sunqui ever done to be
branded as a considerer against the Pharaoh? Indeed, how was
a simple city Priest considered any kind of threat at all.
-----------------------------------
Saraha: Ra, my chapters are getting too short and my notes too long!
I'm sure you all want to strangle me by now since nothing really happened here.
I really am going to get this done! I've been a bit lazy in updating I suppose but,
I'm going to try to update once a week again wish me luck with that.
As I said early I have many stories planed out for after this which I may
post summaries to in my FF.net profile. Tomorrow or something. Maybe.
I love this story I really do but, I think I've kept it going a bit too long.
I however want it to end well.
So I'll keep writing and try to finish. I think Aku's story is what's wearing
me down on this, I sort of threw it in on a whim and now I have to finish it.
Well, I'm getting kicked off the computer now so I gotta go, Ja! *grabs Y Malik and wanders to her
room carrying her notebook*
Y Malik: OO HELP!
