Me: And we're back!
Dree: Not bad so far if you ask me
Me: Thanks Dree, who wants to introduce the next chappie
Ryou: I will. The next chapter, and technically the first, is entitled; Five Thousand Years Ago. Enjoy!
Yugi: And don't forget to review!
Ch 1: Five Thousand Years Ago
Dearest Diary, Life has taken an unexpected turn. My grandfather, I know, never expected my mastery of The Shadow Games to come so fully or quickly. Especially for my age, I am only ten after all. It seems, all the way in the palace, the Pharaoh's only son, Prince Yami, sensed me. They came here, the Pharaoh and his son; spoke with my grandfather and me. They requested, rather than ordered, I come to live in the palace. To protect the young Prince, who is only two years younger than myself, teach him, advise him. It was truly such a great honor for my grandfather, his face glowed with pride. My grandfather left the choice up to me. I was hesitant to leave him all alone, but I know the rest of our village will look after him. In all darkness, light eventually can shine, Azure
Eight Years later
Dearest Diary, I admit freely how bitterly I wept when I heard the news the Pharaoh had died. He had always treated me with kindness, like a daughter of his own flesh and blood. I, who had never known my own father, could spend endless hours listening to his tales of old. It was always what I had wished for, a father. A father to tell me stories, tell me good night. Soon Yami will be Pharaoh. Even at the age of sixteen, he is not the youngest to have taken the throne. I pray to thee accept me as I am and let me accept thee, Azure
Azure
"Azure," My friend Seth poked me not so gently in the shoulder.
"What?" I grumbled.
I was one of the only people Seth would take attitude from, probably because my Shadow powers rivaled, if not surpassed his own. During my eight years of residence in the palace, I was one of the few to have gained his trust, respect and friendship.
"A messenger came from your grandfather today," Seth hesitated, his tone dropped slightly.
Immediately I gave him my full attention, "What was the message?" I asked slowly.
"It's about the boy." I blinked, barely able to digest what Seth was telling me.
"Azure?" he asked softly. I leaped up and immediately ran to my room.
"Azure wait," Seth sprinted after me. I began throwing my clothes into a travel bag.
"You can't just up and leave," I heard him protest. I mumbled something incoherently.
"Azure!" Seth grabbed my arm and forced me to stop "Azure, you cannot just take off, the other advisors will take offense."
I sighed, forcing myself to calm down "Seth, Yugi needs my help."
"I know Azure," Seth hesitated slightly, "I will speak to Yami, you pack."
I turned to him, "Thank you," I hugged him, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Anyone else, Seth probably would have banished to the shadow realm, but he just blushed, and left to find Yami. I was finishing my packing, when a knock came at my door.
"Yes," I called not bothering to look up, figuring it was Seth. The door opened, and I heard Seth clearing his throat. Turning to look, I saw he had Yami with him. I quickly bowed, and Yami smiled softly at me.
"Seth has informed me you wish to go home for a time."
"Yes, the boy my grandfather took in, Yugi has been hurt."
Yami's smile did not fade, "You need not explain Azure. After speaking with Seth, we have decided to accompany you."
I blinked several times, taken back "The both of you?"
"Yes," Seth replied, grinning.
"You just want to get away from the meetings with your advisors," I accused playfully.
Yami's smile turned into a full blown grin "Indeed."
"I leave in fifteen minutes," I warned them.
The journey to my village was neither long, nor hard. It never is.
"Grandfather," I called running into my old home.
"Azure!" he met me at the door and hugged me. Noticing Seth and Yami, he bowed deeply "Pharaoh, High Priest."
Seth and Yami both nodded back to him. "Grandfather, where is Yugi?" I asked.
"Asleep in his room," was the reply. I quickly went in and sat down next to the pale little boy.
"Hello little one," I said softly to him.
Yugi blinked a few times, before his eyes focused in on mine "Azure," he moaned softly "You came."
"Of course I came," my voice softened. I heard Seth and Yami enter behind me.
"Azure," Yami inhaled sharply. "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.
"I did tell you Yami, I told both of you. You didn't believe me." Yami stared, in disbelief, at the young boy who resembled him so.
"Little one, I have to look at your wound," I told him.
Yugi nodded as I gently unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. Simultaneously, Seth, Yami and I gasped. The wound was red, with a think black liquid slowly oozing from it.
"What did this?" Seth demanded coldly.
"Your going to frighten him, he's just a kid," Yami rebuked Seth.
"He's fifteen," I told them, looking away from the wound for a moment.
"Never mind his age," Seth snapped "What attacked him?" Yugi was silent and Seth asked me "Why does he not speak?" I knew why Yugi did not speak to them, but I wasn't about to tell Seth.
"Yugi, you can talk to them," I said gently.
"I don't know what it was exactly. It threw a dagger into my shoulder," He said softly, clearly still frightened, "I think it was a duel monster."
Seth and Yami looked at him blankly
"He means shadow creature," I said quickly. They both looked at me for a moment, but did not question me.
"Sleep little one," I put my hand on his forehead, and sleep he did.
My grandfather gave us some fruit, and went to watch over Yugi as he slept. The three of us sat around the small table, all silent.
"Where did he come from?" Seth was the first to break the silence.
"I don't know," I said slowly.
"What do you suspect?" Yami asked.
I hesitated before speaking, "I suspect when he came from, not where."
Seth raised an eyebrow in my direction and I said "The future." There was silence again for a few moments.
"He'll be okay?" Yami asked me.
I nodded "I laid a slow healing on him, but its all I can do for such an odd wound."
"What makes you think he's from the future?" Seth demanded.
I shrugged slightly "Well the clothes he wore when he came, the way he keeps his shadow creatures, the way he speaks," I said.
Yami raised an eyebrow "The way he keeps his shadow creatures?"
I nodded "I don't know where he has it. I'll ask him when he awakens. Until then," I grinned evilly at Seth "I have things to attend to, and you can help me. Yami, will you watch over the boy? Incase the creature comes back."
"Huh?" Seth asked as Yami nodded his agreement.
"With Yugi injured Grandfather needs help tending the shop and so on," I told him standing.
"Because I love you so," I grinned. Seth made a face at me, but followed me obligingly.
Yami
After Azure and Seth left me in the kitchen, I was lost in my thoughts for Ra knows how long.
"Yami," a soft, shy voice pulled my back into reality. It was the boy, Yugi.
"Shouldn't you be resting?" I asked him sternly.
"I had to see you," he said, looking up at me.
I frowned slightly "Why?"
The boy blushed and lowered his eyes "Uh, no reason."
My frown deepened, but remained silent. I felt a doorway to the shadow realm fly open suddenly. Wind from nowhere swirled around the room and a soft hissing noise could be heard. Yugi must have heard it too, because he drew quickly towards my chest, like he was used to me protecting him. Out of nowhere, I felt the strongest urge to shield him.
I wrapped a protective arm around him, "DARK MAGICIAN," I bellowed.
Immediately my Dark Magician stood in front of the boy and I, his hand held out, forcing the Shadow Creature back, and the door to close.
Once the door was closed, The Dark Magician turned to us and bowed deeply. His sharp eyes rested on Yugi. Yugi's trembling lessened as he looked up at my Dark Magician.
I stood and bowed back to my friend "Thank you." A smile tugged at the edge of his lips "This is Yugi," I informed him "Yugi this is The Dark Magician, or Darm." Yugi just stared up at Darm, in shock.
"YAMI? YUGI?" I heard Azure a moment before I saw her. Seth came in after her, looking equally out of breath.
"We are fine," I assured them.
Azure took Yugi into her arms, I noticed the boy visibly relax at Azure's return. Seth looked me, I could see the questions in his eyes, but I merely shook my head. I would discuss this with him at a later time. Darm bowed to all of us, in silent goodbye, and then was gone.
I stood up "We leave for the palace."
Azure let go of Yugi and looked up at me "Yami, we've only just gotten here. Yugi's wound could reopen, and what if the creature comes back?"
"The boy comes with us," I said, somewhat surprised at my own cold tone, and with that, I turned and walked outside, and into the sunlight.
Dree: Not bad so far if you ask me
Me: Thanks Dree, who wants to introduce the next chappie
Ryou: I will. The next chapter, and technically the first, is entitled; Five Thousand Years Ago. Enjoy!
Yugi: And don't forget to review!
Ch 1: Five Thousand Years Ago
Dearest Diary, Life has taken an unexpected turn. My grandfather, I know, never expected my mastery of The Shadow Games to come so fully or quickly. Especially for my age, I am only ten after all. It seems, all the way in the palace, the Pharaoh's only son, Prince Yami, sensed me. They came here, the Pharaoh and his son; spoke with my grandfather and me. They requested, rather than ordered, I come to live in the palace. To protect the young Prince, who is only two years younger than myself, teach him, advise him. It was truly such a great honor for my grandfather, his face glowed with pride. My grandfather left the choice up to me. I was hesitant to leave him all alone, but I know the rest of our village will look after him. In all darkness, light eventually can shine, Azure
Eight Years later
Dearest Diary, I admit freely how bitterly I wept when I heard the news the Pharaoh had died. He had always treated me with kindness, like a daughter of his own flesh and blood. I, who had never known my own father, could spend endless hours listening to his tales of old. It was always what I had wished for, a father. A father to tell me stories, tell me good night. Soon Yami will be Pharaoh. Even at the age of sixteen, he is not the youngest to have taken the throne. I pray to thee accept me as I am and let me accept thee, Azure
Azure
"Azure," My friend Seth poked me not so gently in the shoulder.
"What?" I grumbled.
I was one of the only people Seth would take attitude from, probably because my Shadow powers rivaled, if not surpassed his own. During my eight years of residence in the palace, I was one of the few to have gained his trust, respect and friendship.
"A messenger came from your grandfather today," Seth hesitated, his tone dropped slightly.
Immediately I gave him my full attention, "What was the message?" I asked slowly.
"It's about the boy." I blinked, barely able to digest what Seth was telling me.
"Azure?" he asked softly. I leaped up and immediately ran to my room.
"Azure wait," Seth sprinted after me. I began throwing my clothes into a travel bag.
"You can't just up and leave," I heard him protest. I mumbled something incoherently.
"Azure!" Seth grabbed my arm and forced me to stop "Azure, you cannot just take off, the other advisors will take offense."
I sighed, forcing myself to calm down "Seth, Yugi needs my help."
"I know Azure," Seth hesitated slightly, "I will speak to Yami, you pack."
I turned to him, "Thank you," I hugged him, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Anyone else, Seth probably would have banished to the shadow realm, but he just blushed, and left to find Yami. I was finishing my packing, when a knock came at my door.
"Yes," I called not bothering to look up, figuring it was Seth. The door opened, and I heard Seth clearing his throat. Turning to look, I saw he had Yami with him. I quickly bowed, and Yami smiled softly at me.
"Seth has informed me you wish to go home for a time."
"Yes, the boy my grandfather took in, Yugi has been hurt."
Yami's smile did not fade, "You need not explain Azure. After speaking with Seth, we have decided to accompany you."
I blinked several times, taken back "The both of you?"
"Yes," Seth replied, grinning.
"You just want to get away from the meetings with your advisors," I accused playfully.
Yami's smile turned into a full blown grin "Indeed."
"I leave in fifteen minutes," I warned them.
The journey to my village was neither long, nor hard. It never is.
"Grandfather," I called running into my old home.
"Azure!" he met me at the door and hugged me. Noticing Seth and Yami, he bowed deeply "Pharaoh, High Priest."
Seth and Yami both nodded back to him. "Grandfather, where is Yugi?" I asked.
"Asleep in his room," was the reply. I quickly went in and sat down next to the pale little boy.
"Hello little one," I said softly to him.
Yugi blinked a few times, before his eyes focused in on mine "Azure," he moaned softly "You came."
"Of course I came," my voice softened. I heard Seth and Yami enter behind me.
"Azure," Yami inhaled sharply. "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.
"I did tell you Yami, I told both of you. You didn't believe me." Yami stared, in disbelief, at the young boy who resembled him so.
"Little one, I have to look at your wound," I told him.
Yugi nodded as I gently unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. Simultaneously, Seth, Yami and I gasped. The wound was red, with a think black liquid slowly oozing from it.
"What did this?" Seth demanded coldly.
"Your going to frighten him, he's just a kid," Yami rebuked Seth.
"He's fifteen," I told them, looking away from the wound for a moment.
"Never mind his age," Seth snapped "What attacked him?" Yugi was silent and Seth asked me "Why does he not speak?" I knew why Yugi did not speak to them, but I wasn't about to tell Seth.
"Yugi, you can talk to them," I said gently.
"I don't know what it was exactly. It threw a dagger into my shoulder," He said softly, clearly still frightened, "I think it was a duel monster."
Seth and Yami looked at him blankly
"He means shadow creature," I said quickly. They both looked at me for a moment, but did not question me.
"Sleep little one," I put my hand on his forehead, and sleep he did.
My grandfather gave us some fruit, and went to watch over Yugi as he slept. The three of us sat around the small table, all silent.
"Where did he come from?" Seth was the first to break the silence.
"I don't know," I said slowly.
"What do you suspect?" Yami asked.
I hesitated before speaking, "I suspect when he came from, not where."
Seth raised an eyebrow in my direction and I said "The future." There was silence again for a few moments.
"He'll be okay?" Yami asked me.
I nodded "I laid a slow healing on him, but its all I can do for such an odd wound."
"What makes you think he's from the future?" Seth demanded.
I shrugged slightly "Well the clothes he wore when he came, the way he keeps his shadow creatures, the way he speaks," I said.
Yami raised an eyebrow "The way he keeps his shadow creatures?"
I nodded "I don't know where he has it. I'll ask him when he awakens. Until then," I grinned evilly at Seth "I have things to attend to, and you can help me. Yami, will you watch over the boy? Incase the creature comes back."
"Huh?" Seth asked as Yami nodded his agreement.
"With Yugi injured Grandfather needs help tending the shop and so on," I told him standing.
"Because I love you so," I grinned. Seth made a face at me, but followed me obligingly.
Yami
After Azure and Seth left me in the kitchen, I was lost in my thoughts for Ra knows how long.
"Yami," a soft, shy voice pulled my back into reality. It was the boy, Yugi.
"Shouldn't you be resting?" I asked him sternly.
"I had to see you," he said, looking up at me.
I frowned slightly "Why?"
The boy blushed and lowered his eyes "Uh, no reason."
My frown deepened, but remained silent. I felt a doorway to the shadow realm fly open suddenly. Wind from nowhere swirled around the room and a soft hissing noise could be heard. Yugi must have heard it too, because he drew quickly towards my chest, like he was used to me protecting him. Out of nowhere, I felt the strongest urge to shield him.
I wrapped a protective arm around him, "DARK MAGICIAN," I bellowed.
Immediately my Dark Magician stood in front of the boy and I, his hand held out, forcing the Shadow Creature back, and the door to close.
Once the door was closed, The Dark Magician turned to us and bowed deeply. His sharp eyes rested on Yugi. Yugi's trembling lessened as he looked up at my Dark Magician.
I stood and bowed back to my friend "Thank you." A smile tugged at the edge of his lips "This is Yugi," I informed him "Yugi this is The Dark Magician, or Darm." Yugi just stared up at Darm, in shock.
"YAMI? YUGI?" I heard Azure a moment before I saw her. Seth came in after her, looking equally out of breath.
"We are fine," I assured them.
Azure took Yugi into her arms, I noticed the boy visibly relax at Azure's return. Seth looked me, I could see the questions in his eyes, but I merely shook my head. I would discuss this with him at a later time. Darm bowed to all of us, in silent goodbye, and then was gone.
I stood up "We leave for the palace."
Azure let go of Yugi and looked up at me "Yami, we've only just gotten here. Yugi's wound could reopen, and what if the creature comes back?"
"The boy comes with us," I said, somewhat surprised at my own cold tone, and with that, I turned and walked outside, and into the sunlight.