~Disclaimer...don't own Yugioh. Nyah! :p
Nika: I'm back!
Alice: Well it took long enough!
Bakura: Yeah! We were getting tired of waiting!
Pegasus: (is curling his hair) And I've gotten split ends waiting for you to update!
All: O_o
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Angel Eyes
Chapter Twenty Two:
"Angel's Gift"
Jou threw the door to the mansion open wide and before he could do anything else Seto stormed past him. A few hours after returning to school Seto suddenly had a feeling of great forboding. Like something was going to happen. Like something HAD happened! Something important. He told Jou and Jou had told the others in passing. That was when Yami felt it too. With Yami confirming the strange feelings Seto had immediately rushed home with his puppy at his heels.
"ANGEL!!" Seto called after returning from the room where he had left her. "ANGEL! WHERE ARE YOU!?"
No answer. So he went storming up the stairs towards her room. Maybe, since she was sick, she was asleep and couldn't hear him. Maybe. He could hope.
Jou watched his lover race frantically through the house, searching for his missing sister. Then he spotted the letter by the door addressed to Mokuba. It was in Angel's handwritting. Picking it up, he opened it without hesitation and read it. He had no qualms about reading someone else's mail to stop Seto's rampaging. As he read it a smile spread over his face.
Looking up from the letter he called, "SETO!!! SHE WENT TO HER MOTHER'S!!!"
"WHAT!?" he heard Seto yell from upstairs. In a flash he was back downstairs and in front of Jou.
"Yeah." he said and handed Seto the note. "She left Mokuba a note. She says she's gone to try to patch things with her mother. Sounds like a good idea but should she really be up? She's sick. She could --"
"Jou." Seto said quietly, silencing the blonde instantly. His expression was dark and he kept his head down as he reached into his pocket and pulled out another note, this time addressed to both Seto and Jou. "She's gone." he said solemnly and handed the note over.
"What?" Jou breathed in disbelief.
"Read it." Seto responded.
So Jou opened the envelope and removed the carefully written letter contained within. It started out in Japanese. He read aloud,
"To my beloved otouto, Seto and his eternal koibito, Jou: First of all let me say how much I love you both. You're such big parts of my life. If not for you both I could very well have been dead. When Malik died I thought my world would end. But you were both there, pulling me through. And now let me say, I'm leaving. Please don't follow me. Please don't try to stop me. You both know I'll be fine on my own. I'm returning home, to where my heart rests. Perhaps there I can wait out this endless sadness that follows me. Perhaps, in time, I will heal and move on. But it won't be anytime soon. Where I'm going holds only happy memories for me. Memories of a love that trancended time and crossed darkness to find each other again. It's the birthplace of my soul...and his. I know how you must see me now. I seem whole. I seem to be dealing, I know. But the loss of my love has wounded me deeply and the sands must be my bandage. I sincerely hope to see you both again. Perhaps one day you will come here and I will find you. But I don't think that day is to come for a long while yet."
Here the document switched into the ancient hieroglyphs of their past. Jounouchi was surprised to find he could read them. He had not regained his memories like Angel and Seto. Not even partially like Yami. And yet, reading the symbols was as second nature to him as breathing.
"I now write in the ancient language of our people because I know that you will keep this letter. It would not do for someone not of our past to read the secrets contained within. And now; to Seth and Jono, who sleeps within you both. I would like to share a memory with you. One I know you haven't recovered yet. It isn't important to the fate of the world. It won't change the course of history. It's just a memory. A memory I think you will treasure. Consider it my parting gift to you. One...last...memory... Reading this spell will activate it. Be warned. And now, to begin: seiromem nettogrof eht htrof gnirb ot dnah enivid iam hcaer i emit fo sdnas eht sorca" (A/N=read it backwards if you will^^)
Jou dropped the letter to the floor as a brilliant flash of light engulfed them and they lost all sense of themselves.
~~flashback~~
The bright sunlight streams into the throne room, blanketing all within in it's warmth. The room is filled with people dressed in lucious silks and exotic fabrics. The pharaoh sits proud upon his throne. Amunet in her finest to his right side. Seth the same to his left. Before them a foreign noble bows low.
"Pharoh," he says without looking up, "I bring to you fine gifts from my lord and master, the emperor, in hopes it will smooth relations between our two peoples."
The pharaoh waves a hand boredly, signaling to begin. The noble makes a curt gesture to his servants and they bring forth large trunks full of expensive fabrics, large glittering jewels and remarkable works of art. However the pharaoh looks uninterested.
"Impressive." he says. "But my land is wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. I have no need or desire for such things. Bring me something to catch my interest and I may consider your proposal."
The man bows once again and says, "My pharaoh, there is one other gift. A slave. A very special slave."
"I have thousands of slaves." the pharaoh responds disinterestedly.
"Ah!" the man counters, "But none like this!" To his servants he whispers, "Bring him forth!"
Two of the servants bring forth a figure covered in a white linen robe, head shielded from view. All that can be seen is a lock of unruly blonde hair sticking out from under the hood.
He kneels before the pharaoh and the noble man makes his offer.
"This boy is but a slave, born of slaves. However, he was graced with a very special gift. He is an accomplished musician who's song can calm the most raging heart. Also," the man pauses, glancing at the slave uncertainly, "he has a certain...ah..."
He pauses nervously and then quickly orders all of his servants out of the room. They leave and the pharaoh, previously bored with another day's monotony, perks up at this new development.
Amunet and Seth share a concerned glance with one another before returning their attention to the man before them. Both of their thoughts are the same. What could be so important that he would take such pains to keep it secret?
The noble man chances a glance up at the pharaoh and says, "Ah, my pharaoh? Could we perhaps adurn this meeting to a more private area? With greater space?"
The pharaoh narrows his eyes suspiciously and asks, "Why?"
The man quickly states, "I wouldn't want this room to be damaged. Nor would I, or you, want this to get out amongst the common people. It could cause dissent, or even rebellion."
The pharaoh considers for a moment before looking to Amunet. "What do you think, cousin?" he asks neutrally.
Amunet is used to the pharaoh asking her opinion. As his eldest relative, older than he actually, she is a valued confidant. "I believe," she began, carefully considering her words, "that it is important we learn this dangerous secret. If this man...from a land with whom our relations are strained, means you harm...you will have both my brother and I to add to your own impressive power. There is no reason not to do as he requests."
The pharaoh nods and thinks on her words. Then he looks at Seth. "And you?" he asks. "What do you think?"
Seth keeps his eyes trained on the boy kneeling before them with his head bowed and body covered. "I agree." he says, "Amunet speaks with wisdom."
The pharaoh nods again and stands confidently. "Very well." he says. "Follow me."
Without waiting he strides from the room, certain they will follow. Amunet and Seth fall into step just behind him, the noble and the slave trailing behind them. He leads them through the palace to a room the three royals are very familiar with. As they emerge into the torch-lit room the pharaoh says, "You may proceed here. I assume this is enough space?"
All the man can do is gape. Braziers surround the room, casting an errie glow. Shadows dance in the corners. But what holds his attention is the enormous reliefs carved into the walls. All around them, covering every inch of the walls of the room are intricit carvings of all the monsters, spirits and gods of their world.
Annoyed with the man's lack of response the pharaoh commands, "Slave, do as your master said and revel this secret of yours."
The slave mearly nods and heads to the center of the room. He doesn't seem to be doing anything, but then...they can't tell as his face is obscured from view. After a few moments a dark shadow begins to extend from his body.
"Shadow magic!?" Seth gasps aloud in disbelief. "But he's just a slave!"
Amunet shakes her head in clear confusion. "No, not shadow magic." she muses. "More like...an actual shadow. This is strange. I can't feel any magic coming from him, but I definately sense magic in this room. Very close to him, but still...not him."
They don't have long to wonder though as the shadow suddenly spring to life and take the shape of a creature. Looming protectively over the boy is the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon, counterpart to Seth's own Blue-Eyes White Dragon. All three of the Egyptians gasp out loud.
"That's impossible!" the pharaoh cries in astonishment. "I demand an explanation!"
The noble says simply, "I have none. All I know is that the slave boy, Jono, is protected by that dragon. He has no magic, and he does not summon it. As he tells it he merely asks it to appear...and it does. And it's very protective of him. I wouldn't suggest approaching him right now. It's killed three of his previous masters when they attempted to...punish him."
"No slave," Seth begins, "can summon anything! And only those of royal blood are protected by a creature as powerful as that!"
"And yet," his sister replies quietly, "here it is." She turns to look at the pharaoh and says to him kindly, "Kahlid, accept the offer and take this boy as your slave. Isis has brought him to us and we must accept him or face her wrath."
He smiles warmly at her and says with a smile, "I accept." Then he waves dismissively at the noble man. "Now leave us. I must confer with my cousins."
The man bows enthusiastically, happy that the pharaoh has agreed, and quickly leaves the room, not chancing a look back.
Seth watches as Amunet begins to 'discuss' something with the pharaoh. Appearantly they don't exactly see eye to eye on the fate of the slave. He's seen such disagreements betwen the two before and knows not to get involved if he values his head.
"Amunet," the pharaoh says placatingly, "he is a slave. He cannot become anything else."
"Kahlid," Amunet shoots back, losing her usual calm, kind expression, "he is definately more than a slave! He has been brought to us by the gods and should be treated as such!"
Seth shakes his head. Only the pharaoh can get her riled up like that, and he does it so effortlessly. He can't help but wonder if perhaps there's some unspoken emotion between them, other than love for a family member.
"He...is...a slave." the pharaoh reitterates.
Amunet pokes her lip out a bit like an unruly child and says, "Don't treat me like a child, Kahlid. I know very well what he is! But that doesn't mean he has to stay a slave!"
"Shouldn't you try to stop them?" a gentle voice says quietly so only Seth can hear.
Spinning around Seth turns away from the bickering cousins and looks at the slave boy who is staring intently at his feet. Seth studies the boy as he crosses the space between them slowly with purposeful steps. His overall stance is that of a slave. He stands with his head bowed, shoulders slumped forward. But, unlike a slave, as Seth approaches he does not flinch. In fact, he does not even shift slightly. For a slave to stand so calmly, so confidently, as one of the most powerful men in the world approaches him...it is truly a testament to his character.
Seth stops mere inches from him and narrows his eyes in a semblance of anger. No slave should ever address their better with anything other than an offer for more wine. But somehow, he cannot find the heart to be truly angry with him. "You dare address me?" he says in mock displeasure.
"No." the slave says in a submissive yet confident tone. "I was speaking to the dragon." With that he flicks his head in the direction the Red-Eyes is standing, looming protectively behind him.
Seth breaks his gaze and looks up at the creature he had all but forgotten about it, no minor feat. Supposedly he should have already attacked the approaching priest, but instead the dragon mearly eyes him suspiciously.
"Why has he not attacked me?" Seth asks in honest confusion.
"Because," the slave whispers back, "you do not intend to harm me."
Seth quickly drops his gaze back to the hooded, bowed head. *How could he know that?* he wonders to himself. Aloud he says in a soft, almost tender voice, "No, I don't." A strange sensation suddenly comes over the young priest and he slowly raises a hand to the boy's shrowded face. He reaches under the hood and gently cups his cheek. "Your name..." he says in a hushed tone, "is Jono, correct?"
The boy nods once, not trying to free himself from Seth's grasp and daringly looks up into the face of the handsome priest.
Seth gets his first look at Jono's unshielded face as he raises his head and the light from the braizers plays across his features. *So beautiful.* the words cross his mind unbidden. "My name is Seth."
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(A/N) Sorry it took so long! (ducks rotten fruit) Please! (just barely avoids a moldy cabage) Let me explain!! (get's hit in the head with a watermelon) @__@
Alice: Okay, I'll explain. (audience prepares their next volley of rotten food) (Alice glares at them) (audience thinks twice and hides their ammunition) That's better. Well, my hikari started a new fic called Kitsune Delight. She really didn't expect it to get over a hundred reviews for the first three chapters so when she posted it she fully inteneded on continuing this fic. But...things developed and appearantly people like that fic more than this one. But we still fully intend to complete this one! It's almost there. Didn't expect to have ANOTHER chapter to write after this one either! Soooo...all I can say is...I'm working on it.
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Rei Akita: I quote from your review (since it's been a while): "First of all, you have to understand that the petition against anime is not being started by Bush in the first place. It's being started by some idiotic person who plans to send it to Bush." Yes, I know that. I SAID that! If you would read at the very beginning of the chapter it says (another quote): "By him she means the person who has threatened anime and all who have signed on his little misguided crusade. In no way has current President Bush said he is getting rid of anime." I thought I made that very clear. And...I'M A DEMOCRAT!!! Republicans can lick my shoes for all I care! Bunch of conservatist nazis!! Heh, I have very strong views... (continues her rant) How dare you say homosexuality is wrong!?! I like girls (almost) as much as I like guys! And how dare you try to make abortion illegal!?! It's not YOUR body now IS IT!?!? (panting deep breaths) Sorry...this isn't aimed at you. Just one of my little schitzo rants. Nika likes Rei Akita! ^^ She reviews lots! (hands her a squeaky Yuugi plushie)
Maylia: Yeah...but maybe you'll get to see a different side of her mother in the sequel..? (huggles her Bishounen-cling spray) Thank you so much! Kissies to Baku-chan for being such a wonderful little slave! (looks around with an insane glint in her eye) Now...who to use it on first..? Oh! (sees Jou walk in munching on some chips) JOUJOU!! (sprays him with it) [Jou: O_O AAAHHHHH!!!! (is stuck instantly to Nika) {Nika: Ewww!!! There's chips all over me! ..... Oh well! (huggles Jou) [Jou: ....save me..? O.o
LoveLiesBleeding2: I'm better now, and I hope you are!
Reine Keri: Yeah, I can just imagine what I could do as a baby with those powers! LOL Don't worry! Malik'll be back!! ....eventually.... hehehehehe!!!!!
PCU: (is in a Vegas jail cell) -_- Who knew you could get arrested for spraying a police officer with whip cream..? Grrr....and he took away my POCKY!! Must....have....POCKY!!! (goes 'Hulk' and tears her shirt off) ...... -_- ....oops... (glares evilly at the other inmates) ...don't even think about it. (flexes her claws dangerously)
Silent Angel Dark Knight: I'm okay! See!? ^___^ Are you still not able to go online at home? Can't wait to see your manga!!! If possible... I've got the second chapter of our fic up too! I renamed it Sake Sister Acclimation and it's all about YOU!!! ^^
Liviania: Yay! No one reported me and I thank you and your schitzo dogs!! I hope I don't OD again too... -_- But I probably will, unless I die tomorrow. Curse you sleepwalking!!
sg16: Wow! You read it for FOUR HOURS!!??!!?? I SO TOTALLY LOVE YOU!!! Thank you!!!!!
mya starnight: ^^ I'm glad you like this fic! And I don't mind being called a witch, because I am one! (=^-^=) Sure I'll email you! Sorry I didn't sooner, like right when I got the review...but I forgot. Totally. No excuse. ;_;
Kylio: Did I email you and tell you everything you asked? I think I did...not sure though... *wanders off looking dazed*
Artemis MoonClaw: Cool? Just cool? That's all you can say!? And it was a QUESTION!!! LOL I'm just joking! Hey...I understood it. ^_~
surfergurl16: Thanks, and I certainly did take my time, ne? ^^
kaori: Yes, yes! Malik will be back! ^__^ In the sequel! I'm glad you like it after reading for an hour! Malik is my favorite bish from Yugioh so I can't keep him dead for long. [Bakura: Hey! I thought I was your favorite!? [Nika: (huggles him) You know you are! [Bakura: -_- One day I'm gonna learn to keep my mouth shut.
Nika: I'm back!
Alice: Well it took long enough!
Bakura: Yeah! We were getting tired of waiting!
Pegasus: (is curling his hair) And I've gotten split ends waiting for you to update!
All: O_o
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Angel Eyes
Chapter Twenty Two:
"Angel's Gift"
Jou threw the door to the mansion open wide and before he could do anything else Seto stormed past him. A few hours after returning to school Seto suddenly had a feeling of great forboding. Like something was going to happen. Like something HAD happened! Something important. He told Jou and Jou had told the others in passing. That was when Yami felt it too. With Yami confirming the strange feelings Seto had immediately rushed home with his puppy at his heels.
"ANGEL!!" Seto called after returning from the room where he had left her. "ANGEL! WHERE ARE YOU!?"
No answer. So he went storming up the stairs towards her room. Maybe, since she was sick, she was asleep and couldn't hear him. Maybe. He could hope.
Jou watched his lover race frantically through the house, searching for his missing sister. Then he spotted the letter by the door addressed to Mokuba. It was in Angel's handwritting. Picking it up, he opened it without hesitation and read it. He had no qualms about reading someone else's mail to stop Seto's rampaging. As he read it a smile spread over his face.
Looking up from the letter he called, "SETO!!! SHE WENT TO HER MOTHER'S!!!"
"WHAT!?" he heard Seto yell from upstairs. In a flash he was back downstairs and in front of Jou.
"Yeah." he said and handed Seto the note. "She left Mokuba a note. She says she's gone to try to patch things with her mother. Sounds like a good idea but should she really be up? She's sick. She could --"
"Jou." Seto said quietly, silencing the blonde instantly. His expression was dark and he kept his head down as he reached into his pocket and pulled out another note, this time addressed to both Seto and Jou. "She's gone." he said solemnly and handed the note over.
"What?" Jou breathed in disbelief.
"Read it." Seto responded.
So Jou opened the envelope and removed the carefully written letter contained within. It started out in Japanese. He read aloud,
"To my beloved otouto, Seto and his eternal koibito, Jou: First of all let me say how much I love you both. You're such big parts of my life. If not for you both I could very well have been dead. When Malik died I thought my world would end. But you were both there, pulling me through. And now let me say, I'm leaving. Please don't follow me. Please don't try to stop me. You both know I'll be fine on my own. I'm returning home, to where my heart rests. Perhaps there I can wait out this endless sadness that follows me. Perhaps, in time, I will heal and move on. But it won't be anytime soon. Where I'm going holds only happy memories for me. Memories of a love that trancended time and crossed darkness to find each other again. It's the birthplace of my soul...and his. I know how you must see me now. I seem whole. I seem to be dealing, I know. But the loss of my love has wounded me deeply and the sands must be my bandage. I sincerely hope to see you both again. Perhaps one day you will come here and I will find you. But I don't think that day is to come for a long while yet."
Here the document switched into the ancient hieroglyphs of their past. Jounouchi was surprised to find he could read them. He had not regained his memories like Angel and Seto. Not even partially like Yami. And yet, reading the symbols was as second nature to him as breathing.
"I now write in the ancient language of our people because I know that you will keep this letter. It would not do for someone not of our past to read the secrets contained within. And now; to Seth and Jono, who sleeps within you both. I would like to share a memory with you. One I know you haven't recovered yet. It isn't important to the fate of the world. It won't change the course of history. It's just a memory. A memory I think you will treasure. Consider it my parting gift to you. One...last...memory... Reading this spell will activate it. Be warned. And now, to begin: seiromem nettogrof eht htrof gnirb ot dnah enivid iam hcaer i emit fo sdnas eht sorca" (A/N=read it backwards if you will^^)
Jou dropped the letter to the floor as a brilliant flash of light engulfed them and they lost all sense of themselves.
~~flashback~~
The bright sunlight streams into the throne room, blanketing all within in it's warmth. The room is filled with people dressed in lucious silks and exotic fabrics. The pharaoh sits proud upon his throne. Amunet in her finest to his right side. Seth the same to his left. Before them a foreign noble bows low.
"Pharoh," he says without looking up, "I bring to you fine gifts from my lord and master, the emperor, in hopes it will smooth relations between our two peoples."
The pharaoh waves a hand boredly, signaling to begin. The noble makes a curt gesture to his servants and they bring forth large trunks full of expensive fabrics, large glittering jewels and remarkable works of art. However the pharaoh looks uninterested.
"Impressive." he says. "But my land is wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. I have no need or desire for such things. Bring me something to catch my interest and I may consider your proposal."
The man bows once again and says, "My pharaoh, there is one other gift. A slave. A very special slave."
"I have thousands of slaves." the pharaoh responds disinterestedly.
"Ah!" the man counters, "But none like this!" To his servants he whispers, "Bring him forth!"
Two of the servants bring forth a figure covered in a white linen robe, head shielded from view. All that can be seen is a lock of unruly blonde hair sticking out from under the hood.
He kneels before the pharaoh and the noble man makes his offer.
"This boy is but a slave, born of slaves. However, he was graced with a very special gift. He is an accomplished musician who's song can calm the most raging heart. Also," the man pauses, glancing at the slave uncertainly, "he has a certain...ah..."
He pauses nervously and then quickly orders all of his servants out of the room. They leave and the pharaoh, previously bored with another day's monotony, perks up at this new development.
Amunet and Seth share a concerned glance with one another before returning their attention to the man before them. Both of their thoughts are the same. What could be so important that he would take such pains to keep it secret?
The noble man chances a glance up at the pharaoh and says, "Ah, my pharaoh? Could we perhaps adurn this meeting to a more private area? With greater space?"
The pharaoh narrows his eyes suspiciously and asks, "Why?"
The man quickly states, "I wouldn't want this room to be damaged. Nor would I, or you, want this to get out amongst the common people. It could cause dissent, or even rebellion."
The pharaoh considers for a moment before looking to Amunet. "What do you think, cousin?" he asks neutrally.
Amunet is used to the pharaoh asking her opinion. As his eldest relative, older than he actually, she is a valued confidant. "I believe," she began, carefully considering her words, "that it is important we learn this dangerous secret. If this man...from a land with whom our relations are strained, means you harm...you will have both my brother and I to add to your own impressive power. There is no reason not to do as he requests."
The pharaoh nods and thinks on her words. Then he looks at Seth. "And you?" he asks. "What do you think?"
Seth keeps his eyes trained on the boy kneeling before them with his head bowed and body covered. "I agree." he says, "Amunet speaks with wisdom."
The pharaoh nods again and stands confidently. "Very well." he says. "Follow me."
Without waiting he strides from the room, certain they will follow. Amunet and Seth fall into step just behind him, the noble and the slave trailing behind them. He leads them through the palace to a room the three royals are very familiar with. As they emerge into the torch-lit room the pharaoh says, "You may proceed here. I assume this is enough space?"
All the man can do is gape. Braziers surround the room, casting an errie glow. Shadows dance in the corners. But what holds his attention is the enormous reliefs carved into the walls. All around them, covering every inch of the walls of the room are intricit carvings of all the monsters, spirits and gods of their world.
Annoyed with the man's lack of response the pharaoh commands, "Slave, do as your master said and revel this secret of yours."
The slave mearly nods and heads to the center of the room. He doesn't seem to be doing anything, but then...they can't tell as his face is obscured from view. After a few moments a dark shadow begins to extend from his body.
"Shadow magic!?" Seth gasps aloud in disbelief. "But he's just a slave!"
Amunet shakes her head in clear confusion. "No, not shadow magic." she muses. "More like...an actual shadow. This is strange. I can't feel any magic coming from him, but I definately sense magic in this room. Very close to him, but still...not him."
They don't have long to wonder though as the shadow suddenly spring to life and take the shape of a creature. Looming protectively over the boy is the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon, counterpart to Seth's own Blue-Eyes White Dragon. All three of the Egyptians gasp out loud.
"That's impossible!" the pharaoh cries in astonishment. "I demand an explanation!"
The noble says simply, "I have none. All I know is that the slave boy, Jono, is protected by that dragon. He has no magic, and he does not summon it. As he tells it he merely asks it to appear...and it does. And it's very protective of him. I wouldn't suggest approaching him right now. It's killed three of his previous masters when they attempted to...punish him."
"No slave," Seth begins, "can summon anything! And only those of royal blood are protected by a creature as powerful as that!"
"And yet," his sister replies quietly, "here it is." She turns to look at the pharaoh and says to him kindly, "Kahlid, accept the offer and take this boy as your slave. Isis has brought him to us and we must accept him or face her wrath."
He smiles warmly at her and says with a smile, "I accept." Then he waves dismissively at the noble man. "Now leave us. I must confer with my cousins."
The man bows enthusiastically, happy that the pharaoh has agreed, and quickly leaves the room, not chancing a look back.
Seth watches as Amunet begins to 'discuss' something with the pharaoh. Appearantly they don't exactly see eye to eye on the fate of the slave. He's seen such disagreements betwen the two before and knows not to get involved if he values his head.
"Amunet," the pharaoh says placatingly, "he is a slave. He cannot become anything else."
"Kahlid," Amunet shoots back, losing her usual calm, kind expression, "he is definately more than a slave! He has been brought to us by the gods and should be treated as such!"
Seth shakes his head. Only the pharaoh can get her riled up like that, and he does it so effortlessly. He can't help but wonder if perhaps there's some unspoken emotion between them, other than love for a family member.
"He...is...a slave." the pharaoh reitterates.
Amunet pokes her lip out a bit like an unruly child and says, "Don't treat me like a child, Kahlid. I know very well what he is! But that doesn't mean he has to stay a slave!"
"Shouldn't you try to stop them?" a gentle voice says quietly so only Seth can hear.
Spinning around Seth turns away from the bickering cousins and looks at the slave boy who is staring intently at his feet. Seth studies the boy as he crosses the space between them slowly with purposeful steps. His overall stance is that of a slave. He stands with his head bowed, shoulders slumped forward. But, unlike a slave, as Seth approaches he does not flinch. In fact, he does not even shift slightly. For a slave to stand so calmly, so confidently, as one of the most powerful men in the world approaches him...it is truly a testament to his character.
Seth stops mere inches from him and narrows his eyes in a semblance of anger. No slave should ever address their better with anything other than an offer for more wine. But somehow, he cannot find the heart to be truly angry with him. "You dare address me?" he says in mock displeasure.
"No." the slave says in a submissive yet confident tone. "I was speaking to the dragon." With that he flicks his head in the direction the Red-Eyes is standing, looming protectively behind him.
Seth breaks his gaze and looks up at the creature he had all but forgotten about it, no minor feat. Supposedly he should have already attacked the approaching priest, but instead the dragon mearly eyes him suspiciously.
"Why has he not attacked me?" Seth asks in honest confusion.
"Because," the slave whispers back, "you do not intend to harm me."
Seth quickly drops his gaze back to the hooded, bowed head. *How could he know that?* he wonders to himself. Aloud he says in a soft, almost tender voice, "No, I don't." A strange sensation suddenly comes over the young priest and he slowly raises a hand to the boy's shrowded face. He reaches under the hood and gently cups his cheek. "Your name..." he says in a hushed tone, "is Jono, correct?"
The boy nods once, not trying to free himself from Seth's grasp and daringly looks up into the face of the handsome priest.
Seth gets his first look at Jono's unshielded face as he raises his head and the light from the braizers plays across his features. *So beautiful.* the words cross his mind unbidden. "My name is Seth."
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(A/N) Sorry it took so long! (ducks rotten fruit) Please! (just barely avoids a moldy cabage) Let me explain!! (get's hit in the head with a watermelon) @__@
Alice: Okay, I'll explain. (audience prepares their next volley of rotten food) (Alice glares at them) (audience thinks twice and hides their ammunition) That's better. Well, my hikari started a new fic called Kitsune Delight. She really didn't expect it to get over a hundred reviews for the first three chapters so when she posted it she fully inteneded on continuing this fic. But...things developed and appearantly people like that fic more than this one. But we still fully intend to complete this one! It's almost there. Didn't expect to have ANOTHER chapter to write after this one either! Soooo...all I can say is...I'm working on it.
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Rei Akita: I quote from your review (since it's been a while): "First of all, you have to understand that the petition against anime is not being started by Bush in the first place. It's being started by some idiotic person who plans to send it to Bush." Yes, I know that. I SAID that! If you would read at the very beginning of the chapter it says (another quote): "By him she means the person who has threatened anime and all who have signed on his little misguided crusade. In no way has current President Bush said he is getting rid of anime." I thought I made that very clear. And...I'M A DEMOCRAT!!! Republicans can lick my shoes for all I care! Bunch of conservatist nazis!! Heh, I have very strong views... (continues her rant) How dare you say homosexuality is wrong!?! I like girls (almost) as much as I like guys! And how dare you try to make abortion illegal!?! It's not YOUR body now IS IT!?!? (panting deep breaths) Sorry...this isn't aimed at you. Just one of my little schitzo rants. Nika likes Rei Akita! ^^ She reviews lots! (hands her a squeaky Yuugi plushie)
Maylia: Yeah...but maybe you'll get to see a different side of her mother in the sequel..? (huggles her Bishounen-cling spray) Thank you so much! Kissies to Baku-chan for being such a wonderful little slave! (looks around with an insane glint in her eye) Now...who to use it on first..? Oh! (sees Jou walk in munching on some chips) JOUJOU!! (sprays him with it) [Jou: O_O AAAHHHHH!!!! (is stuck instantly to Nika) {Nika: Ewww!!! There's chips all over me! ..... Oh well! (huggles Jou) [Jou: ....save me..? O.o
LoveLiesBleeding2: I'm better now, and I hope you are!
Reine Keri: Yeah, I can just imagine what I could do as a baby with those powers! LOL Don't worry! Malik'll be back!! ....eventually.... hehehehehe!!!!!
PCU: (is in a Vegas jail cell) -_- Who knew you could get arrested for spraying a police officer with whip cream..? Grrr....and he took away my POCKY!! Must....have....POCKY!!! (goes 'Hulk' and tears her shirt off) ...... -_- ....oops... (glares evilly at the other inmates) ...don't even think about it. (flexes her claws dangerously)
Silent Angel Dark Knight: I'm okay! See!? ^___^ Are you still not able to go online at home? Can't wait to see your manga!!! If possible... I've got the second chapter of our fic up too! I renamed it Sake Sister Acclimation and it's all about YOU!!! ^^
Liviania: Yay! No one reported me and I thank you and your schitzo dogs!! I hope I don't OD again too... -_- But I probably will, unless I die tomorrow. Curse you sleepwalking!!
sg16: Wow! You read it for FOUR HOURS!!??!!?? I SO TOTALLY LOVE YOU!!! Thank you!!!!!
mya starnight: ^^ I'm glad you like this fic! And I don't mind being called a witch, because I am one! (=^-^=) Sure I'll email you! Sorry I didn't sooner, like right when I got the review...but I forgot. Totally. No excuse. ;_;
Kylio: Did I email you and tell you everything you asked? I think I did...not sure though... *wanders off looking dazed*
Artemis MoonClaw: Cool? Just cool? That's all you can say!? And it was a QUESTION!!! LOL I'm just joking! Hey...I understood it. ^_~
surfergurl16: Thanks, and I certainly did take my time, ne? ^^
kaori: Yes, yes! Malik will be back! ^__^ In the sequel! I'm glad you like it after reading for an hour! Malik is my favorite bish from Yugioh so I can't keep him dead for long. [Bakura: Hey! I thought I was your favorite!? [Nika: (huggles him) You know you are! [Bakura: -_- One day I'm gonna learn to keep my mouth shut.