Don't own Yu Gi Oh.
*Love?*
The council meeting was almost over. It had droned on for hours.
Yami was in a daze, he kept on thinking about other things. 'I wonder what Athena's up to.' He smiled; even the thought of her was enough to brighten up his day. 'You fool, what has she done to you?' Yami just ignored that voice inside his head that contradicted everything he thought about Athena.
"The last topic we need to discuss is the temple to Amun." Seth said. Yami snapped out of his dreamlike state and listened. This was mildly interesting. He could also see Seto perk up, after all, this was his department.
"What about it?" Yami questioned.
"High priest Seto is still in need of an apprentice." Seth told him. No he wasn't didn't Seto tell him yesterday… But then Yami remembered how drunk Seto was. He didn't get out of bed all day, much less tell Seth that he had a new apprentice.
"Seth, sorry to belay the notification but we've found an apprentice already. His name is Bakura." Yami told him. But Seth had a look of skepticism on his face.
"Don't worry, he's been trained, I approved of him myself." He said.
"Yes that's true." Seto added.
"Very well then. Meeting adjourned." Seth announced.
'Finally!' Yami shouted in his head. Now, to do what he had been meaning to do.
"Seto," He called over to him, "Follow me." Yami said as he motioned for him to follow. Seto did as he was told and he followed Yami to an empty room. Yami closed the door behind them.
"Seto, have you ever heard the myth of a mystical place where unimaginable power exists?" He questioned, his eyes glowing.
"Yes, Seth told us about it when he was training us to become priests. He told us of horrible monsters that live in that place, monsters so powerful, that if they were unleashed they could destroy the entire world." Seto said sounding very interested in that place.
"He's right. That place is called the shadow realm. Terrible monsters do exist there, but there are good ones too. And they are all under my control. For it is my job as Pharaoh to keep the peace, in both worlds. But such a task is impossible, even with my immense power. That is why three other people can gain access to the shadow realm. The three people of my choosing. Only the people that I trust the most, can I give the power to open the shadow realm. So far, I have given the power to two. One is Seth, and the other I can not mention, that person is a safe guard, not even Seth knows who I picked. Seto, as my high priest, I am giving my last spot to you. However, you can only open the shadow realm in emergencies, and I suggest that you not go there without me. I am the only one that the monsters will obey."
Seto merely nodded. This was a lot to take in. Yami was about to give him more power then he ever imagined having.
"Thank you Yami. I am honored to be given such a privilege." Seto stuttered.
"Seto, this is not just a privilege, this is a responsibility, that should not be taken lightly. In the event that something should happen to me, fate would rest in your hands. It would be your job, along with Seth and the other person, to keep Egypt safe, as well as the rest of the world. Seto, you can't imagine the horror and hell that if unleashed these monsters could bring upon the world." Yami looked Seto in his icy blue eyes, as if daring Seto to take on the challenge.
"Yami, I accept this position with a humble heart." Seto told him.
"Good then. I have to take you there right now. My magical powers are limited in this realm, and I don't have enough power to give you the position here." With that Yami closed his eyes, and began to mutter an ancient spell, something that Seto could not understand, but he looked around the room as their surroundings began to fade, everything was turning black. Seto felt cold, inside and out. Black clouds surrounded them, and in the distance Seto could see purple lightning flashes.
"Yami is this…"
"Yes it's the shadow realm."
Seto looked around, with slight fear. The place seemed to run on forever, with no beginning or end. Seto looked up to see a man with purple armor descending from the clouds.
"Dark Magician, this is my high priest Seto." Yami said, completely unfazed by the tall purple haired man standing in front of him.
"Is he the last one Pharaoh?" The Mage asked.
"Yes, I came to give him the power." Yami answered him. Yami turned to see a perplexed looking Seto. "Seto this is the Dark Magician, the most powerful of all the inhabitants of the shadow realm. He watches over things for me when I am gone. We share the same mystical powers, he is loyal to me and to me only. I trust him with my life." He proceeded to fill Seto in.
"Pharaoh, your staff." The Magician said as he handed Yami a long purple staff. It was the scepter of the Dark Magician, the most powerful magical object in the world. Yami conjured up a ball of white light, and then he turned to Seto.
"Don't be scared." Yami said to him as he moved closer to Seto, who by now was extremely intimidated.
"Yami what…" But before Seto could finish his sentence, Yami had forced the ball of light into Seto's chest. The pain was almost unbearable as Seto fell to the ground, clutching his chest. Breathing heavily, Seto looked up at Yami, sweat dripping down his face.
"What was that?" He asked harshly.
"That was the power to open the shadow realm. I never said it was going to be easy Seto." Yami said as he helped his shaken priest stand to his feet.
"Here is the scepter back." Yami said as he handed the staff to the Dark Magician. "By the way, how are things here in the shadow realm?"
"Under control. Just the other day a whole pack of Kuribo's asked to join the forces that are guarding the three gods." The Mage told him.
"Separately, those Kuribo can't stand up to much, but in a pack they're pretty strong." Yami said, as Seto still looked confused.
"Yes my Pharaoh, but the Kuribo aren't the only ones guarding the three gods. I've got two blue eyes white dragons, a red eyes black dragon, and even Exodia has offered to help." The Mage informed him.
"That's good. The last thing we need is for the gods to escape and reek havoc on Egypt. We must be getting back to the mortal realm now Dark Magician, I can see that Seto's energy is already beginning to drain." Yami told him as he turned to Seto, who looked like he was about to pass out.
"Good bye Pharaoh." The Magician said as he faded into the darkness.
Yami picked up Seto and held him until they were out of the shadow realm. The room they were in began materializing around them, and light was coming through the darkness.
"Seto, are you ok?" Yami asked, sitting Seto on a chair.
"Yea, I think so," He mumbled rubbing his head, "Why do I feel this weak?"
"You still have limited powers, the shadow realm is a harsh place to be for somebody whose spirit is not yet strong enough. It will take some time before you are able to go in without feeling weak." Yami told him.
"How…how are you able to do it?" Seto questioned.
"I am Pharaoh, I have the strength, and the magical powers needed to control the shadow realm, I am a Dark Magician of sorts. Even though I have the powers, I try not to use them outside of the shadow realm, it tends to freak people out." He laughed.
"I see." Seto stated.
"I'm going to head to my chambers, it's been a long day. Oh, by the way, have you seen Malik or Bakura? I haven't seen them all day." Yami had a pretty good idea of where they were though.
"I think they went back down to the tavern." Seto smirked, 'I wish I did to.' He thought, for he had thoroughly enjoyed himself that night.
"Oh, figures." But Yami was to tired to get mad at them. He just walked out of the room and ventured down the hallways to his chambers. Walking in, he didn't find Athena, so he flopped down on his bed, utterly exhausted. 'She must be having fun.' He smiled. He wondered how a normal, ordinary girl could make him feel this way. How she could just smile at him and make him melt like butter. How her gentle touch could send his body to nirvana, and how her delicate lips could quench his thirst while at the same time leave him yearning for more. But then again, she was no ordinary girl.
* * *
It wasn't until the sun began to set that the girls walked out of the courtyard and back into the palace. Anzu walked Athena to Yami's chamber doors before she said her good-byes.
"Anzu wait," Athena called to her, Anzu turned around.
"Yes?"
"It was him wasn't it?" Athena asked her.
"Who? I'm not quite sure what you're talking about Athena." Anzu looked at her, raising her eyebrows curiously.
"When you told me about love, and you told me to live each day like it was my last. You were talking about him weren't you?"
"I…still don't know what you're talking about." But she did.
"It was Yugi wasn't it? Anzu, you were in love with him weren't you?" Athena could see Anzu fighting to hold back the tears, but the pain in her heart was too great and she flung her arms around Athena sobbing into her shoulder.
"Yes, yes," She said through her muffled sobs, "I loved him, I loved him with all my heart. How could I not? But fate has a funny way of playing with people. I died with him that day, I'll never be able to love again, he meant to much to me, we planned on being with each other for a long time."
"But Anzu, you do love! You've still got Honda, and Jounouchi, and you've got your grand mother, Bener." Athena said trying to hold back her own tears. She couldn't comfort Anzu if she too was in anguish.
"I know, but Honda and Jounouchi, they are close friends, I care about them, and to an extent I love them, but its not the same, I have a different kind of love for them and my grand ma."
"Shhh. Shhh. Its ok," Athena stroked her back soothingly. "Anzu, I know you will be able to love again, it just takes time."
But she was telling herself that as much as she was telling Anzu.
"Athena, thank you." Said the brunette as she lifted her head up and looked at Athena.
"No Anzu, thank you, you made me realize something today." Athena told her. "I'm going to head in now, I'll talk to you later." She said as she gave Anzu one final hug.
"Good night Athena." Anzu walked down the hall and out of sight.
Athena opened the doors and slid quietly into Yami's room. She saw the Pharaoh lying on the bed asleep. Walking over to him, she softly slipped under the sheets, crying inwardly. The poor girl had no idea what to do, how could she tell him what she felt? She would feel so foolish, she was smitten. But he wouldn't have to know that, not yet. Startled, she felt Yami move. So she turned around to see Yami with his eyes half open.
"I see you've finally decided to come to bed." He smiled at her as he wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her in close. Yami loved holding her, he loved feeling her body against his, and they fit together so perfectly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." She said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, I'm glad you did. I needed to see you before I go to sleep." He delicately began to kiss her neck. "What did you do today?" He asked in between kisses.
"Well, Bener showed me around the palace, and she introduced me to Anzu." She told him, closing her eyes as she basked in the cool contact of Yami's lips on her neck.
"Bener's grand daughter?"
"Yes, she's real nice." Athena said. "Yami I…" Her voice faltered.
"What is it?" He asked sounding concerned. He sat up a little bit stroking her soft cheek with his hand.
"I don't know how to say this. Anzu and I were talking today, and she made me realize something. Well actually, it was something that I've known from the start…" 'No, I cant do this.' But she continued on any way. Yami, sensing her distress firmly hugged her to his chest. He hated seeing her in pain.
"If you don't want to say it you don't have to." He said soothingly, running his fingers through her soft black hair. All of a sudden he felt something cool and wet hit his chest. Athena was crying. "Athena, what's wrong?" He was thoroughly concerned now, something he had never felt for another person. He felt a sharp jolt in his heart. Was this what he thought it was? 'Please Ra no.' His breathing was heavy now, this feeling scared him; he could only imagine what it was.
"Yami I don't know what it was that she said today, but I have to tell you this…I…care about you." This was partly true. There was so much more that she wanted to say, but she didn't know how. For now, telling him that she "cared" about him was the best she could do. Yami's eyes shot open, he inwardly admitted to caring about her, but he had no idea that she felt the same way. It made his heart jump again, but this time it wasn't so much of a painful jolt; this one made him feel, what's the word…
"Athena…I didn't know, I mean, if I did, I would have told you this long ago. I care too." He said before he could stop himself. 'More then you know.' That made Athena smile, and seeing her smile, Yami smiled too. She rested her head on Yami's chest again; now she was content…sort of. Her feelings went so much deeper then the word "care", but at this point "care" was the only word that she could bring herself to say.
"Never leave me." He half pleaded to her as he held her closer to himself. He couldn't bare the thought of her leaving him.
"I won't." She promised, as she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
But Yami was wide-awake drowning in his thoughts.
Ever since he laid eyes on Athena emotions surged from him, emotions that he desperately tried to suppress. But it was no use any more; those feelings took him over, drowning him, until he was nearly dead. How could a girl cause this much turmoil in his soul? Suchlike he had never felt before. Everything that she was making him feel, even though he didn't know it could be summed up with one word. Love.