~ Recovery ~
Yami hadn't noticed how late it had become as he rushed out of his room to where he knew Athena was staying, cursing himself the entire way for waiting so long. What if she had already left?
Rounding the corner, he saw that her door stood ajar. His heart leapt out of his throat as his mind went screaming.
'See, you fool, you let her get away! Why did you have to wait so long?'
Swallowing his fear Yami made slow steps towards the open door, afraid of what he would see, or not see.
Peering around the corner his eyes met with a dark figure, but it wasn't Athena.
"Seth what on earth are you doing in here?" Yami asked.
Seth nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of the Pharaohs powerful voice.
"Pha-Pharaoh Yami." Seth said as he bowed humbly, lowering his gaze to the floor. "I-I came in here when I heard a scream." He lied. He knew why he came in here, but when he got here, it was too late; he assumed that Athena had already left. How wrong he was.
"You heard a scream?" Yami asked sounding worried. He shifted his weight as he turned his head away from Seth. "Why didn't you come get me?" He asked with ire.
"Forgive me great one, but aren't you not speaking to her?" Seth questioned taking a step away from Yami.
"Seth that's not the point!" Yami growled. Turning away he threw his hands in the air, too disgusted to deal with Seth at that moment.
Yami decided that the fastest way to find her would be to use his magic again. So, hesitantly; for he was afraid of what he might see, he traced the outline of a circle in the air. The shining orb appeared again, Seth looked completely unfazed at the display for he knew that Yami had magic and he had seen him use it before.
"Show me Athena." He commanded.
Yami gazed nervously at the silver ball, anxiously waiting for the picture to clear up.
His palms were sweaty and his heart was beating fast, he almost knew that something was wrong.
Ever so slowly the tiny image emerged from the haze. Yami stepped back as his breath caught in his throat.
"No." He choked. "Please Ra no!"
"Pharaoh, what is it?" Seth questioned, taking a small step forward.
But before he could see the image Yami ran right through it and bolted down the hallway, leaving a little smoke trail where the orb once was.
* * *
Yami ran as fast as his legs would carry him, and in his complete shock and fear he hadn't considered that he didn't even know where she was. So, coming to a halt at an empty palace corner he didn't even take the time to catch his breath before he yelled out a spell and then snapped his fingers. In an instant he was gone.
* * *
The evil one idly strolled down the empty passageways back to Malik's room. He smiled to himself as he ran his fingers along the stone wall, walking slowly completely satisfied with the evening's events.
A noise that sounded like someone running made him halt and cower back in the shadows. He watched as a blur streaked past him. Lowering his head he smirked.
"Yes Yami, run to her. Run to see your beloved Athena lying bloody on the floor." He whispered to himself. He paused for a minute and closed his eyes, just trying to envision the wonderful scene. "I hope it hurts."
When he was sure that there was nobody around, he continued on the short trek back to Malik's room.
Upon entering the spirit muttered words of satisfaction for what he had accomplished.
"Thanks Malik, you were quite useful I must say." And with that the spirit simply waved his hand over his face, smiling before his expression went blank. Instantly the spiky hair fell to his shoulders and the millennium eye disappeared. The empty body fell to the floor with a thud.
For a while Malik's vacant body lie motionless, devoid of life. It took a while before the steady rhythm of his heartbeat could be felt again.
For a moment, Malik kept his eyes closed; this was the worst feeling in the world; until he remembered what had happened. It was something terrible. He shot up from the floor, ignoring the pain of his back, and his head. He had to tell Yami, he knew something awful happened, and he knew who did it. Bursting out of the room he ran as fast as he could to Yami's room.
* * *
When Yami's magic brought him to the area where Athena was he was shocked to see how dark and cold it was. The more he thought about it, the more his heart hurt. Ra knows how long Athena was down here, alone in the dark. All Yami could think about now was getting to her and holding her so that she wouldn't be alone, but he saw her image in the silver orb, and he didn't know how much longer he had, or even if…he didn't even want to think about it.
It was too dark for him to maneuver around the cryptic halls, so he used his magic again and conjured up a torch. Running down to the end of the passageway; for he had a feeling that she was at the end, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw blood splattered over the walls and on the floor. Taking in a deep breath, Yami looked down, and faintly, in the corner of the room he saw his love lying motionless on the floor. Her damp robes, draped loosely over her frail form. He saw her hands, slightly open lying on the floor.
'No.'
Dropping the torch from his hand he walked over and fell to the ground beside her.
He opened his mouth to speak but the words didn't come out. His entire body went numb as he picked up her tender, mauled, unrecognizable body and hugged her close to him.
Her blood stained his robes as he hugged her tight and gently rubbed his hand on her head.
She wasn't moving or responding to his touch. Her face still showed signs of life, and her lips were parted slightly. But Yami saw that she had been beaten badly. Almost every inch of his love was covered in bruises and deep wounds where blood seeped out and created crimson pools on the floor. Yami closed his eyes and rested his head on top of hers, slowly rocking back and forth.
The torch behind him was growing dim because of lying on the wet floor. He didn't care; he just sat there, continuing to cradle her body in his arms. He felt as if this moment wasn't real; it was as if this was a horrible nightmare that he couldn't escape. He pulled his head away from her and gazed at her brutally beaten body. Why? He wondered. Why couldn't it have been him that was taking all the pain? If there were a spell for him to transfer all of this upon himself, he would have done so. But there wasn't, and there was nothing he could do. He hated feeling so helpless. Ever since he had become Pharaoh, he had the power to do whatever he wanted. Why then now did his title of Pharaoh make him angry? Because at this moment, he was powerless.
Yami wasn't going to accept this, she wasn't dead, and he wouldn't let her die. He would never let her die. As long as there was still breath in his body Athena would live.
"Athena." He whispered into the darkness. He brought his hand down and rested it over her heart, but he felt nothing. "No…NO! Athena please, hang on!" He yelled to her. "I love you." He paused as he looked at her neck. There was blood still emanating out slightly. "I love you." He repeated again. Of all the magic he had, he didn't have the power to restore life. He could heal someone, but to restore life to an empty vessel; it was not possible.
Yami sat and held her. He was never going to let her go. He didn't know how long he had been down there before he heard a noise.
"Yami!" Came a shout from behind him "Yami! It's me!"
Slowly he turned his head and saw a light coming from where he had entered the room. He saw a figure enter and he recognized him. It was Malik.
He didn't even acknowledge Malik's presence; instead he turned back to Athena and continued to hold her body in his arms.
"Yami I…went to you room but-" Malik stopped as he approached his friend and saw Athena's body in his arms. Malik knew what happened, but he couldn't tell Yami now, it wouldn't have been right.
Yami lowered his head and rested it on her chest as a single tear poured down his face. He was empty now. All the contents of his heart; everything that Athena had given him had vanished along with her.
But lying there silently, he heard the unmistakable thump of a heartbeat. It was faint, and almost inaudible, but there was no mistaking it. His head snapped up as he turned to Malik.
Startled, Malik jumped back slightly at Yami's sudden movement.
"She's not dead." He said, almost sounding worried. What if he waited to long? What if, because he had though she was dead she really would die because he was too stupid to hurry her off to a physician?
Cursing himself, he stood to his feet, with Athena in his arms. She had lost so much blood that she weighed little to nothing.
"Malik hurry! Run up and get the physician! Tell him to come to my room!" Yami yelled as he ran off with her, heading for his room as fast as he could.
* * *
Yami hurried as fast as he could, while still being careful not to cause greater damage to Athena. He was carrying her as if he had a porcelain doll in his hands. A delicate treasure that with one false move could be destroyed.
Slowing down as he rounded the corner he noticed that a small crowd had gathered around his room. He saw Bener, Malik and a few other slave girls standing by the physician with horrified looks on their faces.
He didn't feel like dealing with them now. He didn't feel like dealing with anyone. Pushing through them to get into his room he ordered them all to leave, and they did so without hesitation. Everyone except Bener and Malik, that is.
The filed into the room behind Yami and each waited anxiously for him to lay her down on the bed. Once he had done so, the physician named Seti walked over to the bed, placed his bag on the nightstand and proceeded to examine her body and all of the wounds.
They could have been there for hours or minutes, none could tell. Bener and Malik exchanged nervous glances as they watched Yami pace around the room. Every so often, Seti would look up as if he were about to say something, and Yami would stare at him, waiting for him to talk, but then Seti would go back to what he was doing. It was worrying Yami, to the breaking point, and he finally spoke up.
"For Ra's sake Seti! Tell me something! Anything!" He shouted at the doctor as he stopped his pacing.
Seti flinched fearfully at the Pharaoh's strong voice. Seti opened his mouth to begin talking, and Yami was growing impatient.
"Well! Spit it out! The Gods gave you a mouth, now use it!" He spat.
"Pardon sire…but-"
"Yes?" Yami asked apprehensively.
"Well, I…would like you to leave the room." He said timidly.
"WHAT! What the hell did you say? No! I'm not going to leave the room, I'm not going to leave her side!" Yami yelled as he ran to Seti and raised his hand.
Bener and Malik rushed over quickly and stopped him before he seriously hurt the doctor.
"Get off me!" He snapped, ripping his hand out of Malik's.
"Yami, please." Bener pleaded. "Just do as the doctor says. It's for Athena's good."
She stared at him pleadingly until he gave up and stepped away from Seti, who feared for his life.
"Alright. But the moment something happens, someone had better come and get me." He warned as he walked toward the exit. "Or there will be hell to pay." He added, glaring at each one of them.
Malik left the room as well, following Yami down the hallway.
Bener turned her head back to Seti, and the figure of Athena lying on the bed. Her ears filled with tears. She loved this girl like a second grand daughter. Sniffing a little she looked back up at Seti.
"Bener, could you go and get Anzu for me?" He asked. "I may be able to heal wounds, but she is far better then me at easing the pain."
"Ok Seti."
When Bener too left the room he turned his attention back to Athena. Her breathing was light and unsteady, and most of her wounds had stopped bleeding, but a few still issued out blood. He sighed to himself as he began to clean her off. He couldn't imagine what sort of evil was at work here. But whoever he was, Seti didn't envy him one bit, for he was sure to die a violent death at the hands of Yami.
* * *
Yami frowned as he leaned over the edge of the reflection pool. He watched as a few brightly colored fish swam by. The fast paced rhythm of his heart kept on interfering with his thoughts. Usually this was the place he came to find peace; it was quiet and relaxing. But this time, he found no comfort in the tranquil sounds of running water and the fresh scent of lotus blossoms.
He couldn't keep his thoughts away from her. He knew that she was alive, but would the doctor be able to restore her to her old self? And more important, would she ever forgive him? Yami scowled as these and many other questions ran through his head. This was all his fault. If he had been with her, this would have never happened. And this was something that he would never forgive himself of.
Leaning his elbows on the wall he shoved his face into his hands and growled. Fear was beginning to turn into anger. Whoever did this, Yami swore that he would skin him alive.
Becoming impatient at how long it was taking the doctor to send him word Yami lifted his head and spun around, about to run back to his room and burst in the doors no matter what the doctor said, but as turned around he came face to face with a pair of hazy purple eyes.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He asked nastily. "You've got some nerve coming around me."
Malik snorted with disapproval as he rolled his eyes.
Yami felt his face grow hot with rage, but he wasn't in the mood to threaten or hurt Malik, he was too distracted.
"Yami, I just came to talk to you." He said softly, trying his best to ignore Yami's discourtesy.
"Oh yea?" Yami snapped heartlessly. "Well incase you haven't noticed, Athena is lying in my room half dead and the bastard who did it is going to pay severely. I'm in no mood to talk."
At that comment Malik shook his head.
"What!?" Yami snapped when he saw Malik's gesture.
"Yami, I know what you're thinking and you can't beat yourself down for this." He said as he glanced over the expression on Yami's face.
"Malik, just shut up. You have no idea what I'm thinking." He turned back around and silently stared back into the pool.
"Fine, you win Yami. I can see that no one will change your mind." Malik turned and began to walk away. "I was just trying to be a friend."
At that comment Yami snapped his head around, about to call after him but Malik had already walked off.
"Great. Just great!" Yami shouted, slamming his fists on the stone railing.
His best friend, whom he tortured nearly to death, was just showing him some compassion, and he couldn't even take the time to listen. What kind of monster was he turning into?
Yami looked up when he heard footsteps behind him. Bener smiled meekly at him.
"Yami, you can go in now but-"
He didn't even wait long enough to see what else she had to say. He bolted out of the gardens and headed straight for his room.
* * *
It took him only a few seconds to race back into his room and arrive at Athena's side.
Kneeling by the bed he cautiously picked up her hand and began to stroke it gently. He sighed hurtfully when he noticed that she still wasn't responding to his touch.
Yami jumped slightly when he felt a hand press against his shoulder. Twisting his head he saw Anzu looking down at him.
"Pharaoh, it's better this way. At least she can't feel the pain."
He turned back to Athena and frowned. Anzu was right; at least Athena couldn't feel the pain. At least she couldn't see him like this, completely broke down.
"Please leave." Yami ordered softly to Anzu and Seti. The obeyed his wishes and as soon as Seti had gathered up his potions and tools they left the room.
When they left, Yami got up, pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down on it.
Now that they had taken care of her, all there was to do was wait. And Yami made up his mind that he wasn't going to leave her side until she was better.
Sliding lower in the chair he watched as her chest rose and fell with unsteady breaths. He could hear the faint wheezing coming from her as if breathing was the hardest thing for her to do.
He scanned over her face and body, seeing all the cuts and bruises made him want to hurt somebody. Somebody would pay for this, and now that he thought about it, his emotions were split between anguish and madness.
Yami gazed out his window and saw a fine red hue on the horizon, dawn had arrived, and it had been a long night for everyone. Closing his eyes Yami rested his chin on his hand and slowly drifted off into a most uncomfortable sleep.
The dark spirit stood among the haze and watched Athena as she lay on the ground.
Walking over to her he knelt down and gently nudged her.
"Wake up, Athena." He said to her.
Slowly she opened her eyes at the feel of the familiar cold hands on her skin.
When her eyes grew accustom to the dim light she shot up from the cold ground and looked around in fear.
"No!" Where have you taken me!?" She yelled at him. Then she noticed something else. All of her wounds were gone, and she could feel no more pain. However, she did feel an icy coldness ripple throughout her body.
"Relax." He said quietly. "I am only talking to you in your subconscious. But now that we have shared a…most wonderful experience together, I can speak to you anytime I want." He laughed, because he knew that those words tortured Athena. "I must say though, I didn't expect you to live. No matter, this will all work out."
She narrowed her eyes at him, what the hell could he be planing. What ever it was, she had to tell Yami about this man.
"Aah, you plan on telling Yami do you? Well I strongly advise against that." He cautioned her. "For the day that Yami finds out about me, will be his last."
"Why are you doing all this?" She asked shakily.
"You mean to tell me you've forgotten already?" He smiled. "Athena, I love causing pain, anger and fear. And I can see that I have accomplished all three in one night, I watched as Yami ran into the room tonight and held your hand."
"He-he did?" She didn't know what happened, because she hadn't woke up yet.
"Oh, yes. He is quite hurt, and enraged." The evil one said this as if it were a good thing.
"As for the pain, well you and Malik can attest for that."
"What does Malik have to do with-" But she stopped abruptly as she noticed something that she didn't notice before. Now she could see the man in his entirety. And scanning him up and down, she gasped when she realized something. This man was Malik.
"Athena dear, I know what you're thinking and no, I'm not Malik, although we do share some attributes, I can assure you that he and I, well, we are complete opposites." He smiled as he pulled the golden staff out from under his robes. "However, I am grateful for him. He proved most useful to me last night." He shot a sideways glance at her, waiting for a reaction. "It was all thanks to him, and Yami of course, that made last night possible."
Athena just sat on the ground in shock. She could tell that he was trying to turn her against Yami, but she just couldn't do it. She knew that Yami would never purposely try and hurt her. But then, there was the time when he had hit her. Shaking her head she yelled out.
"Stop it! Stop! I know what you're trying to do and it won't work on me!" She cried, covering her ears. She would listen to no more of his lies. "Just go away and leave us all alone!"
"Ok I'll leave." He smirked, "For now. But I'll be back soon enough." Laughing hysterically the man slowly disappeared into the mist and Athena felt her body began to grow heavy. She could also feel the pain of her wounds come back, and before she knew it, she was lying on a soft bed, her body dripping with sweat. She had no idea where she was, or how long she had been there. All she knew was that she was not in the same place she was after the man had beat her. Shaking her head she tried to forget everything about him and everything that he did to her. But she couldn't forget it, he wouldn't let her.
She kept her eyes closed, afraid of what she might see if she opened them.
The pain in her body was unbearable. She was on fire and each little cut stung as if they had been branded on her flesh. Gripping the sheets she twisted her body in an attempt to alleviate the pain, but nothing she did seemed to work.
"Yami." She cried out in a hushed voice. She couldn't help it. She needed him and even though she knew he wouldn't hear her, it was almost like a reflex.
She was surprised when she felt a cool hand touch her forehead, and even more shocked when she heard the creamy voice that she so desperately wanted to hear.
"I'm here." She heard the voice reassure her. Athena couldn't help but produce a weak smile at the sound of his voice. It was so calming, so comforting. 'He heard me.'
She opened her heavy eyes, and saw a blurred picture of the Pharaoh sitting next to her.
"Athena, I'm here." He whispered softly to her as he placed a hand to her cheek.
She smiled at him before she closed her eyes again. She was too weak to say anything more, and the pain was too great. She felt him grip her hand and she gripped his as hard as she could to show that she knew he was there.
Then she began to wonder, how long had she been here? And how long had Yami been with her?
Sighing, she felt her body relax and she drifted out of consciousness again.
Yami couldn't help but smile a little. This was the first time that Athena had responded to his voice in hours.
By now it was midday and Yami had only gotten a few hours of sleep early that morning.
He sat diligently by Athena's side as she drifted in and out of consciousness all day. Throughout the day Bener had stopped by to see how she was doing. Anzu also came into the room and put some lotus flowers that she had picked for Athena on the nightstand. Even Malik came into the room. But he didn't say anything. He merely walked in, glanced at Athena, then at Yami and then walked out. But when Bener came into the room, she desperately tried to convince Yami to rest and to come out of the room to eat something, but he flatly refused saying that he wasn't going to leave Athena's side until she was better.
Seeing that she wouldn't win that battle she left the room, and left Yami to be alone with Athena.
He stayed in the room all day and well into the night. Sometimes becoming restless he would pace around the room until he would hear Athena shout out his name from her sleep. Then he would rush to her side to see if she was awake. It pained him beyond words to know that she was calling for him but there was nothing he could do to comfort her because she wasn't awake. So he would lightly stroke her hair, and he could feel the heat escaping from her body. When he would place a cool rag to her head to lower her fever it would only take a few minutes before it would dry up. Sometimes her body would shake violently and he could only imagine what she was going through. Every so often she would shout out in sheer anguish and he would watch as her fingers tangled into the sheets, gripping them so tightly that he thought they would rip.
She had been quiet for a while now and Yami sat with his eyes closed and his arms folded. He was so tired, but he didn't want to fall asleep, he wanted to be awake incase she woke up. The only thing that he felt was keeping him alive now was his love for her. It was his love and his determination that gave him the will to go on.
"Yami…" Came a raspy voice from the bed.
Yami nearly jumped out of his skin as his eyes shot open. Falling out of the chair he knelt by the bed and looked at her.
Athena's eyes were open slightly and her lips pulled into a weak smile when she saw Yami. A tear fell down her bruised and scratched face, causing her to cringe a little because of the salt in her tears.
"Thank…you." She choked.
"Shh, you don't have to say anything." He whispered, placing his finger to her lips, silencing her.
"But…you don't have to stay here." She said, feeling rather guilty that she was keeping Yami from sleeping.
"Athena, I want to be here. I'm not going to leave you, ever."
She turned her head away and closed her eyes. This was the man that she loved so much; she didn't want him to suffer on behalf of her.
He lowered down and kissed her on her forehead, as he placed his hand on hers.
* * *
Yami wasn't the only one who was being deprived of sleep. Anzu was lying on her bed with her arms folded up behind her head. She kept on thinking about the first time she laid eyes on Athena when Yami brought her to his room. She was almost unrecognizable. Anzu remembered all of the cuts and bruises that were on Athena as she cleaned them off and applied the same medicine that she had used on Malik.
Speaking of Malik, she hadn't seen him in nearly two days, except for today when he was in Yami's room. She wondered if he was ok, after all, it had only been two nights ago that his back was shredded.
A knock on her door made her jump slightly before she asked who it was.
"Malik." Came the respond from the other side.
"Come in."
The door cracked open and the blonde beauty popped his head in and gave Anzu a weak smile.
"Sorry to bother you, but my back is really sore." Malik said as he walked over to the bed and sat down. He removed his shirt so that Anzu could take a look at it. Sitting up she softly ran her fingers over the wounds and felt Malik flinch a little.
"Ooh, sorry I didn't know it was that sore." She said apologetically.
"It's ok, I was just wondering if you had anymore of that strong stuff that you used before."
"Yea it's right here." She leaned over on her side and picked it up off of the floor.
"It's been sore for the longest time," He told her as she rubbed the ointment on his back, "But I really haven't had time to think about my own pain."
"Tell me about it. I don't know what's going on here, but whoever did it, he will surely pay." She said angrily.
Malik tensed up as she said those words, he knew who did it, but he couldn't tell her, she wouldn't believe him.
"What's wrong?" Anzu asked as she closed the medicine bottle and placed it back on the floor.
"Huh? Oh, nothing." He replied quickly.
She eyed him apprehensively before she shrugged her shoulders.
"So where have you been for the past two nights?"
"In my room." He lied.
"Oh."
"Why, did you miss me?" He asked jokingly.
"Actually, yea." Anzu said as she flushed.
Malik twisted his head a little, he was only kidding, he didn't think she would actually say yea.
"Uh, Anzu, I just want to thank you again for all that you've done for me. Heck, if it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead. You're a real friend."
Anzu flushed even more as she sighed. "Yea, a friend." She put on her best fake smile, but she wasn't too good at it. Malik could tell that there was something wrong.
"Yes, a friend." He repeated. Truthfully Malik would have liked to be more than that, but that was how he was with every other girl. He didn't want it to be that way with Anzu. He wanted his relationship with her to be different then all the ones he had experienced before.
Still, he thought as he sat there looking at her, she was quite irresistible. He couldn't help himself and before he knew it, his hands were on her face pulling her into him.
Anzu didn't hesitate, she allowed herself to be drawn into the other. She allowed his warm soft hands to cup her chin gently as she shut her eyes and awaited what she had longed for ever since she had met him.
She felt his warm breath play across her face, and his lips were so close to hers. Anzu brought her hand up and tangled it in his golden locks pushing forward that one final inch.
Their lips met in a delicate first kiss. A kind that Malik had never experienced before. This one had passion and feeling in it. And he actually enjoyed it. Her lips were soft, they were the lips of someone who had never kissed before. He enjoyed this new experience, because all of the other girls were tramps, they would go around kissing almost anyone if they thought they could get something out of it. He could feel her tremble as he held her. Malik placed a hand on her shoulder as if to reassure her that everything was fine.
Anzu was nervous, she was afraid that she wouldn't live up to Malik's "expectations". She knew about all of the other girls, and she shuddered at the thought of how much of an expert he must be. But when she felt his hand on her shoulder, she forgot about her fears and remembered whom she was kissing. Smiling lightly Anzu twisted her finger around a piece of Malik's golden hair.
Malik wanted to go on all night however, he did not intend on deepening the kiss for fear of moving too far, too fast.
So instead, he pulled away slowly and kissed her on the forehead.
Anzu opened her eyes and smiled up at him. He smiled back, brushing a piece of her dark brown hair away from her beautiful blue eyes.
"A really good friend." He sighed softly.
Anzu giggled as she fell into his chest. She placed her hand on his bare chest and moved it up and down his supple tanned flesh. She inhaled deeply, and her senses were overwhelmed with expensive exotic oils. Malik smelled like a God. She glanced playfully up at him from her position; he wrapped his strong lean arms around her and fell back on the bed, still holding her securely.
He sighed as he thought about how good it felt to hold this girl in his arms. She was different; he wanted to protect her from becoming like all of the other girls.
Lying there with her, he thought back to the night of the dedication ceremony when he had been with those two girls, and how he thought about what it would be like to have one person; someone that would care about him for who he was, someone whom he could call his own.
Malik smiled contently; he didn't have to wonder what it felt like anymore.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Awwww…you go Malik!
Malik: * blushes *