Ok, as you may have seen at the end of the last chapter, there were japanese words and the translations. I've decided that the song "Dearest" (some of you probably know it from Inu Yasha) by Ayumi Hamasaki, is sort of like a theme song to my story cause I listen to it over and over again while I'm writing "My Dearest", that's actually why I entitled this story "My Dearest". At the end of every chapter there will be a verse of the song, download it if you want to follow along with the chapters lol XP. it's a really good song XD. In the last chapter of this story I'll put the whole song's lyrics, the last verse being very important to the last chapter... even though I haven't written it yet, but the lyrics really remind me a lot of Jasmine and Malik. You can find them in Japanese and in English at animelyrics.com or something like that look it up lol. Sorry it takes me sooo long to update, but it's hard writing several fics at once, you have no clue how many unfinished fics and stories I have piled up around the house and somewhere in my computer lol
Thanx to the following reviewers:
Dragons of Life: lol thankies it was fun talking on msn on Friday... when I was supposed to be home sick.... Lol XP
Adelianna: OkiDoki mommy I'll keep working on that other one for you too. Where's Bob? Me and Bakura are scared XP
Laekai: ... first off.... Cool pen-name lol :p I was like.. oooo laekai.. awesome... ahem.. anyhow lol um.. hm. Well, Yami's the pharaoh, so of course he'd be in this story. He's actually in this chap. It was fun writing that part XD. Tell me what you thought of him and maybe even what you would like to see in his personality, attitude, etc...
Mokubaz-Angel: Thanx so much for the comments, yay confidence boosters!! Lol XP
Vladimir Lenin: ... umm... thanks....? Lol I checked out your stories. So you write Spanish do you? I have no clue how to speak or write Spanish. My s.l is French though.
Mya starnight: Thanx 4 the review I e-mailed you and added you to my yahoo messenger.. but im not sure if you have it..,.
Poptart: okidoki... im updating right now aren't I? Lol thanx for your comments on my story
Oh, and ofcourse my friend Chrissy.... YOU'RE the weirdo lol :p
And last but not least... my strange friend Dylan, who reviews just for the heck of it, but oh well, thanks anyways Dilly! XP
THANKS TO ALL WHO READ AND REVIEW!!! HUGS AND KISSES Enjoy the next chappie! XD
Chapter 2
The next morning, Jasmine woke to find the sun's light streaming into the room, casting a golden glow over everything. She sat up drowsily, and stretched, still feeling sleepy. 'Where's Malik?' Jasmine wondered, her eyes travelling around the room. Spotting a piece of papyrus propped up on the desk that read 'Jasmine'. She got out of bed curiously, and walked over to pick it up. Jasmine unfolded the note to find a message written in neat scrawls inside.
I have gone out to run an errand. I will be back before noon. Till then, I would stay in my room if I were you. Servants will bring you breakfast when they see you have awoken. I have a surprise for you once I return. I must be off now; by the way, you look like an angel when you are asleep, especially in the early morning sunlight.
Love, Malik Ishtar
Jasmine smiled, and folded the note again. "Hold on a second," She thought aloud, her expression altering to panic. "He was watching me sleep?! Frightening..." Jasmine shrugged off the thought. 'Oh well,' She dragged herself back over the bed, which was covered in twisted sheets and unorganized pillows, flopping back on, feeling more at home on the bed than anywhere else. She groaned and buried her face in the pillow snuggling into the sheets and preparing for another few hours of sleep.
"Are you planning on fixing that bed yourself or what?" Drawled a voice above her head a few seconds later.
Jasmine jumped horribly and looked around to find Malik peering down at her. "Oh, um, I guess."
Malik smirked. "Still tired?"
"Yes," She answered simply.
"Well, it's about time to get up. I said I had a surprise for you. Don't you want to see it?"
"Is more sleep an option?" Jasmine questioned.
Malik shook his head, smiling. "Not at all, but breakfast is."
"Then, I suppose I better get up." She sighed, heaving herself out of bed.
" It's about time too," Malik remarked, watching her rub her eyes, furiously in attempt to get the sleep out. "You remember where you go to get dressed for the day, right?"
"Um..." Jasmine mumbled, looking around nervously with pensive turquoise eyes. "There?" She asked, pointing towards the exit into another room.
He smiled and nodded. "Yes," 'She's already starting to grow on me. And even better! She's getting more used to things here.' Malik thought, feeling as though he couldn't be happier. "Whenever you have finished I shall be waiting in here. Send a maid to call on me, all right?"
"All right," Jasmine replied, taking cautious steps towards the room, feeling unsure at the concept of ordering out a maid.
Malik's eyes followed her graceful steps until she disappeared into the other room. He looked down and sighed, turning towards the balcony and taking in the fresh afternoon breeze that was lightly drifting in through the open entryway, gently rustling the silk translucent curtain.
Meanwhile, Jasmine was instructed to stand still while the maids picked out something for her to wear. They took out one of the normal white dresses, which was held up with straps on the shoulders, and Jasmine just stood there in a amazement as they folded a semi-transparent silver material over her body to create a beautiful pleated dress.
The young women adorned Jasmine's arms, wrists, neck, ankles and ears with sparkling gold jewellery, finishing with a gold headband, a symbol and hieroglyphs engraved on it, resting across her forehead. They pulled her sand blond hair back with a solid gold band to hold it loosely. Jasmine's bangs fell delicately over her face, some loose strands of hair in the front brushing over her shoulders gently.
After her eyelids were painted blue, green at the top just below the line of her eyebrows, and a line of kohl was delicately drawn, extending from the corners of her eyes to the side of her face, Jasmine's eyelashes were brushed up with a dark powder, her lips painted cherry, and she was turned to face the mirror.
She almost gasped. The sight that met her turquoise eyes was not very familiar. Jasmine ceased to be Jasmine anymore. Not the gentle farm girl everyone adored, but she looked like an Egyptian princess, someone important. 'I resemble someone of royalty,' She thought, breathlessly as the maids touched her up with a tiny amount of blush. 'This can't be. Just the other day I was stained with dirt, and wearing the simplest of slave dresses, and... and now this...'
"My lady, we have finished," Said one of the maids with a bowed head, her dark wig brushing over her face.
Jasmine stared at her with wide turquoise eyes, why did she lower her head in such a manner? Jasmine didn't feel as though she had any authority over her, but obviously, the girl believed it to be so. "Oh, umm... Could you send Malik in, then, please?" She asked, remembering what Malik had told her to do.
"Yes, my lady." She replied, with a curtsy, striding towards the door.
Jasmine watched her leave and seconds later, Malik appeared at the door, leaning against the frame, smiling and cocking his head to study the improved Jasmine before him.
She bit her lip nervously and lowered her head a bit, glancing to the side.
"Come," Malik said after a few moments of silence.
Jasmine reluctantly stepped forward to accept his hand, her eyes widening a little in shock as he abruptly turned and slightly jerked her along into his room. He pulled her onto the bed with him, and she stared at him in confusion.
"We're going back to sleep? In this?" Jasmine asked in puzzlement, looking down at the delicate dress.
Malik snorted. "Of course not. We're having breakfast."
"B-breakfast?" She stumbled, looking more and more confused by the second.
He chuckled and gestured towards the door as servants poured in with trays of fruit, bread and other foods, along with a pair of maids carrying large fans made of peacock feathers.
Jasmine's eyes widened at the site, watching the servants setting up around the bed. She jumped a bit when Malik gently placed a tanned hand on her shoulder, motioning for her to move up. She scooted closer to him at the head of the bed, pulling her dress down further over her legs, feeling rather uncomfortable around him.
Malik just laughed at the action and shook his head. But inside he was screaming with frustration. 'What? Does she think I'm a rapist or something?!' He pushed the thought away, waving at a servant, who placed a tray on the bed. "Just take anything you want." Malik stated, grabbing a bundle of grapes.
Jasmine's turquoise irises scanned the tray of fruits, and she reluctantly picked up an apple and began munching on it.
Malik smiled. "There. Not so difficult is it?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
Jasmine smiled and shook her head. In some weird way, he made her feel happy at times even though she resented being here.
'I think she might be getting more comfortable around me. I knew she just needed some time,' He thought, smiling to himself as he popped another grape into his mouth.
'Maybe being here isn't so bad, after all. And... Malik does seem kind of nice. ... What am I thinking?! It's because of this boy I was taken from my home!' Anger flared up inside of Jasmine, but she forced herself to calm down. 'This won't help anything, I'm going to need to learn how to get over that sooner or later.' She took another small bite of the apple, but she was starting to feel a little queasy.
"Jasmine," Malik said, snapping her back to reality.
She shuddered inwardly, there was something about the way he said her name. "Yes, Malik?" Jasmine answered, unwavering as she maintained a calm and respectful posture.
"You seem somewhat pale,"
Jasmine panicked mentally. "I'm fine, I'm not ill." She didn't want him to know she was feeling home sick, what would he think? 'I'm weak, that's what he'd think.' Jasmine thought to herself.
"No, not ill. I think you need to get out in the sun more." Malik stated, putting the grapes down on the tray and studying Jasmine's pale face.
"Oh..."
Malik cocked his head to the side. "Which somewhat partakes with my surprise for you. Would you come see what it is with me?"
Jasmine raised a blonde eyebrow. "Sure, I suppose so." She replied, getting off the bed.
Malik waved off the servants with the trays, and beckoned Jasmine to him.
She stepped forward and he offered her his arm. Jasmine looked up at Malik with her turquoise eyes and accepted as he linked her arm with his and headed out the door.
As they passed through the halls, Jasmine watched the people who passed. They were all either servants wearing simple almost ragged clothing, or well-dressed, well made-up adults of authority. "Good day, Master Ishtar." One of them greeted, nodding his hooded head.
"Good day, sir." Malik answered, bowing his head as they passed. Jasmine's eyes widened: under the man's hood, she spotted the faint glint of gold where his eye should be. "That was the Priest Akunadin," Malik whispered to her. "My father is good friends with that man." Jasmine merely nodded, looking away again. Malik almost growled in his throat, he really wished she'd at least try to maintain conversation with him. As they passed a large entryway, a voice called out to them.
"Son! Come here and introduce your bride to the Pharaoh." Malik's father called.
Jasmine tensed when he called her 'Malik's bride', and Malik could sense this. Sighing, he led her into the large throne room. Jasmine glanced nervously at the people on either side of them as they made their way to the throne, trying to keep her breathing steady and ignore the gaze of the tri-coloured man sitting in the golden seat of authority above her.
A man with short black hair and a golden band tied around his head. A beautiful woman; in Jasmine's opinion, with a golden headpiece adorning her head, framing her face, with a mantle that curved around her form perfectly. A man with long brown hair; though his hood hid it, and a long robe. He looked strong and muscular, and solid, his face set and determined. 'He must be the Pharaoh's guardian,' Thought Jasmine as they passed to the foot of the throne where only one other man stood. Clad in blue and gold, this was the high priest, Seto, and Jasmine could tell there was something about him she didn't quite trust.
"Pharaoh," Malik said, kneeling before the man in the throne with his elbow on one knee. Jasmine flushed, lowering her head a bit as she sensed the gaze of everyone upon her; she didn't know what to do! Her heart racing, Jasmine attempted to even out her breathing.
"Curtsey or something, girl!" Ishtar ordered.
Snapping to it, Jasmine quickly put a foot behind her ankle and curtsied, her head lowered as she blushed deeply with embarrassment.
However, the man in the throne merely smiled, not looking to the least offended as he lifted a tanned hand and summoned her with a gesture of his index finger, while Malik rose to his feet again.
Jasmine glanced at Malik, looking unsure and nervous. He nodded in encouragement and she stepped forward, feeling as though she could quiver, but successfully held it off.
"Your name?" The man inquired. His voice was gentle and soft, and actually soothed Jasmine a bit, but she still felt nervous, and panicked when she realized she could not find her voice to answer him.
Biting her lip, Jasmine lowered her head her blonde bangs brushing her face as her turquoise irises danced nervously over the gold floor beneath her feet.
"Shy, is she?" The Pharaoh asked Ishtar.
"Yes, my Pharaoh. I actually have not heard her speak once. But her name is Jasmine." He replied.
The Pharaoh nodded and chuckled a bit, turning his crimson eyes back towards Jasmine who was anxiously shuffling her feet. "You have no need to be afraid of me, Jasmine. Do you know my name?" He asked, tilting his head a bit so he could see her face.
Jasmine shook her head. "I know you're the Pharaoh." She said in a quiet voice.
"Yes, but you need not call me that. You, and only you, may call me Atem, if you wish." The Pharaoh suggested in a comforting way as he reached out his hand, winking at her and smiling.
Jasmine's face cracked into a weak smile and she didn't feel as though she had to keep her head lowered anymore. She shook hands with him, noting, with fascination, the numerous rings on Atem's fingers and gold jewellery that adorned his body.
"Well, my Pharaoh," Malik cut in as he took a few steps forward to take Jasmine's hand in his. "We must be off now, I promised Jasmine a surprise."
Pharaoh Atem smiled warmly and closed his crimson eyes as he nodded. "Very well, young Master Ishtar. And remember, Jasmine: If you ever need someone to talk to, don't be afraid to consider myself an option."
She nodded, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Jasmine couldn't help but smile. Something about Atem's comforting and gentle nature made her feel at home here in this large, gold palace; and this wide, vast land she did not know at all.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Close your eyes," Malik instructed with an encouraging smile.
Jasmine closed her eyes slowly, reluctant to trust him, and walked forwards cautiously around the corner, guided by Malik.
"Bring it out," Jasmine heard Malik order, and she caught faintly the sound of a horse's low whiny and hoof steps against cobblestone. Her heart leapt. Maybe she wouldn't be stuck in Malik's room for the rest of her life. "You may open your eyes now, Jasmine." Malik whispered from behind her, making the blonde startle a bit. Jasmine opened her turquoise eyes which widened at the sight before her.
A beautiful bay Arabian mare, with a white star on her forehead and snip of white on her nose, complete with nearly half her left hind leg covered in white stood before Jasmine, swishing her tail and munching on whatever hay was left in her mouth. The mare looked so much like Gem it made Jasmine's head spin to the point she thought her knees had weakened and she would faint any second now. Recovering herself, Jasmine stepped forward, head lowered so as to not make eye contact and spook the horse. Reaching out a hand cautiously, she stroked the Arabian's bay neck, and the mare in turn snorted contently, nudging against Jasmine's arm. She smiled and raised her head, taking another step closer to rub the bay horse's forehead gently.
Malik smiled lightly, watching Jasmine and the horse, he could tell she'd worked with horses all her life from the way she could interact with the mare. "I bought her at a horse market this morning while you were asleep."
Jasmine's turquoise irises roamed over to Malik, as if noticing him for the first time. She smiled. "Oh, Malik! Thank you!" Jasmine cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
Malik was caught by surprise. He hadn't expected the first intimate contact they ever made would be so sudden, and he hadn't expected Jasmine to suddenly embrace him in such a way considering how shy she had been lately. Putting this all aside, Malik just smiled, taking advantage of the moment and embracing her tightly, saying: "It was nothing,"
Jasmine pulled away to stare into his lavender eyes, and he stared back at her, determined. "You don't know how much this means to me..." She whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
Acting quickly on the moment, Malik decided on leaning forward to kiss her cheek gently.
Jasmine shivered as his lips brushed her cheek gently and he spoke to her, his sweet warm breath on her neck as he embraced her in his arms again.
"Please, don't fret over it. Just make me happy and take Gem for a ride with me." Malik whispered persuasively.
Jasmine closed her eyes; no boy had ever had contact quite like this with her. She nodded her head and swallowed, trying to regain control over her hormones, as she licked her lips and began to break away. "Um, I need to go tack up Gem." Jasmine stated, her shy aura making a re-appearance as she blushed and turned away from Malik.
He just smirked and let her leave, watching her retreating back. Malik couldn't help but let his smirk widen when he realized the effect he'd had on the young blonde girl as she bit her lip nervously and glanced cautiously at him every now and then.
Jasmine concentrated on doing up the girth of the saddle, trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering furiously in her stomach. 'Why is he making me feel this way?' She thought.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"You sure you don't want me on there with you?" Malik asked.Jasmine nodded, feeling a bit angry he doubted her independence. She'd been riding horses all her life! Why would she need this boy's help now?
Malik nearly pouted, he wanted to have an excuse to be close to her again, but Jasmine clearly didn't need help when it came to horses. He just gathered his reins and looked ahead at the entrance to the trails that lead through the beautiful oasis and back.
OOOOOOOOOO
"You walked in on your parents?!" Malik asked, his eyes wide as he laughed."Yes, it was scary! I was only five!" Jasmine laughed. Somehow her and Malik and got talking and now they couldn't stop, almost all had been forgotten.
"What did you do? Wonder why your parents were naked in bed? Surely you had no clue what... it... was when you were of that age." Malik said.
"You can't say the word?" Jasmine asked tauntingly, with a teasing smile.
"Oh, Ra. No! Don't!" Malik yelled, laughing.
"Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!"
"No! Stop!"
"Sex, sex, sex, sex!" Jasmine was laughing so hard she nearly fell off the horse.
"Settle down, girl! Wow... what happened?" Malik laughed, shoving her shoulder playfully.
"What happened what?" Jasmine asked.
"To you? Not long ago you were shy, and couldn't even tell the Pharaoh Atem what your name is."
Jasmine shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it sure feels good to be myself again."
Malik smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "Being yourself is saying inappropriate words?" He asked sarcastically.
Jasmine just grinned. "Exactly," She joked.
Malik laughed and shook his head. "Never would of known that."
Gem threw up her head impatiently and trotted forwards. Jasmine smiled back at Malik. "Looks like Gem wants to go for a run. Come catch me," She teased, easing her grip on the reins and letting Gem jump forwards into a canter.
Malik smirked and kicked his horse into a canter as well. "As you wish," He muttered to himself, his determined lavender orbs set on Jasmine.
OOOOOOOOOOO
'Damn it all,' Malik thought once they were back in the palace. Jasmine had gone back to her old self, barely even raising her head. He'd enjoyed their trail ride out in the sun, and now he wished it had never ended. Now, it seemed like a hazy dream."Are you having a bath with me tonight, or... would you rather have one alone?" Malik asked once they were in the room, the sun had long gone down.
Jasmine thought for a moment. She'd have to sooner or later, so she supposed she should just get it over with. "Sure," Jasmine replied with a smile.
Malik's heart leapt a bit and he smiled. Maybe it hadn't been completely a dream. "Don't worry I promise I won't look." He said confidently.
Jasmine smiled and went to get a towel from the pile. She got changed and wrapped the towel around her body, walking back into the room to find Malik already with a towel around his waist. Again, his well-toned chest sent hormones raging through her body and she fought to control them, forcing herself to stare at his tanned face while she walked towards the bath.
"You can get in first, I won't look, I promise." Malik suggested.
Jasmine nodded and sheepishly removed her towel, quickly wading into the warm water after he'd turned his back. The surface was littered with different coloured flower petals floating soothingly around the soap bubbles. Jasmine sighed and leaned back, relaxing in the warm water and basking in the sweet smell of perfumes. Feeling the water ripple, she opened one of her turquoise eyes to watch Malik settle in the bath and reach over to retrieve a bottle from the edge of the bath.
"Wet your hair first," Malik instructed, watching Jasmine remove the gold hairpiece that held her hair back and shake the blonde locks out.
Though his observant lavender eyes were making her slightly uneasy, Jasmine tipped her head back and ran her fingers through her silky hair as it floated under the water. She resurfaced and met Malik's gaze, almost challenging it as there was silence between them.
Malik moved forward reluctantly, the water rippling around him as moved behind her.
Jasmine tensed and moved away. "What are you doing?" She demanded, her voice quivering as she turned to face him.
Malik's eyes widened in surprise. "Nothing inappropriate," He assured her, feeling embarrassed he hadn't said anything and made her think he wanted something... else.
Jasmine narrowed darkened turquoise eyes at him ever so slightly, as if trying to read his mind.
Malik wasn't sure if she had believed him. "Just to help you wash your hair," He said truthfully, motioning gently for her to come back.
Jasmine cautiously returned, remaining tense as she turned around, staring at the opposite wall.
Malik poured some of the cleansing oil from the bottle onto his hand and began lightly lathering it into Jasmine's blonde hair. "There, now you can rinse it all out." He said, backing off to give her some personal space. While Jasmine silently rinsed the oil out of her hair, Malik was mentally beating himself up for scaring her earlier. 'I suppose I'll just have to be careful,' He concluded. 'She's a lot like a scared, lost animal. Once I think I've gained her trust, then, I make a dumb mistake and end up right where I started.'
Jasmine rubbed her eyes and turned to stare at Malik. "Well? Are you not going to wet your hair as well?"
Malik was startled, but nodded, handing her the bottled and dunking his head under the water.
Jasmine poured some of the substance onto her hands like he had done earlier and waited for Malik to turn around so she could wash his hair.
Malik leaned his head back and sighed as Jasmine gently massaged the cleansing oil into his hair, making his eyelids droop. Her soft fingers running over his scalp made Malik feel sleepy and he thought he'd almost fallen asleep at one point.
Jasmine stepped back, snapping Malik to reality as he realized she had finished lathering the oil into his blonde hair. While Malik rinsed his platinum blonde hair, Jasmine got out of the bath quickly and retrieved her towel from bench near the edge of the pool/bath, wrapping it around her body.
When Malik surfaced he watched Jasmine walk hurriedly to the other room to get dressed in her nightclothes, and he ran a hand through his hair before making to get out himself. 'I wonder if she'll even sleep in the same bed with me tonight,' Malik thought, staring at the closed door as he wrapped a towel around his waist and sighed.
Once Jasmine had returned, she opened the door quietly to see Malik already lying on the bed, appearing to be asleep. She cautiously took light steps towards the bed and stared down at him. His soft blonde bangs brushing over his tanned face, which was partially illuminated by the new moon. Jasmine tilted her head to the side and continued to stare. 'He really looks a lot like the angel from my dream...' She thought, leaning over the bed to reach out and move his hair out of his face gently.
Malik was frozen stiff. He didn't know what to do. 'Stay still, keep pretending you're asleep,' He thought.
Straightening up, Jasmine studied Malik a bit more before slowly and carefully climbing into bed beside him. She gazed at his face for a moment, then, scooted closer and turned over on her side, closing her eyes to go to sleep.
Malik struggled to steady his breathing. Jasmine was lying so close to him he could feel her warmth. 'I must be dreaming,' Experimentally, Malik slowly moved a trembling arm under the sheets and wrapped it around Jasmine's waist, waiting to see what she would do.
Jasmine's eyes flew open when she felt a warm arm slip over her waist, but she just smiled and nestled her head into the pillows, enjoying the sense of warmth and protection Malik offered as she drifted slowly off to sleep. All she see behind her closed eyes was Malik's smiling, laughing face.
Malik smiled, and closed his eyes to go back to sleep as well. 'I knew she just needs time...'
'/Sonna toki itsu datte (In such times,) Me o tojireba (I see you laughing) Waratteru kimi ga iru (Whenever I close my eyes.)/'
'/Itsuka eien no nemuri ni (Until the day I reach,) Tsuku hi made (Eternal sleep,) Dou ka sono egao ga (That smiling face will) Taema naku aru you ni (Have to stay with me without fail.)/'
(The second and third verse of "Dearest" Performed by Ayumi Hamasaki.)
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
phew So, what did ya think? Please R&R! Ja'ne! XD