Okay.... I'm sooooooooooo sorry I haven't updated in so long. I was in the process of moving and couldn't post things. Grrrr... stupid lack of internet... but I'm back now!!! Thanks you everyone who still been loyaly reading this. I beg forgiveness!!! As a reward, A new chapter! As awful and boring as it is, I promise better in a few days. It's not Beta read so forgive me for any stupid mistakes, I'm sure there's a lot. BTW: If any wants to go through Drawing Down the Moon and Beta read all the chapters I have posted, I would be forever grateful!! Just leave a review and the first person who offers I'll give the task to. I also would like someone to do the same for Gutterflower. The reward is... hmm... I know! I'll write a Malik and Ryou story dedicated to the two who take on my horrible grammar. You would seriously deserve it. Any way!
Due to the fact that... well I moved... I couldn't email all the... uh? Finalist? So to make it easier, and post all your names here. Just drop me a review or an email so I can get your permission to draw the outfit you designed. I'll bring it to my anime club or something ^_^ Anyway... I no order what so ever:
Dragon_Child, RyogazGal, ChaosEnd , cheesepuff, Selena_Wolf, Lady Adako, Vampire Huntress D, ancient enchantress, Chibigreen Tanuki, and Saki.
Anyway, A real special thanks to everyone who entered, trust me it was hard... I still have a bruise from my argument with Kioko over what's better leather or silk... oh well! All of them were so amazing! R&R everyone!
LYB: Wow! It's been soooooo long ! *falls down and worships her computer now that she has internet again*
Ryou and Malik: O_o U...
Malik: Can we just move on... we all know you love your computer...
Ryou: Yes, I finally get to talk in this chapter
Malik: YOU GET TO TALK FOR THE NEXT 3 CHAPTERS!
Ryou: *sticks out his tongue* nah!
Malik: _!
LYB: It's okay Malik! After this you pretty much get the rest of the story!
Ryou: But... aren't their only a few more chapters to go?
Malik: _!
LYB: Shut- uuuuupppppppp.......
Ryou: On with the story, as awful as this chapter is...
LYB: Hey! Your my muse! Not my editor!!
Ryou: ^_^U... eh hehe...
*******************************************************************
Dreams on a Snowy Night
*******************************************************************
I smiled, feeling the most wonderful sense of peace despite the fact everything was black. It was late by the time Malik and I ended up going to bed but it was well worth it. I can vaguely smell the inscents in the air although we did the whole ritual in the living room downstairs. Mainly because we both made a wish on a small log of wood as we wound it with braids before putting our Yule log on the fire. I don't think burning fires in the bedroom would have been a good idea. I wished that somehow, I could always stay close to Malik... I know that sounds really lame, but I like having another person to talk too. Not just about witchcraft either. I dunno why, but I can just say whatever's on my mind around him. It's been an amazing day... it started out wonderfully with the exploration of the new fallen snow and wound down peacefully to this moment. We planned the ceremony most of the day... between bouts of chasing each other around the cabin for random reasons, channel surfing on the bedroom TV, and the conversations that lasted hours on end. I think tomorrow we're going to get a lot of questions about what the hell we were doing making such a racket but with any luck our secluded spot will save us from that.
The Yule ceremony itself went over well, despite the fact neither one of us had ever worked with another person before. We agreed unanimously to follow the Egyptian sect, I wanted to see Egyptian magick at work and although he knew vaguely who Lug, Cernunnos and Morgan were, Malik wasn't all that good with the Celtic pantheon.
I taught him earlier a druid way of raising power that went well with his Egyptian magic. My mother taught it to me as a game to play with her and Amane but we found it worked well for the two of us. We stood hands together right palm up, left palm down imagining our own energy inside moving through our bodies. Then one person slaps down on the others palm, transferring the energy to the other person. The person then passes the energy back by slapping the first persons other palm back. Thus the energy gets moved between the two in a deosil... umm... clockwise circle.
With each hit was a beat in our chant, "Ray-hor-aka-tay". I think written down it looks like Re, Horakhty... you'd have to ask Malik. The faster you go, the harder it is to keep the beat without jumping ahead in the hand game and more then once we broke out into a fit of laughter because one of us would mess up the clap or the chant. Sounds like a clapping game you played as a kid, right? That's cause it probably is. I smile thinking about it, it's so childish but after all, laughter only helps build the energy. That's the great thing about rituals, they can be incredibly fun and even funny at times. But that's not the image that's dancing in my mind right now.
I can see it, feel it... still turning and warm within me. We stood in the center of our circle, our hands on each others chest. Our free hands covered the one that rested on our chests. It may sound tricky... but it's not. Sacred words turned out, whispering, calling, sweet prayers to bring the universe to us.
They call it Drawing Down the Moon.
One of the sincerest rites any witch can do.
Calling down the very energy of the Lord and Lady into your being so you can be empowered with all the light the universe can offer you. It's a balance, a harmony.
Drawing Down the Moon... they couldn't have given it a more idealistic name. For a moment, that's almost what happens, you become one with the world and everything in it... the very pale white glow of the moon and the golden rays of the sun are yours to enjoy.
He raised the prayer first, hand on my heart, smooth charming voice cooing to me gently.
"Come, most beautiful,
you who are more seductive than any enchantress,
you who whisper to the hearts of men.
O come, mother of this world.
Come, Queen Isis, Great One,
speak to us Lady of the Nile."
I opened my eyes and smiled, for that moment I was an angel and he was my priest. Harmony... sort of like a dream that's hard to place but you know you had. I wanted to see the change in him as well and I answered him as best I could, patient and gentle.
"I heard you voice amid the outer limits of time and space, I've come to you." I addressed him sweetly, gently squeezing his hand. He smiled at me, contented with his work, amused that I was the one stuck being the goddess.
"I am the mother of all life.
I was created and I am the creator;
I am mistress of birth and death.
I bring forth the Lord of Life,
the child of Osiris,
he is life in death,
as I am death in life.
I am Isis,
The rising one held high."
He nodded and smiled once again and I slid my hands away from him, tenderly closing his eyes before laying my hand on his chest again.
"I've heard your voice amid the outer limits of time and space
Now let my voice be heard as well.
I shall call ye out.
Come Lord Horus,
My son born unto the land,
shine your face onto your people.
You who are the son of their heart,
Come Earth's Lord.
Speak to us now."
I let my hands drop effeminately, stepping back and watching him as he opened his eyes. He was indeed the golden Horus. Face set calmly, slight careless smile tipped his lips faintly, arrogant and placid as only a god so pure could be. He nodded, as if amused.
"Mother." he greeted simply, and I just smiled, nodding with my eyes to return the gesture. "I've heard the people call, amid Black Lands and lotus of the Nile Delta," he opened his arms slightly, cocking his head as if to gesture to the world around him.
"At long last I can arise.
I, who am the power of the sun,
I, who brings hope for an abundant future,
I am the righter of wrongs.
I can be cruel to the cruellest,
and loving to the lowly.
I am and will be the Lord of this world.
I am the jewel within the crown of my mother Isis." he leaned down charmingly, laying a chaste kiss on my forehead and I laughed lightly at his affection.
"I am hope and joy, life and love.
I am the eye of the day."
The draw back of such wonderful things is that they can't last and I stepped forward once more, putting my hands on his shoulders and he smirked, hands on his hips as if he were amused by my actions. He laughed a bit, placing the toes of his bare feet over mine, his arms wrapped around me he planted a kiss on my lips which I returned with the same kindness. Sweet and friendly. Mother and son. The circuit completes with the kiss, we were grounded and our energies became our own once more.
We were no longer god's, just ourselves. I could tell because his kiss changed, becoming more demanding and his lips softer, and I had back the moment I wanted so badly. He tightened his grip about my waist a bit and I'm so sure I could feel his heart racing as we kissed. My eyes fluttered as he broke off the kiss, I fought the urge to whimper and reminded myself that breathing was also a good thing to do. He smiled at me, hmming thoughtfully, he was a bit flushed but didn't let on he was embarrassed by getting carried away. I laughed a little to show him it was okay as I stepped away. I wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of the night, but reluctantly consoled myself I had a memory to carry with me, even if it was only an accident. I wish for once, I could get a real kiss... one that's not part of a game... or an accident... a real kiss.
It's that image dancing in my mind.
The Yule log burnt out a long time ago now, but we stayed awake even after we cleaned up the living room, restoring it to the way it had been before. As if there never was a temple alive with laughing and spirited boy's keeping each other company. Malik wanted to stay up until after midnight to see what the dark of night looked like in the winter. I laughed when he asked me to stay up with him, but I did it anyway. We ended up getting caught up in a movie on satellite... a really nice vampire flick with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise - what was it again? I don't know... Malik said he'd seen it before and really liked it. I always thought he would be in to that kind of movie, he's always been the dark and mysterious type. Kind of like that Lastat guy Tom played... dark and mysterious with a sense of class and humour.
It was quarter after one when he finally pulled on his cloak and walked out the door, and I followed him wondering why it mattered so much for him to see what a snowy night looked like. He wandered out and stood in the moonlight, he never said a word or moved a muscle... just stood there, looking up at the sky, taking in the night. I asked him why he wanted to see this night so badly and he just looked up at the moon, it's pale white light glistening across his face, making him look like a fallen angel. "I wanted to see if the moon would shine on the snow... if the stars would be brighter... I wanted to see if it would look as pure and innocent as I thought it would." He looked down at his feet, scuffing a line in the snow, a rather distant look on his face. "Something to always remember, and remind me..."
I walked over to him, standing by his side and looking up at the sky with him. "What do you want to remember?" I asked curiously.
"It's the longest night of the year..." he said slowly, eyes scanning the stars. I wondered if he was purposely avoiding the question. "The darkest and loneliest of then all... " He dropped his gaze to the ground again, and I blinked, I'd seen that expression on his face before. That troubled, distance look he'd gotten when he leaned down to help me up earlier. The one I can remember from my brief time at Battle City.
I offered him a sympathetic smile and laid my hand gently on his shoulder. "But look how pretty it is." I said, gesturing to the silver glow against the flawless snow and the dark ebony curtain of stars against the half-moon, though I knew very well he wasn't actually talking about the night. "Times like this are rare, because for now the world is clear - simple and clean. As you said, it's pure and innocent. We all feel pain, Malik. It's probably the one thing that makes us human. Your not the only person to feel the way you do."
He looked at me, his intense gaze catching me off guard. He didn't say a thing just reached out and softly and pushed my bangs away from my eyes. His touch was wonderfully gentle, and I can remember wondering why he had been so tender with me, not just then, but over the last few days. He'd taken care of me, held me, danced with me, he drew down the moon in to me... He let his fingers linger in my hair a minute and his eyes scanning my face with affection. "I thought so..." he said distantly his thumb ran along my cheek and I felt myself tremble, he looked so beautiful, tan skinned faded under the moonlight.
"What?" I prompted in a soft voice, melting into his touch, allowing him to draw me in.
"You do look like snowy nights." he smiled, trailing his fingers through my hair. I felt myself blush, unsure of what to make of the comment but I couldn't help the flattered smile that came across me. He tilted my head slightly, I could feel my heart racing in my chest as hesitantly leaned down then stopped. He gave a bit of a sigh then dropped his hand stepping away from me, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking back up at the sky. I bit my lip, feeling my heart sink, I really have to stop taking this so seriously or I'm going to end up heartbroken.
I looked up at the sky and a flash caught my eye. "Malik, look!" I laughed, taking his arm and pointing up. He chuckled, watching the sky.
"Shooting star!"
"Make a wish." I prompted with a smile, playfully tugging on his arm. He gave me a sceptical look but smiled and closed his eyes and I did the same, making my wish to the falling star. I opened my eyes in time to watch it fade out of existence and I glanced at Malik who was watching the spot where it vanished himself.
"Why'd you want me to make a wish?" he asked.
"Because," I smiled, pointing up to the sky "It's Celtic myth that a shooting star is the goddess Arianrhod. Goddess of inspiration and wishes. The call her the Stardust Goddess and if you see her and ask nicely, she'll grant you a wish."
He laughed a bit, putting his arm around me and pulling me to him. "What did you wish for?" he asked, looking down at me.
"I wished for a pet, actually." I admitted. "My father is never home so I never get a chance to ask for one. And when I bring it up on the phone he always tells me to wait till he gets home. It's annoying, but I still love him."
"What would you want?" he asked, curiously. I shrugged.
"Don't care, I'd still love it. I used to have a cat, but I had to leave her behind when we moved here. I just like animals."
He messed up my hair playfully. "Yeah, that sounds like you."
"How about you?" I asked, poking him in the stomach.
"Can't tell." He said pointedly, "Or it won't come true." I stuck my tongue out at him childishly. "Come on," he said, turning me back toward the cabin "You look like your falling asleep on your feet."
So now here we are. Or at least, here I am. Laying in bed, sleeping... yes I know I'm sleeping because everything is faded black, I think I'm dreaming. Yes I've positive I'm dreaming. You tend to get vivid dreams after rituals, don't ask me why, but I've noticed it. Malik is asleep on the couch downstairs, I miss his presence near by me... but it's okay, that was only a one night thing while I was sick, right? Right.
I stand in a field, summer, the sun shining... it goes as far as I can see, riddled with wild flowers and the air smells of them. I love these dreams and I laugh, looking up at the sky. There's a glint of gold across a sunbeam and I blink, watching it. A falcon, flying against the sun. "Hello up there!" I call, shading my eyes with my hands. "Are you here to visit me pretty sun bird?" The falcon flew down, answering me with it's sharp, shrill call as it landed on the arm I held up for it. I smiled, the bird's shining eyes settled on me as I reached out toward him, my fingers resting on the crest of his beak before moving back over his head in a gentle stroke. The falcon raised his head and pressed it against the palm that cradled his head and neck, nudging my thumb as a sign he liked my attention and I laugh at the golden bird.
"So you like my pet?" A familiar voice says from behind me and I turn about, perplexed, looking at the radiant male standing there. Violet eyes looked out at me from under thick blond locks that framed out his tanned face to his shoulder. I knew this boy so well, but his clothes didn't seem right... a piece of white cloth was tied about his waist with a thin leather rope and hung down like a skirt slit all the way up the side to show the loose baggy pair of faded black Arabian pants underneath. Over everything he wore a faded dark colored tunic that had no sleeves. It also spilt all the way up the side so it pretty much just hung from his shoulders and neck, he had nothing under it for a shirt, just bare skin. The back part flowing out like a cape, the front part tied to his waist by the same rope that held the white cloth though it hung to his knees. His normal jewellery was gone. In it's place he wore a dangling pair of mid-eastern earring and a gold crown sat like a head band on his forehead encrusted with brilliant fire red stones. Golden snakes with ruby eyes twines about his left arm as an arm band and thin gold bangles hung loose on his wrists over black gloves with no finger tips that held tight to his skin up to his elbow where golden fabric wrapped about them, holding them up. No, this wasn't my Malik, but it may of well have been. They were identical.
"Who are you?" I ask as the falcon takes off, landing on his shoulder. He laughs as the bird nuzzles his face.
"Isn't it obvious who I am?" he replies. My heart flutters and melts, he smiles so sweetly at me.
"You're the sun god Malik." I respond, nodding a bit. He smiles again, reaching up to pet the bird.
"Very good, little-angel." he reply's approvingly.
I look him over with interest, if I'm not careful I'm going to turn to butter in a moment, so I state probable the most obvious question I could ask. "Why are you in my dream?"
"Because." He says smartly and briefly, reflecting the human Malik to perfection. He coos at the bird on his shoulder a moment before tapping it's beak playfully and watching it fly away back toward the sun. "I came to give you a choice."
"A choice?" I repeat, curiously and he nods. I step back, looking at him confused, the remark goes totally over my head. He seems to sense my confusion because he just shrugs and puts his hands together, locking his palms together as if he has something large and round cupped inside them.
"Here." he holds out his hand revealing a red shining apple. I laugh, I have to admit his trick amuses me. I have creative dreams. He offers out the apple once more and I look at it curiously, it does look sooo tempting, shining and scarlet red but there's something a bit off so I reluctantly drop the hand I had reached out to take it. He gives me a nod and approving smile. "Can't hide anything from you, eh?" He gracefully turns his hand to show the other side of the apple, it had a faded greenish blotch blended into the other side. It's a trap and a gift either way, so what does it matter at all? He laughs slightly then steps back a bit, tossing the apple into the air. "There not to my taste anyway," He smiles and catches the fruit as it comes down, revealing it to be golden orange and yellow flicked. "I've always liked peaches myself." He winks and takes a bite, I laugh and try to fight the urge to stare as I watch his tongue dart out quickly to lick the juice running down the fruits skin and his fingers.
He takes a step toward me gingerly, smirking slightly, eyes narrowed darkly, "Taste?" he asks in a low tone, holding up the peach so his fingers brush my lips in a teasing manor. All I can do is nod dumbly as he leans down to take another small bite from the fruits flesh. His smile widens a bit at my reaction and he presses his lips to mine, letting me have a taste of lingering sweet juice of the golden fruit on his lips. A REAL kiss. Oh God he even kisses like the real Malik! He wraps his arms around me, pulling me to him tightly. Ahh, this was bliss! He gives a slight sigh, breaking off the kiss but not the embrace, he strokes my cheek gently. "I bet you always taste like peaches." he whispers "Even when you're not eating one." I can feel myself blush at the remark and he steps away slightly, placing the now full fruit in my palm, it looked as if he'd never taken a bite. "You would take a peach over any other offer wouldn't you?"
"Always. Peaches are for dreams." I answer, still a little light-headed from his kiss. He seems to think on this a moment and I start to make my way through eating the peach with small thoughtful bites.
He nods and smiles, "I always had bad luck with hunting doves. But you see, the falcon hunting you, pretty dove, has a distinct advantage over me." I raise my brows in question. "You don't have to stay a dove once you're caught. You both can go back and forth at will."
"There's hope then?" I say a bit shyly. He nods slowly.
"There's always hope, but the question and choice I have already presented to you. Will you gamble everything on someone you barely know? Or will you spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been? After all, he's not a simple person, if he turns you away what happens then? You lose one of your dearest friends? Who's to say? In the end... maybe he'll just end up breaking your heart."
"That's what I'm afraid of." I whisper. He smiles at me again.
"You took the peach remember? You took wishes and dreams over mind, body and soul. Hold on to that."
I blinks seeing a flash and he's gone. I look up toward the sun, watching, wondering, thinking. This seems a bit odd for me to be in this same place for so long with nothing new happening. This is supposed to be a dream.
I hear a dark voice laugh and I gasp as sudden the sky goes dark, storm clouds rolling across it and flashing purple with brewing thunder. The flowers of the field bend under a gust of air that brush me dry and hot like a desert wind. Does it seem funny that I close my eyes and relish this deep shadow that lives in the air and sky, balancing and over powering the pleasant peace of the open field. As all beginnings have ends so do all ends have beginnings, the dark contained the joy and light, giving it an end, defining it, making it valuable just as the colors in the field made the clouds and thunder more vibrant. A balance this storm created. I love it, the change! I think people read me wrong sometimes, thinking I'm purely innocent. I'm really not all that naive. Eventually clear skies grow tiring, without water from storm clouds, the flowers here will die. There's something about a thunderstorm that makes you stop and wonder at it. But there was more to this desert, thunder air. It was evil, dark and undeniably charming. I knew this... this feeling of being whole. I knew the voice I had heard. Your here with me aren't you?
"Hikari..." the voice said in a dark teasing tone. "Have you missed me?"
**********************************************
LYB: Suspence!!
Malik: ohhh shit... I don't think Bakura's gonna be happy about this...
Ryou: err.... who knows... he might find it funny...
Malik: I'm sure.
LYB: anyway....R&R! I promise something a little more substantial next time
Due to the fact that... well I moved... I couldn't email all the... uh? Finalist? So to make it easier, and post all your names here. Just drop me a review or an email so I can get your permission to draw the outfit you designed. I'll bring it to my anime club or something ^_^ Anyway... I no order what so ever:
Dragon_Child, RyogazGal, ChaosEnd , cheesepuff, Selena_Wolf, Lady Adako, Vampire Huntress D, ancient enchantress, Chibigreen Tanuki, and Saki.
Anyway, A real special thanks to everyone who entered, trust me it was hard... I still have a bruise from my argument with Kioko over what's better leather or silk... oh well! All of them were so amazing! R&R everyone!
LYB: Wow! It's been soooooo long ! *falls down and worships her computer now that she has internet again*
Ryou and Malik: O_o U...
Malik: Can we just move on... we all know you love your computer...
Ryou: Yes, I finally get to talk in this chapter
Malik: YOU GET TO TALK FOR THE NEXT 3 CHAPTERS!
Ryou: *sticks out his tongue* nah!
Malik: _!
LYB: It's okay Malik! After this you pretty much get the rest of the story!
Ryou: But... aren't their only a few more chapters to go?
Malik: _!
LYB: Shut- uuuuupppppppp.......
Ryou: On with the story, as awful as this chapter is...
LYB: Hey! Your my muse! Not my editor!!
Ryou: ^_^U... eh hehe...
*******************************************************************
Dreams on a Snowy Night
*******************************************************************
I smiled, feeling the most wonderful sense of peace despite the fact everything was black. It was late by the time Malik and I ended up going to bed but it was well worth it. I can vaguely smell the inscents in the air although we did the whole ritual in the living room downstairs. Mainly because we both made a wish on a small log of wood as we wound it with braids before putting our Yule log on the fire. I don't think burning fires in the bedroom would have been a good idea. I wished that somehow, I could always stay close to Malik... I know that sounds really lame, but I like having another person to talk too. Not just about witchcraft either. I dunno why, but I can just say whatever's on my mind around him. It's been an amazing day... it started out wonderfully with the exploration of the new fallen snow and wound down peacefully to this moment. We planned the ceremony most of the day... between bouts of chasing each other around the cabin for random reasons, channel surfing on the bedroom TV, and the conversations that lasted hours on end. I think tomorrow we're going to get a lot of questions about what the hell we were doing making such a racket but with any luck our secluded spot will save us from that.
The Yule ceremony itself went over well, despite the fact neither one of us had ever worked with another person before. We agreed unanimously to follow the Egyptian sect, I wanted to see Egyptian magick at work and although he knew vaguely who Lug, Cernunnos and Morgan were, Malik wasn't all that good with the Celtic pantheon.
I taught him earlier a druid way of raising power that went well with his Egyptian magic. My mother taught it to me as a game to play with her and Amane but we found it worked well for the two of us. We stood hands together right palm up, left palm down imagining our own energy inside moving through our bodies. Then one person slaps down on the others palm, transferring the energy to the other person. The person then passes the energy back by slapping the first persons other palm back. Thus the energy gets moved between the two in a deosil... umm... clockwise circle.
With each hit was a beat in our chant, "Ray-hor-aka-tay". I think written down it looks like Re, Horakhty... you'd have to ask Malik. The faster you go, the harder it is to keep the beat without jumping ahead in the hand game and more then once we broke out into a fit of laughter because one of us would mess up the clap or the chant. Sounds like a clapping game you played as a kid, right? That's cause it probably is. I smile thinking about it, it's so childish but after all, laughter only helps build the energy. That's the great thing about rituals, they can be incredibly fun and even funny at times. But that's not the image that's dancing in my mind right now.
I can see it, feel it... still turning and warm within me. We stood in the center of our circle, our hands on each others chest. Our free hands covered the one that rested on our chests. It may sound tricky... but it's not. Sacred words turned out, whispering, calling, sweet prayers to bring the universe to us.
They call it Drawing Down the Moon.
One of the sincerest rites any witch can do.
Calling down the very energy of the Lord and Lady into your being so you can be empowered with all the light the universe can offer you. It's a balance, a harmony.
Drawing Down the Moon... they couldn't have given it a more idealistic name. For a moment, that's almost what happens, you become one with the world and everything in it... the very pale white glow of the moon and the golden rays of the sun are yours to enjoy.
He raised the prayer first, hand on my heart, smooth charming voice cooing to me gently.
"Come, most beautiful,
you who are more seductive than any enchantress,
you who whisper to the hearts of men.
O come, mother of this world.
Come, Queen Isis, Great One,
speak to us Lady of the Nile."
I opened my eyes and smiled, for that moment I was an angel and he was my priest. Harmony... sort of like a dream that's hard to place but you know you had. I wanted to see the change in him as well and I answered him as best I could, patient and gentle.
"I heard you voice amid the outer limits of time and space, I've come to you." I addressed him sweetly, gently squeezing his hand. He smiled at me, contented with his work, amused that I was the one stuck being the goddess.
"I am the mother of all life.
I was created and I am the creator;
I am mistress of birth and death.
I bring forth the Lord of Life,
the child of Osiris,
he is life in death,
as I am death in life.
I am Isis,
The rising one held high."
He nodded and smiled once again and I slid my hands away from him, tenderly closing his eyes before laying my hand on his chest again.
"I've heard your voice amid the outer limits of time and space
Now let my voice be heard as well.
I shall call ye out.
Come Lord Horus,
My son born unto the land,
shine your face onto your people.
You who are the son of their heart,
Come Earth's Lord.
Speak to us now."
I let my hands drop effeminately, stepping back and watching him as he opened his eyes. He was indeed the golden Horus. Face set calmly, slight careless smile tipped his lips faintly, arrogant and placid as only a god so pure could be. He nodded, as if amused.
"Mother." he greeted simply, and I just smiled, nodding with my eyes to return the gesture. "I've heard the people call, amid Black Lands and lotus of the Nile Delta," he opened his arms slightly, cocking his head as if to gesture to the world around him.
"At long last I can arise.
I, who am the power of the sun,
I, who brings hope for an abundant future,
I am the righter of wrongs.
I can be cruel to the cruellest,
and loving to the lowly.
I am and will be the Lord of this world.
I am the jewel within the crown of my mother Isis." he leaned down charmingly, laying a chaste kiss on my forehead and I laughed lightly at his affection.
"I am hope and joy, life and love.
I am the eye of the day."
The draw back of such wonderful things is that they can't last and I stepped forward once more, putting my hands on his shoulders and he smirked, hands on his hips as if he were amused by my actions. He laughed a bit, placing the toes of his bare feet over mine, his arms wrapped around me he planted a kiss on my lips which I returned with the same kindness. Sweet and friendly. Mother and son. The circuit completes with the kiss, we were grounded and our energies became our own once more.
We were no longer god's, just ourselves. I could tell because his kiss changed, becoming more demanding and his lips softer, and I had back the moment I wanted so badly. He tightened his grip about my waist a bit and I'm so sure I could feel his heart racing as we kissed. My eyes fluttered as he broke off the kiss, I fought the urge to whimper and reminded myself that breathing was also a good thing to do. He smiled at me, hmming thoughtfully, he was a bit flushed but didn't let on he was embarrassed by getting carried away. I laughed a little to show him it was okay as I stepped away. I wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of the night, but reluctantly consoled myself I had a memory to carry with me, even if it was only an accident. I wish for once, I could get a real kiss... one that's not part of a game... or an accident... a real kiss.
It's that image dancing in my mind.
The Yule log burnt out a long time ago now, but we stayed awake even after we cleaned up the living room, restoring it to the way it had been before. As if there never was a temple alive with laughing and spirited boy's keeping each other company. Malik wanted to stay up until after midnight to see what the dark of night looked like in the winter. I laughed when he asked me to stay up with him, but I did it anyway. We ended up getting caught up in a movie on satellite... a really nice vampire flick with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise - what was it again? I don't know... Malik said he'd seen it before and really liked it. I always thought he would be in to that kind of movie, he's always been the dark and mysterious type. Kind of like that Lastat guy Tom played... dark and mysterious with a sense of class and humour.
It was quarter after one when he finally pulled on his cloak and walked out the door, and I followed him wondering why it mattered so much for him to see what a snowy night looked like. He wandered out and stood in the moonlight, he never said a word or moved a muscle... just stood there, looking up at the sky, taking in the night. I asked him why he wanted to see this night so badly and he just looked up at the moon, it's pale white light glistening across his face, making him look like a fallen angel. "I wanted to see if the moon would shine on the snow... if the stars would be brighter... I wanted to see if it would look as pure and innocent as I thought it would." He looked down at his feet, scuffing a line in the snow, a rather distant look on his face. "Something to always remember, and remind me..."
I walked over to him, standing by his side and looking up at the sky with him. "What do you want to remember?" I asked curiously.
"It's the longest night of the year..." he said slowly, eyes scanning the stars. I wondered if he was purposely avoiding the question. "The darkest and loneliest of then all... " He dropped his gaze to the ground again, and I blinked, I'd seen that expression on his face before. That troubled, distance look he'd gotten when he leaned down to help me up earlier. The one I can remember from my brief time at Battle City.
I offered him a sympathetic smile and laid my hand gently on his shoulder. "But look how pretty it is." I said, gesturing to the silver glow against the flawless snow and the dark ebony curtain of stars against the half-moon, though I knew very well he wasn't actually talking about the night. "Times like this are rare, because for now the world is clear - simple and clean. As you said, it's pure and innocent. We all feel pain, Malik. It's probably the one thing that makes us human. Your not the only person to feel the way you do."
He looked at me, his intense gaze catching me off guard. He didn't say a thing just reached out and softly and pushed my bangs away from my eyes. His touch was wonderfully gentle, and I can remember wondering why he had been so tender with me, not just then, but over the last few days. He'd taken care of me, held me, danced with me, he drew down the moon in to me... He let his fingers linger in my hair a minute and his eyes scanning my face with affection. "I thought so..." he said distantly his thumb ran along my cheek and I felt myself tremble, he looked so beautiful, tan skinned faded under the moonlight.
"What?" I prompted in a soft voice, melting into his touch, allowing him to draw me in.
"You do look like snowy nights." he smiled, trailing his fingers through my hair. I felt myself blush, unsure of what to make of the comment but I couldn't help the flattered smile that came across me. He tilted my head slightly, I could feel my heart racing in my chest as hesitantly leaned down then stopped. He gave a bit of a sigh then dropped his hand stepping away from me, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking back up at the sky. I bit my lip, feeling my heart sink, I really have to stop taking this so seriously or I'm going to end up heartbroken.
I looked up at the sky and a flash caught my eye. "Malik, look!" I laughed, taking his arm and pointing up. He chuckled, watching the sky.
"Shooting star!"
"Make a wish." I prompted with a smile, playfully tugging on his arm. He gave me a sceptical look but smiled and closed his eyes and I did the same, making my wish to the falling star. I opened my eyes in time to watch it fade out of existence and I glanced at Malik who was watching the spot where it vanished himself.
"Why'd you want me to make a wish?" he asked.
"Because," I smiled, pointing up to the sky "It's Celtic myth that a shooting star is the goddess Arianrhod. Goddess of inspiration and wishes. The call her the Stardust Goddess and if you see her and ask nicely, she'll grant you a wish."
He laughed a bit, putting his arm around me and pulling me to him. "What did you wish for?" he asked, looking down at me.
"I wished for a pet, actually." I admitted. "My father is never home so I never get a chance to ask for one. And when I bring it up on the phone he always tells me to wait till he gets home. It's annoying, but I still love him."
"What would you want?" he asked, curiously. I shrugged.
"Don't care, I'd still love it. I used to have a cat, but I had to leave her behind when we moved here. I just like animals."
He messed up my hair playfully. "Yeah, that sounds like you."
"How about you?" I asked, poking him in the stomach.
"Can't tell." He said pointedly, "Or it won't come true." I stuck my tongue out at him childishly. "Come on," he said, turning me back toward the cabin "You look like your falling asleep on your feet."
So now here we are. Or at least, here I am. Laying in bed, sleeping... yes I know I'm sleeping because everything is faded black, I think I'm dreaming. Yes I've positive I'm dreaming. You tend to get vivid dreams after rituals, don't ask me why, but I've noticed it. Malik is asleep on the couch downstairs, I miss his presence near by me... but it's okay, that was only a one night thing while I was sick, right? Right.
I stand in a field, summer, the sun shining... it goes as far as I can see, riddled with wild flowers and the air smells of them. I love these dreams and I laugh, looking up at the sky. There's a glint of gold across a sunbeam and I blink, watching it. A falcon, flying against the sun. "Hello up there!" I call, shading my eyes with my hands. "Are you here to visit me pretty sun bird?" The falcon flew down, answering me with it's sharp, shrill call as it landed on the arm I held up for it. I smiled, the bird's shining eyes settled on me as I reached out toward him, my fingers resting on the crest of his beak before moving back over his head in a gentle stroke. The falcon raised his head and pressed it against the palm that cradled his head and neck, nudging my thumb as a sign he liked my attention and I laugh at the golden bird.
"So you like my pet?" A familiar voice says from behind me and I turn about, perplexed, looking at the radiant male standing there. Violet eyes looked out at me from under thick blond locks that framed out his tanned face to his shoulder. I knew this boy so well, but his clothes didn't seem right... a piece of white cloth was tied about his waist with a thin leather rope and hung down like a skirt slit all the way up the side to show the loose baggy pair of faded black Arabian pants underneath. Over everything he wore a faded dark colored tunic that had no sleeves. It also spilt all the way up the side so it pretty much just hung from his shoulders and neck, he had nothing under it for a shirt, just bare skin. The back part flowing out like a cape, the front part tied to his waist by the same rope that held the white cloth though it hung to his knees. His normal jewellery was gone. In it's place he wore a dangling pair of mid-eastern earring and a gold crown sat like a head band on his forehead encrusted with brilliant fire red stones. Golden snakes with ruby eyes twines about his left arm as an arm band and thin gold bangles hung loose on his wrists over black gloves with no finger tips that held tight to his skin up to his elbow where golden fabric wrapped about them, holding them up. No, this wasn't my Malik, but it may of well have been. They were identical.
"Who are you?" I ask as the falcon takes off, landing on his shoulder. He laughs as the bird nuzzles his face.
"Isn't it obvious who I am?" he replies. My heart flutters and melts, he smiles so sweetly at me.
"You're the sun god Malik." I respond, nodding a bit. He smiles again, reaching up to pet the bird.
"Very good, little-angel." he reply's approvingly.
I look him over with interest, if I'm not careful I'm going to turn to butter in a moment, so I state probable the most obvious question I could ask. "Why are you in my dream?"
"Because." He says smartly and briefly, reflecting the human Malik to perfection. He coos at the bird on his shoulder a moment before tapping it's beak playfully and watching it fly away back toward the sun. "I came to give you a choice."
"A choice?" I repeat, curiously and he nods. I step back, looking at him confused, the remark goes totally over my head. He seems to sense my confusion because he just shrugs and puts his hands together, locking his palms together as if he has something large and round cupped inside them.
"Here." he holds out his hand revealing a red shining apple. I laugh, I have to admit his trick amuses me. I have creative dreams. He offers out the apple once more and I look at it curiously, it does look sooo tempting, shining and scarlet red but there's something a bit off so I reluctantly drop the hand I had reached out to take it. He gives me a nod and approving smile. "Can't hide anything from you, eh?" He gracefully turns his hand to show the other side of the apple, it had a faded greenish blotch blended into the other side. It's a trap and a gift either way, so what does it matter at all? He laughs slightly then steps back a bit, tossing the apple into the air. "There not to my taste anyway," He smiles and catches the fruit as it comes down, revealing it to be golden orange and yellow flicked. "I've always liked peaches myself." He winks and takes a bite, I laugh and try to fight the urge to stare as I watch his tongue dart out quickly to lick the juice running down the fruits skin and his fingers.
He takes a step toward me gingerly, smirking slightly, eyes narrowed darkly, "Taste?" he asks in a low tone, holding up the peach so his fingers brush my lips in a teasing manor. All I can do is nod dumbly as he leans down to take another small bite from the fruits flesh. His smile widens a bit at my reaction and he presses his lips to mine, letting me have a taste of lingering sweet juice of the golden fruit on his lips. A REAL kiss. Oh God he even kisses like the real Malik! He wraps his arms around me, pulling me to him tightly. Ahh, this was bliss! He gives a slight sigh, breaking off the kiss but not the embrace, he strokes my cheek gently. "I bet you always taste like peaches." he whispers "Even when you're not eating one." I can feel myself blush at the remark and he steps away slightly, placing the now full fruit in my palm, it looked as if he'd never taken a bite. "You would take a peach over any other offer wouldn't you?"
"Always. Peaches are for dreams." I answer, still a little light-headed from his kiss. He seems to think on this a moment and I start to make my way through eating the peach with small thoughtful bites.
He nods and smiles, "I always had bad luck with hunting doves. But you see, the falcon hunting you, pretty dove, has a distinct advantage over me." I raise my brows in question. "You don't have to stay a dove once you're caught. You both can go back and forth at will."
"There's hope then?" I say a bit shyly. He nods slowly.
"There's always hope, but the question and choice I have already presented to you. Will you gamble everything on someone you barely know? Or will you spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been? After all, he's not a simple person, if he turns you away what happens then? You lose one of your dearest friends? Who's to say? In the end... maybe he'll just end up breaking your heart."
"That's what I'm afraid of." I whisper. He smiles at me again.
"You took the peach remember? You took wishes and dreams over mind, body and soul. Hold on to that."
I blinks seeing a flash and he's gone. I look up toward the sun, watching, wondering, thinking. This seems a bit odd for me to be in this same place for so long with nothing new happening. This is supposed to be a dream.
I hear a dark voice laugh and I gasp as sudden the sky goes dark, storm clouds rolling across it and flashing purple with brewing thunder. The flowers of the field bend under a gust of air that brush me dry and hot like a desert wind. Does it seem funny that I close my eyes and relish this deep shadow that lives in the air and sky, balancing and over powering the pleasant peace of the open field. As all beginnings have ends so do all ends have beginnings, the dark contained the joy and light, giving it an end, defining it, making it valuable just as the colors in the field made the clouds and thunder more vibrant. A balance this storm created. I love it, the change! I think people read me wrong sometimes, thinking I'm purely innocent. I'm really not all that naive. Eventually clear skies grow tiring, without water from storm clouds, the flowers here will die. There's something about a thunderstorm that makes you stop and wonder at it. But there was more to this desert, thunder air. It was evil, dark and undeniably charming. I knew this... this feeling of being whole. I knew the voice I had heard. Your here with me aren't you?
"Hikari..." the voice said in a dark teasing tone. "Have you missed me?"
**********************************************
LYB: Suspence!!
Malik: ohhh shit... I don't think Bakura's gonna be happy about this...
Ryou: err.... who knows... he might find it funny...
Malik: I'm sure.
LYB: anyway....R&R! I promise something a little more substantial next time