Bound
Chapter Nine
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Each woman turned to stare as Anzu was escorted into the Pleasure Ladies' quarters by the guard. He ushered her in quickly and left just as fast. Anzu acknowledged each lady with a look that clearly said 'I'm-not-in-the-mood-for-any-rude-assumptions.' She had an inkling of a feeling that everyone present knew where she had been for the past week.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Anzu was relieved to see Mahalah rushing up to her side. She gripped her in a tight hug and then drew her back, inspecting every inch of her for any proof of harm being done to her.
"I was so worried, Anzu. Was it awful?" the older woman asked hesitantly, as if fearing the answer. Anzu was surprised, but hid it well.
"It really wasn't all that bad. All I had to do was house-cleaning and cooking," she paused and glanced around at everyone, "What did you all think I had to do?" Realization dawned on her, and Anzu's face flushed furiously. She placed her hands on her hips with a slightly angry look on her face and informed everyone, "To answer your unasked question, I'll still be a dancer and not a concubine."
Mahalah had the good graces to blush. "I wasn't judging you, hun; I was only worried. I'm glad to know that you were untouched." Some of the women welcomed Anzu back politely, others returned to what they had been doing. However, one girl sauntered up to Anzu and Mahalah haughtily. She smirked mercilessly for a few moments before finally speaking.
"So, the Great Pharaoh wouldn't have an ugly bitch like you?"
"Back off, Teneia. He won't have you either," Mahalah replied sharply. Anzu sighed in an exaggerated bored tone and waited expectantly for the retort that was sure to come. Teneia wasn't one to disappoint; she snarled and Anzu envisioned her baring her claws.
"It's because you look so young, dear," she told Anzu with false sweetness, "Why, you look like a mere child."
Anzu sighed and took on the look of one who was hopeless and depressed. "Oh, I know. People constantly tell me how young I look. You don't have that problem, do you?" she asked Teneia innocently. The raven-haired woman made an unpleasant screeching noise. The few women watching the 'show' taking place wondered if the snobbish lady might try to hit Anzu. She didn't, miraculously, but instead did an about-face and stalked off angrily.
"Priceless," Mahalah commented, once she was able to breathe without breaking into fits of laughter. She fell silent, however, when she noticed the fallen look on her friend's face.
"Anzu, aren't you happy to be back here instead of with him?" she asked, not wanting to mention the man's name though it was obvious whom she referred to.
"Yes, of course," Anzu replied absently. She refused to tell her friend that she felt abandoned by the Pharaoh's rejection. It seemed, even to her, completely ludicrous. She despised the man, but here she was feeling depressed over being 'thrown out.' It didn't sit well with her.
~*~
"Where is Anzu?" Jounouchi asked by way of greeting as he entered Yuugi's meeting room. He had actually been looking forward to chatting with the charming slave girl and was slightly disappointed to see that she was nowhere to be found. Anzu reminded him so much of his younger sister, but his sister had her husband now.
"Not here. I made her go back to being a dancer," Yuugi snapped. Jounouchi raised an eyebrow at the displeasure radiating off of his best friend. He seated himself across from him and made himself comfortable before continuing.
"Call me crazy, but you don't seem too thrilled about it," he commented casually. He rested his hands on his lap and absently tapped his fingers.
"She hated it here; it wasn't my idea to send her back," Yuugi admitted grudgingly.
"Ah... so that explains it," Jounouchi said, everything coming together for him. He studied his friend for a minute before asking seriously, "You aren't really that upset about it are you? I mean, I like Anzu, but I didn't think you did that much. I thought you were only interested in a little challenge?"
Yuugi seemed to be upset by his friend's probing, so Jounouchi wisely remained silent until his Pharaoh chose to speak.
"Ra, I don't know! She's an enigma! She disrespects me without a care to the consequences. Not that I've done anything about those countless occurences anyway..." he trailed off with a sardonic shake of his head.
The blond man across from him chuckled. "It sounds to me like you're actually interested in her if what you say is true! But you let her go back, didn't you?"
Jounouchi left that last question hanging, and he stood to leave the room. Yuugi said not a word as he contemplated the question himself.
~*~
Mahalah hated when she had to be the bearer of bad news. Even though the problem -- whatever it may be -- wasn't her fault, the reciever still looked at her as if Mahalah, herself, had been the one to deliver the blow. In all actuality, all she was doing was being the messenger girl. She approached Anzu as slowly as possible.
"Anzu, I'm so sorry," she began on an apologetic note. "I tried to get you out of it, I really did! But they said you have to!"
The younger brunette laughed, a sound that was sweet to Mahalah's ears, and said, "Don't apologize for something that's probably not your fault. Now tell me what I have to do!" Her eyes twinkled with amusement. Mahalah stood before her feeling quite embarrassed for a few minutes before she regained her composure.
"Oh. Yes, you're right. I guess it really isn't my fault." Anzu nodded reassuringly and she continued, "They said you have to dance tonight." The older woman felt a pain in her gut for her young friend when she saw the look of dismay cross her face though she tried to hide it.
"Anzu, even if it isn't my fault, I am sorry that I couldn't get you out of it," she said sadly. Anzu waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh, nonsense, nonsense. It's perfectly fine! I'll go get ready." With a smile that was almost a little too forced, she stood and made her way over to the clothing room to pick out her dancing costume for the night. About halfway to the room, she glanced back over her shoulder and smiled. "I'm glad I have you for a friend."
Mahalah returned the smile. "Right back at you."
~*~
Yuugi sat brooding in his throne, wanting to be anywhere but there. All he wanted was to be alone in his sleeping chamber, laying on the feathered bed, and staring at absolutely nothing. But no, as was the custom for every evening, he had to be entertaining his guests in the Great Hall, listening to the same old insolent chatter, watching the same old routine taking place before his very sore eyes.
"I can tell you're thrilled to be here," Jounouchi said suggestively. Yuugi glared at him.
"Someday I'll make you Pharaoh, so that I can have my solitude."
Jounouchi chuckled and glanced around at all of the guests talking. "That doesn't sound like the little boy I grew up with who used to say that he couldn't wait for his 'old man' to be out of the picture, so that he could be the most powerful man in Egypt."
"That boy is dead," came the flat answer. It startled Jounouchi somewhat, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He looked up, as did everyone else, as the dancing girls entered the room. He groaned to himself and made a mental note to strangle whoever ordered Anzu to dance tonight. Yuugi stiffened visibly next to him.
Unfortunately, Teneia was not among the dancers, so there was absolutely nothing to distract Yuugi from the brunette who was obviously trying hard not to look at him as she made her way around the large room. Jounouchi wasn't sure that even Teneia could distract him now. Yuugi's interest was starting to border on obsession. He looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye. Yuugi was clenching and unclenching his fist, glaring bullets at the girl who still refused to meet his gaze. Jounouchi looked around. Mai, Shizuka, Otogi, nor anyone else for that matter, seemed to notice the Pharaoh's displeasure.
"The little bitch won't even look at me," he growled. Jounouchi began to stand up.
"I'll make her leave, Yuugi," he told him and prepared to walk down the platform steps which held the throne.
"No," Yuugi said loudly, drawing the attention of almost everyone present. Jounouchi hesitantly stopped and asked Yuugi if he was sure.
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm sick of being here anyway," he said angrily. He tore his thin crown away from his forehead and threw it onto his throne. All of the guests watched him wide-eyed as he stormed out of the throne room. Jounouchi turned his penetrating gaze on Anzu, and she looked down shamefully, knowing full well that the Pharaoh's upset attitude stemmed entirely from her.
~*~
Jounouchi paid the guards who opened the Pleasure Ladies' grand doors no heed. He walked swiftly inside, his eyes scanning the room as he did. They instantly fell on the delicate girl sitting, as always, by the window. He ignored the muffled whispers from the other ladies as he passed them. Their eyes covered him from head to toe shamelessly. Gaining the favor of a man such as he would be almost as good as gaining the favor of the Pharaoh himself. Jounouchi stopped abruptly in front of Anzu, causing her to look up.
"Anzu, I am not saying that he was in the right, but must you have been so adamant to not even look at him once?" he asked sharply, getting straight to the point without even a greeting. He grasped Anzu by the arm and pulled her to her feet. She opened her mouth to protest, but one look from him silenced her. She had never seen him this way and was, needless to say, a little frightened.
She said not a word the entire trip to his chambers, and neither did he. It was not until she had been pushed down onto his velvety-soft floor did he even look at her for that matter.
She held her tongue while she waited for him to say something to her. "I like you, Anzu, I really do," he started, "but Yuugi is my best friend and I will not see him upset like this."
"But he's the one who threw me out!" Anzu protested hotly. Jounouchi's features softened.
"Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if you had not told him that you hated him. You have to realize that he is the Pharaoh; he has never been disprected, and he certainly has never had anyone even imply that they might dislike him in the very least. That is high treason! You could be dead right now!"
Anzu looked away. "I don't care. I would be treated better in death than I am while I'm alive," she replied softly. She felt the floor sink in ever so slightly as he sat down next to her. He sighed.
"Well, I have to tell you that you must really be something to still be breathing after all that you've done to him." He held up his hand to stop her defensive retort that was sure to come. "Not that I'm saying that he hasn't wronged you in any way."
"I won't show him respect until he shows me respect," she said matter-of-factly. He nodded in acknowledgment.
"I suppose that I don't blame you for feeling that way, though you are brave for having that outlook on it." He eyed her for a minute, then grinned. "Have you always been so haughty?"
Anzu laughed, still a lovely sound to his ears, and replied, "Yes. My mother used to tell me it was my right, but I still don't know what she meant by that."
"That's a new one! It's your right." He snorted sarcastically. She giggled and shrugged.
"You're so nice. It's hard to believe that you're friends with someone like the Pharaoh," she told him seriously. He shook his head.
"It's not hard to believe if you get to know him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NEXT CHAPTER: Yuugi doesn't like what he walks in on. Yuugi and Anzu come to an agreement. Isis accidently sees her brother and Bakura. Yuugi finds out some bad news concerning Anzu.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry, not that long of a chapter, but I tried! The next one I'll try to make longer. Anyone have a guess of what the bad news will be? ^~ Please review and I'll post the next chapter as soon as it's done! ^^
Chapter Nine
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Each woman turned to stare as Anzu was escorted into the Pleasure Ladies' quarters by the guard. He ushered her in quickly and left just as fast. Anzu acknowledged each lady with a look that clearly said 'I'm-not-in-the-mood-for-any-rude-assumptions.' She had an inkling of a feeling that everyone present knew where she had been for the past week.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Anzu was relieved to see Mahalah rushing up to her side. She gripped her in a tight hug and then drew her back, inspecting every inch of her for any proof of harm being done to her.
"I was so worried, Anzu. Was it awful?" the older woman asked hesitantly, as if fearing the answer. Anzu was surprised, but hid it well.
"It really wasn't all that bad. All I had to do was house-cleaning and cooking," she paused and glanced around at everyone, "What did you all think I had to do?" Realization dawned on her, and Anzu's face flushed furiously. She placed her hands on her hips with a slightly angry look on her face and informed everyone, "To answer your unasked question, I'll still be a dancer and not a concubine."
Mahalah had the good graces to blush. "I wasn't judging you, hun; I was only worried. I'm glad to know that you were untouched." Some of the women welcomed Anzu back politely, others returned to what they had been doing. However, one girl sauntered up to Anzu and Mahalah haughtily. She smirked mercilessly for a few moments before finally speaking.
"So, the Great Pharaoh wouldn't have an ugly bitch like you?"
"Back off, Teneia. He won't have you either," Mahalah replied sharply. Anzu sighed in an exaggerated bored tone and waited expectantly for the retort that was sure to come. Teneia wasn't one to disappoint; she snarled and Anzu envisioned her baring her claws.
"It's because you look so young, dear," she told Anzu with false sweetness, "Why, you look like a mere child."
Anzu sighed and took on the look of one who was hopeless and depressed. "Oh, I know. People constantly tell me how young I look. You don't have that problem, do you?" she asked Teneia innocently. The raven-haired woman made an unpleasant screeching noise. The few women watching the 'show' taking place wondered if the snobbish lady might try to hit Anzu. She didn't, miraculously, but instead did an about-face and stalked off angrily.
"Priceless," Mahalah commented, once she was able to breathe without breaking into fits of laughter. She fell silent, however, when she noticed the fallen look on her friend's face.
"Anzu, aren't you happy to be back here instead of with him?" she asked, not wanting to mention the man's name though it was obvious whom she referred to.
"Yes, of course," Anzu replied absently. She refused to tell her friend that she felt abandoned by the Pharaoh's rejection. It seemed, even to her, completely ludicrous. She despised the man, but here she was feeling depressed over being 'thrown out.' It didn't sit well with her.
~*~
"Where is Anzu?" Jounouchi asked by way of greeting as he entered Yuugi's meeting room. He had actually been looking forward to chatting with the charming slave girl and was slightly disappointed to see that she was nowhere to be found. Anzu reminded him so much of his younger sister, but his sister had her husband now.
"Not here. I made her go back to being a dancer," Yuugi snapped. Jounouchi raised an eyebrow at the displeasure radiating off of his best friend. He seated himself across from him and made himself comfortable before continuing.
"Call me crazy, but you don't seem too thrilled about it," he commented casually. He rested his hands on his lap and absently tapped his fingers.
"She hated it here; it wasn't my idea to send her back," Yuugi admitted grudgingly.
"Ah... so that explains it," Jounouchi said, everything coming together for him. He studied his friend for a minute before asking seriously, "You aren't really that upset about it are you? I mean, I like Anzu, but I didn't think you did that much. I thought you were only interested in a little challenge?"
Yuugi seemed to be upset by his friend's probing, so Jounouchi wisely remained silent until his Pharaoh chose to speak.
"Ra, I don't know! She's an enigma! She disrespects me without a care to the consequences. Not that I've done anything about those countless occurences anyway..." he trailed off with a sardonic shake of his head.
The blond man across from him chuckled. "It sounds to me like you're actually interested in her if what you say is true! But you let her go back, didn't you?"
Jounouchi left that last question hanging, and he stood to leave the room. Yuugi said not a word as he contemplated the question himself.
~*~
Mahalah hated when she had to be the bearer of bad news. Even though the problem -- whatever it may be -- wasn't her fault, the reciever still looked at her as if Mahalah, herself, had been the one to deliver the blow. In all actuality, all she was doing was being the messenger girl. She approached Anzu as slowly as possible.
"Anzu, I'm so sorry," she began on an apologetic note. "I tried to get you out of it, I really did! But they said you have to!"
The younger brunette laughed, a sound that was sweet to Mahalah's ears, and said, "Don't apologize for something that's probably not your fault. Now tell me what I have to do!" Her eyes twinkled with amusement. Mahalah stood before her feeling quite embarrassed for a few minutes before she regained her composure.
"Oh. Yes, you're right. I guess it really isn't my fault." Anzu nodded reassuringly and she continued, "They said you have to dance tonight." The older woman felt a pain in her gut for her young friend when she saw the look of dismay cross her face though she tried to hide it.
"Anzu, even if it isn't my fault, I am sorry that I couldn't get you out of it," she said sadly. Anzu waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh, nonsense, nonsense. It's perfectly fine! I'll go get ready." With a smile that was almost a little too forced, she stood and made her way over to the clothing room to pick out her dancing costume for the night. About halfway to the room, she glanced back over her shoulder and smiled. "I'm glad I have you for a friend."
Mahalah returned the smile. "Right back at you."
~*~
Yuugi sat brooding in his throne, wanting to be anywhere but there. All he wanted was to be alone in his sleeping chamber, laying on the feathered bed, and staring at absolutely nothing. But no, as was the custom for every evening, he had to be entertaining his guests in the Great Hall, listening to the same old insolent chatter, watching the same old routine taking place before his very sore eyes.
"I can tell you're thrilled to be here," Jounouchi said suggestively. Yuugi glared at him.
"Someday I'll make you Pharaoh, so that I can have my solitude."
Jounouchi chuckled and glanced around at all of the guests talking. "That doesn't sound like the little boy I grew up with who used to say that he couldn't wait for his 'old man' to be out of the picture, so that he could be the most powerful man in Egypt."
"That boy is dead," came the flat answer. It startled Jounouchi somewhat, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He looked up, as did everyone else, as the dancing girls entered the room. He groaned to himself and made a mental note to strangle whoever ordered Anzu to dance tonight. Yuugi stiffened visibly next to him.
Unfortunately, Teneia was not among the dancers, so there was absolutely nothing to distract Yuugi from the brunette who was obviously trying hard not to look at him as she made her way around the large room. Jounouchi wasn't sure that even Teneia could distract him now. Yuugi's interest was starting to border on obsession. He looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye. Yuugi was clenching and unclenching his fist, glaring bullets at the girl who still refused to meet his gaze. Jounouchi looked around. Mai, Shizuka, Otogi, nor anyone else for that matter, seemed to notice the Pharaoh's displeasure.
"The little bitch won't even look at me," he growled. Jounouchi began to stand up.
"I'll make her leave, Yuugi," he told him and prepared to walk down the platform steps which held the throne.
"No," Yuugi said loudly, drawing the attention of almost everyone present. Jounouchi hesitantly stopped and asked Yuugi if he was sure.
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm sick of being here anyway," he said angrily. He tore his thin crown away from his forehead and threw it onto his throne. All of the guests watched him wide-eyed as he stormed out of the throne room. Jounouchi turned his penetrating gaze on Anzu, and she looked down shamefully, knowing full well that the Pharaoh's upset attitude stemmed entirely from her.
~*~
Jounouchi paid the guards who opened the Pleasure Ladies' grand doors no heed. He walked swiftly inside, his eyes scanning the room as he did. They instantly fell on the delicate girl sitting, as always, by the window. He ignored the muffled whispers from the other ladies as he passed them. Their eyes covered him from head to toe shamelessly. Gaining the favor of a man such as he would be almost as good as gaining the favor of the Pharaoh himself. Jounouchi stopped abruptly in front of Anzu, causing her to look up.
"Anzu, I am not saying that he was in the right, but must you have been so adamant to not even look at him once?" he asked sharply, getting straight to the point without even a greeting. He grasped Anzu by the arm and pulled her to her feet. She opened her mouth to protest, but one look from him silenced her. She had never seen him this way and was, needless to say, a little frightened.
She said not a word the entire trip to his chambers, and neither did he. It was not until she had been pushed down onto his velvety-soft floor did he even look at her for that matter.
She held her tongue while she waited for him to say something to her. "I like you, Anzu, I really do," he started, "but Yuugi is my best friend and I will not see him upset like this."
"But he's the one who threw me out!" Anzu protested hotly. Jounouchi's features softened.
"Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if you had not told him that you hated him. You have to realize that he is the Pharaoh; he has never been disprected, and he certainly has never had anyone even imply that they might dislike him in the very least. That is high treason! You could be dead right now!"
Anzu looked away. "I don't care. I would be treated better in death than I am while I'm alive," she replied softly. She felt the floor sink in ever so slightly as he sat down next to her. He sighed.
"Well, I have to tell you that you must really be something to still be breathing after all that you've done to him." He held up his hand to stop her defensive retort that was sure to come. "Not that I'm saying that he hasn't wronged you in any way."
"I won't show him respect until he shows me respect," she said matter-of-factly. He nodded in acknowledgment.
"I suppose that I don't blame you for feeling that way, though you are brave for having that outlook on it." He eyed her for a minute, then grinned. "Have you always been so haughty?"
Anzu laughed, still a lovely sound to his ears, and replied, "Yes. My mother used to tell me it was my right, but I still don't know what she meant by that."
"That's a new one! It's your right." He snorted sarcastically. She giggled and shrugged.
"You're so nice. It's hard to believe that you're friends with someone like the Pharaoh," she told him seriously. He shook his head.
"It's not hard to believe if you get to know him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NEXT CHAPTER: Yuugi doesn't like what he walks in on. Yuugi and Anzu come to an agreement. Isis accidently sees her brother and Bakura. Yuugi finds out some bad news concerning Anzu.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry, not that long of a chapter, but I tried! The next one I'll try to make longer. Anyone have a guess of what the bad news will be? ^~ Please review and I'll post the next chapter as soon as it's done! ^^