[er… chapter 4. Hangovers and such. Thanks for the reviews!]

Dance the Forbidden Dance
Chapter Four
Hangover

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If you think hangovers from beer and vodka are bad, try a hangover from ale. Yami lay on his stomach, his sheets pulled up to his shoulder blades, on arm hanging off the bed. He moaned, opening his eyes, his head pounding. The sun was bright, too bright in Yami's opinion, even though it was barely over the tall walls surrounding the palace.

"Ohh..." he muttered, attempting to push himself up. He hated this strange, annoying pain in his head, the feeling that he would throw up any second. Sitting up, he wiped his face with a wet cloth, trying to clear his head. He could hear people moving on the corridors, hearing voices, laughter in the distant hall. Yami cringed as he recognized that laughter.

It was Aklia.

"No, not her..." he muttered, trying to block out her voice. It didn't work. Aklia pushed back the curtain covering his doorway, smiling boldly. She was dressed just with a simple white tunic, her face washed clean of any makeup.

"Atem," she said, walking over. "Feel any better?"

"...No," Yami muttered, yawning. He winced. Even yawning hurt his head. Aklia smiled broadly anyway, bouncing down onto the bed beside him. Yami sighed. Why couldn't she just go away?

"Well, I'm sure you will," Aklia stated, cocking her head to the side. SHe laid her head down on his shoulder, sighing contentedly. Yami rolled his eyes, wishing she would leave him be. He felt terrible, and he could hardly even remember the party the night before. All he could really remember was that girl's worried face, the way she was shaking, her golden eyes alight with fear.

Wait. He knew her from somewhere... She helped him. He smiled at the thought of his father's reaction to him coming home like... However he was brought home. He didn't even know what happened to him!

"Aklia....?" he said, his voice strained. Aklia lifted her head, opening her magnificent eyes. Yami noticed those were the only features of hers he admired.

"Yes?"

"Exactly how did I get sick, do you know...?" he said, trying to sound innocent. Aklia smiled at him.

"Wow, you must have been so sick that you can't even remember.... Let me see...." She thought for a moment or two, as if struggling to remember a faint memory. "Ah, I remember now. You were brought up here really late last night, apparently. Ummm... According to Tiet, you were helping with something in the militia, and got really dizzy and collapsed. I was so worried," she added, leaning against him. Yami tried to cringe away, but she was right there, nearly on top of him.

...Oh, Ra help me... Aklia stood up, stretching her arms into the ceiling. Yami leaned forward, his head in his hands. Aklia looked down at her fiancée, smiling broadly once more. She sat down next to him, and slid her hand into his. She pulled his hand down from his face, wriggling her fingers in between his. Yami turned to her, raising his eyebrows.

"I can't wait," Aklia breathed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Yami gulped.

"For what?" he asked. Aklia rolled her eyes.

"The wedding," she said in a soft voice. Yami noticed her manner had changed. He didn't really recognize this calm, peaceful manner in her. Still... They first met when they were eight years old, and each of them thought the opposite sex was gross. Now she was right next to him, telling him she couldn't wait to marry him. Become his wife. She would be a princess, and then soon, a queen once Ankumanukanon died.

Yami didn't like to think about that time. He wasn't ready to rule or for his father to die. He was afraid. Deadly afraid. But he wouldn't let Aklia know that...

Before Yami could say anything, Aklia stood up, walking across the room. Before she left, she turned around for a moment.

"Feel better, Atem," she said. She was watching him, her eyes almost haunting him.

Yami saw it then. The flash in her eyes - the feelings she let go for a split second - Passion, fire, longing, desire -

She left the room, humming to herself. Yami stared in disbelief, then fell back into his bed, something he immediately regretted.

"Ow..." he muttered. "Oh, Ra," he pleaded, closing his eyes. "Why did you make her fall in love with me?"

There was only the rustling, bustling sounds of the morning city to answer back.

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"You were no help at all last night, Jono," Maia said, frowning. Jono rubbed the side of his face, shrugging.

"I hardly remember what went on, honestly, Maia," he explained, moaning. He also had a headache, a pounding one as well. Maia stretched and pulled her tunic up, bringing it around her neck.

"Hey, can you tie this?" she asked, motioning to the two straps of fabric in her hands. Jono blinked, then crawled across the bed to the edge, tying the tunic around her neck.

"Thanks." She stood, smoothing her skirt. "Well... I have to leave. I have to work in the fields..."

"I know," Jono said, standing up behind her. He slid his arms around her waist, even though he was a bit dizzy. She smiled, pretending to be annoyed.

"Jono," she complained, although she was giggling. Jono kissed her neck, opening his eyes and leaning against her. "Cut it out!"

"I don't want to," he whispered to her, provoking more laughs. He leaned on her shoulders, and stroked her cheek. "You should talk to Teana today, and, you know, explain what happened to her." Maia rolled her eyes, turning around.

"Jono, she knows what happened - she was there!" she exclaimed. Jono shrugged.

"Well, then tell her to not mention anything to anyone," he offered, shrugging. "I don't know..."

"Obviously, you were drunk," she said, tying a colorful skirt around her plain white one. "I'm going now... You have to get to the militia."

"I know, I know..." Jono said, sitting down on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. "I'm tired. And I feel sick."

"Don't drink so much then," Maia said, smiling. She left the brick home, walking out into the early sunlight. People bustled here and there, mothers with their young children. Workers like herself were walking towards the fields, the majority unmarried women like herself. Young women, women who were most likely promised to some man somewhere in the city.

Maia looked around, searching for Teana. She wanted to speak with her before she had time to go and blab anything to anyone.

"Oh, Ra, where is that girl..." she muttered, taking off up the street. She dodged children running a race, a couple of horses, said hi to some people she knew, forever searching for the foreign girl. Maia came across the center of the city, a large stone basin in the center. The basin, which took up much room of a large, open brick area, had a statue in the center. It was just a decorative design. Many girls - young girls - would come and pour water on themselves, and washing their little children. Clay jars and pots lined the edge of the basin. Trees were decked everywhere, making little shaded areas.

"She must be here," Maia noted to herself. She looked around, searching, searching... Aha! There she is. Maia strolled forward, seeing Teana sitting at the edge of the basin. She had her back to Maia.

"Teana! Hey, Teana!" she called, running forwards. Teana didn't answer. She didn't appear to hear nor see Maia. "Te... Oh," Maia said, stopping. She was still across the yard from Teana, a good ten, eleven feet away.

Teana was sitting on the edge of the basin, running her hand into the water and out again. She was speaking with someone, sitting right there, knee-to-knee with her. A young man.

Yami was sitting right there, his face a little pale, his body a bit shaky. He was alright, just suffering from a hangover. And he was sitting there, wearing a plain, white tunic, green kohl around his eyes, a silver ankh being the only ornament he adorned.

Maia leaned against a tree and sighed to herself, apprehending the situation.

"Hmmm... This should prove interesting," Maia said to herself, chuckling. Maia doubted that the fiancée of the prince knew he was out here, talking to a servant girl like he was a servant himself. Yami was listening intently to Teana talk, as if she were telling him a great secret she only knew. Maia recognized that eager face, that expression of longing in his eyes. He might not know it, but deep inside himself, he longed for this girl in front of him. Teana, on the other hand, just seemed glad to speak to someone. Like she didn't have a friend.

"Maia," Jono was calling, coming up to her. He stood a few steps away, just in case any priests or guards were watching the two 'forbidden' lovers. "What are you doing?" Maia scoffed and laughed.

"I thought you had a hangover," she said, her eyes still locked on the conversation between the prince and a servant. Jono rolled his eyes.

"I do, but I do notice things. And you didn't go the right direction to... What are you watching?" he asked, looking in the same direction. His eyes widened, then he smiled mischievously. "Maia, what's going on over there?" Maia stepped down from her perch. She had taken a step, standing on a tall root of the tree.

"Jono," she said, turning to him. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"That's how I met you," he said, smiling. Maia nodded.

"Well... I think the Prince of Egypt has fallen in love at first sight with a servant." Jono whistled.

"There is only one word to describe that; Forbidden."

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"I can't believe you've never been in the city before," Teana noted, walking through the streets with Yami. He shrugged.

"My father is really protective of me," he explained.

"How does the Pharaoh think of this?" Yami was about to say 'The Pharaoh is my father,' but remembered that he hadn't told her he was the prince yet.

"Umm... Well, he doesn't really know," Yami said, trying to sound as subdued as possible. "So I don't know his reaction."

"Uh-huh," Teana said, smiling. She stretched her arms. "Well, I guess if you can tell me more about Egypt, I can show you the city." Yami smiled back.

"Okay. I know some things about Egypt you would need to know to live here...." Yami said, placing a hand over the ankh. "And in exchange, can you tell me about where you lived?" Teana cast her eyes downward.

"...I don't know..."

"Please?" Yami begged. His heart was beating immensely fast, as if it would throb right out of his chest.

"Alright," she said softly. "I will tell you about my home." Yami leaned forward, as if waiting for her explanation. She fiddled with her fingers and looked up at him.

"Umm… Do you wanna see the city first?" she asked. Yami shrugged. He had only seen part of the city before, and didn't know what else there was. He had only really been in the square, since this was right outside the palace.

"I'd… Oh," Yami said, hearing a sharp whistling. Asenath was calling for him. He sighed, standing up. "Erm…" Teana smiled.

"I have to attend to some things," Yami explained, noticing Jono in the shadows. "I'll come back, okay?" Teana nodded in disappointment.

"Alright, go," she said, standing. Yami nodded and ran off, hoping no one else from the palace was watching. Jono stopped Yami in his tracks, holding a long, slender sword before him.

"Wait a minute, Prince," Jono said in a low voice. "What are you doing out here? I heard you were sick."

"You heard wrong," Yami warned, trying to push his way through. Asenath whistled again. The people started looking around, wondering why she was whistling. It was a common sound, just usually she whistled once and it stopped. Yami bared his teeth at Jono, realizing what he was doing. Jono was trying to get him into trouble.

"Jono…" Yami warned. Jono laughed and lifted the sword, letting Yami run by.

"Tata," he called, getting a slap in the side of the head from Maia. Yami ran throughout the city, dodging people and buildings, animals and children. He eventually found himself outside of the palace, tall pillars standing in a straight line, guards swarming the place. Yami gulped.

"I'm not going to be able to get in..." he muttered, slinking behind a pillar. If he was caught... He would be in so much trouble with his father if he was caught sneaking in and out of the palace walls. His father would be furious... He would most likely either whip him or.... maybe even.... disown him...

Yami shivered. It would be like he never existed.

He watched the patterns of the guards. They would wander around, swords on their belts, holding whips and spears. Yami stood so still that he could feel a bead of sweat roll down his face and hit the ground. The guard closest to him turned to speak to his friend, temporarily moving his eyes from that spot. Yami looked around. No one was watching where he was.

One second -

He made a mad dash for a low wall leading to the courtyard behind the palace. He was barefoot, so his feet made a soft padding sound. A guard looked over and noticed movement.

"What the..." he muttered, raising his spear. The rustling stopped. Yami crouched beneath the wall, his hands clamped over his mouth. He was panting, and if he breathed too loudly, surely the guards would hear.

"Who's there?" he called, tightening his grip. Yami held his breath.

Aww, shit, they'll know it's me! He thought to himself, his heart pounding. He was sure they could hear his beating heart, going faster and faster --

"Mew!" Yami looked to his side. A thin, small kitten was standing beside him. With extremely short, matted fur, she wagged her long, thin tail, a Siamese, and leaped onto the brick wall, meowing more. The guard loosened his grip, and the others laughed at him.

"Nice one, scared of the cat..." The kitten had a golden collar around her neck. one of the kittens of Asenath's cat, most likely. Yami sighed in relief and continued on, breaking in a brisk run. He skidded into the courtyard, dirt giving way to smooth tile. His mother's garden appeared to him, and he fell to his knees, grateful he made it without getting caught. He laid down on his back, panting heavily, catching his breath. He closed his eyes, sweat pouring down his face.

He made it. Now he had to go inside... He sat up and looked down at his hands, his body.

"I... Have to change," he muttered to himself. "Asenath will wonder." He stood, looking around the courtyard. No one was there to bother him...

He ran across the courtyard, and climbed through a window into the palace. He landed softly on the floor, his bare feet making no noise, and he took off down the hallway, wondering how long it was until he met someone.

It was only a few seconds. Asenath came around the corner, a confused and concerned look on her face, when she collided with Yami.

"Whoa!"

"Ahhh!" They were propelled in opposite directions, landing loudly on the floor. Asenath sighed and sat up, rubbing the back of her head. She looked over at Yami, frowning.

"So," she said, kneeling, "where are you going in a rush? And why..." she trailed off as Yami stood up, rubbing his right arm. "Why are you wearing that?" Yami looked down at himself, seeing the simple tunic draped on his body.

"Erm..." Asenath rolled her eyes.

"Well, it doesn't matter, really. I was calling you because you weren't in your room. You're supposed to be there, Yami. You're sick." Yami sighed and groaned, annoyed. Asenath raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.

"Go. Now. Do you want me to bring Father into this?" Yami swallowed.

She wouldn't.... he thought to himself.

She would. Yami stuck his tongue out at her again, storming away. Asenath sighed as he left her veiw. She could hear him break into a run, taking a stair case all the way to a higher level. She looked out the window at the bright sunlight.

"Oh, Ra," she said softly. "How could someone so... rebellious possibly rule....?"

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Yami collapsed gratefully onto his bed, his head pounding once more. He pulled his pillow over his head, trying to block out the immensely loud sounds of the palace. It seemed even the tiniest sounds had been magnified by a hundred.

"Atem!" a voice called in the hall. Yami lifted his head, looking for the source of the sound.

"Ummm... Aklia?" he said weakly. The curtain hanging over his doorway fluttered briefly and was pushed back as Aklia stepped into the room.

"Atem!" she said, running over to him. Yami laid his head back on his pillow, wondering how long she would stay. Aklia knelt by the bed, which was right underneath a large, open window.

"I heard you weren't feeling well," she said placidly. "And you were outside. How foolish!" When he didn't answer, she took his wrist and held it in her hands. Yami watched her, wondering what she was doing. She shivered as she placed his wrist back down.

"You're so cold!" she squeaked.

Great, Yami thought. Now go away. Aklia, however, didn't catch the subliminal message he sent her, and instead placed her hand over his.

"Now, stay here," she ordered, standing up. "I'll go ask Asenath if there is anything she can do to help you feel better." She waved, then pranced out of the room. He could hear her loud footsteps dying in the hallway.

"I hate her," he muttered, rolling over, trying to fall asleep. "She's nuts."

Outside, Teana was thinking to herself about her homeland.

Yami seemed really interested, she thought to herself. She folded her hands and stared at the sky. She could see women older then herself in the fields, laughing and talking as they worked, baskets piled with grain and wheat. She could see Maia, the woman who had helped her when she first arrived, skillfully pulling stalks out of the ground and dropping them into a basket. Teana looked back to the sky. It comforted her, but then again, it didn't. She was so used to being so close to the sky...

"I wonder if he'll be back soon," Teana said. "I hope he does come back. He's... really sweet." She smiled. "I'm glad I bumped into him. Although...." She sat up straight. She was sitting on the banks of the Nile, her feet in the cool water. She was tired, and her master gave her a few minutes of a break. She was such a hard worker, the best he had. He adored her. Literally. She dipped her fingers into the water, thinking.

"He seemed so familiar," she said. "And he looked like he reacted to the Princess's whistle... But he couldn't be the prince," she said, rolling her eyes. "They don't have the same name."

"Teana!" a voice called from behind her. She turned to see the daughter of her master, Sena, standing in the grass. She admired Teana, since she was just a little seven-year-old. Dusk was falling around them.

"Yes, miss Sena?" Teana said, standing up. Sena pointed behind her.

"There's a boy here to see you," she said. Yami stepped up behind her. Teana gasped, then smiled.

"Hello," Yami said, stepping past Sena. He turned and bowed to her, addressing her as 'miss Sena'.

There's no way he could be royal, Teana thought. He's much too polite. Sena giggled, then ran away, leaving them in the dying sunlight by the river.

"Yami," she breathed, smiling. "You came back." Yami nodded. He had just woken up, and felt a little better, so he figured he was well enough to go see her... He couldn't get her off his mind.

"Can you tell me," Teana said, the wind picking up her hair and her skirts, "About Egypt?"

"Of course," Yami said, sitting in the sand, Teana beside him. "I will." The two smiled at each other, and then Yami started telling her Egypt's history.

At least, what he knew, anyway.

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[Lotsa people asked me to update… I was like "o.O you like me that much?!" so I did. I feel loved. Next chapter: Chapter Five: Horseback. Yami and Teana spend a day together… ]

Shibby-One