'[holy crapola! i typed this soooo long ago! anyway, this chapter is sad.... poor p-- wait! i cant give it away! Oh, BTW, I changed the name of the sequel. Tis now "Light the Flame". Tata.]

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Dance the Forbidden Dance

Chapter Twelve

The Bite of the Nile

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Yami had fallen head-first into the Nile River. Jono stopped, his entire body stiff, staring at the white foam created when he had hit the water. Tiet came up beside him, also staring in disbelief.

In the Nile, the shock of hitting the water finally wore off from Yami's body. Not quite knowing how to swim, he kicked his legs and attempted to push himself up. He could feel the moist sands of the Nile's banks under his feet...

Or was that the bottom? Was he on the bottom of the River? Yami panicked. It seemed that a thousand tons of boulders were pushing down on him, his breath being held tightly in his lungs. With a shaking body, Yami attempted to propel himself upward...

But where was up, exactly? Murky water surrounded him at ever side. Yami looked all around him, closing his eyes for a few moments then opening them again because of the stinging water. His lungs felt on fire...

A sudden pain shot through his leg. It felt as if it had been stabbed with daggers...

The scene around him faded, then came back into view. He blinked and struggled to keep himself awake. His lungs were a the bursting point, and he began to feel claustrophobic in a wide, open space... The dark, soundless waters pushing on him from all sides, dragging him downward...

Was this hell?

It sure felt like it.

Oh Ra, he pleaded in his half-conscious mind, Please, help me...

He didn't notice the blood trail leading from his ankle.

On the docks, Tiet and Jono just stood there, not quite comprehending their situation. That is, until Maia turned to them, gasping for breath.

"Idiots!" She snapped. "He can't swim!"

Oh yeah. Instantly, Jono ran to the edge of the docks, and dove into the cold Nile waters. Swimming expertly, he floated for a moment, searching for Yami.

Where is he... Jono thought, a slight panic setting in. He surfaced quickly, searching around him. His sopping hair was sticking to his forehead.

"Jono! See him?" Tiet called. Jono shook his head.

"No! I can't see anything under there! The water is too dark!"

"Go back and look again!" Jono took a much larger breath this time, and dove back under. He blinked a couple of times, and attempted to adjust his eyes to the water. He pushed forwards, his clothes weighing him down.

Come on, come on, where are you, Yami? he thought, pushing on forward. Again, he ran out of breath, his lungs feeling like they were on fire...

He saw him. A figure floating near to him. Jono struggled to hold his breath in while swimming over to the figure....

It was Yami.

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Both Yami and Jono were both lying on the docks, panting, soaking wet. Yami lay on his back, Maia massaging his throat expertly. She was trying to get him to breathe.

Yami had been stuck in the muddy bottom of the Nile, nearly unconscious. With one last spurt of energy, Jono propelled them both to the surface, where Maia and Tiet pulled them out. They both collapsed onto the dock, Yami motionless and not breathing, Jono just tired and panting loudly from lack of air.

"Felt like... my head would... explode..." he explained while panting, to Tiet. Tiet shrugged. Next to them, Yami lay motionless, Maia massaging his throat and pushing down on his chest to get him to breathe.

"Come on... Yami, wake up, you have to... At least breathe, will ya...?" Jono sat up slightly, crawling over. He noticed that Yami's left ankle was bleeding slightly.

"What's that?" Tiet asked, pointing. Jono shrugged.

"Probably just a cut..."

"Looks like a bite ta me," Tiet said, narrowing his eyes. Jono frowned at him.

"Tiet, what could have bitten him?"

"A fish?"

"You're an idi-- Whoa!" Yami had started coughing suddenly, water pouring out of his mouth. He sat up and leaned to the side, coughing up water. He leaned over, panting heavily, conscious once more. All three sighed with relief.

"Ah, gods, Yami," Tiet said, shaking his head. "Nevah do that again." Yami smiled sheepishly.

"I-I'm sorry, I..." he trailed off. He looked at his hands, then at Jono, Maia and Tiet, then back at his own hands and arms. "I'm... not dead."

"No kidding," Jono said, helping him to stand. Yami wobbled a little, but stood up slowly and smiled, still taking large, deep breaths. After what seemed like endless hours without air, breathing seemed a luxury to him.

"You should rest, Yami," Maia said slowly. "We can help you to the palace..."

"No, it's not far, it's only over there," Yami said, pointing. "I can walk myself, thanks."

"But--"

"You worry too much, Maia," Jono said, scoffing and shaking his head. He turned to Yami. "Go lie down and sleep, Prince-sama. We'll tell your father what happened...."

"No, not him," Yami said urgently. "Tell Shimon, he won't kill me for even being here. I'm not allowed."

"Alright..." Yami walked away, waving over his shoulder. He stopped momentarily, checking his bleeding ankle, then continued on. They watched until he turned a corner and disappeared, on his way to the palace. Maia sighed.

"Oh, that was so scary... I wonder what happened to his ankle," she said, thinking aloud.

"Tiet seems to think that he was bitten by a fish," Jono said, laughing. Tiet blushed and punched Jono's shoulder.

"Did it look like some type of bite?"

"Yeah," Tiet said, relaxing his shoulders. "Why?"

"There are water vipers in there, you know..." Maia trailed off, staring at the dark, foreboding waters. People usually say that the Nile is the most beautiful river, but they've never been deep down in the depths of the Nile...

"That river will be the death of us all, I tell you," Jono said softly. "The River of Life."

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Yami collapsed onto his bed, grateful that he could sleep. He couldn't believe he had nearly drowned in the Nile river just minutes earlier. He was so amazed and so happy he escaped an early death...

He lay there, motionless, for a few moments, aware of a small pain in his leg.

His foot was throbbing. At first, it was his foot. In a matter of moments, it seemed to spread to the rest of his body, like an infectious virus that was attacking him. He attempted to sit up and see what was wrong with his foot, but found he didn't have enough strength.

"Ohhh... Ow," he muttered, rolling onto his back. He was still clad in the simple tunic. His entire body seemed to burn, as if on fire. But... It wasn't supposed to hurt this much...

Now that he had his mind on it, he felt as if his body was heaving with every breath. He could hardly breathe. He rolled onto his side, squeezing his sheets between his hands. His breathing began to speed up, making him shiver. He moaned and opened his eyes, wondering if anyone was nearby.

He was surprised to find the room swimming around him. He felt so woozy... What had happened? He buried his face in his pillow, and took a deep, shuddering breath.

Alright, he told himself. Some sleep, and you'll be fine. Don't panic. He sighed contentedly, turning his head a little. It was so hot in the room... Strange since there were many windows, all of which were open. He pulled his knees up to his chest, and realized he was sweating. He found he could barely move, and what he could move was painful.

"Help," was all he could muster to say. He relaxed his body as he felt a cool wave of air wash over his sweaty face, although he still felt like he was in immense pain. His body loosened and his arms became more relaxed as he lost consciousness.

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"Have you seen Yami?" Ankumanukanon asked Anna as he bumped into her in the hall. She shook her head.

"No, I haven't seen him since he returned..."

"How long ago was that?"

"A few hours, maybe? He looked tired so I told him to go to sleep." Ankumanukanon frowned.

"Anna," he said seriously, "did he look sick at all?"

"Not especially... Although he--"

AEEEEEEEEIII!!

A shriek rang through the palace, forcing both Anna and Ankumanukanon to look up curiously.

"What the hell....?"

"That sounded like Helena... And it's coming from above us..." Helena's footsteps could be heard as she ran down the central stair case, running into the main hall. She nearly panicked as she saw no one there.

"Someone... HELP!" she cried, falling to her knees. She was trembling, and she looked terrified. Iani came running from another hall, along with various, curious people. Ankumanukanon and Anna both ran into the main hall, seeing Helena on her knees in the center. Iani was attempting to comfort the girl.

"Helena, oh Helena, what is it....?" she asked, brushing her hair out of her face. She had tears running down her cheeks. Ankumanukanon approached her, Anna hiding behind.

"Helena," the Pharaoh said softly, "what's wrong?" Helena sniffed and continued to tremble.

"I-it's Yami," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"What?"

"I went to his r-room, because I noticed he wasn't feeling well, and..." Ankumanukanon bent down next to her.

"Please," he said, worry flitting his voice, "tell me what you saw."

"What happened?" Anna asked, backing up. The main staircase was right behind her. Helena took a shaky breath.

"H-he was lying on his b-bed, an' I went over to wake him up and... His body was so hot, it felt like it was on fire," she whispered. "He was trembling an' sweating, yet his left leg was freezing ot the touch... I didn't know what it was... I..." she trailed off, shaking her head. Ankumanukanon stared at her in disbelief.

"You're sure?" he said in a shaky tone.

"Yes..."

"Oh, no," Anna said, turning to the staircase. "Anku, it isn't..."

"I think it is," he said, looking up the staircase. "We have to get to him -- before he dies."

And he started up the staircase, remembering the time in his past when someone he loved died...

Because of a venom allergy.

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A panic had spread throughout the city. People were whispering to each other the fast-spreading news that the Prince is dying.

"He nearly drowned -- "

"Bit by a viper -- "

"Something's wrong, his body doesn't have any immunity to venom -- "

The venom had kicked in quicker then first perceived. All the Pharaoh's physicians and magicians couldn't seem to awaken the prince. Yami lay on his back, barely breathing, sweat dotting his forehead. It slid down his face and dripped onto his sheets, which were pulled to his chest. He was burning with fever and fatigue, nearly choking on his breaths. His head turned to the side, the torches were lit in his room as night fell so they could see. Sekhem had been temporarily banned and sedated so as not to question or disturb the others.

Ankumanukanon and Anna waited outside the room, down the hall and in another room. Anna sitting on the floor, Ankumanukanon pacing back and forth nervously. Anna pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She cast her almond eyes in the Pharaoh's direction, to nervous to speak.

Anna felt like she had been when she first came to Egypt; like a lost little half-Syrian girl with no family and no life. She had been spotted by Akunadin, and he had told his older brother about her. She remembered her fear of the palace, of how large it was, and of meeting the future Pharaoh face-to-face. The old fear of the unknown came back, making her shiver.

"Ankumanukanon....?" she said softly. He looked up at her, stopping momentarily.

"What?" Anna shook her head.

"Nothing, nothing...."

In the streets, people had gathered in the darkness, lighting bonfires and spreading food. A dull glow came from Yami's room, signaling the prince was still alive. His death was apparent from what had spread throughout the city; that, for some reason, the prince's body had no natural immunity to venom. Scared whispers and stories flew about.

Teana was standing against a pillar, her eyes trained on the dull glow of torches high above her, over the wall and far away in another world.

If the lights went out, the Prince was dead.

"Teana," a soft voice said. She turned to see Aya coming up to her, linking arms with the woman.

"Aya?" she asked. Aya smiled.

"You're worried, aren't you?" she asked slowly. Teana stared hard at her.

"That's none of your concern, Aya," she said coldly. Aya's smile vanished.

"I'm sorry..." Teana shrugged.

"Who isn't worried? It's not like I...." Teana wondered absently. Aya watched Teana's expression for a moment.

"Love him?" she quipped. Even in the darkness, Teana's rosy cheeks stood out as she blushed. She quickly looked away.

"No! Of course not!" she exclaimed, her eyes still on the window. She couldn't love that lying bastard, prince or not.

....Could she? She hated to admit it, but every time she thought of him, her body seemed to shiver all at once with a strange excitement she couldn't explain. But she... didn't love him.... Even... If she did.... She knew....

It's not right, a voice in her mind said. Teana shivered. She knew what her body wanted; she knew what Yami wanted. What they both wanted. They wanted each other; and it was all because they had a chance glance one morning...

You almost got him into a ton of trouble with Pharaoh just by being with him, the voice continued. What would happen if you went so far as to make love to him? Teana shook her head.

Be quiet, she commanded, her eyes never straying from the flames licking the dark sky.

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In Yami's room, he lay in his bed, his face pale, body shivering, barely breathing. He was barely clinging to life. The Pharaoh had entered the room, Anna kneeling beside the bed immediately, taking Yami's shaking hand into her own.

"Oh, Atem.... Yami," she whispered, holding his hand in both of hers. Asenath stood in the doorway, looking between a gap in bodies. She could see her brother lying on the bed, his chest heaving, his head turned to the side. His eyes were scrunched closed, and his face was damp from his sweat. He looked like he was in so much pain...

The torches flickered as wind blew through the window. Anna closed her eyes and just held Yami's hand, never letting go. Ankumanukanon stood at the head of his bed, looking down on him. The others in the room just muttered amongst themselves.

"Pharaoh-sama," one quipped. "We have a report...." Ankumanukanon and Anna both looked at him. Asenath closed her eyes and ran from the room. She ran down the darkened halls, running and running and running until she was running out into the cool night air. She was in the courtyard beneath Yami's room. She fell to her knees, listening to the roar of the crowd beyond the walls.

"Yami... Brother...." she whispered, clutching her chest and bending over, her tears hitting the stones. She sobbed gently, her body shaking. She heard the small gasp and the frightened cry of her mother as they were told the news.

"....He isn't going to live to see the morning light, Pharaoh-sama...." the physician said, looking at the floor. Anna took a deep breath and clutched Yami's hand, staring down at his face. Her son was growing pale, his breaths less apparent.... His body was growing still....

His breathing stopped altogether after about three more minutes. The venom had completely shut him down. The entire room grew silent.

Somehow, outside, the crowd knew that something was happening in the room. Jono and Aya were now standing with the rest of the militia, Teana in the shadows, her eyes wide and scared. Jono subconsciously gripped his sword, the one hanging from his waist.

"Atem...." he whispered. Aya squeaked and placed her hands over her mouth. Every single person was staring at the window, waiting with baited breath.

Yami's hand slid from Anna's and hit the floor with a thud.

The lights dimmed and went out in the room, leaving the entire palace in darkness.

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Gasps, murmurs, then shouts and calls came from the outside crowd. Jono swore under his breath, running his hands repeatedly through his hair. Aya hung onto Tiet, burying her face into his chest, crying softly. The rest of the militia, probably the closest people that Yami had, all rubbed their faces and turned away from one another in an attempt not to cry.

Jono couldn't help it. Tiet glanced up at him and saw the tears rolling down his face. He hurriedly wiped them away, sniffing and looking at the bonfire.

Teana had fallen to her knees, her face in her hands, sobbing. She was shaking terribly hard, her tears coming in waves, bending over until her elbows were on the ground.

"Ya.....mi..." she whispered. She shook her head, the tears falling onto the pavement.

Asenath was also kneeling on the ground, her arms wrapped around her self, shaking her head and sobbing hard. She was crying so hard she became short of breath, panting while pearly tears fell onto her skirt and onto the ground.

"Atem... Yami...." she looked up at the star-filled sky.

"Brother!" she cried, shaking. She collapsed onto her side, trembling, just lying there as if dying herself, staring at the absence of light and beauty before her. The darkness covered her, swallowing her. The country was basically in a state of panic.

Without the prince, there is no future Pharaoh, she thought. Sekhem would rule, but he wasn't trained like Atem was. Oh, this is so bad...

In the room was the worst. One of the priests relinquished the last torch, tradition with a sudden death. Anna lay her head down on the bed, crying and shaking. Her first son... Ankumanukanon was also kneeling, bent over, his hands shaking so much he couldn't grip anything.

Down the hall, Iani, Helena, Mana, and her oldest, Ala, were listening. They, too, were crying; Iani had known the prince since his birth, and both Mana and Helena had crushes on him. Iani wrapped all her daughters into a big hug. Helena cried into her mother's shoulder, clutching Ala's hand. Mana had her arm linked with Ala, and Iani had her arms around all four girls.

No one spoke.

Yami lay perfectly still, his eyes closed, his body pale, his arm still hanging off the bed, the back of his hand scraping the stone floor. The same priest that extinguished the last torch pulled the cream-colored sheet that covered Yami up over his head, finally separating him from the rest of them. This seemed to set Anna off again.

Ankumanukanon, however, just lifted Yami's limp arm slowly, his fingers curled, his palm bone white. He laid the arm beside Yami's body on the bed, covering it with the sheet.

He wasn't coming back.

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[noooo! Prince Atem died!!! He cant die yet! He isnt Pharaoh yet! Ahh! Not good! You may be wondering, 'How the hell does the prince die when he's not a pharaoh yet?! THAT DOESNT GO WITH THE PLOT OF YUGIOH!'

....oh, but it does, my friends, you shall see soon... ohh.... ::evil smile:: you shall soon see... heh. Next chapter: Son of the Gods. It's a flashback chapter -- remember those? I had those in ISD, when the next chapter would be a random flashback. This is a flashback to when Yami was just a weentsy baby. Tata!]

Shibby-One