I apologize for the wait. I actually had a bit of a time deciding when and where I wanted certain things to happen. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed my story - it means so much to me. I'm sorry, I won't be replying to specific reviews because I would rather have the chapter out faster. If you do have questions, email me or leave me a comment in my livejournal. A link is in my bio.
I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, but I own the story and the characters that I make up. Due to the lack of 'bad guys' I was forced to make up on my own.
Also, check out some of my new challenge drabbles that I just posted!
Much thanks to DarkShadowFlame for beta-ing this story for me. It seriously would be poor without her!
Enough of my drabbles, the story speaks for itself!
In the Sands of Egypt
Chapter 10
Arguments
::Vision::
Frowns and worried looks were her only greeting as the mysterious young girl traveled through the dusty streets of the city. Her breathing was ragged and worn, for she had been traveling for quite some time. Always traveling, one place to the next, never finding anyplace to belong. She never stayed in any city for more than a week and this place would be no different. Everyone looked at her as if she was some sort of cursed being.
Which she wasn't. She was just different, that was all. She wasn't ashamed of that... no, not really. She pulled the sleeve of her long, tattered cloak over her arm to cover up her frosty white skin. Everyone here had such dark complexions from always being in the sun, but even though she sat under the same light, she never tanned even a little.
Ahead of her there seemed to be something of a skirmish. The loud shouts of men and clattering of weapons certainly gave that away. Pulling her hood over her head so that her face would be hidden, she crept through the tangles of people to get a closer look.
"What do you want from me?"A younger gentleman fell back right before a sword sank into his body. A smirk from the attacker - lucky break. Traveling up the silver blade you would come to a smooth, tanned hand of one of the Pharaoh's guard. But he was not important, not when standing next to the priest Akunadin. The wiry old man had his usual wry expression on his face; it never did seem to fade.
"You're supposed to be strong," he said disappointedly. "But I don't see what's good about you. No ka whatsoever." He looked overhis companion, a man much younger than himself. "Don't you think that's a pity?" His words seemed oddly forceful, as if there was much more to them.
"Indeed," came a cold response. The priest Seto waved his hand airily and the man in front of them was quickly removed, thrashing and cursing, from the area by the guards around him. Seto let a distasteful scowl form on his face; he gripped a long, golden rod as if it were a stress reliever. Things were not going as planned.
The whole ordeal didn't sit right with the girl as she watched it unfold. Who were those men? And what exactly were they looking for? She drifted back out of the crowd when the two left; the masses seemed to part at their feet as they went. It was probably best to avoid them while in this city, she decided; trouble seemed to cling to them like the sand on their feet.
::End Vision::
"Wake up."
Blue eyes fluttered open to the sight of rusted metal. That, and a menacing grin from above. "Good morning, Sunshine," greeted Kir. Oh, how nice it was to be woken up by one of his favorite people. It was better than diving into a scorpion's nest.
The other merely shrugged and tossed aside the useless dagger. He combed his fingers through his fine black hair; starting from his forehead, grazing by a grey headband, and sliding free at a point after his shoulders. "I could have killed you, you know." His tone was mocking, but the words were meant in all seriousness.
"I thank you for your generosity for not doing so then," Kir replied disgustedly. He sat up, propping his head up on a closed fist. "What are you doing here, Duhand?"
"Can't I give a little wake up call to one of my friends?" he asked in all innocence, but the flare in his eyes took away from the tone.
"I'm not your friend." And that was clear. Duhand was something like second in command in their little group, and visits from him always brought trouble. "And I meant, what are you doing here, in Egypt?" He was supposed to be in Japan at the moment, helping to taunt the Pharaoh.
"He said he could handle it," Duhand said, as if it were obvious, "and that I should fix all the 'mistakes' that were happening over here."
"So, you come here and think you are allowed to do whatever you want then?" Kir flashed a suspicious eye over to the other. Duhand just laughed.
"Yes, I suppose so." His golden eyes were full of tainted mirth. As far as he was concerned, while the boss wasn't around he was in charge. If he wanted to change the plans slightly, well, that's what he did.
"I take it you were also the one who ordered the death of that girl." A mere nod for a response. It figured. A sudden change of plans such as that could only come from the mind of Duhand. The guy delighted in death, blood, and all things related. Still, it couldn't hurt to find the exact reasoning. "And why is that?"
"Everyone will die at our hands one way," his eyes slid over to Kir, "or another. So why prolong her death? Keeping captives is such frivolous work," then a scowl, "but it was evidently too much work for you."
"What are you trying to say?"
"That failure isn't treated lightly. Don't mess up again," Duhand answered.
"So you want me to go back for her?" Kir was slightly amused, but he kept it hidden.
"That isn't necessary."
"Oh?" Now Kir was really curious. The smirk on the other's lips didn't bode well with him.
"I've already arranged her death." The words made him double over in vixenish laughter. It resonated throughout the small clayware home, making the pits of Kir's stomach churn in discomfort. And even after Duhand left, the sound echoed in the blue eyed teen's mind.
"EEEEEKKK!" The shrill cry flew through the halls before dying out to the silence. It hadn't gone unnoticed though. Seto raised a brow out of mere curiosity, but resumed pouring himself into the book that he had been reading before it happened. It was none of his concern.
It was, however, a concern to Odion. The broad-shouldered man jumped from his seat and briskly headed over to the source. Téa was tangled up in her blankets, on the floor. Upon seeing Odion enter, her pride returned to her. She managed to free herself, only stumbling once, and pointed angrily at her bed.
"It was there when I woke up so... and I didn't know so... so don't laugh." With further investigation, Odion discovered a small snake coiled up atop her bed. To his relief it was harmless; it could have been much worse. He cupped the serpent in his massive hands and assured Téa that it would be taken outside.
"I'm not scared of it," she said defensively. "It just surprised me, that's all." With a flushed face she ventured out of her room.
"What happened this time?" Seto called out to her upon seeing her pass from his spot on the bench. She stopped and walked into the room, up to him.
"Nothing that concerns you," she said bitterly.
"I thought as much," he calmly said, never looking away from the book.
"It's nice to know you care." No response. Her face flushed with anger. "I could have been killed," she explained. Still no response. A growl escaped her lips, prompting the other to respond.
"I've already saved you," he started, but didn't get much farther.
"So?! What if something happened? You wouldn't do anything?" It wasn't that she really cared if he didn't care. Which he was making quite clear that he didn't. She thought that he might have, but...
"Numerous times," he finished with annoyance. "And no. I'm not your hero, Gardner. It's not my job to go off and valiantly save you every time you get yourself in trouble. Which, actually, seems to be quite often. I suggest you find someone to help you with that."
Téa couldn't respond to that. Instead she just turned heel and stormed off. It wasn't worth arguing with Seto Kaiba. Even if you were right, that block head wouldn't accept it. What happened to the guy that put his life on the line to save her? Well, she thought, giving him one last glare before she left, it obviously wasn't that guy. Maybe it was some freak trick of the moon or something. Or a dream - that was it. All of that was some crazy dream. Still...
"Are you all right, Téa?" Ishizu asked when she entered.
"I'm fine," Téa answered. "It was just Kaiba."
Ishizu nodded, fully understanding. She couldn't help but chuckle though, but only to herself. Those two had done nothing but bicker since they had come back. She did worry though. After finding out that Seto possessed the Millennium Rod, she began to watch things more closely. She knew that he was not the type to ever use its powers for evil, or, in his case, at all, but her brother was a different story. He still craved for the Rod's power. She could see it every time he looked at it. He fought, she knew he did, but power like that isn't easily refused. No, Marik would linger around the Rod, waiting for Seto to let his guard down and misplace it. Always lurking, like a shadow, to the Millennium Rod.
Which is why the news of his departure surprised her.
It was a day, not long after that one that she first learned of it. After playing referee to another quarrel, she was pulled aside by her brother and given the news.
"I think I should get some supplies," he told her.
At first she was curious, because they still had plenty of supplies, but he soon convinced her that if something happened, they would need extra supplies.
"That's why I need to go," he said.
"Then Odion shall accompany you," she offered, but he declined.
"Odion will be needed here, as will you, if something happens. And as for them-" He gave a dry smirk over to Seto and Téa. ("Why do you always have to be like that?" "Why not?") "-I don't think I want them coming with me either."
Finally giving in, Ishizu let him go. The next morning he set out, with a small herd of camels and some money, to bring back supplies with. He bid them farewell and was off to Mastaba. It shouldn't take too long to get there, but the shopping and stocking would take time, or so he explained to them.
And so, the next morning, Ishizu set one less place at the table.
The meal, consisting of some assorted dishes supplied by Ishizu (none containing any meat whatsoever, as it was scarce in the area), was eaten in relative silence. That is, until Téa, not used to such silent meals, decided to start a conversation.
"So.... how is everyone?" she asked weakly, first looking over to Ishizu, who smiled.
"Quite well." Then to Odion, who didn't really smile, just kept on eating.
"Fine," he managed after swallowing. Then her eyes traveled over to Seto, which probably wasn't a good idea for the teen was giving her a glare for breaking his silence. But instead of saying anything, he just lowered his eyes and continued eating.
"You're in a surprising mood," she commented, but it was taken the wrong way. Seto set his fork down and looked up to her.
"And what does that mean?" The other occupants at the table sighed, and began to prepare for another argument. The score for the week was twenty to fifteen, with Seto in the lead. And that was only because she walked away from most of the 'battles'...
"It means you weren't being a jerk like normal," she narrowed her eyes, "but I guess I was wrong."
"That's nothing new," he spat. This would continue for most of the meal. Ishizu and Odion had already placed bets; Odion ruefully on Seto, but only because he had lost at rock, paper, scissors. The squabble continued in normal fashion. Seto gained a few points, as did Téa, but all of that was forgotten when the word quarrel came to a surprising end.
"It's not like I want to be here!" Téa roared, slamming her flat palms on the table. Her face was red with anger, and her teeth were clenched ruthlessly, albeit not as ruthless as her answer.
"It's not like anyone wants you here anyway!" Seto yelled, getting to his feet. Now clearly this had gone too far. Odion and Ishizu stood up to protest but Téa was already making her way out.
"Fine! Then I'll leave!" And with that, she was gone.
Two sets of disapproving eyes drifted over to Seto. He ignored them. Two frowns that clearly said 'Go after her,' were also paid no heed. Instead, the arrogant teen just cursed under his breath and stalked off. Definitely not going after her and definitely not caring.
Ezra trotted quietly, allowing Téa her silence, which she gladly accepted. She wiped away the beginnings of tears. "Stupid jerk." It was just like Kaiba to be so insensitive. Why in the world did she even consider that he cared...? He didn't. And that was that.
But then why did that fleeting smile he honored her with haunt her mind so? Why did he even come to save her before if he didn't care?
The image of the priest glowed before her eyes; the amethyst fabric that he wore seemed to glow in the rising sun, complimenting his sapphire eyes, like jewels in the sand.
She slipped her own cloak off, setting it down behind her. "It's getting hot," she reasoned. Now she had only her white sleeveless shirt and shorts to protect her from the sun... But she didn't need that cloak anyway.
Ezra would take her back to that city. Then she could call someone to take her home. Simple. She didn't need him to help her. She was fine on her own.
Lost in her own mind, Téa didn't notice the three other horses following her. Nor did she have time enough to react when they ran up behind her and knocked her off her own horse.
Everything went black.
"Look, enough of this game," Seto said, walking out of the Tomb Keeper's home. It had been over an hour since Téa had stormed off, and by then, Odion and Ishizu had pestered him nearly to insanity. "It's your fault," they said. "Go apologize," they continued.
Which Seto didn't believe in the least. It wasn't his fault. She ran off on her own. Even if he had said those cruel things to her...
There was no answer to his call, only silence. He searched for a bit, just to amuse them. She had no place to go and no way to...
That's when he noticed that Ezra was missing.
...get there.
He cursed under his breath. He really must have upset her. But it was her fault for believing him. She should never have run off.
Something was approaching the area from the north. After closer inspection, Seto found out that it was his horse. But when the stallion approached him, there was no rider atop the horse. Seto's face fell; the cloak he had given Téa was tangled up in the saddle. Something must have happened.
"I'm not going to save you," he called, as if she could hear him. "Not this time. Save yourself." He grabbed onto Ezra's reins and led him back to the stables. But the horse didn't move.
"Don't tell me you care," Seto scoffed, pulling harder. "Well, I don't." Still Ezra didn't move. Seto turned around and glared. The horse stared back with big glossy eyes. Finally, with a large groan, he mounted his horse and sped off into the direction that Ezra had first come from.
He was going after her and he did care.