(Hee! Almost done. Yami: "So, when is it gonna follow the EA, huh?" Me: :beat beat: It's getting there! I just finished re-reading 'Dance the Forbidden Dance', naar. You just solved the Puzzle, Goddamnit! You can wait a few more chapters, right? Yami: Hmpf. BTW, listening to Shinedown while typing is a good CD to listen to. )

Light the Flame

Chapter 15

Answers

A warm, tingling sensation ran through Yami's body. He felt as if every fiber of his being was being warmed and strengthened. His body felt lightened. Almost as if the very entity that is Kemet rushed through him.

Someone took his hand. Yami looked up as someone pulled him to his feet. He felt as if he were looking into his own eyes.

His hand was being held by a man who looked just like himself. Yami was taken aback at first. The man smiled, his eyes glinting gold. He was the same, yet different. The man had a different eye color. Different aura about him. Dressed as if he were a god, he took

both of Yami's hands in his own. The golden eye of Horus became embossed on both their foreheads.

'I'm glad that you've finally accepted me,' the man said. Although he never moved his mouth to speak. Yami blinked.

"Accepted you? Who are you?" but the man did not answer. He placed a finger on his lips to silence him, and a hand on his forehead.

'I am the Sennen Puzzle,' the man answered, before darkness overcame the once-Prince's mind.


Jono wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Yami was nowhere to be seen within the glowing star that was before him. Jono only backed up, still on the ground, staring in wonder and awe. It was incredible. It radiated a light so warm and bright, it was almost unearthly. A celestial light that made Jono shiver.

Slowly, the giant thing lowered, and the light disappeared back into the Puzzle. It seemed to form almost a bird shape, sprouting two glorious wings and flying back into the center piece. It left Yami with a thin aura around him, lowering him gently. Jono could hear Yami as he mumbled "…back from whence you came…"

As soon as Yami's bare feet hit the stone, he began toppling backwards into a dead faint. Jono caught him before he hit the ground, and held his body steady. Jono sighed in exasperation. Yami was spending a lot of time unconscious today.

"Prince-sama, you have to wake up now," Jono said, shaking him. But Yami remained still. Jono just supported his body and figured he would wake up when time needed him to. He instead redirected his attention to the Puzzle.

It's center was glinting a little bit, just a little. It was smooth and bright, as if it never aged a day since it was made. And the smoothness fazed him. It didn't seem as if it had infinite puzzle pieces to it. Jono touched it's surface. It was just so beautiful… how could something so beautiful scare someone so easily?

"Jono!" Yami screeched as he sat up bolt right. He was breathing hard, and quickly scrambled out of Jono's lap. He stood up and brushed of his cloak. Then he placed his hands on the Puzzle.

"You solved the Puzzle, Yami," Jono said, standing next to his companion. "It accepted you." Yami remained silent. He stared out at the horizon. It was still dark with the thick, poisonous cloud of chaos. People were dying.

He had to do something.

"Jono," Yami whispered. He stared at his friend straight in the eye. "I have to do something."

"Do what?" Jono cried, exasperated. Yami shook his head and licked his lips.

"I don't know. Something." With that, Yami walked near to the edge of the large balcony. He knelt down, leaning forwards. He placed his hands on the ground gently, his fingers visibly shaking from fear. He could feel a bubbling sensation inside of him. Was something going to happen to him? He could almost feel it. Something was going to happen. He knew it. It almost felt as if he would puke, with the sensation growing in his throat.

He closed his eyes and took deep, slow breaths. Jono, unsure of what to do, watched him. He glanced at the sky again, afraid of the pelting, stinging rain…

Ba-bump.

Jono felt a heartbeat. It was strong and loud. He felt it go straight through him, as if the building itself had a beating heart. Another pulse of power zoomed over him. It was so strong that it blasted Jono right off his feet the second time.

"Ahhhhhoooooohhhhhhhhh—umpf!" Jono cried, hitting a wall. He could feel warm blood trickling through his hair. He looked up, and his eyes widened. He had to cover his mouth to keep from yelling out.

Two long, beautiful, feathery, golden wings protruded from Yami's back. They were elegant and regal, having an angelic glow to them. Jono watched and his eyes widened again.

When they arrived to the city, Yami was dressed as a scruffy foreigner. Now… he adorned the regal attire of a Pharaoh.

Jono couldn't believe what he was seeing. Especially because, on the horizon, the same golden feathers that adorned the beautiful wings seemed to have formed into light. It was shining through the feathers, through the thick clouds. It seemed to wash over the city, bringing warmth.

Jono had to shield his eyes. It was like looking into the sun. At first he thought he was; until he realized… That the golden glow was protruding from Yami's thin frame.

Yami stood, air billowing around him. Those large, golden wings fluttered once as Yami turned to nearly face Jono. Yami opened his eyes as he turned towards Jono.

He was, indeed, dressed as a Pharaoh. Although, at the moment, he looked as if he might have been an angel. The Puzzle was almost vibrating with it's holy power.

Soon, the wings faded into feathers that blew away, and the scruffy wanderer returned. Yami gripped the Puzzle in his hands, and then looked out over the city. The people were clamorous with celebration, embracing the warmth of the sun.

"Does this mean…" Jono started, but he trailed off. Yami bit his lower lip.

"Yes, Jono. It means… I've been accepted to be Pharaoh."


The people of the city were joyous. Injured people were recovering, and the sun embraced them. It hadn't been this bright or healthy for months.

Maia peered out of her house. With Misora in hand, she stared at the sky, sun grazing over her cold body. Misora clung to her mother, staring at the sky in awe.

"Momma, what happened?" she asked, looking up at the older woman. Maia shook her head.

"I don't know, Misora. Maybe… Oh!" Maia said, seeing someone in the crowds. Someone dressed in all black was running through the crowd, yelling to the crowd. Telling them joyous news.

It was Asenath. She was accompanied by Sekhem.

"A Pharaoh's been chosen!" they were shouting. People looked at each other in confusion. "Atemu's returned and he solved the Puzzle!"

"What?" Maia cried in surprise. "Yami? He's alive?" The people of the city were reacting in the same way. They looked around confused and dazed, murmuring and talking to each other.

"Initiation is tonight!" Sekhem was calling. The two siblings ran by, going to tell the rest of the city. Maia stared after them in confusion.

Was it true? Could it be true?

"Momma? What do they mean?" Misora asked. Maia bent down and lifted the small child into her arms, cuddling her daughter.

"There's a new Pharaoh, Misora," Maia said, smiling and nuzzling the little girl. The people around Maia were in shock.

"He's returned!"

"I thought he'd been condemned."

"The Puzzle chose him!"

"It was he who stopped that rain…"


"Does this necessarily have to happen now? I just got back this morning," Yami said to Isis. Isis sighed and crossed her arms in front of her.

"I know it seems rather rushed. Normally this is a painstakingly long process."

"I feel as if we're rushing into this. Can't we wait a few days?" He swung his legs absently in the air, tightening his grip on the stone underneath his hands. He was nervous as hell, and confused and disoriented; why was everything happening to fast?

"We can't waste any time," Seto said defiantly. "If this doesn't happen soon, who knows if that chaos will come back. I'm sorry, Yami." Yami remained silent. He didn't come back with the intentions of becoming Pharaoh. He put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples. It was all just too much.

"No, I can't. Not now. Not when—" Yami stopped. Something had occurred to him.

"Something wrong?"

"That… did that spread all over the country? The entire country? Or did it like, follow the Nile or something?" Asenath shrugged.

"I have no idea. I guess it followed the Nile." Yami gulped. Did that mean…

Did that mean it got to Teana's homeland!

"If I accepted this," Yami said slowly, placing a hand on the completed Puzzle, "will those injured people be better?"

"They'll heal faster, definitely," Asenath said, sighing. Yami remained silent. He could do this; he was born into it. And if the Gods chose him… and now the Puzzle… what about that mysterious man he met? What was that about? But it didn't matter.

If Teana was hurt by that chaos, Yami thought to himself, then if I become Pharaoh, she'll heal faster. And… and then…

I can bring her and Zvallah to live here.

Yami thought it over in his head. The thought of being away from Teana for so long was boring down into his very soul. He needed her. She was his soul mate; he couldn't thrive without her.

"I'll… I'll do it," Yami muttered, taking in a great breath. He looked up at them all, every single person in the room. His eyes glittered with a valiant fear, almost, as if he was afraid and ready at the same time.

"I'll become the Pharaoh tonight."


"You're doing what?" Jono cried. He was excited and surprised all at once. "Seriously!"

"Yeah, seriously," Yami muttered half-heartedly. Jono was in disbelief.

"You are nuts. I knew it," he proclaimed, pointing at Yami. "You were so set against becoming Pharaoh, and now you are!" Yami smiled. Although Jono seemed furious, he was going about it quite comically. And it was cheering Yami up, just a little. Jono began pacing around the throne room. Yami was sitting on the stairs in front of the abandoned throne. At least, until he was initiated that night.

"Do you even know why you were so dead-set against becoming Pharaoh?" he asked. Yami shrugged. "It doesn't make any sense. You were chosen at birth; yeah, okay, it might be scary, but being a leader isn't easy!" Yami shrugged.

"It's something else though, Jono. I just don't know what… It's not really being Pharaoh I'm afraid of… I'm afraid of this," Yami said, gesturing to the Puzzle around his neck. Jono stared at it for a moment.

"Looks harmless to me," he said. Yami shrugged.

"It's… I don't know, Jono. I've just always felt… uneasy about the Sennen Items." Jono stared at it longer. "… I think it was this that killed my father, although I'm not sure." Jono didn't respond. He was thinking about something.

"Wait… if… even though you ran away, broke a million laws and traditions, and defied your position as Prince… Just because you were first-born son, the Item still wouldn't let anyone but you have it?" Jono asked in a complicated question. Yami nodded.

"Basically."

"Then… since Zvallah is your first-born son… Won't he be the only one the Puzzle accepts afer you?" Yami intook breath sharply.

"I… I never thought of that," he said in almost a whisper. He glanced down at the Puzzle.

Would he want to subject Zvallah to this?

"…It's too late now to change that," Yami muttered. He sighed. "Zvallah is first-born. That's the way it is, I guess."

"Guess so." The two were silent for awhile, Yami thinking over what he had to do. That night, when the sun was completely down, the entire city would gather to see this declaration. Yami already knew what was going to happen; he'd been told many times. His priests would be initiated as well.

"Speakin' of Zvallah…" Jono muttered, glancing at his friend. "You haven't met Misora yet." Yami stared at Jono, confused.

"Who's… Oh! Oh, yeah, Misora. I forgot who she was, Jono. Sorry about that," Yami said sheepishly. He smiled at his friend. "I can't wait to meet her." Jono stared out the window as he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed before him. He pushed his blonde hair out of his face and sighed.

"You'll love her. She's… Zvallah will love her, too," he said, turning back to Yami. "She seems like the kind of person you would like, so maybe he would, too."

"You mean she acts like you, Jono-kun?" Yami asked playfully. Jono shrugged and smiled as Yami laughed. He felt more at ease now…

CLANKkeerCRASHHHhhhhhPssssghh!

Both men turned at the sound. A metal holder for a torch had fallen off the wall. The torch that it had been holding had fallen also, partially going out when it connected with stone.

"What the…" Jono said, walking over. Yami followed, glancing around for sudden movements or attackers. Becoming a Pharaoh could also mean gaining enemies.

No. It did mean gaining enemies.

"Someone there?" Jono called down the hall in a warning tone. He placed his hand on his sword protectively; ready to strike in anyone was there. Yami peered around with him.

The hallway was dark and empty. This was a side hall-way to servants quarters; it also lead down into the depths of the palace, where everyone was forbidden to go.

"Seems like no one's here," Jono said, relieving himself of his sword. Yami glanced at the wall that the torch had been on.

He noticed long, thing, black marks on the wall beneath where the torch had been. Yami ran over to them, placing his hand on them.

"What the…" Jono whispered. He followed Yami and stood behind him, glancing over his short companion to the marks.

"Paint," Yami said, his fingertips stained with the dark substance. "…Or ink. I think it's too thin to be paint, actually. This is ink." He withdrew his hand from the wall and looked at Jono. "It's fresh."

"Look, there's more," Jono said, motioning to the thin trails. Along the wall were thin trails of ink, some fresh, some looking up to three or four years old. The two cautiously followed the trail of ink to where it stopped at a short doorway. The two looked at each other, and then went inside the room.

They were brought into a thin, darkly-lit hallway that led into another room. They seemed to be deep underground.

The hallway was very, very dark and dank, and it gave Yami an uneasy feeling. As if he weren't supposed to be here.

In his entire life, he had never seen this here before. Why hadn't he?

Soon they came across a dimly-lit room, covered, from top-to-bottom, in hieroglyphs.

"Oh… my God…" Jono muttered as they stepped fully into the room. "This is surreal."

"…Whoa," Yami breathed. The walls, the ceilings, the floor… were covered in words, pictures, stories. Yami placed his hand on one of the walls, the shallow ceiling decorated like a night sky. Yami recognized this form of writing; it was curvy and messy. It was Asenath's writing.

"Wai! There's a map on the floor!" Jono cried in surprise. Yami glanced down, and jumped. On the floor was a huge map of what appeared to be the Nile. Yami let his eyes follow the river until it reached a painting of the city. Yami grazed his hands over the walls.

"Jono… I think this is Asenath's chamber," Yami whispered. He glanced over the words written hastily in stone.

They were stories of himself. His life. Even the story of when he was born was here. He looked it over, looking down the wall.

"What?" Jono asked. "What chamber?"

"The chamber in which she writes everything she sees, Jono," Yami said, blinking and turning to his companion. "Every single vision she sees she writes down. But until now, I had no idea where…"

"Is this why she always has ink on her hands?" Jono asked. He was on the other side of the chamber, staring in complete shock and confusion at the stories and pictures written there.

"Yeah… Jono?" Yami said, leaning back to see the other side better. "Something wrong?" Jono stepped back, staring.

"Yami… Look." Yami walked over, staring at the wall. At first he wasn't sure what was wrong with it. Then… he realized.

He didn't know who the hell Asenath was writing about.

"I've…never heard of any of these people in my life," Yami whispered, placing a hand on the wall. His eyes grazed over it. These stories… they didn't make any sense! Neither did the pictures.

Unless…

"This must be… that thing she was talking about," Yami whispered in a hushed voice.

"Thing? What thing?" Jono asked. Yami turned to Jono.

"I've heard her tell Seto things. Things that haven't happened yet, and won't happen for a long, long time. But I don't know what they could possibly be about… This must be those things." Jono was silent and just looked at the wall himself.

"…Dear God," he said. He walked down the length of the room, his eyes trained on both walls. The floor was decorated in maps, the ceiling in different skylines.

Then he approached the farthest wall. It held the oldest painting of all; so old it was already starting to fade. Jono stared at it.

"Yami… what the hell is this?" he asked, pointing to the farthest wall. Yami walked over and gasped, hands over his mouth.

Painted on the wall, in full color, were the Gods.

Osiris, Ra, and Obelisk.


Seto wasn't prepared for the sight he met right before the initiation. He was sent to find Asenath, who had disappeared about an hour earlier.

Sighing, he walked down the hallway, grumbling at this mission.

"Asenath… Asenath! Asenath, where are you? Come on out, Asenath!" He was approaching her room, anyway. Where else would she be?

He stopped at her doorway, pushing his ear against the door. He wasn't surprised to hear the sounds of a sobbing person inside.

Concerned, Seto pushed the door open, calling Asenath's name in the process.

"Asenath! Are you alright? Are you…" He stopped. Asenath was sitting in her windowsill, her knees up to her head, her face buried in her arms. Already in her ceremonial priestess outfit, she was sobbing into her arms, apparently unaware that Seto had entered the room.

Seto stared at her. Her long black hair was falling over her shoulders, her halo braid wound tightly. He walked over to her, the wind blowing at her clothing, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Asenath?" he whispered gently, shaking her. Asenath gasped and looked up, her face tear-streaked. Obviously, she had put on her makeup before she started to cry. Asenath, shocked to see Seto in the room, just allowed him to gently wipe the tears and ink from her face where her kohl had run.

"Asenath? Why are you crying?" he asked. Asenath hiccupped and licked her lips. Seto pushed her hair around her ear so he could see her better.

Seeing her like this, her face covered in tears, shaking, crouched into a ball, reminded him of when they were children. After she first began having visions in her dreams, she would often cry about them. Eventually she grew out of it, but it still made him think of the little girl he once knew.

"Asenath… you… are you sure you're alright? Please – answer me," he said. Asenath sighed deeply, trying to control her crying. Her heart was pounding, as Seto was so close to her.

Seto sat on the windowsill across from her, his hands still on her shoulders. Asenath smiled a small smile and put her hands on his arms, pulling them from her shoulders.

"I'm scared, Seto," she whispered. Seto faltered.

"What?" Asenath sniffed and continued.

"The closer the moment comes to when Yami becomes Pharaoh…"

"Yes?"

"… the closer… the closer it comes." Seto knew what she was talking about the moment she said 'it'. It was a vision she had years ago. A vision that terrified her weeks after it.

Seto sighed and took her hands in his.

"Look, Asenath, it will be okay. I promise you," he said, tightening his grip on her. "You can always try to change it. That's why these visions were granted to you."

"B-but… I would be dealing with a fate that was chosen years ago!" she cried, ready to begin crying again. Seto leaned close to her.

"You can still try to change it. Cheer up. This is supposed to be a joyous day." He slid off the sill and stood, brushing off his tunic. "I was sent to come get you. The ceremony is going to start soon. You might want to wash up." With a small smile, he left the stunned woman in her room.

Asenath wrapped her arms around herself and let herself become lost in her thoughts. She smiled at the thought of Seto touching her, telling her it would be alright.

Girlhood fantasies, she thought, smiling to herself. She hopped off the sill and began washing her face of her mussed-up makeup.

She was still shaken from her realization, but she supposed Seto was right. She still had a few weeks before it happened. But she knew that, whatever happened, she did not want to witness it. She would distance herself as much as she could before she witnessed it again.


"Ow. I always hated this thing. It's so heavy," Yami complained. The golden, embossed crown was heavy on his ears, and it applied a lot of pressure to his head. "It looks like I have wings sprouting from the sides of my head." He turned to the side and admired it in the mirror. Sekhem tightened the crimson cape protruding from his shoulders.

"You're nervous, aren't you? You complain a lot when you're nervous," the thirteen-year-old prince said, smiling. Yami said nothing. He just glanced down at the Puzzle.

"How is this going to work? Like… with… Y'know…" Sekhem said slowly.

"Father being dead?"

"Yeah…" Yami sighed. "The passing-down's gonna be weird."

"I think Akunadin's going to do it," Yami said, pushing his bangs out of his face. He didn't notice until moments later that Sekhem had stopped fixing his crown. Yami turned to see Sekhem leaning on Yami's shoulder, deep in thought.

"He would have loved… loved to see you like this. Finally acting like a Pharaoh," Sekhem said wistfully. Yami turned to him. Sekhem had surpassed his own height, although not by much.

"He really missed you, Yami. Atemu," Sekhem said, lifting his head. "For a long time. He had people looking for you for a long time… And last year, when Mom died… by then he was convinced that you had died. We all were. And so… when she was dying… Father asked…"

"What? He asked what of her?" Yami asked. A salty tear landed on Yami's hand.

"…He asked her to tell you he… he was sorry," he said, smiling through his tears. "Sorry, regretful, and that… he never disowned you." Yami sighed.

"I know," Yami said, placing his hands on Sekhem's shoulders. "I know he never disowned me. I wish I could have told him about what happened to me…"

The brothers were silent for a moment.

"You'd better go," Sekhem said, looking at his brother. "The initiation will start in a few minutes…" Yami nodded and smiled at his brother.

"All will be alright, Sekhem," he said reassuringly, retreating to the hallway.


It was anticipating. Yami could feel the energy radiating from the crowd. As if they were the final judge in deciding something important.

It was the last step. Everything else had gone increasingly well. He was still soaking from purification, but that didn't matter. All that mattered now was that the crowd accepted it.

He didn't realize how simple it was to shove a weeks worth of activities into one night. It seemed as if the initiation had roared by. It didn't feel right to have it be so quick. But it was still just a whirl of detail in his mind; he hadn't been focused on it at all. When the purification had started, that was when it truly hit him. Maybe because he was doused with cold water, he wasn't too sure. He took a deep breath and glanced beyond the curtain separating him from the crowd.

"You have to prove yourself," Seto said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Before them and before Ra."

"I know," Yami said back.

"Are you afraid?"

Yami didn't reply at once. He took a few steps and pushed the curtain back to step out into the moonlight.

Seto watched him, his own hair still dripping from purification. Yami continued walking, his hand on the wall near the curtain. His eyes covered by his bangs, he stepped out in front of the crowd, a roar being protruded from the crowd.

For a moment, Seto swore that he saw a glint of gold on Yami's back. Almost as if… they were feathers.

He was taken aback. Sure, he had read and been taught about the Angels of the Items, but… was it even true? He glanced at Yami again. He was out there, on the balcony. Where he should be. Being accepted as Pharaoh by the people and the gods.

Seto walked out there as well, the cool night air washing over his body. He had just been purified barely an hour earlier; part of him was still wet.

He stared out at the crowds. He could see his cousin sitting on the edge of the balcony. But there was something notably different about him.

His body was shimmering, almost, as if he weren't all there. The Puzzle itself was glowing and swaying, glittering under a light that was invisible to everyone around him. Yami closed his eyes and bowed his head momentarily. The crowds fell silent in anticipation.

What's he doing now? Seto thought. He's already been… His eyes grew wide.

Two bright, beautiful, graceful wings had burst from his back. They were golden in color and fluttered gently, feathers swirling in a swift breeze. Seto stared in shock.

How can they not see them? He though as the crowd barely reacted to the new wings. Yami looked up at Seto.

'They can't see them because they don't rightfully own an Item now, like you an I,' Yami's voice echoed in Seto's head. Seto turned sharply to Yami, wondering how he did that. But, as always, Yami had always been a mystery… and always will be.

As the night grew on, finally, Asenath was able to announce that yes, despite all that had happened, Yami was now, officially, accepted as Pharaoh. Deep into the night and early into the morning, the chants of "Atemu" echoed into the distance.


It was so early that the sun hadn't even risen yet. For some reason, something had woken the new Pharaoh up. He groaned and kept his eyes shut, only semi-conscious. He rolled onto his side and clutch his blanket, trying to fall back asleep. He had been deeply asleep, sleeping well for the first time in days. When he fell asleep, feasting and parties were still going on. It was a day of celebration. But, after the ordeal his body went through that day, he was asleep instantly.

Although… now that all the insanity had died down and he was alone, in a comfortable, quiet place, his thoughts turned to his wife. Since he was Pharaoh, he called all the shots. Meaning that if he wanted a girl who was once a servant, who wasn't even Egyptian to be the Queen of this land, he sure as hell could.

Yami opened his eyes and half-expected to see Teana, asleep next to him, her long hair spread around her head like a halo. No one was there. His mind, body, soul and heart yearned for the comfort of his wife. His mother once told him when he was very young that it would be hard for his father to rule alone. Which is why he had priests appointed to him, but that's not what he meant.

Yami rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. If this all hadn't happened… if he hadn't wished that he could fall in love… would he be a different person now? Would he have married Aklia instead of Teana? Would he have left the palace at all?

Would his father still be alive? Yami sighed. His brain was so active that Yami couldn't go back to sleep, even if he tried. He closed his eyes and let his mind ponder these things.

Teana… he thought. I wish you could have been here during the initiation. I wish you could have seen me become this… ruler. A warm breeze blew on his body. Yami frowned. His window was on the other side of the room; where was this breeze coming from?

Yami rolled onto his side of the large bed and opened his eyes.

Lying before him was Teana.

"Te-Teana!" he whispered in surprise. He pushed himself up, staring at her.

It was her. She was lying on her stomach, her hair pulled back, dressed… dressed like a Queen would be. She smiled at Yami.

Is this a dream? He thought. He looked around. No, it can't be. And she can't be an illusion… Did she really arrive here? But… why is she dressed like this?

"You're mind is so active," she said in a soft voice. "You should calm it or you'll hurt yourself."

"Teana," Yami whispered, leaning close to her. "Why are you here? How did you get here? Where's Zvallah? What's going on?"

"Shh," Teana whispered. She put her hand over his lips. "This ordeal has been too great. Calm down." But Yami's mind was alight with so many questions. Questions he knew barely anyone could answer for him.

Teana smiled her warm smile at him. Her golden eyes reflected the dull glow coming into the room from the streets. She tilted her head and moved closer to him, closing her eyes. She laid a gentle kiss on his lips, much to his surprise.

Yami gasped slightly, then sighed and closed his eyes as well. He wrapped his arm around her back, pushing their bodies together. She placed both her hands on his face, the kiss deepening. She pulled away and opened her eyes, breathing hard.

She pushed his bangs off his face and caressed it gently. It was still dark out, although the sun would be rising very soon.

Yami was still extremely tired. He lay still for a moment, a small smile on his face, his eyes closed. Teana wasn't sure if he was even awake, until he opened his eyes. He sat up slowly, smiling at Teana. Teana smiled back at him.

For a moment, all was bliss.

"Teana…" Yami said softly. "I… I sometimes wish that you and I could exist forever, as Asenath does."

"What? Like Asenath?" Teana asked. "Why on earth would you want to do that?" Yami shrugged. Asenath had given up her right to die when she saved his own life. Teana placed a hand on his cheek.

"We'll always exist like this, Atemu," she said, smiling. Yami stared at her.

"W-what do you mean, 'like this'?" he asked. Teana put her other hand on his bare chest and leaned against him. She could feel his heart beating rapidly underneath her hand.

"Mmm… you smell good," she said, giggling a little. "Like incense."

"Yes, from the initiation," he said, holding her tightly. "But, Teana… what did you mean? I don't get it." Teana opened her eyes, although Yami couldn't see her face.

"I thought you would know," she whispered. Yami pushed her back for a moment, staring at her quizzically.

"Wait – what? How on earth would I know?" he asked. Teana shrugged. She held onto his hands and brought them to her lips.

"I heard Asenath say something like that," she said. "It has to do with something she predicted a long, long time ago, I think." Yami stared at her. Could it be…

"I once heard… I once heard that Asenath had predicted her own death," Yami muttered.

"Her death? That must have been unnerving."

"Yeah… and… she also once predicted… my death." Teana stared at him.

"How… how do you know that?" she asked. Yami shrugged.

"But I don't know if… I don't know which one. Right before that war we had against the invaders… she had a dream that brought her to tears. Her visions hadn't done that in years, so everyone knew it was important. And… whenever she looked at me… she looked so… mournful… I think she did, indeed predict my death.

"But then, I did die. But she brought me back."

"…so…"

"…So, I think she predicted that death, but… Something tells me she's predicted something else as well. She's always been very… I dunno. What's a good word? Oh, nervous. Nervous."

"Nervous about what?" Teana asked, glancing at the window. Yami rolled his eyes.

"The Sennen Items. She—"

It seemed as if something had gone off in his head. In the very back of his mind, something clicked. A connection was made. But…

"Yami? Something wrong?" Teana asked. Yami blinked and looked around.

"I… I just thought… I had this… thought… that… I don't know," he said, giving Teana a smile. "I… don't know what I'm talking about." Teana crawled closer to her husband, so close that she could kiss him.

She put one hand on his chest and kissed his lips. Yami blinked, then again wrapped her into his embrace and let her kiss him. It had only been a couple of weeks since he left her, but it had felt like years…

Suddenly, a dangerous, ravenous hunger ran through Teana's body. She broke away from him and wrapped her arms around his back. She began nuzzling his neck, kissing it and rubbing it with her nose. Yami kissed the top of her head and gripped her body tighter, pulling him to her. Teana let her head rest in the nook between his chest and his head, kissing him again.

Slowly, the couple fell back onto their side, Yami still clutching his beloved Teana. He closed his eyes and hugged her tighter. Her warm body was comforting to him. He needed her. He was glad she was here, finally.

"I love you, Teana." She made a reassuring noise in the back of her throat. Slowly, both he and Teana fell asleep.

The next morning, he woke up to find himself alone, with no signs of Teana anywhere in the palace, or the city.


(:keels over and dies: Sixteen pages! One of the longest chapters I've ever written! And I wasn't even gone end it there, originally. I was gonna continue:Shoots self:

Kay, I'm good now. So, how was it? Long? Took me about two weeks to write, heh. Sorry I skipped out on the initiation – I knew it would be like, up near the high 20's in pages if I wrote out the whole thing. Besides, it would have been boring and I don't know what goes on entirely at one, anyway. So I skipped it. :Sigh: Yeah, you take a guess at what Teana was. I did the same thing in 'Devil's Food' with Ryou and Samayo. :D

Okay! Next chapter is a doosy. As you can see, while I was in Canada, I wrote the next chapter. I've had it for quite awhile, since I was in Canada in… July. xD; Yeah. I decided to give Asenath a forbidden romance of her own. Yes, I'm gonna do some major-ass time skippage in the next chap. The couple of weeks after Yami becomes Pharaoh is boring. The good part is coming! And the end is coming reeeeeeeeeally soon, too. ;o; Next chapter:"Even in Death…" Seto and Asenath had a "fling" of their own. :3

Shibby-One