Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.
Ateyda kept waking up through the night, and then through the day as she kept sleeping. She would have pulled herself out of bed, but she was so exhausted that she could barely lift her head. She had dreams all night about Lorena. She kept seeing her being killed by Kaiba over and over again. She would wake up in a cold sweat, but would then see Yami's sleeping form beside her. It calmed her, but it did not take away the pain of Lorena's death. It was around mid-afternoon that Ateyda finally rose from the bed, and started to walk out into the palace. She decided to stretch out her limbs, and took a walk out to the garden. She was letting the sun warm her skin when two of the palace servants came to her.
"We've been hoping that you would wake soon," the man said, "We have been preparing for the ceremony, and we need to have you fitted."
"Ceremony?," she asked him, "Fitted? What are you talking about?"
He leaned in close to her ear, "The wedding, miss."
She blushed, "Oh, right. Well, I couldn't figure it out with you disguising it so much."
"We are on strict orders from the Pharaoh," the woman piped up, "We are to keep this a private matter."
"Yes, I know," she replied, "I agree, but you can let your guard down a little, and relax." She put her hand on his shoulder so he would stop hunching them, but the woman grabbed her arm and started tugging her back into the palace.
She carted her into a small room with mirrors set up. They put her up on a pedestal when Ateyda said, "Well, I did not think I would actually be doing this willingly." They brought out a white gown that faint gold trimming. 'Much better,' she thought, 'Simplicity is exactly what I want.'
She put it on, and the seamstresses began to fit it to her. She gazed into a mirror and watched as the minutes passed the dress started formed around her perfectly. When they had finished, they had tried to put another veil on her.
"No," she said pushing it away, "I do not think so. I have had enough of those." She walked over to a pillow they had set out, and picked up the white lily hairpin. Her eyes started to mist as one of the women pinned it up in her hair. She forced a smile through her sadness. Lorena would not be able to see this day. She walked up to one of the mirrors to get a full view of the dress. She glanced up near her shoulder to see two violet eyes gazing at her.
"I knew you were beautiful," he told her as he pulled her into him, "But I did not know how much you still had locked away."
She blushed and leaned back into him. Was it possible for her life to be going this well? She had lost Lorena, but she was going to marry the Pharaoh! She turned around and let her lips meet his. She had wanted to kiss him for a while. Every time she looked at him, she felt his soft, warm lips calling out to her.
They pulled apart, and Yami said, "I have to attend to some matters in the main chamber, but I will come to see you as soon as I am finished."
"Very well," she said in a fake pout as she laid her forehead against his shoulder. She let her fingertips graze up and down his chest letting them soak in his perfection. With one last kiss, he left her for the main chamber. She took off the dress, and made her way to the infirmary.
She walked through the doors to see some of her men being cared for. They looked up and greeted her. They did the best they could to salute, bow, or any other sign of respect they could manage from their injuries and being in bed. She bowed her head to them and made her way into the center of the room.
"I want to thank you all, my faithful guard," she said looking from man to man, "You served the Pharaoh well. I could not have asked for a better team of warriors. The courage and heart you showed yesterday was nothing like I had ever seen. I am deeply proud of you all."
They all bowed their heads back at her as she made her way to Lamasse's bedside. He smiled at her and tried to look like he was perfectly fine and did not have any wounds bothering him. "Good morning, Ateyda," he said propping himself up.
"Good morning, Lamasse," she said as she brought up a chair from nearby, "How are you this day? Are your injuries lessening?"
"Injuries?," he laughed, "I have had worse from rookie fighters."
"Well, I see the battle did nothing to damage your pride," she said smiling.
"Never," he replied, "As long as I draw breathe, the battle is on."
"Alright, Lamasse," she said pushing his rising form back onto the bed, "Calm yourself. You need to relax and let your wounds heal even if you do not want to acknowledge them."
"You have the heart and determination of a warrior," he said leaning back into the pillows, "Yet you still look after us in a mother's eyes. You are not going soft, are you?" An evil smile spread across his face at these words.
She playfully slapped his arm, "Alright, that's enough of that," she said pretending to be angry, "We will see how motherly I am when I knock you around the arena."
"Is that so?," he said raising an eyebrow, "We shall see. You had better be practicing. When I get out of this bed, I will be ready and waiting."
"Very well," she smiled, "I will see you then." She got up, bid her goodbyes, and walked out the door.
She walked to the arena to find it deserted. She picked up a staff, and started practicing. Before she knew it, she had begun to use all of her strength into a full practice session and was putting her heart into it. She felt all of her emotions flow out of her. With every hit she made, she imagined Kaiba taking its blow.
"You've improved since I last saw you," a voice said behind her. She turned to see a man with night black hair, and piercing moon colored eyes. His hair carelessly fell into his eyes, and he was extremely attractive.
"It can't be," she said staring at the man before her.
"It is so," he said, "It is good to see you again, sister."
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I know this chapter is short, but this was a kind of a fluff chapter to set up for chapter 14. Chapter 14 should be going up soon! Review Please!
