NOTE: Okay, first off, yes, now I shall begin bolding and making italics, due to the change in 's layout. So, in some occurrences, I won't use capitals to express emotion anymore. Also, I'm not quite sure, but I would think that the palace stored some amount of water somewhere, so that they wouldn't have to go to the Nile every day. Anyway, I need that excuse for this chapter, so play along. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Never ever gonna own Yu-Gi-Oh! Geez that was a plain one…am I losing my touch?
Chapter 14: Midnight Meetings
Teana woke up in the middle of the night with a desperate thirst. (I don't know about you, but when I need water, I can't go back to sleep until I get it.) So, Teana walked out of her chamber and turned left, towards the kitchen. This was where they stashed water from the Nile. She had just enough moonlight (that came through openings in the palace, kind of like skylights and such) to see by.
On her return, she passed by the entrance to the Pharaoh's room. She stopped for a second, confused. Hmm, that's weird, she thought, it's unguarded. She backtracked to see if anything was going on. Nothing was. All she saw was Yami sleeping peacefully, with some moonlight from the doorway shining on him. Teana stood in the doorway and leaned against the frame. She thought he looked so handsome and serene in his sleep. She just stood there for the longest time, watching him. Teana didn't know why she stayed, she just did.
Of course, she also wondered why she didn't walk further in. Her heart told her to, but her mind commanded her to stay put. As we all know, the mind usually wins. So, she stayed at the doorway.
Eventually, though, overcome with fatigue, she pulled herself away and walked back to her room.
The next night, she awoke again, in need of another drink of water. Coming back from the kitchen, she passed Yami's chamber again. Still no guards. She popped her head inside. He looked the same as the previous night: perfectly tranquil. But this time, she walked a tad inside. Of course, she only walked about three feet, when she hid beside the dresser that was next to her. Oh well, it was a start.
That next night, the same thing occurred. But this time, she walked over to his bed. That was all.
The night after, Teana walked inside. Knowing that she had made it to his divan the previous night, she walked there. But this time, she sat down on the edge of it. It was the closest she had been to him in a week (it had been a week since their lip-lock). Yami's back was turned toward her. Gently, she reached over and stroked his hair (the blond part).
She was content.
She was in love.
She sat there for quite some time, just gently stoking his hair. Suddenly, Yami stirred. Teana jerked her hand away. All he did was turn over. Now, he was facing her. But, he was still asleep.
The princess wasn't sure whether or not to stay or leave. Had she disturbed his sleep? What would he say if he saw her there?
Teana had her hand on the bed while she thought. Yami stirred again. This time, his hand moved and rested on hers. Teana stifled a gasp. But, the king's eyes were still closed. Teana breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes for a second. But now, she wasn't able to move her hand until Yami took it away. If she did, she might wake him. Then, there would be a lot of explanation to follow.
Then, Teana felt her hand squeezed. She opened her eyes and looked down. Yami's violet eyes stared up at her while he gently clutched her hand. He had a smile on his face: a smile of happiness.
Teana woke up that next morning and gleefully hopped out of her bed. She dressed and waltzed out of the room. She walked down the corridor to the dining hall for breakfast. She entered, seeing her sisters and Yami already seated.
"You're late," Isis stated.
"What kept you?" Sentis inquired.
"You never sleep late," Miaa replied.
"I-I slept in?" Teana said. No wonder. She had been up late last night. She was still a tad tired, but not much. Yami even looked a bit sleepy.
Teana had just sat down (in the empty seat on the right side of Yami ((Isis took the left seat))), when Malich rushed in with plates and a goblet, "Sire, I have some news!" Quickly, he set the place at the end of the table (where Seto usually sat) and ran over to Yami. "Sire, Seto is coming back to dine with us. He said he'll continue to eat here, unless further complications prevent him from doing so." Then, Malich ran off to see to the meal.
"Well, that was certainly out of the blue," Miaa stated.
"Yes. I wonder why he's coming back, and why he even left in the first place," Yami replied thoughtfully.
"Who cares? At least he's coming," Sentis said, without thinking. Everyone stared at her. "What? What did I say?" Her eyes widened, "Oh! I meant, yes, I wonder why he was gone for so long." The four of them still didn't stop looking at her strangely. Sentis looked down and cursed her "Ra-forsaken mouth" for uttering those words.
Seto walked out of the mages' temple, on his way to the palace. He had just decided that he had to start acting normal around Tea, so that she wouldn't grow suspicious. He was very confidential about this idea, for only Heishin knew. The rest of the mages whom had tried to get an answer out of him had ended up in nasty spells. Naoh and Mokou had stayed away from that subject with their master…at least for now.
So, the first step to start acting normal was to be around her. This could be done easily at the table. He walked up the palace steps, at least, until the two guards recognized him.
Trith turned around, "Hey! What are you doing back here?" He wasn't against Seto…much…he was just curious. Of course, we all know that curiosity killed the cat. Seto backtracked (this time on purpose) and took a good look at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Seto inquired.
Dustire, recognizing that look, quickly stepped in, "Nothing! He's just wondering why you've suddenly come back to the palace. You've been gone for a good month." Seto grabbed Trith's collar.
"You want to know why I'm back? (Whoa…irony. Song "Cause now I'm back…." music plays )" Seto glared at him.
"Well, yes," Trith squeaked.
"For that one reason or another," Seto dropped Trith. Lucky him: the guard hadn't become Seto's next ice sculpture.
"Oh, that reason," Dustire, looked down at the ground.
"Yes, that Ra-forsaken, retarded, stupid, unfair, crap of a reason!" Seto overacted, blasting off a chunk of a nearby stone pillar.
Dustire, noticing danger, slowly retreated to his original position. Trith followed suit. Now that nothing blocked Seto's path, he proceeded.
Soon, he entered the dining hall. Everyone watched him come in and seat himself opposite the Pharaoh.
"Welcome back," Miaa tried making conversation.
"Thanks," Seto replied sarcastically, not looking up.
Malich appeared a minute later with the dishes. He passed them out and walked away.
Yami looked at his mage and interrogated, "Just a question, Seto, unless it's personal, why did you leave?"
"It's…per-son-al," Seto restrained his anger. He was fed up with everyone asking him that.
"Well, um, we heard a bit of an explosion or something outside…." Yami was cut off.
"That was me, before you ask," Seto replied hastily.
"Seto, what's the matter?" Teana leaned over to get a better look at him.
He looked up briefly, just to make sure whom was speaking, "N-Nothing. Nothing is wrong."
So, the rest of the meal passed in silence, with occasional glances at Seto. Afterwards, Seto left abruptly. Yami, though, wouldn't allow it, without a small chat. He stood and ran after Seto. He reached him at the entrance to the palace. Yami caught up with him and put a hand on his shoulder (which was a tad difficult, noting that he was almost half the size of the mage). Seto turned around.
"What do you want?"
"Seto, I just want to talk."
"What about?" Seto spat out.
"I just want to know what truly is wrong. I don't believe your "nothing" story. Something's up, and I want to know what it is. Please, tell me. You know that you can tell me anything. (Yes, this was due to that reason)" Yami replied.
"Look, stop pestering me! There is nothing wrong with me! For the last time, I'M PERFECTLY OKAY! NOW, if you don't want to become my next victim, I suggest you move away. You know I don't want to hurt you, (the reason thrives!)" Seto said, threateningly.
"Fine then," Yami backed up, "We'll discuss this some other time." Then, surprisingly, he went past Seto, instead of back to the dining hall. Seto followed him, until the bottom of the front staircase, where they parted; going separate ways.
Now, whether we know this or not, Teana happened to be a snoopy character. After Yami had left the table, she quickly got up and followed, secretly, telling her sisters that she had to retrieve something from her room. This was, of course, a completely and utterly untruthful statement. Really, she hid behind a pillar and watched the two argue. Afterwards, determined to find out what Seto was really up to, she stole after him.
Little did she know that she was in for the surprise of her life.
Yami walked to the temple of the Millennium Items and secretly walked inside. Again, the torch lit, he took it and headed downstairs. (Now, this must seem very unprotected. But, actually, the guards were hidden in darkness all over the place.)
Yami tread down the staircase and eventually reached the bottom. He saw Shait in his regular corner. But, suddenly, he spun around. On seeing his lord and master, the temple guardian relaxed. These were tense time for him.
"You seem a bit early for your next inspection, my lord," Shait said.
"That's because I'm not here on inspection duties," Yami walked over to the wall that held the Millennium Items and took the Millennium Necklace from its place.
Shait smiled slightly, "So, the time has come."
"I believe so," Yami replied, eyeing his item of proposal.
"May I know the lady?" Shait inquired.
"I think you already know her. You have a way of knowing these things," Yami rebuked, pocketing the Necklace.
"Indeed. I hear you've had some interesting run-ins with her," Shait eyes him, mischievously.
Yami turned around to face him, "I have no idea what you're talking about." But, there was a falter in his voice.
"Ah yes, I figured you'd deny the truth. Go on then," Shait said, gesturing to the stairs.
"So I shall," Yami said, eyeing Shait. He walked back up the stairs. The whole way up, he wondered, how in the world does he know these things?
"Sire, the Millennium Items know all," Shait's voice carried up the shaft. Yami was taken aback at the sudden outcry. He stopped for a second. Shait had done it again.
"Oh, and my lord, you're about to step on a serpent on that next step," Shait cried up again. Yami looked down and yelped. There, indeed, was a rattler, sitting there, rattling its tail. Suddenly, a guard stepped out of the shadows and cast away the snake by means of magic. God knows where it ended up. Yami continued up, his head filled with confusion and wonder.
Seto made it back to the Mage's Temple without any interruption or problem. That is, until his most trustworthy servants greeted him at the gate.
"Hey, Seto!" Mokou cried out.
"Hi," Seto replied, still in a bad mood.
"What's up?" Naoh inquired, "Anything wrong?" Oh boy…not good…he had hit the sensitive spot.
"Anything wrong? You ask it so casually…." Seto said in separate, individual words, stressing each one. Naoh found his mistake.
"Ah! Don't kill me! It was a common greeting! No questions here! I swear! It slipped out! Honest! Even though Mokou and I are dying to know what's up, it slipped out! OW!" Naoh cried, grabbing his foot and jumping up and down. Mokou had just stepped really, REALLY hard on it. Naoh had given away their place.
"So…you really want to know what's up? What's wrong with me? Fine then! I'LL TELL YOU!" Seto heaved.
"Really?" Mokou squeaked.
Seto calmed himself, "Yes, Mokou, I'll tell you. But not here. Let's go over there," Seto pointed towards the back of the temple, where there weren't any other mages. As he led them, he muttered, "I REALLY did need to get this off my chest, besides just speaking to Heishin about it." Yes, he trusted those two with his life. There were practically like brothers to him (Oh, I wonder why? What a tuffy…). At least, they were more brothers than…other people.
The three of them rounded the corner and found themselves in a deserted area, behind the temple. The only thing there was a large obelisk that stood in the middle of the field.
Seto bent down to face them each in the eye, "Alright, look here…."
Teana stood behind a great obelisk, depicting magic and gods and goddess associated with magic. She had noticed the three mages coming down the walk. Teana just stood behind it, out of sight. Now, she couldn't escape from her hiding place. She would have to wait until they left, or she was found out. She hoped they would leave soon….
The mages rounded the corner and stopped. Seto bent down and began talking.
"Alright, look here," she heard him say, "I know this may seem as a really, I mean REALLY big shock to you…."
"Is the Apocalypse gonna come?" Mokou interrupted. Naoh laughed.
"It might…" Seto thought aloud, "Anyway, you two may not understand about this sort of…feeling, yet, but, if you really want to know what's up…."
"We want to know! We want to know! We want to--" the two started chanting. Seto covered their mouths.
"Shut it!" He lowered his hand. The two relaxed. Teana was getting impatient. This was what she had come here for. It seemed too easy…just to find out like "that" what was wrong with him. What was he going to say?
"Okay…" this was going to be really hard for the poor mage, especially with two blabbermouths, and really hyperactive kids hanging around him, "The thing is…."
Teana waited impatiently. This was it….
"I…I've been sort of clumsy lately around the palace because I…I like this certain girl there, and…." That was it. He was cut off. He should've seen this coming.
"Ah! Seto's in love! Haha!" Mokou cried out, doubling over, laughing. Naoh shared his fit of laughter, but carried on with the conversation more maturely (as he had seen the look of annoyance / embarrassment in Seto's face).
"Well, who is she?"
"Well…the princess…."
Teana stood there, her eyes widening, wondering which of her sisters was the lucky one.
"Teana."
Teana stood up straight, put her hand to her mouth and gasped. Her? Why her? What did he like about her? That's what he was all wacky about this past month? This just couldn't be true…. Sentis would kill her…not to mention, she was already in love with Yami, or so she thought. She couldn't break Seto's heart like that. That would be so…cruel. (I see a familiar sort of idea here…coming from the opposite person though….)
Naoh heard something. He walked past Seto, who looked at him strangely.
"What's the matter?" Seto inquired.
"I swear I'd just heard something…." Naoh walked around, nearing the obelisk.
Teana tensed up. Curse her. Why had she gasped so loud? Of course, it's quite easy to, when you here that someone you wouldn't expect to love anyone loves you. A green head popped behind the obelisk.
"Who the-- Who are you? You need to come with me!" Naoh said, on duty, now. Teana just stood there. Naoh was fed up, "Come, NOW!" he grabbed her arm and started tugging her. Teana pulled her own arm back. It was an old Egyptian form of tug-o'-war, I suppose. But, this is where things started to go downhill. Naoh, thinking he'd give Teana the slip, let go of her arm. In this way, he thought she would start falling back, and he could reach her just in time without any force from her side. But this was not so.
Teana slipped backwards all right; right into the stone obelisk, hitting her head sharply upon it. Darkness began to cloud her vision as her mind began to close itself.
Teana stirred and opened her eyes. Everything looked foggy. She sat up and rubbed them to make everything clear again.
"Oh good, you're awake," a voice piped up beside her.
"Ah!" Teana yelped and turned to see who had suddenly spoken.
"I'll go fetch Master Seto," Mokou got up, "He's been waiting."
"Waiting?" Teana inquired as Mokou left.
Minutes later, Seto came in. He dropped the curtain that acted as a door to give them some privacy.
"Are you well?" Seto inquired, seemingly half unconcerned.
"I don't know…all I know is that I don't remember much…." Teana said.
"Really?" Seto sat down. That could be good. If she had heard everything that he had said (which she did), maybe she forgot it.
"Except, I know a few things, names and such…like you…Seto…and…what you said before…otherwise, before that, I don't remember anything else." She looked up at him. Drat, Seto thought. This wasn't going to be easy to explain. Then again, this small case of amnesia could be used on his part. He had noticed that Yami was growing fond of Teana lately. And there was no doubt that she liked him too. So…if she didn't remember him, Seto had a very good chance at getting her.
"I see…so, you did here that…." Seto stumbled.
"Yes…I did," Teana went a tad red in the cheeks.
"Otherwise…you don't remember anything else?"
"Nope."
"Ah," Seto relaxed in his seat, "Well, you've been here for quite a time. Five hours, to be exact," Seto tried changing subjects.
"Really? What all did happen, after that kid tried pulling me out?" Teana inquired.
"Well, let's see…" this could be his chance. He could tell her how he had pretty much been there for her the whole time, and she would probably come right to him, "Well, I took you inside and laid you down. Then…oh, lets see, I fixed up a nasty looking gash on the side of your head…."
Teana slowly moved her hand up her face and felt the bandages there.
"Then, we waited."
"Really? You did all that for me? After I was sort of…spying on you…." Teana looked down at the bed.
"No harm done, at least, as long as you don't tell anyone what you heard," Seto looked at her gravely.
"Right…not a soul," Teana sighed back. Wait? Why did she just sigh? What was that? No way…that couldn't mean….
Seto held out his hand to help her out of bed, "I think you ought to have a bit of fresh air."
"Yes…yes, I think that could do me some good," she replied, taking his hand. My, his hand was warm to the touch. He led her outside. (By this time, no one was awake inside the temple to see the two…it was that late.
They walked down the steps and outside, onto the front yard. Teana took in deep breaths of the night air. But, she also noticed the dark sky.
"Is it that late, already?" she interrogated.
"Yes it is…near midnight, I believe," Seto answered. A slight breeze blew. Teana closed her eyes and took it in. Seto stared at her. She looked beautiful with the wind rustling her hair like that….
Yami walked out of the Town Square. It was near midnight and he still hadn't found Teana.
After he had returned from the Millennium Temple, Yami had searched the palace for Teana. After not being able to find her, he waited, only eating dinner during the period. It wasn't long afterwards that he began to worry, as she had been gone a considerable amount of time. He told Malich to keep watch for her at the palace, and to send a guard if she returned. Yami, meanwhile, had searched the square and the other parts of town for her.
And by now, it was almost the next day, and he still hadn't found her. He still had hopes, though, that she had returned to the palace. Maybe Malich had forgotten to send someone.
So, he began walking back toward the palace. Of course, he couldn't be sure that Teana was there. But, if she wasn't, they'd have to lead a search in the morning. Nothing could be done at this time.
On his way back, Yami noticed the Mage's Temple ahead. Yes, he had wondered if she was there, but it was a very slim chance. Not many visitors were allowed on the grounds; otherwise, nasty things could happen. So, Yami dismissed all idea of her being there. How wrong he was….
Yami was nearing the temple. But something seemed strange. Usually, by this time of night, nobody would be awake. Yet, lights emitted from the open entrance to the temple. Who was awake? Yami strode closer, and more quickly.
Suddenly, when he was about fifteen yards from the temple entrance, he saw two people walk out. Of course, they were only shadows to his vision. Yami was standing next to one of the two large obelisks that acted as posts for the beginning of the temple grounds. He barely peeked out from behind them, just to see what was going on.
Then, his eyes adjusted, and the light from the temple served him better. He saw Teana and Seto walk out.
Seto took Teana's hand. She looked up at him instantly.
"Yes?" she inquired. Seto said nothing. He just looked at her warmly. Teana reddened. Those beautiful ice-blue eyes of his were gazing into her sparkling ones. She stepped a little closer to him. Seto moved his hand up her arm, until it was nearer to her shoulder. She moved her head closer to his. He did the same. Then…they kissed.
Yami flung himself back behind, and onto the obelisk. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He had seen it all.
And now…his heart was broken.
Ouch…that ending hurt…poor Yami! Wah! How can I be so cruel? WAH! I'm SOOOO sorry for him…. But, hey, that's the way the story's gotta go.
Anywho…okay…I have a favor to ask. To anyone who has just finished reading this chapter, I'm going to take a mid-story poll (okay, I hope it's not mid-story…I hope I'm still sort of in the beginning, you know, to make it longer and everything…but I couldn't come up with a better poll title). Now, I don't care if you've reviewed before (on my story) or if you've never reviewed! I would like to know which of these chapters (1-14) is your favorite. I don't care if I wrote this chapter (14) two weeks ago, and you're just reading it now! I would like to know, at any time! So, please take this poll (on the review thingy) and you can review too, while you're at it!
