Thank you once again everyone for your reviews! Really appreciate it! Oh and Yuelover, I know what ya mean when there should be Yami/Tea moments. Its like they're left out, lol. But this story basically surrounds Seto and Asha but don't worry, Yami and Tea will have their moment, but not until later on. Well I have the next part and it is LONG folks! There is some Seto/Asha lemon, but its fairly minor. Also there is blood in this as well. Anyway hope you all enjoy!
* * *
Asha was laughing playfully as she kept wiggling out of Seto's hold, dancing away from his hands as she smiled at the High Priest. They had taken their time getting back to their room, as Seto attempted to pull Asha to him, always being close, yet never quite capturing the beautiful little pixie.
Asha glanced over her shoulder, throwing him the most seductive look Setohad ever seen. His mouth went completely dry as Asha slowly strolled over to the paralysed High Priest, running her fingers over his chest.
"Coming Seto?" she asked softly, her eyes shimmering with innocence.
Seto cursed under his breath as Asha laughed at him, the sound so coy and filled with promise that Seto groaned as he pinned Asha to the wall, not caring who saw them. His lips sought out Asha's but the young slave turned her head, denying his request. Seto growled softly in frustration as he turned Asha's face toward him.
He gave her a gentle kiss as Asha made an attempt to move, but her arms were being held at her sides by Seto's strong grip.
"Holding me captive Seto?" she smirked as her mouth met with Seto's neck, gently sucking on his Adam's apple.
The High Priest's eyes all but rolled in the back of his skull as he moaned softly and leaned in closer as he began trailing kisses down Asha's supple neck, stopping only momentarily to speak. "Only because you want me to."
The High Priest honestly wanted to do more, but even though they were pretty much alone, outside in a narrow hallway just wasn't a good place to be doing what he was shortly going to do to Asha. He let out a small gasp as a certain mixed-eyed tease became more forceful.
"I believe you're forgetting your place my Light…" he muttered in between kisses.
"My place is by your side" the black and bluehead responded, her voice growing deeper. "Or in various other positions."
Seto almost gasped at how direct she was being. Taking this perfect opportunity, Asha slipped from Seto's grasp, slowly making her way over to their room. Seto could only stare after her, his eyes captured by the tempting little Light that had his heart racing madly. As if in a trance, he followed her, allowing Asha to hold onto his hand as she lead him through the door. The gentle contact was sending Seto's mind through the ringer as he fought the urge to tackle her down and ravish her wildly.
That could always wait till he was inside the room.
Maybe…
As soon as they were both safely inside, Asha mischievously pushed Seto back on the bed, crawling up so she straddled the older boy's waist. The oddly seductive smiles he wore never leaving her beautiful face.
"What has gotten into you?" Seto asked as he leaned up, pressing his lips against Asha's. The girl broke away just as Seto was getting into it, leaving him almost sobbing for more.
Asha chuckled at that statement, biting her tongue as she slowly pressed hot little kisses all over Seto's clothed chest. The High Priest could feel them through the thick material and he hissed, trying to rid himself of the clothing. Asha tisked slightly as she took Seto's hands in hers, kissing them once before pinning them firmly above his head.
"We're going to play a little game…" she smirked as she kissed Seto quickly. The High Priest's eyes were glittering like brilliant sapphires as he allowed Asha to continue. Having his little Light so domineering was so… so unbelievably sexy… Seto found himself wondering just what she had in mind.
"The game is called 'look but do not touch'. If you touch me, you lose and you will be punished" Asha smiled, accentuating the last word with a nip on his neck. Seto gasped as he moaned loudly, his eyes fluttering shut once again. His skin was burning at a maddening pace and the carnal part of his brain was slowly fogging over his rational part.
Asha started the game as she leisurely began to peel Seto out of his clothing, watching in amusement as the High Priest shivered uncontrollably. Asha smirked to herself as she brought her lips down, instantly sucking on Seto's chest. The High Priest arched as the burning little mouth began its gentle assault on his flesh. His hands wrapped around the sheets, trying with all his will power to not reach out and crush their bodies together.
But she was going so slowly…
By the time Asha had effectively stripped Seto, the High Priest was all but crying as Asha's soft fingers began caressing his moist chest. Fingertips casually brushed by a nipple as Seto cried out, his neck bending painfully. Asha sat back a little, breathing in awe at how beautiful the High Priest looked. She didn't think Seto truly knew just how spectacular he truly was…
But in the throws of passion, Seto really did resemble Ra. His tanned skin shone like caramel and his eyes became hazy and clouded… Asha shivered just thinking about it… but she was brought back from her thoughts as Seto whimpered a little.
She gave another teasing smile as she leaned down, kissing him heatedly as her fingers slowly began making their way down the High Priest's body. Much to Seto's disappointment, Asha broke their kiss, slowly trailing her mouth downward, stopping at his bellybutton as she kissed the taunt belly.
"Asha…" he hissed out as the slave ignored what Seto wanted her to do and brought her mouth back up to his. 'To be so close to you and not be able to touch you is pure torture…'
"Yes Seto?" she asked harmlessly and with the slowest possible movement, began to remove the silvery blue fabric on her chest and sexily tossed it to the floor before removing her skirt. Seto was growling now, wanting Asha's lips back. He hadn't drunk his fill of that mouth just yet and was craving the embrace like he craved oxygen.
It was only when Asha rested her now naked and utterly beautiful body down on Seto, did the High Priest snap. Without even thinking, he had grabbed the girl, crushing his mouth to hers and he pinned her down possessively, devouring the stunning slave hungrily. Her skin felt glorious against his own at that moment and the only time he could remember wanting Asha this urgently was when he had first laid eyes on the pretty little creature so many moons ago.
His questing hands cupped Asha's delicate face, kissing the porcelain skin ravenously as he licked at her bottom lip, diving back into that mouth. Asha broke the wonderful contact as she kissed Seto's neck, grinding herself up onto her lover. That was it. Seto had melted as Asha's lips made their way up to his ear and she whispered "You lose Seto…"
The words hardly penetrated Seto's brain and the fact he had lost at something didn't even occur. All he could remotely focus on was his mouth, that perfect and delicious mouth that he wanted to kiss again madly.
"Then I guess you're going to have to punish me now…" he smirked. And if Asha's punishment were anything like his own had been, Seto was in for a great deal of pleasure…
"I already have" Asha stated as she rolled over, pinning Seto to the sheets. Kissing him once again, she pulled back abruptly, hopping off the bed as she made her way into the bathing room. Seto's eyes went wide as it registered that the warm little body he had been holding so fiercely in his grasp was now gone. His entire body felt cold, even though it was blazing hot…
Never had he been brought into the warm hands of passion like this and so rudely left alone… Seto's eyes narrowed at the faint yet distinct sound of Asha laughing at him. He winced, sitting up as he walked over to his Light who was gently splashing some water on his face. She was so amazingly beautiful… never would Seto lay eyes upon something so perfect and pure as Asha.
He walked over to his Light, wrapping his arms around him securely as he pulled her closer, rubbing himself against the small body.
"Would you like something Seto?" she asked with all the innocence that would accompany a child of two, not a teenager of seventeen.
Seto stared into her eyes for a long while as his heart began to thump in his chest. No one had ever made him feel this way- warm, malleable like clay and moulded into all and everything within his lover's embrace. A little chuckle was heard as Seto looked down at her.
"I told you I would get you back for earlier."
The High Priest stood slack jawed as Asha, who decided to take pity on him, leaned up and brought their mouths back into that blissful embrace that Seto moaned at. The High Priest luxuriated in the sensations of lips caressing his mouth and the intermingling of breath like an exchange of souls. He bared his throat to kisses- submissive kisses- revelling in the thrill of the unknown.
When was he ever submissive other than beneath this mouth and within these arms?
He groaned, shifting beneath the smaller body as he pressed Asha to the wall, pulling her closer to his own chest. His hands moved over Asha, resembling a blind man trying to 'see' a sculpture; and truly Asha was a work of art. His Light was strong and lean like a tightly wound bow; yet as delicately wrought as a dragonfly wing; with skin like silk and a dancers grace.
Compact muscles bunched and trembled with pent up desire longing for release, fuelled by the intoxicating feel of Asha's mouth moving on his own. She was beautiful and she was dangerous and she belonged to Seto.
He tore his mouth from Asha's, flickering his tongue over the full lips as they parted and thus prolonging the kiss, but Seto was forced to throw back his head as his body arched against the jolts Asha was sending through him.
'I want more', Seto thought as he pulled the girl from the wall, bringing her back to the bed. He pressed his body against Asha's, moaning at the heavenly contact.
He moved his body, sending the message without speaking the words. Asha obliged and Seto felt the shoulders beneath his hands unknotting as momentum increased. A hint of desperation began to creep into Seto's actions and that desperation increased his desire tenfold. He bit Asha's lip and raised his head to meet his lover's kisses once again. He breathed a soft moan into his Light's moist mouth as Asha wrapped her arms around him, urging him to go on.
They both moved in perfect synchronization, the familiar feelings engulfing them both, as neither teen showed any restraint. When Asha dug her fingers deep into the flesh of Seto's shoulders and locked her legs around his body to pull it tight against her own, Seto lost coherency. He plunged into that godly little body, taking and giving his beautiful little slave everything he could possibly offer.
Asha was screaming under him in the fit of passion, her irresistible little neck thrashing around madly as Seto claimed her lips, allowing his tongue to glide across smooth teeth. Seto felt as if their bones were grinding together and surely they would either fuse or shatter under the strain. The pleasure grew; spreading to every muscle and every nerve until Seto felt as if he would scream. When a tender little hand caressed his cheek, Seto could have sworn he had died.
Neither teen could work their mouths well enough to form any kind of words as they collapsed on one another, exhausted and pleasantly sated. Seto had his arms around Asha instantaneously as the small body that he had almost violently pounded into curled next to him, tucking her head safely under his chin.
And the haze of pleasure lasted longer for Seto than he had ever remembered. His skin was buzzing electrically and his eyes were blurry. His head was pleasantly airy and his senses were heightened to the tenth degree. He kissed Asha's slumbering face as he smiled brightly, pulling her closer to his weakened body. He doubted he would be able to lift a piece of paper in the state he was in now.
'Do you know how wonderful you are?' he mentally asked Asha, once again kissing her soft cheek. 'I can't seem to get you out of my head and it's driving me crazy'.
* * *
Asha was happily cuddled up to Asha's body as she sat down in the throne room with him, watching his face in amazement as he judged the people before him. She loved watching Seto like this. His eyes were so clear that you could read everything thought passing through his head and his face was set in the most spectacular manner. So proud… noble…
An arm tightened against her waist as Seto half smiled at her. Yami wasn't here for he was having an improtant private meeting up on the fifth floor and left Seto in charge if the decisions of judging the people. Bakura had a rather silly smile on his face and Malik was nowhere to be seen. In fact, Malik wouldn't be out of his room for at least another day, still accompanied by the beautiful blonde he had become addicted to.
Goleo, sitting directly in front of Seto on the opposite side of the throne room, began listing off the crimes of the new person that was being brought before them. As soon as the chained prisoner was brought into the light of the room, Asha had to stifle a gasp. Asha's eyes drank in the sight before her as her heart began beating thunderously. She began to tremble slightly as she fought back tears.
'Jono…' her heart exploded as the blonde's eyes fell upon the young girl seated in the High Priest's lap.
"Asha…" he whispered, his body freezing. Their gazes were trapped on each other, something that Bakura had noticed through the corner of his eye.
Asha began to panic as she practically heard what Seto was going to say. No! her mind screamed as she tried to think of anything that would help him.
"Very well" Seto spoke clearly as he pulled Asha closer, noticing her slight tremors. "His sentence is…" he was almost immediately cut off as Asha's feather light kisses pressed against his neck. "His punishment is…" he tried again, but Asha's little mouth was rendering him disjointed. His mind began to tumble into ecstasy as slender fingers trailed playfully over his back.
"Come on Seto, let's get out of here" Asha breathily muttered in his ear as the High Priest nodded.
"Place him in the prison, I'll deal with him tomorrow…" Seto spoke quickly, a large guard bowing as he gripped the chains around Jono's arms and neck.
"Actually, leave him right there" Bakura spoke up. Seto turned to his friend with a raised eyebrow.
"Bakura... I never knew you went that way..." he said in a slight amused tone. Bakura rolled his eyes.
"Yes Seto... I do... of course I don't! But I request your permission to take him to my chambers. There are somethings I would like to know from him personally…" Bakura said. He didn't kow much about Jono, but from his time spent with Serena he knew it was her brother.
"Very well Bakura" Seto nodded. "Guard, send him to the Emperor's chamber."
"A thousand thanks High Priest" Bakura bowed respectfully as his gaze locked with Asha's. He knew something was up with his newly acquired pet's brother and the High Priest's treasure. Asha sent a pleading look over in Bakura's direction and silently thanked him.
Yet the blonde prisoner growled under his breath as he saw the notorious High Priest pick up Asha, wrapping her up in his deadly arms.
'Don't touch her!' his mind screamed at the dark Priest.
Seto had looked over the bound young man once again, trying to peg where he had seen his face. He could have sworn he knew who he was, yet nothing was coming to him.
'No matter', he shrugged as he brought his lips down on Asha's forehead.
The High Priest slowly made it back to their room, simply enjoying the feel of Asha in his arms. But, something was wrong. He could sense it rolling off his lover in waves.
"What's wrong?" he inquired, nuzzling her neck playfully in an attempt to get her to smile.
"Nothing" she whispered as she turned her eyes away from Seto. There were times when the smaller teen could have sworn the High Priest was reading her mind, gazing deeply into her eyes and picking thought after thought from her brain.
By Ra, she did not want Seto seeing a single thing she was thinking about now… The High Priest stopped walking suddenly, causing Asha to squirm a little uncomfortably in his grasp.
"Asha what's wrong?" he asked, placing his Light on the floor.
"I'm just feeling a little ill all of a sudden" she spoke, a half-truth. Horrid memories of the last time his lover was sick involuntarily pushed their way back into Seto's mind as the High Priest roughly shook his brain free from those images.
"Do you…" he began.
"No, I'll be all right. I just want to get a little air. I'll be back soon, I promise."
Seto wouldn't quell the sense of deep foreboding that lingered in the pit of his stomach as he watched Asha's slender form disappear. Thoughts of using his magic to penetrate his lover's thoughts occurred to him, but he had sworn to himself a while ago he would never intrude on Asha's thoughts that way. If there were something wrong, Asha would tell him as soon as she felt comfortable enough with it. No need to worry…
No need to worry at all… right?
* * *
"Jono!" Asha cried happily as she threw herself into her best friends' arms, squeezing his muscular body close as the blonde wrapped his arms around her tightly. She hadn't seen him in so long…
"Asha!" he choked as he inhaled the sweet smell of the teen that had her slender legs wrapped around him. He had never been happier to see the girl in all his life. His emotions pouring from his body as he grabbed her face, pulling her into a heated kiss.
Asha responded wholeheartedly, conveying more feelings into that one gesture, than she had ever done in her entire life. The embrace deepened as the blonde pulled Asha's head closer to his face, trying to taste every inch of her. Arms snaked around torsos as breaths came in quick pants, desire building quickly between the duo.
Bakura was outside; his hand flat across the door as the familiar glow encased the thick wood. He could feel his heart shattering at what he was seeing, via the help of his magic. He saw the well built blonde brother of the girl he came to crave pin the High Priest's lover to a stonewall before both broke apart, inhaling shakily. Oh when Seto finds out... all will be doomed...
The blonde gently brushed his nose across the smaller girl's as a luminescent smile broke out on Asha's face. Another kiss, softer this time was exchanged as Asha and Jono's arms hugged each other again.
"I've missed you so much…" Asha's watering eyes trembled as she began crying. Jono brought his hand up, wiping away each tear as he placed a kiss on both her eyelids.
"Asha, I have to tell you something…"
And that's where Bakura stopped. All he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat ringing through his ears as he blindly pushed himself away, sailing down the hall at breakneck speed. He couldn't hear anymore... maybe the boy won't say it... maybe it was something different... but if the boy was going to say it and he had heard it... oh would his best friend's heart be crushed...
The moon had begun to rise in the night sky as two bodies propelled themselves down the castle walls, one, a gorgeous blonde temptation and the other, what many began referring to as the Light of Egypt.
Bakura has crashed into Seto as he went sailing, cursing a million and a half insults at the High Priest as he collapsed against his chest.
"What's wrong Bakura?" Seto had asked, concerned for his friend and worried over where Asha had gone.
The white haired Emperor was unable to speak. His mouth shut firmly as his lips pulled into the bitterest expression. Lightly touching the HIgh Priest's forehead, Bakura showed Seto what he had witnessed, replaying everything at the slowest speed imaginable.
"You lie!" Seto hissed; throwing his friend into the wall that was next to him as soon as Bakura had pulled his hand away, unable to watch it again. But seeing the completely desolated look etched into Bakura's pretty face, Seto swallowed hard. No… his friend would never make up something like this… but Asha… Ra no…
Jealousy and rage began bubbling through his blood as Seto's eyes hardened, his face growing cold. He was going to find them and bring them back. What he was going to do to either of them, he had no idea. At least not yet.
Shutting his eyes firmly, Seto used his powers to quickly locate Asha. His little Light was darting across Egypt, her legs running so quickly she was a blur. The blonde teen was running next to her, making sure Asha was in his sight at all times.
"Assemble my guards.. and Bakura, notify Yami on where I am and why" Seto ordered as he stormed out of the palace, electricity was crackling around him as people moved out of his way cautiously. He was mad…
No, he was beyond mad. He was furious. He was scalding. He felt betrayed and hurt at Asha's actions and above everything he was confused. Seto never liked being confused.
'Why would she do this to me?' he had asked himself at least a million times in the span of a minute.
The little glowing demon he had chasing Asha's scent suddenly shrieked as it stopped in front of a simple looking home, dissolving with a bone chilling cry as the Shadow Realm reclaimed it. They were here.
Pushing open the door, Seto saw Asha curled up in a tight ball, the blonde's arms around her as his Light sobbed hysterically. There was a bed next to them and a pale older woman was lying completely still. Her eyes were shut firmly; the fact she was dead was shockingly obvious.
"Asha" his voice was stone cold, his hand shaking as his Sennen Rod's eye glowed. He wanted the blonde away from his Light this instant…
Misty mixed eyes peered up timidly from Jono's protective embrace, as her eyes shut slowly.
"Seto…" she barely had time to recover as the High Priest lunged forward, ripping Jono away from Asha and throwing him to a wall. A dagger was pressed into his neck as the slave jumped up, sobbing as she darted forward.
"Seto stop!" she desperately clung to her lover's arm trying to get him to remove the weapon.
"What is the meaning of this Asha?" he asked with a deadly gleam to his words. His cold sapphire eyes that were slowly turning blood red hadn't left the blonde's at all. He was glaring daggers at him as he pressed the blade closer, wanted to rip his head off and stab him repeatedly. He wanted to get this frustration vented out before he did something rash.
"Seto please stop" Asha cried as she daringly wrapped her arms around the HIhg Priest's waist, pressing her head against his back. As Seto eased up on the blonde, Asha moved over to him, taking him in her arms as she cried a little more.
"Get out of here now" the blonde hissed as he pulled the sobbing girl closer to him. "Leave before I throw you out."
Seto's rage and hatred for the male exploded. "Just who in Ra's name do you think you are?" he spat, once again pulling Asha from him. He didn't like the way they fit together, the completely at ease expression they both bore while holding and clutching onto each other.
"Stop it!" Asha screamed as she wrenched her arm from Seto's hold. Tears were flowing down her cheeks so fast Asha's vision was completely blurred.
"You're coming with me Asha" Seto ordered.
"Over my dead body" the blonde boy growled.
"That can be arranged!" Seto barked as Asha's head thrashed back and forth, her slender fingers balled into tight fists. In her frustration she brought her hand back and slapped Seto across the face, making the High Priest stop his death glares at the other boy and snapped his head to Asha, a red mark now on his cheek and his eyes wide with surprise.
"Seto please! This doesn't concern you!" she was trembling and shaking as she collapsed gracefully, allowing Jono to catch her.
"This concerns you and what concerns you concerns me!" he was fighting to keep his anger back, but was failing miserably. "Now tell me! What is going on here?"
"Her grandmother just died" Jono whispered brokenly as his eyes shifted to the bed before falling back on the teen that was crying. Seto froze; his heart aching as everything dawned on him.
"You're coming with me" he muttered as he gripped Asha's wrist, hauling her up and into his arms as the girl curled up and continued sobbing, her fingers clutching onto the fabric of Seto's shirt.
A guard had made his way in, binding Jono's arms in back of his body, fastening them tightly as he hissed through clenched teeth as his shoulder was practically torn apart.
The march back to the palace was something Seto would have rather never happened, but all the same, something that did. He had Jono thrown in the prison cell, his arms and legs shackled securely to a wall. He would deal with him in the morning. That he was sure of.
Yet he had no idea what to do to Asha. A part of him wanted to bring the girl back to their room and let her cry while holding her closely to his chest and whispering soft words to her, while the other part hissed and demanded he throw her in jail. She had after all broken several laws tonight.
Walking numbly back to his chamber, he still had Asha tight in his grasp. He sat down in their large bed, placing Asha on one side as he rolled over, staring at her back. Never had he felt so distant from the girl… even though they were within arm's reach, he might as well have been on another planet.
* * *
Devlin was back the next day. Upon hearing what had happened from the monsters in the Shadow Realm, he had immediately transported himself back, waiting to see how everything turned out. And of course, he would try to push things in the direction he wanted them too…
Though, when he entered the throne room, he saw a shocking sight. Asha was kneeling with a blonde before Yami, her eyes empty. The Pharaoh looked very grim as he sat upon his throne. HE truly did not want to do his trial... yet if he didn't just for the fact he cared for Asha as a friend, then the people might revolt. Teana was seated beside him. A few weeks ago it was known that soon the Pharaoh was going to bestow her as his wife, in which she wholeheartedly accepted... but right now her face expression showed pure fear and devastation... The High Priest, who was standing on the other side of Yami looked so hollow; it was a miracle he hadn't broken apart. Oh, Devlin was shivering at how perfect this all was.
"Yami!" his booming voice echoed in the majestic hall. Asha instantly shuddered as he approached, standing a little too close for her liking. Bakura, who was also in the room, had this worn expression on his delicate face as his eyes squeezed shut. Yet this was a trial now. No matter how much he liked Asha or how badly he wanted to help Serena's brother Jono, he had to be objective…
"Devlin, you're just in time" Yami spoke in his powerful voice. Seto, meanwhile, was fighting back the urge to scream.
"So, you're finally ridding yourself of this slave" Devlin smirked at Seto as he kicked Asha sharply in the stomach. Seto's fist clenched really hard as his eyes narrowed. "A good thing at that, she was making you weak."
"Since when has emotion been a weakness?" Malik suddenly spoke out as he appeared at the door of the room. His arms were crossed defiantly as he looked at the situation before him. This didn't look good at all. He made his way over to his position in the circle, quickly scanning the list of charges. Oh, this definitely wasn't good.
"Since these emotions as you so call it, have been clouding his judgment" Devlin snapped casually. "He has allowed her to get away with far too much already! Just look at her. She was allowed in the sacred throne room, she shows disrespect by calling you by your first name instead of what you truly are; her master. She breaks our Pharaoh's laws, yet you Seto let her free, while others who have done far less are persecuted. She's broken every rule of being a servant… by Ra, she isn't even that! She's a pleasure slave Seto, the lowest and most disgusting form of creature placed upon this earth!"
"Think to yourself my Pharaoh, she speaks out of turn; she defiantly tells the High Priest otherwise. And Seto! She's denied you her body when that's the only thing she's there for in the first place. She escaped from the palace and not only that, but broke your own law… she allowed another to touch her."
"That's not true" Asha spoke up, her face pulled tightly.
"Silence!" Devlin hollered as he slapped Asha. Seto jumped a little.
"That's enough Devlin!" Yami commanded regally. Yes this was a trial and all, but there was no right to slap and beat around the accused at this moment.
Asha looked up at her lover, her eyes saddened before glancing at Yami. "Please Pharaoh Yami, this isn't Jono's fault" she began.
"Asha!" the other prisoner interrupted.
"Jono stop!" Asha demanded. "Please, this isn't his fault… he only did this so he could tell me about my grandmother. Please don't hurt him for that."
"You're in no position to be making demands peasant!" Devlin hissed as he walked over to her, fully about to inflict another blow. But his body froze as Seto's eyes shone. Even in a time like this, he was still protecting the slave.
Very slowly, Seto moved away from his place by Yami's throne, walking down to Asha as he knelt before her, taking her face in his hands. He was being so gentle… so caring… he looked absolutely miserable. There were lines on his face Asha hadn't remembered seeing before.
"Asha…" his voice was low enough so only she heard. "Please… by Ra tell me he tried to force himself on you… that he kidnapped you and forced you to leave…" he pleaded as he pulled her to himself, his breath hitting her slender back as he inhaled her smell sharply. 'Please Ra…'
If Asha confirmed that, he would believe her… he could convince himself to believe her and also convince Yami so they could go on as if nothing had happened. If the little Light would have told Seto the sky was pink, he would have accepted it… he could have accepted it wholeheartedly.
But Asha shook her head. "No… I wanted to go… I left… please Seto, I've never asked you for anything before… just please, please don't hurt him…" her voice was broken and she was pleading with every ounce of feeling she had in her body. There was something driving those words…
Love… Asha was in love with him. That's why she wanted him safe even if it meant she would surely die…
Seto knew that feeling better than any one now…
The High Priest's heart deteriorated. His body felt heavy and weighted down as he pulled himself apart from the beautiful girl. Looking deep into her eyes, he saw that undying love, that bright beacon that drown out his fear and gave him the courage to go through with this.
Seto bit his lip to keep it from trembling. No… by Ra NO! "Very well…" he choked as he turned his eyes away from the awesomely beautiful sight. His legs were weak as he stood and he mustered up all the strength he possessed to simply walk back up without falling.
"Remember Seto" Devlin's voice slid past his ears. "You can't change something just because you happen to like the person."
"I'm well aware of that Devlin" he muttered, squeezing his eyes shut. He turned to Yami. Yami, who understood it all nodded and spoke.
"Asha has decided to take Jono's punishment as well. For her disobedience to the High Priest, there will be fifty lashes. Jono's punishment for breaking his law is death. Asha has chosen to accept that on her behalf as well."
Looking at Bakura and Malik, Devlin smirked. All he needed was one of the two's approval and then he would be set… Seto couldn't make a call in the decision for this was a more serious trial that rulers had to decide... Malik would have absolutely no part in this as he firmly turned his head away. Slinking over to Bakura, Devlin chuckled in his ear "She loves him you know… they love each other. If you just let the boy die, you'll never get his sister in bed."
Bakura visibly shook. There was a pulling sensation in his stomach that was yanking him apart… and it hurt, oh, by Ra it hurt worse than anything he had ever felt…
"I second this judgment" he whispered softly, his eyes downcast.
"Then by the end of this week, I shall have carried out the final stage. You, Asha are to die and you, Jono are to be imprisoned until the trial is over. Take them away!" Yami ordered the guards as they bowed and began pulling the two away.
There was a silence that hung heavily in the room. Yami was completely silent as he comforted a crying Teana. Seto was completely numb and Bakura wasn't far from it. Devlin had a cocky smile on his face, he, being the only one that was satisfied with what had happened.
'So soon little Asha… I'll have you and you will be mine once and for all! '
Walking out of the room with a small smile on his face, Devlin allowed the doors to slam shut. Malik, as soon as the black haired one left, stood up; rage marring his beautiful face.
"What in the name of Ra just happened here? Have you two gone insane?" he yelled, his voice rumbling the floor as he glared at Seto and Bakura. He could not blame Yami for he understood his position, being Pharaoh, but the other two... "Have you gone mad Seto? That was Asha you just allowed to be ordered dead! And you Bakura" he turned to the white haired Emperor that looked miserable, "what has gotten into you? She was our friend!"
"Yet she broke the law" Seto spoke up, his voice so empty, a ghost of it's former self.
"Oh silence!" Malik hissed, his eyes glowing indigo. "Do you have any idea what you have just done? Do you?" Oh, Seto was fully aware of what he had just allowed to be done… and he had never felt so scared in all his life.
"I'm leaving and by Ra you two had better straighten things out or else there will be hell to pay!"
Leaving the two alone, along with Yami who left with a still hysterical Teana, the gravity of what had just happened fully hit the other two.
"Asha" Seto had garbled, placing his face in his hands, his eyes itching terribly. "I'm so sorry…"
* * *
"Forty-Nine" Devlin counted off as Asha bit her lip. "Fifty." As soon as the last blow was delivered, the girl was released from the shackles and she fell to the ground limply. Her back was burning, scorching with a fire that cut so much deeper that the whip had.
Devlin had stepped behind her, picking her up by the hair as he slammed her back into a wall. A soundless scream vibrated through her throat as she whimpered, Devlin's gruff hands roamed all over her now uncovered chest. Asha had to swallow down the bile to keep from throwing up.
"Oh Asha… you are so beautiful…" he breathed in, bringing his face close to the girl's as he inhaled the scent of his blood. It was intoxicating… "I thought you were beautiful naturally, but when you're in pain, by Ra Asha you're exquisite… I want to see you like that for the rest of my life" he hissed, bringing his lips down on her own, smirking as the girl squirmed.
"You will join me in my chambers tonight…" he hissed licking away a little trail of the deep ruby blood. Delicious… she was still delicious…
"No…" Asha groaned pathetically. "Please no…"
"You will be mine tonight little Asha…" Devlin moaned as he pressed his hands against her chest, allowing his fingers to roam over the still smooth and supple flesh. He was going to enjoy this far more than the first time… he would make it common knowledge that he would be with Asha, adding the final peg in the High Priest's heart.
Throwing her to the floor like a broken doll, Devlin stepped over her, ordering a guard to have her sent to his room. He would return to his delectable slender treat in due time.
* * *
The week had gone at a snails pace as Seto wallowed. Today was the day Asha was sentenced to be executed… a part of him died at the thought. For the last few days, all he had been able to hear were Asha's blood chilling screams from two floors below. Devlin had taken her to his bed and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it now. She wasn't his anymore… she was anyone's game.
The thoughts of what Devlin was doing to his beautiful slave hurt him, it tortured his broken soul and tore him from the inside. He wanted to storm into his chamber and kill the damn Emperor, who was also an Executioner, for even daring to lay a hand on her.
But there was nothing. He felt nothing. He was an example of a dead man walking. He felt a year's worth of effort, a year's worth of joy, blow away with a simple gust of wind. Yet he could find no one to blame. He tried pinning it all on himself, so he could at least feel guilt, remorse, but no, he couldn't.
Asha? Ra no. He couldn't blame a single thing on her. She was in love with her best friend. Everything she did, she did out of love and concern. A love so pure and perfect it chilled him simply thinking about it.
Jono…? Could he blame the person that had stolen Asha's heart? The one that had cared for his Light's ailing grandmother and had taken his Light away from him? Could he blame the drop dead gorgeous creature that was chained up in the dungeon, waiting for his love to die?
Yes.
He could…
Storming down to the lowest level of his palace, Seto blew past a guard as he marched majestically toward Jono. The blonde had his head down, his back arched uncomfortably in the chains.
"Comfortable?" he hissed as he threw open the door, storming in.
"No" he replied just as icily. "Got anything in a suite?"
Seto backhanded him. He looked at Jono, his eyes raking over the body. Seto had noticed, from the first moment he saw the duo together, that he palled in comparison to this creature. The prisoner was tall and lean, yet muscular and strong. He was quite possibly one of the finest looking men his eyes had ever come upon.
"Your sister were the one in my room" he suddenly recalled.
"I'm honored you remembered" Jono snapped and was slapped again.
"Shut up" Seto commanded; his fist balling.
"So, you're here to beat the defenseless prisoner. How noble of you" he laughed sourly. "I never knew what Asha saw in you… you're despicable." The punch Seto threw connected sharply with Jono's chin as his face smashed against the side of the wall. It still didn't stop him from talking. "That's it, take out your rage on me while you let Asha die for something she didn't do!"
"Shut up!" Seto barked again, another bone shattering punch. Jono just spat out the blood that was in his mouth.
"And to think she called you human…" Jono spat as Seto backhanded him again. "You're just a miserable excuse for a person that takes great pleasure in other people's pain! You could never be human because you'll never understand the meaning of the word! You never deserved Asha!"
Seto had snapped. He pulled his fist back and punched Jono roughly in the face. Blood splattered the side of the wall as Seto pulled away, shaking beyond Jono's wildest beliefs. The blonde only coughed at the blood that was now trickling out of his mouth. He smiled maliciously.
Seto's rage was boiling, his temper completely shot as he felt the most overwhelming urge to kill him. He wanted to kick and stab and mutilate the blonde's body before him.
And since Seto couldn't speak through his rage, Jono kept going. Everything he said pegged another dart in Seto's soul, ripping it to shreds. He couldn't find his voice to tell the blonde to shut up and he was too emotionally drained to hit him again.
"And now she's going to die because of you!" Jono screamed, shaking the High Priest from his thoughts. "You put up that stupid law and now because of your actions Asha's going to die!" Jono's tone faltered as he cried, his voice practically disappearing. "Do you have any idea how much I love her? She's the only person I've ever cared about and you're taking her away from me…"
Seto suddenly laughed a bitter and resentful laugh. "Taking her away from you? Taking her away from you?! For that to happen, she would have had to leave you in the first place! Do you have any idea what if feels like to care for someone and know that they could never be yours? Do you have any concept of the pain I'm going through right now?" Seto barked as he grabbed the older teen by the hair, pulling him toward his face.
"Why have you been working so hard to keep us apart?" the blonde asked, dangerously calm.
"Because you're what she wants…" Seto whispered brokenly, as he felt his heart shatter as he finally said what his brain had been trying to repress.
Jono's eyes flickered away. "And you suddenly care what Asha wants?" a bitter laugh. "What is she to you?"
There were a thousand things Seto could have said in response. Many of them he had wanted to say since the day he'd met Asha. Many of them he had already said: you are the only friend I've ever had; the most beautiful person I've ever seen; and there was the thing he longed to say but didn't feel he dared:
'You are one of only two people in my life I've ever truly loved with all my heart.'
"A kindred spirit" Seto whispered, looking away from the gorgeous blonde. How could he expect this peasant to understand what he was feeling? For the first time in his life, Seto was experiencing the pangs of love; that all-consuming fire that burned through his veins like poison. He loved Asha with all his heart, yet he was condemning her to death.
It was Jono's turn to laugh sardonically. "By Ra…" he hissed, "You're in love with her aren't you?"
Seto could feel his world cave in under him. His last wall had been violently shoved down on him, forcing him to face reality. Jono knew. His rival for the condemned slave's heart knew his innermost secret. The one thing he wanted no one to ever figure out.
"It doesn't matter what I feel" he muttered in reply, his voice going low.
Jono growled. "So, that's how you work. You'll just use her then throw her away. How humane of you."
"Hold your tongue!" Seto snapped, suddenly tired of the blonde's voice. "Do not speak about that which you have no idea!" his eyes were blaring, a true indication of just how mad he was. Jono looked up into those sparkling sapphires and glared.
"You really are a monster," was all he said, as he pressed back into the chains. "You're nothing but a heartless, cruel bastard."
And Seto couldn't counter, because he knew it was the truth. In a few minutes, he really was going to be the ruthless creature he had previously been. Because if Asha died, Seto really would be the heartless demon that everyone believed him to be… because Asha was his heart.
His voice was low, almost so low he barely heard himself. "Say all you want Jono, but nothing can hurt me right now. I've been stripped of that pleasantry" as he spoke these soft words, he looked up at Asha's friend. "I love her Jono. I love her with everything I could possibly possess and still that means nothing… it's all for nothing, because her heart belongs to you and I can't do a damn thing about it."
Jono laughed sourly again. The sound was still strange coming out of the prisoner. "Asha loving me… I could only be so fortunate. No, no she doesn't love me at all Seto. She can't love me because she's too blinded by you" his voice was so bitter and resentful Seto could feel every word puncture his chest, emphasizing the heart wrenching pain the blonde was experiencing. "And if you had only listened to her for one second you would have been able to realize that."
Seto trembled slightly as he closed his eyes, finding the picture of the beautiful slave imprinted on his eyelids. His heart was palpitating again, his pulse going erratic at his words. Just the thought of Asha loving him empowered his worn soul.
"You think I have no idea what you're feeling, guess again. I'm the one that has the right to feel what I do. But like you said, it's all for nothing because I can't have her and in a few minutes, neither will you. Get away from me High Priest. The damned are growing weary of this song and dance."
Jono coldly turned his head away from Seto, leaving the HIgh Priest to walk out of the prison; his heart numb and his soul scratched beyond repair. He could visualize Asha with perfect accuracy, crying in the heavy metal shackles as the blistering wounds on her back stung and pained the beautiful girl.
The thought repulsed him as he found himself running quickly. He had to put a stop to this. There was no way he was going to lose the only thing he had ever treasured because of his stupid pride. He just prayed to Ra that he would make it to him in time.
* * *
Devlin smirked cruelly as he bent down, taking Asha's soft face in his hands, letting his fingers trail over the delicate skin slowly, recalling in a way he couldn't image how glorious that flesh felt pressed up against his own. Soon little one…
Asha squeezed her eyes shut, blocking out Devlin completely as she forced back her tears. She hadn't cried once… she wasn't going to allow Devlin the satisfaction of seeing her in the darkest moment of her life. She couldn't ignore him anymore as a crushing grip on her face snapped her from reality and a harsh slap resonated off her tender face.
Devlin smirked again, licking his lips in appreciation. Even in a situation where she was about to die, Asha never lost that unearthly glow that made her absolutely irresistible. He still couldn't get over how foolish Seto was being. He would have swallowed his pride and not let his reputation get in the way of himself and the beautiful creature that was so close to him.
"I'm here to offer you salvation Asha" he muttered, gently pressing a kiss to her swollen mouth. Licking his lips, he groaned at the familiar taste that he now craved like water. "Be mine and I will spare you…" Asha wrenched her head from his hand turning her eyes away from him.
"Your price for salvation isn't worth it" she whispered brokenly. "I have nothing left now Devlin. You stripped me of that… you took away everything I had ever wanted or loved and you expect me to join you? I hate you!"
Another slap; harsher, crueler, stronger and more painful than the first suddenly impacted with a force on Asha's face.
"Then die!" Devlin snapped, pulling her face up for a bruising kiss. "I want to be the last thing you taste and see Asha. That way, when your soul burns in the flames of hell you'll never forget who sent you there."
Feeling bolder now than in her entire life, Asha bit back, "I'll just see you there."
Devlin hissed as he stood up regally, an aura of dark energy circulating around his lean body.
"Everyone! The execution is to begin!" he announced loudly. Turning back to Asha, he balled his fist together tightly to try and swallow some of the rage. "You're going to regret this decision for the rest of your existence. That I swear to you!"
Climbing up on the podium that was arranged right in the center of the main city of Amenhenka, Devlin picked up the bow and arrow that a guard in black silk handed it to him ceremonially.
"Devlin! Stop this!" Seto suddenly cried out in the distance as the Executioner hissed. Not now… he was so close to destroying the High Priest… pretending he didn't hear the running Dragon Ruler, he elegantly raised the slender bow, placing the arrow firmly in the cord.
"Straight through the heart" he muttered to himself with satisfaction as another guard forced Asha's head up, so she was looking Devlin directly in the eyes. A thick rope was placed around her neck, holding it in place as Asha exhaled shakily. 'By Ra Asha was breathtaking. Pity. The greatest shame'.
"Devlin!" Seto's voice was closer as he pushed himself through the multitudes of peasants that had come to witness the greatest scandal to rock Egypt since Cleopatra. Devlin could hear the panic and need in his voice. Asha had noticed the High Priest as well, her heart bleeding all over again.
"Do it now Devlin" she whispered, casting her eyes downward as she shut them tightly. The agony laced and carved into each word would have been enough to cause a nation to weep. But Devlin remained unfazed.
"As you wish" he spoke in a monotone as he released the shaft, letting the arrow fly.
The sickening sound of stone tearing through flesh ripped the silence as the crowds gasped. Devlin dropped the bow, his mouth gaping.
Seto was there; his body shielding Asha as his hands wrapped their way around the beautiful slave. Asha's eyes had flared open as she felt the warm contact and had gasped when she saw the High Priest there. Silence existed between them for several moments, until Seto finally turned to look at the one who was the center of his very existence and smiled faintly.
"Asha…" he cringed, blood spilling from the side of his mouth. He coughed lightly; touching her face soothingly, as he looked disdainfully at the bruise that marred her flesh. "I'm so…" he began but slumped forward.
The arrow sticking out of his clothed back was embedded so deep; it came out the other way, nicking Asha's flesh.
"Seto!" she screamed as her lover fell on her shackled body.
Just then as if they could sense the wounded High Priest, Yami, Bakura and Malik arrived on the scene. Everyone in the streets moved back as the three rulers made their way to Seto and Asha.
Malik immediately unchained Asha, throwing the shackles to the ground as Yami and Bakura gently layed Seto on his back.
"The arrow is in pretty deep..." Bakura said as Asha and Malik knelt down Seto's heavily breathing form.
"Please... he has to be alright... please heal him..." Asha begged Bakura. The Emperor nodded.
"First we must remove the arrow... Yami... you're the strongest... you do it" Bakura said. Yami nodded as he grabbed the arrow. Getting a nod from both Malik and Bakura, he yanked the arow out swiftly. At this Seto's eyes jerked open and he gasped plentifully.
"Seto!" Asha cried as she hugged the High Priest tightly, crying over him. Seto smiled weakly as he took Asha into his arms.
"A-Asha..." he croaked softly.
"S-Seto... I'm so sorry... I'll never disobey you again! I'll do anything you ask! Anything! Just please don't die... please..." she begged, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked down in shame.
Seto gently raised her face so his eyes could lock with hers.
"Never leave my side my Light..." was what he whispered.
"I promise I won't..." Asha replied as she kissed him gently. Seto let out a soft moan which sent a pang through his chest in which Asha released his lips immediately, her face returning back to worry.
Yet Seto didn't seem to care at the moment as he was struggling to say the words he wanted to tell her all this time... but his jaw was clenched from the pain...
'I love you Asha...'
Without even speaking, Asha somehow knew. 'I know...'
"Ok lovebirds... I think we have a person to heal here..." Bakura said as Asha nodded, leaning back up and gripping Seto's hand tightly as Bakura placed his hand on Seto's chest, the wound glowing faint blue.
Seto hissed and jerked as the wound repaired itself, mending and returning to normal, as if nothing had ever touched his chest.
Seto ran his hand over the now gone mark before reaching forward and hugging Asha tightly in his arms, kissing her again and again. Yami, Bakura and Malik grinned at their friends happily... well until...
"How touching..." came Devlin's voice as he was now off the podium and stood a few meters from the others. Everyone stood, Yami in front with Bakura, Malik and Seto beside him, Asha wrapped up tightly in Seto's arms.
"How dare you Devlin... you have gone too far with your evil plans and shall be stopped once and for all..." Yami snarled.
"Oh I think not Pharaoh... for you don't know of the power I have... and little Asha... you're still mine..." the dark Emperor hissed. Asha shivered as Seto's arms tightened more.
"No she's not! And for all the harm you have caused her I shall return it to you!" Seto roared as he let go of Asha and lunged forward to Devlin, bringing his Sennen Rod back and calling upon all of his powers.
But Devlin seemed unfased as just as Seto lunged at him, his hands shot forward, capturing his wrists as an dark aura appeared out of his scorpion pendant, encircling the High Priest as he started to get weak.
"Seto!!!" Yami, Bakura, Malik and Asha cried out.
"You'll all pay... mark my words you will... and you Asha will be mine soon enough! And you Yami... your power will be mine as well!!!" Devlin cackled as Seto went limp in Devlin's arms.
"Seto! No!" Asha shrieked as she darted forward but Malik snatched her back, afraid she might get hurt.
Devlin still cackled as wisps of black smoke swirled around him and Seto, turning into a huge black wind tunnel... and when the black wisps of smoke and Devlin's laughter finally faded away... he and Seto were gone...
Malik let Asha run to the spot where Devlin and Seto last were, searching around it hysterically. When she couldn't find anything she fell to her knees as her head flung back and she cried out to the heavens.
"SETO!!!"
