disclaimer: don't own Yugioh or its characters.
author's note: This was just a short little random fic I felt like writing. It's going no where and doing nothing. All just for fun and amusement. ;P
Prince Atemu...age 14 (and a half!)
Well I have plenty of time to write in this thing now. To continue where I left off in my last entry (as much as I don't really wish to), the ruckus caused by Asru's screaming and slamming of the door practically woke the entire block! It definitely work her father. Why are fathers who have daughters such big, imposing creatures!? And while I was frozen in a stupified state of shock, I suddenly recognized the weapon which he bore upon me...a bow, not just any bow, a bow given to archers of the royal guards! Perhaps one of our archers traded it for a horse? But I didn't have time to ponder that at the time. I wasn't sure if he was skilled at its use or not, but I certainly wasn't skilled at avoiding such a close shot. Behind him, Asru continued to yell 'thief.' Damn girl! If only you'd give me a moment to explain! Anyway, I knew enough from my combat training to know to wait to avoid the shot. If I moved too soon, the bow would only track my movement, but if I wait until the last moment, there was a chance, a very slim chance at this range mind you, that I could avoid it's impact.
True to my assumption that the gods hate me, her father released an arrow. I launched onto the ground, but not as quick as I hoped. The arrow grazed my left thigh, opening a slicing gash into it. Too busy dealing with trying to save my own hide, I didn't realize that my hood had slipped off my head, revealing my true identity. Thank goodness for my strange hair! I'll never complain about its weirdness ever again! Her father immediately recognized me though Asru was saying it was all a trick like how I pretended to be a nice, mannerly boy, but was actually a scoundrel and thief. Her father hit the ground in homage to me, begging my forgiveness while it was now Asru's turn to look stupified.
I stood, brushed myself off a little and inspected my wound. No way to hide that from father! I wasn't so sure I was going to make it back to the palace before dawn either. It would seriously slow me down and it bled evermoreso whenever I put weight upon it. I forgave her father and Asru demanded an explanation from me. Demanded!? No respect for the royal prince and heir to the kingdom of Egypt? She must really be pissed to not even follow typical protocol that I thought was instinctive among those who were not royals. Her father continued to apologize for her actions as well. But, I didn't care about the protocol so much as the fact that I really did want to explain myself...just not like this.
"I owe you an explanation Asru, but not now. Please understand. I don't want us to discuss through anger and argument. It would be best if we both allow a day or two to pass to calm and think rationally. Please?" Did I just say please twice? Me, the royal prince begging? At least if she thinks about it, maybe she'll realize that I wasn't a thief afterall? At least I hope for that much.
"You lied to me!"
"I know. I'm sorry. Please, can we discuss this another time?"
Another slam of the door as she stormed inside, leaving me and yes, her grovelling father out in the night air.
"No need to apologize for your daughter sir. She has every right to be upset with me. I misled her. For that I must apologize to you. I didn't mean to hurt her. I only wanted to get to know her and for her to see me, not as the royal prince, but as just another person. Then, she could pass judgement as to whether or not she would accept me as a friend, on even terms with no status attached."
Her father took in my words. I'm
not sure if they sunk in, but I half expected what he was about
to say.
"I cannot speak for my daughter. She's old enough to do that
on her own now. But I will say this, if you do not make haste
back to the palace, your father will have your head on a platter
by sunrise."
"Right." was all I could muster to reply. We were both avoiding the situation, shoving it under the rug so to speak. But, it would not be the same between me and Asru. She's not one to let things slide. Ripping a portion of my cloak, I bound the gash on my leg and disappeared into the night.
I returned to the palace just as dawn reared it almighty brightness. As I hobbled down the corridor towards my chambers, my leg trobbing and dripping blood, I had to come to a sudden stop. There stood, blocking my door, was one very imposing, very mean-looking, very upset, very angry father. How is it that sometimes I'm one step ahead and at other times, two steps behind!?
I said nothing. I was not going to incriminate myself. I've done that far too many times than I can ever count. But he just kept staring at me with that imposing glare as disappointment flickered in his eyes! Is it possible, he asked the priestess with the Millenium Tauk to forsee this event? Why didn't I think of that!? I am an idiot sometimes. He opened the door to my room and pointed for me to go inside. He then followed behind me and closed the door. It is times like this when I actually develop a fear of my father. I know he'd never cause me serious harm, but he has no qualms about ringing his message clear in my head and my backside. I want my mommy! She'd be able to neutralize this situation into something more rational. A trait women have over men. Besides, she knows I'm loopy for the girl anyway! Father does not know a single thing about her, unless mother has said something to him about it. I'd also earn pity points for my injury. My father could care less about that. I heard the lecture before it even came. In fact, I've had this lecture in its many forms before...again too many times to count.
"What am I going to do with you?" was my father's classic opening line. Since I remained silent, he continued with his needless lecture. I say needless because I've heard it before. Perhaps he asks too much of me right now or perhaps I'm not ready to accept what I'm to become just yet. Responsibility, there's a word to strike fear into one as young and adventerous as myself. Let me be a child a while longer. While I'm beginning to dabble in what my mother terms as adult behavior (yes, the whole 'like girls' thing), I'm doing so at my own pace and on my own terms. Although now I've royally messed that up too (no pun intended, wait yes it is...I deserve it for the mess I've made). Father doesn't understand that I'm not ready to grow up just yet. I like to play by my own rules whenever possible.
He didn't tan my already tanned backside, but I'm thinking it had something to do with my wound, which now formed a little pool of blood at my foot since I had to sit put through my father's entire lecture. Mother must of realized father was up to something with me, then seeing the blood dribbles down the corridor, followed them to my room. She looked extremely concerned (thanks mom). Upon seeing my wound, she turned on my father and scolded him for not seeing my wound attended to first before ripping into me. Something about 'want your son to bleed to death while you lecture him on something that is only going to go into one ear and out the other.' Mother really does know me doesn't she? I do so enjoy the expression on my father's face when mother puts him in his place. As I said, women are enigmatic and powerful creatures...man is wiser to accomodate them than to turn against or anger.
Medics were summoned and they sewed up the gash then bandaged my leg. Mother sent for food servants saying I looked pale from loss of blood and needed to replenish my system. After all that commotion, my father and mother talked then mother left. Perhaps it was time for the physical reprimand? I already knew I was restricted to only certain sections of the palace and at certain times now with two of father's stern and loyal guards in tow as chaperones to make sure I didn't leave where I was supposed to be. Only two? Hmm, guess father doesn't know me well enough yet. Four would've been the wiser choice in the matter. I was ditching two guards by age 9!
The physical reprimand never occurred (yes!) and instead, I got this really weird and awkward lecture. I could tell father was uncomfortable with the subject matter. His usually confident and solid conversational voice was filled with the stutters and stops of an amateur. It made me uncomfortable too. I tried to focus on what he was saying, but I was more concerned about plotting a way to go see Asru again. I had to redeem myself to her! This was all that mattered to me at the moment. I caught a few words my father said...words like love, sex (that word naturally draws my attention for some odd reason), and girls. Mother definitely said something to father because father seemed oblivious to all this until this moment. I nodded in acknowledgement to my father like I was listening, but my mind was racing and all I could see was Asru's face. I needed to sneek out as soon as the opportunity presented itself! But, bits of the lecture began to deal with my current situation so I snapped back into paying attention to it, in case I needed to defend Asru. One question stung me like a swarm of a thousand bees.
"Do you love this girl?"
I couldn't answer. I didn't know how to answer. The term 'love' is so ambiguous and I'm so new at it when given in this concept. Love my family, yes. Love another, I'm not sure what that is yet though mother has said that is likely what it is...or a serious case of lustful need. Hmm, 'lustful need'... what did mother mean by that? Guess I should've asked her to elaborate on that one though maybe I already know what that means. But back to my father's question. My lack of verbal answer didn't upset him. Instead, a gentle grin formed on his face. I don't understand! What did I say without saying it?! Did my body or expression answer for me?
"No need to answer son, I see it in your eyes. That same fire lit within mine when I met your mother."
YIKES! So my body and expression did speak for my tongue! Stupid body! I didn't want to give an answer yet since I was unsure of it myself, especially after the most recent events with Asru. She probably hates the mere mention of my name now. Oh wait, she doesn't know my true name. She hates Tem's guts or the 'Prince's' guts. She doesn't know my true name...so therefore, she can't hate Atemu's guts. That's the answer! I need to show her the true me...Atemu! Not the Prince and not Tem...but me for me's sake. Wait...is that even possible? Do I even know who 'me' is? I've been a Prince for so long...accepting my grooming as a future pharaoh of this realm...all the studies, mannerisms, behaviors that come with it. And Tem, he's my fantasy identity...who'd I'd like to have been if I hadn't been born into this destiny. So who's Atemu? Swell...I need to answer that first before I can even consider returning to her. I think I just punished myself. Guess I'll sleep on it. I'm exhausted and my leg is throbbing with a pain that is clouding my mind. I'll ponder it upon waking when I have more energy to sustain a normal thought pattern.
Journal sidenote...my birthday is coming up soon! YES! Wait! That's it! Upon that special day, my parents bestow a wish to be granted (within reason of course). I need to smooth things over with Asru now! I want her to be there as my guest and be treated like she was royalty herself. I need her to see my 'other world' from the same eyes as myself just as I tried to see hers. Once that large barrier is crossed, she and I may be able to communicate on easier terms, especially now that Tem no longer exists and the 'Prince' has surfaced.