Alley Cat: (in a sing-song voice) I'm back!!!!!!!!!
Seto: Joy to the world.
Alley Cat: n.n Well, sorry about last chapter. I just felt obligated to write something because I was keeping everybody waiting for so long... Well, whatever... Anyway, hopefully, this chapter will be better...
Seto: As if...
Alley Cat: Well, it's only been a short while since the last time I updated, so I wasn't expecting a lot of reviews anyway...but thank you for the ones that do! You guys, all of my readers, are totally awesome! Especially for sticking with my story for so long... n.n You all make me so happy!!!!!!!!!!
Dark Conscience: ...She's telling the truth... When she got her first reviews (from Lady Moofin, Kaiba's Slave, The Ramen Ninja, Black-Lightniing, Flaring Emerald, and darkfarie14), she sent me about two pages that only contained the word "happy"... 2 PAGES OF THE WORD "HAPPY"!!!!!!!!!!
Alley Cat: What? When you got your first reviews, you sent me a page of the word "wahoo"...
Dark Conscience: ...That was different...
Seto: Sure it was...
Alley Cat: Anway, I must continually thank my reviewers!
Oswarier - Thank you for the complement! Well, I still think you're evil...and the person who told you our pen name and to read this fic (coughcoughBlack-Lightniingcoughcough)... Well, I'm glad to know that you think Black-Lightniing's fic isn't-- (Dark Conscience: (puts masking tape on Alley Cat's mouth) You're not allowed to say it remember?) -.- Well, thank you for the praise and the last chapter was a "good-for-nothing" chapter... Hopefully, this one's better...
Kaiba's Slave - Yay! I get sympathy! Wahoo! Well, I know I'm harsh on myself, but I'm known to be a perfectionist, so... (shrugs) can't be helped... Thank you for the encouragement... You get to see more of Marik/Malik (I use "Marik" because he doesn't have a "yami" in my fic)! Not his sadistic side though... ;.; Well...maybe a little... But there is a cute little skit with him and the Pharaoh! Hope you enjoy!
Black-Lightniing - I told you...my last chapter was a pitiful attempt to get over my writer's block... I don't know if it's completely gone yet, but it's getting better...I know that for sure... Moky...probably won't come in at all...if so, rarely... Sorry... I'll try to find some places to put him in...
Alley Cat: Well, I just want to thank all my reviewers again! I love you all so much! Hope you enjoy!
Seto: Alley Cat does not own Yu-gi-oh... Yay.
Heat. Fire. Hot...so hot. Houses burning. Flames...everything going up in flames. Bandits...bandits were attacking the villagers, friends...family. Someone...someone was cackling. The fire... it was getting hotter...
Anippe woke up with a gasp, and sat upright. Realizing that it was just a dream, she looked out the window. The sun hadn't even risen yet. She collapsed back into bed. Memories. Terrible memories. She closed her eyes. I want nothing to do with that life anymore... It's over. It's why fate, why Ra, has chosen me to be the Pharaoh's slave...to start a new life...or else...it wouldn't have happened... I must accept the course that fate has given me... ...But why do the memories keep coming back? She sighed and opened her eyes again. There was no way she was going to get any sleep now. She decided to explore another portion of the palace. She got up and went to the main hall. She tried the doors on the left again, but was disappointed when she found that the only one open was the one to the garden. Then she decided to try the five doors on the right. She hadn't tried those yet. There were also double-doors straight in front of the main hall. That door led to the main chambers. In the main chambers, there were quite a few doors. Most of the doors led to the chambers of the noble's and high-ranked people who resided in the palace, including the Pharaoh's. Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed in there without the Pharaoh's permission. She sighed, noticing how tired she was. She decided that she could explore later and headed toward her room.
On the way, she noticed she was being watched. She stopped. Anippe was quite experienced with these types of situations, but she uncomfortable about the fact that she didn't have a weapon to protect herself with.
Then, a person walked out of the shadows. It was no other than Marik.
Yami was worried. He couldn't find Anippe anywhere. He had searched just about everywhere. Plus, Anippe usually came to see him if he couldn't find her. He rubbed his temples. Just one problem after another. Suddenly, a thought hit him. Could Marik have gotten to her? Yami was truly irritated now. If Marik even dares to hurt Anippe, then... He growled, the anger fuming inside him. He stormed off to Marik's chambers.
Layla went to greet the High Priest. "Good morning master," she said softly. She was still pretty heartbroken about the situation when he locked her up in the stocks for an entire day. Yesterday, she forgot about it because so much was happening. But the memories flowed back all too well last night.
Seto seemed more distracted than usual today. In fact, he seemed just about relieved to see Layla. "Layla," he said softly. He was left speechless. He really didn't have anything for her to do, and yet he didn't want to leave her alone because it would leave her vulnerable to Marik.
Layla looked toward the ground, waiting for her next set of tasks.
Seto sighed. He was truly on a lack of words. He was confused and worried and, truthfully, didn't know what to do. "Layla...just stay with me for today, okay?" he asked concernedly.
Layla nodded a little.
Great. She's giving me the silent treatment... Seto didn't have the nerves and patience for this. He sighed.
"Yes master," she replied when the High Priest remained silent.
Seto closed his eyes. What had he done to her? This was more like torture! He groaned. He had too much on his mind. The fact that he hardly had any sleep the night before didn't help either. A wave of dizziness washed over him, too obvious to hide.
"M—master!" Layla cried worriedly. She was immediately by his side, supporting him with her arm. All the resentment that she had for him was now replaced with concern. She looked up at him nervously. "A—are you okay master?" she managed to get out.
Seto took comfort to Layla's grip on him for a few seconds. He relaxed a bit, but then immediately ripped his arm out of hers. "Fine," he muttered coldly. He was only able to take a few steps forward before stumbling, almost falling facedown toward the floor.
Layla gasped and rushed over to him again. "Master...you—you need rest. Please...go back to your chambers and have a rest," she pleaded. Seeing the High Priest like this made her anxious for some reason.
Their eyes locked for a few seconds before Seto looked away. "I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth. This really wasn't his day. Then, his vision blurred. He shook his head, but it didn't help. He started feeling light-headed and saw the room swirl around him. Then...darkness.
Anippe was unconscious, her head resting peacefully on Marik's shoulder. Marik was stroking her hair, looking at her possessively. "Such a sweet slave," he murmured. He cackled. Then, his hands began to roam, exploring his new territory. His fingers traced down her arm... His cheek rubbed against hers. He laughed menacingly. He was going to enjoy this. And this was just the beginning...
Yami entered Marik's chambers to be greeted by darkness. He couldn't see a thing. "Marik!" he called out with fury. "Where are you?!"
Marik grinned through the darkness. "My Pharaoh... What brings you to my humble chamber? I must say I am honored..." he said smugly.
Yami glared at him. "Where's Anippe?" he asked with malice.
Marik's grin only widened. "You mean that no-good slave of yours?" Marik asked innocently. "Why...I don't know," he said mockingly.
Yami glowered at him with even more hatred. Marik was toying with him. "Where is she?" he said through gritted teeth.
Marik laughed cruelly. "My, my...you're so concerned over this slave, aren't you?" he pointed out. "What's so special about her?"
Yami's face went beet-red. "That's none of your concern!" he cried out defiantly.
Marik laughed again. "My, my... What's got you so worked up?" Marik smirked. "This is truly funny. The Pharaoh falling in love with his slave!" He cackled again.
Yami glared at Marik once again. "I said that's none of your concern!" Marik was seriously wearing his nerves thin. "You haven't answered my question yet." He crossed his arms.
Marik looked at the Pharaoh with a playful smile. "Alright Pharaoh. I have her. Why do you need to know?"
Yami ignored the question. "Why do you have her?" he spat. "She's my slave!"
Marik still held that grin on his face. "Yes. But she hasn't had her punishment yet...or, at least, not from me..."
Yami growled. "I already punished her. There is no need for you to punish her further."
Marik laughed mockingly. "You call that a punishment?! You must be crazy. You didn't punish her well enough, so I have to intervene. She has to be taught a lesson."
"Marik—" Yami said threateningly.
"My Pharaoh," Marik said smoothly, "I will be sure to punish her good. I wouldn't want to ruin your reputation now, would I?"
Yami was caught on that thought. Yes, Marik was right. His reputation was at stake. What was he supposed to do? If he took Anippe away from Marik, the villagers may have found him unworthy of being their Pharaoh. But if he let Marik have Anippe, then Anippe would definitely be in danger! What was he to do? To his horror, he heard himself say, "Fine...but not for too long..."
Marik smiled. The Pharaoh had given in to his request. "Of course I wouldn't keep her for too long... How about...a month?"
"Three days. That should be more than enough time to carry out your punishment..."
Marik sighed. The Pharaoh wasn't as lenient as he had hoped. "A week."
Yami noticed that Marik was not going to give in. "Five days."
"Alright. It's agreed then. She is mine for five days. And you are not allowed to interfere until those five days are up."
Yami closed his eyes. He didn't want to give Anippe away, but he had no choice. Five full days...Marik could do whatever he wanted with her. Damn it! Why did he have to choose? "Alright," he growled. "I agree to your terms."
Marik smiled viciously, sending chills up Yami's spine.
"But... If things get too out-of-hand, I will have to intervene..." Yami cautioned. "Don't overdo it."
"I wouldn't dare," Marik said smugly.
Yami glared at him for a few seconds before walking out. This was not going to be a good five days.
Layla was sitting in a chair next to the High Priest's bed. He had fainted and now was resting comfortably. Layla stared at the High Priest worriedly, with her big hazel eyes. "Please be all right," she whispered softly. By the power of Ra, please watch over the High Priest. Tell me that he'll be all right. She didn't really have any "powers" for she was just a simple slave, but she could still pray. She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. Please.
After a few moments of silence, Layla looked at herself. Why do I even care about him! He's my enemy, the one keeping me from going back to my family. And yet...I care about him so much. Why? She sighed. So many feelings were welling up inside of her. Hate... anxiety... worry... and...another emotion she couldn't describe, something she had never felt before... She shook her head. This was no time to think about herself. She stared back at the High Priest. He stilled had not stirred. Layla sighed again. He probably wasn't going to wake up anytime soon...if at all...
Seto: What's with all those...lines...
Alley Cat: Oh shut up. I'm trying different ways to transition from one scene to another... Last time, I double-spaced on my transitions and single-spaced on everything else, but then, everything was scrunched up so...yeah...
Dark Coscience: ...Okay...Whatever...
Alley Cat: (points at Seto and starts singing) You fainted!!!! You fainted!!!!!!!
Seto: ... -.- Shut up.
Alley Cat: And I'm sorry that this chapter is short too... I haven't seem to have gotten over my writer's block yet...
Dark Conscience: Your chapters are just getting wierder and wierder...
Alley Cat: (shrugs) Can't be helped... (goes to swoon over a picture of Lord Kratos smiling)
Dark Coscience: ...I really shouldn't have emailed her a picture of Kratos...especially one where he's smiling...
Seto: As long as someone gets tortured for it...I'm happy... And currently, the one being tortured is you...so...I'm happy! n.n
Dark Conscience: (rolls eyes) Whatever... R&R!!!