Alley Cat: I finally updated. I didn't reread this chapter at all so it probably has a lot of flaws as well... I'm kind of in a hurry today, so my intro won't be quite as long…sorry.
Dark Conscience: It's not a bad thing…
Seto: Yes. Readers are allowed to flame on the intros. Too.
Alley Cat: !! Well, anyway, I'll give thanks now.
Pharaoh'sJewel – Yes. My schedule is very busy. I'm glad you're enjoying this fic. Have fun with this chapter. Finally, the romance kicks in!
Pharohs-slave – It's nice to know that you like my fic. I'm so happy you caught some of the excitement in my last chapter! In this chapter, I'm moving out of my action stuff and more into romance! Enjoy!
lost in reality – Yay! I got a new reviewer! n.n I'm so glad you like my fic. I'm trying to incorporate more humor in my fic…since I got off at a rough start on humor in the beginning. I love the compliments! n.n Well, enjoy this chapter!
yugiohsan255 – Yami/Tea fic?!?! (gags) Personally, I don't like that pairing… Anyway, nice to know you're enjoying my fic! Please enjoy this chapter! n.n
Black-Lightniing – FLAMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well…at least you thought it was funnier…which was what I was trying to do… Yami cried and Seto didn't notice? Oh…right… Seto wasn't feeling…right that day… Yes, Yami needs major anger management. Yes, Anippe has magic. Think about it. I put it in there for a reason. No, Anippe's sword does not change in size. That was a flaw I pointed out to you… Honestly, it wasn't that bad of a flame…(compared to skyriing's) Well, enjoy this chapter! n.n
Anonymous – YOU SPELLED IT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Dark Conscience: Now, now… Don't get your reviewers mad…) Okay… Anyway, I like both Seto and Yami. I really can't pick between them. There are some people I like better. Dark Conscience is going to slaughter me for saying this, but I must say one thing. KRATOS AND YUAN RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Dark Conscience: OMG… (knocks Alley Cat out with a random golf club))
skyriing – You jerk. I'm not even gonna bother thanking you…
Alley Cat: Sorry everybody, but I'm short on time, so I can't chat with y'all for that long…
Dark Conscience: "Y'all"?!?!
Alley Cat: n.n Uh-huh…
Dark Conscience: Whatever…
Alley Cat: Finally, I can add some romance in this fic!
Seto: (sweatdrop)
Alley Cat: And to all my faithful readers out there, be sure to read my new fic titled Fatal Ambition or something like that… Well, on with the story…
Seto: Alley Cat doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh…
Alley Cat: Sorry, but I have a few notes in this one too…hope they don't bother you too much! n.n Enjoy!
It was back to the stocks. Well, at least the High Priest and the Pharaoh allowed them a good night's sleep, right?
Anippe smiled innocently at Layla. "This isn't so bad right?"
Layla forced a smile. "Not the best of punishments…but I guess it's not the worst…" she admitted. "It just bothers me that we've been in here all morning."
Anippe nodded. "Yeah…we've been here for quite a few hours…"
Just then, Yami walked through the door. "Had enough?" he asked Anippe.
Anippe just stared at the Pharaoh. "What's the point in this?" she asked.
"So you don't try to run away again," Yami answered.
"But I already said I wouldn't do it again," Anippe whined.
"Fine, then," Yami said playfully. "It entertains me. Happy?"
Anippe pouted. "Other people's suffering entertains you?"
Yami scratched his head and sighed. "Alright, alright. You win," he said, unlocking Anippe from the stocks.
Layla looked over at the Pharaoh hopefully. "Can I be let out too?" she asked eagerly. "I learned my lesson."
Yami gave Layla an apologetic look. "Sorry," he said, shrugging. "You'll have to ask the High Priest about that," he said. "Come on," he told Anippe, walking out the door. "We have work to do."
Anippe cast Layla a remorseful look. "Sorry," she whispered as she followed the Pharaoh.
Layla groaned and leaned back against the wall. She had been there for hours! Why hadn't the High Priest come to get her yet?
"Something wrong?" Seto asked sarcastically as he walked in.
"Yes," Layla whined.
Seto smirked. "I guess that's enough punishment for now," he said slowly. He carefully released Layla from the stocks, intentionally being as slow as possible. He could tell Layla was getting irritated, but she didn't say anything. Smart girl, he thought. If she said anything, then that would give him more of a reason to lock her up longer. "I need to make a potion today," he said curtly. "You will join me."
"Yes master," Layla said softly and followed him out.
Anippe followed Yami into one of his more private chambers. It was fairly interesting why she was the main person who tended to him…instead of his other slaves like Shukura… She sighed. There was nothing she could do about it, so why worry?
"Sit down," Yami said, gesturing toward a couch.
"Yes master," Anippe said quietly and sat down.
Yami winced a bit. For some reason, he was finding it more and more uncomfortable for her to be calling him "master". It was even harder for him to remember that she was his slave… "How are you feeling?" he asked.
Anippe looked at him curiously. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Yami asked worriedly. "That stomach wound of yours isn't fully healed…" Suddenly, an idea came to him. Why hadn't he thought of it before? "I'll have the High Priest cast a healing spell on it. It'll help it heal faster, and it won't leave a scar."
"Whatever you wish," Anippe said, really not caring for the subject of the conversation. Why would the Pharaoh care if she were left with a scar?
Yami wasn't quite happy with Anippe's indifference, but he made a mental note to ask Seto to do it later. "Okay then," he said slowly as he took a seat on the couch next to Anippe.
"Do you have anything planned for today, master?" Anippe asked curiously. She was a slave now. The thing that mattered, or should have mattered, the most is her master's schedule and her role in it.
"Nothing in particular," Yami murmured casually.
"Oh," Anippe said softly. "Okay then."
Yami leaned closer to Anippe. "You scared me for a second the other day," he commented, talking about the time when he abandoned Anippe out in the desert. "For a moment, I thought I'd lost you forever."
Anippe stiffened a bit. The Pharaoh just moved closer to her. A side of her felt quite comforted, but the other side of her reminded her that it was wrong. "I—I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's all right," Yami said soothingly, hugging Anippe loosely. "Everything's all right now, right?"
Anippe blushed. She wanted to give into the Pharaoh's grip so bad, have him comfort her through everything she went through. But something kept nagging at her. She couldn't do it. It wasn't right. Besides, it would just lead to heartache, right? "Um…master?" she squeaked, trying to pry away his arms without offending him too much.
Yami let go, a bit bewildered. What was he doing? He just…hugged his slave. What in the world had possessed him to do that? Even though Anippe was pretty and smart and… He shook his head, quite dazed. Why was this so confusing? It couldn't possibly be…love, could it? He wanted to touch her, hold her…kiss her. He cursed inwardly. She was his slave! He wasn't allowed to think this way! He wasn't supposed to become emotionally attached to his slave…especially with such an emotion as love. Of course, he could have some fun with some of his slaves…but he'd never had the heart to do that. But this slave…never had he had such an emotional impact…from anyone! The people who probably came the closest was Tea or Ishizu…but Ishizu was never really around that much and Tea…well, Tea was more thought of as a friend.
"Master?" Anippe asked concernedly. The Pharaoh hadn't said anything for a while. "Is everything all right?"
"Huh?" he said, snapping out of his thoughts. "Um…yeah."
Anippe nodded slowly. She was a slave. She was supposed to tend to her master's needs, not make friendly conversation with him. Therefore, she had to suppress her usually talkative attitude.
Just then, one of the Pharaoh's advisors came in. "My Pharaoh," he muttered, bowing deeply.
"Yes?" Yami asked, arching an eyebrow.
"We caught…a trespasser," he said hesitantly. "A boy…he was trespassing on palace grounds. I don't know how he got past the guards, but…"
Yami signaled for him to stop. "Where is the boy?" he questioned.
"He's outside. We didn't want to do anything with him without your permission, my Pharaoh," he said, a bit flustered.
Anippe could tell this didn't happen to often.
Yami nodded. "Let me see him. Then we shall talk about what to do with him."
The advisor nodded and briskly walked out.
Yami sighed slightly. "Let's go," he said, standing up.
"Yes master," Anippe said quietly and trailed behind the Pharaoh.
It was back to the potion's chamber. Layla hadn't gotten quite used to the equipment, yet, but the High Priest was patient with her.
"Lastly, I need one of the glass beakers," Seto said.
Layla quickly spotted a number of glass beakers. She reached up for one of them, but accidentally knocked one off. She quickly drew her hand back, noticing that the glass had cut her. Meanwhile, the glass beaker shattered into pieces on the floor.
"Clumsy girl," Seto mumbled under his breath.
Layla tried her best to ignore the cut on her finger and hurriedly tried to pick up the broken glass. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I—I didn't mean to."
"It's all right," Seto responded. "Leave it. I need you to help me right now, and I don't have time to just wait and watch you pick up glass," he said coldly. "I'll have one of my other slaves pick them up. Just grab another beaker and bring it over here." And with that, he exited the room, most likely ordering one of his slaves to pick up the broken glass.
Layla carefully picked up another glass container from the shelves. She quickly walked around the glass and put it cautiously on the table the High Priest was working on, which already had everything else he needed to make the potion. Now that the High Priest didn't need her until he came back, she decided to inspect her cut on her finger. It wasn't very deep, but it was enough to draw blood. She quickly put it to her mouth, trying to get rid of the blood and get it to stop bleeding.
Seto returned with a slave boy. "Clean up the mess," he ordered coldly, gesturing toward the broken glass.
The slave boy nodded silently and went to pick the glass up.
Seto sighed. Something little that happened…but still… He looked back at Layla to notice she was caressing her finger. "What happened to your finger?" he asked worriedly.
Layla blushed slightly. "I—it's nothing," she said, quickly hiding her finger behind her back.
Seto gave her a questioning look. "Layla," he ordered. "Tell me what happened."
"Just a little cut," Layla said embarrassedly. "It's nothing. Really." She smiled to show that she was okay.
"Let me see it," Seto urged. Layla didn't know as much about wounds as he did. As the High Priest, he was required to learn the healing arts as well as the other magic involved.
Layla gave in and reluctantly held out her finger for the High Priest to see.
"It's not that bad…" he said, examining it carefully. The glass hadn't cut very deep…but still... He cast a healing spell over it just in case. The wound was so small that it immediately healed.
"Thanks," Layla said, still embarrassed.
"No problem," he said curtly, looking into her hazel eyes. For a moment, he just wanted to kiss her… He shook his head. It wasn't the time for lover's games. "Let's get back to work," he said reluctantly.
Layla nodded. "Okay."
The Pharaoh and Anippe were in his main chamber, the one the Pharaoh most commonly used to address other people.
The double-doors swung open, and a boy no older than fourteen was dragged in by the guards. His hands were bound tightly. The guards shoved him toward the Pharaoh with such force that he was knocked to the floor. The guards would show no mercy to those who wished to disobey, and possibly hurt, the Pharaoh.
Anippe gasped at their harsh treatment. For Ra's sake! He was just a child! How could they treat him with such cruelty?
"Leave him be," Yami commanded, not happy with the guards' hospitality. "And get out."
The guards bowed and went out of the room, most likely guarding the outside and ready to come in if anything went wrong.
Yami sighed, got off his golden throne, and walked toward the boy. "What is your name?" he asked.
No answer. The boy just stood there, staring at the Pharaoh in such hatred that one cannot express in words.
Anippe looked at the Pharaoh worriedly. What if this boy was…dangerous? For some reason, she just couldn't bare watching the Pharaoh, watching anyone, suffer. She sighed. It reminded her of her father…he had always said she had a good heart.
"What is your name?" Yami repeated again, getting a bit irritated by the boy.
"Unbind me, and perhaps I'll tell you," he replied violently.
Yami scowled slightly, but released the boy. "Well?" he asked questioningly.
"Well what?" the boy replied with a smirk. "I said perhaps."
Yami growled. The boy was toying with him. Almost as smart as Marik was…
Anippe walked toward the boy. "Can you at least tell us why you were on palace grounds?" she asked, noticing the Pharaoh was getting rather annoyed.
The boy turned to Anippe. "Why would you need to know, slave?" he retorted.
Anippe was appalled by such…disobedience. Especially for a boy at such a young age! Even now…if her parents were alive, she would be respectful to them. Her disobedience was a more playful one…while this boy's was more…brutal... What, or who, would make this boy hate the Pharaoh so much?
Yami was getting more and more infuriated with this boy. Who was he to talk, with such impertinence, to people of a higher class then he was? "And why won't you answer me?" he said fiercely.
The boy glared at the Pharaoh. "Because you ruined my life! You ruined my family! You ruined everything," he shouted. With that remark, he quickly pulled out a dagger and lunged at the Pharaoh. It was quiet obvious that the boy's aim was at the Pharaoh's heart.
Yami instinctively dodged it, but he wasn't fast enough. The blade of the dagger dug deep into his left arm. He let out a cry of pain and fell to the floor.
The boy savagely tore the blade back out of the Pharaoh's arm and tried to hit the heart again. This time, the Pharaoh wouldn't be able to dodge…
Anippe quickly lunged at the boy and twisted his right arm around his back.
Anippe's attack had caught the boy by surprise, and he dropped the dagger.
By this time, the guards waiting out in the hall had heard the commotion and were bustling inside. "My Pharaoh," the lead guard said concernedly. "Are you all right?"
Yami painfully got up, holding his left arm and trying to suppress the wound. "Fine," he muttered. "Lock the boy up for now. I'll deal with him later," he said harshly.
The guard nodded and took the boy away from Anippe and out of the room.
Once Anippe's hands were free, she looked worriedly at the Pharaoh. "Master… You need rest. Let me help you with that wound…" She went toward the Pharaoh and held the arm for support. "It cut deep," she commented. "Perhaps you should ask the High Priest to cast a healing spell on it…"
"I'm fine. Really," he said carefully. It was a minor wound, right? No need to trouble other people with it.
"No you aren't," Anippe argued. "I'll help you back to your sleeping chamber, okay?"
"Okay," Yami said sullenly.
Somehow, they made it. Yami immediately collapsed onto his bed. The wound was doing more damage than he thought it would… He also noticed that the bleeding had not stopped yet.
Anippe noticed this too and quickly tore up part of her clothes and tightly wrapped the strips around the wound. "This'll have to do for now," she said, knotting it.
"It hurts," Yami commented, wincing a bit.
"I know," she replied. "I'll go get some help. You wait here, okay?" She turned around to look for help.
"No wait," Yami started whining, grabbing onto Anippe's wrist with his left hand. He winced at the pain, but refused to let go. "It really hurts. Please. Help."
Anippe turned back toward the Pharaoh and leaned over him. "What can I do to help if I stay here?" she asked anxiously.
"This," Yami stated and used his right arm to pull Anippe toward him. He kissed her lightly. This made him relax somewhat, and the pain receded a bit.
Anippe was surprised at first but realized that she was enjoying it, and it had made the Pharaoh relax. She kissed back, and the kiss intensified. Finally, their lips parted reluctantly. "I—I better get going," she said, a bit flushed.
Yami nodded silently. The kiss was so…sweet. He wanted to kiss her again…but he let her go.
Anippe quickly walked out of the room, looking for someone who could help. Her best bets were to go with Shukura to get some bandages (strips of cloth), and the High Priest to cast a healing spell on it…
"Is it almost done?" Layla asked excitedly.
"Be patient," Seto said, a smile playing at his lips. He put a few more ingredients in, and the substance within the beaker "poofed". The potion had turned a light purplish color.
Layla stared at it, quite interested. "That means it's done, right?" she asked delightedly.
Seto grinned at Layla's enthusiasm. "Yes. It's done."
She stared at the potion for a while. "So…what does it do?" she asked, looking the High Priest eagerly.
Seto smiled and shrugged.
"What does that mean?" she asked hotly, imitating his movement.
"It means 'I don't want to tell you'," Seto replied playfully.
"Probably because you're too lazy," she muttered under her breath.
"WHAT?!?!" Seto replied hotly.
Layla smiled innocently. "Nothing," she sang.
They gave each other a playful glare. Then, all of a sudden, the High Priest leaned forward and kissed Layla lightly on the lips.
Layla gasped in surprise.
He looked at her with his blue eyes. "Something wrong?" he whispered lovingly.
"No," she whispered back. This time, she kissed him.
Seto closed his eyes, embracing the kiss. He moved his hands to caress Layla's waist and kissed back.
Layla had closed her eyes as well. She wrapped her arms around the High Priest's neck.
"Ahem," Anippe said quite loudly, leaning casually against the door with her arms crossed. She cocked an eyebrow at the two.
Layla pushed herself away from the High Priest. "What?" she asked, angry that Anippe had actually interrupted them at the worst time possible.
"Shouldn't you be with your master?" Seto asked vehemently.
Obviously, neither of the two was happy she was there. Anippe smiled at the couple. "My master…has a wound," she explained, making sure not to cause any alarm. "I need you to tend to it," she said, directing her comment at the High Priest.
"A wound?" Seto asked suspiciously, noticing the blood on Anippe's hands. "How'd he get it?"
Anippe cringed a bit. She was afraid he'd ask that. How was she going to tell the High Priest what had happened? "There's no time," Anippe said hastily. "Act now, questions later."
Reluctantly, Seto obeyed. "Where is he?"
"In his sleeping chamber," Anippe said.
"All right then, what are we waiting for?" he asked. And with that, he walked out with the two girls trailing behind him.
Yami? Someone cried anxiously. Are you awake? Yami!
Yami slowly opened his eyes. He had fallen asleep, content and reliving the sweet kiss he had with Anippe. He couldn't deny it now. He was in love. How? He'd never know…he just was.
Seto relaxed a bit. "What happened?" he asked.
"Just a minor wound," Yami said, trying to make it sound as insignificant as possible.
"A minor wound?!" Seto exclaimed. "Yami, you have a hole in your arm. You call that a minor wound?"
Yami smiled meekly at Seto. He had the most interesting ways to describe things… "I was attacked, okay?" he said reluctantly.
"Attacked?!" Seto practically shouted, but then lowered his voice. "How? Don't you have guards?"
Yami blushed slightly. "A boy was caught trespassing. I told the guards to leave me alone with him. He wouldn't answer any of my questions, so I thought it would be easier on him if it were just between him and me. Unfortunately, I had not checked to see if he were armed."
Seto growled. "Yami…you must learn to be more strict. You can't just go doing things like that!" he scorned.
"I know Seto. I'm sorry," Yami replied.
Seto still grumbled a bit, but there was nothing to be done about it now. He muttered a healing spell, but it only allowed the wound to heal faster and not leave a scar. It didn't heal it instantly. It took time, just like it was doing for Layla's wound.
Shukura appeared in the doorway with an armload of bandages. Seto carefully unwrapped the makeshift bandage that Anippe had made. He noticed that Anippe had done a rather good job of it and wondered where she had learned to do something like that. Then he took the bandages from Shukura and slowly, but tightly, wrapped them around Yami's wound.
Yami winced a bit. The pressure being applied hurt, but Yami knew that it had to be done.
After Seto was done, he looked back at Yami. "Be more careful," he said sternly. "You were lucky this time. You may not be next time."
Yami nodded. "I know," he said dejectedly.
Shukura had already delivered the bandages and walked back out. After she was gone, Anippe and Layla began talking.
"So…" Anippe said casually, "What was the kiss about?"
Layla blushed. "Wh—what do you mean?" she asked, trying to avoid the question.
"It seemed pretty…deep," Anippe continued, a smile playing at her lips.
Layla blushed even more. "S—so?" she stuttered.
Anippe raised an eyebrow. "So you admit it?" she stated rather amused.
"I—I did not!" Layla replied, irritated.
Anippe shrugged. "Did you enjoy it?"
Layla stayed silent. She had enjoyed it…but she didn't want to admit it… Damn it! She just did! The fact was…she wanted to kiss him again. She never wanted that moment to end…
"I see," Anippe said, grinning. "Well then, I better go change," she commented, leaving the subject alone. She had torn parts of her clothes to aid the Pharaoh. Now, she really needed to change.
Layla nodded. "Okay then," she said, relieved that the subject had dropped.
Soon after Anippe left, Seto came out. "Let's go," he said gruffly. "The Pharaoh will be fine."
Layla gave him inquiring look, but nodded her head. "Okay," she said slowly. "If you say so…"
Seto looked at Layla longingly. He wanted to kiss her again… He quickly turned around to look at Layla, causing her to stop abruptly.
"Yes?" she asked questioningly.
Seto cornered her to a wall, his body pressing softly against hers. "Feel like continuing where we left off?" he whispered a bit seductively.
Layla's face heated up. "Well…uh—"
Seto smiled. She wanted to, she was just didn't want to admit it... He kissed her lightly, just a meeting of the lips at first. But, as the kiss deepened, he got more aggressive.
Layla lost herself in the High Priest's kiss. She enjoyed it so much…
Finally, Seto parted his lips from her, leaving Layla both breathless and flushed. "Come on," he coaxed, content. "We better get going."
Layla nodded numbly and followed him.
Anippe returned to the Pharaoh's room after changing. "Is everything all right?" she asked as she popped her head through the door.
Yami was sitting up, waiting for Anippe. "Yeah. Fine." He paused before adding, "Thank you."
Anippe gave him a warm smile. "No problem."
Yami got up from his bed and walked toward Anippe.
"M—master!" she said, a bit surprised by the Pharaoh's actions. "Y—you shouldn't be up! You need rest! You need to recover!" she pleaded anxiously.
"Anippe…" Yami said as he walked closer and closer to her. "Don't call me that anymore, okay?"
Anippe gave the Pharaoh a bewildered look. "B—but…I'm your slave! How can I call you by any other name?!"
Yami thought about that for a moment. "Then…don't call me that when it's just the two of us," he said quietly.
Anippe looked at the Pharaoh desperately. "Master, please get back in bed," she begged. She guided him back to his bed.
"I told you not to call me that when it was just the two of us," he said, more sternly this time.
"I—I'm sorry. Then, what shall I call you?" she asked.
"Call me Yami," he whispered in her ear. "Stay with me tonight, will you?"
Anippe blushed. "Well…"
Yami used his right arm, the unwounded one, to pull Anippe onto the bed with him. "Please?" he asked, a bit naively. He had already wrapped his arm around Anippe's waist.
"Okay…" she said, giving in. She snuggled up next to him and rested her head peacefully on his chest.
Yami gave a content smile. The fact that he held Anippe in his arms made him feel so…happy. He closed his eyes. So this is how it feels to be in love… He gave a content sigh, never wanting this moment to end…
Ishizu knocked impatiently on the door. "Marik!" she boomed, "Let me in!"
Marik growled slightly. What more could go wrong? His sister was probably mad as hell since he'd been in his room for the past…how long was it? Five days or so? "Get the door," he snarled angrily to one of his slaves.
The slave shuffled out of the room and clumsily opened the door.
Ishizu shoved the door before the slave could even get it fully open. "Marik!" she roared, "Where have you been for the last few days?!"
Marik flinched. At least he was out of Ishizu's sight, in his sleeping chamber. But she would soon find him…especially since he couldn't move. His sprain had gotten better, but he still couldn't walk all that much. When he did, he walked with a limp.
Just as Marik had expected, Ishizu found him in no time at all. She took one look at Marik and glared at him. "What have you done?" she hissed, the anger fuming inside her. Just because of her stupid brother, she was going to lose her reputation, her job, perhaps even demoted to a slave's work…if the Pharaoh dared to go that far… Perhaps Marik even put her in lower terms with the Pharaoh. She growled. Her brother ruined everything for her.
"Yes sister?" Marik squeaked, cursing at himself for not being able to hide his fear. His sister may be nice and kind at times, but her wrath was scary.
"What have you done," she repeated, more forceful this time.
"W—well…you see…uh… I haven't done anything!" he blurted, cowering in the corner.
The Pharaoh hadn't said anything to Ishizu for the past few days… In fact, she hadn't even seen him…but Marik had to have done something to get him in the condition he was in now… "Then, what happened to your ankle?" she demanded, crossing her arms.
"Well, um…uh…" He gave her an innocent smile…too innocent for Ishizu's liking. "I tripped," he said softly.
"You tripped," Ishizu repeated disbelievingly. "On what?"
"Um…the table?" Marik said weakly.
"The table," Ishizu stated, eyeing him warily. "Tell me the truth…"
"What?!" he asked, getting more anxious by the minute. "I seriously tripped over the table and sprained my ankle. You don't believe me?"
"No," Ishizu stated coldly. "Tell me what really happened."
Marik was now completely rigid. "I—I told you. I—it's really nothing," he stuttered.
Ishizu sighed, uncrossing her arms. "Let me see your ankle," she said tiredly, knowing that Marik was never going to tell her what really happened if this kept up...
Marik gave her a suspicious look before letting her see his ankle.
Ishizu examined it. "It's been healing quite well," she commented. "Can you walk on it yet?"
"Just a little," Marik said, his sadistic attitude completely vanished. He was only sadistic when his sister wasn't watching…and perhaps when someone higher than him was around.
Ishizu touched a part of the ankle, and Marik cried out in pain. Ishizu sighed. "Maybe it's not even a sprain," she concluded. "You might have dislocated your ankle."
Marik whimpered a bit. He wanted to recover…soon. Not only did he not want to be confined to his chambers, helpless, but also wanted to get that ritual he planned with Bakura underway.
Ishizu shook her head, remembering something. "Never mind. It's probably a sprain. If it was dislocated, you probably wouldn't be able to walk on it at all." With that said, she murmured a common healing spell (I'll call it a common healing spell from now on since it's the only one Seto and Ishizu have been using…) and let go of his ankle. "It should be fine in a day or so."
"Okay. Thanks," Marik said softly.
Ishizu sat on the bed. "Can you tell me what happened now?" she asked, holding Marik's gaze.
Marik looked away. He'd have to tell her the truth sometime anyway, right?
Ishizu looked at Marik expectantly. "Well?" she drawled.
"Um…I got in some trouble with the High Priest. Nothing big though," he whispered.
Ishizu gave him a startled look. The High Priest?! Marik ruined her relationship with him too? "And what exactly did you do?" she asked, prying further.
"I—I got him angry," Marik said. Perhaps he didn't have to tell her everything. "So…he pushed me, and I fell backwards and sprained my ankle."
Ishizu groaned. "Was it just the High Priest, or did you get on someone else's nerves as well?"
Marik thought about that for a moment. He didn't have to tell her about the Pharaoh, right? "Just the High Priest," he said, confident that Ishizu was going to drop the subject.
Ishizu gave a silent sigh of relief. At least he didn't get on the Pharaoh's nerves…but it might have lowered her relationship level with the High Priest. "I'll talk to him," she told Marik. "I guess we'll just have to see what's going to happen." She didn't even wait for Marik to respond. She just got up and walked out of the room.
Marik stared at her for a moment and then gave a silent prayer to Ra for saving him from his sister's wrath.
Dark Conscience: (coughs rather loudly)
Seto: Um… (sweatdrop)
Alley Cat: Oh shut up! I'm probably rushing the romance a bit, but I'm short on time, so I won't go back and change it.
Dark Conscience: …Okay…I was going to comment on that, but never mind…
Seto: …Your fic sucks. You got a total of…what? Three flames for your last chapter?
Alley Cat: Oh shut up.
Seto: n.n
Dark Conscience: So…Marik's back, huh?
Alley Cat: Yup. But he probably won't have a major part in the next…couple chapters or so…
Dark Consience: Okay then…
Alley Cat: Well, please R&R! I'm sorry if this chapter isn't all that great…