Zypher: Well, I thank you all for reviewing the last chapter so I hope that you will enjoy this chapter.
Price of Love
Chapter 7
After a wonderful breakfast, Yugi and Yami went out to spend some time together. "So Yugi, is there anything you'd like to do today?" Yami asked, looking down to him. "Hmm, I don't know. We did so much yesterday, I can't think of anything else." Yugi said.
Yami thought about it before thinking of the perfect thing they could do. "I know what we can do. Come with me." Yami said as he started walking in another direction. Yugi was curious and followed him, wondering what he was planning.
Back at the palace, Malik and Topaz searched through the corridors quietly so as to not arouse attention since it was still early in the morning. They didn't know thought that they were about to come up upon two that may change their lives.
"I don't see him anywhere. Chances are he won't even be roaming the halls this early. I say we start checking rooms." Topaz said. Malik nodded. "Yeah, you may be right but we have to be careful because if we enter the King or Lord's room, they'll send us to the dungeons without a recurring thought." Malik said.
As they were turning the corner, they didn't know someone was coming until one of them and Malik crashed into each other. The first stayed standing and watched as Malik hit the ground. Topaz looked up and gulped.
"Malik, I think we have a problem." he said. Malik looked up as well and seeing the crest on his armor showed everything. "Great, this has to be the perfect time to crash into the second-in-command of the Dark Kingdom's army. What luck we have." Malik said sarcastically.
"Yes, what luck we both have." Marik said as he looked down to him.
Yami and Yugi soon reached the Dark Lake and he looked up to Yami. "What are we going to do here?" Yugi asked curiously. "We're going for a swim." Yami said as he started to gather some of his magic. "But...what about the sea monster that lives in the lake?" Yugi asked once more.
"Don't worry about that. The beast that lives in these waters is a gentle creature and protects our land from intruders. The lies your parents told you is to only make our kingdom sound worse." Yami murmured. He nodded and watched as Yami weaved his magic. Soon, the gold and black magic curled around him and then floated over to him, basking him in its warm glow.
Once the magic cleared, Yami started to take off his shirt before telling Yugi to do the same. Blushing, he did so and followed him into the dark waters. "Dive in and you will change into a merman for as long as you're in the lake." Yami said and he nodded.
He dived in, soon followed by Yugi and like the whisper of the wind, his legs changed into a sleek violet tail. He looked over to Yami who was waiting for him and with a little difficulty, he swam over to him. "Come, I'll show you our sea dragon and prove to you that she's harmless." Yami said and swam down towards the bottom of the lake.
Yugi followed behind him, amazed at the aquatic creatures that swam around. A small school of red fish swam by and one came to examine him, swimming around him and tickling him with its flowing feather-like fins.
He smiled and stroked the fish gently as it swam by before it left to its school once more and he went to follow Yami before he loses sight of him. They soon reached the bottom and Yugi saw a large creature sleeping at the bottom. Yami told him to wait there which he did and watched as he swam down and gently pat the creature's head.
She opened her golden eyes and looked to him before sitting up, unwinding her long body from its resting positioned and crooned softly. "It's nice to see you again as well, Gaer. I have someone that I want you to meet." he said and she nodded as she followed behind him to where Yugi was.
Yugi watched as the large sea dragon swam over to him and was slightly scared, still remembering all the things his mother told him about the Dark Lake. Yami swam over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's ok, Yugi, she won't harm you."
He nodded and watched Gaer once more as she came over to him. She examined him closely before taking him gently into her claws and nuzzled him. Yugi laughed softly and tried to squirm away and once he did get free, she only took him again and continued nuzzling him like she would a child. "Is she always this affectionate?" Yugi asked between his laughs.
"Yes, she always wanted a child of her own but there has been no record of sea dragons that come around here through the Cirth Duin. She was the only one and when I was young, I came here and met with her. She was a young adult when we first met and she almost mistook me as a young sea dragon and I was caught up in a situation just like you. It took just as long to pry her off when it came to Aqua when he came." Yami said.
Yugi giggled at the thought and gently stroked her snout. "Well, it's ok with me. I hope another sea dragon will come soon. I don't want her to be lonely." Yugi said. She crooned happily and let him go before swimming back down and uncovered a small hole that was filled with underwater crystals and took a few. She swam back up to him and gave them to him, purring as she nuzzled him. He took them and stroked her snout once more. "She really likes me, doesn't she?" he asked. looking back to Yami.
He nodded. "She does and I know that your friendship with her will last for a long time." Yami said. He swam down beside her and whispered something into her ear. She nodded eagerly and took Yugi's arm gently, letting him hold onto her fins and swam off towards a hidden area of the Dark Lake. Yami followed behind them, glad to see both of them happy.
Marik looked to Topaz before keeping his gaze on Malik. "So what brings you here? Oh wait, your here for the young prince of the Light Kingdom, aren't you?" Marik said. "Yes and we're going to bring him back home. He doesn't belong here and his mother wants him back where he belongs." Malik said.
"But he doesn't want to go back. He is comfortable here and has many things that he would never get at home. Your little kingdom could never provide the things we can offer to him. Besides, as they all say, the dark can't survive without its light and the king and lord doesn't want to give up what has brighten up their lives." Marik said.
Toben then got a thought and stepped up. "But, if you can win a sword fight against Marik, we won't come near you again as you continue your search for the prince but if you lose, you will have to stay with us." Toben said. "Why would I waste my time with you two? I have more important things to worry about." Malik said as they tried to get pass but they blocked the way once more.
"You can either take the challenge or you can wander through the palace and possibly caught by other guards that won't let you have a chance as easy as this. Once they see the seal of the Light Kingdom, they will send you to the dungeons and inform the king and lord that you're here and he will look for any others that came with you." Marik said.
'He does have a point. I hate it when the enemy's right.' Malik thought before nodding. "Fine, I'll take your challenge and if I do win, you best not tell the king and lord that we are in the palace." Malik said as he unsheathed his sword. Marik did the same and they crossed swords before they got ready. It was silent before Toben gave them the signal and the battle was underway.
Anzu was making her way towards the palace quickly, still angry that she was thrown out like a cheap noble. "I can't believe them. I was so determined that they would marry me and I would make my mother happy that we now have the Dark Kingdom merged with our own. But they decided they want the Light Kingdom prince instead! I'll show them! I won't let them have what they want if I couldn't have what I wanted ever since I first seen them!" Anzu said as she soon reached the castle gates and got off her pegasus, running inside.
She told the guards why she was here for and they immediately let her in, telling her where the queen was and she was on her way, unaware that she was being followed. "What are we going to do about her? She can't tell the queen that Yugi is at the Dark Kingdom." Ruby said.
"I know, we have to stop her in the hallway that isn't occupied with guards and erase her memory that he was even there." Seto said and he nodded as they continued to follow her until they reached a deserted hallway that didn't have any guards nearby and Seto jumped down to land in front of her.
She stopped and glanced up at him. "Who are you?" she asked fearfully. "I'm the one who will keep you from ruining the Dark Kingdom's king and lord's lives. You won't be telling anyone where the prince is." Seto said.
"No, you can't stop me. The queen needs to know so she can get him back and everything can be back to the way it was before he came to the Dark Kingdom." Anzu said. Ruby jumped down to land behind him. "And why are you so concerned? It's nothing you need to worry yourself about." Ruby said.
"But he took away the life of our precious Fairy Kingdom! If Prince Yugi didn't come to the Dark Kingdom, I could've been married with King Yami and Lord Aqua like my mother promised! But they threw me out just because I was upsetting him and I know that if he wasn't there in the first place, I wouldn't be thrown out carelessly like that!" Anzu said with anger.
"And what makes you think they would take your proposal even with Yugi not being there? First off, Yugi wasn't planning on staying home for long after learning of his fate and second, Yami and Aqua wasn't going to give up their chance of being with Yugi to marry you.
"Their feelings for the young Light prince has run deep for many years and they have never gave up once to at least get a glimpse of the child. They have left gifts and toys for the young prince just to prove that the Dark Kingdom wasn't as horrible as other kingdoms thought it was just because it was hidden." Seto explained.
"It doesn't matter! He ruined the future of the Fairy Kingdom and I'm not going to take that lightly! Now let me pass so I can talk with Queen Shiori." she said once more. Seto only walked forward, Ruby holding her by her shoulders so she wouldn't try to run away and placed his hand on her forehead.
"Forget about Prince Yugi and his home at the Dark Kingdom. He is none of your concern and shouldn't worry about him. Unless you see him again will you remember what you vowed to do but for now, return to you kingdom and forget that we have even spoke to you about this matter." Seto said.
It was like a pause in time as the spell worked its magic and soon, she forgotten about her visit to the Dark Kingdom, seeing Yugi there and what she planned to do. Before she could regain her senses, Seto and Ruby disappeared back up into the rafters of the palace and watched her to make sure she was leaving. She finally returned back to the right state of mind and looked around. "What am I doing here at the Shine Palace? I should be back home by now." Anzu said to herself as she left.
Seto only laughed and he, along with Ruby, soon headed back to make sure Kitargi was still up and running.
The battle went on fiercely, none of them backing down. Malik was trying to put as much force as he could into his blows but none of them seem to connect, Marik blocking each blow with ease. It wasn't long before Marik disarmed him and held him at sword point, only one swift slice along his neck could end his life.
"It seems that I win. Whoever has been training you obviously hasn't gave you much to defeat me." Marik said. "I could have defeated you. I know I can." Malik snarled but didn't make any sudden movements that could mean the end of his life.
Marik brought his sword down and sheathed it again. "Pick up your sword and come with me. The both of you." Marik said, taking a glance over to Topaz who was trying to sneak off in hopes to find Jou or Kaiser.
He cursed under his breath and the both of them followed Marik and Toben to their new lives in the Shadow Palace. "Don't worry, we won't do anything to harm you, just enjoy your stay here and don't try anything to get the Light Kingdom's prince back home. Yami and Aqua won't be happy and we won't be able to help you two if they find out." Toben said.
Malik and Topaz nodded, not showing their fear but in their thoughts, knew that they didn't want to face the king and lord's wrath if they manage to get Yugi back home and they find out it was them, any of them.
It was dark in the tunnel they were going through and Yugi held on tightly to Gaer as she swam. "Where are we going, Yami?" Yugi asked, looking towards where he was. "Gaer is taking us to her small underwater cavern that she found during her stay. It's a beautiful place, I assure you that you will love it." Yami said as they soon reached a small opening and Gaer swam upward, climbing out and letting Yugi slide off her back. He looked around and gasped at the beauty of the cavern. It was filled with many of the underwater crystals that he still held in his hand only they were shaped to look like blooming flowers.
He stood up since he was out of the water now and walked over to the walls and touched the crystal flowers delicately. "Are these naturally grown right here in this cavern?" Yugi asked, looking over to Yami who was now standing beside him.
"No, Gaer make these herself and placed them in here. There's another tunnel that leads from here that goes to a crystal deposit that has huge chunks of crystal which she brings back to make into these flowers. She gives some to merchants who sells them in the kingdom and they pay her back with fish for her help and wonderful artistic talents at crafting these flowers." Yami explained, petting Gaer when she came over to them.
Yugi smiled and looked up to Gaer. "These are so wonderful, Gaer. I can't believe my mom would tell me that you are a cruel beast. But is it true that you really destroy boats as they come across the lake?" Yugi asked. "Yes she does but mostly it is thieves that think they can have a chance at being hidden on our lands since the other kingdoms fear coming over here so much. So when they are wanted over the lake at one of the kingdoms, they try to come over here to hide." Yami explained. He nodded. "I hope she will soon learn that your kingdom is not so bad." Yugi said.
"She will in due time. When you meet, you can tell her that yourself." Yami said. Gaer moved over to the wall and took a violet colored crystal flower and red colored crystal flower from the wall and came back over to them. She handed the violet flower to Yami and the red flower to Yugi. "Thank you, Gaer." Yugi said.
She nodded and then Yami thought of something. He took out two pins from his pants pocket and used some of his magic to combine the pin to his flower. He clipped the pin behind his ear and did the same with Yugi's.
"Think of it as a present from me." Yami said and Yugi nodded, a light blush dusting his cheek from the offered gift. Gaer smiled and picked off one more flower, only this one had a swirl of violet and crimson and handed it to Yami.
"I'll give this one to Aqua. That's what you want, right?" he asked and she nodded. "Ok then. We should be heading back now Yugi, it's getting close to lunch and we can head back to the Lome Taur for something to eat." Yami said. "Ok." he said before looking up to Gaer.
"It was nice meeting you Gaer. I hope that we can see each other again." Yugi said and she nodded and they both headed back underwater and swam back to the shore of the Dark Lake.
After they got something to eat at the Lome Taur, they headed back to the palace. "How about you head back to you room now and get some rest. I'm going to see if Sacred need to be tended to." Yami said before handing the crystal flower to him. "And if you see Aqua, give this to him." he continued before walking off.
He walked off towards his room before stopping at Aqua's room, hearing music playing. He placed his ear against the door and heard him singing softly. 'I wonder what song he's singing?' he thought before opening the door quietly and stepped inside.
Aqua was dancing quietly through the room, eyes closed as he predicted each step with grace. He didn't even hear the door open and Yugi watching in awe.
Uletaj na kryl'jach vetra
Ty V kraj rodnoj, rodnaja pesnya nasha
Tuda gde my lubya svobodno peli
Gde bylo tak privol'no nam s toboju
Tam, pod znojnym nebom negoj vozduch polon
Gde rad govor morja
Dremljut gory v oblakach
Uletaj na kryl'jach vetra
Ty V kraj rodnoj, rodnaja pesnya nasha
Tuda gde my lubya svobodno peli
Gde bylo tak privol'no nam s toboju(1)
When the song was done, he looked up and saw Yugi sitting on his bed. "Ah, Yugi. I didn't hear you come in. What brings you here?" he asked as he walked over to sit next to him. "Oh, I was just coming by when I heard you singing and it sounded so wonderful that I stepped in to listen." Yugi said. "That's nice of you. Did you enjoy it?" he asked and he nodded. "Yes, I did. Does that song have a name?" Yugi asked.
"Yes, it's called Polovtsian Dances and Chorus. It's a traditional dance in another part of the world and when some of its performers had come here to celebrate the last festival of the Black Volts, we watched them and learned to perform it ourselves from the leader of the performers." Aqua explained.
He nodded. "Do you think one day you can teach me some of the dances and songs you and Yami know?" Yugi asked. "But of course. We will always be willing to teach you new things Yugi. Especially how to speak our adopted language." Aqua said.
Yugi remembered the pin and took it out from his pocket. "Oh and when we went to the lake today, Yami took me swimming so I can meet Gaer and she took us to her underwater cavern, giving us some of her crystal flowers and Yami made pins out of them. He wanted me to give this one to you." Yugi said, handing him the violet and red crystal flower pin to him. "Thank you Yugi." Aqua said, clipping the pin behind his ear. "Did you know these pins could represent an engagement if someone wanted them to?" Aqua questioned.
"Really? I never knew that."
"Yes, many of the demons here do the same thing with these crystal flowers to ensure that no one tries to take another's mate. They make sure to get one that will show which demons are together with for example, yours is crimson which can represent us because of our crimson eyes which no other demon has and because of that, no demon would dare touch you or try to claim you as their own. But of course, these pins can just resemble the friendship we have for each other." Aqua said.
Yugi nodded, now wishing that the pins could represent a engagement between them. 'But they don't know I love them so of course they won't push me into marrying them if they believe that I may think about going home. Hopefully soon I can tell them that I love them before I leave to make my decision with my mom that I want to stay here with them.' Yugi thought before standing up. "Well, I better get back to my room. It's been a long day and I wish to take a little nap before dinner." Yugi said.
He nodded. "Ok then, get some sleep and I'll come to wake you up." Aqua said and he nodded as he left the room. "Quel kaima a'maelamin poikaer. Amin mela lle." Aqua said softly before he decided to relax as well.
Zypher: And that's all for now. Love's in the air and none doesn't want to tell their feelings. Oh what will they do? You will find out in the next chapter. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and will leave a nice review. Since I'm having fun with these chapter, I might have the next one up soon so watch out for it. See you next time.
Translations
Gaer - Sea
Cirth Duin - Runes River
Quel kaima a'maelamin poikaer. Amin mela lle - Sleep well my beloved pure one. I love you.
(1) - These are the lyrics for the Russian Polovtsian Dances and Chorus. I happen to be a DDR fanatic and I got a copy of DDR Extreme 2 for Christmas and when I heard this song for the first time, I couldn't help but love it (especially the animation with it) and had to put it in here somewhere. If you want to listen to it (if you haven't heard the original version from the opera Prince Igor) then type in radio blog club on google and click on the first link. Search for Polovtsian Dances and you should get two choices.
These choices are both same thing only with different music so pick one you wish to listen to and enjoy. It's a great song and I hope you will enjoy it too.
