HD: sorry for the slow update! I don't own anything!
Chapter 9
Ra rose steadily into the sky, filling Egypt with a bright warming light. The light shone on the crystal Nile, light danced over the palace and made it shine in a rich colour.
Sitting on the steeps leading into the palace was Yugi. His rich silk clothing was swapped for common clothing, borrowed from Ryou, and all his jewellery was left in his room and he relaxed in the warm feel of the golden beams. In all truth the young prince was hiding from everyone ells, unable to face them after the banquet.
He closed his amethyst eyes and basked in the warming glow, until a shadow fell over him and the light slipped away. Yugi opened his eyes to see who had disturbed him and he saw with the tanned face of Malik, starring down at the Prince curiously.
"MALIK!" Yugi jumped to his feet and embraced the blonde.
The first thing Yugi noticed to be strange was the size of Malik. Malik was much thinner and curved while the man Yugi hugged was more filled out and taller, he was also rougher than the slim, smooth skinned Egyptian. Yugi pulled back in confusion and looked into violet-red eyes that stared down at him in confusion and question. Yugi bushed, realizing his mistake. "I-I'm sorry, I thought you were someone ells."
"Right…" The man seemed confused as he looked down at the small Prince; Yugi realized the man wouldn't recognize him because of his lack of rich clothes and jewels. Luckily Yugi was saved from further embarrassment by Ryou.
"Yugi! We have been looking for you everywhere." Ryou glanced over at the Malik-look-alike.
"Right." Yugi nodded to the man and followed Ryou back into the palace.
"Who was he?" Ryou asked, a hint of amusement laced in his light tone. Yugi blushed a deep red and gave his friend a playful glare.
"What am I needed for?" Yugi asked, his curiosity rising.
"Oh Princess Amber-Lee wanted to see you…" Ryou trailed off as they paced a servant. "She said something about gifts." They turned another corner and slipped by a guard who stared at Yugi in suspicion. Yugi bowed his head so his blonde-bangs fell gracefully over his amethyst-eyes and he only raised his head once they were out of vision of the bulky-man.
"Why would the Princess want to give me gifts?" Ryou frowned at the question.
"I suppose because you are about to marry into her family she thought it too be proper." Yugi nodded and stopped outside of his rooms.
"I'm marring the Pharaoh aren't I?" Yugi sighed and looked over at Ryou.
"Yes…" Yugi nodded sadly and pushed the door open.
When the two entered the first thing they noted was the thick-tension. Amber-Lee was seated at the small table in the middle of the room with a strange man standing behind her that looked a lot like Ryou. Amaya was leaning against the wall opposite of the Princess, glaring at her coldly. Jou was sitting on the bed and watching Amaya uneasily as though he thought she would strike at any moment.
Yugi cleared his voice and everyone's attention turned to Ryou and him. Yugi blushed and shifted on the spot at the four pairs of eyes that stared at him.
"Yugi, finally you are here." Amber-Lee stood up, making her black gown flutter around her legs and she smiled, with a cold air, at Yugi.
"Princess Amber-Lee." Yugi bowed and tore his eyes away from Amber-Lee to stare at the floor.
"Please call me Al. Bakura, how about you show Yugi's friends around…" Bakura caught on to her meaning and nodded to Jou, Ryou and Amaya in silent command to follow him. Amaya threw Amber-Lee another cold look and stalked out of the room.
Yugi looked over at Amber-lee who had sat back down in the chair, indicating for Yugi to sit opposite of her. When he was seated Amber-Lee stared to explain her arrival.
"My brother sent me with gifts to present to you. He hopes you appreciate them." She had picked up an elegant small silver chest with writing etched along the sides.
She pushed the chest towards Yugi who opened the lid. Inside lying on a bed of silk and fine gems was a…perfect lotus. Yugi blinked at the gift and looked up at Amber-Lee.
"What does the Pharaoh mean with this gift?" Yugi asked, stoking the soft petals.
"He means his best wishes and hope you'll enjoy your life in the palace and if you need something, do not hesitate to ask." Amber-Lee sat back and watched Yugi's reaction.
"Does Pharaoh request anything of me?" Yugi asked, his caution and suspicion rising.
"No, only that you enjoy yourself and not feel threatened by his…choice…" Amber-Lee frowned deeply and Yugi thought he had imposed upon a 'sore' subject.
"I did not mean to upset you." Yugi apologise, bowing his head. Amber-Lee waved him off and stood up.
"Now Yugi, I request your company for lunch in my Brother's private gardens." Yugi nodded and Amber-Lee headed for the door. "Oh and Yugi, my Brother means yo uno harm." Yugi nodded and watched her leave. Looking down at the lotus he suppressed a smile and examined a jewel.
Bakura had lead the three friends down some random corridors, not at all paying attention, instead from the corner of his eye he watched Ryou who moved gracefully and alluring beside him. Bakura cursed the Gods for their cruel tormenting.
"Where are we going?" Amaya spoke up as she looked around the deserted corridor. Bakura shrugged. Amaya frowned and sent a look to Jou who didn't seem at all pleased.
"So your just leading us blindly around?" Jou demanded hotly.
"No, I can see." Bakura shot back with a wolfish grin that sent them on edge.
"Thief." A cold voice called. The small group stoped and looked around to face the Pharaoh. Ryou, Amaya and Jou feel to their knees while Bakura smirked.
"Hello Pharaoh." He smirked coldly at the Immortal God.
"What are you doing?" Atemu demanded in an icy tone. The others shivered and Bakura smirked.
"I was thinking of stealing some of your jewels, you wouldn't notice one or two missing." Atemu growled at the thief for even daring to mention thievery in his presence. "I'm sure Amber-Lee could help me, she just loves practising her skills." Bakura had gone too far with mentioning Atemu's little sister.
A burst of dark shadows hit Bakura and sent him sprawled across the cold-stone floor. Atemu's forehead was alight with the glow from a gold eye.
"Don't drag my sister into anything concerning you." He growled, his eyes flashing darkly. Bakura smirked, despite his pain.
"Touchy, aren't we?" Atemu glared down at him in distaste and marched off, ignoring the other three present people. Bakura groaned and moved his hand to see if he could move at least any part. His fingers twitched lazily.
"Are you alright?" Ryou was kneeling beside him, a look of concern on his pale face. Bakura had to resist himself from kissing his pink lips.
"I'll go get a Healer." Jou suggested, running off. Amaya knelt beside Ryou.
"How did the Pharaoh do that?" She asked in awe.
"What are you three doing here?" A cold tone made the three look around where Prist Seth stood, a look of anger deep in his cold-ice-blue eyes.
"Nothing." Amaya reassured. Seth sent them a look of disbelieve.
"What happened to you?" He inquired, noticing Bakura's sate.
"The Pharaoh, I insulted dear Princess Amber-Lee." Seth nodded.
"Well I, unlike you thief, have a job to do." Seth boasted, marching past the group with out a backwards glance.
"Stay away from Prist Seth; he is as tricky as Amber-Lee and I together." Bakura warned, glaring after the Prist. "Now where is that mutt?"
"I am not a mutt!" Jou argued from his position behind the Healer.
"Dogs do the fetching." Bakura smirked, but growled when the Healer poked him.
"I need to take him back to my wing." The Healer announced after much poking and prodding. The three stood and watched two guards carry away the complaining thief.
Yugi sat on his balcony and watched the city below. Back in his kingdom he would play in the streets with others his age. It had been where he had found Jou, Ryou and Malik. He sighed and twisted the thin stem in between his finger and thumb.
In the life he had been given many gifts, but never once such as the Pharaoh's. Maybe he wasn't as bad as he had first thought…perhaps he would be allowed to return to his home after they were married. Yugi wouldn't be much use to the Pharaoh, as he would need an heir, which Yugi could not provide, so the Pharaoh could simply send him back and the Kingdom would be free of debt.
It was a hope Yugi would hold onto…for now…
TBC…
HD: Sorry again for the slow updating! My sis has been using the computer. Anyway happy holidays to everyone!
COH: and a merry new year!
Bea: one full of blood and destruction!
COH: and lots of Yaoi!
Alvar: thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Sarah/ryoulover4ever: Thanks sooo much! Thanks for the idea; I'm testing it out as! The next chapter should be up real soon. Thanks again! Happy holidays!
Slushi Blu: Thanks! You're not the only one. LOL. Happy Holidays!
Atemu-girl: Sorry for my slow updating! As for Yami and Yugi, read and find out! Happy Holidays!
HD: thanks to everyone ells who reviewed! We sent out those 'reply review' things!
COH: please REVIEW!
Alvar: Ja ne!
HappyDevil, Bea, COH, Cole and Alvar!