Link – Glad you enjoyed it. C: Atemu, huh? xD That's what a lot of people are saying; I'm honestly…not sure.
--
Chapter XII: Savoring the Taste of an Abstract World
--
Many of the thieves had been caught right on the spot. Mana and Mahado had apparently been strolling through town, contemplating Atemu's predicament like everyone else had. They'd been jumped, Mana almost brutally taken away had not Mahado done something. Guards scurried left and right, a bloody massacre splattering the lives of many across desert sands. Of course there was thievery; of course there was killing and obviously blood was shed. The thing is, despite houses being robbed, the only people who were actually targeted were Mana and Mahado. Once the village was raided, no one cared enough to torture the Cairans. All they were aiming for was to kill those exclusive to Atemu. Mana, his best friend, and Mahado, who he loved like a brother.
And Teana.
Teana was dead. There wasn't any doubt, nor was it a lie; the future Queen of Egypt had been found with blood oozing from her chest, ribs harshly broken with a severe blow to her stomach and head decapitated, having been tossed in the wall of her home like a child's play thing. No one had seen it coming; everyone so preoccupied by the sudden attack and petrified to realize she was gone. I can't say I'm not relieved that she's no longer in the pharaoh's life but…it's so dirty of me to say. That was the one woman in Atemu's life who he loved dearly and who knows; maybe despite the fury he was blinded by, despite the fact he was so mortified at the sudden news, he was kind of happy. She being pregnant was a shortcut; the best excuse for him not to declare his love to the heavens.
And it was all…just so, so confusing. It wasn't fair. But then again, is it ever? It's not fair to her…not fair…to me. She died. I didn't. I'm the one, according to Shada, who doesn't belong in this time period, so why am I the one who's still alive when in nine months, all of the apprehension and doubts Atemu felt would slip away once he looked at that beautiful little baby?
And…why on earth do I my feelings have to be weighed out on some defective scale? Instead of feeling even the smallest ounce of joy and three-times as much anger, bitter resentment against myself for being blind in my selfishness, why couldn't I just be happy to be happy? It…all went back to what Shada said earlier. Yeah. I knew I didn't belong here; knew that one day, I would have to leave for good and returned to wherever I belonged—at first being in the afterlife, but obviously I was wrong. Somewhere out there, there really were friends for me other than here. I wasn't some old spirit without a purpose anymore; there was something to strive for. But before I got there, I wanted to make sure Atemu was okay.
For a long time, my only purpose was to serve him in the shadows. After I was awakened from my slumber, my first and foremost instinct was to help Atemu. It didn't matter the situation—even the slightest break of concentration or lapse of boldness, I would be there, guiding him from behind and making sure he got out okay. And then...parting from him would be what hurt the most. He grew out of that insecure shell, stricken with hideous blows and became a proper king, and each day I looked at him with more affection than the last. I loved him. I loved Atemu, and would do anything to make him happy.
So why did he have to make it so hard? Why did he…why did he have to mess with me; kiss me and give me light flattery, seduce me like one of his petty whores and expect to get his way?! Why couldn't he s-settle down…why couldn't he…why couldn't he just…love Teana…go off with her…push me aside…never let me see his face ever again or that beautiful baby from the restless nights when they made love…
Why did he have to…to give me those looks, like I was the most beautiful thing on the planet, and then…then t-turn with a sexy smirk and unravel her? Why did he always do that; find solace in ones around him when he knew I wasn't willing to be just a simple plaything? Why…just why…
Why did I have to love him so much? Was I really so blinded by my feelings for him that I was gonna succumb in joy because…th-that slut wasn't going to be around anymore to satisfy his needs? She…she loved him too. This baby was their love. This…everything…I mean…I wish he'd never known of my existence. If that day when Mahado used the Millennium Ring hadn't happened, then he would still be admiring the Pendant from afar. I would still be tending to his needs in the shadows and…maybe Teana would be married to him instead of at the gate to the afterlife. Then…
Then Enu wouldn't have been the one to raid the village. He wouldn't have done it in spite of the fact we sheltered all of the orphaned children in Cairo yet didn't bring the best guards to Minya. He wouldn't have been angry at the fact the thugs he owed money to chopped off his hand if there were more, skilled guards in Minya ready to fend instead of a petty inspection that lasted less than two days.
He wouldn't have shed blood of the future wife to the Pharaoh if I hadn't goaded him into it.
theotherme.
"Are you tucked in tightly?"
"I…yeah. I'm a little…chilly though."
"'Tis because you choose to sleep in thin robes with a thick sheet. Silly child. There, is that better?"
"Yes...."
"Alright then…"
"Wait!"
"Yes!"
"I…Master…I just…"
"What is it?"
"Could you…" Large, shimmering emerald orbs were overturned with tears, pulled out into a captivating pout as the prowler sought her prey. Mana fiddled with her sheets, brunette hair falling mercilessly in beautiful orbs and remaining until Mahado brushed them away, tender smile laced across his lips.
"Could I what, my little apprentice?" His broad voice radiated with warm mirth; so happy, so enticed with the fact she needed him. "What must I do to make those lips part and curtsy before me?"
"I'm still cold." She fell small under those blankets, red simmering cross her cheeks. "Can I sleep with your ring, Master?"
"My ring?" He blinked and softly laughed before nodding. "Yes. But do understand sleeping with my ring will not magically make you a better priestess, Mana. When you are fully rested and alert, you will have to be by my side and learn the basics of magic."
Mana's lips contorted under the shield of sheets as once again, those impish green eyes twinkled with pure sincerity. "But I fear you would say 'no' if I asked if you would sleep with me, Master Mahado."
Red dusted across his tan cheeks. Calm eyes widening and suddenly disarray, he looked to her with a mixture of surprise, shock, and quite a bit of embarrassment. Funny thing was, you could actually see a little bit of hope under that shimmer; like he was asking himself if it was a dream and praying to Hathor this wasn't just trickery.
I tripped. "Wh-Whoa!"
"Y-Yugi!" Mana pushed off her bed, eyes widening with surprise at my sudden appearance and swiftly that blush of hers was glowing everywhere…at the same time Mahado's was disappearing. Altogether the gleam of happiness disappeared from his eyes like he'd just had an epiphany. She threw herself off the bed, letting the Millennium Ring fall to the floor and ran to my side to help me up. Rats. It was my fault for aiming for the door, to knock, and ended up clumsily falling altogether.
I mean, it's not like I wanted to interrupt the scene. Mana and Mahado were finally sharing a moment after eleven years of knowing each other and it looked bad with me in here. She propped a hand under my elbow and pulled me to my feet.
Still skittish with a dazzling blush, Mana punched me lightly in the arm, eyes narrowing. "It's been a week! Don't you think that's enough time to get used to, oh I don't know, walking?"
"Sure it is," I assured with a hot face of my own. "It's just a matter of telling my fingers that they're not my toes." I looked to her with concern, a small smile across my lips as she buried her face into the crook of my shoulder. Warmth burned against my neck and apparently, a moment that looked so sweet and delicate to me was nothing but pure hell to her.
"I suppose now that you are here, 'tis a proper tucking in goodnight."
Right. I shook my shoulder, in hopes of notifying Mana Mahado was still in the room and cowering in embarrassment wouldn't look good, but she wouldn't budge. Instead another grin looped across my lips, this time utterly embarrassed. "How are you doing this evening, Mahado?"
His dark, brooding eyes surveyed between the two of us and if he and I were complete strangers, it would have felt like he was burning holes in my psyche; judging me to the very end like I couldn't do anything. But…I knew Black Magi…Mahado. We were friends and when one day he became the Black Magician, it would only pull us closer because he was the one person who fit the role of the father figure I needed since the full memory of my biological father seemed smaller than a grain of sand.
"I am doing fine," he quietly said as a small smile came to his face. It was different from the one he had with Mana; so full of resentment and hidden almost flawlessly under sincerity for other meanings. 'Fine' to me could have meant 'dandy' while to him, was like a hawk had clawed at his chest, ripped out his heart and devoured it. I knew that expression far too well; the one where you wanted to die because the one you had feelings for liked one of another.
But at least with their love, it wouldn't end in tragedy. If…one made the first move, anyway.
"You wouldn't want me telling Atemu you're troubled, now do you?" I smiled playfully, one hand nestled to my hip as the other hugged Mana's waist close.
He chuckled softly, eyes closing with sadness and everything in my mind screamed to let go of her so he knew I wasn't trying to steal her, but she was too mortified to even look him in the eye. "Am I safe to assume you are here to protect my student?"
From the six days away from Atemu, my headaches had grown uncomfortable again, crawling under my skin and bathing me with thoughts of…him. My darkness. Our last encounter and newfound link served as another trigger to dampen my mood and drive me into insanity. But…I didn't want to disturb him. He was going to get married and now he would be committed to his wife. Having me in his bed, even if we were just innocently sleeping, wasn't a daily thing. We weren't lovers, we were…we were…
I frowned. What were we? Sure, we were friends, but how close and why? There wasn't any establishment leaning towards the best of friends; that was what Mana was for. No. I shoved the thought aside, silently seething at my curiosity and forced a smile. "You know how stubborn Mana is when she's awake. It's a wonder how she can be so enthusiastic, even without any sleep."
"I suppose." This time a more sincere grin lifted his spirits, if not a smirk. He crossed his arms, eyes narrowed in amusement before sighing. "I bid you both a good night…Mana, please sleep well and Yugi… make sure she does not suffer."
"Right." It wasn't like I was going to sleep here. Mana peered through her hair and away from my neck briefly as he left before I dragged her to the bed and pulled her in. I smiled and leaned against her bed post. "You have no idea how proud of you I am right now."
"How much did you hear?" she demanded in a meek tone. Red fluttered across Mana's face yet again before she pulled the sheets over her head and refused to look at me.
"Enough to tell you 'I told you so,'" I muttered quietly. Dipping my head behind me, I closed my eyes and shivered at the light headache creeping against my mind. "He's in love with you, Mana. He risked his neck and for the past two days has showered you with nothing but care."
"You're only saying that to make me feel worse."
Dark. Dark. Dark. Grimacing, one hand curled in itself and I focused all thoughts on that small action. "No, I'm saying it because I'm trying to make you feel better."
"Yugi! I…I practically just gave him an open invitation to come in my bed and just sleep with me! I…I sounded like a whore!" Mana shoved aside all blankets and pulled me down to her level, eyes shimmering with shame and embarrassment. "If I hadn't told if I wanted to sleep with me, he would have smiled, called me childish and silly, and..."
"Well, now he knows to think of you as a woman and not some little kid." I smirked loosely and tucked both arms behind me. "Mana. He's concerned over you. He wants to make sure that you're okay after the trauma of…of…"
"Of being snatched by a man thrice my size, ripped of most of my clothes, almost raped and then beheaded." She stared at me flatly, eyes narrowed with boredom and I blinked. She'd said all of that like it didn't matter to her or like it wasn't a big deal at all. Automatically she pushed me away, hands searching for her own bare skin to hug before turning to the skylight. "Great Queen of the Gods—Isis! I know, I know!"
And again, I was blinking. She was…bitter. She didn't care for the fact that Mahado was doting on her or how his fist was bruised from ramming the thug in the face. To Mana, it was like some annoying story she heard on the street. Immediately I yanked at her form, pulling the both of us into a tight embrace and rested my chin above her head. Her head was buried in my chest and if I hadn't been so concerned for her, I would have taken more notice to the fact I was standing and she was crouching over the bed.
A small smile fell across my face and the embrace tightened when I could feel her trembling. "Good," I whispered to her soft tremors. "Now that we've established that you are a girl for reacting strongly to almost getting your life torn away, we can really talk."
"He's…he's my hero," she said in a hushed tone. Mana giggled softly, but it was strained and struggling to find a true voice compared to her usual tones. "We were walking, just…going out for a stroll, Yugi! I wanted to go and pick some flowers and he refused to let me go out by myself in the middle of the night, and…and…I wandered a bit too far in an alley way. This man grabbed my wrist so hard I thought he was going to crush my hand and he threatened to kill me. Then out of nowhere, the man was on the ground with a broken nose and blood is dripping off of Mahado's fist. Oh, wow Yugi…I never knew he could fight like that…"
"So then, other than the fact you're still not suffering from any sort of trauma, what's the problem?" This was the first time I was able to hear the story and I couldn't stop grinning. Mahado had acted on his own; for once letting his emotions get the better of him in order to save the one who he obviously loved.
"It's because I'm a girl, Yugi." Mana relaxed, falling back and pulling me with her. She sprawled over the bed; head nestled in a comfy pillow as I lay on my stomach watching her actions. She laughed emptily, quietly and they were becoming short sobs. Panicked, I crawled over to rub circles in her back. "He…He saved me because I was a girl. Because I'm his student and nothing more! No…no hidden message behind it and tonight, he was only making sure I was safe."
Yeah. He did save her because she was a girl—one he cherished. One he adored as his favorite student and charge; so taken by all the smiles across her face that were brighter than the sun. If he didn't care, if he didn't try to protect the one thing that made him happy, then he would be miserable. If he didn't succeed in keeping her safe, he'd be devastated.
"Shh, shh. It's okay, Mana." I tugged at the sleeve of my blazer and brought her face to mine before wiping those tears away. "You know what? That's the one title you have compared to all the others held by his countless students. You're the only one he tutors privately."
"Because I suck!" she slapped my hand away, stubbornly pouting.
"Mana," I lectured lightly, eyes narrowing to hers. Cupping her face, a reassuring smile fell on my own before kissing her forehead. "Look: love is love, alright? When it's real…it…finds a way."
Unconvinced. "You don't believe that."
"No, yeah, I do." It was hard to keep from laughing. Who couldn't see it? What fool on this planet was so blind that they didn't realized Priest Mahado and my friend Mana belong together? "You're making excuses now, Mana."
"Enlighten me."
Now she was starting to sound like Atemu and that wasn't helping the giggle or two from escaping my lips. Instead I trudged to the left of her bed and rested my head on the post. "You're blocking yourself off from him, Mana. I think you've been with him so long that you've created this image of the ideal girl for Mahado and convinced yourself a long time ago that it…isn't you. …you still with me, Mana?" Her eyes had fallen to the ground and it wasn't easy to see what emotion was flickering over her face. Reluctant, I continued. "It's as if…every obstacle you've been thrown into since you've met each other, it brings you closer and it scares you."
There was still no reply and I was starting to get a little antsy. Squirming just a little bit, I leaned over and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You get it, don't you?"
"He's…always been so calm, you know?" Mana leaned into me and curled into my form. "Even when he's yelling his head off at me…there's restraint…and that night…"
"I know." I smiled and comfortably rubbed her arm. "I know."
"Oh, alright." Without protest a grin strummed across her cheeks; the first sincere one since I'd entered the room. "Fine. This one little instance I'll stop ranting on and on about my love life to you, Yugi. Just so we can get a good night's sleep."
"Actually," I said, peeling away from her before lifting myself from the bed and standing on my own two feet, "I'm…not going to be sleeping with you tonight." I lightly pushed her down in the bed and secured her spot like Mahado had done earlier before. A frown slid across my lips as the incoherent buzzing once again devoured my sense of hearing.
Dark. Dark. Dark.
"Oh?" She pulled my face down and affectionately kissed my nose. "Did you finally make amends with Atemu?"
More buzzing. I suppressed a grimace, forcing a smile to my lips before shaking my head. "No, but…I just don't really feel like sleeping."
"That's not good for your body, Nice Atemu." She arched an unsatisfied eyebrow, frown settled across her features as she folded her arms. I smiled. 'Nice Atemu' was just a nickname that stayed even after we established the difference between him and me. She loved using that nickname; like I still possessed him instead of my own being that's been walking around the palace without any troubles. That was probably the maximum distance, though, that our bodies would allow away from each other. "Will you promise to get some rest?"
"Oh please." For a moment, I only planned to tease her, but another thought came to mind and I laughed. "You sound like my mother."
"Hmph." Her lips curled playfully and she yawned. Weariness overwhelmed her and with a quaint grin she nestled tight in her blankets. "Goodnight, Yugi."
"'Night." I backed away slowly, blowing out the three slim candles resting on her window. The fourth I took with me, careful not to trip and fall while she finally got some rest. As I shut the door to her room, I could only smile in relief before another grimace fell to my face. A sharp pain jutted through the back of my neck and again I was seething. It was familiar pain; like I endured it before. Which…meant inevitably…
"Inevitably I'm gonna have to see him whether I want to or not," I muttered before settling down and letting my feet take me wherever wanted. Two days had passed since the night Seth announced Teana's death. Immediately afterwards, Atemu had been summoned to see for himself what happened to his wife while I stayed behind at Mana's side and comforted her.
He came back with a grim face, atrociously disgusted and again, his priests took up all his time, pulling him left and right to undo the preparations made for the wedding and turn them into a funeral. Her body had eventually been wrapped and tossed in the Nile. There was debate over this; whether or not her body would be reserved and put in a Royal Tomb or tossed like a commoner. Eventually someone said even though she was going to marry into royalty, she had yet gotten the title and therefore, was treated like a one of lower class.
I think. Atemu and I hadn't seen each other since that night where I almost broke down, devastated and crying that my little pharaoh would be taken away from me. He was going to be married in the morning and was still telling me how important I was compared to her. It was flattering, but…there's no one more important than the one you love, and he needed to realize that. Teana and I were in two different leagues of affection and for him to mix them was a bad thing. Everything he wanted was with Teana. All of the beauty and tastes of the Egyptian Pharaoh had been with Teana.
Suddenly I halted, mouth loosening from my grinding teeth. That despicable word flashed through my ear; something so foreign and exotic that I found myself losing it every time it teased my skin, breathing warmth into my ear and hovering at my reddening skin. Dark. Dark. Dark. He was what I wanted to look forward to. Shutting my eyes close I struggled taking in the shallow breath trembling at my throat and shivered. Those…those magnificent crimson eyes. But subconsciously, I was pulling away from him, too. Or…he was pulling away from me.
So…was it possible that I was just like Mana? Sending cryptic messages back and forth to someone I really cared for and once getting what I wanted, tore the words apart and made an entirely different meaning out of it than what was intended? My eyes shot open and I clutched the loose cape around me, bringing the hood above my eyes and allowing blond bangs to tickle my vision. "Is it possible," I whispered with a trembling tone, "that I'm making excuses?"
No. Just…just no. I shook the thought out of my head and leaned against whatever wall my legs brought to. Slowly my entire body slid to the ground and I sat tensely, legs curled into my stomach as I thought about it further. Mahado and Mana were in love with each other. They…they always sent messages back and forth and teased the other just to make them happy. Mahado was always amused by Mana's enthusiasm and somewhere in there, she knew he was grinning at her antics, and pushed forward.
I mean…in a lot of ways, it's funny. They reminded me a lot of Black Magician and Black Magician Girl, but their relationships were so different. Black Magician and Black Magician Girl, my 'mother' and 'father', seemed like the outcome of what Mana and Mahado would be, as if their relationship evolved over that course of time and it came up as…this. Two people, companion of one another and comfortable in their presence. They acted like the Mana and Mahado who hid their true feelings behind a mask, but were…really sincere. Every little emotion, all of Black Magician Girl's antics were honest. So were her affections. And even when he was shy about it, Black Magician showered her with all the love in the world.
There was…no. There was no way that my relationship with Atemu was even remotely like that! Oh, what relationship, I scolded. There was no relationship. When had everything become so complicated? Why did I have to think of this so…deeply? Why was it that I needed to know so badly…needed his touch….needed his everything…
"Oh, Gods," I whispered hoarsely before burying my face in my knees. Gods, oh Gods. Why couldn't things be simpler?
"Little one?"
"A…Atemu?" I tensed, tersely looking at my surroundings to realize my feet brought me to the one person I didn't want to see unless I really needed him. This was the hallway with Atemu's room.
He knelt to my side, concern flashing across his features as a mirthful smile skidded across his lips. "Are you alright?"
"Y…yeah," I whispered. "Are you?"
"Quite fine." Before I had a chance to protest, Atemu grasped my hand and pulled me into his arms. Biting my tongue, I shut my eyes and let out a slow breath in order to mollify this headache. No such luck. He cupped my face, slowly grazing at my skin before raising it to meet his. "'Tis not nice to lie in the face of the Pharaoh, little one."
"Whoever said I was nice?" I smiled, lightly pushing him away before returning to my space against the wall.
He arched an eyebrow, amused to no end with a grin to prove it. Without another word he loosened cape and gestured toward the door. "We have not spoken in quite a while, Yugi. Would you please join me?"
"It's only been two days."
Atemu halted, an unreadable expression running across his face as those red eyes lingered at my form. I ignored the shiver running down my spine, hiding my demeanor under the hood pressing at my hair and ducked away. Please…please don't give me that look, I wanted to say. Please don't look at my face with that intensity when I don't deserve it. "There were days earlier than these where we were side-by-side and inseparable, little one. Never has this gap between us become so large and hollow and I find it quite a miracle that now we are at each other's side in the span of less than four days."
"That doesn't count," I muttered with a small smile. "I'm either a mortal or the Millennium Puzzle, Atemu. Not both."
"Please." His lips looped into a sad smile and he offered a hand. "Come in. I miss you."
I looked down to it hesitantly, like it was filled with the venom of a snake. My head slowly driving me crazy, ramming back and forth as it tried to seduce me and it was getting more violent. Finally, I shoved it aside and shut my eyes. "Alright."
He pulled me in, slowly guiding me through what I assumed to be the outer room to his chambers. All the while I was shivering, softly meeting my demise with this crazy aching. It was always around Atemu that my senses would become wary; always around him that a mild case of one of my memories flashing before my eyes became some sick disease. Atemu must have sensed my stress, because the next thing I knew, I was sitting on my bed and he was offering me a glass of water.
"Thanks," I whispered before demanding my mind to shut up.
He bit his lip, watching as I gulped the water down little by little. "Any better?"
"Atemu." I gripped his bedding, a small smile lifting against my lips as I leaned forward. "I'm your guardian. I take care of you. I'm supposed to make sure you are out of any kind of danger. Please, you don't have to dote on someone as silly as me."
"Ah. That is where you are wrong, little one." He stood high and erect, arms crossed with an unbreakable frown settled upon those lips. We watched each others' actions for a moment, each of us saying nothing, but it was like we were saying everything. Finally, Atemu broke away and stripped of his crown and adorning jewels, leaving them aside next to his cape. "Now that you and I are separated from each other I have every reason to worry about you. At least in the pendant itself, I was able to sense your presence, even if barely. Now that you are up and about and I have been thrown back into the duties of my court, we rarely see each other and for all I know, while I soak from the day's worries, Mana could be guiding you to the pits of Hell just to pluck a silly flower."
"Atemu?"
"Yes, little one?"
"You're too paranoid for your own good." Finally grinning through my misery, I stood up, parallel to his back and reluctantly hugged him from behind. "Worry about your country before you worry about me," I murmured. "Trust me. It will do a lot better in the long run."
"Yet if I did not willingly worry for my little one, I would lack the motivation to worry about my land." He sharply turned and we awkwardly hugged each other before he guided me back to the bed. Red tingled at the tips of my cheeks and I shied away, unable to look him in the face. Atemu wasn't happy. Instead, he pulled me closer, grasping what he could of my form and looked to me with red eyes flickering with sadness. He smiled. "When did you appoint yourself as my guardian?"
"Too long ago." I laughed softly and pulled at one of his pillows to hug. "Ever since day one. I told you, Atemu: all I remembered was waking up and seeing your face. After your father died, you were so shattered…so shaken by the events and through the Millennium Puzzle I became this…this veil I guess. A veil that shrouded you from any and every danger so you could walk through these halls, confident."
"And I thank the Gods every day for blessing me with your presence." He chuckled quietly, appearing at my side and plopped down next to me. "But before you wed, allow me to be the one to protect you, little one."
"Now, that's my line." I shoved the pillow in his arms awkwardly and forced an "enthusiastic" smile. His desires were the exact opposite from mine. He wanted me to stay at his side. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Dark. Dark. Dark. Shivering, I pulled my legs close to me and looked away. "I'm a lousy protector."
"You've made me happy for the past five years, little one." I felt his hand against the crook of my neck and with a sudden jerk, I was back in his arms, his chin resting at my head like I had done to Mana. He slid the hood off my crown, smile against those daring lips as I was brought even closer.
I shivered and attempted to pull away. No avail. The more I struggled, the tighter his hold and the harder it was becoming to resist. Instead I looked down to the ground, not allowing myself to relax under his hold. "But I couldn't protect her," I said meekly. I shut my eyes, shuddering at the lips I was feeling at my forehead and curled my hands against his wrist. "I…couldn't protect your wife. I'm a lousy protector."
"My…wife…?"
"Yes, your wife!" It was a miracle to pull away from him. I jolted from his side, standing parallel to his form on the bed and glared at the ground as tears miserably streaked my vision. "Teana, Atemu! The one you were…supposed to marry. The one who…who was going to give you a new life with that baby...the one that…th-that I was…gonna have to g-g-give you away to…" I wobbled, face burying into my hands. I was so stupid. If that day, I hadn't possessed Atemu and caused all of this to happen, he wouldn't have…he wouldn't have been suffering.
"Oh, little one…" He was hovering over me before I had the chance to escape. Atemu leaned above my form, red orbs flickering with something and in the pit of my stomach he was telling me I was wrong. So very, very wrong. I watched him, frozen by my own fear as with each ticking second those lips were becoming hotter against my own. Moist and chapped, they pressed against my open mouth and the shock was still too much to handle. But…warmth.
I felt so much warmth, so hot with this one little kiss. Every heat wave ever to lash out at Egypt was boiling in my blood and up and down my spine it rattled before the sensation was sent straight to my groin. I…was kissing back, like telling myself all of my sins were already piled on, so why would it matter if I did this, too? A sharp breath gutted out my throat as I pulled him tighter, gripping his bicep tight and dug my nails through his bare skin. He hummed with pleasure and my entire body melted in his own. Wobbling, I used the last bit of my strength to push him in the bed and straddled his stomach.
We finally pulled apart for a quick moment, inhaling all we could and more of air. I stared at those crimson eyes and the sweat matted at his brow through my pants and delve deeper, pushing my lips against his as my fingers fiddled with the collar that took up more than half his torso and neck. I was squeaking as he changed tactics, nibbling at my bottom lip and the surface of his dry lips changed to his tongue.
He let himself in, exploring surface of my mouth and I gripped him tight, feeling every single one of those touches go straight down to the point of no return. With success, the collar had come off and I tore away, grinning against the moonlight at the ripeness of new skin before I explored his neck. Atemu moaned, slowly slipping into delight as his hands undid the clasp on my cape. My lips found a place against his neck and teeth dug into the bareness, savoring the taste of my little pharaoh.
W-wait. What was I…wh-wh-what was I doing?!
I pulled away, pushing myself all the way to the other side of the bed and looked at the pharaoh I was about to…t-to…Gosh, I don't even want to know what I was about to do! Atemu snapped out of it, albeit a little disappointed, but slipped into concern and then some kind of worry. D-Don't look at me like that… I almost…I-I…
My headache was coming back. I'd been ignoring it the entire time while doing...v-violating the pharaoh and it was twice as scary before. My darkness's name shattered my ear drums by how loud it was shouting at me, all of these little glimpses, little pictures of that one person who I knew ultimately I wouldn't remember by the end of it, but it had never been like this before. I whimpered, feeling something in my vision flicker and on top of that…the throbbing of my e-erection…gosh darn it, how much pleasure that had been…
"Little one," Atemu whispered. No…my darkness...or…the pharaoh…I…who…? "Yugi!"
"I have to go," I murmured. At least…I think I did. I felt the headache pummel me again and my chest clenched tight as my hands instinctively reached out and clutched the Millennium Puzzle. "I have to go!"
With a flash of light, I disappeared in the jewel with the intent of never coming out, ever again.
theotherme.
"Master Yugi!" Mana…no…Black Magician Girl…no…someone. Someone who I knew so very well, so closely that would nurture me even in my darkest times was holding me close against her chest. Through my daze I'd forgotten how to walk, but…something was nibbling at my leg now. Soft mewls could be heard above me and something fuzzy was on my head. Two little kids…I…didn't know who they were, but they were hugging me tightly, softly sobbing and telling me to come out of it.
Mahado…no…Black Magician…someone else. I…I couldn't tell. He held me on the other side, a barrier of two magicians around me as they all were set in deep panic. "It is alright, Master. Please, just ride it out…I beg you to sleep…shh, you mustn't be crying now…"
"Black Magician," I murmured. We'd…been through so much together. "We've been through a lot…right? You and I have faced just about everyone…right? You…you aren't just the best friend to Atemu, you're my best friend, too. …Right? All of you…we've been together…We've…faced the bad guys…"
"Yes, of course yes." His voice teemed with sincerity and Black Mana Girl was holding me tighter. Mahado Magician stroked my hair tenderly and was smiling, but there was fear in his eyes. I could…see it…sort of. "Rest for now, my little master. Do not succumb to your worries, do not let these possess you. This is just another one of your headaches."
"Another one of my headaches," I repeated. Was that what was happening? What…what had happened here? I…I had to go! Atemu…his father had just died—he needed me! "I have to go. I have to go see him, Black Mahado! I must…he's just…a little kid…Atemu…just a child…"
"No, no. He is the proud ruler of the land of Egypt, at the age of sixteen!"
No…no…my little pharaoh was only thirteen. He…he was supposed to have a duel with a talented young boy from Minya tomorrow…he was to make a speech for the festival… He needed me. I was never not by his side, especially for the important things. I pulled away from…from Black Mahado Girl and ran for wherever I could, but did not know where to go. "I have to go see him. You don't understand," I said to Black Mana. "He needs me! He…he needs my protection, he needs me there—I've been there where his father was not…"
Darkdarkdark...
"Yugi!" That was a new voice. I whirled around, the tears in my eyes and I saw…my darkness. But…he wasn't just my darkness. I looked through my hallucinations, those beautiful crimson red eyes that I fell for a long time ago when I was only fourteen and felt my heart burst with pride. He was my darkness, yes, but…that wasn't just what he was. That was his name.
"Yami," I whispered, this time with more feeling. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I ran to him, that pale skin enticing me. He was the one I loved. He…he was the one who when I looked at, I knew wasn't lying. There was no one more important in his eye than me. He wasn't like the pharaoh; he wasn't going to leave me for the first harlot to come by. I fell into his arms, head buried in his chest as I burst into light sobs. "Oh, Yami…Yami I miss you…please…don't leave me…Yami…"
Yami tensed under my grasp. I buried myself in his torso and altogether, we fell, limbs entangled.
"I'm so sorry that I forgot you. Please, I never will ever leave you again…my love…I don't want you to…please…please don't hate me…" I tightened my grip over him, panicked by the fact he hadn't moved the entire time we met each other. It'd been five years since we last saw each other…since I was separated from him, my darkness. My shadow. My Yami.
"Shh," he muttered in a different language, but surely still fluent in my ears. He hugged me tight, one hand through my hair as the pounding headache started to weaken. "'Tis alright, my light. Do not fret, little one…rest assure, I am here to stay."
"Thank you," I murmured through my tears. "Thank you."
We lay there like that for a while, me tight around his waist and his arms around me, rocking gently back and forth. Eventually I calmed down, tired and dreary from panicking so much. Black Mahado Girl and Black Mana had left me alone, letting Yami do as he pleased as he mollified my worries. He was here. My worries were gone; I was able to be with my Yami without fretting about my feelings for my little pharaoh. I didn't have to worry or succumb to sadness whenever Atemu looked at me with pleasure and care before turning away, swept in by some beautiful girl.
I just didn't have to worry. Before I drifted off to sleep, I managed to pick up part of their conversation.
"Will he be alright?"
"Yes…you seem to have calmed him down, my Pharaoh. He will certainly be okay."
theotherme.
What had happened? All of the feeling in my head was gone, so much of the pressure released and for some strange reason, all of me felt…light. It was like whatever troubles I ever had never existed and I was able to live for myself, without worrying. Eventually knowing I had to get up, my eyes fluttered open and eight little figurines surrounded me. Looking up, I gulped down whatever I could to rid of the dryness in my throat and tried to make sense of things. It was my soul room. I groaned, trying to make sense of everything. The last thing I remembered doing was walking out of Mana's room, but…
Was it possible it was all a dream? I blinked through my worries and sat up. Maybe…everything. Nothing happened; the past few months of worrying didn't exist; Atemu was still my little pharaoh and Teana was…still a alive!
"So you have woken." Or not.
I looked behind me, to the thing that I'd made as my makeshift pillow and felt the heat radiate through my cheeks. "Atemu."
He smiled softly, eyes suddenly falling to…the puzzle pieces that were all fit together. I blinked, looking at the three he managed to complete while I was out cold. He had completed three of my memories that would have taken me at least a year to do. At that, my eyes widened and I stood up, but quickly regretted it. Atemu came up with me, catching my body before I had the chance to collide with the ground. "Watch yourself, little one." He held me tightly and gently brought me down, back and sitting in his lap. I shivered, feeling as his body moved under mind as he collected another puzzle piece to complete.
"How long have I been out?"
"Not long." He rumbled against my back and I felt the sensations scurry down to my…w-well, th-there. Atemu adjusted our positions and bent over, chest against my ear as he put one piece flawlessly against the other. "But if you are to ever come out of the pendant again you are to forever wear my Millennium Pendant, understood?"
I blinked. "What happened?"
"Too much, I'm afraid." He grimaced against my hair and reached for another piece, bare hand grazing against my waist. I shivered. "Are you feeling well?"
"I…yeah." Nodding, I studied the memories he had completed. They were…real memories. Like Jonouchi-kun, or the boat memory. Like my grandfather. Normally they were rare to complete, but…here they were, these three people who were now fresh in my mind. "How did you do it? Complete the puzzles, I mean?"
"How do you not?" Atemu arched an amused eyebrow and gestured to the gray slabs resting at our feet. "This feat is blue."
"N…No, I'm pretty sure it's gray, Atemu."
"Quite the contrary. 'Tis blue." He picked up a stray piece in order to prove his claim, but it didn't work. All I had seen was gray, and silently I watched as he continued to complete this new memory.
"It's…really not that big of a deal, Other Me." I blinked. Had the memory just…spoken to me? Atemu continued with what he was doing, and every single piece that he collected fit directly to the last.
"On the contrary, Partner. Your seventeenth birthday is a big deal for you and I want to celebrate it with you."
"But…it's not fair!"
Atemu reached over, one hand grazing between my legs to pick out the last of the puzzle pieces. I bit my lip, closing my eyes and wishing silently to actually see this message, see who I was talking to, but…no avail.
"What do you mean it's not fair?"
"I…I get to actually celebrate these and for three-thousand years you've forgotten it…unable to actually celebrate your birthday because you've been a box for most of the time."
"Partner…you needn't worry about me so much."
"No. I do worry, and you can't stop me from worrying. Would you…would you like to share your birthday with me?"
"Mou hitori…." I murmured, fingers grazing against the puzzle that Atemu managed to complete in a matter of seconds. I looked at it, skimming every little gray piece even though I still couldn't actually see them. "no boku…"
"I…It would be an honor…thank you, Partner."
"Ai…bou." I blinked away the tears threatening to fall from my eyes and shivered. This…was the second memory that I got about Dark…Yami. The first one had been about that battle with Seth's doppelganger, Yami mercilessly deciding to kill him, but that memory was so different from this one. The Yami, the…the Other Me in this memory was so gentle yet brave and felt so harmless he wouldn't hurt a fly.
"You must have been really close with him." Atemu's lips brushed against my ear and he hugged me tightly. "Though it only proves what I thought in the first place."
"O-Oh?" I murmured, still in shock at the sudden news. My darkness was my…my partner? It was instinct for me to think that, even though only hours ago I would have just kept referring to him as the dark figure looming over me. This was Yami. This was…the one I loved and…I still didn't know what he looked like. But…Atemu had been the one to find this memory. He was the one who knew where to look, able to identify all of the shades of the puzzles' spectrum and put them all together all in the little time I was out cold. How 'not long' was I unconscious? Because…if anything, he was the key to my memories. He was the one who could truly guide me and help me complete all of the scatterbrained thoughts. And he was guiding me closer to Yami.
How much did that suck?
"You are as much of a light to him as you are to me. You are brighter than the sun and shimmer as beautifully as Goddess Isis." He rumbled under me softly and buried his face in the crook of my neck. I stiffened under his grasp, cowering in confusion and writhing into my own form. Immediately after I did that, he recoiled, bringing himself to his feet and sighing. "My apologies."
"No! No…" I pressed a hand to my head, expecting the headache that normally came after touching Atemu, but it'd yet to appear. "It's fine, Atemu. It's just—"
"We should return and get back to Mana. Or at least, I should tell her where you are residing so she does not expect you in her bed tonight." He looked down to his duplicate Millennium Puzzle and grazed a hand over the Eye.
"Wait." I clasped a hand over his wrist, immediately standing up after him and clutched it tight. My eyes narrowed and my mind was brought back to something I had been putting off until now. For a long time now there was a bitter feeling at the pit of my stomach whenever I mentioned Mana to him; our empathy link reacting if we weren't brave enough to use the mind link. When it was the three of us, he would look at me so happily, content with my being here and a second later, he would recoil, some feeling of guilt at his mind. At first…I was thinking…I'd hoped he knew he was doing something wrong by flirting with me when he would soon have a wife to go to, but now I wasn't so sure. "Why did you just bring up Mana?"
He snorted, those daunting ruby red eyes narrowing begrudgingly at my form. "Surely out of anyone Mana would be the first to know of your health, little one."
"Yeah but—"
"She is, after all, your betrothed."
I looked at him, eyes doubling in size with so much shock the Thunder Gods would have been jealous. My jaw dropped plentifully to the ground and my heart beat faster chest. "My what?"
"Your beloved." A bit bemused and strained with his tone, Atemu looked at me pitifully, small smile set across his face as he crossed his arms. "'Tis inevitable, isn't it? You and she are bound together by…"
"B-by nothing but friendship!" I clutched my sides, unsure of whether to laugh or to cry at his sudden statement. We were…misunderstanding each other all over again. It was like the kiss we shared nearly a month ago, where I had been so absorbed with my memories I locked myself up so they wouldn't kill me and he thought I was angry about it. "Atemu…I've never had feelings for Mana…she's…she's like Black Magician Girl to me!" I picked up the tiny figurine at my feet to conclude my point, and he arched an eyebrow, unconvinced. "She's like my mother. Err, sister."
"Enlighten me."
"Are you blushing?"
"Most certainly am not."
"Right." I shrugged and collapsed to the ground to pick up Black Magician as well. A small smile fell across my lips and the memories came flooding back from the earlier days when everyone was still growing, still learning and naïve for the world. It was an accident the first time with Mana, when I switched with Atemu. She was trying to get him to vouch for her; tell Mahado that she wasn't skipping a lesson on purpose and I had been the one there instead, telling him the truth.
Eventually all of the little accidents were becoming noticed by Atemu and unconsciously, he let me switch with him in order to make her happy. She was…sweet. Nice. I felt devoted by her side like she always needed me and still to this day whenever she needed my help, I'd be at her doorstep; only second to Mahado.
"She's the same thing to me as she is to you, silly. She loves Mahado and—don't give me that look. Priestess Isis has a better chance of being courted by Shada than she does by your best priest." I hugged my body firm, eyes casting an amused glance to the surprise written over his face. "I would die the day she left, but that doesn't mean she's the one I'm in love with. In fact, I'm in love with…nevermind." Red scoured about my face as I realized what I was almost blowing.
"In love with whom, little one?" His eyes widened with fascination and in the back of those red irises he was already trying to pluck apart all of the possible candidates and fit suitors. Atemu closed the space between us, making it sparse, but my nerves were keeping me from running. Where would I run, anyway, I thought, rolling my eyes. Despite the many doors in my soul room, there was a limit and eventually you would be walking in circles. "Who are you in love with?"
"I'm…I…er…" I stammered quietly, eyes never leaving his form. I shuddered as he brought himself even closer. No. Resist. RESIST! I tried to push him out of my sight, but he was resilient. Instead of backing away like I'd hoped, he brought himself closer and I shivered. Yami. Yami. Yami. He was triggering them again…my memories. With a shiver, I curled into a small little ball, eyes buried at my knees.
His prowl ceased. In an instant he fell to my side, sitting parallel to my form as I clutched Black Magician Girl's figurine tighter. "Yugi?" he whispered gently, touching my forehead.
"Atemu…please. Just…don't." I curled tighter, away from him. "I…please don't look at me like that."
He silenced for a moment before speaking up again. "Like what, little one?" Atemu inched closer, pulling me out of my episode like he had earlier and onto his lap. "Like this? With great concern for whatever evils you must face all because I so harshly trigger your memories yet at the same time mollify them? With relief that you are okay, but worry that the more I open myself to you, you will disappear? With all the care in the world, so happy that you are certainly not marrying my best friend?"
"You were supposed to be the one getting married." I slapped his arm away with full intent of getting away, but my legs gave out on me again. Instead, I refused to face him and stared at his feet. "You were supposed to be the one, happy to have a wife and I…I'm supposed to disappear, you silly little pharaoh! You…were supposed to stop…teasing me like this…"
He was appalled. I knew it. He was surprised that I would defy him, talk back to the Living Horus of all people and demand he stopped leading me into some random direction. Atemu chuckled bitterly, this time being the one to slide me aside and run a hand through his ebony tresses. "Quite frankly I never did take a liking to the thought of matrimony."
I rolled my eyes. "You would have changed your mind right after you saw her strutting to the altar in that pretty dress and then when you saw that baby."
"Quite the contrary. You seemed to have forgotten something, little one."
"Oh?"
"I think children are spawn of the devil." He wryly touched my shoulder and rolled his own eyes before grinning. For the first time in a week I studied his expression, noticing how weary and tired he seemed after all of the work put in for the wedding. Large black circles appeared under his eyes, gold hair matted to his brow and missing the sound of crackling thunder. Even his ebony hair, which was always high and proud, wilted a little. Atemu was tired. He'd partaken in so much stress in the past seven days trying to get everything done and even when he was in his bed room, ready to collapse, his desire to see me counted for more.
He wanted me. At the sudden thought, I felt warmth burn my cheeks and hugged myself protectively.
"Ah," he said, touching my cheek. "Now that is the expression I am so used to seeing. A beautiful glow cast amongst your porcelain skin and a pink smile painted across those lips."
I was…smiling? Yeah…yeah. I was smiling. My blush darkened and I ran a hand through my hair. "So…about this marriage then."
"'Twas obligatory." He crinkled his nose, grimacing again at the thought and shivered. "Though I'd rather less of my guards' blood was shed during that battle thanks to the ass known as Enu, I would have beheaded her myself had the chance risen up."
"Don't you love her?"
"If I loved her I would have given into her wishes and promote my Pendant upon her bosom. But no, I did not, and so the duplicate rests upon your torso instead of hers." He leaned over, both pendants clinking against one another in an effort to show what he meant. I felt the heat rise across my cheeks again and looked down to it. Atemu brushed the hair away from my face and kissed a long lock of blond hair. "There."
"There, what?"
"Your hair remains unsheathed and shimmers with true beauty, little one." Atemu chuckled.
My entire body trembled, suddenly cold when he broke away and returned to his side. I looked to Black Magician Girl, whose carvings were imprinting my hand now. I set her down and ducked my head. We'd been wrong. Both of us, this entire time we were fooling ourselves and as I had told Mana, were creating unreachable expectations for one another. Did he want me though, like…like I wanted him? When I peeked over those red eyes were shut and contemplating something.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"I beg your pardon?"
My cheeks burned. "Penny for your thoughts," I repeated softly. Confusion shimmered across his face and I continued. "It's this…this American phrase. It just means I'll give you money if you tell me what you're thinking. She," I pointed to the blond, freckled girl Atemu had completed while I wasn't awake: Rebecca. "She's American. Taught me it while I was in America."
"I see." He smiled gently and caught my hand. "I would pour all my heart and feeling for you, little one. All you have to do is ask."
"I should start," I murmured softly. Shutting my eyes closed, I slowly relaxed and stretched my limbs before laughing. "We're horrible."
"Oh?"
"If we were considered the light and dark of each other, Atemu, we'd lose in the long run. We barely know what the other is thinking and when we…when we assume it we horribly mess up." I gestured to nowhere in particular and shrugged. "It…starts out with one little thing and explodes in our face. I mean…you could have told me about Mana and what was bothering you right off the bat."
"Yes," he said, eyes narrowing. "But you could have also spoken to me of your worries about Teana."
"We're both at fault here, then." Smiling again, I turned to him and tilted my head. Biting my lip, I asked, "Do you want to start over?"
"What do you mean?"
"This…this relationship." I felt the heat once again rise to my cheeks and thoroughly rubbed my arm. "It all started a month ago, you know. When th-that first kiss happened and from there we tackled everything…weirdly. If from now on we tell each other what's going on, maybe we won't end up…here…troubled…utterly embarrassed."
"Ah." His eyes shimmered with mischief and he turned, sitting crosslegged parallel to me. "I suppose."
I grinned. "My name is Yugi Mutou. Nice to meet you."
"I am Atemu, the King of Egypt."
"Sounds hard."
"It is."
Now…we were talking. Just back and forth, a little stammering and me dying of embarrassment in between, but above all it was…nice. His eyes weren't constantly lingering at my body, ready to take me here and then, but neither was I. It was the first time my annoying headaches weren't trying to eat me whole and being in his presence was…relaxing. We were friends now. No Teana to delve into responsibilities, no Mana to dote over…just two friends sitting here and speaking.
I yawned, feeling the drear tingle at my head again. Squinting, my eyes narrowed to the lean form standing up and offering me a hand. "Yeah?"
"'Tis time for me to get going. Unlike you, I lack a bed in my soul room." He smiled mischievously, though tiresomely. "I am just curious to whether not you would prefer residing in the pendant for the night or sleeping with me."
"With you?" My cheeks blazed at the thought.
"Yes," he murmured curtly. "Though proposing to continue where we left off seems pointless if you cannot remember what we have done. Instead, I really am exhausted. If you want to, then you may."
"I…" Steadily looking to the ground, my fingers found the soles of my feet and I bit my lip. With a small smile, I stood up and clutched my own Millennium Puzzle. "Alright."
He grinned, as if he'd accomplished the impossible. My own broadened and with a flash of light, we left, and I forgot all about the eerie green puzzle piece sitting in the center of the floor.
mouhitorinoboku.
Author's Note:
And inevitably, this chapter is complete. Guys, guess what! I got ten reviews from you and that's the most so far out of all of them. That's amazing, I'm so happy! (happy dance) I like this chapter compared to the one before it, but I feel the MahadoxMana introduction was a bit…weird. I want to cover it a bit more, but that'll be hard and…well, wouldn't you feel awkward if while you were proclaiming your love for your bf/gf and some person was eavesdropping? Yup yup. Well, I got a lot of fun replies from you guys; so downright hilarious and really in depth with the situation beforehand. Which was always fun to read and I by the time I was actually done writing this chapter, I was just… "Omg! Neither of them is ranting about sex!" Until….you know, halfway through, but hey, it's a given. C:
If I were to answer this question, I…have absolutely no idea. xD I have an Atemu thinking cap and a Yugi thinking cap when I alternate, so I can't exactly say I'm biased. They want in each other's pants. Er, kilt. In this case, kiltpants. Yup. Alright. Well, did the calculations yesterday about how long this story will be and…damn, it's long. Not just chapter wise. I think we all know how long this effing thing is chapter wise. Eventually I'm thinking about splitting it up because there's still a lot more of the plot needing to be covered. So…it'll be about three parts long, two at least and three at most. Is um, anyone willing to stick with it? Bah. Reviews would be nice! C: