For those worried about me doing Yuugi as a girl, I will try to keep her in character. I don't plan to change her personality.
Chapter 2- The Letter
Yami walked through the halls of the palace, rather irritated.
Ever since the announcement that he was the new Crown Prince, there had been women throwing themselves at him right and left. All they did was try to flaunt their beauty and say that they would make a gorgeous bride for him.
Yami wasn't impressed with any of them, though. He didn't want someone that was going to try and flaunt their beauty to him. He wanted a more meaningful relationship than one where all that mattered was looks.
"Oh. Prince Yami." a voice called.
Yami growled. He turned and saw another girl approaching him. "Yes." Yami said, keeping his voice level and calm.
"Prince Yami, I was wondering if you would like my company?" the girl asked bating her eyelashes in what she must have thought was a sexy way. "I would make a great companion. No other could rival my beauty." the girl told him.
Yami mentally yelled. 'She's just like the others. All she thinks about is her looks and the thought of one day being queen.' Yami thought.
"I am sure that you would be satisfied with me." the girl said.
Yami knew what she was implying. "If you will excuse me, I was on my way to see my brother." Yami said. He started to walk off.
"The immoral bastard." the girl muttered under her breath.
Yami turned quickly and looked at her with a fierce glare. "Do not ever speak of my brother in such a way again, girl. He is still a prince of Egypt. Speaking in such a disrespectful way about him does nothing to lengthen your life span or my favor." Yami snarled.
The girl backed up, afraid of what Yami might do. She knew that speaking in such a disrespectful way was dangerous.
"get out of the palace before I decide to tell my father." Yami said before stalking off. He was seething mad about how people were speaking of Atemu, but it was common.
Many thought that it was wrong for a Prince of Egypt to marry a male, and there were many who had been punished for speaking in such a disrespectful way.
It made Yami really angry. He knew that the majority of the people didn't mind, but there were a few who did care.
"Atemu, knock it off." Heba said, giggling.
"Why?" Atemu asked as he went back to kissing Heba on the neck.
"Really, Atemu. I need to finish this, or Mahado will have my hide for not finishing it." Heba said.
Atemu groaned. "Oh, all right." Atemu said, finally moving away so that Heba could read the book.
Heba started to read the book now that he could actually concentrate.
There was a knock on the door.
Atemu went to the door and opened it.
A moment later, Yami walked into and shut the door quickly.
"Um, are you okay brother?" Atemu asked.
"I am sick and tired of all these women coming onto me thinking that just because they are beautiful I will want them." Yami said.
"Oh. That still going on?" Atemu asked.
"Everyday I have to deal with that, and I am sick of it." Yami said.
"Could I have a little quiet please?" Heba asked, looking up at the two brothers.
"Sorry, Heba." Atemu said.
"What's going on?" Yami asked.
"Well, Mahado's been teaching Heba since father declared him a free man, and he has to read that book." Atemu replied.
"Would that be the book on the pharaohs of the past?" Yami asked.
"Yes. How did you know that?" Heba asked.
"Mahado forced us to read that book, too. It was boring as hell." Yami said.
"You're not kidding." Heba said.
"Well, I think that we'll go talk in Yami's room so that you can have peace and quiet." Atemu said.
"Thank you." Heba said, looking back down at the book.
"You also need to get out of here to resist the temptation that Heba presents to you." Yami muttered.
"Shut up." Atemu growled.
Yami smirked at him.
Atemu opened the door to find Eternias and Yuesei at the door.
Eternias had his hand raised to knock and was startled by the sudden opening of the door.
"Eternias. Yuesei. What are you doing here?" Atemu asked.
"I actually needed to see Heba." Eternias replied.
Heba sighed and put the book to the side, coming to the conclusion that he was not going to be able to read anymore of the book that day. "What is it, Eternias?" Heba asked.
Eternias walked into the room. "This letter came today. It was addressed to you." Eternias said, handing the papyrus to Heba.
"Who would wrote Heba?" Yami asked.
"I don't pry into other people's business, Yami, so I don't know." Eternias replied.
"What's going on?" Jou asked, sticking his head in the room.
"Apparently, everyone gathering in here so come on in." Atemu said.
Jou walked into the room with Seth, Anzu, Honda, and Mana behind him.
"Everyone is in here." Atemu said.
Heba opened the papyrus sheet and started to read the letter.
It read:
Brother,
I know that it has been some time since we were last able to speak. I heard that you were engaged to Prince Atemu, so I thought that you would get the letter if I sent it to the palace. I know that the last time we spoke was five years ago, and I want you to know that I have thought about you everyday. I miss you, brother, and I want to see you again. I thought that I would let you know that our father passed away recently. He was killed in a raider attack when he was on his way to the palace. Grandfather is now the head of our family. Although you and Jou cannot gain the wealth that came with our family because of Father's actions, but he wants you to come and see us as do I. Ryou and Malik are anxious to see you, too. I do hope that you will come and see us, Brother. I miss you dearly and wish to see you again. Tell Jou that I miss him and that I love him. I love you, Brother, and I hope that you will come to see us.
Your Sister,
Yuugi
Heba starred in shock at the letter. He had never expected to hear from his sister nor learn that he and Jou could come back. His eyes lit up at that.
"Hey, Heba. Why do you look so happy?" Jou asked.
"Jou, you're not going to believe this. I just got a letter from Yuugi." Heba said.
"Are you serious?" Jou asked. At Heba's nod, Jou said, "How is she?"
"It sounds like she's doing just fine, Jou. In fact, she told me that our father passed away recently, and that Grandfather is head of the family now. She said that we could come to see them if we want to." Heba said.
"All right! We haven't seen them in so long. It'll be great to see everyone again." Jou said.
"Who's Yuugi?" Atemu asked.
"I told you about her, Atemu. She's my sister. The one that I haven't seen in five years." Heba said.
"That's right. You did tell me." Atemu acknowledged.
"I didn't know that you had a sister." Anzu said.
"Yeah. I haven't seen her in five years. My cousins Malik and Ryou, either." Heba said.
"Why didn't you go and see them?" Honda asked.
"It wasn't that we didn't want to. It's that we just couldn't." Jou said.
"Why not?" Yuesei asked.
Heba and Jou glanced at each other.
Atemu, Yami, and Seth all glanced at each other. They knew why, and they also knew that it was hard for them to talk about it.
"The truth is that my father was the head of the family, and he disowned me and Jou five years ago." Heba said.
"Why did he do that?" Mana asked.
"He found out that Heba and I preferred men to women when it comes to marriage, and he wasn't so understanding. He was disgusted by the thought. He pretty much called is worthless and bastards. He disowned us and for bid us from ever making contact with the family again as well as forbidding any other member of the family from making contact with us. I'm sure that he made sure neither happened. That's when Jou and I pretty much became commoners before we were taken into slavery and brought here. You already know the rest." Heba said.
"So, why now?" Mana asked.
"Well, my father is dead, and since Yuugi is female, she couldn't become head of the family, so our grandfather will be head of the family until my sister marries. Not even Grandfather can reverse being disowned. We can't have the titles back or the wealth, but we can at least speak with our family again." Heba said.
"Yeah, and that's all we really want." Jou added, looking at the letter. He smiled. "It doesn't surprise me that Yuugi was the one that wrote. She was very close to all of us, and I know that Yuugi would want to see us again." Jou said.
"Why don't we talk to Father? Given your new stations, you can't just up and leave the palace, but I doubt that my father would mind very much." Atemu said.
"He believes in family, so I think that he'll agree." Yami added.
"If you want to go, then I have no problem with it." Aknankanon said after being told about the letter and the offer. "I assume that Atemu and Seth want to go as well." Aknankanon said.
"Well, now that you mention it, I would like to go and meet his family." Atemu said.
"As would I." Seth said.
Amara smiled. "I think that this is wonderful opportunity for you." Amara said.
"You will need guards to go with you. Eternias. Honda. I think that you two would do well. And Anzu and Yuesei could go as well." Aknankanon said.
"Of course, sire, and thank you." Eternias said.
"When would you leave?" Amara asked.
"I don't know. I suppose in a few days." Heba said.
"Yami, why don't you go, too?" Aknankanon suggested.
"Me? Why?" Yami asked..
"I know that you could use a break from all the women that have been after you, and that seems like the perfect place." Aknankanon said.
"I suppose I could." Yami said.
"Would it possible for me to of, too?" Mana asked.
"That would be up to Mahado. I have nor problem with it, though." Aknankanon said.
"Thank you, Pharaoh." Heba said.
"I am glad that you are able to go." Aknankanon said.
"You seem rather excited, Heba." Atemu said, noticing his fiancé's upbeat attitude.
"Of course I am. I get to see my sister, my grandfather, and my cousins for the first time in five years." Heba said.
"I can understand that.' Atemu said. He grew solemn and said, "Do you think that they'll approve of us, though?"
"Yes. They knew long before my father ever found out, and it didn't bother nay of them. In fact, they tried to keep Father from finding out, but it didn't work." Heba said.
"I see. Were you close to your sister?" Atemu asked.
"Yes. Yuugi and I were closer than you and Yami are. She was my best friend. I could tell her anything and know that she wouldn't tell anyone or judge me for it." Heba said.
"I see. It seems like she was very understanding." Atemu said.
"She was. Since Father was coming to the palace, I have a sneaky suspicion that father had plans to try and get Yuugi married to Yami." Heba said.
"How do you know that?' Atemu asked, laying down beside Heba.
"Well, the only thing that my father ever cared about was social status, wealth, and power, and there would have been no greater position than to have his daughter the next queen of Egypt." Heba said.
"Makes sense, but I doubt that she would have to worry about that now." Atemu said.
Heba nodded. "I know. I guess I just wonder what life has been like for her. I know that Yuugi was very beautiful the last time I saw her." Heba said.
"She's beautiful then?" Atemu asked.
Heba nodded. "Oh, yeah. Don't get me wrong. She's not shallow like some women are. Yuugi is well educated, and she doesn't take any kind of crap from anyone. She will say what she thinks, but she does it in a respectable way." Heba said.
"Well, I am looking forward to meeting her." Atemu said.
"I hope that you like her." Heba said.
"I'm sure that I will." Atemu said. 'I just hope that she's not one that will throw herself at Yami just to become queen.' Atemu thought.
Yami was laying on his bed, thinking. There was a knock on his door. "Come in." Yami called.
Amara opened the door and walked in. "Hello, Yami." Amara said.
"Mother, what are you doing in here?" Yami asked, sitting up.
Amara sat on the bed and said, "I was wondering of you really wanted to go with Heba and Atemu to see Heba's family."
"Of course I do. Why do you ask?" Yami asked.
"Your father put you on the spot. I was hoping that you didn't feel that you were forced." Amara said.
"No, Mother. I don't mind going. With all the noble women that have been coming around and throwing themselves at me, thinking that I will marry them just because of their beauty." Yami said.
"I know. It will end once you have a wife." Amara said.
"That's just it. The council expects me to marry within a year, but I don't want to marry someone that I do not love." Yami said.
"Yami, you do not have to marry in a year. Atemu had to marry because he was going to be twenty at that time. You have at least two years." Amara said.
"Oh. That's still not enough time." Yami said.
"Yami, you will find the one for you as your father did with me. You never know. You may find love in the unlikeliest of places." Amara said.
"I hope that you're right." Yami said.
"I am." Amara said.
Yami sighed. "I just hope that Heba's sister is not going to be one that tries throwing herself at me." Yami said.
"I cannot speak for that. All you can do is go there, and see." Amara said before she stood up and left.
Yami sighed. "I hope that she is not like the others." Yami muttered.
The following day, the party of ten readied themselves to leave the palace.
"be careful crossing the desert." Aknankanon warned.
"We will, Pharaoh." Eternias assured him.
"Good bye, Father. Mother. We will see you in a few weeks." Atemu said.
The group rode off into the desert.
"Do you think that they will be all right?" Amara asked.
"As far as getting there, yes. Eternias, Honda, and Seth are all great warriors and can protect them. Atemu and Yami are also excellent fighters. Heba and Jou have magic which can help them. They will make it there safely. I am sure of that." Aknankanon said.
"Good. I do hope that they enjoy seeing their family again. Heba and Jou deserve this chance." Amara said.
"Yes, they do. Depending on their visit, I may invite their family here to visit them since we will be related when Atemu and Heba marry and when Seth and Jou marry." Aknankanon said.
"A good idea. I would like the chance to meet them as well." Amara said.
Aknankanon and his wife went back into the palace once the group was out of sight.
That's chapter 3. This jsut set up for the next few chapters.
Next chpater has Yuugi and Heba seeing each other again. It's the family reunion.
R&R.