See, chapter! It might not be what most of you wanted, but tough. I promised that I would update tece and gooh in April. Well, I held up that promise for one of them. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do the other one in time, which means I'll be updating three stories in May. I'm still going to to try to update gooh before the month is out though. I do not own Yugioh. [JAPANESE and ENGLISH]
Chapter 21
Yugi sighed as he sat down in his favorite spot in the garden. He had told Mira and Malik to go find Ishizu and follow her around for a while. Mira had immediately asked if she could go see her friend Penny, and Yugi had simply said tomorrow. It was a vague answer, and one that received a heavy amount of disappointment, but he couldn't let her see her. Not just yet anyway. Yugi looked up at the cherry blossom tree that was no longer in bloom, the leaves already having fallen from the branches. It provided no shade or cover form the outside world, but it was still his favorite tree.
He and his Mother had planted it when she was still alive. A little sapling then, but now a strong foundation for beauty. Yugi looked down at the grass that was slowly turning to an ugly brown color. All a part of the circle of life. Nature blooms in the sun, and then lies dormant for the days when the clouds cover it from view. That was what she had told him when he had asked at the age of five.
"Hello, Prince Yugi. Where's that pretty little servant of yours?" a voice cut through his peacefulness.
"Why do you care?" Yugi asked standing up and glaring the other man.
"I was simply curious. Is it against the law in Japan to inquire the whereabouts of old friends?"
"Pfft, old friends, we were nothing even close to that. Ever," he scoffed.
"You hurt me. I thought we were very close," he stepped forward reaching for his hand.
SHING!
"You will keep your distance from me and my servants. Fail to do so and the consequences could be severe," Yugi pointed his katana at the other man's jugular.
"You'd really use that on me?"
"It's because of you that I even needed to learn how to."
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," he touched the tip of the blade trying to move it aside.
"Yugi! There you are!"
Yugi's katana quickly disappeared as he put it back in its sheath. He turned his head slightly to nod at Yami as he approached. Yami completely oblivious to what was going on, wrapped his arms around Yugi pulling him into his chest.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your fiancé?" the other man asked.
"Prince Yami meet Prince Timeaus, from India."
"Ah, it's nice to meet you," he said offering his hand.
"I wish I could say the same," he said glaring down at Yami's hand like it was below him to shake it, before turning with a swish of his cloak and leaving the way he came in.
"Um, did I do something wrong?"
"No, that's just the way he is. Let's not invite him to our wedding, hm?" Yugi asked pulling away.
"Ah, but we have to. Prince Timeaus is the Crown Prince of India. He is the only heir to his country, and to not invite him would be a great insult to them. It could start a war, Yugi."
"No, just his presence alone could do that, believe me." Yugi muttered.
"What was that?"
"Okay!"
"That was way too many words to be just a simple okay. Oh, by the way, where is Mira and Malik?"
"With Ishizu, Malik's sister, and our Healer."
"And what is it that you need to do tomorrow?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, good, then you wouldn't mind if we took a tour of your village?"
"I suppose not. But not in the morning, there's something I need to take care of."
"You just said you had nothing to do tomorrow."
"Well, it won't take all day, so we'll have plenty of time to tour my village."
"Can I come with you on this thing you need to do?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You'll get lost, and then where would we be, hm?"
"Why do I need to get lost?"
"Just stay in the Palace, okay?"
"Why? Are you leaving the Palace?"
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
"Okay, either you stay here, in the Palace walls, or I'll…I'll…I'll cut you off from kissing the entire time we're here." Yugi looked around for something before grinning up at Yami.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"Easy, you're in my territory now. I know this place like the back of my hand and if I don't want you to find me, then you never will. I can get you hopelessly lost in the bowels of the Palace, and then leave you there to find your way back out. Stay. Here."
"Oh, but how are you going to stop me from kissing you right now?" Yami asked leaning towards him.
"Simply." Yugi grabbed his shoulder and pushed him into the Koi pond before running off. He ran into Rebecca who was laughing her head off. Apparently she had seen the whole thing. The two looked at one another before clasping hands and took off towards who knew where.
;p;p;p;p
Yami climbed out of the Koi pond. He felt a little sorry for the fish; they had looked so startled when he had landed in their mist. They were slowly coming out from behind the rocks, and other landscapes he had no name for, that they had hidden behind. He looked around for Yugi, but the Prince was long gone. His territory indeed. He had meant to ask him more about Prince Timeaus but it seemed he would have to wait on that.
His first question was why everyone seemed to walk around him like they were walking on glass. He had noticed this especially with the female servant and slaves. They walked in packs and never alone. It was odd, the last time he had been here; they were running to and from their tasks alone, all of them. But now, where you could find one female servant or slave you found at least two more and a male or two nearby either behind them or walking with them. But they were only like this when he was in the vicinity, when he was gone; they dispersed and ran off to their separate chores.
His second, what was Yugi doing tomorrow that was so important he couldn't come with? It couldn't be anything that dangerous or extravagant. Maybe he was going to get a present for his brother and his fiancé, Lady Rebecca's, wedding. If that was the case, he definitely needed to come; he was also in need of getting a gift for them. His Father had been unable to put together a suitable gift in time that the boat was leaving. So he had given Yami some gold and told him to get something nice, whatever that meant. Maybe Yugi knew.
He would have to find his elusive fiancé first though. From the moment he dropped Yami off in his room, he had vanished. He just found him, and he slips away again. He would swear that Yugi was planning something for tonight, something disastrous with his siblings. He was staying away from whatever the cooks cooked, there was bound to be something in it. That child had one of the most devious minds he had ever seen, and he was friends with Marik and Bakura, he knew what deviant minds looked like. Still, in the short few months that he had known Yugi, he had put both of theirs to shame.
"A little tip with Yugi, he's finicky. He'll change his mind in a heartbeat about you. But when that happens, you can be sure that I'll be nearby to pick up the pieces," a voice said from behind him as he wrung out his shenti some more. Yami whipped around, but there was no one there. How…odd.
;p;p;p;p
Yugi laughed as they finished hanging the vines from the balcony. Then he, Rebecca, and Jou went off their separate ways to find their servants. Yugi found his with Ishizu, just where he had told them to go. He collected a happy Mira and reluctant Malik and went back to his room. He changed for dinner and led them to the dining hall.
"AAAAGGGHHHH!" a voice screamed form another part of the Palace.
Yugi snorted, well that was a little quicker than the three of them had hoped for, but still, at least it was successful. He high fived Jou as they went into the dining hall, but stopped short, Prince Timeaus was in the wrong seat.
"Prince Yugi, I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of sitting in the seat I had the last time I was here," he said grinning.
"I do mind actually. That is the spot of my fiancé, something which you are not," Yugi replied coldly.
"Oh, I was unaware that we had assigned seats. It seems like such a petty thing to impose upon guests of this magnitude."
"Yugi! Get them off!" Yami burst into the room behind him covered in snails, draped in vines, and drenched in red wine. The wine that was going to be served for dinner that night, but had mysteriously gone missing a few hours before.
"I found the wine," one slave whispered to another. They nodded back scowling.
"Now Prince Yami, do you think this is a very appropriate way to attend dinner? Let alone to represent your country?" Yugi asked shaking his head in disapproval.
"You had something to do with this."
"Do you have proof?"
"No…I never have proof."
"Then go make yourself presentable."
"You've turned into a beautiful maiden, Mira," Prince Timeaus said in a quiet voice from directly behind him. Yugi whipped around to see Mira shaking like a leaf, her hand held tightly in Prince Timeaus's grip as he kissed the back of it. Yugi grabbed her shoulders and yanked her away, pulling her behind him.
"You will keep your distance from the servants and slaves of this Palace, Prince Timeaus. Don't make me repeat myself, again," Emperor Otogi's voice called out before Yugi could do or say anything.
"Of course," he sneered bowing to Yugi's brother.
"Prince Yami, explain your attire please."
"I'm the victim of a practical jest?"
"That's no excuse. Go change yourself for dinner immediately. Yugi, help him. Mira and Malik, come sit behind me."
"But I've never, you know, seen him before," Yugi stuttered.
"Do you not see him every day in Egypt?"
"No!" he shrieked.
"Then how can you possibly get to know him as your future partner?"
"There are plenty of other ways to get to know someone, trust me."
"Yugi! How dare you defile Japan's name with this…this…this…oh," Otogi trailed of as Rebecca whispered something in his ear. His cheeks turned a bright pink, and he sat down and motioned for her to speak. Rebecca nodded, sighing.
"What Otogi means is that you simply help him to undress himself from that mess he has all over him?" Rebecca smiled. Yugi looked over at Yami.
"Yeah I can do that. Mira and Malik, come," Yugi grabbed Yami's hand and dragged him out.
"Do we have to watch you undress him?" Malik whined as soon as they were far enough down the hallway that they were sure no one would hear them.
"I'm not undressing him, simply getting all of this off."
"Are you going to wash him too?"
"No!"
"Then just how are you going to make him presentable again?"
;p;p;p;p
"Hold still, this is the last one." Yugi said as he gently pulled the snail from Yami's backside. Good thing they hadn't been able to find those leeches after all. That would have been much worse.
"Now will you help me wash?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You're a grown man and perfectly capable of washing yourself."
"Oh no, I think I need help," Yami said with a sly smirk turning around to face him.
"No, you just need to wash yourself, so we can get back. I'll make it up to you later, promise," he said giving him a quick peck on the lips, and then shoved him into the tub that was probably full of freezing water by now. And from the loud shriek that just left Yami's mouth, he guessed he was right.
"It's freezing!"
"If you had stopped fussing like a child and just let me pull them off quickly, it would have been warm at best. But no you chose to whine and complain, so you get to take a bath in freezing water."
"Shall we wash him?" Malik and Mira asked holding up rags.
"No!" Yugi shouted running all of them out of the bathroom his eyes wide with horror.
"Then who's going to wash him?"
"He's going to wash himself," Yugi ground out.
"Can he do that?"
"If he can dress himself, then he can wash himself. They are not such different tasks from one another."
;p;p;p;p
Yami lifted the bucket full of water and dumped it upon himself, shivering at its coldness. He then grabbed a cloth and an oval shaped slippery thing. He tried to get a good grip on it but it sprung from his hands and across the floor. Getting out of the tub, he put one foot on the floor and promptly fell to the floor with a loud thump. He crawled across the floor to get the oval shaped object only to have it jump from his hands again.
He ended up chasing it all over the bathroom, before he banged his head against the side of the tub cursing loudly. Finally getting a good hold on the object by wrapping the cloth around it instead of his hands, he used it to rub all over his body. He couldn't quite get his back though, and when he called out to Yugi for help, he got a vague response of he could do it himself. Huffing in frustration, Yami threw the bubbly cloth, with the oval object still inside it, across the room. It hit the mirror with a thundering crack.
Wincing he got out of the tub only to slip on the floor again. Why did they not have on rugs in here? He got up and carefully picked the empty cloth up off the floor as the door opened behind him.
"Yami, what was that sound?" Yugi asked cautiously sticking his head inside.
"Uh, nothing. Whoa!" he spun around only to fall on the floor in a heap of limbs.
"ACK!" Yami caught sight of the most beautiful red of all red blushes before Yugi was gone back out the door.
"What's wrong, Yugi?" he heard Mira ask.
"He's nude!"
"Well, that's usually how I take my baths. I'm not sure how you do it, but that's how a normal person does it."
There was a scamper of feet and Yami could only assume that he was now chasing her around his room. Getting up and carefully walking back to the tub, he climbed back in and rinsed himself off. Climbing back out, he grabbed a towel wrapping it around his waist, and walked out where he found Yugi sitting on Mira in a victorious manner.
"Get off, you're heavy."
"That's not what you said last week."
"Last week was different."
"Yeah, how so?"
"I didn't care that you were sitting on top of me."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Well, let's see what you think of it now," he said before tickling her.
"Ha ha ha ha, Malik he he he he, help!"
"Nope, I want no part of it."
"Traitor!"
"No, not traitor, rebel. Rebel sounds much better."
"And how are you a rebel from not rescuing her from my grasp, hm?" Yugi asked as he stopped tickling her only to hold her like he was some kind of enemy.
"Oh, I am a damsel in distress, and am in need of being rescued? Oh where is Daisuke, my knight in shining armor? Wherever could he be?"
"As far away from you as he can possibly get," Malik said grinning.
"Yeah, well I don't see Shin anywhere nearby either."
"Yeah, but he'd actually come to my rescue."
"Oh, let me at him, Yugi."
"Of course," he said releasing her.
"Hey!" Malik said bolting from his spot as Mira sprung at him. Yami let out a loose chuckle that was barely audible over the fighting of Mira and Malik. It caught Yugi's attention though as he grinned at him.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Yami shook his head and went to answer the door. A servant girl was standing outside with a tray in her hands. She opened her mouth to speak but words seemed to fail her as she took in his toned and muscular upper torso. Yami smirked and subtly flexed his muscles.
"Yes, Kari?"
"Oh, Prince of cuteness, welcome back to Japan. Emperor Otogi says you're taking too long, and here is the meal for the night for the four of you," she said shaking herself and handing him the tray before running off.
"What did you do to the poor girl?" Yugi asked looking at Yami in disapproval.
"I did nothing. She was the one staring at me, and what did she call you?"
"Don't worry about it. Shall we eat?"
"Yes, I'm starving."
"Hm, that must be a new thing for you."
"Indeed."
"Well, shall we eat?"
"Of course, and you know, you can even spend the night if you want to, Yugi."
"Ha ha, no."
"Why must you be no fun?"
"I thought I was plenty of fun on the boat ride there and here again," he replied with narrowed eyes.
"Not nearly enough."
"Then I shall make sure to step it up a notch, just for you," he grinned in a way that had Yami's forehead collecting with sweat. What did he just do?
"Uh, fun in what way?" Yami asked uneasily. Yugi said nothing as he lifted the cover from the food, he just kept grinning which turned into a smile as he saw what was on the tray. It was some kind of seaweed and rice ball, with a pink center. Very odd, but it made Yugi very happy.
"Sushi!"
"Su-what?"
"Sushi! And rice balls. And Takoyaki. Oh, all my favorites." Yugi looked up at him with eyes shining brightly. Yami couldn't help grinning back. He looked happier about this food then when he had discovered the joys of chocolate. He picked up a piece of the Takoyaki and popped it into his mouth moaning at the taste. Yami decided to be daring and took one too, eating it. It tasted odd, a little fishy even.
"Yugi, what exactly is Takoyaki?"
"Octopus ball."
"Octo-what?"
"Octopus ball."
"And sushi? What is that?"
"Raw fish wrapped in sticky rice and seaweed. And before you ask, a rice ball is, obviously a ball of rice, but with a center of pickled plums, salmon, or whatever other ingredient you want."
"Uh, I think I'm good without food tonight," Yami said turning away and swallowing the rest of the Takoyaki in his mouth.
"You're not even going to try it?"
He knew it was a bad idea. He knew he shouldn't do it. But there was just so much disappointment coming from Yugi's voice that he turned and looked at him. He was caught in the trap, though it didn't seem like one this time. There was genuine disappointment written all over his face before he broke eye contact and looked down at the tray of food. He pushed the tray away, and got up walking out. Mira and Malik were quick to follow him. Yami looked down at the tray and picked the other items up that he had just so casually cast aside. He ate both, although there was no one around to see him try it. He wasn't a fan of the flavoring, but it made Yugi happy, and he had just destroyed that happiness. He felt less like a Prince, and more like a monster. Placing the nearly untouched tray out in the hallway, he went back to bed, discarding the towel on the floor, he fell down onto the bed and willed for sleep to take him away.
;p;p;p;p
Yugi made sure that Mira and Malik were asleep, before climbing down his balcony and fixing his dark cloak more securely around himself. He had tied his hair back in a low ponytail, and wrapped a scarf around his face, so only his eyes were visible. He tightened his gloves, and fixed one of his boots, before making his way to the stables. He set all the horses loose into the pasture. They would have to catch them, before they could ride them and that would take a fair amount of time. The horses really liked the pasture.
Leaving out one of the side gates, one of the less guarded ones, Yugi headed towards town. Adjusting the hood on his cloak, he made sure he was well disguised. If the town's people knew he was in town alone, it could create quite the scene, and that was the last thing he wanted. Making sure he still had his small bag of gold tied to his waist, Yugi weaved through the crowd towards the middle of town, towards the square.
He stopped and took in the sight before him. A group of common slaves and servants were being laid out for all to see, and there were already quite a few buyers here. Yugi searched the group until he saw a Penny being led out and sat down on the dirt path, with the rest of the servants. He still found it hard to believe that the daughter of her original owner was selling all of them.
He approached the group and appeared to be checking each of them out. He barely glanced at Penny, but he did wink at her. Relief flooded her face; she had seen his amethyst eyes. Good, she knew he was here. Several of the other servants saw him too, but he merely pretended to be a buyer with no moral soul, as he looked them over.
None of them appeared to be too badly mall nourished, and as he was stepping away he saw Timeaus join the group as well as the Head of Slaves and Servants of the Palace. The sun had almost risen, the auction would begin soon. Yugi backed away and stood with the other buyers, waiting for the one that he was going to buy.
As protocol they would sell the Slaves first and then move on to the Servants. Yugi waited as the sun rose over the tops of the houses and the auction was called into order. It was tiring waiting as the sun moved higher and higher into the sky, but he stood there with the others as he waited for Penny to be put on the stage. The sun was nearly nigh high, before she was brought out. Many people stood up straighter, pushing off of walls that they had been leaning on, Yugi included.
He couldn't really blame them for taking interest in her. She was the fly in the milk, the unique black girl. Her hair was being hit in the right way that it sent purple streaks through her hair, and her eyes were a deep stormy grey which was unusual for a black girl. Still, that's what happened when you were half black, you were granted with some unusual appearance traits.
"Alright, here we have a young black girl, 16 years of age, and a midwife to boot. Price starts at 150 pieces of gold."
"200 pieces!" someone shouted out.
"225!" another said.
"300 pieces!" Timeaus put out grinning, no leering at Penny.
"600 pieces," Yugi said calmly.
"SOLD!" the auctioneer cut off the bids quickly at recognizing his voice.
"What? I have way more gold than that," Timeaus complained jangling his bag around.
"Sold, to the man in the cloak. Next Servant, please." They ignored him already motioning up the next one. It was an older gentleman that the Head of Palace Slaves and Servants would probably buy out of mercy.
Yugi took out his bag of gold, and threw it on the table. The counter nodded and motioned for Penny to go with him. He didn't even bother to see if she could keep up, but started to walk back to the Palace. They were sure to be in a frantic worry looking for him, by now.
;p;p;p;p
"Yami! Where's our Master! What have you done with him?" Yami was awoken by this and the curtains of his balcony opening and shining light into his face.
"What makes you think he tells me anything?" Yami asked grabbing a pillow and putting it over his head and trying to get back to sleep.
"We can't find Yugi anywhere, no one can!" Mira said grabbing the pillow from him.
"Yes, and we know of all his hiding spots. After all, we hid in them with him," Malik added.
"Anyone check the town?"
"I thought you said he didn't tell you anything?"
"He didn't," Yami said opening one eye.
"Well, that would explain why all the horses were out in the Pasture this morning. They're still trying to catch Sir Seto's."
"Prince Timeaus is missing too," Mira commented.
"What is it with him and all of you? You all walk around him like you're walking on glass."
"We do not!"
"Yes, you do. You're all in pairs whenever he's around, and I swear the guards have been doubled since the last time I was here."
"Uh, hello, they're hosting a wedding in three days? Of course the guards have been doubled," Malik said like he was being stupid.
"Still, why do you walk on glass around him?"
"It has nothing to do with you, so don't worry about it," Mira huffed before leaving.
"You really have a way with people don't you?" Malik asked.
"I must. First Yugi, and now her. I have a lot of making up to do. Let me get dressed and I'll help you search for the Prince of Elusiveness."
;p;p;p;p
Yugi was near the Palace, when he saw a cloud of dust making its way towards him. He quickly grabbed ducked into a crevice between two walls, grabbing Penny and holding her close to him. She opened her mouth to say something, so he put his hand over her mouth. He waited until they had passed, before ducking out of the crevice. He really took Penny in this time. She was unharmed, well, as unharmed as she could be in the situation that she had been in. She had a ripped sleeve, and her dress had been torn slightly, but other than that, she appeared unscathed.
"Did they hurt you or abuse you?" he asked.
"No, we were all treated with the respect of our rank. His daughter made sure of it. She kept us in our quarter's right up to the auction. She couldn't feed as well as she would have liked to, but that wasn't her fault. Her Father really dug himself a deep grave of debt, and only by selling us and her home could she possibly pay it off. She didn't want to sell me, her half-sister, but she didn't have a choice. I was a labeled a Servant, so I had to be sold. Thank you, Prince, thank you for buying me," Penny explained.
"You're welcome. Come on, let's get you home." He kissed her forehead and took her hand leading her back to the Palace.
;p;p;p;p
Yami hopped down from the horse, and took in everyone at this auction of Slaves and Servants. He couldn't find his spiky haired fiancé anywhere though. The Guards were going from one cloaked person to the next, yanking off their hoods. Still though, Yugi wasn't found.
"Is there something or someone you're looking for?" someone asked.
"Prince Yugi. Was he here?" General Seto asked.
"No, I never saw him," they responded. Yami saw out of the corner of his eye though, the auctioneer nod ever so slightly. If that was the case, then where was he now? He hadn't been on the road.
"Is there more than one road leading to and from town, General?"
"Yes, but it's full of bandits. He wouldn't dare take that road unless he had a death wish. They hate the Royals, no matter how kind they are to them. Come on, we'll check the road again. This time though, we check all the crevices."
"Yes, Sir!" everyone climbed back into the saddles, and headed back up towards the Palace.
Yami paused, there was a young girl being put up for auction, she couldn't be more than five years of age. There was only 30 pieces of gold on her head so far. Yami frowned, before calling out something he knew he would probably regret later.
"50 pieces!"
"50, going once, going twice, sold, to the young man on the horse."
;p;p;p;p
"Have her washed, clothed, and prepared as my Servant," Yugi said handing Penny off to one of the older Servants of the Palace.
"Yes, Prince."
"And then have her brought up to my room."
"Yes, Prince."
Yugi nodded before walking off to find his brother Otogi. Had he really needed to send the Calvary after him? Really, 20 or so guards were a bit much, wasn't it? Shaking his head, he wasn't paying attention and therefore could only blame himself for being knocked off his feet by two pairs of arms wrapping around him, crashing all of them to the ground.
"You're alive!"
"What made you think I was dead?"
"Well, we woke up to find you gone, and Timeaus was reported missing as well. He at least left a note though. Is it true? Is it true that there was an auction of the Servants and Slaves of the home that Penny lived in, in the square?"
"Yes, it's true."
"Oh no, that's horrible! Why didn't you do anything!? Now Penny belongs to that Monster!" Mira screamed at him before getting up and running off.
"Oh, well, at least it will still be a surprise," Yugi said propping himself up onto his elbows.
"You bought her, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Shh, it's a secret."
"I won't tell, but I do want to be there when you reveal her to Mira. I want to see the look on her face."
"Deal, now get off of me."
"Oh, right. Ah, and there's the Prince of the hour," Malik said getting off of him and helping him up.
"The what?" Yugi asked before he was shoved up against a wall and kissed fiercely. Yugi would have protested if he hadn't recognized the lips, and fell into the kiss. Malik wolf whistled and Yugi waved him off, as he tangled one of his hands into Yami's hair. He was pressed further into the wall, and Yugi moaned as Yami forced his tongue into his mouth, exploring the cavern within. Their tongues battled and played with one another, both of them seeking dominance. Yugi was about to hook one of his legs around his waist when they Yami was suddenly yanked away from him.
"Alright, you found him, now stop molesting our kawairashi-sa no ōji," A random guard said with his hand on Yami's arm.
"I don't know, I think Master was kind of enjoying."
"Regardless, Emperor Otogi has ordered all Palace staff to not let him take advantage of our little Prince," another answered.
"Pfft, oh believe me, that's not taking advantage, that's normal."
"Come Malik, release the Crown Prince," Yugi started to walk off with Malik following him. Yami was quick to catch up, though.
"What does kawairashi-sa no ōji mean?"
"Uh…nothing, don't worry about it." Yugi's face was colored with a light pink blush.
"Oh, now I'm definitely going to worry about it."
"Master, slow down, you're walking too fast," a small voice cried. Yugi pulled up short, making Malik bump into him. They both turned around to see a small girl of four or five years trailing after them. She came to a stop right behind Yami. Yugi raised an eyebrow at him.
"She just looked so small and frail, and no one there looked like they would treat her right, so I bought her. I'm told she was a Slave, but I've promoted her to Servant. I had a weak moment, alright. You've changed me I think," Yami explained in a rush. Yugi smiled, and knelt down in front of her.
"What's your name, young one?"
"Keira, but I will respond to whatever my new Master calls me."
"Keira, what a pretty name. But you know, the man who bought you is the Crown Prince of Egypt. His store of Japanese is very little, so you'll have to be patient with him, because he won't understand all of what you're saying. So, we're going to start teaching you Egyptian, that way there is no language barrier between you, okay?"
"Okay, I think I can learn it."
"Let's start off with something simple though. Repeat after me, my name is Keira, Master."
"My name of Keira, Mustard."
"Close, very close. My name is Keira, Master."
"My name is Keira, Master."
"Good job. We'll work on other phrases later." Yugi ruffled her hair, before standing up.
"Why did you teach her that?" Yami asked.
"She speaks only Japanese, Yami, so you're going to have to be patient with her. Neither one of you are going to understand each other very well, so we're going to work with her to learn Egyptian. She's still young so her mind will soak up the language like a sponge, even if she doesn't really understand what she's saying. She'll pick it up quickly enough. You just have to be patient and work with her on it."
"What have I gotten myself into?"
"A world of trouble. Be kind, and she'll respond to everything you do with loyalty and respect."
"How do you know that?"
"It worked for me." Yugi responded looking over at Malik. He was playing high five with Keira, and she was loving the attention.
"Alright, so her name is, Keira?"
"Yes, but as her new Master you have the right to either keep that name, or give her a new one."
"I'll keep it, it fits her."
"That it does."
"And Yugi, I'm sorry about last night."
"It's okay, I shouldn't expect you to like the same foods I do, we grew up in different countries. But I would like it if you would try our cuisine without complaining. You'll hurt the cooks' feelings if they hear you."
"Alright." Yami kissed his cheek.
"I need to get back to my room before the Servants do. Come on, Malik. You can play with Keira later."
"Alright."
"Keira, come on, I want you to meet some people." Yami said after watching Yugi and Malik walk off. He received a blank stare to his order. So he merely motioned for her to follow him, as he did before when he had gotten back to the Palace. He walked at the same pace before, and heard that same sentence as before slip out from her. He turned to see her stumbling to keep up. He figured he was moving too fast, so he slowed down. There may have been a language barrier between them, but at least they understood each other's body language. He walked at a slower pace to Marik's and Bakura's room. They were sharing one next to him. He walked in without even knocking, and they stopped what they were doing looking up at him, then behind him at Keira.
"Uh, Yami, you have a little stalker there," Marik pointed out.
"Uh, right, this is Keira, my new and first Personal Servant."
"What?" Bakura asked.
"Uh, yeah, I had a bit a soft moment, and bought her from the Slave and Servant auction in town today. She only speaks Japanese, but Yugi taught her how to say 'my name is Keira, Master' in Egyptian. We have to patient with her, she understands body language well enough, it's just understanding each other verbally that we're going to have a little trouble with for a little while. Yugi said that we can work on teaching her Egyptian, that her mind is like a sponge so she'll soak it right up. She may not understand what she's saying right away, but she'll pick it up quickly enough."
"Alright, so what do we teach her first?" Bakura asked.
"I thought we'd start with something simple, and work on names."
"Fair enough. Keira, my name is, Marik." He knelt down so he was at her eye level, placing a hand against his own chest and introducing himself.
"That sounds similar to what Prince Yugi taught me. My name is, Keira."
"I see what you mean. My name is, Bakura," Bakura said doing the same as Marik.
"My name is, Keira."
"Good…job, Keira," Yami said in stuttering Japanese. She grinned widely at him. They all smiled back, it couldn't be helped, her smile was like Yugi's, contagious.
"What now?" Marik asked.
"Um, maybe we should work on teaching her little commands."
"Okay, like what?"
"Follow me, would be the first one."
"Hmm, but how do we teach her what she's saying? I think she picked up on the whole 'my name is' thing. So let's show her with our actions what she's saying, until we can break this language barrier," Bakura suggested.
"Sounds good."
"Keira, follow me." Yami walked more into the room, and Bakura mimicked following him. She frowned, so they tried again, and her eyes lit up. So Yami said it one more time and she started to follow him around the room like a little duckling does its Mother. Marik made a comment on how he wished he could capture the moment and keep it forever it was so adorable.
"Good job, Keira."
"Now what?" Bakura asked.
"Um, stay here."
"Alright, I'll do that one," Marik volunteered. "Keira, stay here." He pointed to the spot she was standing in and took a few steps pack back. It seemed they didn't need to show her this command; she stayed exactly where Marik had pointed and didn't move.
"Good job, Keira!" he clapped for her and she bit her lip as her smile grew wider if that was at all possible.
"Oh, I want to try one. Keira, are you hungry?" Bakura asked her before holding his stomach with a sad look on his face. She just stared at him.
"Hm, Keira, are you hungry?" Bakura tried and mimicked eating food. She blinked and looked from Marik to Bakura, and then back again. Her smile fell from her face, as she looked nervously up at Yami, and nodded, holding her stomach.
"Alright, well, try saying this. Master, I'm hungry." He knelt down in front of her and said the last three words slowly so she could understand them.
"Master, I'm honey," Keira repeated.
"Ha ha, Master, I'm hungry."
"Master, I'm hungry."
"Good job, can you go get her some food, Marik?"
"It would be my honor, except I don't know where the kitchens are."
"Then just find one of the Palace staff and have them get food for her."
"Easy enough," he said walking out.
"Okay, until he gets back let's work on other small commands. Keira, be quiet." Bakura put a finger to his lips looking at Yami who was rambling on about nautical nonsense. He stopped talking immediately.
"Quiet?" Keira asked putting a finger to her lips.
"Yes."
"I'm…quiet." She said putting two different words together without even being told.
"Oh, yes, good job, Keira!" Yami cheered. She grinned back at him, happy that she had picked up on the two words correctly. He lifted her up in the air spinning her around the room. She shrieked with laughter, and joy, before he put her back down. Bakura laughed at them, muttering about adorableness.
"What should we work on now?"
"Um, one more for today and then we'll stop. Then we'll just work on the four commands, and one question."
"Okay, so what's the last command?"
"I don't know, you pick one."
"Okay, Keira, come here," he said motioning her over. She came willingly.
"She's got that one," Bakura grinned.
"Alright, let's go over them again. Keira, follow me," Yami walked around the room and Keira followed him.
"Keira, stay here," Bakura pointed to a spot next to his bed. She walked over there, and stood, as Bakura got up and moved away.
"Keira, be quiet," Yami said putting a finger to his lips. Keira mimicked him by putting a finger to her own lips.
"Keira, come here," she walked over to Bakura who was standing by the doors.
"Keira, are you hungry?"
"Yes, Master, I'm hungry."
"Okay, say yes," Yami said kneeling before her.
"Okay, say yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Good job, Keira," he said standing up and ruffling her hair like Yugi had. She giggled as Marik came back in.
"Uh, we need Yugi, because we don't understand each other. Not even with body language," Marik said pointing to the boy he had brought with him. The poor thing looked so confused, it was almost depressing.
"Maybe not…Keira, I'm hungry in Japanese," Yami said pointing at the boy.
"Oh, we need a snack, my Master appears to be hungry as well," Keira told him.
"As well?"
"Yes, they asked if I was hungry and I told them, yes, but now it appears that they are hungry too."
"Oh, I understand, I'll go get something small. It is after all the lunch hour in two rises." The boy bowed and left.
"Thank you."
"Do you think she understood what you wanted?" Marik asked watching the boy leave.
"We can only hope." Yami shrugged.
;p;p;p;p
"You didn't do anything! You just let that monster buy her! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" Mira screamed as she threw random objects, mostly stuffed animals, at Yugi. He dodged every one of them, whilst still trying to get to her and attempt at calming her down. Malik was no help he just sat off to the side eating pocky.
"Would you just let me try to explain? And where are you getting all of these stuffed animals from?" He asked as he dodged another one being thrown at him.
"I saved them, from when you were a child! They were just so adorable, how couldn't I?"
"Oh."
"You're the worst Master ever! You could have done something to save my best friend. We've known each other since we were kids!"
"Mira, would you please calm down and let me explain my thinking to you?"
"No! Nothing you say can change this! Nothing!" she screamed at him. There was a knock on the door, and Yugi sighed, going to answer it. He opened it to see a servant with Penny in tow. She was holding her upper arm that had been bandaged, he could see the wrapping curling over her shoulder, and had tear tracks running down her face. He motioned for them to hold on for a second.
"Mira, I have a surprise for you," he said looking back into the room.
"I don't want one! I just want my friend to be safe!"
"I think you might change your mind once you see this," Yugi said opening the door a little wider and motioning Penny into the room. She stepped inside and immediately ran straight into Mira's arms. Mira just stood there for a second before wrapping her up in them, and they both fell to the ground, one in shock, the other pain. Yugi turned back to the servant that had brought her.
"Did it go okay?"
"Yes, Prince, but she's not used to pain, that much is obvious. She fainted when we gave her the mark, and we had to revive her with our strongest smelling salts. The mark should remain covered for the next five days, after that, take off the bandages and see that it has this rubbed on it for the next six days, after that cover it for two more, and then remove the bandages, the mark should be healed and ready for viewing after that." she handed him a medium sized bottle of an ashen colored cream.
"No," he responded taking it from her.
"What?"
"I never force them to show their marks. I can only imagine what my fiancé would think if he ever found out about them. Especially, after such heavy ridicule about how he treats his own servants and slaves. I'm just glad that Mira's and Malik's aren't in such obvious places as their shoulders."
"We would have put it lower, but then it would have caused her more pain, because of you know…"
"Yes." Yugi nodded.
"My Prince." She bowed to him turning to leave.
"Have a kind day," Yugi replied back watching a small smile grace her lips before she walked off. Yugi re-entered the room, to see Mira whispering into Penny's ear. Most likely explaining the mark they had burned into her skin, and what it was for. Malik asked if he could go see his sister, and Yugi nodded. Mira looked up at him, giving him a sheepish grin.
"Sorry."
"It's alright, you didn't know, and didn't seem to care for knowing either. You were too busy throwing objects at me." Yugi smiled shaking his head as he picked up a few of the books she had tossed at him when he had first entered and put them back on the shelf.
"Uh, Yugi, apparently it's time for lunch," Malik said coming back in.
"Alright, Penny, would you like to come as well, or do you want to stay here and I'll have someone bring something up for you?"
"Stay here, Master."
"So formal. Just call me Yugi when we're in private, or private company."
"Yu-gi?"
"That's right."
"Um, may I eat here?"
"Of course, I offered it didn't I?"
"Uh, yes."
"May I stay with her, Yugi?"
"Of course, guess this means I'm eating alone. After I deliver you to Ishizu of course."
"I can walk myself," Malik complained as they exited the room.
"Yes, but I haven't seen her in ages."
"Besides, it's improper to let you attend lunch alone. Remember what your Father taught you? A Prince must have one servant attending them at all time."
"Yeah, but we'll only be here for a couple of days. As soon as the wedding is over, we'll be heading back to Egypt the day after."
"I know, but don't you think we should stay longer now? Especially with Penny's condition? Who knows what the open seas could do to her."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I shall talk to Yami about it. He should be able to understand me wanting to spend more time with my family. I won't really be able to see them anymore after this."
"Indeed," Malik nodded. "And besides, I respect my position, and I must be at attention during lunch. I must respect you, my Prince."
"Pfft, respect, who're you kidding? Just sitting there eating pocky, and watching the show in front of you is at attention with respect?"
"Ha ha, no, but it was a good show."
"Yugi! Yugi! Wait, look at this, we've taught her a few things. Keira, follow me," Yami called as he passed his room. Yami walked out of the room, and the little girl followed.
"Neat."
"So, do you mind showing me where the eating hall is again? I can't remember."
"Of course."
"Excellent, Keira, follow me."
"Is that all she knows?" Yugi asked watching Malik fall behind to walk beside her.
"No, she also knows, be quiet, stay here, come here, I'm hungry, and yes."
"Question, how are you going to explain her to your Father?"
"Uh, I haven't gotten that far yet."
"Well, you only have five days to figure it out. Unless of course we can stay for 15 more. So better start thinking fast."
"15 more?"
"Well, it's just…this will probably be the last I'm seeing my whole family before our union, and I just wanted to spend more time with them. Can we stay longer, please? I know it won't be an inconvenience to my brother. He would rejoice in my longer stay."
"Hm, I'll think about it. As for my Father, I thought I would just tell him the truth. She looked too innocent for any of the other men at that auction to really appreciate something so small and delicate, so I bought her?"
"Hm, it might work, if your Father was a push over."
"Can you help?"
"I can try."
"Oh, thank you."
"But it's going to cost you."
"What exactly?"
"I'm going back with three servants, so I'm going to need you to back me up on it being absolutely necessary that I bought Penny."
"Uh, I'm going to need to know why."
"Because if I hadn't, Prince Timeaus would have. Mira…she would have never forgiven me if I had let that happen."
"Yugi, what happened between the two of you?"
"He did something to Mira that I can't ever forgive him for. She's never fully healed from the encounter. He taught me not to be so trusting. He taught me how to hate and be wary of others."
"How? What did he do to her?"
"I'll tell you some other time. After you, Yami," Yugi said opening the door to the eating hall. They walked in and sat down, well Yugi almost sat down before he realized that Keira had no idea what to do. He knelt down in front of her.
"Keira, when we eat, you stand at attention behind Yami's chair. If he motions you forwards you are to immediately walk to his side and do whatever it is he asks of you. I'll translate if this happens so you can understand him. If he offers you food though, do not take it. It is disrespectful. Wait until you're back in his room with him, and then if he is smart, he'll have hidden the food in his robes, and offer it to you then. You may take food from him in private, but never public. Mostly, what you do here is that if something spills or falls on the floor, you're to pick or clean it up, and hand the trash over to those servants lining the opposite wall. Return to your spot immediately after. Do not sit, no matter how much your feet ache. You'll get used to standing after a while, and your legs will become stronger for it. Do you understand your role?"
"I think so. I don't take food from him at the table, and I make sure his area is clean at all times."
"You got it. Good job, Keira." He stood ruffling her hair before motioning to Malik to show her her spot. He nodded, doing so, as Yugi sat down in his own.
"What was that about?" Yami asked as soon as he was sitting.
"Oh, just explaining her duties to her is all. Yami, don't offer her food from your plate, you'll only get her in trouble."
"Of course not, I'm no idiot. We have the same rule back in Egypt. Servants are to eat their own meals, and not ask for food off of their Master's plates."
"Oh, good, than that's one less thing we have to worry about explaining to her when we return to Egypt."
"Indeed."
"Prince Yugi, didn't you have two Personal Servants?" someone asked from across the table. Yugi looked up at them. It was Princess Vivian of China. More like a spoiled and pompous brat.
"Mira is attending to my new servant that I acquired this morning, so I only have Malik with me currently."
"A new servant? Who is it, if I may ask?" Prince Timeaus questioned. Yugi smiled at him, it wasn't a friendly smile though, it was more of a sinister victory smile.
"A Ms. Penny. Poor girl looked so frightened I just couldn't help but pull her off the lot quickly."
"How dare you steal the servant I was going to buy! How dare you bet against me!" Prince Timeaus roared.
"She's in far better care with me than she would ever be with you." Yugi replied taking a sip of his wine.
"You'll pay for this Prince Yugi, you'll pay for humiliating me," He growled before pushing away from the table and leaving. Yugi did the same, grabbing a few rolls off the table and running for his room. He didn't trust Prince Timeaus as far as he could see him. He didn't trust him to not go after the two girls in his bedroom, alone and unprotected as they were. He might hurt them, might hurt Mira again. And this time, he didn't think she would come back from it, if he hurt her like that again.
Thank you everyone for being so patient with me. I really appreciate it. Thank you to everyone who have/are favorited/following this story. Also, thanks to everyone who reviewed Guest and User alike. Please review. Midnight ;p