T.D.K- I don't own anything but my oc. Just a little note, this chapter takes place one month after the last one. Without further ado, the next chapter.
I sit quietly on the balcony of the Ishtar family compound. A month has passed since we decided to part our group. Yugi is with Mai, Joey, and Honda in China and I am in my beloved Egypt. Marik was ready to return home, with Ryou and Anzu accompanying us. At present, I can see the lights of Cairo, and beyond that, the light framed Sphinx. I feel energized. Returning to my homeland seems to have at least replenished some of my energy.
I would rather have Yugi here at my side. I find I no longer can stand the sounds of the busy streets. It took my companions almost twenty minutes to notice, where Mery-I would have noticed instantly. I also have come to realize I do not like the bright lights at night. After spending so many sweet hours in Yugi's darkened, quiet room, I have become unused to the lights and noise. The night breeze is far more frigid than I remember. This could also be something I have grown unaccustomed to.
"Hey, Atem. I brought you a blanket. You looked like you were freezing with just that tee and those sleep shorts." I turn to Anzu as she exits the compound to join me. I nod my head in thanks as I take the fleece blanket from her. She helps me adjust it around myself. "I made sure to grab the fleece before Ryou did. For being the kid of the Snow Queen, he sure can't take the cold well. The fleece is okay, right? I remember Marik mentioning something about your culture thinking cotton as unclean?"
"Thank you for the blanket. That is so, but Yugi has assured me that modern technology has made the removal of cotton seeds far better than by hand. He made sure that was the first thing I learned. I am rather fond of my jeans after all." Anzu chuckles as she leans back against the wrought iron railing. Her eyes are not as bright as they should be. Something is bothering my friend. "What is on your mind, my friend? You can tell me what troubles you."
"I'm glad Meg- I mean Bennu- told me to come. I'm glad her visions or intuition nudged me into deciding to come. She said it'd be a good thing for me. I didn't tell anyone else, but Bennu. Sometimes I can feel her in my mind, and I just feel like this is my chance. I can finally cleanse what's left of her and fully be me, Anzu Gardiner. I can put what's left of that shameful lifetime behind me. I know you three have forgiven me, but I don't think I can fully forgive myself. At least, not until I know that she won't randomly take me over."
"I had thought I had seen all shades of Anzu, until this moment. You take off and completely surprise me." I reply softly. Anzu smiles one of her cat ate the cream smiles. She settles in a chair next to mine. My companion props her feet upon the seat of my chair; I place my hand comfortingly on an ankle. "The last item you mentioned, the possible possession, that troubles you the most, does it not?"
"Yeah. Let's get something clear. I love you, Atem, but as a friend or a brother. I love you just as much as Bennu and the guys. I consider you part of my family. If I ever say that and don't mean it the same as now, it's not me. It's her, and I want you, Marik, and Ryou to do whatever it takes to stop me. It would kill me if I hurt you or anyone else I care about." I nod before reaching out to take her into my arms. I hug Anzu tightly, trying to convey my understanding of her request.
"I love you as well, my friend. You are my sister in all but blood. I will do what I must should the time come, but I will never resort to harming you. In return I want you to promise me that if I do not make it, you will look after my Yugi. Please, do not allow him to make my mistake. Do not allow him to wallow in his grief. I want him to live a full life, even if it is not with me. Should I die again, please tell him that is my final wish and I will find him in our next life."
"I promise, but you'll make it." Anzu's smile is only half of one, but it is reassuring. I squeeze her hand in mine in gratitude. "Marik said they're having a celebration at the Sphinx. He said the government is gonna light off some fireworks to commemorate its restoration being complete. Do you want me to go grab the boys and something warm to drink? We've got the best seats."
"Of course. Ryou and Marik are listening at the door, will you have one of them get us some coffee or hot cocoa?" I turn to the door as it opens, a sheepish Ryou and unrepentant Marik exiting to the balcony. "I was a parent. Does it stand to reason that I would not have 'eyes in the back of my head'?"
"Was that what Yugi was muttering about at the airport?" Ryou asks as he takes the other seat beside me. Marik shrugs as he turns away from us.
"Who wants what?" The curator asks. We give him our preferred beverage, which is easy. We all wanted hot cocoa. With an impromptu hand salute, he's inside. The white haired male curls into himself and the massive blanket that swallows him. I eye the blanket. Hmm. If I were to scoot my chair closer, toss my fleece across our laps, and Ryou shares his by wrapping it around our shoulders, we would be rather warm.
"Ryou, if we move closer, we could share our blankets and warmth." I suggest. He smiles and moves his seat closer. I maneuver my blanket over our laps, and help Ryou in wrapping his around us. When we finish, Anzu laughs. "What, pray tell, is so amusing?" I ask.
"I gotta take a picture, because just telling you two how ridiculous you look isn't enough." She slides her phone out from her pocket and takes a quick picture. On the screen are Ryou and I, swallowed by the large blanket, with only our faces poking out. "I'm sending this to Yugi. It might help his Atem-sickness."
"Atem-sickness?" I inquire as Marik reappears on the balcony. He snorts as he sits the tray of our drinks down on the little table. I glance at him. I know he finds Ryou and I amusing as well. "Why would Yugi be sick and how am I involved?"
"Atem, she means that Yugi's missing you as much as you're missing him. Remember when Marik said you were Yugi-sick earlier?" I nod in understanding as Ryou explains. I am glad he came with us. Anzu and Marik seem to take amusement in my limited knowledge of modern slang. It is not entirely my fault. Another click from Anzu's phone informs me she has taken yet another picture.
"Atem, has anyone told you you're insanely adorable when you pout?" I huff. I am not pouting! This is a very masculine frown! Pharaohs do not pout; we cannot afford to! "Oh, my god! It's getting deeper and just look at it! That's as cute as Yugi's puppy eyes! You two are perfect! You've got the puppy pout and he's got the eyes. Look out world!"
"You are not funny." I reply. They all lose it. Laughter in three different tones surrounds me. Anzu wipes at her eyes, moving the tears from them. Ryou bites his pointer finger to try and calm his, but occasionally snorts. Marik is bent over the table, an arm around his middle. I hope he breaks something.
"I can't believe he said that with that straight a face! Bennu says that all the time, but she always has a smile when she says it. Please, Anzu, tell me you had your phone on record!"
"Totally! And I just sent that off to Yugi and Bennu. …Joey just sent a video from his phone. Hang on, and I'll play it. He even made a comment on it. It says 'when bae be serious, but funny.'" Anzu turns her phone to us, so I can see Yugi on the screen. His head is down and I can hear my voice. He snorts. He actually snorts! I was not that funny! I was not funny at all!
"Aw! He's pouting again!"
"I hate you. I hate you all." I reply to Ryou's words. My three companions break out laughing again. I ignore them, and with all the noble bearing I was born with, snatch my cup of hot cocoa. I flick my most unamused glance to each of them in turn.
"You know you still love us, Atem." Anzu turns away as a boom echoes from the plateau. I gasp as another explosion results in many orbs of light in the sky. These must be the fireworks she mentioned earlier. They are beautiful. I wish my people had them during my reign, or that I had them. I would have had these shows every night to entertain my people.
I fall quiet as my companions voice their amazement. Despite their amusement at my expense, I still bask in their enjoyment. While I am no longer a pharaoh, I still have people I must protect. They are not the family I once dreamed of, but the one I have always needed. I will protect them until I can no longer drawl breath.
"Do you like it?" Marik asks as he motions to the little pavilion on his family's ship. Ishizu smiles as she joins us on the boat. My eyes take in the pavilion, the gauzy mosquito netting sides, the dozens of comfortable pillows, and the nest of blankets under them.
"I do. It is for me to rest under, correct?" Both Ishtar siblings nod. "Is it large enough for Ryou and Anzu too? Ryou doesn't do well in this heat, and Anzu's skin is fair, even for her people."
"Certainly. Even Marik and I can fit under it. Go make yourself comfortable, my Pharaoh. We shall all join you in a moment." I nod. I want Ishizu to stop calling me pharaoh, but that may not happen any time soon. I shrug and allow myself to fall into the nest of blankets and pillows. I play with a tassel on one pillow.
"Oh, Yugi. If only you were here with me, Mery-I." I sigh out. Ryou plops down beside me. He shakes his phone at me.
"Wanna wake him up? I'm sure he'd be alright with it. Marik wants to show us around the ship, so you can use my phone while we're suffering." I smile and take the phone from him. All I have to do is hit the little green circle. The phone rings a few times.
"Ryou, the hell you doing, calling me at six in the morning?!"
"I am sorry, my love. I just needed to hear your voice."
"When the hell did you start sounding like my baby?"
"Yugi, it is Atem. Ryou has allowed me to use his phone."
"Oh. Give me a minute." I hear shuffling from the other side. Joey's voice drifts through the line, but I cannot make out what he says. A door shuts softly. "Baby, you still there?"
"Yes. I am sorry for waking you. I miss you."
"Miss you too. It's o.k. Mai'll prolly come in in an hour to wake us up. What are you up to?"
"We're getting ready to sail to Luxor. Marik's family owns a ship, and Ishizu had a pavilion made for us on it. I do believe it is a distraction to make me rest. Ryou and Anzu have to take a tour of the ship. …I wish you were here with me."
"Me too. I was supposed to share the bed with Joey, but I kicked him out of bed. Literally. Honda tried too, and he got kicked. You made it impossible to share a bed with two of my best guy friends. Bed's cold too. Mai's working on getting us into the parts of the Forbidden City that visitors don't normally have access to."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I left something there in my past life. I think I know where it is, but I don't actually remember. It's like I see it in my dreams, but I don't remember the dream when I wake up. …Did you enjoy the fireworks?"
"Yes. They were beautiful." I reply. I know Yugi wants to change the subject, so I follow along. "Did you really find me amusing?"
"I still can't believe you said Ben-Ben's catch phrase with a straight face. You and Ryou looked ridiculous bundled up like that. Ryou sent me a picture of you watching the fireworks. It's the background on my phone now. It's easily my favorite picture of you. I bet it's beautiful on the Nile. Beijing's way too crowded and loud."
"Cairo was the same. We stayed in the compound, away from the noise, crowd, and lights."
"Atem, it's ok to sleep. Just put the phone over your ear, and I'll talk to you. I can hear how tired you are in your voice."
"Alright. I love you."
"Love you too, Baby. Just close your eyes, and imagine I'm there." I listen to Yugi's voice and drift off.
T.D.K- Sorry for the wait everyone! I've had life smack me in the face. I got sick with a upper repertory infection on birthday back in December and the beginning of January. January is also our busiest month at work, then my momma got the news that she had kidney cancer. She's good now. As of the posting date (3/3/17) she had her diseased kidney removed and is doing well.