Chapter 5: Unexplainable, Unwanted Sign

Why do I feel this way? It's wrong. He's my best, closest, and oldest friend. Now, he's the Pharaoh of Egypt! I cannot love him…It would NEVER be accepted.

"Mana?"

"Yes, Atemu? Err…Pharaoh." I quickly correct myself. He smiles and sits next to me in the dining hall. I sigh and tense. The seats are hard and I can't stop picturing Atemu naked. I feel his hand on my knee. I look into his amazing red eyes and blush.

"I'm really glad to have you around, Mana." his lips curl into a small smile. I smile back. He's completely sincere.

"Glad to be here, King!" I stand and do a mock curtsy. He shakes his head with a loud laugh. I watch hid big, gold, ankh earrings sway playfully.

"That's certainly uncalled for."

"What is your Majesty?"

A death glare. Eww, that's not good. "That." He seems to spit the word out.

I cover my mouth and go wide-eyed. "Oh! But I have to call you those things! I don't ever want to be disrespectful."

He rises and sighs angrily. "Please, Mana…I don't want things to change between us because of my new title." Our eyes lock. He plays with his headdress before removing it and gingerly placing upon my head. I blink and raise an eyebrow. Atemu just chuckles and steps back before bowing to me. I giggle and blush brightly. "Now, YOU are the royalty in this room."

I tackle him in a childish manner and we both fall to the ground laughing. I remain on top of Atem as he tries to get up. My weight causes all attempts to fail. "Hahaha!" I can barely breathe. I am so very happy right now. "Do you remember when we used to fight like this?"

"Haha! Yes, who could forget? We would roll all over the palace grounds; wrestling, kicking –"

"Biting!" I say with a grin.

"Ra, those were some crazy years, huh?"

I nod. "Yeah they sure were." I stand and extend my arm out to him. "Get up! Let's go do something!" He takes my hand, stands and then lays his jewelry on the huge dining table.

"OK. What do you have in mind?" The way he speaks is so enticing and sexy. His lips seem to wrap around every syllable and consonant. I wonder what a kiss feels like. People often do it, but why? Simply to fill the hunger of a craving or is there a deeper meaning?

"I don't know…Something together. Just you and me."

"Sounds excellent." He smoothes his skirt and adjusts his belt.

I nod my head excitedly. "Yeah, it will be!" I skip towards the Palace gates. Atemu follows close behind.

"So, I'm guessing we're going to be leaving the Palace grounds?" he asks, more like states.

"Mhmm!" I hum cheerfully. Suddenly, I stop and come to a halt. I turn and face Atemu. "That's alright…isn't it?"

"He places a hand under his chin and think. "Hmmm…I don't see the harm in it." He grins cockily and sticks out his chest. "I am the almighty Pharaoh after all!"

I burst out laughing and so does he. "OK then my 'almighty Pharaoh'; how about a swim in the Nile?" I suggest while holding my stomach. It hurts from laughing so much.

"Sure, it's the perfect day for it." I watch him lick his lips slightly. My face heats. I wonder if he did that on purpose…

"Yeah…" I say dreamily. He gives me a funny face, but I just stick out my tongue.

"Oh yes Mana that is very mature." Atem smiles and folds his arms across his chest. I put my hands on my hips and rock them teasingly. My tongue remains out. He merely shakes his head with a grin and wipes sweat away from his face. "Dammit it's so hot."

I gasp. "OOH! You cursed!"

Atemu chuckles. "I am sorry."

"It's fine. I was kidding ya' know!"

He smirks. "Yes, I am aware of that, but you are right. There's no need for foul language. I do apologize, honestly." He kisses my hand lightly and I smile with a blush. He's such a gentleman, always has been and always will be.

"So, are you going to swim with your clothes on?"

He gives me a dumbfounded stare before unlatching his belt and stepping out of his sandals. "No. I guess we should change." He looks back at the palace.

"No way! We're already here!"

"But we are not properly dressed," he sighs, "we should've thought of that earlier." I notice his footprints in the sand are larger than last time.

"Oh, who cares? I don't!" Hastily I remove my skirt and shoes.

Atem closes his eyes and turns away. "Mana…"

"Yes?" I place a hand on his shoulder. I can feel him tense from my touch.

"You are not decent…Please put your clothes…back on…" He clears his throat and I step in front of him.

"Hee hee! Well, look at that! The Pharaoh is blushing!" I watch Atem gasp and squirm as his face turns absolute scarlet! I giggle; he groans. "Atem, it's alright! I'm wearing undergarments. See?" I lift up my long, white tunic to show him my turquoise loincloth. He blinks and nods, but his blush remains.

"Well, that's….fine, I suppose." He swallows hard and I just smile.

"Ok good, now take off your clothes!"

"WHAAAT?!" He shouts. I burst out in a fit of laughter. He's too adorable. "I am NOT going to get naked, Mana!"

"Whoever said anything about naked…" The wind blows and I catch a glimpse up Atem's kilt. I blush remember him naturally. "You have undergarments on as well." I say smugly.

He sighs and begins peeling off his shirt. My face heats again as his chest is revealed to me. "Fine. You win, Mana." I grin hearing him say it. I try no to stare as his skirt falls to the fertile sand. I deign o fine myself feeling the way I did earlier.

"I can't remove my top…" I whisper. Atem hears and lets out a chuckle.

"Why can't you?" He adds. His eyes shine playfully and his tone is teasing me.

"I do hope you are joking." I humph under my breath and cover my chest with my hands. "I'm a lady!"

Atemu chuckles again. "Yes. Yes you are and I would never expect, or ask you to do that."

"I know. You're a polite gentleman." We smile. But, in my head I am wanting him to say something like 'take it off' or 'obey your King my sexy sorceress'. Sigh.

"Thank you." he walks slowly into the river. "Ah, I feels perfect." he smiles and cups his hands, filling them with water before pouring it all over his neck and back. I watch the water shimmer down his beautiful body before jumping in next to him. "Hey! Mana, you splashed me!" Ra, he's such a complainer, isn't he?

"Pharaoh, we are surrounded by a huge body of water!" He growls, I laugh. Suddenly, I'm hit with what feels like a few gallons of water. Atemu smirks as I spit out the liquid and cough.

"Are you alright?"

"Do I sound alright?"

"I'm sorry." he swims over to me. Perfect. I've got him right where I want him. Splash! He's now rubbing at his eyes. "Dammit Mana! Gahhh…" He laughs and grabs my wrist pulling me close to him. Our wet bodies smack into each other.

"Uhh…." My body temperature skyrockets. My breasts bounce and push hard against his chest as my hands slide down his belly. So this is what he feels like all wet and pressed close to me… I swallow and gaze up at Atemu. He's bright red, standing motionless. His one hand is clutching my wrist, his other cupped above my thighs….squeezing my bottom. "Oh Ra! Atemu!" I shriek. We separate. I tingle all over especially below my navel and at the opening of my legs.

"Mana…"

"What…?" I keep my head down.

"I'm really, really, REALLY sorry." He whispers.

"It's fine. You couldn't see…and I slipped…" I begin to look upwards only to find a hardening bulge in Atem's pants.

"Don't' look at me right now!" He yells and whips around so that his back is facing me. I turn around too.

"What's wrong with –"

"Nothing."

"Does it always do that?"

"No."

"Are you mad at me?"

"Look, it isn't your fault. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all…Things are different now Mana. Whether we wish to accept it or not…" He doesn't look at me. My mouth grows dry. What has just happened? "Let's start heading back to the palace." I nod and step onto the shore grabbing my clothes with my gaze locked on the golden sand. I wipe at my eyes. He can't see me crying. I know things have changed. He's the new Pharaoh…but I also know that isn't the change he was referring to…Maybe he's right. We are grown now. Things are becoming awkward and they are only going to escalade even more so. Maybe this is…a sign that we're supposed to grow apart? I swallow hard. No. This can't mean that. I love him.