Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! (Or Yuugiou.)
Things To Know: (I say 'things to know; instead of 'warnings' because this story really has nothing to be warned about.) Anyway, I'm not an expert on Ancient Egypt, however, I will do my best and help in reviews would be kindly appreciated. This story has a plot. But it's a bit odd and it may not always be apparent because… hey, I'm like that.
Her Sweetness: Heh heh… hello…
TT.TT I'm sorry but I'm posting this as a gift to myself! You know… this is my 50th fic posted and well, I feel we've reached a turning point, my Golden Anniversary.
Please enjoy it?
—I Believe In The Sand Between My Toes—
Chapter One:
The sun's rays were relentless in their constant beating on the sandy grounds below. It was noon and every shadow disappeared from beside the rocks and lizards and bones of people who had been in desperate need of sunscreen. In this vast wasteland there really were only a few places of shelter, one being the great palace to the north. Granted, there was no air conditioner—seeing as how it hadn't been invented yet—but there was shade and everyone within a ten mile radius flocked to it.
But because they were not authorized personnel, they were speared to death.
Inside the Palace, on one of the upper levels, a few stern words were heard coming through a large door. Passing said door was Seth, cousin to the future Pharaoh of Egypt, dressed in his normal blue and gold attire. He stopped suddenly, in mid-stride and tilted his head towards the door.
"What the…" He pressed his ear closer.
"You must take this seriously," He heard a firm voice reprimanding someone. "If you keep protesting this the way you have, rumors will start all over the Kingdom."
"But I don't care about the rumors," Seth heard another familiar voice reply. "People can say what they want, doesn't bother me."
"Oh, what would your father say if he heard you speak like that!"
"Probably nothing; he's two steps away from his tomb."
"ATEM!"
Seth blinked and stepped away from the door when it busted open. Obviously he did not step away fast enough because the stone door hit him in the face.
"Gah!" He stumbled backwards, both hands on his nose.
The person who exited the room and had thrown open the door looked behind it to see Seth writhing in pain. Said man crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a disapproving look. "Seth, were you eavesdropping?"
He looked up from his bleeding nose and wasn't too surprised to see Shimon standing there looking very prim and proper. "I-I wasn't eavesdropping…" He answered, weakly.
One more judgmental glance before Shimon disappeared down the hallway. Seth got out from behind the door to see the one Shimon had been yelling at. Once again he was unsurprised to see his cousin walking out, his tri-colored hair disheveled like he'd been in an avalanche.
He grinned at Seth sheepishly, picking at his ear. "Well I just got chewed out."
"I heard. Same thing as last week?"
"Yup." Atem nodded and they began walking down the corridor, opposite the direction that Shimon, Advisor to the current Pharaoh, had gone down. "I swear, Shimon never gets tired of harassing me. My father isn't even dead yet, he should lighten up. With any luck I won't have to take over the throne for another few weeks."
Seth rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid; I saw the Pharaoh this morning and he's on his death bed. He didn't even know who I was, he called me Cindy."
"He's always called you Cindy."
"… Well don't tell anyone."
Atem continued to pick at his ear in the silence of the hallway and Seth finally said something, unable to stand the scratching sound any longer. "Listen, Atem. Shimon's going to keep pushing the subject of marriage until you cave so better to just let him have his way."
"Hah, yeah right. Let him dictate my life? No thanks,"
"… Well have it your way. I don't see the big deal, marriage sounds like a good business to get into. Get this, from what I've heard you're guaranteed to get laid every night! And you get free complements on sizes, if you get my meaning."
The future Pharaoh shrugged. "You give me complements all the time, Seth."
"Atem, you damn liar!" Seth blushed, swinging his head around to see if anyone was nearby.
"And I've told you before, I don't like girls and I sure as hell don't wanna have to share my throne with one."
"So tell Shimon that,"
"I did and he ignored me!"
"Then you're screwed. Go tell someone who cares," Seth blew air out of the side of his mouth after they had arrived at Seth's room. He opened the door and went in, about to close it behind himself when Atem's hand got in the way.
Seth looked over his shoulder at him. "What?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Why, so you can barter complements from me again? No thanks,"
Atem gave him a skeptical look before taking his hand away. "Oh fine, I don't have any time for you anyway. It's time for me to check on father."
"How exciting. Tell him Cindy says hi."
A funny look directed at Seth and then Atem began to walk away, waving back at his cousin. Seth shut the door and made sure it was secure before venturing over to the other side of the room, where his bed was and peeking underneath it. Finally, he found what he was looking for and pulled out a large piece of glass which served as a mirror and leaned it on the wall.
"Okay," He whispered to himself, looking at his reflection. "Where did I leave off yesterday? … Oh yeah. Arabesque position…"
Seth took in a deep breath before lifting his right leg and bending it behind his left, leaning foreword and extending his arms. "And now fouette…"
-
The door to the Pharaoh's bedroom opened and the Egyptian prince walked in brightly, seemingly unfazed by his father's impending death. Across the large and beautifully-decorated room was a bed that harbored the current Pharaoh. Atem located his emaciated form and walked over, seating himself on a stool near the bed.
"Hello, father," He smiled, giving the elderly man a thumbs up. "What's crackin'?"
"Ooohhh…" The Pharaoh moaned.
"So, how was your day?"
"Ooohhh…"
"Well that's good. Hey, father…" Atem thought for a moment, his finger still in his ear. "I had a talk with Shimon a little while ago, he's really been pushing me to get married…"
"Ooohhh…"
"And I just don't want to. I mean, as the next King of Egypt, I shouldn't have to do anything I don't want, right?"
"Ooohhh…"
"But Shimon would never go for that so I have a little favor to ask…"
Atem's father opened his eyes suddenly—they had been closed ever since Atem walked into the room—and his breath caught in his throat. His aged hand reached for Atem as he gasped for breath. "A-Atem…!"
"Just a moment, father, it's rude to interrupt. Anyway, my favor. I wanted to know if you could possibly have it in your will that I won't have to marry?"
"I-I can't breathe…!"
"I can get you a piece of stone to carve it on."
"… Goodbye… Atem…"
"Better yet, I'll write it and you can sign at the bottom… Father, do you have a chisel? I seemed to have misplaced mine."
"…"
"… Father?"
"…"
There was a moment of silence before Atem checked his father's pulse on his wrist and his neck. He tapped his foot on the stone ground and rubbed his fingers together. "Well… I suppose no one would care if I forged his name…"
-
"You killed him, Atem," Seth whispered to his cousin behind his hand. They both stood in the throne room towards the front of the Palace as servants and soldiers ran around like chickens with their heads cut off, screaming out that their King had died.
"I did no such thing," Atem whispered back. "He died of old age."
"He died because you told him you were gay, he couldn't handle the disappointment."
"I told him no such thing!"
Seth rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Mr. Four Inches."
"That's Mr. Seven Inches to you."
To Be Continued…
Her Sweetness: Yeah, if I get reviews then you get the next chapter. That's how it works, you see. (By the way, the chapter is short and I'm aware. But chapters this size are easier to produce. Although they may grow in size, depending on certain things.)