Disclaimer for all Chapters: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or its characters. I just like tossing them into AU situations. :3

Summary: Anzu's passion was dancing, and her life revolved around only that. What happens when the Pharaoh catches a glimpse of this peasant and her perfect steps? Will Anzu allow him passage into her life, or is there no room for another in her heart? There is more to this situation than what meets the eye.

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Desert Flower

Chapter One

The hot sun beat down upon the little stone houses that surrounded the walls of the Pharaoh's palace. Anzu Mazaki rested her arm over her forehead to shield her eyes as she stared up at the large stone wall; she was balancing a wicker basket full of oats between her left hand and hip as she stood awkwardly by herself. Anzu was a descent looking girl; she stood at an average height, her skin was sunbathed and slightly tanned—she was a little more pale than most of the others in the village—and her dark brown hair hung just above her shoulders. Her form was thin, but curvy nonetheless; she was just about average in everything about her appearance. That was, with exception for her eyes. The colors of the sea or the sky would never compare to the brilliant blue that were her eyes; they were compelling, and shone with life no matter what mood she was in.

"Anzu!" a voice called from across the market. "Stop daydreaming and hurry up with those oats! They won't sell resting on your hip like that!"

Anzu jumped, slightly startled by the sudden outburst. "C-coming Otui!" she called as she brought the basket around so she could hold it on her head as she jogged over to the small shop where Otui was waiting.

Otui was a short, plump woman with beady eyes and a very short temper. She fixed the bandana that rested on top of her head as she watched Anzu dump the oats out into the tray that sat on the counter. "You can go home now." She said in a broody voice.

"What?" Anzu asked, setting the basket down. "You don't need me anymore today? But Otui…if it because I was just standing around, I'm sorry."

"Go on with you." Otui said, waving her off. "Just look at yourself, girl. That old brown dress is ripped around the bottom, and your sandals are nothing but pieces of fabric tied together! You will never get yourself out of the hole your family has tossed you in if you just stand around while on the job! I'll be hiring someone else who will not laze around as you do! Oh, and here." She tossed her a small brown bag. "This is your pay for this week right up to this minute, now get out of here."

Anzu stared at the bag and then back at Otui, ready to argue, but she bit her tongue and sighed. "Fine." She grumbled as she turned and scuffed away with her head down.

This was something the young girl didn't need. When her parents died she was left with all of the debt they owed around the village, and for years she had been trying to pay it all off. Now, with no job, what 

could she possibly do? The drought that had been plaguing the village for months prevented her from farming her parent's land, so no money could come from that; and the animals on the farm were too scrawny and sickly looking to sell. "Maybe I should have just listened to that midwife and just…leave this place." She muttered as she left the market. Anzu looked over her shoulder at the palace. "There isn't really anything here for me anyway."

With a sigh Anzu turned and walked down the path that headed to her farmland. Her farm was at the edge of the river, but due to the drought the river was nothing more than an old mud hole. Sometimes water would surface, but that was only on occasions, and those occasions were few and far between.

Anzu sighed as she leaned on the wooden gate that surrounded her land; she stared at the small farm and watched as the newest calf trotted around the old dead apple tree that was perched near the front of her house. The calf's legs were boney, and its ribs were easily seen, it probably wouldn't survive the rest of the summer. "I'll make it better." Anzu breathed. "I'll get another job…somewhere…for now though, I'll work on getting some spare change at the festival tomorrow."

The drought was starting to get out of control, and the festival was meant to be a celebration in honour of the God of rain in hopes he would smile upon them and bless them with the water they needed. Anzu thought it was foolishness, but she took it upon herself to practice a ceremonial dance to perform—she will claim that the offerings given to her will be taken to the shrine, a lie, of course. She needed water, yes, but praying to a God would only bring about the probability of rain, if she had money it would bring about the definite coming of food.

Kicking off her worn sandals, Anzu danced on her tiptoes in through the gate door, her hips swaying back and forth in a rhythmic fashion. She grabbed the door of the barn and swung around it, entering the hay filled space that smelled of compost and dirt. Lowering herself to the ground she bowed her head and spread her legs wide on either side of her; she then pressed her hands firmly in front of her and popped herself back up to her feet. She was ready for this…she just hoped it would work.

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"The famine has finally taken its toll, huh?" a deep voice spoke as crimson eyes watched the village below in the moonlight. Still, even though it was well into the night, peasants were running about the streets hanging decorations of religious value. "The last measure is about to be taken…I wonder of the Gods will respond in favour of this occasion?"

"We must hope so Excellency," a voice said from behind. "Their Pharaoh has not spoken to them in days; maybe they have tried to turn to another source for help. If this doesn't work for them, Atemu, things will change in a drastic turn for the worst."

Pharaoh Atemu kept his cool gaze upon the village. "I stopped speaking to them because I have nothing to offer. I cannot make the water fall from the heavens. Maybe, maybe I could attend this celebration tomorrow. Perhaps that would lift some spirits."

"Are you sure you wish to do that, Excellency?" the voice came again from the darkness. "It can be quite risky…the prayers and pleas may fall upon you if you are seen in the crowd."

"I am certain this must be done." Atemu answered, a small smirk coming across his thin lips. "Besides, I cannot allow my people to lose faith in me. If I could do things for them in this time…I certainly would."

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Anzu awakened to the sounds of shouts in the streets, the crackling of magic dust, and the mournful sounds of prayer that echoed throughout the village in a relentless fashion. The girl held her breath as she sat up, her blue eyes wearily landing on her planned outfit for the day. This was it. Her major payday!

She shuffled out of bed and allowed her dress to fall to her ankles. Anzu pulled the white sheet off the top of the pile and tied it around her chest, allowing the remainder of the fabric to fall down her back. She then pulled up a pair of white underwear and over that a long, plainly see-through, white skirt that bellowed around her knees loosely. It was a temple outfit, one that she had stolen from the temple of Ra just a week before. It was perfect for the purpose of her dance, and would sell for quite a bit in the market afterwards.

Anzu closed the gate behind her before she rushed up the path towards the village, she had a small box in her hand that would serve to collect any 'offerings' people would make. This was a dirty trick, she knew that, but there was no other way. The only real job that was left for her was in a brothel…and she would much rather stay away from those places for as long as she could.

She set her box down in the crowded street; there were so many people around her. Many of them were praying, others were dancing, singing, and playing instruments, anything to get the Gods attention. Anzu shook her head, stood up straight, and took a deep breath before she began her ceremonial dance.

This also put a shame on Anzu's most prized talent. The girl loved to dance, and most of the people in the village knew that. At any event she would dance as part of the performance, so this was probably expected of her anyway. Though she felt ashamed as she watched coins being dropped into her collection box, not because she was coning the villagers, but because she wished she could use her passion to do something other than something this phony.

After awhile she was joined by a couple musicians who played music behind her, they kept in tune to her movements, and soon a sweet, cheerful melody was carrying through the air. Anzu and her two guests soon became the center of attention on that one street as the celebrations around them came to a slow halt as people stopped to watch and 'offer'. But little did Anzu know, another pair of eyes was watching her performance.

"Well would you look at that, Seto…" Atemu spoke lowly as he looked out over the village from atop the wall that surrounded his palace. Seto—the Pharaoh's trusted Advisor and Head Priest—had finally convinced him that he should just simply watch the activity of the village from the palace. "She is magnificent isn't she?"

"Yes…" Seto answered coolly, his cold blue eyes watching the villagers with ultimate disgust, his brown hair moving slightly in the dry wind. He looked to the Pharaoh, whom was covered by the shadow of another extension of the wall. "You are not gaining another ambition of joining them are you, Excellency?" he asked.

Atemu shook his head. "No…actually I was thinking." He smirked slightly, his hand appearing from the shadows as he pointed to the dancing girl. "I have no entertainment in this palace…and I would love a dancer…Seto, send out the guards and bring that girl to me."

"Are you sure that is wise, Atemu?" Seto asked, visibly disagreeing with the Pharaoh's request.

"I never speak unless I am sure of what I am saying." Atemu answered stiffly. "I want that girl in here…she will serve more purpose here to me than anywhere else in hat village."

"Yes, Excellency." Seto bowed slightly before taking his leave.

Atemu stared out at the dancing girl and held his chin. He was Pharaoh, he was allowed to take advantage of that title every once and awhile, and besides, the palace was getting to be quite boring.