Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Countdown to Armageddon ❯ The Vineyard ( Chapter 3 )

Wow! That sure took a long time. I blame it on writer's block… yeah…

VIH: pft! Laziness, writer's block… what's the difference?

Hey I resemble- I mean resent that remark! Okay, so the chapter might be a little boring, but important things and explanations happen so don't skip it. It gets better after this I promise.

~*~

"words" - speech

'words' - thought

//words// - I'll explain somewhere in this chapter.

/words/ - ditto

Large gaps mean a scene or time change.

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh is the intellectual property of Kazuki Takahashi, and is being used in this fan fiction for fan purposes only. All situations, opinions and characters not belonging to Kazuki Takahashi are the intellectual property of Blue September.

Warnings: This fic contains Yaoi and some amounts of graphic violence. You may also notice some OOCness in some of the characters.

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Chapter 3: The Vineyard

"K…Kiya?"

"Well at least you remember my name."

"What in the heavens are you doing here? How did you get here? What-"

"One question at a time please!"

"Sorry."

"Ahem! Master Minhotep, I don't mean to interrupt, but don't you think that it would more appropriate to finish this conversation inside," said the forgotten servant. "The temperatures do tend to get low here at night."

"Hn? Oh yes I agree. Please won't you come in?" he said to the travellers. "Could you take their animals to the stables please? And while you're at it could you find the lady a room to stay in?"

"Of course," said the manservant that had been addressed. He left to take the beasts to the hold, with Senbi in tow, while the rest entered the large home.

"Well I don't really know what I should say in a situation like this," said Minhotep after leading the group to a mid-sized sitting room. "Please, take a seat." He gestured to the large, low table with cushions around it and held out a hand to the young woman. Ouji quickly stepped in front of his mother, gripping her robes stiffly in his small hands, while he gave the unfamiliar man a rather solid glare. Minhotep had to take a step back at the intensity of the boy's ruby eyes. 'Pathetic. I'm cowering from a babe,' he mentally scolded. He put on his friendliest smile and stooped down too the child's level. "And who might you be little one?"

"Ouji," was the solid reply, the powerful stare never faltering.

"Ouji don't be rude," said the mother. "I'm sorry Min. It's just been a long day."

"It's alright. You don't have to apologise. I should only be glad to know that someone's been taking care of you, for me, all these years," he said fixing his gaze upon the woman, causing her cheeks to warm slightly.

Min clapped his hands together, rising, and a servant girl entered through a door on his right. She bowed her head pleasantly at the master of the house and his guests then awaited his command.

"Fetch my guests something light to eat please. And have someone prepare two extra rooms."

"Yes sir," the girl answered sweetly and left to do her job. The food was quickly brought. It was just a simple assortment of fruits and bread, nothing heavy, because of the late hour.

Afterwards, Min allowed his servants to take over. They helped the two freshen themselves up after their long journey. Kiya, however, insisted on bathing her son herself for fear that the dye might wash out and his secret be discovered. When they were finished they were showed to their rooms.

"How long are we staying for this time?"

"I don't know. It depends on what Min says. If he's okay with it, then perhaps we'll stay for a long time."

"Honest? No more running."

"Not for a good while at least. Just behave yourself, alright?"

"Uh-hu... Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Are we ever going back?"

There was no point in lying. It would do neither of them any good. "No we're not."

"Why?"

"Not tonight." She kissed his chubby, round cheek. "Sleep tight. I love you Ouji and try to be nice to Min."

"Okay. I love you too Mama."

"Is he sleeping?"

"Yes, and thank you for this Min-"

"Enough thanks. You know you can always ask anything of me… still it did come as a bit of a shock," he laughed uncomfortably.

"I know… and I completely understand if you want me to leave-"

"Kai, don't put words in my mouth. I never said that. Stay as long as you need all of you." There was a long silence. "So… will you tell me what this is about?"

She sighed long and hard. "I suppose you have a right to know since I am dragging you into this too… It's… It's my husband."

"The child's father?"

"Yes… I couldn't keep him around that man any longer. I feared for his safety… I still do. I had to leave… He's a violent man-"

"Did he hurt you?"

"…Sometimes…"

"And Ouji?"

"No. I don't think he would ever actually harm him, but…"

"I understand. You just didn't want him in that atmosphere."

"Hm. Don't let him fool you. Ouji tries to act older than he is, because that's what his father's tried to make him believe he was supposed to be, but he's really just a kitten and I want him to stay like that."

"So that's why you left him?"

"Yes."

"But why didn't you just go back home instead of coming all this way by yourselves? It's dangerous out there."

"It is, but it would have been even more so to go there. That's the first place he'd look."

"Look? You speak as if the man is after you."

"He is."

"What? But you have the right to leave a husband that treats you like that[1]."

"Maybe another woman, but not me."

"Kai?"

"There's something I never told you… About the man I married… It makes things a lot more complicated."

"What is it?"

"I'm afraid you might change your mind about us staying here once you hear this."

"I swear that I won't. Now tell me, why is he after you?"

"Well… you see, the truth is… the truth is… he's the pharaoh."

"… The… what?"

"Not what you were expecting, I'll wager."

"Well… no, but… the thought did cross my mind briefly when I heard a woman and a child had shown up here. I mean when the heir to the throne is missing the news doesn't stay in one spot. Even the people here have heard. Hm…" A short mirthless laugh. "That certainly explains a lot."

"You mean about before?"

"Yes."

"…I didn't want to, you know. I only married him was because I had to. He was the crowned prince. Neither my father nor I really had a choice in the matter. I couldn't disobey him and he couldn't disobey the pharaoh. He wanted me as a bride for his son and so I had to marry him, otherwise…" She looked away blushing slightly.

"Otherwise what?"

"Otherwise… I… I would have accepted your offer."

They had been walking outside, getting some fresh air and were now heading past the stables.

"Would you still accept my offer?"

Kiya stared at him completely shocked. "W-What?"

"Would you?"

"I… I don't know. I-It's a bit sudden don't you think… and Ouji and… I… can I… can I have some time… to think about this I mean?"

"All the time in the world," he purred, taking her hand and kissing it softly.

The king sat impatiently on his throne, waiting for news regarding the search for his missing son and 'wife'. A guard hesitantly entered the large hall to deliver the regular update.

"Well, any word?" he asked the soldier his irritation apparent.

"I'm afraid not Your Majesty[2]. We've searched all over and found no trace of them."

"Humph! You are dismissed as are the rest of you," he said to the other guards, attendants and advisors in the room at the time; all but one. "Shimon!"

This caught the attention of a small old man. The lower half of the man's face was covered by a small white veil, while the top was covered by a small hat-like wrap leaving only his eyes visible. He wore a simple white robe and slippers and had a long navy cape draped over his shoulders. "Sire?"

"Have the woman's father brought here. I'm going to question him myself."

"Yes my lord."

/I didn't want it to come to this./

//This isn't our fault. Traitors must be taught a lesson.//

"Ahmes."

"Hm?" the pharaoh snapped out of his daze. "What is it?" He gave no protests to the old man addressing him by his proper name[3], as he had known him since childhood.

"I do not agree with this course of action, but as you are my king I will obey. However, I ask that should you find the child, please do not allow any harm to come to him."

"You know that I would not allow such a thing Shimon. I will not let anyone harm him and I thank you for your concern."

With that the old man bowed and left the room, but at the same time he thought to himself. 'It isn't the actions of others I fear my king, but your own.'

"RISE AND SHINE!"

"Gah!" was Ouji's first word as he fell out of bed the next morning. "Wha?" he groaned sleepily and looked up from his position on the floor into a smiling red-headed face.

"Sorry," Min chuckled and helped him up. He rubbed his tired red eyes to remove the traces of sleep then yawned a few times while scratching himself all over. "Come on. You can't spend the whole day sleeping, it's nearly lunch time."

"Lunch time? Wow, I slept that long, but I never get to sleep in."

"Well you seemed very tired so we let you this time, but there are things to do."

"Like what?"

"Like me showing you around. As I take it, you'll be staying here for a while so we can't have you getting lost. So get dressed, come have some lunch, or breakfast for you and we'll go."

"Yeah!"

Ouji spent the rest of that afternoon with Min wondering around the large estate. It was built on the edge of a large oasis and so had a lot of plant life around. The place was like a small town and as he soon discovered they all worked for Min and the estate was in fact a vineyard. Many of the 'villagers', young and old, were tending the fields, watering the grape vines and date trees[4], tilling the dirt, etcetera. He stuck close to Min as he introduced him to some of the women and children, then they went down to the cellars for a look around, so he could see how things were done. By the time they had finished it was nearly dinner time.

"So did you like what you saw?" asked the elder as they returned to the main house.

"Yes I did…" said Ouji, although somewhat sadly.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Ouji if there's something wrong you can tell me and I swear I won't tell anyone else."

"…Not even Mommy?"

"Not even her."

"Well… your home is nice… but… I miss my home and my papa."

"Oh." He knew he should say something more but he just didn't know what. He couldn't just magically fix things. Then an idea struck him. "Come with me." Maybe he couldn't make him forget, but at least he could take his mind off of it for now. He led Ouji back to his study where he retrieved the golden box from the shelf. "Here, take this," he said tenderly. Ouji took the box.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Open it." He did.

"It's a puzzle."

"Yup," Min confirmed crouching down to his level. "I found it a long time ago when I used to travel a lot. I've been trying for years and I still haven't come anywhere close to solving it. Maybe you'll have better luck."

"I… I can have it?" Min nodded.

"Have what?" The two boys turned to see Kiya stroll into the room.

"Mama! Mama look what Min gave me," the boy practically screamed, bouncing up and down.

"What is it?" the woman asked.

"An old toy that I had laying around. I thought he might like it." Kiya gave him a smile that he knew meant 'thank you' and he returned the motion. "It has some writing on the side as well. It says-"

"No, no I can do it. Wh-oo-ev-er ssss-ol-ves me shall in…in…inhe… Mama what's this word?"

"Hm? Let me see… uh… inherit."

"Oh. Shall inherit the no…no… um…"

"Knowledge."

"Knowledge and p-pow-erz of dar-kne-ss. So… 'Whoever solves me shall inherit the knowledge and powers of darkness.'"

"Well, aren't you a fine reader?" Min noted, light-heartedly ruffling the boy's hair. Ouji beamed. He was beginning to like this Min fellow.

"Uh-hu! I practice all the time. Mother makes me," he added in a playful whisper, causing Min to chuckle, "But… what does it mean?"

"Well… I suppose it means that when you finish it, you get a big surprise!"

"A surprise? Wow! I can't wai-"

"Now hold on just a minute there," said the queen, taking the box. "I'm not sure I want him playing around with something like this. It sounds dangerous."

"Aww!"

"Oh come on Kiya. It's just a simple children's toy." He took the box and returned it to its new owner, who was bubbling with excitement. "The inscriptions are probably just to make it easier to sell. Besides, look at how happy he is. Do you really want to take that away?" Ouji, who could take a hint, quickly adorned a full-on pout; teary eyes, quivering lip and all, that had the woman melting on the spot.

"Alright! Alright, he can keep it."

"Yay! I'm gonna start on it right now!" he cheered running to his new quarters. Min had to laugh after the energetic boy, but his mother was still concerned.

'But it's only a toy, right? Right. I'm just being ridiculous. I mean, what harm could it possibly do?'

Another long day was coming to a close and Min was exhausted. He'd spent most of the week making preparation for his upcoming trip to a far-away city, where he had some business. Nothing out of the usual; just discussing and confirming some orders for ceremonial wine at a temple there. They were, however one of his most important, regular clients and he always made sure to deal with these people personally. Anyway, the point is he was tired and he was heading to his room for some well deserved rest, until of course he passed, by a room and noticed a sliver of light, peering out from under the door and into the dim hallway. Normally this wouldn't have been something out of the ordinary, but he knew that the lights in this particular room should be out at this time of the night.

He walked into the small room to find Ouji seated on the bed, his head bobbing every few seconds as he fought to stay awake and finish what he was doing.

"Ouji." His head darted 'round sharply at the sudden noise.

"Min?"

"Have you been working on that all day?"

Ouji's tired eyes turned to stare out the window and he suddenly realized how late it already was. "I guess…"

Min sighed. "Ouji, I did give you the puzzle hoping that it would make you feel a bit better but-"

"It did! I love it a lot-"

"But I wasn't hoping for you to keep yourself cooped up in here day and night. You should be outside more, playing with the other children."

"I… I don't think they'd want to play with me."

"Oh? Why not?"

"I don't know."

"Don't be ridiculous. You're intelligent; you're very creative at least that's your mother tells me. I heard that you've made up tons of games on your own. Here's a thought. Why don't you play some of them with the village children?"

"But those games were all for one person. I never had anyone to play with so I had to think of things I could do by myself. I don't know any for lots of people."

"Is that the only problem," Min laughed. "I know quite a few games myself that we used to play when I was little. I could teach you a few of them if you want."

"Really? Thank you so much!" He threw his arms around the elder's neck almost choking him with his tight grip.

"Not a problem. I was quite the gamer as a child, you know" Min replied, with a smug yet goofy grin causing Ouji to giggle.

"I bet I can beat you."

"Is that so? Well then it's a challenge."

"You're so nice to me Min," said Ouji with a large yawn.

"Alright, to bed with you. Your mother will have my head if she finds out that you aren't sleeping yet." The boy slowly released his neck and climbed under the blanket yawning again. "Good night Ouji," he whispered to the already half-asleep child.

"Night…"

He smiled a little to himself as he watched the boy sleep and left the room quietly, extinguishing the lamp-flame on the way out.

Alone in the darkness Ouji slept peacefully for the first time in a long while. Below him however something crept across the floor, slowly and haphazardly; something not of this world. The dark, smoky substance began to gather near the bed, forming a tall mound. Somewhere within the murky cloud two sharp, ice-blue eyes focused on sleeping youth, examining him as if under a modern-day microscope. Then in the blink of an eye it was gone, evaporated into the pleasant night air.

To Be Continued…

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Authoress' Notes:

[1] Women were allowed to leave their husbands in Ancient Egypt. I used other info to make this fic. For the addresses look in my profile.

[2] I think it was when my class was doing Hamlet, my teacher told us that referring to a King as Your Highness is a sort of disrespect, because Highness is lower than Majesty and it is like not acknowledging the fact that they are in this higher position. I think that is what Hamlet did to his uncle.

[3] Pharaoh's usually had a birth name and a throne name chosen when they ascended to the throne.

[4] I think we all know that most wine is made from grapes, but one of the main ingredients in Egyptian beer was date juice.

Man what a crappy chapter. I've gone into the fluff box again.

VIH: I'll say. It was SO sappy I'm sticky. I though you were moving away from that!

I know, but it just came out like that. It just kind of happens whenever I think of how adorable a four year-old Yami would be. CUTIE! Besides, I say 'I love you' to my mom all the time… u_u

VIH: Whatever!

Moving along… I had next to no inspiration writing this so it came out kind of blah! I think the next chapter will be better. It's already partially written and most of the others are pretty well planned out. LOTS OF STUFF HAPPENS NEXT SO DON'T MISS IT!

Also, I just wanted to make sure that we are all aware of who Shimon is. If you don't know say so in a review and I will clarify!