Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Displacement ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 4 )

Here's Chapter Four!! Please R&R!!

 

I do not own Yugioh... only Jenna.

 

*****

 

Late that night, Pharaoh stood on a balcony outside of his room looking up at the night sky, deep in thought. The day had been incredibly eventful. Bakura's arrival had been surprising enough, but with the arrival of Jenna, things were more complicated than ever. As Pharaoh, it was his duty to protect his people... the innocents that he ruled over. So finding Bakura and putting a stop to his evil ambitions was definitely top priority. However, he also had an obligation to now protect HER.

Her fear and confusion was perfectly understandable, and he could scarcely imagine what she must be going through at this point in time. Uncertainty could produce the greatest amount of fear, and not even he knew if it was possible for her to return home. It had been a freak accident that had brought her here to their time in the first place, and as had been mentioned earlier, it was too dangerous to try to recreate that incident. There was no telling where in time she may go if they did that, and she had indicated that there were several periods of history that would be by far more dangerous for her to be in than here where she was now. It was a risk they simply couldn't take. But the instant she had been brought here, she had lost everything that she had known... everyone that she had ever loved. Her family, her friends... the world as she knew it was now gone... thousands of years and miles away. And the fact that she was faced with the very real possibility that she may never see that home again must be a downright terrifying prospect for her to bear on her shoulders.

He remembered the fear he had seen in her eyes the first time he had sat face to face with her, and his heart ached sympathetically. And what made the situation all the more frustrating was there was very little he could do to assure her that she would return home. Because there were no guarantees. In fact, although he had not said this before, not wanting to push the poor distraught girl over the edge, he was almost positive there was no way to return her to her home. If there had been, the method surely would have been used in the past by previous Pharaoh's.

And if he was correct... that meant there was no way for her to get back home... news he was most certainly not looking forward to giving her. Having the Priests search the vaults was something he had ordered simply so she could have a small bit of hope... as well as give the Pharaoh some time to break the news to her gently. It was a stalling tactic, and all but Jenna knew it.

Pharaoh already knew what would happen to her after she found out. With her incredible exotic beauty, it was far to dangerous to simply free her out in the world. The thieves and lowlifes would have her as their own personal slave to satisfy their own sick pleasures within a day. She would have to remain in the palace, under the protection of the guards and priests... and of course... himself. He wouldn't forbid her to leave... not have her locked behind the walls of the palace for life. Never that. She would be allowed to leave, of course, to visit the town or even see farther reaches of his Empire... provided she was accompanied by at least one priest and several guards.

Pharaoh sighed, knowing he would be breaking the hard news to the girl the next day for certain... after the vaults had been thoroughly searched for the information everyone knew didn't exist in the first place. He was not looking forward to it, but it was one of the less appealing duties of being a ruler. He gazed at the stars another moment longer, then turned and entered his bed chamber, knowing he would get little sleep as he did.

 

*****

 

Jenna awoke to a wonderful breakfast and a fresh supply of water. She cleaned her plate, more conscious about not wasting food than ever now that she was here. A healer came in soon after, checking her wounds, proclaiming them to be all right, no longer requiring bandaging, and removed them for her. Jenna was totally shocked to see that the cuts and scrapes she had seen on herself the day before were now gone as though they had never been there in the first place. She wondered if they had used some sort of magic for that or if it had been some incredible herbal remedy that she had not encountered before.

After she had eaten and freshened up, she headed out to her balcony which gave her a breathtaking view of the Pyramids and the city beyond the palace itself. She took in a breath of the air. It was a little dry (what else could you expect from a desert land?), but it smelled wonderfully fresh... pure uncontaminated air... something that was incredibly hard to come across anywhere in her time.

She saw a few guards and servants wandering around down below, knowing now that she was on the upper level of the palace. Beyond the palace walls in the city, she could see the tiny forms of the civilians going about their day as usual.

She decided to stay right where she was for the time being. The day was beautiful, if a little hot for her tastes, and it wasn't often she got to see sights such as this.

 

*****

 

 

Pharaoh was in his throne room when his Priests entered, Siamun with them.

“Report, Seto.” Yami said gently, knowing exactly what was going to be said even before his priest did so.

The High Priest sighed. “It is as we suspected. We could find nothing in the vaults, My Pharaoh.”

Pharaoh sighed. He had known it from the beginning, but still... “Is there any possible outside source that we could search?” he asked.

Siamun sighed. “Pharaoh... if the answers are not in our vaults, then there is nothing we can do. You know that... in fact, you knew there would be no solution from the moment you had us seek one out.”

He nodded resignedly. “True. But I am not looking forward to breaking the news to her...”

Seto nodded. “It is a task noone would want. She will be crushed by the news. However, we cannot stall forever. We should get it over with now.”

The Pharaoh took in a deep breath and nodded, getting to his feet. “Yes. Let us go.”

 

*****

 

There was no answer when they knocked on her door, so the Pharaoh and his Priests let themselves in, finding Jenna on the balcony.

This was the first time the Pharaoh had seen Jenna in Egyptian dress. The white material, golden jewelry and new hair style did nothing to hide the fact that she was not from around there, and somehow, it made her look all the more exotic. The sunlight gave her hair a incredible shine, her skin an even purer appearance. The way the wind played with the strands of hair and the clothes she now wore made her look like a gift from the Gods.

He shook these thoughts off and stepped forward. “Jenna?”

The girl blinked and turned, a smile coming to her face. “Pharaoh! Priests. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you knock.”

He shook his head. “That is all right.” He took in a deep breath. “Jenna... we must speak to you.”

She blinked again, and then nodded. “Sure.” She walked back into her room, feeling a small amount of relief when she was in the shade once more. “What is it?”

The eight people in her room exchanged several anxious looks, the Pharaoh looked the most uncomfortable.

Jenna felt a warning sinking sensation in her stomach. “Is... something wrong?”

Pharaoh composed himself and looked her straight in the eye. “Jenna... we have searched the vaults from top to bottom... but can find no method of getting you home. I am sorry. But there is nothing we can do to return you to your own time.”

Jenna simply stared at the Pharaoh for a few long seconds before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she simply fainted. Mahado raced forward, keeping her from hitting the floor.

Pharaoh sighed regretfully, although a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Put her back in bed.”

Mahado complied immediately, scooping up her limp form and placing it in the bed gently.

Isis sighed. “Someone should stay with her. She will be greatly upset when she awakens.”

Pharaoh sighed. “I would, but my duties as Pharaoh take priority. I have been a little lax lately and I have to make up for it.”

Seto nodded. “And I must aid in the search for Bakura.”

Mahado nodded. “I can remain with her, if it would please you, My Pharaoh.”

The king nodded. “Very well. I shall return later when I am free of my duties. Make sure she knows that.”

He nodded, and the rest of the priests left the room.

Mahado sat quietly next to the girl for about an hour when she woke again. Her eyes fluttered open and glazed over slightly. Then she caught sight of him, blinking. She took in a shaky breath.

“I... fainted... didn't I?”

He nodded gently. “Yes. But it's all right. Considering your present circumstances, your reaction to our news was most definitely understandable.”

She looked at him for a long moment, and then her eyes shut tight as tears started streaming down her face. “I'm... stuck here.... I'll never see home again....” She started to sob, unable to hold it in.

Mahado gently sat her up and pulled her close, letting her cry into his robe. She gripped him like a life line, and he could feel the grief and fear coursing from her pores. He hushed her gently, rocking her as he would an infant, one hand rubbing up and down her back, the other running through her silky golden hair. It took almost a full quarter hour before she was calm enough to pull herself away, and she looked at him.

“What's going to happen to me now?” she asked quietly.

He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “The Pharaoh will ensure that you live your life in comfort and safety here in the palace. Releasing you in the outside world alone would be far too dangerous to you with your appearance, and so that is the best course of action.”

She took in a shaky breath and nodded. “I thought it would be something like that.” She looked at her hands. “I mean... look at me. My pale skin and blonde hair... I guess it would attract some unwanted attention.”

He smiled a little. “Most definitely. You are incredibly... exotic to behold.”

She sighed and climbed out of the bed, wiping away the tears that were still on her face. “Mahado... thankyou for being here when I woke up. I really appreciate it... but... I'd like to be alone for a while, if you don't mind.”

The Priest nodded immediately and got to his feet. “I understand. The Pharaoh will be in to visit you himself when his daily duties are complete.”

She nodded. “All right.”

Mahado gave her a small bow, and then turned and left.

 

*****

 

The Priest reported to the Pharaoh immediately upon leaving the room, relaying the events that had unfolded when the girl had regained consciousness.

The Pharaoh nodded with a sigh. He was actually surprised at how well she was taking the news, but he had a feeling her grief would come out on several more occassions in the near future. He felt another pang of sympathy for the girl with the light skin, and found himself resisting the urge to run to her room that very moment, much to his surprise. He still had some duties to perform... which would take a few hours. He could not set them aside any longer, as much as he might wish to. And also, Mahado had said that she wished to be alone for the time being, and so he would give her that.

“Thankyou, Mahado. Have a servant bring her some food, and then you may aid in the search for Bakura.”

The Priest nodded, giving a bow, and then exited the room. Pharaoh sighed and returned to his duty... which was giving an audience to several civilians who wished to ask for his aid in matters such as agriculture, commerce, and even some who had sick family members and were desperately seeking the aid of a professional healer. He nodded to himself. His people needed him right now.

 

*****

 

It was late evening before Pharaoh was finally finished his daily duties, and he headed for Jenna's room once more. There was no answer when he knocked, so he simply entered, not too surprised to find her standing on the balcony once more, looking up at the night sky.

In the sunlight, she had looked beautiful, but in the light of the full moon, she looked even more so. The way the moonlight reflected off her hair and lightly touched her skin gave her an appearance that simply took his breath away. The expression on her face was undeniably sad, and he was surprised to find himself resisting the urge to pull her in close upon setting his eyes on her. He quickly shoved the impulse away and cleared his throat a little, just to let his presence be known.

She blinked and turned curiously, managing a weak smile when she saw him. “Pharaoh... I'm sorry. This is the second time today that I never heard someone knock on my door...”

He shook his head. “Again, there is nothing to apologize for. You are going through a very difficult time and it is only natural for you to be distracted.” He stepped up to her slowly, his eyes turning concerned. “How are you faring?”

She took in a shaky breath, and he noticed her eyes were slightly puffy, a sure indication that she had been crying only moments before he had arrived... something that made his heart ache for her all the more. “I'm... I'll be okay. It's just my mind is having a hard time wrapping around what happened... and around what I learned.” She sighed and her gaze went back to the night sky. “It's weird... just before you came out here... I was thinking that my family must be worried sick about me... but then I remembered that they won't even be born for another 5000 years. And if they don't exist... they can't miss me.”

He reached out and gently took hold of her chin, turning her face she she faced him. “They do exist... in the World of Your Memories. And as long as you always remember them and honor their memories... they will always be with you in spirit.”

Her eyes shut tight and tears started rolling down her cheeks once more. “Oh, God... I'm going to miss them so much...” Her shoulders started to shake as she started to sob.

The Pharaoh didn't hesitate for an instant. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, rubbing one hand up and down her back and the other running through her hair as he held her and led her inside once more. He set her down on the bed gently and just held her as she cried for several moments, before she hesitantly pulled away.

She sniffed and wiped her tears away as the Pharaoh looked at her in concern. “I... don't know what I'm going to do now. I hardly know anything about this time... especially about this region of the world...”

He smiled at her gently and wiped a stray tear from her face, surprising both himself and the woman sitting beside him. “We will help you. And we will protect you from any who would dare bring you harm. I promise you that. Adjusting will likely be difficult, but we will all be here to assist you.”

She managed a ghost of a smile. “Thankyou, Pharaoh.”

He put his hand on hers and regarded her a moment, his smile still in place. “It is late. You should get some sleep. In the morning, someone can bring you on a tour of the Palace.”

She hesitated, almost positive there was no way she would get any sleep at all that night with what she had learned, but then nodded. She had to at least try. She didn't need sleep deprivation on top of everything else. She layed down on the bed, and then, to her surprise, the Pharaoh reached out with his hand, touching her temple lightly as the pyramid around his neck flared slightly and she felt her mind go incredibly light and her eyelids slide shut as he smiled at her gently. The girl was asleep in seconds.

Pharaoh looked at her sleeping form for a long moment, his hand remaining where it was before he got to his feet with a sigh once more. Tomorrow was another day and he needed some sleep himself to prepare for it.

He quietly left the room, heading for his own chambers.

 

*****

 

R&R!!