Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duel of Love ❯ Learning ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

A/N: Wow, people like this story! I really don't want to wait to update because this is something I love to write right now. I mean, yeah! I love writing this story, not just because of the wonderful reviewers but because of the fact I think this is one of my best! My other best is Everlasting Sacrifice which is currently on its 14th chapter (And is a Harry Potter fan fiction).

Anyways, I hope this chapter is as good as the last two!

Okay, now I just read the entire ending of Yu-Gi-Oh series, and it's depressing. It's supposedly over in the end and it's really sad! I mean, like really truly over. Like Atemu and the Millennium items are gone for good now…Damn! I just spoiled everything! I'm uber depressed…I wish I didn't know…

Chapter 3: Learning

Katiana

When I was walking around one morning, carrying with me one of the texts, there seemed to be quite commotion going on around the palace. Everyone was too busy to talk to me so I figured I was on my own for the day, I couldn't even find the Pharaoh, but he probably decided to stay out of the way or he was handling a part of whatever was going on so I probably shouldn't bother him. I had finished skimming two chapters of the text on tools when I put it down and went back to the text on the monsters, even though it was creepy, I kept being drawn to it so here I was reading it, while I walked. Seto always yelled at me when I would walk and read at the same time, but I was being very careful today not to bump into anyone. I should have listened to what Seto had said…because I bumped hard into someone that seemed to be in quite a rush.

"Ouch!" a voice said, "That hurts, can't you watch where you're going?" I stood up and brushed myself off and offered my hand to whoever I had caused to fall down.

"I'm s…sorry," I said, "I wasn't w…watching where I was g…going."

"Miss Katiana?" the person said and I found I was looking into the Pharaoh's eyes! He looked more amused than anything.

"I'm s…sorry my Pha…Pharaoh," I stammered, "I should've watched w…where I was going."

"I wasn't watching either. It's just we're having this celebration tonight so everything's been a little fast, almost too fast for me," he said, "Oh, didn't anyone tell you? Tonight's an anniversary for Egypt. We had to battle many years ago for our freedom and every year on this day since then, since it was the day we won our freedom, we've had a celebration."

"Oh!" I exclaimed, feeling foolish. I knew about that. Egypt had been conquered by some ancient race but then Egypt's people rose above it for freedom, which was of course really predictable when I heard Seto tell it to me.

"Do you wish to come tonight?" he asked and I was snapped out of my trance.

"W…what?" I asked.

"I mean, do you wish to come to the celebration tonight? It would be a shame if you were left out," he said, "Pretty much because everyone is celebrating. I know the Priests and Priestess don't celebrate much, but I'd like it if you came… take a break from those dusty books, right?"

"I'm w…working hard on them. I don't w…want to be trou…trouble," I said.

"It wouldn't be any trouble," he said, grinning to stifle a yawn, "I find these things tiring sometimes."

"You d…do?" I asked, "B…but…"

"I have to do lots of things," he said, "It gets tiring doing them all the time."

"Uh-hu," I said and then saw he was looking at me oddly, and then looked up and down, as if gauging something on my outfit. I didn't know what the problem was, it was just what I wore everyday, white pants that puffed out slightly before cuffing at the bottom with a half cape hanging from them in the back. I had on my shirt which was cut at the sleeves so my arms were visible and I had my hair pulled back.

"That won't do though," he said.

"W...what won't do?" I asked.

"The outfit that you're wearing. Its not that you don't look nice, but it isn't fancy enough," he said and I blushed and gripped the text a little harder than usual.

"I'm f…fine," I said a little off put, "My outfit is j…just fine."

"I'm not saying its not fine but for a celebration like the one we're having tonight I think you should wear something a little more…elegant," he said, "Do you have something for like ceremonies or anything like that?"

"N…no, I don't normally n…need it," I said, "Its al…alright, I don't have to c…come tonight…"

"Nonsense, you need something to wear tonight then. Let's get you something better to wear, I think I can spear you a decent block of time…" he said, "I know a tailor in the city who is amazing at their craft. Let's go!"

"It's n…not really n…necessary…" I stammered but he grabbed my hand and dragged me along towards the city despite my protests. He was really odd…really extremely odd…

…

"Do you have anything in green?" the Pharaoh asked, "I mean like a green like dress…"

"D…dresses, I don't like dresses," I stammered but it did little good. He insisted and I didn't want to make him think I was ungrateful or anything. The owner of the shop ushered me into a small room with a dress and had me try it on. It was a light green dress and it sparkled slightly, as if this were a really rare fabric.

"Does it fit?" the Pharaoh asked expectantly and I finished putting it on. The rings around my ring fingers held a strip of green cloth that led to the dress part which was green as well. It had a gold belt around it and soft slippers too, rather than what I usually wear.

"It d…does…" I stammered.

"Don't come out though with it on," he said, "I'd rather be surprised."

"But d…don't you want to m…make sure it l…looks alright?" I asked in surprise.

"I'm sure you'll look absolutely elegant in it no matter what," he said, "Now hurry up." I quickly changed back into my regular clothes and the Pharaoh purchased the dress for me and had it wrapped as well. I carried the bundle with me as we walked back to the palace, feeling like a sort of Princess at that moment, a really special Princess.

…

I got ready for the celebration, putting on the dress and the soft-toed slippers. I pulled my hair back and braided it, using an old hair clip I had gotten in the market one day. It went well with the dress. I made sure I cleaned my face extra well because I wanted to look presentable. The Pharaoh had told me the High Priests and Priestess would be there so it would mean I'd see Seto. I hope I looked presentable, and the Pharaoh did say he wanted to be surprised, so I hoped he would be surprised in a good way. He didn't tell me who was escorting me out or if I had to come alone, so I was kinda lost as to how I was going to be arriving, unless Seto was going to come and get me and walk me there. The celebration would start out with dinner, and then the actual celebration would begin, including music and dancing. The Pharaoh did tell me I'd be sitting next to Seto, and Seto sat next to the Pharaoh, so I was going to be in an important seat, which made me feel very uncomfortable.

"Please God, don't l…let me screw up," I muttered and jumped off my bed when I heard a knocking at the door, "Who is it?"

"High Priestess Isis," the voice replied, "May I come in?"

"Uh, y…yes!" I exclaimed and she opened the door.

"I'm to be the one to give you escort tonight," she said simply, "At least until we arrive."

"Thanks," I said, coming over, "I'm r…ready to go."
"You do look very beautiful," she said, "I'm sure the Pharaoh will be pleased. He likes you a lot you know…"

"I'm of l…little importance," I said, "I don't s…see how he could like me…"

"He's taken an interest in you, that much is certain," she said, "Do you like staying here?"

"It's really n…nice," I said and she nodded.

"Come along then," High Priestess Isis said and led me down the hall towards the main room where the celebration was being held. The palace was filled with guests, all sorts of people from all over and I saw dancers and entertainers everywhere!

"This is a…amazing! To do t…this in one day," I exclaimed in awe and High Priestess Isis smiled at me.

"Come along," she said, "We need to get to our table before the meal is served." She led me towards the highest table where I could see the Pharaoh and Seto, both dressed in their finest and both looking like they were in deep conversation.

"H…hello," I said as we arrived at the table and Seto and the Pharaoh looked up and both pairs of eyes went wide as they saw how I looked.

"By the gods Katiana, that's some dress!" Seto exclaimed with a smile.

"You look more than elegant… you look absolutely stunning, absolutely beautiful!" the Pharaoh exclaimed and I felt a blush rise on my face.

"My Pharaoh, I don't think that's proper, she might think you're thinking something you shouldn't be thinking…" Seto said, looking over and the Pharaoh looked over and glared at him.

"What are you insinuating?" the Pharaoh asked.

"Please d…don't fight!" I exclaimed and both of them turned to look at me, "I mean, its okay, right? I l…look alright?"

"You look just fine Miss Katiana and you as well High Priestess Isis," the Pharaoh said and Seto let out a sigh. I went around and sat down next to him like I was supposed to and dinner was served shortly after we all got settled.

"Is it all good?" the Pharaoh asked during the time we were eating and I smiled and nodded.

"It's w…wonderful!" I exclaimed and he smiled at me again. I was fully aware of the look on Seto's face as he watched us. As the last course was being served, Seto leaned over to talk to me.

"Has he been treating you fairly?" he asked.

"Y…yes," I said.

"He isn't harming you, is he?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"He isn't hitting on you, is he?" he asked.

"No!" I exclaimed, offended by that question, "Why w…would he?"

"He isn't being mean to you is he?" Seto inquired further, ignoring my question.

"No," I said.

"He's feeding you properly, isn't he?" he asked and I nodded my response this time, not wanting to say anything more, "Good."

"Why all the qu…questions?" I asked and he looked down at me.

"I look out for my Priests and Priestesses," he said simply, "I won't stand for it if one of them gets hurt or abused…"

"How c…could you think the Pha…Pharaoh would do such a thing?" I asked.

"How could you think I do what?" a voice chimed in and I nearly fell out of my seat. It was the Pharaoh, smiling as ever.

"I was just making sure she's okay here," Seto said, brushing off my question once again, "She might still be homesick."

"She's been here nearly a week and a half, I think she's fine…" the Pharaoh said and I looked down at the desert, unwilling to get in the middle of the fight, besides, I don't see what the big deal is!

"I'm just making sure, that's all…" Seto said and the Pharaoh appeared to brush it off and returned to eating. When we finished eating the tables were cleared off and everyone moved onto the main floor to do some dancing of their own along with the music. I stood by; I wasn't supposed to really dance or anything like that.

"Enjoying yourself?" the Pharaoh asked, coming up next to me.

"Yes! V…very much so," I exclaimed, and he offered me a drink, which I took.

"Try it, its called `punch' by the head chef, I like it…" he said and I sipped it a little. It was really fruity, but it had another taste in it, one I couldn't quite place.

"This is g…good!" I exclaimed and the Pharaoh smiled at me.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, "If you don't mind me asking, what was Seto was asking you about during dinner?"

"Oh, well he w…was asking to make sure if I was a…alright," I said, thinking that was his real reason.

"He worries about you, that is good," he said.

"It is?" I asked and he nodded.

"You told me he treated you like a kid and yet here he was making sure you were okay," he said and I took another sip of the punch, "You really do look beautiful in that dress you know, it matches your eyes."

"T…thank you," I stammered, turning a bright red shade. He smiled again and then left me alone once again. I continued to sip the punch politely, wondering what was in it that gave it such a unique flavor. After a bit though, I started to feel dizzy, so I set the punch down on a nearby table and braced myself against it. What had been in that punch?

"Uh," I muttered as I fainted to the floor.

Yami

I was beginning to get bored with this celebration already, and it tended to go on for a while. I sighed; I probably wouldn't get much sleep tonight.

"My Pharaoh!" someone cried, running up to me.

"What is it?" I asked the young man who stopped short of plowing into me.

"There's a young girl by a table near the wall, and she's collapsed!" he exclaimed, "It looks like she hit her head too!" Wait, was that Katiana?
"Lead me there," I said and we made our way through the crowds and to the side. Seto came up beside me shortly as we arrived near where the man led us.

"Katiana!" High Priest Seto exclaimed, kneeling down beside her and feeling for a pulse, "She's okay, she's just fainted, I think… We should get her to a bed."
"My room's closest," I said and turned back to the man, "Thank you very much."
"Will she be alright?" he asked.

"She will," I assured him and watched High Priest Seto scoop her into his arms and I led him towards my chambers. I hurriedly opened the door and we went inside, High Priest Seto laying Katiana gently on the bed and looking at her head gingerly examining it.

"What could she have had that would have made her collapse like this?" High Priest Seto asked, looking at me, "What did someone give her?"

"I gave her some punch…" I said.

"…" Seto glared at me, "That has wine in it, correct?"

"Well yes," I said, "Is that bad?"

"Katiana can't handle wine," High Priest Seto said, "In any amounts. She only drinks water or milk…"

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Because she's never had it before because I've never let her…" High Priest Seto said, "I never wanted her judgment to be impaired at any point in time."

"But don't your other priests and priestesses drink?" I asked and he nodded.

"But only some," he said, "Well, the gash doesn't look too bad…" He was mad at me for giving her the drink but I didn't know, so was it really my fault?

"I t…think I'm going to be s…sick," Miss Katiana murmured and leaned over the side of the bed and threw up.

"My Pharaoh, go and get her some water," High Priest Seto said, "Please."

"I'll be right back; do you want me to fetch some bandages as well?" I asked and High Priest Seto nodded. I looked back at Miss Katiana who was wiping off her mouth and collapsing back on the bed, only to have to pick her body up and start heaving again. She must be in a lot of pain. I hurried off to grab the water and bandages as I saw High Priest Seto crawl up on the bed, placing his hand on her back for comfort. I had to say I was a little jealous. Miss Katiana was such a sweet girl, and High Priest Seto did seem to really care about her most of the time, when he didn't treat her like a child. I hurried faster to get the water and some fresh bandages. I knew where the bandages were, I had hid in the room where the medical herbs and items were stored when I wanted to avoid my studies, and so I picked them up very quickly, carrying a small bit of water with me as well.

"That was quick," High Priest Seto said, taking the bandages and water. Miss Katiana was hacking slightly still over the side of the bed. I watched as Seto lifted her head and forced her to drink a little bit of it. Miss Katiana sagged against him, still hacking.

"Miss Katiana," I said, sitting down gently on my bed, "I'm afraid all I can say is I'm sorry."

"You didn't know my Pharaoh," High Priest Seto said and lifted Miss Katiana off of him and looked at the wound on her head, taking a little bit of water and tearing a section of bandage cloth to clean it before wrapping her head up tightly.

"Was it that bad?" I asked and he shook his head.

"She'll be alright, but I wouldn't move her…" he said and then looked at me, "Which presents a problem."

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"I think you should stay in another room tonight," he said, "I'll watch over her."

"I wouldn't trust you here either," I said dryly, "So I'll stay as well."

"My Pharaoh, I don't want to inconvenience you," he said, ignoring my comment.

"She is in my room after all, and she is in my care while she's here," I said and looked as High Priest Seto lowered her back down onto the bed. She had fallen asleep at some point while she was being bandaged up and High Priest Seto lowered a blanket over her and she seemed to shudder for a bit.

"Fine, we both watch over her," he said, "That way both of us watch over each other as well."

"You really shouldn't say such things," I said, "After all, I am your Pharaoh…"
"My apologies then," he said, "But I'm still not leaving."

Katiana

I awoke with a headache and my stomach hurt. I looked around to see Seto lying along the length of the foot of the bottom of the bed, sleeping really soundly. He must have been worried about me; I must have done something I shouldn't have. Was it that punch I drank?

"Oh, you're awake," a voice said sleepily and I looked over to see the Pharaoh sitting in a chair, a tired look in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm s…sorry!" I exclaimed, "I must've w…woke you!"

"No, it's no trouble," he said, "Does your head feel better? You injured it when you fell."

"When d…did you get this b…bandaged?" I asked.

"High Priest Seto bandaged you up," he said, "You were throwing up earlier, but I cleaned that up…"

"Didn't you h…have a servant?" I asked, "You s…shouldn't have had t…to do it for me!"

"It was no trouble, I didn't want to call any servants in while they were cleaning up from the celebration," he said, "It wasn't hard, I only did it while you were sleeping in my bed." I turned a deep shade of crimson. He smiled a tired smile.

"You should g…get some sleep," I stammered and he stood up and sat down on the bed, and then lay down next to me, "W…what are you doing?"

"I'm going to get some sleep," he said, "Don't worry, it's alright. I mean, High Priest Seto is at the foot of the bed sleeping already."

"I'm s…sorry for causing you b…both trouble," I said.

"It was no trouble at all," he said, "So are you feeling better?"

"Uh-hu," I said and he turned to his side so his back faced me.

"That's good, now if you don't mind, I shall need to get some sleep; morning is only a few hours off," he said, "Goodnight."

"Oh, okay," I said and closed my eyes, "T…Thank you."

"My pleasure Miss Katiana, and I do apologize," he said, "I'll see you in the morning."

"G…Goodnight," I murmured and let a fresh wave of sleep claim me. I hadn't felt tired when I first opened my eyes; maybe the Pharaoh spelled me or something to get me to fall back asleep. He probably was making sure I rested well enough before morning. He cared about my well being. I felt special, really special.

TBC

A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! On a note, the stutter stays! I hope you'll review this chapter too. I love writing this story. And please, as always, no flames, because they are used to roast my marshmallows to give to people who like the story! I hope to update soon after this!

And hey, check out 1995, my spoof story on Bowling For Soup's song 1985!