Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper Of The Crown ❯ The Peasant Boy ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: I know, I shouldn't be starting another fic. I have way too many to work on. But lately, I have been obsessed with the YamixAnzu pairing! So, here is a YamixAnzu fic that I thought I would write! If it sucks, I'm sorry. Remember, this is my first actual fic of YamixAnzu (the other thing I wrote was just a one-shot) so if you're going to flame me, try not to be too harsh!!

Disclaimer:Who else hates that white shirt Yami wears in Ancient Egypt? Yeah, well if I owned it, he'd be bare-chested all the time!! And of course, since I don't own it, he wears the ugly thing like ALL the time. Except in that one episode when he is waking up in bed.

PLEASE R&R!!!!!!

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Keeper of the Crown

Chapter One: The Peasant Boy

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It was a dark, cold night in the Egyptian city of Cairo. A soft breeze gusted through the air; rustling the leaves of trees. The gates of the Royal Palace were heavily guarded to keep out any unwanted intruders.

A shadow made its way across the royal garden, unnoticed by the guards. The figure leaned against the side of the palace, breathing heavily. It was a girl. One with short brown hair and azure eyes as bright as the morning sky. She was the princess of Egypt. Princess Anzu Mazaki, daughter of Pharaoh Akunamukanon. And she was running away.

No, she didn't hate the Royal Palace. She didn't hate her parents, either. She just wanted so badly to see the city outside the palace walls. Night was the only time she could get away.

Stealing a quick glance at the guards in front of the gate entrance, Anzu made her way to the side of the wall. It was a high climb, but she could do it. She had done it many times before. Her only fear was being noticed. Pharaoh would be furious if he got word that she was going into the village.

Cloaked in a brown robe to conceal her identity, the princess quickly ascended the stone wall. Once reaching the top, she jumped down; landing expertly on both knees.

Standing, she looked around the deserted bazaar. 'I made it. Thank goodness.'

Fixing her cloak, she began walking down the dusty road. There were few people out since there was a small party that night. She wished the market were more crowded. That way she could get a good look at the peasants. The ones who came to the palace to request things of the Pharaoh or the Council always looked so dirty and sad. She had to wonder if all commoners were that way.

As she passed a fruit stand, the man grinned at her. He seemed to be the only one still working. "Evening, miss," he greeted politely. "Can I get you anything?"

Anzu shook her head, declining. "No thank you. I'm alright."

He shrugged. "Have a good night then."

She smiled at him and continued walking. Up ahead she heard music and laughter. The festival still must've been going on. The princess was amazed at how late people could stay up just to dance and drink.

'I suppose I should see what the festival is like. I did come here to see it, after all. But...what if I am seen? What if someone recognizes me?' Anzu shook her head. 'I have a cloak on. And it is dark. Who could recognize me? I'm going to go. It looks like fun...' She nodded her head. 'I'll only stay a few minutes. Then I'll head back to the palace.'

After reasoning with herself, she made her way to the festival square. There were woman dancing and men drinking. It didn't look too exciting. She actually was planning on leaving.

That is, until she saw a head of tri-colored hair in the distance. She had never seen hair like it before. Most people in Egypt had either black or brown hair; with the exception of Kisara, her cousin Seto's chambermaid.

But this...this boy's hair truly was exquisite. Raven and scarlet locks spiked up to defy gravity while golden bangs delicately framed his face. Bolts of blonde stuck up in his hair, giving him a rebellious look. His eyes were the color of blood, showing his merciful yet dangerous spirit.

'He's beautiful!'

Anzu thought a moment. She'd never felt attraction to any other man before. The only men she ever saw where her father, cousin, and the slaves. So beautiful really was the word to describe this boy.

The teen with the unique hair was dancing with a red haired girl. A brown haired boy was watching him with fury in his hazel orbs. Anzu giggled. Obviously, the boy with brown locks liked the girl.

Once the song ended, Anzu decided to go say hello to them. She wouldn't reveal her identity, she would just greet them. Then she would leave. But she wouldn't go before getting closer to this boy.

Taking a step towards the boy, she stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking behind her, the princess noticed a drunken man grinning stupidly down at her.

"Hello, pretty little girl," he slurred, grin widening at her look of disgust. "Don't look so rude. You're in the presence of a man."

"In the presence of a drunken slob is more like it," Anzu snorted, freeing herself from the man's grip.

The man growled angrily. "How dare yous insult me!" He clutched her arm and dragged her to him. "Don't run away, little girl. I'm gonna teach yous some manners."

The other men with him laughed and jeered. Anzu's cheeks turned red. "Don't touch me!" she yelled, trying to pull away. It was no use though, because the man was much stronger than she was.

He slapped her. "Stop being insolent, wretch!" He threw her to the floor and yanked at the hood of her robe. "Take this stupid thing off. I wish to see you better," he demanded.

"Get away from me!"

Heads turned in the direction of the screaming girl. Some people chuckled; others shook their head in disapproval. No one did anything to stop the drunken man.

'Oh gods. He's going to rape me. And no one is going to stop him! What is wrong with these people?!'

The princess shuddered as she felt the man begin to unfasten her cloak. Even though she had clothes on underneath, they were common clothes. Like that of what the partygoers wore. She wasn't even wearing her tiara. This man wouldn't recognize her. He wouldn't believe her if she said who she really was. He was too drunk. He wouldn't stop.

'Why did I come here tonight? Oh gods, what will father say when he finds out? The shame of it all....He'll disown me. He'll throw me out of the palace for sure! No one would want a daughter who'd been...raped.... Especially not Pharaoh!'

The group of men chuckled as her cloak was removed. Their eyes widened at the gold bangles on her arms and feet. "She's a wealthy one," one of them said.

"Must be a nobleman's daughter. We should take the gold after you're finished using her, Jibade,"

"Hey, leave her alone!" a deep voice rumbled.

Anzu looked up, seeing the boy with the colorful hair. He was glaring at the man touching her, anger and hatred consuming his crimson orbs. He actually looked very frightening. His face didn't hold the gentle smile it had when dancing with that girl earlier.

The man, Jibade, stood up, towering over the teen. "You have a problem, boy?!" he sneered.

He nodded. "Yes, I do. How dare you touch her as if...as if she were one of your whores?!"

Jibade growled lowly. "How dare you speak to me in such a way? I am your elder. Your superior!"

The other men howled with laughter. A tall, skinny man roamed his eyes over the boy challenging Jibade's authority. "He's a scrawny little thing. I say we beat him. Then the lovely maiden will be all ours." He snickered to himself.

Anzu's eyes widened. She inched away from the group of men. She could not let them touch her. She could not. She had to get away. And she had to get this boy out of danger, as well.

"Oy, Yami!

The teen turned. Three other boys came running forward. One the princess recognized as the one who had been glaring angrily at him before for dancing with the girl.

There was a blonde boy there now too. Taller than Yami but not taller than the brown haired one. He had blonde unruly tresses and honey colored eyes. The other teen wasn't that tall. He had stark white hair and deadly chocolate orbs. Though he may not have been tall, he looked the most dangerous of all of them.

She returned her attention to Yami. The handsome one who was standing up for her. He was staring at his friends imploringly. "Jonouchi, Honda, Bakura. Stay out of this."

The blonde Jonouchi shook his head. "No way, man. We're here ta back ya up."

Yami smiled at them. Anzu raised a puzzled eyebrow. Four boys were daring to take on a group of full grown men? She didn't question their actions, for she soon saw that they were all very strong. They quickly knocked most of the men unconscious.

The princess didn't even realize what was going on until she was being picked up off the ground. Turning her blue eyes upward, they immediately locked with crimson orbs. Crimson orbs that now were filled with caring, not malice.

"You...saved me..." she whispered after a few moments of silence. "Thank you."

He grinned. "It was nothing." He watched her for a minute. "You got a little bit scratched up from being tossed to the ground like that. And your cheek looks awfully bruised. Are you alright?"

Anzu nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."

He smiled. "That's good." He took her hand and kissed it gently. "I'm Yami. What is your name?"

The princess opened her mouth, about to answer, when she suddenly remembered that she was not supposed to reveal her identity to anyone. "T- Teana. You may call me Tea, though, for short."

"Teana. That is a lovely name," Yami whispered, smiling again.

Anzu blushed. "Th-thank you, Yami," she replied. 'Too bad it's not my real name...'

They stood there, staring at each other. Neither said a word. Neither moved. The princess looked to the sky. She fidgeted slightly under his intense gaze. "I-I should be headed home..."

"Where is that? I can take you -"

"-No!" she smiled. "I-I mean...I can walk myself. I'll be alright." She turned to go, but felt a hand on her shoulder. Unlike Jibade, Yami's hands were soft and gentle. It felt nice. She blushed at the thought.

Yami looked away. "Will I see you again?" he asked hopefully.

Anzu smiled. "Of course you will."

She then turned and left him. Though, she felt saddened by leaving him alone like that. She liked being in his company. He was so kind...and handsome....

"Goodnight, Tea!"

Blushing, the princess hurried down the dusty path towards the palace. She hoped no one would notice her returning. As she climbed the wall and entered the palace unnoticed, she couldn't stop thinking about Yami.

'It's so wrong of me to be thinking this way. He's a commoner. A peasant. I'm the princess. How could I...how could I feel this way towards someone of his status?' She thought to herself, bringing a hand over her forehead. 'He probably has a wife already. That pretty red haired girl he was dancing with. Or maybe not...'

Sighing, she opened the door to her bedroom. Lying down on the silk sheets of her bed, she smiled. Though the palace might get boring at times, she would never leave it. It was her home. And it was clean. That was something the city was not.

Pulling the covers over her head, she smiled. A vision of Yami came to her. 'I wonder if I will see him again...'

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A/N: >.< I'm sorry if that sucked. I suck at starting off stories. I promise it will get better though! I promise! Please R&R...if anyone is still there?