Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper Of The Crown ❯ Shores of The Nile ( Chapter 3 )

Keeper Of The Crown

Chapter Three: Shores of the Nile

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Anzu sat on her bed; eating grapes off a golden platter and watching a girl with long blue hair clean the floor. The blue haired girl smiled as she worked, humming a little tune to make her work more enjoyable. The princess sighed loudly and looked up at the ceiling. It was a few days after she had vowed to go down to the village. Being the princess that she was, though, she was not able to escape and go find Yami.

`Speaking of Yami...I wonder what he's up to...' She sighed again, still puzzled about the whole situation with him. `I don't know why I'm so fascinated with him. Maybe it's because he saved me from that man. Is it so wrong for me to feel this way about him? I wish I could ask someone advice about this. Anyone here would think I was crazy though...'

The blue haired servant cleared her throat, looking up at the young princess. "Begging your pardon Princess Anzu, but is there something the matter?" she asked, concern in her voice.

Anzu nodded slightly. `I guess I can tell Kisara about it. It's not like she'll blab to anyone. Plus...she's sort of in the same predicament as I am.'

"Kisara...how did you know you were in love with my cousin?"

Kisara's eyes widened. "You mean Seto, miss?" she questioned hesitantly. When receiving a nod, she bit her lip nervously. She had no idea that the princess knew of her infatuation with the high-priest-in-training. Would she be punished for loving him?

No. Anzu had always been kind to her. They had talked on many occasions. Whenever the princess was lonely or feeling upset, she would seek out the servant girl and speak to her about it. Though, Kisara wasn't one to give great advice. She did not know much about the things Anzu would sometimes talk of.

"I...I don't recall," Kisara began. She brushed a strand of light blue hair from her eyes. "I guess I just...knew...one day. It just dawned on me. My feelings came into light. And I knew I loved him. And I accepted the fact, even though I also knew that such a love could never be returned. Since I am only his chambermaid."

The brunette nodded. "But you still love him anyways? Even if you feel that he'll never love you back?"

"Yes." The servant frowned. "Why are you asking me this?"

Anzu shook her head. "No reason. I was just curious."

Kisara knew that that wasn't the whole truth. But she didn't want to press the subject further. If the princess didn't want to talk about it, then it was not her place to question her more on it. Picking up her washcloth and pail of water, she bowed to the princess and left the room.

`That wasn't very helpful,' Anzu though to herself. `So Kisara just knew that she was in love with Seto. How did she know? How did her feelings `come into light'? How will I know if what I really feel towards Yami is love or just curiosity?'

She smiled slightly and chuckled. `I guess the only way to find out for sure...is to spend more time with him...'

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Princess Anzu stood in front of her cousin, hands clasped together in front of her face. Blue eyes large and unblinking. Lower lip trembling slightly. Seto sighed, bringing a hand up and massaging his temples. He hated it when she used the puppy dog pout against him.

"Remind me again what it is you want?" he asked, giving in slightly.

Anzu's frown turned into a toothy grin. "I need you to tell my parents or anyone, in case they ask, that I am out with Mana and Mahado to watch them practice spell casting."

"And...Why do you want me to do this?"

"So I can go into the city for a bit."

The brown haired priest rolled his eyes. He didn't even want to ask why she wanted to go out into the city. The place was horrible. It reeked with the stench of peasants and was very unclean. "Fine," he said after a moment. "Just, you know, be careful. I'll tell Mana and Mahado of this."

Anzu smiled. "They already know. I just had to let you in on it to. And to make sure you agreed."

Seto snorted. "Whatever." He opened the scroll that was sitting in front of him. "I have a lot to do," he exclaimed as he read through the papyrus scroll. "Be back before the sun sets though, alright. Because that is when Mana and Mahado usually come back from their training."

The princess nodded excitedly and enveloped her cousin in a hug. She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you so much. I promise I'll be back by then." After hugging him one last time, she scurried out of the chamber and raced down the hall.

Getting out of the palace was easy this time. All she did was put a cloak on and follow the two magicians out. Looking around the small town, she wondered where Yami might be.

`Maybe if I see one of his friends, they'll tell me where to find him.'

Removing the hood of her cloak, she walked further into the city. Her eyes brightened when they fell upon a familiar looking blonde boy. She recognized him as one of the boys who helped Yami fight.

`Surely he is one of Yami's friends.'

"E-excuse me," Anzu whispered, tapping the boy on the shoulders.

The blonde, who had been buying some bread, whipped around and tried to spot who had touched him. Looking down, he grinned down at the female figure. "Yeah?"

The brunette played with her hair nervously. "I...I was wondering where I might find a boy called Yami. Can...Can you tell me where he lives?"

Honey orbs twinkled. "Yeah, no problem. He lives in a house right near the Nile. His father was a fisherman, so they live right near the docks. Eh...keep going straight ahead and you'll see it. It's a crappy little shack, but its home to him." Shrugging, he held out a hand. "I'm Katsuya Jounouchi. Can I know your name?"

Anzu shook the hand offered to her and stepped back slightly. "I-I'm Teana," she replied, using the name she had given to Yami.

Jounouchi grinned from ear to ear. "So you're Teana, huh? I thought I recognized you." He chuckled. "Yami talks about you all the time," he added. "It's actually getting kind of annoying."

The princess blushed and turned away from him. "W-well thank you very much, Jounouchi!"

With that, she turned and ran in the direction of the docks.

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Anzu gazed down at the crystal blue waters of the Nile. It was so peaceful over here. She was glad that she was able to escape from the palace early in the day. If she had come at night, she knew this place would be less beautiful.

She looked over to the docks again, seeing the run-down shack that the blonde had spoken of. He was right about it being crappy. It certainly looked like it could use more taking care of.

`I wonder where he could be. I'm sure he's not working since his friend isn't. Maybe I came to the wrong place?'

The princess' eyes widened at the sound of splashing up ahead. Turning her head, she noticed a shadow in the water. 'What if it's a crocodile?' she wondered fearfully. Squinting, she noticed the shadow to be in the shape of a human.

She took a few steps closer and her eyes widened at the sight. For in the water was a very wet...and very naked...Yami.

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Yami dunked his head under the water, scrubbing it clean. Opening his eyes, he noticed a small school of fish swim by. A wave of hurt flashed through his crimson orbs. He remembered fishing with is father. Before he had passed away.

Yami missed his father terribly. They had gotten along real well since he had no memory of his mother. The greatest recollections he had had with his father were always ones of fishing. Sitting out on the dock and letting his dad help him real in a catch.

Realizing he needed to breath, Yami splashed to the surface of the water. He wiped his eyes and shook his hair out of his face. After standing in the water for a moment, basking in the warm desert air, he felt it. Eyes on him. There was someone watching him.

Face flushed at the thought of someone watching him bathe, he slowly turned around. His gaze locked with sky blue eyes. The teen sucked in his breath and felt his cheeks heat up even more.

It wasn't just anyone watching him bathe. It was a pretty girl! One whom he recognized to be Teana.

Teana was standing about ten feet away, eyes wide and cheeks glowing pink. After regaining her senses, she turned around. Yami heaved himself out of the water and wrapped a cloth around his waist. It didn't do much. Only stuck to the wet skin of his legs. But at least it covered him partially.

Still blushing he told her, in a very high pitched voice, that she could turn around now.

And she did. Her face was still flushed and she looked very embarrassed for having walked in on his bath.

"No, it's okay," Yami said after hearing her apologize. "I was, um, finished anyways." He laughed nervously and sat down on a rock, letting the sun's rays dry his soaking skin and hair.

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Anzu tried to think of something to say. She just watched Yami in complete silence for a few moments, trying to form words. The teenager on the rock quirked a smile and stood up, shaking his hair out. His tri colored locks, which before hung down past his shoulders, flew back up into the air in messy spikes.

She giggled and took a step towards him. Crimson orbs regarded her casually. Scratching her arm, she finally opened her mouth to speak. He beat her to it, though.

"So, you finally came to visit me?" He didn't sound angry or upset. His voice held amusement.

The princess nodded. "Sorry it took so long. I kept meaning to come and find you, but I always lost track of time. I was always so busy."

Yami nodded. "Do you live around here? In this city, I mean?"

"No. That's why it's been so difficult for me to come see you."

The tri haired teen nodded his head. "I've...wanted to see you again," he confessed. "I don't know why, but I just could not get you out of my head."

Anzu blushed at hearing this. He thought of her too then? Jounouchi must have been right when he said that Yami never stopped speaking of her. Though, she didn't find it annoying at all. She found it very sweet. "I thought about you a lot too."

"Well, now that you're here," he paused and looked around, trying to think of something they could do together. "Would you like to go swimming?" he gestured towards the river.

"I don't know how to swim," she replied.

Yami chuckled. "Teana, that is no problem." He pointed to himself. "I've known how to swim since I was a tot. I can teach you."

Anzu bit her lip. There was no harm in it. And she always did like the water. So why not? "Alright," she agreed.

The crimson eyed teen made his way into the water. He was about to remove the cloth around his waist, but stopped himself before he could. Normally by himself or with his friends, he would swim without it. But he was in the presence of a lady. Swimming naked was not an option.

At least not until they got to know each other better and she was comfortable with it.

Removing the cloak and placing it on the rock where Yami had sat before, Anzu carefully placed her feet into the water. "It's freezing!" she complained.

Yami laughed. "Well what do you expect at this early in the day?" Shaking his head, he grabbed her hand and pulled her further into the water. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

The princess allowed herself to be dragged into waist deep water. She frowned as he skirts weighed her down. "Can you...turn your head for a moment?" she asked timidly.

Smiling, the commoner did as told, looking away as she removed the heavy long skirt. Throwing it out onto the shore, she flattened the shorter skirt and said he could turn her way again. Yami led her into deeper water, holding onto her to keep her afloat.

Anzu smiled, spreading her arms apart. "Okay, teach me!" After she said that, her body fell under the water.

Yami's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed her again. "Don't do that, Teana," he whispered, sighing loudly. "It's frightening."

"Sorry." She kicked her legs slightly to try and keep herself afloat. The other held her tightly by the waist now.

"Don't move around so much. I got you." Yami smiled. "The first thing you need to do is learn to stay afloat. So, once I let go of you, kick your legs to stay up and you can move your arms too."

"No...Don't let go..." Anzu blushed. She couldn't believe she just said that. He probably though she was just scared of not being held in the water. But that was very wrong. She wasn't scared. For she knew that if she couldn't stay above the surface he would get her.

She just didn't want him to let go because his hands were warm against her skin. The shirt she wore cut off above her bellybutton, so his hands were pressed against her flesh, giving it warmth in the cold water. She blushed again.

Yami chuckled and counted to three, and then he moved away from her and watched her try to stay above. She didn't last that long and soon disappeared under the water. Going under, he grabbed her by the underarms and pulled her back to the shore.

"I think that's enough swimming today," he explained, getting out of the water after her. Anzu nodded in agreement. Grinning, Yami wrung his hair out. "You did a good job though, for a first swim. You're a fast learner, Teana."

The princess smiled. "Thank you. Oh, and please, there's no need to be so formal. You can call me Tea." She went over to wear her long skirt was and, after the boy was looking away, pulled it back on. "It was a lot of fun."

"Yeah."

The scarlet eyed teen looked up at the sky. "You know, it's still fairly early. Would you like to hang out?"

Cerulean orbs brightened. "That would be wonderful. Yes."

Yami took her hand in his own and led her down the dirt path. "Let's go."