Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Fruit of Temptation ❯ Forbidden Love ( Chapter 4 )

Anzu stood by her father's throne, her hands clasped tightly together in front of her as she smiled at guests. Worry was etched in her eyes behind her mask. She was worried about her fiancé...where had Yami gotten to? It had been well over a half hour. She began to fear that he had left her. Maybe she didn't please him. What if...what if Yami held no interest in her? That would be just horrible. Their wedding would be ruined....Egypt and Rome would never be at peace. But then again, Yami seemed so polite. He wouldn't just leave a young lady; he seemed as though he had been taught better than that. So if he didn't leave, what could possibly be keeping the prince?

She gasped. What if someone had taken him? Stolen him, kidnapped for ransom. Both royal famlies were wealthy and now held relation for Yami. A robber could be rich if he took the Pharaoh's heir! Her eyes lit up as she noticed the Prince of Egypt's brown haired cousin; the High Priest in Training. She held out a hand, "Seto?" She tapped him on the shoulder, "Seto?"

The brunette turned, his azure eyes grinning at her, "fair Princess, why do your eyes frown?"

"I've been awaiting the return of my Prince, but he is taking ages to come back to me," she explained, "have you, by chance, seen him?"

The Egyptian bit his lip. He certainly couldn't tell the brunette, who obviously had fallen hard for his knsman, that Yami had gone chasing some fallen angel. So he decided to lie, telling her that sadly, he hadn't seen his dear cousin in a while. "I'm sure he'll come back. He is probably just tending to something important."

Anzu nodded, "yes." She was still worried, but she brushed her fear aside, telling herself to have a good time and just wait for Yami to return, "well thank you anyways."

"My pleasure, Fair Princess." Seto then turned toward the ballroom exit. Now he, as well, was intrigued. Where had his favorite cousin gone. He left the ballroom, pacing slowly down the stone hall. He closed his eyes, not wanting to believe that Yami had gone off with that boy. Yes, he did want the Prince to be happy but, in teuth, he held feelings for his cousin and didn't want to see him in the arms of anyone else. He didn't understand how this youth, no matter how beautiful, could captivate his Yami so easily when he, even with all of his efforts, could not. Sighing, he continued down the corridor, hearing a musical voice up ahead.

"--I very much enjoyed that. The gods must have blessed you with a gift for kissing," it said with a small laugh. "And I, in all honesty, would not mind experiencing such a kiss again."

There was a deep chuckled, one which Seto, in a heartbeat, easily recognized, "I would not mind kissing such a delicate beauty once more, myself."

The High Priest in training felt his heart tear at Yami's words. The Prince already loved this boy whom he had met mere seconds ago. The brunette had, for years, been trying to win his cousin's heart. He sighed. Love was cruel. "Hathor* must hate me," he whispered. He poked his head through a pillar to see the taller tri-haired teen lean down the capture the other's lips.

The smalled pulled away, holding a hand up for him to stop, "not here, never in public again."

Yami raised an eyebrow, perplexed, "sweet Yugi, may I inquire as to why?"

"You know not who I am, who my father is. If he were to catch us, your head would roll," Yugi answered.

"You're father? But why should he care? I think any father would be proud that the Prince of Egypt was in love with their child."

The amethyst eyed boy gasped, "Prince of Egypt? Oh Jupiter,* why have you cursed me so?" He questioned no one in particular. "Cupid* you little fiend of a god, hitting me with your arrow so I fell for my sister's lover!"

The Egyptian knew not what to say. His little one referred to himself as cursed? But why? "How has your god laid a curse upon you?"

"Prince of Egypt...you are the one who is set to marry Princess Anzu of this here kingdom, Rome," Yugi explained.

Yami nodded," but a prince can take more than one lover if he pleases."

Seto gasped, not believing he had heard his kinsman say that. Why, on the boat just a day ago, the Prince was scolding him for suggesting such a thing!

"No you shant do that...I would never allow my dear sister's future husband to have a secret affaire, even if it were with me and even if I did feel love towards you. T'would not be fair. T'would not be right. I, being a prince myself, would expect better from someone the Emperor has chosen for my sister to marry."

"You're sister?! Princess Anzu is your sibling? Dear Ra, what have I done to myself?" Yami groaned, pulling away and slapping his forehead, "sweet Yugi, I love not your sister. My love is for you and you alone!"

Yugi pressed a hand over Yami's mouth, "do not say such things aloud! Guards wander these halls at all hours. Come, we must talk in private. Come and follow me to my chambers. There we can be alone." He removed his hand and took the taller's arm, leading him further down the corridor.

Seto's eyes narrowed and he turned away from the two, heading towards his own chambers. He thought it would be rude to listen further if the others wanted to be alone. Sighing loudly, he ran a hand through his chestnut colored hair. And here he was, thinking love might just be easy.

There was no trace of a smile on the Egyptians face, no hint of merriment lighting his eyes, as he solemnly strode down the hall. His grave mood must have been obvious, for as he walked alone, he drew the attention of a servant boy. The tall blonde slave raised an eyebrow and placed the pot he was carrying on the floor. He approached the tall brunette, "Ya okay, sir?" he asked.

Seto looked down at the servant, smiling slightly, "if I were alright, would I be all alone in a hallway wollowing in self pity?"

"I...uh...guess not." The blonde reached out and placed a comforting hand on the other's arm, "what happened?"

"I do not wish to discuss it for it will only depress me further. But since you asked, to put it simply, the one I love loves another who is not me."

The blonde let out a laugh, "so who does the unloved love?" He inquired, dog-like honey orbs sparkling happily in the torchlit hallway.

"One who will never, despite my past and future efforts, be mine." The azure eyed teen exhaled and leaned against the wall, "so what are you doing wandering these halls by your lonesome?"

The servant reached down and picked up his pot, "deliverin' dis to my master's chamber," he explained. He smiled at the taller, "I'm Jonouchi, by the way, Katsuya Jonouchi. Ya can call me Jou if ya like."

"I'm Seto Kaiba. Pleased to meet you."

The blonde was surprised that this noble was treating him like an equal. But he was very greatful. "Seto? Dat's a good, strong name," Jou said in a grin. "And, it's a pleasure to meet you too." His hand squeazed Seto's arm in a reassuring way, "dun worry bout dat person who don't love ya. I'm sure dat the right person'll come along soon." He looked down at the pot filled with water and picked it up once more, "well, I betta be off. It's gettin' late. Master Yugi will need his bath soon." He continued walking but stopped turning and winking, "see ya 'round, Seto."

Seto found himself grinning as he waved at the cheery servant. Who would have thought that a puppy-eyed slave could make his foul mood disappear?

~~~

"Queen Leila! Queen Leila, please hear my voice!"

The Queen of Egypt turned, smiling as her eyes fell upon Anzu, "what's wrong, dear? You seem anxious."

Anzu's worried blue eyes darted around the ballrom, "I cannot find my Yami anywhere. We danced all but once before he vanished."

"Do not be afraid, dear. I am sure my son is off with his cousin, Seto. The two are rarely seen apart," the woman replied, still smiling warmly as she patted the girl's brown hair.

The brunette sighed, turning away from the queen. She had looked for Seto and could not find him either. The two had just disappeared. What if they were off together? What if they were play a cruel joke on her? //No...NO! Yami is far too good for that. He would never lower himself to the level of insulting a lady in such a way.//

Well, wherever the two were, they obviously weren't at the ball anymore. Sighing, she turned to leave. She didn't wish to be at this ball if Yami wasn't with her. It was amusing, really. They weren't even wed yet, but already she depended on him for strength. Exiting the ballroom, she made her way towards her bed chambers, stopping as she saw her brother's slave, Jonouchi, walking down the hall. Calling out to him, she rushed forward, using her hands to pick her up her dress so she could run to him.

The blonde turned in the direction of her voice, almost dropping the pot of water he was carrying as she ran to him, "M-Mistress Anzu...what brings ya out from the ballroom dis early?"

"I-I can't find my love anywhere."

"Yer love?"

The brunette nodded, tears in her ocean eyes, "my love, my Prince Yami," she explained, "he-he promised to return to me, but he never came back. I fear something has happened to him for I cannot find his cousin Seto anywhere either."

Jou's eyes widened at the name, "Hey I ran into dat Seto ya mentioned. He was headed down the hall, lookin' all depressed. He said the one who he loved didn't love him. Poor guy, he was really down 'bout it."

"O-Oh..." She looked at the pale of water, "I suppose it's Yugi's bathing hour?"

The honey eyed teen laughed, "yep. I always look forward to dis time of the day. Me and Master Yugi get to talk. He really opens up ta me and even calls me a friend. For dat, I'm honored. I just want his fourteenth birthday to neva come. I love him da way he is right now at thirteen."

"Well we can't stop the days from passing, can we?"

"--Only if we were Saturn," Jou joked. He smiled, "I better get to Master Yugi's chambers quickly now. Have a nice night, Mistress Anzu."

The brunette walked past him and towards a different part of the castle.

Jonouchi stopped as he came to his Master's room. He raised a hand to knock on the door, smirking at Mai who stood in front of the door, glaring down at him.

Hushed whispers could be heard on the other side of the door. "Quickly, hide!"

The door opened to reveal a flushed Yugi. The blonde slave quirked an eyebrow, "greetings Master Yugi. I came to give ya yer evening bath."

The Prince nodded and allowed him entrance, "you came up earlier than usual, Jonouchi."

"Have ya not been watchin' the sun? It's been set for a while now. Emperor would have me executed if he found out ya weren't tucked all in yer bed yet. If anythin', I'm a while late." He laughed, "now come on ya, strip down so I can scrub ya clean."

Yugi glared at him, "I am very sorry if I lost track of the time." He fumbled to undo the buttons of his dress shirt. After removing the shirt, he pulled off his boots. One of the chambermaids rushed over to take the clothes from him, blushing as she did so.

The blonde emptied the pot of water into a small basin. He placed a cloth into the water and soaked it. "Come on, ya. Get yerself in the tub." Usually, nobody would dare order the Prince of Rome around, even if it was in a joking tone. But this servant was different. He was Yugi's best friend, odd is it may seem, so he was allowed to do things like this and not be scolded for it.

The tri haired teen got into the warm water and sighed, feeling Jonouchi rubbing the cloth across his back, cleaning any of the sweat and grime that had stuck to it during the day.

"So, how was your voyage to Sicily?" Jou questioned, coaking the cloth again and twisting the water out so it wet the shorter's hair.

"It was slightly boring, but the sights were beautiful."

"I'd imagine business is kinda borin'."

Yugi nodded and splashed some of the water on himself, "I met someone today...someone forbidden..."

Jonouchi raised an eyebrow, "eh? Someone forbidden? How so...and who?"

The Prince closed his amethyst orbs, sinking under the water. When he came back up, he answered the questioned, "his name is, dare I speak it aloud, Yami...and he is the prince of Egypt...the one who, the one who is betrothed to my sister."

"Oh, now dat's a tight spot to be in..." The taller stopped and smirked, "and I wonder, is he the one you were telling to hide?"

Yugi blushed and watched his servant stand and get a robe for him, the bath having been finished, "w-well..." he stopped, biting his lip he slipped the robe over his shoulders, "it was."

"And where's he hidn' now?"

"In my wardrobe," the Prince answered, still blushing. He hopped out of the tub and ran to his slave, wrapping his arms tightly around him, "oh please, Jonouchi, you musn't breath a word of this! If anyone where to find out that I...that I had...that I kissed him..." he stopped in midsentance, tears forming in his eyes as well as a blush spreading across his cheeks, "I don't want anyone to know, especially not my dear sister." He rested his head on Jou's chest, "please don't tell a soul," he said.

The blonde grinned and placed his hands on his Master's shoulders, "dun worry, Master Yugi. Yer secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone...but I do hope dat you two work out a way to keep dis new relationship o'yers from fallen' apart when it just began."

"We're working on it...we need time..." The small boy sighed, "I need to pray. The gods will help me, this I know for sure." The taller nodded. Yugi was very religious. He believed the gods and godesses were always watching out for and guiding him. He believed that if he prayed, he could get by with anything. "S-surely Venus* will see me through."

Jou smiled, "hey, if ya believe she'll hear yer prayers, den you'll be fine. I better go. Shizuka is waiting for me downstairs. I shall see ya in the morning, Master." He turned and left.

Once the blonde was gone, Yami emerged from the wardrobe, stretching his cramped limbs, "that was very ackward."

Yugi turned to him, tears still clouding his violet eyes, "you must leave at once," he ordered. "Father will come check on me soon, to see if I sleep peacefully yet." He pushed the other towards the door, "quickly, be gone before you are caught near me."

Yami nodded and stopped before the door could open. He leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on the shorter's lips, getting an eager and rushed response from the other teen. He pulled away after a few moments for oxygen, "I take my leave then, sweet Yugi. I shall see you in the morning, I suppose?"

"We will dine together at breakfast. Now quickly, flee, I can hear footsteps!"

The Egyptian pecked him once more on the lips before smiling and strutting out the door. Yugi held a hand to his lips, blushing. He blinked, comming to his senses and jumping onto his bed, burrowing himself under the sheets. After a few moments, the door to his room opened. "Who enters?" he asked, trying to calm his heartbeat.

"your father, the emperor," came the reply.

Yugi sat up and bowed his head to his father, "what brings you here this late, may I ask?"

The king smiled and patted his son's head, "checking up on my heir. You are not yet asleep. Why?"

The small thirteen-year-old gulped, "r-restless," he answered, "I am not tired."

"Well you must sleep. You have had a long day, arriving home from Sicily."

The Prince nodded, "I know, father. Leave me be and I'll close my eyes. I must rest..."

"I agree, close your eyes, son." The king ruffled the boy's hair once more and stood, "you know...your elder sister in very happy with her future husband...I am thinking it is time, perhaps, to find you a spouse?" he wondered aloud before exiting.

Yugi pulled the sheets back up, biting his lip. If his father arranged him a marriage...there would be no way for he and Yami to be together!

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Shadow: ^______________^ hope you liked!!!

Specter: PLEASE R&R!!!!



STUFF:

*Hathor (Het-heru, Het-Hert): A very old goddess of Egypt, worshiped as a cow-deity from earliest times. The name "Hathor" is the Greek corruption of the variants Het-Hert ("the House Above") and Het-Heru ("the House of Horus"). Both terms refer to her as a sky goddess. She was frequently equated with Isis. She was worshipped at Edfu as the consort of Horus. At Thebes, she was considered the goddess of the dead. She was also the patron of love, dance, alcohol, and foreign lands.

*Jupiter: King of the Roman gods. Jupiter means Father Jove (Father in Latin is "pater"). There was a big temple in Rome dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus (which means Jupiter Best and Greatest). The Romans thought that Jupiter guarded their city and looked after them. Jupiter was king of the Gods. His weapon was the Thunderbolt (thunder and lightning). All other gods were terrified of him, although he was a little scared of his wife Juno. Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto were the three sons of Saturn

*Saturn: Saturn was the god of time. He, before Jupiter, was the king of the Roman gods. He carried a scythe around with him and had a festival held in his honor during winter called 'Saturnalia' which resembled Christmas only it lasted for seven days.

*Venus: Roman goddess of love.

*Cupid: Cupid was the mischievous little Roman god of love. His weapon was a bow, and anyone hit by one of his arrows fell madly in love. His mother was Venus.