Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Tales of Hierakon's Empire ❯ Chapter 2

IMPORTANT: Oreana Kaze Tsukai here. I just wanted to point out something to reviewers out there and people who want to be big on (harshly) critiquing my work or Raistlin's. As you can guess, this mini-rant/info, what have you is coming from a review that was thrown in our direction from this story and I wasn't too keen on the review that I asked Raistlin to delete. It was filled with lectures of originality and how bad everything in our first chapter was—literally ripping it apart and not even telling us we did well in one part of the chapter which made us feel pretty useless as writers from this reviewer who had an inflated ego.

 

Guys, if a story's plot looks crappie to you to begin with or is still so even after the first couple of chapters, or there are things that irk you, and if you think the characters are equally bad as the plot or Mary-Sue in your opinion, please, for the love of God, do not review and tell us we pretty much just need to revamp the whole story. Believe it or not, we are writing for US—not to please YOU—every chapter we belt out is something we like and not everybody is going to like what we do so please save us a lot of trouble and just keep the flaming/harsh critiques to yourself. We don't need it. There is at least some good in every story so please find it when you critique and if you can't, find something else to read!

 

What I am pretty much asking now is to please not critique my characters in a negative way or my plotline because I cannot change those from what I had set in mind. I map out my stories from start to finish and there is no way I am changing either or for you because it doesn't boat well for you. But if you find something like a hole in the story or something happens that seemed rushed, yes, go ahead and point out the error for me. Just don't tell me I need to rework my story completely for YOUR sake. Because this is OUR story we are sharing and we don't want to feel we are bad authors because someone doesn't like what we're writing and feels the only way to show that is by tearing it apart. We want to know we're at least good at something.

 

But thanks to those of you who really help us continue going with your helpful criticisms and comments. And please leave us alone those of you who want to nitpick at our work or tear it apart because you're never helpful.

 

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A strangled cry of pain couldn't help but pass through Touya's lips as the whip marks he was given were being tended to later that evening by the royal healer known as Bennu Djedu. She was skilled in many things but mostly healing potions with the help of prayer to the gods and goddesses as well as killing serums used to take down foes of the Pharaoh and his family. She continued to rip apart the clean, white fabric she used to clean out the wounds so they wouldn't get infected and would heal. She felt some pity for him but knew it was expected from the class he was within.

 

Another wound being covered with the medicine she was using caused Touya to hiss angrily at the pain with his eyes clamped shut and his fists tightly clutched. “Dammit,” he swore silently, “that really stings!”

 

“It's going to,” Bennu responded simply as her delicate hand continued to press against the dampened cloth so the medicine would seep into this wound. Her bracelets that she wore on her wrists jingled with her movements, the young healer reached for another strip to dip into the medicine she had made for him. “You were lucky. The guards were awfully anxious it would appear.”

 

Touya couldn't help but sigh a bit irritably at her remark with a shake of his head, “They always are.”

 

A few strands of her straight hair untied from the bun she had it back within caressed her cheek as she sighed a bit through her nostrils in return while continuing to tend to the open whip marks so maggots wouldn't infest within them and kill him. While she continued her job, she could hear the guards at the gates causing a commotion with the ringing of the bell. Looking over her shoulder at the window that was resting above Jin's bed, she couldn't help but remember what the special occasion was. “Oh yes—the Prince from Maladraad Empire is coming here.”

 

Managing to look up from where he had his face buried in the pillow, Touya eyed the window as well with an inquisitive look upon his face. “What prince?”

 

It didn't bother Bennu that the slave wished to speak with her. Many people did want to speak with her that was of middle or upper class but not many lower class people spoke to her for they were never allowed. But seeing as nobody was near to set him straight, she gave him a break. “It's just the prince that is going to take Princess Omorose's hand in marriage one day.” Tearing the last piece of fabric and dipping it in medicine to place upon his wound, she continued softly, “He is going to be staying for seven moons until heading back home. He does so ever so often to get acquainted with Princess Omorose.”

 

The pale skinned slave said nothing. It mattered little to him now who was to take the throne for he wouldn't live to see the day seeing as he was announced to be killed once the wall was finished he was working on. “Well, good luck to her,” Touya seemed to grumble sarcastically.

 

Hearing his spiteful remark, Bennu pressed harshly on one of the strips for his punishment, “Be respectful! She will be your future ruler!”

 

Hissing and flinching once more from the pain, Touya jerked his head back before angrily looking at the medicine woman, “Why should I show respect for someone who's father wishes to kill me because of my skin!”

 

“Princess Omorose stood up for you, need I remind you,” Bennu replied in the young woman's defense. There was a bowl of clean, cleansing water next to the healer that she brought with her when she knew she was to touch the skin of the male that was considered poisonous to the touch. Dipping her fingers within them, she began to wash them with cleansing creams and holy oils so as not to be cursed by touching his pale skin.

 

“Maybe she did, but she's still a royal and will grow up to be as harsh as her parents,” Touya hissed, training his narrow gaze upon the opposite mud brick wall. “Leopards and zebras do not mix. I think you get my point.”

 

Taking a small towel, Bennu dried her hands off after having cleansed them though roughly, standing up from the wicker stool she sat upon with a light creak to the material, frowning upon the pale skinned lower classman. “You are not to do strenuous work for the next two days. I will inform the Pharaoh as well as the guards so they won't come barging in here to end your life earlier than expected. Those wounds are deep and will need my tending two more times to insure infection will not fester within the flesh. Your partner that lives with you needs to keep you well hydrated as well as fed a diet of high protein foods to boost the healing of your wounds.” Reaching into a decorative pouch big enough to hold currency within, the skilled healer fished around to grab a handful of circular gold pieces they used as coins placing them on the nearest table. “That is for the food you'll need. This is between us so don't let word slip out I gave it to you. Get your rest while you can. I can assure you after two days has passed you will be more than scoffed at for the time you missed on that wall.” Turning to walk across the small abode to the single door leading out of the mud brick house, Bennu opened the door to let herself out, the sound of the crowd and horns basking her with the light from the sun.

 

The horses being ridden by the prince and his advisor wore feathered plumes between their ears, reins decked with glimmering jewels to show the wealth the Maladraad family held, harnesses etched in the finest leather with painted gold trimming. Even the hooves of the equines glimmered with a type of gold dusted body glitter, painted on so the sand from the ground wouldn't mix with the attractive shimmer. The prince kept a stoic expression as he rode along side a balding man that appeared to be in his mid fifties, dark chocolate orbs lined in black eye liner peering out ahead of him at the looming empire that belonged to the Hierkons. His hair was cut in short layers, though longer in the front, tresses jet-black with a healthy sheen to die for, his skin tanned from the harsh sun that always beat down upon them in the desert they lived within. To ensure the safety of the heir to the Maladraad throne, a troop of guards flanked either side of the prince as well as behind and in front to leave he and his advisor in the middle, preventing malicious attacks if one dared pull a weapon on the royal figure.

 

“Must they always gather to scream like wounded jackals?” the prince asked in a miffed tone mixed with attitude, wrinkling his delicate nose with distaste. “I know I will one day be Pharaoh over these people, but the least they can do is wait until I stand before them with the crown of Horus on my head to ask for their enthusiasm.”

 

The man known as the prince's advisor lifted a thin brow from where he sat upon his saddle, laughing to show amusement in the matter. “Are you not used to this clamor yet? The people are supposed to be excited about your presence. As a prince and future Pharaoh you are the next image of the great falcon god, Horus. They respect you in hopes of you and Princess Omorose trading vows as the next rulers of the empire. Have you not been paying attention in your studies, my prince?”

 

The guards coming to a halt in front of him at the city gates, the prince of Maladraad remained silent a moment as he forced his equine into a subtle halt, training his dark gaze upon the balding man in satin robes. “I guess I'm not used to all the attention given my own father doesn't respect me as he should.” Flashing a sardonic smile to his advisor, the prince turned his head to look back in front of him over the shoulders of the guards, sighing softly with a shimmer of his garnet encrusted circlet decorating his forehead.

 

 

 

 

“Do you think mommy and daddy will get into a big fight?” Rehema asked as she sat upon her eldest sister's bed beside her lying form, holding the tiger plush close to her chest. “I don't like it when they raise their voices at each other.”

 

“Well,” Omorose began softly while continuing her reading, “I suppose they may, but I doubt it will last long. You know mother and father—mother mostly supports father until he steps out of line.”

 

Rehema threatened to speak once more but stopped as soon as the commotion outside caught her attention. Slipping off of the canopy bed and sliding to the marble flooring that was cold to her bare feet, the younger daughter hurried over to the balcony to peek down towards the castle's entrance. “Oh, Omorose, it's Djoser! He is here!” The young girl couldn't help but cheer.

 

Hearing of the arrival of the young prince that was to be her husband somewhere down the line, she couldn't help but mask up her want to escape the engagement with a soft smile. It was a performance she had practiced well throughout the years so as not to insult her father and mother as well as the Hierakon's Empire. Omorose closed the book she was studying before joining her sister's side at the balcony that overlooked the left upper side of the entrance to the castle. “So he is,” she merely retorted with that same fake smile that nobody was able to see through. “Shall we go and see him?”

 

“Yes, yes, can we?” Rehema asked excitedly with a slight bounce.

 

Omorose merely nodded as her hand pressed gently against her sister's back to edge her onward towards the door though she remained at the balcony still to watch her sister leave ahead of her. Her soft, gentle smile and expression turned serious as she looked down at the foreign prince that was to have her hand some day. The frustration of the young teen exiting in the form of a sigh, she turned her back towards the land before her to head for the double doors in her room to go meet Djoser.

 

The halls of the castle began to act lively once more at the sound of the prince gracing Hierakon soil. Servants all over the castle where hurrying towards the throne room where the entrance was to be ready for the young prince. Kafele was already there with his wife at his side. Embracing Djoser as a welcome, the Pharaoh's deep, tone bellowed throughout the castle halls with rejoice.

 

“Djoser! It's so good to see you again, young Prince of Maladraad,” the Pharaoh chuckled with a grin on his features as he released the prince.

 

Djoser couldn't help but smile nervously from the hug he was given though giving one in return with a shake of the Pharaoh's hand shortly after. “It is good to be back at Hierakon. I have missed it the many moons and suns I have been away.” His dark russet eyes darted about the throne room with wonder filling them. “So, where is Omorose?”

 

“Djoser!” Rehema's petite yet excited voice called from the western hall she was surfacing from. Her arms up in the air as she hurried towards him, Rehema grabbed onto Djoser when he bent down to pick her up into his arms.

 

Hefting up the young daughter in his arms, Djoser smiled a bit to her when he managed to situate her on his right hip. “Hello to you as well, Rehema. Where is that older sister of yours?”

 

Omorose peeked out from beyond the arch of the western hallway she too was within to peek out at the commotion that was going on. She seemed like an innocent child, eavesdropping on something she was not supposed to hear, but Omorose was always nervous around someone like Djoser. Moistening her lips, the young queen-to-be finally stepped out into the throne room to meet with him.

 

The sound of sandals tapping against the marbled flooring caught everyone's attention prompting a smile on Djoser's face as soon as he saw who it was. To him, she was just as radiant as ever and basking in the beauty of the Egyptian goddesses—envying every one of them. As a young boy, he did despise her growing up and picked on her but it wasn't until her teen years and his that he finally turned around.

 

“Ah,” Kafele began with a grin, “there she is. Omorose, you are late in meeting our guest and your fiancée.”

 

“I apologize, father,” Omorose responded with her hands folded in front of her. “I was reading what I was asked to for my studies. The last thing I want to do is disappoint you and mother when I ascend the throne.” Her sapphire blue eyes darted over to Djoser, Omorose could only force back on that same fake smile though she couldn't help but admit that he paying attention to her younger sister was nice of him. “Please forgive me, Prince Djoser. I didn't mean to be caught up in my studies when I was informed of your arrival.”

 

“No, no,” Djoser insisted as he placed Rehema down on the marble flooring, his eyes remaining locked on hers. “It's alright for I can understand seeing as I have to do the same studying.” His ivory hand extending to the young princess, Djoser offered a smile to her in return though his was pure and sincere. “Do you care to go for a walk with me?”

 

The scene that played out earlier that day dealing with the pale skinned slave and the harsh whipping he had to endure, Omorose couldn't help but rub the back of her neck nervously. “Please forgive me, Prince Djoser, if I decline. I have had—quite the day today and I am ready to stay within the palace.”

 

His dark chocolate eyes blinking softly to express their confession, he nodded to Omorose's plea. “It's alright. Maybe some other time.”

 

Este could see that her husband was eager to get the prince's stay started. The Queen gathering her thoughts a moment, before stepping in once a thought finally came to her. “Omorose, why don't you just go to Horus' Temple with Djoser? It's not that much further from the palace and when you come back, you can eat the meal that is being prepared for tonight.”

 

The elder sister in all honesty didn't want to go anywhere with the foreign ruler but just as she was about to refuse, her father added in his thought.

 

“That sounds like a splendid idea!” Kafele replied with excitement, acting as though this was the first date type scenario Omorose and Djoser had ever gone on. “Djoser, why don't you go ahead and guide her there? That way, when you both return, I can have that welcome meal underway.”

 

Rehema grabbed onto her mother's dress to tug upon it gently from where she stood just below her breasts. “Mommy, can I go with them?”

 

Looking down upon her youngest daughter to peer into her innocent emerald orbs, the Egyptian Queen hummed lightly in thought, feeling the stare from her husband upon her form. “I'm afraid you'll have to stay here this time, Rehema. Djoser and your sister need their time alone.”

 

“They're only going to the temple. I know how to pray too, you know,” Rehema still tried to coax, feeling her mother's answer wasn't enough to suffice her cause.

 

Pausing mid walk towards the throne room entrance, Omorose turned her head to peer over her bare shoulder at the commotion taking place, jerked out of thought when Djoser realized she was no longer walking since his hand was around her own gently.

 

“Oh! I'm sorry, dear Princess. I didn't realize you had stopped,” the prince apologized, training his dark eyes back towards her parents and younger sister. “She'll be all right. Let's go, Omorose.”

 

Pulling away from the Maladraad prince, Omorose spoke up on her sister's behalf, wishing she could go along with her since she hated to be alone with Djoser. “Why can't she come? Djoser will be here for the next six days with plenty of opportunities to be alone with me. Besides, I want her to come along.”

 

“Oh come on, Omorose!” the Pharaoh nearly whined in irritation, knowing her reasons for being so resistant. “Just this once go alone with him. You two never get to be alone any time he makes the effort to come this far, so why not give him the respect he deserves? He's going to be your husband one day. Start acting your part and stop playing hard to get!”

 

Este said nothing to the situation as she placed her sapphire gaze upon the prince and their daughter, keeping Rehema close to her bosom. Her look alone said enough, Rehema and Omorose both knowing neither would get what they wanted.

 

“I'll go get cleaned up then…” Rehema proclaimed softly, pulling away from her mother with a downcast gaze, feeling wounded for not getting to help her sister out like she often did.

 

Narrowing her eyes further, Omorose made sure to make Kafele feel her frustration before turning to walk away, sighing through her nostrils with her lips pursed to stop the curse wanting to slip from her pretty mouth. I will give him Hell if he lies a hand upon me…I don't want to do this; I don't want to go outside where I see people being flayed!

 

Catching up to the princess he loved more than life itself even if he only got to see her periodically, the Maladraad prince was glad to finally get a moment alone with his future wife, grabbing her wrist to wrap his slender fingers about her hand, moving his arm to hook around her own. “Finally a moment's peace. At least now I can relay to you what has been on my mind.” Smiling to her, he planted a light kiss upon her cheek, resisting the urge to hold her close to his body, feeling the tension she held as they gradually made their way to the palace entrance where the healer, Bennu, was making her way inside.

 

Letting her tension and anger pass for just a moment, Omorose stopped Bennu so she couldn't go any further, looking into her alluring sea green oculars pleadingly. “Bennu! Bennu, how is he? How is that slave?”

 

Slave? Why would she care about a measly flea bitten slave? Raising his thin black brows, Djoser kept his arm within Omorose's, listening to the details.

 

Pausing in her steps, the healer blinked in surprise when she saw the princess acting so desperately for the news of the wounded pale skinned slave, bowing respectfully to both Omorose and Djoser. “Greetings Prince of Maladraad. I apologize for now bowing earlier since I was caught off guard. As for the news you wish to hear, Princess, he'll be out of work for the next two days but should be just fine with his partner watching over him. I'll make trips back to rebandage and doctor him, nothing to be worried about.”

 

“Not that you should care,” Djoser piped in, tugging Omorose forward so she would continue her walk with him to the temple. “He's an obedient dog that does what you tell him to do. If he disobeys, then you punish him so he will not forget you are the master that holds his leash.”

 

Bennu couldn't help but wince at that explanation since she knew how strongly Omorose felt about the slaves and how they were treated thanks to her experience earlier in the day, clearing her throat lightly to excuse herself before things got ugly. After all, it wasn't her business to be involved, a message needing to be relayed to the Pharaoh on the slave's current position.

 

“You sound just like my father,” Omorose hissed once Bennu left their presence, glaring at the prince beside her. “They are human beings just like we are. They were just born into poverty where we were in riches. Why should they have to do our work for us? Are we so lazy we cannot fend for ourselves? Why can't we help them to be better people?”

 

The dark brown eyes of the prince fell upon Omorose with utter shock, perhaps because of how opposite she was to the ruling system, starting to wonder if her parents knew she felt so strongly against the nature of the ruling hierarchy. Rubbing the back of his neck, Djoser averted his gaze to the side in thought before looking back at the fair princess he loved, taking both of her hands into his own. “Just…forget about it. I'm obviously missing something that got you upset today, so why don't you talk to me about it? You feel so strongly about the safety of the slaves and get upset over them being treated as they are. Why?”

 

Turning her head away so she wouldn't have to express her forming tears, the Hierakon princess pulled her hands away from Djoser. “You wouldn't understand,” she whispered in the softest of words, hurrying out of the palace regardless of the fears she held inside of leaving the safe haven she was raised within.

 

“Omorose! Wait! Why must you hide your feelings from me?” he called from the palace entrance way, taking off after her as fast as his long legs would allow. His body was built for athletic feats, as was any Pharaoh-to-be, his hands furiously pushing citizens out of his way in his hot pursuit to catch up with her. “Dammit!”

 

The farther she ran the more the images plagued her, the sand kicking up under her sandals as her tears blinded her sight. The laughing of the guards marred her hearing mixed with the agonizing screams of the slave as the whip tore across his back, blood staining her sight as she screamed at the remembrance of it all.

 

“Stop! Make it STOP!” she shrieked as she fell upon her knees before a stranger in the market place, clutching the man's dingy shirt to look up at him with tear filled sapphire eyes. “I beg you!”

 

The man tried not to panic when the princess fell before him to shriek about an unknown problem, afraid the guards would run up and seize him for trying to hurt the daughter of the Pharaoh. He personally thought she might have been hallucinating from the day's heat and needed shelter out of the sun, but he couldn't be positive about that thought. Parting his lips as if to attempt to speak, he was caught off guard as the Maladraad prince came bounding up to the scene, sprinting to a stop to quickly grab Omorose up by her shoulders.

 

“Omorose! Horus above, don't you ever run away from me like that again! I don't know what is wrong with you, but you're going to tell me!” Feeling the eyes of everyone upon him, Djoser saved himself the trouble of fighting with the princess again, hefting her up into his arms to carry her the rest of the way to the Temple of Horus where they were destined to meet in the first place. “Go back to your work! She's fine—just a little dehydrated from the sun,” he lied, feeding their curiosity so they would turn away and forget about the events.

 

The baby blue eyes of Jin blinked several times as he attempted to take in what he just witnessed. Rubbing the back of his head, he merely shrugged it off before heading back to his house where Touya was resting up seeing as he did what he could for the day and his section was being released back home. “I wonder what that was all about,” he could only ask himself as he continued on his way.

 

The market was still buzzing with energy as Jin continued on about his way. Stopping on his heels, the redhead rose his brows in interest at what was out for buying today from what he could see where he stood. Jin could see that fresh fish was in as well as garlic and a bit of pig. Thinking back on Touya's situation, he knew the boy couldn't move too well without the whip marks really making him cry in agony, so Jin turned from his way home to the market while fishing out the bit of money he had and the things he made that he could trade for.

 

“Knowing that angry old man, he won't admit to the whip marks hurting every time he moves so I might as well pick up some medicine too,” Jin suggested to himself as he counted what he had.

 

 

 

Touya remained asleep back at the house seeing as the movements he made forced his body to ache all over and drained him of all his energy. It was a relief to be able to sleep in for awhile away from work. Working out in the hot sun all day drained him considerably and he could only wonder how much longer he and Jin would be able to work under such harsh conditions without dying thanks to exhaustion.

 

The flap to the door of their house moved thanks to the subtle wind blowing about the area before Jin moved it to allow him inside of his own home he shared with Touya. Jin looked through the door to the right that allowed him to peek at Touya's bed to see and hear that the twenty-six year old man was fast asleep. A smile spread across his face as he placed the items down on the kitchen's dining table so he could put them away where he knew he could find them.

 

The sound of jars being messed with and clanking together as well as cabinet doors being opened prompted Touya's eyes to flutter open. Pulling his head off of the pillow a moment, Touya looked up at the window that was over Jin's bed which was parallel to his in their bedroom. He could see that the sun wasn't even showing that it was nearing the evening making him slightly confused since slaves were worked from sun up to sun down. “You're home early. What happened?”

 

Jin snapped his head in the direction where Touya's voice arose while continuing to put away some of the food though leaving the fish out so he could cook it. “I am sorry, did I wake you?”

 

“Well, it's kind of hard to sleep with you banging around the jars and things,” Touya grumbled slightly as he massaged his forehead as if to tackle a migraine.

 

“Sorry,” Jin chuckled when he apologized as he was squatting down to make the fire that acted as their oven heat. “Well, I finished my part of the wall early and there was nothing else they could do to yell at me to complete so they told me `to take my lazy ass home and get out of the way if I had nothing better to do than stand there and look stupid',” he recited though the words didn't seem to phase him one bit.

 

Touya ran his fingers through his messy, sky blue hair allowing his four aquatic bangs to mate with his blue strands a moment before falling back into place. “Why are you cooking so early? It's not even close to dinner judging by the position of the sun.”

 

“Well, I can imagine that you are hungry so I am doing it early,” Jin answered finally getting the fire going so he could work on the fish. “Speaking of which—,” the redhead walked back into the bedroom with an onion in his hand to give to his injured partner. “There you go. I managed to haggle for some onions today and I thought maybe one could help you out in healing.”

 

Touya took the strong smelling onion that was believed to keep people in their best health. Biting into the onion, he wiped his mouth a bit with a sort of inquisitive look. “Whatever happened to the kid like Jin I used to take care of?”

 

Jin's smile seemed to reach from ear to ear as he laughed softly at Touya's remark as he got to his feet, “He's still here. I just have to make sure my `father' is feeling well and so I learned a few things from you.” Turning away from Touya, he headed back into the kitchen to work on the fish he just bought. “The rest of the food will be ready within an hour or so. You can sleep a bit more until it's ready. I promise I will try to keep quiet so you can sleep.”

 

The narrow, sky-blue eyes of Touya shifted from Jin's scarred back to the onion in his hand he just took a bite out of. He could only smile a moment glad to know that some of the things he taught his friend sunk in when they were forced to live on their own once their parents died when they were teens thanks to the harsh working conditions the Pharaoh put them under. Jin was so flighty and childlike, even at the age of twenty-five that it was hard, growing up together, for Touya to keep him down to earth. It seemed at times not much would affect him. The world could be taken by the gods or the goddesses and he wouldn't care, so it appeared to those who knew him. Even being his best friend, it was hard for Touya to understand him but he admired him just the same.

 

Well, Touya thought as he bit into the onion once more to help his health, at least if anything he is learning to care for others and be more adult like.