Click.
Pushing the creaky door open to see nothing but darkness, Reia flipped on a light and stepped inside her apartment. With
a yawn, she kicked the door closed, locked it shut, and threw her bag down next to the couch. She rubbed her head in slow
circles as she sat down, pulling her newly acquired deck out of her pocket with a grin.
She had quite an assortment of interesting cards, packed with magic, trap, and unique monster cards. She couldn't help
but skim through them again, when she came to the one that was her favorite, Magician of Black Chaos. (A/N: Zzzzzz....That
guy kicks butt!...zzzzz) Even though he looked something of a character you'd see in a horror movie, he still sparked her
intrigue and interest.
Stifling another yawn, she grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV only to see the oh-so-boring soap operas that plagued
the early afternoon. Too lazy to put in a movie or change the channel, Reia settled with the present program and laid herself
down. Maybe she'd fall asleep in the middle of another love scene like always. Giggling a bit, she turned down the volume
and began to watch.
"...Oh but Caleb! You will rule the world! You and I together!!" the female pleaded to her long haired lover it seemed.
"It's not that simple, Livvie...I'll have to fight those vampire slayers, and they're not easy." the man replied vaguely.
(A/N: *Yawn* Huh? Oh yeah, that was from Port Charles, not that I watch that...lol...Zzzzz)
The silence was eerie, if not bone chilling. It was so unlike Khemet to be absolutely quiet. It was almost as if the gods
had ordered the land to be hushed so they could rest. But did they need to rest? Reia didn't think so.
Even still, it wasn't right that it was so quiet. She somehow had this urge telling her that something was creeping upon
them un-noticed, and it now lurked among the shadows. Any moment it could pounce on her and rip her flesh into mere scraps
of - !
Solitary silence...
Her grip tightened around her lance as her eyes began to probe her surroundings. Something wasn't right and it was making
her skin crawl in anticipation.
She saw a faint glimpse of a dark shadow slip past her and into the palace, somehow evading her sharp stare. Hushing a
growl under her breath, she stepped back into the palace, and allowed her footsteps to mimic the sounds of the servants hurriedly
at work even at this hour of the night.
Stealthily walking among the dark corridors that were honeycombed throughout the palace, Reia kept her senses keen and
observational of her surroundings, watching for the intruder patiently.
Again, she saw a sudden darkness shift itself into an open and vast chamber. Ever so quietly, she followed it, her lance
ready and poised for attack if the need be. Walking in the dimly lit chamber, Reia's gaze caught a glimpse of a golden triangular
object embedded in the wall next to the massive bed, with sheer curtains draped around it, as to protect the person sleeping
from the outside world. But curtains couldn't hide the figurely shadow that rose up on the opposite end, a sharpened dagger
in hand.
In one swift and flawless moment, Reia dashed for the intruder and knocked the dagger out of his hand with a quick motion
of her trio bladed lance. Obviously angered by her interference, he drew his sword and engaged her in combat, Reia dodging
and blocking his attacks each time.
Darting to different corners of the room endlessly, Reia finally lunged forward and again knocked the weapon of the one
time murderer's grasp, holding her lance's edge against his throat.
"You havn't won yet!" he snarled in a whisper. "I'll kill the Pharaoh one way or another!"
Maintaining her lance's position next to the intruder's neck, she shifted her gaze back towards the bed where the Pharaoh
sat up with surprise written all over his facial features. Swallowing deeply and struggling to breathe, she spoke nervously.
"F-forgive my intrusion, Great One, but this man has just attempted to murder you. I had no choice but to intervene. I'm
very sorry for disturbing you, I'll take him away at once."
Without another word, Reia reached down and grabbed the intruder by his arm and pulled him out the chamber, the Pharaoh
left in dumbfounded silence. Biting his lip at the fact that he could've been killed just a few moments ago, he managed to
smile, hearing the continuous threats of the caught criminal as he was dragged away by that fearless warrior.
Reia...
"What a weird dream..." Yugi said, shaking his head as he had been awakened at 3:45 in the morning. Good thing he didn't
have school during the summer.
//Yugi...// the little one heard his dark call. //Did you have the dream too?//
/Yeah. Wasn't that weird?/ Yugi replied, allowing himself to slip into the Millenium Puzzle and converse with his yami
inside.
Yami sat on his "bed", his chin perched upon one of his hands as he appeared to be in deep thought. Afraid to break his
concentration, Yugi remained silent and stared at the walls instead, admiring Yami's collection of interesting art and items,
when finally, Yami spoke.
"Like deja vu, huh?" Yugi chimed in, picking up a trinket to observe it. "Think it's part of your past? It had to do with
a pharaoh you know."
Yami nodded. "Yes it did, but due to the darkness of the dream, we couldn't make out what he looked like."
Yugi sighed heavily and set the object down, his gaze now staring at his bunny slippered feet. (A/N: Awww....Yugi with
bunny slippers??? Makes me sleepy...Zzzzzz) "That Reia girl...she seems to be a lot like the Reia we know. Reckon they're
the same person?"
The darker of the two shrugged and toyed with the buttons of his pajama top. (A/N: I think I'm in dream heaven...Zzzz)
He closed his eyes heavily and shook his head frustratedly. "I don't know, Yugi. They seem to be quite similar, yet exact
opposites. I can't figure it out, Hikari."
Little Yugi watched Yami bury his face in his hands and begin to shake. Feeling a sense of needing to comfort his dark,
Yugi took a seat next to his yami and draped a soft arm over Yami's back, rubbing away the building tension with tender circles.
Finally relaxing a bit, Yami looked back at his hikari with a grin. "Thank you, Yugi. I needed that."
"You're welcome, Yami. Now get some rest, we'll figure out what all this means in the morning." Yugi ordered playfully,
Yami chuckling and doing as his aibou commanded. Gently, Yugi helped Yami lay back down and pulled a sheet back over his dark,
then placed a brotherly kiss on the ancient spirit's forehead, Yami doing the same, except to Yugi's cheek.
Without another sound, Yugi left the sanctity of the Millenium Puzzle and returned to his own bed, lying back down comfortably.
As he snuggled under his covers, he couldn't help but let his mind trail back to the dream. What did it all mean? Who was
this pharaoh? Was it Yami? Was that Reia the one they knew? Was the dream even meant for them?
Chains clanked annoyingly from inside the dungeon district, the new prisoner constantly searching for a way to escape.
But what was even worse were his constant threats against the Pharaoh that Reia was forced to deal with. Being his captor,
she had been slated with the duty to guard his cell while waiting for the authorities to arrive for her interrogation on the
attempted murder of their ruler.
She had tried numerous times to silence him with her own mute voice, attempting to create a barrier between his cursed
words and her hardly focused mind. This truly was the last thing she needed above all other duties she had, not to mention
everything else her mind had wandered off to. When she couldn't stand it any longer she glared through the opening of his
door, her fierce green eyes ready to send out flames at the annoying captive.
"Be silent, you arrogant fool! You've already dishonored yourself by trying to kill the Pharaoh. Don't even dare to dishonor
him, especially when I have my lance sharp and ready to strike." she seethed through the opening.
Clap
Clap
Clap
Reia snapped her head around to see the Pharaoh and two of his guards by his side. But what shocked her even more was that
the Pharaoh was applauding her.
"Wonderfully said, Reia!" he exclaimed deeply, finally bringing his applause to a halt. "I had been hearing complaints
from the other guards about his persistent noise. Thank you for putting a quite...forceful end to the situation."
She only nodded and bowed her head in respect of his presence, but also to shield her eyes from staring - again. "I assume
you've come to ask me about last night, Great One?" she inquired bluntly.
He smiled and snapped his fingers, whispering to his guards in the tongue as they took their positions next to the prison
cell, then the Pharaoh motioned for her to join him. After a moment of hesitation and confusion, Reia complied and followed
him down the long, dark corridors that wound about the dungeon.
"Normally..."he began. "I would inquire about such matters, but I do not think it is necessary when we have other subjects
to discuss." Reia angled her eyebrow upward, sending her thoughts into a confused daze again. Why was he so difficult to understand?
So...fickle?
"But Reia, I must ask you, other than the obligations of serving your kingdom, why did you save my life last night?" His
question again raised dozens of answers racing through her mind, but unfortunately, all but one had been eliminated due to
his exluding of obvious duties. In all truthfulness, she had never been confronted with such a question before and was unsure
how to reply.
"I...cannot answer, Great One." was all she could say in response.
He nodded humbly, however somewhat dissapointingly. "I see...I cancelled out all your options, thus leaving you speechless."
He couldn't help but laugh slightly at that remark, Reia's expression not changing despite the pressing urge to at least smirk.
Instead, she let a solemn sigh escape her throat before shifting her attention back at his smiling complexion. Why did he
seem to toy with her mind as if it was his own and he could do whatever he pleased? Well, he did technically have control
over her, but still, it seemed awkward that the Pharaoh would act so...un-pharaohish.
"My Pharaoh..." she started in a quiet, but sturdy voice. "If I am to not be interrogated about the incident last night,
then may I please return to my duties?"
"But that it is where I'm going." he said to her surprise. "Not to your normal post though. You've been given a new location,
and I will take you there."
This was all so confusing. First, he invites her to his throne room, next she saves his life, now he's reassigning her
duties? What had her life become?
After several long, quiet, and anxious moments, they had reached the palace's open chambers that bustled with activity.
Reia began to walk down the hallway when he gently grabbed her arm, urging her to follow him. Under the influence of his superiority,
she followed him reluctantly until they stopped in the throne room.
"Welcome to your new guard post, Reia."he spoke proudly, a beaming smile stretching over his face. Reia stood there dumbstruck,
barely keeping her grip on her lance. One minute she's dealing with agitating prisoners, the next she's dragged into the main
chamber to be the Pharaoh's little servant. Not for nothing, but she wasn't going to have it. She wasn't going to just stand
there and wait on him hand and foot. There were more important people to protect, like - !
"Reia...I humbly ask that you stay here with me."
The sincerity and almost pleadingful need in his tone made her voice stumble for words. When she found none, she knelt
down on one knee and bowed her head deeply, now realizing her duty to protect the Pharaoh at all costs, even her own sanity.
"It would be my greatest honor, my Pharaoh."
She heard him laugh, but one of assurance to soothe her nervousness. "You may call me...Yami."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"...Yeah, so don't forget, two-three defense on that play, all right? The slightest mistake could cost the game...Oh...my
arm? Yeah it's fine. Nothing to worry about. I'll be back at practice within a week."
"Okay, Reia...but you rest in the meantime and keep me informed on your boyfriend!"
Reia sighed heavily at her friend's remark. "He's NOT my boyfriend, Jayne. Heck, I just met him two days ago and you already
think we're madly in love. Girl, you need to cut back on the late night romance novels."
"Take care, Reia. Call if ya need anything."
"I will, thanks Jayne. Bye." After hanging up the receiver with an agitated shake of her head, Reia snatched her jacket,
slipped her arms through it, though with much difficulty thanks to her injury, and started out the door.
The warm sun shone down on her brilliant blue hair, its striking color adding to the sweet complexion of her face which
searched endlessly for the Game Shop. She felt so helpless, not knowing her way around town still after living in it for two
years. It was embarassing really, but that's what living in Egypt for most of your life will do to you.
After rounding a corner, she had the game shop in sight finally, but was stopped when she noticed a rather tall brunette
girl embrace a familiar tri-colored man - almost...affectionately. Reia shook the thought out of her head abruptly and at
last approached the duo.
"Hey, Yami! Who may I ask is your quite beautiful friend, here?" Reia asked as politely as possible despite every jealous
urge that clammered inside her.
The girl blushed and spoke. "I'm Tea Gardner, and I know you! You're Reia Landon from the women's basketball team! You're
awesome!"
"Thanks, Tea. Do you come to the games often?"
"Every chance I get. I would've gone to Saturday's game had I known Yami, Joey, and Tristan were going, but you know how
annoying the company of teenage boys can be." The girl's laughed amusedly as Yami just shook his head frustratingly.
"How will we ever get by these upcoming weeks without your sly remarks, hmm Tea?" Yami teased sarcastically, making it
seem as though he was such a goner.
"Hmm...are you going somewhere, Tea?" Reia chirped.
Tea nodded in reply. "Yep! Finally going on a vacation and getting out of this country! I probably won't be back in time
to watch you guys in the playoffs, but maybe I can make it to see the championship."
The brunette winked as Reia chuckled before speaking. "I don't know if we'll make it to the championship, but we'll do
our best. Thanks for your support, Tea."
"Any time! Well, I'm off! See you guys in a few weeks!" With that, Tea hurried off down the street and disappeared out
of site as she turned the corner.
"She seems nice...you see her often?"
Yami looked back at Reia with an amused glance, desperately trying to conceal a chuckle but failed miserably. "I do believe
somebody's jealous." he said slyly to Reia's displeasure.
"I am not jealous!" she shot back with a grin. "I was just...stating a fact." Yami wasn't convinced by her shaky tone and
decided to put an end to his teasing.
"It's not what you think, Reia. She has been a very close friend of mine, but we're not in any kind of relationship, I
can assure you. Whatever rumors you may hear, you know who's telling the truth and who's not because you heard it from the
guy it's all directed at."
Reia smiled absentmindedly in relief, then suddenly realized why she was smiling. Before he could take note of her aleviated
expression, she immediately changed it to one of understanding. But Yami was more intelligent than to fall for that one, yet
to spare her the agony of embarassment, he kept his comments to himself and invited her into the game shop.
"How's your shoulder?" he asked, touching the bandaged wound gingerly as she flinched.
"It...It's better, thank you. Still a little tender, but I'll manage." When Yami's hand didn't move, she remained still,
feeling gentle circles being rubbed into the surrounding area of her wound. The sweet touches not only soothed her pain, but
relaxed every known feeling in her body, each ceasing to pulse rapidly in his presence. Why did he have to be so cute and
caring - downright irresistable to put it in actual terms.
Yami unconciously continued rubbing lazily, transfixing himself in the soft, almost fluffly desires that flooded his mind.
What was he doing? He immediately stopped to her displeasure, but kept a broad smile to assure her sensations that he had
indeed ended the massage.
"Thanks for that, Yami. I...it feels a lot better." she stumbled in her choice of words nervously, clearly still stunned
by his actions.
"Glad I could help." he replied, blinking rather lazily, afraid to shut his eyes for fear that she'd disappear. "So...ready
for your next dueling lesson?"
She nodded eagerly and followed him to the back room where a table and chairs had previously been prepared, but seated
in the chairs were two familiar young men. "Hello again, Joey...Tristan." Reia tried to say with some enthousiasm, but also
added slight confusion of their presence.
"I hope you don't mind them sitting in on the lesson, Reia. Joey's an excellent duelist, too. Tristan...he's ok." Yami
spoke up with humor in his tone, sending Tristan shooting up out of his seat.
"Hey! I can duel too, you know!" he shouted, jerking his head downwards as Yami gestured for Reia to take the empty seat.
She did with a humble smile to him and then a sympathetic one was directed towards Tristan. "Uhh...I was just about to offer
you that seat, you know! I'm not a ladies man for nothin'!" He then smiled and looked back at her. "You can have my seat,
Reia."
She giggled as he took her hand to kiss politely. "Thank you, Tristan. Such a gentlemen." She then winked at him, sending
his heart fluttering, Yami meanwhile barely managed to conceal a laugh at her teaseful flirting.
Joey however felt left out of the flirting session and decided to join in. "You look really pretty today, Reia! Blue is
definately your color."
That was it, he couldn't hide it anymore. Yami burst into a fit of laughter as he clung to the table while falling to his
knees, clearly unable to stand up. Reia only blushed and combed her fingers entisingly through her long and deep blue strands.
"You are too kind, Joey. I was about to dye it red, but your input has changed my mind."
"Oh no! Not red! Blue makes you so beautiful!" Joey interrupted, he too standing up as Yami climbed into the blonde's former
seat. Joey didn't notice, but instead kept his gaze locked on the attractive woman seated in front of him.
"Brings out the breathtaking green in your eyes..."Tristan added affectionately, taking one hand in his own.
Joey growled under his breath and walked over to Reia's other side to take her free hand. "Green eyes and brown eyes blend
so well together..."he told her, slapping on a puppy dog face.
"Yeah, and mine are the deepest brown there is."Tristan exclaimed, seeing her blush darken into a brilliant crimson.
"I always thought purple eyes were the prettiest thing on earth, but man was I wrong!" Joey declared, challenging Tristan.
"Oh yeah, wanna bet, hot shot?!" Tristan shouted, getting his fists ready.
"You're so goin' down, punk!"
"I think..."Yami's deep voice intervened. "...She's beautiful beyond description."
...
...
...
"Uhh..yeah! What Yami said!"
Reia could only stare at him, grateful he'd finally ended the flirting madness, but the way he put it to a halt is what
made her heart beat so fast. Yami wasn't afraid to admit things out-right, and that in turn is what saved her from the confines
of eternal affection from the two girl-crazy teenagers.
"Could you excuse us, Joey?" Yami asked, almost narrowing his eyes at the duo as they sighed reluctantly, leaving Reia
and Yami alone. "Sorry about them. They're all about girls and they'd do just about anything to get one."
She laughed a bit and rummaged in her pocket for her deck, at last pulling it out. As she laid it on the table before her,
she took note of the odd object hanging from Yami's neck. "What's that?" she inquired.
He glanced down and took hold of the precious artifact in his tender grasp. "One of my most prized posessions that my grandfather
gave me. He got it in Egypt."
"Egypt? I grew up there." Reia announced with a surprised expression evident to Yami's constant stare. "My mother and father
raised me in Cairo and I moved to Domino two years ago to start my athletic career. They still live there and I visit now
and then. Ever been there?"
"Not...recently, no. But I'd love to go sometime." he replied, gulping down every increasing urge to blurt out he was of
Egyptian origin. But Yugi's quiet voice hushed his desires and provided the spirit with the appropriate words. "I've always
felt...some connection with Egyptian culture, so perhaps one day we can go together."
"I'd like that." Reia said with a sweet smile. "Due to my injury here, I may go soon. Would you be interested?"
"I'd be more than happy too, Reia."Yami answered back, a broad, but dazed grin stretching across his face. So many things
had been on his mind, preoccupying him from the simple joys in life, but now...there was an angel that could change all that
staring back at him with mysterious, yet beautiful emerald eyes.
