Wow, can you guys believe it? Only a handful of chapters left!
Heba: It's about damn time! I'm soooo done being a girl!
;-; My muse hates me...
Note:
//Atemu to Yuugi//
\\Yuugi to Atemu\\
-word- : extra emphasis
'...' - thoughts
Disclaimer: As if I actually owned Yu-Gi-Oh!... *sigh* I wish, though. Yuugi's simply too cute. :3
Enjoy!~
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Chapter Thirteen: Nothing of Consequence
Ancient Egypt, Three Thousand Years Ago
There had been another river in the valley below, conveniently underneath the cliff Atemu had fallen from. Scattered and broken pieces of rock were situated carelessly around the river's bank and were slowly being taken away by the water.
Heba hadn't seen a body, and that gave her reckless hope. It flowed through her with wild abandon and refused to be quelled by the severity of the situation. 'Could it be possible..?' She had to believe it were, the alternative was beyond the scope of what she could handle otherwise. It didn't matter if the hope may be even falsely misplaced, Heba had to know what became of Atemu. She had to believe he was still alive!
Heba, determined, stood with her feet planted firmly apart and growled inaudibly at the still cackling Thief King up above. He caught her look and his monster flashed brightly for a quick moment then returned to its place in the DiaDhank. Bakura spoke before she or the other two could say anything.
"Thank you, thank you my good people. It was a pleasure to have such a willing audience. I'm afraid that is the end of tonight's show but don't worry - the best is yet to come!" Bakura laughed ominously and, holding the Millennium Puzzle in his fist, retreated into the shadows of the high cliff. Mana raised her wand and sent a shock of icy blue magic where Bakura had disappeared and muttered under her breath when the spell froze the rock wall instead.
Jono approached cautiously, worriedly, checking Heba for any signs of an impending emotional breakdown. "Heba..?"
Heba sensed the underlying question and shook her head. No, she was not alright and no, she didn't want to talk about it. Her love had most likely - Ra forbid it - departed (Heba had to keep the tears from falling at the thought) and, even though it had been a day since they'd confessed, it felt like they'd been intimate for eons. Losing Atemu was simply not an option.
It wasn't even up for consideration.
"So, what now?" Mana asked. Her voice was thick with raw emotion and her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Heba pointed in the direction of the river. Something tugged her in its direction, something warm and calming, and she trusted it. "Atemu could've fallen in." Heba stated simply, surprising herself with how calm she sounded. "I say we follow the river."
"Heba, from that height--"
"I know Jono, but we have to. Please." Heba gazed pleadingly at her two friends, who, upon exchanging a look, nodded back at her. Without another word the trio returned to their horses and found a path down. Heba's heart hammered with desperation. Silently she prayed, hoping beyond hope Atemu was alive and well. Dark thoughts swarmed, constantly barraging her mind with images of a soaked Atemu broken, battered, bleeding... Alone...
'I will never leave you alone!' Heba promised with a firm nod. Her large eyes narrowed as she forced the dark images away. She had to stay strong. Atemu would be just fine, all she had to do was not think of such depressing things.
They rode for hours, the rocky ground having long since returned to sand. The sun rose from the horizon, casting pink, orange and red shadows on the darkened sky. The farther from the valley they ventured the more they called Atemu's name. They searched high and low, in caves and up trees, yet found no sign of the Pharaoh. However the feeling in Heba's chest only grew stronger and, in turn, made her more confident they were heading in the right direction.
Eventually the small party had to stop for a much-needed break. They took refuge under a shady tree and munched on a few pieces of hard won desert fruit, which Jono had scavenged from a cactus not too far off. A rock cliff rose from the sand on the other side of the river, where a cave was nestled comfortably. The horses grazed close to the river and occasionally splashed playfully in the water.
Jono moaned in delight and closed his chocolate eyes. "After no food for hours, this tastes like heaven." Jono ate his fruit in two more bites and licked his fingers. "Yum."
Both Mana and Heba grunted, acknowledging what he said, but only Heba remained silent. "Are you always this hungry?" Mana asked, smiling.
"There's a reason why I'm called a walking stomach, Mana." Jono grinned lopsidedly and made Mana laugh gaily. Heba chuckled briefly and held her fruit between her small hands, occasionally moving the food side to side. Jono and Mana continued to talk quietly amongst themselves while Heba's thoughts drifted.
Heba bit into the fruit absentmindedly, not even tasting the sour sweetness tingle her taste buds. She smiled sadly at the thought of Atemu. 'I hope you're okay, Ate...'
A flash of gold caught her eye. Heba blinked rapidly and squinted towards the river. The sun, not even halfway across the sky, broke through a rare cloud and cast its rays on the river, where something metallic and gold shimmered in the reeds. Heba stood and slowly inched towards the reeds, feeling the warming sand shift under her feet.
"Where ya going Heb'?" Jono asked behind her.
"There's something in the water." Heba replied and brushed aside the reeds to grab none other than a thick, gold circlet with the Eye of Horus embedded in its center. Heba gasped sharply, dropping her fruit, and before she knew it both Mana and Jono were at her sides. They too saw the crown and took in a collective sharp intake of air.
He was here.
Heba looked around wildly, her bangs slapping against her cheeks. Nothing looked out of the ordinary and the only thing that moved (besides them of course) was the wind. Atemu had to be nearby though! How else could the appearance of his crown be explained?
Mana cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Atemu! Pharaoh~ where are you? Atemu!"
Jono grabbed Heba's arm. "I see tracks!" He pointed at the other side of the bank, right at the sand. Seeing nothing Heba and Mana tried to ask him to clarify but Jono jumped to the other side, landing in a shallow part of the water, and stepped on the sand. He leaned down briefly, gently touching wet sand, and made off like a cat out of hell towards the cave. Mana and Heba didn't waste a moment and quickly followed after the other slave. They landed with a splash in the warm water and raced after Jono, who had entered the cave.
"Heba! Get in here!"
Heba didn't need to be told twice. She ran inside the cave, quickly adjusting to the dim light within, and saw Jono kneeling in front of a slumped form. Jono grinned happily. "He's alive. Asleep, but alive."
He was alive. Heba laughed. He was alive!
Heba dropped the crown beside their Pharaoh and, heart pounding, caressed Atemu's bruised face with soft, featherlight touches. Ultimate joy, relief and love seared her soul, leaving in its place a feeling that combined all three emotions into something completely and utterly indescribable. Heba sobbed and laughed at the same time and brushed a sandy blonde lock behind Atemu's ear. Mana dug her head in Jono's shoulder and shook with relief. Tears curved down her tan cheeks as she laughed with a large, happy smile.
Atemu moved slowly with a low groan and looked at them through half-lidded eyes. His crimson irises were hazy with exhaustion, only hinting at how sore he must be feeling. Heba carefully minded his scrapes and bruises, making sure to only press lightly into his skin. He looked pale, although whether that had to do with being in his shape or with the cave Heba didn't know, and like he'd pass out at any second.
Atemu lightly arced an eyebrow when he saw Mana and Jono, almost as though he were trying to tell what they were. He then saw Heba and a startling clarity returned to him. "H-Heba?"
Heba choked on a sob, crystalline tears pouring down her face. She cracked the largest, most radiant smile she'd ever managed and used the heel of her palm to wipe away the warm water on her cheeks. "Hey A-Ate."
He responded with a soft and touching, yet slightly pained smirk and was about to speak when Mana threw herself at him, wrapping her thin arms around Atemu's neck and sobbing into his chest. "You jerk!" Mana sniffled. "How dare you scare us like that, especially after what happened to my Master? Don't you have any idea how much we all care for you?!"
Atemu chuckled airly. "Hello to you too, Mana. I'm sorry for worrying you." Atemu somewhat awkwardly pat her shoulder, unable to give her an appropriate hug, and used his other hand to grab one of Heba's in a solid grip. Heba marveled yet again at how perfect their hands seemed to fit together and immediately pulled their hands up to kiss his sand and bruise covered knuckles.
Jono gently pried Mana off their King and bowed his head respectfully. "Happy to see you well, my Pharaoh."
"I'm not entirely sure I'd consider my current state -well- but it's good to see you again Jono."
Jono smirked in good humor and merely nodded. Atemu pulled his arm, pulling a surprised Heba with it, and hooked the arm around her shoulders all the while managing to not let go of her. Heba immediately relaxed in his hold, beyond happy to be back in his arms, and buried her face in the side of his chest. He smelled of freshwater and dust. His tunic was also still wet, but she didn't particularly care about that.
She was so glad to have followed her instincts. Without them they would never have followed the river and found Atemu.
Atemu pressed a kiss onto Heba's head. "Thank you both so much. Because of you my Habibti is safe, sound, and not in Bakura's clutches." Heba blushed a deep crimson at the nickname and looked anywhere but at the grinning Jono and gaping Mana.
Mana squeaked then squealed loudly, unable to contain her excitement. Her arms shook rapidly in front of her chest and she giggled knowingly. "That is too cute!"
"S-Shut up." Heba muttered, getting into better position against Atemu's side. Atemu rolled his eyes but grinned at his friend. "Yes she is."
Heba blushed even darker. "If you weren't injured I'd hurt you."
Atemu only laughed, the sound a full belly-aching, shoulder moving chuckle, though he did flinch every now and then. Ra, it sounded so great to hear his laugh again after that huge scare. She felt even fuzzier and giddier inside and strangely didn't care about it.
Atemu sighed, pulling Heba's' attention back to earth. "That reminds me..." Atemu huffed and narrowed his eyes angrily, although none of that anger was directed at them. "I need to get back to the High Priests. I have some idea of what Bakura's planning --"
"Oh no, nope. You are -not- moving." Mana crossed her arms and sent the Pharaoh a threatening look, almost daring him to defy her. "You fell from a cliff and were carried downstream Atemu. You look like hell warmed over and appear to be in a whole world of pain - or, at least, a world of soreness. You're going to stay right here and recover."
"But --"
"No buts." Mana then got a wicked gleam in her eye and the smile she directed at both Atemu and Heba was a little more than unsettling. "In fact... Jono, how do you feel about joining me on a little mission?"
The equally unsettling smile on Jono's face made the situation all the more worrisome. "I'd love to."
"What are you two planning?" Heba demanded.
"Nothing of consequence." was Mana's hurried reply. The magician-in-training bounced to her feet and, grabbing Jono's hand, quickly made for the exit. "We'll be back in a couple of hours! Don't do anything stupid while we're gone~" Mana sang the last word, emphasizing the first vowel, and disappeared into the bright sunshine with Jono hot on her heels. There were two sets of laughter for a short moment followed by the neigh of horses and the eventual fading of hoofbeats in the direction they'd previously come from.
That left Atemu and Heba, sitting there in shock, alone. Heba huffed and was about to give them a peace of her mind, beginning to stand, but was forced to remain still by Atemu's arms. Heba swallowed thickly and looked at her love, amethyst instantly connecting with crimson.
"Umm..."
Fingers gently traced her jawline. Heba's breathing hitched when Atemu's index finger glided across her cheek to trace her lips. Slowly he came closer and Heba instinctively parted her lips, submitting to his touch when their lips connected. Warmth spread through her belly at the soft feel of his lips against hers, filling her to the brim with adoration. The kiss was chaste and loving, filled with longing and happiness and everything in between. It was a toe-curling, love inflating kiss that sent her blood singing and her heart demanding for more.
Eventually they pulled away but left little distance between their lips as they took in air. Atemu cupped her face and used his thumb to stroke her temple, occasionally brushing against her eyelashes. "I was so worried..." Atemu trailed off and started again. "I thought Bakura would do something terrible to you, and the thought of you getting hurt..."
Heba touched his lips and flushed when he kissed her fingers. "I was worried too." Heba replied and touched Atemu's forehead with her own. "I thought you had been severely hurt, or worse. I couldn't stand the thought of never seeing you again. You mean the world to me Ate, and I know we only just got together yesterday, but --"
"-- it feels like we've loved each other forever." Atemu concluded with a warm smile. Heba nodded with a smile of her own. "Exactly." Almost as though it were meant to be.
Cliche, yeah, but true on all levels, and that was something Heba normally wouldn't have admitted to.
Heba caressed his face, drinking in every single little detail and trying to ignore how the intensity of his stare was making her stomach flip. "You're a complete mess." Heba muttered, dusting off some dried sand from the side of his face.
Atemu's smile twitched into a flirty smirk. "Only because you make me that way, Habibti."
Heat exploded somewhere inside her and ran tingles through her entire body. Heba's blush dusted across her nose and rimmed her ears. "S-Stop teasing me." Heba looked off to the side, finding the floor interesting. "You know what I meant."
Atemu hooked his long fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Who said I was teasing?" he asked with an amused lilt in his baritone voice, "I would never lie to you Little One, you mean too much to me for I to even think of doing something so heinous to you. Listen: every day we'd been with one another I'd been conflicted on whether or not I should kiss you senseless or just hold you in my arms and never let go. I want to love you, laugh with you, be with you always - and that doesn't even begin to express how much I feel for you."
Heba thought she'd die from all the blood pounding through her head. Her cheeks were blazing with heat and she was sure, no matter how close they were, he could hear her beating heart speed up. "That was sappy Ate." Heba whispered in a vain attempt to disguise her emotions.
Atemu, as usual, saw right through her and smiled genuinely. "Perhaps, but it's true."
"You love embarrassing me, don't you?"
"Making you blush has been one of my top priorities these past few months, Habibti." Atemu admitted with a cheeky grin.
Heba blinked. "That explains a lot, actually."
Atemu laughed and quickly grabbed her lips with his, effectively ending the conversation.
A few hours later Heba and Atemu were sitting in the mouth of the cave watching the desert for any sign of their friends. Atemu was laying his head in Heba's lap, wearing his crown, and was relatively clean. The dirt and grime had been wiped off by a torn piece of cloth from Heba's shift and the scrapes cleaned with water from the river. Atemu was still sore but it was nothing he couldn't handle, as he constantly reassured her over and over with that devious smirk of his.
Heba was currently running her fingers through Atemu's thick hair, originally trying to dislodge sand but finding new purpose when Atemu grunted in contentment from the tingles shooting through his scalp. Seeing his eyes closed Heba grinned and, ever so quickly, pecked him on the lips. Atemu's eyes popped wide open and he groaned miserably when she drew away.
"Heba," Atemu said with a strange glint in his eye, "Don't start something you can't finish," Atemu propped himself on one elbow and pulled Heba's chin down to his level, kissing her hungrily and forcing her lips to part. Heba let him willingly and returned the intensity, relishing how readily Atemu responded to her. The kiss grew deeper as minutes passed until they finally had to part for air.
"I love you." They said at once and laughed at their timing.
The atmosphere changed when a rumble of hooves came from somewhere just beyond sight of the cave. Atemu got off her lap and together they peered out, relieved to see none other than Mana, Jono, and an entourage of guards trailing behind. Atemu took Heba by the hand and led her out to meet the coming party. The sand was incredibly warm but not unbearable, however the sun made the air extremely hot in stark comparison to the cool, damp air of the cave.
When the group was in shouting distance Atemu raised an arm and called out in greeting to their friends. Mana and Jono shouted back and dismounted. Mana ran the full distance to their side and pulled the couple into an iron hug. Jono hung back near the guards but tossed Heba a happy smile, which she returned at once.
A bald man with tattoos around his forehead and hoop earrings urged his horse forward from the middle of the guards, smiling slightly at the trio. Heba took a step back and bowed to the High Priest, but kept a firm hold on Atemu's hand. No doubt the priest noticed but he didn't say anything about it.
"My King!"
"Hello Shada," Atemu replied fondly. "It is great to see you."
"Likewise, Pharaoh. We were worried things had taken a turn for the worst." Shada placed a hand over his heart and bowed respectfully to his king. "Now hopefully they will turn around in our favor."
Heba at once heard the underlying tone in Shada's voice, as did Atemu. Mana stepped aside as Atemu asked, "What's happened?"
Shada's hand clenched into a fist. "Seth has discovered Bakura's location. He's in Kul Elna."
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A/N
Fluff. Fluff for everyone <3
The next update may be a while, two weeks at most. Not only will the chapter be long but I have exams next week.
"Shatter Me" is due out this week, folks! Be prepared for a storm of shippings and awesomeness galore. Bronze, Tender, Puppy, Puzzle... Yes. :D
Speaking of updates... *chuckles nervously* I know we've already had some instances of character death in the fic (ie Mahado, Aknamkanon) but how would you feel if it weren't a side character? Tell me your thoughts below!