Take my soul away by Le petit Chaperon Rouge
Disclaimer: I don't owe YGO
A/N: today's my birthday, (I'm finally 15!!) and if one celebrates, one gives something to the reviewers because reviews make me very happy!!!!!
IMPORTANT!!! This story is AU!!! You've been warned!!!
Default chapter
The sun was setting, it's crimson red glow reflected on the few clouds in the evening sky. The desert sand faintly reflected the last ray's of light from the dusk. Through the enormous sand plain, a caravan of horses and camels made it's way to the inhabited world. Sekhmets breath (A/N: Sekhmet has a lion head and she's the goddess of war. The ancient Egyptians used to say that Sekhmets breath the hot wind in the desert) made the sand ripple over the banks.
Shizuka sighed. How much longer is it going to take before they finally arrive at the palace? She sat in a palanquin carried by two horses together with her best friend. She couldn't wait to live out her destiny. As the Pharaoh's wife.
Her whole life she was raised and trained to make a proper wife.
She looked next to her, where her best friend sound asleep. Anzu, the best friend one could wish for. Just about one week ago they hear who was chosen as the Pharaohs wife. Shizuka remembered never feeling so tense. Anzu took her defeat almost unnaturally well. She remembered the disappointed look on Anzu's face, but she smiled for Shizuka's sake.
According to the rules, the number two, had to be number one's maid. The only chance that number two, Anzu in this case, had to escape a long maid's life was to marry a priest. Just like Shizuka, Anzu was trained her whole life. With just one purpose. To serve and please the pharaoh as his wife.
At the symbolic age of three they were separated from their families because of their extraordinary appearance. They were chosen because they looked nothing like the most Egyptians, who normally had black hair and dark eyes. Anzu's hair was brown, but much lighter then what normal Egyptians had.
Anzu's eyes were blue like the Nile by moonlight. People used to say that Sobek the Crocodile god poured water in them himself. Anzu's personality held a good deal of water two. Water is unstoppable, it will always find it's way.
(A/N: Sobek the Crocodile god protected the water supplies and his sweat (O.o) formed the Nile)
Shizuka looked completely different, but not less dazzling. Her auburn hair grew like a waterfall of flames over her shoulders almost up to her waist and her brown eyes had hinds of emerald in them. Their skin was several tones lighter than that of normal people, it was like that by nature, but Mother kept them as much as possible out of the sun, to maintain that color.
In the years of their education by Mother they had been taught to obey everything their husband said to them, because as the queen of Egypt you may be the most powerful woman, but your husband is above you because he's a man and the Pharaoh. Further they learned how to move as gracefully as possible, reading and writing.
Mother learned them everything they knew, she educated them, took care of them, and made them what they are today. Of course, Mother wasn't Shizuka's real mother, neither was she Anzu's. They just called her that because she was so important in their lives. Mother was an old woman, and very fond of money. That's why it was so important that Shizuka married the Pharaoh, because as her "mother" she would live her last day's in royal comfort.
Shizuka couldn't care less about her mothers greed. She wanted to live out her destiny.
She loved Mother as a child would love his real mother, and she would always keep her in her heart. Just like Anzu. Anzu might have been assigned to be her maid, but she was still a friend, and Shizuka would always treat her kindly and with respect. That was an oath that they made when they were still young. And she'll keep it. Fore ever.
Suddenly the caravan stopped and Mother opened the curtain that protected Shizuka and Anzu from the desert sand.
"What's happening Mother?" Shizuka asked politely.
"Were stopping here for the night, tomorrow will arrive at the palace, darling." She said with a smile. She shot a glare at the sleeping Anzu. "Wake Little miss stupid". She said in a cold tone. "tell her she has to help setting up the camp."
Shizuka bit her lip. Since a while Mother called Anzu "Little miss Stupid" behind her back. Shizuka couldn't figure out why, and she didn't tell Anzu. Maybe it was better if she didn't knew. Sometimes she wondered if Mother called her names behind her back two...
Shizuka woke Anzu and told her what Mother said she had to do. Anzu pursed her lips at first but then she smiled at Shizuka that she'll go to work then.
The Guards and slaves had set up the tents and Anzu and a few other maids prepared the largest tent. Shizuka's tent.
They furnished it with Persian carpets and various cabinets for Shizuka's clothes and jewelry. They prepared a large bed of silk sheets and dozens of little pillows.
When they were done, Anzu brought in Shizuka.
Anzu sighed. "God...I envy you.."
Shizuka lowered her head. "Don't say that Anzu.... you make me feel bad." Anzu replied with a short laugh and then shook her head.
"come, I'll help you change."
Shizuka had to wear her full regalia to practice, because soon she would have to wear that every day. Her dress' were very light, because they were made of the finest cotton and silk. The cotton was so fine that is was almost transparent and she used it as a wrap around her head or hips.
It was the jewelry that made it so hard. The most necklaces Shizuka had, were made of gold and were decorated with the most expensive gems and stones. The same went for the dozens of bracelets and other decorations she had to wear.
Anzu helped Shizka undress and wash herself. Shizuka changed into a simple nightgown.
Anzu braided Shizuka's long hair while an other maid brought in a plate with food. There was some meat on it, but mostly fruits.
Shizuka kneeled before a small statue of Ra, the silently she prayed to all the gods to look after Anzu, Mother and her long forgotten family. She also prayed that the Pharaoh was the man of her dreams.
Shizuka opened her eyes and gracefully stepped into her bed.
"don't you want something to eat?" Anzu asked her.
"No thank you. I'm tired."
She heard Anzu bid her goodnight and leave the tent. Shizuka turned around and tried to forget about tomorrow. Soon her eyes fell shut and she was fast asleep.
Tomorrow is the day I waited for my whole life.
Outside the tent two guards took place at the entrance of Shizuka's tent, making sure nobody disturbed her.
Anzu sighed and looked at the plate in her hands. She didn't know why she took it, because she wasn't hungry herself.
What should she do with it? She looked around for a bit, and spotted a group of guards by a fire.
With a sweet smile she handed them the plate, they looked a bit uncertain first, but then they gratefully ate everything.
Anzu turned to walk to her tent when she nearly bumped into Mother. Mother grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the guards.
"What the hell got into you, stupid girl!? Giving Sizuka's food to the guards! Must she starve!?" Mother hissed.
Anzu looked mother strait into the eye. "No Mother, but Shizuka wasn't hungry, and you told us a Queen should be generous towards her poor people."
Mother narrowed her eyes.
"I don't like your additute, little girl." Mother hissed. "You better do something about that, then maybe you can marry one of the High priests."
"Yes Mother" Anzu said between clenched teeth. She felt the rage boil within her as she saw Mother walk away.
Since Shizuka was chosen to be the Pharaohs wife, Mother treated Anzu like a fly that was buzzing around her food.
She understood how important this was for both Shizuka and Mother, but that didn't give Mother the right to treat her like that. Of course, she was happy for Shizuka, but deep in her heart she was jealous. She couldn't help it, Shizuka treated her like she promised, but Anzu felt grudge. She was so determent to be the best and perfect. But she wasn't. Shizuka was.
Anzu felt sick of jealousy. Shizuka was everything she wasn't. She was a failure.
Maybe...maybe it's her destiny to marry a High priest and serve him.
Maybe she'll be happy with him and the mother of his children.
Maybe.....
A sudden cold wind made Anzu shiver.
"Miss, you better get in you tent' A guard warned her. "There is a sandstorm coming.."
A/N: yay!! I hope you all liked it .
Ok, a bit more serious things, there are TOO many Egyptians gods. I spent quite some time on research for this fic, but some books contradicts other's, so sometime i have to choose which to believe.
Some thing here are taken from a life of a Geisha. I got it out of the book "Memoirs of a geisha" by Arthur Goldwin. It's a really good book and I think everybody should read it (just kidding, lol)
P.S. check out my profile if you want to know when the next chap is going to be up.