Running Through My Head

Sorry this took me so long to write and post. Feaking evil finals, what can I do?
Thanks: This is something I will be featureing from now on in eave chapter of my story (I've decided to do the same for my other stories as well) to acknowledge and thank all those who have reviwed my work thus far. They are my muses and encouragement
So far I only have one person on this site to thank for reviewing this story. To J.S. Thanks a bundle! Your encouragement has helped alot. Now just tell everyone else to review for cryin' out loud! Anyway thanks again and now on with the ficcing! LOL


Chapter 4

The early-morning sunlight crept in and tried to pry its way between Amber’s closed eyes. But just now, she would have none of it. She was far too comfortable, nestled as she was in that warm soft cocoon. That dream she had last night had definitely bee one of the weirdest, most random dreams she had ever had. And stranger still was the fact that she could remember so much of it with such clarity.

It was just a dream. She reminded herself. When I wake up I’ll be home in bed and ready to kick some corporate butt. A yawp stretched its way past her mouth and in its wake, sent an extra supply of oxygen through her system. When I’m damn good and ready. She reminded herself that sleep was simply one of those things one needed, and God help anyone who decided that she didn’t need it. Presently there was the familiar sensation of weight shifting on the bed and soft rumbly sound. Then a damp sandpaper tongue on her cheek followed by a fuzzy face nuzzling against her own smooth skin. And there’s Pippin, right on time. Amber though almost annoyed, but not really. The fur-ball that wouldn’t quit was now stepping on her stomach, knowing that would get her up, just as he was ready to curl up there. “Alright, Alright, I’m up.” She grumbled as she shifted and tried to sit up. But something heavier than just red cat was holding her down. It felt like a heavy strap around her upper waist, or maybe someone’s arm. At this thought, Amber’s green eyes popped open and she looked around. There was Pippin sure enough, on her stomach as usual, but she was not in her bedroom, or for that matter in her condo. The walls were the same stony color and texture they had been in her dream, except now there was daylight upon them. But more preoccupying was the fact that she was still fully clothed and in what she’d thought was just a dream, because it was the Pharaoh’s bed. And speak of the devil; there he was, lying next to her, one arm slung haphazardly over her torso. Very carefully, so as not to wake him if this was real, Amber tried to lift his arm from her waist. She froze again as he shifted and held on tighter, though his eyes stayed closed. With a pained groan, she fell back against the pillows and brought one hand to her forehead. This was just fucking brilliant! A little feline paw batted her face softly to get her attention. Amber removed her hand from her face to look forlornly at her pet. Pippin seemed to not really care though; he was even rubbing his face against Yami’s exposed hand. And even though it was early, seeing this gave Amber a rather sadistic idea of how to wake the Pharaoh this glorious day. Lord knows he deserves it. She thought, grinning like the Cheshire cat. Moving ever so gently so as not to wake her captor, she picked Pippin up and set him down on the Pharaoh’s sleeping form.

Yami had really been awake since he first felt his new slave begin to stir. But like her, he’d kept his eyes shut, still feeling contented with the warmth that being this close to her body offered. This day like all other days in Egypt would be overly hot of course, but it was still early yet, and he was feeling far to relaxed to just make himself get up and go. When she tried to pry his arm away from its resting place on her body, he had a hard time keeping up with the pretense of sleep. His lips curved into a smirk as he merely tightened his grip a little and lay still again. It was amusing as hell, at lest to him, that he was able to practically feel her exasperation. She was just so easy to annoy and the result was funny most of the time, if not all the time. Teasing her was like teasing a cat; he’d have to watch himself though, or else he might be scratched by those long fingernails of hers. As this though occurred to him, Yami felt a set of four paws and their accompanying weight on his stomach. It then padded up his chest and something rough and wet, like warm, damp sand licked his nose before rubbing something furry against the same place. With a feeling that might have been the emotional equivalent of a heart attack, Yami’s eyes shot open only to see a pair of big yellow cat-eyes in a furry red face no more than two inches away from his own. If he had been less shocked he might’ve hit the ceiling; as it was, he couldn’t even move for a few minutes.

A red cat? Nobody had seen anything of the like in the whole of his kingdom before. The feline reached out a paw towards his face and Yami leaned back to avoid the contact. Who knows what the little beast was capable of? And he didn’t want to have to find out the hard way. Was this a sign? A prophecy? Had Bastet sent this creature as a warning? More than just these questions chased each other around the inside of Yami’s head until he might’ve been thoroughly dizzy, if not for the seriousness of the situation. The little creature walked even further up his chest and seated itself just below his collarbone, making breathing rather difficult. Nothing else happened, it just sat there nonchalantly, staring down hard at him. What does this mean? Just as this through was about to burst from his lips, he was startled nearly out of his skin for the second time that morning.

“Pippin” Said Amber’s voice, as though she were a mother scolding her child for rude behavior. The red cat on Yami’s chest stood up on all fours, arched its back, and stepped off him to return to the female. Yami stared in disbelief at what he was seeing. The feline had actually approached her, purring and nuzzling its head against her open palm. Amber met the Pharaoh’s gaze and gave a devious, satisfied smirk. “Good morning.”

“To some maybe.” He growled in reply, only making her grin spread even further. The cat that she called Pippin was now curled up in her folded legs, and looking as though he would have quite liked to go to sleep there.

“He’s got the kitty-grin.” Amber chuckled, and then had to hold one hand over her mouth to keep from laughing too hard as the Pharaoh merely cocked an eyebrow, still looking irate. “You know how cats will sometimes look like they’re smiling? Well, when I was a kid I used to call that the kitty-grin, and I just never grew out of it.”

She really WILL be the death of me. Yami thought as she sat there stroking the feline; and he sat there wondering at the bizarre image in front of him. He had never known of, let alone seen, any cat that behaved like this towards a human. But the cat Pippin and his slave clearly had broken that rule of behavior, and he once again wondered what this meant. Bastet was generally a peaceful goddess and was renowned as a guardian of the home and of pregnant woman. But to the best of his knowledge, Amber was not pregnant, she couldn’t have been. Only virgins were ever given to the Pharaoh because anything used would have been an insult. He supposed that maybe it fit if he looked at this from the aspect of Bastet sending a message that she would guard his home, which this woman was now a part of. But there was another side to the gentle cat-goddess, a vengeful side. Which suits her well enough. He thought scathingly, remembering how he’d been woken this morning. In a way it seemed that the pair of them were, together, a form of Bastet incarnate. On the one hand Pippin seemed friendly, if unnerving, and on the other, Amber definitely had a talent for being spiteful. At least that was true by his standards. Shaking his head, the Pharaoh stretched and stood up from the bed.

“Christ man will you make yourself decent?!” Amber screeched, and when Yami looked around, he saw one of her hands over her eyes. There was also a wry smile on her face, but it told him she was highly embarrassed, though he couldn’t think why. True he had slept in the nude; that was all too normal for him. What had she expected? Had she really thought he would bother with the uncomfortable clothes even while he slept? What would have been the point of that?

“You are quite possibly the oddest woman I’ve ever known.” He replied and didn’t care if she heard him.

“And not in the biblical sense either.” She remarked dryly. “That’s probably a record of some sort.” The Pharaoh merely rolled his eyes, not giving a damn what she meant by that. It was clear to him that half her little remarks would make no sense to him whatsoever. So, naturally, why bother caring? Glancing back at his newest slave, Yami was still amazed to see the feline curled up in her lap and purring as loudly as a contented lion.

“Is that normal cat behavior?” He found himself wondering aloud.

“In Pippin’s case, yes.” Amber replied and the Pharaoh flicked his sunset-purple eyes in her direction for a second before letting them rest on the animal again. For some reason, he had the perfectly insane urge to reach out and touch the red fur ball. He couldn’t have explained the need, even to himself. Maybe it was because Amber could do this without the least worry, and she was just a slave, stubborn and independent though she undoubtedly was. For her own part, Amber wondered why Pippin was scaring the Pharaoh this much; After all, he was just a little red cat, it wasn’t as though he’d sprout fangs or spit poison at any given moment. “You can pet him.” She said tiredly, correctly interpreting the look he was giving the cat. “It’s not like he’ll rip your hand off or anything.” She was surprised at the stern look he gave her then. It was almost like he was trying to say, “You don’t know that for sure.” But he reached one hand out and, as lightly as possible, trailed his fingers over Pippin’s fur. Yami marveled at how it felt; the texture was quite as soft as Amber’s own hair, maybe softer, but it was hard to tell. But he was startled when the little feline body arched and rolled itself onto its back. Pippin’s eyes were almost completely closed, reduced to thin contented slits of vibrant gold. Amber rubbed her hand along the animal’s chest, and he arched against her touch, stretching his paws towards the ceiling. To Yami, it was incredible how much she knew of this animal and how comfortable she was with him; it was almost like seeing Bastet herself cradling one of her living symbols right in front of him.

“Where did you find such a creature?” He asked dazedly as his fingers rubbed very gently behind the cat’s ears.

“I went to a place called the Humane Society, and adopted him.”

“So does that make him your brother or your son?” Yami asked, and it would have sounded sarcastic if he hadn’t been looking genuinely curious.

“He’s my friend, and my pet.” Amber answered patiently, more so than she really felt the need for. “Besides, they’d have killed him if someone hadn’t taken him home in two weeks.” She added looking a bit sick at the thought.

There was a long, unpleasant pause, in which Yami stared from her to the cat and back again. “They wouldn’t dare.” He muttered quietly.

But Amber scoffed, “Oh yes they would. The excuses being that, it’s more humane than letting the animal live out its life in that place.” She shook her head. “But how that’s fair in the least if way the hell beyond me.”

“If nobody took him in two weeks, they would just let him die?” Yami asked, wondering what kind of civilization it was where a creature always needs a home with a human.

“No they’d have actually made the effort to kill him.” Amber answered as if there was a disgusting taste in her mouth. At this, the red furry mass rolled in his owner’s lap to where he was now on his stomach and stared up at the Pharaoh with hard yellow eyes. It was sort of odd how the little critter could change its mood so fast.

But that’s normal for cats isn’t it? Yami reasoned as said eyes kept staring at him.


Needless to say, Amber was restless, and doing her best to both mind her mouth and not glare people to death; and also keep herself from plotting the Pharaoh’s demise, even if it was sorely tempting. After breakfast and a change of clothes, which she hated every stitch of, she had been made to sit beside the Pharaoh’s throne, on the floor in accordance with their customs. Yugi sat on a stool to his brother’s right, while the new slave was on the left. For her own part, Amber felt that this amounted to a minor insult at best. She was above giving a damn as to what role they thought she should have in the grand scheme of things, and she figured she could tough it out for a while. Even though she deeply disliked her current situation, the only way she would get out of here would be to play it cool until she knew the best way to run for it and not be caught. No, there were really only two things that bothered her. One was the fact that she was attracting so much attention, and not just from her so-called master. Everyone from the high priests to visiting dignitaries from foreign nations seemed to never miss an excuse to stare at her; which nearly always resulted in a compliment towards the Pharaoh regarding his beautiful slave. More than likely they would not have looked twice at her if she had been more covered up. As it was, Amber had been made to wear a scanty little top that was more like a halter top to her, because it tied behind the neck and at the mid-back region, leaving very little to the imagination. The edges of it had been trimmed, or more likely carefully dyed with a rich crimson color and along the bottom edges, thin decorative gold coins hung and clinked whenever she moved. And the skirt, if one could call it that, was just as bad. It was a flimsy affair made of a narrow gold rope that wound its way around her hips a few times, with a long strip of white fabric, also trimmed with red along the edges with gold coins along the bottom too; and the covering was no wider than a foot in the front and the back alike; the part of it that was actually cloth fell to about the middle of her calves and Amber therefore tired to stay in a pose which allowed the audience to see as little as possible. This however was a difficult task considering her state of dress, or undress rather. Another irritation was something Yami had quickly fallen into the habit of doing. When someone’s eyes would linger too long on his new slave, or if a particularly suggestive compliment was offered, he would thread his left hand through her long hair, which he’d purposely insisted she keep down and loose, and guided her head to rest against his left knee; thus making it look as though she would not willingly have anything to do with those in front of her and only wished to stay with her current master. True Amber had less than no interest in the gushing morons before her, but that was beside the point. On the other hand, it might’ve been a good thing that Yami did this, since it seemed that for now, she would have to rely on him for protection from every other male around this place. She didn’t like it, but his gestures helped emphasize that she was off limits, a good thing in the long run. Though however long the long run was, she didn’t want to wait forever to find out. The necessity for patience sucked to high heaven.

In spite of all of this however, there was something odd that seemed to increase in frequency during the day. Every so often Pippin, who had taken refuge in her lap, would spring forth and arch his back with all his hair on end, his tail all bushy, and hiss and make threatening swipes at a few of the men that came to speak with the Pharaoh. From Amber’s own perspective, this was damned odd behavior for the normally calm and friendly red cat. But for Yami and Yugi, it meant something entirely different from just strange behavior. With no more than a glance at one another, the two brothers agreed on one thing. Bastet was surely watching over them all now, and had sent the feline, and possibly the girl to act as a pair of guardians. In their minds, the cat Pippin was the one who sent a warning to the household that those it indicated were up to no good, and also to the potential wrongdoers that this place was protected by the gods. But what could that mean for the cat’s owner? Was she unknowingly or otherwise an avatar for Bastet’s own powers? A vessel through which the gods would watch over the Pharaoh and the young prince? Both had admitted to themselves, and would likely do so later, that the gods worked in mysterious ways. They dabbled in cause and effect just enough to keep the flow of this world and all who inhabited it to their liking; was it not possible that they had plucked a woman out of one place and set her down here to look after them?

Such a matter, Yami decided, would require much prayer and divination in the next week or so, if he were to learn the answer. But there was time enough for that later. He glanced down at Amber, who was still looking ruffled by the last remarks of a middle-aged Greek, who was eyeing her with hunger, none too discreetly. Again Yami’s hand reached out and coiled in the long soft locks of brownish-gold. But this time she rested her head against his knee before he’d even applied the pressure to indicate her to do so. And more over, he could feel her arms wrap around his left calf, as though she were a scared child clinging to the nearest adult creature for defense.

“My dear Thruselus,” Yami said interrupting some forgettable remarks. “Please keep your mind, and your physical self, on your work, and not on my little pet here.” He finished this with several deliberate strokes of her long hair as though she were some feline beast. He could feel Amber shifting her arms so that she clung tighter, and wondered what she was doing exactly.

“Oh my sincerest apologies Pharaoh.” Said Thruselus, with a humbled bow. “But, you know, I am like any other man. Beauty leaves an impression on me.” He was staring at Amber again, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out where exactly his eyes were roaming.

“Well certainly, I can understand that.” Yami said, but then his voice turned cuttingly harsh. “But keep in mind, your are looking at what you cannot have.” Normally, Amber would argue with him, if only on principal, but for once, she felt he was right, even if the reasoning behind such sentiments was skewed.

“Once again, my apologies, Oh Great Pharaoh.” The Greek bowed again, and Yami relaxed a bit, though Amber didn’t move from her current position against his leg. The rest of the time Thruselus talked, Pippin stood like a sentinel three feet in front of Amber. Once when the man took a few steps closer the red mass of fur brought itself to its full height, which wasn’t much considering, and arched its back, giving an angry cat-growl. The Greek was acutely aware of the animal’s animosity towards him, but being somewhat ill informed of what this meant to the Egyptians, was wondering why several sets of eyes were glaring at him. “Shoo! You mangy beast!” He spat at the little creature and made a sweeping gesture with his hand as if to wave the cat off.

“Thruselus.” The Pharaoh’s sense of patience was sounding strained to say the least. “A word of advice: It is best to like everyone and everything in a foreign country until you leave.” His meaning by this was clear to all; behave yourself and deal with your issues until you are in a safe enough place to complain about them. Thruselus said nothing, but bowed again and backed away, throwing Pippin an evil glare. In return the cat arched its back and hissed before going back to its owner’s lap, curling up and glaring at the Greek with unblinking golden eyes. That image in and of itself would not have been so frightening, if the slave-woman had not been giving him the exact same stare. Her impossible green eyes fixed on him startling enough to make him wonder what she might do. Thank the gods she was merely a slave, and could therefore do nothing to him.

But all in an instant, something changed. Amber’s eyes glanced to the right, past the Pharaoh and the prince, and she straightened her posture a bit more to look. Then in a second, her eyes were wide and she launched herself past Yami to where Yugi sat. The little boy looked startled to be sure, but in the next eighth of a second, he looked absolutely petrified. There was the sharp ring of metal on stone, and a harsh cross between a growl and a scream from Amber, and blood dripped to the floor, amid the shouts of orders and the clatter of soldiers feet as they chased after the attacker. Yugi blinked several times and stared at the open wound. Amber would not ease away from him, though the long cut in her arm must surely sting like hornets and fire. Her blood continued to drip into a small puddle on the ground next to them, and even so, she was making no effort to stop the flow. The little prince put his hand to her arm where it bled, and felt sick from the sound of her hissing in pain, and the feeling of the slick yet sticky red substance on his hand.

“You alright kid?” she grunted, through her clenched white teeth. Yugi couldn’t bring himself to speak, shocked as he was. And there was Yami next to him, holding him as if he had been the one to take the blow rather than Amber.

“Brother? Are you hurt?” Though his voice was rough, both Amber and Yugi could tell he was quite as scared as they were.

Yugi shook his head after a few moments. “No.” He said quietly. “I’m alright. I’m not hurt.”


Yet again Amber felt her sense of irritation and indignation at the situation growing to dangerous levels. Laying on her right side was easy enough, just not when a needle and thread was repeatedly penetrating her skin in an already sensitive place. Even though she had been offered morphine, and she’d dearly wanted to accept it, she knew better. It was dangerous enough stuff in her own day and age, she wasn’t about to risk it in this place. The Pharaoh had insisted, even against all cries for decency, to watch over the process, and because he was there, Yugi had wanted to come along too. Amber didn’t much care about this, though she would later find it rather touching that they both wanted to keep an eye on her.

“Did you see anything at all?” Yami asked again, hoping this time the results would be different. But alas, no such luck.

“Just some white hair and I think some robes or something that might’ve been white at one point or another.” Amber gritted out through her still tightened jaw. “Not enough to really go on.” Yami sighed and looked petulant. There was silence again, broken only by the occasional hiss of pain from the Pharaoh’s slave. Yugi seemed to be in a very subdued frame of mind, but that was understandable, given what had just happened. His own through pattern was rather chaotic at the moment

Amber saw them. They were trying to get me. But they got her. Will she die? Please Gods don’t let her die for this! What if they try again? What if my broth can’t do anything? What-? A strong arm came around his shoulders and startled hem out of his thoughts so hard that he actually jumped.

“Yugi are you alright?” His older brother’s tone was much gentler now, and Yugi felt all the better for it.

“I’m fine.” He said softly, still feeling very nervy and on edge. But what he was feeling must’ve shown in his face, because Yami put a hand to the little boy’s forehead, apparently feeling for a temperature.

“Does he look pale to you?” the Pharaoh asked, glancing at Amber to indicate it was her opinion he wanted. She had to arch her neck at an uncomfortable angle in order to see properly.

“Come here a minute sweetie.” She said warmly to the little boy, who promptly stood on shaky legs and walked over to her. He almost winced as he felt her right hand touch his forehead, then his cheek. “Yeah, he’s all clammy.” She said softly. “Shock can do that to a person, and it usually does.” She finished on a pained growl in the back of her throat as she sat up so the doctor could apply bandages.

“Are…” Yugi hesitated, and looked down at his sandal-clad feet. Amber stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was trying to say, the looked up at Yami as if asking if his little brother was indeed alright. “Are you going to die?” It was a quiet question hat made all in the room stop and stare at him.

Before Yami could ask what brought this on, the physician and his slave spoke at the same time. Then they both paused and traded confused looks.

“You first.” Amber said politely, and the doctor bowed in mild thanks, not polite, but not rude either.

“Be assured your Highness, the young lady is as likely to live as any of her age.” He said , and though his tone was calm and matter-of-fact, it seemed to Amber and Yami both, that he was deliberately making it sound grandfatherly to boot. Neither of them objected nor pointed this out, since it seemed to make Yugi feel a bit better; at least he looked up again.

“There you go.” Amber said, smiling and editorializing like she was prone to do. “An experienced professional opinion.” Yugi smiled at that, knowing she had a point there. The doctor wouldn’t have said such a thing if it weren’t true. “Besides, she added, looking at the now linen-wrapped arm. “I’ve survived stuff like this before, I can do it again.” Yugi’s smile turned watery as he lunged and threw his arms as best he could around Amber’s waist.

“I’m sorry.” He said, his voice sick with guilt. “It’s all my fault!” At this, Yami was about to say something, but as he opened his mouth, Amber shook her head hard, telling him to keep quiet for a moment.

“No.” She said so solidly and sternly, that Yugi looked up at her, his lip quivering. “You didn’t do anything to cause this, so it can’t be your fault at all.”

“B-but-.”

“Yugi, you did not put that blade to her flesh.” Yami finally got a word in, and Amber smiled at him. “The one responsible is the assassin and whoever he is working for.”

“You see?” Amber told the little boy, who still looked like he didn’t believe them entirely. “You’re brother doesn’t blame you, and neither do I. You shouldn’t blame yourself.” It was a few minutes before he finally cracked a smile again and hugged her.

“Send for the guards and tell them to send for double the number.” Yami directed this command at the doctor who had been looking as though he really wanted to escape this awkward atmosphere. The man bowed and hurried off to do so. The Pharaoh then turned back to his brother and pulled the boy into a hug. “I want you to go straight to bed and try to get some sleep alright?” Yugi nodded, but looked doubtful, and nobody could blame him. There came a loud knock on the door and Yami bid the guards to enter. They did so, looking as straight-backed and proud as if they had been manufactured toy soldiers. “Escort the prince to his chambers, and when you get there, search the place and make sure there is no intruder.” He set one hand on Yugi’s shoulder for a moment. “Guard him well, or it will be all your hides.” He warned and each of them nodded, knowing he was completely serious. They left with the little prince shielded between them, and thus, the Pharaoh and his slave were all alone again.

Amber sighed, but said nothing, and Yami took a moment to take in the full sight of her. The once beautiful, if suggestive clothes, were now stained with the dirty, rusty color of her own dried and caked-on blood. There were placed where it clung to her hair too, and it made him want to find the matted spots and clean the substance out.

“Tell me the truth.” Amber’s head snapped up to look at him when he spoke suddenly. “Do you really think you’ll live?” For a moment she only stared at him, but it wasn’t quite the same stare that she had given his little brother.

“What’re you implying?” Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Answer the question.” He said flatly, though it was not really from hate or anger. He simply would not be disobeyed, that was all, and he wanted his answer. For another minute or so, her eyes continued to not quite glare at him, trying to figure out what he was really saying.

“If no one makes an effort to do me any harm, then yes; I think I’ll survive.” She said pointedly. Yami made a quiet sound in his throat, but did not actually say anything for a few minutes. His mind was working and seemed to have hit a rather large snag.

“Why did you help my brother?” he finally asked, but his voice was barely above a whisper. Amber wasn’t entirely sure she’d heard him right.

“Why did I what?”

“Why did you help my brother?” He repeated, his voice gruff again. “It’ isn’t exactly a secret that your situation angers you. In your eyes, I’m the one keeping you here. So why would you protect someone I hold so dear?” His voice was now harsh, he meant to be obeyed, and he meant to know why she had taken such a risk. And although he met her eyes and would not look away, the glare she was now giving him could have gone right through him and three walled behind.

“Just because I hate your guts doesn’t mean your brother should die!” she spat in utter fury. “He’s just a kid! And more importantly he’s an individual apart from you! He’s not responsible for anything you do, and only a sick son-of-a-bitch would attack him to get to you!” And with that, she stalked off with more energy and fury than most would have guessed her capable in her weakened state.

For a long time Yami just sat there. Too much seemed to have happened in too short a period of time. Dealing with a rebellious slave, who loved her own independence and the very next day his brother is nearly killed. But the same slave that so hates him risks her life to save the only family he has left. As he walked the halls to his bedchambers, the Pharaoh wondered what kind of world and culture had she grown up in where the murder of innocents was so strongly abhorred. Granted it was deplorable here too, but there were exceptions to such social and legal rules. Being born to such a high privilege as they were, was one of them.

And yet that seems to make no difference to her. He mused as he at last sat down on the edge of his own bed, and prepared for a nap, which he dearly needed.


Now you people have to let me know what you thought of the whole mess. Kinda dramatic and anticlimactic all in one go wasn't it? Tell me what you thought via the whole reviewing process.